With advances in endoscopic technologies, endoscopic clips have been used widely and successfully in the treatment of various types of oesophageal perforations, anastomosis leakages and fistulas. Our aim was to summarize the experience with two types of clips: The through-the-scope (TTS) clip and the over-the-scope clip (OTSC). We summarized the results of oesophageal perforation closure with endoscopic clips. We processed the data from 38 articles and 127 patients using PubMed search. Based on evidence thus far, it can be stated that both clips can be used in the treatment of early (< 24 h), iatrogenic, spontaneous oesophageal perforations in the case of limited injury or contamination. TTS clips are efficacious in the treatment of 10 mm lesions, while bigger (< 20 mm) lesions can be treated successfully with OTSC clips, whose effectiveness is similar to that of surgical treatment. However, the clinical success rate is significantly lower in the case of fistulas and in the treatment of anastomosis insufficiency. Tough prospective randomized multicentre trials, which produce the largest amount of evidence, are still missing. Based on experience so far, endoscopic clips represent a possible therapeutic alternative to surgery in the treatment of oesophageal perforations under well-defined conditions.

Background: The superiority of laparoscopic transperitoneal (TP) versus retroperitoneal (RP) adrenalectomy is an ongoing debate. Methods: Data from 163 patients (TP: n = 135; RP: n = 28) undergoing minimally invasive adrenalectomy were analyzed. Both operative [intraoperative blood loss, previous abdominal surgery, conversion rate, operative time and tumor size] and perioperative [BMI (body mass index), ASA (American Society of Anesthesiologists) score, time of hospitalization, time of oral intake, histology and postoperative complications] parameters were compared. Both the learning curve (LC) and tumor size were analyzed. Results: We found significant differences in the mean operative time (p = 0.019) and rate of previous abdominal surgery (p = 0.038) in favor of TP. Significantly larger tumors were removed with TP (p = 0.018). Conversion rates showed no significant difference (p = 0.257). Also, no significant differences were noted for time of hospitalization, intraoperative blood loss and postoperative complications. In terms of the LC, we saw significant differences in previous abdominal surgery (p = 0.015), conversion rate (p = 0.011) and operative time (p = 0.023) in favor of TP. Large (LT) and extra-large tumors (ELT) were involved in 47 lesions (LT: 40 vs. ELT: 7), with a mean tumor size of 71.85 and 141.57 mm, respectively. Mean intraoperative blood loss was 64.47 ml vs. 71.85 ml, time of hospitalization was 5.10 vs. 4.57 days and mean operative time was 76.52 vs. 79.28 min for LT and ELT, respectively. Conclusion: A shorter operative time and lower conversion rate in favor of TP were noted during the learning curve. TP proved to be more effective in the removal of large-, extra-large and malignant lesions. The RP approach was feasible for smaller, benign lesions, with a more prolonged learning curve.

Background: Percutaneous transhepatic gallbladder drainage (PTGBD) plays an important role in the treatment of elderly patients and/or patients in poor health with acute cholecystitis (AC). The primary aim of this study is to determine how these factors influence the clinical outcome of PTGBD. Moreover, we assessed the timing and results of subsequent cholecystectomies. Patients and Methods: We retrospectively examined the results of 162 patients undergoing PTGBD between 2010 and 2020 (male–female ratio: 51.23% vs. 48.77%; mean age: 71.43 ± 13.22 years). Patient’s performance status and intervention outcomes were assessed with clinical success rates (CSR) and in-hospital mortality. The conversion rate (CR) of possible urgent or delayed, elective laparoscopic cholecystectomies (LC) after PTGBD were analysed. Results: PTGBD was the definitive treatment in 42.18% of patients, while it was a bridging therapy prior to cholecystectomy (CCY) for the other patients. CSR was 87.97%, it was only 64.29% in grade III AC. In 9.87% of the cases, urgent LC was necessary after PTGBD, and its conversion rate was approximately equal to that of elective LC (18.18 vs. 17.46%, respectively, p = 0.2217). Overall, the post-PTGBD in-hospital mortality was 11.72%, while the same figure was 0% for grade I AC, 7.41% for grade II and 40.91% for grade III. Based on logistic regression analyses, in-hospital mortality (OR 6.07; CI 1.79–20.56), clinical progression (OR 7.62; CI 2.64–22.05) and the need for emergency CCY (OR 14.75; CI 3.07–70.81) were mostly determined by AC severity grade. Conclusion: PTGBD is an easy-to-perform intervention with promising clinical success rates in the treatment of acute cholecystitis. After PTGBD, the level of gallbladder inflammation played a decisive role in the course of AC. In a severe, grade III inflammation, we have to consider low CSR and high mortality.

With the spread of the minimally invasive technique, laparoscopic appendectomy (LA) is performed with increasing frequency with excellent results. The method provides surgical residents with an excellent opportunity to learn basic laparoscopic skills and prepares them for more complex interventions. We evaluated the results of 600 laparoscopic appendectomies performed by 5 surgical residents (Group A) and 5 consultant surgeons (Group B) between 2006 and 2009. Comparing the two groups based on patient demographics, duration of surgery, operation time depending on the severity of inflammation, intraoperative blood loss, conversion rate, hospital stay in days, and postoperative complications. We also assessed the extent to which the minimum of 20 surgeries to be performed in the learning curve period as recommended by the EAES corresponds to our experience. SPPS 20 was used for the statistical analysis. Six hundred laparoscopic appendectomies were performed in the study period (Group A: n = 319; Group B: n = 281). A significant difference was found between the two groups in duration of surgery during the learning curve period and when comparing the duration of LA surgeries in the learning curve period with the duration of later surgeries in both groups. The operation time in case of more severe inflammation also showed a significant difference when comparing with simple appendicitis operation time. The rapid introduction of laparoscopy involves few risks, the surgery is also performed with sufficient safety by surgical residents, and it provides them with an excellent opportunity to learn the basic laparoscopy skills.

Backgrounds: The number of appendectomies and cholecystectomies performed is gradually increasing worldwide. An increasing incidence of colorectal cancer (CRC) after appendectomy and cholecystectomy has been reported, but the location of tumors in certain segments of the colon and rectum after appendectomy and cholecystectomy is still uncertain. We aimed to evaluate the distribution of the locations of colorectal cancer after appendectomy and/or cholecystectomy in patients who underwent CRC surgery. Methods: We reviewed the medical records of patients who had undergone CRC surgery between 2015 and 2017 for the presence of previous appendectomy/cholecystectomy. Data were collected from the Colorectal Data Base of the University of Szeged, Department of Surgery. Results: Surgery for CRC was performed in 640 patients during the study period. Data of 604 patients were analyzed. Appendectomy was performed in 100 patients (16.6%), cholecystectomy in 65 (10.8%), and both interventions in 18 (3%) before the CRC surgery. Out of those patients who underwent appendectomy alone, 92 (92%) had undergone appendectomy more than 10 years before the CRC surgery. Also in these 100 patients, the prevalence of right-sided colon cancer (CC) was 35% (n = 35), in comparison with the prevalence among the 504 other patients (20.4%, n = 103). The prevalence of right-sided CC among patients who underwent cholecystectomy alone was 36.9% (n = 24), in comparison with 21.2% (n = 114) of the 539 other patients. Conclusions: A significant left to right side shift in CRC was noted among patients who had previously undergone appendectomy/cholecystectomy. Because right-sided CC has a worse prognosis, the role of incidental appendectomy and routine cholecystectomy seems that need re-evaluation.

Objective. The aim of our study was to conduct a retrospective investigation of the efficacy of laparoscopic Nissen fundoplication in patients with Barrett's esophagus. Material and methods. A total of 78 patients with Barrett's esophagus underwent surgery. Patients were divided into three groups on the basis of the preoperative endoscopic biopsies: a non-intestinal group (n = 63) with fundic or cardiac metaplasia, an intestinal group (n = 18) with intestinal metaplasia, and a dysplastic group (n = 7) with low-grade dysplasia. Clinical follow-up was available in the case of 64 patients at a mean of 42 ± 16.9 months after surgery. Results. Check-up examination revealed total regression of Barrett's metaplasia in 10 patients. Partial regression was seen in 9 cases, no further progression in 34 patients, and progression into cardiac or intestinal metaplasia in 11 patients. No cases of dysplastic or malignant transformation were registered. Where we observed the regression of BE, among the postoperative functional examinations results of manometry (pressure of lower esophageal sphincter) and pH-metry were significantly better compared with those groups where no changes occurred in BE, or progression of BE was found. Discussion. Our results highlight the importance of the cases of fundic and cardiac metaplasia, which can also transform into intestinal metaplasia. Conclusions. Antireflux surgery can appropriately control the reflux disease in a majority of the patients who had unsuccessful medical treatment, and it may inhibit the progression and induce the regression of Barrett's metaplasia in a significant proportion of these patients.