Needlescopic appendectomy versus conventional laparoscopic appendectomy in young patients.

INTRODUCTION: Several studies have reported that needlescopic appendectomy (NA) is a safe and effective procedure for appendicitis because of reduced trocar wounds and tissue trauma. The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of NA in young patients under 40 years of age whose cosmesis matters with appendicitis by comparing it to conventional laparoscopic appendectomy (CLA). METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed our database looking for patients under 40 years of age diagnosed with appendicitis who underwent NA or CLA from January 2013 to April 2017. Patients were divided into two groups: the NA group, and the CLA group. Data collected from each group included age, gender, body mass index, preoperative C-reactive protein, emergency or non-emergency settings, operative time, postoperative length of stay, postoperative complications, and pathological diagnosis. RESULTS: Fifty-four patients underwent NA and 53 patients underwent CLA. The groups were similar in terms of demographic features. Pathological diagnoses were divided into the following categories: catarrhalis (n = 35), phlegmonous (n = 37), and gangrenous (n = 35). No significant difference was noted regarding the distribution of the three groups (P = .4). NA resulted in significantly shorter operative times (P = .0005), and reduced lengths of hospital stay (P = .03) as compared to CLA. There was no significant difference in the number of complications between the two groups. CONCLUSION: NA might be an effective surgical technique when performing a laparoscopic appendectomy in young patients with appendicitis.

Discitis due to late-onset mesh infection 14 years after inguinal hernia repair: a case report.

BACKGROUND: Mesh infection after inguinal hernia repair is a very rare complication. The incidence of late-onset mesh infection is approximately 0.1-0.2% of total hernia repair cases and can lead to serious complications if not treated promptly. Here, we report a rare case of discitis due to late-onset mesh infection, occurring 14 years after an inguinal hernia repair. CASE PRESENTATION: An 89-year-old man was brought to our hospital with right-sided abdominal pain and signs of hypoglycemia. He had a history of type 2 diabetes mellitus and had undergone inguinal hernia repair 14 years ago. Upon admission, laboratory tests revealed no elevated inflammatory markers. Computed tomography (CT) revealed a peri-appendicular abscess. Although the patient was administered empiric antibiotics, on day 3 of admission, his white blood cell count and C-reactive protein levels increased to 38,000/µl and 28 mg/dl, respectively. CT-guided drainage was attempted but was not successful. Escherichia coli was detected in both blood culture collections. On day 7 of admission, the patient complained of back pain; CT on day 10 revealed a peri-appendicular abscess with a soft tissue shadow anterior to the thoracic vertebrae at the 8th/9th level. Thoracic discitis, due to bacteremia originating from the mesh abscess, was suspected. We surgically resected the appendix, followed by removal of the plug and mesh abscess. The post-operative course of the patient was uneventful. For treating discitis, it is known that antibiotic therapy is required for a minimum of 6 weeks. Therefore, on the 30th day post-surgery, the patient was transferred to the orthopedic ward for continued treatment. CONCLUSIONS: This report discusses a rare case of late-onset mesh infection leading to thoracic discitis. Since late-onset mesh infection cannot be treated solely with antibiotics, expeditious surgery should be selected when subcutaneous drainage fails. When an immunocompromised patient with bacteremia has a complaint of back pain, purulent spinal discitis should also be suspected.

Easy method for fixation of the anvil using a one-handed sliding-knot technique after laparoscopic total gastrectomy.

INTRODUCTION: When esophagojejunostomy is performed using a circular stapler after laparoscopic total gastrectomy, fixing the anvil to the end of the esophagus is challenging. We describe an easy method for fixation of the anvil using a one-handed sliding-knot technique after the anvil has been inserted into the esophagus. MATERIALS AND SURGICAL TECHNIQUE: After removing the stomach, the main operator makes a whip stitch at the end of the esophagus using a long piece of monofilament string. Both ends of the string are pulled out from the port. A knot is then made and brought close the esophagus twice (sliding granny knots). After inserting the anvil into the esophagus, the main operator pulls the main standing string with one hand, applying vibration only. This causes the knots to tighten the anvil. Then, one or two knots are added to make sure that the anvil is firmly fixed in place. In addition, we routinely add one more ligation with a ready-made ligating loop. DISCUSSION: This method is easy and reliable, and does not require special devices or skills when performing reconstruction after laparoscopic total gastrectomy. Because of these factors, it has the potential to be widely used to perform esophagojejunostomy.

[A case of intractable fistula after low anterior resection repaired by transsacral direct suture].

We report a case of an intractable fistula repaired by transsacral direct suture. A 65-year-old man underwent low anterior resection for rectal cancer. He subsequently underwent ileostomy due to anastomosis leakage. The fistula of the anastomosis persisted 3 months after surgery. He underwent surgery to repair the fistula using a transsacral approach. After removing the coccyx, the fistula in the postrectal space was exposed directly. The presence of the fistula was confirmed by an air leak test and was closed by direct suture. After 33 days, the patient underwent ileostomy closure.

[A case of gastric cancer with intensive peritoneal dissemination treated with long-term chemotherapy and surgery].

A 45-year-old man was transferred to our hospital because of advanced gastric cancer and peritoneal dissemination. After he received an S-1 plus cisplatin( CDDP) regimen for 6 courses, the primary lesion and ascites had disappeared. However, the primary lesion recurred, and he underwent treatment with 16 courses of an S-1 plus docetaxel regimen. He subsequently developed peripheral neuropathy, and was switched to the irinotecan (CPT-11) regimen. As he experienced appetite loss, it was impossible to continue the chemotherapy. Therefore, he underwent a salvage surgery and an R0 resection was performed. However, 9 months after the surgery, he experienced paraaortic lymph node recurrence and peritoneal dissemination. The patient died 13 months after the surgery.

[A case of rectal stenosis due to peritoneal dissemination from gastric cancer that was treated with chemoradiation therapy].

An 82-year-old man underwent total gastrectomy(D2 lymph node dissection)in August 2006. The pathological findings indicated T4a, N3, M0, Stage IIIC gastric cancer, but adjuvant chemotherapy was not initiated. In October 2009, he presented to the hospital with dyschezia. During colonoscopy, the scope could not pass through the colon, thus indicating rectal stenosis. The biopsy findings indicated the presence of signet ring cell carcinoma, which was determined to be due to the peritoneal dissemination from the gastric cancer. To avoid the need for creating a stoma, radiation therapy(2 Gy×20; total dose, 40 Gy)and chemotherapy(weekly paclitaxel and S-1)were initiated. Rectal stenosis was improved and complete remission was maintained until May 2013.