Digestive Surgery最新文献

Introduction: Post-sleeve gastrectomy (SG) proximal staple-line leak is a rare yet serious complication. Endoscopic negative pressure therapy (ENPT) has emerged as a safe technique, showing promising results in treating anastomotic leakages in the upper and lower gastrointestinal tract, often in conjunction with surgical interventions. A standardized treatment algorithm has not been established. This study aimed to assess the safety and efficacy of ENPT in the multidisciplinary management of proximal staple-line leaks after SG.

Methods: This is an observational study of 40 post-SG proximal staple-line leak cases treated with an ENPT-based approach. Revisional surgery was performed in addition to ENPT in critically ill patients or nondiagnostic imaging results. Success was defined as the healing of the defect and paraluminal cavity with no further need for surgical or endoscopic intervention following ENPT.

Results: Thirty-three patients were successfully treated with ENPT (82.5% success rate). Additional surgical interventions were performed in 37 patients, with re-laparoscopy, lavage, and drain of the abdominal cavity being the most frequently performed procedures. The mean duration of treatment was 25.6 days, with an average of 6.4 endoscopic interventions per patient.

Conclusions: ENPT is a safe and effective technique for treating proximal staple-line leaks following SG. Its application should be considered alongside other endoscopic and surgical approaches.

Introduction: Irreversible electroporation (IRE) is a form of non-thermal ablation that delivers pulses of high-voltage electric current between electrodes. Although IRE has been demonstrated to achieve tumor necrosis, its role in the treatment of colorectal hepatic metastases is unestablished. This study is an international questionnaire survey on the use of IRE for patients with colorectal hepatic metastases.

Methods: A questionnaire addressing views on the use of IRE for colorectal liver metastases was circulated to clinicians with an interest and/or expertise in this technique. The questionnaire addressed indications for the use of IRE in a range of scenarios: methods of use, assessment of treatment response, and outcome.

Results: 64 clinicians from 17 different countries replied to the questionnaire. The preferred mode of delivery of IRE was percutaneous treatment under computed tomographic guidance. Thirty-three (70% of 47 respondents) used IRE exclusively for lesions in proximity to inflow or outflow structures. Twenty (43% respondents) used IRE as their sole ablative treatment, while 19 (40% of 47 respondents) used IRE in combination with thermal ablation. The maximum number of lesions that could be treated by IRE was two and the preferred size of lesion was <3 cm.

Conclusion: Respondents to this international questionnaire survey indicate that IRE is an acceptable ablative option for small colorectal liver metastases (<3 m in diameter) close to inflow/outflow structures.

Introduction: As the nonoperative management of acute appendicitis becomes more widespread, identifying patients at high risk of appendiceal tumors is increasingly important. This study aimed to clarify the predictive factors of appendiceal tumors before appendectomy.

Methods: We retrospectively analyzed 434 patients diagnosed with acute appendicitis who underwent emergency or interval appendectomy.

Results: Appendiceal neoplasms were found in 3.9% of patients. Patients with tumors were significantly older (64.4 vs. 49.6 years, p < 0.001). The tumor group exhibited a lower appendicolith incidence (48% vs. 12%, p = 0.011) and larger appendiceal diameters (18.0 vs. 12.3 mm, p < 0.001). Multivariate analysis demonstrated that age ≥60 years, absence of appendicolith, and an appendiceal diameter ≥12 mm were independent risk factors of appendiceal tumors. Among patients who underwent interval appendectomy, only the non-tumor group exhibited significant improvement in appendiceal diameter after nonoperative management (tumor, +1.6 mm vs. no tumor, -3.5 mm, p < 0.001).

Conclusions: Advanced age, absence of appendicolith, and an enlarged appendiceal diameter may be significant predictive factors of appendiceal tumors. These factors will aid in the selection of appropriate appendicitis treatment strategies.

Introduction: The safety and feasibility of robotic pancreatoduodenectomy (RPD) in high-risk patients for postoperative pancreatic fistula (POPF) have rarely been investigated, although the rate of POPF is lower than in open pancreatoduodenectomy (OPD). This study aimed to examine the impact of robotic surgery on POPF in high-risk patients after pancreatoduodenectomy (PD).

Methods: We performed a retrospective study of 204 patients who underwent RPD and OPD between January 2018 and June 2023. Of the 204 patients, 126 with high-risk pancreaticojejunostomies for developing POPF were included. The outcomes of RPD and OPD were compared. Multivariate analyses were conducted to identify risk factors associated with the development of clinically relevant POPF (CR-POPF) after surgery.

Results: Of the 126 patients, 50 underwent RPD and 76 underwent OPD. The incidence of CR-POPF was significantly lower in the RPD group than in the OPD group (6.0% vs. 38.2%, p < 0.001). Multivariate analyses identified OPD as an independent risk factor associated with CR-POPF (odds ratio [OR]: 7.87, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 2.11-29.4, p = 0.002).

Conclusion: This study demonstrated the impact of robotic surgery on POPF in high-risk patients after PD. These results suggest that RPD may be significantly associated with a decreased incidence of CR-POPF in high-risk anastomoses.

Introduction: Acute cholecystitis (AC) is one of the most common abdominal emergencies worldwide. Biliary infections can easily induce bacteremia, leading to severe general conditions including systemic inflammation and blood coagulation abnormalities. However, bacteremia in AC has not been investigated so far. Herein, we analyzed the blood cultures and clinical data of patients with AC to identify the risk factors and develop a statistical identification model for bacteremia.

Methods: Of 319 consecutive patients with AC at our hospital, we retrospectively investigated 176 patients who were evaluated by blood culture at diagnosis to assess risk factors and develop an identification model for bacteremia in AC.

Results: Based on blood culture results, 37 (21.0%) of 176 patients were diagnosed with bacteremia. The bacteremia-positive group had a significantly worse systemic status at diagnosis than the negative group, including age, severity grading, comorbidities, performance status, systemic inflammatory status, and blood coagulation abnormalities. Multivariate analysis revealed previous endoscopic papillary procedures, total bilirubin, and systemic inflammatory response syndrome ≥3 as significant risk factors for bacteremia. On dividing early and late cohorts according to the onset time of AC, an identification signature derived from the three risk factors robustly distinguished bacteremia in both cohorts (area under the curve, early cohort = 0.93; late cohort = 0.91).

Conclusions: In this study, we identified risk factors and signatures that accurately detect bacteremia in patients with AC. This study enriches our medical knowledge of AC, helping us step toward designing individualized treatment strategies for this disease.

Introduction: Total pancreatectomy (TP) is a technically demanding procedure for patients with multifocal pancreatic diseases. Although the benefits of the superior mesenteric artery (SMA)-first approach for pancreatic cancer (PC) have been reported in pancreatic surgery, few studies have demonstrated surgical techniques of SMA-first approach in TP.

Methods: This report presents our novel SMA-first approach for PC in TP, including six steps. First, the resectability was confirmed (step 1). Next, SMA approach was applied (step 2). In this step, the anterior and left sides of the SMA were dissected, and the left renal vein was confirmed. Following retroperitoneal dissection (step 3), the pancreatic body and tail were completely mobilized (step 4). Subsequently, Whipple procedure was performed with lymphadenectomy around the right side of the SMA (step 5). Finally, hepaticojejunostomy and gastrojejunostomy were performed (step 6). Using SMA-first approach, en bloc resection with adequate lymphadenectomy around the SMA and retroperitoneal dissection was performed.

Conclusion: The present study presents surgical techniques of TP using the SMA-first approach for PC. This unique approach may be useful to perform TP for PC to obtain negative resection margins.

Introduction: Early detection and timely treatment of anastomotic leakage (AL) following rectal surgery are crucial for improving outcomes. However, no standardized early detection pathway exists. This study evaluates a multicenter clinical care pathway integrating bedside endoscopy to reduce time to diagnose AL.

Methods: This international, multicenter, prospective observational study evaluates early endoscopic inspection for AL detection. Endoscopic assessments are performed at the bedside using a point-of-care digital rectoscope. Eligible patients include those undergoing colorectal resection for cancer with a colorectal or coloanal anastomosis within 15 cm of the anorectal junction. The clinical pathway includes bedside endoscopic inspection 3-6 days post-surgery, C-reactive protein-guided CT scans with rectal contrast, and follow-up endoscopy at 2-3 weeks. The primary outcome is time to AL diagnosis. Secondary outcomes include diagnostic accuracy, patient-reported comfort (Modified Gloucester Scale), stoma rate, anastomosis healing at 1 year, and cost-effectiveness. A propensity score-matched historical cohort will be used for comparison. Based on previous reports, we hypothesize this pathway will reduce the median diagnosis time from 15 to 5 days. With 95% confidence and 80% power, 130 patients are needed, with 153 total to account for a 15% maximum dropout rate.

Conclusion: The REAL study is designed to evaluate whether a clinical pathway incorporating routine endoscopic assessment of colorectal anastomoses reduces time to diagnosis of AL and initiation of treatment.

Background: Posthepatectomy liver failure (PHLF) remains a leading cause of morbidity and mortality following major liver resection. Despite advances in surgical techniques and perioperative care, treatment options for PHLF are limited. Pharmacological interventions targeting ischemia-reperfusion injury and portal flow modulation have gained interest as potential therapeutic strategies.

Summary: This review provides a clinically applicable overview of the current evidence on pharmacological management of PHLF. Perioperative glucocorticoids may reduce inflammatory complications and lower PHLF incidence, though patient selection is crucial. N-acetylcysteine demonstrates antioxidant effects in experimental models and omega-3 fatty acids reduce inflammation, but both lack clinical efficacy. Somatostatin and terlipressin, which modulate portal hemodynamics, have shown promise in preclinical and early-phase clinical studies; however, randomized trials have yet to confirm their benefit in reducing PHLF. Nonselective β-blockers impair liver regeneration in preclinical models and are not recommended posthepatectomy. Early postoperative heparin administration and hyperinsulinemic-normoglycemic strategies have been associated with reduced PHLF but require further validation.

Key messages: While perioperative glucocorticoids may reduce PHLF risk in selected patients, other pharmacological agents show theoretical or preliminary promise, but cannot be routinely recommended based on current evidence. Prospective clinical trials are needed to establish effective pharmacological strategies for the prevention and treatment of PHLF.

Introduction: Laparoscopic fundoplication is the current standard for HH repair. HH repair can be reinforced with additional anterior sutures, vertical mesh strips (VMS), or mesh placement. We analyzed the influence of patient factors on the surgical technique for laparoscopic repair in a teaching hospital.

Methods: Between 2012 and 2019, all patients who underwent repair of HH were assessed in this retrospective cohort study. HH was measured on CT scans and baseline patient characteristics and surgical details were collected.

Results: In total, 307 patients were included. A total of 208 patients underwent a Toupet fundoplication and 97 patients underwent a Nissen fundoplication. Reinforcements consisted of anterior sutures in 132 patients, VMS in 89 patients, and mesh in 17 patients. The use of anterior sutures was significantly associated with female gender, higher type of HH, and higher age. The use of VMS during surgery was significantly associated with higher type of HH, higher age, and larger transverse diameter of the HH. The use of mesh during surgery was significantly associated with higher type of HH and larger transverse diameter of the HH.

Conclusion: In this retrospective study, the reinforcement techniques used during surgery were significantly associated with patient factors such as gender, body length and weight, type of HH, and transverse diameter. An unexpected patient-associated factor was age.

Introduction: The development of anastomotic leakage (AL) after esophagectomy is a severe complication, often leading to mediastinitis and systemic infections. Effective empiric antimicrobial therapy is crucial, but there is no consensus on the optimal regimen. This study aimed to document antimicrobial regimens used in the Netherlands and to evaluate culture results from AL after esophagectomy at our center.

Methods: An online questionnaire about the preferred antimicrobial treatment of AL after esophagectomy was sent to all upper gastrointestinal surgeons in the Netherlands. In addition, drain culture results from patients with AL after esophagectomy in our center were retrospectively analyzed.

Results: From 76 responses, 28 were included, representing 13 of the 15 esophagectomy-performing centers in the Netherlands. For treating AL after esophagectomy, respondents typically choose broad-spectrum regimens covering Gram-negative, Gram-positive, and anaerobic bacteria. The cultures of 57 patients were analyzed. Overall, 61% had positive cultures for yeast, 61% of patients for Enterobacterales, and 16% for Pseudomonas and other non-fermenters.

Conclusion: Based on the studied cultures, empiric antibiotics should cover Gram-positive, Gram-negative, anaerobe bacteria and Pseudomonas. We recommend the use of empiric amoxicillin/clavulanic acid with tobramycin for patients with AL after esophagectomy, which is now protocol in our center. The addition of antifungals remains debatable. Given the high incidence of yeast-positive cultures in the studied cohort, we recommend the addition of an echinocandin in clinically unstable patients.