In vivo comparison of the coagulation capability of SonoSurg and Harmonic Ace on 4 mm and 5 mm arteries.

INTRODUCTION: Ultrasonic dissectors are useful to ligate arteries, but their effectiveness on larger arteries has not been thoroughly documented in vivo. The purpose of this study is to determine the bursting pressure of sealed arteries and the incidence of failure to adequately seal 4 mm and 5 mm arteries in a porcine model using two commercially available ultrasonic coagulators. METHODS: The splenic, renal, superior mesenteric and carotid arteries of 60 kg swine were dissected and sealed alternating between SonoSurg (SS), 70% output (Olympus Surgical America) and Harmonic Ace (HA), level 3, (Ethicon Endosurgery). The burst pressures of each sealed segment was measured by subjecting them to infusion of water at 50 ml/hr until the seal burst. The mean burst pressure, incidence of burst pressure less than 360 mm Hg and incidence of not sealing were calculated and compared with the t and chi-square tests. Significance was assumed at p = 0.05. RESULTS: Each instrument was used to divide 44 arteries measuring between 4 and 5 mm (4.7 +/- 0.48 mm vs. 4.7 +/- 0.44 mm, p = NS, SS vs. HA, respectively) in diameter. The burst pressure (900.2 +/- 574.9 mmHg vs. 896.6 +/- 481.0 mmHg, p = NS) was not different comparing SS with. HA. Four vessels (9.1%) failed to seal with each instrument and resulted in immediate hemorrhage. Including the vessel that failed to seal initially, five vessels (11.4%) ligated with SS and six (13.6%) ligated with HA had burst pressure less than 360 mm Hg. This incidence of inadequate sealing was not significantly different between the two instruments when compared with chi-square analysis. CONCLUSION: SS and HA seal 4-5 mm arteries with similar burst pressures. There is no difference in the incidences of failure to initially seal the arteries or in bursting pressure <360 mmHg in 4-5 mm arteries in the porcine model.

Intestinal malrotation discovered at the time of laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass.

Four morbidly obese women who met the NIH criteria for bariatric surgery had laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass. At operation, each was found to have intestinal malrotation. Two cases were completed laparoscopically, and two were converted to open operation because of difficulty defining the anatomy. All four operations were successful with no immediate complications and patients tolerated the procedures well. We present the four cases and offer recommendations should this unusual congenital defect be discovered at the time of laparoscopic gastric bypass.

Incidence of vitamin deficiency after laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass in a university hospital setting.

Vitamin deficiency after gastric bypass surgery is a known complication. The purpose of this study was to measure the incidence of vitamin deficiency after laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass in a university hospital setting. All patients who underwent laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass from January 2002 to December 2004 and completed a 1- and 2-year follow-up after surgery were selected. Of the total 493 patients, 318 (65%) had vitamin results at 1-year follow-up. Of the 366 eligible for the 2-year follow-up, 141 (39%) had vitamin results. Patients were further grouped based on gender, race, and Roux limb length, and incidence of vitamin deficiencies were studied. The incidence of vitamin A (retinol) deficiency was 11 per cent, vitamin C was 34.6 per cent, vitamin D25OH was 7 per cent, vitamin B1 was 18.3 per cent, vitamin B2 was 13.6 per cent, vitamin B6 was 17.6 per cent, and vitamin B12 was 3.6 per cent 12 months after surgery. There was no statistical difference in the incidence of vitamin deficiencies between 1 and 2 years. In univariate and multivariate logistic regression of 1- and 2-year follow up, black patients (vitamins A, D, and B1 for 1 year and B1 and B6 for 2 years) and women (vitamin C at 1 year) were more likely to have vitamin deficiencies. Vitamin deficiencies after laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass are more common and involve more vitamins, even those that are water soluble, than previously appreciated. Black patients tend to have more deficiencies than other groups. The bariatric surgeon should be committed to the long-term follow-up and care of these patients. Further prospective and randomized studies are necessary to provide appropriate guidelines for supplementation.