Laparoscopic management of totally intra-thoracic stomach with chronic volvulus

Video-Laparoscopic Treatment of Intrathoracic Gastric Volvulus

Background

Gastric volvulus is a rare condition, characterized by abnormal rotation of the stomach, causing obstruction with risk of ischemia, necrosis, and perforation. It is associated with high morbidity and mortality rates and, as it is life threatening, early diagnosis and treatment are crucial.

Methods

Retrospective study of medical records of intrathoracic gastric volvulus patients treated by video-laparoscopy from January 2000 to December 2018, in a University Hospital.

Results

Thirty patients (34 surgical procedures - 4 re-operations), 9 (30%) male and 21 (70%) female. The mean age was 57.65 ± 32.65 and the mean body mass index was 27.11 ± 3.5 kg/m². The most prevalent symptoms were epigastric pain and dysphagia. In 41.17% of the cases, the contrast X-ray confirmed the diagnosis. All 34 cases were intrathoracic volvulus, 24 of which were organo-axial (70.58%). The surgical technique used was hiatoplasty, without mesh (25 cases; 73.52%) and with reinforcement mesh (9 cases; 26.47%), mostly associated with Nissen fundoplication (52.94%). The mean surgical time was 215.7 ± 62.9 minutes, with conversion in 5 cases (15.62%). Hospitalization ranged from 4 ± 2 days. There was no record of operative mortality, and symptom improvement occurred in 100% of patients. The mean follow-up time for patients was 41.8 ± 32.6 months.

Conclusions

Surgical treatment should be indicated to reduce morbidity and mortality, and associated with improved symptoms and patient prognosis. Video-laparoscopic surgery on intrathoracic gastric volvulus proved to be safe and effective and should be the option of choice in the management of this disease.

Mesh Repair of a Giant Para-Esophageal Hernia + Sleeve Gastrectomy. Combined Treatment of Intra-Thoracic Stomach and Morbid Obesity: a Video Case Presentation

Concurrent surgical treatment of an intra-gastric stomach + morbid obesity is demonstrated. Video footage on diagnosis (gastroscopy and upper GI series) and surgical steps, as well as 2-year outcome (upper GI series), is presented. Although controversy exists regarding the best bariatric option when concomitantly repairing a giant para-esophageal hernia, in the light of recent reports and our own experience, sleeve gastrectomy may be the procedure of choice if reflux is no issue.

Screening Esophagogastroduodenoscopy Before Laparoscopic Sleeve Gastrectomy: Results in 819 Patients

Aim: The routine use of esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD) during the preoperative evaluation of surgical weight loss candidates is controversial. The aim of this study is to evaluate the findings of preoperative EGD in patients who are scheduled for a primary laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG). The probable effect of these findings on the medical and surgical strategy that was followed is assessed. Methods: Findings of EGD obtained from consecutive LSG candidates and all data were prospectively recorded and retrieved from the database. Results: A total of 819 patients underwent EGD successfully. Mean age and body mass index were 38 ± 11.3 and 43.17 ± 7.2 kg/m², respectively. Fifty-eight percent were female. EGD of 263 (32.1%) patients was normal and 687 (84%) patients were asymptomatic. At least one abnormal finding was detected in 65% of the asymptomatic patients. Abnormal findings that did not change the surgical strategy were found in 550 patients (67.2%). Findings such as gastritis or duodenitis that changed the medical management before surgery were found in 309 patients (38.2%). Helicobacter pylori was positive in 218 (26.6%) patients but eradication treatment was not applied in the preoperative period. No pathology was detected that would create absolute contraindication or change the type of surgery in any patient. Only technical modifications were required in 13% due to hiatal hernia. The timing of the planned surgery has changed in only 6 patients (0.74%) (early stage neuroendocrine tumor, leiomyoma, severe ulcer). Conclusions: Routine EGD performed before LSG did not change the planned bariatric option in any patient, but led to 13% rate of technical modifications due to the presence of hiatal hernia. At least one abnormal finding was detected in 65% of asymptomatic patients. Due to endoscopic findings, the rate of patients who started medical acid-suppression treatment in the preoperative period was 38%.

Iatrogenic cardiac tamponade as a mortal complication of peri-hiatal surgery. Analysis of 30 published cases

Iatrogenic cardiac tamponade (ICT) is a dreadful complication of peri-hiatal surgery and vast majority occur during a hernia repair. Strikingly, against all warnings, the incidents and related deaths seem to be increasing. The aim of this review is to provide insight on how to prevent and challenge ICT. PubMed search identified 30 distinct ICTs with 10 deaths (33.3%) due to peri-hiatal procedures. Twenty-nine operations were mechanical repairs and laparoscopic anti-reflux surgery was the primary cause (n:18). Graft fixation (n:23) and helical tacks (n:13) were the main offenders. Initial symptom was hypotension affecting 92%. Seven ICTs were only identified at autopsy. All treated patients except one underwent a drainage. Almost all ICTs were caused by injury to the diaphragmatic dome, anterior to hiatus. In conclusion, peri-hiatal surgery-related ICT is extremely fatal. ICT mainly occurs during the repair of a hernia, a benign condition and therefore must be prevented. Graft fixation, around the ante-hiatal diaphragmatic dome must be abandoned. If mesh-augmentation is absolutely necessary, meticulous stitching must be preferred instead of fixators. Persistent hypotension during or following a peri-hiatal operation is an alarming sign of ICT. Increased awareness is mandatory for prevention and survival.

Cardiac Tamponade as a Life-Threatening Complication of Laparoscopic Antireflux Surgery: The Real Incidence and 3D Anatomy of a Heart Injury by Helical Tacks

Background: Cardiac tamponade (CT) is a dreadful complication of laparoscopic antireflux surgery (LARS) with unknown incidence, and preventive measures are yet to be defined. Incidence during LARS with respect to usage/configuration of graft deployment is analyzed. Three-dimensional (3D) analysis of tack distribution provided anatomical insight to prevent cardiac injury.

Materials and Methods: Data regarding the usage and configuration of graft deployment are retrieved from the prospective database. Grafting was “posterior” or “posterior + anterior.” Incidence of CT in all hiatoplasties is calculated. Tomography is reconstructed in 3D, showing the spatial distribution of the tacks. Tacks are numbered in the surgical video. Corresponding numbering is applied to the tacks in any particular tomography slice, utilizing the 3D images as an interface. A numbering-blinded radiologist is asked to identify the offending and the nonoffending tacks as the cause of tamponade. Tack-to-pericardium distances are recorded. Tacks having no measurable distance from the pericardium are regarded as offensive.

Results: One CT occurred in 1302 consecutive LARS (0.076%). The incidence is 0% when “no” (379) or “posterior” (880) graft is used as opposed to 2.3% rate in “posterior + anterior” (43) grafting. The distribution of “offensive,” “nonoffensive but nearest,” and “safe” tacks followed a pattern. All offensive tacks belonged to the anterior graft fixation, which we referred as the critical zone.

Conclusion: CT during LARS is rare, and associated with graft fixation anterior to the hiatal opening. Avoiding graft fixation to the critical zone may prevent cardiac injury.