A Prospective Randomized Controlled Trial of Semi-mechanical versus Hand-sewn or Circular Stapled Esophagogastrostomy for Prevention of Anastomotic Stricture

Background

Successful anastomosis is essential in esophagogastrectomy, and the application of the circular stapler effectively reduces the anastomotic leakage, although stricture formation has become more frequent. The present study, a randomized controlled trial, compared the recently developed semi-mechanical anastomosis with a hand-sewn or circular stapled esophagogastrostomy in prevention of anastomotic stricture.

Methods

Between November 2007 and September 2008, 160 consecutive patients with esophageal carcinoma underwent surgical treatment our department. Five patients were excluded from this study, and the remaining 155 patients were completely randomized to receive either an everted plus side extension esophagogastrostomy (semi-mechanical [SM] group) or a conventional hand-sewn esophagogastric anastomosis ([HS] group) or a circular stapled ([CS] group) esophagogastric anastomosis, after dissection of the esophageal tumor and construction of a tubular stomach. The primary outcome was the incidence of an anastomotic stricture at 3 months after the operation (defined as the diameter of the anastomotic orifice ≤0.8 cm on esophagogram). Secondary outcomes were the dysphagia score and reflux score, as well as the anastomotic diameter.

Results

The anastomotic stricture rate was 0 % (0/45) in the SM group, 9.6 % (5/52) in the HS group, and 19.1 % (9/47) in the CS group (p < 0.001). The mean diameter of the anastomotic orifice was 18.2 ± 4.7 mm in the SM group, 11.5 ± 2.4 mm in the HS group, and 9.5 ± 3.0 mm in the CS group (p < 0.001). The reflux/regurgitation score among the three groups was similar.

Conclusions

Semi-mechanical esophagogastric anastomosis could prevent stricture formation more effectively than hand-sewn or circular stapler esophagogastrostomy, without increasing gastroesophageal reflux.     

End-to-End Cervical Esophagogastric Anastomoses Are Associated with a Higher Number of Strictures Compared with End-to-Side Anastomoses

Background

Leakage and benign strictures occur frequently after esophagectomy. The objective of this study was to analyze the outcome of hand-sewn end-to-end versus end-to-side cervical esophagogastric anastomoses.

Methods

A series of 390 consecutive patients who underwent esophagectomy with gastric conduit reconstruction was analyzed.

Results

The end-to-end technique was performed in 112 (29 %) patients and the end-to-side in 278 (71 %) patients. Anastomotic leakage occurred in 20 (18 %) patients with an end-to-end anastomosis versus 58 (21 %) patients with an end-to-side anastomosis (p?=?0.50). A higher incidence in anastomotic strictures was seen in end-to-end anastomoses (48 (43 %)) compared with end-to-side anastomoses (89 (32 %); p?=?0.04). Moreover, a median of 11 (7–17) dilations was necessary in patients with a benign anastomotic stricture in the end-to-end group compared with four (2–8) dilations in patients with a benign anastomotic stricture in the end-to-end group (p?<?0.036). After multivariate analysis, the difference in anastomotic leakage rates remained nonsignificant (p?=?0.74), whereas anastomotic stricture rate and number of dilations were higher in the end-to-end group (p?=?0.03 and p?=?0.01, respectively).

Conclusion

The technique of anastomosis is not significantly related to anastomotic leakage rate. However, patients with end-to-end anastomoses develop postoperative strictures more frequently, requiring a higher number of dilations compared to end-to-side anastomoses.     

Comparison of One-Stage Managements of Obstructing Left-Sided Colon and Rectal Cancer: Stent-Laparoscopic Approach vs. Intraoperative Colonic Lavage

Purpose

We evaluated the operative outcomes of laparoscopic surgery following self-expandable metallic stent compared to one-stage emergency surgical treatment.

Methods

From April 1996 to October 2007, 95 consecutive patients with left-sided malignant colorectal obstruction were enrolled. Twenty-five patients were assigned to the preoperative stenting and elective laparoscopic surgical treatment group (SLAP) and 70 to the emergency open surgery with intraoperative colon lavage group (OLAV).

Results

Among the 25 patients in the SLAP group, a primary anastomosis was possible in all patients and a diverting stoma was needed in one patient. The operative time was shorter in the SLAP group (198.53 vs. 262.17 min, P?=?0.002). Tumor size, number of retrieved lymph nodes, and pathological stage were similar in both groups. The rate of anastomotic failure was similar and postoperative complications occurred less in the SLAP group (5.9% vs. 31.4%, P?=?0.034). The passage of flatus and oral intake were resumed earlier in the SLAP group (2.88 vs. 3.68 days, P?=?0.046 and 5.18 vs. 6.65 days, P?<?0.001, respectively). The postoperative hospital stay was shorter in the SLAP group (10 vs. 15.4 days, P?=?0.013).

Conclusions

In patients with left-sided malignant colon and rectal obstruction, laparoscopic surgery after SEMS could be safely performed with successful early postoperative outcomes.     

Differences in Early Complications between Circular and Linear Stapled Gastrojejunostomy in Laparoscopic Gastric Bypass

Background

Laparoscopic gastric bypass (LGBP) is the most common bariatric procedure worldwide. The gastrojejunostomy can be stapled with a circular or linear stapler, each with their own specific advantages. We have evaluated differences in postoperative complications between the two techniques.

Methods

We studied operative data and postoperative complications in 560 patients (79.8 % females, median age 42, BMI 42.5) operated with LGBP between 2008 and 2012 at our center. The gastrojejunostomy was initially performed using a circular stapler (CS) in 288 patients and later by linear stapler (LS) in 272. Complications, operative time, and length of stay were retrieved from our database. The risk of developing a port site infection was evaluated with multivariate logistic regression.

Results

Port site infections were more common with CS than LS, 5.2 and 0.4 %, respectively (p?<?0.01). Multivariate analysis demonstrated CS to be an independent risk factor for port site infections (OR 16.3 (2.09–126), p?<?0.01), as well as for stomal ulcers (OR 10.1, 1.15–89, p?=?0.04). Major postoperative complications remained unchanged (anastomotic leak 1.0 vs. 1.1 %, abscess 0.7 vs. 0.4 %), while operative time and length of stay were found to be shorter using the LS (122 vs. 83 min, p?<?0.001 and 4 vs. 3 days, p?<?0.001).

Conclusions

The linear stapled technique yielded lower incidence of port site infections, probably by avoiding the passage of a contaminated circular stapler through the abdominal wall. No difference in major complications was seen, but operative time was shorter using a linear stapler instead of a circular stapler.     

Feasibility of esophageal reconstruction using a pedicled jejunum with intrathoracic esophagojejunostomy in the upper mediastinum for esophageal cancer

Objective

An alternative conduit is needed when the gastric tube cannot be used as an esophageal substitute for reconstruction after esophagectomy. We adopted pedicle jejunal reconstruction with intrathoracic anastomosis in the upper mediastinum under such circumstances. The aim of this study was to evaluate the feasibility of this technique.

Methods

Two hundred and ten patients with esophageal cancer underwent esophagectomy and reconstruction from 1998 to 2013. Among them, 6 patients underwent colon interposition (colon group) and 13 underwent jejunum reconstruction (jejunum group) including 8 thoracoscopic anastomosis. The operative results of both groups were compared with those of 191 gastric tube reconstructions (stomach group).

Results

The operative times in the colon and jejunum groups were significantly longer than that in the stomach group (P = 0.001 and P = 0.018, respectively). The colon group showed more operative blood loss and more frequent anastomotic leakage and ischemic stenosis of the conduit than did the stomach group (1605 vs. 530 g, P = 0.007; 50 vs. 12.6 %, P = 0.035; 16.7 vs. 0 %, P = 0.03, respectively). There was no anastomotic leakage, conduit necrosis and mortality in the jejunum group. Ischemic stenosis of the conduit occurred more frequently in jejunum group than in the stomach group (23.1 vs. 0 %, P < 0.001). However, the stenosis could be managed safely with endoscopic treatment. Patient survival in the colon and jejunum groups was consistent with that in the stomach group.

Conclusions

Pedicle jejunal reconstruction with intrathoracic anastomosis can be performed safely under thoracotomy or thoracoscopic surgery when stomach cannot be used as an esophageal substitute after esophagectomy.     

Delayed Gastric Emptying After Stapled Versus Hand-Sewn Anastomosis of Duodenojejunostomy in Pylorus-Preserving Pancreaticoduodenectomy: a Randomized Controlled trial

Background

A retrospective analysis indicated that the incidence of delayed gastric emptying (DGE) was less after using a circular stapler (CS) for duodenojejunostomy than that after hand-sewn (HS) anastomosis in pylorus-preserving pancreaticoduodenectomy (PpPD). This randomized clinical trial compared the incidence of DGE postoperative after CS duodenojejunostomy with that of conventional HS anastomosis in PpPD.

Methods

We randomly assigned 101 patients (age 20–80) undergoing PpPD to receive CS duodenojejunostomy (group CS, n?=?50) or HS duodenojejunostomy (group HS, n?=?51) in two Japanese cancer center hospitals between 2011 and 2013. The patients were stratified by institution and size of the main pancreatic duct (<3 or ≥3 mm). The primary endpoint was the incidence of grade B or C DGE according to the international definition with a non-inferiority margin of 5 %. This trial is registered with University hospital Medical Information Network (UMIN) Center: UMIN000005463.

Results

Per-protocol analysis of data on 95 patients showed that grade B or C DGE was found in 4 (8.9 %) of 45 patients who underwent CS anastomosis and in 8 (16 %) of 50 patients who underwent HS anastomosis (P?=?0.015). There were no differences in the overall incidence of DGE (P?=?0.98), passage of the contrast medium through the anastomosis (P?=?0.55), or hospital stays (P?=?0.22).

Conclusions

CS duodenojejunostomy is not inferior to HS anastomosis with respect to the incidence of clinically significant DGE, justifying its use as treatment option.

     

Intraoperative adverse events during laparoscopic colorectal resection—better laparoscopic treatment but unchanged incidence. Lessons learnt from a Swiss multi-institutional analysis of 3,928 patients

Purpose

Intraoperative adverse events significantly influence morbidity and mortality of laparoscopic colorectal resections. Over an 11-year period, the changes of occurrence of such intraoperative adverse events were assessed in this study.

Methods

Analysis of 3,928 patients undergoing elective laparoscopic colorectal resection based on the prospective database of the Swiss Association of Laparoscopic and Thoracoscopic Surgery was performed.

Results

Overall, 377 intraoperative adverse events occurred in 329 patients (overall incidence of 8.4 %). Of 377 events, 163 (43 %) were surgical complications and 214 (57 %) were nonsurgical adverse events. Surgical complications were iatrogenic injury to solid organs (n?=?63; incidence of 1.6 %), bleeding (n?=?62; 1.6 %), lesion by puncture (n?=?25; 0.6 %), and intraoperative anastomotic leakage (n?=?13; 0.3 %). Of note, 11 % of intraoperative organ/puncture lesions requiring re-intervention were missed intraoperatively. Nonsurgical adverse events were problems with equipment (n?=?127; 3.2 %), anesthetic problems (n?=?30; 0.8 %), and various (n?=?57; 1.5 %). Over time, the rate of intraoperative adverse events decreased, but not significantly. Bleeding complications significantly decreased (p?=?0.015), and equipment problems increased (p?=?0.036). However, the rate of adverse events requiring conversion significantly decreased with time (p?<?0.001). Patients with an intraoperative adverse event had a significantly higher rate of postoperative local and general morbidity (41.2 and 32.9 % vs. 18.0 and 17.2 %, p?<?0.001 and p?<?0.001, respectively).

Conclusions

Intraoperative surgical complications and adverse events in laparoscopic colorectal resections did not change significantly over time and are associated with an increased postoperative morbidity.     

Prosthetic Graft for Superior Mesenteric-Portal Vein Reconstruction in Pancreaticoduodenectomy: A Retrospective,Multicenter Study

Background

The use of prosthetic grafts for superior mesenteric-portal vein reconstruction (SMPVR) after pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD) with venous resection remains controversial. We evaluated the effectiveness and safety of using polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) interposition grafts for SMPVR after PD.

Methods

We identified 76 patients who underwent PD with segmental vein resection for pancreatic head and periampullary neoplasms at three centers between January 2007 and June 2012. The venous reconstruction technique depended on the length of venous involvement. Forty-two and 34 patients underwent SMPVR with primary anastomosis and SMPVR with PTFE interposition grafts, respectively. The postoperative morbidity, mortality, and patency were compared. For the patients with pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (n?=?65), survival was compared between the SMPVR with primary anastomosis (n?=?36) and SMPVR with PTFE interposition graft groups (n?=?29).

Results

Patients undergoing SMPVR with PTFE grafts had larger tumor sizes (3.4?±?0.9 cm, 2.9?±?0.9 cm, P?=?0.016), longer operative durations (492.9?±?107.5 min, 408.8?±?78.8 min, P?<?0.001), and greater blood loss (986.8?±?884.5 ml, 616.7?±?485.5 ml, P?=?0.040) compared to those undergoing SMPVR with primary anastomosis. However, 30-day postoperative morbidity and mortality did not differ (29.4 and 2.9 %, respectively, for PTFE grafts and 33.3 and 7.1 %, respectively, for primary anastomosis). There were no cases of graft infection. The estimated cumulative patency of SMPVR 6 and 12 months after surgery did not differ (87.9 and 83.5 % after PTFE grafts, respectively, and 94.4 and 86.4 % after primary anastomosis, respectively). For patients who underwent surgery for pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma, there were no significant differences in the median survival time (11 vs. 12 months) or the 1-, 2-, and 3-year survival rates (35.7, 12.5, and 4.2 vs. 36.4, 17.3, and 8.7 %, respectively) for the PTFE and primary anastomosis groups.

Conclusions

PTFE grafts could provide a safe and effective option for venous reconstruction after PD in patients with segmental vein resection.     

Could hyponatremia be a marker of anastomotic leakage after colorectal surgery? A single center analysis of 1,106 patients over 5 years

Purpose

The aim of this study is to define the significance of hyponatremia as a marker of anastomotic leakage after colorectal surgery.

Methods

All anastomoses in colorectal surgery performed at a single institution between July 2007 and July 2012 (n?=?1,106) were retrospectively identified. Serum sodium levels and leukocyte values measured when an anastomotic leak was diagnosed by CT scan and/or surgical reintervention (n?=?81) were compared to the values preferably on postoperative day 5 in the absence of an anastomotic leak (n?=?1,025).

Results

The leak rate in anastomoses of the rectum was 9.0 %, while the leak rate of the other anastomoses was 5.4 %. Mean serum sodium level was 138.8 mmol/l in the group with an anastomotic leak and 140.5 mmol/l in the group without. Hyponatremia (<136 mmol/l) was present in 23 % of patients in the group with an anastomotic leak and in 15 % in the group without (p?<?0.001). In multivariate analysis, leukocytes and serum sodium level remained as significant markers of an anastomotic leak. As a marker of an anastomotic leak, hyponatremia had a specificity of 93 % and a sensitivity of 23 %, while the presence of either leukocytosis or hyponatremia had a sensitivity of 68 %, a specificity of 75 %, a positive predictive value of 18 %, and a negative predictive value of 97 %.

Conclusions

Hyponatremia could be a specific and relevant marker of anastomotic leakage after colorectal surgery. If hyponatremia and leukocytosis are present after colorectal surgery, anastomotic leakage should be suspected and a CT scan with rectal contrast dye is recommended.     

Ghost ileostomy after anterior resection for rectal cancer: a preliminary experience

Purpose

The aim of this study was to describe and evaluate the feasibility and the eventual advantages of ghost ileostomy (GI) versus covering stoma (CS) in terms of complications, hospital stay and quality of life of patients and their caregivers after anterior resection for rectal cancer.

Methods

In this prospective study, we included patients who had rectal cancer treated with laparotomic anterior resection and confectioning a stoma (GI or CS), in the period comprised between January 2008 and January 2009. Short-term and long-term surgery-related mortality and morbidity after primary surgery (including that stoma-related and colorectal anastomosis-related) and consequent to the intervention of intestinal recanalization (CS group) and GI closure were evaluated. We evaluated hospital stay and quality of life of patients and their caregivers.

Results

Stoma-related morbidity rate was higher in the CS group than in GI group (37% vs. 5.5%, respectively, P?=?0.04). Morbidity rate after intestinal recanalization in the CS group was 25.9% and 0% after GI closure (P?=?0.08). Overall stoma morbidity rate was significantly lower in the GI group with respect to CS group (5.5% vs. 40.7%, respectively, P?=?0.03). CS group was characterized by a significantly longer recovery time (P?=?0.0002). Caregivers and stoma-related quality of life were better in the GI group than in CS group (P?<?0.0001 and P?=?0.0005, respectively).

Conclusions

GI is feasible, characterized by shorter recovery, lesser degree of total, as well as anastomosis-related morbidity and higher quality of life of patients and the caregivers in respect to CS. We suggest that GI (should be evaluated as an alternative to conventional ileostomy) could be indicated in selected patients that do not present risk factors, but require caution for anastomotic leakage for the low level of colorectal anastomosis.     

Perioperative blood pressure alterations after eversion and conventional carotid endarterectomy sustain in the midterm

Objective

Carotid endarterectomy (CEA) is associated with a profound effect on blood pressure. The aim of this study was to evaluate 24 h ambulatory blood pressure measurement (ABPM) after eversion (E-CEA) and conventional (C-CEA) endarterectomy including a midterm follow-up.

Methods

Seventy-one patients were included in this prospective study [E-CEA (37)/C-CEA (34)]. Daytime (8 a.m. to 10 p.m.) and nighttime (10 p.m. to 8 a.m.) ABPMs were analyzed perioperatively and at midterm after a median follow-up period of 9.5 months (interquartile range (IQR) 6.4–17.8) in the E-CEA group and 11.5 months (IQR 8.3–13.6) in the C-CEA group

Results

Patient demographics and preoperative antihypertensive regimens were similar in the two groups. Compared with baseline, ABPM decreased on postoperative day 1 in the C-CEA group (P?<?0.01) but normalized by day three. By contrast, ABPM values were unchanged on day 1 in the E-CEA group but increased above baseline on day 3 (P?<?0.01). E-CEA was associated with higher ABPM on day 1 (P?<?0.001 daytime, P?<?0.01 nighttime) and again on day 3 (P?<?0.001 daytime, P?<?0.01 nighttime). The use of vasodilators was more frequent in the E-CEA group, both in the recovery room (P?=?0.007) and on the ward (P?=?0.004). Midterm results showed no difference of average blood pressure values, but an increased maximal blood pressure (P?=?0.01 daytime) and heart rate (HR) (P?=?0.006 daytime) were reached in the E-CEA group and decreased HR (P?=?0.01 nighttime) in the C-CEA group. Compared with baseline [(E-CEA: median (IQR) 2 (1–3); C-CEA: median (IQR) 2 (1–3)], the number of antihypertensive medications at midterm was significantly higher in the E-CEA group [(median (IQR) 3 (2–3) vs. 2 (2–3), P?=?0.002)]. In both groups, no adverse cardiovascular or cerebrovascular events during follow-up could be observed.

Conclusion

Although the initial hypertensive effect of E-CEA diminishes during midterm follow-up, patients undergoing eversion endarterectomy keep needing more antihypertensive medications and are prone to develop higher maximal blood pressure.     

Technical Factors that Affect Anastomotic Integrity Following Esophagectomy: Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

Background

Due to the significant contribution of anastomotic leak, with its disastrous consequences to patient morbidity and mortality, multiple parameters have been proposed and individually meta-analyzed for the formation of the ideal esophagogastric anastomosis following cancer resection. The purpose of this pooled analysis was to examine the main technical parameters that impact on anastomotic integrity.

Methods

Medline, Embase, trial registries, and conference proceedings were searched. Technical factors evaluated included hand-sewn versus stapled esophagogastric anastomosis (EGA), cervical versus thoracic EGA, minimally invasive versus open esophagectomy, anterior versus posterior route of reconstruction and ischemic conditioning of the gastric conduit. The outcome of interest was the incidence of anastomotic leak, for which pooled odds ratios were calculated for each technical factor.

Results

No significant difference in the incidence of anastomotic leak was demonstrated for the following technical factors: hand-sewn versus stapled EGA, minimally invasive versus open esophagectomy, anterior versus posterior route of reconstruction and ischemic conditioning of the gastric conduit. Four randomized, controlled trials comprising 298 patients were included that compared cervical and thoracic EGA. Anastomotic leak was seen more commonly in the cervical group (13.64 %) than in the thoracic group (2.96 %). Pooled analysis demonstrated a significantly increased incidence of anastomotic leak in the cervical group (pooled odds ratio = 4.73; 95 % CI 1.61–13.9; P = 0.005).

Conclusions

A tailored surgical approach to the patient’s physiology and esophageal cancer stage is the most important factor that influences anastomotic integrity after esophagectomy.     

The impact of body weight on stapled anastomosis in pediatric patients

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to clarify the impact of body weight on outcomes of stapled anastomosis in pediatric patients.

Barbed Versus Usual Suture for Closure of the Gastrojejunal Anastomosis in Laparoscopic Gastric Bypass: a Comparative Trial

Background

Laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass is one of the main bariatric procedures that require safe and reproducible anastomosis. The objective of this study is to compare the risk of leaks and stenosis of a mechanical gastric pouch jejunal anastomosis between the usual interrupted sutures and a continuous barbed suture for gastrojejunotomy, in order to reduce procedure time and costs.

Methods

A comparative trial of 100 consecutive patients undergoing laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass was performed between October 2010 and July 2011. The population was divided into two groups of 50 consecutive patients. In the first group, gastrojejunotomy was sutured with resorbable interrupted sutures and the second with continuous barbed suture. Diabetes, body mass index and the American Society of Anaesthesiology score were compared. The time required for suturing and the incidence of anastomotic leaks and stricture were also compared after 6 months.

Results

No fistulas or anastomotic stenoses had occurred at post-operative month 6 in either group. Gastrojejunotomy suture time was significantly shorter in the barbed suture group (11 versus 8.22 min; p?<?0.01). Total costs of material to complete the reconstruction were significantly lower in the barbed suture group (€26.69 versus €18.33; p?<?0.001).

Conclusions

The use of barbed suture is as safe as usual sutures and allows easier and faster suture in the closure of gastrojejunotomy. This suture could be incorporated in the standard laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass technique.     

Antioxidant Treatment Attenuates Intestinal Mucosal Damage and Gut Barrier Dysfunction After Major Hepatectomy. Study in a Porcine Model

Background

This study aims to evaluate whether injury of gut mucosa in a porcine model of post-hepatectomy liver dysfunction can be prevented using antioxidant treatment with desferrioxamine.

Methods

Post-hepatectomy liver failure was induced in pigs combining major (70%) liver resection and ischemia/reperfusion injury. An ischemic period of 150 minutes, was followed by reperfusion for 24 h. Animals were randomly divided into a control group (n?=?6) and a desferrioxamine group (DFX, n?=?6). DFX animals were treated with continuous IV infusion of desferrioxamine 100 mg/kg. Intestinal mucosal injury (IMI), bacterial and endotoxin translocation (BT) were evaluated in all animals. Intestinal mucosa was also evaluated for oxidative markers.

Results

DFX animals had significantly lower IMI score (3.3?±?1.2 vs. 1.8?±?0.9, p?<?0.05), decreased BT in the portal circulation at 0 and 12 h of reperfusion (p?=?0.007 and p?=?0.008, respectively), decreased portal endotoxin levels at 6 (p?=?0.006) and 24 h (p?=?0.004), decreased systemic endotoxin levels (p?=?0.01) at 24 h compared to controls. Also, 24 h post-reperfusion mucosal malondialdehyde and protein carbonyls were decreased in DFX animals compared to controls (4.1?±?1.2 vs. 2.5?±?1.2, p?=?0.05 and 0.5?±?0.1 vs. 0.4?±?0.1, p?=?0.04 respectively).

Conclusion

Desferrioxamine seems to attenuate mucosal injury from post-hepatectomy liver dysfunction possibly through blockage of iron-catalyzed oxidative reactions.     

Obesity Increases Risk for Pouch-Related Complications Following Restorative Proctocolectomy with Ileal Pouch–Anal anastomosis (IPAA)

Purpose

Restorative proctocolectomy with ileal pouch–anal anastomosis (IPAA) is the preferred surgical treatment for patients with ulcerative colitis and familial adenomatous polyposis. As obesity is becoming more epidemic in surgical patients, the aim of this study was to investigate if obesity increases complication rates following IPAA.

Methods

This study was conducted as a retrospective review of patients undergoing IPAA between January 1990 and April 2011. Patients were categorized by body mass index (BMI): BMI?<?30 (non-obese) and BMI?≥?30 (obese). Preoperative patient demographics, operative variables, and postoperative complications were recorded through chart review. The primary outcome studied was cumulative complication rate.

Results

A total of 103 non-obese and 75 obese patients were identified who underwent IPAA. Obese patients had an increased rate of overall complications (80 % vs. 64 %, p?=?0.03), primarily accounted for by increased pouch-related complications (61 % vs. 26 %, p?<?0.01). In particular, obese patients had more anastomotic/pouch strictures (27 % vs. 6 %, p?<?0.01), inflammatory pouch complications (17 % vs. 4 %, p?<?0.01) and pouch fistulas (12 % vs. 3 %, p?=?0.03). In a regression model, obesity remained a significant risk factor (odds ratio [OR]?=?2.86, p?=?0.01) for pouch-related complications.

Conclusions

Obesity is associated with an increased risk of overall and pouch-related complications following IPAA. Obese patients should be counseled preoperatively about these risks accordingly.     

Gastric ischemic conditioning increases neovascularization and reduces inflammation and fibrosis during gastroesophageal anastomotic healing

Background

The incidence of anastomotic leak and stricture after esophagectomy remains high. Gastric devascularization followed by delayed esophageal resection has been proposed to minimize these complications. We investigated the effect of ischemic conditioning duration on anastomotic wound healing in an animal model of esophagogastrectomy.

Methods

North American opossums were randomized to four study groups. Group A underwent immediate resection and gastroesophageal anastomosis. Groups B, C, and D were treated with delayed resection and anastomosis after a gastric ischemic conditioning period of 7, 30, and 90 days, respectively. Gastric conditioning was performed by ligating the left, right, and short gastric vessels. An intraabdominal esophagogastric resection and anastomosis was performed, followed by euthanasia 10 days later. Outcome variables included anastomotic bursting pressure, microvessel concentration, tissue inflammation, and collagen deposition.

Results

Twenty-four opossums were randomized to groups A (n = 7), B (n = 8), C (n = 5), and D (n = 4). Subclinical anastomotic leak was discovered at necropsy in 5 animals: 3 in group A, and 1 each in groups B and C (p = 0.295). The anastomotic bursting pressure did not differ significantly between groups (p = 0.545). A 7 day ischemic conditioning time did not produce increased neovascularity (p = 0.900), but animals with a 30 day conditioning time showed significantly increased microvessel counts compared to unconditioned animals (p = 0.016). The degree of inflammation at the healing anastomosis decreased significantly as the ischemic conditioning period increased (p = 0.003). Increasing delay interval was also associated with increased muscularis propria preservation (p = 0.001) and decreased collagen deposition at the healing anastomosis (p = 0.020).

Conclusions

Animals treated with 30 days of gastric ischemic conditioning showed significantly increased neovascularity and muscularis propria preservation and decreased inflammation and collagen deposition at the healing anastomosis. These data suggest that an ischemic conditioning period longer than 7 days is required to achieve the desired effect on wound healing.     

Semiquantitative analysis of indocyanine green videoangiography for cortical perfusion assessment in superficial temporal artery to middle cerebral artery anastomosis

Background

Postoperative hyperperfusion may lead to severe neurological complications after superficial temporal artery to middle cerebral artery (STA-MCA) anastomosis. However, there are no reliable modalities to predict the occurrence of postoperative hyperperfusion during surgery. The purpose of this study is to evaluate whether a semiquantitative analysis of indocyanine green (ICG) videoangiography could be useful in predicting postoperative hyperperfusion after STA-MCA anastomosis.

Methods

This study included seven patients who underwent STA-MCA anastomosis due to occlusive carotid artery diseases. During surgery, ICG videoangiography was performed before and after bypass procedures, and ICG intensity–time curves were semiquantitatively analyzed to evaluate hemodynamic changes by calculating maximum intensity, time to peak (TTP), and blood flow index (BFI).

Results

Maximum intensity significantly increased from 252.6?±?132.5 to 351.7?±?151.9 after bypass (p?<?0.001). TTP was significantly shortened from 12.9?±?4.4 s to 9.8?±?3.7 s (p?<?0.001). Furthermore, BFI significantly increased from 33.9?±?28.1 to 74.6?±?88.4 (p?<?0.05). Postoperative hyperperfusion was observed in five of seven patients 1 day after surgery. The ratio of BFI before and after bypass procedures was significantly higher in patients with postoperative hyperperfusion than those without, 2.5?±?1.1 and 1.5?±?0.4, respectively (p?=?0.013).

Conclusions

These findings suggest that semiquantitative analysis of ICG videoangiography is helpful in predicting occurrence of hyperperfusion after STA-MCA anastomosis in patients with occlusive carotid artery diseases.     

Greater Complexity of Liver Surgery is Not Associated with an Increased Incidence of Liver-Related Complications Except for Bile Leak: An Experience with 2,628 Consecutive Resections

Background

Advances in technique, technology, and perioperative care have allowed for the more frequent performance of complex and extended hepatic resections. The purpose of this study was to determine if this increasing complexity has been accompanied by a rise in liver-related complications.

Methods

A large prospective single-institution database of patients who underwent hepatic resection was used to identify the incidence of liver-related complications. Liver resections were divided into an early era and a late era with equal number of patients (surgery performed before or after 18 May 2006). Patient characteristics and perioperative factors were compared between the two groups.

Results

Between 1997 and 2011, 2,628 hepatic resections were performed, with a 90-day morbidity and mortality rate of 37 and 2 %, respectively. We identified higher rates of repeat hepatectomy (12.2 vs 6.1 %; p?<?0.001), two-stage resection (4.0 vs 1 %; p?<?0.001), extended right hepatectomy (17.6 vs 14.6 %; p?=?0.04), and preoperative portal vein embolization (9.1 vs 5.9 %; p?<?0.001) in the late era. The incidence of perihepatic abscess (3.7 vs 2.1 %; p?=?0.02) and hemorrhage (0.9 vs 0.3 %; p?=?0.045) decreased in the late era and the incidence of hepatic insufficiency (3.1 vs 2.6 %; p?=?0.41) remained stable. In contrast, the rate of bile leak increased (5.9 vs 3.7 %; p?=?0.011). Independent predictors of bile leak included bile duct resection, extended hepatectomy, repeat hepatectomy, en bloc diaphragmatic resection, and intraoperative transfusion.

Conclusions

The complexity of liver surgery has increased over time, with a concomitant increase in bile leak rate. Given the strong association between bile leak and other poor outcomes, the development of novel technical strategies to reduce bile leaks is indicated.     

Ileocolonic anastomosis: preferred techniques in 999 patients. A multicentric study

Purpose

There is no standard anastomosis technique for performing reconstruction after right hemicolectomy, and, in the literature, studies on ileocolonic anastomosis are rare. The aim of this retrospective work was to analyze the type of anastomosis techniques used and the related results in a multicentric enquiry.

Methods

A questionnaire was sent to the departments of surgery covering a 1.8 million inhabitant area to collect data concerning the anastomosis techniques used and the results related to complications.

Results

Data for 999 patients from 14 departments of surgery were collected. 95.8 % of the patients were affected by cancer and 4.2 % were affected by inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). The positioning of the anastomosing bowel was side-to-side in 60.5 % of the patients, end-to-side (E–S) in 38.1 % of the patients and end-to-end in 1.3 % of the patients. 46.4 % of the anastomoses were handsewn and 53.6 % were stapled. The complication rate in the cancer group was 5.1 % for handsewn techniques and 4.7 % for stapled techniques. The rate of anastomotic leakage was higher in the handsewn group than that in the stapled group (P < 0.05). The data for the IBD group were not statistically relevant.

Conclusions

This wide multicentric retrospective analysis showed that there remains variability in ileocolonic anastomosis techniques. Stapled anastomoses are associated with a lower incidence of leakage. In stapled anastomoses, the E–S configuration is also related to a lower incidence of leakage.