Raphael S. Chung

A meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials of laparoscopic versus conventional appendectomy.

BACKGROUND Despite many randomized controlled trials, the merits of laparoscopic appendectomy remain unclear. A meta-analysis may provide insights not evident from any individual studies. DATA SOURCES Systematic literature search yielded 17 trials (1,962 subjects) of true randomized design with usable statistical data comparing laparoscopic and conventional appendectomy in adults. The effect sizes for operating time, hospitalization, postoperative pain, return to normal activity, wound infection, and intra-abdominal abscess were calculated, using the random effects model to allow for heterogeneity. An estimate of the robustness of all positive findings was also calculated. RESULTS Modest but statistically significant effect sizes were found for four of the six outcome measures. Laparoscopic appendectomy takes 31% longer to perform, but results in less postoperative pain, faster recovery (by 35%), and lower wound infection rates (by 60%). CONCLUSION Laparoscopic appendectomy offers significant improvement in postoperative outcomes at the cost of a longer operation.

Pancreas-sparing duodenectomy: Indications, surgical technique, and results

BACKGROUND Pancreatoduodenectomy, originally performed for malignancy of the pancreas and duodenum, is also commonly used for potentially malignant lesions. Because a normal pancreas should be spared, we investigated the concept of duodenectomy alone with the pancreas intact for diseases such as familial adenomatous polyposis syndrome. METHODS Five patients underwent pancreas-sparing duodenectomy for nonmalignant lesions performed by means of meticulous detachment of the duodenum from the pancreas, transecting the bile and pancreatic ducts outside the duodenum. Reconstruction was accomplished by advancing the jejunum to anastomose end-to-end with the juxtapyloric duodenal cuff, implanting the bile and pancreatic ducts in a location corresponding to the native papilla. The hospital course, complications, and long-term follow-up status of all patients are reviewed in detail. RESULTS No deaths occurred in this series. Delayed gastric emptying was seen in one patient and transient pancreatic fistula in another. Long-term endoscopic follow-up showed no stenosis of the ductal anastomoses. Endoscopic surveillance, including endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography, was not hampered by this technique of reconstruction. CONCLUSIONS Pancreas-sparing duodenectomy is a practical operation for nonmalignant duodenal lesions where the pancreas is not involved by the disease process.

A case controlled study of laparoscopic incisional hernia repair

AbstractBackground: Although the feasibility of laparoscopic incisional herniorrhaphy has been demonstrated, its advantages over the open technique are still unproven. Methods: Fourteen consecutive laparoscopic incisional hernia repairs were compared with 14 matched controls of the open repair done by the same surgeon at the same institution. The controls were selected by a medical record technician not connected with the study. The cases were selected to match diagnoses, ASA status, and body weight as closely as possible. The outcome data for operating time, blood loss, hospitalization, resumption of oral intake, and postoperative complications were analyzed for statistically significant differences. Results: There was no statistical difference between the two groups in the parameters of blood loss, hospital days, or days to oral intake. The laparoscopic operation took 40% longer. Similar complications were seen in both groups. No mortality or early recurrences occurred in either group. Conclusion: Laparoscopic incisional hernia repair of at least moderate complexity had no demonstrable advantage over the open repair in the present study.

A controlled clinical trial of whole gut lavage as a method of bowel preparation for colonic operations

In a prospective randomized clinical trial, whole gut lavage was evaluated against conventional mechanical cleansing for colonic operations. The lavage took less time to perform, was better tolerated by patients, and resulted in more satisfactory preparation as judged by frequency of collapsed intestines. There was no difference in the outcome in the two series as measured by wound infection rate and length of hospitalization. It is concluded that whole gut lavage is as good as conventional mechanical cleansing but surpasses the latter in logistic advantages.

Blood flow in colonic anastomoses: effect of stapling and suturing

Sutureline blood flow was measured with laser Doppler velocimetry in colonic anastomoses created with the stapler, manual suturing, or a combination. Blood flow was always reduced in the sutureline compared with normal mucosa. Of all the anastomoses studied, tight stapling reduced sutureline blood flow the most, whereas the two-layered manual anastomosis or stapling reinforced with sutures were somewhat less ischemic. Stapling adjusted to bowel wall thickness impaired flow only moderately. It was possible with practice to outperform the stapler by single-layered manual anastomosis using fine sutures. In humans, stapled ileocolostomy had a higher sutureline blood flow than the two-layered manual anastomosis. In view of the existing clinical experience of safe stapling without adjustment for bowel wall thickness, a low sutureline blood flow is probably tolerated to a considerable degree in humans. However, this study clearly shows that tight stapling can reduce sutureline blood flow unduly, whereas superior blood supply can be attained by attention to staple closure height relative to bowel wall thickness.

A case-controlled study of laparoscopic splenectomy

BACKGROUND The utility of laparoscopic splenectomy (LS) has not been tested in general surgical practice. This is a case controlled study comparing the clinical results and economics of L.S. and open splenectomy (OS) in a community hospital. METHODS The outcome of a series of 15 patients undergoing LS were compared to 15 patients undergoing OS matched for diagnosis, splenic weight, age, and main co-morbidites, selected by a person independent of the project. RESULTS In both series, the indications were immune thrombocytopenic purpura, hemolytic anemias, hairy cell leukemia and, staging for Hodgkins disease. LS resulted in shorter hospitalization (2.3 vs 8.8 days) with fewer postoperative complications. However, the operation was 1.7 times as long, and the operating room charge 2.9 times as high, so that the total cost of LS (

Pancreas-Sparing Duodenectomy Is Effective Management for Familial Adenomatous Polyposis

18,015) was greater than that for OS (

Surgical Decisions in the Management of Duodenal Perforation Complicating Endoscopic Sphincterotomy

14,524). If the cost of treatment of complications is included, then the total is the same for both at our institutions. CONCLUSION Except for a few indications not addressed in this study, LS can be used in lieu of OS.

Efficacy of routine laparoscopy for the acute abdomen.

Duodenal adenocarcinoma remains the leading cause of cancer death in familial adenomatous polyposis patients following colectomy. Stratification based on Spigelman’s criteria provides a means for determining therapy. Spigelman stage IV patients have been selected for pancreas-sparing duodenectomy. Twentyone patients underwent resection between 1992 and 2004, with a mean age of 58 ±11 years. The mean time from colectomy to duodenectomy was 27 ±13 years. Invasive cancer was found in the distal duodenum in one patient. Operative time averaged 327 ±61 minutes with a mean blood loss of 503 ± 266 ml. There was no mortality, and eight patients (38%) had 14 complications: six (29%) with delayed gastric emptying, four (19%) with biliary/pancreatic anastomotic leak, one with pancreatitis, and one with wound infection. There were two reoperations: one for delayed gastric emptying and one for an early biliary leak. Mean length of stay was 15 ±10 days. Two late complications occurred: a stomal ulcer and an intestinal obstruction at 48 and 24 months, respectively. Mean follow-up was 79 months (range, 3–152 months). Two patients developed polyps in the advanced jejunal limb and were endoscopically treated. Pancreassparing duodenectomy represents a definitive treatment for advanced duodenal polyposis and can obviate the need for pancreaticoduodenectomy.

Injection sclerotherapy for control of acute variceal hemorrhage

The management of duodenal perforation associated with endoscopic sphincterotomy is controversial. Despite the fact that many patients recover without surgery, surgical opinion tends to favor immediate operation upon diagnosis since the mortality is high when sepsis is advanced. To refine the criteria for operative management, all duodenal perforations after endoscopic sphincterotomy over a 5-year period were studied. In a series of 464 consecutive endoscopic sphincterotomies, 8 duodenal perforations occurred; additionally, 4 patients with duodenal perforation were referred from elsewhere for management. Six patients were managed initially with nonoperative treatment (group I), and six underwent exploratory surgery upon diagnosis or hospital transfer (group II). One patient in group I was operated on 4 days after diagnosis. Of the seven surgically treated patients, three had repair of the duodenal perforation and drainage of the abscess or phlegmon, but four had no gross inflammation or visible duodenal perforation requiring repair at exploration. The clinical features of abdominal pain with physical signs significantly correlated with operative findings of pus or phlegmon (p < 0.05). Improvement in symptoms within 24 hours is correlated with spontaneous recovery (p < 0.01). Neither the presence of retroperitoneal air nor contrast leak is predictive of the need for surgery, and neither correlated with the size of the perforation. It is concluded that duodenal perforation may be treated successfully without surgery when the symptoms are mild and improve rapidly with medical treatment, but surgery should be undertaken if pain and abdominal signs are prominent, if suppuration is suspected, or if symptoms do not improve after a brief period of nonoperative management.