Vascular Closure System Type of Nonpenetrating Arcuate-Legged Titanium Clips for Graft-Artery and Graft-Graft Anastomoses: Review of Our Clinical Experience

Purpose To assess the durability of Vascular Closure System (VCS) clips for graft-artery and graft-graft anastomoses.Methods The subjects were 100 consecutive patients, who had undergone vascular procedures in which VCS clip application was attempted for anastomoses. The operative indications were arteriosclerosis obliterans in 69 patients, aortic aneurysm in 26, and other disorders in 5. Large clips were used for both graft-artery and graft-graft anastomoses, and medium-sized clips were used for the smaller caliber femoral or popliteal arteries.Results Vascular Closure System clips could not be applied to anastomose the graft to the artery in 13 patients because the arterial wall was too thick or stiff. Anastomosis was accomplished without any problems in 80 patients, although suture-line bleeding occurred in 7 patients. This was ameliorated by an additional clip in four patients, but interrupted sutures were needed to seal the anastomosis in the other three patients. The 1-, 3-, and 5-year cumulative primary patency rates were 98.7%, 97.4%, and 87.7%, respectively. There were two graft failures and two anastomotic aneurysms.Conclusion Vascular Closure System clips were useful to coapt a prosthetic graft to an artery unless the arterial wall was thicker than 2mm or calcified. Thus, VCS clips could be durable enough for graft-artery anastomoses in the iliac or popliteal region.     

Hem-o-lok结扎锁在腹腔镜阑尾切除术中的应用

目的总结腹腔镜阑尾切除应用Hem-o-lok结扎锁处理阑尾根部的经验。方法 2009年5月～2011年6月对284例急性阑尾炎和40例慢性阑尾炎急性发作行腹腔镜阑尾切除术,超声刀切断系膜至阑尾根部,16 mm Hem-o-lok结扎锁(Weck Closure Systems)处理阑尾根部。根部近心端1～2枚Hem-o-lok结扎锁夹闭,远心端以超声刀切断。结果 324例均顺利完成手术,未发生严重并发症。阑尾根部处理顺利,所有病例均用结扎锁完成,无结扎锁滑脱现象。手术时间20～70 min,平均35 min。术中出血2～20 ml,平均10 ml。术后住院3～5 d,平均4 d。300例随访5～14个月,平均7个月,无切口感染、再发右下腹痛等发生。结论腹腔镜阑尾切除术中应用Hem-o-lok结扎锁处理阑尾根部,安全可靠,经济实用,操作方便,值得临床推广应用。     

Mechanical and surface properties of Yasargil Phynox aneurysm clips after long-term implantation in a patient with cerebral aneurysm

This study evaluated the mechanical properties and the surface elemental composition of Yasargil Phynox aneurysm clips implanted for 10 years in a patient with cerebral aneurysm. Two Yasargil Phynox aneurysm clips implanted 10 years previously to treat a ruptured vertebral artery aneurysm were retrieved when the regrown and ruptured aneurysm was repaired with a new aneurysm clip. Two new Yasargil aneurysm clips were used as controls. Measurements of closing force, bending strength, and the elemental composition of the clip surface were performed. The closing force of the retrieved clips was similar or greater compared to the force before implantation. The bending test showed that the elastic limit and 0.2% proof load of the retrieved clip were higher than those of the unused clip, whereas the ultimate load of the retrieved clip was similar to that of the unused clip. The elemental concentration of Cr oxide on the surface of the retrieved clips was almost the same as that on the unused clips. The present study demonstrated that Yasargil Phynox aneurysm clips retain their mechanical properties and surface elemental composition in vivo for a long time, which indicates that Yasargil aneurysm clips will remain reliable in patients for extended periods.     

Efficacy of Absorbable Clips Compared with Metal Clips for Cystic Duct Ligation in Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy

Purpose: This study was conducted to examine the usefulness and safety of absorbable clips in laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC). Methods: We retrospectively compared the clinical data of 328 patients who underwent LC using absorbable clips for cystic duct ligation and 444 patients who underwent LC using metal clips for cystic duct ligation. Results: The mean operative time in the absorbable clip group was significantly shorter than that in the metal clip group. The mean intraoperative blood loss and hospital stay were not significantly different between the two groups. The rate of conversion to open laparotomy in the absorbable clip group was significantly higher than that in the metal clip group, at 6.7% vs 2.3%, respectively. The most common reason for conversion was difficult adhesions and inflammation around the gallbladder. The morbidity of the metal clip group was significantly higher than that of the absorbable clip group, at 8.4% vs 4.0%, respectively. The incidence of major postoperative complications requiring laparotomy did not differ between the two groups. There were no deaths in the absorbable clip group, but 1 of the 444 patients (0.23%) in the metal clip group died from disseminated intravascular coagulation on postoperative day 3. Conclusion: The results of this study suggest that absorbable clips are as safe and effective as standard metal clips for vessel and duct ligation in LC. Received: January 28, 2002 / Accepted: July 2, 2002 Reprint requests to: H. Yano     

Time management in the operating room: an analysis of the dedicated minimally invasive surgery suite.

BACKGROUND: Dedicated minimally invasive surgery suites are available that contain specialized equipment to facilitate endoscopic surgery. Laparoscopy performed in a general operating room is hampered by the multitude of additional equipment that must be transported into the room. The objective of this study was to compare the preparation times between procedures performed in traditional operating rooms versus dedicated minimally invasive surgery suites to see whether operating room efficiency is improved in the specialized room. METHODS: The records of 50 patients who underwent laparoscopic procedures between September 2000 and April 2002 were retrospectively reviewed. Twenty-three patients underwent surgery in a general operating room and 18 patients in an minimally invasive surgery suite. Nine patients were excluded because of cystoscopic procedures undergone prior to laparoscopy. Various time points were recorded from which various time intervals were derived, such as preanesthesia time, anesthesia induction time, and total preparation time. A 2-tailed, unpaired Student t test was used for statistical analysis. RESULTS: The mean preanesthesia time was significantly faster in the minimally invasive surgery suite (12.2 minutes) compared with that in the traditional operating room (17.8 minutes) (P=0.013). Mean anesthesia induction time in the minimally invasive surgery suite (47.5 minutes) was similar to time in the traditional operating room (45.7 minutes) (P=0.734). The average total preparation time for the minimally invasive surgery suite (59.6 minutes) was not significantly faster than that in the general operating room (63.5 minutes) (P=0.481). CONCLUSION: The amount of time that elapses between the patient entering the room and anesthesia induction is statically shorter in a dedicated minimally invasive surgery suite. Laparoscopic surgery is performed more efficiently in a dedicated minimally invasive surgery suite versus a traditional operating room.     

Minimally invasive video-assisted endoscopic vein harvesting (EVH) in peripheral bypass procedures

Saphenous vein harvesting remains a 20% source of morbidity in patients who require lower extremity bypass or coronary artery bypass grafting. In an attempt to reduce the complications associated with this procedure, minimally invasive video-assisted vein harvesting is propagated. The technique uses currently available endoscopic equipment with mechanical retraction to dissect the great saphenous vein with two limited incisions. The dissection is visualized on the video monitor to isolate and control side branches by clips. The vein is removed for reverse arterial bypass grafting or dissection is completed for an in situ bypass procedure. Initial experience with ten patients undergoing peripheral bypass procedures showed a mean vein-preparation time of 60 min. Two of seven in situ bypass procedures were complicated by side branch damage controlled through longer skin incision. After a mean follow-up of 12 months, all bypasses are patent. Taking our own experience as well as that reported in the literature into consideration, aspects of cost-effectiveness are discussed.     

腹腔镜胆囊切除术中钛夹联合生物夹的应用体会(附52例报告)

目的:探讨腹腔镜胆囊切除术(laparoscopic cholecystectomy,LC)中联合应用钛夹与生物夹的手术技巧。方法:回顾分析2011年1月至2012年12月为52例患者行LC的临床资料,术中联合应用钛夹与生物夹。结果:本组52例均顺利完成LC,手术时间30～120 min,较未联合应用钛夹与生物夹时缩短10～20 min;Calot三角解剖出血的患者术中出血量30～50 ml,较原来减少20～30 ml;术后肠功能恢复时间6～24 h,住院3～5 d。术后发生脐部切口感染2例,均为急性胆囊炎急诊行LC的患者,经保守治疗愈合;余均恢复良好,无术中胆道损伤、术后胆漏及继发胆总管结石等严重并发症发生。术后均获定期随访,1例因急性胆管炎住院治疗1次,余均顺利康复。结论:LC术中,术者对Calot三角区分离的管道组织不能完全定性或解剖Calot三角时出血剧烈、胆囊颈管嵌顿结石时,充分利用钛夹与生物夹的特性,联合应用可有效避免术中胆道损伤、继发性胆总管结石等严重并发症。此方法行之有效,事半功倍。     

Stress urinary incontinence in women

Stress urinary incontinence (SUI) is a major health issue that affects millions of patients each year. Traditionally, surgical procedures such as slings or bladder neck suspension were the only options to treat this condition. In recent years, multiple minimally invasive options to treat SUI were introduced into the market. These include bulking agents, injection of stem cells into the rhabdosphincter, and adjustable continence therapy devices. These procedures are simple, minimally invasive, and well tolerated by patients. This article reviews the benefits, efficiency, side effects, and complications of these minimally invasive methods for treatment of SUI.     

Minimally invasive management of ureteral injuries recognized late after obstetric and gynaecologic surgery

We evaluated whether iatrogenic ureteral injuries recognized late after obstetric and gynaecological surgery were likely to resolve with minimally invasive strategies. We reviewed our records of 30 patients with surgical ureteral injuries diagnosed after obstetric and gynaecological operations. From collected data, the outcome of minimally invasive strategies and operative repair was evaluated and compared. Thirteen patients were treated primarily by operative repair and 17 were treated by minimally invasive strategies including percutaneous nephrostomy drainage, ureteral stent placement, or both. All patients treated by operative repair obtained primary healing. Of 17 patients treated by minimally invasive strategies, 11 had recovery of injured ureters but additional procedures were needed in six. We conclude that minimally invasive strategies are not always successful in the management of ureteral injuries recognized late after obstetric and gynaecological surgery.     

Open transthoracic or transhiatal esophagectomy versus minimally invasive esophagectomy in terms of morbidity, mortality and survival

Background Surgical treatment of esophageal cancer is associated with a high rate of morbidity and mortality even in specialized centers. Minimally invasive surgery has been proposed to decrease these complications. Methods The authors present their results regarding postoperative complications and the survival rate at 3 years, comparing the classic open procedures (transthoracic or transhiatal esophagectomy) with minimally invasive surgery. Surgical procedures were performed according to procedures published elsewhere. Results The study enrolled 166 patients who underwent surgery between 1990 and 2003. Open transthoracic surgery was performed for 60 patients. In this group of patients, postoperative mortality was observed in 11% of the cases. Major, minor, and late complications were observed in 61.6% of the patients, and the 3-year survival rate was 30% for this group. Open transhiatal surgery was performed for 59 patients. The morbidity, mortality, and 3-year rate were almost the same as for the transthoracic surgery group. For the 47 patients submitted to minimally invasive procedures (thoracoscopic and laparoscopic), the complications and mortality rates were significantly reduced (38.2% and 6.4%, respectively). For the patients submitted to minimally invasive surgery, the 3-year survival rate was 45.4%. It is important to clarify that the patients submitted to minimally invasive surgery manifested early stages of the diseases, and that this the reason why the morbimortality and survival rates were better. Conclusions The transthoracic and transhiatal open approaches have similar early and late results. Minimally invasive surgery is an option for patients with esophageal carcinoma, with reported results similar to those for open surgery. This approach is indicated mainly for selected patients with early stages of the disease. Presented as a “free paper” during the 9th World Congress of Endoscopic Surgery, Cancun, Mexico, 4-7 February, 2004     

Minimally invasive management of anastomotic leaks in colorectal surgery

Anastomotic leakage is an unfortunate complication of colorectal surgery. This distressing situation can cause severe morbidity and significantly affects the patient's quality of life. Additional interventions may cause further morbidity and mortality. Parenteral nutrition and temporary diverting ostomy are the standard treatments of anastomotic leaks. However, technological developments in minimally invasive treatment modalities for anastomotic dehiscence have caused them to be used widely. These modalities include laparoscopic repair, endoscopic self-expandable metallic stents, endoscopic clips, over the scope clips, endoanal repair and endoanal sponges. The review aimed to provide an overview of the current knowledge on the minimally invasive management of anastomotic leaks.     

微创肿瘤手术临床研究结果的启示与思考:如何提高微创外科手术的质量控制

以腹腔镜微创技术为代表的肿瘤微创外科发展已近30年。尽管手术技术及操作流程不断进步,但近来的临床研究结果显示:微创手术在部分恶性肿瘤中的肿瘤学疗效仍有争议。无论真相如何,手术的质量控制至关重要。严格把握手术指征,为肿瘤患者提供最合适的治疗方式有助于手术质量控制与风险降低。通过构建系统化培训体系,规范微创手术操作可保证肿瘤微创手术的质量。针对新兴微创手术技术,以严谨、审慎的态度加以开展,对于手术质量控制尤为重要。在微创外科高度发展的今天,除继续"保持速度",还应更好地"保证质量"才能使微创手术给更多的肿瘤患者带来获益。     

Minimally invasive total knee arthroplasty compared with traditional total knee arthroplasty. Assessment of the learning curve and the postoperative recuperative period

BACKGROUND: There is disagreement about whether so-called minimally invasive approaches result in faster recovery following total knee arthroplasty. It is also unknown whether patients are exposed to excess risk during the surgeon's learning curve. We hypothesized that a minimally invasive quadriceps-sparing approach to total knee arthroplasty would allow earlier clinical recovery but would require longer operative times and compromise component alignment during the learning period compared with a traditional medial parapatellar approach. METHODS: The first 100 minimally invasive total knee arthroplasties done by a single high-volume arthroplasty surgeon were compared with his previous fifty procedures performed through a medial parapatellar approach, with respect to operative times, implant alignment, and clinical outcomes. Radiographic end points and operative times for the minimally invasive group were evaluated against increasing surgical experience, in order to characterize the learning curve. RESULTS: Overall, the minimally invasive approach took significantly longer to perform, on the average, than a medial parapatellar approach (86.3 and 78.9 minutes, respectively; p=0.01); this was the result of especially long operative times in the first twenty-five patients in the minimally invasive group (mean, 102.5 minutes). After the first twenty-five minimally invasive operations, no significant difference in the operative times was detected between the groups. The first twenty-five minimally invasive procedures had significantly less patellar resection accuracy (p<0.001) and significantly more patellar tilt than the last twenty-five (p=0.006). Other end points for implant alignment, including the frequency of radiographic outliers, were not different between the minimally invasive and traditional groups. The patients who had the minimally invasive approach demonstrated significantly better clinical outcomes with respect to the length of hospital stay (p<0.0001), need for inpatient rehabilitation after discharge (p<0.001), narcotic usage at two and six weeks postoperatively (p=0.001 and p=0.01, respectively), and the need for assistive devices to walk at two weeks postoperatively (p=0.025). CONCLUSIONS: A quadriceps-sparing minimally invasive approach seems to facilitate recovery, but a substantial learning curve (fifty procedures in the hands of a high-volume arthroplasty surgeon) may be required. If this experience is typical, the learning curve may be unacceptably long for a low-volume arthroplasty surgeon.     

Interrupted distal anastomosis: the interrupted "porcupine" technique

The distal coronary artery bypass graft anastomosis created by an interrupted technique using nitinol clips is likely superior to that created with continuous suture because surgeons place clips with optimal visualization, and the anastomosis exhibits optimal compliance and cannot become a “purse-string” once constructed. Skillful use of the clips allows the surgeon to work in the ever more cramped quarters of the minithoracotomy or minimally invasive incision. Anastomosing vessels without knot tying is a valuable practice in the application of remote and robotic surgeries.     

A Necessary Step Toward Kidney Donor Safety: The Transition From Locking Polymer Clips to Transfixion Techniques in Laparoscopic Donor Nephrectomy

Donor safety is of paramount importance in addressing end-stage renal failure through living kidney transplantation. The United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued a Class II recall on the use of Hem-o-lok (Teleflex, Limerick, Pennsylvania, United States) polymer clips on the renal artery in laparoscopic donor nephrectomy (LDN) in June 2006 following 3 reported cases of donor deaths secondary to slipped ligature. The National University Hospital of Singapore made the transition regarding hilar control in minimally invasive donor nephrectomy, from using polymer and titanium clips to transfixion techniques (pure or hand-assisted laparoscopic) via laparoscopic staples or intracorporeal suturing, respectively. This study assessed safety during the transition in arterial transfixion techniques in minimally invasive donor nephrectomy for both donors and recipients. Forty-five consecutive kidney donors underwent donor nephrectomy over a 2-year period starting from June 2010. A total of 37 donors who underwent LDN (pure laparoscopic or hand-assisted laparoscopic) were included in the analysis. Of the 37 patients, 23 kidney donors had renal arterial control using Hem-o-lok while 14 patients from November 2011 onward underwent transfixion of the renal artery. The 2 groups of donor who underwent renal arterial control by either clips ligature or transfixion technique were comparable. The outcomes for the recipients in each group were similar with no statistical difference between postoperative creatinine level, incidence of delayed graft function, or graft survival at 1 year. We conclude that the transition in renal arterial control technique to transfixion techniques in LDN in line with FDA recommendation is feasible and affords equivalent donor and recipient outcomes.     

Minimally invasive surgery for thyroid and parathyroid diseases

During the past 4 years, some minimally invasive procedures for thyroid and parathyroid surgery have been described. All these techniques have been demonstrated as feasible and safe. Nevertheless, the surgeon should be well trained to obtain the best results with these approaches. Moreover, not all patients are eligible for minimally invasive procedures. At the moment, they can be proposed for most patients with sporadic primary hyperparathyroidism, but only for a minority of patients with thyroid nodules. The results from minimally invasive procedures are almost comparable with those of conventional surgery, but they have additional advantages in terms of cosmetic result and postoperative pain. Therefore, these procedures should be considered a valid option by surgeons dealing with neck endocrine surgery.     

腹腔镜肾切除术中钛夹处理肾蒂的体会

目的:介绍腹腔镜肾切除术中单纯采用钛夹处理肾蒂的术式与经验。方法:腹腔镜肾切除术7例,其中肾积水无功能肾6例,肾结核1例。经腹腔镜操作,分离出输尿管显露肾蒂,肾动脉、肾静脉钛夹夹闭后切断,单纯采用钛夹处理肾蒂切除肾脏。结果:手术均获成功,术中和术后无肾血管出血发生。手术时间130~220m in,平均150m in;术中出血80~150m l,平均120m l;术后住院时间5~7d。结论:腹腔镜肾切除术中单纯采用钛夹处理肾蒂,效果确切,经济可行。     

Comparison of open,laparoscopic, and hand-assisted approaches to live-donor nephrectomy

BACKGROUND: Minimally invasive donor nephrectomy has become a favored procedure for the procurement of kidneys from live donors. The optimal minimally invasive surgical approach has not been determined. In the current work, we compared the outcome of kidneys procured using the traditional open approach with two minimally invasive techniques: the standard laparoscopic procedure and a hand-assist procedure. METHODS: The function of live-donor kidneys procured by open versus minimally invasive procedures was compared (procedures compared were the traditional open donor nephrectomy [ODN], the standard laparoscopic [LAP] approach, and the hand-assisted [HA] laparoscopic technique). The length of donor operation, donor length of stay in the hospital, surgical complications, and cost of hospitalization for three groups of patients were assessed in a series of 150 live-donor nephrectomies. RESULTS: We found that both minimally invasive procedures yielded kidney allografts with excellent early function and a minimum of complications in the donor. The open procedure was associated with a reduced operative time but increased donor length of stay in the hospital. Resource utilization analysis revealed that both minimally invasive techniques were associated with a slight increase in costs compared with the open procedure, despite a shorter hospital stay. CONCLUSIONS: Minimally invasive donor nephrectomy is safe and effective for procuring normally functioning organs for live-donor transplantation. Of the two minimally invasive approaches examined, the hand-assisted technique was found to afford a number of important advantages, including facilitating teaching of residents and students, that it is more readily mastered by transplant surgeons, and that it may provide an additional margin of safety for the donor.     

钛夹和Hem-o-lok夹在腹膜后腹腔镜肾切除术肾血管处理中的应用

目的:评价钛夹和Hem-o-lok夹在腹膜后腹腔镜肾切除术中处理肾血管的安全性和可靠性。方法:回顾分析2003年至2008年我院施行的1 245例腹膜后腹腔镜肾切除术的临床资料,其中单纯性肾切除术879例,根治性肾切除术321例,肾输尿管全长切除术45例。用钛夹处理肾血管825例,用Hem-o-lok夹处理420例。结果:3例中转开放手术,但非肾血管处理不全引起。发生钛夹滑脱1例,未发生明显出血。钛夹组平均手术时间150m in,平均出血90m l,Hem-o-lok组平均手术时间125m in,平均出血60m l。无血管夹原因而需输血、中转开放或再次手术探查病例。术后平均住院5.2d。结论:腹膜后腹腔镜肾切除术术中使用钛夹和Hem-o-lok夹处理肾血管安全可靠,而且用钛夹还可节省治疗费用。     

Laparoscopic appendectomy using a polymeric clip to close the appendicular stump.

BACKGROUND: The objectives of this study were to establish whether the occlusion of the appendicular stump by using nonabsorbable polymeric clips is technically feasible and whether differences exist in the postoperative course of patients to whom polymeric clips are applied compared with patients whose appendicular stump is closed with a surgical stapler. METHODS: This was a prospective study in 2 stages. In phase 1, 28 patients operated on for resection of the appendix between March 2002 and September 2003 were assigned to 1 of 2 groups. In 14 patients, the appendicular base was occluded by using an endoscopic linear cutting stapler. In the remaining 14, the appendicular base was ligated by using nonabsorbable polymeric clips (Hem-o-lock). We compared the surgical time, hospital stay, hospital costs, and complications. In phase 2, 250 patients were analyzed who underwent laparoscopic appendectomies performed between March 2002 and 2006 using a Harmonic scalpel for the section and hemostasis of the appendicular mesentery. Ligation of the appendicular stump was performed with Hem-o-lock clips. RESULTS: We found a significant difference in procedure costs, with the endoscopic staplers being more expensive. CONCLUSION: The use of polymeric clips is feasible, safe, and an economic alternative for ligation of the appendicular stump during laparoscopic appendectomies.