Laparoscopic closure of small bowel perforation: Technique of small bowel anchoring to the abdominal wall.

INTRODUCTION: More and more complicated laparoscopic abdominal surgeries are now being performed across the world. Laparoscopic suturing of the bowel perforations is being performed by experienced surgeons. We have developed our own technique of small bowel anchoring to the abdominal wall before suturing the perforation. OUR MODIFICATION: A single stitch is taken at the corner of the perforation. The long end of the suture is retrieved by a suture retrieval needle and the small bowel is anchored to the abdominal wall. Rest of the bowel perforation is suture by the intracorporeal knot-tying technique. ADVANTAGES: Anchoring the bowel to the abdominal wall helps in fixation of the bowel to be sutured. This helps specifically for large perforation. Suturing and knot tying is relatively easy by this technique.

The laparoscopic transperitoneal approach for irreducible inguinal hernias: Perioperative outcome in four patients.

BACKGROUND: Incarceration and strangulation are the most feared complications of inguinal hernia. Till date, incarcerated hernias have traditionally been treated by conventional open repair. Reports are now available for the feasibility of laparoscopic repair of incarcerated inguinal hernia. Here, we described our experience with the transperitoneal approach for incarcerated hernias. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Between January 2008 and May 2008, four patients were presented with a history of irreducible hernia, abdominal distention and vomiting. All the patients had right-sided inguinal hernia. Reductions of the hernia contents were not possible in any patient. The patients were treated on emergency basis with laparoscopic transabdominal preperitoneal hernia repair. Retrospective analyses of all the patients were done. RESULTS: Reduction of the bowel was achieved in all but one patient, who required the division of the internal ring on lateral side. Transperitoneal mesh repair was performed. No major complications were encountered. One patient developed seroma formation that was treated conservatively. CONCLUSION: Laparoscopic transperitoneal approach has the advantage of observation of the hernia content for a longer period of time. The division of the internal ring can be done under direct vision. Other intra-abdominal pathology and opposite side hernia can be diagnosed and treated at the same time..

Management of rectal cancer: strategies and controversies.

Colorectal cancer is one of the most common cancers in the western world. The goal of this review is to outline some of the important surgical issues surrounding the management of rectal cancer. In patients with early rectal cancer (T1), local excision may be an alternative approach in highly selected patients. For more advanced rectal cancer, radical surgical resection is the treatment of choice. Total mesorectal excision and negative radial margin (>1 mm) decreases the local recurrence rate and improves survival. In appropriate patients, laparoscopic resection allows for improved patient comfort, shorter hospital stays, and earlier returns to preoperative activity level. In patients with locally advanced disease, neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy followed by radical excision according to the principles of TME has become widely accepted. Surgical resection is the treatment of choice for resectable liver metastasis of colorectal origin. Surgical resection improves disease-free and overall survival rate. For patients with unresectable metastatic disease, multimodality approach may increase the resectability rate and hence survival.

Postoperative hemorrhage after major pancreatobiliary surgery: an update.

In recent years, mortality associated with pancreaticoduodenectomy has come down to less than 5% but morbidity still remains high. Pancreatic fistula is one of the most common complications following pancreaticoduodenectomy. Postpancreatectomy hemorrhage is a rare but disastrous complication and associated with poor outcome. Early bleeding is usually due to some surgical mishap, but the management is simpler. Delayed hemorrhage has more complex pathophysiology and requires a multimodality approach for its management. In this paper, we review the recent articles related to postoperative hemorrhage after major pancreatobiliary surgery. Here we discuss the incidence, cause, investigations and management of early and late postoperative hemorrhage.

Defunctioning loop ileostomy with low anterior resection for distal rectal cancer: should we make an ileostomy as a routine procedure? A prospective randomized study.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Anastomotic leakage is a major problem in colorectal surgery particularly in low rectal cancer. The defunctioning loop ileostomy was introduced as a technique to create a manageable stoma that would divert the fecal stream from a more distal anastomosis in order to reduce the consequences of any anastomotic leakage. Therefore, the use of a defunctioning stoma has been suggested, but limited data exist to clearly determine the necessity of routine diversion. This study was designed to evaluate early morbidity, mortality and hospital stay in patients undergoing lower rectal cancer surgery concerned with or without loop ileostomy. METHODOLOGY: This is a prospective randomized study that was performed between May 2001 and March 2008. There were 256 patients who underwent elective low anterior resection and stapler anastomosis. They were divided into two groups. Group A consisted of 120 patients who underwent straight anastomosis without ileostomy and group B consisted of 136 patients who underwent straight anastomosis with loop ileostomy. Data regarding patient demographics, underlying pathology, anastomotic problems, and ileostomy-related problems were gathered. The patients were all monitored closely after surgery for an anastomotic leak and all stoma-related complications were recorded. Inclusion criteria consisted of biopsy proven adenocarcinoma of the rectum located at < or = 5 cm above the anal verge, age > or = 22 years, and informed consent. Exclusion criteria included age more than 90 years, associated co morbid conditions Stage IV with disease spread to liver and peritoneum. RESULTS: Indications for surgery were lower rectal cancer (n=256). Mean age 55.5 years (range 22-90 years) and a male: female ratio of 1.1:1. All patients were undergoing elective surgery for lower rectal cancer. In our study 12 patients in group A developed anastomotic leak, two of them were re-explored for anastomotic leak and Hartman's colostomy was carried out. There were two deaths in Group A. In group B anastomotic leak was seen in three patients. In all three, anastomotic healing took place at a later period of time on the 18th, 20th, and 25th postoperative day respectively without any additional morbidity and mortality. Ileostomy-related problems were minor and limited to the stoma and complaints requiring stoma nurse evaluation (n=8), dehydration requiring outpatient care (n=3), bleeding at the stoma closure site (n=l). No stoma site hernias have been identified so far. CONCLUSIONS: The use of defunctioning loop ileostomy in all patients undergoing lower rectal surgery with stapler anastomosis is beneficial and safe. Defunctioning loop ileostomy use has resulted in no anastomotic leak rate and considerable low morbidity. So according to our study, we strongly recommend defunctioning loop ileostomy as a routine procedure in patients undergoing lower rectal cancer surgery.

Laparoscopic microwave ablation of liver tumors: our experience.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Microwave ablation is the most recent development in the field of tumor ablation and is a well established and safe local ablative method available for liver tumors (both primary and secondary tumors). The technique allows for flexible approaches to treatment, including percutaneous, laparoscopic, and open surgical access. Laparoscopic technique has the advantages of accurate tumor staging, better tolerability and low cost. It can be performed in tumors which are close to the vital organs. The aim of this study was to evaluate the feasibility and safety of laparoscopic microwave ablation of liver tumors. METHODOLOGY: During January 2001 to December 2005, 57 patients with liver tumors were treated with laparoscopic microwave ablation in the department of Surgical Oncology. There were 34 male and 23 female patients. Out of 57 patients, 11 patients had hepatocellular carcinoma and 46 patients had secondaries in the liver. The most common source of secondaries was colorectal cancers. Laparoscopic microwave ablation of tumors was performed in these patients. RESULTS: During the study period, 57 patients with no evidence of extrahepatic disease underwent laparoscopic microwave ablation of unresectable hepatic tumors. No major intraoperative complications occurred. Postoperatively all the patients did well. Four patients developed liver abscess at the ablation area. Two patients required percutaneous aspiration of the liver abscess. No other major complications occurred. Follow-up CT scan shows complete necrosis of the tumors. Patients were followed-up at regular intervals. CONCLUSIONS: Laparoscopic microwave ablation is a feasible and safe alternative to open microwave ablation of the liver tumors. It carries all the advantage of minimal invasive surgery. In experienced hands, microwave ablation using laparoscopic technique can be done safely and effectively.

Pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors: our approach.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors constitute a small percentage of pancreatic tumors. Surgical resection is the best treatment for these types of tumors. Aggressive surgical resection including multivisceral resection provides long-term survival. Even palliative resection of the tumor is justifiable. Here we share our experience with the management of pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors. METHODOLOGY: Between January 1993 and April 2007 we operated on 54 patients with pancreatic neuroendocrine tumor. We have analyzed our data retrospectively. Patients were analyzed in terms of demographic characteristics, operative procedure, postoperative outcome and survival. RESULTS: Out of 54 patients, 31 patients had nonfunctional tumor and 23 patients had functional tumors. Neuroendocrine carcinoma was found in 19 patients. Pancreaticoduodenectomy was performed in 21 patients. Simultaneous liver resection was performed in 4 patients and multiorgan resection for locally advanced pancreatic tumor was performed in 3 patients. CONCLUSIONS: Surgical resection is the best option for the treatment of pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors. Aggressive resection provides survival benefit and a better quality of life. If the entire gross tumor can be resected, multiorgan resection or simultaneous liver resection is justifiable.

A new technique for intracorporeal knot tying in laparoscopic surgery.

INTRODUCTION: Laparoscopic intracorporeal knot tying in minimally invasive surgery is an advanced skill. Mastering this skill is a difficult process with a long learning curve. Intracorporeal suturing is essential to advanced laparoscopy and is a rate-limiting step in many procedures. Many different instruments and methods have been described for laparoscopic suturing and knot tying. We have developed a new technique for laparoscopic knot tying. TECHNIQUE: The long end of the suture is held with a left-hand instrument, and the instrument is rotated for 360 degrees in a clockwise direction to make a forward-direction loop. The end of the loop is grasped with the right-hand instrument, and the other end of the suture is grasped with the left-hand instrument. The suture end, held by the left hand, is pulled though the loop and tied, thus making a half-knot of a square knot. The second half-knot is made by using the right-hand instrument with the same technique. DISCUSSION: Laparoscopic suturing and knotting is difficult to perform, especially when the angle between the working instruments is narrow and working space is limited. In all these situations, knot tying using this technique makes knotting more simple and easy to perform, especially for those who have limited experience in intracorporeal suturing and knot tying. No special instrument is required to perform knot tying with this technique.

Laparoscopic ventral hernia repair: a new method for fixation of the mesh with sutures.

BACKGROUND: Laparoscopic technique has proven to be a safe and feasible alternative to open mesh repair in the treatment of ventral hernias. It has been seen that the recurrence rate is the same as with open repair but with lesser morbidity. For the repair of ventral hernia with laparoscopy, mesh is placed intraperitoneally. The most common approach for intraperitoneal fixation of the mesh is by using a combination of transfascial sutures and tackers. This paper describes a new technique for intraperitoneal fixation of the mesh using sutures. SURGICAL TECHNIQUE: Adhesions to the previous scar are taken down. Mesh is anchored to the abdominal wall using 4 transfascial sutures at the 4 corners of the mesh. Fixation of the mesh between the transfascial sutures is performed by a new technique using continuous sutures. Fixation of the mesh with tacks is not required. CONCLUSIONS: This is a novel technique for fixation of the mesh to the abdominal wall intraperitoneally during laparoscopic repair of ventral hernia. Tackers are not required for the fixation of mesh.

An update and our experience with metastatic liver disease.

Metastatic liver disease remains a challenging and life-threatening clinical situation with an obscure and dismal prognosis and outcome. The liver is the most common site of metastatic spread of colorectal cancer and nearly half of the patients with colorectal cancer ultimately develop liver metastasis during the course of their diseases. Death from colorectal cancer is often a result of liver metastases. Over half of these patients die from their metastatic liver diseases. At the time of diagnosis, hepatic metastases are present in 15-25% of patients, and another 25-50% will develop metachronous liver metastases within 3 years following resection of the primary tumor. Over the last decade, there have been tremendous advances in the treatment of metastatic liver disease. Hepatic resection still remains the gold standard for the treatment of metastatic lesions which are amenable to surgery. Unfortunately, up to 40 percent of patients are identified as having additional disease at the time of exploration, and 20 percent are found to be unresectable. Regional therapies such as radiofrequency ablation, microwave ablation and cryotherapy may be offered to patients with isolated unresectable metastases. Other options like hepatic artery chemotherapy and chemoembolization, portal vein embolization and immunotherapy also play a vital role in management of metastatic liver disease when used in combination with other therapies. This article reviews the history of metastatic liver disease, epidemiology, diagnosis and various treatment modalities available for liver metastases along with our experience in management of advance metastatic liver disease.

Gastrointestinal stromal tumor of gastrohepatic omentum in a patient with von Recklinghausen's disease (neurofibromatosis type 1).

It is very rare to find large gastrointestinal stromal tumors arising from the gastrohepatic omentum in a patient with neurofibromatosis type 1. We here document a case of two large gastrointestinal stromal tumors arising from the gastrohepatic omentum in a patient with von Recklinghausen's disease. In the present case, two large tumors in the lesser sac were evident on preoperative computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging and were surgically removed successfully. Biopsy was suggestive of gastrointestinal stromal tumors.

Pancreas-preserving total duodenectomy without pancreato-enteric anastomosis.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Pancreas-preserving total duodenectomy is a challenging surgical technique with organ preservation and has limited indications. We assessed the safety, feasibility and short-term functional outcome of PPTD without the need of pancreato-enteric anastomosis in our surgical technique. METHODOLOGY: During the two-year period from 2005 to 2007, three patients underwent pancreas-preserving total duodenectomy at our center. Two patients had diffuse adenomatous polyposis; another had previous transduodenal excision for polyp with recurrence. In all three patients pancreas-preserving total duodenectomy was performed without the pancreato-jejunal anastomosis and were analyzed prospectively. The surgical procedure and outcome is described. RESULTS: Out of three patients who underwent pancreas-preserving total duodenectomy, one patient had pancreatitis postoperatively and recovered well with conservative line of management. The other two patients had an uneventful postoperative course. All the patients were closely followed up and were symptom free, in a good condition with good functional status. CONCLUSIONS: To the best of our knowledge this is the first series of pancreas-preserving total duodenectomy without pancreato-enteric anastomosis ever reported. Although the indication for pancreas-preserving total duodenectomy is limited, it can be performed safely with good surgical expertise and knowledge of pancreato-duodenal anatomy. It can be beneficial in elderly patients with concomitant heart disease and associated risk factors. Although it is technically demanding requiring high surgical skills, it excludes the need of pancreas resection with maintenance of gastrointestinal function and the procedure can be performed safely and in less time. But the procedure should be contraindicated in the presence of malignancy and the operated patient should be under long-term surveillance.