Paraconduit hiatal hernia after esophagectomy. Prevention-indication for surgery-surgical technique

How to repair a para-conduit hernia post minimally invasive oesophagectomy: the left hiatoplasty approach

Repair of a paraconduit hernia post oesophagectomy can be challenging. We present a safe and effective method of left hiatoplasty which is feasible in the majority of cases, achieving primary no-mesh repair while protecting the gastric conduit. Operative photos and videos describe the technique and key considerations.

Strangulated Bowel Obstruction Due to Hiatal Hernia After Laparoscopic Total Gastrectomy

Laparoscopic total gastrectomy results in more internal hernias than open surgery. However, there are few reports of incarcerated hiatal hernia after laparoscopic total gastrectomy. Here, we report a case of a 79-year-old male who underwent urgent surgical intervention for a strangulated intestinal obstruction due to an incarcerated hernia through the esophageal hiatus following laparoscopic total gastrectomy. In this case, an esophageal hiatal hernia was present before gastrectomy, but was not repaired. Additionally, the patient experienced significant weight loss after gastrectomy. Preoperative hiatal hernia and marked postoperative weight loss may pose risks.

Postesophagectomy Diaphragmatic Prolapse after Robot-Assisted Minimally Invasive Esophagectomy (RAMIE)

BACKGROUND

Postesophagectomy diaphragmatic prolapse (PDP) is a major complication after esophagectomy with significant mortality and morbidity. However, in the current literature, treatment and outcomes are not evaluated for patients undergoing an Ivor Lewis Robot-assisted minimally invasive esophagectomy (IL-RAMIE). The aim of this study is to evaluate the incidence of PDP after IL-RAMIE. Moreover, the study aims to determine whether using a minimally invasive approach in the management of PDP after an IL-RAMIE procedure is safe and feasible.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This study includes all patients who received an IL-RAMIE at our high-volume center (>200 esophagectomies/year) between April 2017 and December 2022 and developed PDP. The analysis focuses on time to prolapse, symptoms, treatment, surgical method, and recurrence rates of these patients.

RESULTS

A total of 185 patients underwent an IL-RAMIE at our hospital. Eleven patients (5.9%) developed PDP. Patients presented with PDP after a medium time of 241 days with symptoms like reflux, nausea, vomiting, and pain. One-third of these patients did not suffer from any symptoms. In all cases, a CT scan was performed in which the colon transversum always presented as the herniated organ. In one patient, prolapse of the small intestine, pancreas, and greater omentum also occurred. A total of 91% of these patients received a revisional surgery in a minimally invasive manner with a mean hospital stay of 12 days. In four patients, PDP recurred (36%) after 13, 114, 119 and 237 days, respectively.

CONCLUSION

This study shows that a minimally invasive approach in repositioning PDP is a safe and effective option after IL-RAMIE.

[Minimum case volume regulations in surgery from the perspective of the specialist society (DGCH) : Balancing act between science, politics, treatment reality and a range of other aspects]

Die wissenschaftlich begründete, fachchirurgische Diskussion um die gesetzliche Vorgabe von Mindesteingriffszahlen für diverse Organsysteme und ausgewählte operative Maßnahmen als Basis einer Qualitätssicherung und Versorgungsoptimierung ist nicht neu. Hierzu liegen umfangreiche und auch belastbare Daten aus nationalen und internationalen Studien für die kolorektale Chirurgie, die Pankreaschirurgie, die Ösophaguschirurgie, die Leberchirurgie und die Magenchirurgie vor. Jüngst hat die Anhebung der Mindestmenge für komplexe Eingriffe am Ösophagus durch den Gemeinsamen Bundesausschuss (G-BA) von 10 auf 26 pro Klinik und Jahr die Debatte um dieses Thema, aber auch die Debatte über die Zentralisierung im Gesundheitswesen im Generellen neu aufgerollt. Die Anhebung erscheint aus Sicht der politischen Gremien wissenschaftlich gut begründet und in der praktischen Umsetzung realisierbar. Aus Sicht der tagtäglich mit den entsprechenden hochkomplexen Entitäten vertrauten Ärzten ergibt sich allerdings eine sehr viel breitere Diskussionsgrundlage, welche nur partiell durch ein Gutachten des Instituts für Qualität und Wirtschaftlichkeit im Gesundheitswesen (IQWiG) als Grundlage des G‑BA-Beschlusses abgedeckt wird. Für die wissenschaftlich orientierte chirurgische Fachgesellschaft steht dabei in erster Linie die wissenschaftliche Evidenz als Handlungsmaxime im Vordergrund. Gleichwohl können und dürfen Aspekte der Versorgungsrealität nicht ausgeblendet werden. Die Empfehlungen der Fachgesellschaft müssen sich somit neben der Ergebnisqualität auch an der praktischen Realisierbarkeit orientieren. Darüber hinaus sind Fragen der Weiterbildung, das Recht des Patienten auf freie Arztwahl sowie auch der Erhalt der Attraktivität des Berufsbildes Chirurg immanente Themen der chirurgischen Fachgesellschaft.

Incidence and Risk Factors for Diaphragmatic Herniation following Esophagectomy for Cancer

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the incidence and risk factors of diaphragmatic herniation following esophagectomy for cancer (DHEC), and assess the results of surgical repair.

SUMMARY BACKGROUND DATA

The current incidence of DHEC is discussed with conflicting data regarding its treatment and natural course.

METHODS

Monocentric retrospective cohort study(2009-2018). From 902 patients, 719 patients with a complete follow-up of CT-scans after transthoracic esophagectomy for cancer were reexamined to identify the occurrence of a DHEC. The incidence of DHEC was estimated using Kalbfleisch and Prentice method and risk factors of DHEC were studied using the Fine and Gray competitive risk regression model by treating death as a competing event. Survival was analyzed.

RESULTS

5-year DHEC incidence was 10.3% [95%CI, 7.8%-13.2%](n = 59), asymptomatic in 54.2% of cases. In the multivariable analysis, the risk factors for DHEC were: presence of hiatal hernia on preoperative CT scan (HR = 1.72[1.01-2.94], p = 0.046), previous hiatus surgery (HR = 3.68[1.61-8.45], p = 0.002), gastroesophageal junction tumor location (HR = 3.51[1.91-6.45], p < 0.001), neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy (HR = 4.27[1.70-10.76], p < 0.001), and minimally invasive abdominal phase (HR = 2.98[1.60-5.55], p < 0.001). A cure for DHEC was achieved in 55.9%. The postoperative mortality rate was nil, the overall morbidity rate was 12.1%, and the DHEC recurrence rate was 30.3%. Occurrence of DHEC was significantly associated with a lower hazard rate of death in a time-varying Cox's regression analysis (HR = 0.43[0.23-0.81], p = 0.010).

CONCLUSIONS

The 5-year incidence of DHEC is 10.3% and is associated with a favorable prognosis. Surgical repair of symptomatic or progressive DHEC is associated with an acceptable morbidity. However, the optimal surgical repair technique remains to be determined in view of the large number of recurrences.