Endoscopic management of gastric band erosions: a 7-year series of 14 patients

Background

Intragastric band migration is an unusual but major complication of gastric banding. We review our experience with endoscopic removal of eroded gastric bands.

Methods

We retrospectively evaluated the cases of 110 morbidly obese patients who underwent adjustable gastric banding between 2005 and 2012 to identify those who experienced band erosion. To remove the migrated band, we used an endoscopic approach with a Gastric Band Cutter.

Results

Band or tube erosion occurred in 14 patients (12.7%). The median time interval from the initial gastric band placement to the diagnosis of band erosion was 32 (range 18–52) months. Upper abdominal pain, port site infection, loss of restriction and weight regain were the most common symptoms. We used the Gastric Band Cutter to remove the band endoscopically. It was able to cut the band successfully in all but 1 patient, in whom twisting of the cutting wire required conversion from endoscopy to laparotomy. In 2 patients, the band, after being cut, was locked in the gastric wall and required laparotomic removal. In 1 patient, we performed surgery for intragastric penetration of the connecting tube broken close to the band.

Conclusion

The Gastric Band Cutter was successful in dividing the band in all but 1 patient, although we could not always complete the procedure endoscopically. Endoscopic removal seems to be effective and safe for band erosion.     

Laparoscopic Decortication of Hilar Renal Cysts Using LigaSure

Background and Objectives:

In this study, we evaluated the safety and efficacy of using the LigaSure sealing system (Valleylab, Boulder, Colorado) for laparoscopic decortication of symptomatic hilar renal cysts.

Methods:

Seventeen patients underwent laparoscopic decortication of hilar renal cysts with the LigaSure system. Our study included only symptomatic, Bosniak type 1, simple and symptomatic renal cysts. The operative route, transperitoneal or retroperitoneal, was planned according to the location confirmed by computed tomography. The patients'' symptoms were preoperatively and postoperatively evaluated by the Wong-Baker visual pain scale. Operative measures and radiologic outcomes were prospectively evaluated.

Results:

The mean age of the patients was 56.4 years, and the mean follow-up period was 12.5 months. Preoperative computed tomography showed only a single cyst in 15 patients (88.2%) and showed two separate cysts in 2 cases (11.8%). The cysts were located in the perihilar region close to the vascular structure in all patients. A transperitoneal approach was used in 9 patients, and a retroperitoneal approach was used in 8 patients. The mean operative time and hospitalization time were 56.4 minutes and 1.2 days, respectively. Minor complications were observed in 3 patients. Symptomatic and radiologic success rates of 94.2% and 100%, respectively, were achieved.

Conclusion:

Laparoscopic decortication of symptomatic hilar renal cysts—first reported in the literature in this study—using the LigaSure sealing system is feasible, effective, and safe, even if the cyst is located in the perihilar area.     

A favourable response to surgical intervention and hyperbaric oxygen therapy in pyoderma gangrenosum

Pyoderma gangrenosum (PG) is a neutrophilic dermatosis characterised with ulcerations. Inflammatory bowel diseases (ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease) and haematologic diseases (leukaemia, preleukaemia and monoclonal gammopathy) have been reported in about 40–50% of PG patients in whom the treatment of the underlying disease is important for the improvement of the lesions. We herein report a colorectal adenocarcinoma patient with PG, who responded partially to topical treatments and systemic immunosuppressants and healed completely with the aid of surgical wound repair and hyperbaric oxygen therapy.     

Taurine attenuates lung ischemia–reperfusion injury after lung transplantation in rats

Purpose

Taurine, the major intracellular free amino acid found in high concentrations in mammalian cells, is known to be an endogenous antioxidant and a membrane-stabilizing agent. It was hypothesized that taurine may be effective in reducing ischemia–reperfusion injury after lung transplantation and an experimental study was conducted in a rat model.

Methods

The number of Sprague–Dawley rats used in the study was 35. Animals were randomized into five groups of 7 rats each, including control, donor I, donor II, ischemia–reperfusion injury, and treatment groups. All animals were exposed to the same experimental conditions in the preoperative period. Rats were fixed in a supine position after the induction. After the rats were shaved, a left pneumonectomy was performed following sternotomy in control, donor I, and donor II groups. The harvested grafts in donor I and donor II groups were transplanted to the rats of the ischemia–reperfusion group and treatment group, respectively. However, taurine was administered intraperitoneally for 3 days before the harvesting procedure in donor II. All harvested lungs were kept in a Euro-Collins solution at +4 °C for 24 h in a half-inflated manner. After harvesting and transplantation, lungs were sampled for histopathological and biochemical analysis.

Results

Malondialdehyde and superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase, and catalase levels were lower in the treatment group than the other groups (p < 0.05). Histopathological findings were better in treatment group than the ischemia–reperfusion group (p < 0.05).

Conclusion

It was demonstrated that donor treatment with taurine resulted in preservation of transplanted lung tissue in respect to histopathological and biochemical findings.     

The impact of pretreatment with bolus dose of enteral glutamine on acute lung injury induced by oleic acid in rats

Purpose

Both parenteral and enteral glutamine have shown beneficial effects in sepsis and ischemia/reperfusion-induced acute lung injury (ALI). Oleic acid (OA) has been used to induce ALI in experimental studies. In this study, we investigated the effects of pretreatment of a bolus dose of enteral glutamine on ALI induced by OA in rats.

Methods

Twenty-eight adult female Sprague–Dawley rats weighing 240–300 g were divided into four groups, 7 in each. Group I and group II received normal saline for 30 days, group III and group IV received glutamine at a dose of 1 g/kg for 10 days by gavage, and in group II and group IV 100 mg/kg OA was administered i.v. Histopathological examination of the lung was performed with light and electron microscopy. Levels of protein carbonyl, malondialdehyde, superoxide dismutase, catalase, and glutathione peroxidase levels were measured in tissue samples. Levels of tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, interleukin (IL)-6, IL-10, and total tissue oxidant status and total tissue antioxidant status were measured in serum samples.

Results

Light microscopy showed that the total lung injury score of group IV was significantly lower than group II. Change in thickness of the fused basal lamina was not significantly different in groups II and IV under electron microscopy. TNF-α, IL-6, and IL-10 serum levels were higher in group II when compared to group I and significantly attenuated in group IV.

Conclusion

Pretreatment with a bolus dose of enteral glutamine minimized the extent of ALI induced by OA in rats.     

Rotator Cuff Tear and Glenohumeral Instability

Background

The rotator cuff plays a significant role in the static and dynamic stability of the glenohumeral joint. Rotator cuff tears may occur after shoulder dislocations, whether in younger athletes or older patients with age-related tendon degeneration. Untreated tears may cause persistent pain, dysfunction, instability, and degenerative changes. A thorough understanding of when to look for rotator cuff tears after shoulder dislocations and how best to manage them may decrease patients’ pain and improve function.

Questions/purposes

We systematically reviewed the available literature to better understand (1) when a rotator cuff tear should be suspected after a dislocation, (2) whether surgical or nonsurgical approaches result in better scores for pain and satisfaction in patients with rotator cuff tears resulting from shoulder dislocations, and (3) whether intraarticular lesions, rotator cuff tears, or both should be addressed when surgery is performed.

Methods

We systematically searched MEDLINE^®, CINAHL, and EMBASE for studies published from 1950 to 2012. We included studies reporting outcomes after treatment in patients with rotator cuff tears and shoulder dislocations. We excluded case reports, studies without any treatment, and studies about patients treated with arthroplasty. Five Level III and six Level IV studies were ultimately selected for review.

Results

Patients with persistent pain or dysfunction after a shoulder dislocation often had a concomitant rotator cuff tear. Surgical repair resulted in improved pain relief and patient satisfaction compared to nonoperative management. Repair of the rotator cuff, along with concomitant capsulolabral lesions, helped restore shoulder stability. While these findings are based on Level III and IV evidence, better long-term studies with larger cohorts are needed to strengthen evidence-based recommendations.

Conclusions

Persistent pain and dysfunction after a shoulder dislocation should prompt evaluation of the rotator cuff, especially in contact or overhead athletes, patients older than 40 years, or those with nerve injury. Surgery should be considered in the appropriately active patient with a rotator cuff tear after dislocation. While the current literature suggests improved stability and function after surgical repair of the rotator cuff, higher-quality prospective studies are necessary to make definitive conclusions.     

Incisional Hernia in Recipients of Adult to Adult Living Donor Liver Transplantation

Background

After receiving a living donor liver transplant (LDLT), an incisional hernia is a potentially serious complication that can affect the patient’s quality of life. In the present study we evaluated surgical hernia repair after LDLT.

Materials and methods

Medical records of patients who underwent surgery to repair an incisional hernia after LDLT in Turgut Ozal Medical Center between October 2006 and January 2010 were evaluated in this retrospective study. A reverse-T incision was made for liver transplantation. The hernias were repaired with onlay polypropylene mesh. Age, gender, post-transplant relaparatomy, the type, the result of surgery for the incisional hernia, and risk factors for developing incisional hernia were evaluated.

Results

An incisional hernia developed in 44 of 173 (25.4 %) patients after LDLT. Incisional hernia repair was performed in 14 of 173 patients (8.1 %) who underwent LDLT from October 2006 to January 2010. Relaparatomy was associated with incisional hernia (p = 0.0002). The mean age at the time of the incisional hernia repair was 51 years, and 79 % of the patients were men. The median follow-up period was 19.2 (13–36) months after the hernia repair. Three patients with intestinal incarceration underwent emergency surgery to repair the hernia. Partial small bowel resection was required in one patient. Postoperative complications included seroma formation in one patient and wound infection in another. There was no recurrence of hernia during the follow-up period.

Conclusions

The incidence of incisional hernia after LDLT was 25.4 % in this study. Relaparatomy increases the probability of developing incisional hernia in recipients of LDLT. According to the results of the study, repair of an incisional hernia with onlay mesh is a suitable option.     

HE4 Expression in Plasma Correlates with Surgical Outcome and Overall Survival in Patients with First Ovarian Cancer Relapse

Background

Epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) remains the main cause of mortality due to gynecological malignancies. Optimal tumor debulking and platinum response are the most important prognostic factors for overall survival (OS) in primary EOC. In the setting of recurrence, the role of cytoreduction is not clear. A critical point is to predict preoperatively the subgroup of patients with optimal surgical outcome. The aim of the study was to analyze the predictive role of HE4 for surgical outcome and platinum response in EOC patients experiencing a first relapse. Secondary aims were the prognostic role of HE4 for OS and progression-free survival (PFS).

Methods

Plasma was obtained before secondary cytoreduction from 73 EOC patients. A total of 66.7 % underwent a total macroscopic tumor clearance; 86.3 % of the patients had disease that responded to platinum therapy. HE4 was detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. For statistical analysis, the chi-square test, Fisher’s exact test, Kendall’s tau b, and Mann-Whitney U test were used. OS, PFS rates, and respective 95 % confidence intervals (CI) were estimated according to the Kaplan–Meier method.

Results

At a HE4 cutoff value of 250 pMk, a sensitivity of 52 % and a specificity of 93.8 % (p = 0.001, 95 % CI 0.601–0.861) were reached in predicting total macroscopic tumor clearance. Plasma HE4 concentrations together with platinum response were the only independent prognostic factors for OS (p < 0.001, hazard ratio [HR] 18.77, 95 % CI 4.68–75.25; and p = 0.044, HR 3.33, 95 % CI 1.03–10.7, respectively). Together with ascites, HE4 was the only independent predictive factor for surgical outcome (p = 0.029, odds ratio [OR] 7.2, 95 % CI 1.22–42.19 and p = 0.036, OR 10.18, 95 % CI 1.16–88.69, respectively).

Conclusions

HE4 is an independent predictive marker for surgical outcome and OS in patients with recurrent EOC. Larger population studies are needed to validate these results.     

Surgical treatment of giant liver hydatid cysts: comparison of cystojejunostomy and partial cystectomy

Purpose

The aim of this study was to compare partial cystectomy and internal drainage of the cyst cavity with cystojejunostomy for the surgical treatment of giant hepatic hydatid cysts.

Methods

Patients who underwent any type of surgical treatment between March 2009 and May 2013 for giant hepatic hydatid cysts were retrospectively evaluated. The data collected included demographic variables, diagnostic methods, surgical procedures, morbidity and mortality rates.

Results

Twenty-eight patients who underwent surgery for giant hepatic hydatid cysts were included. There were 16 (57 %) female patients, with a mean age of 32.8 years. The diagnostic methods primarily included abdominal ultrasonography and computed tomography, which were performed in 62 % of the patients. The patients were divided into two groups with respect to the treatment modality: Group A (n = 13) treated with cystojejunostomy and Group B (n = 15) treated with partial cystectomy. The overall rate of cavity-related complications was 25 % in Group B, whereas none of the patients in Group A had a cavity-related complication during the follow-up period (p < 0.05).

Conclusion

Cystojejunostomy is an effective and safe surgical approach for the treatment of giant hepatic hydatid cysts, with a lower rate of morbidity than partial cystectomy, and thus may be the surgical treatment of choice for giant hepatic hydatid cysts.     

Effectiveness of the Biophysical Barriers to the Peridural Fibrosis in Rat Laminectomy Model

Purpose: Peridural fibrosis which could occur after the spinal surgery could adhere neural tissue closely and may cause to neural entrapment symptoms and require surgical reintervention. Aim of the study: Present study was designed to reduce occurrence of peridural fibrosis in rat laminectomy model by using biophysical barriers called hyaluronic acid (HAS) dural barrier, activated polyethylene glycol and polyethylene imine (PEG) dural barrier, and platelet-rich plasma (PRP). Materials and methods: In this study, 2 of 26 male Wistar albino rats (325–350 g body weight), which were not included into study groups were sacrificed by removing their total blood and their blood was used for preparation of PRP, and remaining rats were randomly delivered into four groups called SHAM, HAS, PEG, and PRP groups. Then L3-4-5 laminectomy was performed to all animals and experimental agents were administered to the selected groups mentioned above. Spinal colons of all animals were removed gross total after 6-week period and investigated histopathologically. Additionally, real-time-polymerase chain reaction was used to obtain collagen type I and type III, transforming growth factor-1β, and tumor necrosis factor-α gene expressions. Results: All results demonstrated that polyethylene glycol and polyethylene imine dural barrier and PRP could decrease peridural fibrosis formation efficiently in rat. Conclusion: Present study results suggested that to reduce or block formation of peridural fibrosis, either polyethylene glycol and polyethylene imine dural barrier or PRP could be used effectively in human subjects after they will be closely investigated in future studies.