Evidence-based surgery for laparoscopic appendectomy: A stepwise systematic review

Effect of Plastic Bag Extraction in Minimally Invasive Appendectomy

BACKGROUND

Evidence regarding the effects of plastic bag use for appendix removal during minimally invasive appendectomy remains scarce and conflicting.

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to analyze the effects of plastic bag use during minimally invasive appendectomy on preoperative infection risk, morbidity and mortality.

DESIGN

This retrospective analysis of the prospective National Surgical Quality Improvement Program (NSQIP) cohort program.

SETTING

This study included data from the NSQIP database between the years of 2016 and 2019.

PATIENT

Adult patients undergoing minimally invasive (laparoscopic or robotic) without unplanned conversion to open surgery.

INTERVENTION

Use of plastic bag for specimen removal during appendectomy.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Risk ratios for the incidence of superficial surgical site infection, intra-abdominal abscess, overall medical morbidity, and overall mortality.

RESULTS

There were 43 783 cases of minimally invasive appendectomy in the NSQIP database between the years of 2016 and 2019. Among those who reported information regarding use of plastic bag, 28 589 (91.87%) reported use of plastic bag for specimen removal. Use of plastic bag was associated with a significant decrease in superficial surgical site infection (RR .39 (95% CI: .31-.49), P < .001), and in the risk of postoperative intra-abdominal abscess (RR: 0.66 (.57-.77), P < .001)). We also observed a robust reduction in overall medical-related morbidity and overall mortality, even after adjusting for multiple confounders.

LIMITATIONS

Observational nature of the study cannot exclude residual bias. Also, there was a significant rate of missing values for plastic bag use, which may bias results.

CONCLUSIONS

In this global prospective cohort using NSQIP database, use of plastic bag for appendix removal during minimally invasive appendectomy was associated with a significant improvement in surgical related outcomes and reduction in morbidity and overall mortality.

The Effect of Body Mass Index on Patients' Length of Stay Post-appendectomy

BACKGROUND AND AIM

Appendicitis is defined as the appendix's inflammation, which requires an appendectomy for treatment. Obesity is one of the risk factors for post-surgical complications in appendicitis. This study aimed to explore obesity's influence on hospital length of stay among patients with appendicitis in Taif, Saudi Arabia.

METHODS

The study subjects consisted of both children and adults with appendicitis who were admitted to the hospital during 2021 and 2022. The patients were divided into three groups according to body mass index (BMI) following the WHO criteria: normal weight (BMI = 18.5-24.9 kg/m2), overweight (BMI = 25-29.9 kg/m2), and obesity (BMI ≥10 kg/m2). Data collection was conducted retrospectively by reviewing the medical records of patients diagnosed with appendicitis. The data collection included demographic characteristics of the patients, clinical presentation data, examination data, findings of the diagnostic approaches, management data, and complications after surgery (mainly intra-abdominal abscess formation). Prior to conducting the study, ethical approval was obtained from the Institutional Review Board of the Saudi Ministry of Health.

RESULTS

The study included 238 patients who were diagnosed with appendicitis with an age range from 4 to 74 years and a mean (SD) age of 20.24 years (12.69). Based on BMI categories, 174 patients (73.1%) were classified as non-obese (BMI < 25), 53 patients (22.3%) were overweight (BMI 25-29.9), and 11 patients (4.6%) were obese (BMI ≥ 30). Most patients were presented with fever (51.7%), anorexia (72.7%), and pain in the right lower quadrant (70.2%). According to blood pressure, the mean (SD) of systolic and diastolic blood pressure was 117.8 (14.14) and 71.03 (9.89), respectively. All cases underwent abdominal ultrasound; non-visualization of the appendix was the most common finding observed (80.3%). Appendicitis was managed among most patients with appendectomy (89.5%), and open appendectomy was the most frequent surgery performed (73.2%). The mean of hospital length of stay was 1.64 (0.73) days. There was no significant correlation between patients' BMI and hospital length of stay (p = 0.429). The mean hospital length of stay of females (1.76) was higher than that of males (1.53) (p = 0.003). Moreover, a statistically significant mean difference was observed in hospital length of stay between patients managed conservatively (1.96) and those who underwent operative management (1.60 days) (p < 0.001).

CONCLUSION

This study provides insights into the effect of obesity on patients with appendicitis who underwent an appendectomy in Taif, Saudi Arabia. The study found that obesity was not a risk factor for a prolonged hospital length of stay after appendectomy. Further studies with larger sample sizes are needed to explore other factors that may influence the outcomes of appendectomy in patients with appendicitis, such as the impact of obesity on long-term complications and recurrence rates.

Trocar Site Location in Laparoscopic Appendectomy-A Prospective Randomized Study

INTRODUCTION

Laparoscopic appendectomy has been used in the treatment of appendicitis, which is among the most common emergency pathologies worldwide. There is no consensus on the best trocar entry sites. The purpose of the present study was to compare various trocar entry sites in the literature and to find the localization with the optimal usage area.

METHODS

Patients who underwent laparoscopic appendectomy between 2021 and 2022 were randomized into 4 groups and included in the study. The demographic data, perioperative, and postoperative findings of the patients were evaluated.

RESULTS

A total of 200 patients participated in the study and 73% were male. No differences were detected between the groups in terms of demographic data, preoperative findings, length of stay, and complications of the patients. However, when the mean surgery times of the groups were examined (47.2±26.9, 58.4±23.1, 54.5±18.3, 55.8±18.6 min), it was observed that this period was less in Group 1 ( P =0.02). When the postoperative Visual Analogue Scale values were analyzed (4.8±2.2, 6.2±1.7, 5.5±2.0, and 5.8±1.9), Group 1 was found to be less painful ( P =0.00001).

CONCLUSION

When the surgical procedure is optimized and environmental factors are homogenized, Group 1 trocar entry sites seem advantageous for the procedure in terms of postoperative patient pain scale and operation times.

Comparing surgical outcomes of approaches to adrenalectomy - a systematic review and network meta-analysis of randomised clinical trials

BACKGROUND

No randomised clinical trials (RCTs) have simultaneously compared the safety of open (OA), transperitoneal laparoscopic (TLA), posterior retroperitoneal (PRA), and robotic adrenalectomy (RA) for resecting adrenal tumours.

AIM

To evaluate outcomes for OA, TLA, PRA, and RA from RCTs.

METHODS

A NMA was performed according to PRISMA-NMA guidelines. Analysis was performed using R packages and Shiny.

RESULTS

Eight RCTs with 488 patients were included (mean age: 48.9 years). Overall, 44.5% of patients underwent TLA (217/488), 37.3% underwent PRA (182/488), 16.4% underwent RA (80/488), and just 1.8% patients underwent OA (9/488). The mean tumour size was 35 mm in largest diameter with mean sizes of 44.3 mm for RA, 40.9 mm for OA, 35.5 mm for TLA, and 34.4 mm for PRA (P < 0.001). TLA had the lowest blood loss (mean: 50.6 ml), complication rates (12.4%, 14/113), and conversion to open rates (1.3%, 2/157), while PRA had the shortest intra-operative duration (mean: 94 min), length of hospital stay (mean: 3.7 days), lowest visual analogue scale pain scores post-operatively (mean: 3.7), and was most cost-effective (mean: 1728 euros per case). At NMA, there was a significant increase in blood loss for OA (mean difference (MD): 117.00 ml (95% confidence interval (CI): 1.41-230.00)) with similar blood loss observed for PRA (MD: - 10.50 (95% CI: - 83.40-65.90)) compared to TLA.

CONCLUSION

LTA and PRA are important contemporary options in achieving favourable outcomes following adrenalectomy. The next generation of RCTs may be more insightful for comparison surgical outcomes following RA, as this approach is likely to play a future role in minimally invasive adrenalectomy.

PROSPERO REGISTRATION

CRD42022301005.

Appendiceal Inversion Presenting as a Cecal Polypoid Mass on Screening Colonoscopy: A Case Report and Review of Available Diagnostic Adjuncts to Differentiate Benign From Malignant Colorectal Pathology

Appendiceal inversion is uncommon. It may be a benign finding or seen in association with malignant pathology. When detected, it masquerades as a cecal polyp which poses a diagnostic dilemma with malignancy in the differential. In this report, we highlight a case of a 51-year-old patient with an extensive surgical history as a newborn in the setting of omphalocele and intestinal malrotation, who was found to have a 4 cm cecal polypoid growth on screening colonoscopy. He underwent a cecectomy for tissue diagnosis. Ultimately, the polyp was found to be an inverted appendix without evidence of malignancy. Currently, suspicious colorectal lesions which cannot be removed by polypectomy are primarily addressed with surgical excision. We reviewed the literature for available diagnostic adjuncts to better differentiate benign from malignant colorectal pathology. The application of advanced imaging and molecular technology will allow for improved diagnostic accuracy and subsequent operative planning.

Evidence-based surgery for laparoscopic cholecystectomy

Background

Laparoscopic cholecystectomy is frequently performed for acute cholecystitis and symptomatic cholelithiasis. Considerable variation in the execution of key steps of the operation remains. We conducted a systematic review of evidence regarding best practices for critical intraoperative steps for laparoscopic cholecystectomy.

Methods

We identified 5 main intraoperative decision points in laparoscopic cholecystectomy: (1) number and position of laparoscopic ports; (2) identification of cystic artery and duct; (3) division of cystic artery and duct; (4) indications for subtotal cholecystectomy; and (5) retrieval of the gallbladder. PubMed, EMBASE, and Web of Science were queried for relevant studies. Randomized controlled trials and systematic reviews were included for analysis, and evidence quality was assessed using the Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development, and Evaluation framework.

Results

Fifty-two articles were included. Although all port configurations were comparable from a safety standpoint, fewer ports sometimes resulted in improved cosmesis or decreased pain but longer operative times. The critical view of safety should be obtained for identification of the cystic duct and artery but may be obtained through fundus-first dissection and augmented with cholangiography or ultrasound. Insufficient evidence exists to compare harmonic-shear, clipless ligation against clip ligation of the cystic duct and artery. Stump closure during subtotal cholecystectomy may reduce rates of bile leak and reoperation. Use of retrieval bag for gallbladder extraction results in minimal benefit. Most studies were underpowered to detect differences in incidence of rare complications.

Conclusion

Key operative steps of laparoscopic cholecystectomy should be informed by both compiled data and surgeon preference/patient considerations.