Search

The present study aimed to investigate whether side-to-end anastomosis could provide an improved surgical outcome, such as lower anastomotic leakage rate, compared with end-to-end anastomosis, following anterior resection for rectal and rectosigmoid cancer. This retrospective study included 162 patients with rectal cancer who underwent elective anterior resection between January 2012 and October 2019 at a single institution. Patients with double cancers or colonic J-pouch were excluded. Anastomotic leakage was defined clinically and radiologically. Side-to-end anastomosis was introduced in the International University of Health and Welfare Mita Hospital in January 2017. Side-to-end anastomosis was performed in 63 patients, while end-to-end anastomosis was performed in 99 patients. Tumors tended to be located lower in the rectum in the side-to-end anastomosis group than in the end-to-end anastomosis group. No significant differences were observed in other patient characteristics. The incidence of anastomotic leakage was significantly lower in the side-to-end anastomosis group than in the end-to-end anastomosis group (3/63, 4.8% vs. 18/99, 18.2%, respectively, P=0.02). No significant differences were observed in the incidence rates of other complications. Univariate and multivariate analyses revealed that a smoking habit (P=0.04) and side-to-end anastomosis (P=0.02) were significantly associated with anastomotic leakage. In conclusion, side-to-end anastomosis using a double-stapling technique following anterior resection for rectal cancer may prevent anastomotic leakage.

Pancreatic serous neoplasms are rare tumors that are usually benign. However, histopathological differentiation between benign (serous cystadenoma) and malignant (serous cystadenocarcinoma) lesions is difficult. We present the case of a patient with pancreatic serous cystadenocarcinoma that was diagnosed with liver metastasis 7 years after the resection of the primary serous neoplastic lesion. A woman in her 60 s was diagnosed with pancreatic serous cystadenoma based on imaging and histopathological examination findings. The tumor was resected, and the patient was followed up every 6 months to monitor tumor progression. At 7 years after the resection of the primary lesion, liver tumors showing marked flare-like contrast enhancements were detected on arterial phase computed tomography findings and on dynamic magnetic resonance imaging findings acquired 60 s after the administration of a contrast agent. Laparoscopic segmental hepatectomy of S4 and S6 was performed to resect these tumors. Histopathological examination revealed that these tumors were metastatic and developed from the primary lesion. Therefore, a diagnosis of serous cystadenocarcinoma was confirmed. The flare-like contrast enhancement around the metastatic liver lesions on computed tomography and dynamic magnetic resonance images may be an indicator of serous cystadenocarcinoma with liver metastasis that could assist in diagnosis.

A 56-year-old man diagnosed with sigmoid colon cancer underwent sigmoid colectomy. Nine months later, his serum carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) level had increased, and the diagnosis of recurrent peritoneal dissemination was made based on positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) findings. Although systemic chemotherapy comprising S-1 and oxaliplatin (SOX) plus bevacizumab was initiated, severe diarrhea occurred on day 4 of the second cycle despite reduction in S-1 dose. By changing the daily oral intake schedule for S-1 to an alternate-day intake from the third cycle (modified SOX plus bevacizumab), the patient was able to continue undergoing chemotherapy without any adverse gastrointestinal effects. All tumors disappeared after four cycles, and the patients received eight cycles of modified SOX plus bevacizumab followed by maintenance chemotherapy comprising alternate-day S-1 plus bevacizumab. Maintenance chemotherapy was discontinued after 17 cycles owing to adverse events, including thrombocytopenia, corneal and lacrimal duct disorders, and hyperbilirubinemia. The patient has been radiographically confirmed to be in remission for 5 years without any recurrence, and his serum CEA level has been within normal range for >3 years. To conclude, compared with the conventional consecutive treatment, alternate-day SOX plus bevacizumab treatment may reduce the adverse effects of these chemotherapeutic drugs.

Introduction The lateral approach is the standard for laparoscopic splenectomy. However, when the modified Hassab's operation is performed laparoscopically, the patient is placed in the supine position and then the right semi-lateral or lateral decubitus position. Based on our experience with laparoscopic adrenalectomy and splenectomy, we laparoscopically performed the modified Hassab's operation with the patient in the right lateral decubitus position. Materials and Surgical Technique Indications for the modified Hassab's operation for patients with portal hypertension in our institute include both gastric varices and hypersplenism resistant to endoscopic or radiologic procedures. We performed splenectomy and devascularization of the greater curvature and then dissected adhesions between the stomach, pancreas, and gastrohepatic ligament. With the patient in the right lateral decubitus position, the lesser curvature could be identified from both the ventral and dorsal sides. Discussion For the modified Hassab's operation, as in laparoscopic gastrectomy, many operators select the supine position for lesser curvature devascularization and gastric vessel ligation. However, after sufficient adhesion dissection around the stomach, anatomical structures can be identified in the right lateral decubitus position. For this approach, gravity is not an issue on the dorsal side, and the lesser curvature can be observed from both the ventral and dorsal sides with the patient in the right lateral decubitus position. Laparoscopically performing the modified Hassab's operation with the patient in the right lateral decubitus position is a feasible method.

Introduction Spigelian hernia (SH) is a rare ventral hernia occurring near the lateral border of the rectus muscle. The treatment remains controversial and depends on institutional expertise. Although laparoscopic surgery is a good adaptation for the repair of ventral hernias, only a few cases have been reported in the literature. Here, we report a case of totally extra-peritoneal (TEP) repair for bilateral SHs. Presentation of case A 74-year-old Japanese man presented with asymptomatic bulges in the right lower abdominal quadrant. On physical examination, the bulges were located to the right of the lateral border of the abdominal rectus muscle and the right inguinal region in an upright position. We diagnosed right SH and coincident homonymous ipsilateral inguinal hernia (IH) by abdominal computed tomography and planned a curative operation by laparoscopy. By first laparoscopic exploration, we found an asymptomatic SH to the left of the lateral border of the abdominal rectus muscle and performed TEP repair for all hernias. The second laparoscopic exploration after fixing the mesh in place revealed that the orifice of the right SH was scarred and stiffened by repeated prolapse. We finally eliminated the sac by ligation because of a fear causing of reduction en masse of the SH. Discussion and conclusion The use of laparoscopy simplified the diagnosis and facilitates the subsequent repair of the hernia. TEP approach is the ideal treatment for the simultaneous laparoscopic repair of SH and IH.

Highlights • Laparoscopic exploration is important to precise diagnosis of ventral hernia. • Laparoscopic totally extra-peritoneal repair is feasible for Spigelian hernia. • Laparoscopic exploration is also important after repairing ventral hernia. • Abdominal CT in the abdominal position is useful to precise diagnosis of hernia., Introduction Spigelian hernia (SH) is a rare ventral hernia occurring near the lateral border of the rectus muscle. The treatment remains controversial and depends on institutional expertise. Although laparoscopic surgery is a good adaptation for the repair of ventral hernias, only a few cases have been reported in the literature. Here, we report a case of totally extra-peritoneal (TEP) repair for bilateral SHs. Presentation of case A 74-year-old Japanese man presented with asymptomatic bulges in the right lower abdominal quadrant. On physical examination, the bulges were located to the right of the lateral border of the abdominal rectus muscle and the right inguinal region in an upright position. We diagnosed right SH and coincident homonymous ipsilateral inguinal hernia (IH) by abdominal computed tomography and planned a curative operation by laparoscopy. By first laparoscopic exploration, we found an asymptomatic SH to the left of the lateral border of the abdominal rectus muscle and performed TEP repair for all hernias. The second laparoscopic exploration after fixing the mesh in place revealed that the orifice of the right SH was scarred and stiffened by repeated prolapse. We finally eliminated the sac by ligation because of a fear causing of reduction en masse of the SH. Discussion and conclusion The use of laparoscopy simplified the diagnosis and facilitates the subsequent repair of the hernia. TEP approach is the ideal treatment for the simultaneous laparoscopic repair of SH and IH.

A 56-year-old man was diagnosed with esophageal cancer by upper gastrointestinal endoscopy for examination of dysphagia. The patient had undergone total gastrectomy and jejunal interposition 4 years previously for a gastric cancer at the pT1N0M0 stage according to the UICC-TNM classification. Enhanced CT findings revealed a 3-cm-diameter mass located near the superior mesenteric artery. We conducted subtotal esophagectomy associated with partial jejunectomy including mesojejunectomy. The mass was histologically diagnosed to be mesojejunal lymph node metastasis from esophageal cancer. Mesojejunal lymph node metastasis from esophageal cancer developing after total gastrectomy has been reported in only three cases including ours. The present lymph node metastases may have occurred via the newly developed lymphatic drainage route through the esophagojejunostomy, and this metastatic lymph node can be considered the regional lymph node. Therefore, resection of the interposed jejunal limb with mesojejunectomy may be rational in surgery on esophageal cancer developing after total gastrectomy.

Between 1978 and 2007 one hundred and seven patients consecutively underwent resection for primary pancreatic adenocarcinoma. There were 28 pN0 patients, 41 pN1 and 37 pN2 or more (one unknown). Combined resection of the portal vein was performed in 62 out of 107 patients (58%). The hepatic artery in 10 patients, superior mesenteric artery in 8 patients and celiac trunk in 7 patients were also resected additionally to the portal vein. The 5-year survival rate and 10-year survival rate of all 107 cases were 12.1% and 2.8% respectively. The 5-year survival rate of the pN0 group was 37%, significantly better than the 14% 5-year survival rate in the pN1 group (p=0.043). Of 69 patients with pN0 or pN1, 38 patients underwent combined resection of the portal vein. There was not significant difference between the 24% 5-year survival rate in the group without the portal vein resection and the 19% 5-year survival rate in the group with portal vein resection. The 20% 5-year survival rate of the portal vein only group and the 5-year survival rate of both the portal vein and hepatic artery group were the same. The groups of the further resection of the superior mesenteric artery and of the celiac trunk showed no long-term survival. It is concluded that aggressive combined resection of the portal vein or additional resection of the hepatic artery be feasible for a survival benefit in pN0 and pN1 diseases.

The lateral approach is the standard for laparoscopic splenectomy. However, when the modified Hassab's operation is performed laparoscopically, the patient is placed in the supine position and then the right semi-lateral or lateral decubitus position. Based on our experience with laparoscopic adrenalectomy and splenectomy, we laparoscopically performed the modified Hassab's operation with the patient in the right lateral decubitus position.Indications for the modified Hassab's operation for patients with portal hypertension in our institute include both gastric varices and hypersplenism resistant to endoscopic or radiologic procedures. We performed splenectomy and devascularization of the greater curvature and then dissected adhesions between the stomach, pancreas, and gastrohepatic ligament. With the patient in the right lateral decubitus position, the lesser curvature could be identified from both the ventral and dorsal sides.For the modified Hassab's operation, as in laparoscopic gastrectomy, many operators select the supine position for lesser curvature devascularization and gastric vessel ligation. However, after sufficient adhesion dissection around the stomach, anatomical structures can be identified in the right lateral decubitus position. For this approach, gravity is not an issue on the dorsal side, and the lesser curvature can be observed from both the ventral and dorsal sides with the patient in the right lateral decubitus position. Laparoscopically performing the modified Hassab's operation with the patient in the right lateral decubitus position is a feasible method.

Non-occlusive mesenteric ischemia (NOMI), leading to intestinal gangrene without a demonstrable occlusion in the mesenteric artery, is a rare condition with extremely high mortality. We report a case of NOMI diagnosed preoperatively by computed tomography and treated successfully with surgery, assisted by indocyanine green (ICG) fluorescence in the HyperEye Medical System (HEMS), a new device that can simultaneously detect color and near-infrared rays under room light. This allowed for precise intraoperative evaluation of the mesenteric and bowel circulation. Although the necrotic bowel wall of the distal ileum and the segmental ischemia of the jejunum were visible, the jejunum was finally preserved because perfusion of ICG fluorescence was confirmed. The patient, an 84-year-old man, had an uneventful postoperative course and is alive without critical illness 8 months after surgery. We report this case to demonstrate the potential effectiveness of HEMS during surgery for NOMI.

Bile duct stricture due to chemotherapy-induced sclerosing cholangitis (CISC) is a potentially fatal complication of hepatic arterial infusion chemotherapy (HAIC). It is managed primarily with medical treatment and biliary stenting. We report a rare case of a CISC-related biliary stricture requiring resection. The patient had been receiving adjuvant HAIC for 11 months after a curative liver resection for hepatocellular carcinoma, when clinically overt cholangitis developed. Radiologic and biopsy findings suggested a CISC-related biliary stricture limited to the common hepatic duct. We discontinued HAIC and started corticosteroid treatment, which finally became ineffective. Endoscopic biliary stenting was impossible because of her severe biliary sclerosis, necessitating resection of the stricture, which was confirmed histologically to be secondary sclerosing cholangitis. The patient has shown no signs of recurrent cholangitis for 12 postoperative months since her operation. Thus, resection could be a treatment option for a CISC-related biliary stricture in selected patients.