Pilot study comparing the leak pressure of the sleeved stomach with and without reinforcement.

BACKGROUND: Laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG) consists of a longitudinal resection of the stomach on the greater curvature, removing 75-80% of the stomach approximately and creating a cylindrical "sleeve"-like conduit. However, LSG can be associated with significant morbidity, and staple-line failure with dehiscence and gastric leak is one of the most severe complications. The aim of this study was to compare three different methods of gastric closure in terms of staple-line strength and leak pressures of the sleeved stomach. METHODS: After performing standard stapled sleeve gastrectomies, the gastric specimens were carefully retrieved. Group 1 specimens were left with the staple line intact. In group 2, the staple line was reinforced with a 3-0 polypropylene running suture. The gastric remnants of group 3 were those in which the LSG was performed using Seamguard as the buttressing material. The burst-pressure was assessed using a portable gas sensor. The outcome parameters were: age of the patients, body mass index, buttress material (suture, Seamguard, etc.), leak pressure, volume infused, and leak site, among others. RESULTS: Thirty-six sleeve gastrectomies were included in the final analysis. Each group consisted of 12 gastric specimens. There were no differences between groups in terms of age, sex, body mass index, and patient comorbidities. The leak pressure was significantly higher in group 2 (35 ± 11.7 vs. 102 ± 21.4 vs. 47 ± 19.1; p = <0.0005). The volume of liquid required to cause the leak was much greater in the group 3 (p = <0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Oversewing is the reinforcement method that increases better the staple-line strength. It is the least expensive method of reinforcement and does not increase operative times significantly.

Laparoscopic approach for isolated splenic metastasis: comprehensive literature review and report of 6 cases.

BACKGROUND: Splenic metastases are extremely unusual. The aim of this paper is to review the world experience to date concerning to laparoscopic approach for splenic metastasis, and to report ours at the Hospital de Sant Pau. METHODS: Literature review was carried out and relevant reports on laparoscopic approach to splenic metastasis were obtained. In addition, we reviewed our patient's database and retrieved the data of those who underwent laparoscopic splenectomy due to splenic involvement. RESULTS: Electronic search yielded 8 relevant articles on open splenectomy and 7 articles on laparoscopic splenectomy for splenic metastasis. During the study period, 6 patients were operated on laparoscopically. Primary neoplasms were 3 melanomas, 2 colon carcinomas, and 1 malignant fibrous histiocytoma. None of the patients had surgical complications. Outcome ranged from 2-month to 11-year survival. CONCLUSIONS: The laparoscopic approach for splenic metastasis is feasible. Of course, it must be individualized in each case.

Apendicectomías negativas y su relación con los estudios de imagen / Negative appendectomies and their relation with imaging studies

Objetivo: Identificar si los estudios de gabinete, como la tomografía axial computada y ultrasonido, se asocian con la menor incidencia de apendicectomías negativas. Sede: Hospital Christus Muguerza del Parque, Hospital Privado de Tercer Nivel. Diseño: Estudio de prueba diagnóstica, retrospectivo, descriptivo, observacional, transversal. Análisis estadístico: Sensibilidad, especificidad, valores predictivos y prueba de Bayes. Pacientes y métodos: Se incluyeron a todos los pacientes que fueron sometidos a apendicectomía durante el periodo entre enero 2006 a diciembre 2008. Se correlacionó el reporte histopatológico, como estándar de oro diagnóstico, con los estudios de gabinete realizados que consistieron en tomografía axial computada (TAC) y ultrasonido (US) en pacientes con cuadro clínico sugestivo de apendicitis aguda. Resultados: Se incluyeron 207 pacientes, de los cuales 107 fueron hombres (52%) y 100 mujeres (48%). En 183 pacientes (88.4%) sometidos a apendicectomía se confirmó el diagnóstico histopatológico de apendicitis aguda, mientras que los 24 pacientes restantes (11.6%) tuvieron apendicectomía negativa, de los cuales fueron 10 hombres y 14 mujeres. Durante el periodo estudiado, la frecuencia de apendicectomías negativas disminuyó un 66% en el 2008 respecto al 2007, al mismo tiempo que la utilización de TAC para evaluar estos casos aumentó un 41%. La TAC presentó una sensibilidad de 89%, especificidad de 60%, valor predictivo positivo (VPP) 94.8% y valor predictivo negativo (VPN) de 40%, la posibilidad post-prueba negativa (PPPN) fue de 59.9%. El US tuvo una sensibilidad de 63%, especificidad de 40%, VPP de 85.5% y VPN de 15.8%, y la PPPN fue de 84.2%. Conclusiones: El mayor empleo de la TAC abdominal con contraste IV, ni el ultrasonido, se asoció con una menor incidencia de apendicectomías negativas. El criterio clínico sigue siendo vigente.

Objective: To identify whether diagnostic imaging, such as computed axial tomography (CAT) and ultrasonography (US) can be associated with a lower incidence of negative appendectomies. Setting: Hospital Christus Muguerza del Parque, private third level health care hospital. Design: Diagnostic test, retrospective, descriptive, observational, cross-sectional study. Statistical analysis: Sensitivity, specificity, predictive values, and Bayesian testing. Patients and methods: All patients subjected to appendectomy in the period from January 2006 to December 2008 were included in the study. The histopathological report, as diagnostic gold standard, was correlated with the imaging studies, CAT und US, in patients with clinical symptoms suggestive of acute appendicitis. Results: We included 207 patients, 107 were men (52%) and 100 women (48%). In 183 patients (88.4%) subjected to appendectomy, the histopathological diagnosis of acute appendicitis was confirmed, whereas the remainder 24 patients (11.6%) had negative appendectomies, these corresponded to 10 men and 14 women. During the study period, the frequency of negative appendectomies decreased 66% in 2008 with respect to 2007, concurrently the use of CAT to assess these cases increased 41%. CAT presented a sensitivity of 89%, specificity of 60%, positive predictive value (PPV) of 94.8% and negative predictive value (NPV) of 40%, the possibility of negative post-test (PNPT) was of 59.9%. US had a sensitivity of 63%, specificity of 40%, PPV of 85.5% and NPV of 15.8%, and PNPT of 84.2%. Conclusions: Neither the increase in the use of CAT with IV contrast medium nor of US was associated with a lower incidence of negative appendectomies. The clinical criterion remains being valid.