Faculty Bibliography

Fascial closure at 8-mm robotic port sites continues to be controversial. As the use of the robotic platform increases across multiple abdominal specialties, there are more case reports describing reoperation and small bowel resection for acute port-site hernias. A retrospective review of all robotic abdominal surgeries performed from 2012 to 2019 at NYU Langone Medical Center was conducted. Patients who had a reoperation in our facility within 30 days were identified, and medical records reviewed for indications for reoperation and findings. The study included 11,566 patients, of which 82 patients (0.71%) underwent a reoperation related to the index robotic surgery within 30 days. Fifteen of 11,566 patients (0.13%) had acute port-site hernias, and 3 of these 15 patients required small bowel resection. Eleven of 15 acute port-site hernias (73%) were at 8-mm robotic port site, 2 of which required a small bowel resection. More than a third of the patients had a hernia at an 8-mm port site where a surgical drain had been placed. Considering that each robotic case, regardless of specialty, has three ports at a minimum, the true incidence of acute postoperative robotic port-site hernia is 0.032% (11/34,698), with the incidence of concomitant small bowel resection being 0.006% (2/34,698). The incidence of acute port-site hernias from 8-mm robotic ports is exceedingly low across specialties. Our results do not support routine fascial closure at 8-mm robotic port sites due to an extremely low incidence. However, drain sites require special consideration.

INTRODUCTION/BACKGROUND:After extensive mediastinal dissection fails to achieve adequate intra-abdominal esophageal length, a Collis gastroplasty(CG) is recommended to decrease axial tension and reduce hiatal hernia recurrence. However, concerns exist about staple line leak, and long-term symptoms of heartburn and dysphagia due to the acid-producing neoesophagus which lacks peristaltic activity. This study aimed to assess long-term satisfaction and GERD-related quality of life after robotic fundoplication with CG (wedge fundectomy technique) and to compare outcomes to patients who underwent fundoplication without CG. Outcomes studied included patient satisfaction, resumption of proton pump inhibitors (PPI), length of surgery (LOS), hospital stay, and reintervention. METHODS:This was a single-center retrospective analysis of patients from January 2017 through December 2018 undergoing elective robotic hiatal hernia repair and fundoplication. 61 patients were contacted for follow-up, of which 20 responded. Of those 20 patients, 7 had a CG performed during surgery while 13 did not. There was no significant difference in size and type of hiatal hernias in the 2 groups. These patients agreed to give their feedback via a GERD health-related quality of life (GERD HRQL) questionnaire. Their medical records were reviewed for LOS, length of hospital stay (LOH), and reintervention needed. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS v 25. Satisfaction and need for PPIs were compared between the treatment and control groups using the chi-square test of independence. RESULTS:> .05) with a median length of stay of 2 days observed in both groups. There were no leaks in the Collis group and no reoperations, conversions, or blood transfusions needed in either group. CONCLUSION/CONCLUSIONS:Collis gastroplasty is a safe option to utilize for short esophagus noted despite extensive mediastinal mobilization and does not adversely affect the LOH stay, need for reoperation, or patient long-term satisfaction.

Robotic-assisted surgery for benign esophageal disease is described for treatment of achalasia, gastroesophageal reflux, paraesophageal hernias, epiphrenic diverticula, and benign esophageal masses. Robotic Heller myotomy has operative times, relief of dysphagia, and conversion rates comparable to laparoscopic approach, with lower incidence of intraoperative esophageal perforation. The use of robotic platform for primary antireflux surgery is under evaluation, due to prolonged operative time and increased operative costs, with no differences in postoperative outcomes or hospital stay. Studies have shown benefits of robotic surgery in complex reoperative foregut surgery with respect to decreased conversion rates, lower readmission rates, and improved functional outcomes.

Gastrointestinal stromal tumors are uncommon when compared to all gastrointestinal neoplasms but are the most common mesenchymal tumors of the gastrointestinal tract. The largest gastrointestinal stromal tumor ever recorded in literature weighed approximately 6.1 kg and measured 39 cm × 27 cm × 14 cm. About two-thirds of GISTs are malignant. The tumor size, mitotic rate, cellularity, and nuclear pleomorphism are the most important parameters when considering prognosis and recurrence. The definitive treatment for these tumors is resection. In the year 2000, the first patient was treated with the tyrosine kinase inhibitor imatinib and since then, gastrointestinal stromal tumors with high-risk features have been treated successfully with tyrosine kinase inhibitors. We present the largest gastrointestinal stromal tumor recorded in medical literature measuring 42.0 cm × 31.0 cm × 23.0 cm in maximum dimensions and weighing in at approximately 18.5 kg in a 65-year-old African-American male who presented with increased abdominal distention. The mass was successfully excised, and the patient was treated with imatinib without local or distant recurrence 1.5 years postoperatively.

BACKGROUND: Symptoms secondary to dumping have been suggested to help patients refrain from simple carbohydrate ingestion after Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB). During follow-up examinations, we noted many patients with weight regain complaining of fatigue shortly after eating. Thus, we decided to study the glucose tolerance test (GTT) results in a cohort of post-RYGB patients. METHODS: A total of 63 RYGB patients, >6 months postoperatively, were studied with a GTT and measurement of insulin levels. The mean age was 48.5 +/- 10.8 years, mean preoperative body mass index was 49.0 +/- 6.5 kg/m(2), mean percentage of excess body mass index lost was 64.5% +/- 29.0%, mean weight regain at follow-up was 11.6 +/- 12.4 lb, and mean follow-up period was 47.9 months. RESULTS: Of the 63 patients, 49 had abnormal GTT results. Of the 63 patients, 6 were diabetic; however, only 1 of these patients had an elevated fasting glucose level. All 6 patients were diabetic preoperatively. Of the 63 patients, 43 had evidence of reactive hypoglycemia at 1-2 hours after the glucose load. Of these patients, 22 had a maximum/minimum glucose ratio >3:1, including 7 with a ratio >4:1. CONCLUSION: The results of the present study have demonstrated that an abnormal GTT result is a common finding after RYGB. Reactive hypoglycemia was found in 43 of 63 patients, with insulin values that do not support nesidioblastosis. It is our hypothesis, that rather than preventing simple carbohydrate ingestion, the induced hypoglycemia that occurs might contribute to weight regain and maladaptive eating in certain post-RYGB patients.

BACKGROUND: Our group has reported a high incidence of reactive hypoglycemia following Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) with specific interest in postprandial insulin and the ratio of 1- to 2-h serum glucose levels. The purpose of this study is to compare the 6-month response to oral glucose challenge in patients undergoing RYGB, duodenal switch (DS), and vertical sleeve gastrectomy (VSG). METHODS: Thirty-eight patients meeting the NIH criteria for bariatric surgery who have reached the 6-month postoperative mark are the basis of this report. Preoperatively and at 6 months follow-up, patients underwent blood draw to determine levels of fasting glucose, fasting insulin, HbA1c, C peptide, and 2 h oral liquid glucose challenge test (OGTT). HOMA-IR and 1 to 2 h ratios of glucose and fasting to 1 h ratio of insulin were calculated. RESULTS: All patients underwent a successful laparoscopic bariatric procedure (VSG =13, DS =13, and RYGB = 12). All operations reduced BMI, HgbA1c, fasting glucose, and fasting insulin. HOMA IR and glucose tolerance improved with all procedures. In response to OGTT at 6 months, there was a 20-fold increase in insulin at 1 h in RYGB, which was not seen in DS. At 6 months, 1-h insulin was markedly lower in DS (p < .05), yet HbA1C was also lower in DS (p < .05). This resulted in 1- to 2-h glucose ratio of 1.9 for RYGB, 1.8 for VSG, and 1.3 for DS (p < .05). CONCLUSIONS: All operations improve insulin sensitivity and decrease HgbA1c. Six-month weight loss was substantial in all groups between 22-29% excess body weight. RYGB results in marked rise in glucose following challenge with corresponding rise in 1-h insulin. VSG has a similar response to RYGB. In comparison, at 6 months following surgery, DS causes a much lower rise in 1-h insulin, with this difference being statistically significant at p < .05. As a result, DS results in a less abrupt reduction in blood glucose. Although 1-h insulin is lower, DS patients had the lowest HbA1C at 6 months (p < .05). We believe that these findings have important implications for the choice of bariatric procedure for both diabetic and non-diabetic patients.

BACKGROUND: Symptoms of reactive hypoglycemia have been reported by patients after Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) surgery who experience maladaptive eating behavior and weight regain. A 4-h glucose tolerance test (GTT) was used to assess the incidence and extent of hypoglycemia. METHODS: Thirty-six patients who were at least 6 months postoperative from RYGB were administered a 4-h GTT with measurement of insulin levels. Mean age was 49.4+/-11.4 years, mean preoperative body mass index (BMI) was 48.8+/-6.6 kg/m2, percent excess BMI lost (%EBL) was 62.6 +/- 21.6%, mean weight change from nadir weight was 8.2+/-8.6 kg, and mean follow-up time was 40.5+/-26.7 months. Twelve patients had diabetes preoperatively. RESULTS: Thirty-two of 36 patients (89%) had abnormal GTT. Six patients (17%) were identified as diabetic based on GTT. All six of these patients were diabetic preoperatively. Twenty-six patients (72%) had evidence of reactive hypoglycemia at 2 h post glucose load. Within this cohort of 26 patients, 14 had maximum to minimum glucose ratio (MMGR)>3:1, 5 with a ratio>4:1. Eleven patients had weight regain greater than 10% of initial weight loss (range 4.9-25.6 kg). Ten of these 11 patients (91%) with weight recidivism showed reactive hypoglycemia. CONCLUSIONS: Abnormal GTT is a common finding post RYGB. Persistence of diabetes was noted in 50% of patients with diabetes preoperatively. Amongst the nondiabetic patients, reactive hypoglycemia was found to be more common and pronounced than expected. Absence of abnormally high insulin levels does not support nesidioblastosis as an etiology of this hypoglycemia. More than 50% of patients with reactive hypoglycemia had significantly exaggerated MMGR. We believe this may be due to the nonphysiologic transit of food to the small intestine due to lack of a pyloric valve after RYGB. This reactive hypoglycemia may contribute to maladaptive eating behaviors leading to weight regain long term. Our data suggest that GTT is an important part of post-RYGB follow-up and should be incorporated into the routine postoperative screening protocol. Further studies on the impact of pylorus preservation are necessary.