Grade IIIb Research Articles

A Matched Cohort Comparison of Long-term Outcomes of Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass (RYGB) Versus Single-Anastomosis Duodeno-ileostomy with Sleeve Gastrectomy (SADI-S).

The long-term effectiveness of Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) and single-anastomosis duodeno-ileostomy with sleeve gastrectomy (SADI-S) is unknown. Compare the long-term outcomes. Single private institute, USA. Data from 1254 patients who underwent primary RYGB or SADI-S were used for a retrospective matched cohort. Data were obtained by matching every RYGB patient to a SADI-S patient of the same sex, body mass index (BMI), and weight. Only patients out 5years and had at least one > 5-year follow-up visit were included. The matched cohort included 61 RYGB and 61 SADI-S patients. There was no statistical, demographic difference between the two groups. At 5years, a 100% follow-up was available in each group. The intraoperative outcomes were significantly better with SADI-S. The 30-day readmission, reoperation, emergency department (ED) visits, and complication rates were statistically similar between the two groups. The long-term complication rates, Clavien-Dindo grade IIIb complications, and number of patients with more than one complication were significantly lower with SADI-S. Weight loss was significantly greater in the SADI-S group at 5years. The long-term weight-loss failure rate was significantly higher in the RYGB group. The SADI-S procedure was associated with fewer reintervention through 6years (14.7% patients vs. 39.3% patients, p = 0.001). Conversion or reversal of the procedure was required only in the RYGB group. There also was no significant difference in nutritional outcomes between the two procedures. This study showed that problems, including long-term complications, reinterventions, weight-loss failure, and conversion, were more often associated with RYGB than with SADI-S. The SADI-S may be considered one of the viable alternatives to RYGB.

Robotic surgery of gallbladder cancer

Aim : The aim of this study was to describe our technique for the surgical treatment of clinically suspected or incidentally diagnosed gallbladder cancer (GBC) and to report the outcomes of our experience. Methods : This is a retrospective observational study including consecutive patients operated by a robotic approach for the surgical treatment of clinically suspected or incidentally diagnosed GBC (with the intent of radical re-resection after index cholecystectomy) performed between January 2017 and December 2019. Clinical outcomes and technical details related to the robotic approach were analyzed. Results : During the study period, 8 patients underwent robotic radical cholecystectomy with lymphadenectomy and atypical resection of segments IVb-V. No conversion or major complications occurred intraoperatively. All patients underwent a radical resection. There were one Clavien-Dindo grade II and one grade IIIb complication. Median hospital stay was 6 days (range 5-11). At a median follow-up of 17.5 months (range 29.3-7.3), all patients are alive and free from disease except one who had peritoneal recurrence and underwent chemotherapy. No trocar site recurrence was observed. Conclusion : The present study describes a standardized step-by-step robotic technique for the surgical treatment of GBC and demonstrates the feasibility and safety of the robotic approach. More data and multicentre series are needed to confirm our results and to assess the oncologic outcomes of the robotic approach.

Is Absolute Lymphocyte Count at Time of Diagnosis a Predictor of Overall Survival in Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma Patients?

Introduction:The prognostic significance of absolute lymphocyte count (ALC) has been an area of debate in non-Hodgkin-lymphoma (NHL). Several studies have reported that lymphocyte count during and after chemotherapy independently predict outcome in patients with acute myelocytic lymphoma (AML), follicular lymphoma and diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL). Furthermore, lymphocytopenia is a poor prognostic marker in initial staging of NHL and in relapsed DLBCL. Therefore, we aimed to investigate whether ALC at time of diagnosis is an independent predictor of overall survival (OS) in NHL. Methods:We retrospectively reviewed patients with aggressive NHL who were seen at hospitals affiliated with Saint Luke's Health System from January 2000 to December 2017 with at least 2 year longitudinal follow up after diagnosis. We retrieved 447 patients with histopathological diagnosis of DLBCL, Burkitt's Lymphoma, Follicular Lymphoma Grade IIIB, primary Effusion Lymphoma, B-cell Lymphoma unclassifiable, and high-grade B cell lymphoma. Through chart review we determined pathological and clinical characteristics of these patients, calculated the ALC at time of diagnosis, studied the treatment patterns, response to therapy and survival in our center. ALC at time of diagnosis was obtained on 358 patients based on data availability. Results:A multivariate analysis was conducted to see if ALC at time of diagnosis is a predictor of OS by correcting for age at diagnosis, gender, race, stage at diagnosis, international prognostic index (IPI), central nervous system involvement, histopathological diagnosis and type of chemotherapy. ALC at diagnosis after controlling all variables was not a significant predictor of OS (P: 0.7126). Conclusion:We found that ALC at time of diagnosis did not have a statistically significant effect on OS. We believe that prospective large-scale studies are needed to determine whether ALC at time of diagnosis affects OS in NHL patients. Table Disclosures No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.

Oxygenated versus standard cold perfusion preservation in kidney transplantation (COMPARE): a randomised, double-blind, paired, phase 3 trial

Deceased donor kidneys are preserved in cold hypoxic conditions. Providing oxygen during preservation might improve post-transplant outcomes, particularly for kidneys subjected to greater degrees of preservation injury. This study aimed to investigate whether supplemental oxygen during hypothermic machine perfusion (HMP) could improve the outcome of kidneys donated after circulatory death. This randomised, double-blind, paired, phase 3 trial was done in 19 European transplant centres. Kidney pairs from donors aged 50 years or older, donated after circulatory death, were eligible if both kidneys were transplanted into two different recipients. One kidney from each donor was randomly assigned using permuted blocks to oxygenated hypothermic machine perfusion (HMPO2), the other to HMP without oxygenation. Perfusion was maintained from organ retrieval to implantation. The primary outcome was 12-month estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) using the Chronic Kidney Disease Epidemiology Collaboration equation in pairs of donated kidneys in which both transplanted kidneys were functioning at the end of follow-up. Safety outcomes were reported for all transplanted kidneys. Intention-to-treat analyses were done. This trial is registered with the ISRCTN Registry, ISRCTN32967929, and is now closed. Between March 15, 2015, and April 11, 2017, 197 kidney pairs were randomised with 106 pairs transplanted into eligible recipients. 23 kidney pairs were excluded from the primary analysis because of kidney failure or patient death. Mean eGFR at 12 months was 50·5 mL/min per 1·73 m2 (SD 19·3) in the HMPO2 group versus 46·7 mL/min per 1·73m2 (17·1) in HMP (mean difference 3·7 mL/min per 1·73m2, 95% CI -1·0 to 8·4; p=0·12). Fewer severe complications (Clavien-Dindo grade IIIb or more) were reported in the HMPO2 group (46 of 417, 11%, 95% CI 8% to 14%) than in the HMP group (76 of 474, 16%, 13% to 20%; p=0·032). Graft failure was lower with HMPO2 (three [3%] of 106) compared with HMP (11 [10%] of 106; hazard ratio 0·27, 95% CI 0·07 to 0·95; p=0·028). HMPO2 of kidneys donated after circulatory death is safe and reduces post-transplant complications (grade IIIb or more). The 12-month difference in eGFR between the HMPO2 and HMP groups was not significant when both kidneys from the same donor were still functioning 1-year post-transplant, but potential beneficial effects of HMPO2 were suggested by analysis of secondary outcomes. European Commission 7th Framework Programme.

Peri-Operative Morbidity and Outcomes of Radical Cystectomy- Institutional Experience of Single Center

Introduction: The incidence of urinary bladder carcinoma increases distinctly with increasing age. Radicalcystectomy has been the gold standard for the treatment of patients with muscle-invasive bladder cancer or recurrent high-grade non-muscle invasive bladder cancer. Our study aimed to see the peri-operative morbidity and surgical outcomes of the patient who had undergone radical cystectomy in our low volume center.
 Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the inpatient charts as well as the outpatient records of 10 patients who had undergone radical cystectomy performed in our center for 9 years. A review of the literature on perioperativemorbidity of radical cystectomy was also done using the combination of keywords like mortality, complications, and outcomes of surgery.
 Results: Age of the patients ranged from 40-80 years. Eight of them were male and two were female. Painlesshematuria (70%) was the commonest presenting symptom, 80% of them were smokers. Three patients received neoadjuvant chemotherapy. Nine patients had radical cystectomy with an ileal conduit, whereas one patient hadradical cystectomy with orthotropic neo-bladder. In postoperative complications, five patients had Clavien-Dindograde I, three patients had grade II, one patient had grade IIIB and one patient had grade V complications. Two years of cancer-free survival was 90% and five years of cancer-free survival was 50%.
 Conclusions: Radical cystectomy with ileal conduit was still the choice of surgery in muscle-invasive and recurrent high-grade non-muscle invasive bladder cancer.

Successful sterilization and immediate reimplantation of extruded femoral diaphyseal segment: A case report and review of literature

Extrusion of bone is a rare situation in open fractures due to high energy trauma. There are few studies, reporting successful reimplantation of the extruded bone segment using various sterilization and fixation protocols. However, there are no definitive treatment strategies for this challenging situation. We report a case of 30-year-old male patient with grade IIIB compound right distal femur fracture with an extruded long bone segment, who was treated with successful sterilization and immediate reimplantation of an extruded long diaphyseal segment of distal femur following extensive cleaning with sterile normal saline, removal of debris with scrubbing by sterile brush, soakage in the broad-spectrum antimicrobial solution for 30 min, sterilization by autoclaving at 121°C for 45 min, and reimplantation during stable internal fixation with lateral distal femur locking plate using Arbeitsgemeinschaft für Osteosynthesefragen techniques. At 3 months, iliac crest bone grafting, osteoperiosteal flaps, and augmented fixation with a medial locking plate were performed through a subvastus approach for a void in the medial supracondylar femur region. Intraoperatively, punctate bleeding was observed from the reimplanted fragment. Infection was ruled out with normal leukocyte count, C-reactive protein marker, no evidence of unhealthy granulation tissue, and a sterile culture report from the fracture site. The fracture healed in 12 months and the patient had good functional outcome with a lower extremity functional score of 80% and knee range of motion of 110° at short-term follow up of 2 years without any complication. Decision of reimplantation is individualized depending on the time of presentation, contamination, and comminution of extruded fragment with scarce literature on standard treatment strategies. In our case, early presentation, meticulous debridement, unique sterilization technique, immediate reimplantation, and augmented dual distal femur plating with bone grafting aided in achieving successful union with good functional outcome and knee range of motion, avoiding any complications.

Long-term outcomes and safety of radical transmediastinal esophagectomy with preoperative docetaxel, cisplatin, and 5-fluorouracil combination chemotherapy for locally advanced squamous cell carcinoma of the thoracic esophagus

BackgroundIt is unknown whether transmediastinal esophagectomy (TME) is an acceptable surgical procedure for locally advanced esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC). Therefore, we investigated the feasibility of long-term survival after TME with neoadjuvant docetaxel, cisplatin, and 5-fluorouracil combination chemotherapy (DCF therapy).MethodsThis retrospective, observational study included locally advanced resectable ESCC. All patients received two cycles of preoperative DCF therapy (60 mg/m2 of docetaxel and cisplatin on day 1 and 700 mg/m2/day of 5-FU on days 1–5 in each cycle) followed by radical TME. The main outcomes were survival and the rate of adverse events of chemotherapy and surgery.ResultsSixteen patients were included in this study. All patients received two cycles of DCF therapy, followed by surgery. The median follow-up duration of the 16 patients was 35.4 months. The 2-year overall survival (OS) was 93.3% (95% confidence interval [CI], 61.3–99.0), and the 3-year OS was 78.8% (95% CI, 47.3–92.7). The 2-year and 3-year relapse-free survivals were both 73.3% (95% CI, 43.6–89.1). Leukopenia and neutropenia occurred in most patients; however, they were controllable. Fifteen patients completed TME, and one was converted to open transthoracic esophagectomy because of tracheal injury. Three-field dissection was performed for 12 of 16 patients (75%), and R0 resection was achieved in 15 of 16 patients (93.8%). Three cases of grade IIIb chylothorax were observed. There was no mortality in this study.ConclusionCombined neoadjuvant DCF and TME for locally advanced ESCC was safe and less invasive than traditional therapies and had a satisfactory long-term prognosis.

The Feasibility, Technique, and Medium-Term Follow-Up of Laparoscopic Transvesical Diverticulectomy

Background: To present our experience and results with the transvesical laparoscopic diverticulectomy, developed by Pansadoro et al. [BJU Int. 2009;103(3):412–24], as treatment of symptomatic bladder diverticula, with a medium-term follow-up. Methods: Between June 2010 and July 2018, we successfully operated 15 patients (13 male/2 female), aged 32–85 years (mean age 61 years) in 2 centers in Austria, using the aforementioned technique. Results: The median operative time was 297 min (range 83–488 min), and the blood loss was minimal. The median diameter of the diverticula was 94 mm (range 40–110 mm). The transurethral catheter was removed in most patients on day 7 (range 1–26 days), and cystography was performed before catheter removal. Patients were discharged on the ninth postoperative day (range 4–18 days). One case had a Clavien-Dindo grade IIIb complication (ureter injury), and 2 cases had a grade IIIa complication (nephrostomy drainage). After a median follow-up of 19 months, no recurrences were observed. Conclusion: The laparoscopic, transvesical diverticulectomy is a feasible and valuable procedure with good outcomes. To avoid complications, the ureter needs to be spared meticulously.

370 LAPAROSCOPIC HIATAL HERNIA REPAIR: INSIGHTS FROM A HIGH-VOLUME CENTER

Abstract When a hiatal hernia (HH) becomes symptomatic, surgical repair is indicated. The surgical procedure can be safely carried out laparoscopically with good results. However, it is unclear whether the size of the hernia affects perioperative outcomes. The aim of this study was to assess whether laparoscopic repair of large hiatal hernias (L-HH) has comparable results to laparoscopic repair of small hernias (S-HH). Methods After approval from the Institutional Review Board, a prospectively maintained database was reviewed for data on patients who underwent primary laparoscopic HH repair at our center between August 2016 and December 2019. All procedures were performed by a single surgeon (SKM). HHs were defined as “large” when at least 50% of the stomach was herniated through the hiatus. Data on perioperative results and mid-term follow-up were analyzed. The Clavien-Dindo (CD) classification was used to define complications. Results Of 170 identified patients, 55 had L-HH; 115 had S-HH. Mean ages were 72 ± 10 for L-HH and 61 ± 11.3 years for S-HH (p < 0.001). Median operative time was 95 (IQR, 80–110) and 75 minutes (IQR, 65–90) for L-HH and S-HH, respectively (p < 0.001). L-HH patients had longer hospital stays (median 2 vs 1 days, IQR 1–2 for both; p = 0.001) and more complications (12/55 [21.8%] vs 4/115 [3.5%]; p < 0.001) than S-HH patients. Two L-HH patients had CD grades IIIb and IVa. At follow-up (20.9 ± 8.7 months), gastroesophageal reflux disease quality of life scores were comparable between groups (6.4 ± 11.7 vs 5.2 ± 0; p = 0.9). Conclusion Laparoscopic HH repair is safe and feasible; however, is more technically challenging and is associated with longer operative time, longer hospital stay, and increased morbidity when performed as treatment for L-HH (ie, at least 50% of the stomach herniated through the hiatus). Nonetheless, good quality of life outcomes can be achieved at mid-term follow-up in both patients with S-HH and patients with L-HH who undergo treatment by an experienced surgeon.

The Vacuum-Assisted Closure Device Increases Value in the Treatment of Gustilo Grade IIIb Open Tibia Fractures in Children.

BackgroundWound management associated with Gustilo grade IIIb open tibia fractures in children often requires muscle flaps, skin grafts, and amputations. The purpose of this study is to report the outcomes and complications of vacuum-assisted closure (VAC) treatment, as well as discuss its role in optimizing value when treating these injuries.MethodsA retrospective review of medical records and imaging studies was performed from 2008-2015. Six pediatric patients with Gustilo grade IIIb fractures managed with the VAC were identified. The time to treatment, frequency of VAC changes, VAC size, and closure attempts, including muscle flaps and skin grafts, were documented. Fracture fixation methods, the incidence of delayed union or nonunion, as well as the occurrence of deep tissue infection and compartment syndrome were detailed.ResultsFive patients were male and one was female with an average age of 12 years (range 8-15 years). All patients sustained a Gustilo IIIb open tibia fracture and were treated with irrigation, debridement, intravenous (IV) antibiotics, fixation, and a VAC as a wound care adjunct. Three patients required both a muscle flap and a skin graft. One patient required a skin graft. There was one case of deep tissue infection. Three patients were treated successfully with the VAC alone and did not require any flap procedures.ConclusionsWound care for Gustilo grade IIIb open tibia fractures in children traditionally involved potentially painful twice-daily dressing changes with solutions such as dilute bleach or iodine. The implementation of VAC markedly reduced the frequency of dressing changes every three days. In the current study, the open wound gradually closed with only a VAC in 50% of Gustilo grade IIIb open pediatric tibia fractures. In summary, the VAC is an adjunct that increases value in the care of pediatric patients with Gustilo grade IIIb open tibia fractures (Value = Outcomes/Cost).Level of evidenceTherapeutic level IV

Utility of Tokyo guidelines and intraoperative safety steps in improving the outcome of laparoscopic cholecystectomy in complex acute calculus cholecystitis: a prospective study

Laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) in complicated acute calculus cholecystitis (ACC) poses multiple challenges. This prospective, observational study assessed the utility and safety of a set protocol and intraoperative steps in LC for complex ACC. All cases of ACC from 2008 to 2018 were graded asper Tokyo guidelines; moderate and severe ACC were termed as 'complex ACC (CACC).' Patients were subjected to upfront LC or percutaneous drainage (PCD) followed by LC. Seven intraoperative safety steps were used to achieve critical view of safety (CVS). Use of safety steps, duration of surgery, and length of hospital stay were compared between moderate and severe ACC; complications were classified using Clavien-Dindo classification. We analyzed 145 patients with moderate (74.5%) and severe (25.5%) ACC. There were significantly more male (p = 0.0059) and older (p = 0.0006) patients with severe ACC. Upfront LC was performed in 81.4%; PCD required in 6.9%. Timing of LC from symptom onset was < 1week (53.1%), 2-5weeks (28.3%), and ≥ 6weeks (18.6%). CVS was achieved in 97.2%, subtotal cholecystectomy performed in 2.8%, conversion rate was 1.4%, major postoperative complications (Clavien-Dindo Grade IIIa and IIIb) were seen in 4.1%, no bile duct injury, and mortality was 0.7%. The outcomes were similar irrespective of timing of intervention. The study concludes that preoperative assessment by Tokyo guidelines, algorithmic plan of treatment and use of intraoperative safety steps results in favorable outcome of LC in ACC.

Rezum water vapour therapy: promising early outcomes from the first UK series.

The management of symptomatic BPH is evolving and there is now an expanding portfolio of minimally invasive surgical therapies (MIST). These provide an attractive option for men looking for meaningful improvement in urinary symptoms whilst avoiding the risks of adverse effects, particularly with regards to maintaining sexual function.

Combined and expanded operations in patients with relapsed ovarian cancer and affected retroperitoneal lymph nodes

Objective: to analyze short-term and long-term outcomes of expanded surgeries in patients with recurrent ovarian cancer and to identify factors affecting their overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS). Materials and methods. This retrospective study included patients with recurrent ovarian cancer stage I–IV less than 80 years of age who was treated in the Department of Gynecologic Oncology, N. N. Blokhin National Medical Research Center of Oncology, between 2015 and 2017. Other inclusion criteria were as follows: time to relapse more than 12 months and no chemotherapy during the last 6 months or more. We analyzed the main perioperative parameters, OS, PFS, and prognostic factors affecting OS and PFS. Results. This study included 55 patients. Of them, 44 (80 %) women have undergone complete cytoreductive surgery, whereas 11 (20 %) women have undergone optimal cytoreductive surgery. The median duration of surgery was 210 minutes (range: 60–390 minutes), median blood loss was 400 mL (range: 30–4500 mL). Postoperative complications were observed in 23 (41.2 %) patients; 5 (9.1 %) patients developed grade IIIB complications. Median follow-up time was 30.3 months (range: 7.5–67.1 months). Three-year OS was 73.7 % and three-year PFS was 30.7 %. More than one line of chemotherapy before repeated cytoreductive surgery was found to be a negative factor affecting OS (hazard ratio 2.749; 95 % confidence interval 1.059–7.138; p = 0.038). The primary ECOG performance status had a significant impact on PFS (hazard ratio 0.543; 95 % confidence interval 0.347–0.851; p = 0.008). Conclusions. Poor ECOG status and more than one line of chemotherapy before repeated cytoreductive surgery for ovarian cancer relapse were demonstrated to have a negative impact on survival in this group of patients. However, in some patients, repeated cytoreductive surgeries ensured long-term remission.

Feasibility and safety of laparoscopic Parks procedure for chronic radiation proctopathy

Objective: To preliminarily evaluate the feasibility and safety of laparoscopic Parks procedure for chronic radiation proctopathy (CRP). Methods: A descriptive cohort study was carried out. The clinical and follow-up data of 19 patients who received laparoscopic Parks procedure due to CRP in the Sixth Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University from July 2013 to March 2019 were retrospectively analyzed. Inclusion criteria: (1) serious late complications occurred after pelvic radiotherapy, e.g.serious intractable hematochezia (hemoglobin <70 g/L), intractable anal pain (numerical rating scale >7), rectostenosis, perforation, and fistula. (2) imaging examinations including colonoscopy, pelvic MRI and/or chest, abdomen and pelvic CT were performed before surgery to confirm the lesions. Exclusion criteria: (1) preoperative or intraoperative diagnosis of tumor recurrence; (2) only ostomy was performed after laparoscopic exploration; (3) after neoadjuvant radiotherapy for rectal cancer; (4) incomplete medical records. Surgical procedures: (1) Laparoscopic exploration: tumor recurrence was excluded, and the range of radioactive damage in the intestine was determined. Marks were made on the proximal sigmoid colon without grossly obvious edema, thickening or radioactive injuries. (2) Abdominal operation: the right mesentery of sigmoid colon and rectum was opened, inferior mesenteric vein and inferior mesenteric artery were divided and the Toldt gap was expanded inwards and cephalad. The outside of left hemicolon was freed, the gastrocolic ligament was opened, the splenic flexure was fully mobilized, and the rectum was separated from the rear, side and front to the lowest point. Then perineal operation was performed. (3) Perineal operation: the whole layer of rectum wall was cut thoroughly at 1cm below the lesion's lower margin, the space around the rectum was fully separated, the rectum and sigmoid colon was pulled out through the anus and cut off at the site of the grossly normal intestine, the diseased bowel was removed and a coloanal anastomosis was made. (4) A protective stoma was performed. Conditions of operation, complication and symptom relief were summarized. A descriptive statistic method was used to analyze the results. Results: All the 19 patients were female with a median age of 53 (interquartiles, 50, 56) years old, of whom 18 patients had primary cervical cancer. Surgical indications: 9 cases were rectovaginal fistula; 9 cases were intractable anal pain, among whom 7 were complicated with deep rectal ulcer; and 1 case was intractable hematochezia with deep rectal ulcer. Eighteen cases completed laparoscopic Parks procedure, while 1 case was converted to laparotomy. The median operative time was 215 (131, 270) minutes, the median bleeding volume was 50 (50, 100) ml, and the median hospital stay was 12 (11, 20) days. There was no perioperative death. Ten cases had postoperative complications, including 3 cases of serious complications (CD grade IIIb and above) within 30 days after operation, of whom one case developed pelvic infection caused by rectovaginal, rectovesical and rectourethral fistula and acute renal failure (IVa); 2 cases developed orifice prolapse and parastomal hernia (IIIb). Seven cases had anastomosis-related complications, including 4 cases of grade A anastomotic leakage and 3 cases of anastomotic stenosis. Symptoms of CRP in the whole group were significantly relieved or disappeared after one year of the operation. Five cases achieved stoma closure. Conclusions: Laparoscopic Parks procedure for chronic radiation proctopathy is safe and feasible, and can effectively improve symptoms. However, the incidence of anastomotic complications is high, so the surgical indications should be strictly controlled.

Implementation of robotic gynecological surgery in a German University Hospital: patient safety after 110 procedures

PurposeRobotic surgery represents the latest development in the field of minimally invasive surgery and offers many technical advantages. Despite the higher costs, this novel approach has been applied increasingly in gynecological surgery. Regarding the implementation of a new operative method; however, the most important factor to be aware of is patient safety. In this study, we describe our experience in implementing robotic surgery in a German University Hospital focusing on patient safety after 110 procedures.MethodsWe performed a retrospective analysis of 110 consecutive robotic procedures performed in the University Hospital of Würzburg between June 2017 and September 2019. During this time, 37 patients were treated for benign general gynecological conditions, 27 patients for gynecological malignancies, and 46 patients for urogynecological conditions. We evaluated patient safety through standardized assessment of intra- and postoperative complications, which were categorized according to the Clavien–Dindo classification.ResultsNo complications were recorded in 90 (81.8%) operations. We observed Clavien–Dindo grade I complications in 8 (7.3%) cases, grade II complications in 5 (4.5%) cases, grade IIIa complications in 1 case (0.9%), and grade IIIb complications in 6 (5.5%) cases. No conversion to laparotomy or blood transfusion was needed.ConclusionRobotic surgery could be implemented for complex gynecological operations without relevant problems and was accompanied by low complication rates.

Serum procalcitonin as an early diagnostic marker of severe postoperative complications after elective pancreaticoduodenectomy.

To evaluate the clinical utility of serum procalcitonin (PCT) as a diagnostic marker for the severe postoperative complications associated with pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD). A total of 387 patients were enrolled and the PCT and C-reactive protein (CRP) values were compared between the non-severe complications group (Clavien-Dindo classification Grade IIIb and lower) and severe complications (Grade IVa and higher). Severe complications occurred in 16 patients. In the severe complications group, CRP levels peaked on postoperative day (POD) 3, whereas PCT levels peaked on POD 1. The PCT levels on PODs 1-5 were significantly higher in the severe complications group. Regarding the diagnostic performance, the PCT value on POD 2 higher than 2.1ng/mL revealed the highest performance, with 66.7% sensitivity and 78.6% specificity. Based on the postoperative kinetics and multivariate analysis, PCT and CRP both act independently of each other and the combination assay improved the diagnostic power (area under the curve 0.781; sensitivity 60.0%; specificity 85.6%). Preoperative biliary drainage was found to affect the perioperative PCT values and subgroup analysis stratified by the drainage procedure improved diagnostic sensitivity (~85%). Procalcitonin in the early postoperative period can serve as an earlier detector for the development of severe complications after PD.

Use of fibrin glue in bariatric surgery: analysis of complications after laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy on 450 consecutive patients.

Laparoscopic Sleeve Gastrectomy (LSG) is one of the most performed surgical procedures in bariatric surgery. Staple line leak and bleeding are by far the two most feared complications after LSG. In this study, we retrospectively compared the efficacy of Fibrin Glue in preventing staple line leak and bleeding. From September 2019 to January 2020, 450 obese patients underwent elective LSG and were placed into groups with Fibrin Glue reinforcement (Group A) or without Fibrin Glue reinforcement (Group B). Primary endpoints were postoperative staple line leak and bleeding; while, secondary endpoints were reintervention rate, total operative time and mortality. Mean Body Mass Index (BMI) was 45.4 ± 7.9kg/m2 (range: 35.1-81.8). Mean age was 43.3 ± 11.8years (range: 18-65). No intraoperative complications or conversion to laparotomy were reported. Mean operative time was comparable between the groups (48 ± 18min in Group A vs 48 ± 14min in Group B; p > 0.05). No decrease in overall postoperative complications was found in Group A (5.1% vs 7.0%; p > 0.05), but after stratification according to Clavien-Dindo classification, we found a higher rate of Grade II (0.0% vs 1.6%; p < 0.05) and Grade IIIb (0.0% vs 1%; p < 0.05) complications in group B. Our study showed that Fibrin Glue as a reinforcement method during LSG is a reliable tool, without affecting the operative time of surgery and mortality. A significant reduction in complications (Clavien-Dindo grade II and grade IIIb) was observed in patients undergoing LSG with Fibrin Glue.

Outcomes in revisional bariatric surgery: a high-volume single institution experience.

This study aims to evaluate outcomes of adjustable gastric band (AGB) conversion to sleeve gastrectomy (SG) or Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB), SG conversion to RYGB and RYGB revision procedures. Patients undergoing secondary bariatric surgery between 2009 and 2017 were retrospectively identified from a prospective database. Primary outcomes were weight loss and improvement in comorbidities. For weight loss, percent of total body weight loss (%TWL) and percentage of excess BMI loss (%EBMIL) were included. Comorbidities included were hemoglobin A1C (HbA1C), cardiovascular risk (CV) and hypertension. 266 Secondary bariatric procedures were analyzed. There were four Grade IIIb complicationswithin 30days. There was greater %EBMIL at 12 and 24months in the AGB to RYGB group, and in %TWL at 24months compared to AGB to SG group (p < 0.05). Only AGB to RYGB had significantly continued improvement in these two parameters at 24months compared to at 6months post-operatively-%EBMIL and %TWL tapered off in the other procedures. There was significantly lower CV risk in dyslipidemic patients at 24months in the AGB to RYGB compared to the AGB to SG group. In the SG to RYGB patients, there was significant improvement in CV risk in dyslipidemic patients at 24months compared to baseline. There was significant improvement in HbA1C in diabetics in AGB to RYGB patients at 6 and 12months, in AGB to SG patients at 12months, and in SG to RYGB patients at 12 and 24months compared to baseline. In RYGB revision and SG to RYGB patients, there was a relative increase in the number of patients being normotensive at 24months compared to baseline. Secondary bariatric surgery is a complex and challenging procedure that may improve weight loss and cardiovascular risk for certain procedures but further studies will be necessary.

The Production of Antibiotic Cement Beads.

The use of antibiotic beads in open fracture cases can lead to decreased rates of infection and surgeon production is associated with significant time and cost savings. This video demonstrates production of antibiotic impregnated polymethylmethacrylate beads used in the setting of a grade IIIB open tibial shaft fracture.

Long-term outcomes of primary single-anastomosis duodeno-ileal bypass with sleeve gastrectomy (SADI-S).

The long-term outcomes of primary single-anastomosis duodeno-ileal bypass with sleeve gastrectomy (SADI-S) have never been reported in the literature. The study aimed to evaluate the long-term outcomes after primary laparoscopic SADI-S (LSADI-S). Single, private institute, United States. Data from 750 patients who underwent a primary LSADI-S from June 2013 through November 2019 by 3 surgeons were retrospectively analyzed. Seven hundred fifty patients were included in the study. The mean age and preoperative body mass index were 49.3 ± 13.1 years and 50 ± 12.6 kg/m2, respectively. Follow-up was available on 109 patients (61%) at 5 years and on 87 patients (53%) at 6 years. Six patients did not have any follow-up. The average operative time and length of stay were 67.6 ± 27.4 minutes and 1.5 ± .8 days, respectively. The intraoperative, short-term, and long-term complication rates were 0%, 7.8%, 11.7%, respectively. The 30-day emergency room visit, readmission, and reoperation rates were .4%, 1.1%, and 1.1%, respectively. In total, there were 15 (2%) grade IIIb long-term complications unique to LSADI-S. Complete remission of type 2 diabetes was seen in 77% of the diabetic population. At 5 and 6 years, the mean change in body mass index was 17.5 ± 6.9 and 17.6 ± 6.4 kg/m2, respectively. The mortality rate was .5%. LSADI-S is effective in this retrospective review in achieving good initial weight loss and weight maintenance. Although our data show acceptable nutritional complications, questions still remain because of the retrospective nature of the study.