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Ectopic pancreas within the mesentery is rare. In this case report, a 61-year-old man with an ectopic pancreas within the jejunal mesentery for over 20 years developed chronic pancreatitis that progressed to acute exacerbation. Our computed tomography (CT) performed for acute abdomen assessment suggested acute appendicitis or Meckel's diverticulitis. However, a CT scan taken 20 years ago revealed a structure indicative of an ectopic pancreas in the mesentery, and further imaging findings taken 10 and 4 years ago confirmed progression to chronic pancreatitis. Furthermore, we found a pancreatic stone confined in the luminal structure that corresponded to the main pancreatic duct; this stone eventually caused acute exacerbation. In summary, we report a case of mesenteric ectopic pancreas that showed typical findings of progression and acute exacerbation of chronic pancreatitis on CT. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background The anatomical pattern of lymph nodes spread differs between young (aged 45 years or younger) and elderly (aged 80 years or older) patients with stage III colon cancer and is poorly investigated. Methods Two groups of patients (young and elderly) with stage III colon cancer who underwent upfront extensive (D3) lymphadenectomy at eight Japanese centres between 1998 and 2018 were retrospectively analysed. The primary endpoint was the proportion of positive central lymph nodes. The lymph nodes spreading pattern and its prognostic impact on recurrence-free survival and overall survival in the two groups were also compared. Results Two hundred and ten young patients and 348 elderly patients were identified and compared. The total number of lymph nodes harvested and the total number of invaded lymph nodes were significantly higher in younger patients compared with elderly patients (median of 31.5 (3–151) versus 21 (3–116), P < 0.001 and median of 3 (1–21) versus 2 (1–25), P < 0.001 respectively). The proportion of positive central lymph nodes were higher in younger patients than in elderly patients (9.52% (95% c.i. 6.24 to 14.2%) versus 4.59% (95% c.i. 2.84 to 7.31%), P = 0.012). In multivariate models for recurrence-free survival, central lymph nodes invasion were identified as a poor prognostic factor in younger patients (HR 5.21 (95% c.i. 1.76 to 15.39)) but not in elderly patients (HR 1.73 (95% c.i. 0.80 to 3.76)). Conclusion Young patients with stage III colon cancer have a higher risk of central lymph nodes invasion, suggesting a more aggressive disease biology. The presence of central lymph nodes invasion are associated with a worse outcome in young patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and aims: Conversion to laparotomy is among the serious intraoperative complications and carries an increased risk of postoperative complications. In this cohort study, we investigated whether or not the Endoscopic Surgical Skill Qualification System (ESSQS) affects the conversion rate among patients undergoing laparoscopic surgery for rectal cancer. Methods: We performed a retrospective secondary analysis of data collected from patients undergoing laparoscopic surgery for cStage II and III rectal cancer from 2014 to 2016 across 56 institutions affiliated with the Japan Society of Laparoscopic Colorectal Surgery. Data from the original EnSSURE study were analyzed to investigate risk factors for conversion to laparotomy by performing univariate and multivariate analyses based on the reason for conversion. Results: Data were collected for 3,168 cases, including 65 (2.1%) involving conversion to laparotomy. Indicated conversion accounted for 27 cases (0.9%), while technical conversion accounted for 35 cases (1.1%). The multivariate analysis identified the following independent risk factors for indicated conversion to laparotomy: tumor diameter [mm] (odds ratio [OR] 1.01, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.01–1.05, p = 0.0002), combined resection of adjacent organs [+/−] (OR 7.92, 95% CI 3.14–19.97, p < 0.0001), and surgical participation of an ESSQS-certified physician [−/+] (OR 4.46, 95% CI 2.01–9.90, p = 0.0002). The multivariate analysis identified the following risk factors for technical conversion to laparotomy: registered case number of institution (OR 0.99, 95% CI 0.99–1.00, p = 0.0029), institution type [non-university/university hospital] (OR 3.52, 95% CI 1.54–8.04, p = 0.0028), combined resection of adjacent organs [+/−] (OR 5.96, 95% CI 2.15–16.53, p = 0.0006), and surgical participation of an ESSQS-certified physician [−/+] (OR 6.26, 95% CI 3.01–13.05, p < 0.0001). Conclusions: Participation of ESSQS-certified physicians may reduce the risk of both indicated and technical conversion. Referral to specialized institutions, such as high-volume centers and university hospitals, especially for patients exhibiting relevant background risk factors, may reduce the risk of conversion to laparotomy and lead to better outcomes for patients. Trial Registration: This study was registered with the Japanese Clinical Trials Registry as UMIN000040645. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: A technical qualification system was developed in 2004 by the Japan Society for Endoscopic Surgery. An analysis of the EnSSURE study on 3188 stage II–III rectal cancer patients, which was performed by including the participation of qualified surgeons as assistants and advisers without restricting their participation as operators, revealed that the participation of technically qualified surgeons in surgery improved the technical and oncological safety of laparoscopic rectal resection. Aim: This secondary retrospective analysis of the EnSSURE study examined the advantage of qualified surgeons participating in laparoscopic low anterior resection (LAR). Methods: The outcomes of low anterior resection were compared between groups with and without the participation of surgeons qualified by the Endoscopic Surgical Skill Qualification System (Q and non‐Q groups, respectively). We used propensity score matching to generate paired cohorts at a one‐to‐one ratio. The postoperative complication rate, short‐term results (hemorrhage volume, operative time, number of dissected lymph nodes, open conversion rate, intraoperative complication rate, and R0 resection rate), and long‐term results (disease‐free survival rate, local recurrence rate, and overall survival rate) were evaluated. Results: The frequencies of postoperative complications, anastomotic bleeding, and intraperitoneal abscess were significantly lower, the operative time was significantly shorter, the postoperative hospital stay was significantly shorter, and the number of dissected lymph nodes was higher in the Q group. No significant differences were observed in disease‐free survival, local recurrence, or overall survival rate rates between the groups. Conclusion: The participation of qualified surgeons in LAR is technically advantageous. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims: Primary tumor resection for patients with incurable stage IV colorectal cancer can prevent tumor‐related complications but may cause postoperative complications. Postoperative complications delay the administration of chemotherapy and can lead to the spread of malignancy. However, the impact of postoperative complications after primary tumor resection on survival in patients with incurable stage IV colorectal cancer remains unclear. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate how postoperative complications after primary tumor resection affect survival in this patient group. Methods: We reviewed data on 966 patients with stage IV colorectal cancer who underwent palliative primary tumor resection between January 2006 and December 2007. We examined the association between major complications (National Cancer Institute Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events v3.0 grade 3 or more) and overall survival using Cox proportional hazard model and explored risk factors associated with major complications using multivariable logistic regression analysis. Results: Ninety‐three patients (9.6%) had major complications. The 2‐year overall survival rate was 32.7% in the group with major complications and 50.3% in the group with no major complications. Patients with major complications had a significantly poorer prognosis than those without major complications (hazard ratio: 1.62; 95% confidence interval: 1.21‐2.18; P <.01). Male, rectal tumor, and open surgery were identified to be risk factors for major complications. Conclusions: Postoperative complications after primary tumor resection was associated with decreased long‐term survival in patients with incurable stage IV colorectal cancer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Background Combination chemotherapy with oxaliplatin plus 5-fluorouracil/leucovorin (FOLFOX) has become a standard regimen for colorectal cancer. An increase of adverse events with combination chemotherapy is predicted in elderly patients, and it remains controversial whether they should receive the same chemotherapy as younger patients. Accordingly, this study of modified FOLFOX6 (mFOLFOX6) therapy was performed to compare its safety between elderly and non-elderly patients. Methods We prospectively studies 14 non-elderly patients aged Results The main adverse events were neutropenia and peripheral neuropathy, which occurred in 62.5% (≥ grade 3) and 87.5% (≥ grade 1) of elderly patients. The grade and frequency of adverse events were similar in the elderly and non-elderly groups. In some patients with neutropenia, treatment could be continued without reducing the dose of oxaliplatin by deleting bolus 5-fluorouracil. A correlation was found between the cumulative dose of oxaliplatin and the severity of neuropathy, and there were 2 elderly and 3 younger patients in whom discontinuation of treatment was necessary due to peripheral neuropathy. The median number of treatment cycles was 10.0 and 9.5 in the non-elderly and elderly groups, respectively. The response rate was 60.0% in the non-elderly and 50.0% in the elderly group, while the disease control rate was 100% and 83.3% respectively, showing no age-related difference. Conclusion mFOLFOX6 therapy was well-tolerated and effective in both non-elderly and elderly patients. However, discontinuation of treatment was sometimes necessary due to peripheral neuropathy, which is dose-limiting toxicity of this therapy.