All posts by Chris Boisvert

PUBLISHED: Laparoscopic Appendectomy with Lysis of Adhesions for Appendicitis

Laparoscopic Appendectomy with Lysis of Adhesions for Appendicitis
Helen S. Wei, MD, PhD
Massachusetts General Hospital

Laparoscopic appendectomy (LA) is a minimally-invasive technique distinguished by the utilization of small incisions through which an endoscopic camera and specialized instruments are introduced to facilitate the excision of an inflamed vermiform appendix. This LA video serves as an educational tool, offering unique insights into complex surgical scenarios. It demonstrates real-time decision-making in the face of adhesions from previous surgery, showcasing how to adapt standard techniques to challenging anatomy. The video provides a clear visualization of advanced laparoscopic skills, including safe adhesiolysis, cautious dissection, and proper use of surgical devices. It emphasizes critical aspects of surgical safety, team communication, and complication management.

PUBLISHED: Percutaneous Endoscopic Gastrostomy (PEG) Tube Placement

Percutaneous Endoscopic Gastrostomy (PEG) Tube Placement
Amory C. de Roulet, MD, MPH
Massachusetts General Hospital

Percutaneous Endoscopic Gastrostomy (PEG) is a minimally-invasive medical procedure that creates a safe and effective route for enteral nutrition, fluid administration, and medication delivery. PEG tubes are primarily used for long-term enteral nutrition in patients with impaired swallowing or inadequate oral intake, decompression of the gastrointestinal tract, and administration of medications. This detailed video demonstration of the PEG tube placement procedure is a crucial educational resource for medical professionals. It provides comprehensive visualization of a complex procedure, demonstrates real-time problem-solving, emphasizes safety considerations, and offers valuable tips for practitioners.

PUBLISHED: Bilateral Modified Radical Neck Dissection for Metastatic Papillary Thyroid Carcinoma

Bilateral Modified Radical Neck Dissection for Metastatic Papillary Thyroid Carcinoma
Courtney Gibson, MD, MS, FACSTobias Carling, MD, PhD, FACS
Yale School of Medicine

Radical neck dissection was once the standard of care for the surgical management of patients with thyroid cancer and cervical lymph node metastases. However, due to the significant morbidity of this procedure, the development of cervical lymphadenectomy procedures that could provide oncologic cure while minimizing morbidity was undertaken by many surgeons. Such an investigation has led to the development of the modified radical neck dissection (MRND). Still, many institutions are not familiar with performing a comprehensive MRND in the setting of thyroid cancer metastatic to the lateral lymph node compartments. This article presents such an operation under general anesthesia.

PUBLISHED: Transcervical Open Repair of Extracranial Internal Carotid Artery Aneurysm

Transcervical Open Repair of Extracranial Internal Carotid Artery Aneurysm
Miguel Angel Mendoza Romo-Ramírez, MD1Jasanai Sausameda-García, MD2Silverio Gutiérrez-Cruz, MD2Kevin Johnson-Molina, MD2Carlos Flores-Ramirez, MD1
1Hospital Central del Estado, Chihuahua, Mexico
2Hospital General Regional #1. IMSS. Chihuahua, Mexico

This article presents the case of a 1.8-cm carotid saccular aneurysm dependent on the left internal carotid, limited to the proximal portion of the bifurcation in a 66-year-old male with a history of hypertension and diabetes mellitus, successfully managed with an open surgical technique. Extracranial aneurysms of the carotid artery are rare and may be caused by atherosclerosis, trauma, infection, or other factors. These aneurysms are characterized by an increase in the diameter of the carotid artery and may require treatment to prevent complications such as embolism or rupture.

Treatment may include open surgery or endovascular techniques, and the choice of treatment depends on several factors, such as the location and size of the aneurysm. Medical management may also be considered in selected cases. Diagnosis is made through imaging tests such as duplex ultrasound, computed tomography, or magnetic resonance imaging. It is important to perform a careful evaluation to determine the best treatment option and prevent complications.

PUBLISHED: Abdominal Hysterectomy as a Surgical Approach in Large Fibroids

Abdominal Hysterectomy as a Surgical Approach in Large Fibroids
Jasmine Phun1Col. Arthur C. Wittich, DO2
1Sidney Kimmel Medical College, Thomas Jefferson University
2Fort Belvoir Community Hospital (Retired)

Uterine fibroids, also known as leiomyomas, are usually benign masses that are most commonly found in women of reproductive age. Fibroids are usually asymptomatic and tend to be incidental findings on ultrasound. When clinically relevant, however, patients report symptoms such as menorrhagia, pelvic pain, and bulk-related symptoms.

Treatment of symptomatic fibroids may be pharmaceutical with gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonists, radiological using MRI-guided focused ultrasound surgery (or magnetic resonance-guided focused ultrasound), or minimally-invasive uterine artery embolization, but the treatment is largely surgical.

There are many different surgical approaches that can be utilized, including myomectomy or hysterectomy. Treatment of choice depends on multiple factors, including the severity of symptoms, size of fibroids, and patient’s desire to preserve fertility. However, out of all of the different surgical techniques available, hysterectomy is the only definitive treatment for these patients. Here, an abdominal hysterectomy was performed on a 45-year-old patient with symptomatic uterine fibroids.

PUBLISHED: Pediatric Infant Bilateral Open Inguinal Hernia Repair – Twin A

Pediatric Infant Bilateral Open Inguinal Hernia Repair – Twin A
Shai I. B. Stewart, MD1Lissa Henson, MD2Domingo Alvear, MD3
1Howard University Hospital
2Philippine Society of Pediatric Surgeons
3World Surgical Foundation

An inguinal hernia (IH) is a protrusion of intra-abdominal contents through the inguinal canal that can arise at any time from infancy to adulthood. It is more common in males with a lifetime risk of 27% as compared to 3% in females. Most pediatric IHs are congenital and caused by failure of the peritoneum to close, resulting in a patent processus vaginalis (PPV). IH present as a bulge in the groin area that can become more prominent when crying, coughing, straining, or standing up, and disappears when lying down. Diagnosis is based on a thorough medical history and physical examination, but imaging tests such as ultrasound can be used when the diagnosis is not readily apparent. IHs are generally classified as indirect, direct, and femoral based on the site of herniation relative to surrounding structures. Indirect hernias protrude lateral to the inferior epigastric vessels, through the deep inguinal ring. Direct hernias protrude medial to the inferior epigastric vessels, within Hesselbach’s triangle. Femoral hernias protrude through the small and inflexible femoral ring. In infants and children, IH are always operated on to prevent incarceration.

Surgical correction in infants and children is done by high ligation of the hernia sac only, called a herniotomy. Here, we present a female infant with bilateral IH. Upon exploration, a hernia sac was found, and ligation was performed bilaterally. In female patients, it is believed that failure of the closure of the canal of Nuck alongside the round ligament of the uterus is the etiology. Oftentimes there is a “sliding hernia” where the ovary and or the fallopian tube is attached to the sac, sometimes the uterus itself is attached.

PUBLISHED: Placing Knotless Suture Anchor Through Mid-Glenoid Portal

Placing Knotless Suture Anchor Through Mid-Glenoid Portal
Travis J. Dekker, MDLiam A. PeeblesMatthew T. Provencher, MD
Massachusetts General Hospital

Optimal portal placement for arthroscopic shoulder stabilization procedures can significantly aid a surgeon’s visualization during the repair as well as suture anchor placement. A percutaneous knotless anchor insertion kit used through a mid-glenoid portal allows the surgeon to access positions on the glenoid rim that are commonly difficult to reach. Moreover, the knotless kit has the ability to save valuable time during arthroscopic stabilization procedures and also eliminates the risk of postoperative knot impingement.

The mid-glenoid portal should be made approximately 1 cm lateral from the joint line of the humeral head and 2–3 cm inferior and 1–2 cm medial from the posterolateral acromial angle. This portal placement avoids injury to the labrum and should be determined after assessing both the thickness of the local soft tissues and the size of the relevant bony architecture. A hole for the knotless anchor should be drilled approximately 1–2 mm onto the face of the glenoid, and the labral tape is then passed a short distance through the eyelet of the knotless fixation device before the construct is inserted into the glenoid. A hemostat is used to hold the tape as it is placed into the drill hole, and a mallet is used to drive the interference portion of the plastic implant to a marked depth. Finally, once the suture anchor is securely affixed, the insertion device is unloaded and pulled out of the portal with 6 counterclockwise turns.

PUBLISHED: Cystoscopy and Transurethral Resection of Bladder Tumors with Stent and Foley Catheter Placement

Cystoscopy and Transurethral Resection of Bladder Tumors with Stent and Foley Catheter Placement
Austin Bramwell, MDTullika Garg, MD, MPH, FACS
Penn State Health Milton S. Hershey Medical Center

Bladder cancer is the sixth most common cancer in the United States. Transurethral resection of bladder tumor (TURBT) is a common urologic surgical procedure used to diagnose, stage, and treat bladder cancer. This article presents a patient who had multiple episodes of gross hematuria and was found to have multifocal bladder tumors. In this case, TURBT was performed to confirm the diagnosis of bladder cancer, remove all visible bladder tumors, and prevent further episodes of gross hematuria.

PUBLISHED: Approach to Marginal Ulceration Following RYGB Surgery: Laparoscopic Excision of the Marginal Ulcer and Retrocolic, Retrogastric Rerouting of the Roux Limb with Truncal Vagotomy and Hiatal Hernia Repair

Approach to Marginal Ulceration Following RYGB Surgery: Laparoscopic Excision of the Marginal Ulcer and Retrocolic, Retrogastric Rerouting of the Roux Limb with Truncal Vagotomy and Hiatal Hernia Repair
Deborah D. Tsao, BS1Janey Sue Pratt, MD2
1Stanford University School of Medicine
2Massachusetts General Hospital

Gastrogastric fistula is a rare complication following a Roux-en-Y gastric bypass procedure wherein there is a communication between the proximal gastric pouch and the distal gastric remnant. Patients typically present with nausea and vomiting, abdominal pain, intractable marginal ulcer, bleeding, reflux, poor weight loss, and weight regain. Etiologies include postoperative Roux-en-Y gastric bypass leaks, incomplete gastric division, marginal ulcers, distal obstruction, and erosion of a foreign body. Diagnosis is made through upper gastrointestinal contrast radiography or CT scan and endoscopy. Barium contrast radiography is particularly useful and is the preferred initial study method for the detection of staple-line dehiscence, which may be small and overlooked during endoscopy.

Once identified, a gastrogastric fistula may be treated surgically with remnant gastrectomy or gastrojejunostomy revision. This article presents a case of a female patient status post Roux-en-Y gastric bypass surgery who presented with abdominal pain. Upon endoscopy, she was noted to have an inflamed gastric pouch and a gastogastric fistula. A laparoscopic gastric bypass revision was done to divide the gastrogastric fistula and to separate the gastric pouch from the gastric remnant in order to alleviate the inflamed gastric pouch and prevent further ulcer formation.

PUBLISHED: Elbow Arthroscopy (Cadaver)

Elbow Arthroscopy (Cadaver)
Patrick Vavken, MD; Femke Claessen, MD
Smith and Nephew Endoscopy Laboratory

Elbow arthroscopy is a technically demanding procedure but it is very useful to evaluate the entire elbow joint for pathology with minimal surgical exposure and faster recovery than a traditional arthrotomy. The neurovascular structures of the elbow joint are in close proximity to the joint, thus there is a risk of injury to these structures, so care must be taken to fully understand elbow anatomy and to be prepared for aberrations. Elbow arthroscopy can be used diagnostically, as in this video article, or to surgically treat a variety of conditions including ligamentous tears, loose bodies, capsular stiffness, osteochondritis dissecans of the elbow, osteophyte debridement, and lateral epicondylitis. A patient with a previous ulnar nerve transposition is a relative contraindication to elbow arthroscopy, as there is a high risk of injury to the ulnar nerve during portal placement.