Surgical endoscopy
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Complete mesocolic excision (CME) with central vascular ligation for right-sided colon cancer has been proven to provide superior oncologic outcomes and survival advantage when compared to standard lymphadenectomy [1]. A number of studies comparing conventional laparoscopic versus open CME have shown feasibility and safety of the laparoscopic approach with acceptable oncological profile and postoperative outcomes [2, 3]. The introduction of robotic systems with its technical advantages, including improved vision, better ergonomics and precise dissection, has further revolutionized minimally invasive approach in colorectal surgery. ⋯ Creation of an intracorporeal side-to-side ileotransversostomy anastomosis and extraction of the specimen complete the operation. We consider robotic CME to be feasible, safe and oncologically adequate for the treatment of right-sided colon cancer. Its technical advantages may lead to further dissemination of the robotic approach and better standardization of this surgical technique.
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Randomized Controlled Trial
Evaluating the effect of distractions in the operating room on clinical decision-making and patient safety.
Answering telephone calls and pagers is common distraction in the operating room. We sought to evaluate the impact of distractions on patient care by (1) assessing the accuracy and safety of responses to clinical questions posed to a surgeon while operating and (2) determining whether pager distractions affect simulation-based surgical performance. ⋯ Distractions in the operating room may have a profound impact on patient safety on the wards. While multitasking in a simulated setting, the majority of residents made at least one unsafe clinical decision. Pager distractions also hindered surgical residents' ability to complete a simulated laparoscopic task in the allotted time without affecting other variables of surgical performance.
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Surgical value is based on optimizing clinical and financial outcomes. The clinical benefits of laparoscopic surgery are well established; however, many patients are still not offered a laparoscopic procedure. Our objective was to compare the modern clinical and financial outcomes of laparoscopic and open colorectal surgery. ⋯ Laparoscopy is more cost-effective and produces better patient outcomes than open colorectal surgery. Minimally invasive colorectal surgery is now the standard that should be offered to patients, providing value to both patient and provider.
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Whereas for TEP the guidelines do not recommend mesh fixation on the basis of meta-analyses regardless of the defect size, for TAPP mesh fixation can be omitted only up to a defect size of 3 cm because of the paucity of studies on this topic. Hence, this study now seeks to explore this subject on the basis of prospective data from the Herniamed Hernia Registry. In the period September 01, 2009, to January 31, 2014, 11,228 male patients were operated on with the TAPP technique for a primary unilateral inguinal hernia and were followed up for 1 year. ⋯ For TAPP repair of an inguinal hernia, mesh fixation is not necessary in a significant number of patients. Patients with a medial and combined hernia are at higher risk of recurrence. In the patient series analyzed, it was possible to significantly reduce the recurrence rate with mesh fixation and larger mesh size for medial defects.
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Case Reports
Spleen and splenic vessel preserving distal pancreatectomy for bifocal PNET in a young patient with MEN1.
MEN1 patients requiring resection of neuroendocrine tumors (pNET) are frequently young, active patients in whom a minimal access approach minimizes perioperative morbidity and splenic preservation decreases the risk of post-splenectomy sepsis. Laparoscopic spleen preserving distal pancreatectomy can be performed with removal (Warshaw's technique) or preservation of the splenic vessels, the later having a higher rate of successful splenic preservation. ⋯ Improvements in laparoscopic techniques and technology have enabled surgeons to preserve the major splenic vessels to avoid splenic infarcts, abscesses and re-operations, and minimize the risk of left-sided portal hypertension. Splenic preservation is particularly important in young MEN1 patients undergoing laparoscopic pancreatectomy for pNET due to the increased risk of overwhelming post-splenectomy sepsis.