Small bowel obstruction SBO after TAPP repair caused by a self-anchoring barbed suture device for peritoneal closure: case report.

A 50-year-old man underwent laparoscopic hernia repair for a groin hernia, presenting acute abdominal pain and bowel obstruction syndrome 1 day post surgery. Diagnostic laparoscopy was performed at postoperative the day after the hernioplasty and a volvulus was found. The residual end of the barbed V-LOC adopted in the peritoneal closure was incidentally hooked to the mesentery and caused a small bowel obstruction as a volvulus. The redundant V-LOC strand was released and cut superficial to the peritoneum. A detorsion of volvulus was preformed. Neither bowel ischemia nor significant bowel injury was noted. The following day he was discharged without complication. The residual 'free' barbel suture in the peritoneal cavity invited adhesion formations and subsequently the Bowel obstruction.

Agenesis of the Gallbladder: Role of Clinical Suspicion and Magnetic Resonance to Avoid Unnecessary Surgery.

Isolated agenesis of the gallbladder is usually a rare asymptomatic anatomical variation, with an estimated incidence of 10-65 per 100,000. Females are more commonly affected (ratio 3: 1), with the disease typically presenting in the second or third decade of their life. Despite an absent gallbladder, half of the patients present with symptoms similar to biliary colic, which is poorly understood. The rarity of this condition combined with its clinical and radiological features often lead to a wrong preoperative diagnosis so that many patients undergo unnecessary operative intervention. Herein, we present the case of a 56-year-old female with a typical biliary colic who was diagnosed to have gallbladder agenesis. Computed tomography and magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography allowed correct treatment and prevented an unnecessary intervention.

Evaluation of the safety and efficacy of MonoMax® suture material for abdominal wall closure after primary midline laparotomy-a controlled prospective multicentre trial: ISSAAC [NCT005725079].

PURPOSE: Different suture techniques and various suture materials are in use to close midline incisions after primary laparotomy. The ISSAAC study aimed to assess the safety and efficacy of the new ultra-long-term absorbable, elastic monofilament suture material MonoMax® for abdominal wall closure. METHODS: This is a single-arm, multicentre prospective study that included 150 patients undergoing a primary elective midline incision. The control group consists of 141 patients from the INSECT study who received MonoPlus® or PDS® for abdominal wall closure. The incidences of burst abdomen and wound infection until the day of discharge were defined as the primary composite endpoints. The rate of incisional hernias 1 year after surgery, the length of postoperative hospital stay and safety parameters served as secondary endpoints. The study has been registered under www.clinicaltrials.gov [NCT005725079]. RESULTS: Eleven patients in the ISSAAC study [7.3%; 95% CI = (3.9; 13.1%)] experienced wound infection or burst abdomen until the day of discharge as compared to 16 [11.3%; 95% CI = (6.6; 17.8%)] patients in the INSECT control group (p = 0.31). The length of postoperative hospital stay was comparable in both study groups. One year after surgery, incisional hernias were observed in 21 ISSAAC patients (14.0%) in contrast to 30 hernias (21.3%) in the INSECT control group. CONCLUSIONS: The ultra-long-term absorbable, elastic monofilament suture material MonoMax® is safe and efficient for abdominal wall closure.

Pancreatectomy for metastasis to the pancreas from colorectal cancer and reconstruction of superior mesenteric vein: a case report.

INTRODUCTION: Tumors of the pancreatic head can infiltrate the superior mesenteric vein. In such cases, the deep veins of the lower limbs can serve as suitable autologous conduits for superior mesenteric vein reconstruction after its resection. Few data exist, however, describing the technique and the immediate patency of such reconstruction. CASE REPORT: We present the case of a 70-year-old Caucasian man with a metachronous metastasis of colon cancer and infiltration of the uncinate pancreatic process, on the anterior surface of which the tumor was located. En bloc resection of the tumor was performed with resection of the superior mesenteric vein and reconstruction. A 10 cm segment of the superficial femoral vein was harvested for the reconstruction. The superficial femoral vein segment was inter-positioned in an end-to-end fashion. The post-operative conduit patency was documented ultrasonographically immediately post-operatively and after a six-month period. The vein donor limb presented subtle signs of post-operative venous hypertension with edema, which was managed with compression stockings and led to significant improvement after six months. CONCLUSION: In cases of exploratory laparotomies with high clinical suspicion of pancreatic involvement, the potential need for vascular reconstruction dictates the preparation for leg vein harvest in advance. The superficial femoral vein provides a suitable conduit for the reconstruction of the superior mesenteric vein. This report supports the uncomplicated nature of this technique, since few data exist about this type of reconstruction.

Current practice of abdominal wall closure in elective surgery - Is there any consensus?

BACKGROUND: Development of incisional hernia after open abdominal surgery remains a major cause of post-operative morbidity. The aim of this study was to determine the current practice of surgeons in terms of access to and closure of the abdominal cavity in elective open surgery. METHODS: Twelve surgical departments of the INSECT-Trial group documented the following variables for 50 consecutive patients undergoing abdominal surgery: fascial closure techniques, applied suture materials, application of subcutaneous sutures, subcutaneous drains, methods for skin closure. Descriptive analysis was performed and consensus of treatment variables was categorized into four levels: Strong consensus >95%, consensus 75-95%, overall agreement 50-75%, no consensus <50%. RESULTS: 157 out of 599 patients were eligible for analysis (85 (54%) midline, 54 (35%) transverse incisions). After midline incisions the fascia was closed continuously in 55 patients (65%), using slowly absorbable (n = 47, 55%), braided (n = 32, 38%) sutures with a strength of 1 (n = 48, 57%). In the transverse setting the fascia was closed continuously in 39 patients (72%) with slowly absorbable (n = 22, 41%) braided sutures (n = 27, 50%) with a strength of 1 (n = 30, 56%). CONCLUSION: In the present evaluation midline incision was the most frequently applied access in elective open abdominal surgery. None of the treatments for abdominal wall closure (except skin closure in the midline group) is performed on a consensus level.

Interrupted or continuous slowly absorbable sutures for closure of primary elective midline abdominal incisions: a multicenter randomized trial (INSECT: ISRCTN24023541).

OBJECTIVE: In patients undergoing midline incisions, the abdominal fascia can be closed with a continuous or interrupted suture using various materials. The aim of this study is to compare: (1) interrupted technique with rapidly absorbable sutures and (2) continuous techniques with different slowly absorbable sutures, focusing on the incidence of incisional hernias within 1 year. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: A meta-analysis suggested that the incidence of incisional hernias can be more effectively reduced with slowly absorbable continuous sutures. METHODS: Multicenter randomized surgical trial with 3 parallel groups. Patients were scheduled for primary elective midline incisions. All surgeons were trained (4:1 suture wound length in continuous groups) and monitored. Primary end point, measured within 1 year after surgery, was the frequency of incisional hernias diagnosed by clinical examination and confirmed by ultrasound. Complications and safety were used as secondary end points. This study has been registered with the ISRCTN Register (INSECT: ISRCTN24023541). RESULTS: Conducted on 625 randomized patients (210 interrupted Vicryl, 205 continuous polydioxanone suture (PDS), 210 continuous Monoplus), the primary analysis showed an incidence of 28 incisional hernias (15.9%) versus 15 (8.4%) versus 22 (12.5%) for the 3 closure techniques, respectively (P = 0.09). No significant difference was observed between the 3 groups with regard to burst abdomen (4 [2.0%] vs. 6 [3.0%] vs. 8 [4.0%], P = 0.46), wound infection (26 [12.7%] vs. 39 [19.4%] vs. 33 [16.3%], P = 0.19), pulmonary infections (9 [4.4%] vs. 5 [2.5%] vs. 5 [2.5%], P = 0.46), serious adverse events (63 [30.0%] vs. 57 [27.8%] vs. 61 [29.1%], P = 0.89), and 1-year mortality (16 [7.9%] vs. 11 [5.5%] vs. 16 [7.9%], P = 0.54). CONCLUSIONS: The incidence of incisional hernias and the frequency of wound infection was higher than expected in all groups. New concepts need to be developed and studied to substantially reduce the frequency of incisional hernias.

A historically controlled, single-arm, multi-centre, prospective trial to evaluate the safety and efficacy of MonoMax suture material for abdominal wall closure after primary midline laparotomy. ISSAAC-Trial [NCT005725079].

BACKGROUND: Several randomized controlled trials have compared different suture materials and techniques for abdominal wall closure with respect to the incidence of incisional hernias after midline laparotomy and shown that it remains, irrespective of the methods used, considerably high, ranging from 9% to 20%. The development of improved suture materials which would reduce postoperative complications may help to lower its frequency. DESIGN: This is a historically controlled, single-arm, multi-centre, prospective trial to evaluate the safety of MonoMax suture material for abdominal wall closure in 150 patients with primary elective midline incisions. INSECT patients who underwent abdominal closure using Monoplus and PDS will serve as historical control group. The incidences of wound infections and of burst abdomen are defined as composite primary endpoints. Secondary endpoints are the frequency of incisional hernias within one year after operation and safety. To ensure adequate comparability in surgical performance and recruitment, the 4 largest centres of the INSECT-Trial will participate. After hospital discharge, the investigators will examine the enrolled patients again at 30 days and at 12 +/- 1 months after surgery. CONCLUSION: This historically controlled, single-arm, multi-centre, prospective ISSAAC trial aims to assess whether the use of an ultra-long-lasting absorbable monofilament suture material is safe and efficient. TRIAL REGISTRATION: NCT005725079.

Reduction of venous thromboembolism following prolonged prophylaxis with the low molecular weight heparin Certoparin after endoprothetic joint replacement or osteosynthesis of the lower limb in elderly patients.

The peri- and postsurgical thromboembolic prophylaxis with low molecular weight heparins is a well established therapy regimen, but the optimum duration of prophylaxis after surgery still remains uncertain. A few studies have pointed to the fact that the thromboembolic risk of high-risk patients persists longer than the in-hospital period correlating with respective hypercoagulatory conditions. The aim of the present study was to test if a prolongation of thromboprophylaxis with the low molecular weight heparin Certoparin further reduces the rate of thromboembolism in high-risk patients after orthopedic surgery. The "Long-term Thromboprophylaxis"-Study was a multicenter, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. 360 patients who underwent endoprothetic joint replacement or osteosynthesis of the lower limb were initially enrolled, all of them received prophylactically 3000 U anti-Xa of Certoparin once daily for 14 days followed by randomization to prolonged Certoparin application or to placebo up to day 42. Patients were screened for deep vein thrombosis by sonography every week. Coagulation markers (fibrin monomers and D-dimers) were determined during the course of the study. Venous thromboembolism during the prolongation period was observed in 18 patients receiving placebo versus 8 patients of the prolonged Certoparin group (12.1% versus 5.0%, intention-to-treat sample). The analysis revealed a statistically significant difference in favor of Certoparin (p=0.020), which was confirmed by per-protocol analysis (14.2% versus 5.5%, p=0.012). The differences remained significant, if analyses considered only clinically symptomatic thromboembolic events (p=0.040). Patients who developed a thrombosis showed a strong increase of coagulation markers as compared to patients without subsequent thrombosis. The respective differentiation started around 18 days before diagnosis of thrombosis. Only one minor bleeding complication was observed during prolonged Certoparin prophylaxis. The present study shows that patients after joint replacement or osteosynthesis of the lower extremities have a persisting risk to develop thromboembolic complications beyond the routine duration of thromboprophylaxis. Extended prophylaxis with Certoparin resulted in a significantly lower rate of thromboembolism and should be strongly recommended.