title: From retroperitoneoscopic lumbar sympathectomy to total laparoscopic abdominal aorta surgery: how to learn.
abstract: The aim of this report is to describe the steps we followed to build up laparoscopic experience progressively towards total laparoscopic aorta surgery. The techniques of retroperitoneoscopic lumbar sympathectomy, hand-assisted laparoscopic aorta surgery and total laparoscopic aorta surgery are discussed and illustrated. Surgical tips and tricks and advice concerning selection of patients and surgical techniques are proposed. The 30-day morbidity and mortality rates of laparoscopic, standard open and endovascular abdominal aorta aneurysm repair were compared.
authors.affiliation: Department of Vascular Surgery, Universitair Ziekenhuis Brussels (VUB), Brusselles, Belgium. erik.debing@az.vub.ac.be
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Debing
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: De Brabandere
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Vanhulle
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Van Den Brande
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000818:Animals; D001012:Aorta, Abdominal / Q000601:surgery*; D017544:Aortic Aneurysm, Abdominal / Q000601:surgery; D001018:Aortic Diseases / Q000601:surgery; D001157:Arterial Occlusive Diseases / Q000601:surgery; D019917:Blood Vessel Prosthesis Implantation / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000193:education / Q000379:methods / Q000401:mortality; D002983:Clinical Competence; D003479:Curriculum; D004503:Education, Medical, Graduate; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D010535:Laparoscopy / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000401:mortality; D007858:Learning; D008160:Lumbosacral Plexus / Q000601:surgery*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D023421:Models, Animal; D016730:Program Development; D012187:Retroperitoneal Space / Q000601:surgery*; D013562:Sympathectomy / Q000193:education / Q000379:methods