Single-incision and dual-incision laparoscopic adjustable gastric band: evaluation of initial experience

Assessment of Intracorporeal Suturing in Single-Port Surgery Using an Experimental Suturing Model

The aim of this study is to assess the difficulty of intracorporeal suturing in single-port surgery, using experimental suturing model in dry box. Subjects were divided for three groups: seven experienced laparoscopic surgeons, seven surgical residents, and seven interns. An experimental suturing model is developed, and working angle was set from 0° to 90°. The completion rate in 0° was significantly lower than that in the other angles. Completion rate of group A was higher than that of the other groups. Precision of task in group A was significantly higher than that of group B and group C in 0° and 60°. Stress score in 0° were significantly higher than that in the other angles. Our study demonstrated that intracorporeal suturing in single-port surgery seems to be more difficult than conventional laparoscopic surgery. Our data should be taken the institution under consideration for introduction of single-port surgery.

Multipurpose internal retractor for Single-incision surgery (SIS): single-institution case series

Single-incision laparoscopic surgery (SIS) is less invasive than standard laparoscopic surgery; however, it is more difficult due to restriction of motion and the impossibility to use assistants. To overcome these obstacles, we developed a self-sustaining multipurpose internal retractor by attaching a Lone Star retractor hook to a laparoscopic bulldog clamp. Herein, we report our SIS experience using our novel retractor. Between October 2008 and April 2011, 104 patients underwent SIS using the internal retractor: 67 bandings (43% simultaneous hiatal hernia repair), 8 sleeve gastrectomies, 27 cholecystectomies, and 2 Nissen fundoplication. Mean age was 40 (range, 21 to 85) and mean body mass index was 40 kg/m (range, 20 to 64 kg/m). No intraoperative complications were observed from the use of the retractor but 2 cases required additional retraction due to liver size. This retractor has been successfully used for different SIS procedures showing to be safe, adaptable, and easy to use, lessening some challenges of SIS.

Dual-incision laparoscopic surgery for peritoneal dialysis catheter implantation and fixation: a novel, simple, and safe procedure

BACKGROUND

Peritoneal dialysis (PD) is an alternative modality to hemodialysis and is usually used to treat patients with end-stage renal disease. Dual-incision laparoscopic surgery (DILS) had been reported in several surgical fields; however, no report was proposed about DILS in PD catheter implantation (DILS-PD). In this study, we present DILS with a novel, simple, and safe procedure for PD catheter implantation with fixation and describe the long-term outcome.

SUBJECTS AND METHODS

We conducted a prospective data collection and retrospective review of all PD patients from April 2010 until June 2012. During this study period, we performed open surgery for PD catheter implantation (OS-PD) and DILS-PD concurrently. Demographic data, medical, operative, and postoperative findings, and information regarding complications were compared between these two groups.

RESULTS

Forty-eight patients had DILS-PD, and 70 patients had OS-PD. There was no difference between the two groups in age, gender, American Society of Anesthesiologists grade, creatinine level, body mass index, and previous abdominal surgery. There was no surgical mortality in either group. The follow-up period ranged from 6 to 24 months, with a mean of 22.4±16.5 months. There was no tube migration in the DILS-PD group, but 25.7% of the patients in the OS-PD group had tube migration (P<.001). A significantly decreased exit-site/tunnel infection rate was found in the DILS-PD group (4.2%) compared with the OS-PD group (17.1%) (P=.032). However, there was no obvious difference in peritonitis occurrence between groups. A significantly decreased catheter failure rate was found in the DILS-PD group (4.2%) compared with the OS-PD group (22.9%) (P=.006). DILS-PD group patients had a favorable survival rate for catheter implantation compared with OS-PD group patients.

CONCLUSIONS

Our DILS-PD with fixation technique is a simple and safe procedure. This procedure minimized or even eliminated the possibility of migration without additional cost. Our DILS-PD fixatation technique should be recommended for use routinely.

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 incision laparoscopic adjustable gastric band: technique, feasibility, safety and learning curve

INTRODUCTION

Single incision laparoscopic surgery (SILS) is established in many procedures but not in bariatric surgery. One explanation may be that SILS is technically demanding in morbidly obese patients. This report describes our technique and experience with single incision laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding (SILAGB).

METHODS

Prospective data collection was performed on consecutive obese patients who underwent SILAGB between November 2009 and February 2011. A single 3 cm transverse incision in the right upper quadrant was used for a Covidien SILS™ multichannel access port. The technique is described with a standard pars flaccida approach and the 'tips and tricks' needed for a wide range of candidates using standard laparoscopic equipment.

RESULTS

A total of 29 patients (27 female) with a median body mass index of 41 kg/m(2) (range: 35-52 kg/m(2)) and median age of 44 years (range: 22-57 years) underwent SILAGB. There were no 'conversions' to a standard laparoscopic technique. Two cases required the addition of one single 5 mm port. The only complications were two postoperative wound infections (one with a port site infection requiring replacement of the port) and one faulty band requiring replacement. There were therefore two returns to theatre and no 30-day deaths. All patients were discharged on the first postoperative day. In this series, operative times reduced significantly to be comparable with the conventional laparoscopic approach.

CONCLUSIONS

SILAGB is safe and feasible in the morbidly obese. Proficiency in this technique using conventional laparoscopic equipment can be achieved with a short learning curve.

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.

Effect of training and instrument type on performance in single-incision laparoscopy: results of a randomized comparison using a surgical simulator

PURPOSE

Single-incision laparoscopy (SIL) is potentially less invasive compared with standard laparoscopic surgery (LAP); however, it may be more technically challenging and have a longer learning curve. A two-phase study was conducted to examine the performance of standardized tasks on a surgical simulator by novices during a distributed training period. Phase 1 examined the effect of LAP-specific or SIL-specific training on skill acquisition for both techniques. Phase 2 compared the effectiveness and learning curves of additional instrument types for SIL (straight [STR] vs. dynamic articulating [D-ART]).

METHODS

Medical students without previous surgical experience were randomized to LAP-specific training or SIL-specific training, using static articulating instruments [S-ART] for SIL. LAP and SIL scores on the peg transfer (PEG) and pattern cutting (CIRCLE) tasks from the Fundamentals of Laparoscopic Surgery (FLS) were measured at baseline and after four training sessions. In phase 2, a new group of subjects were randomized to SIL training using STR or D-ART instruments, with similar baseline and post-training testing. FLS task scores were calculated and compared according to training regimen and instrument type.

RESULTS

Forty-five subjects completed the study. All scores improved significantly during the training period. Improvement in LAP score was similar between LAP-trained and SIL-trained groups. Improvement of SIL score was better for the SIL-trained group. Final scores were better and the learning curve was shorter for LAP versus SIL technique, with no differences in SIL scores according to instrument type.

CONCLUSIONS

LAP technique results in superior task performance with a shorter learning curve compared with SIL technique during a standardized training period. SIL-specific simulator training is better than LAP training alone to improve SIL performance. Neither S-ART nor D-ART instruments for SIL are associated with improved performance or shorter learning curve compared with STR instruments.