Bikini-line Hiatal Hernia Repair (BLHHR) During Sleeve Gastrectomy.

BACKGROUND: To preserve the aesthetic benefits achieved with Bikini line sleeve gastrectomy (BLSG), we have devised a novel approach for simultaneous hiatal hernia repair (HHR), known as bikini-line hiatal hernia repair (BLHHR). This manuscript presents our initial experience with BLHHR and assesses its feasibility and outcomes. METHODS: A prospective preliminary study was conducted on patients who underwent BLHHR between September 2020 and October 2022. Patient demographics, preoperative assessments, operative details, postoperative outcomes, and aesthetic evaluations were recorded. Feasibility and safety were assessed. RESULTS: Among 891 BLSG patients, 89 (9.9%) underwent BLHHR. The mean distances between the xiphoid process and the umbilicus, symphysis pubis, and anterior superior iliac spine (ASIS) were 28.8 ± 2.2, 33.9 ± 3.1, and 31.2 ± 1.8 cm, respectively. Optimal visualization and accessibility of the gastroesophageal junction (GEJ) were achieved without compromising HHR repair or sleeve gastrectomy. The mean operative time was 76.5 ± 11 min, longer than the 58 ± 10 min required for BLSG alone. Patient scar satisfaction ranged from 87.5 to 97.9%, and the mean pain score was 2.9 ± 0.8. No major complications were reported. At 6 months, %EWL (percentage of excess weight loss) was 53.3 ± 13.7%, GERD (gastroesophageal reflux disease) remission was achieved in 62.8% of patients and comorbidities were improved. CONCLUSION: BLHHR was potentially feasible and safe. Outcomes related to patient scar satisfaction, weight loss, improvement of associated comorbidities, and GERD symptoms were not compromised. The aesthetic benefits achieved by BLSG were maintained.

Hand-assisted laparoscopic surgery on a gigantic primary retroperitoneal mature cystic teratoma: A case report.

INTRODUCTION: Primary teratomas in the retroperitoneum are rare, incidentally identified in children, and resected using a laparoscopic approach. However, when it increases in size, the laparoscopic approach is technically demanding, leaving a large skin incision for tumor removal. PRESENTATION OF CASE: The patient was a 20-year-old woman who presented with chronic left flank pain. Abdominal and pelvic computed tomography (CT) revealed a 25-cm wide giant polycystic and solid retroperitoneal tumor containing calcification located in the upper portion of the left kidney, strongly compressing the pancreas and spleen. No other metastatic lesions were observed. Additionally, abdominal magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) revealed that the polycystic tumor consisted of serous fluid and fatty components, and bone and tooth components were found in the tumor center. Therefore, the patient was diagnosed with retroperitoneal mature teratoma and a hand-assisted laparoscopic surgery using bikini line skin incision was performed. The specimen was 27 × 25 cm in size, weighing 2512 g. Histology revealed that the tumor was a benign, mature teratoma without a malignant component. The postoperative course was uneventful and the patient was discharged on postoperative day 7. The patient remained healthy without any recurrence and the postoperative scar is barely visible under direct vision. DISCUSSION: Primary retroperitoneal mature teratomas can enlarge without initially causing symptoms and can be incidentally identified using imaging studies. CONCLUSION: A hand-assisted laparoscopic approach using a bikini line skin incision is safe, minimally invasive, and provides better cosmesis.

Laparoscopic cholecystectomy by the modified bikini line approach as a simple and safe technique

SUMMARY OBJECTIVE The gold standard technique for laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) is using four ports in the upper abdomen. However, this operative approach may not provide aesthetic satisfaction for some patients because of visible incision marks. This study sought to demonstrate that these incision marks can be hidden by safely changing the port locations. METHODS For patients with symptomatic cholelithiasis undergoing LC between March 2019 and March 2020, the modified bikini line approach was used. With the patient in the supine position with open legs, the first trocar (10 mm) was inserted into the abdomen through an 11-mm incision in the umbilicus. The other three trocars were placed in the abdomen at the bikini line with the help of a camera. The standard equipment for LC was then used to perform the surgery. RESULTS The modified bikini line approach to LC was used for 38 patients. Average operative time was 28.65 min, and the average hospital stay was 1.07 days. No perioperative or postoperative complications occurred. Follow-up was at 1 week, 1 month, and 6 months. Cosmetic results were satisfactory for all patients. CONCLUSIONS As an alternative to the standard LC approach, the modified bikini line technique is safe and useful in patients for whom postoperative aesthetic appearance is important. The modified approach is simple to learn and use and is effective to hide the incision marks well.

Is the 8-mm robotic port safe? A case of trocar site hernia after robotic cholecystectomy using the da Vinci Xi system.

With the increase in the frequency of robotic surgery, complications have also increased, including trocar site hernias, which rarely occur at the 8-mm port site after robotic cholecystectomy using the da Vinci Xi system. A 37-year-old woman was diagnosed with cholecystitis on abdominal sonography. She underwent robotic cholecystectomy using a bikini-line incision. However, after postoperative day 2, she presented to the emergency room with small bowel obstruction secondary to a herniated bowel loop through the left 8-mm port site. After failure to resolve the ileus, the patient underwent emergency surgery, and bowel resection and anastomosis of the ischemic area were performed. After surgery, the patient was discharged without complications. Although hernias develop less commonly at 8-mm robotic port sites, surgeons should carefully close the ports, especially in cases with large fascial defects or a high risk of herniation.

Application value of caesarean section scar or bikini line incisional approach in laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy / 中华消化外科杂志

Objective@#To investigate the application value of caesarean section scar or bikini line incisional approach in laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy.@*Methods@#The retrospective cohort study was conducted. The clinical data of 162 patients with obesity and metabolic diseases who were admitted to the First Affiliated Hospital of Jinan University between March 2018 and April 2019 were collected. There were 51 males and 111 females, aged (35±8)years, with a range from 12 to 47 years. Of 162 patients, 72 undergoing laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy via caesarean section scar or bikini line incisional approach and 90 undergoing laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy via traditional incisional approach were respectively allocated into concealed incision group and traditional incision group. Observation indicators: (1) surgical situations; (2) intraoperative situations; (3) postoperative situations; (4) follow-up. Follow-up using outpatient examination, telephone interview, and WeChat was performed to detect the postoperative complications at 1, 3, 6 months and 1, 2, 5 years postoperatively up to May 2019. Measurement data with normal distribution were represented as Mean±SD, and the t test was used for comparison between groups. Count data were represented as absolute numbers, and were analyzed by the chi-square test or fisher exact probability. Ordinal data were analyzed by the Wilcoxon rank sum test.@*Results@#(1) Surgical situations: patients in the concealed incision group and traditional incision group underwent successfully laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy, without conversion to open surgery, reoperation, or perioperative death. (2) Intraoperative situations: the operation time and volume of intraoperative blood loss of the concealed incision group were (102±17)minutes and (11±4)mL, respectively, versus (105±19)minutes and (11±4)mL of the traditional incision group (t=-1.232, -0.676, P>0.05). There were 6 cases and 21 cases with additional surgical ports during operation in the concealed incision group and traditional incision group, respectively, with a significant difference between the two groups (χ2=6.280, P<0.05). (3) Postoperative situations: in the concealed incision group, 56 patients were very satisfied with scar appearance and 16 patients were satisfied with scar appearance. In the traditional incision group, 42 patients were very satisfied with scar appearance and 48 patients were satisfied with scar appearance. There was a significant difference in the overall satisfaction with the incision scar between the two groups (Z=-4.012, P<0.05). Duration of postoperative hospital stay and total hospital expenses of the concealed incision group were (4.9±0.9)days and (64 408±5 123)yuan, versus (5.2±1.5)days and (64 953±3 477)yuan of the traditional incision group (t=-1.788, -0.804, P>0.05). There were 19 and 14 patients with gastroesophageal reflux in the concealed incision group and traditional incision group, respectively, with no significant difference between the two groups (χ2=2.894, P>0.05). There was no postoperative complication such as infection, hemorrhage or anastomotic leakage in either group. (4) Follow-up: 32 of 162 patients were lost to follow-up, including 10 in the concealed incision group and 22 in the traditional incision group; other 130 patients were followed up for 1-14 months, with a median follow-up time of 7 months. During the follow-up, 1 patient in the traditional incision group was hospitalized again at 3 months after surgery due to upper gastrointestinal bleeding, and was cured after symptomatic supportive treatment. One patient in the concealed incision group was admitted to the local hospital for functional obstruction at 1 month after surgery and was discharged after symptomatic treatment. Other patients had no readmission due to postoperative complications.@*Conclusion@#Laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy via caesarean section scar or bikini line incision is safe and feasible, with good cosmetic effects.

Application value of caesarean section scar or bikini line incisional approach in laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy / 中华消化外科杂志

Objective To investigate the application value of caesarean section scar or bikini line incisional approach in laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy.Methods The retrospective cohort study was conducted.The clinical data of 162 patients with obesity and metabolic diseases who were admitted to the First Affiliated Hospital of Jinan University between March 2018 and April 2019 were collected.There were 51 males and 111 females,aged (35± 8)years,with a range from 12 to 47 years.Of 162 patients,72 undergoing laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy via caesarean section scar or bikini line incisional approach and 90 undergoing laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy via traditional incisional approach were respectively allocated into concealed incision group and traditional incision group.Observation indicators:(1) surgical situations;(2) intraoperative situations;(3) postoperative situations;(4) follow-up.Follow-up using outpatient examination,telephone interview,and WeChat was performed to detect the postoperative complications at 1,3,6 months and 1,2,5 years postoperatively up to May 2019.Measurement data with normal distribution were represented as Mean±SD,and the t test was used for comparison between groups.Count data were represented as absolute numbers,and were analyzed by the chisquare test or fisher exact probability.Ordinal data were analyzed by the Wilcoxon rank sum test.Results (1) Surgical situations:patients in the concealed incision group and traditional incision group underwent successfully laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy,without conversion to open surgery,reoperation,or perioperative death.(2) Intmoperative situations:the operation time and volume of intraoperative blood loss of the concealed incision group were (102± 17) minutes and (11±4) mL,respectively,versus (105± 19) minutes and (11 ±.4) mL of the traditional incision group (t=-1.232,-0.676,P＞0.05).There were 6 cases and 21 cases with additional surgical ports during operation in the concealed incision group and traditional incision group,respectively,with a significant difference between the two groups (x2=6.280,P＜0.05).(3) Postoperative situations:in the concealed incision group,56 patients were very satisfied with scar appearance and 16 patients were satisfied with scar appearance.In the traditional incision group,42 patients were very satisfied with scar appearance and 48 patients were satisfied with scar appearance.There was a significant difference in the overall satisfaction with the incision scar between the two groups (Z =-4.012,P＜0.05).Duration of postoperative hospital stay and total hospital expenses of the concealed incision group were (4.9±0.9) days and (64 408±5 123) yuan,versus (5.2± 1.5) days and (64 953± 3 477)yuan of the traditional incision group (t =-1.788,-0.804,P＞0.05).There were 19 and 14 patients with gastroesophageal reflux in the concealed incision group and traditional incision group,respectively,with no significant difference between the two groups (x2=2.894,P＞0.05).There was no postoperative complication such as infection,hemorrhage or anastomotic leakage in either group.(4) Follow-up:32 of 162 patients were lost to follow-up,including 10 in the concealed incision group and 22 in the traditional incision group;other 130 patients were followed up for 1-14 months,with a median follow-up time of 7 months.During the follow-up,1 patient in the traditional incision group was hospitalized again at 3 months after surgery due to upper gastrointestinal bleeding,and was cured after symptomatic supportive treatment.One patient in the concealed incision group was admitted to the local hospital for functional obstruction at 1 month after surgery and was discharged after symptomatic treatment.Other patients had no readmission due to postoperative complications.Conclusion Laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy via caesarean section scar or bikini line incision is safe and feasible,with good cosmetic effects.

Bikini Line Sleeve Gastrectomy: Initial Report.

BACKGROUND/INTRODUCTION: Several reports have discussed the potential for reducing port access in laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG); however, each approach had its innate setbacks. Aiming at improving the aesthetic outcome, we report a novel approach to the LSG where we place the trocars at the bikini line in what we described as bikini line sleeve gastrectomy (BLSG). METHODS: The present work is a prospective, pilot study on the use of BLSG in patients, during the period between April and October 2016. Exclusion criteria included the following: large hiatal hernia, upper abdominal surgery, and xiphi-umbilical, xiphi-symphysis pubis, and xiphi-anterior superior iliac spine distances of > 25,36 and 33 cm, respectively. Four trocars were used: one at the umbilicus and three at the bikini line. All laparoscopic graspers were bariatric length instruments (43 cm). However, camera telescope, endoscopic stapler, and bipolar dissectors were standard length. RESULTS: Twenty eight patients underwent BLSG. The mean age was 34.6 ± 3.7 years with a mean BMI of 42.46 kg/m2 ± 3. There were no major intra- or postoperative complications and no conversion to conventional port site placement. Patient's scar satisfaction was favorable. The mean postoperative BMI and weight at 6 m were 28.5 ± 1 kg/m2 and 79.8 kg ± 2, respectively. The mean percentage excess weight loss at 3, 6, and 12 months were 39.5 ± 4.6, 64.5 ± 5, and 69.8 ± 6%, respectively. CONCLUSION: BLSG was found to be potentially safe, feasible, and effective with a favorable aesthetic outcome; it could possibly be offered to a select group of patients that are conscious about their scar appearance.