General surgery: biliary surgery.

The management of biliary tract disease has changed completely as a result of minimally invasive treatment. For most patients with gallstones that cause symptoms a laparoscopic cholecystectomy will treat the condition with minimal morbidity and a short recovery period. If complications are encountered, conversion to a mini-cholecystectomy gives results that are nearly as good. Acute cholecystitis can be treated by percutaneous drainage followed either by percutaneous cholecystolithotomy or a laparoscopic cholecystectomy. Gallstones in the bile duct are best treated by endoscopic sphincterotomy with duct clearance. The day of the large cholecystectomy scar with its subsequent incisional hernia has gone.     

Microvascular surgery

LEARNING OBJECTIVES: After reading this article, the participant should be able to: 1. Describe the common room set-up, medical considerations, and technical equipment necessary to perform microvascular surgery. 2. Describe the common arterial and venous techniques in performing microvascular surgery. 3. Recognize the common flap types along with their vascular supply and innervation used for microvascular surgery. 4. Describe common techniques for flap monitoring. 5. Describe techniques and medications for thrombolytic therapy. 6. Describe common medical conditions that may preclude an optimal result in microvascular surgery. SUMMARY: This article will explore common approaches to microsurgery. It is anticipated that the readers can utilize this article for maintenance of certification educational components and take the principles outlined and apply them to their daily practice.