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The objective of this study was to evaluate usage and outcomes of emergency laparoscopic versus open surgery at a single tertiary academic center. Over a three-year period 165 patients were identified retrospectively using National Surgical Quality Improvement Program results. Appendectomies and cholecystectomies were excluded. Open and laparoscopic approaches were compared regarding preoperative and operative characteristics, the development of postoperative complications, 30-day mortality, and length of hospital stay. Indications for operation were similar between groups. Patients who underwent open surgery had more severe comorbidities and higher ASA class. Laparoscopy was associated with reduced complication rates, operative time, length of stay, and discharges to skilled nursing facilities on univariate analysis. In a multivariate model, surgical approach was not associated with the development of complications. Older age, dependent status, and dyspnea were predictors of conversion from attempted laparoscopic to open approaches.

Importance: Laparoscopic ventral hernia repair (LVHR) using mesh is a well-established intervention for ventral hernia, but pain control can be challenging., Objective: To determine whether instillation of a long-acting local anesthetic between the mesh and the peritoneum after LVHR reduces pain or narcotic requirements., Design, Setting, and Participants: A prospective, double-blind, randomized clinical trial with data collection during a brief hospital stay in a tertiary care, community teaching hospital over 3 years between December 15, 2011, and March 28, 2014. Of 120 screened patients undergoing LVHR in this intention-to-treat analysis, 99 eligible patients were randomized. Forty-two patients received the study drug, and 38 patients received placebo. Patients with a history of chronic narcotic use were excluded., Intervention: After mesh placement, a long-acting local anesthetic (bupivacaine hydrochloride, 0.50%) or placebo (0.9% normal saline) was injected between the mesh and the peritoneum., Main Outcomes and Measures: Postoperative pain (on a standard scale ranging from 0 to 10), and narcotic medication use (intravenous morphine equivalents). There were no adverse events., Results: Baseline and operative characteristics were similar except that the treatment group was older (61.8 vs 52.3 years, P = .001). After surgery, pain scores in the recovery room (3.2 vs 4.7, P = .003), interval total narcotic use (6.7 vs 12.5 mg, P = .003 at <4 hours and 0 vs 2.7 mg, P = .01 at 8-12 hours), and total intravenous narcotic use (9.2 vs 17.2 mg of morphine sulfate equivalents, P = .03) were significantly less in the treatment group., Conclusions and Relevance: Administration of a long-acting local anesthetic between the mesh and the peritoneum significantly reduces postoperative pain and narcotic use after LVHR., Trial Registration: clinicaltrials.gov Identifier: NCT01530815.

Background: Small bowel obstruction (SBO) is commonly encountered by surgeons and has traditionally been handled via an open approach, especially when small bowel resection (SBR) is indicated, although recent series have shown improved outcomes with a laparoscopic approach. In this retrospective study, we sought to evaluate outcomes and identify risk factors for adverse events after emergency SBR for SBO with an emphasis on surgical approach., Materials and Methods: In this retrospective review using American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program data, 1750 patients were identified who had emergency SBR with the principal diagnosis of SBO from 2006 to 2011. Mortality and postoperative adverse events were evaluated., Results: Of 1750 patients who had emergency SBR, 51 (2.9%) had laparoscopic bowel resection (LBR). There was no difference in surgery duration (open bowel resection [OBR] versus LBR, 100 minutes versus 92 minutes; P=.38). Compared with the LBR group, the OBR group had a higher rate of baseline cardiac comorbidities and postoperative complications, and their length of stay was longer (10 versus 8 days; P<.001). Using multivariate analysis, perioperative variables of age >70 years, pulmonary, renal, neurological, and cardiac comorbidities, preoperative sepsis, steroid use, and body mass index of <30 kg/m(2) were associated with increased odds of mortality. OBR was associated with overall increased odds of morbidity (2.8; P=.003) and postoperative wound (2.9; P=.018) and respiratory (6.5; P=.011) infections., Conclusions: LBR was associated with equivalent operative time, shorter length of stay, less morbidity, and equivalent mortality compared with OBR. Although therapy for SBO secondary to adhesive disease remains controversial, our study shows numerous benefits to the laparoscopic approach to SBOs and thus should be considered a first-line treatment option for the management of this common surgical problem.