Successful Systemic Steroid Administration for the Treatment of Edematous Anastomotic Stenosis After the Laparoscopic Augmented Rectangle Technique for Billroth I Reconstruction for Laparoscopic Distal Gastrectomy.

Edematous anastomotic stenosis is a well-known complication following Billroth I anastomosis for distal gastrectomy. Currently, there is no established treatment for this condition. A 54-year-old female patient underwent the augmented rectangle technique for Billroth I reconstruction after total laparoscopic distal gastrectomy for early gastric cancer. On postoperative day (POD) 9, the patient started vomiting. During the conservative waiting period, edematous anastomotic stenosis was diagnosed using imaging on PODs 11 and 13. Systemic steroid administration was initiated on POD 13, and the drainage volume of the nasogastric tube decreased four days after initiation. The edematous anastomosis stenosis improved, and gastrografin flowed into the duodenum on POD 19. Food intake was started on POD 20. Oral steroid administration was continued after hospital discharge and gradually terminated. Systemic steroid treatment may help improve edematous anastomotic stenosis.

Complete wedge resection for duodenal gastrointestinal stromal tumour: A case series of three patients.

INTRODUCTION: Duodenal gastrointestinal stromal tumours (GIST) are rare. Therefore, difficulties are experienced when selecting the appropriate surgical procedure in patients with duodenal GISTs. This report presents the cases of three patients with duodenal GISTs who underwent wedge resection. This report would help surgeons identify clinical features and surgical procedures in patients with duodenal GISTs. PRESENTATION OF CASE: Three patients were diagnosed with duodenal submucosal tumours. The first patient presented with melena, the second with postoperative anaemia, and the third with an incidental finding of a large abdominal tumour after presenting with ischaemic colitis. All tumours arose in the 2nd portion of the duodenum and measured 3.5, 3, and 9.2 cm, respectively. Wedge resection of the duodenum was performed in all patients. In patients one and two, simple closure of duodenal wall was performed after wedge resection. In patient three, side-to-side anastomosis with the jejunum was performed because a large area of the wall was removed using the wedge resection technique. Pancreatoduodenectomy was avoided in all patients. Recurrence was not noted in any patient. DISCUSSION: Since GISTs are not generally associated with lymph node metastasis, local resection with negative margins is sufficient to surgically manage patients with GISTs. CONCLUSION: Our results indicated the effectiveness of performing wedge resection for duodenal GISTs not in close proximity to the ampulla of Vater. Moreover, less invasive procedures should be adopted in patients with duodenal GISTs.

Analysis of the methylation of CpG islands in the CDO1, TAC1 and CHFR genes in pancreatic ductal cancer.

No difference in the gene methylation status of tumor-suppression genes between pancreatic cancer tissues and adjacent non-cancer tissues is observed. The present study investigated whether the promoter CpG islands of the cysteine dioxygenase 1 (CDO1), tachykinin precursor 1 (TAC1) and checkpoint with forkhead and ring finger domains (CHFR) genes were methylated in pancreatic cancer and adjacent non-cancerous pancreatic tissue in order to determine if they could be considered as markers for the detection of pancreatic cancer. A total of 38 Formalin-fixed and paraffin-embedded pancreatic adenocarcinoma tissues and their adjacent non-cancerous specimens from patients with pancreatic cancer, as well as 9 non-cancerous pancreatic samples from patients without pancreatic adenocarcinoma were obtained following surgical resection. The hypermethylation of CpG islands was detected using a methylation-specific quantitative PCR. The methylation values were calculated using the ∆Cq method and were expressed as 2-ΔCq. The 2-ΔCq value of the CDO1 promoter from pancreatic adenocarcinoma specimens was significantly higher compared with that of adjacent non-cancerous and tumor-free pancreatic tissues (P<0.0001 and P=0.0008, respectively). The 2-ΔCq value of the TAC1 promoter of pancreatic adenocarcinoma was also significantly higher compared with that of adjacent non-cancerous tissues and tumor-free pancreatic samples (both P<0.0001). However, there was no significant difference in the 2-ΔCq value of the CHFR promoter among the pancreatic cancer, adjacent non-cancer tissue and tumor-free pancreatic samples. Furthermore, 12 out of the 38 pancreatic adenocarcinoma cases (31.6%) presented some methylation in the CHFR promoter. The results from Kaplan-Meier analysis between CHFR promoter methylation values and the clinicopathological characteristics of patients with pancreatic adenocarcinoma demonstrated that CHFR promoter methylation was significantly associated with lymph node metastasis. The methylation values of CDO1 and TAC1 promoters in cancer tissues were higher compared with adjacent tissues. However, whether hypermethylation of CDO1 and TAC1 promoters may serve as a biomarker in the diagnosis of pancreatic adenocarcinoma remains unclear.

A Case of Laparoscopic-Assisted Percutaneous Endoscopic Gastrostomy (LAPEG) for Gastric Volvulus.

BACKGROUND: Percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG) is the standard modality for long-term enteral nutrition for patients with dysphagia. Compared with open gastrostomy, though PEG is an extremely safe procedure with fewer complications, there are severe cases due to anatomical features. For these cases, laparoscopic-assisted percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (LAPEG) is the optimal method. CASE PRESENTATION: A 52-year-old man had a disturbance in swallowing because of cerebral infarction. We attempted PEG under gastrointestinal fiberscope (GIF) and colon fiberscope inspection; however, the procedure was unsuccessful because it was impossible to move the transverse colon downward. We therefore attempted LAPEG to observe the stomach and other organs. Under laparoscopic observation, we diagnosed gastric volvulus, classified as the organo-axial type. For this reason, inserting the tube through the skin was very difficult. We easily corrected the gastric volvulus by using laparoscopic forceps and were finally able to place the PEG tube safely. DISCUSSION: Gastric volvulus is rare in clinical practice. The treatment of gastric volvulus depends on whether mucosal ischemia is present. Endoscopic reduction of gastric volvulus is effective for many patients. Surgical treatment should be considered for patients with gastric volvulus that frequently recurs. In our patient, completely inserting the GIF was impossible; therefore, we could not correctly diagnose gastric volvulus. Laparoscopy-assisted PEG is a useful and safe technique for placing a gastrostomy tube in patients presenting with anatomical difficulties. Moreover, in our patient, gastropexy was performed with PEG. Therefore, LAPEG may be used to prevent the recurrence of gastric volvulus. Gastropexy is a useful option in LAPEG. CONCLUSIONS: Laparoscopy has the advantage of allowing a direct inspection of the stomach while gastrostomy is performed and may reveal complications to PEG insertion. Furthermore, in our patient, gastropexy was performed with PEG.

Detection of gene mutations in gastric cancer tissues using a commercial sequencing panel.

Predicting malignancy is important for adequate adjuvant therapy in patients with cancer. Due to cancer being a genetic disease, the detection of gene mutations could be helpful in predicting the prognosis and efficacy of drugs. Gastric cancer is the fifth most common cancer and is the third leading cause of cancer associated mortality worldwide. Mutations in genes may correlate with clinical information in patients with gastric cancer after surgery and, therefore, may be useful for predicting the prognosis of this disease. In the present study, to assess the usefulness of a commercial sequencing panel, TruSeq® Amplicon-Cancer Panel (Illumina), using a next-generation sequencer (Illumina MiSeq), mutation analysis of fresh as well as formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded (FFPE) gastric cancer tissues was performed retrospectively. The study group comprised of 4 patients who underwent gastrectomy for gastric cancer. Cancer and normal stomach tissues were collected immediately following surgical removal. Thereafter, the specimens were fixed in 10% neutral formalin for 24-72 h. Normal and FFPE cancer tissues were histologically examined and confirmed. A total of 3 mutations were identified in the driver genes (KRAS, TP53 and APC) in cancer tissues from 2 of the 4 patients, using fresh samples. In addition, FFPE samples were analysed for the same tissues and the same results were obtained by setting the threshold for the percentage of the mutation rate to avoid detection of pseudo-positive mutations. In conclusion, the sequencing analysis using FFPE-derived DNA samples was successfully performed.

Aneurysms of Pancreaticoduodenal Artery due to Median Arcuate Ligament Syndrome, Treated by Open Surgery and Laparoscopic Surgery.

INTRODUCTION: There are many possible causes of an abdominal visceral aneurysm, including the obstruction of the celiac artery by the median arcuate ligament (MAL). We report two cases of an aneurysm of the pancreaticoduodenal artery due to MAL syndrome that we treated surgically. CASE PRESENTATION: Case 1: a 66-year-old Japanese woman was diagnosed with a rupture of an aneurysm of the inferior pancreaticoduodenal artery. Because of the difficulty of endovascular therapy, we performed an emergency operation. We chose an abdominal operation, and the postoperative course was uneventful. Case 2: a 75-year-old Japanese man presented at our hospital with acute abdominal pain, nausea, and cold sweat. Our experience of treating MAL syndrome in case 1 enabled us to diagnose the disease accurately. We chose laparoscopic surgery, and the postoperative course was uneventful. DISCUSSION: There are several treatment choices for an aneurysm of the pancreaticoduodenal artery due to MAL syndrome. We have performed only a release of the MAL for treatment, but it is difficult to conclude whether only releasing the MAL is enough to ensure a positive long-term prognosis. Regular follow-up is needed in such cases. CONCLUSION: Laparoscopic surgery can be considered one of the options for MAL syndrome.

Group A Streptococcal Toxic Shock-Like Syndrome in a Male Presenting as Primary Peritonitis: A Case Report and a Review in Japan.

BACKGROUND: Streptococcal toxic shock-like syndrome (TSLS) is a severe infection caused by group A hemolytic streptococcus. It is clinically characterized by rapidly progressive septic shock and multiple organ failure within just a few hours. TSLS presenting as primary peritonitis is rare, especially in a male. Herein, we report a case of TSLS in a male presenting with primary peritonitis, with a review of 25 cases in Japan. CASE PRESENTATION: A 51-year-old male was referred to our hospital with abdominal pain and hypotension. We made a preoperative diagnosis of peritonitis with septic shock and performed an emergency operation. Intraoperative findings indicated no marked origin of the peritonitis. Preoperative blood culture showed the presence of group A hemolytic streptococcus. The patient required intensive care involving artificial respiration, abdominal drainage and cytokine absorption therapy, and was discharged on postoperative day 25. CONCLUSION: TSLS in a male presenting as primary peritonitis is rare. Although this condition is a severe infection, it can be treated by multimodal therapy.

Abdominoperineal Resection for Unexpected Distal Intramural Spreading of Rectal Cancer.

INTRODUCTION: In rectal cancer, distal intramural spread may sometimes occur, but a maximum extent of distal spread of > 6 cm is very rare. CASE PRESENTATION: A 65-year-old Japanese male with an advanced rectal cancer tumor with para-aortic lymph node metastasis was admitted. We performed a low anterior resection with lymphadenectomy, but the intraoperative frozen-section analysis of margins revealed malignant cell positivity; we, therefore, performed an abdominoperineal resection. Pathological findings showed that the maximum extent of distal spread was 6 cm. After 12 courses of FOLFOX4 as adjuvant chemotherapy, abdominal computed tomography revealed whole lymph node metastases, including Virchow's node. Though FOLFIRI + panitumumab was started, he was not eligible for additional chemotherapy after 10 cycles. CONCLUSION: An intraoperative frozen pathology examination was helpful for the additional resection, when unexpected distal spreading had occurred in rectal cancer. The evidence of a distal negative margin should not be underestimated.

Mixed Neuroendocrine Carcinoma and Squamous Cell Carcinoma of the Colon: Case Report and Literature Review.

Neuroendocrine carcinoma (NEC) of the colon is very rare, and squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) of colon cancer is rare. We recently treated a patient with both NEC and SCC that initially presented as multiple unresectable liver and lung metastases. A 68-year-old Japanese man was referred to our hospital because of diarrhea with descending colon cancer obstruction. He underwent a left colectomy. Based on immunohistochemistry results, we diagnosed mixed NEC and SCC, the primary lesion location of which was probably the lung in the final pathologic examination. He began systemic palliative chemotherapy with CDDP and CPT-11. After 3 months of treatment, shown the progressive disease, we started CDDP and VP-16. The patient was not eligible for additional chemotherapy after 2 months.

Impact of Left Colonic Artery Preservation on Anastomotic Leakage in Laparoscopic Sigmoid Resection and Anterior Resection for Sigmoid and Rectosigmoid Colon Cancer.

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the effect of left colonic artery (LCA) preservation on laparoscopic sigmoidectomy outcomes METHODS: We identified 447 consecutive patients who underwent laparoscopic sigmoidectomy at our hospital group between January 2010 and December 2016. We divided the patients into groups with and without LCA preservation and with and without anastomotic leakage (AL). We compared the patient age and gender, tumor location, stage, D2/D3 lymph node dissection, comorbidities, operating time, and blood loss between these groups. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to determine the risk factors for AL. RESULTS: There were significant differences in age, sex, tumor location, D2/D3 lymph node dissection, hypertension, operating time, blood loss, and AL for groups with and without LCA preservation. There were significant differences in sex, tumor location, and LCA preservation for groups with and without AL. Multivariate analysis showed male sex (hazard ratio (HR) = 6.37, 95% confidence interval (CI) 2.39-20.6; p < 0.0001), non-LCA preservation (HR = 5.01, 95% CI 1.41-31.8.0; p = 0.01), and rectosigmoidal tumor location (HR = 2.51, 95% CI 1.15-5.61; p = 0.01) as significant independent risk factors for AL. CONCLUSIONS: Based on the results obtained by performing laparoscopic operation for sigmoid colon cancer and rectosigmoid cancer, the LCA preservative procedure is warranted for prevention of AL.

A Case of Segmental Arterial Mediolysis Presenting as Mucosal Gastric Hematoma.

BACKGROUND: Although segmental arterial mediolysis (SAM) has been increasingly recognized as arteriopathy and there are some case reports about SAM, it is still very rare. It is characterized clinically by aneurysm, dissection, stenosis, and occlusion within splanchnic arterial branches, causing intra-abdominal hemorrhage or bowel ischemia. Mortality is as high as 50% in acute events. CASE PRESENTATION: A 51-year-old man was referred to our hospital with hematemesis. Gastroscopy revealed a submucosal-like tumor on the posterior wall of gastric angle with ulceration. Computed tomography indicated a tumor measuring 65 × 50 mm in the stomach, which was suspected to have invaded into the pancreas. Significant hematemesis recurred; the patient developed shock and underwent emergency distal gastrectomy, distal pancreatectomy, and splenectomy. The pathology and the clinical course were compatible with SAM splenic artery rupture causing retroperitoneal hemorrhage that penetrated into the stomach. After that surgery, aneurysm of common hepatic artery ruptured and coil embolization was performed. CONCLUSION: SAM is an important cause of intra-abdominal or retroperitoneal hemorrhage in patients without underlying disease. SAM typically presents as intra-abdominal hemorrhage, but, in this case, the retroperitoneal hemorrhage penetrated into the stomach and it looked like a submucosal tumor.

Two cases of laparoscopic simultaneous resection of colorectal cancer and synchronous liver metastases in elderly patients.

INTRODUCTION: The laparoscopic resection of colorectal cancer and laparoscopic liver surgery are widely considered to be safe. Recently, it has been reported that the simultaneous laparoscopic resection of primary colorectal cancer and liver metastasis is technically feasible and safe when it is performed at experienced centers. However, the feasibility of simultaneous laparoscopic procedures for colorectal cancer and synchronous colorectal liver metastases in elderly patients has not been studied sufficiently. In this study, two cases in which elderly patients with colorectal cancer and synchronous liver metastases were treated with simultaneous laparoscopic resection are reported. PRESENTATION OF CASES: An 83-year-old female was diagnosed with ascending colon cancer and synchronous hepatic metastases. Simultaneous laparoscopic resection of the primary colon cancer and the liver metastasis was performed. Another tiny hepatic metastasis was subsequently detected in the right hepatic lobe. It was treated with hand-assisted radiofrequency ablation (RFA). The total operative time was 470min, and 340g of intraoperative blood loss occurred. The other case involved a 78-year-old male who was diagnosed with ascending colon cancer and synchronous hepatic metastasis in the right hepatic lobe. Simultaneous laparoscopic resection of the primary colon tumor and liver metastasis was performed. The total operative time was 471min, and 240g of intraoperative blood loss occurred. The postoperative courses of both patients were uneventful. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: Our results indicate that simultaneous laparoscopic resection of colorectal cancer and synchronous liver metastases is feasible and safe in elderly patients.

Risk factors for postoperative complications in patients on maintenance hemodialysis who undergo abdominal surgery.

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVE: Patients on hemodialysis (HD) who undergo abdominal surgery for gastrointestinal disease are at increased risk of postoperative complications. In this study, we retrospectively investigated the predictors of postoperative complications among such patients. METHODS: The study group comprised 36 HD patients who underwent abdominal surgery for gastrointestinal disease between 2003 and 2012. The clinicopathological factors of the patients who did and did not suffer postoperative complications were compared. RESULTS: The overall morbidity and mortality rates were 39% (14/36) and 14% (5/36), respectively. Physical status according to the American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) classification (p = 0.0203) and intraoperative blood loss (p = 0.0013) were found to differ significantly between the groups. CONCLUSION: The morbidity and mortality rates of HD patients who underwent abdominal surgery for gastrointestinal disease were high. Physical status according to the ASA classification and intraoperative blood loss were found to be associated with postoperative complications. Therefore, patients with comorbidities, such as heart disease and diabetes mellitus, have to be treated appropriately before surgery. In addition, it is important that surgeons perform operations carefully and avoid excessive blood loss.

Pfetin as a risk factor of recurrence in gastrointestinal stromal tumors.

Background. Despite complete resection of gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GIST), recurrent and/or metastatic disease occurs, often depending on the grade of malignancy. As such, markers are needed that accurately predict patients at high risk for recurrence. Previously our group reported Pfetin as a prognostic biomarker for GIST. In order to create an approach for predicting risk of recurrence, we incorporated Pfetin expression with clinicopathological data to produce a predictive model. Object. Forty-five patients with localized primary GIST were treated with complete gross surgical resection surgically at our institution between 1995 and 2010 were included. The majority of tumors originated in the stomach (38 cases), as well as small intestine (6 cases) and rectum (1 case). Method. (1) We performed retrospective analysis of the connection between Pfetin expression, clinicopathological data, and incidences of recurrence, using bivariate and multivariate analyses. (2) The reactivity of the monoclonal antibody against Pfetin was examined by immunohistochemistry. Pfetin. We have reported Pfetin, identified microarray technology, and compared between statistically different GISTs for good and poor prognoses and for prognostic marker. Results. There were 7 cases of recurrences. (1) By univariate analysis, tumor size, mitoses, exposure to abdominal cavity, and complete tumor removal predicted risk of recurrence. (2) Pfetin-negative cases were significantly related to recurrence (P = 0.002). Conclusions. This analysis demonstrates that lack of Pfetin expression is an additional predictor of recurrence in resected GIST. Further study may determine the role of this variable added to the current predictive model for selection of adjuvant therapy.

A case of duodenal intramural metastasis from gastric cancer.

INTRODUCTION: Here, we report a case of duodenal intramural metastasis from gastric cancer, which is extremely rare. PRESENTATION OF CASE: A 72-year-old man was admitted to our hospital with a chief complaint of lack of appetite in 2010. An endoscopic evaluation detected a Borrmann type 2 tumor occupying the lesser curvature of the gastric body and antrum, and pyloric stenosis. The patient underwent total gastrectomy. In an examination of the resected specimen, a type 2 tumor was identified in the middle gastric body and antrum, and a submucosal tumor was detected in the duodenal bulb. A histopathological examination demonstrated that the gastric tumor was not contiguous with the duodenal submucosal tumor. A microscopic examination demonstrated that the gastric tumor was a moderately to poorly differentiated adenocarcinoma and displayed lymphatic permeation. The duodenal submucosal tumor was also found to be an adenocarcinoma and was similar to the gastric tumor; therefore, we diagnosed the duodenal tumor as an intramural metastasis from gastric cancer. DISCUSSION: The most common route of metastasis from gastric cancer involves hematogenous metastasis, lymph node metastasis, and peritoneal metastasis. Intramural metastasis from gastric cancer is rare and has been reported to be a variant of lymphogenic metastasis. The clinicopathological features of patients with duodenal intramural metastasis from gastric cancer are unclear because only one case of the condition has been reported. CONCLUSION: Duodenal intramural metastasis from gastric cancer is an advanced form of cancer, and we suggest that it should be treated with surgical resection followed by adjuvant therapy.

[Trans-thoracic esophagectomy with 3-field lymph nodes dissection].

Although open-chest surgery is the mainstay treatment for esophageal cancer, the understanding of the context of the surgery differs in Japan and the rest of the world. Three-field lymph node dissection has been unique to Japan, although some reports on its benefits are emerging elsewhere. In addition to three-field lymph node dissection, various efforts are made during surgical procedures to reduce complications at high-volume Japanese healthcare institutions.