Video-assisted transthoracic liver resection in patients with marginal liver function: a retrospective cohort study

Purpose: Laparoscopic hepatectomy has been widely performed by hepatobiliary surgeons for malignancy of liver and gained wide acceptance for various liver tumors, thanks to advances in surgical techniques and devices. But, there are some challenges for right side tumor in patients of cirrhotic liver. Especially, tumor located in right upper area is difficult for wedge resection in patients with marginal liver function, because trans-abdominal approach requires normal parenchymal dissection. Radiofrequency wave ablation is also difficult for such a lesion. So, we demonstrate unique technique of video-assisted transthoracic liver resection (VTLR) for overcome right upper side tumor abutting diaphragm.Methods: Four patients underwent VTLR. Four ports in right chest wall were created by a chest surgeon and diaphragm was open. Then traction of the diaphragm was done by suture. After exposure of liver surface, tumor localization was done by ultrasound. The mass excision was done by ultrasonic shear.Results: Four patients were discharged without complications within 11.3 days (range, 6–15 days). On average, patients started to consume a normal diet on an average of 2.4 days (range, 1–4 days).Conclusion: VTLR is could be performed by an experienced surgeon and chest surgeon for right upper liver malignancy abutting diaphragm in patient of marginal liver function.

Giant Paraesophageal Hernia With Obstructing Splenic Flexure Mass in the Left Hemithorax

Giant paraesophageal hernias contain greater than fifty percent of the stomach above the diaphragm. Over fifty percent of large bowel obstructions are due to colorectal adenocarcinoma. Here, we present a rare case of a 69-year-old female patient who developed a closed loop colonic obstruction caused by a colonic mass in the distal transverse colon within a giant paraesophageal hernia. We successfully performed emergent paraesophageal hernia reduction and mesh repair with extended right hemicolectomy and ileocolonic anastomosis. Emergent hernia repair via an abdominal approach can be used in this setting.

Bochdalek Hernia and Partial Diaphragmatic Agenesis: Pedicled Intercostal Muscle Flap and Mesh Repair in a Young Adult with Sickle Cell Disease

Congenital Bochdalek hernia (BH) in an adult is rare and has an unusual presentation. They are confined to the pediatric age group with an incidence of 1:3,000 live births. It rarely persists asymptomatic until adulthood. Surgical repair by thoracic, abdominal, or thoraco-abdominal approach is the treatment of choice with diaphragmatic reconstruction in associated diaphragmatic agenesis. With only 10 cases of BH with partial diaphragmatic agenesis reported to date, we discuss the rarity, unusual presentation, and management of BH in a young adult with sickle cell disease that has not been reported in the literature.

Postradiation genitourinary fistulae: retrospective study

Introduction. Radiation therapy of the pelvic organs, used to treat malignant neoplasms, is the main cause of urogenital fistula formation (UGF). The widespread use of radiation therapy in the treatment of malignant neoplasms of the pelvic organs has led to an increase in the number of patients with radiation injuries. The study of the prevalence, characteristics and long-term results of surgical treatment of fistulas are of great interest. Materials and methods. There are 76 patients with postradial fistulae received treatment in our Clinic Department of Urology of A.E. Evdokimov Moscow State University of Medicine and Dentistry for the last 6 years from 2012 – through 2018; 49 patients (64.5%) were operated on. The majority of the patients were suffering from vesicovaginal fistula 48.7% (37 people). Transvaginal approach was used in 35 cases (71.4%); abdominal approach was in 7 cases (14.3%); laparoscopic approach was in 3 cases (6.1%); robotic approach took place in 2 cases (4.1%); combined – one case (2%), percutaneous puncture nephrostomy – 1 case (2%). The various flaps technique took place in 40.8% of cases (20/49). Results. In total, radiation indced fistula closed in 35 out of 49 patients successfully. As a result, overall efficiency was 71%. The presented data has included our experience over the past 6 years, which is limited by the standardization of treatment and the lack of some data. Conclusions. Closing the fistula can be performed in several stages: by reducing the size of the fistula and giving patients more time to recover.

Increased risk of diaphragmatic herniation following esophagectomy with a minimally invasive abdominal approach

Summary Objective Diaphragmatic herniation is a rare complication following esophagectomy, associated with risks of aspiration pneumonia, bowel obstruction, and strangulation. Repair can be challenging due to the presence of the gastric conduit. We performed this systematic review and meta-analysis to determine the incidence and risk factors associated with diaphragmatic herniation following esophagectomy, the timing and mode of presentation, and outcomes of repair. Methods A systematic search using Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis guidelines was performed using four major databases. A meta-analysis of diaphragmatic herniation incidence following esophagectomies with a minimally invasive abdominal (MIA) approach compared with open esophagectomies was conducted. Qualitative analysis was performed for tumor location, associated symptoms, time to presentation, and outcomes of postdiaphragmatic herniation repair. Results This systematic review consisted of 17,052 patients from 32 studies. The risk of diaphragmatic herniation was 2.74 times higher in MIA esophagectomy compared with open esophagectomy, with pooled incidence of 6.0% versus 3.2%, respectively. Diaphragmatic herniation was more commonly seen following surgery for distal esophageal tumors. Majority of patients (64%) were symptomatic at diagnosis. Presentation within 30 days of operation occurred in 21% of cases and is twice as likely to require emergent repair with increased surgical morbidity. Early diaphragmatic herniation recurrence and cardiorespiratory complications are common sequelae following hernia repair. Conclusions In the era of MIA esophagectomy, one has to be cognizant of the increased risk of diaphragmatic herniation and its sequelae. Failure to recognize early diaphragmatic herniation can result in catastrophic consequences. Increased vigilance and decreased threshold for imaging during this period is warranted.

Nerve preservation during partial sacrectomy by two-stage anterior and posterior approach: illustrative case

BACKGROUND Preserving the neurological function of sacral nerves during total or partial sacrectomy is challenging. OBSERVATIONS The authors describe a case of an osseous desmoplastic fibroma of the sacrum in a 51-year-old woman. The patient attended the authors’ institution with loss of muscle strength and sensitivity impairment in both legs, gait instability, bowel constipation, urinary incontinence, and weight loss. Preoperative magnetic resonance imaging and positron emission tomography/computed tomography showed intrapelvic and posterior extension of the tumor but sparing of S1 and the sacroiliac and lumbosacral joints. After a multidisciplinary discussion of the case, a staged anterior–posterior approach to the sacrum was chosen. The abdominal approach allowed full mobilization of the uterus, ovaries, bladder, and colon and protection of iliac vessels. After tumor resection, a synthetic surgical mesh was placed over the sacrum to minimize soft tissue defects. Then, the posterior stage allowed the authors to perform a bicortical osteotomy, achieving wide tumor excision with minimal nerve root injury. Spinopelvic fixation was not necessary, because both sacroiliac and lumbosacral joints remained intact. A few days after the surgery, the patient restarted ambulation and recovered sphincter control. LESSONS Multidisciplinary planning and a staged abdominal and posterior approach for partial sacrectomy were fundamental to preserve neurological function in this case.

Ovarian Cysts Management Following Laparoscopic Surgery

Objective: To analyze diagnostic and surgical outcomes in patients with extremely large ovarian cysts treated by laparoscopic surgery. Methods: A total of 120 cases of large adnexal masses and suspected for malignancy were treated laparoscopically at the at general surgery department of Liaquat University of Medical & Health Sciences. Under endotracheal anesthesia, all surgeries were performed using nasogastric tubes in the stomach. An incision of approximately 1.5 centimeter was made at the supraumbilical or umbilical region and peritoneal cavity was approached. The intra-abdominal approach in all cases was cautiously standardized. The resection of the adnexal mass was performed as per routine method. Results: 12 females were premenopausal and 8 were postmenopausal. 12 women presented with the signs of urinary retention, urinary urgency and abdominal pain. Incidental sonography detected cysts in 8 patients which were asymptomatic. The average volume of the resected cystic fluid was 3000ml (range 900 to 9000 ml). The specimens of frozen section were obtained within the surgical procedure in all patients except 2 patients having para-ovarian cysts. The histopathology presented mucinous benign cystadenoma. There was no blood loss and related other complications reported in all operations. Conclusion: Laparoscopic management of large ovarian cyst observed to a effective, feasible and less complicated surgical option. However accurate selection and diagnosis of the patients, the any ovarian cyst size can be treated easily via laparoscopic surgery.

Volume of surgical interventions for benign colorectal tumors – an analysis of 3510 surgical and endoscopic resections in the single colorectal center in Poland

Introduction: Colorectal cancer is the most frequent neoplasm of the whole gastrointestinal track. Due to screening colonoscopy program, colorectal lesions are often diagnosed at early stage. The vast majority of them are possible to remove endoscopically. However, a substantial percentage of benign lesion in Western centers are still operated. The aim of this article was to determine the percentage of surgical resections due to benign adenomas in the reference center of endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) and colorectal surgery in Poland. Materials and Methods: Retrospective analysis of 3 510 patients operated from 2015 to 2019 in Center of Bowel Treatment in Brzeziny. Results: We have analyzed 3 510 endoscopic and surgical procedures performed in the colon: 601 ESDs; 1 002 endoscopic mucosal resections (EMRs); and 1,907 surgical resections. Out of 601 ESDs, 57 invaded the submucosa, of which 29 (4.8%) were non-therapeutic ESDs. In 5 patients, due to occurrence of post-ESD perforation, an additional surgical intervention was necessary. Out of the 1,002 EMRs, 22 cases (2.2%) were diagnosed with deeply infiltrating cancers, which required a surgery. The overall percentage of the need for surgery in the endoscopically treated patients (ESD + mucosectomy) was 3.5% (56/1 603). Among resection surgeries, 15 of them (0.8%) ended with the diagnosis of a benign lesion in the postoperative histopathological examination. Conclusions: Inclusion advanced endoscopic techniques such as ESD to routine clinical practice in colorectal centers gives clear benefits for the patients. Well defined and standardized process of qualifying for appropriate treatment allows to significantly reduce the percentage of abdominal approach surgery due to benign colorectal lesions.