This book is distinctive in that it is a truly practical guide to use of the laparoscopic approach for the treatment of many abdominal diseases. Rather than simply offering a general description of surgical laparoscopic techniques, it provides the knowledge required in order to introduce basic laparoscopic procedures into daily practice or to commence advanced laparoscopic surgery. For each surgical procedure, key points are highlighted, the necessary equipment is described, and the operating room setup essential to avoid errors or loss of time is explained. Many flow charts, tables, and figures are included to assist fast and intuitive comprehension. The book will be of interest to all of the "actors" in the operating room, including especially surgeons in training, established surgeons, nurses, and anesthetists.

This book provides up-to-date evidence on laparoscopic emergency surgery and supplies concrete advice on when and how to approach patients laparoscopically in an emergency setting. All the diseases elegible for emergency laparoscopy are addressed, and for each disease recommendations, levels of evidence, and technical key points are discussed and analyzed. Diagnostic flow charts are included for cases in which laparoscopy turns out to be the final diagnostic step and the first therapeutic one. Furthermore, problematic and positive aspects of the laparoscopic approach from the anesthesiologic point of view are fully explored. Finally, a useful overview of current practice in hospitals across the world is provided, highlighting the varying applications in relation to different medical “cultures”, skills, resources, and healthcare systems.

An in-depth analysis of the technical aspects of the most commonly performed laparoscopic procedures, their indications, contraindications, and complications. Heavily illustrated, Laparoscopic Surgery of the Abdomen breaks new ground in visualising operative procedures and problems. Seven sections, comprising the core curriculum of accepted procedures, present gallbladder disease, common bile duct exploration, hernia, colon diseases, anti-reflux procedures, acute abdomen and the role of diagnostic laparoscopy, and emerging procedures on the spleen and adrenals. Recognised leaders in the field tackle each section, emphasising what to do when and how to solve acute situations.

Performing a surgical operation could be compared to na- gating inside the human body. Two essential requirements are necessary for a successful apprenticeship: ? A perfect understanding of the roadmap, the anatomy ? Regular training with expert surgeon teachers showing str- egies, tactics, manoeuvres, and gestures to make the journey safe, efficient and fast For decades this was the way taken by apprentice-surgeons and also by surgeons already in practice concerned about upd- ing their knowledge. For years their only travelling companions were books, drawings, and pictures. However, printed medium cannot satisfactorily and properly reproduce the movements of a manoeuvring surgeon. In open surgery, only the two first - sistants can precisely capture by direct vision what is happ- ing in the depth of the operating field. Therefore, the duration of apprenticeship is long and restricted to a small number of people per teacher. The introduction of movie cameras into the operating rooms improved the quality of surgical education. But filming in open surgery is not so easy. The cameraperson has to be well trained to catch good takes in the depth of a pit between the heads, shoulders, and fingers of the surgeon and assistants. Most of the time, those constraints disturb the op- ator’s manoeuvres, altering their pedagogical value. With the introduction of laparoscopic surgery (LS), using a video camera providing images in real time on a television screen, everything changed.

The most complete presentation of basic and advanced laparoscopic techniques available, due to its integration of procedures from general surgery and other subspecialities. Enhanced by over 750 illustrations (113 of them in full colour) and written by no less than 132 international, interdisciplinary experts, this definitive reference covers all aspects of this still new and expanding technique. Four main sections deal with: basic laparoscopy; laparoscopy and thoracoscopy in general surgery; laparoscopy in surgical subspecialities (gynaecology, urology, angioscopy); plus the technological aspects of laparoscopy. Throughout this authoritative volume, the surgeon will find in-depth reviews of the literature and extensive clinical and scientific data on the rationale for using laparoscopic procedures. Certain to become a standard in the field.

The repair and management of inguinal hernias represents a significant part of the general surgeon's workload. It was therefore inevitable that following the success of laparoscopic cholysysectomy, surgeons would develop a procedure for repairing inguinal hernias laparoscopically. This book provides the first comprehensive account of laparoscopic inguinal hernia repair. The Editors' aim has been to give step-by-step guidance to each operative procedure discussed with reference to long term results. One of the biggest problems facing surgeons learning new laparoscopic procedures is an understanding and orientation of basic anatomy when viewed through the laparoscope. This issue is discussed at length with guidance on how to avoid the common pitfalls. Final chapters look at the advantages and disadvantages of the Lichtenstein open mesh hernia repair approach, safety and properties of non-absorbal mesh with the last chapters concentrating on laparoscopic suture repair and the new mini hernia operation.