A Single Institution Review of Initial Application of a 5-mm Stapler

Complete laparoscopic choledochal cyst excision and hepaticojejunostomy with laparoscopic Roux-Y reconstruction using a 5-mm stapler: A case of a 2-month-old infant

Laparoscopic choledochal cyst excision and hepaticojejunostomy for choledochal in children is performed only at particular institutions because of the technical difficulty. Although choledochal cyst excision and hepaticojejunostomy are feasible, the small working space of infants makes intraabdominal Roux-Y reconstruction technically challenging. A 2-month-old girl diagnosed with a choledochal cyst underwent complete laparoscopic choledochal cyst excision and hepaticojejunostomy, including intraabdominal Roux-Y reconstruction with a 5-mm stapler. After cyst excision, Roux-Y reconstruction was performed in the intraabdominal cavity. Jejunojejunostomy was performed in a side-to-side fashion using a 5-mm stapler, and the entry hole was closed laparoscopically by hand-sewing, along with the mesentery defect. All procedures were performed by laparoscopic surgery. The postoperative course was uneventful, and the patient showed a quick recovery. Using small-diameter instruments, completely laparoscopic procedures for choledochal cyst are feasible.

Use of 5-mm Staple in Neonatal Intestinal Surgery

Introduction: The use of staples to perform intestinal anastomosis in children has gained popularity in the past years. The aim of this study is to evaluate the outcomes of pediatric patients who underwent intestinal anastomosis with a 5-mm staple in a tertiary health care center. Material and Methods: From April 2017 to November 2019, the records of all pediatric patients who underwent intestinal anastomosis with a 5-mm staple were retrospectively revised. The reconstruction technique was functional end-to-end anastomosis. Results: A total of 12 intestinal anastomoses were evaluated. Mean age at surgery was 120 days. Small bowel anastomosis was the most frequently performed procedure (eight cases). Stapling difficulties were found in 3 patients. The anastomosis could not be performed with the 5-mm endostapler in one of these patients. The median follow-up was 26 months (interquartile range 20-40 months). Postoperative complications included one bowel obstruction that was surgically treated. Conclusions: Mechanical suturing with 5-mm staple is a safe alternative technique to perform intestinal anastomosis in neonates and infants. The use of this staple has proven to be safe and feasible in pediatric patients. It is necessary to select patients carefully according to their bowel characteristics.

Culture of safety and error traps in pediatric thoracoscopy

Growing adoption of thoracoscopy by pediatric surgeons has resulted in increasingly complex operations being performed. Although common complications of these procedures have decreased with experience, surgeons are still at risk to fall into error traps where routine practice in uncommon situations results in unanticipated complications. A background culture of safety that rewards multidisciplinary communication, teamwork, openness and standardization of care can assist surgeons to recognize, address and report error traps when they arise. This article serves to encourage a culture of safety and raise awareness of error traps in pediatric thoracoscopy to minimize potential harm and improve quality of care.

[Minilaparoscopy with 5 mm optics and 3 mm trocars]

Minilaparoscopy was introduced already 20 years ago. In spite of reduced diameter, technical performance of modern trocars and instruments has improved substantially. While carrying out a minilaparoscopic procedure, the required position of the trocars and the surgical strategy remain the same. The most important step towards minilaparoscopy is reduction of the diameter of the laparoscopes from 10 to 5 mm. The 5 mm laparoscopes show high resolution and transport enough energy to properly illuminate the surgical field. Minilaparoscopic procedures help to improve cosmetic results and reduce postoperative pain, but postoperative complication rates are not affected. Use of one 5 mm trocar causes higher tissue tension than two 3 mm trocars and an additionally placed 3 mm trocar will not increase the complication rate. Therefore, a reduced risk of trocar hernia formation may be expected when a minilaparoscopic approach is used. Efficiency has been proven for minilaparoscopic cholecystectomy, appendectomy, and hernioplasty (TAPP/TEP) whereas overall available evidence across the literature remains poor. Further miniaturization is linked directly to video editing: physical limitations in classic optic systems have already been reached; therefore, reduction of optical chip systems could be a possible alternative.