Alimentary tract obstruction attributed to use of barbed suture for double tract reconstruction after robot-assisted proximal gastrectomy: a case report

Background Anastomotic stenosis following esophagojejunostomy reconstruction by the overlap method with absorbable barbed sutures occurs only rarely in patients who have undergone laparoscopic surgery. We report anastomotic stenosis by the overlap method that we attributed to the lack of tactile sensation during robot-assisted surgery. Case presentation An 83-year-old man underwent robot-assisted laparoscopic proximal gastrectomy and lymph node dissection at our hospital for treatment of gastric cancer. Double tract reconstruction followed with side-to-side esophagojejunostomy (overlap method) performed with an endoscopic linear stapler. On completion of the anastomosis, the enterotomy was closed under robotic assistance with absorbable barbed suture. Once solid foods were introduced, the patient had difficulty swallowing and felt as though his digestive tract was stopped up. When upper gastrointestinal endoscopy was performed, we found the anastomotic lumen to be coated with food residue. After rinsing off the residue with water, we could see barbed suture protruding into the anastomotic lumen that had become entangled upon itself, which explained how the food residue had accumulated. We cut the entangled suture under endoscopic visualization using a loop cutter. Conclusion This case highlights a stricture caused by insufficiently tensioning barbed suture, which subsequently protruded into the anastomotic lumen and became entangled upon itself. We believe this occurrence was associated with the lack of tactile sensation in robot-assisted surgery.

P037 TOTALLY ENDOSCOPIC SUBLAY REPAIR FOR DIASTASIS RECTI AND CONCOMITANT MIDLINE HERNIA: FIRST CASE VIDEO-REPORT

Aim We describe in detail the step by step technique of the first case of TES repair at our institution. Methods We selected the case of a M2W3L3 hernia associated to xipho-umbilical diastasis recti in a young woman symptomatic for a progressively worsening back pain and local bulky sensation. Results The intervention is started directly with a suprapubic transverse incision of 2.5 cm and a circumferential, atraumatic retraction is inserted after a small incision of the anterior rectus sheath. Blunt dissection is further continued through this access by luxating the underlying rectus muscles to separate the preperitoneal space below the arcuate line. The pneumo-preperitoneum is then inducted through this port. Laparoscopic dissection allows for enlargement of the avascular space laterally and then two 5-mm trocars are placed on the bilateral aspects of rectus muscles. By means of a lap bipolar dissector the edge of posterior rectus sheath are incised from the arcuate line following the diastasis laterally up to the subxiphoid space. The Rives plane is recovered without opening of the linea alba. After reduction of the M2 hernia both the posterior sheath and the diastatic anterior fascia are sutured with a running long-resorbable 2/0 barbed suture. Polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) mesh fixed with the use of an hystoacrilic glue. Conclusion Minimally invasive extraperitoneal repair of small/medium hernia defects of the linea alba is gaining wide acceptance. Concomitant presence of rectum diastasis recti seems to be the ideal indication to approach the learning curve of such a technically demanding procedure

VP026 LIRA-TAPE TECHNIQUE. A NEW PROCEDURE FOR RESTORING THE MIDLINE BY MIS IN SUPRAPUBIC AND MIDDLE SIZE MIDLINE HERNIAS

Aim LIRA (Laparoscopic Intracorporeal Rectus Aponeuroplasty) was described in 2018 in order to reduce the tension in the midline as an alternative for Closing the defect (CD) during Laparoscopic Ventral Hernia Repair. TAPE (Transabdominal Partial Extraperitoneal) was described in 2011 in order to repair complex suprapubic hernias to reduce the recurrence rate. We present a case of suprapubic hernia associated to a medium-size midline hernia using LIRA combined with TAPE as a new procedure for abdominal wall reconstruction Material and Methods 50 years old female affected with a M5 W2 hernia associated to a M2-3 W2. (EHS Classification). Preoperative scan was performed. Results 3 Ports (2 of 5 mm, 1 of 12 mm) in the left mid axillary line for LIRA and supraumbilical (10 mm) and right paraumbilical (5mm) to assist TAPE were placed. A peritoneal flap is created to expose de pubic arch and the Coopeŕs Ligament. CD was performed in suprapubic defect using a barbed suture and continued for LIRA procedure in the posterior rectus sheath. An intraabdominal mesh was placed (Polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) mesh, Dynamesh (®)-IPOM (FEG Textiltechnik mbH, Aachen, Germany. The mesh overlapped the suprapubic arch and was fixed using helicoidal sutures and covered the whole incision in the midline. Pelvic flap covered partially the mesh. Patient was discharge in 72 h Conclusions Complex hernias close to bones, as suprapubic hernias, can be restored using a minimal invasive approach, even those associated to mid-line defects. LIRA-TAPE is a safe and reproducible association for restoring the midline with a low rate of complications.

VP028 TAPP REPAIR FOR INCISIONAL LUMBAR HERNIA

Aim “Incisional hernias are very common and can present even after minimally invasive surgery for other pathologies. Laparoscopic ventral hernia repair first described by LeBlanc in 1992, gained great popularity, because of its known advantages over the open techniques. In the last decade because of increasing concerns about the future risks of using an intra-peritoneal mesh, several minimally invasive techniques using a mesh outside abdominal cavity have been described. We report the use of a TAPP technique.” Material and Methods “48 yo female patient, that underwent a laparoscopic right adrenalectomy, for myelolipoma, in 2015, with subsequent incisional lumbar hernia (L4W1) in the extraction incision.” Results “The patient was submitted to a laparoscopic TAPP repair in ambulatory surgery with extended recovery. The hernia defect was closed with a barbed suture and it was used a 15x15cm medium weight polypropylene mesh without traumatic fixation. For pain control it was done a TAP block guided by laparoscopy. The duration of surgery was 90 minutes. The patient had no complications. No recurrence on follow-up (4 months).” Conclusions “New minimally invasive procedures for the repair of incisional hernias avoid the intraperitoneal mesh position and maintain all the advantages of the minimally invasive approach. Some of these techniques may be complex and have a long learning curve. TAPP seems reproducible and a good option if a good extra-peritoneal dissection is possible. Larger series are needed, to accurately compare these new techniques with IPOM, open sublay and to select the best technique for each patient.”

P124 RECURRENCE OF SPIEGEL'S HERNIA POST-IPOM IN AN ELDERLY PATIENT, HOW TO DEAL WITH IT?

Aim To demonstrate how minimally invasive surgery of the abdominal wall allows us to rescue patients with recurrent hernias previously treated with other laparoscopic techniques. Material and Methods An 83-year-old woman with moderate comorbidities, ASA III and obese was operated for bilateral Spiegel’s hernia by laparoscopic IPOM. 21 months later, a symptomatic recurrence of the right hernia was diagnosed. The physical examination was difficult due to obesity and the CT scan showed a right hernia recurrence. This CT scan was used for 3D Planning of the surgery, showing the right Spiegel’s hernia with 5-6 cm of diameter with a bowel loop inside. Results Given the age of the patient and comorbidities, it was decided to perform a laparoscopic repair using the IPOM + technique, closing the defect with barbed suture and placing a wide visceral contact mesh fixed with absorbable tackers. She was discharged 24 hours after surgery without complications, providing the patient with the benefits of minimally invasive surgery. Conclusions Laparoscopic surgery allows us to treat hernia recurrences even in cases previously treated by minimally invasive approach. An individualized treatment adjusted to the age and characteristics of each patient should be carried out. 3D Technology and reconstruction is very useful for pre-surgical Planning, allowing a personalized pre-operative assessment of each patient. The use of 3D Technology is a great teaching tool with great potential for surgical planning.

Short-Term Outcomes of Pelvic Peritoneum Reconstruction with Barbed Suture After Laparoscopic Rectal Resection for Rectal Cancer

Background: Laparoscopic rectal resection may cause various surgical complications including perineal hernia and adhesive small-bowel obstruction. Pelvic peritoneum reconstruction (PPR) could prevent those complications. The aim of the study is to evaluate the short-term clinical, technical and safety outcomes of PPR using the barbed suture in laparoscopic rectal resection. Methods: This is a retrospective cohort study conducted in Chengdu second’s people hospital. Between January 2014 and December 2019, a total of 402 patients who underwent curative surgery for rectal cancer in Chengdu Second People’s Hospital were enrolled in the study. Among them, 216 patients who underwent laparoscopic rectal resection with PPR were allocated into the experimental group, and 186 patients who underwent laparoscopic rectal resection without PPR were allocated into control group. All the patients received standard preoperative and postoperative treatments. Observational indicators (1) surgical and postoperative conditions; (2) postoperative pathological examination. (3) postoperative complications. The data were represented by X ± s. t-test and X2 test were used for counting data. Results (1) Surgery condition: all patients in the two groups underwent successful surgery without conversion to open surgery. There were no differences between the two groups in terms of surgical approach, resection margin, tumor size, postoperative T-stage, postoperative N-stage, positive lymph nodes, harvest lymph nodes, perineal wound infection, perineal hernia, postoperative pneumonia, postoperative hemorrhage, presacral fluid, or abscess. The operative time, blood loss, the incidence of anastomotic leakage, and small-bowel obstruction showed a significant difference between the two groups. Conclusion We hypothesized that pelvic peritoneum reconstruction with barbed suture could improve the efficiency of intracorporeal closure of the pelvic cavity after in laparoscopic rectal resection, which can significantly reduce postoperative perineal-related complications. Further, we expect that use of the barbed sutures will reduce intra-operative stress on the endoscopic surgeon.

Transanal Hemorrhoidal Dearterialization (THD) Anolift-Prospective Assessment of Safety and Efficacy

The adjunct of a mucopexy to conventional dearterialization has become a routine part of the transanal hemorrhoidal dearterialization procedure in order to facilitate the management of the prolapsing component and has helped to expand the indications of this technique to more advanced stages of hemorrhoidal disease. A simple technical modification of THD with targeted mucopexy (TM), called Anolift, is described. The aim of the study was to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of this technical variation. The procedure consisted of two parts: one aimed at the dearterialization and the other concentrated on the management of the prolapsing component. Once all the arteries were identified and transfixed an Anolift targeted mucopexy was performed using a continuous barbed suture with a synthetic absorbable monofilament (Polydioxanone) 2/0 Filbloc (Assut Europe) stitch mounted on a 4/8 30 mm needle. Severity of hemorrhoidal symptoms was scored from 0 to 20 using a dedicated questionnaire: the Hemorrhoidal Assessment Severity Score (HASS). From May 2018 to November 2020, 60 patients with hemorrhoidal disease (HD) underwent a THD Anolift procedure. Three patients experienced severe post-operative pain and 10 (23%) suffered with difficulty in evacuation. The median follow-up period was 15.5 months (range 2–32 months). The mean HASS changed from 16.43 pre-operatively to 1.95 post-operatively (p < 0.0001). Pre-operative HASS very strongly correlated with the degree of hemorrhoids (p < 0.001), while there was no correlation between the pre-operative HASS or the degree of hemorrhoids and the post-operative HASS (p = 0.163). There was no significant difference in predicted post-operative HASS according to the pre-operative HD stage. One patient (1.6%) with circumferential IV hemorrhoids had a recurrence and required a further THD. Two patients had excision of skin tags (3%). The Anolift technique is safe and effective for the management of HD even in patients with advanced stages.