§16§There are numerous textbooks detailing almost every aspect of the different laparoscopic procedures. However, in this era of evidence-based medicine, a text focusing on the controversies from the laparoscopic as well as the general surgeon's point of view is missing.§This book is not intended to be yet another textbook of laparoscopy; instead, its main purpose is to address unsettled issues of controversy. This will significantly enhance evidence-based knowledge of this developing field, stimulate thinking and discussions in rounds and meetings, assist surgeons in their decision making and stimulate further research. §This book is not aimed only at laparoscopic surgeons with their steadily increasing number but also at general surgeons and surgical trainees. It will define and sharpen points of controversy by internationally recognized authors, and thus provide 'state of the art' quality to each topic.§ §04§Education and training.- Access to abdomen.- Establishing pneumoperitoneum.- Laparoscopy in acute abdomen.- Laparoscopy in special conditions.- Laparoscopy in abdominal trauma.- Laparoscopy in abdominal malignancy.- Hand assisted laparoscopy.- Needlescopic surgery.- Robotic laparoscopic surgery.- Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy.- Laparoscopy in Choledocholithisis.- Laparoscopic Anti-reflux surgery.- Laparoscopy for hiatal hernia.- Laparoscopic colon resection for malignancy.- Laparoscopic gastric banding.- Laparoscopic gastric bypass.- Laparoscopic bilio-pancreatic diversion.- Laparoscopic VBG.- Laparoscopic appendectomy.- Laparoscopic pancreatic surgery.- Laparoscopic splenectomy.- Laparoscopic adrenalectomy.- Laparoscopic liver surgery for malignancy.- Laparoscopy for hydatid disease.- Laparoscopic donor nephrectomy.- Laparoscopic inguinal hernia.- Laparoscopic ventral hernia.- Laparoscopic gastrectomy.- Minimally invasive thyroid and para-thyroid.§ §02§Dr. Michel Gagner is chief of the Division of Laparoscopic Surgery and is the Franz W. Sichel Professor of Surgery at Mount Sinai School of Medicine. He has played an important role in the development of many laparoscopic procedures including laparoscopic bariatric procedures such as gastric bypass. He was the first surgeon to perfom laparoscopic biliopancreatic diversion with duodenal switch (BPD/DS). Dr. Gagner is certified by the American Board of Surgery and is the fellow of the American College of Surgeons. He is an active member of the American Society for Bariatric Surgery.
