Combined endo-laparoscopic surgery for difficult benign colorectal polyps.

Prevention of colorectal cancer (CRC) depends largely on the detection and removal of colorectal polyps. Despite the advances in endoscopic techniques, there are still a subgroup of polyps that cannot be treated purely by endoscopic approach, which comprise of about 10-15% of all the polyps. These so-called "difficult colorectal polyps" are polyps with large size, morphology, at difficult location, scarring or due to recurrence, which have historically been managed by surgical segmental resection. In treating benign difficult colorectal polyps, we have to balance the operative risks and morbidities associated with surgical segmental resection. Therefore, combined endoscopic and laparoscopic surgery (CELS) has been developed to remove this subgroup of difficult benign polyps. We review the currently use of CELS for difficult benign colorectal polyps which includes laparoscopy-assisted endoscopic polypectomy (LACP), full-thickness laparo-endoscopic excision (FLEX) and colonoscopy-assisted laparoscopic wedge resection (CAL-WR).

Advances in laparoscopic colorectal surgery: a review on NOTES and transanal extraction of specimen.

Laparoscopic colorectal surgery has rapidly developed since the 1980s. Relative to open surgery, it offers the benefits of less invasiveness and earlier recovery. However, when a mini-laparotomy wound is needed to retrieve the specimen, the benefits of minimally invasive surgery may be compromised as a result of pain- and wound-related complications. The introduction of natural orifice transluminal endoscopic surgery (NOTES) makes "scarless" surgery a possibility; pain- and wound-related complications are totally abolished. However, a number of technical issues need to be overcome before this technique can be used widely. The development of natural orifice specimen extraction surgery abandons the need for a specimen-retrieval incision and helps overcome the technical hurdles of NOTES. As a bridge between true "scarless" surgery and conventional laparoscopic surgery, hybrid procedures combining laparoscopic resection and natural orifice specimen extraction surgery currently play an important role in minimally invasive colorectal surgery.

Prospective randomized trial of hybrid NOTES colectomy versus conventional laparoscopic colectomy for left-sided colonic tumors.

BACKGROUND: We conducted a randomized study of a laparoscopic technique for removing left-sided colon tumors that can reduce postoperative pain and other wound-related complications compared to the conventional technique. It is a novel technique of hybrid natural orifice translumenal endoscopic surgery (NOTES) colectomy (HNC) whereby laparoscopic colonic mobilization, transection, and anastomosis are performed intracorporeally. The specimen is then delivered through the anus using the transanal endoscopic operation (TEO) device, precluding the need for mini-laparotomy. We compared the short-term outcomes of patients who underwent HNC with those who underwent conventional laparoscopic colectomy (CL). METHODS: Patients suffering left-sided colonic tumor were recruited and were randomized into two groups: HNC and CL. Operative data and complications were prospectively recorded and analyzed. RESULTS: During a 3-year period, we recruited 70 patients (35 per group). No significant difference was observed between the two groups with respect to operating time (105 vs. 100 min, p = 0.851), blood loss (30 vs. 30 ml, p = 0.954), or length of hospital stay (5 vs. 5 days, p = 0.990). The maximum pain score during the first week was significantly lower in the HNC group (1 vs. 2, p = 0.017). No patients in the HNC group developed wound infection, whereas four patients in the CL group did so (p = 0.005). CONCLUSIONS: With this hybrid NOTES technique, selected patients with left-sided colonic tumors can enjoy the full benefits of minimally invasive surgery with significantly less wound pain and a lower wound infection rate than are observed with CL.

Endo-laparoscopic approach versus conventional open surgery in the treatment of obstructing left-sided colon cancer: long-term follow-up of a randomized trial.

INTRODUCTION: We previously conducted a randomized trial comparing the endo-laparoscopic approach (i.e. placing self-expanding metallic stents followed by laparoscopic resection) and conventional open surgery in the treatment of obstructing left-sided colon cancer. This study is a follow-up of the previous randomized trial and aims to report the long-term outcomes of the two groups. METHODS: Forty-eight patients from the randomized trial were followed up in an outpatient clinic with regular monitoring. Patients were compared for clinicopathological variables, disease recurrence and survival rates. RESULTS: Clinicopathological details were comparable between the two groups. During the median follow-up periods of 32 months for the open group and 65 months endo-laparoscopic group, no statistically significant difference was observed between the groups in disease recurrence rate, 5-year overall survival (27% vs 48%, P = 0.076) and 5-year disease-free survival rates (48% vs 52%, P = 0.63). CONCLUSION: Besides being a safe bridge to subsequent elective laparoscopic surgery, preoperative self-expanding metallic stents insertion does not adversely affect oncological outcomes and patient survival. Based on our data, the endo-laparoscopic approach is the treatment of choice for patients presenting with malignant left-sided colonic obstruction.

Medical expulsive therapy using alfuzosin for patient presenting with ureteral stone less than 10mm: a prospective randomized controlled trial.

OBJECTIVES: To assess the spontaneous passage rate for patients being treated with alfuzosin 10mg daily after presenting with an acute ureteral stone compared with a control group, and to assess the respective pain control status. METHODS: This was a prospective randomized controlled trial. Patients presenting with an acute ureteral stone (size 5-10mm) were enrolled and randomized into a medical expulsive therapy (MET) group or control group. The MET group received alfuzosin slow release (SR) 10mg daily for 4weeks and dologesic (paracetamol+dextropropoxyphene, four tablets daily on demand) for 2weeks. The control group received the same analgesics for 2weeks only. Diclofenac sodium SR 100mg daily for 2weeks was added in case of suboptimal pain control. All the patients were assessed through phone interview at week 2 and with kidney-ureter-bladder X-ray at week 5 to check for any evidence of stone passage. RESULTS: A total of 67 patients were included in the analysis. The overall spontaneous passage rate was increased by 31.8% with MET (P=0.006). For an upper ureteral stone, the rate was increased by 51.3% (P=0.01). The MET group used significantly less dicolofenac sodium (1.5 tablets vs 6.7 tablets, P=0.031). CONCLUSIONS: MET using alfuzosin SR 10mg daily is effective to enhance the ureteral stone spontaneous passage rate, particularly for upper ureteral stones. Fewer analgesic drugs are consumed and more patients can avoid ureteroscopic lithotripsy and/or extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy.

Long-term outcome of laparoscopic total mesorectal excision for middle and low rectal cancer.

This study aimed to assess the feasibility and long-term outcome of laparoscopic total mesorectal excision for middle and lower rectal cancer. Retrospective assessment was performed on 612 patients with middle and low rectal cancer in the surgery department of our hospital. Three-hundred and three patients underwent laparoscopic total mesorectal excision (LTME), and 309 patients underwent open TME (OTME). All the data regarding patient details, operative variables and the short- and long-term outcomes were collected and compared. The sphincter-preserving rates of the two groups were similar. The conversion rate in LTME was 2.31% (seven cases). Fourteen cases (6.67%) of protective diverting stoma were fashioned in the LTME group compared with 57 cases (26.64%) in the OTME group. The postoperative morbidity was the same in these two groups, while the postoperative period until bowel movement and hospital discharge was shorter in the LTME group (P < 0.01). The median follow-up period was 34 (6-81) months for the LTME group and 36 (6-81) months for the OTME group. Local recurrence rates, the five-year disease-free survival rate and the five-year overall survival rate showed no difference between the two groups. Laparoscopic surgery is feasible and safe in patients with middle and lower rectal cancer and can provide favorable short-term and long-term outcomes.

Unplanned admission after day-case haemorrhoidectomy: a retrospective study.

OBJECTIVE: To identify the risk factors associated with unplanned admission after day-case haemorrhoidectomy. METHODS: This was a retrospective review of the outcomes of patients who underwent elective, intended day-case haemorrhoidectomy in a surgical institution between January 2005 and December 2009. Data were generated from a computerized database. Information on patient demographics, type of surgery, mode of anaesthesia, operative time, operation end time, and perioperative drugs were collected and analysed. Unplanned admission was carefully recorded. RESULTS: In a 5-year period, 243 patients underwent intended day-case haemorrhoidectomy. Of these, 43 (17.7%) had unplanned admission, with acute urinary retention as the most common cause (n = 30). Using univariate analysis, male gender, the use of spinal anaesthesia, and a late operation end time of after 2 PM were found to be positive risk factors associated with unplanned admission, whereas the use of single-dose dexamethasone during induction was identified as having a negative effect on unplanned admission. However, multivariate analysis showed that only male gender, the use of spinal anaesthesia, and a late operation end time of after 2 PM were independent risk factors. CONCLUSION: Good operation listing and the use of general anaesthesia are recommended in the practice of day-case haemorrhoidectomy.

Endolaparoscopic approach vs conventional open surgery in the treatment of obstructing left-sided colon cancer: a randomized controlled trial.

OBJECTIVE: To compare self-expanding metal stents with emergency open surgery in the treatment of obstructing left-sided colon cancer. DESIGN: A randomized controlled trial. SETTING: An acute care hospital. PATIENTS: Adult patients with an obstructing tumor between the splenic flexure and rectosigmoid junction. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Successful 1-stage operation, cumulative operative time, blood loss, hospital stay, pain score, and postoperative complications. RESULTS: Forty-eight patients were analyzed. Twenty-four underwent endoluminal stenting followed by laparoscopic resection and 24 underwent emergency open surgery. The 2 groups were matched for age, sex, body mass index, and disease staging. Patients in the endolaparoscopic group had significantly less cumulative blood loss and lower pain, incidence of anastomotic leak, and wound infection. Significantly more patients in the endolaparoscopic group had a successful 1-stage operation performed (16 vs 9, P = .04). None of the patients in the endolaparoscopic group had a permanent stoma compared with 6 patients in the emergency open surgery group (P = .03). CONCLUSIONS: Self-expanding metal stents serve as a safe and effective bridge to subsequent laparoscopic surgery in patients with obstructing left-sided colon cancer. This endolaparoscopic approach makes a 1-stage operation more feasible, is associated with reduced incidence of stoma creation, and allows patients with malignant large-bowel obstruction to enjoy the full benefit of minimally invasive surgery. Trial Registration clinicaltrials.gov Identifier: NCT00654212.

Laparoscopic distal gastrectomy for gastric cancer: initial experience on hand-assisted technique and totally laparoscopic technique.

OBJECTIVE: To review the initial experience and compare the results of hand-assisted laparoscopic distal gastrectomy (HALDG), totally laparoscopic distal gastrectomy (TLDG), and open distal gastrectomy (ODG) in the treatment of gastric cancer in a regional hospital. METHODS: Consecutive patients who received distal gastrectomy for stage 1 or 2 gastric cancer were reviewed retrospectively. Lymphatic dissection and intracorporeal anastomosis were initially performed using the HALDG approach, and subsequently the TLDG approach. The results were compared with those of the ODG approach, and the overall survival was compared between the laparoscopic and open surgery groups. RESULTS: Sixty-nine patients underwent distal gastrectomies and 28 gastrectomies were performed using the laparoscopic approach (HALDG=10; TLDG=18). Patients who underwent HALDG required less operative time (median, 212 min vs. 263 min; P=0.04), whereas patients who underwent TLDG had reduced complication rates and a shorter hospital stay (median, 16 d vs. 8 d, respectively; P=0.009). When compared with ODG, the laparoscopic approach required a longer operative time but incurred significantly less blood loss (median, 75 mL vs. 175 mL, respectively; P=0.004). There was no difference in overall operative morbidity, hospital stay, oncologic clearance, or overall survival between the laparoscopic and open approaches. CONCLUSIONS: TLDG is technical demanding and requires longer operation time. The use of the hand-assisted approach for beginner surgeons may serve as a bridge to acquire skill for TLDG.

Endo-laparoscopic reduction and resection of gastroduodenal intussuception of gastrointestinal stromal tumor (GIST): a synchronous endoscopic and laparoscopic treatment.

Gastrointestinal stromal tumor (GIST) commonly occurs in the stomach. We would like to report an uncommon presentation of gastric GIST with gastroduodenal intussuception. A patient with known history of gastric GIST at fundus for 10 years presented to the casualty department with recurrent epigastric pain, deranged liver function, and hyperamylasemia. Computed tomography of the abdomen showed intussuception of the gastric GIST into duodenum. Emergency operation with synchronous endoscopic reduction and laparoscopic wedge resection was performed and patient had uneventful recovery. This simultaneous endoscopic and laparoscopic treatment should be considered for this rare complication of GIST.

Laparoscopic resection for rectal cancers: lessons learned from 579 cases.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study is to evaluate the short-term outcomes and long-term survival of laparoscopic rectal cancer resection at a single institution with 579 cases over a 15-year period. SUMMARY BACKGROUND DATA: The use of laparoscopic resection for colon cancer has been shown to be safe with comparable oncological outcomes. However, the role of laparoscopic resection for rectal cancer is still controversial with few studies looking into long-term outcomes. METHODS: From May 1992 to April 2007, 579 patients underwent laparoscopic resection for rectosigmoid and rectal cancer. The clinical data of these patients were retrospectively reviewed from a prospectively collected database. Data evaluated includes short- and long-term results, with survival outcomes calculated using the Kaplan-Meier method. RESULTS: Over this 15-year period, 316 patients had laparoscopic anterior resection for rectosigmoid and upper rectal cancer, 152 patients had laparoscopic sphincter-saving total mesorectal excision, 92 patients had laparoscopic abdominoperineal resection, 17 patients had laparoscopic Hartmann procedure for rectal cancer, and 2 patients had proctocolectomy. The median age of these patients was 68 years (range, 35-95). The overall early and late operative morbidity was 18.8% and 9.7%, respectively. Conversion to open surgery was required in 5.4%of patients. Anastomotic leak rate was 3.5%. The median follow-up time was 56 months (range, 8-288). Port-site recurrence occurred in 2 patients. Locoregional recurrence occurred in 7.4% of patients after curative resection. The overall 5- and 10-year survivals for rectal cancer were 70% and 45.5%, respectively. The cancer-specific 5- and 10- year survival was 76% and 56%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study with large number of patients over a long follow-up period suggested that laparoscopic resection for rectal cancer is safe with good long-term oncological outcomes.

Laparoscopic treatment for small bowel obstruction: report of a case.

An unusual case of small bowel obstruction in a patient with "virgin abdomen" was successfully diagnosed and the localized pathology was elucidated by a computed tomography scan, and the case was successfully treated by laparoscopy.

Risk of deep vein thrombosis following laparoscopic rectosigmoid cancer resection in chinese patients.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the incidence of postoperative deep vein thrombosis (DVT) in Chinese patients who underwent laparoscopic resection of rectal or sigmoid cancer in the absence of thromboprophylaxis. METHODS: Patients with adenocarcinoma of the sigmoid colon or rectum scheduled for laparoscopic resection were recruited. Neither chemoprophylaxis nor mechanical methods against DVT were employed. They were scheduled to have routine duplex ultrasound of both lower limbs perioperatively. RESULTS: In a 12-month period, 50 patients were recruited. Postoperative DVT occurred in 19 (38%) patients. None needed anticoagulation. Complete resolution of the thrombus was noted in 10 (53%) patients 12 weeks after operation, and in six patients 36 weeks after operation. Female sex was identified as being associated with a higher incidence of DVT. Age, smoking, preoperative neoadjuvant chemoirradiation, preoperative metastasis, duration of operation, conversion and postoperative complications did not appear to be risk factors for DVT. CONCLUSION: The incidence of asymptomatic calf vein DVT is relatively high after laparoscopic resection for rectosigmoid cancers in the Chinese population. However, complete resolution occurred without the use of anticoagulant therapy in the majority of cases. It is thus difficult to advocate the routine use of anticoagulant prophylaxis.

Unusual cause of acute abdomen --- ruptured retroperitoneal paraganglioma.

Ruptured retroperitoneal paraganglioma is a rare cause of acute abdomen. Its clinical presentation and laparoscopic features have seldom been reported in the literature. Herein, we report a case of ruptured retroperitoneal paraganglioma that presented as acute abdomen, and its subsequent management.

Hand-assisted laparoscopic versus open right colectomy: a randomized controlled trial.

OBJECTIVE: Laparoscopic colectomy has been proved to be both technically and oncologically feasible. However, the approach has been criticized for its procedural complexity and long operative time as a result of the loss of tactile feedback and absence of depth perception. The advent of hand-access devices offered a potential solution to these problems. This randomized controlled trial aims to compare hand-assisted laparoscopic colectomy (HALC) with open colectomy (OC) in the management of right-sided colonic cancer. METHODS: Adult patients with nonmetastatic carcinoma of cancer or ascending colon were recruited. Patients were excluded if they presented with surgical emergencies, had synchronous tumors on work-up, or when the tumor was larger than 6.5 cm in any dimension or preoperative imaging. Recruited patients were randomized to undergo either HALC or OC by the same surgical team. Outcome measures included operative time, blood loss, postoperative pain score and analgesic requirement, length of hospital stay, postoperative complications, as well as disease recurrence and patient survival. RESULTS: Eighty-one patients (HALC = 41, OC = 40) were successfully recruited. The 2 groups were matched for age, gender distribution, body mass index, and comorbidities. No significant difference was observed between the 2 groups in the distribution of tumors and the final histopathological staging. HALC took significantly longer than OC (110 min vs. 97.5 minutes, P = 0.003) but resulted in significantly less blood loss (35 mL vs. 50 mL, P = 0.005). Patients after HALC experienced significantly less pain, required significantly less parenteral and enteral analgesia, recovered faster, and was associated with a shorter length of stay (7 days vs. 9 days, P = 0.004). With median follow-up of 28 to 30 months, no difference was observed in terms of disease recurrence, and the 5-year survival rates remained similar (83% vs. 74%, P = 0.90). CONCLUSION: HALC retained the same short-term benefits of the pure laparoscopic approach. The technique is associated with a slightly increased but acceptable operative time. Aside as a useful adjunct in complex laparoscopic procedures, the hand-assisted laparoscopic technique is also a useful, if not more effective, alternative for patients with right-sided colonic cancer.

Laparoscopic versus open appendectomy for complicated appendicitis.

BACKGROUND: Laparoscopic appendectomy has been widely practiced for uncomplicated appendicitis; various reports demonstrated its merits in assisting diagnosis, reducing postoperative pain, analgesic requirement, and incidence of wound infection. The role of laparoscopy in management of complicated appendicitis, ie, gangrenous, perforated appendicitis and appendiceal abscess, remains undefined. Currently, the choice of operative approach is mostly at the surgeons' discretion. A retrospective study was conducted in our institution to review the feasibility, safety, and efficacy of laparoscopic appendectomy for patients with complicated appendicitis. STUDY DESIGN: From January 1999 to January 2004, records of patients older than 14 years of age with diagnosis of appendicitis were retrieved from computer database for analysis. All patients underwent diagnostic laparoscopy to confirm diagnosis of complicated appendicitis, and patients subsequently underwent either laparoscopic or open appendectomies. Patients' demographics data and perioperative outcomes from the two groups were compared. RESULTS: During the study period, 1,133 patients with acute appendicitis underwent operations in our institution. Two hundred forty-four patients (21.5%) with complicated appendicitis were identified by laparoscopy, of which 175 underwent laparoscopic appendectomy (LA) and 69 had open appendectomy (OA). Both groups of patients were comparable in demographics. Mean operative time was 55 minutes for LA group and 70 minutes for the OA group (p<0.001). Mean hospital stay was 5 days and 6 days for LA and OA group respectively (p<0.001). There was one conversion patient (0.6%) in the LA group who suffered from wound infection, and there were seven (10%) wound infections in the OA group (p=0.001). There were 10 cases (5.7%) of intraabdominal collection in the LA group and 3 (4.3%) in the OA group (p=0.473). There was no mortality in the current series. CONCLUSIONS: Laparoscopic appendectomy for complicated appendicitis is feasible and safe. It is associated with a significantly shorter operative time, lower incidence of wound infection, and reduced length of hospital stay when compared with patients who had open appendectomy.

Laparoscopic cholecystectomy for acute cholecystitis: the evolving trend in an institution.

BACKGROUND: Laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) is the gold standard for symptomatic cholecystolithiasis. Technical maturation and advances in instrumentation have enabled the application of this procedure for acute cholecystitis (AC). We review the evolving role of LC for AC in our institution. METHODS: A retrospective study was conducted of patients who received LC for AC between January 1994 and June 2001. Patients' demographics, clinical findings and perioperative outcomes were evaluated. RESULTS: There were 140 men and 141 women with a mean age of 56.9 years (range, 23-89 years). Two hundred and eighteen of these patients underwent successful LC. There were 63 conversions (22.4%) for uncertain anatomy and difficult dissection (41), gangrenous or perforated gallbladder (16) and bleeding (6). The conversion rates as stratified to surgeon's seniority were 25.1%, 22.8% and 9.7% for registrar, senior registrar and consultant, respectively. The mean operative time was 84.3 minutes (range, 30-255 minutes) and the mean postoperative stay was 5.8 days (range, 1-35 days). The overall complication rate was 11.6%, including two bile duct injuries and two perioperative deaths. CONCLUSION: LC for AC is safe and effective and associated with a low incidence of complications when routinely applied by surgical residents. The conversion rate is related to operators' surgical experience.

Acute symptomatic abdominal aortic aneurysm secondary to endovascular stent graft associated type II endoleak.

Endovascular abdominal aneurysm repair (EVAR) is popular because of its low invasiveness and feasibility for high-risk patients. Endoleak is common after EVAR and is characterized by blood flow within the aneurysm sac but outside the stent graft. Type II or collateral endoleak commonly results from retrograde filling of the aneurysm from collateral visceral vessels, lumbar, inferior mesenteric, accessory renal or sacral arteries. Collateral leaks are generally thought to be benign and over half of the early leaks will seal spontaneously. Sporadically, collateral endoleak could lead to aneurysm sac pressurization and place the patient at ongoing risk of rupture. Herein, we report an uncommon case of early post-stent graft placement symptomatic abdominal aortic aneurysm associated with type II endoleak.

Abdominal tuberculosis mimicking metastasis in a patient with carcinoma of the oesophagus.

Oesophageal carcinoma typically manifests as ulcerative growth. Cases of oesophageal tuberculosis mimicking carcinoma of the oesophagus have been reported and create considerable diagnostic difficulty. Abdominal tuberculosis, however, is an uncommon extrapulmonary manifestation of tuberculosis. Here, we report a case of abdominal tuberculosis in a patient with squamous carcinoma of the oesophagus.