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Minimally invasive surgery (MIS) is a widespread approach in general surgery. Computer guiding software, such as the augmented reality (AR), the virtual reality (VR) and mixed reality (MR), has been proposed to help surgeons during MIS. This study aims to report these technologies' current knowledge and diffusion during surgical training in Italy. A web-based survey was developed under the aegis of the Italian Society of Endoscopic Surgery (SICE). Two hundred and seventeen medical doctors' answers were analyzed. Participants were surgeons (138, 63.6%) and residents in surgery (79, 36.4%). The mean knowledge of the role of the VR, AR and MR in surgery was 4.9 ± 2.4 (range 1-10). Most of the participants (122, 56.2%) did not have experience with any proposed technologies. However, although the lack of experience in this field, the answers about the functioning of the technologies were correct in most cases. Most of the participants answered that VR, AR and MR should be used more frequently for the teaching and training and during the clinical activity (170, 80.3%) and that such technologies would make a significant contribution, especially in training (183, 84.3%) and didactic (156, 71.9%). Finally, the main limitations to the diffusion of these technologies were the insufficient knowledge (182, 83.9%) and costs (175, 80.6%). Based on the present study, in Italy, the knowledge and dissemination of these technologies are still limited. Further studies are required to establish the usefulness of AR, VR and MR in surgical training.

Background The contamination of body fluids by Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 during surgery is current matter of debate in the scientific literature concerning CoronaVIrus Disease 2019. Surgical guidelines were published during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic and recommended to avoid laparoscopic surgery as much as possible, in fear that the chimney effect of high flow intraperitoneal gas escape during, and after, the procedure would increase the risk of viral transmission. Aim The aim of this study was to evaluate the possibility of SARS-CoV-2 transmission during surgery by searching for viral RNA in serial samplings of biological liquids. Methods This is a single center prospective cross-sectional study. We used a real-time reverse transcriptase (RT) polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test to perform swab tests for the qualitative detection of nucleic acid from SARS-CoV-2 in abdominal fluids, during emergency surgery and on the first post-operative day. In the case of thoracic surgery, we performed a swab test of pleural fluids during chest drainage placement as well as on the first post-operative day. Results A total of 20 samples were obtained: 5 from pleural fluids, 13 from peritoneal fluids and two from biliary fluid. All 20 swabs performed from biological fluids resulted negative for SARS-CoV-2 RNA detection. Conclusion To date, there is no scientific evidence of possible contagion by laparoscopic aerosolization of SARS-CoV-2, neither is certain whether the virus is effectively present in biological fluids.

Surgical training is essential to maintain safety standards in healthcare. The aim of this study is to evaluate learning curves and short-term postoperative outcomes of laparoscopic appendectomy (LA) performed by trainees(TRN) and attendings(ATT). The present study included the medical records of patients with acute appendicitis who underwent a fully LA in our department between January 2013 and December 2018. Cases were divided into trainees (TRN and ATT groups based on the experience of the operating surgeon. The primary outcome measures were30-day morbidityand mortality. Preoperative patients’ clinical characteristics, intraoperative findings, operative times, and postoperative hospitalization were compared. Operative times were used to extrapolate learning curves and evaluate the effects of changes in faculty using CUSUM charts. A propensity score matching analysis was performed to reduce differences between cohorts regarding both preoperative characteristics and intraoperative findings. A total of 1173 patients undergoing LA for acute appendicitis were included, of whom 521 (45%) in the TRN group and 652 (55%) in the ATT group. No significant differences were found between the two groups in terms of complication rates, operative times and length of hospital stay. However, CUSUM chart analysis showed decreased operating times in the TRN group. Operative times improved more quickly for advanced cases. The results of this study indicate that LA can be performed by trainees without detrimental effects on clinical outcomes, procedural safety, and operative times. However, the learning curve is longer than previously acknowledged.

BACKGR OUND: Laparoscopic cholecystectomy represents the gold standard technique for the treatment of lithiasic gallbladder disease. Although it has many advantages, laparoscopic cholecystectomy is not risk-free and in special situations there is a need for conversion into an open procedure, in order to minimize postoperative complications and to complete the procedure safely. The aim of this study was to identify factors that can predict the conversion to open cholecystectomy. METHODS: We analyzed 1323 patients undergoing laparoscopic cholecystectomy over the last five years at St. Orsola University Hospital-Bologna and Umberto I University Hospital-Rome. Among these, 116 patients (8.7%) were converted into laparotomic cholecystectomy. Clinical, demographic, surgical and pathological data from these patients were included in a prospective database. A univariate analysis was performed followed by a multivariate logistic regression. RESULTS: On univariate analysis, the factors significantly correlated with conversion to open were the ASA score higher than 3 and the comorbidity, specifically cardiovascular disease, diabetes and chronic renal failure (P

Introduction: Amyloidosis is an uncommon disease caused by the deposition of amyloid fibrils in tissues. This disease does not usually require surgical intervention, which could be warranted in the presence of complications such as bleeding, obstruction, or perforation. We present a case of primary amyloidosis of the colon in a patient affected by polymyositis who underwent Hartmann’s procedure after a spontaneous colonic perforation. After 2months of well-being, the patient underwent two consecutive surgical procedures for stenosis of the ostomy orifice. Areas Covered: A review of the literature has been performed, gathering case reports highlighting the distribution of this disease by age, gender, location, and treatment when available. Expert Commentary: Gastrointestinal amyloid disease is a rare condition, and it could be considered among the rare causes of intestinal perforation. Timely surgical management is often necessary.

Acute appendicitis is one of the main indications for urgent surgery representing a high-volume procedure worldwide. The current spending review in Italy (and not only in this country) affects the health service and warrants care regarding the use of different surgical devices. The aim of our study is to perform a cost evaluation, comparing the use of endoloops and staplers in complicated acute appendicitis (phlegmonous and gangrenous), taking into consideration the cost of the device in relation to the management of any associated postoperative complications. We retrospectively evaluated 996 laparoscopic appendectomies of adult patients performed in the Emergency General Surgery-St. Orsola University Hospital in Bologna (Italy). Surgical procedures together with the related choice of using endoloops or staplers were performed by attending surgeons or resident surgeons supervised by a tutor. A systematic review was performed to compare our outcomes with those reported in the literature. In our experience, the routine use of endoloop leads to a real estimated saving of 375€ for each performed laparoscopic appendectomy, even considering post-operative complications. Comparing endoloop and stapler groups, the total number of complications is significantly lower in the endoloop group. Our systematic review confirmed these findings even if the superiority of one technique has not been proved yet. Our analysis shows that the routine use of endoloop is safe in most patients affected by acute appendicitis, even when complicated, and it is a cost-effective device even when taking into consideration extra costs for potential post-operative complications.

BACKGROUND The number of surgical operations in elderly patients is increasing due to the aging demographics of western populations. The aim of the present study was to investigate the peri-operative outcome of octogenarian patients undergoing cholecystectomy for acute cholecystitis. METHODS We performed a retrospective analysis including all patients who underwent cholecystectomy for acute cholecystitis from January 2013 to December 2017. Records were collected prospectively from two centers: 1) Unit of Emergency Surgery, St. Orsola University Hospital, Alma Mater Studiorum University, Bologna; 2) "Advanced Surgical Technologies" Department of Surgical Sciences, Umberto I University Hospital, La Sapienza University, Rome. Patients were divided by age (≥ or

Introduction: Today average life expectancy in Western Countries has reached 80 years. At the same time, colorectal cancer (CRC) ranks first on both cancer incidence and related mortality. Therefore we face the problem of treating colorectal cancer occurring in elderly patients. Over the last years, there has been growing evidence in the literature that this population should be offered life-prolonging radical surgeries. The aim of the study is to assess clinical features and postoperative outcomes in 80 years old and older patients treated for CRC. We focused on safety (complication rates and operative mortality) and oncological results (radical excision and number of isolated lymph nodes). Methods: From September 2011 to May 2015, 455 resections for CRC with curative intent were performed: 148 patients were over 80 years old (GroupA), 307 patients were younger than 80 years (GroupB). Patients’ demographic, clinical and histo-pathological parameters, as well as intra- and perioperative results were analysed. Results: In GroupA 72 patients underwent emergency procedures (49%) and 76 underwent elective procedures (51%); conversely in GroupB 85 patients underwent emergency procedures (53%) and 76 underwent elective procedures (47%), respectively (p

Aim of study: Metastatic involvement of the small bowel by melanoma is rare. The average time from the excision of the primary cutaneous melanoma to the occurrence of intestinal metastases tends to be between 3 and 5 years; one case of recurrence after 15 years is described. The most common kind of lesion is polypoid: this can cause intussusception and intestinal occlusion. We report a case of intestinal occlusion by an ileal metastasis of a melanoma occurred 7 years earlier. Materials and Methods: Case Report: The patient was a 57-year-old female who was admitted to our hospital for persistent abdominal pain and sub-occlusion. The patient's past medical history included cutaneous malignant melanoma 7 years before and lobular breast adenocarcinoma 10 years before. During the previous three months, she had intermittent abdominal pain and a weight loss of about 7 kg. Abdominal-US, EGDS and colonoscopy were all negative for pathologic findings. During the hospital stay, a CT enterography revealed lower intestinal intussusception, and enlarged lymph nodes both in the abdominal cavity and in the retroperitoneum. Intraoperatively we found an ileal invagination due to a polypoid mass of the ileal tract. Segmental ileal resection was performed; wide mesenteric lymph node dissection was not possible because of large and extended retroperitoneal lymphadenopathies. Histological examination showed epithelioid and spindle tumor cells with obvious cytoplasmic melanin deposition. Immunohistochemical staining revealed that tumor cells were positive for S-100, HMB-45 and vimentin, confirming the diagnosis of melanoma. Main results and conclusions: Appearance of GI metastases is reported up to 15 years after the inital diagnosis of melanoma. Reported clinical signs and symptoms generally include chronic abdominal pain, occult or gross bleeding and, as in this case, weight loss. Aspecificity of symptoms may impede early diagnosis and treatment of the disease. As in this case, where curative surgery is impossible because of the extent of disease, metastatic tumor resection or GI tract bypass surgery is recommended to relieve symptoms or avoid future complications. Early diagnosis of metastases requires adequate imaging (CT) and prolonged follow up.