Single port laparoscopic appendectomy: are we pursuing real advantages?

Single port appendectomy, due to its cosmetic appeal and to a technique similar to classic laparoscopic appendectomy, is provoking an increasing number of publications and case series to explore its feasibility and effective improvements for patients with acute appendicitis. The margins for improvement are not so large, as laparoscopic appendectomy is, after 20 years from its beginning, still debated. A literature search has been accomplished to investigate the outcomes of the operation. 23 case series or retrospective comparisons with classic laparoscopy have been found. The numbers and low quality of the published data do not permit to draw evidence based conclusions. Still, trends seem to evidence an increase in complications especially in complicated appendicitis, which suggests caution in its dissemination outside clinical trials

abdominal emergency surgery in patients over 90 years old is it worthwhile an italian multicenter retrospective study

Unlike other surgical fields, such as cardiac surgery, where many trials have been made about safety, feasibility and outcome of surgical procedures in the elderly, there is lack of literature about emergency abdominal surgery in very old patients, especially in people over 90 years of age. The available data reported survival of about 50% one year after the operation. The aim of the study is to determine the survival rate two years after emergency abdominal surgery in a nonagenarian population and to identify any demographic and surgical parameters that could predict a poor outcome in this type of patient. The study was a retrospective multicenter trial. Patient inclusion criteria were: age 90 years old or older, urgent abdominal surgery. The medical charts reviewed and data collected were: gender, age, the American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) score and comorbidities, diagnosis, time elapsed between arrival to the Emergency Room and admission to the Operatory Room, surgical procedures, open versus laparoscopic procedure, type of anesthesia and outcomes with hospital length of stay. Phone call follow-up was performed for patient discharged alive and Kaplan-Meier analysis was used to evaluate survival. We identified 72 (20 males and 52 females) nonagenarian patients who underwent abdominal emergency surgery at 6 Italian hospitals (Parma, Bergamo, Bologna, Brescia, Chiari, Adria). Mean age was 92.5 years [range 90-100, standard deviation (SD) 2.6], median ASA score was 3 (range 2-5, mean 3.32) and only 7 patients were without comorbidities. Mean hospital length of stay was 13 days (range 1-60, SD 11.52); 56 patients (77.7%) were discharged alive; 2 years survival rate was 23% [mean follow-up=10 months (range 1-27)]. Among all the parameters analyzed, only ASA score was significantly correlated with survival. Neither the presence of malignancy nor the absence of comorbidities seems to correlate with survival. Nonagenarian patients undergoing emergent abdominal surgical procedures have a high overall in-hospital mortality rate (23%) and a low 2 years survival rate (51.4%). Except for ASA score, there are no other factors predicting poor outcome. Based on the present study emergency abdominal surgery in frail patients over 90 years of age has to be carefully evaluated: only 1 out 5 patients will be alive after 2 years

ICG fluorescence imaging in colorectal surgery: a snapshot from the ICRAL study group

Background: Fluorescence-guided visualization is a recently proposed technology in colorectal surgery. Possible uses include evaluating perfusion, navigating lymph nodes and searching for hepatic metastases and peritoneal spread. Despite the absence of high-level evidence, this technique has gained considerable popularity among colorectal surgeons due to its significant reliability, safety, ease of use and relatively low cost. However, the actual use of this technique in daily clinical practice has not been reported to date. Methods: This survey was conducted on April 2020 among 44 centers dealing with colorectal diseases and participating in the Italian ColoRectal Anastomotic Leakage (iCral) study group. Surgeons were approximately equally divided based on geographical criteria from multiple Italian regions, with a large proportion based in public (89.1%) and nonacademic (75.7%) centers. They were invited to answer an online survey to snapshot their current behaviors regarding the use of fluorescence-guided visualization in colorectal surgery. Questions regarding technological availability, indications and techniques, personal approaches and feelings were collected in a 23-item questionnaire. Results: Questionnaire replies were received from 37 institutions and partially answered by 8, as this latter group of centers do not implement fluorescence technology (21.6%). Out of the remaining 29 centers (78,4%), fluorescence is utilized in all laparoscopic colorectal resections by 72.4% of surgeons and only for selected cases by the remaining 27.6%, while 62.1% of respondents do not use fluorescence in open surgery (unless the perfusion is macroscopically uncertain with the naked eye, in which case 41.4% of them do). The survey also suggests that there is no agreement on dilution, dosing and timing, as many different practices are adopted based on personal judgment. Only approximately half of the surgeons reported a reduced leak rate with fluorescence perfusion assessment, but 65.5% of them strongly believe that this technique will become a minimum requirement for colorectal surgery in the future. Conclusion: The survey confirms that fluorescence is becoming a widely used technique in colorectal surgery. However, both the indications and methods still vary considerably; furthermore, the surgeons' perceptions of the results are insufficient to consider this technology essential. This survey emphasizes the need for further research to reach recommendations based on solid scientific evidence. Keywords: Colon cancer; Fluorescence guided surgery; ICG; Laparoscopy; Rectal cancer

Colorectal surgery in Italy during the Covid19 outbreak: a survey from the iCral study group

Background The COVID19 pandemic had a deep impact on healthcare facilities in Italy, with profound reorganization of surgical activities. The Italian ColoRectal Anastomotic Leakage (iCral) study group collecting 43 Italian surgical centers experienced in colorectal surgery from multiple regions performed a quick survey to make a snapshot of the current situation. Methods A 25-items questionnaire was sent to the 43 principal investigators of the iCral study group, with questions regard- ing qualitative and quantitative aspects of the surgical activity before and after the COVID19 outbreak. Results Two-thirds of the centers were involved in the treatment of COVID19 cases. Intensive care units (ICU) beds were partially or totally reallocated for the treatment of COVID19 cases in 72% of the hospitals. Elective colorectal surgery for malignancy was stopped or delayed in nearly 30% of the centers, with less than 20% of them still scheduling elective colo- rectal resections for frail and comorbid patients needing postoperative ICU care. A significant reduction of the number of colorectal resections during the time span from January to March 2020 was recorded, with significant delay in treatment in more than 50% of the centers. Discussion Our survey confirms that COVID19 outbreak is severely affecting the activity of colorectal surgery centers partici- pating to iCral study group. This could impact the activity of surgical centers for many months after the end of the emergency

World society of emergency surgery study group initiative on Timing of Acute Care Surgery classification (TACS)

Non peer reviewe

2017 update of the WSES guidelines for emergency repair of complicated abdominal wall hernias

Emergency repair of complicated abdominal wall hernias may be associated with worsen outcome and a significant rate of postoperative complications. There is no consensus on management of complicated abdominal hernias. The main matter of debate is about the use of mesh in case of intestinal resection and the type of mesh to be used. Wound infection is the most common complication encountered and represents an immense burden especially in the presence of a mesh. The recurrence rate is an important topic that influences the final outcome. A World Society of Emergency Surgery (WSES) Consensus Conference was held in Bergamo in July 2013 with the aim to define recommendations for emergency repair of abdominal wall hernias in adults. This document represents the executive summary of the consensus conference approved by a WSES expert panel. In 2016, the guidelines have been revised and updated according to the most recent available literature.Peer reviewe