Postoperative bleeding and leaks in sleeve gastrectomy are independent of both staple height and staple line oversewing.

BACKGROUND: Over 100,000 sleeve gastrectomy procedures are performed annually in the USA. Despite technological advances, postoperative bleeding and gastric staple line leak are complications of this procedure. We analyzed patient-specific and perioperative factors to determine their association with these complications. METHODS: We performed a retrospective cohort analysis of patients who underwent sleeve gastrectomy between 2005 and 2019 at our institution. Patient demographics, comorbidities, and procedure details including type of energy device, staple type, staple height, staple line oversewing, and staple line clipping were compared using multiple logistic regression for combined postoperative complications (blood transfusion, bleeding, and staple line leak). Postoperative bleeding was defined by requiring blood transfusion and/or re-operation to control bleeding. Staple line leak was confirmed radiographically. RESULTS: There were 1213 patients who underwent sleeve gastrectomy. Fifty-two high-risk patients were excluded due to cirrhosis, end-stage renal disease, and anticoagulation use for left ventricular assist device. Of the remaining 1161 patients, twenty-five (2.2%) received postoperative blood transfusion, nine (0.8%) had postoperative bleeding, two (0.2%) had staple line leak, and twenty-eight patients (2.4%) had combined postoperative complications. The median age was significantly higher for patients with combined postoperative complications (43 vs 49; p = 0.02). There was no difference in postoperative blood transfusion, bleeding, staple line leak, or combined postoperative complication with different energy devices (p = 0.92), staple types (p = 0.21), staple heights (p = 0.50), or staple line suturing/clipping (p = 0.95). In addition, there was no difference in bleeding when comparing staple line sewing techniques (p = 0.44). Predictably, patients with combined postoperative complications had increased length of stay (3 days vs 1 day; p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Sleeve gastrectomy procedure has tremendous variability in technique and devices used. We observed no difference in the combined postoperative complications of bleeding or staple line leak with respect to different energy devices, staple height, or oversewing of the gastric staple line. Patient selection is crucial, as patient age and coagulopathic comorbidities were found to lead to higher combined postoperative complications.

Transcriptome analysis of human adipocytes implicates the NOD-like receptor pathway in obesity-induced adipose inflammation.

Adipose tissue inflammation increases with obesity, but adipocyte vs. immune cell contributions are unclear. In the present study, transcriptome analyses were performed on highly-purified subcutaneous adipocytes from lean and obese women, and differentially expressed genes/pathways were determined in both adipocyte and stromal vascular fraction (SVF) samples. Adipocyte but not SVF expression of NOD-like receptor pathway genes, including NLRP3 and PYCARD, which regulate caspase-1-mediated IL-1ß secretion, correlated with adiposity phenotypes and adipocyte class II major histocompatibility complex (MHCII) gene expression, but only MHCII remained after adjusting for age and body mass index. IFNγ stimulated adipocyte MHCII, NLRP3 and caspase-1 expression, while adipocyte MHCII-mediated CD4(+) T cell activation, an important factor in adipose inflammation, induced IFNγ-dependent adipocyte IL-1ß secretion. These results uncover a dialogue regulated by interactions among T cell IFNγ and adipocyte MHCII and NLRP3 inflammasome activity that appears to initiate and escalate adipose tissue inflammation during obesity.

Class II major histocompatibility complex plays an essential role in obesity-induced adipose inflammation.

Adipose-resident T cells (ARTs) regulate metabolic and inflammatory responses in obesity, but ART activation signals are poorly understood. Here, we describe class II major histocompatibility complex (MHCII) as an important component of high-fat-diet (HFD)-induced obesity. Microarray analysis of primary adipocytes revealed that multiple genes involved in MHCII antigen processing and presentation increased in obese women. In mice, adipocyte MHCII increased within 2 weeks on HFD, paralleling increases in proinflammatory ART markers and decreases in anti-inflammatory ART markers, and preceding adipose tissue macrophage (ATM) accumulation and proinflammatory M1 polarization. Mouse 3T3-L1 and primary adipocytes activated T cells in an antigen-specific, contact-dependent manner, indicating that adipocyte MHCII is functional. HFD-fed MHCII(-/-) mice developed less adipose inflammation and insulin resistance than did wild-type mice, despite developing similar adiposity. These investigations uncover a mechanism whereby a HFD-induced adipocyte/ART dialog involving MHCII instigates adipose inflammation and, together with ATM MHCII, escalates its progression.

Single-site laparoscopic (SSL) cholecystectomy in human cadavers using a novel percutaneous instrument platform and a magnetic anchoring and guidance system (MAGS): reestablishing the "critical view".

INTRODUCTION: SSL introduces ergonomic challenges while establishing the critical view during dissection of the Triangle of Calot (TOC). This study investigates the use of a novel percutaneous instrument platform and MAGS in performing SSL cholecystectomy with a technique that closely mimics four-port cholecystectomy. METHODS: SSL cholecystectomy was performed on four female cadavers via a 15-18-mm incision made at the umbilicus for introduction of these devices and the working port. MAGS comprises an internal effector with a retractable monopolar cautery hook coupled across the abdominal wall to an external magnet held by the surgeon. The novel grasper was introduced percutaneously in the RUQ and comprises a 3-mm transabdominal shaft mated to a 5-mm end effector intracorporeally. Retraction was accomplished using the percutaneous grasper to manipulate the fundus and a standard 5-mm grasper at the umbilicus for the infundibulum. Dissection was performed by using a combination of the MAGS and a standard Maryland dissector. Total procedure time, time from procedure start to obtain a critical view of the TOC and clipping and dividing the cystic duct/artery, time for dissection of the gallbladder from the liver bed, and thickness of the abdominal wall at the umbilicus were measured. RESULTS: The critical view was obtained in each case, and all four procedures were completed successfully. Mean procedure time was 40 (range, 33-51) min; time from procedure start to obtaining the critical view and clipping and dividing the cystic duct/artery was 33 (range, 28-38) min, and time for dissection of the gallbladder from the liver bed was 6.7 (range, 3-13) min. The mean abdominal wall thickness was 1.9 (range, 1.5-2) cm. CONCLUSIONS: The use of a novel graspers and MAGS overcomes the limitations of SSL cholecystectomy and improves surgeon dexterity. Making SSL feel more like traditional laparoscopy will enable a wider adoption of this procedure in the community.

Mesh fixation with a barbed anchor suture results in significantly less strangulation of the abdominal wall.

BACKGROUND: Laparoscopic ventral hernia repair using an underlay mesh frequently requires suture fixation across the abdominal wall, which results in significant postoperative pain. This study investigates the utility of a novel mesh fixation technique to reduce the strangulation force on the abdominal wall. METHODS: Multiple 2-cm(2) pieces of polyester mesh (Parietex Composite, Covidien) were placed as an underlay against a porcine abdominal wall. Fixation was accomplished using either the standard 0-polyglyconate or the 0-polyglyconate barbed anchor suture designed to hold in tissue without the need to tie a knot (V-Loc 180; Covidien). Suture fixation began with a stab wound incision in the skin. A suture-passing device then was used to pass the suture across the abdominal wall and through the mesh. The suture passer was removed and reintroduced through the same stab wound incision but at a different fascial entry point 1.5 cm away. The tail of the suture was grasped and pulled up through both the mesh and the abdominal wall, creating a full-thickness U-stitch. One tail of the suture was attached to a tensiometer, and the strangulation force on the abdominal wall was measured while the suture was tied (standard) or looped (barbed). To compare pullout force, the tensiometer was attached to either the mesh or the suture, and traction was applied until material failure or suture pull through. Results are expressed as mean ± standard deviation. Comparisons were performed using Student's t-test. RESULTS: Eight pieces of mesh were placed for each suture. The average force required to secure the barbed suture (0.59 ± 0.08 kg) was significantly less than the force needed to secure the standard suture (2.17 ± 0.58 kg) (P < 0.0001). Table 1 compares the suture pullout forces with the mesh failure forces. Although the pullout force for the standard suture is significantly greater than for the barbed suture, both sutures have a pullout strength significantly greater than the mesh failure force. Table 1 Suture fixation forces for standard and barbed sutures Suture fixation force (kg) Standard suture 2.17 ± 0.58 Barbed suture 0.59 ± 0.08 P < 0.0001 CONCLUSIONS: A barbed anchor suture used to secure mesh to the abdominal wall requires nearly 75% less strangulation force than a standard monofilament suture while still providing significantly greater pullout force than that required for the mesh to tear and fail. This method of mesh fixation should result in less postoperative pain and warrants a clinical trial.

Minimally invasive surgeons of Texas: a new concept in fellowship training.

Minimally invasive fellowship training has seen phenomenal growth, with 94 organized fellowship programs in North America. Training experience is varied across programs owing to the differences in surgical practices. Many programs are often weighted to a specific field of advanced laparoscopic surgery, which can limit a fellow's clinical experience. Minimally Invasive Surgeons of Texas (MIST) is a combined organization of four independent private practice and academic MIS fellowships brought together for the common goal of improved fellowship training.

A loop technique for the safe, secure, and convenient fixation of subclavian central venous catheters to the chest wall.

Central venous catheters are placed frequently at our institution. Residents are taught the technique of subclavian line placement starting in their first year of training. Frequently the teaching stops once the line is in the vein. We have developed a method of fixation for subclavian central venous catheters that provides a safe, secure, and convenient means of fixation to the chest wall. The central venous catheter can be inserted by that technique with which the physician is the most comfortable and familiar.