MIS for enucleation of leiomyoma of the oesophagus-strategic approach and experience of 19 cases.

INTRODUCTION: Leiomyoma of the oesophagus, although rare, is the most common benign tumour to occur in the organ. Surgical approaches have evolved over time from an open thoracotomy or laparotomy to video-assisted thoracoscopic or laparoscopic and now robotic enucleation. We report a series of 19 cases of leiomyoma of the middle- and lower-third oesophagus treated by minimally invasive surgery. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A retrospective analysis of 19 cases operated at a single tertiary care centre in India was performed. After the diagnosis of a benign oesophageal neoplasm on computed tomography (CT) and endosonography, laparoscopic transhiatal enucleation of the tumour for lower third ( n = 16) and right-sided video-assisted thoracoscopic excision for middle-third tumours ( n = 3) were performed. Dor fundoplication was done after the excision of leiomyomas from the lower oesophagus. RESULTS: The most common symptom at presentation was retrosternal burning in lower oesophageal tumours, while tumours in the middle third of the oesophagus were asymptomatic and incidentally detected. The size of the tumour ranged from 3 cm to 8 cm in the largest dimension on contrast-enhanced CT scan. The mean operative time was 93 min ranging from 61 to 137 min. The average blood loss was 53 ml. No patient had an iatrogenic oesophageal mucosal injury. There were no conversions to open surgery or major complications including post-operative leak or death. Post-operative recovery was uneventful. CONCLUSION: The transhiatal approach to lower oesophageal leiomyomas is strategic to avoid complications of thoracoscopy, minimally invasive, cost-effective as compared to robotic surgery, suitable for adequate exposure and safe in the hands of an experienced laparoscopic surgeon.

Laparoscopic concomitant cholecystectomy and splenectomy for true left-sided gall bladder with hereditary spherocytosis.

A true left-sided gall bladder (LSG) is a rare finding, is mostly discovered incidentally and often presents with symptoms similar to those of a normally positioned gall bladder. The diagnosis in most cases is intraoperative. The surgical technique is frequently difficult, with an increased risk of intraoperative injuries and conversion to open surgery. In this case report, we describe a rare scenario of a young male with hereditary spherocytosis who presented with jaundice and splenomegaly. The diagnosis of LSG was made by chance during pre-operative imaging. The patient was successfully managed with a splenectomy and a cholecystectomy via the minimal access approach in the same setting.

Laparoscopic transhiatal stapled closure of spontaneous pleuroesophageal fistula: A case report.

Pleuroesophageal (PE) fistula (PEF) is rare and usually presents secondary to tuberculous mediastinal lymphadenopathy, Boerhaave syndrome, penetrating foreign bodies, erosive oesophagitis, post-mediastinal and gastroesophageal surgeries and neoplasm. We present a case of spontaneous PEF, successfully treated laparoscopically with stapling done through the hiatus.

Laparoscopic peritoneal dialysis catheter insertion: an oasis harnessed-experience and results at a tertiary care centre in India.

BACKGROUND: Peritoneal dialysis is a life sustaining renal replacement therapy for patients with end stage renal disease. In comparison to hemodialysis it offers better mobility and independence to patients. A number of techniques including open, laparoscopic and fluoroscopy guided, and their modifications, have been described for intraperitoneal catheter insertion. We describe our technique and results of laparoscopic peritoneal dialysis (PD) catheter insertion at a tertiary care centre in India. CASE SERIES: 48 patients were referred from the department of nephrology at our centre for laparoscopic PD catheter insertion. A two port technique was used in 37 patients and three port technique was implemented in the rest for simultaneous adhesiolysis and/or omentectomy. A straight tip catheter was tunneled through the rectus muscle in all patients. Two patients had incisional hernia from a previous abdominal surgery which was repaired concomitantly with onlay meshplasty. RESULTS: The operative time ranged between 20 and 35 min under general anaesthesia. Three patients were subjected to urgent start dialysis of which one patient developed peridrain leak as an early complication which was managed conservatively. All other patients were commenced on peritoneal dialysis two weeks after surgery. There was no other surgical site occurrence or episodes of peritonitis reported in a 6 month follow up period with the department of nephrology. CONCLUSION: In the era of minimal access surgery, the laparoscopic approach is feasible for widespread and safe use for PD catheter insertion. The benefits of PD can thus be made available to patients at civil hospitals even with a basic laparoscopy setup.

Persistent omphalomesenteric duct and urachus presenting as an umbilical hernia.

Vitellointestinal duct anomalies, although one of the most frequent malformations to be found (2%-3% in population), they are most unlikely to cause symptoms. A persistent Vitellointestinal duct can induce abdominal pain, bowel obstruction, intestinal haemorrhage and umbilical sinus, fistula or hernia which commonly occurs in children. Patent vitellointestinal duct or persistent omphalomesenteric duct is a very unusual congenital anomaly which occurs in 2% of the population related to the embryonic yolk stalk. Similarly, urachal anomalies remain a rare finding, with the most common being a cyst or sinus followed by patent urachus and rarely a urachal diverticulum. Presenting symptoms include periumbilical discharge, pain and a palpable mass.Here, we report a case of an adult patient with patent vitellointestinal duct and urachus identified intraoperatively on diagnostic laparoscopy when being operated for umbilical hernia repair.

Comparison of efficacy and safety of the enhanced-view totally extraperitoneal (eTEP) and transabdominal (TARM) minimal access techniques for retromuscular placement of prosthesis in the treatment of irreducible midline ventral hernia.

BACKGROUND: Retromuscular plane for mesh placement is preferred for ventral hernia repair. With the evolution of minimal access surgeries, newer techniques to deploy a mesh in the sublay plane have evolved. We compared two such minimally invasive approaches for repair of irreducible ventral midline hernia with respect to the efficacy and safety of the procedures. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This is a retrospective study of a prospectively maintained database of 73 patients operated with retromuscular placement of mesh for irreducible ventral midline hernia by enhanced-view totally extraperitoneal (eTEP) or transabdominal retromuscular (TARM) repair. We recorded and compared the intraoperative and post-operative complications, post-operative pain score, recovery, recurrence, subjective technical ease of procedure and patient satisfaction after 3 months and 12 months of the surgery. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: Thirty-eight patients were operated by eTEP technique and the subsequent 35 were operated by TARM repair. There was no significant difference in the outcome of surgery and complications by the two techniques. However, there was a significant subjective technical ease in the TARM group due to ergonomic triangulated port placement and adhesiolysis and reduction of hernia contents under vision. The number of ports used and post-operative pain were, however, higher in the TARM group as compared to that of the eTEP group. Nearly 96% of the patients belonging to both groups were satisfied with their surgery after a year on telephonic follow-up. However, further studies and follow-up of patients would be required to establish the advantage of one technique over the other.

Laparoscopic surgery for non-obstetric acute abdomen in pregnancy: A retrospective case series review.

BACKGROUND: Laparoscopic techniques have been used during pregnancy by obstetricians since the 1970's, primarily to diagnose and treat ectopic and heterotopic pregnancies. Pregnancy was considered as an absolute contraindication to laparoscopy by surgeons as recently as 1991, and a few still doubt the safety of minimal access in gravid patients. When an emergent operation is indicated, the surgery should not be withheld on the sole basis of patient's gravid state. On the contrary, the alleviation of maternal disease is thought to take priority because the health of the foetus is dependant on the mother. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This is a retrospective study of a case series of 18 obstetric patients who presented with non-obstetric causes of acute abdomen requiring surgical intervention. Ultrasonography and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) along with other laboratory investigations were carried out to reach the diagnosis. Laparoscopic surgery was considered as the modality of treatment. All the patients were given the necessary care post-surgery and were followed up till parturition to look for any complications. RESULTS: The data were analysed considering the presentation, diagnostic variations and the surgical modifications statistically. CONCLUSION: The decision of surgery should be prompt and should be weighed against complications of conserving the patient. Due to the diagnostic limitations of ultrasonography, MRI should be coupled to confirm the diagnosis. Laparoscopy offers less analgesic requirements and shorter hospital stay. The operative time is highly subjective to the experience and training of the surgeon and the laparoscopic set-up itself.

Laparoscopic surgery for solitary insulinoma in the absence of IOUS.

BACKGROUND: Insulinomas are the most common pancreatic neuroendocrine neoplasms. In spite of adequate pre-operative localisation, conventional surgical methods rely on intraoperative palpation. Intraoperative ultrasonography (IOUS) is said to aid in accurate localisation, decreases morbidity. Laparoscopic removal of pancreatic endocrine neoplasms is beneficial due to magnification and minimal invasion; however, in the absence of IOUS, error of judgement may lead to conversion to open surgery, thereby relying on 'palpation method' to localise the tumour. We combined laparoscopic surgical removal of insulinomas using an innovative method of 'laparoscopic finger palpation' with intraoperative blood glucose monitoring and frozen section for surgical cure. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Patients were evaluated and investigated by the department of endocrinology and referred for surgical management of insulinoma. Pre-operative localisation of insulinoma was done by either contrast-enhanced computerised tomography angiogram - arterial and venous phase, or endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) or DOTATATE scan. Intraoperative localisation was done by laparoscopic dissection and 'laparoscopic finger palpation'. After enucleation, the specimen was sent for frozen section, and in the interim period, serial monitoring of blood glucose was done by the anaesthetist. Maintenance of glucose levels for more than 45 min after enucleation and confirmation of neuroendocrine tumour on frozen section was the end point of surgical procedure. RESULTS: A total of 19 patients were subjected to laparoscopic removal of solitary insulinomas. Enucleation was performed in 16 patients successfully. In three patients, laparoscopic distal pancreatectomy was performed. Three patients had pancreatic duct leak, of which two patients responded to conservative approach and the third patient required drainage by USG-guided pigtail catheter. All patients are cured of their disease and no patient has had recurrence so far. CONCLUSION: Multidisciplinary approach involving laparoscopic palpation, frozen sections and intraoperative blood sugar monitoring helps laparoscopic management of solitary insulinomas without IOUS.