Laparoscopic distal pancreatectomy and splenectomy for malignant tumors.

INTRODUCTION: Laparoscopic distal pancreatectomy has become the gold standard for benign tumors. As more surgeons have expertise in open and laparoscopic pancreatic surgery, increasing numbers of benign-appearing tumors are being removed via minimally invasive techniques and found to have malignancy on final pathology. Because of our growing experience in laparoscopic distal pancreatectomy, we have begun removing preoperatively suspected malignancies in the distal pancreas with minimally invasive techniques. METHODS: All cases were collected prospectively in a database and analyzed retrospectively. All cases begun laparoscopically with the intention of performing the resection with minimally invasive techniques were considered even if the operation was ultimately converted to an open procedure. RESULTS: A total of 12 cases have been attempted of which four required hand assistance and one required conversion to an open approach due to delayed bleeding from a calcified splenic artery that had been transected with laparoscopic GIA stapler device. In total, eight (67%) patients had malignant disease and four (33%) were found to have benign tumors. The median lymph node retrieval is 8 (range 3-16) with no positive margins. The morbidity rate is 17% with one reoperation (8%) and one mortality (8%) at 30 and 90 days. CONCLUSIONS: The laparoscopic approach to malignant pancreatic tumors is feasible with similar morbidity and mortality rates to benign series. When tumors are next to the confluence of the splenic portal vein, a hand-assisted approach may be adviseable. Calcified splenic arteries should be sought on preoperative imaging and either transected in non-calcified segments or controlled via open techniques via the hand port.

Laparoscopic right hepatectomy with intrahepatic transection of the right bile duct.

BACKGROUND: Although our earlier videos demonstrated extrahepatic control of the hepatic arterial, portal venous, and biliary system, we have begun transecting the biliary system intraparenchymally for lesions distant from hilar plate and the confluence of the right and left hepatic ducts.1 (-) 3 METHODS: The patient was a 50-year old gentleman with synchronous colorectal hepatic metastasis, who underwent 6 cycles of neoadjuvant chemotherapy with a Folfox-based regimen followed by laparoscopic right hepatectomy plus wedge resection of segment 4 and microwave ablation for a lesion in segment 2. This was followed 1 month later by laparoscopic proctocolectomy. Of note, the patient was also treated with Avastin for 1 month, which was stopped 2 months prior to his liver surgery. Pneumoperitoneum was obtained with the Veress needed; alternatively, the open technique may need to be used in patients who have undergone previous surgery. A 12-mm blunt tip balloon trocar was placed approximately 1 hand-breadth below the right costal margin. Two 12-mm working trocars were placed to the left and right of this optic trocar, and trocars were then placed in the left sub xiphoid region and in the right flank for the assistants. The right hepatic artery was triply clipped proximally and twice distally prior to being sharply transected. The right hepatic portal vein was then transected using a laparoscopic vascular GIA stapler device (TriStapler, Covidien, Norwalk, CT). The anterior surface of the liver was examined, and there was a clear line of demarcation along Cantlie's line. Using the ultrasonic shears (Harmonic Scalpel, Ethicon, Cincinnati, OH), the liver parenchyma was then transected. In the area of the right hepatic duct, the liver parenchyma was transected with a single firing of the laparoscopic GIA vascular stapler device. The right hepatic vein was then identified and similarly transected with a single firing of the laparoscopic vascular GIA stapler device. Hemostasis along the hepatic parenchyma was reinforced with the laparoscopic bipolar device. The two trocars on the right of the patient are connected into 1 incision, and a gel port is placed to facilitate removal of the specimen; alternatively, an old incision can be used. For patients who will need a laparoscopic or open colectomy, a lower midline incision is made. RESULTS: From Jan 2009 to Oct 2010, 13 patients underwent right hepatectomy. The average age was 63.5 years (range, 46-87 years). The indication for surgery were all for cancer including 11 colorectal metastasis, 1 anal cancer metastasis, and 1 cholangiocarcinoma. In these 13 patients, 1 patient (7.7%) required conversion to an open approach because of bleeding, 1 additional patient required laparoscopic hand assistance, and the remaining patients were completed laparoscopically. There were no surgical mortalities at 30 or 90 days. Complications occurred in 2 (15%) patients, and included 1 patient who was converted to an open procedure because of hemorrhage and was complicated by a bile leak; the second patient with complication also developed a 1-bile leak, both of which responded to percutaneous treatments. The mean hospital stay was 7.7 days (range, 5-17 days). The mean operative time was 401 min (range, 220-600 min). The mean estimated blood loss was 878 cm(3) (range, 100-3,000 cm(3)). All patients underwent an R0 resection. DISCUSSION: Laparoscopic major hepatectomy is feasible. As in open hepatectomies, intrahepatic transection of the right bile duct may be safer because there is a decreased risk of injury to the left hepatic duct.4 (,) 5 Larger series with longer-term follow-up are necessary.

Laparoendoscopic single-site cholecystectomy: using a gelport device.

INTRODUCTION: Laparoendoscopic single-site (LESS) surgery has emerged as a viable and widely applicable minimally invasive technique. Presented here are the steps necessary to perform LESS cholecystectomy using a readily available gelport device. METHODS: To perform LESS cholecystectomy we make a 2 cm incision through the umbilicus until the fascia is identified. The fascia is opened 2 cm and a wound protector is inserted. Through the gelport we insert a 5 mm trocar with a balloon tip for the insufflation and three 5 mm trocars as working ports. Three of the trocars are placed in the lower third in a semilunar configuration before mounting the gelport onto the wound protector. A fourth trocar can then be placed at the superior aspect of the gelport. Intra-abdominal visualization is obtained with an articulating 5 mm laparoscope. RESULTS: At our institution 19 patients have undergone LESS cholecystectomy out of 20 attempts (5% conversion rate), with the first 15 patients undergoing a single skin incision, multifascial incision approach and the last 5 done using a gelport device and single fascial incision. One patient in the multifascial group required conversion to a dual incision laparoscopic cholecytectomy due to cystic duct bleeding. Overall, procedures averaged 81 minutes (range, 43 to 181 min), the average length of stay was <1 day (range, 0 to 2 d). To date, 1 patient developed a wound infection that responded to oral antibiosis (5% overall complication rate), and no hernias have developed with a mean follow-up of 9 months (range, 3 to 12 mo). CONCLUSIONS: The gelport may allow for the widespread use of this exciting technology even in nonspecialized centers because of the familiarity of minimally invasive surgeons with this device. The elasticity of this device seems to facilitate the use of 4 trocars, thus, replicating the "critical view" of the structures of the triangle of Calot seen in standard multi-incision laparoscopic cholecystectomy.

Laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass versus laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy for morbid obesity: case-control study.

BACKGROUND: Laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (SG) is gaining popularity as a procedure for the treatment of morbid obesity and type 2 diabetes mellitus. Either as a first-stage procedure for superobese patients or as a definitive procedure, SG is becoming the first-choice bariatric procedure in France. Preliminary results have suggested that the weight loss and resolution of co-morbidities with SG could be comparable to those with laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB). In a multicenter, retrospective study, we analyzed the weight loss, resolution of co-morbidities, and complications of both SG and RYGB using a case-control study design. METHODS: A retrospective, case-control, comparative analysis was performed with 200 patients in each treatment arm who had undergone either SG or RYGB from January 2005 to March 2008. The patients in each group were matched for age, gender, and body mass index. The postoperative complications, the percentage of excess weight loss, and the resolution of co-morbidities in each group were compared at 6, 12, and 18 months postoperatively. RESULTS: The overall mortality rates were similar in both groups. However, the morbidity rate was significantly greater in the RYGB group (20.5%) as compared to the SG group (6.5%; P <.05). The overall remission of type 2 diabetes was significantly better in the RYGB group (P <.05). However, the percentage of excess weight loss at 6, 12, and 18 months as well as the resolution of nondiabetes co-morbidities were comparable in both groups. CONCLUSION: In our study, as compared with SG, RYGB was associated with a greater short-term morbidity rate. RYGB could be associated with better diabetes control. However, additional studies are needed to evaluate the comparative efficacy of SG and RYGB for the treatment of morbid obesity and its co-morbidities.

Combined vaginal and abdominal approach to sleeve gastrectomy for morbid obesity in women: a preliminary experience.

BACKGROUND: Natural orifice translumenal endoscopic surgery is an emerging surgical phenomenon. Although the development of "pure" natural orifice translumenal endoscopic surgical techniques in humans has been slowed by major technical hurdles, "hybrid" or combined variants have been increasingly reported. Laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (SG) is a commonly performed treatment of morbid obesity. We have developed a combined variant of SG for patients with morbid obesity. Our aim was to assess the feasibility and safety of such an approach, which could eventually reduce the postoperative pain, preserve the abdominal wall, and enhance cosmesis. METHODS: Combined, transvaginal and abdominal SG was attempted in 20 patients. The inclusion criteria were morbid obesity (body mass index <50 kg/m(2)), female gender, an absence of gynecologic disorders, and the absence of major previous abdominal surgery. The local ethical committee approved the present study. The technique was performed using a vaginal incision with 1 or 2 abdominal ports. RESULTS: The procedure was a success in 14 patients (70%). In 6 patients, conversion to a more conventional laparoscopic SG was required, with ≥ 1 abdominal ports added. The mean operative time was 116 minutes (range 54-231). The postoperative complication rate was 5% (1 patient developed pneumonia). No hemorrhage, surgical site infection, or fistula was encountered. The mean length of hospital stay was 72 hours (range 24-144). CONCLUSION: Our combined, transvaginal and abdominal variant of laparoscopic SG was sure and feasible in a small series of selected patients with morbid obesity.

Vascular clamping in liver surgery: physiology, indications and techniques.

This article reviews the historical evolution of hepatic vascular clamping and their indications. The anatomic basis for partial and complete vascular clamping will be discussed, as will the rationales of continuous and intermittent vascular clamping.Specific techniques discussed and described include inflow clamping (Pringle maneuver, extra-hepatic selective clamping and intraglissonian clamping) and outflow clamping (total vascular exclusion, hepatic vascular exclusion with preservation of caval flow). The fundamental role of a low Central Venous Pressure during open and laparoscopic hepatectomy is described, as is the difference in their intra-operative measurements. The biological basis for ischemic preconditioning will be elucidated. Although the potential dangers of vascular clamping and the development of modern coagulation devices question the need for systemic clamping; the pre-operative factors and unforseen intra-operative events that mandate the use of hepatic vascular clamping will be highlighted.

Appendiceal abscess revealed by ureteral stenosis and hydronephrosis.

Acute appendicitis presenting with ureteral stenosis and hydronephrosis is very rare. Here, we report the case of a patient who had complicated acute appendicitis with perforation and abscess resulting in right pyeloureteral dilation.

Transverse colon diverticulitis simulating inguinal hernia strangulation: a first report.

BACKGROUND: Strangulation is the most serious complication of inguinal hernia. Diverticulitis, a common condition, is usually localized in the left colon. The association of complicated inguinal hernia and diverticulitis is rare. METHODS: We report the case of a 73-year-old male patient who presented with a suspicion of strangulated inguinal hernia. RESULTS: CT and operative findings showed transverse colon diverticulitis lodged in an incarcerated inguinal hernia without signs of strangulation. Surgical hernia repair was undertaken while the treatment of diverticulitis was conservative. Follow-up was uneventful. CONCLUSION: This is a first report of documented transverse colon diverticulitis simulating inguinal hernia strangulation.