Outpatient laparoscopic Nissen fundoplication

Outpatient Laparoscopic Repair of a Morgagni Hernia

Introduction. Morgagni hernia results from a rare congenital defect in the anterior diaphragm and can have symptomatic and/or asymptomatic presentation of abdominal viscera in the thorax. This is a case report of a Morgagni hernia repair done laparoscopically in the outpatient setting. Patient and technique. The patient was a 43-year-old man who had an evaluation for upper respiratory symptoms and was found to have a Morgagni hernia on subsequent workup. He underwent laparoscopic primary suture repair of the defect under general anesthesia and was discharged the same day without complications. He has not had a recurrence of his hernia in over a year of follow-up. Discussion. Laparoscopic repair of this patient’s Morgagni hernia could be safely performed in an outpatient setting with excellent outcome. This may be a feasible management option in future cases in a similar patient population.

The Impact of Minimally Invasive Surgical Techniques

The use of minimally invasive techniques (MIT) in patient care is well documented in ancient history; however, it was not until the 1990s that advancements in technology enabled surgeons to realize the true potential of this approach. The minimally invasive approach has revolutionized surgical care, significantly reducing postoperative pain, recovery time, and hospital stays with marked improvements in cosmetic outcome and overall cost-effectiveness. It is now used around the world and in all major fields of surgery, compelling changes in training programs in order to assure quality control and patient safety. The bond between surgeons practicing minimally invasive surgery (MIS) and the high-tech industry is of utmost importance to future developments. Surgical robotic systems represent the most technologically advanced product of this collaboration, and their potential application in MIS shows much promise. As technology advances, additional developments in MIT are likely.