Ovarian cysts are a common gynecologic finding in adolescent females and are typically benign, often resolving without requiring intervention. However, larger cysts can cause significant symptoms and pose a risk for complications such as torsion. These cysts were traditionally removed with a full midline laparotomy. Surgery as a field has moved towards minimally invasive approaches to promote healing and aesthetics. With large benign cysts, this is achieved with controlled intentional decompression, allowing for extraction with a smaller incision. In this case, we present a 14-year-old female who presented with abdominal discomfort and was found to have a 24x20x9-cm left ovarian cyst. She underwent controlled cyst decompression into a specimen bag, minimizing peritoneal contamination prior to removal of the cyst. This was achieved in a 5-cm Pfannenstiel incision. The patient was discharged the same day without complications and demonstrated full recovery with no cyst recurrence at the 12-week follow up. This case highlights the safe, effective management of large benign ovarian cysts using controlled decompression and innovative containment strategies to enable minimally invasive surgical access.
The management of unresectable intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (ICC) faces major difficulties due to limited therapeutic options for liver-confined disease. A 72-year-old woman with a centrally-located ICC that involved both portal vein branches received robotic HAI pump placement. The procedure started with diagnostic laparoscopy before moving to robotic arterial dissection for catheter placement in the gastroduodenal artery (GDA) and ending with comprehensive perfusion testing using indocyanine green and methylene blue.
Preoperative imaging results showed less disease presence than the intraoperative ultrasound results that displayed multiple hepatic metastases, which led to a change in treatment approach from neoadjuvant to definitive palliative care. The surgeons confirmed proper hepatic perfusion and no abnormal extrahepatic blood flow after they placed the catheter successfully. The robotic HAI pump placement system provides a minimally invasive solution for delivering regional chemotherapy in cases of unresectable ICC through improved visualization and precision compared to open surgical approaches.
The incidence of porcelain gallbladder is low but carries a potential risk of malignancy. Large gallstones pose technical obstacles for minimally invasive surgical procedures. In this case, a 72-year-old woman undergoes a robotic cholecystectomy because of her porcelain gallbladder and a 6.8-cm gallstone. The surgical procedure involved appropriately addressing two major concerns: obtaining sufficient gallbladder retraction because of the large size of the stone, and the presence of hepatic steatosis. Key modifications included strategic port placement, utilizing stone position for retraction, and early cystic artery division. The procedure finished without any issues. The frozen section analysis results showed benign pathology. The patient recovered from surgery without any complications. Key takeaways are that robotic cholecystectomy can be safely performed for a porcelain gallbladder with large gallstones using appropriate technical modifications, and that flexibility in the operating room is crucial in cases where standard methods become impractical.
Patients with severe peripheral arterial disease and critical limb-threatening ischemia are at high risk for limb loss. This video presents a 76-year-old male with extensive comorbidities who underwent above-knee amputation after failed healing of a below-knee amputation. Despite patent inflow vessels, poor distal perfusion led to non-healing wounds. The patient tolerated the above-knee amputation well, with an uneventful recovery and discharge to rehabilitation on postoperative day five. This case illustrates the role of above-knee amputation in patients with severe peripheral arterial disease and non-healing below-knee amputation, emphasizing technical steps and perioperative management.
A gastrocutaneous fistula is an abnormal connection between the stomach and skin, most commonly occurring after removal of a gastrostomy feeding tube. This video demonstrates the surgical technique of laparoscopic takedown of a gastrocutaneous fistula, performed in conjunction with upper endoscopy. The patient is a pediatric patient with a history of gastrostomy tube placement and Nissen fundoplication for reflux during infancy. Despite removal of the tube, the fistula persisted. Prior endoscopic interventions, including over-the-scope clip placement, were unsuccessful. Due to ongoing drainage and patient preference for definitive closure, surgical intervention was pursued.
This video provides a step-by-step, detailed demonstration of this extensive surgical procedure performed on a 53-year-old female patient with recurrent anal cancer after initial chemoradiotherapy. The surgical technique is thoroughly illustrated, emphasizing the importance of proper anatomical planes, multidisciplinary coordination, and reconstructive considerations.
Symptomatic Meckel’s diverticulum is a diagnosis most commonly associated with male children under two years old. It typically presents with painless hematochezia and is diagnosed with a Meckel’s scan, which uses Technetium-99 to detect ectopic gastric tissue. In an adult with gastrointestinal bleeding, the differential is far broader, including an extensive and at times, inconclusive, work-up. Here, we describe a diagnostic laparoscopy for suspicion of Meckel’s diverticulum in a young adult male whose work-up showed evidence of small bowel bleeding without a definitive source. A large 6.2-cm, broad-based Meckel’s diverticulum was identified about 90 cm proximal to the ileocecal valve and resected via small bowel resection.
This case takes an in-depth look at the reversal of a diverting loop ileostomy performed for a patient who had received a prior gracilis transposition flap for a rectovaginal fistula due to Crohn’s disease. This video provides a detailed step-by-step demonstration of the reversal of this diverting loop ileostomy. It serves as an excellent educational resource for surgeons learning how to close loop ileostomies.
Partial mastectomy of the breast, also known as lumpectomy, is a breast-conserving procedure performed to remove many different types of masses and irregularities in the breast tissue. This involves a small incision concealed at the nipple borders or along the natural breast contours, followed by dissection of the area of concern. The excised tissue is then sent to pathology for final tissue diagnosis and, if applicable, to determine if appropriate margins have been achieved. Furthermore, Savi Scout utilization may help to localize the mass when it otherwise would be difficult to identify or locate. Many different breast pathologies can be removed in this fashion, both benign and malignant, depending on both biological and patient-specific details. In the case presented, a nonpalpable papilloma—typically found to be a benign breast lesion with an increased risk of harboring occult premalignant ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS)—is surgically excised due to the presence of associated concerning symptoms in the patient.
This video is a comprehensive step-by-step demonstration of laparoscopic inguinal hernia repair using the TEP method. It features a middle-aged male with bilateral inguinal hernias who has experienced left groin pain for several years. This case is significant as it showcases the efficiency of laparoscopic techniques in addressing bilateral hernias, which are relatively common, through a single surgical procedure. The detailed description of the procedure provides valuable insights for surgeons at various stages of their careers. For novice surgeons, it offers a step-by-step guide to the TEP technique, highlighting critical anatomical landmarks and potential pitfalls. Experienced surgeons may benefit from the nuanced discussions on tissue handling, dissection techniques, and mesh placement.
