Background and Objectives:
A feared complication of large paraesophageal hernias is incarceration necessitating emergent repair. According to previous studies, patients who require an emergent operation are subject to increased morbidity compared with patients undergoing elective operations. In this study, we detail patients who underwent hernia repair emergently and compare their outcomes with elective patients.
Methods:
A retrospective analysis was performed of the paraesophageal hernia repair operations between 2010 and 2016. Patients were divided into 2 groups: patients with hernias that were repaired electively and patients with hernias that were repaired emergently. Perioperative complications and follow-up data regarding morbidity, mortality, and recurrence were also recorded. A propensity analysis was used to compare emergent and elective groups.
Results:
Thirty patients had hernias repaired emergently, and 199 patients underwent elective procedures. Patients undergoing emergent repair were more likely to have a type IV hernia, have a partial gastrectomy or gastrostomy tube insertion as part of their procedure, have a postoperative complication, and have a longer hospital stay. However, propensity analysis was used to demonstrate that when characteristics of the emergent and elective groups were matched, differences in these factors were no longer significant. Having an emergent operation did not increase a patient's risk for recurrence.
Conclusion:
Patients who had their hernias repaired emergently experienced complications at similar rates as those of elective patients with advanced age or comorbid conditions as demonstrated by the propensity analysis. The authors therefore recommend evaluation of all paraesophageal hernias for elective repair, especially in younger patients who are otherwise good operative candidates.
The laparoscopic vertical sleeve gastrectomy (LVSG) has become the most popular operation for the treatment of morbid obesity in the United States. Being a purely restrictive procedure, the LVSG works to reduce the caloric intake of patients as well as decrease appetite through removal of ghrelin producing cells. Initially developed as the first part of a combined two step restrictive and malabsorptive procedure, the LVSG developed as a standalone procedure when patients lost significant weight with the restrictive portion of the operation alone. Short term outcomes have been promising in terms of weight loss and resolution of comorbid conditions. Long term outcomes are still evolving, but do demonstrate durable weight loss for a significant number of patients. Concerns with the LVSG in the long term revolve around development or worsening of gastroesophageal reflux disease or weight regain. The LVSG has been demonstrated to be a useful tool in the surgical management of morbid obesity.
The surgeons involved in this project have built a busy bariatric surgery practice, while continually evolving the postoperative algorithm. Nearly every aspect of postoperative care has been deescalated while decreasing length of stay and cost to the hospital. All of this has been obtained without incurring any increase in complications, re-operations, or re-admissions. The authors of this paper hope to use this article as a launching point for a formal advanced recovery pathway for bariatric surgery at their institution and others.
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