Importance of duodenal stump reinforcement to prevent stump leakage after gastrectomy: a large-scale multicenter retrospective study (KSCC DELICATE study).

BACKGROUND: The significance of reinforcement of the duodenal stump with seromuscular sutures and the effectiveness of reinforced staplers in preventing duodenal stump leakage remain unclear. We aimed to explore the importance of duodenal stump reinforcement and determine the optimal reinforcement method for preventing duodenal stump leakage. METHODS: This retrospective cohort study was conducted between January 1, 2012 and December 31, 2021, with data analyzed between December 1, 2022 and September 30, 2023. This multicenter study across 57 institutes in Japan included 16,475 patients with gastric cancer who underwent radical gastrectomies. Elective open or minimally invasive (laparoscopic or robotic) gastrectomy was performed in patients with gastric cancer. RESULTS: Duodenal stump leakage occurred in 153 (0.93%) of 16,475 patients. The proportions of males, patients aged ≥ 75 years, and ≥ pN1 were higher in patients with duodenal stump leakage than in those without duodenal stump leakage. The incidence of duodenal stump leakage was significantly lower in the group treated with reinforcement by seromuscular sutures or using reinforced stapler than in the group without reinforcement (0.72% vs. 1.19%, p = 0.002). Duodenal stump leakage incidence was also significantly lower in high-volume institutions than in low-volume institutions (0.70% vs. 1.65%, p = 0.047). The rate of duodenal stump leakage-related mortality was 7.8% (12/153). In the multivariate analysis, preoperative asthma and duodenal invasion were identified as independent preoperative risk factors for duodenal stump leakage-related mortality. CONCLUSIONS: The duodenal stump should be reinforced to prevent duodenal stump leakage after radical gastrectomy in patients with gastric cancer.

Validation study of a skill assessment tool for education and outcome prediction of laparoscopic distal gastrectomy.

BACKGROUND: The Japanese operative-rating scale for laparoscopic distal gastrectomy (JORS-LDG) was developed through cognitive task analysis together with the Delphi method to measure intraoperative performance during laparoscopic distal gastrectomy. This study aimed to investigate the value of this rating scale as an educational tool and a surgical outcome predictor in laparoscopic distal gastrectomy. METHODS: The surgical performance of laparoscopic distal gastrectomy was assessed by the first assistant, through self-evaluation in the operating room and by video raters blind to the case. We evaluated inter-rater reliability, internal consistency, and correlations between the JORS-LDG scores and the evaluation methods, patient characteristics, and surgical outcomes. RESULTS: Fifty-four laparoscopic distal gastrectomy procedures performed by 40 surgeons at 16 institutions were evaluated in the operating room and with video recordings using the proposed rating scale. The video inter-rater reliability was > 0.8. Participating surgeons were divided into the low, intermediate, and high groups based on their total scores. The number of laparoscopic surgeries and laparoscopic gastrectomy procedures performed differed significantly among the groups according to laparoscopic distal gastrectomy skill levels. The low, intermediate, and high groups also differed in terms of median operating times (311, 266, and 229 min, respectively, P < 0.001), intraoperative complication rates (27.8, 11.8, and 0%, respectively, P = 0.01), and postoperative complication rates (22.2, 0, and 0%, respectively, P = 0.002). CONCLUSIONS: The JORS-LDG is a reliable and valid measure for laparoscopic distal gastrectomy training and could be useful in predicting surgical outcomes.

An advanced bipolar device helps reduce the rate of postoperative pancreatic fistula in laparoscopic gastrectomy for gastric cancer patients: a propensity score-matched analysis.

BACKGROUND: Advanced bipolar devices (ABD; e.g., LigaSure™) have a lower blade temperature than ultrasonically activated devices (USAD; e.g., Harmonic® and Sonicision™) during activation, potentially enabling accurate lymph node dissection with less risk of postoperative pancreatic fistula (POPF) due to pancreatic thermal injury in laparoscopic gastrectomy. Therefore, we compared the efficacy and safety of ABD and USAD in laparoscopic gastrectomy for gastric cancer patients. METHODS: A retrospective cohort study was conducted on patients who underwent laparoscopic distal gastrectomy (LDG) between August 2008 and September 2020. A total of 371 patients were enrolled, and short-term surgical outcomes, including the incidence of ISGPF grades B and C POPF, were compared between ABD and USAD. The risk factors for POPF in LDG were investigated by univariate and multivariate analyses. RESULTS: A propensity score-matching algorithm was used to select 120 patients for each group. The POPF rate was significantly lower (0.8 vs. 9.2%, p < 0.001), the morbidity rate was lower (13.3 vs. 28.3%, p < 0.001), the length of postoperative hospitalization was shorter (14 vs. 19 days, p < 0.001), and the lymph node retrieval rate was higher (34 vs. 26, p < 0.001) with an ABD than with a USAD. There were no mortalities in either group. A multivariate analysis showed that a USAD was the only independent risk factor with a considerably high odds ratio for the occurrence of POPF (USAD/ABD, odds ratio 8.38, p = 0.0466). CONCLUSION: An ABD may improve the safety of laparoscopic gastrectomy for gastric cancer patients.

Repeated partial tissue bite with inadequate cooling time for an energy device may cause thermal injury.

BACKGROUND: Over the past three decades, the use of ultrasonically activated device (USAD) and advanced bipolar device (ABD) has grown in minimally invasive surgeries. However, the thermal profile differences during repeated dissection with different grasping ranges of energy devices, which provide valuable information for preventing thermal injury by energy devices, remain unclear. METHODS: We developed an ex vivo benchtop model to examine the temperature profile of the blade and jaws of two USADs (HARMONIC® ACE + and Sonicision™) and a ABD (Ligasure™ Maryland) with different grasping ranges (partial tissue and full tissue bite) in repeated dissection with minimum cooling time. The maximum temperature, time required for completion to dissection of 10 cm of porcine muscle, thermal spread, and cooling time to reach 60 °C were continuously measured using video thermography. In addition, to evaluate one more grasping range "no tissue", we performed a stress test that activated the USAD without tissue intervention to assess the effects of excessive load on the blade and jaw. RESULTS: Repeated dissection of energy devices with minimal cooling time results in high blade and jaw temperatures proportional to the incision distance. In particular, the USADs with partial tissue bite showed a significantly higher temperatures at the blade and jaw, longer cooling times, and higher lateral thermal spread than those with a full tissue bite and the ABD. The stress test with a USAD showed an extremely high blade temperature exceeding 400 °C, with the tissue pad melting only 13.2 s after activation. CONCLUSION: Although USAD with partial tissue bite help ensure precise dissection, repeated long activation with inadequate cooling time may increase the risk of thermal injury during surgery. These results suggest that surgeons should use energy devices properly while understanding the risks of adjacent organ damage that could result from abuse of the device.

iTriangular Stapling Technique: A Novel Reconstruction Method and Clinical Outcomes of Cervical Esophagogastric Anastomosis after Esophagectomy.

BACKGROUND: We herein report the feasibility and safety of cervical end-to-end anastomosis by the iTriangular stapling technique (iTST), which was developed as an extension of the triangular stapling technique (TST) after minimally invasive esophagectomy (MIE). METHODS: A total of 45 patients with thoracic esophageal cancer who underwent reconstruction with cervical esophagogastric anastomosis by iTST using a linear stapler after MIE between January 2016 and January 2019 were retrospectively reviewed. We modified and improved upon the TST by adding a 1- to 2-cm vertical incision on the anterior wall of the remnant esophageal stump to enlarge the anastomotic lumen and thereby reduce the risk of anastomotic stenosis. The short-term patient outcomes were determined to assess the safety and feasibility of our procedures. RESULTS: The median operating time was 686 (range, 319-1110) minutes, and the median blood loss was 170 (range, 5-1180) ml. There were no cases of anastomotic stenosis in this study, although 2 patients (4.4%) developed minor anastomotic leakage. A case (2.2%) of tracheal fistula due to the apex of the triangular anastomosis was resolved simply by delaying the patient's oral intake. The mean length of the hospitalization was 21 days. CONCLUSIONS: The iTST provides a larger lumen unlimited by the size of the esophagus in cervical esophagogastric anastomosis. This technique is feasible, and sufficient short-term results have been achieved. Further studies with the accumulation of more cases will be required to prove the benefits of iTST for reconstruction after MIE.

Clinical Outcomes of Laparoscopic Versus Laparotomic Distal Gastrectomy in Gastric Cancer Patients: A Multilevel Analysis Based on a Nationwide Administrative Database in Japan.

BACKGROUND: The present study compared the short-term outcomes and costs of laparoscopic distal gastrectomy (LDG) with those of open distal gastrectomy (ODG) for gastric cancer using a nationwide administrative database in Japan. METHOD: Overall, 37,752 patients with gastric cancer who underwent distal gastrectomy at 1074 hospitals in the fiscal year 2012-2013 were evaluated using a diagnosis procedure combination database in Japan. We performed a retrospective analysis via a multilevel analysis (MLA) of the short-term surgical results and costs of the LDG and ODG groups. The models included the age, sex, comorbid complications, smoking, body mass index (BMI), activity of daily living (ADL), stage, and the number of cases of gastrectomy per facility for adjustment. The in-hospital mortality relative to the hospital volume was also compared. RESULTS: The LDG group required postoperative blood transfusion less frequently and had fewer postoperative complications, shorter hospitalization, and lower operative mortality than the ODG group. While this stage did not correlate with the in-hospital mortality, the surgical method, age, sex, ADL, BMI, comorbidity, and yearly volume showed a correlation. A significant association in the in-hospital mortality was observed between low- and very-high-volume hospitals. CONCLUSION: In this large nationwide cohort of patients with gastric cancer using an MLA, LDG was shown to be safer with lower mortality and postoperative complication rates than ODG.

Open colectomy vs. laparoscopic colectomy in Japan: a retrospective study using real-world data from the diagnosis procedure combination database.

PURPOSE: To compare the short-term outcomes of conventional open colectomy with those of laparoscopic colectomy for colon cancer. METHODS: We retrieved data between January 2014 and March 2016 from the Diagnosis Procedure Combination database. A total of 69,418 patients who underwent colectomy for colon cancer were analyzed from among 15,901,766 cases of colorectal cancer. We applied a multilevel logistic regression model using a 2-level structure of individuals nested from 1065 hospitals. RESULTS: A total of 22,440 open colectomy and 46,978 laparoscopic colectomy procedures were performed. The in-hospital mortality rate was significantly lower in the laparoscopic group than in the open group (0.28% vs. 0.06%, odds ratio [OR] 0.40, p < 0.001). Similarly, the 30-day postoperative mortality rate (0.14% vs. 0.03%, OR 0.47, p = 0.019) and surgical morbidity rate (43.0% vs. 25.3%, OR 0.47, p < 0.001) were significantly lower in the laparoscopic group than in the open group. The postoperative length of stay was significantly longer in the open group (mean difference - 5.6 days, p < 0.001) than in the open group. The admission cost was significantly greater in the open group than in the laparoscopic group (mean difference - 95,080 yen, p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Laparoscopic colectomy is safe and effective in the short term.

Robotic-Assisted Distal Gastrectomy for Gastric Cancer Using an Oval-Shaped Port Device.

INTRODUCTION: This report describes the techniques and outcomes of robot-assisted distal gastrectomy (RDG) for gastric carcinoma using an oval-shaped port device. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 15 patients underwent RDG with lymphadenectomy using the E‧Z Access/LAP-PROTECTOR oval-type device (Hakko Co., Ltd., Tokyo, Japan) performed by a single surgeon between 2018 and 2019. This device was introduced to the umbilicus under two settings, depending on the patient's figure. A horizontal setting (n=7) was used to reduce the number of trocar skin incisions in thin patients by placing a scope trocar and assist port within the E-Z Access. The vertical setting (n=8) was used for large and obese patients, enabling the endoscope position to move 50mm toward the cephalad side by rotating the device 180° to improve the surgical view of the suprapancreatic area ("dual port position" using the E‧Z Access oval-type device). The intracorporeal Billroth-I anastomosis or Roux-en-Y method was used for reconstruction. The short-term patient outcomes were determined to assess the safety and feasibility of our procedures. RESULTS: The E-Z Access oval-type device was useful for maintaining an optimal surgical field and reducing the number of skin incisions and the level of surgeon stress. Furthermore, its removal cap and wound protector allowed for an airtight seal, umbilical wound protection, and smooth specimen removal and re-pneumoperitoneum. R0 resection was accomplished in all cases without the need for conversion to open or conventional laparoscopic surgery. The median operating time was 323 (range, 245-590) minutes, and the median blood loss was 5ml. The median number of retrieved lymph nodes was 30. Neither major postoperative complication, including umbilical skin damage, nor postoperative mortality, was observed. The mean length of the hospitalization was 12.5 days. CONCLUSIONS: Our robotic approach using an oval-shaped port device for gastric cancer patients is feasible in terms of patient safety and curability.

[A Case of Carcinoma Showing Thymus-Like Differentiation (CASTLE) of the Thyroid].

The case presented herein was a 70-year-old woman who had no compliant, but had a mass in the lower part of the right lobe of the thyroid detected by ultrasound (US). The US image of the tumor, measuring 13 mm in diameter, showed a low and heterogeneous internal echo level with calcification and an irregular margin. The tumor appeared to extend to the adjacent sternothyroid muscle, and cervical lymph node swelling was detected in a computer tomography (CT) image, but no metastatic lesion was found by positron emission tomography (PET)-CT. In a fine needle aspiration cytology of the tumor, papillary thyroid carcinoma was suggested because of the atypical epithelial cells having some changes other than intranuclear inclusion bodies. A subtotal thyroidectomy and central neck lymph node dissection were performed. The excised tumor was histologically composed of irregular nests or sheets of atypical squamoid epithelial cells with some ductal structures that leached to the sternothyroid muscle and involved the right lower parathyroid gland. Carcinoma showing thymus-like differentiation (CASTLE) was diagnosed histopathologically and immunohistochemically with the following immunohistochemical results: Cluster of differentiation 5 (CD5) (+), tumor protein p63 (p63) (+), KIT proto-oncogene receptor tyrosine kinase (c-KIT(CD117)) (+), thyroglobulin (-), and thyroid transcription factor-1 (TTF-1) (-). CASTLE is a rare carcinoma of the thyroid that architecturally resembles thymic epithelial tumors. Many CASTLE patients have been misdiagnosed as other carcinomas, such as anaplastic carcinoma, poorly differentiated carcinoma or squamous cell carcinoma of the thyroid. Immunohistochemical examination, including CD5 played an important role in the final diagnosis of CASTLE, although the distinction from diagnosis as squamous cell carcinoma or mucoepidermoid carcinoma in Hematoxylin-Eosin staining was challenging in our case. Nodal metastasis and perithyroidal tumor extension of CASTLE can predict its worse prognosis. Thus, at least careful follow-up studies are mandatory in cases of CASTLE.

A Case of Retroperitoneal Paraganglioma.

We report a surgical case of retroperitoneal paraganglioma. A paraganglioma is a catecholamine-producing tumor originating in the chromaffin cells of the sympathetic ganglion. It is a kind of pheochromocytoma which occurs on the outside of the adrenal gland. The patient was a 72 year old male with a history of hypertension and a pacemaker implantation. A mass in the ventral side of the right iliopsoas muscle was detected during a routine contrasting computed tomography (CT) examination for checking his pacemaker. The mass was considered to be malignant, and a laparotomy and mass enucleation was performed. It was diagnosed as phaeochromocytoma, based on the pathology and immunestology of the excised specimen. The hypertension was cured soon after the surgery. Nine months after surgery, there is no evidence of any abnormality or recurrence. There is a previous report of a recurrence 25 years after surgery, so a careful follow-up of this patient will be necessary in the future.

A Case of Matrix-Producing Carcinoma of the Breast.

A 61-year-old woman was referred to our hospital because of a right breast mass. A 19 mm hard mass was palpable in the A area of the right breast. A contrast-enhanced MRI showed rim enhancement at the peripheral region of the tumor, which was thought to represent the carcinoma component mainly at the periphery and the matrix component inside the tumor. A low density mass with rim enhancement at the peripheral region was observed in a contrast-enhanced CT, the same as in the MRI. Neither axillary lymph node metastasis nor distant metastasis was observed. A core needle biopsy of the tumor lead to a diagnosis of matrix-producing carcinoma (MPC). A breast-conserving mastectomy with sentinel lymph nodes biopsy was performed on the right breast MPC (T1c, N0, M0 Stage I). Histopathologically, the tumor demonstrated overt carcinoma with direct transition to a cartilaginous or osseous matrix and lacked an intervening spindle cell component. Immunohistochemistry showed estrogen receptor (ER) (-), progesterone receptor (PgR) (-), human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) (-), and Ki67 index of 50%, so-called triple negative breast cancer. The tumor was also positive for SRY-related HMG box-9 (SOX9), which is a useful marker of chondroid differentiation in normal and neoplastic tissues. The patient lived free from recurrence for 5 years, even though her adjuvant therapy was only radiation therapy without adjuvant chemotherapy. MPC is an uncommon and relatively rare variant of metaplastic carcinoma, and the prognosis for patients with MPC is poorer than that for patients with ordinary breast cancer. Here we report a case of MPC of the breast with characteristic rim enhancement in contrast-enhanced MRI and CT. The intrinsic subtype and prognosis of MPC is controversial, and then we may need more experience with MPC cases.

A Review of 7 Cases of Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy for Pediatric Cholecystolithiasis.

Pediatric cholecystolithiasis is a relatively rare disease, but it is recently increasing in Japan. Laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) is a standard procedure for cholecystolithiasis not only in adults but also in children, and we are aggressively introducing single-incision laparoscopic cholecystectomy (SILC) at our hospital. We reviewed the patient characteristics, operation procedures and outcomes of 7 children (15 years old and under) with cholecystolithiasis who underwent LC in our hospital between August 1995 and December 2015. The 7 patients included 5 males and 2 females, with a mean age of 8 years 6 months. Underlying diseases were found in 5 patients (cerebral palsy in 2 patients, pancreaticobiliary maljunction with common bile duct stones in 1, acute lymphocytic leukemia in 1, hereditary stomatocytosis in 1), and none were found in the other 2. LC (3 conventional LC and 2 SILC) was performed in 5 of the patients. Laparoscopic choledocholithotomy was performed in 1 patient and laparoscopic splenectomy (LS) was performed in 1 patient at the same time. The mean operative time in all the cases of LC was 108 (70-140) minutes (conventional LC 113 (70-140) min, SILC 100 (90-100) min). Intraoperative cholangiography was performed in 4 cases and omitted in 3 cases. The only postoperative complication was a wound infection in 1 patient. The umbilical skin incision length in the SILC was 2.0 cm. We conclude that LC can be safely performed for children with cholecsytolithiasis, and that SILC is feasible and advantageous in terms of its improved cosmesis.

Postoperative complications following single-incision laparoscopic cholecystectomy: a retrospective analysis in 360 consecutive patients.

BACKGROUND: Single-incision laparoscopic cholecystectomy (SILC) is being increasingly performed based on recent evidence showing its cosmetic advantages. However, there is limited information on outcome data for SILC with respect to postoperative complications. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed a consecutive series of 360 patients undergoing SILC to evaluate the rate, features, and risk factors of postoperative complications. RESULTS: During a median follow-up period of 671 days, 17 patients (4.7 %) developed postoperative complications, including bile duct injuries, intraabdominal abscess, wound infection, incisional hernia, paralytic ileus, and pneumonia. Reoperation was required in five patients (1.4 %). Overall inpatient mortality occurred in one patient (0.3 %) who developed aspiration pneumonia. In multivariate stepwise regression analyses, poor physical status (American Society of Anesthesiologists score of ≥3) and preoperative diagnosis of acute cholecystitis were identified as significant risk factors for the development of postoperative complications (P = 0.0009 and P = 0.04, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: These findings suggest that SILC is a relatively safe procedure with an acceptable postoperative complication rate but requires careful attention especially in patients with poor physical status and/or acute cholecystitis.

Reduced Port Distal Gastrectomy With a Multichannel Port Plus One Puncture (POP).

BACKGROUND: This report describes the techniques and outcomes of reduced port distal gastrectomy (RPDG) with a multichannel port plus one puncture (POP) for gastric cancer patients. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A total of eight patients underwent a RPDG using the Eï½¥Z Access™/LAPPROTECTOR™ (Hakko Co. Ltd., Tokyo, Japan) oval type devices with POP by a single surgeon. The median age of the patients was 66 years (range 48-75 years), and their median BMI was 22.3 kg/m2 (range 17.7-26.8 kg/m2). One (12.5 %) of eight patients was female. A thin caliber trocar MiniPort™ (Covidien, New Haven, CT) was inserted at the left upper quadrant by puncture without incision. An assistant used Endo Relief™ (Hope Denshi Co. Ltd., Chiba, Japan) needlescopic forceps. In three cases, the pre-bent forceps (KTY-I, Adachi Industry Co. Ltd., Gifu, Japan) was introduced for surgeon's left hand. After the liver was retracted with a 2-0 Prolene suture, a distal subtotal resection of the stomach with D1+ or D2 lymph node dissection was performed. The Roux-en-Y method or Billroth-I anastomosis was used for reconstruction. The short-term patient outcomes were investigated to evaluate the feasibility of RPDG with POP. RESULTS: We employed this technique without the use of additional trocars in every patient except one. No conversion to laparotomy was observed. Both the Endo Relief™ forceps and prebent forceps were useful to maintain countertraction and keep triangulation. The median length of the operation was 374 (range, 268-420) minutes, and the median estimated blood loss was 45 (range, 5-180) ml. The median number of dissected lymph nodes was 32 (range 22-46). Neither major postoperative complications, such as anastomotic leakage and stricture, nor postoperative mortality were observed. The mean length of the hospital stay was 1,5 days. The umbilical wound was indistinct. CONCLUSION: RPDG with POP using a needlescopic device procedure is feasible in terms of patient safety and curability.

A new oval multichannel port to facilitate reduced port distal gastrectomy.

BACKGROUND: This report describes the techniques and outcomes of reduced port distal gastrectomy (RPDG) using a new oval multichannel port. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We performed reduced port distal gastrectomy through the E·Z Access™ oval type device with three trocars in the umbilical incision, plus the use of additional 5 mm and 2 mm ports. All routine procedures performed in conventional laparoscopic distal gastrectomy (CLDG) were achieved in RPDG. RESULTS: We employed this technique without the use of additional trocars or conversion to laparotomy in all 25 patients. The median length of the operation was 340 (range, 220-487) minutes, and the median estimated blood loss was 30 (range, 5-440) ml. Neither major postoperative complications, such as anastomotic leakage and stricture, nor postoperative mortality were observed. The mean length of the hospital stay was 11 days. The umbilical wound was indistinct. The patients were also highly satisfied with the cosmetic outcome. CONCLUSION: Reduced port surgery using the E · Z Access™ oval type device was successfully applied for gastric cancer. This method is technically feasible, produces superior cosmetic results and thus could be an attractive surgical option for gastric cancer patients.

Rapid postoperative reduction in prognostic nutrition index is associated with the development of pancreatic fistula following distal pancreatectomy.

BACKGROUNDS: Despite recent advances in surgical techniques and devices for pancreatic remnant closure, postoperative pancreatic fistula (POPF) still remains one of the common complications after distal pancreatectomy (DP). Identification of risk factors for POPF may lead to the development of new strategies to prevent this ominous complication. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed data on 44 patients undergoing DP with the use of a stapler to identify risk factors for POPF. Study variables included preoperative prognostic nutritional index (PNI) and reduction rate of PNI on postoperative day (POD) 7. RESULTS: POPF occurred in 23 patients (52%), of which 13 (56%) were grade B or C. Univariate analyses comparing patients with POPF and those without POPF showed significant differences in body mass index (P = 0.0102), pancreatic thickness (P = 0.0134), white blood cell count on POD7 (P = 0.0432), C-reactive protein level on POD7 (P = 0.0123), and PNI reduction rate (P = 0.0471). A multivariate analysis revealed pancreatic thickness (P = 0.0121) and PNI reduction rate (P = 0.0165) to be significant factors for POPF. Furthermore, the PNI reduction rate was significantly higher in patients with clinically relevant (grade B/C) POPF than in those with no or grade A POPF (P = 0.0257). In most patients, the massive postoperative PNI reduction preceded the diagnosis of clinically relevant POPF. CONCLUSIONS: These findings suggest that rapid postoperative reduction in PNI is associated with the development of POPF.

Pancreatic somatostatinoma diagnosed preoperatively: report of a case.

CONTEXT: Somatostatinoma is a rare neoplasm of the pancreas. Preoperative diagnosis is often difficult. CASE REPORT: We report a 72-year-old woman with a pancreatic head tumor measuring 37 mm in diameter, and enlargement of the lymph nodes on the anterior surface of the pancreatic head and the posterior surface of the horizontal part of the duodenum. Laboratory data showed an elevated plasma somatostatin concentration. Examination of a biopsy specimen of the pancreatic head mass obtained by endoscopic ultrasound-guided fine needle aspiration (EUS-FNA) showed histopathological features of a neuroendocrine tumor. Immunohistochemical staining showed that the tumor cells were positive for somatostatin, leading to a preoperative diagnosis of pancreatic somatostatinoma. The patient underwent pylorus-preserving pancreaticoduodenectomy. The plasma somatostatin concentration decreased progressively after surgery. CONCLUSIONS: A rare case of pancreatic somatostatinoma with lymph node metastases was presented. Immunohistochemical analysis of a biopsy specimen obtained by EUS-FNA was useful for preoperative diagnosis.

Risk factors for a prolonged operative time in a single-incision laparoscopic cholecystectomy.

BACKGROUND: A prolonged operative time is associated with adverse post-operative outcomes in laparoscopic surgery. Although a single-incision laparoscopic cholecystectomy (SILC) requires a longer operative time as compared with a conventional laparoscopic cholecystectomy, risk factors for a prolonged operative time in SILC remain unknown. METHODS: A total of 20 clinical variables were retrospectively reviewed to identify factors for a prolonged operative time (longer than 3 h) in a total of 220 consecutive patients undergoing SILC. RESULTS: The median operative time was 145 min (range, 55-435) and a prolonged operative time was required in 62 patients (28%). Independent factors that predict a prolonged operative time as identified through multivariate analysis were body mass index (BMI) (P = 0.009), acute cholecystitis (P < 0.001) and operator (resident or staff surgeon) (P < 0.001). Furthermore, a prolonged operative time was significantly associated with an increased amount of intra-operative blood loss (P < 0.001) and a prolonged stay after surgery (P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: These findings suggest that a higher BMI, acute cholecystitis and a resident as an operator significantly increase the duration of SILC procedures.

Laparoscopic approach for port site mass diagnosed as a Schloffer tumor following surgery of ascending colon cancer.

Schloffer tumor is a foreign body granuloma that develops in the subcutaneous layer of the abdomen over several months to several years after surgery due to sutures. Here, we performed a laparoscopic resection for a benign Schloffer tumor that showed positive F-18 fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) positron emission tomography (PET) at the port site of a laparoscopic right hemicolectomy for advanced colon cancer. We report a case in which systemic chemotherapy was avoided as a result of the histological examination following the laparoscopic approach. A 66-year-old female, who underwent laparoscopic right hemi colectomy for stage IIIA ascending colon cancer, was revealed an enhanced mass at the right side of the abdominal subcutaneous layer. PET examination showed a high accumulation of FDG. Laparoscopic tumor resection was performed. Pathological findings reported the formation identical to the Schloffer tumor. Schloffer tumor, which is rare, should be considered as one of the differential diagnoses for tumor with FDG-PET positivity at the port site during the postoperative surveillance period of colorectal cancer.

Laparoendoscopic single-site common bile duct exploration using the manual manipulator.

BACKGROUND: Laparoendoscopic single-site (LESS) surgery has developed as a new surgical modality that has increased cosmetic benefits over conventional endoscopic surgery. However, there are no reports about LESS surgery in common bile duct exploration. This report presents a LESS surgery to manage CBD stones by laparoscopic choledochotomy and C-tube placement with favorable outcomes. METHODS: This retrospective review analyzes 13 patients who underwent LESS CBD exploration with C-tube drainage for choledocholithiasis. The technique is herein described and the outcomes measured. The Radius Surgical System (Tübingen Scientific Medical, Tübingen, Germany) is a flexible manual manipulator that was applied for suturing and ligation to overcome the difficulties associated with LESS surgery. RESULTS: The diameters of the CBDs ranged from 12 to 20 mm, the median number of stones was 5.8, and the median diameter of stones was 9 mm. All of the routine procedures including choledochotomy, intraoperative ultrasound, choledochoscopy, and intraoperative cholangiography guidance were performed. Stone clearance from the CBD was achieved for all but one of the patients. It was possible to close the common bile duct opening with regular forceps, but this required extra effort compared to conventional laparoscopic surgery. On the other hand, the manual manipulator enabled the optimal penetration angle and was useful for both intracorporeal suturing and ligation for the closure of the common bile duct opening. The manual manipulator also helped to overcome in-line viewing and hand/instruments collisions, which are common problems in LESS surgery. No mortality was associated with this procedure, and two wound infections were drained without anesthesia. No recurrent stones were observed during the follow-up period. CONCLUSIONS: LESS surgery was successfully applied to CBD exploration as an available alternative to conventional laparoscopic surgery. This method is technically feasible and produces superior cosmetic results. The manual manipulator may therefore have several advantages for performing LESS surgery.