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Background/Aim. Gastric contraction modulation (GCM) with the implanted DIAMOND device improves glycemic control and decreases weight. The main aim of this study was to evaluate the early efficacy of GCM using the DIAMOND (previously named TANTALUS) System in the improvement of glycemic control measured by changes in glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c). The effects of GCM on weight loss, body mass index (BMI), reduction of the waist circumference and metabolic parameters other than HbA1c were also evaluated. Methods. A total of 18 adult patients with type 2 diabetes were surgically treated at the Department for Minimally Invasive Upper Digestive Surgery, Clinic for Digestive Surgery in Belgrade, Serbia, using gastric pacemaker (DIAMOND System) from November 2014 to March 2016. Out of the total number of patients, 11 finished week 16 visit and were enroled in this prospective cohort study. Results. During the observed period, the average weight loss amounted to 8.05 kg (p < 0.05). The average difference between the baseline fasting glucose level and the level after 16 weeks period is 2.56 mmol/L. Similar findings were noted in fasting insulin levels, with an average decrease of 6.44 m/U/L after 16 weeks. The majority of patients experienced a decrease in HbA1c value: in 4 patients higher than 2%, and in 4 patients up to 2% (p < 0.05). Lower level of fasting insulin with simultaneous decrease in fasting glucose indicates improvement in insulin sensitivity on week 16 [homeostatic model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA IR) average 5.25]. Conclusion. Gastric stimulation using the DIAMOND System for 16 weeks causes significant early improvement in glycemic control and insulin resistance. There is an additional positive effect on weight loss, body mass index (BMI) and reduction of the waist circumference as a main parameter of the metabolic syndrome.

Introduction. At the Department of Minimally Invasive Upper Digestive Surgery of the Hospital for Digestive Surgery in Belgrade, hybrid minimally invasive esophagectomy (hMIE) has been a standard of care for patients with resectable esophageal cancer since 2009. As a next and final step in the change management, from January 2015 we utilized total minimally invasive esophagectomy (tMIE) as a standard of care. Objective. The aim of the study was to report initial experiences in hMIE (laparoscopic approach) for cancer and analyze surgical technique, major morbidity and 30-day mortality. Methods. A retrospective cohort study included 44 patients who underwent elective hMIE for esophageal cancer at the Department for Minimally Invasive Upper Digestive Surgery, Hospital for Digestive Surgery, Clinical Center of Serbia in Belgrade from April 2009 to December 2014. Results. There were 16 (36%) middle thoracic esophagus tumors and 28 (64%) tumors of distal thoracic esophagus. Mean duration of the operation was 319 minutes (approximately five hours and 20 minutes). The average blood loss was 173.6 ml. A total of 12 (27%) of patients had postoperative complications and mean intensive care unit stay was 2.8 days. Mean hospital stay after surgery was 16 days. The average number of harvested lymph nodes during surgery was 31.9. The overall 30-day mortality rate within 30 days after surgery was 2%. Conclusion. As long as MIE is an oncological equivalent to open esophagectomy (OE), better relation between cost savings and potentially increased effectiveness will make MIE the preferred approach in high-volume esophageal centers that are experienced in minimally invasive procedures.

Introduction. Repair of hiatal hernias has been performed traditionally via open laparotomy or thoracotomy. Since first laparoscopic hiatal hernia repair in 1992, this method had a growing popularity and today it is the standard approach in experienced centers specialized for minimally invasive surgery. Objective. In the current study we present our experience after 200 consecutive laparoscopic hiatal hernia repairs. Methods. A retrospective cohort study included 200 patients who underwent elective laparoscopic hiatal hernia repair at the Department for Minimally Invasive Upper Digestive Surgery, Clinic for Digestive Surgery, Clinical Center of Serbia in Belgrade from April 2004 to December 2013. Results. Hiatal hernia types included 108 (54%) patients with type I, 30 (15%) with type III, 62 (31%) with giant paraesophageal hernia, while 27 (13.5%) patients presented with a chronic gastric volvulus. There were a total of 154 (77%) Nissen fundoplications. In 26 (13%) cases Nissen procedure was combined with esophageal lengthening procedure (Collis-Nissen), and in 17 (8.5%) Toupet fundoplications was performed. Primary retroesophageal crural repair was performed in 164 (82%) cases, Cleveland Clinic Foundation suture modification in 27 (13.5%), 4 (2%) patients underwent synthetic mesh hiatoplasty, 1 (0.5%) primary repair reinforced with pledgets, and 4 (2%) autologous fascia lata graft reinforcement. Poor result with anatomic and symptomatic recurrence (indication for revisional surgery) was detected in 5 patients (2.7%). Conclusion. Based on the result analysis, we found that laparoscopic hiatal hernia repair was a technically challenging but feasible technique, associated with good to excellent postoperative outcomes comparable to the best open surgery series.

Introduction. Laparoscopic Heller­Dor operation, a standard method in the treatment of achalasia, has been performed at the Center for Esophageal Surgery of the First Surgical Clinic since April 2006. Objective. The aim of this study was to present this surgical procedure and initial experiences after 36 consecutive laparoscopic Heller­Dor operations. Methods. This partly retrospective, partly prospective study presented our results after laparoscopic Heller­Dor operation (presentation of the treatment method). We performed a standard anterior esophagocardioymiotomy, without releasing the posterior aspect of the cardia, and anterior partial fundoplication. The type and severity of symptoms and their duration were evaluated based on questionnaires fulfilled by patients. The diagnosis was made based on radiological, endoscopic and manometric findings. Laparoscopic surgery as the method of treatment was evaluated based on the duration of surgery, intra­ and postoperative complications, time interval until the initiation of oral feeding, length of hospital stay, need for additional therapeutic measures after the operation and effect of surgery on the severity of symptoms. Results. Preopereratively, dysphagia was the predominant symptom in all patients, while regurgitation was much lower (44%). The average duration of operation was 127 minutes. Postoperative hospitalization lasted on the average 5.7 days. From 36 treated patients, 34 (94.4%) considered that the effect of treatment was good or excellent. Postoperative dysphagia was present in two patients (5.6%) and was successfully solved by balloon dilatation. Conclusion. Laparoscopic Heller­Dor operation is an effective and safe surgical procedure in resolving symptoms of achalasia and today presents the method of the first choice in the treatment of this disease.

Copyright of Acta Chirurgica Iugoslavica is the property of Association of Yugoslav Surgeons and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Acta Chirurgica Iugoslavica is the property of Association of Yugoslav Surgeons and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Acta Chirurgica Iugoslavica is the property of Association of Yugoslav Surgeons and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Background. Esophageal replacement is major procedure with high risk for perioperative allogeneic blood transfusion (ABT), especially in pediatric patients due to nutritive deficiency, anemia, small body weight and blood volume. Autologous blood policy is particularly important in female children. Methods. We present treatment strategy with the aim of avoiding ABT, that have been applied in two female pediatric patients with caustic stricture of thoracic esophagus. The patients were 7 and 8 years old, with body weight 34 and 23.5kg, respectively. Pro- tocol was based on the stimulation of haematopoetic system with erythropoietin, iron therapy and preoperative autologous blood donation (PABD). In the first patient, with a history of previous retrosternal bypass esophagocoloplasty and extraction of necrotic colonic graft, delayed reconstruction - transhiatal subtotal esophagectomy and gastric pull-up with cervical anastomosis were performed. In the second patient, repeated ineffective dilatations of esophageal stricture were reason for retrosternal left colon interposiotion and exclusion of native esophagus. Results. No adverse events were attributed to preoperative blood donation period. No allogenic blood products were used during perioperative period. Both patients had uneventful postoperative course. Conclusion. In specialized institutions for esophageal surgery, PABD with administration of erythropoietin and iron therapy, enable bloodless esophageal replacement, even in children [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Inflammatory myofibroblastic tumor has been defined as a histologically distinctive lesion with uncertain behaviour. The term inflammatory myofibroblastic tumor more commonly referred to as “pseudostumor ”, denotes a pseudosarcomatous inflammatory lesion that contains spindle cells, myofibroblasts, plasma cells, lymphocytes and histiocytes. It exhibits a variable biological behavior that ranges from frequently benign lesions to more aggressive variants. Inflammatory myofibroblastic tumor mostly occurs in the soft tissue of children and young adults, and the lungs are the most commonly affected site, but it has been recognized that any anatomic localization can be involved. Inflammatory myofibroblastic tumors in adults are very rare, especially in the stomach. We present a case of a 43-year old woman with primary inflammatory myofibiroblastic tumor in the stomach and a review of the literature.