Feasibility and Effectiveness of an Enhanced Recovery Program after Early Cholecystectomy for Acute Calculous Cholecystitis: A 2-Step Study.

BACKGROUND: Enhanced recovery programs (ERPs) are associated with a lower morbidity rate and a shorter length of stay. The present study's objective was to determine whether an ERP is feasible and effective for patients undergoing early cholecystectomy for grade I or II acute calculous cholecystitis. STUDY DESIGN: A 2-step multicenter study was performed. In the first step (the feasibility study), patients were consecutively included in a dedicated, prospective database from March 2019 until January 2020. The primary endpoint was the ERP's feasibility, evaluated in terms of the number and nature of the ERP components applied. During the second step, the ERP's effectiveness in acute calculous cholecystitis was evaluated in a case-control study. The ERP+ group comprised consecutive patients who were prospectively included from March 2019 to November 2020 and compared with a control (ERP-) group of patients extracted from the ABCAL randomized controlled trial treated between May 2010 and August 2012 and who had not participated in a dedicated ERP. RESULTS: During the feasibility study, 101 consecutive patients entered the ERP with 17 of the 20 ERP components applied. During the effectiveness study, 209 patients (ERP+ group) were compared with 414 patients (ERP- group). The median length of stay was significantly shorter in the ERP+ group (3.1 vs 5 days; p < 0.001). There were no intergroup differences in the severe morbidity rate, mortality rate, readmission rate, and reoperation rate. CONCLUSIONS: Implementation of an ERP after early cholecystectomy for acute calculous cholecystitis appeared to be feasible, effective, and safe for patients. The ERP significantly decreased the length of stay and did not increase the morbidity rate.

Absence of abdominal drainage after surgery for secondary lower gastrointestinal tract peritonitis is a valid strategy.

BACKGROUND: Management of abdominal drainage after surgery for secondary lower gastrointestinal tract peritonitis (LGTP) is not a standardized procedure. A monocentric study was carried out in 2016 in our centre. (PI study) to evaluate the interest of drainage. Our objective was to revaluate, our actual use of abdominal drainage after peritonitis (PII study). STUDY DESIGN: We examined retrospectively patients who underwent surgery for secondary sub-mesocolic community-acquired peritonitis (January 2016-December 2019). Study exclusion criteria were primary peritonitis, peritoneal dialysis, nosocomial peritonitis, postoperative peritonitis, upper gastrointestinal tract peritonitis, peritonitis due to appendicitis, peritonitis requiring the implementation of Mikulicz's drain, and peritonitis in which the peritoneum was not described in the surgical report (i.e., the same criteria that the PI study which included 141 patients from January 2009 to January 2012). The primary endpoint was the rate of abdominal drainage. The secondary endpoints were the patient rate without a peritoneum description, major complications rate (Clavien ≥III), abscess rate, mortality rate and the length of stay in the non-drain group (D - ) and in the drain group (D + ) in PII study. Primary and secondary endpoints were also compared between PI and PII studies. Risk factors for post-operative abscess were also research. RESULTS: Of the 150 patients included 33% were drained vs 84% of the 141 patients included in PI study (p < 0.001). In PII study peritoneum was described in 80.3% of patients vs 69% in PI study (NS, p = 0.06). Comparing the two groups D - and D + , no significant differences were found in major complications (respectively 45% vs 32%, p = 0.1), reoperation rate (respectively 25% vs 22%, p = 0.7), death rate (respectively 25% vs 14%; p = 0.1) and mean length of stay (respectively 12 days vs 13 days, p = 0.9). The abscess rate was significantly lower in the D - group (10% vs 30%, p = 0.002). Comparing PI and PII studies, there was no difference about major complications (35% vs 35%, p = 0.1), reoperation (16% vs 17.5%, p = 0.5), abscess rate (15% vs 8.5%, p = 0.1) and mortality (14.5% vs 17.5%, p = 0.7). The length of stay was longer in PI study than in P II (14 days vs 9 days, p = 0.03). Drainage (p = 0.005; OR = 4.357; CI [1.559-12.173]) and peritonitis type (p = 0.032; OR = 3.264; CI [1.106-9.630]) were abscess risk factors. CONCLUSION: This study therefore showed that drainage after surgery for LGTP may not be necessary and that, at least at the local level, surgeons seem to be inclined to discontinue it systematically. It may therefore be worthwhile to conduct a randomised control trial to establish recommendations on drainage after surgery for LGTP.

Sleeve gastrectomy as a rescue of failed gastric banding: comparison of 1- and 2-step approaches.

BACKGROUND: Series comparing gastric banding (GB) removal and sleeve gastrectomy (SG) when procedures are performed as a 1- or a 2-step approach are contradictory in their outcomes. No series comparing these approaches with midterm weight loss is available. OBJECTIVES: Compare the outcomes and weight loss of SG performed as 1- and 2-step approaches as a revisional procedure for GB failure. SETTING: University Hospital, France, public practice. METHODS: Between February 2006 and January 2017, all patients undergoing SG with a previous history of implementation of GB (n = 358) were included in this 2-center, retrospective, observational study. Revisional surgery was proposed in patients with insufficient excess weight loss (excess weight loss ≤50%) or weight regain after GB. A 1-step (1-step group, n = 270) or 2-step (2-step group, n = 88) approach was decided depending on patient's choice and/or surgeon's preference. The primary efficacy endpoint was the comparison of weight loss in the 1- and 2-step groups at the 2-year follow-up. The secondary efficacy endpoints were short-term outcomes (overall mortality and morbidity at postoperative day 30, specific morbidity, reoperation, length of hospital stay, and readmission). RESULTS: In the 1-step group, the mean preoperative body mass index before SG was 40.5 kg/m2 (27.0-69.0), while in the 2-step group, the mean preoperative body mass index was 43.5 kg/m2 (31.5-61.7). Mean operating time was 109 minutes (50-240) in the 1-step group and 78.7 minutes (40-175) in the 2-step group (P = .22). In the 1-step group, 6 conversions to laparotomy occurred, while in the 2-step group, 2 conversions to laparotomy occurred (P = .75). One death (.2%, in the 2-step group) and 39 complications (30 in the 1-step group [11.1%] and 9 in the 2-step group [10.2%]) also occurred. The mean length of hospital stay was 6.2 days in the 1-step group and 4.1 days in the 2-step group. At 2-year follow-up, mean body mass index was 32.4 kg/m2 in the 1-step group and 33.2 kg/m2 in the 2-step group (P = .15), representing excess weight losses of 61.9 and 50.1 (P = .05), respectively. The rates of revisional surgery were .7% and 2.2%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: SG after previous GB is efficient with similar outcomes depending on the 1- or 2-step approach. The 1-step approach seems to have increased weight loss compared with the 2-step approach.

The Distance between the Pylorus and Left Vagus Nerve during Sleeve Gastrectomy.

The sleeve gastrectomy (SG) can be performed with or without antral preservation (distance from the pylorus <50 mm). The objective of this study was to evaluate the distance between the pylorus and the end of the left vagus nerve in order to determine whether it could be used as a constant anatomical landmark to start gastric transection. This was a prospective, nonrandomized study of 120 patients undergoing SG from January to October 2018. The distance measurement between pylorus and vagus nerve was performed at the beginning of the SG. The primary endpoint was the distance between the beginning of the pylorus and the end of the second branch of the vagus nerve on the upper edge of the antrum. The secondary endpoints was the correlation factors between the preoperative data and the position of the end of the vagus nerve. A total of 120 patients, with a mean body mass index of 42.2 kg/m2 , underwent primary SG. The mean distance between pylorus and the end of the vagus nerve was 50.4 mm (35-64) on the upper part of the antrum. When considering the inferior part of the antrum, the minimum distance was 50 mm. No correlations were found between preoperative data and distance measurements. The vagus nerve can be considered as a constant and reliable anatomical landmark for performing SG with antral preservation. However, no correlation was found between the preoperative data and the location of the end of the vagus nerve. Clin. Anat. 33:562-566, 2020. © 2019 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Impact of Routine 12 mm Epigastric Trocar Site Closure on Incisional Hernia After Sleeve Gastrectomy: a Prospective Before/After Study.

BACKGROUND: Recent studies have reported trocar site hernia (TSH) rates after bariatric surgery ranging from 0 to 45.2% based on imaging assessment. The objective of this study was to evaluate the TSH rate after sleeve gastrectomy (SG) comprising routine 12 mm epigastric trocar site closure (TSC). MATERIAL: Prospective observational study with retrospective control cohort of a group of patients undergoing primary SG with routine 12 mm epigastric TSC. The "before" group (control group) was a previously published group of patients without 12 mm epigastric TSC and the "after" group (closure group) concerned patients with routine 12 mm epigastric TSC. Primary endpoint was the TSH rate after routine epigastric TSC. Secondary endpoints were comparison of the TSH rate, TSC feasibility and causes of failure, TSC-related morbidity, evaluation of TSC time and its course, and identification of risk factors for TSH. RESULTS: One hundred twenty-three patients were analyzed during the study period. Feasibility of epigastric TSC was 97.3% without related morbidity. Mean epigastric TSC time was 44.2 s (18-150). Epigastric TSC time was always less than 60 s after 10-15 procedures. At 1 year, 10 patients presented TSH (8.1%): epigastric in 6.5% (n = 8) cases and after open laparoscopy in 1.6% (n = 2) cases. Comparison of the two groups revealed a lower TSH rate in the closure group (8.1% vs. 17.0%; p = 0.02), due to a lower epigastric TSH rate (6.5% vs. 14.8%; p = 0.02). Routine epigastric TSC was a protective factor for TSH (p = 0.03; relative risk of 0.43). CONCLUSION: Routine epigastric TSC during SG is rapid and provides effective prevention of TSH.

Is contralateral inguinal exploration necessary in preterm girls undergoing inguinal hernia repair during the first months of life?

BACKGROUND: To assess the need for contralateral surgical exploration in preterm girls with symptomatic unilateral inguinal hernia. METHODS: The medical data of girls operated for inguinal hernia between 2004 and 2016 in a single pediatric surgery center were retrospectively collected. Preterm girls operated for unilateral hernia before 6 months of life were selected (55/517 cases) to assess the incidence and risk factors for contralateral metachronous inguinal hernia (CMIH). RESULTS: CMIH was observed in 7% of cases (4 girls with a right inguinal hernia in 3 cases) at a mean age of 4.2 years. Only one case occurred early (3 months). Birth weight and term were comparable (1674 ± 620 g and 32 ± 5 WA without CMIH vs. 1694 ± 582 g and 33 ± 3 WA with CMIH). CONCLUSION: Contralateral inguinal hernia is very rare and generally occurs several years after inguinal repair surgery in preterm girls, which should encourage practitioners to follow these children throughout childhood for the subsequent development of inguinal hernia. This study did not find any arguments in favor of systematic contralateral exploration in preterm girls.