Context: Laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) is the gold standard cholecystectomy. LC is the most common difficult laparoscopic surgery performed by surgeons today. The factors leading to difficult laparoscopic cholecystectomy can be predicted. Aims: To develop a scoring method that predicts difficult laparoscopic cholecystectomy. Settings and Design: Bidirectional prospective study in a medical college setup. Materials and Methods: Following approval from the institutional ethical committee, cases from the three associated hospitals in a medical college setup, were collected using a detailed proforma stating the parameters of difficulty in laparoscopic cholecystectomy. Study period was between May 10 and June 12. Preoperative, sonographic and intraoperative criteria were considered. Statistical Analysis Used: Chi Square test and Receiver Operater Curve (ROC) analysis. Results: Total 323 patients were included. On analysis, elderly patients, males, recurrent cholecystitis, obese patients, previous surgery, patients who needed preoperative Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP), abnormal serum hepatic and pancreatic enzyme profiles, distended or contracted gall bladder, intra-peritoneal adhesions, structural anomalies or distortions and the presence of a cirrhotic liver on ultrasonography (USG) were identified as predictors of difficult LC. A scoring system tested against the same sample proved to be effective. A ROC analysis was done with area under receiver operator curve of 0.956. A score above 9 was considered difficult with sensitivity of 85% and specificity of 97.8%. Conclusions: This study demonstrates that a scoring system predicting the difficulty in LC is feasible. There is scope for further refinement to make the same less cumbersome and easier to handle. Further studies are warranted in this direction.

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Hydrocele of the canal of Nuck is a rare condition in females. It results from the failure of obliteration of the distal portion of evaginated parietal peritoneum within the inguinal canal which forms a sac containing fluid. Patients generally present with inguinal swelling. We present a case of left sided cyst of canal of Nuck with left inguinal hernia in a 28-year-old female, which was diagnosed on ultrasonography. Patient underwent laparoscopic excision of cyst of canal of nuck with hernioplasty. Histopathology confirmed the diagnosis. To our knowledge, this is the first reported case of laparoscopic excision of a cyst (encysted hydrocele) of the canal of Nuck.

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Background: Laparoscopic adrenalectomy for tumors larger than 6 cm is currently a matter of controversial discussion because of difficult mobilization from surrounding organs and a possible risk of capsule rupture. Materials and Methods: Data of consecutive patients undergoing laparoscopic adrenalectomy between 1/1994 and 7/2012 were collected and analysed retrospectively. Intra- and postoperative morbidity in patients with tumors ≤6 cm (group 1, n = 227) were compared to patients with tumors >6 cm, (group 2, n = 52). Results: Incidence of adrenocortical carcinoma was significantly higher in group 2 patients (6.3% vs. 0.4%, P = 0.039) whereas the incidence of aldosterone-producing adenoma was lower (2% vs. 25%, P = 0.001). Mean duration of surgery was longer (105 min vs. 88 min, P = 0.03) and the estimated blood loss was higher (470 mL vs. 150 mL) in group 2 patients. Intraoperative bleeding rate (5.7% vs. 0.8%, P = 0.041), and the conversion rate were significantly higher (5.7% vs. 1.3%, P = 0.011) in group 2. Also, postoperative complication rate was significantly higher in group 2 (11.5% vs. 3.0%, P = 0.022). However, only two major complications occurred, one in each group. Conclusion: Minimally invasive adrenal surgery can be performed by an experienced surgeon even in patients with large tumors (>6 cm) with an increased but still acceptable intra- and postoperative morbidity.

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Double gallbladder is a rare embryological anomaly of clinical significance. Despite availability of modern imaging, only 50% of recently reported cases had preoperative diagnosis, which is desirable in every case to avoid serious operative complications. Double pathology in double gallbladder is extremely rare with only 3 reporting's available till date to the best of author's knowledge. With a preoperative diagnosis of double gallbladder, laparoscopic cholecystectomy can be safely and successfully performed with meticulous dissection, aided by operative cholangiogram. However in all such attempts a lower threshold should be kept for conversion to open surgery. Awareness about this anomaly amongst radiologists and surgeons is of crucial importance. Double gallbladder does not present with any specific symptom, neither it increases disease possibility in either lobe. Prophylactic cholecystectomy has no role in asymptomatic cases diagnosed accidentally. Author reports a case of a symptomatic young male with double gallbladder who presented with short history of dyspepsia, abdominal pain and fever. Definite preoperative diagnosis was reached with ultrasound scan and magnetic resonance cholangio pancreatography and subsequently dealt with laparoscopically. Calculous cholecystitis affected one lobe and acalculous empyema the other. While the 1st lobe drained though a cystic duct into common bile duct (CBD), the 2nd was without any communication with either CBD or its counterpart, thus remained as a blind vesicle.

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Kirschner wire is a sharp stainless steel guide wire commonly used in fixation of fractured bone segments. There are case reports of migrated K wire from the upper limb into the spine and chest, and from the lower limb in to the abdomen and pelvis. Here, we present a case report of accidental intra-operative fracture of K wire during percutaneous femoral nailing for sub-trochanteric fracture of right femur, which migrated in to the pelvis when the orthopaedician tried to retrieve the broken segment of the K wire. This case highlights the use of laparoscopy as minimally invasive surgical option.

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Introduction: Laparoscopic dismembered pyeloplasty is an acceptable option for ureteropelvic junction (UPJ) obstruction in the paediatric population. We compared our results of laparoscopic dismembered and non-dismembered Foley's YV pyeloplasty. Materials and Methods: Children presenting with hydronephrosis secondary to UPJ obstruction formed the study group. Foley's YV plasty was planned whenever it was observed that a tension free dismembered pyeloplasty was not possible in spite of all possible manoeuvres. Children were followed up for urinary infection, and renogram was repeated after 3 months. Results: During the study period, 108 children (63 male and 45 female) with a mean age of 4.94 ± 2.78 years underwent laparoscopic dismembered pyeloplasty and the remaining 11 children (5 male and 6 female) with a mean age of 4.00 ± 1.776 years underwent laparoscopic Foley's YV plasty. There were no major peri-operative complications noted and conversion to open was not necessary in any child. Renogram done at 3 months post-operatively showed good drainage and improvement of renal function. Conclusions: Laparoscopic Foley's YV pyeloplasty is a safe and effective technique in appropriately selected cases of primary UPJ obstruction in children.

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Aims: To study the role of robotics in various gynaecological cases, benign and malignant. Materials and Methods: A total number of 80 cases have been analyzed. Operative time, estimated blood loss, hospital stay, complications, conversion rates have been retrospectively studied in all cases. Nodal yield, vaginal margin and paracervical clearance have been studied in all malignant cases. This investigation was conducted at a single minimal access surgery institute. Results: Of total 80 cases, 29 were benign and 51 were malignant cases. In benign cases, total robotic hysterectomies were 24, 2 cases of tubotuboplasty, 1 case of endometriotic cyst excision, 1 case of metroplasty and 1 case of rectovaginal fistula. In 51 cases, 37 of radical hysterectomy, 9 exenterations and 6 were parametrectomy. In benign cases, mean operative time was 80 min, estimated blood loss was 20 ml, mean hospital stay was for 1 day, no major complications and no conversions. In malignant cases, mean operative time was 122 min, estimated blood loss was 50-100ml, 2 cases of ureteric fistulas and no conversions, nodal yield was 30, vaginal margin was 2.5-3.8 cm and para cervical clearance was 3-3.5 cm. Conclusions: Ours is the largest series of robotic surgery in gynecological procedures in India. Benign and malignant cases were addressed robotically showing the feasibility.

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Intestinal malrotation is rare in adults. Patients may present with acute obstruction or chronic abdominal pain. These symptoms are caused by Ladd's bands and narrow mesentery resulting from incomplete gut rotation. Barium, computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), angiography and sometimes explorative laparotomy are used for diagnosis. Ladd's procedure is the treatment of choice but data about laparoscopic approach in adult is scarce. We report three cases of laparoscopic correction of adult malrotation presenting with chronic abdominal pain. The diagnosis is made by CT/MRI. Laparoscopic Ladd's procedure (release of bands, broadening of mesentery and appendicectomy) was performed via three ports. Procedure time 25-45 min. All patients were discharged on postoperative day 2. At 6 month follow-up, all are symptom free. Laparoscopic Ladd's procedure is an acceptable alternative to the open technique in treating chronic symptoms of intestinal malrotation in adults.

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Trans anal endoscopic microsurgery (TEM) first burst upon the scene several decades ago and then underwent a period of immersion. We have herein reported our experience in two cases who underwent TEM using laparoscopic techniques. The advent of single incision laparoscopic surgery (SILS) has made great inroads into various fields of general and gastrointestinal (GI) surgery. We decided to make use of the same technique in TEM for two patients who had large sessile villous adenomas of the rectum. We used this port and fixed it transanally to the edge of the anus. Carbon dioxide used for insufflation in laparoscopic surgery was used through one of the ports, and a telescope was inserted to the larger port. We made sure that the entire polyp was cut out completely until the circular muscle of the internal sphincter was clearly exposed. Next, the cut edges of the rectum were undermined between the mucosa and the circular muscles in order to bring the cut edges closer together. We were able to perform this SILS TEM in two cases. In both the cases, well differentiated villous adenoma (colonoscopically, biopsy proven before surgery) was confirmed after excision. The question has been raised whether TEM is the new laparoscopy for anorectal surgery. Increasingly, several reports are showing promise for treatment for early stage cancers and large rectal adenomas using TEM. Adoption of our technique using the SILS port that has not been previously described in medical literature, seems to be a promising tool for the future. TEM first burst upon the scene several decades ago and then under went a period of immersion. In recent years, with the onset of laparoscopic surgery, the thoughts and the ideas of using a laparoscopic surgical technique have invaded the area of colorectal cancer as well. We have herein reported our experience in two cases who underwent TEM using laparoscopic techniques.

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Aims: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the technical feasibility, safety and oncological outcomes of laparoscopic resection for middle and low rectal cancers. Materials and Methods: From January 2004 to December 2011, review of prospectively collected database revealed a series of 97 laparoscopic resections for middle and low rectal cancer within 10 cm from the anal verge. Five patients with multiple primary cancers were excluded. Operation time, intra-operative blood loss, surgical complications, duration of hospital stay, retrieved lymph nodes, tumour, node, metastasis (TNM) stage and recurrence were retrospectively analysed. Results: Tumours were located within 5 cm of the anal verge in 28 patients (30.4%) and from 5 cm to 10 cm in 64 patients (69.6%). Abdominoperineal resection was performed in 12 patients (13%), and conversion to open surgery was necessary in four patients (4.3%). The mean operation time was 199.7 min (range 105-450 min) and the mean intra-operative blood loss was 169.9 mL (range 20-800 mL). The mean hospital stay was 11.8 days (range 5-45 days) and a mean of 12.2 lymph nodes were retrieved. The incidence of surgical complications was 11.9%, including anastomosis site leakage in five patients (5.4%). There were no mortalities resulting from laparoscopic surgery. The median follow-up period was 28.4 months (range 7-85 months). Recurrence occurred in eight patients (8.7%). Conclusions: Laparoscopic resection can be applied for middle and low rectal cancers with acceptable surgical and oncological outcomes.

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Aim : To assess the feasibility, safety of rigid tubal ligation scope in laparoscopic common bile duct (CBD) exploration. Materials and Methods: Rigid nephroscope was used for laparoscopic CBD exploration until one day we tried the same with the rigid tubal ligation scope, which was passed easily into CBD both proximally and distally visualising the interior of the duct for presence of stone that were removed using endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreaticography (ERCP) basket. This serendipity led us to use this scope for numerous patients from then on. A total of 62 patients, including male and female, underwent laparoscopic CBD exploration after choledochotomy with rigid tubal ligation scope between March 2007 and December 2012 followed by cholecystectomy. All the patients had both cholelithiasis and choledocholithiasis with minimum duct diameter of 12 mm. A total of 48 patients were given T-tube through choledochotomy and closed, and the remaining 14 patients had primary closure of choledochotomy. Results: There were no intra-operative complications in any of the patients like CBD injury or portal vein injury. Post-operatively graded clamping of T-tube was done and was removed after 15 days in the patients who were given T-tube. None had retained the stone after T-tube cholangiography, which was done before removing the tube. Mean duration of follow up was 6 months. No patients had any complaints during the follow up. Conclusion: Laparoscopic CBD exploration is also feasible with rigid tubal ligation scope. With experienced surgeons, CBD injury is very minimal and stone clearance can be achieved in almost all patients. This rigid tubal ligation scope can be an alternative to other rigid and flexible scopes.

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Angiomyxoma is a rare tumour found predominantly in pelvis of young females. Less than 150 cases have been reported, more than 90% in females and only few cases in males. Its surgical excision is a big challenge and usually leads to recurrence due to incomplete excision. We report a case of retrovesical Angiomyxoma in an elderly male. The aim of this report is to highlight the rarity of this disease, especially in males, and robotic assisted excision as an evolving option of treatment.

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