Impact of Preoperative Continued Aspirin Therapy on Perioperative Bleeding Complications in Patients Undergoing Gastrectomy for Malignancy.

Background The question of whether antiplatelet therapy (APT) should be discontinued prior to gastrectomy is controversial. In this study, we investigated the impact of continuing aspirin preoperatively on perioperative bleeding and thromboembolic complications in patients receiving gastrectomy for malignancy. Methods The study cohort comprised 1001 patients with malignant gastric tumors who had undergone gastrectomy between 2005 and 2021. This study excludes emergency surgery. The patients were allocated to the following three groups: those who continued aspirin monotherapy prior to surgery (cAPT group), those who stopped receiving it seven days prior to surgery (dAPT group), and those who did not take APT at any stage (non-APT group). The differences between the groups in intraoperative and postoperative complications, such as bleeding and thromboembolism, were examined. Results The non-APT group comprised 682 patients, the dAPT group had 164, and the cAPT group had 155. There were 22 bleeding events (2.2%) in the whole cohort, 11 (1.1%) of which occurred in the non-APT group, six (3.7%) in the dAPT group, and five (3.2%) in the cAPT group. The differences between the three groups were not significant in terms of bleeding complications. There were 10 (1.0%) thromboembolic events in the whole cohort, five (0.7%) of which occurred in the non-APT group, four (2.4%) in the dAPT group, and one (0.6%) in the cAPT group. The differences between the three groups were not significant in terms of thromboembolic complications. In a multivariate analysis of the whole cohort, intraoperative blood loss (≥1000 mL) (p < 0.001, odds ratio (OR) = 11.8) and multidrug APT (p < 0.001, OR = 7.8) were both independent predictors of bleeding complications. However, continuing to take aspirin before surgery was not a risk factor for bleeding complications. Conclusions In patients with malignant gastric tumors, preoperative continuation of aspirin monotherapy has no impact on either intraoperative or postoperative bleeding. Gastrectomy can be performed safely, even in patients who continue aspirin treatment.

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.

Safety and Feasibility of Gastrectomy in Super Elderly Patients (Aged ≥ 80): A Propensity Score-Matched Analysis.

INTRODUCTION: The benefits of gastrectomy in elderly patients with gastric cancer (GC) remain unknown. This study was conducted to evaluate the short- and long-term outcomes of elderly patients with GC (≥ 80 years) who underwent gastrectomy. METHODS: We enrolled 479 patients (Stages I-IV) who underwent gastrectomy with R0-1 resection. The patients were divided into an elderly group (E group; age ≥ 80 years) (n = 115) and a non-elderly group (NE group; age < 80 years) (n = 364). After propensity score matching (PSM) was performed, the short- and long-term outcomes were compared between the groups. RESULTS: The rate of postoperative complications (Clavien-Dindo classification ≥ IIIa) in the two groups did not differ significantly (p = 0.657). Before PSM, the five-year overall survival (OS, 35.3% vs. 71.7%, p < 0.001) and disease-specific survival (DSS, 56.8% vs. 81.8%, p < 0.001) in the E group were significantly shorter than that in the NE group, respectively. On the other hand, significant differences between the E and NE groups were not shown in either the five-year OS (35.5% vs. 50.8%, p = 0.0985) or the five-year DSS (56.5% vs. 66.9%, p = 0.274) after PSM. CONCLUSION: Gastrectomy for elderly patients with GC can be considered safe based on short-term outcomes. In terms of long-term results, elderly patients are not inferior to non-elderly patients if the patients' backgrounds are the same. On the other hand, the long-term outcomes of elderly GC patients who have various comorbidities are not satisfactory, so we should carefully consider the indications for gastrectomy.

A case of pleuroperitoneal communication in which establishing a laparoscopic pneumoperitoneum was useful for the detection of a fistula.

BACKGROUND: Pleuroperitoneal communication (PPC) is rarely observed, accounting for 1.6% of all patients who undergo continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD). Although there have been several reports concerning the management of this condition, we have encountered several cases in which control failed. We herein report a valuable case of PPC in which laparoscopic pneumoperitoneum with video-assisted thoracic surgery (VATS) was useful for supporting the diagnosis and treatment. CASE PRESENTATION: The patient was a 58-year-old woman with chronic renal failure due to chronic renal inflammation who was referred to a nephrologist in our hospital to undergo an operation for the induction of CAPD. Post-operatively, she had respiratory failure, and chest X-ray and computed tomography (CT) showed right-sided hydrothorax that decreased when the injection of peritoneal dialysate was interrupted. Therefore, PPC was suspected, and she was referred to our department for surgical repair. We planned surgical treatment via video-assisted thoracic surgery. During the surgery, we failed to detect any lesions with thoracoscopy alone; we therefore added a laparoscopic port at her right-sided abdomen near the navel and infused CO2 gas into the abdominal cavity. On thoracoscopy, bubbles were observed emanating from a small pore at the central tendon of the diaphragm, which was considered to be the lesion responsible for the PPC. We closed it by suturing directly. CONCLUSIONS: VATS with laparoscopic pneumoperitoneum should be considered as an effective method for inspecting tiny pores of the diaphragm, especially when the lesions responsible for PPC are difficult to detect.

Risk of postoperative thromboembolic complication after major digestive surgery in patients receiving antiplatelet therapy: Lessons from more than 3,000 operations in a single tertiary referral hospital.

BACKGROUND: Although recent studies have suggested that the continuation of preoperative antiplatelet therapy with aspirin does not affect intraoperative or postoperative bleeding in patients undergoing digestive surgery, its preventive effect against thromboembolic complication remains largely unknown. METHODS: A total of 3,072 patients who underwent major digestive surgery (esophago-gastrointestinal and hepatobiliary-pancreatic resection for malignancy) between 2005 and 2018 at our institution were enrolled in this study. The patients were divided into 3 groups: patients continuing to receive preoperative antiplatelet therapy with aspirin (continued-antiplatelet therapy group, n = 425), those discontinuing preoperative antiplatelet therapy (discontinued-antiplatelet therapy group, n = 549), and those who were not receiving antiplatelet therapy (non-antiplatelet therapy group, n = 2,117). The CHADS2 and the CHA2DS2-VASc scoring system were used to assess potential thromboembolic risk. Surgical outcomes were compared between the groups and the risk factors for thromboembolic complication, bleeding complication, and operative mortality were determined by multivariate analysis. RESULTS: There was no difference between the discontinued-antiplatelet therapy and continued-antiplatelet therapy groups in the rate of high risk patients categorized by CHADS2 and CHA2DS2-VASc scores; however, the occurrence of thromboembolic complication in the discontinued-antiplatelet therapy group was significantly higher compared with the continued-antiplatelet therapy group (2.8% vs 0.5%; P = .006). In a multivariate analysis using the whole cohort, discontinuation of antiplatelet therapy (odds ratio = 4.39; P < .001), poor performance status (odds ratio = 4.14; P = .001), and hypertension (odds ratio = 3.46; P = .005) were the independent risk factors for thromboembolic complication. In the groups of patients receiving antiplatelet therapy, multivariate analysis showed that preoperative aspirin continuation had a significant negative impact (odds ratio = 0.10, P = .029) on the occurrence of thromboembolic complication, but did not affect either postoperative bleeding complication or operative mortality. CONCLUSION: Discontinuation of antiplatelet therapy during major digestive surgery is the most significant risk factor for thromboembolic complication, and the continuation of preoperative aspirin therapy significantly reduces the occurrence of thromboembolic complication in patients receiving antiplatelet therapy. It is suggested that the preoperative continuation of aspirin monotherapy is one of the preferred options to prevent severe thromboembolic events during major digestive surgery in patients receiving antiplatelet therapy.

Safety of elective laparoscopic cholecystectomy in patients with antiplatelet therapy: Lessons from more than 800 operations in a single tertiary referral institution.

INTRODUCTION: The perioperative antiplatelet management of patients receiving antiplatelet therapy (APT) for elective laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) is still controversial. METHODS: A total of 808 patients who underwent elective LC were reviewed. We classified patients in this cohort into three groups according to thromboembolic risks: patients with no thromboembolic risk (non-APT group, n = 653), patients with low thromboembolic risk (APT-LR group, n = 106), patients with high thromboembolic risk (APT-HR group, n = 49). Our perioperative management of patients with high thrombotic risks included preoperative continuation of single aspirin therapy and early postoperative reinstitution. We assessed intraoperative and postoperative bleeding/thrombotic events among three groups. Primary outcome measures were intraoperative bleeding complications (IBCs, blood loss 200 mL or more) and postoperative bleeding complications (PBCs), and the independent risk factors for increased IBC were determined by multivariate analysis. This study was approved by our institutional review board (#17011804). RESULTS: In the current cohort, IBC occurred in 17 (2.1%) patients. Postoperatively, there were three PBCs (0.4%) and two thromboembolic complications (TCs, 0.2%), respectively. The occurrences of IBC and TC did not show any significant difference between the three groups, but PBC was more common in the APT-LR group (P = 0.022). Multivariate analysis showed that only chronic cholecystitis was the independent risk factor for IBC (P < 0.001, odds ratio = 12.355), but preoperative continuation of APT or multiple APT use did not affect IBC. CONCLUSION: We performed elective LC safely in patients receiving APT under rigorous perioperative management of APT. Continuation of aspirin monotherapy is considered in patients with APT during elective LC.

Effect of antithrombic therapy on bleeding complications in patients receiving emergency cholecystectomy for acute cholecystitis.

BACKGROUND: The risk of developing hemorrhagic complications during or after emergency cholecystectomy in patients with antithrombic therapy (ATT) remains uncertain. In this study, we evaluate outcomes in patients with ATT undergoing emergency cholecystectomy and assess the relevance between ATT and perioperative complications including bleeding complications. METHODS: We retrospectively evaluated 296 patients who were diagnosed as acute cholecystitis and underwent emergency cholecystectomy between 2005 and 2017. One hundred and thirty-three of them (45%) were on ATT. The primary outcome measures were intraoperative blood loss over 500 ml and postoperative complications including bleeding complications. This study was approved by our institutional review board (#13072904). RESULTS: There were 23 patients (8%) who experienced intraoperative blood loss over 500 ml and nine postoperative bleeding complications (3%). Multivariable analyses showed that male sex (P = 0.027), Performance Status 2-4 (P = 0.031) and grade II or III acute cholecystitis (P = 0.033) were independent risk factors for intraoperative bleeding over 500 ml, whereas not single antiplatelet therapy (APT) use but multiple APT (P = 0.034) and anticoagulation therapy (ACT) (P = 0.032) were independently associated with postoperative bleeding complications. Additionally, laparoscopic surgery, but not ATT, was a significant prognostic factor for severe postoperative complications. CONCLUSIONS: Single APT was not remained as an independently associated factor of intraoperative excessive bleeding or severe postoperative complications including bleeding complications. However, patients treated with multiple APT or ACT still represent a challenging group and must be carefully managed to avoid postoperative bleeding complications.

Effectiveness of laparoscopic stomach-partitioning gastrojejunostomy for patients with gastric outlet obstruction caused by advanced gastric cancer.

BACKGROUND: Distal advanced gastric cancer (AGC) occasionally causes gastric outlet obstruction (GOO). We developed a laparoscopic stomach-partitioning gastrojejunostomy (LSPGJ) to restore the ability of food intake. METHODS: This was a retrospective study performed at a single institution. Of consecutive 78 patients with GOO caused by AGC between 2006 and 2012, 43 patients who underwent LSPGJ were enrolled. The procedure was performed in an antiperistaltic Billroth II fashion, and the afferent loop was elevated and fixed along the staple line of the proximal partitioned stomach. Then, patients for whom R0 resection was planned received chemotherapy prior to laparoscopic gastrectomy. The primary end point was food intake at the time of discharge, which was evaluated using the GOO scoring system (GOOSS). Short- and long-term outcomes were assessed as secondary end points. Overall survival was estimated and compared between the groups who received neoadjuvant chemotherapy followed by surgery (NAC group), definitive chemotherapy followed by curative resection (Conversion group), and best supportive care (BSC group). RESULTS: The median operative time was 92 min, blood loss did not exceed 30 g in any patient, and postoperative complications (Clavien-Dindo grade ≥2) were only seen in four patients (9.3 %). The median time to food intake was 3 days, and GOOSS scores were significantly improved in 41 patients (95.3 %). Chemotherapy was administered to 38 patients (88.4 %), of whom 11 later underwent radical resection, and 4 of 11 patients underwent conversion surgery following definitive chemotherapy. Median survival times were significantly superior in the NAC (n = 7; 46.8 months) and Conversion (n = 4; 35.9 months) groups than in the BSC group (n = 26; 12.2 months); however, the difference was not significant between the Conversion and NAC groups. CONCLUSIONS: LSPGJ is a feasible and safe minimally invasive induction surgery for patients with GOO from surgical and oncological perspectives.

[A Case of Extragastric-Developing Gastric Cancer with Hepatic and Pancreatic Invasion Suggesting Squamous Differentiation].

A 69-year-old man presented with left upper abdominal pain and weight loss. Contrast-enhanced CT showed a 9 cmsized extragastric tumor located between the left lateral liver section and the gastric lesser curvature. Gastroendoscopy showed a type 3 tumor located at the lesser curvature of the antrum. Biopsy confirmed that the tumor was an adenocarcinoma. With a diagnosis of extragastric-developing gastric cancer with hepatic and pancreatic invasion, the patient underwent a totalgastrectomy, D2 lymph node dissection, partiall iver resection, and pancreatic body tailexcision. The pathologicaldiagnosis was poorly differentiated adenocarcinoma suggesting squamous differentiation. Despite receiving postoperative adjuvant chemotherapy, the patient died of recurrence 7 months later.

Evaluation of the recurrence pattern of gastric cancer after laparoscopic gastrectomy with D2 lymphadenectomy.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to analyze the oncological aspects of gastric cancer following laparoscopic gastrectomy with D2 lymphadenectomy (LG-D2). METHODS: We retrospectively evaluated the long-term outcomes of 354 patients who underwent LG-D2 for primary gastric cancer. Recurrence patterns and predictors of peritoneal metastasis were analyzed. RESULTS: Median follow-up time was 43.8 months. Five-year overall survival rates for yp/pStages I, II, and III gastric cancer were 93.7, 78.5, and 42.2 %, respectively. Recurrence was observed in 86 patients. Peritoneal metastasis was the most frequent recurrence pattern (n = 51), followed by hepatic metastasis (n = 17). Lymphatic recurrence at distant sites was observed in 10 patients. No locoregional lymph node metastasis or local recurrence was seen. Nine of 51 cases of peritoneal recurrence were detected by probe laparoscopy. Peritoneal recurrence rates were significantly higher in yp/pT4 and yp/pN3 diseases compared with yp/pT ≤ 3 and yp/pN ≤ 2 diseases. Multivariate analyses demonstrated that yp/pT4, yp/pN3, tumor size ≥70 mm, vascular invasion, and undifferentiated tumors were predictors of peritoneal recurrence following LG-D2. CONCLUSION: Long-term outcomes of gastric cancer following LG-D2, including recurrence patterns and predictors of peritoneal metastasis, were comparable to those following open D2 gastrectomy. LG-D2 showed good local control. Probe laparoscopy after LG may be effective in detecting peritoneal recurrence, which is not determined with less invasive examinations, including a CT scan. Future large-scale prospective studies are desirable to evaluate not only surgical but also oncological benefits and safety of LG-D2 for advanced gastric cancer.

Late gadolinium enhancement on cardiac magnetic resonance represents the depolarizing and repolarizing electrically damaged foci causing malignant ventricular arrhythmia in hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.

BACKGROUND: The presence of a myocardial scar detected by late gadolinium enhancement (LGE) on cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) has been described as a predictor of all-cause mortality in hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM). However, the detailed spatial relationship between LGE site and electrical abnormality is unclear in high-risk HCM with malignant arrhythmia. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to elucidate the detailed relationship between the site on CMR imaging and the electrically damaged site, a potential origin of ventricular arrhythmias in patients with HCM. METHODS: Fifty consecutive HCM patients underwent contrast-enhanced CMR. Of those patients, 18 patients with ventricular tachycardia underwent electrophysiology study including endocardial mapping of the left ventricle (LV). The LGE area was calculated at 12 different LV sites: anterior, lateral, posterior, and septal segments of the basal, middle, and apical portions. At each LV site, the bipolar electrogram, effective refractory period (ERP), and monophasic action potential were recorded. RESULTS: LGE-positive segments demonstrated a significantly lower amplitude (4.0 ± 2.8 mV vs 7.3 ± 3.6 mV; P < .001), longer duration (54.7 ± 17.8 vs 40.6 ± 7.8 ms; P < .001), longer ERP (320 ± 42 ms vs 284 ± 37 ms; P = .001), and longer monophasic action potential duration measured at 90% repolarization (321 ± 19 ms vs 283 ± 25 ms; P < .001) than did LGE-negative segments. The LGE area negatively correlated with the amplitude (r = -0.59; P < .001) and positively correlated with the duration (r = 0.64; P < .001), ERP (r = 0.44; P < .001), and action potential duration measured at 90% repolarization (r = 0.63; P < .001). All the observed VTs originated from LGE-positive segments. CONCLUSION: The spatial distribution of LGE significantly correlates with depolarizing and repolarizing electrical damage in high-risk HCM with malignant ventricular arrhythmia.

Critical factors that influence the early outcome of laparoscopic total gastrectomy.

BACKGROUND: Laparoscopic distal gastrectomy (LDG) is a routinely performed procedure. However, clinical expertise in laparoscopic total gastrectomy (LTG) is insufficient, and it is only performed at specialized institutions. This study aimed to identify critical factors associated with complications after laparoscopic gastrectomy (LG), particularly LTG. METHODS: A large-scale database was used to identify critical factors influencing the early outcomes of LTG. Of 1248 patients with resectable gastric cancer who underwent LG, 259 underwent LTG. Predictive risk factors were determined by analyzing relationships between clinical characteristics and postoperative complications. Major complications after LTG were analyzed in detail. RESULTS: Multivariate analysis of all LG procedures revealed LTG as a risk factor for complications. Morbidity in the LDG and LTG groups was 6.2 % (52 of 835 patients) and 22.4 % (58 of 259 patients), respectively. Major post-LTG complications included anastomotic leakages and pancreatic fistulae. The rate of anastomotic leakage was significantly higher in the LTG group (5.0 %) than in the LDG group (1.2 %); however, it showed a tendency to decrease in more recent cases. Pancreatic fistulae occurred frequently after LTG with D2 lymphadenectomy (LTG-D2), particularly in cases of concomitant pancreatosplenectomy. Obesity was also associated with pancreatic fistula formation after LTG with pancreatosplenectomy. CONCLUSIONS: Compared with LDG, LTG is a developing procedure. Advances in the surgical techniques associated with the LTG procedure will improve the short-term outcomes of esophagojejunostomy. With regard to LTG-D2, establishing optimal and safe #10 node dissection is one of the most urgent issues. Pancreatic fistula after LTG with pancreatosplenectomy must be investigated in the future.

Potential advantages of robotic radical gastrectomy for gastric adenocarcinoma in comparison with conventional laparoscopic approach: a single institutional retrospective comparative cohort study.

BACKGROUND: We have previously reported that laparoscopic approach improved short-term postoperative courses even for advanced gastric adenocarcinoma, but not morbidity, in comparison with open approach. The objective of this study was to determine the impact of the use of the surgical robot, da Vinci Surgical System, in minimally invasive radical gastrectomy on short-term outcomes. METHODS: A single institutional retrospective cohort study was performed (UMIN000011749). Five hundred twenty-six patients who underwent radical gastrectomy were enrolled. Eighty-eight patients who agreed to uninsured use of the surgical robot underwent robotic gastrectomy, whereas the remaining 438 patients who wished for laparoscopic (lap) approach with health insurance coverage underwent conventional laparoscopic gastrectomy. RESULTS: In the robotic group, morbidity (robotic vs lap 2.3 vs 11.4 %, p = 0.009) and hospital stay following surgery (robotic vs lap 14 [2-31] vs 15 [8-136] days, p = 0.021) were significantly improved, even though operative time (p = 0.003) and estimated blood loss (p = 0.026) were slightly greater. In particular, local (robotic vs lap 1.1 vs 9.8 %, p = 0.007) rather than systemic (robotic vs lap 1.1 vs 2.5 %, p = 0.376) complication rates were attenuated using the surgical robot. Multivariate analyses revealed that non-use of the surgical robot (OR 6.174 [1.454-26.224], p = 0.014), total gastrectomy (OR 4.670 [2.503-8.713], p < 0.001), and D2 lymphadenectomy (OR 2.095 [1.124-3.903], p = 0.020) were the significant independent risk factors determining postoperative complications. CONCLUSIONS: The use of the surgical robot might reduce surgery-related complications, leading to further improvement in short-term postoperative courses following minimally invasive radical gastrectomy.

[Abnormalities of magnesium (Mg) metabolism and therapeutic significance of Mg administration in patients with metabolic syndrome, type 2 diabetes, heart failure and chronic hemodialysis].

Magnesium (Mg) , one of the fundamental minerals acting the co-factor of about 300 kinds of enzymes and natural Ca channel blocker, plays an important role of cardiovascular, neurological, and metabolic functions in physiological, and pathophysiological conditions. Common abnormal Mg metabolism is an absolute or relative deficiency of Mg due to an attenuated Mg intake and an enhanced urinary Mg excretion, particularly in the metabolic syndrome (MetS) , type 2 diabetes (DM) , chronic heart failure (CHF) and hemodialysis (HD) patients with diabetes. It has been reported the Mg deficiency relating to enhanced risk of MetS and type 2 DM, and to fatal cardiac events in CHF and an atherosclerotic, vascular calcification in HD patients. On the otherhand, severe and fatal hypermagnesemia is very rare, except for the condition associated with high dose administration of Mg, renal failure and an abnormally enhanced Mg absorption from damaged intestine in the mesenteric ischemia/infarction, severe constipation or ileus. In this paper, we conduct to review and discuss the pathophysiological and pathogenetical role of the abnormal Mg metabolism focused on Mg deficiency, and the protective and therapeutic significance of Mg administration in the MetS, type 2 DM, CHF and diabetic HD patients.

[Robotic surgery for gastroenterological malignancies].

In Japan, the usefulness of robot-assisted surgery using da Vinci surgical system(DVSS)has rapidly become widely acknowledged. At Fujita Health University, DVSS was introduced in 2009. Thus far, 347 patients were treated by DVSS at our institute, including 204 gastroenterological operations. In our department, robot-assisted gastrectomy(RAG, n=111)and robot-assisted esophagectomy(REG, n=26)have been technically standardized. Recently, we reported that both RAG and REG are minimally invasive. Moreover, we showed that the incidence of recurrent nerve palsy by lymphadenectomy was significantly reduced by REG, compared with conventional thoracoscopic esophagectomy. Although robot-assisted surgery is a highly expensive treatment, these results prompt the need for further evaluation of the effectiveness of robot-assisted surgery in the gastroenterological field. Development of a more accurate and less invasive robotic surgery system would contribute to a better quality of life patients with gastroenterological malignancies.

Robot-assisted thoracoscopic lymphadenectomy along the left recurrent laryngeal nerve for esophageal squamous cell carcinoma in the prone position: technical report and short-term outcomes.

BACKGROUND: Meticulous mediastinal lymphadenectomy frequently induces recurrent laryngeal nerve palsy (RLNP). Surgical robots with impressive dexterity and precise dissection skills have been developed to help surgeons perform operations. The objective of this study was to determine the impact on short-term outcomes of robot-assisted thoracoscopic radical esophagectomy performed on patients in the prone position for the treatment of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma, including its impact on RLNP. METHODS: A single-institution nonrandomized prospective study was performed. The patients (n = 36) with resectable esophageal squamous cell carcinoma were divided into two groups: patients who agreed to robot-assisted thoracoscopic esophagectomy with total mediastinal lymphadenectomy performed in the prone position (n = 16, robot-assisted group) without insurance reimbursement, and those who agreed to undergo the same operation without robot assistance but with health insurance coverage (n = 20, control group). These patients were observed for 30 days following surgery to assess short-term surgical outcomes, including the incidence of vocal cord palsy, hoarseness, and aspiration. RESULTS: Robot assistance significantly reduced the incidence of vocal cord palsy (p = 0.018) and hoarseness (p = 0.015) and the time on the ventilator (p = 0.025). There was no in-hospital mortality in either group. There were no significant differences between the two groups with respect to patient background, except for the use of preoperative therapy (robot-assisted group

Robot-assisted surgery for gastric cancer: experience at our institute.

OBJECTIVE: The robot-assisted surgical system was developed for minimally invasive surgery and is thought to have the potential to overcome the shortcomings of laparoscopic surgery. We introduced this system for the treatment of gastric cancer in 2008. Here we report our initial experiences of robot-assisted surgery using the da Vinci system. METHODS: A retrospective review of robot-assisted gastrectomy for gastric cancer patients was performed in our institute. The clinicopathological features and surgical outcomes were analyzed. Whereas the procedures of the gastrectomy were similar to those of the usual laparoscopic surgery, several aspects such as the port placement and the role of the assistant were modified from those for conventional laparoscopic surgery. RESULTS: From January 2008 to December 2010, 61 patients with gastric cancer underwent robot-assisted surgery. Gastrectomy was distal in 46 patients, total in 14, proximal in 1 and no operation was converted to the open procedure. D2 lymph node dissection was performed on 28 patients in the distal gastrectomy group and on 11 in the total gastrectomy group. Complications occurred in 2 cases (4%): these consisted of ruptured sutures and hemorrhage from the anastomotic site. CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrated that robot-assisted gastrectomy using the da Vinci system can be applied safely and effectively for patients with gastric cancer.

Video: laparoscopy distinctive technique for suprapancreatic lymph node dissection: medial approach for laparoscopic gastric cancer surgery.

BACKGROUND: Suprapancreatic lymph node (LN) dissection is critical for gastric cancer surgery. Until currently, a number of laparoscopic gastrectomy procedures have been performed in the same manner as open surgery procedures [3, 4, 6]. Using the characteristic of laparoscopic surgery, the authors developed a new technique of suprapancreatic LN dissection. METHODS: After division of the duodenum, No. 8a LN is raised, and the surrounding tissue is dissected to identify the outmost layer of the nerves around the common hepatic artery. This layer can be dissected as the next step is headed for the root of the left gastric artery. Thin layers can be identified on the left and right sides of the artery. After this step, the LN dissection is performed toward both lateral sites, keeping the outmost layer of the nerves. At this stage, the surgeon should envision the "U" shape on the right side and the "V" shape on the left side for a superior performance. This technique was performed by the same surgeon for 20 consecutive patients with advanced gastric cancer. RESULTS: All the patients successfully underwent laparoscopic distal gastrectomy with D2 LN dissection. The mean number of regional LNs retrieved was 45.1 ± 13.5. The mean number of only LNs around the celiac artery (No. 7, 8a, 9, 11p, and 12a) was 17.8 ± 5.5. This was not less than reported previously [1, 2, 5]. The mean blood loss was 91.1 ml, and the mean operative time was 296.0 min. At this writing, all the patients are disease free after a mean follow-up period of 15.4 months. CONCLUSIONS: The nerves are thick and sturdy around the root of the left gastric artery. Additionally, the magnified and horizontal laparoscope view provides a straightforward approach and visibility to the layer. The authors believe that the "medial approach" is a straightforward method of suprapancreatic LN dissection in laparoscopic gastric cancer surgery.

The delta-shaped anastomosis in laparoscopic distal gastrectomy: analysis of the initial 100 consecutive procedures of intracorporeal gastroduodenostomy.

BACKGROUND: We developed a new method of intracorporeal gastroduodenostomy, the delta-shaped anastomosis, in which only endoscopic linear staplers are used. In this report, we present the short- and long-term outcomes of our initial experience with this procedure. METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed 100 consecutive gastric cancer patients who underwent the delta-shaped anastomosis procedure from May 2001 to November 2006. All of them underwent a laparoscopic distal gastrectomy with regional lymph node dissection. Quality of life was assessed with a questionnaire 6 months or more postoperatively, and the gastric remnant was evaluated by endoscopy one year following the surgery. RESULTS: Eight surgeons successfully performed the delta-shaped anastomosis without any conversion to laparotomy. The learning curve for all surgeons was steep and the mean time for the anastomosis was 13 min. Only one patient developed an anastomotic leak, and the leak was minor. Sixty-five patients tolerated a 1500 kcal/day soft diet at the time of discharge. The mean follow-up period was 54.9 months. Only one patient reported symptoms indicative of dumping. Two patients were diagnosed with reflux esophagitis, and approximately 70% had evidence of bile reflux, but severe gastritis of the remnant stomach on endoscopy was uncommon. CONCLUSIONS: The wide lumen of the delta-shaped anastomosis led to early, adequate postoperative oral intake without a significant incidence of dumping syndrome. The delta-shaped anastomosis is safe and simple and provides satisfactory postoperative results.

Clinical outcome and clinicopathological characteristics of recurrence after laparoscopic gastrectomy for advanced gastric cancer.

BACKGROUND: Although laparoscopic gastrectomy has been recognized as a treatment of early gastric cancer, the indication for laparoscopic gastrectomy with D2 lymph node dissection has remained controversial. D2 lymph node dissection is considered to be feasible for advanced gastric cancer in some high-volume institutions specifically trained for the laparoscopic procedure. This study was undertaken to determine the clinical outcome and clinicopathological characteristics of patients who showed recurrence following laparoscopic gastrectomy for advanced gastric cancer. METHODS: From August 1999 through February 2009, among 805 patients who underwent laparoscopic gastrectomy associated with regional lymph node dissection, a total of 209 patients undergoing gastrectomy associated with lymph node dissection who consequently obtained complete resection for advanced gastric cancer were subjected to the retrospective analysis to evaluate clinical outcome. RESULTS: The mean period of postoperative observation was 1,068 days. The final stages of the 209 cases were as follows: 83 in IB, 56 in II, 46 in IIIA, and 24 in IIIB. The 5-year survival rate was 89.1% in stage IB, 93.1% in stage II, 52.5% in stage IIIA, and 46.5% in stage IIIB, respectively. A total of 27 patients (12.9%) had recurrence. Postoperative recurrence of gastric carcinoma occurred in peritoneal dissemination in 13 patients, liver in 7, distant lymph nodes in 6, ovary in 3, lung in 2, skin in 1, and meninges in 1 patient. There were neither port-site metastases nor locoregional recurrence. CONCLUSION: The characteristics and the rate of postoperative recurrence after laparoscopic gastrectomy for advanced gastric cancer were not greatly different from those of the open conventional procedure. Although further observation is required to finally conclude long-term survival, laparoscopic radical gastrectomy may possibly be indicated for patients with advanced gastric cancer.