Port Placement for Laparoscopic Colonic Resections - Video Vignette.

Laparoscopic colonic resections often require manipulation and surgical action in all abdominal quadrants. Port placement, a fundamental part of a successful procedure, often varies widely among surgeons and is currently dictated by individual experience and preference. This variability may be suboptimal for the operation at hand, can be confusing for trainees and many times provide inadequate working posture for the surgeons, resulting in discomfort due to muscular fatigue in the hands, arms, shoulders and cervical spine. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.

Robotic vs laparoscopic rectal surgery in high-risk patients.

AIM: Laparoscopic rectal surgery is associated with a steep learning curve and high conversion rate despite progress in equipment design and consistent practice. The robotic system has shown an advantage over the laparoscopic approach due to stable three-dimensional views, improved dexterity and better ergonomics. These factors make the robotic approach more favourable for rectal surgery. The aim of this study was to compare the perioperative outcomes of laparoscopic and robotic rectal cancer surgery in high-risk patients. METHOD: A prospectively collected dataset for high-risk patients who underwent rectal cancer surgery between May 2013 and November 2015 was analysed. Patients with any of the following characteristics were defined as high risk: a body mass index ≥30, male gender, preoperative chemoradiotherapy, tumour <8 cm from the anal verge and previous abdominal surgery. RESULTS: In total, 184 high-risk patients were identified: 99 in the robotic group and 85 in the laparoscopic group. Robotic surgery was associated with a significantly higher sphincter preservation rate (86% vs 74%, P = 0.045), shorter operative time (240 vs 270 min, P = 0.013) and hospital stay (7 vs 9 days, P = 0.001), less blood loss (10 vs 100 ml, P < 0.001) and a smaller conversion rate to open surgery (0% vs 5%, P = 0.043) compared with the laparoscopic technique. Reoperation, anastomotic leak rate, 30-day mortality and oncological outcomes were comparable between the two techniques. CONCLUSION: Robotic surgery in high-risk patients is associated with higher sphincter preservation, reduced blood loss, smaller conversion rates, and shorter operating time and hospital stay. However, further studies are required to evaluate this notion.

Laparoscopic colorectal surgery: Is it beneficial in the over 80s?

INTRODUCTION: Advanced age is often associated with higher incidence of co-morbidities, advanced cancer and post-operative complications. The aim of this study was to compare the differences in pre-operative, co-morbidities, cancer stage and surgical outcome measures between patients over the age of 80 and those below 80 undergoing elective laparoscopic colorectal resection. METHOD: Data were analysed from a prospectively maintained database between February 2011 and June 2012 and patients were subdivided into two groups (over 80 and under 80). All patients underwent laparoscopic colorectal surgery. Their length of stay, high dependency unit/intensive therapy unit stay, American Society of Anaesthesiologists grade, co-morbidities, conversion rates, Dukes' stage and post-operative complication rates were compared. RESULTS: Of the 67 patients in the study, 57 were <80 at the time of surgery. Their American Society of Anaesthesiologists grade prior to surgery, as expected, was better than that of the >80 group, with 23% having an American Society of Anaesthesiologists grade of 3 compared to 60% in the >80%. The prognosis of the patients in the two groups based on Dukes' stage was similar, with 63% of the <80 s having a good prognosis, compared to 80% in the >80 s. (Good prognosis = Dukes' A or B). The conversion rates were similar (26% of the <80 s compared to 20% of the > 80 s) Post-operative length of stay was also similar in both groups (<80 s vs. >80 s: median 5 vs. 5; p = 0.33). Post-operative complication rates were similar (17% of the <80 s vs. 20% of the >80 s). CONCLUSION: The short-term outcomes following laparoscopic colorectal surgery in the elderly are similar to that of younger patients. Laparoscopic surgery should therefore be offered to all patients irrespective of age.

Glue granuloma following laparoscopic hernia repair.

Minimal inflammation of tissues can occur following skin closure with a foreign material. This foreign body reaction can lead to granuloma formation. We report the case of a middle-aged man who, having undergone laparoscopic surgery and had the port site wounds closed with skin glue, was detected to have a non-healing wound. A crystal mass protruding from the incision site was confirmed histologically as a chronic granulomatous reaction to skin glue. A foreign body granulomatous reaction to skin glue has not been described in the literature.

An unusual presentation of Meckel's diverticulum.

Meckel's diverticulum can present with unusual symptoms and signs and therefore delay diagnosis. We present the case of a 63 year old lady who presented to the gynaecologists with a huge right sided ovarian cyst. She had required 13 units blood transfusion previously (5 years ago) for massive gastrointestinal bleed with no cause found despite extensive investigations. At operation she was found to have a Meckel's diverticulum in the left lumbar region containing a large calculus. She had an unremarkable post-operative course.

Endovascular treatment of a giant aneurysm of the maxillary artery.

Aneurysms of the maxillary artery are rare and the majority of the literature refers to false aneurysms. We report the first case of what we believe to be a spontaneous true maxillary artery aneurysm and its endovascular management.