A novel reconstruction method for giant incisional hernia: Hybrid laparoscopic technique.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Laparoscopic reconstruction of ventral hernia is a popular technique today. Patients with large defects have various difficulties of laparoscopic approach. In this study, we aimed to present a new reconstruction technique that combines laparoscopic and open approach in giant incisional hernias. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Between January 2006 and August 2012, 28 patients who were operated consequently for incisional hernia with defect size over 10 cm included in this study and separated into two groups. Group 1 (n = 12) identifies patients operated with standard laparoscopic approach, whereas group 2 (n = 16) labels laparoscopic technique combined with open approach. Patients were evaluated in terms of age, gender, body mass index (BMI), mean operation time, length of hospital stay, surgical site infection (SSI) and recurrence rate. RESULTS: There are 12 patients in group 1 and 16 patients in group 2. Mean length of hospital stay and SSI rates are similar in both groups. Postoperative seroma formation was observed in six patients for group 1 and in only 1 patient for group 2. Group 1 had 1 patient who suffered from recurrence where group 2 had no recurrence. DISCUSSION: Laparoscopic technique combined with open approach may safely be used as an alternative method for reconstruction of giant incisional hernias.

Laparoscopic versus open appendectomy: where are we now?

PURPOSE: Although the advantages of laparoscopic procedures has been well studied over the last two decade, laparoscopic appendectomy could not to be a standard therapy due to some disadvantages such as longer operative time and higher cost.The objective of our study is to re-evaluate the outcomes of laparoscopic versus open appendectomy with current data. METHODS: Between January 2012 and July 2012, the data of the patients who had appendectomy were recorded prospectively. Patients' demographics, duration of procedure, length of hospital stay, need of analgesics, postoperative visual analogue scale scores and morbidity were assessed. RESULTS: Of 241 patients, 120 (49.8%) underwent open and 121(50.2%) laparoscopic appendectomy. The operating time was similar for both groups (p=0.855). The visual analog scale scores of 1st (p=0.001), 6th (p=0.001) and 12th (p=0.028) hours were higher in open the appendectomy group. The total need of analgesics significantly was higher in open group (p=0.001).There was no statistical difference in terms of total morbidity rate between open and laparoscopic appendectomy groups (p=0.617). CONCLUSION: Two operative techniques are similar in terms of length of hospital stay, operative time, and postoperative complications. Laparoscopic appendectomy reduces the need for analgesics and visual analog scale scores; therefore,it should be considered as the gold standard for surgical treatment of acute appendicitis.

A reliable pancreaticojejunal anastomosis with V-Loc 180 wound closure device for soft pancreatic stump.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Although mortality rates decreased in recent years, pancreaticoduodenectomy is still associated with high morbidity rates. Pancreatic fistula is the leading cause of morbidity after pancreaticojejunal anastomosis and commonly occurs in soft pancreas. The objective of this study is to compare outcomes of conventional modified invaginated end to side pancreaticojejunostomy with a new practical method using V-Loc 'rM 180 wound closure device in soft pancreas. METHODOLOGY: Between December 2011 and August 2013, a total of 90 pancreaticoduodenectomy procedures were performed in our hospital. 28 of them were defined as soft pancreas according to attending surgeon and included in this study. Patients were divided into two groups consecutively and analysed for postoperative pancreatic fistula (POPF) rate, length of stay, operation time, cost and particular duration of anastomosis. Pancreatic fistulas were classified according to International Study Group on Pancreatic Fistula (ISGPF) definition. RESULTS: 1 grade A and 2 grade B fistulas appeared in V-Loc group (Group 1), whereas 1 grade A, 2 grade B and 1 grade C fistulas appeared in conventional anastomosis group (Group 2). CONCLUSIONS: Pancreaticojejunostomy with V-Loc suture is a convenient method in soft pancreas and can be performed safely.

Appendiceal mucocele: clinical and imaging features of 14 cases.

PURPOSE: Appendiceal mucocele as a cystic dilatation filled with mucinous material is a very rare disease of the appendix vermiformis. Its preoperative diagnosis is still acking behind common use of imaging techniques. METHODS: Retrospective analysis of the patients with a pathological diagnosis of appendiceal mucocele with regard to clinical and imaging features. RESULTS: The study group included 14 patients with a mean age of 51 years (range from 17 to 82 years). Predominant symptoms were pain and feeling of fullness in the right iliac fossa in 9(64%) and 5 (36%) patients, respectively. For imaging purposes, use of computed tomography resulted in preoperative diagnosis of appendiceal mucocele in half of the patients(50%). 93% of the cases underwent appendectomy, and righth emicolectomy was performed in one patient (7%). Mucocele and cystadenoma were detected in 11 (79%) and 3 (21%)patients, respectively. Presence of acute appendicitis and coloncarcinoma were confirmed afterwards histologically in 4 (29%)and one (7%) patients, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Despite the common use of imaging studies,preoperative diagnosis of appendiceal mucocele is still not possible in most of the cases. During surgical treatment,which is tailored according to imaging and intraoperative findings, precautionary measures to avoid intraperitoneal rupture and dissemination should be taken.

Conservative treatment of arterial pseudoaneurism in patients with behcet disease.

Behcet's Disease (BD) is a rare disease, of unknown origin that generally causes an inflammation in the subcutaneous tissue, eyes and brain vessels, and related with the immune system, predominantly seen in male patients and the mean age at onset is mainly in the third decade. The aim of the study was to present our experiences with the cases of arterial pseudoaneurysms that we treated conservatively without surgical or radiological intervention. Eleven patients with Behcet's disease who developed arterial pseudoaneuryms and responsed to the medical treatment are included in the study. The operation requirement, the complication rates, and factors that influence morbidity and mortality are evaluated. The mean age of the patients was 29,5 (18-35) years. Nine of the patients were male and 2 were female. The mean period of hospitalization was 18 (11-34) days. Six patients redeveloped aneurysm during their follow-up. Three of these patients were treated with surgery. Five patients had no complication during an average of 20 months of follow-up period. Arterial pseudoaneurysm is a rare complication of Behcet's disease. Despite the good response to conservative treatment at the beginning period, the patients should be closely followed up and redevelopment of the aneurysm should be kept in mind.

Delayed presentation of a traumatic diaphragmatic rupture with intrapericardial herniation.

Thoracic and abdominal blunt traumas are the major causes of diaphragmatic rupture. These ruptures may be recognized at the time of the initial trauma, but are diagnosed months or even years later during the workup for related symptoms. We present herein a patient who suffered from abdominal pain and dyspnea years after a motor vehicle accident. A chest computed tomography (CT) demonstrated diaphragmatic rupture with intrapericardial herniation of intraabdominal organs. Exploratory laparotomy confirmed the diagnosis. In this report, we describe our management of this unusual diaphragmatic rupture.

Pancreatic cancer complicated by splenic infarction and abscess.

Pancreatic tail adenocarcinoma is both a diagnostic and therapeutic challenge. Despite technical and therapeutic advances, the prognosis remains dismal; the average survival time after diagnosis is characteristically only five to eight months. Both splenic infarction and abscess are very rare complications of pancreatic cancer. In this case of splenic infarction, the possible source of emboli should be carefully investigated. In addition, splenic abscess must be suspected in patients with splenic infarction, especially if the infectious signs persist despite appropriate treatment. Rapid diagnosis and treatment are essential as its course can prove fatal. The patient presented herein had a splenic infarct and abscess as complications of pancreatic tail carcinoma. The treatment of choice was splenectomy and distal pancreatectomy with resection of involved organs. The variability in clinical presentation and imaging studies warrants consideration of this entity in the differential diagnosis of many splenic and pancreatic lesions.

Single stapler technique in laparoscopic donor nephrectomy.

BACKGROUND: Laparoscopic donor nephrectomy (LDN) is usually performed with at least 2 separate vascular staplers for division of the renal artery and vein. However, we used a single stapler regardless of the number of renal arteries and veins. Furthermore, the graft was quickly retrieved by hand without using an extraction bag using our technique. Herein we have presented our experience with LDN of grafts with single or multiple renal arteries and/or veins using a single stapler and hand removal. METHODS: We reviewed demographic data, operative and warm ischemia times, postoperative complications, and graft function. RESULTS: Between December 2005 and September 2009, we performed 85 cases with 1 renal artery (group LDN-1), 8 cases with two renal arteries (group LDN-2), and 5 cases with 3 or more renal arteries (group LDN-3). The demographic data among the groups were similar. The mean operative time was significantly longer among groups LDN-2 (100.3 ± 9.5 minutes) and LDN-3 (120.6 ± 10.3 minutes) compared with LDN-1 (76.1 ± 9.3 minutes; P < .001). Similar results were observed with respect to warm ischemia times. There were no significant differences related to graft function and outcomes among these groups. CONCLUSION: The single stapler and hand removal technique was safe, technically feasible, and cost effective regardless of the number of renal arteries and veins. This technique removes the necessity of additional staplers and extraction bags, lowers the operative and warm ischemia times, and thus decreases the cost.

Pure laparoscopic versus open live donor nephrectomy: evaluation of health survey and graft functions.

BACKGROUND: Laparoscopic donor nephrectomy (LDN) has become the gold standard in many kidney transplantation centers seeking to increase the number of potential live donors. This study was designed to compare the health surveys and graft functions between LDN and open donor nephrectomy (ODN). METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed all patients who underwent donor nephrectomy between December 2005 and September 2009 who had at least 1 year of follow-up. We reviewed demographic data, operative time, warm ischemia period, graft function, and quality of life. RESULTS: Among the 132 cases, 98 were pure LDN and 34 were ODN. Demographic data were similar in both groups. Operative times were significantly longer in the ODN group but warm ischemia times significantly longer in the LDN group. However, graft functions were similar in both groups. There was 1 graft loss due to arterial thrombosis of the transplanted kidney among the LDN group. Short-Form 36 health survey scores were similar except for the role-physical subscale. CONCLUSION: Although we failed to observe a significant difference between ODN and LDN as far as the quality of life and graft functions were concerned, the previously documented advantages of laparoscopy with similar operative results suggest? LDN to be the gold standard for this procedure in our institution.

Living-donor hepatectomy.

BACKGROUND: Organ transplantation from deceased donors is still far below the need. Because of this deficiency, liver transplantations are performed mostly from live donors in many transplant centers in our country. Living-donor liver transplantation (LDLT) has evolved dramatically over the past decade. The aim of this study was to present our clinical experience with living-donor hepatectomy. METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed all patients who underwent donor hepatectomy between March 2000 and September 2010. We reviewed demographic data, operation type, operation and cold ischemia times, duration of hospital stay, and postoperative complications. RESULTS: During the study period, 140 living donors underwent operations for liver transplantation. We performed 108 right hepatectomies, 17 left hepatectomies, and 15 left lateral hepatectomies. The mean age of the donors was 30.8 years. There was no operative or postoperative mortality. Overall morbidity rate was 13.57% (n = 19). Nine patients had biliary leakages, 4 biliomas; 2 urinary tract infections, and 1 each inferior vena caval injury, pneumonia, portal vein thrombosis, and acute tubular necrosis. Reoperation was not required in any of these patients. CONCLUSIONS: Living-donor liver transplantation is a valuable alternative for patients awaiting a cadaver organ. Live-donor hepatectomy can be performed with low morbidity. The greatest disadvantage of this procedure is the risk of the surgical operation for the individual who will experience no medical benefit from this procedure.