Pancreatic thickness as a predictor of postoperative pancreatic fistula after laparoscopic or robotic gastrectomy.

BACKGROUND: Despite technical advances in minimally invasive gastrectomy for gastric cancer, an increased incidence of postoperative pancreatic fistula (POPF) has been reported. POPF can cause infectious and bleeding complications, which could lead to surgery-related death; therefore, reduction of the post-gastrectomy POPF risk is crucial. This study aimed to investigate the importance of pancreatic anatomy as a predictor of POPF in patients undergoing laparoscopic or robotic gastrectomy. METHODS: Data were collected from 331 consecutive patients who underwent laparoscopic or robotic gastrectomy for gastric cancer. The thickness of the pancreas anterior to the most ventral level of the splenic artery (TPS) was measured. The correlation between TPS and POPF incidence was investigated using univariate and multivariate analyses. RESULTS: The cutoff value of TPS was 11.8 mm, which predicted a high drain amylase concentration on postoperative day 1, and patients were categorized into thin (Tn group) and thick TPS groups (Tk group). There was no significant difference in the background characteristics between the two groups, except for sex (P = 0.009) and body mass index (P < 0.001). The incidences of POPF grade B or higher (2% vs. 16%, P < 0.001), all postoperative complications of grade II or higher (12% vs. 28%, P = 0.004), and postoperative intra-abdominal infections of grade II or higher (4% vs. 17%, P = 0.001) were significantly higher in the Tk group. Multivariable analysis identified that high TPS was the only independent risk factor for grade B or higher POPF and grade II or higher postoperative intra-abdominal infectious complications. CONCLUSIONS: The TPS is a specific predictive factor for POPF and postoperative intra-abdominal infectious complications in patients undergoing laparoscopic or robotic gastrectomy. Careful pancreatic manipulation during suprapancreatic lymphadenectomy is necessary for patients with increased TPS (> 11.8 mm) to avoid postoperative complications.

[A Case of Rectal Cancer with Virchow Lymph Node Metastasis in Which Complete Response Was Achieved with Chemoradiation Therapy].

A 43-year-old man underwent a low anterior resection of the rectum due to upper rectal cancer. The pathological Stage was Ⅳ with para-aortic lymph node metastasis. Postoperative chemotherapy with CapeOX was initiated, but para-aortic lymph node metastasis was discovered 4months after the surgery. Chemoradiation therapy with Cape and Bev, and 70 Gy/28 Fr led to the disappearance of the metastasized lesions. At 13months after the surgery, FDG accumulation was observed in the Virchow's lymph node, and chemotherapy with IRIS and Bev was initially administered. Subsequently, chemoradiation therapy with S-1 and Bev, and 66 Gy/33Fr was administered, followed by chemotherapy with S-1 and Bev, S-1. These therapies led to complete response(CR). However, 35 months after the surgery, the Virchow's lymph node had enlarged again, and chemoradiation therapy with S-1 and 60 Gy/30Fr was administered. Although no FDG accumulation was detected in the lymph node at 40 months after the surgery, metastasis was found in the mediastinal lymph nodes. Panitumumab therapy achieved CR, and no metastasis had been identified at 60 months after the final therapy. Chemoradiation therapy is a treatment option to improve the prognosis of patients with metastasis only in the Virchow's lymph node.

Surgical Approach to the Upper Side of the Gastrosplenic Ligament During Laparoscopic Total Gastrectomy for Proximal Gastric Cancer: Operative Techniques and Initial Results.

Background: Laparoscopic gastrectomy for gastric cancer has become widespread as minimally invasive surgical treatment, but use of laparoscopic total gastrectomy (LTG) remains limited because of the technical difficulty and complexity of lymphadenectomy at the splenic hilum. Surgical techniques and initial experiences with the surgical approach to the upper side of the gastrosplenic ligament during LTG are introduced. Materials and Methods: Between January 2019 and December 2022, 57 patients with proximal gastric cancer underwent LTG using this approach. Results: Regarding the extent of lymphadenectomy, D1+, D2, spleen-preserving D2 + 10, and D2 + 10 with splenectomy were performed in 31, 18, 4, and 4 patients, respectively. Operative time was 341 (192-724) minutes, and estimated blood loss was 30 (0-515) g. There were no conversions to laparotomy and no postoperative complications of Clavien-Dindo grade ≥III. Conclusions: The present procedure is safe and feasible and provides an excellent operative view at the splenic hilum, making it easier to determine exactly the extent of lymphadenectomy in accordance with cancer progression.

Noninferiority of additional gastrectomy after endoscopic submucosal dissection compared with surgery alone on long-term prognosis: a propensity score matching analysis.

BACKGROUND: Patients in whom endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) has resulted in noncurative resection need further surgical treatment. However, the oncologic outcome of additional gastrectomy after ESD compared with surgery alone remains unclear. METHODS: The clinical data of 778 patients who underwent gastrectomy for early gastric cancer (EGC) from January 2008 to December 2019 in Ishikawa Prefectural Central Hospital were retrospectively analyzed. Of these 778 patients, 187 underwent additional gastrectomy after ESD [ESD (+) group] and 591 underwent surgery alone [ESD (-) group]. We compared the overall survival and disease-free survival between the ESD (+) and ESD (-) groups, using propensity score matching (PSM) to adjust for baseline characteristics. We also assessed early postoperative outcomes. RESULTS: After PSM based on sex (male or female), age, tumor diameter, tumor gross type, and operative procedure, each group comprised 144 patients with no significant differences in clinical background characteristics. After matching, the 5-year overall survival rate in the ESD (+) and ESD (-) group was 90.9% and 87.8%, respectively, with no significant difference (P = .470). In addition, there was no significant difference in the disease-free survival rate (97.6% vs 95.8%, respectively; P = .504). The postoperative complication rate was similar in both groups. CONCLUSION: Additional gastrectomy for patients in whom ESD resulted in noncurative resection did not adversely affect the long-term prognosis. Additional gastrectomy after ESD is oncologically acceptable for EGC.

Neutral selection and clonal expansion during the development of colon cancer metastasis.

Intratumour heterogeneity has been shown to play a role in the malignant progression of cancer. The clonal evolution in primary cancer has been well studied, however, that in metastatic tumorigenesis is not fully understood. In this study, we established human colon cancer-derived organoids and investigated clonal dynamics during liver metastasis development by tracking barcode-labelled subclones. Long-term subclone co-cultures showed clonal drift, with a single subclone becoming dominant in the cell population. Interestingly, the selected subclones were not always the same, suggesting that clonal selection was not based on cell intrinsic properties. Furthermore, liver tumours developed by co-transplantation of organoid subclones into the immunodeficient mouse spleen showed a progressive drastic reduction in clonal diversity, and only one or two subclones predominated in the majority of large metastatic tumours. Importantly, selections were not limited to particular subclones but appeared to be random. A trend towards a reduction in clonal diversity was also found in liver metastases of multiple colour-labelled organoids of mouse intestinal tumours. Based on these results, we propose a novel mechanism of metastasis development, i.e. a subclone population of the disseminated tumour cells in the liver is selected by neutral selection during colonization and constitutes large metastatic tumours.

Using LAP PROTECTOR™ to prevent subcutaneous emphysema after robotic gastrectomy.

Subcutaneous emphysema (SE), a complication of robotic gastrectomy (RG), occurs when the gas used to establish pneumoperitoneum escapes and enters the soft tissue. SE typically does not result in major clinical problems, but massive SE can have life-threatening consequences. Hence, developing adequate preventive methods against postoperative SE is essential. We aimed to determine whether an existing protective device, the LAP PROTECTOR™ (LP), can be used to reduce the incidence of SE after RG. We analyzed the data of 194 patients who underwent RG at our hospital between August 2016 and December 2022. Since September 2021 (the 102nd patient), we have used the LP (FF0504; Hakko Medical, Hongo, Tokyo, Japan) at the trocar site, as this was expected to reduce the incidence of SE. The primary endpoint of this study was the efficacy of the LP in reducing the incidence of clinically relevant SE (defined as SE extending into the cervical area) a day after RG. Univariate analysis revealed that sex, body mass index (BMI), and LP usage differed significantly between patients with and without postoperative SE. Logistic regression analysis revealed that male sex (odds ratio [OR]: 0.22, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.15-0.72, P < 0.001), high BMI (OR: 0.13, 95% CI: 1.23-4.45, P = 0.009), and LP usage (OR: 0.11, 95% CI: 0.04-0.3, P < 0.001) were preventive factors independently associated with a lower incidence of clinically relevant SE. Placing an LP at the trocar site may be a safe and effective method of preventing SE after RG.

LINE-1 methylation shows little intra-patient heterogeneity in primary and synchronous metastatic colorectal cancer.

BACKGROUND: Long interspersed nucleotide element 1 (LINE-1) hypomethylation is suggested to play a role in the progression of colorectal cancer (CRC). To assess intra-patient heterogeneity of LINE-1 methylation in CRC and to understand its biological relevance in invasion and metastasis, we evaluated the LINE-1 methylation at multiple tumor sites. In addition, the influence of stromal cell content on the measurement of LINE-1 methylation in tumor tissue was analyzed. METHODS: Formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded primary tumor tissue was obtained from 48 CRC patients. Matched adjacent normal colon tissue, lymph node metastases and distant metastases were obtained from 12, 18 and 7 of these patients, respectively. Three different areas were microdissected from each primary tumor and included the tumor center and invasive front. Normal mucosal and stromal cells were also microdissected for comparison with the tumor cells. The microdissected samples were compared in LINE-1 methylation level measured by multicolor MethyLight assay. The assay results were also compared between microdissected and macrodissected tissue samples. RESULTS: LINE-1 methylation within primary tumors showed no significant intra-tumoral heterogeneity, with the tumor center and invasive front showing identical methylation levels. Moreover, no difference in LINE-1 methylation was observed between the primary tumor and lymph node and distant metastases from the same patient. Tumor cells showed significantly less LINE-1 methylation compared to adjacent stromal and normal mucosal epithelial cells. Consequently, LINE-1 methylation was significantly lower in microdissected samples compared to macrodissected samples. A trend for less LINE-1 methylation was also observed in more advanced stages of CRC. CONCLUSIONS: LINE-1 methylation shows little intra-patient tumor heterogeneity, indicating the suitability of its use for molecular diagnosis in CRC. The methylation is relatively stable during CRC progression, leading us to propose a new concept for the association between LINE-1 methylation and disease stage.

[Clinicopathological characteristics of ten cases of advanced gastric carcinoma after S-1 combined with cisplatin administered as neoadjuvant chemotherapy].

OBJECTIVE: Although neoadjuvant chemotherapy(NAC)has been recognized as an important option for improving the clinical outcome of patients with advanced gastric carcinoma, convincing evidence that it prolongs life and brings about a good prognosis are both lacking. We retrospectively evaluated the efficacy and safety of NAC in ten patients with advanced gastric cancer. METHODS: A total of ten patients with advanced gastric cancer, who received NAC with the combination of S-1 and cisplatin in our hospital from April 2008 to March 2010, were retrospectively investigated. RESULTS: A total of 5 patients responded to neoadjuvant chemotherapy, and 2 patients showed a complete regression of the primary gastric carcinoma. Four of the 5 patients who responded had solid-type poorly-differentiated adenocarcinoma. CONCLUSION: NAC with the combination of S-1 and cisplatin was suggested to be effective for advanced gastric carcinoma, especially for solid-type poorly differentiated adenocarcinomas(por1).

[Two cases of metastatic colorectal cancer in wild-type K-RAS effectively treated by panitumumab].

Case 1 was a 58-year-old woman diagnosed with unresectable liver metastases from advanced rectal cancer. We performed laparoscopic low anterior resection for sigmoid cancer. As the first-line treatment, FOLFOX+bevacizumab(BV)was applied for 16 courses. The second-line treatment, FOLFIRI plus BV, was applied for four courses. However, the disease progressed with worsening liver metastases. The sequencing of K-RAS genes from the biopsy specimens of sigmoid colon cancer revealed an expression of a wild-type K-RAS. As the third-line treatment, panitumumab was applied. After 8 courses of this chemotherapy regimen, a significant reduction in the size of liver metastases was observed. Case 2 was an 81-year-old man diagnosed with unresectable liver metastases from advanced rectal cancer. We obliged the patient by performing laparoscopic rectal resection. As the first-line treatment, XELOX plus BV was applied for 10 courses. As the second-line treatment, IRIS was applied for 6 courses. However, this failed to prevent him from having a progressive disease. As the third-line treatment, panitumumab was applied for 2 courses, and a significant reduction in the size of liver metastases was observed. Our findings suggested that panitumumab has great potential for effective treatment of patients with unresectable stageIV colorectal cancer.

An Intrahepatic Cholangiocarcinoma with Focal Rhabdoid Features and SMARCA4-Deficiency.

Intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma with rhabdoid morphology is rare, and only three case reports have been published to date, none of which discuss the genetic changes in the rhabdoid component. We present a case of intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma with focal rhabdoid features and SMARCA4-deficiency detected using immunohistochemistry. A Japanese man in his 60s without viral hepatitis was diagnosed with an avascular tumor in the liver, measuring 4.4 cm in the greatest dimension. The tumor was mostly composed of moderately differentiated adenocarcinoma, focal poorly differentiated adenocarcinoma, and an undifferentiated rhabdoid component. Immunohistochemical analysis showed an inclusion-like staining pattern for keratin AE1/AE3 and vimentin in the rhabdoid component. BRG1/SMARCA4 was detected in the differentiated component but not in the poorly- and undifferentiated components. Our novel findings reflecting the morphological and genetic heterogeneity of intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma and will aid the research on drugs targeting the aberrant SWItch/Sucrose NonFermentable complex.

Solitary pleural metastasis in rectal cancer.

Pleural metastasis in rectal cancer is often due to secondary invasion or dissemination from intrapulmonary metastases. To date, there are no reports on solitary pleural metastasis. Here, we report a rare case of lower rectal cancer that recurred as pleural metastasis 4 years after surgical resection of the primary tumor. He was a 65-year-old man who visited our department with an abnormal shadow on his chest X-ray. He had a history of lower rectal cancer and had undergone laparoscopic low anterior resection of the rectum and bilateral lymph node dissection after neoadjuvant chemotherapy. Pathological ypT3N1M0 stage IIIA tumor was diagnosed, and adjuvant chemotherapy was administered. According to the computed tomography scan, a pleural tumor or pulmonary metastasis was suspected. Thoracoscopic partial resection of the lung and a partial pleurectomy were performed for diagnostic and therapeutic purposes. Histopathological examination revealed a highly differentiated tubular adenocarcinoma, consistent with metastatic rectal cancer. The nodule arose from the visceral pleura and invaded the parietal pleura with few malignant cells in the lung parenchyma. The lesion was surgically resected. However, 3 months after the second surgery, tumor recurrence with pleural dissemination was observed, and chemotherapy was initiated.

[Investigation of epiphora following S-1 therapy].

We report the frequency of lacrimal passage disorder and the outcomes of treatment. This retrospective study was performed on 55 cases that were treated with S-1 for at least 1 month. We asked patients about ocular symptoms. An ophthalmic surgeon examined all patients and diagnosed lacrimal passage disorder in 6 of 55 patients (12. 5%). The mean dose of S- 1 was 10, 300 mg, and the average period to onset of lacrimal passage disorder was 5. 7 months. The causes of epiphora included occlusion/stenosis of lacrimal canaliculus, occlusion of lacrimal puncta and stenosis of nasolacrimal duct. Lacrimal surgery was performed in all 6 patients and epiphora improved. Lacrimal passage disorder may result from systemic treatment of patients with S-1. Symptoms of lacrimal passage disorder improved with early detection and treatment by insertion of a silicone tube.

[Type 4 advanced gastric cancer responding to histological complete response after neoadjuvant S-1 combined with CDDP therapy-report of a case].

A 75-year-old man with type 4 advanced gastric cancer was referred to our hospital. We diagnosed the tumor as cStage III B(cT4a, cN2, cM0)gastric cancer. We selected neoadjuvant S-1 combined with CDDP therapy for him. After 2 courses of chemotherapy, the extension of the gastric wall improved. After an additional 2 courses of chemotherapy, the primary tumor revealed a partial response(PR), judged from a barium meal study and upper GI endoscopic findings, and a total gastrectomy with lymph node dissection was performed. The pathological specimens showed no cancer cells in the gastric wall and lymph nodes, so the histological effect was judged as Grade 3.

[A case of advanced gastric cancer with tumor embolus in the portal vein successfully treated with S-1 and CDDP therapy].

A 50-year-old man with advanced gastric cancer and a tumor embolus in the portal vein was referred to our hospital. We diagnosed the tumor as cStage III B (cT3, cN2, cH0, P0, M0) gastric cancer, and selected neoadjuvant S-1 (80 mg/m2) and CDDP (60 mg/m2) therapy for him. After 2 courses of chemotherapy, the embolus in the portal vein disappeared. After additional chemotherapy, the primary tumor and regional lymph node revealed a partial response (PR), and judging from the results from the barium meal study, upper GI endoscopic findings and CT scan, a total gastrectomy with lymph node dissection was performed.

Standardization of laparoscopic reversal of the Hartmann procedure: A single-center report.

INTRODUCTION: Reestablishing continuity after the Hartmann procedure, the Hartmann reversal has been recognized as a complex procedure with a high morbidity rate. Laparoscopic reversal of the Hartmann procedure (LHR) is technically challenging, although good short-term results have been reported. We formulated this technique in 2013 and have been gradually devising and standardizing it. MATERIAL AND SURGICAL TECHNIQUE: Ten patients who had undergone the Hartmann procedure from January 2013 to December 2019 and subsequently LHR were retrospectively examined. During the procedure, a circular incision was made at the original site of the colostomy to safely reach the abdominal cavity, and pneumoperitoneum was performed using the glove technique. Next, pelvic adhesions and the descending colon were dissected. If the rectal stump was difficult to identify, an intraoperative endoscope was used. Finally, either a Gambee or stapled anastomosis without tension was performed. The median surgical time was 265 minutes (range, 160-435 minutes), and the median blood loss was 100 mL (range, 10-700 mL). The median postoperative hospital stay was 11 days (range, 8-14 days). In one case, laparotomy was performed because of severe intra-abdominal adhesion. DISCUSSION: No major complication was observed during or after surgery. Therefore, LHR can be performed safely. Standardizing this procedure could render it minimally invasive, although a high level of evidence is needed.

Jejunal mesenteric lymphangioma treated by pancreaticoduodenectomy: A case report.

INTRODUCTION: A lymphangioma is a benign congenital malformation of the lymphatic system that generally appears in the head, neck, and axillary regions. Small bowel mesenteric lymphangiomas have been described in less than 1% of lymphangiomas. PRESENTATION OF CASE: We report the case of a 20-year-old woman who presented with abdominal pain. Computed tomography revealed a large (22 cm in diameter) multi-cystic lesion inferior to the processus uncinatus of the pancreas. As the presumptive diagnosis was a lymphangioma of the jejunal mesentery, we decided to perform a laparotomy. Intraoperatively, the peritoneal cavity was found to be fully occupied by a multi-cystic lesion that arose from the root of the jejunal mesentery and the processus uncinatus of the pancreas. It was adherent to the duodenum and inseparable from the duodenum and the processus uncinatus. A subtotal stomach-preserving pancreaticoduodenectomy was performed. The tumor was diagnosed as a lymphangioma of the jejunal mesentery after histopathological analysis. DISCUSSION: Although lymphangioma is benign, complete resection, including resection of the involved organs, is necessary. Incomplete resection has a 10% postoperative recurrence rate and may also be associated with complications. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first reported case of a mesenteric lymphangioma treated by pancreaticoduodenectomy. CONCLUSION: Although the lymphangioma was pathologically benign, a pancreaticoduodenectomy was required to remove it completely. When a tumor's location and size cause impingement on surrounding structures, surgeons should consider performing a pancreaticoduodenectomy to treat similar cases.

Closed laparoscopic and endoscopic cooperative surgery for early gastric cancer with difficulty in endoscopic submucosal dissection: a report of three cases.

BACKGROUND: Endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) is increasingly applied for early gastric cancer. ESD is a less invasive procedure and could be a radical treatment. However, in some cases, ESD cannot be completed owing to patient or technical factors. In such cases, which could have the potential for curative resection with ESD, standard gastrectomy is excessively invasive. Through closed laparoscopic and endoscopic cooperative surgery (LECS), gastric tumor can be precisely resected without exposing tumor cells to the abdominal cavity. Compared with standard gastrectomy, closed LECS is less invasive for the treatment of early gastric cancer. CASE PRESENTATION: We performed closed LECS for three cases of early gastric cancer after failed ESD. In all three cases, ESD was interrupted owing to technical and patient factors, including perforation, respiratory failure, and carbon dioxide narcosis. All three cases successfully underwent closed LECS with complete tumor resection and showed an uneventful postoperative course. All three patients remain alive and have experienced no complications or recurrence, with a median follow up of 30 (14-30) months. CONCLUSIONS: Closed LECS is less invasive and useful procedure for the treatment of early gastric cancer, particularly in cases with difficulty in ESD.

Tumor p16INK4 gene expression and prognosis in colorectal cancer.

Hypermethylation of the tumor suppressor gene p16INK4 (p16) promoter is associated with worse prognosis in colorectal cancer (CRC). In the present study, it was investigated whether p16 mRNA expression correlates with the methylation of its promoter, and whether it influences prognosis in patients with CRC. DNA and RNA were extracted from 101 resected tumor specimens. A MethyLight assay was used to quantify p16 methylation in terms of percentage of methylated reference (PMR), and the expression of p16 mRNA was measured using reverse transcription­polymerase chain reaction. Associations between p16 methylation or mRNA expression and patient survival were evaluated using Kaplan­Meier analysis and Cox proportional hazards regression. p16 methylation was detected in 67 cases (66.3%) and the median PMR value was 0.344 (range, 0.00­468.6). Using a cut­off PMR value of 4, high p16 methylation was observed in 18 cases (17.8%). No significant association was observed between p16 methylation level and patient prognosis. As expected, a significant inverse association was observed between p16 methylation and mRNA expression (P=0.034). Amongst the 83 cases with low p16 methylation, a significantly worse outcome was identified in patients expressing high p16 mRNA expression levels (P=0.026). Multivariate analysis identified that p16 mRNA expression was an independent prognostic factor for worse survival (P=0.011). These results suggested a paradoxical association between high levels of p16 mRNA expression in the tumor and worse prognosis in patients with CRC.

The recurrence of colonic volvulus due to nonrotation after intestinal resection in adulthood: a case report.

BACKGROUND: Intestinal nonrotation is a rare congenital condition that causes fatal colonic volvulus at any age. Once volvulus attack occurs, radical surgical therapy is required for treatment and the prevention of recurrence. This report describes the case of an adult female patient with a recurrence of cecum volvulus due to intestinal nonrotation after transverse colon resection for colonic volvulus. CASE PRESENTATION: A 27-year-old female visited our emergency room (ER) with intermittent abdominal pain and nausea. Enhanced computed tomography (CT) showed enlargement of the level of the ascending and transverse colon and an obstruction with a whirlpool sign at the transverse colon. The small intestine was distributed on the right side of the abdominal cavity, and the large intestine occupied the left side. She was diagnosed with volvulus with intestinal nonrotation, and emergency surgery was performed. Surgical examination indicated that the ascending colon to the transverse colon was not fixed to the retroperitoneum, and the transverse colon was rotated 180° clockwise. The axis of the volvulus was a mesenteric adhesion of the transverse colon. The involved transverse colon was resected, and the intestine was reconstructed by functional end-to-end anastomosis (FEEA). Six years after the initial surgery, the patient presented to the ER with abdominal fullness and lower abdominal pain. Enhanced CT revealed that the cecum, ascending colon, and remaining transverse colon were dilated with an obstruction. The appendix was located in the left upper abdominal cavity. The clinical diagnosis was cecal volvulus with intestinal nonrotation. An emergency laparotomy revealed that the cecum was rotated 180° clockwise. The terminal ileum to the remaining transverse colon was resected, and FEEA was performed. Seven months later, she suffered obstruction of the intestine caused by an operative adhesion, and conservative treatment was successful. The patient has had no abdominal symptoms for one and a half years so far. CONCLUSIONS: Surgeons should realize that nonrotation of the intestines induces volvulus in adulthood and should familiarize themselves with its clinical findings, appropriate treatment, and prognosis. Even after surgical treatment, awareness of the recurrence of volvulus should be maintained to avoid a late diagnosis.

Efficiency of fluorescent cholangiography during laparoscopic cholecystectomy for subvesical bile ducts: A case report.

INTRODUCTION: The subvesical bile ducts are located in the peri-hepatic connective tissue of the gallbladder fossa. Injury of the subvesical bile ducts provokes the severe complication of bile leak. Until now, fluorescent cholangiography has been employed during hepatobiliary surgery. Herein, we report the detection of subvesical bile ducts by fluorescent cholangiography during laparoscopic cholecystectomy. PRESENTATION OF CASE: A 63-year-old female was admitted to our department for surgery for symptomatic cholelithiasis. The subvesical bile ducts were not observed on drip-infusion cholangiography with computed tomography. Immediately following induction of anesthesia, 2.5 mg of indocyanine green was intravenously injected. Fluorescent cholangiography demonstrated two thin aberrant bile ducts during dissection of Calot's triangle. We considered them to be subvesical bile ducts. We ligated them with clips, divided them, and then performed laparoscopic cholecystectomy using a standard procedure. The patient had a good post-operative recovery without bile leakage. Postoperative laboratory test results were all within normal limits. Computed tomography revealed no dilatation of the intrahepatic bile duct after laparoscopic cholecystectomy. The patient was discharged on postoperative day 4. DISCUSSION: Injury to the subvesical bile ducts is one of the most common causes of bile leakage associated with cholecystectomy. Fluorescent cholangiography enabled real-time identification of the thin subvesical bile ducts, which were undetectable by drip-infusion cholangiography with computed tomography. CONCLUSION: Fluorescent cholangiography during laparoscopic cholecystectomy may be useful for preventing postoperative bile leakage.