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Background: Incidence of post-operative complications after sleeve gastrectomy (SG) is low. However, the early identification of these complications remains crucial. Here, we report the impact of routine laboratory monitoring for the early diagnosis of complications after SG., Material and Methods: From January 2018 to December 2019, all consecutive patients who underwent primary SG (n = 457) were included. This was a comparative study of patients undergoing primary SG. Patients were divided into two groups: one group with routine laboratory monitoring performed at postoperative day (POD) 1 and 3 (LAB group) and another group without routine laboratory monitoring (control group). The study's primary endpoint was the overall impact of routine laboratory monitoring. The secondary endpoints were evaluation of patients with complications., Results: The population in the two groups were similar in term of demographic and intra-operative data. There was a statistical difference between the two groups in term of length of stay (5.7 days in the LAB group and 3.5 days in the control group (p < 0.001)). There were 19 complications (6.0%) in the LAB group and 5 complications in the control group (3.5%) (p = 0.25). A cut-off C-reactive protein level of 46.3 mg/l was found to be significant (p = 0.006). In the LAB group, 9 patients (2.9%) required readmission vs. three patients (2.0%) in the control group (p = 0.62)., Conclusion: The interest of routine laboratory monitoring after SG seems limited. Routine laboratory monitoring alone is not associated with earlier diagnosis of complications. This routine monitoring is associated with an increase of stay in hospital., (© 2024. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Science+Business Media, LLC, part of Springer Nature.)

Objective: To investigate the way robotic assistance affected rate of complications in bariatric surgery at expert robotic and laparoscopic surgery facilities., Background: While the benefits of robotic assistance were established at the beginning of surgical training, there is limited data on the robot's influence on experienced bariatric laparoscopic surgeons., Methods: We conducted a retrospective study using the BRO clinical database (2008-2022) collecting data of patients operated on in expert centers. We compared the serious complication rate (defined as a Clavien score≥3) in patients undergoing metabolic bariatric surgery with or without robotic assistance. We used a directed acyclic graph to identify the variables adjustment set used in a multivariable linear regression, and a propensity score matching to calculate the average treatment effect (ATE) of robotic assistance., Results: The study included 35,043 patients [24,428 sleeve gastrectomy (SG); 10,452 Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB); 163 single anastomosis duodenal-ileal bypass with sleeve gastrectomy (SADI-S)], with 938 operated on with robotic assistance (801 SG; 134 RYGB; 3 SADI-S), among 142 centers. Overall, we found no benefit of robotic assistance regarding the risk of complications (average treatment effect=-0.05, P =0.794), with no difference in the RYGB+SADI group ( P =0.322) but a negative trend in the SG group (more complications, P =0.060). Length of hospital stay was decreased in the robot group (3.7±11.1 vs 4.0±9.0 days, P <0.001)., Conclusions: Robotic assistance reduced the length of stay but did not statistically significantly reduce postoperative complications (Clavien score≥3) following either GBP or SG. A tendency toward an elevated risk of complications following SG requires more supporting studies., Competing Interests: The authors report no conflicts of interest., (Copyright © 2023 Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc. All rights reserved.)

Background: Management of diverticulum of the lower esophagus or epiphrenic diverticulum can be performed using the abdominal or thoracic approach. In some cases, the thoracic approach is preferred, but few studies have described thoracoscopic resection. The objective of the present study was to investigate the thoracoscopic approach for management of epiphrenic esophageal diverticulum., Material and Methods: From 2008 to 2018, all patients undergoing surgery for epiphrenic esophageal diverticulum by the thoracoscopic approach were included in this single-center, retrospective, observational study. Data on diverticulum, surgery and follow-up were assessed., Results: During the study period, 14 patients underwent surgery. Two patients had two diverticula. The mean location of the superior edge of the diverticulum was 7cm (2-14cm) above the gastro-esophageal junction. The mean size of the diverticulum was 39 millimeters (20-60). Thoracoscopic approach was used in all patients. No conversion to thoracotomy was required. Mean operative time was 168min (120-240). No postoperative mortality occurred. The overall complication rate was 40% (6 complications out of 15 resections), with three major complications including leaks (n=2) and a case of bronchoesophageal fistula (n=1). Median length of hospital stay was 12 days (8-40). At a mean postoperative follow-up of 20.7 months (5-71), 85% of patients had complete disappearance of preoperative symptoms without recurrence of the diverticulum on the barium swallow study test., Conclusion: Thoracoscopic approach as management of epiphrenic diverticulum is feasible, with acceptable short-term morbidity. The thoracoscopic approach is also effective in resolving preoperative symptoms., (Copyright © 2023 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.)

Background: Gastric sleeve stenosis (GSS) is described in 1%-4% of patients., Objective: To evaluate the role of endoscopy in the management of stenosis after laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy using a standardized approach according to the characteristic of stenosis., Setting: Retrospective, observational, single-center study on patients referred from several bariatric surgery departments to an endoscopic referral center., Methods: We enrolled 202 patients. All patients underwent endoscopy in a fluoroscopy setting, and a systematic classification of the type, site, and length of the GSS was performed. According to the characteristics of the stenosis, patients underwent pneumatic dilatation or placement of a self-expandable metal stent or a lumen-apposed metal stent. Failure of endoscopic treatment was considered an indication for redo surgery, whereas patients with partial or complete response were followed up for 2 years. In the event of a recurrence, a different endoscopic approach was used., Results: We found inflammatory strictures in 4.5% of patients, pure narrowing in 11%, and functional stenosis in 84.5%. Stenosis was in the upper tract of the stomach in 53 patients, whereas medium and distal stenosis was detected in 138 and 11 patients, respectively, and short stenosis in 194 patients. A total of 126 patients underwent pneumatic dilatation, 8 self-expandable metal stent placement, 64 lumen-apposed metal stent positioning, and 36 combined therapy. The overall rate of endoscopy success was 69%., Conclusion: GSS should be considered to be a chronic disease, and the endoscopic approach seems to be the most successful treatment, with a prolonged positive outcome of 69%. Characteristics of the stenosis should guide the most suitable endoscopic approach., (Copyright © 2023 American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Background: The prevalence of obesity and the number of bariatric surgeries in both the general population and in patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) have increased significantly in recent years. Due to small sample sizes and the lack of adequate controls, no definite conclusions can be drawn from the available studies on the safety and efficacy of bariatric surgery (BS) in patients with IBD. Our aim was to assess safety, weight loss, and deficiencies in patients with IBD and obesity who underwent BS and compare findings to a control group., Methods: Patients with IBD and a history of BS were retrospectively recruited to centers belonging to the Groupe d'Etude Thérapeutique des Affections Inflammatoires du Tube Digestif (GETAID). Patients were matched 1:2 for age, sex, body mass index (BMI), hospital of surgery, and type of BS with non-IBD patients who underwent BS. Complications, rehospitalizations, weight, and deficiencies after BS were collected in cases and controls., Results: We included 88 procedures in 85 patients (64 Crohn's disease, 20 ulcerative colitis, 1 unclassified IBD) with a mean BMI of 41.6 ± 5.9 kg/m2. Bariatric surgery included Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (n = 3), sleeve gastrectomy (n = 73), and gastric banding (n = 12). Eight (9%) complications were reported, including 4 (5%) requiring surgery. At a mean follow-up of 34 months, mean weight was 88.6 ± 22.4 kg. No difference was observed between cases and controls for postoperative complications (P = .31), proportion of weight loss (P = .27), or postoperative deficiencies (P = .99)., Conclusions: Bariatric surgery is a safe and effective procedure in patients with IBD and obesity; outcomes in this patient group were similar to those observed in a control population., (© 2021 Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation. Published by Oxford University Press. All rights reserved. For permissions, please e-mail: journals.permissions@oup.com.)

Background: Series comparing gastric banding (GB) removal and sleeve gastrectomy (SG) when procedures are performed as a 1- or a 2-step approach are contradictory in their outcomes. No series comparing these approaches with midterm weight loss is available., Objectives: Compare the outcomes and weight loss of SG performed as 1- and 2-step approaches as a revisional procedure for GB failure., Setting: University Hospital, France, public practice., Methods: Between February 2006 and January 2017, all patients undergoing SG with a previous history of implementation of GB (n = 358) were included in this 2-center, retrospective, observational study. Revisional surgery was proposed in patients with insufficient excess weight loss (excess weight loss ≤50%) or weight regain after GB. A 1-step (1-step group, n = 270) or 2-step (2-step group, n = 88) approach was decided depending on patient's choice and/or surgeon's preference. The primary efficacy endpoint was the comparison of weight loss in the 1- and 2-step groups at the 2-year follow-up. The secondary efficacy endpoints were short-term outcomes (overall mortality and morbidity at postoperative day 30, specific morbidity, reoperation, length of hospital stay, and readmission)., Results: In the 1-step group, the mean preoperative body mass index before SG was 40.5 kg/m 2 (27.0-69.0), while in the 2-step group, the mean preoperative body mass index was 43.5 kg/m 2 (31.5-61.7). Mean operating time was 109 minutes (50-240) in the 1-step group and 78.7 minutes (40-175) in the 2-step group (P = .22). In the 1-step group, 6 conversions to laparotomy occurred, while in the 2-step group, 2 conversions to laparotomy occurred (P = .75). One death (.2%, in the 2-step group) and 39 complications (30 in the 1-step group [11.1%] and 9 in the 2-step group [10.2%]) also occurred. The mean length of hospital stay was 6.2 days in the 1-step group and 4.1 days in the 2-step group. At 2-year follow-up, mean body mass index was 32.4 kg/m 2 in the 1-step group and 33.2 kg/m 2 in the 2-step group (P = .15), representing excess weight losses of 61.9 and 50.1 (P = .05), respectively. The rates of revisional surgery were .7% and 2.2%, respectively., Conclusions: SG after previous GB is efficient with similar outcomes depending on the 1- or 2-step approach. The 1-step approach seems to have increased weight loss compared with the 2-step approach., (Copyright © 2020 American Society for Bariatric Surgery. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Background: Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) is considered the gold standard for surgical management of morbid obesity due to its good results on weight loss and correction of comorbidities related to obesity. However, RYGB could have some adverse effect in the mid and long term. Here, we describe simple technique for laparoscopic reversal of RYGB into normal anatomy., Methods: The video shows our laparoscopic technique of the reversal of RYGB that was performed for severe protein deficiency. A 35-year-old woman with history of RYGB was referred to our center for restoration of normal digestive anatomy., Results: A 35-year-old woman was managed for severe protein deficiency 3 years after RYGB. Renutrition was performed using peripherally inserted central catheter but nutritional status was dependent on PICC. No gastrostomy tube was implemented at the time where the patient was referred because the reversal of RYGB was decided. We found a modified RYGB with a common channel of 130 cm, an alimentary channel of 350 cm, and a biliopancreatic limb of 70 cm. Revision to normal digestive anatomy was performed using linear staplers, resection of 15 cm of the small bowel, and only one small bowel anastomosis. An uneventful post-operative course enabled rapid discharge (post-operative day 5). At 6-month follow-up, there was no more protein deficiency and the patient had acceptable weight regain., Conclusion: Reversal of RYGB is not usual and can be performed safely with few small bowel sacrifices. The optimization of pre-operative nutritional status is necessary to avoid complications.

Day-case surgery (DCS) in digestive surgery is a hot topic, and new indications for DCS in the field of gastrointestinal surgery have recently been described. Laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG) has become a popular bariatric procedure in recent years. LSG is a reproducible, standardized procedure with a short operating time and possibly simple perioperative management. It therefore meets the criteria to be performed as a DCS procedure. Recently published series of LSG as DCS have demonstrated its feasibility. In this review on LSG performed as DCS, we focused on the management of risks associated with DCS and the results of such type of management. A literature search was conducted in the PubMed and Embase databases. Six studies were selected, comprising a total of 6227 patients. Most published series were retrospective single-center studies. Inclusion criteria were similar between most studies (primary sleeve gastrectomy for most series, patients with a body mass index ≥40 kg/m 2 or a body mass index ≥35 kg/m 2 in the presence of co-morbidities), while exclusion criteria were based on literature data for some studies (using series on risk factors for morbidity and mortality after Roux-en-Y gastric bypass) and personal experience for other series. The mortality rate of LSG as DCS ranges 0%-.08%, while the overall complication rate ranges 0%-10%. The unplanned overnight admission rate after LSG ranges .8%-8%. The unscheduled hospitalization rates range 2.1%-8.5%. LSG performed as DCS is feasible with good results, but cannot be proposed for all patients. Good selection is necessary in others to avoid increased risk of morbidity and mortality., (Copyright © 2019. Published by Elsevier Inc.)

Introduction: Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) is considered as the gold standard for surgical management of morbid obesity due to its good results on weight loss and correction of comorbidities related to obesity and its few complication rates. Here, we describe a present strategy for dealing with an unusual complication after RYGB, responsible for chronic pain, as a chronic dilatation of excluded stomach., Methods: The video shows our laparoscopic treatment of an excluded gastric fundus dilatation. A 21-year-old woman with history of RYGB was admitted in our center for recurrent abdominal pain. Many consultations have been performed before for the same reason and without explanation for this chronic abdominal pain., Results: We found that a dilatation of the excluded gastric fundus was responsible for recurrent abdominal pain and thus required revisional surgery. An abdominal computed tomography with oral contrast study showed an atypical dilatation of the excluded stomach without gastro-gastric fistula or others abnormal findings. Intra-operative exploration then revealed multiple adhesions. During surgery, released of the excluded stomach allow to confirm a dilatation of the excluded fundus due to error in stapling when performing the vertical part of the gastric pouch of the RYGB. We resected the excluded dilated gastric fundus. An uneventful post-operative course enabled rapid discharge (post-operative day 3)., Conclusion: Dilatation of the excluded gastric pouch due to staple line misfiring during RYGB is a rare complication and can explain chronic abdominal pain. Laparoscopy can be useful to confirm the diagnosis and allow treatment using gastric resection in our case.

Background: Evolution of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) after sleeve gastrectomy (SG) is controversial. Some authors report worsening or improvement of preoperative GERD, others the occurrence of de novo GERD between 5 and 69%., Aims: The aims of this study are to evaluate the evolution of GERD after SG by ambulatory 24-h pH monitoring (APM) and to determine pre- and postoperative clinical and manometric factors associated with its evolution., Methods: Between 2013 and 2015, 47 patients operated in our center performed APM before and 1 year (14.8 ± 4.9 months) after SG. GERD was defined as a percentage of time with esophageal pH < 4 (TpH < 4) > 4.2. Among them, 30 had pre- and postoperative high-resolution esophageal manometry (HRM)., Results: Thirty-one patients (66%) had no preoperative GERD (group 1), and 16 had preoperative GERD (group 2). One year after SG, mean TpH < 4 increased significantly in group 1 (5.8 ± 4.6 vs. 1.8 ± 1.1%, p < 0.01) whereas it was not modified in group 2 (7.4 ± 6.6 vs. 6.6 ± 2.6%). In group 1, 16 patients (52%) had de novo GERD whereas in group 2, 7 had no more GERD, 3 improved, and 6 worsened. Maximal intragastric pressure after swallows increased significantly at postoperative HRM only in patients with de novo GERD (49.2 ± 22.0 vs. 25.4 ± 9.4 mmHg, p = 0.03). No preoperative clinical or manometric parameters were predictive of postoperative GERD., Conclusions: One year after SG, esophageal acid exposure globally worsened, mostly because of de novo GERD, whereas 63% patients with preoperative GERD improved, without preoperative predictive clinical or manometric factor.

Objective: To assess complications and outcomes of pregnancies following laparoscopic abdominal surgery during the second and third trimesters of pregnancy., Material and Methods: Retrospective single-center study of 23 cases of laparoscopic surgery in the second or third trimesters of pregnancy between January 2005 and May 2016., Results: The laparoscopies were performed between 15 and 33 weeks of gestation, a mean of 23 weeks+2 days, with 6 cases in the 3rd trimester. The operations were: 11 cholecystectomies, 6 appendectomies, 1 intestinal occlusion (volvulus on a gastric band), 3 adnexal torsions, 1 ovarian cyst and 1 paratubal cyst with torsion. No secondary laparotomy was required. The postoperative courses were favorable in most cases. However, 3 appendectomies were complicated, one by chorioamnionitis and miscarriage at 20½ weeks of gestation and 2 by right iliac fossa abscesses requiring percutaneous radiological drainage, one of these women delivered a healthy term baby and the other had chorioamnionitis and preterm delivery at 34 weeks, followed by neonatal death., Conclusion: Laparoscopy can be safely performed for surgical indications in the second and third trimesters of pregnancy. In case of abdominal symptoms, a timely diagnosis is required to decide whether or not to operate and imaging should not be withheld particularly in case of suspected appendicitis which has a high risk of complications., (Copyright © 2017. Published by Elsevier Masson SAS.)

Background: Laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy has become a very frequent procedure in bariatric surgery due to its efficacy and simplicity compared to gastric bypass. Gastric staple line leak (1 to 7 % of cases) is a severe complication with a long nonstandardized treatment. The aim of this retrospective study was to examine the success and tolerance of covered stents in its management., Methods: From January 2009 to December 2011, nine patients with gastric staple line leaks after sleeve gastrectomy were treated with covered stents in our department (seven referred from other institutions). The leaks were diagnosed by CT scan and visualized during the endoscopy. Among the studied variables were operative technique, post-operative fistula diagnosis delay, stent treatment delay, and stent tolerance. In our institution, Hanarostent® (length 17 cm, diameter 18 mm; M.I. Tech, Seoul, Korea) was used and inserted under direct endoscopic control., Results: Stent treatment was successful in seven cases (78 %). Two other cases had total gastrectomy (405 and 185 days after leak diagnosis). Early stent removal (due to migration or poor tolerance) was necessary in three cases. The average stent treatment duration was of 6.4 weeks, and the average healing time was 141 days. The five patients with an early stent treatment (≤ 3 weeks after leak diagnosis) had an average healing time of 99 days versus 224 for the four others., Conclusions: Covered self-expandable stent is an effective treatment of gastric leaks after sleeve gastrectomy. Early stent treatment seems to be associated with shorter healing time.

Background: Approximately 80% of patients undergoing bariatric surgery are women, and about one half of these are of reproductive age. The purpose of the present study was to compare laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding (LAGB) and laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (LRYGB) in a series of morbidly obese women with respect to maternal and neonatal outcomes at a university hospital in France., Methods: From January 2004 to December 2008, the data from women who had undergone LAGB or LRYGB at our center and were pregnant were collected, including age, parity, gravidity, weight, body mass index (BMI) before surgery and at scheduled intervals after surgery (1, 3, 6, 12, and 18 mo and yearly thereafter), interval from surgery to conception, weight and BMI at conception, weight and weight gain during pregnancy, weight and BMI at 2 weeks after pregnancy, complications during pregnancy, gestational age, method of delivery, fetal birth weight, and fetal outcome., Results: There were 42 pregnancies in 36 women, 22 in women who had undergone LAGB and 20 who had undergone LRYGB. The LAGB and LRYGB groups were comparable for all analyzed variables, except that the preoperative weight and BMI were greater in the LRYGB group. No differences in weight or BMI were found at conception or after pregnancy. No difference was found between the 2 groups in terms of obstetric complications or neonatal outcomes. A high frequency of cesarean deliveries was necessary in both groups., Conclusions: The results of the present study have shown that no significant difference exists in the obstetric and birth outcomes between women who have undergone LRYGB and those who have undergone LAGB., (Copyright © 2012 American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Background: Open transthoracic oesophagectomy is the standard treatment for infracarinal resectable oesophageal carcinomas, although it is associated with high mortality and morbidity rates of 2 to 10% and 30 to 50%, respectively, for both the abdominal and thoracic approaches. The worldwide popularity of laparoscopic techniques is based on promising results, including lower postoperative morbidity rates, which are related to the reduced postoperative trauma. We hypothesise that the laparoscopic abdominal approach (laparoscopic gastric mobilisation) in oesophageal cancer surgery will decrease the major postoperative complication rate due to the reduced surgical trauma., Methods/design: The MIRO trial is an open, controlled, prospective, randomised multicentre phase III trial. Patients in study arm A will receive laparoscopic-assisted oesophagectomy, i.e., a transthoracic oesophagectomy with two-field lymphadenectomy and laparoscopic gastric mobilisation. Patients in study arm B will receive the same procedure, but with the conventional open abdominal approach. The primary objective of the study is to evaluate the major postoperative 30-day morbidity. Secondary objectives are to assess the overall 30-day morbidity, 30-day mortality, 30-day pulmonary morbidity, disease-free survival, overall survival as well as quality of life and to perform medico-economic analysis. A total of 200 patients will be enrolled, and two safety analyses will be performed using 25 and 50 patients included in arm A., Discussion: Postoperative morbidity remains high after oesophageal cancer surgery, especially due to major pulmonary complications, which are responsible for 50% of the postoperative deaths. This study represents the first randomised controlled phase III trial to evaluate the benefits of the minimally invasive approach with respect to the postoperative course and oncological outcomes in oesophageal cancer surgery., Trial Registration: NCT00937456 (ClinicalTrials.gov).

Background: Substantial weight loss is achieved in majority of severely obese subjects undergoing laparoscopic gastric bypass (LGBP) but some fail to obtain expected results. Our aim was to identify preoperative factors that could influence weight loss (WL) 1 year after LGBP., Methods: We studied the predictive value of clinical, biological, and dietary preoperative factors on weight loss in obese patients referred for LGBP. WL was assessed according to mean absolute weight loss (AWL) and mean percent excess weight loss (%EWL) 1 year after LGBP., Results: One hundred twenty-three subjects were included (112 women, age 42 ± 10 years; weight 127 ± 23 kg; BMI 47 ± 8 kg/m(2)). Mean AWL was 39.4 ± 10.5 kg at 1 year, corresponding to a mean %EWL of 70.5 ± 21.2%. AWL was positively correlated with initial weight, BMI, and energy intake and negatively with age, female sex, and treatment for hypertension and diabetes. %EWL was negatively correlated with initial weight, BMI, and positively correlated with triglycerides and ferritinemia. In multivariate analysis, %EWL was negatively correlated only with initial BMI (p < 0.001). AWL was positively correlated with initial BMI and male sex (both p < 0.001), and negatively correlated with protein intake (p = 0.039) and treatment for diabetes (p = 0.021), but not with biomarkers of diabetes and insulin resistance., Conclusion: Initial BMI appears to be a strong determinant of individual WL, but predictive factors differ when WL was expressed as %EWL or AWL. The treatment of diabetes rather than diabetes itself appears to affect WL.

Background: The problem of revision of failed gastric banding (GB) and vertical banded gastroplasty (VBG) procedures has become a common situation in bariatric surgery. Laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG) has been recently used to revise failed restrictive procedures. The objective of this study is to evaluate the results of LSG as revisional procedure for failed GB and VBG., Methods: A prospective held database was questioned regarding patients' demographic, indication for revision, conversion to open surgery, morbidity, percentage of excess weight loss (%EWL), evolution of comorbidities, and need for a second procedure after LSG., Results: Forty-one patients, 34 women and seven men with a mean age of 42 years (range 19 to 63 years) and a mean body mass index at 49.9 kg/m(2) (range 35.9-63 kg/m(2)), underwent laparoscopic conversion of GB (36 patients) and VBG (five patients) into LSG. Indication for revisional surgery was insufficient weight loss in all the cases. All procedures were completed laparoscopically. There was no mortality and five patients (12.2%) developed complications (high leak, one patient; intra-abdominal abscess, three patients; and complicated incisional hernia, one patient). At a mean follow-up of 13.4 months, %EWL is on average 42.7% (range 4-76.1%). Six patients had a second procedure (four had laparoscopic duodenal switch, one had laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass, and one had laparoscopic biliopancreatic diversion)., Conclusion: Conversion of GB and VBG into LSG is feasible and safe. LSG is effective in the short term with a mean %EWL of 42.7% at 13.4 months. Long-term results of LSG as revisional procedure are awaited to establish its efficacy in the long term.

Background: Laparoscopic surgery for colon cancer has been proven safe, but debate continues over whether the available long-term survival data justify implementation of laparoscopic techniques in surgery for colon cancer. The aim of the COlon cancer Laparoscopic or Open Resection (COLOR) trial was to compare 3-year disease-free survival and overall survival after laparoscopic and open resection of solitary colon cancer., Methods: Between March 7, 1997, and March 6, 2003, patients recruited from 29 European hospitals with a solitary cancer of the right or left colon and a body-mass index up to 30 kg/m(2) were randomly assigned to either laparoscopic or open surgery as curative treatment in this non-inferiority randomised trial. Disease-free survival at 3 years after surgery was the primary outcome, with a prespecified non-inferiority boundary at 7% difference between groups. Secondary outcomes were short-term morbidity and mortality, number of positive resection margins, local recurrence, port-site or wound-site recurrence, and blood loss during surgery. Neither patients nor health-care providers were blinded to patient groupings. Analysis was by intention-to-treat. This trial is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, number NCT00387842., Findings: During the recruitment period, 1248 patients were randomly assigned to either open surgery (n=621) or laparoscopic surgery (n=627). 172 were excluded after randomisation, mainly because of the presence of distant metastases or benign disease, leaving 1076 patients eligible for analysis (542 assigned open surgery and 534 assigned laparoscopic surgery). Median follow-up was 53 months (range 0.03-60). Positive resection margins, number of lymph nodes removed, and morbidity and mortality were similar in both groups. The combined 3-year disease-free survival for all stages was 74.2% (95% CI 70.4-78.0) in the laparoscopic group and 76.2% (72.6-79.8) in the open-surgery group (p=0.70 by log-rank test); the difference in disease-free survival after 3 years was 2.0% (95% CI -3.2 to 7.2). The hazard ratio (HR) for disease-free survival (open vs laparoscopic surgery) was 0.92 (95% CI 0.74-1.15). The combined 3-year overall survival for all stages was 81.8% (78.4-85.1) in the laparoscopic group and 84.2% (81.1-87.3) in the open-surgery group (p=0.45 by log-rank test); the difference in overall survival after 3 years was 2.4% (95% CI -2.1 to 7.0; HR 0.95 [0.74-1.22])., Interpretation: Our trial could not rule out a difference in disease-free survival at 3 years in favour of open colectomy because the upper limit of the 95% CI for the difference just exceeded the predetermined non-inferiority boundary of 7%. However, the difference in disease-free survival between groups was small and, we believe, clinically acceptable, justifying the implementation of laparoscopic surgery into daily practice. Further studies should address whether laparoscopic surgery is superior to open surgery in this setting.

Aims: To review our experience of laparoscopic hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC) in the treatment of malignant ascites from advanced gastric cancer in order to discuss benefits, problems and possible indications., Methods: From June 2000 to May 2003 laparoscopic approach was used to perform HIPEC on five patients affected by malignant ascites secondary to unresectable peritoneal carcinomatosis of gastric origin, in order to associate the benefits of a definitive palliation of ascites with a minimal invasiveness. All patients had ascites related symptoms requiring iterative paracenteses. Intraperitoneal perfusion of mitomycin-C and cisplatin was delivered for 60-90min with an inflow temperature of 45 degrees C., Results: Complete clinical regression of ascites and related symptoms was achieved in all the five patients treated. Intraoperative course was uneventful in all cases. Mean operative time was 181min. No postoperative deaths, related to the procedure, occurred. Only a case of delayed gastric empting was recorded as a minor postoperative complication., Conclusions: Laparoscopic HIPEC appears to be a safe and effective procedure to treat debilitating malignant ascites from unresectable peritoneal carcinomatosis.

Laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding (LAGB) has become an increasingly popular option to treat morbid obesity. Esophageal dysmotility secondary to LAGB has been described, but is usually reversible after removal of the band. Long-term esophageal dysmotility persisting after removal of the band is an unusual and not yet described complication. We report the case of a 58-year-old obese patient who developed severe dysphagia and vomiting associated with atypical esophageal dysmotility 22 months after gastric band placement. Radiological exploration revealed no acute band slippage but only a pseudoachalasia. Device deflation and then band removal were required in an attempt to treat her symptoms. Esophageal dysmotility persisted for several months after band removal and was still present after a Roux-en-Y gastric bypass performed as revisional operation. Possible mechanisms generating this complication and clinical implications are discussed.

Background: The safety and short-term benefits of laparoscopic colectomy for cancer remain debatable. The multicentre COLOR (COlon cancer Laparoscopic or Open Resection) trial was done to assess the safety and benefit of laparoscopic resection compared with open resection for curative treatment of patients with cancer of the right or left colon., Methods: 627 patients were randomly assigned to laparoscopic surgery and 621 patients to open surgery. The primary endpoint was cancer-free survival 3 years after surgery. Secondary outcomes were short-term morbidity and mortality, number of positive resection margins, local recurrence, port-site or wound-site recurrence, metastasis, overall survival, and blood loss during surgery. Analysis was by intention to treat. Here, clinical characteristics, operative findings, and postoperative outcome are reported., Findings: Patients assigned laparoscopic resection had less blood loss compared with those assigned open resection (median 100 mL [range 0-2700] vs 175 mL [0-2000], p<0.0001), although laparoscopic surgery lasted 30 min longer than did open surgery (p<0.0001). Conversion to open surgery was needed for 91 (17%) patients undergoing the laparoscopic procedure. Radicality of resection as assessed by number of removed lymph nodes and length of resected oral and aboral bowel did not differ between groups. Laparoscopic colectomy was associated with earlier recovery of bowel function (p<0.0001), need for fewer analgesics, and with a shorter hospital stay (p<0.0001) compared with open colectomy. Morbidity and mortality 28 days after colectomy did not differ between groups., Interpretation: Laparoscopic surgery can be used for safe and radical resection of cancer in the right, left, and sigmoid colon.

The frequency of bariatric surgery has increased markedly in France in recent years, partly due to a better appreciation of the problem of morbid obesity but also due to the commercial introduction of adjustable gastric banding devices which can be placed by laparoscopic approach. Numerous complications of this surgery are known and require recognition to be appropriately treated. Studies of complications suffer from selection bias, methodologic flaws, and lack of follow-up. The incidence and type of complication are affected by the learning curve and surgical techniques. Postoperative mortality varies from 0.14% for laparoscopic gastric banding (LGB), to 0.31% for vertical banded gastroplasty (VBGP) and 0.35% for Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (GBP); pulmonary embolus accounts for 60-70% of deaths in all groups combined. Early post-operative complications vary with specific procedures. Abdominal wall complications, already frequent in an obese population, are decreased from 10% for open procedures to 6% for laparoscopic gastric banding. Both VBGP and GBP are now being done laparoscopically with increasing frequency. Complications specific to LGB include gastric perforation (0.3%), or port problems (5%). Complications with VBGP and GBP include fistula (1-3%), deep abscess, and pulmonary embolus (2%). Global early morbidity is 4.2% for LGB, and varies from 6.4%-22% for VBGP and 6.2%-11.3% for GBP depending on laparoscopic versus open approach. Late mechanical complications are also specific to type of surgery. Pouch dilatation is the most common late complication of LGB (6.3%) and seems related both to operative experience and to site of placement of the band; it has decreased with higher positioning of the band to leave a minimal gastric pouch and with dissection through the pars flaccida of the lesser omentum instead of directly along the muscular wall of the stomach. It usually requires reintervention. Erosion of the gastric band into the stomach (1.6%) is often asymptomatic and is suggested by late weight gain. With VBGP, disruption of a gastric staple line occurs in 12.1% and stenosis of the outlet with proximal dilatation in 6.5%; erosion of the calibrating band of Marlex or silastic occurs in 2.7%. With GBP, the disruption of a staple line across an intact stomach (23%) has become less of a problem with division of the gastric pouch from the distal stomach (2%). Stenosis of the gastrojejunostomy (3.7%) and marginal ulcer (3.5%) are not uncommon. The incidence of wound hernia, obstructive adhesions, and late cholecystectomy vary with the length and thoroughness of follow-up. Late functional complications such as vomiting, dysphagia, heartburn and esophagitis vary with the quality and length of follow-up study. GBP may cause diarrhea and dumping syndrome. Nutritional complications are more common with GPB than with purely restrictive procedures; iron, folate, and Vitamin B12 deficiency are the rule with GBP and require routine replacement therapy; iron deficiency has been noted even with LGB. ate death seems more related to co-morbidities than to the intervention itself. Thorough long-term follow-up study of complications is indispensable for assessment of outcomes and improvement of laparoscopic techniques. Even the less traumatic surgical approach of laparoscopic band placement should not be considered free of risk; strict adherence to pre-operative surgical indications should be maintained.

Background: Laparoscopic surgery is thought to promote early recovery and quicker return to bowel function. The objective was to evaluate the rate and predictive factors of success, the causes of failure, the morbidity, and mortality during and after hospitalization, as well as to determine whether laparoscopic treatment of acute small bowel obstruction offers the same benefits as for other laparoscopic procedures., Methods: The records of 308 patients with acute small bowel obstruction treated laparoscopically in 35 centres between 1 October 1988 and 30 September 1996 were retrospectively reviewed., Results: Treatment was implemented completely by laparoscopy ('success' group) in 168 patients (54.6%). Conversion to laparotomy ('failure' group) was required in 140 patients (45.4%; during the same operation in 126 patients and after a median delay of 4 days (range: 1-12 days) in 14 patients). There were significantly more successes in patients with a history of one or two surgical interventions than in those with more than two (56% vs 37%; P < 0.05). There were significantly more successes in patients who had undergone appendectomy only (67/94; 71%) than in patients who (i) had no antecedent surgery (52%; P < 0.05), or (ii) underwent other surgery (33%; P < 0.001). The rate of success was significantly higher (P < 0.001) in patients operated on early (< 24 h) and in patients with bands (54%), than in those with adhesions (31%) or with other causes of obstruction (15%). The median duration of postoperative ileus was significantly shorter in the 'success' group than in the 'failure' group (2 days vs 4 days; P < 0.001). The median duration of postoperative hospital stay was shorter in the 'success' group than in the 'failure' group (4 days vs 10 days; P < 0.001). Fewer immediate wound complications were sustained in the 'success' group than in the 'failure' group (1.2% vs 10.7%; P < 0.001). The total number of immediate or delayed complications and particularly the number of recurrent obstructions after hospitalization as well as the number of deaths did not differ significantly between the two groups., Conclusions: Successful laparoscopic treatment of small bowel obstruction can be expected in patients who are seen early, and who have had one or two previous interventions (particularly appendectomy, especially if bands are found).

Purpose: The aim of this article was to investigate the safety, outcome, length of stay, and cost of hospital admission in patients with Crohn's disease who underwent laparoscopy compared with open surgery., Methods: Among 51 consecutive patients with inflammatory bowel disease (1996-2000), 46 with Crohn's disease were included in this nonrandomized prospective study. Of these, 20 patients underwent laparoscopic surgery and 26 underwent open surgery. Data collected included the following information: age, gender, body mass index, diagnosis, duration of disease, preoperative medical treatment, previous abdominal surgery, present indication for surgery, and procedure performed (comparability measures), as well as conversion to open surgery, operating time, time to resolution of ileus, morbidity, duration of hospital stay, and cost of hospital admission (outcome measures)., Results: There was no significant difference with respect to comparability measures between the laparoscopic and the open-surgery groups. There was no mortality. There was no intraoperative complication in either group and no conversion in the laparoscopic group. Operating time was significantly longer in the laparoscopic group (302 minutes) vs. the open group (244.7 minutes) (P < 0.05), but this difference disappeared when data were adjusted for the extra time required to perform the laparoscopic hand-sewn anastomoses (288.2 minutes vs. 244.7 minutes). Bowel function returned more quickly in the laparoscopic group vs. the open group in terms of passage of flatus (3.7 vs. 4.7 days) (P < 0.05) and resumption of oral intake (4.2 vs. 6.3 day) (P < 0.01). There were significantly fewer postoperative complications in the laparoscopic group (9.5 percent) vs. the open group (18.5 percent) (P < 0.05); the length of stay was significantly shorter in the laparoscopic group (8.3 days) vs. the open group (13.2 days) (P < 0.01); and the cost of hospital admission was significantly lower in the laparoscopic group ($6106, United States dollars) vs. the open group ($9829, United States dollars) (P < 0.05)., Conclusion: There is a reduction in the postoperative ileus, length of stay, cost of hospital admission, and postoperative complication rate in the laparoscopic group. Laparoscopic surgery for Crohn's disease is safe, and it is potentially more cost-effective than traditional open surgery.

In recent years, laparoscopy has had a significant impact on colorectal surgery. However, to date, totally laparoscopic procedures have required the use of stapling devices to fashion the anastomosis. Herein we report a case of totally laparoscopic sigmoid colectomy with intracorporeal hand-sewn anastomosis for diverticulitis. We describe the surgical technique, focusing on the advantages of and indications for the laparoscopic hand-sewn anastomosis.

Study Objective: Laparoscopic colectomies have been recently shown to be feasible and safe, with the use of stapling devices to fashion the anastomosis. The aim of this study was to evaluate the feasibility and safety of laparoscopic intra-abdominal hand-sewn anastomosis., Patients and Methods: Seven patients (four males and three females, mean age 48 years) were included. There were two ileocolic resections for recurrence of Crohn's disease, two right colectomies (one for Crohn's disease and one for carcinoid tumor of the appendix), two left colectomies for diverticulitis and one segmental colectomy for sigmoid volvulus. There were: four side-to-side anastomoses, two side-to-end anastomoses and one end-to-end anastomosis. Anastomoses were fashioned with interrupted single layer sutures in four cases (two ileo-colic and two colorectal anastomoses) and with single layer running sutures in three cases (two ileo-colic and one colo-colic anastomoses). The specimens were retrieved by means of a plastic bag through a 3 to 5 cm long minilaparotomy in five cases and through the rectum in two cases., Results: Mean additional time to perform hand-sewn intra-corporeal anastomosis was 90 +/- 15 min. There was no operative mortality and no intraoperative complications. Postoperative course was uneventful in six patients. Patients were started on an oral fluid diet on day 2 and discharged on day 5, except for one patient with Crohn's disease who had a severe anastomotic bleeding on postoperative day 2 and who required laparotomy for hemostasis through a service colotomy with a single suture. He was discharged on day 8., Conclusion: Intra-abdominal hand-sewn anastomoses are feasible and seem reliable. This represents a new step making laparoscopic procedures even closer to conventional techniques. This technique must be evaluated in larger series.

Hypothesis: The prevalence and mechanisms of intestinal obstruction following laparoscopic abdominal surgery have not been studied extensively., Design: Retrospective review of cases of intestinal obstruction after laparoscopic surgery., Setting: Sixteen surgical units performing laparoscopy in France., Patients: Twenty-four patients with intestinal obstruction., Main Outcome Measures: Prevalence values and descriptive data., Results: The 3 most frequent primary procedures responsible for intestinal obstruction were cholecystectomy (10 cases), transperitoneal hernia repair (5 cases), and appendectomy (4 cases). Prevalences of early postoperative intestinal obstruction after these procedures were 0.11%, 2.5%, and 0.16%, respectively. Intestinal obstruction was due to adhesions or fibrotic bands in 12 cases and to intestinal incarceration in 11 cases. Obstruction was located at the trocar site in 13 cases (9 incarcerations and 4 adhesions), mainly at the umbilicus, and in the operative field in 10 cases (2 incarcerations in a wall defect after transperitoneal inguinal hernia repair, 4 adhesions, and 4 fibrotic bands). The small intestine was involved in 23 of 24 cases; the other was due to cecal volvulus following unrecognized intestinal malrotation. Intestinal obstruction was treated by laparoscopic adhesiolysis in 6 patients and by laparotomy in 18 patients, 6 of whom required small intestine resection. Three postoperative complications but no deaths occurred., Conclusion: Intestinal obstruction following laparoscopic abdominal surgery can occur irrespective of the type of operation; the prevalence is as high as (cholecystectomy and appendectomy) or even higher than (transperitoneal hernia repair) that seen in open procedures.