Thoracoscopic resympathectomy for persistent or recurrent palmar hyperhidrosis: single-center experience.

BACKGROUND: In case of recurrence or persistent palmar hyperhidrosis, a sympathetic chain resection is suggested, however, many surgeons are still reluctant to offer further intervention because of the inability to predict the efficacy of such a procedure. We analyzed our large series of resympathectomy. METHODS: Substantive retrospective analysis of 39 patients underwent a resympathectomy (minimally invasive bilaterally sympathetic chain Th2-3 resection). Patients referred from other hospitals or primarily operated at our institution for recurrence or persistence palmar hyperhidrosis were included in the study group. RESULTS: No intraoperative complications were detected. Reoperation or chest tube positioning was necessary in 2 patients. Twenty-eight patients had a positive response (excellent or good results). Seven patients described a substantial, but not sufficient, reduction of the symptomatology. Four patients were very unsatisfied and regretted the operation. CONCLUSIONS: Resympathectomy is highly effective procedure for patients who have persistent or recurrent symptoms. However, the indication of the operations should be more dissuasive as possible to avoid the risk of any undesirable psychologically side effects.

Does intraoperative flexible endoscopy offer any benefit compared to conventional air leak testing after circular stapled left-sided laparoscopic colon surgery?

BACKGROUND: Anastomotic leakage is still a feared complication after left-sided colonic resections. Various types of "anastomotic leak testing methods" are described in current literature. In this study we evaluated the use of intraoperative flexible endoscopy in comparison to conventional air leak testing after performing a circular stapled anastomosis in left-sided laparoscopic colon surgery. METHODS: A retrospective database consisting of 130 patients with left sided colonic resections between 01/2015 and 12/2019 at our hospital was evaluated. After performing a circular stapled anastomosis flexible endoscopy was done in 69 cases, 61 patients were controlled with a conventional air leak test. Intraoperative and postoperative complications were recorded and retrospectively evaluated. RESULTS: In the flexible endoscopy group, we observed complications in 13,04%, in the conventional air leak testing group in 9.83%. Postoperative anastomotic leakage was observed in 10,14% in the flexible endoscopy group and 4.91% in the conventional air leak test group. In 10.14% a positive air leak test was seen in the flexible endoscopy group and 11.47% in the conventional air leak testing group. In those cases, we observed no postoperative complications in the first group, in the conventional group we had two anastomotic leakages and one infected haematoma. CONCLUSIONS: In the case of a positive air leak, flexible endoscopy offered a more exact detection of the leak. In those cases, no anastomotic leakage was observed postoperatively. In our opinion, flexible endoscopy should be recommended for testing the anastomosis intraoperatively in every left-sided colon surgery.

Colorectal resection in endometriosis patients: correlation between histopathological findings and postoperative outcome.

INTRODUCTION: Endometriosis is associated with a high number of chronic pelvic pain and reduced quality of life. Colorectal resections in case of bowel involvement of endometriosis are associated with an unneglectable morbidity in young and healthy patients. There is no linear correlation established between the degree of symptoms and stage of endometriosis. The aim of this study was to correlate the histological findings to preoperative pain scores in colorectal resected patients with endometriosis. METHODS: Twenty-five patients who underwent laparoscopic colorectal resection for endometriosis between 2014 and 2019 were included in this retrospective study. Pain level was assessed preoperatively and postoperatively via phone call in May 2020. Histopathology was correlated to preoperative symptoms and postoperative outcome. RESULTS: Average follow-up time was 38.68 months (± 19.92). Preoperative VAS-score was 8.32 (± 1.70). We observed a significant reduction of pain level in all patients after surgery (p ≤ 0.005). Pain levels were equal regarding the presence of satellite spots and various degrees of infiltration depth. The resection margins were clear in all patients. Postoperative complications occurred in 6 cases (24%) and anastomotic leakage was observed in 3 patients (12%). Average VAS-score at time of follow-up was 1.70 (± 2.54). CONCLUSION: Our data demonstrate that adequate colorectal resection leads to reduction of pain and an increase of quality of life irrespective of histopathological findings. An experienced team is necessary to improve intraoperative outcome and to reduce postoperative morbidity in case of complication.