An ergonomic study of single-port versus multi-port laparoscopic mesh insertion for ventral hernia repair.

PURPOSE: To assess the mental effort and physical discomfort of placement of a prosthetic mesh into the abdominal cavity with single-incision laparoscopic surgery (SILS) or multi-port laparoscopic access for incisional ventral hernia repair. METHODS: A total of 10 surgeons with previous experience in conventional laparoscopic surgery performed four surgical tasks through a multi-port laparoscopic access and a SILS access in a porcine model during a first 4-hour working session and a second 2-hour working session. These tasks included (a) introduction of a prosthetic mesh for abdominal wall surgery, (b) manipulation of the mesh inside the abdomen, (c) manipulation of the laparoscopic instruments and (d) mesh insertion to the intraperitoneal abdominal wall and fixation with tackers. The level of mental effort was assessed with the Subjective Mental Effort Questionnaire (SMEQ) and physical discomfort with the Local Experienced Discomfort Scale (LED). RESULTS: Seventy percent were men, with a mean age of 45 years and a mean of 18 years of experience in practicing surgery. The SMEQ questionnaire showed a median physical effort of 24.4 (range 9-36.1) points for the multi-port laparoscopic access and 107.4 (range 74.7-128.4) for SILS (p < 0.01). Statistically significant differences between multi-port laparoscopic surgery and SILS were consistently demonstrated in all tasks as well as in both the 4-hour and 2-hour working sessions. The median (interquartile range) score of the LED scale was 12.5 (2-34.5) for tasks during multi-port laparoscopic surgery and 53.5 (29-89.2) for SILS (p < 0.001). All individual tasks were associated with a significantly higher physical effort for SILS than for conventional laparoscopic access, which were also independent of being performed during the 4-hour or 2-hour working periods. CONCLUSIONS: Placement and manipulation of a prosthetic mesh for incisional ventral hernia repair is more difficult with SILS than using multi-port laparoscopic access, independently of previous experience with standard laparoscopic techniques. This greater difficulty was observed both in terms of mental effort and physical discomfort. More experimental and clinical studies are needed to define specific training aspects and clinical advantages of incisional ventral hernia repair through SILS.

Prioritization criteria of patients on scheduled waiting lists for abdominal wall hernia surgery: a cross-sectional study.

PURPOSE: Long delays in waiting lists have a negative impact on the principles of equity and providing timely access to care. This study aimed to assess waiting lists for abdominal wall hernia repair (incisional ventral vs. inguinal hernia) to define explicit prioritization criteria. METHODS: A cross-sectional single-center study was designed. Patients in the waiting list for incisional/ventral hernia (n = 42) and inguinal hernia (n = 50) repair were interviewed by phone and completed health-related quality of life (HRQoL) questionnaires (EQ-5D, COMI-hernia, HerQLes) as a measure of severity. Priority was measured as hernia complexity, patient frailty using the modified frailty index (mFI-11), and the consumption of analgesics for hernia. RESULTS: The mean (SD) time on the waiting list was 5.5 (3.2) months (range 1-14). Complex hernia was present in 34.8% of the patients. HRQoL was moderately poor in patients with incisional/ventral hernia (mean HerQL score 66.1), whereas it was moderately good in patients with inguinal hernia (mean COMI-hernia score 3.40). The use of analgesics was higher in patients with incisional/ventral hernia as compared with those with inguinal hernia (1.48 [0.54] vs. 1.31 [0.51], P = 0.021). Worst values of mFI were associated with inguinal hernia as compared with incisional/ventral hernia (0.21 [0.14] vs. 0.12 [0.11]; P = 0.010). CONCLUSION: Explicit criteria for prioritization in the waiting lists may be the consumption of analgesics for patients with incisional/ventral hernia and frailty for patients with inguinal hernia. A reasonable approach seems to establish separate waiting lists for incisional/ventral hernia and inguinal hernia repair.

Impact of the total number of harvested lymph nodes after colon cancer resections on survival in patients without involved lymph node.

BACKGROUND: The total number of harvested lymph nodes has been demonstrated to be of prognostic significance for colon cancer. Differences can occur in the total number of harvested lymph nodes between different specialists (surgeons and pathologists). OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to analyse if, in our centre, the number of analysed lymph nodes in patients with colon cancer that are classified as pN0 is also related to survival. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A retrospective study was designed, where 148 patients with colon adenocarcinoma (pN0 of TNM classification) who underwent elective surgery between 1 January 1995 and 31 December 2001, with curative intent were included. Three groups were created according to the number of analysed lymph nodes ( < 7, 7-14, > 14 lymph nodes). For survival analysis the Kaplan-Meier and CUSUM curves methods were used. RESULTS: The total number of analysed lymph nodes was 1,493 (mean 10.1 lymph nodes per patient). The rate of 5-years survival was 63.0% in the group with < 7 lymph nodes; 7-14 lymph nodes: 80.6% and those with > 14 lymph nodes: 91.8% (p < 0.01). Prognostic significance was also present for multivariate analysis. CONCLUSION: In our centre, harvesting a larger number of lymph nodes is related to improved rates of 5-years survival for patients with colon cancer staged as pN0. It seems reasonable to recommend obtaining as many lymph nodes as possible, and not to establish a minimum number of lymph nodes to be harvested.

[Neuroendocrine carcinomas of the colon and rectum. A unit's experience over six years]. / Carcinomas neuroendocrinos de colon y recto. Experiencia de una unidad en seis años.

INTRODUCTION: Neuroendocrine tumours of the colon and rectum are infrequent. They are usually undifferentiated, easy to diagnose for the pathologist and are especially aggressive in their clinical behaviour. Prognosis is usually poor and they have a high tendency to metastase early. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We have reviewed our experience in a Colorectal Unit during a period of six years. Patients with neuroendocrine tumours have been reviewed retrospectively. Carcinoid tumours have not been included in this study. RESULTS: During this period, 2,155 patients have been operated for colorectal cancer and in five patients a neuroendocrine tumour has been found in the specimen. Mean age was 66 years, three male and two female. One tumour was located in the caecum, two in the rectum and two in the sigmoid colon. Two patients had hepatic metastasis at diagnosis. Surgery was performed in all patients and two patients received adjuvant quimiotherapy. A patient died because of post-operative hepatic insufficiency, another at 2 months and another after one year. Two patients are still alive after eight months follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: Neuroendocrine tumours appear to be rare in the colon and rectum. Clinical manifestations are not different from standard adenocarcinoma. When these tumours are diagnosed, they have distance disease, as in two of the five cases, related to a poor prognosis for the patient. Surgery is the treatment that can offer a greater chance of survival to these patients.

[Surgical treatment of pancreatic and periampullary carcinoma in a specialized unit: a decade later]. / Tratamiento quirúrgico de la neoplasia de páncreas y región periampular en una unidad especializada: una década después.

INTRODUCTION: Results of surgical treatment for pancreatic and periampullary carcinoma have improved in recent years owing to several factors, particularly the concentration of these patients in specialised surgical units. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Retrospective-prospective comparative study of results in 2 groups of patients treated over 2 different periods of time and with different surgical policy: group A, which included 80 patients treated from 1982 to 1992 in a general surgery unit, and group B, which comprised 151 patients treated from 1998 to 2003 in a specialised hepato-biliary-pancreatic surgery unit. RESULTS: Surgical treatment in patients of groups A and B, respectively, was: resection in 20% and 53.6% and by-pass in 62.5% and 36.4%. Postoperative morbidity after resection was similar (75% vs 74.1%) but higher after by-pass in group B (41.8% vs 34%). Postoperative mortality after surgical resection and by-pass was 25% and 14.1%, respectively, for group A and 3.7% and 16.3%, respectively, for group B. Mean survival for all patients was 7.0 +/- 7.1 months for group A and 14.1 +/- 15.3 months for group B. Mean survival for patients with surgical resection was 11.8 +/- 9.8 months and 18.7 +/- 15.8 months for groups A and B, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Pancreatic and periampullary carcinoma should be surgically treated in specialised pancreatic surgery units in order to offer the best outcome to patients.

Anthropometric characteristics of the pubic arch and proper function of the defense mechanisms against hernia formation.

In 33 inguinal regions, we determined the anthropometric characteristics of the pubic arch and the anatomic structures of the suprainguinal space and assessed whether there is a relationship between anatomic features and function of the defense mechanisms. There was a low position of the pubic arch (pubic tubercle and interspinal line distance >75 mm) in 23 cases. The low-pubic-arch group showed a significantly longer inguinal ligament and a greater angle made by the superior border of the suprainguinal space and the inguinal ligament at its medial insertion. The position of the pubic arch correlated significantly with the diameter of the internal ring, the length of the inguinal ligament, and the angle made by the superior border of the suprainguinal space and the medial insertion of the inguinal ligament. A low pubic arch would represent an unfavorable condition for an adequate function of the anatomic defense mechanism against hernia.

Multivisceral Resection for Locally Advanced Rectal Cancer: Prognostic Factors Influencing Outcome.

AIMS: To assess outcome in patients with locally advanced rectal cancer undergoing multivisceral resection. METHODS: Retrospective study of 30 consecutive patients (mean age 67.8 years) with primary locally advanced rectal cancer undergoing en bloc multivisceral resection of the organs involved with curative intent between 1998 and 2010. Overall survival, local and distal recurrence, and disease-free survival were analyzed by the Kaplan-Meier method. Risk factors for clinical outcome were obtained using a Cox multivariate model. RESULTS: Postoperative complications occurred in 76.7% of patients and the in-hospital mortality rate was 10%. The median follow-up was 28.8 months. A total of 19 patients died at follow-up. Of the 11 patients who were alive, 7 were free of disease. In the multivariate analysis, lymph node involvement, stage II, and lymph vascular invasion were significantly associated with survival, and stage III showed a strong trend towards significance. Suture dehiscence (peritonitis and intra-abdominal abscess) showed a significant trend towards a higher local recurrence. Lymph vascular invasion was associated with a higher distant recurrence. CONCLUSION: Lymph node involvement was associated with worse survival, whereas stage II and absence of lymph vascular invasion were associated with a better survival. Lymph vascular invasion was associated with a higher distant recurrence.

Utility of tumor marker CA 72.4 in patients with chronic renal failure.

The tumor marker CA 72.4 is composed of two monoclonal antibodies, B 72.3 and cc49, which detect the glycoprotein TAG 72 present in tumor cells. The levels of CA 72.4 may be modified depending on the route of excretion of the antigen TAG 72. The objective of this study was to evaluate the behavior of CA 72.4 in healthy subjects and to assess the influence of chronic renal failure (CRF) on the levels of this tumor marker. Random serum samples were collected in 181 individuals (148 healthy volunteers and 33 patients with CRF) and 214 determinations of CA 72.4 were performed. We also performed 66 determinations of plasma creatinine. In healthy subjects the cutoff value of CA 72.4 was established at 3 U/mL, with a sensitivity of 53% and a specificity of 85.8%. In the CRF patients we found no statistically significant differences when we compared the values of CA 72.4 predialysis and postdialysis (p = 0.197). However, a statistically significant difference was found in the plasma creatinine levels (p < 0.001). Chronic renal failure does not affect the result of CA 72.4 determinations; this tumor marker may therefore be useful in the monitoring of patients with cancer, independent of their renal function.

[Adaptation mechanisms to the short intestine. Influence of the biliopancreatic factor: experimental study]. / Mecanismos de adaptación al intestino corto. Influencia del factor biliopancreático: estudio experimental.

Massive small bowel resection that results in short bowel syndrome brings about regulatory mechanisms in the remaining intestine aimed at preventing the ensuing malabsorption. The purpose of the present study was to determine the role of pancreatic and biliary secretions in intestinal adaptation after small bowel resection. To do so, both pancreatic and biliary fluids were prevented from reaching the lumen of most of the small bowel. Four groups of animals were prepared: I) control group; II) eighty percent small bowel resection; III) duodenoileal by-pass; and IV) duodenoileal by-pass plus small bowel resection. After a fifteen days recovery period, the following were recorded: animal weight; plasma protein, BUN, cholesterol, glucose, and Ca++; the length and diameter of the jejunum and ileum, the height of the mucosal layer, and microvilli density. Intestinal adaptation was excellent in animals after small bowel resection. All animals in group IV died due to severe malabsorption. Diversion of pancreatic and biliary juice in animals with duodenoileal by-pass did not prevent intestinal adaptation. We conclude that the effect of pancreatic and biliary juice on intestinal adaptation is additive to that of other putative hormonal mechanisms.

[Morphometric study of somatostatin-producing "D" cells in duodenum and pancreas of the rat, following experimental antrectomy]. / Estudio morfométrico de las células "D" productoras de somatostatina en duodeno y páncreas de la rata, tras la antrectomía experimental.

Given the inhibition of gastric secretion by the "D" cells producing somatostatin in antral mucosa, as well as evidence of disorders of the postprandial blood glucose after antrectomy, we may expect as a result of the antral resection a series of modifications in the content of the "D" cells in duodenum and pancreas. The study group was made up of 30 Sprague-Dawley albino rats, distributed in 3 groups as follows: Billroth I, Billroth II and laparotomy. The "D" cell study and the morphometric analysis after immunohistochemical avidin-biotin, was carried out with an automatic image analyzer and a morphometric calculation program. The results show that: the "D" cell population decreased significantly in the B-II group while the number of pancreatic islets and the average insular surface, did not show significantly differences in the tree groups, the relationship of the average insular surface with respect to the pancreas, decreased significantly in the two groups with antrectomy, expressing a hyperplasia of the exocrine pancreas and that the number of insular "D" cells decreased significantly in the B-II group and didn't change in the B-I group. These findings suggest that antrectomy, originates an increase of the exocrine pancreas and that antrectomy with gastrojejunal anastomosis excluding the duodenum, decreases the number of duodenal "D" cells and number of "D" cells of the pancreatic islets.

[The effect of duodenal exclusion on the cellular endocrine adaptation of the duodenum after performing an antrectomy. An experimental study in the rat]. / Influencia de la exclusión duodenal en la adaptación celular endocrina del duodeno tras la práctica de una antrectomía. Estudio experimental en la rata.

We present an experimental study in rats with the aim to value the adaptative variations over the duodenal gastrin and somatostatin cell producing populations after antrectomy and gastrojejunostomy. 30 animals were distributed into two groups of 15 animals each. Group 1 rats underwent antrectomy and gastrojejunostomy, the animals of group 2 were considered as a controls. The results obtained show that after antrectomy and gastrojejunostomy an increase of gastrin producing cells is produced as well as decrease of somatostatin producing cells, both figures are statistically significant, concluding that the duodenum is able to supply the gastric antrum in gastrin production while the duodenal somatostatin cell producing population is negative influenced by the absence of alimentary stimuli and gastric secretions.

[Adaptive duodenal endocrine cell changes after antrectomy. Experimental study in the rat]. / Cambios celulares endocrinos duodenales adaptativos tras la práctica de una antrectomía. Estudio experimental en la rata.

The known gastric endocrine relationship between "G" cells and "D" cells is altered after the loss of antral "G" cell population after antrectomy, leading to physiologic adaptative changes over the cell population producing gastrin and somatostatin in the duodenum, replacing thus the endocrine function of the resected gastric antrum. In this experimental study, Sprague-Dawley rats have been randomized in two groups, Control and Antrectomy with gastroduodenostomy, maintaining the alimentary stimulation of the duodenum. Endocrine "G" and "D" cell studies have been carried out by immunohistochemical staining with an Avidin-Biotin affinity technique. The statistical method used was the "t" test of Student. The results demonstrated a significant increase of the duodenal "G" cell population without changes of the duodenal "D" cell population after antrectomy and gastroduodenostomy. The endocrine cell ratio "G/D" in the duodenum increases due to the loss of antral gastrin release and the decrease of gastric acid output provoked by antrectomy.

Use of vacuum-assisted closure in open incisional hernia repair: a novel approach to prevent seroma formation.

INTRODUCTION: Frequent complications in incisional hernia surgery are re-herniation, wound infection and seroma formation. The use of subatmospheric pressure dressings such as the vacuum-assisted closure (VAC) device has been shown to be an effective way to accelerate healing of various wounds. Here, we describe the application of the VAC device as a postoperative dressing to prevent seroma formation after open incisional hernia repair. METHODS: Three consecutive patients (63, 65 and 60 years of age, respectively) underwent incisional hernia repair. Patient body mass index was 30.9, 26.6 and 29 kg/m(2), respectively. All hernias were complex with a defect size greater than 10 cm and were repaired using the onlay technique. After suture skin closure the incision was covered with a thin VAC sponge (KCI, San Antonio, TX) that was set at -125 mm Hg and left in place for 5 days before removal. RESULTS: An abdominal CT scan performed before discharge from the hospital did not show seroma formation. Physical examination 3 months after surgery was normal with no evidence of seroma (abdominal bulge and/or fluid wave). CONCLUSIONS: This successful preliminary experience in three patients encourages the use of the VAC system in incisional hernia repair, particularly in selected patients with risk factors for seroma formation (e.g., large defects, obesity, patient comorbidities, nutritional status, number of prior abdominal incisions, etc.). Therefore, prevention of seroma formation after incisional hernia repair may be added as a novel application of the VAC device.

Use of a prosthetic mesh to prevent parastomal hernia during laparoscopic abdominoperineal resection: a randomized controlled trial.

PURPOSE: Prevention of parastomal hernia represents an important aim when a permanent stoma is necessary. The objective of this work is to assess whether implantation of a prophylactic prosthetic mesh during laparoscopic abdominoperineal resection contributed to reduce the incidence of parastomal hernia. METHODS: Rectal cancer patients undergoing elective laparoscopic abdominoperineal resection with permanent colostomy were randomized to placement of a large-pore lightweight mesh in the intraperitoneal/onlay position by the laparoscopic approach (study group) or to the control group (no mesh). Parastomal hernia was defined radiologically by a CT scan performed after 12 months of surgery. The usefulness of subcutaneous fat thickness measured by CT to discriminate patients at risk of parastomal hernia was assessed by ROC curve analysis. RESULTS: Thirty-six patients were randomized, 19 to the mesh group and 17 to the control group. Parastomal hernia was detected in 50 % of patients in the mesh group and in 93.8 % of patients in the control group (P = 0.008). The AUC for thickness of the subcutaneous abdominal was 0.819 (P = 0.004) and the optimal threshold 23 mm. Subcutaneous fat thickness ≥23 mm was a significant predictor of parastomal hernia (odds ratio 15.7, P = 0.010), whereas insertion of a mesh was a protective factor (odds ratio 0.06, P = 0.031). CONCLUSIONS: Use of prophylactic large-pore lightweight mesh in the intraperitoneal/onlay position by a purely laparoscopic approach reduced the incidence of parastomal hernia formation. Subcutaneous fat thickness ≥23 mm measured by CT was an independent predictor of parastomal hernia.

Intestinal schistosomiasis as unusual aetiology for acute appendicitis, nowadays a rising disease in Western countries.

Intestinal schistosomiasis as unusual aetiology for acute appendicitis, nowadays a rising disease in western countries. Recent changes in global migration has led to an immigration growth in our scenario, upsurging people coming from endemic areas of schistosomiasis. Schistosomal appendicitis, seldom reported in developed countries, is now an expected incrising entity in our hospitals during the near future. Due to this circumstances, we believe that schistosomiasis should be consider as a rising source for acute appendicitis in western countries. In order to illustrate this point, we present a case of a 45-years-old black man, from Africa, was admitted via A&E because of acute abdominal pain, located in right lower quadrant. Acute appendicitis was suspected, and he underwent laparotomy and appendectomy. Pathological study by microscope revealed a gangrenous appendix with abscesses and parasitic ova into the submucosal layer of the appendix, suggesting Schistosomiasis.