Stopgap Measures for Obesity Prior to Surgery.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: The data on preventive measures for managing obesity prior to surgery is limited. This review highlights the role of stopgap measures for managing obesity before surgery. RECENT FINDINGS: Body weight regulation to achieve sustainable weight loss is a gradual process. Regular aerobic exercises, transformative yoga and restrained eating can contribute to a calorie deficit. Behavioural strategies aim to raise awareness, set goals, manage stress, and support adherence to healthier lifestyles. Pharmacotherapy can be adjunctive in inducing weight loss but could be better at maintaining weight. Intragastric balloon and endoscopic sleeve gastroplasty are restrictive procedures for patients before surgery. Obesity is a multifaceted chronic disease with adverse health consequences. There is a need to identify contributors to weight gain and treatment should target the cause of obesity. Utilize stop-gap measures and monitor progress for step-up or more intensive treatment. Structured weight loss needs lifelong commitment.

Assessment of pancreatic ductal stone density on non-contrast computed tomography for predicting the outcome of extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy.

Background and study aims The utility of stone density at non-contrast computed tomography (NCCT) for predicting the effectiveness of extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL) in chronic calcific pancreatitis (CCP) is relatively unexplored. Patients and methods This was a prospective observational study of patients with CCP. Hounsfield units (HU) were determined for the largest pancreatic ductal stone during pretreatment NCCT. All patients underwent ESWL until the largest stone was fragmented to <3mm, followed by endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) for stone extraction. The predictive factors following ESWL for successful stone extraction were studied and the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve determined the HU optimal cut-point. Results Eighty-two patients with a median (interquartile range) age of 36 years (range, 29-55); majority male 45 (54.9%), were included. Idiopathic CCP was noted in 78 patients (95.1%). The median stone density (SD) was 1095 HU (range, 860.7-1260.7) and the number of ESWL sessions was 2 (range, 2-3). Complete stone removal at index ERCP was achieved in 55 patients (67.1%). Those with partial clearance (n=27) needed a repeat ERCP, which was successful in 26 (96.3%); one patient (3.7%) underwent surgery. There was a significant, positive correlation between number of ESWL sessions and SD (r=0.797; P <0.001). On bivariate analysis, SD and the number of ESWL sessions revealed a significant association with complete ductal clearance. The optimal cut-point for complete stone removal by the ROC curve was 1106.5 HU (Youden index 0.726), with a sensitivity of 93% and a specificity of 80%. Conclusions The SD is a significant predictor of ESWL success followed by ductal clearance at ERCP, and <1106.5 HU is a predictor of good candidates for ESWL therapy.

Comparison of diagnostic outcomes, safety, and cost of Franseen-tip 19G versus 22G needles for endoscopic ultrasound-guided liver biopsies.

Background and study aims Favorable outcomes were noted with refinement in newer endoscopic ultrasound-guided liver biopsy (EUS-LB) needle tips. Still, the overall usefulness and benefit are yet to be well explored. Patients and methods This was a retrospective analysis of patients with EUS-LB (Franseen-tip 19G versus 22G FNB needle) over 2 years. EUS-LB was obtained in a one-pass, two-actuation, modified wet suction technique. Diagnostic yield, fragmentation rate, aggregate specimen length (AL), number of complete portal tracts (CPT), length of longest intact core (LIC), adverse events (AEs) (early), and cost of the procedure (1USD = 82 INR) were compared. Results Fifty-four patients (33 [61.1%], female) successfully underwent EUS-LB with a median age of 46 years (interquartile range [IQR] 34-54); the majority 32 (59.2%) underwent 19G biopsies. There was a significantly increased median (IQR) AL in the 19G compared with 22G (20 mm [19-21] vs. 15 [14-15], P < 0.001), respectively. Similarly, significantly lengthier median LIC and CPT were seen, respectively. A nonsignificant diagnostic yield was noted (100% vs. 90.9%, P = 0.082), respectively. The fragmentation rate was higher in 22G FNB needles (36.4% [95% CI 16-56] vs. 12.5% [95% CI 1-24], respectively; P = 0.038). Seven patients (12.9%) had mild AEs with no difference between groups. The average procedure cost with 19G was INR 63000 (768$), and with 22G needle was INR 54500 (664$). Conclusions The Franseen-tip 19G outperforms 22G with a significantly lower fragmentation rate, longer AL, LIC, and a higher number of CPT with a marginal increase in the procedure cost, without any difference in diagnostic yield and safety.

Advances in the Management of Pain in Chronic Pancreatitis.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: The data on recent advances in managing chronic pancreatitis (CP) pain is limited. This review highlights the role of endotherapy and the advances in the overall management of pain in CP. RECENT FINDINGS: Of late, pancreatic biodegradable stents have been used in endotherapy with appreciable success. These include slow, medium, and fast degrading stents, which optimize the overall management of CP and could prevent the need for multiple procedures. Endoscopic ultrasound-guided celiac plexus block is reserved in selected patients to treat debilitating pain. Total pancreatectomy with islet autotransplantation in small duct disease has shown promising results. The indications for treating pain in CP with endoscopy and surgery need to be better defined. The complexity of pain control due to the incomplete understanding of pathomorphology makes the management of CP challenging. The current treatment methods are still evolving. Therapy aims to reduce pain, optimize recovery, maintain quality of life, and meet postoperative needs. Initial management includes lifestyle modification, nutrition optimization, risk factor reduction with abstinence from alcohol, cessation of tobacco and smoking. Supportive medical management involves the judicial use of analgesics, neuromodulators, antioxidants, pancreatic enzyme replacement for insufficiency, and diabetes management. Patients with intractable pain are ideal for therapeutic intervention. Being less invasive with an acceptable complication rate makes endotherapy the preferred first-line treatment. If found to be cost-effective, biodegradable stents can reduce the overall cost. Unfortunately, if patients remain symptomatic, surgery is preferred in case of failure or recurrence. For optimal results, appropriate patient selection is vital to maximizing outcomes.

Usefulness of endoscopic ultrasound in children with pancreatobiliary and gastrointestinal symptoms.

Background and study aims Endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) is useful in diagnosing and treating childhood pancreatobiliary and gastrointestinal diseases. However, there are limited data on its effectiveness for various indications. Patients and methods This was a retrospective analysis of prospectively collected data of patients who underwent EUS for upper gastrointestinal tract disorders from January 2018 to December 2020 to assess its indications, findings, interventions, and complications. Results Ninety-two procedures were performed in 85 children, (70.5 % male; mean [SD] age 12.1 years [3.9] years) with a mean (SD) symptom duration of 1.1 (0.5) years. The procedures were technically successful in all patients. The primary indication for EUS was abdominal pain in 45(52.9%) and jaundice/cholangitis in 15 patients (17.6 %). General anesthesia was used in 12 (13 %) and TIVA in 80 patients (87 %). The most common diagnostic findings were choledocholithiasis in 21 (24.7 %) and cholelithiasis in 12 patients (14.1 %). Among interventions, EUS-guided cystogastrostomy for pancreatic pseudocyst was done in four patients (4.7 %), and EUS-guided rendezvous for failed ERCP in one patient (1.2 %) with cholangitis. There were no immediate post-procedural complications. Overall, EUS had a meaningful impact on the subsequent clinical management in 69 cases (81.2 %). Conclusions EUS in the pediatric population is safe, effective, and has a meaningful impact in appropriately selected cases. It can act as a rescue in major therapeutic procedures, but adequate care should be taken at the procedural level and during anesthesia.

Perineal urethrostomy stenosis repair with buccal mucosa: description of technique and report of four cases.

Perineal urethrostomy stenosis can be a difficult problem to treat, especially in patients with balanitis xerotica obliterans. We have devised a technique of using the buccal mucosa, with the idea of forming a composite stoma comprising skin and buccal mucosa. We describe the technique and short-term results in 4 patients.

Laparoscopy-assisted reconstruction of a long-segment ureteral stricture using reconfigured ileal segment: application of the Yang Monti principle.

We report the first laparoscopy-assisted replacement of the ureter with an ileal segment reconfigured by using the Yang Monti principle. We performed this surgery in a patient with a long segment right lower ureteral stricture from a nonspecific cause. The initial dissection of the colon and the ureter was done laparoscopically. The bowel was identified and delivered through a 3.5 cm midline infraumbilical incision. The bowel segment was isolated and reconfigured extracorporeally. The bowel was placed back in the peritoneal cavity, and the ureteroileal and the ileovesical anastomosis were performed using the laparoscopic intracorporeal suturing technique. The patient had an uneventful postoperative recovery. The ileal segment showed good patency on early follow-up.

Laparoscopy-assisted ileal ureter creation for multiple tuberculous strictures: report of two cases.

We describe in detail the technique of laparoscopy-assisted ileal ureter creation for multiple tuberculous ureteral strictures in two patients. The proximal anastomosis included an ileocalicostomy in the first patient and an ileopyelostomy in the second patient. The first patient had bowel entrapment behind the mesentery of the ileal loop, but the second patient had an uneventful postoperative recovery. Short-term follow-up showed good patency of the ileal loop. The variations in the technique that can cause postoperative problems are discussed, and the future of this technique is postulated.

Laparoscopic extravesical ureteral reimplantation in adults using intracorporeal freehand suturing: report of two cases.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Laparoscopic extravesical neoureterocystostomy is an infrequently described technique in adults. It is a technically demanding procedure, especially when the intracorporeal freehand suturing technique is used. Our aim is to describe two cases where we used the intracorporeal freehand suturing technique successfully for performing laparoscopic extravesical transperitoneal ureteral reimplantation. We describe the preliminary results of these cases. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We performed this surgery in two female patients. The first patient had a low ureterovaginal fistula after abdominal hysterectomy. We performed a laparoscopic extravesical neoureterocystostomy by the refluxing technique. The second patient had a lower-third ureteral stricture. We performed a laparoscopic extravesical neoureterocystostomy with detrusorrhaphy and supported it with a psoas hitch. RESULTS: The average surgical time was 235 minutes. The average blood loss was 50 mL. The average stay was 48 hours, and the average time to starting oral intake was 12 hours. The average requirement for postoperative analgesia was one injection of diclofenac sodium, followed by oral ibuprofen. Follow-up urography showed good clearance of the kidney and ureter. The second patient, in whom the detrusorrhaphy was performed, did not show any reflux on the postoperative cystogram. CONCLUSION: Laparoscopic extravesical neoureterocystostomy using intracorporeal freehand suturing technique, combining detrusorrhaphy and psoas hitch, is a feasible procedure in adults for various indications. The detrusorrhaphy was effective in preventing reflux, but the long-term results need to be evaluated.

Laparoscopic pyelolithotomy--a technique for the management of stones in the ectopic pelvic kidney.

We present our preliminary experience with the technique of laparoscopic pyelolithotomy for ectopic pelvic kidney calculi. This surgery has low morbidity and is ideally suited for the ectopic pelvic kidney with a laterally or anteriorly directed pelvis.

Transurethral resection of prostrate and suprapubic ballistic vesicolithotrity for benign prostatic hyperplasia with vesical calculi.

Bladder calculi associated with benign prostatic hyperplasia are fairly common, and a popular treatment is transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP) with endoscopic lithotripsy as a combined procedure. We have been routinely using a Reuter's suprapubic trocar and cannula for continuous irrigation during TURP for medium-size and large glands. Rather than performing the vesicolithotripsy per urethra, we have found it easier and faster to use the suprapubic route, especially because the suprapubic tract was already partly made by the Reuter's trocar and half sheath. We describe the technique in detail and explain why we find it easier to extract the stone by the suprapubic rather than the urethral route.