Endoscopic Retroperitoneal Adrenalectomy for Adrenal Metastases

Objectives. To evaluate whether retroperitoneal approach for adrenalectomy is a safe and effective treatment for adrenal metastases (AM). Methods. From June 2004 to January 2014, nine consecutive patients with AM were treated with endoscopic retroperitoneal adrenalectomy (ERA). A retrospective study was conducted, and clinical data, tumor characteristics, and oncologic outcomes were acquired and analyzed. Results. Renal cancer was the primary site of malignancy in 44.4% of cases. The mean operative time was 132 ± 10.4 min. There were 5 synchronous and 4 metachronous AM. One patient required conversion to transperitoneal laparoscopic procedure. No mortality or perioperative complications were observed. The median overall survival was 11 months (range: 2–42 months). Survival rates of 50% and 25% were identified at 1 and 3 years, respectively. At the end of the study, 4 patients were alive with a mean observed follow-up of 20 months. No patients presented with local tumor relapse or port-site metastases. Conclusions. This study shows that ERA is a safe and effective procedure for resection of AM and advances the surgical treatment of adrenal disease. The use of the retroperitoneal approach for adrenal tumors less than 6 cm can provide very favorable surgical outcomes

Two-stage bilateral laparoscopic adrenalectomy for large pheochromocytomas

A 66-year-old Lithuanian female patient with a history of hypertension was diagnosed with bilateral adrenal tumors during a routine sonoscopy. Scintigraphy with metaiodobenzylguanidine and computed tomography scan revealed right 130/116/93 mm and left 85/61/53 mm pheochromocytomas. The patient suffered from hypertension with blood pressure over 240/100 mm Hg and heartbeat disturbances. Blood adrenaline levels exceeded the norm 10-fold. After possible spread of tumors was rejected, laparoscopic transperitoneal adrenalectomy was planned in 2 stages, starting on the right then followed by the left side. After preoperative treatment with adrenoblockers, 2-stage bilateral laparoscopic adrenalectomy was performed. 13 cm × 12 cm × 9.5 cm right adrenal and, 3 months later, 8.5 cm × 8 cm × 6 cm left adrenal pheochromocytomas were removed. Histologically – radical extirpation, pheochromocytomas with possible malignant potential. Stable remission of hypertension was achieved postoperatively. Laparoscopic transperitoneal adrenalectomy is a safe and feasible method of treatment of large benign and possible malignant, but noninvasive pheochromocytomas

Surgical treatment options for aldosteronomas

INTRODUCTION: Single access retroperitoneoscopic adrenalectomy (SARA) is the most feasible approach for removing aldosteronomas. AIM: To analyse the advantages and disadvantages of surgical approaches to treating small adrenal tumours. MATERIAL AND METHODS: In the period 2002-2011, 31 patients were operated on at Vilnius University Hospital Santariskiu Clinics for aldosteronomas. Adrenalectomies were performed in the lateral laparoscopic (group A, n = 6), the endoscopic retroperitoneal (group B, n = 20), and the single incision laparoscopic surgery (SILS) and SARA (group C, n = 5) approaches. Seventy five percent of patients were operated on by the same surgeon. The duration of adrenalectomies, and intraoperative and postoperative complications were compared. The possibility of minimally invasive adrenalectomies was evaluated. RESULTS: According to the patients’ age, body mass index and tumour size, the groups were equal. The average duration of surgery in group A was shorter than in groups B and C (91 ±23 min vs. 118 ±57 min vs. 144 ±88 min). Right laparoscopic adrenalectomy was longer than the left (105 ±26 min vs. 77 ±6 min), whereas right endoscopic retroperitoneal adrenalectomy was shorter than the left (109 ±50 min vs. 126 ±57 min). The best cosmetic view was in group C. The SARA method was converted into the endoscopic retroperitoneal approach and then into the laparoscopic for one patient. There were no intraoperative or postoperative complications. CONCLUSIONS: Evaluating the minimal invasion of the method, its abilities and simplicity of conversion into another type of endoscopic surgical way, the SARA approach should be the first option for removing aldosteronomas

Training of basic laparoscopic skills in surgical education

Background / objectiveThe study was carried out to evaluate the potential use of laparoscopic simulators to enhance basic laparoscopic skills until proficiency is reached.Materials and methodsThe study participants were divided into two groups according to their experience in laparoscopic procedures: no prior experience (group A; n = 16) and laparoscope navigation experience (group B; n = 16). All the participants performed nineattempts of three basic laparoscopic skill tasks (“Instrument navigation”, “Cutting”, “Clip applying”) on the LapSim® simulator during three sessions within one month. The distribution of practice sessions was standardized by performing three attemptsfor each task per session and no more than one session per week. The assessment of laparoscopic skills was based on the cumulative score for each task measured by the computer system.ResultsTrainees in the group A were younger (22.2 ± 1.3 vs. 26.1 ± 1.3 years, P < 0.001). There were statistically significant differences in cumulative scores for all three tasks after the first five attempts between the two groups (P < 0.001). Comparison of thecumulative scores for the task “Instrument navigation” after the sixth attempt (P = 0.073), for the task “Clip applying” after the seventh attempt (P = 0.287), and for the task “Cutting” after the eighth attempt (P = 0.080) showed no significant differences among the study groups.ConclusionsThe results indicated that a group of trainees with no prior laparoscopic experience acquired the basic laparoscopic skills significantly faster. Proficiency in the laparoscopic basic tasks was achieved within 6–8 repetitions in both groups. These findings suggest that training of practical skills in using laparoscopic simulators should be integrated into medical education much earlier.Key words: surgical education, simulation, laparoscopy, virtual reality simulator, LapSimBazinių laparoskopinių įgūdžių įgijimas studijuojant mediciną TikslasAtlikti tyrimą, siekiant įvertinti kompiuterinių laparoskopinių simuliatorių naudojimą medicinos studijoms mokant pagrindinių laparoskopinių operacijų įgūdžių, kol bus įgyta reikiama patirtis.MetodikaTyrimo dalyviai pagal patirtį buvo suskirstyti į dvi grupes: vienos grupės tiriamieji neturėjo jokios išankstinės laparoskopinių operacijų patirties (A grupė, n=16), o kitos grupės turėjo tik navigacijos laparoskopu patirties (B grupė, n=16). Visi dalyviai pertrejas pratybas su laparoskopiniu virtualiu simuliatoriumi LapSim® atliko trijų pagrindinių laparoskopinių užduočių („Instrumentų navigacija“, „Pjovimas“, „Kabučių uždėjimas“) devynis bandymus. Kiekvieną užsiėmimą atskira užduotis buvo kartojamatris kartus, o užsiėmimas vyko ne dažniau nei kartą per savaitę. Vertintas galutinis užduoties rezultatas. Laparoskopinių operacijų įgūdžiai vertinti kompiuterine sistema pagal išvestinį kaupiamąjį kiekvienos užduoties balą.RezultataiA grupės dalyviai buvo jaunesni (22,2±1,3 vs. 26,1±1,3 metų, p<0,001). Išanalizavus visų trijų užduočių kaupiamuosius balus po pirmųjų penkių bandymų, abi grupės skyrėsi statistiškai reikšmingai (p<0,001). Tyrimą tęsiant ir lyginant išvestinį kaupiamąjįbalą atliekant užduotį „Instrumentų navigacija“ po šešto bandymo (p=0,073), užduotį „Kabučių uždėjimas“ po septinto bandymo (p=0,287), užduotį „Pjovimas“ po aštunto bandymo (p = 0,080), jokių reikšmingų skirtumų tarp tiriamų grupių nerasta.IšvadosTyrimo rezultatai parodė, kad net be laparoskopinių operacijų patirties tokių operacijų pagrindinius įgūdžius laparoskopiniu simuliatoriumi įgyjama greičiau. Chirurginės simuliacijos užduočių kartojimas iki 6–8 bandymų leidžia įgyti gerus pagrindiniųlaparoskopinių operacijų įgūdžius. Šie rezultatai rodo, kad praktinių įgūdžių mokymas naudojant laparoskopinį simuliatorių turėtų būti įtrauktas į medicinos studijų programą.Reikšminiai žodžiai: chirurgijos studijos, simuliacija, laparoskopija, virtualios realybės simuliatorius, LapSim

Surgical site infection after gastrointestinal surgery in high-income, middle-income, and low-income countries: a prospective, international, multicentre cohort study

Background: Surgical site infection (SSI) is one of the most common infections associated with health care, but its importance as a global health priority is not fully understood. We quantified the burden of SSI after gastrointestinal surgery in countries in all parts of the world. Methods: This international, prospective, multicentre cohort study included consecutive patients undergoing elective or emergency gastrointestinal resection within 2-week time periods at any health-care facility in any country. Countries with participating centres were stratified into high-income, middle-income, and low-income groups according to the UN's Human Development Index (HDI). Data variables from the GlobalSurg 1 study and other studies that have been found to affect the likelihood of SSI were entered into risk adjustment models. The primary outcome measure was the 30-day SSI incidence (defined by US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention criteria for superficial and deep incisional SSI). Relationships with explanatory variables were examined using Bayesian multilevel logistic regression models. This trial is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, number NCT02662231. Findings: Between Jan 4, 2016, and July 31, 2016, 13 265 records were submitted for analysis. 12 539 patients from 343 hospitals in 66 countries were included. 7339 (58·5%) patient were from high-HDI countries (193 hospitals in 30 countries), 3918 (31·2%) patients were from middle-HDI countries (82 hospitals in 18 countries), and 1282 (10·2%) patients were from low-HDI countries (68 hospitals in 18 countries). In total, 1538 (12·3%) patients had SSI within 30 days of surgery. The incidence of SSI varied between countries with high (691 [9·4%] of 7339 patients), middle (549 [14·0%] of 3918 patients), and low (298 [23·2%] of 1282) HDI (p < 0·001). The highest SSI incidence in each HDI group was after dirty surgery (102 [17·8%] of 574 patients in high-HDI countries; 74 [31·4%] of 236 patients in middle-HDI countries; 72 [39·8%] of 181 patients in low-HDI countries). Following risk factor adjustment, patients in low-HDI countries were at greatest risk of SSI (adjusted odds ratio 1·60, 95% credible interval 1·05–2·37; p=0·030). 132 (21·6%) of 610 patients with an SSI and a microbiology culture result had an infection that was resistant to the prophylactic antibiotic used. Resistant infections were detected in 49 (16·6%) of 295 patients in high-HDI countries, in 37 (19·8%) of 187 patients in middle-HDI countries, and in 46 (35·9%) of 128 patients in low-HDI countries (p < 0·001). Interpretation: Countries with a low HDI carry a disproportionately greater burden of SSI than countries with a middle or high HDI and might have higher rates of antibiotic resistance. In view of WHO recommendations on SSI prevention that highlight the absence of high-quality interventional research, urgent, pragmatic, randomised trials based in LMICs are needed to assess measures aiming to reduce this preventable complication

Choledocholithiasis: when to Suspect, how to Diagnose, how to Treat

Bile duct stones are a quite common (10–18%) complication of gallstone disease or an autonomous condition. New noninvasive diagnostic methods established in the last decades allow to confirm suspected choledocholithiasis with minimal risk of iatrogenic complications.In this literature review we discuss various scores for choledocholithiasis risk degree, different diagnostic investigations and management approaches including timing for invasive procedures.</jats:p

P100 EARLY POSTOPERATIVE WOUND COMPLICATIONS AFTER MIDLINE LAPAROTOMY CLOSURE WITH SMALL BITES TECHNIQUE: EXPERIENCE FROM A TERTIARY REFERRAL CENTRE

Abstract Aim To analyze the incidence and risk factors of surgical site infections (SSI) and wound dehiscence (WD) after closure of primary midline laparotomies with small-bites (SB) technique. Material and Methods Retrospective analysis using hospital prospective database of all midline abdominal wall closures (AWC) with SB technique performed in a University Hospital between December 2019 and February 2021. To achieve a proper protocol of AWC with SB technique, it is advised to have suture/wound length (SL/WL) – ratio of more than 4:1. Statistical analysis of the incidence of SSI and AWD, comparing the results when the protocol was properly used (A group) or not (B group), was performed. Between groups, no relevant differences were observed for patient characteristics. Results A total of 108 midline laparotomies were included for analysis. 55.5% of patients were male. The mean age was 62.8 years, mean body mass index was 24.3 kg/m2. 78.7% (85/108) were operated electively. SSI and WD have been recorded in 7 (6.5%) and 8 (7,4%) cases respectively. In 65 (60,2%) patients abdominal wall closure after primary laparotomy was achieved with proper protocol (group A). Median SL/WL in A and B group was 4.57 and 3.43 respectively. The rate of WD in A group (n = 1, 1,5%) was significantly (P=.006) lower than in B group (n = 7, 16,3%). Incidence of SSI was 7,7% (n = 5, A group) vs. 4,7% (n = 2; B group) (P=.420). Conclusions Using a proper AWC protocol has been effective to prevent WD in midline laparotomy. </jats:sec

Single-port endoscopic retroperitoneal adrenalectomy: initial experience

Over the last decade, laparoendoscopic adrenalectomy has become the standard of care for adrenal removal. Eliminationof a large incision and difficult exposure has decreased postoperative morbidity and length of stay. Single portaccess (SPA) surgery was developed as an alternative to traditional multi-port laparoscopy, potentially exploiting thealready proven benefits of minimally invasive surgery. We applied the SPA technique to adrenalectomy using the posteriorretroperitoneal approach. Between January 2010 and July 2010, a 52-year-old female with Conn’s adenoma andtwo females, aged 31 and 39, both diagnosed with pheochromocytoma, underwent single port endoscopic retroperitonealadrenalectomies. Procedures were performed using two different commercially available specific access devicesand conventional laparoscopic equipment. No conversions to open or conventional retroperitoneal approach were necessary.No perioperative or postoperative complications occurred. Operating time ranged from 120 min to 240 min. Allpatients were discharged from the hospital 2 days after surgery. The single port access technique has been successfullyapplied to adrenalectomy as an available alternative to multiport laparoendoscopic adrenalectomy. Exposure,visualization, and dissection are the same as in retroperitoneal endoscopic adrenalectomy. Single port access surgeryoffers the patient benefits such as faster convalescence, decreased postoperative scarring and better cosmetic effect

Three-port retroperitoneoscopic necrosectomy in management of acute necrotic pancreatitis

Introduction. Because of major morbidity and mortality after open surgery in acute necrotic pancreatitis, an interest in minimally invasive necrosectomy approaches has increased. We report the results of a recently developed minimally invasive technique that we adopted in 2007. Material and methods. This article contains a retrospective analysis of cases and description of original retroperitoneoscopic necrosectomy technique. There were eight patients aged 25–58 years, who underwent retroperitoneoscopic pancreatic necrosectomy in the Center of Abdominal Surgery, Vilnius University Hospital Santariškių Klinikos, between 2007 and 2009. All patients had at least 30% pancreatic necrosis with extensive retroperitoneal fl uid collections on the left side, proved by CT scan. Operations were performed on the 21st–56th days of illness (median, 36th day). Results. The mean postoperative hospital stay was 49 days (range, 14–99 days). All patients survived. Two patients underwent three additional procedures; two patients, one additional procedure due to remaining infected necrosis. Three patients had no requirement for additional procedures. One patient underwent laparotomy because of bleeding. Conclusions. We assume that minimally invasive techniques should be considered a first-choice surgical option in patients with acute necrotic pancreatitis, whenever it is possible. Pancreatic necrosis less than 30% with large fluid collections in the left retroperitoneal space facilitates employment of three-port retroperitoneoscopic necrosectomy