Thoracic Duct Visualization in Esophageal Resection: A Pilot Trial.

INTRODUCTION: Inadvertent thoracic duct injury is common during esophagectomy and may result in postoperative chylothorax. This study's objective was to investigate utility of patent blue injection as a modality for intraoperative thoracic duct visualization. METHODS: A prospective, single-arm, interventional study of patients undergoing minimally invasive esophagectomy was performed. Patients were injected with patent blue dye into both groins prior to thoracic stage of surgery and assessed for duct visualization. Control group was formed by propensity score matching using retrospectively collected data regarding patients who underwent esophagectomy. RESULTS: A total of 25 patients were included in analysis, compared to a control of 50 patients after matching. Thoracic duct was visualized in 60% of patients in the study group (15/25 patients). Significant differences were found between study and control groups (p < 0.05) with regards to median operative time (422 vs. 285 min, respectively), overall complications (16 vs. 34%, respectively), and median postoperative length of stay (13.5 vs. 10 days, respectively). There was a difference in rate of chyle leak between study and control groups; however, this was not significant (0 vs. 12%, respectively, p = 0.17). CONCLUSION: Patent blue injection represents a simple method for thoracic duct visualization during minimally invasive esophagectomy which may improve surgical outcomes.

Implementing the first program of minimally invasive esophagectomy for cancer in Israel: shifting the paradigm in a high-volume center - a cohort study.

BACKGROUND: Esophagectomy is associated with significant perioperative morbidity. Limited data are available on the process of implementation of minimally invasive techniques in esophagectomy and related outcomes. The authors sought to describe implementation processes and outcomes following the implementation of the first minimally invasive esophagectomy (MIE) program at a high-volume center in Israel under the mentorship of American early adopters. METHODS: Patients who underwent esophagectomy for esophageal carcinoma 2011-2022 were included. Early and late cohorts were created for learning curve analysis. Secondary analysis included patients who underwent open esophagectomy 1997-2011. RESULTS: Overall, 300 patients underwent MIE: three-field MIE (3F-MIE) was performed in 242 (80.7%) patients, two-field MIE (2F-MIE) in 58 (19.3%) patients. Following program implementation in 2012, the number of MIE performed increased during the first 3 years ( n =33, 86.8% in 2015). Among 3F-MIE patients, a higher number of retrieved lymph nodes was reported during later cases (median, IQR1-3 17, 12-23 vs. 12, 8-12, P <0.001) while surgeries required a longer time (median, IQR1-3 300 min, 261-355 vs. 262.5, 239-300, P <0.001). Among 2F-MIE patients, the late cohort had lower rates of prolonged ICU admissions than earlier counterparts ( n =2, 6.9% vs. n =9, 31%, P =0.041), overall and severe 30-day complications ( n =12, 41.4% vs. n =23, 79.3%, P <0.001 and n =7, 24.1% vs. n =23, 79.3%, P =0.003). CONCLUSIONS: MIE was safely implemented. Nodal yield was higher among MIE patients than open esophagectomy. During the study years, open approach was gradually abandoned in favor of 3F-MIE procedures, while 2F-MIE increased over the course of the last years.

Gastrectomy for Distal Gastric Cancer: Transitioning from an Open to a Minimally Invasive Surgical Practice. A Single Surgeon Experience.

BACKGROUND: Surgical resection is the only curative option for gastric carcinoma (GC). Minimally invasive techniques are gaining popularity. OBJECTIVES: To present a single-surgeon's experience in transitioning from an open to a minimally invasive approach, focusing on surgical and oncological outcomes. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective analysis including distal gastrectomy patients 2012-2020 operated by a single surgeon. Two cohorts were compared: open (ODG) and laparoscopic distal gastrectomy (LDG). RESULTS: Overall, 173 patients were referred for gastrectomy during the study years. We excluded 80 patients because they presented with non-GC tumors, underwent proximal or total gastrectomy, or underwent palliative surgery. Neoadjuvant treatment was administered to 62 patients (33.3%). Billroth 1 was the preferred method of reconstruction (n=77, 82.8%), followed by Roux-en-Y (n=12, 13%). Fifty-one patients (54.8%) underwent LDG, 42 (45.2%) underwent ODG. The LDG group had significantly shorter lengths of stay (6 days, interquartile range [IQR] 1-3 5-8 vs. 5 days, IQR 1-3 4-6, P = 0.001, respectively), earlier return to oral feeding (1 day, IQR 1-3 1-3 vs. 2 days, IQR 1-3 1-3.2, P < 0.001), and earlier removal of drains (4 days, IQR 1-3 3-5.2 vs. 5 days, IQR 1-3 3.5-6.7, P < 0.001). Overall lymph node yield was 30 (IQR 1-3 24-39) and was similar among groups (P = 0.647). CONCLUSIONS: Laparoscopic techniques for resection of distal GC are feasible and safe, leading to good perioperative outcomes and adequate lymph node yield.

Repair of a recurrent symptomatic hernia through the foramen of Morgagni: a case study and review of the literature.

The prevalence and natural history in adults of Morgagni hernias have been relatively poorly characterized. A case is presented of a 31-year-old man where the hernia recurred following a laparoscopic mesh repair. In the era of minimally invasive surgery, debate concerns whether the peritoneal sac should be excised and if the insertion of mesh is superior to primary diaphragmatic repair.

Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumor of Stomach: A Gentle Enemy of the Surgeon. Our Experience in Confronting the Disease.

BACKGROUND: Surgical resection is considered to be the best treatment for gastrointestinal stromal tumor (GIST), the most common mesenchymal tumor of the gastrointestinal tract. Tumor size, mitotic rate, and anatomic locations are directly related to the potential malignancy, surgical approach, oncological treatment, and recurrence rate. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This was a retrospective study of 40 patients who underwent surgical resection of histologically or immunohistochemistry-proven GIST of the stomach at the Rabin and Kaplan Medical Center between 2004 and 2013. Tumor size, location, margin status, pathologic characteristics, surgical approach, surgical outcome, and long-term follow-up were analyzed from hospital records. RESULTS: The most common presentation was upper gastrointestinal bleeding (40%), although 30% of cases were asymptomatic. A laparoscopic approach was the preferred technique whenever feasible; 85% of tumors were localized in the proximal stomach, with a median size of 5.6 cm. Most of the resected tumors revealed a low mitotic rate and thus had low-moderate risks of malignancy. All tumors were completely resected with free surgical margins. The median follow-up period was 40 months with 93% disease-free survival. CONCLUSIONS: Gastric GIST is a snake in the grass and its diagnosis is often incidental to endoscopy and computed tomographic scan. The most important technical point is to avoid tumor rupture during removal.

Early postoperative 18F-FDG PET/CT in high-risk stage III colorectal cancer.

PURPOSE: PET/CT may contribute to staging modification in different phases of colorectal cancer (CRC) management. However, it is not routinely indicated for stage III CRC. This study sought to determine the role of early postoperative PET/CT in patients with high-risk stage III CRC. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The tumor registry of a tertiary medical center was searched (2004-2011) for all patients with stage III CRC who underwent early postoperative PET/CT because of the presence of high-risk factors for systemic disease. Demographic and clinicopathological characteristics were compared between patients found/not found to have metastatic disease. RESULTS: The cohort included 91 patients with a median age of 67 years (range, 29-90 years). Pathological FDG uptake was observed in 38 (41%). Of these, 14 (15% of the whole cohort) were upstaged with alteration of their treatment protocol, 10 (11%) had local postoperative changes, and 14 (15%) had false-positive findings. The sensitivity and specificity of PET/CT for detecting metastatic disease were 100% and 69%, respectively. Elevated postoperative carcinoembryonic antigen and CA-19.9 levels correlated with a positive PET/CT (P = 0.05 and P = 0.03, respectively). The median follow-up time was 34 months (range, 4-85 months). The estimated 5-year survival rate was significantly higher in patients with a negative than a positive scan (70% vs 42%, P < 0.0006). CONCLUSIONS: Findings on early postoperative PET/CT may influence staging and treatment in 15% of selected patients with high-risk stage III CRC. Postoperative levels of carcinoembryonic antigen and CA-19.9 may serve as indications for PET/CT scanning in this setting. Prospective validation is warranted.

Hand-assisted laparoscopic colectomy for colovesical fistula associated with diverticular disease.

To evaluate the feasibility and short-term outcome of hand-assisted laparoscopic colectomy (HALC) for the treatment of colovesical fistula complicating diverticulitis, we reviewed the files of all 34 patients who underwent surgery for diverticular colovesical fistula in 1999 to 2010 at a major tertiary medical center. Twenty-one were treated with HALC and 13 with open colectomy. There were no differences in demographic parameters among the groups. HALC and open colectomy had similar operating time. HALC was associated with a significantly shorter hospital stay compared with open colectomy (5 vs. 8 d, P=0.001). HALC proved to be technically feasible and safe in this setting. It provided benefits of tactile feedback and manual manipulation as in open colectomy while maintaining the advantages of a minimal invasive approach.

Torsion of a huge accessory spleen in a 20-year-old patient.

INTRODUCTION: Accessory spleen is a rare condition. Torsion of accessory spleen can lead to acute abdomen. PRESENTATION OF CASE: We describe a young woman with an acute abdomen caused by torsion of accessory spleen. Abdominal computed tomography angiography (CTA) demonstrated an ischemic giant accessory spleen with a twisted vascular pedicle. An emergency laparotomy was performed with resection of the infarcted accessory spleen. DISCUSSION: Accessory spleen is a rare and asymptomatic condition. Torsion of accessory spleen is also uncommon. Abdominal pain is the main symptom. CTA is effective in reaching a diagnosis. Definitive treatment of an acute abdomen due to accessory splenic torsion is emergency accessory splenectomy. CONCLUSION: Elective accessory splenectomy should be recommended for known giant accessory spleen to prevent complications in future.