Totally extraperitoneal approach for ventral hernia.

BACKGROUND: In open surgery, extraperitoneal sublay mesh implantation is generally preferred to intraperitoneal placement, following the same principles as in "giant prosthetic reinforcement of the visceral sac" described for inguinal hernia repair [1, 2]. Miserez and Penninckx in 2002 described an endoscopic totally preperitoneal ventral hernia repair in a small cohort of 15 cases [3]. Unfortunately, this technique has not spread, probably because of the technical difficulties that require, but not for effectiveness. METHODS: This video demonstrates the detailed operative technique and feasibility for performing extraperitoneal mesogastric hernia repair endoscopically. After insufflation of CO2 in Retzius space, 3 trocars were introduced on semilunar line once identified the correct retromuscular plane. Blunt dissection was done up to midline. Above arcuate line, linea alba was incised in order to open the contralateral posterior rectus sheath and dissection proceeded laterally until the contralateral semilunar line. Hernia sac was reduced and the defect of posterior rectus sheath and peritoneum was closed with continuous suture. A composite mesh was placed without fixation. RESULTS: Operative time was 150 min without blood loss. Interruption of pain medication was in the first post operative day and discharge in second post operative day. One week after surgery, an ultrasound assessment was done to evaluate presence of seroma. CONCLUSIONS: Although this approach will not become the gold standard, certainly it presents some innovative elements such as non-exposure of the mesh with the abdominal viscera and the improvement of the comfort avoiding fixing system such as tacks. Comparison between the current endoscopic techniques is required. Totally extraperitoneal (TEP) approach for ventral hernia is safe and feasible.

Laparoscopic transabdominal preperitoneal approach for umbilical hernia with rectus diastasis.

INTRODUCTION: Rectus diastasis, when coexistent with umbilical hernia, can benefit from mesh-based repair of the midline. Laparoscopic correction of an umbilical hernia involves the placement of a mesh in the peritoneal cavity, but this comes with the risk of bowel complications. However, newly developed dual-sided composite meshes have helped to reduce this risk. MATERIALS AND SURGICAL TECHNIQUE: Four men and three women with umbilical hernia and rectus diastasis were treated with laparoscopic transabdominal preperitoneal repair. Composite mesh with a hydrophilic 3-D polyester textile on the parietal side and an absorbable collagen barrier on the peritoneal side were placed in the preperitoneal pocket after hernial sac reduction. Mean hernia size was 2.5 cm, and no recurrences were observed during the mean follow-up period of 9.2 months. DISCUSSION: The laparoscopic transabdominal preperitoneal approach for umbilical hernia and rectus diastasis may be a safe surgical option when trying to avoid potential complications related to intra-abdominal mesh positioning.

A gas-filled abdominal cyst in an elderly woman: A giant colonic diverticulum case report.

INTRODUCTION: Giant colonic diverticulum (GCD), a rare complication of the diverticular disease, can present with a wide range of nonspecific symptoms as abdominal pain and bowel obstruction. Its diagnosis represents a challenge that mainly depends on imaging findings. PRESENTATION OF CASE: We report the case of a 79 year-old female patient that came to our emergency department complaining of 5-day history of hypogastric pain and constipation. Physical examination reveled a 15cm hypogastric round, tender and tympanic mass. Enhanced abdominal CT scan showed a large air-filled cyst adjacent to a diverticular sigmoid colon without evidence of intra-abdominal free air or fluid. Based on the radiological features, GCD was suspected and surgical treatment performed. The mass and the sigmoid colon were resected. The postoperative course was uneventful. Histopathology confirmed the preoperative diagnosis. DISCUSSION: GCD, defined as a diverticulum larger than 4cm, represents a rare complication of the diverticular disease. Usually abdominal X-ray and computed tomography (CT) scan show a gas-filled structure, sometimes communicating with the adjacent colon. GCD resection and segmental colectomy are strongly recommended even in asymptomatic cases due to the high incidence and severity of complications. CONCLUSION: Because of its rarity and variable and non-specific clinical presentation, the diagnosis of GCD depends mainly on imaging findings. The gold standard treatment is surgical resection of the GCD and the compromised colon with primary anastomosis when possible.

Superior Mesenteric Artery Syndrome-Believe in it! Report of a Case.

We present a case of a man with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis who developed superior mesenteric artery syndrome (SMAS) following the confection of feeding jejunostomy. He was successfully managed by conservative treatment. Left lateral positioning during enteral feeding allowed quick resolution of the occlusive state. Various surgical interventions have been associated with SMAS, directly or indirectly, by reducing the width of the aortomesenteric angle. The operative stress was probably what triggered symptomatology in our patient thus to conclude that the surgical stress should be considered as a causal factor triggering the SMAS in a context of other predisposing factors.

Acute ischaemic colitis: outcome in elderly patients.

The Authors report the results of the management of ischaemic colitis in a surgical unit dedicated to elderly patients. Sixty-two elderly patients affected by ischaemic colitis were observed consecutively in the Surgery Unit of the University of L'Aquila from 1986 to 2004. The clinical records of the patients were retrospectively reviewed in order to assess clinical, biohumoral, endoscopic and x-ray findings pre- dictive of the most suitable type of treatment. Clinical follow-up was performed to evaluate the long-term prognosis after a mean period of 8 years post-treatment. Forty-six patients (74.1%) were treated by medical therapy only for a mean period of 7 days with a positive outcome and no mortality. Sixteen patients (25.9%) underwent surgery. Postoperative morbidity and mortality rates were 62.5% and 43.7%, respectively. Absence of bowel sounds (chi2 = 61.9, p < 0.001), ileus (chi2 = 17.8, p < 0.001) and air fluid levels in plain abdominal x-rays (chi2 = 18.6, p < 0.001) were risk factors for surgery. At follow-up a favourable outcome, without findings of recurrent acute or chronic ischaemic colitis, was observed in 55 patients. In conclusion, the results seem to suggest that medical therapy is the mainstay of treatment for acute ischaemic colitis in elderly patients with good clinical results. Peritonitis is an indication for surgery.

[Ergonomic and cosmetic aspects of laparoscopic appendectomy: personal technique]. / Ergonomia ed estetica nell'intervento di appendicectomia laparoscopica: tecnica personale.

We analyzed our case series in order to evaluate the evolution of our laparoscopic technique in ergonomic and cosmetic terms, leading to the right compromise between these aspects. We retrospectively analyzed 136 diagnostic laparoscopies for suspected appendicitis, using scheme A in the first 98 cases (one 10/12-mm umbilical trocar for the optics and two 5-mm operative trocars placed above the pubis on the right and left side) and scheme B in the other 38 cases (one 10/12-mm umbilical trocar for the optics and two 5-mm operative trocars, one placed over the pubis and the other one on the right hip, just on the umbilical line). The diagnosis of appendicitis was confirmed in 117 patients, while other diseases were present in 19 patients. There were no differences between the two groups in mean operative time (45 min), postoperative complications (0.7%) and clinical course (hospital stay: 36 hours on average). We believe that the right compromise between ergonomic and cosmetic considerations is the one shown in scheme B. In this way it is possible to perform all diagnostic and therapeutic manoeuvres such as pulling the appendix out through the umbilical trocar and using suprapubic trocars as an access route for a possible drainage.

["Low-pressure" laparoscopic cholecystectomy in high risk patients (ASA III and IV): our experience]. / La colecistectomia laparoscopica a "bassa pressione" nei pazienti ad alto rischio (ASA III ed ASA IV) nella nostra esperienza.

The insufflation pressure used for laparoscopic cholecystectomy is usually 12-15 mm Hg, and a pneumoperitoneum with carbon dioxide has a significant effect on both cardiovascular and respiratory function. These effects are transient in young, healthy patients, but may be dangerous in ASA III and IV patients with a poor cardiac reserve. This study was designed to assess the feasibility of performing laparoscopic cholecystectomy at 6.5-8 mm Hg insufflation pressure in "high-risk" patients. Thirteen patients, 10 ASA III and 3 ASA IV, with cholelithiasis, were included in this study The insufflation pressure was 6.5-8 mm Hg, with a 10 degrees anti-Trendelenburg position. The cardiovascular and blood gas variables studied were: mean arterial blood pressure, heart rate, respiratory rate, and end-tidal CO2 pressure. The authors reported no conversions and no intra- or postoperative complications. During insufflation heart rate and mean arterial blood pressure increased minimally if compared with laparoscopic cholecystectomy at 12-15 mm Hg. Pa CO2 increased after insufflation (+5 mm Hg), and the end-tidal CO2 pressure gradient was moderate (3.5 mm Hg) and unchanged during surgery. A low-pressure pneumoperitoneum is feasible for laparoscopic cholecystectomy and minimizes the adverse haemodynamic effects of peritoneal insufflation.

[Treatment of esophageal perforations. Considerations on a clinical case]. / Trattamento delle perforazioni esofagee. Considerazioni su un caso clinico.

The Authors describe a rare case of esophageal perforation occurred after Transoesophageal echocardiography in 68 years old patient and review the literature relating to the causes and management of this pathology. Transoesophageal echocardiography, which is a semi-invasive investigation increasingly used in cardiology and cardiac surgery and intensive care units, is a rare though extremely dangerous cause of such complications. Perforation of the esophagus continues to present a formidable diagnostic and therapeutic challenge. The diagnosis depends on a high degree of suspicion and on the recognition of clinical features and is confirmed by contrast esophagography. The outcome after esophageal perforation depends on the location of the injury, the presence or otherwise of concomitant esophageal disease and the time elapsing between the injury and inititian of treatment. Reinforced primary repair of the perforation is the procedure most frequently employed and preferred for the surgical management of the esophageal perforation. In the case reported here, early diagnosis and prompt surgical treatment consisting in primary repair of the esophageal perforation contributed to the successful management of this serious pathology.