Liver mobilization and liver hanging for totally laparoscopic right hepatectomy: an easy way to do it.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study is to describe a technical modification that facilitates right liver mobilization in laparoscopic right hepatectomy (LRH). METHODS: In the supine position, an inflatable device is placed under the patient's right chest. For right hemiliver mobilization, the table is placed in 30° anti-Trendelenburg and full-left tilt. Balloon inflation offers an additional 30° left inclination that places the patient in an almost left lateral position. Foot and lateral supports are placed to prevent patient slippage during changes in the patient positioning. RESULTS: From December 2013 to October 2015, this technique has been used in 10 consecutive LRH. The indications for these procedures were as follows: four donor hepatectomies for living donor liver transplant, three hepatocellular carcinomas and one peripheral cholangiocarcinoma in cirrhotic patients, one hepatocellular carcinoma in a non-cirrhotic patient, and one case of colorectal cancer metastases. In this period, it has also been used to facilitate mobilization and resection in the posterior segments of the liver in seven patients. In every case, right hemiliver mobilization was easily performed in a maximum time of 15 min and placement of a tape or plastic tube for liver hanging was prepared. We have not observed any complication directly attributable to the technique herein described (i.e. right brachialgia; arms, back or left flank pain) in the early or late postoperative follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: The additional left inclination obtained with the inflation of a balloon under the right chest facilitates right hemiliver mobilization. Its use may help in the performance and adoption of LRH.

Does Preincisional Infiltration with Bupivacaine Reduce Postoperative Pain in Laparoscopic Bariatric Surgery?

BACKGROUND: Current evidence suggests that local anesthetic wound infiltration should be employed as part of multimodal postoperative pain management. There is scarce data concerning the benefits of this anesthetic modality in laparoscopic weight loss surgery. Therefore, we analyzed the influence of trocar site infiltration with bupivacaine on the management of postoperative pain in laparoscopic bariatric surgery. METHODS: This retrospective randomized study included 47 patients undergoing primary obesity surgery between January and September 2014. Laparoscopic gastric bypass was performed in 39 cases and sleeve gastrectomy in 8 cases. Patients were stratified into two groups depending on whether preincisional infiltration with bupivacaine and epinephrine was performed (study group, 27 patients) or not (control group, 20 patients). Visual analogue scale (VAS), International Pain Outcomes questionnaire, and rescue medication records were reviewed to assess postoperative pain. RESULTS: VAS scores in the study group and sleeve gastrectomy group were lower than those in the control and gastric bypass groups in the first 4 h postoperatively without reaching statistical significance (p > 0.05). VAS scores did not differ in any other period of time. No statistically significant differences in pain perception were registered according to the patient's pain outcomes questionnaire or the need for rescue medication. CONCLUSIONS: The present study did not conclusively prove the efficacy of bupivacaine infiltration by any of the three evaluation methods analyzed. Nevertheless, preincisional infiltration provides good level of comfort in the immediate postoperative period when analgesia is most urgent.

Distal migration of a transanastomotic pancreatic stent resulting in bowel perforation 19 years after pancreatoduodenectomy: report of a case.

A 75-year-old woman who had undergone pancreatoduodenectomy 19 years earlier was referred to us for investigation of progressive abdominal pain without conclusive preliminary complementary tests. Computed tomography enabled us to identify that the transanastomotic pancreatic stent had migrated distally, resulting in bowel perforation. She underwent surgery and the foreign body was removed.

Laparoscopic right hepatectomy extended to middle hepatic vein after right portal vein embolization.

BACKGROUND: Laparoscopic right hepatectomy (LRH) is a complex but feasible procedure. Preoperative portal vein embolization (PVE) can add difficulties that warrant particular technical modifications. A LRH extended to middle hepatic vein after PVE is presented, with special attention paid to specific operative findings and to useful technical modifications. METHODS: A 62-year-old female patient with a body mass index of 30.5 kg/m(2) was diagnosed with a 3-cm unresectable centrally located intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma with infiltration of the retrohepatic vena cava, segment VII portal branch, and adjacent to the middle hepatic vein and portal bifurcation. After four cycles of GEMOX, partial response was observed, disappearing vascular infiltration. PVE was required to perform an extended LRH. Consequently, during pedicle dissection, significant inflammation was found in the vicinity of the right portal vein. Thus, the section of the portal and biliary elements was delayed until the transection of the parenchyma reached the hilum. The opening of the parenchyma improved exposure, allowing the safe management of these structures individually. RESULTS: The total operative time was 438 min. Three periods of 15-min pedicle occlusion resulted in <100 ml bleeding. Hospital stay was 4 days. Pathological examination revealed residual cholangiocarcinoma with intense posttreatment changes (pT1) and tumor-free margins. After an 18-month follow-up, the patient was alive and free of disease. CONCLUSIONS: LRH is feasible and safe, even after PVE. Nevertheless, periportal inflammation can hinder hilar dissection. In this setting, delaying section of portal and biliary elements until parenchymal transection reaches the hilar region may result in a useful and safe strategy.

Trasplante ortotópico de hígado en la poliquistosis hepática / Orthotopic liver transplantation in polycystic liver disease

Introducción A día de hoy no existe una terapia médica eficaz para la poliquistosis hepática (PQH), considerándose tratamientos paliativos la punción quística con escleroterapia, la fenestración o la hepatectomía parcial. El trasplante ortotópico de hígado (TOH) es el tratamiento de elección para la PQH terminal, estando indicado en pacientes con síntomas limitantes no susceptibles de recibir tratamiento médico. Con la aplicación del sistema Model for End-Stage Liver Disease (MELD) es difícil determinar la prioridad en la lista de espera.MétodosAnálisis retrospectivo de los TOH por PQH realizados consecutivamente en nuestro centro. Los criterios de inclusión para TOH en pacientes con síntomas limitantes fueron la presencia de poliquistosis bilateral (Gigot tipo iii ) y la hepatomegalia masiva con un hígado remanente insuficiente que imposibilitara una hepatectomía. Se realizó de donante cadáver con técnica piggy-back sin by-pass veno-venoso.ResultadosEntre abril de 1992 y abril de 2010 se realizaron 6 TOH, uno de ellos combinando trasplante hepatorrenal. La media de transfusión fue 3,25 concentrados de hematíes y 1.200 cc de plasma fresco congelado. El tiempo quirúrgico medio fue 299 min y 498 min en el hepatorrenal. No hubo mortalidad perioperatoria. La media de hospitalización fue 6,5 días, permaneciendo sanos todos los pacientes tras una media de seguimiento de 71 meses.ConclusiónEl TOH ofrece una excelente supervivencia global. Los resultados son mejores cuando el trasplante se realiza de una manera precoz, por lo que estos pacientes deberían recibir una puntuación adicional para poder emplear el MELD como una escala válida (AU)

Introduction There is currently no effective medical therapy for polycystic liver (PCL). Cyst puncture and sclerotherapy, cyst fenestration, or partial hepatic resections have been used as palliative treatments. Orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT) has become the treatment of choice for terminal PCL, being indicated in patients with limiting symptoms not susceptible to any other medical treatment. It is also difficult to determine the priority on the waiting list using the Model for End-Stage Liver Disease (MELD).MethodsA retrospective analysis of OLT for PCL was conducted in our centre. Inclusion criteria were patients with limiting symptoms, bilateral cysts liver, and insufficient remaining liver. In all cases a deceased donor liver transplantation with piggy-back technique without veno-venous bypass was performed.ResultsSix patients underwent liver transplantation for PCL between April 1992 and April 2010, one of them a combined liver-kidney transplantation. The mean intraoperative packed red blood cell transfusion was 3.25 L and fresh frozen plasma was 1.200 cc. Mean operation time was 299 min, and 498 min in the liver-kidney transplantation. There was no peri-operative mortality. The mean hospital stay was 6.5 days. All patients are healthy after a mean follow-up of 71 months.ConclusionOLT offers an excellent overall survival. Results are better when OLT is performed early; thus these patients should receive additional points to be able to use the MELD score as a valid prioritisation system for waiting lists (AU)

[Orthotopic liver transplantation in polycystic liver disease]. / Trasplante ortotópico de hígado en la poliquistosis hepática.

INTRODUCTION: There is currently no effective medical therapy for polycystic liver (PCL). Cyst puncture and sclerotherapy, cyst fenestration, or partial hepatic resections have been used as palliative treatments. Orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT) has become the treatment of choice for terminal PCL, being indicated in patients with limiting symptoms not susceptible to any other medical treatment. It is also difficult to determine the priority on the waiting list using the Model for End-Stage Liver Disease (MELD). METHODS: A retrospective analysis of OLT for PCL was conducted in our centre. Inclusion criteria were patients with limiting symptoms, bilateral cysts liver, and insufficient remaining liver. In all cases a deceased donor liver transplantation with piggy-back technique without veno-venous bypass was performed. RESULTS: Six patients underwent liver transplantation for PCL between April 1992 and April 2010, one of them a combined liver-kidney transplantation. The mean intraoperative packed red blood cell transfusion was 3.25 L and fresh frozen plasma was 1.200 cc. Mean operation time was 299 min, and 498 min in the liver-kidney transplantation. There was no peri-operative mortality. The mean hospital stay was 6.5 days. All patients are healthy after a mean follow-up of 71 months. CONCLUSION: OLT offers an excellent overall survival. Results are better when OLT is performed early; thus these patients should receive additional points to be able to use the MELD score as a valid prioritisation system for waiting lists.

[Giant duodenal ulcer perforation: a case of innovative repair with an antrum gastric patch]. / Perforación de ulcus gigante duodenal: reparación innovadora mediante una plastia del antro gástrico.

BACKGROUNDS: the treatment of a perforated giant duodenal ulcer (GUDs) represents a formidable surgical challenge regarding the duodenal wall defect repair in severe peritonitis setting. A high incidence of dehiscence and hospital mortality (15-40%- has been reported with the majority of the techniques). We report a case of GUDs perforation successfully treated with a subtotal gastrectomy and a gastric patch with the remnant antrum, for repairing the duodenal defect. CASE REPORT: a 63-years-old man with antecedents of peptic ulcer disease presents a large duodenal ulcer perforation with 48 hrs delay and associated with severe peritonitis and a retroperitoneal collection. A subtotal gastrectomy with Billroth II reconstruction and reconstruction of the duodenal defect with a patch of the remnant antrum was carried out. The patient was discharged at 17th postoperative day with good tolerance. DISCUSSION: the duodenal defect repair with a patch of the remant antrum, represents a valid alternative in similar circumstances. To our knowledge, it appears to be the first clinical description of this technique.

Perforación de ulcus gigante duodenal: reparación innovadora mediante una plastia del antro gástrico / Giant duodenal ulcer perforation: a case of innovative repair with an antrum gastric patch

Antecedentes: el tratamiento de un ulcus duodenal gigante (UDG; > 2 cm) perforado entraña una gran dificultad técnica, por la reparación del gran defecto duodenal; y por la peritonitis sobreañadida. Todas las técnicas descritas se asocian con un índice elevado de dehiscencias y una mortalidad del 15-40%. Describimos por primera vez el caso de un UDG perforado, tratado mediante una gastrectomía subtotal y con una plastia del antro gástrico remanente. Caso clínico: varón de 63 años que se interviene de un UDG perforado en la 2ª porción duodenal asociado con peritonitis severa y disección de la gotiera parieto-cólica derecha retroperitoneo. Se realiza gastrectomía tipo Bilroth II y reparación del defecto duodenal mediante una plastia con la pared del antro gástrico remanente. El paciente fue dado de alta a los 17 días. Discusión: la reparación del defecto duodenal con una plastia del antro gástrico, puede ser una opción muy valiosa en situaciones similares a la descrita. En nuestro conocimiento, se trata de la primera descripción clínica de esta técnica(AU)

Backgrounds: the treatment of a perforated giant duodenal ulcer (GUDs) represents a formidable surgical challenge regarding the duodenal wall defect repair in severe peritonitis setting. A high incidence of dehiscence and hospital mortality (15-40%- has been reported with the majority of the techniques). We report a case of GUDs perforation successfully treated with a subtotal gastrectomy and a gastric patch with the remnant antrum, for repairing the duodenal defect. Case report: a 63-years-old man with antecedents of peptic ulcer disease presents a large duodenal ulcer perforation with 48 hrs delay and associated with severe peritonitis and a retroperitoneal collection. A subtotal gastrectomy with Billroth II reconstruction and reconstruction of the duodenal defect with a patch of the remnant antrum was carried out. The patient was discharged at 17th postoperative day with good tolerance. Discussion: the duodenal defect repair with a patch of the remant antrum, represents a valid alternative in similar circumstances. To our knowledge, it appears to be the first clinical description of this technique(AU)