title: Hand-assisted laparoscopic aortoiliac surgery: preliminary report of 25 cases.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Since a few years vascular surgeons are developing laparoscopic vascular techniques. We report our preliminary results in this area, using the hand-assisted technique.
  
  
  METHODS
  Twenty-five patients were operated between February and December 2001 using the HandPort-system. Indications were occlusive aortoiliac disease or infrarenal aortoiliac aneurysmal disease.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Mean operating time was 180'; mean aortic clamping time was 37'; mean blood loss was 521 mL. Mean laparotomy length was 7.9 cm. A conversion to a larger laparotomy was necessary in two patients. Mean hospital stay was seven days. Operative mortality was 4% (one postoperative death).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Hand-assisted laparoscopic aortoiliac surgery is feasible in community hospital settings.
authors.affiliation: Department of Vascular and Thoracic Surgery, Hôpital Saint Joseph, Gilly, Clinique Notre Dame de Grâce, Gosselies.
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Wijtenburg
authors.forename: Ph
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Remy
authors.forename: Ch
authors.initials: Ch
authors.lastname: D'hont
authors.forename: Ch
authors.initials: Ch
authors.lastname: Vindevogel
authors.forename: J P
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Blampain
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Massin
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001011:Aorta; D017544:Aortic Aneurysm, Abdominal / Q000601:surgery*; D001157:Arterial Occlusive Diseases / Q000601:surgery*; D001530:Belgium; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007083:Iliac Artery; D010535:Laparoscopy / Q000379:methods; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014656:Vascular Surgical Procedures / Q000379:methods*