In experienced hands laparoscopic pyeloplasty is an effective alternative treatment for symptomatic ureteropelvic junction obstruction. The results appear durable and comparable to open pyeloplasty with decreased postoperative morbidity.

Laparoscopic radical nephrectomy is an effective alternative for localized renal cell carcinoma when the principles of surgical oncology are maintained. Initial data show shorter patient hospitalization and effective cancer control with no significant difference in survival compared with open radical nephrectomy.

Based on long-term followup, our evaluation confirmed for clinical tumor stage T1/2 N0M0 that laparoscopic radical nephrectomy is oncologically equivalent to open radical nephrectomy.

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Laparoscopic pyelolithotomy is feasible when combined with pyeloplasty. Our results are comparable to those of stone removal during open pyeloplasty or percutaneous endopyelotomy. The advantages of open surgery appear to be maintained in this minimally invasive approach.

Chronic subdural haematoma (CSDH) is a common neurosurgical condition. Burr-hole for drainage is an effective treatment. However, recurrence can be up to 8-33% and is associated with morbidities and mortalities. The underlying pathogenesis was postulated to be localised inflammation and pathological aberrant vessels formation. Atorvastatin, an HMG-CoA reductase inhibitor, is a type of lipid-lowering medication. In animal studies and a preliminary clinical trial, Atorvastatin was shown to be effective in the treatment of CSDH. It was found to inhibit inflammation and promote vascular maturation at the neomembrane of CSDH. Our study aimed to investigate the efficacy of Atorvastatin in CSDH. During the study period from January to December 2014, Atorvastatin was used in 12 CSDH patients with Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) 13-15 or Markwalder's Grading Scale (MGS) Grade 0-2. They were retrospectively compared with GCS-and MGS-matched controls who had not used statin. Improvement with haematoma resolution at 3 months was 75% (9/12) for the Atorvastatin group, versus 42% (5/12) for the Control group (p ¼ 0.0977). The risk of deterioration requiring burr-hole drainage was 16.7% (2/12) in the Atorvastatin group, versus 58.3% (7/12) in the Control group (p ¼ 0.0447). The Odds Ratio (OR) of deterioration requiring burr-hole drainage with Atorvastatin was 0.143 (95%CI: 0.021-0.958), which favours the use of Atorvastatin in CSDH (p ¼ 0.0451). The Number needed to treat (NNT) was 2.4 (p ¼ 0.0447; 95%CI: 1.31-14.93). In conclusion, this retrospective cohort comparison study has shown that CSDH with Atorvastatin had a lower rate of deterioration and burr-hole drainage.ARTICLE HISTORY

Time delay does affect surgical performance. There is an acceptable delay of <700 msec in which surgeons can compensate for this phenomenon. Clinical studies will be needed to evaluate the true impact of time delay.

The endovascular GIA stapler is useful in performing laparoscopic nephrectomy. However, malfunctions may occur, and can be associated with significant blood loss and subsequent need for conversion to an open procedure. The majority of errors could be avoided with careful application and recognition. Many failures, especially when recognized before release of the device, can be managed without conversion to an open procedure.