[Surgical Technique for Prevention of Incisional Hernia in Laparoscopic Small Bowel Resection in the Obese Patient].

A 67-year-old woman reporting lower abdominal pain and anemia was examined. Small intestinal tumor was diagnosed by small intestinal radiographic contrast study and small intestinal endoscopy, and we decided to perform a laparoscopic partial resection of the small bowel. Since she was obese patients(BMI 36.3, abdominal wall 6 cm)at high risk of postoperative incisional hernia, we devised a way to make the wound smaller. We judged thick abdominal wall make umbilical wound larger in single port surgery. We performed multi-port surgery by using one 15 mm trocar, and removed small intestinal tumor from 15 mm port incision. In addition, to prevent incisional hernia, we used a trocar with a wound closure assist function for securely closing the port wound in all layers. Histopathological diagnosis was neuroendocrine tumor. The patient is being followed up without recurrence and without incisional hernia. In partial small bowel resection of obese patient, the use of a 15 mm port to minimize wound site and the use of trocar with a wound closure assist function may lead to prevent incisional hernia.

[A Case of Epithelial Cyst Occurring in Intrapancreatic Accessory Spleen].

Although accessory spleens are often found in clinical practice, it is rare to identify cystic disease in an intrapancreatic accessory spleen. Here, we report a case of an epithelial cyst that occurred in the intrapancreatic accessory spleen. The patient was a 54-year-old male. Liver dysfunction was identified by the primary care doctor, and abdominal CT showed a tumorous lesion in the pancreatic tail. The patient was then referred to our hospital. Contrast-enhanced CT revealed a multilocular cystic lesion in the pancreatic tail. In endoscopic ultrasound, there was no obvious solid tumor in the cyst. A cystic disease such as serous cystic neoplasm(SCN)or mucinous cystic neoplasm(MCN)was suspected, and we performed a laparoscopic distal pancreatectomy. Postoperative pathological examination revealed an accessory spleen in the tail of the pancreas. The identified epithelial cyst was present in this accessory spleen. An epithelial cyst that occurs in the intrasplenic accessory spleen is a rare disease, but it is necessary to keep in mind as a possible differential diagnosis.

[Sustained Complete Response of Hepatocellular Carcinoma with Multiple Intrahepatic Metastases following the Discontinuation of Sorafenib].

Sorafenib is an oral multi-targeted tyrosine kinase inhibitor used in cases of unresectable advanced HCC that significantly improves progression-free and overall survival. Complete response(CR)is uncommon; however, if major or complete radiological response are obtained, the issue of the discontinuation of sorafenib remains unresolved. The present study reported a case of a 75-year-old man with non-hepatitis B and C virus-related cirrhosis and multiple recurrent HCCs followingresection. In December 2010, a CT scan revealed multiple intrahepatic recurrence after TACE. Laboratory testingshowed Child-Pugh class A cirrhosis and an alpha-fetoprotein level of over 20,000 ng/mL. Sorafenib(800mg/day)was started in December 2010. The subsequent dynamic CT performed at the 6th month of therapy showed a partial response accordingto RECIST criteria and a complete response accordingto mRECIST. The AFP had decreased to within normal levels. In May 2012, the sorafenib dose was reduced(200 mgtwice daily)due to side effects(skin reaction). In December 2013, treatment was stopped after confirmation of a CR associated with shrinkage of the HCC. The patient maintained this remission until June 2018, more than 54 months after the discontinuation of sorafenib therapy. The adverse events of sorafenib were reversible. Further reportingof similar cases should help in the design of treatment strategies after CR to sorafenib therapy.

[A Case of Liver Metastases of Ampullary Carcinoma with Clinical Complete Response Treated with Gemcitabine plus Cisplatin].

We report a case of liver metastases of ampullary carcinoma that achieved clinical complete response after gemcitabine plus cisplatin(GC)combination chemotherapy. A 69-year-old man with obstructive jaundice was diagnosed with ampullary carcinoma and underwent laparoscopic pancreaticoduodenectomy. Postoperative histopathological examination revealed pT3aN0M0, Stage ⅡA adenocarcinoma of the papilla of Vater. Five months after surgery, multiple liver metastases were identified by CT and MRI. The patient received GC chemotherapy intravenously at doses of 1,000 and 25mg/m2 on days 1 and 8, respectively, every 3 weeks. After 3 courses of GC chemotherapy, a CT scan revealed that the liver metastases reduced in size, and PR was achieved based on the RECIST standard. However, Grade 3 neutropenia appeared. After 7 courses, the liver metastases disappeared, and the patient had achieved CR. After 9 courses, the clinical CR continued. Approximately 14 months have passed since the recurrence, and the patient is currently alive.

[A Case of Disease Control Achieved with TACE Using Cisplatin for Liver-Limited Metastases of Colorectal Cancer].

A 54-year-old woman with unresectable multiple liver-limited metastases of rectal cancer was treated with cisplatin-based transcatheter arterial chemoembolization(TACE). Before initiating TACE, we performed abdominoperineal resection for advanced rectal cancer, resection of the bilateral ovaries for metastasis, liver resection for metastasis, and oxaliplatin/irinote- can/anti-EGFR chemotherapy for the unresectable liver metastases. For the liver-limited metastases that did not respond to systemic chemotherapy, we successfully controlled the disease in 26 months with TACE every 4 or 5months. A combination of 50mg cisplatin and 4 mL lipiodol was injected into the liver through the left or middle hepatic artery with a microcatheter via the femoral artery. The hepatic arteries were mildly embolized with Embosphere. Immediately after TACE, non-contrastenhanced CT was performed to confirm the distribution of the cisplatin powder and embolization. Tumor response was assessed by enhanced CT 3 months after the treatment. We report a case of liver metastasis of colorectal cancer successfully controlled with cisplatin-based TACE over 2 years.

[A Case of Laparoscopy Assisted Ileocecal Resection for Large Appendiceal Mucinous Adenocarcinoma].

Appendiceal mucinous adenocarcinoma accompanied by cysts ruptures by surgical operation and leakage of mucus into the peritoneal cavity results in deterioration of prognosis.We report a case where the appendix mucinous adenocarcinoma was safely excised by laparoscopically preceding vascular treatment, lymph node dissection and intestinal dissection.The case was a woman in her forty-age suffering from the right lower quadrant and fever; no improvement was observed even when antibiotics were administered.A cystic lesion with a maximum diameter of 75mm was found on the right side of the pelvis with CT, and numerous lymph adenopathy was observed along the iliac artery.Preoperative diagnosis was diagnosed as appendiceal mucinous adenocarcinoma suspected and laparoscopic resection of the cecum was performed with the above procedure without breaking the cyst.Pathological diagnosis was findings of appendicular mucinous adenocarcinoma.She was discharged on the 7th postoperative day after surgery, 6 months after surgery without relapse survival.In order to resect a cystic tumor by laparoscopic surgery, it is considered to be useful to take care to prevent the forceps from touching the tumor, and perform a procedure that precedes vascular dissection and intestinal dissection.

[Treatment Outcomes of Gemcitabine and Cisplatin Combination Therapy for Unresectable and Recurrent Biliary Tract Cancer].

Gemcitabine and cisplatin combination therapy(GC therapy)is now considered a highly effective regimen for patients with unresectable and metastatic biliary tract cancer. We performed GC therapy for 18 patients between January 2014 and April 2018. The median age of the patients was 67.5 years, and 13 patients were men. Fifteen patients had a performance status (PS)score of 0, and 3 patients had a PS score of 1. Nine patients had distal cholangiocarcinoma, 3 had intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma, 3 had duodenum papilla cancer, and 3 had gallbladder cancer. Fourteen patients showed recurrence after the radical resection, and 9 had liver metastasis. Sixteen patients had over Grade 3 hematological or non-hematological toxicities. The most-common adverse event was neutropenia. None of the patients had Grade 5 adverse events. The response rate was 11.1%, and the disease-control ratio was 66.7%. GC therapy was effective for patients with unresectable and recurrent biliary tract cancer. However, it is necessary to examine the eligibility of patients before treatment.

[The Treatment Outcomes of FOLFIRINOX for Unresectable and Recurrent Pancreatic Cancer].

FOLFIRINOX is now considered to be a highly effective regimen for patients with metastatic pancreatic cancer. We administered FOLFIRINOX therapy in 18 patients between October 2014 and April 2017 as follows: 2-hour infusion of L-OHP at a dose of 85mg/m2, 2-hour infusion of LV at a dose of 200 mg/m2, infusion of CPT-11 for over 90 minutes at a dose of 150 mg/m2, followed by continuous infusion of 5-FU over 46 hours at a dose of 2,400mg/m2. The median age of the patients was 66.5 years. There were 15 patients with performance status(PS)0, and 3 with PS 1. Two patients were Stage III and 16 patients were Stage IV . More than half of the patients had over Grade 3 hematological or non-hematological toxicities. The most common adverse event was neutropenia. Two patients had Grade 5 adverse events: severe cholangitis occurred in the patient with a biliary stent and overwhelmingpost -splenectomy infection occurred in the patient who underwent distal pancreatectomy. The response rate was 11.1%, and the disease control rate was 77.8%. FOLFIRINOX was effective in the patients with unresectable and recurrent pancreatic cancer. However, it is necessary to examine the eligibility of the patients.

[A Case of Recurrent Colon Cancer Successfully Treated with Capecitabine plus Bevacizumab].

A 76-year-old woman had undergone a laparoscopic low anterior resection for rectal cancer. After 12 months, CT showed 2 tumors measuring 25mm in diameter in the pelvis and hydronephrosis. The patient was treated with CapeOX plus bevacizumab( Bmab). After 3 courses of chemotherapy, the size of the tumors was remarkably reduced. After 6 courses, the chemotherapy was withdrawn because of cystitis. Anaphylactic shock occurred after the 7th course after resumption of treatment. After 42 days, the chemotherapy(Cape plus Bmab)was resumed. The patient is recurrence free 13 months after achieving a complete response(CR).

[A Case of a Two-Stage Hepatectomy for Irresectable Colorectal Cancer Liver Metastases].

A 60-year-oldman was diagnosedwith ascending colon cancer with multiple bilobar metastases. He then received7 courses of tegafur-gimeracil-oteracil andoxaliplatin (SOX)plus panitumumab as downstaging chemotherapy. This treatment significantly reducedthe size of the metastatic tumor, andwe subsequently triedto perform a curative resection. A twostage hepatectomy was plannedto avoidthe risk of hepatic failure from small future liver remnant. First, the anterior segmentectomy andthe left portal vein ligation were performed. Then, a curative resection consisting of a left lobectomy andextend - edright hemicolectomy were performed2 0 days after the first surgery. No recurrence was observed1 5 months after the operation. Two-stage hepatectomy as well as a combination of induction chemotherapy and portal vein ligation may have contributedto the improvedprognosis of the initially unresectable multiple bilobar liver metastases.

[Pancreatic Cancer with Liver Metastasis Treated with Radical Surgery after Chemotherapy].

Pancreatic ductal carcinoma is a highly aggressive cancer, and chemotherapy is the standard therapy for pancreatic adenocarcinoma. We report curative resection for a case of pancreatic cancer with liver metastasis after chemotherapy. A 67-yearold woman presented with vomiting and weight loss, and was admitted to our hospital for an evaluation of pancreatic lesions. Computed tomography revealed a hypoattenuating tumor in the head of the pancreas. We would usually perform pancreatoduodenectomy based on a diagnosis of cStage III . However, this case was inoperable because we found 4 liver metastases during surgery, which we resected. Sixteen days after surgery, we administered FOLFIRINOX chemotherapy. The grade 2 toxicities were nausea, anorexia, diarrhea, and fatigue, but serious adverse events did not occur. After 7 courses of chemotherapy, no new metastases were noted. Therefore, radical subtotal stomach-preserving pancreatoduodenectomy was performed. The patient has survived without any recurrence for more than 17 months after hepatectomy.

[A Case of Malignant Anorectal Melanoma with Laparoscopic Abdominoperineal Resection].

A 69-year-old man with anemia underwent colonoscopy. Colonoscopy showed a black tumor, 2 cm from the anal verge. The biopsy specimen revealed malignant melanoma, which was preoperatively diagnosed as T1(SM), N0, M0, Stage I . We performed laparoscopic abdominoperineal resection. The tissue type and diagnosis were malignant melanoma, pT1b(10 mm), pN0, pM0, ly0, v0, pDM0, pPM0, pRM0, pStage I b, according to the Colon Cancer Handling Terms, 8th edition). The patient did not receive adjuvant chemotherapy. However, he survived postoperatively for 9 months, with no sign of recurrence.

[Multiple Metachronal Liver Metastases from a Rectal Neuroendocrine Tumor Controlled by Repeated Transcatheter Arterial Chemoembolization].

A 60-year-old woman was diagnosed with a rectal neuroendocrine tumor(NET)with SM invasion.We performed laparoscopic low anterior resection with D3 lymph node dissection.Pathological findings were rectal NET, G1, pSM(9,000 mm), ly0, v0, pN0, PM0, DM0, pR0, pStage I .Four years and 6 months later, contrast enhanced abdominal computed tomography (CECT)and contrast enhanced magnetic resonance imaging revealed multiple liver metastases.The tumors were unresectable because they were bilobar; therefore, we performed transcatheter arterial chemoembolizaion(TACE).One month later, CECT showed the lesions had shrunk.The metastases were well controlled via repeated TACE.For unresectable liver metastases from rectal NET, TACE can be an effective treatment.

[A Case of a Patient with Metastatic Rectal-Uterine Cancer from the Ascending Colon Who Underwent NOSE].

An 80-year-old woman had undergone a right hemicolectomy for ascending colon cancer 9 months prior to the current presentation. CT and PET-CT showed a solitary tumor measuring 55mm in diameter at the uterus and rectum. Three 5mm ports and two 12mm two ports were placed. The sigmoid colon was mobilized using a medial approach as usual in laparoscopic surgery. The rectum and uterus were mobilized and were resected. We inserted the End-catchTM in from the vagina and removed the specimen. The patient had no abdominal pain and was discharged from the hospital 9 days after the operation.

Clinical application of ghrelin in the field of surgery.

Ghrelin was discovered as an intrinsic ligand for the growth hormone (GH)-secretagogue receptor (GHS-R) in 1999. The endogenous production of ghrelin occurs mainly in the stomach. Ghrelin has multiple functions; it has orexigenic action, stimulates GH secretion, has anti-inflammatory activities, stimulates gastrointestinal activity, stabilizes heart function and has other metabolic roles. Moreover, ghrelin is the only gastrointestinal hormone known to stimulate appetite. In the past decade, clinical applications of ghrelin have been attempted for various pathologies, based on its anabolic function, including applications for patients with anorexia nervosa and cachexia due to chronic heart, renal or pulmonary diseases. In the field of surgery, we have conducted several clinical trials using exogenous ghrelin in patients undergoing total gastrectomy, esophagectomy and neoadjuvant chemotherapy, including cisplatin treatment, and consistently obtained unique and striking benefits in these patients. Ghrelin comprehensively improves the patients' general conditions and quality of life via its pleiotropic physiological functions. This characteristic is unique and different from the existing drugs; therefore, ghrelin may be an indispensable supplement to prevent surgical stress and postoperative sequelae. This review summarizes the recent advances toward the clinical application of ghrelin.

Effects of ghrelin administration on the early postoperative inflammatory response after esophagectomy.

PURPOSE: Ghrelin is a unique gastric hormone, which has pleiotropic biological functions, including anti-inflammatory effects. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of administering ghrelin on reducing postoperative systemic inflammation in patients undergoing esophagectomy. METHODS: The safety and effectiveness of postoperative ghrelin administration were investigated among twenty esophageal cancer patients who underwent esophagectomy between May 2010 and August 2011. Two different regimens of ghrelin administration, twice daily rapid drip infusion (3 µg/kg, twice a day) or continuous infusion (0.5 µg/kg/h), were employed. The duration of the systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS) and the hematological parameters were compared between groups. RESULTS: Patients treated with ghrelin showed shorter SIRS durations than controls (1.6 ± 2.7 vs. 4.1 ± 3.7 days, respectively; p = 0.0065) and also showed lower C-reactive protein concentrations than controls (11.0 ± 4.6 mg/dL vs. 15.3 ± 7.3 mg/mL, respectively, on postoperative day 3, p = 0.030). Ghrelin administration was not associated with any adverse events. The incidence of operative morbidity was equivalent between groups. The two ghrelin administration regimens showed similar durations of systemic inflammatory response (rapid drip: 2.2 ± 3.3 vs. continuous: 1.1 ± 1.9 days, p = 0.17). CONCLUSIONS: Postoperative ghrelin administration is safe and may suppress protracted postoperative inflammation in patients who undergo esophagectomies.

[Nab-Paclitaxel plus Gemcitabine for Metastatic Pancreatic Cancer].

Pancreatic ductal carcinoma is a highly aggressive cancer, with one of the highest mortality rates among gastrointestinal cancers. Nab-paclitaxel plus gemcitabine (GEM) significantly improved overall survival, progression-free survival, and response rate in a phase Ⅲ trial in 151 community and academic centers in 11 countries. As a result, nab-paclitaxel plus GEM was approved for use in December 2014 in Japan. We report a case of a patient with pancreatic cancer who underwent this chemotherapy. A 47-year-old man was admitted to our hospital for evaluation of pancreatic lesions. Computed tomography revealed a hypoattenuating tumor in the body of the pancreas. After the patient underwent preoperative chemoradiotherapy under the diagnosis of cStage Ⅳa cancer, we planned to perform distal pancreatectomy. However, this case was inoperable because we found 3 liver metastases during surgery. On postoperative day 14, we treated the patient with nab-paclitaxel plus GEM. Grade 2 toxicities included neutropenia, diarrhea, and peripheral neuropathy, but serious adverse events did not occur. The progression-free survival was 5 months. He remained alive for 7 months after the chemotherapy. In patients with metastatic pancreatic adenocarcinoma, nab-paclitaxel plus GEM can be considered as the standard treatment.