OBJECTIVES We analyzed our experience with the laparoscopic approach for treating benign gastric lesions. METHODS Between June 1998 and June 2002, we performed 18 gastric resections with the laparoscopic approach for 7 pyloric stenoses, 8 recurrent duodenal ulcers, and 3 chronic gastric ulcers. RESULTS In our series, we performed Billroth II laparoscopic distal gastrectomy with no morbidity...

Laparoscopic gastrectomy for gastric cancer is rapidly becoming popular because of the technical developments and the accumulated data of laparoscopic surgery in gastric cancer patients. The aim of this review is to present the current body of evidence and to highlight controversial issues of laparoscopic gastrectomy for gastric cancer. Laparoscopic distal gastrectomy (LDG) provides better or c...

Background: Bariatric surgery is currently the most effective method to ameliorate co-morbidities as consequence of morbidly obese patients with BMI over 35 kg/m2. Endoscopic techniques have been developed to treat patients with mild obesity and ameliorate comorbidities, but endoscopic skills are needed, beside the costs of the devices. Aim: To report a new technique for internal gastric pli...

Laparoscopic gastrectomy has been widely accepted especially in patients with early-stage gastric cancer. However, the safety and oncologic validity of laparoscopic gastrectomy for advanced gastric cancer are still being debated. Since the late 90s', we have been engaged in developing a stable and robust methodology of laparoscopic radical gastrectomy for advanced gastric cancer, and have estab...

Purpose: Internal hernias are a result of bowel protrusion through a normal or abnormal intraabdominal mesenteric defect. Paraduodenal hernias comprise the most common form of congenital internal hernia however, due to the rarity of this condition, there is no consensus regarding standard of care for the surgical treatment of these hernias. We report a successful laparoscopic repair of a left s...

BACKGROUND The use of bariatric surgery in the management of morbid obesity is rapidly increasing. The two most frequently performed procedures are laparoscopic Roux-en-Y bypass and laparoscopic gastric banding. The objective of this short overview is to provide a critical appraisal of the most relevant scientific evidence comparing laparoscopic gastric banding versus laparoscopic Roux-en-Y byp...

Distasis recti is a common occurrence in multiparous women (1), caused by repeated stretching of the abdominal wall by the gravid uterus. A small proportion of patients have a persisting weakness which may be symptomatic and present to the surgeon. We would like to present a case which, thus far, has had a successful outcome from laparoscopic plication of the linea alba without mesh. The benefi...