Is laparoscopic TAPP the preferred approach for the treatment of inguinal hernia? Technique, indications and future perspectives.

The repair of inguinal hernia is one of the most frequently performed surgeries in General Surgery units. The laparoscopic approach for these hernias will be clearly considered as the gold standard, based on its advantages over the open approach. There are no clear advantages of the transabdominal preperitoneal approach (TAPP) over the totally preperitoneal approach (TEP), although it has been shown to be more reproducible, presenting a shorter learning curve, although it presents more possibilities of developing trocar site hernias. Laparoscopic TAPP could be superior to TEP in the following indications: incarcerated hernias, emergencies, previous preperitoneal surgery, previous Pfanestiel-type incision, recurrent hernias, inguinoscrotal hernias and obese, being also a better alternative for females. Robotic TAPP is a safe approach with similar results to laparoscopy; however, it is related to an increase in costs and operating time. The value of this technology for the repair of complex hernias (multiple recurrences, inguino-scrotal or after previous preperitoneal surgery) remains to be determined, since they represent a certain challenge for the conventional laparoscopic approach. On the other hand, robotic repair of inguinal hernias may be a way to reduce the learning curve before addressing complex ventral hernias. Finally, artificial intelligence applied to the laparoscopic approach to inguinal hernia will undoubtedly have a significant impact in the future especially to determine the best the indications for this approach, on the performance of a safer technique, on the correct selection of meshes and fixation mechanisms, and on learning curve.

Full endoscopic minimally invasive extraperitoneal modified Sugarbaker approach for para-colostomy hernia repair: Technical aspects and 2-year follow-up results of a prospective cohort.

AIM: This study aimed to assess technical aspects and clinical results of a new minimally invasive technique in parastomal hernia (PSH) repair, full endoscopic retromuscular access, after 2 years of follow-up. METHODS: Data from consecutive patients requiring minimally invasive ventral PSH repair were collected from 2019 to 2022. The inclusion criteria were patients aged between 18 and 80 years old with symptomatic PSH. Demographics and perioperative and postoperative data were collected. Postoperative pain and functional recovery were compared with preoperative data. RESULTS: Twelve patients with symptomatic PSH were included. The mean PSH defect area was 16.2 cm2 and the mean midline defect was 8.7 cm2 . No intra-operative complications or conversion to open surgery were detected. One patient (8%) required postoperative readmission due to partial bowel obstruction symptoms that required catheterization of the stoma. Pain significantly worsened after the first postoperative day compared to preoperative data but improved after the first postoperative month compared to the first postoperative week and after the 90th postoperative day compared to the first postoperative month, with significant differences. Significant restriction improvement was identified when 30 days after surgery data were compared to preoperative data and when the 180th postoperative day results were compared to 30 days after surgery. The average follow-up was 29 months. During the follow-up no clinical or radiological recurrence was observed. CONCLUSION: This paper shows low rate of intra- and postoperative complications with significant improvement in terms of pain activities restriction compared to preoperatory. After 29 months follow-up, no recurrence was identified, confirming that this approach offers good mid-term results.

Protective ileostomy creation after anterior resection of the rectum: Shared decision-making or still subjective?

AIM: The choice of whether to perform protective ileostomy (PI) after anterior resection (AR) is mainly guided by risk factors (RFs) responsible for the development of anastomotic leakage (AL). However, clear guidelines about PI creation are still lacking in the literature and this is often decided according to the surgeon's preferences, experiences or feelings. This qualitative study aims to investigate, by an open-ended question survey, the individual surgeon's decision-making process regarding PI creation after elective AR. METHOD: Fifty four colorectal surgeons took part in an electronic survey to answer the questions and describe what usually led their decision to perform PI. A content analysis was used to code the answers. To classify answers, five dichotomous categories (In favour/Against PI, Listed/Unlisted RFs, Typical/Atypical, Emotions/Non-emotions, Personal experience/No personal experience) have been developed. RESULTS: Overall, 76% of surgeons were in favour of PI creation and 88% considered listed RFs in the question of whether to perform PI. Atypical answers were reported in 10% of cases. Emotions and personal experience influenced surgeons' decision-making process in 22% and 49% of cases, respectively. The most frequently considered RFs were the distance of the anastomosis from the anal verge (96%), neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy (88%), a positive intraoperative leak test (65%), blood loss (37%) and immunosuppression therapy (35%). CONCLUSION: The indications to perform PI following rectal cancer surgery lack standardization and evidence-based guidelines are required to inform practice. Until then, expert opinion can be helpful to assist the decision-making process in patients who have undergone AR for adenocarcinoma.

Extracorporeal Hand-Sewn vs. Intracorporeal Mechanic Anastomosis During Laparoscopic Right Colectomy.

Background and Objectives: To compare the outcomes of extracorporeal hand-sewn side-to-side isoperistaltic ileocolic anastomosis (EHSIA) versus intracorporeal mechanic side-to-side isoperistaltic ileocolic anastomosis (IMSIA) during laparoscopic right hemicolectomy for adenocarcinoma. Methods: This is a retrospective propensity score-matched analysis of prospectively collected data. Fifty-four patients who underwent surgery with EHSIA (intervention group) were paired with 54 patients who underwent surgery with IMSIA (control group) based on patients' demographics and type of surgery (standard right hemicolectomy or extended right hemicolectomy). Results: Fifty-four patients were included for each group. Statistically significant differences between groups were not observed in patients' demographics and type of surgery. Conversion occurred in three patients of the intervention group due to intra-abdominal adhesions for previous surgery (5.6%) (p = 0.079). Median operative time was statistically significant shorter in the control group in comparison to the intervention group (85 and 117.5 minutes, respectively, p ≤ 0.0001). In both groups one anastomotic leakage was observed (1.9%) (Clavien-Dindo grade III-a). In the control group one patient (1.9%) underwent reintervention for acute postoperative anemia (Clavien-Dindo grade III-b). Median number of harvested lymph-nodes was 17 and 12 (p ≤ 0.0001), in the intervention and the control group, respectively. Median hospital stay was statistically significant lower in the control group in comparison to the intervention group (5 and 6.5 days, respectively, p ≤ 0.013). Conclusion: IMSIA showed lower operative time and hospital stay in comparison to EHSIA. Further randomized studies are required to draw definitive conclusions about the best anastomotic technique during laparoscopic right hemicolectomy.

Indocyanine green (ICG) fluorescence guide for the use and indications in general surgery: recommendations based on the descriptive review of the literature and the analysis of experience.

Indocyanine Green is a fluorescent substance visible in near-infrared light. It is useful for the identification of anatomical structures (biliary tract, ureters, parathyroid, thoracic duct), the tissues vascularization (anastomosis in colorectal, esophageal, gastric, bariatric surgery, for plasties and flaps in abdominal wall surgery, liver resection, in strangulated hernias and in intestinal ischemia), for tumor identification (liver, pancreas, adrenal glands, implants of peritoneal carcinomatosis, retroperitoneal tumors and lymphomas) and sentinel node identification and lymphatic mapping in malignant tumors (stomach, breast, colon, rectum, esophagus and skin cancer). The evidence is very encouraging, although standardization of its use and randomized studies with higher number of patients are required to obtain definitive conclusions on its use in general surgery. The aim of this literature review is to provide a guide for the use of ICG fluorescence in general surgery procedures.

Management of postoperative complications after laparoscopic left hemicolectomy: an approach in modern times after incorporation of indocyanine green and full mobilization of the splenic flexure.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to report our experience in the management of complications after laparoscopic left hemicolectomy (LLH) after the incorporation in our clinical practice of intraoperative indocyanine green (ICG) fluorescence angiography (FA). METHODS: In our last period after incorporation of ICG-FA, 277 unselected consecutive patients underwent laparoscopic colorectal surgery with this technology. Ninety-seven (35%) right hemicolectomy, 19 segmental resection of the splenic flexure (6.9%), 54 anterior resection of the rectum (19.5%) and 107 LLH (38.6%) were performed. Complications were graded according to Clavien-Dindo classification, and anastomotic leakages (AL) were graded according to Clavien-Dindo classification and to International Study Group of Rectal Cancer (ISGRC) classification. RESULTS: Eight surgical and one medical complications (8.4%) were observed. Two AL occurred (1.9%). One drained spontaneously by drainage placed intraoperatively (Clavien-Dindo I, ISGRC A) and one treated by laparoscopic peritoneal lavage, leakage suture and ileostomy (Clavien-Dindo III-b, ISGRC C). Other complications were: wound infection (Clavien-Dindo II) (2); postoperative anemia caused by rectorrhagia (Clavien-Dindo II) (2); pelvic abscess between bladder and uterus (Clavien-Dindo III-a) (1); hemoperitoneum secondary to inferior mesenteric artery bleeding treated with peritoneal lavage and hemostasis (Clavien-Dindo III-b) (1); atrial fibrillation (Clavien-Dindo II) (1). All complications have been resolved. CONCLUSIONS: The complication rate after LLH after the incorporation of ICG-FA is low, since the number of AL have dramatically decreased in comparison to our previous experience. The management of these patients proved to be safe and effective due to in all cases the complication has been resolved. Further studies are required to standardize the management of these patients.

Uso de la fluorescencia con verde de indocianina (ICG) en la identificación de un linfoma intestinal / Use of flourescent imaging with indocyanine green (ICG) for the identification of intestinal lymphoma

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Fluorescence angiography with indocyanine green (ICG) to evaluate anastomosis in colorectal surgery: where does it have more value?

BACKGROUND: Indocyanine green (ICG) fluorescence angiography (FA) was introduced to provide the real-time intraoperative evaluation of the vascular supply of anastomosis. However, further studies are required to evaluate its advantages in colorectal surgery and to know in which procedure this technology has more value. The aim of the present study is to assess the usefulness of the ICG-FA in the colorectal anastomosis evaluation and to evaluate where it is most useful depending on type of resection performed in terms of change of section line based on the ICG-FA and anastomotic leakage (AL) rates. METHODS: This is a prospective study. From September 2014 to November 2018, all patients who underwent any colorectal surgical procedure with ICG-FA in our center were enrolled in the study. Based on the type of surgery, patients were grouped in 4 categories: Group A, right hemicolectomy; Group B, segmental resection of the splenic flexure; Group C, left hemicolectomy; and Group D, anterior resection of the rectum. RESULTS: One-hundred-ninety-two unselected consecutive patients were enrolled: 67 in group A, 9 in B, 81 in C, and 35 in D. Change of section line based on ICG-FA occurred in 35 cases (18.2%): 4 in group A (6%), 1 in group B (11.1%), 21 in group C (25.9%), and 9 in group D (25.7%). ALs occurred in 5 patients (2.6%): 2 in group A (3%), 1 in C (1.2%), and 2 in D (5.7%). CONCLUSIONS: ICG-FA leads to significantly more changes in the resection line in case of left hemicolectomy followed by anterior resection. FA is a promising optical imaging technique to reduce the AL incidence after colorectal procedures. To confirm this data, further studies with wider sample size and with an objective evaluation of the anastomotic perfusion are required.

A Decalogue to Avoid Routine Ileostomy in Selected Patients With Border Line Risk to Develop Anastomotic Leakage After Minimally Invasive Low-Anterior Resection: A Pilot Study.

Purpose. Protective ileostomy (PI) during anterior resection (AR) for rectal cancer decreases the incidence of anastomotic leakage (AL) and its subsequent complications, but it may itself be the cause of morbidity. The aim is to report our protocol in the management of selected patients with borderline risk to develop AL after laparoscopic AR and ghost ileostomy (GI) creation. Methods. Patients who underwent AR were stratified based on the risk to develop AL. Steps to avoid PI were splenic flexure mobilization, reduced pelvic bleeding, to employ different stapler charge if neoadjuvant chemo-radiotherapy is performed, to perform a horizontal section of the rectum, to evaluate the anastomotic vascularization with a fluorescence angiography, to perform a side-to-end anastomosis, intraoperative methylene blue test, pelvic and transanal drainage tubes placement, and the GI creation. After surgery, inflammatory blood markers were monitored to detect potential leakages. Results. Twelve patients were included. In one case, the specimen proximal section was changed after fluorescence angiography. There were no conversions in this group of patients. One postoperative AL occurred and was treated with radiological drainage placement, not being necessary to convert the GI. PI was avoided in 100% of cases. Conclusions. Patients' characteristics cannot be changed, but several steps were used to avoid routine PI creation. The present protocol could be a valuable option to avoid PI in selected patients. Further studies with a wider sample size, and defined criteria to stratify the patients based on the risk to develop AL, are required.