Causal Relationship between Celiac Stenosis and Pancreaticoduodenal Artery Aneurysm: Interpretation by Simulation Using an Electric Circuit.

Pancreaticoduodenal artery (PDA) aneurysm and celiac artery (CA) stenosis are rare diseases in themselves. Interestingly, however, there are more cases documented in the literature in which these two disease entities occurred together than could be coincidental, and CA stenosis has been suggested as the provocative condition in developing PDA aneurysm. This study is aimed at examining the causal relationship between CA stenosis and PDA aneurysm by simulating the splanchnic circulation with an electric circuit. A patient with multiple PDA aneurysms and collaterals with CA stenosis was treated in our institution using hybrid techniques. The patient's pre- and postoperative status was simulated using an electric circuit, and the two possible scenarios were tested for compatibility: the stenosis-first scenario vs. the aneurysm-first scenario. The simulation was performed in two ways: using Simulink® software (MATLAB® Release 2018b) and actual circuit construction on a breadboard. The stenosis-first scenario showed that as the CA stenosis progresses, the blood flow through PDA increases, favoring the development of an aneurysm and/or collaterals if the artery was already compromised by a weakening condition. On the other hand, the aneurysm-first scenario also showed that if the aneurysm or collaterals developed first, the aneurysm will steal the blood flow through the CA, causing it to collapse if the artery was already compromised by increased wall tension. Contrary to the common belief, this study showed that in patients suffering from concurrent CA stenosis and PDA aneurysm, either condition could develop first and predispose the development of the other. The simulation of splanchnic blood flow with an electric circuit provides a useful tool for analyzing rare vascular diseases that are difficult to provoke in clinical and animal studies.

Changes in Pancreatic Endocrine Function and Morphology After Pancreaticoduodenectomy: A Comparison Between Pancreatic Head Cancer and Other Pathologies.

OBJECTIVES: It is unclear whether the improved glucose metabolism in pancreas head cancer (PHC) patients after pancreaticoduodenectomy is due to the anatomical change or the relief of pancreatic duct obstruction. METHODS: We divided 170 patients into the PHC group (n = 54, 31.8%) and other pathology (non-PHC) group (n = 116, 68.2%). Glucose metabolic function was evaluated using the glucose tolerance index (GTI), and the pancreatic duct obstruction and dilatation was measured using the pancreatic atrophic index (PAI). RESULTS: The preoperative GTI was significantly higher in the PHC group (mean [standard deviation {SD}], 0.84 [1.16]) than in the non-PHC group (0.41 [SD, 0.59], P = 0.000). The postoperative GTI decreased significantly in the PHC group but remained unchanged in the non-PHC group. Similarly, the preoperative PAI was higher in the PHC group (0.32 [SD, 0.19]) than in the non-PHC group (0.13 [SD, 0.09], P = 0.000). The postoperative PAI decreased significantly in the PHC group, but not in the non-PHC group. CONCLUSIONS: The impaired glucose metabolism in PHC can be caused by pancreatic duct obstruction. After pancreaticoduodenectomy, glucose metabolism is improved by the relief of pancreatic duct obstruction, and not by the anatomical change. The patients should be counseled accordingly.

Intrahepatic recurrence of single nodular hepatocellular carcinoma after surgical resection: an analysis by segmental distribution.

BACKGROUND: Intrahepatic recurrence is the major cause of management failure after surgical resection of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). In the present study, we analysed intrahepatic recurrence by HCC distribution using Couinaud's liver segments. METHODS: Recurrence proximity levels were defined with respect to primary tumour locations from Level LR (locoregional) to Level IV. Initial and recurrent tumours were compared with segmental distribution of their locations, and recurrence proximity levels were compared with initial tumour locations and disease-free survival. RESULTS: Eighty-five (58.2%) of 146 patients with single nodular HCC experienced intrahepatic recurrence after surgical resection with a mean disease-free survival of 20.8 ± 21.1 months. Segmental distributions of initial and recurrent tumour locations were not significantly different (P > 0.05), and both were similar to the normal segmental volume distribution except segments S5, S6 and S8. Recurrences in proximity levels LR to IV were 11.1%, 34.9%, 25.4%, 21.4%, and 7.1%, respectively, and this distribution agreed well with theoretical proximity level distribution (P > 0.05). Disease-free survivals for different recurrence levels were not different (P = 0.530). CONCLUSION: Intrahepatic recurrences after surgical resection of single nodular HCC occurred evenly in the remnant liver, and the timing was independent of the proximity between initial and recurrent tumours. Prevention was found to be proportional to the amount of liver segments removed. Surgical plans should take this into consideration.

Functional and morphological evolution of remnant pancreas after resection for pancreatic adenocarcinoma.

Functional and morphological evolution of remnant pancreas after resection for pancreatic adenocarcinoma is investigated.The medical records of 45 patients who had undergone radical resection for pancreatic adenocarcinoma from March 2010 to September 2013 were reviewed retrospectively. There were 34 patients in the pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD) group and 10 patients in the distal pancreatectomy (DP) group. One patient received total pancreatectomy. The endocrine function was measured using the glucose tolerance index (GTI), which was derived by dividing daily maximum serum glucose fluctuation by daily minimum glucose. Remnant pancreas volume (RPV) was estimated by considering pancreas body and tail as a column, and head as an ellipsoid, respectively. The pancreatic atrophic index (PAI) was defined as the ratio of pancreatic duct width to total pancreas width. Representative indices of each patient were compared before and after resection up to 2 years postoperatively.The area under receiver operating characteristic curve of GTI for diagnosing DM was 0.823 (95% confidence interval, 0.699-0.948, P < .001). Overall, GTI increased on postoperative day 1 (POD#1, mean ±â€Šstandard deviation, 1.79 ±â€Š1.40 vs preoperative, 1.02 ±â€Š1.41; P = .001), and then decreased by day 7 (0.89 ±â€Š1.16 vs POD#1, P < .001). In the PD group, the GTI on POD#14 became lower than preoperative (0.51 ±â€Š0.38 vs 0.96 ±â€Š1.37; P = .03). PAI in the PD group was significantly lower at 1 month postoperatively (0.22 ±â€Š0.12 vs preoperative, 0.38 ±â€Š0.18; P < .001). In the PD group, RPV was significantly lower at 1 month postoperatively (25.3 ±â€Š18.3 cm vs preoperative, 32.4 ±â€Š20.1 cm; P = .02), due to the resolution of pancreatic duct dilatation. RPV of the DP group showed no significant change. GTI was negatively related to RPV preoperatively (r = -0.317, P = .04), but this correlation disappeared postoperatively (r = -0.044, P = .62).Pancreatic endocrine functional deterioration in pancreatic adenocarcinoma patients may in part be due to pancreatic duct obstruction and dilatation caused by the tumor. After resection, this proportion of endocrine insufficiency is corrected.

An intuitive method of duct-to-mucosa pancreaticojejunostomy after pancreaticoduodenectomy: use of one-step circumferential interrupted sutures.

Pancreaticoenteric anastomosis is the origin of postoperative pancreatic fistula (POPF). Although a variety of methods have been proposed to decrease the POPF rate, randomized controlled trials performed so far have failed to demonstrate superiority of any particular method to the others. Cattell-Warren duct-to-mucosa pancreaticojejunostomy (PJ) is a widely practiced procedure. Their method is challenging, especially when the pancreatic duct is small. We assumed that the difficulty resides in the pancreatic duct becoming difficult to access when the posterior row is tied before suturing the anterior row. We have modified the duct-to-mucosa PJ so that the entire circumference of the inner layer can be sutured and tied in one-step by anchoring and retracting the anterior row. The jejunal roux-limb and pancreatic stump are positioned spatially apart, allowing enough space for free needle work. During a 13-year period, 151 patients underwent pancreaticoduodenectomy with this method, and the cumulative POPF and mortality rates were 37.1% and 4.6%, respectively. These rates were stable throughout the study period, implicating a relative independence from surgeons' experience. We believe that our method is intuitive, easy to grasp, and can be readily adopted even by surgeons not accustomed to pancreaticoduodenectomy.

Platelet count evolution as a predictor of outcome after splenectomy for immune thrombocytopenic purpura.

Splenectomy is the definitive second-line therapy for refractory immune thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP), and has a reported response rate of 50-80%. Medical attention should be reconsidered when there is no evidence of accessory spleen in refractory ITP patients after splenectomy. The purpose of this study was to determine whether platelet count evolution differs between patients with a successful or unsuccessful result after splenectomy for ITP. Archived records of 104 consecutive patients that underwent splenectomy for ITP were reviewed. Patients were divided into two groups (failures and successes) using a final follow-up platelet count of 100,000/µL as a cut-off. Platelet count evolutions in these two groups were compared using the Student's t test. Successes and failures were found to have significantly different platelet counts from two days postoperatively (P = 0.016). The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve was 0.630 (95% confidence interval, 0.518-0.741, P = 0.030), and when a cut-off value of 100,000/µL was used, sensitivity and specificity were 68.2 and 51.2%, respectively. To obtain positive and negative predictive values exceeding 50%, additional platelet counts were required at one week and one month after splenectomy. We propose a protocol for ITP follow-up after splenectomy.

Risk factors of postoperative ascites on hepatic resection for hepatocellular carcinoma.

BACKGROUNDS/AIMS: The aim of this study was to identify the risk factors of the development of large amounts of ascites (LA) after hepatic resection for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). METHODS: The medical records of 137 consecutive patients who underwent hepatic resection for HCC from January 2010 to December 2014 were retrospectively reviewed. Patients were divided into two groups: LA group, with ascites drainage >500 cc per day over 3 days (n=37) and control group (n=100). Preoperative and intraoperative clinical variables were compared between the two groups. RESULTS: Thirty-seven (27.0%) patients developed LA. Platelet counts of <100,000/mm3, ICG-R15 >10%, CTP scores of 6 or 7 points, major resection, the presence of cirrhosis, preoperative ascites, and portal hypertension were significantly more frequent in LA group. Multivariate analysis revealed that a higher CTP score (HR=4.1), the presence of portal hypertension (HR=26.7), and major resection (HR=18.5) were independent and significant risk factors of postoperative ascites development. Persistent refractory ascites developed in 6 (16.2%) patients who succumbed to hepatic failure during follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with a 6 or 7 point CTP score, major hepatic resection and/or portal hypertension were more likely to develop LA and experience deterioration of liver function after surgery. The selection of patients for hepatic resection should be based on a balanced assessment of the benefits of HCC treatment and risk of postoperative liver failure.

Cutaneous metastasis as an initial presentation of a non-functioning pancreatic neuroendocrine tumor.

Non-functioning pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors (NF-PNETs) are rare tumors that account for 2% of all pancreatic malignancy. About 60% of NF-PNETs present distant metastases and usually hepatic metastases. However, cutaneous metastases are very rare. Herein, we report our experience with a 60-year-old male who visited our outpatient clinic with a mass on his left hip. An abdominal computerized tomography scan demonstrated not only a left hip mass and an enlarged left inguinal lymph node, but also a huge heterogeneous enhancing mass on the pancreas. Initially, we removed the metastatic lesions, which was a small cell neuroendocrine carcinoma with 50% of the Ki-67 index in the histopathological report. After 3 wk, we performed a total pancreatectomy and a total gastrectomy. Four weeks after the 1(st) operation, we detected a recurrence at the operative bed on his left hip, and subsequently removed the recurring mass. The patient was receiving chemotherapy based on etoposide and cisplatin treatment.

A comparison of the risk factors of intrahepatic recurrence, early recurrencen, and multiple recurrences after resection for single nodular hepatocellular carcinoma.

BACKGROUNDS/AIMS: Intrahepatic recurrence is one of the most important causes of compromised prognosis after surgical resection of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). This retrospective study was designed to identify and compare the risks of recurrence, early recurrence and multiple recurrences in a single patient population. METHODS: A series of 92 consecutive patients, who received resection for single nodular HCC at our institute from January 2007 to December 2013, were enrolled in this study. The patients were divided into recurrent and non-recurrent groups; the recurrent group was further divided into subgroups by applying two criteria: early and late recurrence (with a cutoff of 18 months), and single and multiple (≥2) recurrence. The potential risk factors were compared using univariate and multivariate analyses. The subgroup analysis was performed to determine the effects of different cut-off values on the analysis. RESULTS: 41 recurrences (44.6%) occurred during a mean follow-up of 42.4 months. The Child-Pugh score, and the portal vein invasion were found to be independent risk factors of recurrence, but differentiation was the only independent risk factor of early recurrence. The serum alpha-fetoprotein, tumor size, tumor necrosis, and hemorrhage were found to be the risk factors of multiple recurrences according to the univariate analysis, but lacked significance according to the multivariate analysis. When the cutoffs for early and multiple recurrences were changed to ≤10 months and >3 nodules, respectively, different risk factors were identified. CONCLUSIONS: Our results implicated that different factors can predict the recurrence, timing, and multiplicity of an HCC recurrence. Further studies should be conducted to prove the complex relationships between tumor burden, invasiveness, and underlying liver cirrhosis for initial tumors, and the timing and multiplicity of recurrent HCC.

Surgery versus transarterial chemoembolization for solitary large hepatocellular carcinoma of BCLC stage A.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: The aim of this study was to compare the outcomes of surgery and transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) for a solitary huge hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) of Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer (BCLC) stage A. METHODS: One hundred twenty-three consecutive patients with a solitary large (>5 cm) HCC classified at the BCLC stage A were analyzed. The posttreatment survival outcomes of patients that underwent surgery or TACE were compared. RESULTS: The median age was 58 years (range, 29-90 years). The most common cause of HCC is hepatitis B virus infection (61.8%). Median tumor size was 8.0 cm (range, 5.1-25 cm), and 97 patients (78.9%) were of Child-Turcotte-Pugh class A. Median posttreatment follow-up duration was 18 months (range, 0.1-136 months). Of the 123 patients, 62 (50.4%) underwent surgery and 61 (49.6%) underwent TACE. Cumulative overall survival rates in the surgical group at 1, 3, and 5 years were significantly higher than those in the TACE group (83.2, 75.7, and 65.0% vs 68.5, 45.0, and 17.5%, respectively, P < 0.01). In subgroup analysis, the cumulative overall survival in both surgical groups was significantly greater than in corresponding TACE subgroups (P = 0.04 for ≥ 8-cm subgroup and P < 0.01 for 5- to 8-cm-sized subgroups). Multivariate analysis showed that a larger tumor size (≥ 8 cm) (hazard ratio [HR] 2.14, P = 0.02) was significantly associated with posttreatment mortality, whereas surgery (HR 0.37, P < 0.01) compared with TACE was inversely associated with posttreatment mortality. CONCLUSIONS: Surgery may be the more effective treatment modality than TACE for a solitary large HCC of the BCLC stage A, regardless of tumor size.

Preliminary results of binding pancreaticojejunostomy.

BACKGROUNDS/AIMS: The post-operative complications and clinical course of pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD) largely depend on the pancreaticojejunostomy (PJ). Several methods of PJ are in clinical use. We analyzed the early results of binding pancreaticojejunostomy (BPJ), a technique reported by SY Peng. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the clinical results of patients who received BPJ in Inha University Hospital from 2006 to 2011. 21 BPJs were performed with Peng's method. The definition of postoperative pancreatic fistula (PF) was a high amylase content (>3 times the upper normal serum value) of the drain fluid (of any measurable volume), at any time on or after the 3rd post-operative day. The pancreatic fistula was graded according to the International Study Group for Pancreatic Fistula (ISGPF) guidelines. RESULTS: Of the 21 patients who received BPJ, 11 were male. The median age was 61.2 years. PD surgery included 4 cases of Whipple's procedures and 17 cases of pylorus-preserving PD. According to the post-operative course, 16 patients recovered well with no evidence of PF. A total of 5 patients (23.8%), including 3 grade A PFs and 2 grade C PFs, suffered from a pancreatic fistula. 3 patients with grade A PF recovered with conservative management. CONCLUSIONS: The BPJ appears to be a relatively safe procedure based on this preliminary study, but further study is needed to validate its safety.

Extended distal pancreatectomy for advanced pancreatic neck cancer.

BACKGROUNDS/AIMS: We investigated the clinical application of extended distal pancreatectomy in patients with pancreatic neck cancer accompanied by distal pancreatic atrophy. In this study, we have emphasized on the technical aspects of using the linear stapling device for a bulky target organ. METHODS: From March 2010 to September 2013, 46 patients with pancreatic adenocarcinoma, who underwent pancreatic resection with radical intent at our institute, were reviewed retrospectively. Among them, three patients (6.5%) underwent extended distal pancreatectomy. A linear stapling device and vise-grip locking pliers were used for en bloc resection of the distal pancreas, first duodenal portion, and distal common bile duct. The results were compared with those after standard pancreatectomy. RESULTS: All three patients presented with jaundice, and the ratio of pancreatic duct to parenchymal thickness of the pancreatic body was greater than 0.5. Grade A pancreatic fistula developed in all of the cases, but none of these fistulae were lethal. Pathological staging was T3N1M0 in all of the patients. The postoperative daily serum glucose fluctuations and insulin requirements were comparable to those in patients who received pancreaticoduodenectomy or distal pancreatectomy. At the last follow-up, two patients were alive with liver metastasis at 4 and 10 months postoperatively, respectively, and one patient died of liver metastasis at 5 months postoperatively. CONCLUSIONS: While the prognosis of advanced pancreatic neck adenocarcinoma is still dismal, extended distal pancreatectomy is a valid treatment option, especially when there is atrophy of the distal pancreas. Also, the procedure is technically feasible, and further refinement is necessary to improve patient survival.

Transarterial chemoembolization versus surgery/radiofrequency ablation for recurrent hepatocellular carcinoma with or without microvascular invasion.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Microvascular invasion (MVI) is a well-known prognostic factor of postoperative recurrence and of overall survival (OS) in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). We compared the treatment outcomes of transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) and surgery/radiofrequency ablation (RFA) according to the presence of MVI in patients with early or late recurrent HCC that presented as Barcelona Clinical Liver Cancer (BCLC) stage 0 or A after curative resection for HCC. METHODS: A consecutive 68 patients with recurrent HCC of BCLC stage 0 or A at our institution between 1998 and 2012 were retrospectively enrolled. We compared the outcomes of patients treated by TACE or surgery/RFA. Tumor recurrence after curative resection was classified as early (≤ 12 months) or late (> 12 months) recurrence. RESULTS: Median tumor size was 1.5 cm (range, 1-10 cm), and 67 (98.5%) had HCCs within the Milan criteria. Median post-retreatment follow-up duration was 27 months (range, 1-109 months). Of the 68 patients, 19 (27.9%) underwent surgery/RFA, 47 (69.1%) TACE, and 2 (2.9%) were lost to follow-up. After retreatment, TACE showed significantly higher OS and recurrence-free survival rates than surgery/RFA in MVI-positive patients (P = 0.03 and P = 0.05, respectively), but not in MVI-negative patients (P = 0.95 and P = 0.98, respectively). In particular, in early recurred MVI-positive patients, TACE had a significantly higher OS rate than surgery/RFA (P = 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: TACE may be the more effective treatment option for recurrent HCC of BCLC stage 0 or A than surgery/RFA in MVI-positive patients, especially in those that recur early after curative resection.

Survival outcome of patients with spontaneously ruptured hepatocellular carcinoma treated surgically or by transarterial embolization.

AIM: To evaluate clinical outcomes of patients that underwent surgery, transarterial embolization (TAE), or supportive care for spontaneously ruptured hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). METHODS: A consecutive 54 patients who diagnosed as spontaneously ruptured HCC at our institution between 2003 and 2012 were retrospectively enrolled. HCC was diagnosed based on the diagnostic guidelines issued by the 2005 American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases. HCC rupture was defined as disruption of the peritumoral liver capsule with enhanced fluid collection in the perihepatic area adjacent to the HCC by dynamic liver computed tomography, and when abdominal paracentesis showed an ascitic red blood cell count of > 50000 mm(3)/mL in bloody fluid. RESULTS: Of the 54 patients, 6 (11.1%) underwent surgery, 25 (46.3%) TAE, and 23 (42.6%) supportive care. The 2-, 4- and 6-mo cumulative survival rates at 2, 4 and 6 mo were significantly higher in the surgery (60%, 60% and 60%) or TAE (36%, 20% and 20%) groups than in the supportive care group (8.7%, 0% and 0%), respectively (each, P < 0.01), and tended to be higher in the surgical group than in the TAE group. Multivariate analysis showed that serum bilirubin (HR = 1.09, P < 0.01), creatinine (HR = 1.46, P = 0.04), and vasopressor requirement (HR = 2.37, P = 0.02) were significantly associated with post-treatment mortality, whereas surgery (HR = 0.41, P < 0.01), and TAE (HR = 0.13, P = 0.01) were inversely associated with post-treatment mortality. CONCLUSION: Post-treatment survival after surgery or TAE was found to be better than after supportive care, and surgery tended to provide better survival benefit than TAE.

Clinical significance of clusterin expression in pancreatic adenocarcinoma.

BACKGROUND: Clusterin is known to be expressed in many human neoplasms, and is believed to participate in the regeneration, migration, and anti-apoptosis of tumor cells. However, few reports have addressed the relationship between the manifestation of clusterin and clinicopathologic parameters in pancreas cancer patients. In the present study, the authors investigated the expression of clusterin and its clinical significance in pancreatic adenocarcinoma. METHODS: Immunohistochemical staining was performed for clusterin in tumor tissues obtained from patients who received pancreatic resection with radical intent, and the associations of clusterin expression with various clinicopathologic parameters were analyzed in addition to the relation between its expression and survival. RESULTS: Immunoreactivity for clusterin was observed in 17 of the 52 (33%) pancreatic adenocarcinomas examined. In addition, clusterin positivity was found to be associated with preoperative serum carcinoembryonic antigen level, perineural invasion, and, most strongly, lymph node metastasis. The survival analysis identified tumor differentiation and lymph node metastasis as the only significant prognostic factors. CONCLUSION: Although not an independent prognostic factor, clusterin immunoreactivity can be used in conjunction with lymph node metastasis to predict survival in cases of pancreatic adenocarcinoma.

Efficacy and feasibility of laparoscopic subtotal cholecystectomy for acute cholecystitis.

BACKGROUNDS/AIMS: For patients with acute cholecystitis, conversion from laparoscopic cholecystectomy to open surgery is not uncommon due to possibilities of serious hemorrhage at the liver bed and bile duct injury. Recent studies reported successful laparoscopic subtotal cholecystectomy for acute cholecystitis. The purpose of this study was to determine the efficacy and feasibility of such an operation based on the experience of surgeons at our facility. METHODS: In this study, we enrolled 144 patients who had received either laparoscopic subtotal cholecystectomy (LSC), laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC), or open cholecystectomy (OC) for acute cholecystitis from January 2004 to December 2009 at the Department of Surgery of our hospital. Their symptoms, signs, operative findings, pathologic results and postoperative results were compared and analyzed. RESULTS: There were 26 patients in the LSC group 80 in the LC group and 38 in the OC group. There were no differences in mean age, sex, and symptoms of acute cholecystitis. The LSC group showed higher CRP levels (p<0.001) and a higher grade according to the Tokyo criteria (p=0.001). The mean operative time was 115.6 minutes and mean blood loss was 158.9 ml without intra-operative or postoperative transfusion. There weren't any bile duct injuries during the operation. No group suffered bile leakage. Drains were removed 3.3 days after the operation in the LC group, the shortest time compared to the other groups (p<0.001). LC and LSC groups demonstrated shorter postoperative hospital days and time to diet resumption than the OC group (p<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: LSC appears to be a safe and effective treatment in cases of severe acute cholecystitis that require consideration of conversion to open surgery.

Risk factors affecting pancreatic fistulas after pancreaticoduodenectomy.

AIM: To analyze the risk factors of pancreatic leakage after pancreaticoduodenectomy. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed 172 consecutive patients who had undergone pancreatico-duodenectomy at Inha University Hospital between April 1996 and March 2006. We analyzed the pancreatic fistula rate according to the clinical characteristics, the pathologic and laboratory findings, and the anastomotic methods. RESULTS: The incidence of developing pancreatic fistulas in patients older than 60 years of age was 21.7% (25/115), while the incidence was 8.8% (5/57) for younger patients; the difference was significant (P=0.03). Patients with a dilated pancreatic duct had a lower rate of post-operative pancreatic fistulas than patients with a non-dilated duct (P=0.001). Other factors, including clinical features, anastomotic methods, and pathologic diagnosis, did not show any statistical difference. CONCLUSION: Our study demonstrated that pancreatic fistulas are related to age and a dilated pancreatic duct. The surgeon must take these risk factors into consideration when performing a pancreaticoduodenectomy.

Effect of preoperative biliary drainage on surgical results after pancreaticoduodenectomy in patients with distal common bile duct cancer: focused on the rate of decrease in serum bilirubin.

AIM: To examine if the rate of decrease in serum bilirubin after preoperative biliary drainagecan be used as a predicting factor for surgical complications and postoperative recovery after pancreaticoduodenectomy in patients with distal common bile duct cancer. METHODS: A retrospective study was performed in 49 consecutive patients who underwent pancreaticoduodenectomy for distal common bile duct cancer. Potential risk factors were compared between the complicated and uncomplicated groups. Also, the rates of decrease in serum bilirubin were compared pre- and postoperatively. RESULTS: Preoperative biliary drainage (PBD) was performed in 40 patients (81.6%). Postoperative morbidity and mortality rates were 46.9% (23/49) and 6.1% (3/49), respectively. The presence or absence of PBD was not different between the complicated and uncomplicated groups. In patients with PBD, neither the absolute level nor the rate of decrease in serum bilirubin was significantly different. Patients with rapid decrease preoperatively showed faster decrease during the first postoperative week (5.5 +/- 4.4 micromol/L vs -1.7 +/- 9.9 micromol/L, P = 0.004). CONCLUSION: PBD does not affect the surgical outcome of pancreaticoduodenectomy in patients with distal common bile duct cancer. There is a certain group of patients with a compromised hepatic excretory function, which is represented by the slow rate of decrease in serum bilirubin after PBD.

Extrapulmonary small cell carcinoma of the liver: clinicopathological and immunohistochemical findings.

Patients with primary small cell carcinoma of the liver have rarely been described in medical literature. Knowledge of clinical, pathological and immunohistochemical properties remains limited. We described an 82-year-old female patient with primary small cell carcinoma of the liver. Histologically, the tumor showed typical morphology of a pulmonary small cell carcinoma. Immunohistochemically, the tumor revealed neuroendocrine differentiation; positive reaction for chromogranin, synaptophysin, CD56, and neuron specific enolase. The tumor was also positive for TTF-1 and c-kit but completely negative for hepatocyte, carcinoembryonic antigen, cytokeratin 7; 19; and 20. Herein, we discussed the clinical, pathological and immunohistochemical findings of extrapulmonary small cell carcinoma of the liver and reviewed the relevant literature.

Gasless endoscopic thyroidectomy via an anterior chest wall approach using a flap-lifting system.

PURPOSE: Endoscopic thyroidectomy (ET) requires a proper working space for adequate visualization of anatomical structures and proper instrument manipulation. The purpose of this prospective study was to estimate the feasibility and safety of ET using an anterior chest wall approach without gas insufflation. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The working space was created under a direct and endoscopic view through a 3-cm incision on the anterior chest wall. A retracting device was then inserted to establish the working space, and subsequent procedures were performed endoscopically. All data were reviewed using a prospective database. RESULTS: We performed 30 ETs in patients with benign thyroid tumors from December 2003 to December 2005. The procedures were completed successfully in 29 patients (mean operative time: 160.6 min; range: 90-345 min). One patient with ET was converted to open thyroidectomy secondary to substernal extension of the tumor. None of the patients developed permanent postoperative hypocalcemia or recurrent laryngeal nerve paralysis. Three patients exhibited some degree of transient recurrent laryngeal nerve palsy. CONCLUSION: These data suggest that gasless ET using an anterior chest wall approach is safe and feasible in selected patients for treating benign thyroid tumors. This technique may offer good operative working space when performed by surgeons with relatively low-volume ET practices.