Effect of emergency general surgery on postoperative performance status in patients aged over 90 years.

Background: Functional deterioration following emergency general surgery (EGS) poses a significant challenge in super-elderly patients. However, limited research has focused on assessing the deterioration in postoperative performance status (PS). This study aimed to investigate the impact of EGS on PS deterioration in super-elderly patients, and the extent to which deteriorated PS is recovered. Methods: This historical cohort study comprised 77 super-elderly patients who underwent EGS between July 2015 and December 2020. Functional deterioration was evaluated by comparing preoperative and postoperative Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group Performance Status (ECOG-PS). The Emergency Surgical Score (ESS) was used as a risk-adjustment tool. Questionnaires were mailed to the patients and their families to assess post-discharge PS and obtain their impressions of EGS. Results: Postoperative PS deteriorated in 35/77 patients (45.5 %). Significant differences were observed between the groups in terms of sex, serum C-reactive protein (CRP) levels, ESS scores, preoperative ECOG-PS, duration of operation, and major complications. Multivariate analysis of preoperative factors showed that ESS ≥7 (OR: 3.7, 95 % CI: 1.0-13), preoperative ECOG-PS ≤2 (OR: 5.9, 95 % CI: 1.7-21), and female sex (OR: 5.8, 95 % CI: 1.6-21) were associated with postoperative ECOG-PS deterioration. According to the questionnaire results, PS recovery post-discharge was observed in 6/36 (17 %) patients, and 34/36 (94 %) patients and their families expressed positive impressions of EGS. Conclusions: EGS in super-elderly patients highly caused a deterioration in their PS, particularly in patients with maintained preoperative PS. PS hardly recovered; however, most patients and their families had positive impressions of the EGS. Key message: We assessed the pre- and postoperative performance status of super-elderly patients who underwent emergency general surgery. Surgery caused a marked deterioration in patients' functional performance, which seldom recovered postoperatively.

Deep convolutional neural network for differentiating between sarcoidosis and lymphoma based on [18F]FDG maximum-intensity projection images.

OBJECTIVES: To compare the [18F]FDG PET/CT findings of untreated sarcoidosis and malignant lymphoma (ML) and develop convolutional neural network (CNN) models to differentiate between these diseases using maximum intensity projection (MIP) [18F]FDG PET images. METHODS: We retrospectively collected data on consecutive patients newly diagnosed with sarcoidosis and ML who underwent [18F]FDG PET/CT before treatment. Two nuclear radiologists reviewed the images. CNN models were created using MIP PET images and evaluated with k-fold cross-validation. The points of interest were visualized using gradient-weighted class activation mapping (Grad-CAM). RESULTS: A total of 56 patients with sarcoidosis and 62 patients with ML were included. Patients with sarcoidosis had more prominent FDG accumulation in the mediastinal lymph nodes and lung lesions, while those with ML had more prominent accumulation in the cervical lymph nodes (all p < 0.001). For the mediastinal lymph nodes, sarcoidosis patients had significant FDG accumulation in the level 2, 4, 7, and 10 lymph nodes (all p < 0.01). Otherwise, the accumulation in ML patients tended to be in the level 1 lymph nodes (p = 0.08). The CNN model using frontal and lateral MIP images achieved an average accuracy of 0.890 (95% CI: 0.804-0.977), a sensitivity of 0.898 (95% CI: 0.782-1.000), a specificity of 0.907 (95% CI: 0.799-1.000), and an area under the curve of 0.963 (95% CI: 0.899-1.000). Grad-CAM showed that the model focused on the sites of abnormal FDG accumulation. CONCLUSIONS: CNN models based on differences in FDG accumulation sites archive high performance in differentiating between sarcoidosis and ML. CLINICAL RELEVANCE STATEMENT: We developed a CNN model using MIP images of [18F]FDG PET/CT to distinguish between sarcoidosis and malignant lymphoma. It achieved high performance and could be useful in diagnosing diseases with involvement across organs and lymph nodes. KEY POINTS: • There are differences in FDG distribution when comparing whole-body [18F]FDG PET/CT findings in patients with sarcoidosis and malignant lymphoma before treatment. • Convolutional neural networks, a type of deep learning technique, trained with maximum-intensity projection PET images from two angles showed high performance. • A deep learning model that utilizes differences in FDG distribution may be helpful in differentiating between diseases with lesions that are characteristically widespread among organs and lymph nodes.

Effects of Adding Congested Segment IV to the Left Lateral Graft on Short-term Outcomes in Pediatric Living-donor Liver-transplant Recipients.

Background: In some pediatric patients undergoing living-donor liver transplantation, segment IV without the middle hepatic vein can be added to a left lateral segment graft to obtain larger graft volume. Because no clear consensus on this technique exists, this study investigated the effects of congested areas on postoperative outcomes in pediatric patients with biliary atresia undergoing living-donor liver transplantation. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed data of recipients with biliary atresia aged ≤15 y who had undergone living-donor liver transplantation at Kyoto University Hospital between 2006 and 2021 and with graft-to-recipient weight ratios (GRWR) of ≤2%. Based on the percentage of congested area in the graft, patients were classified into the noncongestion (n = 40; ≤10%) and congestion (n = 13; >10%) groups. To compare the differences between groups with similar nooncongestive GRWRs and investigate the effect of adding congested areas, patients in the noncongestion group with GRWRs of ≤1.5% were categorized into the small noncongestion group (n = 24). Results: GRWRs and backgrounds were similar between the noncongestion and congestion groups; however, patients in the congestion group demonstrated significantly longer prothrombin times, higher ascites volumes, and longer hospitalization. Further, compared with the small noncongestion group, the congestion group had significantly greater GRWR and similar noncongestive GRWR; however, the congestion group had significantly longer prothrombin time recovery (P = 0.020, postoperative d 14), higher volume of ascites (P < 0.05, consistently), and longer hospitalization (P = 0.045), requiring significantly higher albumin and gamma-globulin transfusion volumes than the small noncongestion group (P = 0.027 and P = 0.0083, respectively). Reoperation for wound dehiscence was significantly more frequent in the congestion group (P = 0.048). Conclusions: In pediatric liver-transplant recipients, adding a congested segment IV to the left lateral segment to obtain larger graft volume may negatively impact short-term postoperative outcomes.

Partial duodenectomy with seromyotomy by the "lift-and-cut" method for superficial nonampullary duodenal epithelial tumors: A novel technique.

INTRODUCTION: The therapeutic strategy for superficial nonampullary duodenal epithelial tumors remains controversial. We developed a novel surgical technique for superficial nonampullary duodenal epithelial tumors. We report the initial two cases managed with this method. MATERIALS AND SURGICAL TECHNIQUE: We endoscopically confirmed the tumor location and circumferentially incised the seromuscular layer of the duodenum along it. After circumferential seromyotomy, the submucosal layer was expanded by endoscopic insufflation, and the target lesion was sufficiently lifted. The submucosal layer, including the target lesion, was stapled and resected after confirming the absence of problems with endoscopic passage. The seromuscular layer was continuously sutured to bury and reinforce the stapler line. Single-incision laparoscopic surgery was performed in one case. The resected specimens measured 52 × 32 mm and 50 × 26 mm with negative surgical margins. Both patients were discharged without complications and demonstrated no evidence of stenosis. DISCUSSION: Compared with previously reported procedures, this method of partial duodenectomy with seromyotomy for superficial nonampullary duodenal epithelial tumors is promising, simple, and safe.

Diffusely infiltrative squamous cell carcinoma of the esophagus resembling scirrhous gastric cancer: a case report.

Diffusely infiltrative squamous cell carcinoma of the esophagus is rare and difficult to diagnose. Case presentation: The patient was a 75-year-old woman whose chief complaints were dysphagia and upper abdominal pain. Esophagogastroduodenoscopy and biopsy revealed squamous cell carcinoma at the abdominal esophagus. After neoadjuvant chemotherapy, esophagogastroduodenoscopy showed diffuse thickening and poor distensibility of the stomach wall. We suspected scirrhous gastric cancer and performed multiple biopsies, which revealed no evidence of malignancy. We then performed staging laparoscopy. There were no apparent changes in the serous membrane of the stomach, but peritoneal lavage cytology revealed squamous cell carcinoma. Thus, we made a diagnosis of squamous cell carcinoma of the esophagus with diffuse invasion of the stomach. Intraoperative pathological diagnosis revealed that there was greater diffuse submucosal invasion of the oral esophagus than we expected, and we had to resect the esophagus at the level of the middle thoracic esophagus. Despite multidisciplinary treatment (surgery, chemotherapy, and radiotherapy), the patient died 20 months after the initial diagnosis. Clinical discussion: In this case, although biopsy did not lead to a diagnosis, peritoneal lavage cytology led to the correct diagnosis. Moreover, it was impossible to preoperatively predict the exact extent of the expansion because of diffuse submucosal invasion. Conclusion: When diffusely infiltrative squamous cell carcinoma of the esophagus is suspected, peritoneal lavage cytology may be useful for confirming the diagnosis; however, it should be assumed that accurate preoperative evaluation of the range of diffusely infiltrative squamous cell carcinoma is difficult.

Stepwise Approach for Acquisition of Microsurgical Skills through Rat Orthotopic Liver Transplantation Experiments.

Although rat liver transplantation (LT) is useful in training surgeons to perform microsurgery, mastering these surgical techniques remains difficult. Systematized training protocols that enable learning of the proper skills in a short period of time are needed. The present study describes an efficient five-step rat LT training protocol for surgeons designed to be mastered within 3 months through continuous training. The first step was to review all procedures by watching full videos of rat LT and to watch actual LT operations performed by a skilled surgeon, enabling recognition of the anatomy of rat abdominal organs. The second step was to perform ten donor operations, including ex vivo graft preparation, to learn the atraumatic and delicate techniques. The third step was to perform ten LTs, with the goal of achieving an anhepatic time <20 min and surviving until the next day. The fourth step was to perform ten additional LTs, with the goal of achieving 7 days of survival. The fifth step was to perform 5-10 more LTs, with the goal of achieving 7 days of survival in five consecutive LT operations. Systematizing the training was found to increase its efficiency. Furthermore, determining the specific number of operations in advance is useful to maintain motivation for training. Mastering efficient rat LT will not only enhance the success of preclinical research but will enable young surgeons to better perform vascular anastomoses under a microscope in humans.

Evaluating the outcomes of primary anastomosis with hand-sewn full-circular reinforcement in managing perforated left-sided colonic diverticulitis.

Background: It is a challenge to avoid stoma formation in emergency surgery of perforated left-sided diverticulum. The hand-sewn full-circular reinforcement of the colorectal anastomosis is used during complete pelvic peritonectomy to avoid a diverting ileostomy. This study examined the effect of applying the reinforcement method to perforated left-sided colonic diverticulitis with respect to the permanent stoma rate and cost-effectiveness. Materials and methods: This historical cohort study examined all patients who underwent emergency surgery for perforation of a left-sided diverticulum at the Hyogo Prefectural Amagasaki General Medical Center between July 2015 and September 2019. The cohort was divided into two groups: those who underwent conventional method (Group F) and those for whom the hand-sewn full-circular reinforcement method was actively performed (Group L). Results: The number of patients who underwent emergency surgery which did not lead to an ostomy increased significantly from 12% (3/25) in Group F to 42% (11/26) in Group L (P = 0.0015). The rate of permanent stoma decreased from 80% in Group F to 27% in Group L (P < 0.001). Total treatment costs for patients under the age of 80 in Group L were significantly lower than those in Group F (2170000 ± 1020000 vs 3270000 ± 1960000 JPY; P = 0.018). Conclusions: In emergency surgery for left-sided perforated colonic diverticulitis, applying the hand-sewn full-circle reinforcement of the anastomotic site may reduce stoma formation at the initial surgery and consequently decrease permanent stoma rate and contribute to cost-effectiveness without increasing complications such as anastomotic leakage.

Emergency open drainage of massive hemoperitoneum and early stage left hepatectomy for abdominal compartment syndrome due to hepatocellular carcinoma rupture: a case report.

BACKGROUND: Spontaneous rupture is one of the most life-threatening complications of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Transcatheter arterial embolization (TAE) effectively achieves hemostasis in patients with hemodynamic instability. However, there have been no reports of abdominal compartment syndrome (ACS) caused by massive intra-abdominal hematoma after TAE. We report emergency open drainage of a massive hematoma for abdominal decompression and early stage left hepatectomy at the same time. CASE PRESENTATION: A 75-year-old woman was transported to our emergency department with hypovolemic shock. Dynamic contrast-enhanced computed tomography revealed extravasation of contrast medium from a HCC lesion in the medial segment of the liver and a large amount of high-density ascites. TAE was immediately performed to achieve hemostasis. Three hours after the first TAE, we decided to perform a second TAE for recurrent bleeding. After the second TAE, the patient's intra-abdominal pressure increased to 35 mmHg, her blood pressure gradually decreased, and she had anuria. Thus, she was diagnosed with ACS due to spontaneous HCC rupture. Twenty-seven hours after her arrival to the hospital, we decided to perform open drainage of the massive hematoma and left hepatectomy for ACS relief, prevention of re-bleeding, tumor resection, and intraperitoneal lavage. The operative duration was 225 min, and the blood loss volume was 4626 g. Postoperative complications included pleural effusion and grade B liver failure. She was discharged on postoperative day 33. The patient survived for more than 3 years without functional deterioration. CONCLUSIONS: Even after hemostasis is achieved by TAE for hemorrhagic shock due to spontaneous rupture of HCC, massive hemoperitoneum may lead to ACS, particularly in cases of re-bleeding. Considering the subsequent possibility of ACS and the recurrence of bleeding, early stage hepatectomy and removal of intra-abdominal hematoma after hemodynamic stabilization could be a treatment option for HCC rupture.

Long-term and short-term outcomes of laparoscopic versus open resection following tube decompression for obstructive colorectal cancer: a single-center retrospective study.

PURPOSE: The benefits of laparoscopic surgery over open surgery are well documented; however, the suitability of laparoscopic surgery for obstructive colorectal cancer is still controversial. The aim of this retrospective study was to compare the clinical benefits of laparoscopic surgery vs. open surgery for obstructive colorectal cancer after tube decompression. METHODS: We analyzed the outcomes of patients who underwent laparoscopic surgery vs. open surgery for curative resection after tube decompression for obstructive colorectal cancer at our hospital between January, 2007 and March, 2018. RESULTS: This study comprised 67 patients: 29 patients who underwent open surgery and 38 patients who underwent laparoscopic surgery. The morbidity within 30 days after surgery was comparable between the groups. The 3-year overall survival rates of the open and laparoscopic groups were 83.3 and 79.4%, respectively (p = 0.6244), and the 3-year disease-free survival rates were 59.3 and 71.2%, respectively (p = 0.3200). Multivariate analysis showed that nodal stage (p = 0.021) was an independent prognostic factor for OS and sex (p = 0.010) and side-ness (p = 0.048) were independent prognostic factors for DFS. CONCLUSION: If adequate decompression is achieved, laparoscopic resection following tube decompression for obstructive colorectal cancer can be a safe alternative to open surgery.

Clinical impact of bloodstream infection on acute cholecystitis indicated for emergency cholecystectomy.

BACKGROUND: The significance of blood culture for acute cholecystitis remains unclear. METHODS: A retrospective cohort study was conducted on patients who underwent emergency cholecystectomy at Hyogo Prefectural Amagasaki General Medical Center to examine the clinical impact of bloodstream infection (BSI), focusing on the association of BSI with bactibilia and severity grade based on the Tokyo guidelines 2018 (TG18). RESULTS: Among 177 patients included in the study, 32 had positive and 145 had negative BSI. Significant differences were observed between the positive and negative BSI in terms of age, body mass index (BMI), the American Society of Anesthesiologists physical status (ASA-PS) and TG18 severity score. The odds ratios of BSI for patients aged ≥72 years, with a BMI of ≤21.8, an ASA-PS of ≥3E, and grade III acute cholecystitis were 3.45, 3.23, 2.43 and 4.51, respectively. In the multivariate analysis, lower BMI and grade III were significantly associated with BSI with odds ratios of 2.53 (95% confidence interval: 1.07-6.21, P = .037) and 3.03 (95% confidence interval: 1.02-8.82, P = .041). Bacterial species that could not be isolated in the bile culture alone were identified in blood culture on 10 (38.5%) of 26 patients. CONCLUSIONS: Bloodstream infection is associated with grade III acute cholecystitis. Blood culture enables the identification of bacteria that cannot be isolated in bile culture. Blood culture should be obtained for patients with grade III acute cholecystitis who undergo emergency cholecystectomy.

Nodular-type central squamous cell lung carcinoma cured by intraluminal bronchoscopic treatment: A case report.

Primary squamous cell carcinoma (SqCC) often occurs in the trachea and bronchi. Recently, intraluminal bronchoscopic treatment (IBT) has emerged as an option for curative treatment, not just surgery, in patients with central early-stage SqCC (CES-SqCC). However, patients that can be cured by IBT are limited. We report a rare case of CES-SqCC that was surgically confirmed to be cured by IBT alone. A 72-year-old woman had a nodular bronchial tumor at the bifurcation of right upper and intermediate bronchi. For histological diagnosis, the tumor was resected and incinerated using high-frequency snare (HFS). Obtained specimens were diagnosed as SqCC; wedge resection of the bifurcation was performed to remove the residual lesion. However, no malignant findings were found in the excised specimens. Some patients with CES-SqCC may be cured by aggressive diagnostic bronchoscopy. The risk of postoperative complications cannot be ignored because the surgery requires bronchoplasty in patients with CES-SqCC. For patients with CES-SqCC, surgical resection may be avoided by detailed assessment of residual lesion with radial probe endobronchial ultrasonography (RP-EBUS).

Cost-effectiveness of TAS-102 plus bevacizumab versus TAS-102 monotherapy in patients with metastatic colorectal cancer.

BACKGROUND: TAS-102 plus bevacizumab is an anticipated combination regimen for patients who have metastatic colorectal cancer. However, evidence supporting its use for this indication is limited. We compared the cost-effectiveness of TAS-102 plus bevacizumab combination therapy with TAS-102 monotherapy for patients with chemorefractory metastatic colorectal cancer. METHOD: Markov decision modeling using treatment costs, disease-free survival, and overall survival was performed to examine the cost-effectiveness of TAS-102 plus bevacizumab combination therapy and TAS-102 monotherapy. The Japanese health care payer's perspective was adopted. The outcomes were modeled on the basis of published literature. The incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (ICER) between the two treatment regimens was the primary outcome. Sensitivity analysis was performed and the effect of uncertainty on the model parameters were investigated. RESULTS: TAS-102 plus bevacizumab had an ICER of $21,534 per quality-adjusted life-year (QALY) gained compared with TAS-102 monotherapy. Sensitivity analysis demonstrated that TAS-102 monotherapy was more cost-effective than TAS-102 and bevacizumab combination therapy at a willingness-to-pay of under $50,000 per QALY gained. CONCLUSIONS: TAS-102 and bevacizumab combination therapy is a cost-effective option for patients who have metastatic colorectal cancer in the Japanese health care system.

Bridge to Surgery for Obstructing Colonic Cancer: A Comparison between Right- and Left-sided Lesions.

OBJECTIVES: Few studies have compared management and outcomes of bridge to surgery (BTS) for obstructive colonic cancer according to the location of the tumor. Additional information is needed about this procedure's characteristics and short-term and long-term outcomes. We aimed to compare patient and tumor characteristics, and outcomes of BTS for obstructive right-sided versus left-sided colonic cancers. METHODS: This was a retrospective, single center, cohort study. The study cohort comprised 149 patients, including 48 with right-sided and 101 with left-sided obstructive colonic cancers, who were treated with BTS between January 2007 and December 2017. Data on medical history, investigations, treatments, and prognosis were collected from an electronic database of a single hospital. The primary end points were overall (OS) and disease-free (DFS) survival and short-term surgical outcomes. RESULTS: Significantly more patients with right-sided cancers had postoperative complications (29.2% vs. 14.9%, p = 0.039). Additionally, postoperative chemotherapy was administered to a marginally significantly greater proportion of patients with left-sided cancers (29.2% vs 45.5%, p = 0.057). The long-term outcomes were comparable between the two groups (the 5-year OS rates were 67.6% and 80.9% [p = 0.117] and the 5-year DFS rates were 62.2% and 58.6% [p = 0.671]). Multivariate analyses using all studied variables showed that lymphovascular invasion, advanced T stage, and adjuvant chemotherapy were independent poor prognostic factors. CONCLUSIONS: The long-term outcome was not different between the right- and left-sided groups. In a BTS setting, postoperative complications may reduce the compliance of adjuvant chemotherapy in right-sided cancers and affect long-term outcomes.

Endovascular repair using a covered stent for a ruptured infected aneurysm of the superior mesenteric artery after pancreaticoduodenectomy: a case report.

BACKGROUND: Delayed arterial hemorrhage after pancreaticoduodenectomy is a life-threatening complication. There are no reports about infected aneurysms of the superior mesenteric artery after pancreaticoduodenectomy without clinically relevant pancreatic fistula. CASE PRESENTATION: A 78-year-old woman with borderline resectable pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma involving the superior mesenteric arterial nerve plexus underwent pancreaticoduodenectomy with en bloc resection of the superior mesenteric vein and the superior mesenteric arterial nerve plexus after neoadjuvant chemotherapy. On postoperative day 14, she had bacteremia and sudden fever with chills. During the postoperative course, macroscopic abscesses or distinct infectious signs, including pancreatic fistula or bile fistula, were not present, but pylephlebitis was observed. After the antimicrobial treatment course, the patient was discharged. After 17 days, she was hospitalized for melena. Contrast-enhanced computed tomography showed a ruptured aneurysm of the superior mesenteric artery into the small intestine without a major intraabdominal abscess. E. coli was isolated from blood cultures. The patient was diagnosed with a ruptured infected aneurysm of the superior mesenteric artery. She was treated successfully with a covered stent by the cardiology team. There was no recurrence of bleeding at the 4-month follow-up, and the stent was patent in all subsequent computed tomography scans. CONCLUSIONS: Endovascular repair using a covered stent was effective in palliating acute bleeding from an infected aneurysm of the superior mesenteric artery.