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Background: Drain practices in minimally invasive retromuscular ventral hernia repairs have largely been transferred over from open surgery without significant review. We wished to evaluate the role of drains in these repairs.Methods: Using the Abdominal Wall Reconstruction Surgical Collaborative (AWRSC) registry, patients with ventral hernias who underwent enhanced-view totally extraperitoneal (eTEP) repairs between February 2016 and September 2019 were evaluated. Patients with contamination or active infection within the surgical field, those who underwent an emergent or hybrid repair, or received a concomitant procedure were excluded. Propensity score matching based on the defect size, previous hernia repair status, and the use of posterior component separation (PCS) was used to match patients with drains to patients without drains. We evaluated 180-day outcomes in terms of SSIs, SSOs, and recurrence.Results: 308 patients met the inclusion criteria. After propensity score matching, 48 patients with drains and 72 without drains were included in the analysis cohort. Those with drains were older with a greater likelihood of an incisional hernia, but were broadly similar for other relevant demographic and hernia-related variables. While there was no difference in the incidence of SSOs and SSIs between the two groups, we report a higher risk of SSOs needing procedural intervention (SSOPI) and recurrence, with a lengthened hospital stay in the cohort that received surgical drains.Conclusion: The use of surgical drains in "clean" eTEP repairs of ventral hernias appears to be common, with a selection bias for more complex cases. Based on our analysis, we found the use of drains was associated with longer hospital stays. The use of drains did not change the likelihood of suffering an SSI or SSO. However, the incidence of SSOPIs was higher despite the use of drains, which raises questions about their protective role in these repairs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Laparoscopy for ventral hernia repair is now an established technique with its proven benefits of less pain, early recovery, low-recurrence rate as compared to open repair. Several techniques have been described such as IPOM, MILOS, TES, EMILOS, SCOLA, e-TEP. e-TEP was originally conceptualized as an alternative approach to inguinal hernia in difficult cases (obese, previous scars) and for training surgery residents. Application of this approach for ventral hernia repair has recently been reported by few surgeons. We present our experience of e-TEP approach for ventral hernia from a tertiary care center in South India over one year duration. Materials and methods: Electronically maintained data of patients who underwent e-TEP for ventral hernia during a period of November 2017 to November 2018 was reviewed retrospectively. Their demographic data, intraoperative details, postoperative complications and follow up data for a period of 6 months was noted. Results: 171 patients underwent e-TEP approach ventral hernia repair. Mean age was 49.34 ± 10.75 years with hypertension being most common comorbidity. Mean BMI was 29.2 ± 4.1 kg/m2. Mean defect area was 51.35 ± 45.09 cm2 and mean mesh size used was 397.56 ± 208.83 cm2. Fifty patients required TAR. Mean duration of surgery was 176.75 ± 62.42 min and blood loss was 78.7 ± 24.4 ml. Mean length of stay was 2.18 ± 1.27 days. Seven cases had paralytic ileus, 5 cases had surgical site infection, and 3 cases had recurrence at 6 months follow up. Conclusion: e-TEP is a minimally invasive approach which is safe, feasible and also avoids placement of mesh in peritoneal cavity. Since it is a relatively new approach it requires further studies for standardization of techniques, criteria for patient selection and to study long-term outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG) is the most commonly performed metabolic surgery worldwide. There are few mid- to long-term studies for LSG, especially from the Indian subcontinent. Objective: The primary outcome of the study was percent total weight loss (%TWL), and secondary outcomes included type 2 diabetes mellitus remission (T2DM) rates, comorbidity resolution rates, revisional surgeries, and complications related to LSG, 3 and 5 years after surgery. Method: The study was a single-center, retrospective analysis from patients who underwent primary as well as revisional LSG between January 2012 and December 2013 from a tertiary care center in India. We included patients who completed a minimum follow-up of 5 years. Details of the patients were collected from outpatient and inpatient case sheet records, during their follow-up. Results: Out of a total of 284 patients, 57% were females. Mean baseline body mass index (BMI) was 44.9 ± 7.9 kg/m2. The diabetic population comprised 14.8% of the total patients. Mean %TWL at 5 years was 26.0 ± 9.9%. T2DM remission at 1, 3, and 5 years were 78.5%, 71.4%, and 66.6%, respectively. Preoperative BMI (p = 0.02), glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c) (p = 0.04), duration of diabetes in years (p = 0.04), and preoperative insulin usage (p = 0.04) were the preoperative predictors for T2DM remission. Early (< 30 days) and late (> 30 days) complications were seen in 4.5% and 0.7% of the population, respectively. Conclusion: Weight loss after LSG was maintained in the majority of the patients, while a small proportion has significant weight regain at 5 years. T2DM resolution and other comorbidity resolutions were well supported after LSG. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: To evaluate the predisposing factors and characteristics of recurrent ventral hernia (RVH) along with the feasibility and outcome of laparoscopy in managing RVH.Methods: This study is a retrospective analysis of all patients with reducible or irreducible, uncomplicated RVH who underwent surgical management from January 2012 to June 2018.Results: Out of 222 patients, 186 (83.8%) were female, and 36 (16.2%) were male. The mean age was 54.1 ± 10.1 years; an average body mass index was 31 kg/m2 (19-47.9). The most common previous abdominal operations among female patients were cesarean sections (43.5%) and abdominal hysterectomy (36.6%). Most of the patients had a history of open mesh repair (43.7%) and open anatomical repair (36.9%). The median time of recurrence was 4 years (1-33 years). The median defect size was 10 cm2 (range 2-150 cm2), and 73% defects were in the midline. Total 181 of 222 (81.6%) patients underwent laparoscopic intraperitoneal onlay mesh plus (L-IPOM+), 19 (8.5%) laparoscopic-assisted IPOM+, 17(7.7%) laparoscopic anatomical repair, while remaining 5 (2.3%) patients required open mesh reconstruction. The median size of the composite mesh used was 300 cm2 (150-600 cm2). The mean operating time was 145 (30-330) min, and median blood loss was 15 (5-110) ml. The median hospital stay was 3 days, and median follow-up period was 37 months. The post-operative symptomatic seroma rate was 3.1%, and re-recurrence rate was 1.4%.Conclusion: Obesity, old age, female sex, previous lower abdominal surgeries, and previous open repair of a hernia are factors associated with recurrence. Laparoscopic repair is feasible with excellent outcome in most of the patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bariatric surgery has proven benefits for morbid obesity and its associated comorbidities. Laparoscopic approach is well established for bariatric surgery. Single-incision laparoscopic surgery (SILS) offers even more minimally invasive approach for the same with the added advantage of better cosmesis. We have developed and standardised the SILS approach at our institute. We share our experience and technical 'tips' and modifications which we have learnt over the years. Technical details of performing sleeve gastrectomy and Roux-en-Y gastric bypass with special attention to liver retraction, techniques of dissection in difficult areas, creation of anastomoses and suturing have all been described. In our experience and in experience of others, single-incision bariatric surgery is feasible. Use of conventional laparoscopic instruments makes single-incision approach practical for day-to-day practice. Supervised training is essential to learn these techniques. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Obesity is associated with increased mortality due to higher cardiovascular risk. A proportion of this risk is attributed to impaired lipid profile in the form of high levels of serum total cholesterol, triglycerides, and low levels of HDL cholesterol. Both sleeve gastrectomy (LSG) and gastric bypass (LGB) have been shown to have favourable effects on lipid profile with some variability in improvement. We aimed to study the difference in changes in lipid profile after LSG and LGB. Methods: We performed a retrospective case-matched study comparing effects of LSG and LGB on lipid profile of patients who underwent bariatric surgery from September 2014 to September 2015. The matching was done based on criteria of age and body mass index (BMI). Results: Out of a total of 92 selected patients, 69 patients underwent LSG and 23 patients underwent LGB. There was a significant improvement in serum triglycerides and HDL cholesterol with no significant reduction in serum total cholesterol in both LSG and LGB group. There was a significant reduction in cardiovascular risk calculated as total cholesterol: HDL cholesterol ratio following bariatric surgery ( p = 0.002). Conclusion: Both LSG and LGB have similar effects on lipid profile cardiovascular risk attributed to it in Indian obese. Thus, sleeve gastrectomy may be considered as effective as a gastric bypass for dyslipidaemia improvement in Indian patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Laparoscopic resection as an alternative to open pancreatoduodenectomy may yield short-term benefits, but has not been investigated in a randomized trial. The aim of this study was to compare laparoscopic and open pancreatoduodenectomy for short-term outcomes in a randomized trial. Methods Patients with periampullary cancers were randomized to either laparoscopic or open pancreatoduodenectomy. The outcomes evaluated were hospital stay (primary outcome), and blood loss, radicality of surgery, duration of operation and complication rate (secondary outcomes). Results Of 268 patients, 64 who met the eligibility criteria were randomized, 32 to each group. The median duration of postoperative hospital stay was longer for open pancreaticoduodenectomy than for laparoscopy (13 (range 6-30) versus 7 (5-52) days respectively; P = 0·001). Duration of operation was longer in the laparoscopy group. Blood loss was significantly greater in the open group (mean(s.d.) 401(46) versus 250(22) ml; P < 0·001). Number of nodes retrieved and R0 rate were similar in the two groups. There was no difference between the open and laparoscopic groups in delayed gastric emptying (7 of 32 versus 5 of 32), pancreatic fistula (6 of 32 versus 5 of 32) or postpancreatectomy haemorrhage (4 of 32 versus 3 of 32). Overall complications (defined according to the Clavien-Dindo classification) were similar (10 of 32 versus 8 of 32). There was one death in each group. Conclusion Laparoscopy offered a shorter hospital stay than open pancreatoduodenectomy in this randomized trial. Registration number: NCT02081131( ). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Bariatric surgery has emerged to be the most effective treatment strategy for the treatment of obesity and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) achieving high remission rates. Many factors have been evaluated with a potential to predict the improvement of glycemic control following bariatric procedures. This study aims to study the various predictive factors for T2DM and the ABCD score in obese diabetic patients undergoing bariatric surgery in a South Indian population. Methods: A total of 53 obese patients (BMI > 30 k/m) with T2DM who underwent laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG) and laparoscopic gastric bypass (LGB) from March 2014 to March 2015 were selected for the study. The patients were followed up to study the effects of various predictors of T2DM remission at 1 year. Results: Out of the 53 patients, 35 (66%) underwent LSG and 18 (34%) underwent LGB. Patients (81.1%) had T2DM remission. Mean HbA1c values decreased from 8.07 ± 1.98 to 6.0 ± 0.71. Only higher pre-operative body weight ( p = 0.04) and lower HbA1c level ( p = 0.04) were significantly associated with T2DM remission. Higher absolute weight loss ( p = 0.03) after surgery was also significantly associated with T2DM remission. ABCD score was not significantly associated with T2DM remission although patients with ABCD score higher than 7 demonstrated 100% remission rate. Conclusion: Among all the factors, only higher pre-operative weight and better glycaemic control along with better post-operative weight loss were significantly associated with the remission of T2DM. Although not significantly associated with remission of T2DM, higher ABCD scores had higher likelihood of remission. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Laparoscopic pancreaticoduodenectomy (LPD), although an advanced surgical procedure, is being increasingly used for pancreatic head and periampullary tumors. We present our experience of 15 years with the largest series in total LPD for periampullary and pancreatic head tumors with data on oncological outcome and long-term survival. Materials and Methods: Prospective and retrospective data of patients undergoing LPD from March 1998 to April 2013 were reviewed. Of the 150 cases, 20 cases of LPD (7 cases done for chronic pancreatitis and 13 cases for benign cystic tumors of the pancreas) have been excluded, which leaves us with 130 cases of LPD performed for malignant indications. Results: In total, 130 patients were chosen for the study. The male:female ratio was 1:1.6, with a median age of 54 years. We had one conversion to open surgery in our series, the overall postoperative morbidity was 29.7%, and the mortality rate was 1.53%. The pancreatic fistula rate was 8.46%. The mean operating time was 310±34 minutes, and the mean blood loss was 110±22 mL. The mean hospital stay was 8±2.6 days. Resected margins were positive in 9.23% of cases. The mean tumor size was 3.13±1.21 cm, and the mean number of retrieved lymph nodes was 18.15±4.73. The overall 5-year actuarial survival was 29.42%, and the median survival was 33 months. Conclusions: LPD has evolved over a period of two decades and has the potential to become the standard of care for select periampullary and pancreatic head tumors with acceptable oncological outcomes, especially in high-volume centers. Randomized controlled trials are needed to establish the advantages of LPD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Parastomal hernia is one of the most common but challenging complication after stoma formation. Modified Sugarbaker technique is the recommended procedure for repair parastomal hernia, however, keyhole repair technique had also been used in certain instances. In cases of parastomal hernia following ileal conduit procedure, the Sugarbaker technique is been described, although with associated theoretical risk of conduit failure. We are reporting a case of post-radical cystectomy with ileal conduit presented with symptomatic large parastomal hernia. Laparoscopic modified keyhole plus repair has been done successfully in this patient with no recurrence in 2 years of follow-up. The purpose of our case report is to describe our novel modification of the laparoscopic keyhole technique which can be a feasible and acceptable alternative surgical method in these types of patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To analyze the safety in combing laparoscopic ventral hernia repair with a mesh and bariatric surgery. Background: Obesity is one of the important precipitating factors for primary and recurrent ventral hernias (incisional and umbilical) and it is not uncommon to find these hernias in patients opting for obesity surgery. But, with no consensus or recommendation and concern of mesh infection, surgeons fear in combining these procedures, especially Roux en Y gastric bypass and sleeve gastrectomy. Methods: In this study, we have retrospectively analyzed all patients who underwent concomitant bariatric procedure and mesh repair for ventral hernia at our institute. Results: A total of 36 out of 765 patients operated at our institute between 2003 and 2011 had concomitant procedures. Eleven patients had Roux en Y gastric bypass (group I) and remaining 25 had sleeve gastrectomy (group II) performed on them. The operating times were 149 min(120-210 min) in group I and 122 min (90-220min) in group II. No immediate complications or any incidence of mesh infection or recurrence in either of the groups. Conclusion: Concomitant mesh repair for ventral hernias can be safely combined with bariatric procedures like Roux en Y gastric bypass and sleeve gastrectomy. But, for beginners, these should be done only in selected cases after fully informed consent from the patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The incidence of obesity and related metabolic disorders in India and that of stomach carcinoma is one of the highest in the world. Hence, one requires a procedure that allows postoperative surveillance of the stomach with the best outcomes in terms of weight control and resolution of co-morbidities. Here, we compare one such procedure, duodenojejunal bypass with sleeve against the standard Roux-en Y gastric bypass. Methods: Fifty-seven patients who were selected for a bypass procedure were randomized into two groups of laparoscopic duodenojejunal bypass with sleeve (DJB) and laparoscopic Roux en Y gastric bypass. The limb lengths were similar in both the groups, and the sleeve was done over a 36F bougie. Results: The mean body mass index and percent excess weight loss at the end of 3, 6, and 12 months between the groups were not statistically significant. The operating times were higher in the DJB group. The rate of resolution of diabetes, hypertension, and dyslipidemias were also similar with no statistical significance. There was 100% resolution of dyslipidemias in both groups. There was one patient in the DJB group who presented with internal herniation 1 month post-op and was managed surgically. There was no mortality in both the groups. Conclusion: Laparoscopic duodenojejunal with sleeve gastrectomy, a procedure which combines the principles and advantages of sleeve gastrectomy and foregut hypothesis, is a safe and effective alternative to gastric bypass in weight reduction and resolution of co-morbidities especially for Asian countries. But, long-term follow-up is required. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Bariatric surgeries are now redefined as metabolic surgeries given the excellent resolution of metabolic derangements accompanying obesity. Duodenojejunal bypass (DJB) is a novel metabolic surgery based on foregut hypothesis. Reports describe DJB as a stand-alone procedure for the treatment of diabetes in nonobese subjects. For obese subjects, DJB is combined with sleeve gastrectomy. This combination of DJB and sleeve gastrectomy is proposed as an ideal alternative to Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) with these advantages: (1) easy postoperative endoscopic surveillance, (2) preservation of the pyloric mechanism, which prevents dumping syndrome, and (3) reduced alimentary limb tension. This study aimed to analyze the short-term outcomes of laparoscopic DJB with sleeve gastrectomy for morbidly obese patients. Methods: At our institution, 38 patients who underwent laparoscopic DJB with sleeve gastrectomy were followed up. The inclusion criteria for the study were according to the Asian Pacific Bariatric Surgery Society guidelines. Sleeve gastrectomy was performed over a 36-Fr bougie, with the first part of the duodenum mobilized and transected. The jejunum was divided 50 cm distal to duodenojejunal flexure. A 75- to 150-cm alimentary limb was fashioned and brought in a retrocolic manner. End-to-end hand-sewn duodenojejunostomy was performed. Intestinal continuity was restored with a stapled jejunojejunostomy, and mesenteric rents were closed. Results: The study population consisted of 38 patients (15 men and 23 women) ranging in age from 31 to 48 years. During a mean follow-up period of 17 months, the excess body weight loss was 72%, with a 92% resolution of diabetes. One patient presented with internal herniation through the retrocolic window 1 month after the operation and was managed surgically without any complication. No other minor or major complications occurred, and there was no mortality. Conclusion: Laparoscopic DJB with sleeve gastrectomy is safe and effective in achieving durable weight loss and excellent resolution of comorbidities. Long-term follow-up studies are needed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A letter to the editor is presented in response to the article "Functional Importance of Laparoscopic Sleeve Gastrectomy for the Lower Esophageal Sphincter in Patients With Morbid Obesity," by Wiebke V. Peterson et al.