Category Archives: General Surgery

PUBLISHED: Laparoscopic Sleeve Gastrectomy

Laparoscopic Sleeve Gastrectomy
Ozanan R. Meireles, MD1Julia Saraidaridis, MD1Amir Guindi2
1Massachusetts General Hospital
2Ross University School of Medicine

The goal of obesity treatment is to reach and maintain a healthy weight. The primary treatment consists of diet and physical exercise; however, maintaining weight loss is difficult and requires discipline. Medications such as orlistat, lorcaserin, and liraglutide may be considered as adjuncts to lifestyle modification.

One of the most effective treatments for obesity is bariatric surgery. There are several bariatric surgery procedures, including laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding, Roux-en-Y gastric bypass, sleeve gastrectomy, and biliopancreatic diversion with duodenal switch. Sleeve gastrectomy is the most commonly performed bariatric surgery worldwide. It is performed by removing 75% of the stomach, leaving a tube-shaped stomach with limited capacity to accommodate food. This is the case of an obese patient who undergoes laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy.

PUBLISHED: Robotic-Assisted Laparoscopic (rTAPP) Umbilical Hernia Repair with Intra-abdominal Preperitoneal Underlay Mesh (IPUM)

Robotic-Assisted Laparoscopic (rTAPP) Umbilical Hernia Repair with Intra-abdominal Preperitoneal Underlay Mesh (IPUM)
Chloe A. Warehall, MD1Divyansh Agarwal, MD, PhD1Charu Paranjape, MD, FACS1,2
1Massachusetts General Hospital
2Newton-Wellesley Hospital

An umbilical hernia occurs due to weakened umbilical fascia or at the site where the involuted umbilical vessels exited. Depending on the hernia contents—preperitoneal fat, omentum, or small intestine—symptoms may include a new bulge at the umbilical site, abdominal pain, tenderness to palpation, color changes to the surrounding skin, as well as obstructive symptoms such as nausea, emesis, and constipation. Given that umbilical hernias tend to have narrow necks compared to size of the sac, incarceration and strangulation are relatively common. Elective repair of symptomatic umbilical hernias is done to minimize these risks.

Here we present the case of an 81-year-old male with a recurrent umbilical hernia who first presented secondary to obstructive symptoms caused by an incarcerated umbilical hernia. After reduction was successful, he underwent an elective robotic transabdominal (rTAPP) umbilical hernia repair with intra-abdominal preperitoneal underlay mesh (IPUM). This article and the associated video describe the pertinent history, evaluation, and operative steps of the procedure.

PUBLISHED: Exploratory Laparotomy and Splenectomy for Ruptured Spleen Following Blunt Force Trauma

Exploratory Laparotomy and Splenectomy for Ruptured Spleen Following Blunt Force Trauma
Sebastian K. Chung, MD1Ashley Suah, MD2Daven Patel, MD, MPH2Nadim Michael Hafez, MD2Brian Williams, MD2
1University of Massachusetts Medical School
2UChicago Medicine

The spleen is highly vascular, is the largest secondary lymphoid organ, and is the most commonly injured organ in the setting of blunt abdominal trauma. Patients may present asymptomatically or with abdominal pain, nausea and vomiting, or signs of hemodynamic instability. Although many splenic injuries caused by blunt abdominal trauma may be managed conservatively, free intra-abdominal fluid with hemodynamic instability warrant surgical management in the form of exploratory laparotomy and splenectomy.

This video report demonstrates the management of a patient who was assaulted, sustaining blunt abdominal trauma and a hemodynamically significant grade IV splenic laceration. An exploratory laparotomy and splenectomy were performed.

PUBLISHED: Basal Cell Carcinoma Excision from the Lower Lip with Versatile Keystone Flap for Vascularized Skin Replacement

Basal Cell Carcinoma Excision from the Lower Lip with Versatile Keystone Flap for Vascularized Skin Replacement
Geoffrey G. Hallock, MD
Sacred Heart Campus, St. Luke’s Hospital

Maintenance of intact skin throughout the body is essential to prevent dehydration, to act as a barrier to infection, to allow unrestricted movement, and to provide a normal appearance. A flap is a piece of body tissue, usually skin and fat, that always has its own blood supply. Therefore, a flap can be moved anywhere it can reach without worrying about the circulation present at the place that needs it, which is called the recipient site. When compared with all other possible choices, a flap best meets all the requirements for any area needing skin replacement.

The keystone type flap as one such option is so named because its design has the shape of the keystone of a Roman arch. If taken from loose tissues adjacent to a defect, it can be simply cut and advanced for any necessary skin coverage. Direct closure of the donor site where this flap comes from is possible so that usually a quite good overall cosmetic result is also obtained. These virtues are shown as an overview in this video where a keystone flap is transferred after removal of a common basal cell skin cancer from the lower lip.

PUBLISHED: Open Cholecystectomy for Gallbladder Disease

Open Cholecystectomy for Gallbladder Disease
Jacob C. Mesiti1Yoko Young Sang, MD2Peter F. Rovito, MD2;
1Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine
2World Surgical Foundation

Gallbladder diseases are a subset of a spectrum of pathologies of the biliary system and are a particularly common etiology of abdominal pain encountered in modern medicine. These pathologies most often share a similar underlying mechanism of disease: obstruction of a portion of the biliary tree by cholelithiasis, or gallstones.

Gallstones, for the most part, form initially in the gallbladder with the exception of primary common bile duct (CBD) stones that form primarily in the CBD. Risk factors include a wide variety of conditions both pathologic and physiologic, including hyperlipidemia, hemolysis, and pregnancy. The resulting obstruction creates a state of biliary stasis, eventually leading to inflammation, pain, and an increased risk of infection. The anatomical location of the obstruction contributes greatly to both the clinical presentation and the ultimate treatment of the disease.

A hallmark of the treatment of gallbladder disease, ranging from simple biliary colic to life-threatening emphysematous cholecystitis, is the cholecystectomy. In modernized countries, this procedure is almost invariably performed laparoscopically. However, in certain clinical scenarios, such as when a patient cannot tolerate the pneumoperitoneum associated with laparoscopic surgery or when the procedure takes place in a developing country with limited access to laparoscopic capabilities, an open approach is preferred.

PUBLISHED: Laparoscopic Right Colectomy with Ileocolic Anastomosis

Laparoscopic Right Colectomy with Ileocolic Anastomosis
Joshua M. Harkins1David Rattner, MD2
1Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine
2Massachusetts General Hospital

Colonic polyps are projections from the surface of the colonic mucosa. Most are asymptomatic and benign. Over time, some colonic polyps develop into cancers.

Carcinoid tumors develop from cells in the submucosa. They are slow-growing neoplasms. Carcinoid tumors of the colon are rare, comprising less than 11% of all carcinoid tumors and only 1% of colonic neoplasms. The majority of patients diagnosed with carcinoid tumors have no symptoms, and their tumors are found incidentally during endoscopy.

This is the case of a middle-aged male who had an unresectable polyp in the ascending colon and a carcinoid tumor in the ileocecal valve. The patient underwent laparoscopic right colectomy with ileocolic anastomosis to remove both lesions.

PUBLISHED: Laparoscopic Cecal Wedge Resection Appendectomy

Laparoscopic Cecal Wedge Resection Appendectomy
Ciro Andolfi, MD1Marco Fisichella, MD, MBA, FACS2
1University of Chicago Pritzker School of Medicine
2VA Boston Healthcare System

This is the case of a 66-year-old man with a history of colon polyps, who undergoes colonoscopy every 3 years for surveillance. During the last colonoscopy, he was found to have a polyp at the appendiceal orifice. The biopsy showed the presence of adenoma.

Therefore, the patient underwent a laparoscopic appendectomy with wedge resection of the cecum. The operation went well and took less than an hour. The specimen was opened, and the adenoma was found within the lumen of the appendix, with at least 1.5 cm of clear margin. The patient was sent home the same day, and resumed regular diet and physical activities the following morning.

PUBLISHED: Exploratory Laparotomy in a Hemodynamically Stable Patient for an Abdominal Gunshot Wound

Exploratory Laparotomy in a Hemodynamically Stable Patient for an Abdominal Gunshot Wound
Matthew Daniel1Ashley Suah, MD2Brian Williams, MD2
1Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine – Auburn
2UChicago Medicine

Gunshot wounds to the abdomen are one of the most classic trauma cases a surgeon will come across in their career. The high velocity of a bullet can cause massive internal and external trauma to the abdomen. Exploration of the small bowel using laparotomy is often indicated after a penetrating traumatic injury or when peritoneal signs are present.

This video article shows the most common techniques for performing an exploratory laparotomy. In this case, the abdomen was explored and was revealed to show a through-and-through gunshot wound to the jejunum, as well as a partial-thickness tear of the proximal cecum; the abdomen was explored for any smaller bleeds or leaks, and the abdomen was closed.

PUBLISHED: Laparoscopic Interval Appendectomy and Open Umbilical Hernia Repair

Laparoscopic Interval Appendectomy and Open Umbilical Hernia Repair
John Grove1Naomi Sell, MD2Thomas O’Donnell, MD2Noelle N. Saillant, MD2
1Lincoln Memorial University – DeBusk College of Osteopathic Medicine
2Massachusetts General Hospital

Acute appendicitis is a medical condition where the appendix becomes inflamed and causes pain in the lower right quadrant of the abdomen. In addition to pain, appendicitis can cause peritonitis, perforations, and can lead to death if left untreated. Laparoscopic appendectomy is the standard surgical procedure to treat the symptoms of appendicitis as well as prevent further spread of infection. While appendicitis typically advances in an irreversible fashion necessitating surgery, conservative management with antibiotic therapy can sometimes resolve symptoms.

In this case, a 24-year-old patient had a delayed presentation with acute perforated appendicitis. Following successful non-operative treatment with antibiotics, she presented for a laparoscopic interval appendectomy. She also had a non-symptomatic umbilical hernia, which was repaired following removal of the laparoscopic ports for the appendectomy.

PUBLISHED: Internal Mammary Perforator Preserving Nipple-Sparing Mastectomy (IMP-NSM) to Reduce Ischemic Complications

Internal Mammary Perforator Preserving Nipple-Sparing Mastectomy (IMP-NSM) to Reduce Ischemic Complications
Mardi R. Karin, MDArash Momeni, MDCandice N. Thompson, MD
Stanford University School of Medicine

Nipple-Sparing Mastectomies (NSMs) with breast reconstruction are commonly performed for both breast cancer treatment or risk-reducing prophylactic mastectomies and have superior aesthetic results compared to total mastectomy or skin-sparing mastectomy. Preservation of the Nipple Areolar Complex (NAC) results in a more natural aesthetic appearance of the reconstructed breast, as well as greater patient satisfaction, as indicated by improved psychosocial and sexual well-being compared to total mastectomy. Preservation of vascular supply is of utmost importance for NAC and mastectomy skin flap viability after surgery, since postoperative ischemic complications can significantly undermine the aesthetic outcomes.

This report describes a contemporary NSM surgical technique developed by the senior author (MK), to preserve the dominant NAC vascular supply, and decrease postoperative ischemic complications. A total of 114 NSM were performed from 2018 to 2020 by the senior author. Based on preoperative breast MRI with contrast visualization of the vascular supply to the NAC, the Internal Mammary Perforator (IMP) vessels exiting the pectoralis major muscle at the sternal border were found to provide the dominant blood supply to the NAC in 92% and could be preserved in 89% of cases.

The Internal Mammary Perforator Preserving Nipple-Sparing Mastectomy (IMP-NSM) surgical technique was developed to preserve this important IMP blood supply to the NAC, resulting in decreased postoperative ischemic complications. Following implementation of this surgical technique, NAC necrosis requiring NAC removal occurred in 0.9%, and mastectomy skin necrosis requiring reoperation in 1.8% of cases, resulting in successful NAC preservation in the majority of patients. Furthermore, due to the consistent anatomical location of the IMP vascular supply to the NAC, this critical vascular supply can routinely be preserved even without preoperative MRI, thereby improving clinical outcomes. The IMP-NSM surgical technique is described in detail in this report with a case example.