Reoperative bariatric surgery after primary laparoscopic gastric plication for morbid obesity: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Laparoscopic gastric plication (LGP) often requires reoperative bariatric surgery (RBS) due to complications and insufficient weight loss. The aim of our study was to assess perioperative morbidity and weight loss during follow-up in patients undergoing RBS after primary LGP for morbid obesity. METHODS: A search of PubMed, Web of Science, Cochrane Library, and Google Scholar was performed according to Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses (PRISMA) guidelines using ("conversion"OR "revision*""OR "reoperat*")AND("gastric"OR "curvatur*")AND "plication." Studies were deemed eligible if data on RBS after LGP were provided. For each study, data were extracted and analyzed. RESULTS: In the literature review, 291 articles were screened and 7 included. The studies covered a total of 367 patients, of whom 119 received a sleeve gastrectomy (SG), 85 a Roux-en-y gastric bypass (RYGB), 75 a one anastomosis-gastric bypass (OAGB), 45 a re-LGP, and 25 a jejuno-ileal bypass. After RBS, excess weight loss was 50.8 ± 6.5% at 6 months, 71.0 ± 7.7% at 12 months, and 89.0 ± 7.8% at 24 months. Operative time was 101.3 ± 14.6 min. Postoperatively, 18/255 patients (7.1%) had a complication, and leakage and reoperations were reported in 6/255 (2.4%) and 5/255 (2.0%) patients, respectively. Length of hospital stay was 3.1 ± 2.4 days. The quality of evidence was rated as "very low." CONCLUSIONS: Despite limitations, this systematic review and meta-analysis showed that RBS after LGP has an acceptable rate of complications and is effective in terms of excess weight loss during follow-up. No specific operation (e.g., SG, RYGB, OAGB) can be suggested over another due to the lack of evidence.

Perirenal fat surface area as a risk factor for morbidity after elective colorectal surgery.

BACKGROUND: Visceral obesity appears to be an emerging parameter affecting postoperative outcome after abdominal surgery. However, total visceral fat remains time consuming to calculate, and there is still a lack of data about its value as an independent risk factor in colorectal surgery. OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to validate the simple measurement of perirenal fat surface as a surrogate of visceral obesity, and to test the value of perirenal fat surface as a risk factor for morbidity in colorectal surgery and to compare it with the predictive value of other obesity parameters such as BMI and waist-hip ratio. DESIGN: This is a prospective observational cohort study. SETTING: The study was conducted at a tertiary university hospital. PATIENTS: Two hundred twenty-four consecutive patients (130 male) undergoing elective colorectal surgery with a mean age of 65.2 years (SD, ±12.9) were identified. INTERVENTION: Elective colorectal resections were performed. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: We assessed complications as the primary outcome measure. Secondary outcome measures were the conversion rates, duration of operation, and length of hospital stay. RESULTS: Perirenal fat surface was validated as a surrogate of visceral fat and a strong correlation between the 2 was confirmed (Spearman correlation coefficient ρ = 0.96). The overall postoperative complication rate was 22.8% (51/224) with 14.7% moderate complications (grade I and II) and 7.6% severe complications (grade III-IV), with a mortality rate of 0.5%. Multivariate analysis confirmed perirenal fat surface as an independent risk factor for postoperative complications (OR, 3.87; 95% CI, 1.73-8.64; p = 0.001), whereas BMI and waist-hip ratio were not statistically associated with postoperative complications (OR, 1.16; 95% CI, 0.51-2.66; p = 0.72). LIMITATIONS: This study was limited by its sample size. CONCLUSION: Perirenal fat surface is an excellent and easy-to-reproduce indicator of visceral fat volume. Furthermore, perirenal fat surface is an independent risk factor for postoperative outcome in colorectal surgery that appears to be of higher predictive value than BMI and waist-hip ratio.

Robotic transanal endoscopic microsurgery: technical details for the lateral approach.

BACKGROUND: Transanal endoscopic microsurgery is a minimally invasive approach reserved for the resection of selected rectal tumors. However, this approach is technically demanding. Although robotic technology may overcome the limitations of this approach, the system can be difficult to dock, especially in the lithotomy position. OBJECTIVE: The study aim is thus to report the technical details of robotic transanal endoscopic microsurgery with the use of a lateral approach. DESIGN AND SETTINGS: This study is a prospective evaluation of robotic transanal endoscopic microsurgery in a single tertiary institution, under a protocol approved by our local ethics committee. INTERVENTION: Patients underwent a routine mechanical bowel preparation and were placed in the left or right lateral position according to the tumor location. A circular anal dilatator was used together with the glove port technique. The robotic system was then docked over the hip. A 30° optic and 2 articulated instruments were used with an additional assistant trocar. The tumor excision was realized with an atraumatic grasper and an articulated cautery hook, and the defect was closed with barbed continuous stiches in each case. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: The primary outcome was the safety and feasibility of the procedure. RESULTS: Three patients underwent a robotic transanal endoscopic microsurgery with the use of the lateral approach. Mean operative time was 110 minutes, including 20 minutes for the docking of the robot. There was 1 intraoperative complication (a pneumoperitoneum without intraabdominal lesion) and no postoperative complications. Mean hospital stay was 3 days. Margins were negative in all the cases. LIMITATIONS: The study was limited by the small number of patients. CONCLUSION: Robotic transanal endoscopic microsurgery with use of the lateral approach is feasible and may facilitate the local resection of small lesions of the mid and lower rectum. It might assume an important place in sphincter-preserving surgery, especially for selected and early rectal cancer (see Video, Supplemental Digital Content 1, http://links.lww.com/DCR/A114).

Augmented environments for the targeting of hepatic lesions during image-guided robotic liver surgery.

BACKGROUND: Stereotactic navigation technology can enhance guidance during surgery and enable the precise reproduction of planned surgical strategies. Currently, specific systems (such as the CAS-One system) are available for instrument guidance in open liver surgery. This study aims to evaluate the implementation of such a system for the targeting of hepatic tumors during robotic liver surgery. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Optical tracking references were attached to one of the robotic instruments and to the robotic endoscopic camera. After instrument and video calibration and patient-to-image registration, a virtual model of the tracked instrument and the available three-dimensional images of the liver were displayed directly within the robotic console, superimposed onto the endoscopic video image. An additional superimposed targeting viewer allowed for the visualization of the target tumor, relative to the tip of the instrument, for an assessment of the distance between the tumor and the tool for the realization of safe resection margins. RESULTS: Two cirrhotic patients underwent robotic navigated atypical hepatic resections for hepatocellular carcinoma. The augmented endoscopic view allowed for the definition of an accurate resection margin around the tumor. The overlay of reconstructed three-dimensional models was also used during parenchymal transection for the identification of vascular and biliary structures. Operative times were 240 min in the first case and 300 min in the second. There were no intraoperative complications. CONCLUSIONS: The da Vinci Surgical System provided an excellent platform for image-guided liver surgery with a stable optic and instrumentation. Robotic image guidance might improve the surgeon's orientation during the operation and increase accuracy in tumor resection. Further developments of this technological combination are needed to deal with organ deformation during surgery.

Impact of robotic general surgery course on participants' surgical practice.

BACKGROUND: Courses, including lectures, live surgery, and hands-on session, are part of the recommended curriculum for robotic surgery. However, for general surgery, this approach is poorly reported. The study purpose was to evaluate the impact of robotic general surgery course on the practice of participants. METHODS: Between 2007 and 2011, 101 participants attended the Geneva International Robotic Surgery Course, held at the University Hospital of Geneva, Switzerland. This 2-day course included theory lectures, dry lab, live surgery, and hands-on session on cadavers. After a mean of 30.1 months (range, 2-48), a retrospective review of the participants' surgical practice was performed using online research and surveys. RESULTS: Among the 101 participants, there was a majority of general (58.4 %) and colorectal surgeons (10.9 %). Other specialties included urologists (7.9 %), gynecologists (6.9 %), pediatric surgeons (2 %), surgical oncologists (1 %), engineers (6.9 %), and others (5.9 %). Data were fully recorded in 99 % of cases; 46 % of participants started to perform robotic procedures after the course, whereas only 6.9 % were already familiar with the system before the course. In addition, 53 % of the attendees worked at an institution where a robotic system was already available. All (100 %) of participants who started a robotic program after the course had an available robotic system at their institution. CONCLUSIONS: A course that includes lectures, live surgery, and hands-on session with cadavers is an effective educational method for spreading robotic skills. However, this is especially true for participants whose institution already has a robotic system available.

Real-time near-infrared fluorescent cholangiography could shorten operative time during robotic single-site cholecystectomy.

BACKGROUND: With the introduction of a new platform, robotic single-site cholecystectomy (RSSC) has been reported as feasible and safe for selected cases. In parallel, the development of real-time near-infrared fluorescent cholangiography using indocyanine green (ICG) has been seen as a help during the dissection, even if the data are still preliminary. The study purpose is to report our experience with ICG RSSC and compare the outcomes to standard RSSC. METHODS: From February 2011 to December 2011, 44 selected patients underwent RSSC for symptomatic cholelithiasis. Among them, 23 (52.3%) were included in an experimental protocol using the ICG, and the remainder (47.7%) underwent standard RSSC. There was no randomization. The endpoints were the perioperative outcomes. This is a prospective study, approved by our local Ethics Committee. RESULTS: There were no differences in terms of patients' characteristics, except that there were more male patients in the ICG group (47.8 vs. 9.5%; p = 0.008). Regarding the surgical data, the overall operative time was shorter for the ICG group, especially for patients with a body mass index (BMI) ≤25 (-24 min) but without reaching statistical significance (p = 0.06). For BMI >25, no differences were observed. Otherwise, there were no differences in terms of conversion, complications, or length of stay between both groups. CONCLUSIONS: A RSSC with a real-time near-infrared fluorescent cholangiography can be performed safely. In addition, for selected patients with a low BMI, ICG could shorten the operative time during RSSC. Larger studies are still required before drawing definitive conclusions.

Learning tools and simulation in robotic surgery: state of the art.

Robotic surgery has emerged as a new technology over the last decade and has brought with it new challenges, particularly in terms of teaching and training. To overcome these challenges, robotic courses, virtual simulation, and dual consoles have been successfully introduced. In fact, there are several simulators currently on the market that have proven to be a valid option for training, especially for the novice trainee. Robotic courses have also found success around the world, allowing participants to implement robotic programs at their institution, typically with the help of a proctor. More recently, the dual console has enabled two surgeons to be operating at the same time. Having one experienced surgeon and one trainee each at his or her own console has made it an obvious choice for training. Although these methods have been successfully introduced, the data remain relatively scarce concerning their role in training. The aim of this article was to review the various methods and tools involved in the training of surgeons in robotic surgery.

Console-integrated stereoscopic OsiriX 3D volume-rendered images for da Vinci colorectal robotic surgery.

The increased distance between surgeon and surgical field is a significant problem in laparoscopic surgery. Robotic surgery, although providing advantages for the operator, increases this gap by completely removing force feedback. Enhancement with visual tools can therefore be beneficial. The goal of this preliminary work was to create a custom plugin for OsiriX to display volume-rendered images in the da Vinci surgeon's console. The TilePro multi-input display made the generated stereoscopic pairs appear to have depth. Tumor position, vascular supply, spatial location, and relationship between organs appear directly within the surgeon's field of view. This study presents a case of totally robotic right colectomy for cancer using this new technology. Sight diversion was no longer necessary. Depth perception was subjectively perceived as profitable. Total immersion in the operative field helped compensate for the lack of tactile feedback specific to robotic intervention. This innovative tool is a step forward toward augmented-reality robot-assisted surgery.

[Medical technology innovation: why get involved and how?]. / Innovation dans les technologies médicales: pourquoi et comment s'impliquer?

Medical technologies are an intrinsic part of our daily practice. More than a simple recipient of novel medical devices, clinicians have a unique role to play in medtech innovation. They are invaluable assets for testing devices and guiding manufacturers towards the most clinically relevant solutions. More importantly, they have a direct view on patient needs and can therefore identify unmet clinical needs. As these skills are not part of medical school curricula, new centers in medtech innovation education are arising across Europe following the success of US programs. These centers offer a full curriculum in medtech innovation so that doctors can more actively participate and foster innovation in their field. This new knowledge can allow us to initiate our own innovations and potentially influence the future of our own practice.

[Robotic general surgery: where do we stand in 2013?]. / Chirurgie générale robotique: où en sommes-nous en 2013?

While the number of publications concerning robotic surgery is increasing, the level of evidence remains to be improved. The safety of robotic approach has been largely demonstrated, even for complex procedures. Yet, the objective advantages of this technology are still lacking in several fields, notably in comparison to laparoscopy. On the other hand, the development of robotic surgery is on its way, as the enthusiasm of the public and the surgical community can testify. Still, clear clinical indications remain to be determined in the field of general surgery. The study aim is to review the current literature on robotic general surgery and to give the reader an overview in 2013.

Sleeve gastrectomy is feasible in obese patients with phenylketonuria: A case report and literature review.

INTRODUCTION AND IMPORTANCE: Patients with phenylketonuria (PKU) exhibit a high incidence of obesity. Currently, bariatric surgery remains the most effective long-term treatment for obese patients. However, limited data regarding the applicability of bariatric surgery to obese patients with PKU have been reported in the literature. CASE PRESENTATION: A case involving a young woman, in whom sleeve gastrectomy was performed to manage obesity that was resistant to conservative therapy, is presented herein. CLINICAL DISCUSSION: The present report is the first to describe sleeve gastrectomy in an obese patient with PKU. The surgery proceeded without complications. Furthermore, the patient's phenylalanine levels remained under control for the first 3 months after surgery, with no major neurological complications. The diet prescribed in the first few months after surgery is complex; nevertheless, it is feasible to follow if supervised by a dietary team specialised in rare metabolic diseases. CONCLUSION: Bariatric surgery in this patient with PKU did not result in any major complications. Surgery is feasible but it is important for the dietetic team involved to have expertise in PKU management.

Assessment of gastric pouch blood supply with indocyanine green fluorescence in conversional and revisional bariatric surgery: a prospective comparative study.

Our study aimed to evaluate the usefulness of indocyanine green (ICG) angiography during conversional or revisional bariatric surgery. We prospectively enrolled all patients scheduled for reoperative bariatric surgery with gastric pouch resizing and ICG assessment and we compared them with a retrospective series of similar patients who did not receive ICG. The primary outcome was the rate of intraoperative change in the surgical strategy due to the ICG test. We included 32 prospective patients receiving intraoperatively an ICG perfusion test and 48 propensity score-matched controls. The mean age was 50.7 ± 9.7 years, 67 (83.7%) patients were female, and the mean BMI was 36.8 ± 5.3 kg/m2. The patient characteristics were similar in both groups. The ICG angiography was successfully conducted in all patients, and no change of the surgical strategy was necessary. Postoperative complications were similar in both groups (6.2% vs. 8.3%, p = 0.846), as well as operative time (125 ± 43 vs. 133 ± 47 min, p = 0.454) and length of hospital stay (2.8 ± 1.0 vs. 3.3 ± 2.2 days, p = 0.213). Our study suggested that ICG fluorescence angiography might not have been useful for assessing the blood supply of the gastric pouch in patients who underwent reoperative bariatric surgery. Therefore, it remains uncertain whether the application of this technique is indicated.

Laparoscopic-Assisted Transversus Abdominis Plane (TAP) Block Versus Port-Site Infiltration with Local Anesthetics in Bariatric Surgery: a Double-Blind Randomized Controlled Trial.

BACKGROUND: The transversus abdominis plane (TAP) block has shown great potential usefulness in the management of postoperative pain; however, there is lacking evidence regarding its use in bariatric surgery. This randomized double-blind trial was aimed at comparing the effectiveness of the TAP block and port-site infiltration (PSI) in patients undergoing bariatric surgery. METHODS: We included patients ≥ 18 years old undergoing bariatric surgery. From July 2020 to July 2021, all eligible patients were randomized to receive either laparoscopic-assisted TAP block or PSI. Demographic and clinical data were collected and analyzed. RESULTS: During the study period, we included 113 patients. Fifty-one were allocated to the TAP block group and 62 to the PSI group. The mean age was 47.9 ± 11.2 years, 88 (77.9%) patients were female, and mean BMI was 40.5 ± 5.9 kg/m2. Operative time was 110 ± 42 min vs. 114 ± 41 min in the TAP block and PSI groups (p = 0.658). At 24 h after surgery, pain on the VAS was 2.5 ± 2.6 vs. 2.3 ± 2.1 (p = 0.661). No significant difference between the groups was noted at 3, 6, 12, and 18 h. Also, opioid and antiemetic consumption, the length of stay (3.4 ± 1.5 days vs. 3.2 ± 1.1 days, p = 0.392), and satisfaction score (154 ± 10 pts vs. 154 ± 16 pts, p = 0.828) were similar in the two groups. CONCLUSIONS: Patients undergoing bariatric surgery and receiving either the TAP block or the PSI had similar postoperative pain, nausea, length of stay, and satisfaction. As PSI is technically easier and more reproducible, it might be the first choice for postoperative multimodal analgesia in bariatric surgery.

Opioid-Free Anesthesia in Bariatric Surgery: a Propensity Score-Matched Analysis.

PURPOSE: Patients undergoing bariatric surgery are at particular high risk of postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV). Few studies have shown the superiority of opioid-free anesthesia (OFA) over general anesthesia with opioids in bariatric surgery. The aim was to investigate the potential advantages of the OFA in bariatric surgery. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This is a retrospective study on a prospectively collected database that included bariatric patients over a 3-year period. All patients who underwent bariatric surgery at our institution were included and divided into opioid-free or standard anesthesia. The primary endpoint was the length of hospital stay. Data was collected and analyzed using a propensity score. RESULTS: We included 344 patients, of these 209 (60.8%) received opioid-free and 135 (39.2%) received a standard anesthesia. Mean age was 46.2 ± 11.2 years, 265 (77.0%) patients were female, and 238 (69.2%) had at least one associated medical problem. The two groups were similar in terms of age, gender, BMI, associated medical problems, and type of operations. Postoperatively, we observed no significant difference in opioid requirement, while significantly less doses of antiemetics were administered in the OFA group at postoperative day 1 (0.4 ± 0.7 vs. 0.7 ± 1.0 doses, p = 0.006) and 2 (0.1 ± 0.4 vs. 0.2 ± 0.6 doses, p = 0.022). Length of stay was significantly shorter in the OFA group (2.8 ± 0.9 vs. 3.5 ± 2.0 days, p < 0.001) both in the overall and in the propensity score-matched analyses. CONCLUSION: OFA is effective for patients undergoing bariatric surgery. Perioperative outcomes are similar, while OFA patients required less antiemetics and were discharged earlier from hospital.

Robotic-Assisted Versus Laparoscopic Revisional Bariatric Surgery: a Systematic Review and Meta-analysis on Perioperative Outcomes.

This systematic review and meta-analysis investigated the role of robotic-assisted surgery in patients undergoing revisional bariatric surgery (RBS). According to Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines, a literature search of PubMed, Cochrane Library, Web of Science, and Google Scholar was performed: (("sleeve"AND "gastr*")OR "bariatric"OR "gastric bypass")AND("robot*"OR "DaVinci"OR "Da Vinci")AND("revision*"OR "conversion*"). In this review, six studies with 29,890 patients were included (2459 in the robotic group). No difference in postoperative complications (RR 1.070, 95%CI 0.930-1.231, p = 0.950), conversions to open surgery (RR 1.339, 95%CI 0.736-2.438, p = 0.339), length of stay (SMD - 0.041, 95%CI - 0.420-0.337, p = 0.831) or operative time (RR 0.219, 95%CI - 0.539-0.977, p = 0.571) was found. This systematic review and meta-analysis showed no significant advantage of robotic-assisted RBS; on the other hand, it showed a non-inferior efficacy compared to standard laparoscopy.

[Pancreas and islets of Langerhans transplantation: current status in 2009 and perspectives]. / Transplantation de pancréas et d'ilots de Langerhans: le point en 2009 et le futur.

Type 1 diabetes currently affects 15,000 patients in Switzerland with a rising incidence worldwide. Pancreas or islet of Langerhans transplantation are alternatives to intensive insulin treatment, which decreases long-term complications at the cost of an increase of severe hyoglycemia. Pancreas transplantation, indicated mainly to diabetic patients with simultaneous kidney transplantation, has a high success rate, but is accompanied by high morbidity due to general surgery. Islet transplantation, a cell-therapy for type 1 diabetes, is in full development. It is mainly indicated as islet transplant alone in patients suffering from brittle diabetes, and is associated with a very low risk due to minimally invasive technique, but a lower rate of long-term success. New potential sources of beta cell replacement are beta-cell lines, stem cells and xenotransplantation.

Evaluation of port site hernias, chronic pain and recurrence rates after laparoscopic ventral hernia repair: a monocentric long-term study.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to evaluate hernia appearance at the trocar site after laparoscopic treatment of primary or incisional ventral hernias using an intraperitoneal prosthetic mesh. Chronic pain at the trocar site and primary hernia recurrence were also evaluated. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Two-hundred and twenty-six consecutive patients who underwent a standardized laparoscopic hernia repair for primary or incisional ventral hernia at our centre between January 2000 and December 2008 were included. All patients had clinical and radiological examinations. Primary end points were port site hernia and the occurrence of chronic trocar site pain. Secondary end point was primary hernia recurrence. RESULTS: Seventy-eight patients were excluded: 6 declined to participate, 48 were unreachable, and 24 did not meet the inclusion criteria (nine underwent a single site laparoscopic approach, ten died of unrelated disease, three were unable to visit the hospital and two had relocated). After exclusion, 148 remained in our study. Mean follow-up was 49 ± 12.6 months. Mean age at the time of surgery was 60 years (range, 28-83) In total, 504 port sites were clinically and radiologically evaluated, and only one (0.02%) had secondary herniation. Three patients (2.0%) had a recurrent hernia, and 14 (9.5%) had developed chronic pain at time of assessment. Nine patients (6.1%) were re-operated for the recurrent hernia before the follow-up evaluation. The overall recurrence rate is, therefore, 8.1%. Only two minor complications and no major complications occurred after surgery. No mortality was observed. CONCLUSION: Laparoscopic repair for primary or incisional ventral hernias is a safe surgical approach, with low rates of hernia recurrence and a low morbidity rate. When fascial closure is maintained for 10 mm port sites, the incidence of port site hernias is very low. Five millimetre ports do not require closure.

Reflux, dysphagia, and gas bloat after laparoscopic fundoplication in patients with incidentally discovered hiatal hernia and in a control group.

BACKGROUND: Laparoscopic fundoplication effectively controls reflux symptoms in patients with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). However, symptom relapse and side effects, including dysphagia and gas bloat, may develop after surgery. The aim of the study was to assess these symptoms in patients who underwent laparoscopic fundoplication, as well as in control subjects and patients with hiatal hernia. METHODS: A standardized, validated questionnaire on reflux, dysphagia, and gas bloat was filled out by 115 patients with a follow-up of 1 to 7 years after laparoscopic fundoplication, as well as by 105 subjects with an incidentally discovered hiatal hernia and 238 control subjects. RESULTS: Patients who underwent fundoplication had better reflux scores than patients with hiatal hernia ( P = .0001) and similar scores to control subjects ( P = .11). They also had significantly more dysphagia and gas bloat than patients with hiatal hernia and controls ( P < .005 for all comparisons). Gas bloat and dysphagia were more severe in hiatal hernia patients than in controls ( P < 0.005). After fundoplication, the 25% of the patients with the shortest follow-up (1.5 +/- 0.2 years) and the 25% patients with the longest follow-up (5.8 +/- 0.6 years) had similar reflux, dysphagia, and gas bloat scores ( P = .43, .82, and .85, respectively). CONCLUSION: In patients with severe GERD, laparoscopic fundoplication decreases reflux symptoms to levels found in control subjects. These results appear to be stable over time. However, patients who underwent fundoplication experience more dysphagia and gas bloat than controls and patients with hiatal hernia-symptoms that should be seen as a side effect of the procedure and of GERD itself.