Foramen of Winslow Hernia: a Review of the Literature Highlighting the Role of Laparoscopy

Foramen of Winslow hernia (FWH) is an extremely rare entity accounting for up to 8% of internal hernias and 0.08% of all hernias. Only 150 cases of FWH have been described in the literature to date with a peak incidence between the third and sixth decades of life. Three main mechanisms seem to be implicated in the FWH pathogenesis: (a) excessive viscera mobility, (b) abnormal enlargement of the foramen of Winslow, and (c) changes in the intra-abdominal pressure. The presence of an abnormally long bowel, enlargement of the right liver lobe or cholecystectomy, a "wandering cecum," and defects of the gastrohepatic ligaments are some reported predisposing factors. Timely diagnosis through computed tomography facilitates the appropriate treatment before complications are evident. Although open repair has been mostly utilized, recently laparoscopic approach seems to gain ground due to the encouraging preliminary results. To date, the debate continues as to whether prophylactic measures to prevent recurrence of the FWH need to be undertaken: closure of the foramen, fixation of the highly mobilized viscera, or both.

Diaphragmatic hernia following esophagectomy for esophageal cancer: A systematic review

PURPOSE

Diaphragmatic hernia following an esophagectomy for esophageal cancer (EC) can be both an early and late complication. The esophageal hiatus within the diaphragm is disrupted during the operation. However, the incidence of Post-Esophagectomy Diaphragmatic Hernia (PEDH) is unknown. PEDH can be life-threatening and surgical treatment is challenging. However, all PEDH do not require surgery. The rate of EC diagnosis is rising. Therefore, esophageal surgery, particularly esophagectomy, is gradually increasing. Undoubtedly, the numbers of PEDH increase as well.

METHODS

This review describes the presentation and diagnosis of PEDH after surgery for esophageal malignancy, as well as the management options for PEDH.

RESULTS

Fifteen papers regarding PEDH have been published. There are many different surgical approaches to complete an esophagectomy, while there are different approaches to repair PEDH.

CONCLUSION

Upper GI surgeons need to have an index of suspicion for PEDH. They must investigate and operate these patients if this complication develops, since an immediate surgery has a high mortality and poor outcome.

Non-Recurrent Right Laryngeal Nerve: a Rare Anatomic Variation Encountered During a Total Thyroidectomy

The non-recurrent laryngeal nerve (nRLN) is a rare anatomic variation that every head and neck surgeon must be aware of, in order to avoid intraoperative injury which leads to postoperative morbidity. We are reporting a case of a nRLN in a 47 year old female patient with medullary thyroid carcinoma who was surgically treated with total thyroidectomy and lymph node dissection. Both two inferior laryngeal nerves were identified, fully exposed and preserved along their cervical courses. However, we found that the right inferior laryngeal nerve was non-recurrent and directly arised from the cervical vagal trunk, entered the larynx after a short transverse course and parallel to the inferior thyroid artery. The safety of thyroid operations is dependent on high index of suspicion, meticulous identification and dissection of laryngeal nerves either recurrent or non-recurrent. This leads to minimum risk of iatrogenic damage of the nerves. Complete knowledge of the anatomy of these neural structures, including all their anatomic variations is of paramount importance.

Electrical storm in an acquired short QT syndrome successfully treated with quinidine

Short QT syndrome (SQTS) is a malignant heart disorder defined by the presence of ventricular arrhythmias causing syncope and sudden cardiac arrest. The prevalence in the pediatric population is 0.05%. Quinidine is an established agent for pharmacological prophylaxis in SQTS patients, but can also terminate an electrical storm.

Metabolic Complications and Kidney Transplantation: Focus on Glycaemia and Dyslipidaemia

Post-transplant diabetes mellitus (PTDM) and dyslipidaemia are the most common metabolic complications in kidney transplant recipients (KTR). They are associated with a higher risk of lower graft function and survival, as well as an increased risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD). The aim of this review is to provide current data on the epidemiology, pathophysiology and optimal management of these two principal metabolic complications in KTR. Several risk factors in this metabolic milieu are either already present or emerge after renal transplantation, such as those due to immunosuppressive therapy. However, the exact pathogenic mechanisms have not been fully elucidated. Awareness of these disorders is crucial to estimate CVD risk in KTR and optimize screening and therapeutic strategies. These include lifestyle (preferably according to the Mediterranean pattern) and immunosuppressive regimen modification, as well as the best available anti-diabetic (insulin or oral hypoglycaemic agents) and hypolipidaemic (e.g. statins) regimen according to an individual's metabolic profile and medical history.

Post-thyroidectomy Hypocalcemia in Patients With History of Bariatric Operations: Current Evidence and Management Options

BACKGROUND/AIM

Both bariatric and thyroid surgeries promote calcium and vitamin D deficiency. The correlation, however, of hypocalcemia after thyroidectomy in patients with previous bariatric surgery has been poorly described. This review aimed to investigate the relationship between history of bariatric operations and post-thyroidectomy hypocalcemia, as well as suggested management options.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

MEDLINE and Cochrane databases were searched for relevant publications regarding post-thyroidectomy hypocalcemia in patients with previous bariatric surgery.

RESULTS

A total of 17 publications reporting on 126 patients met the inclusion criteria. These included 13 publications about Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB), 2 regarding biliopancreatic diversion (BPD), 1 about sleeve gastrectomy (SG) and 1 compared three bariatric procedures: SG, RYGB, laparoscopic adjustable gastric band (LAGB). Post-thyroidectomy hypocalcemia was found to be more prevalent in patients with previous RYGB and BPD, but not in previous LAGB and SG.

CONCLUSION

Patients with previous bariatric surgery are at high risk of post-thyroidectomy hypocalcemia that sometimes leads to higher length of hospital stay and demands more invasive solutions. There is a need, however, for additional studies and further investigation in order to reach more conclusive results.

Metastatic Carcinomas of the Adrenal Glands: From Diagnosis to Treatment

BACKGROUND/AIM

Adrenal glands are one of the most common sites of cancer metastasis. The treatment options include either surgery or chemotherapy and/or radiotherapy while certain diagnosis is made via percutaneous biopsy or fine needle aspiration (FNA), guided by CT scan. This review aimed to present the current practice regarding the diagnosis and treatment of adrenal cancer metastasis.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A PRISMA-compliant systematic search of the PubMed, Cochrane, EMBASE, AMED, CINAHL, WoS, BIOSIS, LILACS, ASSIA, SCEH, SCIRUS databases, and JIT medical feed sources was performed through November 5th, 2018.

RESULTS

A total of 87 original studies including 660 patients with adrenal metastasis were analyzed. Most preferred treatment was excision of the gland in 76.58% of the cases, while most of adrenal metastases were found at autopsy (43.88%) followed by computed tomography guided biopsy (33.09%).

CONCLUSION

Adrenalectomy following metastatic disease to the adrenals should be performed when the lesion is isolated in the gland and the site of primary cancer has or can be resected.

Laparoscopic versus open gastrectomy with D2 lymph node dissection for advanced gastric cancer: a systematic review

PURPOSE

Review of the literature collecting trials comparing laparoscopic (LGD2) and open D2 gastrectomies (OGD2) for the treatment of advanced gastric cancer (AGC).

METHODS

Randomized control trials (RCTs) and non-RCTs comparing LGD2 with OGD2 for AGC treatment, published between 1 January 2000 to 30 November 2017 were identified by searching the PubMed, EMBASE and Cochrane Library databases. Primary endpoints included operative outcomes (operative time, intraoperative blood loss, number of transfused patients and conversion rates), postoperative outcomes (postoperative analgesic consumption, time to first ambulation, time to first flatus, time to first oral intake, length of postoperative hospital stay, postoperative morbidity, incidence of reoperation and postoperative in-hospital mortality), and oncologic outcomes (number of harvested lymph nodes, tumor recurrence, disease-free rates and overall survival rates). The modified Newcastle-Ottawa scale was used to assess the quality of RCTs and non-RCTs in the study.

RESULTS

Two RCT and 10 non-RCTs with a total of 2732 patients were included in the review. LGD2 when compared to OGD2 demonstrated significant lower intraoperative blood loss, shorter duration of analgesic administration, shorter times to first ambulation, flatus and oral intake, shorter postoperative hospital stay, lower incidence of nonsurgical complications. No significant differences were observed between LGD2 and OGD2 for the following criteria: postoperative in-hospital mortality, number of harvested lymph nodes, tumor recurrence, 5-year disease-free survival rates and five- or three-year overall survival rates. However, LGD2 had longer operative times.

CONCLUSION

Although a technically demanding and time-consuming procedure, LGD2 offers the advantages of minimal invasion and can achieve the same degree of radical resections, harvested lymph nodes and short- or long-term prognosis for the treatment of locally AGC.

Enhanced Recovery After Surgery: Is It Time to Change Our Strategy Regarding Laparoscopic Colectomy?

Enhanced recovery after surgery or 'fast-track' methods are evidence-based protocols designed to standardize post-operative medical care, improve patient outcomes, promote early recovery, and reduce healthcare expenditure. Fast-track surgery is a multifunctional concept involving pre-, peri- and post-operative measures aiming to reduce the length of hospital stay and morbidity and complication rates, following elective abdominal surgery. Through the optimization of peri-operative care and the recovery process in adherence to these fast-track protocols, improved outcomes are reached, surgical trauma and post-operative stress are reduced, with less surgical pain, reduced complications, and shorter length of hospital stay. Fast-track care requires a multidisciplinary collaboration of all healthcare professionals, as well as a high rate of protocol compliance and a good organizational structure. Despite the existing evidence of the benefits of fast-track protocols in a variety of surgical procedures and the similar outcomes of laparoscopic colonic surgery compared to open surgery, clear evidence of the benefits of fast-track care after laparoscopic colonic surgery is yet to be clearly demonstrated.

Changes in serum leptin levels as well as sICAM-1 and sVCAM-1 soluble adhesion molecules during carotid endarterectomy

OBJECTIVE

Leptin is an adipokine, known to be associated with oxidative stress, inflammation, and atherogenesis. Leptin plays an essential role in atheromatosis-associated inflammatory cascade through stimulation of inflammatory mediators such as soluble intracellular adhesion molecule-1 (sICAM-1) and soluble vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (sVCAM-1). However, little is known about this association in patients with atherosclerosis and severe internal carotid artery (ICA) stenosis undergoing carotid endarterectomy (CEA). Our objective was to evaluate the variations of serum leptin levels, as well as sICAM-1 and sVCAM-1 levels in these patients during the process of CEA and 24 hours postoperatively.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

The study group enrolled 50 patients undergoing CEA for ICA stenosis (> 70%). Serum leptin, sICAM-1 and sVCAM-1 plasma concentration measurements were performed at 4 distinct time points: before clamping of the ICA, 30 minutes after clamping of the ICA, 60 minutes after declamping of ICA and 24 hours postoperatively.

RESULTS

Leptin was significantly decreased during CEA, but an overshooting in its levels was observed at 24 hours after the operation. Both sICAM-1 and sVCAM-1 initially followed the pattern of leptin changes but after completing CEA and up to 24 hours postoperatively a steep increase in their levels was not established. sVCAM-1 and sICAM-1 correlated with indices of oxidative stress at peak inflammatory burden.

CONCLUSIONS

Leptin is a circulating marker of carotid atherosclerosis. Oxidative stress and expression of sVCAM-1 and sICAM-1 on vascular endothelial cells are key features in the pathophysiological process of atherosclerosis.

Conduit necrosis following esophagectomy: An up-to-date literature review

Esophageal conduit ischaemia and necrosis is an uncommon but devastating complication of esophagectomy and remains one of the most challenging issues in surgical practice. The incidence, time interval to develop symptoms, and clinical presentation are highly variable with no predictable pattern. Evidence comes from case reports and case series rather than randomized controlled trials. We describe the issues surrounding conduit necrosis affecting the stomach, jejunum and colon as an esophageal replacement and the advantages, disadvantages and challenges of each type of reconstruction. Diagnosis is challenging for the most experienced surgeon. Upper gastrointestinal endoscopy and computed tomography thorax with both oral and intravenous contrast is the gold standard. Management, either conservative or interventional is also a difficult decision. Management options include conservative treatment and more aggressive treatments such as stent insertion, surgical debridement and repair of the esophagus using jejunum, colon or a musculocutaneous flap. In spite of recent advances in surgical techniques, there is no reliable strategy to manage esophageal conduit necrosis. Our review covers the pathophysiology and clinical significance of esophageal necrosis while highlighting current techniques of prevention, diagnosis and treatment of this life-threatening condition.

Histone Deacetylase Inhibitors and Anaplastic Thyroid Carcinoma

BACKGROUND/AIM

Anaplastic thyroid cancer (ATC) is one of the most aggressive human malignancies, remaining generally incurable. Histone deacetylase (HDAC) seems to play a role in regulating transcription of genes involved in ATC, making HDAC inhibitors (HDACI) promising anticancer drugs for ATC. The purpose of this review was to evaluate the role of HDACIs in ATC treatment and describe the latest trends of current research on this field.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This literature review was performed using the MEDLINE database. The keywords/phrases were; thyroid cancer, anaplastic, HDAC, histone, deacetylase*, HDACI.

RESULTS

Compounds, such as SuberoylAnilide Hydroxamic Acid, valproic acid, sodium butyrate, butyrate, phenylbutyrate, trichostatin A, AB1-13, panobinostat or LBH589, belinostat, MS-275, depsipeptide, CUDC101, CUDC907, N-Hydroxy-7-(2-naphthylthio)-Hepanomide (HNHA), and PXD101 have shown promising antitumor effects against ATC.

CONCLUSION

HDACIs represent a promising therapy for ATC management, both as monotherapy and in combination with other anticancer drugs.

The Beneficial Therapy with Colchicine for Atherosclerosis via Anti-inflammation and Decrease in Hypertriglyceridemia

BACKGROUND

Lipid-lowering therapy and control of cardiovascular risk factors are the current recommendations of atherosclerotic disease management. Despite optimal treatment the rate of acute coronary syndrome events remains high. Inflammation plays an essential role in the pathophysiology of atherosclerotic plaque formation, progression and rupture, which conclusively causes acute clinical episodes.

OBJECTIVE

This review aims to give a conceptual description of the potential therapeutic benefits and effects of colchicine in inflammation-mediated atherosclerotic disease and hypertriglyceridemia.

METHOD

A complete literature survey was performed using the PubMed database search to collect available information regarding colchicine, atherosclerosis, and hypertriglyceridemia.

RESULTS

A total of 42 studies met the selection criteria for inclusion in the review. Inflammation is a well-known key mediator of atherogenesis in coronary artery disease. Colchicine has direct antiinflammatory effects by inhibiting critical inflammatory signaling networks as the inflammasome, pro-inflammatory cytokines, and expression of adhesion molecules, preventing both local chemoattraction of inflammatory cells such as neutrophils and systemic inflammation including the decrease of the release of IL-1β by the neutrophils.

CONCLUSION

Colchicine reduces the levels of inflammatory markers, stabilizes the coronary plaque, leads to more favorable cardiac healing after damage, and reduces the acute coronary syndromes event recurrence. Colchicine reduces the myocardial infarct size, myocardial fibrosis, and improves the hemodynamic parameters. Several studies report the potential attenuating role of colchicine on triglyceride levels. Current evidence though regarding the pathophysiological mechanism of colchicine's triglyceride-lowering effect remains scarce.

The Role of 3D Printing in Colorectal Surgery: Current Evidence and Future Perspectives

BACKGROUND

Three-dimensional (3D) printing is an emerging and evolving technology with a variety of possible applications in surgery. The purpose of this study was to examine its potential applications in the field of colorectal surgery, as a tool in pre-operative planning and peri-operative navigation, as well as in training. Its cost-efficiency was also examined.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A literature review was conducted on articles specifically presenting various applications of 3D printing in the field of colorectal surgery. PubMed was the primary database researched.

RESULTS

A total of seven studies were found to meet the inclusion criteria. The majority of the articles employed 3D printing technology to produce patient-specific anatomic replicas to enhance pre-operative planning, providing satisfactory results. One study used 3D printing technology as a therapy tool, stating superior results over traditional methods.

CONCLUSION

3D printing is a novel technology with a broad spectrum of possible applications in colorectal surgery. Anatomic replicas specific to the anatomy of a patient with acceptable dimensional correlations can be produced using the currently available technology. Surgical and patient training can also be enhanced. Depending on the technology used, costs greatly vary and can thus hinder popularization of this technology in surgery.

Concomitant cholecystectomy during bariatric surgery: The jury is still out

BACKGROUND

We sought to compare clinical outcomes of concomitant cholecystectomy during four different types of bariatric surgery vs. bariatric surgery alone.

DATA SOURCES

A systematic literature search of PubMed and Cochrane databases was conducted in accordance with the PRISMA guidelines. Thirty studies were included in this study, reporting data on 13,675 patients. Our findings suggest a higher rate of anastomotic leak/stricture in the case of concomitant cholecystectomy with gastric bypass compared to those who had gastric bypass alone. The scarcity of data concerning sleeve gastrectomy, adjustable gastric banding and biliopancreatic diversion prevented us from quantifying possible difference of outcomes between the examined treatment groups.

CONCLUSIONS

This study highlights the small number and poor quality of available studies referring to the role of simultaneous cholecystectomy during bariatric surgery.

Comparison between robotic and open liver resection: a systematic review and meta-analysis of short-term outcomes

Minimally invasive liver surgery has evolved significantly during the last 2 decades. A growing number of published studies report outcomes from robotic liver resections (RLR). The aim of our meta-analysis was to evaluate short-term outcomes after RLR vs. open liver resection (OLR). A systematic search of Medline, Scopus, Google Scholar, Cochrane CENTRAL Register of Controlled Trials and Clinicaltrials.gov databases for articles published from January 2000 until November 2018 was performed. Ten non-randomized retrospective clinical studies comprising a total of 1248 patients were included in our meta-analysis. Four hundred and fifty-eight patients underwent RLR and 790 underwent OLR. RLRs were associated with lower overall morbidity rates (p =0.006) and shorter hospital stay (p <0.00001), whereas OLRs were associated with shorter operative time (p =0.003). No differences were shown between the two groups with regard to blood loss, blood transfusion requirements, R0 resection and mortality rates. Cumulative conversion rate was 4.6% in the RLR group. Due to limited available data, further prospective randomized studies are needed to better determine the potential beneficial role of the robotic approach in the treatment of malignant and benign hepatic tumors.

Management of Segmental Bile Duct Injuries After Cholecystectomy: a Systematic Review

BACKGROUND

Injuries to segmental or aberrant bile ducts are encountered less commonly than their major bile duct counterparts and present a unique diagnostic and therapeutic challenge, since the nature of this injury involves a transected bile duct that loses its communication with the main ductal system. In this systematic review, we aim to pool available data on this particular type of biliary injury in an effort to outline available diagnostic and therapeutic modalities and evaluate their efficacy.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

An extensive literature search was performed on MEDLINE, Scopus, and Web of Science to identify isolated segmental or aberrant bile duct injuries.

RESULTS

A total of 21 studies were included in this systematic report. Ten studies reported non-operative management of patients, while 12 reported operative management of included patients. Outcomes of interest were the choice of treatment interventions and their success. Overall, 23 patients were managed non-operatively with a 91% success rate and 30 patients were managed operatively with a 90% success rate.

CONCLUSION

Non-operative management might be a viable alternative to surgery. Hepatobiliary surgeons should be encouraged to publish their results in treating these rare injuries to further elucidate the role and efficacy of such an approach.

Late T-wave inversion following resolution of non-ischemic acute pulmonary edema

Electrocardiographic (ECG) changes occurring several hours after the onset of acute cardiogenic pulmonary edema have been seldom described. The proposed explanatory mechanisms are various and not fairly established. In the absence of significant coronary artery disease, these ECG abnormalities could be attributed to mechanisms implicated in coronary microcirculatory dysfunction.

Current Approaches in the Management of Hepatic Adenomas

INTRODUCTION

Hepatic adenomas (HAs) are a benign and relatively rare type of liver neoplasms. We review the diagnosis, evaluation, and potential therapeutic management options for patients with HA.

METHODS

A comprehensive review of the English literature was performed utilizing MEDLINE/PubMed and Web of Science databases with end of search date the 30th April of 2018. In PubMed, the terms "hepatocellular," "hepatic," "liver," and "adenoma," "adenomatosis" were searched in the title and/or abstract.

RESULTS

Recent advances in molecular classification of HA have determined distinct subtypes with specific clinical, pathological, and imaging characteristics. In general, cessation of exogenous hormonal administration or weight loss may lead to HA regression. Surgical resection, either open or laparoscopic, should be considered in patients with symptoms and risk factors for hemorrhage or malignant transformation. These risk factors include tumor diameter greater than 5 cm, β-catenin activated subtype, and/or male gender. The management of acute hemorrhage should primarily aim at achieving hemodynamic stability via angioembolization followed by elective resection, whereas malignant transformation is treated according to oncologic resection principles. Although pregnancy is one of the known risk factors for tumor growth and associated complications, the presence of an HA per se should not be considered a contradiction to pregnancy.

CONCLUSION

Future genomic-based multicenter studies are required to provide a strong basis for formulating an evidence-based risk-adapted model that guides individualized management strategies for patients with HA.

Association of brain natriuretic peptide and adrenomedullin plasma levels with left ventricular filling pressures in end-stage renal disease patients on hemodialysis

OBJECTIVE

Adrenomedullin (ADM) and brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) are known to be associated with elevated left ventricular filling pressures. However, little is known about this association in hemodialysis (HD) patients with preserved left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF). Our objective was to evaluate the potential association between E/e' ratio and plasma levels of BNP and ADM in end-stage renal disease (ESRD) patients with preserved LVEF undergoing chronic hemodialysis.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

The study group enrolled 62 ESRD patients treated with hemodialysis three times weekly. BNP and ADM plasma concentration measurements and echocardiographic examination were performed 30 minutes after hemodialysis. E/e' ratio, evaluated by Tissue Doppler imaging and measured at the basal septum, was used as a surrogate marker for assessing left ventricular filling pressures.

RESULTS

The mean age of patients was 62 ± 25 years. The mean BNP and ADM values after hemodialysis were 0.40 ± 6.73 ng/ml and 0.06 ± 2.12 ng/ml, respectively. Elderly patients with hypertrophied left ventricles and larger left atria displayed higher E/e' values. BNP (r = 0.324. p = 0.018) and ADM (r = 0.319, p = 0.042) plasma levels were positively and significantly associated with E/e΄. Multivariate regression analysis including BNP, ADM, age, hemodialysis duration, left ventricular end-systolic volume index, LVEF, left ventricular mass index and left atrium volume index, revealed that ADM (p-value 0.025) but not BNP levels, were independently associated with the E/e' ratio.

CONCLUSIONS

ADM, but not BNP, was independently associated with septal E/e' in HD patients with preserved LVEF. ADM plasma levels can be used as a surrogate index to assess left ventricular filling pressures in HD patients.

Concept of histone deacetylases in cancer: Reflections on esophageal carcinogenesis and treatment

Esophageal cancer (EC) presents a high mortality rate, mainly due to its aggressive nature. Squamous cell carcinoma is the most common histological type worldwide, though, a continuous increase in esophageal adenocarcinomas has been noted in the past decades. Common risk factors associated with EC include smoking, alcohol consumption, gastroesophageal reflux disease, Barrett’s esophagus and obesity. In an effort to overcome chemotherapy resistance in oncology, it was discovered that histone acetylation/deacetylation equilibrium is altered in carcinogenesis, leading to changes in chromatin structure and altering expression of genes important in the cell cycle, differentiation and apoptosis. Based on this knowledge, histone acetylation was addressed as a potential novel chemotherapy drug target to repress cancer cell proliferation. There are four classes of histone deacetylases (HDACs) inhibitors with a variety of different mechanisms of actions that render them possible anti-cancer drugs. They arrest the cell cycle, inhibit differentiation and angiogenesis and induce apoptosis. They do not necessarily act on histone proteins, since they can also exert indirect anti-cancer effects, by modifying various cellular proteins. In addition, HDACs have also been associated with increased chemotherapy resistance. Based on the literature, HDACs have been associated with EC, with surveys revealing that increased expression of certain HDACs correlates with advanced TNM stages, tumor grade, metastatic potential and decreased 5-year overall and disease-free survival. The aim of this survey is to elucidate the molecular identity and mechanism of action of HDAC inhibitors as well as verify their potential utility as anti-cancer agents in esophageal cancer.