Technical Considerations and Approach to Redo Foregut Surgery

Summary

Redo foregut surgery is associated with increased patient morbidity and presents a technical challenge for the surgeon. We describe our approach and considerations when performing a redo hiatal hernia repair to provide a guide for other surgeons and improve patient outcomes.

Abstract

Foregut surgical techniques have advanced significantly over the years and have become increasingly popular. However, new challenges and technical considerations have arisen when dealing with reoperation for complications or surgical failure. This study focuses on the technical considerations and approach when dealing with reoperative foregut surgery, particularly redo hiatal hernia repair. We describe our approach starting from the preoperative workup to the procedural steps of the surgery. The present study describes the main steps for robotic reoperative hiatal hernia repair in a patient who had previously undergone laparoscopic hiatal hernia repair with Nissen fundoplication but did not present a recurrence of reflux and dysphagia symptoms. The patient is positioned supine with arms out and a footboard for steep Trendelenburg. We place six trocars, including an assistant port and a liver retractor port, to facilitate visualization and retraction. After docking the robot, we use a combination of electrocautery and sharp dissection to free the hernia sac and reduce the hiatal hernia. The previous fundoplication is then taken down carefully and the esophagus is mobilized through a transhiatal approach with a combination of blunt and sharp dissection until at least 3 cm of intra-abdominal esophageal length is achieved, after which a leak test is performed. We then perform a crural repair to reapproximate the hiatus with two posterior stitches and one anterior stitch. Lastly, a redo Nissen fundoplication is performed over a bougie, and endoscopy is used to confirm a loose stack-of-coin appearance. By emphasizing the crucial steps of redo hiatal hernia repair, including preoperative evaluation, our goal is to provide an approach for the foregut surgeon to maximize patient outcomes.

Introduction

Over the past century, improvements in the understanding and diagnosis of foregut disorders have led to the evolution of better procedures and surgical approaches. This innovation brings new challenges related to complications and reoperation for the foregut surgeon. Surgical reinterventions are particularly challenging from a technical perspective due to multiple factors, including dense adhesions, scarring, obliteration of tissue planes, and altered anatomy^1,2,3,4,5. These redo foregut surgeries have....

Protocol

The protocol and methods described here were approved and followed the ethical guidelines of the Institutional Review Board (IRB) of the University of Minnesota. Described here is a reoperative hiatal hernia repair and takedown of a previous Nissen fundoplication in a 73-year-old woman. The patient presented to the clinic with a history of laparoscopic hiatal hernia repair and a fundoplication 5 years ago at an outside hospital for epigastric pain and fullness after meals. She also complained of significant reflux and dy.......

Discussion

Reoperative foregut surgery is technically challenging but can be performed safely with a well-planned and thoughtful surgical approach. A thorough preoperative evaluation is essential to determine the etiology of symptoms and to guide diagnostic adjuncts. It is of utmost importance to determine the correct diagnosis prior to reintervention in order to determine the proper surgery and approach. For example, in patients undergoing redo anti-reflux surgery (ARS) after Nissan fundoplication, one should understand .......

Materials

Name	Company	Catalog Number	Comments
Bravo calibration-free reflux testing system	Medtronic	FGS-0635	Wireless esophageal pH testing system
Cadiere forceps	IS	470049	Used as a grasper
da Vinci Surgeon Console	IS	SS999	Used to control surgical robot
da Vinci Vision Cart	IS	VS999	Houses advanced vision and energy technologies to provide communication across the platform components
da Vinci Xi	IS	K131861	The surgical robot
da Vinci Xi Endoscope with Camera, 8 mm, 30°	IS	470027	The camera for the da Vinci robot
Lapro-Flex Articulating Retractors	Mediflex	91682	Used as liver retractor
Large needle driver	IS	470006	Used as a needle driver
Maloney Tapered Esophageal Bougie, 56 Fr	Pilling	507956	Esophageal bougie for hiatal repair
Maloney Tapered Esophageal Bougie, 58 Fr	Pilling	507958	Esophageal bougie for wrap creation
Mega SutureCut needle driver	IS	470309	Used as a needle driver
Monolithic FlexArm Plus	Mediflex	99045-QC	Used to hold liver retractor to OR bed
Round tip scissors	IS	470007	Used for cutting
Shiley Hi-Lo oral/nasal endotracheal tube cuffed, 8.0 mm	Covidien	86113	Endotracheal tube for intubation
SynchroSeal	IS	480440	Used for dissecting, vessel sealing, and dividing
Tip-Up fenestrated grasper	IS	470347	Used as a grasper