Can Weight of The Resected Stomach Predict Weight Loss Results After Laparoscopic Sleeve Gastrectomy?

BACKGROUND: Laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG) is the most commonly performed bariatric procedure worldwide. Many factors have been investigated in the literature to predict weight loss outcomes after LSG. However, insufficient data regarding the resected stomach weight (RGW) exists. This retrospective study aimed to investigate the association between RGW and weight loss outcomes 1 year after LSG. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Fifty-four patients who underwent LSG in a tertiary care center were evaluated retrospectively. The statistical analyses were performed to investigate the correlation between preoperative demographics, RGW, and the excess weight loss percentage (%EWL) and percent total weight loss (%TWL). RESULTS: The mean RGW was 169.7±40.1, ranging from 101 to 295 grams. The RGW was significantly correlated with preoperative weight (r=0.486; P<0.001), body mass index (r=0.420; P=0.002), and age (r=0.327; P=0.01). However, RGW did not predict postoperative weight loss, as measured by percent total weight loss (%TWL) and percent excess weight loss (%EWL), respectively (r=0.044; P=0.75 and r=-0.216; P=0.11). Multiple linear regression analysis identified age as a negative predictor for both %TWL (ß=-0.351, P=0.005) and %EWL (ß=-0.265, P=0.03), while preoperative body mass index was a negative predictor for %EWL (ß=-0.469, P<0.001). CONCLUSION: The RGW, although correlated with patient characteristics, does not serve as a reliable predictor of postoperative weight loss in the first year after LSG. Further research is needed to improve predictive models and patient care in bariatric surgery.

Pancreatic surgery in elderly patients: results of 329 consecutive patients during 10 years.

Introduction: There is a progressive shift from a younger population to an older population throughout the world. With the population age shift, surgeons will be more encountered with older patient profiles. We aim to determine age-related risk factors of pancreatic cancer surgery and the effect of patient age on outcomes after pancreatic surgery. Materials and methods: A retrospective review was conducted with data obtained from consecutive 329 patients whose pancreatic surgery was performed by a single senior surgeon between January 2011 and December 2020. Patients were divided into three groups based on age: patients younger than 65 years old, between 65 and 74 years old, and older than 74 years old. Demographics and postoperative outcomes of the patients were evaluated and compared between these age groups. Results: The distribution of a total of 329 patients into the groups was 168 patients (51.06%) in Group 1 (age <65 years old), 93 patients (28.26%) in Group 2 (age ≥65 and <75 years old), and 68 patients (20.66%) in Group 3 (age ≥75 years old). The overall postoperative complications were statistically significantly higher in Group 3 than in Group 1 and Group 2 (p = 0.013). The comprehensive complication index of the patients in each group was 23.1 ± 6.8, 20.4 ± 8.1, and 20.5 + 6.9, respectively (p = 0.33). Fisher's exact test indicated a significant difference in morbidity in patients with ASA 3-4 (p = 0.023). In-hospital or 90-day mortality was observed in two patients (0.62%), one from Group 2 and one from Group 3. The 3-year survival rates for each group were 65.4%, 58.8%, and 56.8%, respectively (p = 0.038). Conclusion: Our data demonstrate that comorbidity, ASA score, and the possibility of achieving a curative resection do have significantly more impact than age alone.

Risk Factors for Delayed Gastric Emptying After Pancreaticoduodenectomy.

OBJECTIVES: Delayed gastric emptying (DGE) is a complication that affects the length of hospitalization and associated cost after pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD). The reported risk factors for DGE were controversial. This study aimed to identify risk factors for the development of DGE after PD. METHODS: The patients who underwent PD between October 2010 and October 2020 were retrospectively examined. Multivariate analysis was performed to predict the variables causing DGE. RESULTS: In total, 225 patients underwent PD. The pylorus preserving PD was applied to 151 patients (67%), whereas standard PD to 74 (33%). The DGE was detected in 26 patients (11.5%). The majority of cases were classified as grade A (57.7%), whereas 38.4% as grade B and 3.9% as grade C. In the multivariate analysis, diabetes mellitus (odds ratio [OR], 3.48; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.45-8.34; P = 0.05), the preoperative biliary stent (OR, 2.5; 95% CI, 1.04-5.99; P = 0.039), and the pylorus resection (OR, 3.05; 95% CI, 1.28-7.25; P = 0.012) were independently associated with DGE. CONCLUSIONS: We demonstrated that implementation of the preoperative stent, pylorus resection, and diabetes mellitus are independent risk factors for DGE. Pylorus preservation should remain the standard of care in PD.

Can We Benefit from the Preoperative Psychometric Test with Symptom Checklist-90-Revised (SCL-90-R) to Predict Weight Loss After Sleeve Gastrectomy?

BACKGROUND: The psychological assessment is crucial before bariatric surgery. Derogatis' Symptom Checklist-90-Revised (SCL-90-R) is one of the most widely used measures of psychological symptoms and distress in both clinical and research settings. We aimed to investigate the predictive value of SCL-90-R subscale scores on postoperative excess weight loss percentage (EWLP) after laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG). METHODS: Patients who underwent primary LSG for morbid obesity and fully completed preoperative SCL-90-R between January 2016 and July 2019 were retrospectively examined. A multiple linear regression analysis was performed to investigate the relationship between descriptive and psychological variables associated with EWLP percentage at the 12th-month. RESULTS: One hundred six patients who met the inclusion criteria were analyzed. The adequate weight loss (EWLP ˃ 50%) was achieved in 90% of patients after 12 months. The multiple linear regression analysis indicated that younger patients (ß = - 0.695; 95% CI - 1.056, - 0.333; p < 0.001), and patients with preoperative lower BMI (ß = - 1.524; 95% CI - 1.974, - 1.075; p < 0.001) achieved higher EWLP at 12th-month. High somatization score (ß = 11.975; 95% CI 3.653, 20.296; p = 0.005) and a low Global Severity Index (GSI) score (ß = - 24.276; 95% CI - 41.457, - 7.095; p = 0.006) had a positive effect on EWLP at 12th-month. CONCLUSIONS: Preoperative psychological testing can help predict surgical outcomes in the bariatric population. More intense lifestyle and behavioral support can be applied by targeting patients who are expected to lose less weight after surgery, and patients' weight loss potential can be increased.

Effects of the Largest Metastatic Lymph Node Size on the Outcomes of Patients who Underwent Pancreaticoduodenectomy for Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma.

Objectives: Prognostic importance of metastatic lymph nodes in pancreatic cancer is always garnered attention due to dismal prognosis, with some quantitative factors drawing attention for significantly predicting outcomes. Size is one of the easy approach morphological characteristics of the lymph node, and data for effect of largest metastatic lymph node (LMLN) size on survival outcomes are lacking in pancreatic cancer. We aim to evaluate the effect of LMLN size on the prognosis of patients with pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC). Methods: This retrospective study evaluates the effect of LMLN size on survival outcomes by grouping the patients who were surgically treated for PDAC, according to their lymph node stage and calculated cutoff value for LMLN size, between February 2015 and May 2020. Results: In the study cohort of 131 patients, the mean age was 63.9±10.8 years and 77 patients were female. Ninety-nine of the patients had pN1, 32 had pN2 stage disease. The optimal cutoff point of LMLN size for predicting the prognosis was calculated as 7.5 mm (sensitivity = 81% and specificity = 81%). 34 (34.3%) of pN1 and 7 (21.9%) of pN2-staged patients had lymph node smaller than 7.5 mm. Three-year survival was significantly longer for patients whose LMLN size was <7.5 mm (56.2-18.2%, p<0.001). Whereas, the patients with LMLN size <7.5 mm had statistically significant longer median survival rate in the subgroup of patients with pN1 lymph node stage, no significant difference in median survival rates was observed between subgroups of pN2 patients (p=0.237). Conclusion: The present study demonstrated that the LMLN size was one of the potential predictors of survival in patients with PDAC.

Surgery with hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy after response to induction chemotherapy in patients with peritoneal metastasis of gastric cancer.

BACKGROUND: Gastric cancer (GC) with peritoneal metastases (PM) has a dismal prognosis and to date only a few management options have been reported. Of those, cytoreductive surgery (CRS) and hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC) after induction bidirectional intraperitoneal and systemic chemotherapy (BIPSC) appear as a promising treatment option for these patients. Outcome data including safety and efficacy of CRS with radical Gastrectomy and HIPEC after response to combination of laparoscopic HIPEC (LHIPEC) with BIPSC as an induction therapy in patients with PM of GC was evaluated in this retrospective observational study. METHODS: Diagnostic Laparoscopy was performed in 53 patients with PM of GC who admitted to the Center for Treatment of Peritoneal Surface Malignancies, Istanbul, between 2013 and 2016. Peritoneal cancer index (PCI), ascites status and cytology were determined. The patients underwent LHIPEC and then, BIPSC induction chemotherapy using intraperitoneal docetaxel (30 mg/m2) and cisplatin (30 mg/m2) and intravenous Docetaxel/Cisplatin/5-Fluorouracil (DCF) for 3 cycles. In selected patients, CRS with radical gastrectomy and HIPEC were performed after the response to induction therapy. BIPSC was continued for 3 more cycles with a dose reduction in an adjuvant setting. RESULTS: All LHIPEC procedures were uneventful with Grade 1-2 side effects (11/53, 20,8%). As a response to induction chemotherapy PCI was reduced from 19.6±8 (range, 6-39) to 13.6±9.8 (range, 1-39) (P<0.001). Ascites was detected in 55% (29 out of 53) and cytology was positive in 51% (27 out of 53) of the patients before induction chemotherapy. Ascites was completely abolished and all cytology became negative. Then, 34 of 53 (64.15%) patients underwent CRS with radical gastrectomy and HIPEC. CC0/1 resection was achieved in 22 (64.70%) of patients (P<0.05). The median survival time was 18.9±13.4 (95% CI: 15.2-22.6 months. Combined surgery and HIPEC related mortality occurred in 1 out of 34 patients (2.9%) due to developed diffuse intravascular coagulation at postoperative day 2. Grade 2 operative complications included biliary fistula in one, and duodenal stump leakage in two patients (8.7%). All of the fistula closed with conservative management. The median survival time was 18.9±13.4 months and the median progression-free survival time was 15.6±12.9 with 1-, 2-, and 5-year survival rates of 82.4%, 59% and 17.6% in patients with PM of GC. Multivariate analysis identified high peritoneal cancer index (P=0.000) and complete resection (P<0.05) as independent predictors for better progression-free and overall survival. CONCLUSIONS: The best outcomes can be expected with optimal cytoreduction and limited peritoneal dissemination in response to induction chemotherapy. Knowledgeable selection of patients with PM of GC is essential to perform surgery with HIPEC safely with acceptable mortality and morbidity.

Surgical site infections after pancreaticoduodenectomy: Preoperative biliary system interventions and antimicrobial prophylaxis.

BACKGROUND: The rate of surgical site infection (SSI) after pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD) is high and insertion of preoperative bile duct catheterization (PBDC) predispose a high risk of SSI with multidrug resistant (MDR) microorganisms. AIM: To describe the effects of PBDC and the prophylaxis in development of SSI. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective study between January 01, 2010 and December 2018 including the patients with PD and total pancreatectomy. FINDINGS: In total 214 consecutive patients were included. The PBDC was inserted to 63 (29%) patients. The rate of intraoperative bile fluid culture positivity was higher among the patients with PBDC (84% vs. 17% respectively, p<0.001). The SSI was detected in 52 patients (24%). In multivariate analysis, the rate of SSI was found to be higher among the patients with PBDC (OR: 2.33, 95% Cl: 1.14-4.76, p=0.02). As the etiologic agents of SSI, Pseudomonas spp. and MDR pathogens were mainly detected in PBDC group. The resistance to ampicillin-sulbactam was significantly higher in the PBDC group (87.5% vs. 25%, p=0.012). The similar bacterial species both in bile fluid and the surgical site were detected in 11 (21%) patients with SSI. Among 8 patients (15%), antimicrobial susceptibility was the same. Only in five out of 52 (10%) patients, the SSI pathogens was susceptible to the agent that was used for surgical prophylaxis. CONCLUSION: Unnecessary catheterizations should be avoided. By considering the increasing prevalence of resistant bacteria as the cause of SSI, the clinicians should closely follow-up their patients for choosing the proper antimicrobials.

Laparoscopic partial cecum resection in appendiceal intussusception.

Appendiceal intussusception (AI) is a difficult disease to diagnose. Various features of the disease were analyzed in a 35-year-old female patient admitted with abdominal pain and diagnosed with AI. The diagnosis was made with colonoscopy and abdominal computed tomography. Laparoscopic partial cecum resection was performed. Pathology examination revealed foci of endometriosis externa, which infiltrated the muscular layer of the appendix. AI should be kept in mind in the differential diagnosis of recurrent abdominal pain. Colonoscopy is an indispensable examination for differential diagnosis. Laparoscopic partial cecum resection, preserving the ileocecal valve, is an appropriate treatment approach in irreducible cases that are not suspected to be malignant.

Goblet cell carcinoid of the appendix accompanied by adenomatous polyp with high-grade dysplasia at the cecum.

Goblet cell carcinoid tumor of the appendix is an uncommon neoplasia that shares the histological attributes of both adenocarcinoma and carcinoid tumors. Its prognosis has a more aggressive course than the other known carcinoid tumors. Clinical diagnosis of goblet cell carcinoid is seldom made preoperatively. The most common clinical presentation of goblet cell carcinoid tumor is acute appendicitis. In this study, we report a patient on whom right hemicolectomy was performed because of a cacal sessile polyp with high grade dysplasia; goblet cell carcinoid tumor of the appendix was revealed incidentally during microscopic evaluation of the appendectomy specimen. The patient healed uneventfully and no recurrence was observed after the 12-month follow-up period. Careful microscopic examination of the appendectomy specimen is key for the diagnosis of appendiceal tumors such as goblet cell carcinoid, especially in elderly patients.

Laparoscopic partial cecum resection in appendix intussusception.

Appendix intussusception (AI) is a difficult disease to diagnose. Various features of the disease have been analyzed in a 35-year-old female patient who was admitted with abdominal pain and diagnosed with AI. The diagnosis was made with colonoscopy and abdominal computed tomography. Laparoscopic partial cecum resection was performed. The pathology examination revealed foci of endometriosis externa, which infiltrated the muscular layer of the appendix. AI should be kept in mind in the differential diagnosis of recurrent abdominal pain. Colonoscopy is an indispensable examination for the differential diagnosis. Laparoscopic partial cecum resection, preserving ileocecal valve, is an appropriate treatment approach in irreducible cases that are not suspected to be malignant.

TLR4 Asp299Gly and Thr399Ile and TLR2 intron 2 microsatellite gene polymorphism in patients with acute biliary pancreatitis: Does it cause the disease?

OBJECTIVES: There has been coverage of Toll-like receptor 4 and Toll-like receptor 2 gene polymorphisms in inflammatory episodes in a number of studies. In view of the inflammatory nature of acute pancreatitis, we aimed to determine the predictive value of mutations in Asp299Gly and Thr399Ile of the Toll-like receptor 4 gene, and the intron 2 microsatellite polymorphism of the Toll-like receptor 2 gene on the occurrence of acute biliary pancreatitis. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study included 86 patients for the Toll-like receptor 4 Thr399Ile polymorphism, 100 patients for the Toll-like receptor 4 Asp299Gly polymorphism with acute biliary pancreatitis, and 101 healthy volunteers. At the same time, 93 patients and 92 healthy volunteers were included in the study to research the Toll-like receptor 2 intron 2 microsatellite polymorphism. Genotypes were determined using the restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis of PCR products and by an allele-specific PCR. RESULTS: The Toll-like receptor 4 Thr399Ile homozygotes mutant variants (p=0.005) and Toll-like receptor 2 MM genotype (p<0.001) were detected with a significantly higher frequency in patients with acute biliary pancreatitis than in the healthy blood donors. CONCLUSION: The Toll-like receptor 4 Asp299Gly and Thr399Ile polymorphisms and the Toll-like receptor 2 intron 2 microsatellite polymorphism are statistically associated with ABP.

Should we perform routine prophylactic central neck dissection in patients with thyroid papillary microcarcinoma?

PURPOSE: Cervical lymph node (LN) metastases in papillary thyroid cancer (PTC) are common in tumors especially that are larger than 1cm. Ipsilateral central neck dissection (CND) is usually preferred even in the absence of a palpable LN. This study aims to clarify the incidence and predictive factors for occult ipsilateral central LN metastasis in these patients, and the management of patients without clinical evidence of metastasis. METHODS: 204 PTC patients were studied. The patients were divided into two according to the tumor size of ≤5mm or larger. Patient demographics, tumor properties, LN metastasis, preoperative neck ultrasonography findings and surgical outcomes were analyzed. RESULTS: There were 152 patients in study group-1 (nodule > 5 mm) and 52 patients in group-2 (nodule ≤ 5 mm). The mean tumor size was 11.9 mm. Overall, preoperative neck ultrasonography showed central neck LN in 25 (12.3%) patients, however, final pathology revealed metastatic LN at central compartment in 59 (28.9%) patients. There were 56 (27.5%) patients with metastasis in group-1 compared to 3 (1.4%) patients in group-2. CONCLUSIONS: Prophylactic CND is advised in PTC for the reduction of recurrence in central compartment. According to our results, in patients with tumors smaller than 5 mm and without evidence of nodal metastasis in preoperative neck ultrasonography, we do not recommend prophylactic CND.

The Diagnostic and Prognostic Significance of Serum Neutrophil Gelatinase-Associated Lipocalin Levels in Patients with Colorectal Cancer.

AIM OF THE STUDY: Neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL) is an inflammatory biomarker that is stored in neutrophil granules. Recent studies revealed that NGAL expression increases in tissue samples of patients with inflammatory gastrointestinal system diseases and cancers. The aim of this study was to evaluate the diagnostic and predictive significance of plasma NGAL levels in various stages of adenoma-carcinoma sequence of colorectal cancer. Materials and Methods: Eighty cases were included in the study and separated into 3 groups. "Cancer Group" consisted of 27 colorectal cancer patients who underwent curative resection, whereas 24 patients with colorectal adenomatous polyps detected by colonoscopy were classified as the "Polyp Group", and 29 patients with normal colonoscopy findings were classified as the "Control Group". The serum NGAL, CEA and CA19-9 levels and histopathology findings were determined. Results: The mean plasma NGAL levels for control group, polyp group and cancer group were found to be 91.5 ng/ml, 139.6ng/ml and 184.3ng/ml, respectively. Plasma NGAL levels were found to be significantly higher in cancer group compared to the control group (p:0.006). Plasma NGAL levels were detected statistically significant and positive correlated with tumor diameter and number of metastatic lymph nodes (p:0.047, r:%38.6 and p:0.026, r:%42.8, respectively) in cancer group. Conclusions: We are of the opinion that pre-operative plasma NGAL level is a potential diagnostic biomarker for colorectal cancer patients. Although more comprehensive studies are needed for definitive judgments, serum NGAL levels may be used as a diagnostic and/or predictive biomarker for lymph node metastasis in patients with colorectal cancer.

[Torsion of a preperitoneal pedunculated lipoma of anterior abdominal wall mimicking acute appendicitis]. / Akut apandisiti taklit eden karin ön duvari yerlesimli preperitoneal sapli lipom torsiyonu.

Lipoma is the most common benign tumor of adipose tissue. Lipomas can occur almost anywhere in the body, but are rarely found in parietal peritoneum of abdominal wall. Occasionally lipomas are detected incidentally during abdominal surgery for other organ pathologies. Presently described is rare case of torsion of pedunculated lipoma originating in parietal peritoneum of anterior abdominal wall causing abdominal pain that mimicked acute appendicitis in 35-year-old woman.

Single-site multiport combined splenectomy and cholecystectomy with conventional laparoscopic instruments: Case series and review of literature.

INTRODUCTION: Conventional laparoscopic procedures have been used for splenic diseases and concomitant gallbladder stones, frequently in patients with hereditary spherocytosis since 1990's. The aim of this study is to evaluate the feasibility of single-site surgery with conventional instruments in combined procedures. PRESENTATION OF CASE SERIES: Six consecutive patients who scheduled for combined cholecystectomy and splenectomy because of hereditary spherocytosis or autoimmune hemolytic anemia were included this study. Both procedures were performed via trans-umbilical single-site multiport approach using conventional instruments. All procedures completed successfully without conversion to open surgery or conventional laparoscopic surgery. An additional trocar was required for only one patient. The mean operation time was 190min (150-275min). The mean blood loss was 185ml (70-300ml). Median postoperative hospital stay was two days. No perioperative mortality or major complications occurred in our series. Recurrent anemia, hernia formation or wound infection was not observed during the follow-up period. DISCUSSION: Nowadays, publications are arising about laparoscopic or single site surgery for combined diseases. Surgery for combined diseases has some difficulties owing to the placement of organs and position of the patient during laparoscopic surgery. Single site laparoscopic surgery has been proposed to have better cosmetic outcome, less postoperative pain, greater patient satisfaction and faster recovery compared to standard laparoscopy. CONCLUSION: We consider that single-site multiport laparoscopic approach for combined splenectomy and cholecystectomy is a safe and feasible technique, after gaining enough experience on single site surgery.

Amyloid goiter related with Crohn's disease: A rare association: Amyloid goiter secondary to Crohn's disease.

INTRODUCTION: Amyloid goiter (AG) is characterized by enlargement of the thyroid gland as a result of extensive amyloid deposition in a bilateral and diffuse manner. PRESENTATION OF CASE: A 58-year-old male patient was diagnosed of Crohn's Disease (CD). He was admitted to our clinic with complaint of respiratory distress and rapid growth swelling in the neck. Ultrasound examination revealed huge multinodular goiter on both sides of thyroid gland. We performed bilateral total thyroidectomy. Pathological evaluation revealed AG. DISCUSSION: Amyloid leads to degeneration in tissues, thereby disrupts the function of the relevant organs. It is important to distinguish AG from other reasons of goiter, particularly thyroid medullary cancer that can cause amyloid deposition in thyroid gland. Secondary amyloidosis frequently involves thyroid gland at microscopic level, but rarely causes goiter. An analysis of current literature revealed that only few cases of AG occurred secondary to CD. Herein we presented a case of AG who has rapidly growing goiter that associated with CD. CONCLUSION: AG must be kept in mind in case of rapidly growing goiter, especially in patients with chronic inflammatory bowel diseases.