Impact of the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic on gastric and colorectal cancer surgeries: a multicenter epidemiologic study from the Kinki region of Japan.

The coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic affected cancer surgeries and advanced cancer diagnoses; however, the trends in patient characteristics in medical institutions during this time, and the surgical approaches used are unclear. We investigated the impact of the pandemic on gastric and colorectal cancer surgeries in the Kinki region of Japan. We grouped 1688 gastric and 3493 colorectal cancer surgeries into three periods: "pre-pandemic" (April 2019-March 2020), "pandemic 1" (April 2020-March 2021), and "pandemic 2" (April 2021-September 2021), to investigate changes in the number of surgeries, patient characteristics, surgical approaches, and cancer progression after surgery. Gastric and colorectal cancer surgeries decreased from the pre-pandemic levels, by 20% and 4%, respectively, in pandemic 1, and by 31% and 19%, respectively, in pandemic 2. This decrease had not recovered to pre-pandemic levels by September, 2021. Patient characteristics, surgical approaches, and cancer progression of gastric and colorectal surgeries did not change remarkably as a result of the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic.

Comparison of Minimally Invasive Surgery with Open Surgery for Remnant Gastric Cancer: A Multi-institutional Cohort Study.

BACKGROUND: Despite growing evidence of the effectiveness of minimally invasive surgery (MIS) for primary gastric cancer, MIS for remnant gastric cancer (RGC) remains controversial due to the rarity of the disease. This study aimed to evaluate the surgical and oncological outcomes of MIS for radical resection of RGC. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Patients with RGC who underwent surgery between 2005 and 2020 at 17 institutions were included, and a propensity score matching analysis was performed to compare the short- and long-term outcomes of MIS with open surgery. RESULTS: A total of 327 patients were included in this study and 186 patients were analyzed after matching. The risk ratios for overall and severe complications were 0.76 [95% confidence interval (CI): 0.45, 1.27] and 0.65 (95% CI: 0.32, 1.29), respectively. The MIS group had significantly less blood loss [mean difference (MD), -409 mL; 95% CI: -538, -281] and a shorter hospital stay (MD, -6.5 days; 95% CI: -13.1, 0.1) than the open surgery group. The median follow-up duration of this cohort was 4.6 years, and the 3-year overall survival were 77.9% and 76.2% in the MIS and open surgery groups, respectively [hazard ratio (HR), 0.78; 95% CI: 0.45, 1.36]. The 3-year relapse-free survival were 71.9% and 62.2% in the MIS and open surgery groups, respectively (HR, 0.71; 95% CI: 0.44, 1.16). CONCLUSIONS: MIS for RGC showed favorable short- and long-term outcomes compared to open surgery. MIS is a promising option for radical surgery for RGC.

Safety assessment of robotic gastrectomy and analysis of surgical learning process: a multicenter cohort study.

BACKGROUND: The safety of robotic gastrectomy (RG) for gastric cancer in daily clinical settings and the process by which surgeons are introduced and taught RG remain unclear. This study aimed to evaluate the safety of RG in daily clinical practice and assess the learning process in surgeons introduced to RG. METHODS: Patients who underwent RG for gastric cancer at Kyoto University and 12 affiliated hospitals across Japan from January 2017 to October 2019 were included. Any morbidity with a Clavien-Dindo classification grade of II or higher was evaluated. Moreover, the influence of the surgeon's accumulated RG experience on surgical outcomes and surgeon-reported postoperative fatigue were assessed. RESULTS: A total of 336 patients were included in this study. No conversion to open or laparoscopic surgery and no in-hospital mortality were observed. Overall, 50 (14.9%) patients developed morbidity. During the study period, 14 surgeons were introduced to robotic procedures. The initial five cases had surprisingly lower incidence of morbidity compared to the following cases (odds ratio 0.29), although their operative time was longer (+ 74.2 min) and surgeon's fatigue scores were higher (+ 18.4 out of 100 in visual analog scale). CONCLUSIONS: RG was safely performed in actual clinical settings. Although the initial case series had longer operative time and promoted greater levels of surgeon fatigue compared to subsequent cases, our results suggested that RG had been introduced safely.

Mesenteric closure after laparoscopic total gastrectomy with Roux-en-Y reconstruction is effective for prevention of internal hernia: a multicenter retrospective study.

BACKGROUND: Internal hernia (IH) is one of the critical complications after gastrectomy with Roux-en-Y reconstruction, which can be prevented by closing mesenteric defects. However, only few studies have investigated the incidence of IH after laparoscopic total gastrectomy (LTG) with Roux-en-Y reconstruction for gastric cancer till date. This study aimed to assess the efficacy of defect closure for the prevention of IH after LTG. METHODS: This multicenter, retrospective cohort study collected data from 714 gastric cancer patients who underwent LTG with Rou-en-Y reconstruction between 2010 and 2016 in 13 hospitals. We evaluated the incidence of postoperative IH by comparing closure and non-closure groups of Petersen's defect, jejunojejunostomy mesenteric defect, and transverse mesenteric defect. RESULTS: The closure group for Petersen's defect included 609 cases, while the non-closure group included 105 cases. The incidence of postoperative IH in the closure group for Petersen's defect was significantly lower than it was in the non-closure group (0.5% vs. 4.8%, p < 0.001). The closure group for jejunojejunostomy mesenteric defect included 641 cases, while the non-closure group included 73 cases. The incidence of postoperative IH in the closure group of jejunojejunostomy mesenteric defect was significantly lower than that in the non-closure group (0.8% vs. 4.1%, p = 0.004). Out of 714 patients, 41 underwent retro-colic reconstruction. No patients in the transverse mesenteric defect group developed IH. CONCLUSION: Mesenteric defect closure after LTG with Roux-en-Y reconstruction may reduce postoperative IH incidence. Endoscopic surgeons should take great care to prevent IH by closing mesenteric defects.

Linear or circular stapler? A propensity score-matched, multicenter analysis of intracorporeal esophagojejunostomy following totally laparoscopic total gastrectomy.

BACKGROUND: Presently, there is no consensus as to what procedure of intracorporeal esophagojejunostomy (EJS) in totally laparoscopic total gastrectomy (TLTG) is best to reduce postoperative complications. The aim of this study was to demonstrate the superiority of linear stapled reconstruction in terms of anastomotic-related complications for EJS in TLTG. METHODS: We collected data on 829 consecutive gastric cancer patients who underwent TLTG reconstructed by the Roux-en-Y method with radical lymphadenectomy between January 2010 and December 2016 in 13 hospitals. The patients were divided into two groups according to reconstruction method and matched by propensity score. Postoperative EJS-related complications were compared between the linear stapler (LS) and the circular stapler (CS) groups. RESULTS: After matching, data from 196 patients in each group were analyzed. The overall incidence of EJS-related complications was significantly lower in the LS group than in the CS group (4.1% vs. 11.7%, p = 0.008). The incidence of EJS anastomotic stenosis during the first year after surgery was significantly lower in the LS group than in the CS group (1.5% vs. 7.1%, p = 0.011). The incidence of EJS bleeding did not differ significantly between the groups, although no bleeding was observed in the LS group (0% vs. 2.0%, p = 0.123). The incidence of EJS leakage did not differ significantly between the groups (2.6% vs. 3.6%, p = 0.771). CONCLUSION: The use of linear stapled reconstruction is safer than the use of circular stapled reconstruction for intracorporeal EJS in TLTG because of its lower risks of stenosis.

Side overlap esophagogastrostomy to prevent reflux after proximal gastrectomy.

BACKGROUND: No optimal method of reconstruction for proximal gastrectomy has been established because of problems associated with postoperative reflux and anastomotic stenosis. It is also important that the reconstruction is easily performed laparoscopically because laparoscopic gastrectomy has become widely accepted in recent years. METHODS: We have developed a new method of esophagogastrostomy, side overlap with fundoplication by Yamashita (SOFY). The remnant stomach is fixated to the diaphragmatic crus on the dorsal side of the esophagus. The esophagus and the remnant stomach are overlapped by a length of 5 cm. A linear stapler is inserted in two holes on the left side of the esophageal stump and the anterior gastric wall. The stapler is rotated counterclockwise on its axis and fired. The entry hole is closed, and the right side of the esophagus is fixated to the stomach so that the esophagus sticks flat to the gastric wall. The surgical outcomes of the SOFY method were compared with those of esophagogastrectomy different from SOFY. RESULTS: Thirteen of the 14 patients in the SOFY group were asymptomatic without a proton pump inhibitor, but reflux esophagitis was observed in 5 of the 16 patients in the non-SOFY group and anastomotic stenosis was observed in 3 patients. Contrast enhancement findings in the SOFY group showed inflow of Gastrografin to the remnant stomach was extremely good, and no reflux into the esophagus was observed even with patients in the head-down tilt position. CONCLUSIONS: SOFY can be easily performed laparoscopically and may overcome the problems of postoperative reflux and stenosis.

Role of metastasectomy for recurrent/metastatic gastrointestinal stromal tumors based on an analysis of the Kinki GIST registry.

PURPOSE: To define the role of surgery for metastatic/recurrent lesions after resection of primary gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs). METHODS: Based on data obtained from the Kinki GIST registry, patients with recurrence or metastasis were divided into a surgical treatment group (ST group), comprised those treated with surgery in addition to tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) therapy; and a drug treatment group (DT group), comprised those treated with TKI therapy alone. We compared the baseline characteristics and survival outcomes of the groups. RESULTS: Metastasis or recurrence developed in 93 of the 737 patients with GISTs treated between 2003 and 2007, 50 (53.8 %) of whom were assigned to the ST group and 43 (46.2 %) to the DT group. In the ST group, the 5-year overall survival rate was significantly higher for patients who underwent R0/R1 resection than for those who underwent R2 resection (82.2 vs. 47.0 %, p = 0.018). Survival time after recurrence was correlated with the duration of total TKI therapy in both the ST and DT groups (r = 0.766 and r = 0.932, respectively, p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Continuous TKI therapy appears to be important primarily for the prognostic improvement of patients with recurrent/metastatic GISTs. R0/R1 resection may have benefits when combined with TKI therapy for patients with stable disease or disease responsive to TKI therapy, less than four metastatic lesions, and lesions <100 mm in total.

[A Case of Liver Metastasis from Esophageal Cancer Successfully Treated by Surgical Resection after Chemotherapy with Weekly-Paclitaxel].

A 58-year-old man complaining of dysphagia was admitted to our hospital and diagnosed with esophageal cancer.He underwent thoracoscopic subtotal esophagectomy with 3-field lymph node dissection and reconstruction with a gastric tube created by hand-assisted laparoscopy.The pathological diagnosis was classified as AeLtG, pT3N2M0, pStage III .He was subsequently treated with systemic chemotherapy with 5-fluorouracil and cisplatin.After 2 courses, a single liver metastatic tumor appeared at segment 5.As chemotherapy against the recurrence, weekly-paclitaxel was administered.After 2 courses, the metastatic liver tumor reduced in size.Subsequently, laparoscopic partial liver resection was performed 11 months after first surgery.The pathological finding was negative for malignancy(pathological complete response).

Optimal management for patients not meeting the inclusion criteria after endoscopic submucosal dissection for gastric cancer.

BACKGROUND: The necessity of additional gastrectomy for patients not meeting the inclusion criteria after endoscopic submu cosal dissection (ESD) is controversial. The aim of this study was to elucidate the risk factors for lymph node metastasis (LNM) and residual cancer (RC) in patients not meeting the inclusion criteria after ESD and to determine additional treatment strategies. METHODS: Of 1443 gastric cancer patients who underwent ESD between 2004 and 2013, 167 patients diagnosed as having a lesion not meeting the inclusion criteria after ESD were retrospectively analyzed. Of the 167 cases, 100 cases underwent additional gastrectomy, and 67 cases were observed without surgery. RESULTS: Overall, 9.0 % (9/100) and 9.0 % (9/100) of patients not meeting the inclusion criteria after ESD presented with LNM and RC, respectively, but neither was observed in 83 patients (83.0 %). Multivariate analysis revealed that lymphovascular involvement (LVI) (OR 38.38; 95 % CI 1.94-761.43, p = 0.017) and undifferentiated type (OR 45.58; 95 % CI 2.88-720.94, p = 0.007) were independent risk factors for LNM, and positive horizontal margin was an independent risk factor for RC (OR 9.48; 95 % CI 1.72-52.13, p = 0.010). In differentiated types without LVI, no cases had LNM (0/38) in the additional gastrectomy group, and there was no lymph node or distant recurrence (0/39) in the observation group. CONCLUSIONS: Additional treatment is necessary for patients with LVI, undifferentiated type, and positive horizontal margin. Careful follow-up may be acceptable for patients with the differentiated type without LVI, especially for the elderly or patients with severe comorbidities.

[A Case of Multiple HCC with Vp2 and Vv3 Invasion Controlled by Multidisciplinary Treatment Including Surgery].

The prognosis of HCC with vascular invasion is dismal, but surgery is elected when the hepatic reserve is adequate. The case involved a 68-year-old male HCV carrier. A 10 cm diameter tumor occupying the central 2 segments of the liver and liver metastasis in the left lobe were detected. The patient was diagnosed with multiple HCC with severe vascular invasion of Vp2 and Vv3. The tumor shrunk dramatically after starting HAIC therapy with cisplatin and oral administration of sorafenib. A laparoscopic partial hepatectomy was performed for the viable lesion. The tumor showed almost complete coagulative necrosis. Multiple hepatic metastases were found 4 months after surgery, but the tumor was under control at 25 months after the first HAIC due to HAIC, oral administration of sorafenib, and RFA. An improved prognosis for multiple HCC with severe vascular invasion can be expected by performing multidisciplinary treatments including surgery.

[A clinical study of fulminant amebic colitis].

The administration of metronidazole is generally effective to treat amebic colitis. Fulminant amebic colitis is relatively rare, and it is associated with a high mortality rate. Three cases of fulminant amebic colitis were diagnosed in our hospital between 1993 and 2014. One of these patients died despite our efforts. Amebic colitis often presents with no obvious risk factors and with atypical clinical symptoms. Therefore, the diagnosis of amebic colitis can be difficult. Early diagnosis is the most important factor in successful treatment of fulminant amebic colitis. The present cases demonstrate that it is important to consider the possibility of amebic colitis during evaluation of the acute abdomen.

[Two cases of neuroendocrine tumors of the pancreas with multiple liver metastases treated by use of degradable starch microspheres and octreotide].

The first case involved a 38-year-old man who received a pancreaticoduodenectomy and hepatectomy for a pancreatic neuroendocrine tumor (pNET) with multiple liver metastases. A recurrent tumor was detected in his liver 3 months after surgery. The second case involved a 61-year-old woman who received a distal pancreatectomy for a pNET. Multiple liver metastases were detected 29 months later. Both patients received a combined therapy consisting of trans-catheter arterial chemoembolization (TACE) with degradable starch microspheres (DSM) and octreotide. The combined therapy prolonged progression-free survival in both cases. Although only 2 cases were evaluated in this study, multimodal treatment consisting of TACE with DSM and octreotide effectively controlled liver metastasis of pNET in both cases.

[Clinical experience of imatinib mesylate for metastatic or recurrent gastrointestinal stromal tumor].

We examined the clinical results of 15 patients treated with imatinib mesylate for metastatic or recurrent gastrointestinal stromal tumors(GIST)at the Osaka City General Hospital. Treatment with imatinib was initiated at 400 mg daily; however, in case of severe adverse events, the dose was gradually reduced to 300 mg or 200 mg to reach a tolerable dose so that administration could be continued for as long as possible. Assessments were performed according to the Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors(RECIST)and Choi criteria. According to the assessment by the RECIST criteria, clinical response(CR)was observed in 1 patient; partial response(PR), in 5 patients; stable disease(SD), in 6 patients; and progressive disease(PD), in 3 patients; the response rate was 40%. However, as per the Choi criteria, CR was observed in 1 patient; PR, in 11 patients; SD, in 1 patient; and PD, in 2 patients; the response rate was 80%. The median period of progression-free survival was 2,031 days and the 5-year survival rate was 80.0%. Grade 3 or higher adverse reactions observed included leukopenia(1 case), neutropenia( 2 cases), and anemia(1 case). In 6 patients(40%), the dose of imatinib was reduced to 300 mg or less; however, no significant difference in progression-free survival was observed between the 200/300mg group and 400/800mg group. Choi criteria are useful in assessing the response of advanced GIST to imatinib mesylate, and reducing the dose of imatinib mesylate to 200/300mg daily might be sufficient for treating patients who experience severe adverse reactions.

[Portal vein stenting as a bridge to chemotherapy for perihilar cancer with portal vein stenosis - a case report].

The stenting strategy for portal vein stenosis in cases with unresectable hilar malignancies reduces portal hypertension and maintains portal vein blood flow. This not only improves quality of life, but also leads to aggressive therapy with anticancer agents. A 65-year-old woman presented with painless jaundice 8 months after left hemihepatectomy with lymph node dissection for intrahepatic cholangiocellular carcinoma. Seven months after biliary stenting for bile duct stenosis, progressing pancytopenia and ascites were noted. Imaging studies revealed portal vein stenosis by the tumor at the hepatic hilum. Percutaneous transhepatic portal vein stent placement was performed, and pancytopenia and ascites improved immediately thereafter. Chemotherapy for recurrence of intrahepatic cholangiocellular carcinoma at the hepatic hilum has been initiated, and the patient has been alive 15 months since.

[A case of radical resection for pancreatic head cancer with peritoneal dissemination treated with combination chemotherapy].

A 69-year-old man underwent surgery for pancreatic head cancer. During surgery, a few tubercles were found in the bursa omentalis, which were diagnosed pathologically as peritoneal dissemination. Curative resection was impossible, and exploratory laparotomy was completed. After surgery, 17 cycles of S-1/gemcitabine combination chemotherapy were administered for 1 year. Significant changes were not observed in the primary tumor on computed tomography (CT) scan, but the uptake of fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) in the tumor decreased on positron emission tomography combined with CT(PET/CT), suggesting a decrease in tumor activity. Although imaging modalities could not identify distant or peritoneal metastases, levels of serological tumor markers increased at this time. Therefore, a second exploratory laparotomy was performed 13 months after the initial surgery. The nodules in the bursa omentalis had disappeared, and the patient underwent a pancreatoduodenectomy with common hepatic artery resection. Histopathological findings revealed mucinous carcinoma of the pancreas. The postoperative diagnosis was pT3, pN2, M0, Stage IVa.

The efficacy of simple oral nutritional supplements versus usual care in postoperative patients with gastric cancer: study protocol for a multicenter, open-label, parallel, randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Body weight loss (BWL) after gastrectomy impact on the short- and long-term outcomes. Oral nutritional supplement (ONS) has potential to prevent BWL in patients after gastrectomy. However, there is no consistent evidence supporting the beneficial effects of ONS on BWL, muscle strength and health-related quality of life (HRQoL). This study aimed to evaluate the effects of ONS formulated primarily with carbohydrate and protein on BWL, muscle strength, and HRQoL. METHODS: This will be a multicenter, open-label, parallel, randomized controlled trial in patients with gastric cancer who will undergo gastrectomy. A total of 120 patients who will undergo gastrectomy will be randomly assigned to the ONS group or usual care (control) group in a 1:1 ratio. The stratification factors will be the clinical stage (I or ≥ II) and surgical procedures (total gastrectomy or other procedure). In the ONS group, the patients will receive 400 kcal (400 ml)/day of ONS from postoperative day 5 to 7, and the intervention will continue postoperatively for 8 weeks. The control group patients will be given a regular diet. The primary outcome will be the percentage of BWL (%BWL) from baseline to 8 weeks postoperatively. The secondary outcomes will be muscle strength (handgrip strength), HRQoL (EORTC QLQ-C30, QLQ-OG25, EQ-5D-5L), nutritional status (hemoglobin, lymphocyte count, albumin), and dietary intake. All analyses will be performed on an intention-to-treat basis. DISCUSSION: This study will provide evidence showing whether or not ONS with simple nutritional ingredients can improve patient adherence and HRQoL by reducing BWL after gastrectomy. If supported by the study results, nutritional support with simple nutrients will be recommended to patients after gastrectomy for gastric cancer. TRIAL REGISTRATION: jRCTs051230012; Japan Registry of Clinical Trails. Registered on Apr. 13, 2023.

[Clinical consideration on 8 cases of post-esophagectomy chylothorax].

We performed 250 chest esophagus cancer operation from 1998 through 2008 in our department. It was 8 cases (3.2%) that post esophagectomy chylothorax developed. The surgical therapy performed thoracotomy in 2 patients, and 2 patients performed thoracoscopic surgery. We used an extended image with the thoracoscope for all surgery cases. Therefore, we were able to conduct identification of chyle leakage department easily. In the course after the treatment, we divided cases into a surgery treatment group and the non-surgery treatment group and compared a period until oral intake initiation and the postoperative hospitalization. The oral intake initiation was an average of 16.7 days in the surgery treatment group. Also, the hospitalization after surgery was an average of 44.3 days. In contrast, the oral intake initiation was an average of 35 days in the non-surgery treatment group. Also, the hospitalization after surgery was an average of 56 days. Oral intake initiation and a discharge were possible earlier in a surgery treatment group.

Robotic radical distal gastrectomy for gastric cancer using the soft coagulation scissors technique.

We have developed a novel technique for safe and precise lymph-node dissection during robotic gastrectomy for gastric cancer using monopolar curved scissors with soft coagulation. This technique is called the soft coagulation scissors technique. The technical details of this technique are as follows: a long bipolar grasper in the first arm and monopolar curved scissors in the third arm are primarily used for lymph-node dissection, maximizing the use of the robotic arm articulation. The monopolar curved scissors were energized in the soft coagulation mode of the Valleylab™ FT10 energy platform or in the forced coagulation mode of the ERBE VIO®dV with an effect 1/power limit of 15 W. This limit was confirmed to be equivalent to the soft coagulation mode in preliminary experiments, and a long bipolar grasper applied adequate tension to the surgical site without strongly grasping the tissue or applying traction. The peak temperatures of our devices were more than 100 °C lower than those of the Harmonic ACE and the Maryland bipolar forceps with the forced coagulation mode. Overall, 80 patients with gastric cancer, including 36 (45.0%) with stage III or IV cancers, underwent robotic distal gastrectomy with this technique. The median estimated blood loss was 10 g. There were only four surgical complications (5.0%): two paralytic ileus, one intra-abdominal abscess, and one duodenal stump leakage. Robotic distal gastrectomy for gastric cancer is made possible by the soft coagulation scissors technique, which allows for safe and precise lymph-node dissection.

[A case of recurrent gastrointestinal stromal tumor with complete response from treatment with reduced dose of imatinib mesylate].

We report a patient who had a complete response by treatment with 200 mg of imatinib mesylate daily for peritoneal recurrences of gastrointestinal stromal tumor(GIST)of the stomach. On March 2007, a 68-year-old woman underwent distal gastrectomy for GIST of the stomach. On May 2007, peritoneal recurrences were recognized on CT scan, and treatment with 400 mg daily of imatinib mesylate was started. Because grade 2 systemic edema and rash developed one week later, the imatinib mesylate dose had to be reduced to 200 mg daily from July 2007. After reduction of imatinib mesylate, the adverse reactions resolved. Peritoneal dissemination disappeared on CT scan from April 2010, and complete response has been maintained for 18 months.