The Hellenic Emergency Laparotomy Study (HELAS): A Prospective Multicentre Study on the Outcomes of Emergency Laparotomy in Greece.

BACKGROUND: Emergency laparotomy (EL) is accompanied by high post-operative morbidity and mortality which varies significantly between countries and populations. The aim of this study is to report outcomes of emergency laparotomy in Greece and to compare them with the results of the National Emergency Laparotomy Audit (NELA). METHODS: This is a multicentre prospective cohort study undertaken between 01.2019 and 05.2020 including consecutive patients subjected to EL in 11 Greek hospitals. EL was defined according to NELA criteria. Demographics, clinical variables, and post-operative outcomes were prospectively registered in an online database. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was used to identify independent predictors of post-operative mortality. RESULTS: There were 633 patients, 53.9% males, ASA class III/IV 43.6%, older than 65 years 58.6%. The most common operations were small bowel resection (20.5%), peptic ulcer repair (12.0%), adhesiolysis (11.8%) and Hartmann's procedure (11.5%). 30-day post-operative mortality reached 16.3% and serious complications occurred in 10.9%. Factors associated with post-operative mortality were increasing age and ASA class, dependent functional status, ascites, severe sepsis, septic shock, and diabetes. HELAS cohort showed similarities with NELA patients in terms of demographics and preoperative risk. Post-operative utilisation of ICU was significantly lower in the Greek cohort (25.8% vs 56.8%) whereas 30-day post-operative mortality was significantly higher (16.3% vs 8.7%). CONCLUSION: In this study, Greek patients experienced markedly worse mortality after emergency laparotomy compared with their British counterparts. This can be at least partly explained by underutilisation of critical care by surgical patients who are at high risk for death.

Minimally invasive surgery for paraduodenal hernias: report of a case and mini-review of operative techniques.

BACKGROUND: Paraduodenal hernias (PDHs) are the most common congenital internal hernias. Herein, we present a successful laparoscopic repair of a left PDH and we review the minimally invasive techniques that have been used to treat PDHs. MATERIALS AND METHODS: An 18-year-old female patient with multiple visits to the emergency department for abdominal pain was ultimately diagnosed with a left PDH. She underwent a four-port laparoscopic repair. In order to review the minimally invasive PDH repair techniques used, we searched the PubMed® database and found 53 original studies with a total of 66 minimally invasive PDH repairs (51 left PDH repairs, 15 right PDH repairs) over a period of 24 years (1998-2022). RESULTS: The patient's postoperative course was uneventful and she was discharged on the 7th postoperative day. The literature review showed that closure of the hernia orifice was performed in 88% of left PDH repairs, whereas wide opening of the hernia orifice with or without mobilization of the right colon was performed in 81% of right PDH repairs. Of the patients with available postoperative data, none experienced complications other than grade Ι according to the Clavien-Dindo classification in the early postoperative period, and only one patient presented symptomatic hernia recurrence at a median follow-up of 1 year. CONCLUSIONS: Based on limited publications and our own experience, minimally invasive repair of PDHs has so far been shown to be feasible and safe in the great majority of cases without irreversible small intestine ischemia/peritonitis.

Long-term (11 + years) efficacy of sleeve gastrectomy as a stand-alone bariatric procedure: a single-center retrospective observational study.

INTRODUCTION: Sleeve gastrectomy (SG) is currently the most commonly performed bariatric procedure worldwide. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the long-term efficacy of SG as a stand-alone bariatric procedure. METHODS: A single-center retrospective analysis of 104 patients who underwent SG as a stand-alone bariatric procedure between January 2005 and December 2009. Weight loss, weight regain, remission or improvement of comorbidities and the new onset of comorbidities were the main outcomes of the study. RESULTS: The percent excess body weight loss (%EBWL), percent excess body mass weight (BMI) loss (%EBMIL), and percent total body weight loss (%TBWL) were 59 ± 25, 69 ± 29, and 29 ± 12, respectively, after a mean follow-up of 13.4 years. At the last follow-up, nearly two thirds of patients (67.3%) had an %EBWL greater than 50. The percentage of patients who experienced significant weight regain ranged from 47 to 64%, depending on the definition used for weight regain. The rate of improvement or remission of hypertension, type 2 diabetes, dyslipidemia, obstructive sleep apnea, and degenerative joint disease at a mean follow-up of 13.4 years was 40%, 94.7%, 70%, 100%, and 42.9%, respectively. The new onset of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) symptoms in the same period was 43%. CONCLUSION: Our data supports that SG results in long-lasting weight loss in the majority of patients and acceptable rates of remission or improvement of comorbidities. Weight regain and GERD may be issues of particular concern during long-term follow-up after SG.

Ghrelin, glucagon-like peptide-1, and peptide YY secretion in patients with and without weight regain during long-term follow-up after bariatric surgery: a cross-sectional study.

Introduction: Weight loss after bariatric surgery is attributed, at least in part, to the altered gastrointestinal (GI) hormone secretion, which is thought to be responsible for a number of beneficial metabolic effects. Material and methods: We conducted a cross-sectional study. Twelve patients who underwent laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (SG) and 20 patients who underwent a variant of biliopancreatic diversion with Roux-en-Y gastric bypass and long limbs (BPD/RYGB-LL) were evaluated ≥ 7 years postoperatively. Ghrelin, glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1), and peptide YY (PYY) secretion were compared between patients with successful weight loss maintenance (WM group) and patients with weight regain (WR group). Results: In both types of surgery, standard liquid mixed meal (SLMM) ingestion did not result in significant changes in fasting GI hormone levels. Fasting ghrelin levels did not differ between the WM group and the WR group in both types of surgery. In SG patients, SLMM ingestion elicited greater suppression of ghrelin levels in the WM group (p = 0.032). No difference in GLP-1 secretion was observed between the 2 groups of patients in both types of surgery. When patients were examined, regardless of the type of bariatric surgery they had undergone, postprandial PYY levels were lower in the WM group (p < 0.05), while fasting and postprandial PYY levels were correlated positively with an increase in body mass index (BMI) in the evaluation (Spearman's rho ≥ 0.395, p < 0.03). Conclusions: Our data do not support the hypothesis that long-term weight regain after bariatric surgery is associated with an unfavourable GI hormone secretion pattern.

Symptomatic pseudoaneurysms following laparoscopic cholecystectomy: Focus on an unusual and dangerous complication.

BACKGROUND: Laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) has been associated with an increase in the incidence of biliary and vascular injuries. Pseudoaneurysms (PAs) following LC are rare life-threatening events with limited available experience regarding diagnosis and treatment. MATERIALS AND METHODS: An extensive review of literature during a 26-year period (1994-2020) using MEDLINE® database and Google Scholar® academic search engine revealed 134 patients with at least one symptomatic PA following LC. RESULTS: Nearly.81% of patients with PAs become symptomatic during the first 8 weeks following LC. The most common symptoms were gastrointestinal bleeding (74%) and abdominal pain (61%). In 28% of cases, there was a concomitant bile duct injury or leak from the cystic duct stump, whereas in about one-third of cases, PAs presented following an uneventful LC. The most common involved arteries were the right hepatic artery (70%), the cystic artery (19%) or both of them (3%). Trans-arterial embolisation was the favoured first-line treatment with a success rate of 83%. During a median follow-up of 9 months, the mortality rate was 7%. CONCLUSION: Clinicians should be aware of the PA occurrence following LC. Prompt diagnosis and treatment are essential.

Bariatric surgery: blessing or sometimes curse for the liver?

INTRODUCTION: Nowadays morbid obesity has become a worldwide health issue and the use of bariatric surgery undoubtedly results not only in weight reduction but also in the improvement of comorbidities. Although bariatric surgery is the optimal choice for metabolic syndrome resolution and hepatic function improvement, there is evidence that in rare cases it may lead to aggressive steatohepatitis, acute liver failure, fibrosis, and deterioration of the overall prognosis, without having fully understood the underlying pathophysiological mechanisms. CASE REPORT: In this case report we present a 45-year-old female patient with morbid obesity, body mass index 80, who underwent long-limb Roux en Y gastric bypass (LL-RYGB) and was admitted to the emergency department with jaundice and impaired liver function laboratory tests on postoperative day 90. The examinations revealed elevated bilirubin and transaminases, with prolonged prothrombin time and low albumin levels. A liver biopsy was performed and showed active steatohepatitis. The hepatic values were gradually further impaired and the decision for surgery, in order to reverse the hepatic dysfunction, was taken. A gastrostomy in the bypassed stomach was performed and the activation of the closed biliopancreatic loop led to clinical improvement and amelioration of the prognosis. CONCLUSIONS: Patients at high risk for hepatic failure after bariatric surgery should be better evaluated preoperatively and a tailor-made approach should be applied in order to avoid such a disastrous complication.

An enormous pelvic tumor in a 46-year-old woman with an elevated serum CA 125 level, what lies beneath it? Investigation of uterine tumors in postmenopausal women.

Abdominal and pelvic pain with an associated pelvic mass is a very common emergency situation. There is always a management dilemma for most emergency physicians regarding these patients. A 46-year-old postmenopausal woman was admitted to our emergency department (ED) with complaints of massive abdominal distention. Abdominal and pelvis magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was performed, which revealed a huge pelvic abdominal mass. All tumor markers were within normal limits. However, the ovarian cancer antigen (CA 125) level was elevated. As there was a strong suspicion of malignancy, the patient underwent total abdominal hysterectomy with bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy. Her final histopathology report was suggestive of uterine leiomyoma. Uterine leiomyomas are the most common benign uterine tumors in women. Surgical treatment is the gold standard, especially for older women with severe symptoms and no desire for future fertility. Although the combination of a pelvic tumor and a high-level of CA 125 arouses suspicion of gynecological malignancy, other benign conditions should always be considered in the differential diagnosis. There is limited evidence to support an association between elevated CA 125 levels and uterine fibroids so far. However, conditions such as the coexistence of adenomyosis and tumor size can affect the level of this marker in uterine fibroids.

Long-term nutritional deficiencies following sleeve gastrectomy: a 6-year single-centre retrospective study.

INTRODUCTION: Sleeve gastrectomy (SG) is associated with short-term nutritional deficiencies postoperatively. This study evaluates the long-term percentage of excess weight loss (% EWL), and nutritional deficiencies in a single-centre cohort undergoing SG as a primary procedure, with a 6-year follow-up. MATERIAL AND METHODS: From January 2005 to December 2010 the records of 209 patients who underwent laparoscopic SG were retrieved from a computer database for analysis. Sixty out of the 209 paients completed follow-ups for 6 years. RESULTS: Median % EWL at 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6 years postoperatively was 80.9%, 79.1%, 73.8%, 71.8%, 71.5%, and 64.9%, respectively. Prior to surgery, 17.2% had anaemia. Deficiencies of iron, ferritin, folic acid, vitamin B12, magnesium, and phosphorus were 22%, 5.3%, 1.4%, 3.8%, 29.7%, and 5.3%, respectively. Six years post-surgery, deficiencies of haemoglobin, ferritin, and B12 worsened (36.7%, 43.3%, and 11.7%, p = 0.001, p < 0.001, p = 0.019, respectively), whereas there was no significant difference in deficiencies of iron, folic acid, magnesium, and phosphorus (25%, 1.7%, 20%, and 3%, p = 0.625, p = 0.896, p = 0.139, p = 0.539, respectively). There was elevated PTH before and 6 years after surgery (2.9% and 1.7%, p = 0.606). CONCLUSIONS: This retrospective study shows that laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy had a considerable effect on specific nutritional deficiencies in our patients at 6 years post-surgery. Knowledge of micronutrient deficiencies in these patients is beneficial for both prevention and management of nutritional complications associated with SG with the administration of oral nutritional supplementation according to the patient's needs.

An MRI study of immune checkpoint inhibitor-induced musculoskeletal manifestations myofasciitis is the prominent imaging finding.

OBJECTIVE: To assess: (i) the prevalence, and clinical and imaging characteristics of immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI)-induced musculoskeletal immune-related adverse events (ir-AEs) in a prospective manner and (ii) whether serum levels of cytokines associated with the Th1/Th2/Th17 response are differentially expressed in patients with and without musculoskeletal Ir-AEs. METHODS: All patients treated with ICI who developed musculoskeletal manifestations were referred to the Rheumatology Department, and an MRI of the involved area(s) was performed. RESULTS: During the study period, a total of 130 patients were treated with ICIs. Of these, 10 (7.7%) developed ICI-induced Ir-AEs. The median time from ICI treatment since development of symptoms was 2.5 months. Three different patterns of musculoskeletal manifestations were found: (i) prominent joint involvement (n = 3); (ii) prominent 'periarticular' involvement (n = 4). These patients had diffuse swelling of the hands, feet or knees. MRI depicted mild synovitis with more prominent myositis and/or fasciitis in the surrounding tissues in all cases; (iii) myofasciitis (n = 3). Clinically, these patients presented with pain in the knee(s)/thigh(s), whereas MRI depicted myofasciitis of the surrounding muscles. Patients with musculoskeletal ir-AEs had significantly higher oncologic response rates compared with patients not exhibiting musculoskeletal ir-AEs (50% vs 12.5%, respectively, P = 0.0016). Cytokine levels associated with a Th1/Th2/Th17 response were similar between patients with and without musculoskeletal ir-AEs. Overall, symptoms were mild/moderate and responded well to treatment, with no need for ICI discontinuation. CONCLUSION: In our cohort, ICI-induced musculoskeletal manifestations developed in 7.7% of patients. Imaging evidence of myofasciitis was found in most patients, indicating that the muscle/fascia is more frequently involved than the synovium.

A rare case of gastric-type mucinous endocervical adenocarcinoma in a 59-year-old woman.

INTRODUCTION: Endocervical adenocarcinoma represents 20-25% of the histological types of cervical carcinoma. Gastric-type mucinous adenocarcinoma of the cervix is a rare type of cancer with aggressive behavior. This type of malignancy is not related to high-risk human papillomavirus (HPV). CASE REPORT: We report a 59-year-old postmenopausal woman complaining of vaginal bleeding and pelvic pain. Histological analysis of punch biopsy and endocervical curettage revealed possible endocervical mucinous adenocarcinoma, while magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) revealed a 10 × 8 cm sized cervical mass. According to oncologists, the tumor was inoperable, so the patient received 6 cycles of chemotherapeutic agents with carboplatin, paclitaxel and bevacizumab from December 2019 to March 2020. However, chemotherapy had very poor results in this patient, because the mass was increased to 24 cm in a new MRI performed after the end of chemotherapy. Finally, the patient underwent radical surgery. On histopathological examination, the surgical margin was all free from everywhere and the mass was confirmed as a gastric-type mucinous adenocarcinoma of the cervix with low differentiation. CONCLUSION: It is very important to have an early diagnosis of gastric-type mucinous adenocarcinoma of the cervix, as this tumor is poorly symptomatic and very aggressive. When chemotherapy is not effective, radical surgery may be a solution for better survival.

Miniature surgical robots in the era of NOTES and LESS: dream or reality?

Laparoscopy is an established method for the treatment of numerous surgical conditions. Natural orifice transluminal endoscopic surgery (NOTES) is a novel surgical technique that uses the natural orifices of the human body as entrances to the abdominal cavity. An alternative concept of minimally invasive approach to the abdominal cavity is to insert all the laparoscopic instruments through ports using a single small incision on the abdominal wall. A suggested name for this technique is laparoendoscopic single-site surgery (LESS). Considering the technical difficulties in NOTES and LESS and the progress in informatics and robotics, the use of robots seems ideal. The aim of this study is to investigate if there is at present, a realistic possibility of using miniature robots in NOTES or LESS in daily clinical practice. An up-to-date review on in vivo surgical miniature robots is made. A Web-based research of the English literature up to March 2013 using PubMed, Scopus, and Google Scholar as search engines was performed. The development of in vivo miniature robots for use in NOTES or LESS is a reality with great advancements, potential advantages, and possible application in minimally invasive surgery in the future. However, true totally NOTES or LESS procedures on humans using miniature robots either solely or as assistance, remain a dream at present.

Minimally invasive pelvic exenteration for primary or recurrent locally advanced rectal cancer: A glimpse into the future.

Surgeons have grappled with the treatment of recurrent and T4b locally advanced rectal cancer (LARC) for many years. Their main objectives are to increase the overall survival and quality of life of the patients and to mitigate postoperative complications. Currently, pelvic exenteration (PE) with or without neoadjuvant treatment is a curative treatment when negative resection margins are achieved. The traditional open approach has been favored by many surgeons. However, the technological advancements in minimally invasive surgery have radically changed the surgical options. Recent studies have demonstrated promising results in postoperative complications and oncological outcomes after robotic or laparoscopic PE. A recent retrospective study entitled "Feasibility and safety of minimally invasive multivisceral resection for T4b rectal cancer: A 9-year review" was published in the World Journal of Gastrointestinal Surgery. As we read this article with great interest, we decided to delve into the latest data regarding the benefits and risks of minimally invasive PE for LARC. Currently, the small number of suitable patients, limited surgeon experience, and steep learning curve are hindering the establishment of minimally invasive PE.

Post-Bariatric Hypoglycemia in Individuals with Obesity and Type 2 Diabetes after Laparoscopic Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass: A Prospective Cohort Study.

Post-bariatric hypoglycemia (PBH) is an increasingly recognized complication after metabolic bariatric surgery (MBS). The aim of this study is to investigate potential factors associated with PBH. A cohort of 24 patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and body mass index (BMI) ≥40 kg/m2 who underwent laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (LRYGBP) was retrospectively investigated for PBH at 12 months. PBH was defined as postprandial glucose at 120 min below 60 mg/dL. Questionnaires based on the Edinburgh hypoglycemia scale were filled out by the participants. Glycemic parameters and gastrointestinal (GI) hormones were also investigated. Based on the questionnaires, five patients presented more than four symptoms that were highly indicative of PBH at 12 months. According to glucose values at 120 min, one patient experienced PBH at 6 months and four patients experienced it at 12 months. Postprandial insulin values at 30 min and 6 months seem to be a strong predictor for PBH (p < 0.001). GLP-1 and glucagon values were not significantly associated with PBH. PBH can affect patients with T2DM after MBS, reaching the edge of hypoglycemia. Postprandial insulin levels at 30 min and 6 months might predict the occurrence of PBH at 12 months, but this requires further validation with a larger sample size.

Development and internal validation of a clinical prediction model for serious complications after emergency laparotomy.

PURPOSE: Emergency laparotomy (EL) is a common operation with high risk for postoperative complications, thereby requiring accurate risk stratification to manage vulnerable patients optimally. We developed and internally validated a predictive model of serious complications after EL. METHODS: Data for eleven carefully selected candidate predictors of 30-day postoperative complications (Clavien-Dindo grade > = 3) were extracted from the HELAS cohort of EL patients in 11 centres in Greece and Cyprus. Logistic regression with Least Absolute Shrinkage and Selection Operator (LASSO) was applied for model development. Discrimination and calibration measures were estimated and clinical utility was explored with decision curve analysis (DCA). Reproducibility and heterogeneity were examined with Bootstrap-based internal validation and Internal-External Cross-Validation. The American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program's (ACS-NSQIP) model was applied to the same cohort to establish a benchmark for the new model. RESULTS: From data on 633 eligible patients (175 complication events), the SErious complications After Laparotomy (SEAL) model was developed with 6 predictors (preoperative albumin, blood urea nitrogen, American Society of Anaesthesiology score, sepsis or septic shock, dependent functional status, and ascites). SEAL had good discriminative ability (optimism-corrected c-statistic: 0.80, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.79-0.81), calibration (optimism-corrected calibration slope: 1.01, 95% CI 0.99-1.03) and overall fit (scaled Brier score: 25.1%, 95% CI 24.1-26.1%). SEAL compared favourably with ACS-NSQIP in all metrics, including DCA across multiple risk thresholds. CONCLUSION: SEAL is a simple and promising model for individualized risk predictions of serious complications after EL. Future external validations should appraise SEAL's transportability across diverse settings.

The role of the gastric fundus in glycemic control.

PURPOSE: Ghrelin, one of the most studied gut hormones, is mainly produced by the gastric fundus. Abundant evidence exists from preclinical and clinical studies underlining its contribution to glucose regulation. In the following narrative review, the role of the gastric fundus in glucose regulation is summarized and we investigate whether its resection enhances glycemic control. METHODS: An electronic search was conducted in the PubMed® database and in Google Scholar® using a combination of medical subject headings (MeSH). We examined types of metabolic surgery, including, in particular, gastric fundus resection, either as part of laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG) or modified laparoscopic gastric bypass with fundus resection (LRYGBP + FR), and the contribution of ghrelin reduction to glucose regulation. RESULTS: Fourteen human studies were judged to be eligible and included in this narrative review. Reduction of ghrelin levels after fundus resection might be related to early glycemic improvement before significant weight loss is achieved. Long-term data regarding the role of ghrelin reduction in glucose homeostasis are sparse. CONCLUSION: The exact role of ghrelin in achieving glycemic control is still ambiguous. Data from human studies reveal a potential contribution of ghrelin reduction to early glycemic improvement, although further well-designed studies are needed.

Risk Factors and Management Approaches for Staple Line Leaks Following Sleeve Gastrectomy: A Single-Center Retrospective Study of 402 Patients.

Sleeve gastrectomy (SG) has gained ever-increasing popularity among laparoscopic surgeons involved in bariatric surgery. This single-institution, retrospective cohort study aims to evaluate the prevalence of postoperative staple line leakage (PSLL) after LSG and identify risk factors for its development. We included patient data that underwent LSG at our institution for a span of 17 years-starting in January 2005 and ending in December 2022. We set the investigation of correlations of patient-related factors (age, weight, BMI, smoking status, presence of diabetes mellitus) with the occurrence of postoperative leaks. A total of 402 patients were included in our study. Of them, 26 (6.46%) developed PSLL. In total, 19 (73%) patients underwent percutaneous drainage and 14 patients (53.8%) were treated with intraluminal endoscopic stenting. Finally, five patients (19.2%) were treated with endoscopic clipping of the defect. Operative management was required in only one patient. There were no statistically significant differences in patient age, mean weight at the time of operation, and mean BMI. Abnormal drain amylase levels were associated with earlier detection of PSLL. More consideration needs to be given to producing a consensus regarding the management of PSLL, prioritizing nonoperative management with the combination of percutaneous drainage and endoscopic stenting as the safest and most efficient approach.

Diabetes Remission After LRYGBP With and Without Fundus Resection: a Randomized Clinical Trial.

BACKGROUND: Glycemic control, after metabolic surgery, is achieved in two stages, initially with neuroendocrine alterations and in the long-term with sustainable weight loss. The resection of the gastric fundus, as the major site of ghrelin production, is probably related with optimized glucose regulation. The aim of the present study is to investigate whether the modification of laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (LRYGBP) with fundus resection offers superior glycemic control, compared to typical LRYGBP. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Participants were 24 patients with body mass index (BMI) ≥40kg/m2 and type II diabetes mellitus (T2DM), who were randomly assigned to undergo LRYGBP and LRYGBP with fundus resection (LRYGBP+FR). Gastrointestinal (GI) hormones [ghrelin, glucagon-like-peptide-1 (GLP-1), peptide-YY (PYY)] and glycemic parameters (glucose, insulin, HbA1c, C-peptide, insulinogenic index, HOMA-IR) were measured preoperatively, at 6 and 12 months during an oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT). RESULTS: Ninety-five percent of patients showed complete remission of T2DM after 12 months. LRYGBP+FR was not related with improved glycemic control, compared to LRYGBP. Ghrelin levels were not significantly reduced at 6 and 12 months after LRYGBP+FR. GLP-1 and PYY levels were remarkably increased postprandially in both groups at 6 and 12 months postoperatively (p<0.01). Patients who underwent LRYGBP+FR achieved a significantly lower BMI at 12 months in comparison to LRYGBP (p<0.05). CONCLUSION: Fundus resection is not associated with improved glycemic regulation, compared to typical LRYGBP and the significant decrease in BMI after LRYGBP+FR has to be further confirmed with longer follow-up.

Prospective multicenter external validation of postoperative mortality prediction tools in patients undergoing emergency laparotomy.

BACKGROUND: Accurate preoperative risk assessment in emergency laparotomy (EL) is valuable for informed decision making and rational use of resources. Available risk prediction tools have not been validated adequately across diverse health care settings. Herein, we report a comparative external validation of four widely cited prognostic models. METHODS: A multicenter cohort was prospectively composed of consecutive patients undergoing EL in 11 Greek hospitals from January 2020 to May 2021 using the National Emergency Laparotomy Audit (NELA) inclusion criteria. Thirty-day mortality risk predictions were calculated using the American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program (ACS-NSQIP), NELA, Portsmouth Physiological and Operative Severity Score for the Enumeration of Mortality and Morbidity (P-POSSUM), and Predictive Optimal Trees in Emergency Surgery Risk tools. Surgeons' assessment of postoperative mortality using predefined cutoffs was recorded, and a surgeon-adjusted ACS-NSQIP prediction was calculated when the original model's prediction was relatively low. Predictive performances were compared using scaled Brier scores, discrimination and calibration measures and plots, and decision curve analysis. Heterogeneity across hospitals was assessed by random-effects meta-analysis. RESULTS: A total of 631 patients were included, and 30-day mortality was 16.3%. The ACS-NSQIP and its surgeon-adjusted version had the highest scaled Brier scores. All models presented high discriminative ability, with concordance statistics ranging from 0.79 for P-POSSUM to 0.85 for NELA. However, except the surgeon-adjusted ACS-NSQIP (Hosmer-Lemeshow test, p = 0.742), all other models were poorly calibrated ( p < 0.001). Decision curve analysis revealed superior clinical utility of the ACS-NSQIP. Following recalibrations, predictive accuracy improved for all models, but ACS-NSQIP retained the lead. Between-hospital heterogeneity was minimum for the ACS-NSQIP model and maximum for P-POSSUM. CONCLUSION: The ACS-NSQIP tool was most accurate for mortality predictions after EL in a broad external validation cohort, demonstrating utility for facilitating preoperative risk management in the Greek health care system. Subjective surgeon assessments of patient prognosis may optimize ACS-NSQIP predictions. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Diagnostic Test/Criteria; Level II.

Benefits and drawbacks of SILS cholecystectomy: a report of 60 SILS cholecystectomies with conventional instrumentation from an academic center.

BACKGROUND: Single-incision laparoscopic surgery is a rapidly emerging approach to gallbladder disease. METHODS: From February 2009 to September 2010, 60 patients were subjected to single-incision laparoscopic cholecystectomy. In all the patients, a 12-mm incision was made in the umbilicus and a 2-trocar technique was applied. Gallbladder was suspended with 2 sutures and the procedure was accomplished with standard partly reusable laparoscopic instruments. RESULTS: In all, 41 women (68.3%) and 19 men (31.7%) were enrolled in this study. Mean age was 50.7 years (range = 17-72 years), mean body mass index was 26.2 kg/m(2) (range = 18.3-37.7 kg/m(2)) and mean operative time was 52.6 minutes (range = 30-120 minutes). No mortality or morbidity was recorded and hospital stay was less than 24 hours. At follow-up visits, no complications were recorded and cosmesis was excellent. CONCLUSION: Single-incision laparoscopic cholecystectomy can be safely performed with conventional instrumentation with minimal cost.

Comparison of one anastomosis gastric bypass versus standard Roux-en-Y gastric bypass versus a variant of biliopancreatic diversion, in a case-matched, non-superobese population: 6 years of follow-up.

INTRODUCTION: One anastomosis gastric bypass (OAGB) is gaining increasing acceptance as a simple, safe, and effective operation for treating morbid obesity. Data comparing this procedure with the most effective biliopancreatic diversions (BPD) remain scarce, and most studies evaluate OAGB against standard Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB). AIM: To present the mid-term results of a comparison of RYGB, OAGB, and our modification of BPD in an exclusively non-superobese population, regarding safety, efficacy, preservation of weight loss, as well as late postoperative metabolic and non-metabolic complications. MATERIAL AND METHODS: From our cohorts of patients treated for morbid obesity with OAGB, RYGB, and BPD at Patras University Hospital, we identified patients who had case-matched preoperative profiles regarding age, preoperative body mass index (BMI), and obesity-related comorbidities (diabetes mellitus, hypertension, and dyslipidaemia). Thirty-four patients from each group were included in the study. Bariatric outcomes, non-metabolic complications, and postoperative metabolic parameters were followed until the 6th postoperative year. RESULTS: The average patient age was 37.4 years (range: 19-57), 85.3% were female and 14.7% were male, with a mean BMI of 46.3 kg/m2 (range: 38.3-49.7). Regarding weight loss and glycaemic control, OAGB had comparable results to BPD and was significantly better than RYGB. The safety profile was analogous to RYGB, with the exception of calcium levels, which, even though they were within normal range, were significantly lower than those in RYGB. Comorbidities were successfully treated with all operations at comparable rates. In this cohort, no other major complications were observed. CONCLUSIONS: OAGB offered mid-term results comparable to BPD while being safe and with minimal impact on the patient's nutritional state. It is an effective procedure for treating morbid obesity, which results in sustained weight loss and a high rate of resolution of comorbidities.