[Outcomes of laparoscopic surgery after preoperative metallic stent placement for obstructive colorectal cancer].

AIM: To assess the outcomes of preoperative colonic stent placement for obstructive colorectal cancer. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A total of 30 patients with colorectal cancer were treated after preoperative colonic metallic stent placement between July 2012 and March 2014. We reviewed their medical records to assess the usefulness of stent placement and the clinical course. The effects of various clinicopathological variables on post-operative complications were analyzed statistically. RESULTS: Stent insertion was effective in 93% of the 30 patients with obstructive colorectal cancer. Preoperative colonoscopy or enema for proximal colonic survey was possible in 70% of the patients after stent placement; colonic lesions requiring simultaneous resection were noted in 5 patients (24%). The mean interval between stent insertion and operation was 19 days, and 23%of the patients underwent laparoscopic surgery. Statistical analysis revealed that the occurrence of complications was associated with laparoscopic surgery and the amount of operative blood loss. CONCLUSION: Preoperative stent placement in patients with obstructive colorectal cancer is feasible and laparoscopic surgery can be selected after stent placement.

Early effects of oral administration of lafutidine with peppermint oil, compared with lafutidine alone, on intragastric pH values.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Ideally, medications for the treatment of acid-related diseases should have a rapid onset of action to promote hemostasis and the resolution of symptoms. The aim of our study was to investigate the inhibitory effects on gastric acid secretion of a single oral administration of lafutidine alone or combined with peppermint oil. METHODOLOGY: Ten Helicobacter pylori-negative male subjects participated in this randomized, two-way crossover study. Intragastric pH was monitored continuously for 4 hours after a single oral administration of lafutidine (10 mg) or the administration of lafutidine (10 mg) with peppermint oil (0.64 mL). Each administration was separated by a 7-day washout period. RESULTS: No significant difference in the average pH was observed during the 4-hour period after the combined administration of lafutidine and peppermint oil and after the administration of lafutidine alone (median gastric pH: 5.09 versus 5.29; p = 0.3122). CONCLUSIONS: In H. pylori-negative healthy male subjects, an oral dose of lafutidine combined with peppermint oil did not increase the intragastric pH faster than lafutidine alone.