Laparoscopic appendectomy: a gynecological approach

Analysis of the First 217 Appendectomies of the German NOTES Registry

OBJECTIVE

To analyze the feasibility and safety of Natural Orifice Transluminal Endoscopic Surgery (NOTES) appendectomy, and to analyze separately the transvaginal appendectomy (TVAE) and the transgastric appendectomy (TGAE) procedures.

BACKGROUND

Laparoscopic appendectomy has rare but relevant complications, namely incisional hernias and neuralgia at the trocar sites, which can potentially be avoided by the NOTES techniques.

METHODS

The first 217 data sets of the largest NOTES registry worldwide-the German NOTES registry-were analyzed with respect to demographic data, procedural data, and short-term outcomes. Furthermore, TVAEs were compared with TGAEs.

RESULTS

Almost all procedures were performed in hybrid technique (median of percutaneous trocars: 1). Median age (TVAE: 30.5 yrs vs TGAE: 25 yrs; P < 0.017), body mass index (TVAE: 22.8 kg/m vs TGAE: 24.1 kg/m; P < 0.016), and American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) classification (I/II/III; TVAE: 57.1%/41.8%/1.0% vs TGAE: 27.8%/69.4%/2.8%; P < 0.003) significantly differed between both access techniques. Whereas the median number of percutaneous trocars (TVAE: 1 vs TGAE: 1; P < 0.450), the need of additional trocars (TVAE: 6.6% vs TGAE: 13.9%; P < 0.156), the intra, and also postoperative rate of complications (TVAE: 0%/5.5% vs TGAE: 0%/11.1%; P < 1.000/0.258), and the median postoperative hospital stay (TVAE: 3 d vs TGAE: 3 d; P < 0.152) were comparable; the median procedural time (TVAE: 35 minutes vs TGAE: 96 minutes; P < 0.001) and conversion to laparotomy rate (TVAE: 0% vs TGAE: 5.6%; P < 0.023) were significantly less after TVAE.

CONCLUSIONS

The evaluation of the largest patient collective so far indicates that hybrid NOTES appendectomy is a safe procedure, with advantages for the transvaginal technique with respect to procedural time and conversion rate.

A Simple Approach to Specimen Retrieval via Posterior Colpotomy Incision

Introduction:

Posterior colpotomy incision for specimen retrieval is infrequently used in gynecologic laparoscopic surgery unless a concomitant hysterectomy is performed. We aim to describe a simple and unique technique for creating the colpotomy incision and to describe intraoperative and postoperative outcomes.

Methods:

Fifty patients underwent adnexal specimen retrieval through a posterior colpotomy incision. After devascularization and detachment of the adnexal specimen, the posterior cul-de-sac was visualized. The colpotomy incision was created by introducing a 12- or 15-mm laparoscopic trocar through the vagina into the posterior vaginal fornix under direct visualization. Specimens were placed into laparoscopic bags and removed through the vagina. The colpotomy incision was closed vaginally. Charts were reviewed for intraoperative and postoperative outcomes.

Results:

Twenty-nine women underwent adnexal surgery for an adnexal mass, 14 women underwent surgery for pelvic pain, and 7 women underwent adnexal surgery for primary prevention of malignancy. The specimens removed ranged in size from 2 to 16 cm (mean 5.7). The mean time patients were under anesthesia was 103 minutes (SD 57.3). There were no operative complications related to the colpotomy incision and no cases of postoperative vaginal cellulitis or pelvic infection were reported. Only 1 woman with a prior vaginal delivery reported dyspareunia postoperatively.

Conclusion:

This simple technique for posterior colpotomy incision can easily be added to the gynecologic surgeon's armamentarium and can be safely used for most women.

[Transvaginal/transumbilical hybrid NOTES appendicectomy : Comparison of techniques in uncomplicated and complicated appendicitis]

BACKGROUND

Appendicectomy (AE), the most frequent emergency surgical procedure, can be performed as a transvaginal hybrid natural orifice translumenal endoscopic surgery (NOTES) technique (TVAE). The question of feasibility also arises in cases of advanced inflammation with perforation.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Since May 2012 all female patients with suspected acute appendicitis were offered a TVAE as an alternative to the standard procedure. Preoperative, intraoperative and postoperative parameters were registered prospectively.

RESULTS

Until October 2013 a total of 13 TVAEs had been performed. The median age of the patients was 41 years (range 20-76 years), median BMI was 23.1 (range 18.1-28.3 kg/m(2)) and the American Society of Anesthesiologists score (ASA) distribution (I/II/≥ III) was 8/5/0. Histology revealed three cases of perforated, one hemorrhagic necrotizing and seven phlegmonous appendicitis. Furthermore, there were two findings without inflammation, namely one neurogenic appendicopathy and one neuroendocrine tumor. For the three patients with perforated appendicitis, there was a trend for higher age (67.0 years versus 33.5 years, p=0.063) and a higher C-reactive protein (CRP) level on admission (134.4 mg/l versus 26.4 mg/l, p=0.043). Also, procedural time and hospital stay were longer (64 min versus 47 min, p=0.033 and 14 days versus 3 days, p=0.004, respectively). The former was mostly due to more extensive intraoperative flushing (volume 3000 ml versus 500 ml, p=0.013 and duration 13 min versus 2 min, p=0.011). None of the cases required conversion but two of the three postoperative complications occurred in patients with perforation, which also resulted in the longer hospital stay.

CONCLUSION

Technically, TVAE seems feasible also in cases of perforated appendicitis. However, in these cases procedural time is prolonged due to more extensive flushing. Whether or not the longer hospital stay can be attributed to the perforation or if TVAE results in a higher rate of complications in cases of perforated appendicitis needs further evaluation.

Appendicitis/diverticulitis: minimally invasive surgery

Complicated intra-abdominal infections such as acute appendicitis and complicated diverticulitis represent both diagnostic and therapeutic challenges. Both diseases, although different in many ways, are caused by the obstruction of a blind pouch leading to inflammation, abscesses, and perforation of surrounding tissues. For many decades, acute appendicitis was managed through a conventional surgical incision in the right iliac fossa. As for other diseases, there is a significant tendency to propose less invasive treatments. For many teams, laparoscopy, which leads to less postoperative pain, a shorter hospital stay, and a quicker recovery, represents the standard of care for appendectomy. For selected cases, a medical approach can be proposed with satisfactory outcomes. Additionally, the management of complicated diverticulitis is also quickly moving towards less invasive procedures than the deleterious '3-phase surgery', which is Hartmann's procedure, followed by reversal protected with a stoma, and finally stoma closure. Benefiting from the evolution of antimicrobial therapy and interventional radiology, many complicated cases classified as Hinchey stage I and Hinchey stage II complicated diverticulitis are now treated medically. CT images allow the identification of patients requiring radiological drainage of localized abscesses or collections over 5 cm in size. Patients with Hinchey stage III sigmoiditis may benefit from an initial laparoscopic exploration allowing, in some cases, a conservative nonresective approach that will prevent laparotomy and stoma. Major resection leading to temporary or definitive stoma is usually indicated for stage IV complications and is required only in exceptional cases. Although a surgical intervention can be the definitive treatment for complicated intra-abdominal infections, multidisciplinary management including radiology, medical treatment, and laparoscopic surgery may limit the severe consequences of an acute surgical approach in patients suffering from complicated appendicitis and diverticulitis. Today, the ultimate goal of acutely infected abdomen management is to reduce hospital stay, disability, and numerous operations for these patients.

Appendectomy in Germany-an analysis of a nationwide survey 2011/2012

INTRODUCTION

Although appendectomies are frequently performed and new procedural techniques have emerged, no nationwide analysis exists after the cessation of the German quality control in 2004.

METHODS

One thousand eight hundred seventy surgical hospitals in Germany were asked to answer questions anonymously concerning the size of the department, applied procedural techniques, various technical details, as well as the approach to the intraoperative finding of an inconspicuous appendix.

RESULTS

We received 643 questionnaires (34.4 %) for evaluation. Almost all hospitals (95.5 %) offer laparoscopic appendectomy (LA), 15.4 % offer single-port (SPA), and 2.2 % (hybrid-) NOTES technique (NA). LA is the standard procedure in 85.2 % of male and in 89.1 % for female patients. In an open procedure (OA), the appendix and mesoappendix are mostly ligated (93.8 and 91.5 %). A Veress needle and open access are employed equally for LA. In 66.6 % of LA, the appendix is divided using an Endo-GIA, the mesoappendix in 45.5 % with bipolar coagulation. Almost half of the hospitals routinely flush the site in OA and LA. In open surgery with an inconspicuous appendix but a pathological finding elsewhere in the abdomen, it is resected "en principe" in 64.7 % and in the absence of any pathological finding in 91.2 %. For laparoscopic procedures, the numbers are 54.8 and 88.4 %.

CONCLUSIONS

Most German hospitals perform appendectomies laparoscopically regardless of patients' gender. Usage of an Endo-GIA is widely established. SPA has not gained much acceptance, nor is NA widely used yet. In the absence of any pathological findings in particular, the macroscopically inconspicuous appendix results in an appendectomy "en principe" in most German hospitals.