The preliminary analysis of lymphatic flow around the connective tissues surrounding SMA and SpA elucidates patients' oncological condition in borderline-resectable pancreatic cancer.

BACKGROUND: In pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC), invasion of connective tissues surrounding major arteries is a crucial prognostic factor after radical resection. However, why the connective tissues invasion is associated with poor prognosis is not well understood. MATERIALS AND METHODS: From 2018 to 2020, 25 patients receiving radical surgery for PDAC in our institute were enrolled. HyperEye Medical System (HEMS) was used to examine lymphatic flow from the connective tissues surrounding SMA and SpA and which lymph nodes ICG accumulated in was examined. RESULTS: HEMS imaging revealed ICG was transported down to the paraaortic area of the abdominal aorta along SMA. In pancreatic head cancer, 9 paraaortic lymph nodes among 14 (64.3%) were ICG positive, higher positivity than LN#15 (25.0%) or LN#18 (50.0%), indicating lymphatic flow around the SMA was leading directly to the paraaortic lymph nodes. Similarly, in pancreatic body and tail cancer, the percentage of ICG-positive LN #16a2 was very high, as was that of #8a, although that of #7 was only 42.9%. CONCLUSIONS: Our preliminary result indicated that the lymphatic flow along the connective tissues surrounding major arteries could be helpful in understanding metastasis and improving prognosis in BR-A pancreatic cancer.

[Analysis of Short-Term Results after Introduction of Robotic Gastrectomy for Gastric Cancer at Our Hospital].

BACKGROUND: Robotic gastrectomy(RG)for gastric cancer(GC)has been covered by health insurance since 2018. In this study, we examined the results of RG for GC at our hospital during the initial period of its introduction. MATERIALS AND METHOD: From August 2022 to May 2023, we retrospectively examined the surgical outcomes and short-term postoperative outcomes of the first 9 patients who underwent RG for GC at our hospital. RESULTS: The median patient age was 77(67-82) years, gender was 4 males and 5 females, and distal gastrectomy was performed in all patients. The median operative time was 410(323-486)min, blood loss was 5(1-140)mL, postoperative hospital stay was less than 9 days in all patients, and there was no conversion to laparoscopic or open surgery. There were no postoperative complications of Clavien-Dindo Grade Ⅱ or above. CONCLUSION: In this study, RG for GC was performed safely without intraoperative or postoperative complications.

Assessing Intra-abdominal status for clinically relevant postoperative pancreatic fistula based on postoperative fluid collection and drain amylase levels after distal pancreatectomy.

Aim: The aim of this study was to evaluate the intra-abdominal status related to postoperative pancreatic fistula by combining postoperative fluid collection and drain amylase levels. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the data of 203 patients who underwent distal pancreatectomy and classified their postoperative abdominal status into four groups based on postoperative fluid collection size and drain amylase levels. We also evaluated the incidence of clinically relevant postoperative pancreatic fistula in each group according to C-reactive protein values. Results: The incidence of clinically relevant postoperative pancreatic fistula in the entire cohort (n = 203) was 28.1%. Multivariate analysis revealed that postoperative fluid collection, drain amylase levels, and C-reactive protein levels are considerable risk factors for clinically relevant postoperative pancreatic fistula. In the subgroup with large postoperative fluid collection and high drain amylase levels, 65.9% of patients developed clinically relevant postoperative pancreatic fistula. However, no significant difference was observed in C-reactive protein levels between patients with clinically relevant postoperative pancreatic fistula and those without it. In contrast, in the subgroup with a large postoperative fluid collection size or a high amylase level alone, a significant difference was observed in C-reactive protein values between the patients with clinically relevant postoperative pancreatic fistula and those without it. Conclusion: Postoperative fluid collection status and the C-reactive protein value provide a more precise assessment of intra=abdominal status related to postoperative pancreatic fistula after distal pancreatectomy. This detailed analysis may be a clinically reasonable approach to individual drain management.

Results of a Randomized Clinical Study of Gemcitabine Plus Nab-Paclitaxel Versus Gemcitabine Plus S-1 as Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy for Resectable and Borderline Resectable Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma (RCT, CSGO-HBP-015).

BACKGROUND: The optimal neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) regimen for patients with localized pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) remains uncertain. This trial aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of two neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) regimens, gemcitabine plus nab-paclitaxel (GA) and gemcitabine plus S-1 (GS), in patients with resectable/borderline-resectable (R/BR) PDAC. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Treatment-naïve patients with R/BR-PDAC were enrolled and randomly allocated. They received two cycles (2 months) of each standard protocol, followed by radical surgery for those without tumor progression in general hospitals belonging to our intergroup. The primary endpoint was to determine the superior regimen on the basis of achieving a 10% increase in the rate of patients with progression-free survival (PFS) at 2 years from allocation. RESULTS: A total of 100 patients were enrolled, with 94 patients randomly assigned to the GS arm (N = 46) or GA arm (N = 48). The 2-year PFS rates did not show the stipulated difference [GA, 31% (24-38%)/GS, 26% (18-33%)], but the Kaplan-Myer analysis showed significance (median PFS, GA/GS 14 months/9 months, P = 0.048; HR 0.71). Secondary endpoint comparisons yielded the following results (GA/GS arm, P-value): rates of severe adverse events during NAC, 73%/78%, P = 0.55; completion rates of the stipulated NAC, 92%/83%, P = 0.71; resection rates, 85%/72%, P = 0.10; average tumor marker (CA19-9) reduction rates, -50%/-21%, P = 0.01; average numbers of lymph node metastasis, 1.7/3.2, P = 0.04; and median overall survival times, 42/22 months, P = 0.26. CONCLUSIONS: This study found that GA and GS are viable neoadjuvant treatment regimens in R/BR-PDAC. Although the GA group exhibited a favorable PFS outcome, the primary endpoint was not achieved.

Prediction for oxaliplatin-induced liver injury using patient-derived liver organoids.

BACKGROUND: Liver injury associated with oxaliplatin (L-OHP)-based chemotherapy can significantly impact the treatment outcomes of patients with colorectal cancer liver metastases, especially when combined with surgery. To date, no definitive biomarker that can predict the risk of liver injury has been identified. This study aimed to investigate whether organoids can be used as tools to predict the risk of liver injury. METHODS: We examined the relationship between the clinical signs of L-OHP-induced liver injury and the responses of patient-derived liver organoids in vitro. Organoids were established from noncancerous liver tissues obtained from 10 patients who underwent L-OHP-based chemotherapy and hepatectomy for colorectal cancer. RESULTS: Organoids cultured in a galactose differentiation medium, which can activate the mitochondria of organoids, showed sensitivity to L-OHP cytotoxicity, which was significantly related to clinical liver toxicity induced by L-OHP treatment. Organoids from patients who presented with a high-grade liver injury to the L-OHP regimen showed an obvious increase in mitochondrial superoxide levels and a significant decrease in mitochondrial membrane potential with L-OHP exposure. L-OHP-induced mitochondrial oxidative stress was not observed in the organoids from patients with low-grade liver injury. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggested that L-OHP-induced liver injury may be caused by mitochondrial oxidative damage. Furthermore, patient-derived liver organoids may be used to assess susceptibility to L-OHP-induced liver injury in individual patients.

Modified Collard technique is more effective than circular stapled for cervical esophagogastric anastomosis in prevention of anastomotic stricture: a propensity score-matched study.

The anastomotic technique after esophagectomy is of great interest in the prevention of anastomotic complications that adversely affect postoperative recovery. This study aimed to compare the clinical outcomes of modified Collard (MC) and circular stapled (CS) anastomoses after esophagectomy. A total of 504 consecutive patients with thoracic esophageal cancer who underwent esophagectomy and cervical esophagogastric CS or MC anastomosis from January 2013 to December 2019 were enrolled. Out of 504 patients, 134 and 370 underwent CS and MC anastomoses. The frequency of anastomotic leakage and stricture was significantly lesser in the MC group than in the CS group (3.0 vs. 10.5%, P = 0.0014 and 11.1 vs. 34.3%, P < 0.001, respectively). CS anastomosis was an independent risk factor for anastomotic stricture (odds ratio, 4.89; P < 0.001). Oral intake was significantly higher in the group without anastomotic stricture than in the group with anastomotic stricture at 2, 3, and 6 months postoperatively (P < 0.001, P = 0.013, and P < 0.001, respectively). The percentage body weight loss (%BWL) was -12.2% in the group with anastomotic stricture and -7.5% in the group without anastomotic stricture at 3 months postoperatively (P = 0.0012). Anastomotic stricture was an independent factor associated with %BWL (odds ratio, 4.86; P = 0.010). Propensity score-matched analysis, which included 88 pairs of patients, confirmed a significantly lower anastomotic stricture rate in the MC group than in the CS group (10.2 vs. 35.2%, P < 0.001). MC anastomosis is better than CS anastomosis for reducing the frequency of anastomotic stricture, which may be useful for maintaining early postoperative nutritional status.

[A Case of Hepatocellular Carcinoma with Haemobilia after Transcatheter Hepatic Arterial Embolization for Tumor Rupture].

A 79-year-old man was scheduled for surgery for hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC)after transcatheter hepatic arterial embolization for rupture. Two weeks before surgery, the patient came to our hospital with a chief complaint of back pain. First, we performed biliary drainage, under the diagnosis of HCC with obstructive jaundice due to haemobilia. Hepatectomy was performed when the patient's condition stabilized. It should be kept in mind that haemobilia may occur after TAE for HCC with bile duct tumor thrombus, and appropriate treatment should be performed when bleeding occurs.

[A Case of Colon Metastasis from Gastric Cancer Treated by Laparoscopic-Assisted Segmental Colectomy].

We report a case of colon metastasis from gastric cancer treated by laparoscopic-assisted segmental colectomy. An 81-year-old man was undergone distal gastrectomy, D2 dissection and Billroth Ⅰ reconstruction for gastric cancer 3 years previously, with a final diagnosis of gastric cancer L, Post, Type 2, sig/por2, pT4a(SE), pN3b(30/56), H0, P0, M0, pStage ⅢC. Three years after gastrectomy, CT scan showed an elevated lesion in the transverse colon, which was suspected to be metastatic colorectal cancer on closer examination. As no metastatic lesions were found other than the tumor of transverse colon, we performed laparoscopic-assisted segmental colon resection. A small incision was placed in the umbilical region, and the transverse colon was extracted from the umbilical region after dissection of the adhesions by single-incision laparoscopic surgery. The transverse colon containing the mass lesion was partially resected extracorporeally and reconstructed with a functional end-to-end anastomosis. The postoperative pathological findings revealed tumor cells predominantly below the submucosal layer and partly showing the signet ring cell carcinoma, and the transvers colon tumor was diagnosed as a metastasis from gastric cancer. The postoperative course was uneventful and the patient was discharged 8 days after surgery, and is alive for 10 months after the segmental colon resection followed by chemotherapy.

[A Case of Recurrent Esophageal Cancer with Long-Term Survival Treated by S-1 Monotherapy].

We report a case of recurrent esophageal cancer with long-term survival treated by S-1 monotherapy. A 66-year-old man underwent subtotal esophagectomy, two-field lymphadenectomy after 2 courses of DCF chemotherapy for esophageal cancer 1 year earlier. The final diagnosis was esophageal cancer, Lt, CT-Type 2, ypT3, ypN0(0/62), M0, ypStage Ⅲ. At 6 months after esophagectomy, CT scan revealed mediastinal lymph node metastasis and pleural dissemination, and paclitaxel monotherapy was performed, but lymph node re-enlargement was observed on CT at 12 months after esophagectomy. Chemotherapy with S-1 monotherapy was performed, and 3 months after initiation of S-1 monotherapy, CT showed reduced lymph node metastases and pleural dissemination remained reduced. Adverse events were CTCAE v5.0 Grade 2 thrombocytopenia and diarrhoea, but no Grade 3 or higher adverse events were observed. Long-term survival was achieved with no disease progression for more than 2.5 years after initiation of S-1 monotherapy.

DUPAN-II normalisation as a biological indicator during preoperative chemoradiation therapy for resectable and borderline resectable pancreatic cancer.

BACKGROUND: Duke pancreatic mono-clonal antigen type 2 (DUPAN-II) is a famous tumour maker for pancreatic cancer (PC) as well as carbohydrate antigen 19-9 (CA19-9). We evaluated the clinical implications of DUPAN-II levels as a biological indicator for PC during preoperative chemoradiation therapy (CRT). METHODS: This retrospective analysis included data from 221 consecutive patients with resectable and borderline resectable PC at diagnosis who underwent preoperative CRT between 2008 and 2017. We focused on 73 patients with elevated pre-CRT DUPAN-II levels (> 230 U/mL; more than 1.5 times the cut-off value for the normal range). Pre- and post-CRT DUPAN-II levels and the changes in DUPAN-II ratio were measured. RESULTS: Univariate analysis identified normalisation of DUPAN-II levels after CRT as a significant prognostic factor (hazard ratio [HR] = 2.06, confidence interval [CI] = 1.03-4.24, p = 0.042). Total normalisation ratio was 49% (n = 36). Overall survival (OS) in patients with normalised DUPAN-II levels was significantly longer than that in 73 patients with elevated levels (5-year survival, 55% vs. 21%, p = 0.032) and in 60 patients who underwent tumour resection (5-year survival, 59% vs. 26%, p = 0.039). CONCLUSION: Normalisation of DUPAN-II levels during preoperative CRT was a significant prognostic factor and could be an indicator to monitor treatment efficacy and predict patient prognosis.

The utility of bile juice culture analysis for the management of postoperative infection after pancreaticoduodenectomy.

BACKGROUND: Surgical site infections are common after pancreaticoduodenectomy. Our institution routinely performs intraoperative bile culture with pancreaticoduodenectomy. Herein we examined whether antibiotic selection based on bile culture analysis reduced the surgical site infection risk after pancreaticoduodenectomy. METHODS: A total of 349 patients underwent pancreaticoduodenectomy with intraoperative bile cultures in our institution between 2008 and 2019. Patients were categorized into "group A" (196 patients who underwent pancreaticoduodenectomy between 2008 and 2013) or "group B" (153 patients who underwent pancreaticoduodenectomy between 2018 and 2019). Group A received cefazoline perioperatively and for 2 days postoperatively, whereas group B received piperacillin-tazobactam instead based on the bile culture findings in group A. RESULTS: In group A, 91 (46.4%) intraoperative bile cultures were positive, and surgical site infections occurred in 61 patients (31.1%). A total of 32 patients had both positive bile culture and surgical site infection, of whom 23 (71.9%) exhibited the same microorganisms in the biliary and surgical site infection cultures. Due to the common finding of cefazoline-resistant Enterococcus spp. and Enterobacter spp. in group A, group B received piperacillin-tazobactam. Surgical site infection incidence in group B was 18.3% (n = 28), which was significantly lower than in group A (P = .006). Cefazoline-resistant Enterococcus spp. and Enterobacter spp., respectively, were cultured in 69.8% and 24.3% of patients with preoperative biliary drainage, compared with 32.2% and 9.7% of patients without preoperative biliary drainage. CONCLUSION: The perioperative selection of antibiotics based on bile culture findings at pancreaticoduodenectomy can reduce the incidence of surgical site infection.

[A Case of Sigmoid Rectal Cancer with a Vesicoconstrictor Fistula Curatively Resected after Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy].

A 50-year-old man presented with fecaluria and was diagnosed with sigmoid colon cancer with a colovesical fistula. Total bladder resection was determined to be necessary for curative resection at the time of diagnosis. In anticipation of bladder preservation, 6 courses of mFOLFOX6 plus panitumumab were administered after transverse colostomy, resulting in marked tumor regression and a decision to proceed with surgery. The patient underwent robotic-assisted low anterior resection of the rectum and partial cystectomy, which yielded pathological radical treatment. We report a case of sigmoid colon cancer with a colovesical fistula complicated by bladder invasion, in which preoperative chemotherapy was effective and total cystectomy was avoided, allowing bladder preservation.

[A Rare Case of Advanced Gastric Cancer with Duodenal Intramural Metastasis].

Here we report the case of a patient with advanced gastric cancer who presented with duodenal intramural metastasis based on the pathological results after surgery. The patient was 78-year-old female, who was referred to our department for further evaluation and treatment of upper abdominal pain. An upper gastrointestinal series demonstrated a tumor occupying the lesser curvature of the gastric body. Biopsy specimens from the tumor demonstrated moderately to poorly differentiated adenocarcinoma. A computed tomography scan showed thickening of the gastric wall and swelling of the regional lymph nodes. The patient underwent distal gastrectomy and D2 lymph node dissection for gastric cancer. A histopathological examination disclosed that the gastric tumor was poorly differentiated adenocarcinoma with severe lymphatic permeation and also demonstrated the other poorly differentiated adenocarcinoma occupying the part of the muscularis propria layer of the duodenum. The gastric tumor was not contiguous with the duodenal tumor, and the duodenal cancer cells had the same pathological characteristics as the primary gastric cancer cells; therefore, we diagnosed the duodenal tumor as an intramural metastasis from gastric cancer. The patient's disease was staged as pT4aN3bM1, Stage Ⅳ according to the TNM classification. We report this rare case along with a discussion of the literature.

[Analysis of Short-Term Outcomes and Nutritional Assessment of Elderly Gastric Cancer Surgery Cases].

BACKGROUND: We analyzed the short-term outcomes and nutritional assessment of gastric cancer surgery patients who underwent exercise intervention after gastrectomy. MATERIALS AND METHOD: Gastric cancer patients who underwent gastrectomy at our department from January 2021 were included in the study. Postoperative exercise intervention(lower limb training) was performed in gastric cancer patients aged 75 years or older(group H: 7 patients)and compared retrospectively with gastric cancer patients younger than 75 years(group L: 10 patients)who did not receive exercise intervention. The rate of decrease in each index after 1 week was compared between the 2 groups. RESULTS: Postoperative complications(yes/no) were 3/4(42.8%)in group H and 2/8(20.0%)in group L(p=0.59); postoperative hospital stay was 11.5(10.8-21.3) days in group H and 11.0(9.0-14.0)days in group L(p=0.37). The percentage decrease in each index was as follows: for BMI in groups H/L: 2.9/5.6%(p=0.17), grip strength in groups H/L: 2.4/－7.6%(p=0.07), skeletal muscle mass in groups H/L: －2.3/7.0%(p=1.00), PNI in groups H/L: 26.6/18.1%(p=0.12). CONCLUSION: In this study, no significant differences were noted in postoperative complication rates or postoperative hospital stay between groups H and L.

The DOLFIN method: a novel laparoscopic Billroth-I gastroduodenostomy for gastric cancer with duodenal invasion.

BACKGROUND: Laparoscopic Billroth-I gastroduodenostomy using a delta-shaped anastomosis is safe and feasible. However, it is often difficult to perform in patients who have a short posterior wall of the duodenum. Thus, we have developed a new method named duodenal overlap functional anastomosis with linear stapler (DOLFIN). We hereby report the technical details of the new method and our preliminary experience performing it. METHODS: After the completion of lymphadenectomy, the duodenum was transected craniocaudally with an endoscopic linear stapler. The hepatoduodenal mesentery was dissected approximately 4 cm along the duodenal bulb, and the anastomosis between the posterior wall of the stomach and the lesser curvature of the duodenum was created. The common entry hole was then transected using an endoscopic linear stapler, and the anastomosis was finally completed. RESULTS: There were 36 patients with gastric cancer who underwent laparoscopic distal gastrectomy (LDG) or robotic distal gastrectomy (RDG) with B-I reconstruction using DOLFIN. There were no postoperative complications classified as C-D grade 3 or more and complications related to anastomosis, such as anastomotic leak or stenosis. CONCLUSIONS: Our DOLFIN gastroduodenostomy can be performed safely. In addition, it results in good postoperative outcomes. A long-term comparative study is required to further evaluate the clinical usefulness of this method.

Laparoscopic Proximal Gastrectomy with Novel Valvuloplastic Esophagogastrostomy vs. Laparoscopic Total Gastrectomy for Stage I Gastric Cancer: a Propensity Score Matching Analysis.

BACKGROUND: Laparoscopic total gastrectomy for early proximal gastric cancer is widely performed. Recently, the number of laparoscopic proximal gastrectomies performed, a surgery limited to early proximal gastric cancer, has gradually increased. However, evidence for the long-term outcomes of laparoscopic total gastrectomy and laparoscopic proximal gastrectomy is insufficient. Therefore, this study aimed to clarify and compare the long-term outcomes of laparoscopic total gastrectomy and laparoscopic proximal gastrectomy with novel valvuloplastic esophagogastrostomy for treatment of clinical stage I proximal gastric cancer. METHODS: This study included 111 patients who underwent laparoscopic total gastrectomy or laparoscopic proximal gastrectomy for the treatment of upper third clinical stage I gastric cancer between April 2004 and December 2017. After adjusting for propensity score matching analysis, we compared the postoperative complications, nutritional status, and long-term outcomes between the two groups. RESULTS: After matching the inclusion criteria, 56 patients (28 in each group) were enrolled. No significant differences were noted in the postoperative complications between the two groups. While laparoscopic proximal gastrectomy was associated with lower albumin levels, lower body weight loss was seen by 1 year after surgery and higher hemoglobin levels by 1, 2, and 3 years after surgery. No significant differences were observed in the 3-year overall survival and 3-year recurrence-free survival between the laparoscopic total gastrectomy and laparoscopic proximal gastrectomy groups (P = 0.74 and 0.72, respectively). CONCLUSION: Laparoscopic proximal gastrectomy and laparoscopic total gastrectomy for patients with upper third clinical stage I gastric cancer are feasible as regards its safety and outcomes.

The clinical impact of modified transpancreatic mattress sutures with polyglactin 910 woven mesh on postoperative pancreatic fistula in distal pancreatectomy.

BACKGROUND: We previously reported the stump closure method for the remnant pancreas in distal pancreatectomy, in which soft coagulation and polyglycolic acid felt attached with fibrin glue were utilized. Transpancreatic mattress suture with polyglactin 910 woven mesh was recently reported as a novel stump closure technique. We developed the modified transpancreatic mattress suture with polyglactin 910 woven mesh method, which combined our polyglycolic acid felt method with the transpancreatic mattress suture with polyglactin 910 woven mesh method. METHODS: The polyglycolic acid felt group included patients undergoing distal pancreatectomy in whom the pancreatic stump was closed with the polyglycolic acid felt method from 2017 to 2018 (n = 54); whereas the modified transpancreatic mattress suture with polyglactin 910 woven mesh group included those whose stump was closed with the modified transpancreatic mattress suture with polyglactin 910 woven mesh method from 2019 to 2020 (n = 51). Perioperative parameters, including grade B/C postoperative pancreatic fistula (clinically relevant postoperative pancreatic fistula), were assessed according to the stump closure method. RESULTS: The incidence of clinically relevant postoperative pancreatic fistula was significantly lower in the modified transpancreatic mattress suture with polyglactin 910 woven mesh group than in the polyglycolic acid felt group (7.8% vs 22.2%, P = .036). In multivariate analysis, the use of neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy and the transpancreatic mattress suture with polyglactin 910 woven mesh method were independent factors for preventing clinically relevant postoperative pancreatic fistula (P = .011 and 0.0038, respectively). Moreover, in the modified transpancreatic mattress suture with polyglactin 910 woven mesh group, the incidence of clinically relevant postoperative pancreatic fistula in patients with a thick pancreas (≥13 mm, 6.7%) was comparably as low as that in patients with a thin pancreas (<13 mm, 9.5%). CONCLUSION: The modified transpancreatic mattress suture with polyglactin 910 woven mesh method is an effective stump closure technique to prevent clinically relevant postoperative pancreatic fistula after distal pancreatectomy. Our results warrant further prospective investigation to evaluate the efficacy of the modified transpancreatic mattress suture with polyglactin 910 woven mesh method compared with other standard closure methods (eg, stapler closure or hand-sewn closure).

Clinical impact of body composition on postoperative outcomes during neoadjuvant chemoradiation therapy for distal bile duct cancer.

Body composition changes during neoadjuvant therapy and their clinical significance have not been clarified. The present study aimed to investigate body composition changes during neoadjuvant chemoradiation therapy (NACRT) in patients with distal bile duct cancer and the clinical impact on postoperative complications and the prognosis. A total of 16 patients with distal bile duct cancer who underwent curative resection after NACRT were retrospectively evaluated. The area of skeletal muscle, visceral fat and subcutaneous fat on computed tomography and immunological and nutritional indices were assessed before and after NACRT. All 16 patients completed NACRT followed by pancreaticoduodenectomy without mortality. There was no significant change in the skeletal muscle mass index (SMI) during NACRT. Of the 16 patients, nine (56%) were defined as sarcopenic before NACRT, and eight (50%) met the criteria for sarcopenic after NACRT. The SMI and total fat area were significantly associated with postoperative pancreatic fistula (POPF) (P=0.019 and P=0.007, respectively). The patients with sarcopenia had a shorter disease-free survival time and overall survival time in comparison to patients without sarcopenia (P=0.025 and P=0.115, respectively). In conclusion, NACRT for distal bile duct cancer did not significantly affect the body composition, or the immunological or nutritional indices. Sarcopenia after NACRT was significantly associated with early recurrence in patients with distal bile duct cancer who received NACRT.

Robotic total gastrectomy with thrombectomy and portal vein reconstruction for gastric cancer and portal vein tumor thrombus.

BACKGROUND: Gastric cancer with portal vein tumor thrombus (PVTT) is poor prognosis, and the treatment remains challenging. Regarding surgery, there are only reports of highly invasive laparotomy. We report some techniques of the completely robotic total gastrectomy with thrombectomy and portal vein reconstruction for the patient with gastric cancer and PVTT for the first time. CASE PRESENTATION: A 79-year-old man was diagnosed with a 5-cm gastric cancer on the side of the lesser curvature from the middle of the gastric body to the cardia. Computed tomography revealed a massive PVTT extending from the left gastric vein to the portal trunk (28 x 16 mm). There were no other distant metastases. After 3 cycles of the chemotherapy, the PVTT shrank to 19 x 12 mm. After obtaining informed consent from the patient, robotic total gastrectomy with regional lymphadenectomy and thrombectomy were performed. We used the da Vinci Xi Surgical System. A 3-cm incision was made at the umbilicus, and a wound retractor was placed. Five additional ports were placed. The right side suprapancreatic lymph nodes were performed at the time of the thrombectomy. It was important to identify the precise extent of the PVTT with intraoperative ultrasonography before the thrombectomy. After PVTT identification, the portal trunk was clamped above and below the tumor thrombus with vascular clips. The membrane on the anterior wall of the portal trunk around the PVTT was carefully incised with da Vinci Scissors. The tumor thrombus was completely enucleated without separation. The incised part of the portal trunk was reconstructed with continuous 5-0 synthetic monofilament nonabsorbable polypropylene sutures. After removing the vascular clamps, we made sure there was no leakage from the portal vein and no tumor thrombus remnants with intraoperative ultrasonography. Robotic total gastrectomy with lymphadenectomy and Roux-en-Y reconstruction were performed. The patient was discharged without complications. The patient has remained alive for 30 months after surgery. CONCLUSIONS: Robotic total gastrectomy with thrombectomy and portal vein reconstruction is a safe, minimally invasive, and precise surgery. It may contribute to improved prognosis of gastric cancer with PVTT when combined with chemotherapy.