Laparoscopic surgery for the diagnosis of abdominal effusion in the modern era of imaging - a retrospective study in a low-to-middle-income country.

Intraperitoneal ascites is a consequence or combination of many different underlying diseases. Laparoscopy with peritoneal biopsy is a tool for rapid and accurate diagnosis. Methods: We retrospectively identified patients who could not be diagnosed by clinical examination, laboratory investigations, and imaging tests. Results: A total of 103 (55 male and 48 female) patients were selected. The median age of the study group was 54 years (range 38-64 years). Typical clinical symptoms included fever (58.2%), abdominal pain (56.3%), and digestive disorders (62.1%). Fever and digestive disorders were higher in the peritoneal tuberculosis (TB) group than in the metastatic cancer group [(62.1% vs. 12.5%, P=0.009) and (66.3% vs. 12.5%, P=0.004)]. Abdominal pain was more common in the metastatic cancer group than in the other groups (100% vs. 55.8%, P=0.020). Patients in the TB and chronic inflammation groups had lower red blood cell counts and blood albumin (41 vs. 42, P=0.039) than those in the metastatic cancer group, respectively. The rate of intestinal wall thickening on ultrasound and peritoneal thickening on computed tomography was higher in the cancer group than in the benign group (87.5% vs. 7.4%, P=0.000) (75% vs. 23.2%, P=0.005), respectively. There was no difference in the median peritoneal fluid volume between the two groups (390 vs. 340, P=0.058). Pathological results showed 88.3%, 7.8%, and 3.9% of peritoneal TB, metastatic cancer, and chronic inflammatory lesions, respectively. The median hospital stay did not differ between the two groups (4 vs. 3 days, P=0.051). Both groups of patients had no morbidity or mortality. Conclusion: Unidentified ascites and peritonitis must be difficult for making diagnose by conventional methods. Laparoscopy might be supportive of making a rapid diagnosis and starting early treatment.

Preliminary results of laparoscopic versus open pancreaticoduodenectomy in Vietnam: A retrospective analysis from a multi-center research.

INTRODUCTION: The goal of this study was to compare the results of LPD with those of open pancreaticoduodenectomy (OPD). METHOD: Data were retrospectively collected from a database of patients who underwent PD from January 2010 to May 2020. Intraoperative, postoperative, and follow-up assessment studies were conducted. RESULTS: A total of 149 patients were selected. Compared with OPD, LPD was fewer intraoperative blood transfusions (p = 0.015), a longer median operative time (p < 0.001), hospital stay (p = 0.034), a higher rate of bile leakage (p = 0.02), overall morbidity (p = 0.045), and re-operation (p = 0.044). There was no difference between the two groups in severe pancreatic fistula, postoperative bleeding, delayed gastric emptying, Clavien-Dindo classification ≥ III, or 30-day mortality. LPD had a similar number of excised lymph nodes, R0 resection rate, and long-term survival cases involving malignant tumors, ampulla of Vater cancer, and pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma. CONCLUSION: In the early period, the benefit of LPD has not been found as there was a high rate of conversion to laparotomy, morbidity, and re-operation. Despite that, LPD is a feasible oncological approach with long-term survival comparable to OPD.

Laparoscopic Appendectomy Using the Surgical-Glove Port Through an Umbilical Incision: A Single-Center Retrospective Study.

Background Single-incision laparoscopic appendectomy (SILA) has recently emerged as a promising alternative for the management of acute appendicitis. This study aimed to compare the surgical outcomes of the SILA with those of three laparoscopic appendectomies (TLA) procedures using the existing equipment, the 10-mm laparoscope, and the surgical-glove port method. Methodology Between February 2021 and February 2022, this single-center retrospective study examined 68 patients who underwent laparoscopic appendectomy by a single surgeon. The study excluded patients with severe appendicitis, grade IV-V, following the American Association for the Surgery of Trauma classification. Clinical outcomes were analyzed, including operation time, hospital stay, postoperative pain, and postoperative morbidity. Results There were no statistically significant differences between SILA and TLA patients, respectively, in operation time (37.5 minutes vs. 35 minutes, p = 0.261) and the median duration of hospitalization (three days vs. three days, p = 0.929). There was no difference in the mean visual analog scale score between the two groups on the first day (p = 0.852), second day (p = 0.540), and the day of discharge from the hospital (p = 0.686), as well as return to diet (two days vs. two days, p = 0.053). Two (10%) cases of short-term complications in the SILA group and one (2.1%) case in the TLA group were noted. Conclusions SILA performed through a handmade surgical-glove port is a safe and viable therapy option for mild-to-moderate appendicitis. When the hospital lacks a specialized laparoscopic single-incision surgical system, this technique should be used on patients.

Laparotomy management of diaphragmatic and hollow viscera rupture combined with thoracic endovascular aortic repair after a traffic accident: A case report.

INTRODUCTION: Road traffic incidents are the most common cause of multiple organ trauma in low- and middle-income countries. Multiple blunt intra-abdominal organs that rupture in conjunction with a ruptured aorta are terrible and rare. CASE PRESENTATION: A 65-year-old man sustained critical injuries during a traffic collision between a motorcycle and truck. The Injury Severity Score was 42 points,. After open abdominal exploration, we repaired the left diaphragmatic rupture with a 13-cm-long tear of IV grade (American Association for the Surgery of Trauma), resected partial small bowel, simple suture of the transverse colon, and Hartmann procedure in the descending colon. Thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR) was performed 22 h after laparotomy. Reconstruction of the head depicting a cheekbone fracture and inferior to the left orbital bone was performed on the 14th day. The patients survived and were discharged from the hospital, at 22 days without morbidity or mortality. DISCUSSION: Diaphragmatic rupture provides a signal to relate head, thoracic, and abdominal blunt trauma. If the patient sustains more serious life-threatening injuries that require emergency laparotomy or craniotomy, and aortic repair may be delayed. Laparotomy is the best initial surgical method in this case. TEVAR is a feasible and gold standard procedure for the treatment of patients with the necessary indications. CONCLUSION: It is essential to evaluate the level of organ damage to properly coordinate the specialists. The timing of the operation and therapeutic alternatives should be decided for each patient.

Diagnosis and Treatment of an Undifferentiated Embryonal Sarcoma of the Liver in a 37-Week Pregnant Woman: A Case Report.

PURPOSE: Undifferentiated embryonal sarcoma of the liver (UESL) is a rare malignant lesion in adults. Here, we present an extremely rare case of UESL in a pregnant woman. However, this was the first case, wherein one surgery covered all the procedures needed to be performed, including delivery of the neonate, hysterectomy, and resection of the left liver lobe to ensure the safety of both the mother and the newborn. CASE PRESENTATION: A 32-year-old woman at 37-weeks age of gestation was admitted at Bach Mai Hospital (Hanoi, Vietnam) due to epigastric pain, chest pain, and breathing difficulty. Blood tests showed an increased total alpha-fetoprotein level of 1085 ng/mL. Fetal ultrasound showed a fetal heart rate of 127 beats/minute, biparietal diameter of 92 mm, femur length of 70 mm, and fetal weight of 3287 g. Magnetic resonance imaging indicated a large tumor (12 × 14 × 18 mm) in the left liver, with organ signals increased on T2-weighted and decreased on T1-weighted. The mass was lobulated, developed along a downward pattern, and did not invade the portal vein. The surgeries performed were cesarean section, hysterectomy due to the inelasticity of the uterus, and left hepatectomy to ensure the safety of both the mother and newborn. The operation was performed safely and without any complications, and the patient was discharged from the hospital after 10 days. CONCLUSION: This case report with distinct characteristics has been the first case ever reported in Vietnam, as well as in the literature. We believe that this case report will be useful for the clinical evidence pool and for educational purposes.

Laparoscopic Surgery for Diagnosis and Treatment of Acute Right Upper-Quadrant Abdominal Pain Due to Omental Infarction: A Report of a Rare Case in a Single Vietnamese Hospital.

BACKGROUND Omental infarction (OI) is an infrequent cause of acute abdominal pain, and there is no consensus on whether conservative or surgical treatment should be performed. The clinical manifestations are nonspecific, so many patients are referred for surgery because of acute abdominal signs that may indicate other diseases such as cholecystitis, appendicitis, or peptic ulcer perforation. In most cases, infarction of the greater omentum is diagnosed only during emergency surgery for other diseases of the abdomen. Currently, multisequence computed tomography is performed for acute abdomen, and this disease is increasingly diagnosed preoperatively. CASE REPORT We report on 2 patients who were referred to our Emergency Department for acute abdominal pain. Both were female and middle-aged. The first patient presented with vomiting and right upper-quadrant pain with thickened and right subcostal omental infiltration on computed tomography (CT). The second patient presented with right subcostal pain and fever. CT showed signs of infiltration, thickening of the omentum, and a right upper subcostal mass measuring 22×60 mm. We performed emergency laparoscopic surgery to explore the abdominal cavity. Both patients were discharged after 3 days. CONCLUSIONS Omentum infarction is a rare disease that causes a diagnostic dilemma, as there is a wide spectrum of causes of acute abdomen. Many patients are diagnosed only during surgery. Laparoscopic surgery should be performed as soon as possible.