Roux-en-Y Feeding Jejunostomy - The Preferred Surgical Option for Enteral Nutrition in Patients with Leaks or Fistula after Gastric Sleeve.

Background: Leaks are rare complications of laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG) but, they may cause significant and prolonged morbidity. Enteral nutrition is mandatory for the gastric leak or fistula therapy's success and the naso-jejunal tube (NJT) as well the loop feeding jejunostomy (LFJ) have some limitations and morbidities. We propose an alternative, the laparoscopic Roux-en-Y feeding jejunostomy (LRYFJ) to support the mid- and long-term nutritional need of the patients complicated with gastric leaks or fistulas. Aim: to investigate the laparoscopic Roux-en-Y feeding jejunostomy (LRFJ) and to evaluate the surgical technique, its efficiency and outcomes. Methods: The surgical steps of LRFJ are described in detail and the technical challenges are commented. The IRB approval was obtained for performing the LRYFJ in patients with gastric leaks or fistulas after LSG and to run the present study. All the patients who received LRYFJ in our center since 2015 were included into a prospective study. The patient's medical characteristics, as well the procedure's technical challenges and outcomes are analyzed. Result: Six patients (4 females, 2 males; age 37.1 +- 11.5 years) who previously underwent LSG, were referred to our unit after the initial drainage for gastric leak in other institution and, LRYFJ was performed in all. Mean operative time was 127.5 +- 61.2 minutes. Mean duration of jejunal nutrition was 183.83 +- 128.2 days. No related mortality was encountered. Laparoscopic fistulo-jejunostomy was the definitive fistula treatment in five of the patients (83.3 %) while in one patient (16.6 %) the leak was spontaneously healed. Conclusion: Adequate nutritional support is mandatory for the gastric sleeve leak treatment. LRYFJ has many advantages over naso-jejunal tube and loop type feeding jejunostomy particularly in treatments of prolonged sleeve leaks or fistulas. Our experience demonstrates that LRYFJ can be implemented safely with the technique we described.

Effects of different intraabdominal pressure levels on oxidative stress markers in laparoscopic cholecystectomy.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effect of laparoscopic cholecystectomy performed under different intraabdominal pressure on oxidative stress markers. MATERIAL AND METHODS: This prospective, randomized, controlled study examined 90 consecutive healthy patients who underwent elective laparoscopic cholecystectomy with the diagnosis of symptomatic cholelithiasis. The patients were divided into three groups, 30 patients in each. Group 1 included patients who underwent laparoscopic cholecystectomy at a CO2 pneumoperitoneum pressure of 7 mmHg, Group 2 patients who underwent laparoscopic cholecystectomy at a CO2 pneumoperitoneum pressure of 10 mmHg, and Group 3 patients who underwent laparoscopic cholecystectomy at a CO2 pneumoperitoneum pressure of 13 mmHg. Blood samples were collected preoperatively, perioperatively, and postoperatively for measurement of the serum levels of ischemia modified albumin and an analysis of total antioxidant status and total oxidant status. Intra-group comparisons were made. RESULTS: Group 1 experienced a significant increase in the postoperative ischemia modified albumin values compared to preoperative ischemia modified albumin values (p=0.013). Group 2 experienced a significant decrease in the perioperative total antioxidant status values compared to preoperative and postoperative total antioxidant status values (p=0.009). Group 3 experienced a significant increase in the perioperative total oxidant status and oxidative stress index values compared to preoperative values (p<0.001). Group 3 experienced a significant increase in the perioperative and postoperative ischemia modified albumin values compared to preoperative values (p<0.001). CONCLUSION: Increased levels of oxidative stress markers were detected in patients who underwent laparoscopic cholecystectomy at a high intraabdominal pressure level.

A Rare Cause of Inguinal Mass: Round Ligament Cyst.

Round ligament mesothelial cyst is a rare cause of inguinal mass. Round ligament cysts are generally diagnosed during operation in cases who are operated with a pre-diagnosis of inguinal hernia. In this study, we aim to present two cases, who have applied to our clinic with the complaint of a mass in inguinal region and who are diagnosed as round ligament cyst, together with their ultrasound, magnetic resonance images and operation images.

Effects of bariatric surgery on urinary incontinence.

INTRODUCTION: Obesity is an important modifiable etiological factor associated with several diseases. There is strong evidence that urinary incontinence (UI) is positively correlated with body mass index (BMI). AIM: One of the many benefits experienced by obese patients after bariatric surgery is decrease in UI. To investigate this correlation, we aimed to examine the effects of weight loss on UI in female patients who had undergone laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Obese female patients (n=120), ≥18 years of age, and planning to undergo LSG were included in this prospective study. We administered the International Consultation on Incontinence Questionnaire-Urinary Incontinence-Short Form (ICIQ-UI-SF) and Incontinence Impact Questionnaire (IIQ-7) to the patients prior to surgery and 6 months after the surgery. Using the collected data, we determined the incidence of UI and examined the relationship between the preoperative and postoperative BMI and UI values. RESULTS: The mean age of the patients was 39.19 (standard deviation [SD] =9.94) years and the mean preoperative BMI was 46.17 (SD =5.35). Of the 120 patients, 72 (60%) complained of UI preoperatively. Among these 72 patients, 23 (31.95%) described urge incontinence, 18 (25%) stress incontinence, and 31 (43.05%) mixed-type incontinence. At 6 months postoperatively, the percentage of excess weight loss was 70.33% (SD =14.84%). For all three UI subtypes, the 6-month postoperative ICIQ-UI-SF and IIQ-7 scores decreased significantly compared to the preoperative scores (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: LSG results in a clinically significant improvement in most common types of UI, regardless of patient reproductive history, existence of comorbid conditions, and smoking status.

Direct Trocar Insertion with Elevation of the Rectus Sheath in Bariatric Surgery: A Novel Technique.

INTRODUCTION: Initial trocar entry, the first step in laparoscopic surgery, is associated with several complications. In morbidly obese patients, initial trocar placement is associated with a greater number of complications compared to non-obese patients. Materials and Surgical Technique. In this study, we describe our use of an initial trocar entry technique which is direct trocar insertion with elevation of the rectus sheath by a single Backhaus towel clamp and we would like to evaluate the sa fety and efficacy of its administration in bariatric surgery. DISCUSSION: Our results indicate that gaining initial trocar entry using our technique leads to successful laparoscopic bariatric surgery. Our technique is a safe, effective, and reliable first step in successful laparoscopic surgery for almost all patients, and is only contraindicated in patients with severe hepatomegaly.

Optical Coherence Tomography Parameters in Morbidly Obese Patients Who Underwent Laparoscopic Sleeve Gastrectomy.

Purpose. To investigate changes in optical coherence tomography parameters in morbidly obese patients who had undergone laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG). Methods. A total of 41 eyes of 41 morbidly obese patients (BMI ≥ 40) who had undergone LSG were included in study. The topographic optic disc parameters, central macular thickness (CMT), total macular volume (TMV), and retinal ganglion cell layer (RGCL) were measured by spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT). Subfoveal choroidal thickness (SFCT) was measured by enhanced deep imaging-optical coherence tomography (EDI-OCT). Results. The mean CMT was 237.4 ± 24.5 µm, 239.3 ± 24.1 µm, and 240.4 ± 24.5 µm preoperatively, 3 months postoperatively, and 6 months postoperatively, respectively (p < 0.01). The mean TMV was 9.88 ± 0.52 mm(3), 9.96 ± 0.56 mm(3), and 9.99 ± 0.56 mm(3) preoperatively, 3 months postoperatively, and 6 months postoperatively, respectively (p < 0.01). The mean RGCL was 81.2 ± 6.5 µm, 82.7 ± 6.6 µm, and 82.9 ± 6.5 µm preoperatively, 3 months postoperatively, and 6 months postoperatively, respectively (p < 0.01). The mean SFCT was 309.8 ± 71.8 µm, 331.0 ± 81.4 µm, and 352.7 ± 81.4 µm preoperatively, 3 months postoperatively, and 6 months postoperatively, respectively (p < 0.01). No statistically significant differences were found between the preoperative values and 3- and 6-month postoperative values in rim area (p = 0.34), disc area (p = 0.64), vertical cup/disc ratio (p = 0.39), cup volume (p = 0.08), or retinal nerve fiber layer (p = 0.90). Conclusions. Morbidly obese patients who undergo LSG experience a statistically significant increase in CMT, TMV, SFCT, and RGCL at 3 months and 6 months after surgery.

Retroperitoneal paraganglioma presenting as right-sided varicocele: case report.

Varicocele, the most important identifiable pathological cause of male infertility, is rarely observed on the right side. In isolated cases of right-sided varicocele, the presence of retroperitoneal masses compressing the inferior vena cava should be considered by further investigation. The retroperitoneal masses that are detected tend to grow rapidly due to their location and may be very large at the time of diagnosis. Soft tissue sarcomas are the most common cause of retroperitoneal masses, while paragangliomas are rare causes. Retroperitoneal paragangliomas should be diagnosed via detection of symptoms caused by hormonal activity, observation of the compression effect of the mass, or incidentally during imaging studies. SIMILAR CASES PUBLISHED: This study presents the first case of retroperitoneal paraganglioma in a 41-year old man as isolated right-sided varicocele that has been described in the published reports.

Chylous ascites after resection of giant adrenocortical carcinoma.

Postoperative chylous ascites (PCA) is a rare clinical state that occurs during abdominal surgery. Despite its rarity, the need to diagnose and treat PCA is increasing in importance with the increased number of wide resections and lymph node dissections being performed and the serious consequences of treatment. Here we describe the PCA complications we observed after resection for treating a case of giant adrenocortical carcinoma and we have the brief review of the PCA complication.

The feasibility of bipolar tissue sealer for appendix stump closure.

BACKGROUND: Appendiceal stump closure is a highly important step in laparoscopic appendectomy, especially for post-operative complications. The aim of this study is to compare the effects of suture ligation and bipolar tissue sealer techniques on burst pressure using flesh appendectomy specimens. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Appendectomy specimens of 32 patients with grade I-II disease were included in the study. Perforated or necrotic appendices and specimens ineligible for pressure measurement were excluded from the study. Appendiceal stumps of 16 patients in group 1 were double-ligated with 2/0 polyglactin sutures, then appendectomy was performed between these sutures. In group 2, the management of the stump was performed through single ligation with polyglactin suture, followed by appendectomy using a bipolar tissue sealing device. Burst pressures were recorded for all specimens. RESULTS: There were no differences between groups in terms of age and sex. There was no significant difference between the two groups in terms of burst pressure (p = 0.92). Also, no significant difference was found between groups in terms of localization of the perforation (p > 0.05). CONCLUSION: Bipolar tissue sealer achieves safe stump closure with satisfactory burst pressure values. Based on this, using bipolar tissue sealer for appendiceal stump closure in appendicitis may be safe and reliable.

Appendix mucocele mimicking a complex ovarian cyst.

Appendiceal mucocele is a rare entity which is characterized by cystic dilatation due to abnormal accumulation of mucus in the lumen of the appendix. Patients are often diagnosed incidentally by abdominal screening or abdominal surgery for other causes. Pain in the right lower quadrant of the abdomen, which may present as acute or chronic appendicitis, is the most common symptom of appendix mucocele, when the patient is symptomatic. This study describes the case of a 26-year-old female for whom surgical intervention for a complex ovarian cyst was planned, but who instead underwent laparoscopic appendectomy because appendiceal mucocele was determined during laparoscopic exploration.

Life-threatening intrathyroidal parathyroid adenoma.

Acute primary hyperparathyroidism and parathyroid crisis are characterized by life-threatening hypercalcemia, a rare disorder. A 69-year-old female patient presented at our hospital's neurology clinic with weakness, nausea, vomiting, depression, and hypercalcemia. Treatment of hypercalcemia resulted in no improvement in neurological symptoms, indicating resistance to treatment. Thyroid ultrasonography and parathyroid scintigraphy revealed hypoechoic nodules in the right lobe, pieces of nodules in the left lobe, and high serum calcium and parathyroid hormone levels. After provision of intensive medical treatment including hydration, diuresis, and bisphosphonate infusion resulted in only minimal decrease in the calcium level, urgent surgical treatment was performed. Frozen biopsy of the right intrathyroidal giant parathyroid adenoma in the right lobe confirmed initial diagnosis of primary hyperparathyroidism. Based on the biopsy findings, right parathyroidectomy and right total and left subtotal thyroidectomy were performed. Histopathologic examination revealed a parathyroid adenoma localized inside large thyroid nodules. Review of the findings resulted in diagnosis of intrathyroidal parathyroid adenoma. Symptoms of hypercalcemia improved rapidly during the postoperative period.

Effects of a Glutamine Enema on Anastomotic Healing in an Animal Colon Anastomosis Model.

PURPOSE: Anastomotic leakage in colorectal surgery is a very important issue. Although many studies have shown the positive effects of enteral glutamine (Gln) on anastomotic healing, none has assessed the effects of administering Gln via an enema for anastomotic healing. To fill this study gap, this study investigated the intraluminal effect of administration of Gln enema on the healing of colonic anastomosis in a rat model. METHODS: Thirty Wistar albino rats were divided into three groups containing 10 rats each and were subjected to distal left colon transection and anastomosis. Postoperatively, group I (the control group) was administered no treatment, group II was administered daily placebo enemas containing physiological saline, and group III was administered daily 2% L-Gln enemas. After sacrifice on postoperative day 5, anastomotic healing, burst pressure, tissue hydroxyproline levels, and histological parameters were measured, and group values were compared via statistical analysis. RESULTS: Group III was found to have the highest mean bursting pressure and tissue hydroxyproline levels and the lowest mean ischemia score. While the values of these parameters were not found to differ significantly among the groups, the lack of significance may have been due to the limited number of subjects examined. CONCLUSION: Administration of a Gln enema may have a positive effect on anastomosis in terms of bursting pressure and histopathological parameters. Future research should examine administration of a preoperative Gln enema as a means of decreasing the traumatic effects of the enema and identifying its applicability in surgical practice.

The effects of reinforcement methods on burst pressure in resected sleeve gastrectomy specimens.

BACKGROUND: Staple-line leak is a life-threatening complication of laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy. Reinforcement materials have been reported to lower the risk of staple-line bleeding, but their effects on leak risk have not been elucidated. The aim of this study was to compare the effects of two supportive techniques on burst pressures in sleeved gastrectomy specimens. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Thirty patients who underwent laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy were evaluated. The resected sleeve gastrectomy specimens were categorized into three groups. Group 1 had no extra support in the staple line, Group 2 had oversewing with continuous suture on the staple line, and Group 3 had fibrin sealant (Tisseel(®); Baxter, Deerfield, IL) on the staple line. The end point was the first detectable leakage, at which point leak pressure and the anatomic site of leakage were recorded. RESULTS: Thirty sleeved gastrectomy specimens were included (each group included 10 specimens). There were no differences among group in terms of age, sex, and body mass index. The leak pressure was significantly higher (106±10.5 mm Hg) in Group 2 (P<.01). Leaks occurred significantly more frequently in the staple line than in the staple junction points (P=.014). CONCLUSIONS: Oversewing the staple line with 3-0 Vicryl(®) (Ethicon, Somerville, NJ) suture significantly increased the strength of the staple line. Increases in intraluminal pressure are known to be one of the significant risks in leak etiology. Thus, we concluded that oversewing the staple line with 3-0 Vicryl suture can be beneficial in the prevention of leaks. However, further work is necessary in this area of research.

Rectal dieulafoy lesions: a rare etiology of chronic lower gastrointestinal bleeding.

Dieulafoy lesion is rarely seen, yet it can be life-threatening. This lesion makes up to 1-2% of gastrointestinal bleedings and must definitely be considered in gastrointestinal bleedings whose source cannot be identified. In this case study, the 75-year-old woman was suffering from active, fresh, and massive rectal bleeding. Colonoscopy was applied in order to find out the source of bleeding. In the typical endoscopic appearance of the lesion a single round mucosal defect in the rectum and arterial bleeding were observed. To procure hemostasis, epinephrine was injected into the lesion and the bleeding vein was sutured.

What do we leave behind after neartotal and subtotal thyroidectomy: just the tissue or the disease?

Selection of multinodular goiter (MNG) surgery procedure is stilll under discussion. Subtotal thyroidectomy (STT) and neartotal thyroidectomy (NTT) are preferred surgical procedures. However, it is uncertain whether the remnant tissue contains pathological findings or not after these procedures. We aimed to evaluate and comparison the pathologic findings in remnant tissue after NTT and STT. Thyroid tissue samples of 50 patients who underwent TT for MNG disease between January 2010 and August 2011 in our clinic were evaluated. Before the dissection of the thyroid tissue subtotal and neartotal margins were marked in both right and left lobes. After the resection of the specimen, the tissue was excised from the subtotal and neartotal margin marked during the surgery. The pathologic findings of the main tissue, the residual subtotal and neartotal tissues were evaluated and compared. All patients were followed-up 1 year. 43 (86%) females and 7 (14%) males with an average age of 50.5 (23-77) were included in the study. Incidental papillary thyroid cancer was detected in 5 patients (10%). Pathologic findings were present in 31 patients (62%) of subtotal residual tissue and 28 of the patients (56%) of neartotal residual tissue. Papillary microcarcinoma was detected in 3 (9.7%) of subtotal residual tissues and 2 (7.1%) of neartotal residual tissues. There is no significant difference between subtotal and neartotal tissues in terms of existence of pathological findings (p>0.05). There is no significant difference between the neartotal and subtotal residual tissues contralateral of dominant nodule (p>0.05). 2 of the patients (4%) had temporary hypocalcemia, 1 patient (2%) had seroma and 1 patient (2%) had recurrent laryngeal nerve injury. There are high rates of microscopic pathological findings on residual tissues both after STT and NTT. The neartotal and subtotal residual tissues contralateral to the large nodule also had high levels of pathologic findings.

Comparison of four different methods in staple line reinforcement during laparascopic sleeve gastrectomy.

The main early complications of Laparascopic Sleeve Gastrectomy are bleeding and gastric leakage. Many reinforcement methods are performed in order to reduce these complications. In this prospective, randomized study, we compared four different techniques to evaluate staple line reinforcement in Laparascopic Sleeve Gastrectomy. Between January 2012 and May 2013, 65 patients were prospectively randomized into four groups in which different techniques were used in handling the staple line during Laparascopic Sleeve Gastrectomy. Of the four groups, there wasn't any reinforcement used on 15 patients during LSG (group 1), continuous serosal 3-0 prolene sutures were used on 16 patients for staple line reinforcement (group 2), staple line was supported with v-loc suture in 16 patients (group 3), and 18 patients had Tisseel fibrin sealant applied throughout the staple line (group 4). 40 of 65 patients were females, the mean age was 36.8 years (20-58 years), and the mean BMI was 49.2 (41-60 kg/m²). Characteristics of patients among groups were similar. There wasn't any significant difference found between groups for BMI. Gastric leakage was detected from the staple line in 2 patients of the v-loc group. According to our results, we demonstrated that good results can be obtained without any reinforcement. Reinforcement with propylene suture only prolongs the operation time, and tissue fibrin sealent increases the cost. In conclusion, we should be more careful using v-loc sutures, and further series with larger numbers are needed to test v-loc.