The totally mechanical Collard technique for cervical esophagogastric anastomosis reduces anastomotic stricture compared with triangular anastomosis in minimally invasive esophagectomy with gastric conduit reconstruction through the retrosternal route: a propensity score-matched study.

BACKGROUND: Cervical esophagogastric anastomosis is conventionally performed using the McKeown esophagectomy. However, an optimal anastomotic technique has not yet been established. This study aimed to compare the clinical outcomes of triangular anastomosis (TA) and totally mechanical Collard anastomosis (TMCA) for cervical esophagogastric anastomosis during minimally invasive esophagectomy with gastric conduit reconstruction through the retrosternal route. METHODS: In this matched- cohort study, 117 patients who underwent minimally invasive esophagectomy between 2019 and 2024 were divided into TA and TMCA groups. The TA technique was performed between September 2019 and December 2021, and the TMCA technique was performed between January 2022 and January 2024. We then compared the surgical outcomes and postoperative complications (pneumonia, recurrent laryngeal nerve palsy, anastomotic leakage, and stricture) between the two groups. RESULTS: Propensity score matching revealed that 40 patients were included in both the TA and TMCA groups. The rates of pneumonia, recurrent laryngeal nerve palsy, and anastomotic leakage were not significantly different between the two groups. However, the rate of anastomotic stricture was lower in the TMCA than in the TA group (2.5% vs. 27.5%, respectively, P = 0.003). CONCLUSIONS: Compared with the TA technique, the TMCA technique reduced the rate of anastomotic stricture when performing cervical esophagogastric anastomosis during minimally invasive esophagectomy with gastric conduit reconstruction through the retrosternal route.

Laparoscopic deroofing for a giant hepatic cyst with biliary communication: a case report.

Previous reports describing laparoscopic deroofing as a management modality for a hepatic cyst with biliary communication remain limited. We present the case of a 76-year-old woman who was monitored for 4 years for a giant hepatic cyst in the right lobe of the liver. She presented to our department with a chief complaint of abdominal distension. Moreover, imaging revealed a 24-cm giant hepatic cyst. During laparoscopic deroofing, minimal bile leakage from the intra-cyst wall was observed, which was laparoscopically closed with sutures. No bile leakage or cyst recurrence was observed 18 months postoperative. This highlights that laparoscopic surgery may be used in managing hepatic cysts with biliary communication. Intraoperative findings may reveal biliary communication, which requires careful observation of the cyst wall after deroofing.

Photonic approach in stacked slabs having periodic holes for enhancing photocatalytic activities.

Photonic approaches can improve the efficiencies of photo-electrochemical devices towards CO2 reduction and fossil fuel-free societies. In a system consisting of stacked dielectric slabs having periodic holes with each slab coated by photocatalyst layers at both sides, immersed in water, we show that an incident electromagnetic field is effectively confined in the photocatalyst layers, resulting in the enhancement of the photocatalytic activities. In addition, the antireflection effect was engineered by adjusting the distances between the photonic crystal slabs. Numerical results reveal an enhancement factor of 3 for the absorption of electromagnetic fields at the operation frequency in the 3rd band of the dispersion diagram, compared to the bulk photocatalyst. Our system has the feature of periodic holes allowing the movement of reaction products. An analytical model is developed using the revised plane wave method and perturbation theory, which captures the trends observed in numerical results.

Prostate-specific antigen doubling time following radium-223 treatment as a predictor of the clinical course in patients with metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer.

Objectives: To identify useful biomarkers by reviewing laboratory data for a predictor of the clinical course following treatment with radium-223 dichloride (Ra-223) in patients with metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer. Methods: Eighteen metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer patients who were administered Ra-223 at our hospital were retrospectively enrolled in this study. Prostate-specific antigen doubling times before and after the administration of Ra-223 were evaluated as prognostic factors for metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer patients treated with Ra-223 using the Kaplan-Meier method and Log-rank test. Results: Four patients failed to complete the planned six-time Ra-223 treatments with the exacerbation of their condition. In the 14 patients who completed the planned Ra-223 treatment, before the Ra-223 treatment, no significant differences were observed in overall survival between patients with prostate-specific antigen doubling time of 6 months or less and those with prostate-specific antigen doubling time of more than 6 months or stable (p = 0.642). Following the completion of the Ra-223 treatment, overall survival was significantly shorter in patients with prostate-specific antigen doubling time of 6 months or less than in those with prostate-specific antigen doubling time of more than 6 months or stable (p = 0.007). Conclusion: Prostate-specific antigen doubling time after the Ra-223 treatment is a useful predictor of the clinical course following treatment in metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer patients.

[Long-Term Survival after Resection of Two Lung Metastases That Appeared Five Years after Pancreatic Cancer Surgery-A Case Report].

A woman in her 70s was diagnosed with cancer of pancreatic head. She underwent subtotal stomach-preserving pancreatoduodenectomy. Moderately differentiated adenocarcinoma, positive peripancreatic exfoliation surface, and R1 resection was diagnosed by histopathological examination. She underwent adjuvant chemotherapy(S-1), but 5 years and 6 months after the operation, a single nodule(16×9 mm)appeared on anterior segment of left lung. She underwent thoracoscopic left upper lobectomy on suspicion of primary lung cancer. Adenocarcinoma consistent with pancreatic cancer metastasis was diagnosed by histopathological examination. She didn't choose chemotherapy after second operation. 1 year and 1 month after the left pneumonectomy, a single nodule(11×10 mm)reappeared in lateral basal segment of right lung. Although it was difficult to diagnose whether it was primary or metastatic, she decided to undergo thoracoscopic partial lung resection. Histopathological examination revealed that the histology was similar to that of the previous lung lesion and was consistent with pancreatic cancer metastasis. After that, she also didn't choose chemotherapy. She has been alive for 7 years and 7 months after her first pancreatic cancer surgery without any new obvious recurrence.

[A Case Report of Rectal MiNEN Surgical Resection].

A 56-year-old man with diarrhea and bloody stools was found to have a type 2 tumor in the rectosigmoid region. A biopsy revealed well-differentiated tubular adenocarcinoma(tub1), and laparoscopic high anterior resection was performed. The final diagnosis was MiNEN(NEC:adenocarcinoma=6:4), RS, type 2, Ly0, V0, pT3(SS), pN0, M0, and pStage Ⅱa. He has been followed up without postoperative adjuvant chemotherapy and has been alive without recurrence for 1 year and 4 months after surgery. MiNEN is a rare disease, and most of them are mixed with NEC components or high- grade NET G3 and have a poor prognosis. We present an important case of rectal MiNEN.

[A Case Report of Pancreatic Tail Carcinoma with Positive Periotoneal Washing Cytology with Recurrence-Free Survival after Surgery and Chemotherapy].

A woman in her 70s underwent distal pancreatectomy(D2 dissection)for a pancreatic tail carcinoma after a close examination of the cause of her poorly controlled diabetes mellitus. Intraoperative rapid peritoneal washing cytology showed no malignant findings, but histopathological examination revealed Ptb, TS2, tub2, pT3, ly1, v3, ne3, mpd0, pS0, pRP1, pOO0, pPCM0, pDPM0, pN0, pM0, pCY1, pStage ⅡA, R0(Pancreatic Cancer Treatment Protocol 7th Edition). The patient was treated with S-1 therapy for 6 months postoperatively and is alive 1 year and 9 months without recurrence. The prognosis after resection of pancreatic cancer with positive peritoneal washing cytology is said to be worse than that of patients with negative, because of the high recurrence rate of peritoneal metastasis. We report a case of pancreatic tail carcinoma with positive peritoneal washing cytology with recurrence-free survival after surgery and chemotherapy.

[A Case Report of Appendiceal NET G1 Diagnosed by Histopathological Examination after Appendectomy for Acute Appendicitis].

A 36-year-old woman was diagnosed with acute appendicitis after a close examination of her abdominal pain and nausea. Laparoscopic appendectomy was performed, and pathological examination revealed a NET G1. They were localized lesions on the tips and body of the appendix, with no additional resection because the tumor size was less than 2 cm and no risk factors for recurrence and metastasis(vascular invasion, NET G2 or higher, or invasion of the mesentery). The patient was followed up with contrast-enhanced CT every 6 months and has been recurrence-free for 2 years postoperatively.

[Laparoscopic Resection of a Liver and Ovarian Metastasis of Transverse Colon Cancer-A Case Report].

A 60s woman was diagnosed to transverse colon cancer and she underwent laparoscopic right hemicolectomy. Localized peritoneal dissemination surrounding tumor was detected during surgery. She was administrated to chemotherapy due to a hepatic metastasis in S2/3 postoperatively. Subsequently, PET-CT revealed a left ovarian metastasis in addition to a liver metastasis during chemotherapy. Laparoscopic hepatic left lateral segmentectomy and bilateral adnexectomy was performed at 1 year and 9 months after the first surgery and histopathological examination showed a metastasis of transverse colon cancer. The growth of liver and lung metastases and peritoneal disseminations was detected at 6 months later after the second surgery and the patient is currently receiving palliative treatment. Previous literatures described that ovarian metastasis of colon cancer showed bilateral metastasis and resistance to chemotherapy frequently and ruptured in some cases. We should consider to resect bilateral ovary even if unilateral metastasis alone was detected by imaging examination.

Successful laparoscopic-assisted partial splenectomy and splenopexy with umbilical approach to wandering spleen with an enlarged cyst in a pediatric patient.

A 10-year-old girl with a wandering spleen with an enlarged cyst was successfully treated by laparoscopic-assisted partial splenectomy and splenopexy. The patient visited our hospital with a complaint of a lower abdominal mass. Abdominal computed tomography showed malposition of the spleen and the presence of a 10 cm diameter splenic cyst (SC) in the lower pole. In surgery, the navel was opened with an inverted Y-shaped incision. The SC was punctured and aspirated the contents of the cyst, the migrating spleen was pulled out of navel and the partial splenectomy was done. The residual spleen was laparoscopically fixed by creating an extraperitoneal pocket. Pathologically, the cyst was covered with a vitrified fibrotic capsule and was diagnosed as a pseudocyst. We considered it a traumatic cyst. The postoperative course was uneventful. This minimally invasive laparoscopic procedure was feasible and effective for treating wandering spleen with a large SC in a pediatric patient.

Laparoscopic Nephroureterectomy with Heminephrectomy for Urothelial Carcinoma of the Upper Renal Pelvis on the Left Side of the Horseshoe Kidney.

A 70-year-old male was diagnosed with urothelial carcinoma of the upper renal pelvis on the left side of the horseshoe kidney. Preoperative thin-slice contrast-enhanced CT with three-dimensional reconstruction of the images revealed that two arteries arising from the aorta supplied the left moiety of the horseshoe kidney. He underwent laparoscopic transperitoneal nephroureterectomy with heminephrectomy on the left side of the horseshoe kidney visualized by indocyanine green fluorescence system. The histopathological findings of the renal pelvic tumor revealed invasive urothelial carcinoma with squamous differentiation, high grade, and pT3.

A case of sarcoidosis-like reaction associated with immune checkpoint inhibitors in metastatic renal cell carcinoma.

INTRODUCTION: Immune checkpoint inhibitors are one of the standard treatments for metastatic renal cell carcinoma. Among immune-related adverse events, the sarcoidosis-like reaction is frequently difficult to differentiate from cancer progression. CASE PRESENTATION: A 58-year-old man with renal cell carcinoma with multiple lung metastases was treated with ipilimumab and nivolumab after nephrectomy. Computed tomography after three courses of treatment revealed hilar/mediastinal lymphadenopathies, pleural nodules, and pulmonary interstitial lesions, whereas lung metastases were markedly regressed. Considering positive findings of Gallium scintigraphy and serological tests together, we clinically judged the new lesions as a sarcoidosis-like reaction and continued the treatment until cessation by liver dysfunction. After discontinuation of the immunotherapy, the sarcoidosis-like reaction was regressed without cancer relapse. CONCLUSION: We report here the first case of a clinically diagnosed sarcoidosis-like reaction in metastatic renal cell carcinoma following treatment with immune checkpoint inhibitors.

[A Difficult Case of a Huge Cystic Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumor of the Stomach with CA125-Level Elevation].

A 67-year-old woman presented with abdominal distention. Computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging revealed a huge tumor measuring >30 cm with solid and cystic regions. The serum level of CA125 was elevated. An exploratory laparotomy was performed by a gastroenterologist and a gynecologist for the purpose of diagnosis and tumor removal. During laparotomy, the ovary and uterus were found to be intact. The tumor was found to originate from the greater curvature of the stomach and invade the mesentery of the transverse colon. Histopathologically, tumor cells were positive on c-kit immunohistochemical staining. A high-risk gastrointestinal stromal tumor of the stomach was diagnosed according to the modified-Fletcher classification. Because cystic GIST is relatively rare and CA125 was elevated similar to that in Pseudo-Meigs syndrome, preoperative diagnosis was difficult in this case.

Abdominal complications due to collapse of a large mesenteric hematoma after rupture of a right colic artery aneurysm: a case report.

BACKGROUND: Non-traumatic mesenteric hematomas are usually well controlled, with no resulting symptoms. Herein, we report a case in which collapse of a large mesenteric hematoma, after rupture of a right colic artery aneurysm, caused small bowel obstruction and rapid absorption of the hematoma contributed to cholestasis. CASE PRESENTATION: A-44-year-old man presented with a sudden onset of severe right lower abdominal pain. Computed tomography (CT) revealed rupture of a right colic artery aneurysm and intra-abdominal bleeding. After embolization of the right colic artery aneurysm, a large mesenteric hematoma remained. As the patient had no symptoms, we elected to pursue conservative treatment. However, on day 16 post-onset, he developed right lower abdominal pain. On CT imaging, partial collapse of the wall of the residual mesenteric hematoma was observed, with visible leakage from the hematoma into the abdominal cavity, resulting in small bowel obstruction and cholestasis. Symptoms did not improve with conservative treatment, and we proceeded to surgical treatment on day 32 after onset. Intra-operatively, adhesions between the small bowel and the abdominal wall were identified and caused the small bowel obstruction. We proceeded with removing these adhesions and as much of the hematoma as possible. Although the small bowel obstruction improved after surgery, cholecystitis developed, and percutaneous transhepatic gallbladder aspiration was performed on day 45. The patient was discharged on day 70. CONCLUSIONS: Collapse of a mesenteric hematoma can cause small bowel obstruction. Rapid absorption of the hematoma due to the collapse might contribute to cholestasis. A large abdominal hematoma might be a risk factor for failure of conservative treatment, and surgery might be required due to abdominal complications.

Successful Response of Pembrolizumab Rechallenge after Radiotherapy for a Patient with Bladder Cancer of Nonresponse of Pembrolizumab First Challenge.

We report a patient with advanced bladder cancer in which the primary lesion and metastatic site disappeared following the pembrolizumab therapy rechallenge after radiotherapy for bladder cancer lesion of nonresponse of pembrolizumab first challenge. A 76-year-old man with advanced bladder cancer received three courses of the chemotherapy with gemcitabine and cisplatin combination; however, the chemotherapy was stopped because of adverse events. The patient started pembrolizumab therapy; however, the effect was not observed. Radiation therapy was given to the primary lesion and pelvic lymph node metastases for the purpose of local control of the lesions. Because the primary lesion was regrowth and para-aortic lymph node metastasis appeared, pembrolizumab therapy was resumed. Thereafter, the primary lesion and metastatic site disappeared.

How to avoid unnecessary surgical treatment for neonatal small left colon syndrome.

We report a case of neonatal small left colon syndrome (NSLCS) that underwent surgery. A female infant was born at 38 weeks of gestation. The mother had gestational diabetes requiring insulin therapy. The baby was admitted for respiratory distress. Abdominal distension was observed, and the gastric residue increased. Contrast enema revealed a small caliber of the left colon up to the splenic flexure. At 14 days, the full-thickness biopsy of the sigmoid and transverse colons was performed. Pathological diagnosis showed that the sigmoid colon had few ganglion cells, therefore the transverse colostomy was performed. At 6 months of age, a rectal biopsy was performed to confirm the diagnosis of Hirschsprung's disease; the intestinal plexus and ganglion cells were normal. The surgery was changed from a pull-through to a stoma closure. The postoperative diagnosis was NSLCS, and the course up to 3 years was good without defecation or growth problems.

Perianal abscess due to a long fish bone: a case report.

Few articles have reported cases of perianal abscess due to ingested foreign bodies. Herein, we report a case of perianal abscess due to a long fish bone. A 72-year-old man who was toothless and wore a denture had a chief complaint of anal pain. His left-side buttock had swelling and redness. Computed tomography revealed a perianal abscess on his left-side buttock and high-intensity linear structure in the abscess cavity. We made a diagnosis of perianal abscess due to a fish bone and performed an emergency operation. We opened the abscess cavity and removed the 5 cm fish bone from the cavity. After drainage of the abscess cavity and antibiotic administration, he was discharged from our hospital on day 8. A long fish bone could cause perianal abscesses. Rapid diagnosis and ensuring fish bone removal are important to prevent sepsis.

Significance of prediction of the dorsal landmark using three-dimensional computed tomography during laparoscopic lymph node dissection along the proximal splenic artery in gastric cancer.

OBJECTIVES: Dissection of the No. 11p lymph nodes is technically challenging because of variations in anatomical landmarks. This study aimed to determine the accuracy and efficacy of predicting the dorsal landmark of No. 11p lymph node using three-dimensional computed tomography simulation. METHODS: Laparoscopic gastrectomy with No. 11p lymph node dissection with preoperative simulation using three-dimensional computed tomography was performed in 24 patients at our institution from October 2016 to May 2018. Initially, preoperative three-dimensional computed tomography findings with operative videos in these 24 patients were compared. The dorsal landmark was defined as an anatomical structure behind the splenic artery on preoperative three-dimensional computed tomography and operative videos. The dorsal landmark of No. 11p lymph node was divided into four types: (1) splenic vein type, (2) splenic vein and pancreas type, (3) pancreas type, and (4) unclear type. Then, to investigate the efficacy of three-dimensional computed tomography, we compared the clinical and pathological features and surgical outcomes of nine patients who underwent preoperative three-dimensional computed tomography simulation (three-dimensional computed tomography group) and 23 patients who did not undergo three-dimensional computed tomography simulation from August 2014 to September 2016 (non-three-dimensional computed tomography group). All procedures were performed by one surgeon certified by the Endoscopic Surgical Skill Qualification System in Japan. RESULTS: The concordance rate between three-dimensional computed tomography and operative videos of the dorsal landmark using three-dimensional computed tomography was 79% (19/24). The operative time of No. 11p lymph node dissection was significantly shorter in the three-dimensional computed tomography group than in the non-three-dimensional computed tomography group (7.7 versus 15.8 min, P = 0.044). CONCLUSION: The accuracy of predicting the dorsal landmark of No. 11p lymph node using three-dimensional computed tomography was extremely high. Preoperative simulation with three-dimensional computed tomography was useful in shortening the operative time of No. 11p lymph node dissection.

Therapeutic potential of mature adipocyte-derived dedifferentiated fat cells for inflammatory bowel disease.

PURPOSE: Our previous studies demonstrated that mature adipocyte-derived dedifferentiated fat (DFAT) cells possess similar multipotency as mesenchymal stem cells. Here, we examined the immunoregulatory potential of DFAT cells in vitro and the therapeutic effect of DFAT cell transplantation in a mouse inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) model. METHODS: The effect of DFAT cell co-culture on T cell proliferation and expression of immunosuppression-related genes in DFAT cells were evaluated. To create IBD, CD4+CD45RBhigh T cells were intraperitoneally injected into SCID mice. One week later, DFAT cells (1 × 105, DFAT group) or saline (Control group) were intraperitoneally injected. Subsequently bodyweight was measured every week and IBD clinical and histological scores were evaluated at 5 weeks after T cell administration. RESULTS: The T cell proliferation was inhibited by co-cultured DFAT cells in a cell density-dependent manner. Gene expression of TRAIL, IDO1, and NOS2 in DFAT cells was upregulated by TNFα stimulation. DFAT group improved IBD-associated weight loss, IBD clinical and histological scores compared to Control group. CONCLUSION: DFAT cells possess immunoregulatory potential and the cell transplantation promoted recovery from colon damage and improved clinical symptoms in the IBD model. DFAT cells could play an important role in the treatment of IBD.

Huge fetal ovarian cyst.

Most fetal ovarian cysts increase in size during the late stages of pregnancy. Early treatment of a huge neonatal cyst may reduce the risk of gastrointestinal obstruction.