Trans-stomal single-port laparoscopic Hartmann's reversal is an efficacious and efficient procedure: a case-controlled study.

BACKGROUND: Hartman's reversal remains challenging and is associated with a widely variable success rate. In a previous study, we reported that laparoscopy may lower the mortality and morbidity rates of the procedure. The aim of the current study was to assess the operative results of single-port laparoscopic Hartmann's reversal (SP-HR) as compared to the more standard, multi-port laparoscopic variant (MP-HR). METHODS: We performed a retrospective, non-randomized, case-controlled study of 44 consecutive patients who had SP-HR (Group A) compared to 44 patients who had MP-HR (Group B). The study was conducted in a high-volume colorectal unit in a 1200-bed university affiliated hospital, The Poissy-Saint Germain Medical Complex, France. RESULTS: Preoperative patients' characteristics (sex, body mass index, American Society of Anesthesiologists status, prior surgery, comorbidities, colonic disease) were comparable in both groups. The conversion rate was 13.6% and 4.5% in Group A and in Group B, respectively (p = 0.084) and consisted of placement of any additional ports. Conversion to open surgery did not occur in any patient in either group (p = 1). Mean operative time was shorter in Group A than in in Group B, (105 vs. 155 min; p = 0.0133). The mortality rate was 2.2% in Group A and 0% in Group B (p = 0.3145). The overall morbidity rate was 11.4% in Group A and 18.2% in Group B (p = 0.5344). The median length of hospital stay was significantly shorter in Group than in Group B (4.8 vs. 6.8 days; p = 0.0102). CONCLUSIONS: The SP-HR technique was found to be safe and efficient. It compares favorably with MP-HR. Moreover, indirect cost savings could be induced by the reduction in the length of hospital stay.

Innovative appliance for colostomy patients: an interventional prospective pilot study.

BACKGROUND: The control of body waste emptying is a constant research topic in stoma care. The aim of this pilot study was to assess the efficacy and safety of an innovative colostomy appliance. METHODS: An interventional prospective non-comparative pilot study was conducted in seven French centers. The study device is a new type of two-piece appliance including a base plate and a "capsule cap" (CC) composed of a capsule cover and a folded collecting bag. The device gently seals the stoma to provide stoma output control. When the bowel movement pressure increases the patient may control the deployment of the folded bag and collect stools. Patients with left-sided colostomy all using a flat appliance, were enrolled in a 2-week trial. Outcome measures were type of CC removal and peristomal fecal leaks while wearing the device. RESULTS: Of 30 patients (females 66.7%), with left-sided colostomy (permanent 76.7%), 23 (76.7%) completed the 2-week trial. A total of 472 CC changes were analyzed. EFFICACY: of 404 (85.5%) CC changes reported in diaries, 302 (74.8%) were linked with stool and/or gas. In 244 (60.3%) changes, the patient controlled stoma bag deployment and it occurred with bowel emptying 301 (74.5%) times. No leaks around the appliance were observed in 400 (85.3%) changes. SAFETY: no serious adverse event occurred. Peristomal skin was not modified during the trial. CONCLUSIONS: In the short term this new device has provided an increased control over bowel emptying at no risk in half of the trial population suggesting that an alternative approach to bag wearing is achievable.

Preliminary experience with umbilical stoma in transumbilical single-port colorectal surgery.

BACKGROUND: The umbilicus, an embryological natural orifice, is increasingly used as the only access route during single-incision laparoscopic surgery (SILS) for colorectal disease. As a part of some of these procedures, a temporary, diverting ostomy could be exteriorized through the umbilicus itself. Theoretical advantages include better preservation of the abdominal wall and potentially superior cosmetic results. The aim of the present study was to evaluate our preliminary experience in SILS colorectal resection with umbilical stoma (u-stoma). METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed all colorectal patients operated using SILS for benign or malignant disease at Paris Poissy Medical Center. Patients were selected for consideration of u-stoma with our stoma therapists. RESULTS: Between January 2010 and December 2016, 234 patients underwent colorectal SILS procedures. In 74 patients (31.6%), an ileostomy (n = 41) or a colostomy (n = 33) was fashioned. Of these, 20 (27% of all ostomies) were umbilical stomas. The 20 u-stoma patients, 10 men and 10 women, received either a loop ileostomy (n = 14) or an end (n = 4) or loop (n = 2) colostomy. The mean age was 52 years (range 29-81 years). There was no mortality. Operative stoma-related morbidity occurred in only 5% of patients (n = 1: ileal torsion volvulus). Median follow-up after stoma formation was 30 months (range 12-59 months). Adjustment to the stoma and quality of life were satisfactory as estimated by both the patient and the stoma therapist. All stomas were reversed. At a median follow-up of 27.5 months (range 7-55 months) after stoma reversal, two patients had reoperation for incisional hernia. CONCLUSION: This preliminary experience showed that u-stoma is a feasible and safe alternative to more conventional ostomy after SILS.

Reducing pre-operative fasting while preserving operating room scheduling flexibility: feasibility and impact on patient discomfort.

BACKGROUND: The need to preserve operating room (OR) scheduling flexibility can challenge adherence to the 2-h pre-operative fasting period recommendation before elective surgery. Our primary objective was to assess the feasibility of a pre-operative carbohydrate (CHO) drink delivery strategy preserving OR scheduling flexibility. METHODS: During the 1st study phase, patients admitted for elective surgery fasted overnight (Control group); during the 2nd phase, patients fasted overnight and received a pre-operative CHO drink (CHO group). CHO delivery time was set to allow any patient to be ready for surgery 30 min ahead of the scheduled time and any patient with an operation scheduled in the afternoon to be ready at 13:00 hours; patients admitted the morning of an early morning operation would not be allowed to take a CHO drink. RESULTS: We included 194 patients in the Control group and 199 in the CHO group. In the CHO group, the morning CHO dose was delivered to 66.3% of the patients (95% CI 59.3-72.9%), with a median pre-operative fasting time period of 4 h 57 min. After excluding patients admitted the morning of an operation scheduled before 10:00 hours, the delivery rate was 77.2% (70.2-83.3%). Patients in the CHO group experienced significantly less pre-operative thirst (median 2 vs. 5 on a 0-10 scale, P < 0.0001) and hunger (0 vs. 2, P < 0.0001) than those in the Control group. CONCLUSION: Although preservation of OR scheduling flexibility resulted in a longer fasting time than recommended, CHO drink can be made available to a large proportion of patients with significantly reduced perioperative discomfort.

Transanal NOTES total mesorectal excision (TME) in patients with rectal cancer: Is anatomy better preserved?

BACKGROUND: Natural orifice transluminal endoscopic surgery (NOTES) and single-incision laparoscopy are spreading worldwide. Total mesorectal excision (TME), the standard treatment for patients with distal rectal tumors, is usually performed in an "up-to-down" approach, either laparoscopically (LAPTME) or as an open procedure. We have already reported a NOTES-inspired, transanal, "down-to-up" variant of TME (NOTESTME). The main aim of this study was to assess the quality of the resected specimen in patients who had undergone either NOTESTME or LAPTME. METHODS: All patients with distal rectal neoplasia presenting between January 2011 and December 2014 were considered for the study. Additional inclusion criteria comprised American Society of Anesthesiologists score ≤ III and the absence of previous open surgery. Assignment to either group was sequential and based on the rank of inclusion in the study. The primary endpoint was the macroscopic quality of the specimen. Secondary endpoints included nerve visualization, tumor perforation, operating time, status of margins, and number of retrieved nodes. RESULTS: Eighteen patients (6 men, 12 women) were in the NOTESTME group and 15 (7 men, 8 women) in the LAPTME group, respectively. The TME specimen was considered complete or mainly regular in 16 patients who had undergone NOTESTME (88.9 %) and in 11 patients who had undergone LAPTME (73.3 %), (p > 0.05). During the procedure, we visually identified the neurovascular bundles of Walsh in 14 patients in the NOTESTME group (77.8 %) and in only 5 patients in the LAPTME group (33.3 %), (p < 0.05). Mean operative time was 245 min (range 155-440 min) in the NOTESTME group and 275 min (range 180-400 min) in the LAPTME group (p > 0.05). A median of 11 nodes per specimen (range 8-22 nodes) was retrieved in the NOTESTME group and 12 nodes (range 6-41 nodes) in the LAPTME group, respectively (p > 0.05). Distal and radial margins were comparable in both groups. CONCLUSIONS: Compared to the LAPTME, the NOTESTME seems to be associated with a more frequent intraoperative identification of the sacral nerves. However, the difference in overall quality of the retrieved specimen, although favoring NOTESTME, did not reach statistical significance in this small series.

NOTES total mesorectal excision (TME) for patients with rectal neoplasia: a preliminary experience.

BACKGROUND: Natural orifice transluminal endoscopic surgery (NOTES) and single-incision laparoscopy are emerging, minimally invasive techniques. Total mesorectal excision (TME), the gold standard treatment for patients with resectable distal rectal tumors, is usually performed in an "up-to-down" approach, either laparoscopically or via open techniques. A transanal, "down-to-up" TME has already been reported. Our NOTES variant of TME (NOTESTME) is based on a transperineal approach without any form of abdominal assistance. The aim was to reduce further the invasiveness of the procedure while optimizing the anatomical definition of the distal mesorectum. This approach may lead to reduced postoperative pain, decreased hernia formation and improved cosmesis when compared to standard laparoscopy. METHODS: NOTESTME was attempted in 16 patients with distal rectal neoplasia (i.e., distal edge of the tumor lower than the pouch of Douglas, between 0 and 12 cm from the dentate line). Additional inclusion criteria consisted of an ASA status ≤III and the absence of previous abdominal surgery. RESULTS: NOTESTME was completed in all patients. Additional abdominal, single-incision laparoscopic assistance was required in 6 (38 %) patients. Mean operative time was 265 min (range 155-440 min). The morbidity rate was 18.8 % (two small bowel obstructions and one pelvic abscess), requiring re-operation in each case. No leaks occurred, and the mortality rate at 30 and 90 days was 0 %. Resection margins were negative in all patients. A median of 17 nodes (range 12-81) was retrieved per specimen. Mean length of hospital stay was 10 days (range 4-29 days). Patients were followed for an average of 7 months (range 3-23 months). CONCLUSION: NOTESTME was feasible and safe in this series of patients with mid- or low rectal tumors. The short-term mortality and morbidity rates are acceptable, with no apparent compromise in the oncological quality of the resection. Larger, randomized controlled trials with long-term follow-up are warranted.

Effects of 17beta-estradiol on preadipocyte proliferation in human adipose tissue: Involvement of IGF1-R signaling.

Estrogens are known to stimulate the proliferation of human preadipocytes. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying the increased cell growth by these steroids are poorly understood. In the present study, we have demonstrated that the proliferative effect of 17beta-estradiol involves the induction of both cell cycle gene expressions, c-myc and cyclin D1. Moreover, the mitogenic effects of 17beta-estradiol are suppressed by the pure antagonist ICI 182780 suggesting that estradiol action is mediated by estrogen receptor (ER). We have also shown that 17beta-estradiol is able to inhibit human preadipocyte apoptosis capacity as reflected by DNA fragmentation experiments and the mRNA expression of the pro- and antiapoptotic genes. Finally, 17beta-estradiol significantly induces both mRNA and protein expression of RIGF1 in human preadipose cells via ER and thus reinforces the signaling pathway of the proliferative factor, IGF1. Taken together, these data reinforce the concept of cross-talk between IGF1- and ER-signaling pathways in preadipocytes and indicate that IGFI may be a critical regulator of estrogen-mediated preadipose growth.

Laparoscopic versus open gastrectomy for adenocarcinoma: a prospective comparative analysis.

AIM: Laparoscopic gastrectomy (LG) is still not a widely accepted option for the treatment of invasive gastric cancer. This study was conducted to evaluate the results of LG for gastric adenocarcinoma in two French surgical departments. METHODS: Between 2001 and 2007, 51 patients underwent LG for gastric cancer. The results were compared to those of 79 patients who had open gastrectomy (OG) during the same study period. RESULTS: Mean age was 61 years (31-81) and 66 years (27-88) in the LG group and in the OG group, respectively. The sex ratio was 21 women to 30 men and 25 women for 54 men in the LG group and the OG group, respectively. The mean operative duration was 260 minutes (90-420) and 200 (120-360) the LG group and the OG group, respectively (P=0.11). Estimated operative blood loss was 150 ml (50-870) and 240 (120-955) in the LG group and the OG group, respectively (P=0.07). The mean number of harvested lymph nodes was 19 (8-51) in the LG group and 22 (3-101) in the OG group, respectively (P=0.76). The overall mortality rate was 0% and 2.5% in the LG group and the OG group, respectively (P=0.49). The overall abdominal morbidity rate was 12% and 16.4% in the LG group and the OG group, respectively (P=0.42). The mean duration of hospital stay was 8.0 days (5-23) and 11.5 days (5-31) in the LG group and the OG group, respectively (P=0.023). Survival analysis at 1, 2, and 3 years showed no significant difference between the two groups. CONCLUSION: LG for cancer is feasible and safe in patients with invasive gastric cancer. However, randomized controlled trials are necessary to accurately define the role of laparoscopy in the treatment of gastric cancer.

Liver resection for cystic lesions: a 15-year experience.

AIM: The aim pf this paper was to review the management strategies in patients who had hepatic resection for cystic lesions. If symptomatic, a simple liver cyst (SC) is best treated by unroofing. A hydatid cyst (HC) is treated by simple cystectomy or pericystectomy. Many procedures have been described for the management of complex non-HCS including aspiration, sclerosing therapy, drainage, unroofing, and resection. METHODS: A retrospective review of patients who had liver resection for cystic lesions between January 1, 1992, and December 31, 2006. The study was carried out at a University Hospital and a General Community Hospital affiliated with a University program. Management strategies were detailed, including clinical, biological, and imaging features. Operative morbidity and mortality as well as long-term outcome were also assessed. A comparison between preoperative and postoperative diagnoses was performed. RESULTS: Thirty-three patients (24 women and 9 men) underwent 39 liver resections, including 14 left lateral resections, 12 right hemi-hepatectomies, 7 left hemi-hepatectomies and 6 segmentectomies or wedge resections. The final diagnosis included hydatid cyst in 10 patients (30%), cystadenoma in 6 (18%), simple cysts in 6 (18%), Caroli's disease in 4 (12%), cystadenocarcinoma in 3 (9%) and miscellaneous in the 4 remaining (12%). There was no mortality and the postoperative morbidity rate was 15%. Long-term follow-up revealed that, besides patients with malignancies whose outcome was dismal, overall prognosis was positive with efficacious symptom control. CONCLUSION; Accurate preoperative diagnosis of liver cystic lesions may be difficult. However, liver resection for such lesions is a safe procedure that provides long-term symptomatic control in benign disease and may be curative in cases of underlying malignancy. Even if nearly 50% of liver cystic lesions treated by resection were either symptomatic SC or HC, we recommend en-bloc liver resection for all liver cystic lesions that are not clearly parasitic or simple cysts.

Emergency surgery during the COVID-19 pandemic: what you need to know for practice.

INTRODUCTION: Several articles have been published about the reorganisation of surgical activity during the COVID-19 pandemic but few, if any, have focused on the impact that this has had on emergency and trauma surgery. Our aim was to review the most current data on COVID-19 to provide essential suggestions on how to manage the acute abdomen during the pandemic. METHODS: A systematic review was conducted of the most relevant English language articles on COVID-19 and surgery published between 15 December 2019 and 30 March 2020. FINDINGS: Access to the operating theatre is almost exclusively restricted to emergencies and oncological procedures. The use of laparoscopy in COVID-19 positive patients should be cautiously considered. The main risk lies in the presence of the virus in the pneumoperitoneum: the aerosol released in the operating theatre could contaminate both staff and the environment. CONCLUSIONS: During the COVID-19 pandemic, all efforts should be deployed in order to evaluate the feasibility of postponing surgery until the patient is no longer considered potentially infectious or at risk of perioperative complications. If surgery is deemed necessary, the emergency surgeon must minimise the risk of exposure to the virus by involving a minimal number of healthcare staff and shortening the occupation of the operating theatre. In case of a lack of security measures to enable safe laparoscopy, open surgery should be considered.

Laparoscopically assisted Hartman's reversal is an efficacious and efficient procedure: a case control study.

AIM: Laparoscopy may lower the mortality and morbidity rates of Hartmann's procedure reversal. However, it remains a challenging operation mainly due to adhesions of the small bowel and to the rectal stump. METHODS: We performed a retrospective review of 44 patients who had laparoscopic Hartmann's reversal (Group A). On a case-control basis, these patients were compared to 44 patients (Group B) who had open Hartmann's reversal. RESULTS: Preoperative patients' characteristics (sex, gender, BMI, ASA status, prior surgery, comorbidities, colonic disease) were comparable. Conversion rate in Group A was 9.1%. Operative incidents were comparable in both groups. Operative duration was not significantly shorter in Group B (195 min versus 160 min in Group B). Mortality rate was 2.2 % and O % in group A and B, respectively. Overall morbidity rate was 11.4 % and 28.6 % in Group A and B, respectively (P<0.05). The mean length of hospital stay was significantly shorter in Group A (4.8 days) as compared to Group B (6.8 days), respectively. An efficiency analysis was performed and demonstrated that laparoscopic reversal did not generate a significant additional cost. CONCLUSION: Our laparoscopic technique of Hartmann's procedure reversal is safe and efficient. It compares positively with the same procedure performed openly in a case control study. Moreover, an indirect cost reduction is generated by the reduction of the length of hospital stay.

ENDORECT: a preoperative score to accurately predict rectosigmoid involvement in patients with endometriosis.

STUDY QUESTION: Could we construct and validate a preoperative score to predict rectosigmoid involvement in endometriosis (RE)? SUMMARY ANSWER: We developed a simple preoperative score (ENDORECT) to predict RE. WHAT IS KNOWN ALREADY: Accurate preoperative classification is important to optimize the surgical approach for patients with endometriosis but there is currently no reliable first-line examination to determine RE. STUDY DESIGN SIZE DURATION: This was a single-centre observational study including all women (N = 119) who underwent complete surgery for endometriosis between January 2011 and June 2016 in the Gynaecological Department of the University Hospital of Poissy Saint-Germain en Laye. PARTICIPANTS/MATERIALS SETTING METHODS: Of the 119 women, 47 had RE and 72 did not. Two-thirds of the patients were randomly selected to derive the predictive score based on multiple logistic regression with internal validation by bootstrap. We used information from a self-assessment questionnaire, digital and speculum examination, transvaginal ultrasound and MRI. The score was then applied to the remaining sample of patients for validation. MAIN RESULTS AND THE ROLE OF CHANCE: Four variables were independently associated with RE: palpation of a posterior nodule on digital examination (aOR=5.6; 95%CI [1.7-21.8]); a UBESS score of 3 on ultrasonography (aOR=4.9; 95%CI [1.4-19.8); RE infiltration on MRI (aOR=6.8; 95%CI [2-25.5]); and presence of blood in the stools during menstruation (aOR=5.2; 95%CI [1.3-24.7]). The ROC-AUC of the model was 0.86 (95%CI [0.77-0.94]) and the bootstrap procedure showed that the model was stable. The ENDORECT score was derived from these four criteria and three risk groups were identified: the high-risk group (score>17) had a probability of RE of 100% with an specificity (Sp) of 100%, postive likelihood ratio (Lr+)>10; the intermediate-risk group (score: 7-17) had a probability of RE of 42%; and the low-risk group (score=0), with a sensitivity (Se) of 97%, negative likelihood ratio (Lr-) of 0.07 and a probability of RE of 5%. In the validation cohort, a score >17 predicted RE with an Sp of 96, Lr+ of 9.2, and probability of RE of 83%. Patients in this sample with a score=0, had an Se of 100%, Lr- of 0 and a probability of RE of 0%. LIMITATIONS REASONS FOR CAUTION: The single-centre recruitment and over-representation of RE could constitute a referral bias. WIDER IMPLICATIONS OF THE FINDINGS: The use of a preoperative predictive score could facilitate patient counselling and guide surgical management. Both MRI and transvaginal ultrasound provide independent information and are useful before surgery for RE. STUDY FUNDING/COMPETING INTERESTS: No financial support was specifically received for this study. The authors declare no conflict of interest. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: N/A.

Surgical treatment of gastric outlet obstruction from a large trichobezoar: A case report.

INTRODUCTION: Bezoars are concretions of foreign indigestible material accumulating in the gastrointestinal tract leading to intraluminal mass formation that impairs the gastrointestinal motility and can lead to gastric obstruction of the small or the large bowel. There are different types of bezoars, named according to the material they are made of. These include phytobezoar, lactobezoar, pharmacobezoar, trichobezoar, and polybezoar. Trichobezoars (hair ball) are usually located in the stomach but may extend through the pylorus into the duodenum and small bowel (Rapunzel syndrome). CASE PRESENTATION: Herein, we report a case of a young adult female known to have a long-standing trichophagia who presented with gastric outlet obstruction due to a large trichobezoar. Endoscopy revealed a large and hard gastric trichobezoar not amenable to endoscopic retrieval leading to surgical extraction as a last resort. DISCUSSION: They are almost always associated with trichotillomania and trichophagia or other psychiatric disorders. Trichobezoar can be treated either surgically by laparotomy/laparoscopy or by endoscopic intervention. CONCLUSION: Treatment should be coupled to psychiatric evaluation and therapy to prevent recurrence.

Prospective, multicentric, comparative study between sleeve gastrectomy and Roux-en-Y gastric bypass, 277 patients, 3 years follow-up.

BACKGROUND: Laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG) and laparoscopic Roux-en Y gastric bypass (LRYGB) are commonly performed, but few studies have shown superiority of one strategy over the other. OBJECTIVE: Simultaneously compare LSG and LRYGB in terms of weight loss and morbimortality over a 36-month follow-up period. SETTING: University hospital and bariatric surgery centers, France. METHODS: Prospective, comparative study between LSG and RYGBP. The primary endpoint of this study was a joint hypothesis during the 36-month follow-up: the first primary outcome pertained to the frequency of patients with an excess weight loss (EWL) greater than 50% (% EWL>50%) after LSG or RYGB; the second primary outcome was defined as a composite endpoint of at least one major complication. Secondary objectives were regression of comorbidities and improvement in quality of life. RESULTS: Two hundred and seventy-seven patients were included (91 RYGBP, 186 LSG). The mean age was 41.1±11.1 years, and average preoperative body mass index of 45.3±5.5kg/m2. After 36months, the %EWL>50% was not inferior in the case of LSG (82.2%) relative to LRYGB (82.1%); while major complications rates were significantly higher in LRYGB (15.4%) vs. LSG (5.4%, P=0.005). After 36months, all secondary objectives were comparable between groups while only gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) increased in LSG group and decreased in LRYGB group. CONCLUSIONS: LSG was found non-inferior to LRYGB with respect to weight loss and was associated with lower risk of major complications during a 3-year follow-up. But GERD increased in LSG group and decreased in LRYGB group.

Laparoscopic intraperitoneal chemohyperthermia (IPCH) for gastrointestinal malignancies: indications and results.

Combining cytoreductive surgery (CRS) and intraperitoneal chemohyperthermia (IPCH) is the most promising new treatment for peritoneal carcinomatosis (PC) from colorectal cancer or from gastric cancer. It is not indicated for all patients with PC, and the results achieved by international experts in this field might not be replicated in routine clinical practice. Patients with good performance status, a low volume of peritoneal disease, and no extra-abdominal metastases are more likely to benefit from the combined treatment. Disease extent should be assessed at the time of the primary cancer operation, so that IPCH as an adjuvant treatment for appropriately selected patients can be administered. In this setting, laparoscopy could be interesting. Repeat CRS and IPCH in patients with diffuse peritoneal recurrence should be approached with caution and may be indicated only with effective second-line intraperitoneal chemotherapies. Finally, in some cases of intractable ascitis, patients who are not candidates for CRS, could be treated by merely palliative laparoscopic IPCH. A high level of training, expertise, and infrastructure is needed to optimize safety for both staff and patient. Therefore, concentrating services in a center with experience is likely to increase quality of care for these patients.

[Right paraduodenal hernia: a rare cause of intestinal obstruction]. / Hernie paraduodénale droite: une cause rare d'occlusion intestinale.

A 17 year old male was admitted emergently with acute small bowel obstruction. An urgent laparotomy revealed a loop of gangreous ileum herniated through a right paraduodenal hernia. The compromised bowel was resected and a primary anastomosis was performed. This case report allows us to discuss the diagnostic and therapeutic features of this rare condition.

Acute appendicitis after laparoscopic treatment of acute epiploic appendagitis.

Epiploic appendagitis (EA) is a rare cause of right lower quadrant (RLQ) abdominal pain. We report an unusual case of acute gangrenous appendicitis that developed after laparoscopic treatment of an EA. A 62-year-old man underwent laparoscopy for RLQ abdominal pain. EA was found and a resection was performed. The appendix, which was macroscopically normal, was left undisturbed. One week later, the patient was operated on for acute gangrenous appendicitis. Histologic examination separately confirmed both diagnoses. The definitive outcome was uneventful. The exact origin of this unusual case is unknown: Could acute appendicitis have been secondary to laparoscopic manipulation or initially missed? We conclude that acute appendicitis may be either missed or induced by laparoscopy for RLQ abdominal pain.

A new "no-touch" technique for the laparoscopic treatment of gastric stromal tumors.

BACKGROUND: Gastric stromal neoplasms are rare, accounting for < 2% of gastric tumors. Definite criteria for the malignant nature of such tumors are difficult to establish. Although their laparoscopic management has been described, there is still debate as to how to handle these tumors intraoperatively. METHODS: We report a new technical modification of laparoscopic resection used in two gastric stromal tumors, with special precautions taken to avoid the operative dissemination of unsuspected malignancy. RESULTS: The operative course and postoperative follow-up were uneventful. In both cases, histology showed no features of malignancy. CONCLUSION: To avoid tumor seeding during the resection of gastric stromal tumors, preventive measures--including absence of manipulation of the tumor, elimination of direct contact with the abdominal wall, and avoidance of disruption of the mucosa--should be implemented.

[Appendicitis or non-specific pain in the right iliac fossa?]. / Appendicite ou douleur non spécifique de la fosse iliaque droite?

Nearly 300,000 appendectomies are performed yearly in France. The negative laparotomy rate for suspected acute appendicitis is about 20%. Appendiceal perforation increases the risk of postoperative complications and may lead to death. Differential diagnosis of right lower quadrant abdominal pain is a major public health problem. Reported means of increasing diagnostic accuracy have included in-hospital observation with clinical and biological structured data collection with or without computer-assisted diagnosis, ultrasonography, CT, and laparoscopy. The ideal diagnostic test is yet to be defined. However, structured clinical examination is the cornerstone of any management algorithm. "When in doubt, take it out" is no longer acceptable.