Ports minimization with mini-port and liver flexible retractor: an ergonomic and aesthetic alternative for single port in laparoscopic gastric bypass.

BACKGROUND: The laparoscopic access, with its classically known benefits, pushed implementation in other components, better ergonomy and aesthetic aspect. AIM: To minimize the number and diameter of traditional portals using miniport and flexible liver retractor on bariatric surgery. METHOD: This prospective study was used in patients with less than 45 kg/m2, with peripheral fat, normal umbilicus implantation, without previous abdominoplasties. Were used one 30° optical device with 5 mm in diameter, four accesses (one mini of 3 mm to the left hand of the surgeon, one of 5 mm to the right hand alternating with optics, one of 12 mm for umbilical for surgical maneuvers as dissection, clipping, in/out of gauze, and one portal of 5 mm for the assistant surgeon), resulting in a total of 25 mm linear incision; additionally, one flexible liver retractor (covered with a nelaton probe to protect the liver parenchyma, anchored in the right diaphragmatic pillar and going out through the surgeon left portal) to visualize the esophagogastric angle. RESULTS: In selected patients (48 operations), gastric bypass was performed at a similar time to the procedures with larger diameters (5 or 6 portals and 10 mm optics, with sum of linear incision of 42 mm) including oversuture line on excluded stomach, gastric tube and mesenteric closing. The non sutured portal of 3 mm and the two of 5 mm with subdermal sutures, were hardly visible in the folds of the skin; the one of 12 mm was buried inside the umbilicus or in the abdominoplasty incision. CONCLUSION: Minimizing portals is safe, effective, good ergonomic alternative with satisfactory aesthetic profile without need for specific instruments, new learning curve and limited movement of the instruments, as required by the single port.

Capella's gastroplasty: metabolites and acute phase proteins changes in midline and bilateral arciform approaches.

BACKGROUND: Obesity has adverse health effects. Dietary reeducation does not seem to offer sustained weight loss. For appropriately selected patients, surgery may be beneficial. AIM: To evaluate early postoperative metabolic response to surgery in patients submitted to Capella's gastroplasty using two different surgical approaches to the abdominal cavity. PATIENTS/METHOD: Twenty patients (9 males and 11 females, aged 21 to 53 years) were randomized prior to submission to either one of the surgical access incisions (bilateral arciform or supra-umbilical midline incisions). Blood samples were collected at the beginning and end of the operation, 12 (T-12 h) and 24 hours (T-24 h) postoperatively. Dieresis and synthesis time, blood loss, planimetry of operative field, operative time, hospital stay, hemoglobin, hematocrit, lymphocytes, potassium, albumin, erythrocyte sedimentation rate, C-reactive protein, glucose, pyruvate, lactate and ketone bodies were analyzed. RESULTS: Dieresis time was significantly decreased when median approach was used. Total operating time, hospital stay, hematocrit, hemoglobin, lymphocyte count, potassium and albumin concentrations were similar in both groups. C-reactive protein (T-12 h), glucose and pyruvate concentrations (T-24 h) increased significantly after completion of surgical procedure. Ketone bodies concentrations were significantly decreased 24 hour following completion of surgical procedure. CONCLUSION: Capella's gastroplasty induces metabolic and inflammatory changes in blood parameters. There is no evidence of technical superiority of arciform over midline incisions in this study.