Incidentally Diagnosed Low-Grade Primary Peritoneal Serous Carcinoma Within the Umbilical Hernia Sac in a Male: A Report of an Extremely Rare Case and Review of the Literature.

Primary peritoneal serous carcinoma (PPSC) is a rare tumor that develops in the peritoneum. PPSC originates from embryonic nests of Müllerian cells in the peritoneum, which are also present in the epithelium of the ovary. This similarity explains the histopathological resemblance between PPSC and low-grade serous ovarian carcinoma. While PPSC primarily affects women, it is an extremely rare occurrence in males, and it is believed that the significant difference in diagnosis rates between males and females is due to the inhibition of Müllerian system growth by substances produced by male Sertoli cells. These substances are present at higher levels in males, which may prevent the development of Müllerian system-derived tumors in men. We describe a 65-year-old male patient who presented for elective bariatric surgery and umbilical hernia repair, and an incidental finding of low-grade PPSC was made based on hernia sac pathology. The patient underwent further management, including tumor debulking and hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC), with positive outcomes. Long-term follow-up and oral letrozole treatment are planned.

Double Digest: A Rare Case Report of Amphicrine Gastric Carcinoma Co-occurring With Papillary Thyroid Carcinoma.

With improved cancer treatments and patient lifespans, the incidence of a second cancer diagnosis in a person's lifetime is increasing. While dual cancer diagnoses during one's lifetime are becoming more common, diagnosis with two separate cancers simultaneously is less so. In this report we present a 55-year-old obese woman with a history of chronic lymphocytic thyroiditis and a non-specific family history of thyroid cancer who received synchronous diagnoses of amphicrine carcinoma (AC) and papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) during work-up for bariatric surgery. AC is a very rare form of gastric cancer characterized by the presence of both endocrine and epithelial cell components within the same cell with only a few case reports in the literature. This is the first case report to present the co-occurrence of AC with PTC.

Discontinuing semaglutide after weight loss: strategy for weight maintenance and a possible new side effect.

Glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1 RAs) facilitate weight loss. Weight regain off therapy is concerning. We reported the case of a 35-year-old male prescribed oral semaglutide with 22.7 kg weight loss over 120 days. Herein, we describe the clinical course when discontinuing GLP-1 RA therapy, one approach to maintaining weight loss after discontinuation, and a possible new side effect. At day 120, we continued oral semaglutide 7 mg daily, down from 14 mg, for weight maintenance with subsequent weight regain. We re-increased semaglutide to 14 mg/day with weight re-loss within 1 month and weight maintance for a year. We then discontinued semaglutide; weight loss was maintained for 6 months. The patient reported lactose intolerance ∼13 months before starting semaglutide. During semaglutide therapy, the patient reported worsened lactose intolerance and new gluten intolerance. Food allergy/celiac testing were negative. Intolerances did not improve with semaglutide discontinuation. Six months after semaglutide discontinuation, the patient was diagnosed with small intestinal bacterial overgrowth, possibly worsened by semaglutide. Factors potentially supporting weight maintenance were early drug treatment for new-onset obesity, non-geriatric age, strength training, and diet modification. The case highlights tailoring approaches to maintain weight loss without GLP-1 RAs. Trials are needed to optimize weight maintenance strategies.

The evidence behind robot-assisted abdominopelvic surgery: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

BACKGROUND: Despite recent advancements, the advantage of robotic surgery over other traditional modalities still harbors academic inquiries. We seek to take a recently published high-profile narrative systematic review regarding robotic surgery and add meta-analytic tools to identify further benefits of robotic surgery. METHODS: Data from the published systematic review were extracted and meta-analysis were performed. A fixed-effect model was used when heterogeneity was not significant (Chi2 p ≥ 0.05, I2 ≤ 50%) and a random-effects model was used when heterogeneity was significant (Chi2 p < 0.05, I2 > 50%). Forest plots were generated using RevMan 5.3 software. RESULTS: Robotic surgery had comparable overall complications compared to laparoscopic surgery (p = 0.85), which was significantly lower compared to open surgery (odds ratio 0.68, p = 0.005). Compared to laparoscopic surgery, robotic surgery had fewer open conversions (risk difference - 0.0144, p = 0.03), shorter length of stay (mean difference - 0.23 days, p = 0.01), but longer operative time (mean difference 27.98 min, p < 0.00001). Compared to open surgery, robotic surgery had less estimated blood loss (mean difference - 286.8 mL, p = 0.0003) and shorter length of stay (mean difference - 1.69 days, p = 0.001) with longer operative time (mean difference 44.05 min, p = 0.03). For experienced robotic surgeons, there were less overall intraoperative complications (risk difference - 0.02, p = 0.02) and open conversions (risk difference - 0.03, p = 0.04), with equivalent operative duration (mean difference 23.32 min, p = 0.1) compared to more traditional modalities. CONCLUSION: Our study suggests that compared to laparoscopy, robotic surgery may improve hospital length of stay and open conversion rates, with added benefits in experienced robotic surgeons showing lower overall intraoperative complications and comparable operative times.

How Does Oversewing/Suturing (OS/S) Compare to Other Staple Line Reinforcement Methods? A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Various staple line reinforcement (SLR) techniques in sleeve gastrectomy, including oversewing/suturing (OS/S), gluing, and buttressing, have emerged to mitigate postoperative complications such as bleeding and leaks. A meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials has demonstrated OS/S as an efficacious strategy for preventing postoperative complications, encompassing leaks, bleeding, and reoperations. Given that OS/S is the sole SLR technique not incurring additional costs during surgery, our study aimed to compare postoperative outcomes associated with OS/S versus alternative SLR methods. Following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines, we reviewed the literature and conducted fifteen pairwise meta-analyses of comparative studies, each evaluating an outcome between OS/S and another SLR technique. Thirteen of these analyses showed no statistically significant differences, whereas two revealed notable distinctions.

Feasibility of Anti-reflux Gastric Bypass for Massive Paraesophageal Hernia in Obese Patients With Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease.

Background The objective of this study is to demonstrate the safety and feasibility of anti-reflux gastric bypass (ARGB) as a treatment for symptomatic massive paraesophageal hernias (PEH) in the obese population. Both gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and PEH are particularly prevalent in the obese patient population, and obesity adversely affects the long-term outcomes of all anti-reflux procedures. Methods This is a single-center, retrospective review of 17 obese adults who underwent ARGB for the treatment of massive PEH between September 2019 and December 2021. Massive PEH was defined as >5 cm in a singular direction, and obesity as BMI ≥30 kg/m2. Patients without preoperative diagnostic testing were excluded. We reviewed and analyzed patient demographic data, postoperative symptom resolution, weight loss, and complications using descriptive statistics, change from baseline, and comparison of proportions. Results Sixteen of the 17 subjects were female. The median age was 48, and the median BMI was 39.10 kg/m2 (30.0-49.3 kg/m2). The average PEH size on imaging was 6.48 (H) x 6.25 (W) cm. The resolution of heartburn was 93.8% (p<0.001), and the resolution of nausea and vomiting was 80.0%. The mean postoperative length of follow-up was 9.12 months. Median excess body weight loss percentages at one, three, six, and 12 months were 16.43% (p<0.001), 35.92% (p<0.001), 40.64% (p=0.001), and 58.58% (p<0.01), respectively. Five patients experienced adverse events requiring additional intervention or hospitalization. There were no symptomatic hernia recurrences or mortality. Conclusion This study demonstrates that ARGB is feasible and potentially effective in treating symptomatic massive paraesophageal hernias in the obese patient population. Further investigation is needed to determine efficacy and long-term outcomes compared to standard surgical repair.

Antral Preservation in Sleeve Gastrectomy Appears to Protect Against Prolonged Vomiting and Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease. A Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials.

The optimal distance between the starting point of gastric transection and the pylorus during laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG), which can be referred to as the distance from pylorus (DFP), is controversial. No consensus exist for what DFP is considered antral preservation, and what DFP is considered antral resection. Some surgeons prefer shorter DFP to maximize excess weight loss percentage (EWL%), while others prefer longer DFP because they believe that it shortens length of stay (LOS) and protects against leaks, prolonged vomiting, and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). We sought to compare 6-cm DFP and 2-cm DFP in postoperative outcomes. In addition, we sought to evaluate the magnitude of any observed benefit through number needed to treat (NNT) analysis.

A Systematic Approach to Treating Early Metabolic Disease and Prediabetes.

At least 70% of US adults have metabolic disease. However, less is done to address early disease (e.g., overweight, obesity, prediabetes) versus advanced disease (e.g., type 2 diabetes mellitus, coronary artery disease). Given the burden of advanced metabolic disease and the burgeoning pandemics of obesity and prediabetes a systematic response is required. To accomplish this, we offer several recommendations: (A) Patients with overweight, obesity, and/or prediabetes must be consistently diagnosed with these conditions in medical records to enable population health initiatives. (B) Patients with early metabolic disease should be offered in-person or virtual lifestyle interventions commensurate with the findings of the Diabetes Prevention Program. (C) Patients unable to participate in or otherwise failing lifestyle intervention must be screened to assess if they require pharmacotherapy. (D) Patients not indicated for, refusing, or failing pharmacotherapy must be screened to assess if they need bariatric surgery. (E) Regardless of treatment approach or lack of treatment, patients must be consistently screened for the progression of early metabolic disease to advanced disease to enable early control. Progression of metabolic disease from an overweight yet otherwise healthy person includes the development of prediabetes, obesity ± prediabetes, dyslipidemia, hypertension, type 2 diabetes, chronic kidney disease, coronary artery disease, and heart failure. Systematic approaches in health systems must be deployed with clear protocols and supported by streamlined technologies to manage their population's metabolic health from early through advanced metabolic disease. Additional research is needed to identify and validate optimal system-level interventions. Future research needs to identify strategies to roll out systematic interventions for the treatment of early metabolic disease and to improve the metabolic health among the progressively younger patients being impacted by obesity and diabetes.

Oversewing/Suturing of the Staple Line During Sleeve Gastrectomy Is an Effective and Affordable Staple Line Reinforcement Method: a Meta-analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials.

Bleeding and leaks are the most ominous postoperative complications after laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG). Various staple line reinforcement (SLR) techniques have been innovated such as oversewing/suturing (OS/S), omentopexy/gastropexy, buttressing, and gluing. Currently, no high-quality evidence supports the use of one method over the others or even supports the use of SLR over no SLR. This study aimed to compare postoperative outcomes between LSG with OS/S versus LSG without any SLR.

Resolution of Roemheld Syndrome After Hiatal Hernia Repair and LINX Placement: Case Review.

Roemheld syndrome, also known as gastrocardiac syndrome, was first studied as a relationship between gastrointestinal and cardiovascular symptoms through the vagus nerve. Several hypotheses have attempted to explain the pathophysiology of Roemheld syndrome, but the underlying process remains unclear. We present a clinically diagnosed case of Roemheld syndrome in a patient with a hiatal hernia whose gastrointestinal and cardiac symptoms were successfully treated with robotic assisted hernia repair, esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD), and LINX magnetic sphincter augmentation. Our case is a 60-year-old male with a history of esophageal stricture and hiatal hernia who presented with complaints of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and related arrhythmias for five years. The patient did not have a history of cardiovascular disease other than hypertension. The cause of the hypertension was assumed to be primary, as workup for possible pheochromocytoma was negative. Cardiac work-up revealed arrhythmias that were characterized as supraventricular tachycardia with intermittent pre-ventricular contractions (PVC); however, testing was unable to determine a cause for the arrhythmias. High-resolution manometry showed low pressure in the lower esophageal sphincter with normal esophageal motility. Further evaluation included a 96-hour Bravo test and DeMeester score of 31 was recorded, confirming mild GERD; however, EGD was unremarkable. Surgeons elected to perform a robotic assisted hiatal hernia repair, EGD, and magnetic sphincter augmentation. Four months following surgery, the patient denied symptoms of GERD or episodes of palpitation and subsequently weaned off proton pump inhibitors with continual lack of symptoms. GERD is a common complaint among the primary care setting; however, ventricular dysrhythmias among this population and a clinical diagnosis of Roemheld syndrome is unique. One hypothesis may be that protrusion of the stomach into the chest cavity may exacerbate current reflux, and the anatomical relationship between a herniated fundus and anterior vagal nerve may cause direct physical stimulation that is a more potent risk factor for the development of arrythmias. However, Roemheld Syndrome is a unique diagnosis, and the pathophysiology is still yet to be understood.

A Case Report of a Rare Hernia: Incarcerated Falciform Ligament Hernia.

Falciform ligament hernias are a rare type of internal hernia that occurs through an abnormal opening in the falciform ligament of the liver. This is the case of a 38-year-old female who presented with a symptomatic enlarging ventral bulge near her umbilicus and was treated with a robotic-assisted laparoscopic falciform hernia repair with mesh. The nonspecific clinical manifestation of a falciform ligament hernia and the low sensitivity of computerized tomography (CT) for these hernias make them hard to diagnose preoperatively. Falciform ligament hernias are mostly attributed to congenital defects, but recently an iatrogenic etiology has also been proposed, given the prior history of laparoscopic surgeries in more recent cases. In our case report, we demonstrate that a robotic-assisted laparoscopic approach is a safe and effective means of correcting this hernia, with an outline of the current literature.

Seamguard Buttressing of the Staple Line During Laparoscopic Sleeve Gastrectomy Appears to Decrease the Incidence of Postoperative Bleeding, Leaks, and Reoperations. A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Non-Randomized Comparative Studies.

Leaks and bleeding are major acute postoperative complications following laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG). Various staple line reinforcement (SLR) methods have been invented such as oversewing/suturing (OS/S), omentopexy/gastropexy (OP/GP), gluing, and buttressing. However, many surgeons do not use any type of reinforcement. On the other hand, surgeons who use a reinforcement method are often confused of what kind of reinforcement they should use. No robust and high-quality data supports the use of one reinforcement over the other or even supports the use of reinforcement over no-reinforcement. Therefore, SLR is a controversial topic that is worth our focus. The aim of this study is to compare the outcomes of LSG with versus without Seamguard buttressing of the staple line during LSG.

Gastropleural Fistula Presenting as a Complication of Gastric Sleeve Surgery: A Case Report.

A rare complication of sleeve gastrectomy surgery is gastropleural fistulas (GPF), where a fistula develops between the stomach and the pleural cavity. This complication can be debilitating and present with many nonspecific symptoms making it hard to diagnose. This is a case report of a 45-year-old female who underwent robotic-assisted gastric sleeve revision after developing a GPF as a complication of her gastric sleeve six years later. This led to the development of a recurrent subdiaphragmatic abscess in the left upper quadrant. Before presenting to us, she underwent multiple hospitalizations and received numerous endoscopic stent treatments. However, the abscess continued to recur. Given her recurrent abscess, she consented to gastric sleeve revision. GPFs are amongst the rarest complications, with only 76 reported cases. Since this complication can cause shock, early diagnosis and treatment are necessary to improve patient outcomes and reduce morbidity.

Novel Per-Oral Cricopharyngotomy for Cricopharyngeal Bar: Feasibility Study With Emphasis on Technical Limitations.

Per-oral endoscopic cricopharyngotomy (c-POEM) is a treatment for cricopharyngeal dysfunction, specifically cricopharyngeal bars (CPB). C-POEM differs from other endoscopic surgical procedures, such as per-oral endoscopic myotomy (POEM), gastric per-oral endoscopic myotomy (g-POEM), and Zenker per-oral endoscopic myotomy (z-POEM). We report three patients who underwent c-POEM for CPB, their clinical course, and outcomes. We underwent a single institution retrospective chart review of three patients who underwent c-POEM and their immediate postoperative course. These three patients represent all patients who underwent c-POEM. The operating surgeons were experienced endoscopists who regularly performed endoscopic myotomy. The three patients were female, over 50 years old, and presented with dysphagia secondary to the CPB. All three patients had perioperative complications consistent with esophageal leaks requiring prolonged hospital courses and recovery. All three patients had improved but persistent dysphagia up to nine months following the procedure. The results of this small case series exemplify the high rate of complications, specifically postoperative esophageal leak, when performing c-POEM for CPB. Thus, we stress caution and recommend against performing c-POEM for CPB.

Foregut Malignancy After Metabolic Surgery: a Literature Review.

Obesity is known to be epidemiologically associated with malignancy. Although there is an increasing global number of bariatric surgeries, the relationship between bariatric surgery and esophagogastric cancers is not well understood. Diagnosis of esophagogastric cancers following bariatric surgery is challenging because the presentation tends to be nonspecific and may be perceived as usual postoperative symptoms in bariatric patients. Therefore, the early diagnosis requires a high index of suspicion. In addition, endoscopic investigation of the excluded stomach after a Roux-en-Y gastric bypass or a one-anastomosis gastric bypass is technically challenging, which further complicates the diagnosis. The aim of this study is to review the current evidence in the literature on esophagogastric cancers following bariatric surgery.

Anti-obesity Medication Use for Adolescent Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery Patients: A Systematic Literature Review.

Bariatric surgery, in combination with pharmacotherapy, has been proven to be successful in combatting weight regain in adults; however, the use of anti-obesity medications to augment weight loss in adolescents before and after bariatric surgery is not well studied. In adolescent obese patients, the efficacy of anti-obesity pharmacotherapy before and after bariatric surgery on weight loss compared to no interventions in various studies was investigated. A PubMed literature search using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines was performed to identify studies related to the pharmacologic treatment of obesity in adolescents with a history of bariatric surgery. Inclusion criteria consisted of clinical trials, case reports, case series, chart reviews, systematic reviews, and meta-analyses written in English and published between 2005 and 2022 using our search criteria. Exclusion criteria were studies that investigated adults, did not include pharmacotherapy, and were not relevant to the outcome of interest. The initial search yielded 1275 results, which was reduced to 879 after removal of duplicates. After applying exclusion criteria, the number of articles was reduced to 63. Full articles were examined and 44 were excluded due to relevance. Nineteen articles were included in the qualitative analysis. A total of 2471 adolescents were treated with various types of pharmacotherapy, 65 of whom had a history of bariatric surgery. The results showed varied effects of pharmacotherapy with the different medications studied. However, the 65 patients were included in cohorts of patients with no history of bariatric surgery. These studies did not include data specific to adolescent bariatric surgery patients.  There is a wealth of evidence highlighting the efficacy of pharmacotherapy in assisting with weight loss in adolescents with obesity; however, our literature search showed a lack of studies focusing on the use of pharmacotherapy in the adolescent bariatric surgery population. Potential limitations include missing studies in our literature search, the variability in methods between studies, and the lack of standardized quality assessment. Additionally, studies involving our objective of choice regarding bariatric surgery with anti-obesity medication were limited. Clinical trials to determine the efficacy of medications as an adjunct to bariatric surgery in preventing weight regain and leading to optimal weight loss in this population are of utmost importance.

RYGB-Induced Gut Dysmotility and Retrograde Intussusception: an Unusual Phenomenon. A Narrative Literature Review.

Intussusception following Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) is a rare complication of bariatric surgery with an unclear etiology. The pathogenesis underlying intussusception after gastric bypass is likely different from that in the general population. Post-RYGB intussusception might be related to motility issues in the divided small bowel, thinning of the mesentery following rapid weight loss, or anastomotic sutures/staple line acting as the lead point. This condition can cause obstruction with subsequent strangulation and bowel necrosis if not recognized and treated promptly. Clinical presentation is vague and nonspecific, and computerized tomography scan represents the diagnostic test of choice. Surgical treatment consists of reduction with or without anastomosis resection and reconstruction. This literature review provides an extensive overview of this condition, based on multiple studies involving 120 patients.

Oligometastatic Adenocarcinoma of the Esophagus: Current Understanding, Diagnosis, and Therapeutic Strategies.

Esophageal adenocarcinoma is an aggressive cancer of increasing incidence and is associated with poor prognosis. The early recognition of synchronous and metachronous oligometastasis in esophageal adenocarcinoma may allow for prompt intervention and potentially improved survival. However, curative approaches to oligometastatic esophageal disease remain unproven and may represent an area of emerging divergence of opinion for surgical and medical oncologists. We sought to identify the current understanding and evidence for management of oligometastatic esophageal adenocarcinoma by performing a thorough review of the available literature.