J. Andres Astudillo

Laparoscopic Appendectomy—Is it Worth the Cost? Trend Analysis in the US from 2000 to 2005

BACKGROUND Although laparoscopic appendectomy is widely used for treatment of appendicitis, it is still unclear if it is superior to the open approach. STUDY DESIGN From the Nationwide Inpatient Sample 2000 to 2005, hospitalizations with the primary ICD-9 procedure code of laparoscopic (LA) and open appendectomy (OA) were included in this study. Outcomes of length of stay, costs, and complications were assessed by stratified analysis for uncomplicated and complicated appendicitis (perforation or abscess). Regression methods were used to adjust for covariates and to detect trends. Costs were rescaled using the hospital and related services portion of the Medical Consumer Price Index. RESULTS Between 2000 and 2005, 132,663 (56.3%) patients underwent OA and 102,810 (43.7%) had LA. Frequency of LA increased from 32.2% to 58.0% (p < 0.001); conversion rates decreased from 9.9% to 6.9% (p < 0.001). Covariate adjusted length of stay for LA was approximately 15% shorter than for OA in both uncomplicated and complicated cases (p < 0.001). Adjusted costs for LA were 22% higher in uncomplicated appendicitis and 9% higher in patients with complicated appendicitis (p < 0.001). Costs and length of stay decreased over time in OA and LA. The risk for a complication was higher in the LA group (p < 0.05, odds ratio=1.07, 95% CI 1.00 to 1.14) with uncomplicated appendicitis. CONCLUSIONS LA results in higher costs and increased morbidity for patients with uncomplicated appendicitis. Nevertheless, LA is increasingly used. Patients undergoing LA benefit from a slightly shorter hospital stay. In general, open appendectomy may be the preferred approach for patients with acute appendicitis, with indication for LA in selected subgroups of patients.

Management of anastomotic leaks after Roux-en-Y bypass using self-expanding polyester stents

BACKGROUND To analyze the outcomes of a series of endoscopically placed polyester self-expanding polyflex stents (SEPSs) for the management of anastomotic leaks after Roux-en-Y bypass. Anastomotic leaks after gastric bypass cause significant morbidity and mortality. Covered polyester SEPSs might have a role in the treatment of these leaks. METHODS A retrospective chart review was performed from January 2006 to November 2006 that included all acute and chronic leaks treated with SEPSs. RESULTS A total of 6 patients were treated with stents, with a mean procedure time of 22 minutes. Of these 6 patients, 5 had acute postoperative leaks and 1 had a chronic fistula. Five patients started oral intake 1-6 days after their procedure. All acute leaks had complete healing at a median of 44 days. The patient with a chronic gastrocutaneous fistula required revisional surgery for fistula closure. In addition, 5 patients had stent migration, and 3 required stent replacement. CONCLUSION An endoscopically placed SEPS provides a less-invasive alternative to treat acute anastomotic leaks after Roux-en-Y bypass while simultaneously allowing oral intake. The results of this case series have demonstrated this treatment to be safe and effective.

Gastrotomy creation and closure for NOTES using a gastropexy technique (with video)

BACKGROUND Safe and efficient gastrotomy creation and closure is pivotal for natural orifice transluminal endoscopic surgery (NOTES). OBJECTIVE To test a method of transgastric access and closure with commercially available devices. DESIGN An animal survival study. SETTING University hospital. PATIENTS Fifteen pigs. INTERVENTIONS By using a surgical suture passer, under endoscopic guidance, 3 percutaneous stay sutures were placed, in a triangular fashion, through the gastric wall. A gastrotomy was created with a dilation balloon, which was introduced over a guidewire through the gastric wall in the center of the 3 sutures. After performing a NOTES procedure, the gastrotomy was closed by tying the sutures. Necropsies were performed after 2 to 4 weeks. MAIN OUTCOME MEASUREMENTS Success and time of gastrotomy creation and closure, and intraoperative and postoperative complications. RESULTS Gastrotomies were successfully created and closed in all the animals. The median time to create a gastrotomy was 19 minutes (range 11-85 minutes), and the median closure time was 1 minute (range 1-45 minutes). One pig died on postoperative day 1 because of peritonitis caused by a leaking gastrotomy site that extended beyond the stay sutures. There were no other gastrotomy-related complications. All gastrotomies were well healed at the necropsy. LIMITATION No control group. CONCLUSIONS We evaluated a simple method by using the principles of the PEG technique combined with a gastropexy, which is familiar to the majority of endoscopists. Strict attention to the gastrotomy site is needed, because one leak was from the gastrotomy site that extended beyond the stay sutures.

In Search of the Best Peritoneal Adhesion Model: Comparison of Different Techniques in a Rat Model

BACKGROUND Adhesion-related complications after abdominal surgery result in significant morbidity and costs. Results from animal studies investigating prevention or treatment of adhesions are limited due to lack of consistency in existing animal models. The aim of this study was to compare quality and quantity of adhesions in four different models and to find the best model. MATERIALS AND METHODS This study was approved by the University of Missouri Animal Care and Use Committee (ACUC). Forty female rats were randomly assigned to four different groups of 10 animals each. Adhesion created was performed utilizing the four techniques: Group 1 - parietal peritoneum excision (PPE), Group 2 - parietal peritoneum abrasion (PPA), Group 3 - peritoneal button creation (PBC), and Group 4 - cecal abrasion (CA). Rats were allowed to recover and necropsy was performed on postoperative d 14. Adhesions were scored by an established quantitative and qualitative scoring systems. The midline incision served as the control in each animal. RESULTS The four groups were not equal with respect to both quantity score (P<0.001) and quality score (P=0.042). The PBC group had the highest quantity of adhesions. The highest quality of adhesion was seen in the PPE group. A multivariate analysis carried out to quantify the performance of each model clearly demonstrated that PBC exhibited the best results in terms of both quantity and quality. CONCLUSIONS The button technique (PBC) is most consistent and reproducible technique for an intra-abdominal adhesion model. This model can help in the study and development of substances to prevent adhesion formation in the future.

Transvaginal Repair of a Large Chronic Porcine Ventral Hernia with Synthetic Mesh Using NOTES

Transvaginal placement of synthetic mesh to repair large porcine hernia using NOTES technology appears to be a feasible alternative to traditional techniques.

Ascariasis in the Hepatobiliary System: Laparoscopic Management

BACKGROUND Ascariasis is an endemic disease in developing countries. The parasite can invade the hepatobiliary tree and cause symptoms. Medical therapy can be ineffective in these patients and intervention techniques required. STUDY DESIGN A retrospective review of patient charts between February 1992 and February 2007 in the Hospital Latinoamericano, Cuenca, Ecuador, was performed to identify patients having surgical or endoscopic treatment for hepatobiliary ascariasis. Patient demographics, treatment algorithms, and outcomes are described and analyzed. RESULTS There were 13 cases of hepatobiliary infestation by ascaris treated through endoscopy or operation. All patients presented with colicky abdominal pain in the right upper quadrant. Hepatic and biliary ultrasonography identified parasites in 12 patients. In the other patient, a hepatic abscess containing ascaris was found incidentally during cholecystectomy. There were 11 patients with ascariasis in the common bile duct, 1 in whom the cystic duct was occluded, causing acute cholecystitis. In 12 patients, conservative management was attempted and was unsuccessful. Endoscopic extraction was successful in four of these patients. Six patients underwent laparoscopic cholecystectomy, common bile duct exploration with parasite extraction, and T-tube placement. Parasite extraction through common bile duct exploration followed by primary closure was performed in one patient. Cholecystotomy and parasite extraction followed by cholecystectomy were performed in one patient. The final patient had cholecystectomy and parasite extraction from a liver abscess without earlier medical therapy. CONCLUSIONS Ascariasis in the hepatobiliary system should be considered in the differential diagnosis of upper abdominal pain for patients in populations at risk. When an operation is indicated, it can be accomplished by endoscopic or laparoscopic approach.

Transgastric cholecystectomy using a prototype endoscope with 2 deflecting working channels (with video)

BACKGROUND Transgastric cholecystectomy has been shown to be feasible in animal models and human case reports but cumbersome with current available instrumentation. OBJECTIVE To evaluate a prototype endoscope with 2 working channels with deflectors at the distal tip for performance of transgastric cholecystectomy. DESIGN Animal study, nonsurvival and survival. ANIMALS Sixteen male pigs. SETTING University hospital. INTERVENTION Transgastric cholecystectomy in 6 nonsurvival pigs by using several different dual-channel endoscopes and 10 survival pigs by using the Olympus dual-channel endoscope with an up-down deflecting channel to the left of the objective lens and a left-right deflecting channel located below the lens. Gallbladder fundic retraction was performed with the aid of one laparoscopic grasper. RESULTS Cholecystectomy was successful in all survival animals. Median procedure time was 81 minutes (range 31-163 minutes), with a decrease over time. Visualization of all structures was achieved, and clipping of the cystic duct and artery was successful in all cases. Dissection of the gallbladder via the left-right channel was enhanced with retraction via the up-down deflecting channel. Nine of 10 animals survived without complications. One animal died, on postoperative day 2, secondary to peritonitis due to a leak from the gastrotomy site. CONCLUSIONS This endoscope, with deflecting working channels, allows transgastric cholecystectomy in pigs. The endoscope was stable enough to be used without an overtube and facilitated retraction and dissection. This endoscope is promising for use in transgastric cholecystectomy in human beings.