Aim:To review our experience of laparoscopic repair of Morgagni's hernia (MH) using transfascial sutures.Materials and Methods:This is a retrospective review of patients presenting to the first author with the diagnosis of MH over a 15-year period. The variables analyzed included demographic data, clinical presentation, and operative details.Results:In all there were five male with a median age of 2 years. They were asymptomatic and MH was detected incidentally by observing an air-filled density in the right cardiophrenic angle on plain X-ray of the chest. Computed tomography (CT) confirmed the diagnosis in all patients. All patients underwent laparoscopic repair of MH using transfascial sutures. The average operative time was 75 min. Oral feeding was started 6 h after surgery and patients were discharged on either 3rd or 4th postoperative day. Postoperative follow-up X-ray confirmed the intact repair.Conclusions:Laparoscopic repair of MH using transfascial sutures is an easy and effective solution. Multiple horizontal mattress sutures taking full thickness of abdominal wall muscles with the edge of the diaphragm leads to a strong repair. As sutures are tied extracorporeally, the technique is easily reproducible.

Internal hernia is the cause of only 1% of intestinal obstructions, and left paraduodenal hernias (PDH) comprise about 50% of these cases. As the presentation of PDH is varied, diagnosis is often delayed. Here, we report two patients with left PDH presenting in a subacute manner and diagnosed rapidly with the help of a CT scan. Both underwent successful laparoscopic repair; one patient had closure of the defect, and the other required excision of the sac prior to the closure. We review 21 cases of left PDH treated laparoscopically that were previously reported in the literature, including 14 from Asian countries.

The well defined but rare entity of benign cystic mesothelioma is reported. The aetiology of this neoplasm remains obscure. The presenting features make a precise preoperative diagnosis difficult; information provided by computed tomography and cytology may help. A firm diagnosis can only come from electron microscopic or immunohistochemical examination of the tumour. Diagnostic accuracy and diligent follow up are essential because, although the tumour is considered benign, it does tend towards local recurrence.

A combination of DPPC and PG sprayed as a 'puff' intraperitoneally reduces experimentally induced peritoneal adhesions in rabbits.

A 32-year-old man was investigated for repeated episodes of right-sided flank pain. Ultrasonography showed a dilated right pelvicalyceal system and upper ureter as well as multiple gallstones; subsequent intravenous urogram demonstrated a retrocaval ureter. At surgery, a right-sided double-J ureteric stent was placed under fluoroscopic guidance. Initially, three laparoscopic ports were used. The dilated pelvis and upper ureter were mobilized, followed by the lower ureter. The pelvis was transected and transposed anterior to the inferior vena cava. Reconstruction was carried out with an intracorporeally sutured anastomosis over the double-J stent. A fourth port was added for completion of cholecystectomy. The patient had an uneventful recovery and was discharged on the third day. Fourteen months later he remains well, with a recent intravenous urogram showing regression of hydronephrosis. We review the previously reported cases of laparoscopic and retroperitoneoscopic reconstruction of retrocaval ureter to compare and contrast these minimal access approaches.

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We believe this to be the first report describing this novel approach to lithiasis in an HSK.

Repair of inguinal hernia is one of the commonest operations performed by surgeons around the world. The treatment of this common problem has seen an evolution from the pure tissue repairs to the prosthetic repairs and in the recent past to laparoscopic repair. The fact that so many hernia repairs are practiced is a testimony to the fact that probably none is distinctly superior to the other. This review assesses the current status of surgery for repair of inguinal hernia and examines the various controversial issues surrounding the subject.