Roux-en-Y fistulo-jejunostomy as a salvage procedure in patients with post-sleeve gastrectomy fistula: mid-term results.

BACKGROUND: Sleeve gastrectomy (SG) is currently the most commonly performed bariatric procedure in France. It achieves both adequate excess weight loss and significant reduction in comorbidities. However, fistula is still the most common complication after SG, occurring in more than 3 % of cases, even in specialized centers (Gagner and Buchwald in Surg Obes Relat Dis 10:713-723. doi: 10.1016/j.soard.2014.01.016 , 2014). Its management is not standardized, long, and challenging. We have already reported the short-term results of Roux-en-Y fistulo-jejunostomy (RYFJ) as a salvage procedure in patients with post-SG fistula (Chouillard et al. in Surg Endosc 28:1954-1960 doi: 10.1007/s00464-014-3424-y , 2014). In this study, we analyzed the mid-term results of the RYFJ emphasizing its endoscopic, radiologic, and safety outcome. METHODS: Between January 2007 and December 2013, we treated 75 patients with post-SG fistula, mainly referred from other centers. Immediate management principles included computerized tomography (CT) scan-guided drainage of collections or surgical peritoneal lavage, nutritional support, and endoscopic stenting. Ultimately, this approach achieved fistula control in nearly two-thirds of the patients. In the remaining third, RYFJ was proposed, eventually leading to fistula control in all cases. The mid-term results (i.e., more than 1 year after surgery) were assessed using anamnesis, clinical evaluation, biology tests, upper digestive tract endoscopy, and IV-enhanced CT scan with contrast upper series. RESULTS: Thirty patients (22 women and 8 men) had RYFJ for post-SG fistula. Mean age was 40 years (range 22-59). Procedures were performed laparoscopically in all but 3 cases (90 %). Three patients (10 %) were lost to follow-up. Mean follow-up period was 22 months (18-90). Mean body mass index (BMI) was 27.4 kg/m(2) (22-41). Endoscopic and radiologic assessment revealed no persistent fistula and no residual collections. CONCLUSIONS: Despite the lack of long-term follow-up, RYFJ could be a safe and feasible salvage option for the treatment of patients with post-SG fistula, especially those who failed conservative management. Mid-term outcome analysis confirms that fistula control is durable. Weight loss panel is satisfactory.

Are papillary microcarcinomas of the thyroid gland revealed by cervical adenopathy more aggressive?

Therapeutic attitudes for papillary thyroid microcarcinoma (PTMC) range from observation alone to aggressive management. Clinicopathologic features, therapeutic options, and follow-up results are described in a series of PTMC revealed by cervical adenopathies. Twelve patients were enrolled in this retrospective study. They were all treated by total/near-total thyroidectomy with dissection of suspect cervical lymph nodes followed by radioactive iodine (RAI) and suppressive L-thyroxine therapies. Mean age at diagnosis was 32 years with a mean elapsed time to diagnosis of 45.3 months. Fine needle aspiration cytology and excisional biopsy of the lymph node led to a diagnosis in all cases. Cervical mass was ipsilateral to primary tumor in six patients (50%). Multifocality, bilaterality, and capsular invasion were encountered in 66.7, 66.7, and 41.7 per cent of patients, respectively. Lymph node involvement was bilateral in seven patients (58.3%) of whom thyroid foci were unilateral in two. No complications of thyroidectomy were encountered. At 60-month-follow up, no recurrence or metastasis was noted. PTMC revealed by cervical lymph node metastasis shows aggressive clinicopathologic features. They must be considered as papillary thyroid cancers and managed by total/near-total thyroidectomy with bilateral lymph node exploration followed by RAI therapy and suppressive L-thyroxine doses.

Laparoscopic treatment of complicated colonic diverticular disease: A review.

Up to 10% of acute colonic diverticulitis may necessitate a surgical intervention. Although associated with high morbidity and mortality rates, Hartmann's procedure (HP) has been considered for many years to be the gold standard for the treatment of generalized peritonitis. To reduce the burden of surgery in these situations and as driven by the accumulated experience in colorectal and minimally-invasive surgery, laparoscopy has been increasingly adopted in the management of abdominal emergencies. Multiple case series and retrospective comparative studies confirmed that with experienced hands, the laparoscopic approach provided better outcomes than the open surgery. This technique applies to all interventions related to complicated diverticular disease, such as HP, sigmoid resection with primary anastomosis (RPA) and reversal of HP. The laparoscopic approach also provided new therapeutic possibilities with the emergence of the laparoscopic lavage drainage (LLD), particularly interesting in the context of purulent peritonitis of diverticular origin. At this stage, however, most of our knowledge in these fields relies on studies of low-level evidence. More than ever, well-built large randomized controlled trials are necessary to answer present interrogations such as the exact place of LLD or the most appropriate sigmoid resection procedure (laparoscopic HP or RPA), as well as to confirm the advantages of laparoscopy in chronic complications of diverticulitis or HP reversal.

Laparoscopic management of foramen of Winslow incarcerated hernia.

Foramen of Winslow hernia (FWH) is a rare and often overlooked diagnosis with a high mortality rate. Widespread availability of cross-sectional imaging allows early diagnosis and prompt management. In this setting, before ischemia occurs, explorative laparoscopy would be the most suitable approach. Experience, however, remains sparse, and technical difficulties may be encountered. This is the case of a 38-year-old Caucasian woman who presented to the emergency department for a sudden epigastric pain. Physical exam was unremarkable, and routine blood tests were within normal range. An abdominal computed tomography (CT) scan confirmed the diagnosis of ileocaecal herniation through the foramen of Winslow. Under urgent laparoscopy, the caecum appeared viable but incarcerated in the lesser sac. Caecal puncture was the key to achieving atraumatic reduction of the hernia and bowel salvage.

Single-Incision Laparoscopy Could Be Better than Standard Laparoscopy in Right Colectomy for Cancer.

BACKGROUND: Human natural orifice transluminal endoscopic surgery (NOTES) is slowed down by technical hurdles. Concomitantly, single-incision laparoscopy has been increasingly reported as an alternative. By reducing the invasiveness of standard laparoscopy, we may further reduce postoperative pain, decrease morbidity, preserve abdominal wall, and enhance cosmesis. Such techniques have been widely applied, including in colorectal surgery. The aim of this multicenter study is to compare the results of single-incision right colectomy (SIRC) with the results of the standard laparoscopic right colectomy (SLRC) in patients with colon cancer. METHODS: The files of patients who underwent right colectomy for cancer in five hospitals between January 2010 and December 2013 have been reviewed. Exclusion criteria were open surgery, emergency setting, and American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) score >3. Patients were distributed in Groups A (SIRC) or B (SLRC). RESULTS: Five hundred ninety-two patients were included in this study, 336 in Group A and 256 in Group B. Mean operative time was 129.0 minutes (range 65-245) in Group A and 168.1 minutes in the Group B (range 70-290), respectively (P < .001). No mortality occurred in either group. The overall 30-day morbidity rates were 21.4% in Group A and 25% in Group B, respectively (P = .64). The median length of hospital stay was 4.95 days (range 3-14) in Group A and 5.5 days in Group B (range 3-12), respectively (P = .28). Conversion to laparotomy occurred in four patients in each group (P = 1). Length of skin incision was significantly shorter in Group A than in Group B (2.99 ± 0.63 cm versus 4.94 ± 0.65 cm, P < .001). Histological analysis of the operative specimens showed no significant differences. CONCLUSION: SIRC is feasible and sure for patients with colon cancer. As compared with SLRC, SIRC may offer some advantages, including lower operative morbidity, shorter hospital stay, and better cosmoses, without compromising the oncological quality of the resected specimen.

New trends in colorectal surgery: single port and natural orifice techniques.

Single-incision laparoscopic surgery (SILS) and natural orifice transluminal endoscopic surgery (NOTES) have rapidly gained pace worldwide, potentially replacing conventional laparoscopic surgery (CLS) as the preferred colorectal surgery technique. Currently available data mainly consist of retrospective series analyzed in four meta-analyses. Despite conflicting results and lack of an objective comparison, SILS appears to offer cosmetic advantages over CLS. However, due to conflicting results and marked heterogeneity, present data fail to show significant differences in terms of operative time, postoperative morbidity profiles, port-site complications rates, oncological appropriateness, duration of hospitalization or cost when comparing SILS with conventional laparoscopy for colorectal procedures. The application of "pure" NOTES in humans remains limited to case reports because of unresolved issues concerning the ideal access site, distant organ reach, spatial orientation and viscera closure. Alternatively, minilaparoscopy-assisted natural orifice surgery techniques are being developed. The transanal "down-to-up" total mesorectum excision has been derived for transanal endoscopic microsurgery (TEM) and represents the most encouraging NOTES-derived technique. Preliminary experiences demonstrate good oncological and functional short-term outcomes. Large-scale randomized controlled trials are now mandatory to confirm the long-term SILS results and validate transanal TEM for the application of NOTES in humans.

One thousand consecutive mini-gastric bypass: short- and long-term outcome.

There is growing evidence that mini-gastric bypass (MGB) is a safe and effective procedure. Operative outcome and long-term follow-up of a consecutive cohort of patients who underwent MGB are reported. The data on 1,000 patients who underwent MGB from November 2005 to January 2011 at an academic institution were reviewed. Mean age was 33.15 ± 10.17 years (range, 14-72), preoperative BMI was 42.5 ± 6.3 kg/m(2) (range, 26-75), mean preoperative weight was 121.6 ± 23.8 kg (range, 71-240), and 663 were women. Operative time and length of stay for primary vs. revisional MGB were 89 ± 12.8 min vs. 144 ± 15 min (p < 0.01) and l.85 ± 0.8 day vs. 2.35 ± 1.89 day (p < 0.01). No deaths occurred within 30 days of surgery. Short-term complications occurred in 2.7% for primary vs. 11.6% for revisionnal MGB (p < 0.01). Five (0.5%) patients presented with leakage from the gastric tube but none had anastomotic leakage. Four (0.4%) patients, all with revisional MGB, presented with severe bile reflux and were cured by stapling the afferent loop and by a latero-lateral jejunojejunostomy. Excessive weight loss occurred in four patients; two were reversed and two were converted to sleeve gastrectomy. Maximal percent excess weight loss (EWL) of 72.5% occurred at 18 months. Weight regain subsequently occurred with a mean variation of -3.9% EWL at 60 months. The 50% EWL was achieved for 95% of patients at 18 months and for 89.8% at 60 months. MGB is an effective, relatively low-risk, and low-failure bariatric procedure. In addition, it can be easily revised, converted, or reversed.

Digestive manifestations of parathyroid disorders.

The parathyroid glands are the main regulator of plasma calcium and have a direct influence on the digestive tract. Parathyroid disturbances often result in unknown long-standing symptoms. The main manifestation of hypoparathyroidism is steatorrhea due to a deficit in exocrine pancreas secretion. The association with celiac sprue may contribute to malabsorption. Hyperparathyroidism causes smooth-muscle atony, with upper and lower gastrointestinal symptoms such as nausea, heartburn and constipation. Hyperparathyroidism and peptic ulcer were strongly linked before the advent of proton pump inhibitors. Nowadays, this association remains likely only in the particular context of multiple endocrine neoplasia type 1/Zollinger-Ellison syndrome. In contrast to chronic pancreatitis, acute pancreatitis due to primary hyperparathyroidism is one of the most studied topics. The causative effect of high calcium level is confirmed and the distinction from secondary hyperparathyroidism is mandatory. The digestive manifestations of parathyroid malfunction are often overlooked and serum calcium level must be included in the routine workup for abdominal symptoms.

Cervical neck dissection without drains in well-differentiated thyroid carcinoma.

This study aims to review the safety of thyroidectomy combined with cervical neck dissection without drainage in well-differentiated thyroid carcinoma (WDTC). The medical records of consecutive patients who underwent thyroidectomy without drainage for WDTC were retrospectively reviewed. Group 1 included 123 patients who underwent thyroidectomy with central neck dissection and Group 2 included 46 patients who underwent thyroidectomy with central and lateral neck dissection. One hundred twenty-seven patients underwent thyroidectomy without neck dissection and were included in Group 3. Overall, 16 patients (5%) developed postoperative hematoma and/or seroma, seven patients (6%) in the Group 1, three patients (7%) in the Group 2, and six patients (5%) in Group 3. All patients had minor bleeding or seroma not requiring surgical intervention. Overall, 68 patients (23%) had transient postoperative hypocalcaemia, and four patients(1%) had permanent hypoparathyroidism. Seventeen patients (6%) had transient postoperative hoarseness and three had permanent vocal cord paralysis (0.6%). The postoperative stay for all groups was 1 day in 91 per cent of the cases. Patients from Groups 1 and 2 had no increased perioperative local complications or length of stay as compared with Group 3. Cervical neck dissection and thyroidectomy without drains is safe and effective in the treatment of WDTC.

An exceptional cause of left lower quadrant abdominal pain.

Acute appendicitis is an exceptional cause of left lower quadrant abdominal pain. Computed tomography scan is the key to its diagnosis and helps to establish its early treatment. We present a case of a 35-year-old male patient who presented acute appendicitis with redundant and loosely attached cecum which was diagnosed based on his left lower quadrant abdominal pain.

Consequences of dysthyroidism on the digestive tract and viscera.

Thyroid hormones define basal metabolism throughout the body, particularly in the intestine and viscera. Gastrointestinal manifestations of dysthyroidism are numerous and involve all portions of the tract. Thyroid hormone action on motility has been widely studied, but more complex pathophysiologic mechanisms have been indicated by some studies although these are not fully understood. Both thyroid hormone excess and deficiency can have similar digestive manifestations, such as diarrhea, although the mechanism is different in each situation. The liver is the most affected organ in both hypo- and hyperthyroidism. Specific digestive diseases may be associated with autoimmune thyroid processes, such as Hashimoto's thyroiditis and Grave's disease. Among them, celiac sprue and primary biliary cirrhosis are the most frequent although a clear common mechanism has never been proven. Overall, thyroid-related digestive manifestations were described decades ago but studies are still needed in order to confirm old concepts or elucidate undiscovered mechanisms. All practitioners must be aware of digestive symptoms due to dysthyroidism in order to avoid misdiagnosis of rare but potentially lethal situations.

Acute mesenteric ischemia after cardio-pulmonary bypass surgery.

Acute mesenteric ischemia (AMI) is a highly-lethal surgical emergency. Several pathophysiologic events (arterial obstruction, venous thrombosis and diffuse vasospasm) lead to a sudden decrease in mesenteric blood flow. Ischemia/reperfusion syndrome of the intestine is responsible for systemic abnormalities, leading to multi-organ failure and death. Early diagnosis is difficult because the clinical presentation is subtle, and the biological and radiological diagnostic tools lack sensitivity and specificity. Therapeutic options vary from conservative resuscitation, medical treatment, endovascular techniques and surgical resection and revascularization. A high index of suspicion is required for diagnosis, and prompt treatment is the only hope of reducing the mortality rate. Studies are in progress to provide more accurate diagnostic tools for early diagnosis. AMI can complicate the post-operative course of patients following cardio-pulmonary bypass (CPB). Several factors contribute to the systemic hypo-perfusion state, which is the most frequent pathophysiologic event. In this particular setting, the clinical presentation of AMI can be misleading, while the laboratory and radiological diagnostic tests often produce inconclusive results. The management strategies are controversial, but early treatment is critical for saving lives. Based on the experience of our team, we consider prompt exploratory laparotomy, irrespective of the results of the diagnostic tests, is the only way to provide objective assessment and adequate treatment, leading to dramatic reduction in the mortality rate.

Ultrasonography: highly accuracy technique for preoperative localization of parathyroid adenoma.

OBJECTIVES/HYPOTHESIS: This study evaluates the accuracy of ultrasonography in guided unilateral parathyroidectomy to treat primary hyperparathyroidism. STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective study. METHODS: Two hundred fifty-three patients with primary hyperparathyroidism underwent preoperative ultrasonography. Two groups were defined. Group 1 included the patients in whom the preoperative cervical ultrasound localized one abnormal parathyroid gland; these patients underwent unilateral surgical exploration of the neck under local anesthesia. Group 2 included the patients who had a bilateral neck exploration under general anesthesia when the preoperative examination was equivocal or failed to localize the lesion, when concomitant thyroid pathology indicated thyroidectomy, and when justified by the surgical findings. RESULTS: Sensitivity and positive predictive value of ultrasonography in detecting abnormal parathyroid gland were 96% and 98%, respectively. Cervical ultrasound correctly identified, 96% and 85% of abnormal glands in groups 1 and 2, respectively. The presence of thyroid nodular disease did not affect ultrasonographic accuracy. Sonographic examination decreased the operative time of parathyroidectomy to an average of 15 minutes. Mediastinal and retroesophageal localizations of abnormal parathyroid gland adversely affected the accuracy of the ultrasound. No cervical hematoma was noted. Transient recurrent laryngeal nerve palsy occurred in four patients. Twenty-three patients required postoperative calcium supplementation for 2 to 4 months, and all were normocalcemic at follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: Cervical ultrasound is a reliable preoperative exploration allowing parathyroidectomy via unilateral approach under local anesthesia.

Is prompt exploratory laparotomy the best attitude for mesenteric ischemia after cardiac surgery?

Mesenteric ischemia following cardiac surgery is a life-threatening complication. Early identification of patients may help optimizing management and improving outcome. Between January 2000 and July 2007, surgical exploration was realized when mesenteric ischemia was suspected after coronary-artery bypass grafts (CABG). Patients were divided in two groups according to diagnosis confirmation upon laparotomy. Peri-operative predictors of complication and death were analyzed. Of 1634 consecutive patients, 13 (0.8%) developed acute abdomen with suspicion of mesenteric ischemia. Seven (0.4%) underwent resection for ischemic lesions (group 1), of whom two were during a second look laparotomy. The other six patients had normal bowel (group 2). Both groups were comparable according to preoperative status, clinical signs, biological and radiological findings. Delays to laparotomy were 13.7+/-19.0 and 51.4+/-29.0 h in group 1 and 2, respectively (P=0.02). Mortality rates were 46.1% (6/13) overall, 42.8% for group 1 and 50% for group 2. All deaths occurred within the first nine postoperative days. Mesenteric ischemia following CABG is a fatal complication in almost half the cases. Diagnostic tools and timely laparotomy still need to be optimized. Low threshold-based strategy for prompt surgical intervention is efficient for both diagnosis and treatment.