Association between sarcopenia and postoperative complications in patients undergoing surgery for gastrointestinal or hepato-pancreatico-biliary cancer.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Despite surgical advances, postoperative complications persist, affecting oncologic outcomes and increasing treatment costs. It is important to identify a marker that can predict postoperative complications, which can help prehabilitate patients before surgery. This study evaluated sarcopenia as a predictive marker of postoperative complications in patients undergoing surgery for gastrointestinal (GI) or hepato-pancreatico-biliary (HPB) cancer. METHODS: Sarcopenia was assessed using the skeletal muscle index at the third lumbar vertebra on abdominal computed tomography. The predictive ability of sarcopenia was evaluated by adjusting for other clinicopathological factors. RESULTS: Of the 210 patients, 81 (38.57%) were sarcopenic. The overall morbidity and mortality were 33.81% and 2.86%, respectively. Major complications (Clavien-Dindo Grade ≥ III) were observed in 10.95% patients and sarcopenic patients were significantly more likely to develop major complications (p = 1.42 × 10-10 ). Sarcopenia (p = 6.13 × 10-6 ; odds ratio = 12.29) independently predicted postoperative complications and prolonged hospital stay (p = 0.01). CONCLUSION: Sarcopenia objectively predicted the development of postoperative complications and prolonged hospital stay in patients undergoing surgery for GI or HPB cancer. This may facilitate the prehabilitation of patients planned for surgery to reduce the risk of complications.

Mesh migration into the sigmoid colon after total extraperitoneal hernioplasty - Report of a case and review of the literature.

Over the past three decades, the practice laparoscopic inguinal hernioplasty has gained momentum. Mesh migration after laparoscopic inguinal hernia repair is an uncommon mesh-related delayed complication which is more common after transabdominal preperitoneal repair as compared to total extraperitoneal (TEP) repair. We report the first case of mesh migration into the sigmoid colon after TEP presenting 10 years after surgery. A 72-year-old male presented with left iliac fossa pain and diffuse lump. His computed tomogram scan showed sigmoid colon adherent to internal oblique at the site of hernia repair with a collection containing air specks and calcification. A colonoscopy revealed mesh within the sigmoid colon. He had to undergo a sigmoidectomy with Hartmann's surgery for the same. Here, we discuss the implicated pathophysiology, management and prevention of mesh migration after laparoscopic inguinal hernioplasty with literature review.

Surgical procedures in liver transplant patients: A monocentric retrospective cohort study.

BACKGROUND: Pre-existing chronic liver diseases and the complexity of the transplant surgery procedures lead to a greater risk of further surgery in transplanted patients compared to the general population. The aim of this monocentric retrospective cohort study was to assess the epidemiology of surgical complications in liver transplanted patients who require further surgical procedures and to characterize their post-operative risk of complications to enhance their medical care. PATIENTS AND METHODS: From January 1997 to December 2011, 1211 patients underwent orthotropic liver transplantation in our center. A retrospective analysis of prospectively collected data was performed considering patients who underwent surgical procedures more than three months after transplantation. We recorded liver transplantation technique, type of surgery, post-operative complications, time since the liver transplant and immunosuppressive regimens. RESULTS: Among these, 161 patients (15%) underwent a further 183 surgical procedures for conditions both related and unrelated to the transplant. The most common surgical procedure was for an incisional hernia repair (n = 101), followed by bilioenteric anastomosis (n = 44), intestinal surgery (n = 23), liver surgery (n = 8) and other surgical procedures (n = 7). Emergency surgery was required in 19 procedures (10%), while 162 procedures (90%) were performed electively. Post-operative mortality and morbidity were 1% and 30%, respectively. According to the Dindo-Clavien classification, the most common grade of morbidity was grade III (46%), followed by grade II (40%). CONCLUSION: Surgical procedures on liver transplanted patients are associated with a significantly high risk of complications, irrespective of the time elapsed since transplantation.

Parietal Peritoneum as an Autologous Substitute for Venous Reconstruction in Hepatopancreatobiliary Surgery.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the parietal peritoneum (PP) as an autologous substitute for venous reconstruction during hepatopancreatobiliary (HPB) surgery. BACKGROUND: Venous resection during liver or pancreatic resection may require a rapidly available substitute especially when the need for venous resection is unforeseen. METHODS: The PP was used as an autologous substitute during complex liver and pancreatic resections. Postoperative anticoagulation was standard and venous patency was assessed by routine computed tomographic scans. RESULTS: Thirty patients underwent vascular resection during pancreatic (n = 18) or liver (n = 12) resection, mainly for malignant tumors (n = 29). Venous resection was an emergency procedure in 4 patients due to prolonged vascular occlusion. The PP, with a mean length of 22 mm (15-70), was quickly harvested and used as a lateral (n = 28) or a tubular (n = 2) substitute for reconstruction of the mesentericoportal vein (n = 24), vena cava (n = 3), or hepatic vein (n = 3). Severe morbidity included Clavien grade-III complications in 4 (13%) patients but there was no PP-related or hemorrhagic complications. Histological vascular invasion was present in 18 (62%) patients, and all had an R0 resection (100%). After a mean follow-up of 14 (7-33) months, all venous reconstructions were patent except for 1 tubular graft (97%). CONCLUSIONS: A PP can be safely used as a lateral patch for venous reconstruction during HPB surgery; this could help reduce reluctance to perform vascular resection when oncologically required. Clinical trials identification: NCT02121886.

Safety of liver resections in obese and overweight patients.

BACKGROUND: The new global epidemic, overweight and obesity, has a significant role in the etiology of liver tumors. However, the impact of body weight on the outcome after liver resection is unknown. METHODS: We carried out a prospective study of 684 patients who underwent liver resections. Patients were stratified according their body mass index (BMI) as follows: normal (<25 kg/m(2)) (52%), overweight (25-29 kg/m(2)) (34%), and obese (≥30 kg/m(2)) (14%), and according to the extent of resection, as either minor or major hepatectomy. Preoperative and intraoperative characteristics and outcomes were prospectively studied. The Dindo-Clavien classification of morbidity was used. RESULTS: Overall postoperative morbidity and morbidity rates were not influenced by BMI. Pulmonary complications were significantly more frequent in obese patients irrespective of the extent of resection. During major resection obese had longer pedicular clamping and more frequently required blood transfusion. After major resection, major morbidity (Dindo-Clavien grade III or more) was more frequent in obese (57%) and overweight (54%) patients than in patients of normal body weight (35%; P < 0.05), including a higher rate of respiratory complications and ascites and longer intensive care unit (ICU) and hospital stays. Obesity and overweight were independent predictors of major morbidity (OR 2.6, 95% CI 1.2-5.8 and OR 1.9, 95% CI 1.2-3.2, respectively), and obesity was a predictor of the need for blood transfusion (OR 3.3, 95% CI 1.4-7.9) after major resections. CONCLUSIONS: Obese and overweight patients are at increased risk of potentially life-threatening morbidity after major hepatic resections. Because the risk of mortality is not increased significantly, there is no justification for a compromise in the indication or extent of surgery.

Binding versus conventional pancreaticojejunostomy after pancreaticoduodenectomy: a case-matched study.

BACKGROUND: Postoperative morbidity of pancreaticoduodenectomy remains high and is mainly related to postoperative pancreatic fistula. Peng et al. (J Gastrointest Surg 2003;7:898-900; Am J Surg 2002;183:283-285; Ann Surg 2007;245:692-298) recently described binding pancreaticojejunostomy and reported a zero percent rate of pancreatic fistula. The aim of this study was to compare postoperative outcome of binding pancreaticojejunostomy and conventional pancreaticojejunostomy after pancreaticoduodenectomy. METHODS: Between June 2006 and June 2008, a case-control study was conducted, including all patients with binding pancreaticojejunostomy after pancreaticoduodenectomy. These patients were matched with similar patients with conventional pancreaticojejunostomy. Matching criteria were as follows: age, body mass index, pancreatic texture, and pancreatic main duct size. Postoperative mortality and morbidity were analyzed. Postoperative pancreatic fistula was defined according to the International Study Group of Pancreatic Surgery. RESULTS: Twenty-two patients with binding pancreaticojejunostomy and 25 with conventional pancreaticojejunostomy were included. There was no difference concerning the rate of postoperative pancreatic fistula, but median delay for healing of postoperative pancreatic fistula was longer in the binding pancreaticojejunostomy group (29 vs. 9 days, p = 0.003). Postpancreatectomy hemorrhage was more frequent in the binding pancreaticojejunostomy group (6/22 vs. 0/25, p = 0.023). CONCLUSION: Results of this study showed that binding pancreaticojejunostomy after pancreaticoduodenectomy was not associated with lower postoperative pancreatic fistula and moreover seems to increase postpancreatectomy hemorrhage.

Peng's binding pancreaticojejunostomy after pancreaticoduodenectomy: a French prospective study.

BACKGROUND: Pancreatic fistula (PF) is the single most important complication after pancreaticoduodenectomy. Recently, a 0% rate of PF was reported using a binding pancreaticojejunostomy with intussusception of the pancreatic stump. The aim of this study was to assess the safety of this new binding pancreaticojejunostomy in condition most susceptible to PF, i.e. soft pancreas and non-dilated main pancreatic duct. METHODS: Forty-five consecutive patients with soft pancreas and non-dilated main pancreatic duct underwent a binding pancreaticojejunostomy. Post-operative PF was defined according to the International Study Group of Pancreatic Fistula. RESULTS: Four patients (8.9%) developed a PF. In one case, PF developed on post-operative day 3 due to a technical deficiency. In the three other cases, pancreatic fistula developed after the tenth post-operative day; all the patients had local and/or general co-morbidities before PF occurrence. CONCLUSIONS: Binding pancreaticojejunostomy according to Peng is a safe and secure technique that improves the rate of pancreatic fistula, especially in case of soft texture of the pancreas remnant. However, a 0% rate seems to be hard to achieve because other abdominal and general complications are frequent and can lead to secondary leakage of the pancreatic anastomosis.

Vascular anomalies encountered during pancreatoduodenectomy: do they influence outcomes?

BACKGROUND: Because of the potential risk of hemorrhage or ischemia, the presence of vascular anomalies adds to the surgical challenge in pancreatoduodenectomy (PD). OBJECTIVE: To analyze the literature concerning the influence of aberrant peripancreatic arterial anatomy on outcomes of PD. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A systematic search using Medline and Embase for the years 1950-2008. RESULTS: The most common aberration in hepatic arterial anatomy is the replaced right hepatic artery. Other vascular abnormalities such as replaced common hepatic artery with a hepatomesenteric trunk and celiomesenteric trunk and arcuate ligament syndrome leading to celiac artery stenosis are also associated with post-PD complications. Damage to the biliary branches of the hepatic arteries increases the risk of postoperative biliary anastomotic leak. CONCLUSION: The most common abnormalities of the hepatic vasculature include a replaced RHA, replaced LHA, and accessory RHA or LHA. Celiac artery stenosis secondary to median arcuate ligament compression may also be encountered. Every attempt should be made to preserve the aberrant vessel unless their resection is oncologically indicated. Routine preoperative computerized tomography angiography helps to identify the hepatic vascular anatomy and thereby prepares the surgeon to better deal with the vascular anomalies intraoperatively. Increased awareness of the vascular anatomy would decrease the chances of intraoperative vascular injury and consequent postoperative complications such as biliary anastomotic leaks as well as the chances of postoperative hemorrhage.

The liver hanging manoeuvre.

The liver hanging manoeuvre (LHM) facilitates the anterior approach (AA), which is one of the most important innovations in the field of major hepatic resections. The AA confers some definite advantages over the classical approach, in that it provides for: less haemorrhage; less tumoral manipulation and rupture; better haemodynamic stability by avoiding any twisting of the inferior vena cava; reduced ischaemic damage of the liver remnant, and better survival for patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). The LHM makes the AA easier because it serves as a guide to the correct anatomical transection plane and elevates the deep parenchymal plane. The LHM is a safe technique, in which minor complications have been reported in < or = 7% of patients and >90% feasibility has been demonstrated in experienced centres. Over the years, different variants of the LHM have been developed to facilitate almost all anatomical liver resections. In view of its advantages, feasibility and safety, the LHM should be considered for most anatomical hepatectomies.

Virtual bronchoscopy for diagnosis of inhalation injury in burnt patients.

Virtual bronchoscopy using a multislice CT scanner, is a new non-invasive imaging technique and its utility in the diagnosis of inhalation injury in burnt patients has not been reported in literature yet. Initial experience of technique is encouraging and it merits more interest. It overcomes many of the limitations of the presently established procedure of fibreoptic bronchoscopy. Ten burned patients with clinical suspicion of inhalation injury underwent this investigation and in eight of these the diagnosis was confirmed.