Impact of pre-existing mesh at the hiatus at revisional hiatal hernia surgery.

Recurrence after laparoscopic hiatus hernia repair (LHR) is high, with few symptomatic patients undergoing redo LHR. Morbidity is higher in redo surgery compared with the primary operation. Tens of studies have explored the safety of redoing LHR. However, the impact of existing mesh on operative risk is rarely examined. We aim to assess the impact of mesh at the hiatus on the safety of redo LHR. This was a cohort study examining redo LHR patients from a prospectively maintained database from January 2002 to December 2023. The primary outcome was intra-/postoperative complications. Follow-up was extracted from clinical records. Predictors of complications were assessed using univariable and multivariable logistic regression analyses. Redo LHR was performed in 100 patients; 22 had previous mesh. One encountered mortality with 23 complications. Five patients had absorbable mesh, with the remainder nonabsorbable. Overall complications were significantly higher with mesh at nine (40.9%) compared to no mesh redo at 14 (17.9%), P = 0.023. There was no difference in rates of visceral injury with mesh at four (18.2%) and no mesh at six (7.7%), P = 0.22. The median follow-up was 7 months; there was no difference in reflux rates (P = 0.70) but higher rates of dysphagia (P = 0.010). Higher overall complications were noted in patients with previous hiatal mesh repair at the time of LHR. However, major visceral complications were similar regardless of mesh use. Mesh at the hiatus should not be a deterrent for reoperative hiatus surgery.

Sarcopenia impacts perioperative and survival outcomes after esophagectomy for cancer: a multicenter study.

BACKGROUND: The impact of sarcopenia on outcomes after esophagectomy is controversial. Most data are currently derived from Asian populations. This study aimed to correlate sarcopenia to short-term perioperative complication rates and long-term survival and recurrence outcomes. METHODS: A retrospective analysis was performed of patients undergoing esophagectomy for cancer from 3 tertiary referral centers in Australia. Sarcopenia was defined using cutoffs for skeletal muscle index (SMI), assessed on preoperative computed tomography images. Outcomes measured included complications, overall survival (OS), and disease-free survival (DFS). RESULTS: Of 462 patients (78.4% male; median age, 67 years), sarcopenia was evident in 276 (59.7%). Patients with sarcopenia had a higher rate of major (Clavien-Dindo ≥ 3b) complications (27.9% vs 14.5%; P < .001), including higher rates of postoperative cardiac arrythmia (16.3% vs 9.7%; P = .042), pneumonia requiring antibiotics (14.5% vs 9.1%; P = .008), and 30-day mortality (5.1% vs 0%; P = .002). In the sarcopenic group, the median OS was lower (37 months [95% CI, 27.1-46.9] vs 114 months [95% CI, 75.8-152.2]; P < .001), as was the median DFS (27 months [95% CI, 18.9-35.1] vs 77 months [95% CI, 36.4-117.6]; P < .001). Sarcopenia was an independent risk factor for lower survival on multivariate analysis (hazard ratio, 1.688; 95% CI, 1.223-2.329; P = .001). CONCLUSION: Patients with preoperative sarcopenia based on analysis of SMI are at a higher risk of major complications and have inferior survival and oncologic outcomes after esophagectomy for esophageal cancer.

The Impact of Age on the Post-operative Outcomes in Patients Undergoing Resection for Oesophageal and Gastric Cancer.

BACKGROUND: Within our ageing population, there is an increasing number of elderly patients presenting with oesophagogastric cancer. Resection remains the mainstay of curative treatment however it has substantial morbidity. The aim of this study was to assess whether age was an independent predictor of resection related complications in our unit. METHODS: A retrospective cohort study of prospectively collated data from 2002 to 2020 of patients undergoing resection for oesophageal and gastric cancers was analysed. Patients aged over 75 and 75 and under were compared for peri-operative morbidity (via the Clavien-Dindo classification), length of stay (LOS), unplanned readmission, 30- and 90-day mortality, and use of neoadjuvant therapy. RESULTS: Data for 466 consecutive patients undergoing oesophagogastric resection (277 oesophagectomy and 189 gastrectomy) were available for analysis. 22% of patients were aged over 75 (14% (39/277) of the oesophagectomy cohort, 34% (65/189) of the gastrectomy cohort). Oesophagectomy patients over 75 were more likely to develop post-operative complications, particularly cardiac or thromboembolic, (69.2%) than those in the younger cohort (50.4%, p = 0.029). There was no difference in complication rates between the younger and older patients undergoing gastrectomy (29.0% vs. 33.9% p = 0.495). The 30- and 90-day mortality rates were 1.4% (n = 4) and 2.5% (n = 7), respectively, for the oesophagectomy cohort and 1.1% (n = 2) and 1.6% (n = 3) for the gastrectomy cohort, with no difference between age groups. CONCLUSION: In this series, we found that patients over the age of 75 were able to undergo oesophageal and gastric resection with curative intent with acceptable post-operative morbidity and mortality.

Initial experience with laparoscopic gastric bypass in an Australian general foregut surgery unit.

BACKGROUND: Laparoscopic gastric bypass (LGB) is an increasingly utilized approach to bariatric surgery in Australia. A high proportion of those procedures are revisional due to Australia's legacy of laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding (LAGB), which is not the case internationally. The aim of this study was to compare post-operative outcomes in an Australian general foregut surgery unit against benchmarks published in the literature. METHODS: This is retrospective cohort study of morbidly obese patients undergoing primary or revisional laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) or laparoscopic one anastomosis gastric bypass (OAGB) with the two senior authors between 5 May 2015 and 27 June 2019. Perioperative data for the unit's first 100 cases were collected prospectively, stored on a unit database and analysed. Post-operative complications at 30 days, 90 days, mortality, length of hospital stay, and Defined Adverse Events were chosen as indicators of the perioperative outcome (as defined in the Monash Bariatric Surgery Registry). RESULTS: In this cohort, 35% of procedures were RYGB and 65% were OAGB. The majority (58%) were revisional procedures. Most patients (74%) were female. The median age was 50. The comorbidity profile of the population was similar to those published internationally. The median hospital stay was 4 days. There was no mortality. Early complications occurred in 9% of patients, with 3% occurring late. CONCLUSION: Outcomes of our first 100 cases are comparable with those recorded in the literature, notwithstanding a much higher proportion of revisional cases. LGB can be safely introduced in Australian general foregut surgery units by experienced laparoscopic surgeons.

Intragastric laparoscopy for oesophageal eroded mesh removal: An approach to avoid resection.

The augmentation of hiatal repair for large hiatus hernia with mesh is controversial. There is some evidence that recurrence rates are less with mesh repair; however, there is a risk of mesh erosion. Complicated erosion may require complex revisional surgery and oesophagogastric resection. We present a novel approach to the treatment of oesophageal mesh erosion, by utilising a combined approach of endoscopy and intragastric laparoscopy. The symptomatic relief from this procedure may obviate the need for foregut resection in some patients.

Acute cholecystitis or simple biliary colic after an emergency presentation: why it matters.

BACKGROUND: Laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) is often performed during the index admission after emergency presentation for acute biliary pain. Many patients have acute cholecystitis (AC) that may increase operative difficulty and complications. Our primary aim was to assess the validity of Tokyo Guidelines (TG18) for diagnosing AC by comparison with the admitting team diagnosis, operative findings and histopathology. The secondary aim was to assess outcomes after same-admission or delayed LC. METHODS: Retrospective analysis of patients who underwent LC after presenting to a tertiary hospital emergency department over a 12-month period was conducted. RESULTS: A total of 139 patients underwent LC with no mortality or bile duct injury. A diagnosis of AC made by the admitting surgical team had sensitivity of 84% and specificity of 57%. The TG18 diagnosis had sensitivity of 84% and specificity of 53%. A diagnosis of AC by the admitting surgical team correlated well with TG18 criteria diagnosis. There was poor correlation between clinical and histopathological diagnoses. Nine percent of patients had complications and 4% required conversion to open procedure. Patients with a clinical diagnosis of AC had longer post-operative length of stay and more complications compared with those who had non-AC diagnosis. There was no difference in outcomes between same-admission LC or delayed LC. CONCLUSION: TG18 diagnosis of AC does not improve accuracy of diagnosis or predictability of a poor outcome over the admitting surgical team diagnosis. Same-admission LC for patients with AC is associated with similar outcomes compared to those who undergo delayed LC.

Acute paraesophageal hernia repair: short-term outcome comparisons with elective repair.

BACKGROUND: In the literature, there is a wide range of reported morbidity and mortality rates after acute paraesophageal hernia (PH) repair. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Data were collected from all patients undergoing PH repair between December 2001 and October 2011. Outcome data were compared between the acute and elective groups. RESULTS: Over the study period, 268 patients underwent PH repair, of which 42 patients underwent acute repair compared with 226 elective repairs. Morbidity and mortality rates were both higher, albeit nonsignificantly, in the acute group (16.6% vs. 6.6%, P=0.058 and 4.8% vs. 0.4%, P=0.065, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Because of the poorer preoperative medical status, lower success rates of minimal access surgery, and longer inpatient stay, combined with the trends toward increased morbidity and mortality rates, of patients undergoing acute repair of PH, we would recommend routine elective laparoscopic surgery as the standard of care for individuals with symptomatic PH and minimal comorbidities.

Transfusion-Dependent Anaemia: An Overlooked Complication of Paraoesophageal Hernias.

Introduction. A paraoesophageal hernia (PH) may be one reason for iron-deficiency anaemia (IDA) but is often overlooked as a cause. We aimed to assess the incidence and resolution of transfusion-dependent IDA in patients presenting for hiatal hernia surgery. Methods. We analysed a prospective database of patients undergoing laparoscopic hiatal repair in order to identify patients with severe IDA requiring red cell/iron transfusion. Results. Of 138 patients with PH managed over a 4-year period, 7 patients (5.1%; M : F 2 : 5; median age 62 yrs (range 57-82)) with IDA requiring red cell/iron transfusion were identified. Preoperatively, 3/7 patients underwent repetitive and unnecessary diagnostic endoscopic investigations prior to surgery. Only 2/7 ever demonstrated gastric mucosal erosions (Cameron ulcers). All patients were cured from anaemia postoperatively. Discussion. PH is an important differential diagnosis in patients with IDA, even those with marked anaemia and no endoscopically identifiable mucosal lesions. Early recognition can avoid unnecessary additional diagnostic endoscopies. Laparoscopic repair is associated with low morbidity and results in resolution of anaemia.

Postoperative Dysphagia in laparoscopic paraesophageal hernia repair: the effect of distal esophageal angulation.

BACKGROUND: Dysphagia following laparoscopic paraesophageal hernia repair is an uncommon but difficult problem that may be due to technical factors. We looked for an association between esophageal angulation after posterior crural repair and postoperative dysphagia. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Patients undergoing paraesophageal hiatus hernia repair were identified from a prospectively maintained dedicated database. All patients underwent a standardized laparoscopic repair. Essentially the hernia sac was dissected from the mediastinum, a posterior hiatal repair was carried out with interrupted polyester sutures, and augmented with mesh on lay. A partial posterior fundoplication was then carried out. We used the number of posterior sutures as a proxy for anterior esophageal angulation. Quality-of-life data and dysphagia scores were recorded preoperatively, at 6 weeks postoperatively and 12 months postoperatively using validated instruments. RESULTS: Between November 2004 and September 2010, 114 consecutive patients underwent paraesophageal hiatus hernia repair. There was 1 postoperative death in the series. Median age was 67 years (interquartile range, 59 to 77 y) and 90 (79%) were female. Median hospital stay was 3 days (interquartile range, 2 to 5 y). Follow-up data were available in 87 (76%) of patients at 6 weeks and 94 (82%) of patients at 12 months postoperation. Overall, there was a significant improvement in quality of life that was sustained out to 12 months (P<0.001). Dakkak dysphagia scores were significantly improved postoperatively. Improvement was sustained out to 12 months (P<0.001). Three patients underwent endoscopic esophageal dilation for dysphagia following surgery. There was no significant correlation between the number of posterior sutures used and dysphagia outcome. Specifically there was no association with overall Dakkak scores or change in Dakkak score. CONCLUSIONS: Anterior angulation due to posterior hiatal repair does not result in worsening dysphagia, even in patients with large hiatal defects. A posterior repair should therefore remain the standard approach for hiatal closure.

Laparoscopic reduction of an internal hernia of transverse colon through the foramen of Winslow.

Large bowel obstruction by incarceration in the lesser sac through the foramen of Winslow is exceedingly rare and often associated with nonviable bowel at the time of operation according to older reports. In modern times, widespread availability of computed tomography (CT) for investigation of the acute abdomen may decrease the necessity of bowel resection in these cases. Here, we present a case of laparoscopic reduction of viable transverse colon from the lesser sac in a young woman. With the diagnosis suggested by CT, we were able to approach the case with two five millimeter working ports and 1 optical port, reducing the hernia by means of traction on the distal limb of transverse colon. The patient recovered well and was discharged on day 4 postoperative after bowel movement was achieved. Internal hernia represents one of the few cases in which laparoscopy may be the preferred approach to large bowel obstruction.

Porcine small intestine submucosa matrix (Surgisis) for esophageal perforation.

We present a case of traumatic cervical esophageal perforation complicated by delayed diagnosis and foreign body presence successfully repaired with acellular matrix biomaterial made from porcine submucosa (Surgisis mesh [Wilson-Cook, Winston-Salem, NC]). With metal plating eroding into the esophagus from a spinal fixation procedure, the mesh was applied to the defect just under the cricopharyngeus. The patient re-commenced oral intake after 7 days, and an endoscopy at 4 weeks revealed a well-incorporated mesh in an intact esophagus with normal caliber. In this case, Surgisis mesh (Wilson-Cook) proved effective in providing temporary esophageal integrity to allow healing in an infected field where diversion was impossible.

Prosthesis related sepsis following laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding.

BACKGROUND: Laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding (LAGB) is well-recognized as a superior method to achieving durable weight loss in the medium term when compared with non-surgical methods of weight loss. In this paper, we described the clinical presentation and outcomes of patients presenting with band or band-adjustment reservoir sepsis from our series from a single institution. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective review of prospectively collected clinical, anthropometric and biochemical data from patients who underwent LAGB placement over a five-year period at a metropolitan teaching hospital. Those patients requiring surgical intervention for prosthesis-related sepsis were included in the review. RESULTS: Of the 445 patients in this series, 10 (2.2%) developed prosthesis sepsis and required operative intervention. Three (0.7%) presented with reservoir sepsis requiring removal of the reservoir. One had band erosion identified and the entire prosthesis removed. In seven (1.5%) of the patients, infections occurred at the gastric band. Two patients presented with purulent peritonitis and underwent immediate band removal. The remainder presented with band abscesses and either had their band removed (three patients) or left in position and the sepsis treated with drainage and antibiotics (two patients). CONCLUSIONS: In our current series, a small proportion of LAGB patients developed prosthesis-related infection that typically required port or band removal and usually occurred early in the post-operative course. We have modified our prophylactic antibiotic regime and surgical technique as a result of this review. In selected cases of band infection, bands were salvaged with subsequent acceptable weight loss, suggesting that LAGB salvage in the presence of sepsis may be achievable in some patients.

Cartilage defects are associated with physical disability in obese adults.

OBJECTIVE: To describe the associations between physical disability measures and knee cartilage defects in obese adults. METHODS: One hundred and eleven obese subjects were recruited from laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding or exercise/diet weight loss programmes. All subjects completed disease-specific (WOMAC) and general health status (SF-36) questionnaires, and were assessed for range of knee motion, tibiofemoral alignment and quadriceps strength. Knee cartilage defects were graded on MRI according to established protocol. Regression analysis was adjusted for age, gender, BMI and presence of clinical knee OA. RESULTS: The association between higher whole compartment cartilage defect scores and increasing BMI, age and clinical knee OA was confirmed in this obese cohort (r = 0.27, P = 0.01; r = 0.26, P = 0.007; P < 0.0001, respectively), whereas new associations were found with reduced knee range of motion (r = 0.5, P < 0.0001). No associations were found between defect scores and quadriceps strength. Varus malalignment was associated with higher medial cartilage defect scores (r = 0.33, P = 0.013). Higher levels of pain, stiffness and physical disability (WOMAC, SF-36) were associated with higher medial compartment and patella cartilage defect scores. CONCLUSIONS: Knee cartilage defects increase with increasing obesity and are associated with both objective and self-reported measures of physical disability. Longitudinal studies are required to assess the potential for change or improvement in cartilage defects with weight loss.

Omission of the calibration bougie in laparoscopic repair of paraesophageal hernia.

BACKGROUND: The use of an intraesophageal bougie has traditionally been an integral step in the repair of large hiatal hernia and fundoplication. Typically, the bougie is passed by the anesthesiologist or a member of the surgical team into the stomach to enable calibration of the hiatal repair and fundoplication. An inherent risk of esophagogastric perforation is associated with this maneuver. The authors report their experience comparing symptomatic outcomes for patients who have had a large hiatus hernia repaired with and without the use of a calibration bougie. METHODS: Data were collected prospectively for 28 consecutive patients undergoing elective laparoscopic repair of a paraesophageal hernia. A bougie was used in the first 14 patients. In the next 14 patients, the use of a bougie was omitted. Symptom and quality-of-life data were collected preoperatively and 6 months postoperatively for all the patients. RESULTS: All the patients were satisfied with their symptomatic outcome, as reflected in their postoperative quality-of-life scores. No patients required dilation for postoperative dysphagia. There was no difference in postoperative dysphagia scores between the two groups. CONCLUSION: The current series of consecutively performed laparoscopic paraesophageal hernia repairs showed no benefit in terms of symptomatic outcome associated with the use of an intraesophageal bougie. Currently, the authors' standard practice is to perform laparoscopic repair of the paraesophageal hernia and fundoplication without the aid of a calibration bougie.

Erosion of a composite PTFE/ePTFE mesh after hiatal hernia repair.

Primary repair of large hiatal defects is associated with higher than acceptable recurrence rates. This has led to the increased use of fascial prostheses for reinforcement of the hiatal repair. We report a case of intraluminal mesh erosion after repair of a recurrent paraesophageal hernia with a composite polytetrafluoroethylene/expanded polytetrafluoroethylene prosthesis in an 80-year-old woman. Mesh erosion is a rarely reported complication after hiatal hernia repair, and because many cases will go unreported, their true incidence is unknown. Besides the durability of mesh repair, the ongoing clinical trials investigating laparoscopic correction of hiatal hernias should also focus on the risk of complications associated with the use of prosthetic materials and the mode of fixation.

Influence of BMI on health-related quality of life: comparison between an obese adult cohort and age-matched population norms.

The aim of this study was to determine health-related quality of life and fatigue measures in obese subjects and to compare scores with age- and gender-matched population norms. A total of 163 obese subjects were recruited from laparoscopic-adjustable gastric banding or exercise and diet weight loss programs between March 2006 and December 2007. All subjects completed the Medical Outcomes Study Short Form 36 (SF-36), Assessment of Quality of Life (AQoL), and Multidimensional Assessment of Fatigue (MAF) questionnaires. One-sample t-tests were used to compare transformed scores with age- and gender-matched population norms and controls. Obese subjects have significantly lower SF-36 physical and emotional component scores, significantly lower AQoL utility scores and significantly higher fatigue scores compared to age-matched population norms. Within the study cohort, the SF-36 physical functioning, role physical and bodily pain scores, and AQoL utility index were even lower in subjects with clinical knee osteoarthritis (OA). However, obese individuals without OA still had significantly lower scores compared to population norms. Obesity is associated with impaired health-related quality of life and disability as measured by the SF-36, AQoL, and fatigue score (MAF) compared to matched population norms.

Delayed gadolinium-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging of cartilage: clinical associations in obese adults.

OBJECTIVE: Delayed gadolinium-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of cartilage (dGEMRIC) is used to assess cartilage glycosaminoglycan distribution. Our aim was to determine the relationships between self-reported pain and disability, clinical variables, and serum leptin, and dGEMRIC indices in obese subjects with and without clinical knee osteoarthritis (OA). METHODS: Seventy-seven subjects were recruited from laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding or exercise and diet-weight loss programs. The dGEMRIC index was assessed on MRI according to established protocol. Regression analysis adjusted for age, sex, body mass index (BMI), and presence of clinical knee OA. RESULTS: Mean age and BMI were 51 +/- 12.7 years and 39.6 +/- 6.2 kg/m(2). Twenty-three subjects (30%) had clinical knee OA (American College of Rheumatology criteria). The medial and lateral dGEMRIC indices were 538 +/- 80 ms and 539 +/- 86 ms. Age correlated negatively with medial (r = -0.40, p < 0.001) and lateral (r = -0.29, p = 0.012) dGEMRIC index. Subjects with clinical knee OA had significantly lower medial dGEMRIC index; however, no association was found for BMI. Varus alignment correlated with lower medial dGEMRIC index (r = -0.43, p < 0.006), while quadriceps strength correlated positively with lateral dGEMRIC index (r = 0.32, p = 0.008). There was also a negative correlation between serum leptin and lateral dGEMRIC index in women (r = -0.39, p = 0.035), with a trend in men (r = -0.52, p = 0.08). There were weak associations with physical disability, as self-reported on the WOMAC questionnaire. CONCLUSION: In obese subjects, knee dGEMRIC index was associated with age, clinical knee OA, abnormal tibiofemoral alignment, and quadriceps strength. Longitudinal studies are required to assess the potential for improvement in dGEMRIC index with interventions such as strength training.