Mohamed E. Abd Ellatif

Comparative study between duct to mucosa and invagination pancreaticojejunostomy after pancreaticoduodenectomy: A prospective randomized study

BACKGROUND The ideal technical pancreatic reconstruction following pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD) is still debated. The aim of the study was to assess the surgical outcomes of duct to mucosa pancreaticojejunostomy (PJ) (G1) and invagination PJ (G2) after PD. METHODS Consecutive patients treated by PD at our center were randomized into either group. The primary outcome measure was the rate of postoperative pancreatic fistula (POPF); secondary outcomes included; operative time, day to resume oral feeding, postoperative morbidity and mortality, exocrine and endocrine pancreatic functions. RESULTS One hundred and seven patients treated by PD were randomized. The median operative time for reconstruction was significantly longer in G1 (34 vs. 30 min, P=0.002). POPF developed in 11/53 patients in G1 and 8/54 patients in G 2, P=0.46 (6 vs. 2 patients had a POPF type B or C, P=0.4). Steatorrhea after one year was 21/50 in G1 and 11/50 in G2, respectively (P=0.04). Serum albumin level after one year was 3.4 gm% in G1 and 3.6 gm in G2 (P=0.03). There was no statistically significant difference regarding the incidence of DM preoperatively and one year postoperatively. CONCLUSION Invagination PJ is easier to perform than duct to mucosa especially in small pancreatic duct. The soft friable pancreatic tissue can be problematic for invagination PJ due to parenchymal laceration. Invagination PJ was not associated with a lower rate of POPF, but it was associated with decreased severity of POPF and incidence of postoperative steatorrhea. CLINICAL TRIALS. GOV ID NCT02142517.

Optimal level of sympathectomy for primary palmar hyperhidrosis: T3 versus T4 in a retrospective cohort study.

BACKGROUND To compare the results obtained with T3 versus T4 sympathectomy in treatment of primary palmar hyperhidrosis (PH). METHODS By retrospective review of medical records of patients with PH who underwent thoracoscopic sympathectomy from February, 2009 to September, 2012. The patients were categorized into two groups: T3 group underwent T3 sympathectomy and T4 group underwent T4 sympathectomy. Patients were evaluated according to the results of sweating, compensatory hyperhidrosis (CH), degree of satisfaction, complications and recurrence. Mean follow up was 19 ± 7 months. RESULTS A total of 274 consecutive patients with PH were included in this study. There were 169 females and 105 males, with mean age of 29 ± 11 years. 129 patients underwent T3 sympathectomy (T3 group). The T4 group included 145 patients who underwent T4 sympathectomy. 71.7% patients of T4 group did not complain of CH in comparison to 25.6% patients in group T3 (P = 0.001) and the incidence of mild to moderate CH was higher in the T3 group than T4 (64.4% vs. 26.9%; p = 0.001). T4 group showed a great significance in the (very satisfied category) in comparison to T3 group (P = 0.001). The incidence of over-dry hands was significantly lower in group T4 (0.7%, 1 out of 145) than in group T3 (8.5%, 11 out of 129). The recurrence rate was similar in the two groups (0.8% vs. 1.4%; P = 0.19). CONCLUSION Video-assisted T3 or T4 sympathectomy is a safe and effective procedure for treatment of palmar hyperhidrosis. T4 sympathectomy appears associated with less severe dryness and CH than T3 sympathectomy at long-term follow-up.

Varicocelectomy to Treat Pain, and Predictors of Success: A Prospective Study

Objective: We attempted to examine the success rate of varicocele ligation when performed for the treatment of pain and to evaluate all the predictor factors that may affect the resolution of pain. Patients and Methods: From January 2008 to January 2011, a total 152 patients presented with painful varicocele to our out-patient clinic. While waiting for surgery, 7 patients (4.6%) resolved their pain with conservative management and 145 patients underwent varicocelectomy due to failure. The first follow-up visit was after 1 week to check the wounds and 130 patients attended the second visit after 3 months. Follow-up evaluation included physical examination, questioning of pain severity (compared with preoperative pain severity), development of any postoperative complications, and color Doppler to study recurrence reflux. Results: During the study period, 145/397 (36.5%) patients underwent varicocelectomy for pain. Of the 145 men operated on for pain 130 (89.6%) were available for follow-up. A subinguinal approach was used in 93 patients (71.5%) and high ligation in 37(28.5%). Of the 130 patients contacted after surgery, 109 (83.8%) reported complete resolution of pain, 7 (5.4%) had partial resolution of pain and 14 did not show benefit from surgery. There was no association between varicocele grade, quality of pain, type of varicocele ligation, or recurrence and pain resolution after surgery, only the duration of pain seems to be a factor that is considerably associated with pain resolution. Conclusion: Varicocelectomy is a successful option for treatment of painful varicocele in selected patients. The duration of pain may predict outcomes in these patients.

Dye assisted lymphatic sparing subinguinal varicocelectomy. A prospective randomized study.

BACKGROUND Division of lymphatic vessels during varicocelectomy could lead to hydrocele formation and decrease in testicular function due to testicular edema. We determined if the use of methylene blue combined with optical magnification reduces the incidence of post-varicocelectomy hydrocele. METHODS Consecutive patients treated for varicocele at our institution were evaluated for inclusion. Participants were randomly allocated to receive either subinguinal varicocelectomy after 2 ml intratunical space injection of methylene blue and group 2 in whom no mapping technique was adopted during subinguinal varicocelectomy. After surgery, the patients were assessed at 2 weeks, 6 and 12 months for hydrocele, testicular edema, varicocele recurrence, atrophy, pain or other complications with mean follow-up was 15 ± 7 months. RESULTS Eighty patients with varicocele were randomized and completed the study. There were no intra complications in either group. In group (1) no patient had a hydrocele after surgery. By contrast, in group (2) there were four cases of secondary hydrocele (10%; P = 0.041)); no testicular hypertrophy was observed following lymphatic sparing surgery; One patient in each group had varicocele recurrence. Pregnancy was reported in 30 patients (37.5%) during the follow-up period, 17 of them (42.5%) were group (1) difference was not significantly different among both groups. CONCLUSIONS Subinguinal varicocelectomy using combination of optical magnification and lymphatic staining (methylene blue) offers simple and quick preservation of the draining lymphatic vessels and avoids secondary hydrocele formation. ClinicalTrials.gov ID: NCT01259258.

Cystobiliary communication in hepatic hydatid cyst: predictors and outcome

BACKGROUND/AIMS Cystobiliary communication (CBF) with hepatic hydatid disease is responsible for postoperative bile leakage after surgical management. This study aims to detect various predictors of CBF and its outcome after surgical management. MATERIALS AND METHODS This is a retrospective, cohort study of all patients who underwent surgical management for hydatid disease of the liver. Patient data were recorded on an internal web-based registry system supplemented by paper records. Patients were classified into two groups according to the presence of CBF: group (A) patients with CBF and group (B) patients without CBF. RESULTS There were 123 patients with a hepatic hydatid cyst with a mean age of 39.92±14.59 years. Patients were classified into group (A), 26 patients (21.1%) with CBF, and group (B), 97 patients (78.9%) without CBF. The age group (p=0.04), presence of jaundice (p=0.001), serum glutamic-pyruvic transaminase (SGPT) (p=0.001), cyst size (p=0.0001), and cyst size group (>10 cm) (p=0.0001) were associated with CBF. That cyst size was the only independent predictor of the occurrence of CBF. Intraoperative suturing and the T tube led to complete healing of CBF, and postoperative endoscopic retrograde cholangio-pancreatography (ERCP) and tubal drainage led to a rapid reduction in the bile output and the healing of the fistulas after 9±2.6 days. CONCLUSION That cyst size was the only independent predictor for the occurrence of CBF. Management is related to the size of the fistula, the site of the cyst, and the experience of the hepatobiliary surgeon. ERCP is an important option for the management of CBF.

Effect of alpha lipoic acid co-administration on structural and immunohistochemical changes in subcutaneous tissue of anterior abdominal wall of adult male albino rat in response to polypropylene mesh implantation

Polypropylene mesh is commonly used in the treatment of abdominal hernia. Different approaches were addressed to improve their tissue integration and consequently reduce long‐term complications. This study aimed to investigate the effect of alpha‐lipoic acid (ALA) co‐administration on structural and immunohistochemical (IHC) changes in the subcutaneous tissues of the anterior abdominal wall of the adult rat in response to polypropylene mesh implantation. Forty adult male albino rats were divided into: group I (control), group II (receiving ALA), group III (polypropylene mesh implantation) and group IV (mesh implantation + ALA co‐administration). After 4 weeks, subcutaneous tissue samples were prepared for light microscopy and IHC study of CD34 as a marker for angiogenesis. In groups I and II rats, positive CD34 expression was demonstrated by IHC reaction, localized to endothelial cells lining small blood vessels. Group III showed an excess inflammatory reaction, deposition of both regular and irregularly arranged collagen fibres around mesh pores and few elastic fibres. CD34‐positive was detected not only in cells lining small blood vessels but also in other cells scattered in the connective tissue indicating angiogenesis. In group IV, ALA co‐administration resulted in less inflammatory reaction, regular collagen deposition, enhanced elastic fibres synthesis and a significant increase in CD34‐positive cells and small blood vessels reflecting improved angiogenesis. ALA co‐administration with polypropylene mesh implantation controlled the inflammatory reaction, helped regular collagen deposition, enhanced elastic fibres synthesis and improved angiogenesis in the subcutaneous tissue of anterior abdominal wall of adult albino rats, suggesting a possible role of ALA in optimizing mesh integration in subcutaneous tissue.

Latif’s point: A new point for Veress needle insertion for pneumoperitoneum in difficult laparoscopy

Creating pneumoperitoneum is the most challenging step during laparoscopy. The periumbilical area is the classic site for Veress needle insertion. We adopted a new access point for peritoneal insufflation.

Laparoscopic cholecystectomy as a day surgery operation: two centers experience. -

Background: Day-surgery laparoscopic cholecystectomy (DSLC) become the standard management of chronic gall bladder diseases worldwide due to its safety and feasibility. The aim of the present study was to study DSLC at two secondary care governmental hospitals in Saudi Arabia with a separate day-surgery unite in terms of complications, same-day discharge, to identify early discharge associated problems, and to determine patient satisfaction. Methods: Over a 3-years period, all patients undergoing elective laparoscopic cholecystectomy under the authors were prospectively studied. Patients fulfill criteria for DSLC were offered the procedure. All patients were asked on follow up postoperatively about their satisfaction and recommendation of DSLC for their relatives and friends. Results: Eight hundred and sixteen patients underwent elective day surgery laparoscopic cholecystectomies, predominantly female (89.7%) and ASA I (77.2%) with a mean age 38.1± 18.7 years. Eighty eight percent of the patients were discharged directly from the day surgery unite, and nearly 89.6% of the patients were discharged within 24 hours of the operation. Re-admission following hospital discharge was necessary for 3 patients (0.37%). The overall rate of complications was 1.35% (11patients). At follow-up, 701 patients (97.36%) were satisfied with their experience undergoing DSLC. Conclusions: Our findings support the evidence that DSLC is safe and feasible. Many patients satisfied with their length of stay and day surgery ward care although we extend the criteria for DSLC.