A case of laparoscopic sigmoidectomy using thermography for colonic blood flow assessment.

BACKGROUND: Indocyanine green (ICG) fluorescence imaging is widely used in gastrointestinal surgery and is considered useful for reducing anastomotic leakage; however, because ICG remains in the tissue for a certain amount of time, we occasionally must re-evaluate colonic blood flow over a short time period during surgery. Herein, we verify the usefulness of thermography (TG) for evaluating colonic blood flow in a patient who underwent a laparoscopic sigmoidectomy for sigmoid colon cancer. CASE PRESENTATION: The patient is 43-year-old man who underwent laparoscopic resection of the sigmoid colon for colon cancer. After vascular treatment of the colonic mesentery, ICG/TG identified the boundary between ischemic and non-ischemic colon tissues. An additional 2 cm of colonic mesentery was resected because of the presence of a diverticulum noted at the intended site of oral anastomosis when attaching the anvil head. After additional vascular treatment of the colonic mesentery and administration of ICG, fluorescence was observed in the colon; however, TG identified the zone of the temperature transition on the surface of the colonic mesentery, even after additional colonic mesentery resection in the same region as previously observed. This zone was used as the cut-off line. There were no complications, such as anastomotic leakage, after the surgery. CONCLUSION: Although accumulation of similar cases is necessary, TG has the potential for use as an auxiliary diagnostic tool in clinical practice. TG can depict the presence or absence of blood flow based on surface temperature without the use of imaging agents, and is inexpensive and easy to perform.

Serum IgG level is a predicting factor for the response to neoadjuvant chemotherapy in patients with esophageal squamous cell carcinoma.

BACKGROUND: Despite the established oncological benefits of neoadjuvant chemotherapy for esophageal squamous cell cancer, not all cases demonstrate benefit. Hence, predicting the response to chemotherapy before treatment is desirable. Some reports have shown that immune factors are related to the chemotherapy response. This study aimed to investigate the utility of serum IgG levels for predicting chemotherapy response. METHODS: Among the patients who underwent esophagectomy after neoadjuvant chemotherapy at Nagoya City University Hospital between December 2012 and June 2019, 130 cases were included in this study. Response to chemotherapy and pretreatment serum IgG levels were examined in 77 cases. FP (5-fluorouracil and cisplatin) therapy or DCF (docetaxel, cisplatin, and 5-FU) therapy was performed as neoadjuvant chemotherapy. DCF therapy was selected for patients aged <75 years, who could be safely administered chemotherapy based on their medical history. RESULTS: This study divided cases into two groups: the effective response group (PR) and ineffective response group (SD and PD). We classified 1, 37, and 39 cases as PD, PR, and SD, respectively. None of the cases were classified as CR. The effective response group had significantly lower serum IgG levels than the ineffective response group (p < 0.001). The cutoff serum IgG value was determined to be 1087 mg/dL. The low IgG group had significantly more cases who had effective response to chemotherapy compared with the high IgG group (odds ratio [OR] = 9.009; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 2.974-30.157; p < 0.001). Univariate and multivariate analyses revealed serum IgG level to be an independent predictor for response to chemotherapy (p = 0.001). Furthermore, cases with effective pathological response had significantly lower pretreatment serum IgG levels than those who did not (p = 0.006). CONCLUSIONS: Our finding showed that serum IgG levels can be an independent predictor of the response to neoadjuvant chemotherapy for esophageal squamous cell carcinoma. TRIAL REGISTRATION: This retrospective study was approved by the review board of Nagoya City University Graduate School of Medical Sciences (reception number: 60-18-0008 ).

Diagnosis of recurrent laryngeal nerve paralysis following esophagectomy by evaluating movement of the vocal cords and arytenoid cartilages using ultrasonography.

Advancements in thoracoscopic surgery have provided us with a deeper anatomical understanding of recurrent laryngeal nerve paralysis (RLNP), which is likely to occur after lymph node dissection. Taking a novel approach to researching the diagnosis of RLNP, we evaluated movement of the vocal cords and arytenoid cartilages using ultrasonography in patients who underwent thoracoscopic esophagectomy. RLNP occurred in six of the 24 patient cohort. The rate of hoarseness and difficulty in discharging sputum was significantly higher in the paralyzed group than in the non-paralyzed group. The diagnostic accuracy of RLNP by ultrasonography had a sensitivity of 83.3% (5/6), a specificity of 88.8% (16/18), a false positive rate of 5.6% (1/18), and a false negative rate of 0% (0/6). Although it is not completely accurate, our findings indicate that ultrasonography is quite effective for diagnosing RLNP, more so in combination with clinical symptoms. Ultrasonography may also be effective for identifying patients who are amenable to laryngoscopy for diagnosing RLNP, or for evaluating the recovery status of nerve paralysis.

Suitable Diagnosis and Treatment of Esophageal Ruptures in Cases of Non-Boerhaave Syndrome: A Comparison With Boerhaave Syndrome.

Boerhaave syndrome (BS) is frequently reported in cases of esophageal perforation; however, there are relatively few studies on non-Boerhaave syndrome (nBS). This study clarifies the appropriate diagnosis and treatment for patients with nBS among those with esophageal ruptures. Twelve patients with esophageal ruptures who underwent surgery at our department over 14 years were classified into 2 groups: 4 in the nBS group and 8 in the BS group. Patient characteristics, surgical methods, surgical outcomes, and complications were compared between the groups. The chief complaints varied between the groups. The nBS group had significantly higher preoperative C-reactive protein (P = .007) and required 5 days (median) from onset to surgery. Moreover, the perforation diameter was significantly smaller in the nBS group than in the BS group (P = .013). Suturing of the perforation site was performed during the initial surgery in 8 BS group patients (100%) and 1 nBS group patient (25%; P = .018). Only drainage was performed during the initial surgery for 3 nBS group patients (75%). The complications did not significantly differ between the groups (P = 1.000), and no deaths were reported. The chief complaints of patients with nBS are diverse, and esophageal perforation should be cited as a differential diagnosis even in the absence of vomiting or chest pain symptoms. In the initial surgery for patients with nBS, the perforation site does not necessarily need to be closed. It is treatable by second-stage surgery or by natural closing.

The impact of skeletal muscle wasting during neoadjuvant chemotherapy on postoperative anastomotic leakage in patients with esophageal cancer.

BACKGROUND: Sarcopenia is defined by low muscle mass and low muscle strength and is a prognostic factor of unfavorable outcomes in various diseases. The purpose of this study is to examine the correlation between skeletal muscle wasting (SMW) during neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) and postoperative complications in patients with esophageal cancer, particularly in relation to anastomotic leakage. METHODS: The present study involved 99 patients with thoracic esophageal cancer and esophago-gastric junctional cancer who received NAC followed by radical esophagectomy between August 2008 to June 2019, and who were pStage 0-III. Patient demographics and clinical variables were retrospectively reviewed. For assessing the extent of SMW, the rate of change in skeletal muscle mass index (SMI) was measured from CT images at the level of the third lumbar vertebra. Factors associated with postoperative complications were also examined. RESULTS: The median rate of change in total SMI in patients was - 1.87%. The decreased rates in SMI of the side abdominal muscles and rectus abdominis were significantly greater than that of the psoas major (side abdominal muscles: p = 0.0084, rectus abdominis: p = 0.036). Multivariate analysis showed a decreased rate in SMI, especially in the erector spinae muscle, and the Charlson comorbidity index (CCI) was significantly associated with Grade IIIa of higher anastomotic leakage (Grade ≥ IIIa) (SMI cutoff (favorable): ≤ - 7.84, p = 0.0040; CCI cutoff (favorable): ≥ 2, p = 0.0032). CONCLUSION: In patients with esophageal cancer, SMI tend to decrease during NAC treatment. It is therefore important to prevent the additional impact that SMW during NAC has on postoperative anastomotic leakage.

The feasibility of interval laparoscopic appendectomy and appropriate patient selection: A retrospective study of adult appendiceal masses.

INTRODUCTION: We examined the safety and effectiveness of interval laparoscopic appendectomy (ILA) for adult appendiceal mass (AAM) and then used a novel white blood cell (WBC) parameter to identify the types of AAM cases for which nonsurgical treatment followed by ILA is effective. METHODS: We reviewed the cases of 956 patients who had undergone appendectomy between April 2012 and March 2018 at our facility. Of these patients, 49 had AAM, including 34 who underwent ILA. We examined the safety and effectiveness of ILA by comparing it with laparoscopic appendectomy (LA); specifically, the 34 cases treated with ILA were compared with 477 cases of adult uncomplicated appendicitis treated with LA from the same patient cohort. We then examined the factors associated with not successfully completing the planned nonsurgical treatment and interval before ILA. Patient demographics and clinical variables were reviewed. RESULTS: Patients who had undergone ILA had longer operative times than those who had undergone LA (P = .0059), but they also had shorter postoperative hospital stays (P < .001). There were no significant differences in other perioperative variables. Multivariate analysis showed that a ratio of WBC count on day 3 and day 0 from the start of nonsurgical treatment (WBC day3/day0) of 0.906 or higher was significantly associated with not completing the nonsurgical treatment and interval before ILA (P = .045). CONCLUSION: A comparison of the procedures found that ILA for AAM was almost as safe and effective as LA for adult uncomplicated appendicitis. The WBC day3/day0 ratio can be an objective parameter to assess the effectiveness of the nonsurgical treatment before ILA earlier in the course of treatment.

Robot-assisted gastrectomy for gastric cancer in a patient with a colostomy: A case report with adaptive techniques and technical points.

Robot-assisted surgery is considered a standard option for procedures on many organs. However, there are still few reports of useful adaptations for various patient conditions. We were able to safely perform robot-assisted distal gastrectomy on a patient with a colostomy. A 75-year-old man presented with gastric cancer, type 0-IIc, 2.5 cm in diameter. Before the gastric surgery, colectomy was performed for obstructive rectal cancer and a colostomy was formed in the right upper abdomen. The following adaptations were required to perform robot-assisted distal gastrectomy to avoid injuring the colon. After moving the port placement to the left side, we used a Penrose drain to retract the intra-abdominal colon connecting to the colostomy, pulling it to the head side. Then we projected the image of the colostomy in the da Vinci console. This case has shown that it is possible to safely perform robot-assisted surgery with adaptations tailored to the patient's conditions.

Port site hernia repair using the VersaOne™ Fascial Closure System: a case report.

The use of laparoscopic surgery has become widespread in recent years. One of its complications is port site hernia (PHS). It can be difficult to close the fascia at the time of laparoscopy, especially in obese patients, and there is a risk of herniation through a fascial defect with incomplete closure. It is important to ascertain closure of the defect when repairing PHS to prevent recurrence. We report a 47-year-old woman who developed a PHS at the superior aspect of the umbilicus. We repaired the defect using the VersaOneTM Fascial Closure System with laparoscopic guidance. This system allows the port site to be reliably closed while observing the suture from the abdominal cavity. The incision is the same size as a port site. If the abdominal wall is thick and the PHS has a diameter of ~10 mm, this method is considered to be indicated, regardless of the site.

Laparoscopic extraperitoneal sigmoid colostomy using the totally extraperitoneal hernia repair technique after abdominoperineal resection for rectal cancer.

Stoma creation through the extraperitoneal route reportedly reduces the risk of parastomal hernia and stomal prolapse after abdominoperineal resection (APR) for rectal cancer. We describe a new technique for laparoscopic extraperitoneal sigmoid colostomy following APR. After the rectus abdominis muscle is separated, Lap ProtectorTM and EZ AccessTM devices are placed. An extraperitoneal stoma tunnel is created laparoscopically as much as possible. Next, the peritoneum is separated from the inside of the abdominal cavity, and the extraperitoneal tunnel is opened. At the time of writing, we had performed laparoscopic extraperitoneal sigmoid colostomy in eight patients, without any complications or conversion to the conventional procedure. Thus, laparoscopic extraperitoneal sigmoid colostomy is a useful and safe technique for the laparoscopic creation of an extraperitoneal stoma tunnel after APR.

[Radiotherapy for Bone Metastasis after Esophageal Cancer Surgery].

We examined the usefulness of radiotherapy for bone metastasis after esophageal cancer surgery. Between 2001 and 2016, we performed surgical resection for esophageal cancer in our department and 11 patients had postoperative bone metastases. Of these, 7 underwent radiotherapy. The median age was 71(60 to 76)years, with 5 males and 2 females. Six cases were squamous cell carcinoma and 1 case was adenocarcinoma. Metastatic sites included 3 vertebral bodies, 2 ribs, 2 skull bones, 1 ilium, 2 humerus, and 1 femur(there was overlap). Six cases also had other distant metastases. Three cases also underwent chemotherapy. Four of 7 cases(57%)showed reduction of metastatic lesions. The pain improvement rate was 57%. Radiation therapy for bone metastasis in esophageal cancer is thought to be effective for reduction of metastatic lesions and pain relief.