One hundred fifty consecutive laparoscopic-assisted colectomies performed by a surgical team were analyzed in an attempt to define a learning curve. These colectomies performed by the Norfolk Surgical Group over a 24-month period, were divided chronologically into six groups of 25 patients each. The groups were then compared to determine if any improvement in length of procedure, complication rate, conversion rate, or length of stay developed as experience increased. Colon cancer and diverticular disease were the most common indications for surgery in all groups. Right hemicolectomy, left colectomy, and low anterior resection accounted for the majority of procedures in all groups. A significant decrease in mean operative time, from 250 min to 156 min over the first 35-50 cases was observed before leveling off at approximately 140 min for the remaining group. Intraoperative complications were low in all groups (range zero to two) and did not show any trend. There was no statistically significant difference in the conversion rate (23.3% overall) among the six groups. Length of stay decreased from 6 days in the first two groups to 5 days in the last four groups, although the difference was not statistically significant. The learning curve for laparoscopic-assisted colectomies is longer than appreciated by many surgeons, requiring as many as 35-50 procedures to decrease operative time to baseline. Complications can be kept at an acceptably low level while on the curve if a cautious approach is taken and the surgeon realizes that a prolonged operative time is not only acceptable, but appropriate during this long learning process. A conversion rate of 20-25% at any phase of the learning process may in fact represent a limitation of current technology. When combined with a low complication rate it may be the sign of a careful surgeon.
ConclusionsThis study indicated that laparoscopic techniques can be applied safely and effectively to a broad range of colonic operations. Laparoscopic-assisted colectomies take longer to perform and are more costly, but are associated with less paralytic ileus, less pain, and reduced hospital stay. Laparoscopic colectomies for the treatment of malignancy are achievable technically, but will require careful long-term study.The application of laparoscopic techniques to many return ofthe patient to normal activities. 1-7 Similar benabdominal and thoracic procedures is the direct result of efits might be anticipated with the application of laparothe success and refinement of laparoscopic biliary sur-scopic techniques for other standard intra-abdominal gery. Laparoscopic cholecystectomy has become the and thoracic operations; however, the technical ability standard of care with many benefits, including less post-to perform a procedure with the laparoscope does not operative pain, better cosmesis, fewer pulmonary com-necessarily equate with better results. The ultimate role plications, shorter postoperative stay, and a more rapid of laparoscopic surgery will require a critical examina-732
In this group of patients undergoing laparoscopic-assisted colectomies for primary colorectal malignancy, no adverse patterns of recurrence or decreased survival has been noted at 2-year follow-up when compared with standard open colorectal cancer surgery statistics. Prospective randomized studies with long-term follow-up will be required to better define the potential benefits and adverse effects of laparoscopic surgery for colorectal malignancy.
The term Transient Epileptic Amnesia was coined in 1990 to describe a form of epilepsy causing predominantly amnestic seizures which could be confused with episodes of Transient Global Amnesia. Subsequent descriptions have highlighted its association with ‘atypical’ forms of memory disturbance including accelerated long-term forgetting, disproportionate autobiographical amnesia and topographical amnesia. However, this highly treatment responsive condition remains under-recognised and undertreated. We describe the clinical and neuropsychological features in 65 consecutive cases of transient epileptic amnesia referred to our study, comparing these to our previous cohort of 50 patients and to those reported in 102 literature cases described since our 2008 review. Findings in our two cohorts are substantially consistent: the onset of transient epileptic amnesia occurs at an average age of 62 years, giving rise to amnestic episodes at a frequency of around 1/month, typically lasting 15-30 minutes and often occurring on waking. Amnesia is the only manifestation of epilepsy in 24% of patients; olfactory hallucinations occur in 43%, motor automatisms in 41%, brief unresponsiveness in 39%. The majority of patients describe at least one of the atypical forms of memory disturbance mentioned above; easily provoked tearfulness is a common accompanying feature. There is a male predominance (85:30). Epileptiform changes were present in 35% of cases, while suspected causative MRI abnormalities were detected in only 5%. Seizures ceased with anticonvulsant treatment in 93% of cases. Some clinical features were detected more commonly in the second series than the first, probably as a result of heightened awareness. Neuropsychological testing and comparison to two age and IQ-matched control groups (n = 24 and 22) revealed consistent findings across the two cohorts, namely elevated mean IQ, preserved executive function, mild impairment at the group level on standard measures of memory, with additional evidence for accelerated long-term forgetting and autobiographical amnesia, particularly affecting episodic recollection. Review of the literature cases revealed broadly consistent features except that topographical amnesia, olfactory hallucinations and emotionality have been reported rarely to date by other researchers. We conclude that transient epileptic amnesia is a distinctive syndrome of late-onset limbic epilepsy of unknown cause, typically occurring in late middle age. It is an important, treatable cause of memory loss in older people, often mistaken for dementia, cerebrovascular disease and functional amnesia. Its aetiology, the monthly occurrence of seizures in some patients and the mechanisms and interrelationships of the interictal features – amnestic and affective – all warrant further study.
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