Recurrence after totally extraperitoneal (TEP) inguinal hernia repair: the role of physical examination and ultrasound.

PURPOSE: Physical examination (PE) combined with ultrasound (US) is recommended to confirm a recurrent hernia. However, the evidence is rather weak. The aim of this study was to evaluate PE and appraise the added value of US in alleged recurrent inguinal hernias after totally extraperitoneal (TEP) inguinal hernia repair. METHODS: All adult patients who were re-operated for suspicion of a recurrent hernia after a primary unilateral or bilateral TEP between 2006 and 2017 were identified and investigated retrospectively. Patient characteristics, PE, additional imaging and intra-operative findings were registered. PE outcomes were compared with intra-operative findings to calculate the positive predictive value (PPV) of PE. In case of clinical doubt, the added value of US was evaluated by comparing US findings with the intra-operative findings. RESULTS: A total of 130 patients were re-operated for suspicion of 137 recurrent hernias. In 75 patients, US was performed. PE was positive for an inguinal hernia in 101 groins (73.7%), negative in 30 (21.9%) and inconclusive in 6 (4.4%). PE matched the operative findings in 75.2%. The PPV of diagnosing a recurrent hernia (or lipoma) on PE was 97%. In case of clinical doubt (n = 36), positive US matched the operative findings in 20 cases (87.0%). CONCLUSION: US does not necessarily need to be incorporated in the standard diagnostic workup of a recurrent inguinal hernia. After PE alone, a recurrent hernia (or lipoma) can be diagnosed with a PPV of 97%. Only in case of clinical doubt, US has additional value.

Is young age a risk factor for chronic postoperative inguinal pain after endoscopic totally extraperitoneal (TEP) repair?

PURPOSE: A generally known risk factor for developing chronic postoperative inguinal pain after inguinal hernia repair is young age. However, studies discussing young age as a risk factor are mainly based on open repairs. The aim of this study was to determine if young adults (age 18-30) are also more prone to experience chronic postoperative inguinal pain after totally extraperitoneal (TEP) inguinal hernia repair, compared to older adults (age ≥ 31). METHODS: A prospective study was conducted in a high-volume TEP hernia clinic in 919 patients. Patients were assessed using the Numeric (Pain) Rating Scale, Inguinal Pain Questionnaire and Carolina Comfort Scale preoperatively, at 3 months, 1 year and 2 years after TEP mesh repair. The primary outcome was clinically relevant pain in young adults compared to older adults at 3 months follow-up. Secondary outcomes were pain 1 and 2 years postoperatively, the impact of pain on daily living, foreign body feeling and testicular pain. Furthermore, age categories were analyzed to determine potential age-dependent risk factors. RESULTS: Follow-up was completed in 867 patients. No significant difference was found between young adults and older adults for clinically relevant pain at 3 months follow-up (p = 0.723). At all follow-up time points, no significant differences were found for clinically relevant pain, any pain, mean pain scores, the Inguinal Pain Questionnaire and the Carolina Comfort Scale. The subgroup analyses showed no age-dependent risk factor. CONCLUSIONS: Young age is not associated with a higher risk of chronic postoperative inguinal pain after endoscopic TEP hernia repair.

An 11-year analysis of reoperated groins after endoscopic totally extraperitoneal (TEP) inguinal hernia repair in a high volume hernia center.

BACKGROUND: Developments in inguinal hernia surgery have substantially lowered recurrence rates, yet recurrences remain an important outcome parameter of inguinal hernia repair. The aim of this study was to analyze the characteristics of all reoperated groins after endoscopic totally extraperitoneal (TEP) inguinal hernia repair in a high-volume hernia clinic in the Netherlands. METHODS: All groins with recurrence-like symptoms reoperated after previous TEP inguinal hernia repair between January 2006 and December 2016 were analyzed. Patient characteristics, imaging findings, primary hernia type, time to recurrence and recurrence type were assessed. RESULTS: A total of 137 groins were reoperated in 130 patients. The median age at the TEP procedure was 55 years [interquartile range (IQR) 45-64 years]. Fifty-seven groins were initially part of a bilateral procedure (42%). Median time until recurrence was 9 months (IQR 4-26 months). Reoperation findings were a hernia recurrence in 76%, an isolated lipoma in 18%, and no recurrence or lipoma in 6%. The majority of hernias recurred at their initial site (70%), of which the greatest part involved direct hernias. Isolated lipomas were more frequently seen after indirect hernia repair. CONCLUSIONS: Inguinal hernia recurrences were still observed in this high-volume hernia clinic. Recurrences were most frequently seen at their initial hernia site, the majority involving direct hernias. Isolated lipomas presenting as a pseudorecurrence were most frequently seen after correction of indirect hernias. In accordance with the current guidelines, reducing recurrence rates can be achieved by mesh fixation in bilateral, large and direct defects and by thoroughly reducing lipomas.

Bilateral endoscopic totally extraperitoneal (TEP) inguinal hernia repair does not impair male fertility.

PURPOSE: Endoscopic totally extraperitoneal (TEP) hernia repair with polypropylene mesh has become a well-established technique. However, since the mesh is placed in close contact with the spermatic cord, mesh-induced inflammation may affect its structures, possibly resulting in impaired fertility. The aim of this observational prospective cohort study was to assess fertility after bilateral endoscopic TEP inguinal hernia repair in male patients. METHODS: Fifty-seven male patients (22-60 years old) with primary, reducible, bilateral inguinal hernias underwent elective bilateral endoscopic TEP hernia repair with use of polypropylene mesh. The primary outcome was testicular perfusion; secondary outcomes were testicular volume, endocrinological status, and semen quality. All patients were assessed preoperatively and 6 months postoperatively. RESULTS: Follow-up was completed in 44 patients. No statistically significant differences in measurements of testicular blood flow parameters or testicular volume were found. Postoperative LH levels were significantly higher [preoperative median 4.3 IU/L (IQR 3.4-5.3) versus postoperative median 5.0 IU/L (IQR 3.6-6.5), p = 0.03]. Levels of inhibin B were significantly lower postoperatively [preoperative median 139.0 ng/L (IQR 106.5-183.0) versus postoperative median 27.0 ng/L (IQR 88.3-170.9), p = 0.01]. No significant changes in FSH or testosterone levels were observed. There were no differences in semen quality. CONCLUSIONS: Our data suggest that bilateral endoscopic TEP hernia repair with polypropylene mesh does not impair fertility, as no differences in testicular blood flow, testicular volume, or semen quality were observed. Postoperative levels of LH and inhibin B differed significantly from preoperative measurements, yet no clinical relevance could be ascribed to these findings.

Local administration of gentamicin collagen sponge in surgical excision of sacrococcygeal pilonidal sinus disease: a systematic review and meta-analysis of the literature.

Surgical site infections occur in up to 24 % of patients after surgical excision of sacrococcygeal pilonidal sinus disease with primary wound closure. Local administration of antibiotics by a gentamicin collagen sponge could reduce this infection rate. The objective of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to evaluate the effect of a gentamicin collagen sponge on outcome after surgical excision in patients with sacrococcygeal pilonidal sinus disease. A structured literature search was performed in the PubMed, Embase, The Cochrane Library, and Scopus databases. Studies comparing surgical excision of sacrococcygeal pilonidal sinus disease with versus without a gentamicin collagen sponge were included. Outcome measures were surgical site infection, wound healing, and recurrence. The search strategy yielded six studies with a total of 669 patients. Three randomized controlled trials, comparing excision of pilonidal sinus disease and primary wound closure with versus without gentamicin collagen sponge, were eligible for inclusion in the meta-analysis (319 patients), demonstrating a trend towards reduced surgical site infections after administration of gentamicin collagen sponge [absolute risk reduction 20 %, 95 %-confidence interval (CI) 1-41 %, p = 0.06]. The wound healing (absolute risk reduction 22 %, 95 % CI 32-77 %, p = 0.42) and recurrence rate (absolute risk reduction 8 %, 95 % CI 7-22 %, p = 0.30) were not significantly different between both groups. Administration of a gentamicin collagen sponge after surgical excision of sacrococcygeal pilonidal sinus disease showed no significant influence on wound healing and recurrence rate, but a trend towards a reduced incidence of surgical site infections. Therefore, additional larger well-designed randomized controlled trials are required.

Totally extraperitoneal (TEP) endoscopic hernia repair in elderly patients.

BACKGROUND: Inguinal hernias are common in elderly males. We addressed outcome following totally extraperitoneal (TEP) hernia repair in patients older than 70 years. METHODS: We prospectively collected data of patients >70 years with a unilateral or bilateral inguinal hernia operated in our hospital between January 2005 and January 2010 using the TEP technique. RESULTS: A total of 429 patients underwent TEP hernia repair under general anaesthesia, mostly men (n = 405; 94.4%). Median age was 74 years (range 70-89). The mean pre-operative pain score was 3.7 (SD ± 2.5). Ninety-four percent of patients had an ASA score of 1 or 2. Three hundred thirty-six patients underwent a unilateral repair (78%). The conversion rate to an anterior procedure was 0.7 % (n = 3). In 8 patients (1.9%), intra-operative complications occurred, and the postoperative course was complicated in 3 patients (0.7 %). Severe complications attributable to the endoscopic approach occurred in 6 patients (1.4%): a bladder injury (n = 5) and a trocar-induced bowel perforation (n = 1). The mean postoperative pain score after 6 weeks was 1.6 (SD ± 1.2). Patients were able to resume their daily activities after a median of 7 days (range 1-42). CONCLUSION: Totally, extraperitoneal endoscopic inguinal hernia repair in elderly patients is associated with low overall complication rates and a fast recovery. In a small proportion of patients, severe complications occur attributable to the endoscopic approach.

Pain after totally extraperitoneal (TEP) hernia repair might fade out within a year.

BACKGROUND: The incidence of chronic pain after endoscopic hernia repair varies between 1 and 16 %. Studies regarding the course of pain in time after the operation are scarce. METHODS: 473 male patients ≥18 years of age, scheduled for totally extraperitoneal (TEP) hernia repair (Prolene® mesh) between March 2010 and August 2012 were requested to record pain symptoms preoperative, and 1 day, 1 week, 6 weeks, 3 months and 1 year postoperatively and visit the outpatient department 3 months and 1 year postoperatively for a standardized interview and physical examination. RESULTS: Preoperatively, 25 % (n = 114) of the patients had moderate-to-severe pain (NRS 4-10). Six weeks postoperatively, 3 % (n = 12) of the patients still experienced moderate-to-severe pain. Three months after TEP, only 3 patients (0.6 %) had moderate-to-severe pain, while 83 patients (18 %) experienced mild pain. One year after TEP, 39 patients experienced mild pain (8 %) and 3 patients moderate pain (0.7 %), no patients experienced severe pain after 1 year. Patients with moderate-to-severe pain preoperatively had a higher risk of pain persisting until 3 months and 1 year postoperatively (p = 0.03). In most patients who had pain 3 months postoperatively and were pain-free 1 year after TEP, pain 'faded out' at 4-6 months postoperatively. Two patients had a not-painful recurrent hernia, diagnosed 2 and 5 months after TEP repair. CONCLUSION: Moderate-to-severe pain after TEP hernia repair is self-limiting, with less than 1 % of the patients reporting moderate pain 1 year postoperatively.

Three-month results of the effect of Ultrapro or Prolene mesh on post-operative pain and well-being following endoscopic totally extraperitoneal hernia repair (TULP trial).

BACKGROUND: Recurrence rates after inguinal hernia repair have been reduced to a few per cent, since mesh repair has become standard of care. Lightweight meshes reduce post-operative pain and stiffness in open anterior repair, but for endoscopic repair, the discussion about this benefit is ongoing. This study was done to analyse the effects of lightweight mesh versus heavyweight mesh following endoscopic totally extraperitoneal (TEP) hernia repair. METHODS: In a single-centre double-blindly randomized clinical trial, 950 patients with unilateral primary inguinal hernia were randomized to undergo endoscopic TEP using either an Ultrapro(®) or a Prolene(®) mesh. Data were collected by validated questionnaires at day 1, day 7, after 6 weeks and after 3 months, and clinical assessment was performed after 3 months. The presence of groin pain after 3 months, defined as an NRS score >3, was evaluated as the primary outcome measure. Secondary outcomes were foreign body feeling and the impact of pain and foreign body feeling on daily activities. RESULTS: At 3-month follow-up, the incidence of pain (NRS 4-10) was 2 versus 0.9 % in the lightweight and heavyweight mesh group, respectively (p = 0.17). Pain interfered with daily activities in 1.7 % of the lightweight and 1.5 % of heavyweight group. In the lightweight group, 20 % of patients reported a foreign body feeling versus 18 % in the heavyweight group (p = 0.62). No differences between the groups were observed regarding time to return to work, interference with sports and sexual activities, testicular pain and ejaculatory pain. Severe preoperative pain (OR 2.01, 95 % CI 1.21-3.35, p = 0.01) was the only independent predictor of any post-operative pain after 3 months. CONCLUSION: Three months after TEP inguinal repair, there were no significant differences between lightweight and heavyweight mesh use regarding the incidence of pain, foreign body feeling or any other endpoint.

One-stop endoscopic hernia surgery: efficient and satisfactory.

BACKGROUND: One-stop surgery offers patients diagnostic work-up and subsequent surgical treatment on the same day. In the present study, patient satisfaction and efficiency from an institutional perspective were evaluated in patients who were referred for one-stop endoscopic inguinal hernia repair. METHOD: In a high-volume inguinal hernia clinic, all consecutive patients referred for one-stop surgical treatment, were registered prospectively. An instructed secretary screened patients for eligibility for the one-stop option when the appointment was made. Totally extraperitoneal hernia repair under general anaesthesia was the preferred operative technique. Patient's satisfaction, successful day surgery and institutional efficiency were evaluated. RESULTS: Between January 2010 and January 2012 a total of 349 patients (17 % of all patients in the hernia clinic) were referred for one-stop hernia repair. Mean age was 47.5 years and 96.3 % were males. Three hundred thirty-six patients underwent hernia surgery on the same day (96.3 %). In thirteen patients (3.7 %) no operative repair was done on the day of presentation due to an incorrect diagnosis (n = 7), a watchful waiting policy for asymptomatic hernia (n = 3), rescheduling due to a large scrotal hernia, and there were two "no shows". Following hernia repair 97 % of the patients were discharged on the same day, while ten patients required hospitalization. Based on the questionnaires the main satisfaction score among patients was 9.0 (8.89-9.17 95 % CI) on a scale ranging from 0 to 10. CONCLUSION: One-stop hernia surgery is feasible and satisfactory from an institutional as well as from a patient's perspective.

Is there an end of the "learning curve" of endoscopic totally extraperitoneal (TEP) hernia repair?

BACKGROUND: An important challenge of totally extraperitoneal (TEP) hernia repair is the learning curve. The European guidelines suggest that the learning curve ranges between 50 and 100 procedures, with the first 30-50 being critical. Others suggest that optimal outcomes are achieved after 200 or more TEP procedures. METHODS: All TEP repairs performed between 2005 and 2009 were included in this study. The effect of (surgeon) expertise on perioperative complications, conversion to open anterior repair, and operative time was assessed to evaluate the extent of the learning curve of TEP repair. RESULTS: Intraoperative complications occurred in <1 % of the 3,432 patients and postoperative complications were observed in 243 (7 %) patients. With a median follow-up of 2 years after TEP, 19 patients (0.55 %) had a recurrence. During the study period, at the end of which all four surgeons had treated 900-1,000 patients, intraoperative complications and recurrences did not decline. On the other hand, the median operative time decreased from 30 to 20 min (p < 0.001). The conversion rate (1.6-0.2 %, p = 0.018) and postoperative complication rate (11.6-4.2 %, p < 0.001) also declined. The decline was observed for all four surgeons, irrespective of their initial expertise with TEP. The largest decrease in the conversion rate was seen after at least 250 TEP procedures; the postoperative complication rate and operative time showed a linear and significant decline throughout the study period. A more or less "steady state" was observed after approximately 450 procedures per surgeon. CONCLUSIONS: Even after more than 400 individually performed TEP procedures, there is progress in reducing the conversion rate, the incidence of short-term postoperative complications, and operative time, indicating a rather long learning curve.

Selecting patients during the "learning curve" of endoscopic Totally Extraperitoneal (TEP) hernia repair.

BACKGROUND: Totally Extraperitoneal (TEP) hernia surgery is associated with little postoperative pain and a fast recovery, but is a technically demanding operative procedure. Apart from the surgeon's expertise, patient characteristics and hernia-related variations may also affect the operative time and outcome. METHODS: Patient-related factors predictive of perioperative complications, conversion to open anterior repair, and operative time were studied in a cohort of consecutive patients undergoing TEP hernia repair from 2005 to 2009. RESULTS: A total of 3,432 patients underwent TEP. The mean operative time was 26 min (SD ± 10.9), TEP was converted into an open anterior approach in 26 patients (0.8 %), and perioperative complications were observed in 55 (1.6 %) patients. Multivariable regression analysis showed that a history of abdominal surgery (OR 1.76, 95 per cent confidence interval 1.01-3.06; p = 0.05), and the presence of a scrotal (OR 5.31, 1.20-23.43; p = 0.03) or bilateral hernia (OR 2.25, 1.25-4.06; p = 0.01) were independent predictive factors of perioperative complications. Female gender (OR 5.30. 1.52-18.45; p = 0.01), a history of abdominal surgery (OR 3.96, 1.72- 9.12; p = 0.001), and the presence of a scrotal hernia (OR 34.84, 10.42-116.51, p < 0.001) were predictive factors for conversion. A BMI ≥ 25 (effect size (ES) 1.78, 95 % confidence interval 1.09-2.47; p < 0.001) and the presence of a scrotal (ES 5.81, 1.93-9.68; p = 0.003), indirect (ES 2.78, 2.05- 3.50, p < 0.001) or bilateral hernia (ES 10.19, 9.20-11.08; p < 0.001) were associated with a longer operative time. CONCLUSION: Certain patient characteristics are, even in experienced TEP surgeons, associated with an increased risk of conversion and complications and a longer operative time. For the surgeon gaining experience with TEP, it seems advisable to select relatively young and slender male patients with a unilateral (non-scrotal) hernia and no previous abdominal surgery to enhance patient safety and 'surgeon comfort'.

Female 'groin' hernia: totally extraperitoneal (TEP) endoscopic repair seems the most appropriate treatment modality.

BACKGROUND: About 30% of all female 'groin' hernias are femoral hernias, although often only diagnosed during surgery. A Lichtenstein repair though, as preferred treatment modality according to guidelines, would not diagnose and treat femoral hernias. Totally extraperitoneal (TEP) hernia repair, however, offers the advantage of being an appropriate modality for the diagnosis and subsequent treatment of both inguinal and femoral hernias. TEP therefore seems an appealing surgical technique for women with groin hernias. METHODS: This study included all female patients ≥ 18 years operated for a groin hernia between 2005 and 2009. RESULTS: A total of 183 groin hernias were repaired in 164 women. TEP was performed in 85% of women; the other 24 women underwent an open anterior (mesh) repair. Peroperatively, femoral hernias were observed in 23% of patients with primary hernias and 35% of patients with recurrent hernias. There were 30 cases (18.3%) of an incorrect preoperative diagnosis. Peroperatively, femoral hernias were observed in 17.3% of women who were diagnosed with an inguinal hernia before surgery. In addition, inguinal hernias were found in 24.0% of women who were diagnosed with a femoral hernia preoperatively. After a follow-up of 25 months, moderate to severe (VAS 4-10) postoperative pain was reported by 8 of 125 patients (6.4%) after TEP and 5 of 23 patients (21.7%) after open hernia repair (P = 0.03). Five patients had a recurrent hernia, two following TEP (1.4%) and three following open anterior repair (12.5%, P = 0.02). Two of these three patients presented with a femoral recurrence after a previous repair of an inguinal hernia. CONCLUSION: Femoral hernias are common in women with groin hernias, but not always detected preoperatively; this argues for the use of a preperitoneal approach. TEP hernia repair combines the advantage of a peroperative diagnosis and subsequent appropriate treatment with the known good clinical outcomes.

Impairment of sexual activity before and after endoscopic totally extraperitoneal (TEP) hernia repair.

BACKGROUND: In patients with inguinal hernias, sexual activity may be impaired due to hernia-related pain. Surgical repair may improve these complaints but can also lead to similar symptoms as a long-term complication of the operation. Endoscopic hernia repair is associated with less postoperative pain and earlier return to normal activities, but its effect on pain-related sexual function is unknown. In this study, the incidence and effect of pain related to sexual activity are evaluated before and after endoscopic totally extraperitoneal (TEP) hernia repair. METHODS: A hospital-based questionnaire study of pain-related sexual dysfunction was conducted in November 2009 in 500 male patients ≥18 years, who underwent TEP repair of a primary hernia between March 2006 and December 2008. The response rate was 77.2%. RESULTS: Pain of any severity during sexual activity was reported by 124 patients (32.1%) preoperatively and 35 patients (9.1%) postoperatively. Only 2.3% of the 262 patients with no history of preoperative pain experienced moderate to severe (VAS 4-10) pain postoperatively. Pain impaired sexual function in 63 patients (16.3%) preoperatively and in 18 patients (4.7%) postoperatively. The majority of patients who reported pain during sexual activity preoperatively (n = 102, 82.3%) had no pain postoperatively. The frequency of moderate to severe painful sexual activity decreased from 21.2% (preoperatively) to 3.4% after TEP repair (P < 0.001), and the frequency of moderate to severely impaired sexual function decreased from 6.0 to 1.0% (P < 0.001). The preoperative presence of pain during sexual activity and chronic non-hernia-related pain syndromes were predictive for the occurrence of postoperative pain. CONCLUSION: Painful sexual activity, present in one third of patients with inguinal hernias, improved in the majority of patients following TEP hernia repair. Postoperatively, moderate to severe painful sexual activity occurred in 2.3% of the patients with no history of preoperative complaints.

Feasibility of right-sided total extraperitoneal procedure for inguinal hernia repair after appendectomy: a prospective cohort study.

BACKGROUND: Totally extraperitoneal (TEP) endoscopic hernia surgery is increasingly popular since it is associated with little postoperative pain and with early return to work. Previous appendectomy may preclude preperitoneal dissection in patients with right-sided hernias. The feasibility of TEP surgery in these patients was the subject of the present study. METHODS: Between January 2005 and February 2007 all consecutive patients undergoing TEP surgery were included in a prospective cohort study. The study group consisted of patients with right-sided and bilateral hernias. Operative times, conversions, complication rates, and return to daily activities were recorded. Patients were divided into two groups according to previous appendectomy. RESULTS: A total of 462 patients with right-sided hernias underwent TEP surgery: 421 patients without previous abdominal surgery (group 1) and 41 patients with previous appendectomy (group 2). The conversion rate was significantly higher in group 2: four patients (10%) were converted to open Lichtenstein repair versus five (1%) in group 1 (p = 0.005). However, we found no significant differences in complication rate, operative time, and return to daily activities. CONCLUSIONS: A right-sided (or bilateral) TEP procedure may be performed safely in patients after previous appendectomy. Despite a higher conversion rate, the vast majority of patients can be operated endoscopically.

Preperitoneal gridiron hernia repair for inguinal hernia: single-center experience with 2 years of follow-up.

The optimal operation technique for groin hernia repair has not been established. This study evaluates the long-term recurrence rate and perioperative complications after posterior inguinal mesh hernia repair using a gridiron incision described by Frans Ugahary. A retrospective analysis was performed of the medical records of 366 patients who underwent Ugahary hernia repair. Operative results and perioperative morbidity were evaluated retrospectively. Follow-up was done by clinical examination. The main outcome measure was recurrence rate at a mean follow-up of 2 years. Of the 386 groin hernia repairs, 263 hernia repairs were examinated in the outpatient clinic. The overall recurrence rate was 6.5% with a mean follow-up of 2 years, and 10.1% of the patients had minor complications. This retrospective study demonstrates that the repair according to Ugahary is a safe technique for operating on groin hernia. However, the procedure is difficult to reproduce in nonexpert hands. This technique must be compared to other inguinal hernia operation techniques in the near future.

Lesion progression with time and the effect of vascular occlusion following radiofrequency ablation of the liver.

BACKGROUND: The effectiveness of radiofrequency ablation (RFA) under selective vascular occlusion and its effects on architecture and viability of normal liver parenchyma was studied in a porcine model. METHODS: RFA was applied in the liver under general anaesthesia in 18 pigs. Six animals were killed immediately after the procedure and 12 at 24 h. RFA was performed sequentially under four conditions: (1) without vascular occlusion, (2) during occlusion of the hepatic artery, (3) during occlusion of the portal vein and (4) during occlusion of the hepatic artery and portal vein. Liver biopsies from the treated area were stained for conventional histological examination, reduced nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide diaphorase and 5'-nucleotidase activity. RESULTS: Vascular occlusion significantly increased the size of the coagulation centre after RFA. Combined portal venous and arterial occlusion had no additional effect on lesion size compared with venous or arterial occlusion alone. After 24 h, deterioration of viability was observed in the parenchyma up to 3 cm from the coagulated area. CONCLUSION: The efficacy of RFA in liver increases with occlusion of the portal vein or hepatic artery. The extent of secondary heat-induced necrosis in liver parenchyma should be considered for determination of the final size of the ablated area.

[Consequences of caustic damage of the esophagus]. / Soms ernstige gevolgen van inname van een slokdarmetsend middel.

Following ingestion of a highly concentrated acetic acid solution, three women aged 29, 23 and 25 years old, suffered damage to the oesophagus and the stomach, respiratory and renal insufficiency and haemolysis. After intensive treatment, gastric tube reconstruction was carried out in 2 of these patients, and the third woman required repeated dilatations of the oesophageal stricture from 6 weeks after ingestion onwards. This resulted in a normal passage of solid food in all women. A 58-year-old man who had ingested caustic soda at 4 years of age, presented with increasing problems associated with swallowing food. A squamous cell carcinoma was diagnosed and treated with chemotherapy, oesophagus-cardia resection and gastric tube reconstruction. After 2 years the tumour has not recurred. Ingestion of corrosive substances can lead to serious damage of the gastrointestinal tract. Early endoscopy is important in establishing the extent of the injury. During the acute phase, intensive care admittance is often necessary and resection of the oesophagus is also necessary in some cases. Subsequent treatment can vary from endoscopic dilations to gastric tube reconstruction following resection of the oesophagus.

Analysis of the quality and efficiency in learning laparoscopic skills.

OBJECTIVES: This study demonstrates the application of time-action analysis to the evaluation of task performance of diagnostic laparoscopy with laparoscopic ultrasonography. METHODS: The first 25 diagnostic laparoscopies with laparoscopic ultrasonography performed by a surgical resident were analyzed and compared with the outcomes of these procedures performed by an experienced surgeon. The time, actions, and correctness of task performance were evaluated. Furthermore, outcome correctness and postoperative complications were assessed. RESULTS: No postoperative complications occurred. The resident made one wrong diagnosis, for which the cause was detected by peroperative analysis. Additionally, 1% of the subtasks were performed only partially, 4% not at all, and 2% using the wrong technique. The efficiency for most diagnostic tasks remained significantly lower than that of the experienced surgeon (p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Time-action analysis can be used to provide detailed insight into the quality and efficiency of learning surgical skills. It enables objective measurement of correctness in task performance as well as time and action efficiency.

[Mix-up of patient specimen: DNA-microsatellite analysis as a fast identification method]. / Verwisseling van patiëntenmateriaal: DNA-microsatellietanalyse als snelle identificatiemethode.

In a man aged 56 years with dysphagia, an oesophageal biopsy was found to contain an adenocarcinoma. In view of the discrepancy between the clinical and the histological pictures, the biopsy was repeated; in a second biopsy no carcinoma was demonstrable. DNA microsatellite analysis proved that the first biopsy originated from another person. The scheduled oesophageal resection was cancelled and the patient was reassured. A woman aged 77 years underwent gastrectomy because of biopsy samples with adenocarcinoma. However, no tumour was found in the resected stomach. DNA microsatellite analysis showed that the biopsy samples indeed originated from the patient. Unfortunately, mix-up of patient specimens occasionally occurs. Especially a discrepancy between the clinical picture and the histological diagnosis must raise the suspicion of a specimen mix-up. In such cases, DNA microsatellite analysis can give a rapid and reliable answer whether a mix-up has indeed taken place.