Two-year patient-related outcome measures (PROM) of primary ventral and incisional hernia repair using a novel three-dimensional composite polyester monofilament mesh: the SymCHro registry study.

PURPOSE: This study examined patient-related outcome measures (PROMs) after repair of ventral primary or incisional hernias using Symbotex™ composite mesh (SCM), a novel three-dimensional collagen-coated monofilament polyester textile. METHODS: Pre-operative, peri-operative, and post-operative data were obtained from the French "Club Hernie" registry with 12- and 24-month follow-up. RESULTS: One-hundred consecutive patients (mean age 62.0 ± 13.7; 51% female) underwent repair of 105 hernias: primary (39/105, 37.1%, defect area 5.2 ± 5.6 cm2) and incisional (66/105, 62.9%, 31.9 ± 38.7.8 cm2). The mean BMI was 29.7 (± 5.6 kg/m2). American Society of Anesthesiologists classifications were I 39.4%, II 37.4% and III 23.2%. 75% had risk factors for healing and/or dissection. Of 38 primary repairs, 37 were completed laparoscopically (combined approach n = 1), and of 62 incisional hernia repairs, 40 were completed laparoscopically, and 20 by open repair (combined approach n = 2). Laparoscopic was quicker than open repair (36.2 ± 23.5 min vs. 67.4 ± 25.8, p < 0001). Before surgery, 86.3% of hernias were reported to cause discomfort/pain or dysesthesia. At 24 months (93 of 100 patients), 91 (97.8%) reported no lump and 81 (87.1%) no pain or discomfort. Of 91 patients, 86 (94.5%) rated their repair "good" or "excellent." There were nine non-serious, surgeon-detected adverse events (ileus, n = 3; seroma, n = 6) and one hernia recurrence (6-12 months). CONCLUSIONS: Compared to baseline, open and laparoscopic surgery improved PROMs 24 months after primary and incisional hernia repair. Minimal complications and recurrence support the long-term efficacy of SCM.

Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass Reversal for Severe Malnutrition and Cirrhosis.

BACKGROUND: Severe post-operative malnutrition (SM) is a dreaded complication after gastric bypass often related to the short bowel syndrome consecutive limb length mismeasurement or intestinal resections. Patients with rapid weight loss or malnutrition can experience liver failure with cirrhosis and require liver transplantation (LT). Malnutrition can constitute a contraindication to LT since it negatively impacts on postoperative morbidity. RYGB reversal is an effective option to consider when nutritional support has failed. We describe the performance of a RYGB reversal in a pre-LT setting. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A 36-year-old patient with morbid obesity (weight, 140 kg; BMI, 50.1 kg/m2) underwent a RYGB 9 years ago. She presented with 85 kg weight loss (i.e., 60.7% total body weight loss) associated with SM and hepatocellular insufficiency. LT was considered but contraindicated because of SM. An intensive nutritional support was attempted but failed and the RYGB reversal was recommended. RESULTS: Laparoscopic exploration revealed ascites, cirrhosis, and splenomegaly. The whole small bowel measurement revealed a short gut. Alimentary, biliary, and common channel limb lengths were 250 cm, 150 cm, and 30 cm long. The alimentary limb was stapled off the gastric pouch and the gastrojejunostomy was resected. After resection of the gastrojejunostomy, linear stappled gastro-gastrostomy and jéjuno-jejunostomy were performed to restore the normal anatomy. At 1 year, malnutrition was resolved and the cirrhosis was stabilized. CONCLUSION: Reversal to normal anatomy appeared effective and safe in this setting but must be considered only after failure of intensive medical management. Careful bowel measurement is mandatory to prevent patients from this complication.

Laparoscopic ventral hernia repair using a novel intraperitoneal lightweight mesh coated with hyaluronic acid: 1-year follow-up from a case-control study using the Hernia-Club registry.

PURPOSE: A case-control study was performed to compare laparoscopic ventral hernia repair (LVHR) using the Ventralight ST™ lightweight surgical mesh with LVHR using other types of mesh. METHODS: Adult patients undergoing intraperitoneal implantation of Ventralight ST™ during LVHR (Ventralight ST™ group; VG) over a 2-year period (2011-2013) were identified from the prospective French Hernia-Club registry. Patients undergoing elective LVHR using other types of intraperitoneal mesh in the first semester of 2013 formed the control group (CG). Patient, hernia and surgical characteristics, and postoperative outcomes after 8 days, 1 month, and 1 year were compared between the two groups. RESULTS: The VG comprised 90 LVHRs in 85 patients, and the CG 86 LVHRs in 81 patients. Patient, hernia and surgical characteristics were similar between the two groups, apart from the method of mesh fixation and the number of procedures involving fascial closure. A low rate of minor complications was observed in both groups at 1 month [4.4 % (VG) and 2.3 % (CG)], and the level of postoperative pain was similar in the two groups at Day 8 and 1 month. After 1 year, no complications, recurrences or cases of chronic pain had occurred in either group, and Quality-of-Life outcomes were similar. Patients rated their procedure as excellent or good in 96 % (VG) and 92 % (CG) of cases. CONCLUSIONS: Ventralight ST™ mesh is effective and well tolerated in LVHR, producing very low complication and recurrence rates in the short and medium term. The results are comparable to those achieved with other types of mesh.

Gastrobronchial fistula: A rare complication of sleeve gastrectomy.

Gastrobronchial fistula is a rare complication of sleeve gastrectomy. In this case presentation, the diagnosis of gastrobronchial fistula was made by endoscopic contrast injection into the fistulous tract.

High-grade poorly differentiated retroperitoneal sarcoma. Report of a case and review of the literature.

Retroperitoneal sarcomas (RPS) are uncommon tumors associated with a poor prognosis. This is particularly true in case of high-grade sarcomas of specific histological subtypes, as demonstrated by the largest surveys of the last decade. Up to the present day, unfortunately there are no powerful tools available except for surgery. On the other hand, the resection rate of RPS is significantly increased over the last decades allowing to deliver the best treatment available. This paper reports on the case of a young patient who was incidentally diagnosed with a retroperitoneal mass. The patient underwent surgery in our department and the histological report showed a spindle cell sarcoma of high grade of malignancy with an incomplete muscular phenotype. The patient was discharged on the seventh postoperative day and he is still free of local and distant recurrence.

Laparoscopic repair of intraperitoneal bladder perforation due to indwelling urethral catheter.

Intraperitoneal perforation can occur as a rare but life threatening complication of indwelling urethral catheters. Computed tomography (CT) revealed the bladder perforation by the Foley catheter. The injury could not be managed conservatively due to the presence of systemic infection. We present the case of a successful laparoscopic repair of the bladder due to indwelling urethral catheter.

Is fixation during gastric banding necessary? A randomised clinical study.

Anterior fixation via a gastro-gastric suture in laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding (LAGB) is commonly performed to prevent band-related complications. However, the necessity of this common technique has never been proven. Not fixing the band would be time sparing and would reduce adhesions on the stomach and probably make revisional surgery easier. This study was conceived as a 3-year randomised clinical trial to test the safety and efficacy of the non-fixation technique. From December 2006 to December 2007, 81 patients undergoing LAGB were randomly distributed into two groups: group A, with gastro-gastric sutures (n = 41) and group B, without gastro-gastric fixation (n = 40). The two groups were equivalent regarding initial body mass index (BMI), age and sex ratio. The main outcome was postoperative complications and secondary outcomes were operative time and weight loss expressed by the percentage of excess BMI loss (%EBMIL). All patients were prospectively followed up for 2 years. The mean preoperative BMI was 42.5 kg/m² (35-56). All patients were available for follow-up at 2 years. The mean overall preoperative time was 82 ± 20 min for the fixation group and 72 ± 20 min for the non-fixation group (p = 0.13). The mean hospital stay was 4.1 ± 1.5 days (no significant difference between the two groups). The 2-year %EBMIL was 35.9 for group A and 39.4 for group B (p = NS). The mean BMI at 2 years was 36.3 and 36.1, respectively, with no statistical difference. We observed three early band slippages in the non-fixation group and none in the fixation group. Three bands were removed during the second year of follow-up for causes other than band slippage (no significant difference between the two groups). This study was interrupted before a statistical significance could be reached, under the general agreement of all participating surgeons, because of the three unexpected early band slippages. For the patients who did not suffer from this complication, we did not observe any differences between the two groups in terms of late complications and weight loss. The operative time was shorter in the non-fixation group. This randomised clinical trial suggests that care should be taken when not fixating the LAGB because of the risk of early postoperative band slippage. We suggest that fixing the LAGB by gastro-gastric sutures should remain common practice.

A self-adhering mesh for inguinal hernia repair: preliminary results of a prospective, multicenter study.

BACKGROUND: Prosthetic reinforcement is the gold standard treatment for inguinal hernia and reduces the risk of recurrence. Yet up to one-third of patients complain of post-surgical pain due to irritation and inflammation caused by the mesh and the fixation materials. Of these patients, 3-4% will experience severe and disabling chronic pain. We performed a prospective multicenter clinical study of a self-adhering prosthesis, consisting of a lightweight polypropylene mesh (40 g/m²) coated on each side with synthetic glue, to evaluate early postoperative complications and patient outcomes. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Between August 2008 and June 2010, 186 patients underwent hernia repair using the Lichtenstein technique and the self-adhering prosthesis. Primary endpoints were the frequency of disabling complications and quality of life (QoL) at 3-month follow-up. Pain, numbness, and groin discomfort were evaluated pre- and postoperatively (1 week, 1 and 3 months) using a visual analogue scale (VAS). Patients' pre- and postoperative QoL were measured using the SF12 questionnaire. Secondary endpoints were number of complications and recurrence rate, use of analgesic drugs, length of hospital stay, delay to return to normal activities, and patient satisfaction. The quality of the self-adhering mesh and its clinical utility were also evaluated by the participating surgeons. RESULTS: A total of 186 patients were enrolled and followed for at least 3 months after inguinal hernia repair. A total of 174 (95%) primary hernias and 12 (5%) recurrent hernias were treated. There were no intraoperative complications, no recurrences, and no repeat interventions performed during the study. The post-surgical complication rate was 4.5%. The mean delay to recover normal physical activity was 4 days. For the primary endpoint of pain, a VAS of zero was reported by 93/184 (50.5%) patients at 1 week, 130/171 (76.0%) patients at 1 month and 119/132 (90.2%) patients at 3 months' follow-up (P < 0.0001). The postoperative SF12 scores showed a significant improvement in patient QoL following surgery (P < 0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: Adhesix( ® ) self-adhering mesh for prosthetic reinforcement following inguinal hernia repair is atraumatic and associated with infrequent post-surgical complications or pain, a rapid recovery rate, and a high patient-reported QoL. A longer follow-up is underway to assess the frequency of post-surgical recurrence.

Herniation of the gallbladder within a hernia of the abdominal wall associated with Mirizzi Syndrome.

A gallbladder incarcerated hernia associated with Mirizzi syndrome is a very rare entity and to our knowledge this is the first case ever described in literature. An 85-year-old man presented at the emergency department with a tender right upper quadrant mass. Computed Tomography (CT) revealed the presence of a gallbladder lithiasis with signs of acute cholecystitis, herniated through the abdominal wall with an associated Mirizzi syndrome. Laparoscopic cholecystectomy and repair of the abdominal wall defect were performed. The patient recovered very well and the postoperative period was uneventful.

Papillary carcinoma of the thyroglossal duct cyst: report of two cases.

AIM: To present two cases of papillary carcinoma of the thyroglossal duct cyst (TDC) and to report their management. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Two patients, a 47-year-old woman and a 60-year-old man, were operated in 2006 and 2008 in the Department of Digestive and Metabolic Surgery of the "Jean Verdier" Hospital. RESULTS: The diagnosis of papillary carcinoma was established after the pathological examination carried out on the thyroglossal duct cyst, after its complete surgical excision. A total thyroidectomy followed by a treatment by radioactive iodine and a substitutive hormonal therapy were carried out in the second time for one of the two patients. For the other patient, a total thyroidectomy followed by a substitute hormonal therapy, were achieved. The evolution was favorable, with a follow-up of four years for the first patient and two years for the second one. DISCUSSION: Total thyroidectomy after the complete excision of the cyst is currently the recommended treatment for the papillary carcinoma of the TDC. It was shown that a latent thyroid cancer could develop even 15 years after the initial excision of the thyroglossal cyst. The treatment is curative in 95% of the cases. CONCLUSIONS: Current treatment of papillary carcinoma of the thyroglossal duct cyst is well codified, allowing an excellent prognostic.

Routine surgical pathology in general surgery.

BACKGROUND: Although pathological analysis provides the definitive diagnosis for most resection specimens, recent evidence suggests that such analysis may be omitted for certain routine samples. This was a retrospective analysis of the value of routine histopathological examination performed in daily general surgical practice. METHODS: All specimens from routine appendicectomies, cholecystectomies, haemorrhoidectomies and inguinal hernia repairs performed between 1993 and 2002 were included. The analysis included a comparison of histological and macroscopic diagnoses, review of preoperative and peroperative findings, and an evaluation of the consequences of routine histopathological assessment on patient management and costs. RESULTS: With the exception of hernia specimens, the rate of submission for routine pathological evaluation was 100 per cent. No hernia sac specimen from more than 2000 interventions revealed aberrant histological findings. Of 311 haemorrhoidectomy specimens three showed malignancy, all of which had a suspicious macroscopic appearance. Of 1465 appendices, only one (0.1 per cent) had a potentially relevant histological diagnosis that was not suspected macroscopically. Among 1523 cholecystectomy specimens, all adenomas (0.6 per cent) and carcinomas (0.4 per cent) were suspected macroscopically or developed in association with a known disease. CONCLUSION: The rarity of incidental histological findings relevant to patient management, especially in the absence of macroscopic abnormalities, suggests that routine histological examination of certain specimens may be omitted. A more elementary role for macroscopic examination of the specimen by the surgeon and the pathologist is proposed.

[Are there predictive items of successful surgery in morbid obesity treated by adjustable gastric banding: a prospective study]. / Existe-t-il des facteurs prédictifs de succès dans le traitement de l'obésité morbide par anneau périgastrique modulable? Etude prospective.

BACKGROUND: Surgical treatment of morbid obesity by perigastric adjustable banding give at mid term follow up, contrasted results which associate success, failure and intermediate situations. AIMS: The objective of this work was to prospectively validate predicting items that would predict success in the surgical treatment of morbid obesity by adjustable gastric banding. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Eighty patients with morbid obesity have been treated with adjustable gastric banding. Seventy-one women, and nine men with a mean age of 37.8 years (20-59) with a mean follow up of 17 months (12-52). They have been classified in three groups: success, failure, and intermediate results. Uni- and multivariate analysis was performed on six criteria: age, sex, professional activity, metabolic disorders, length of obesity and body mass index (BMI). RESULTS: Concerning age, sex, professional activity, metabolic disorders, and length of obesity, there was no difference between the three groups. However, a BMI more than 50 kg/m(2) has a strong predictive value. Patients called "super obese", BMI >50, has a high rate of failure (64%) even the weight loss is often important in absolute value, but the BMI at the follow up remain high and more than 40. In this situation: gastric banding does not seem a good treatment because it does not protect these patients against the lethal risk of their comorbidities. CONCLUSION: In this study, there is not a specific candidate "profile" to a successful treatment of morbid obesity by adjustable gastric banding. Meanwhile the initial BMI appear to be a predictive factor of success or failure. In the case of patients with high BMI >50 (super obese) gastric banding did not seen to be a good treatment and another technical approach (gastric bypass) must be discussed.

Inguinal hernia repair with beta glucan-coated mesh: results at two-year follow up.

In a prospective study, 115 patients with a mean age of 55 years, presenting a primary or recurrent hernia were treated with a beta glucan-coated polypropylene mesh (Glucamesh). Fifty-eight underwent a Lichtenstein procedure and 57 had a laparoscopic procedure (TEP/TAPP). Oat beta glucan is an entirely natural plant product that eliminates the risk of viral or prion contamination associated with the use of collagen of animal origin. The beta glucan coated mesh is of lower weight and profile compared to a typical polypropylene implant. Preliminary results have been previously reported. With a mean follow up of 2 years, patients were evaluated by a physician and or a standardized questionnaire in order to evaluate the incidence rate of recurrence discomfort and residual chronic pain. One hundred nine (94.7%) questionnaires were returned. Of these, 104 (90.4%) were complete and analyzed. Mean follow up was 24 months (21-27). Two years after operation the recurrence rate was 1.9% (two cases: one in each group); 98 patients (94.2%) had no pain and have returned to normal activity, work and sport. Five patients (4.8%) had mild pain on moving or at rest and one (0.96%) had moderate pain at rest. There was no correlation between pain and hernia type or surgical technique. At 2 years follow up hernia repair with beta-glucan coated mesh has a low recurrence rate. Incidence of chronic pain is low. The situation is in relationship with a lightweight and smooth mesh of polypropylene and the role of oat beta glucan optimizing the healing and inclusion of the mesh into the tissues.

[Iatrogenic perforation of the gallbladder during laparoscopic cholecystectomy does not influence the prognosis. Prospective study]. / L'effraction de la vésicule lors des cholécystectomies laparoscopiques n'influence pas la morbidité. Etude prospective.

BACKGROUND: Perforation of the gallbladder and spillage of gallstones frequently occur in laparoscopic cholecystectomy. As stones may be lost and as spilled bile is known to be contaminated, influence on morbidity may be expected. AIMS: To evaluate the immediate and late consequences on morbidity of peroperative gallbladder perforation during laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) in an universitary hospital center. PATIENTS AND METHODS: One hundred and twenty one LC were prospectively evaluated with a mean follow-up of 30 months. Elective operations on 30 men and 91 women with a mean age of 56.4 years (18-85) were carried out for symptomatic cholecystolithiasis in 97 cases (80%), and in 24 cases for complicated cholecystolithiasis. The "french technique" was used for all LC, with systematic intra-operative cholangiography and ultra Sonography. Thirty-seven (30.5%) LC were performed by surgical trainees, 84 LC by confirmed surgeons. The consequences of ultra-operative gallbladder perforation were evaluated in the immediate postoperative period, especially for septic complications, and thereafter, patients were followed up 1, 6, 12 and 24 months postoperatively. RESULTS: Ultra-operative gallbladder perforation occurred in 24 cases (20%), in 83.3% during gallbladder dissection. Gallstone spillage occurred six times, and all spilled stones were removed. Gallbladder perforation was more frequent (but non significant) in acute cholecystitis (25 vs 19%, ns). A clear correlation to the skill and experience of the surgeon is shown (32.4 vs 14.2%, P =0.01). Gallbladder perforation is accompanied by an elevated (nonsignificant) postoperative morbidity (16.6 vs 7.2%, P =0.62) which is, in fact related to older patient and more acute cholecystitis in this group. No reoperations were necessary. One and two years follow-up revealed no long-term complications specially due to lost gallstones. CONCLUSION: Peroperative gallbladder perforation during LC carries no morbidity, provided a total and complete recuperation of gallstones spilled and local treatment of bile contamination with local irrigation and antibiotics. This complication is correlated to the surgeon's skill and experience.

Inguinal hernia repair with beta glucan-coated mesh: prospective multicenter study (115 cases)--preliminary results.

Prosthetic reinforcement is now routine in the management of inguinal hernia, and it significantly reduces the risk of recurrence. However, there may be postoperative pain and discomfort of late onset, the intensity of which appears to be related to the rigidity of the material and its ability to integrate with tissues. We have evaluated the results of implantation with beta glucan-coated polypropylene mesh both objectively (early recurrence) and functionally (pain and quality of life). The mass of the coated mesh is reduced by 50% compared to a typical polypropylene implant. Beta glucan is an entirely natural plant product that eliminates the risk of viral or prion contamination associated with the use of collagen of animal origin. One hundred fifteen patients with a mean age of 55 years with a primary or recurrent inguinal hernia were treated with a prosthesis (Glucamesh). Fifty-eight patients underwent a Lichtenstein procedure, and 57 had a laparoscopic procedure (TEP, TAPP). Mean operative time was 40 min. There was no mortality, and morbidity was 8.6%. At 3 months follow-up, no recurrences were observed. The characteristics of the prosthesis were considered to be good or excellent in 93.9-100% of cases. Residual postoperative pain (analogue pain score less than 2) occurred in 4.3% of cases at day 15 and in 2.7% at day 90. The quality-of-life health score of the SF36 questionnaire preoperatively and postoperatively showed a significant improvement ( P<0.05) in the scores and a quality of life equivalent to healthy control subjects. This prosthesis is associated with a rapid and significant resolution of postoperative pain and a quick return to normal activity with an improved quality of life. In addition, the plant origin of the prosthesis eliminates any risk of viral or prion contamination.

[Can the time between interventions be reduced in the operating theater? Prospective study]. / Peut-on réduire le délai entre deux interventions au bloc opératoire ? Etude prospective.

UNLABELLED: BACKGROUND AND AIM OG THE STUDY: The interval between two surgical interventions is increasing because of the introduction of successive safety measures. Our aims were to prospectively evaluate the different intervals between two elective abdominal surgical interventions and to determine which factors were associated with a decrease in the inter-operative time delay. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Between November 2001 and July 2002, 102 inter-operative periods were prospectively analyzed. All the interventions involved either an elective, planned laparotomy or a laparoscopic procedure, under general anesthesia. The interval between two operations was divided into three periods: the departure of the patient operated on; the empty theatre; the entry of the next patient. The collected data were compared to retrospective data from 90 days and 10 years prior to the study. RESULTS: The average time delay between two interventions was 63.5 min (40-107) vs. 72.3 min (30-91) 3 months earlier and 32 min (10-105) (P = 0.001) 10 years earlier. The average time from skin closure to the departure of the patient from the operating room was 15.7 min (5-35), of which 3.5 min (1-15) was surgically related, 7.7 min (1-26) was anesthetic time (waking the patient) and 4.5 min (2-15) for taking the patient out of theatre. The average duration of the period called 'empty theatre' was 13.7 min (7-65), of which 8.9 min (4-15) was for cleaning the operating room. Finally, the last period lasted, on average, 32.1 min (11-69), of which 16.7 min (3-49) was anesthetic time, 2.3 min (2-15) for positioning the patient and 9.9 min was surgically related. In this study, the shortest time between interventions was 40 min and the longest was 107 min. The theoretical shortest time possible (summing the lowest values for each period) was 19 min, while the longest (summing the largest values) was 169 min. Anesthetic time represented 38% of the entire inter-operative period, while surgical time represented 21%. Laparoscopic procedures did not significantly effect the inter-operative interval. CONCLUSIONS: Because of the multiple safety measures required, the inter-operative delay is continuously increasing and, in this study, was equivalent to the actual operative time of the surgical procedures. The inter-operative period cannot be shortened below 20 min or so. The reduction of this period would only be possible by involving and coordinating the different personnel that contribute to performing an operation, by optimizing the procedures and by harmonizing materials. The lack of interest and the lack of concern for the most efficient use of resources within the public hospitals, as well as the recent legal and social constraints introduced in France, are the main factors preventing progress in these areas.