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Purpose: This study analyzed the safety and effectiveness of laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG) in patients over 60 years old, in a long-term follow-up, in a high-volume bariatric center. Methods: We retrospectively analyzed all patients older than 60 years who underwent LSG in our center from January 2009 to December 2018. A prospectively collected database of 4991 consecutive LSG cases was reviewed. Results: One hundred seventy-nine sleeve gastrectomy procedures were performed in patients older than 60 years, 135 were aged 60–65 years (group A) and 44 were older than 65 years (group B). We reported five cases (2.7%) of early complications: three postoperative hemorrhages, one cardial leakage, and one perigastric abscess. No thromboembolic events or mortality rates were reported. The mean follow-up period was 5.5 years (66 months). The follow-up loss rate was about 29%. At last follow-up, the mean body–mass index/body mass/percentage of excess weight loss values were, respectively, 33.7 ± 7/86.1 ± 21/60.4 ± 28.6 in group A and 32.4 ± 6.4/82.6 ± 18/61.8 ± 33 in group B. We reported 5 (4.0%) trocar site hernias, 1 (0.8%) cardial junction stenosis, and 22 (18%) new outbreaks of gastroesophageal reflux (GERD). There were 7 reinterventions (5.7%): 5 for weight regain and 2 for GERD not responding to medical therapy. There were no statistically significant differences between the two age groups. Conclusions: LSG is a safe and effective treatment for severe obesity in people over 60 years old. There are no differences in results of patients over 65 years and between 60 and 65 years old. Scales that include associated medical problems and the patient's general condition must be considered. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Staple-line bleeding and gastric leakage are the most serious complications of laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG). Reinforcement of the staple line is reported to be a method to reduce these complications rates, but the question of which method is preferable is a matter of controversy in the literature. In this study, we compared different staple-line reinforcement methods to assess their efficiency in preventing staple-line bleeding and leakage. Materials and Methods: Two hundred patients eligible for LSG were enrolled in the study and randomized into five groups based on the reinforcement method used during surgery: no reinforcement, oversewing using 3-0 polydioxanone (PDS) suture, oversewing using 4-0 barbed absorbable closure device (V-Lock), fibrin sealant glue, and buttress material. Intraoperative and postoperative complications were recorded and analyzed. Differences were considered statistically significant for P < .05. Results: The no-reinforcement group showed higher bleeding rates (20%), although only 2.5% of the patients required reintervention. All groups using staple-line reinforcement showed better outcomes in bleeding rates (P < .05). No statistically significant differences were observed among the groups in terms of the leakage rate, reintervention rate, intraoperative complications, and operative times. Conclusion: The reinforcement of the staple line decreased the bleeding rate in sleeve gastrectomy but did not affect the gastric leakage rate. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: The debate is still open about laparoscopic treatment of gastric cancer. The aim of this retrospective study is to analyze our short-, medium-, and long-term surgical and oncological results in laparoscopic treatment of gastric cancer with D2 lymphadenectomy and omentum preservation. Materials and Methods: From January 2010 to June 2018, after >150 surgical procedures for gastric cancer performed by minimally invasive approach, we performed 100 laparoscopic subtotal gastrectomies and 38 total gastrectomies, both for early gastric cancer (EGC) and advanced gastric cancer (AGC). We always made a D2 lymphadenectomy or higher. As often as possible, we performed omentum-preserving technique. Primary outcomes analyzed included incidence of medical and surgical complications. Secondary outcomes analyzed were survival probability and incidence of relapse. Every patient read and signed informed consent before surgery. Results: Mean operative time: 2.4 ± 0.7 hours (range 1.2-4.7 hours). Rate of conversions: 14.5% (20/138); intraoperative complications: 1.4% (2/138) and positive resection margins: 6.5% (9/138). Overall incidence of duodenal fistula: 3.6% (5/138). Rate of reoperation was 7.3% (10/138). Postoperative complications according to Clavien-Dindo classification: I 3.6% (5/138); II 13.0% (18/138); III 5.8% (8/138); III B 0.7% (1/138); V 1.4% (2/138). Overall survival with 60 months follow-up was 58%. Overall 60 months incidence of relapse was 44%. Patients with omentum preservation had a lower incidence of relapse than patients with omentectomy (40% versus 57% P = .002). Conclusions: Laparoscopic treatment of gastric cancer with D2 lymphadenectomy and omentum preservation is safe and feasible, both for EGC and for AGC. Although this study has limitations, omentum-preserving technique was associated with a statistically lower recurrence rate. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Authors also discuss the use of GERD-Q questionnaire >= 8 to diagnose GERD. We would like to thank the Authors for their interest in our recent study about the role of preoperative high-resolution manometry (HRM) in the identification of patients at high risk of postoperative GERD symptoms 1 year after sleeve gastrectomy. As correctly reported by the Authors, we highlighted the importance of female gender, presence of preoperative GERD symptoms and distal contractile integral (DCI) in the pathophysiology of postoperative GERD. [Extracted from the article]

Background and Aims: Although laparoscopic one anastomosis gastric bypass (LOAGB) is a promising bariatric procedure, a large number of surgeons have strong objections mainly because of risk of bile reflux, marginal ulceration, malnutrition, and long-term risk of gastric and esophageal cancer. Lateral enteroenterostomy placed distally to a gastrojejunal anastomosis shows efficacy in preventing bile reflux after gastric resection and gastrojejunal anastomosis, but at present its efficacy in a bariatric surgery context has not been evaluated. Patients and Methods: From January 2013 to December 2018, 100 patients have been admitted to our department to be treated by performing LOAGB. Patients have been divided into two groups on the basis of the indications to this surgical procedure; Group A: presence of de novo gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) or severe esophagitis after laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy, with or without weight regain; Group B: LOAGB as primary procedure. Another group of 30 patients (Group C) underwent LOAGB with Braun anastomosis as primary bariatric surgical procedure for morbid obesity. We have conducted a retrospective analysis of the surgical outcomes in terms of perioperative mortality, short-, mid-, and long-term postoperative complications and weight loss. Results: Group A: 50 patients; incidence of postoperative GERD, esophagitis, or esophageal ulcers was 26% (13 cases). All these patients have been successfully treated by performing Braun anastomosis. Group B: 20 patients; incidence of de novo reflux was 25% (5 cases); Braun anastomosis was performed with complete resolution of signs and symptoms in all cases. Group C: 30 patients; no cases of de novo reflux, esophagitis, or anastomotic ulcers occurred. Conclusion: Braun anastomosis seems to be a useful surgical tool to prevent the onset of de novo reflux, esophagitis, and anastomotic ulcers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Colorectal cancer, one of the most common tumor- and cancer-related deaths worldwide, requires a multidisciplinary management including neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy and surgery. Laparoscopic surgery for rectal cancer is gaining popularity due to its safety profile and good oncological results, if performed by experienced surgeons in specialized centers. This study describes our 10 years experience in minimally invasive rectal cancer surgery. Methods: We have retrospectively evaluated a series of 140 patients treated with laparoscopic approach for rectal malignant and benign diseases. Results: A total of 134 patients (95.7%) underwent anterior rectal resection, in the remaining 6 cases (4.3%) abdominoperineal amputation was performed. All but 13 cases have been treated with laparoscopic approach, with conversion rate of 5.7%. Postoperative morbidity rate was 8.6% (2 cases of peritoneal bleeding and 10 cases of anastomotic fistulae; in 2 cases, fistula occurred in patients previously treated with chemoradiation). Conclusions: Conventional laparoscopy can provide adequate oncological outcomes even in patients with advanced rectal cancer, with advantages in terms of postoperative hospital stay, recovery time, acceptable operative time, and low complication and conversion rates. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Although the modified Sugarbaker technique gives good results for the treatment of parastomal hernia (PH), there are other valid options for the treatment of this frequent complication. In our practice, the laparoscopic keyhole (KH) technique, with some specific modifications, can give similar results. Materials and Methods: We collected data on all the patients with symptomatic PHs who underwent surgical repair between January 2002 and December 2017 in our surgical department. The primary endpoint was to evaluate the recurrence rate after at least 1 year, determined on the basis of physical examination during follow-up and on postprocedure radiological results. Results: Ninety patients were treated with the KH technique. The stomas that were treated were 83 end colostomies and 7 ileal ureterostomies. Eighty-eight patients were treated with polyester mesh (Parietex™, Medtronic, Ireland) and 2 with a composite mesh (Physiomesh™, Ethicon). Patients had median follow-up period of 1 year. Seroma occurred in 4 patients, who were treated conservatively by clinical monitoring. Four patients had a recurrence: 1 occurred on the seventh postoperative day, due to a technical error; 1 after 6 months, due to the partial shrinkage of the mesh into the defect; the third after 1 year, but it occurred at the beginning of our experience, and the last recurrence was after 3 years in a patient who gained 15 kg after the procedure. Conclusions: If a few precautionary steps are added to the original technique, laparoscopic KH repair is feasible and safe, giving good results in terms of complications and recurrence rates. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Metabolic disorders are well‐known risk factors for HCC. Conversely, their impact on the natural history of HCC is not established. This study aimed at evaluating the impact of metabolic disorders on clinical features, treatment and survival of HCC patients regardless of its aetiology. Methods: We analysed the ITA.LI.CA database regarding 839 HCC patients prospectively collected. The following metabolic features were analysed: BMI, diabetes, arterial hypertension, hypercholesterolaemia and hypertriglyceridaemia. According to these features, patients were divided into 3 groups: 0‐1, 2 and 3‐5 metabolic features. Results: As compared with patients with 0‐1 metabolic features, patients with 3‐5 features showed lower percentage of HCC diagnosis on surveillance (P = .021), larger tumours (P = .038), better liver function (higher percentage of Child‐Pugh class A [P = .007] and MELD < 10 [P = .003]), higher percentage of metastasis (P = .024) and lower percentage of portal vein thrombosis (P = .010). The BCLC stage and treatment options were similar among the 3 groups, with the exception of a less frequent access to loco‐regional therapies for BCLC stage B patients with 3‐5 features (P = .012). Overall survival and survival according to BCLC stage and/or treatment did not significantly differ among the 3 groups. Only using a probabilistic sensitivity analysis, diabetic patients showed a lower survival (P = .046). MELD score, HCC morphology, nodule size, BCLC stage, portal vein thrombosis and metastasis were independent predictors of lead‐time adjusted survival. Conclusions: Our "real world" study suggests that metabolic disorders shape the clinical presentation of HCC but do not seem to play a major role in setting patient survival. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: A debate is still surrounding the use of laparoscopic surgery for advanced gastric cancer (AGC) related to doubts about the requirements to satisfy oncologic criteria. The aim of this study is to analyze the oncological results, the intraoperative complications, and the short- and medium-term morbidity and mortality in patients with AGC who underwent subtotal laparoscopic gastrectomy (SLG) or total laparoscopic gastrectomy (TLG) with extended lymphadenectomy.Materials and Methods: We reviewed medical records of patients who underwent radical gastrectomy for AGC started laparoscopically with the intent of curative surgery, between July 2007 and October 2015. We recruited 74 patients and studied demographics, American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) score, pTNM stage, histologic pattern of the tumor, duration of surgery, conversion rate, estimated blood loss, number of resected lymph nodes, type of gastrointestinal reconstruction, postoperative complication, mortality rate, length of stay, time to canalization and resumption of food intake, and overall and disease-free survival rate.Results: We performed 74 interventions, with a conversion rate of 14.9% (11/74). Sixty-three were performed totally as laparoscopic: 43 (68.25%) SLGs and 20 (31.75%) TLGs, all with an extended lymphadenectomy (D2 or more). Operative time was 150 ± 34 minutes (range 75-225 minutes), the mean number of resected lymph nodes 21.4 ± 6.2, global morbidity rate 25.39%, rate of reoperation 9.52%, and perioperative mortality at 30 days 0%. We performed an average follow-up of 48.7 months (range 18-60), and we observed 5-year overall and disease-free survival, respectively, of 48.6% and 42.7%.Conclusions: LG with extended lymphadenectomy for AGC is a feasible procedure with good results in terms of postoperative course, complications, and mortality. Thanks to the use of extremely precise and safe technologies the extended lymphadenectomy can be performed laparoscopically. The laparoscopic approach, when performed by experienced surgeons, ensures a correct oncological treatment in combination with the benefits of the laparoscopic technique. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The purpose of this paper was to search for predictive factors for proximal leakage after laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG) in a large cohort from a single referral center.Materials and Methods: One thousand seven hundred and thirty-eight patients, collected in a prospectively held database from 2008 to 2016, were retrospectively analyzed. The correlation between postoperative leakage and both preoperative (age, gender, height, weight, BMI, and obesity-related morbidities) and operative variables (the distance from pylorus at which the gastric section was started, operative time, experience of surgeons who performed the LSG, and the surgical materials used) was analyzed. The experience of the surgeons was calculated in the number of LSGs performed. The surgical materials considered were stapler, cartridges, and reinforcement of the suture.Results: Proximal leakage was observed in 45 patients out of 1738 (2.6%). No correlation was found between leakage and the preoperative variables analyzed. The operative variables that were found to be associated with lower incidence of leakage at the multivariate analysis (p < 0.05) were the reinforcement of the staple line (or overriding suture or buttressing materials) and the experience of the surgeons. A distance of less than 2 cm from the pylorus resulted to be significantly related to a higher incidence of fistula at the univariate analysis.Conclusions: In this large consecutive cohort study of LSG, proximal staple line reinforcement (buttress material or suture) reduced the risk of a leak. The risk of a proximal leak was much higher in the surgeons first 100 cases, which has implications for training and supervision during this “learning curve” period. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Portomesenteric vein thrombosis (PMVT) is considered a rare and potentially fatal complication of bariatric surgery. Laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG) is one of the most performed bariatric procedures in the world. PMVT in LSG was first reported in 2009 by Berthet et al. in a thrombophilic patient. No data exist regarding the real prevalence of this complication specifically after LSG.Methods: We examined retrospectively all the clinical records of patients who underwent LSG for morbid obesity from January 2011 to December 2016. Moreover, we performed a literature search of PubMed, Medscape, and EMBASE databases, in accordance with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines.Results: 2854 patients underwent LSG for morbid obesity from January 2011 to December 2016. The retrospective analysis of our records revealed only 1 case of PMVT. The 18 studies selected include 62 cases of PMVT after LSG with a prevalence of 0.52% (ranging from 0.2% to 1.81%) and a mortality rate of 1.61%.Conclusions: PMVT is an infrequent but not rare complication in patients who undergo LSG. Short-course antithrombotic prophylaxis (<10 days) could increase the risk of this complication. The authors recommend a postoperative prophylaxis with sodium enoxaparin 40 mg sc once a day for 4 weeks. PMVT mortality in patients who undergo LSG is lower than other causes of portal vein thrombosis (hepatic cirrhosis, tumors, myeloproliferative disorders, etc.) If risk factors for PMVT are present preoperatively, the authors recommend a prophylaxis with sodium enoxaparin 40 mg sc twice daily for 4 weeks. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The aim of this retrospective study is to demonstrate the safety and feasibility of the laparoscopic technique for treatment of massive incisional hernias (MIHs) and to compare three different fixation devices.Methods: From January 1, 2001, to December 31, 2014, we collected retrospective data from patients with large incisional hernias (IHs). Laparoscopic IH repair is performed by applying a three-dimensional polyester knit structure mesh with a resorbable collagen barrier on peritoneal side (Parietex™ Composite Mesh; Covidien, New Haven, CT). Patients were divided into three groups according to the different fixation devices. The mean follow-up was 19 (12-156) months.Results: The mean defect size was 12.83 cm (10-26 cm) and the mean body mass index was 30.8 kg/m2 (26-39 kg/m2). The EMS stapler™ was used on 260 patients, the Protack® on 210 patients, and the AbsorbaTack™ on 30 patients. The mean operative time was 69.9 minutes (38-130 minutes). Intraoperative morbidity rate was 1.6% (8 cases). Early reoperation rate was 0.2% (1 case). The mean length of hospital stay was 2.3 days (range 2-7 days). Seromas were observed in 20 patients (4.0%) and neuralgia in 10 patients (2.0%). Recurrence was observed in 12 patients (2.4%) with the majority in the absorbable tack group (10%). There were no conversions (0%) to open technique.Conclusions: The laparoscopic approach seems to be safe and appropriate for treatment of MIH. The Parietex composite mesh we used guarantees excellent intraabdominal laparoscopic repair of abdominal wall defects. Absorbatack system seems to give less postoperative neuralgia, but it is related to a high recurrence rate. Protack system seems to give more postoperative neuralgia than the Endopath EMS. In our experience, the best fixation system is the latter. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Prognostic assessment in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) remains controversial. Using the Italian Liver Cancer (ITA.LI.CA) database as a training set, we sought to develop and validate a new prognostic system for patients with HCC.Methods and Findings: Prospective collected databases from Italy (training cohort, n = 3,628; internal validation cohort, n = 1,555) and Taiwan (external validation cohort, n = 2,651) were used to develop the ITA.LI.CA prognostic system. We first defined ITA.LI.CA stages (0, A, B1, B2, B3, C) using only tumor characteristics (largest tumor diameter, number of nodules, intra- and extrahepatic macroscopic vascular invasion, extrahepatic metastases). A parametric multivariable survival model was then used to calculate the relative prognostic value of ITA.LI.CA tumor stage, Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) performance status, Child-Pugh score (CPS), and alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) in predicting individual survival. Based on the model results, an ITA.LI.CA integrated prognostic score (from 0 to 13 points) was constructed, and its prognostic power compared with that of other integrated systems (BCLC, HKLC, MESIAH, CLIP, JIS). Median follow-up was 58 mo for Italian patients (interquartile range, 26-106 mo) and 39 mo for Taiwanese patients (interquartile range, 12-61 mo). The ITA.LI.CA integrated prognostic score showed optimal discrimination and calibration abilities in Italian patients. Observed median survival in the training and internal validation sets was 57 and 61 mo, respectively, in quartile 1 (ITA.LI.CA score ≤ 1), 43 and 38 mo in quartile 2 (ITA.LI.CA score 2-3), 23 and 23 mo in quartile 3 (ITA.LI.CA score 4-5), and 9 and 8 mo in quartile 4 (ITA.LI.CA score > 5). Observed and predicted median survival in the training and internal validation sets largely coincided. Although observed and predicted survival estimations were significantly lower (log-rank test, p < 0.001) in Italian than in Taiwanese patients, the ITA.LI.CA score maintained very high discrimination and calibration features also in the external validation cohort. The concordance index (C index) of the ITA.LI.CA score in the internal and external validation cohorts was 0.71 and 0.78, respectively. The ITA.LI.CA score's prognostic ability was significantly better (p < 0.001) than that of BCLC stage (respective C indexes of 0.64 and 0.73), CLIP score (0.68 and 0.75), JIS stage (0.67 and 0.70), MESIAH score (0.69 and 0.77), and HKLC stage (0.68 and 0.75). The main limitations of this study are its retrospective nature and the intrinsically significant differences between the Taiwanese and Italian groups.Conclusions: The ITA.LI.CA prognostic system includes both a tumor staging-stratifying patients with HCC into six main stages (0, A, B1, B2, B3, and C)-and a prognostic score-integrating ITA.LI.CA tumor staging, CPS, ECOG performance status, and AFP. The ITA.LI.CA prognostic system shows a strong ability to predict individual survival in European and Asian populations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background & Aims Hepatitis C virus ( HCV) is the leading aetiological factor of HCC in the western world where, overall, its incidence is increasing, despite data suggesting an initial drop in some areas. The aim of this study was to evaluate epidemiology, clinical features and survival of HCV-related HCC ( HCV- HCC) in a wide time range in Italy. Methods Multicentre retrospective study including 3695 patients prospectively recruited by the ITA. LI. CA group. Patients were classified into three subgroups according to aetiology (Group A[ GA], pure HCV; Group B[ GB], HCV + cofactors; and Group C[ GC], non- HCV) and in 5 time cohorts (5 years each), according to the year of diagnosis. Age, gender, Child-Pugh score, modality of diagnosis, stage, presence of thrombosis/metastases, type of treatment and survival were analysed. Results A total of 1801 GA patients, 445 GB and 1333 GC were recruited. The number of GA patients peaked in the 1996-2000, gradually dropping thereafter ( P < 0.0001), as observed for GB ( P < 0.0001). Age at diagnosis increased ( P < 0.0001), while percentage of patients diagnosed during surveillance and stage improved only in GA ( P = 0.02 and P = 0.003 respectively). The survival significantly increased over time particularly in GA (median 37 months) and was longer in GA than in GB and GC ( P < 0.0001). Conclusions The prevalence of HCC- HCV is decreasing in Italy since 2001. HCV- HCC patients are older, more frequently diagnosed under surveillance and in an earlier stage. HCC survival improved in the last 15 years and is significantly higher in patients with HCV- HCC. We therefore expect a further drop in both incidence and mortality for HCV- HCC in the years to come. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]