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Background: The prognosis of perihilar cholangiocarcinoma (PHC) is poor even after curative resection, highlighting the need for effective adjuvant chemotherapy. The efficacy of adjuvant S-1 chemotherapy following major hepatectomy for PHC is unclear, and thus the aim of this study was to elucidate this., Methods: Consecutive patients with PHC who underwent major hepatectomy (hemihepatectomy or trisectionectomy extending to segment 1 with extrahepatic bile duct resection) at three high-volume centers in Japan from 2007 to 2020 were retrospectively evaluated. Patients with Clavien-Dindo grade V complications, pStage 0, I, or IVB disease, and those who underwent adjuvant radiation therapy were excluded from analysis. Propensity score matching analysis was performed to compare the disease-specific survival (DSS) of patients who underwent adjuvant S-1 chemotherapy with those who underwent observation., Results: Overall, 373/480 patients were eligible, of whom 81 underwent adjuvant S-1 chemotherapy and 146 underwent observation. In the global cohort, DSS was similar in the S-1 and observation groups (p = 0.18), while in the matched cohort (S-1, n = 44; observation, n = 44), DSS was similar between the S-1 and observation groups (p = 0.09). On multivariate analysis, percutaneous biliary drainage (PTBD), CA19-9 levels of ≥ 300 U/mL at operation, and lymph node (LN) metastasis were independent predictors of poor survival following major hepatectomy for PHC. In subgroup analysis of patients with LN metastasis, DSS was better in the S-1 group than in the observation group (p = 0.001)., Conclusions: Adjuvant S-1 chemotherapy following major hepatectomy might be effective in PHC patients with LN metastasis., Competing Interests: Disclosure: Isamu Hosokawa, Ryota Higuchi, Yuki Homma, Tsukasa Takayashiki, Yusuke Ome, Ryusei Matsuyama, Shigetsugu Takano, Shuichiro Uemura, Yasuhiro Yabushita, Goro Honda, Itaru Endo, and Masayuki Ohtsuka declare they have no conflicts of interest that may be relevant to the contents of this study., (© 2024. Society of Surgical Oncology.)

Objectives: Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) with a diameter ≤10 mm and high-grade pancreatic intraepithelial neoplasia (HG-PanIN) require pre-operative diagnosis. Most cases present only indirect imaging findings without visible tumors on endoscopic ultrasound (EUS). Therefore, EUS-guided fine-needle aspiration/biopsy is not applicable. An alternative diagnostic method is pancreatic juice cytology (PJC) via endoscopic naso-pancreatic drainage (ENPD-PJC), which is not the standard practice. This study aimed to investigate ENPD-PJC for diagnosing suspected PDAC/HG-PanIN cases without visible tumors on EUS., Methods: Data of patients with suspected PDAC/HG-PanIN without visible tumors who underwent PJC were retrospectively evaluated. One PJC sample was collected during endoscopic retrograde pancreatography (ERP-PJC), and 12 samples were collected during ENPD-PJC, 3-hourly for cytological analysis. ERP-PJC, ERP/ENPD-PJC, and ENPD-PJC positivity indicated cytologically positive samples. Patients with positive/negative PJC with follow-up for <4-years were excluded as undiagnosed cases. A non-malignant diagnosis was based on histopathological absence/stable imaging findings for ≥4-years. The primary endpoint was to demonstrate that ERP/ENPD-PJC has a higher diagnostic ability than ERP-PJC., Results: Twenty-two patients with histopathologically diagnosed PDAC/HG-PanIN and 31 with a non-malignant diagnosis were enrolled. ERP-PJC, ERP/ENPD-PJC, and ENPD-PJC showed sensitivities of 36.4 %, 86.4 %, and 77.3 %, specificities of 93.5 %, 87.1 %, and 93.5 %, and accuracies of 69.8 %, 86.7 %, and 86.7 %, respectively. ERP/ENPD-PJC and ENPD-PJC demonstrated superior sensitivity and accuracy compared to ERP-PJC. A greater occurrence of positive outcomes markedly distinguished true positives from false positives., Conclusions: ERP/ENPD-PJC and ENPD-PJC had higher diagnostic accuracies for PDAC/HG-PanIN without visible tumors on EUS. ENPD-PJC is recommended for the diagnosis of these lesions., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare no conflicts of interest for this article., (Copyright © 2024 The Authors. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Background/purpose: Laparoscopic resection of gallbladder carcinomas remains controversial. This study aimed to evaluate the surgical and oncological outcomes of laparoscopic procedures for suspected gallbladder carcinoma (GBC)., Methods: In this retrospective study, data regarding suspected GBC treated with laparoscopic radical cholecystectomy before 2020 in Japan, was included. Patient characteristics, surgical procedure details, surgical outcomes, and long-term outcomes were analyzed., Results: Data of 129 patients with suspected GBC who underwent laparoscopic radical cholecystectomy were retrospectively collected from 11 institutions in Japan. Among them, 82 patients with pathological GBC were included in the study. Laparoscopic gallbladder bed resection was performed in 114 patients and laparoscopic resection of segments IVb and V was performed in 15 patients. The median operation time was 269 min (range: 83-725 min), and the median intraoperative blood loss was 30 mL (range: 0-950 mL). The conversion and postoperative complication rates were 8% and 2%, respectively. During the follow-up period, the 5-year overall survival rate was 79% and the 5-year disease-free survival rate was 87%. Recurrence was detected in the liver, lymph nodes, and other local tissues., Conclusion: Laparoscopic radical cholecystectomy is a treatment option with potential favorable outcomes in selected patients with suspected GBC., (© 2023 Japanese Society of Hepato-Biliary-Pancreatic Surgery.)

Background: /Objectives: A cystic lesion is common in the pancreas. Focal pancreatic parenchymal atrophy (FPPA) has been reported as a sign of high-grade pancreatic intraepithelial neoplasia/carcinoma in situ (HGP/CIS). Some cystic lesions accompany FPPA. However, the relationship between a cystic lesion, FPPA, and the histopathological background of the pancreatic duct is unknown., Methods: We retrospectively evaluated the data of 98 patients with a cystic lesion who underwent serial pancreatic juice aspiration cytologic examination (SPACE) because of accompanying FPPA, increased size of the cystic lesion, and pancreatic duct stricture at the base., Results: The clinical diagnosis of a cystic lesion was intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasia (IPMN) and cysts in 72 (73.5%) and 26 (26.5%) patients, respectively. Ninety of the 98 patients (91.8%) had FPPA. Positive results (adenocarcinoma and suspicion) on SPACE were observed in 56 of all cases (57.1%), 48 of IPMN (66.7%), 8 of cysts (30.8%), and 54 of FPPA (59.3%), and were significantly associated with IPMN (p = 0.002) and the large FPPA (>269.79 mm 2, p = 0.0001); moreover, these disorders are considerably related (p = 0.0003). Fifty patients (51.0%) with positive results on SPACE underwent surgery, with the histopathological diagnosis of epithelial malignancy in 42 patients (42.9%, 42/50, 84%). Many cystic lesions clinically diagnosed as IPMN were dilated branches covered by pancreatic intraepithelial neoplasia., Conclusions: Positive results on SPACE were significantly associated with the clinical diagnosis of IPMN and the large FPPA. Moreover, these disorders are significantly related. Surgery owing to positive results could lead to the histopathological diagnosis of HGP/CIS., (Copyright © 2023 IAP and EPC. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Background: To create a suitable animal model for the training of laparoscopic anatomic liver resection, we performed left hepatectomy using a goat and found its suitability. We have since started using goats for wet-lab training and have gradually standardized the relevant procedures. Herein, we report our standardized training procedures using a goat and discuss its feasibility as a novel training model., Methods: The standardized wet-lab training courses of laparoscopic liver resection conducted on 62 tables with a total of 70 goats were reviewed. The training course began by encircling the hepatoduodenal ligament for the Pringle maneuver, which was repeated during the parenchymal dissection. Following partial liver resection of the left lateral section, left hepatectomy was performed by a standardized procedure for humans in which the liver was split, exposing the entire length of the middle hepatic vein trunk from the dorsal side after extrahepatic transection of the left Glissonean pedicle. If a goat deceased before initiating left hepatectomy, the training was restarted with a new goat. The surgical procedures were performed by surgeons of varying skill levels., Results: A total of 184 surgeons including 10 surgical residents participated in the training. Partial liver resection was initiated in 62 tables, with 8 (13%) dying during or after the procedure of partial liver resection. Subsequently, left hepatectomy was initiated in 61 and completed in 59 tables (98%), regardless of whether the goat survived or deceased, and was not completed in 2 tables (3%) due to time limitation. In 14 tables (23%), the goats deceased during the procedure, however, the procedure was completed. The causes of death were multifactorial, including massive bleeding, reperfusion injury after the Pringle maneuver, and carbon dioxide gas embolism., Conclusions: Left hepatectomy in a goat is useful as a training model for laparoscopic anatomic liver resection., (© 2023. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Science+Business Media, LLC, part of Springer Nature.)

Backgrounds and Objectives: Although pancreatic cancer (PC) has an extremely poor prognosis, the 5-year survival rate of patients with pancreatic high-grade precancerous lesion without invasive carcinoma (PHP) is favorable. PHP diagnosis and identification of patients requiring intervention are needed. We aimed to validate a modified PC detection scoring system regarding its detection ability for PHP and PC in the general population., Subjects and Methods: We modified an existing PC detection scoring system that incorporates low-grade risk (LGR) factors (family history, presence of diabetes mellitus [DM] or worsening DM, heavy drinking, smoking, stomach symptoms, weight loss, and pancreatic enzyme) and high-grade risk (HGR) factors (new-onset DM, familial PC, jaundice, tumor biomarkers, chronic pancreatitis, intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasm, cysts, hereditary PC syndrome, and hereditary pancreatitis). Each factor was scored as one point; LGR score ≥3 points and/or HGR score ≥1 point (positive scores) were indicative of PC. The newly modified scoring system incorporated main pancreatic duct dilation as an HGR factor. The PHP diagnosis rate using this scoring system combined with EUS was prospectively analyzed., Results: Among 544 patients with positive scores, 10 had PHP. The diagnosis rates were 1.8% for PHP and 4.2% for invasive PC. Although the number of LGR and HGR factors tended to increase with PC progression, none of the individual factors were significantly different between patients with PHP and those without lesions., Conclusion: The newly modified scoring system evaluating multiple factors associated with PC could potentially identify patients with higher risk of PHP or PC., Competing Interests: None

Aim: This study was performed to evaluate the efficacy of a multidisciplinary approach incorporating neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy with S1 (S1-NACRT) for resectable pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma., Methods: The medical records of 132 patients who received S1-NACRT for resectable pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma from 2010 to 2019 were reviewed. The S1-NACRT regimen consisted of S1 at a dose of 80-120 mg/body/day together with 1.8 Gy of radiation in 28 fractions. The patients were re-evaluated 4 weeks after S1-NACRT completion, and a pancreatectomy was then considered., Results: Adverse events of S1-NACRT ≥grade 3 occurred in 22.7% of the patients, and 1.5% discontinued therapy. Of the 112 patients who underwent a pancreatectomy, 109 underwent R0 resection. Adjuvant chemotherapy with relative dose intensity ≥50% was administered to 74.1% of the patients who underwent resection. The median overall survival of all patients was 47 months, and the median overall survival and recurrence-free survival of patients who underwent resection was 71 and 32 months, respectively. According to the multivariate analyses of prognostic factors for overall survival in patients who underwent resection, negative margin status (hazard ratio: 0.182; P  = 0.006) and relative dose intensity of adjuvant chemotherapy ≥50% (hazard ratio 0.294; P  < 0.001) were independent prognostic factors of overall survival., Conclusions: A multidisciplinary approach incorporating S1-NACRT for resectable pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma demonstrated acceptable tolerability and good local control and resulted in comparable survival benefits., (© 2022 The Authors. Annals of Gastroenterological Surgery published by John Wiley & Sons Australia, Ltd on behalf of The Japanese Society of Gastroenterological Surgery.)

Whether albumin and bilirubin levels, platelet counts, ALBI, and ALPlat scores could be useful for the assessment of permanent liver functional deterioration after repeat liver resection was examined, and the deterioration after laparoscopic procedure was evaluated. For 657 patients with liver resection of segment or less in whom results of plasma albumin and bilirubin levels and platelet counts before and 3 months after surgery could be retrieved, liver functional indicators were compared before and after surgery. There were 268 patients who underwent open repeat after previous open liver resection, and 224 patients who underwent laparoscopic repeat after laparoscopic liver resection. The background factors, liver functional indicators before and after surgery and their changes were compared between both groups. Plasma levels of albumin ( p = 0.006) and total bilirubin ( p = 0.01) were decreased, and ALBI score ( p = 0.001) indicated worse liver function after surgery. Laparoscopic group had poorer preoperative performance status and liver function. Changes of liver functional values before and after surgery and overall survivals were similar between laparoscopic and open groups. Plasma levels of albumin and bilirubin and ALBI score could be the indicators for permanent liver functional deterioration after liver resection. Laparoscopic group with poorer conditions showed the similar deterioration of liver function and overall survivals to open group.

Peritoneal metastases of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) are occasionally observed, but rupture of such metastases is rare. We report a resected case with a single ruptured peritoneal HCC metastasis. A 57-year-old man with chronic hepatitis C underwent hepatic resection twice for hepatocellular carcinoma. Recurrence in S3 was found, and the tumor was treated by radiofrequency ablation therapy (RFA). One month after RFA, plane computed tomography (CT) showed a nodule with a diameter of 5 cm near the upper pole of the spleen, and the serum alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) level remained high. The patient was admitted to hospital, with a chief complaint of abdominal pain 4 days after the CT scan, and diagnosed with intra-abdominal hemorrhage caused by a ruptured peritoneal HCC metastatic nodule. We performed semi-urgent surgery, including splenectomy and peritoneal metastasis resection, and the patient was discharged on the 10th postoperative day. Histopathological examination of the nodule confirmed HCC metastasis. The patient is alive with no evidence of recurrence as of 1 year and 6 months after the operation, with AFP levels remaining within the normal range., (© 2021. Japanese Society of Gastroenterology.)

Less morbidity is considered among the advantages of laparoscopic liver resection (LLR) for HCC patients. However, our previous international, multi-institutional, propensity score-based study of emerging laparoscopic repeat liver resection (LRLR) failed to prove this advantage. We hypothesize that these results may be since the study included complex LRLR cases performed during the procedure's developing stage. To examine it, subgroup analysis based on propensity score were performed, defining the proximity of the tumors to major vessels as the indicator of complex cases. Among 1582 LRLR cases from 42 international high-volume liver surgery centers, 620 cases without the proximity to major vessels (more than 1 cm far from both first-second branches of Glissonian pedicles and major hepatic veins) were selected for this subgroup analysis. A propensity score matching (PSM) analysis was performed based on their patient characteristics, preoperative liver function, tumor characteristics and surgical procedures. One hundred and fifteen of each patient groups of LRLR and open repeat liver resection (ORLR) were earned, and the outcomes were compared. Backgrounds were well-balanced between LRLR and ORLR groups after matching. With comparable operation time and long-term outcome, less blood loss (283.3±823.0 vs. 603.5±664.9 mL, p = 0.001) and less morbidity (8.7 vs. 18.3 %, p = 0.034) were shown in LRLR group than ORLR. Even in its worldwide developing stage, LRLR for HCC patients could be beneficial in blood loss and morbidity for the patients with less complexity in surgery.

Background: A large amount of blood flows in and out of the liver through the inflow system consisting of the portal vein and hepatic artery within the Glissonean cord and the outflow system constituted by the hepatic veins., Methods: During liver parenchymal dissection, useful methods to maintain a dry operative field are to control the inflow system with the Pringle maneuver and the outflow system by managing the central venous pressure. Additionally, mature techniques of dissecting the liver parenchyma, which can prevent injury to the blood vessels and appropriately and promptly stop bleeding, are fundamental. Similar to archaeological excavation, in which buried remains are unearthed and exposed in intact form, the Glissonean cords and hepatic veins buried in the liver parenchyma should be exposed or isolated without causing injury to these structures during liver parenchymal dissection., Results: The cavitron ultrasonic surgical aspirator (CUSA) is useful as a surgical device for excavation because it has multiple functions in one device. However, there have been no systematic guidelines on how to use it effectively during hepatectomy., Conclusion: We herein describe how to use the CUSA, based on our knowledge and experiences., (© 2020 Japanese Society of Hepato-Biliary-Pancreatic Surgery.)

Highlight Although recent advances in robotic surgery have enabled more precise movements of the needle driver, a sophisticated laparoscopic suturing technique is still desired. Honda and colleagues describe the basic knowledge of and a small but useful trick for atraumatic needle driving in laparoscopic suturing, based on mechanistic considerations., (© 2020 Japanese Society of Hepato-Biliary-Pancreatic Surgery.)

Since the beginning of laparoscopic liver surgery, resection of the posterosuperior segments has been considered one of the most challenging procedure due to its difficult access. The main drawbacks of the laparoscopic approach to dome lesions are poor visualization, the difficulty of instrumentation and the greater complexity in the control of bleeding. In the evolution of minimally invasive techniques from hybrid techniques to the current purely laparoscopic approaches, the different authors have established gradually the currents indications and surgical techniques to operate these segments with a similar feasibility and safety than open approach. The standardization in the patient position, the use of intercostal trocars, the learning curve in laparoscopic liver surgery, the management of the hepatic blood flow and the refinement of the technique in the extrahepatic and intrahepatic Glissonean pedicle approaches, has allowed to leave behind the initial contraindications about the laparoscopic approach in these segments. In the present review of the literature, the accumulated experience of the different groups in minimally invasive liver surgery together with the technological advances in the different laparoscopic devices have facilitated the resection of tumors in segments 7 and 8 with similar and even better results than open surgery., Competing Interests: CONFLICT OF INTEREST None., (Copyright © 2020 The Journal of Minimally Invasive Surgery. All rights reserved.)

We report a case of pulmonary metastasis from hilar cholangiocarcinoma successfully treated by stereotactic body radiotherapy. The patient was a 70-year-old woman who underwent extended left hemi-hepatectomy with bile duct reconstruction for hilar cholangiocarcinoma at the age of 67. Pathological diagnosis indicated a well-differentiated adenocarcinoma. We followed up the patient without adjuvant chemotherapy. Nineteen months after the initial resection, a solitary pulmonary metastasis was detected in the right upper lobe. The patient received gemcitabine plus cisplatin(GC)therapy. After 4 courses of GC therapy, the size of the pulmonary metastasis was unchanged. Therefore, we performed a thoracoscopic wedge resection. Pathological diagnosis indicated that the pulmonary metastasis originated from the cholangiocarcinoma. Fifteen months after the pulmonary resection, another solitary pulmonary metastasis was detected in the left lower lobe. As the patient refused further chemotherapy, we performed stereotactic body radiotherapy(SBRT)(50 Gy/4 Fr). An adverse event of Grade 1 radiation pneumonitis was observed. The metastasis disappeared after SBRT. Twenty-eight months after SBRT and 70 months after the initial surgery, the patient is alive without recurrence.

Laparoscopic anatomic resection of S7 is challenging. Ome and colleagues described an intrahepatic approach to the S7 Glissonean pedicles from the dorsal side without dissection around the hepatic hilum, allowing safe exposure of the right hepatic vein in the same view. This approach is safe and offers advantages for later hepatectomy., (© 2019 Japanese Society of Hepato-Biliary-Pancreatic Surgery.)

A 70s man underwent transurethral resection of the bladder tumor(TURBT)at a previous hospital. The pathological diagnosis was urothelial carcinoma pT1. Nine months later, recurrence appeared in the bladder and he underwent repeated TURBT. The pathological diagnosis was also pT1 and he was administered 8 courses of intravesical BCG therapy. Fourteen months after the first operation, computed tomography scans showed new lesions in the liver. Therefore, he was referred to our hospital. Because biopsy from the hepatic lesion confirmed the diagnosis of metastatic urothelial carcinoma, he received 10 courses of gemcitabine plus cisplatin(GC)and radiofrequency ablation. However, daughter nodule and enlargement of the main tumor were revealed on MRI 33 months after the initial TURBT. After 5 courses of pembrolizumab that limited the potential for hepatic metastases, he had no evidence of other metastatic sites and underwent laparoscopic right hepatectomy. There was no viable carcinoma in the pathological specimens of the hepatic lesions. Six months after hepatectomy, the patient has a high quality of life without any recurrence.

Background: Pancreatic cancer (PC) has serious malignant potential, thus requiring complete resection and adequate regional lymphadenectomy with tumor-free margins.1,2 A standard laparoscopic distal pancreatectomy (LDP) procedure for PC is not yet established due to lack of supportive evidence.3 - 6 METHODS: In our hospital, we first administered neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy for resectable PC. Considering the benefits offered by a laparoscopic magnified caudo-dorsal view, we devised and standardized an LDP procedure for PC, which we employed in five patients with left-sided resectable tumors. First, the retroperitoneum was incised between the proximal jejunum and the inferior mesenteric vein with the transverse colon pushed up ventrally and cranially and with the proximal jejunum moved to the right. Then, the left renal vein (LRV) could be easily identified at this site. The retroperitoneal tissue was dissected along the LRV, and the origin of the superior mesenteric artery (SMA) also was identified just above the LRV easily. The left adrenal gland was removed to secure the dorsal margin, if needed. The retroperitoneal dissection was continued along the major anatomical landmarks, including the LRV, the left renal artery, the left kidney, and the crus of the diaphragm beside the origin of the SMA. Using the same operative field, lymphadenectomy around the SMA was performed before dividing the pancreas. We could safely and easily expose the left aspect of the SMA after dissecting the ligament of Treitz. The dissection around the SMA was performed toward the side of the arterial root that had already been exposed above the LRV. Thus, the most important difficult steps of LDP for PC, such as retroperitoneal dissection and lymphadenectomy around the SMA, were safely performed early in the operation with a good laparoscopic view., Results: The median operative time was 341 (range 288-354) minutes, and median blood loss was 150 (range 50-150) ml. An intraoperative transfusion was not required for any patient. Severe postoperative complications or mortality were absent. An R0 resection was achieved in all patients., Conclusions: LDP using the "caudo-dorsal artery first approach" is safe and useful for performing a minimally invasive, curative resection for left-sided PC.

Background: In our process of standardizing laparoscopic right-sided anatomical hepatectomy, we found several advantages of the caudate lobe-first approach. We herein describe our standardized procedure of laparoscopic right posterior sectionectomy (Lap-RPS) using this approach., Methods: Between January 2011 and January 2018, 31 patients underwent pure Lap-RPS in our hospital. The mean patient age was 68 years (range 47-85 years), and the number of male patients was more than that of female patients (64.5%). Of 31 patients, 20 had metastatic liver tumor, 7 had hepatocellular carcinoma, 3 had intrahepatic cholangiocellular carcinoma, and 1 had hemangioma. All 31 patients had Child-Pugh class A liver function. The surgical technique was recorded on video. Cumulative sum (CUSUM) analyses were applied to assess the learning curve., Results: The mean operative time was 420 min (range 263-639 min), and the mean amount of blood loss was 304 g (range 10-900 g). No procedure was converted to open surgery. Postoperative bleeding, bile leakage, hepatic failure, and mortality did not occur. CUSUM analyses showed a decrease in the operative time and blood loss after using the caudate lobe-first approach., Conclusion: Our standardized procedure of Lap-RPS using the caudate lobe-first approach is not only feasible but also expected to provide an advantage for laparoscopic anatomical hepatectomy.

Background: Laparoscopic hepatectomy for segment (S) 7 is classified as one of the most difficult procedures to perform. 1 Here, we report a standardized method with the caudate lobe first approach 2,3 which may benefit such difficult procedures., Methods: A 76-year-old woman was diagnosed with multiple liver metastases after sigmoid colon cancer resection. Her liver function was normal. Abdominal CT showed multiple small tumors located in S3 (two), S7 (two), and S8 (two)., Results: After partial resection of S3, the right lobe was fully mobilized. The caudate lobe was first divided at the midline from the caudal side parallel to the ventral central line of the inferior vena cava, and the caudate process was detached from the posterior Glissonean pedicle. Then, the S7 Glissonean branch was exposed. After transecting it, the demarcation line was secured. The root of the right hepatic vein (RHV) was exposed by further transection of the caudate lobe. The superficial tissue was divided using ultrasonic shears, while the deeper tissue was divided using cavitron ultrasonic surgical aspirator. The main trunk of the RHV was continuously exposed from the caudodorsal side, transecting the S7 branches. Between the exposed main trunk of the RHV and the cutting line in the ventral liver surface, which had been marked on the left of the tumor in the dorsal part of S8, the liver parenchyma was divided, securing the surgical margin for all 4 tumors in S7 and S8. Specimens were placed into a retrieval bag and removed from the umbilicus incision. Operation time was 341 min, and estimated blood loss was 200 g. Metastatic adenocarcinoma was confirmed by postoperative pathological diagnosis. The postoperative course was uneventful., Conclusions: The caudate lobe first approach in laparoscopic hepatectomy for S7 is feasible and can benefit anatomical resection in such procedures.

Background: Obesity is generally reported to increase the risk of surgical complications. There have been few reports of laparoscopic hepatectomy (LH) in obese patients. The purpose of this study was to compare the safety and efficacy of (1) LH versus open hepatectomy (OH) in obese patients and (2) LH in obese patients versus LH in non-obese patients., Methods: We introduced LH at our institution in April 2014. LH was performed in 63 obese patients and 108 non-obese patients from April 2014 to May 2017. OH was performed in 79 obese patients from January 2010 to May 2017. This study retrospectively compared the short-term outcomes of the LH obese group with those of the OH obese group and the LH non-obese group., Results: In patient characteristics, the LH obese group included a significantly higher percentage of patients with liver cirrhosis than the OH obese group. The LH obese group had fewer patients with a history of abdominal surgery but more with liver cirrhosis than the LH non-obese group. For short-term outcomes, the LH obese group had significantly less blood loss, fewer intraoperative transfusions, fewer positive surgical margins, and shorter postoperative hospital stays than the OH obese group. In contrast, only operation time was significantly different (longer) in the LH obese group than in the LH non-obese group. There were no significant differences in morbidity or mortality between the LH obese group and either the OH obese or the LH non-obese groups., Conclusion: LH in obese patients is safe and effective., (Copyright © 2017. Published by Elsevier Taiwan LLC.)

A 66-year-old man was admitted to undergo investigation for body weight loss. He was diagnosed with pancreatic neuroendocrine carcinoma, and a pancreaticoduodenectomy was performed. Three months after surgery, multiple recurrent liver metastases were observed on CT. We administered the cisplatin(CDDP)/irinotecan(CPT-11)regimen, but decided to discontinue the regimen because of adverse events. One month later, administration of everolimus(10mg/day)was initiated. Lesion loss was observed after 8 months, and the patient achieved a complete response(CR)without abnormal accumulation of FDG on PET-CT. Administration of everolimus was discontinued after 13 months because of peripheral neuropathy. Despite drug withdrawal, the patient has remained in remission for more than 3 years. Everolimus is considered an effective treatment for MANEC from NEC.

Background: We report the short-term clinical outcomes of a delta-shaped (DS) anastomosis in laparoscopic distal gastrectomy (LDG), comparing Endo GIA™ Reinforced Reload (Reinforced GIA) with Endo GIA™ (GIA) staplers., Methods: This was a retrospective analysis of 40 patients who underwent totally LDG with DS anastomosis with Reinforced GIA (group A) and 90 patients who underwent the same procedure with GIA (group B) for clinical T1-T3 gastric cancer from May 2013 to December 2016. Operation time, intraoperative blood loss, hospital length of stay, reconstruction time, and complications were compared., Results: No patients required conversion to open surgery, and no patients died. There was no significant difference between the groups regarding patient background, postoperative hospital stay, and operation time. Bleeding from the V-shaped anastomosis was significantly less frequent in group A compared with group B (0% vs 11.2%, p = 0.021). Anastomosis-related complications were less frequent in group A, but there was no statistically significant difference between the groups. The fasting period in group A was significantly shorter than that of group B (2.81 vs 3.39 days, p = 0.034)., Conclusion: DS anastomosis using Reinforced GIA can prevent minor postoperative anastomosis leakage. Based on our findings and experience, we recommend DS anastomosis with Reinforced GIA after LDG for gastric cancer as an effective procedure with good short-term outcomes., (Copyright © 2017. Published by Elsevier Taiwan LLC.)

Background: Repeat hepatectomy is often required for hepatocellular carcinoma and metastatic tumors. However, this procedure is technically challenging, so laparoscopic repeat hepatectomy (LRH) has not been widely adopted. The aim of this study was to evaluate the feasibility and efficacy of LRH compared with open repeat hepatectomy (ORH) and laparoscopic primary hepatectomy (LPH)., Methods: We introduced laparoscopic hepatectomy at our institution in April 2014. We performed 127 LPH (LPH group) and 33 LRH procedures (LRH group) from April 2014 to April 2017; 37 patients underwent ORH from January 2010 to April 2017 (ORH group). This study retrospectively compared the patient characteristics and short-term outcomes of the LRH and ORH groups as well as the LRH and LPH groups., Results: There were no conversions to open surgery in the LRH group. In comparing the LRH and ORH groups, there were no significant differences in patient characteristics except for the type of approach to the previous hepatectomy (p = 0.004) and indocyanine green retention rate at 15 min (median 12.5 vs. 8.75%, p = 0.026). The LRH group had less blood loss (median 30 mL vs. 652 mL; p < 0.001), less intraoperative transfusion (6.1 vs. 32.4%; p = 0.006), and shorter postoperative hospital stays (median 6.5 days vs. 9.0 days; p < 0.001). There were no differences with regard to operation time, severe postoperative complications, and mortality. In comparing the LRH and LPH groups, there was a significant difference only in past history of abdominal surgery (100 vs. 61.4%; p < 0.001). In the short-term outcomes, the postoperative hospital stay was significantly shorter in the LRH group (median 6.5 days vs. 7 days; p = 0.033), and the other results were comparable between the two groups., Conclusions: LRH is feasible and useful for repeat hepatectomy, achieving good short-term outcomes.

Background: In our process of standardizing laparoscopic right hemihepatectomy (Lap-RH), we found several advantages of the laparoscopic caudate lobe first approach by using a unique laparoscopic caudodorsal view., Methods: Between April 2012 and October 2017, 21 patients underwent pure Lap-RH at our hospital. The mean patient age was 62 years (range 36-75 years), and there were more male than female patients (66.7%). Of 21 patients, 11 had hepatocellular carcinoma, eight had metastatic tumor, and the other two had focal nodular hyperplasia and refractory liver abscess. All 21 patients had Child-Pugh class A liver function. The surgical technique was recorded on video., Results: The mean operative time was 409 min (range 241-522 min), and the mean blood loss was 279 g (range 0-1,010 g). No procedure was converted to open surgery. With regard to postoperative complications, one patient had bile leakage from the stump of the main Glissonean branch and another patient had abscess formation in the subphrenic space. No postoperative bleeding, hepatic failure, and mortality occurred., Conclusions: Our standardized procedure of Lap-RH using the unique laparoscopic caudodorsal view is not only feasible but also confers a true advantage of the laparoscopic approach., (© 2018 Japanese Society of Hepato-Biliary-Pancreatic Surgery.)

Background: Laparoscopic distal pancreatectomy (Lap-DP) for benign lesions or those with low malignant potential has been proven safe and effective, and its performance is now widespread [1-3]. Lap-DP for left-sided pancreatic cancer (PC) is also being increasingly performed. According to some reports, Lap-DP has superior short-term outcomes (blood loss, postoperative hospital stay) and comparable oncological outcomes and overall survival with those of open distal pancreatectomy (Op-DP) [4-6]. PC has highly malignant potential; thus, complete resection and sufficient regional lymphadenectomy with tumor-free margins are very important. Radical antegrade modular pancreatosplenectomy (RAMPS) is an accepted standard Op-DP technique for PC and is reportedly useful for achieving R0 resection and radical lymphadenectomy [7-10]. However, laparoscopic RAMPS (Lap-RAMPS) is not yet popular because of its technical difficulty and lack of adequate evidence. Few reports have described the detailed surgical technique of Lap-RAMPS [11-13]. We employ Lap-RAMPS using the ligament of Treitz approach with the benefit of a laparoscopic view and herein describe the usability of this laparoscopic procedure with a video., Methods: Our indication for Lap-RAMPS is left-sided PC located ≥1 cm away from the origin of the splenic artery (SPA) without invasion of the superior mesenteric artery (SMA), celiac artery (CA), common hepatic artery (CHA), or portal vein (PV). We apply either anterior or posterior RAMPS to achieve tumor-free margins. Therefore, the left adrenal gland and the nerve plexus around the SMA and CA are resected depending on the extent of the cancer. Three patients underwent Lap-RAMPS for left-sided PC using the ligament of Treitz approach from April to December 2016. This video shows our Lap-RAMPS procedure performed in a 67-year-old man with pancreatic body cancer who was being followed up for autoimmune pancreatitis. The tumor was suspected to have invaded the SPA, splenic vein, and retroperitoneum but was not close to the SMA, CA, CHA, or PV. The patient was put in the supine position with his legs opened, and the operation was performed using five trocars. Early in the operation, we incised the retroperitoneum just beside the ligament of Treitz, and the inferior vena cava and left renal vein (LRV) were exposed with resection of Gerota's fascia under a good laparoscopic view. The left adrenal gland was resected in this case to obtain sufficient tumor-free margins. The origin of the SMA was easily identified above the LRV. The most posterior dissection was carried out early in the operation, making it easy and safe to determine the resected margin and enabling curative resection with sufficient regional lymphadenectomy. After division of the pancreas with a linear stapler, the lymph nodes around the SMA and CA were safely removed., Results: The operative time was 358 min, and the estimated blood loss was 1 ml. The postoperative course was uneventful, and the patient was discharged on postoperative day 10. Pathological examination revealed invasive ductal carcinoma (stage III, T3N1M0 according to the 7th edition of the Union for International Cancer Control system) with tumor-free margins. In all three patients, the median operative time and blood loss were 358 (328-451) min and minimal (minimal to 1 ml). One patient underwent anterior RAMPS and the other two patients, including the case mentioned above, underwent posterior RAMPS. One patient developed a grade B pancreatic fistula according to the International Study Group for Pancreatic Fistula (ISGPF) classification, but he recovered promptly with conservative treatment. No life-threatening complications occurred. The median postoperative hospital stay was 14 (10-16) days., Conclusions: Lap-RAMPS using the ligament of Treitz approach is feasible and extremely helpful in performing minimally invasive, curative resection for well-selected left-sided PC.

Duplicated inferior vena cava (IVC) is a rare congenital anomaly. We describe the utility of a new graft from the left IVC in a patient with duplicated IVC for reconstructing the middle hepatic vein (MHV) after partial hepatectomy with MHV resection. A 67-year-old woman with hepatitis C was found to have a liver tumor. Magnetic resonance imaging confirmed that the tumor, which was attached to the MHV, was hepatocellular carcinoma. Central bisectionectomy (S4, S5, and S8 resection) could not be tolerated because of poor liver function and a low future liver remnant volume. Therefore, partial hepatectomy with MHV resection was performed. The left IVC was harvested as a venous graft and was substituted for the resected MHV. She recovered uneventfully and was discharged on postoperative day 12. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of using the left IVC as a venous graft. The left IVC is a good candidate graft for the MHV or for portal vein reconstruction because of its length, diameter, and easy harvesting (it did not require an extra incision) in a patient with duplicated IVC.

Aim: To evaluate a laparoscopic approach to gallbladder lesions including polyps, wall-thickening lesions, and suspected T1 and T2 gallbladder cancer (GBC)., Methods: We performed 50 cases of laparoscopic whole-layer cholecystectomy (LCWL) and 13 cases of laparoscopic gallbladder bed resection (LCGB) for those gallbladder lesions from April 2010 to November 2016. We analyzed the short-term and long-term results of our laparoscopic approach., Results: The median operation time was 108 min for LCWL and 211 min for LCGB. The median blood loss was minimal for LCWL and 28 ml for LCGB. No severe morbidity occurred in either procedure. Nine patients who underwent LCWL and 7 who underwent LCGB were postoperatively diagnosed with GBC. One of these patients had undergone LCGB for pathologically diagnosed T2 GBC after LCWL. All of the final surgical margins were negative. Three of these 15 patients underwent additional open surgery. The mean follow-up period was 26 mo, and only one patient developed recurrence., Conclusion: LCWL and LCGB are safe and useful procedures that allow complete resection of highly suspected or early-stage cancer and achieve good short-term and long-term results., Competing Interests: Conflict-of-interest statement: None of the authors have conflicts of interest to declare.

Introduction: The ideal reconstruction method for pancreaticoduodenectomy following a gastrectomy with Billroth II or Roux-en-Y reconstruction is unclear., Methods: We reviewed a series of seven pancreaticoduodenectomies performed after gastrectomy with the Billroth II or Roux-en-Y method., Results: While preserving the existing gastrojejunostomy or esophagojejunostomy, pancreaticojejunostomy and hepaticojejunostomy were performed by the Roux-en-Y method using a new Roux limb in all cases. Four patients experienced postoperative complications, although the specific complications varied., Discussion: A review of the literature revealed 13 cases of pancreaticoduodenectomy following gastrectomy with Billroth II or Roux-en-Y reconstruction. Three patients out of six (50%) in whom the past afferent limb was used for the reconstruction of the pancreaticojejunostomy and hepaticojejunostomy experienced afferent loop syndrome, while 14 previous and current patients in whom a new jejeunal limb was used did not experience this complication., Conclusion: The Roux-en-Y method, using the distal intestine of previous gastrojejunostomy or jejunojejunostomy as a new jejunal limb for pancreaticojejunostomy and hepaticojejunostomy, may be a better reconstruction method to avoid the complication of afferent loop syndrome after previous gastrectomy with Billroth II or Roux-en-Y reconstruction if the afferent limb is less than 40cm., (Copyright © 2017 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ltd.. All rights reserved.)

Right umbilical portion (RUP) is a rare congenital anomaly associated with anomalous ramifications of the hepatic vessels and biliary system. As such, major hepatectomy requires a careful approach. We describe the usefulness of the Glissonean approach in two patients with vessel anomalies, such as RUP. The first patient underwent a right anterior sectionectomy for intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma. We encircled several Glissonean pedicles that entered the right anterior section along the right side of the RUP. We temporarily clamped each pedicle, confirmed the demarcation area, and finally cut them. The operation was performed safely and was successful. The second patient underwent a left trisectionectomy for perihilar cholangiocarcinoma. We secured the right posterior Glissonean pedicle. The vessels in the pedicle were preserved, and the other vessels and contents were resected. Identifying the vessels for preservation facilitated the safe lymphadenectomy and dissection of the vessels to be resected. We successfully performed the operation., Competing Interests: Conflict-of-interest statement: None of the authors have conflicts of interest to declare.

Introduction: Undifferentiated carcinomas with osteoclast-like giant cells (UC-OGCs) of the ampullary region are very rare, with only a few cases reported to date. The clinicopathological features, treatment options, and prognosis of UC-OGCs are unclear. This report describes a patient with UC-OGCs of the ampullary region., Presentation of Case: A 78-year-old male patient was admitted for epigastric pain and fever. Contrast-enhanced computed tomography revealed a 2.6-cm mass at the duodenal papilla. Duodenoscopy revealed a smooth red protruding mass compressing the orifice of the papilla of Vater. Biopsy of the mass showed proliferation of osteoclast-like giant cells. A subtotal stomach-preserving pancreaticoduodenectomy was performed, and the tumor was histologically diagnosed as an UC-OGCs of the ampullary region. Carcinoma in situ was also observed, spreading from the tumor at the terminal segment of the common bile duct to the common hepatic duct, with carcinoma cells at the surgical margin of the common hepatic duct. One year after surgery, the patient is alive and without tumor recurrence., Discussion: UC-OGCs of the ampullary region is very rare neoplasm containing osteoclast-like giant cells and mononuclear cells. Osteoclast-like giant cells may originate from reactive mesenchymal cells and carcinoma in situ may spread to the common hepatic duct. Surgery including pancreaticoduodenectomy may be a treatment option for resectable tumors, whereas gemcitabine may be a treatment option for unresectable tumors., Conclusion: Carcinoma in situ may spread quite far (5cm) to the common hepatic duct, making it desirable to intraoperatively confirm negative bile duct margins by rapid pathologic diagnosis., (Copyright © 2016 The Author(s). Published by Elsevier Ltd.. All rights reserved.)

A 75-year-old woman presented with right upper quadrant abdominal pain and anorexia. She was diagnosed with descending colon cancer with lymph node and liver metastases. She was treated with preoperative chemotherapy consisting of levofolinate/5-fluorouracil/oxaliplatin (mFOLFOX6). After the completion of 7 courses of chemotherapy, the tumor shrunk remarkably. A left-sided colectomy with radical lymphadenectomy and an extensive posterior segment resection of the liver were performed. Postoperatively, pathological analysis revealed no cancerous cells in the primary tumor, lymph node metastases, or liver metastases. She is currently receiving mFOLFOX6 therapy as adjuvant chemotherapy. In a patient with advanced colon cancer, a complete response of not only the primary tumor but also the lymph node and liver metastases to preoperative chemotherapy is rare. This case demonstrates that mFOLFOX6 therapy is safe and effective as preoperative chemotherapy for advanced colon cancer.

Introduction: An innovative approach, called associated liver partition and portal vein ligation for staged hepatectomy(ALPPS), has made possible a marked increase in future liver remnant (FLR) volume over a short period of time, thus permitting extended hepatectomy., Case Description: This report describes ALPPS in a 63-year-old male patient with rectal cancer and synchronous multiple liver metastases. The primary lesion was resected, followed by chemotherapy. We had planned to completely resect the metastases in both liver lobes, but CT volumetry revealed a very small FLR (364 ml, 29% of the total liver volume, 0.61% of total body weight). His indocyanine green retention rate at 15 minutes was 12.7%. Because of the risk of tumor progression in the interim, we performed ALPPS. During the first stage, the tumor in segment 3 was resected, the right lobe was mobilized, the liver was partitioned, and the right portal vein was ligated. The right hepatic artery, duct and vein were secured with vessel loops. CT on postoperative day 6 showed sufficient FLR increase (from 364 ml to 573 ml, or from 0.61% to 0.96% of total body weight) and ICGR15 improvement to 3.4%. The second stage of ALPPS was on postoperative day 7, completing resection of the metastases. The patient recovered well and was discharged 21 days after the second step., Discussion and Evaluation: The ALPPS approach has many advantages, but it lacks evidence of long-term results. Considering the high mortality and morbidity rates of ALPPS, it is essential to evaluate its risks and benefits in individual patients and determine the strict criteria for this surgical method., Conclusions: ALPPS procedure rapidly increases FLR, permitting extended hepatectomy for patients with initially insufficient FLR.

A 63-year-old woman was admitted because of epigastric pain and obstructive jaundice. Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography and intraductal ultrasonography revealed a 25-mm papillary nodule in the middle to inferior portion of the common bile duct (CBD). Pancreaticobiliary maljunction (PBM) was also identified. Contrast-enhanced computed tomography also showed an enhanced nodule in the CBD, and we suspected intraductal papillary neoplasm of the bile duct. We performed pylorus-preserving pancreatoduodenectomy. Postoperative pathological examination revealed an inflammatory polyp in the middle CBD. Inflammatory polyp in the bile duct is rare and there are no previous reports accompanied by PBM. PBM is a major risk factor for biliary tract cancer. Preoperative diagnosis of a benign disorder was difficult in this case.