Open surgical cholecystostomy under local anaesthesia as salvage therapy of acute cholecystitis during the 4th COVID-19 wave in Northern Italy: experience from a rural hospital.

The COVID-19 pandemic outbreak delayed interventions of elective surgery worldwide. In Italy, the first western country to be affected, 410000 operations formerly planned were cancelled with the beginning of the first wave. Symptomatic cholelithiasis represents one of the most common, benign medical conditions in the world leading the affected patients to general surgeons'attention; in 0.5% of cases gallstones (symptomatic or not) can complicate with acute lithiasic cholecystitis (ALC) whose universally acknowledged treatment of choice is laparoscopic cholecystectomy. Delaying in surgery of ALC can increase the rate of complications like severe ALC, acute cholangitis and sepsis. The 4th wave of COVID 19 in Northern Italy induced further stress on the healthcare system. In fact, the occurrence of difficult communication and delays in ALC patients transfer between first and second level hospitals lead to the re-emergence of obsolete surgical procedures. In our rural hospital, in fact, a 92 years old patient affected with ALC and several comorbidities was treated with a successful emergency surgical procedure of transperitoneal cholecistostomy in lieu of a radiological transperitoneal approach. Such a choice was dictated by the absence of an interventional radiology unit in our hospital as well as the unavailability of patient transfer to our central referral hub (the hospital of Parma) due to hospital overcrowding secondary to the 4th wave of COVID 19 pandemic.

Fluorescence-based sentinel lymph node mapping and lymphography evaluation: results from the IHU-IRCAD-EAES EURO-FIGS registry.

BACKGROUND: The identification of metastatic lymph nodes is one of the most important prognostic factors in gastrointestinal (GI) cancers. Near-infrared fluorescence (NIRF) imaging has been successfully used in GI tumors to detect the lymphatic pathway and the sentinel lymph node (SLN), facilitating fluorescence image-guided surgery (FIGS) with the purpose to achieve a correct nodal staging. The aim of this study was to analyze the current results of NIRF SLN navigation and lymphography through data collected in the EURO-FIGS registry. METHODS: Prospectively collected data regarding patients and ICG-guided lymphadenectomies were analyzed. Additional analyses were performed to identify predictors of metastatic SLN and determinants of fluorescence positivity and nodal metastases outside the boundaries of standard lymphadenectomies. RESULTS: Overall, 188 patients were included by 18 surgeons from 10 different centers. Colorectal cancer was the most reported pathology (77.7%), followed by gastric (19.1%) and esophageal tumors (3.2%). ICG was injected with higher doses (p < 0.001) via extraparietal side (63.3%), and with higher volumes (p < 0.001) via endoluminal side (36.7%). Overall, NIRF SLN navigation was positive in 75.5% of all cases and 95.5% of positive SLNs were retrieved, with a metastatic rate of 14.7%. NIRF identification of lymph nodes outside standard lymphatic stations occurred in 52.1% of all cases, 43.8% of which were positive for metastatic involvement. Positive NIRF SLN identification was an independent predictor of metastasis outside standard lymphatic stations (OR = 4.392, p = 0.029), while BMI independently predicted metastasis in retrieved SLNs (OR = 1.187, p = 0.013). Lower doses of ICG were protective against NIRF identification outside standard of care lymphadenectomy (OR = 0.596, p = 0.006), while higher volumes of ICG were predictive of metastatic involvement outside standard of care lymphadenectomy (OR = 1.597, p = 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: SLN mapping helps identifying potentially metastatic lymph nodes outside the boundaries of standard lymphadenectomies. The EURO-FIGS registry is a valuable tool to share and analyze European surgeons' practices.

Intussusception of the bowel in adult women due to bulky inflammatory fibroid polyp treated in emergency. A case report.

Introduction: Intussusception represents a rare form of bowel obstruction in the adult, which is defined as the telescoping of a proximal segment of the gastrointestinal tract into the lumen of the adjacent distal segment of the GI tract Case Report: We report the case of a 50-year-old woman was admitted in our hospital with acute bowel obstruction. CT showed intestinal occlusion secondary to intussusception. the patient underwent emergency surgery. Surgery confirmed intussusception at the level of the distal ileum (about 30 cm from the ileocecal valve) due to a 3-4 oval mass of hard consistency that appeared to be suspicious for GIST. Was performed a resection of the ileal segment involved associated with oncologically radical lymphadenectomy. The histological examination reported benign ileal mesenchymal neoformation compatible with inflammatory fibroid polyp. Patient had a regular course Discussion: In adults, 90% of invaginations manifest as a result of an organic lesion caused by benign or malignant tumors. The clinical presentation in adults is generally chronic or nonspecific. The emergence of acute symptoms due to complete intestinal obstruction occours in fewer than 20% of patients. Abdominal computed tomography (CT) is the most sensitive radiologic method to confirm intussusception. As many cases are secondary to organic pathologies with malignant potential, surgical resection of the affected bowel segment with oncological procedures is the primary method of treatment Conclusion: Due to the fact that adult intussusception is often frequently associated with organic lesions, surgical intervention is necessary. Treatment usually requires formal resection of the involved bowel segment. (www.actabiomedica.it).

Fluorescence-based bowel anastomosis perfusion evaluation: results from the IHU-IRCAD-EAES EURO-FIGS registry.

BACKGROUND: Anastomotic leakage (AL) is one of the dreaded complications following surgery in the digestive tract. Near-infrared fluorescence (NIRF) imaging is a means to intraoperatively visualize anastomotic perfusion, facilitating fluorescence image-guided surgery (FIGS) with the purpose to reduce the incidence of AL. The aim of this study was to analyze the current practices and results of NIRF imaging of the anastomosis in digestive tract surgery through the EURO-FIGS registry. METHODS: Analysis of data prospectively collected by the registry members provided patient and procedural data along with the ICG dose, timing, and consequences of NIRF imaging. Among the included upper-GI, colorectal, and bariatric surgeries, subgroup analysis was performed to identify risk factors associated with complications. RESULTS: A total of 1240 patients were included in the study. The included patients, 74.8% of whom were operated on for cancer, originated from 8 European countries and 30 hospitals. A total of 54 surgeons performed the procedures. In 83.8% of cases, a pre-anastomotic ICG dose was administered, and in 60.1% of cases, a post-anastomotic ICG dose was administered. A significant difference (p < 0.001) was found in the ICG dose given in the four pathology groups registered (range: 0.013-0.89 mg/kg) and a significant (p < 0.001) negative correlation was found between the ICG dose and BMI. In 27.3% of the procedures, the choice of the anastomotic level was guided by means of NIRF imaging which means that in these cases NIRF imaging changed the level of anastomosis which was first decided based on visual findings in conventional white light imaging. In 98.7% of the procedures, the use of ICG partly or strongly provided a sense of confidence about the anastomosis. A total of 133 complications occurred, without any statistical significance in the incidence of complications in the anastomoses, whether they were ICG-guided or not. CONCLUSION: The EURO-FIGS registry provides an insight into the current clinical practice across Europe with respect to NIRF imaging of anastomotic perfusion during digestive tract surgery.

Applications of indocyanine green-enhanced fluorescence in laparoscopic colorectal resections.

Recently, Indocyanine Green (ICG)-enhanced fluorescence has been introduced in laparoscopic colorectal surgery to provide detailed anatomical informations. The aim of our study is the application of ICG imaging during laparoscopic colorectal resections: to assess anastomotic perfusion to reduce the risk of anastomotic leak, to facilitate vascular dissection when vascular anatomy of tumor site is unclear, and to identify ureter to prevent iatrogenic injury. After the transection, 5 ml of ICG solution is intravenously injected. A Full HD IMAGE1S camera, switching to NIR mode, in few seconds provides a real-time angiography of colonic perfusion. After anastomosis, another bolus is injected to confirm the anastomotic perfusion. When the tumor is localized in difficult site, the fluorescence provides a real-time angiography of tumor area vascularization to perform the vascular dissection. When the tumor is tightly attached to the ureter, the ICG solution injection through the catheter allows ureter identification. From November 2016, 38 patients were enrolled: ten left colectomies, 22 right colectomies, three transverse resections, and three splenic flexure resections. In five cases, intraoperative angiography led to the identification of vascular anatomy. In one case the surgical strategy was changed. In one procedure, ureter identification allowed to prevent injury. Three postoperative complications that required surgical reoperation occured, of which one anastomotic leak, due to a mechanical problem. ICG-enhanced fluorescence imaging is a safe, cheap and effective tool to increase visualization during surgery. It can be employed also in small hospitals without learning curve. It is recommended to obtain additional information on anatomy and perfusion in colorectal surgery.

De Garengeot hernia: laparoscopic treatment in emergency.

INTRODUCTION: De Garengeot Hernia is described as the presence of an appendix within a femoral hernia. CASE REPORT: We report the case of an elderly woman, who presented with incarcerated femoral hernia without signs of bowel obstruction. CT showed a femoral hernia with appendix in the femoral canal with signs of strangulation. the patient underwent emergency surgery. Diagnostic laparoscopy revelead a non-reducible appendix in the femoral canal, in the absence of signs of peritonitis. An infrainguinal incision was performed. An gangrenous appendix within the sac was revealed, detached from the sac and reintroduced into the abdomen through the femoral canal. The laparoscopic appendectomy was then performed. The hernia repair was performed by suturing the iliopubic tract to Cooper's ligament. Patient had a regular course. DISCUSSION: De Garengeot's hernia is a rare occurrence. After the year 2000 a total of 32articles, wich presented 34 cases of de Garengeot's hernia have been published. Due to the rarity of this disease there is not standard procedure; laparoscopy may be a valid technique for determining the condition of the hernia, but due to the difficulty of preoperative diagnosis it is unlikely to be the first choice for the surgical approach. The use of CT can therefore be decisive to help the surgeon in the choice of the approach. CONCLUSION: De Garengeot's hernia can be approached in urgent laparoscopy even in the complicated forms of appendicular inflammation. (www.actabiomedica.it).

Impact of obesity on laparoscopic-assisted left colectomy in different stages of the learning curve.

PURPOSE: This study is aimed at verifying if the surgeon's experience has an impact on the risk of conversion to open surgery of laparoscopic left colectomy performed in obese patients. METHODS: A multiple logistic regression analysis was performed of 181 laparoscopic left hemicolectomies completed between April 2001 and June 2006. The results were analysed statistically in relation to the learning curve, by comparing factors that could have had an impact on the risk of conversion in the first 91 cases and in the last 90 cases. RESULTS: The overall conversion rate was 11%. Only weight level was found to be predictive of conversion to open surgery. No death was observed. Sixteen patients presented postoperative complications (8.8%), with no significant differences between obese and nonobese patients (P=0.95). The conversion rate was higher in the group of the first 91 cases: 15.6% versus 6.6% (P=0.05). Average body mass index of converted patients resulted as being higher than that of nonconverted ones (29.97+/-3.76 vs. 25.48+/-3.72; P<0.001) during the first period of the learning curve, but the difference was not observed during the second period (P=0.87). On multiple logistic regression analysis, obesity was found to be predictive of conversion only during the first period. CONCLUSIONS: The data indicate that the laparoscopic colorectal surgery is feasible and effective in obese patients both when the surgeon is expert in laparoscopic colorectal resection and at the initial phase of the experience. At the initial phase of the experience obesity constitutes a higher risk of conversion to open surgery.