Association between clinical and surgical variables with postoperative outcomes in patients treated for intestinal obstruction for non-malignant conditions: a cross-sectional study.

Intestinal obstruction is considered a frequent surgical pathology related to previous surgical procedures. Many different factors can lead to different outcomes when surgical management is needed. Therefore, we aim to describe the factors related to morbidity and mortality in surgical management of IO in a single-center experience. Retrospective observational study with a prospective database, in which we described patients who underwent surgical management due to intestinal obstruction between 2004 and 2015. Demographics, perioperative data, surgical outcomes, morbidity, and mortality were described. 366 patients were included. Female were 54.6%. Mean age was 61.26. Laparoscopic approach was done in 21.8% and the conversion rate was 17.2%. Intestinal resection was performed in 37.9% of the cases. Postoperative complications were observed in 18.85%. Reintervention and mortality were 9.5% and 4.1% respectively. Laparoscopic approach shows lesser time of intestinal transit (mean 28.67 vs. mean 41.95 h), and restart of oral intake after surgery (mean 96.06 vs. mean 119.65) compared with open approach. Increased heart rate and intensive care unit length of stay were related with mortality (p 0.01 and 0.000 respectively). For morbidity, laparotomy and need and duration of ICU stay were related with any complication statistically significant (p 0.02, 0.008, 0.000 respectively). Patients with increased heart rate in the emergency room, decreased amount of intravenous fluids, need and higher length of stay in the intensive care unit, and delay in resuming oral intake after surgery appear to have poor outcomes. Laparoscopic approach seems to be a safe and feasible approach for intestinal obstruction in selected patients.

Incidence of appendiceal neoplasms in appendectomy patients.

BACKGROUND: Non-operative management has been suggested as a therapy for uncomplicated appendicitis. Notwithstanding, the risk of missing an appendiceal tumor must be considered, being the surgical piece crucial to rule out neoplasms. Therefore, we aim to determine the incidence of appendiceal neoplasms in patients with acute appendicitis, tumor types and the importance of the anatomopathological study of the surgical piece. STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective study in which we described patients who underwent emergent appendectomy with histopathological findings of appendiceal neoplasms from January 2012 to September 2018. Descriptive analysis included demographic variables, diagnostic methods, and surgical techniques. RESULTS: 2993 patients diagnosed with acute appendicitis who underwent an emergency appendectomy. 64 neoplasms of the appendix were found with an incidence of 2,14%. 67.2% were women, the mean age was 46,4 years (± 19.5). The most frequent appendiceal neoplasms were neuroendocrine tumors (42,2%), followed by appendiceal mucinous neoplasms (35,9%), sessile serrated adenomas (18,8%), and adenocarcinomas (3,1%). In 89,1% of the cases, acute appendicitis was determined by imaging, and 14% of cases were suspected intraoperatively. Appendectomy was performed in 78,1% without additional procedures. CONCLUSIONS: Appendiceal tumors are rare and must be ruled out in patients with suspected acute appendicitis. The incidence of incidental neoplasms is higher in this study than in the previously reported series. This information must be included in decision-making when considering treatment options for acute appendicitis.

Intermediate risk of choledocholithiasis: are we on the right path?

The risk of choledocholithiasis should be assessed in every patient undergoing cholecystectomy to define the next step. The American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy proposed a stratified predictor scale of choledocholithiasis. Therefore, we aimed to describe our experience managing patients with an intermediate risk of choledocholithiasis according to the American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy guidelines and the actual presence of bile duct stones in magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography. Methods: A retrospective observational study with a prospective database was conducted. The analysis included sociodemographic data, laboratory values, and imaging. Bivariate, multivariate, and receiver operating characteristic analysis were performed. Results: Three hundred twenty-seven patients had an intermediate risk for choledocholithiasis. Half the patients were at least 65 years old. 24.77% were diagnosed with choledocholithiasis. Bile duct dilation was documented in only 3.06% of cases. Diagnosis of choledocholithiasis is associated with an age odds ratio (OR): 1.87 (P 0.02), alkaline phosphatase OR: 2.44 (P 0.02), and bile duct dilation greater than 6 mm OR: 14.65 (P 0.00). Conclusions: High variability in the accuracy of imaging techniques results in a large number of patients classified as intermediate risk without choledocholithiasis in cholangioresonance. Therefore, enhancing the criteria to define intermediate risk for patients in order to optimize resources is of paramount importance.

Variations in clinical course and surgical outcomes of acute appendicitis during COVID-19 Pandemic: a multicenter cohort study.

BACKGROUND: COVID-19 pandemic has led to changes in the presentation and treatment of surgical pathologies. Therefore, we aim to describe the influence of the COVID-19 pandemic on the clinical presentation and management of acute appendicitis (AAp) and its surgical outcomes. STUDY DESIGN: A multicenter cohort study with prospectively collected databases. Three high-volume centers were included and all patients over 18 years of age who underwent appendectomy for AAp were included. Multiple logistic regression and multinomial logistic regression were performed, and odds ratio, relative risk, and B-coefficient were reported when appropriate, statistical significance was reached with p-values < 0.05. RESULTS: 1.468 patients were included (709 in the pre-pandemic group and 759 in the COVID-19 group). Female patients constituted 51.84%. Mean age was 38.13 ± 16.96 years. Mean Alvarado's score was 7.01 ± 1.59 points. Open surgical approach was preferred in 90.12%. Conversion rate of 1.29%. Mortality rate was 0.75%. There was an increase of perforated and localized peritonitis (p 0.01) in the COVID-19 group. Presence of any postoperative complication (p 0.00), requirement of right colectomy and ileostomy (p 0.00), and mortality (p 0.04) were higher in the COVID-19 group. Patients in the pre-pandemic group have a lesser risk of mortality (OR 0.14, p 0.02, 95% CI 0.02-0.81) and a lesser relative risk of having complicated appendicitis (RR 0.68, p 0.00, 95% CI 0.54-0.86). CONCLUSION: Complicated appendicitis was an unexpected consequence of the COVID-19 pandemic, due to surgical consultation delay, increased rates of morbidity, associated procedures, and mortality, influencing the clinical course and surgical outcomes of patients with AAp.

Meckel's diverticulum: analysis of 27 cases in an adult population.

Background: Meckel's diverticulum is a rare congenital pathology among newborns. Nevertheless, it is an uncommon abdominal pathology in the adult population. Therefore, we aim to provide a detailed account of our surgical approach in treating 27 cases of Meckel's diverticulum. Methods: This study is a cross-sectional analysis that utilized a database with prospectively collected data from 2004 to 2022. All patients under the age of 18 were excluded from the population. We described the population's demographic characteristics, symptoms, anatomopathological study, surgical technique, complications, morbidity, and mortality. A subgroup analysis was performed between the symptomatic and asymptomatic patients. Results: A total of 27 patients who underwent surgical resection for a posteriorly diagnosed Meckel's diverticulum were included. The male population accounted for 81.4% (n = 22) of the sample size. The symptomatic group consisted of 18 male and four female patients. Abdominal pain was the predominant symptom in 85% of the patients. Out of the 22 symptomatic patients, only 9% had a positive perioperative diagnosis of Meckel's diverticulum. All 27 patients with diverticulum diagnosis received the resection through diverticulectomy (n = 6), small bowel resection with end-to-end anastomosis (n = 6), and small bowel resection with lateral to lateral anastomosis (n = 15). The mean distance between the diverticulum and the ileocecal valve was 63.4 cm. The symptomatic group had an average diverticulum length of 3.54 cm, with an average base width of 2.47 cm. In the other group, the values were 2.75 and 1.61 cm. The average length of hospital stay in the symptomatic group was 7.3 days. Conclusions: Meckel's diverticulum is a rare pathology in the adult population. Its presentation varies from asymptomatic to symptomatic patients, and surgery is the cornerstone treatment for this pathology.

Succoring the challenging acute mesenteric ischemia: Feasibility of lactate dehydrogenase for evaluation of intestinal necrosis extension and mortality.

Background: Acute mesenteric ischemia is a lethal challenging pathology for surgeons in the emergency department due to its ambiguous clinical presentation and lack of early diagnostic markers. Serum lactate is considered a relevant biomarker in terms of bowel necrosis length and mortality prediction. Nevertheless, its association has been poorly studied. Hence, we evaluated the relation between serum lactate admission levels, bowel necrosis extension, and mortality in patients with acute mesenteric ischemia. Methods: A Retrospective cross-sectional study with a prospective database was conducted, including patients over 18 years old with mesenteric ischemia that required surgical management between January 2012 and December 2018. We describe the association between serum lactate admission levels with bowel necrosis length and mortality in patients with acute mesenteric ischemia. Results: 74 patients presented with acute mesenteric ischemia, 44 males and 30 females. Mean age was 73.5 ± 10.7 years old. Significant association between serum lactate admission levels and mortality was found (ROC cut-value of 3.8 mmol/l, 81.0% sensibility and 76% specificity, LR+3.41 (95%CI 1.57, 7.40), LR- 0.25 (95%CI 0.13-0.45))(P.001). Nonetheless no statistically significant association was found between serum lactate admission levels and bowel necrosis length (ρ = 0.195,95%CI -0.046, -0.436, P > .99). As post hoc analysis, a classification and regression tree on mortality was fitted. Conclusions: Early diagnosis, prognosis and management of mesenteric ischemia is vital given its high morbidity and mortality. Serum lactate admission levels can be considered as a useful prognostic tool in terms of mortality in patients with acute mesenteric ischemia.

Postoperative outcomes of minimally invasive adrenalectomy: do body mass index and tumor size matter? A single-center experience.

BACKGROUND: Since Gagner performed the first laparoscopic adrenalectomy in 1992, laparoscopy has become the gold-standard procedure in the treatment of adrenal surgical diseases. A review of the literature indicates that the rate of intra- and postoperative complications are not negligible. This study aims to describe the single-center experience of adrenalectomies; and explore the associations between body mass index (BMI) and tumor volume in main postoperative outcomes. METHODS: Retrospective observational study with a prospective database in which we described patients who underwent adrenalectomy between January 2015 and December 2020. Operative time, intraoperative blood loss, conversion rate, complications, length of hospital stay, and comparison of the number of antihypertensive drugs used before and after surgery were analyzed. Analysis of BMI and tumor volume with postoperative outcomes such as anti-hypertensive change (AHC) in drug usage and pre-operative conditions were performed. RESULTS: Forty-five adrenalectomies were performed, and all of them were carried out laparoscopically. Four were performed as a robot-assisted laparoscopy approach. Nineteen were women and 26 were men. Mean age was 54.9 ± 13.8 years. Mean tumor volume was 95.698 mm3 (3.75-1010.87). Mean operative time was shorter in right tumors (2.64 ± 0.75 h) than in left tumors (3.33 ± 2.73 h). Pearson correlation was performed to assess the relationship between BMI and AHC showing a direct relationship between increased BMI and higher change in anti-hypertensive drug usage at postoperative period r(45) = 0.92, p > 0.05 CI 95%. Higher tumor volume showed a longer operative time, r(45) = 0.6 (p = 0.000 CI 95%). CONCLUSIONS: Obese patients could have an increased impact with surgery with an increased change in postoperative anti-hypertensive management. Tumor volume is associated with increased operative time and blood loss, our data suggest that it could be associated with increased rates of morbidity. However, further prospective studies with larger sample sizes are needed to validate our results.

Aorto-iliac paraganglioma: Case report and literature review.

INTRODUCTION: Paraganglioma and pheochromocytoma are uncommon conditions that affect around 1.5-9 patients per million. The most frequent symptoms are headache, hypertension and diaphoresis; however, palpitations or tachycardia could be present. Malignancy is not frequent, and when is suspected, positron emission tomography (PET) should be performed. Surgery it's the gold standard treatment, with acceptable rates of morbidity and mortality. PRESENTATION OF THE CASE: A 33-year-old woman presented to private practice with long-standing symptoms consisting of asthenia, adynamia, and sensation of palpable masses in the neck. Due to her medical history and imaging findings, urine metanephrines were obtained, showing high values of adrenaline 6.69 (µg/24 h), noradrenaline 130.09 (µg/24 h), dopamine 262.59 (µg/24 h). PET was performed to identify hyperfunctioning masses in other locations, finding bilateral carotid hypermetabolic masses and a nodular lesion anterior to the aortoiliac bifurcation, probably malignant. Laparoscopic retroperitoneal tumor resection was performed by a laparoscopic and metabolic surgeon, with intraoperative findings of a vascularized mass (30 × 25 mm) closely related to the left aortoiliac bifurcation and peritoneal fluid. DISCUSSION: Paragangliomas are rare tumors that frequently produce catecholamines with varied symptoms. Diagnosis requires patient history, laboratory studies including 24-hour urine-metanephrines and plasma metanephrine levels. Imaging such as CT, MRI and PET scan are necessary. Perioperative management needs to be performed and surgery is the basis of the treatment in patients with localized disease. Metastatic disease has a 50% mortality at 5 years and requires a different approach. CONCLUSION: Paraganglioma is a rare and complex entity that requires a multidisciplinary approach.

Morbimortality assessment in abdominal surgery: are we predicting or overreacting?

BACKGROUND: High-risk surgical procedures represent a fundamental part of general surgery practice due to its significant rates of morbidity and mortality. Different predictive tools have been created in order to quantify perioperative morbidity and mortality risk. POSSUM (Physiological and Operative Severity Score for the enumeration of Mortality and morbidity) is one of the most widely validated predictive scores considering physiological and operative variables to precisely define morbimortality risk. Nevertheless, seeking greater accuracy in predictions P-POSSUM was proposed. We aimed to compare POSSUM and P-POSSUM for patients undergoing abdominal surgery. METHODS: A retrospective observational study with a prospective database was conducted. Patients over 18 years old who complied with inclusion criteria between 2015 and 2016 were included. Variables included in the POSSUM and P-POSSUM Scores were analyzed. Descriptive statistics of all study parameters were provided. The analysis included socio-demographic data, laboratory values ​​, and imaging. Bivariate analysis was performed. RESULTS: 350 Patients were included in the analysis, 55.1% were female. The mean age was 55.9 ± 20.4 years old. POSSUM revealed a moderated index score in 61.7% of the patients, mean score of 12.85 points ± 5.61. 89.1% of patients had no neoplastic diagnosis associated. Overall morbidity and mortality rate was 14.2% and 7.1%. P-POSSUM could predict more precisely mortality (p < 0.00). CONCLUSIONS: The POSSUM score is likely to overestimate the risk of morbidity and mortality in patients with high/moderate risk, while the P-POSSUM score seems to be a more accurate predictor of mortality risk. Further studies are needed to confirm our results.

Outcomes of 207 totally extraperitoneal hernia repairs using self-fixation mesh.

Inguinal hernia (IH) repair is one of the most common procedures in general surgery around the world. Minimizing postoperative acute and chronic pain without increasing recurrence has been a critical point, giving place to different strategies like self-fixation mesh. The current study aimed to describe a group of patients who underwent IH repair by Totally Extraperitoneal (TEP) technique with self-gripping mesh at a fourth level hospital between 2012 and 2019. Retrospective review of a prospectively collected database including patients who underwent laparoscopic TEP approach with self-fixation mesh for IH repair. Follow up data was obtained at 12, 24, 36, 48, and 60 months post surgical intervention. 207 hernia repairs were performed in 142 patients, with a total of 66 patients with bilateral IH. 10.6% required hospitalization due to either concomitant procedure performed or cardiovascular comorbidities, with a mean hospital stay of 1.6 days. Median and late follow up was up to 5 years. 88.9% of patients complete a year, 86% two years, and 36.7% with a 5 year follow-up. IH repair using the TEP technique and self-fixation mesh showed to be an excellent approach, demonstrating satisfactory results in follow up and complications.

Hill Modified, a Novel Approach: Technique Description and Experience in Patients with Laparoscopic Sleeve Gastrectomy.

BACKGROUND: Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is a common disease among patients with obesity, with an associated prevalence of 39 to 61% between the population who attends a bariatric surgery evaluation. Laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG) has become a popular and valid option for obesity treatment, even though the literature is ambivalent regarding the increase or decrease in GERD after this surgery. Thus, it is necessary to propose new surgical techniques as a solution to GERD in patients with a concomitant LSG or with a history of it. Therefore, we present a modified technique based on Hill's gastropexy described originally in 1967. OBJECTIVE: Describe and propose a surgical procedure for GERD management based on the Hill technique that can be applied in all patients who undergo an LSG or with a history of it. METHODS: Retrospective observational study with a prospective database in which we described, Hill modified technique in a group of 16 patients with GERD who underwent this procedure concomitantly with an LSG or who presented with GERD after LSG with a 3-year follow-up. The surgical technique is based on an intra-abdominal esophageal length of a minimum of 3 cm and posterior fixation of the gastroesophageal junction to the crus. RESULTS: Postoperative controls have shown satisfactory results in the control and management of GERD symptoms in this group of patients, with very few to no complications associated with the procedure and without reintervention or medication out of the standard protocol. CONCLUSION: Hill modified technique can be used and presented as an option for GERD control in patients with LSG.

Anthropometric Assessment for Bariatric Procedures in the Private Practice of a Registered Dietitian in Colombia.

BACKGROUND: Obesity and its consequences have now reached worldwide pandemic proportions. Among treatments, bariatric interventions are the most effective for weight reduction. Here, we describe the change in anthropometric measurements (AMs) of 615 adult bariatric procedure patients seen in the private practice of a registered dietitian (RD) in Bogotá, Colombia. METHODS: Observational retrospective study of AMs recorded between 1996 and 2013 for patients who had laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG, n = 290), laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding (LAGB, n = 207), and laparoscopic Roux-EN-Y gastric bypass (LRYGB, n = 36) or the non-surgical gastric balloon (GB, n = 82) procedure. Patients had three bimonthly follow-up visits. Paired t tests compared baseline (first) and 6-month (fourth) follow-up visit values. RESULTS: Differences in AMs between the baseline and fourth visits were statistically significant for the surgical interventions. A mean weight loss of 22 kg, equivalent to a 22% total body weight loss, together with significant reduction of the waist-to-height-ratio (WHtR)(p < 0.001) and body mass index (BMI)(p < 0.001), was observed across all procedures. CONCLUSIONS: The use of multiple AMs enables a comprehensive assessment of body composition in patients who undergo bariatric procedures. Our study is a useful resource for international future reference and highlights the impact that the RD can have on understanding and influencing the effectiveness of bariatric procedures.

Necesidades nutricionales específicas después de cirugía bariátrica / Specific nutritional requirements following bariatric surgery

La cirugía bariátrica es un procedimiento exitoso y cada vez más utilizado para el tratamiento de la obesidad con presencia de enfermedades asociadas o sin ella. Existen diferentes tipos de procedimientos los cuales se seleccionan dependiendo del tipo de paciente y de la recomendación y experiencia del médico tratante. La cirugía bariátrica per se genera deficiencias nutricionales que deben considerarse de antemano y, por lo tanto, ser tratadas y no obviadas. La administración a ciegas de suplementos nutricionales conlleva a pecar tanto por déficit como por exceso, lo cual genera consecuencias nutricionales a corto y a largo plazo. El cirujano y su equipo deben ir más allá del procedimiento quirúrgico y contribuir con el tratamiento metabólico y nutricional, consiguiendo una mejor calidad de vida para el paciente.

Bariatric surgery is a successful procedure increasingly used for the treatment of obesity with or without the presence of comorbidities. There are several bariatric procedures, which are selected depending on the patient, the recommendation and experience of the physician. Bariatric surgery "per se" generates nutritional deficiencies that must be considered in advance and therefore treated and not obviated. The blind administration of nutritional supplements leads to both deficit and excess, creating short and long term nutritional consequences. The surgeon and his team must go beyond the surgical procedure and consider nutrition as a complementary treatment, which contributes to a better metabolic and nutritional patient's status and therefore a better quality of life.

Gastrectomía vertical por laparoscopia "Manga gástrica" / Laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy

La obesidad mórbida es, después del cigarrillo, la causa de mayor mortalidad prevenible en el mundo entero. Es una patología crónica de manejo interdisciplinario en la que la cirugía bariátrica hace parte fundamental del tratamiento, ya que logra, más que cualquier otro, la disminución y mantenimiento del peso con el propósito de resolver y/o mejorar las comorbilidades secundarias. Dentro del armamento quirúrgico se encuentra la gastrectomía vertical o manga gástrica, procedimiento que ha demostrado ser fisiológico, efectivo y seguro en el manejo de esta enfermedad. Hoy día no se trata de un procedimiento únicamente restrictivo, sino que conlleva a cambios hormonales con respecto a las hormonas orexigénicas como la ghrelina y en otras como la GLP1 y en el PYY. Su morbilidad y mortalidad quirúrgica es muy baja y sus excelentes resultados hasta el momento son de gran importancia dentro de la cirugía bariátrica.

Morbid obesity is the second leading preventable cause of death after cigarette smoking in the world. It is a chronic pathology which requires interdisciplinary management in which bariatric surgery plays a fundamental part. It results in greater weight loss and better maintenance of weight loss than any other treatment in the effort to resolve or diminish secondary comorbidities associated with morbid obesity. One of the surgical tools used for this surgery is sleeve gastrectomy (vertical gastrectomy). This procedure has demonstrated itself to be physiological, effective, and safe for management of this disease. These days it is considered to be a procedure restricted only by the hormonal changes it brings about in orexigenic hormones such as ghrelin, glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP1) and peptide YY (PYY). Morbidity and mortality rates for this surgery are very low, but surgical results to date are excellent. This has moved sleeve gastrectomies into an important place within bariatric surgery.