On the road to single-site laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding: lessons learned from 60 cases. Surg Endosc. 2011;25:947-953. [PMID: 20953885 DOI: 10.1007/s00464-010-1259-8]

Consecutive Versus Selective Primary and Revisional Single Incision Laparoscopic Bariatric Surgery: Personal Experience in 330 Cases

BACKGROUND

This paper aims to retrospectively evaluate the feasibility, safety, and standardization for both consecutive primary and revisional SILS bariatric surgeries, and to analyze incisional hernia's prevalence, technical improvements, and limiting factors.

METHODS

A retrospective database review was undertaken involving, in Part I (Belgium), 290 consecutive SILS, including 80.68% primary bariatric surgeries, and 19.32% revisional gastric bypass, followed in Part II (Lebanon), by 40 selective primary SILS. Training for and standardization of the trans-umbilical technique was done for the operating room team, and was executed in part II.

RESULTS

The procedure of single incision was successfully completed in all of the 330 cases part I & part II. There was a need for additional salvage for one or two trocars in respectively 3.1% and 2.75% of the cases. There were no deaths or conversions in either group. Early complications included one medically healed fistula after revisional GB, and two secondary gastric and intestinal perforation requiring reoperations. Late surgical complications were: "3 patients (1.03%) in Part I and 2 (5%) in Part II suffered occlusions, requiring laparoscopic mesenteric defect's closure on an internal herniation." Twelve patients (4.1%) from part I and 5 (12.5%) in part II suffered an incisional hernia.

CONCLUSION

Selective SILS, when standardized, tends to be superior to consecutive SILS in terms of overall morbidity, operative time, and need for additional salvage trocars. Cost effectiveness and higher midterm rate of umbilical port site incisional hernia should be weighed against the beneficial cosmetic effect for the patient.

Laparoscopic single-incision gastric bypass: initial experience, technique and short-term outcomes

Background

Single incision laparoscopic surgery (SILS) research has been limited. The aim of this study is to describe our technique and to evaluate the short term outcomes and efficacy of SILS Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) in a selected group of patients in a single center.

Methods

From March 2012 to January 2013, a total of fourteen patients underwent SILS RYGB using a single vertical 2.5–3 cm intra-umbilical incision, 3-ports placed trans-fascially, and a liver suspension technique in Cleveland Clinic’s Bariatric & Metabolic Institute, in Cleveland, Ohio, USA. Patient selection, short-term outcomes and technical issues were retrospectively viewed in this study.

Results

A total of 14 morbid obese patients (12 women and 2 men; mean age, 46 years). Mean operative time was 196 (range 131–265) min. Mean weight at surgery was 113 (range 91–135) kg. One patient required placement of one additional port (7 %). No conversions to conventional laparoscopic surgery (CLS) or open surgery was needed. The estimated blood loss was 40 (range 20–100) ml. In terms of pain control, the frequency of patient controlled analgesia had a mean use of 21 times in postoperative day 0 (POD), 37 times in POD1 and 13 times in POD2. Pain score (assessed by visual analogue scale) had a median score of 6.9 in POD0, 5.2 In POD1 and 3.8 in POD2. Weight loss was approximately 7.25 lb. (±4.5) after first postoperative visit, 28.9 lb. (±11.86) after 1 month and 45.4 lb. (±15.4) after 4 months. No patients required re-operation or readmission during the 90 days after surgery.

Conclusion

Single incision is feasible, safe and reproducible technique used as an access to complex surgeries like gastric bypass in carefully selected patients. Results in short-term outcomes are comparable to those observed in literature. Some potential benefits include less postoperative pain, improved cosmesis, and patient satisfaction. Randomized trials involving larger patient series with a longer follow-up and larger cohort studies and/or systematic reviews will be necessary to assess the extent of the benefits and limitations of SILS in bariatric surgery.

Laparoscopic bariatric surgery can be performed through a single incision: a comparative study

BACKGROUND

The application of single-incision laparoscopic surgery (SILS) in bariatric patients has been limited to less complex procedures. We evaluated the short-term outcomes of SILS sleeve gastrectomy (SG) and Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB), compared to a group of well-established minimally invasive techniques.

METHODS

Twenty-eight morbidly obese patients who underwent SILS SG (n = 14) and RYGB (n = 14) were compared to a matched control group composed of 28 cases of conventional laparoscopic surgery (CLS). A single vertical 2.5-3-cm intra-umbilical incision, three-ports placed trans-fascially, and a liver suspension technique were used to perform SILS.

RESULTS

Both groups were comparable in terms of age (p = 0.96), gender (p = 1.0), type of procedure (p = 1.0), and number of comorbidities (p = 0.63). Two (7%) SILS patients required placement of one additional port, and no conversions to CLS or open surgery were needed. The estimated blood loss (p = 0.48), operative time (p = 0.33), length of hospital stay (p = 0.79), overall 90-day perioperative complication rate (p = 1.0), and short-term weight loss (p = 0.53) were comparable between the two groups. In terms of pain control, the frequency of patient-controlled analgesia use in both groups was similar. However, the pain score (assessed by visual analog scale) was significantly less for SILS patients on postoperative days 1 (5.0 ± 2.1 vs. 6.5 ± 1.8; p = 0.007) and 2 (4.0 ± 2.0 vs. 5.1 ± 2.4; p = 0.49). Cosmetic satisfaction with the scar was high in the SILS group. No patients required reoperation or readmission during the 90 days after surgery.

CONCLUSION

SILS is feasible in carefully selected bariatric patients and results in short-term outcomes comparable to those observed after CLS. Improved pain and cosmesis are potential benefits of SILS.

Endoscopic full-thickness resection for gastric submucosal tumors arising from the muscularis propria layer

AIM: To evaluate the efficacy, safety and feasibility of endoscopic full-thickness resection (EFR) for the treatment of gastric submucosal tumors (SMTs) arising from the muscularis propria.

METHODS: A total of 35 gastric SMTs arising from the muscularis propria layer were resected by EFR between January 2010 and September 2013. EFR consists of five major steps: injecting normal saline into the submucosa; pre-cutting the mucosal and submucosal layers around the lesion; making a circumferential incision as deep as the muscularis propria around the lesion using endoscopic submucosal dissection and an incision into the serosal layer around the lesion with a Hook knife; a full-thickness resection of the tumor, including the serosal layer with a Hook or IT knife; and closing the gastric wall with metallic clips.

RESULTS: Of the 35 gastric SMTs, 14 were located at the fundus, and 21 at the corpus. EFR removed all of the SMTs successfully, and the complete resection rate was 100%. The mean operation time was 90 min (60-155 min), the mean hospitalization time was 6.0 d (4-10 d), and the mean tumor size was 2.8 cm (2.0-4.5 cm). Pathological examination confirmed the presence of gastric stromal tumors in 25 patients, leiomyomas in 7 and gastric autonomous nerve tumors in 2. No gastric bleeding, peritonitis or abdominal abscess occurred after EFR. Postoperative contrast roentgenography on the third day detected no contrast extravasation into the abdominal cavity. The mean follow-up period was 6 mo, with no lesion residue or recurrence noted.

CONCLUSION: EFR is efficacious, safe and minimally invasive for patients with gastric SMTs arising from the muscularis propria layer. This technique is able to resect deep gastric lesions while providing precise pathological information about the lesion. With the development of EFR, the indications of endoscopic resection might be extended.

Learning curve and interobserver agreement of confocal laser endomicroscopy for detecting precancerous or early-stage esophageal squamous cancer

Background

Confocal laser endomicroscopy (CLE) can provide in vivo subcellular resolution images of esophageal lesions. However, the learning curve in interpreting CLE images of precancerous or early-stage esophageal squamous cancer is unknown. The goal of this study is to evaluate the diagnostic accuracy and inter-observer agreement for differentiating esophageal lesions in CLE images among experienced and inexperienced observers and to assess the learning curve.

Method

After a short training, 8 experienced and 14 inexperienced endoscopists evaluated in sequence 4 sets of high-quality CLE images. Their diagnoses were corrected and discussed after each set. For each image, the diagnostic results, confidence in diagnosis, quality and time to evaluate were recorded.

Results

Overall, diagnostic accuracy was greater for the second, third, fourth set of images as compared with the initial set (odds ratio [OR] 2.01, 95% CI 1.22–3.31; 7.95, 3.74–16.87; and 6.45, 3.14–13.27), respectively, with no difference between the third and fourth sets in accuracy (p = 0.67). Previous experience affected the diagnostic accuracy only in the first set of images (OR 3.70, 1.87–7.29, p<0.001). Inter-observer agreement was higher for experienced than inexperienced endoscopists (0.732 vs. 0.666, p<0.01)

Conclusion

CLE is a promising technology that can be quickly learned after a short training period; previous experience is associated with diagnostic accuracy only at the initial stage of learning.

Mechanical evaluation of three access devices for laparoendoscopic single-site surgery

BACKGROUND

Many access devices have been developed for laparoendoscopic single-site surgery (LESS) during recent years. However, investigations are needed to determine which port is most suitable for this relatively new technique. The aim of this study was to evaluate commonly used ports using mechanical approaches in a training simulator. Any port that required less force and shorter surgery times had superior maneuverability.

METHODS

The following three commercially available access devices were evaluated: Multi-ports, TriPort, and single-incision laparoscopic surgery (SILS) Port. A LESS mechanical evaluation platform was developed to investigate the forces that acted on the instruments in the ports while moving along horizontal and vertical axes. In addition, a strain-force measurement system was used to compare the average load on the ports when performing standard maneuvers. Additionally, the task completion time was recorded when the maneuvers in these ports were completed.

RESULTS

During the horizontal displacement of the instrument, the traction forces of the Multi-ports were lower than those of the SILS Port, which were lower than those of the TriPort. The average traction forces were significantly different in pairwise multiple comparisons (P < 0.05). When the instrument was inserted into the ports, the vertical friction forces of the Multi-ports were the lowest and those of the TriPort were the highest. On extraction of the instrument, the friction forces of the Multi-ports remained the lowest, followed by those of the TriPort and SILS Port. There were statistically significant results among all the devices (P < 0.05). The average load required to perform the task was less for the SILS Port than that for the TriPort (P < 0.05). Similarly, the average load for the Multi-ports was significantly less than that for the TriPort (P < 0.001). The participants who used the Multi-ports had significantly faster task times than those who used the SILS Port or TriPort (P < 0.005).

CONCLUSIONS

Compared with the TriPort and SILS Port, the Multi-ports was associated with the least average load and the shortest task performance times in a training simulator. This study demonstrates that the Multi-ports may offer superior maneuverability for LESS.

Single and multiple incision laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding: a matched comparison

BACKGROUND

Single incision laparoscopic bariatric surgery has developed over the last few years, with single incision laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding (SILS-AGB) being performed most commonly. However, there are no randomised controlled trials and few matched studies comparing SILS-AGB to conventional laparoscopic multi-port multiport adjustable gastric banding (LAGB). Our aim was to study any differences in outcome and analgesic requirements between two matched groups of gastric band patients (SILS-AGB and LAGB).

METHODS

Between June 2009 and September 2010, 111 patients underwent SILS-AGB and 99 patients underwent LAGB performed by a single surgeon (AGP). Patients were matched for age, sex, weight, BMI and co-morbidities. Forty six SILS-AGB and LAGB patients were included for analysis. Their outcomes were compared for operating times, conversions, analgesia requirements, morbidity and mortality.

RESULTS

Patients characteristics between the SILS-AGB and LAGB groups were similar with no differences in their median age (44 vs 47 years), sex (m:f; 7:39 vs 4:42), body mass index (43.1 vs 44.4 kg/m(2)) or co morbidities respectively. In the SILS-AGB group the median operating time (70 min) was not significantly longer than in LAGB group (61.5 min, p = 0.07). However, SILS-AGB patients used less opiates (p < 0.01) than the LAGB patients. There was no difference in morbidity, mortality or readmission rates.

CONCLUSION

SILS-AGB is a safe and feasible option and is comparable with LAGB. Post operative demand for analgesia was significantly less in the SILS-AGB group. Further comparisons of post operative pain and long term outcomes are required; however preliminary results are promising.

Single-access laparoscopic adjustable gastric band removal: technique and initial experience

BACKGROUND

Single-access laparoscopy (SAL) has gained significant interest in recent years. Potential benefits, beyond cosmetic outcomes, could be reduction of abdominal trauma, decreased risk of incisional hernia and diminished postoperative pain. Technique and initial experience in patients submitted to laparoscopic adjustable gastric band removal (LAGBR) through SAL is reported here.

METHODS

Between December 2009 and March 2012, 14 patients (9 females, 5 males) underwent LAGBR through SAL. Indications for operation were band intolerance (11), pouch dilatation (2) and insufficient weight loss (1). The mean age was 40.3 ± 9.1 years (range 26-57), and the mean interval time between LAGB placement and removal was 94.7 ± 41.9 months (range 37-157). The mean weight and the mean body mass index at the time of LAGBR were 89.3 ± 17.6 kg (range 65-119) and 30.6 ± 4.5 kg/m(2) (range 25.3-36.7), respectively. Technically, the previous port site scar was used as the single-access site to the abdominal cavity. An 11-mm reusable trocar was adopted for a 10-mm regular scope, besides curved reusable instruments.

RESULTS

No patients required conversion to open surgery and none necessitated additional trocars. The mean laparoscopic time was 24.6 ± 7.9 min (range 13-37), and the mean final scar length was 3.6 ± 0.3 cm (range 3-4). Two patients experienced early postoperative complications. The mean hospital stay was 1.3 ± 1.1 days (range 1-5). The mean follow-up time was of 18 ± 9.8 months (range 3-30), and there were no late complications.

CONCLUSIONS

LAGBR can be safely performed through SAL. Thanks to this technique, the laparoscopic working triangulation is established as well as the ergonomic positions of the surgeon. Due the use of only reusable material, the cost of this SAL remains similar to multiport laparoscopy.

Laparoendoscopic single site (LESS) surgery for left-lateral hepatic sectionectomy as an alternative to traditional laparoscopy: case-matched analysis from a single center

BACKGROUND

Laparoscopy is considered the "gold standard" to perform left-lateral sectionectomy with results identical to those of open surgery, yielding decreased postoperative pain and disability, reduced hospital stay, and shortened patient recovery time. As the emphasis on minimizing the invasiveness of surgical techniques continues, laparoendoscopic single site (LESS) surgery is quickly evolving. The purpose of this study was to compare the results of laparoscopic left-lateral sectionectomy performed using the traditional approach or LESS approach with a case-matched analysis for tumor size, type of resection, and surgical indications.

METHODS

Thirteen patients who underwent LESS left-lateral sectionectomy are considered the study group (LESS group) and compared with 13 patients who underwent left-lateral sectionectomy with traditional laparoscopic approach (conventional group).

RESULTS

There were no significant differences between groups for length of surgery (165 min in conventional group vs. 195 min in LESS group), blood loss (150 mL in conventional group vs. 175 mL in LESS group), conversion to open surgery, histological tumor exposure, and requirements of postoperative analgesics. One patient in the LESS group died of cardiac failure due to an unknown severe aortic valve stenosis. No differences were recorded for postoperative complications (23.1% in both groups) and median length of postoperative stay (4 days in both groups).

CONCLUSIONS

For left-lateral hepatic sectionectomy, LESS surgery is technically feasible and as safe as traditional laparoscopic surgery in terms of intraoperative and postoperative results, even though requiring both hepatobiliary and laparoscopic technique experience.