Transabdominal and retroperitoneal adrenalectomy: comparative study.

BACKGROUND: Laparoscopic adrenalectomy is recognized as the "gold standard" approach for benign adrenal tumors. The majority of surgeons opt for laparoscopic transabdominal adrenalectomies (LTA), while retroperitoneoscopic adrenalectomies (RPA) in the prone position have certain advantages for patients. The aim of this study was to compare the effectiveness and safety of the transabdominal and retroperitoneoscopic laparoscopic adrenalectomies. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Between 2000 and 2021, our clinic performed 472 laparoscopic adrenalectomies. The age ranged from 19 to 79 years, with a mean age of 50.5 ± 10.2 years. The patient pool consisted of 315 women and 157 men. Tumor sizes ranged from 1 to 10 cm. RESULTS: In a study of 316 patients undergoing LTA versus 156 with RPA, the TLA averaged 82.5 min (70-98), while the RPA took 56.4 min (46-62) (P < 0.001). Intraoperative blood loss was 110 cc for the LTA group and 80 cc for the RPA group (P < 0.05) Conversion rates stood at 2.5% for transabdominal and 4.5% for retroperitoneoscopic procedures (P = 0.254). At 24 h post-operation, pain scores were 3.6 and 1.6, respectively (P < 0.001). Time to resume solid oral intake was 15.2 h for TLA and 8 h for RPA, with hospital stays at 4.5 days and 3 days respectively (P < 0.001). Short-term complications occurred in 8.9% of transabdominal and 12.2% of retroperitoneoscopic patients (P = 0.257). CONCLUSIONS: For small tumors, RPA offers advantages over the transabdominal method in surgery time, blood loss, post-op pain, and recovery. These benefits are enhanced for patients with prior abdominal surgeries. However, large tumors present challenges in the retroperitoneal approach due to limited space and anatomical orientation. If complications emerge, surgeons can seamlessly switch to the LTA.

Intraoperative indocyanine green angiography for predicting postoperative hypoparathyroidism.

BACKGROUND: Postoperative hypocalcemia is a common complication of thyroidectomy. This problem is most often associated with accidental devascularization or excision of the parathyroid glands (PG). AIM: Aim was to study near-infrared (NIR) fluorescent imaging with intraoperative PG indocyanine green (ICG) angiography to help identify and preserve PG during total thyroidectomy in order to avoid postoperative hypocalcemia. MATERIAL AND METHODS: From 2017 to 2022, a total of 92 patients underwent total thyroidectomy at Odessa Regional Hospital. Indications for surgery were multinodular goiter (n = 42), thyroid cancer (n = 43), and Graves' disease (n = 7). By randomization all patients were divided into two groups: in the control group, 48 patients underwent standard total thyroidectomy, and in the main group, 44 patients underwent NIR-assisted total thyroidectomy with ICG angiography. Serum calcium and parathyroid hormone levels were compared between the two groups of patients in 1, 7-15 days after surgery and then 3, 6 months later. RESULTS: In the control group, based on a visual assessment of the PG, autotransplantation of the PG was conducted in only five cases. In the second group, autotransplantation was performed in 16 patients. The transient postoperative hypocalcemia was observed in 8 patients of the control group (16, 70%) and in the 2 patients of ICG group (4, 50%) on 5-10 postoperative days. In the first group, 2 patients at 3 months after surgery had permanent hypocalcaemia. CONCLUSION: NIR fluorescent imaging with intraoperative PG ICG angiography is a safe and an easily repeatable method. This technique provides improved detecting and assessment of the perfusion of the PG. The need for autotransplantation of the PG can be determined more objectively using ICG imaging than simple visualization.

Laparoscopic management of large hiatal hernia: mesh method with the use of ProGrip mesh versus standard crural repair.

BACKGROUND: Primary repair of large hiatal hernia is associated with a high recurrence rate. The use of mesh can lead to a reduce of recurrence rate. Despite this reduction, the type of mesh used and the placement technique are controversial. In our study, we used a new type of non-absorbable, self-fixating mesh to reinforce the cruroplasty. The aim of the present study was to compare the long-term results of laparoscopic treatment of large hiatal hernia with mesh reinforcement versus simple crura repair. METHODS: This study was performed on 98 gastroesophageal reflux disease patients who underwent Nissen fundoplication with mesh-augmented crura repair and fundoplication with standard crura repair. We used non-absorbable laparoscopic self-fixating mesh by ProGrip™. All patients were separated into the mesh group (n = 50) and non-mesh group (n = 48). The groups were evaluated according to the following criteria: dysphagia, patients' symptomatic outcome judgment according to The Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease-Health Related Quality of Life (GERD-HRQL) questionnaire and patients' satisfaction, hiatal hernia recurrence according to upper endoscopy and a barium contrast swallow study. Follow-up was completed in 95 (97%) patients with a mean follow-up duration of 54 months (range 12-62 months). RESULTS: Mean operative time was not significantly different (p = 0.30302). During the 48 months of follow-up, one recurrence occurred in the mesh group and eight recurrences appeared in the non-mesh group (p = 0.027). Patient satisfaction was significantly higher in the mesh group (p = 0.004). The mesh group had a more significant improvement in GERD-HRQL score (p < 0.0001) compared to the non-mesh group. CONCLUSION: In conclusion, this study confirms that laparoscopic repair of large hiatal hernias is effective and durable over a long period of time. Reinforcement of crura repair with ProGrip™ mesh is safe and can prevent anatomical recurrences.