The Diagnostic Accuracy of Abdominal Computed Tomography in Diagnosing Internal Herniation Following Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass Surgery: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the diagnostic accuracy of abdominal computed tomography (CT) in diagnosing internal herniation (IH) following Rouxen-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) surgery. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: IH is one of the most important and challenging complications following RYGB. Therefore, early and adequate diagnosis of IH is necessary. Currently, exploratory surgery is considered the gold standard in diagnosing IH. Although CT scans are frequently being used, the true diagnostic accuracy in diagnosing IH remains unclear. METHODS: PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane databases were systematically searched for relevant articles describing the diagnostic accuracy of abdominal CT in diagnosing IH after RYGB. Data were extracted, recalculated, and pooled to report on the overall diagnostic accuracy of CT in diagnosing IH, and the diagnostic accuracy of specific radiological signs. RESULTS: A total of 20 studies describing 1637 patients were included. seventeen studies provided data regarding the overall diagnostic accuracy: pooled sensitivity of 82.0%, specificity of 84.8%, positive predictive value of 82.7%, and negative predictive value of 85.8% were calculated. Eleven studies reported on specific CT signs and their diagnostic accuracy. The radiological signs with the highest sensitivity were the signs of venous congestion, swirl, and mesenteric oedema (sensitivity of 78.7%, 77.8%, and 67.2%, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: This meta-analysis demonstrates that CT is a reliable imaging modality for the detection of IH. Therefore, abdominal CT imaging should be added to the diagnostic work-up for RYGB patients who present themselves with abdominal pain suggestive of IH to improve patient selection for explorative surgery.

Robotic distal pancreatectomy for a neuroendocrine tumor in an 11-year-old child.

INTRODUCTION: Over the past decade, robotic pancreatic surgery has gained popularity. Although anatomically comparable, the small size of pediatric patients might impede the use of the surgical robot due to the size of the robotic arms. Pediatric pancreatic resection is rarely indicated, hence only few cases of pediatric robotic pancreatic resection have been described (Hagendoorn et al., 2018; Lalli Raj, 2019-4) [1,2]. To the best our knowledge, no video literature exists on robotic pediatric pancreatic tail resections. Aim of this video was to demonstrate the set-up and surgical technique of robotic distal pancreatectomy in a child. METHODS: This video illustrates fully robotic distal pancreatectomy in an eleven-year-old child. The patient had a past medical history of tuberous sclerosis complex. On surveillance imaging a non-functional neuroendocrine tumor was detected in the pancreatic tail for which a distal pancreatectomy was indicated. RESULTS: After general anesthesia, the patient was placed in supine position on a split-leg table in anti-Trendelenburg. Four robotic trocars were placed and the da Vinci Xi robotic system was docked. Two laparoscopic assistant ports were placed. A spleen-preserving distal pancreatectomy was performed. Postoperative recovery was unremarkable and the patient was discharged on postoperative day 6. CONCLUSION: This video illustrates robotic distal pancreatectomy in an eleven-year-old child. Meticulous port placement, adjusted to the patient's habitus, is an essential element.

Incidence and treatment of intussusception following Roux-en-Y gastric bypass: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Intussusception is a rare yet potentially life-threatening complication following Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB). Multiple case reports have described this complication, and recently, several retrospective studies have been published describing the surgical treatment of intussusception. The aim of this study was to determine the incidence of intussusception following RYGB and provide insight into outcomes of subsequent operative treatment. A systematic search was performed using the PubMed and Cochrane databases. Article selection was performed using the preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analyses criteria, and selecting articles describing the incidence of intussusception following RYGB. Data was pooled only when 3 or more comparable studies reported on the same outcome. The incidence of intussusception and outcomes of subsequent treatment were analyzed. Furthermore, all published case reports describing intussusception following RYGB were analyzed. A total of 74 studies published between 1991 and 2020 were included, describing 191 patients who underwent RYGB and developed intussusception. We retrieved 68 case reports, including 84 patients, and 6 retrospective studies describing outcomes of surgical treatment in 107 patients, which were used to pool data. There was a predominance of females among the included patients (85%-98%), and patients had significant weight loss following RYGB. The pooled incidence of intussusception following RYGB was .64%. Resection of the affected segment was performed in 34% of the patients. A pooled recurrence rate of 22% was found during follow-up. Resection and reconstruction of the jejunojejunostomy appears to be associated with the lowest risk of recurrence and acceptable complication rates. The pooled incidence of intussusception following RYGB is 0.64%. Typically, patients are female with significant weight loss after RYGB. Symptoms include abdominal pain, nausea, and vomiting. Diagnosis is based on clinical findings and computed tomography scans, warranting early surgical exploration due to the high risk for ischemia. Resection of the jejunojejunostomy appears to be associated with the lowest recurrence rates and acceptable complication rates.

[A boy with a twisted knee]. / Een jongen met een verdraaide knie.

A 14-year-old boy presented with a painful knee following a distorsion. He was unable to actively extend his lower leg. Conventional radiography showed no signs of a fracture. Both ultrasound imaging and MRI, however, demonstrated haemarthrosis and an osteochondral defect of the lateral femoral condyle. Apparently, an osteochondral lesion had developed due to patellar luxation. The osteochondral fragment was fixated using absorbable compression screws.

Randomized clinical trial comparing laparoscopic hiatal hernia repair using sutures versus sutures reinforced with non-absorbable mesh.

BACKGROUND: Current literature is characterized by a discrepancy between reported symptomatic and radiological recurrent hiatal hernia's following primary repair. Crural augmentation using mesh is suggested to reduce recurrence rates. The aim of this trial is to analyze 1-year outcome of laparoscopic hiatal hernia repair using sutures versus sutures reinforced with non-absorbable mesh. METHODS: Between 2013 and 2016, 72 patients with an objectified hiatal hernia were randomized for primary repair using non-absorbable sutures and sutures reinforced with non-absorbable mesh. Data regarding the incidence of recurrent hiatal hernia, need for endoscopic dilatation or surgical reintervention, postoperative dysphagia and/or reflux symptoms, general health, and use of acid-suppressing medication were analyzed. RESULTS: 72 patients (n = 36 vs. n = 36) were included. One year after primary repair and repair using non-absorbable mesh, there were no differences in the number of recurrent hiatal hernia's demonstrated by barium swallow radiology (n = 4 [11.4%] vs. n = 6 [19.4%], p = 0.370) or upper gastrointestinal endoscopy (n = 5 [14.4%] vs. n = 5 [17.2%], p = 0.746), the number of surgical reinterventions (n = 2 [5.6%] vs. n = 1 [2.8%], p = 1.000), nor in chest pain and heartburn scores, with comparable dysphagia and satisfaction scores. Compared to the preoperative state, both groups demonstrated a comparable and significant reduction in chest pain score and Dakkak dysphagia score. CONCLUSIONS: Use of non-absorbable mesh to reinforce primary hiatal hernia repair results in equal hiatal hernia recurrence and symptomatic outcome compared to repair using sutures alone. During 1-year follow-up, there were no mesh-related complications. Follow-up beyond 1 year needs to demonstrate whether these findings are sustained.

Outcome for Patients With Pathological Esophageal Acid Exposure After Laparoscopic Fundoplication.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of the current study was to assess symptomatic outcome and need for surgical reintervention for patients identified with pathological esophageal acid exposure by routine postoperative 24-hour pH-monitoring. BACKGROUND: Although laparoscopic fundoplication is associated with excellent short- and midterm results, recurrent symptoms pose an important challenge. Postoperative pH-monitoring is considered the "gold standard" for diagnosing recurrent GERD and frequently used for routine postoperative follow up. METHODS: Analysis of prospectively collected data from patients who underwent laparoscopic fundoplication between April 1994 and June 2015 and underwent routine postoperative 24-hour pH-monitoring was performed. Symptomatic outcome and need for surgical reintervention up to 5 years was compared between patients with pathological and physiological postoperative esophageal acid exposure. Primary endpoints were heartburn score and need for surgical reintervention for recurrent reflux. RESULTS: A total of 309 patients in whom routine postoperative 24-hour pH-monitoring was performed were included. Pathological acid exposure was present in 33 patients (11%) compared with 276 patients (89%) with physiological acid exposure. During 5-year follow up, there were no differences in heartburn, dysphagia, or satisfaction scores. Eighteen percent of all patients with abnormal postoperative pH-studies underwent redo fundoplication during 5-year follow up. CONCLUSIONS: Pathological acid exposure demonstrated by routine postoperative pH-monitoring was not associated with worse symptomatic outcome in terms of reflux control and satisfaction. A possible explanation for this finding is that laparoscopic fundoplication reduces the patients' ability to perceive reflux. This underlines the importance of assessing the association between symptomatic outcome and esophageal function tests in determining outcome of antireflux surgery.

Seventeen-year Outcome of a Randomized Clinical Trial Comparing Laparoscopic and Conventional Nissen Fundoplication: A Plea for Patient Counseling and Clarification.

OBJECTIVE: To analyze long-term outcome of a randomized clinical trial comparing laparoscopic Nissen fundoplication (LNF) and conventional Nissen fundoplication (CNF) for the treatment of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). BACKGROUND: LNF has replaced CNF, based on positive short and mid-term outcome. Studies with a follow-up of over 15 years are scarce, but are desperately needed for patient counselling. METHODS: Between 1997 and 1999, 177 patients with proton pump inhibitor (PPI)-refractory GERD were randomized to CNF or LNF. Data regarding the presence of reflux symptoms, dysphagia, general health, PPI use, and need for surgical reintervention at 17 years are reported. RESULTS: A total of 111 patients (60 LNF, 51 CNF) were included. Seventeen years after LNF and CNF, 90% and 95% of the patients reported symptom relief, with no differences in GERD symptoms or dysphagia. Forty-three and 49% of the patients used PPIs (NS). Both groups demonstrated significant improvement in general health (77% vs 71%; NS) and quality of life (75.3 vs 74.7; NS). Surgical reinterventions were more frequent after CNF (18% vs 45%; P = 0.002), mainly due to incisional hernia corrections (3% vs 14%; P = 0.047). CONCLUSIONS: The effects of LNF and CNF on symptomatic outcome and general state of health remain for up to 17 years after surgery, with no differences between the 2 procedures. CNF carries a higher risk of surgical reintervention, mainly due to incisional hernia corrections. Patients should be informed that 17 years after Nissen fundoplication, 60% of the patients are off PPIs, and 16% require reoperation for recurrent GERD and/or dysphagia.

Equal patient satisfaction, quality of life and objective recurrence rate after laparoscopic hiatal hernia repair with and without mesh.

INTRODUCTION: Laparoscopic hiatal hernia repair has become standard practice for most surgeons performing antireflux surgery. Hiatal hernia repair consists of cruroplasty with sutures only or additional reinforcement using mesh. Use of mesh was initiated to reduce recurrence rates. Recent analyses show that use of mesh may influence radiologic recurrence rates, but it does not seem to prevent symptomatic recurrences and the need for reoperation. This study compares clinical and radiologic outcomes of primary cruroplasty and cruroplasty with non-absorbable mesh after laparoscopic hiatal hernia repair. METHODS: Retrospective analysis of prospectively followed cohort of patients undergoing laparoscopic correction of hiatal hernia type II-IV in two tertiary referral centers was carried out. Radiologic recurrence, symptomatic recurrence, reoperation rate, complications and patient-reported outcome measures were analyzed for all patients. RESULTS: A total of 189 patients were analyzed after laparoscopic hiatal hernia correction with an additional fundoplication [127 (67.2%) primary correction, 62 (32.8%) with mesh reinforcement]. After a mean follow-up of 39.3 months, the overall radiologic recurrence rate was 24.3%, which was equal in both groups [25.8% (mesh) vs 23.6% (no mesh), P = 0.331]. Symptomatic recurrence rate was 13.2% (16.1 vs 11.8%, P = 0.495) and reoperation rate 7.4% (9.7 vs 6.3%), which was comparable between the two groups. Complication rates were equal, and no serious mesh-related complications were reported. Health-related quality of life improved after surgery, dysphagia decreased and patient satisfaction was high for both groups without significant differences. CONCLUSION: Radiologic recurrences, symptomatic recurrences and reoperation rates are equal after laparoscopic hiatal hernia repair with or without non-absorbable mesh reinforcement, irrespective of hernia size and type. Quality of life, dysphagia and patient satisfaction were comparable. No serious mesh-related complications occurred. The results of this study do not support the routine use of mesh in hiatal hernia repair.

Conservative treatment of acute cholecystitis: a systematic review and pooled analysis.

BACKGROUND: In medical practice, the tendency to remove an inflamed gallbladder is deeply rooted. Cholecystectomy, however, is associated with relatively high complication rates, and therefore the decision whether or not to perform surgery should be well considered. For some patients, the surgical risk-benefit profile may favour conservative treatment. The objective of this study was to examine the short- and long-term outcome of conservative treatment of patients with acute calculous cholecystitis. METHODS: A systematic search of MEDLINE, Embase and Cochrane Library databases was performed. Prospective studies reporting on the success rate of conservative treatment (i.e. non-invasive treatment) of acute cholecystitis during index admission were included, as well as prospective and retrospective studies reporting on the recurrence rate of gallstone-related disease during long-term follow-up (i.e. ≥12 months) after initial non-surgical management. Study selection was undertaken independently by two reviewers using predefined criteria. The risk of bias was assessed. The pooled success and mortality rate during index admission and the pooled recurrence rate of gallstone-related disease during long-term follow-up were calculated using a random-effects model. RESULTS: A total of 1841 patients were included in 10 randomized controlled trials and 14 non-randomized studies. Conservative treatment during index admission was successful in 87 % of patients with acute calculous cholecystitis and in 96 % of patients with mild disease. In the long term, 22 % of the patients developed recurrent gallstone-related disease. Pooled analysis showed a success rate of 86 % (95 % CI 0.8-0.9), a mortality rate of 0.5 % (95 % CI 0.001-0.009) and a recurrence rate of 20 % (95 % CI 0.1-0.3). DISCUSSION: Conservative treatment of acute calculous cholecystitis during index admission seems feasible and safe, especially in patients with mild disease. During long-term follow-up, less than a quarter of the patients appear to develop recurrent gallstone-related disease, although this outcome is based on limited data.

Bronchial colonization and complications after lung cancer surgery.

PURPOSE: Infectious complications occur following pulmonary resections preceded or not by induction chemoradiotherapy. We aimed to investigate whether bacterial colonization of the bronchial tree at the time of surgery was associated with postoperative complications. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A retrospective analysis of all patients who underwent open anatomical pulmonary resections for malignancies at a single center was performed. Demographical data of the included patients, intraoperative data, and data on the postoperative course of patients were collected. Outcome of patients with a positive intraoperative bronchial culture was compared to patients with a negative bronchial culture. Relations between the presence of potential bacterial pathogens in the bronchial tree and other possible risk factors for the development of postoperative infectious and non-infectious complications, were analyzed using uni- and multivariate analysis. RESULTS: Between January 2010 and January 2012, a total of 121 consecutive patients underwent open anatomical pulmonary resections for malignancy, of whom 45 were preceded by induction chemoradiotherapy and 5 by induction chemotherapy. Intraoperative bronchial cultures were taken from 58 patients (48 %). Patients with a positive bronchial culture developed significantly more infectious (88 % vs. 20 %, p < 0.001) and non-infectious complications (63 % vs. 12 %, p = 0.001). Positive intraoperative bronchial cultures showed the strongest association with the development of infectious and non-infectious postoperative complications (OR 24.8 and 12.2, respectively). After multivariate analysis, only BMI less than 20 kg/m(2) and the presence of a positive intraoperative bronchial culture were found to be independent risk factors for the development of infectious complications. Chemoradiotherapy was not associated with postoperative complications in the present study. CONCLUSIONS: Bacterial colonization of the bronchial tree assessed intraoperatively, appears to be associated with higher rates of infectious and non-infectious complications after pulmonary resection. Whether early starting of appropriate antibiotics based on intraoperative-taken culture findings will reduce the infectious complication rate in a subcategory of patients needs to be investigated.

[A man with an ulcer on his penis]. / Een man met een ulcus op zijn penis.

A 51-year-old male presented with a painful ulcer on his glans penis. Histopathological and radiological examination showed extensive microangiopathy and calcification of small and medium-sized arteries and the diagnosis 'calciphylaxis cutis' was made. Calciphylaxis cutis is caused by calcium deposits in small and medium-sized arteries, and most commonly seen in patients with end-stage renal failure and hyperparathyroidism.

A systematic review of the treatment for abdominal cutaneous nerve entrapment syndrome.

BACKGROUND: Abdominal cutaneous nerve entrapment syndrome (ACNES) is a frequently overlooked cause of chronic abdominal pain. We aim to outline the current available literature concerning the treatment of patients diagnosed with ACNES. DATA SOURCES: A systematic search in PubMed, EMBASE, CINAHL, and Cochrane databases was performed. Seven studies were included; describing trigger point injection (TPI) or anterior neurectomy as stand-alone procedure, TPI followed by anterior neurectomy as stepwise regimen, and nerve stimulation and phenolization. After TPI, 86% of the patients showed successful response, 76% at long-term follow-up. Two other studies report successful treatment in 50% of patients. In the included trial using anterior neurectomy, 73% vs 18% of the patients demonstrate a successful pain response in the neurectomy and sham group, respectively. Two cohort studies showed that 69% and 61% of the neurectomy group reported to be satisfied at 18 months and 32 months follow-up, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: There is significant pain relief after injections and anterior neurectomy. Awareness of the diagnosis is important. The validity of currently used diagnostic criteria needs to be evaluated in additional studies.

Laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy and gastroesophageal reflux disease: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: The effect of sleeve gastrectomy (SG) on the prevalence of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) remains unclear. We aimed to outline the currently available literature. DATA SOURCES: All relevant databases were searched for publications examining the effect of laparoscopic SG on GERD. Primary outcome measure was change in prevalence of GERD symptoms, antireflux medication use, and esophageal function tests. Secondary outcomes were prevalence of new-onset GERD and esophagitis. Thirty-three articles were included. Eleven studies used questionnaires to assess changes in the prevalence of GERD symptoms, with a risk difference in prevalence of 4.3%. Eight studies used esophageal function tests, with paradoxical results. Pooled incidence of new-onset GERD symptoms was 20%, with a strong suggestion of heterogeneity. New-onset esophagitis ranged from 6.3% to 63.3%. CONCLUSIONS: Because of high heterogeneity among available studies and paradoxical outcomes of objective esophageal function tests, the exact effect of laparoscopic SG on the prevalence of GERD remains unanswered. Surgeons should carefully evaluate preoperative GERD symptoms when choosing the proper bariatric technique.