Anwar Tawfik Amin

Long-term outcomes of laparoscopic wedge resection for gastrointestinal stromal tumors of the stomach of less than 5 cm in diameter.

Background Few long-term results of laparoscopic resection for gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs) of the stomach have been established to evaluate technical safety and oncologic feasibility. Methods Between April, 1998 and October, 2008, data of 18 patients who underwent laparoscopic resection of GISTs of <5 cm in diameter were reviewed. Results There were 10 men and 8 women with average age of 66.5 years. Estimated blood loss was minimal, and average operation time was 99.2±30.5 minutes. There were no major intraoperative complications or conversions to open approach. Oral feeding started 2 to 4 days after operation, and the mean hospital stay was 10.1±5.5 days. There were no major postoperative complications except for 1 patient who suffered from aspiration pneumonia. Tumor size was 3.7±1.1 cm (range, 1.5 to 7.0 cm), and all patients had free surgical margins. During long-term follow-up (average 54.6 mo), no complications occurred except for liver metastasis in only 1 patient who was responding well to imatinib therapy. Conclusions Laparoscopic wedge resection of GISTs of <5 cm in diameter is a safe and oncologically feasible technique offering good long-term outcomes.

Safety and feasibility of laparoscopic colo-rectal surgery for cancer at a tertiary center in a developing country: Egypt as an example.

BACKGROUND Laparoscopic colectomy has been shown to have significant short- and long-term benefits compared to open approach. The incorporation of laparoscopy in developing countries is challenging, due to the high costs of equipment and lack of expertise. The aim of this study was to evaluate the safety and feasibility of laparoscopic colorectal surgery for cancer that could be performed in developing countries under different circumstances in developed countries. METHODS Thirty-seven patients (23 males and 14 females) with colorectal cancer with a median age of 46 years (39-72) have been enrolled for laparoscopic colo-rectal surgery in a tertiary center in Egypt (South Egypt Cancer Institute) with the trend of reuse of some disposable laparoscopic instruments. RESULTS The median operative time was 130 min (95-195 min). The median estimated blood loss was 70 ml (30-90 ml). No major intra-operative complications have been encountered. Two cases (5.5%) have been converted because of local advancement (one case) and bleeding with unavailability of vessel sealing device at that time (one case). The median time for passing flatus after surgery was 36 h (12-72 h). The median hospital stay was 4.8 days (4-7 days). The peri-operative period passed without events. Pathologic outcome revealed that the median number of retrieved lymph nodes was 14 (range 9-23 lymph node) and all cases had free surgical margin. CONCLUSION Laparoscopic colorectal surgery for cancer in developing countries could be safe and feasible. Safe reuse of disposable expensive parts of some laparoscopic instruments could help in propagation of this technique in developing countries.

Efficacy and Safety of Intraperitoneal Dexmedetomidine with Bupivacaine in Laparoscopic Colorectal Cancer Surgery, a Randomized Trial

OBJECTIVE Our objective is to investigate the efficacy and safety of intraperitoneal dexmedetomidine (Dex) combined with bupivacaine in patients undergoing laparoscopic colorectal cancer surgery. DESIGN Randomized double-blind study. SETTING Academic medical center. PATIENTS AND METHODS Forty-five patients scheduled for laparoscopic colorectal cancer surgery were randomly assigned for intraperitoneal administration of 50 mL saline (control group; GI, n = 15), 50 mL bupivacaine 0.25% (125 mg; GII, n = 15), or 50 mL bupivacaine 0.25% (125 mg) +1 μg/kg Dex (GIII, n = 15). Patients were assessed during the first 24 hours postoperatively for hemodynamics, visual analogue scale (VAS), time to first request of analgesia, total analgesic consumption, shoulder pain, and side effects. RESULTS A significant reduction was observed in VAS in GIII at base line, 2, 4, and 24 hours postoperatively in comparison to GI and GII (P < 0.05). The time to first analgesic requirement was significantly prolonged in GIII (P < 0.05). The mean total consumption of rescue analgesia was significantly reduced in GIII. CONCLUSION We conclude that intraperitoneal administration of Dex 1 μg/kg combined with bupivacaine improves the quality and the duration of postoperative analgesia and provides an analgesic sparing effect compared to bupivacaine alone without significant adverse effects in patients undergoing laparoscopic colorectal cancer surgery.

Three ports laparoscopic resection for colorectal cancer: a step on refining of reduced port surgery.

Background. Reduced port surgery (RPS) is becoming increasingly popular for some surgeries. However, the application of RPS to the field of colectomy is still underdeveloped. Patients and Methods. In this series, we evaluated the outcome of laparoscopic colorectal resection using 3 ports technique (10 mm umbilical port plus another two ports of either 5 or 10 mm) for twenty-four cases of colorectal cancer as a step for refining of RPS. Results. The mean estimated blood loss was 70 mL (40–90 mL). No major intraoperative complications have been encountered. The mean time for passing flatus after surgery was 36 hours (12–48 hrs). The mean time for oral fluid intake was 36 hours and for semisolid food was 48 hours. The mean hospital stay was 5 days (4–7 days). The perioperative period passed without events. All cases had free surgical margins. The mean number of retrieved lymph nodes was 14 lymph nodes (5–23). Conclusion. Three ports laparoscopy assisted colorectal surgeries looks to be safe, effective and has cosmetic advantages. The procedure could maintain the oncologic principles of cancer surgery. Its a step on the way of refining of reduced port surgery.

Laparoscopy Assisted Distal Gastrectomy for Cancer at a Tertiary Center in Egypt. Is It Safe and Feasible

Background: Laparoscopic radical gastrectomy for cancer has significant short- and long-term advantages. The feasibility and safety of laparoscopicdistal gastrectomy for cancer (LADG) is unclear in low to middle income countries as resources are limited. Therefore, the aim of this study was to evaluate the safety and feasibility of (LADG) in low to middle income countries; Egypt as an example. Methods: Thirty four Patients with stage I-II cancer at the pylorus and antrum have been enrolled for LADG between 2012 and 2015 with the reuse of single use vascular sealing device has been evaluated. Results: Finally 27 patients had been included in the study and successful LADG has been done for all selected cases. The average operative time was 151 ± 10 minutes. The average estimated blood loss was 73.3 ± 13 ml. No intra-operative complications have been recorded. The average time for post-operative patient ambulation was 9 hours (SD ± 1.8) and for oral fluid intake was 3.5 SD ± 1 days. The average duration of the hospital stay was 9.3 ± 1.2 days. The average number of retrieved lymph nodes was 21.7 ± 3.8 days. All the cases had free surgical margin. The median number of reuse of the vascular sealing device was 3.8 times (3 - 5 times). Conclusion: Laparoscopic distal gastrectomy for cancer could be safe and feasible in developing countries and give similar results for that of developed countries. Safe reuse of single use expensive parts of some instruments for laparoscopy could help in utilization of these advanced surgeries in low to middle income countries. Long term follow up as well as comparative studies with open surgery are required.