ABSTRACT
The authors reviewed the clinical records of 1460 patients with esophageal anastomoses, the operations performed in their institute between 1973 and 2000. Surgical outcome was assessed with incidence of anastomotic leaks and overall mortality. Hand-sewn anastomoses were performed by inserting single layer interrupted monofil steel wire (507), PDS (232) or Vicryl (65) sutures and circular stapler (EEA, Ethicon) was used in 656 patients. 453 (65 cervical, 293 thoracic, and 95 abdominal) anastomoses performed between 1995 and 2000 were analyzed separately. During this 6-year period, the majority of operations (88%) were performed because of esophageal malignancy (squamous cell carcinoma of the esophagus or adenocarcinoma of the cardia). Surgery was performed for benign disease (e.g. stricture, perforation, and stage IV achalasia) in 12%. The incidence of anastomotic leak was the highest (20%) after cervical anastomosis, compared to a 4.4% or 1% associated with thoracic or abdominal anastomoses. These differences are statistically significant (p < 0.001). The rate of anastomotic leakage was strongly connected to surgical technique: it was 15% in hand-sewn anastomoses and only 4.4% with stapled anastomosis. During the 6-year period overall mortality was 6.6%t.
Subject(s)
Colon/surgery , Esophagectomy/methods , Esophagus/surgery , Jejunum/surgery , Stomach/surgery , Adult , Aged , Aged, 80 and over , Anastomosis, Surgical , Esophageal Diseases/surgery , Esophagectomy/mortality , Female , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Surgical Wound Dehiscence/etiology , Suture Techniques , SuturesABSTRACT
The authors have made 171 laparoscopic operations in the gastro-esophageal region during the past three and a half years. They have used the achievement of the minimal invasive surgery mainly in the treatment of functional diseases of the gastro-esophageal junction. Besides the hiatal reconstruction and antireflux procedures (142), endoscopic assisted cysto-gastrostomy (7), endoscopic assisted double-lifting gastric wall resection (5), cardiomyotomy (4), Graham suture of perforated duodenal ulcer (4) and enucleation of gastric wall leiomyoma (2) has been performed. There was no postoperative death, the rate of conversion was altogether 4.7% (8/171) while there was no need for reoperation in the early postoperative period.
Subject(s)
Laparoscopy/trends , Stomach Diseases/surgery , Stomach/surgery , Adolescent , Adult , Aged , Cardia/surgery , Child , Female , Gastroesophageal Reflux/surgery , Hernia, Hiatal/surgery , Humans , Laparotomy , Male , Middle Aged , Stomach Neoplasms/surgeryABSTRACT
The preservation of anal continence and the improvement of the patients' quality of life in general are primary objectives of colorectal surgery. Earlier the loss of the entire rectum, colon required a definitive stoma. This review describes surgical procedures designed to preserve anal continence. This paper also describes operative techniques designed to improve impaired sphincter function. Total extirpation of the mesorectum reduces local recurrence of rectal tumours. At the same time, this operation requires formation of the anastomosis low, at the level of the levator muscle. Low colorectal or coloanal anastomoses are associated with higher incidence of suture leakage and poor functional outcome. The distance between anastomosis and anal verge was less than 7 cm in 249 sphincter-sparing rectal resections performed during the examined 6-year period in our institute. Different techniques to perform anastomoses were applied, the prevalence of suture leakage and the functional results are analysed. Restorative proctocolectomy has dramatically improved the treatment of familial polyposis and ulcerative colitis with rectal involvement. Although proctocolectomy is necessary to cure the disease, acceptable faecal continence can be achieved by creating ileoanal anastomosis with ileal reservoir. We discuss our results after 43 operations. Weakness of the sphincter apparatus is the most common cause of continence problems. Occasionally, the sphincter is no longer suitable for reconstruction because of extensive damage or denervation. In such cases, the levator muscles or--if neither these are of acceptable quality--the gluteus maximus muscle can be used to repair the external sphincter. Anterior levator plasty involves tightening the levator plate by suturing its arches together between the rectum and the vagina. This procedure enhances the resistance of the sphincter barrier primarily by increasing functional sphincter length. The functional outcome of this procedure was acceptable in two-thirds of the 52 operations. Post anal repair was performed only in 3 patients. This method comprises reinforcing the levator plate through an access between the external and the internal sphincters. When the levator plate is unsuitable, bilateral gluteus plasty can be performed to increase the strength of sphincter muscles. As the gluteus is a striated muscle it can improve only the of the external sphincter function. Therefore this procedure can restore acceptable continence to hard stool only. This is demonstrated by our clinical experience obtained in 10 patients.
Subject(s)
Anal Canal/surgery , Fecal Incontinence/etiology , Fecal Incontinence/prevention & control , Proctocolectomy, Restorative , Anal Canal/physiopathology , Colorectal Neoplasms/surgery , Fecal Incontinence/physiopathology , HumansABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to evaluate the extent of postoperative formation of adhesions following laparoscopic and open cholecystectomy. MATERIAL AND METHODS: 60 experimental laparoscopic cholecystectomies (LC) were performed in dogs by qualified surgeons to learn laparoscopic technique. To assess the relationship between complications occurred during the operation (bleeding, laceration of the liver bed or gallbladder perforation) and the formation of adhesions surviving animals were divided into 4 groups according to the type of complication. We assessed the results during second-look laparoscopy 4 weeks following LC using the adhesion index (AI: 0-4 score). Animals were then sacrificed to measure the extent of adhesions. As a control group open cholecystectomy was performed in 15 dogs without intraoperative complications. Mann-Whitney Rank Sum test and Dunn's Method were used for statistical analysis. RESULTS: No adhesions were observed in the laparoscopic group without intraoperative complications. In all dogs with bleeding or laceration of the liver bed maintained by electrocoagulation, adhesions developed. Formation of adhesion in these groups was significantly higher than in "ideal LC" or in case of gallbladder perforation (P < 0.01). All animals in the control group developed significantly more adhesions compared to the experimental group (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: LC produces less adhesion compared to conventional open technique. Complications such as bleeding or laceration of the liver bed during LC can increase the formation of adhesions. No formation of adhesions can be related to gallbladder perforation during LC.