Open mesh removal combined with laparoscopic totally extraperitoneal inguinal hernia repair: A case report of a novel surgical technique for chronic postoperative inguinal pain.

A 74-year-old man presented for surgical treatment to alleviate chronic post-herniorrhaphy inguinal pain. Physical and imaging examinations suggested that his pain was due to his ilioinguinal nerve being entrapped by a meshoma composed of bilayer mesh and plug mesh. The patient strongly desired mesh removal, although it appeared challenging because of adhesion of the meshes from the previous herniorrhaphies. Anticipating technical difficulty, we performed laparoscopic totally extraperitoneal repair followed by open mesh removal. Thus, the risk of damaging the peritoneum and visceral organs during open mesh removal was eliminated because the peritoneum had already been separated from the pathogenic mesh during the laparoscopic repair. The patient's chronic pain was drastically relieved. Combination surgery may therefore be a safe and useful technique in select patients with chronic postoperative inguinal pain. This approach could also prevent hernia recurrence.

Treatment option of endoscopic stent insertion or gastrojejunostomy for gastric outlet obstruction due to gastric cancer: a propensity score-matched analysis.

BACKGROUND: There are currently two treatment options for gastric outlet obstruction (GOO) due to gastric cancer, endoscopic stenting and surgical gastrojejunostomy. However, their therapeutic effects have not yet been established. Therefore, the present study was undertaken to examine these effects. METHODS: The Japanese Gastric Cancer Association invited its delegates to participate in a retrospective multicenter cohort study on patients with GOO due to gastric cancer who underwent stent therapy or gastrojejunostomy in 2015. RESULTS: We obtained data from 85 patients undergoing stent therapy and 94 undergoing gastrojejunostomy from 42 hospitals. Baseline data revealed that stent patients had lower food intake, poorer performance status, and worse prognostic indices than gastrojejunostomy patients. Postoperative food intake and survival times were worse in stent patients than in gastrojejunostomy patients. We performed propensity score matching to select pairs of patients with similar baseline characteristics in the two treatment groups. After matching, the frequency of postoperative complications was significantly less in stent patients (3%, 1/33) than in gastrojejunostomy patients (21%, 7/34; p = 0.03). A low residue or full diet was achieved by 97% of stent patients (32/33) and 97% of gastrojejunostomy patients (33/34) (p = 0.98). Median survival times were 7.8 months in stent patients and 4.0 months in gastrojejunostomy patients (p = 0.38). CONCLUSIONS: Propensity score matching demonstrated that endoscopic stent placement resulted in less postoperative morbidity than and a similar food intake and equivalent survival times to gastrojejunostomy. These results suggest the utility of stent therapy.

Aortoenteric fistula following overlap esophagojejunal anastomosis using linear staplers for cancer of the esophagogastric junction: a case report.

BACKGROUND: Aortoenteric fistula (AEF), occasionally reported as a fatal complication after aortic or other vascular procedures, is a communication between the aorta and the digestive tract. AEF as a fatal complication of overlap esophagojejunostomy after esophagogastrectomy has not been reported previously. Herein, we report a case of AEF after laparoscopic proximal gastrectomy and transhiatal lower esophagectomy for cancer of the esophagogastric junction, in which linear staplers were used for overlap esophagojejunostomy. CASE PRESENTATION: A 66-year-old woman with advanced cancer of the esophagogastric junction underwent laparoscopic proximal gastrectomy and transhiatal lower esophagectomy with abdominal and lower mediastinal lymphadenectomy. Double tract reconstruction by the overlap method was performed. The patient was discharged from the hospital 10 days after surgery with a good postoperative course. However, she developed sudden-onset massive hematemesis and melena the day after discharge, resulting in death. Autopsy revealed that the stapled edge of the entry hole of the overlap esophagojejunostomy was in direct contact with the descending aorta. AEF was found at the esophagojejunostomy site. CONCLUSIONS: To our knowledge, this is the first report of AEF as a fatal complication of overlap esophagojejunostomy after esophagogastrectomy. Although we could not definitively identify the cause of the AEF, it could be attributed to direct contact between the stapled edge and the bare thoracic aorta over a period of 10 days. To avoid direct contact with the aorta in esophagojejunostomy with linear staplers, all stapled edges should be covered by suturing and attention should be paid to the position of these edges.

Oral nutrition for left-sided malignant colonic obstruction after decompression with a transanal drainage tube: A case series of 6 patients.

Oral nutrition with a low-residue diet for left-sided malignant colonic obstruction after decompression with a transanal drainage tube is safe and can be considered a viable preoperative management option for appropriate patients.

Case of complete mesh migration into the stomach after mesh hiatoplasty for a hiatal hernia.

Mesh migration is a rare complication of surgery for a hiatal hernia. Here, we present the case of a 72-year-old who complained of dysphasia and bodyweight loss. Upper gastrointestinal endoscopy revealed incarcerated mesh in the lumen of the esophagogastric junction. Surgery was performed under both endoscopy and laparoscopy, and the mesh was successfully removed via gastrostomy. To the best of our knowledge, our case is the first in which mesh that had migrated into the esophagogastric junction was removed by a combination of laparoscopic and endoscopic procedure, although the cases of 17 patients in which mesh migrated into the stomach after mesh hiatoplasty have previously been reported in the literature.

Surgical and long-term outcomes following oesophagectomy in oesophageal cancer patients with comorbidity.

INTRODUCTION: The elucidation of the clinical impact of comorbidities is important to optimize the treatment and follow-up strategy in oesophageal cancer. We aimed to clarify the surgical and long-term outcomes following oesophagectomy in oesophageal cancer patients with comorbidity. METHODS: A total of 658 consecutive patients who underwent oesophagectomy for oesophageal cancer between 1985 and 2008 at our institution were enrolled. Based on the criteria of comorbidity as we defined it, we retrospectively reviewed and compared the surgical outcomes and survival between the comorbid (n = 251) and non-comorbid group (n = 407). RESULTS: Postoperative morbidity and mortality were not significantly different between the two groups. The 5-year overall survival rate of the comorbid group was significantly lower (39.3% vs. 45.2%, adjusted HR = 1.31, 95% CI: 1.07-1.62) but the 5-year disease-specific survival rate was not significantly different between the comorbid and non-comorbid groups (53.9% vs. 53.1%, adjusted HR = 1.11, 95% CI: 0.86-1.42). The 5-year incidence rate of death from other diseases in the comorbid group was significantly higher than that in the non-comorbid group (26.7% vs. 14.8%, P < 0.01). The leading cause of death from other diseases was pneumonia. CONCLUSIONS: Oesophagectomy in oesophageal cancer patients with comorbidity can be safely performed. However, the overall survival after oesophagectomy in these patients was unfavorable because of the high incidence of death from other diseases, especially pneumonia.

[Outcomes of Staging Laparoscopy in Eight Patients with Positive Peritoneal Washing Cytology after S-1 Administration].

AIM: The aim of this study was to clarify the clinical outcomes of staging laparoscopy(SL)for patients with positive peritonealwashing cytology(CY1P0)after S-1 administration. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Since 2007, eight CY1P0 patients who underwent SL after S-1 administration were enrolled. S-1 was administered according to the ACTS-GC and SL was performed after 8 courses of S-1 treatment. RESULTS: SL was ended with adequate observation of intra-abdominalcavity in allthe patients with a median time of 68 minutes(range: 52-76 minutes). The timing of SL was after 8 courses of S-1 administration in 6 patients, after 11 courses in 1, and 12 courses in 1. Based on the SL results, CY0P0 was attained in 6 patients; CY1P0, in 1 and CY1P1, in 1. For the 6 patients who attained CY0P0, S-1 administration was completed. For the 2 patients who attained CY1P0 and CY1P1, chemotherapy was continued. Only 1 of the patients who attained CY0P0 had peritoneal recurrence 3 months after completion of S-1 administration. CONCLUSION: When CY0P0 is detected by using SL, S-1 administration may be completed. More cases need to be studied to determine the suitable courses or timing of S-1 administration for CY0P0 patients.

[Administration of S-1 Monotherapy as Adjuvant Chemotherapy in a Patient with Advanced Gastric Cancer with HIV Infection].

A 64-year-old man with advanced gastric cancer presented with chief complaints of chest pain. His preoperative blood examination revealed positive results for serum HIV-antibody. His HIV-RNA level was 1.0×10 / 5 copies/mL, and his CD4lymphocyte count was 491 cell/mL; the patient was diagnosed with advanced gastric cancer and HIV infection. Distal gastrectomy with D2 lymphadenectomy and Roux-en-Y reconstruction were performed for treatment of the gastric cancer. Pathological examination revealed T3(SS)N3aM0, Stage III C cancer. After surgery, the patient was administered S-1 monotherapy as adjuvant treatment with antiretroviral therapy including tenofovir/emtricitabine and raltegravir. He completed 8 courses of S- 1 chemotherapy with no adverse events, such as a decrease in the CD4lymphocyte count or an increase in the HIV-RNA level. This patient with gastric cancer and HIV infection was safely treated using both antiretroviral therapy and chemotherapy owing to treatment intervention by chemotherapy and infectious diseases specialists.

A Case of Laparoscopic Resection for Carcinoma of the Gastric Remnant following Proximal Gastrectomy Reconstructed with Jejunal Interposition.

A 72-year-old Japanese man had a history of proximal gastrectomy for early gastric cancer located in the upper third of the stomach in 2007. Our usual treatment strategy for early gastric cancer in the upper third of the stomach in 2007 was open proximal gastrectomy reconstructing by jejunal interposition with a 10 cm single loop. Upper gastrointestinal fiberscopy for annual follow-up revealed a type 0-IIc-shaped tumor with ulcer scar, 4.0 cm in size, located in the gastric remnant near the jejunogastrostomy. A clinical diagnosis of cancer of the gastric remnant, clinical T1b(SM)N0M0, Stage IA, following the proximal gastrectomy was made and a laparoscopic approach was selected because of the cancer's early stage. Remnant total gastrectomy with D1 plus lymphadenectomy was carried out with five ports by a pneumoperitoneal method. Complete resection of the reconstructed jejunum was undergone along with the jejunal mesentery. Reconstruction by the Roux-en-Y method via the antecolic route was selected. Total operative time was 395 min and blood loss was 40 mL. Our patient was the first successful case of resection for carcinoma of the gastric remnant following proximal gastrectomy reconstructed with jejunal interposition in a laparoscopic approach.

Totally laparoscopic gastrectomy for early gastric cancer accompanied by huge hiatal hernia: A case report.

We herein present a case in which we used a totally laparoscopic approach for early gastric cancer accompanied by a huge hiatal hernia. An 80-year-old Japanese woman was referred with a chief complaint of dysphagia. A clinical diagnosis of early gastric cancer, T1b (SM) N0M0, stage IA, accompanied by hiatal hernia, was made. Distal gastrectomy with D1 plus lymphadenectomy was carried out. After the gastrectomy, the hernial sac was excised and the hernial orifice was closed. Reconstruction using the Roux-en-Y method was selected. The postoperative course was uneventful and she was discharged on postoperative day 10.

[Multidisciplinary Treatment for a Patient with Primary Malignant Melanoma Arising from the Stomach].

A 61-year-old woman was referred to our hospital with the complaint of severe dysphagia. Upper gastrointestinal endoscopy revealed an elevated tumor with an irregular surface located in the upper third of the stomach, and malignant melanoma was confirmed by biopsy specimens. Abdominal CT scan findings revealed that the tumor was invading the lateral segment of the liver and crus of the diaphragm. Total gastrectomy was combined with resection of the lateral segment of the liver and the crus of the diaphragm, and D2 lymphadenectomy and reconstruction by the Roux-en-Y method were carried out. Because of positive peritoneal washing cytology, monotherapy with dacarbazine, and combination therapy, including dacarbazine, nimustine hydrochloride, cisplatin, and tamoxifen citrate, were administered for treating the residual tumor. The patient died from peritoneal relapse 146 days after the initial surgery. Primary malignant melanoma arising from the stomach is reported as an extremely rare disease with a poor prognosis. In our case, multidisciplinary treatment including surgery and chemotherapy was insufficient to achieve long-term survival in a highly advanced malignant melanoma arising from the stomach.

Intrathoracic esophagojejunostomy using OrVil™ for gastric adenocarcinoma involving the esophagus.

AIM: To demonstrate a new surgical technique of lower mediastinal lymphadenectomy and intrathoracic anastomosis of esophagojejunostomy using OrVil™. METHODS: After a total median phrenotomy, the supradiaphragmatic and lower thoracic paraesophageal lymph nodes were transhiatally dissected. The esophagus was cut off using a liner stapler and OrVil™was inserted. Finally, end-to-side esophagojejunostomy was created by using a circular stapler. From July 2009, we adopted this surgical technique for five patients with gastric cancer involving the lower esophagus. RESULTS: The median operation time was 314 min (range; 210-367 min), and median blood loss was 210 mL (range; 100-838 mL). The median numbers of dissected lower mediastinal nodes were 3 (range; 1-10). None of the patients had postoperative complications including anastomotic leakage and stenosis. The median hospital stay was 16 d (range: 15-20 d). The median length of esophageal involvement was 14 mm (range: 6-48 mm) and that of the resected esophagus was 40 mm (range: 35-55 mm); all resected specimens had tumor-free margins. CONCLUSION: This surgical technique is easy and safe intrathoracic anastomosis for the patients with gastric adenocarcinoma involving the lower esophagus.

[Current status of adjuvant chemotherapy in patients with p-Stage II and p-Stage III gastric cancer].

The results of the Adjuvant Chemotherapy Trial of S-1 for Gastric Cancer(ACTS-GC)demonstrated that postoperative chemotherapy using S-1 is a standard treatment in Japan for patients with p-Stage II and p-Stage III gastric cancer. We retrospectively reviewed the effect of adjuvant chemotherapy received by 47 patients with p-Stage II and p-Stage III gastric cancer between January 2007 and June 2012. Our hospital is a local university hospital with a high intensive care unit. S-1 monotherapy was administered to 32 patients(adjuvant S-1 group, 68.1%); 22 patients(68.8%)among them completed one year of therapy without any modification to the administration schedule. A total of 8 patients(25.0%)experienced grade 3 adverse events, and 9 patients required a dose reduction, a modification of the administration schedule, or termination of the therapy. S-1 was not administrated to 15 patients(no adjuvant S-1 group, 31.9%); among these patients, 12(80.0%) were not administered S-1 because of their advanced age and comorbidity. The 3-year overall survival rate was 89.3% in the adjuvant S-1 group and 77.1% in the no adjuvant S-1 group. The completion rate of S-1 and survival rate were high for patients in the adjuvant S-1 group, which was similar to the results of the ACTS-GC. However, 25 of 47 patients(53.2%) with p-Stage II and p-Stage III gastric cancer did not improve after sufficient adjuvant therapy; therefore, it is important to develop new treatment strategies for these patients.

[Gastrectomy for a patient with advanced gastric cancer with spleen metastases following induction chemotherapy with S-1 plus cisplatin].

An asymptomatic 56-year-old woman, upon medical examination, was diagnosed with advanced adenocarcinoma of the upper third of the stomach. Computed tomography showed that the primary gastric tumor was directly invading the splenic hilum, and there were multiple metastases in the spleen; incurable gastric cancer was confirmed. S-1 plus cisplatin therapy was introduced as the induction regimen, and the main tumor and splenic metastases reduced significantly. Total gastrectomy with splenectomy and D2 lymphadenectomy was performed after 9 courses of chemotherapy. The surgery was completed with no residual tumor, and intraperitoneal washing cytology was negative. Histologically, the primary tumor was classified as Grade 2, reflecting the effect of chemotherapy, and viable metastatic tumors were confirmed in the spleen. S-1-based treatment was continued as adjuvant chemotherapy, and the patient was alive with no evidence of tumor recurrence 39 months after the initiation of chemotherapy. Although metastasis to the spleen from gastric adenocarcinoma has been reported as a rare metastatic pattern with poor prognosis, our patient had a long survival time after gastrectomy following induction chemotherapy.

[Urgent gastrectomy in a patient who developed perforated gastric cancer during preoperative chemotherapy with S-1 plus cisplatin].

A 66 -year-old man presenting with a chief complaint of upper abdominal pain was diagnosed as having an advanced adenocarcinoma, type 2, of the lower third of the stomach after endoscopy was performed. An abdominal computed tomography( CT)scan revealed 4 lymph node metastases at the infrapyloric nodes(station No. 6)and the nodes around the proximal splenic artery(station No. 11p)and the abdominal aorta(station No. 16a2). The clinical stage was determined to be T3(SS)N2M1(LYM), Stage IV. Gastrectomy with D2 plus para-aortic node dissection was scheduled after 2 courses of S-1 plus cisplatin(CDDP)with curative intent. On day 14 after starting S-1 therapy, the patient complained of severe abdominal pain and peritoneal irritation of acute onset. Because the abdominal CT scan showed a large amount of intra-abdominal free air, we performed an urgent laparotomy with a tentative diagnosis of perforation of the gastric cancer. On laparotomy, we found a perforated malignant ulcer, 5 cm in maximum diameter, in the lesser curvature of the stomach; therefore, distal gastrectomy with D1 plus lymphadenectomy and reconstruction using the Roux-en-Y method were performed. At the end of the surgery, a macroscopic residual tumor remained in the para-aortic lymph node. The postoperative course was uneventful, and the patient was discharged on day 23 after surgery. In the present case, despite the performance of urgent gastrectomy while the patient was receiving strong chemotherapy, perioperative management was successful, with no serious postoperative complication or adverse events as a result of the chemotherapy.

[A case of early gastric cancer with multiple synchronous bone metastases treated complete response with S-1+CDDP].

We report a case of complete response (CR) following induction chemotherapy using S-1 for a patient with early gastric cancer accompanied by multiple synchronous bone metastases. An asymptomatic 70-year-old woman was diagnosed with early gastric cancer by upper gastrointestinal endoscopy during a periodic medical examination. An abdomino-pelvic computed tomography (CT) scan revealed no primary tumor in the stomach and the absence of lymph node or liver metastases. However, osteoplastic changes were detected in the lumbar vertebrae and the ilium. Multiple synchronous bone metastases from early gastric cancer were detected on magnetic resonance imaging, bone scintigraphy, and positron emission tomography- CT. After a regimen consisting of 15 courses of S-1 plus cisplatin (CDDP), and an additional 5 courses of S-1 were administered, clinical CR was confirmed for the bone metastases. Laparoscopic distal gastrectomy with D1 lymphadenectomy was performed for treating the primary gastric cancer 33 months after the initiation of chemotherapy. Pathological CR was also achieved for the primary gastric cancer. Imaging analysis did not show disease progression 48 months after the initiation of chemotherapy. Synchronous bone metastases from early gastric cancer are extremely rare, and a good outcome was achieved in the present case through induction chemotherapy.

Prognostic significance of initial recurrence site in hematogenous recurrence of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Hematogenous recurrences of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) have dismal prognoses, but prognostic heterogeneity exists in this disease. The objectives of this study were to clarify the prognosis in this disease with regard to the initial recurrence site and to define the prognostic factors. METHODOLOGY: We retrospectively reviewed the cases of 67 consecutive patients with hematogenous recurrence in major organs after esophagectomy for ESCC of the thoracic esophagus and the esophagogastric junction. We analyzed clinicopathological characteristics, survival probability, and potential prognostic factors. RESULTS: Lung, liver, bone, and multiple-organ metastases occurred in 24, 19, 14, and 10 patients, respectively. Twenty-seven patients simultaneously had locoregional recurrence (combined recurrence). Among all 67 patients, the median disease-free interval (DFI) was 9.7 months, and the median survival time after the initial recurrence was 4.9 months. The patients with initial lung metastasis had most favorable prognosis with the median survival time of 9.8 months. A multivariate analysis identified that initial recurrence site, DFI, combined recurrence, and anti-cancer therapy were independent prognostic factors. CONCLUSIONS: The initial recurrence site contributes to the prognostic heterogeneity of patients with hematogenous recurrence of ESCC. The prognostic factors identified in this study are useful to optimize the management of these patients.

[Effectiveness of chemoradiotherapy for a patient with local recurrence of advanced gastric cancer followed by curable gastrectomy].

We report here the effectiveness of chemoradiotherapy for a patient with local recurrence followed by curable gastrectomy. A 57-year-old man presented with a history of total gastrectomy with distal pancreatectomy and splenectomy, D2 lymphadenectomy, and Roux-en-Y reconstruction for advanced gastric cancer arising from the cardia. Esophageal intramural metastasis and lymph node metastasis around the right recurrent nerve were detected by chest-abdominal computed tomography and gastrointestinal endoscopy 27 months after the initial gastrectomy. Stable disease was achieved following 7 courses of chemotherapy using S-1 plus CDDP. Concurrent chemoradiotherapy including administration of S-1 and radiation of total 50 Gy (2 Gy/25 Fr) was selected for local tumor control. The patient was not able to eat solid food because of esophageal stenosis from regrowth of intramural metastasis of the esophagus 60 months after the chemotherapy. A WallFlex™ Duodenal Stent was placed to improve the dysphagia 67 months after chemotherapy. The patient died from recurrence of gastric cancer 69 months after completion of the initial chemotherapy and 2 months after the stent insertion.

Treatment for perforated gastric ulcer: a multi-institutional retrospective review.

BACKGROUND: The optimal treatment for patients with perforated gastric ulcer (PGU) remains controversial. This study therefore investigated the treatment status for this disease in clinical practice. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed 183 patients with PGU from 1998 to 2007 across 15 institutions, and analyzed patient characteristics and short- and long-term outcomes according to treatments received. RESULTS: Of the 183 patients, 57 who were treated conservatively had less abdominal tenderness, lower levels of serum C-reactive protein, and shorter time to presentation than the 126 patients who underwent emergency surgery. There was no significant difference in baseline characteristics between the 41 successful patients and 16 failed patients in the conservative treatment group; however, the latter had a longer average hospital stay. Eighty-three of the emergency surgery patients who underwent gastrectomy had longer surgical times, greater blood loss, and shorter time to resumption of diet than the 57 patients undergoing stomach-preserving surgery; however, there was no significant difference in postoperative complications and hospital stay between these groups. Of 91 patients who received stomach-preserving treatment, only three had treatment failure in the long-term follow-up period. CONCLUSION: Strictly selected patients should be initially considered for conservative treatment. The short-term outcomes of stomach-preserving surgery are comparable to gastrectomy; however, further evaluation of the long-term outcomes of stomach-preserving treatment is required.

Two-step laparoscopic surgery for a patient with synchronous double cancer of the colon and stomach accompanied by severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

Laparoscopic treatment strategies for synchronous intra-abdominal malignancies have not yet been standardized. We report a successful case of two-step laparoscopic surgery for synchronous double cancer of the colon and stomach accompanied by severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). A 66-year-old man with COPD was diagnosed as having advanced colon cancer and early gastric cancer. On admission, he could not go upstairs (Grade III according to the Hugh-Jones classification) and his forced expiratory volume in 1 second was 600 mL (35.9%). The patient initially underwent laparoscopy-assisted sigmoidectomy with D3 lymphadenectomy, followed by laparoscopy-assisted distal gastrectomy with D1 lymphadenectomy 68 days later. The patient's each postoperative course was uneventful with no pulmonary complications, and the patient was discharged 9 and 11 days after the first and second operations, respectively. The present case demonstrates that two-step laparoscopic surgery may be a safe and feasible surgical procedure for high-risk patients with synchronous intra-abdominal malignancies.