Lidocaine Infusion Improves the Functionality of Intraoperative Nerve Monitoring During Thyroid Surgery: A Prospective, Randomized, Double-Blinded Study.

BACKGROUND: Intraoperative nerve monitoring (IONM) to assess the recurrent laryngeal nerve function during thyroid surgery is becoming the standard of care across many institutions. The successful deployment and data analysis from the IONM require complete laryngeal relaxation and reflex suppression. We investigated the role of intravenous lidocaine infusion (IVLI) to provide such operating conditions, under a lighter plane of anesthesia and fewer hemodynamic fluctuations. METHODS: Sixty-five patients were randomly assigned to lidocaine group (LG) or placebo group (PG) based on the computer-generated coding developed by the pharmacy department. The study medication (SM) was delivered by the pharmacist in a pre-filled coded syringe to the investigator 30 min prior to the surgery. All the patients were anesthetized by narcotic and inhalation based general anesthesia. The SM was administered at the rate of 1.5mg/kg/h following a loading dose of 1 mg/kg. Dragonfly® laryngeal surface electrode and Nerveana® nerve locator system were used for IONM during surgery. RESULTS: The proportion of patients requiring lower strength stimulating current (StMC) at 0.5 mA was significantly higher in the LG than in the PG (X2 (1, N = 61) = 10.1615, P = 0.001434). Similarly, the proportion of patients with the drop in the aggregate impedance level (DAIL) by < 50% at the end of surgery was significantly higher in the LG than in the PG (X2 (1, N = 61) = 15.982, P = 0.000064). In addition, the proportion of patients with the hypotensive episodes requiring rescue medications more than twice during surgery was significantly lower in the LG than in the PG (X2 (1, N = 61) = 0.0183, P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The enhanced laryngeal relaxation and the reflex suppression afforded by the IVLI could have enabled a lower StMC to elicit a positive signal. The lower StMC promotes less intense laryngeal alterations as evidenced by the lower DAIL in the LG. IVLI can enhance the functionality of the IONM during prolonged operating time and the resultant increased number of IONM stimulations, while providing a stable hemodynamic environment.

Laparoscopic management of an internal hernia in a pregnant woman with Roux-en-Y gastric bypass.

Management of abdominal pain in a pregnant patient with a history of Roux-en-Y gastric bypass presents unique challenges. A misdiagnosis or delay in management can result in lethal maternal-fetal outcomes. We present a 30-year-old woman at 21 weeks of pregnancy presented with abdominal pain. She had a history of laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass performed 3 years earlier. The clinical examination was remarkable for epigastric pain and tenderness. The vital signs and laboratory examinations were unremarkable. The CT scan was suggestive of an internal hernia. On an exploratory laparoscopy, the distal common small bowel was found to be herniating through the jejunojejunostomy mesenteric defect, causing intestinal obstruction with dilatation of the Roux limb and the biliopancreatic limb. The internal hernia was reduced, and no bowel resection was required. The mesenteric defect was closed with 3-0 silk sutures in a continuous fashion. The patient was discharged after 3 days and delivered a healthy baby at 40 weeks of gestation.

Surgical management of obesity.

Obesity is a spreading epidemic associated with significant morbidity and mortality with a prevalence of over 36% worldwide. In the face of a growing epidemic, increasing medical costs, and the disappointing limitations of medical and lifestyle modification bariatric surgery was found to consistently lead to significant weight loss and improvement in obesity-associated comorbidities when compared to non-surgical interventions. Bariatric procedures fall within three basic categories: restrictive procedures, malabsorptive procedures, and procedures that combine both restrictive and malabsorptive mechanisms. Four major procedures are currently performed (most often laparoscopically): Roux-en-Y gastric bypass, biliopancreatic diversion with duodenal switch, adjustable gastric banding, and sleeve gastrectomy. Although the laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass was the most frequently performed bariatric procedure, the laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy has since become the most popular. Bariatric surgery currently has similar mortality rates to standard general surgical operations. Morevoer, bariatric surgery reduces mortality by the improvement and remission of obesity-related comorbidities. Newer minimally-invasive weight loss procedures and endoscopic methods continue to evolve as we expand our understanding of the intricacies of obesity and the effects of currently available surgical treatments.

The Surgical Management of Obesity.

In the United States, more than one-third of the population is obese. Currently, bariatric surgery is the best known treatment for obesity, and multiple meta-analyses have shown bariatric surgery to be more effective for treating obesity than diet and exercise or pharmacologic treatment. The modern era of bariatric surgery began in 2005, which is defined by a drastic increase in the use of laparoscopy. Bariatric surgery has the potential to improve obesity-related comorbidities, such as type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and sleep apnea. The effect of bariatric surgery on weight loss and comorbidities varies by the type of procedure.

Case Report: De Garengeot's hernia. Appendicitis within femoral hernia. Diagnosis and surgical management.

INTRODUCTION: Abdominal wall hernias remain as one of the most common problems that the general surgeon has to treat. Although usually straightforward and easy to diagnose by the experienced hands, obstacles appear when contents of the hernia sac include organs. The presence of the appendix inside a femoral hernia (De Garengeot's hernia) is a rare entity which represents multiple challenges, both diagnostic and therapeutic. CASE PRESENTATION: We present a case of a 36-year-old female patient who originally presented to the ED with abdominal/groin pain and a new onset of right inguinal swelling. DISCUSSION: Contrary to the usual presentation, where an appendix is incidentally found during hernia repair, we were able to make the diagnosis by CT scan before surgery. This placed us on an ideal standpoint to plan the surgical management. We approached our case laparoscopic first, where a distally gangrenous appendix was reduced intraabdominally. As purulent exudates were present on hernial sac, femoral hernia repair was achieved with McVay techniche. CONCLUSION: Although rare, the finding of a strangulated appendix within a femoral hernia represents a challenge. Here we present a case that may guide the surgeon who faces a similar case in the future.

Laparoscopic hand-assisted versus robotic-assisted laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy: experience of 103 consecutive cases.

BACKGROUND: Laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy has become a stand-alone procedure in the treatment of morbid obesity. There are very few reports on the use of robotic approach in sleeve gastrectomy. OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this retrospective study is to report our early experience of robotic-assisted laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (RALSG) using a proctored training model with comparison to an institutional cohort of patients who underwent laparoscopic hand-assisted sleeve gastrectomy (LASG). SETTINGS: University hospital. METHODS: The study included 108 patients who underwent sleeve gastrectomy either via the laparoscopic-assisted or robot-assisted approach during the study period. Of these 108 patients, 62 underwent LASG and 46 underwent RALSG. The console surgeon in the RALSG is a clinical year 4 (CY4) surgery resident. All CY4 surgery residents received targeted simulation training before their rotation. The console surgeon is proctored by the primary surgeon with assistance as needed by the second surgeon. RESULTS: The patients in the robotic and laparoscopic cohorts did not have a statistical difference in their demographic characteristics, preoperative co-morbidities, or complications. The mean operating time did not differ significantly between the 2 cohorts (121 min versus 110 min, P = .07). Patient follow-up in the LSG and RALSG were 91% and 90% at 3 months, 62% and 64% at 6 months, and 60% and 55% at 1 year, respectively. The mean percentage estimated weight loss (EWL%) at 3 months, 6 months, and 1 year was greater in the robotic group but not statistically significant (27 versus 22 at 3 mo [P = .05] and 39 versus 34 at 6 mo [P = .025], 57 versus 48 at 1 yr [P = .09]). There was no mortality in either group. CONCLUSION: Early results of our experience with RALSG indicate low perioperative complication rates and comparable weight loss with LASG. The concept of a stepwise education model needs further validation with larger studies.

Laparoscopic vs open partial colectomy in elderly patients: Insights from the American College of Surgeons - National Surgical Quality Improvement Program database.

AIM: To compare the outcomes between the laparoscopic and open approaches for partial colectomy in elderly patients aged 65 years and over using the American College of Surgeons - National Surgical Quality Improvement Program (ACS NSQIP) database. METHODS: The ACS NSQIP database for the years 2005-2011 was queried for all patients 65 years and above who underwent partial colectomy. 1:1 propensity score matching using the nearest- neighbor method was performed to ensure both groups had similar pre-operative comorbidities. Outcomes including post-operative complications, length of stay and mortality were compared between the laparoscopic and open groups. χ(2) and Fisher's exact test were used for discrete variables and Student's t-test for continuous variables. P < 0.05 was considered significant and odds ratios with 95%CI were reported when applicable. RESULTS: The total number of patients in the ACS NSQIP database of the years 2005-2011 was 1777035. We identified 27604 elderly patients who underwent partial colectomy with complete data sets. 12009 (43%) of the cases were done laparoscopically and 15595 (57%) were done with open. After propensity score matching, there were 11008 patients each in the laparoscopic (LC) and open colectomy (OC) cohorts. The laparoscopic approach had lower post-operative complications (LC 15.2%, OC 23.8%, P < 0.001), shorter length of stay (LC 6.61 d, OC 9.62 d, P < 0.001) and lower mortality (LC 1.6%, OC 2.9%, P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Even after propensity score matching, elderly patients in the ACS NSQIP database having a laparoscopic partial colectomy had better outcomes than those having open colectomies. In the absence of specific contraindications, elderly patients requiring a partial colectomy should be offered the laparoscopic approach.

Jejunal Intussusception: A Rare Presentation of Carcinoid Tumor.

A 55-year-old male presented to the emergency department with sudden onset of diffuse abdominal pain for one day. Physical examination was remarkable for tenderness in the umbilical region. A CT scan of the abdomen showed intussusception involving the jejunum without any mass. The patient then underwent an exploratory laparotomy. During surgery, the distal jejunum was intussuscepted with mesenteric lymphadenopathy. Liver showed nodular deposits in both lobes of the liver. The involved small bowel segment was resected with primary anastomosis and liver was biopsied. Pathological examination showed multifocal deposits of well-differentiated carcinoids in the jejunum. The liver and mesenteric deposits were positive for metastatic carcinoid. Patient recovered well without any complications.

Operative management of splenic injury in a patient with proteus syndrome.

A 20-year-old female with Proteus syndrome sustained splenic injury after fall from a bike. She was initially managed non-operatively at a different hospital for three days and was then referred to our level I trauma center in view of increasing abdominal pain and distention. On admission in the Emergency Department (ED), her pulse rate was 120 per minute and blood pressure was 108/68 mm Hg. Clinical examination showed a distended abdomen with left hypochondrial pain. Ultrasonogram (USG) and Computed Tomography (CT) of the abdomen showed splenomegaly and grade III splenic injury with significant hemoperitoneum. Her hemoglobin was 2.9 g/dl with packed cell volume (PCV) of 12%. In view of low hemoglobin and possibility of pathologic spleen, splenectomy was done. Microscopic examination of the spleen showed hemangiolymphangioma. The patient was discharged on the 5(th) post-operative day and is doing well at 6 months of follow-up.

Predictors of malignancy in pancreatic head mass: a prospective study.

INTRODUCTION: The objective of the study was to identify the predictive factors for malignancy in pancreatic head mass as a primary outcome and assess the value of CA 19-9 as a diagnostic tool for malignancy as a secondary outcome. METHODS: A prospective study of patients presented with pancreatic head mass was conducted in a tertiary care referral hospital, Manipal, India from May 2006 to November 2008. The study population was divided into malignant and benign groups based on the final histopathology report. A univariate and multivariate analysis of potential predictive factors for malignancy were conducted. RESULTS: A total of 102 patients with pancreatic head mass were included in the study after fulfilling the inclusion/exclusion criteria. 78 were malignant and 24 were benign. There was significant weight loss (p<0.001) and high mean bilirubin levels (p=0.002) in the malignant group. Mean CA 19-9 was significantly higher in the malignant group (290.7 vs. 30.3 U/ml; p<0.001). Sensitivity and specificity of CA 19-9 for detecting malignancy in pancreatic head mass at a cut off of 35 U/ml was 86% and 79% respectively. CA 19-9 positivity rate was higher with increasing cut off values of 100, 200 and 300 U/ml but such high levels occurred in fewer patients. All the non-jaundiced patients (100%) with raised CA 19-9 levels were found to be malignant compared to 86% malignancy in jaundiced patients. In multivariate analysis, a combination of weight loss>10% of body weight and bilirubin>3 mg/dl and CA 19-9>35 U/ml had specificity and positive predictive value of 100% for predicting malignancy in pancreatic head mass. CONCLUSION: The presence of weight loss and jaundice and raised CA 19-9 levels together in a patient with pancreatic head mass can be predictive of malignancy. A very high CA 19-9 level can be an indicator of malignancy in a pancreatic head mass. A raised CA 19-9 level may be more predictive of malignancy in non-jaundiced patients than in jaundiced patients.

Effect of bariatric surgery on future general surgical procedures.

Bariatric surgery is now accepted as a safe and effective procedure for morbid obesity. The frequency of bariatric procedures is increasing with the adoption of the laparoscopic approach. The general surgeons will be facing many more of such patients presenting with common general surgical problems. Many of the general surgeons, faced with such situations, may not be aware of the changes in the gastrointestinal anatomy following bariatric procedures and management of these clinical situations will therefore present diagnostic and therapeutic challenges. We hereby present a review of management of few common general surgical problems in patients with a history of bariatric surgery.

Evaluation of mediastinal lymph nodes using F-FDG PET-CT scan and its histopathologic correlation.

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: To determine the efficacy of integrated (18)F-fluorodeoxy glucose positron emission tomography-computed tomography ((18)F-FDG PET-CT) in the evaluation and characterization of mediastinal lymph nodes into benign and malignant pathology. METHODS: Thirty-five patients with mediastinal lymphadenopathies without primary neoplastic or infective lung pathologies were included in the study. The lymph nodes were detected on contrast-enhanced CT scan of the chest. All patients underwent (18)F-FDG PET-CT scan for evaluation of mediastinal lymph nodes. Results of PET-CT were compared with histopathology of the lymph nodes and sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value, and accuracy were calculated. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS: The data were collected prospectively and analyzed using (SPSS Inc., Chicago, IL) 11.5 software. RESULTS: Histopathology results in 35 patients revealed tuberculosis in 12, sarcoidosis in 8, and lymphoma in 15. Maximum standardized uptake value (SUVmax) of the benign lymph nodes ranged from 2.3 to 11.8 with a mean±standard deviation (SD) of 5.02±3.26. SUVmax of the malignant lymph nodes ranged from 2.4 to 34 with a mean±SD of 10.8±8.12. There was a statistically significant difference between benign and malignant pathology (P<0.0059). (18)F-FDG PET-CT has sensitivity of 93% and specificity of 40% with SUVmax 2.5 as the cutoff. We found the optimal SUVmax cutoff to be 6.2 as determined by the receiver-operator characteristic curve. With 6.2 as cutoff, the sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy were 87%, 70%, and 77%, respectively. CONCLUSION: In countries where tuberculosis and other granulomatous diseases are endemic, SUVmax cutoff value of 2.5 has low specificity. Increasing the cutoff value can improve the specificity, while maintaining an acceptable sensitivity.

Surgically treated aggressive mediastinal sarcoma: a tumor of possible thymic origin.

True sarcoma of thymus has no epithelial component. This tumor behaves aggressively with invasion of adjacent structures. Only a few anecdotal case reports of this tumor are found in the English-language literature, and they describe a poor outcome. This case report describes a rapidly growing thymic sarcoma diagnosed at an advanced stage with a compressive effect on the heart. The tumor was resected en bloc with adjacent invaded structures.

An unusual presentation of biloma five years following cholecystectomy: a case report.

A 34-year-old female presented with right hypochondrial pain of 6 months following an uneventful open cholecystectomy about 5 years ago. A firm intra abdominal lump was felt in the right hypochondrium. Ultrasonography and computed tomography of the abdomen showed a large cystic lesion in relation to the porta hepatis. On exploration, a large cystic mass was found in relation to the undersurface of liver, adherent to the colon and duodenum. The cyst was excised leaving a cuff of cyst wall, densely adherent to the duodenum. A small opening with bile trickling through it was noted in the region of the confluence of hepatic ducts. Choledochotomy was done and T-tube placed. The bilious output from the sub-hepatic drain gradually decreased and the repeat T-tube cholangiogram on 14th day following surgery was normal. The patient, at one year of follow-up is asymptomatic with normal liver function tests.