The Belsey Mark IV procedure in the era of minimally invasive antireflux surgery.

BACKGROUND: Different surgical techniques exist in the treatment of giant and complex hiatal hernia. The aim of this study was to identify the role of the Belsey Mark IV (BMIV) antireflux procedure in the era of minimally invasive techniques. METHODS: A single-center, retrospective cohort study was conducted. All patients who underwent an elective BMIV procedure aged 18 years or older, during a 15-year period (January 1, 2002 until December 31, 2016), were included. Demographics, pre-, per- and postoperative data were analyzed. Three groups were compared. Group A: BMIV as first procedure-group B: BMIV as a second procedure (first redo intervention)-group C: patients who had two or more previous antireflux interventions. RESULTS: A total of 216 patients were included for analysis (group A n = 127; group B n = 51; group C n = 38). Median follow-up in groups A, B and C was 28, 48 and 56 months, respectively. Patients in group A were older and had a higher American Society of Anesthesiologists score compared to groups B and C. There was zero mortality in all groups. The severe complication rate of 7.9% in group A was higher compared with the 2.9% in group B and 3.9% in group C. Long-term outcome showed true recurrence, defined as both radiographic recurrence as well as associated symptoms, in 9.5% of cases in group A, 24.5% in group B and 44.7% in group C. CONCLUSIONS: The BMIV procedure is a safe procedure with good results, moreover in the aging and comorbid patient with primary repair of a giant hiatal hernia.

An unusual cause of "traumatic" hemothorax: perforation of the lung parenchyma by a bifid rib.

Congenital anomalies of the ribs are relatively common, and they can be divided in numerical (for example cervical ribs) or structural abnormalities (for example bifid ribs). These anomalies are usually asymptomatic. Literature on symptomatic bifid ribs is limited. We present the case of a 36-year old male without any relevant medical history or medication who was referred to our center. After lifting a heavy object, he experienced sudden onset pain on the right anterior chest, with associated shortness of breath. Computed tomography of the chest showed a significant hemothorax on the right side, compression atelectasis of the right lower lobe, and an anomalous fifth right rib - described as a bifid rib. A VATS resection of the bifid rib was performed.The images of this case illustrate the unusual traumatic perforation of the lung caused by a bifid rib. The case illustrates that one might consider resection of an asymptomatic bifid rib when imaging suggests significant compression on the lung parenchyma.

Laparoscopic right posterior sectionectomy: single-center experience and technical aspects.

PURPOSE: Laparoscopic right posterior sectionectomy (LRPS) is a technically demanding procedure. The aim of this article is to share our experience with LRPS and to highlight technical aspects of this procedure. METHODS: This is a single-center retrospective analysis of all patients who underwent LRPS between September 2011 and October 2017. Data were retrieved from a prospectively maintained database. Video-in-picture (VIP) technology is used to facilitate and to highlight the technical aspects of this procedure. RESULTS: In total, 18 patients underwent LRPS. Indication for surgery was mainly liver metastases (n = 11) and hepatocellular carcinoma (n = 6). The Glissonean approach for inflow control was used in 13 patients. Median operative time was 162 (140-190) minutes. Median blood loss was 325 mL (IQR: 150-450). One conversion (5.5%) was required. There were two minor complications and one major complication. Median hospital stay was 6 days (range 5-8 days). All patients had an R0 resection. There was no 90-day mortality. CONCLUSION: The results of our experience in LRPS add weight to the feasibility and safety of this approach.

Laparoscopic versus open parenchymal preserving liver resections in the posterosuperior segments: a case-matched study.

BACKGROUND: Patients with lesions in the posterosuperior (PS) segments of the liver have been considered poor candidates for laparoscopic liver resection (LLR). This study aims to compare short-term outcomes of LLR and open liver resections (OLR) in the PS segments. METHODS: This multicenter study consisted of all patients who underwent LLR in the PS segments and all patients who underwent OLR in the PS segments between October 2011 and July 2016. Laparoscopic cases were case-matched with those who had an identical open procedure during the same period based on tumor location (same segment) and the Brisbane classification of the resection. Demographics, comorbid factors, perioperative outcomes, short-term outcomes, necessity of adjuvant chemotherapy, and the interval between surgery and initiation of adjuvant chemotherapy were compared between the two groups. Data were retrieved from a prospectively maintained electronic database. RESULTS: Both groups were comparable for age, sex, ASA score, maximum tumor diameter, and number of patients with additional liver resections outside the posterior segments. Operative time was similar in both groups (median 140 min; p = 0.92). Blood loss was less in the LLR-group (median: 150 vs. 300 ml in OLR-group). Median hospital stay was 6 days in both groups. There was no significant difference in postoperative complications (OLR-group: 31.4% vs. LLR-group: 25.7%; p = 0.60). There was no significant difference in R0 resections (LLR: 97.2 vs. 100% in OLR; p = 1.00). Tumor-free margins were less in the LLR group (LLR: 5 vs. 9.5 mm in OLR; p = 0.012). Patients undergoing LLR were treated with chemotherapy sooner compared to those undergoing OLR (41 vs. 56 days, p = 0.02). CONCLUSION: This study suggests that laparoscopic parenchymal preserving liver resections in the PS segments can be performed with comparable short-term outcomes as similar OLR. The shorter interval to chemotherapy might provide long-term oncologic benefits in patients who underwent LLR.

Prospective analysis of ventral hernia repair using the Ventralight™ ST hernia patch.

The aim of the current prospective study was to show the results of a new type of medium-weight monofilament polypropylene mesh covered with a hydrogel barrier on the visceral side. Between July 2011 and April 2013 prospectively collected data on 30 consecutive patients who underwent abdominal wall hernia repair using a medium-weight mesh covered with carboxymethylcellulose-sodiumhyaluronate coating (Ventralight™ ST mesh, Davol Inc, Subsidary of C. R. Bard, Inc. Warwick, RI) were analyzed. Out of these patients, those who had a follow-up of at least 12 months were selected. Short- and long-term outcomes were described. Meanwhile, registration continues up to completion of a series with 100 included patients. A total of 17 patients were selected (men/women ratio 11/6). Median follow-up was 12 months (range 12-21). Mean hernia diameter was 7 cm x 5 cm (craniocaudal x laterolateral) (range 1.5 x 1.5 to 20 x 15). Mean length of hospital stay was 6.1 days. Postoperative Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) at last follow-up was significantly lower than the preoperative VAS (P = 0.017) There were no intraoperative complications. Four patients (23%) developed minor complications. Two patients had mild discomfort, another two patients developed a seroma. No recurrences were observed. This intermediate study shows good results using a biofilm coated mesh and confirm the positive results obtained in the Sasse clinical trial.

Social Media in Surgical Training: Opportunities and Risks.

BACKGROUND: Surgeon engagement with social media is growing rapidly. Innovative applications in diverse fields of health care are increasingly available. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this review is to explore the current and future applications of social media in surgical training. In addition, risks and barriers of social media engagement are analyzed, and recommendations for professional social media use amongst trainers and trainees are suggested. METHODS: The published, peer-reviewed literature on social media in medicine, surgery and surgical training was reviewed. MESH terms including "social media", "education", "surgical training" and "web applications" were used. RESULTS: Different social media surgical applications are already widely available but limited in use in the trainee's curriculum. E-learning modalities, podcasts, live surgery platforms and microblogs are used for teaching purposes. Social media enables global research collaboratives and can play a role in patient recruitment for clinical trials. The growing importance of networking is emphasized by the increased use of LinkedIn, Facebook, Sermo and other networking platforms. Risks of social media use, such as lack of peer review and the lack of source confirmation, must be considered. Governing surgeon's and trainee's associations should consider adopting and sharing their guidelines for standards of social media use. CONCLUSIONS: Surgical training is changing rapidly and as such, social media presents tremendous opportunities for teaching, training, research and networking. Awareness must be raised on the risks of social media use.

The Effectiveness of a Clinical Pathway in Liver Surgery: a Case-Control Study.

BACKGROUND: In the field of liver surgery, evidence on the effectiveness of clinical pathways based on ERAS principles is limited. METHODS: This is a single-center observational study from a prospectively maintained database. Two cohorts were formed of all patients undergoing liver surgery during a defined period before (traditional management) and after introduction of a clinical pathway. Additionally, a case-match analysis-based on approach, tumor location, and Brisbane classification of resection-was performed. A cost analysis and patient satisfaction questionnaire were carried out. RESULTS: In both the overall analysis (n = 229) as well as the case-match analysis (n = 100), hospital stay was significantly reduced from 8 to 4 days and from 6.5 to 4 days, respectively (p < 0.05). Postoperative morbidity (traditional management 11/50 vs clinical pathway 5/50; p = 1.00) and readmission rate did not increase. Cost analysis showed a significant decrease in postoperative costs in favor of the clinical pathway (traditional management €3666.7 vs clinical pathway €1912.2; p < 0.001). Overall, 92.3% of the survey questions were answered with satisfied (86.0%) or very satisfied (6.3%). DISCUSSION: Implementation of clinical pathway for liver surgery is feasible and safe. A clinical pathway significantly reduces hospital stay without increasing postoperative morbidity and readmission rates. Postoperative costs are significantly reduced. Patient satisfaction is high.

Perforation of the gastric remnant in a patient post-Roux-en-Y gastric bypass.

With the dramatic increase in obesity surgery and the subsequent increase in ageing post-gastric bypass patients, early recognition of possible and serious complications is of the utmost importance. We present a case of a 33-year-old woman who presented to the emergency room, with progressive epigastric pain. The patient had undergone laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass surgery 14 months earlier. Diagnostic laparoscopy was performed and showed a prepyloric perforation of the gastric remnant. The defect was closed and omentoplasty was performed. The patient was put on lifelong proton pump inhibitors.