Computed tomography assessment of postoperative gastric vascular supply and staple-line leak development after sleeve gastrectomy.

BACKGROUND: Residual arterial supply of the gastric tube after sleeve gastrectomy (SG) can be damaged by surgery, which can reduce gastric tube perfusion and could promote postoperative leakage. OBJECTIVE: To compare the postoperative vascularization of the gastric tube using early computed tomography (CT) scanning after SG in patients with or without postoperative staple-line leak. SETTING: University hospital. METHODS: A retrospective analysis of a prospective database was performed in consecutive patients undergoing SG. Patients who presented with a staple-line leak were matched (1:3) with a control group of patients who underwent surgery without postoperative morbidity during the same period. Gastric tube vascularization was studied on a postoperative day 2 CT scan in both groups of patients. RESULTS: During the study period, 1826 patients underwent SG, including 42 patients (2.3%) who presented with a staple-line leak. Those 42 patients were successfully matched to 126 control patients. Global identification of residual gastric arterial supply in early postoperative CT scans was similar in patients with or without staple-line leak after SG. However, residual vascular supply of the gastroesophageal junction (i.e., terminal and anterior cardiotuberosity branches of the left gastric artery or left inferior phrenic artery) was more frequently interrupted by the staple line in the group of patients who developed a gastric leak. CONCLUSION: This study suggests a correlation between interruption of the main arteries supplying the gastroesophageal junction by the staple line on early postoperative CT scans and the development of gastric leak after SG. These results support the vascular theory as one of the causes of leak after SG.

Computed Tomography Assessment of Fat Distribution and Staple-Line Leak Risk After Sleeve Gastrectomy.

PURPOSE: Sleeve gastrectomy (SG) has become the most frequent bariatric procedure and staple-line leak represents its most feared complication. Visceral obesity, a core component of the metabolic syndrome, has been associated with worst postoperative outcomes after various abdominal surgical procedures, and can be estimated by computed tomography (CT). The aim of this study was to assess the impact of radiologically determined visceral obesity in the risk of staple-line leak after SG. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A retrospective analysis of a prospective database was performed in consecutive patients undergoing SG. Several anthropometric variables were measured on a preoperative CT scan. Multivariate analysis was performed to determine preoperative risk factors for staple-line leak. RESULTS: During the study period, 377 patients were included in the analysis. The median BMI was 39.7 kg/m2 (36.5-43.5) and 8 patients (2.1%) presented a gastric leak. After multivariate analysis, visceral obesity defined by visceral fat area (VFA)/body surface area (BSA) ≥ 85 cm2/m2 was the only independent predictive factor for gastric leak (OR = 5312). CONCLUSION: CT scan-assessed visceral obesity defined by a VFA/BSA ratio ≥ 85 cm2/m2 is associated with an increased risk of gastric leak after SG. Preoperatively radiological examination in patients suspected of visceral obesity would be useful to optimize preoperative management.

Single incision laparoscopic cholecystectomy: for what benefit?

BACKGROUND: A single-incision laparoscopic cholecystectomy (SILC) was developed to improve outcomes as compared with the four-port classic laparoscopic cholecystectomy (CLC). Any potential benefits associated with a SILC have been suggested by previous studies reporting few patients with different surgical techniques. The aim of this study was to describe the experience with a standardized SILC as compared with CLC. METHODS: From June 2010 to January 2012, 40 patients underwent a SILC [median age: 47.5 years (25-92)] and operative and peri-operative data were prospectively collected. Over the same period, 37 patients underwent a CLC. A 10-point visual analogue scale (VAS) was used for qualitative data. The costs of SILC and CLC were also compared. RESULTS: For those patients undergoing a SILC the median operating time was 70 min (24-110). There were no conversions. An additional trocar was necessary in 16 patients. Four patients developed post-operative complications. The median immediate post-operative pain score was 5 (0-10). The median quality of life and cosmetic satisfaction at the initial post-operative visit were 10 (6-10) and 10 (5-10), respectively (VAS). Although the surgical results of both groups were similar, post-operative complications were exclusively reported in the SILC group (two incisional hernias). CONCLUSION: Standardization of SILC is possible but associated with an important rate of additional trocar placement and a disturbing rate of incisional hernias.