Single port laparoscopic splenectomy for wandering spleen with splenomegaly in a patient with Wolf-Hirschhorn syndrome.

Wolf-Hirschhorn syndrome is a rare genetic condition characterized by typical facial appearance, growth delay, psychomotor retardation and seizures, with a mosaic of other abnormalities reported in the literature. The occurrence of symptomatic wandering spleen with massive splenomegaly and with an indication for splenectomy has not been yet described for this disease. This study reports the first case in the literature of single port splenectomy for this rare condition. In a 21-year-old female patient with Wolf-Hirschhorn syndrome, with abdominal pain and the diagnosis of wandering spleen with splenomegaly (25 cm diameter) led to an indication of elective splenectomy. In supine position under general anesthesia, single port umbilical splenectomy was performed without laparoscopic assistance, splenic vessels were ligated by sutures, and the specimen was transumbilically extracted. Operative time was 85 min, with minimal bleeding, and resumed oral intake on the same day. No intraoperative or post-operative complications occurred, and the patient was discharged in 48 h. Single port access splenectomy is feasible and is evolving as an attractive alternative therapy for hematological diseases requiring splenectomy.

Single-port unilateral transaxillary totally endoscopic thyroidectomy: A survival animal and cadaver feasibility study.

BACKGROUND: Single-port unilateral axillary thyroidectomy has great potential to become a valid alternative technique for thyroid surgery. We tested the technique in a study on live animals and cadavers to evaluate the feasibility and reproducibility of the procedure. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Institutional review board (IRB) approval was obtained in our university by the Council of Ethics for the study in surviving animals and cadavers. Subtotal thyroidectomy using unilateral axillary single port was performed in five dogs and five cadavers. Performing incision in the axillary fossa, a disposable single port was inserted. The dissection progressed for creating a subcutaneous tunnel to the subplatysmal region; after opening the platysma muscle and separation of the strap muscles, the thyroid gland was identified. After key anatomical landmarks were identified, the dissection was started at the upper pole towards the bottom, and to the isthmus. Specimens were extracted intact through the tunnel. Clinical and laboratorial observations of the experimental study in a 15-day follow-up and intraoperative data were documented. RESULTS: All surgeries were performed in five animals which survived 15 days without postoperative complications. In the surgeries successfully performed in five cadavers, anatomical landmarks were recognised and intraoperative dissection of recurrent nerves and parathyroid glands was performed. Mean operative time was 64 min (46-85 min) in animals and 123 min (110-140 min) in cadavers, with a good cosmetic outcome since the incision was situated in the axillary fold. CONCLUSION: The technique of single-port axillary unilateral thyroidectomy was feasible and reproducible in the cadavers and animal survival study, suggesting the procedure as an alternative to minimally invasive surgery of the neck.

Perirectal NOTES access: "down-to-up" total mesorectal excision for rectal cancer.

OBJECTIVES: Clinical natural orifice surgery has been applied for abdominal surgery in recent years, mostly by vaginal and oral access. The study describes preliminary successful human applications of transcolonic natural orifice transluminal endoscopic surgery (NOTES), using a new transrectal total mesorectal excision procedure for rectal cancer. METHODS: Institutional review board approval was obtained for the study. In 2 patients with rectal adenocarcinoma, total mesorectal resection and rectosigmoidectomy with lymphadenectomy was performed using a low NOTES transcolonic access. "Down-to-up" mesorectal dissection was achieved either using a flexible scope or a transrectal single port device. The specimens were extracted transanally, and transorificial low anastomosis was performed. RESULTS: Operative time was 350 and 360 minutes, respectively; no complications occurred and patients were discharged after 6 days. CONCLUSION: Successful human reports on transcolonic NOTES suggest potential applications. The treatment of colorectal diseases through transorificial single port or flexible perirectal NOTES access are promising new approaches besides current methods to improve patient care.

Transaxillary single-port subtotal parathyroidectomy: feasibility study in cadavers.

Objective: to test the minimally invasive technique of single-port transaxillary subtotal parathyroidectomy in non-formalized cadavers to evaluate its viability and reproduction. Method: we performed ten subtotal parathyroidectomies through a transaxillary TriPort access in cadavers. The technique consisted of access through the axillary fossa, creating a subcutaneous tunnel to the anterior cervical region, for handling of the thyroid gland and dissection and resection of the parathyroid glands. Results: all surgeries were successful. The mean time of surgery was 65 minutes (57-79 min), with uncomplicated identification of all anatomical structures. There was no need for complementary incisions in the cervical region. Conclusion: the transaxillary single-port subtotal parathyroidectomy technique was feasible and reproducible, suggesting an alternative for minimally invasive cervical surgery.

Objetivo: testar a técnica minimamente invasiva de paratireoidectomia subtotal transaxilar single-port em cadáveres não formalizados para avaliar sua viabilidade e reprodução. Método: foram realizadas dez paratireoidectomias subtotais por via transaxilar através de acesso por TriPort em cadáveres. A técnica realizada consistiu em acesso pela fossa axilar, criando-se um túnel subcutâneo até a região cervical anterior, para manuseio da glândula tireoide e dissecção e ressecção das paratireoides. Resultados: todas as cirurgias foram realizadas com sucesso. O tempo médio de cirurgia foi 65 minutos (57-79 min), com identificação, sem dificuldades, de todas as estruturas anatômicas. Não houve necessidade de incisões complementares na região cervical. Conclusão: a técnica de paratireoidectomia subtotal transaxilar single-port foi viável e reprodutível, sugerindo uma alternativa para a cirurgia cervical minimamente invasiva.

Transaxillary single-port subtotal parathyroidectomy: feasibility study in cadavers / Paratireoidectomia subtotal transaxilar single-port: estudo de viabilidade em cadáver

ABSTRACT Objective : to test the minimally invasive technique of single-port transaxillary subtotal parathyroidectomy in non-formalized cadavers to evaluate its viability and reproduction. Method : we performed ten subtotal parathyroidectomies through a transaxillary TriPort access in cadavers. The technique consisted of access through the axillary fossa, creating a subcutaneous tunnel to the anterior cervical region, for handling of the thyroid gland and dissection and resection of the parathyroid glands. Results : all surgeries were successful. The mean time of surgery was 65 minutes (57-79 min), with uncomplicated identification of all anatomical structures. There was no need for complementary incisions in the cervical region. Conclusion : the transaxillary single-port subtotal parathyroidectomy technique was feasible and reproducible, suggesting an alternative for minimally invasive cervical surgery.

RESUMO Objetivo: testar a técnica minimamente invasiva de paratireoidectomia subtotal transaxilar single-port em cadáveres não formalizados para avaliar sua viabilidade e reprodução. Método: foram realizadas dez paratireoidectomias subtotais por via transaxilar através de acesso por TriPort em cadáveres. A técnica realizada consistiu em acesso pela fossa axilar, criando-se um túnel subcutâneo até a região cervical anterior, para manuseio da glândula tireoide e dissecção e ressecção das paratireoides. Resultados: todas as cirurgias foram realizadas com sucesso. O tempo médio de cirurgia foi 65 minutos (57-79 min), com identificação, sem dificuldades, de todas as estruturas anatômicas. Não houve necessidade de incisões complementares na região cervical. Conclusão: a técnica de paratireoidectomia subtotal transaxilar single-port foi viável e reprodutível, sugerindo uma alternativa para a cirurgia cervical minimamente invasiva.