Trocar Port Hernias After Bariatric Surgery

Early Bowel Obstruction after Bariatric Surgery: An Analysis of the 2020-2021 MBSAQIP Database

BACKGROUND

The Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery Accreditation and Quality Improvement Program evaluates 30-day outcomes of bariatric cases performed in the United States. The Participant Use File in 2020 introduced bowel obstruction (BO). We compared the rates of BO, risk factors, and postoperative outcomes after laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB), sleeve gastrectomy (SG), and duodenal switch (DS).

METHODS

Retrospective analysis of patients who underwent laparoscopic RYGB, SG, or DS obtained from the 2020-2021 Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery Accreditation and Quality Improvement Program. Patients who underwent either as a primary procedure with a body mass index >35 kg/m 2 were selected. Baseline characteristics, operative details, and postoperative complications were collected. The outcome of interest was BO occurring within 30 days.

RESULTS

A total of 205,533 cases of which 148,944 were SG (72.4%), 54,606 were RYGB (26.5%), and 1983 were DS (1%). BO occurred in 0.74%, 0.4%, and 0.03% of patients who underwent an RYGB, DS, or SG, respectively. Patients with a BO in the RYGB group were more likely to be on immunosuppressive therapy (5.4% vs. 1.9%, P <0.001) with longer operative time (136.2 min±58.0 min vs. 117.4 min±53.6 min, P <0.001). SG patients with a BO were older (47.5±13.6 vs. 41.9±11.6, P =0.011) with longer operating times (98.6±63.8 vs. 68.9±33.4, P =0.002). Patients in the RYGB group with a BO had the highest rates of readmissions (71.9%) and reoperations (58.4%).

CONCLUSIONS

Early bowel obstruction is rare after bariatric surgery. It is more common after RYGB and least common after SG. Readmission and reoperation rates were highest in patients with BO in the RYGB group.

Safety and Efficacy of Trocar Port-Site Closure Using a Biological Plug Closure in Laparoscopic Bariatric Surgery: a Prospective Study

PURPOSE

Port-site trocar closure is a challenging procedure in laparoscopic surgeries, especially in morbidly obese patients, and complications (herniation, bleeding, pain, and nerve trapping) have potentially severe consequences. This paper provides an overview of existing techniques of suturing and closure in intra-abdominal laparoscopic surgery, outlines the complications associated with port-site closure, and presents a novel technique designed to address those problems by using a sterile absorbable gelatin sponge with strong hemostatic properties (Cutanplast® Plug).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

In this prospective study, 83 successive obese patients undergoing laparoscopic bariatric surgery (sleeve gastrectomy, sleeve plication, gastric bypass), using a standardized skin incision for trocar insertion, had port-site closure using the Cutanplast plug procedure (n = 42) or conventional suturing techniques (n = 41).

RESULTS

The incidence of early complications was lower in the Cutanplast group; no patients had infections compared with 9.8% of Controls (p = 0.055) and no bleeding, ecchymosis, erythema, or redness occurred. Late complications during 2 years of follow-up were significantly lower in the Cutanplast group (0 vs. 7 hernias, p = 0.005). Most patients in the Cutanplast group required only 1-2 procedures (78.6% vs. 58.5%, p = 0.049), whereas 41.5% of controls required 3 procedures. In total, 82 trocars were used in the Cutanplast group versus 99 in controls. The single-step Cutanplast plug technique reduced operating times compared with two-step suturing techniques.

CONCLUSION

Closure of port-site trocar incisions using Cutanplast plug is fast, efficient, with potential to reduce operating times and decrease bleeding and herniation from port-site trocars insertion, particularly in obese patients.

The effect of postoperative CPAP use on anastomotic and staple line leakage after bariatric surgery

PURPOSE

Almost two-thirds of the population undergoing bariatric surgery (BS) suffers from obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) is the standard treatment for moderate to severe OSA and is recommended in patients undergoing BS perioperatively. A severe and dreaded complication after BS is anastomotic leakage. There is theoretical concern that perioperative CPAP use may result in increased distension of the gastrointestinal tract and increase the risk of developing an anastomotic leakage. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of postoperative CPAP use on the risk of developing anastomotic leakages after BS.

METHODS

Retrospectively, all patients from a single bariatric center who underwent BS from November 2007 to August 2019 were included. Presence and severity of OSA were determined using poly(somno)graphy. To evaluate the effect of postoperative CPAP use on anastomotic leakage, a multivariable logistic regression analysis was performed.

RESULTS

A total of 4052 patients were included, with OSA being diagnosed in 62%. Overall, 970 patients (24%) used CPAP after BS. Anastomotic leakage occurred in 64 (1.6%) patients after BS. Leakage rate was 1.3% in non-CPAP group versus 2.5% in CPAP group (p = 0.01). CPAP use was associated with anastomotic leakage; however, after adjustment, CPAP use was not an independent predictor (OR = 1.40, 95% CI 0.60-3.28, p = 0.44).

CONCLUSION

There is no independent relation between postoperative CPAP use and anastomotic leakage after BS. Only revision surgery was an independent predictor of anastomotic leakage.

Trocar Site Hernias in Bariatric Surgery-an Underestimated Issue: a Qualitative Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

The reported incidence of trocar site hernias in bariatric surgery ranges between 0.5 and 3%. The best available evidence derives from retrospective studies analysing prospective databases, thus including only patients who presented with symptoms or received surgical treatment due to trocar site hernias after a laparoscopic bariatric procedure. A systematic literature research was conducted up until September 2017. Search strategies included proper combinations of the MeSH terms 'laparoscopy' and 'bariatric surgery', 'trocar/port' and 'hernia'. Searches were not limited by publication type or language. The review was registered in PROSPERO (ID 85102) and performed according to the PRISMA guidelines. Sixty-eight publications were included. Pooled hernia incidence was 3.22 (range 0-39.3%). Thirteen trials reported systematic closure of the fascia; 12 trials reported no closure. Data availability did not allow for pooling to calculate relative risk. Higher BMI and specific hernia examination using imaging modalities were associated with a significantly higher incidence of trocar site hernias. Studies dedicated to detection of TsH reported a pooled incidence of 24.5%. Trocar site hernias are an underestimated complication of minimally invasive multiportal bariatric surgery. While high-quality trials are not available allowing for a precise calculation of the incidence, existing data are indicative of very high incidence rates. Risk factors for developing a trocar site hernia in bariatric surgery have not yet been systematically analysed. Prospective studies in this field are necessary.

Management of Incidental Hernia Discovered During Abdominal Contouring in Post-Bariatric Surgery Patients

PURPOSE

An increase in bariatric surgery has led to a rise in postbariatric contouring procedures. Despite a comprehensive preoperative assessment, body habitus in these patients may significantly limit the abdominal exam. Abdominal contouring procedures typically elevate large portions of the skin and fat off the abdominal wall, and unexpected hernia may be discovered intraoperatively. No study to date has characterized such hernia discovery at the time of body contouring surgery. We reviewed our experience of management of incidental hernia found during abdominoplasty or panniculectomy after laparoscopic bariatric surgery.

METHODS

Records of all post-bariatric surgery patients undergoing abdominal contouring procedures between 2007 and 2017 were reviewed to identify patients with incidental hernias discovered intraoperatively. These patients were further examined by reviewing operative details, patient-specific factors, and outcomes.

RESULTS

Six hundred eighty-one post-bariatric surgery patients underwent abdominal body contouring procedures with incidental ventral hernia discovered in 36 patients (5.3% [45 hernias]). At the time of plastic surgery, average age was 49 years (range, 25-64 years), and body mass index was 30.7 kg/m (range 25-43 kg/m). Of 36 patients with incidental hernia, 26 patients (72.2%) had a single hernia, and the remainder had multiple (27.8%). Mean hernia size was 4.1 cm (range, 0.25-24 cm). Most hernias were located paraumbilical/umbilical (46.7%) or epigastric (37.8%). Ninety-eight percent of hernias were repaired primarily (n = 44) by the plastic surgeon, and in 1 case (2%), mesh repair was performed by a consulting general surgeon. Average follow-up was 1.9 ± 0.3 years. Only 1 patient (2.8%) developed hernia recurrence after 48 months. Other postoperative complications included superficial wound healing problems (19.4%), seroma (16.7%), suture abscess (5.6%), and cellulitis that resolved with antibiotics (5.6%).

CONCLUSIONS

This is the first study to characterize incidental hernia discovered at the time of body contouring in the post-bariatric surgery patient. The body contouring surgeon should be aware of this common finding. Hernias typically discovered during panniculectomy or abdominoplasty arise in umbilical or epigastric regions, likely from prior laparoscopic port sites, and can be safely repaired by the plastic surgeon with low overall complication rates.

Internal Hernia in Pregnant Woman after Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass Surgery

Laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass has become the most common obesity surgery procedure worldwide over the last two decades. Many patients undergoing the procedure are women of reproductive age. This carries a risk for developing gastric bypass-related complications during pregnancy. One of the potentially serious risks is an internal hernia. We present a patient in the third trimester of pregnancy with an internal hernia following a laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass for morbid obesity. We discuss the importance of computed tomography (CT) in the diagnosis of an internal hernia and review key CT findings including compression of the superior mesenteric vein, which proved to be crucial in diagnosing the internal hernia in this patient.

Laparoscopic Sleeve Gastrectomy: A Radiological Guide to Common Postsurgical Failure

Laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy is one of the most common bariatric procedures worldwide. It has recently gained in popularity because of a low complication rate, satisfactory resolution of comorbidities, and excellent weight loss outcome. This article reviews the surgical technique, expected postsurgical imaging appearance, and imaging findings of common complications after laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy. Understanding of the surgical technique of laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy and of the normal postsurgical anatomy allows accurate interpretation of imaging findings in cases of insufficient weight loss, weight regain, and postsurgical complications.

Unusual presentation of trocar site hernia after Roux-en-Y gastric bypass: case report

INTRODUCTION

The exponential increase of bariatric surgery has resulted in a new diagnostic field of postoperative complications. One of the possibly serious complications is trocar site hernia.

CASE REPORT

We present a rare case of trocar site hernia, in particular herniation of the blind loop of the jejunojejunostomy in a patient previously operated for laparoscopic gastric bypass.

CONCLUSION

In patients with intermittent epigastric pain and regurgitation or nausea after RYGB, the differential diagnosis should include internal herniation and cholecystitis. Besides that, incarcerated trocar site hernia should also be considered. If obstructive symptoms are lacking, this might indicate Richter's hernia or herniation of the blind loop of the jejunojejunostomy. Due to the vague symptoms and the potentially late presentation, diagnosis can be challenging. However, this is a dangerous complication possibly leading to bowel strangulation and perforation, requiring urgent surgical repair.