Robotic single port cholecystectomy (R-LESS-C): experience in 36 patients.

BACKGROUND: Laparoendoscopic single-site surgery (LESS) has emerged as a result of a search for "pain-less" and "scar-less" surgery. Laparoendoscopic single-site cholecystectomy (LESS-C) is probably the most common application in general surgery, although it harbors certain limitations. It was proposed that the da Vinci Single-Site (Si) robotic system may overcome some of the difficulties experienced during LESS, providing three dimensional views and the ability to work in a right-handed fashion. Thirty-six robotic single port cholecystectomies (R-LESS-C) performed with the da Vinci Si robotic system are evaluated in this paper MATERIALS AND METHODS: R-LESS-C performed in 36 patients were reviewed. The data related to the perioperative period (i.e., anesthesia time, operation time, docking time, and console time) was recorded prospectively, whereas the hospitalization period, postoperative visual analogue scale (VAS) pain scores were collected retrospectively. RESULTS: A total number of 36 patients, with a mean age of 40.1 years (21-64 years), underwent R-LESS-C. There were five men and 31 women. The mean anesthesia and operation times were 79.3 minutes (45-130 minutes) and 61.8 minutes (34-110 minutes), respectively. The mean docking time was 9.8 minutes (4-30 minutes) and the mean console time was 24.9 minutes (7-60 minutes). The mean hospital stay was 1.05 days (1-2 days) and the mean pain score (VAS) was 3.6 (2-8) in the first 24 hours. Incisional hernia was recorded in one patient. CONCLUSION: R-LESS-C can be performed reliably with acceptable operative times and safety. The da Vinci Si robotic system may ease LESS-C. Two issues should be considered for routine use: expensive resources are needed and the incidence of incisional hernia may increase.

Laparoscopic resection of colonic lipomas: When and why?

PATIENT: Male, >60 FINAL DIAGNOSIS: Colonic lipoma Symptoms: Rectal bleeding • abdominal pain • fatique • abdominal distention MEDICATION: - Clinical Procedure: Laparoscopic resection Specialty: General surgery. OBJECTIVE: We aimed to review and discuss the clinical picture and management of 4 patients who underwent laparoscopic colonic resection with a definitive pathology of colonic lipoma. BACKGROUND: Colonic lipomas are rare benign nonepithelial tumors of the colon. They begin to be symptomatic when they reach a certain size, although the presentation can vary. Different endoscopic and surgical treatment strategies have been reported in the literature. CASE REPORTS: Four male patients who underwent laparoscopic colonic resection and had definitive diagnosis of colonic lipoma were included in this report. All patients were over 60 years old. The first case presented with massive rectal bleeding. Obstructive symptoms and intermittent bleeding were prominent in the second and third cases. Abdominal pain and discomfort was present in the forth case. In the first 2 cases, abdominal CTs were suggestive of colonic lipoma and laparoscopic ileocecal resection was performed. However, malignancy could not be ruled out in the other 2 cases due to large size and heterogeneous appearance of the lesions and inconclusive endoscopic biopsies consisted of ulcer with exudate and inflammatory cells. Laparoscopic left and right hemicolectomy was performed in the third and forth cases, respectively. There were no complications in any patients. CONCLUSIONS: Laparoscopic resection can be the first choice in treatment of colonic lipomas with various presentations. Wider resections should be considered in cases with uncertain diagnosis.

What have we gained by performing robotic rectal resection? Evaluation of 64 consecutive patients who underwent laparoscopic or robotic low anterior resection for rectal adenocarcinoma.

BACKGROUND: Robotic surgery is thought to be a solution to overcome the limitations of laparoscopy in sphincter-saving resections. In this study, we present our results on patients undergoing robotic and laparoscopic low anterior resection (LAR) consecutively for rectal adenocarcinoma. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Between February 2008 and June 2011, consecutive patients who underwent laparoscopic or robotic LAR by a single surgical team for rectal cancer were evaluated. The patients' demographic, operative, postoperative short-term follow-up, and histopathologic data were analyzed. RESULTS: Twenty-seven patients underwent robotic LAR, whereas 37 patients underwent laparoscopic LAR. The operation time of the laparoscopy group was significantly shorter than that of the robotic group (P=0.02). The complete total mesorectal excision rate was significantly higher in the robotic group (P=0.02). The overall complication rates were 11.11% and 21.62% in the robotic and laparoscopy groups, respectively (P=0.45). CONCLUSIONS: Good quality of resected specimens could be achieved with robotic LAR. Further prospective studies including long-term oncologic outcomes and costs with higher patient number are definitely needed to assess the benefits of robotic resection in rectal cancer treatment.

Actinomycosis of cecum associated with entamoeba infection mimicking perforated colon cancer.

Actinomycosis is a granulomatous disease caused by Actinomyces that mimics other intra-abdominal pathologies especially neoplasms. Correct diagnosis can be rarely established before radical surgery. On the other hand Entamoeba infection affects a considerable number of people worldwide. To our knowledge only one case has been reported to be affected by both organisms. We report a man who has been operated for a mass in the cecum mimicking a perforated colon cancer. Abdominal CT revealed a mass with features of an invading neoplasm. After radical surgery, definitive pathology revealed that the mass was due to actinomycosis associated with Entamoeba infection. The postoperative period was uneventful and the patient was on long-course antibiotherapy. It is important to consider actinomycosis especially in patients with intra-abdominal masses with unusual aggressiveness to prevent unnecessary surgery. However, surgery can be unavoidable especially in the presence of complicated disease or high index of suspicion for malignancy.

Endoloop retraction technique in single-port laparoscopic cholecystectomy: experience in 27 patients.

BACKGROUND: Single-port laparoscopic cholecystectomy (SPLC) has been one of the hottest topics in minimally invasive surgery. Various techniques have been described, but the search for better techniques and equipment still continues. The aim of this study is to share a new retraction technique and the results in 27 patients. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Between May 2010 and May 2011, 27 patients underwent SPLC with the presented technique. The data related to the operative and postoperative measures were collected prospectively. Operation time, pain score (visual analog scale) in the first 24 hours after the operation, and length of hospital stay were recorded by an independent nurse. RESULTS: Twenty-seven SPLCs were performed. Indications were symptomatic gallstone disease or gallbladder polyps without active inflammation. Mean operation time was 45.7 minutes (range, 30-80 minutes). In none of the patients was introduction of an additional port or conversion to conventional laparoscopic cholecystectomy needed. CONCLUSIONS: The endoloop technique can be used to overcome retraction problem while preventing spillage of bile and reducing crowding of instruments with a practically invisible scar in selected patients.

Effect of corticosteroid dose and duration of administration on colonic anastomosis.

BACKGROUND: Surgical intervention under concomitant steroid therapy can be complicated by impaired anastomotic healing. The aim of this experimental study was to investigate the effects of a corticosteroid (methylprednisolone) on healing colonic anastomoses in relation to the dose and duration of administration. METHODS: Fifty male Spraque-Dawley rats weighing 200-220 g were divided into five groups each containing 10 rats. No treatment was given in the control group. Group HDST: high-dose methylprednisolone (1 mg/kg/day, intramuscular) treatment for a short term of 2 days; group HDLT: high-dose methylprednisolone treatment for a long term of 60 days; group LDST: low-dose methylprednisolone (0.28 mg/kg/day) treatment for a short term of 2 days; and group LDLT: low-dose methylprednisolone treatment for a long term of 60 days. Standard left colonic anastomosis was performed in all rats. Anastomotic bursting pressure, hydroxyproline measurement, and histopathological data were evaluated in all groups on postoperative day 4. RESULTS: The mean anastomotic bursting pressure value was significantly lower in the HDLT group (P < 0.05). The mean hydroxyproline levels were significantly lower in all groups (P < 0.05). Histopathological results demonstrated significant changes according to neutrophil infiltration, granulation tissue formation, presence of vascularization, and peritonitis in the HDLT, LDST, and LDLT groups (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: High and low doses of the corticosteroid produced adverse effects on the healing of colon anastomosis in rats regardless of whether it was administered over a long or short preoperative period. However, the most prominent negative effect was associated with high-dose, long-term corticosteroid administration.

Circular stapled hemorrhoidopexy: experience of a single center with 445 cases.

This study was designed to review the results of circular stapled hemorrhoidopexy (CSH) in the management of second-, third-, and fourth-degree hemorrhoidal disease. The medical records of 483 patients who had undergone circular stapled hemorrhoidopexy for symptomatic hemorrhoidal disease from June 2001 to September 2006 were evaluated. Data regarding complications, residual symptoms, and recurrence were collected. The study included 445 patients (283 men, 162 women) between 22 and 74 years old (median age 39 years). This constituted 92% of all patients. Concomitant lateral internal sphincterotomy, skin tags' excision, and thrombus removal were done in 106 (24.0%), 83 (18.5%), and 20 (4.5%) patients, respectively. The median operating time was 24 minutes (10-45 minutes). The median hospital stay was 40 hours (11-72 hours). Complications during the first 24 hours were fecal urgency (25%), urinary retention (8%), and rectal bleeding (1%). Pruritus ani (21%), thrombosed external hemorrhoids (4%), staple line stenosis (2%), rectal bleeding (2%), anal fissure (1%), and persistent skin tags (3%) were the symptoms seen during the long-term follow-up. The median follow-up was 23 months (6-70 months). The recurrence rate was 1%. Circular stapled hemorrhoidopexy can be safely performed with low recurrence and complication rates while offering a relatively painless postoperative period for the patient.

Laparoscopic transgastric resection of a gastric lipoma presenting as acute gastrointestinal hemorrhage.

A 71-year-old man was admitted to the emergency unit with upper gastrointestinal bleeding, due to a gastric lipoma, which was controlled with conservative measures. Endoscopy and computed tomography revealed a 4-cm submucosal mass located in the posterior wall of gastric antrum. The patient underwent an elective laparoscopic transgastric resection of the lipoma and discharged on postoperative day 6. Gastric lipomas are uncommon tumors that can be incidentally found. They produce symptoms similar to peptic ulcer disease and can lead to obstruction. Gastric lipomas, which may lead to life-threatening complications such as bleeding, can be safely and reliably treated by laparoscopic transgastric resection.

Is umbilical flora responsible for wound infection after laparoscopic surgery?

To our knowledge, the association of umbilical flora and infections has not been studied yet. The aim of this study was to identify the causative agents for trocar site infections and to highlight whether there is association between umbilical flora and trocar site infections. One hundred consecutive patients who had undergone laparoscopic surgery were studied. Microbiological samples were taken from the umbilicus before (group 1) and after (group 2) antisepsis with povidone-iodine. Microbiological assessment was done for wounds suspected to be infected, and the wounds with positive cultures were classified as group 3. The incidence of wound infection was 8%. One hundred percent of the infections were associated with the extraction trocar. Eighty-nine percent of all of the infections occurred after laparoscopic cholecystectomy, whereas 11% occurred after laparoscopic appendectomy. The micro-organisms in group 3 did not belong to the skin flora, unlike the micro-organisms in groups 1 and 2, but hospital-acquired pathogens were responsible for the infections. The umbilical flora and the bile are not the source of the surgical site infections after laparoscopic surgery in our study despite the considerations in the literature.

Spiral tacks may contribute to intra-abdominal adhesion formation.

PURPOSE: With the inception of laparoscopic ventral hernia repair came a novel device not used in conventional hernia repair; the spiral tack. We conducted an experimental study on pigs to determine whether spiral tacks contribute to adhesion formation. METHODS: Using a standard laparoscopic technique in pigs, pieces of polypropylene mesh were fixed to the fascia on the upper abdominal wall, with polypropylene sutures on a randomly chosen side (side 1), and with 5-mm spiral tacks on the opposite side (side 2). The extent, type, and tenacity of the adhesions were assessed on postoperative days (PODs) 30 and 90. RESULTS: The mesh fixed to the abdominal wall with spiral tacks tended to increase the extent, type, and tenacity of adhesions more than the mesh fixed with polypropylene sutures (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Spiral tacks contributed to the formation of adhesions more than polypropylene mesh did. Although this was a small-scale animal study, our findings suggest that the effect of spiral tacks used in laparoscopic ventral hernia repair should be assessed and the consequences monitored more closely.