European Surgery-Acta Chirurgica Austriaca最新文献

Background: Anatomical variance of the deep circumflex iliac artery is of high clinical value in facial reconstruction using a deep circumflex iliac artery perforator (DCIAP) flap.

Methods: We present the case of a 76-year-old woman treated with an osteomyocutaneous DCIAP flap variant for facial reconstruction. We also review here the literature on DCIA perforator flaps and the different anatomical variances, which might bring clinical benefits.

Results: The observed anatomy in our patient offered the possibility to raise a free flap variant with high mobility of a large skin paddle and a long vascular pedicle combined with a variable osteomuscular portion.

Conclusion: The characteristics of the flap thus raised help overcome the disadvantages of the conventional DCIAP flap and offer excellent options for facial reconstruction.

Background: Autologous breast reconstruction is an integral part in the treatment of breast cancer. While computed tomography angiography (CTA) is an established preoperative diagnostic tool for microsurgeons, no study has so far evaluated and compared five different imaging methods and their value for the reconstructive team. In order to determine the feasibility of each of the tools for routine or specialized diagnostic application, the methods' efficiency and informative value were analyzed.

Methods: We retrospectively analyzed imaging data of 41 patients used for perforator location and assessment for regional perfusion and vessel patency in patients undergoing autologous breast reconstruction with deep inferior epigastric perforator flap (DIEP), transverse rectus abdominis muscle flap (TRAM), or transverse myocutaneous gracilis flap (TMG). Five different imaging techniques were used: hand held Doppler (HHD), CT angiography (CTA), macroscopic indocyanine green (ICG) video angiography, microscope-integrated ICG video angiography, and laser Doppler imaging (LDI).

Results: CTA proved to be the best tool for preoperative determination of the highly variable anatomy of the abdominal region, whereas HHD showed the same information on perforator localization with some false-positive results. Intraoperative HHD was an excellent tool for dissection and vessel patency judgment. Microscope-integrated ICG was an excellent tool to document the patency of microanastomoses. In our series, macroscopic perfusion measurement with ICG or LDI was only justified in special situations, where information on perfusion of abdominal or mastectomy flaps was required. LDI did not add any additional information.

Conclusion: Preoperative assessment should be performed by CTA with verification of the perforator location by HHD. Intraoperative HHD and microscope-integrated ICG contribute most toward the evaluation of vessel patency. ICG and LDI should only be used for special indications.

Background: The transumbilical route began being clinically feasible with or without unique access devices.

Setting: The setting for this study was a private practice at Clínica Las Condes, Santiago, Chile.

Objective: The objective was to describe our experience performing a laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG) via transumbilical route using a single-port access device in addition to standard laparoscopic instruments.

Method: A prospective nonrandomized protocol was applied to patients fulfilling the following inclusion criteria: to have been medically indicated for an LSG, to have a body mass index (BMI) of less than or equal to 40 kg/m², and the distance between the xiphoid appendix and umbilicus should be less than 22 cm. All patients were female with a median (p50) age of 34.5 (ranging from 21 to 57) years, a median weight of 92 (ranging from 82.5 to 113) kg, and a median BMI of 35.1 (ranging from 30.5 to 40) kg/m². The device insertion technique, the gastrectomy, and postoperative management are described.

Results: LSG via transumbilical route was successfully carried out in 19 of the 20 patients in whom the procedure was performed; one patient had to be converted to a conventional laparoscopic procedure. Mean operating time was 127 (ranging from 90 to 170) min. On the second postoperative day, all patients were assessed through an upper gastrointestinal barium-contrasted radiological series. There was neither morbidity nor mortality in this group. Excess weight loss at 25 months after surgery was 114 %.

Conclusions: Single-port LSG can be successfully performed in selected obese patients with a BMI of less than 40 kg/m² using traditional laparoscopic instruments. The technique allows performing a safe and effective vertical gastrectomy.

Introduction: Recently, first reports on benefits from Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) pathway in patients undergoing gastric surgery have appeared. It seems that maximal reduction of unfavorable surgery-induced trauma in patients with gastric malignancy via ERAS protocol combined with minimally invasive techniques can improve outcomes.

Objective: The aim of this study was to determine the influence of laparoscopic surgery and ERAS protocol in oncological gastric surgery on early outcomes.

Materials and methods: Prospective analysis involved 28 patients (18 female and 10 male) with gastric malignancy who underwent laparoscopic gastric resection between 2009 and 2013. Gastric tumors (gastrointestinal stromal tumors or adenocarcinoma) were the indication for the surgery. A total of 17 patients underwent laparoscopic local excision, and 11 patients with adenocarcinoma or multiple neuroendocrine tumors underwent laparoscopic D2 total gastrectomy. Perioperative care was based on ERAS principles. Length of hospital stay, postoperative course, perioperative complications, and readmission rates were analyzed.

Results: There was one conversion in the gastrectomy group. All patients were mobilized on the day of surgery. Oral fluids were introduced on day 0 and were well tolerated. Full hospital diet was started on day 2 in all patients, but was well tolerated in only 18 of them. One postoperative complication requiring reoperation was noted. The length of stay after gastrectomy and gastric wedge resection was 4.6 (2-6) and 3.3 (2-6) days, respectively. No readmissions were noted in the entire group.

Conclusions: The implementation of ERAS protocol to clinical practice in combination with laparoscopy in patients with gastric tumors can result in improved postoperative care quality, shortening of hospital stay, and quicker return to normal activity.

Background: The antidiabetic effect of sleeve gastrectomy (SG) has been interpreted as a conceivable result of surgically induced weight loss in the obese type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) subjects. However, the blood glucose control often occurs within days, before significant weight loss has been reached. This work aims to investigate the major mechanism and persistence regarding how SG improves glucose metabolism in nonobese T2DM rats.

Methods: These Goto Kakizaki rats (n = 21) were randomly assigned into three groups: SG, sham SG, and pair-fed (PF) group, whose weight, food intake, oral glucose tolerance test, insulin tolerance test, plasma insulin, homeostasis model assessment for insulin resistance (HOMA-IR), ghrelin, and glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) were measured.

Results: According to the experiment, from the 2nd week until the 24th week, the fasting blood glucose of the rats in the SG group had significantly decreased with the improved glucose tolerance. At the 2nd week postoperation, the area under the blood glucose concentration curve (AUC) received a distinct reduction of 28.1 % (P < 0.0001). The ghrelin secretion of the SG group was significantly decreased (P < 0.005). The GLP-1 had increased (P < 0.0001), while the HOMA-IR values decreased (P < 0.05) throughout the experimental period. These effects were not seen in the sham-SG and PF groups despite similar changes of weight loss or food intake.

Conclusions: The above results suggest that SG can conduct a direct control on T2DM instead of secondarily to weight loss or food intake around the whole experimental period. The changes of the gastrointestinal hormones may be the major mechanism of the antidiabetic effect.

Background: Tissue engineering has been defined as "an interdisciplinary field that applies the principles of engineering and life sciences toward the development of biological substitutes that restore, maintain, or improve tissue function or a whole organ". Traumatic peripheral nerve injury resulting in significant tissue loss at the zone of injury necessitates the need for a bridge or scaffold for regenerating axons from the proximal stump to reach the distal stump.

Methods: A review of the literature was used to provide information on the components necessary for the development of a tissue engineered peripheral nerve substitute. Then, a comprehensive review of the literature is presented composed of the studies devoted to this goal.

Results: Extensive research has been directed toward the development of a tissue engineered peripheral nerve substitute to act as a bridge for regenerating axons from the proximal nerve stump seeking the distal nerve. Ideally this nerve substitute would consist of a scaffold component that mimics the extracellular matrix of the peripheral nerve and a cellular component that serves to stimulate and support regenerating peripheral nerve axons.

Conclusions: The field of tissue engineering should consider its challenge to not only meet the autograft "gold standard" but also to understand what drives and inhibits nerve regeneration in order to surpass the results of an autograft.

Background: Primary retroperitoneal mucinous cystadenocarcinoma (PRMC) is a rare disease and mostly occurs in females, and there are only three male cases described in the literatures without long-term follow-up.

Case report: A 59-year-old male presented with a left retroperitoneal cystic mass (7.5 ´ 7 ´ 3 cm) that upwardly displaced the left kidney and caused abdominal discomfort. The tumor was totally excised by the hand-assisted laparoscopic method without complications or recurrence in a follow-up period of 79 months. The etiology from coelomic metaplasia of peritoneal epithelium was proved by a spectrum of diverse cells (benign, borderline malignant, and malignant cells) during pathological examination.

Results: This is the fourth male case of PRMC in the world with a favorable outcome after hand-assisted laparoscopic excision, and this is also distinct by the longest follow-up period in this disease entity.

Conclusions: Because of its low-malignant potential and recurrence rate, surgical excision is still the best choice of treatment, but the least invasion method should be adopted in front.

Background: Ultrasound-guided techniques represent a new treatment option in the treatment of haemorrhoids. Doppler-guided haemorrhoidal artery ligation (DG-HAL) proved efficacious in early haemorrhoidal disease, but lacks efficacy for stages III/IV. For these patients, haemorrhoidal artery ligation (HAL) has been combined with a running suture to reduce prolapsing haemorrhoidal tissue (recto-anal repair (RAR)).

Methods: A prospective observational study was conducted in 184 patients with grade III (58 %) or grade IV (42 %) haemorrhoids in seven coloproctological centres. Primary endpoints were the recurrence of symptoms and need of further treatment (medical or surgical).

Results: Post-operative complications were seen in 8 % of patients. After a follow-up of 3 months, 91 % of patients were free of symptoms and 91 % of patients were satisfied with the result. After a follow-up of 12 months, 89 % of patients were free of symptoms and 88 % were satisfied with the result. Nineteen per cent of patients received further medical or surgical treatment.

Conclusions: Doppler-guided recto-anal repair (DG-RAR) proves to be an effective treatment option for the treatment of advanced haemorrhoidal disease that shows equal results to other established treatment options.

Background: In this preliminary study, we investigated the sensitivity and specificity of reverse transcriptase (RT)-qPCR lymph node (LN) metastases detection, the accuracy of intraoperative dye navigation, and the incidence of micrometastasis (MM) detection with this protocol, compared to other published studies.

Methods: A total of 23 patients were enrolled in the study. The first stained LN was analyzed using RT-qPCR for carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) and cytokeratin 20 (CK-20) expression, as markers for MM involvement. The Maruyama computer program was used to determine the most likely first metastatic site. These results were compared with the actual staining patterns to evaluate whether the first draining LN was extracted. We analyzed the correlations between MM and tumor characteristics. The incidence of MM detected with the present method was compared to other studies, as markers of the accuracy of the present protocol.

Results: At 35 threshold cycles, the RT-qPCR had a negative predictive value of 100 % and a positive predictive value of 83.3 %. MM were detected in 4 out of 14 node-negative patients (28.6 %). The extracted sentinel LN coincided in 76.9 % of cases with the most probable first metastatic LN predicted by the Maruyama program. MM were found more frequently in these 'high-risk' LNs. Significant differences were found in the Lauren's histological type distribution and the age distribution among the MM-positive and MM-negative groups.

Conclusion: Our preliminary results confirm that RT-qPCR is an accurate method of MM detection, that the dye navigation enables the determination of the first draining LN, and that the incidence of MM detection with this focused sentinel LN protocol is comparable to other studies.

Background: Oxidized cellulose is a well known and widely used surgical hemostat. It is available in many forms, but manufactured using either a nonregenerated or regenerated process.

Objective: This study compares the fiber structure, pH in solution, bactericidal effectiveness, and hemostatic effectiveness of an oxidized nonregenerated cellulose (ONRC; Traumastem^®) and an oxidized regenerated cellulose (ORC; Surgicel^® Original).

Methods: In vitro, fiber structures were compared using scanning electron microscopy, pH of phosphate buffer solution (PBS) and human plasma were measured after each cellulose was submerged, and bactericidal effect was measured by plating each cellulose with four bacteria. In vivo, time to hemostasis and hemostatic success were compared using a general surgery nonheparinized porcine liver abrasion model and a peripheral vascular surgery heparinized leporine femoral vessel bleeding model.

Results: Ultrastructure of ONRC fiber is frayed, while ORC is smooth. ORC pH is statistically more acidic than ONRC in PBS, but equal in plasma. No difference in bactericidal effectiveness was observed. In vivo, ONRC provided superior time to hemostasis relative to ORC (211.2 vs 384.6 s, N = 60/group) in the general surgery model; and superior hemostatic success relative to ORC at 30 (60 vs. 15 %; OR: 13.5; 95 % CI: 3.72-49.1, N = 40/group), 60 (85 vs. 37.5 %; OR: 12.3; 95 % CI: 3.66-41.6), and 90 s (97.5 vs 70.0 %; OR: 21.1, 95 % CI: 2.28-195.9) in the peripheral vascular model.

Conclusion: ONRC provides superior hemostasis and equivalent bactericidal effectiveness relative to ORC, which is likely due to its fiber structure than acidity.