Electrostimulation for intractable delayed emptying of intrathoracic stomach after esophagectomy.

PURPOSE: The use of the denervated intrathoracic stomach as esophageal substitute can rarely lead to severe delayed gastric emptying. We describe the use of electrostimulation for this condition. DESCRIPTION: Gastric electrical stimulation (GES) is used to treat medically refractory gastroparesis and uses a battery powered neurostimulator connected to the gastric antrum with two electrodes. We implant the electrodes through a right thoracotomy and tunnel them to the right subcostal area where the pacemaker is placed. EVALUATION: Medically refractory gastroparesis developed in 2 male patients, aged 52 and 60 years, who underwent Ivor-Lewis esophagectomies for esophageal adenocarcinoma and were dependant on jejunostomy feedings. These patients initially had endoscopic placement of temporary stimulating electrodes with significant improvement in symptoms and radionucleotide gastric emptying. The patients subsequently underwent implantation of a permanent GES device. Relief of symptoms was persistent with no nausea or vomiting and a decrease of total symptom score (maximum 20) from 12.5 and 16 to 6 and 9, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with intractable delayed gastric emptying after esophagogastrectomy may benefit from a GES device implanted through a thoracotomy.

Laparoscopic bilateral adrenalectomy for occult ectopic ACTH syndrome.

INTRODUCTION: Ectopic adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) production is responsible for approximately 15% of the cases of Cushing's syndrome. Bilateral adrenalectomy is the most effective treatment for ectopic ACTH syndrome due to occult or disseminated tumors, but the open approach carries substantial morbidity. In this paper, we review our experience with laparoscopic bilateral adrenalectomy for occult ectopic ACTH syndrome. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Adrenalectomies performed by the authors were identified and the outcomes of laparoscopic bilateral adrenalectomies for ectopic ACTH syndrome were examined. Bilateral adrenalectomies were performed sequentially in full lateral decubitus, with patient repositioning between the sides. RESULTS: From 2001 to 2006, the authors performed 16 adrenalectomies in 14 patients, with 11 performed laparoscopically. Two women with occult ectopic ACTH syndrome, refractory to medical management, underwent laparoscopic bilateral adrenalectomies. Operative times were 240 and 245 minutes, including repositioning. One patient underwent a simultaneous wedge liver biopsy for a right lobar lesion. There were no complications. Each patient resumed a regular diet on the first postoperative day. Inpatient hospital stays were 3 days each, mainly for steroid-replacement management. Final pathologic diagnoses were diffuse adrenocortical hyperplasia. Both patients noted a quick improvement in Cushing's syndrome symptoms and signs and were maintained on hydrocortisone and fludrocortisone replacement without incident for over 2 years. CONCLUSIONS: Laparoscopic bilateral adrenalectomy for ectopic ACTH syndrome refractory to medical management can be performed with low morbidity. Symptoms and signs of hypercortisolism rapidly improve postoperatively.

Total abdominal colectomy: patient satisfaction and outcomes.

Total abdominal colectomy is required for many colonic diseases. The authors studied the outcomes of this operation and the quality of life based on the decision to perform an ileostomy or an anastomosis. Patients who underwent total abdominal colectomy (excluding those with inflammatory bowel disease and chronic constipation) had either ileoproctostomy or ileostomy and were compared. Patients were surveyed to assess satisfaction. Thirty-seven patients with ileoproctostomy and 23 patients with ileostomy were identified. There were no significant differences between groups with regard to urgency of operation, preoperative and total blood units received, and preoperative hospital stay. Morbidity and mortality were higher in the ileostomy group (38 vs 57% and 5 vs 17%), with odds ratios of 2.14 and 3.68 respectively; this was not, however, statistically significant (P = 0.157 and 0.132, power = 20% and 6%). All (14 of 14) surveyed ileostomy patients were at least satisfied versus 90 per cent (19 of 21) of ileoproctostomy patients. Of the latter, only 15 of 20 patients were continent, with 6.85 average daily bowel movements. Total abdominal colectomy has high morbidity and mortality rates. Performing an ileoproctostomy does not influence outcome but may lead to a high frequency of bowel movements and incontinence in some patients.

Can LigaSure seal and divide the small bowel?

BACKGROUND: The LigaSure system (Valleylab, Boulder, CO) seals vessels by reforming collagen and elastin in vessel walls. We studied the feasibility and effectiveness of LigaSure in dividing porcine small bowel. METHODS: Twelve porcine small bowel portions were randomized to division with either endoscopic linear stapler or LigaSure system and the burst pressure of the sealed ends were measured. RESULTS: Segments sealed with staples (6), LigaSure Atlas (Valleylab) (7), LigaSure Xtd (Valleylab) (4), and double-sealed with LigaSure Atlas (Valleylab) (4) were compared. Burst pressure for stapled segments was 131 (standard deviation [SD] 19) mm Hg; failure occurred in the bowel wall. Burst pressures for the 3 groups of Ligasure segments were 27 (SD 5), 20 (SD 6), and 11 (SD 13) mm Hg, respectively, with no statistically significant difference among them; failure occurred at the sealed end. Burst pressure for stapled segments was significantly higher than that of Ligasure segments (P < .001). CONCLUSION: LigaSure does not safely seal small bowel.

Lumbar incisional hernias: diagnostic and management dilemma.

INTRODUCTION: Lumbar hernias occur infrequently and can be congenital, primary (inferior or Petit type, and superior or Grynfeltt type), posttraumatic, or incisional. They are bounded by the 12th rib, the iliac crest, the erector spinae, and the external oblique muscle. Most postoperative incisional hernias occur in nephrectomy or aortic aneurysm repair incisions. CASE REPORT: We present 2 patients who had undergone flank incisions and subsequently developed significant bulging of that area. The first patient had an atrophy of the abdominal wall musculature while the other had a large lumbar incisional hernia that was repaired laparoscopically. DISCUSSION: Lumbar incisional hernias are often diffuse with fascial defects that are usually hard to appreciate. Computed tomography scan is the diagnostic modality of choice and allows differentiating them from abdominal wall musculature denervation atrophy complicating flank incisions. Repairing these hernias is difficult due to the surrounding structures. Principles of laparoscopic repair include lateral decubitus positioning with table flexed, adhesiolysis, and reduction of hernia contents, securing ePTFE mesh with spiral tacks and transfascial sutures to an intercostal space superiorly, iliac crest periosteum inferiorly, and rectus muscle anteriorly. Posteriorly, the mesh is secured to psoas major fascia with intracorporeal sutures to avoid nerve injury. CONCLUSION: Lumbar incisional hernia must be differentiated from muscle atrophy with no fascial defect. The laparoscopic approach provides an attractive option for this often challenging problem.

Acute cholecystitis and severe ischemic cardiac disease: is laparoscopy indicated?

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Laparoscopy in patients with poor cardiac function has been the subject of controversy and is considered by many surgeons a relative contraindication. METHODS: We report the case of a patient who presented with acute cholecystitis and choledocholithiasis concurrent with unstable angina. Our experience in laparoscopic management of patients with calculous biliary disease and severe coronary artery disease is examined. RESULTS: The patient was managed by coronary angioplasty and stenting immediately followed by laparoscopic cholecystectomy and common bile duct exploration under close invasive hemodynamic monitoring and low-pressure pneumoperitoneum. Between 1996 and 2001, 39 patients with coronary artery disease and an ASA class of III or IV underwent laparoscopic cholecystectomy. Eight of these patients (20.5%) had common bile duct stones necessitating laparoscopic common bile duct exploration. No conversions were necessary, and no major morbidity or mortalities occurred. CONCLUSIONS: Laparoscopic cholecystectomy and common bile duct exploration can be safely performed in patients with severe ischemic cardiac disease under close hemodynamic monitoring and a low-pressure pneumoperitoneum (10 to 12 mm Hg).

Laparoscopic harvest of omental flaps for reconstruction of complex mediastinal wounds.

BACKGROUND: Omental harvest for complex poststernotomy mediastinal wounds has traditionally required a formal laparotomy in often high-risk patients, thus making it the procedure of last resort. METHODS: The charts of all patients who underwent a laparoscopic omental harvest at the Texas Endosurgery Institute were retrospectively reviewed. RESULTS: Seven patients, 4 males and 3 females with an average age of 65.1 +/- 6.3 years, with complex mediastinal wounds following coronary artery bypass grafting were studied. All patients underwent laparoscopic harvest of omental flaps based on the right gastroepiploic artery (3), the left gastroepiploic artery (1) or both (3), along with pectoralis major myocutaneous advancement flaps in 5 patients and partial-thickness skin graft and a vacuum-assisted closure device in 2 patients. The average operative time for the entire procedure was 196 +/- 54 minutes. Enteric feedings could be tolerated early postoperatively with a mean of 3.8 days. One death (14.2%) occurred. All surviving patients had excellent wound healing results at a mean follow-up of 19.1 months. CONCLUSION: Laparoscopic harvest of omental flaps for the reconstruction of complex mediastinal wounds is a valid and potentially less morbid alternative for the treatment of this infrequent but disastrous complication of open heart surgery.

Laparoscopic pancreatic cystogastrostomy.

The purpose of the review was to evaluate the feasibility and outcome of laparoscopic pancreatic cystogastrostomy for operative drainage of symptomatic pancreatic pseudocysts. A retrospective review of all patients who underwent laparoscopic pancreatic cystogastrostomy between June 1997 and July 2001 was performed. Data regarding etiology of pancreatitis, size of pseudocyst, operative time, complications, and pseudocyst recurrence were collected and reported as median values with ranges. Laparoscopic pancreatic cystogastrostomy was attempted in 6 patients. Pseudocyst etiology included gallstone pancreatitis (3), alcohol-induced pancreatitis (2), and post-ERCP pancreatitis (1). The cystogastrostomy was successfully performed laparoscopically in 5 of 6 patients. However, the procedure was converted to open after creation of the cystgastrostomy in 1 of these patients. There were no complications in the cases completed laparoscopically and no deaths in the entire group. No pseudocyst recurrences were observed with a median followup of 44 months (range 4-59 months). Laparoscopic pancreatic cystgastrostomy is a feasible surgical treatment of pancreatic pseudocysts with a resultant low pseudocyst recurrence rate, length of stay, and low morbidity and mortality.

Laparoscopic splenectomy for chronic recurrent thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura.

Thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP) is a serious hematologic disorder with a high rate of morbidity and mortality when it fails to go into remission. The primary treatment is total plasma exchange. The addition of corticosteroids, chemotherapeutic agents, or antiplatelet agents is of unproven benefit, and splenectomy has been offered as salvage therapy in refractory cases. We performed laparoscopic splenectomy (LS) on two patients with chronic refractory TTP. The early and late postoperative courses, including hematologic data, are presented here. The mean duration of surgery was 113 minutes and the mean estimated blood loss was 35 mL. Mean hospital stay was 1.5 days. The early postoperative platelet count showed an immediate rise in both patients. After 19 months and 16 months of follow-up, respectively, both patients remain in remission without further episodes of TTP. Laparoscopic splenectomy is a safe and effective therapy for patients with chronic relapsing and refractory TTP. The inherent benefits of the minimally invasive approach, its low morbidity, short hospital stay, and faster recovery, are significant advantages for these patients.

Carotid endarterectomy in elderly patients: low complication rate with overnight stay.

HYPOTHESIS: Elderly patients undergoing carotid endarterectomy (CEA) can have a low complication rate and a short hospital stay. DESIGN: In this case series, we compared CEA results from January 1, 1994, through December 31, 1998, in 2 different age groups: 71 to 80 years and 81 years and older. SETTING: A private vascular surgery practice. PATIENTS: We studied 271 patients who underwent 293 CEAs; 124 procedures were for patients in the 71- to 80-year-old age group, and 42 procedures were for patients aged 81 years and older. INTERVENTIONS: Classic CEA was performed on all patients. From 1994 through 1996, 179 operations were performed under general anesthesia with routine shunting. In 1997 and 1998, 114 operations were performed under locoregional anesthesia with selective shunting. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Length of hospital stay and 30-day morbidity and mortality. RESULTS: The mortality rate for the entire series was 0.7% (2 of 293 patients). Major cardiac complications occurred in 3 patients (1.0%). Perioperative stroke occurred in 3 cases(1.0%); 2 strokes occurred in patients aged 71 to 80 years (2 [1.6%] of 124 patients), and 1 occurred in a patient aged 81 years or older (1 [2.4%] of 42 patients). Two additional patients developed reversible ischemic neurological deficits but were not in the elderly group (> or =81 years and older). The mean hospital stay was 1.5 days for patients aged 71 to 80 years and 1.2 days for patients aged 81 years and older. All outcome variables were statistically similar in both age groups. CONCLUSION: Octogenarians can undergo CEA with little morbidity and mortality and virtually an overnight hospital stay.

Rectal duplication cyst in an adult: the laparoscopic approach.

BACKGROUND: Rectal duplication cyst (RDC) is a rare congenital anomaly representing 1% to 8% of all intestinal duplications. The case presented here is the first report of the laparoscopic resection of an RDC. METHODS: We report the case of a 49-year-old white woman in whom a retrorectal cystic mass measuring 5 x 5.3 x 6 cm was diagnosed. The mass was completely resected by means of laparoscopic techniques. RESULTS: Pathologic findings revealed a cystic structure partially lined with squamous as well as respiratory- and gastrointestinal-type epithelium. Muscularis propria was identified in the outer portions of the wall of the specimen. No atypia or malignancy was identified. The overall findings were consistent with an RDC. CONCLUSIONS: Laparoscopic resection constitutes an excellent and patient-friendly approach to the management of large adult cystic duplication of the rectum.