Aziz M. Merchant

Transumbilical Gelport Access Technique for Performing Single Incision Laparoscopic Surgery (SILS)

IntroductionSingle incision laparoscopic surgery (SILS) is an area of active research within general surgery.DiscussionA number of procedures, including cholecystectomy, appendectomy, urologic procedures, adrenalectomy, and bariatric procedures, are currently being performed with this methodology. There is, as yet, no standard published technique for single-port access to the peritoneal cavity for SILS. We describe, herein, an access technique utilizing existing instrumentation including a Gelport and wound retractor that is reliable and easy. This technique has been used successfully at our institution for a number of single incision laparoscopic procedures.

Single-incision laparoscopic right hemicolectomy for a colon mass.

PURPOSE: Single-incision laparoscopy is being performed for a wide variety of procedures. We describe our technique of single-incision laparoscopic right hemicolectomy for a colon mass. METHODS: The dissection was performed in a medial-to-lateral fashion with intracorporeal anastomosis. RESULTS: The length of stay was three days, and there were no postoperative complications. CONCLUSIONS: Single-incision laparoscopic colectomy with an intracorporeal anastomosis can provide satisfactory oncologic resection.

Postnatal Chest Wall Deformities after Fetal Thoracoamniotic Shunting for Congenital Cystic Adenomatoid Malformation

Objectives: Large macrocystic congenital cystic adenomatoid malformations (CCAMs) can be treated with thoracoamniotic (TA) shunting to reduce CCAM volume. Two CCAM fetuses treated with TA shunt had postnatal radiographic rib deformities. Study Design: Retrospective review of prenatal TA shunting for large macrocystic CCAMs evaluated for the presence of rib deformities. Comparison groups not eligible for TA shunting included nonshunted CCAMs resected postnatally (group A) and size-matched nonshunted CCAMs resected postnatally (group B). Results: Chest wall abnormalities were identified in 77% of newborns ranging from severe concavity and fractures (in two fetuses shunted at 18 and 20 weeks of gestation) to rib thinning compared to comparison groups A and B. The severity of chest wall deformity correlated with earlier gestational age at shunting. Conclusions: TA shunting at less than 21 weeks of gestational age may result in postnatal chest wall deformity. This observation should be discussed during counseling for this procedure.

Prenatal course and postnatal management of peripheral bronchial atresia: Association with congenital cystic adenomatoid malformation of the lung

Objective: Peripheral bronchial atresia (PBA), a newly identified fetal lung lesion, is often asymptomatic and managed nonoperatively. However, recent studies suggest that bronchial atresia plays a role in the etiology of microcystic maldevelopment present in congenital cystic adenomatoid malformations (CCAM) which require resection to decrease the risk of infection, pneumothorax and malignant degeneration. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the prenatal radiographic and postnatal computed tomography (CT) scan/pathology findings with attention to the pathologic diagnosis of microcystic maldevelopment in infants with the presumptive diagnosis of PBA. Methods: A retrospective review of prenatal and postnatal records of patients diagnosed with fetal lung lesions was performed. Two groups of patients were identified: (1) patients diagnosed with PBA on postnatal CT scan (n = 16), and (2) patients with the pathologically confirmed diagnosis of PBA independent of postnatal CT findings (n = 23). Results: Prenatal ultrasound diagnosis of these lesions included CCAMs, hybrid lesions, bronchopulmonary sequestrations and bronchial atresia. Eleven of the 16 patients in group 1 with the postnatal radiologic diagnosis of PBA underwent surgical resection, 6 of which were found to have microcystic changes consistent with CCAM. Evaluation of the 23 patients in group 2 with pathologically confirmed PBA identified 65% that had evidence of microcystic maldevelopment consistent with the small cyst type of CCAM. Conclusion: Radiographically diagnosed PBA as well as pathologically confirmed PBA is frequently associated with microcystic changes consistent with the small cyst type of CCAM. Thus, operative management should be considered for PBA to decrease CCAM-associated risks.

A systematic review of staple-line reinforcement in laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy.

This review revealed a lack of statistical difference for staple line leak with or without staple line reinforcement in laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy.

Construction and Validation of a Low-Cost Laparoscopic Simulator for Surgical Education

INTRODUCTION To construct a trainer that would achieve the equivalent goals of the Fundamentals of Laparoscopic Surgery (FLS) trainer at an economical cost. A validation study comparing our homemade (HM) trainer vs the FLS trainer was performed. A literature search as well as a price comparison with other commercially available laparoscopic trainers is presented. METHODS The HM laparoscopic trainer was constructed using a prefabricated hard plastic frame with a vinyl plastic sheet affixed as the roof. A row of light-emitting diode lights and a charge-coupled device camera were mounted on the inside roof of the frame. Electrical wires were spliced to supply power to both the light-emitting diode lights and the camera. The charge-coupled device camera was connected to a liquid crystal display screen which was affixed directly across from the user. Subjects were prospectively randomized to perform the 5 tasks put forth by the McGill Inanimate System for Training and Evaluation of Laparoscopic Skills on both the HM trainer and the FLS trainer (pegboard transfer, pattern cut, placement of ligating loop, extracorporeal knot suture, and intracorporeal knot suture). Simple paired t test was performed to compare times between the trainers. SETTING The construction of the trainer and the validation study were performed at the Central Michigan University College of Medicine Department of Simulation. PARTICIPANTS Subjects consisted of third- and fourth-year medical students (n = 30). RESULTS A laparoscopic trainer box was constructed and assembled in 2 hours. The HM trainer cost

Head and neck microvascular free flap reconstruction: An analysis of unplanned readmissions

309 representing a cost savings of

Outcomes of Diabetic and Nondiabetic Patients Undergoing General and Vascular Surgery

1371. Results of the validation study demonstrated no statistical difference in times to complete 3 out of the 5 tasks as well as no difference in total time to complete all 5 tasks (p value< 0.05). CONCLUSION Valid laparoscopic simulators can be constructed at an economical cost.

A Review of Endoscopic Simulation: Current Evidence on Simulators and Curricula.

Unplanned readmissions within 30 days of surgery represent a significant marker for healthcare quality. Small institutional studies have described rates of readmission for patients undergoing head and neck free flap reconstruction. However, large, multi‐institutional analyses have not previously been described.

Postoperative complications of total laryngectomy in diabetic patients: Thyroidectomy Outcomes in DM Patients

Aims. Preoperative diabetic and glycemic screening may or may not be cost effective. Although hyperglycemia is known to compromise surgical outcomes, the effect of a diabetic diagnosis on outcomes is poorly known. We examine the effect of diabetes on outcomes for general and vascular surgery patients. Methods. Data were collected from the Michigan Surgical Quality Collaborative for general or vascular surgery patients who had diabetes. Primary and secondary outcomes were 30-day mortality and 30-day overall morbidity, respectively. Binary logistic regression analysis was used to identify risk factors. Results. We identified 177,430 (89.9%) general surgery and 34,006 (16.1%) vascular surgery patients. Insulin and noninsulin diabetics accounted for 7.1% and 9.8%, respectively. Insulin and noninsulin dependent diabetics were not at increased risk for mortality. Diabetics are at a slight increased odds than non-diabetics for overall morbidity, and insulin dependent diabetics more so than non-insulin dependent. Ventilator dependence, 10% weight loss, emergent case, and ASA class were most predictive. Conclusions. Diabetics were not at increased risk for postoperative mortality. Insulin-dependent diabetics undergoing general or vascular surgery were at increased risk of overall 30-day morbidity. These data provide insight towards mitigating poor surgical outcomes in diabetic patients and the cost effectiveness of preoperative diabetic screening.