Conventional Linear versus Purse-string Skin Closure after Loop Ileostomy Reversal: Comparison of Wound Infection Rates and Operative Outcomes

PURPOSE: Wound infection after an ileostomy reversal is a common problem. To reduce wound-related complications, purse-string skin closure was introduced as an alternative to conventional linear skin closure. This study is designed to compare wound infection rates and operative outcomes between linear and purse-string skin closure after a loop ileostomy reversal. METHODS: Between December 2002 and October 2010, a total of 48 consecutive patients undergoing a loop ileostomy reversal were enrolled. Outcomes were compared between linear skin closure (group L, n = 30) and purse string closure (group P, n = 18). The operative technique for linear skin closure consisted of an elliptical incision around the stoma, with mobilization, and anastomosis of the ileum. The rectus fascia was repaired with interrupted sutures. Skin closure was performed with vertical mattress interrupted sutures. Purse-string skin closure consisted of a circumstomal incision around the ileostomy using the same procedures as used for the ileum. Fascial closure was identical to linear closure, but the circumstomal skin incision was approximated using a purse-string subcuticular suture (2-0 Polysorb). RESULTS: Between group L and P, there were no differences of age, gender, body mass index, and American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) scores. Original indication for ileostomy was 23 cases of malignancy (76.7%) in group L, and 13 cases of malignancy (77.2%) in group P. The median time duration from ileostomy to reversal was 4.0 months (range, 0.6 to 55.7 months) in group L and 4.1 months (range, 2.2 to 43.9 months) in group P. The median operative time was 103 minutes (range, 45 to 260 minutes) in group L and 100 minutes (range, 30 to 185 minutes) in group P. The median hospital stay was 11 days (range, 5 to 4 days) in group L and 7 days (range, 4 to 14 days) in group P (P < 0.001). Wound infection was found in 5 cases (16.7%) in group L and in one case (5.6%) in group L (P = 0.26). CONCLUSION: Based on this study, purse-string skin closure after a loop ileostomy reversal showed comparable outcomes, in terms of wound infection rates, to those of linear skin closure. Thus, purse-string skin closure could be a good alternative to the conventional linear closure.

Laparoscopic versus Open Appendectomy in Pregnancy / 대한내시경복강경외과학회지

PURPOSE: Although laparoscopic appendectomy is a safe and effective procedure for the management of acute appendicitis, laparoscopic appendectomy in pregnancy has not been considered the preferred procedure until recently. The aim of this study was to evaluate the safety of laparoscopic appendectomy (LA) during pregnancy as compared with the control group that underwent open appendectomy (OA) during pregnancy. METHODS: The clinical data of all the patients who underwent appendectomy during pregnancy at our hospital between 2006 and 2009 was collected and retrospectively analyzed. Nineteen patients underwent LA and 11 patients underwent OA. The general features of the cases, the outcomes and the fetal status were evaluated. RESULTS: There were no significant differences in the length of the procedure, the hospital stay and the complication rate between the LA and OA groups. All the laparoscopic procedures were completed without conversion to an open operation. There were no significant differences between the two groups for premature delivery, the delivery type and the birth weight. There were no fetal losses or abortions. CONCLUSION: Our results demonstrate that LA was not inferior to OA in terms of the operative outcomes, the complication and both the fetal and maternal safety during 1st and 2nd trimesters of pregnancy. LA could be safely performed even in the 1st and 2nd trimesters of pregnancy using careful patient selection, safe operative techniques and the appropriate application of instruments.

Clinical Efficacy of Pretransplant Magnetic Resonance Cholangiography of Donor for Living Donor Liver Transplantation / 대한이식학회지

BACKGROUND: Hepatobiliary and vascular structure anatomy must be understood to ensure donor safety during living donor liver transplantation (LDLT). The purpose of this study was to determine the role of pretransplant magnetic resonance cholangiography (MRC) for understanding the anatomy. METHODS: Eighteen LDLT were analyzed retrospectively through medical records and radiological images. Pretransplant MRC and intraoperative cholangiography (IOC) were reviewed to evaluate the accuracy of pretransplant MRC. RESULTS: The MRC results of 13 donors were acceptable for a living donor operation. However, 5 donor MRC results required further evaluation to identify the biliary anatomy by IOC. In 2 cases, the use of an intravenous low-dose morphine injection helped to obtain a more qualified MRC image. CONCLUSIONS: Despite the small study size, the results showed that MRC can help provide information on donor biliary anatomy to ensure a safe donor operation.

Transvaginal Endoscopic Appendectomy

Since Kalloo and colleagues first reported the feasibility and safety of a peroral transgastric approach in the porcine model in 2004, various groups have reported more complex natural orifice transluminal endoscopic surgery (NOTES) procedures, such as the cholecystectomy, splenectomy and liver biopsy, in the porcine model. Natural orifice access to the abdominal cavity, such as transgastric, transvesical, transcolonic, and transvaginal, has been described. Although a novel, minimally invasive approach to the abdominal cavity is a peroral endoscopic transgastric approach, there are still some challenging issues, such as the risk of infection and leakage, and the method of gastric closure. Hybrid-NOTES is an ideal first step in humans. Human hybrid transvaginal access has been used for years by many surgeons for diagnostic and therapeutic purposes. Here, we report a transvaginal flexible endoscopic appendectomy, with a 5-mm umbilical port using ultrasonic scissors in a 74-year-old woman with acute appendicitis.

Factors Associated with Operation Time of Laparoscopic Wedge Resection for Gastric Submucosal Tumors / 대한내시경복강경외과학회지

PURPOSE: Laparoscopic gastric wedge resection (LWR) is being increasingly performed as a safe and effective treatment for gastric submucosal tumors (SMTs). However, there are few studies on the factors associated with operation time of LWR for gastric SMTs. The purpose of this study was to determine the factors associated with the operation time of LWR for gastric SMTs. METHODS: Between June 2001 and December 2008, 58 patients with gastric SMTs underwent LWR. We analyzed the clinicopathologic data, perioperative parameters and outcomes, and surgeon's experience retrospectively. We also analyzed the factors associated with the operation time of LWR for gastric SMTs. RESULTS: Among 58 patients that underwent LWR, exogastric wedge resection (n=48) was mainly performed. Transgastric wedge resection (n=8) took the longest amount of time. Intraoperative GFS (n=7) was frequently performed for smaller tumors. When the tumor was located at the cardia and fundus, more time was needed for LWR of the SMTs. There was no correlation of the operation time with the clinicopathologic data and surgeon's experience; however, the tumor location (axis) and the approach used for the resection of the stomach were statistically correlated with the operation time. CONCLUSION: The operation time of LWR for gastric SMTs was related to the tumor location (according to gastric axis) and the approach used for the resection of the stomach. If the tumor location was identified precisely and the proper approach for resection of the stomach was determined preoperatively, the operation time of LWR for gastric SMTs might be reduced.

Surgical Treatment for Idiopathic Granulomatous Mastitis

PURPOSE: Idiopathic granulomatous mastitis is a rare benign inflammatory breast disease of an unknown etiology and the optimal treatment remains controversial. The aim of this study is to evaluate the efficacy of surgically complete excision in patients with idiopathic granulomatous mastitis. METHODS: Between March 2005 and November 2008, we treated 14 cases that were diagnosed with idiopathic granulomatous mastitis. Prospectively, we treated the cases with complete surgical excision with or without steroid therapy in all patients. RESULTS: The mean age of the patients was 36 years (range 30 to 53 years). All cases performed were complete excision with or without steroid therapy. The median follow up period was 26 months (range 5 to 50 months) and all cases had no recurrence. 13 patients out of the 14 were satisfied with the cosmesis of the treated breast. CONCLUSION: We conclude that the treatment of choice for idiopathic granulomatous mastitis is surgically complete excision.

Ante situm Liver Resection under Total Vascular Exclusion and Venovenous Bypass with Hypothermic Perfusion for Treating a Recurrent Rectal Cancer Liver Metastasis

We present here a case of recurrent rectal cancer liver metastasis that was managed with ante situm liver resection under total vascular exclusion (TVE) and venovenous bypass with hypothermic perfusion. A 58-year-old man who suffered with rectal cancer liver metastasis was transferred to our hospital in January 2006. A left lateral sectionectomy had been previously performed. Recurrent lesion developed in segments I, IV and VIII one year after the first hepatectomy. The tumor was 5 cm in diameter and it involved the confluence of the hepatic veins and the retrohepatic vena cava. An incomplete tumor-free margin and massive bleeding were expected with performing a conventional liver resection, together with vena cava reconstruction. Therefore, we planned an ante situm liver resection under TVE and venovenous bypass with hypothermic perfusion. After adhesiolysis, hilar dissection was carried out. The inflow to the medial segment was interrupted, and then the liver and inferior vena cava (IVC) were mobilized fully. During controlling the bleeding of a short hepatic vein, we found adhesion of the hepatocaval portion. Therefore, TVE and venovenous bypass were performed along with suprahepatic IVC transection. The long conduit of V5 was preserved during hepatic parenchymal dissection, and the paracaval portion of the caudate lobe was readily detached from the IVC. The suprahepatic IVC was reconstructed after V5 reconstruction with using the saphenous vein. Portal vein anastomosis was then conducted. After reperfusion, an end-to-side anastomosis was performed between the saphenous vein graft and the IVC. Finally, a Roux-en-Y hepaticojejunostomy was carried out. The patient remains well without recurrence 12 months after the last operation.

A Case of Colon Cancer Associated with Colonic Tuberculosis

Inflammatory bowel disease, such as ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease, has a potential risk of developing into colorectal cancer. However, there is little relationship between intestinal tuberculosis and colon cancer because intestinal tuberculosis is a curable disease and has a relatively short disease course. Nevertheless, there have been a few case reports of intestinal tuberculosis associated with colon cancer. There was a case report in which the carcinoma facilitated entry of tubercle bacilli with development of a secondary infection, and ulcerative lesions of tuberculosis may be precursors of carcinomas. We experienced a 77-year-old woman who had intestinal tuberculosis combined with ascending colon cancer. She visited our hospital because of abdominal pain and constipation. Colonoscopy showed a luminal obstruction mass in the ascending colon. Histologic examination revealed an adenocarcinoma. After surgery, the surgical specimen disclosed an adenocarcinoma in the cecum and ascending colon and intestinal tuberculosis around the cancer site of the cecum. Herein, we report a rare case of colon cancer co-existing with colonic tuberculosis with a review of the literature.

Two Stage Operations in a Patient with Recurrent Klatskin Tumor

BACKGROUND: Reoperation for recurrent bile duct cancer is almost impossible. We report here on a successfully managed case of recurrent Klatskin tumor. METHODS: A 45-year-old male was referred to our hospital with a relapsed Klatskin tumor 7 months after performing resection of his extrahepatic bile duct for Bismuth type I Klatskin tumor. The CT scan showed type IV Klatskin tumor with peritoneal dissemination. However, the PETCT scan didn't find any evidence of tumor. We decided to perform exploratory laparotomy to check the operability and confirm the diagnosis. RESULTS: No peritoneal dissemination was found during the first operation. After massive adhesiolysis, the jejunum was detached from the hepaticojejunostomy (HJ) site, and frozen biopsy confirmed adenocarcinoma at the strictured HJ site. The preoperatively measured left lateral sector was too small. Therefore, right trisectionectomy and caudate lobectomy were performed with keeping intact the right and left side inflow and outflow. HJ was performed in the normal B2 and B3 segments. Portal vein embolization (PVE) was done one week after the first operation. The volume of the left lateral sector increased three weeks after PVE. We safely and completely removed the right trisector and caudate lobe one month after the first operation. He recovered well and was discharged 4 weeks after the operation. No evidence of recurrence was found 14 months after the last operation. CONCLUSIONS: Although there is a possibility of severe adhesion and tumor spreading due to two-staged operation, this procedure may be one of the alternative methods to prevent liver failure that is due to an inadequate liver volume in the case of performing unexpected, extended liver resection. The authors also confirmed that curative resection was feasible to perform in selected cases of recurrent bile duct cancer.

A Comparative Study of Operated and Non-operated Groups in Patients with Hepatic Metastasis from Colorectal Cancer

PURPOSE: The prognosis for patients with liver metastases (LM) from colorectal cancer is significantly influenced by the clinician's decision. Recently, there have been remarkable advances in treatment of LM, so there can be some changes in therapeutic modalities. We performed a comparative study between operated and non-operated groups of patients with LM to analyze the clinical outcome. METHODS: From Feb. 2001 to Feb. 2006, 27 patients with LM underwent a hepatectomy, and 113 patients received non-surgical therapy. thirteen hepatectomized cases among the 27 patients had multiple LM. The outcomes of those 13 patients (Group A) were retrospectively compared to those of the non-operated group (Group B, n=21), which had had potentially resectable LM at the initial diagnosis or after chemotherapy, but didn't undergo hepatic resection. RESULTS: After a median follow-up duration of 31.3 months, the estimated 3-years overall survival (OS) rates were 76.9% and 14.3% in group A and B, respectively (P=0.0001). In the stepwise Cox multivariate regression analysis, factors such as the absence of hepatic resection and a greater diameter of the liver mass independently influenced the poor survival (P=0.005 and P=0.012 respectively). Additionally, two radiologists evaluated the intraoperative ultrasonographic (IOUS) results. IOUS detected new metastatic lesions in 4/13 (30%) patients. There were sub-centimeter metastatic lesions (5~7 mm) and had not been detected in SPIO-enhanced MRI. CONCLUSIONS: Our results compared to palliative chemotherapy suggest that aggressive surgical resection should be performed to increase the survival rate in patients with LM. Additionally, the treatment plan for LM patients should be discussed with the gastroenterololgist, the radiologist, the oncologist, and the surgeon.

PRL-3 Expression in Primary Colorectal Cancer

PURPOSE: Overexpression of the protein tyrosine phosphatase (PRL-3) is elevated in liver metastases derived from colorectal cancer. We examined PRL-3 expression in the primary lesion of colorectal cancer patients and investigated its relation to clinicopathological features. METHODS: A total of 63 randomly selected patients who underwent surgical resection for colorectal cancer between May 2001 and June 2005 at our hospital were investigated. Formalin-fixed and paraffin-embedded specimens from colorectal cancer patients who underwent surgical resections for primary tumors were collected. The expression of PRL-3 was detected by immunohistochemistry and the relation with age, sex, primary tumor size, tumor cell differentiation, depth of invasion, microscopic lymph node metastases, vascular invasion, numbers of lymph node metastases, postoperative stage, and postoperative survival time were analyzed. RESULTS: A total of 16 of the 63 colorectal cancer patients were detected with liver metastases during the follow-up periods. Liver resection was performed for those liver metastases patients. Five patients developed lung metastases after liver resection. PRL-3 expression was detected in 46 colorectal cancer patients. Fourteen patients with lymphatic invasion had positive expression of PRL-3 that was significant (P=0.042). The incidence of PRL-3 expression in the T stage was significant (P=0.019). Moreover, PRL-3 expression was closely associated with liver metastases (P=0.048). CONCLUSIONS: These results indicate that an investigation of PRL-3 expression in primary colorectal cancer lesions may contribute to the detection of occult liver metastases and to a differentiation between postoperative management strategies.

Expression of Survivin and Its Correlation with Prognosis in Colorectal Cancer

PURPOSE: Survivin is involved in both the control of cell division and the inhibition of apoptosis. Specifically, its anti-apoptotic function is related to the ability to inhibit caspases directly or indirectly. This study examined the expression patterns of survivin in normal colorectal tissues and in colorectal cancer tissues to determine whether the expression of survivin is associated with either the colorectal cancer characteristics or the prognosis. METHODS: 4micrometer sections of the formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded samples of colorectal cancer tissues were the immunostained using antibodies for survivin. The immunostain was recorded as 0~3 depending on the stain intensity distribution in the cytoplasm and the nucleus. RESULTS: Survivin was localized in the nucleus and/or cytoplasm of tumor cells. We could differentiate between cytoplasmic and nuclear localization of survivin protein expression. Among the cancer expressions, 35.8% demonstrated nuclear staining, and 51.9% demonstrated cytoplasm staining. Statistical analysis revealed that cytoplasmic survivin expression was correlated with lymph-node metastasis, tumor stage, and patient survival. CONCLUSIONS: Survivin expression was correlated with clinicopathologic prognostic parameters and with the outcome. Thus, it can be both a useful diagnostic marker for colorectal carcinomas and an important source of prognostic information for patients with a colorectal carcinoma. Survivin will become a potential new target in anti-cancer therapy in near future.

Clinical Significance of the Survivin Expression in Intrahepatic Cholangiocarcinoma with Hepatolithiasis

PURPOSE: Hepatolithiasis has been regarded as having a potential of to invoke cholangiocarcinogenesis. The aim of this study was to examine the expression of survivin in hepatolithiasis and cholangiocarcinoma, and to try to predict whether hepatolithiasis plays a role in the carcinogenesis of cholangiocarcinoma. We also investigated the expression of survivin according to subcellular sites (cytoplasmic and nuclear) in the cholangiocarcinoma specimens and to correlation this with the clinical outcome. METHODS: Thirty-four surgically resected hepatolithiasis specimens and ten stone-containing cholangiocarcinoma specimens were the focus of this study. Immunohistochemical staining was done to check the expression of survivin in the hepatolithiasis and cholangiocarcinoma specimens. We classified the survivin positive group according to the subcellular sites in the cholangiocarcinoma specimens. RESULTS: The expression rate of survivin was 5.9% in the hyperplasia specimens, 47.1% in the dysplasia specimens and 90% in the adenocarcinoma specimens (p < 0.01), respectively. The over expression of nuclear and cytoplasmic survivin was seen in 3 specimens and 6 specimens, respectively, among the survivin positive specimens (9 total specimens) of the cholangiocarcinoma specimens. The median survival time of the nuclear and cytoplasmic expression groups of patients was 1.5 months and 10 months, respectively. CONCLUSION: We conclude that the overexpression of survivin in hepatolithiasis could be associated with cholangiocarcinoma based on the sequentially increased survivin expression. We purpose that the nuclear survivin expression predicts aggressive clinical behavior of cholangiocarcninoma.

A Prospective Study Comparing of Laparoscopy-assisted vs Conventional Open Gastrectomy for Gastric Cancer

PURPOSE: The technique of laparoscopic gastrectomy has developed for early gastric cancer, but a few reports have studied the objective advantages of laparoscopic techniques in a prospective manner. The purpose of this study is to compare laparoscopy-assisted gastrectomy (LG) with conventional open gastrectomy (OG) by the operative outcomes, the recovery of bowel function, and the complications in a prospective nonrandomized manner. METHODS: We studied 73 patients with gastric cancer who were diagnosed as stage I (IA, IB) preoperatively between July 2003 and September 2004. 38 patients underwent LG and 35 patients underwent OG. All patients underwent radical lymphadenectomy (D2), and were treated by a single surgeon. RESULTS: Patients of the two groups were comparable by age, sex, BMI (Body mass index), preoperative stages and mean number of retrived lymph nodes. The mean operative time was shorter in the OG group (P=0.012), and the mean amount of blood loss was significantly less in the LG group than in the OG group (P=0.002). The patients in the LG group recovered bowel function significantly earlier than those in the OG group (P=0.01), thus, the mean hospital stay was significantly shorter in the LG group (P=0.007). The postoperative pain was significantly lower in the LG group (P<0.001). The postoperative complications were 4 cases in the LG group and 6 cases in the OG group, and there were no conversions and no mortalities. CONCLUSION: LG, when compared with OG, has several advantages, including less blood loss, rapid return of gastrointestinal function, less pain, and shorter hospital stay with compromising the cure rate. In addition, for evaluation of the validity of laparoscopic surgery in gastric cancer, a large scaled randomized prospective multicenter study is required.

Step-by-step Management and Treatment Outcome of Bleeding Control for Anastomosis Site after Low Anterior Resection with Double Stapling Technique

PURPOSE: This study reviews our experience with a step- by-step management approach of increasing aggressiveness and evaluates the treatment outcome for intraluminal hemorrhage. METHODS: The study group was comprised of patients who had experienced intraluminal hemorrhage after a low anterior resection with the double stapling technique from 1999 to 2003. The choice of management was selected according to our step-by-step management protocol, and the outcomes were evaluated for each step, lincluding mortality and complications. RESULTS: Nine patients (6 males and 3 females, mean age 55 years) were identified, the mean volume of packed RBC transfusion was 2 pints, and the mean distance of the anastomotic site from the anal verge was 6 cm. The median stapler size was 31 mm. The first step was cold saline irrigation and drainage; four of 9 patients were controlled. The second step was retention enema with topical hemostatics; one of remaining 5 patients stopped bleeding. The third step was colonoscopic hypertonic saline injection around the bleeding site with direct colonoscopic electrocauterization, two of remaining 4 patients were controlled. The last step was suturing the bleeding site through the anus, the remaining 2 patients stopped bleeding. One of the 9 patients developed leakage from the anastomotic site after the last step management, three of the 9 patients had long standing ileus, and one of the 9 patients developed acute renal failure after a massive transfusion. There were no postoperative deaths. CONCLUSIONS: It is safer and easier to control bleeding with step-by-step management system of increasing aggressiveness.

Hepatocellular Carcinoma with Biliary Tumor Thrombi

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) with obstructive jaundice that is caused by bile duct tumor thrombi (BDT) is a rare finding and the appropriate treatment has not yet been detrmined. Some authors have reported that hepatic resection and the removal of the BDT without extrahepatic bile duct resection were sufficient procedures. On the other hand, other authors have reported that it was reasonable to resect the extrahepatic bile duct with the primary lesion. The 55-year-old man was admitted with obstructive jaundice and he was without any other symptoms. Preoperative ERCP (Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography) and CT (Computed tomography) showed the BDT extending from the main mass in the left lobe to the common hepatic duct. An ENBD (endoscopic naso-biliary drainage catheter) was placed to decrease the serum total bilirubin concentration (17.5 mg/dl on admission). The serum total bilirubin concentration was 4.7 mg/dl one day before the operation. The ICG-R15 was 36% one week before the operation. The serum AFP (alpha-fetoprotein) concentration was 4872 ng/ml. The serum ALP (alkaline phosphatase) and GGT (gamma-glutamyl transferase) concentrations were elevated. The serum albumin concentration and prothrombin time were normal. Left lobectomy, extrahepatic bile duct resection and Roux-en-Y hepaticojejunostomy were performed with stenting each bile duct orifice. Histologically, the BDT had partially invaded the confluence of the bile duct. At present, the patient is doing well without any recurrence of tumor. Many reports have insisted the BDT rarely invades the confluence portion of bile duct. Therefore BDT extraction without extrahepatic bile duct resection is a sufficient procedure for HCC with the BDT. However, this strategy was inadequate for our case.

The Novel Approach of Multiple Colon Cancer Liver Metastases Treatment

Multiple bilobar liver metastases (MBLM) are the main cause of low resectability in the colon cancer liver metastases. The authors experienced one case of initially non-resectable colon cancer liver metastases. He was curatively and safely treated with a two-stage hepatectomy using the new method of future remnant liver volume growing. A 54-year-old man was referred to our department with the sigmoid colon cancer combined with MBLM, which were checked in two small metastatic lesions in the left lobe and five large sized lesions in the right lobe in the computed tomogram (CT). At first, a laparoscopy-assisted anterior resection was performed. We performed the 1st stage hepatectomy 3 weeks after the colon resection. Intra-operative Ultrasonogram (US) found 9 small superficial metastatic lesions in the left lobe. All that lesions were completely removed by non-anatomical wedge resection. An occlusion balloon catheter was placed in the right portal vein through a small branch of the inferior mesenteric vein at that time. The future remnant liver volume was sufficiently increased 3 weeks after the 1st hepatectomy. A right hepatectomy was safely performed 22 days after the 1st hepatectomy. The patient had received a regional chemotherapy (interleukin2 based immuno-chemotherapy through hepatic artery) for 6 months, then has been receiving a systemic chemotherapy (biweekly Oxaliplatin, leucovorin, plus 5-fluorouracil) without any recurrence evidence.

A New Laparoscopic Technique for Proximal Gastrectomy with Gastric Tube Reconstruction and Vagal Preservation for Early Gastric Cancer

PURPOSE: The reported incidence of early gastric cancer located in the upper portion of the stomach has been increasing with the recent advances in its diagnosis and screening. Recently, we have successfully performed laparoscopic assisted proximal gastrectomy and gastric tube reconstruction, without pyloroplasty, on six patients with an early gastric carcinoma located in the upper third of the stomach. Herein, we describe our modification of this procedure. METHODS: After creating a surgical pneumoperitoneum, the stomach was mobilized using laparoscopic coagulating shears. The upper half of the greater curvature and three- quarters of the lesser curvature were then dissected in conjunction with a regional D2 lymphadenectomy. This was followed by a 5 cm, longitudinal mini-laparotomy in the upper abdomen, with the construction of the exterior stomach using a 20 cm long and 4 cm wide gastric tube. Reconstruction, with an esophagogastrostomy, was performed using a circular stapler. RESULTS: No post-operative morbidity or mortality was observed in this small series of patients. The average operative time and blood loss were 230 minutes, ranging from 190~290 minutes, and 150 ml, ranging from 90-180 ml, respectively. The mean number of lymph nodes harvested during these laparoscopic proximal gastrectomies was 22.8 nodes, ranging from 19~30 lymph nodes. The average postoperative hospital stays was 8.3 days, ranging from 7~10 days. CONCLUSION: Our technique of laparoscopic assisted proximal gastrectomy and gastric tube reconstruction, without pyloroplasty, offers a minimally invasive technique, with the potential of improving the post-operative quality of life of patients with early-stage proximal gastric cancer.

Clinical Correlation of HER-2/neu Overexpression in Patients with Breast Cancer / 한국유방암학회지

PURPOSE: Breast cancer is a common malignant tumor for Korean women. Various oncogenes have been demonstrated in malignant tumor cells. There were many reports on the relationship between the prognosis and the tumor markers, and particularly for HER-2/neu; however, this relationship is controversial. The aim of this study was to perform immunohistochemical staining for the HER-2/neu antigenic protein in breast cancer patients to evaluate the expression rate of this antigenic protein, and to compare the correlations with the patients' prognosis. METHODS: The medical records of 100 patients who were diagnosed with breast cancer and who were treated with mastectomy between January 1996 and December 1999 at Soonchunhyang University Cheonan Hospital were selected according to the tissue condition of the paraffin block fixations. The prognostic factors were then investigated. The immunohistochemical expression of HER-2/neu was examined and compared with the survival rate using a Kaplan-Meier estimate and a log rank test. RESULTS: One hundred patients were included in this study, had a mean (SD) age of 47.9 (plus or minus 10.5) years and a follow-up duration of 59.9 (plus or minus 13.3) moths The overall mortality was 35% (35/100) and the mean survival time (SD) was 64.4 (plus or minus 12.0) months. The overall 5-year survival rate was 77.0%. Among the study variables, the tumor stage was a significant predictor of survival, and it as associate with a significantly low survival rate for stage III tumor. Lymph node metastasis, hormonal receptor status, histologic grade and HER-2/neu overexpression were significantly associated with the survival rate for patients with breast cancer. CONCLUSION: HER-2/neu is a very useful prognostic factor, and statistical significance was achieved for this factor.

Identification of Lymph Node Micrometastases in Dukes' B Colorectal Cancer Patients Using Monoclonal Antibodies against Cytokeratin-19

PURPOSE: The aims of this study were to immunohistochemically identify lymph node micormetastases in Dukes' B colorectal cancer patients, and determine the relationship between lymph node micrometastases and other prognostic factors and recurrence rates. METHODS: A retrospective analysis was conducted of 990 lymph nodes from Dukes' B 42 patients who had undergone radical colorectal resection. These lymph nodes were immunohistochemically examined with monoclonal antibodies against cytokeratin-19. The prognostic factors and recurrent rates were compared between patients with and without lymph node micrometastases. RESULTS: Micrometastases were confirmed in 19 nodes (1.9%) from 9 patients (21.4%). No correlations were observed between micrometastases and the prognostic factors, with the exception of the preoperative CEA level. 8 of the 9 (88.9%) patients with micrometastases had preoperative CEA levels significantly elevated above 5 ng/ml (P<0.0001). There were no significant differences in the recurrent rates (P=0.0572) between patients with and without micrometastases during the short term follow up period (14.8 months) at the 95% confidence interval, but there were significant differences at the 90% confidence interval. CONCLUSION: High preoperative CEA levels increase the risk for micrometastases, and the presence of micrometastases might increase the possibility of recurrence. Thus, a routine immunohistochemical technique for identifying micrometastases is recommended in the patients with a high preoperative CEA level. However, a more definite clinical significance of lymph node micrometastases awaits further extensive prospective studies.