Postoperative mechanical small bowel obstruction induced by V-Loc barbed absorbable suture after laparoscopic distal gastrectomy

When performing laparoscopic gastrectomy, suturing the intestinal anastomosis presents one of the greatest challenges. The V-Loc unidirectional barbed suture has been introduced to eliminate the need to tie knots during closure. This device offers a fast, secure, and effective alternative to conventional suture repair during laparoscopic surgery. However, there have been reported cases of surgical complications associated with the use of barbed suture devices. We describe here a case of small bowel obstruction resulting from improper use of barbed suture during total laparoscopic distal gastrectomy performed for gastric cancer. Following diagnosis of small bowel obstruction, the patient underwent immediate laparoscopic repair that identified the cause and relieved the small bowel obstruction. This case highlights the need for surgeons to carefully perform proper suturing technique in order to prevent complications. Surgeons should maintain a high index of suspicion for diagnosing and treating potentially severe complications when using barbed sutures.

TAMIS with partial excision of mesorectum and primary closure of rectal wound using vloc / TAMIS com excisão parcial do mesorreto e fechamento primário da ferida retal usando vloc

Background: Transanal Minimally Invasive Surgery has proven to be a viable alternative in the treatment of rectal tumors; however, rectal wound closure can be challenging. We describe our experience with this procedure using the vloc suture device. Resume: Eight successful Transanal Minimally Invasive Surgery with primary wound closure using vloc were performed in 5 men, 62 years mean age; all cases had pre-operative diagnosis of adenoma with high-grade dysplasia. The surgical anatomic-pathologic results showed 6 adenomas with high-grade dysplasia and 2 well differentiated adenocarcinomas, limited to the upper third of the submucosa (pT1SM1) without lymphatic or vascular invasion. All lesions were resected with negative margins. No patient reported during follow-up rectal pain, fecal incontinence or bleeding. Conclusion: The use of vloc in rectal wound closure during Transanal Minimally Invasive Surgery is secure and facilitates the procedure. (AU).

Tema: Cirurgia Minimamente Invasiva Transanal (TAMIS) tem provado ser uma alternativa viável para o tratamento de tumores do reto, porém o fechamento da ferida rectal pode ser desafiadante. Nós descrevemos nossa experiência com este procedimento utilizando o dispositivo de sutura vloc. Resumo: Oito TAMIS foram realizados com sucesso com o fechamento primário da ferida usando vloc, cinco homens, com idade média de 62 anos, todos os casos tiveram diagnóstico pré-operatório de adenoma com displasia de alto grau. Os resultados anátomo-patológicos pós-operatório demonstraram: 6 adenomas com displasia de alto grau e 2 adenocarcinomas bem diferenciados, limitado ao terço superior da submucosa (pT1SM1), sem invasão linfática ou vascular. Todas as lesões foram ressecados com margens negativas. Nenhum paciente relatou durante o seguimento dor rectal, incontinência fecal ou sangramento. Conclusão: O uso de vloc no fechamento da ferida retal durante TAMIS é seguro e facilita o procedimento. (AU).

Feasibility of Use of a Barbed Suture (V-Loc 180) for Quilting the Donor Site in Latissimus Dorsi Myocutaneous Flap Breast Reconstruction

BACKGROUND: Latissimus dorsi (LD) myocutaneous flap is a popular method of breast reconstruction which can be associated with high incidence of seroma formation. Quilting sutures at the harvest site are used to reduce this. Barbed sutures are self anchoring sutures which avoid multiple knotting and can be useful in quilting. METHODS: A retrospective analysis of prospectively maintained database of patients who underwent LD flap breast reconstruction between January 2009 and January 2011 was carried out. Seroma formation at the harvest site, wound related complications, inpatient stay and duration of surgery were analysed and a comparison was made between two groups where quilting was done with barbed (V-Loc) suture and conventional polydioxanone (PDS) II sutures. RESULTS: Fifty-seven patients were included of which 33 had quilting by V-Loc sutures and in 24 patients PDS II suture was used. Median age in the PDS group was 55 years (interquartile range [IQR)], 45 to 61 years) which was comparable to the V-Loc group (53 years [IQR, 48 to 59 years]; P-value 0.948). Sixteen patients (28%) had significant seroma formation and 5 (9%) patients developed superficial wound dehiscence. Incidences of seroma or wound complications were comparable (P-value 0.378 and 1.00, respectively). Secondary outcomes such as total duration of surgery, total inpatient stay, total amount of drain at the donor site were also similar in two groups. CONCLUSIONS: Use of barbed sutures for quilting the donor site in LD flap reconstruction is a feasible option and the associated seroma formation and wound complications are comparable with conventional sutures.