Journal of laparoendoscopic & advanced surgical techniques. Part A
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J Laparoendosc Adv Surg Tech A · Oct 2019
Thoracoscopic Posterior Tracheopexy Is a Feasible and Effective Treatment for Tracheomalacia.
Background: Posterior tracheomalacia is characterized by collapsibility of the posterior trachea and is often present in patients with congenital esophageal atresia (EA) with or without tracheoesophageal fistula (TEF). It can lead to a variety of symptoms from mild expiratory stridor and difficulty clearing secretions to severe respiratory distress, especially in the setting of increased work of breathing. Depending on the severity of symptoms, treatment ranges from medical therapy, including airway clearance techniques, aerosolized medications, and steroids to surgical treatment. ⋯ The current median length of follow-up is 3 months, and all patients reported symptomatic improvement. One patient who had initial symptomatic improvement has undergone repeat tracheopexy for recurrence. Conclusion: Posterior tracheopexy is an effective treatment option for symptoms associated with tracheomalacia. The thoracoscopic approach is feasible in experienced hands and with the support of a multidisciplinary team.
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J Laparoendosc Adv Surg Tech A · Oct 2019
Use of Magnets as a Minimally Invasive Approach for Anastomosis in Esophageal Atresia: Long-Term Outcomes.
Introduction: The majority of esophageal atresia (EA) patients undergo surgical repair soon after birth. However, factors due to patient characteristics, esophageal length, or surgical complications can limit the ability to obtain esophageal continuity. A number of techniques have been described to treat these patients with "long-gap" EA. ⋯ A total of 92% were on full oral feeds at the time of follow-up. Conclusion: The use of magnets for treatment of long-gap EA is safe and feasible and accomplished good long-term outcomes. The main complication was esophageal stricture, although all patients maintained their native esophagus. A prospective observational study is currently enrolling patients to evaluate the safety and benefit of a catheter-based magnetic device for EA.
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J Laparoendosc Adv Surg Tech A · Sep 2019
Meta AnalysisLightweight Versus Heavyweight Mesh in Laparoscopic Inguinal Hernia Repair: An Updated Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Trials.
Background: There is no consensus on whether lightweight mesh (LWM) is better than heavyweight mesh (HWM) in laparoscopic inguinal hernia repair (LIHR). This study aims to update the previous reviews and to analyze present randomized controlled studies comparing LWM versus HWM in LIHR systematically. Methods: We searched PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane Library for randomized controlled trials (RCTs), which compared LWM with HWM in adults with LIHR. All eligible data of outcomes were quantitatively analyzed using Revman 5.3 software or qualitatively described. ⋯ Compared with HWM group, patients in LWM group had a similar risk of postoperative moderate-severe chronic pain at 3 and 12 months follow-up, a slightly increased risk of developing moderate-severe chronic pain at >12 months follow-up (risk ratio [RR] = 3.20, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.05-9.75, P = .04), and a higher risk of recurrence rate (RR = 2.28, 95% CI 1.17-4.44, P = .02). At long-term follow-up, the influences of LWM and HWM on sexual life and male fertility were comparable. Conclusion: LWMs do not show advantages in chronic pain, foreign body sensation as well as the influence on sexual life and male fertility, and may increase hernia recurrence rates for LIHR. In addition, a higher incremental cost and lower incremental effect of LWMs make conventional HWMs preferred choice for LIHR.
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J Laparoendosc Adv Surg Tech A · Aug 2019
Comparative StudySafety and Efficiency of Single-Incision Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy in Obese Patients: A Case-Matched Comparative Analysis.
Background: Single-incision laparoscopic surgery (SILS) is feasible and safe for most situations that indicate a need for cholecystectomy in normal-weight patients. SILS might offer several potential benefits over multiport laparoscopy. However, the effect of obesity on the surgical outcomes of single-incision laparoscopic cholecystectomy (SILC) has not been sufficiently investigated and is controversial. ⋯ In each group, 4 patients needed conversion to multiport laparoscopy or open procedure (1.9% versus 3.8% for non-obese versus obese; P = .236). No significant difference was noted for postoperative complications (4.3% versus 5.7% for non-obese versus obese; P = .790) and the length of hospital stay (3.3 days versus 3.3 days; P = .958). Obese patients have a significantly (P = .027) higher incisional hernia rate (9.8%) than non-obese patients (1.9%), with obesity being a risk factor for hernia development in the univariate analysis. Conclusion: SILC in obese patients is technically feasible and safe compared with non-obese patients in regard to postoperative complications, conversion rates, and length of hospital stay but with an almost sixfold risk of umbilical incisional hernia on the long run.
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J Laparoendosc Adv Surg Tech A · Jul 2019
The Use of Endoclips in Thoracoscopic Correction of Esophageal Atresia: Advantages or Complications?
Background: Thoracoscopic correction of esophageal atresia (EA) with tracheoesophageal fistula (TEF) has been increasingly widespread, but is still one of the most advanced pediatric surgical skills. This procedure has a challenging learning curve, and usually initially requires a longer operative time than the open approach; furthermore to perform this intervention, the surgeon must be very experienced in endocorporeal knotting. In our opinion, standardization of the technique and the application of "tricks" (including the use of titanium endoclips for TEF closure) to make surgical steps easier, faster, and safe would be useful to the surgeon and to the patient above all. ⋯ We also want to emphasize that in our experience, TEF closure by titanium endoclips is fast, reducing operative time, and effective, with no reported long-term complications in our case series. Overall success rate after clips application is, in our series, 100%. The only limit we have found, above all for low-weight patients, is the diameter of the clip applier which needs a 5 mm access even if the surgeon uses 3 mm operative instruments.