Efficacy of transversus abdominis plane block and rectus sheath block in laparoscopic inguinal hernia surgery.

We aimed to assess the efficacy of transversus abdominis plane (TAP) block and rectus sheath (RS) block in patients undergoing laparoscopic inguinal hernia surgery. Few studies have addressed the efficacy and safety associated with TAP block and RS block for laparoscopic surgery. Thirty-two patients underwent laparoscopic inguinal hernia surgery, either with TAP and RS block (Block(+) group, n = 18) or without peripheral nerve block (Block(-) group, n = 14). Preoperatively, TAP and RS block were performed through ultrasound guidance. We evaluated postoperative pain control and patient outcomes. The mean postoperative hospital stays were 1.56 days (Block+ group) and 2.07 days (Block(-) group; range, 1-3 days in both groups; P = 0.0038). A total of 11 patients and 1 patient underwent day surgery in the Block(+) and Block(-) groups, respectively (P = 0.0012). Good postoperative pain control was more commonly observed in the Block(+) group than in the Block(-) group (P = 0.011). TAP and RS block was effective in reducing postoperative pain and was associated with a fast recovery in patients undergoing laparoscopic inguinal hernia surgery.

[Alternate-day oral therapy with S-1 for adjuvant chemotherapy of gastric cancer].

Postoperative adjuvant chemotherapy with S-1 is a standard treatment for several digestive cancers. We conducted alter- nate-day oral therapy as postoperative adjuvant chemotherapy with S-1, for 31 patients with pathological stage II / IIIgastric cancer for whom radical resection had been performed. We examined the effects, the rate of compliance with all of the dosing instructions, cancer recurrence, and the survival rate with S-1 by the administration method for 31 cases. Twenty-eight patients(90. 3%)could be administered S-1 for one year. Those with side effects were admitted in 4 cases(13%). Those with side effects of grade 3 or more were not admitted. The 3-year survival rate was obtained; stage II 91%, and stage III 67% in gastric cancer. Four patients had recurrences at; the rate of 13%. In conclusion, the number of side effects was decreased, and a high rate of compliance with all dosing instructions was achieved in alternate-day oral therapy with S-1, compared with the daily oral method. This method can be a safe and useful way to administer S-1 oral therapy.

[A case of advanced small intestinal cancer treated with S-1 plus cisplatin].

A66 -year-old woman was referred to our hospital because of abdominal pain in 2005. Computed tomography(CT) showed severe wall thickening of the proximal part of the jejunum and extensive intraperitoneal lymph node swelling. Therefore she was diagnosed with primary advanced small intestinal cancer. Surgery was performed to prevent the gastrointestinal obstruction and bleeding. Extensive lymph node metastases, including those in the paraaortic area, were observed. Because a curative resection seemed impossible, only a partial resection of jejunum was performed. After the operation, a regimen of chemotherapy with S-1(80mg/body, alternate-day dosage)and CDDP(100mg/body), was administered once every 5 weeks. At the end of the 4th course, the tumor marker was normalized and CT showed a marked decrease in the size lymph nodes; a complete response(CR)was achieved. But when a total 9 courses of chemotherapy was completed during the 17- month follow-up period after the operation, the tumor marker re-rose, and CT showed extensive intraperitoneal lymph node swelling again, so it was diagnosed the recurrence of as a disease. Chemotherapy was administered again, but was not effective. The patient died 29 months after the operation.