Comparison of changes in health-related quality of life between elderly and non-elderly patients undergoing elective surgery for colorectal cancer.

PURPOSE: Elderly people are thought to be more likely than their non-elderly counterparts to experience a decline in activities of daily living (ADL) and quality of life (QOL) due to the onset and treatment of disease. In this study, we investigated whether there was an age-related difference in changes in health-related QOL indices after surgical resection of colorectal cancer (CRC). METHODS: Patients who underwent elective surgery for primary CRC at our hospital between September 2017 and November 2021 were enrolled. Changes in QOL after surgery were evaluated after dividing the study population into a non-elderly (NE) group (younger than 75 years) and an elderly (E) group. A Short-Form 36-Item Health Survey was used as an index of QOL. The subscale and component summary scores before and 6 months after surgery were compared. RESULTS: Forty-seven patients were included in the E group and 166 patients were the NE group. The E group had significantly worse preoperative performance and physical status than the NE group. However, indices of physical function were not worsened after surgery in either group. In the NE group, there were significant decreases in role physical and role component summary scores and significant increases in general health, mental health, and mental component summary scores. In the E group, there were no significant changes in the subscale or component summary scores after surgery. CONCLUSION: Our study demonstrated elderly patient did not necessarily show a decline in QOL more than non-elderly patients after CRC surgery. Surgical resection for CRC should be considered even for elderly patients, while considering possible risk factors for worsening ADL and QOL.

Intraoperative pressure monitoring of the lower leg for preventing compression-related complications associated with the lithotomy position.

BACKGROUND: Several serious complications are associated with the lithotomy position, including well-leg compartment syndrome and peroneal nerve paralysis. The aims of this study were to identify risk factors for the intraoperative elevation of lower leg pressure and to evaluate the effectiveness of monitoring external pressure during surgery for preventing these complications. METHODS: The study included 106 patients with a diagnosis of sigmoid colon or rectal cancer who underwent elective laparoscopic surgery between June 2019 and December 2020. We divided the posterior side of the lower leg into four parts (upper outside, upper inside, lower outside, lower inside) and recorded the peak pressure applied to each area at hourly intervals during surgery (called "regular points") and when the operating position was changed (e.g., by head-tilt or leg elevation; called "points after change in position"). When the pressure was observed to be higher than 50 mmHg, we adjusted the position of the leg and re-recorded the data. Data on postoperative leg-associated complications were also collected. RESULTS: The pressure was measured at a total of 1125 points (regular, n = 620; after change of position, n = 505). The external pressure on the upper outer side of the right leg (median, 36 mmHg) was higher than that on any other area of the lower leg. The pressure increase to more than 50 mmHg was observed not only during the change of position (27.5%) but also during regular points (22.4%). Bodyweight, strong leg elevation, and low head position were identified as factors associated with increased external pressure. There have been no compression-related complications in 534 cases at our institution since the introduction of intraoperative pressure monitoring. CONCLUSIONS: Several risk factors associated with increased external pressure on the lower leg were identified. Intraoperative pressure monitoring might help reduction of pressure-related complications, needing further and larger prospective data collections.

[Establishment of a Needle-Removal Method Considering Anticancer Drug Exposure after Continuous Administration of Fluorouracil Using an Infusion Pump].

In recent years, attention has been focused on environmental exposure of anticancer drugs, and guidelines for occupational exposure measures in cancer drug therapy have been created in Japan. Exposure measures related to the preparation and administration of anticancer drugs are being standardized. Although exposure measures have been implemented for the preparation and administration of the infusion pump(IP)used for continuous fluorouracil administration for 46-hour in FOLFOX and FOLFIRI therapies, which are standard chemotherapies for colorectal cancer, needle-removal procedures after the end of administration have not been investigated. Therefore, in this study, we investigated anticancer drug exposure at the time of IP needle removal to establish a safe needle-removal procedure from the viewpoint of anticancer drug exposure countermeasures. The results suggest that the IP's clamp lock position and the pulsing flush of the Huber needle may reduce antineoplastic exposure. In the future, we would like to consider this an educational method for needle-removal techniques.

[A Case of Gallbladder Carcinoma Producing Alpha-Fetoprotein(AFP)with Metastatic Liver Tumor].

Gallbladder carcinoma producing alpha-fetoprotein(AFP)is rare.We report a case of AFP producing carcinoma of the gallbladder with huge metastatic hepatic tumor.A 81-year-old female with a hepatitis B virus(HBV)had a fever and right hypochondralgia.Abdominal CT showed an enlarged gallbladder with gallbladder stones, a huge tumor in the right lobe of liver, and swelling paraaortic lymph nodes.Acute cholecystitis was treated by percutaneous transhepatic gallbladder drainage (PTGBD).The hepatic tumor was diagnosed as hepatocellular carcinoma for HBV carrier and the high level of AFP and PIVKA- II .We performed right lobectomy, cholecystectomy and the resection of paraaortic lymph nodes.In the resected gallbladder, the papillary tumor was detected.Histopathological diagnosis was moderately to poorly differentiated adenocarcinoma of the gallbladder.The liver tumor and paraaortic lymph nodes were metastases of the gallbladder carcinoma.The both of gallbladder and liver tumor immunohistochemically stained positive to AFP.It was difficult to diagnose the hepatic tumor because of HBV carrier, the high level of AFP and the unnoticed gallbladder tumor.Gallbladder carcinoma with the high level of AFP might have relation to liver metastases.

Effect of heating insufflation tube of AirSeal system on laparoscopic surgery.

The AirSeal system (CONMED, NY, USA) can outstandingly keep pneumoperitoneum stable. However, water droplets form on the access port, impairing the performance of comfortable surgical procedures because of the resultant wet surgical field. This study was performed to clarify the mechanism of water droplet formation and to prevent it. Condensation was observed on the AirSeal system. A heater was wrapped around the tri-lumen tube, and the heating effect was assessed. The simulator experiments revealed that condensation formed in the tri-lumen tube and on the wall of the access port. The accumulated weight of the condensation on the wall of the access port was 41.6 g in the Heated group, 138.2 g in the Control group, and 479.4 g in the Cooled group. In the clinical assessment, the accumulated volume of the condensation attached to the inside wall was significantly smaller in the Heated group than in the Unheated group (111.7 g vs. 332.9 g, respectively). We clarified that the volume of condensation attached to the wall of the access port depended on the temperature of the tri-lumen tube. The clinical study revealed that the condensation on the access port was reduced by heating the tri-lumen tube. The development of a novel heating device for the insufflation tube would be effective and useful.

A Case of Posterior Interosseous Nerve Palsy Associated With Robotic Low Anterior Resection.

A peripheral nerve compression injury associated with surgical positioning is an important complication that might compromise quality of life. We report a rare case of posterior interosseous nerve (PIN) palsy after robotic rectal cancer surgery. A 79-year-old male with rectal cancer underwent robotic low anterior resection in a modified lithotomy position with both arms tucked at his sides with bed sheets. Following surgery, he felt difficulty moving his right wrist and fingers. A neurological examination revealed muscle weakness in the area innervated by the PIN alone without sensory disturbance, and he was diagnosed with PIN palsy. The symptoms improved with conservative treatment in about a month. The PIN is a branch of the radial nerve and controls dorsiflexion of the fingers, and intraoperative continuous pressure on the upper arm by right lateral rotation position or by the robot arm was considered to be the cause.

Combined laparoscopic and transperineal endoscopic total pelvic exenteration for the vaginal stump recurrence of cervical cancer.

Total pelvic exenteration (TPE) is sometimes required for radical treatment of locally advanced or recurrent gynecologic cancer [1]. However, TPE with a transabdominal approach requires highly advanced techniques in the case of repeated surgery due to the effects of primary surgery and/or chemoradiotherapy, especially when a transabdominal approach is used. Recent technical advances in transanal/transperineal endoscopic surgery have proved beneficial for complicated surgery in the deep pelvis [2]. Here we introduce our surgical procedure for combined laparoscopic and transperineal endoscopic TPE (TpTPE) for pelvic recurrence of cervical cancer. A 42-year-old woman was diagnosed with vaginal stump recurrence of cervical cancer involving the rectum, bladder, and ureters following hysterectomy and pelvic lymph node dissection as primary surgery and chemotherapy/chemoradiotherapy for previous recurrences. We decided to perform TpTPE with a combined laparoscopic approach. The GelPOINT advanced access platform was fixed through a perineal skin incision around the tightly closed anus, external urethral orifice, and vagina. With sufficient pneumopelvic pressure (12 mmHg), TpTPE was performed under a good surgical view without any effect of the primary surgery. A ureterostomy and sigmoid colostomy were created and a right gracilis muscle flap was used to reconstruct the pelvic defect. The total operative time and estimated blood loss were 887 minutes and 497 mL, respectively. Histopathological examination revealed recurrent cervical cancer invading the rectum, bladder, and bilateral ureters with negative surgical margins. The postoperative course was uneventful except for paralytic ileus. The patient was discharged on postoperative day 18. TpTPE is a technically feasible and effective approach for locally advanced pelvic tumors.

Comparison of oncological outcomes between low anterior resection and abdominoperineal resection for rectal cancer: A retrospective cohort study using a multicenter database in Japan.

BACKGROUND: It remains controversial whether the abdominoperineal resection (APR) procedure itself has a negative impact on prognosis compared with sphincter-saving surgery (SSS). The purpose of this study was to investigate whether the operation type affects the prognostic outcome in rectal cancer using a multicenter database in Japan. METHODS: The study involved 2533 patients who underwent APR or SSS and were registered in the Japanese Society for Cancer of the Colon and Rectum database, which includes data from 74 centers, between 2003 and 2007. The primary endpoints were overall survival (OS) and relapse-free survival (RFS). The secondary endpoints were local recurrence rate (LRR) and pathological radial margin (pRM) status. RESULTS: Multivariate analysis identified pathological tumor depth, lymph node status, and pRM status to be associated with oncological outcomes (OS, RFS, LRR). Although the oncological outcomes were worse after APR than after SSS in univariate analysis, there was no significant difference in OS (hazard ratio 1.08; 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.85-1.37) or RFS (hazard ratio 1.06; 95% CI 0.87-1.30) between APR and SSS. There was also no significant difference in LRR (odds ratio 1.11, 95% CI 0.70-1.77). Multivariate analysis showed that operation type was associated with positive pRM (odds ratio 3.13, 95% CI 0.18-0.56). CONCLUSIONS: There was no significant difference in oncological outcomes between APR and SSS for rectal cancer. The risk of positive pRM was higher for APR and performing radial margin-negative surgery is an important factor in improving the oncological outcomes of APR.

Detection of carbon dioxide embolism by transesophageal echocardiography during transanal/perineal endoscopic surgery: a pilot study.

The transanal/perineal (ta/tp) endoscopic approach has been widely used for anorectal surgery in recent years, but carbon dioxide embolism is a possible lethal complication. The frequency of this complication in this approach is not known. In this study, we investigated the frequency of intraoperative (including occult) carbon dioxide embolism using transesophageal echocardiography. Patients who underwent surgery via the ta/tp approach and consented to participate were included. Intraoperative transesophageal echocardiography was used to observe the right ventricular system in a four-chamber view. Changes in end-tidal carbon dioxide (EtCO2), oxygen saturation (SpO2), and blood pressure were taken from anesthesia records. Median maximum insufflation pressure during the ta/tp approach was 13.5 (12-18) mmHg. One patient (4.8%) was observed to have a bubble in the right atrium on intraoperative transesophageal echocardiography, with a decrease in EtCO2 from 39 to 35 mmHg but no obvious change in SpO2 or blood pressure. By lowering the insufflation pressure from 15 to 10 mmHg and controlling bleeding from the veins around the prostate, the gas rapidly disappeared and the operation could be continued. Among all patients, the range of variation in intraoperative EtCO2 was 5-22 mmHg, and an intraoperative decrease in EtCO2 of > 3 mmHg within 5 min was observed in 19 patients (median 5 mmHg in 1-10 times).Clinicians should be aware of carbon dioxide embolism as a rare but potentially lethal complication of anorectal surgery, especially when using the ta/tp approach.

Hydrolysis of ionized deoxycholic acid in the aqueous phase and rate analysis for transfer of neutralized deoxycholic acid into the benzene phase across the benzene/water interface.

Sodium deoxycholate in water dissociates into sodium cation and deoxycholate anion in the aqueous phase, and then, the latter anions partially hydrolyze to form deionized deoxycholic acids. The acids move into the benzene phase, when liquid benzene is placed upon the aqueous phase, and finally the partition equilibrium is reached. The above processes were traced by pH change in the aqueous phase by a pH meter or the change in [OH-] with time, from which the rate for transfer of neutralized acid to the organic phase was analyzed. From the trace, the rate constants for hydrolysis of acid anion ( kf), neutralization of acid ( kb), transfer of neutralized acid from the aqueous phase to the organic phase ( kin*), and its back-transfer from the organic phase to the aqueous phase ( kut*) were evaluated; kf = 2.18 x 10 (-4) mol (-1) dm (3) min (-1), kb = 1.24 x 10 (5) mol (-1) dm (3) min (-1), kin* = 4.06 x 10 (-1) min (-1) cm (-2), and kout*) = 8.00 x 10 (-2) min (-1) cm (-2). The above values are supported by the partition constant of deoxycholic acid between the benzene phase and the aqueous phase.

Effect of palatal augmentation prosthesis on pharyngeal manometric pressure in a patient with functional dysphagia: A case report.

PATIENTS: A 53-year-old institutionalized male patient with a history of postoperative bilateral hypoglossal nerve injury was admitted for treatment of dysphagia. He experienced dysphagia involving oral cavity-to-pharynx bolus transportation because of restricted tongue movement and was treated with a palatal augmentation prosthesis (PAP), which resulted in improved bolus transportation, pharyngeal swallowing pressure, and clearance of oral and pharyngeal residue. The mean pharyngeal swallowing pressure at tongue base with the PAP (145.5±7.5mmHg) was significantly greater than that observed immediately after removal of the PAP (118.3±10.1mmHg; p<0.05; independent t-test). Dysphagia rehabilitation with the PAP was continued. Approximately 1 month after PAP application, the patient could orally consume three meals, with the exception of foods particularly difficult to swallow. DISCUSSION: The supporting contact between the tongue and palate enabled by the PAP resulted in improvement of bolus transportation, which is the most important effect of a PAP. The increase in pharyngeal swallowing pressure at the tongue base because of PAP-enabled tongue-palate contact might play an important role in this improvement. Since a PAP augments the volume of the palate, it enables easy contact between the tongue and palate, resulting in the formation of an anchor point for tongue movement during swallowing. Thus, application of a PAP increases the tongue force, especially that of the basal tongue. CONCLUSION: A palatal augmentation prosthesis helps improve pharyngeal swallowing pressure at the basal tongue region and might contribute to the decrease of oral as well as pharyngeal residue.

Influence of CT-measured appendiceal diameter on operation time of laparoscopic appendectomy.

Laparoscopic appendectomy (LA) is considered as an uncomplicated procedure, so residents are frequently chosen as LA operators. The aim of this study was to identify preoperative factors influencing operation time in LA. We proposed patient selection criteria to help choose an adequately skilled resident for performing LA. The medical records of 117 patients who underwent LA between April 2008 and August 2009 were retrospectively reviewed. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to identify factors influencing operation time. Accordingly multivariate analysis indicated that operation time was significantly influenced by C-reactive protein and computed tomography-measured appendiceal diameter. Appendiceal diameter was a better predicting factor for differentiating the longer and shorter operation time groups. The cut-off value for appendiceal diameter was 12 mm. We concluded that preoperative computed tomography findings of appendiceal diameter of more than 12 mm in patients suggested that LA would be technically challenging for the less experienced resident.