Laparoscopic Mesh Sacropexy for Voluminous Rectocele.

The rectocele represents a protrusion of the rectum through the rectovaginal fascia, which appears as a bulge in the posterior vaginal wall. Surgical treatment includes many procedures which can be performed by four types of approaches: transvaginal, transanal, transperineal and transabdominal.Voluminous rectocele cases are rare and often represent a surgical challenge. Only two types of approaches are proved to be feasible for the treatment of a voluminous rectocele, the transvaginal and the transabdominal approaches. To resolve these cases, the authors propose laparoscopic mesh sacropexy.The procedure implies retrorectal dissection and rectovaginal dissection down to the pelvic floor, followed by a rectovaginopexy to the sacral promontory, using an y-shaped polypropylene mesh. One arm of the mesh is fixed to the anterior rectal wall using four stitches and the other arm is sutured to the posterior vaginal wall. The end of the mesh is fixed to the promontory. Thus, the anchoring of the prolapsed rectum and the posterior vaginal fornix to the sacral ligamentis achieved, the damaged rectovaginal fascia being substituted by the polypropylene mesh. The main symptom that was tracked, difficulty in defecation, was significantly improved, none of the patients needed any longer digital maneuvers to empty the rectum. The good results of the first experience make us believe that this procedure is an attractive solution to resolve these difficult cases.

Spleen preservation in a caudal pancreatic serous cystadenoma - case report.

Cystic lesions of the pancreas are relatively rare entities but have been increasingly diagnosed in recent years due to advanced imaging techniques. This category encompasses pancreatic pseudocyst as well as a wide range of pancreatic tumors with benign behavior, borderline or primary malignant. Serous cystadenoma of the pancreas represents the most common benign pancreatic tumor, with a very low but well recognized malignant potential. The clinical presentation varies according to its size; small tumors may be asymptomatic and discovered incidentally, while large tumors are more likely symptomatic. We report the case of a female patient presenting with non-specific left abdominal pain, who was diagnosed through a CT scan with a caudal pancreatic tumor. The patient underwent spleen-preserving distal pancreatectomy. The result of the histopathological examination revealed a serous cystadenoma.

ERCP after bariatric surgery--literature review and case report.

Obesity is a disease which has become more prevalent in Romania. Bariatric surgical procedures are among the treatment options for obese patients. Obesity and the metabolic disorders induced by it are risk factors for gallstones formation and their complications. ERCP is a minimally invasive therapeutic procedure indicated in the treatment of choledochal lithiasis and its complications. ERCP is generally considered the most difficult endoscopic procedure from the technical point of view. The authors have proposed to consider the possibility of performing therapeutic ERCP in patients who have undergone bariatric procedures. Literature data are reviewed and the case of a patient treated in a minimally invasive (laparoendoscopic) way for cholecyst and choledocholithiasis after longitudinal gastrectomy is presented.

Intra operative lesion of the pelvic ureter solved in a minimally invasive manner.

Ureteral lesions during open hysterectomy, vaginal hysterectomy or laparoscopic hysterectomy have a rate of 0.2% up to 6%. Multiple complications may occur if the lesion is not recognised intra operatively: hydronephrosis, anuria (bilateral lesion), ureterovaginal fistula, ileus, peritonitis. The rate of recognition of an intra operative ureter lesion is 30% and it could rise up to 90% when cystoscopy with ureteroscopy is used at the end of the intervention. The article presents the case of a 46-year-old patient with uterine fibromatosis, whose pelvic ureter was sectioned during surgery. The lesion was recognised during surgery because, at the end of each intervention, the diuresis was stimulated by injecting Furosemide in order to detect the lesions of the ureters and urinary bladder.

Lessons learned from the first 50 thyroidectomies with Harmonic Focus Curved Shears - technical note.

Precise and safe hemostasis is necessary for successful thyroid surgery. In this respect, the advent of the ultrasonic surgical device Harmonic Focus Curved Shears (HFCS) from Ethicon Endo-Surgery constituted a major progress in the domain by its multiple capabilities of dissection, grasping, vessel sealing and transecting. The paper presents the initial experience of 50 cases with this device of a surgical team with special interest in endocrine surgery, mostly thyroid and parathyroid. The thyroid conditions for which surgery was indicated were: diffuse toxic goiter in 8 patients; multinodular toxic and nontoxic goiter in 30 patients; autonomous nodule in 2 patients; 2 patients with benign nodules at fine needle aspiration biopsy (FNAB); 4 patients with nodules positive for carcinoma at FNAB, among them 2 with unilateral cervical lymph nodes enlargement; 4 patients with highly suspect nodule on FNAB. The types of surgery performed were 4 hemithyroidectomies and 46 total thyroidectomies, 2 in association with unilateral functional neck dissections. We had 4 intraoperative hemorrhagic incidents, all in the first 15 cases and imputable to lack of expertise and improper usage of the device. We registered the following noticeable postoperative complications: 1 cervical hematoma from an arteriolar source in sternothyroid muscle demanding prompt reintervention; 8 hypocalcemias and 2 vocal cord paresis, none of which permanent. We remarked several advantages with HFCS: no necessity of changing instruments, fluentness of the intervention and more comfort for the operating team, reduced operating time, safe hemostasis. Some important tips and tricks with the usage of the instrument are presented.

Non-recurrent inferior laryngeal nerve: case report and review of the literature.

Total thyroidectomy is nowadays the operation of choice in the majority of endocrine surgery centers, whether the pathology is benign or malignant. To obtain good results, a thorough knowledge of local anatomy and a profound respect for hemostasis are necessary. Routine, at least visual, identification of the inferior laryngeal nerve (ILN) is considered gold standard and is strongly recommended. Surgeons are generally aware of the variations the nerve can have, especially on the right side. Although very rare, one such variation, with possible great impact on outcomes, is the non-recurrent route of the nerve. We present the case of a middle-aged woman with a multinodular goiter scheduled for elective surgery. During total thyroidectomy, on the right side, we were not able to find the inferior laryngeal nerve in its usual position, using the customary anatomical landmarks. Instead, we encountered it emerging directly from the right vagus nerve, at a rather right angle and entering the larynx as a unique non-bifurcating nerve. Thus, it could be spared from any injury and protected, although it could have been easily confounded with a vascular structure, given its transverse course.We think it is never overmuch to repeat that the routine identification and exposure of the inferior laryngeal nerve is a must for the thyroid surgeon in order to safely preserve its integrity.

Laparoscopic myomectomy.

Uterine leiomyoma is the most common benign tumour occurring in women in the reproductive age. It is typically found during the middle and later reproductive years. The prevalence quoted in literature ranges from 20-50% based on post mortem studies. The symptoms usually reported by women with fibroids are the following: abnormal gynaecologic haemorrhage, chronic pelvic pain, dyspareunia, as well as urinary and bowel symptoms, urinary frequency or retention and, in some cases, infertility. During pregnancy, premature labor might be caused, interfering with the position of the fetus or abortion could be induced. However, only 30% of the women develop symptoms, most of them being asymptomatic. It was proved that the factors that can cause fibroids are the following: genetic, hormonal, and growth factors, especially transforming the growth factor beta (TGFb)-related cellular changes. As diagnosis tools, studies are revealing that ultrasound has been shown to be an insufficient method of myoma mapping, and magnetic resonance imaging should be preferred for surgical therapy planning. The contour of the endometrial cavity is delineated by using trans vaginal ultrasound and saline infusion hysterosonography, but hysteroscopy is the gold standard to evaluate the uterine cavity.

Post-ERCP acute pancreatitis and its risk factors.

INTRODUCTION: Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) is a complex endoscopic technique that evolved from a diagnostic to a mainly therapeutic procedure. This was due to the identification of post-procedural complications that can follow both simple ERCP and that associated with the instrumentation of the biliary and pancreatic ductals. The identification of post ERCP complications in a proportion of 5 to 10% of cases, with a mortality rate of 0.33%, imposed their analysis and study of risk factors involved in their occurrence. The significance of post ERCP complications reveals the necessity of their avoidance by adopting additional measures if risk factors are identified. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We have retrospectively analyzed 900 cases that underwent ERCP in the Surgery Department of "Sf. Ioan" Clinical Hospital in a period of 17 years. The complications of the procedure were studied. Among them, a special attention was given to post-ERCP acute pancreatitis (pERCP-AP), the most common complication that occurred in the study group. We also tried to find out and highlight the risk factors for this complication. RESULTS: ERCP is a relatively safe invasive procedure, yet it has complications (8% of cases), some of them potentially fatal (mortality 0.43%). The most common complications after ERCP are acute pancreatitis (3.7%), papillary bleeding (1.04%), retroperitoneal duodenal perforation (0.69%) and biliary septic complications like acute cholecystitis and cholangitis (1.21%). Acute pancreatitis is by far the most common complication. Risk factors for its occurrence are difficult sphincterotomy with precut use, failure of CBD desobstruction, pancreatic sphincterotomy, repeated injection of contrast in the pancreatic ductal system, dysfunction of the sphincter of Oddi and the absence of changes of chronic pancreatitis. When risk factors are identified, the patients' selection must be very strict and diagnostic ERCP should be avoided in favor of non-invasive diagnostic methods (MRI-cholangiography, echo-endoscopy).

Treatment of bilateral inguinal hernia -- minimally invasive versus open surgery procedure.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study is to evaluate and compare the treatment outcomes of the bilateral inguinal hernia repair in one stage using minimally invasive technique (totally extraperitoneal) and conventional surgery (Lichtenstein). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Records from all hospitalized cases in our institution between 2006 and 2011 that underwent surgery having the diagnosis of bilateral inguinal hernia were analysed. RESULTS: The study consists of two groups selected by means of the used procedure: the study arm which is laparoscopic (234 cases) and the control arm that consists of Lichtenstein procedure (91 cases). One conversion was recorded due to difficult dissection (0.4% of cases). There were complications reported in 2.5% cases in the laparoscopic group and 27.4% complications noted in the conventional group (p less then 0.01). Reinterventions were logged in 1.7% cases in the laparoscopic group and 2.1% reinterventions in the open group (p less then 0.01). The postoperative hospital stay was 2.1 days in the laparoscopic group and 4.7 days for the open procedure. Mortality was not recorded. CONCLUSIONS: In our department the procedure of choice for bilateral inguinal repair is the laparoscopic approach (TEP) which has a 10 fold decrease in complications rate than Lichtenstein operation and also a shortening by half of the hospital stay. Hernia recurrence is the same for both procedures.

Jejunal diverticula causing massive intestinal bleeding.

Small bowel diverticula are rare formations and some are prone to complications such as lower gastrointestinal bleeding. We report the case of a patient with hemorrhagic shock following upper gastrointestinal bleeding. A 39-year-old patient was admitted to the unit for recurrent bleeding. The patient received transfusions and selective arteriography was performed which reported bleeding at the level of the ileocolic artery. Laparatomy was performed and blood was found at the entire colon and small intestine up to 40 cm of Treitz angle where multiple diverticula were visualized. Bowel resection was performed. Although duodeno-jejunal diverticula are rare, a special attention should be paid to this clinical entity as it can be a cause of recurrent upper gastrointestinal bleeding.

Use of images in a surgery consultation. Will it improve the communication?

INTRODUCTION: The interviews and interactions with patients are part of everyday health care provider. However, there is sometimes a difficulty in communication, linked to several factors. For this reason, the use of images to illustrate the medical conditions in the outpatient clinic can improve patient communication. We report our initial experience with the use of images to manage the quality of care to surigcal patients. METHODOLOGY: He used a computer to show pictures of the following conditions: surgery for an inguinal hernia, cholelithiasis, cholecystitis and the choledocholithiasis and finally thyroid pathology. Were randomized two groups of patients. Each of the affected patients in any stage of the disease, they explained their problems. In one of the groups also showed the patient was using the current image and continued to give appropriate explanations related to pathology. Thereafter, patients in both groups filled in an anonymous questionnaire in which they responded to what degree it was considered useful this methodology, and degree of satisfaction received outpatient treatment with or without the deployment of images by computer. We have analyzed the average time expected and made a visit. RESULTS: 187 patients will be visited in the consultations over a period of 8 months. In 83 patients have been using images to give the explanations in external consultations. Of these, 24 patients suffering from thyroid, 24 hernias or incisional hernias and 35 patients with biliary tract pathology. Patients in the group were shown images of conditions have responded mostly be very satisfied with the use of images while the explanations are given on the patient's illness. Also, over 80% of patients report being satisfied with this system. The visiting time was not lengthened. DISCUSSION: Despite the existence of different variables that can influence patient satisfaction, use of images to illustrate surgical diseases to patients improves communication and flow of the explanations of the physician. CONCLUSIONS: The relationship doctor-patient communication is the key event in an outpatient setting. It determines a good overall result of the clinical interview. The use of images in an outpatient improves communication between patients and doctors. Moreover, the degree of satisfaction is high and the degree of understanding of the disease. It seems useful to incorporate in our outpatient clinic.

Single incision laparoscopic surgery (SILS) cholecystectomy. A novel technique.

INTRODUCTION: Since early nineties, laparoscopic cholecystectomy has become gold standard for cholecystectomy. Also, a high tendency of minimizing surgical trauma encourages the use of new approaches in laparoscopic surgery. A novel approach such as Single incision laparoscopic surgery (SILS) cholecystectomy has been describes. CASE REPORT: We report on a case of a 33-year-old female patient scheduled for elective laparoscopic cholecystectomy due to symptomatic ultrasonography verified cholelithiasis. A single 2.5-cm long semicircular infraumbilical skin incision was used. Pneumoperitoneum was established alter introduction of the predesigned trocar. Antegrade cholecystectomy was performed without stay suture placement. Postoperative course was uneventful. DISCUSSION: This article reports the authors' method of performing SILS cholecystectomy. SILS approach is feasible with new standard devices from the industry that offers slightly modified instruments for standard laparoscopic cholecystectomy. CONCLUSION: Single-incision laparoscopic surgery is a feasible way to perform cholecystectomy. A learning-curve is required and further work in the form of randomized controlled trials is needed to investigate the advantages of this new technique.

[Bilio-pancreatic diversion with duodenal switch (DS) in morbid obesity--surgical technique]. / Diversia bilio-pancreatica cu duodenal switch (DS) în superobezitatea morbida.

Obesity is one of the biggest health problems nowadays with growing prevalence. Co morbidities and decreasing life-expectancy have imposed various treatments, of which surgery has the best efficiency. Bilio-pancreatic diversion modified with duodenal switch represents the procedure with both malabsorbtive and restrictive effects. This procedure has the best results in reducing excessive body mass and in maintaining this loss. Complexity of this procedure, early and late complications suggests that the main operative indication is for morbid obesity patients (body mass index BMI > 50 kg/mp). The procedure that we have done was a success in efficiency and in quality of life, but for conclusions is necessary more experience.

[Laparoscopic adjustable gastric-banding treatment for morbid obesity our first year experience]. / Tratamentul obezitatii morbide prin gastric banding laparoscopic. Rezultate la un an de la debut.

The authors present the results of a prospective study regarding their 1st year experience in laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding (LABG), which included 21 patients (5 males, 16 females), with an average age of 39 (between 20-53 years). The follow up was made at one and six months postoperative. The medium weight was 138 kg (between 95-172 kg), with a medium excess of body mass of 66.89 kg (extremes between 27.75 and 104 kg). The medium BMI (body mass index) was 48.9 (extremes: 34.5-66), 8 patients being superobese (BMI > 50). The average operating time was 120 min, all operations were finished laparosopically. Postoperative complications were: total disfagia (1 case), parietal suppuration (2 cases) and partial intragastric migration of the prosthesis (1 case). There were no deceased patients. The medium excess of body mass at 6 months after surgery was 46.57 (only 13 patients evaluated in this interval). After 6 months postoperative the comorbidities were healed at half of the patients. Although we do not benefit of a long time follow up, the favorable initial results permits us to state that LABG must find its place in the efforts of struggling against obesity and its consequences.

[Comparative study about alloplastic surgical procedures of incisional hernias]. / Studiu comparativ asupra procedeelor chirurgicale homo si alloplastice de cura a eventratiilor.

This retrospective study analyzes a series of 604 patients with incisional hernias, operated on between 1994 and 1998. The hernias where divided according to their dimensions and their reccurrence. The postoperative outcome and follow up leaded to some conclusions: although the postoperative immediate complications were frequent after the alloplastic procedures, the long term results, judged by the rate of reccurrence and the rejection of the mesh, were better. With the alloplastic procedures the best results were obtained when the mesh was fixed in a retromuscular--properitoneal position.

[Burch procedure through laparoscopic surgery. Operatory technique]. / Operatia Burch pe cale laparoscopica. Tehnica operatorie.

The authors describe the technique of extraperitoneal laparoscopic Burch colposuspension equivalent to the classical open approach. Patients who undergo laparoscopic Burch procedure experience less postoperative discomfort, shorter hospital stay, quicker recovery and better cosmetic appearance. Based on our initial experience, laparoscopic colposuspension appears to be a viable alternative to abdominal colposuspension.

[Transperitoneal laparoscopic right sympathectomy]. / Simpatectomia lombara dreapta laparoscopica pe cale transperitoneala.

Laparoscopic lumbar transperitoneal sympathectomy represents the miniinvasive approach of laterocolic procedure Adson-Diez. It is suitable to laparoscopic surgery, has a good reproducibility and it is more advantageous than total retroperitoneal approach because of a larger working space.

[Conversions and reinterventions in laparoscopic cholecystectomy]. / Conversii si reinterventii în colecistectomia laparoscopica.

From the introduction of the laparoscopy in our clinic, more and more of the cholecystectomies, reaching over 50% are done by this technique. Based upon the accumulation of an already important experience, the paper tries to analyze the situations in which, during or after laparoscopic cholecystectomy, intraoperative conversions (deliberate or of necessity) or reinterventions were necessary. We present a global view of the number of these cases and also (an in detail) analysis of the causes the imposed such decisions and of the solutions adopted. The percentages of 5.55 conversions and 1.49 reinterventions seem reasonable and acceptable in comparison with the initial results published by some experience surgeons in the field of laparoscopic surgery.

[Right laparoscopic lumbar sympathectomy]. / Simpatectomie lombara dreapta laparoscopica.

Laparoscopic lumbar sympathectomy was performed on a young man with thromboangiitis obliterans (Buerger's disease). The surgeons disposition, trocars placement and dissection technique are described in detail. The retroperitoneal approach was done in a manner similar to laparoscopic properitoneal hernia repair. The operation can be carried out with common laparoscopic equipment (for cholecystectomy) and offers the benefits of minimally invasive surgery.