Guidelines for the performance of minimally invasive splenectomy.

BACKGROUND: Minimally invasive splenectomy (MIS) is increasingly favored for the treatment of benign and malignant diseases of the spleen over open access approaches. While many studies cite the superiority of MIS in terms of decreased morbidity and length of stay over a traditional open approach, the comparative effectiveness of specific technical and peri-operative approaches to MIS is unclear. OBJECTIVE: To develop evidence-based guidelines that support clinicians, patients, and others in decisions on the peri-operative performance of MIS. METHODS: A guidelines committee panel of the Society of American Gastrointestinal and Endoscopic Surgeons (SAGES) including methodologists used the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation approach to grade the certainty of evidence and formulate recommendations. RESULTS: Informed by a systematic review of the evidence, the panel agreed on eight recommendations for the peri-operative performance of MIS for adults and children in elective situations addressing six key questions. CONCLUSIONS: Conditional recommendations were made in favor of lateral positioning for non-hematologic disease, intra-operative platelet administration for patients with idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura instead of preoperative administration, and the use of mechanical devices to control the splenic hilum. Further, a conditional recommendation was made against routine intra-operative drain placement.

Laparoscopic ventral hernia repair: does primary repair in addition to placement of mesh decrease recurrence?

BACKGROUND: The advent of laparoscopic ventral hernia repair (LVHR) not only reduced the morbidity associated with open repair but also led to a decrease in the hernia recurrence rate. However, the rate continues to remain significant. METHODS: A retrospective observational study was conducted on 193 patients who were treated with LVHR by two minimally invasive surgeons in a 24-month period. The patient population was broadly divided into two groups based on the laparoscopic repair of the fascial defect with mesh underlay, or with primary suture repair and mesh underlay (PSR + MU). Patient demographics, rates of hernia recurrence, and other associated complications were compared between the two groups. Patient variables and the clinical outcomes were analyzed with descriptive statistics and chi-square test. RESULTS: One hundred ninety-three consecutive patients underwent LVHR for incisional (n = 136), umbilical (n = 44), epigastric (n = 9), and parastomal (n = 4) hernia. Hernia recurrence was documented in eight patients (4.1%). The mean follow-up period was 10.5 months (range 1-36 months). Incisional hernias accounted for all eight recurrences. The rate of recurrence in those treated with PSR + MU was 3% (two of 67 cases) in comparison with 4.8% (six of 126 patients) associated with mesh alone. The rate of recurrence in the recurrent hernia group, treated with mesh only, was 10.5% (four of 38 patients) compared with 4.8% (one of 21 patients) in the PSR + MU group. CONCLUSIONS: Primary laparoscopic repair along with mesh placement for the management of ventral hernia was found to be effective in selected cases as evidenced by the low rate of recurrence when compared with conventional laparoscopic repair with mesh alone. Further retrospective and prospective studies, with larger patient enrollment, are warranted to confirm the benefit of this technique over traditional repair.

Achieving Mastery of General Surgery Operative Skill in the Army Healthcare System.

INTRODUCTION: Operative case volumes for military surgeons are reported to be significantly lower than civilian counterparts. Among the concern that this raises is an inability of military surgeons to achieve mastery of their craft. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Annual surgical case reports were obtained from seven Army military treatment facilities (MTF) for 2012-2016. Operative case volume and cumulative operative time were calculated for active duty general surgeons and for individual MTFs. Subgroup analyses were also performed based upon rank. Results were extrapolated to calculate the amount of time it would take to reach a cumulative of 10,000 hours of operative time (the a priori definition for achieving mastery). RESULTS: One hundred and two active duty general surgeons operated at the seven MTFs during the study period and met the inclusion criteria. The average surgeon performed 108 ± 68 cases/year. The average surgeon operated 122 ± 82 hours/year. At this rate, it would take over 80 years to reach mastery of surgery. When stratified based upon rank, Majors averaged 113 ± 75 hours/year, Lieutenant Colonels averaged 170 ± 100 hours/year, and Colonels averaged 136 ± 101 hours/year (p < 0.05). When stratified based upon individual MTF, surgeons at the busiest facility averaged 187 ± 103 hours/year and those at the least busy facility averaged 85 ± 56 hours/year (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Obtaining mastery of general surgery is a nearly impossible proposition given the current care models at Army MTFs. Alternative staffing and patient care models should be developed if Army surgeons are to be masters at their craft.

Plasma levels of the beta chemokine regulated upon activation, normal T cell expressed, and secreted (RANTES) correlate with severe brain injury.

BACKGROUND: The expression of the beta chemokine RANTES (regulated upon activation, normal T cell expressed, and secreted) has previously been shown to be elevated after traumatic brain injury (TBI) in animal models, but it was unknown whether the plasma level of RANTES was predictive of TBI in critically injured trauma patients. METHODS: A prospective study was conducted on 108 critically ill trauma patients. Patients were stratified by radiologic diagnosis of TBI. Severe TBI was classified as the presence of diffuse axonal injury, midline shift, or herniation based on admission head computed tomography findings. Serum levels were evaluated at admission and hospital day 7. RANTES was measured using Luminex multiplex assays. RESULTS: Fifty-four patients with and without TBI were compared. Severe TBI was diagnosed in 23 of the 54 TBI patients (43%) and mild/moderate TBI was found in 31 (57%) patients. The mean age of the study population was 43 +/- 20 years with a mean Injury Severity Score of 29 +/- 14. There was no significant difference between groups in age, sex, and Injury Severity Score. At admission, RANTES was significantly higher in patients with severe brain injury than in non-TBI patients (mean 1,339 pg/mL vs. 708 pg/mL, p = 0.046), and there was a trend toward significance when comparing patients with severe versus mild/moderate brain injury (mean 1,339 pg/mL vs. 752 pg/mL, p = 0.069). There was no statistically significant difference on day 7. CONCLUSIONS: RANTES was a significant early marker of severe TBI in critically injured trauma patients, consistent with animal models. Future research on the role of RANTES in the pathogenesis of human TBI is warranted.

Isolated perivesicular hematoma after military parachuting.

BACKGROUND: Isolated perivesicular hematomas are uncommonly described and not an injury typically reported in the literature after parachuting or skydiving. CASE REPORT: Herein, we described a series of three patients with isolated perivesicular hematomas sustained after military parachuting. All three patients were managed nonoperatively after a somewhat prolonged hospital course. Despite the lack of orthopedic injuries, all required physical therapy consultation and required an assisting device to aide with ambulation at the time of discharge. For all three individuals, follow-up imaging months after the injury demonstrated a continued presence of the hematoma. Clinically, the patients continued to have ambulatory and urological difficulties for several months after their injury. DISCUSSION: This injury pattern is uncommonly reported in the literature. An appropriate index of suspicion must be maintained or there may be a delay in diagnosis. Management of these injuries requires coordinated care between the trauma service, urology, and physical therapy.

Advances in transoral fundoplication for oesophageal reflux.

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this review was to evaluate transoral fundoplication devices for gastro-oesophageal reflux disease that have been commercially available within the last 5 years. METHODS: Literature databases including Medline and Pubmed were searched from January 2005 to November 2010. Both blinded and unblinded randomized studies were evaluated. RESULTS: We reviewed the literature for evaluations of primary transoral endoluminal fundoplication devices which included EndoCinch, NDO Plicator, Esophyx, and Stretta. Reviews of all studies with greater than 20 patients were evaluated to assess the efficacy and safety of transoral fundoplication devices. These endoluminal devices were primary matched against sham procedures. The EndoCinch and Stretta procedures were the only devices compared to laparoscopic fundoplication, the current standard for surgical management of gastro-oesophageal reflux disease. CONCLUSION: The field of endoluminal treatment of gastro-oesophageal reflux disease has gained popularity over the last several years. Endoluminal treatment of gastro-oesophageal reflux disease has been shown to be safe and effective in recent studies. We still believe more randomized prospective studies need to be carried out to determine if endoluminal therapies will be a durable option for patients with gastro-oesophageal reflux disease. Continuing research will further the advancement of endoluminal gastro-oesophageal reflux disease procedures in the future.

Sonographic appearance of canal of Nuck hydrocele.

We present a case of a relatively uncommon entity in a 17-year-old girl who presented to the emergency department with right inguinal pain and discomfort. On sonography, she was thought to have a hydrocele of a patent processus vaginalis, although differentials could not be excluded. The hydrocele was subsequently confirmed at surgery. Because this is an uncommonly reported condition, a high index of suspicion must be maintained in the appropriate clinical setting. We present various sonographic appearances and techniques that have been proposed in the literature.