Nationwide Study on Stress Perception Among Surgical Residents.

OBJECTIVE: Declining number of applicants and high attrition of residents are a dire reality. Surgeons in training are confronted to various stressors which interfere with their performance and may promote burnout. This study measures stress levels of Swiss surgical residents. METHODS: Swiss surgery residents taking the Surgical Basic Exam from 2016 to 2020 completed the Perceived Stress Scale 10 (PSS). The PSS measures how unpredictable, uncontrollable, and overloaded the respondents evaluate their work life. Scores up to 13 are normal, and scores around 20 are highly pathologic. High subscores of helplessness (PH) and lower subscores of self-efficacy (PSE) indicate distress. RESULTS: A total of 1694 questionnaires were evaluated (return rate 95.7%). Resident median (m) age was 29 years, 43.5% were female, and 72.7% of the residents were in their first 2 years of training. Residents reported a high PSS (m = 15), a high PH (m = 9), and an ordinary PSE (m = 5). Females reported worse PSS (p < 0.001), PH (p < 0.001), and PSE (p = 0.036). In multivariable analysis, male sex (p < 0.001), aiming at orthopedic (p = 0.017) or visceral surgery (p = 0.004), and French as mother tongue (p = 0.037) predicted lower stress levels, while graduating from a country not adjacent to Switzerland led to higher stress (p = 0.047). CONCLUSION: Perceived stress levels are high in this prospective and representative cohort study of Swiss surgical residents. Females endured significantly worse stress and helplessness levels than males. These figures are worrisome as they may directly contribute to the declining attractivity of surgical residencies. Detailed sex-specific analysis and correction of stressors are urgently needed to improve residency programs.

Monitoring c-reactive protein after laparoscopic colorectal surgery excludes infectious complications and allows for safe and early discharge.

BACKGROUND: Early detection of infectious complications is urgently needed in the era of DRG-based compensation. This work assessed the diagnostic accuracy of c-reactive protein (CRP) level in the detection of infectious complications after laparoscopic colorectal resection. METHODS: Laparoscopic colorectal resections were identified from a prospective database. Complications were graded according to the Dindo-Clavien classification. Surgical site infections were defined according to the Centers of Disease Control. CRP level was routinely measured until postoperative day (POD) 7. Uni- and multivariate analysis were performed. Diagnostic accuracy was evaluated using receiver operating curves. RESULTS: 355 patients were operated for diverticulosis (88.7%), neoplasia (6.8%), and other causes (4.5%). Mean age and body mass index were 59.8 ± 13.7 years and 26.5 ± 15 kg/m(2). Left, right, and total laparoscopic colectomies were performed in 316, 33, and 6 patients. Complications occurred in 85 patients and 16 patients (4.5%) were reoperated. Fifty-one patients (14.4%) suffered from infectious complications at a median of 6 POD, while 9 anastomoses leaked (2.7%). In multivariate analysis, presence of an abscess at surgery was predictive of an infectious complication (OR 2.5, 95% CI 1.1-5.3), as were a body mass index >30 kg/m(2) and operative time >160 min in a bootstrap analysis. Overall, CRP peaked on POD 2 and declined thereafter. Most infectious complications were apparent starting on POD 6. A CRP <56 mg/l on POD 4 had a negative predictive value of 100% (95% CI 94.9-100%) to rule out infectious complications. Above 56 mg/l, sensitivity was 100% (95% CI 0.8-1) and specificity 49% (95% CI 0.4-0.6) for the development of infectious complications in the absence of clinical signs. This translated into a remarkable diagnostic accuracy of 78% (95% CI 0.7-0.9). CONCLUSION: Monitoring CRP level in laparoscopic colorectal surgery demonstrated a high diagnostic accuracy for infectious complications, thus allowing for safe and early discharge.

Short-term preoperative supplementation of an immunoenriched diet does not improve clinical outcome in well-nourished patients undergoing abdominal cancer surgery.

OBJECTIVE: A recent study suggested that the anti-inflammatory effect of immunonutrition starts after only two d. We therefore investigated the effect of an immunoenriched oral diet administered for three d preoperatively. METHODS: In this prospective, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study, well-nourished patients (Nutrition Risk Screening 2002 <3) with gastrointestinal cancer who were scheduled for major elective abdominal cancer surgery were randomly assigned to either 750 mL of an immunoenriched formula (IEF group) or 750 mL of an isocaloric, isonitrogenous placebo diet (Con group) for 3 consecutive d preoperatively. RESULTS: A total of 108 patients (IEF group: n = 55; Con group: n = 53) were randomized. The two groups were comparable for all baseline and surgical characteristics. The overall mortality was 2.8% and not significantly different between the two groups (IEF group: 3.6% vs. Con group: 1.9%, P = 1.00). Intention-to-treat analysis showed no difference for the incidence of postoperative overall (IEF group: 29% vs. Con group: 30%; P = 1.00) and infectious (IEF group: 15% vs. Con group: 17%; P = 0.79) complications. Length of hospital stay was 12 ± 4.9 d in the IEF group and 11.6 ± 5.3 d in the Con group (P = 0.68). CONCLUSIONS: Preoperative oral supplementation with an immunoenriched diet for 3 d preoperatively did not improve postoperative outcome compared with the placebo in well-nourished patients with elective gastrointestinal cancer surgery.

Does hyperthermic intraoperative chemotherapy lead to improved outcomes in patients with ovarian cancer? A single center cohort study in 111 consecutive patients.

BACKGROUND: For recurrent disease or primary therapy of advanced ovarian cancer, cytoreductive surgery (CRS) followed by adjuvant chemotherapy is a therapeutic option. The aim of this study was to evaluate the outcome for patients with epithelial ovarian cancer treated with hyperthermic intraoperative chemotherapy (HIPEC) and completeness of cytoreduction (CC). METHODS: Data were retrospectively collected from 111 patients with recurrent or primary ovarian cancer operated with the contribution of visceral surgical oncologists between 1991 and 2006 in a tertiary referral hospital. RESULTS: Ninety patients received CRS and 21 patients CRS plus HIPEC with cisplatin. Patients with complete cytoreduction (CC0) were more likely to receive HIPEC. Overall, 19 of 21 patients (90.5 %) with HIPEC and 33 of 90 patients (36.7 %) with CRS had a complete cytoreduction (P < 0.001). Incomplete cytoreduction was associated with worse survival rates with a hazard ratio (HR) of 4.4 (95%CI: 2.3-8.4) for CC1/2 and 6.0 (95%CI: 2.9-12.3) for CC3 (P < 0.001). In a Cox-regression limited to 52 patients with CC0 a systemic concomitant chemotherapy (HR 0.3, 95%CI: 0.1-0.96, P = 0.046) but not HIPEC (HR 0.98 with 95 % CI 0.32 to 2.97, P = 0.967) improved survival. Two patients (9.5 %) developed severe renal failure after HIPEC with absolute cisplatin dosages of 90 and 95 mg. CONCLUSIONS: Completeness of cytoreduction was proved to be crucial for long-term outcome. HIPEC procedures in ovarian cancer should be performed in clinical trials to compare CRS, HIPEC and systemic chemotherapy against CRS with systemic chemotherapy. Concerning the safety of HIPEC with cisplatin, the risk of persistent renal failure must be considered when dosage is based on body surface.

Diagnostic accuracy of C-reactive protein and white blood cell counts in the early detection of inflammatory complications after open resection of colorectal cancer: a retrospective study of 1,187 patients.

PURPOSE: Although widely used, there is a lack of evidence concerning the diagnostic accuracy of C-reactive protein (CRP) and white blood cell counts (WBCs) in the postoperative period. The aim of this study was to evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of CRP and WBCs in predicting postoperative inflammatory complications after open resection of colorectal cancer. METHODS: In this retrospective study, clinical data and the CRP and WBCs, routinely measured until postoperative day 5 (POD 5), were available for 1,187 patients who underwent colorectal cancer surgery between 1997 and 2009. Using the receiver-operating characteristic (ROC) methodology, the diagnostic accuracy was evaluated according to the area under the curve (AUC). RESULTS: Three hundred forty-seven patients (29.2%; 95% CI, 26.7-31.9%) developed various inflammatory complications. Anastomotic leakage occurred in 8.0% (95% CI, 6.1-9.1%) of patients. The CRP level on POD 4 (AUC 0.76; 95% CI, 0.71-0.81) had the highest diagnostic accuracy for the early detection of inflammatory complications. With a cutoff of 123 mg/l, the sensitivity was 0.66 (95% CI, 0.56-0.74), and the specificity was 0.77 (95% CI, 0.71-0.82). The diagnostic accuracy of the WBC was significantly lower compared to CRP. CONCLUSION: Measurement of CRP on POD 4 is recommended to screen for inflammatory complications. CRP values above 123 mg/l on POD 4 should raise suspicion of inflammatory complications, although the discriminatory performance was insufficient to provide a single threshold that could be used to correctly predict inflammatory complications in clinical practice. WBC measurement contributes little to the early detection of inflammatory complications.

Transvaginal rigid-hybrid natural orifice transluminal endoscopic surgery technique for anterior resection treatment of diverticulitis: a feasibility study.

BACKGROUND: In laparoscopic anterior resection, minilaparotomy still is required. Recently, transvaginal hybrid natural orifice transluminal endoscopic surgery (NOTES) techniques for cholecystectomy have been described. Reports on operations that require removal of larger specimens, as in anterior resection, are scarce and limited primarily to small case series and case reports. The current study aimed to evaluate the feasibility and safety of transvaginal rigid-hybrid NOTES anterior resection (tvAR) for symptomatic diverticular disease. METHODS: All female patients presenting with symptomatic diverticulitis of the sigmoid colon were candidates for inclusion in the study. The exclusion criteria specified failure to sign informed consent, previous colorectal resection, anesthesiologic contraindication for pneumoperitoneum, liver failure and coagulopathy, severe acute diverticular bleeding, internal fistula with abscess (Hinchey 2b), perforated diverticulitis with peritonitis (Hinchey 3 or 4), gynecologic or urologic contraindications, and absence of preoperative gynecologic examination. A preoperative and 2-week postoperative gynecologic examination was performed. Quality of life and sexual function were assessed preoperatively and 6 weeks postoperatively. RESULTS: Of 70 patients, 45 (64.3%) were scheduled for tvAR. Five patients were withdrawn at the beginning of laparoscopy with no transvaginal access performed. Of the remaining 40 patients with attempted tvAR, 4 patients underwent conversion to a minilaparotomy (Pfannenstiel incision) and 2 patients were converted to a total median laparotomy. For 34 patients (85%), the operation was completed transvaginally. A total of 2 major complications and 10 minor complications occurred. No serious postoperative gynecologic morbidity was experienced. At 6 weeks postoperatively, sexual function did not differ significantly from preoperative status. CONCLUSIONS: For symptomatic diverticular disease, TvAR is feasible, although the presented technique requires laparoscopic expertise and further refinement.

Risk factors for anastomotic leakage after rectal cancer resection and reconstruction with colorectostomy. A retrospective study with bootstrap analysis.

BACKGROUND: This study was designed to apply modern statistical methods to evaluate risk factors for anastomotic leakage after rectal cancer resection in a retrospective cohort of patients who received a colorectostomy. Whereas a diverting stoma and tumor height are considered proven risk factors for anastomotic leakage, a lack of evidence about additional risk factors persists. METHODS: In a single-center study, 527 consecutive patients who received a colorectostomy after rectal cancer resection between 1991 and 2008 were retrospectively assessed. In addition to traditional uni- and multivariate regression, locally weighted scatterplot smoothing (LOWESS) regression and bootstrap analysis were applied to increase internal validity. RESULTS: Anastomotic leakage occurred in 70 patients (13.3%; 95% confidence interval (CI), 10.5-16.5%) and mortality was 2.5% (95% CI, 1.4-4.2%). Diverting stoma (odds ratio (OR), 0.4; 95% CI, 0.17-0.61) and tumor height (OR, 0.88; 95% CI, 0.8-0.94) were proven to be protective. Neoadjuvant radiotherapy (OR, 2.15; 95% CI, 1.58-4.24) and intraoperative blood loss (OR, 1.05; 95% CI, 1.02-1.09) had a derogatory effect. Bootstrap analysis identified pre-existing vascular disease (95.5%), more advanced UICC stage III or IV tumors (95.7% or 91.5%, respectively), and intraoperative (96.1%) and postoperative (99.4%) blood substitution as harmful. Both intraoperative and postoperative blood substitution caused a dose-dependent increase in risk. CONCLUSIONS: Applying statistical resampling methods identified intraoperative blood loss, blood substitution, vascular disease, and advanced UICC stage as risk factors for anastomotic leakage. Greater distances between the tumor and the anal verge and performance of a diverting stoma were associated with a decreased risk of anastomotic leakage.

Selective decontamination of the gastrointestinal tract in patients undergoing esophageal resection.

BACKGROUND: Selective decontamination of the digestive tract (SDD) to eliminate gram-negative bacteria is still not widely accepted, although it reduces the incidence of nosocomial infections. In a previous retrospective study, a clear benefit to perioperative morbidity, and a reduction in nosocomial infections were found in patients who underwent an esophageal anastomosis. Thus, SDD was applied routinely for esophageal anastomoses. We report the outcome of a cohort of 81 patients who underwent this treatment. METHODS: From 2002, patients who underwent an esophageal anastomosis (esophagojejunostomy) were prospectively recorded. Perioperatively, patients received polymyxin, tobramycin, vancomycin and nystatin by mouth four times a day. Outcome was compared to a control group that was treated before 2002 (68 patients without SDD and 53 patients with SDD). Postoperative morbidity and mortality were assessed. RESULTS: Between 2002 and 2007, 81 patients who underwent an esophageal anastomosis received SDD. Compared to a retrospective control group, patients with SDD had significantly less pneumonia (OR 0.06 (0.01-0.46), p < 0.001) and lower morbidity (OR 0.16 (0.05-0.49), p < 0.001). Furthermore, fewer anastomotic insufficiencies and complications were found. Similar results were found in the analysis of the patients treated before 2002. CONCLUSIONS: SDD significantly reduces perioperative morbidity and mortality in patients who undergo a distal esophageal anastomosis compared to a historical control group. In patients with an anastomotic leakage, there was a strong tendency of SDD to reduce postoperative mortality.

Functional outcome and quality of life after stapled transanal rectal resection for obstructed defecation syndrome.

PURPOSE: Clinical studies have demonstrated that stapled transanal rectal resection with Contour Transtar (Transtar procedure) is a safe and effective treatment for patients with obstructive defecation syndrome. The aim of this study was to determine functional outcome and quality of life after the procedure. METHODS: Female patients with obstructive defecation syndrome were enrolled prospectively for the Transtar procedure. Intussusception and anterior rectocele were confirmed by clinical investigation and by magnetic resonance defecography. Functional outcome was measured by obstructed defecation syndrome score, severity of symptoms score, and Wexner score preoperatively and postoperatively. Quality of life was assessed by the Cleveland Clinic constipation score, the fecal incontinence quality of life scale, and the SF-36v2 health survey. RESULTS: Between January 2007 and November 2008, 52 consecutive patients (median age: 64 years) were included in the study. Before the surgery, 12 patients experienced fecal incontinence. Functional scores improved significantly: 6 weeks after surgery, the obstructed defecation syndrome score decreased from a median of 16 (range, 9-22) to 5 (range, 2-10) and the severity of symptoms score, from 16 (range, 9-21) to 4 (range, 0-9) (each P < .0001). After 6 weeks, 10 patients had fecal incontinence and 12 patients experienced fecal urgency. At 3 months, 6 patients were still incontinent, 3 of whom were treated successfully with sacral neuromodulation. Fecal urgency resolved in all cases after 6 months. Quality of life improved, particularly in the mental components. CONCLUSION: Despite the described postoperative symptoms, most of which can be treated conservatively, the Transtar procedure is an effective treatment for patients with obstructive defecation syndrome and improves quality of life significantly.

A comparative cross-sectional study of personality traits in internists and surgeons.

BACKGROUND: A stereotype of surgeons' personality persists in the general public and among health-care professionals. Only a few studies have attempted to describe this "surgical personality" in detail. The aim of this study was to investigate the personality traits of surgeons compared with internists and to prove the existence of a stereotype among health-care professionals concerning surgeons. METHODS: To investigate the existence of a stereotype, nursing staff members in a public tertiary referral 900-bed hospital rated the personality traits of internists and surgeons. Simultaneously, all internists and surgeons in the same hospital were asked to complete the Freiburg Personality Inventory-the most frequently used German self-report form. RESULTS: Three hundred and thirty-four of 543 (62%) eligible nursing staff members participated; their responses confirmed the existence of a stereotype. A total of 253 of 284 eligible doctors completed the self-report form for a response rate of 89%. Compared with the general population, internists differed in most of 12 personality domains, whereas surgeons differed in 6 of 12 personality traits. The self-assessment revealed a statistically significant excess of achievement orientation (P = .00005) and extraversion (P < .00001) among surgeons and decreased aggressiveness (P = .00012) among internists. No significant difference was found between board-certified surgeons and internists in any of the 12 personality domains. CONCLUSION: This study identified a clear discrepancy between the self- and external assessment of personality but only among surgeons. This outcome provides an opportunity for surgeons to reflect on any potential lack of self-awareness and its impact on interdisciplinary patient care.

Evaluation of endoscopy in localizing transgastric access for natural orifice transluminal endoscopic surgery in humans.

BACKGROUND: To date, transgastric access in humans for natural orifice transluminal endoscopic surgery (NOTES) has been poorly evaluated. OBJECTIVE: To compare endoscopic visualization of the transgastric access point with the laparoscopically defined ideal entrance to the peritoneal cavity. DESIGN: Prospective pilot study in humans. SETTING: Single tertiary-care center. PATIENTS: This study involved 31 patients referred for laparoscopic cholecystectomy. INTERVENTION: Access points were marked by endoscopy alone, endoscopy combined with diaphanoscopy, and endoscopy after pneumoperitoneum. Points were correlated with a laparoscopically visualized, previously defined ideal access area. MAIN OUTCOME MEASUREMENTS: To choose the appropriate access point within the laparoscopically defined ideal access area to the peritoneal cavity away from major vessels and adjacent organs, by using endoscopy and to establish landmarks for the endoscopist, look for a learning curve, and identify potential problems. RESULTS: The percentage of access points within the laparoscopically defined ideal area was 35.5% with endoscopy alone, 13.8% using the diaphanoscopy method, and 45.2% after transcutaneous pneumoperitoneum. A safe access point (> or = 3 cm from major gastric vessels) could be achieved with the 3 techniques in 83.9%, 65.5%, and 87.1% of patients, respectively. A positive learning curve for endoscopic localization was identified before (P = .008) and after (P = .014) pneumoperitoneum. Virtual complications were greater in obese patients. LIMITATIONS: This was a small pilot study with hypothetical complications and problems, because actual transgastric access was not performed. The criteria for an ideal access area were very strict. CONCLUSION: Endoscopy, especially with the use of pneumoperitoneum, can reliably locate a safe transgastric entrance point. However, the endoscopically chosen site correlates poorly with the ideal laparoscopically determined site for transgastric access.

Safety and reliability of Radio Frequency Identification Devices in Magnetic Resonance Imaging and Computed Tomography.

BACKGROUND: Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) devices are becoming more and more essential for patient safety in hospitals. The purpose of this study was to determine patient safety, data reliability and signal loss wearing on skin RFID devices during magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and computed tomography (CT) scanning. METHODS: Sixty RFID tags of the type I-Code SLI, 13.56 MHz, ISO 18000-3.1 were tested: Thirty type 1, an RFID tag with a 76 x 45 mm aluminum-etched antenna and 30 type 2, a tag with a 31 x 14 mm copper-etched antenna. The signal loss, material movement and heat tests were performed in a 1.5 T and a 3 T MR system. For data integrity, the tags were tested additionally during CT scanning. Standardized function tests were performed with all transponders before and after all imaging studies. RESULTS: There was no memory loss or data alteration in the RFID tags after MRI and CT scanning. Concerning heating (a maximum of 3.6 degrees C) and device movement (below 1 N/kg) no relevant influence was found. Concerning signal loss (artifacts 2 - 4 mm), interpretability of MR images was impaired when superficial structures such as skin, subcutaneous tissues or tendons were assessed. CONCLUSIONS: Patients wearing RFID wristbands are safe in 1.5 T and 3 T MR scanners using normal operation mode for RF-field. The findings are specific to the RFID tags that underwent testing.

Functional outcome after perineal stapled prolapse resection for external rectal prolapse.

BACKGROUND: A new surgical technique, the Perineal Stapled Prolapse resection (PSP) for external rectal prolapse was introduced in a feasibility study in 2008. This study now presents the first results of a larger patient group with functional outcome in a mid-term follow-up. METHODS: From December 2007 to April 2009 PSP was performed by the same surgeon team on patients with external rectal prolapse. The prolapse was completely pulled out and then axially cut open with a linear stapler at three and nine o'clock in lithotomy position. Finally, the prolapse was resected stepwise with the curved Contour Transtar stapler at the prolapse's uptake. Perioperative morbidity and functional outcome were prospectively measured by appropriate scores. RESULTS: 32 patients participated in the study; median age was 80 years (range 26-93). No intraoperative complications and 6.3% minor postoperative complications occurred. Median operation time was 30 minutes (15-65), hospital stay 5 days (2-19). Functional outcome data were available in 31 of the patients after a median follow-up of 6 months (4-22). Preoperative severe faecal incontinence disappeared postoperatively in 90% of patients with a reduction of the median Wexner score from 16 (4-20) to 1 (0-14) (P < 0.0001). No new incidence of constipation was reported. CONCLUSIONS: The PSP is an elegant, fast and safe procedure, with good functional results. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ISRCTN68491191.

Is sphincter preservation reasonable in all patients with rectal cancer?

PURPOSE: Modern sphincter-preserving surgery for ultralow rectal carcinoma has a comparable oncological radicality to abdomino-perineal extirpation (APE). The aim of this study was to assess the long-term morbidity of ultralow anterior resection (ULAR) and its impact on quality of life (QoL) METHODS: The medical records of 142 consecutive patients who underwent surgery for ultralow rectal carcinoma from January 1991 to December 2004 were reviewed retrospectively. The rate of rehospitalisation and rate of non-reversed temporary stomas ("failure" stoma) were analysed. Generic and cancer-specific quality of life questionnaires were used to assess quality of life. RESULTS: There were a total of 82 ULAR and 60 APE. After ULAR, 25 (30.5%) of the patients were readmitted, stenosis and anastomotic leakage being the main reasons. After APE, only 2 (3.3%) of the patients were readmitted (P < 0.001). The rate of patients with a permanent stoma after sphincter-saving surgery was 22.0%. The failure rate was higher for older patients (P = 0.005) and for coloanal pull-through anastomosis (P = 0.001). The exploratory analysis revealed a negative impact of a "failure" stoma on QoL. CONCLUSION: Severe long-term morbidity and high failure rate of stoma reversal have a significantly worse impact on QoL after ULAR; therefore, APE is a valid alternative to ULAR, especially in elder patients with planned coloanal pull-through anastomosis.

Factor XIII substitution in surgical cancer patients at high risk for intraoperative bleeding.

BACKGROUND: Excessive intraoperative bleeding is associated with significant morbidity and mortality. The authors and others have shown that fibrin monomer allows preoperative risk stratification for intraoperative blood loss, likely due to an imbalance between available factor XIII and prothrombin conversion. The authors hypothesized that the use of factor XIII would delay the decrease of clot firmness in high-risk patients. METHODS: The concept was tested in a prospective, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial in elective gastrointestinal cancer surgery. Patients were randomized to receive factor XIII (30 U/kg) or placebo in addition to controlled standard therapy. RESULTS: Twenty-two patients were evaluable for a planned interim analysis. For the primary outcome parameter maximum clot firmness, patients receiving factor XIII showed a nonsignificant 8% decrease, and patients receiving placebo lost 38%, a highly significantly difference between the two groups (P = 0.004). A reduction in the nonprimary outcome parameters fibrinogen consumption (-28%, P = 0.01) and blood loss (-29%, P = 0.041) was also observed in the factor XIII group. Three patients experienced adverse events that seemed unrelated to factor XIII substitution. The trial was stopped early after a planned interim analysis with the primary endpoint reached. CONCLUSIONS: This proof of concept study confirms the hypothesis that patients at high risk for intraoperative blood loss show reduced loss of clot firmness when factor XIII is administered early during surgery. Further clinical trials are needed to assess relevant clinical endpoints such as blood loss, loss of other coagulation factors, and use of blood products.

Laparoscopic mesh-augmented hiatoplasty as a treatment of gastroesophageal reflux disease and hiatal hernias-preliminary clinical and functional results of a prospective case series.

BACKGROUND: Because fundoplication-related side effects are frequent, we evaluated laparoscopic mesh-augemented hiatoplasty (LMAH) as a potential treatment option for gastroesophageal reflux disease and/or symptomatic hiatal herania. LMAH aims to prevent reflux solely by mesh-reinforced narrowing of the hiatus and lengthening of the intra-abdominal esophagus. METHODS: Twenty-two consecutive patients with LMAH were evaluated prospectively using a modified Gastrointestinal Symptom Rating Scale questionnaire, pH measurement, manometry, and endoscopy. Follow-up was scheduled at 3 and 12 months after surgery. RESULTS: Total reflux decreased from 16.3% before surgery to 3.5% 3 months after surgery (P = .001). The reflux score decreased from 3.8 before surgery to 2.1 1 year after surgery (P = .001). The respective values of the indigestion score were 3.4 and 2.0 (P < .001). After surgery, all patients were able to belch. Vomiting was impossible only for 2 patients, and 90% of patients assessed their results as good to excellent. CONCLUSIONS: LMAH seems to be feasible, safe, and has no significant side effects.

Safety and morbidity after ultra-low coloanal anastomoses: J-pouch vs end-to-end reconstruction.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Anastomotic failure after ultra-low anterior rectum resection is the most important complication, and it is influenced by the type of reconstruction. The aim of this study was to compare retrospectively the straight coloanal anastomosis with the J-pouch reconstruction concerning the development of anastomotic leakage. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Fifty-six of 381 consecutive patients underwent low anterior rectum resection with total mesorectal excision and ultra-low coloanal anastomosis at 3-4 cm from the anocutan line. A 5-cm J-pouch (side-to-end) was performed in 25, a straight coloanal anastomosis in 25, and a coloplasty in 6 patients, respectively. RESULTS/FINDINGS: No influence by age, body mass index, and operating time on anastomotic leakage rate was found. Leakage was found in eight patients with straight coloanal anastomosis, resulting in a leakage rate of 32% compared to one patient in the J-pouch group (P = 0.023). INTERPRETATION/CONCLUSION: Patient's safety is higher after J-pouch reconstruction because of the lower anastomotic failure rate, and functional results had been reported as similar after J-pouch reconstruction and straight coloanal anastomosis. Therefore, we clearly argue for a J-pouch reconstruction as the standard method after ultra-low coloanal anastomosis.

Is a barium swallow complementary to endoscopy essential in the preoperative assessment of laparoscopic antireflux and hiatal hernia surgery?

BACKGROUND: Barium swallow is considered essential in the preoperative assessment of gastroesophaeal reflux disease and hiatal hernias. The objective of this study was to investigate the effective value of a barium swallow if complementary to the commonly recommended endoscopy before laparoscopic antireflux and hiatal hernia surgery. METHODS: We prospectively evaluated 40 consecutive patients who were tested with preoperative barium swallow and endoscopy before laparoscopic surgery for gastroesophageal reflux disease and/or symptomatic hiatal hernia. Results regarding the presence and the type of hiatal hernia found by barium swallow and endoscopy were correlated with the intraoperative finding as the reference standard. RESULTS: Intraoperative findings revealed 21 axial, 7 paraesophageal, and 12 mixed hiatal hernias. Barium swallow and endoscopy allowed the diagnosis of hiatal hernia in 75% and 97.5%, respectively (p = 0.003). The correct classification of hiatal hernia was confirmed in 50% by barium swallow and 80% by endoscopy (p = 0.005). CONCLUSIONS: Although barium swallow is recommended as an important diagnostic tool in the workup before surgical antireflux and hiatal hernia therapy, our results suggest that if mandatory endoscopy is performed preoperatively, a barium swallow does not provide any further essential information. It seems that barium swallow can be omitted as a basic diagnostic test before primary laparoscopic antireflux and hiatal hernia surgery.

Altered esophageal motility and gastroesophageal barrier in patients with jejunal interposition after distal esophageal resection for early stage adenocarcinoma.

INTRODUCTION: Limited resection of the esophagogastric junction has been proven to be safe and oncologically radical in patients with early esophageal cancer. Reconstruction with interposition of isoperistaltic jejunal loop (Merendino procedure) is supposed to prevent gastroesophageal reflux and therefore the recurrence of intestinal metaplasia at the anastomosis. The aim of this study was to assess the frequency of acid and nonacid refluxes after Merendino procedure using multichannel intraluminal impedance-pH (MII-pH) monitoring. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Between 2002 and 2005, 12 patients with esophageal adenocarcinoma underwent limited resection and jejunal interposition. Ten patients agreed to undergo a Gastrointestinal Symptom Rating Scale assessment, upper gastrointestinal (GI) endoscopy, esophageal manometry, and combined 24-h MII-pH monitoring more than 10 months postoperatively. RESULTS: Postoperatively, 4 (40%) patients reported belching without heartburn or acid regurgitation, 3 of them having a positive symptom index during 24-h MII-pH monitoring. Upper GI endoscopy revealed no inflammation, metaplasia, or stenosis at the esophagojejunal anastomosis. Esophageal manometry showed ineffective esophageal motility in four of ten patients. Combined 24-h MII-pH monitoring revealed normal distal esophageal acid exposure (% time pH < 4: 0.1% [0-1.5]), normal number of acid reflux episodes (3 [0-11]) but a high number of nonacid reflux episodes (82 [33-184]). Overall, eight patients revealed an abnormal number of nonacid reflux episodes. CONCLUSION: The limited resection with jejunal interposition for early esophageal cancer is efficient in controlling acid but not nonacid reflux. While the clinical relevance of nonacid reflux in the recurrence of Barrett's esophagus is currently unknown, endoscopic surveillance should be considered in these patients.