Day case appendectomy in adults: a review.

BACKGROUND: Day-case appendectomy (DCA) for acute appendicitis has been suggested as a valuable alternative to traditional appendectomy but many surgeons are reluctant to apply this technique in adults. The aim of the present review is to discuss the feasibility of DCA in adults. METHODS: Three reviewers independently searched the Pubmed and Embase databases for articles on DCA. They then considered the criteria applicable to the surgery, day-case surgery, time taken for patients to resume normal activities, mean time to resumption of work and patient satisfaction. RESULTS: Between 1993 and 2012, 13 studies (with retrospective (n = 8), prospective (n = 4) or case-control study (n = 1) designs) dealt with DCA. A total of 1152 adults underwent DCA. 312 patients (27.08%) were discharged within 12 h, 614 (53.29%) within 24 h and 242 (21.01%) within 72 h. CONCLUSION: The few data reported in 13 studies, suggest that DCA may be feasible. However prospective studies are needed before DCA can be recommended.

Partial removal of infected parietal meshes is a safe procedure.

INTRODUCTION: Open tension-free hernioplasty using prosthetic meshes dramatically reduced recurrence rates after hernia or incisional hernia repair and has become the rule. Mesh infections (MI) are the major complication of prosthetic material. The aim of this study was to assess the efficacy of partial removal of mesh (PRM) therapy in the treatment of MI. MATERIALS AND METHODS: From January 2000 to April 2010, from a prospective database, we retrospectively selected patients who underwent surgery for MI. We studied the epidemiological data (sex, age, obesity, diabetes, smoking), the operating time of the initial intervention, the presence of intestinal injuries during the first intervention, the average interval between initial surgical procedure and MI, the location of the hernia, the average size of the hernia, type of mesh used, the position of the mesh, type of surgery performed, the number through interventions required to achieve a cure, the cumulative duration of hospital stay and hernia recurrence rates. RESULTS: Twenty-five patients were supported for a MI in our institution. There were 9 women (36 %) and 16 men (64 %). The median age was 59 years (range 37-78). There were 4 inguinal hernias (16 %), 15 incisional hernias (60 %) and 6 multirecurrent incisional hernias (24 %). It was performed a PRM in 92 % of cases (n = 23), a total excision of the prosthesis in 4 % of cases (n = 1) and no removal of prosthesis in 4 % of cases (n = 1). The average number of reoperations before healing was 1 (range 1-5). The mean cumulative duration of hospitalization until healing was 9.5 days (range 2-43). No visceral resection was performed. CONCLUSION: PRM is feasible in most cases allowing first to spare the capital parietal patients and secondly to avoid major surgery. In case of failure, total removal of the mesh can be discussed.

Is there a place for pigtail drains in the management of gastric leaks after laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy?

Laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG) has a specific morbidity profile in which gastric leak (GL) is the main complication. With a view to defining a standardized protocol for GL management, the present retrospective study sought to describe the clinical patterns of post-LSG GL and treatment of the latter in our university medical center. From July 2004 to December 2010, 25 patients were included. GL was described in terms of clinical presentation, time to onset, and location in the staple line. Treatment of GL with pharmacologic, radiologic, endoscopic, and/or surgical procedures was always validated by a multidisciplinary care team. "Treatment success" was defined as the absence of contrast agent leakage on CT and endoscopy after removal of covered metallic stent or pigtail drains. Systemic inflammation and peritonitis were the main signs for early-onset GL (56%), whereas pulmonary symptoms and intra-abdominal abscesses revealed delayed-onset GL (44%). Surgery was always performed for early-onset GL. In the total study population, the median number of endoscopic procedures was five (range, 1-11) per patient, of covered SEMS was three (range, 1-8), and of pigtail drains was three (range, 1-4). Nine (36%) patients presented endoscopic-related complications. Four (16%) patients with treatment failure underwent radical surgery. The mortality rate was 4% (n = 1). The management of post-LSG GL is challenging. Surgery was always performed for early-onset GL, whereas treatment of delayed-onset GL was based on endoscopy. Pigtail drains required fewer procedures per patient, were better tolerated, and had lower morbidity-mortality than covered SEMS.

Management of supra-mesocolic peritonitis using the Levy helicoid drain (Hélisonde®).

INTRODUCTION: Postoperative peritonitis arising in the upper abdomen requiring reoperative surgery has a mortality rate of up to 50%. One therapeutic modality for these patients is the use of the Hélisonde(®) drain, designed by Levy, the Levy Helical Drain (LHD), but it has not seen widespread use. In this paper, we describe our experience in managing supramesocolic peritonitis with this drain at the University Surgical Center at Amiens and we analyze our results. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Between 2005 and 2010, we cared for 190 patients with supramesocolic peritonitis in our unit. Of these, 22 patients with gastric or duodenal fistula underwent transorificial intubation with the LHD. There were 12 men and 10 women with a mean age of 66 years. At surgery, the helical drain was screwed into the fistular orifice, two more flat drains were left adjacent to the fistula, and a jejunal feeding tube was placed. The mean interval between the initial surgery and the drainage procedure was 16.1 ± 14 days. RESULTS: The mean APACHE II score was 20 (10-28). The Mannheim score averaged 28 (19-34). The LHD was completely removed at a mean interval of 35.5 ± 11 days. Six patients (27%) died postoperatively. Postoperative complications included intraperitoneal abscess (n = 3), pneumonia (n=1), and evisceration (n = 2). Two patients required reoperation. The average hospital stay was 70.7 days. Four patients had a persistent chronic fistula. CONCLUSION: The LHD is a useful technical device in the treatment of supramesocolic peritonitis. Its management requires close oversight.

The current abdominoperineal resection: oncological problems and surgical modifications for low rectal cancer.

Abdominoperineal resection is the one of the oldest surgical procedures for rectal cancer. Outcome after abdominoperineal resection for rectal carcinoma is not as good as anterior resection as the risk of local recurrence is higher and survival is poorer. During abdominoperineal resection, the rate of rectal perforation is high and the circumferential margin is often involved. Recently the concept of cylindrical abdominoperineal resection has been reintroduced. It allows a large excision and the initial results are encouraging. The purpose of this article was to analyse the oncological results of abdominoperineal resection and to develop the potential technical modifications of the procedure.

Progressive pneumoperitoneum increases the length of abdominal muscles.

The aim of this prospective observational study was to determine the effects of progressive preoperative pneumoperitoneum (PPP) on the size of large incisional hernia (IH) and abdominal muscles by abdominal computed tomography (CT) scan. PPP was performed in 18 patients. All IH were large. A mean volume of 12.8 l was insufflated over a mean period of 14.8 days. Respectively, before and after PPP, the mean IH height and width was 117 and 130 mm (P < 0.05) and 101 and 115 mm (P < 0.05), the mean width of the right and left rectus abdominis was 99 and 109 mm (P < 0.05) and 100 and 113 mm (P < 0.05), and the length of the right and left anterolateral muscles was 198 and 233 mm (P < 0.05) and 185 and 210 mm (P < 0.01). In conclusion, PPP increases the abdominal wall muscle length and has the same impact on the IH orifice. PPP would facilitate the fascial repair of otherwise untreatable large IH.

Elective (planned) colectomy in patients with colorectal obstruction after placement of a self-expanding metallic stent as a bridge to surgery: the results of a prospective study.

INTRODUCTION: Acute malignant colorectal obstruction (CRO) can be satisfactorily dealt by the placement of a self-expanding metallic stent (SEMS). The aim of this prospective study was to evaluate the rate of elective (planned) colectomy (EPC) in patients with CRO after SEMS placement as a bridge to surgery on an intention-to-treat (ITT) basis. METHOD: From 2002 to 2007, 30 SEMS were placed as a bridge to surgery in 30 CRO patients (median age 73 +/- 12 years). The obstructing lesions were located in the right (n = 1), transverse (n = 1) or left colon (n = 24) or the upper third of the rectum (n = 4). RESULTS: The SEMS was placed successfully in 25 (83%) patients. Five patients underwent Hartmann's procedure (n = 2) or a diverting colostomy (n = 3). The SEMS was functionally operational in 23 (92%) of the 25 patients. A diverting colostomy was avoided in 23 (77%) of the 30 patients (placement failure n = 5, clinical failure n = 2). There were no complications in 17 (80%) patients. On an ITT basis, 70% of the patients (21 out of 30) underwent an EPC. CONCLUSION: On an ITT basis, SEMS placement in CRO patients enabled EPC in 70% of patients.

[Surgical management of duodenal ulcer with hemorrhage from the gastroduodenal artery: antrectomy versus conservative surgery?]. / Ulcère duodénal hémorragique par érosion de l'artère gastroduodénale nécessitant un geste chirurgical: antrectomie ou traitement conservateur?

When surgery is indicated for bleeding duodenal ulcer, the traditional standard of care has been "radical surgical treatment is preferable to conservative therapy since the risk of rebleeding is reduced without an augmentation in morbidity and mortality". This principle is based on two prospective studies published before 1995. Radical surgery at that time consisted of antrectomy, while conservative therapy included oversewing of the bleeding vessel in the ulcer bed and ligation of the gastroduodenal artery (Weinberg procedure). This strategy must be re-evaluated in 2008 in view of our better understanding of the role of Helicopacter pylori in the causation of duodenal ulceration and the decreased risk of post-operative re-bleeding with the use of proton pump inhibitors. The role of surgery has changed. Its aim is no longer to cure the ulcer diathesis but rather to urgently control bleeding in anticipation of ulcer cure with medical therapy.

Surgical conservative treatment of recurrent bleeding duodenal ulcer.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Endoscopic hemostasis and proton pump inhibitors (PPI) have decreased the incidence of rebleeding and reduced the need for surgery for bleeding duodenal ulcer (BDU). The gold standard surgical treatment of BDU remains vagotomy-antrectomy. Currently, no recommendation is made on the best procedure when emergency surgery is necessary. The aim of this study was to assess the results of a systematic conservative treatment (CT): under-running bleeding gastroduodenal artery (GDA) and ulcer suture through a duodenotomy with (CT+L group) or without (CT group) GDA double ligation along with continuous intravenous PPI. METHODOLOGY: From 1995 to 2006, 22 consecutive patients (11 per group) underwent emergency surgery for BDU. Mean age was 63 +/- 18 years, ASA score 2.64 +/- 0.7. Ten patients (45%) presented collapse. Mean transfusion number was 11 +/- 9, number of therapeutic endoscopies 1.7 +/- 1, and Rockall score 6 +/- 2. RESULTS: Overall, 2 patients (9%) had rebleeding and 5 patients (22%) died. No death was reported secondary to rebleeding. In the CT+L group, 9 patients (82%) had intravenous PPI, no patient had rebleeding and 2 patients died (22%). CONCLUSIONS: Surgical CT of BDU with continuous PPI is effective, with a low rate of rebleeding. The standard use of vagotomy-antrectomy is questionable.

Colorectal carcinoma with potentially resectable metastases: factors associated with the failure of curative schedule.

BACKGROUND: The management of patients with colorectal cancer (CRC) and synchronous liver metastases (SLM) depends on the primitive tumor, resectability of the metastatic disseminations and the patient's comorbid condition(s). Considering all patients with potentially resectable primary CRC and SLM, curative resection (R0) will be possible in some patients, although in others surgery will never be performed. The purpose of our study was to identify factors of failure of the curative schedule in these patients. METHODS: We reviewed the data of patients with CRC and SLM between January 2002 and March 2007. Two groups were defined: group R0 when complete metastatic and primary tumor resection was finally achieved after one and more surgical stages and group R2 when curative resection was not possible at the end of the schedule. Clinical, pathologic and outcome data were retrospectively analyzed as well as preoperative management of SLM (chemotherapy, radiofrequency, portal vein embolization). RESULTS: Forty-five patients were included. Curative resection (group R0) was performed in 31 patients (69%) with 48% undergoing major hepatic resection. Mortality of hepatic resection was 0% although it was 9% for primitive tumor. Portal vein embolization was performed preoperatively in eight patients and radiofrequency ablation in 13. Median follow-up was 21 months. Overall survival was 86% at one year and 39% at three years. Survival in group 1 was 97 and 57% at one and three years respectively. Disease-free survival was 87 and 40% at one and three years. Tumor recurrence was noted in 61% of resected patients. At multivariate analysis, number of hepatic metastases superior than three and complicated initial presentation of primitive tumor were found to be significant and predictors of failure of hepatic resection. CONCLUSION: Aggressive management with curative resection of SLM may enable long-term survival. More than three SLM and complicated initial presentation of primitive tumor are factors predictive of failure of the curative schedule.

[Not Available]. / Ulcère duodénal hémorragique par érosion de l'artère gastroduodénale nécessitant un geste chirurgical : antrectomie ou traitement conservateur ?

O. Brehant, D. Fuks, C. Sabbagh, A. Wouters, C. Mention, F. Dumont, JM. Regimbeau When surgery is indicated for bleeding duodenal ulcer, the traditional standard of care has been "radical surgical treatment is preferable to conservative therapy since the risk of rebleeding is reduced without an augmentation in morbidity and mortality". This principle is based on two prospective studies published before 1995. Radical surgery at that time consisted of antrectomy, while conservative therapy included oversewing of the bleeding vessel in the ulcer bed and ligation of the gastroduodenal artery (Weinberg procedure). This strategy must be re-evaluated in 2008 in view of our better understanding of the role of Helicopacter pylori in the causation of duodenal ulceration and the decreased risk of post-operative re-bleeding with the use of proton pump inhibitors. The role of surgery has changed. Its aim is no longer to cure the ulcer diathesis but rather to urgently control bleeding in anticipation of ulcer cure with medical therapy.

[Tissue adhesive treatment of persistent recto-cutaneous fistula following Hartmann procedure]. / Encollage du trajet fistuleux dans les fistules recto-cutanées persistantes après intervention de Hartmann.

BACKGROUND: Cutaneous fistulas from the rectal stump after Hartmann procedure are not rare. Rarely do they require operative intervention, but they may result in prolonged skin care during hospitalization. PURPOSE: of study: To describe the use of fibrin glue in the treatment of rectocutaneous fistulas occurring after Hartmann procedure. STUDY DESIGN: Ten patients underwent irrigation of the fistulous tract followed by fibrin glue injection. The glue was reconstituted using the usual two syringe admixture technique; the tract was catheterized as far as the rectal stump, and the glue was injected as the catheter was withdrawn to skin level. RESULTS: No complications were noted and the discharge from seven out of ten fistulas dried up completely. CONCLUSION: Biologic glue occlusion of rectocutaneous fistulas simplified local care and decreased hospital stay.

Percutaneous cholecystostomy for high-risk patients with acute cholecystitis.

BACKGROUND: Cholecystectomy remains the best treatment for acute cholecystitis but may cause high morbidity and mortality in critically ill or elderly patients. METHODS: From October 1995 to March 2004, percutaneous cholecystostomy was performed in 65 patients with acute cholecystitis. The mean age was 78 years (range, 45-95). All patients were American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) class III (n = 51) or ASA IV (n = 14). RESULTS: Percutaneous cholecystostomy was technically successful in 63 patients (97%) with no attributable mortality or major complications. In two patients, bile drainage was inefficient, requiring emergency laparoscopic cholecystectomy. One patient developed necrotic cholecystitis and died. The 30-day mortality rate was 13.8% (n = 9); eight patients died of respiratory or cardiac complications related to comorbidities. Mean drainage time was 18 days (range, 9-60). Postoperative length of hospital stay was 15 days (range, 7-30). Early and delayed cholecystitis occurred in six and five patients, respectively. During follow-up (mean, 20.4 months), five patients died of their underlying medical condition at 5, 6, 8, 12, and 14 months, respectively. In this study, delayed elective cholecystectomy was performed in 10 patients (15.3%). CONCLUSIONS: Percutaneous cholecystostomy is a valuable and effective procedure without mortality and with a low morbidity. Whenever possible, percutaneous cholecystostomy should be followed by laparoscopic cholecystectomy.

[Pancreaticojejunostomy in the treatment of chronic pancreatitis]. / Dérivation pancréaticojéjunale dans le traitement des pancréatites chroniques.

INTRODUCTION: The aim of this retrospective study was to evaluate the immediate and long-term outcome of pancreaticojejunostomy (PJ) in the treatment of chronic pancreatitis. MATERIAL AND METHODS. - From 1980 to 1997, 140 patients with chronic pancreatitis with dilated Wirsung duct were treated by PJ and were studied retrospectively. There were 123 men and 17 women, with a mean age of 46 years (range: 18-79 years). Ongoing alcoholic addiction was present in 116 patients (83%). Chronic pain uncontrolled by major analgesics was the indication of PJ in 126 patients (90%). RESULTS: The mortality rate was 1.4% (n = 2). The morbidity rate was 11% (n = 16). Mean hospital stay was 16 days (range: 8-25 days). The mean follow-up was 7.4 years (range: 2-15 years) in 94 patients. Functional results were good or mild in 93% of cases (n = 87). In seven patients (7%), the results were bad with persistence of chronic pain requiring major analgesics. A mean weight increase of 5.8 kg (range: 1-16 kg) was observed in 74 patients (79%). Twelve patients (13%) developed de novo diabetes mellitus. In the 43 patients with preoperative diabetes, 24 patients suffered deterioration of their status. No patient recovered from exocrine insufficiency. CONCLUSIONS: In case of dilated Wirsung, PJ must be indicated preferentially because of its good efficiency on pain relief with low mortality and morbidity rates.

Primary anastomosis after intraoperative colonic lavage vs. Hartmann's procedure in generalized peritonitis complicating diverticular disease of the colon.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: For complicated diverticulitis Hartmann's procedure remains the favored option in patients with acute complicated sigmoid disease, but there has been increasing interest in primary resection and anastomosis with intraoperative colonic lavage. This study compared primary resection with intraoperative colonic lavage and Hartmann's procedure. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Between January 1994 and November 2001, 60 patients underwent emergency laparotomy for diverticular peritonitis (Hinchey stages III and IV). Primary resection and anastomosis with intraoperative colonic lavage was performed in 27 patients and Hartmann's procedure in 33. All data were collected prospectively on a standardized form. RESULTS: Mortality with intraoperative colonic lavage was 11% and with Hartmann's procedure 12%. The incidence of postoperative complication was significantly higher after Hartmann's procedure. The mean hospital stay was significantly longer after Hartmann's procedure than after primary resection with intraoperative colic lavage. CONCLUSION: Primary resection with intraoperative colonic lavage compares favorably with Hartmann's procedure for diffuse purulent peritonitis in complicated diverticulitis. It should be an alternative to Hartmann's procedure in stercoral peritonitis.