Outcomes after ventral hernia repair using the extended totally extraperitoneal approach: Initial experience from the Philippines.

INTRODUCTION: Newer extraperitoneal techniques of laparoscopic ventral/incisional hernia repair (LVIHR) have been continually introduced since the popularity of the laparoscopic intraperitoneal onlay mesh technique began in 1993. One of which is the extended totally extraperitoneal (eTEP) approach allowing wide mesh augmentation, concurrent repair of diastasis recti, and performance of transversus abdominis release (TAR) for large/complex hernias. However, minimally invasive/laparoendoscopic ventral hernia repair is not yet widely adopted in the Philippines. We aim to share our preliminary experience with LVIHR using the eTEP approach. METHODS: This was a retrospective review of all consecutive eTEP repairs for ventral hernia between January 2019 and September 2023. The clinical profiles of all patients were gathered. Hernia characteristics, operative profile, and postoperative outcomes were reported. RESULTS: Thirty-five patients were included in the study with a mean age of 54.7; 60% were incisional hernias, and the most common hernia location was the umbilical area. A defect size between 4 and 10 cm was reported in 54.3%. eTEP-TAR was necessary in 12 patients. At a median follow-up of 16 months, two patients developed seroma, one hematoma, and two surgical site infections. All were successfully managed conservatively. Only one patient developed recurrence. CONCLUSION: eTEP approach is safe and feasible for repairing ventral hernias. Our preliminary experience showed acceptable outcomes similar to the published literature. Surgeons interested in this technique should be familiar with the abdominal wall anatomy, carefully select patients during preoperative planning, and undergo mentorship with hernia surgeons experienced with the technique to shorten the learning curve.

Young Filipino breast cancer patients have worse survival outcomes.

Background: In the 2020 GLOBOCAN report, breast cancer is the 3rd most common cause of cancer-related mortality in the Philippines. The incidence of breast cancer in the young (≤40 years) was reported to be higher in the Philippines compared to other Asian countries. Several studies have consistently demonstrated poor survival outcomes in this age group due to its aggressiveness and unique tumour biology. However, data on survival outcomes of young Filipino breast cancer patients remains unknown in the Philippines. Methods: A retrospective study was performed involving patients with stage I-III breast cancer who underwent definitive surgery from January 2010 to December 2015 at a single-tertiary institution. Patients were grouped according to age (≤40 and >40 years old). Their clinicopathological characteristics, treatment profile and 5-year survival outcomes were analyzed. Results: A total of 524 Filipino patients (15.1% aged ≤40 years) were included. Younger patients were diagnosed at a higher stage and pathologic grade. A negative hormone receptor, high Ki67 status, and triple negative breast cancer (TNBC) subtypes were also more common among younger patients. The overall breast-conserving surgery rate was low at 8.9%. The use of adjuvant chemoradiotherapy was more common and both 5-year overall survival (OS) and disease-free survival (DFS) were lower (61.1% versus 77.1% and 31.1% versus 66.8%, respectively) in the ≤40-year-old group. In the multivariate analysis, age group, tumour size, and nodal status were significant predictors for DFS. However, only tumour size was significant for OS. Conclusion: Young Filipino breast cancer patients have demonstrated unique pathologic characteristics with associated lower survival outcomes similar to the published literature. Increasing awareness of cancer screening practices among young women, provision of equitable access to healthcare, and prompt management of breast cancer in the young are crucial.

Carbon dioxide embolism during transoral endoscopic thyroidectomy: A case report and literature review.

The creation of the surgical space in transoral endoscopic thyroid surgery may put the anterior jugular vein at risk for injury and possibly lead to carbon dioxide (CO2 ) embolism. Although rare, CO2 embolism is potentially fatal. We report a case of a 67-year-old female who underwent transoral endoscopic thyroidectomy vestibular approach (TOETVA) for a benign thyroid disease. Intraoperatively, the anterior jugular vein was inadvertently lacerated. The end-tidal (Et)CO2 , O2 saturation, heart rate, and blood pressure suddenly decreased. The patient eventually became asystole. Cardiopulmonary resuscitation was performed with a return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC). We successfully ligated the injured vessel and terminated the procedure. A literature review of CO2 embolism during transoral thyroid surgery is presented, focusing on presentation, management, and prevention. Since TOETVA is still in preliminary clinical application, especially in developing countries, CO2 embolism may not be uncommon during the initial phase of the learning curve. Surgeons and anesthesiologist should be aware of this possibility.

Scarless total thyroidectomy via transoral endoscopic vestibular approach: initial case series in a developing Asian country.

Conventional open thyroidectomy may leave a visible scar postoperatively and can lead to impaired quality of life. Since 2016, the transoral endoscopic thyroidectomy via vestibular approach (TOETVA) has gained popularity due to being a true 'scarless' procedure. However, minimally invasive thyroidectomy has not been widely adopted in the Philippines yet. From August 2019 to December 2019, nine patients (mean thyroid nodule size of 3.1 cm) underwent TOETVA with one open conversion due to adherent papillary cancer. Majority had a blood loss of <100 ml, whereas mean operative time was 149.8 ± 20.5 minutes. Five patients developed hypocalcemia (three transient), whereas two patients reported transient lower lip numbness. TOETVA is a safe and feasible novel procedure for both benign and malignant thyroid diseases. Care must be taken in selecting patients who opt for TOETVA, and that surgeons should reassess their limitations before implementing this technique in their surgical practice.

Large benign schwannoma of the greater omentum with synchronous cervical cancer: A case report.

INTRODUCTION AND IMPORTANCE: Schwannomas are uncommon tumors of the omentum with only 16 reported cases originating from the greater omentum in the literature. We report for the first time a synchronous presentation of an omental schwannoma and cervical cancer. CASE PRESENTATION: A 37-year-old female presented with an abdominal mass and heavy vaginal bleeding. An 11.5 × 14.6 × 16.6 cm complex omental mass and 5.4 × 6.2 × 4.4 cm lobulated heterogeneous cervical mass were noted on CT-scan. Wide excision of the complex mass and radical hysterectomy with bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy and pelvic lymph node dissection was performed. The final biopsy revealed benign omental schwannoma and poorly differentiated cervical adenocarcinoma. CLINICAL DISCUSSION: Schwannomas originating from the greater omentum are less common than in the lesser omentum due to the paucity of nervous tissue in the former. They can undergo malignant transformation and the most common presentation is abdominal pain/discomfort. Larger tumors may cause catastrophic bleeding. Prompt surgery should be offered and wide local excision with sufficient margins be performed when there is suspicion of malignancy. Schwannomas presenting with multiple or synchronous lesions are commonly associated with neurofibromatosis type 2, schwannomatosis, and Carney's complex. Whether this co-occurrence is simply incidental or has a causal relationship remains to be established. CONCLUSION: Benign schwannoma of the greater omentum is rare and only requires complete tumor excision. However, surgeons should be aware that synchronous presentation of cervical cancer is possible and that thorough examination of both sites should be undertaken when either primary tumor presents.

Bariatric Surgery in Cebu, Philippines: Current Status and Initial Experience With Laparoscopic Sleeve Gastrectomy.

Background The prevalence of obesity in the Philippines has increased more than three-fold over the last two decades. However, bariatric surgery has not been widely adopted yet in the country. Local data mainly on laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding (LAGB) and Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) are limited as well. We report for the first time our experience with laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG) and present the current local status of bariatric surgery in Cebu, Philippines. Patients and methods This is a retrospective study of all patients 18 years old and above who underwent LSG in a single, private, tertiary institution during the period 2009 - 2019. Our primary endpoint was weight loss after LSG. Secondary endpoint was postoperative complications. Results Thirty-three patients (mean age 40.9 ± 14.5 years) underwent LSG. Baseline weight and BMI were 112.6 ± 29 kg and 41.3 ± 8.6, respectively. The mean operative duration was 201 ± 72.9 minutes. The were no open conversions with minimal morbidity. Mean hospital stay was 3.7 ± 0.9 days. The postoperative mean weight and BMI after one year were 68.9 ± 17 kg and 26.6 ± 6, respectively. Overall, mean excess weight loss (EWL) was 61.9 ± 44.1 % at a median follow-up of 5.4 months. Significant weight loss was noted after the third month. Conclusion  LSG is a safe and effective method in producing weight loss. It can be a definitive treatment option as local prevalence of obesity is increasing in the Philippines. However, access to and the practice of bariatric surgery remains limited in the country. A collaboration among private and government stakeholders is essential.

Preoperative embolization of a giant benign phyllodes tumor: A case report and review of literature.

INTRODUCTION AND IMPORTANCE: Phyllodes tumors (PT) account for less than 1% of all breast tumors. Giant PTs can lead to breast disfigurement, tumoral ulceration, and bleeding. Outright surgical excision can be challenging or unsafe. Preoperative transarterial embolization (TAE) has a role but data on its use in the management of PT is limited. CASE PRESENTATION: A 43-year-old female presented with a 28 cm fungating, necrotic, benign PT on her left breast that eventually developed tumoral bleeding leading to hemodynamic instability. Preoperative TAE controlled the bleeding and allowed the safe performance of mastectomy. A literature review of preoperative TAE of PTs is also presented including the addition of a chemotherapeutic agent in malignant types. CLINICAL DISCUSSION: PTs are rare and comprise only 2.5% of all fibroepithelial breast lesions. Tumoral bleeding causing severe anemia is one of the most common presentations of massive (≥20 cm) PTs, especially when neglected. Indications for preoperative TAE include (1) to halt rapid tumor growth, (2) to control active/persistent tumoral bleeding, and (3) to shrink the tumor size and allow successful resection with negative margins, and avoidance of skin grafting. Post-TAE side effects include fever, chest pain, gradual/expanding tumor necrosis, decrease in tumor weight, and diminished tumoral abscess/discharge, and loss of tumoral vessel elasticity. CONCLUSION: Neglected PTs can reach an alarming size. Preoperative TAE is a safe and effective method of controlling life-threatening tumoral hemorrhage and decreasing the size of PTs thereby allowing definitive resection while avoiding skin grafting and/or flap reconstruction.

Outcomes of Sentinel Lymph Node Biopsy Using Blue Dye Method for Early Breast Cancer - A Single-Institution Experience in the Philippines.

PURPOSE: This study aimed to share our experience with SLNB in the Filipino population with early breast cancer. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A retrospective review was done on all patients with confirmed invasive breast carcinoma, tumor size of 5 cm or less (T1/T2), who preoperatively had no clinical signs of axillary metastasis and subsequently underwent SLNB with blue dye method from January 01, 2008 to December 31, 2017. Clinicopathologic profiles were recorded. Outcomes of patients who had SLNB only were assessed. RESULTS: One hundred twenty-nine patients matched the inclusion criteria with a mean age of 54.3 years. The majority (88.4%) had a total mastectomy. Invasive ductal carcinoma (65.1%) was the most common tumor. Estrogen and progesterone receptors were positive in 69% and 61.2% respectively while only 28.7% were HER2 positive. SLNB was successfully carried out in 126 (97.7%) patients with a range of 2-4 SLNs harvested. Thirty-four (26.4%) patients had completion ALND. With a median of 25 months follow-up, 75 out of 95 patients who underwent SLNB alone had follow-up data. Forty-six (61.3%) patients had seroma formation. One (1.3%) patient developed arm paresthesia, 2 (2.7%) local (chest wall) and 2 (2.7%) axillary recurrences after a negative SLNB. None of the patients developed lymphedema. CONCLUSION: The blue dye method alone is acceptable and can be readily employed in institutions with limited resources. Even with the limited population, the morbidity and oncologic outcomes of patients who underwent SLNB alone were low and comparable to similar international published data. SLNB should be the preferred method for staging the axilla.