Effectiveness and predictors of conversion in mini-laparotomy cholecystectomy in developing country: a cohort retrospective study.

BACKGROUND: Mini laparotomy cholecystectomy (MLC) is an alternative surgical procedure in conditions where laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) is not feasible. MLC is a simpler and easier technique compared to LC. MLC involves smaller skin incision, low morbidity rate, and early return to oral diet. MLC has the potential to be the preferred surgical technique in developing countries due to its low cost and availability. METHOD: A cohort retrospective study was performed on 44 patients who underwent mini laparotomy cholecystectomy due to ineligibility for LC. Patients were documented for successful mini laparotomy or conversion to laparotomy cholecystectomy. There are pre-operative aspects recorded and analyzed to formulate predictor factors for conversion surgery, as well as intra-operative and post-operative aspects. Patients also filled evaluation questionnaire based on Likert Scale about their satisfaction towards result of MLC. RESULT: MLC is performed in 31 (70.5%) patients while 13 (29.5%) patients underwent conversion to open cholecystectomy. There were no complications nor mortalities observed during and after the surgery. Greater BMI, higher leucocyte count, higher bilirubin level, increasing severity of adhesion, and chronic cholecystitis were found to be statistically significant (p < 0.05) in the conversion surgery group. MLC also resulted in shorter post-operative hospitalization compared to conversion surgery. Patients showed great satisfaction towards the cosmetic aspect and recovery period after MLC procedure. CONCLUSION: MLC is an effective surgery procedure for cholelithiasis and can be safely performed in patients with complication such as cholecystitis and gallbladder adhesion although these conditions increase the risk of conversion surgery.

Comparison of anal dilatation versus no dilatation with a standardized dilator in reducing pain after hemorrhoidectomy: a randomized control trial.

BACKGROUND: Post-operative pain is the main problem of hemorrhoidectomy. An adequate pain management can promote early mobilization, fast recovery, and reduce hospitalization costs. This study aimed to investigate the role of preoperative anal dilatation using a standardized anal dilator in reducing post-operative pain. METHOD: This study was conducted using randomized prospective trial with a total of 40 subjects, who were divided into 2 groups. The first group received preoperative anal dilatation using a 33 mm anal dilator for 20 min, while the second group did not. The post-operative anal pain, edema, bleeding, and incontinence were observed in the first, second, and seventh day. RESULT: The post-operative pain was significantly lower in the preoperative anal dilatation group for all days of observation (p < 0.05). The difference of post-operative bleeding and edema between groups were not significant. Fecal incontinence was initially significantly higher in the preoperative anal dilatation group, but the difference was insignificant at the seventh day (p = 0.500). CONCLUSION: Preoperative anal dilatation significantly reduced post-operative pain. The side effect of fecal incontinence was only temporary until the seventh day after surgery. Trial Registration This trial was registered on Thai Clinical Trials Registry (TCTR) with TCTR identification number TCTR20220314002, on 14/03/2022 (retrospectively registered).

A new technique for surgical haemorrhoidectomy without post-operative complication: A case series.

Introduction: Hemorrhoids are a common coloproctology problem and among 10% of cases need surgical intervention. However, the established surgical interventions still have many complications. Case presentation: We reported three female patients, who presented with circular 3rd degree internal hemorrhoids. The surgical treatment was performed with pre-operative anal dilatation using a 33 mm dilator for 20 minutes, followed by triangle incision above the dentate line. The hemorrhoid excision was performed, and the wound was sutured with simple interrupted radial sutures using a multifilament absorbable 3-0 thread. There were neither complaints of pain, bleeding, anal incontinence, anal stenosis, wound dehiscence, nor recurrence at the first, second, and fourth weeks of follow-ups in all patients. Discussion: Post-operative bleeding, pain, and anal incontinence are common after an open hemorrhoidectomy, while suture breakage and anal stenosis were reported after the old technique of closed hemorrhoidectomy. Stapled hemorrhoidectomy had less complications but requires a relatively more expensive cost for the device itself. We performed a combination of preoperative anal dilatation, above dentate line triangle incision, and simple interrupted radial sutures to treat the patients with 3rd degree internal hemorrhoids, which resulted in no post-operative complications within the first month of follow-up. Conclusion: A combination of preoperative anal dilatation, above dentate line triangle incision, and radial suture technique is a simple and effective surgical option for treating a 3rd degree hemorrhoid.

Effectiveness of tutorial videos combined with online classes in surgical knotting course during COVID-19 pandemic: A cohort study.

BACKGROUND: COVID-19 pandemic has changed medical education from offline courses to online formats. Nowadays, offline skill demonstration lessons becomes unfeasible. This study assess the effectiveness of tutorial videos and online classes in delivering knowledge and skill in basic surgical knotting to medical students. METHODS: A group of medical students (n = 95) was divided into two groups: the first group was allowed to watch the tutorial video that we have been made and uploaded into YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WyfOVGhAeVA) while the other group did not watch the video. All participants submitted a demonstration video to show their knotting skill. These videos were graded and made into the first evaluation. Then, all participants attended online classes for the surgical knotting skills via Zoom application. Participants submitted another demonstration video after the online classes. The videos were assessed, and the results were analyzed. RESULTS: The experimental group (n = 50) who watched the tutorial video prior to class scored higher in the first video than the control group (n = 39) with a meanscore of 10.850 versus 7.462, p = 0.000*, In the second video, the assessment showed no significant difference between the two groups with meanscore of 11.220 versus 10.897, p = 0.706. CONCLUSION: The combination of tutorial videos and online classes is the optimal teaching method for surgical knotting skills.

Gallbladder adhesion degree as predictor of conversion surgery, common bile duct injury and resurgery in laparoscopic cholecystectomy: A cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: The gold-standard treatment for cholecystectomy, laparoscopic cholecystectomy, has remarkably variable outcomes and conversion rates. We investigated the gallbladder adhesion degree as a predictor of conversion surgery, common bile duct injury, and resurgery. METHODS: We reviewed 157 medical records and video recordings of laparoscopic cholecystectomy on patients with cholelithiasis with or without cholecystitis at three hospitals in Yogyakarta, Indonesia from January 2016 to December 2018. The degree of gallbladder adhesion is classified into 4 categories: no adhesion, <50% adhesion, 50%-buried GB, and completely buried GB. RESULTS: One hundred fifty seven patients were involved in this study, of whom 58 were males and 99 females with average age 49.2. Eighty-one patients out of 157 patients (51.6%) had gallbladder adhesion comprising of 61/157 (38.9%) with <50% adhesion and 20/157 (12.7%) 50%-buried GB. There is one incidence each of conversion surgery, CBD injury, and resurgery. The degree of GB adhesion has low degree of correlation with conversion surgery, CBD injury, and resurgery wirh r value of 0.156, 0.041, and 0.156 respectively. There is significant correlation between the degree of GB adhesion and conversion surgery and resurgery with p value of 0.032, and 0.032 respectively. There is no significant correlation between degree of GB adhesion and CBD injury with p value of 0.453. CONCLUSION: The degree of GB adhesion has low degree of correlation with conversion, CBD injury and resurgery. This study also showed that patients with high degree of gallbladder adhesion are still eligible for laparoscopic procedure performed by an experienced surgeon.

Omental plug using double horizontal mattress suture for gastric perforation on elderly patients with boey score 3: A case series.

INTRODUCTION: Gastric perforation is a life-threatening condition. Patients with gastric perforation with Boey score 3 has very high mortality rate. Immediate source control is required for primary repair and preventing further complications. Furthermore, elderly patients pose a greater risk of morbidity and mortality in cases of gastric perforation, especially during and after emergency surgery. CASE PRESENTATION: We present two cases of elderly patients with gastric perforation with Boey score 3. We performed omental plugging technique with double horizontal mattress suture type. In these cases, we decided not to perform biopsy and margin freshening of the perforation. DISCUSSION: We performed omental plugging technique because we are confident that it could cover the perforation completely without causing gastric outlet obstruction. An emergency source control surgery can be effectively done with this omental plugging procedure. During surgery, margin freshening and biopsy is not performed to perform source control more quickly. This surgical procedure aligned with "quick in-quick out" concept that we adopted for treating patients with gastric perforation. Omental plugging also allows patient to undergo ERAS program for better and faster recovery. The patients were discharged from the hospital without further complications and long-term follow-up showed good results. CONCLUSION: Omental plugging has the least risk of complications than other perforation repair techniques and can be done for small and large perforation. Based on our case series, omental plug with double mattress suture is an effective and safe procedure to be performed in elderly patients with gastric perforation with Boey score 3.

Management of gallstone-induced severe acute cholecystitis and pancreatitis in the second trimester of pregnancy during covid-19 pandemic: A case report.

INTRODUCTION: Gallstone-induced severe acute cholecystitis with acute pancreatitis during pregnancy can be life-threatening both for the mother and fetus. Surgical approach is recommended in this complicated disease to prevent morbidity and mortality. During COVID-19 pandemic, additional precautions are needed when dealing with abdominal complaints. PRESENTATION OF CASE: We present a 37-year-old female patient, pregnant at 22 weeks gestational age, who complained of fever, diffuse abdominal pain, and shortness of breath. Laboratory examination results revealed anemia, leukocytosis and an increase in amylase level. SARS-CoV-2 antibody is non-reactive. Imaging strongly suggested cholelithiasis and cholecystitis. The patient was given antibiotics for three days but there was no significant improvement. Open cholecystectomy with subcostal (Kocher) incision was performed. Patient was released from the hospital without post-operative complications. DISCUSSION: Treatment of gallstone induced severe acute cholecystitis with acute pancreatitis during pregnancy is challenging with the surgical complications. In the second and third trimester of pregnancy, it is more difficult to perform laparoscopic cholecystectomy because of the size of uterus. Laparoscopic procedure is also not recommended in early Covid-19 pandemic period. Therefore, open cholecystectomy with Kocher incision becomes the surgery of choice to avoid preterm birth. CONCLUSIONS: Based on our case, open cholecystectomy with Kocher incision is a safe and effective procedure for pregnant patients with cholelithiasis, cholecystitis, and pancreatitis.

Clinical findings and management of diaphragmatic rupture with hernia caused by safety body harness: A case report.

INTRODUCTION: Acute blunt traumatic diaphragmatic rupture (BTDR) caused by falling from a height is rare. Transabdominal diaphragmatic repair in an acute setting following BTDR requires good clinical decision-making and diagnostic tests. CASE PRESENTATION: A 36-year-old male was involved in a work accident. He fell from a 30-m radio transmitter tower while wearing an attached safety body harness. He arrived in the emergency room with complaints of breathing difficulty, abdominal and pelvic pain. We discovered a diaphragmatic rupture with abdominal organ herniation based on the imaging. We decided to perform an emergency laparotomy. We discovered a 12cm diaphragmatic defect on the anteromedial side of the left during surgery. We carried out the evacuation by suction and controlled the bleeding in the wound at the edge of the diaphragm. On postoperative day 4 (POD), the patient complained of dyspnea, and chest radiology revealed a hemothorax in the left lung. We then installed a water-sealed drainage (WSD) until POD 6. On the following day, his complaint was resolved, the WSD was removed and the patient was discharged uneventfully. DISCUSSION: Abdominal CT scan can be helpful in determining early diagnosis of traumatic diaphragm rupture with abdominal organ herniation, allowing for prompt surgical intervention to minimize morbidity and mortality. Furthermore, reinforced sutures might be useful to prevent recurrence of the symptoms. CONCLUSION: In conclusion, injury due to wearing a safety body harness when falling can be a potential cause of BTDR. Management of BTDR transabdominally is a safe and effective procedure.

Spontaneous cystic biloma after laparoscopic cholecystectomy treated conservatively: A case report.

INTRODUCTION: Biloma forms due to common bile duct (CBD) injury as a laparoscopic cholecystectomy complication. Spontaneous localized biloma forming cysts in the biliary duct is rare. PRESENTATION OF CASE: We report a 47-year-old male with complaint of a painful lump in the upper abdomen two months after laparoscopic cholecystectomy. Magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography (MRCP) found a large epigastric cyst mass, without any signs of CBD injury. Patient was managed with percutaneous drainage in the outpatient clinic and kept the contents of the drainage bag for evaluation. After two months follow-up the outcome was favorable. DISCUSSION: Biloma forming cysts is a very rare complication post laparoscopic cholecystectomy. Biloma most common occurs as free fluid in the abdominal cavity. Clinical diagnostics, intraoperative historical evaluation and support with MRCP may determine the treatment options. Decision to manage with non-operative procedures by percutaneous drainage and evaluations of the patient in the outpatient clinic had a favorable outcome. CONCLUSION: Post laparoscopic biloma cysts are a very rare case. Management with percutaneous drainage in an outpatient clinic and ambulatory drainage is an effective and safe procedure.

Comparison between camcorder, frontal head and temporal mounted action-cam in digestive surgery: Documentation and educational alternative during COVID-19 pandemic.

OBJECTIVE: COVID-19 pandemic has made impact both in clinical and educational settings. The number of surgeries has decreased; thus, the surgery videos of all cases are important for both documentation and education. This study aimed to compare three kinds of cameras in recording digestive surgery. METHODS: We compared three cameras: Panasonic HV-770 Full HD Camcorder, Sony FDR-X3000 Action-cam, and Ordro EP7 Hands-Free FPV Camera. Each camera was used in several recording for superficial and visceral digestive surgeries and we compared the following: operation field, image focus, surgeon's comfort, practicality, and record settings. RESULTS: Camcorder needs 10-15 min to set up and longer dismounting time, has steady vantage view and focus, good image quality, can be zoomed, but the recording may be obstructed by the surgeon's head. Action camera needs 5-10 min to set up and the dismounting time was equal between Camcorder and Ordro. Action camera depicts surgeon's vision, however, zoom could not be applied while recording. Sony FDR-X3000 used in this study had good image quality, but the use of this camera in a long surgery may generate neck stiffness due to its weight. Ordro EP7 was comfortable in any surgery but it had inferior image quality compared to the others. CONCLUSIONS: Panasonic HC-V770 and Sony FDR X3000 had good image quality, where camcorder excelled in longer surgeries due to its comfort, action-cam excelled for shorter surgeries due to ease of use and settings. Ordro EP7 was the most comfortable among all but has lowest image quality.

Comparison of surgical recordings using cameras with and without laser pointer for focusing in gastrointestinal surgical field in COVID-19 pandemic: A cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: Surgical recording has become very important for digestive surgery skill training in the COVID-19 pandemic. In addition to high quality recordings, the directions of vantage points are also important. To assist our vantage point for our camera, we frequently use a laser pointer to increase accuracy in the shooting range. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We recorded surgery more than 2 h with a fixed top-mounted Panasonic HC-V770 camcorder and otherwise with an action-cam Sony FDR. We installed a laser Pointer TaffLED Tactical Red Dot Laser Gun Picatinny Mount Airsoft Rifle HJ 11. We compared focus field video recordings with and without laser pointer guiding. We divided them into four groups: head mounted with, head mounted without, top mounted with and top mounted without. We recorded a total of five digestive surgery cases of superficial, visceral, and deep visceral procedures for each group after adjusting the laser pointer direction to the center of the cameras' focus. RESULTS: The laser pointer on camcorder Panasonic HC-V770 can assist recording on operation fields to prevent the field of view from being blocked by movement of an object compared to either camera without laser pointer. The head mounted Sony FDR-X3000 action-cam can easily depict surgeon's eye while recording and be controlled by the slightest movement of the surgeon's head by tracking with a red dot. CONCLUSION: From either mounting, the laser pointer aided in focusing the surgical field of view and could increase visibility for surgical recording.

Modified Duhamel with lateral anal sphincterotomy and coloanal stump for adult Hirschsprung's disease: A case series.

INTRODUCTION: Hirschsprung's disease (HSCR) or megacolon congenital is the most common congenital intestinal motility disorder and characterized by the absence of ganglion cells (aganglionosis) in the myenteric plexus and submucosa of the distal intestine. PRESENTATION OF CASE: This study reports three cases of adult HSCR, with all young female patients who underwent colostomy for obstructive ileus. The chosen definitive therapies were Duhamel pull-through procedure combined with a temporary coloanal stump. DISCUSSION: The three patients underwent Duhamel pull-through procedure with temporary anal stump in conjunction with stoma reversal. The temporary anal stumps were removed within 1-2 weeks after pull-through procedure. All patients were discharged from the hospital and underwent routine follow-up. All patients had fecal incontinence in early follow-up which resolved shortly afterwards. Long term follow-up showed normal intestinal functions and good cosmetic results. CONCLUSIONS: The combination of Duhamel pull-through procedure with temporary coloanal stump in definitive therapy of adults with HSCR is a safe and effective technique.

Covid-19 mimicking symptoms in emergency gastrointestinal surgery cases during pandemic: A case series.

BACKGROUND: The COVID-19 pandemic has changed patient management in all sectors. All patients need to be examined for COVID-19, including in digestive surgery emergency cases. In this paper, we report four digestive surgery emergency cases with clinical and radiological findings similar to COVID-19. CASE PRESENTATION: We report four digestive surgery emergency cases admitted with fever and cough symptoms. Case 1 is a 75-year-old male with gastric perforation and pneumonia, case 2 is a 32-year-old female with intestinal and pulmonal tuberculosis, case 3 is a 30-year-old female with acute pancreatitis with pleuritis and pleural effusion, and the last case is a 56-year-old female with rectosigmoid cancer with pulmonal metastases. All the patients underwent emergency laparotomy, were hospitalized for therapy, and discharged from the hospital. After 1-month follow-up after surgery, 1 patient had no complaints, 2 patients had surgical site infection, and 1 patient died because of ARDS due to lung metastases. DISCUSSION: For all four cases, the surgeries were done with strict COVID-19 protocol which included patient screening, examination, laboratory assessment, rapid test screening, and RT-PCR testing. There were no intrahospital mortalities and all the patients were discharged from the hospital. Three patients were followed-up and recovered well with 2 patients having surgical site infection which recovered within a week. However, 1 patient did not show up for the scheduled follow-up and was reported dead 2 weeks after surgery because of ARDS due to lung metastases. CONCLUSIONS: Emergency surgery, especially digestive surgery cases, can be done in the COVID-19 pandemic era with strict prior screening and examination, and safety protocol.

Head and tail pancreatic duct stones mimicking duplex staghorn renal calculi: A rare case.

INTRODUCTION: Pancreatolithiasis is an uncommon disease and the diagnosis of pancreatic duct stones is challenging. The radiological findings of pancreatic duct stones may mimic other diseases, such as renal stones. CASE PRESENTATION: A 42-year-old male came with chief complaint of recurrent bilateral flank pain accompanied by fever which worsen 7 days before admission. The patient was diagnosed as gastritis and received analgesics in several hospitals. Ultrasonography and IVP examinations showed stones in both kidneys. CT-scan was not performed due to limitation in the hospital. Patient was diagnosed bilateral staghorn nephrolithiasis. The patient underwent bilateral bivalve nephrotomy for staghorn renal stone performed by urologist, but intraoperatively, no stones were found. The patient was then consulted intraoperatively to the digestive surgeon and get immediate median laparotomy. Intraoperatively, stones were palpated in the head and tail of the pancreas. The stones were evacuated. The symptoms were relieved, neither recurrence, nor pain, nor postoperative leakage was found. Patient was discharged uneventfully 4 days after the procedure and had no complaints in further follow-ups. DISCUSSION: The symptoms of pancreatolithiasis may overlap with nephrolithiasis and gastritis. The presented case was unique because from the history taking, clinical symptoms, USG, and IVP findings supported the diagnosis of nephrolithiasis, but intraoperative findings reveal pancreatic duct stones. CONCLUSION: For patient diagnosed with renal calculi based on sonography and IVP findings, differential diagnosis of pancreatic stone should be considered especially if no underlying cause is detected. In such circumstances relying on IVP and sonographic findings alone can be misleading.