[A Case of Laparoscopic Gastrectomy for Gastric Cancer Occurring after Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting Using the Right Gastroepiploic Artery].

We present a case of 72-year-old man who was diagnosed with gastric cancer that occurred after coronary artery bypass grafting(CABG)with the right gastroepiploic artery(RGEA). Gastrointestinal endoscopy revealed a 0-Ⅱc lesion at the posterior wall of gastric angle, and diagnosis was cStage Ⅰ(T2N0M0). Cardiac computed-tomography showed an occlusion of the RGEA graft, suggesting that the RGEA graft could be ligated and dissected. Coronary angiography showed no severe stenosis of the right coronary artery, suggesting that coronary revascularization was not necessary. He underwent laparoscopic distal gastrectomy with D2 lymph node dissection. During the operation, the RGEA graft was dissected after clamp test for 20 minutes to confirm no cardiac event. In such cases, it is crucial to consider whether it is possible or not to dissect the RGEA graft and whether to restore the coronary flow with preoperative meticulous examination.

Histomorphologic superiority of internal thoracic arteries over right gastroepiploic arteries for coronary bypass.

OBJECTIVE: In this study, we compared the histologic and morphometric properties of both internal thoracic arteries and the right gastroepiploic artery (GEA) in patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). METHODS: We microscopically examined transverse sections of segments of both internal thoracic arteries and the right GEA obtained from 83 consecutive patients who underwent CABG. RESULTS: There were no significant differences between the internal thoracic arteries. Significant differences were found between the left and right internal thoracic arteries and GEA in the intimal width (21.8, 21.5, and 71.7 µm, respectively; P < .01), intima-to-media ratio (0.286, 0.256, and 0.749, respectively; P < .01), and media width (148.5, 157.5, and 164.8 µm, respectively; P = .43). No atherosclerotic lesions, medial calcification, or intimal thickening were seen in the internal thoracic arteries; however, atherosclerotic lesions were seen in the GEA. The intima of the GEA was thicker than that of the internal thoracic arteries. Intimal thickening of the GEA, but not the internal thoracic arteries, was positively correlated with risk of arteriosclerosis. In patients with diabetes mellitus, dietary/drug therapy and insulin therapy were associated with GEA intimal thickness (P = .02 and .01, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: The internal thoracic arteries have equivalent histologic and morphometric properties that differ from those of the GEA only in intimal width. The former had no intimal thickening, and is thus preferable to the GEA for CABG.

Hemosuccus pancreaticus: a rare complication of chronic pancreatitis.

Hemosuccus pancreaticus is a very rare cause of gastrointestinal bleeding and it should be considered in every patient with history of chronic pancreatitis who presents with acute or intermittent gastrointestinal haemorrhage. A 54-year-old man with a history of chronic alcoholic pancreatitis was admitted to hospital for an acute exacerbation. During hospital stay, he presented with haematemesis and haemodynamic instability. Upper gastrointestinal endoscopy revealed a blood clot on Vater papilla. CT investigation showed a 4 cm cephalopancreatic pseudocyst and angiography identified a large pseudoaneurysm of the right gastroepiploic artery, bleeding into the pseudocyst-hemosuccus pancreaticus. Microcoil transcatheter embolisation was performed with success.

Indocyanine green fluorescence and three-dimensional imaging of right gastroepiploic artery in gastric tube cancer.

A 79-year-old male was admitted to our hospital for the treatment of cancer of the gastric tube. Gastrointestinal examination revealed a T1b Union for International Cancer Control (UICC) tumor at the pyloric region of the gastric tube. Laparotomy did not reveal infiltration into the serosa, peritoneal dissemination, regional lymph node swelling, or distant metastasis. We performed a distal gastrectomy preserving the right gastroepiploic artery by referencing the preoperative three-dimensional computed tomoangiography. We also evaluated the blood flow of the right gastroepiploic artery and in the proximal gastric tube by using indocyanine green fluorescence imaging intra-operatively and then followed with a gastrojejunal anastomosis with Roux-en-Y reconstruction. The definitive diagnosis was moderately differentiated adenocarcinoma of the gastric tube, pT1bN0M0, pStage IA (UICC). His postoperative course was uneventful. Three-dimensional computed tomographic imaging is effective for assessing the course of blood vessels and the relationship with the surrounding structures. Intraoperative evaluation of blood flow of the right gastroepiploic artery and of the gastric tube in the anastomotic portion is very valuable information and could contribute to a safe gastrointestinal reconstruction.

Histological and morphometric properties of skeletonized gastroepiploic artery and risk factors for intimal hyperplasia.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of the present study was to examine the histological and morphometric properties of skeletonized gastroepiploic artery (GEA) and the risk factors for intimal hyperplasia. METHODS: We obtained the redundant distal segments of skeletonized GEAs from 33 patients undergoing coronary bypass surgery and microscopically examined the transverse sections just distal to the most distal anastomoses. Intimal hyperplasia was evaluated on the basis of intima-to-media ratio and percentage of luminal narrowing. Risk factors were examined using multivariate linear regression analysis. RESULTS: The median (range) of lumen diameter at the most distal anastomosis was 3.8 (2.4-6.4) mm; width of intima, 82 (8-418) µm; width of media, 167 (88-351) µm; wall thickness, 250 (118-554) µm; intima-to-media ratio, 0.59 (0.04-3.88), and percentage of luminal narrowing, 12.3 (1.5-28.9). The number of elastic lamina in the media was 4.2 ± 1.8. Atherosclerosis was found in six patients, and medial calcification, in three patients. The median (range) of graft flow and pulsatile index measured by intraoperative transit-time flow meter was 65 (11-141) mL/min and 3.1 (1.4-5.9), respectively. All GEA grafts were patent at the coronary computed tomography angiography before discharge. Estimated glomerular filtration rate was independently associated with intima-to-media ratio (ß coefficient = -0.016, P < 0.01) and percentage of luminal narrowing (ß coefficient = -0.012, P < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Skeletonized GEA had sufficient lumen diameter with excellent graft flow and early patency even when used as a sequential graft. Estimated glomerular filtration rate correlates significantly with intimal hyperplasia.

A concomitant case of giant cell arteritis and microscopic polyangiitis with hemoperitoneum by rupture of the gastroepiploic artery.

Giant cell arteritis (GCA) mainly involves large-sized arteries, while microscopic polyangiitis (mPA), characterized by pauci-immune necrotizing vasculitis, mainly affects small-sized vessels. We report a very rare concomitant case of GCA diagnosed by temporal artery biopsy and mPA with a high titer of myeloperoxidase antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody, exacerbation of interstitial pneumonia, and suspected rapidly progressive glomerulonephritis. The patient died by sudden rupture of the gastroepiploic artery (medium-sized vessel), which may have been triggered by GCA and/or mPA.

Spleen-preserving distal pancreatectomy with resection of the splenic vessels. Should one rely on the short gastric arteries?

CONTEXT: Knowing the collaterals is essential for a spleen-preserving distal pancreatectomy with resection of the splenic vessels. OBJECTIVE: To ascertain the sources of the blood supply to the spleen after a spleen-preserving distal pancreatectomy with resection of the splenic vessels. METHODS: Perfusion of the cadaveric left gastric and right gastroepiploic arteries with methylene blue after occlusion of all the arteries except the short gastric arteries (n=10). Intraoperative color Doppler ultrasound was used for the evaluation of the hilar arterial blood flow at distal pancreatectomy (n=23) after 1) clamping of the splenic artery alone, 2) clamping of the splenic and left gastroepiploic arteries and 3) clamping of the splenic and short gastric arteries. CT angiography of the gastric and splenic vessels before and after a spleen-preserving distal pancreatectomy (n=10). RESULTS: Perfusion of the cadaveric arteries revealed no effective direct or indirect (through the submucous gastric arterial network) communication between the left gastric and the branches of the short gastric arteries. In no case did intraoperative color Doppler ultrasound detect any hilar arterial blood flow after the clamping of the splenic and left gastroepiploic arteries. The clamping of the short gastric arteries did not change the flow parameters. In none of the cases did a post-spleen-preserving distal pancreatectomy with resection of the splenic vessels CT angiography delineate the short gastric vessels supplying the spleen. In all cases, the gastroepiploic arcade was the main arterial pathway feeding the spleen. CONCLUSION: Experimental, intra- and postoperative instrumental investigations did not show the short gastric arteries to be engaged in the blood supply to the spleen after a spleen-preserving distal pancreatectomy with resection of the splenic vessels. In all cases, the left gastroepiploic artery was the main collateral vessel.

Initial evaluation of a novel, prototype, forward-viewing echoendoscope in a porcine arterial bleeding model (with video).

BACKGROUND: Real-time visualization of submucosal arterial flow at the base of an ulcer might improve endoscopic hemostasis by permitting more accurate assessment of the artery, precise targeting of therapy, and confirmation of vessel ablation. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the utility of a novel, forward-viewing echoendoscope in identifying bleeding submucosal arteries, guiding hemostatic therapy, and confirming cessation of flow through treated vessels. DESIGN: In 7 pigs, a previously described porcine model for peptic ulcer hemorrhage was created by isolating the gastroepiploic and/or short gastric artery and tunneling it into the subserosal space at laparotomy. SETTING: Animal research facility. INTERVENTION: The prototype endoscope was used to image submucosal arterial flow. EUS guidance was then used to deliver endoscopic hemostatic therapy and assess treatment adequacy. MAIN OUTCOME MEASUREMENTS: Identification of the target submucosal artery and successful delivery of EUS-guided endoscopic therapy, evidenced by cessation of Doppler flow through the target vessel. RESULTS: Tunneled arteries were visualized endosonographically in all 7 cases. EUS-guided submucosal injection of epinephrine was successful in 2 of 2 cases. EUS-guided delivery of thermal hemostatic therapy was successful in 2 of 4 cases. Absence of flow through treated vessels was confirmed in cases in which EUS-guided therapy was successfully delivered. LIMITATIONS: Acute animal model. CONCLUSION: Proof of principle experiments in a porcine peptic ulcer hemorrhage model suggest that real-time sonographic imaging of submucosal arteries is feasible with a forward-viewing echoendoscope, and guided hemostatic therapy can be delivered.

Segmental arterial mediolysis of varying phases affecting both the intra-abdominal and intracranial vertebral arteries: an autopsy case report.

We report an autopsy case of segmental arterial mediolysis (SAM) of various phases occurring in both the intracranial vertebral artery (IVA) and intra-abdominal arteries. The patient was a 70-year-old male found dead in his house. The cause of death was massive intra-abdominal hemorrhage owing to a ruptured right gastroepiploic artery. Histopathological examination revealed that there was a broad arterial dissection as long as 20 cm in the right gastroepiploic artery associated with SAM in the injurious phase. In addition, SAM in the reparative phase was observed as organized arterial dissections in the left gastric artery. Furthermore, SAM in the reparative phase was detected as an arterial dissection in the right IVA undergoing an organizing process. These three lesions were considered to have developed at different times. SAM occurring in both the intra-abdominal and intracranial vertebral arteries is extremely rare. This coincidence may provide a clue to the relationship between SAM and spontaneous IVA dissection.

Investigation of the lymphatic stream of the stomach in gastric cancer with solitary lymph node metastasis.

BACKGROUND: Understanding the lymphatic drainage route in gastric cancer is crucial for complete lymph node retrieval from sites susceptible to metastasis. However, the lymphatic stream of the stomach is complex and remains incompletely characterized. METHODS: Patients with small (<4 cm) serosa-negative gastric cancer with solitary lymph node metastasis treated at the Cancer Institute Hospital were included in this study. A total of 135 patients were classified according to the location of the solitary lymph node metastasis into the left gastric artery (LGA) group, the right gastroepiploic artery (RGEA) group, the right gastric artery (RGA) group, or the splenic artery (SA) group. The location of the primary tumors was investigated to aid the mapping of the lymphatic stream of the stomach. RESULTS: Lymphatic flow in LGA (65 patients) and in RGEA (57 patients) are main lymphatic drainage routes of the stomach. The lymphatic area overlapped in the lower third of the stomach in LGA and RGEA, and the lymphatic flow associated with gastric cancer located within this overlapped area can be multidirectional. Skip metastases were observed in 13 patients (10%), and all skip metastases were observed in the suprapancreatic area (station 7, 8a, 9, or 11p). CONCLUSIONS: The lymphatic stream of the stomach is complicated and multidirectional. Understanding and mapping the complex lymphatic streams of the stomach will allow surgeons to perform more effective lymph node dissection during gastric cancer surgery.

Angleplasty in gastric tube reconstruction after esophagectomy.

Anastomotic leakage after radical esophagectomy is mostly caused by the hypoxia and high tension at the esophagogastric anastomotic site. Here, we introduce a new surgical technique, 'Angleplasty,' to enable the tensionless anastomosis at a highly oxygenic site of gastric conduit. In short, the seromuscular layer is cut for a perpendicular direction against a lesser curvature at a gastric angle and the gastric wall is carefully divided between the muscular and submucosal layers for longitudinal direction for 4-5 cm in length. Then, the wound is closed with seromuscular sutures for longitudinal direction. With this maneuver, the lesser curvature of the gastric roll is significantly elongated and the anastomosis site of the gastric conduit can be moved more distal on the greater curvature of the stomach where it is expected to receive more oxygen supply. This technique takes only several minutes, but provides highly favorable conditions for esophagogastric anastomosis and thus is clinically useful to reduce the risk of anastomotic leakage after esophagectomy.

Human gastroepiploic artery has greater chymase activity than the internal thoracic artery.

OBJECTIVE: Recent reports have demonstrated that long-term patency of the gastroepiploic artery (GEA) in coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) is less satisfactory compared with the internal thoracic artery (ITA). However, the reason has not been fully elucidated. Angiotensin II is known to play an important role in the development of intimal hyperplasia, we hypothesized that the GEA is different from the ITA with respect to angiotensin II-forming ability. Accordingly, we measured activities of angiotensin II-forming enzymes, angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) and chymase, in human GEA and ITA. METHODS: Remnant of the GEAs and ITAs were obtained from 24 patients who underwent CABG in which both conduits were used simultaneously. Activities of ACE and chymase were measured by using the extract form the GEA or ITA. Sections of the GEA or ITA were immunohistochemically stained with anti-human chymase antibody. RESULTS: The ACE activity of the GEA (0.28+/-0.16 mU/mg protein) was greater than that of the ITA (0.18+/-0.11, p < 0.001). The chymase activity of the GEA (11.11+/-7.15 mU/mg protein) was also greater than that in the ITA (7.13+/-4.89, p < 0.001). The density of chymase-positive cells in the GEA (3.8+/-4.2 cells/mm2) was greater than that in the ITA (1.1+/-1.2, p < 0.01). CONCLUSION: Activities of both ACE and chymase were significantly greater in the GEA compared with the ITA. The GEA may be different from the ITA with respect to potential ability of angiotensin II-formation.

Abdominal pain caused by thrombosis of a gastroepiploic artery aneurysm--a case report.

Symptomatic visceral aneurysms usually present with abdominal pain and shock, gastrointestinal bleeding, or hemobilia when the aneurysm ruptures. Less frequently, visceral aneurysms are found incidentally during abdominal computed tomography or angiography. Thrombosis is a frequent complication of popliteal and femoral aneurysms but is rarely seen with a visceral aneurysm. The author believes this is the first report of complete thrombosis of a gastroepiploic artery aneurysm. The patient, who was seen for abdominal pain, had a previously unrecognized aneurysm.

A simple intra-operative maneuver to decrease a duodenal ulcer hemorrhage temporarily: description and anatomical bases.

Intraoperative hemostatic suture to treat a bleeding duodenal ulcer is sometimes difficult when there is massive hemorrhage. The aims of this paper are: (1) to describe a practical and easy intraoperative procedure which quickly decreases a massively bleeding duodenal ulcer, allowing the surgeon to identify the bleeding site clearly and obtain definitive hemostasis by suturing the involved vessels with a low risk of common bile duct lesion; and (2) to study in cadavers the anatomical basis of this surgical procedure already successfully performed on patients. Fourteen patients with massive duodenal ulcer bleeding, after unsuccessful endoscopic hemostasis, were operated on and included in this study. After surgical anterior gastroduodenotomy, the surgeon introduced a finger in a downward and forward direction in the bursa omentalis vestibule through the omental foramen. This simple and quick procedure decreased hemorrhage by compressing the gastroduodenal artery against the first part of the posterior surface of the duodenum. Twenty-four fresh blocks of normal tissue were removed from cadavers and were injected with silicone rubber through the common hepatic artery. The distance between the gastroduodenal artery and the omental foramen was measured. With this maneuver the surgeon can clearly see the exact bleeding site and perform an adequate suture with a minor risk of common bile duct lesion.

Successful laparoscopic right gastroepiploic aneurysmectomy: report of a case.

A 75-year-old woman presented with a pulsatile, movable mass, about 5 cm in diameter, in her lower abdomen. Abdominal ultrasonography revealed a circular mass with a variable hypo- and isoechoic border and a hypoechoic center. Color Doppler echography showed blood flow in the hypoechoic center, which was strongly enhanced on contrast-enhanced computed tomography. Based on these findings, we diagnosed a splanchnic artery aneurysm; however, celiac arteriography, performed twice, could not definitively identify it. An operation was performed under the tentative diagnosis of an aneurysm of the superior mesenteric artery or the gastroepiploic artery. On laparoscopic exploration, a globe-shaped mass, about 5 cm in diameter, was found in the right side of the greater omentum, which was diagnosed as an aneurysm of the right gastroepiploic artery. We resected the aneurysm laparoscopically and the patient had an uneventful postoperative course. Thus, laparoscopic surgery was effective for this patient who required no vascular reconstruction.

Ultrasonic-guided percutaneous injection of pancreatic pseudoaneurysm with thrombin.

Pancreatic pseudoaneurysm is a relatively uncommon complication of chronic pancreatitis, with an associated high mortality if rupture or hemorrhage occurs. We present a case of pancreatic pseudoaneurysm complicating pancreatitis which was successfully treated by direct percutaneous injection of thrombin into the aneurysmal sac. Follow-up at 8 weeks did not demonstrate recurrence. This case indicates that percutaneous thrombin injection offers effective treatment of visceral arterial pseudoaneurysms.

Ruptured aneurysm of the visceral artery: report of two cases.

We present herein two cases of a ruptured aneurysm of the visceral artery. The first case involved a 74-year-old man with abdominal pain who was admitted to our hospital with a tentative diagnosis of intra-abdominal bleeding of unknown origin. Computed tomography revealed a hematoma in the greater curvature of the stomach. At surgery, a hematoma along the right gastroepiploic artery was found and totally removed. Histological examination showed a pseudo-aneurysm of unknown etiology. The second case involved a 68-year-old man with progressive anemia who presented with spontaneous intra-abdominal bleeding. A ruptured aneurysm of the accessory middle colic artery was diagnosed by superior mesenteric angiography. The ruptured aneurysm was ligated and totally resected without a colectomy. Histological examination showed a pseudoaneurysm of unknown etiology. The postoperative courses were uneventful, and both patients were doing well at the time of writing.