The integration of the intracorporeal triangular anastomotic technique in robotic distal gastrectomy: advancing patient safety and procedural simplicity.

BACKGROUND: Robotic distal gastrectomy (RDG) with Billroth I (BI) reconstruction is predominantly performed due to its physiological congruence and simplicity. The Intracorporeal Triangular Anastomotic Technique (INTACT) aims to reduce ischemic areas compared to the conventional Delta-shaped anastomosis using the unique characteristics of robotic surgery to standardize procedures, thereby ensuring safe, simple, and reliable reconstruction. This study aims to investigate the efficacy of the INTACT in RDG with BI reconstruction, focusing on its robotic precision in minimizing ischemic zones and improving surgical reliability. SURGICAL TECHNIQUE: The posterior duodenal wall is dissected before reconstruction, and the hepatoduodenal ligament is severed to facilitate passive duodenal manipulation. A quarter-circumference incision is created centrally on the anterior wall of the duodenal stump to avoid excessive tension during anastomosis and to ensure an adequate anastomotic diameter. A small opening is established on the greater curvature of the remaining stomach, and the posterior walls of the stomach and duodenum are joined using a Linear stapler in the first fire. A V-shape is created, and two EndoWrist instruments (robotic first and fourth arms) are utilized to grip and extend the anastomosis diameter, completing the anastomosis with a shared hole closure using the Linear stapler. The robotic arms' features improve the physiological integrity and stability of the BI reconstruction. RESULTS: A total of 81 patients underwent RDG with INTACT from September 2020 to January 2024. The median age was 72 years (range: 31-91), with 49 males and 32 females. The median blood loss was 0 ml (range: 0-200 ml), and the median postoperative hospital stay was 8 days (range: 6-20 days). No cases required reanastomosis during surgery, and no postoperative anastomotic leakage, surgery-related reoperations, or anastomotic strictures were reported. CONCLUSION: INTACT in RDG can be safely performed. The characteristics of the EndoWrist instruments helped in stabilizing the technique, making it a viable option in robotic-assisted surgeries.

[Questionnaire Survey on Oral Care and Oral Troubles for Patients with Gastric Cancer Received Chemotherapy].

BACKGROUND: The actual situation of oral care and oral troubles for patients with gastric cancer received chemotherapy is not clear. METHODS: Questionnaire survey in the form of oral questions was performed for patients with gastric cancer who received chemotherapy from December 2021 to February 2022. The relevance between the survey results and background factors was examined using the χ2 test. RESULTS: We performed the questionnaire survey for 36 patients. Of the 36 patients, 29 patients received dental check-up before starting chemotherapy. Fourteen of the 29 patients(48%)continued the dental check-up. Of 14 patients who continued the dental check-up, 9 patients were 65 years or older, while 14 of 15 patients who discontinued the dental check-up were 65 years or older. Continuity of dental check-up was low among the elderly patients. The rate of dysgeusia were 78 vs 30% in the patients who adopted and who did not adopt oral care other than toothbrushing(p=0.01). The frequency of oral troubles was dysgeusia(47%), stomatitis(42%), and dry mouth(36%). The severity of the oral troubles was, in order, dysgeusia, dry mouth, and pain. The most common side effect due to chemotherapy causing decreased food intake was dysgeusia. CONCLUSIONS: Dysgeusia was the most frequent and severe oral trouble.

[Regimen Selection by Narrative Approach in Patients with Advanced Gastric Cancer-Paclitaxel or Nab-Paclitaxel?]

BACKGROUND: According to the sixth Gastric Cancer Treatment Guideline, the regimen included nab-paclitaxel(nab-PTX) is a conditional recommendation as second-line treatment for advanced gastric cancer. However, the selection criteria of nab-PTX is not clear. METHOD: Questionnaire survey as narrative approach on the problems of paclitaxel premedication, the symptoms due to paclitaxel containing alcohol, and infusion time was conducted for patients who had been treated with paclitaxel. RESULTS: Thirty-six patients answered the questionnaire. Nonelderly patients(<65 years)or patients without comorbid medications complained of dissatisfaction with the inconvenience due to premedication significantly more than elderly patients(≥65 years)or patients with comorbid medications. Females or nonelderly patients were significantly more troubled by sleepiness due to premedication than males or elderly patients. Eight out of 11 patients who had visited hospital by driving a car for first-line treatment were troubled by prohibition of driving on the day of treatment. Thirty out of 36 patients answered that they would feel benefits from 30-minutes shortening of infusion time. CONCLUSION: Questionnaire survey suggests that we may select the patients for nab-PTX properly by clarifying the inconvenience of daily life associated with premedication, the way of transportation for visiting hospital, and the benefits by shortening of infusion time.

[A Case of 30s Female with Advanced Anal Canal Adenocarcinoma Managed with Adolescent-And-Young-Adult Team].

A 30s female complaining of anal pain and melena was referred to our hospital. The support by adolescent-and-young- adult(AYA)team was initiated after the first encounter. Colonoscopic examination revealed an ulcerated tumor on the anterior wall of anal canal with its anal margin on anal verge and the tumor was diagnosed as an adenocarcinoma. Contrast- enhanced CT and MRI revealed adjacency of tumor and vagina, enlarged lymph nodes and multiple pulmonary nodules. 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose(FDG)-positron emission tomography(PET)additionally revealed tracer accumulation in left sciatica, which led us to the diagnosis of advanced anal cancer. We planned and safely performed concomitant partial vaginal resection in robot-assisted laparoscopic abdominoperineal resection for the palliative purpose after discussion on physical and psychosocial issues including stoma and fertility with the patient, her family and AYA members. The pathological diagnosis was pT4b(vagina)N1aM1b, pStage ⅣB, and the local margin was pathologically negative. The postoperative course was smooth and she was discharged on postoperative day 16. Fifty one days after operation, she started systemic chemotherapy after decision on not to take ovarian samples and continues systemic chemotherapy as of writing. Support by AYA team was effective to facilitate the patient's decision-making and the communication between the patient and the medical team.

[A Case of Diffuse Large B-Cell Lymphoma Which Was Diagnosed during the Best Supportive Care of Recurrent Ascending Colon Cancer].

A 70s male, who had undergone single-incision laparoscopic ileocecal resection for ascending colon cancer with pathological diagnosis of T3N3M0, Stage Ⅲc(without adjuvant chemotherapy), had enhanced-computed tomography(CT)for 3-month follow-up and a hepatic low-density area, an newly emergent nodule behind inferior vena cava and distal ileal tumor were found. Three months later, enhanced CT showed that the distal ileal tumor got exponentially larger and the diagnosis of"malignant lymphoma"was suspected. The patient became sepsis, so we planned and safely performed partial resection of the tumor. The pathological diagnosis was diffuse large B-cell lymphoma. Postoperative course was smooth except for the Clostridium difficile colitis and he was discharged on postoperative day 19. Although the regrowth of the remnant tumor was observed soon after surgery, partial response was confirmed after introduction of systemic chemotherapy. When we cope with malignant lymphoma of small intestine, we need to keep it in mind that surgery is an option for the prevention of perforation and bacterial translocation.

[A Case of Fibromatosis-Like Tumor Which Was Difficult to Differentiate from Local Recurrence of Ascending Colon Cancer].

A 60s female, who had undergone single-incision laparoscopic ileocecal resection for ascending colon cancer with pathological diagnosis of T3N1bM0, Stage Ⅲb, followed by adjuvant therapy with 8 courses CAPOX 2 years ago, had enhanced- computed tomography(CT)for follow-up and a 15-mm nodule near anastomotic site was found. 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG)-positron emission tomography(PET)CT revealed abnormal accumulation of 18F-FDG only to the lesion and diagnosis of"anastomotic recurrence"was made. We planned and safely performed resection of the anastomotic site and the nodule. The pathological diagnosis was fibromatosis-like tumor without evidence of recurrence, and margin was negative. Postoperative course was smooth and she was discharged on postoperative day 9. When we diagnose local recurrence, we need to keep it in mind that fibromatosis is one of the differential diagnoses, although its incidence rate is low.

The effect of specimen processing time on HER2 expression in gastric cancer and esophagogastric junction cancer: a single-center retrospective observational study.

BACKGROUND: Recent developments in the field of companion diagnosis and molecular-targeting therapeutic agents have helped in developing treatments targeting human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) in gastric cancer (GC) and esophagogastric junction cancer (EGJC), and the importance of accurate diagnosis of HER2 expression is increasing. However, the HER2-positivity rate significantly differs among reports in GC and EGJC, and factors that affect HER2-positivity require elucidation. METHODS: The present study retrospectively examined factors related to HER2-positivity in a single institution, including age, sex, body mass index, the American Society of Anesthesiologists physical status, tumor information, and surgery information, including time to specimen processing. RESULTS: Our study included 165 patients tested for HER2 using GC and EGJC surgery specimens among the 1,320 patients who underwent gastrectomy from January 2007 to June 2022. In total, 35 (21.2%) and 130 (78.8%) patients were HER2-positive and -negative, respectively. Multivariate analysis revealed that intestinal type (odds ratio [OR]: 3.41, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.44-8.09, p = 0.005), pM1 (OR: 3.99, 95% CI: 1.51-10.55, p = 0.005), and time to specimen processing of < 120 min (OR: 2.65, 95% CI: 1.01-6.98, p = 0.049) were independent factors that affected HER2-positivity. CONCLUSIONS: The outcomes of the present study indicated that intestinal type, pM, and time to specimen processing are important factors affecting HER2-positive rates in GC and EGJC. Therefore, the risk of false-negative HER2 results may be reduced by decreasing the time required to process the resected specimen. Additionally, accurate diagnosis of HER2 expression may increase the opportunity to administer molecular-targeted drugs that can expect therapeutic effects to patients appropriately. TRAIL REGISTRATION: Retrospectively registered.

[A Case Report of SOX Therapy for an Elderly Patient with Hemorrhagic Primary Duodenal Carcinoma].

BACKGROUND: Although pancreatoduodenectomy is recommended as a radical surgery for duodenal carcinoma, it has been reported that pancreatoduodenectomy in elderly patients has a high risk of surgical complications. CASE PRESENTATION: A man in his 80's was diagnosed with advanced duodenal carcinoma, presenting with anemia(Hb 5.4 g/dL). Computed tomography scanning showed wall thickening in the descending leg of the duodenum, pancreatic invasion was suspected, and clinical diagnosis was Stage ⅡB(cT4N0M0). Although radical surgery was possible, the patient refused surgery considering the risks of surgical complications. The gastroduodenal bypass surgery was performed to control bleeding, and the patient was treated with S-1 plus oxaliplatin(SOX; S-1 100 mg/body, days 1-14; oxaliplatin 100 mg/m2, day 1 q21 days). After 6 courses of the SOX regimen, the wall thickening of duodenum disappeared, and SOX was switched to S-1 monotherapy (S-1 100 mg/body, days 1-28, q42 days)according to Grade 2 thrombocytopenia and decreased performance status. After 11 courses of S-1, upper gastrointestinal endoscopy showed that the tumor had disappeared, the biopsy of duodenum showed no evidence of malignancy, and chemotherapy was terminated. The patient has been followed up for 7 months without recurrence. CONCLUSIONS: SOX for elderly patient showed efficacy against hemorrhagic duodenal carcinoma.

[Conversion Surgery Performed after SOX plus Nivolumab Therapy for Advanced Gastric Cancer with Para-Aortic Lymph Node Metastasis].

The patient was a 78-year-old woman. She presented with anemia and a positive fecal occult blood test. Endoscopic findings revealed type 3 advanced gastric cancer. As it had metastasized to the para-aortic lymph node(PALN: No. 16a2 lat), it was diagnosed as gastric cancer at cardia cT4aN1(No.1)M1(No.16a2 lat), cStage Ⅳ. She was administered S-1, oxaliplatin, and nivolumab(SOX plus Nivo)therapy as a first-line treatment. SOX plus Nivo resulted in a remarkable reduction of the lymph nodes, which were PR. After 3 courses of chemotherapy, a laparoscopic proximal gastrectomy was performed, with D2 plus No. 16a2 int/lat lymph nodes dissection as conversion surgery. Histopathological examination was pT3N0M0, and R0 resection was pStage ⅡA. She was discharged at POD21 and started S-1 from POD69. The patient is alive with no signs of recurrence 10 months postoperatively.

[A Case of Preoperative Chemotherapy for Advanced Gastric Cancer, Laparoscopic Total Gastrectomy, Pancreaticoduodenectomy, and Para-Aortic Lymph Node Dissection].

Bulky N+ gastric cancer has a poor prognosis. The results of JCOG0405 showed the efficacy of neoadjuvant chemotherapy with S-1 plus cisplatin combination therapy for Bulky N+ gastric cancer. JLSSG0901 demonstrated the safety and efficacy of laparoscopic surgery for advanced gastric cancer. But the safety of laparoscopic surgery for locally advanced and extensive nodal metastasis cancer(T4b, para-aortic lymph node metastasis)is not apparent. After DOS therapy, we performed total laparoscopic gastrectomy, DP(distal pancreatectomy), D2+ #16a2/b1 lat, and Roux-en-Y reconstruction, and histopathological results showed that the aortic lymph node metastasis disappeared. We controlled extensive lymph node metastasis using preoperative triplet chemotherapy. Laparoscopic surgery after preoperative chemotherapy for Bulky N+ gastric cancer can be a treatment option because we performed laparoscopic resection and para-aortic lymph node dissection with no complications, including pancreatic complications.

[Our Experience with Atezolizumab plus Bevacizumab for Unresectable Hepatocellular Carcinoma].

We report our experience with atezolizumab plus bevacizumab for unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma. METHODS: Fourteen patients with unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma treated with atezolizumab plus bevacizumab at our department were retrospectively evaluated for antitumor efficacy and adverse events. RESULTS: Age ranged from 66-91 years(median 77.5 years), 11 males and 3 females, number of doses ranged from 2-26(median 13), and observation period ranged from 31-790 days (median 427 days). Antitumor efficacy was CR in 3 patients, PR in 3, SD in 6, and PD in 2. One patient with PD died 650 days after the start of treatment, but the others are still alive. Adverse events included proteinuria in 9 patients who discontinued bevacizumab, hypothyroidism requiring levothyroxine sodium hydrate in 7 patients, dermatitis in 2 patients, and colitis requiring hospitalization in 2 patients. DISCUSSION: Despite the small number of cases, a high antitumor effect was observed with a CR rate of 21%. Although proteinuria and hypothyroidism were observed relatively frequently as adverse events, they were easily controlled and did not pose a major clinical problem.

[Clinical Outcome of Five Patients with Perforated Colorectal Cancer].

We studied the clinicopathological findings of 5 patients with perforated colorectal cancer. Three patients were male, and the primary cancer site was left side colon in 4 patents. Two patients had endoscopy-related perforation. The chief complaint was abdominal pain in all cases. All patients underwent emergency surgery. Two patients had Stage Ⅱ cancer, 3 had Stage Ⅳ. The mean ICU stay was 2.8 days. The average postoperative hospital stay was 71.8 days. Three patients were discharged home and 2 were transferred to other hospitals. The 3 patients who were discharged home received chemotherapy. Perforation of the cancer site is a risk factor for recurrence, and early recovery and additional treatment should be considered.

[A Case Report of the Ascending Colon Cancer with Bullous Pemphigoid].

The patient was a 70-year-old man. The patient had progressive anemia while taking 10 mg/day of prednisolone and 100 mg/day of mizoribine orally for bullous pemphigoid, a colonoscopy diagnosed ascending colon cancer. Adenocarcinoma, Group 5 was detected on biopsy. Abdominal computed tomography showed no metastases. The tumor was diagnosed as ascending colon cancer, cT4aN0M0, cStage Ⅱb. We performed laparoscopic right hemicolectomy and D3 dissection. Histopathological examination revealed pT3N0M0, pStage Ⅱa. In the present report, we describe a case of the ascending colon cancer with bullous pemphigoid, and discuss the case with a review of the literature.

Efficacy of electrocoagulation hemostasis: a study on the optimal usage of the very-low-voltage mode.

BACKGROUND: The very-low-voltage (VLV) mode in electrosurgery can stably and deeply energize tissues even if the local electrical resistance changes with energization. Therefore, in electrosurgical hemostasis, the VLV mode is more reliable than other coagulation modes. In clinical practice, the appropriate use of combined saline drip and blood suction under the VLV mode can further enhance coagulation ability. However, the detailed mechanism is not known. The current study aimed to evaluate the association between electrosurgical activation time (ET) and hemostatic tissue effect (HTE) under the VLV mode. Further, the effect of saline drip and suction on power consumption and HTE was validated. METHODS: Twelve female pigs weighing 35 kg were included in the experiment. A liver hemorrhage model was established via an open abdominal procedure, and hemostasis in the hemorrhagic lesion was attempted using the VLV mode under different conditions (ET: 3, 6, 9, and 12 s, with/without saline drip and/or continuous suction). Electrical data (such as voltage, current, and resistance) during coagulation were extracted. Then, the vertical/horizontal extent of HTE was assessed, and the hemostasis outcome (successful or failed) was recorded. RESULTS: The vertical/horizontal HTE, power consumption, and integrated current value were positively correlated with the ET. The coagulation depth deepened with saline drip (p < 0.01). However, it was not affected by continuous suction (p = 0.20). The HTE area increased with saline drip (p < 0.01) and decreased with suction (p < 0.01). The power consumption and integrated current increased with saline drip (p < 0.01) and decreased with suction (p < 0.01). The success rate of hemostasis decreased with saline drip alone (31of 48 trials [success rate = 64.5%] in the saline drip group and 44/48 trials (success rate = 91.7%) in the control group). However, it improved with continuous suction (46/48 trials [success rate = 95.8%]). CONCLUSION: The electrosurgical activation time was positively correlated with hemostatic tissue effect. Saline drip increased heat transfer efficiency but decreased the success rate of hemostasis. Therefore, the use of continuous suction in addition to saline drip increased hemostatic efficiency.

[A Case of Effective Plasma Exchange for Thrombotic Microangiopathy during Chemotherapy for Pancreatic Cancer].

The patient was a 78-year-old man. After 4 courses of GEM plus nab-PTX therapy for multiple recurrent liver metastases after pancreatic body cancer surgery, the patient was aware of general malaise and edema of the extremities. Blood tests showed pancytopenia, and he was admitted to the hospital with a diagnosis of chemotherapy-induced pancytopenia. On the second day, hemolytic anemia with crushed red blood cells was observed, suggesting thrombotic microangiopathy (TMA). Considering the possibility of thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura(TTP), the patient was started on plasma exchange with steroids. After 7 days of plasma exchange, his thrombocytopenia, hemolytic anemia, and renal dysfunction improved, and he was discharged from the hospital on the 28th day. Although GEM-induced TMA is a life-threatening complication, there is no established treatment for it. We report a case of GEM-induced TMA that was successfully treated with plasma exchange.

[A Case of Peritoneal Recurrence from Ascending Colon Cancer Successfully Treated with Laparoscopic Concomitant Right Seminal Vesiculectomy in Low Anterior Resection].

A 60s male, who had laparoscopic ileocecal resection for ascending colon cancer 2 years ago, had enhanced computed tomography(CT)for follow-up and a 12-mm nodule in Douglas' pouch adjacent to right seminal vesicle and rectum was found. 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose(FDG)-positron emission tomography CT revealed abnormal accumulation of 18F-FDG only to the lesion(standardized uptake value max 2.60)and the diagnosis of peritoneal recurrence of ascending colon cancer was made. We planned and safely performed laparoscopic concomitant right seminal vesiculectomy in low anterior resection. The pathological diagnosis was peritoneal dissemination of colon cancer and the margin was pathologically negative. The postoperative course was smooth except for temporary dysuria and he was discharged on postoperative day 17. As of writing 1 year after surgery, the patient continues to do well with no sign of recurrence. Laparoscopic concomitant seminal vesiculectomy in low anterior resection can be a good option for the curative resection of peritoneal recurrence.

[A Case of Improvement by SOX Therapy for DIC Caused by Gastric Cancer].

Disseminated intravascular coagulation(DIC)has a poor prognosis in gastric cancer. The patient was a 78-year-old man. He had been diagnosed with Stage Ⅳ gastric cancer. Before chemotherapy, thrombocytopenia and elevated D-dimer occurred, and we diagnosed DIC. We started SOX therapy to treat gastric cancer with DIC. DIC improved on the 10th day after the onset of DIC. But developed DIC again on the 21st day. We started SOX therapy again. However, the DIC did not improve. The patient died 32 days after the initial DIC. Oxaliplatin regimen may be a potential treatment for DIC.

Synchronization Dynamics in a Designed Open System.

We theoretically propose a unifying expression for synchronization dynamics between two-level constituents. Although synchronization phenomena require some substantial mediators, the distinct repercussions of their propagation delays remain obscure, especially in open systems. Our scheme directly incorporates the details of the constituents and mediators in an arbitrary environment. As one example, we demonstrate the synchronization dynamics of optical emitters on a dielectric microsphere. We reveal that the whispering gallery modes (WGMs) bridge the well-separated emitters and accelerate the synchronized fluorescence, known as superfluorescence. The emitters are found to overcome the significant and nonuniform retardation, and to build up their pronounced coherence by the WGMs, striking a balance between the roles of resonator and intermediary. Our work directly illustrates the dynamical aspects of many-body synchronizations and contributes to the exploration of research paradigms that consider designed open systems.

[Three-Year Survival after Lymphadenectomy for Residual Lymph Node Metastasis of Esophageal Cancer with Invasion into the Trachea and Carotid Artery after Chemoradiotherapy - A Case Report].

INTRODUCTION: Chemoradiotherapy(CRT)is an effective treatment method for esophageal cancer. In early stages, it is a standard therapy combined with surgery. However, CRT achieves definitive complete response(CR)in only about 20% of advanced cancer with invasion into adjacent organs. Then, surgery is the only treatment for curative therapy. We report a case of a patient with 3-year survival who underwent lymphadenectomy for residual cancer after CRT for advanced esophageal cancer with invasion into the trachea and right cervical artery. CASE DESCRIPTION: The patient was a 71-year-old woman. Various examinations revealed a cervical esophageal cancer, which had a right cervical lymph node metastasis with invasion into the trachea and right common cervical artery(cT4b[LYM-Tr, RCCA], N1, M0, cStage III C(UICC TNM classification). Induction chemotherapy(DCF; docetaxel[DTX]plus cisplatin[CDDP]plus 5-fluorouracil[5-FU])was initiated, but neither the cancer primary site nor the lymph node metastasis decreased. Then, she received chemoradiotherapy(5-FU plus CDDP and 40.8 Gy). After that, endoscopic and pathological examination showed CR of the primary site, but CT still indicated the presence of a residual lesion in the lymph node. As we diagnosed the residual tumor as being close to the trachea and RCCA, but not infiltrating them, lymphadenectomy was performed, which was possible to preserve the trachea and RCCA. The postoperative histopathological report indicated lymph node metastasis in the right cervical lymph node with a negative radial margin. It has now been about 3 years since her operation, and she is alive and disease-free.

[Two Cases of Advanced Gastric Cancer in the Upper Portion of the Stomach with Laparoscopic Total Gastrectomy after Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy].

Case 1: A 55-year-old woman was diagnosed with type 3 gastric cancer(U, post, 30 mm, por, cT4aN2M0)of cStage III B. She received 3 courses of a DOS regimen, which consisted of docetaxel, oxaliplatin, and S-1, as neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC). She subsequently underwent curative laparoscopic total gastrectomy with D2+No.16a2lat dissection, and resection of part of the right crus of the diaphragm, which was suspected to have cancer infiltration. S-1 was started as adjuvant chemotherapy 37 days after gastrectomy. The patient is alive without recurrence 6 months after surgery. Case 2: A 59-yearold man was diagnosed with type 3 gastric cancer(UM-E, less, 80 mm, por, cT4aN2M0)cStage III B. NACwith DOS was administered. After 3 courses of NACwere completed, we performed spleen-preserving curative laparoscopic total gastrectomy with D2+No.16a2lat dissection. S-1 was started as adjuvant chemotherapy 54 days after gastrectomy. The patient is alive without recurrence 6 months after surgery.