Current Status of Laparoscopic Liver Resection: Experiences from Tertiary Center

Laparoscopic liver resection has been widely accepted nowadays for selective cases of liver diseases. Laparoscopic left lateral sectionectomy and minor LLR are considered standard practice worldwide and cautious introduction of major laparoscopic liver resections like hemihepatectomies, central sectionectomy etc.. in institutions having experienced liver surgeons. Because of increasing young liver donor, laparoscopic donor hepatectomy is becoming popular, which gives better cosmetic outcomes. Many clinical trials compared laparoscopic liver resection safety, long term outcomes with open procedures. More recently, advances in laparoscopic instruments and techniques encouraged Korean surgeons to choose a laparoscopic procedure as one of the treatment options for benign or malignant diseases of liver.

Single Incision Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy without a Camera Operator

PURPOSE: This study aimed to evaluate the implementation of solo surgery using a laparoscopic scope holder for single incision laparoscopic cholecystectomy (SILC). METHODS: With a glove port and a flexible high-definition scope, SILC was performed through a single trans-umbilical incisional site with CO2 pneumoperitoneum at a pressure of 12 mmHg. Fifty-eight patients who underwent solo SILC using a scope holder (Solo-SILC) were compared to 15 patients who underwent camera operator-assisted SILC (Ca-SILC) in terms of intraoperative and postoperative outcomes. RESULTS: The mean BMI and operation time were 23.0±3.6 kg/m² and 64.4±16.6 min in Ca-SILC and 25.0±3.8 kg/m² and 58.2±27.1 min in Solo-SILC, respectively (p=0.067 and p=0.410). Estimated blood loss was negligible and an additional assistant port was not required in either groups. A case of gallbladder perforation and bile leak was noted in the Ca-SILC group, and 13 cases of bile leak in the Solo-SILC group, with no significant differences (p=0.167) during the surgery. Postoperative outcomes including surgical complications, diet restriction, diarrhea and hospital stay were not significantly different except for shoulder pain (p<0.001). CONCLUSION: Even with the limitations of a small number of patients, Solo-SILC proved to be a feasible technique. To confirm the safety of solo-SILC, further studies with a larger sample size are required.

Solo Three-incision Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy Using a Laparoscopic Scope Holder for Acute Cholecystitis

PURPOSE: L aparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) i s a c ommonly p erformed procedure for t he management of acute cholecystitis. The presence of an inexperienced scopist or a shortage of manpower could be problematic in emergency surgical cases. To overcome these potential problems while ensuring a stable surgical view during LC, we performed solo surgery. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the results of 22 patients who underwent solo three-incision LC (S-TILC) and 31 patients who underwent the conventional three-incision LC (C-TILC) from March 1, 2015, to August 31, 2015. We compared the two groups with respect to the patients' clinical characteristics, and intraoperative and postoperative results; and severity grade as defined by the updated Tokyo guidelines 2013 (TG13) criteria. RESULTS: No significant differences in baseline characteristics were found between the two groups. The intraoperative perforation rates were higher in the C-TILC group than in the S-TILC group (p=0.016). Two cases were converted to human-assisted LC in the S-TILC group because of severe adhesions and the scope holder breaking down. No significant differences were found between the groups with respect to length of hospital stay; postoperative diet habit; or rates of post-cholecystectomy diarrhea, abdominal pain, wound complication, or complication according to the Clavien-Dindo grade. CONCLUSION: S-TILC and C-TILC were comparable in terms of results, and this solo surgery in LC could be performed for cases of acute cholecystitis during shortage of skilled manpower.

The Role of Laparoscopic Necrosectomy in the Era of Minimally Invasive Treatment for Necrotizing Pancreatitis: A Case Series and Review of the Literature

PURPOSE: Despite the recent increasing application of minimally invasive techniques to treat necrotizing pancreatitis, few reports on laparoscopic necrosectomy have appeared. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the role played by laparoscopic necrosectomy in treatment of necrotizing pancreatitis. We review our own experience and the relevant literature. METHODS: All patients undergoing laparoscopic necrosectomy at Seoul National University Bundang Hospital from March 2005 to January 2016 were included in the study. Data on patient demographics, CT severity index score, American Society of Anesthesiologists' score, preoperative procedures, operative methods, operation time, estimated blood loss, postoperative complications, and length of hospital stay were retrospectively analyzed. We also performed an up-to-date review of the relevant literature. RESULTS: Laparoscopic necrosectomy was performed on four patients with infective pancreatic necrosis that was inadequately treated by percutaneous drainage. A transgastrocolic, transmesocolic, or retrocolic approach was used. The median time from diagnosis to operation was 57 days (range, 34~109 days) and the median operation time 203 min (range, 180~255 min). There was no operative mortality. The necrotic tissue was successfully removed in a single operation in three of the four patients. Three patients experienced postoperative complications, including pleural effusion and recurrence of necrosis. The median postoperative hospital stay was 39 days (range, 16~99 days). CONCLUSION: Laparoscopic necrosectomy is safe and effective when used to treat necrotizing pancreatitis. Such treatment is especially useful for patients with solid, necrotic pancreatic components that are not removed by percutaneous or endoscopic drainage.

A Peterson's hernia and subsequent small bowel volvulus: surgical reconstruction utilizing transverse colon as a new Roux-en-Y limb - 1 case / 대한외과학회지

Peterson's hernia is an internal hernia that can occur after Roux-en-Y anastomosis. It often accompanies small bowel volvulus and is prone to strangulation. Reconstruction of intestinal continuity after massive small bowel resection in a patient who undergoes near total gastrectomy and Roux-en-Y anastomosis can be difficult. A 74-year-old man who had undergone a near total gastrectomy and Roux-en-Y gastrojejunostomy for stomach cancer presented with abdominal pain. The preoperative computed tomography showed strangulated small bowel volvulus. During the emergent laparotomy, we found a strangulated Peterson's hernia with small bowel volvulus. After resection of the necrotized intestine, we made a new Roux-en-Y anastomosis connecting the remnant stomach and the jejunum with a transverse colon segment. We were safely able to connect the remnant stomach and the jejunum by making a new Roux-en-Y anastomosis utilizing a transverse colon segment as a new Roux-limb by two stage operation.

Differences in the Survival of Gastric Cancer Patients after Gastrectomy according to the Medical Insurance Status

PURPOSE: In Korea, the entire population must enroll in the national health insurance system, and those who are classified as having a lower socioeconomic status are supported by the medical aid system. The aim of this study was to evaluate the association of the medical insurance status of gastric cancer patients with their survival after gastrectomy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 247 patients who underwent surgical treatment for gastric cancer between January 1999 and December 2010 at the Seoul Medical Center were evaluated. Based on their medical insurance status, the patients were classified into two groups: the national health insurance registered group (n=183), and the medical aid covered group (n=64). The survival rates were calculated using the Kaplan-Meier method. RESULTS: The median postoperative duration of hospitalization was longer in the medical aid covered group and postoperative morbidity and mortality were higher in the medical aid group than in the national health insurance registered group (P<0.05). The overall 5-year survival rate was 43.9% in the medical aid covered group and 64.3% in the national health insurance registered group (P=0.001). CONCLUSIONS: The medical insurance status reflects the socioeconomic status of a patient and can influence the overall survival of gastric cancer patients. A more sophisticated analysis of the difference in the survival time between gastric cancer patients based on their socioeconomic status is necessary.