The impact of C-reactive protein-albumin-lymphocyte (CALLY) index on the prognosis of patients with distal cholangiocarcinoma following pancreaticoduodenectomy.

Aim: The C-reactive protein (CRP)-albumin-lymphocyte (CALLY) index is a novel inflammation-based biomarker, which has been associated with long-term outcomes in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma. We aimed to investigate whether the CALLY index can predict the prognosis for distal cholangiocarcinoma after pancreaticoduodenectomy. Methods: The study comprised 143 patients who had undergone primary pancreaticoduodenectomy for distal cholangiocarcinoma between 2002 to 2019. The CALLY index was defined as (albumin × lymphocyte)/ (CRP × 104). We investigated the association of CALLY index with disease-free survival and overall survival by univariate and multivariate analyses. Results: Eighty-seven (61%) patients had a preoperative CALLY index <3.5. In multivariate analysis, obstructive jaundice drainage (P < .01), poorly differentiated tumor (P < .01), and CALLY index<3.5 (P = .02) were independent predictors of disease-free survival, while obstructive jaundice drainage (P < .01), poorly differentiated tumor (P < .01), and CALLY index <3.5 (P = .02) were independent predictors of overall survival. Conclusion: The CALLY index may be an independent and significant indicator of poor long-term outcomes in patients with distal cholangiocarcinoma after pancreaticoduodenectomy, suggesting the importance of comprehensive assessment for inflammatory status.

Successful resection of port site recurrence of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma after laparoscopic distal pancreatectomy.

BACKGROUND: There are many reports of port site recurrence after laparoscopic surgery for various types of cancer. However, only two cases of port site recurrence after laparoscopic pancreatectomy have been reported to date. We herein report a case of port site recurrence after laparoscopic distal pancreatectomy. CASE PRESENTATION: A 73-year-old woman was diagnosed with pancreatic tail cancer and underwent laparoscopic distal pancreatectomy with splenectomy. Histopathological examination revealed pancreatic ductal carcinoma (pT1N0M0 pStage I). The patient was discharged on postoperative day 14 with no complications. However, 5 months after surgery, computed tomography showed a small tumor at the right abdominal wall. No distant metastasis had appeared after 7 months of follow-up. Under the diagnosis of port site recurrence without any other metastases, we resected this abdominal tumor. Histopathological examination showed port site recurrence of pancreatic ductal carcinoma. No recurrence was observed 15 months postoperatively. CONCLUSIONS: This is the report of successful resection of port site recurrence of pancreatic cancer.

D1 Distal Pancreatectomy for Left-sided Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma Is Justifiable: A Propensity-score Matched Multicenter Study.

BACKGROUND/AIM: Evidence on the optimal extent of lymph node dissection for left-sided pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is scarce. The aim of the current study was to compare the long-term outcomes of patients who underwent D1 distal pancreatectomy (DP) with D2 DP for left-sided PDAC. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Patients undergoing DP for left-sided PDAC at the four institutions affiliated to The Jikei University were enrolled in this study. Patients were divided into D1 and D2 groups. Patients' clinical characteristics, overall survival (OS), and relapse-free survival (RFS) were compared between the two groups before and after propensity-score matched (PSM) analysis. RESULTS: Of 145 patients with left-sided PDAC, 55 patients underwent D1 DP and 90 underwent D2 DP, of whom 38 matched pairs were included in the PSM analytic cohort. In the unmatched cohort, no significant difference was found between the D1 and D2 groups for both OS (median 2.51 vs. 3.07 years; p=0.709) and RFS (median 1.47 vs. 1.27 years; p=0.565). After PSM, OS (median 2.37 vs. 3.56 years; p=0.407) and RFS (median 1.35 vs. 1.11 years; p=0.542) were not significantly different between the two groups. In a comparison of regional and systemic recurrence sites, no significant difference was observed between the two groups (p=0.500). CONCLUSION: The long-term survival of D1 DP for left-sided PDAC was not inferior to D2 DP. In an era in which the importance of multidisciplinary treatment for PDAC has been documented, unnecessary extended surgery should be avoided.

The effectiveness of adjuvant chemotherapy for Stage I pancreatic cancer based on the UICC 8th edition.

BACKGROUND: Adjuvant chemotherapy is recommended for patients with pancreatic cancer after curative resection. However, there is limited evidence regarding the efficacy and prognostic factors for adjuvant chemotherapy in patients with stage I pancreatic cancer. This study aimed to identify patients in whom chemotherapy was effective and to detect prognostic factors for stage I pancreatic cancer based on guidelines of the 8th edition of the Union for International Cancer Control (UICC). METHODS: Between 2009 and 2017, 108 patients diagnosed with stage I pancreatic cancer were enrolled in this study. They were distributed into invasion (n = 68) and non-invasion (n = 40) groups. The relationship between clinicopathological variables, including various prognostic factors, disease-free survival (DFS), and overall survival (OS), were investigated by univariate and multivariate analyses. RESULTS: Five-year survival in all patients with stage I pancreatic cancer was 38.9%. Adjuvant chemotherapy failed to improve DFS or OS in patients with stage I cancer (DFS, p = 0.26; OS, p = 0.30). In subgroup analysis, adjuvant chemotherapy significantly improved DFS (multivariate-adjusted hazard ratio (HR), 0.40; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.21-0.78; p = 0.007) and OS (multivariate-adjusted HR, 0.32; 95% CI, 0.15-0.68; p = 0.003) in the invasion group than in non-invasion group. In contrast, in the non-invasion group, adjuvant chemotherapy failed to improve DFS and OS in univariate analysis (DFS, p = 0.992; OS, p = 0.808). CONCLUSION: For stage I pancreatic cancer, based on guidelines of the UICC 8th edition, adjuvant chemotherapy may benefit patients with extrapancreatic invasion.

The impact of S-1 for the patient with lymph nodal metastasis biliary tract cancer as adjuvant chemotherapy: a multicenter database analysis.

INTRODUCTION: Although adjuvant chemotherapy is expected to improve the prognosis for patients with biliary tract cancer after curative resection, there is limited evidence regarding the efficacy and prognostic factors of adjuvant chemotherapy. We investigated the effective subgroups for whom adjuvant chemotherapy with S-1 in biliary tract cancer patients. METHODS: 413 patients who underwent curative resection for biliary tract cancer at our four affiliated hospitals between 2009 and 2019 were included in this study. The association of adjuvant chemotherapy with long-term outcomes in overall and patient subgroups were investigated by univariate and multivariate analyses. RESULTS: Among overall patients, adjuvant chemotherapy with S-1 did not improve disease free survival (p = 0.29) and overall survival (p = 0.83). In the subgroup analysis, adjuvant chemotherapy with S-1 improved both disease-free and overall survival in patients with lymph node metastasis, advanced Stage (III and IV), and microscopic residual tumor. In 135 patients with lymph node metastasis, adjuvant chemotherapy with S-1 was given in 67 patients (50%). In the patients with lymph node metastasis, preoperative bile duct drainage (p = 0.01) and adjuvant chemotherapy (p = 0.04) were independent and significant predictors of disease-free survival, while preoperative bile duct drainage (p = 0.03), tumor differentiation (p = 0.03), and adjuvant chemotherapy (p = 0.03) were independent and significant predictors of overall survival. CONCLUSION: After resection of biliary tract cancer, adjuvant chemotherapy with S-1 appears to benefit those who had lymph node metastasis.

Clinical Features and Treatment Outcomes of Pseudoaneurysm Following Pancreatic Resection.

BACKGROUND/AIM: Management strategies for pseudoaneurysm rupture after pancreatic resection have not yet been firmly established due to its low incidence and effects of environmental variability among centers. This study aimed to provide a basis for treatment strategy improvement. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Clinical features and outcomes of 29 patients who experienced pseudoaneurysm formation or rupture following pancreatic resection were retrospectively reviewed. RESULTS: The incidence of pseudoaneurysm formation was 2.8%. In 28 of 29 patients, pseudoaneurysm was identified via emergent dynamic computed tomography (CT). The rates of complete cessation of bleeding by interventional radiology (IVR) and surgical intervention were 88% and 100%, respectively. Mortality rate was 13.8%. Four patients treated by IVR died, including three of massive bleeding and one of liver failure. CONCLUSION: Patients with suspected pseudoaneurysm rupture after pancreatic resection should undergo immediate CT. Open surgery is preferable for patients with incomplete hemostasis by IVR or those who cannot immediately undergo IVR, however, IVR is an effective alternative.

Effectiveness of Anatomical Resection for Small Hepatocellular Carcinoma: a Propensity Score-Matched Analysis of a Multi-institutional Database.

BACKGROUND: The superiority of outcomes associated with anatomical resection (AR) versus those associated with non-anatomical resection (NAR) remains controversial in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). The aim of this study was to evaluate the significance of AR on therapeutic outcomes of patients with small HCCs (≤ 5 cm), using propensity score-matched (PSM) analysis. METHODS: A total of 195 patients who had undergone elective hepatic resection for small HCCs (≤ 5 cm) were included in this study. We conducted PSM analysis for baseline characteristics (age, sex, hepatitis virus status, retention rate of indocyanine green at 15 min, and Child-Pugh grade), preoperative serum α-fetoprotein, and tumor characteristics (tumor size, tumor number, portal vein invasion, and surgical margin status) to eliminate potential selection bias. The prognostic significance of AR on the disease-free and overall survival was analyzed in patients selected by PSM analysis. RESULTS: Applying PSM analysis, the patients were divided into PSM-AR (N = 66) and PSM-NAR (N = 66) groups. Disease-free survival was significantly better in the PSM-AR group than that of the PSM-NAR group (P = 0.018), while there was no significant difference in the overall survival between the PSM-AR and PSM-NAR groups (P = 0.292). The univariate HRs of the PSM-AR group were 0.55 (95% CI, 0.33-0.90) for disease-free survival and 0.61 (95% CI, 0.24-1.53) for overall survival, respectively. Remnant liver recurrence was significantly lower in the AR group (P = 0.014). CONCLUSIONS: AR may improve the disease-free survival in HCC patients with tumors of ≤5 cm diameter.

Prognostic Factors in Patients With Recurrent Pancreatic Cancer: A Multicenter Database Analysis.

BACKGROUND/AIM: The prognosis of pancreatic cancer remains poor with a high incidence of recurrence even after curative resection. The aim of this study was to investigate prognostic factors in patients with recurrent pancreatic cancer using the multicenter database. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The subjects were 196 patients with recurrent pancreatic cancer who underwent resection between 2008 and 2015. We retrospectively investigated the relation between clinicopathological characteristics of the patients and overall survival from recurrence using univariate and multivariate analyses. RESULTS: In univariate analysis, the positive lymphatic invasion (p=0.0240), time to recurrence from resection <1 year (p<0.0001), sites of recurrence except for local or lymph node (p=0.0273), liver recurrence (p=0.0389) and peritoneal recurrence (p<0.0001) were significantly associated with poor overall survival from recurrence. In multivariate analysis, time to recurrence from resection <1 year (p<0.0001) and peritoneal recurrence (p<0.0001) were independently associated with poor overall survival from recurrence. CONCLUSION: Time to recurrence from resection <1 year and peritoneal recurrence were significant independent predictors of poor overall survival from recurrence in patients with recurrent pancreatic cancer.

Study on the Validity of Pancreaticoduodenectomy in the Elderly.

AIM: Pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD) is still the only curative treatment for periampullary cancer. Confirming the outcomes of PD in elderly patients is important as the aging population continues to grow. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We analyzed 340 patients with periampullary cancer who underwent PD, dividing them into three groups by age: group A: aged 64 years or younger, n=115; group B: 65-74 years, n=144; and group C: 75 years or older, n=81. RESULTS: Group C had a significantly higher 60-day mortality of 6.3% (p=0.04), the lowest 5-year overall survival rate of 9.9% (p=0.02), and there was no impact of staging of the Union for International Cancer Control classification on overall survival of patients with pancreatic cancer. Independent prognostic factors of group C in the multivariate analysis were pancreatic cancer and reoperation. CONCLUSION: For elderly patients aged 75 years or over, caution should be exercised in selecting PD for patients with pancreatic cancer.

Impact of delayed gastric emptying after pancreaticoduodenectomy on survival.

BACKGROUND: Delayed gastric emptying (DGE), a common postoperative complication of pancreaticoduodenectomy, is not considered a life-threatening complication. In the present study, we analyzed the risk factors for DGE and its impact on long-term prognosis. METHODS: We analyzed 383 patients who underwent pancreaticoduodenectomy between 2003 and 2010, dividing them into two groups according to DGE grade as defined by the International Study Group of Pancreatic Surgery: 243 without DGE (non-DGE group) and 140 with DGE of any grade (DGE group). RESULTS: The 5-year overall survival was 32.7% in the DGE group, and 41% in the non-DGE group (P = 0.02). Cox proportional hazards analyses showed that pancreatic cancer (compared with ampulla of Vater cancer: hazard ratio [HR] 3.4, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.82-6.34, P < 0.001), bile duct cancer (HR 2.1, 95% CI 1.08-4.06, P = 0.03), the Union for International Cancer Control stage (compared with stages I and II: HR 2.98, 95% CI 1.66-5.35, P < 0.001; compared with stage III: HR 4.71, 95% CI 2.51-8.86, P < 0.001), and DGE grade (grade C; HR 1.6, 95% CI 1.04-2.46, P = 0.03) were independent risk factors for cancer-specific survival. CONCLUSIONS: DGE, especially grade C, negatively affects cancer-specific survival.

Clinical outcomes of laparoscopic cholecystectomy with accidental gallbladder perforation.

INTRODUCTION: Accidental gallbladder perforation frequently occurs during laparoscopic cholecystectomy and may increase the risk of infection. However, the necessity of antimicrobial prophylaxis for these patients is unclear. The aim of this study was to examine the clinical outcomes and necessity of antimicrobial prophylaxis after laparoscopic cholecystectomy with gallbladder perforation. METHODS: One hundred patients who underwent laparoscopic cholecystectomy were divided into two groups: patients with gallbladder perforation (Group A, n = 37) and patients without perforation (Group B, n = 63). We compared the white blood cell count and C-reactive protein level the day after the operation, the complication rates of systemic inflammatory response syndrome and surgical-site infection, and postoperative hospital stay between the two groups. All patients received antimicrobial prophylaxis only once before the operation. RESULTS: There were significant differences in every variable with the exception of postoperative hospital stay. Group A had a higher risk of infection, but the postoperative clinical course of Group A was not inferior to that of Group B. CONCLUSION: The clinical outcomes of patients with accidental gallbladder perforation were acceptable, and the use of antimicrobial prophylaxis once before the operation was sufficient.

Safety of Non-stented Pancreaticojejunostomy in Pancreaticoduodenectomy for Patients with Soft Pancreas.

BACKGROUND/AIM: It has been reported that pancreatic duct stenting for pancreaticojejunostomy in pancreaticoduodenectomy prevents postoperative pancreatic fistula. However, some reports describe severe complications associated with pancreatic duct stenting; it is controversial whether pancreatic duct stent should be used for pancreaticojejunal anastomosis in pancreaticoduodenectomy. The aim of this study was to compare the incidence of pancreatic fistula between non-stented, externally stented, and internally stented pancreaticojejunostomy in pancreaticoduodenectomy for patients with soft pancreas. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Ninety-eight patients undergoing pancreaticoduodenectomy with soft pancreas were divided into three groups: a non-stented group (n=14), an externally-stented group (n=56), and an internally-stented group (n=28), then clinical outcomes were compared. RESULTS: The frequency of clinically relevant postoperative pancreatic fistula (grade B or C) was 14% in the non-stented group, 36% in the externally-stented group, and 39% in the internally-stented group, respectively (p=0.19). The morbidity and mortality rates were also comparable between the three groups (p=0.17 and p=0.88, respectively). CONCLUSION: Since pancreatic duct stenting in pancreaticojejunal anastomosis for patients with soft pancreas did not reduce pancreatic fistula after pancreaticoduodenectomy, non-stented pancreaticojejunostomy for soft pancreas seems safe.

Clinical outcomes after pancreaticoduodenectomy in elderly patients at middle-volume center.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: It has been reported that age and hospital volume are risk factors after pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD), however the mortality rate after PD at middle volume center is decreasing by surgical advances and recently PD in the elderly patients is safely performed. The aim of this study is to evaluate the safety and feasibility of PD in the patients over 80 years of age at middle-volume center. METHODOLOGY: 60 patients who underwent PD between 2004 and 2012 were divided into two groups (≥80 and <80years). The clinical outcomes of the two groups were retrospectively analyzed. RESULTS: There were no statistical differences in terms of preoperative parameters, co-morbidity, perioperative data, morbidity, mortality and postoperative hospital stay. We achieved zero mortality in patients over 80 years of age and 40% of them are alive without recurrence. CONCLUSIONS: Clinical outcomes after PD in the elderly patients at middle-volume center are acceptable. Age and hospital volume are not necessarily risk factors after PD.

Relative displacement of anastomotic site of pancreato-jejunostomy in pancreatico-duodenectomy: a novel surgical reconstructive technique.

INTRODUCTION: Intra-abdominal hemorrhage following pancreatic fistula is a fatal complication after pancreatico-duodenectomy. Intra-abdominal hemorrhage has reportedly decreased with the use of fibrin glue or polyglycolic acid felt and wrapping of the skeletonized vessels by omentum or falciform ligament. However, there are no extremely effective methods for the prevention of hemorrhage. Here, we report our novel and simple method for the prevention of intra-abdominal hemorrhage due to pancreatic fistula. METHODS: The anastomotic site of the pancreato-jejunostomy in pancreatico-duodenectomy is displaced from the superior to inferior side of the transverse mesocolon through a small window created on the left side of the middle colic artery of the transverse mesocolon. This procedure is expected to prevent exposure of the skeletonized vessels to activated pancreatic juice from a pancreatic fistula after lymph node dissection, decreasing the incidence of hemorrhage. Two drains are placed on the superior and inferior sides of the transverse mesocolon. We performed this procedure in seven patients and compared the amylase level in the drainage fluid from the superior and inferior sides. RESULTS: There was no difference in the fluid amylase level from the drains between the superior and inferior sides, because a pancreatic fistula was not present in all our patients. Therefore, we could not evaluate the efficacy of this method in the current study. CONCLUSIONS: Our procedure is theoretically expected to prevent intra-abdominal hemorrhage and will be an option in pancreatico-duodenectomy, especially for patients with a soft pancreas. However, it is necessary to evaluate the performance and results of this procedure in many more patients.

Successful adjuvant bi-weekly gemcitabine chemotherapy for pancreatic cancer without impairing patients' quality of life.

BACKGROUND: Although adjuvant gemcitabine (GEM) chemotherapy for pancreatic cancer is standard, the quality of life (QOL) in those patients is still impaired by the standard regimen of GEM. Therefore, we studied whether mild dose-intensity adjuvant chemotherapy with bi-weekly GEM administration could provide a survival benefit with acceptable QOL to the patients with pancreatic cancer. METHODS: After a phase I trial, an adjuvant bi-weekly 1,000 mg/m2 of GEM chemotherapy was performed in 58 patients with pancreatic cancer for at least 12 courses (Group A). In contrast, 36 patients who declined the adjuvant bi-weekly GEM chemotherapy underwent traditional adjuvant 5FU-based chemotherapy (Group B). Careful periodical follow-ups for side effects of GEM and disease recurrence, and assessment of patients' QOL using the EORTC QOL questionnaire (QLQ-C30) and pancreatic cancer-specific supplemental module (QLQ-PAN26) were performed. Retrospectively, the degree of side effects, patients' QOL, compliance rate, disease-free survival (DFS), and overall survival (OS) in Group A were compared with those in Group B. RESULTS: No severe side effects (higher than Grade 2 according to the common toxicity criteria of ECOG) were observed, except for patients in Group B, who were switched to the standard GEM chemotherapy. Patients' QOL was better in Group A than B (fatigue: 48.9 ± 32.1 versus 68.1 ± 36.3, nausea and vomiting: 26.8 ± 20.4 versus 53.7 ± 32.6, diarrhea: 21.0 ± 22.6 versus 53.9 ± 38.5, difficulty gaining weight: 49.5 ± 34.4 versus 67.7 ± 40.5, P < 0.05). Compliance rates in Groups A and B were 93% and 47%. There was a significant difference in the median DFS between both groups (Group A : B =12.5 : 6.6 months, P < 0.001). The median OS of Group A was prolonged markedly compared with Group B (20.2 versus 11.9 months, P < 0.005). For OS between both groups, univariate analysis revealed no statistical difference in 69-year-old or under females, and T1-2 factors, moreover, multivariate analysis indicated three factors, such as bi-weekly adjuvant GEM chemotherapy, T2 or less, and R0. CONCLUSIONS: Adjuvant chemotherapy with bi-weekly GEM offered not only the advantage of survival benefits but the excellent compliance with acceptable QOL for postoperative pancreatic cancer patients.

Lactate levels in the detection of preoperative bowel strangulation.

The aim of this retrospective study was to examine whether various laboratory parameters could predict viability of strangulation in patients with bowel obstruction. Forty patients diagnosed with bowel strangulation were included. We performed operations for all patients within 72 hours of the start of symptoms. Blood samples were obtained from all patients immediately before operation. Arterial blood was examined for pH and lactate levels using a blood gas analyzer. We also evaluated white blood cell count and serum levels of creatine phosphokinase, lactic dehydrogenase, amylase, and C-reactive protein. At surgery, 18 patients had viable strangulation and did not undergo resection, whereas 22 had nonviable strangulation and underwent resection of the necrotic bowel. None of the patients died. Bowel strangulation was caused most commonly by adhesions. In terms of diagnostic efficiency, lactate level was the only laboratory parameter significantly associated with viability (P < 0.01, Mann-Whitney test). Other laboratory data did not show statistically significant associations. These results suggest that arterial blood lactate level (2.0 mmol/L or greater) is a useful predictor of nonviable bowel strangulation.

Technical and mechanical risk factors for postoperative pancreatic fistula in pancreaticojejunostomy.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: The purpose of this study was to identify basic risk factors for postoperative pancreatic fistula (POPF) after pancreaticojejunostomy. METHODOLOGY: Seventy-one patients underwent pancreaticojejunostomy with duct-to-mucosa anastomosis (DMA). Between POPF group (n=8) and non- POPF group (n=63), the following clinical parameters were compared; pancreatic texture evaluated pathologically with score, diameter of the pancreatic duct, total number of sutures, interval between sutures and the size of suture (5-0 vs. 6-0) for DMA. RESULTS: The mean diameter of the pancreatic duct (POPF/non-POPF) was 3.0±1.4/4.2±2.0mm, total number of sutures for DMA was 6.8±1.6/7.0±2.8, whereas mean interval between sutures was 1.4±0.5/2.1±1.1mm, which failed to achieve significant difference. All cases except one that produced POPF had soft pancreas (p=0.0022). However, for the soft pancreas, the score of pancreatic texture did not achieve significant difference between POPF and non-POPF. 5-0 sutures had less chance of POPF (p=0.0035). As a result of multivariate analysis, suture size and pancreatic texture correlated with POPF. CONCLUSIONS: The suture size and pancreatic texture were risk factors for POPF. Since these factors are related to surgical techniques, gentle handling during pancreaticojejunostomy seems important.

Is modified Devine exclusion necessary for gastrojejunostomy in patients with unresectable pancreatobiliary cancer?

PURPOSE: Gastrojejunostomy is often performed as palliative surgery for unresectable pancreatobiliary cancer. Modified Devine exclusion (MDE) is a technical variation of gastrojejunostomy, which partially separates the mid-portion of the stomach. We conducted this study to assess whether MDE is necessary for gastrojejunostomy in patients with unresectable pancreatobiliary cancer. METHODS: We compared the postoperative results of MDE (n = 26) with those of conventional gastrojejunostomy (CGJ; n = 20) performed palliatively for unresectable pancreatobiliary cancers. RESULTS: The morbidity rates were 38% after MDE and 50% after CGJ, with 23% and 40% of patients suffering delayed gastric emptying, respectively. Two of the CGJ group patients could never eat again. Modified Devine exclusion slowed the progression of anemia in all of the patients with duodenal bleeding. CONCLUSION: Modified Devine exclusion may be effective for patients with unresectable pancreatobiliary cancer.

[A case successfully treated with total pelvic exenteration after preoperative chemotherapy FOLFOX4 plus bevacizumab for unresectable sigmoid colon cancer with extramural progression].

The patient was a 73-year-old woman. Her chief complaints were abdominal pain and lower abdominal distension. After some examinations, we diagnosed pelvic tumor, bladder cancer (adenocarcinoma) and sigmoid colon cancer. We performed a first operation, but the pelvic tumor was firmly fixed anterior to the sacrum and right common pelvic artery. We judged it unresectable and performed tumor biopsy and ileostomy. The pathological findings were very similar to sigmoid colon cancer, so we diagnosed that the pelvic tumor was sigmoid colon cancer with extramural progression. Later, the patient was treated with three courses of FOLFOX4 and three courses of bevacizumab+FOLFOX4. After this chemotherapy, the pelvic tumor was reduced significantly, we considered resection possible and performed pelvic exenteration. She has had no recurrence for 6 months after second operation. This treatment appeared to be effective for unresectable primary colon cancer.

How can we control intraoperative bacterial contamination and surgical-site infection during an anterior resection or Hartmann's/Miles' operation?

PURPOSE: Intraoperative bacterial contamination (IBC) is a major cause of surgical-site infection (SSI). Therefore, we investigated whether the ingenuity of surgical procedures could reduce the incidence of IBC/SSI. METHODS: Sixty patients who were surgically treated for recto-sigmoid cancer were investigated. Among these patients, the colon was transected during the early perioperative period (ET) in 29 patients and during the late period (LT) in 31 patients. Three samples for IBC were obtained from the irrigation fluid before abdominal closure (LAVAGE), the remaining cut sutures after peritoneal closure (SUTURE), and a subcutaneous swab of the wound (SUBCUT). RESULTS: The overall SSI and IBC rates were 25% and 55.2%, respectively. Patients who developed SSI had an extremely high IBC rate (85%), and IBC patients also had a high SSI rate (68%). IBC was highest in the LAVAGE (26%) followed by the SUBCUT (26%), and the SUTURE (12%). The incidence of IBC in the LT was significantly lower than that in the ET (19% vs. 55%, p < 0.01), although the incidence of SSI was similar in both IBC groups. CONCLUSION: Shortening the exposure of the colonic mucosa decreased the incidence of IBC/SSI; thus, careful operations to minimize IBC are recommended.