Fit-for-Discharge Criteria after Esophagectomy: An International Expert Delphi Consensus.

There are no internationally recognized criteria available to determine preparedness for hospital discharge after esophagectomy. This study aims to achieve international consensus using Delphi methodology. The expert panel consisted of 40 esophageal surgeons spanning 16 countries and 4 continents. During a 3-round, web-based Delphi process, experts voted for discharge criteria using 5-point Likert scales. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics. Consensus was reached if agreement was ≥75% in round 3. Consensus was achieved for the following basic criteria: nutritional requirements are met by oral intake of at least liquids with optional supplementary nutrition via jejunal feeding tube. The patient should have passed flatus and does not require oxygen during mobilization or at rest. Central venous catheters should be removed. Adequate analgesia at rest and during mobilization is achieved using both oral opioid and non-opioid analgesics. All vital signs should be normal unless abnormal preoperatively. Inflammatory parameters should be trending down and close to normal (leucocyte count ≤12G/l and C-reactive protein ≤80 mg/dl). This multinational Delphi survey represents the first expert-led process for consensus criteria to determine 'fit-for-discharge' status after esophagectomy. Results of this Delphi survey may be applied to clinical outcomes research as an objective measure of short-term recovery. Furthermore, standardized endpoints identified through this process may be used in clinical practice to guide decisions regarding patient discharge and may help to reduce the risk of premature discharge or prolonged admission.

Lower oesophageal peptic stricture after laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy: World's first case report.

Laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG) is the most commonly performed bariatric surgery worldwide. De novo gastroesophageal reflux disease after LSG has been reported in the range of 0%-34.9%. Benign lower oesophageal peptic stricture is rare and has not been reported till date. We present the first case report of benign oesophageal peptic stricture post-sleeve gastrectomy and its management. The management modalities for peptic stricture post-LSG include proton pump inhibitors, endoscopic dilatation and surgical management. Revisional Roux-en-Y gastric bypass along with optimal usage of serial dilatation and medical treatment has been shown to be an effective treatment for the same.

Concomitant intraperitoneal onlay mesh repair with endoscopic component separation and sleeve gastrectomy.

Bariatric surgery can be safely combined with laparoscopic intraperitoneal onlay mesh (IPOM) repair. In case of large ventral hernias, laparoendoscopic component separation can also be combined to achieve tension-free closure of the defect. Concomitant bariatric surgery and hernia repair also offer the additional benefit of reduction in recurrence of hernias as obesity, one of the risk factors, is treated in the process. We present a case of 60-year-old man with a body mass index of 45.3 kg/m2 with a large recurrent ventral hernia. We performed a lap sleeve gastrectomy with laparoendoscopic anterior component separation with IPOM. The operative steps included hernia contents reduction, conventional sleeve gastrectomy, anterior component separation on either side, intra-corporeal closure of hernia defect and placement of a composite mesh. Patient recovery was uneventful. Concomitant bariatric surgery with laparoendoscopic component separation with IPOM may be safe, but more studies are required.

Deep vein thrombosis prophylaxis: Are we overdoing? An Asian survey on trends in bariatric surgery with a systematic review of literature.

BACKGROUND: Obesity is a risk factor for deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and venous thromboembolism (VTE). VTE is the most common cause of mortality in patients undergoing bariatric surgery. There is considerable variation in practice regarding methods, dosages and duration of prophylaxis in this patient population. Most of the literature is based on Western patients and specific guidelines for Asians do not exist. METHODS: We conducted a web-based survey amongst 11 surgeons from high-volume centres in Asia regarding their DVT prophylaxis measures in patients undergoing bariatric surgery. We collected and analysed the data. RESULTS: The reported incidence of DVT and VTE ranged from 0% to 0.2%. Most surgeons (63.64%) preferred to use both mechanical and chemoprophylaxis with low-molecular-weight heparin being the most preferred form of chemoprophylaxis (81.82%). There was an equal distribution of weight-based, body mass index-based and fixed-dose regimens. Duration of chemoprophylaxis ranged from 3-5 days after surgery to 2 weeks after surgery. For high-risk patients, 60% surgeons preferred to start chemoprophylaxis at least 1 week before surgery. Routine use of inferior vena cava filters in high-risk patients was not preferred with some surgeons adopting a selective use (36.36%). CONCLUSION: The purpose of this survey was to understand the trends in DVT prophylaxis amongst different high-volume bariatric centres in Asia and to relate the same with the existing literature on the different steps in prophylaxis. There is, however, a need for consensus guidelines for DVT prophylaxis in Asian obese.

Randomized clinical trial of laparoscopic versus open pancreatoduodenectomy for periampullary tumours.

BACKGROUND: Laparoscopic resection as an alternative to open pancreatoduodenectomy may yield short-term benefits, but has not been investigated in a randomized trial. The aim of this study was to compare laparoscopic and open pancreatoduodenectomy for short-term outcomes in a randomized trial. METHODS: Patients with periampullary cancers were randomized to either laparoscopic or open pancreatoduodenectomy. The outcomes evaluated were hospital stay (primary outcome), and blood loss, radicality of surgery, duration of operation and complication rate (secondary outcomes). RESULTS: Of 268 patients, 64 who met the eligibility criteria were randomized, 32 to each group. The median duration of postoperative hospital stay was longer for open pancreaticoduodenectomy than for laparoscopy (13 (range 6-30) versus 7 (5-52) days respectively; P = 0·001). Duration of operation was longer in the laparoscopy group. Blood loss was significantly greater in the open group (mean(s.d.) 401(46) versus 250(22) ml; P < 0·001). Number of nodes retrieved and R0 rate were similar in the two groups. There was no difference between the open and laparoscopic groups in delayed gastric emptying (7 of 32 versus 5 of 32), pancreatic fistula (6 of 32 versus 5 of 32) or postpancreatectomy haemorrhage (4 of 32 versus 3 of 32). Overall complications (defined according to the Clavien-Dindo classification) were similar (10 of 32 versus 8 of 32). There was one death in each group. CONCLUSION: Laparoscopy offered a shorter hospital stay than open pancreatoduodenectomy in this randomized trial. Registration number: NCT02081131( http://www.clinicaltrials.gov).

Proceedings of the first international state-of-the-art conference on minimally-invasive pancreatic resection (MIPR).

The application of minimally-invasive techniques to major pancreatic resection (MIPR) has occurred steadily, but slowly, over the last two decades. Questions linger regarding its safety, efficacy, and broad applicability. On April 20th, 2016, the first International State-of-the-Art Conference on Minimally Invasive Pancreatic Resection convened in Sao Paulo, Brazil in conjunction with the International Hepato-Pancreato-Biliary Association's (IHPBA) 10th World Congress. This report describes the genesis, preparation, execution and output from this seminal event. Major themes explored include: (i) scrutiny of best-level evidence outcomes of both MIPR Distal Pancreatectomy (DP) and pancreatoduodenectomy (PD), (ii) Cost/Value/Quality of Life assessment of MIPR, (iii) topics in training, education and credentialing, and (iv) development of best approaches to analyze results of MIPR - including clinical trial design and registry development. Results of a worldwide survey of over 400 surgeons on the practice of MIPR were presented. The proceedings of this event serve as a platform for understanding the role of MIPR in pancreatic resection. Data and concepts presented at this meeting form the basis for further study, application and dissemination of MIPR.

A case report of modified laparoscopic keyhole plus repair for parastomal hernia following ileal conduit.

Parastomal hernia is one of the most common but challenging complication after stoma formation. Modified Sugarbaker technique is the recommended procedure for repair parastomal hernia, however, keyhole repair technique had also been used in certain instances. In cases of parastomal hernia following ileal conduit procedure, the Sugarbaker technique is been described, although with associated theoretical risk of conduit failure. We are reporting a case of post-radical cystectomy with ileal conduit presented with symptomatic large parastomal hernia. Laparoscopic modified keyhole plus repair has been done successfully in this patient with no recurrence in 2 years of follow-up. The purpose of our case report is to describe our novel modification of the laparoscopic keyhole technique which can be a feasible and acceptable alternative surgical method in these types of patients.

Laparoscopic management of 'Y-shaped' gallbladder duplication with review of literature.

Gallbladder duplication is a rare congenital malformation that occurs in about 1:4000 cases. Congenital anomalies of the gallbladder and anatomical variations of their position are associated with an increased risk of complications during laparoscopic cholecystectomy. We report a case of gallbladder duplication with symptomatic cholelithiasis, who presented with recurrent episodes of biliary colic and subsequently underwent laparoscopic cholecystectomy with intraoperative cholangiography. We also discussed in brief about the available literature support in relation to incidence of this disorder, imaging modalities used, intraoperative strategies and recommended measures for safe outcomes.

Laparoscopic excision of rare case of recurrent presacral teratoma.

Tumours of the presacral space are rare to present. Most of them are benign masses, very rarely malignant. Surgery is the mainstay of treatment as it establishes the diagnosis and prevents the adverse consequences associated with malignant degeneration and secondary bacterial infection. Their surgical excision is often difficult because of their anatomic location. Very few cases have been reported so far concerning a laparoscopic management of presacral tumour. We hereby present a young girl with recurrent presacral teratoma. She underwent laparoscopic successful excision of tumour with uneventful post-operative recovery. Here, we are highlighting the importance of laparoscopic approach for this scenario in terms additional advantages of minimally invasive approach such as better visualisation of the deep structures in the narrow presacral space, precise dissection in a limited space between the tumour and neighbouring structures with avoiding injury to neurovascular structure.

Laparoscopic management of symptomatic residual appendicular tip: A rare case report.

Appendectomy is one of the most common emergency surgical procedures. Stump appendicitis is well-recognised entity has been described in the literature. Still, with recent advance in imaging technique, it remains as a clinical challenge for diagnosis and effective treatment. We present a case of 13-year-old boy who underwent laparoscopic appendectomy 3 months back and presented to us with acute abdomen associated with vomiting and fever. Imaging revealed the presence of a tubular residual inflamed tip of the appendix of size 4 cm laying in paracaecal position with approximately 50cc purulent collection around it. Subsequently, the patient underwent successful laparoscopic completion appendectomy with uneventful postoperative recovery. Histopathological examination confirmed that resected structure as an inflammatory residual appendix. For our knowledge, after an extensive search of English literature, no study had described about laparoscopic completion appendectomy for residual tip appendicitis. We authors hereby would like to emphasise the importance of complete removal of appendix not only stump part but also tip, especially in certain locations such as paracaecal, retrocaecal and subhepatic. Laparoscopy can be an option for the management of these patients, in selected cases, and with available expertise.

Ligation of the intersphincteric fistula tract for the treatment of fistula-in-ano: experience of a tertiary care centre in South India.

AIM: Ligation of the intersphincteric fistula tract (LIFT) is a new sphincter-sparing surgical technique increasingly used to treat fistulae-in-ano yielding good results. The aim of this study was to evaluate its effectiveness in the treatment of complex fistulae-in-ano and to determine factors associated with recurrence and its subsequent management. METHOD: A prospective observational study was performed of 167 patients with complex fistula-in-ano treated by LIFT from June 2013 to January 2014. In all patients a LIFT with partial core-out of the fistula tract was performed. RESULTS: There were 167 patients of mean age 43.6 ± 12.8 years. Thirty-three fistulae were recurrent. 150 were trans-sphincteric, 16 were intersphincteric and one was a suprasphincteric fistula. The median postoperative stay was 2 (range: 1-14) days (mean = 2.4 days). At follow up there was no change in continence. The median healing time was 4 (range: 1-8) weeks. Two patients developed an intersphincteric abscess needing surgical drainage healing uneventfully. The mean follow up was 12.8 [median = 12 (range: 4-22)] months. The healing rate was 94.1%. Ten (5.9%) patients developed a recurrent fistula that was managed by a second LIFT procedure in seven, a sinus tract excision with curettage in two and seton placement in one. Recurrence was significantly associated with diabetes mellitus and perianal collections and showed an increased incidence with tract abscesses and multiple tracts. CONCLUSION: LIFT has a high success rate in complex fistulae-in-ano. Recurrence is related to diabetes mellitus, perianal collections, tract abscesses and multiple tracts and a second LIFT procedure may be feasible and efficient.

Laparoscopic pylorus preserving pancreaticoduodenectomy in paediatric age for solid pseudopapillary neoplasm of head of the pancreas - case report.

Solid pseudopapillary neoplasm (SPN) of the pancreas is a rare tumour commonly seen in young women without significant clinical features. SPN is usually a lowgrade malignant neoplasm which warrants resection. Recurrence and metastasis is seen rarely after complete resection. Pancreaticoduodenectomy is indicated for SPN situated in head of the pancreas which is generally performed by open approach. Laparoscopic pancreaticoduodenectomy (LPD) is difficult to perform for this condition because of smaller size of pancreatic and hepatic ducts more so in paediatric population. We report a case of 12 years old girl having SPN arising from head of the pancreas. She underwent laparoscopic pylorus preserving pancreaticoduodenectomy. Post-operative period was uneventful. Histological examination of resected specimen confirmed diagnosis of SPN. At 6 months follow up, she was doing well without any recurrence. To best of our knowledge, no case of LPD in paediatric patients is reported in literature available to us.

Long-term results of hepatic hydatid disease managed using palanivelu hydatid system: Indian experience in tertiary center.

BACKGROUND: Incidence of hepatic hydatid disease is increasing due to globalization. Surgery is the gold standard treatment. Laparoscopy has gained enough evidence regarding its safety and efficacy. Complete evacuation of hydatid contents without spillage remains a challenge. We aimed to determine long-term results of hepatic hydatid disease managed laparoscopically using palanivelu hydatid system (PHS) at our institution. METHODS: One hundred and five patients underwent laparoscopic surgical management using the PHS at our institute from May 1997 to May 2013. Clinical presentations, surgical strategy, postoperative morbidity, and long-term recurrence rate were evaluated. RESULTS: Of the 105 patients, 76 were male and 29 female with a mean age of 32 years (range 14-71 years). The most common presentation was abdominal pain in 61 patients (58%). Sixteen patients had multiple cysts of which nine had involvement of both lobes. Seventy-seven (73.3%) cysts were uncomplicated. Nineteen (18.09%) had a cyst-biliary communication, two were ruptured cysts, and seven were recurrent cysts. All patients underwent successful laparoscopic management where conservative surgery was performed in 94 patients and radical surgery in 11 patients. Post-operative morbidity was seen in 18 (17.14 %) patients, which included deep cavity infection in two cases, post-operative bile leak in 13 cases, and duodenal injury in one case without any mortality. Mean long-term follow-up was 36 months (range 6 months-5 years) with recurrence in two cases. CONCLUSION: Our long-term results with PHS showed good outcomes in the laparoscopic management of hepatic hydatid disease with conservative surgery as the preferred approach reserving radical surgery only in selected cases.

Role of endoscopic stents and selective minimal access drainage in oesophageal leaks: feasibility and outcome.

BACKGROUND: Leaks following oesophageal surgery are considered to be amongst the most dreaded complications and contributory to postoperative mortality. Controversies still exist regarding the best option for the management of oesophageal leaks due to lack of standardized treatment protocols. This study was designed to analyse the feasibility outcome and complications associated with placement of removable, fully covered, self-expanding metallic stents for oesophageal leaks with concomitant minimally invasive drainage when appropriate. METHODS: The study group included 32 patients from a prospectively maintained database of oesophageal leaks, with the majority being anastomotic leaks after minimally invasive oesophagectomy (n = 28), followed by laparoscopic cardiomyotomy (n = 3) and extended total gastrectomy (n = 1). The procedures took place between March 2007 and April 2013. RESULTS: Most patients had an intrathoracic leak (n = 22), with a mean time to detection of the leak following surgery of 7.50 days (SD = 2.23). Subsequent to endoscopic stenting, enteral feeding via a nasojejunal tube was started on the second day and oral feeding was delayed until the 14th day (n = 31). Six patients underwent thoracoscopic (n = 5) or laparoscopic drainage (n = 1) along with stenting for significant mediastinal and intra-abdominal contamination. The stent migration rate of our study was 8.54%. The overall success in terms of preventing mortality was 96%. CONCLUSION: Endoscopic stenting should be considered a primary option for managing oesophageal leaks. Delayed oral intake may reduce the incidence of stent migration. Larger stents (bariatric or colorectal stents) serve as a useful option in case of migrated stents. Combined minimally invasive procedures can be safely adapted in appropriate clinical circumstances and may contribute to better outcomes.

Delphi consensus statement for understanding and managing the subcostal hernia: subcostal hernias collaborative report (scholar study).

INTRODUCTION: Subcostal hernias are categorized as L1 based on the European Hernia Society (EHS) classification and frequently involve M1, M2, and L2 sites. These are common after hepatopancreatic and biliary surgeries. The literature on subcostal hernias mostly comprises of retrospective reviews of small heterogenous cohorts, unsurprisingly leading to no consensus or guidelines. Given the limited literature and lack of consensus or guidelines for dealing with these hernias, we planned for a Delphi consensus to aid in decision making to repair subcostal hernias. METHODS: We adopted a modified Delphi technique to establish consensus regarding the definition, characteristics, and surgical aspects of managing subcostal hernias (SCH). It was a four-phase Delphi study reflecting the widely accepted model, consisting of: 1. Creating a query. 2. Building an expert panel. 3. Executing the Delphi rounds. 4. Analysing, presenting, and reporting the Delphi results. More than 70% of agreement was defined as a consensus statement. RESULTS: The 22 experts who agreed to participate in this Delphi process for Subcostal Hernias (SCH) comprised 7 UK surgeons, 6 mainland European surgeons, 4 Indians, 3 from the USA, and 2 from Southeast Asia. This Delphi study on subcostal hernias achieved consensus on the following areas-use of mesh in elective cases; the retromuscular position with strong discouragement for onlay mesh; use of macroporous medium-weight polypropylene mesh; use of the subcostal incision over midline incision if there is no previous midline incision; TAR over ACST; defect closure where MAS is used; transverse suturing over vertical suturing for closure of circular defects; and use of peritoneal flap when necessary. CONCLUSION: This Delphi consensus defines subcostal hernias and gives insight into the consensus for incision, dissection plane, mesh placement, mesh type, and mesh fixation for these hernias.

Laparoscopic duodenojejunal bypass with sleeve gastrectomy: preliminary results of a prospective series from India.

BACKGROUND: Bariatric surgeries are now redefined as metabolic surgeries given the excellent resolution of metabolic derangements accompanying obesity. Duodenojejunal bypass (DJB) is a novel metabolic surgery based on foregut hypothesis. Reports describe DJB as a stand-alone procedure for the treatment of diabetes in nonobese subjects. For obese subjects, DJB is combined with sleeve gastrectomy. This combination of DJB and sleeve gastrectomy is proposed as an ideal alternative to Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) with these advantages: (1) easy postoperative endoscopic surveillance, (2) preservation of the pyloric mechanism, which prevents dumping syndrome, and (3) reduced alimentary limb tension. This study aimed to analyze the short-term outcomes of laparoscopic DJB with sleeve gastrectomy for morbidly obese patients. METHODS: At our institution, 38 patients who underwent laparoscopic DJB with sleeve gastrectomy were followed up. The inclusion criteria for the study were according to the Asian Pacific Bariatric Surgery Society guidelines. Sleeve gastrectomy was performed over a 36-Fr bougie, with the first part of the duodenum mobilized and transected. The jejunum was divided 50 cm distal to duodenojejunal flexure. A 75- to 150-cm alimentary limb was fashioned and brought in a retrocolic manner. End-to-end hand-sewn duodenojejunostomy was performed. Intestinal continuity was restored with a stapled jejunojejunostomy, and mesenteric rents were closed. RESULTS: The study population consisted of 38 patients (15 men and 23 women) ranging in age from 31 to 48 years. During a mean follow-up period of 17 months, the excess body weight loss was 72%, with a 92% resolution of diabetes. One patient presented with internal herniation through the retrocolic window 1 month after the operation and was managed surgically without any complication. No other minor or major complications occurred, and there was no mortality. CONCLUSION: Laparoscopic DJB with sleeve gastrectomy is safe and effective in achieving durable weight loss and excellent resolution of comorbidities. Long-term follow-up studies are needed.

Laparoendoscopic single-site lateral pancreaticojejunostomy.

BACKGROUND: Chronic pancreatitis is mainly managed with drugs, but surgery is required in selected groups of patients. The Partington procedure is still the procedure of choice for patients with a dilated main pancreatic duct but without an inflammatory pancreatic head mass. The same equivalent can be achieved by laparoscopic approach. Laparoendoscopic single-site surgery gained tremendous attention in the past few years. Complex surgeries are being reported using this technique. We report in this paper the first laparoendoscopic single-site lateral pancreaticojejunostomy (LPJ) for chronic calcific pancreatitis with dilated pancreatic duct. PATIENT AND METHOD: The procedure was performed on a 32-year-old female diagnosed to have chronic calcific pancreatitis. A single vertical 2.5-cm umbilical incision and one 10-mm and two 5-mm ports were made. The procedure was completed in 220 min without any intraoperative complication. There were no postoperative complications, and the patient was discharged on day 5 when she started taking routine diet. CONCLUSION: This preliminary experience suggests that single-incision laparoscopic LPJ is feasible and safe when performed by an experienced laparoscopic surgeon. It has a cosmetic advantage over laparoscopic LPJ. However, it remains to be determined if this technique offers additional advantages of decreased analgesia, decreased hospital stay or cost effectiveness. Further studies are required to analyze these factors.

Impact of Bariatric Surgery on Female Reproductive Health and Maternal Outcomes.

INTRODUCTION: Obesity has a derogatory effect on female reproductive health. Obesity contributes to difficulty in natural conception, increased risk of pregnancy-associated complications, miscarriages, congenital anomalies, and also the long-term negative impact on both mother and the child. OBJECTIVES: Our study aimed to analyze and assess the reproductive health-associated outcomes of females who underwent bariatric surgery. METHODS: We performed a retrospective analysis from a prospectively collected database from June 2013 to June2016. Out of 71 females studied, 45 patients (63.5%) had completed 3 years of follow-up. The data were collected from inpatient and outpatient records. Patients were studied under three groups (A, patients with polycystic ovarian disease (PCOD) symptoms; B, patients with primary infertility; and C, patients who conceived after bariatric surgery that were included in groups A and B). RESULTS: Out of 45 patients studied, 40 patients underwent laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG), four patients underwent laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB), and one patient underwent laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding (LAGB). The mean BMI of the patients was 43.64 ± 6.8 kg/m2. PCOD symptoms improved symptomatically (p = 0.001) after surgery in the group. Seven (43.75%) primary infertility patients conceived after surgery. Three (42.9%) patients conceived naturally while 4 (57.1%) conceived with ART in group B. Out of total population of 45 in group C, percentages of patients who delivered baby with short gestational age (SGA), low birth weight (LBW), normal vaginal deliveries (NVD), and maternal anemia were 63.15%,47.3%,73.4%, and26.3%, respectively. CONCLUSION: Obesity is closely associated with primary infertility and PCOD. Menstrual abnormalities associated with PCOD significantly improve after bariatric surgery with significant improvement in fertility along with maternal outcomes.

Is Laparoscopic Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass Still the Gold Standard Procedure for Indians? Mid- to Long-Term Outcomes from a Tertiary Care Center.

PURPOSE: Laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) is the oldest and most widely performed bariatric surgery worldwide. There is, however, a scarcity of mid- to long-term data of RYGB, especially from the Indian subcontinent. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study was a single-center, retrospective analysis from patients who underwent RYGB between January 2009 and November 2014 from a tertiary care center in India. Percent of total weight loss (%TWL) was taken as the primary outcome of the study. Secondary outcomes included type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) remission, comorbidity resolution, revisional surgeries, and complications related to RYGB at 1 year, at 3 years, and during the long term, following surgery. Postoperative visits took place at 1 and 3 years, while the long-term outcome was at median 8.3 years (range 5.4-11.2 years), with a follow-up of 92.4% (488/528), 80.5% (424/527) and 69.5% (363/522), respectively. RESULTS: Out of 528 patients studied, 56% were females. The mean body mass index (BMI) was 40.6 ± 6.9 kg/m2. The %TWL in the long-term follow-up was 21.8 ± 11.3%. T2DM remission rates at 1 year, at 3 years, and during the long term were 84.5%, 70.0%, and 60.0%, respectively. Preoperative HBA1c (p = 0.002) and insulin usage (p = 0.016) had a significant predictive effect on T2DM remission. Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) improved significantly (p < 0.001). Early (< 30 days) and late (> 30 days) complications were observed in 2.3% and 4.3% of the patients, respectively. CONCLUSION: Weight loss during mid to long-term follow-up was maintained in the majority of the patients after RYGB. However, a small proportion had significant weight regain in the long term. T2DM, GERD, and other comorbidities were well improved after RYGB.

Evolution in techniques of laparoscopic pancreaticoduodenectomy: a decade long experience from a tertiary center.

BACKGROUND: Laparoscopic pancreaticoduodenectomy is a technically demanding surgery performed only at few centers in the world. This article aims to describe the evolution of the technique and summarizes the results in our institute over the years. METHODS: Prospective data of patients undergoing laparoscopic pancreaticoduodenectomy from March 1998 to January 2009 was retrospectively reviewed. RESULTS: There were a total of 75 patients (22 females and 53 males) with a mean age of 62 (range, 28-76) years. Conversion rate was 0%, overall postoperative morbidity was 26.7% and mortality rate was 1. 33%. Pancreatic fistula was seen in 6.67%. The mean operating time was 357 min (range 270-650), and the mean blood loss was 74 ml (range 35-410). The average time to the first bowel movement was 3 days and mean hospital stay was 8.2 days (range 6-42). Resected margins were positive in 2.6% of cases. The mean number of retrieved lymph nodes for the malignant lesions was 14 (range 8-22). CONCLUSION: Laparoscopic pancreaticoduodenectomy can be safely performed by highly skilled laparoscopic surgeons. This technique can achieve adequate margins and follow oncological principles. Randomized comparative trials are needed to establish the superiority of laparoscopy versus open surgery.