Ramon Vilallonga

Follow-up of obese patient is difficult. There is no literature related to patient follow-up that incorporates the concept of Internet of Things (IoT), use of WiFi, Internet, or portable devices for this purpose. This prospective observational study commenced in June 2011. Patients were prospectively offered to participate in the IoT study group, in which they received a WiFi scale (Withing®, Paris) that provides instant WiFi data to the patient and surgeon. Other patients were admitted to the standard follow-up group at the outpatient clinic. A total of 33 patients were included in our study (ten in the IoT group). Twelve patients did not have WiFi at home, ten lacked of computer knowledge, and seven preferred standard for follow-up. All patients underwent different surgical procedures. There were no complications. Excess weight loss (EWL) was similar in both groups. More than 90% of patients were satisfied. In the IoT group, patients considered it valuable in saving time, and cons...

Seventy-nine patients with cyclosporine- and prednisone-dependent myasthenia gravis (MG) after thymectomy received tacrolimus for a mean of 2.5 +/- 0.8 years. Prednisone was withdrawn in all but two patients. Anti-acetylcholine antibodies and MG score for disease severity decreased significantly and muscular strength increased by 39%. Complete stable remission was achieved in 5% of patients and pharmacologic remission in 87.3%. All patients resumed full activities of daily living.

Recently, the combination of a laparoscopic and endoscopic approach for surgical treatment has increased interest in minimally invasive surgery. Minimally invasive surgery has many advantages over traditional open procedures, and the management of foreign body ingestion is an interesting field in which the combination approach can be used. Herein, we describe the combined approach (laparoscopic and endoscopic) for removal of foreign bodies with the presence of esophageal perforation.

Malignant teratoma of the thyroid is a rare and aggressive tumor, frequent in children than in adults. Histologically, thyroid teratomas usually show a predominance of a neuroectodermal component. Mature cartilage and bone may be present. We present the case of primary malignant teratoma of the thyroid in a 64-year-old man. Histologically, the tumor displayed a predominant neuroectodermal component. The diagnosis was confirmed by immunohistochemistry. The patient underwent a radical thyroidectomy with central neck dissection as primary treatment and radioiodine treatment afterwards. The patient had local and distant recurrence. A second surgery was performed with poor results and the patient died 3 months afterwards.

Follow-up of obese patient is difficult. There is no literature related to patient follow-up that incorporates the concept of Internet of Things (IoT), use of WiFi, Internet, or portable devices for this purpose. This prospective observational study commenced in June 2011. Patients were prospectively offered to participate in the IoT study group, in which they received a WiFi scale (Withing®, Paris) that provides instant WiFi data to the patient and surgeon. Other patients were admitted to the standard follow-up group at the outpatient clinic. A total of 33 patients were included in our study (ten in the IoT group). Twelve patients did not have WiFi at home, ten lacked of computer knowledge, and seven preferred standard for follow-up. All patients underwent different surgical procedures. There were no complications. Excess weight loss (EWL) was similar in both groups. More than 90% of patients were satisfied. In the IoT group, patients considered it valuable in saving time, and considered seeing their evolution graphics extremely motivating. IoT technology can monitor medical parameters remotely and collect data. A WiFi scale can facilitate preoperative and follow-up. Standard follow-up in a classical outpatient clinic setting with the surgeon was preferred globally.

Obesity is the major risk factor in cholesterol crystal and gallstone formation. After an Roux-en-Y gastric bypass, biliary duct dilatation can appear and gallstone formation can cause biliary duct obstruction or gallstone pancreatitis. Management of this clinical situation can be challenging and many approaches have been reported. Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography plays an important role in the management of biliary duct obstruction in these patients. However, a previous modified anatomy makes this procedure technically difficult. For these reason, we describe our single-institution experience in the management of biliary duct obstruction utilizing a hybrid approach combining laparoscopy and flexible endoscopy.

The interviews and interactions with patients are part of everyday health care provider. However, there is sometimes a difficulty in communication, linked to several factors. For this reason, the use of images to illustrate the medical conditions in the outpatient clinic can improve patient communication. We report our initial experience with the use of images to manage the quality of care to surigcal patients. He used a computer to show pictures of the following conditions: surgery for an inguinal hernia, cholelithiasis, cholecystitis and the choledocholithiasis and finally thyroid pathology. Were randomized two groups of patients. Each of the affected patients in any stage of the disease, they explained their problems. In one of the groups also showed the patient was using the current image and continued to give appropriate explanations related to pathology. Thereafter, patients in both groups filled in an anonymous questionnaire in which they responded to what degree it was considered useful this methodology, and degree of satisfaction received outpatient treatment with or without the deployment of images by computer. We have analyzed the average time expected and made a visit. 187 patients will be visited in the consultations over a period of 8 months. In 83 patients have been using images to give the explanations in external consultations. Of these, 24 patients suffering from thyroid, 24 hernias or incisional hernias and 35 patients with biliary tract pathology. Patients in the group were shown images of conditions have responded mostly be very satisfied with the use of images while the explanations are given on the patient's illness. Also, over 80% of patients report being satisfied with this system. The visiting time was not lengthened. Despite the existence of different variables that can influence patient satisfaction, use of images to illustrate surgical diseases to patients improves communication and flow of the explanations of the physician. The relationship doctor-patient communication is the key event in an outpatient setting. It determines a good overall result of the clinical interview. The use of images in an outpatient improves communication between patients and doctors. Moreover, the degree of satisfaction is high and the degree of understanding of the disease. It seems useful to incorporate in our outpatient clinic.

The da Vinci Surgical System has shown its possible indications in obesity surgery. This clinical study aims to elucidate the benefits, potentials, or problems of applying robotic technology for sleeve gastrectomy (SG). Data from 200 patients who underwent SG either performed by laparoscopy or robotic approach were assessed. A review of the data was analyzed with 1-year follow-up. There were 143 female patients. Mean age was 43.6 years. Mean BMI was 48.4 kg/m2. Operative time was longer for the robotic SG group (p < 0.005). The overall leak rate was 3.5%. Robotic SG is feasible and may be an initial procedure to undergo more complex procedures. Cost issues and operative times will need to be more clearly estimated in the future.

Seventy-nine patients with cyclosporine- and prednisone-dependent myasthenia gravis (MG) after thymectomy received tacrolimus for a mean of 2.5 +/- 0.8 years. Prednisone was withdrawn in all but two patients. Anti-acetylcholine antibodies and MG score for disease severity decreased significantly and muscular strength increased by 39%. Complete stable remission was achieved in 5% of patients and pharmacologic remission in 87.3%. All patients resumed full activities of daily living.

Background. Drain inclusion inside the gastric pouch is rare and can represent an important source of morbidity and mortality associated with laparocopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (LRYGBP). These leaks can become chronic and challenging. Surgical options are often unsuccessful. We present the endoscopic management of four patients with drain inclusion. Patients. All four obese morbidly patients underwent LRYGBP and presented a gastro-jejunal fistula after acute anastomotic leakage. During follow-up endoscopy the drain was found inside the gastric pouch. It was moved into the abdominal cavity. Fistula debit reduced significantly and closed. Results. Gastric leak closure in less than 24 hours was achieved in all, with complete resolution of symptoms. These patients benefited exclusively from endoscopic treatment. Conclusions. Endoscopy is useful and technically feasible in chronic fistulas. This procedure is a less invasive alternative to traditional surgical revision. Other therapeuti...

Morbidly obese patients (MOPs) are predisposed to developing abdominal wall hernias with the potential complication of small bowel obstruction and other morbidity. We report our experience in treating morbidly obese patients. Hernia prophylaxis has been attempted as a means of decreasing the incisional hernia risk associated with weight loss surgery. The controversy regarding the optimal time and method of repair of abdominal wall hernias in patients undergoing open or laparoscopic gastric bypass is discussed with emphasis placed on either a simultaneous repair or splits of the omentum, and of leaving a plug in the hernia defect, to allow time to perform a delayed repair.

Thyroid gland involvement as the unique presentation of Langerhans cell histiocytosis is a rare phenomenon that can result in misdiagnosis. We report a case of Langerhans cell histiocytosis (LCH) presenting as a thyroid mass. It is a 52-year-old woman who presented an enlarged, diffusely firm, nontender, nonmobile, and not particularly nodular thyroid gland with mild compressive symptoms. Ultrasound and fine-needle aspiration showed a unique right node with benign signs. Patient was referred to our Ambulatory Surgery Department, where a hemithyroidectomy was performed. Histologic evaluation of the right thyroid gland revealed an involvement by LCH, confirmed by immunohistochemical analysis showing Langerhans cells that were positive for CD1a. LCH was a completely incidental occult finding apparent only after surgical resection and examination of the gland. Patient was evaluated, and no evidence of systemic affectation was found. LCH can rarely involve the thyroid gland in adults. Fe...

Introduction. Laparoscopic appendectomy (LA) has been performed in many approaches such as open, laparoscopic and recently Single Port Access (SPAA). In order to elucidate its potential advantages, we compared the two laparoscopic approaches. Methods. 87 patients were included in a multicentric study for suspected appendicitis in order to perform (SPAA) appendectomy or laparoscopic appendectomy (LA). All outcomes, including blood loss, operative time, complications, and length of stay and pain were recorded prospectively. Results. There were 46 patients in the SPAA group and 41 in the LAG with a mean operative time of 40,4 minutes in the SPAA group and 35,0 minutes in the LA group. Only one patient was converted to an open approach. We described only 2 complications. Pain was graded 2,8 in the SPAA group and 2,9 in the LA group, according to the AVS after 24 hours. Patients in the SPAA Group were more satisfied (7,5 versus 6,9) (P < 0.05). Same results were found for the cosmetic...

A novel single port access (SPA) cholecystectomy approach is described in this study. We have designed a randomised comparative study in order to elucidate any possible differences between the standard treatment and this novel technique. Between July 2009 and March 2010, 140 adult patients with gallbladder pathologies were enrolled in this multicentre study. Two surgeons (RV and UB) randomised patients to either a standard laparoscopic (SL) approach group or to an SPA cholecystectomy group. Two types of trocars were used for this study: the TriPort™ and the SILS™ Port. Outcomes including blood loss, operative time, complications, length of stay and pain were recorded. There were 69 patients in the SPA group and 71 patients in the SL group. The mean age of the patients was 43.2 (17-77) for the SPA group and 42.6 (19-70) for the SL group. The mean operative time was 63.9 min in the SPA group and 58.4 min in the SL group. For one patient, the SPA procedure was converted to a standard l...

Objective. Robot-assisted sleeve gastrectomy has the potential to treat patients with obesity and its comorbidities. To evaluate the learning curve for this procedure before undergoing Roux en-Y gastric bypass is the objective of this paper. Materials and Methods. Robot-assisted sleeve gastrectomy was attempted in 32 consecutive patients. A survey was performed in order to identify performance variables during completion of the learning curve. Total operative time (OT), docking time (DT), complications, and length of hospital stay were compared among patients divided into two cohorts according to the surgical experience. Scattergrams and continuous curves were plotted to develop a robotic sleeve gastrectomy learning curve. Results. Overall OT time decreased from 89.8 minutes in cohort 1 to 70.1 minutes in cohort 2, with less than 5% change in OT after case 19. Time from incision to docking decreased from 9.5 minutes in cohort 1 to 7.6 minutes in cohort 2. The time required to dock t...

Horner's syndrome (HSd) results from an injury along the cervical sympathetic chain, producing ipsilateral miosis, ptosis, enophthalmos, and facial anhydrosis. Although more commonly associated to malignant tumors affecting the preganglionar segment of the sympathetic chain (especially in the lung apex), HSd has been described as a rare complication of thyroid surgery. We herein report a case of HSd after completing total thyroidectomy.