Stapler-assisted Loop Ileostomy Stoma Prolapse Repair

Stoma prolapse is an increase in the size of the stoma secondary to intussusception of the proximal bowel segment. Strangulation and ischemia of the prolapsed segment have been reported as complications. This is the case of a 58-year-old man with multiple comorbidities who was diagnosed with an adenocarcinoma of the ascending colon with hepatic metastasis. He was considered unable to start conversion chemotherapy because of his cardiovascular comorbidities and was therefore under paliative chemotherapy. Patient came into emergency room with an acute bowel obstruction and underwent a loop ileostomy as a diversion procedure. Following up the procedure, the patient developed an acute on chronic kidney failure because of dehydration from high output ileostomy. In the postoperative day 17, patient presented with an acutely incarcerated prolapsed afferent limb of the loop ileostomy. Attempts at reduction were unsuccessful. Herein we present a simple, safe, and fast approach for correcting a prolapsed loop or terminal stoma using a step-wise application of linear staplers. When laparotomy and/or stoma reversal is not appropriate, local revision of stoma prolapse provides a low-risk and high-benefit alternative solution.

Robotic Abdominoperineal Resection with en Bloc Prostatectomy

Rectal cancer with local invasion presents a particular operative challenge. The standard procedure for locally advanced rectal cancer is a total pelvic exenteration (TPE), which is a highly morbid procedure. For select patients, the literature has demonstrated that bladder-sparing techniques involving en bloc resection of the prostate are safe and oncologically acceptable.1 Additionally, case studies have demonstrated the success of combined approaches using laparoscopic techniques.2,3 However, little has been published concerning the combined robotic-assisted approach of an abdominoperineal resection (APR) and en bloc prostatectomy with vesicourethral anastomosis. Robotic assistance offers several advantages for pelvic surgery, including better visualization using 3D technology and wristed instruments. Furthermore, research has shown the advantages of robotic surgery for rectal cancer resections.4,5 Our video presents a case of T4N0M0 rectal cancer, 1 cm from the dentate line, in a 63 year old male with invasion anteriorly into the prostate. After completing chemotherapy and radiation, a combined approach with a colorectal surgeon and a urologist was done using the daVinci Xi robot (Intuitive Surgical Inc, Sunnyvale, CA). The important steps of the procedure are demonstrated in the attached video. Pathology revealed a 5 cm mucinous adenocarcinoma with treatment effect and negative margins. The patient did well post-operatively with no complications. He was discharged on post-operative day 5. Robotic-assisted procedures offer the advantage of precision and visualization for pelvic operations. For locally invasive rectal cancer, robotic surgery allows the opportunity to create novel techniques for select patients in order to reduce the number of TPEs.

da Vinci Assisted Take Down of a Rectovaginal Fistula Through a Posterior Vaginectomy

A rectovaginal fistula (RVF) is an epithelial lined tract between the rectum and vagina. This can result in recurrent urinary tract or vaginal infections, but also creates a significant psychosocial burden for the patient. Unfortunately, due to the individual complexities of these patients, they are difficult to manage despite the numerous surgical options presently described.1 Generally RVFs are classified as low, middle or high, due to the location of the rectal and vaginal opening. Due to this, both low and middle RVFs may be approached via anal, perineal or vaginal routes. Where as high RVFs, which have their vaginal opening near the cervix, generally require an abdominal approach for repair.2 Traditionally for high RVFs patients underwent open surgery; however, minimally invasive surgery has recently been widely accepted as the preferred approach. Although surgeons are becoming more facile with these approaches, both pelvic surgery and a reoperative abdomen still impose significant technical difficulties.3,4 Here, we present the video of a female with a complex surgical history including a hysterectomy, bilateral salpingo-oopherectomy, creation and reversal of a Hartmann’s colostomy as well as a loop ileostomy due to a locally advanced recto-sigmoid cancer, who subsequently developed a rectovaginal fistula and was managed minimally invasively with a multidisciplinary novel approach through a posterior vaginectomy; an approach that utilized the enhanced magnification of the Robot, which improved visualization and allowed access into an uninflamed, virgin plane, resulting in minimal loss of vaginal length. Contributors: Milind D. Kachare, M.D. Osvaldo Zumba, M.D. Lorna Rodriguez-Rodriguez, M.D., Ph.D. Nell Maloney-Patel, M.D. Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, Hackensack University Medical Center, City of Hope National Medical Center

Laparoscopic Transanal Total Mesorectal Excision: Rectal Cancer

Contributors: Justin A. Maykel MD The following video demonstrates a laparoscopic transanal total mesorectal excision (taTME) for the treatment of a locally advanced mid-rectal tumor. Eight weeks following neoadjuvant chemotherapy and radiation she was brought to the operating room for radical resection. DOI#: https://doi.org/10.17797/wvn5h86w7l Referred by Jeffrey B. Matthews

Laparoscopic Heller Myotomy and Anterior Partial Fundoplication

Contributors: Marco G. Patti Laparoscopic Heller Myotomy and Anterior Partial Fundoplication DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.17797/m5v0f8xzp3

Laparoscopic Heller Myotomy and Dor Fundoplication for Achalasia

Contributors: Marco P. Fisichella Laparoscopic Heller myotomy and Dor fundoplication for a patient with type 2 achalasia. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.17797/seyyttx9lk

Robotic Assisted Small Bowel Resection for Meckel's Diverticulum

We present a case of a 21-year-old male with a one-day history of right lower quadrant pain and CT scan findings suspicious for a perforated Meckel’s Diverticulum who underwent a robotic assisted small bowel resection with an intracorporeal anastomosis. Contributors: Milind D. Kachare, M.D. Nisha Dhir, M.D., FACS University Medical Center of Princeton at Plainsboro, Rutgers - Robert Wood Johnson Medical School

Modified Martius Flap for Rectovaginal Fistula

Contributors: Dr. Jimmy Lin, Dr. Juana Hutchinson-Colas, Dr. Nell Maloney-Patel

Rectovaginal fistulas can occur for a number of reasons, including obstetric trauma, iatrogenic, radiation damage and Crohn’s disease. Symptoms range from asymptomatic to uncontrollable passage of gas or feces from the vagina leading to poor quality of life for some patients. For those patients whom surgery is indicated, there are several different approaches depending on the fistula etiology and previous attempts at repair. These range from simple fistulectomy to transabdominal repair with tissue interposition to Martius flap interposition. Our patient in the video had previously underwent multiple various repairs which failed to provide adequate resolution of her fistula and therefore presented for a Modified Martius flap repair. The benefit of such a repair is to provide neovascularity at the site of repair with minimal cosmetic effect.

Difficult Dissection during a Low Anterior Resection

It is well-accepted that recurrent or complicated diverticulitis is an indication for surgical resection. Minimally invasive techniques, like the daVinci robot, have been developed to enable better visualization of the pelvis with articulating instruments. However, many times, the minimally invasive approach is deferred for cases of severe disease and adhesions. This video demonstrates the dissection of a significantly diseased sigmoid colon during a robotic-assisted low anterior resection. As you can see, with surgeon experience and patience, even complicated cases can be done successfully using the robot. The patient is a 65-year-old male with a history of multiple episodes of diverticulitis. The most recent episode was complicated by a pericolonic abscess, which was treated non-operatively with drainage and antibiotics. He presents 2 months later for an elective resection.

Sleeve gastrectomy to roux-en-y conversion

Laparoscopic conversion of sleeve gastrectomy to roux-en-y gastric bypass

Robotic Loop Ileostomy Closure

71 yrs old male s/p robotic low anterior resection with primary coloproctostomy and diverting loop ileostomy for bulky, locally advanced rectal cancer. Robotic approach for loop ileostomy closure was planned due to obese body habitus. We utilized DaVinci Xi robotic platform. The set up consisted in 4-port placement, with ports # 2, 3 and 4 positioned starting in the left upper abdominal quadrant along MCL and port # 1 in suprapubic area. After docking and insertion of robotic instruments, the RLQ ileostomy was visualized. Appropriate orientation of efferent and afferent limbs was confirmed. Two enterotomies were created with electrocautery at the antimesenteric border of each limb, approximately 10 cm from the fascia. Head and anvil components of a robotic 60 mm stapler were then inserted in each enterotomy and the stapler fired in order to create a common channel between the lumens. After stay suture with 3-0 Vicryl was placed at the crotch of the anastomosis, common enterotomy defect was approximated with running 3-0 V-Lock suture in two layers. The matured portions of the loop ileostomy were then divided right below the fascia level with robotic 60 mm stapler after gentle dissection of the mesenteric border of each limb, while the mesentery was divided with robotic vessel sealer. The robotic system was then undocked and the ports removed. The remaining portion of the loop ileostomy was finally dissected from the abdominal wall at the mucocutaneous junction and the fascia defect approximated in the usual fashion (not included in the video).

RESECTION OF THE POSTERIOR GASTRIC WALL: ANOTHER STRATEGY AGAINST GIST WITH ENDOLUMINAL GROWTH

Gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GIST) occur most frequently at the gastric level. Surgical resection is the mainstay of treatment and can usually be performed using laparoscopic approaches (1). The resection strategy must be adjusted to each case, the selection of location, size and growth pattern of the tumor (2). We present the case of a 78-year-old female patient who, after going to the Emergency Department due to symptoms of upper gastrointestinal bleeding, showed a 5 cm heterogeneous tumor depending on the muscular layer itself in a posterior gastric wall, endoluminal growth, and without objectifying others injuries in the study of extension. A wide posterior resection of the gastric posterior wall and primary closure with a barbed suture was performed laparoscopically. The postoperative evolution was satisfactory. The histopathological study shows low-risk GIST (5 mitosis / 50 CGA) with free margins; during follow-up, no recurrence was observed. Simple laparoscopic resection of gastric GIST tumors seems to be a useful strategy in terms of oncological safety, reducing excessive resection of tumor-free tissue and increasing gastric remnant.

Totally Robotic Sigmoidectomy with Trans-anal Specimen Extraction and Intra- corporeal, Single Stapler, End-to-End Anastomosis

As technique and technology have evolved in the modern age, surgical emphasis has shifted steadily towards minimally invasive alternatives. In colon surgery, laparoscopy has been shown to improve multiple outcome metrics, including reductions in post-operative morbidity, pain, and hospital length of stay, while maintaining surgical success rates. Unfortunately, despite the minimally invasive approach, elective laparoscopic sigmoidectomy typically requires an abdominal wall extraction site, leaving a large incision in addition to the laparoscopic port sites. It also utilizes three different types of intestinal staplers, leading to an anastomosis that may have multiple intersecting staple lines, thereby potentially influencing the anastomotic integrity, as well as increasing procedural costs substantially. We present a case of a totally robotic sigmoidectomy utilizing a single stapler technique and natural orifice specimen extraction in a patient with multiple, severe, recurrent episodes of sigmoid diverticulitis over a 2-year period.

Rectovaginal Fistula Repair with a Vascularized Gracilis Muscle Interposition Flap

The surgical management of rectovaginal fistulas remains difficult, as they tend to be recurrent and vary widely in location and complexity. We present a case of a 63-year-old woman with a low-lying rectovaginal fistula who initially underwent chemoradiation and a Low Anterior Resection for a low-lying rectal cancer. Her course was uneventful until two years post-operatively, at which time her anastomotic staple line became stenotic with associated bleeding. This was initially addressed by Gastroenterology who executed a dilation and achieved hemostasis with Argon Plasma Coagulation. This remedied the stenosis, however, it was complicated by the formation of a rectovaginal fistula. Due to the low-lying location and its presence in an irradiated field, a transvaginal approach with an interposed gracilis flap was elected for repair.