Initial experience with laparoscopic gastrectomy in a low-volume center

Objective: Today, minimal invasive surgery has gained wide acceptance by general surgeons, even in complex oncological procedures. Despite the increased experience on laparoscopic distal gastrectomy, limited number of surgeons prefer laparoscopic total gastrectomy for proximal or middle-third gastric cancer, due to the concern of technical difficulties which can alter the quality of oncological outcomes. Methods: We retrospectively analyzed gastric cancer patients who underwent curative intent laparoscopic gastrectomy by single surgeon from October 2013 to April 2014. Five total gastrectomy + D2 (-No 10 and 11d) and 1 distal gastrectomy + D2 lymphadenectomy were analyzed for patient demographics, pathological characteristics, morbidity and in-hospital mortality. Results: The mean operating time was 255,8±37.2 minutes. The mean blood loss was 121.6±20.4 ml. In all patients, R0 resection were performed. The mean number of harvested lymph nodes were 22.6±7.3. The median number of metastatic lymph nodes was 16 (0-23). In one patient, less than 15 lymph nodes were retrieved. Complication rate was 33.3% (n=2). In one patient, who underwent laparoscopic distal gastrectomy, afferent loop syndrome developed. In another patient, who underwent total gastrectomy plus splenectomy a massive pulmoner embolism developed. The median hospital stay was 10 (6-18) days. Conclusion: With increased experience in advanced laparoscopic procedures, laparoscopic total gastrectomy may be considered as the first line treatment approach for gastric cancer patient even in a low-volume center

Global attitudes in the management of acute appendicitis during COVID-19 pandemic: ACIE Appy Study

Background: Surgical strategies are being adapted to face the COVID-19 pandemic. Recommendations on the management of acute appendicitis have been based on expert opinion, but very little evidence is available. This study addressed that dearth with a snapshot of worldwide approaches to appendicitis. Methods: The Association of Italian Surgeons in Europe designed an online survey to assess the current attitude of surgeons globally regarding the management of patients with acute appendicitis during the pandemic. Questions were divided into baseline information, hospital organization and screening, personal protective equipment, management and surgical approach, and patient presentation before versus during the pandemic. Results: Of 744 answers, 709 (from 66 countries) were complete and were included in the analysis. Most hospitals were treating both patients with and those without COVID. There was variation in screening indications and modality used, with chest X-ray plus molecular testing (PCR) being the commonest (19\ub78 per cent). Conservative management of complicated and uncomplicated appendicitis was used by 6\ub76 and 2\ub74 per cent respectively before, but 23\ub77 and 5\ub73 per cent, during the pandemic (both P < 0\ub7001). One-third changed their approach from laparoscopic to open surgery owing to the popular (but evidence-lacking) advice from expert groups during the initial phase of the pandemic. No agreement on how to filter surgical smoke plume during laparoscopy was identified. There was an overall reduction in the number of patients admitted with appendicitis and one-third felt that patients who did present had more severe appendicitis than they usually observe. Conclusion: Conservative management of mild appendicitis has been possible during the pandemic. The fact that some surgeons switched to open appendicectomy may reflect the poor guidelines that emanated in the early phase of SARS-CoV-2