Feasibility and safety of laparoscopic adrenalectomy for large tumours.

OBJECTIVE: To verify the feasibility and safety of laparoscopic adrenalectomy for large tumours, as since it was described, the laparoscopic approach for adrenalectomy has become the 'gold standard' for small tumours and for large and non-malignant adrenal tumours many studies have reported acceptable results. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This is a retrospective study from a general surgery department from January 2006 to December 2013 including 45 patients (56 laparoscopic adrenalectomies). We divided patients into two groups according to tumour size: <5 or ⩾5 cm, we compared demographic data and peri- and postoperative outcomes. RESULTS: There was no statistical difference between the two groups for conversion rate (3.7% vs 11.7% P = 0.32), postoperative complications (14% vs 12%, P = 0.4), postoperative length of hospital stay (5 vs 6 days P = 0.43) or mortality (3.5% vs 0% P = 0.99). The only statistical difference was the operating time, at a mean (SD) 155 (60) vs 247 (71) min (P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Laparoscopic adrenalectomy for large tumours needs more time but appears to be safe and feasible when performed by experienced surgeons.

Changing paradigms in the surgical management of cystic liver hydatidosis improve the postoperative outcomes.

AIM OF THE STUDY: Our aim was to propose and examine the outcomes of a comprehensive strategy for the management of cystic liver hydatidosis (CLH) based on extensive intraoperative assessments and optimal management of cystobiliary communications. BACKGROUND DATA: Although operative intervention remains the preferred treatment for CLH, and the presence of a cystobiliary communication remains a well-established predictive factor for postoperative complications, no internationally accepted management strategy integrates the specific management of cystobiliary communication into the choice of surgical approach. METHODS: Early postoperative outcomes were compared before (1990-2004; P1 group; n = 664) and after (2005-2013; P2 group; n = 156) the implementation of a CLH surgical management strategy for CLH in our overall group of patients in subgroups selected by risk factors (as determined by multivariate analysis), and in 2 propensity score-matched groups. RESULTS: Specific complications related to the hepatic procedure (intraabdominal complications) were independently associated with the presence of ≥ 3 cysts (P = .013), a fibrotic pericyst (P = .005), a cystobiliary communication (P < .001), and the P1 treatment period (P = .002). Between P1 and P2 groups, the rate of specific complications decreased in the overall group of patients with CLH (18.3% vs 4.5%; P < .001). The rate also decreased in risk factor-based subgroups: patients with ≥ 3 cysts (31.0% vs 4.0%; P = .005), a fibrotic pericyst (23.1% vs 9.2%; P = .011), and a cystobiliary communication (33.0% vs 13.2%; P = .006). After propensity score matching among 123 well-balanced matched pairs of patients, the overall complication rate, specific hepatic surgery-related complication rate, and median duration of hospital stay decreased between the P1 and P2 groups: 23.6% vs 12.2% (P = .02), 21.1% vs 4.9% (P < .001), and 7 vs 5 days (P < .001), respectively. CONCLUSION: Implementation of a CLH surgical management strategy based on specific intraoperative assessment and optimal management of cystobiliary communications improved early postoperative outcomes.

Abdominal wall recurrence of a gastrointestinal stromal tumor: case report.

INTRODUCTION: The gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GIST) are mesenchymal tumors, most commonly affecting the stomach and small bowel. Only few cases of port-site recurrence after laparoscopic treatment have been reported. We herein report the case of a parietal recurrence on the extraction incision site, 7 years after laparoscopic surgery for small bowel GIST. CASE REPORT: A 47 years-old female patient was hospitalized in November 2007 for isolated pelvic pain. CT scan showed an intestinal tumor with a benign aspect measuring 50 mm. A laparoscopy-assisted resection was performed. Surgical exploration found a 7 cm small bowel tumor. It was extracted through a supra-pubic transversal incision without a wound protector and then resected. Histologic analysis revealed an intestinal GIST with high aggressive potential (five mitosis per field), with CD117 positive at the immunohistochemical examination. The patient had no adjuvant chemotherapy. Seven years later, the patient was readmitted for an abdominal mass at the site of the supra-pubic scar. Abdomino-pelvic CT scan showed a 10 × 7.5 cm solid mass of the abdominal wall. Percutaneous biopsies were done and the pathological analysis revealed a mesenchymal-cell tumor, positive to CD117 and DOG1 at the immunohistochemical examination. Final diagnosis was abdominal wall recurrence of GIST secondary to tumor-contamination during the first surgery. CONCLUSION: Abdominal wall recurrence of GIST after laparoscopic surgery is rarely reported. This complication should be avoided with preventive measures such as the use of extraction bags or wound protectors.

Laparoscopic liver resection: initial experience in a North-African single center.

BACKGROUND: Over past decades laparoscopic liver resection (LLR) has gained wide acceptance among hepatobiliary surgeons community. To date, few data are available concerning LLR programs in developing countries. This study aimed to assess feasibility and safety of LLR in a Moroccan surgical unit. METHODS: From June 2010 to February 2013, patients that received LLR were identified from a prospective "liver resection" database and included in this study. Parenchymal transection was performed using Harmonic scalpel and bipolar clamp with no Intraoperative ultrasound use or systematic pedicle clamping. LLR difficulty was categorized into 3 categories according to Louisville-statement (I-III). Demographic informations, liver lesion informations, operative details, pathological tumor-margin and 1-months postoperative morbidity according to Clavien-Dindo(C-D) classification were analyzed. RESULTS: Among 104 patients who underwent liver resection 13(12,5%) had LLR. There were 7 females and 6 males with mean age of 57,5 ± 17 years. LLR was performed for benign lesions in 3 cases and malignant ones in 10 (77%) patients: hepatocarcinoma in 7 patients and synchronous rectal-liver metastasis in 3 patients. Lesions were solitary in 12 (92%) patients with median size of 50mm (15 mm-150 mm). Patients with liver metastasis received combined laparoscopic rectal and liver resection. We used pure laparoscopic approach in 12 (92%) patients and hybrid one in 1 patient. LLR difficulty was category I, II and II in respectively 3(23%), 6(46%) and 4(31%)patients. Conversion rate to open liver resection was 15%. Mean blood loss was 395 min ± 270 min with no hepatic pedicle clamping or peroperative blood transfusion. All resections were tumor free margin. Mortality rate was nil and morbidity occurred in 4(30%) patients: ascites (C-D 2) and pelvic sepsis in combined resections (CD 3b). Median hospital stay was 6 days. CONCLUSION: Laparoscopic liver resection in our context is safe in selected patients, since no operative mortality, blood transfusion requirement or palliative resection was recorded and liver related morbidity rate was low. Intraoperative ultrasound liver examination capacities are mandatory to improve laparoscopic liver resection program's quality and extend indications.