Giant squamous cell carcinoma as a complication of a chronic enterocutaneous fistula: complex parietal reconstruction.

Treatment of an enterocutaneous fistula is complex and may require multidisciplinary management, especially when associated with a neoplastic process. Here, we describe the case of a 59-year-old patient with a squamous cell carcinoma that had invaded the abdominal wall through a chronic enterocutaneous fistula identified 30 years ago. We combined parietectomy with small intestine and colon resection and inguinal lymphadenectomy in order to obtain clear surgical margins. At the same time, plastic surgery involved the implementation of a large bioprosthesis and coverage with a vastus lateralis muscle free flap.

Are there any surgical and radiological correlations to the level of ligation of the inferior mesenteric artery after sigmoidectomy for cancer?

INTRODUCTION: The Société Française de Chirurgie Digestive and the American Society of Colon and Rectal Surgeons recommend a ligation at the origin of the primary feeding vessel for sigmoid cancer to ensure optimal lymphadenectomy. We evaluated the correlation between the level of ligation defined by the surgeon and the real level of ligation visualized on postoperative CT scan. PATIENTS AND METHODS: From December 2004 to August 2010, in a series of 146 patients undergoing colectomy for sigmoid cancer, 51 (19 women) CT measurements (visualization of the left colonic artery (LCA), length of the arterial stump) were performed by a radiologist blinded to operative data. RESULTS: This series comprised 63% of men with a mean age of 69 years. A correlation was demonstrated between the level of ligation assessed by the surgeon and the real level of ligation demonstrated on postoperative CT scan in 41% of cases. No risk factors for absence of correlation were identified (laparoscopy, gender, BMI, emergency, and ASA score). In the "no correlation" group, the site of ligation was overestimated in 70% of cases. No significant difference was observed between the "correlation" and "no correlation" groups for lymphadenectomy (21.6 and 18 lymph nodes, p=0.5593) or 5-year overall survival (71.4 and 93.1 months, p=0.57). CONCLUSION: In conclusion, the surgical and radiological correlations are low as the intraoperative estimation of the level of IMA ligation was correlated with CT findings in less than 50% of cases. No risk factors for non-correlation were identified, and there was no impact on lymphadenectomy. Overestimation of the level of ligation was the most frequent situation but did not appear to have any impact on tumor staging or on patient management in this group of patients.

Is the residual gastric volume after laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy an objective criterion for adapting the treatment strategy after failure?

BACKGROUND: Causes of failure after laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG) are not known but may include a high residual gastric volume (RGV). The aim of this study was to use gastric computed tomography volumetry (GCTV) to investigate the RGV and relate the latter parameter to the outcome of LSG. METHODS: A single-center, prospective study included patients with>24 months of follow-up after LSG. The RGV was measured with a unique GCTV technique. We determined the LSG outcomes according to a variety of criteria and examined potential relationships with the RGV. When the RGV was>250 cc, we offered a repeat LSG (RLSG). RESULTS: Seventy-six patients were included. The mean RGV was 255 cc but differed significantly when comparing "failure" and "success" subgroups, regardless of whether the latter were defined by a percentage of excess weight loss>50 (309 cc versus 225 cc, respectively; P = .0003), a BAROS score>3 (312 cc versus 234 cc; P = .005), the Reinhold criteria (290 cc versus 235 cc; P = .019), or the Biron criteria (308 cc versus 237 cc; P = .008). The RGV threshold (corresponding to the volume above which the probability of failure after LSG is high) was 225 cc. Fifteen RLSGs were performed during the inclusion period. CONCLUSION: A high RGV 34 months after LSG is a risk factor for failure. Knowledge of the RGV can be of value in the management of failure after LSG.

Repeat sleeve gastrectomy compared with primary sleeve gastrectomy: a single-center, matched case study.

Longitudinal sleeve gastrectomy (LSG) has been validated for the treatment of morbid obesity. However, treatment failures can appear several months after SG. Additional malabsorptive surgery is generally recommended in such cases. The objective of the present study was to evaluate the outcomes of repeat SG (re-SG) relative to first-line SG. This was a retrospective study included 15 patients underwent re-SG after failure of first-line SG (i.e. University Hospital, France; Public Practice). These patients were matched (for age, gender, body mass index and comorbidities) 1:2 with 30 patients having undergone first-line SG. The efficacy criteria comprised intra-operative data and postoperative data. The overall study population comprised 45 patients. The re-SG and first-line SG groups did not differ significantly in terms of median age (p = NS). The median BMI was similar in the two groups (43 kg/m(2) vs. 42.3 kg/m(2), p = NS). The two groups were similar in terms of the prevalence of comorbidities. The mean operating time was longer in the re-SG group (116 vs. 86 min; p ≤ 0.01). The postoperative complication rate was twice as high in the re-SG group (p = 0.31). Two patients in the re-SG group developed a gastric fistula (p = 0.25) and one of the latter died. At 12 months, the Excess Weight Loss was 66% (re-SG group) and 77% (first-line SG group) (p = 0.05). Re-SG is feasible but appears to be associated with a greater risk of complications. Nevertheless, re-SG can produce results (in terms of weight loss), equivalent to those obtained after first-line SG.

Technique of open laparoscopy for supramesocolic surgery in obese patients.

BACKGROUND: Incidence of obesity and related diseases are increasing in the world. Visceral surgeons are more often confronted with laparoscopic surgery in obese patients. Besides validated surgery procedures, such as cholecystectomy and gastroesophageal reflux surgery, bariatric procedures are increasingly performed. In obese patients, the thickness of adipose panicle makes open laparoscopy hazardous. METHODS: In our department, we use systematically a technique of open laparoscopy in obese patients for supramesocolic surgery, which is safe, reproducible, and permits good closure of the abdominal wall. RESULTS: The surgical technique consists of opening the abdominal wall through the rectus abdominis. Helped by specific retractors called Descottes (Medtronic Laboratory), both fascias are charged by sutures separately. Incision in the fascias is made safely by pooling on sutures. Introduction of port-site is made under view control. At the end of laparoscopy, closure of both fascias is easily done. CONCLUSIONS: We present a technique of open laparoscopy in obese patients, systematically used, for supramesocolic surgery. This technique is safe, reproducible, and permits an efficient closure of the abdominal wall.