Transumbilical scarless surgery with thoracic trocar: easy and low-cost.

PURPOSE: Single-site laparoscopic surgery has become increasingly common. We herein report an easy and low-cost thoracic trocar technique (TTT) for these types of procedures and recommend the simpler name "transumbilical scarless surgery" (TUSS) to minimize confusion in nomenclature. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed patients who underwent TUSS by TTT using a thoracic trocar and surgical glove in our hospital between November 2011 and November 2012. Operating time, postoperative stay, and complications were detailed. RESULTS: A total of 101 TUSS by TTT were successfully performed, comprising appendectomy (n = 63), ovarian cyst excision (n = 7), splenectomy (n = 5), nephroureterectomy (n = 5), orchidopexy (n = 4), pyeloplasty (n = 3), nephrolithotomy (n = 2), orchiectomy (n = 2), varicocelectomy (n = 2), lymphangioma excision (n = 2), ureterectomy (n = 1), Morgagni diaphragmatic hernia repair (n = 1), ovarian detorsion (n = 1), antegrade continence enema (n = 1), intestinal resection anastomosis (n = 1), and intestinal duplication excision (n = 1). Kirschner wires were used for some organ traction. Nine patients required an additional port, but no major complications occurred. The postoperative stay (mean ± standard deviation) was 3.2 ± 1.4 days, and operating time was 58.9 ± 38.3 minutes. CONCLUSION: We recommend the simpler name of TUSS to minimize confusion in nomenclature for all transumbilical single-incision laparoendoscopic surgeries. TTT is an easy and low-cost TUSS technique.

Magnetic compression ostomy as new cystostomy technique in the rat: magnacystostomy.

OBJECTIVE: To report the first creation of magnetic compression cystostomy (magnacystostomy) using an easy and simple new technique in rats. Magnetic compression anastomoses (magnamosis) have been previously described for gastrointestinal, biliary, urinary, and vascular anastomoses. METHODS: Female rats were randomized into 2 groups (n = 10 each): a magnetic cystostomy group and a formal surgical cystostomy group as the control group. In the magnetic cystostomy group, a very small cylindrical magnet was inserted into the bladder. The external magnetic ball was placed subcutaneously into the suprapubic region, and the 2 magnets were coupled together strongly. On postoperative day 20 in the magnetic cystostomy group and day 10 in the surgical cystostomy group, the rats were killed, and the cystostomies were evaluated macroscopically, histopathologically, and by mechanical burst testing. RESULTS: In the surgical cystostomy group, 3 rats died. In the remaining rats, no evidence of complications was observed. However, mild adhesion in 1 rat in the magnetic cystostomy group and moderate adhesions in all the rats in the surgical cystostomy group were observed. No significant difference was found in burst pressure between the 2 groups (mean 162 mm Hg in the magnetic cystostomy group [n = 6] and 185 mm Hg in the surgical cystostomy [n = 5] group). However, the procedure time between the magnetic cystostomy group (7.70 ± 1.64 minutes) and surgical cystostomy group (18.50 ± 2.01 minutes) was significantly different (P < .001). CONCLUSION: Magnacystostomy is easy and safe in the rat model and could be useful for some suprapubic cystostomy procedures in humans.

Magnetic compression gastrostomy in the rat.

PURPOSE: Magnetic compression anastomosis is used for gastrointestinal, biliary, and urinary anastomoses. We have developed a simple magnetic compression gastrostomy technique in rats. METHODS: Animals were randomized into two groups (n = 12 each): magnetic gastrostomy (MG) and surgical gastrostomy (SG) (control). In the MG group, a magnetic insertion catheter was coupled with the first magnetic ball and introduced transorally into the stomach. A second magnetic ball was placed subcutaneously into the left upper quadrant. The two magnetic balls (4 mm) were strongly coupled together. On postoperative day (PD) 20 (MG group) and PD10 (SG group), rats were killed, gastrostomies were evaluated macroscopically and histopathologically, and mechanical burst testing was performed. RESULTS: Two animals died due to suspected leaks. Macroscopic evaluation indicated no gastrostomy canal in one rat in each group. Mild adhesion was observed in two rats in the MG group. Moderate adhesion was observed in all rats in the SG group. No significant differences were observed in burst pressure between the two groups (means: MG group, 143 mmHg, n = 9; SG group, 159 mmHg, n = 8). CONCLUSIONS: Magnetic compression gastrostomy can be performed easily in rats, and may be developed in future as a simple alternative to some gastrostomy procedures in humans.