David M. Brams

Gastric outlet obstruction secondary to pancreatic cancer

Background: Gastric outlet obstruction in patients with pancreatic cancer has a grim prognosis. Open surgical bypass is associated with high morbidity, whereas endoscopic duodenal stenting appears to provide better palliation. Methods: We reviewed the medical records of patients with gastric outlet obstruction secondary to pancreatic carcinoma who were admitted to our clinic between 1 October 1988, and 30 September 1998. The data included stage of disease, American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) class, surgical interventions, complications, and survival. Results: A total of 250 patients with pancreatic cancer were identified. Twenty-five of them (10%) had gastric outlet obstruction. Of these 25, 17 were treated with gastrojejunostomy, six had duodenal stenting (Wallstent), and two were resectable. There was no significant difference between the gastrojejunostomy group and the duodenal stenting group in ASA class or stage of disease. For the gastrojejunostomy group, median survival was 64 days (range, 15-167) and postoperative stay in hospital was 15 days (range, 8-39). For the duodenal stenting group, median survival was 110.5 days (range, 42-212) and postoperative stay was 4 days (range, 2-6). Ten patients (58.8%) in the gastrojejunostomy group had delayed gastric emptying. All of the patients in the duodenal stenting group were able to tolerate a soft diet the day after stent placement. Thirty-day mortality in the gastrojejunostomy group was 17.64%; in the duodenal stenting group, it was 0. Conclusion: In pancreatic carcinoma patients with gastric outlet obstruction, duodenal stenting results in an earlier discharge from hospital and possibly improved survival.

Gasless laparoscopy and conventional instruments. The next phase of minimally invasive surgery.

OBJECTIVE To assess the capability of a retractor system that permits laparoscopic surgery without pneumoperitoneum and to determine if the system facilitates the use of conventional surgical instruments during minimally invasive surgery. DESIGN Prospective evaluation and data collection with review. SETTING University-affiliated county hospital. PATIENTS Twenty-nine male and 29 female subjects evaluated prospectively via 27 trauma-related and 31 elective procedures. METHODS Fifty-eight laparoscopic procedures were performed between July 1992 and February 1993 with a system consisting of an intra-abdominal fan retractor and an electrically powered mechanical arm using conventional surgical and laparoscopic instruments. RESULTS Gasless laparoscopy was used in the evaluation of 27 patients with abdominal trauma (11 gunshot wounds, 11 stab wounds, and five blunt injuries). The need for celiotomy was obviated in 20 (74%) of 27 cases. Three enterotomies, two diaphragmatic lacerations, and one gastric perforation were repaired with conventional instruments. Gasless laparoscopic techniques were also used in cholecystectomy (n = 26), diagnostic laparoscopy (n = 3), and appendectomy (n = 2). Exposure similar to that obtained by pneumoperitoneum was obtained in 30 (97%) of 31 cases. One major (trocar tip enterotomy) and two superficial wound infections occurred in this group. The ability to use conventional surgical instruments was advantageous in several cases. CONCLUSIONS Comparable exposure was achieved in this cohort of patients with gasless laparoscopy. The use of conventional surgical instruments provides an advantage with this technique. Further improvements in abdominal wall lift systems and modification of existing surgical instruments may expand the role of gasless laparoscopy.

Carbon dioxide pneumoperitoneum causes severe peritoneal acidosis, unaltered by heating, humidification, or bicarbonate in a porcine model

BackgroundCarbon dioxide (CO2) is the most common gas used for insufflation in laparoscopy, but its effects on peritoneal physiology are poorly understood. This study looks at the changes in peritoneal and bowel serosal pH during CO2 pneumoperitoneum, and whether heating and humidification with or without bicarbonate alters the outcomes.MethodsTwenty-one pigs divided into four groups as follows: (1) standard (STD) laparoscopy (n = 5); (2) heated and humidified (HH) laparoscopy (n = 6); (3) heated and humidified with bicarbonate (HHBI) laparoscopy (n = 5); and (4) laparotomy (n = 5). Peritoneal pH, bowel serosal pH, and arterial blood gas (ABG) were obtained at 15-min intervals for 3 h.ResultsSevere peritoneal acidosis (pH range 6.59–6.74) was observed in all laparoscopy groups, and this was unaltered by heating and humidification or the addition of bicarbonate. Bowel serosal acidosis was observed in all laparoscopy groups with onset of pneumoperitoneum, but it recovered after 45 minutes. No significant changes in peritoneal or bowel serosal pH were observed in the laparotomy group.ConclusionCO2 pneumoperitoneum resulted in severe peritoneal acidosis that was unaltered by heating and humidification with or without bicarbonate. Alteration in peritoneal pH may conceivably be responsible for providing an environment favorable for tumor-cell implantation during laparoscopy.

Peritoneal pH during laparoscopy is dependent on ambient gas environment: helium and nitrous oxide do not cause peritoneal acidosis

BackgroundLittle is know about the effects of different insufflation gases on peritoneal pH during laparoscopy. However, these changes may influence the intracellular signalling system, resulting in altered cell growth or adhesiveness. The aim of this study was to determine the effects of carbon dioxide (CO2), nitrous oxide (N2O), and helium (He) on parietal and visceral peritoneal pH. The effect of different intraabdominal pressures on parietal and visceral peritoneal pH was also examined.MethodsWe conducted both an ambient gas study and a pressure study. For the ambient gas study, 20 pigs were divided into the following four groups: (a) CO2, (b) He, (c) N2O, and (d) abdominal wall lift (Lift) laparoscopy. Parietal and visceral peritoneal pH were measured at 15 min intervals for 180 min. For the pressure study, 15 pigs were divided into the following three groups: (a) CO2, (b) He, (c) N2O laparoscopy. Baseline values were established for parietal and visceral peritoneal pH. Intraabdominal pressure was then increased stepwise at 1-mmHg intervals to 15 mmHg. After pressure was maintained for 15 min at each setting, parietal and visceral peritoneal pH were measured.ResultsAmbient gas environment was the major determinant of parietal peritoneal pH. Carbon dioxide caused parietal peritoneal acidosis. Helium, N2O, and Lift caused alkalotic parietal peritoneal pH. Intraabdominal pressure had a minor effect on parietal peritoneal pH. At higher intraabdominal pressure (12–15 vs 5–8 mmHg), CO2 caused a slight decrease in parietal peritoneal pH, whereas N2O and He caused a slight increase in parietal peritoneal pH. Visceral peritoneal pH remained relatively unaffected during all studies.ConclusionsParietal peritoneal pH during laparoscopy was highly dependent on the ambient gas environment. The effect of intraabdominal pressure on parietal peritoneal pH was of minor significance. Carbon dioxide caused a slight worsening of parietal peritoneal acidosis at higher intraabdominal pressure, whereas, N2O, He, and Lift did not cause parietal peritoneal acidosis.

Uncinatectomy: A Novel Surgical Option for the Management of Intraductal Papillary Mucinous Tumors of the Pancreas

An intraductal papillary mucinous tumor (IPMT) is a rare cystic lesion of the pancreas, comprising only 1% of all pancreatic exocrine neoplasms. The prognosis for these lesions is typically favorable as compared with invasive ductal carcinomas. Nevertheless, the management of IPMTs involves surgical resection due to their malignant potential. When located in the pancreatic head, the conventional treatment for IPMT is pancreatoduodenectomy. Some authors have advocated limited pancreatectomy for low-grade IPMTs of the pancreas, thereby decreasing the morbidity of more extensive resection. In this report, we describe our technique of minimal pancreatectomy, whereby the uncinate process and associated branch duct were completely extirpated while preserving remainder of the pancreatic head, duodenum, and pancreatic ducts. The case presented underscores the feasibility and advantages of minimal pancreatic resection in the management of such tumors.

Esophagectomy for Achalasia

At length the Disease having overcome all remedies, he was brought into that condition, that growing hungry he would eat until Oesophagus was filled up to the Throat, in the mean time nothing sliding down into the Ventricle, he cast up raw (or crude) whatsoever he had taken in: when that no Medicines could help and he languished away for hunger, and every Day was in Danger of Death. I prepared an instrument for him like a Rod, of a whale Bone, with a little round Button of Sponge fixed to the top of it; the sick Man having taken down meat and drink into his Throat, presently putting this down in the Oesophagus, he did thrust down into the Ventricle, its Orifice being opened, the Food which otherwise would have come back again... (1).

Effect of Incentive Spirometry on Postoperative Hypoxemia and Pulmonary Complications After Bariatric Surgery: A Randomized Clinical Trial

Importance The combination of obesity and foregut surgery puts patients undergoing bariatric surgery at high risk for postoperative pulmonary complications. Postoperative incentive spirometry (IS) is a ubiquitous practice; however, little evidence exists on its effectiveness. Objective To determine the effect of postoperative IS on hypoxemia, arterial oxygen saturation (SaO2) level, and pulmonary complications after bariatric surgery. Design, Setting, and Participants A randomized noninferiority clinical trial enrolled patients undergoing bariatric surgery from May 1, 2015, to June 30, 2016. Patients were randomized to postoperative IS (control group) or clinical observation (test group) at a single-center tertiary referral teaching hospital. Analysis was based on the evaluable population. Interventions The controls received the standard of care with IS use 10 times every hour while awake. The test group did not receive an IS device or these orders. Main Outcomes and Measures The primary outcome was frequency of hypoxemia, defined as an SaO2 level of less than 92% without supplementation at 6, 12, and 24 postoperative hours. Secondary outcomes were SaO2 levels at these times and the rate of 30-day postoperative pulmonary complications. Results A total of 224 patients (50 men [22.3%] and 174 women [77.7%]; mean [SD] age, 45.6 [11.8] years) were enrolled, and 112 were randomized for each group. Baseline characteristics of the groups were similar. No significant differences in frequency of postoperative hypoxemia between the control and test groups were found at 6 (11.9% vs 10.4%; P = .72), 12 (5.4% vs 8.2%; P = .40), or 24 (3.7% vs 4.6%; P = .73) postoperative hours. No significant differences were observed in mean (SD) SaO2 level between the control and test groups at 6 (94.9% [3.2%] vs 94.9% [2.9%]; P = .99), 12 (95.4% [2.2%] vs 95.1% [2.5%]; P = .40), or 24 (95.7% [2.4%] vs 95.6% [2.4%]; P = .69) postoperative hours. Rates of 30-day postoperative pulmonary complications did not differ between groups (8 patients [7.1%] in the control group vs 4 [3.6%] in the test group; P = .24). Conclusions and Relevance Postoperative IS did not demonstrate any effect on postoperative hypoxemia, SaO2 level, or postoperative pulmonary complications. Based on these findings, the routine use of IS is not recommended after bariatric surgery in its current implementation. Trial Registration clinicaltrials.gov Identifier: NCT02431455

Surgery for Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease

Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is one of the most common problems seen in medical practice. Approximately 10% of the U.S. population experiences heartburn daily, and 40% of the population has heartburn monthly. Seven percent of the population (40 million individuals) use over-the-counter antacids, H-2 receptor antagonists, or proton pump inhibitors at least twice weekly to relieve GERD symptoms. Surgical management of GERD is an effective alternative to medical management of GERD, and it is being more commonly employed (1).

Highly specific preoperative selection of solitary parathyroid adenoma cases in primary hyperparathyroidism by quantitative image analysis of the early-phase Technetium-99m sestamibi scan.

Highly specific preoperative localizing test is required to select patients for minimally invasive parathyroidectomy (MIP) in lieu of traditional four‐gland exploration. We hypothesized that Tc‐99m sestamibi scan interpretation incorporating numerical measurements on the degree of asymmetrical activity from bilateral thyroid beds can be useful in localizing single adenoma for MIP.

Long-Term Patient-Reported Outcomes of Paraesophageal Hernia Repair.

Background and Objectives: There is a lack of consensus on the optimal repair technique and the definition of good outcomes in paraesophageal hernia (PEH) repair. We reviewed long-term patient-reported outcomes of open and laparoscopic PEH repair to assist with our future surgical consent process. Methods: This was a retrospective case–control study including all patients with PEH repair performed from 2000 through 2012 at a single center without the use of mesh. We mailed questionnaires to patients to assess reoperation, symptom control, and satisfaction. Results: Chart review identified 217 patients who underwent PEH repair. Nineteen died during the follow-up period. Of the 106 returning the questionnaire, 87 underwent laparoscopic repair, and 19 had open repair, with follow-up of 6.6 (SD 3.9) years and 7.0 (SD 4.1) years, respectively. Reoperation rates were 9.9% and 5.3%, respectively (P = .720). Dysphagia, heartburn, and regurgitation improved in 95.4% of patients after laparoscopic repair and 89.5% after open repair (P = .318). Medication for symptom control was necessary in 54.0% of patients after laparoscopic repair and 26.3% after open repair (P = .029). In each group, 90% stated that they would still choose to have the operation (P = .713). Conclusions: Long-term patient-specific outcomes showed comparable, encouraging results between open and laparoscopic repair of PEH without mesh reinforcement. However, half of those undergoing laparoscopic repair required the use of medication for symptom control. This study adds to the literature describing long-term patient-specific outcomes and can be useful when counseling patients about PEH repair.