New, Low-Risk Laparoscopic Surgical Technique Published in Journal of Laparoendoscopic & Advanced Surgical Techniques.

LARCHMONT, N.Y. -- Patients with Barrett's esophagus and high-grade dysplasia, an ulcer-like, precancerous condition, now have an alternative to esophagectomy with the introduction of a novel, lower risk laparoscopic procedure for resection of the affected tissue, which is described in the October 2004 (Volume 14, Number 5) issue of Journal of Laparoendoscopic & Advanced Surgical Techniques, a peer-reviewed journal published by Mary Ann Liebert, Inc. (www.liebertpub.com). The entire issue may be viewed free online at www.liebertpub.com/lap.

The minimally invasive, laparoscopic technique developed by Constantine T. Frantzides, M.D., Ph.D., from Evanston (IL) Northwestern Healthcare and colleagues was successful in treating two patients with a history of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and high-grade dysplasia of the esophagus. The surgical procedure involved local resection of the affected mucosa. Endoscopic follow-up at 8-10 months showed regeneration of normal squamous epithelium, as detailed in a paper entitled, "Laparoscopic Transgastric Esophageal Mucosal Resection for High-Grade Dysplasia."

In the same issue of the journal, Wing Tai Siu and coworkers from Pamela Youde Nethersole Eastern Hospital in Hong Kong report on an innovative laparoscopic technique for vagotomy and gastrojejunostomy to treat peptic ulcer-induced benign gastric outlet obstruction. The paper follows 15 patients who underwent the procedure and reports Visick classifications after an average follow-up of 80 months that show satisfactory long-term clinical outcomes.

Michele Grande, M.D., and colleagues from the University of Rome Tor Vergata and Vanderbilt University Medical School in Nashville, TN, authored a paper describing four preoperative risk factors that can be used as a prediction model for the presence of common bile duct stones in patients undergoing laparoscopic cholecystectomy.

A discussion of urologic laparoscopy by Ralph Madeb, M.D., et al., from the University of Rochester Medical Center, Strong Memorial Hospital, and Bnai Zion Medical Center in Haifa, Israel, focuses on the potential complications and limitations of this procedure.

Journal of Laparoendoscopic & Advanced Surgical Techniques is an authoritative peer-reviewed journal published bimonthly in print and online. Edited by Mark A. Talamini, M.D., Editor-in-Chief and Associate Professor of Surgery and Director of Minimally Invasive Surgery at Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, the Journal is dedicated to practicing surgeons and provides reviews and papers on the surgical techniques that encompass laparoscopy, endoscopy, and advanced surgical technology in all surgical disciplines. A complete table of contents and free sample issue may be viewed online at www.liebertpub.com/lap.

Mary Ann Liebert, Inc., is a privately held, fully integrated media company known for establishing authoritative peer-reviewed journals in many promising areas of science and biomedical research, including Pediatric Endosurgery & Innovative Techniques, Journal of Endourology, and Surgical Infections. Its biotechnology trade magazine, Genetic Engineering News (GEN), was the first in its field and is today the industry's most widely read publication worldwide. A complete list of the firm's 60 journals, books, and newsmagazines is available at www.liebertpub.com.