Safety and short-term outcomes of robotic-assisted transabdominal preperitoneal repair for inguinal hernia in pioneering hospitals in Japan: A nationwide retrospective cohort study.

INTRODUCTION: We aimed to evaluate the safety and short-term outcomes of robotic-assisted transabdominal preperitoneal repair for inguinal hernia in 12 pioneering hospitals in Japan. METHODS: Clinical data of patients who underwent robotic-assisted transabdominal preperitoneal repair between September 1, 2016, and December 31, 2021 were collected. Primary outcome measures were intra-operative adverse events and post-operative complications, whereas secondary outcomes were surgical outcomes, including chronic pain, recurrence, and learning curve. RESULTS: In total, 307 patients were included. One case of inferior epigastric arterial injury was reported; no cases of bowel or bladder injury were reported. Thirty-five seromas were observed, including four (1.3%) cases that required aspiration. The median operative time of a unilateral case was 108 minutes (interquartile range: 89.8-125.5), and post-operative pain was rated 1 (interquartile range: 0-2) on the numerical rating scale. In complicated cases, such as recurrent inguinal hernias and robotic-assisted radical prostatectomy-associated hernias, dissection and suture were safely achieved, and no complications were observed, except for non-symptomatic seroma. All patients underwent robotic procedures, and there was no chronic post-operative inguinal pain, although one case of hernia recurrence was reported. Regarding the learning curve, plateau performance was achieved after 7-10 cases in terms of operative time (P < .001). CONCLUSION: Robotic-assisted transabdominal preperitoneal repair can be safely introduced in Japan. Regardless of the involvement of many surgeons, the mastery of robotic techniques was achieved relatively quickly. The advantage of robotic technology such as wristed instruments may expand the application of minimally invasive hernia repair for complicated cases.

A Patient with Transverse Colon Cancer Complicated by Cowden Syndrome Administered FOLFOXIRI + Bevacizumab Therapy.

Cowden syndrome is characterized by several clinical features related to tumorous lesions primarily consisting of systemic hamartomas. The mutation of a tumor suppressor gene, the PTEN gene, is etiologically involved. As gastrointestinal lesions, polyps of all digestive tracts involving the esophagus to rectum develop. In patients with Cowden syndrome, the risk of colorectal cancer may increase. However, the characteristics of colorectal cancer in these patients remain to be clarified and sufficient findings regarding chemotherapy have not been obtained. A 39-year-old man was treated with a colonic stent for colitis obstructive due to circumferential transverse colon carcinoma. After decompression, elective extended laparoscopic right hemicolectomy was performed. Preoperative systemic detailed examination revealed characteristic dermal/mucosal findings, polyposis of the upper digestive tract, and a thyroid tumor. On PTEN gene sequencing, a mutation was detected at codon 130 of exon 5, leading to a diagnosis of Cowden syndrome. Postoperative adjuvant chemotherapy was performed for 6 months, but recurrent peritoneal dissemination was observed 1 month after its completion. FOLFOXIRI + bevacizumab therapy was started. Transiently, a partial response was achieved in peritoneally disseminated nodes according to the RECIST. There was no increase in the volume of cancerous ascites. However, an increase in the volume of ascites and local relapse were noted at the completion of the tenth course. The regimen was switched to FOLFIRI + panitumumab, but peritoneal dissemination exacerbated and the patient died 18 months after surgery.

Impact of post-operative paralytic ileus on post-operative outcomes after surgery for colorectal cancer: a single-institution, retrospective study.

PURPOSE: Post-operative paralytic ileus (POI) occurs after surgery because of gastrointestinal dysfunction caused by surgical invasion. We therefore investigated the frequency of POI after laparoscopic colorectal surgery in patients with colorectal cancer using a strictly defined POI diagnosis and identified associated risk factors. METHODS: Patients who underwent initial laparoscopic surgery for colorectal cancer between January 2014 and December 2018 were included. The primary end point was the incidence of POI. A multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed the contributing risk factors for POI. RESULTS: Of the 436 patients, 94 (21.6%) had POI. Compared with the non-POI group, the POI group had significantly higher frequencies of infectious complications (p < 0.001), pneumonia (p < 0.001), intra-abdominal abscess (p = 0.012), anastomotic leakage (p = 0.016), and post-operative bleeding (p = 0.001). In the multivariate analysis, the right colon (odds ratio [OR] 2.180, p = 0.005), pre-operative chemotherapy (OR 2.530, p = 0.047), pre-operative antithrombotic drug (OR 2.210, p = 0.032), and post-operative complications of CD grade ≥ 3 (OR 12.90, p < 0.001) were independent risk factors for POI. CONCLUSION: Post-operative management considering the risk of post-operative bowel palsy may be necessary for patients with right colon, pre-operative chemotherapy, pre-operative antithrombotic drug or severe post-operative complications.

Laparoscopic Triple Segmental Bowel Resection for Endometriosis Revealed by Rectal Obstruction during Infertility Treatment.

Intestinal endometriosis is a benign disease characterized by ectopic growth of the endometrium and causes extensive fibrosis and adhesions in response to repeated episodes of bleeding and inflammation with the menstrual cycle. We encountered a rare case of intestinal endometriosis that caused complete rectal obstruction in a 34-year-old woman undergoing infertility treatment. Colonoscopy showed rectal stenosis and obstruction but no evidence of a tumor. Bowel obstruction due to endometriosis was diagnosed based on the history and imaging findings. Transanal decompression was performed. Subsequent laparoscopic surgery revealed severe inflammation around both ovaries and a tumor-like rectal stenosis. Similar findings were obtained in the transverse colon and terminal ileum. We performed laparoscopic low anterior resection, partial transverse colon resection, ileocecal resection, bilateral cystectomy, and left salpingectomy. Infertility treatment was restarted and resulted in a successful term pregnancy. The patient remains well. Laparoscopic surgery, which has the advantage of being minimally invasive, allows for early postoperative recovery and discharge in patients with endometriosis; furthermore, the uterus and adnexa can be preserved due to the magnifying effect of the laparoscope. In this case, it was possible to resume infertility treatment. Intestinal endometriosis is a rare cause of bowel obstruction, but should be kept in mind if intestinal obstruction occurs during infertility treatment. Laparoscopic surgery may be useful for multiple endometriotic lesions and serve as a bridge to infertility treatment.

Surgical Procedures and Results of Modified Intraperitoneal Onlay Mesh Repair for Inguinal Hernia After Radical Prostatectomy.

Background: Although inguinal hernia occurs frequently after radical prostatectomy, transabdominal preperitoneal (TAPP) inguinal hernia repair occasionally poses challenges due to fibrosis of the preperitoneal cavity. In patients with severe intrapelvic fibrosis, we have adopted a modified intraperitoneal onlay mesh (IPOM) technique. The surgical factors were compared between patients who underwent modified IPOM and those who underwent TAPP for inguinal hernia repair. Materials and Methods: In total, 57 patients underwent laparoscopic surgery for inguinal hernias after radical prostatectomy between February 2013 and January 2020. TAPP was successfully completed in 44 patients, whereas 13 patients underwent modified IPOM converted from TAPP. The surgical results were retrospectively compared. Results: The median follow-up duration was 36.0 months (range, 1-84 months). Intraoperative complications, recurrence of hernia, and chronic pain were not observed in both groups. The average duration of surgery in the modified IPOM group was longer than that in the TAPP group (137 versus 107 minutes, P < .05). There was no significant difference in the incidence of the inguinal-related complications such as inguinal pain or inguinal swelling. Conclusions: Postoperative complications including recurrence of hernia after modified IPOM are comparable to those after TAPP hernia repair. Modified IPOM repair is a surgical option for repairing inguinal hernias following radical prostatectomy.

Transabdominal preperitoneal repair using barbed sutures for bilateral inguinal hernia in liver cirrhosis with ascites.

The appropriate surgical treatment for inguinal hernia in patients with liver cirrhosis and ascites remains controversial. A 79-year-old male undergoing treatment for Child-Pugh B hepatitis C-induced liver cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma complicated with bilateral inguinal hernia underwent transabdominal preperitoneal (TAPP) repair. During surgery, barbed sutures were used to facilitate appropriate peritoneal closure. His postoperative course was uneventful. Information on TAPP repair for inguinal hernia in patients with liver cirrhosis and ascites is limited. The International Guidelines for Inguinal Hernia Management recommend Lichtenstein repair for patients with ascites. TAPP repair requires peritonectomy via a posterior endoscopic approach; therefore, proper peritoneal closure is important to prevent the leakage of ascitic fluid. Herein, TAPP repair was safely and successfully completed using barbed sutures to achieve proper and strong peritoneal closure. TAPP repair using barbed sutures can be an effective treatment option for patients with liver cirrhosis and ascites.

Surgical technique and outcomes of transabdominal preperitoneal inguinal hernia repair after radical prostatectomy: dissection between the transversalis fascia and superficial layers of preperitoneal fascia.

PURPOSE: The question as to whether laparoscopic surgery should be applied for inguinal hernia after radical prostatectomy remains a debate due to surgical difficulty arising from adhesions in the prevesical space. We report the surgical technique used in our department, its outcomes, and its safety and effectiveness compared with the surgical outcomes of primary transabdominal preperitoneal inguinal hernia repair (TAPP) cases. METHODS AND MATERIALS: From February 2013 to January 2017, 30 patients with inguinal hernia were treated with TAPP after radical prostatectomy. At our institution, to avoid bladder injury, we dissect the prevesical space with the layer between the transversalis fascia and superficial layers of the preperitoneal fascia as the dissection plane. The practitioners were three qualified surgeons. Surgical outcome were compared with those of primary TAPP cases. For statistical analyses, we used t test to compare the mean operative durations and Chi square test to compare all other surgical outcomes. RESULTS: The median observation period was 19 months. Intraoperative and postoperative complications did not occur; no onset of recurrence and chronic pain was observed. The mean operative duration was 116.2 min, which was significantly longer than that of primary TAPP patients (87.9 min). However, the operative duration for the last 14 patients had reduced to 101.6 min, which was not significantly different from that of primary TAPP patients. CONCLUSION: In TAPP for patients following prostatectomy, surgery can be performed safely and reliably without prolonging the operative duration by selecting a skilled practitioner and standardizing the technique.