Charles J. Filipi

Laparoscopic Nissen fundoplication is an effective treatment for gastroesophageal reflux disease.

ObjectveThe open Nissen fundoplication is effective therapy for gastroesophageal reflux disease. In this study, the outcomes in 198 patients treated with the laparoscopic Nissen fundoplication was evaluated for up to 32 months after surgery to ascertain whether similar positive results could be obtained. Summary Background DataTo ensure surgical success, patients were required to have mechanically defective sphincters on manometry and increased esophageal acid exposure on 24-hour pH monitoring. The patients either had severe complications of gastroesophageal reflux disease or had failed medical therapy. These requirements have been found to be necessary to ensure a successful surgical outcome. MethodsThe disease was complicated by ulceration (46), stricture (25) and Barretts esophagus (33). Patients underwent standard Nissen fundoplications identical in every detail to open procedures except that the procedures were carried out by the laparoscopic route. ResultsPerioperative complications included gastric or esophageal perforation (3), pneumothorax (2), bleeding (2), breakdown of crural repair (2) and periesophageal abscess (1). The only mortality occurred from a duodenal perforation. Six patients required conversion to the open procedure. The median hospital stay was 3 days. One hundred patients were observed for follow-up for 6 to 32 months (median 12 months), with outcomes similar to the open Nissen fundoplication. Further surgery was required for two patients who had recurrent gastroesophageal reflux and one who developed an esophageal stricture. Ninety-seven percent are satisfied with their decision to have the operation. ConclusionsThe laparoscopic Nissen fundoplication can be carried out safely and effectively with similar positive results to the open procedure and with all of the advantages of the minimally invasive approach.

Mechanisms of hernia recurrence after preperitoneal mesh repair. Traditional and laparoscopic.

OBJECTIVE The authors provide an assessment of mechanisms leading to hernia recurrence after laparoscopic and traditional preperitoneal herniorrhaphy to allow surgeons using either technique to achieve better results. SUMMARY BACKGROUND DATA The laparoscopic and traditional preperitoneal approaches to hernia repair are analogous in principle and outcome and have experienced a similar evolution over different time frames. The recurrence rate after preperitoneal herniorrhaphy should be low (< 2%) to be considered a viable alternative to the most successful methods of conventional herniorrhaphy. METHODS Experienced surgeons supply specifics regarding the mechanisms of recurrence and technical measures to avoid hernia recurrence when using the preperitoneal prosthetic repair. Videotapes of laparoscopic herniorrhaphy in 13 patients who subsequently experienced a recurrence also are used to determine technical causes of recurrence. RESULTS Factors leading to recurrence include surgeon inexperience, inadequate dissection, insufficient prosthesis size, insufficient prosthesis overlap of hernia defects, improper fixation, prosthesis folding or twisting, missed hernias, or mesh lifting secondary to hematoma formation. CONCLUSIONS The predominant factor in successful preperitoneal hernia repair is adequate dissection with complete exposure and coverage of all potential groin hernia sites. Hematoma mesh lifting and inadequate lateral inferior and medial inferior mesh fixation represent the most common causes of recurrence for surgeons experienced in traditional or laparoscopic preperitoneal hernia repair.

Incidence of complications following laparoscopic hernioplasty

Smaller individual series on the outcome of laparoscopic hernioplasty techniques have been reported. This study reports on the complications of 3,229 laparoscopic hernia repairs performed by the authors in 2,559 patients. The TAPP (transabdominal preperitoneal) technique was the most frequently performed: 1,944 (60%). The totally preperitoneal technique was performed 578 (18%) times. The IPOM (intraperitoneal onlay mesh) repair was performed 345 (11%) times. The plug-and-patch technique was used 286 (9%) times and simple closure of the hernia defect without mesh was used in 76 (2%) repairs. Overall, there were 336 (10%) complications: 17 (0.5%) major and 265 (8%) minor. There were 54 (1.6%) recurrences, with a mean follow-up of 22 months. The TAPP technique had 19 (1%) recurrences and 141 (7%) complications. There were four bowel obstructions in this subgroup from herniation of small bowel through the peritoneal closure and trocar sites. The totally preperitoneal technique had no recurrence and 60 (10%) complications. The IPOM group had 7 (2%) recurrences and 47 (14%) complications. The plug-and-patch technique had 26 (9%) recurrences and 24 (8%) complications. The simple closure of the internal ring had 2 (3%) recurrences and 10 (13%) complications. Laparoscopic hernioplasty is not without complications. Training, experience, and attention to technique will prevent some of these complications.

Laparoscopic toupet fundoplication for gastroesophageal reflux disease with poor esophageal body motility

Impaired esophageal body motility is a complication of chronic gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). In patients with this disease, a 360-degree fundoplication may result in severe postoperative dysphagia. Forty-six patients with GERD who had a weak lower esophageal sphincter pressure and a positive acid reflux score associated with impaired esophageal body peristalsis in the distal esophagus (amplitude <30 mm Hg and >10% simultaneous or interrupted waves) were selected to undergo laparoscopic Toupet fundoplication. They were compared with 16 similar patients with poor esophageal body function who underwent Nissen fundoplication. The patients who underwent Toupet fundoplication had less dysphagia than those who had the Nissen procedure (9% vs. 44%;P=0.0041). Twenty-four-hour ambulatory pH monitoring and esophageal manometry were repeated in 31 Toupet patients 6 months after surgery. Percentage of time of esophageal exposure to pH <4.0, DeMeester reflux score, lower esophageal pressure, intra-abdominal length, vector volume, and distal esophageal amplitude all improved significantly after surgery. Ninety-one percent of patients were free of reflux symptoms. The laparoscopic Toupet fundoplication provides an effective antireflux barrier according to manometric, pH, and symptom criteria. It avoids potential postoperative dysphagia in patients with weak esophageal peristalsis and results teria. It avoids potential postoperative dysphagia in patients with weak esophageal peristalsis and results in improved esophageal body function 6 months after, surgery.

Complications of laparoscopic herniorrhaphy

SummaryAnterior inguinal hernia repair is the second-most-commonly performed abdominal operation and has been associated with low morbidity and mortality rates. The principle of laparoscopy has been applied to this surgical problem in a series of 762 patients with 841 inguinal hernias. Four types of laparoscopic repairs were conducted: (1) high ligation of the indirect inguinal hernia sac and closure of the internal ring (87 patients with 89 hernias); (2) plug and patch of the internal ring (74 patients with 87 hernias); (3) transperitoneal suture repair of the transversalis fascia to the iliopubic tract or Coopers ligament (28 patients with 30 hernias); and (4) placement of a large prosthesis over the myopectoneal orifice (563 patients with 635 hernias). These early results indicate that the overall complication rates were low, especially when a large prosthesis was used to reinforce the myopectoneal orifice. It is concluded that laparoscopic inguinal herniorrhaphy is a safe and effective procedure with which to manage this surgical problem.

A laparoscopic intraperitoneal onlay mesh technique for the repair of an indirect inguinal hernia.

ObjectiveThis study was done (1) to determine whether congenital indirect inguinal hernias in male pigs could be repaired by placing a polypropylene mesh prosthesis over the defect intra-abdominally, (2) to measure the incidence of adhesions between intra-abdominal viscera and the prosthesis with and without the adhesion barrier oxidized regenerated cellulose, (3) to determine the incidence of other complications, and (4) to assess the effect on fertility. Summary Background DataSeveral techniques for laparoscopic inguinal hemrniorrhaphy are currently being evaluated to determine whether there are advantages over conventional inguinal herniorrhaphy. Perhaps the most controversial is the intraperitoneal onlay mesh procedure (IPOM). Its advantage is its simplicity (in that the repair is accomplished by placing a prosthesis over the hernia defect intra–abdominally, avolding a groin dissection). Its disadvantage is the potential for complications because the prosthesis is in contact with the intra-abdominal viscera. MethodsIn male pigs, polypropylene mesh alone or polypropylene mesh plus the adhesion barrier oxidized regenerated cellulose (composite prosthesis) was fixed to the peritoneum surrounding the hernia defect. In phase 1 (6-week follow-up), two groups of 13 pigs each underwent herniorrhaphy at laparotomy or laparoscopy. In phase 2 (7.1-month follow-up), 21 pigs underwent laparoscopic herniorrhaphy. ResultsAll IPOM herniorrhaphies were successful. The prostheses adhered most frequently to the bladder, followed by small bowel, peritoneum, and cord structures. Prosthetic erosion into these organs was not observed. Laparoscopically placed prostheses in phases 1 and 2 had significantly less surface covered by adhesions (13% ± 13% and 19% ± 27%, respectively) and a lower adhesion tenacity grade (1.5 ± 0.9 and 1.3 ± 1.1, respectively) than those placed at laparotomy (44% ± 27% and 2.5 ± 0.7, respectively; p p, 0.01). In phase 1, a histologic evaluation of laparoscopically placed speciments demonstrated significantly thinner above-mesh fibrotic tissue compared with the prostheses implanted at laparotomy (p < 0.04). In either phase, the use of the adhesion barrier did not produce any histologic difference between the polypropylene alone and the composite prosthesis. Fertility studies were performed in phase 2 and showed no adverse effects caused by either prosthesis.

Repair of 104 failed anti-reflux operations.

Objective:To assess whether reoperative surgery for failed Nissen fundoplication is beneficial and to classify all mechanisms of failure recognized. Summary Background Data:Antireflux surgery is often necessary, but a 10% failure rate is commonplace. We report results for patients undergoing reoperative surgery and present a nomenclature of mechanisms of failure. Methods:A total of 104 patients, who had a previous fundoplication for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), underwent reoperative surgery. Manometry (n = 86), endoscopy (n = 101), pH monitoring (n = 27), upright esophagram (n = 90), gastric emptying (n = 26), and symptom assessment (n = 104) were performed prior to reoperative surgery. Patients were also assessed before and during reoperation for mechanism of failure using a newly proposed classification. The operative approach was laparoscopic in 58 patients, via open laparotomy in 12, and a thoracotomy in 34 patients. Follow-up was conducted by phone interview and was completed in 97 patients (97%; 3 were deceased) with a mean follow-up of 32 months (range, 1–146 months). Results:The conversion rate to laparotomy for laparoscopic patients was 8%. The perioperative complication rate was 32%. One patient died of respiratory insufficiency after a laparotomy. Seven patients required additional surgery for correction of persistent or recurrent symptoms. The short and long-term complication rate was similar for the different operative approachs. Symptom resolution (rare or absent) occurred in 74% of patients with dysphagia, 75% with heartburn, 85% with regurgitation, and 94% with chest pain. The overall post-reoperative patient satisfaction was 7 on a scale of 1 to 10 and 3 on a scale of 1 to 4 when patients were asked to grade the operative result. There was no difference in the symptom resolution for patients operated upon by the laparoscopic approach as compared with laparotomy, but those patients undergoing a Collis gastroplasty had poorer results. The preoperative accuracy of assessment for mechanism of failure was 78%. A nomenclature of mechanisms of failure is included to aide reoperative assessment and new mechanisms of failure are described. Conclusion:Reoperative surgery results for GERD are satisfactory. A variety of operative approaches proved equally effective. Poorer results were observed in patients with more advanced disease.

An assessment of pain and return to normal activity: Laparoscopic herniorrhaphy vs open tension-free Lichtenstein repair

AbstractBackground: Laparoscopic herniorrhaphy is controversial and deserves critical evaluation. Methods: In a randomized prospective study transabdominal preperitoneal laparoscopic herniorrhaphy (n= 24) was compared in patients to the tension-free Lichtenstein repair (n= 29) utilizing validated and reliable pain and activity assessment tools. The Sickness Impact Profile (SIP) was used to compare preoperative normal activity to postoperative activity. A Pain-O-Meter (visual analogue scale plus affective and sensory pain descriptors) assessed intensity of pain. The total pain assessment score and SIP were compared across time (postoperative day 1–42). Analgesic medication was used as a covariate. Results: The total pain score was less for laparoscopic herniorrhaphy but this did not reach statistical significance. Similarly, the SIP showed modest improvement for laparoscopic herniorrhaphy. No differences between groups were noted for morphine equivalents of administered analgesics or length of hospitalization. Conclusion: Further investigation of laparoscopic herniorrhaphy is warranted.

The preoperative predictability of the short esophagus in patients with stricture or paraesophageal hernia.

AbstractBackground: Esophageal shortening is a known complication of advanced gastroesophageal reflux disease that may preclude a tension-free antireflux procedure. A retrospective analysis was performed to test the accuracy of preoperative testing. Methods: From September 1993 to December 1998, 39 patients underwent esophageal mobilization with intraoperative length assessment. Patients were selected on the basis of irreducible hiatal hernia, stricture formation, or both. Patients in the upright position with a fixed hiatal hernia larger than 5 cm on an esophagram were considered to have a short esophagus. Manometric length two standard deviations below the mean for height was considered abnormally short. Results: In 31 patients, intraoperative mobilization was sufficient to allow the gastroesophageal junction to lie 2 cm below the diaphragmatic crus, so no esophageal-lengthening procedure was required. Eight patients with a short esophagus required an esophageal-lengthening procedure after complete mobilization. Two patients subsequently underwent intrathoracic migration of the gastroesophageal junction (GEJ), with recurrence of symptoms and required gastroplasty during the second surgery. An esophagram had a sensitivity of 66% and a positive predictive value of 37%, whereas manometric length had a sensitivity of 43% and a positive predictive value of 25% for the diagnosis of short esophagus. The preoperative endoscopic finding of either a stricture or Barretts esophagus was the most sensitive test for predicting the need for a lengthening procedure. Conclusions: Manometry and esophagraphy are not reliable predictors of the short esophagus. Additional tests and/or tests combined with other parameters are needed.

Laparoscopic ultrasonography as compared with static or dynamic cholangiography at laparoscopic cholecystectomy. A prospective multicenter trial.

We compared laparoscopic ultrasonography (LICU) with static (S) or dynamic (D) cholangiography (IOC) for assessment of duct anatomy and calculi in 209 patients. LICU visualized ducts in 88% compared with 93% for IOC (P=0.046). Nineteen patients (9%) had stones: 17 were found by LICU (89%) and 10 (53%) by IOC (P=0.032). Time to perform LICU (7±3 min) was less than IOC (13±6 min) (P<0.0001). Time to perform SIOC (12±5 min) and DIOC (14±6 min) did not differ (P=0.48), nor did these tests differ in accuracy. LICU provided useful anatomical information but IOC better defined anatomic anomalies. LICU required less time but was less reliable at defining anatomy and complete duct visualization. LICU was more sensitive for stones. SIOC and DIOC did not differ objectively. LICU and IOC are complementary.