The first total laparoscopic pancreatoduodenectomy in Poland

We present a case of a 55-year-old female patient with pancreatic head cancer who was treated with total laparoscopic pylorus-preserving pancreatoduodenectomy (TLPD) on 13.12.2013. The procedure as well as the postoperative course was uncomplicated. The patient was mobilized on the day of surgery; a liquid diet was introduced on day 1 and a full hospital diet on day 2 postoperatively. Drains were removed on the 3(rd) day after the procedure. Length of hospital stay was 6 days. The final pathology report confirmed the diagnosis of cancer. According to our knowledge this is the first report on total laparoscopic pancreatoduodenectomy in Poland performed by an entirely Polish team of surgeons. In our opinion, TLPD is feasible and similarly to other laparoscopic operations may improve postoperative recovery

Sclerosing angiomatoid nodular transformation of the spleen treated by laparoscopic partial splenectomy

The authors describe a case of sclerosing angiomatoid nodular transformation (SANT) of the spleen treated at the 2(nd) Department of Surgery, Jagiellonian University, Medical College. The patient was a 23-year-old woman. Clinically she presented with 2-year history of recurrent mild fever, diffuse joint pain, abdominal discomfort and iron deficiency anaemia of chronic disease. The laboratory tests revealed a non-characteristic chronic inflammatory response. A splenic solid lesion 9 cm in diameter was found on abdominal computed tomography. The patient underwent uneventful laparoscopic resection of the upper half of the splenic parenchyma. The resected tumour showed characteristic histological and immunophenotypical findings of SANT as previously described in the literature. In long-term follow-up, improvement of preoperative symptoms and abnormalities in the blood tests was documented

Laparoscopic adrenalectomy by the lateral transperitoneal approach in patients with a history of previous abdominal surgery

INTRODUCTION: Even the half of patients undergoing laparoscopic adrenalectomy has history of previous abdominal surgeries. However, it is still uncertain if this fact has an impact on the operation itself as well as the postoperative course. AIM: To analyze the effects of previous abdominal surgery on surgical outcomes in adrenal tumor patients subjected to laparoscopic adrenalectomy. MATERIAL AND METHODS: This study included 268 patients with adrenal gland tumors operated on by means of laparoscopic lateral transperitoneal adrenalectomy: 1) previously subjected to at least one abdominal surgery (group A, n = 101), or 2) with no history of previous abdominal operations (group B, n = 167). RESULTS: Groups A and B did not differ in terms of tumor size (p = 0.132), mean operation time (p = 0.456), mean intraoperative blood loss (p = 0.754), or perioperative complication rate (p = 0.833). Dissection of intraperitoneal adhesions was considered difficult in 32 patients from group A (31.6%) and 8 subjects from group B (4.7%, p < 0.001). Conversion was required in three subjects from group A (2.9%) and 3 patients from group B (1.8%, p = 0.529). CONCLUSIONS: Previous abdominal surgery does not constitute a contraindication to laparoscopic transperitoneal adrenalectomy

Short hospital stays after laparoscopic gastric surgery under an Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) pathway : experience at a single center

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

Changes in levels of selected incretins and appetite-controlling hormones following surgical treatment for morbid obesity

INTRODUCTION: The hormonal brain-gut axis is a crucial element in appetite control and the response to surgical treatment for super obesity. However, mechanisms underlying the metabolic response to surgical treatment for morbid obesity are still not clearly specified. AIM: To evaluate and compare the effects of surgical treatment for super obesity by laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG) and by laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (LRYGB) on selected incretins and appetite-controlling hormones. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Thirty-five patients were enrolled in a prospective study. Laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy was performed in 45.8% of patients, and LRYGB in the remaining 54.2% of patients. Before the procedure fasting blood serum was collected from patients and preserved, to determine levels of selected incretins and brain-gut hormones: glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1), peptide YY (PYY), leptin, and ghrelin. RESULTS: Twenty-eight patients came to a follow-up visit 12 months after the surgery. In these patients selected parameters were determined again. The percentage weight loss was 58.8%. The ghrelin levels had decreased, and no statistically significant difference was observed between the two procedures. After both surgical procedures a statistically significant reduction in the leptin level was also observed. Peptide YY levels statistically significantly increased in the whole studied group. The GLP-1 level increased after the surgical procedure. However, the observed change was not statistically significant. CONCLUSIONS: Both treatment methods result in modification of secretion patterns for selected gastrointestinal hormones, and this was considered to be a beneficial effect of bariatric treatment. The laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy, being a procedure resulting in a metabolic response, seems to be an equally effective method for treatment of super obesity and comorbidities as the laparoscopic gastric bypass

Enhanced recovery after colorectal surgery in elderly patients

INTRODUCTION: The elderly will soon constitute 20% of the population. Their number is constantly rising, particularly in developed countries. It was found that they particularly benefit from the use of minimally invasive surgery. The Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) protocol may further improve clinical outcomes in this group of patients. AIM: To assess the implementation of the ERAS protocol in elderly patients submitted to laparoscopic colorectal surgery. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Ninety-two patients who underwent elective laparoscopic colorectal surgery were included in the study. Patients were divided into group 1 (≤ 65 years) and group 2 (> 65 years). Perioperative care was based on ERAS Society guidelines. Length of hospital stay, time of first stool passage, perioperative complications and readmissions were analyzed. RESULTS: Group 2 patients had higher ASA grades in comparison to group 1. In all cases, oral fluid intake started on the day of surgery. The groups did not differ according to oral fluid tolerance, first stool passage time or length of hospital stay. Number and character of perioperative complications were comparable between the two groups. Four patients were readmitted within 30 days after discharge. One patient required reoperation. CONCLUSIONS: Implementation of the ERAS protocol is possible regardless of the age of surgical patients. Its use in the elderly allows the length of hospitalization to be shortened and is not associated with higher risk of postoperative complications or readmissions

Adrenal Incidentalomas: Should We Operate on Small Tumors in the Era of Laparoscopy?

Tumor size smaller than 4 cm as an indication for surgical treatment of incidentaloma is still a subject of discussion. Our aim was the estimation of the incidence of malignancy and analysis of treatment outcomes in patients with incidentaloma smaller than 4 cm in comparison to bigger lesions. 132 patients who underwent laparoscopic adrenalectomy for nonsecreting tumors were divided into two groups: group 1 (55 pts., size < = 40 mm) and group 2 (77 pts., size > 40 mm). Operation parameters and histopathological results were analyzed. No differences in group characteristics, mean operation time, and estimated blood loss were noted. Complications in groups 1 and 2 occurred in 3.6% and 5.2% of patients, respectively (P=0.67). Malignancy in groups 1 and 2 was present in 1 and 6 patients, respectively (P=0.13). Potentially malignant lesions were identified in 4 patients in group 1 and 4 patients in group 2 (P=0.39). The results do not allow for straightforward recommendations for surgical treatment of smaller adrenal tumors. The safety of laparoscopy and minimal, but impossible to omit, risk of malignancy support decisions for surgery. On the other hand, the risk of malignancy in smaller adrenal tumors is lower than surgical complications, which provides an important argument against surgery