Bernard Hainaux

Accuracy of MDCT in Predicting Site of Gastrointestinal Tract Perforation

OBJECTIVE The purpose of this study was to prospectively evaluate the accuracy of MDCT for preoperative determination of the site of surgically proven gastrointestinal tract perforations and to determine the most predictive findings in this diagnosis. SUBJECTS AND METHODS We prospectively studied 85 consecutive patients with extraluminal air on MDCT who had surgically proven gastrointestinal tract perforations. All patients underwent surgery within 12 hours after MDCT was performed. Two experienced radiologists, blinded to the surgical diagnosis, reached a consensus prediction of the site of the perforation using the following eight MDCT findings: concentration of extraluminal air bubbles adjacent to the bowel wall, free air in supramesocolic or inframesocolic compartments, extraluminal air in both abdomen and pelvis, focal defect in the bowel wall, segmental bowel-wall thickening, perivisceral fat stranding, abscess, and extraluminal fluid. MDCT imaging results were compared with surgical and pathologic findings. Logistic regression analyses were performed to assess the significance of the different radiologic criteria. RESULTS Analysis of MDCT images was predictive of the site of gastrointestinal tract perforation in 73 (86%) of 85 patients. Logistic regression showed that concentration of extraluminal air bubbles (p < 0.001), segmental bowel wall thickening (p < 0.001), and focal defect of the bowel wall (p = 0.007) were strong predictors of the site of bowel perforation. CONCLUSION MDCT is highly accurate for predicting the site of gastrointestinal tract perforations. Three of eight CT findings significantly correlate with surgical diagnosis.

Laparoscopic Adjustable Gastric Banding

The introduction of laparoscopic adjustable silicone gastric banding (LASGB) has recently revolutionized gastric restrictive procedures in the treatment of morbid obesity. We analysed the short and long term results of this minimally invasive bariatric procedure. A total of 652 patients with a body mass of (median) 45 kg/m2 were treated. There were only minor preoperative incidents. One patient died more than one month after the procedure. Early postoperative complications included 2 gastric perforations caused by a nasogastric tube and one early slipping of the band. Late complications occurred in 7% of the patients: 25 patients suffered a pouch dilation, 2 patients had gastric erosion by the band; 18 patients had port complications requiring reoperation. Loss of excess weight was 62% at 2 years. Laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding is a safe and effective treatment for morbid obesity. The most frequent complication is pouch dilation. Further study is warranted for the evaluation of long term results. Copyright 2002, Elsevier Science (USA). All rights reserved.

Laparoscopic adjustable silicone gastric banding: radiological appearances of a new surgical treatment for morbid obesity

AbstractBackground: The purpose of this report is to describe the radiologic appearances of laparoscopic adjustable silicone gastric banding (LASGB), a new surgical treatment for morbid obesity. In this procedure, a silicone band is fastened around the fundus, delimitating a small proximal gastric pouch and stoma. The inner surface of the band is inflatable and connected by a thin silicone tube to an access port. This allows postoperative stoma size adjustment by puncturing the port and injecting or withdrawing saline solution. Methods: One hundred eighty patients underwent LASGB. A radiologic study protocol was established and performed in all patients, including preoperative double-contrast upper gastrointestinal (GI) series and single-contrast upper GI series on the first postoperative day and 1 month after surgery. Radiologic evaluation was also performed at each band adjustment and in case of persistent vomiting or inadequate weight loss. Results: Postoperative stoma adjustment was performed in all patients. The optimal volume of saline was 1–4.5 mL. Percutaneous puncture of the port was impossible in three patients because of an inverted port. We observed 15 cases of pouch dilatation with stomal obstruction requiring reoperation. There were also nine cases of spontaneous band deflation caused by leaking reservoir in five cases and by disconnection between the connecting tube and the port in the other four cases. Conclusions: Because radiologic evaluation is necessary after surgery and for band adjustments, radiologists are involved in the postoperative follow-up and may be asked to perform those adjustments themselves.

Surgical technique and complications during laparoscopic repair of diaphragmatic hernias

Diaphragmatic hernias can present as retrocostoxiphoid hernias (RCXH) or diaphragmatic dome hernias. The RCXH include the Larrey hernia (LH), the Morgagni hernia (MH), and the Larrey–Morgagni hernia (LMH). These congenital hernias are usually asymptomatic, and the diagnosis is simplified by two exams: chest X-ray, and thoraco-abdominal computed tomography (CT) scan. The potential risk in this condition is small-bowel incarceration in the hernia defect and subsequent obstruction. We report two cases of LH and one case of LMH treated by laparoscopy between February 2004 and October 2005, with a review of the surgical techniques. Two different laparoscopic techniques were used: the tension-free technique, and resection of the hernia sac with closure of the defect and reinforcement by prosthesis. One patient presented a postoperative cardiac tamponade due to a clip-induced bleeding of an epicardial artery at the inferior surface of the heart. Treatment by laparoscopy is feasible, but a consensus regarding the best laparoscopic repair is needed.

Thoracoscopic and laparoscopic oesophagectomy improves the quality of extended lymphadenectomy.

BackgroundOesophagectomy with extended lymphadenectomy carries considerable morbidity due to parietal trauma. It is also technically extremely demanding because the difficult access even through a large thoracotomy requires the use of long instruments to reach the deepest recess in the chest cavity. Since the first thoracoscopic oesophagectomy reported by Cuschieri et al. [1] in 1992, different minimally invasive approaches have been proposed [2–12]. The aim of this video is to show the accurate and relative ease of an entirely thoracoscopic and laparoscopic oesophagectomy with an extended lymph node dissection of mediastinum in prone position (thoracoscopically) and celiac trunk (laparoscopically).MethodsOesophagectomy by thoracoscopy, laparoscopy and cervicotomy was proposed in a 63-year-old man with a lower third oesophageal cancer. General anaesthesia was performed with a double-lumen endotracheal tube and the patient was placed in prone position. Surgeons were positioned at the right side of the patient. Only three trocars were needed. A 10 mm 30-degree angled scope was inserted in the 7th intercostal space on the posterior axillary line and the remaining two 5 mm trocars were inserted in the 5th and 9th intercostal spaces on the posterior axillary line. Prone position allows an excellent visibility of the operative field even in an only partially deflated lung. In order to achieve a good exposure, transitory pneumothorax with CO2 (14 mmHg) was performed. The mediastinal pleura overlying the oesophagus was incised and the arch of azygos vein was isolated, ligated and divided. The oesophagus was circumferentially mobilized from the thoracic inlet down to oesophageal hiatus. Para oesophageal and subcarinal lymph nodes were dissected so as to remain in block with the surgical specimen. A 28 F chest tube was inserted in the 8th intercostal space on the anterior axillary line. In the second stage the patient was placed in supine position and pneumoperitoneum was established. Five trocars were placed along an ideal semicircular line, with the concavity facing the subcostal margin and a 30-degree angled laparoscope was used. The lesser omentum was widely opened up the right pillar of the hiatus. Mobilization of the greater curvature of the stomach was performed preserving the right gastroepiploic artery. A wide Kocher maneuver was performed. Celiac lymphadenectomy started with skeletonization of the hepatic artery until the root of left gastric artery was reached. This artery and the left gastric vein were dissected, clipped and sectioned. All fatty tissue and lymph nodes along hepatic artery, left gastric artery and celiac trunk were resected in block with the surgical specimen. Multiple applications of a linear endoscopic stapler were used to create the gastric tube. Finally the distal oesophagus was dissected, until the thoracoscopic dissection field was joined. In the third stage a left lateral cervicotomy was performed and the cervical oesophagus was dissected down to the thoracoscopic dissection plane. Oesophagus and stomach were delivered through the cervical incision and an oesophagogastric anastomosis was created by a linear stapler technique. Cervical and abdominal drainages were installed.ResultsThe total operative time was 271 minutes (thoracoscopy: 106 minutes, laparoscopy 120 minutes and cervicotomy 45 minutes) and blood loss was about 100 ml. Histological examination demonstrated a squamous cell carcinoma. Both margins of resection were free of tumour and 29 lymph nodes were retrieved. The final stage was IIA (pT3N0Mx).ConclusionsThoracoscopic and laparoscopic oesophagectomy with extended lymphadenectomy is technically feasible and safe. Thoracoscopic oesophagectomy in prone position improves the quality of dissection because:The oesophagus and aorto-pulmonary window are reached under excellent visibility, despite a partially deflated lung, which because of gravity will always remain out of harm’s way. For the same reason small to moderate bleeding will not obscure the operative field.Dissection with the long endoscopic instruments is more accurate due to the support provided by the entrance site at the parietal level and the ergonomic position of surgeon.

CT and 99mTc-DMSA scintigraphy in adult acute pyelonephritis : A comparative study

Purpose The aim of this prospective study was to evaluate the relative value of CT and 99mTc-DMSA scintigraphy in the diagnosis of acute pyelonephritis (APN) in adult patients suspected of having urinary tract infection. Method The study was conducted in 36 patients presenting with symptoms suggestive of urinary tract infection. Plain B-mode sonography, CT with contrast medium, and 99mTc-DMSA scintigraphy of the kidneys were performed in all patients. Both CT and 99mTc-DMSA scintigraphy were performed within 72 h after admission. Results Twelve patients with clinical and biological signs of urinary tract infection had no CT or 99mTc-DMSA scintigraphy abnormalities. Among these patients, lower urinary tract infection was found in 10 patients and 2 patients had ureteral obstruction. In the 24 remaining patients, the diagnosis of APN was made. Among these patients, a correlation was found between CT and 99mTc-DMSA scintigraphy in 11 cases. In two cases, both examinations were normal, and in nine cases, both were abnormal. In 11 cases of the 13 remaining patients, abnormal CT was found with normal 99mTc-DMSA scintigraphy, whereas the 2 last cases had normal CT and abnormal 99mTc-DMSA scintigraphy results. In two cases, bilateral lesions found on CT manifested as unilateral abnormalities on 99mTc-DMSA scintigraphy images. Conclusion The diagnosis of APN in adult patients is based on clinical presentation and biological findings. Few studies have compared 99mTc-DMSA scintigraphy with CT in the detection of parenchymal involvement in APN. We conclude that CT is more accurate than 99mTc-DMSA scintigraphy in the detection of APN lesions in adult patients.

Laparoscopic transhiatal esophago-gastrectomy after corrosive injury.

Esophago-gastric necrosis is a surgical emergency associated with high morbidity and mortality. We report a laparoscopic transhiatal esophago-gastrectomy performed on a 43-year-old male, presenting two hours after hydrochloric acid ingestion. A gastroscopy showed several oral mucosal ulcers, a significant edema of the pharynx and larynx, a necrosis of the middle and lower esophagus and of the gastric fundus and antrum. A conservative strategy with intensive care observation was initially followed. After a change of clinical signs, chest-abdominal computed tomography was realized and a pneumoperitoneum with free fluid in the left subphrenic space and bilateral pleural effusions was in evidence. A laparoscopic exploration was proposed to the patient, and confirmed the presence of free peritoneal fluid and necrosis with perforation of the upper part of the stomach. A laparoscopic total gastrectomy with subtotal esophagectomy was performed; the procedure finished with an esophagostomy on the left side of the neck and a laparoscopic feeding jejunostomy (video). Total operative time was 235 minutes. After six months a digestive reconstruction with esophagocoloplasty by laparotomy and cervicotomy was easily realized thanks to the advantages (few adhesions, bloodless, and simple colic mobilization) of the previous minimally invasive surgery.

Pneumoscrotum, pneumomediastinum, pneumothorax, and pneumorrhachis following colon surgery.

We report the case of an 80-year-old man who developed a colocutaneous fistula as a complication of anastomotic leakage following segmental colonic resection. The patient presented with an abscess of the abdominal wall, subcutaneous emphysema, pneumomediastinum, pneumothorax, pneumorrhachis, and pneumoscrotum. We discuss the possible mechanisms for these unusual clinical presentations of extraperitoneal air following anastomotic leak.