Successful Surgical Fixation Using Bio-Absorbable Plates for Frail Chest in a Severe Osteoporotic Octogenarian.

We present a case of a severe osteoporotic octogenarian who sustained serious flail chest from a traffic accident. The 3rd-9th ribs of the right chest wall were fractured. Non-operative management was unsuccessful. We performed a surgical fixation using a bio-absorbable and bio-active mini-plating set. This plating set is unsintered hydroxyapatite (u-HA) particles/poly-L-lactide (PLLA) composite osteosynthesis device commonly used for cranial, oral, and maxillofacial surgeries. The use of the u-HA/PLLA device for chest wall reconstruction has previously been reported, but no long-term results have been included. This case showed several advantages of the procedure with 4-year follow-up over other reported methods, especially in an osteoporotic elderly patient.

Efficacy of multi-slice computed tomography cholangiography before laparoscopic cholecystectomy.

BACKGROUND: Bile duct injury is one of the serious surgical complications of laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC). Clear biliary tract imaging to detect the anomaly of the bile ducts before operation is thought to be useful to prevent this complication. The objective of this study was to investigate the preoperative feasibility of using multi-slice computed tomography scanning after drip infusion cholangiography-computed tomography (DIC-CT) for LC. METHODS: Laparoscopic cholecystectomies were carried out in 33 patients and DIC-CT and magnetic resonance cholangiography (MRC) were also carried out in all of these patients. We evaluated the recognition of the junction of the cystic duct and detection of anomalies of the extrahepatic bile ducts using the latter two methods. RESULTS: In 33 patients, DIC-CT showed the junction of the cystic duct in 31 (94%) and MRC in 25 (76%) patients, respectively. Anomalies of the extrahepatic bile ducts or the cystic duct were detected in four (12%) patients by DIC-CT, but MRC could show only one of these lesions. There were no major adverse reactions in either examination. CONCLUSION: DIC-CT is an efficacious preoperative technique as compared with MRC for the biliary tract imaging. DIC-CT may be of benefit for both patients scheduled to undergo LC and their surgeons.

Tissue oxygen saturation during colorectal surgery measured by near-infrared spectroscopy: pilot study to predict anastomotic complications.

INTRODUCTION: We investigated the relation between tissue oxygen saturation measured by near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) and anastomotic complications associated with colorectal surgery. METHODS: A series of 20 patients with colorectal cancer underwent radical surgery with enteric anastomosis. Measurements of tissue oxygen saturation (StO2) were performed at both the proximal and distal portions of the anastomotic site; in cases of anterior resection, we measured StO2 only in the proximal portion. RESULTS: Two anastomotic complications (one leakage, one stenosis) occurred in the 20 cases. The StO2 in patients with anastomotic complications was 58.0%, and that in patients without complications was 71.0%. Altogether, 18 patients had StO2 values > 66%, and none of them had anastomotic complications. In contrast, 2 patients had StO2 values < 60%, and both had anastomotic complications. CONCLUSIONS: The StO2 of the anastomotic site can be safely and reliably measured by NIRS during colorectal surgery. Low StO2 on both sides of the anastomosis may indicate an increased risk of anastomotic complications. Further study is needed to determine the cutoff value for StO2 required to prevent serious complications.

Papillary thyroid carcinoma with anaplastic transformation showing a rhabdoid phenotype solely in the cervical lymph node metastasis.

We describe a rare case of anaplastically transformed papillary thyroid carcinoma with a rhabdoid phenotype appearing solely in a metastatic focus. A 77-year-old man presented with a rapidly enlarging, painful right lateral cervical mass. CT scan revealed a tumor in the right upper pole of the thyroid gland and a right lateral cervical mass. Examination of surgically resected specimens disclosed that the thyroid tumor was a well-differentiated papillary carcinoma (2.0 cm in diameter), and the right lateral cervical mass was an anaplastic carcinoma (2.4 cm in diameter) showing a rhabdoid phenotype with scant amounts of a papillary carcinoma component in the periphery, considered to be transformed through the metastasis of the papillary thyroid carcinoma in a cervical lymph node. The rhabdoid cells had eccentric nuclei with conspicuous nucleoli and spherical hyaline cytoplasmic inclusions, which are immunoreactive for vimentin and sarcomeric actin. Ultrastructurally, these had globular aggregation of thin and intermediate filaments. Nuclear immunoreactivity for INI1 indicated that the tumor had no INI1 abnormalities, suggesting a secondary rhabdoid tumor. Recurrence developed in the right cervical and mediastinal lymph nodes, and the patient died of disease 6 months after surgery. A rhabdoid phenotype is a pathological hallmark indicating the aggressive nature not only in the neck region, but also in other organs.

[A case of transverse colon cancer with left supraclavicular lymph node metastasis and paraaortic lymph node metastases responding to TS-1].

A 61-year-old man was seen at our hospital because he noticed a mass on the left side of his neck. After examinations, he was diagnosed as transverse colon cancer with the left supraclavicular lymph node metastasis and paraaortic lymph node metastases. Rt. hemicolectomy was performed for the transverse colon cancer. At 15 days after operation, TS-1 chemotherapy was started (each treatment course consisted of daily oral administration of 100 mg TS-1 for 4 weeks followed by 2 drug-free weeks). After the first course, the left supraclavicular lymph node had shrunk markedly in physical findings. After the second course, both the left supraclavicular lymph node metastasis and paraaortic lymph node metastases had disappeared in CT findings. A complete remission was observed after the second course, and was maintained thereafter. The serum level of CA 19-9 decreased from 62 U/ml under the normal value after the second course, and was kept under this normal value. Leukopenia and eruption (grade 2) were the only observed adverse effects. This patient continues to undergo outpatient treatment with good QOL.

Gastric cancer occurred after coronary artery bypass grafting using the right gastroepiploic artery.

We recently encountered a rare case where gastric cancer developed in the long-term postoperative stage after coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) using the right gastroepiploic artery (RGEA) and distal partial gastrectomy was performed to treat the cancer. The patient was a 64-year-old man. In November 2001, he underwent three-vessel CABG, involving bypassing between the right coronary artery (RCA) and the RGEA, to treat an old myocardial infarction. In May 2003, he was admitted to our hospital because of exacerbation of diabetes mellitus and anemia. Gastric endoscopy revealed gastric cancer affecting the pylorus. Preoperative abdominal angiography showed the RGEA graft remained well patent. In June 2003, he underwent distal partial gastrectomy and regional lymph node dissection. Because the RGEA had been freed adequately to the point of bifurcation of the gastroduodenal artery during the previous CABG, the RGEA graft was preserved during distal partial gastrectomy. When the RGEA is used for CABG, it seems advisable to free the RGEA adequately to a point of bifurcation of the gastroduodenal artery. If done so, regional lymph node dissection around the RGEA is easier to perform when gastric cancer has occurred in these cases, eventually reducing the risk for injury of the graft. Following CABG with the RGEA, it seems essential to perform periodical checks for gastric cancer to facilitate early detection of gastric cancer. The necessity of close follow-up of these cases is endorsed by the fact that healing of gastric cancer by endoscopic mucosal resection (EMR) is highly probable if the cancer is detected at early stages.

[A case of paraaortic lymph nodes metastases responding to TS-1 following surgery for gastric cancer].

A 58-year-old man underwent distal gastrectomy with a D2 lymph adenectomy for advanced gastric cancer (pStage IIIB). Seven months later, abdominal CT revealed multiple paraaortic lymph nodes metastases. Radiation therapy was not effective, so TS-1 chemotherapy was started (each treatment course consisted of daily oral administration of 100 mg TS-1 for 4 weeks followed by 2 drug-free weeks). The CT findings revealed that the metastatic lesion had shrunk markedly after the first course. A complete response was observed after the fifth course, and was maintained thereafter. The serum level of CEA decreased from 337 to 2.7 ng/ml after the third course, but gradually rose again and stayed between 30 and 50 ng/ml. Although the re-elevation of serum CEA level suggested the existence of a recurrent lesion, no sign of recurrence was found by radiographical or endoscopic examinations. Leukocytopenia and anemia (grade 2) were the only observed adverse effects. This patient continues to undergo outpatient treatment with good QOL.

Advanced lung cancer invading the left atrium wall treated with pneumonectomy and combined resection of the left atrium using stapling devices: report of two cases.

In chest surgery, stapling devices are primarily used to close bronchi. However, they are also used for dissection and suturing between lung lobes, resection and plication of lung tissue (including bullae), combined resection of the superior vena cava, closure of the pulmonary great vessels, closure of the left atrium following combined resection of the left atrium, and so on. We recently treated two cases of advanced lung cancer, which had invaded the left atrial wall, with pneumonectomy and combined resection of the left atrium using stapling devices, and obtained favorable results. For combined resection of the left atrium, it is safer to use stapling devices than vascular clamps, since the latter involve the risk of dislocation during use. Furthermore, since stapling devices require no margin for suturing, the left atrium can be resected at a point sufficiently distant from the cancer, thus allowing for highly radical resection. Stapling devices are also useful because they can be manipulated even within narrow operative fields. When dealing with lung cancer requiring combined resection of the left atrium, pneumonectomy is needed in most cases. When performing surgery for these cases, it is essential to first close and divide the bronchi and pulmonary arteries and veins as far as possible so that adequate adherence around the left atrium can be developed and the entire lung can be lifted up, followed by resection of the left atrium with a stapling device applied to the left atrium without any tension.

Use of a silicone T-tube for management of a tracheal injury in a patient with cervical blunt trauma.

A 71-year-old woman fell forward hitting the anterior part of her neck against a table. Bronchoscopy revealed deformation of the cartilage crescent in the cervical trachea (suggestive of cartilage contusion) and a longitudinal tear in the membranous region. Because subcutaneous emphysema and dyspnea developed and progressed, we made a tracheostomy and inserted a silicone T-tube through the stoma to relieve intraluminal pressure. This then served as a stent for the airway after the patient had progressed through the acute stage. The subcutaneous emphysema and pneumomediastinum abated gradually during the 7 days after insertion of the T-tube, which remained in the cervical trachea as a tracheal stent for 2 months thereafter. The T-tube is easy to manage and can be inserted through the stoma without major surgery. As an alternative to tracheotomy, the T-tube is nonirritating, allows speech, aspiration of sputum, and respiration through the nasopharynx, and in general requires little if any special maintenance or cleaning. Furthermore, a relatively long T-tube can be used, and so the stent can occupy a longer section of the trachea than can a tracheostomy tube. We recommend the placement of a T-tube to provide a useful stent for cervical tracheal injury.

Left upper division sleeve segmentectomy for early stage squamous cell carcinoma of the segmental bronchus: report of two cases.

Early hilar lung cancer is rare. It is usually curable if properly diagnosed and treated. We recently encountered two cases of early stage squamous cell carcinoma of the left upper division bronchus, which responded well to left upper division sleeve segmentectomy. Case 1 was a 74-year-old man, a heavy smoker, who was referred to our hospital after sputum cytology had resulted in a positive diagnosis while receiving inpatient care for heart failure at another hospital. Bronchoscopy revealed a thickened tumor at the spur between left B(1+2) and B(3). Squamous cell carcinoma was diagnosed by forceps biopsy via bronchoscopy. Left upper division sleeve segmentectomy with lymph node dissection was performed. Since the bronchi to be anastomosed to each other were greatly different in diameter, telescoped anastomosis was used. His postoperative course was uneventful, and he continues to show good respiratory condition, without any evidence of recurrence 25 months after surgery. Case 2 was a 60-year-old man, a heavy smoker, who was identified by sputum cytology as needing detailed examination during a mass screening of high-risk groups for early detection of lung carcinoma. Bronchoscopy revealed a nodular tumor at the orifice of the left upper division bronchus. Squamous cell carcinoma was diagnosed by forceps biopsy via bronchoscopy. Left upper division sleeve segmentectomy with lymph node dissection was performed. During surgery for this case, the lingular bronchus was dissected obliquely to make its cross-section wide enough to match the diameter of the left upper lobe bronchus to which the former was anastomosed. His postoperative course was uneventful, and he shows good respiratory condition, without any evidence of recurrence five months after surgery. The pathological stage was TisN0M0 (stage 0) in both patients, and their tumors were confirmed as early hilar lung cancer. Sleeve segmentectomy, aimed at radical resection of cancer while preserving lung function, can serve as a standard procedure for surgical treatment of cases of early hilar lung cancer confined to the segmental bronchi.

Cardiac herniation following intrapericardial pneumonectomy with partial pericardiectomy for advanced lung cancer.

We present in this paper a case of cardiac herniation following right intrapericardial pneumonectomy after induction chemotherapy. A 52-year-old man with advanced squamous cell carcinoma of the lung was admitted to our hospital suffering from a dry cough and chest pain. An intrapericardial pneumonectomy with partial pericardiectomy (4 x 4 cm) was performed. The pericardial defect was left open. Just prior to removal of the tracheal tube, cardiac herniation occurred with hypotension, arrhythmia and cardiac arrest. A chest X-ray revealed cardiac herniation into the right hemithorax. Re-thoracotomy was performed and the heart was returned to its normal position and the pericardial defect was immediately repaired with an expanded polytetrafluoroethylene (EPTFE) patch. The patient's postoperative course was uneventful. Unless prompt diagnosis and surgical treatment can be accomplished, cardiac herniation can be a fatal complication. We recommend that when pneumonectomy is performed, pericardial defects should be closed with a prosthetic patch, regardless of the defect's size.

Salvage surgery for primary non-Hodgkin's lymphoma of the thyroid gland with histopathological complete response to radio-chemotherapy: report of a case.

A 74-year-old woman was admitted to a local hospital for investigation of a rapidly growing mass in her neck, and exertional dyspnea. An open biopsy confirmed a diagnosis of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma of the thyroid (NHLT), of a diffuse large cell type. The patient was referred to our department for radio-chemotherapy for stage I E NHLT. She was given radiotherapy in the form of 40 Gy radiation directed at her neck and superior mediastinum, with one course of chemotherapy using cyclophosphamide, adriamycin, vincristine, and prednisolone (CHOP). After radio-chemotherapy, the tumor was obviously smaller. Because the patient refused further chemotherapy, she underwent salvage surgery, after being sufficiently advised, and with her informed consent. Histological examination of the removed thyroid tissue showed that the radio-chemotherapy had produced a complete response. Thus, we believe that an open biopsy should be performed early to confirm the diagnosis of lymphoma histologically and to determine the degree of malignancy. We also stress the fact that NHLT is presently most effectively treated by radiotherapy combined with several courses of CHOP chemotherapy. The role of surgery in the treatment of NHLT is diminishing.