Gastric inflammatory myofibroblastic tumor presented with severe anemia and inflammation: a case report.

BACKGROUND: Inflammatory myofibroblastic tumor (IMT) is a rare stromal tumor, often found in children and young adults, and most commonly occurs in the lungs. Surgical resection is considered the standard treatment for localized IMT, although only limited data exist. Gastric IMT in adults is extremely rare, and there are no established guidelines for its treatment. CASE PRESENTATION: A 69-year-old male presented with persistent fatigue and weakness. Laboratory examination revealed severe anemia and inflammation. Upper gastrointestinal endoscopy at admission revealed a 40-mm type I softish tumor in the lesser curvature of the gastric body, without apparent hemorrhage. Repeated biopsies, including partial resection with snare, failed to give a definitive diagnosis. Computed tomography (CT) revealed a massive lesion at the gastric body, protruding into the gastric lumen, which was consistent with the gastric tumor. After admission, the patient developed anemia refractory to frequent blood transfusions despite the absence of apparent gastrointestinal bleeding. In addition, the patient had recurrent fevers of 38 °C or higher, and persistent high inflammatory levels. Fluorodeoxyglucose-positron emission tomography (FDG-PET) CT 1 month after the first visit exhibited an increased FDG uptake in the gastric tumor. In addition, this CT scan revealed a rapid increase in tumor size to 75 mm. It was suspected that the undiagnosed gastric tumor caused these serious clinical symptoms, and he underwent distal gastrectomy and cholecystectomy. The gross image of the tumor showed an 80-mm cauliflower-like shape with a gelatinous texture. The histopathological diagnosis was IMT. The postoperative course was uneventful, and the patient's symptoms subsided drastically, improving both anemia and systemic inflammation. The patient has shown no recurrence or relapse of the symptoms over one and a half years. CONCLUSIONS: In this case, the tumor resection finally enabled the diagnosis of IMT and resolved the clinical symptoms. Despite its predominantly benign morphological nature, some cases of IMT present clinically adverse courses. Surgical treatment may lead to its final diagnosis and improvement of clinical symptoms.

Advanced pancreatic cancer with long-term recurrence-free survival after radical pancreatic resection and subsequent resection of lung metastases twice: A case report.

INTRODUCTION AND IMPORTANCE: Reports on lung resection for recurrence with lung metastases after the surgical treatment of pancreatic cancer have been sporadic, and limited information is currently available on the long-term postoperative course. Furthermore, the significance of the surgical resection of recurrent/metastatic lesions after the resection of pancreatic cancer has not been sufficiently established. We herein present a long-term recurrence-free survivor after perioperative chemotherapy and pancreatic resection for primary pancreatic body cancer who underwent resection for isolated lung metastases twice. CASE PRESENTATION: A 66-year-old woman with locally advanced pancreatic cancer accompanied by invasion of the splenic artery underwent distal pancreatectomy with celiac axis resection following preoperative S1 + gemcitabine therapy. Recurrence with lung metastasis was detected 42 and 62 months after resection of the primary lesion, and lung resection was performed both times. As postoperative adjuvant therapies, S1 + gemcitabine therapy was performed after lung resection. The patient has survived free of recurrence for 11 years after resection of the primary lesion and 5 years and 9 months after the second lung resection. CLINICAL DISCUSSION: A long interval from resection of the primary lesion to the occurrence of lung metastases and the high responsiveness of the patient to chemotherapy may have contributed to her long-term survival. CONCLUSION: This case suggests that if lung metastasis occurring after radical resection of the primary lesion is resected without remnants, aggressive multidisciplinary treatment, including surgical resection with the appropriate selection of cases, may contribute to improvements in patient outcomes.

Comparison of Minimally Invasive Surgery with Open Surgery for Remnant Gastric Cancer: A Multi-institutional Cohort Study.

BACKGROUND: Despite growing evidence of the effectiveness of minimally invasive surgery (MIS) for primary gastric cancer, MIS for remnant gastric cancer (RGC) remains controversial due to the rarity of the disease. This study aimed to evaluate the surgical and oncological outcomes of MIS for radical resection of RGC. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Patients with RGC who underwent surgery between 2005 and 2020 at 17 institutions were included, and a propensity score matching analysis was performed to compare the short- and long-term outcomes of MIS with open surgery. RESULTS: A total of 327 patients were included in this study and 186 patients were analyzed after matching. The risk ratios for overall and severe complications were 0.76 [95% confidence interval (CI): 0.45, 1.27] and 0.65 (95% CI: 0.32, 1.29), respectively. The MIS group had significantly less blood loss [mean difference (MD), -409 mL; 95% CI: -538, -281] and a shorter hospital stay (MD, -6.5 days; 95% CI: -13.1, 0.1) than the open surgery group. The median follow-up duration of this cohort was 4.6 years, and the 3-year overall survival were 77.9% and 76.2% in the MIS and open surgery groups, respectively [hazard ratio (HR), 0.78; 95% CI: 0.45, 1.36]. The 3-year relapse-free survival were 71.9% and 62.2% in the MIS and open surgery groups, respectively (HR, 0.71; 95% CI: 0.44, 1.16). CONCLUSIONS: MIS for RGC showed favorable short- and long-term outcomes compared to open surgery. MIS is a promising option for radical surgery for RGC.

A case of mesenteric venous thrombosis complicating appendiceal diverticulitis.

BACKGROUND: Mesenteric venous thrombosis (MVT) and appendiceal diverticulitis are rare diseases. There has been no previous report on MVT complicating appendiceal diverticulitis. Herein, we report the first case of MVT complicating appendiceal diverticulitis. CASE PRESENTATION: A 70-year-old male patient with right lower abdominal pain presented to our hospital. Abdominal contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CT) suggested MVT complicating appendiceal diverticulitis. Initially, we started conservative treatment with antibacterial drugs, but on the 2nd hospital day his general condition deteriorated due to sepsis that seemed to be caused by appendiceal diverticulitis. Therefore, we performed laparoscopic appendectomy. Histopathological findings of the specimen showed appendiceal diverticulitis. After the operation, he gradually improved. He was discharged on the 30th hospital day. CONCLUSIONS: We report a successfully treated case of MVT complicating appendiceal diverticulitis by surgical intervention. This is the first case of MVT complicating appendiceal diverticulitis.

Robot-assisted laparoscopic low anterior resection for rectal cancer with persistent descending mesocolon: A case report.

INTRODUCTION: Persistent descending mesocolon (PDM) is a fixed abnormality in which the descending to sigmoid colon adheres to the small intestinal mesentery or right pelvic wall through right displacement. Surgery for colorectal cancer with PDM is difficult. Therefore, in addition to the anatomical characteristics of PDM, the extent of adhesion and characteristics of vascular courses need to be assessed in individual patients. The number of patients now undergoing laparoscopic or robot-assisted surgery for colorectal cancer has rapidly increased. We herein report a rectal cancer patient with PDM who safely underwent robot-assisted laparoscopic low anterior resection (RLAR). PRESENTATION OF CASE: A 71-year-old male was referred to our hospital for a detailed examination following a fecal occult blood-positive reaction. Lower gastrointestinal endoscopy revealed a type 2 lesion of the rectum. Moderately differentiated adenocarcinoma was diagnosed based on the results of a histopathological examination. Preoperative contrast-enhanced thoracoabdominal computed tomography showed abnormalities in the colonic course and characteristic vascular courses, suggesting rectal cancer with PDM. RLAR was performed. DISCUSSION: In surgery, it is important to initially perform adhesiolysis accurately in order to reconstruct the original shape of the colonic mesentery and confirm/dissect vascular bifurcations due to the risk of marginal arterial injury. CONCLUSION: In the present case, a detailed anatomical understanding of the site of intestinal adhesion and vascular courses, as well as surgical procedures, facilitated safe RLAR. We described this case and reviewed the anatomical characteristics of PDM and cautions for surgery.

A long-term follow-up study of minimally invasive Ivor Lewis esophagectomy with linear stapled anastomosis.

BACKGROUND: Minimally invasive esophagectomy (MIE) is increasingly performed to expect lower complication rate compared to open esophagectomy. Studies of minimally invasive Ivor Lewis esophagectomy (MIILE) with circular staplers have reported better outcomes compared to MIE with cervical anastomosis, but frequent anastomotic complications have also been reported. MIILE with linear staplers is a promising alternative, but the long-term functional and oncological outcomes are uncertain. METHODS: To evaluate the functional and oncological outcomes of MIILE with linear stapled anastomosis, a retrospective cohort study was performed in 104 patients who underwent MIILE with linear stapled anastomosis for esophageal malignant tumors. The primary endpoints were the overall complication and anastomotic leak rates. The secondary endpoints were late complications, overall and disease-free survival, and nutritional status at 6 and 12 months after MIILE. RESULTS: Anastomotic leak occurred in 4 patients (3.8%). The short-term complication rate of grade IIIb or higher was 6.7%. During a median 57-month follow-up period, anastomotic stricture occurred in one patient, 7 required hiatal hernia repair, and 2 underwent conduit revision surgery. The 5-year overall survival and disease-free survival rates were 69.3% and 59.5%, respectively. Status of reflux esophagitis at the time of most recent evaluation was grade N/A/B/C/D in 52/10/10/13/8 among 93 patients who had follow-up endoscopy. The mean body weight loss at 6 and 12 months after MIILE was 11.3 and 11.8% with maintenance of the serum albumin level. CONCLUSIONS: MIILE with linear stapled anastomosis is a safe procedure with a low anastomotic complication rate and favorable long-term functional and survival outcomes.

Laparoscopic approach to recurrence following multiple surgeries for external rectal prolapse: a case report.

INTRODUCTION: The optimal procedure for recurrent external rectal prolapse remains unclear, particularly in laparoscopic approach. In addition, pelvic organ prolapse (POP) is sometimes concomitant with rectal prolapse. We present a case who underwent laparoscopic procedure for the recurrence of full-thickness external rectal prolapse coexisting POP. CASE PRESENTATION: An 81-year-old parous female had a 10-cm full-thickness external rectal prolapse following the two operations: the first was perineal recto-sigmoidectomy and the second was laparoscopic posterior mesh rectopexy. Imaging study revealed that the recurrent rectal prolapse was concomitant with both cystocele and exposed vagina, what we call POP. We planned and successfully performed laparoscopic ventral mesh rectopexy (LVMR) with laparoscopic sacrocolpopexy (LSC) using self-cut meshes without any perioperative complication. CONCLUSION: This is the first report of LVMR and LSC for recurrent rectal prolapse with POP following the perineal recto-sigmoidectomy and laparoscopic posterior mesh rectopexy. Even for recurrent rectal prolapse with POP, our experience suggests that LVMR and LSC could be utilized.

Comparison of short-term outcomes between robotic and laparoscopic gastrectomy for gastric cancer: a propensity score-matching analysis.

Robotic gastrectomy (RG) is increasingly performed based on expected benefits in short-term outcomes. However, it is still unclear if RG has any advantages over laparoscopic gastrectomy (LG). A retrospective cohort study was performed in patients who underwent minimally invasive gastrectomy between January 2012 and January 2020. A total of 366 patients were enrolled and short-term outcomes were compared between RG and LG. Propensity score matching was conducted to reduce selection bias based on age, sex, body mass index, performance status, physical status, clinical T, clinical N, clinical M, tumor location, neoadjuvant chemotherapy, type of gastrectomy, and extent of lymphadenectomy. A propensity score-matching algorithm was used to select 93 patients for each group. Estimated blood loss was smaller (0 vs. 37 mL, P = 0.001), length of hospital stay was shorter (10 vs. 12 days, P = 0.012), and the time until starting a soft diet was shorter (3 vs. 4 days, P = 0.001) in RG compared to LG. The overall complication rate was also lower in RG (9.7% vs 14.0%), but the difference was not significant. There was no mortality in either group. Total gastrectomy was an independent risk factor for postoperative complications. RG can be safely performed with a similar complication rate to that in LG and may permit faster postoperative recovery and a shorter hospital stay.

A patient with superior mesenteric artery lymph node metastasis after laparoscopic gastrectomy for gastric cancer with Adachi type VI vascular anomaly: A case report.

INTRODUCTION: Due to recent advances in surgical procedures and instruments, laparoscopic gastrectomy for gastric cancer has been widely performed, and previous studies reported laparoscopic surgery for gastric cancer with Adachi type VI vascular anomaly. In Adachi type VI patients, the common hepatic artery (CHA) originates from the superior mesenteric artery (SMA); therefore, the route of lymph flow differs from the normal route, and the supra- and infrapyloric lymph nodes (LN) may reach SMA LN. However, metastasis has not yet been reported. A case of SMA LN metastasis 3 years after laparoscopic distal gastrectomy for gastric cancer with Adachi type VI CHA anomaly, which was diagnosed using preoperative computed tomography (CT), was described herein. PRESENTATION OF CASE: The patient was a 77-year-old male. Laparoscopic distal gastrectomy and D2 + 14v LN dissection for gastric cancer with Adachi type VI vascular anomaly were performed. Three years after surgery, periodic CT revealed swelling of regional and mediastinal SMA LN, leading to a diagnosis of recurrent gastric cancer. A histopathological examination of the resected specimen showed metastases to the greater curvature right group and infrapyloric LN. DISCUSSION: Metastasis to LN No. 6 may have reached SMA LN via the gastroduodenal artery and CHA, but not the celiac artery. CONCLUSION: If preoperative diagnostic imaging suggests metastasis to the greater curvature right group and pyloric regions in gastric cancer patients with Adachi type VI vascular anomaly, LN dissection along CHA originating from SMA and the hepatomesenteric trunk needs to be considered.

Antiadhesion effect of the C17 glycerin ester of isoprenoid-type lipid forming a nonlamellar liquid crystal.

Postoperative adhesion is a relevant clinical problem that causes a variety of clinical complications after abdominal surgery. The objective of this study is to develop a liquid-type antiadhesion agent and evaluate its efficacy in preventing tissue adhesion in a rat peritoneal adhesion model. The liquid-type agent was prepared by submicron-sized emulsification of C17 glycerin ester (C17GE), squalene, pluronic F127, ethanol, and water with a high-pressure homogenizer. The primary component was C17GE, which is an amphiphilic lipid of one isoprenoid-type hydrophobic chain and can form two phases of self-assembly nonlamellar liquid crystals. The C17GE agent consisted of nanoparticles with an internal inverted hexagonal phase when evaluated by small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) and cryo-transmission electron microscopy (cryo-TEM). Upon contact with the biological tissue, this agent formed a thin membrane with a bioadhesive property. After this agent was applied to a sidewall injury of rats, it showed a percentage average of adhesion significantly less than that obtained with the Seprafilm® antiadhesion membrane in a rat model. Additionally, the retention of the agent prolonged at the applied site in the peritoneal cavity of rats. In conclusion, the C17GE agent is promising as an antiadhesion material. STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE: Postoperative adhesion remains a common adverse effect. Although various materials have been investigated, there are few products commercially available to prevent adhesion. For the sheet-type agent, it is inconvenient to be applied through small laparotomy, especially in laparoscopic surgery. Additionally, the liquid-type agent currently used requires a complicated procedure to spray at the targeted site. Our liquid-type antiadhesion agent can form liquid crystals and act as a thin membrane-like physical barrier between the peritoneum and tissues to prevent adhesion. Indeed, the antiadhesion agent used in our present study significantly prevents adhesion compared with the antiadhesion membrane most used clinically. Moreover, our agent is highly stable by itself and easy to use in laparoscopic surgery, thus leading to a promising new candidate as an antiadhesion material.

Enhanced anastomotic healing by Daikenchuto (TJ-100) in rats.

Daikenchuto (DKT), a traditional Japanese medicine, is widely used to treat various gastrointestinal disorders. This study aimed to investigate whether DKT could promote the anastomotic healing in a rat model. Pedicled colonic segments were made in left colon by ligation of the feeding arteries, and then intestinal continuity was restored. Colonic blood flow was analyzed by using ICG fluorescence imaging: Fmax, Tmax, T1/2, and Slope were calculated. Anastomotic leakage (AL) was found in 6 of 19 rats (31.6%) in the control group, whereas in 1 of 16 rats (6.2%) in the DKT group. The Fmax and Slope of DKT group were significantly higher than those of control group. DKT could promote the anastomotic healing, with the higher bursting pressure on postoperative day (POD) 2 and 5, the larger granulation thickness on POD 5, and neoangiogenesis on POD 5. Histological examination showed DKT exhibited a decreased inflammatory cell infiltration, enhanced fibroblast infiltration, and enhanced collagen density on POD 5. In the DKT group, the levels of TGFß1 on POD 2 and VEGFα on POD5 were significantly higher, whereas the level of TNFα on POD 2 was significantly lower. Therefore, DKT could be effective for the prevention of AL following colorectal surgery.

Safety and feasibility of laparoscopic multivisceral resection for surgical T4b colon cancers: Retrospective analyses.

INTRODUCTION: Laparoscopic (Lap) surgery has not been established as a standard procedure for locally advanced colon cancers. Here, we evaluated the safety and feasibility of Lap multivisceral resection (MVR) for tumors that had invaded adjacent organs (T4b). METHODS: We performed retrospective analyses using a single institutional database. Eighty-four patients who underwent Lap or open MVR for surgical T4b primary colon cancers satisfied the inclusion criteria. RESULTS: Among the 84 patients, 48 underwent Lap MVR and 36 underwent open MVR. More patients in the open group were clinical T4b and were receiving neoadjuvant chemotherapy. Patients in the open group had worse performance status (P = 0.037) and tumors of greater diameter. Lap completion was achieved in 42 cases (87.5%); the conversion rate was highest in cases involving the urinary tract (40.0%). Lap reconstruction of the bladder or ureter was extremely challenging, and therefore, adjacent organ reconstruction influenced Lap completion. Regarding perioperative outcomes, Lap was superior to open surgery in terms of intraoperative blood loss, morbidity, and postoperative hospital stay. Conversion was required in six cases; five were strategic conversions, and conversion was not associated with severe morbidity. The microscopic positive surgical margin rate was not higher in the Lap group than in the open group. Kaplan-Meier analyses of overall and disease-free survival were comparable between the groups. Cox regression analyses revealed that the operative approach did not have a significant adverse effect on long-term outcomes. CONCLUSION: The Lap approach could be considered for surgical T4b cancers, except for urinary tract invasion cases that require complicated reconstruction.

Enhanced intestinal anastomotic healing with gelatin hydrogel incorporating basic fibroblast growth factor.

Anastomotic leakage is a common complication of intestinal surgery. In an attempt to resolve this issue, a promising approach is enhancement of anastomotic wound healing. A method for controlled release of basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) using a gelatin hydrogel was developed with the objective of investigating the effects of this technology on intestinal anastomotic healing. The small intestine of Wistar rats was cut, end-to-end anastomosis was performed and rats were divided into three groups: bFGF group (anastomosis wrapped with a hydrogel sheet incorporating bFGF), PBS group (wrapped with a sheet incorporating phosphate-buffered saline solution) and NT group (no additional treatment). Degradation profiles of gelatin hydrogels in vivo and histological examinations were performed using gelatin hydrogels with various water contents and bFGF concentrations to define the optimal bFGF dose and hydrogel biodegradability. The anastomotic wound healing process was evaluated by histological examinations, adhesion-related score and bursting pressure. The optimal water content of the hydrogel and bFGF dose was determined as 96% and 30 µg per sheet, respectively. Application of bFGF significantly enhanced neovascularization, fibroblast infiltration and collagen production around the anastomotic site when compared with the other groups. Bursting pressure was significantly increased in the bFGF group. No significant difference was observed in the adhesion-related score among the groups and no anastomotic obstruction and leakage were observed. Therefore controlled release of bFGF enhanced healing of an intestinal anastomosis during the early postoperative period and is a promising method to suppress anastomotic leakage. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Risk factors for anastomotic leakage after laparoscopic low anterior resection with DST anastomosis.

BACKGROUND: Laparoscopic rectal surgery involving rectal transection and anastomosis with stapling devices is technically difficult. The aim of this study was to evaluate the risk factors for anastomotic leakage (AL) after laparoscopic low anterior resection (LAR) with double-stapling technique (DST) anastomosis. METHODS: This was a retrospective single-institution study of 154 rectal cancer patients who underwent laparoscopic LAR with DST anastomosis between June 2005 and August 2013. Patient-, tumor-, and surgery-related variables were examined by univariate and multivariate analyses. The outcome of interest was clinical AL. RESULTS: The overall AL rate was 12.3% (19/154). In univariate analysis, tumor size (P = 0.001), operative time (P = 0.049), intraoperative bleeding (P = 0.037), lateral lymph node dissection (P = 0.009), multiple firings of the linear stapler (P = 0.041), and precompression before stapler firings (P = 0.008) were significantly associated with AL. Multivariate analysis identified tumor size (odds ratio [OR] 4.01; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.25-12.89; P = 0.02) and precompression before stapler firings (OR 4.58; CI 1.22-17.20; P = 0.024) as independent risk factors for AL. In particular, precompression before stapler firing tended to reduce the AL occurring in early postoperative period. CONCLUSIONS: Using appropriate techniques, laparoscopic LAR with DST anastomosis can be performed safely without increasing the risk of AL. Important risk factors for AL were tumor size and precompression before stapler firings.