A multi-center, prospective clinical trial of a hepatic derived porcine surgical mesh for the laparoscopic repair of symptomatic paraesophageal hernias.

INTRODUCTION: We report the results of a multicenter trial evaluating a unique, biological mesh (MIROMESH) derived from decellularized porcine liver for hiatal cruralplasty during laparoscopic PEHR. METHODS: 41 subjects underwent a laparoscopic PEHR which included primary crural closure, and MIROMESH onlay. Subjects were assessed at 2-weeks and 6, 12, 18 and 24 months using the SF-36, GERD-HRQL questionnaire, and VAS GERD related symptoms, and UGI. RESULTS: Mean procedure time was 143.0 (±45.2) minutes, 93% had a Type III hiatal hernia and median LOS was 3 days. Of 27 patients available for 2 years follow up, no patients required surgical reintervention for symptomatic hernia recurrence or adverse events. Radiographic follow up revealed a 10% hiatal hernia recurrence rate. GERD HRQL scores were significantly improved from baseline to two years follow up. All the GERD symptoms measured showed significant and sustained improvement at all post-operative time periods. CONCLUSION: The utilization of MIROMESH for crural reinforcement during laparoscopic PEHR resulted in excellent symptomatic improvement in our multicenter trial with a 10% 2 year radiographic recurrence rate.

Analysis of reoperations after laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding is considered the least invasive surgical option for the treatment of morbid obesity. Its initial popularity has been marred by recent long-term studies showing high complication rates. We sought to examine our experience with gastric banding and factors leading to reoperation. METHODS: We reviewed retrospective data of 305 patients who underwent laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding between 2004 and 2011 at a single institution, 42 patients of whom required a reoperation, constituting 13.8%. Patients undergoing elective reoperations for port protrusion from weight loss as a purely cosmetic issue were excluded (n = 10). Patients' demographic data, weight loss, time to reoperation, and complications were analyzed. RESULTS: Of 305 patients, 42 (13.8%) required reoperations: 26 underwent band removal (8.5%) and 16 underwent port revision (5.2%). The mean weight and body mass index for all patients who underwent reoperations were 122.6 kg and 45.0 kg/m(2), respectively. The most common complication leading to band removal was gastric prolapse (n = 14, 4.6%). The most common indication for port revision was a nonfunctioning port (n = 10, 3.3%). CONCLUSION: Laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding was initially popularized as a minimally invasive gastric-restrictive procedure with low morbidity. Our study showed a 13.8% reoperation rate at 3 years' follow-up. Most early reoperations (<2 years) were performed for port revision, whereas later reoperations (>2 years) were likely to be performed for band removal. Laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding is associated with high reoperation rates; therefore bariatric surgeons should carefully consider other surgical weight-loss options tailored to the needs of the individual patient that may have lower complication and reoperation rates.

Simultaneous laparoscopic paraesophageal hernia repair and sleeve gastrectomy in the morbidly obese.

BACKGROUND: Morbid obesity is associated with increased rates of hiatal and paraesophageal hernias. Although laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy is gaining popularity as the procedure of choice for morbid obesity, there is little data regarding the management of paraesophageal hernias found intraoperatively. The aim of this study was to evaluate the feasibility and benefits of a combined sleeve gastrectomy and paraesophageal hernia repair in morbidly obese patients. METHODS: From May 2011 to February 2013, 23 patients underwent laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy combined with the repair of a paraesophageal hernia. Only 4 patients had a large hiatal hernia documented preoperatively on esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD). The body mass index (BMI), operative time, length of stay, and complications were evaluated. RESULTS: The average operative time was 165 minutes (115-240 minutes) and length of stay was 2.83 days (2-6 days). All patients were female except for one, with an average age of 53.4 years and a BMI of 41.9 kg/m(2). There were no complications during the procedures. Mean follow-up was 6.16 months (1-19 months), and mean excess weight loss was 39%. The average cost of admission for a combined procedure ($10,056), was slightly higher than a laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy ($8905) or laparoscopic paraesophageal hernia repair ($8954) done separately. CONCLUSIONS: Laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy combined with a paraesophageal hernia repair is well-tolerated and feasible in morbidly obese patients. Surgeons should be aware that preoperative EGD is not effective at diagnosing large hiatal or paraesophageal hernias. Surgeons with the skill set to repair paraesophageal hernias should do a combined procedure because it is well-tolerated, feasible, and can reduce the cost of multiple hospital admissions.

Single-incision laparoscopic cholecystectomy using a flexible endoscope.

OBJECTIVE: To describe our experience with a single-incision laparoscopic cholecystectomy (SILC) performed using a flexible endoscope as the means of visualization and surgical dissection. The use of flexible endoscopy in intra-abdominal surgery has never been described. DESIGN: Prospective observational case series. PATIENTS: Eleven patients with symptomatic cholelithiasis were selected based on age, clinical presentation, body habitus, and history of previous abdominal surgery. Patients with acute or chronic cholecystitis were excluded. RESULTS: All procedures were completed laparoscopically via the single umbilical incision without the need to convert to an open operation and without introduction of any additional laparoscopic instruments or trocars. The mean operative time was 149.5 minutes (range, 99-240 minutes). The mean length of hospital stay was 0.36 days. There were no associated intraoperative or postoperative complications. CONCLUSIONS: In our experience, SILC performed with a flexible endoscope is feasible and safe. Further studies are needed to determine its advantages in reference to postoperative pain and complication rate in juxtaposition with the current standard laparoscopic cholecystectomy.

Single-incision laparoscopic cholecystectomy using flexible endoscopy: saline infiltration gallbladder fossa dissection technique.

BACKGROUND: The introduction of natural orifice translumenal endoscopic surgery has led to the development of new techniques to accomplish minimally invasive procedures using flexible endoscopic instruments. This study evaluated a technique used in endoscopic mucosal resection and applied it to dissection of the gallbladder from the liver bed. METHODS: Eight patients underwent an elective transumbilical single-incision cholecystectomy using a flexible endoscope at the authors' institution from August 2007 to February 2008. An endoscopic injection needle was used to inject 20 ml of saline strategically into the gallbladder fossa. After infiltration, dissection of the gallbladder and hilum was performed with endoscopic instruments, whereas the cystic duct and artery were clipped using laparoscopic instruments. RESULTS: None of the eight patients had inadvertent perforation of the gallbladder during dissection. The technique of infiltrating the potential space between the gallbladder and the liver bed leads to a significantly improved visualization of the plane between them. CONCLUSION: The injection of saline to develop surgical planes is an effective tool in performing a cholecystectomy using flexible endoscopic instrumentation. The enhancement of this potential space improved visualization in all patients. This technique has great potential value for dissections and requires further evaluation of its effectiveness in other applications.

Laparoscopic repair of a free perforation of a marginal ulcer after Roux-en-Y gastric bypass: a safe alternative to open exploration.

OBJECTIVES: We present 2 patients with free perforation of the anterior wall of the Roux limb due to marginal ulceration after an antecolic laparoscopic gastric bypass and describe the surgical management and laparoscopic repair technique. METHODS: A 15 mm Hg pneumoperitoneum was established with a Veress needle via the left subcostal approach in both patients. Entrance into the abdomen was achieved with the 5 mm Optiview blunt trocar. The Genzyme liver retractor was used to lift the left lobe of the liver and expose the gastrojejunal anastomosis. A 30 degrees 5 mm telescope was used for visualization. In both cases, free fluid and purulent material were noted in the subdiaphragmatic region and along the right paracolic gutter, but the gastrojejunal anastomoses was intact. A 1 cm perforation with surrounding inflammatory exudate was identified on the anterior surface of the Roux limb distal to the gastrojejunostomy. The edges were debrided and intracorporeal 1-layer repair of the ulcer was performed with simple interrupted 2-0 Vicryl sutures. Fibrin glue was applied to the suture line and covered with an omental onlay patch. The anastomosis was tested with air insufflation and methylene blue dye with no evidence of a leak. A Jackson-Pratt drain was placed in the left upper quadrant. RESULTS: Both patients underwent an unremarkable hospital course, and follow-up EGD examination after 3 months revealed no evidence of ulceration. CONCLUSION: Laparoscopic exploration and the repair of the gastrointestinal perforations in patients with a recent history of laparoscopic RYGBP is safe, if patients are hemodynamically stable and present within the first 24 hours of the onset of symptoms.

Inadvertent enterotomy in minimally invasive abdominal surgery.

BACKGROUND: Inadvertent enterotomy (IE) in laparoscopic abdominal surgery is underreported. Patients with a prior history of laparotomy are at significantly increased risk of enterotomy if another operation is needed. The incidence of enterotomy in laparoscopic surgery may even be greater than that during an open procedure and may go unrecognized due to the limited field of vision. The purpose of this study was to report the incidence of inadvertent enterotomy in a variety of laparoscopic abdominal procedures at our institution and discuss ways to minimize the risk of this complication. METHODS: Using the data from morbidity and mortality conferences, we retrospectively reviewed all complications from 3,613 consecutive patients who had laparoscopic abdominal surgery from November 1998 through November 2004. Patients with inadvertent enterotomy were divided into 4 groups according to the type of laparoscopic procedure. Inadvertent enterotomy was defined as any transmural penetration of any part of the intestine. All inadvertent enterotomies that occurred during laparoscopic abdominal surgery were analyzed for mechanism of injury and method of repair, whether diagnosis was made intraoperatively or postoperatively, clinical presentation, conversion rate, and whether a second procedure was necessary. RESULTS: Laparoscopic operations were performed in 3,613 persons. Patients diagnosed with IE were divided into 4 groups: Group #1: cholecystectomy; Group #2: all patients requiring intestinal resection with or without primary anastomosis; Group #3: patients with any type of hernia repair; Group #4: all patients that had adhesiolysis as a primary indication for the operation. The incidence of IE according to each group was 0.39% (8/2,016), 0.8% (3/375), 1.9% (6/312), 100% (4/4), respectively. Twenty patients had 21 inadvertent enterotomies (4 men, 16 women; mean age, 60.9 years). One patient had 2 operations and had an enterotomy both times. Four patients (4/21, 19%) with unrecognized IE were diagnosed postoperatively. The overall incidence of IE was 0.58%. No deaths occurred. CONCLUSION: Inadvertent enterotomy in laparoscopic abdominal surgery is especially dangerous if unrecognized during the primary operation. The incidence of IE can be significantly reduced with careful individualized risk assessment. Only surgeons who are trained in advanced laparoscopy should attempt complicated cases and must always be wary of possible bowel injury. Any patient with signs of peritonitis, sepsis, or increased abdominal pain after laparoscopic surgery must promptly be investigated. The department culture of intraoperative cooperation helped improve outcomes.