Esophagogastric Junction Outflow Obstruction and Hiatal Hernia: Is Hernia Repair Alone Sufficient?

Introduction: Esophagogastric junction outflow obstruction (EGJOO) is attributed to primary/idiopathic causes or secondary/mechanical causes, including hiatal hernias (HH). While patients with HH and EGJOO (HH+EGJOO) may undergo HH repair without myotomy, it is unclear if an underlying motility disorder is missed by therapy which addresses only the secondary EGJOO cause. The goal of this study was to determine if HH repair alone is sufficient management for HH+EGJOO patients. Methods: A retrospective review of patients who underwent HH repair between January 1, 2016 and January 31, 2020 was performed. Patients who underwent high-resolution esophageal manometry(HREM) within one year before HH repair were included. Patients with and without EGJOO on pre-operative HREM were compared. Results: Sixty-three patients were identified. Pre-operative HREM findings included: 43 (68.3%) normal, 13 (20.6%) EGJOO, 4 (6.3%) minor disorder or peristalsis, 2 (3.2%) achalasia, and 1 (1.6%) major disorder of peristalsis. No differences between patients with EGJOO or normal findings on pre-operative manometry were found in pre-operative demographics/risk factors, pre-operative symptoms, and pre-operative HREM, except higher integrated relaxation pressure in EGJOO patients. No differences were noted in length of stay, 30-day complications, long-term persistent symptoms, or recurrence with mean follow-up of 26-months. Of the 3 (23.1%) EGJOO patients with persistent symptoms, 2 underwent HREM demonstrating persistent EGJOO and none required endoscopic/surgical myotomy. Conclusion: Most HH+EGJOO patients experienced symptom resolution following HH repair alone and none required additional intervention to address a missed primary motility disorder. Further study is required to determine optimal management of patients with persistent EGJOO following HH repair.

Laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy in patients with complex abdominal wall hernias.

BACKGROUND: Patients with severe obesity and complex abdominal wall hernias (CAWH) present a challenging clinical dilemma. Their body mass index (BMI) is often prohibitive of successful ventral hernia repair (VHR) and the CAWH presents technical challenges when pursuing bariatric surgery. Our hernia center policy is to refer patients with severe obesity for evaluation with the surgical weight loss program. This study describes outcomes of laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG) in patients with both severe obesity and CAWH. METHODS: A retrospective analysis was performed on data prospectively collected between 2014 and 2020. CAWH patients referred for and undergoing LSG were included. Revisional bariatric surgery patients were excluded. The dataset was augmented with operative time, BMI changes, length of stay (LOS), hernia characteristics, postoperative complications, time from referral to weight loss surgery, and time from LSG to VHR. RESULTS: Twenty patients (10 males, mean age 54.3 years) met inclusion criteria. Mean BMI at LSG was 45.6 ± 6.1 kg/m2. Mean hernia area was 494.9 ± 221.2 cm2 and 90% had hernia extension into the subxiphoid and/or epigastric regions. Mean time from bariatric referral to LSG was 10.5 ± 5.4 months. Mean LSG operative time was 121.2 ± 50.3 min, and mean LOS was 1.6 ± 0.8 days. One patient had postoperative bleeding necessitating laparoscopic re-exploration. There were no readmissions. Sixteen patients subsequently underwent VHR on average13.5 ± 11.7 months later and on average 22.6 ± 12.5 months after initial hernia consultation. Two patients had a hernia-related complication between the period of initial hernia consultation and ultimate repair. Mean BMI was 37.5 ± 7.5 kg/m2 (mean 20.7 ± 12.3% decrease, p < 0.0001) at mean follow-up of 27.2 ± 17.2 months. CONCLUSIONS: LSG can be performed successfully even in patients with CAWH. Outcomes do not appear to differ significantly from typical patients undergoing LSG. Further study with larger cohorts is warranted to better delineate complication rates in this population as well as to determine long-term outcomes.

Optimizing Hospital Resource Utilization in Bariatric Readmission.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: The prevalence of patients with a history of bariatric surgery is climbing. Medical and surgical questions arising in this patient population may prompt them to present to the nearest emergency department (ED), irrespective of that facility's experience with bariatric surgery. The emergency physician is the first to evaluate patients with a history of bariatric surgery who present with abdominal symptoms. As a quality improvement project aimed at reducing resource utilization, we sought to determine which patients presenting to the ED could be treated in an outpatient setting in lieu of hospital admission. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective review of bariatric patients admitted from our ED with abdominal symptoms, including abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, dysphagia, obstruction, and hematemesis. We collected the following variables: type of bariatric operation, admission and discharge diagnoses, and all interventions performed during admission. RESULTS: One hundred sixty-nine patients (76.1%) had a history of laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass. The time from bariatric operation to presentation averaged 42 ± 4.63 (SD) months. The most common symptom was abdominal pain (80.2%). Ninety-four percent of patients underwent invasive management via upper endoscopy, laparoscopy, or laparotomy. The most common postprocedural diagnoses were stricture, bowel obstruction, inflammatory findings, and cholecystitis. CONCLUSION: Most patient encounters resulted in invasive management (204/282; 72.3%). The subset of these patients requiring endoscopic evaluation or therapy (37.7%) may be suitable for outpatient management if appropriate measures are available for rapid follow-up and procedural scheduling.

Best Practices for Robotic Surgery Programs.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Robotic surgical programs are increasing in number. Efficient methods by which to monitor and evaluate robotic surgery teams are needed. METHODS: Best practices for an academic university medical center were created and instituted in 2009 and continue to the present. These practices have led to programmatic development that has resulted in a process that effectively monitors leadership team members; attending, resident, fellow, and staff training; credentialing; safety metrics; efficiency; and case volume recommendations. RESULTS: Guidelines for hospitals and robotic directors that can be applied to one's own robotic surgical services are included with examples of management of all aspects of a multispecialty robotic surgery program. CONCLUSION: The use of these best practices will ensure a robotic surgery program that is successful and well positioned for a safe and productive environment for current clinical practice.

Radiographic Improvement of Hepatic Steatosis After Laparoscopic Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass.

BACKGROUND: Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is the most common form of liver disease and the leading cause of cirrhosis in developed nations. Studies confirm improvement of liver histopathology after significant weight loss, but biochemistry and sonography do not always show this. Computed tomographic (CT) findings of NAFLD include low attenuation of liver parenchyma and hepatomegaly. We hypothesized that patients experiencing significant weight loss after laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (LRYGB) would show CT improvement of NAFLD. METHODS: A retrospective review was performed on primary LRYGB patients at this institution from 2006 to 2014. We identified patients with either a preoperative abdominal CT or an early postoperative scan (prior to significant weight loss) as well as those with scans performed at >60 days postoperation. Radiologic interpretations were reviewed; descriptions of steatosis, hypodensity, fatty infiltration, fatty liver, fatty changes, or liver parenchyma measuring ≤40 Hounsfield units averaged at three locations on non-contrast CT were documented. Later, scans were reviewed for improvement by these criteria. RESULTS: Nineteen patients had perioperative radiographic evidence of NAFLD, with 89.5 % female, average age 41.5, and median body mass index (BMI) 46.9 kg/m2. Sixteen (84.2 %) showed radiographic improvement of NAFLD. The median time between scans was 826 days, with median BMI at that point of 30.5 kg/m2. The three without radiographic improvement still experienced significant weight loss (average BMI points lost = 19.3 kg/m2, ±5.6). CONCLUSIONS: While weight loss and comorbidity improvement are common, they are not universal after LRYGB. Radiographic improvement of NAFLD in 84 % of patients was salutary.

Implementing a robotics curriculum at an academic general surgery training program: our initial experience.

The robotic surgical platform is being utilized by a growing number of hospitals across the country, including academic medical centers. Training programs are tasked with teaching their residents how to utilize this technology. To this end, we have developed and implemented a robotic surgical curriculum, and share our initial experience here. Our curriculum was implemented for all General Surgical residents for the academic year 2014-2015. The curriculum consisted of online training, readings, bedside training, console simulation, participating in ten cases as bedside first assistant, and operating at the console. 20 surgical residents were included. Residents were provided the curriculum and notified the department upon completion. Bedside assistance and operative console training were completed in the operating room through a mix of biliary, foregut, and colorectal cases. During the fiscal years of 2014 and 2015, there were 164 and 263 robot-assisted surgeries performed within the General Surgery Department, respectively. All 20 residents completed the online and bedside instruction portions of the curriculum. Of the 20 residents trained, 13/20 (65 %) sat at the Surgeon console during at least one case. Utilizing this curriculum, we have trained and incorporated residents into robot-assisted cases in an efficient manner. A successful curriculum must be based on didactic learning, reading, bedside training, simulation, and training in the operating room. Each program must examine their caseload and resident class to ensure proper exposure to this platform.

Laparoscopic gastric bypass to robotic gastric bypass: time and cost commitment involved in training and transitioning an academic surgical practice.

The Roux-en-Y gastric bypass is the gold standard procedure for weight loss. This relatively complex procedure has excellent outcomes when performed via laparoscopy. The advent of the DaVinci robotic platform has been a technological advancement. Our goal is to provide information regarding the cost, time commitment, and advantages of transitioning an LRYGB program to an RRYGB program in an academic setting. We retrospectively reviewed the last 25 laparoscopic gastric bypass procedures and the first 25 robotic gastric bypass procedures performed by a single surgeon. We compared clinical outcomes and focused on time and hospital cost during this transition phase. There was no significant demographic difference between the groups. The mean age was 41.7 (RRYGB) years vs 43.4 (LRYGM) years. The mean BMI were similar between groups, 45.3 vs 46.5 kg/m(2) for RRYGB and LRYGB. No anastomotic leaks or mortalities were noted. There was one anastomotic stricture in both groups. Excess weight loss was similar in both groups at 1 year. There was a significant increase in operative time with RRYGB, mean 241 min vs mean 174 min (p = 0.0005). Operative time fell by 25 min after the first 10 cases. The hospital cost was also increased with RRYGB mean $5922 vs $4395 (p = 0.03). Transitioning from a laparoscopic to a robotic practice can be done safely, however, the initial operative times were longer and the hospital cost was higher for robotic gastric bypass. We hope in the future that these will decrease after overcoming the learning and as the technology becomes widespread.

Quality of life comparing dor and toupet after heller myotomy for achalasia.

BACKGROUND: Laparoscopic Heller cardiomyotomy (LHC) is standard therapy for achalasia. Traditionally, an antireflux procedure has accompanied the myotomy. This study was undertaken to compare quality-of-life outcomes between patients undergoing myotomy with Toupet versus Dor fundoplication. In addition, we investigated overall patient satisfaction after LHC in the treatment of achalasia. METHODS: One hundred thirty-five patients who underwent LHC over a 13-year period were identified for inclusion. Symptoms queried included dysphagia, heartburn, and bloating using the Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease-Health-Related Quality of Life Scale and a second published scale for the assessment of gastroesophageal reflux disease and dysphagia symptoms. The patients' overall satisfaction after surgery was also rated. Data were compared on the basis of type of fundoplication. Symptom scores were analyzed using chi-square tests and Fisher's exact tests. RESULTS: Sixty-three patients completed the survey (47%). There were no perioperative deaths or reoperations. The mean length of stay was 2.8 days. The mean operative time for LHC with Toupet fundoplication was 137.3±30.91 minutes and for LHC with Dor fundoplication was 111.5±32.44 minutes (P=.006). There was no difference with respect to the incidence or severity of postoperative heartburn, dysphagia, or bloating. Overall satisfaction with Toupet fundoplication was 87.5% and with Dor fundoplication was 93.8% (P>.999). CONCLUSIONS: LHC with either Toupet or Dor fundoplication gave excellent patient satisfaction. Postoperative symptoms of heartburn and dysphagia were equivalent when comparing LHC with either antireflux procedure. Dor and Toupet fundoplication were found to have equivalent outcomes in the short term. We prefer Dor to Toupet fundoplication because of its decreased need for extensive dissection and better mucosal protection.

Training current and future robotic surgeons simultaneously: initial experiences with safety and efficiency.

Robotic surgery is experiencing a rapidly-increasing presence in the field of general surgery. The adoption of any new technology carries the challenge of training current and future surgeons in a safe and effective manner. We report our experience with the initiation of a robotic general surgery program at an academic institution while simultaneously incorporating surgical trainees. The initial procedure performed was robotic-assisted cholecystectomy (RAC). Concurrent with the introduction of a robotic general surgical program, our institution implemented a progressive surgical trainee curriculum for all active residents and fellows. Immediately after being credentialed to perform RAC, attending surgeons began incorporating surgical trainees into robotic procedures. We retrospectively reviewed our first 50 RACs and compared them with our previous 50 standard laparoscopic cholecystectomies (SLC) to determine the impact of rapid integration of surgical trainees on developing technologies. Despite new technology and novice surgeons, there was no difference in mean operative time between the SLC and RAC groups (75.3 vs. 84.1 min, p = 0.077). Two patients in the robotic-assisted group required intraoperative conversion. Hospital length of stay was similar between groups, with the majority of patients leaving the same day. There were no postoperative complications in either group. A robotic general surgery program can be initiated while concurrently instructing surgical trainees on robotic surgery in a safe and efficient manner. We report our initial experience with the adoption of this rapidly advancing technology and describe our training model.

Revisional weight loss surgery after failed laparoscopic gastric banding: an institutional experience.

BACKGROUND: Increasing experience with laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding (LAGB) has demonstrated a high rate of complications and inadequate weight loss. Laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (LRYGB) and laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG) have been reported to be safe and effective in selected patients. The purpose of our study was to evaluate the incidence and outcomes of revisional weight loss surgery (RWLS) after laparoscopic gastric banding at our institution. METHODS: From June 2006 to February 2013, all patients who underwent LAGB and those who required revision were retrospectively analyzed. All procedures were performed by two surgeons with extensive experience in bariatric surgery. Parametric data are presented as mean ± SD; nonparametric data are presented as median and interquartile range (IQR). RESULTS: During the study period, 256 patients underwent LAGB. A total of 111 patients (43 %) required reoperation. Sixty-one patients (56 women, age = 43.7 ± 12 years) with a BMI of 45.4 ± 6 kg/m(2) successfully underwent RWLS (53 RYGB, 8 LSG). Indications for RWLS included dysphagia (40 patients, 63 %), inadequate weight loss (17 patients, 27 %), GERD (2 patients, 3 %), gastric prolapse (2 patients, 3 %), and needle phobia (1 patient, 2 %). Two required conversion to an open RYGB due to extensive adhesions. RWLS was undertaken approximately 36.3 [25-45] months after LAGB. Removal of the gastric band and the RWLS were performed in 15 patients with an interval of 3 [1.5-7] months between procedures. Median operative time was 165 [142-184] min. Median hospital length of stay was 2 [2-3] days. Early complications occurred in 11 patients (18 %), including 4 anastomotic leaks. Twelve patients (20 %) presented with late complications requiring intervention. There was one death. At a median follow-up of 12.4 months, excess weight loss was 47.5 ± 27 %, and 48 % of patients achieved a BMI < 33. CONCLUSION: LAGB is associated with a high incidence of reoperation. Reoperative weight loss surgery can be performed in selected patients with a higher rate of complications than primary surgery. Good short-term weight loss outcomes can be achieved.

Breastfeeding prevalence among six-week-old infants at the University Hospital of the West Indies, Mona, 1995

Eighty-five (85) mothers attending post-natal and well baby clinics were interviewed at six-weeks post-partum regarding breastfeeding practices of their latest child. An overall prevalence of 98.8 percent at six-weeks-of-age was seen, with an exclusive breastfeeding rate of 37.6 percent. Older maternal age and multiparity favoured exclusive breastfeeding. There was no significant association between the pattern of breastfeeding (exclusive versus partial) and employment or union status. Breastfeeding was found to favour good weight gain in normal birthweight babies. Normal birthweight babies who were exclusively breastfed had a higher mean weight gain than the exclusively breastfed low birthweight infants, who had better weight gain when partially breastfed (AU)

Breastfeeding prevalence among six-week infants at University Hospital of the West Indies

Eighty-five (85) mothers attending postnatal and well baby clinics were interviewed at six weeks post-partum regarding breastfeeding. An overall prevalence of 98.8 percent at six weeks of age was seen, with an exclusive breastfeeding rate of 37.6 percent. Older maternal age and multiparity favoured exclusive breastfeeding. There was no significant association between pattern of breastfeeding (exclusive versus partial) and employment or union status. Breastfeeding was found to favour good weight gain in normal birthweight babies. Normal birthweight babies who were exclusively breastfed had a higher mean weight gain than the exclusively breastfed low birthweight infants, who in turn had better weight gain when partially breastfed (AU)