Amyand′s hernia: Our experience in the laparoscopic era

Amyand′s hernia is a rare presentation of inguinal hernia, in which the appendix is present within the hernia sac. This entity is a diagnostic challenge due to its rarity and vague clinical presentation. A laparoscopic approach can confirm the diagnosis as well as serve as a therapeutic tool. When the appendix is not inflamed within the inguinal hernia sac, then appendicectomy is not always necessary. Our case series emphasize the same presumption as three patient of Amyand′s hernia underwent laparoscopic transabdominal preperitoneal hernioplasty without appendicectomy. The aim of this paper is to review the literature with regards to Amyand′s hernia and provide new insight in its diagnosis and treatment

Robotic ventral rectopexy: Initial experience in an Indian tertiary health-care centre and review of literature

Background: Minimally invasive ventral rectopexy is a well-described technique for management of rectal prolapse. Robotic system has proven its advantage for surgeries in the pelvis. Applying this technique, ventral rectopexy can be done more precisely with minimal recurrence. With growing experience, the operative duration and cost of robotic ventral rectopexy can be reduced with better outcome. Few case studies have been described in literature with no study from Indian subcontinent. We describe a series of eight cases of robotic ventral rectopexy done for rectal prolapse in a tertiary health-care centre of India. Methods: A total of 8 patients were operated for complete rectal prolapse during the period from August 2015 to April 2016. da Vinci Si robotic surgical system was used with prolene or permacol mesh for ventral rectopexy. All patients were prospectively followed for a period minimum of 3 months. Pre- and intra-operative findings were recorded along with post-operative outcome. Results: Out of eight patients, prolene mesh was used in five patients and permacol mesh (porcine collagen) in three patients. Mean operative time (console time) was 177 min and mean total time was 218 min. Mean blood loss was 23.7 ml. Functional outcome was satisfactory in all patients. There was no significant complication in any patient with mean hospital stay of 2.2 days. With average follow-up of 8.8 months, no patient had recurrence. Conclusion: Robotic ventral rectopexy is a safe technique for rectal prolapse with excellent result in terms of functional outcome, recurrence and complications. With experience, the duration and cost can be comparable to laparoscopic technique

Laparoscopic management of remnant gall bladder with stones: Lessons from a tertiary care centre's experience

Objective: Laparoscopic cholecystectomy is currently the gold standard for treating symptomatic gallstone disease. Despite its success, approximately 10% of patients may experience persistent biliary symptoms, leading to the post-cholecystectomy syndrome. A remnant gallbladder with cystic duct or bile duct stones is one of the causes of this syndrome. The objective of this study was to shed light on the clinical manifestations, evaluation, therapeutic strategies, and outcomes associated with laparoscopic management of symptomatic remnant gallbladders. Methods: This was a retrospective study, conducted over a five-year period (January 2017 to December 2022) at Apollo Hospitals in South India. All patients who underwent laparoscopic completion cholecystectomy for a remnant gall bladder were included. The following data were collected: patient demographics, symptoms, preoperative investigations, intraoperative details and post operative outcomes. Results: In total, 36 patients were included and analysed. The majority of patients were male (25, 69.4%), with a mean age of 50.7 ± 12.1 years. The most common presentation was pain in the upper abdomen or right upper quadrant region (24, 66.7%). The laparoscopic approach was attempted in all patients, with a success rate of 94.4%. Two patients required conversion to open surgery. Cholecystoenteric fistula to the colon was observed in one patient. Choledocholithiasis was observed in 7 patients (19.4%), and stone clearance was successfully achieved using endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography in all patients preoperatively. Conclusion: Incomplete gall bladder removal either intentionally or unintentionally leaves a remnant gall bladder that is at risk for stone formation and infection. Patients who have this clinical entity with symptoms require a redo or complete cholecystectomy, a complex procedure associated with certain risks. This study highlights the feasibility and safety of laparoscopic completion cholecystectomy for the management of remnant gallbladder with cystic duct or bile duct stones