Laparoscopic Management of a Small Bowel Recurrence of Endometrial Cancer.

STUDY OBJECTIVE: We present a very rare case of focal metastasis of endometrial cancer to the small bowel entirely managed laparoscopically. DESIGN: Case report (Canadian Task Force Classification Study design III). SETTING: Tertiary referral centre in Rome, Italy. PATIENTS: A 58 year-old patient with a FIGO Stage IB G2 N0 endometrial cancer was found to have a vaginal cuff recurrence and an isolated distant metastasis to the small bowel 13 months after primary treatment. INTERVENTION: In this video we show a fully laparoscopic management mainly focusing on small bowel resection with intracorporeal anastomosis. A laparoscopic partial colpectomy was also performed. Our institutional review board approved this study. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Operative time was 180 minutes. Intraoperative blood loss was less than 100 mL. The operation was performed successfully with no intraoperative complications. Pathologic findings showed recurrent disease in the vaginal cuff and in the resected small bowel segment with free resection margins in both specimens and 3 mesenteric local nodes negative for metastasis. The patient was discharged on day 3 and 26 days later started adjuvant chemotherapy. After a 16-month follow-up period, the patient is still disease free and in good general conditions. CONCLUSIONS: This case shows a successful laparoscopic management of recurrent endometrial cancer equiring complex surgical procedures.

Effect of gastric bypass versus diet on cardiovascular risk factors.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the effect of Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) on high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) concentration and its apolipoprotein A4 (ApoA4) content at 1 year after bariatric surgery in comparison with a hypocaloric diet. Secondary aim was to measure total cholesterol and triglycerides levels and insulin sensitivity after interventions. BACKGROUND: Very few prospective uncontrolled studies have investigated the effects of RYGB on cardiovascular risk factors. No controlled studies had as primary goal the changes in HDL-C after gastric bypass. METHODS: Forty subjects with a body mass index more than 40 or 35 kg/m or more in the presence of diabetes were enrolled. Twenty of them underwent RYGB, whereas 20 received lifestyle modification suggestions and medical therapy for obesity complications (diabetes, hypertension, and hyperlipidemia). RESULTS: A significant (P < 0.0001) increase in HDL-C concentrations was observed only in the surgical arm (from 41.95 ± 7.24 to 56.55 ± 9.01 mg/dL). Mean systolic and diastolic blood pressures were significantly reduced (P < 0.0001) in both groups with no between-group differences, probably in relation to the optimization of the antihypertensive treatment. Plasma concentration of ApoA4, a major HDL-C protein fraction, significantly increased 1 year after RYGB (from 496.61 ± 400.41 to 987.88 ± 637.41µg/L, P < 0.01). Circulating triglycerides concentration significantly decreased after surgery, whereas both peripheral and hepatic insulin resistance increased significantly. CONCLUSIONS: Our study shows that HDL-C and ApoA4 significantly increase after gastric bypass and that this increase is associated with a net improvement in hepatic insulin sensitivity. Furthermore, we speculate that ApoA4, which induces satiety in animals, can eventually play a role on the appetite reduction after RYGB because there is a strict and inverse relationship between weight and ApoA4 changes. (NCT01707771).

Expanded clinical experience with 4DDome(R) composite prosthesis in elective open inguinal herniorrhaphy.

Prosthetic material composition is implicated in the phenomenon of postoperative chronic groin pain that has undermined elective open inguinal herniorrhaphy. Reported herein are our 'all-comers' experiences with a novel dual component mesh (4DDome(R)). A prospective cohort (Phase II) study was performed that involved all patients undergoing elective open inguinal herniorrhaphy during a four-year period. Conventional operative technique was used except for choice of prosthesis. The 4DDome mesh comprises a molded dome-shaped composite (10% polypropylene, 90% poly-L-lactic acid) with a lightweight polypropylene mesh overlay. Short- (1 week) and intermediate-term (18 months) clinical follow-up with examination and symptom questionnaire judged outcome while surgeons rated their approval using a visual analogue scale. One hundred ninety-six patients (mean age, 65.5 years; Mean BMI, 25.5; Mean ASA, 1.8, 178 males) underwent repair of 201 inguinal hernias by six surgeons (three residents). The majority of patients had an indirect hernia (n=119) 93 being combined with a posterior wall defect [Nyhus IIIa], whereas 66 had a direct hernia [Nyhus IIIb], and 11 had a recurrent hernia.) Mean operative time was 44.6 minutes with 92 patients being operated under local anesthesia. Ten patients developed seromas and two had hematomas early postoperatively. Median intermediate-term follow-up is currently 19 (range: 3-72) months for the 147 (75%) patients still available for contact. The incidence of chronic groin pain is 8.8%, whereas there has been one hernia recurrence. Surgeon satisfaction and confidence were high. The 4DDome provides appropriate clinical results and, therefore, appears valid for use in routine practice.

Keratin 7 expression as an early marker of reflux-related columnar mucosa without intestinal metaplasia in the esophagus.

BACKGROUND: The role of Barrett esophagus in carcinogenesis is widely accepted, but the significance of esophageal columnar mucosa without histological intestinal metaplasia, known as columnar-lined esophagus, is debated. MATERIAL/METHODS: We studied 128 patients free of Helicobacter pylori with reflux-related symptoms and columnar mucosa in the esophagus at endoscopy, 106 patients with Barrett esophagus (referred to as the Barrett group) and 22 patients without intestinal metaplasia (columnar group). Samples from 20 subjects free of H. pylori were used as controls. Immunostaining for keratin 7 (KRT7), keratin 20 (KRT20), caudal type homeobox 2 (CDX2), mucin 2, oligomeric mucus/gel-forming (MUC2), and tumor protein p53 (TP53) was assessed. RESULTS: Samples taken 1 cm above the gastroesophageal junction showed KRT7 staining in all cases in the Barrett and columnar groups and none in the control group. Immunostaining for TP53 was absent in the control group, and more frequent in the columnar group (7, 31.8%) compared with the Barrett group (14, 13.2%, P=0.033). In the columnar group, low grade dysplasia and TP53 expression was seen in 7 of 22 biopsy specimens (31.8%) at baseline and in 4 additional specimens after 2 years, for a total of 11 specimens (50.0%). CONCLUSIONS: The expression of KRT7 might help to explain the pathological, reflux-related nature of columnar-lined esophagus, as aberrant expression in a very early stage of the multistep Barrett esophagus progression. Expression of KRT7 may occur in basal glandular cells as a result of their multipotentiality and susceptibility to immunophenotype changes induced by reflux.

The influence of preoperative psychological factors on weight loss after bariatric surgery: A preliminary report.

Aim of this study was to investigate relationship between preoperative psychological factors and % total weight loss after gastric bypass. 76 adult patients scheduled for bariatric surgery were preoperatively asked to complete anxiety and depression Hamilton scales and Toronto Alexithymia Scale. At 3- and 6-month follow-up, body weight was assessed. At 6-month follow-up, alexithymic patients showed a poorer % total weight loss compared with non-alexithymic patients ( p = .017), and moderately depressed patients showed a lower % total weight loss compared with non-depressed patients ( p = .011). Focused pre- and postoperative psychological support could be useful in bariatric patients in order to improve surgical outcome.

Interleukin-32 Contributes to Human Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease and Insulin Resistance.

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a metabolic disorder due to increased accumulation of fat in the liver and in many cases to enhanced inflammation. Although the contribution of inflammation in the pathogenesis of NAFLD is well established, the cytokines that are involved and how they influence liver transformation are still poorly characterized. In addition, with other modifiers, inflammation influences NAFLD progression to liver cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma, demonstrating the need to find new molecular targets with potential future therapeutic applications. We investigated gene signatures in 38 liver biopsies from patients with NAFLD and obesity who had received bariatric surgery and compared these to 10 control patients who had received a cholecystectomy, using DNA microarray technology. A subset of differentially expressed genes was then validated on a larger cohort of 103 patients who had received bariatric surgery for obesity; data were thoroughly analyzed in terms of correlations with NAFLD pathophysiological parameters. Finally, the impact of a specific cytokine, interleukin-32 (IL32), was addressed on primary human hepatocytes (PHHs). Transcript analysis revealed an up-regulation of proinflammatory cytokines IL32, chemokine (C-X-C motif) ligand 9 (CXCL9), and CXCL10 and of ubiquitin D (UBD), whereas down-regulation of insulin-like growth factor-binding protein 2 (IGFBP2) and hypoxanthine phosphoribosyltransferase 1 (HPRT1) was reported in patients with NAFLD. Moreover, IL32, which is the major deregulated gene, correlated with body mass index (BMI), waist circumference, NAFLD activity score (NAS), aminotransferases (alanine aminotransferase [ALAT] and aspartate aminotransferase [ASAT]), and homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) index in patients. Consistent with an instrumental role in the pathophysiology of NAFLD, treatment of control human hepatocytes with recombinant IL32 leads to insulin resistance, a hallmark metabolic deregulation in NAFLD hepatocytes. Conclusion: IL32 has a critical role in the pathogenesis of NAFLD and could be considered as a therapeutic target in patients.

Early effect of Roux-en-Y gastric bypass on insulin sensitivity and signaling.

BACKGROUND: A large body of literature indicates the rapidity with which Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) improves glycemic control. However, the underlying physiologic mechanisms are still a matter of debate. SETTING: Catholic University, School of Medicine, Rome, Italy. METHODS: Ten morbidly obese patients, before and 4 weeks after RYGB, and 10 healthy controls were studied. We measured insulin sensitivity as the homeostasis model assessment-estimated insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) and by the euglycemic hyperinsulinemic clamp, and phosphorylation of protein kinase B (Akt) on Ser473 and Thr308 and of GSK3 α-ß on Ser 9 and Ser21 in skeletal muscle biopsy specimens by Western blot analysis. RESULTS: Obese patients before RYGB displayed reduced insulin sensitivity (M value) and clearance and increased fasting Akt phosphorylation on Ser473 compared with controls. M significantly increased after surgery (from 2.6 ± 0.6 to 2.8 ± 0.7 mg/kg fat free mass/min, P = .026) but remained far below the values in controls (10.0 ± 3.8 mg/kg fat free mass/min, P<.001). Insulin clearance increased from 453.5 ± 117.5 to 555.2 ± 61.6 (P = .00076), becoming similar to that of controls 582.2 ± 59.0 mU/m(2)/min. HOMA-IR decreased from 4.1 ± 0.07 to 2.3 ± 0.5 (P = .004), becoming comparable with controls (2.2 ± 0.9). The hyperphosphorylation of Akt on Ser473 observed at fasting before RYGB was significantly reduced thereafter, becoming similar to that of healthy controls; the other phosphorylation states remained unchanged. CONCLUSIONS: Following RYGB, we found a prompt improvement of hepatic insulin resistance with normalization of hepatic insulin clearance and a small amelioration of whole-body insulin sensitivity. The supranormal levels of Akt Ser473 observed at fast in the skeletal muscle tissue at baseline were normalized after RYGB, and their changes correlated with those of both hepatic and peripheral insulin resistance. Although other mechanisms of action, such as the effect of weight loss and reduced food intake, cannot be excluded, the reduction of muscle Akt hyperphosphorylation on the serine residue can play a role in the early improvement of insulin sensitivity.

Management of staple line leaks after sleeve gastrectomy in a consecutive series of 378 patients.

INTRODUCTION: Laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG) is gaining acceptance as a stand-alone bariatric procedure with proven efficacy on weight loss and obesity-related comorbidities. A specific and potentially severe complication of LSG is the staple line leak (SLL). Our aim was to report the SLL rate and its management in a prospective cohort of 378 LSGs. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A total of 378 patients underwent LSG from July 2005 to July 2011. The gastric transection was performed by an initial 60 mm firing of 4.5 mm staples at the antrum and successive 60 mm firings of 3.5 mm staples at the gastric body and fundus toward the left diaphragmatic crus. A 36 Fr bougie was used to calibrate the gastric tube. The staple line was systematically reinforced with a partial-thickness running suture. RESULTS: The overall complications and SLL rate were 20/378 (5.29%) and 9/378 (2.38%), respectively. SLLs were managed by laparoscopic (n=2) or open (n=1) exploration, drainage and endoscopic self-expandable covered stent, computed tomography-guided percutaneous drainage (n=2), or a self-expandable covered stent alone (n=4). Medical support including total parenteral nutrition and adapted antibiotics was started in all patients. The combined treatment modalities were successful in all cases. CONCLUSIONS: SLL was the most common complication of LSG accounting for half of the overall complications. Percutaneous drainage and self-covered stents combined with antibiotics and parenteral nutrition are effective for SLL and should be proposed as first-line treatment in stable patients.

Laparoscopic tension-free abdominal wall repair: impact of mesh size and of different fixation devices in a consecutive series of 120 patients.

PURPOSE: To assess the impact of mesh size and fixation devices on short-term outcomes in a consecutive series of tension-free laparoscopic abdominal wall repairs. METHODS: Data for 120 consecutive, unselected patients undergoing tension-free laparoscopic incisional (n=63) or umbilical (n=57) hernia repair were prospectively collected. A multivariate analysis was performed to evaluate variables influencing outcomes. RESULTS: Persistent seromas were observed in 13 patients (10.83%) and 2 recurrences (1.98%) occurred. Mesh size >300 cm was associated with increased hospital stay [odds ratio (OR) 4.83; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.5-15.53; P=0.008], increased postoperative day 1 (POD1) pain assessed with visual analog scale (OR 5.51; 95% CI, 1.76-17.2; P=0.003), and the presence of complications (OR 10.4; 95% CI, 1.85-58.96; P=0.007). Body mass index >30 resulted in increased hospital stay (OR 3.05; 95% CI, 1.23-7.57; P=0.01) and increased POD1 visual analog scale (OR 2.28; 95% CI, 1-5.18; P=0.04). CONCLUSIONS: Mesh size and obesity were the main factors influencing postoperative outcomes.

Polypoid Gallbladder Lesion in the Context of Renal Cell Carcinoma: Is Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy a Reasonable Option?

Introduction. The only curative therapeutic approach for renal cell carcinoma (RCC) is surgery. Laparoscopic surgery for RCC has become an established surgical procedure with equivalent cancer-free survival rate, following the same surgical oncological principles as open surgery. Metastatic RCC of the gallbladder is a rare phenomenon. Hence, there are few reports regarding their management. Case Presentation. We report 2 cases of gallbladder metastasis from clear cell RCC treated by laparoscopic cholecystectomy. The first case was that of a 44-year-old male patient who underwent palliative cholecystectomy, the second case was that of an 83-year-old female patient who is doing well 55 months after surgery without evidence of disease recurrence. Conclusion. The outcome allows us to demonstrate the interest of surgical resection of RCC metastases in the gallbladder by laparoscopic cholecystectomy, respecting surgical oncological principles. Laparoscopic resection of an uncommon gallbladder metastasis can provide long-term favorable outcome.

Transhepatic metallic stenting for hepaticojejunostomy stricture following laparoscopic cholecystectomy biliary injury: A case of successful 20 years follow-up.

Laparoscopic cholecystectomy is still associated with a considerable rate of biliary injuries and related strictures. Advances in interventional endoscopy and percutaneous techniques have made stenting a preferred treatment modality for the management of these strictures. We report successful 20 years of follow-up of a case of trans-hepatic metallic stenting (2 Gianturco(®) prostheses, 5 cm long, 2 cm in diameter) done for stenosed hepatico-jejunostomy anastomosis after laparoscopic CBD injury. Percutaneous transhepatic stenting and long-term placement of metallic stents need to be re-evaluated as a minimally invasive definitive treatment option for benign biliary strictures in patients with altered anatomy such as hepatico-jejunostomy or in whom re-operation involves high risk.

Protocol for a randomised clinical study comparing the effect of Roux-en-Y gastric bypass and sleeve gastrectomy on reactive hypoglycaemia in morbidly obese subjects.

INTRODUCTION: Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) is the most performed bariatric operation. Reactive hypoglycaemia is a frequent late complication occurring in about 72% of RYGB patients, which can present with various intensities up to the serious form of neuroglycopaenia. However, it seems to occur also after sleeve gastrectomy (SG) although much more rarely. METHODS AND ANALYSIS: A single centre, open, 1-year randomised trial to compare the incidence of hypoglycaemia after RYGB or SG. A secondary objective is the assessment of the comparative ability of the two surgical procedures in determining the improvement or normalisation of insulin sensitivity, given the established relevance of insulin resistance in the cardiometabolic syndrome of obesity. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION: The study will be published and presented to international meetings and, due to the safety issue, it will represent a relevant information for national healthcare systems. The protocol was approved by the Catholic University Ethical Committee (A1534/CE/2012). Clinicaltrials.gov Registration n. NCT01581801.