Robotic-assisted Heller Myotomy Is a Safe Operation.

BACKGROUND: Surgical myotomy is the best therapeutic option for patients with achalasia. The minimally invasive technique is considered to be the preferred method for many surgeons. Robotic-assisted laparoscopic myotomy has several advantages over conventional laparoscopic surgery. These benefits include more accurate incisions that may result in a lower rate of intra-operative complications. OBJECTIVES: To describe our technique of performing robotic-assisted Heller myotomy and to review the initial results of this procedure. METHODS: All patients undergoing robotic-assisted Heller myotomy for achalasia between the years 2012-2018 at Rabin Medical Center were retrospectively reviewed from our institutional prospective database. RESULTS: Thirty patients underwent robotic-assisted Heller myotomy for achalasia. Mean operative time was 77 minutes (range 47-109 minutes) including docking time of the robotic system. There were no cases of conversion to laparoscopic or open surgery. There were no cases of intra-operative perforation of the mucosa. None of the patients had postoperative morbidity or mortality. Good postoperative results were achieved in 25 patients. Four patients required additional intervention (3 had endoscopic dilatations and 1 with known preoperative endstage achalasia had undergone esophagectomy). One patient was lost to follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: Robotic-assisted Heller myotomy is a safe technique with a low incidence of intra-operative esophageal perforation compared to the laparoscopic approach. We believe that robotic-assisted surgery should be the procedure of choice to treat achalasia.

Isolated Traumatic Brain Injury in the Very Old.

BACKGROUND: Older age is an independent predictor of worse outcome from traumatic brain injury (TBI). No clear guidelines exist for the management of TBI in elderly patients. OBJECTIVES: To describe the outcomes of elderly patients presenting with TBI and intracranial bleeding (ICB), comparing a very elderly population (≥ 80 years of age) to a younger one (70-79). METHODS: Retrospective analysis of the outcomes of elderly patients presenting with TBI with ICB admitted to a level I trauma center. RESULTS: The authors analyzed 100 consecutive patients aged 70-79 and 100 patients aged 80 and older. In-hospital mortality rates were 9% and 21% for groups 70-79 and ≥ 80 years old, respectively (P = 0.017). Patients 70-79 years old showed a 12-month survival rate of 73% and a median survival of 47 months. In patients ≥ 80 years old, 12-month survival was 63% and median survival was 27 months (P = NS). In patients presenting with a Glasgow Coma Scale score of ≥ 8, the in-hospital mortality rates were 41% (n=5/12) and 100% (n=8/8). Among patients ≥ 80 years old undergoing emergent surgical decompression, in-hospital mortality was 66% (n=12/18). Survivors presented with a severe drop in their functional score. Survival was dismal in patients ≥ 80 years old who were treated conservatively despite recommended operative guidelines. CONCLUSIONS: There is a lack of reliable means to evaluate the outcome in patients with poor functional status at baseline. The negative prognostic impact of severe TBI is profound, regardless of treatment choices.

Reversed Intestinal Rotation Presented as Bowel Obstruction in a Pregnant Woman.

A rare case of complete large bowel obstruction in a pregnant woman, without previous surgical history, due to previously undiagnosed reversed intestinal rotation is presented. The young woman was admitted with progressive nausea and vomiting which did not respond to conventional therapy. Her plain abdominal film revealed signs of small bowel obstruction. On laparotomy, her transverse colon was found to be located beneath the root of small bowel mesentery and completely obstructed by congenital fibrous bands. Postoperative recovery was unremarkable. Surgery for this unusual developmental anomaly is discussed.

Acute appendicitis in the elderly in the twenty-first century.

BACKGROUND: The incidence of appendicitis in the elderly has risen. Older age is an independent predictor of poor surgical outcome. Herein, we present the most comprehensive single institution study to describe the natural history and outcome of appendicitis in elderly patients. METHODS: A review of 1898 consecutive patients who underwent appendectomy between 2004 and 2007 was performed. The elderly patients were defined as older than 68 years. RESULTS: The median age of the entire cohort was 25 years, and 55% were males. The elderly group included 68 patients (3.6%). On comparison by age, the elderly group had a significantly longer delay from symptom onset to admission (50 vs. 31 h, P = 0.01) and from admission to surgery, a longer operative time and hospital stay, and higher rates of postoperative complications and complicated appendicitis. CONCLUSION: The current study demonstrated several unique characteristics of the elderly population with acute appendicitis, which include poor outcome and longer time intervals to diagnosis and treatment. In order to improve the poor outcome of the elderly population with appendicitis, prospective trials are necessary.