GENERAL SURGICAL LAPAROSCOPIC PROCEDURES FOR THE NONLAPAROLOGIST

Objective: To assess our initial experience with a variety of laparosc opic procedures that can be performed by general surgeons with the bas ic skills used for laparoscopic cholecystectomy and without advanced l aparoscopic expertise, Material and Methods: We retrospectively review ed a 36-month experience (1991 through 1994) at our institution with a consecutive series of patients who underwent basic laparoscopic surgi cal procedures but specifically excluding cholecystectomy, appendectom y, herniorrhaphy, and colectomy. Results: Procedures performed laparos copically included gastrostomy, jejunostomy, small bowel resection, in tra-abdominal and retroperitoneal biopsy, staging of intra-abdominal m alignant lesions, and adhesiolysis for relief of small bowel obstructi on, During the 3-year study period, 106 patients underwent 107 procedu res, 89 of which were successful, Four patients had substantial compli cations, two of whom underwent surgical repair, Conclusion: A spectrum of procedures may be safely performed with the skills learned from la paroscopic cholecystectomy and without the need for advanced laparosco pic skills such as intracorporeal suturing or tying of knots.