Evolution and trends in the adoption of laparoscopic liver resection in Singapore: Analysis of 300 cases

INTRODUCTION@#The introduction of laparoscopic surgery has changed abdominal surgery. We evaluated the evolution and changing trends associated with adoption of laparoscopic liver resection (LLR) and the experience of a surgeon without prior LLR experience.@*METHODS@#A retrospective review of 310 patients who underwent LLR performed by a single surgeon from 2011 to 2020 was conducted. Exclusion criteria were patients who underwent laparoscopic liver surgeries such as excision biopsy, local ablation, drainage of abscesses and deroofing of liver cysts. There were 300 cases and the cohort was divided into 5 groups of 60 patients.@*RESULTS@#There were 288 patients who underwent a totally minimally invasive approach, including 28 robotic-assisted procedures. Open conversion occurred for 13 (4.3%) patients; the conversion rate decreased significantly from 10% in the initial period to 3.3% subsequently. There were 83 (27.7%) major resections and 131 (43.7%) resections were performed for tumours in the difficult posterosuperior location. There were 152 (50.7%) patients with previous abdominal surgery, including 52 (17.3%) repeat liver resections for recurrent tumours, and 60 patients had other concomitant operations. According to the Iwate criteria, 135 (44.7%) were graded as high/expert difficulty. Major morbidity (>grade 3a) occurred in 12 (4.0%) patients and there was no 30-day mortality. Comparison across the 5 patient groups demonstrated a significant trend towards older patients, higher American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) score, increasing frequency of LLR with previous abdominal surgery, increasing frequency of portal hypertension and huge tumours, decreasing blood loss and decreasing transfusion rate across the study period. Surgeon experience (≤60 cases) and Institut Mutualiste Montsouris (IMM) high grade resections were independent predictors of open conversion. Open conversion was associated with worse perioperative outcomes such as increased blood loss, transfusion rate, morbidity and length of stay.@*CONCLUSION@#LLR can be safely adopted for resections of all difficulty grades, including major resections and for tumours located in the difficult posterosuperior segments, with a low open conversion rate.

Novel method of intraoperative liver tumour localisation with indocyanine green and near-infrared imaging

INTRODUCTION@#Fluorescence imaging (FI) with indocyanine green (ICG) is increasingly implemented as an intraoperative navigation tool in hepatobiliary surgery to identify hepatic tumours. This is useful in minimally invasive hepatectomy, where gross inspection and palpation are limited. This study aimed to evaluate the feasibility, safety and optimal timing of using ICG for tumour localisation in patients undergoing hepatic resection.@*METHODS@#From 2015 to 2018, a prospective multicentre study was conducted to evaluate feasibility and safety of ICG in tumour localisation following preoperative administration of ICG either on Day 0-3 or Day 4-7.@*RESULTS@#Among 32 patients, a total of 46 lesions were resected: 23 were hepatocellular carcinomas (HCCs), 12 were colorectal liver metastases (CRLM) and 11 were benign lesions. ICG FI identified 38 (82.6%) lesions prior to resection. The majority of HCCs were homogeneous fluorescing lesions (56.6%), while CLRM were homogeneous (41.7%) or rim-enhancing (33.3%). The majority (75.0%) of the lesions not detected by ICG FI were in cirrhotic livers. Most (84.1%) of ICG-positive lesions detected were < 1 cm deep, and half of the lesions ≥ 1 cm in depth were not detected. In cirrhotic patients with malignant lesions, those given ICG on preoperative Day 0-3 and Day 4-7 had detection rates of 66.7% and 91.7%, respectively. There were no adverse events.@*CONCLUSION@#ICG FI is a safe and feasible method to assist tumour localisation in liver surgery. Different tumours appear to display characteristic fluorescent patterns. There may be no disadvantage of administering ICG closer to the operative date if it is more convenient, except in patients with liver cirrhosis.

First experience with robotic pancreatoduodenectomy in Singapore

INTRODUCTION@#Recent studies reported that laparoscopic pancreatoduodenectomy (LPD) is associated with superior perioperative outcomes compared to the open approach. However, concerns have been raised about the safety of LPD, especially during the learning phase. Robotic pancreatoduodenectomy (RPD) has been reported to be associated with a shorter learning curve compared to LPD. We herein present our initial experience with RPD.@*METHODS@#A retrospective review of a single-institution prospective robotic hepatopancreaticobiliary (HPB) surgery database of 70 patients identified seven consecutive RPDs performed by a single surgeon in 2016-2017. These were matched at a 1:2 ratio with 14 open pancreatoduodenectomies (OPDs) selected from 77 consecutive pancreatoduodenectomies performed by the same surgeon between 2011 and 2017.@*RESULTS@#Seven patients underwent RPD, of which five were hybrid procedures with open reconstruction. There were no open conversions. Median operative time was 710.0 (range 560.0-930.0) minutes. Two major morbidities (> Grade 2) occurred: one gastrojejunostomy bleed requiring endoscopic haemostasis and one delayed gastric emptying requiring feeding tube placement. There were no pancreatic fistulas, reoperations or 90-day/in-hospital mortalities in the RPD group. Comparison between RPD and OPD demonstrated that RPD was associated with a significantly longer operative time. Compared to open surgery, there was no significant difference in estimated blood loss, blood transfusion, postoperative stay, pancreatic fistula rates, morbidity and mortality rates, R0 resection rates, and lymph node harvest rates.@*CONCLUSION@#Our initial experience demonstrates that RPD is feasible and safe in selected patients. It can be safely adopted without any compromise in patient outcomes compared to the open approach.

Disseminated peritoneal leiomyomatosis: a devastating sequelae of unconfined laparoscopic morcellation

There has been growing concern surrounding the use of unconfined power morcellation in laparoscopic surgeries for uterine leiomyoma due to its associated risks and long-term clinical sequelae, including parasitic leiomyomas and disseminated peritoneal leiomyomatosis (DPL). We present a case of DPL resulting from previous laparoscopic morcellation and a review of the existing literature. DPL is a potentially devastating consequence of unconfined laparoscopic morcellation in the surgical management of uterine fibroids. A multidisciplinary approach is recommended in the management of DPL, especially in cases of multivisceral involvement. Clinical caution ought to be exercised when using power morcellators; when unavoidable, confined laparoscopic morcellation offers a promising mitigation and should be adopted if practicable.

Para-oesophageal and parahiatal hernias in an Asian acute care tertiary hospital: an underappreciated surgical condition

<p><b>INTRODUCTION</b>The prevalence of hiatal hernias and para-oesophageal hernias (PEHs) is lower in Asian populations than in Western populations. Progressive herniation can result in giant PEHs, which are associated with significant morbidity. This article presents the experience of an Asian acute care tertiary hospital in the management of giant PEH and parahiatal hernia.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Surgical records dated between January 2003 and January 2013 from the Department of Surgery, Changi General Hospital, Singapore, were retrospectively reviewed.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Ten patients underwent surgical repair for giant PEH or parahiatal hernia during the study period. Open surgery was performed for four patients with giant PEH who presented emergently, while elective laparoscopic repair was performed for six patients with either giant PEH or parahiatal hernia (which were preoperatively diagnosed as PEH). Anterior 180° partial fundoplication was performed in eight patients, and mesh reinforcement was used in six patients. The electively repaired patients had minimal or no symptoms during presentation. Gastric volvulus was observed in five patients. There were no cases of mortality. The median follow-up duration was 16.3 months. There were no cases of mesh erosion, complaints of dysphagia or recurrence of PEH in all patients.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Giant PEH and parahiatal hernia are underdiagnosed in Asia. Most patients with giant PEH or parahiatal hernia are asymptomatic; they often present emergently or are incidentally diagnosed. Although surgical outcomes are favourable even with a delayed diagnosis, there should be greater emphasis on early diagnosis and elective repair of these hernias.</p>

Intestinal torsion causing chylous ascites: a rare occurrence

Intestinal torsion and chylous ascites are very rarely associated. We present the case of a 19-year-old man who presented with acute abdomen. Computed tomography of his abdomen showed features suggestive of intestinal torsion. Chylous ascites was incidentally discovered on exploratory laparotomy. The chylous fluid was drained, the small bowel detorted and the coloduodenal adhesion band taken down. The patient's retroperitoneum was explored to exclude occult masses and malformations of the lymphatics. Post surgery, the patient recovered uneventfully. In this case, we postulate that intestinal malrotation had caused the obstruction of the lymphatic flow from the mesenteric lymphatic channels, leading to the exudation of chyle, which then resulted in the accumulation of chylous fluid in the peritoneal cavity. It is important to exclude the more common causes of atraumatic chylous ascites, such as enlarged retroperitoneal lymph nodes or lymphatic malformations.

Secondary stent-in-stent self-expanding metallic stent placement for early stent occlusion due to mucosal oedema in the gastrojejunal anastomosis after palliative subtotal gastrectomy for locally advanced gastric cancer

Herein, we report a case of early in-stent occlusion due to the ingrowth of soft oedematous mucosal tissue through the lattices of an uncovered stent, which was used for palliation of a postoperative gastrojejunal anastomotic stricture. The in-stent occulsion was treated with the deployment of a second stent, which was covered, within the first stent. This led to successful resolution of the occlusion.