Laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy in patients with complex abdominal wall hernias.

BACKGROUND: Patients with severe obesity and complex abdominal wall hernias (CAWH) present a challenging clinical dilemma. Their body mass index (BMI) is often prohibitive of successful ventral hernia repair (VHR) and the CAWH presents technical challenges when pursuing bariatric surgery. Our hernia center policy is to refer patients with severe obesity for evaluation with the surgical weight loss program. This study describes outcomes of laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG) in patients with both severe obesity and CAWH. METHODS: A retrospective analysis was performed on data prospectively collected between 2014 and 2020. CAWH patients referred for and undergoing LSG were included. Revisional bariatric surgery patients were excluded. The dataset was augmented with operative time, BMI changes, length of stay (LOS), hernia characteristics, postoperative complications, time from referral to weight loss surgery, and time from LSG to VHR. RESULTS: Twenty patients (10 males, mean age 54.3 years) met inclusion criteria. Mean BMI at LSG was 45.6 ± 6.1 kg/m2. Mean hernia area was 494.9 ± 221.2 cm2 and 90% had hernia extension into the subxiphoid and/or epigastric regions. Mean time from bariatric referral to LSG was 10.5 ± 5.4 months. Mean LSG operative time was 121.2 ± 50.3 min, and mean LOS was 1.6 ± 0.8 days. One patient had postoperative bleeding necessitating laparoscopic re-exploration. There were no readmissions. Sixteen patients subsequently underwent VHR on average13.5 ± 11.7 months later and on average 22.6 ± 12.5 months after initial hernia consultation. Two patients had a hernia-related complication between the period of initial hernia consultation and ultimate repair. Mean BMI was 37.5 ± 7.5 kg/m2 (mean 20.7 ± 12.3% decrease, p < 0.0001) at mean follow-up of 27.2 ± 17.2 months. CONCLUSIONS: LSG can be performed successfully even in patients with CAWH. Outcomes do not appear to differ significantly from typical patients undergoing LSG. Further study with larger cohorts is warranted to better delineate complication rates in this population as well as to determine long-term outcomes.

Concomitant laparoscopic cholecystectomy and antegrade wire, rendezvous cannulation of the biliary tree may reduce post-ERCP pancreatitis events.

INTRODUCTION: For patients with a gallbladder in situ, choledocholithiasis is a common presenting symptom. Both two-session endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) and subsequent cholecystectomy (CCY) and single-stage (simultaneous CCY/ERCP) have been described. We utilize an antegrade wire, rendezvous cannulation (AWRC) technique to facilitate ERCP during CCY. We hypothesized that AWRC would eliminate episodes of post-ERCP pancreatitis (PEP). METHODS: An IRB approved, retrospective review of patients who underwent ERCP via AWRC for choledocholithiasis during CCY was performed. Patient characteristics, pre/postoperative laboratory values, complications, and readmissions were reviewed. AWRC was conducted during laparoscopic or open CCY for evidence of choledocholithiasis with or without preoperative biliary pancreatitis or cholangitis. Following confirmatory intraoperative cholangiogram, a flexible tip guidewire was inserted antegrade into the cystic ductotomy, through the bile duct across the ampulla and retrieved in the duodenum with a duodenoscope. Standard ERCP maneuvers to clear the bile duct are then performed over the wire. RESULTS: Thirty-seven patients (27 female, age 19-77, BMI 21-50 kg/m2) underwent intraoperative ERCP via AWRC technique during CCY. Seventeen underwent CCY for acute cholecystitis. Fifteen patients underwent transgastric ERCP in the setting of previous Roux-en-Y gastric bypass. Mean total operative time was 214 min. Mean ERCP time was 31 min. Thirty-three patients had biliary stents placed. There were no cannulations or injections of the pancreatic duct. There were no intraoperative complications associated with the ERCP and no patients developed PEP. Three patients developed a postoperative subhepatic abscess requiring drainage. CONCLUSION: AWRC is a useful technique for safe and efficient bile duct cannulation for therapeutic ERCP in the setting of choledocholithiasis at the time of CCY. Despite supine (rather than the traditional prone) positioning, total ERCP times were short and we eliminated any manipulation of the pancreatic duct. No patients in our series developed PEP or post-sphincterotomy bleeding.

Visual spatial ability for surgical trainees: implications for learning endoscopic, laparoscopic surgery and other image-guided procedures.

BACKGROUND: In image-guided procedures, a high level of visual spatial ability may be an advantage for surgical trainees. We assessed the visual spatial ability of surgical trainees. METHODS: Two hundred and thirty-nine surgical trainees and 61 controls were tested on visual spatial ability using 3 standardised tests, the Card Rotation, Cube Comparison and Map-Planning Tests. RESULTS: Two hundred and twenty-one, 236 and 236 surgical trainees and 61 controls completed the Card Rotation test, Cube Comparison test and Map-Planning test, respectively. Two percent of surgical trainees performed statistically significantly worse than their peers on card rotation and map-planning test, > 1% on Cube Comparison test. Surgical trainees performed statistically significantly better than controls on all tests. CONCLUSIONS: Two percent of surgical trainees performed statistically significantly worse than their peers on visual spatial ability. The implication of this finding is unclear, further research is required that can look at the learning and educational portfolios of these trainees who perform poorly on visual spatial ability, and ascertain if they are struggling to learn skills for image-guided procedures.

Cost-effectiveness of per oral endoscopic myotomy relative to laparoscopic Heller myotomy for the treatment of achalasia.

BACKGROUND: Per oral endoscopic myotomy (POEM) has recently emerged as a viable option relative to the classic approach of laparoscopic Heller myotomy (LHM) for the treatment of esophageal achalasia. In this cost-utility analysis of POEM and LHM, we hypothesized that POEM would be cost-effective relative to LHM. METHODS: A stochastic cost-utility analysis of treatment for achalasia was performed to determine the cost-effectiveness of POEM relative to LHM. Costs were estimated from the provider perspective and obtained from our institution's cost-accounting database. The measure of effectiveness was quality-adjusted life years (QALYs) which were estimated from direct elicitation of utility using a visual analog scale. The primary outcome was the incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (ICER). Uncertainty was assessed by bootstrapping the sample and computing the cost-effectiveness acceptability curve (CEAC). RESULTS: Patients treated within an 11-year period (2004-2016) were recruited for participation (20 POEM, 21 LHM). During the index admission, the mean costs for POEM ($8630 ± $2653) and the mean costs for LHM ($7604 ± $2091) were not significantly different (P = 0.179). Additionally, mean QALYs for POEM (0.413 ± 0.248) were higher than that associated with LHM (0.357 ± 0.338), but this difference was also not statistically significant (P = 0.55). The ICER suggested that it would cost an additional $18,536 for each QALY gained using POEM. There was substantial uncertainty in the ICER; there was a 48.25% probability that POEM was cost-effective at the mean ICER. At a willingness-to-pay threshold of $100,000, there was a 68.31% probability that POEM was cost-effective relative to LHM. CONCLUSIONS: In the treatment of achalasia, POEM appears to be cost-effective relative to LHM depending on one's willingness-to-pay for an additional QALY.

Reduced postoperative pain scores and narcotic use favor per-oral endoscopic myotomy over laparoscopic Heller myotomy.

INTRODUCTION: Per-oral endoscopic myotomy (POEM) is a less invasive therapy for achalasia with a shorter hospitalization but with similar short- and long-term outcomes as a laparoscopic Heller myotomy (LHM). Previous literature comparing POEM to LHM has focused primarily on postoperative outcome parameters such as complications, dysphagia scores and gastro-esophageal reflux severity. This study specifically compares postoperative pain following POEM to pain following LHM, the current gold-standard operation. METHODS: A retrospective review of all patients undergoing POEM or LHM for achalasia was performed from 2006 to 2015. Data collection included demographics, comorbidities, length of stay (LOS) and pain scores (arrival to the recovery room, 1 h postoperative, average first 24 h and upon discharge). Statistical analysis was performed using Student's t test and Chi-square test. RESULTS: Forty-four POEM patients and 122 LHM patients were identified. The average age (52.2 ± 20.75 vs 50.9 ± 17.89 years, p = 0.306) and BMI (28.1 ± 7.62 vs 27.6 ± 7.07 kg/m2, p = 0.824) did not differ between the POEM and LHM groups, respectively; however, the American Society of Anesthesiology scores were higher in the POEM patients (2.43 ± 0.62 vs 2.11 ± 0.71, p = 0.011). There were no differences in rates of smoking, diabetes, cardiac disease or pulmonary disease. The average pain scores upon arrival to the recovery room and 1 h postoperatively were lower in the POEM group (2.3 ± 3.014 vs 3.61 ± 3 0.418, p = 0.025 and 2.2 ± 2.579 vs 3.46 ± 3.063, p = 0.034, respectively). There was no difference in the average pain score over the first 24 h (2.7 ± 2.067 vs 3.29 ± 1.980, p = 0.472) or at the time of discharge (1.6 ± 2.420 vs 2.09 ± 2.157, p = 0.0657) between the POEM and LHM groups. After standardizing opioid administration against 10 mg of oral morphine, the POEM group used significantly less narcotics that the LHM group (35.8 vs 101.8 mg, p < 0.001) while hospitalized. The average LOS for the POEM group was 31.2 h and 55.79 for the LHM group (p < 0.0001). At discharge, fewer POEM patients required a prescription for a narcotic analgesic (6.81 vs 92.4 %, p < 0.0001). CONCLUSION: POEM demonstrated significantly less postoperative pain upon arrival to the recovery room and 1 h postoperatively. To achieve similar pain scores during the first 24 h and at discharge, LHM patients required more narcotic analgesic administration. Despite a significantly shorter LOS, fewer POEM patients require a prescription for narcotic analgesics compared to LHM. POEM is a less painful procedure for achalasia than LHM, permitting earlier hospital discharge with little need for home narcotic use.

Force Comparison of Commercially Available Transfascial Suture Passers.

BACKGROUND: Transfascial suture passers (TSPs) are a commonly used surgical tool available in a wide array of tip configurations. We assessed the insertion force of various TSPs in an ex vivo porcine model. METHODS: Uniform sections of porcine abdominal wall were secured to a 3D-printed platform. Nine TSPs were passed through the abdominal wall both without and with prolene suture under the following scenarios: abdominal wall only and abdominal wall plus underlay ePTFE or composite ePTFE/polypropylene mesh. Insertion forces were recorded in Newton (N). RESULTS: When passed without suture through the abdominal wall, smaller diameter TSPs required less insertional force (1.50 ± 0.17 N vs 9.68 ± 1.50 N [ P = 0.00072]). Through composite mesh, the solid tipped TSPs required less force than hollow tipped ones (3.87 ± 0.25 N vs 7.88 ± 0.20 N [ P = 0.00026]). Overall, smaller diameter TSPs required less force than the larger TSPs when passed through ePTFE empty (Gore 2.95 ± 0.83 N vs Carter-Thomason 16.07 ± 2.10 N [ P = .0005]) or with suture (Gore 8.37 ± 2.59 N vs Carter-Thomason 19.12 ± 1.10 N [ P = .003]). CONCLUSIONS: Diameter plays the greatest role in the force required for TSP penetration. However, when passed through underlay mesh or while holding suture, distal tip shape, the mechanism of suture holding, and shaft diameter all contribute to the forces necessary for penetration. These factors should be considered when choosing a TSP for intraoperative use.

Laparoscopic repair of a left-sided paraduodenal hernia.

INTRODUCTION: Internal hernias are a rare cause of bowel obstruction, constituting 0.2-0.9 % of all cases with paraduodenal hernias (PDH) being the most common accounting for 50 % of all internal hernias with 75 % of those being left-sided [1, 2]. They are due to small bowel herniating into a peritoneum-lined sac at the fourth portion of the duodenum as the result of abnormal midgut rotation during embryonic development. Patients may present with symptoms of small bowel obstruction, though the majority are found incidentally [3]. Diagnosis is aided with computed tomography (CT) with findings of encapsulated clustering of small bowel loops in the left upper quadrant, bowel between the stomach and pancreas, crowding of mesenteric vessels, and displacement of the inferior mesenteric vein [4]. METHODS: A 34-year-old male presented with a 3-year history of postprandial epigastric pain. After multiple inconclusive imaging studies, he was taken to the operating room for diagnostic laparoscopy. The transverse colon was retracted cephalad, and the distal bowel could be seen entering a defect just lateral to the fourth portion of the duodenum. This mass of herniated bowel was readily reduced, and the defect could be appreciated as a 4-cm invagination lateral to the duodenum and posterior to the inferior mesenteric vein. The defect was then closed using interrupted silk suture and the port sites closed. RESULTS: The patient tolerated the procedure well and was discharged home 24 h later. At 12 months postoperatively, he continued to have intermittent nausea and abdominal pain. Repeated imaging studies including CT scans were negative for obstruction or internal hernia. CONCLUSIONS: PDH are a rare form of internal hernia that result from abnormal midgut rotation during fetal development. Diagnosis is challenging but may be aided by CT imaging. Laparoscopic repair is a safe and effective method of management in these patients [5, 6]. In patients presenting with nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, and radiographic evidence of PDH, laparoscopic repair should be considered given its safety and efficacy profile. Although surgical intervention did not result in complete resolution of our patient's symptoms, repair of his hernia removed this diagnosis from his differential and facilitated his ultimate diagnosis of functional abdominal pain syndrome.

An intestinal occlusion device for prevention of small bowel distention during transgastric natural orifice transluminal endoscopic surgery.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Bowel distention from luminal gas insufflation reduces the peritoneal operative domain during natural orifice transluminal endoscopic surgery (NOTES) procedures, increases the risk for iatrogenic injury, and leads to postoperative patient discomfort. METHODS: A prototype duodenal occlusion device was placed in the duodenum before NOTES in 28 female pigs. The occlusion balloon was inflated and left in place during the procedure, and small bowel distension was subjectively graded. One animal had no balloon occlusion, and 4 animals had a noncompliant balloon placed. RESULTS: The balloon maintained its position and duodenal occlusion in 22 animals (79%) in which the bowel distention was rated as none (15), minor (4), moderate (3), or severe (0). The intestinal occlusion catheter failed in 6 animals (21%) because of balloon leak (5) or back-migration into the stomach (1), with distention rated as severe in 5 of these 6 cases. CONCLUSION: The intestinal occlusion catheter that maintains duodenal occlusion significantly improves the intraabdominal working domain with enhanced visualization of the viscera during the NOTES procedure while requiring minimal time and expense.

Intramural acellular porcine dermal matrix (APDM)-assisted gastrotomy closure for natural orifice transluminal endoscopic surgery (NOTES).

BACKGROUND: A highly reliable and safe means of gastric closure for natural orifice transluminal endoscopic surgery (NOTES) has yet to be developed. The authors have previously described the self-approximating transluminal access technique (STAT) as a means for gastrotomy closure in transgastric surgery. It has yet to be determined whether biologic mesh can be utilized in facilitating gastrotomy closure via STAT. The aim of this study was to determine the feasibility of implanting an acellular porcine dermal matrix (LifeCell) into the STAT tunnel and investigate whether it will become incorporated into the submucosal plane of the STAT tunnel. METHODS: Five pigs underwent transgastric left uterine horn resection utilizing STAT. For closure, the acellular porcine dermal matrix was implanted within the submucosal plane, occluding the seromuscular incision. The mucosal incision was then closed over the matrix with endoscopically placed clips. Necropsy was performed after a 3 week survival period. Histopathological evaluation of the tunnel and matrix was performed. RESULTS: The matrix was successfully implanted in all five animals. Average OR time was 151 ± 68 min. Average time to anchor and embed the matrix within the tunnel was 4 ± 1 and 9 ± 12 min, respectively. There was one duodenal perforation related to a balloon occlusion device. Postoperative course was unremarkable; the average weight gain at 3 weeks was 22 ± 5 lbs. On necropsy, one animal had some protrusion of the matrix at the serotomy, with adhesions to small bowel and liver. Histopathology revealed one clinically insignificant microabscess but otherwise demonstrated local inflammation and fibrovascular ingrowth into the matrix. CONCLUSIONS: The porcine dermal matrix can be successfully implanted within the gastric submucosal plane and evidence of incorporation into the gastric wall by 3 weeks was demonstrated.

Esophagogastric Junction Outflow Obstruction and Hiatal Hernia: Is Hernia Repair Alone Sufficient?

Introduction: Esophagogastric junction outflow obstruction (EGJOO) is attributed to primary/idiopathic causes or secondary/mechanical causes, including hiatal hernias (HH). While patients with HH and EGJOO (HH+EGJOO) may undergo HH repair without myotomy, it is unclear if an underlying motility disorder is missed by therapy which addresses only the secondary EGJOO cause. The goal of this study was to determine if HH repair alone is sufficient management for HH+EGJOO patients. Methods: A retrospective review of patients who underwent HH repair between January 1, 2016 and January 31, 2020 was performed. Patients who underwent high-resolution esophageal manometry(HREM) within one year before HH repair were included. Patients with and without EGJOO on pre-operative HREM were compared. Results: Sixty-three patients were identified. Pre-operative HREM findings included: 43 (68.3%) normal, 13 (20.6%) EGJOO, 4 (6.3%) minor disorder or peristalsis, 2 (3.2%) achalasia, and 1 (1.6%) major disorder of peristalsis. No differences between patients with EGJOO or normal findings on pre-operative manometry were found in pre-operative demographics/risk factors, pre-operative symptoms, and pre-operative HREM, except higher integrated relaxation pressure in EGJOO patients. No differences were noted in length of stay, 30-day complications, long-term persistent symptoms, or recurrence with mean follow-up of 26-months. Of the 3 (23.1%) EGJOO patients with persistent symptoms, 2 underwent HREM demonstrating persistent EGJOO and none required endoscopic/surgical myotomy. Conclusion: Most HH+EGJOO patients experienced symptom resolution following HH repair alone and none required additional intervention to address a missed primary motility disorder. Further study is required to determine optimal management of patients with persistent EGJOO following HH repair.

Durability of the self-approximating translumenal access technique (STAT) for potential use in natural orifice translumenal surgery (NOTES).

BACKGROUND: The self-approximating translumenal access technique (STAT) has been shown to provide a safe and reliable means of abdominal access for natural orifice translumenal endoscopic surgery (NOTES). However, the feasibility of using STAT for translumenal organ resection is unknown. This study aimed to evaluate the technical performance of organ resection using STAT, the integrity of the STAT gastric tunnel after organ resection, and the postoperative morbidity of organ resection using STAT. METHODS: In this study, 14 domestic swine underwent transgastric organ resection (7 cholecystectomies, 7 uterine horn resections) followed by sequential removal of two different sizes of standardized specimens. Evaluation of operative injury to the tunnel and difficulty of specimen extraction was performed. After 2 weeks of observation, necropsy was performed for evaluation and documentation of gross findings. RESULTS: The mean operating room time (intubation recovery) was 4.1 h. A tunnel with a mean length of 12 cm and a mean width of 4 cm was created. The tunnel remained fully intact in 14 of 14 animals after organ resection, in 13 of 13 animals after balloon extraction, and in 12 of 14 animals after rigid specimen extraction (1 clinically significant tear occurred). Postoperatively, all the animals gained weight appropriately. Necropsy findings included adhesions (n = 4), bile leak (n = 2), minor lap-port abscess (n = 1), and ventral hernia (n = 1). CONCLUSIONS: Although this study was a limited, prospective, animal survival study without a control arm, it again indicates that STAT allows safe abdominal access, a reliable means of closure, and directed endoscope positioning. Although one significant mucosal tear did occur, this study suggests STAT will tolerate the mechanical forces of peroral transgastric procedures provided the organ resected is small to moderate in size (<8 × 3 cm).

Reliability of gastric access closure with the self-approximating transluminal access technique (STAT) for NOTES.

BACKGROUND: STAT, or the self-approximating transluminal access technique, has been previously described and involves the dissection of a submucosal tunnel for peritoneal or mediastinal access from the esophagus and stomach. The objective of this study was to assess the safety and reliability of gastric access and closure in a porcine experience using STAT for natural orifice transluminal endoscopic surgery (NOTES). METHODS: A review of the experience using STAT access tunnels for intraperitoneal access was performed in 39 female pigs at a university animal lab. All animals underwent a predetermined NOTES surgical procedure using a STAT transgastric access tunnel based on a specific protocol. Details of the procedure, complications, and clinical course were documented. Necropsy was performed at 2 weeks. The main outcome measurements were clinical or necropsy evidence of gastrostomy site leak or inadequate access site closure. RESULTS: STAT was successful in providing safe peritoneal access in all animals. The width of the tunnel ranged from 1.5 to 5.5 cm and the length was up to 27 cm. There was no evidence of gastrostomy site leak in any animals. One animal required a single laparoscopic suture to help with tunnel closure. CONCLUSION: STAT provides safe transgastric access and allows secure closure of the gastrotomy site.

Transgastric organ resection solely with the prototype R-scope and the self-approximating transluminal access technique.

BACKGROUND: The self-approximating transluminal access technique (STAT) has been demonstrated to provide safe transluminal access and in-line endoscope positioning to target abdominal organs during natural orifice transluminal endoscopic surgery (NOTES). To date, organ resection with NOTES has typically required percutaneous assistance. We hypothesized that the in-line positioning and partial stability provided by STAT would allow single-access NOTES procedures if a multiarticulated endoscope could be used. OBJECTIVE: Assessment of single-site NOTES, using STAT and a prototype, multi-articulated endoscope. DESIGN: Animal survival study. SETTING: Penn State Hershey Medical Center Research Laboratories. INTERVENTIONS: Thirteen pigs underwent NOTES using a prototype endoscope with 2 articulated channels, a grasping forceps, and an insulated-tip needle-knife. The gallbladder was dissected using a fundus down technique, and hemoclips and a detachable loop were placed on the cystic duct and artery before removal. After a 2- to 3-week observation period, animals were euthanized and necropsy performed. RESULTS: All target organs were successfully resected without laparoscopic assistance. Significant complications were 2 perforations (1 caused by a prototype duodenal occlusion device and 1 caused by enterotomy during cholecystectomy) and 1 entrapment of the small bowel with an endoloop. Postoperatively, all animals gained weight appropriately with 1 killed on postoperative day 12 because of lethargy (cystic duct leak/biloma). LIMITATIONS: This is a limited animal survival study without control arm. CONCLUSIONS: The combination of the R-scope and STAT does allow effective, single-site NOTES procedures; however, although the R-scope provides improved tissue manipulation and visibility, the complications incurred here suggest that further improvements in devices and technique will be required for safe and effective single-site NOTES procedures.

Directed submucosal tunneling permits in-line endoscope positioning for transgastric natural orifice translumenal endoscopic surgery (NOTES).

BACKGROUND: Submucosal dissection is demonstrated to be a technically feasible, safe means of obtaining peroral transgastric peritoneal access for natural orifice translumenal endoscopic surgery (NOTES). The authors hypothesized that their previously described self-approximating translumenal access technique (STAT) could be used to create directed gastric submucosal tunnels permitting in-line endoscope positioning with predetermined abdominal locations that might otherwise be difficult to access. METHODS: In this study, 14 domestic farm swine underwent peroral transgastric peritoneoscopy. Under direct endoscopic visualization, a submucosal tunnel was created by dissecting between the mucosal and muscular layers of the stomach. Each tunnel was created with one of four intraabdominal locations (right upper quadrant, left upper quadrant, lesser sac, and pelvis) as the final target for in-line endoscope positioning. Once peritoneal access had been achieved, in-line positioning was assessed and peritoneoscopy was performed. The submucosal tunnels were closed with endoscopically placed clips. The animals were killed 2 weeks after the procedure, and necropsy was performed. RESULTS: Submucosal tunnels were successfully directed at predetermined intraabdominal targets in 12 of the 14 animals. The mean dissection time required to create the tunnel was 51 +/- 32 min. All the transgastric tunnels were successfully closed with endoscopically placed clips (mean, 3.2 +/- 1.1), and at necropsy showed no evidence of gastrotomy leak in any of the animals. One animal experienced a duodenal perforation unrelated to the transgastric tunneling and was killed on postoperative day 2. The remaining animals recovered and gained weight (mean, 5.5 +/- 1.2 kg) in the 2-week survival period. CONCLUSIONS: Directed submucosal dissection is technically feasible in a porcine model and permits in-line endoscope positioning with predetermined abdominal target locations. The STAT approach provides safe peritoneal access, allows for a simple reliable endoclip closure, and has an excellent short-term survival rate. This method of achieving transgastric access may be an enabling technique for future NOTES procedures.

Parastomal hernia repair: a single center experience.

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Despite multiple options for operative repair of parastomal hernia, results are frequently disappointing. We review our experience with parastomal hernia repair. METHODS: A retrospective chart review was performed on all patients with parastomal hernia who underwent LAP or open repair at our institution between 1999 and 2006. Information collected included demographics, indication for stoma creation, operative time, length of stay, postoperative complications, and recurrence. RESULTS: Twenty-five patients who underwent laparoscopic or open parastomal hernia repair were identified. Laparoscopic repair was attempted on 12 patients and successfully completed on 11. Thirteen patients underwent open repair. Operative time was 172+/-10.0 minutes for laparoscopic and 137+/-19.1 minutes for open cases (P=0.14). Lengths of stay were 3.1+/-0.4 days (laparoscopic) and 5.1+/-0.8 days (open), P=0.05. Immediate postoperative complications occurred in 4 laparoscopic patients (33.3%) and 2 open patients (15.4%), P=0.38. Parastomal hernia recurred in 4 laparoscopic patients (33.3%) and 7 open patients (53.8%) after 13.9+/-4.5 months and 21.4+/-4.3 months, respectively, P=0.43. CONCLUSION: Laparoscopic modified Sugarbaker technique in the repair of parastomal hernia affords an alternative to open repair for treating parastomal hernia.

Technique for transesophageal endoscopic cardiomyotomy (Heller myotomy): video presentation at the Society of American Gastrointestinal and Endoscopic Surgeons (SAGES) 2008, Philadelphia, PA.

BACKGROUND: Previous investigators have shown the feasibility of performing an esophageal myotomy using natural orifice translumenal endoscopic surgery (NOTES), but have been unsuccessful at extending the myotomy onto the body of the stomach. METHODS: In a nonsurvival porcine model, the authors used the self-approximating translumenal access technique (STAT) to create a submucosal tunnel in the upper esophagus and to extend it onto the body of the stomach allowing a complete cardiomyotomy. RESULTS: The STAT approach was successfully used to create a submucosal tunnel and perform a complete myotomy of the gastroesophageal junction without complication. CONCLUSIONS: A complete Heller-type cardiomyotomy can be successfully performed using transesophegeal NOTES.

Accuracy of upper gastrointestinal swallow study in identifying strictures after laparoscopic gastric bypass surgery.

BACKGROUND: Stricture at the gastrojejunal anastomosis after Roux-en-Y gastric bypass is a significant sequela that often requires intervention. The diagnosis of stricture is usually established by a recognized constellation of symptoms, followed by contrast radiography or endoscopy. The purpose of this report was to evaluate the accuracy of contrast swallow studies in excluding the diagnosis of gastrojejunal stricture. METHODS: A retrospective analysis of the charts of 119 patients who had undergone laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass, representing 41 upper gastrointestinal (GI) swallow studies, was conducted. Of those patients who underwent GI swallow studies, 30 then underwent definitive upper endoscopy to confirm or rule out stricture. The overall sensitivity, specificity, and negative predictive value of the swallow studies were calculated. RESULTS: Of the 30 patients who underwent upper endoscopic examination for symptoms of stricture after laparoscopic gastric bypass, 20 were confirmed to have a stricture. The sensitivity, specificity, and negative predictive value of the upper GI swallow study in this group was 55%, 100%, and 53%, respectively. The demographics of the patients with strictures were similar to those of the study group as a whole. CONCLUSION: The results of our study have shown that a positive upper GI swallow study is 100% specific for the presence of stricture. However, the sensitivity and negative predictive value of upper GI swallow studies were poor, making this modality unsatisfactory in definitively excluding the diagnosis of gastrojejunal stricture.

Drain-associated intestinal obstruction after laparoscopic gastric bypass.

A rare cause of intestinal obstruction after laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGBP) is reported. A 42-year-old woman developed nausea, vomiting and dilated loops of small bowel upon commencing oral intake the day after RYGBP surgery. A CT scan demonstrated a loop of bowel twisting around the abdominal drainage catheter. After removal of the catheter, the patient's symptoms immediately resolved and her subsequent course was uneventful. We suggest avoidance of drainage catheters after uncomplicated laparoscopic RYGBP.

Radiographic Improvement of Hepatic Steatosis After Laparoscopic Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass.

BACKGROUND: Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is the most common form of liver disease and the leading cause of cirrhosis in developed nations. Studies confirm improvement of liver histopathology after significant weight loss, but biochemistry and sonography do not always show this. Computed tomographic (CT) findings of NAFLD include low attenuation of liver parenchyma and hepatomegaly. We hypothesized that patients experiencing significant weight loss after laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (LRYGB) would show CT improvement of NAFLD. METHODS: A retrospective review was performed on primary LRYGB patients at this institution from 2006 to 2014. We identified patients with either a preoperative abdominal CT or an early postoperative scan (prior to significant weight loss) as well as those with scans performed at >60 days postoperation. Radiologic interpretations were reviewed; descriptions of steatosis, hypodensity, fatty infiltration, fatty liver, fatty changes, or liver parenchyma measuring ≤40 Hounsfield units averaged at three locations on non-contrast CT were documented. Later, scans were reviewed for improvement by these criteria. RESULTS: Nineteen patients had perioperative radiographic evidence of NAFLD, with 89.5 % female, average age 41.5, and median body mass index (BMI) 46.9 kg/m2. Sixteen (84.2 %) showed radiographic improvement of NAFLD. The median time between scans was 826 days, with median BMI at that point of 30.5 kg/m2. The three without radiographic improvement still experienced significant weight loss (average BMI points lost = 19.3 kg/m2, ±5.6). CONCLUSIONS: While weight loss and comorbidity improvement are common, they are not universal after LRYGB. Radiographic improvement of NAFLD in 84 % of patients was salutary.

An Expanded Retrospective Review of Trocar Site Hernias in Laparoscopic Gastric Bypass Patients.

BACKGROUND: Trocar site hernias (TSH) are reported in 0.3% to 5.4% of laparoscopic cases, depending on diameter and type. Most occur with trocars over 10 mm in diameter. Some recommend routine fascial closure, but this requires time, costs, pain, and increased infection rates. All prior series are based on clinical presentation alone. We examined the possibly underreported prevalence of asymptomatic TSH on postoperative computed tomography (CT) scans in a series of laparoscopic gastric bypass (LGBP) patients with unclosed port site fascia. MATERIALS AND METHODS: After Institutional Review Board (IRB) approval, a retrospective review of all patients undergoing LGBP at our center from 2005 to 2014 was performed. All procedures were performed using dilating optical trocars up to 12 mm diameter, placed above the arcuate line. No fascial closures were performed. Any patients undergoing abdominal CT scanning for any reason in the study period were included; patients who had undergone a separate laparoscopic operation after LGBP but before CT were excluded. RESULTS: One thousand ninety-five patients were included; of these, 244 (22.3%) met study criteria, providing 732 port sites of 11 or 12 mm diameter to study. Only two fascial defects (0.27%), one in an 11-mm site and one in a 12-mm site, each in different patients, were identified. Both were nonpalpable, asymptomatic, and plugged with fat. CONCLUSIONS: Incisional hernias in dilating or optical access trocar sites are extremely rare in LGBP patients using trocars up to 12 mm, above the arcuate line. When found, they tend to be asymptomatic and at low risk for bowel strangulation. Routine closure of such fascial sites is likely unnecessary.