LONG-TERM IMPROVEMENT OF GLUCOSE HOMEOSTASIS AND BODY COMPOSITION IN PATIENTS UNDERGOING LAPAROSCOPIC SLEEVE GASTRECTOMY

CONTEXT

Laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (SG) has gained popularity as a metabolic procedure, but its long-term effectiveness for Romanian patients remains unclear.

OBJECTIVES

To assess the long-term efficacy of SG for Romanian patients and to evaluate the differences between 5 years and 1 year follow-up.

DESIGN

A longitudinal, prospective analysis of collected data from 68 patients undergoing SG between 2009 and 2014 was performed. Long-term outcomes at 5 years were analyzed in terms of total weight loss (%TWL), excess weight loss (%EWL), body composition and glucose homeostasis.

SUBJECTS AND METHODS

All patients meeting the standard criteria for SG before inclusion were prospectively enrolled in the study. Of the 68 patients, eight were lost to follow-up, therefore, 60 patients (41.7±12.5 years, baseline body mass index [BMI] 44.6±9.9Kg/m2) were analyzed.

RESULTS

The BMI decreased at 12 months with 30.7% from the preoperative BMI (p<0.001) and subsequently stabilized at 5 years.TWL and EWL were 30.6% and 83.1%, respectively at 1 year, with a slightly increase at 5 years.Therapeutic success rate (%EWL≥50) and diabetes remission rate (Buchwald criteria) were 93.3% and respectively 63.6% at 5 years. Insulin sensitivity index and metabolic clearance rate of glucose increased with 92.5% and 60.1% respectively, in the third month from baseline (p<0.001), while estimated second phase of insulin secretion decreased with 7.9% in the first month postoperatively (p=0.04), remaining stable afterwards.

CONCLUSIONS

SG was effective in terms of %EWL, body composition and glucose homeostasis improvement for Romanian patients, the outcomes stabilizing after 1 year follow-up.

Spleen preservation in a caudal pancreatic serous cystadenoma - case report

Cystic lesions of the pancreas are relatively rare entities but have been increasingly diagnosed in recent years due to advanced imaging techniques. This category encompasses pancreatic pseudocyst as well as a wide range of pancreatic tumors with benign behavior, borderline or primary malignant. Serous cystadenoma of the pancreas represents the most common benign pancreatic tumor, with a very low but well recognized malignant potential. The clinical presentation varies according to its size; small tumors may be asymptomatic and discovered incidentally, while large tumors are more likely symptomatic. We report the case of a female patient presenting with non-specific left abdominal pain, who was diagnosed through a CT scan with a caudal pancreatic tumor. The patient underwent spleen-preserving distal pancreatectomy. The result of the histopathological examination revealed a serous cystadenoma.

Treatment of bilateral inguinal hernia -- minimally invasive versus open surgery procedure

OBJECTIVES

The aim of this study is to evaluate and compare the treatment outcomes of the bilateral inguinal hernia repair in one stage using minimally invasive technique (totally extraperitoneal) and conventional surgery (Lichtenstein).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Records from all hospitalized cases in our institution between 2006 and 2011 that underwent surgery having the diagnosis of bilateral inguinal hernia were analysed.

RESULTS

The study consists of two groups selected by means of the used procedure: the study arm which is laparoscopic (234 cases) and the control arm that consists of Lichtenstein procedure (91 cases). One conversion was recorded due to difficult dissection (0.4% of cases). There were complications reported in 2.5% cases in the laparoscopic group and 27.4% complications noted in the conventional group (p less then 0.01). Reinterventions were logged in 1.7% cases in the laparoscopic group and 2.1% reinterventions in the open group (p less then 0.01). The postoperative hospital stay was 2.1 days in the laparoscopic group and 4.7 days for the open procedure. Mortality was not recorded.

CONCLUSIONS

In our department the procedure of choice for bilateral inguinal repair is the laparoscopic approach (TEP) which has a 10 fold decrease in complications rate than Lichtenstein operation and also a shortening by half of the hospital stay. Hernia recurrence is the same for both procedures.

[Amyand's hernia--a clinical case]

Amyand's hernia, a rare entity in the surgical pathology, presupposes the presence of the vermiform appendix inside a inguinal hernia sac (1). The hernia sac peritonitis by appendix swelling is even more rare, very few cases being presented in the surgical literature (1). The preoperatory diagnosis of Amyand's hernia is therefore very difficult. We herein present the case of a 71-year old male patient, operated on an emergency basis for hernia, which eventually turned out to be Amyand's hernia, a case which determined us to research the literature dedicated to this topic.

[Laparoscopic hysterectomy]

Our paper presents the experience gained in nearly 12 years by the General Surgery Clinic of "Sfantul Ioan" Hospital, Bucharest in the field of laparoscopic hysterectomy. The period of time is quite long compared to the evolving of mini-invasive techniques and also unequal towards the experience of the surgeons who perform these procedure. The total number of hysterectomies was 1491 from which 251 by laparoscopic approach, the rest being made by the classic methods (most of them by laparotomy and some by vaginal approach). In the statistic we have included 15 myomectomies, 4 cases of radical hysterectomy with pelvic lymphadenectomy and 4 cases of complete hysterectomy after partial procedures made by laparotomy. The indications were represented mostly by uterine fibroma (82.07%), but also by uterine prolapse (13.14%), uterine bleeding, cervix severe dysplasia, uterine and cervix neoplasia (stage I) or associated to ovariectomy related to breast cancer. The paper analyses the results looking at the incidents and accidents (hemorrhagic, ureteral, urinary bladder or rectal lesions) and also postoperative complications (we had three reinterventions, two by laparoscopy and one by laparotomy). We also recorded one death not directly as a consequence of surgery, but as a diagnosis error. Regarding the surgical technique we initially chose the laparoscopic assisted vaginal hysterectomy. Afterwards by gaining experience we started treating the uterine pedicle and now we settled for the integral laparoscopic procedure. In our opinion laparoscopic hysterectomy represents all the advantages of mini-invasive approach. The technological development, but essentially the experience gained by surgeons are the key factors in accepting and promulgating the technique.

[Hynes-Andersen pyeloplasty by mini-laparoscopy transperitoneal approach]

Laparoscopy had significantly gained in the field of urologic surgery, almost all the surgical procedures in the retroperitoneal space being made, from the simple ones (renal cystectomy, varicocelectomy) to the ones requiring higher expertise (nephrectomy, adrenalectomy) by retro-peritoneoscopy and also transperitoneal. At the Surgery Department of "Sf. Ioan" Hospital, Bucharest, we approached initially the retroperitoneal pathology by lomboscopy, but afterwards we choose the transperitoneal approach because of the generous workspace and the clearer anatomical landmarks, regardless of the procedures (renal cystectomy, varicocelectomy, adrenalectomy, nephrectomy, pyelo-lithotomy, ureterolithotomy). In association with the Urology Department of "Sf. Ioan" Hospital we practiced two Hynes Andersen pyeloplasty for pyelo-ureteral junction stenosis by transperitoneal approach, using mini-laparoscopy tools. In one of the cases we also perform a basinetal lithotomy.

[Laparoscopic appendectomy--considerations in about 1000 cases]

Laparoscopic appendectomy (LA) is a well spread method today, but not as largely accepted as cholecystectomy, the cure of gastro-esophageal reflux and some other procedures (relatively small in number) for which the laparoscopic approach is the golden standard. Otherwise it is improbable that LA will gain such a status, at least in the near future. On the other hand it is obvious that LA offers important advantages for some special situations: the right iliac area syndrome, obesity, professional sportsmen, abnormal localization of the appendix, as well for the cases when localized and especially diffuse peritonitis is associated. Our paper analyses the experience of General Surgery Department at the "St.John" Emergency Hospital Bucharest on laparoscopic appendectomy. The retrospective study includes 996 cases that were treated laparoscopic between 1996-2004. Of these 745 cases were catarrhal, 166 cases were phlegmonous and 76 gangrenous appendicitis. In 93 cases localized or diffuse peritonitis was associated. There were recorded also 3 cases of each of the following: chronic appendicitis, appendicular mass and mucocele. The number of conversions was 28 (2.81%). There were also 10 reinterventions (1.004%), 7 because of intraperitoneal abscess and we also recorded one death.

[Laparoscopic mini gastric bypass for the treatment of morbid obesity. Initial experience]

The mini-invasive treatment of morbid obesity represents a priority of our surgical team. The majority of the patients have been operated on restrictive bariatric procedures. The technique we are presenting is indicated for the extreme and super obese patients (BMI >50 kg/m2) for whom the restrictive procedures are less efficient. In these situations we have performed a mixed procedure, combining two principles restriction and malabsorption by creating a low capacity gastric tube connected to the jejunum through a linear stapled anastomosis. The name of these procedure is mini gastric bypass and our experience is consisting of 7 patients, with BMI between 52.7 and 71.69 kg/m2, with very important comorbidities. In this paper we are describing the specifics of the laparoscopic approach and the postoperative results at 3-18 months. We have recorded one conversion to the open surgery, two hemorrhagic postoperative complications and one marginal ulcer (3 month post-operatively); all complications were treated conservatively. All the patients lost weight, the EWL at 12 months was between 45.26% and 77.65%, while the co-morbidities had a significant good evolution. The procedure was efficient, well accepted and tolerated by the patients.

[Cavitary viscera injuries during laparoscopy]

Intraoperative incidents of laparoscopic surgery resulting in cavitary viscera injuries are analyzed, based on a series of 6308 patients (6800 operations) operated during a period of 9 years. This retrospective study includes 11 cases: 6 intraoperative cavitary viscera perforations (esophagus, gastric fornix, ileum, sigmoid) have been recognized and solved in the same laparoscopic operation or after conversion. In 5 cases the diagnosis was established in the postoperative period as fistulas (urinary bladder) or diffuse peritonitis caused by various types of injuries (esophagus, small and large bowel) and required reoperations. We present a global view of these cases and also analyze the determinant causes of the complications, emphasize the importance of intraoperative identification of such injuries and specify the place of minimally invasive surgery in the treatment of such accidents with an optimum healing and low rate of postoperative morbidity and mortality.

[Laparoscopic approach in large hiatal hernia--particular considerations]

Large hiatal hernia are associated with permanent or intermittent protrusion of more than 1/3 of the stomach into the chest, single or in associated with other organs, a hiatal defect greater than 5 cm and various complications related to the morphological and physiological modifications. While the laparoscopic approach in small hiatal hernia and gastro-esophageal reflux disease is a standard procedure in large hiatal hernia persists a number of questions and controversies. Between 1995 and 2002 a number of 23 patients with large hiatal hernia (9 men, 14 women), mean age 65.8 years (range 49 to 77) underwent laparoscopic surgery. The majority of the patients had complications of the disease (dysphagia, severe esophagitis, anemia, respiratory and cardiac failure). In 16 cases was a sliding hernia (one recurrent after open procedure), in 2 paraesophageal and in 5 a mixed hernia (two "upside-down" type). In 7 cases we perform, in the same operation, cholecystectomy for gallbladder stones and in one cases Heller myotomy for achalasia. In all cases the repairs was performed by using interrupted stitches to approximate the crurae, but in three of them (recurrent and upside down hernia) we consider necessary to repair with a polypropylene mesh (10 x 5 cm) with a "keyhole" for the esophagus. In these particular cases we do not perform a antireflux procedure, in others 20 cases a short floppy Nissen was done. During the operation one patient developed a left pneumothorax and required pleural drainage. Postoperatively one patient had dysphagia treated by pneumatic dilatation and another die 3 weeks after the surgery because severe respiratory and cardiac failure.

CONCLUSIONS

Laparoscopic approach is a feasible and effective procedure with good postoperatively results, but required good skills in mininvasive technique.

[The reposition technique for treatment of obstruction or migration of the peritoneal dialysis catheter]

Continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis are widely used in the management of patients with chronic renal failure. The permanent presence of the catheter into the peritoneal cavity generate a series of specific complications. Two of the most important causes of dysfunctional peritoneal dialysis catheter are obstruction and malposition. Failure to restore the drainage function of the catheter by conservative method should be followed by a surgical procedure: laparoscopic reposition or replacing the catheter. This paper present an original technique which has some major advantages: required local anesthesia; doesn't replace the existing catheter; the dyalysis program could be started very quick after procedure; it is a feasible and reproducible technique.

[The 10 principles of the camera person (or what a surgeon must do so that another one can see what he does)]

Miniinvasive videoendoscopic surgical techniques represent a revolution in all surgical fields and generate deep changes. Many principles of open surgery were put in doubt, some of them been considerate like dogma, the operating setup was changed, some mentalities and beliefs were modified and a new member of the surgical team appeared. This specialty doesn't exist in open surgery and its importance could not be minimized. This new kind of surgeon has particular knowledge and its actions during the laparoscopic procedures are different in opposition to open procedures. The following article refers at laparoscopic procedures but we are sure that exists several common points with others miniivasive techniques and some of this ideas are generally valid.

[Laparoscopic reoperations]

The progress of laparoscopic techniques have made possible video-assisted miniinvasive surgery in patients with indication of reoperation. Knowing that there are many controversies against this type of surgery, the authors tried to formulate their own point of view in this matter by analyzing their experience in such particular cases. In this study there are included both laparoscopic re-operations (or re-laparoscopies), consecutive to video-assisted surgery, and the mini-invasive procedures performed for complications after open surgery. Of the total 3901 laparoscopic operations (in 3714 patients) we performed 34 laparoscopic re-operations for postoperative complications occurred in patients previously operated on in our clinic or in other departments (29 re-laparoscopies and 5 after open surgery) The objective of the study was to verify if the laparoscopic techniques are useful in diagnostic and treatment of the postoperative complications which need surgical re-exploration, and the conclusions have shown that laparoscopy may be appropriate in re-exploration of the surgical patients, if the rules of the operative management is respected and the well defined standards are fulfilled.

[Conversions and reinterventions in laparoscopic cholecystectomy]

From the introduction of the laparoscopy in our clinic, more and more of the cholecystectomies, reaching over 50% are done by this technique. Based upon the accumulation of an already important experience, the paper tries to analyze the situations in which, during or after laparoscopic cholecystectomy, intraoperative conversions (deliberate or of necessity) or reinterventions were necessary. We present a global view of the number of these cases and also (an in detail) analysis of the causes the imposed such decisions and of the solutions adopted. The percentages of 5.55 conversions and 1.49 reinterventions seem reasonable and acceptable in comparison with the initial results published by some experience surgeons in the field of laparoscopic surgery.

[Thoracic sympathectomy via the thoracoscopic approach. The operative technic]

The authors describe the technique of thoracic sympathectomy by thoracoscopic approach in the variant in which the sympathetic chain is divided between T4 and T5 sympathetic ganglion associated with the division of the gray and white rami communicantes of the T2-T3-T4 sympathetic ganglions. The article emphasizes the importance of the 2nd sympathetic ganglion in the regulation of the blood circulation of the arm and the advantages of the thoracoscopic approach for this type of intervention.

Psychologic investigation in the estimation of the effects of hypotensive therapy in hypertensive patients working in the railway and highway traffic security

Sixty four hypertensive patients working in railway and highway traffic security (engine operators, drivers, switchmen, etc.) were studied clinically and paraclinically and were also submitted to psychologic tests since the characteristics of their work requires a normal psychophysical state. The patients investigated, mostly males (93%), mean age 45.2 years, had essential arterial hypertension (AH) stages I (36 patients) and II (28 patients). After 3-4 days of low salt diet, therapy with propranolol (8 to 360 mg/day) and diuretics was started in most of the patients. In 8 patients with AH stage II, hydralazine (50-100 mg/days) was added to the treatment. The psychologic tests used were: the pencil-paper test "Labyrinth", "Barrage" and "A.D. Praga" and a motor test "Piorkowsky" used 2 times, i.e., before and after treatment. After 15 days of treatment the blood pressure values decreased: systolic from a mean value of 155 +/- 25 mmHg to 136 +/- 81 mmHg; diastolic from 102 + 18 mmHg to 84 +/- 11 mmHg. The marks for the psychologic test were: very poor, poor, medium, good, very good. The post-therapeutic changes obtained were noted in percentages. Improvements obtained: for the "Praga" test in 54% of the patients, for the "Barrage" in 44% of the patients and for the "Labyrinth" in 66% of the patients. Improvements for the first "Piorkowsky" test (slow rate stimuli) were obtained in 54% of the patients and for the second (faster rate stimuli) in 69%. No decrease of psychologic performance was observed in any of the patients. Therefore the psychologic tests used may contribute to the follow-up of the effectiveness and of the side effects of modern hypotensive therapy especially in patients working in traffic security in whom the psychophysical state should be at its best.