Portomesenteric Vein Thrombosis after Bariatric Surgery: An Online Survey.

Portomesenteric vein thrombosis (PMVT) is a rare post-operative complication of bariatric procedures, occurring in between 0.3% and 1% of cases. A structured questionnaire consisting of 27 items was available online to members of the International Federation for the Surgery of Obesity and Metabolic Disorders (IFSO) to investigate the occurrence of PMVT. A total of 89 bariatric surgeons from 61 countries participated. Twenty-six (29.21%) reported at least one case of PMVT (46.15% males; 53.84% females). The surgery most associated with PMVT occurrence was sleeve gastrectomy (84.6%), followed by Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) (7.69%), and laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding (LAGB) (7.69%). The time gap between surgery and PMVT was 19.28 ± 8.72 days. The predominant symptom was abdominal pain in 96.15% of patients, followed by fever in 26.9%. Complete occlusion of the portal vein was reported in 34.6% of cases, with involvement of the portal system in 69%, extension to the superior mesenteric district in 23%, and extension to the splenic vein in two patients (7.7%). Our survey, which is the largest regarding PMVT to date, revealed a diffuse lack of standardization in the choice, duration, and dosing of prophylaxis regimens as well as treatment modalities, reflecting the literature gap on the topic.

Ligasure Hemorrhoidectomy: Updates on Complications After an 18-Year Experience.

BACKGROUND: Hemorrhoidal disease represents one of the most common anorectal disorders in the general population. Energy devices, such as LigaSureTM scalpel, have reshaped the concept of hemorrhoid surgery and in turn, have improved patient outcomes and simplified the work of surgeon. OBJECTIVE: The study aims to evaluate the outcomes of LigaSureTM hemorrhoidectomy (LH) analyzing main post-operative complications rate, length of stay, operating time, and time to return to work. METHODS: In this monocentric descriptive study, from June 2001 to February 2019, 1454 consecutive patients, treated with LH for grade III and IV hemorrhoids, were analyzed. Complications were classified in early, late, and long-term if they occurred within 1 month, between 1 and 2 months or after 2 months, respectively. RESULTS: 90.2% of patients were treated in day surgery regimen and the mean operating time was 14.3 minutes. The post-operative pain decreased from 3.7 mean VAS on the 1st postoperative day to 0.1 mean VAS on 30th post-operative day. Early complications rate was 2.1%: urinary retention accounted for 1.8% of patients. 0.3%-of patients experienced postoperative bleeding and only one required reoperation. Late complications rate was 5.8%: anal stenosis, incomplete healing, and anal fissure were detected in 3.6%, 1.2%, and 1% of patients, respectively. The long term complications rate was 5.3%: anal fistula, soiling, perianal abscess, and recurrence were identified in 0.2%, 0.1%, 0.3%, and 4.8% of patients, respectively. CONCLUSION: LH is a safe and fast procedure with a proven minimal complication rate.

Banded Sleeve Gastrectomy Improves Weight Loss Compared to Nonbanded Sleeve: Midterm Results from a Prospective Randomized Study.

Background: Weight regain after laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG) is nowadays a growing concern. Sleeve dilatation and loss of food restriction is considered the main mechanism. The placement of a silicon ring around the gastric tube seems to give benefits in the short term. We report the results of a randomized study comparing LSG and laparoscopic banded sleeve gastrectomy (LBSG) over a 4-year follow-up. Objectives: To evaluate the efficacy of banded sleeve gastrectomy compared to standard sleeve in the midterm. Methods: Between 01/2014 and 01/2015, we randomly assigned 50 patients to receive one of the two procedures. Patients' management was exactly the same, apart from the band placement. We analyzed differences in weight loss, operative time, complication rate, and mortality, with a median follow-up of 4 years. Results: Twenty five patients were assigned to receive LSG (Group A) and 25 LBSG (Group B). The mean preoperative BMI (body mass index) was 47.3 ± 6.58 kg/m2 and 45.95 ± 5.85 kg/m2, respectively. There was no significant difference in the operative time. No intraoperative or postoperative complications occurred. At 12-month follow-up, the mean BMI was 29.72 ± 4.40 kg/m2 in Group A and 27.42 ± 4.47 kg/m2 in Group B (p=0.186). After a median follow-up of 4 years, the mean BMI in Group B was significantly lower than Group A (24.10 ± 4.52 kg/m2 vs 28.80 ± 4.62 kg/m2; p=0.00199). Conclusions: LBSG is a safe procedure, with no impact on postoperative complications. The banded sleeve showed a significant greater weight loss in the midterm follow-up. Considering the issue of weight regain observed after LSG, the placement of a perigastric ring during the first procedure may be a strategy to improve the results. This trial is registered with NCT04228185.

Idiopathic gastric fundus necrosis: Case report about a rare and fatal clinical condition.

INTRODUCTION: Gastric fundus ischemia is a rare event, which does not account for many significant clinical studies. This disorder could have different etiologies, but authors agree that a prompt diagnosis and a proper treatment could avoid dangerous complications and ultimately the death of the patient. PRESENTATION OF CASE: We herein report an interesting idiopathic case of acute gastric dilatation and fundus ischemia of an 83-year-old Caucasic woman who was admitted to the Emergency Department complaining of abdominal discomfort, vomiting and constipation. DISCUSSION: In literature, only a few case reports about this condition are reported. Possible risk factors, etiologies, and the different therapeutic options available for this condition are examined, in order to try to favor clinicians to formulate a timely diagnosis and provide patients with rapid healthcare services. CONCLUSION: Further investigations are still needed to analyze the pathophysiological pathways responsible of gastric fundus ischemia and to provide a definitive treatment to this dangerous disorder.

The Role of Minimally Invasive and Endoscopic Technologies in Morbid Obesity Treatment: Review and Critical Appraisal of the Current Clinical Practice.

Bariatric surgery is the most effective treatment for morbid obesity. Availability of different procedures with low complication rates, performed through a minimally invasive approach, have caused profound positive effect on patient's quality of life and has led to their worldwide, rapid expansion of the field. The laparoscopic revolution has introduced the concept of lowering more and more the treatments' invasiveness, leading to a change in the researchers' mentality. They are now constantly looking for reducing patients' discomfort through new methodologies and devices: aim of this review is to provide an in-depth analysis of the most promising, innovative procedures offering an alternative approach to "classic" laparoscopic procedures. They are described from their original development phases to the most recent experimental and clinical evidence. This review will discuss as well their future perspectives, and includes endoluminal techniques and/or procedures based on alternative concepts, all representing an appealing alternative to surgical approach. We conducted a MEDLINE for articles, clinical trials, and a patent search relating to the minimally invasive management of obesity, excluding intragastric balloons, SILS, and NOTES, and we selected 77 articles. Results are reported for each procedure/device, and discussed both in these paragraphs and in the final, general discussion. The concept of minimally invasive procedures continues to change and evolve over time with novel technologies emerging every year.

A magnetic levitation robotic camera for minimally invasive surgery: Useful for NOTES?

BACKGROUND: Minimally invasive surgery (MIS) is rising in popularity generating a revolution in operative medicine during the past few decades. Although laparoscopic techniques have not significantly changed in the last 10 years, several advances have been made in visualization devices and instrumentation. METHODS: Our team, composed of surgeons and biomedical engineers, developed a magnetic levitation camera (MLC) with a magnetic internal mechanism dedicated to MIS. Three animal trials were performed. Porcine acute model has been chosen after animal ethical committee approval, and laparoscopic cholecystectomy, nephrectomy and hernioplastic repair have been performed. RESULTS: MLC permits to complete efficiently several two-port laparoscopy surgeries reducing patients' invasiveness and at the same time saving surgeon's dexterity. CONCLUSIONS: We strongly believe that insertable and softly tethered devices like MLS camera will be an integral part of future surgical systems, thus improving procedures efficiency, minimizing invasiveness and enhancing surgeon dexterity and versatility of visions angles.

Combined liver transplantation and sleeve gastrectomy for end-stage liver disease in a bariatric patient: First European case-report.

INTRODUCTION: Obesity is a contributor to the global burden of chronic diseases, including non-alcoholic fatty liver disease and non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). NASH cirrhosis is becoming a leading indication for liver transplant (LT). Obese transplanted patients have higher morbidity and mortality rates. One strategy, to improve the outcomes in these patients, includes bariatric surgery at the time of LT. Herein we report the first European combined LT and sleeve gastrectomy (SG). CASE PRESENTATION: A 53 years old woman with Hepatocellular carcinoma and Hepatitis C virus related cirrhosis, was referred to our unit. She also presented with severe morbid obesity (BMI 40kg/m2) and insulin-dependent diabetes. Once listed for LT, she was assessed by the bariatric surgery team to undergo a combined LT/SG. At the time of transplantation the patient had a model for end-stage liver disease calculated score of 14 and a BMI of 38kg/m2. The LT was performed using a deceased donor. An experienced bariatric surgeon, following completion of the LT, performed the SG. Operation time was 8h and 50min. The patient had an uneventful recovery and is currently alive, 5 months after the combined procedure, with normal allograft function, significant weight loss (BMI=29kg/m2), and diabetes resolution. CONCLUSION: Despite the ideal approach to the management of the obese LT patients remains unknown, we strongly support the combined procedure during LT in selected patients, offering advantages in terms of allograft and patient survival, maintenance of weigh loss that will ultimately reduce obese related co-morbidities.

Laparoscopic Sleeve Gastrectomy versus Laparoscopic Banded Sleeve Gastrectomy: First Prospective Pilot Randomized Study.

Introduction. The placement of ring or band around the gastric tube might prevent the dilation after Laparoscopic Sleeve Gastrectomy (LSG). We describe the first randomized study comparing LSG and Laparoscopic Banded Sleeve Gastrectomy (LBSG). Material and Method. Fifty obese patients were enrolled in the study between January 2014 and January 2015. We analysed differences in operative time, complication rate, mortality, and BMI between the two groups over a period of 12 months. Results. Twenty-five patients received LSG (group A) and 25 LBSG (group B). The mean preoperative BMI was 47.3 ± 6.58 kg/m(2) and 44.95 ± 5.85 kg/m(2), respectively, in the two groups. There was no statistical relevant difference in operative time. No intraoperative complications occurred. Mean BMI registered after 3, 6, and 12 months in groups A and B, respectively, were 37.86 ± 5.72 kg/m(2) and 37.58 ± 6.21 kg/m(2) (p = 0.869), 33.64 ± 6.08 kg/m(2) and 32.03 ± 5.24 kg/m(2) (p = 0.325), and 29.72 ± 4.40 kg/m(2) and 27.42 ± 4.47 kg/m(2) (p = 0.186); no statistical relevant difference was registered between the two groups. Conclusion. LBSG is a safe and feasible procedure. The time required for the device positioning did not influence significantly the surgical time. The results of bodyweight loss did not document any statistically significant differences among the two groups, even though LBSG group showed a mean BMI slightly lower than that of the control group.

Gender Influence on Long-Term Weight Loss and Comorbidities After Laparoscopic Sleeve Gastrectomy and Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass: a Prospective Study With a 5-Year Follow-up.

BACKGROUND: Gender might be important in predicting outcomes after bariatric surgery. The aim of the study was to investigate the influence of gender on long-term weight loss and comorbidity improvement after laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG) and laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (LRYGB). METHODS: A cohort of 304 consecutive patients underwent surgery in 2006-2009: 162 (98 women, 64 men) underwent LSG and 142 (112 women, 30 men) underwent LRYGB. The mean follow-up time was 75.8 ± 8.4 months (range, 60-96 months). RESULTS: Overall mean (95% CI) reduction in BMI was 23.5 (24.3-22.7) kg/m(2) after 5 years, with no statistical difference between LSG and LRYGB groups (P = 0.94). The overall means ± standard deviations of %EBMIL after 5 years were 78.8 ± 23.5 and 81.6 ± 21.4 in the LSG and LRYGB groups, respectively. Only for LSG group %EBMIL after 24-36 and 60 months differed significantly between male and female patients (P = 0.003 versus P = 0.06 in LRYGB), and 89 versus 90% of patients showed improvements in comorbidities in the LSG and LRYGB groups, respectively. Only two patients (women) were lost to follow-up: 1/162 (0.6%) for LSG at the 4th year and 1/142 (0.7%) for LRYGB to the 5th year. CONCLUSIONS: LSG was more effective in obese male than in female patients in terms of %EBMIL, with no difference in comorbidities. LRYGB elicited similar results in both genders in terms of %EBMIL and comorbidities.

Prevalence of defaecatory disorders in morbidly obese patients before and after bariatric surgery.

BACKGROUND: The prevalence of obesity is increasing worldwide and has lately reached epidemic proportions in western countries. Several epidemiological studies have consistently shown that both overweight and obesity are important risk factors for the development of various functional defaecatory disorders (DDs), including faecal incontinence and constipation. However, data on their prevalence as well as effectiveness of bariatric surgery on their correction are scant. The primary objective of this study was to estimate the effect of morbid obesity on DDs in a cohort of patients listed for bariatric surgery. We also evaluated preliminary results of the effects of sleeve gastrectomy on these disorders. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A questionnaire-based study was proposed to morbidly obese patients having bariatric surgery. Data included demographics, past medical, surgical and obstetrics histories, as well as obesity related co-morbidities. Wexner Constipation Score (WCS) and the Faecal Incontinence Severity Index (FISI) questionnaires were used to evaluate constipation and incontinence. For the purpose of this study, we considered clinically relevant a WCS ≥5 and a FISI score ≥10. The same questionnaires were completed at 3 and 6 months follow-up after surgery. RESULTS: A total of 139 patients accepted the study and 68 underwent sleeve gastrectomy and fully satisfied our inclusion criteria with a minimum follow-up of 6 months. Overall, mean body mass index (BMI) at listing was 47 ± 7 kg/m(2) (range 35-67 kg/m(2)). Mean WCS was 4.1 ± 4 (range 0-17), while mean FISI score (expressed as mean±standard deviation) was 9.5 ± 9 (range 0-38). Overall, 58.9% of the patients reported DDs according to the above-mentioned scores. Twenty-eight patients (20%) had WCS ≥5. Thirty-five patients (25%) had a FISI ≥10 while 19 patients (13.7%) reported combined abnormal scores. Overall, DDs were more evident with the increase of obesity grade: Mean BMI decreased significantly from 47 ± 7 to 36 ± 6 and to 29 ± 4 kg/m(2) respectively at 3 and 6 months after surgery (p < 0.0001). According to the BMI decrease, the mean WCS decreased from 3.7 ± 3 to 3.1 ± 4 and to 1.6 ± 3 respectively at 3 and 6 months (p = 0.02). Similarly, the FISI score decreased from 10 ± 8 to 3 ± 4 and to 1 ± 2 respectively at 3 and 6 months (p = 0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: Defaecatory disorders are common in morbidly obese patients. The risk of DDs increases with BMI. Bariatric surgery reduces DDs, mainly faecal incontinence, and these findings correlated with BMI reduction.

Laparoscopic treatment of a huge mesenteric chylous cyst.

Mesenteric chylous cysts are rare pathologic entities that often present with unspecific symptoms. The preoperative diagnosis requires all the common abdominal imaging techniques, but usually the correct diagnosis may be made only at the operation stage or during the histological examination. The treatment of choice is the complete surgical excision that may be safely performed by laparoscopy. A 58-year-old man underwent laparoscopic excision of a huge mesenteric chylous cyst. The technique entails the perfect control of the major abdominal vessels running near the tumor and the complete sealing of the chylous and blood vessels to and from the cyst.

Implantable endoscopic gastric bypass - device and experimental procedure.

Malabsorptive bariatric surgery is an effective treatment option for morbid obesity, but may be associated with complications and side effects. We have developed a new experimental approach to creating a gastric bypass through an intraluminal access. The goal is to reduce postoperative complications and to reduce mid-term side-effects of malabsorptive bypass food passage and to allow easy reversion of the procedure. The new procedure is based on an implantable gastric bypass device, installed by combined transoral flexible and minimally invasive abdominal access. The newly developed device and procedure were studied in a pilot experimental trial in the porcine animal model (n=8). Endpoints were the feasibility of the technical procedure, the ability of the animal to eat and digest food, the implant functionality over the survival period and the absence of major complications over a short-term follow-up (one week). The procedure was technically successful in all eight animals. Animals were able to take in food and water till sacrifice. Four animals had major complications (one abdominal wall dehiscence, one invagination ileus of the small bowel, one dehiscence of the gastro-jejunal anastomosis and one myocardial infarction) and did not complete follow-up. In two cases migration of the device into the stomach was observed. The difference between our experimental technique and the gold standard surgical methods for gastric bypass consists of the endoluminal approach by implanting an intraluminal gastric bypass device. This concept avoids gastric transsection and an additional anastomosis and enables an adjustable food passage between the bypass and the natural duodenal passage. Further long-term follow-up studies are required.

Squamous cell carcinoma of the breast. Report of two cases.

Squamous Cell Carcinoma (SCC) of the breast is a rare entity, not well known, nevertheless literature reports several signalings from different authors. Regarding ethiopathogenesis, SCC of the breast is still the object of numerous discordances and controversies. We report two cases of SCC of the breast referred to our institution in the last year. The first case interests a 35 years-old woman with a lesion of the left breast referred to us with a 3 month history of breast mass. The second case regards a 49 year-old women with multicentric lesions of the right breast operated in two different times. The SCC is a rare breast entity with a controversial histogenesis. The development is characterized by metastasis frequency. The treatment remains not codified. The treatment is currently the same as for infiltrating ductal carcinoma. Indeed, the limited number of this kind of tumor doesn't allow the assessment of different therapeutic protocols.