[Adult Intussusception Associated with a Low-Grade Appendiceal Mucinous Neoplasm-A Case Report].

A 52-year-old woman patient, who presented with lower abdominal pain, was suspected of having colonic intussusception. An enhanced CT examination indicated that the end of the small intestine or appendix tumor had invaginated into the transverse colon. The CT revealed no evidence of intestinal ischemia, the emergency operation was performed on the following day. After relieving a colonic intussusception, a mass of the appendix was found and we performed laparoscope-assisted ileocolic resection and D3 dissection because of a strong possibility of carcinoma. The patient was discharged 8 days after the surgery and showed no evidence of recurrence for 6 months after the surgery. In postoperative histopathological examination, appendix tumor was diagnosed as a low-grade appendiceal mucinous neoplasm(LAMN). Adult intussusception is a rare disease and most of the cases are caused by malignant lesions, and a treatment strategy for LAMN has not yet been established. We report this case , as there are very few reported cases of adult intussusception caused by LAMN, with a review of the relevant literature.

Changes in the negative logarithm of end-tidal hydrogen partial pressure indicate the variation of electrode potential in healthy Japanese subjects.

Molecular hydrogen (H2) is produced by human colon microbiomes and exhaled. End-tidal H2 sampling is a simple method of measuring alveolar H2. The logarithm of the hydrogen ion (H+)/H2 ratio suggests the electrode potential in the solution according to the Nernst equation. As pH is defined as the negative logarithm of the H+ concentration, pH2 is defined as the negative logarithm of the H2 effective pressure in this study. We investigated whether changes in pH2 indicated the variation of electrode potential in the solution and whether changes in end-tidal pH2 could be measured using a portable breath H2 sensor. Changes in the electrode potential were proportional to ([Formula: see text]) in phosphate-buffered solution (pH = 7.1). End-tidal H2 was measured in the morning (baseline) and at noon (after daily activities) in 149 healthy Japanese subjects using a handheld H2 sensor. The median pH2 at the baseline was 4.89, and it increased by 0.15 after daily activities. The variation of electrode potential was obtained by multiplying the pH2 difference, which suggested approximately + 4.6 mV oxidation after daily activities. These data suggested that changes in end-tidal pH2 indicate the variation of electrode potential during daily activities in healthy human subjects.

Maximal sterile barrier precautions do not reduce catheter-related bloodstream infections in general surgery units: a multi-institutional randomized controlled trial.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate whether maximal sterile barrier precautions (MSBPs) during central venous catheter (CVC) insertion are truly effective in preventing catheter-related bloodstream infections (CRBSIs) in patients in general surgical units. SUMMARY BACKGROUND DATA: The reported effectiveness of MSBPs was based on the results of a single-center randomized controlled trial by Raad et al and the majority of the patients (99%) in the study were chemotherapy outpatients. METHODS: Between March 14, 2004 and December 28, 2006, the patients scheduled for CVC insertion in surgical units at 9 medical centers in Japan were randomly assigned to either an MSBP group (n = 211) or a standard sterile barrier precaution (SSBP) group (n = 213). This study was registered in the UMIN Clinical Trials Registry (registration ID number: UMIN000001400). RESULTS: The median (range) duration of catheterization was 14 days (0-92 days) in the MSBP group and 14 days (0-112 days) in the SSBP group. There were 5 cases (2.4%) of CRBSI in the MSBP group and 6 cases (2.8%) in the SSBP group (relative risk, 0.84; 95% confidence interval, 0.26-2.7; P = 0.77). The rate of CRBSIs per 1000 catheter days was 1.5 in the MSBP group and 1.6 in the SSBP group. There were 8 cases (3.8%) of catheter-related infections in the MSBP group and 7 cases (3.3%) in the SSBP group (relative risk, 1.2; 95% confidence interval, 0.43-3.1; P = 0.78). The rate of catheter-related infection per 1000 catheter days was 2.4 in the MSBP group and 1.9 in the SSBP group. CONCLUSIONS: This study is larger in sample size than the one performed by Raad et al and could not demonstrate better prevention of CRBSIs by MSBP compared with SSBP. A large randomized controlled trial or at least a meta-analysis of any other studies in the literature is necessary to reach to a conclusion on this issue.

Chemosensitivity test for 5-fluorouracil and 5-chloro-2, 4-dihydroxypyridine predicts outcome of gastric cancer patients receiving S-1 postoperatively.

BACKGROUND: Chemosensitivity tests have long been discussed but remain a topic of research. In this study, we investigated the correlation between the results of a chemosensitivity test for 5-fluorouracil and 5-chloro-2, 4-dihydroxypyridine and the clinical outcomes of gastric cancer patients treated with S-1, an oral fluoropyrimidine, as adjuvant chemotherapy. METHODS: For gastric cancer patients, we performed surgical treatment and a lymph node dissection of D2 or more. Afterwards, a chemosensitivity test for 5-fluorouracil and 5-chloro-2, 4-dihydroxypyridine was performed, using the collagen gel droplet embedded culture drug-sensitivity test (CD-DST), in surgical specimens. All the patients received postoperative adjuvant chemotherapy with S-1 for 1 year, and the overall survival (OS), relapse-free survival (RFS), and adverse events were investigated. RESULTS: The chemosensitivity test was performed for 27 patients. The growth inhibition rate (IR) was 50% or more (high-sensitivity group) in 59.3% (16 cases) and it was under 50% (low-sensitivity group) in 40.7% (11 cases). The 3-year OS rate was 100% in the high-sensitivity group and 62.34% in the low-sensitivity group. The 3-year RFS rate was 83.33% in the high-sensitivity group and 24.24% in the low-sensitivity group. Thus, the 3-year OS rate and the 3-year RFS rate were higher in the high-sensitivity group than in the low-sensitivity group. No adverse events of grade 3 or greater severity were observed. CONCLUSIONS: The results of the chemosensitivity test were correlated with the patient outcome. Therefore, such results might be useful for individualizing cancer chemotherapy and for determining future indications for postoperative adjuvant chemotherapy.

Vagotomy suppresses body weight gain in a rat model of gastric banding.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of vagotomy on body weight changes after gastric banding. METHODS: Rats were divided into a sham-operated group (n = 10), a vagotomy alone group (n = 10), a gastric banding alone group (n = 10) and a gastric banding + vagotomy group (n = 10). All groups were given a liquid diet for 5 days after surgery and then given free access to chow. Their body weight was measured through postoperative day (POD) 14, and caloric intake and nitrogen balance were measured until POD 7. RESULTS: The increase in body weight in the banding + vagotomy group between POD 0 and POD 14 was not significant (12.5 +/- 16.8 g; p = 0.48), and it was less than in the banding alone group (52.8 +/- 3.8 g; p = 0.031). Cumulative caloric intake from POD 5 to POD 7 was less in the banding + vagotomy group than in the banding alone group (158.6 +/- 26.3 vs. 223.9 +/- 8.3 kcal; p = 0.030). Daily nitrogen balance from POD 5 to POD 7 in the banding + vagotomy group was less than in the banding group (337 +/- 77 vs. 540 +/- 42 mg; p = 0.033). CONCLUSIONS: Vagotomy suppressed body weight gain in the rat model of gastric banding.

A case of metastatic hemangiopericytoma occurring 16 years after initial presentation: with special reference to the clinical behavior and treatment of metastatic hemangiopericytoma.

A 40-year-old woman was referred to our Department of Surgery because of an abdominal wall mass. Sixteen years earlier, she had undergone surgical resection of an inguinal tumor that had been diagnosed as a hemangiosarcoma. Fourteen months after the initial resection, the tumor recurred locally, and complete resection was performed. Twenty-nine months later, computed tomography showed multiple metastatic tumors in the lung. All these tumors were resected during thoracoscopic surgery. Thirteen years after the patient's 3rd operation, a firm mass was detected in the left lower quadrant of the abdominal wall. Magnetic resonance image showed a well-defined mass with heterogeneous contrast enhancement within the rectus abdominis muscle. Positron emission tomography-computed tomography demonstrated no recurrent tumors other than this mass. Complete resection was performed. Microscopic examination showed that this tumor was composed of hypercellular spindle cells and staghorn-shaped blood vessels. The average number of mitotic figures was 28 per 10 high-power fields. Immunohistochemical examination of the tumor showed focal positivity for CD34. Therefore, the tumor was diagnosed as a metastatic hemangiopericytoma with malignant potential. Careful long-term follow-up is required because metastases can develop after an extended disease-free interval. Aggressive surgical treatment is recommended for distant metastases.

Afferent loop obstruction treated by percutaneous transhepatic insertion of an expandable metallic stent.

The use of expandable metallic stents (EMSs) for the management of gastrointestinal obstruction is increasing. Traditionally, EMSs have been used for the treatment of malignant esophageal and biliary strictures; however, several groups are examining their use in different organs, including the stomach, duodenum, and colon. We describe a new method for the transhepatic insertion of an EMS together with a double-pigtail catheter, placed from the bile duct to the EMS to prevent migration, in a patient with afferent loop obstruction caused by recurrent gastric carcinoma.

Rat gastric banding model for bariatric surgery.

BACKGROUND: Adjustable gastric banding is a surgical approach to weight reduction. In this study we created a gastric banding model in rats to better understand the mechanism of body weight loss. METHODS: Male Sprague-Dawley rats weighing 260 to 280 g were subjected to gastric banding (band group) (n=8) or to a sham operation (control group) (n=8). Body weights were monitored for 14 days, and daily food and water intake and nitrogen balance were monitored for 7 days. RESULTS: Two rats in the band group died of malnutrition due to gastric stomal stenosis and obstruction caused by the gastric banding. Body weight gain during the 14 days after the operation was less in the band group than in the control group (p<0.01). Food intake during the 7 days after the operation was significantly less in the band group than in the control group (p<0.01), and water intake during the 7 days after the operation was significantly less in the band group than in the control group (p<0.01). Cumulative nitrogen balance was significantly less in the band group than in the control group (p<0.01). CONCLUSION: Gastric banding decreased the body weight gain of rats by decreasing the amount of food intake because of the creation of a small gastric pouch.

Clinical significance of prostaglandin E synthase expression in gastric cancer tissue.

Studies have linked microsomal prostaglandin E synthase (mPGES)-1 with gastric cancer. The purpose of this study was to determine mPGES-1, mPGES-2, and cytosolic PGES (cPGES) expression in gastric cancer and to evaluate the correlation between mPGES-1 and mPGES-2 expression and clinicopathological factors and cyclooxygenase-2 expression. PGES protein expression was examined by Western blot in gastric cancer cell lines and in biopsy samples from patients with gastric cancer. mPGES-1, mPGES-2, and cPGES protein localizations were examined immunohistochemically in 129 archival gastric cancer surgical resections. mPGES-1 protein expression was found in gastric cancer biopsies and cancer cell lines with differentiated or undifferentiated adenocarcinoma. There was no mPGES-1 expression in nonneoplastic biopsies. All cell lines and tissue samples expressed mPGES-2 and cPGES. Immunohistochemical analysis showed cancer cells expressed mPGES-1 in 47% of cases. mPGES-2 immunoreactivity was seen both in nonneoplastic glandular epithelium and cancer cells; however, cancer cell immunoreactivity was significantly more pronounced in 29% of cases. cPGES expression was constitutive both in nonneoplastic and neoplastic tissues, with no significant variation among cases. mPGES-1 and mPGES-2 expression correlated with cyclooxygenase-2 expression. mPGES-1 and mPGES-2 expression, and tumor-node-metastasis stage had independent prognostic significance under multivariate analysis in patients with gastric cancer overall and in patients with differentiated cancers. However, only tumor-node-metastasis stage and mPGES-2 expression retained independent prognostic significance in patients with poorly differentiated cancers. mPGES-1 and mPGES-2 correlate with clinicopathological factors and may be valuable prognostic factors in gastric cancer.

Factor XIII therapy of anastomotic leak, and circulating growth factors.

Wound healing is far more rapid in the gastrointestinal tract than in the skin. Once dehiscence of a surgical anastomosis in the gastrointestinal tract occurs, the high collagenase activity in the gastrointestinal tract may delay wound healing and promote the formation of a nonhealing fistula. Because factor XIII promotes cross-linking of fibrin during the early phase of wound healing, we investigated the effect of factor XIII concentrate on 16 anastomotic leaks and a nonhealing fistula. A 240-U dose of factor XIII concentrate (Fibrogammin P) was administrated intravenously for 5 days. Factor XIII activity and plasma levels of epidermal growth factor (EGF), transforming growth factor (TGF)-beta, and interleukin-6 were measured before treatment and 1 day and 7 days after the end of treatment. Clinical outcomes were evaluated on the basis of the findings of contrast radiography, computed tomography, and drainage volume. Improvement relevant to the therapy was observed in 15 cases (88.2%). Factor XIII activity increased to more than 70% of the normal value in 11 cases (64.7%) but remained at 40% to 70% of the normal value in 6 cases (35.3%). Plasma EGF and TGF-betalevels increased in patients with improvement but were unchanged in patients without improvement. Our findings suggest that factor XIII significantly accelerates wound healing of anastomotic leaks and nonhealing fistulas by increasing circulating growth factors after systemic administration.

Laparoscopic surgery for gastric cancer: 5 years' experience.

The purpose of this study was to clarify the safety and value of laparoscopic surgery for gastric cancer. This retrospective study involved 101 patients with gastric cancer treated with laparoscopic surgery at the Nippon Medical School Hospital from February 2001 through July 2005. The following variables were evaluated: age, sex, comorbid conditions, tumor size, location, gross type, histological type, depth of wall invasion, and presence or absence of lymph node metastasis. The surgical variables investigated included operating time, blood loss, postoperative complications, and length of postoperative stay. Mean tumor diameter was 24.1 +/- 18.4 mm, and most tumors were located in the lower third of the stomach. Endoscopic examination revealed that 98 of the tumors were early gastric cancers. The mean operation time was 255 +/- 74 min, and mean blood loss was 128 +/- 162 g. Local gastrectomy without lymphadenectomy was performed in 13 cases, and pylorus-preserving gastrectomy with perigastric lymphadenectomy was performed in 16 cases. Distal gastrectomy with systemic lymphadenectomy was performed in 56 cases. Proximal or total gastrectomy with lymph node dissection for tumors located in the upper half of the stomach was performed in 16 cases. The mean postoperative hospital stay was 13.3 +/- 7.6 days. No patients died during the admission. Postoperative surgical complications occurred in 10 patients (10%) and consisted of anastomotic bleeding in 3 patients, pneumohypoderma in 1 patient, and remote infection in 6 patients. The only medical complication was a stroke in 1 patient. We conclude that laparoscopy-assisted gastrectomy is a safe and useful operation for most early gastric cancers. If patients are selected properly, laparoscopy-assisted gastrectomy can be a curative and minimally invasive treatment for gastric cancer.

Postoperative changes in body composition after gastrectomy.

Nutritional status is one of the most important clinical determinants of outcome after gastrectomy. The aim of this study was to compare changes in the body composition of patients undergoing laparoscopy-assisted gastrectomy (LAG), distal gastrectomy (DG), or total gastrectomy (TG). Total body protein and fat mass were measured by performing a multifrequency bioelectrical impedance analysis using an inBody II machine (Biospace, Tokyo, Japan) in 108 patients (72 men, 36 women) who had undergone LAG (n=24), DG (n=39), or TG (n=45). Changes between the preoperative data and results obtained on postoperative day 14 and 6 months after surgery were then evaluated. The mean preoperative body weight of the subjects was 57.6+/-10.7 kg, the mean body mass index was 22.5+/-3.4 kg/m(2), and the mean fat % was 24%+/-7%. In the immediate postoperative period (14 days), the body weight loss in the LAG group was significantly lower than in the DG and TG groups (2.5+/-0.9 kg vs. 3.5+/-1.8 kg and 4.0+/-1.9 kg, respectively; P < 0.0001). The body composition studies demonstrated a loss of total body protein rather than fat mass. Six months after surgery, body weight was not significantly different from preoperative values in the LAG and DG groups (-1.2+/-3.8 kg and -1.8+/-4.7 kg, respectively), but had decreased by 8.9+/-4.9 kg in the TG group (P=0.0003). A body composition analysis revealed a loss of fat mass in the DG and TG groups. The patients who underwent gastrectomy lost body protein mass during the early postoperative period. The type and extent of surgery has an effect on long-term body mass and composition. Bioelectric impedance analysis can be used to assess body composition and may be useful for nutritional assessment in patients who have undergone gastrectomy.

Ruptured metastatic liver tumor from an alpha-fetoprotein-producing gastric cancer.

We describe a patient with a ruptured and rapidly enlarging secondary tumor of the liver metastasized from an alpha-fetoprotein (AFP)-producing gastric cancer. The ruptured liver metastasis was successfully treated by transarterial embolization (TAE) followed by hepatic resection. A 65-year-old woman was admitted to our hospital with residual gastric cancer. No liver metastasis was detected by preoperative computed tomography (CT), or ultrasonography, and total gastrectomy was performed. Microscopically, the tumor was a poorly differentiated adenocarcinoma invading no deeper than the subserosa, with positive staining for AFP and positive staining for Ki67 in approximately 80% of the tumor cells. Severe venous and lymphatic involvements were evident. The serum AFP level was 100 ng/ml at 3 weeks after the total gastrectomy, but decreased to 16 ng/ml by the end of postoperative month 3. At 6 months, the patient was referred and readmitted to our hospital with sudden severe pain in the upper abdomen. She was admitted in a state of shock with laboratory findings of anemia. A liver tumor surrounded by effusion was detected in segment 8 and diagnosed as a ruptured liver metastasis. Emergency arteriography revealed a large hypervascular tumor, and a TAE performed promptly thereafter was successful in improving the blood pressure. A second TAE was performed 2 months after first TAE due to a dramatic elevation of serum AFP to 180,000 ng/ml. The second TAE decreased the patient's serum AFP to 2,200 ng/ml, but the level remained in the abnormal range. A right hepatectomy was performed after confirming the absence of other detectable metastatic tumors. The resected specimen contained a well-defined tumor, measuring 6 x 6 cm that appeared almost necrotic under microscope. Over the 6 years since the hepatectomy, no recurrence has appeared and serum AFP has remained within the normal range.

Inflammation of the gastric remnant after gastrectomy: mucosal erythema is associated with bile reflux and inflammatory cellular infiltration is associated with Helicobacter pylori infection.

BACKGROUND: Controversy exists concerning the role of bile reflux and Helicobacter pylori ( H. pylori) infection in the development of inflammation of the gastric remnant after gastrectomy. This study was designed to investigate association of bile reflux and H. pylori infection or both with inflammatory changes in the gastric remnant. METHODS: A questionnaire on GI symptoms was returned by 200 gastrectomy patients, and 24-h bilirubin monitoring in the gastric remnant was performed on 55 patients with Bilitec 2000. Upper GI endoscopy evaluated reflux gastritis in the gastric remnant, and the presence of H. pylori infection and chronic, active inflammatory cellular infiltration in the biopsy specimens were examined microscopically with the updated Sydney system. RESULTS: No difference in the incidence of GI symptoms was observed among individual gastrectomy patients. Bile reflux was lower in patients who had undergone a gastrectomy with jejunal interposition, a pylorus-preserving gastrectomy, and a gastrectomy with Roux-Y anastomosis than those who had undergone a Billroth-II (B-II) anastomosis ( P < 0.05). Endoscopy showed positive correlation between mucosal erythema and bile reflux ( P < 0.001). No correlation was observed between the mucosal erythema and chronic and active inflammatory cellular infiltration. Infection of H. pylori correlated with chronic and active inflammatory cellular infiltration ( P < 0.001). Bile reflux did not correlate with the severity of chronic and active inflammatory cellular infiltration or H. pylori infection. CONCLUSIONS: Bile reflux into the gastric remnant was observed by Bilitec 2000. Mucosal erythema and chronic, active inflammatory cell infiltration in the gastric remnant after gastrectomy may be caused by bile reflux or H. pylori infection, respectively.

Surgical outcome of 483 patients with early gastric cancer: prognosis, postoperative morbidity and mortality, and gastric remnant cancer.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: The aim of this retrospective study was to evaluate the characteristics, treatment, postoperative morbidity, mortality, and prognosis of early gastric cancer patients as well as the incidence of gastric remnant cancer after curative surgery based on an analysis of the surgical results of Nippon Medical School Hospital over the past 10 years (1991-2000). METHODOLOGY: Out of 1057 patients with gastric cancer (all stages), 483 patients (301 males and 182 females; mean age 60.9 years) underwent surgery for early gastric cancer. Early gastric cancer, defined as that invading the m or sm layer regardless of lymph node metastasis, was classified according to the Japanese Classification of Gastric Carcinoma. The survival rate was calculated using the Kaplan-Meier method. RESULTS: The stages of the 483 patients were as follows: stage Ia patients, 443 cases; stage Ib, 29 cases; stage II, 7 cases; and stage IV, 4 cases. The overall 5- and 10-year survival rates were 95.9% and 95.9% for stage Ia, 82.9% and 80.2% for stage Ib, 73.2% and 68.6% for stage II and 0% for stage IV, respectively. No difference was observed in the 5- and 10-year survival rates between patients with D1 and D2 dissections in cases without lymph node metastasis. In patients with n1 positive sm cancer, however, the 5-year survival rate of the patients who underwent D2 dissection was 91.0% while that of those who underwent D1 dissection was 80.0% (P<0.05). The incidences of postoperative morbidity from various cancers included 4.2% from surgical site infections, 1.6% from anastomotic dehiscence, 1.6% from intestinal obstructions, and 3.9% from respiratory and/or heart dysfunction. Three patients (0.6%) died of multiple organ failure. Five patients who had undergone gastrectomy for early gastric cancer were diagnosed as having early cancer in the gastric remnant during a periodic follow-up endoscopy and underwent regastrectomy. CONCLUSIONS: The prognosis of early gastric cancer is usually excellent, and the morbidity and mortality rates are satisfactory. D2 lymph node dissection is necessary in patients with n1 positive sm cancer. Periodic follow-up endoscopies in gastrectomized patients may be useful for the early detection of gastric remnant cancer.

Implementation of the diagnosis procedure combination in specific-function hospitals.

A Nobel medical payment system, the Diagnosis Procedure Combination (DPC), was implemented in Nippon Medical School Hospital and 81 other specific-function hospitals in 2003. This payment system depends on the length of hospital stay and diagnosis and medical procedures, and differs from the existing payment system, which depends on a piece rate. The daily payment differs for among almost 2,500 groups of DPC defined by the International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems (ICD-10), and procedures, such as operations (K and J codes of the existing payment system). One of the most important outcomes may be a decrease in lengths of hospital stay, because the range of mean lengths of stay in specific-function hospitals has been officially stated to be 14 to 30 days, and the difference between the longest and shortest mean is almost double. The new medical payment system should stimulate competition among hospitals. In order to decrease the length of stay, we developed clinical pathways for patients undergoing surgery, such as laparoscopic cholecystectomy, gastrectomy, and inguinal hernia operations, as well as clinical protocols for the surgical procedures, such as percutaneous transhepatic cholangiodrainage (PTCD) and percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG). Health care is undergoing a challenging transition, and we must improve patient care and clinical practice.

[Surgical treatment of gastric remnant-stump cancer].

The aim of this study was to evaluate the characteristics, and treatment of gastric remnant cancer based on an analysis of the surgical results of Nippon Medical School over the past 18 years. Thirty seven patients (27 males and 10 females, mean age 60 years) underwent surgery for gastric remnant cancer. Patients who had undergone gastrectomy with Billroth II anastomosis for benign disorder underwent re-gastrectomy for the cancer of gastric remnant 20 years after the first gastrectomy. While, patients who had undergone gastrectomy with Billroth I anastomosis for malignant disorder underwent re-gastrectomy within 10 years after the first gastrectomy. Early-type gastric remnant cancers were not observed in the suture line or gastric stump region, while advanced-type cancers were observed in the anastomotic region. Surgical treatment was carried out by the method of total gastrectomy with Roux-en-Y esophago-jejunal anastomosis. The 5 year survival rates were 77%for early cancer and 14%for advanced cancer. Periodic follow-up endoscopies in gastrectomized patients may be useful for the early detection of gastric remnant cancer after operations for gastric cancer.

[Pharmacoeconomical evaluation of clinical pathway in gastrectomy patients].

The aim of the present study was to ascertain the pharmacoeconomical efficacy of a clinical pathway (CP) employing medication management and instruction tasks (i. e. pharmaceutical care and counseling for inpatients) in gastrectomy patients. Pharmaceutical services of a uniform quality were provided. These included a CP check sheet, medication management, and a history of the drugs chiefly prescribed by pharmacists. As a result, the average number of hospitalized days among the patients who were offered pharmaceutical care compared with those who were not was significantly shortened from 35.4 days to 26.1 days (P<0.001). Moreover, the average cost of medication was also significantly reduced from 270,631 yen to 190,331 yen (P<0.05). These data provide the first evidence that a CP employing medication management and instruction tasks for gastrectomy patients may play a substantial role in saving on medical costs.

[Clinical significance of a standardized clinical pathway in gastrectomy patients].

UNLABELLED: In traditional practice patterns, physicians take care of all clinical decisions, such as diagnosis, treatment, and recovery. In the Nippon Medical School Hospital a clinical pathway for distal gastrectomy patients, recorded as a post-operative care map, was introduced in August 2000. In January 2001 the post-operative management was analyzed and standardization of practice was carried out with printed order sets, such as drugs and infusion solutions. The aim of this study was to evaluate the clinical significance of the clinical pathway for gastrectomy patients by employing standardized postoperative management and printed order sets. PATIENTS AND METHODS: From January 2001 to December 2001, 87 patients underwent distal (43), total (28), proximal (7) and partial gastrectomy (9) for gastric cancer (stage IA: 47, IB: 9, II: 7, IIIA: 8, IIIB 2, IV: 10) and gastrointestinal stromal tumor (4). These patients were randomly assigned to either the main building or the east building of our hospital. In the main building 38 patients were looked after using traditional practice (control group). In the east building 47 patients were looked after according to the clinical pathway (path group) and 2 patients were excluded from the path group because of neo-adjuvant chemotherapy and severe heart failure. Aspects of the patients' outcomes, including length of stay, the first day of the diet, morbidity, and medical costs, were compared between the path group and the control group. All data were expressed as means+/-standard deviation. Statistical analyses were made using Student t-test, Mann-Whitney U-test, and chi(2) test, and the 5%level was chosen for statistical significance. RESULTS: The length of the hospital stay was 27.1+/-10.0 and 40.8+/-26.1 days (p<0.005) and the length of post-operative stay was 18.1+/-9.5 and 28.2+/-22.3 days (p<0.01) in the path group and the control group, respectively. The post-operative day when the diet was started for the path and control groups was 6.8+/-8.9 and 8.2+/-7.2, respectively; however, the length of the intravenous infusion for the two groups was 11.8+/-1.1 and 16.5+/-1.2 days (p<0.01), respectively. There was no statistically significant difference in the morbidity rate between the path group (3/47) and the control group (5/38). The total cost was 1,502,587 yen +/-41,650 in the path group and 1,932,197 yen +/-131,030 in the control (p<0.001). CONCLUSION: A clinical pathway for gastrectomy patients proved useful to optimize their postoperative care, including medication management and diet education. It is suggested that the implementation of a standardized clinical pathway for gastrectomy patients reduced the length of the hospital stay and the medical costs.