David Pace

Early experience with laparoscopic ileal pouch-anal anastomosis for ulcerative colitis.

The purpose of this study was to describe our minimally invasive technique and outline perioperative and medium-term outcomes in patients undergoing laparoscopic ileal pouch-anal anastomosis (LIPAA) for ulcerative colitis. Data were obtained from a prospectively collected database of 13 LIPPA procedures performed for ulcerative colitis between May 1994 and November 2000. Medium-term quality-of-life follow-up was obtained by telephone interview. Eight males and five females had an LIPAA performed, all of whom had previously undergone total abdominal colectomy with ileostomy. Median operative time was 255 minutes (range, 200–398 minutes) with one conversion (8%) due to adhesions. There were no deaths or intraoperative complications; however, six patients experienced seven postoperative complications within 30 days of final closure of defunctioning ileostomy (two leaks, two wound infections, one pulmonary embolus, and two reoperations for small bowel obstruction). Median length of stay was 7 days (range, 5–13 days). Median follow-up was 24 months (range, 6–66 months). The median number of day and night bowel movements was 6.0 (range, 3–10) and 1.0 (range, 0–3), respectively, with five patients requiring medication to control frequency. None had incontinence of stool or retrograde ejaculation; however, one had occasional incontinence of gas, three had occasional nocturnal soiling, and one was impotent. Three patients (23%) had pouchitis, all treated successfully with oral antibiotics. All patients were satisfied with the outcome of their operation and all preferred their pouch to previous ileostomy. Patients reported their overall social, emotional, and physical well being to be satisfactory to excellent. Results of the SF-36, a generic quality-of-life survey, were similar to those from studies of patients following an open pelvic pouch procedure. The LIPAA is technically feasible in experienced centers. We believe that the technique is still evolving and that more time and experience is required to refine the procedure.

Transperitoneal laparoscopic nephrectomy for giant polycystic kidneys: a case control study.

OBJECTIVES To describe the technique and compare the surgical outcomes of patients with autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD) undergoing laparoscopic or open nephrectomy for giant kidneys. METHODS The surgical outcome of our first 10 consecutive patients with ADPKD who underwent laparoscopic nephrectomy was analyzed from a large prospective computer database. The results were compared with the 10 most recent open nephrectomy procedures performed for ADPKD at the same institution. To facilitate safe laparoscopic hilar dissection, the kidneys were made manageable by volume reduction, accomplished through diligent cyst puncture and aspiration using a novel prototype suction device with a beveled tip. RESULTS No statistically significant differences were found between the laparoscopic and open surgical groups relative to patient sex, age, or median preoperative kidney size (24.0 versus 21.5 cm, respectively). The laparoscopic patients were significantly heavier than their open counterparts (94 versus 78 kg, P = 0.0095) and had a longer operative time (247 versus 205 minutes, P = 0.04). One conversion to open surgery occurred in the laparoscopic group because cysts were adherent to the spleen and colonic mesentery. No intraoperative complications or deaths occurred in either group and the postoperative complications were similar. The mean length of the postoperative hospitalization was markedly reduced with the laparoscopic compared with the open approach (2.6 versus 6.6 days, P = 0.00002). At a median of 12 months after surgery, none of the laparoscopic patients had recurrent pain, bleeding, or infection. CONCLUSIONS Laparoscopic nephrectomy is technically safe and feasible in patients with ADPKD. Progressive cyst aspiration is a critical step, facilitating the identification of vital structures and the creation of enough abdominal cavity space to operate. The advantages of this minimally invasive technique include a short hospital stay, minimal pain, low morbidity, and superior cosmesis.

Minimally invasive adrenalectomy for pheochromocytoma during pregnancy.

Pheochromocytoma during pregnancy is a very rare condition; fewer than 200 cases have been reported in the literature. We present the case of a 24-year-old pregnant woman found to have a pheochromocytoma during investigation of abdominal pain. This is the second reported case of laparoscopic adrenalectomy for pheochromocytoma detected during pregnancy. After appropriate radiologic investigation and medical management, a laparoscopic left adrenalectomy was performed at the beginning of the second trimester. There were no complications, and she was delivered of a healthy baby at term. We review the management of pheochromocytoma in pregnant patients and discuss the role of laparoscopy.

“needlescopic” Heller Myotomy

MIS continues to evolve with the introduction of new techniques and technology. This report discusses the use of “needlescopic” technology in the surgical management of achalasia. Heller myotomy procedures performed between January 1, 1997, and July 1, 2000, were analyzed and the results of 14 needlescopic procedures were compared with 15 laparoscopic procedures. Demographic and short-term outcome data were compared for each group using &khgr;2, Fisher exact, and Student t tests where appropriate. Both groups were similar in age and gender. However, the needlescopic group weighed less (72.2 vs. 83.5 kg;P = 0.05). Intraoperatively, the needlescopic procedures were shorter (98.2 vs. 131.9 minutes;P = 0.03). There were no conversions to open surgery or differences in the number of intraoperative complications for either group. Postoperatively, the groups had similar complications, time to normal diet, and analgesia requirements. Nonetheless, the needlescopic group had a shorter length of stay in hospital (1.1 vs. 2.0 days;P = 0.04). Needlescopic Heller myotomy appears to be a safe treatment option, resulting in a decreased length of stay and improved wound cosmesis.

Canadian Association of Gastroenterology Indicators of Safety Compromise following Colonoscopy in Clinical Practice

In 2012 the Canadian Association of Gastroenterology published 19 indicators of safety compromise. We studied the incidence of these indicators by reviewing all colonoscopies performed in St. Johns, NL, between January 1, 2012, and June 30, 2012. Results. A total of 3235 colonoscopies were included. Adverse events are as follows. Medication-related includes use of reversal agents 0.1%, hypoxia 9.9%, hypotension 15.4%, and hypertension 0.9%. No patients required CPR or experienced allergic reactions or laryngospasm/bronchospasm. The indicator, “sedation dosages in patients older than 70,” showed lower usage of fentanyl and midazolam in elderly patients. Procedure-related immediate includes perforation 0.2%, immediate postpolypectomy bleeding 0.3%, need for hospital admission or transfer to the emergency department 0.1%, and severe persistent abdominal pain proven not to be perforation 0.4%. Instrument impaction was not seen. Procedure-related delayed includes death within 14 days 0.1%, unplanned health care visit within 14 days of the colonoscopy 1.8%, unplanned hospitalization within 14 days of the colonoscopy 0.6%, bleeding within 14 days of colonoscopy 0.2%, infection 0.03%, and metabolic complication 0.03%. Conclusions. The most common adverse events were mild and sedation related. Rates of serious adverse events were in keeping with published reports.

Does the Presence of an Endoscopy Nurse Influence Adenoma Detection Rate during Colonoscopy

An endoscopy nurse acting as a second observer during colonoscopy may result in an increased adenoma detection rate (ADR). The impact a nurse can have on ADR may be related to endoscopy nurse experience. Common practice is to have an endoscopy nurse present in the procedure room during colonoscopy but not specifically dedicated to observation of the procedure. The objective of this study was to identify factors associated with increased rates of adenoma detection during colonoscopy. This was a retrospective study performed on 2001 adults who had colonoscopy in the year 2012 at a tertiary referral institution. Complete data were obtained for 1972 patients. Overall ADR was 21.9% among 17 endoscopists. Multivariate analysis of data was done to identify variables independently associated with ADR. Two nurses were independently associated with increased ADR, as were three endoscopists. Additional variables associated with increased ADR were male gender, patients of increasing age, patients with colorectal cancer (CRC) and a number of indications for procedure.