TAPP or TEP for Recurrent Inguinal Hernia? Population-Based Analysis of Prospective Data on 1309 Patients Undergoing Endoscopic Repair for Recurrent Inguinal Hernia.

BACKGROUND: Whether total extraperitoneal inguinal hernia repair (TEP) is associated with worse outcomes compared to transabdominal preperitoneal inguinal hernia repair (TAPP) for the treatment of recurrent inguinal hernia continues to be a matter of debate. The objective of this large cohort study is to compare complications, conversion rates and postoperative length of hospital stay between patients undergoing TEP or TAPP for unilateral recurrent inguinal hernia repair. METHOD: Based on prospective data of the Swiss Association of Laparoscopic and Thoracoscopic Surgery, all patients who underwent elective TEP or TAPP for unilateral recurrent inguinal hernia between 1995 and 2006 were included. The following outcomes were compared: conversion rates, intraoperative complications, surgical postoperative complications and duration of operation. RESULTS: Data on 1309 patients undergoing TEP (n = 1022) and TAPP (n = 287) for recurrent inguinal hernia were prospectively collected. Average age, BMI and ASA score were similar in both groups. Patients undergoing TEP had a significantly increased rate of intraoperative complications (TEP 6.3 % vs. TAPP 2.8 %, p = 0.0225). Duration of operation was longer for patients undergoing TEP (TEP 80.3 vs. TAPP 73.0 min, p < 0.0023) while postoperative length of hospital stay was longer for patients undergoing TAPP (TEP 2.6 vs. TAPP 3.1 day, p = 0.0145). Surgical postoperative complications (TEP 3.52 % vs. TAPP 2.09 %, p = 0.2239), general postoperative complications (TEP 1.47 % vs. TAPP 0.7 %, p = 0.3081) and conversion rates (TEP 2.15 % vs. TAPP 1.39 %, p = 0.4155) were not significantly different. CONCLUSION: This study is the first population-based analysis comparing outcomes of patients with recurrent inguinal hernia undergoing TEP versus TAPP in a prospective cohort of over 1300 patients. Intraoperative complications were significantly higher in patients undergoing TEP. The TEP technique was associated with longer operating times, but a shorter postoperative length of hospital stay. Nonetheless, the absolute outcome differences are small and thus, on a population-based level, both techniques appear to be safe and effective for patients undergoing endoscopic repair for unilateral recurrent inguinal hernia.

[Obesity surgery--useful knowledge in indication and follow up]. / Adipositaschirurgie--Wissenswertes zu Indikation und Nachsorge.

In the last years, obesity has become one of the main problems of health care systems in Western countries. Among morbid obese patients, four out of five will develop comorbidities doubling the mortality risk in women and increase the numbers in men at a threefold risk. According to evidence based guidelines, nowadays surgery is the best and most effective treatment resulting in excellent long-term weight loss, reduction of comorbidities while extending expectation of life. A sound indication is the most important step for successful surgery. In this paper we focus on Swiss regulations and some special indications which have to be taken into consideration. After bariatric surgery clinical follow up on a regular basis is also of great importance. Furthermore, we explain typical mechanical and nutritional complications after different types of surgery and give some recommendations.

A tale of two colons and two cancers. Distinct carcinogenesis and clinical outcome according to location proximal or distal to the splenic flexure.

The central hypothesis explored in this paper is that colorectal cancer (CRC) is a heterogeneous disease. The initial clue to this heterogeneity was provided by genetic findings; however, embryological and physiological data had previously been gathered, showing that proximal (in relation to the splenic flexure) and distal parts of the colon represent distinct entities. Molecular biologists have identified two distinct pathways, microsatellite instability (MSI) and chromosomal instability (CIN), which are involved in CRC progression. In summary, there may be not one, but two colons and two types of colorectal carcinogenesis, with distinct clinical outcome. The implications for the clinicians are two-folds; 1) tumors originating from the proximal colon have a better prognosis due to a high percentage of MSI-positive lesions; and 2) location of the neoplasm in reference to the splenic flexure should be documented before group stratification in future trials of adjuvant chemotherapy in patients with stage II and III colon cancer.

[Bilateral adrenal gland hemorrhage after anterior deep rectum resection. Case report with review of the literature]. / Bilaterale Nebennierenhämorrhagie nach vorderer tiefer Rektumresektion. Fallbericht mit Literaturübersicht.

UNLABELLED: Adrenal insufficiency due to bilateral adrenal hemorrhage is a rare but potentially life-threatening postoperative complication. The difficulty lies in making a timely diagnosis, as the symptoms are often unspecific and similar to those presented by other, more common postoperative complications. We report the case of a 71-year-old patient presenting bilateral adrenal hemorrhage following an otherwise uncomplicated low anterior rectum resection for a villous adenoma of the middle rectum. CONCLUSION: In cases of unexplained postoperative deterioration, surgeons should be aware of acute adrenal insufficiency due to bilateral adrenal hemorrhage. With a high index of suspicion the diagnosis is made easily by CT scan and serum-cortisol measurements and prompt steroid replacement can help to avoid a deleterious outcome.

[Helicobacter pylori colonization of the gastric remnant following partial resection]. / Helicobacter-pylori-Besiedlung des teilresezierten Magens.

Colonization by Helicobacter pylori (HP) in 53 patients after remote gastric surgery and Roux-en-Y anastomosis was investigated using a rapid urease test (CU-Test) and histology (H&E and Giemsa stain). The pH-value of gastric juice was measured. HP infection of the gastric remnant was found in 56% of 43 patients after partial resection and in no case after total gastric resection. HP-positive and HP-negative patients were comparable in age, sex distribution, indication and technique of gastric operation (except for total gastrectomy with jejunal gastric replacement), intake of acid inhibiting drugs and antibiotics was well as in the presence or absence of a macroscopically visible pathology of the gastric mucosa. On the other hand, the two groups differed in their histological findings, pH-value of gastric juice and time interval since surgery. HP infection of gastric remnants is associated with significant glandular atrophy and an additional rise in gastric intraluminal pH compared with HP-negative patients. Both changes may involve an increased risk for gastric cancer. In this report on patients with Y-en-Roux operation there is no decrease in gastric HP-colonization with an increasing interval since the time of operation, but rather an increase. This phenomenon seems to depend on the absence of enterogastric reflux.