Minimally Invasive Extended Totally Extraperitoneal Versus Transabdominal Retromuscular Ventral Hernia Mesh Repair: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Introduction: Minimally invasive surgery for ventral hernia repair (MIS-VHR) with mesh in retromuscular plane can be performed by either transabdominally (TA-RM) or via enhanced view totally extraperitoneal approach (eTEP). Although both techniques offer the mesh extension in the best anatomical space, closure of hernia defect, avoidance of traumatic fixation, the superiority of one approach over another is not established. This systematic review and meta-analysis were set up to analyze safety and efficacy of eTEP in comparison with TA-RM. Materials and Methods: Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA) framework was used as guideline to conduct systematic search of literature. Studies that provided comparative data of MIS-VHR using eTEP versus TA-RM were identified. Primary outcomes were major complications. These were defined as grade III-IV according to Clavien-Dindo classification. Secondary outcomes included: surgical site infection (SSI) rates, seroma rates, surgical site occurrence requiring procedural intervention (SSOPI), minor complications (Clavien-Dindo grade I-II), intraoperative complications, recurrence rate, postoperative ileus, duration of surgery, postoperative pain. Random- and fixed-effects models of statistical analysis were used. Risk difference (RD) was computated for binary outcomes (major and minor complications, SSI, seroma, SSOPI, recurrence, ileus) with 95% confidence intervals. I2 test was used to assess statistical heterogeneity. Risk of bias assessment was performed using Newcastle-Ottawa framework. Results: There were 3 observational studies that enrolled 370 participants. In the eTEP group there were 166 patients and, in the TA-RM group there were 204 patients. There was no significant RD with regard to major complications (RD -0.02 [-0.06 to 0.02], test for overall effect: Z = 0.86 [P = .39]). There was no significant RD in occurrence of minor complications, SSI, seroma, SSOPI, recurrence, ileus. Conclusions: Both eTEP and TA-RM were found to have equal safety profile. Further high-quality studies evaluating patient reported outcomes and late recurrence may be useful. PROSPERO registration number: CRD42023429160.

Systematic review and meta-analysis comparing ventral hernia repair using minimally-invasive extended totally extraperitoneal repair versus intraperitoneal onlay mesh repair.

BACKGROUND: This systematic review and meta-analysis analysed was set up to compare totally extraperitoneal mesh repair (TEP) and intraperitoneal onlay mesh placement (IPOM) in patients undergoing minimally invasive ventral hernia mesh surgery (MIS-VHMS). METHODS: A systematic literature searches of three major databases were conducted according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA) guidelines to identify studies that compared two techniques of MIS-VHMS: TEP and IPOM. Primary outcome of interest was major complications post-operatively, defined as a composite outcome of surgical-site occurrences requiring procedural intervention (SSOPI), readmission to hospital, recurrence, reoperation or death. Secondary outcomes were intraoperative complications, duration of surgery, surgical site occurrence (SSO), SSOPI, postoperative ileus, post-operative pain. The risk of bias was assessed using Cohranes Risk of Bias tool 2 for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and Newcastle-Ottawa score for observational studies (OSs). RESULTS: Five OSs and two RCTs al including total number of 553 patients were included. There was no difference in primary outcome (RD 0.00 [-0.05, 0.06], p=0.95), incidence of postoperative ileus. Operative time was longer in TEP (MD 40.10 [27.28, 52.91], p<0.01). TEP was found to be associated with less postoperative pain at 24h and 7days after surgery. CONCLUSIONS: Both TEP and IPOM were detected to have equal safety profile and do not differ in SSO or SSOPI rates, incidence of postoperative ileus. TEP has longer operative time but provides better early postoperative pain outcomes. Further high-quality studies with long follow up evaluating recurrence and patient reported outcomes are needed. Comparison of other transabdominal and extraperitoneal MIS-VHMS techniques is another direction of future research. PROSPERO registration: CRD4202121099.

Prolonged thromboprophylaxis with rivaroxaban after bariatric interventions: single centre experience.

BackgroundVenous thromboembolism (VTE) is common after bariatric surgery and extended prophylaxis is generally recommended. Low molecular weight heparin is the most commonly used agent but requires patients to be trained to self-inject and is expensive. Rivaroxaban is an oral daily formulation approved for VTE prophylaxis after orthopedic surgery. Efficacy and safety of rivaroxaban has been confirmed in major gastrointestinal resections by several observational studies. We report a single centre experience of using rivaroxaban as an agent for VTE prophylaxis in bariatric surgery. MethodsWe performed prospective cohort study assessing safety and efficacy of rivaroxaban as a medication for VTE prophylaxis in patients undergoing bariatric surgery in a single centre in Kyiv, Ukraine. Patients undergoing major bariatric procedure received perioperative prophylaxis of VTE with subcutaneous low molecular weight heparin and then were switched to rivaroxaban for total of 30 days starting on the 4th postoperative day. Thromboprophylaxis was performed in accordance with the VTE risks derived from the Caprini score. On the 3rd, 30th, 60th day after the operation, the patients underwent ultrasound examination of the portal vein, as well as the veins of the lower extremities. Telephone interviews were conducted 30 and 60 days after the surgery to evaluate the presence of complaints which may be characteristic for VTE as well as to assess compliance with the regimen and to assess patient satisfaction. Outcomes studies were incidence of VTE and adverse events related to rivaroxaban administration.Results110 patients were included in the study from July 2019 to May 2021. The average age of the patients was 43.6 years, the average preoperative BMI was 55 (35 to 75). One hundred and seven patients (97.3%) underwent laparoscopic intervention while three patients (2.7%) underwent laparotomy. Eighty-four patients underwent sleeve gastrectomy and twenty-six patients underwent other procedures, including bypass surgery. Average calculated risk of thromboembolic event was 5-6% based on Caprine index. All patients were treated with extended prophylaxis with rivaroxaban. The average follow-up period for patients was 6 months. There were no clinical or radiological evidence of thromboembolic complications in the study cohort. Overall complication rate was 7.2%, however, only one patient (0.9%) developed subcutaneous hematoma associated with rivaroxaban not requiring intervention. ConclusionExtended postoperative prophylaxis with rivaroxaban is safe and effective in preventing thromboembolic complications in patients undergoing bariatric surgery. It is preferred by patients and further studies should be considered to further evaluate its use in bariatric surgery.

Systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials evaluating the effect of the level of ligation of inferior mesenteric artery on functional outcomes in rectal cancer surgery.

BACKGROUND: This systematic review and meta-analysis studied the role of high (HL) versus low (LL) inferior mesenteric artery (IMA) ligation on genitourinary and defecatory dysfunction in patients who had undergone resection for rectal cancer (RC). METHODS: A systematic literature search of four major databases was conducted according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA) guidelines. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) comparing HL and LL of IMA in RC surgery were identified. Those studies that looked at genitourinary or defecatory dysfunction were included. Random-effects modeling to summarize statistics was performed. The risk of bias was assessed using Cochrane's Risk-of-Bias tool 2. RESULTS: Three RCTs were included. There was clinical heterogeneity with regard to cancer stage and location as well as operative techniques and adjuvant treatments. Functional outcomes (FO) that were reported by at least two studies were International Consultation on Incontinence Questionnaire (ICIQ), International Index for Erectile Function (IIEF), Jorge-Wexner incontinence score (J-W). Difference was observed in ICIQ at 9 months after surgery favoring LL (standard mean difference: - 0.66; 95% confidence intervals (CI): - 0.92, - 0.40; P = 0.37; I 2 = 0%). Difference was also observed in IIEF at 9 months favoring LL (mean difference: 7.43; CI: 1.86, 13.00; P = 0.16; I 2 = 50%). CONCLUSIONS: Although our study has demonstrated the superiority of LL in genitourinary function preservation, these results should be taken with consciousness due to significant heterogeneity between included studies, small sample size, and potential bias. More high-quality studies are needed. PROSPERO: CRD4202121099  https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/display_record.php?ID=CRD42021210998.

Implementation of extended prolonged venous thromboembolism prophylaxis with rivaroxaban after major abdominal and pelvic surgery - overview of safety and early outcomes.

<b>Purpose: </b>Venous thromboembolism (VTE) after colorectal surgery is a well-documented complication, resulting in a general recommendation of extended post-discharge prophylaxis. Rivaroxaban, a factor Xa inhibitor, is a daily tablet approved for treatment of VTE and prophylaxis after orthopedic surgery. <br><b>Aim: </b>The purpose of this study is to evaluate the safety of rivaroxaban for extended prophylaxis after major abdominal and pelvic surgery. <br><b>Methods: </b>This is a retrospective review of patients undergoing major colorectal surgery at a regional hospital in Kiev, Ukraine. Patients received peri-operative VTE prophylaxis with subcutaneous heparin and then transitioned to rivaroxaban for a total of 30 days. Occurrences of major or minor bleeding, blood transfusion, and a need for re-intervention were noted. Phone surveys were administered on post-operative day 30 to assess compliance and satisfaction with the regimen. <br><b>Results: </b>A total of 51 patients were included in the study with an average age of 62.4 years. Seventy-one percent of the cases were abdominal, 29% were pelvic cases and 59% were done laparoscopically. There was one episode of major intra-abdominal bleeding requiring return to the operating room. There were 2 minor bleeding episodes which did not require intervention. There were no VTE events in the group. The phone survey response rate was 100%. All but one patient reported having completed the full course of rivaroxaban. Patients reported that oral prophylaxis was easy to adhere to and preferable compared to injections. <br><b>Conclusion: </b>Implementation of extended prophylaxis with rivaroxaban is easy, safe and does not increase rates of postoperative bleeding.

Safety analysis of endoscopic haemostasis using a high-frequency live tissue electric welding device - EKVZ300 PATONMED.

INTRODUCTION: The method of a bipolar high-frequency welding (HFEW) of soft living tissues of animals and humans has been used in various areas of surgery. However, it has not been utilized in endoscopic gastrointestinal procedures yet. HFEW has strong potential to be used in gastrointestinal endoscopic procedures due to the competitive cost of generator devices and due to its proven ability to coagulate vessels of wide diameter as compared to standard electrocautery devices. AIM: To investigate the effectiveness of the endoscopic haemostasis using HFEW generator device - 300 PATONMED - in a porcine model of arterial gastrointestinal bleeding. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A porcine model of arterial gastrointestinal bleeding was created. A 300 PATONMED set to the "welding" regime and a flexible 7 Fr bipolar coagulation probe with two electrodes on the tip fashioned spirally attached to convey energy were tested. Once bleeding from the artery had been initiated, the bipolar probe was applied to coagulate the bleeding site. Animals were observed for clinical evidence of recurrent bleeding and subsequently were euthanised for histological examination. RESULTS: A total of 10 experiments were successfully completed. An optimal haemostatic effect was achieved with durations of cautery of five to eight seconds in all animals. Continuous observation after haemostasis revealed no evidence of re-bleeding. No systemic side-effects of the technique were observed. Histological examination has shown that the peripheral thermal injury area that surrounded the coagulation zone did not spread beyond the mucosal layer in depth and 2 mm in width. CONCLUSIONS: This animal study provided evidence for the safety of an HFEW in the treatment of gastrointestinal bleeding. The advantages of this technology are smokeless operative area, no tissue overheating, minimal necrosis and damage to surrounding gastric tissue, and the fact that the area of HFEW is confined to the area of the electrodes.

Post-ERCP pancreatitis: Pathophysiology, early identification and risk stratification.

Acute pancreatitis is the most common and feared complication of endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP). The aim of the study was to review the current knowledge on the nomenclature, etiology, pathophysiology, clinical presentation, diagnostic workup, and risk stratification of post-ERCP pancreatitis (PEP). A structured search in PubMed and Scopus databases was performed using search terms related to the subject of diagnosis, pathophysiology, risk stratification of post-ERCP pancreatitis, including full text articles and abstracts in the English language. Several causes, operating both at a local and systemic level, might play an important role in the pathogenesis of PEP. Different patient-related risk factors can help predict post-ERCP pancreatitis; diagnosis depends on clinical presentation, imaging and laboratory investigations. As an outpatient procedure, post-ERCP pancreatitis may be safe in a selected group of low-risk patients. Further investigation of the etio-pathogenesis of post-ERCP pancreatitis is required in order to improve diagnosis and treatment. Early identification and severity stratification of post-ERCP pancreatitis greatly affects the patient's outcome. There is still controversy concerning the risk factors related to PEP. More studies are needed to clarify early and definite diagnosis, risk and severity stratification, as well as treatment of post-ERCP pancreatitis.

Heart rate variability during two sequential mountaineering expeditions.

This study was undertaken to assess the duration of altitude acclimatization retention in individuals after initial exposure to a maximum altitude of 5360 m during a mountaineering expedition. Spectral heart rate variability analysis accompanied by an assessment of acute mountain sickness using the Lake Louise Scoring System was performed during two sequential mountaineering expeditions to altitudes of 5360 m and 5642 m, with a period of 30 days between each expedition. Subjects displayed varying degrees of alterations in heart rate variability during the initial expedition, which indicated differing degrees of dysadaptation and stress development. Their Lake Louise Scores accounted for the presence of acute mountain sickness throughout the trip. During the subsequent expedition, the subjects' heart rate variability measures were within the normal range, and there were no signs of acute mountain sickness. All three subjects who underwent step-by-step exposure to altitudes of 5360 m displayed differing degrees of alterations in heart rate variability in conjunction with differing degrees of acute mountain sickness. All subjects also developed acclimatization to hypoxic conditions at this altitude, which was preserved for 30 days, and was sufficient to prevent them from showing any significant alterations in heart rate variability when re-exposed to the same altitude.