Less pain after transvaginal cholecystectomy: single-center pooled analysis.

BACKGROUND: We previously reported outcome after transvaginal cholecystectomy (TVC) from two cohort studies and a randomized controlled trial. We now present a pooled analysis of postoperative pain scores. DESIGN: Single-center data of postoperative pain after TVC from a level II hospital between October 2007 and June 2012. METHODS: Female patients, above 18 years with symptomatic cholecystolithiasis, received either TVC or conventional laparoscopic cholecystectomy (CLC). Follow up 4 days. The primary outcome of the study was pain after surgery. Pain was measured via a visual rating scale. Descriptive statistics include age, body mass index (BMI), ASA grade, surgical times, number of trocars, complications and hospital stay as well as pain medication. Pain data were assessed against histologic findings. RESULTS: The combined register included 316 patients. Of these, 7 patients were excluded from analysis due to conversion to open surgery, complications and denial of follow-up. There were 141 patients in the TVC and 168 in the CLC group. There was no difference in age, ASA grade, surgical times, complications or hospital stay. BMI was significantly different with an average BMI of 27.1 in the TVC and 28.7 in the CLC group (p = 0.027). The numbers of trocars were significantly different as expected. There was no difference in postoperative pain medication. Pain scores were significantly different on day two to four. Multivariate testing revealed no dependence between postoperative pain and histologic findings. CONCLUSION: On smaller patient numbers, we were previously unable to demonstrate a consistently, significant difference for postoperative pain in our cohort and randomized studies. The pooled analysis suggests that there is an advantage with less postoperative pain after transvaginal compared to standard laparoscopic cholecystectomy.

Comprehensive complication index for NOTES procedures: results from a randomized controlled trial and comparison to published NOTES complication data.

OBJECTIVE: This investigation uses the comprehensive complication index (CCI) to compare complications after natural orifice transluminal endoscopic surgery (NOTES) procedures. BACKGROUND: NOTES procedures are developed to miniaturize surgical trauma. NOTES publications inconsistently report complications. The CCI improves reporting of complications. METHODS: The CCI is calculated using complication data from a single center, double blind, randomized controlled trial comparing transvaginal [transvaginal cholecystectomy (TVC), N = 41] and conventional laparoscopic cholecystectomy (CLC, N = 51). Complications are assessed using the classification of surgical complications (CSC). Two different scenarios are applied to the CSC for definition of complications with an emphasis on minor complications. CSC data are fed into the free online CCI-calculator. The CCIs from complication data from other NOTES reports are calculated accordingly and compared to our results. RESULTS: The CCI allows easy indexing of complications with or without a CSC table. For scenario I, the mean CCI of CLC versus TVC is 3.3 (± 6.3; SD) versus 3.5 (± 6.4; n.s.) and for scenario II it is 7.6 (± 6.4) versus 6.5 (± 7.0; n.s.). The difference of the mean between the two scenarios is highly significant (p < 0.000). The mean CCIs of both groups and scenarios are below the CCI of 8.7 for a grade I CSC complication. Similar calculation of CCIs from other NOTES publications yields mean CCIs below 8.7 for the surgical procedures reported. CONCLUSION: The CCI results in a single, easily comparable complication index for surgical procedures whereas the CSC yields tabular results. A significant difference in interpretation occurs with variation in definition of complications. Average CCIs below a value of 10 describe low complication rates. Authors need to describe their definition of complications if using the CSC and the CCI. More emphasis should be given to reporting of minor complications. The use of the CCI for NOTES procedures will enable international comparison.

Postoperative pain after transvaginal cholecystectomy: single-center, double-blind, randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Natural orifice transluminal endoscopic surgery (NOTES) has the potential to reduce postoperative pain. We compared postoperative pain in the hybrid NOTES procedure transvaginal video-assisted cholecystectomy (TVC) with standard conventional laparoscopic cholecystectomy (CLC). DESIGN: Single-center, double-blind, randomized controlled trial in a level II hospital between June 2008 and June 2012. METHODS: Female patients, older than 18 years of age with symptomatic cholecystolithiasis were randomized to receive either TVC or CLC. The follow-up period was 7 days and the primary outcome of the study was postoperative pain. We hypothesized that there is no reduction of pain (Visual Rating Scale ≥1) while resting or coughing over a 48-h period after the operation. Secondary outcome included wound infections, complications, and patient reported outcomes. Sealed envelopes with computer-generated randomization information were kept for allocation in theater. All patients received opaque wound dressing, as in standard four-trocar cholecystectomy and a vaginal tamponade. Theater protocol and surgical notes were kept separate after the procedure. RESULTS: Overall, 97 of 426 patients assessed for participation were randomized for either TVC or CLC. A total of 41 patients had a TVC and 51 had a CLC. Five patients were excluded from the analysis. There was no difference in age, body mass index, American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) grade, or hospital stay, but anesthetic and surgical times were significantly longer in TVC (p < 0.001). There was no statistical difference in postoperative pain between the two groups while resting or coughing. Complications included conversion to laparotomy, bleeding, wound infections, and re-admission. No difference in the rate of complications between the two groups was seen. Overall, 86 and 93% of CLC and TVC patients, respectively, would recommend the procedure to other patients. CONCLUSION: In this study, no significant difference in pain on days 1 and 2 postoperatively between the two methods was found. The safety profile of TVC is comparable to CLC, and TVC patients would generally recommend this procedure to other patients.

Prolonged capnoperitoneum does not cause postoperative ileus in pigs: safety of prolonged capnoperitoneum.

INTRODUCTION: Operative time is an accepted risk factor for the development of postoperative ileus (POI). Innovative surgical procedures such as robotic surgery and natural orifice transluminal endoscopic surgery (NOTES) will be associated with longer operative times. Although intraabdominal manipulation is a major factor for POI the impact of prolonged capnoperitoneum on postoperative gastrointestinal transit time (GIT-TT) has rarely been studied. MATERIAL AND METHODS: IRB approved survival pilot study to assess postoperative GIT-TT using fecal collection and chromium-oxide (Cr2O3) labeling in pigs. Twelve female pigs were randomly assigned to three groups of four animals each. Group A received eight hours anesthesia and pressure-controlled high flow capnoperitoneum (15 mmHg), group B eight hours of anesthesia only and group C no intervention. No intraoperative manipulation. The pilot study was terminated after eight days. RESULTS: None of the animals developed POI. In Group A one animal died after eight hours of general anesthesia. No differences in postoperative fecal output, Cr2O3 excretion rate or weight gain were found. CONCLUSION: This study is the first to investigate eight hours of capnoperitoneum in a survival model. GIT-TT is not affected by prolonged capnoperitoneum in pigs. No POI occurred with prolonged capnoperitoneum. Prolonged capnoperitoneum is safe regarding postoperative gastrointestinal function in innovative surgical procedures.

Microscopy analysis of pyramid formation evolution with ultra-low concentrated Na2CO3/NaHCO3 solution on (100) Si for solar cell application.

An analysis of the nucleation mechanism of pyramids formed in (100) silicon in Na2CO3/NaHCO3 solution has been carried out. This texturization process of silicon by means of Na2CO3/NaHCO3 solutions is of special interest because it can be applied to the silicon solar cell industry to texture solar cell surfaces to decrease the front reflection and enhance light trapping in the cells. For this purpose, two microscopy techniques-scanning electron microscopy and atomic force microscopy-have been used to study the different stages of pyramidal nucleation and formation. The different aspects and factors involved in the texturization process require different analysis conditions and microscopy resolution. Tracing the transformation of determined surface areas and structures has been achieved, contributing clarification of the mechanism of pyramid nucleation in Na2CO3/NaHCO3 solutions.

Prospective evaluation of transvaginal assisted cholecystectomy.

BACKGROUND: Transvaginal video-assisted cholecystectomy (TVC) has so far not been prospectively evaluated using an internationally recognized health-related quality of life (HRQoL) assessment. We report the results of a prospectively studied cohort of patients with clinical and quality of life data. METHODS: Prospectively controlled study of 128 patients undergoing TVC and 147 patients with conventional laparoscopic cholecystectomy (CLC). Data reported include patient demography, body mass index, anesthetic risk score (ASA), laboratory data, surgical times, length of hospital stay, pain score, analgesic medication used, complications, and quality of life scores using the combined method of SF-36 and GIQoL. RESULTS: Ninety-five TVC and 96 CLC patients fully completed pre- and postoperative HRQoL questionnaires. Patients with incomplete or missing questionnaires were excluded as well as patients with signs of acute cholecystitis. Differences included cardiovascular comorbidity and previous surgical procedures, but there was no difference in age (p = 0.4), body mass index (p = 0.4), ASA grade (p = 0.4), or preoperative quality of life. No difference was seen in laboratory data, surgical times, or length of hospital stay. Pain score and analgesic medication showed a clear trend and significant differences in favor of TVC. There was no difference in complications. Quality of life and postoperative sexual function did not show any differences between the two groups. CONCLUSIONS: This is the first study to report HRQoL outcomes after TVC using a recognized combined HRQoL assessment method. Although differences do exist in patient comorbidity and previous surgical experience, both groups were comparable. Less postoperative pain and no difference in HRQoL in TVC patients underlines this new procedure as a feasible standard approach in female patients. This study also is the first to differentiate between acute cholecystitis and symptomatic cholecystolithiasis in patients undergoing TVC.

Reporting of pneumothorax in association with vaping devices and electronic cigarettes.

Vaping may lead to spontaneous pneumothorax, but there are few published reports on this phenomenon. We present a case of vaping-related pneumothorax and make recommendations for structured reporting of this emerging cause for pneumothorax. A normal-weight 34-year-old male presented to our emergency department with dyspnoea and back pain increasing over 24 hours. Chest X-ray showed a large right-sided pneumothorax. Three years ago, he had quit smoking cigarettes and switched to vaping. CT scan revealed bullae, and the patient received apical lung resection. Histology revealed mild alveolitis. Vaping is an emerging cause of lung injury. This report demonstrates a potential association between vaping and pneumothorax. However, structured reporting and future research are needed to establish a definitive (or causal) relationship between vaping and pneumothorax.

Thymic Hyperplasia with Lymphoepithelial Sialadenitis (LESA)-Like Features: Strong Association with Lymphomas and Non-Myasthenic Autoimmune Diseases.

Thymic hyperplasia (TH) with lymphoepithelial sialadenitis (LESA)-like features (LESA-like TH) has been described as a tumor-like, benign proliferation of thymic epithelial cells and lymphoid follicles. We aimed to determine the frequency of lymphoma and autoimmunity in LESA-like TH and performed retrospective analysis of cases with LESA-like TH and/or thymic MALT-lymphoma. Among 36 patients (21 males) with LESA-like TH (age 52 years, 32-80; lesion diameter 7.0 cm, 1-14.5; median, range), five (14%) showed associated lymphomas, including four (11%) thymic MALT lymphomas and one (3%) diffuse large B-cell lymphoma. One additional case showed a clonal B-cell-receptor rearrangement without evidence of lymphoma. Twelve (33%) patients (7 women) suffered from partially overlapping autoimmune diseases: systemic lupus erythematosus (n = 4, 11%), rheumatoid arthritis (n = 3, 8%), myasthenia gravis (n = 2, 6%), asthma (n = 2, 6%), scleroderma, Sjögren syndrome, pure red cell aplasia, Grave's disease and anti-IgLON5 syndrome (each n = 1, 3%). Among 11 primary thymic MALT lymphomas, remnants of LESA-like TH were found in two cases (18%). In summary, LESA-like TH shows a striking association with autoimmunity and predisposes to lymphomas. Thus, a hematologic and rheumatologic workup should become standard in patients diagnosed with LESA-like TH. Radiologists and clinicians should be aware of LESA-like TH as a differential diagnosis for mediastinal mass lesions in patients with autoimmune diseases.

Transvaginal video-assisted cholecystectomy in clinical practice.

BACKGROUND: Transvaginal video-assisted cholecystectomy with rigid instruments is a new procedure that combines natural orifice surgery (NOS) with classic laparoscopy. This hybrid technique requires conventional laparoscopy via an umbilical incision. To date it is unclear if this procedure is safe and feasible in routine practice. METHODS: We report on a case series of 128 women who consented to transvaginal cholecystectomy. Data, including visual analog scores (VAS), were collected prospectively via a standard digital spreadsheet. Patients completed satisfaction questionnaires within 10 days after discharge from hospital. We report on outcomes, age, body mass index, operating time, complications, pain scores, and patient satisfaction. RESULTS: In 115 (89.8%) patients the procedure was performed as a transvaginal operation. In 11 women (8.6%), we converted to standard laparoscopy, and in 2 cases (1.6%), we converted to an open procedure. Mean age was 52.4 years (range = 23-78 years) and mean body mass index was 27.8 (range = 18.8-42). Mean operating time was 60.6 min (range = 22-110 min). Other procedures were combined with hybrid cholecystectomy in six cases. Complications following transvaginal access included one vaginal bleeding, one perforation of the urinary bladder, and one superficial lesion of the rectum. In one case the hepatic duct had to be stented due to leakage after the procedure via endoscopic retrograde cholangiography. Mean VAS on day 1 was 2.26 (± 0.31 SEM) and on day 2 it was 1.53 (± 0.35 SEM). In a postoperative questionnaire, 95% of patients indicated that they would recommend this procedure to other patients. CONCLUSIONS: Transvaginal cholecystectomy is a safe and easy-to-learn procedure. Possible complications are different than those of standard laparoscopic procedures. Trauma to the abdominal wall and scarring is minimal. Postoperative pain scores were not different than those of standard laparoscopy and a high percentage of patients are satisfied with the procedure.

Cavoportal hemitransposition for the simultaneous thrombosis of the caval and portal systems - a review of the literature.

Portal venous thrombosis was originally considered to be a contraindication for liver transplantation. Currently, several methods exist to re-establish blood flow to the hepatic portal system. Cavoportal hemitransposition is a surgical procedure that can be used in liver transplantation when the portal venous system is thrombosed and portal flow cannot be re-established from the mesenteric venous system. In cavoportal hemitransposition the blood flow from the inferior vena cava of the recipient is directed to the portal vein of the donor liver to compensate for the lost portal venous supply. This can either be done by end-to-end or end-to-side anastomosis. Seventy-one cases of cavoportal hemitransposition have been reported worldwide. All patients reported had been in a critical and life-threatening condition, presenting with either end-stage-liver disease or acute hepatic failure combined with severe vascular pathology. Of the cases reported, 32 patients died for reasons non-related to the surgical procedure. Seven of the 71 patients had Budd-Chiari syndrome complicated by thrombosis of the portal-venous system. This means thrombosis in two different venous systems at the same time, the mesenteric and main venous system. To date this <> venous thrombosis of both the caval and portal system has only been reviewed together with the possible medical, radiological and non-transplant treatment options. This article evaluates the available literature and reviews the evolution of the surgical procedure of cavoportal hemitransposition emphasising its role in combined thrombosis of the hepatic veins and portal venous systems.

Older liver graft transplantation, cholestasis and synthetic graft function.

Older liver grafts are often discarded because of conservative selection criteria. We report on our clinical experience with graft-age related outcome. Patients transplanted with livers older than 70 years (70.2-80.2 years, n = 38) were compared with controls transplanted with livers younger than 70 years. Pairs were matched for age, gender, indication and cold ischemic time. Mean donor age was 73.4 +/- 2 vs. 39 +/- 16 years. Patient and graft survival did not differ between both groups after 1-year follow-up (P = 0.19 and P = 0.24 respectively). Retransplantation rate was 10.5% vs. 5.3% (P = 0.40). Initial poor function occurred in two patients in the study group versus four patients in the control group (P = 0.69). The incidence of rejection episodes was comparable. Parameters of cholestasis and protein synthesis showed no difference 1-year post-transplant. Mean age of donor organs in matched pairs group B was near by half of that in the older donor group A (39.0 vs. 73.4 years). Post-transplant outcome as indicated by patient and graft survival was comparable between both groups. Donor organ age had no impact on postoperative organ function. We recommend to accept liver grafts from organ donors older than 70 years to expand the donor pool.