Primary anastomosis and suturing combined with vacuum-assisted abdominal closure in patients with secondary peritonitis due to perforation of the small intestine: a retrospective study.

BACKGROUND: Intestinal resection and a proximal stoma is the preferred surgical approach in patients with severe secondary peritonitis due to perforation of the small intestine. However, proximal stomas may result in significant nutritional problems and long-term parenteral nutrition. This study aimed to assess whether primary anastomosis or suturing of small intestine perforation is feasible and safe using the open abdomen principle with vacuum-assisted abdominal closure (VAC). METHODS: Between January 2005 and June 2018, we performed a retrospective chart review of 20 patients (> 18 years) with diffuse faecal peritonitis caused by small intestinal perforation and treated with primary anastomosis/suturing and subsequent open abdomen with VAC. RESULTS: The median age was 65 years (range: 23-90 years). Twelve patients were female (60%). Simple suturing of the small intestinal perforation was performed in three cases and intestinal resection with primary anastomosis in 17 cases. Four patients (20%) died within 90-days postoperatively. Leakage occurred in five cases (25%), and three patients developed an enteroatmospheric fistula (15%). Thirteen of 16 patients (83%) who survived were discharged without a stoma. The rest had a permanent stoma. CONCLUSIONS: Primary suturing or resection with anastomosis and open abdomen with VAC in small intestinal perforation with severe faecal peritonitis is associated with a high rate of leakage and enteroatmospheric fistula formation. TRIAL REGISTRATION: The study was approved by the Danish Patient Safety Authority (case number 3-3013-1555/1) and the Danish Data Protection Agency (file number 18/28,404). No funding was received.

Vacuum-assisted closure versus on-demand relaparotomy in patients with secondary peritonitis-the VACOR trial: protocol for a randomised controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Secondary peritonitis is a severe condition with a 20-32% reported mortality. The accepted treatment modalities are vacuum-assisted closure (VAC) or primary closure with relaparotomy on-demand (ROD). However, no randomised controlled trial has been completed to compare the two methods potential benefits and disadvantages. METHODS: This study will be a randomised controlled multicentre trial, including patients aged 18 years or older with purulent or faecal peritonitis confined to at least two of the four abdominal quadrants originating from the small intestine, colon, or rectum. Randomisation will be web-based to either primary closure with ROD or VAC in blocks of 2, 4, and 6. The primary endpoint is peritonitis-related complications within 30 or 90 days and one year after index operation. Secondary outcomes are comprehensive complication index (CCI) and mortality after 30 or 90 days and one year; quality of life assessment by (SF-36) after three and 12 months, the development of incisional hernia after 12 months assessed by clinical examination and CT-scanning and healthcare resource utilisation. With an estimated superiority of 15% in the primary outcome for VAC, 340 patients must be included. Hospitals in Denmark and Europe will be invited to participate. DISCUSSION: There is no robust evidence for choosing either open abdomen with VAC treatment or primary closure with relaparotomy on-demand in patients with secondary peritonitis. The present study has the potential to answer this important clinical question. TRIAL REGISTRATION: The study protocol has been registered at clinicaltrials.gov (NCT03932461). Protocol version 1.0, 9 January 2022.

Robot-assisted laparoscopic repair of perineal hernia after abdominoperineal resection: A case report and review of the literature.

INTRODUCTION: Perineal hernia is a protrusion of the pelvic floor containing intra-abdominal viscera. The occurrence of postoperative perineal hernia after abdominoperineal resection (APR) is rare, but reports have indicated a recent increase in occurrence following surgical treatment for rectal cancer. This has been attributed to a shift towards extralevator abdominoperineal resection, together with more frequent and long-term use of neoadjuvant therapy. PRESENTATION OF CASE: Here, we report the case of a patient who underwent APR for cancer. Twenty months postoperative, a perineal hernia was detected. The patient was electively scheduled for surgery. Robot-assisted laparoscopy was performed using the da Vinci Surgical System. The perineal hernia was repaired by primary closure with the placement of Symbotex Composite mesh as reinforcement for the pelvic floor. The surgery was performed without any adverse events, and the patient was discharged the day after surgery. Clinical follow-up proceeded at the designated time intervals without difficulties. DISCUSSION: Recurrence rates of perineal hernia remain high, and surgeons face numerous challenges related to poor view, suturing and mesh placement in the deep pelvis. Numerous approaches have been described, but there is still no consensus as to the optimal repair technique for perineal hernia. CONCLUSION: Symptomatic perineal hernias can feasibly be repaired with robot-assisted laparoscopy. Furthermore, suturing and mesh placement require less effort with the robot approach when compared to the open and laparoscopic approaches. These promising findings are demonstrated in the included video.