The utility of the CADISS® system in laparoscopic cholecystectomy for acute cholecystitis.

Background: The CADISS® system combines the use of a topical formulation of mesna (sodium 2-Mercaptoethane sulfonate) to facilitate selective dissection of pathological and fibrotic tissues with a non-cutting instrument for a safer dissection. A prospective, multi-site, clinical trial was performed to explore the use of the CADISS® system in laparoscopic cholecystectomy for acute cholecystitis.

Methods: A total of 15 patients were enrolled at different severity stages of pathology according to Tokyo classification.

Impact of the first wave of the SARS-CoV-2/Covid-19 pandemic on digestive surgical activities: a Belgian National Survey.

Background: Belgium was one of the first European countries affected by the first wave of the Covid-19 epidemic after Italy and France and has the highest rate of Covid-19-related deaths. Very few studies have evaluated the impact of the pandemic on surgical activity on a large scale. The primary objective of this national survey was to evaluate the impact of the first wave of the Covid-19 pandemic on surgical activities (elective non-oncological and oncological) in Belgian hospitals.

BSW light, the first completely virtual surgical congress in Belgium: out of the box.

Background: Due to the SARS-COV2 pandemic-related restrictions the 2020 Belgian Surgical Week (BSW) was organized as a virtual congress, being the first surgical, virtual congress in Belgium. Since this was a new experience and probably not the last, we aim to share our experience to assist other professionals in organizing their virtual events.

Methods: The 'BSW-light' was organized by the RBSS in collaboration with a Professional Congress Organizer (PCO), which is described in detail.

Postoperative ileus after laparoscopic primary and incisional abdominal hernia repair with intraperitoneal mesh (DynaMesh®-IPOM versus Parietex™ Composite): a single institution experience.

Purpose: Laparoscopic primary or incisional abdominal hernia repair with intraperitoneal mesh placement is a well-accepted and safe technique. Evidence for complications however remains inconclusive, and little is known about the occurrence of postoperative ileus secondary to postoperative intra-abdominal adhesions with different types of IPOM meshes used. Therefore, we retrospectively compared the occurrence of postoperative ileus between two of the different meshes used in our center.

Fistulectomy and primary sphincteroplasty (FIPS) to prevent keyhole deformity in simple anal fistula: a single-center retrospective cohort study.

Objective: Fistulotomy remains the gold standard for the surgical treatment of simple anal fistula, but may cause fecal incontinence and a characteristic anal 'keyhole' deformity. Although seemingly trivial, keyhole deformity may lead to bothersome symptoms such as anal pruritus and fecal soiling. This study aims to evaluate the efficacy of fistulectomy and primary sphincteroplasty (FIPS), a technique with immediate sphincter reconstruction, in the treatment of simple anal fistula and the prevention of keyhole deformity created by simple fistulotomy.

Primary midgut volvulus without intestinal malrotation in a young adult: a case report.

Background: Midgut volvulus is a rare cause of acute abdomen characterized by a twisting of the entire small intestine around its mesenteric pedicle. It is a well-known complication of intestinal malrotation usually occurring in infants and young children. We report a rare case of a midgut volvulus without any underlying condition occurring in a young adult.

Non-occlusive mesenteric ischemia: two case reports and a short review of the literature.

Introduction: Non-occlusive mesenteric ischemia (NOMI) is an infrequent cause of acute mesenteric ischemia with atypical symptoms and a high mortality.

Patients And Methods: We report two cases of NOMI characterized by their difference in etiology, treatment and outcome.

Results: In the first case, the patient developed NOMI after septic shock, she was successfully treated with surgery.

Blowhole Colostomy for -Associated Toxic Megacolon.

We present the case of a 58-year-old man who underwent urgent blowhole colostomy for toxic megacolon (TM) secondary to infection (CDI). This infection occurred under antibiotic coverage with amoxicillin-clavulanic acid, four days after laparoscopic sigmoidectomy in our hospital. Although prospective clinical research regarding the surgical management of TM is lacking, decompressive procedures like blowhole colostomy are reported to carry a high risk of postoperative morbidity and mortality and are widely regarded as obsolete.

Herniation of an abdominal antireflux fundoplication into the chest: what does it mean?

Objectives: The specific contribution of the herniation of an abdominal antireflux fundoplication into the chest to symptomatic and therefore surgical failure remains unclear.

Methods: The study was conducted in 189 consecutive fundoplication patients, categorized as patients reoperated on for chest herniation of either an abdominal 360° (Group 1; n = 95) or a partial (Group 2; n = 10) fundoplication, and patients having undergone an intrathoracic 360° fundoplication for short oesophagus (Group 3; n = 84; reference group). There were four subgroups in Group 1: 1A: wrap still complete and perioesophageal; 1B: wrap still complete but perigastric; 1C: wrap still perioesophageal but partially disrupted and 1D: wrap perigastric and partially disrupted.

Duodenal switch operation for pathologic transpyloric duodenogastric reflux.

Objective: To assess the long-term results of the duodenal switch operation made for pathologic transpyloric duodenogastric reflux (DGR).

Summary Background Data: DGR symptoms and lesions are poorly responsive to medical treatment.

Methods: A duodenal switch operation was made on 48 patients suffering from pathologic transpyloric DGR either unrelated (n = 28) or secondary (n = 20) to previous upper gastrointestinal (GI) surgery, including cholecystectomy or vagotomy.

Progress in implantable gastric stimulation: summary of results of the European multi-center study.

Background: The Implantable Gastric Stimulator (IGS(R)), a pacemaker-like device, has been found to be safe and effective to induce and maintain weight loss. The LOSS (Laparoscopic Obesity Stimulation Survey) is a prospective non-randomized trial which enrolled 69 patients involving 11 investigator centers in 5 European Countries. In 19 patients, ghrelin was analyzed.