Alteration of the fecal microbiome in patients with cholecystectomy: potential relationship with postcholecystectomy diarrhea - before and after study.

BACKGROUND: Bile acid (BA) is a crucial determinant of the gut microbiome, and cholecystectomy can alter the physiology of BA. Physiological changes in BA resulting from cholecystectomy can also influence the gut microbiome. We aimed to identify the specific taxa associated with perioperative symptoms, including postcholecystectomy diarrhea (PCD), and to evaluate the effect of cholecystectomy on the microbiome by investigating the fecal microbiome of patients with gallstones. METHODS: We analyzed the fecal samples of 39 patients with gallstones (GS group) and 26 healthy controls (HC group) to evaluate their gut microbiome. We also collected fecal samples from GS group 3 months postcholecystectomy. Symptoms of patients were evaluated before and after cholecystectomy. Further, 16S ribosomal RNA amplification and sequencing were performed to determine the metagenomic profile of fecal samples. RESULTS: The microbiome composition of GS differed from that of HC; however, the alpha diversity was not different. No significant microbiome alterations were observed before and after cholecystectomy. Moreover, GS group showed a significantly lower Firmicutes to Bacteroidetes ratio before and after cholecystectomy than the HC group (6.2, P< 0.05). The inter-microbiome relationship was lower in GS than in HC and tended to recover 3 months after surgery. Furthermore, ~28.1% ( n =9) of patients developed PCD after surgery. The most prominent species among PCD (+) patients was Phocaeicola vulgatus. Compared with the preoperative state, Sutterellaceae , Phocaeicola , and Bacteroidals were the most dominant taxa among PCD (+) patients. CONCLUSION: GS group showed a different microbiome from that of HC; however, their microbiomes were not different 3 months after cholecystectomy. Our data revealed taxa-associated PCD, highlighting the possibility of symptom relief by restoring the gut microbiome.

The value of drain fluid amylase as a predictor of postoperative pancreatic fistula after pancreaticogastrostomy.

BACKGROUND: Drain fluid amylase is commonly used as a predictor of pancreatic fistula after pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD). This study aimed to determine the ideal cut-off value of drain fluid amylase on postoperative day 1 (DFA1) for predicting pancreatic fistula after pancreaticogastrostomy (PG). METHODS: Prospective data of 272 consecutive patients undergoing PG between 2010 and 2020 was collected and analysed to determine the postoperative pancreatic fistula (POPF) risk factors. RESULTS: The incidence of POPF was 143 cases (52.6%). The median DFA1 in patients with POPF was significantly higher than that of patients with NO-POPF (5483 versus 311, P < 0.001). DFA1 correlated with POPF in the area under the curve (AUC) of 0.84 (P < 0.001). When DFA1 was 2300 U/L, Youden index was the highest, with a sensitivity of 72.7% and a specificity of 82.9%. Logistic regression analysis showed that DFA1 ≥ 2300 U/L was an independent predictor of POPF (P < 0.001; OR: 12.855; 95% CI: 7.019-23.544). The AUC of DFA1 and clinically relevant postoperative pancreatic fistula (CR-POPF) was 0.674 (P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: DFA1 ≥ 2300 U/L can be used as an independent predictor of POPF after PG. DFA1 ≥ 3000 U/L can predict the occurrence of CR-POPF, when DFA1 ≥ 3000 U/L, the patients should be observed closely active for complications.

Significance of Hepatectomy in Patients Diagnosed With T2 Gallbladder Cancer.

BACKGROUND: A radical surgery is mandatory for advanced gallbladder cancer. However, the appropriate surgical procedure for T2 gallbladder cancer remains controversial because of the difficulty associated with accurate preoperative diagnosis. The aims of the study were to analyze the clinicopathologic features of patients diagnosed with T2 gallbladder cancer and to identify the survival benefit of hepatectomy for such cases. METHODS: Eighty-four patients, who were diagnosed with pT2 gallbladder cancer from January 1995 to December 2012, were included in this study. Patients were divided into nonhepatectomy and hepatectomy groups. RESULTS: Partial hepatectomies were performed in 36 of 84 patients (42.9%). A significant difference in age was observed between the nonhepatectomy and hepatectomy groups (P=0.027). However, no significant differences were observed in sex, tumor size, or pathologic outcome between the 2 groups. No significant difference in survival rate was observed between the 2 groups (5-year survival rate, 60.4% vs. 66.6%). Of the 23 patients who underwent cholecystectomy, 11 (47.8%) were treated with extended surgery as a second operation with curative intent. No remnant tumor was detected at the hepatectomy site in any patient. However, the second operation revealed lymph node metastasis in 2 patients (18.2%). In terms of recurrence, 8 patients (34.7%) had hepatic metastasis. However, the metastatic tumor was away from the resection margin. No significant difference in survival rate was found between the peritoneal and the hepatic side groups (5-year survival rate, 62.5% vs. 73.0%). CONCLUSIONS: Hepatectomy is not associated with a better survival rate after surgery for T2 gallbladder cancer. Moreover, no recurrence near the gallbladder fossa is observed. In case of T2 gallbladder cancer confirmed by first operation, however, a second operation should be recommended on the basis of accurate nodal staging and additional therapy.

Effect of Alpha-Linolenic Acid with Bovine Serum Albumin or Methyl-Beta-Cyclodextrin on Membrane Integrity and Oxidative Stress of Frozen-Thawed Boar Sperm.

The study was conducted to investigate the effects of alpha-linolenic acid (ALA) combined with bovine serum albumin (BSA) or methyl-beta-cyclodextrin (MBCD) on plasma and acrosomal membrane damages, mitochondrial activity, morphological abnormality, motility, and oxidative stress in frozen-thawed boar sperm. In previous our study, 3 ng/mL ALA had been shown protective effect during freezing process of boar sperm. Therefore, we used 3 ng/mL ALA in present study and ALA was combined with same molar ratio of BSA or MBCD (ALA+BSA and ALA+MBCD, respectively). To confirm the effect of two carrier proteins, same volume of BSA and MBCD without ALA were added during cryopreservation. Membrane damage, mitochondrial activity, reactive oxygen species (ROS) and lipid peroxidation (LPO) levels were measured using flow cytometry, and movement of sperm tail as motility parameter and morphological abnormality were observed under light microscope. In results, all of sperm parameters were enhanced by ALA combined with BSA or MBCD compared to control groups (p<0.05). Mitochondrial activity, morphological abnormality, ROS and LPO levels in ALA+BSA or MBCD groups were no significant difference compared with ALA, BSA and MBCD treatment groups. On the other hand, plasma and acrosomal membrane intact, and sperm motility in ALA+MBCD group were higher than single treatment groups (p<0.05), whereas ALA+BSA did not differ. Our findings indicate that carrier proteins such as BSA and MBCD could improve the effect of ALA during cryopreservation of boar sperm, and treatment of ALA with carrier proteins enhance membrane integrity, mitochondrial activity through reduction of ROS-induced LPO.

Pain related to robotic cholecystectomy with lower abdominal ports: effect of the bilateral ultrasound-guided split injection technique of rectus sheath block in female patients: A prospective randomised trial.

BACKGROUND: Robotic cholecystectomy (RC) using port sites in the lower abdominal area (T12-L1) rather than the upper abdomen has recently been introduced as an alternative procedure for laparoscopic cholecystectomy. Therefore, we investigated the time course of different components of pain and the analgesic effect of the bilateral ultrasound-guided split injection technique for rectus sheath block (sRSB) after RC in female patients. METHODS: We randomly assigned 40 patients to undergo ultrasound-guided sRSB (RSB group, n = 20) or to not undergo any block (control group, n = 20). Pain was subdivided into 3 components: superficial wound pain, deep abdominal pain, and referred shoulder pain, which were evaluated with a numeric rating scale (from 0 to 10) at baseline (time of awakening) and at 1, 6, 9, and 24 hours postoperatively. Consumption of fentanyl and general satisfaction were also evaluated 1 hour (before discharge from the postanesthesia care unit) and 24 hours postoperatively (end of study). RESULTS: Superficial wound pain was predominant only at awakening, and after postoperative 1 hour in the control group. Bilateral ultrasound-guided sRSB significantly decreased superficial pain after RC (P < 0.01) and resulted in a better satisfaction score (P < 0.05) 1 hour after RC in the RSB group compared with the control group. The cumulative postoperative consumption of fentanyl at 6, 9, and 24 hours was not significantly different between groups. CONCLUSIONS: After RC with lower abdominal ports, superficial wound pain predominates over deep intra-abdominal pain and shoulder pain only at the time of awakening. Afterwards, superficial and deep pain decreased to insignificant levels in 6 hours. Bilateral ultrasound-guided sRSB was effective only during the first hour. This limited benefit should be balanced against the time and risks entailed in performing RSB.

Endoscopic naso-gallbladder drainage versus gallbladder stenting before cholecystectomy in patients with acute cholecystitis and a high suspicion of choledocholithiasis: a prospective randomised preliminary study.

OBJECTIVE: Endoscopic transpapillary gallbladder drainage using a nasocystic tube or plastic stent has been attempted as an alternative to percutaneous drainage for patients with acute cholecystitis who are not candidates for urgent cholecystectomy. We aimed to assess the efficacy of single-step endoscopic drainage of the common bile duct and gallbladder, and to evaluate which endoscopic transpapillary gallbladder drainage method is ideal as a bridge before elective cholecystectomy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: From July 2011 to December 2014, 35 patients with acute moderate-to-severe cholecystitis and a suspicion of choledocholithiasis were randomly assigned to the endoscopic naso-gallbladder drainage (ENGBD) (n = 17) or endoscopic gallbladder stenting (EGBS) (n = 18) group. RESULTS: Bile duct clearance was performed successfully in all cases. No significant differences were found between the ENGBD and EGBS groups in the technical success rates [82.4% (14/17) vs. 88.9% (16/18), p = 0.658] and clinical success rates [by intention-to-treat analysis: 70.6% (12/17) vs. 83.3% (15/18), p = 0.443; by per protocol analysis of technically feasible cases: 85.7% (12/14) vs. 93.8% (15/16), p = 0.586]. Three ENGBD patients and two EGBS patients experienced adverse events (p = 0.658). No significant differences were found in operation time or rate of conversion to open cholecystectomy. CONCLUSIONS: Single-step endoscopic transpapillary drainage of the common bile duct and gallbladder seems to be an acceptable therapeutic modality in patients with acute cholecystitis and a suspicion of choledocholithiasis. There were no significant differences in the technical and clinical outcomes between ENGBD and EGBS as a bridge before cholecystectomy.

Short-Term Surgical Outcomes and Experience with 925 Patients Undergoing Robotic Cholecystectomy During A 4-Year Period At A Single Institution.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Robotic cholecystectomy has emerged as an established technique for the treatment of gallbladder disease. We report our experience and surgical results of RC for patients with gallbladder polyps or minimal symptomatic gallstones, and with inflamed gallbladder diseases including acute cholecystitis, empyematous cholecystitis, and gangrenous cholecystitis. METHODOLOGY: 925 patients with gallbladder disease were selected to undergo RC at our institution. All procedures were performed using the da Vinci system. No technical difficulty in RC was experienced. Use these advantages, we performed cholecystectomy by placing the trocars transversally on the bikini line('Panty line', 'Bikini line'). RESULTS: From June 2010 to May 2014, 925 gallbladder disease patients underwent RC on the bikini line. Excluding the effects of BMI produced no correlation between operating time and white blood cell count (r = 0.062, p = 0.058). Surgical complications occurred in nine of the 925 patients (0.1%), including cystic duct leakage (n = 4), bleeding (n = 3), common bile duct injury (n = 1), and bladder injury (n = 1). Conversion to open cholecystectomy occurred in one patient due to common bile duct injury (0.01%). CONCLUSION: RC is technically an easy to learn, safe method of patients with gallbladder disease, regardless of BMI. In addition, RC can be a treatment for patients with acute inflammation in gallbladder disease.

Surgical outcomes for solid pseudopapillary neoplasm of the pancreas.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Solid pseudopapillary neoplasm (SPN) is a rare exocrine tumor of the pancreas with low malignant potential. This study was designed to evaluate surgical outcome of solid pseudopapillary neoplasm (SPN). METHODOLOGY: From Between January 1994 to November 2013, 41 patients were diagnosed with SPN of the pancreas at Ajou University Medical Center and underwent surgical resection. RESULTS: Of the 41 patients, 33(80.5%) were female and 8(19.5%) were male with a mean age of 34.5 years (range, 12-63 years). The most common location of SPN was the tail (43.9%). Mean diameters of SPN was 5.5 cm (range, 1.2- 14.5 cm). Nineteen patients (46.3%) had non-specific abdominal symptoms that had been investigated. Surgical treatment included distal pancreatectomy in 21, pancreaticoduodenectomy in 11, segmental resection of pancreas in 4, enucleation in 2, excision in 2 and surgical biopsy in 1. Thirty-nine of the 41 patients were disease-free at a median follow-up of 59 months (range, 1-125 months). CONCLUSIONS: Patients diagnosed as SPN should receive surgical resection because of the excellent prognosis. Closed follow-up is recommended after surgery, even in patients without pathological malignant potential. For metastasis or recurrence, an aggressive surgical treatment is necessary because of the good possibility of long-term survival.

Surgical outcomes of distal pancreatectomy.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Most efforts to minimize pancreatic fistula after distal pancreatectomy (DP) have been focused on techniques of pancreatic transection and management of the pancreatic remnant. However, an ideal method of handling remnant pancreas after resection does not exist. This study evaluates surgical outcome of DP and describes how to reduce pancreatic fistula (PF) after DP. METHODOLOGY: From March 1999 to May 2011, 142 DPs were performed at Ajou University Medical Center. RESULTS: The rate of pancreatic leak was 23.2% (33/142); grade A (n=18), grade B (n=15), and grade C (n=0). The remnant pancreas was managed by stapler in 44 patients (31.0%), suture in 45 (31.7%), and stapler with suture in 53 (37.3%). The morbidity and mortality rates were 38.0% and 0%. In patients who underwent surgery for extrapancreatic disease, the rate of PF was 50% (25/50). It was significantly higher than that (11.9%) in those with pancreatic disease (p = 0.003). Among closure methods for the remnant pancreas, the stapler with suture method reduced postoperative PF. In those with pancreatic disease, the PF rate after stapler with suture was significantly lower than that with stapler or suture alone. CONCLUSIONS: Surgery for extrapancreatic disease is an independent risk factor for PF after DP. Of the methods of handling pancreatic remnants, the stapler with suture method by an experienced hepatobiliary surgeon decreased the risk of PF.

Robotic cholecystectomy with new port sites.

AIM: To introduce robotic cholecystectomy (RC) using new port sites on the low abdominal area. METHODS: From June 2010 to June 2011, a total of 178 RCs were performed at Ajou University Medical Center. We prospectively collected the set-up time (working time and docking time) and console time in all robotic procedures. RESULTS: Eighty-three patients were male and 95 female; the age ranged from 18 to 72 years of age (mean 54.6 ± 15.0 years). All robotic procedures were successfully completed. The mean operation time was 52.4 ± 17.1 min. The set-up time and console time were 11.9 ± 5.4 min (5-43 min) and 15.1 ± 8.0 min (4-50 min), respectively. The conversion rate to laparoscopic or open procedures was zero. The complication rate was 0.6% (n = 1, bleeding). There was no bile duct injury or mortality. The mean hospital stay was 1.4 ± 1.1 d. There was a significant correlation between the console time and white blood cell count (r = 0.033, P = 0.015). In addition, the higher the white blood cell count (more than 10000), the longer the console time. CONCLUSION: Robotic cholecystectomy using new port sites on the low abdominal area can be safely and efficiently performed, with sufficient patient satisfaction.

Clinical implication of bile spillage in patients undergoing laparoscopic cholecystectomy for gallbladder cancer.

We determined the influence of bile spillage on recurrence and survival during laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) for gallbladder (GB) cancer. Among the 136 patients with GB cancer treated at Ajou University Hospital between 1994 and 2007, 28 underwent LC alone. We compared patients without bile spillage (bile spillage [-] group, n = 16) with patients who had bile spillage (bile spillage [+] group, n = 12). There was no statistical difference in stage between the groups. In the bile spillage (-) group, all patients underwent curative resection and there were two patients with locoregional recurrences and three patients with systemic recurrences. In the bile spillage (+) group, five patients underwent R1 resection and one patient underwent R2 resection and all eight recurrent patients had systemic recurrences. The disease-free survival and overall survival were shorter in the bile spillage (+) group (disease-free survival, 71.4 vs 20.9 months; P = 0.028; overall survival, 72.6 vs 25.8 months; P = 0.014). Bile spillage is likely to be an association with an incomplete resection and systemic recurrences. When GB cancer is suspected during LC, conversion to open surgery for preventing bile spillage and achieving curative resection should be considered.

Temporary placement of a newly designed, fully covered, self-expandable metal stent for refractory bile leaks.

Bile leaks remain a significant cause of morbidity for patients undergoing laparoscopic cholecystectomy. Leakage from an injured duct of Luschka (subvesical duct) follows the cystic duct as the most common cause of postcholecystectomy bile leaks. Although endoscopic sphincterotomy, plastic-stent placement, or nasobiliary-drain placement are effective in healing biliary leaks, in patients in whom leakage persists and the symptoms worsen despite conventional endoscopic treatment, re-exploration with laparoscopy and ligation of the injured subvesical duct should be considered. We present herein the case of a 31-year-old woman with refractory bile leakage from a disrupted subvesical duct after cholecystectomy that could not be managed with endoscopic sphincterotomy and plastic-stent placement. A newly designed, fully covered, self-expandable metal stent (FC-SEMS) was successfully placed for the treatment of refractory bile leaks in this patient. It appears that temporary placement of an FC-SEMS is technically feasible and provides an effective alternative to surgical therapy for refractory bile leaks after cholecystectomy.

Clinical/pathological analysis of gallbladder adenomyomatosis; type and pathogenesis.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: The aim of this study was to analyze the clinical/pathological outcomes of patients that underwent surgery for gallbladder adenomyomatosis, to clarify the characteristics of the type and pathogenesis of adenomyomatosis. METHODOLOGY: From May 1997 to March 2008, 4704 consecutive patients underwent cholecystectomy at Ajou University Medical Center. Among them, 113 (2.4%) patients that were histopathologically diagnosed with adenomyomatosis or adenomatous hyperplasia were selected for this study. The patients were divided into a fundal type group and a segmental/diffuse type group, and the specimens reviewed with Hematoxylin-Eosin (H & E) and immunohistochemical stainings. RESULTS: Sixty-three patients were male and 50 female; the age ranged from 17 to 76 years of age. The fundal type was the most common type. Gallstones were present in 69.9% of the patients. In the analysis of the fundal and segmental/diffuse types, gallstones were present in 23 patients with fundal type and in 53 patients with segmental/diffuse type; this difference was statistically significant (p < 0.05). Review of H & E staining showed that the most common findings were grade 1 (n = 14) in the fundal type and grade 2 (n = 23) in the segmental/diffuse type; there was a significant difference in the inflammatory grade (p < 0.05). Immunohistochemical staining showed expression of vimentin, as a mesenchymal marker in 28.0% of cases (n = 16). CONCLUSIONS: The fundal type differed from the segmental/diffuse type based on the clinical/ pathological features; it had a lower frequency of gallstones and a lower inflammatory grade. In addition, no cancer was identified in the resected gallbladders of patients with adenomyomatosis. The findings suggest that the Rokitansky-Aschoff sinuses (RAS) were associated with acquired motility, based on the expression of vimentin, consistent with an epithelial-mesenchymal transition.

Management of patients who return to the hospital with a bile leak after laparoscopic cholecystectomy.

INTRODUCTION: Bile leaks after laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) can be difficult to diagnose early. The aim of this study was to investigate the clinical features of minor bile leaks and to discuss how to manage patients who revisit the hospital with minor bile leaks after LC. PATIENTS AND METHODS: From January 2001 to September 2007, 2219 LCs were performed at the Ajou University Medical Center. Twenty-four patients (1.0%) who presented with a bile leak or bile duct injury after a cholecystectomy were identified. The patients with minor bile duct injury were divided into two groups, depending on whether they revisited the hospital (group 2) or not (group 1) after LC. RESULTS: Seventeen of 24 patients had minor bile leaks. The characteristics of patients in group 2 were long hospital stay, short operation time, and low frequency of indwelling surgical drains. Ten of 17 patients (58.8%) revisited the hospital at a mean of 7.0 +/- 2.7 days after the LC. However, 3 of 10 patients (30%) were discharged from the ER with atypical abdominal pain and returned to the hospital again within 5 days due to recurrent abdominal pain. There was a significant correlation between hospital stay and time to endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) (P = 0.008) and between hospital stay and PCD (P = 0.028). CONCLUSIONS: Most minor bile leaks were managed by ERCP and/or percutaneous drainage. However, early diagnosis was difficult when patients revisited the hospital within 7 days after the LC. Therefore, early ERCP should be considered in these patients to diagnose the bile leak early and limit needed hospital stay.

Unsuspected gallbladder cancer diagnosed after laparoscopic cholecystectomy: focus on acute cholecystitis.

BACKGROUND: The aim of the present study was to investigate clinicopathological features of patients who were diagnosed with unsuspected gallbladder cancer (UGC) after laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) and to clarify the relationship between acute cholecystitis (AC) and unsuspected gallbladder cancer. METHODS: From June 1997 to March 2008, a total of 2,607 LCs were performed at Ajou University Medical Center. Twenty-six patients (1.0%) were diagnosed with gallbladder cancer after LC. We excluded patients with preoperatively or intraoperatively suspected gallbladder cancer. RESULTS: Of 1,128 patients with AC, 19 (1.6%) were identified with gallbladder cancer after surgery. The preoperative diagnosis included a high rate of acute and severe acute cholecystitis (n = 19; 73.1%). The rate of conversion to open surgery was 15.4% (4/26), and bile spillage occurred in 14 of 26 patients (53.8%). Adenocarcinoma (92.3%) and pT2 (65.4%) were the most common pathological findings. In 19 UGC patients with AC, the most common pathological finding was also pT2 (n = 12; 63.1%). In addition, all 5 of the patients with positive resection margin belonged to the UGC with AC group. Two of 26 patients (7.7%) underwent additional surgery after LC, and 2 patients (7.7%) underwent excision of the port site/wound for recurrence. The overall median survival was 32 months (95% Confidence Interval [CI] = 21-43). There were no significant differences in age, the presence of acute cholecystitis, or bile spillage (P > 0.05) However, tumor differentiation was associated significantly with survival rate. CONCLUSIONS: The preoperative diagnosis included a high rate of acute and severe acute cholecystitis. Survival was not associated with the presence of AC and bile spillage. Therefore, we suggest that AC may not influence the prognosis of unsuspected gallbladder cancer after LC. Moreover, good tumor differentiation can guarantee favorable survival, even in UGC with AC.

Should we perform surgical management in all patients with suspected porcelain gallbladder?

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Porcelain gallbladder has generally been regarded as a risk factor for gallbladder cancer. This study was designed to clarify the association between porcelain gallbladder and cancer by analysis of clinicopathological features of patients who underwent surgery for suspected porcelain gallbladder. METHODOLOGY: From January 2002 to December 2008, 3159 cholecystectomies were performed at Ajou University Medical Center. Twelve patients were preoperatively diagnosed with suspected porcelain gallbladder. To examine the association between gallbladder calcification and cancer, patients who were histopathologically diagnosed with either gallbladder calcification or cancer were also reviewed. RESULTS: According to final pathology, 44.3% of patients showed porcelain gallbladder. During the study period, calcification of gallbladder wall was identified in 9 patients (0.2%). The mean age was 54.6 +/- 15.0 years (range, 30-75). The female-to-male ratio was 3.5:1. However, preoperative porcelain gallbladder was diagnosed in 5 patients. Eight of 9 patients underwent LC, whereas the remaining one patient underwent laparoscopic-assisted distal gastrectomy. Interestingly, there was no patient with a diagnosis of both porcelain gallbladder and cancer. CONCLUSIONS: We found that preoperative diagnosis of porcelain gallbladder was difficult. Moreover, there was no association between porcelain gallbladder and cancer. Therefore, when porcelain gallbladder is suspected, surgeons should decide operation, based on the symptoms rather than the possibility of coexistence of gallbladder cancer.

Is endoscopic papillectomy safe for ampullary adenomas with high-grade dysplasia?

OBJECTIVES: This study was designed to provide safe management guidelines for ampullary adenoma by analysis of clinicopathological features. BACKGROUND: The treatment of ampullary cancer has been established; however, the indications for treatment of ampullary adenoma remain controversial. METHODS: Between July 1997 and July 2008, a total of 33 patients were diagnosed with ampullary adenoma prior to procedures: 20 endoscopic papillectomies (ESP), 5 transduodenal resections (TDR), and 8 pancreatoduodenectomies (PD). RESULTS: The false-negative rate of biopsy for cancer was 27.5% (8/29). Coexistence of cancer in patients with pre-high-grade dysplasia (HGD) was 50.0% (5/10), whereas it was 15.7% in pre-low-grade dysplasia (LGD). In addition, the rate of recurrence was 80% (8/10) in patients with pre-HGD. The size of tumor by final pathology was 1.27 +/- 0.89 cm in LGD, 1.81 +/- 0.99 cm in HGD, and 1.98 +/- 1.08 cm in cancer group. There was a significant correlation between size of tumor and final pathology (P = 0.036). According to receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve, criterion to predict HGD/cancer was tumor size larger than 1.5 cm; sensitivity and specificity were 55.6% and 80.0%, respectively, and likelihood ratio was 2.778. However, size of tumor was not associated with preprocedural pathology. CONCLUSIONS: Ampullary adenoma with preprocedural HGD was highly associated with coexistence of cancer and recurrence. Moreover, most of large tumors were treated by surgical procedures and proved to be cancer. Therefore, we suggest that ampullary adenoma with preprocedural HGD or more than 1.5 cm should not be managed with endoscopic papillectomy due to high associated rates of recurrence.

Is xanthogranulomatous cholecystitis the most difficult for laparoscopic cholecystectomy?

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Xanthogranulomatous cholecystitis (XGC) is a rare disease of the gallbladder, showing high conversion rate and complications. However, it has been reported as collected data or as a case review. Therefore, we compared surgical outcomes of laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) in patients who were diagnosed with XGC with that of other cholecystitis. METHODOLOGY: From November 2001 to March 2008, 3209 cholecystectomies were performed at Ajou University Medical Center. Twenty-three patients (0.7%) were histopathologically diagnosed with XGC. Of 23 patients, we retrospectively analyzed the data of 15 patients who underwent initial laparoscopic approach for XGC and compared the data with those of severe acute and non-severe cholecystitis (SAC and NSC). RESULTS: The conversion rate was 40% (6/15) and mean operative time was 101.6+/-47.1 min. In the XGC group, conversion rate was significantly higher than in the other cholecystitis groups, even more than that for severe acute cholecystitis (SAC) (P<0.05). In addition, the rate of coexistence of gallbladder cancer (13.3%) was significantly higher in the XGC group than in the SAC group (P<0.05). Whereas, there were no statistical differences in the operative time and postoperative stay between XGC and SAC. Postoperative complications were present in 2 patients, including colonic fistula and major bile duct injury, however it was not significantly different between the three groups (P>0.05). CONCLUSIONS: XGC is association with a high conversion rate and a high coexistence of gallbladder cancer, compared even with SAC. Therefore, a careful preoperative evaluation for differentiation between XGC and gallbladder cancer is needed. First of all, proper intraoperative decision making such as whether the frozen-section biopsy and/or conversion to open cholecystectomy should be performed is important.

Management of ERCP-related perforations: outcomes of single institution in Korea.

INTRODUCTION: The aim of this study was to analyze clinicoradiologic findings and treatment outcomes of patients with endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP)-related perforations. Between May 2003 and November 2007, 2,247 ERCP procedures with or without sphincterotomy were performed at Ajou University Medical Center, Suwon, Korea, and 20 perforations (0.89%) were identified. DISCUSSION: We retrospectively reviewed medical and surgical records of each patient. Of 18 patients, 11 patients (61.1%) underwent nonsurgical management, and seven patients (38.9%) received surgical management. There were no significant differences in age, gender, and laboratory findings between two groups (P > 0.05). The hospital stay was significantly longer in the operative group than that of the conservative group (P < 0.05, respectively). The most common cause of perforation was sphincterotomy (n = 8) in the conservative group whereas scope itself (n = 6) in operative group, showing a significant difference between the two groups (P < 0.05). The retroperitoneal air was most common findings in eight patients (72.7%) of the conservative group, while six (85.7%) patients of the operative group presented with intraperitoneal air, displaying a significant difference in location of air between the two groups (P < 0.05). Most of sphincterotomy-related perforations were managed nonsurgically. However, the scope-related perforations were usually large and required immediate surgery. Moreover, the delayed operation resulted in a longer hospital stay and high morbidity. Therefore, the selective early surgical intervention is suggested when scope-related perforations are discovered.

Which method should we select for pancreatic anastomosis after pancreaticoduodenectomy?

BACKGROUND: This study was designed to compare surgical, morphological, and functional outcomes of pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD) according to the types of pancreaticoenterostomy performed and to suggest a proper anastomotic method after PD. METHODS: From January 2001 to December 2006, 147 PDs were performed at Ajou University Medical Center. Surgical, morphological, functional, and nutritional outcomes after PD were retrospectively compared according to the types of management of pancreatic remnant and whether pancreaticogastrostomy (PG) or pancreaticojejunostomy (PJ), including duct-to-mucosa or invagination method, was performed. RESULTS: For the reconstruction method, 43 PG (30 duct-to-mucosa and 13 invagination) and 100 PJ (33 duct-to-mucosa and 67 invagination) were performed. Pancreatic leak rate in PG group (7%) was less than that in PJ group (13%); however, it was not significant (P > 0.05). On the other hand, there was a significant difference in pancreatic leak between duct-to-mucosa and invagination (3.2 vs. 17.5%, P < 0.05). Surprisingly, there was no pancreatic leak in PG duct-to-mucosa anastomosis after PD. There were no significant differences in the change of remnant pancreatic duct size, pancreatic thickness, presence of steatorrhea, and new-onset diabetes mellitus (DM) between PG and PJ. In the invagination group, the main pancreatic duct diameter was increased and pancreatic thickness was progressively reduced. CONCLUSION: The duct-to-mucosa method is safer and has a good duct patency and low pancreas atrophy compared with the invagination method. In addition, PG duct-to-mucosa is safer than PG invagination, but not in the PJ group. Therefore, we recommend PG duct-to-mucosa for reconstruction after PD because of safety and good duct patency, especially for inexperienced surgeons.