The effect of residual gastric antrum size on the outcome of laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy: a prospective randomized trial.

BACKGROUND: Laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG) is gaining popularity worldwide as a definitive bariatric procedure. However, there are still some controversial issues associated with the technique, one of which is the size of the residual antrum. OBJECTIVES: The aim of this prospective randomized trial is to study the effect of the size of the residual gastric antrum on the outcome of LSG. SETTINGS: University-affiliated hospital. METHODS: Between November 2009 and August 2013, 113 morbidly obese patients submitted for LSG were randomized into 2 groups, namely antral preserving-LSG (AP-LSG) and antral resecting-LSG (AR-LSG), depending on the distance from the pylorus at which gastric division begins. In the AP-LSG group, the distance was 6 cm from the pylorus and included 58 patients, whereas the distance was 2 cm in the AR-LSG group and included 55 patients. The follow-up period was at least 12 months. Baseline and 6 and 12 month outcomes were analyzed including assessments of the percent excess weight lost (%EWL), reduction in BMI, morbidity, mortality, reoperations, quality of life, and co-morbidities. RESULTS: Both groups were comparable regarding age, gender, body mass index (BMI), and co-morbidities. There was one 30-day mortality, and there was no significant difference in the complication rate or early reoperations between the 2 groups. Weight loss was significant in both groups at 6 and 12 months. At 12 months, weight loss was greater in the AR-LSG than in the AP-LSG group, but with was no significant difference between the 2 groups at 12 months (%EWL was 64.2% in the AP-LSG group and 67.6% in the AR-LSG group; p>.05). The resolution/improvement of co-morbidities, quality of life outcome and the overall prevalence of co-morbidities were similar. CONCLUSIONS: LSG with or without antral preservation produces significant weight loss after surgery. The 2 procedures are equally effective regarding %EWL, morbidity, quality of life, and amelioration of co-morbidities.

Mirizzi Syndrome: How it could be a challenge.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Mirizzi syndrome (MS) is a rare complication of cholelithiasis. This entity should be considered in the differential diagnosis of all patients with obstructive jaundice. Failure to recognize this condition preoperatively can result in a major bile duct injury. In this study, our aim is to describe the clinical presentations, investigations, operative details, endoscopic management and the complications of both procedures. METHODOLOGY: We performed a retrospective analysis on the records of 65 patients with MS. All patients had a cholangiogram; either magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography (MRCP) or endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP). We used a McSherry classification to divide patients with MS into type I MS and type II MS. Those patients had undergone different types of management either ERCP and/or surgery. RESULTS: The incidence of MS was 0.98% from a total of 4600 patients who had undergone cholecystectomy. From 65 patients with MS, 20 patients underwent ERCP where it was the sole treatment (18 of which had stent while 2 had the stone extracted). The overall surgically treated patients were 45 (23 patients with preliminary ERCP with stent and 22 patients with primary surgical treatment), 18 patients had MS type I while 27 patients had MS type II. Patients with different types of MS underwent different types of surgical procedures.

Caudate lobe resection with major hepatectomy for central cholangiocarcinoma: is it of value?

BACKGROUND/AIMS: The aim of this study was to evaluate the importance of concomitant caudate lobe resection in the course of major hepatectomy for hilar cholangiocarcinoma. METHODOLOGY: During the period between January 1995 and December 2010, 159 patients were subjected to major hepatectomy with or without total caudate lobe resection at the Gastroenterology Centre, Mansoura University. These patients were divided in two groups: 1) a caudate lobe preservation (CLP) group (79 patients) and 2) a caudate lobe resection (CLR) group (80 patients). All patient data were retrospectively reviewed. RESULTS: This study included 94 men and 65 women with a mean age of 53.5±0 years without operative mortality. No differences were observed between groups regarding operative time, blood loss or the development of any individual postoperative complication. There were 23 (28.8%) margin-positive resections in the CLR group and 49 (62%) margin-positive resections in the CLP group (p≤0.001). Recurrence was confirmed in 53 (67.1%) and in 41(51.3%) patients in the CLP and CLR groups, respectively (p=0.031). The median survival of the CLR group was 36 months with a 5-year survival rate of 28%, while the median survival of the CLP group was 22 months with a 5-year survival rate of 5% (p≤0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Caudate lobe resection in combination with major hepatectomy did not affect operative or postoperative morbidity and mortality. However, it led to higher rates of margin-negative resections and significantly improved survival.

Post-cholecystectomy biliary injuries: one center experience.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Post-cholecystectomy bile duct injuries (BDIs) represent a challenge in diagnosis and management. METHODOLOGY: From March 1995 to August 2009, 274 patients with post-cholecystectomy BDIs were managed at our center. All patients were subjected to laboratory tests, sonography, ERCP and MRCP. The management varied according to the type of injury. RESULTS: Seventy-one (25.9%) LC and 203 (74.1%) OC were performed; 8(2.9%) were detected intraoperatively; 270 patients were referred from other hospitals. From those discovered intraoperatively, 7 had hepatico-jejunostomy and one died from severe peritonitis; 11 (4%) presented with generalized and 112 (40.9%) with localized peritonitis. The leak site was the cystic duct (57 cases), accessory duct in the liver bed (5 cases), right hepatic duct (4 cases) and lateral tear in the CBD (12 cases). Endoscopic stenting was performed for all of them. The remaining 34 patients had a completely ligated distal duct and therefore had hepatico-jejunostomy Roux loop; 143 patients (52.2%) presented with early (79 cases) and late (64 cases) jaundice; 126 cases had hepatico-jejunostomy. The remaining 17 patients were treated by balloon dilatation. CONCLUSIONS: Endoscopic stenting can manage cases with cystic or accessory duct leak while, hepatico-jejunostomy Roux loop represents the golden procedure for management of transected or ligated CBD.