Broc L. Pratt

Initial results with an electrothermal bipolar vessel sealer

BackgroundAn electrothermal bipolar vessel sealer (EBVS; Ligasure, Valleylab, Boulder, CO, USA) was developed as an alternative to suture ligatures, hemoclips, staplers, and ultrasonic coagulators for ligating vessels and tissue bundles. The EBVS seals vessels up to 7 mm in diameter by denaturing collagen and elastin within the vessel wall and surrounding connective tissue. This study is the first to determine the clinical efficacy and safety of this instrument and delineate its potential timesavings in both experimental (animal) and clinical scenarios.MethodsA prospective review of the author’s clinical experience with the EBVS in laparoscopic and open operations from October 1998 to March 2000 was performed. In addition, five Yorkshire domestic pigs underwent 150-cm small intestine resections (n=10) using the EBVS (n=5) and suture ligatures (n=5). Measurements included time to complete intestinal resection, the number of applications per minute for each method, and the presence of postapplication bleeding. Statistical analysis was performed using Student’s t-test.ResultsThe EBVS was used in 98 cases (46 laparoscopic and 52 open) with a mean of 43 applications (range, 10–150 applications) per case. The operations included 53 colon and/or small bowel resections (54.1%), 24 fundoplications (24.5%), 12 gastric resections (12.2%), 3 splenectomies, 2 pancreatectomies, 1 adrenalectomy, 1 bilateral salpingooopherectomy, 1 pancreatic cyst-jejunostomy, and 1 vagotomy with gastrojejunostomy. In all these cases, the EBVS was intended to be the only means of vessel ligation. An alternative ligation technique was required for bleeding in only 13 (0.3%) of more than 4,200 applications of the EBVS. No postoperative hemorrhagic complications occurred. There was an estimated mean reduction in operative time of 39 min per open procedure, and a mean prolongation in operative time of 8 min per laparoscopic procedure when the EBVS was used in lieu of suture ligatures, hemoclips, staplers, or ultrasonic coagulators. In the animal model, the mean time for completion of the intestinal resection was 251.9 s for the EBVS and 702.0 s for ligatures (p<0.001). The mean number of applications per minute was 7.6 for the EBVS and 1.8 for ligatures (p<0.001). No postapplication bleeding was seen.ConclusionsInitial clinical results from the use of EBVS in laparoscopic and open procedures demonstrate it to be safe and effective, reducing operative time in open procedures. Suture ligatures, ties, hemoclips, and other ligating techniques were used rarely (0.3%) after an application of the EBVS. In an experimental animal model, the EBVS was significantly faster and more efficient (more applications per minute) than ligatures for intestinal resection.

Laparoscopic vs open resection of gastric stromal tumors.

BackgroundGastric stromal tumors are rare neoplasms that may be benign or malignant. Given that malignant gastric stromal tumors rarely involve lymph nodes and require excision with negative margins, they appear amendable to laparoscopic excision. There are few reports of laparoscopic resection, and no comparisons have been done between laparoscopic and open surgery. This study compares the relative efficacy of the two approaches.MethodsBetween May 1994 and December 2000, 33 patients underwent 35 operations for gastric stromal tumors. Laparoscopic resections were performed in 21 patients; open resections were done in 12 patients. The medical records of the patients were reviewed retrospectively with regard to operating time, blood loss, length of stay, and clinical course.ResultsPatient demographics, tumor characteristics (mean tumor size, benign vs malignant), and presenting symptoms were similar for both groups. In the laparoscopic group, 15 wedge resections; three partial gastrectomies, and three transgastric needlescopic enucleations were performed. In the open group, six vedge resections, four antrectomies, and two partial proximal gastrectomies were performed. There were no significant differences in mean operative time (169 vs 160 min), mean estimated blood loss (106 vs 129 cc), or perioperative complication rate (9.5% vs 8.3%) between the laparoscopic and open groups, respectively. The mean length of stay was significantly less (p<0.05) in the laparoscopic group (3.8 vs 6.2 days). Average follow-up was 1.5 years. One patient in each group has died due to metastastic disease. There have been no trocar site recurrences.ConclusionsLaparoscopic resection of gastric stromal tumors is safe and appropriate. Tumor size, operating time, and estimated blood loss were equivalent to the open approach, and there was a statistically shorter hospital stay in the laparoscopic group.

Assessment of Adhesion Formation to Intra-Abdominal Polypropylene Mesh and Polytetrafluoroethylene Mesh

BACKGROUND The development of intra-abdominal adhesions, bowel obstruction, and enterocutaneous fistulas are potentially severe complications related to the intraperitoneal placement of prosthetic biomaterials. The purpose of this study was to determine the natural history of adhesion formation to polypropylene mesh and two types of polytetrafluoroethylene (ePTFE) mesh when placed intraperitoneally in a rabbit model that simulates laparoscopic ventral hernia repair. MATERIALS AND METHODS Thirty New Zealand white rabbits were used for this study. A 10-cm midline incision was performed for intra-abdominal access and a 2 cm x 2 cm piece of mesh (n = 60) was sewn to an intact peritoneum on each side of the midline. Two types of ePTFE mesh (Dual Mesh and modified Dual Mesh, W.L. Gore & Assoc., Flagstaff, AZ) and polypropylene mesh were compared. The rate of adhesion formation was evaluated by direct visualization using microlaparoscopy (2-mm endoscope/trocar) at 7 days, 3 weeks, 9 weeks, and 16 weeks after mesh implantation. Adhesions to the prosthetic mesh were scored for extent (%) using the Modified Diamond Scale (0 = 0%, 1 <or= 25%, 2 = 25-50%, 3 > 50%). At necropsy the mesh was excised en bloc with the anterior abdominal wall for histological evaluation of mesothelial layer growth. RESULTS The mean adhesion score for the polypropylene mesh was significantly greater (P < 0.05) than Dual Mesh at 9 weeks and 16 weeks and modified Dual Mesh at 7 days, 9 weeks, and 16 weeks. Fifty-five percent (n = 11) of the polypropylene mesh had adhesions to small intestine or omentum at necropsy compared to 30% (n = 6) of the Dual Mesh and 20% (n = 4) of the modified Dual Mesh. There was a significantly greater percentage (P < 0.003) of ePTFE mesh mesothelialized at explant (modified Dual Mesh 44.2%; Dual Mesh 55.8%) compared to the polypropylene mesh (12.9%). CONCLUSIONS Serial microlaparoscopic evaluation of intraperitoneally implanted polypropylene mesh and ePTFE mesh in a rabbit model revealed a progression of adhesions to polypropylene mesh over a 16 week period. The pore size of mesh is critical in the development and maintenance of abdominal adhesions and tissue ingrowth. The macroporous polypropylene mesh promoted adhesion formation, while the microporous nature of the visceral side of the ePTFE served as a barrier to adhesions.

Comparison of Thermal Spread after Ureteral Ligation with the Laparo-Sonic™ Ultrasonic Shears and the Ligasure™ System

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE The extent of lateral spread of tissue injury is important in the success of a primary anastomosis. We compared the injury produced by the Laparo-sonic Coagulation Shears and the Ligasure system. MATERIALS AND METHODS Ureters were harvested from domestic farm pigs and ligated with the Laparo-sonic (N = 13) or Ligasure (N = 9) system. The tissues were then fixed, stained, and examined by two pathologists without knowledge of the type of treatment. RESULTS The mean length of thermal damage from the Ligasure was 2.11 mm (range 1.0-4.0 mm) whereas it was 1.92 (range 0.5-4.25 mm) from the Laparo-sonic system. The difference is not statistically significant. CONCLUSION Debridement of as much as 5 mm of each cut end produced by the Laparo-sonic or Ligasure system may be beneficial in reducing stricture and leak.

Prospective randomized evaluation of surgical resident proficiency with laparoscopic suturing after course instruction.

Background: Laparoscopic suturing is required to develop competency in advanced laparoscopy. Methods: Manuals detailing laparoscopic suturing were give to 17 Surgery residents. One week later they performed a suture on a training model. Time (s), accuracy (mm), and knot strength (lb) were recorded. The residents were blindly randomized to intervention (n = 9) and control (n = 8) groups. The intervention residents attended a 60-min course with lecture, video, and individual proctoring. Two weeks later they performed a stitch with standard laparoscopic instruments and a stitch with a suturing assist device. Statistical analysis included a Wilcoxon rank-sum test. Results: The intervention residents decreased their suturing time from the first to the second stitich (732.4–257.6s), the control and residents decreased their time from 500.2 s to 421.8 s. The time required to perform the second stitch showed no significant difference between the two groups (p = 0.46), but the difference in reduced time between the first and second stitch was significant (p = 0.001). Using the suturing assist device for the third suture, the intervention and control groups both decreased their times significantly. The control residents performed almost as quickly as the intervention residents with the suturing; device (p = 0.11). Accuracy and knot strength were not different in any test. Conclusions: Residents can improve suturing skill with a short didactic course and individual proctoring. A suturing assist device decreases time required by inexperienced surgeons to device perform an intracorporeal tie.

Laparoscopic Adrenalectomy for Metastatic Cancer

Laparoscopic adrenalectomy was a relatively late addition to the field of laparoscopy, first reported by Gagner in 1992. Since that time, this approach has quickly grown from being an acceptable treatment option for removal of adrenal pathology to being the preferred modality for the vast majority of benign surgical adrenal disease.1–6 The growth of minimally invasive surgery has been fostered by improved instrumentation and surgical skill, propagation of the techniques through residency, fellowships, and postgraduate courses, and increasing patient and referring physician awareness of these operations. The small size of the gland, benign nature of most adrenal pathology, and the inherent difficulties and morbidity of open adrenalectomy have made laparoscopic adrenalectomy a particularly attractive treatment alternative. While its clinical efficacy is comparable to that of open adrenalectomy, laparoscopy offers a significantly reduced overall morbidity, a shorter hospital stay and recovery, and improved cosmesis.1–4 As mastery of the techniques and two-dimensional anatomy have flourished, some surgeons have successfully expanded their indications for laparoscopic adrenalectomy to include large nonfunctioning tumors with cancerous potential and metastatic disease.5–7