Open adhesiolysis is more effective in reducing adhesion reformation than laparoscopic adhesiolysis in an experimental model

BACKGROUND

This study compared adhesion reformation after open and laparoscopic adhesiolysis in a rat model.

METHODS

Adhesions were induced by surgically creating ischaemic buttons on the peritoneal side wall. After 7 days the animals underwent laparoscopy with carbon dioxide insufflation or laparotomy to score and lyse adhesions. Peritoneal tissue and fluid were collected after 24 h in a subset of animals, and adhesion reformation was scored 7 days after lysis in the remainder. Tissue plasminogen activator (tPA), plasminogen activator inhibitor (PAI) 1, transforming growth factor (TGF) beta1 and tumour necrosis factor (TNF) alpha mRNA, and total fibrinolytic activity were assessed. The abdomen of non-operated animals was insufflated for 7, 15 or 30 min with carbon dioxide, after which tPA and PAI-1 mRNA and total fibrinolytic activity were measured.

RESULTS

Animals that underwent open adhesiolysis had 60 per cent fewer reformed adhesions than the laparoscopic adhesiolysis group (P < 0.001). There were no differences in tPA activity or tPA, PAI-1 and TNF-alpha mRNA between groups, but TGF-beta1 mRNA levels were significantly increased in the open group. Carbon dioxide insufflation did not affect peritoneal tPA activity.

CONCLUSION

Open adhesiolysis may be more beneficial in minimizing adhesion reformation in the management of adhesion-related complications.

Staple-line reinforcement with bovine pericardium in laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy: experimental comparative study in pigs

BACKGROUND

We studied the usefulness of Bovine Pericardial strips (BPS) as a buttress in the prevention of complications from the gastric staple-line in laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG).

METHODS

LSG was carried out in 18 pigs. Resection of the stomach was performed with 4.8-mm/30-mm linear stapler either without (Control Group--n = 9) or with BPS (Buttress Group--n = 9). Intra- and postoperative blood losses were assessed. Leaks were evaluated with methylene blue test intra-operatively and then clinically. The animals were sacrificed 2 weeks after surgery and the abdominal cavity was evaluated for fluid collections and adhesions, and the burst pressure of the stomach was measured and histopathological study of the staple-line was performed. Student t-test was used for statistical analysis.

RESULTS

No leaks were detected except for one small subclinical leak in the buttress group. Internal ulcers at the staple-line were seen more frequently in the Buttress group (6 vs 3, not significant). There was no significant difference between the two groups with regards to operative time (65.3 +/- 14.2 min, 69.7 +/- 12.8 min), intra-operative bleeding (9.6 +/- 2.2 ml, 8.2 +/- 1.5 ml), postoperative hemoglobin levels (11.3 +/- 1.9 g%, 11.8 +/- 2.2 g%), and burst pressure (152.6 +/- 23.5 mmHg, 161.2 +/- 15.8 mmHg) for the Control and Buttress groups respectively. More intense adhesions and inflammatory response were observed in the Buttress Group.

CONCLUSIONS

In this experimental model, the use of bovine pericardium as a staple-line buttress in LSG was easy and safe; however, it did not decrease the occurrence of complications.

A neurokinin 1 receptor antagonist decreases adhesion reformation after laparoscopic lysis of adhesions in a rat model of adhesion formation

BACKGROUND

Up to 94% of patients experience fibrous adhesions after abdominal surgery, and a significant number of these patients require a second operation for open or laparoscopic lysis of adhesions (LOA). The authors have previously shown that inhibition of the binding of tachykinin ligands to the neurokinin 1 receptor (NK-1R) using the neurokinin 1 receptor antagonist (NK-1RA) CJ-12,255 decreases primary adhesion formation and upregulates the peritoneal fibrinolytic system in a rat model. Whereas most studies have focused on the prevention of primary adhesions, few have addressed adhesion reformation after LOA. This study aimed to determine the effects of NK-1RA administration on adhesion reformation and peritoneal fibrinolytic activity after laparoscopic LOA.

METHODS

Adhesions were induced in 31 rats using our previously described ischemic button model. The rats underwent laparoscopy 7 days later, during which adhesions were scored and lysed followed by administration of the NK-1RA or saline. Then 7 days after LOA, 23 rats were killed and adhesions were scored. Eight rats also were killed 24 h after the LOA to obtain peritoneal tissue and fluid, which were analyzed for tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) mRNA expression and peritoneal fibrinolytic activity by reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and bioassay, respectively.

RESULTS

At laparoscopy, 79% +/- 3% of the buttons formed adhesions. In the saline-administered control animals, 42% +/- 3.2% of the buttons reformed adhesions after LOA (p < 0.05), whereas in the animals that received the NK-1RA, 18.2% +/- 3.5% of the buttons reformed adhesions (p < 0.05). As compared with control animals, NK-1RA administration increased tPA mRNA levels by 38% and fibrinolytic activity sixfold (p < 0.05; 7.0 +/- 2.1 U/ml vs 1.2 +/- 0.54 U/ml).

CONCLUSIONS

When administered during laparoscopic LOA, an NK-1RA significantly upregulates peritoneal fibrinolytic activity and decreases adhesion reformation.

Comparative evaluation of gastrointestinal transit and immune response between laparoscopic and open gastrectomy in a porcine model

Several reports have shown advantages of laparoscopic gastrointestinal (GI) procedures when compared with their open counterparts. The aim of this study was to assess the differences of GI transit and immune response between laparoscopic and open gastrectomy in a porcine model. Fourteen pigs were assigned to undergo partial gastrectomy, either by laparoscopy (lap group) or by laparotomy (open group). GI transit was assessed using 24 markers and measured until half of markers were evacuated. To assess immune response, we used delayed-type hypersensitivity skin antigen testing (DTH) with vaccine antigen. DTH was evaluated at 48 hours after the primary injection for induration. After 2 weeks, all animals underwent necropsy and were evaluated for adhesion formation using a scoring scale. Operation time was significantly longer in the lap group. The GI transit in the postoperative phase was significantly prolonged compared with the preoperative measured times. Postoperatively, the GI transit in the open group was significantly prolonged compared with the lap group. Immune response measured by DTH was better preserved in the lap group than in the open group. Adhesion formation was significantly less in the lap group. We concluded that laparoscopic gastrectomy resulted in faster bowel recovery and less immune suppression.

Laparoscopic biliopancreatic diversion with duodenal switch

Preliminary results demonstrate the feasibility and safety of laparoscopic biliopancreatic diversion with duodenal switch, knowing that the superobese patient carries a higher risk than the normal population or the regular obese patient. Future studies with larger numbers of patients should be able to demonstrate the effectiveness this procedure in reducing weight and comorbidities such as hyperlipidemia, hypertension, sleep apnea, and diabetes mellitus, an effectiveness of that has been proven in an open approach. There is currently poor evidence regarding this effective due to small case series and early follow-up. Further research is needed to examine long-term efficacy, with a high priority given to randomized controlled trials.