Oversewing the Staple Line: Does It Safe to Prevent Leakage?

Introduction: The staple line (SL) leak remains one of the most serious complications after laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG). The present study aims to determine whether reinforcing the SL with sutures is effective in maintaining tissue integrity. Materials and Methods: LSG Specimens of 60 patients were ex vivo studied. The specimens were divided into three groups: In group 1, the entire SL was reinforced, while the upper half part of the SL was reinforced from fundus to antrum in group 2. The SL was not reinforced in group 3. Then, the pressure inside the sample was increased, and the bursting pressure location and pressure value during the bursting were recorded. Results: The bursting pressure was significantly higher in entire and half oversewed SL groups than the none reinforced group (group 1: 115 mmHg [95-170]; group 2: 95 mmHg [80-120]; group 3: 40 mmHg [22-60], respectively, [P < .001]). The most common site of bursting was in the middle ⅓ of SL (35, 53.8%), followed by the proximal ⅓ part of SL (18, 27.7%), and the distal ⅓ part of SL (12, 18.5%), respectively. The bursting site was significantly more frequent in the corpus than the other parts of the SL (P = .013). Conclusion: Reinforcing the SL with sutures preserves tissue integrity. Although bursting was most frequently observed in the corpus region ex vivo, the fact that almost all real-life leaks develop in the area close to the Angle of His. This situation suggests that strengthening the suture line with reinforcement alone will not be protective enough against leaks in the fundus line, and factors such as tissue ischemia may be considered.

Safety and efficacy of laparoscopic colectomy in low volume centre following effective laparoscopic training. Retrospective cohort study.

The use of minimally invasive surgery in colon cancers is becoming widespread and developing day by day Laparoscopic right hemicolectomy (LRHC) with complete mesocolic excision is gradually becoming the standard oncological surgical principle for right hemicolectomy. The aim of our study was to evaluate the safety and efficacy of laparoscopic right hemicolectomy in a small-volume center. METHODS: Clinical outcomes were analyzed in a study comparing laparoscopic right hemicolectomy with conventional right hemicolectomy. By standardizing laparoscopic right hemicolectomy in our center, data on patient characteristics, surgical details, tumor, lymph node, and metastasis stage (TNM), postoperative recovery, and survival were retrieved and analyzed from retrospective databases. RESULTS: Patients underwent open (n. 63) and laparoscopic (n. 51) right hemicolectomies in our units. In the laparoscopic group, the rate of conversion to open was 5.8%, and there was no mortality for 30 days. In the open group, the first-month mortality was 6.3%, and the rate of complications was 15.9%. The mean age of the patients in the laparoscopic group (65.7±13.46) was statistically significantly higher than that of the open group 60.49±12.67) (p=0.042). Operation time was 147.53±57 minutes in the laparoscopic group and 132.84±34 minutes in the open batch, and there was no statistically significant difference between them. Significant correlations were found between stage and cancer subgroup information (p=0.001). Adenocarcinoma (42%) and mucinous (43.8%) type cancers were found more frequently in patients with stage III, while signet ring cancers were more common (100%) in stage IV patients. CONCLUSIONS: LRHC and laparoscopic conventional right hemicolectomy offered similar oncologic outcomes for right colon cancers in small volume centers. LRHC can be performed safely, and sufficient laparoscopic experience is essential for it to be considered the gold standard procedure. With an improved standard technique and systematic learning method, patient safety and surgical results can be achieved as successfully as in the open surgical approach. KEY WORDS: Colorectal cancer, Intracorporeal anastomosis, Right laparoscopic hemicolectomy, Side-to-side anastomosis.

Comparison of open and laparoscopic gastrectomy for gastric cancer: a low volume center experience.

OBJECTIVES: In gastric cancer, laparoscopic gastrectomy is commonly performed in Asian countries. In other regions where tumor incidence is relatively low and patient characteristics are different, developments in this issue have been limited. In this study, we aimed to compare the early results for patients who underwent open or laparoscopic gastrectomy for gastric cancer in a low volume center. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed the data of patients who underwent curative gastric resection (open gastrectomy n: 30; laparoscopic gastrectomy n: 30) by the same surgical team between 2014 and 2019. RESULTS: The tumor was localized in 60% (36/60) of the patients in the proximal and middle 1/3 stomach. In laparoscopic gastrectomy group, the operation time was significantly longer (median, 297.5 vs 180 minutes; p <0.05). In open gastrectomy group, intraoperative blood loss (median 50 vs 150 ml; p <0.05) was significantly higher. Tumor negative surgical margin was achieved in all cases. Although the mean number of lymph nodes harvested in laparoscopic gastrectomy group was higher than the open surgery group, the difference was not statistically significant (28.2 ± 11.48 vs 25.8 ± 9.78, respectively; p= 0.394). The rate of major complications (Clavien-Dindo ≥ grade 3) was less common in the laparoscopic group (6.7% vs 16.7%; p= 0.642). Mortality was observed in four patients (2 patients open, 2 patients laparoscopic). CONCLUSION: In low-volume centers with advanced laparoscopic surgery experience, laparoscopic gastrectomy for gastric cancer can be performed with the risk of morbidity-mortality similar to open gastrectomy.

Distal spread and tumor regression patterns following preoperative chemoradiotherapy in rectal cancer patients

Background/aim/AIM: This study aimed to evaluate the regression pattern with the distal intramural spread (DIS) of rectum cancer after preoperative chemoradiation. Materials and methods: Specimens from 56 patients who underwent radical resection after preoperative chemoradiation for rectal cancer were examined. The regression pattern (total, fragmented) of the tumor was recorded. DIS status was evaluated by creating sections 0.2 to 0.3 cm thick. Results: A single macroscopic residual area was detected in all specimens. In 10 patients (17.8 %), pathologically complete responses were identified, and DIS was detected in 33 patients (58.9%). The average DIS distance was 0.56± 0.3 cm (range 0.2 ­ 1.8 cm); the spread was < 1 cm in 87.9% of the patients (29/33). The overall survival rates for 5 and 7 years were 76.8% and 73.2%, respectively. The survival rates between patients with and without DIS were not statistically different (94.6± 5.5 vs. 75.1 ± 10.2 months, respectively). In all of the patients, tumor regression pattern was total shrinkage of the tumor. Conclusion: A sufficient distal resection margin for rectal cancer after preoperative chemoradiation is 1 cm in the vast majority of cases. However, DIS may exceed 1 cm in a small proportion of patients.

Laparoscopic Surgery for Adult Intussusception: Case Series.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Intussusception is a rare condition in adults which accounts for 1% of all intestinal obstructions. It usually requires surgical treatment and the classic approach is laparotomy. This article presented six adult patients who underwent laparoscopic surgery for intestinal obstruction due to intussusception. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Between January 2017 and July 2019, six adult patients underwent laparoscopic surgery for intestinal obstruction due to intussusception. The patients were evaluated in terms of presenting symptoms, diagnosis, treatment modality, morbidity, mortality and histopathological results. RESULTS: All patients presented with acute (50%) or subacute (50%) symptoms. All patients had intestinal obstruction (partial, complete) findings. Intussusception was diagnosed by abdominal computed tomography (CT). The patients with ileocolic and colo-colonic intussusception underwent colonoscopy. In the preoperative period, the etiology of intussusception (neoplasm, idiopathic, etc.) was diagnosed only in one patient (16.6%). Two patients underwent laparoscopic segmental small bowel resection, two patients underwent laparoscopic right hemicolectomy, one patient underwent laparoscopic left hemicolectomy, and one patient underwent laparoscopic anterior resection. None of the patients developed intraoperative or postoperative complication. The histopathological examination revealed malignancy in two patients (33.3%). CONCLUSION: CT is helpful in diagnosing of adult intussusception. However, it is usually difficult to define the underlying pathology with CT. Laparoscopic approach seems to be safe and effective as open surgery, both in diagnosis and treatment of intussusception.

The effect of immunonutrition on bacterial translocation after Pringle maneuverer in rats.

INTRODUCTION: Temporary clamping of the hepatoduodenal ligament (the Pringle manoeuvre) is the most commonly used method to prevent intraoperative blood loss in liver surgery. Some side effects of the Pringle manoeuvre (PM) can occur. AIM: To investigate the effectiveness of preoperative immunonutritional support to prevent bacterial translocation (BT) in rats due to PM. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Forty Wistar albino rats were randomly divided into four groups. Groups 1 and 2 were fed with normal rat diet and water, and groups 3 and 4 were fed with enteral immunonutrition (Impact Glutamine) containing 1 g/kg/day amino acid in the preoperative period. Group 1 (n = 10) and 4 (n = 10) rats were treated only with laparotomy; group 2 (n = 10) and 3 (n = 10) rats were treated with PM for 30 min with laparotomy. After 30 min, relaparotomy was applied to all groups and portal blood, mesentery, spleen samples were taken for culture purposes. RESULTS: Proliferation in portal blood cultures was significantly higher in the samples from the normally fed group (group 2) in whom PM was applied, compared to the other groups (p < 0.001). No proliferation was observed in the PM-treated group (group 3), who also received preoperative immunonutritional support. CONCLUSIONS: Preoperative immunonutritional support is effective in the prevention of BT due to PM in rats.

Solitary cecal diverticulitis, a rare cause of right lower quadrant pain: Four cases.

Solitary cecal diverticulitis is a rare clinical condition. Like diverticulitis in other segments of the colon, it requires immediate surgical intervention if it is causing complications. Solitary cecal diverticulitis may be misdiagnosed as acute appendicitis, since it causes right lower quadrant pain, or as a cecal tumor or inflammatory bowel disease, due to an intraoperative appearance resembling an inflammatory mass. Four patients with solitary cecum diverticulitis presenting with acute right lower quadrant pain are discussed in this report. Three patients underwent surgery with a preliminary diagnosis of acute appendicitis or cecal tumor, and 1 patient was diagnosed with cecal diverticulitis and treated medically. The treatment approach may change depending on a preoperative or intraoperative diagnosis of cecal diverticulitis. Therefore, in areas where this disease is uncommon, cecum diverticulitis should not be forgotten in the differential diagnosis of acute right lower quadrant pain or inflammatory bowel mass.

Pancreatic stump closure using only stapler is associated with high postoperative fistula rate after minimal invasive surgery.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Postoperative pancreatic fistula (POPF) is the most common cause of morbidity and mortality after distal pancreatectomy (DP). The aim of the present study is to determine the risk factors that can lead to POPF. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study was conducted between January 2008 and December 2012. A total of 96 patients who underwent DP were retrospectively analyzed. RESULTS: Overall, 24 patients (25%) underwent laparoscopic distal pancreatectomy (LDP) and 72 patients (75%) open surgery. The overall morbidity rate was 51% (49/96). POPF (32/96, 33.3%) was the most common postoperative complication. Grade B fistula (18/32, 56.2%) was the most common fistula type according to the International Study Group on Pancreatic Fistula definition. POPF rate was significantly higher in the minimally invasive surgery group (50%, p=0.046). POPF rate was 58.6% (17/29) in patients whose pancreatic stump closure was performed with only stapler, whereas POPF rate was 3.6% (1/28) in the group where the stump was closed with stapler plus oversewing sutures. Both minimally invasive surgery (OR: 0.286, 95% CI: 0.106-0.776, p=0.014) and intraoperative blood transfusion (OR: 4.210, 95% CI: 1.155-15.354, p=0.029) were detected as independent risk factors for POPF in multi-variety analysis. CONCLUSION: LDP is associated with a higher risk of POPF when stump closure is performed with only staplers. Intraoperative blood transfusion is another risk factor for POPF. On the other hand, oversewing sutures to the stapler line reduces the risk of POPF.

Clip closure and division instead of stapling for the last small gastric bridge between gastric pouch and remnant stomach in laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass.

INTRODUCTION: Here, a modification during gastric pouch forming was implemented in laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (LRYGB). We aimed to examine the feasibility of metallic clip closure for the remaining small stomach bridges (<1 cm) between the pouch and the remnant stomach. METHODS: During pouch creation, after the last stapler firing, the remaining small bridge was closed with clips and divided instead of using a new stapler. Metallic clips for this aim were used in 41 of 520 LRYGP between September 2010 and January 2017. Preoperative mean body mass index (BMI) was 47.3 ± 5.3 kg/m2 (male/female: 6/35, mean age 37.8 ± 9.1 years). RESULTS: Gastric bridges in 41 patients were successfully closed with metallic clips and divided. In one patient, intraoperative methylene blue test was positive from the anastomosis (not from the clipped place) and repaired by intracorporeal sutures. Abdominal drain was used selectively (32%). No postoperative leakage or other complications were seen. Mean length of hospital stay was 3.8 ± 1.1 days. Mean BMI was 30.3 ± 6.1 kg/m2 after mean 17.6 ± 11.3 months follow-up. CONCLUSION: In LRYGB metallic clip closure for a stomach bridge (<1 cm) between the pouch and the remnant stomach is an easy, safe and reliable method.