A New Reusable Platform for TransAnal Minimally Invasive Surgery: First Experience.

INTRODUCTION: TransAnal Minimally Invasive Surgery (TAMIS) has generated interest and attracted research in the last decade. This approach is used to treat primary benign and malignant diseases, but it can also be adopted to resolve colorectal complications, such as leak and fistula, bleeding and stenosis. A new reusable transanal platform formed by a new port and monocurved instruments has been invented and here presented. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The first experience included 13 patients submitted to TAMIS for rectal adenocarcinoma (8), immediate colorectal leak (1), early rectovaginal fistula (1), late colorectal fistula (1), immediate colorectal bleeding (1), and benign stenosis (1). Mean age was 62.3 years (38-74), and mean BMI was 25.2 kg/m2 (20.5-32.1). RESULTS: Mean operative time for transanal total mesorectal excision (TME) was 149.2 minutes (96-193) and for the other procedures 80.6 minutes (15-163). Mean operative bleeding was 51.1 cc (0-450). Mean hospital stay was 5.0 days (2-8). The 3 patients with coloanal anastomosis presented diarrhea postoperatively. No other early postoperative complications were registered. Pathologic report in the oncologic diseases showed that a mean number of 14.7 nodes (16-20) were removed. After a mean follow-up of 8 months (1-14), there were no late complications in any of the 13 patients treated. CONCLUSION: TAMIS is a feasible alternative approach to treat rectal cancer and a completely new technique to manage colorectal complications. Moreover, this new transanal platform offers surgeons a satisfactory working ergonomy, with no increase in cost of the procedures, because entirely reusable materials are adopted.

Posterior sternoclavicular joint dislocation in a young male: a case report.

The traumatic dislocation of the posterior sternoclavicular joint is a serious injury with possibly severe complications and therefore has to be managed with the greatest caution. We report the case of a young male with a posterior dislocation of the medial clavicle with compression of the brachiocephalic artery as well as the esophagus. Open reduction and placement of a wire cerclage were performed with a good postoperative outcome.

Single-access transumbilical laparoscopic unroofing of a giant hepatic cyst using reusable instruments.

INTRODUCTION: Single-access laparoscopy has garnered growing interest in recent years in an attempt to improve cosmesis, reduce postoperative pain, and minimize abdominal wall trauma. CASE DESCRIPTION: A female patient suffering from a symptomatic giant biliary cyst of the liver segments 4-7-8 was admitted for transumbilical single-access laparoscopic cyst unroofing. The procedure was performed using a standard 11-mm reusable trocar for a 10-mm, 30 degree-angled, rigid scope and curved reusable instruments inserted transumbilically without trocars. Operative time was 90 minutes, and the final incision length was 14 mm. The use of minimal pain medication permitted discharge on the third postoperative day, and after 25 months, the patient remains asymptomatic with a no visible umbilical scar. CONCLUSIONS: Giant biliary cysts can be removed by single-access laparoscopy. Because of this technique, surgeons work in ergonomic positions, and the cost of the procedure remains similar to that of the multitrocar technique. The incision length and the use of pain medication are kept minimal as well.

Implications of bacteriological study in complicated and uncomplicated acute appendicitis.

Purpose: Bacteriological sample in the presence of intraabdominal free fluid is necessary to adapt the antibiotherapy and to prevent the development of resistance. The aim was to evaluate the differences between uncomplicated (UAA) and complicated acute appendicitis (CAA) in terms of bacterial culture results and antibiotic resistance, and to evaluate the factors linked with CAA. Methods: We performed a single-center, retrospective observational study of all consecutive patients who presented with appendicular peritonitis and underwent emergent surgery in a tertiary referral hospital in Brussels, Belgium, between January 2013 and December 2020. The medical history, parameters at admission, bacterial culture, antibiotic resistance, and postoperative outcomes of 268 patients were analyzed. UAA was considered catarrhal or phlegmonous inflammation of the appendix. CAA was considered gangrenous or perforated appendicitis. Results: Positive microbiological cultures were significantly higher in the CAA group (68.2% vs. 53.4%). The most frequently isolated bacteria in UAA and CAA cultures were Escherichia coli (37.9% and 48.6%). Most observed resistances were against ampicillin (28.9% and 21.7%) and amoxicillin/clavulanic acid (16.4% and 10.5%) in UAA and CAA, respectively. A higher Charlson comorbidity index, an elevated white blood cell count, an open procedure, and the need for drainage were linked to CAA. Culture results, group of bacterial isolation, and most common isolated bacteria were not related to CAA. Conclusion: CAA presented a higher rate of positive cultures with increased identification of gram-negative bacteria. Bacterial culture from the peritoneal liquid does not reveal relevant differences in terms of antibiotic resistance.