Stapling the bougie in sleeve gastrectomy: video

Lack of Effective Surgical Team Communication During a Laparoscopic Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass, Leading to a Severe Intraoperative Complication

Introduction: Laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass surgical technique systematization makes it a very safe technique that it is not exempt from intraoperative complications. One of the key aspects for performing a safe procedure is combining technical expertise with nontechnical skills, such as communication and teamwork. Materials and Methods: We describe a case that highlights the importance of surgical team interaction to avoid intraoperative complications during bariatric surgery, as an incidental stapling of the nasogastric tube. Results: This clinical case highlights the importance of effective teamwork and a culture of safety during complex laparoscopic surgical procedures. Conclusions: The lack of effective surgical team communication during a laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass can be a cause of severe surgical complications that requires experience of the surgical team for its resolution.

Preoperative Dexamethasone for Airway-Related "Calibration Tube" Complications After Sleeve Gastrectomy: a Randomised Clinical Trial

BACKGROUND

Bariatric surgeries utilise Bougie device to guide stomach resection. The device implementation is associated with many underreported complications. This study aims to compare nebulised vs. intravenous preoperative dexamethasone in mitigating airway-related Bougie complications after sleeve gastrectomy.

METHODOLOGY

This is a prospective double-blinded interventional study conducted by a tertiary hospital. The study involved 105 patients allocated to 3 groups: Group (I) received 8 mg dexamethasone intravenously (IV) preoperatively, group (N) received 8 mg dexamethasone from a nebulizer mask preoperatively, and Group (S) received nebulised normal saline. Outcomes evaluated were postoperative sore throat, odynophagia, change of voice, and nausea and vomiting.

RESULTS

Nebulized dexamethasone was found to be significantly superior to IV dexamethasone in terms of postoperative sore throat at zero-hour (p = 0.001) and 1-h intervals (p = 0.011). No significant difference was found at 6- and 24-h intervals. For odynophagia, post hoc analysis showed there was no significant difference between (I), (N), and (S) groups. Incidence of change of voice was significantly lower in (N) and (I) groups compared to (S) group, with p values of 0.0067 and 0.00014, respectively. The incidence of post-operative sore-throat (PONV) in (I) group was significantly lower than incidences in (S) group (p = 0.00002) and (N) group (p = 0.0004).

CONCLUSION

Preoperative nebulized and IV dexamethasone are effective strategies in mitigating complications related to mechanical effects of Bougie insertion. IV dexamethasone was as effective as nebulized dexamethasone in terms of late postoperative sore throat, and was superior in postoperative nausea and vomiting.

Inadvertent stapling of the orogastric tube during bariatric surgery: Report of 3 cases and a systematic review

BACKGROUND

Entrapment of an orally introduced tube by stapling/stitching is an intra-operative complication of bariatric surgery with grave consequences. Incidence is unknown. No prevention/management strategy is available. A systematic review was performed to assess the absolute reported observed risk and incidence. Additionally, data on 3 cases during our entire sleeve gastrectomy (SG) experience is evaluated.

METHODS

Literature is reviewed using PubMed/Web of science data-bases. Data was recorded prospectively. Videos of orally introduced tube staplings were re-watched, presentation/recognition/management were re-evaluated. A protocol ensuring the removal of the small caliber orogastric tube (OGT) by the surgeons direct inspection was introduced after the 3rd entrapment.

RESULTS

Review revealed OGT as the most commonly entrapped tube following temperature probe and bougie. SG/stapling were the most common causative operation/reason, respectively. Leak rates over 20%, conversion, early-late re-operations and mortality were reported. During our 948 consecutive SGs, 3 OGT entrapments (0.32%), third one with double stapling, occurred. All were recognized/managed intraoperatively by freeing the entrapped-end of the OGT from the sleeve part of the staple-line. In doubly stapled case, second transected end could only be recognized when routine reinforcement suturing come in proximity. Defects were continuously stitched with barbed suture. No morbidity occurred. One-year excess-weight-loss was 82%. A pre-protocol incidence of 0.56% (n: 3/534) dropped to nil in the remaining 414.

CONCLUSION

Iatrogenic stapling of the OGT during SG is rare, but morbid. It must be avoided by a strict protocol. Upon occurrence/recognition, stapling must immediately stop until the "entirety" of the tube, including the "specimen-part", is retrieved, to avoid double entrapment.