"Window to Window": A Variant Technique of Laparoscopic Sleeve Gastrectomy.

PURPOSE: Laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG) may present many technical modifications depending on the surgeon. However, no significant variation was noted in the chronological order of the surgical steps in the current technique. We present the "Window to Window," a variant LSG technique. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The technique, introduced in our institution in 2007, requires three trocars. Surgical steps, presented chronologically in a descriptive video, start by creating the "paracardial window" then the "antral window." Subsequently, the gastric transection is performed in two phases after progressive retro-gastric liberation. Lastly, the mobilization of greater curvature is carried out followed by specimen extraction and fascial closure. RESULTS: The procedure was performed for approximately 3200 patients and was comparable in terms of medium-term percent of excess weight loss compared with the standard technique. CONCLUSION: This variant technique of LSG presents many technical advantages for surgeons in terms of safety and exposure compared with the standard technique, while presenting a longer learning curve.

The Role of Obesity in the Poor Prognosis of COVID-19 Infection: A Review of 192 Patients.

Methods: We performed a retrospective study on all patients having COVID-19 infection and admitted to our institution between March 2020 and June 2021. Inclusion criteria included any patient over the age of 18 admitted to our institution's COVID-19 unit, or intensive care unit, with a positive COVID-19 PCR or positive COVID-19 serology (IgM). Results: 192 patients met the inclusion criteria, with an average age of 62.68 years and a slight male predominance (64.58%). 76.04% of hospitalized patients and 80% of those admitted to the ICU were either overweight or obese. No statistically significant difference was found regarding the risk of in-hospital mortality and invasive ventilation. The same applies to the length of stay, admission to intensive care, O2 needs, and for the various complications (all p values were >0.05). Patients with obesity type II and III have an increased risk of cardiac arrests and need for intubation and mechanical ventilation. Conclusion: Obesity tends to be a major risk factor for a pejorative evolution in the COVID-19 infection.

Active surveillance for low-grade appendiceal mucinous neoplasm (LAMN).

Objectives: Due to the scarcity of low-grade appendiceal mucinous neoplasm (LAMN), there is an absence of systematized guidelines concerning its management, especially after incidental finding on an appendiceal specimen. In this study, we evaluate the active surveillance (AS) strategy adopted for a series of patients diagnosed with LAMN on resection specimens who were considered to have a low risk of pseudomyxoma progression. Methods: Thirty patients were included between April 2014 and July 2021, with a female majority and a median follow-up period of 3.1 years. The inclusion criteria were as follows: LAMN diagnosis on appendiceal specimens, confirmed in an expert center, limited extra-appendiceal mucin resected and localized around the appendix, normal biology (CEA, CA199, CA125) and normal abdominopelvic MRI. AS included physical exam (trocar scar), biology and MRI, 6 months postoperatively, then yearly for 10 years. Results: As an initial surgery, 77 % had an appendectomy as their initial intervention, 17 % had a cecectomy, and 6 % had a right colectomy. After follow-up, 87 % of patients showed no sign of disease progression by MRI, while 13 % progressed to PMP. MRI performed in the first postoperative year predicted the disease prognosis in 97 % of patients. Conclusions: The AS strategy, based on MRI, is a valid option after incidental LAMN diagnosis.

One anastomosis gastric bypass vs sleeve gastrectomy as a revisional bariatric surgery for weight loss failure after primary restrictive procedure.

INTRODUCTION: Weight loss failure after restrictive bariatric procedures initiated the debate about the choice of an adequate revisional intervention, a question still unanswered. While many surgeons went for a conversion to gastric bypass, others opted for re-trying a revisional restrictive procedure to avoid the side effects of gastric bypass. The objective of our study was to compare weight loss outcome between revisional laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (re-LSG) and revisional one anastomosis gastric bypass (re-OAGB) for insufficient weight loss or weight regain following primary restrictive bariatric surgery. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We included 20 obese patients, with a history of weight regain or insufficient weight loss after primary restrictive surgery, who underwent re-LSG (eight patients) or re-OAGB (12 patients) between January 2018 and January 2021. Patients were followed up 2 years after their revisional intervention. Statistics were performed using IBM® SPSS® software for Windows version 21. RESULTS: In the re-LSG group, the average body mass index (BMI) before primary restrictive procedure was 43.7 kg/m2 . The average period between the primary and revisional surgery was 12.6 years. Patients had a nadir BMI of 33.2 kg/m2 during that period and reached a mean BMI of 40.6 kg/m2 before re-LSG. Two years after re-LSG, the average BMI was 31.5 kg/m2 with a percent of excess weight loss (%EWL) of 54% and percent of excess BMI loss (%EBMIL) of 66.6%. In the re-OAGB group, the average BMI before primary restrictive procedure was 39 kg/m2 . The average period between the primary and revisional surgery was 10.7 years. Patients had a nadir BMI of 30.5 kg/m2 during that period and reached a mean BMI of 36.5 kg/m2 before re-OAGB. Two years after re-OAGB, the average BMI was 27 kg/m2 with a %EWL of 86.7% and %EBMIL of 92.6%. CONCLUSION: For patients with insufficient weight loss or weight regain following primary restrictive bariatric surgery, re-OAGB has a better effectiveness in weight reduction compared with re-LSG after a 2-year follow up.

Acute Appendicitis Caused by Metastasis from Other Organs: A Systematic Review.

BACKGROUND: Acute appendicitis resulting from inflammation of the mucosa is the most common cause of emergency surgical causes. However, acute appendicitis caused by metastasis from other organs is very rare. Patients having this entity were only described in the literature as case reports. This study aims to analyze data from published articles about this condition. METHODS: We performed a systematic review using the PRISMA protocol. PubMed/MEDLINE, Embase and the Google Scholar Library were searched up to the end of December 2022. RESULTS: A total of 34 patients were included, of which 22 were male. The mean age was 58.94. Primary site of tumors were mainly lungs (32.35%), breast (20.59%), and stomach (17.65%). All patients underwent surgical treatment except one patient who was given medical treatment. In 10 patients (29.41%), acute appendicitis was the initial manifestation to diagnose the primary malignancy and in 21 patients (61.77%), there were other sites of secondary lesions. Post operative mortality was reported in 1 patient (2.93%). CONCLUSION: Acute appendicitis secondary to metastatic disease is uncommon but rarely will be the presenting sign of new cancer diagnosis. Most of the patients have other sites of secondary lesions. Surgical treatment is commonly performed to treat appendicitis.

Adenocarcinoma of the Gastro-jejunal Anastomosis After One Anastomosis Gastric Bypass.

INTRODUCTION: One anastomosis gastric bypass (OAGB) is mainly criticized for the supposed carcinogenic effect of bile reflux on the gastric pouch mucosa. CASE PRESENTATION: A 56-year-old male patient presented 12 years after OAGB with a 10-month history of gradual dysphagia and vomiting. He was diagnosed with a tumor of the gastro-jejunal anastomosis, and underwent total gastrectomy with D2 lymphadenectomy. Specimen examination showed a diffuse isolated cell-type adenocarcinoma. To our knowledge, we report the first case in literature of adenocarcinoma of the gastro-jejunal anastomosis post-OAGB, and the second reported case if we include the Mason loop gastric bypass, which was the earlier version of OAGB with a different conceptual and physiological aspect. CONCLUSION: The carcinogenic effect of bile reflux in OAGB will remain hypothetical until a detailed controlled study may prove the causality between bile reflux and gastric pouch malignancies in patients with a history of OAGB.

Laparoscopic repair of acquired rectourethral fistula by vesical peritoneal flap.

INTRODUCTION: A rectourethral fistula (RUF) is an infrequent complication that can be iatrogenic in most cases. Multiple surgical interventions were described for RUF repair including transsphincteric, transanal, transperineal, and transabdominal approaches. To this day, there is no consensus on a standardized surgery of choice for acquired RUF. MATERIALS AND SURGICAL TECHNIQUE: Our patient was diagnosed with RUF 4 weeks after undergoing laparoscopic low anterior resection for midrectum adenocarcinoma, with failure of conservative treatment. A three-port transabdominal approach was used to dissect the rectoprostatic space and close the fistula orifice on the anterior rectal wall. With the technical impossibility to develop an omental flap, the peritoneum on the posterior vesical wall was carefully dissected to form a rectangular flap pedicled by its inferior aspect. The harvested peritoneal flap was then anchored between the prostate and the rectum. Follow-up imaging showed the absence of RUF, concurrently with total remission of RUF symptomatology. DISCUSSION: Management of acquired RUF can be challenging, especially after failure of conservative treatment. Laparoscopic repair of acquired RUF by vesical peritoneal flap is a valid option for a minimally invasive approach for the treatment of RUF.

Combined laparoscopic pouch and loop resizing as a revisional procedure for weight regain after primary laparoscopic one-anastomosis gastric bypass.

Introduction: One-anastomosis gastric bypass (OAGB) presents a satisfactory long-term outcome in terms of weight loss, amelioration of comorbidities and low morbidity. However, some patients may present insufficient weight loss or weight regain. In this study, we tackle a case series evaluating the efficiency of the combined laparoscopic pouch and loop resizing (LPLR) as a revisional procedure for insufficient weight loss or weight regain after primary laparoscopic OAGB. Materials and Methods: We included eight patients with a body mass index (BMI) ≥30 kg/m2 with a history of weight regain or insufficient weight loss after laparoscopic OAGB, who underwent revisional laparoscopic intervention by LPLR between January 2018 and October 2020 at our institution. We conducted a 2 years' follow-up. Statistics were performed using International Business Machines Corporation® SPSS® software for Windows version 21. Results: The majority of the eight patients were males (62.5%), with a mean age of 35.25 at the time of the primary OAGB. The average length of the biliopancreatic limb created during the OAGB and LPLR were 168 ± 27 and 267 ± 27 cm, respectively. The mean weight and BMI were 150.25 ± 40.73 kg and 48.68 ± 11.74 kg/m2 at the time of OAGB. After OAGB, patients were able to reach an average lowest weight, BMI and per cent of excess weight loss (%EWL) of 89.5 ± 28.85 kg, 28.78 ± 7.47 kg/m2 and 75.07 ± 21.62%, respectively. At the time of LPLR, patients had a mean weight, BMI and %EWL of 116.12 ± 29.03 kg, 37.63 ± 8.27 kg/m2 and 41.57 ± 12.99%, respectively. Two years after the revisional intervention, the mean weight, BMI and %EWL were 88.25 ± 21.89 kg, 28.44 ± 4.82 kg/m2 and 74.51 ± 16.54%, respectively. Conclusion: Combined pouch and loop resizing is a valid option for revisional surgery following weight regain after primary OAGB, leading to adequate weight loss through enhancement of the restrictive and malabsorptive effect of OAGB.

Quality of life after laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy: Pre-operative, 1-year and 5-year results.

Introduction: The negative impact of obesity on the quality of life (QoL) and its association with multiple comorbidities is unquestionable. The primary objective of this study was to compare the QoL of patients before, 1 year and 5 years after laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG). Secondary objectives were to evaluate the resolution of obesity-related comorbidities and weight loss success. Materials and Methods: We included patients who underwent LSG for body mass index (BMI) ≥30 kg/m2 between August 2016 and April 2017 and completed the Moorehead-Ardelt QoL Questionnaire II (MA II). Statistical analysis was conducted using SPSS IBM Statistics for Windows version 21. Results: In total, 64 patients participated with a female majority (73.44%) and a mean age of 36.09 with an average BMI at 40.47. Percentage of excess BMI loss and excess weight loss (% EWL) at one and 5 years after surgery went from 90.18% to 85.05% and 72.17% to 67.09%, respectively. The total MA II score before LSG was - 0.39 ± 0.94. Postoperatively, it increased to 1.73 ± 0.60 at 1 year and 1.95 ± 0.67 at 5 years. The positive impact of LSG on QoL was more significant in patients presenting ≥30% of weight loss and in females. At 5 years, a significant improvement in many comorbidities was noted except for arterial hypertension, coxalgia, gastro-oesophageal reflux disease and lower extremities' varices. Conclusion: LSG maintains a long-term QoL improvement, a significant EWL and a resolution of the most common obesity-associated comorbidities such as diabetes, dyslipidaemia and symptoms related to sleep apnoea.

Laparoscopic and robotic multivisceral resection in colorectal cancer: A case series and systematic review.

PURPOSE: Multivisceral resection (MVR) with open approach is the standard surgical treatment for locally advanced colorectal cancer. However, the medical literature concerning the practice of minimally invasive MVR in order to reduce postoperative complications and hospital stay has been growing exponentially over the last years. The present study aimed to examine our experience and to provide a systematic review about the results and complications of minimally invasive MVR. METHODS: Data of patients that underwent minimally invasive MVR for locally advanced colorectal cancer from 2015 to 2021 were retrospectively reviewed. The literature was searched for studies concerning minimally invasive MVR for colorectal cancer. RESULTS: A total of 39 laparoscopic MVR were performed in our department. Complications occurred in 14 patients (35.9%) with major complications in five patients (18.82%) according to Clavien-Dindo classification. Conversion was required in one case (2.56%) with subsequent mortality (2.56%). Pathologic adjacent organs or structures invasion was observed in 30 patients (76.9%) and positive resection margin occurred in two cases (5.2%). Twenty-two studies including 1055 patients were identified after literature search. In these studies, laparoscopic surgery and robotic surgery were performed in 90.15% and 9.85% of the patients, respectively. R0 resection was established in 95% of cases, conversion rate varied between 0% and 41.7%, and postoperative mortality ranged between 0% and 7.7% in the included articles. CONCLUSION: Minimally invasive approach may be a safe option for patients requiring MVR for locally advanced colorectal cancer, with equivalent oncological results and could result in better early postoperative outcomes to open approach. However, further studies on this topic are needed to confirm the results of the current study.

Acute gastric twist after laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy: A case series.

INTRODUCTION: Laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG) has become the most performed bariatric procedure. Like any surgical intervention, LSG is not free from complications. One of the rarest complications is gastric sleeve stenosis, caused by either stricture or axial rotation of the stomach (twisted gastric tube). There is no consensus on the management of such a complication due to several underlying mechanisms and different timings of presentation. METHODS: Between July 1, 2021 and December 31, 2021, we encountered three cases of acute gastric twist following LSG, and all of them required surgical intervention. All data (imaging results, operative reports and videos, discharge summaries, etc.) were retrospectively collected and analyzed after obtaining patients' informed consent. RESULTS: We report three cases of acute gastric twist post-sleeve gastrectomy, diagnosed by different imaging modalities which showed localized distal gastric twist. All patients underwent exploratory laparoscopy which confirmed gastric sleeve twist. Gastropexy by fixation of the gastric tube to the transverse mesocolon was done in the first case which presented a localized partial distal twist, and a gastro-jejunal anastomosis proximal to the gastric twist was performed in the two other cases to bypass the obstruction. All of them had excellent postoperative results and a total symptomatic resolution. CONCLUSION: We considered gastric tube fixation to the transverse mesocolon as a feasible option when the twist is local and partial. We also presented a new surgical modality to treat local complete distal gastric twist by a single gastro-jejunal latero-lateral anastomosis proximal to the twist, which seems safe and effective. The best method to treat such a complication is to prevent it by giving special attention to the different technical aspects of LSG.

Obesity: A risk factor for postoperative complications in laparoscopic surgery for colorectal cancer.

Background: The prevalence of obesity in the Eastern Mediterranean is increasing significantly up to 20.8% in 2016. Therefore, a higher percentage of colorectal cancer (CRC) patients are expected to be obese. Laparoscopic colorectal cancer surgery (LCRCS) is regarded as a safe and feasible procedure as laparoscopic approach is becoming the gold standard in CRC surgery, especially in the early stages of disease. However, LCRCS is correlated with a higher risk of short-term post-operative complications in obese patients (body mass index [BMI] ≥30 Kg/m2) than in patients with BMI <30 Kg/m2. This study aims to evaluate the impact of obesity on short-term post-operative complications in patients undergoing LCRCS. Materials and Methods: A retrospective study was conducted. Clinical data of case and control patients were extracted from medical records. These patients underwent LCRCS between January 2018 and June 2021 at Hôtel-Dieu de France Hospital, Beirut-Lebanon. Patients were divided into two groups: obese and non-obese. BMI ≥30 Kg/m2 was used to define obese patients. Post-operative complications in the 30 days following surgery were the primary outcome. The severity of post-operative complications was evaluated using the Clavien-Dindo score. Chi-square test was used to evaluate the statistical correlation between collected variables. Results: We identified 107 patients who underwent LCRCS during this study period at our institution. Among the patients, 23 were obese (21.49%). At 30 days post-operative, 26 patients were reported to having at least one complication. Non-significant differences were found between the two groups regarding the early post-operative complications rate (obese 26.1% and non-obese 23.8% with P = 0.821). Obesity was not demonstrated as a stratification risk by severity of the early post-operative complications (P = 0.92). Conclusion: Obesity, which was defined as BMI ≥30 Kg/m2, was not a risk factor for early post-operative complications as well as a stratification risk by severity of post-operative complications in LCRCS.

Urodynamics in patients with multiple sclerosis: is it necessary? A randomized-controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: The need for complete urodynamic evaluation in Multiple Sclerosis (MS) patients with Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms (LUTS) is not fully established in the literature. The objective was to evaluate the effect of urodynamics in MS patients with LUTS on treatment outcomes. METHODS: MS patients with LUTS were recruited. On their first visit, urinary symptoms, symptom bother and urologic quality-of-life were evaluated using standardized questionnaires. On their second visit, patients were randomized into two groups: Group A underwent uroflowmetry, and Group B underwent a urodynamic study. Patients received treatment based on the whole evaluation and then were evaluated at 1, 3 and 6 months. RESULTS: Fifty MS patients with LUTS were randomized to 25 patients in each group. All scores decreased significantly after 6 months of treatment in both groups (p < 0.05). However, no differences were found between the two groups at baseline and at 1, 3 and 6 months of treatment (p > 0.05) concerning treatment outcomes. CONCLUSION: A detailed clinical and non-invasive evaluation of MS patients with LUTS seems to be sufficient for prescribing an effective treatment. A urodynamic study does not influence the response to the prescribed treatment in terms of LUTS severity, bother or urologic quality-of-life.