Conventional Laparoscopic Appendectomy Versus Single-Port Laparoscopic Appendectomy, a Multicenter Randomized Control Trial: A Feasible and Safe Alternative to Standard Laparoscopy.

Background: Acute appendicitis represents one of the main causes of surgical emergencies. It can be approached as open appendectomy or laparoscopic appendectomy (LA). LA uses different modalities, such as conventional laparoscopic appendectomy (CLA) or single-port laparoscopic appendectomy (SPLA). The aim of this work is to compare the results of CLA versus SPLA in patients diagnosed with Acute Appendicitis. Materials and Methods: A comparative multicenter prospective study of patients undergoing LA with a clinical diagnosis of acute appendicitis was presented. They were divided into two groups (CLA group and SPLA group). Results: A total of n = 147 patients were included (72 CLA and 75 SPLA). Preoperative and intraoperative times were shorter for patients undergoing CLA (P = .002; P = .068). Postoperative and reinsertion time was lower for SPLA (P = .000; P = .0004). There were no differences in postoperative complications. The type of approach showed statistically significant differences with respect to pain within the first 12 hours of the postoperative period, as well as at discharge, while no differences were observed in relation to cosmetic satisfaction when the two approaches were compared. Conclusion: SPLA technique presented less intraoperative time, shorter time of labor reinsertion, and less postoperative pain. There were no statistically significant differences in postoperative complications.

Pancreaticoduodenectomy in the presence of a common hepatic artery originating from the superior mesenteric artery. Technical implications.

Pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD) is considered a technically demanding task. Anatomic variations in duodenopancreatic vascularization [celiac axis and the superior mesenteric artery (SMA)] may carry a risk of potentially life-threatening vascular injury. We retrospectively report a modified PD technique performed in two patients presenting with a Common Hepatic Artery (CHA) originating from SMA. The CHA anatomical pattern was known prior surgical procedure. The main modification consisted in cutting pancreas prior dividing the CHA and the gastroduodenal artery. No intraoperative incident was reported. Perioperative outcomes were unremarkable, no vascular injury or hepatic ischemia was reported. Surgeons planning a PD must analyze in depth imaging (CT-scan with 3D angiography) and try to find these patterns. Furthermore, some rare arterial variations may be met and change typical surgical plan. Knowing prior procedure the arterial pattern and keeping in mind expendable or vital vessels allow to accomplish unusual but effective operations.

Liver resection and metabolic disorders: an undescribed mechanism leading to postoperative mortality.

AIM: To investigate the mechanism leading to perioperative mortality in patients undergoing major liver resection and presenting with metabolic disorders. METHODS: The link between Metabolic Syndrome and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease is currently demonstrated. Various metabolic disorders and the Metabolic Syndrome (the association of ≥ 3 metabolic disorders) have been recently described as a risk factor of perioperative mortality in major liver resection. Patients who passed away during perioperative course of major liver resection and presenting with the association of ≥ 2 metabolic disorders without any other known cause of liver disorders were reviewed. RESULTS: From January 2001 to May 2010 in a tertiary centre, ten patients presenting with ≥ 2 metabolic disorders without any other known cause of liver disorders died during perioperative course of major liver resection. The same four-consecutive-steps sequence of events occurred, including jaundice. The analysis of this series suggested a rapidly deteriorating congestive liver resulting in an increased portal hypertension leading to hepatorenal syndrome and lately to multiorgan failure (mimicking septic collapse) as the mechanism leading to exitus. The acute portal hypertension is mainly related to the surgical procedure. The chronic portal hypertension is indeterminate. Patients with ≥ 2 metabolic disorders should be considered as potentially presenting with portal hypertension possibly evolving towards hepatorenal syndrome; thus, they should be considered as having a high perioperative risk and should be carefully evaluated before undergoing major liver resection. CONCLUSION: As fibrosis was not present or marginal in liver specimens, the real cause of portal hypertension in patients with multiple metabolic disorders should be investigated with further studies.

Prevalence of and risk factors for morbidity after elective left colectomy: cancer vs noncomplicated diverticular disease.

HYPOTHESIS: Independent risk factors for postoperative morbidity after colectomy are most likely linked to disease characteristics. DESIGN: Retrospective analysis. SETTING: Twenty-eight centers of the French Federation for Surgical Research. PATIENTS: In total, 1721 patients (1230 with colon cancer [CC] and 491 with diverticular disease [DD]) from a databank of 7 prospective, multisite, randomized trials on colorectal resection. INTERVENTION: Elective left colectomy via laparotomy. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Preoperative and intraoperative risk factors for postoperative morbidity. RESULTS: Overall postoperative morbidity was higher in CC than in DD (32.4% vs 30.3%) but the difference was not statistically significant (P = .40). Two independent risk factors for morbidity in CC were antecedent heart failure (odds ratio [OR], 3.00; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.42-6.32) (P = .003) and bothersome intraluminal fecal matter (2.08; 1.42-3.06) (P = .001). Three independent risk factors for morbidity in DD were at least 10% weight loss (OR, 2.06; 95% CI, 1.25-3.40) (P = .004), body mass index (calculated as weight in kilograms divided by height in meters squared) exceeding 30 (2.05; 1.15-3.66) (P = .02), and left hemicolectomy (vs left segmental colectomy) (2.01; 1.19-3.40) (P = .009). CONCLUSIONS: Patients undergoing elective left colectomy for CC or for DD constitute 2 distinct populations with completely different risk factors for morbidity, which should be addressed differently. Improving colonic cleanliness (by antiseptic enema) may reduce morbidity in CC. In DD, morbidity may be reduced by appropriate preoperative nutritive support (by immunonutrition), even in patients with obesity, and by preference of left segmental colectomy over left hemicolectomy. By decreasing morbidity, mortality should be lowered as well, especially when reoperation becomes necessary.