Preoperative prediction of malignancy and surgical treatment strategy in appendiceal tumors: multicenter review of 51 consecutive cases.

PURPOSE: A diagnostic and treatment strategy for appendiceal tumors (ATs) has not been established. We aimed to evaluate our treatment strategy in ATs, including laparoscopic surgery (LS), and to identify preoperative malignancy predictors. METHODS: A total of 51 patients between 2011 and 2021 were retrospectively reviewed. Data, including tumor markers and imaging findings, were compared between carcinoma and non-carcinoma patients. Validity of planned operation was evaluated based on pathological diagnosis. RESULTS: Twenty-five patients were diagnosed with carcinoma, 13 with low-grade mucinous neoplasm, and 13 with other diseases. Symptoms were more commonly present in carcinoma patients than in non-carcinoma patients (68.0% vs. 23.1%, p = 0.001). Elevated CEA and CA19-9 were more frequently observed in carcinoma patients than in non-carcinoma patients (p < 0.01 and p = 0.04, respectively). Five carcinoma patients had malignancy on biopsy, compared with zero non-carcinoma patients. Significant differences were noted in the percentages of carcinoma and non-carcinoma patients with solid enhanced mass (41.7% vs. 0%, p < 0.001) and tumor wall irregularity (16.7% vs. 0%, p = 0.03) on imaging. Although the sensitivity was not high, the specificity and positive predictive value of these findings were 100%. Forty-two patients (82.4%) underwent LS as minimally invasive exploratory and/or radical operation, of whom 2 were converted to open surgery for invasion of adjacent organ. No patients had intraoperative complications or postoperative mortality. CONCLUSION: Clinical symptoms, elevated tumor markers, and worrisome features of solid enhanced mass and tumor wall irregularity on imaging can be malignancy predictors. For management of ATs, LS is feasible and useful for diagnosis and treatment.

Intracholecystic papillary neoplasm associated with invasive carcinoma of the remnant gallbladder after subtotal cholecystectomy: a case report.

BACKGROUND: Intracholecystic papillary neoplasm (ICPN) of the gallbladder is a rare tumor and a relatively new concept. Therefore, the natural history and imaging characteristics of ICPN have not yet been fully documented. Moreover, cases who underwent curative resection for remnant gallbladder cancer, including ICPN with associated invasive carcinoma, have been rarely reported. We report a resected case of ICPN of the remnant gallbladder with associated invasive carcinoma for which we could observe a temporal change in imaging findings until malignant transformation. CASE PRESENTATION: A 79-year-old female patient with a surgical history of subtotal cholecystectomy for acute cholecystitis was an ambulatory patient of our institution because of postoperative surveillance for colon cancer. Ultrasonography and computed tomography incidentally detected a small nodule in the cystic remnant gallbladder. The nodule had increased in size 3 months later; thus, additional investigations were performed. Magnetic resonance imaging revealed a 10-mm enhanced nodule without evidence of extraluminal invasion. Diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging revealed restricted diffusion of the lesion, and positron emission tomography revealed marked accumulation in the lesion. The lesion was diagnosed as suspicious for a malignant remnant gallbladder tumor. Therefore, remnant cholecystectomy with gallbladder bed resection was performed. Because preoperative endoscopic retrograde cholangiography revealed a relatively long intact cystic duct, extrahepatic bile duct resection was planned to be omitted. Intraoperatively, the hepatic and duodenal side bile duct where the cystic duct diverged was taped. Using these tapes, which permitted pulling the bile duct, the cystic duct located behind the bile duct could be safely exposed. The lesion was pathologically diagnosed as biliary morphologic ICPN with associated invasive carcinoma. CONCLUSIONS: Because remnant cholecystectomy is an uncommon procedure and technically difficult, accurate preoperative investigation and surgical planning are important to prevent bile duct injury and omit extrahepatic bile duct resection. In the present case, intracystic change could be detected incidentally at an early stage because of previous remnant gallbladder producing (reconstituting) subtotal cholecystectomy and surveillance for other disease. This case suggests the existence of ICPN that can progress to invasive carcinoma during a short period.

Long-term effects of laparoscopic lateral pelvic lymph node dissection on urinary retention in rectal cancer.

BACKGROUND: The addition of lateral pelvic lymph node dissection (LPLND) in rectal cancer surgery has been reported to increase the incidence of post-operative urinary retention. Here, we assessed the predictive factors and long-term outcomes of urinary retention following laparoscopic LPLND (L-LPLND) with total mesorectal excision (TME) for advanced lower rectal cancer. METHODS: This retrospective single-institutional study reviewed post-operative urinary retention in 71 patients with lower rectal cancer who underwent L-LPLND with TME. Patients with preoperative urinary dysfunction or who underwent unilateral LPLND were excluded. Detailed information regarding patient clinicopathologic characteristics, post-void residual urine volume, and the presence or absence of urinary retention over time was collected from clinical and histopathologic reports and telephone surveys. Urinary retention was defined as residual urine > 100 mL and the need for further treatment. RESULTS: Post-operative urinary retention was observed in 25/71 patients (35.2%). Multivariate analysis revealed that blood loss ≥ 400 mL [odds ratio (OR) 4.52; 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.24-16.43; p = 0.018] and inferior vesical artery (IVA) resection (OR 8.28; 95% CI 2.46-27.81; p < 0.001) were independently correlated with the incidence of urinary retention. Furthermore, bilateral IVA resection caused urinary retention in more patients than unilateral IVA resection (88.9% vs 47.1%, respectively; p = 0.049). Although urinary retention associated with unilateral IVA resection improved relatively quickly, urinary retention associated with bilateral IVA resection tended to persist over 1 year. CONCLUSION: We identified the predictive factors of urinary retention following L-LPLND with TME, including increased blood loss (≥ 400 mL) and IVA resection. Urinary retention associated with unilateral IVA resection improved relatively quickly. L-LPLND with unilateral IVA resection is a feasible and safe procedure to improve oncological curability. However, if oncological curability is guaranteed, bilateral IVA resection should be avoided to prevent irreversible urinary retention.

Atypical clinical presentation of mechanical small bowel obstruction with superior mesenteric vein occlusion caused by a retained free intraperitoneal staple after laparoscopic appendectomy: A case report.

Mechanical small bowel obstruction (SBO) is a common postoperative complication, and most cases are caused by postoperative adhesions. We herein report a case of SBO with superior mesenteric vein occlusion caused by a metal staple after laparoscopic appendectomy. A 35-year-old Japanese woman presented to our department with severe upper abdominal pain and vomiting. She had undergone laparoscopic appendectomy using a linear stapler 7 years before. Abdominal CT showed mild small intestinal dilation with mesenteric edema and volvulus of the small bowel mesentery. Moreover, occlusion of the superior mesenteric vein was observed. Emergency exploratory laparoscopy revealed a strangulated SBO caused by a free unformed staple. The obstruction was released by a laparoscopic technique without bowel resection. The number of laparoscopic surgeries has recently been increasing, and complications specific to laparoscopic surgery have been recognized. All spilled and unformed staples should be removed to the greatest extent possible during laparoscopic operations.

Quantitative evaluation of the intratumoral distribution of platinum in oxaliplatin-treated rectal cancer: In situ visualization of platinum via synchrotron radiation X-ray fluorescence spectrometry.

Oxaliplatin (l-OHP), a platinum-based drug, is a key chemotherapeutic agent for colorectal cancer (CRC), but drug resistance and toxic effects have been major limitations of its use. Synchrotron radiation X-ray fluorescence spectrometry (SR-XRF) is a rapid, nondestructive technique for monitoring the distribution of metals and trace elements in cells or tissue samples. We applied SR-XRF to visualize the distribution of platinum and other elements in 30 rectal cancer specimens resected from patients who received l-OHP-based preoperative chemotherapy and quantified platinum concentration in the tumor epithelium and stroma, respectively, using calibration curves. The platinum concentration in rectal cancer tissue ranged 2.85-11.44 ppm, and the detection limit of platinum was 1.848 ppm. In the tumor epithelium, the platinum concentration was significantly higher in areas of degeneration caused by chemotherapy than in nondegenerated area (p < 0.001). Conversely, in the tumor stroma, the platinum concentration was significantly higher in patients with limited therapeutic responses than in those with strong therapeutic responses (p < 0.001). Furthermore, multivariate analysis illustrated that higher platinum concentration in the tumor stroma was an independent predictive factor of limited histologic response (odds ratio; 19.99, 95% confidence interval; 2.04-196.37, p = 0.013). This is the first study to visualize and quantify the distribution of platinum in human cancer tissues using SR-XRF. These results suggest that SR-XRF analysis may contribute to predicting the therapeutic effect of l-OHP-based chemotherapy by quantifying the distribution of platinum.

Adverse Effects on the Postoperative Urinary Function After Combined Resection of Inferior Vesical Artery in Laparoscopic Lateral Pelvic Lymph Node Dissection: Retrospective Analysis of Consecutive 95 Series.

BACKGROUND: The combined resection of the vesical artery (VA) in laparoscopic lateral pelvic lymph node dissection (L-LPLD) was reported to facilitate the safe dissection of metastatic lymph nodes. However, whether or not the combined VA resection affects the urinary function remains controversial. PURPOSE: The purpose of the present study was to examine the risk factors for the postoperative urinary dysfunction (PUD) after L-LPLD followed by total mesorectal excision and to clarify the effects of the combined VA resection in L-LPLD on PUD. PATIENTS AND METHODS: L-LPLD was performed in 95 patients with advanced rectal cancer at Saga University Hospital and Kyushu University Hospital from January 2013 to December 2017. The risk factors for PUD after L-LPLD were investigated. RESULTS: The univariate analysis revealed that the combined resection of the inferior vesical artery (IVA) was a risk factor for PUD. To examine by the type of IVA resection, the incidence of PUD significantly increased with the bilateral IVA resection, but the unilateral IVA resection induced PUD on the same level with the preservation of IVA. CONCLUSIONS: Bilateral IVA resection in L-LPLD could increase the incidence of PUD. Thus, if possible, the preservation of the unilateral IVA through L-LPLD should be considered.

Laparoscopic high anterior resection for triple colorectal cancers with persistent ascending and descending mesocolons: A case report.

Persistent mesocolon is an embryological anomaly of the colon resulting from failure of the primitive dorsal mesocolon to fuse with the parietal peritoneum. We herein present a case of laparoscopic high anterior resection for triple colorectal cancers with persistent ascending and descending mesocolons and a right-bound inferior mesenteric artery. Preoperative 3-D CT demonstrated that the sigmoid colon had shifted to the right abdomen and was located under the ascending colon. Moreover, the inferior mesenteric artery and vein traveled toward the right abdomen accompanied by the mesentery of the descending colon. Adhesiolysis between the ascending and sigmoid colon was initially performed, and the sigmoid colon was placed in its normal position. The inferior mesenteric artery was then divided with lymph node dissection using a medial approach, and high anterior resection was completed. An understanding of the anatomical characteristics of persistent mesocolon is important to ensure safe laparoscopic surgery.

Vascular anatomy of the transverse mesocolon and bidirectional laparoscopic D3 lymph node dissection for patients with advanced transverse colon cancer.

Laparoscopic D3 lymph node dissection for transverse colon cancer is technically demanding because of complicated anatomy. Here, we reviewed the vascular structure of the transverse mesocolon, explored the extent of the base of the transverse mesocolon, and evaluated the feasibility and oncological safety of D3 lymph node dissection. We retrospectively reviewed the clinical records of 42 patients with advanced transverse colon cancer who underwent curative surgery and D3 dissection at Kyushu University Hospital between January 2008 and December 2015. We examined the venous and arterial anatomy of the transverse mesocolon of each resection and compared surgical outcomes between patients who underwent laparoscopic D3 (Lap D3) and open D3 (Open D3) dissection. Patients included two with Stage I, 18 with Stage II, 20 with Stage III, and two with Stage IVA. Thirty-six (85.7%) and six (14.3%) patients underwent Lap D3 or Open D3, respectively. The tumor sizes of the Open D3 and Lap D3 groups were 7.8 and 3.7 cm, respectively (P < 0.001). The Lap D3 group had significantly less blood loss (26 mL vs 272 mL, P = 0.002). The other outcomes of the two groups were not significantly different, including 3-year overall survival (87.7% vs 83.3%, P = 0.385). We observed four patterns of the middle colic artery (MCA) arising from the superior mesenteric artery (SMA), and the frequency of occurrence of a single MCA was 64.3%. The right-middle colic vein (MCV) was present in 92.9% of resections and served as a tributary of the gastrocolic trunk, and 90.5% of the left MCVs drained into the superior mesenteric vein (SMV). The root of the transverse mesocolon was broadly attached to the head of the pancreas and to the surfaces of the SMV and SMA. Laparoscopic D3 lymph node dissection may be tolerated by patients with advanced transverse colon cancer.

E­cadherin regulates proliferation of colorectal cancer stem cells through NANOG.

Cancer stem cells (CSCs) possess a self­renewal ability and display tumorigenic potential in immunodeficient mice. Colorectal CSCs are thought to be a uniform population and no functionally distinct subpopulations have been identified. Because E­cadherin is an essential molecule for self­renewal of embryonic stem cells, we examined E­cadherin expression, which may play a role in maintaining the properties of CSCs, in EpCAMhigh/CD44+ colorectal CSCs from human primary colorectal cancers. We obtained 18 surgical specimens of human primary colorectal cancer. CD44, EpCAM, and E­cadherin expression were analyzed by fluorescence­activated cell sorting. Sorted EpCAMhigh/CD44+ colorectal CSCs were injected into immunodeficient mice to estimate the tumorigenic potential. Genetic profiles were analyzed by cDNA microarray. Notably, colorectal CSCs could be divided into two populations based on the E­cadherin expression status, and they exhibited different pathological characteristics. Compared to E­cadherin­negative colorectal CSCs, E­cadherin­positive (EC+) colorectal CSCs demonstrated higher tumor growth potential in vivo. EC+ colorectal CSCs revealed a higher expression of the pluripotency factor NANOG, which contributed to the higher tumor growth potential of EC+ colorectal CSCs through control of cyclin D1 expression. These findings are the first demonstration of functionally distinct subpopulations of colorectal CSCs in human clinical samples.

Risk factors for postoperative pneumonia in elderly patients with colorectal cancer: a sub-analysis of a large, multicenter, case-control study in Japan.

PURPOSE: Postoperative pneumonia affects the length of stay and mortality after surgery in elderly patients with colorectal cancer (CRC). We aimed to determine the risk factors of postoperative pneumonia in elderly patients with CRC, and to evaluate the impact of laparoscopic surgery on elderly patients with CRC. METHODS: We retrospectively investigated 1473 patients ≥ 80 years of age who underwent surgery for stage 0-III CRC between 2003 and 2007. Using a multivariate analysis, we determined the risk factors for pneumonia occurrence from each baseline characteristic. RESULTS: Among all included patients, 26 (1.8%) experienced postoperative pneumonia, and restrictive respiratory impairment, obstructive respiratory impairment, history of cerebrovascular events, and open surgery were determined as risk factors (odds ratio [95% confidence interval], 2.78 [1.22-6.20], 2.71 [1.22-6.30], 3.60 [1.37-8.55], and 3.57 [1.22-15.2], respectively). Furthermore, postoperative pneumonia was more frequently accompanied by increasing cumulative numbers of these risk factors (area under the receiver operating characteristic curve = 0.763). CONCLUSIONS: Laparoscopic surgery may be safely performed in elderly CRC patients, even those with respiratory impairment and a history of cerebrovascular events.

Deregulated Mucosal Immune Surveillance through Gut-Associated Regulatory T Cells and PD-1+ T Cells in Human Colorectal Cancer.

Disturbed balance between immune surveillance and tolerance may lead to poor clinical outcomes in some malignancies. In paired analyses of adenocarcinoma and normal mucosa from 142 patients, we found a significant increase of the CD4/CD8 ratio and accumulation of regulatory T cells (Tregs) within the adenocarcinoma. The increased frequency of Tregs correlated with the local infiltration and extension of the tumor. There was concurrent maturation arrest, upregulation of programmed death-1 expression, and functional impairment in CD8+ T cells (CTLs) isolated from the adenocarcinoma. Adenocarcinoma-associated Tregs directly inhibit the function of normal human CTLs in vitro. With histopathological analysis, Foxp3+ Tregs were preferentially located in stroma. Concurrent transcriptome analysis of epithelial cells, stromal cells, and T cell subsets obtained from carcinomatous and normal intestinal samples from patients revealed a distinct gene expression signature in colorectal adenocarcinoma-associated Tregs, with overexpression of CCR1, CCR8, and TNFRSF9, whereas their ligands CCL4 and TNFSF9 were found upregulated in cancerous epithelium. Overexpression of WNT2 and CADM1, associated with carcinogenesis and metastasis, in cancer-associated stromal cells suggests that both cancer cells and stromal cells play important roles in the development and progression of colorectal cancer through the formation of a tumor microenvironment. The identification of CTL anergy by Tregs and the unique gene expression signature of human Tregs and stromal cells in colorectal cancer patients may facilitate the development of new therapeutics against malignancies.

Laparoscopic excision of neurogenic retrorectal tumors.

Retrorectal tumors (RT) are uncommon and usually managed by open surgical excision. Laparoscopic excision for RT has been reported in only a small number of papers. We aimed to assess the laparoscopic approach for RT and to discuss the factors that made this procedure difficult. We performed laparoscopic excision using a five-trocar technique for neurogenic RT in three patients. Tumors were successfully excised laparoscopically in two patients. However, the third patient required open conversion because the tumor was strongly adhered to the sacrum and could not be mobilized by dissection, resulting in poor visualization of the dissected site. Laparoscopic excision for RT provides excellent intraoperative visualization and good cosmesis in selected patients, but firm adherence to the sacrum may cause difficulty with this procedure.

Local control of sphincter-preserving procedures and abdominoperineal resection for locally advanced low rectal cancer: Propensity score matched analysis.

Sphincter-preserving procedures (SPPs) for surgical treatment of low-lying rectal tumors have advanced considerably. However, their oncological safety for locally advanced low rectal cancer compared with abdominoperineal resection (APR) is contentious. We retrospectively analyzed cohort data of 1500 consecutive patients who underwent elective resection for stage II-III rectal cancer between 2010 and 2011. Patients with tumors 2-5 cm from the anal verge and clinical stage T3-4 were eligible. Primary outcome was 3-year local recurrence rate, and confounding effects were minimized by propensity score matching. The study involved 794 patients (456 SPPs and 338 APR). Before matching, candidates for APR were more likely to have lower and advanced lesions, whereas SPPs were carried out more often following preoperative treatment, by laparoscopic approach, and at institutions with higher case volume. After matching, 398 patients (199 each for SPPs and APR) were included in the analysis sample. Postoperative morbidity was similar between the SPPs and APR groups (38% vs 39%; RR 0.98, 95% CI 0.77-1.27). Margin involvement was present in eight patients in the SPPs group (one and seven at the distal and radial margins, respectively) and in 12 patients in the APR group. No difference in 3-year local recurrence rate was noted between the two groups (11% vs 14%; HR 0.77, 95% CI 0.42-1.41). In this observational study, comparability was ensured by adjusting for possible confounding factors. Our results suggest that SPPs and APR for locally advanced low rectal cancer have demonstrably equivalent oncological local control.

IgG4-related sclerosing mesenteritis causing bowel obstruction: a case report.

Sclerosing mesenteritis (SM) is a rare inflammatory and fibrosing disease primarily involving the small-bowel mesentery. Recently, SM was reported to be closely related to IgG4-related disease (IgG4-RD). This report describes a patient with SM associated with IgG4-RD. A 77-year-old woman with a history of surgery for ectopic pregnancy and wound dehiscence presented with intestinal obstruction. Abdominal enhanced computed tomography (CT) revealed an enhanced, radially shaped, oval mass, 3 cm in diameter, with an unclear rim in the mesentery of the distal ileum, which may have involved the distal ileum. To remove the cause of bowel obstruction, the SM was resected completely and the ileum was resected partially. Histologic examination showed that the mass was composed of spindle cells arranged in a fascicular or storiform pattern; moreover, fibrous stroma was observed, with dense lymphoplasmacytic infiltration and lymphoid follicles. Immunohistochemically, numerous IgG4-positive plasma cells were observed, at a density of 253 per high-powered field, and the IgG4/IgG ratio was about 50 %. Elastica van Gieson (EVG) staining also showed obstructive phlebitis. These findings indicated IgG4-related SM. Although the accurate diagnosis of SM remains difficult without histological analysis, IgG4-RD should be included in the differential diagnosis of unknown mesenteric tumors. Identification of IgG4-RD may prevent unnecessary surgery because corticosteroids may be effective in these patients.

Feasibility of laparoscopic surgery for complex Crohn's disease of the small intestine.

BACKGROUND: The laparoscopic approach for complex Crohn's disease (CD), which involves abscess formation, fistula formation, and recurrent CD, is controversial. The aim of this study was to investigate the feasibility and safety of the laparoscopic approach for complex CD. METHODS: Fifty-six patients who had undergone surgery for CD of the small bowel from January 2007 to August 2014 were divided into two groups: the laparoscopic approach for complex CD group (LC group, n = 31) and the laparoscopic approach for simple CD group (LS group, n = 25). The preoperative data and surgical outcomes of the LC group were compared with those of the LS groups. RESULTS: There were no significant differences in preoperative data and operating time between the two groups. Blood loss was not significantly different between the LC and LS groups. The incision length was longer in the LC group than the LS group (P = 0.004). The incidence of severe postoperative complications in the LC group was higher than in the LS group (P = 0.026). The length of postoperative stay was similar in the LC and LS groups. CONCLUSIONS: The laparoscopic approach for complex CD is feasible and provides good cosmesis that is comparable to that offered by simple CD.

A Feasibility Study of Neoadjuvant XELOX Without Radiotherapy for Locally Advanced Lower Rectal Cancer.

AIM: This study was planned to evaluate the efficacy and safety of preoperative capecitabine and oxaliplatin (XELOX) without radiation in patients with locally advanced lower rectal cancer. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Patients with clinical stage II/III lower rectal cancer underwent three cycles of XELOX followed by radical surgery. The primary end-point was the R0 resection rate. RESULTS: Thirty-one patients were recruited between February 2012 and August 2014. The completion rate of neoadjuvant chemotherapy was 96.5% among the 29 patients who received it; the remaining two refused chemotherapy and underwent immediate surgery. Grade 3-4 adverse events occurred in nine patients (31%). All 29 patients who received chemotherapy underwent radical resection. The R0 resection rate was 96.5% among these 29 patients. Pathological complete responses were achieved in three patients (10.3%) and downstaging occurred in 13 (44.8%). CONCLUSION: This pilot study found that neoadjuvant XELOX for locally advanced lower rectal cancer is feasible and safe. This neoadjuvant treatment improved resection margin status.

Efficacy and safety analysis of chemotherapy for advanced colitis-associated colorectal cancer in Japan.

Chemotherapy for advanced colitis-associated colorectal cancer (CAC) has been insufficiently evaluated. The goal of this study was to clarify the efficacy and safety of chemotherapy for CAC in Japan. CAC patients who were treated with chemotherapy between 2005 and 2015 were retrospectively examined. Twenty-nine patients (median age, 48 years; 23 men) were assessed. Eighteen patients had ulcerative colitis, and 11 had Crohn's disease. Three ulcerative colitis and four Crohn's disease patients were in the active disease phase. Primary tumors were located in the rectum/anus (n=16), the left colon (n=9), or the right colon (n=4). Palliative or adjuvant chemotherapy was performed in 13 and 16 patients, respectively. First-line palliative chemotherapy regimens were as follows: fluorouracil, leucovorin, and oxaliplatin (FOLFOX; n=6), FOLFOX+bevacizumab (n=3), and others (n=4). Adjuvant chemotherapy regimens were S-1 (n=7), oxaliplatin-based (n=4) and others (n=5). In palliative chemotherapy, the objective response rate was 15%, and the median progression-free survival and overall survival were 182 and 315 days, respectively. In adjuvant chemotherapy, the 5-year relapse-free survival rate was 78%. Grade 3/4 adverse events (AEs) were observed in 16 patients (55%). Active and remission inflammatory bowel disease patients suffered grade 3/4 nonhematological AEs at an incidence of 71 and 23%, respectively (P<0.01). Dose reduction was required in 11 patients (38%), eight of whom required it for hematological AEs. Adjuvant chemotherapy for CAC exhibited sufficient efficacy, whereas modest efficacy was shown for palliative chemotherapy for CAC. AEs, particularly nonhematological AEs, were closely associated with disease activity of colitis.

Laparoscopic lateral pelvic lymph node dissection is achievable and offers advantages as a minimally invasive surgery over the open approach.

BACKGROUND: Laparoscopic lateral pelvic lymph node dissection (LPLD) is a minimally invasive alternative to open surgical therapy for advanced low rectal cancer patients. This study assessed potential risk factors for lateral pelvic lymph node metastasis (LPLM) and evaluated the feasibility and oncological safety of laparoscopic LPLD compared with the conventional open approach. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the clinical records of 90 patients with advanced low rectal cancer who underwent LPLD following total mesorectal excision at Kyushu University Hospital between January 2001 and July 2014. We compared the clinicopathological features between the patients with and without LPLM and the surgical outcomes between patients who underwent laparoscopic LPLD (LL) and open LPLD (OL). RESULTS: Fourteen (15.6 %) patients had LPLM. Univariate analysis revealed that undifferentiated cancer, positive lymphatic invasion, >50 % circumferential cancer extent, mesorectal lymph node metastases (MLM), and distant metastasis were associated with LPLM. In the multivariate analysis, MLM was the only independent risk factor for LPLM. Forty-six (51.1 %) patients underwent LL, and 44 (48.9 %) patients underwent OL. The mean surgical duration was longer in the LL group than in the OL group (641.0 vs. 312.0 min, P < 0.001). The LL group also had less hemorrhage (252.0 vs. 815.0 mL, P < 0.001) and a shorter hospital stay (22.9 vs. 29.1 days, P = 0.04) than the OL group. The mean number of harvested lateral pelvic lymph nodes was larger in the LL group than in the OL group (19.5 vs. 15.8, P < 0.05). The morbidity rate and overall survival (3-year OS: 94.7 vs. 82.9 %, P = 0.25) did not differ between the two groups. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with advanced low rectal cancer presenting MLM are good candidates for LPLD. Laparoscopic LPLD enables retrieval of more lymph nodes and may be acceptable for the treatment of advanced low rectal cancer.

Reduced-port laparoscopic restorative proctocolectomy without diverting ileostomy.

INTRODUCTION: We introduced a reduced-port procedure for laparoscopic restorative proctocolectomy without diverting ileostomy for patients with familial adenomatous polyposis and ulcerative colitis. MATERIALS AND SURGICAL TECHNIQUE: A multichannel port was inserted through a 2.5-cm umbilical incision. A 12-mm port in the right lower abdomen and a 3- or 5-mm port were also employed. A proctocolectomy was performed intracorporeally, and the entire colon and rectum were delivered through the umbilical incision. An ileal J-pouch was made extracorporeally following division of the mesenteric vessels. Ileal j-pouch-anal anastomosis was performed intracorporeally or transanally after rectal mucosectomy. A drain was inserted through the 12-mm port incision, and a transanal decompression tube was placed in the pouch. Two women and one man underwent this surgery, and their postoperative recovery was uneventful. DISCUSSION: Laparoscopic restorative proctocolectomy without a diverting stoma by a reduced-port technique is feasible and provides excellent cosmetic outcomes in selected patients.

[FEMALE SURGEONS SHOULD BE AWARE OF THE IMPORTANCE OF A CLEAR VISION FOR THEIR CAREER AND LIFE PLANS TO ACHIEVE THEIR CAREER DEVELOPMENT.: A SURVEY OF 20 FEMALE SURGEONS AT THE DEPARTMENT OF SURGERY AND ONCOLOGY, KYUSHU UNIVERSITY].

A shortage of surgeons has been a serious problem in recent years. There is an urgent need to utilize female surgeons who tend to resign because of bearing and raising of children. To examine possible measures to deal with the issue, we performed questionnaire survey about work-life balance and career planning on 20 female surgeons in the Department of Surgery and Oncology, Kyushu University. The response rate was 80.0%. In the 16 respondents, seven were unmarried and nine were married. A large fraction of the respondents recognized the importance of work-life-balance. Female surgeons have many difficulties to continue working with good work-life balance; therefore, understanding and cooperation of both their spouses and coworkers is considered to be necessary. Married female surgeons considered that improvement of the working environment and sufficient family support were more important for good work-life balance compared to those who were unmarried. Female surgeons should recognize the importance of improvement of their environment, including the workplace and the family to continue working with good work-life balance in youth and should have the prospects about their career plan of their own.