Laparoscopic resection for rectal cancer and cholecystectomy for patient with situs inversus totalis.

Situs inversus totalis (SIT) is a rare congenital anomaly presenting with complete transposition of thoracic and abdominal viscera. Laparoscopic surgery for either rectal cancer or gallbladder diseases with SIT is rarely reported in the literature. A 39-year-old woman was admitted to hospital owing to rectal cancer. She was diagnosed with SIT by performing radiography and abdominal computed tomography scan as a routine preoperative investigation. We performed laparoscopic resection for rectal cancer successfully in spite of technical difficulties caused by abnormal anatomy. One year later, she was diagnosed with cholecysticpolyp, and we performed laparoscopic cholecystectomy for her uneventfully. With this case, we believe that performance by an experienced laparoscopic surgeon, either laparoscopic resection for rectal cancer or cholecystectomy with SIT is safe and feasible.

Laparoscopic lysis of the ligament of treitz for superior mesenteric artery syndrome.

BACKGROUND: Superior mesenteric artery (SMA) syndrome (SMAS) is a rare condition caused by compression of the third portion of the duodenum by the SMA. The effect of the laparoscopic management of SMAS remains poorly understood. This study aimed to investigate the feasibility and effect of the laparoscopic management for SMAS. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed 19 cases of SMAS who underwent surgical interventions in The Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University between June 2006 and October 2013, consisting of 8 cases of duodenojejunostomy (DJ) and 11 cases of laparoscopic lysis of the ligament of Treitz (LL-LOT). A telephone survey was conducted to collect the follow-up status. RESULTS: Either DJ or LL-LOT was performed smoothly. The median operative time of the laparoscopic procedure and DJ was 56 and 95 min, respectively. Median blood loss was 10 versus 35 ml. Median postoperative hospital stays in both were 8 days. Ten cases of the laparoscopic group recovered uneventfully, while 1 case still presented symptoms of abdominal distention. Upper gastrointestinal fluoroscopy showed marked 'to-and-fro' peristalsis. An additional DJ was performed 35 days later to resolve her symptoms. CONCLUSIONS: LL-LOT is simple, feasible, minimally invasive and effective for SMAS with no severe duodenum 'to-and-fro' peristalsis.

[Surgical treatment for endoscopically unresectable polyps of colon and rectum].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the characteristics and risks of cancer in endoscopically unresectable polyps and compare the surgical outcomes of different operations. METHODS: A retrospective review of 40 patients undergoing surgical operations for polyps unresectable at colonoscopy between August 2006 and July 2012 from Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery was performed. The follow-up period was 3 to 72 months (median: 24.5 months). RESULTS: The rate of endoscopically unresectable polyps with invasive cancer was 67.5% (27/40). And it was significantly influenced by patient age and number of polyps (both P < 0.01). Perioperative volume of blood loss ((86 ± 58) ml vs (44 ± 32) ml, P = 0.0066), time to first flatus ((2.7 ± 1.3) d vs (1.7 ± 0.6) d, P = 0.0018), incidence of complication (2 cases vs 0, P = 0.0365) and hospital stay ((11.2 ± 1.0) d vs (15.0 ± 5.0) d, P = 0.0164) were significantly different between open colectomy and laparoscopic group. And the long-term survival outcomes were similar in both groups (90.9% (10/11) vs 100.0% (27/27), 90.9% (10/11) vs 96.3% (26/27), both P > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Endoscopically unresectable polyps of colon and rectum have high malignancy rate. Polyps in elderly patients and multiple polyps are more likely to develop invasive cancer. Long-term outcomes are similar between open colectomy and laparoscopic colectomy groups, but laparoscopic group has better short-term outcomes. For endoscopically unresectable polyps, laparoscopic colectomy may be the first choice.

Laparoscopic versus open appendectomy for acute appendicitis: a metaanalysis.

BACKGROUND: Currently, laparoscopic appendectomy (LA) provides a safe and effective alternative to open appendectomy (OA), but its use remains controversial. This study aimed to evaluate the efficiency and safety of LA through a metaanalysis. METHODS: Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) comparing LA and OA published between January 1992 and February 2010 were included in this study. Strict literature appraisal and data extraction were carried out independently by two reviewers. A metaanalysis then was performed to evaluate operative time, hospital cost, postoperative complications, length of analgesia, bowel function recovery, day liquid diet began, hospital stay, and return to work and normal activity. RESULTS: The metaanalysis comprised 25 RCTs involving 4,694 patients (2,220 LA and 2,474 OA cases). No significant differences were found between the LA and OA groups in terms of age, gender, body mass index (BMI), or type of appendiceal inflammation. Compared with OA, LA showed advantages of fewer postoperative complications (odds ratio [OR], 0.74; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.55-0.98; p = 0.04), less pain (length of analgesia: weighted mean difference [WMD], -0.53; 95% CI, -0.91 to -0.15; p = 0.007), earlier start of liquid diet (WMD, -0.51; 95% CI, -0.75 to -0.28; p < 0.0001), shorter hospital stay (WMD, -0.68; 95% CI, -1.02 to -0.35; p < 0.0001), and earlier return to work (WMD, -3.09; 95% CI, -5.22 to -0.97; p = 0.004) and normal activity (WMD, -4.73; 95% CI, -6.54 to -2.92; p < 0.00001), but a comparable hospital cost (WMD of LA/OA ratio, 0.11; 95% CI, -0.18 to 0.40; p = 0.47) and a longer operative time (WMD, 10.71; 95% CI, 6.76-14.66; p < 0.00001). CONCLUSION: Despite the longer operative time, LA results in less postoperative pain, faster postoperative rehabilitation, a shorter hospital stay, and fewer postoperative complications than OA. Therefore, LA is worth recommending as an effective and safe procedure for acute appendicitis.

Laparoscopic versus open appendectomy: a prospective randomized comparison.

BACKGROUND: Whether laparoscopy offers a benefit over open surgery in the management of acute appendicitis or not remains a subject of controversy despite the publication of numerous randomized studies. This study aimed to compare laparoscopic appendectomy (LA) with open appendectomy (OA) and to ascertain its therapeutic benefit. METHODS: Adult patients older than 14 years presenting with signs and symptoms suggestive of acute appendicitis were randomized to undergo either LA or OA from January 2006 to December 2007. Comparisons were based on operating time, time until return to a general diet, time until return to normal activity and work, length of hospital stay, billed charges, and postoperative complications. RESULTS: The study enrolled 220 patients: 108 to undergo OA and 112 to undergo LA. The groups were similar in terms of clinicopathologic characteristics. The operating time seemed to be shorter for the OA patients than for the LA patients, but the difference was not significant (LA, 30 +/- 15.2 min vs. OA, 28.7 +/- 16.3 min; p > 0.05). The hospital stay of 4.1 +/- 1.5 days for the LA group and 7.2 +/- 1.7 days for the OA group, and the difference was statistically significant (p < 0.05). Laparoscopic appendectomy remained associated with a shorter time until return to a general diet (LA, 20.2 +/- 12.4 h vs. OA, 36.5 +/- 10 h; p < 0.05), to normal activity (LA, 9.1 +/- 4.2 days vs. OA, 13.7 +/- 5.8 days; p < 0.05), and to work (LA, 21.2 +/- 3.5 days vs. OA, 27.7 +/- 4.9 days; p < 0.05). The billed charges appeared to be higher for LA (LA, 5,720.3 +/- 115.7 yuan vs. OA, 5,310 +/- 575.4 yuan), but this difference failed to be clinically important or statistically significant (p > 0.05). Wound infections were more common after OA (n = 14) than after LA (n = 0) (p < 0.05). Intraabdominal abscesses occurred for two patients in the LA group and nine patients in the OA group (p < 0.05). Postoperative ileus occurred with frequencies of 0% in the LA group and 7.4% in the OA group (p < 0.05). The rate for overall complications was significantly lower in the LA group. CONCLUSION: Laparoscopic appendectomy is a useful tool in the treatment of acute appendicitis. Its advantages lie in its minimal invasiveness, its better cosmetic outcome, its lower rate of complications based on surgical expertise and state-of-the-art equipment. It can be recommended as an adoptable method for the routine patient with appendicitis.

Laparoscopy-assisted D2 radical distal gastrectomy for advanced gastric cancer.

BACKGROUND/AIM: Laparoscopy-assisted surgery has proved useful in the treatment of early gastric cancer, but its use in advanced cancer has rarely been studied. To investigate the efficacy and advantages of laparoscopy-assisted distal gastrectomy (LADG) with D2 dissection of lymph nodes versus conventional open D2 distal gastrectomy (ODG) in advanced gastric cancer. METHODS: From January 2007 to June 2008, the clinical data of 66 cases of LADG for advanced gastric cancer were compared with that of 69 patients who, during the same period, underwent a conventional open radical distal gastrectomy. RESULTS: No patient in the LADG group converted to conventional operation with laparotomy. Operative time was significantly longer for the LADG group than for the ODG group (266.05 +/- 55.05 vs. 223.78 +/- 26.79 min). No significant differences were found in the total number of retrieved lymph nodes (25.81 +/- 12.53 vs. 27.47 +/- 10.28) between the two groups. Patients in the LADG group had less blood loss, shorter time of analgesic use, earlier recovery of bowel activity, and shorter postoperative hospitalization time. Complication rates were comparable between the two groups. CONCLUSIONS: LADG with D2 lymph node dissection is a safe and feasible procedure with adequate lymphadenectomy for the treatment of advanced gastric cancer. A large-scale prospective randomized trial with a longer follow-up period is needed to definitively assess whether LADG is a better alternative than ODG with D2 lymph node dissection.

Risk factors analysis for surgical site infection following elective colorectal resection: a retrospective regression analysis.

BACKGROUND: A surgical site infection (SSI) is a major post-operative complication from elective colorectal surgery; however, few studies have focused on evaluating the risk factors for SSI. This study aimed to analyze the relative correlation of medical and environmental factors as well as patient-related factors that contribute to the incidence of all types of SSI. METHODS: A retrospective search for eligible patients was conducted using the patient database of the Gastrointestinal Surgery Center of the Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University from January 2011 to August 2017. Pre-operative demographic and surgical data were extracted and recoded according to the study protocol. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to clarify factors affecting the incidence of SSI. Propensity analysis was conducted to minimize bias in the demographic characteristics to explore the prophylactic effect of pre-operative administration of oral antibiotics. RESULTS: Univariate analysis of the baseline characteristics revealed that younger age (odds ratio [OR]: 0.378; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.218-0.657) and pre-operative oral antibiotic use (OR: 0.465; 95% CI: 0.255-0.850) were protective factors, while pre-operative anemia (OR: 4.591; 95% CI: 2.567-8.211), neoadjuvant chemotherapy history (OR: 2.398; 95% CI: 1.094-5.256), and longer surgical duration (OR: 2.393; 95% CI: 1.349-4.246; P = 0.002) were identified as risk factors for SSI. Multivariate analysis indicated that age (P = 0.003), surgical duration (P = 0.001), and pre-operative oral antibiotic use (P < 0.001) were independent factors that affect the incidence of SSI. Furthermore, a propensity-matched analysis confirmed the protective effect of oral antibiotic use, with a 1-day course of oral antibiotic producing a similar effect to a 3-day course. CONCLUSIONS: Age, surgical duration, and pre-operative oral antibiotic use were associated with the incidence of SSI. However, pre-operative oral antibiotic use was the only controllable factor. From the results of our study, pre-operative oral antibiotic use is recommended before elective colorectal surgery and a 1-day course is enough to provide the protective effect.

The tumor immune microenvironment transcriptomic subtypes of colorectal cancer for prognosis and development of precise immunotherapy.

BACKGROUND: Biomarkers based on immune context may guide prognosis prediction. T-cell inactivation, exclusion, or dysfunction could cause unfavorable tumor microenvironments, which affect immunotherapy and prognosis. However, none of the immuno-biomarkers reported to date can differentiate colorectal-cancer (CRC) patients. Thus, we aimed to classify CRC patients according to the levels of T-cell activation, exclusion, and dysfunction in the tumor microenvironment. METHODS: RNAseq data of 618 CRC patients from The Cancer Genome Atlas and microarray data of 316 CRC patients from Gene Expression Omnibus were analysed using the Tumor Immune Dysfunction and Exclusion algorithm. Unsupervised clustering was used to classify patients. RESULTS: Based on the expression signatures of myeloid-derived suppressor cells, cancer-associated fibroblasts, M2-like tumor-associated macrophages, cytotoxic T-lymphocytes, and PD-L1, all patients were clustered into four subtypes: cluster 1 had a high level of immune dysfunction, cluster 2 had a low level of immune activation, cluster 3 had intense immune exclusion, and cluster 4 had a high level of immune activation and a moderate level of both dysfunction and exclusion signatures. Compared with cluster 1, the hazard ratios and 95% confidential intervals for overall survival were 0.63 (0.35-1.13) for cluster 2, 0.55 (0.29-1.03) for cluster 3, and 0.30 (0.14-0.64) for cluster 4 in multivariate Cox regression. Similar immune clustering and prognosis patterns were obtained upon validation in the GSE39582 cohort. In subgroup analysis, immune clustering was significantly associated with overall survival among stage I/II patients, microsatellite stable/instability-low patients, and patients not treated with adjuvant therapy. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings demonstrated that classifying CRC patients into different immune subtypes serves as a reliable prognosis predictor and may help to refine patient selection for personalized cancer immunotherapy.

[Urinary function after pelvic autonomic nerve preservation of laparoscopic radical resection for rectal cancer].

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the protection of urinary function after laparoscopic radical resection with pelvic autonomic nerve preservation (PANP) for rectal cancer. METHODS: Prospectively 139 patients with middle or low rectal cancer receiving surgery during November 2005 to October 2007 were divided into two groups (L-PANP, n = 63; O-PANP, n = 76). The radicalism and safety of L-PANP surgery were analyzed and the effects upon urinary function between the two groups assessed by follow-ups and urodynamic study. RESULTS: Patients receiving subtypes I and II of L-PANP surgery had less decrease in contraction of bladder than those receiving the same subtype of O-PANP surgery at 10 days post-operation (Z = -2.358, P = 0.018; Z = -2.268, P = 0.033). And no difference was observed in patients receiving subtype III PANP surgery (Z = -1.302, P = 0.237). However, no matter which subtype of PANP surgery, patients of L-PANP group had a better contraction of bladder than those of O-PANP group at 1 month post-operation (P < 0.05). The 1-year survival rate was 98.0% (50/51) in L-PANP group and 96.6% (57/59) in O-PANP group. And no statistical difference was found between them (P = 0.898). Meanwhile, the 1-year relapse rate of pelvic cavity was 3.9% (2/52) in L-PANP group and 5.1% (3/59) in O-PANP group. And no statistical difference was found between them (P = 0.867). CONCLUSION: As compared with O-PANP surgery, L-PANP surgery shows a superiority in protection of urinary function.

[Headspace solid-phase microextraction-gas chromatography-mass spectrometry for analysis of volatile components from pollen pini].

Headspace solid-phase microextraction HS-SPME) technique was employed to extract the volatile compounds from Pollen Pini. The volatile components were isolated and identified successfully by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). The volatiles were collected using several SPME parameters (including extraction time and temperature). The best response was obtained using a PA fiber by when the extraction temperature was 70 degrees C, extraction time was 30 minutes and desorption time was 10 time. Analysis was performed by GC-MS. Seventy components were identified by HS-SPME. The main components were fatty compounds. The results showed that the HS-SPME technique could be used to extract the volatile components from HS-SPME-GC-MS.

Predictive models of adjuvant chemotherapy for patients with stage ii colorectal cancer: A retrospective study.

BACKGROUND: It remains controversial whether patients with Stage II colorectal cancer would benefit from adjuvant chemotherapy after radical resection. The aim of this study was to establish two mathematical models to identify the suitable patients for adjuvant chemotherapy. METHODS: The current study comprised of two steps. In the first step, 353 patients with Stage II colorectal cancer who underwent surgical procedures at the Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University between June 2006 and December 2015 were entered and followed up for 6-120 months. Their clinical data were collected and enrolled into the database. We established two mathematical models by univariate and multivariate Cox regression analysis to identify the target patients; in the second step, 230 patients under the same standard between January 2012 and December 2016 were entered and followed up for 3-62 months to verify the two models' validation. RESULTS: In the first step, totally 340 surgical patients with Stage II colorectal cancer were finally enrolled in this study. Statistical analysis showed that tumor differentiation (TD) (P < 0.001), lymphovascular invasion (LVI) (P < 0.001), uncertain or positive margins (UPM) (P < 0.001), and fewer lymph nodes (LNs) (<12) retrieved (P < 0.001) were correlated with the overall survival (OS) and disease free survival (DFS). We obtained two models: (1) OS risk score = 1.116 × TD + 2.202 × LVI + 3.676 × UPM + 1.438 × LN - 0.493; (2) DFS risk score = 0.789 × TD + 2.074 × LVI + 3.183 × UPM + 1.329 × LN - 0.432. According to the models and cutoff points [(0.07, 1.33) and (-0.04, 1.30), respectively], patients can be divided into three groups: low-risk, moderate-risk, and high-risk. Moreover, the high-risk group patients could benefit from adjuvant chemotherapy. In the second step, totally 221 patients were finally used to verify the models' validation. The results proved that the models were accurate and feasible (P< 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: According to the predictive models, patients with Stage II colorectal cancer in the high-risk group are strongly recommended for adjuvant chemotherapy, thus facilitating the individualized and precise treatment.

Endoscopy-Assisted Laparoscopic Resections for Gastric Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumors: A Retrospective Study.

OBJECTIVE: To explore the safety, feasibility, and clinical curative effect of endoscopy-assisted laparoscopic resections for gastric gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs). MATERIALS AND METHODS: We retrospectively compared the general condition of 41 GIST patients undergoing endoscopy-assisted laparoscopic resections (n = 41, combined group) with those undergoing traditional open gastrectomy (n = 43, open surgery group). RESULTS: All patients survived during the surgery. The average operation time of the combined group and the open surgery group was 90 ± 40 minutes and 120 ± 60 minutes, respectively, and no significant difference (P = .088) was observed. Bleeding volume during operation was significantly lower [(50 ± 20 versus 150 ± 40) mL, P < .001] and recovery time of the gastrointestinal function was significantly shorter in the combined group [(2.02 ± 0.99) days versus (3.02 ± 1) days, P < .001]. No statistical difference was found in the postoperative complications (5% versus 12%, P = .442) or GIST recurrence (2.44% versus 2.33%, P = 1.000) between the two groups. Follow-up visit showed no death. CONCLUSION: For GIST patients who attempted to receive gastrectomy, endoscopy-assisted laparoscopic resections showed advantages on the operation time, bleeding volume, and recovery time and are suggested as a better alternative for GISTs.

Effect of preservation of Denonvilliers' fascia during laparoscopic resection for mid-low rectal cancer on protection of male urinary and sexual functions.

The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of preservation of Denonvilliers' fascia (DF) during laparoscopic resection for mid-low rectal cancer on protection of male urogenital function. Whether preservation of DF during TME is effective for protection of urogenital function is largely elusive.Seventy-four cases of male mid-low rectal cancer were included. Radical laparoscopic proctectomy was performed, containing 38 cases of preservation of DF (P-group) and 36 cases of resection of DF (R-group) intraoperatively. Intraoperative electrical nerve stimulation (INS) on pelvic autonomic nerve was performed and intravesical pressure was measured manometrically. Urinary function was evaluated by residual urine volume (RUV), International Prostatic Symptom Score (IPSS), and quality of life (QoL). Sexual function was evaluated using the International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF) scale and ejaculation function classification.Compared with performing INS on the surfaces of prostate and seminal vesicles in the R-group, INS on DF in the P-group exhibited higher increasing intravesical pressure (7.3 ±â€Š1.5 vs 5.9 ±â€Š2.4 cmH2O, P = 0.008). In addtion, the P-group exhibited lower RUV (34.3 ±â€Š27.2 vs 57.1 ±â€Š50.7 mL, P = 0.020), lower IPSS and QoL scores (7 days: 6.1 ±â€Š2.4 vs 9.5 ±â€Š5.9, P = 0.002 and 2.2 ±â€Š1.1 vs 2.9 ±â€Š1.1, P = 0.005; 1 month: 5.1 ±â€Š2.4 vs 6.6 ±â€Š2.2, P = 0.006 and 1.6 ±â€Š0.7 vs 2.1 ±â€Š0.6, P = 0.003, respectively), higher IIEF score (3 months: 10.7 ±â€Š2.1 vs 8.9 ±â€Š2.0, P = 0.000; 6 months: 14.8 ±â€Š2.2 vs 12.9 ±â€Š2.2, P = 0.001) and lower incidence of ejaculation dysfunction (3 months: 28.9% vs 52.8%, P = 0.037; 6 months: 18.4% vs 44.4%, P = 0.016) postoperatively.Preservation of DF during laparoscopic resection for selective male mid-low rectal cancer is effective for protection of urogenital function.

Laparoscopic total colectomy and proctocolectomy for the treatment of familial adenomatous polyposis.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the safety, feasibility and efficacy of Laparoscopic prophylactic treatment of familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP). METHODS: Perioperative data and surgical outcomes of 11 FAP patients who underwent laparoscopic surgery between January 2012 and June 2014 in our hospital were analyzed retrospectively. Results 2: Patients had laparoscopic total proctocolectomy with ileostomy, and 9 patients had laparoscopic total colectomy with ileorectal anastomosis. The median number of harvested lymph nodes was 36 (range, 21~46). The mean operating time was 330 minutes with a range of 240 to 380 minutes. Blood loss ranged from 90 to 200 ml with a median being 150 ml. The median incision length was 4 (3-5) cm. The bowel function recovered by the third (range from 2~4 day) postoperatively. The follow-up time of these patients were 3~32 months (median 20 months) respectively and no local recurrence or distant metastases were found. CONCLUSION: Laparoscopic prophylactic treatment for FAP can be performed safely and effectively with the advantage of minimal invasion by experienced surgeons.

Comparison of laparoscopic versus open complete mesocolic excision for right colon cancer.

AIM: To explore the feasibility, safety, efficacy, and short-term oncologic outcomes of laparoscopic-assisted complete mesocolic excision (CME) for right colon cancer. METHODS: The clinical data from 102 patients with right colon cancer who underwent laparoscopic CME (n = 53; LS group) and open CME (n = 49; OS group) from June 2012 to December 2013 were retrospectively reviewed. Outcomes of the two groups were compared. RESULTS: There were no conversions to open surgery in the LS group. The operative time in the LS group was similar to that in the OS group (194 ± 57 vs. 177 ± 51 min, respectively, p = 0.118). Intraoperative blood loss was significantly less in the LS group compared with the OS group (94 ± 56 vs. 118 ± 60 ml, respectively, p = 0.039). There was no difference in the total number of harvested lymph nodes (14 ± 6 vs. 13 ± 5, respectively, p = 0.313). The time to resume liquid diet (3 ± 2 vs. 5 ± 2 d, p < 0.001) and length of hospital stay (11 ± 4 vs. 14 ± 6 d, p = 0.002) were significantly shorter in the LS group. The rate of complications was similar between the groups (4% vs. 12%, respectively, p = 0.222). No recurrences were noted in either group during follow-up (range, 6-24 months). CONCLUSION: Laparoscopic CME is a safe, feasible, and effective minimally invasive procedure for right colon cancer.

[Treatment of portal hypertension by endoscopic esophageal ligation of varicose veins combined with partial splenic embolization].

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the feasibility and efficacy of a new method of endoscopic esophageal variceal ligation combined with partial splenic embolization (EVL-PSE) for the patients with portal hypertension. METHODS: From May 1999 to February 2003, sixty-eight patients with portal hypertension underwent EVL-PSE, and hemodynamics of the portal trunk (PT), the left gastric vein and azygos vein, including maximum velocity, flow volume, vein diameter, were assessed using color ultrasound Doppler. RESULTS: The esophageal varices and hypersplenism were greatly ameliorated after operation in patients who had undergone EVL-PSE. Postoperative portal trunk flow volume and velocity were significantly reduced (P < 0.05), and flow volume of the left gastric vein as well as the azygos vein were also reduced after operation. During 2 - 24-month follow-up, no recurrent bleeding was found. CONCLUSIONS: EVL-PSE is less traumatic with less complications, and results in marked eradication of esophageal varices, it can be carried out safely in the clinical treatment for patients with portal hypertension.

Coaction of spheroid-derived stem-like cells and endothelial progenitor cells promotes development of colon cancer.

Although some studies described the characteristics of colon cancer stem cells (CSCs) and the role of endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) in neovascularization, it is still controversial whether an interaction exists or not between CSCs and EPCs. In the present study, HCT116 and HT29 sphere models, which are known to be the cells enriching CSCs, were established to investigate the roles of this interaction in development and metastasis of colon cancer. Compared with their parental counterparts, spheroid cells demonstrated higher capacity of invasion, higher tumorigenic and metastatic potential. Then the in vitro and in vivo relationship between CSCs and EPCs were studied by using capillary tube formation assay and xenograft models. Our results showed that spheroid cells could promote the proliferation, migration and tube formation of EPCs through secretion of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). Meanwhile, the EPCs could increase tumorigenic capacity of spheroid cells through angiogenesis. Furthermore, higher microvessel density was detected in the area enriching cancer stem cells in human colon cancer tissue. Our findings indicate that spheroid cells possess the characteristics of cancer stem cells, and the coaction of CSCs and EPCs may play an important role in the development of colon cancer.

[Comparison of laparoscopy-assisted distal gastrectomy with open gastrectomy for advanced gastric cancer].

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the feasibility, safety and short-term outcomes of laparoscopy-assisted distal gastrectomy for advanced gastric cancer. METHODS: From January 2007 to June 2008, 135 patients with advanced gastric cancer in the lower or middle stomach were operated, of whom 66 underwent laparoscopy-assisted distal gastrectomy(LADG) with D2 dissection of lymph nodes and 69 received conventional open D2 distal gastrectomy(ODG). Clinical data were recorded and compared between the two groups. RESULTS: There were no significant differences in age, gender, and TNM staging between LADG and ODG(all P>0.05). All the patients in the LADG group underwent gastrectomy and lymph nodes dissection successfully without conversion to open surgery and no operative deaths occurred. The operative time was significantly longer for the LADG group than for the ODG group[(266.1±55.1) min vs. (223.8±26.8) min)]. The patients in the laparoscopic surgery group had less blood loss[(131.9±88.7) ml vs.(342.3±178.7) ml], earlier recovery of bowel activity[(3.18±1.22) d vs.(4.50±1.59) d], and shorter hospitalization time[(9.20±3.39) d vs. (11.35±4.61) d]. No significant differences were found in the total number of retrieved lymph nodes(25.81±12.53 vs. 27.47±10.28). The morbidity of complications was comparable between two groups(6.1% vs. 15.94%). No mortality and recurrence were observed during a follow-up period of 1-19 months. CONCLUSIONS: LADG with D2 lymph node dissection is a safe and feasible procedure with adequate lymphadenectomy for advanced gastric cancer.

[Laparoscopy-assisted combined radical resection for synchronous rectal and gastric cancer in elderly patients: report of two cases].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the safety and feasibility of laparoscopy-assisted combined radical resection for synchronous rectal and gastric cancer in elderly patients. METHODS: Clinical data of two elderly patients undergoing laparoscopy-assisted combined radical resection for synchronous rectal and gastric cancer were analyzed retrospectively. RESULTS: The two cases were 78 and 75 years old respectively. Both were complicated with many medical conditions. One case suffered from stage II cancer in the gastric body and stage IB rectal cancer, and the other suffered from stage IIIA gastric cancer and stage IB rectal cancer. Both cases had received laparoscopy-assisted combined radical resection for synchronous rectal and gastric cancer, with 5 cm of incision. The operative time was 260 and 255 min and the intraoperative bleeding was 60 and 80 ml respectively. No complication occurred intraoperatively. Time to resume oral intake was 4 and 5 days and length of postoperative hospital stay was 13 and 14 days respectively. No postoperative complication occurred. The patients were followed up for 13 and 12 months and no postoperative recurrence or metastasis was noticed. CONCLUSION: Laparoscopy-assisted combined radical resection for elderly synchronous rectal and gastric cancer is safe and feasible when performed by surgeons with plentiful experience in laparoscopic technology, and associated with less injury and faster recovery.

Laparoscopic versus open gastrectomy with D2 lymph node dissection for gastric cancer: a meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Nowadays laparoscopic gastrectomy with D2 lymph node dissection (LGD2) is used for gastric cancer, which provides an alternative to open radical gastrectomy (OGD2). But it has not gained wide acceptance, and its oncological safety remains controversial. The aim of this study is to evaluate the efficiency and safety of LGD2 through a meta-analysis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Original articles of clinical trials comparing LGD2 and OGD2 for gastric cancer, published in English language from January 2001 to April 2010 were searched in the MEDLINE, Current Contents, and Pubmed. Strict literature appraisal and data extraction were carried out independently by 2 reviewers and then a meta-analysis was performed using RevMan 4.2.5 to evaluate the items of operative time, blood loss, harvested lymph nodes, analgesic medication, first flatus day, postoperative hospital stay, postoperative complications, and cumulative survival rate. RESULTS: Ten trials were involved in the meta-analysis, concerning a total of 1039 patients (495 in LGD2 and 544 in OGD2). Compared with OGD2, LGD2 showed advantages of less blood loss during operation [weighed mean difference (WMD), -114.98; 95% confidence interval (CI), -160.44 to -69.52; P<0.00001], less postoperative pain (WMD, -0.89; 95% CI, -1.54 to -0.32; P=0.002), earlier passage of flatus (WMD, -0.84; 95% CI, -1.25 to -0.43; P<0.0001), shorter hospital stay (WMD, -3.27; 95% CI, -4.54 to -2.00; P<0.00001), and less postoperative complications [odds ratio (OR), 0.56; 95% CI, 0.32-0.59; P=0.03]; but with longer operative time [WMD, 57.14; 95% CI, 38.12-76.15; P<0.00001]. There were no significant differences between LGD2 and OGD2 in harvested lymph nodes (WMD, -2.07; 95% CI, -4.27 to -0.14; P=0.07) and overall survival rate of 11 to 60 months' follow-up (OR, 1.44; 95% CI, 0.92-2.27; P=0.11). CONCLUSIONS: The results of this meta-analysis suggest that LGD2 results in less blood loss and postoperative complications and also less pain and faster bowel function recovery, with similar harvested lymph nodes and overall survival rate comparing to OGD2. However, we also see the need for further high-quality randomized controlled trials comparing the 2 procedures.