Enhanced-view totally extraperitoneal approach in emergency ventral incision hernia repair: a case report.

The rate of emergency operations for incarcerated and strangulated ventral hernias is about 10-15% with worse outcomes than elective surgery. A recent laparoscopic technique called Enhanced view totally extra peritoneal approach (eTEP) was shown to be indicated in elective repair of ventral and incisional hernias and it has been shown to have lower rate of postoperative morbidity compared to the Rives-Stoppa technique, while having the same indications. However the eTEP laparoscopic technique has not been yet reported in emergency ventral hernia repair.     We report the case of a 57 years old white male, with history of multiple abdominal interventions by laparotomy, admitted in the emergency department with vomiting and periumbilical pain progressing since 3 days.  On clinical examination, we find a strangulated incisional para-umbilical hernia with local cellulitis and tenderness in the right flank. Abdominal CT scan confirm the diagnostic and some signs of thickening of intestinal wall and multiples ventral hernias.  The patient was admitted and operated the same day by the eTEP technique without necessity of intestinal resection. The patient was discharged at postoperative day 5. The main complication was the presence of seroma diagnosed and drained by an extra peritoneal laparoscopy after 3 weeks. Total resolution of seroma was confirmed at 1 year follow up. Incarcerated and strangulated ventral hernias are still classically treated by laparotomy.This case report shows for the first time that the eTEP procedure can be applied for abdominal wall surgeries also in emergency setting in selected patients. We hypothesize that this new procedure can be a promising approach leading less postoperative complications and shorter hospital stays.

Interobserver reliability of the Tile classification system for pelvic fractures among radiologists and surgeons.

OBJECTIVES: To assess the interobserver reliability (IOR) of the Tile classification system, and its potential influence on outcomes, for the interpretation of CT images of pelvic fractures by radiologists and surgeons. METHODS: Retrospective data (1/2008-12/2016) from 238 patients with pelvic fractures were analyzed. Mean patient age was 44 years (SD 20); 66% were male. There were 54 Tile A, 82 Tile B, and 102 Tile C type injuries. The 30-day mortality rate was 15% (36/238). Six observers, three radiologists, and three surgeons with different levels of experience (attending/resident/intern) classified each fracture into one of the 26 second-order subcategories of the Tile classification. Weighted kappa coefficients were used to assess the IORs for the three main categories and nine first-order subcategories. RESULTS: The overall IORs of the Tile system for the main categories and first-order subcategories were moderate (kappa = 0.44) and fair (kappa = 0.31), respectively. IOR was fair to moderate among radiologists, but only fair among surgeons. By level of training, IOR was moderate between attendings and between residents, whereas it was only fair between interns. IOR was moderate to substantial (kappa = 0.56-0.70) between the radiology attending and resident. Association of the Tile fracture type with 30-day mortality was present based on two out of six observer ratings. CONCLUSIONS: The overall IOR of the Tile classification system is only fair to moderate, increases with the level of rater experience and is better among radiologists than surgeons. In the light of these findings, results from studies using this classification system must be interpreted cautiously. KEY POINTS: • The overall interobserver reliability of the Tile pelvic fracture classification is only fair to moderate. • Interobserver reliability increases with observer experience and radiologists have higher kappa coefficients than surgeons. • Interobserver reliability has an impact on the association of the Tile classification system with mortality in two out of six cases.

Correlation of postoperative fluid balance and weight and their impact on outcomes.

INTRODUCTION: Normovolemia after major surgery is critical to avoid complications. The aim of the present study was to analyze correlation between fluid balance, weight gain, and postoperative outcomes. METHODS: All consecutive patients undergoing elective or emergency major abdominal surgery needing intermediate care unit (IMC) admission from September 2017 to January 2018 were included. Postoperative fluid balances and daily weight changes were calculated for postoperative days (PODs) 0-3. Risk factors for postoperative complications (30-day Clavien) and prolonged length of IMC and hospital stay were identified through uni- and multinominal logistic regression. RESULTS: One hundred eleven patients were included, of which 55% stayed in IMC beyond POD 1. Overall, 67% experienced any complication, while 30% presented a major complication (Clavien ≥ III). For the entire cohort, median cumulative fluid balance at the end of PODs 0-1-2-3 was 1850 (IQR 1020-2540) mL, 2890 (IQR 1610-4000) mL, 3890 (IQR 2570-5380) mL, and 4000 (IQR 1890-5760) mL respectively, and median weight gain was 2.2 (IQR 0.3-4.3) kg, 3 (1.5-4.7) kg, and 3.9 (2.5-5.4) kg, respectively. Fluid balance and weight course showed no significant correlation (r = 0.214, p = 0.19). Extent of surgery, analyzed through Δ albumin and duration of surgery, significantly correlated with POD 2 fluid balances (p = 0.04, p = 0.006, respectively), as did POD 3 weight gain (p = 0.042). Prolonged IMC stay of ≥ 3 days was related to weight gain ≥ 3 kg at POD 2 (OR 2.8, 95% CI 1.01-8.9, p = 0.049). CONCLUSION: Fluid balance and weight course showed only modest correlation. POD 2 weight may represent an easy and pragmatic tool to optimize fluid management and help to prevent fluid-related postoperative complications.

Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass with Manual Intracorporeal Anastomoses in 3D Laparoscopy: Operative Technique.

Background: Bariatric surgery is the only treatment for severe obesity recognized as truly effective, and Roux-en-Y gastric bypass is one of the most frequent procedures. The aim of this study is to present a 3D laparoscopic bypass technique with intracorporal anastomosis, performed completely by hand. Methods: After positioning the patient and creating the 20 mL gastric pouch, the gastrojejunal anastomosis is performed with two continuous sutures of resorbable V-Lock 3.0. The same technique is used to do the laterolateral jejunojejunal anastomosis. All patients who have undergone the previously described procedure are included in our bariatric enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) protocol. Results: The combination between the by-pass ERAS protocol and the described technique reduces postoperative pain, and usually allows discharge of patients within 48 hours. Conclusions: In our experience, the technique using totally handsewn anastomosis is safe as those previously described in the literature and is cost-effective due to the use of continuous suture for the gastrojejunal and the jejunojejunal anastomoses instead of staplers.

Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease Following Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass.

Background: Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is one of the most important obesity-related comorbidity, with prevalence >50% in obese population. Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) is considered the gold standard for metabolic surgery in obese patients with GERD, but in a subgroup of patients this pathological GERD may be not really controlled after this technique. Aims of this article are to discuss surgical and endoscopic options to manage refractory GERD after RYGB. Materials and Methods: We realized a literature review using the PubMed database and searching articles published before December 2019 about GERD after RYGB. Results: We found six studies, four case reports, and two retrospective studies about surgical and endoscopic options to treat this subgroup of patients. Discussion: Pharmacological therapy and life style optimization are the first line of treatment. For resistant GERD, new surgical and endoscopic strategies are proposed in the past years to manage this subgroup of patients related to anatomic limitation of RYGB. Conclusion: More studies are needed to compare surgical and endoscopic solutions. The choice of treatment depends on local resources and skills, and if necessary refer the patient to a specialist center.

Fluid management for critical patients undergoing urgent colectomy.

RATIONALE: The present study aimed to define thresholds for perioperative fluids and weight gain after urgent colectomies. METHOD: Consecutive urgent colonic resections within an enhanced recovery pathway (2011-2017) were included. Primary outcomes were postoperative complications, stratified as overall (I-V) and major (IIIb-V) according to Clavien scale. Fluid-management-related thresholds were identified through receiver operating characteristics (ROC) analysis. Outcomes were compared for patients above vs below threshold, and multivariable logistic regression was performed to identify risk factors for overall complications. RESULTS: Overall, complications were observed in 133 out of 224 patients (59%), severe complications in 43 patients (19%). For overall complications, area under ROC (AUROC) was 0.71, identifying a critical cut-off of 3 L of total IV fluid administration at the day of surgery (negative predictive value [NPV]: 90%). Further, a critical cut-off for postoperative weight gain of 2.3 kg at postoperative day (POD) 2 was identified (AUROC 0.7, NPV 92%). Multivariable analysis identified fluid administration of >3 L (OR 5.33; 95% CI, 2.36-12.02) and weight gain of >2.3 kg at POD 2 (OR 2.5; 95% CI, 1.13-5.53) as independent predictors for overall complications. Median length of stay was 7 (5-10) days in patients receiving <3 L at POD 0 and 13 (9-19) days in patients receiving >3 L (P < .001). CONCLUSIONS: Fluid administration of 3 L at the day of surgery and weight gain of 2.3 kg at POD 2 may represent critical thresholds for adverse outcomes after urgent colectomy. The suggested thresholds need to be confirmed through independent validation.

Preoperative Clinical Factors Associated with Short-Stay Laparoscopic Appendectomy.

BACKGROUND: Outpatient appendectomy for acute appendicitis is a feasible, yet not widely performed procedure, as there are no universally accepted criteria for patient selection. The aim of this study was to assess preoperative clinical factors associated with successful short-stay appendectomy (SSA) and establish a predictive score to help with patient selection. METHODS: All consecutive laparoscopic appendectomies performed in our institution between January 2013 and June 2015 were retrospectively analyzed. Several preoperative clinical and biological variables were compared between patients with SSA, defined as a postoperative stay <24 h, and those needing inpatient care. Logistic regression analysis was used to identify variables independently associated with SSA, and these variables were then used to create a predictive score. RESULTS: A total of 578 patients were included, 303 (53%) in the SSA group and 275 (48%) in the long-stay appendectomy (LSA) group. In multivariate analysis, male gender (OR 1.61, 95% CI 1.12-2.31, p = 0.010), ASA class I-II (OR 9.52, 95% CI 1.65-180.69, p = 0.037), absence of generalized guarding (OR 3.55, 95% CI 1.30-11.41, p = 0.019), C-reactive protein <100 mg/dl (OR 3.09, 95% CI 1.81-5.42, p < 0.001) and leukocyte count <20 g/l (OR 2.06, 95% CI 1.02-4.30, p = 0.046) were independently associated with SSA. These five parameters were used to construct a predictive score, whereby ≥17 (range 0-21) was defined as the optimal threshold to predict SSA with a high sensitivity (95.6%) and negative predictive value (82.2%). CONCLUSIONS: A purely clinical predictive score based on five widely used preoperative parameters can be used to identify eligible patients for short-stay appendectomy.

Stringent fluid management might help to prevent postoperative ileus after loop ileostomy closure.

PURPOSE: The present study aimed to analyze the impact of perioperative fluid management on postoperative ileus (POI) after loop ileostomy closure. METHODS: Consecutive loop ileostomy closures over a 6-year period (May 2011-May 2017) were included. Main outcomes were POI, defined as time to first stool beyond POD 3, and postoperative complications of any grade. Critical fluid management-related thresholds including postoperative weight gain were identified through receiver operator characteristics (ROC) analysis and tested in a multivariable analysis. RESULTS: Of 238 included patients, 33 (14%) presented with POI; overall complications occurred in 91 patients (38%). 1.7 L IV fluids at postoperative day (POD) 0 was determined a critical threshold for POI (area under ROC curve (AUROC), 0.64), yielding a negative predictive value (NPV) of 93%. Further, a critical cutoff for a postoperative weight gain of 1.2 kg at POD 2 was identified (AUROC, 0.65; NPV, 95%). Multivariable analysis confirmed POD 0 fluids of > 1.7 L (OR, 4.7; 95% CI, 1.4-15.3; p = 0.01) and POD 2 weight gain of > 1.2 kg (OR, 3.1; 95% CI, 1-9.4; p = 0.046) as independent predictors for POI. CONCLUSIONS: Perioperative fluid administration of > 1.7 L and POD 2 weight gain of > 1.2 kg represent critical thresholds for POI after loop ileostomy closure.