Having Outpatient Major Elective (HOME) Robotic Colon Resection Protocol: A Safe Approach to Ambulatory Colon Resection.

BACKGROUND: Within the past decade, colorectal surgery length of stay (LOS) has decreased from an average of 5-6 days to 2-3 days. However, elective colon resections have yet to become a common procedure with the potential for same-day discharge. During the COVID pandemic, hospital capacity was exceptionally strained and colon resections were delayed due to the lack of inpatient beds available. PURPOSE: We sought to create a protocolized ERAS (enhanced recovery after surgery) pathway that would allow for safe and feasible ambulatory colon resections as well as decreasing overall hospital inpatient burden. RESEARCH DESIGN: Between November 2020 and March 2022, 15 patients were offered same-day discharges under the HOME protocol. Of the 15 patients, 11 patients agreed to be discharged home the day of surgery and followed prospectively for 30 days. All procedures were performed robotically. STUDY SAMPLE: Patients were selected based on level of preoperative health (ASA class 1 and 2), low-risk for loss to follow-up, ability for close family supervision for 3 days postoperatively, and type of procedure (partial colectomy). Close follow-up was achieved with daily telephonic or televideo visits for 3 days post-operatively, as well as a 2-week outpatient clinic follow-up. DATA COLLECTION: A total of 11 patient underwent same-day surgery utilizing the protocol, 5 females and 6 males, between the ages of 34 and 62. All patients were ASA class 2. Indications for colon resection were cecal volvulus (1), recurrent sigmmoid diverticulitis (9), and Crohn's disease (1). Primary outcome was readmission rates within the 30-days. RESULTS: There were no readmissions or complications during the perioperative 30-day period. There was one emergency department return for pain who was not admitted. Average operative time was 132.1 minutes. CONCLUSION: Using a novel enhanced recovery protocol, we demonstrated the feasibility and safety of ambulatory partial colectomy in a highly select small subset of patients.

Relationship Between Gender, Training Level and Goal Orientation Achievement Motivation: Implications for Learners and Faculty.

PURPOSE: Achievement goal orientation (GO) theory describes Mastery (M), one's intrinsic drive for competency for the sake of competency, and performance approach (PAP), a drive for competency by displaying competency, which are both adaptive. In learners motivated by performance avoid (PAV), showing competency by avoiding appearing incompetent dominates (maladaptive). The aim of this study was to determine differences in GO by gender and training (PGY) level. METHODS: A prospective, multi-institutional cohort of general surgery trainees participated in a cross-sectional study (2020-2021). Participants completed a 10-item instrument (the Goal Orientation in Surgical Trainees, GO-ST) measured on a 5-pointLikert scale (1 = never,3 = weekly,5 = daily). Student's t-tests and ANOVA F-test were used as appropriate. RESULTS: A total of 144/164 trainees participated (87.8%). The sample was 40.0%(n = 56) female and 57.9%(n = 81) male; 21.3%(n = 30) were PGY1, 22.0%(n = 31) PGY2, 24.8%(n = 35) PGY3, 18.4%(n = 26) PGY4, 13.5%(n = 19) PGY5. There were no significant differences in mean scale scores by gender for Mastery (3.3 vs 3.5; p = 0.17), or PAP (3.7 vs 3.5; p = 0.10), but mean PAV scores were significantly higher for females (3.6 vs 3.3; p = 0.04). While there were no significant differences in mean Mastery and PAP scale scores by training level (p = 0.44; p = 0.31), there was a significant difference in PAV scores (p < 0.01). The frequency of PAV feelings decreased over 5 years. CONCLUSIONS: Only PAV motivation differed by gender and training level. Understanding the psychology of motivation with this framework can aid both residents and programs in re-focusing on more adaptive learning strategies and supporting trainees in their transition to master surgeons.

Incidence of polyp formation following bariatric surgery.

BACKGROUND: Multiple studies have linked obesity to an increased risk of cancer. The correlation is so strong that the national cancer prevention guidelines recommend weight loss for patients with obesity to reduce their risk of cancer. Bariatric surgery has been shown to be very effective in sustained weight loss. However, there have been mixed findings about bariatric surgery and its effects on the risk of colorectal cancer. OBJECTIVE: This study sought to examine bariatric surgery patients and their risk of pre-cancerous or cancerous polyps to elucidate any risk factors or associations between bariatric surgery and colorectal cancer. SETTING: A retrospective review of the academic medical center's bariatric surgery database was performed from January 2010 to January 2017. Patients who underwent medical or surgical weight loss and had a subsequent colonoscopy were included in the study. Positive colonoscopy findings were described as malignant or premalignant polyps. METHODS: A total of 1777 patients were included, with 1360 in the medical group and 417 in the surgical group. Data analysis included patient demographics, co-morbidities, procedure performed, surgical approach, weight loss, and colonoscopy findings. A multivariate analysis was used to determine whether an association exists between weight loss and incidence of colorectal polyps, and if so, whether the association different for medical versus surgical weight loss. RESULTS: A higher percentage of body mass index (BMI) reduction was seen in the surgical group. An overall comparison showed average reductions in BMI of 27.7% in the surgical group and 3.5% in the medical group (P < .0001). Patients with the greatest reduction in BMI, regardless of medical or surgical therapy, showed a lower incidence of precancerous and cancerous polyps (P = .041). CONCLUSION: This study offers a unique approach in examining the incidence of colorectal polyps related to obesity. Patients with the greatest reduction in their BMI, more common in the surgical group, had a lower incidence of precancerous and cancerous polyps.

The Other Double Bubble Sign: Gastric Parastomal Hernia.

Introduction: A parastomal hernia (PSH) is an abnormal herniation of an intra-abdominal organ or other tissue through an intentionally created fascial defect at an ostomy site. PSHs commonly involve reducible mobile segments of omentum, intra-abdominal fat, and bowel. However, PSHs may rarely involve fixed intra-abdominal organs such as the stomach. Case Description: A 68-year-old female underwent emergent Hartmann procedure for Hinchey III diverticulitis and subsequently developed a large reducible parastomal hernia. She was scheduled for an elective laparoscopic colostomy reversal. Prior to her scheduled reversal, the patient presented to the ED with anorexia, lack of colostomy output, emesis, and pain localized to her left lower quadrant. She was found to have gastric outlet obstruction secondary to herniation of the stomach through the left lower quadrant colostomy site. The patient was admitted and treated conservatively with resolution of her symptoms, but due to the high likelihood of recurrence, the decision was made to proceed with laparoscopic Hartmann colostomy reversal with coloproctostomy and primary closure of the fascia without mesh. Conclusion: The contents of a PSH can become incarcerated causing obstruction, strangulation, necrosis and even perforation over time. Fortunately, in this case, herniation of the stomach was recognized early. The patient underwent repair of the hernia defect in order to prevent recurrence of gastric herniation and its potential detrimental complications. The decision regarding the technical aspects of ostomy reversal in terms of mesh selection require further study. In our case, mesh was not used due to patient-specific factors and comorbidities.

Robotic Inguinal Hernia Repair Outcomes: Operative Time and Cost Analysis.

BACKGROUND: Robotic inguinal hernia repair is the latest iteration of minimally invasive herniorrhaphy. Previous studies have shown expedited learning curves compared to traditional laparoscopy, which may be offset by higher cost and longer operative time. We sought to compare operative time and direct cost across the evolving surgical practice of 10 surgeons in our healthcare system. METHODS: This is a retrospective review of all transabdominal preperitoneal robotic inguinal hernia repairs performed by 10 general surgeons from July 2015 to September 2018. Patients requiring conversion to an open procedure or undergoing simultaneous procedures were excluded. The data was divided to compare each surgeon's initial 20 cases to their subsequent cases. Direct operative cost was calculated based on the sum of supplies used intra-operatively. Multivariate analysis, using a generalized estimating equation, was adjusted for laterality and resident involvement to evaluate outcomes. RESULTS: Robotic inguinal hernia repairs were divided into two groups: early experience (n = 167) and late experience (n = 262). The late experience had a shorter mean operative time by 17.6 min (confidence interval: 4.06 - 31.13, p = 0.011), a lower mean direct operative cost by $538.17 (confidence interval: 307.14 - 769.20, p < 0.0001), and fewer postoperative complications (p = 0.030) on multivariate analysis. Thirty-day readmission rates were similar between both groups. CONCLUSION: Increasing surgeon experience with robotic inguinal hernia repair is associated with a predictable reduction in operative time, complication rates, and direct operative cost per case. Thirty-day readmission rates are not affected by the learning curve.

Does routine use of indocyanine green fluorescence angiography prevent anastomotic leaks? A retrospective cohort analysis.

BACKGROUND: Insufficient perfusion to anastomoses in colorectal surgery is known to lead to complications. This study aims to evaluate whether routine use of fluorescence angiography (FA) alters the incidence of anastomotic leaks after colorectal surgery. METHODS: This was a retrospective study of 554 colorectal resections with and without the use of intraoperative fluorescence angiography. Anastomotic leak rates and whether angiography altered surgical management were the main outcomes measured. RESULTS: The anastomotic leak rate was found to be 1.3% both with and without use of FA (p > 0.05). Significantly more alterations were made to planned anastomotic site in FA group (n = 13, 5.6%) as compared to the group prior to use of FA in whom no alterations were made (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: No significant difference was found in anastomotic leak rates between the two groups studied. Routine use of fluorescence angiography significantly altered intra-operative decision-making without discernible change in clinical outcome.

Multiquadrant robotic colorectal surgery: the da Vinci Xi vs Si comparison.

The newly introduced da Vinci Xi Surgical System hopes to address the shortcomings of its predecessor, specifically robotic arm restrictions and difficulty working in multiple quadrants. We compare the two robot platforms in multiquadrant surgery at a major colorectal referral center. Forty-four patients in the da Vinci Si group and 26 patients in the Xi group underwent sigmoidectomy or low anterior resection between 2014 and 2016. Patient demographics, operative variables, and postoperative outcomes were compared using descriptive statistics. Both groups were similar in age, sex, BMI, pelvic surgeries, and ASA class. Splenic flexure was mobilized in more (p = 0.045) da Vinci Xi cases compared to da Vinci Si both for sigmoidectomy (50 vs 15.4%) and low anterior resection (60 vs 29%). There was no significant difference in operative time (219.9 vs 224.7 min; p = 0.640), blood loss (170.0 vs 188.1 mL; p = 0.289), length of stay (5.7 vs 6 days; p = 0.851), or overall complications (26.9 vs 22.7%; p = 0.692) between the da Vinci Xi and Si groups, respectively. Single-dock multiquadrant robotic surgery, measured by splenic flexure mobilization with concomitant pelvic dissection, was more frequently performed using the da Vinci Xi platform with no increase in operative time, bleeding, or postoperative complications. The new platform provides surgeons an easier alternative to the da Vinci Si dual docking or combined robotic/laparoscopic multiquadrant surgery.

Squamous Cell Carcinoma Originating from a Crohn's Enterocutaneous Fistula.

Purpose. Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) developing within fistulae and chronic wounds in patients with Crohn's disease is a rare phenomenon with few reported studies in the literature. Clinical suspicion for SCC in Crohn's disease patients with chronic painful fistulae is low, leading to delayed diagnosis and treatment. We present a patient with long-standing Crohn's disease complicated by malignant degeneration of an enterocutaneous fistula tract. Methods. Workup with MRI, CT, and fistulogram revealed a 7 × 3 cm fistulous connection between a loop of small intestine and the patient's perineum. Biopsies of the fistula tract confirmed the diagnosis of SCC. Results. The patient underwent an abdominoperineal resection with positive margins and is currently awaiting radiation therapy. Conclusions. This is the second case reported within the English literature of SCC arising from an enterocutaneous fistula in the setting of Crohn's disease. Based on the findings in this case report and others presented in the literature, a high degree of suspicion of malignancy should be present in patients with chronic painful, poor-healing fistulae, especially in the absence of infection.

Intraoperative indocyanine green fluorescence angiography--an objective evaluation of anastomotic perfusion in colorectal surgery.

The essentials for any bowel anastomosis are: adequate perfusion, tension free, accurate tissue apposition, and minimal local spillage. Traditionally, perfusion is measured by assessing palpable pulses in the mesentery, active bleeding at cut edges, and lack of tissue discoloration. However, subjective methods lack predictive accuracy for an anastomotic leak. We used intraoperative indocyanine green (ICG) fluorescence angiography to objectively assess colon perfusion before a bowel anastomosis. Seventy-seven laparoscopic colorectal operations, between June 2013 and June 2014, were retrospectively reviewed. The perfusion to the colon and ileum was clinically assessed, and then measured using the SPY Elite Imaging System. The absolute value provided an objective number on a 0-256 gray-scale to represent differences in ICG fluorescence intensity. The lowest absolute value was used in data analysis for each anastomosis (including small bowel) to represent the theoretical least perfused/weakest anastomotic area. The lowest absolute value recorded was 20 in a patient who underwent a laparoscopic right hemicolectomy for an adenoma, with no postoperative complications. Four low anterior resection patients had additional segments of descending colon resected. There was one mortality in a patient who underwent a laparoscopic right hemicolectomy. This study illustrates an initial experience with the SPY system in colorectal surgery. The SPY provides an objective, numerical value of bowel perfusion. However, evidence is scant as to the significance of these numbers. Large-scale randomized controlled trials are required to determine specific cutoff values correlated with surgical outcomes, specifically anastomotic leak rates.

Analysis of reoperations after laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding is considered the least invasive surgical option for the treatment of morbid obesity. Its initial popularity has been marred by recent long-term studies showing high complication rates. We sought to examine our experience with gastric banding and factors leading to reoperation. METHODS: We reviewed retrospective data of 305 patients who underwent laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding between 2004 and 2011 at a single institution, 42 patients of whom required a reoperation, constituting 13.8%. Patients undergoing elective reoperations for port protrusion from weight loss as a purely cosmetic issue were excluded (n = 10). Patients' demographic data, weight loss, time to reoperation, and complications were analyzed. RESULTS: Of 305 patients, 42 (13.8%) required reoperations: 26 underwent band removal (8.5%) and 16 underwent port revision (5.2%). The mean weight and body mass index for all patients who underwent reoperations were 122.6 kg and 45.0 kg/m(2), respectively. The most common complication leading to band removal was gastric prolapse (n = 14, 4.6%). The most common indication for port revision was a nonfunctioning port (n = 10, 3.3%). CONCLUSION: Laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding was initially popularized as a minimally invasive gastric-restrictive procedure with low morbidity. Our study showed a 13.8% reoperation rate at 3 years' follow-up. Most early reoperations (<2 years) were performed for port revision, whereas later reoperations (>2 years) were likely to be performed for band removal. Laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding is associated with high reoperation rates; therefore bariatric surgeons should carefully consider other surgical weight-loss options tailored to the needs of the individual patient that may have lower complication and reoperation rates.

Hostile Abdomen Index Risk stratification and laparoscopic complications.

BACKGROUND: Common life-threatening complications associated with laparoscopy, including bleeding and inadvertent enterotomy, are described in the literature. We investigated the application of the Hostile Abdomen Index related to these complications. We hypothesize that the preoperative score may guide a surgeon in risk stratification. METHODS: We used data from Monmouth Medical Center morbidity and mortality conferences and reviewed bleeding and enterotomy complications in laparoscopic abdominal surgery. Complications were tracked using the Hostile Abdomen Index compared between 2 periods: published early experience with laparoscopic surgery (1998-2003) and unpublished late experience (2004-2010). The index ascribes a number (1-4) before a laparoscope is inserted and another number (1-4) after the laparoscope is inserted into the abdomen. RESULTS: From 1998 to 2010, 43 patients had bleeding complications (0.45%) and 28 had inadvertent enterotomies (0.29%). There was no difference in bleeding between the early and late experiences. Enterotomy complications decreased in the late experience (P < .001). Our rescue success was 97.2% over 13 years. Those laparoscopic cases with high preoperative scores (3-4) had a higher rate of conversion to open procedures. CONCLUSIONS: The Hostile Abdomen Index can be used to track 2 potentially life-threatening laparoscopic complications. The index score has been explained to our surgeons on numerous occasions. A higher chance of bleeding and enterotomy or risk stratification correlates with a preoperative 3 or 4 score and may lead to a more cautious approach toward initial laparotomy or earlier conversion.

Simultaneous laparoscopic paraesophageal hernia repair and sleeve gastrectomy in the morbidly obese.

BACKGROUND: Morbid obesity is associated with increased rates of hiatal and paraesophageal hernias. Although laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy is gaining popularity as the procedure of choice for morbid obesity, there is little data regarding the management of paraesophageal hernias found intraoperatively. The aim of this study was to evaluate the feasibility and benefits of a combined sleeve gastrectomy and paraesophageal hernia repair in morbidly obese patients. METHODS: From May 2011 to February 2013, 23 patients underwent laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy combined with the repair of a paraesophageal hernia. Only 4 patients had a large hiatal hernia documented preoperatively on esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD). The body mass index (BMI), operative time, length of stay, and complications were evaluated. RESULTS: The average operative time was 165 minutes (115-240 minutes) and length of stay was 2.83 days (2-6 days). All patients were female except for one, with an average age of 53.4 years and a BMI of 41.9 kg/m(2). There were no complications during the procedures. Mean follow-up was 6.16 months (1-19 months), and mean excess weight loss was 39%. The average cost of admission for a combined procedure ($10,056), was slightly higher than a laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy ($8905) or laparoscopic paraesophageal hernia repair ($8954) done separately. CONCLUSIONS: Laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy combined with a paraesophageal hernia repair is well-tolerated and feasible in morbidly obese patients. Surgeons should be aware that preoperative EGD is not effective at diagnosing large hiatal or paraesophageal hernias. Surgeons with the skill set to repair paraesophageal hernias should do a combined procedure because it is well-tolerated, feasible, and can reduce the cost of multiple hospital admissions.