The preoperative positivity for serum hepatitis B e antigen did not affect overall survival after curative resection of hepatitis B virus-related hepatocellular carcinoma.

BACKGROUND AND AIM: Previous studies have reported different risk factors for early and late intrahepatic recurrence after resection of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). However, the prognostic significance of the risk factors for early and late recurrence has not been clarified. METHODS: A total of 190 Hepatitis B surface antigen-positive patients who received curative resection for HCC were reviewed. We investigated prognostic factors for disease-free and overall survival after resection, and further analyzed the relationship between significant prognostic factors and risk factors for early (14 months) intrahepatic recurrence. RESULTS: The 5-year disease-free and overall survival rates were 43.9% and 71.5%, respectively. In multivariate analysis, adverse prognostic factors for disease-free survival were presence of serum HBeAg, perioperative transfusion, and the presence of portal vein invasion (PVI) and/or intrahepatic metastasis (IM). Multivariate analysis revealed that overall survival was associated with ICG R15, serum albumin, Edmondson-Steiner grade, and the presence of PVI and/or IM. Independent risk factors for early intrahepatic recurrence were perioperative transfusion and PVI and/or IM, whereas positivity for HBeAg was the only risk factor for late recurrence. In addition, post-recurrence survival in patients with late intrahepatic recurrence was completely comparable to that of patients who never experienced recurrence. CONCLUSIONS: The presence of serum HBeAg, the risk factor for late intrahepatic recurrence did not affect overall survival after resection because late recurrence was relatively well controlled by current available treatments. To further improve long-term surgical outcomes, effective treatment and preventive methods for early intrahepatic recurrence should be investigated.

Estrogen receptor alpha, estrogen receptor beta, and progesterone receptor as possible prognostic factor in radically resected gallbladder carcinoma.

BACKGROUND: Gallbladder carcinoma is a relatively rare malignancy with a poor prognosis. We have often encountered patients in whom the course of their disease differed substantially from what would be predicted based on their clinical staging, which highlights the needs to consider additional predictive factors. Gallbladder carcinoma occurs more frequently in women than men, yet expression of the estrogen receptor (ER) and progesterone (PR) have not been studied. We applied an immunohistochemical stain to examine the expression of ER(alpha), ER(beta), and PR in radically resected gallbladder carcinoma. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We immunohistochemically investigated 30 specimens of gallbladder adenocarcinoma tissues using ER(alpha), ER(beta), and PR antibodies. RESULTS: Adenocarcinoma of gallbladder is negative for both ER(alpha) and PR. However, 22 of 30 cases (73.3%) were confirmed positive for ER(beta), which was significantly correlated with tumor differentiation. Five-year survival rates of ER(beta) positive and negative patients were 53.3% and 31.1%, respectively (P = 0.034). In multivariate analysis, only a low proportion score of ER(beta) status was a statistically significant factor (P = 0.033). CONCLUSIONS: Evaluation of ER(beta) expression in gallbladder carcinoma may be an important factor in identifying a poor prognostic group of gallbladder carcinoma.

Laparoscopic enucleation of a nonfunctioning neuroendocrine tumor of the pancreas.

Laparoscopic approaches are increasingly used in pancreatic surgery. In the treatment of neuroendocrine tumors (NETs) of the pancreas, enucleation is one of the recommended surgery. Although many clinical experiences have reported the safety and efficacy of laparoscopic enucleation of functioning NETs, such as insulinomas, few reports have explored such treatment for non-functioning NETs. Here, we present a case of 70-year old female patient who underwent successful laparoscopic enucleation of a nonfunctioning NET located in the body of the pancreas.

Early experiences of robotic-assisted laparoscopic liver resection.

PURPOSE: The surgical robotic system is superior to traditional laparoscopy in regards to 3-dimensional images and better instrumentations. Robotic surgery for hepatic resection has not yet been extensively reported. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Between March and May 2007, we performed 3 robot-assisted left lateral sectionectomies of the liver. Case 1 had a hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), case 2 had colon cancer with liver metastasis, and case 3 had intrahepatic duct stones. RESULTS: All patients had successful operation and recovered without complications. Shorter length of hospital stays, earlier start of oral feeding and less amount of ascites were found. However, case 1 had recurrent HCC at 3 months after operation. CONCLUSION: Robotic-assisted liver surgery is still a new field in its developing stage. In patients with small malignant tumors and benign liver diseases, robotic-assisted laparoscopic resection is feasible and safe. Through experience, the use of robotics is expected to increase in the treatment of benign diseases and malignant neoplasms. However, careful patient selection is important and long-term outcomes need to be evaluated.

A case of spleen-preserving laparoscopic distal pancreatectomy and concomitant cholecystectomy in male patient with solid pseudopapillary neoplasm of the pancreas and gallstone.

Solid pseudopapillary neoplasm is a rare pathologic condition in the pancreas. The origin of this tumor and characteristic biologic behavior are still under investigation. With the advances of laparoscopic surgery, laparoscopic pancreatic surgery has been accepted as a feasible, safe procedure. Especially, laparoscopic distal pancreatectomy is regarded as an appropriate treatment option for benign or borderline malignant pancreatic lesions. In addition, the frequency of spleen-preserving laparoscopic distal pancreatectomy has been increasing owing to embossing the value of the spleen in terms of its immunologic aspects. In this paper, we present a case of a 39-year-old male patient with solid pseudopapillary with (SPN) and a gallstone who successfully underwent laparoscopic distal pancreatectomy with preservation of the spleen, as well as a simultaneous cholecystectomy for the gallstone. To our knowledge, this case may be the first report of the spleen preserving distal pancreatectomy in an adult male patient with SPN.

Hepatic splenosis preoperatively diagnosed as hepatocellular carcinoma in a patient with chronic hepatitis B: a case report.

We report on a case of hepatic splenosis. A 32-yr-old man underwent a splenectomy due to trauma at the age of 6. He had been diagnosed as being a chronic hepatitis B-virus carrier 16 yr prior to the surgery. The dynamic computer tomography (CT) performed due to elevated serum alpha-fetoprotein (128 ng/mL) demonstrated two hepatic nodules, which were located near the liver capsule. A nodule in Segment IVa had a slight enhancement during both the arterial and portal phases, and another nodule in Segment VI showed a slight enhancement only in the portal phases. Dynamic magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the mass in Segment VI showed enhanced development in the arterial phases and slight hyperintensivity to the liver parenchyma in the portal phases. These imaging findings suggested a hypervascular tumor in the liver, which could be either focal nodular hyperplasia, adenoma, or hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Even though these lesions were diagnosed as HCC, some of the findings were not compatible with typical HCC. On dynamic CT and MRI, all lesions showed a slight arterial enhancement and did not show early venous washout. All lesions were located near the liver capsule. These findings, along with a history of splenectomy, suggested a diagnosis of hepatic splenosis.

Prognostic factors and optimal treatment strategy for intrahepatic nodular recurrence after curative resection of hepatocellular carcinoma.

BACKGROUND: Intrahepatic recurrence is a major problem after curative resection of hepatocellular carcinoma. However, the most effective treatments for patients with intrahepatic recurrence still remain unclear. In addition, the selection of various treatment modalities such as repeat resection, local ablation therapy, and transarterial chemoembolization is only applicable to patients with intrahepatic nodular recurrence. METHODS: Of 353 patients who underwent curative resection, 97 patients with intrahepatic nodular recurrence were retrospectively studied. The prognostic factors for survival after recurrence and treatment modalities were analyzed. The patients were divided into two groups, a control group and a progression group, according to their response to initial treatment for recurrent tumors. RESULTS: The 1-, 3-, and 5-year overall survival rates after recurrence in patients with intrahepatic nodular recurrence were 91.0%, 71.0%, and 37.5%, respectively. Multivariate analysis revealed that early recurrence (< or =12 months), Child-Pugh class B or C at diagnosis of recurrence, and serum albumin level of < or =3.5 g/dL at diagnosis of recurrence were poor prognostic factors for survival after recurrence. With regard to the response to the initial treatment, time to recurrence of < or =12 months was found to be the only statistically significant risk factor for progression of disease in multivariate analysis. CONCLUSIONS: Time to recurrence, which usually corresponds with the cellular origin of recurrence, seems to be more important when determining the prognosis of patients with recurrent disease and treatment response than treatment modality. Therefore, different treatment methods should be selected according to the time to recurrence of intrahepatic nodular recurrence.

The prognosis and survival analysis according to seven staging systems of hepatocellular carcinoma following curative resection.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Several staging systems have been introduced to predict the prognosis of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). The aim of current study was to analyze the clinicopathologic prognostic variables and calculate overall survival and disease-free survival rates to compare the prognosis of HCC patients treated with curative resection according to seven different staging systems. METHODOLOGY: A retrospective study of 163 patients with HCC who underwent curative resection in our department between January 1998 and December 2001 was conducted. The clinicopathological prognostic factors were identified by univariate analysis. The patients were classified according to the TNM (AJCC 5th and 6th edition), Okuda, BCLC (Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer), JIS (Japanese Integrated System), CLIP (Cancer of Liver Italian Program), and GRETCH (Group d'Etude de Traitement du Carcinoma Hepatocellullarire) systems. The overall survival and disease free survival were calculated using the Kaplan-Meier method. RESULTS: Univariate analysis of clinicopathologic prognostic factors indicated that tumor size, satellite nodules, portal vein invasion, bile duct invasion, microvessel invasion, differentiation and albumin level were statistically significant factors for survival. Mean survival time was 72.3+/-3.0 months. The overall survival curve and the disease-free survival curve applied to TNM (AJCC 6th edition) staging clearly show the difference in survival. CONCLUSIONS: The TNM (AJCC 6th edition) staging system provides the most effective means of assessing the prognosis of patients following curative resection of HCC.

Acute chylous peritonitis mimicking ovarian torsion in a patient with advanced gastric carcinoma.

The extravasation of chyle into the peritoneal space usually does not accompany an abrupt onset of abdominal pain with symptoms and signs of peritonitis. The rarity of this condition fails to reach preoperative diagnosis prior to laparotomy. Here, we introduce a case of chylous ascites that presented with acute abdominal pain mimicking peritonitis caused by ovarian torsion in a 41-yr-old female patient with advanced gastric carcinoma. An emergency exploratory laparotomy was performed but revealed no evidence of ovarian torsion. Only chylous ascites was discovered in the operative field. She underwent a complete abdominal hysterectomy and salphingo-oophorectomy. Only saline irrigation and suction-up were performed for the chylous ascites. The postoperative course was uneventful. Her bowel movement was restored within 1 week. She was allowed only a fat-free diet, and no evidence of re-occurrence of ascites was noted on clinical observation. She now remains under consideration for additional chemotherapy.

A case of robot-assisted excision of choledochal cyst, hepaticojejunostomy, and extracorporeal Roux-en-y anastomosis using the da Vinci surgical system.

Choledochal cyst is a rare disease in the Western world, but a high incidence is noted in Asia. Complete cyst excision with Roux-en-y hepaticoenterostomy is the treatment of choice for choledochal cyst, which has been attempted laparoscopically with the advancement of laparoscopic experience. Recently, a telemanipulative robotic surgical system was introduced, providing instruments with wrist-type end-effectors and 3-dimensional visualization of the operative field. Herein, we present a case of robot-assisted correction of a choledochal cyst.

Laparoscopic excision of intra-abdominal paragonimiasis.

Lung fluke, Paragonimus westermani of Paragonimus species usually are accompanied by a persistent cough, hemoptysis, and chest pain. Extrapulmonary paragonimiasis caused by ectopic parasites in aberrant locations such as the abdominal wall, abdominal organs, and brain has been reported and the most commonly involved extrapulmonary organ is the brain. We present a case of 56-year-old male patient with intra-abdominal paragonimiasis who underwent laparoscopic excision of abdominal granuloma caused by parasite infection. An intra-abdominal mass associated with eosinophilia might be related to parasite infection. A laparoscopic approach is the most appropriate treatment modality in such benign abdominal pathology.

Transduodenal local resection for low-risk group ampulla of vater carcinoma.

BACKGROUND: Carcinoma of the ampulla of Vater has a more favorable prognosis, compared to other malignant tumors of the periampullary region, because it usually presents with symptoms in the early stage. However, treatment by local resection only of the ampullary carcinoma remains controversial. The aim of this study was to evaluate the treatment results of the ampulla of Vater carcinoma according to different types of operation in low-risk-group patients. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of 17 low-risk-group patients among a total of 102 patients with ampulla of Vater carcinoma who had underwent curative surgery from 1992 to 2002. All specimens were critically reviewed by a single expert pathologist, and the relationship between surgical outcomes and operation type was assessed. RESULTS: The low-risk group was comprised of 10 men and 7 women with a median age of 57.8 years. Thirteen of 17 patients underwent a pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD) or a pylorus preserving pancreaticoduodenectomy (PPPD), while 4 patients underwent a transduodenal local resection (TDLR). The operation time was significantly shorter in the TDLR group, compared to the PD or PPPD groups. Among the 17 patients, there was only 1 case of recurrence in the inguinal area 33 months after the pancreaticoduodenectomy. CONCLUSIONS: Transduodenal local resection is a comparable mode of operation for low-risk-group patients with Ampulla of Vater carcinoma. In particular, it is essential to evaluate the invasion depth in preoperative endoscopic ultrasonography, cell differentiation in preoperative biopsy, and positivity of resection margin accurately by using frozen section during the operation.

Is preoperative transarterial chemoembolization needed for a resectable hepatocellular carcinoma?

BACKGROUND: Whether preoperative transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) has the therapeutic benefits in patients with resectable hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) remains uncertain. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We retrospectively investigated the influence of preoperative TACE on both disease-free survival and the pattern of recurrence after curative resection. From March 1998 to January 2005, a series of 273 patients who underwent curative resection for HCC were reviewed. Altogether, 120 patients underwent preoperative TACE, and 153 patients did not. We compared disease-free survival and the recurrence patterns between TACE and non-TACE groups, as well as between subgroups, stratified with regard to initial tumor size (< or =3 cm, 3-5 cm, >5 cm) and pathologic tumor stage (stage I-II and stage III-IVa). We also compared disease-free survival and the pattern of recurrence among the three groups: complete necrosis, incomplete necrosis, non-TACE groups. RESULTS: The 1-, 3-, and 5-year disease-free survival rates were 76.0%, 57.7%, and 51.3%, respectively, in the TACE group and 70.9%, 53.8%, and 46.8%, respectively, in the non-TACE group. No significant difference was observed in disease-free survival or the pattern of recurrence between the TACE and non-TACE groups. Further analysis of disease-free survival and the pattern of recurrence between subgroups according to initial tumor size and tumor stage showed no significant differences. Complete necrosis of tumor was recognized in only 33 patients of the TACE group (p = 0.001). Among the three complete necrosis, incomplete necrosis, and non-TACE groups, no significant difference was observed in disease-free survival or the pattern of recurrence. CONCLUSIONS: Preoperative TACE did not significantly improve the disease-free survival or the pattern of recurrence after curative resection of HCC. Even though this study is a retrospective analysis, preoperative TACE cannot be recommended as a routine procedure before hepatectomy for a resectable HCC.

Does "clinical" R0 have validity in the choice of simple cholecystectomy for gallbladder carcinoma?

BACKGROUND: This study was designed to evaluate the survival outcomes of patients undergoing simple cholecystectomy and to investigate which patients would benefit from cholecystectomy alone in treating gallbladder carcinoma. METHODS: The available medical records of patients who underwent cholecystectomy alone for gallbladder carcinomas from August 1992 to February 2005 were retrospectively reviewed. Cancer stages were evaluated by clinical meaning based on the AJCC Cancer Staging Manual, 6th edition. "Clinical" R0, defined as gallbladder confined tumor (pT1-3 with negative resection margin) with cN0 and cM0, was tentatively established to evaluate the quality of simple cholecystectomy. RESULTS: Seventy-five patients underwent cholecystectomy alone for gallbladder carcinomas. Twenty-eight patients were male, and forty-seven patients were female, with their mean age 63.5 years (range, 29-80 years). Forty-one patients (54.7%) underwent laparoscopic cholecystectomy, and thirty-four patients (45.3%) underwent open cholecystectomy. T3 lesions were most common (26 patients), followed by T1 (24 patients), T2 (19 patients), and T4 (6 patients). "Clinical R0" could be defined in 48 patients (63%) after simple cholecystectomy. Multivariate analysis showed that incidental gallbladder carcinoma, T stage, and clinical R0 status were independent prognostic factors of long-term survival. When comparing survival outcomes of clinical R0 according to the T stage, no patients with Tis, T1a, and T1b had cancer-related mortality during follow-up. Especially, in patients with T2 gallbladder carcinomas, the mean survival rate was 68.9 months, and the 5-year survival rate was 77.8%. On the contrary, those with T3 lesions had poor prognoses. CONCLUSION: Cholecystectomy alone could be proper management for well-selected patients with gallbladder carcinomas (incidental gallbladder carcinoma, gallbladder confined carcinoma, clinical R0). More experiences and a proper prospective study must be performed to confirm the meaning of clinical R0 in treating gallbladder carcinoma.

Laparoscopic distal pancreatectomy for solid pseudopapillary neoplasm of the pancreas-report of two cases.

Solid pseudopapillary neoplasm of the pancreas is a rare pathologic entity. Although the role of laparoscopy in surgery of the pancreas is still controversial, the feasibility and safety of laparoscopic distal pancreatectomy has been reported with good results. We present two cases of laparoscopic distal pancreatectomy in female patients of incidentally found pancreatic solid pseudopapapillary neoplasm, with review of disease and technical aspect. They underwent laparoscopic distal pancreatectomy with and without preservation of splenic vessels and spleen respectively. We used four trocars with the patients' posture in strict right lateral decubitus. The operating time was 180 and 240 minutes respectively. There were no critical postoperative complications. The postoperative hospital stay was 10 and 7 days respectively. This minimal invasive surgery can be safely applied to benign or low-grade malignant tumor of the pancreas especially in young and female patients.

Bilateral thoracoscopic splanchnicectomy with sympathectomy for managing abdominal pain in cancer patients.

BACKGROUND: Simple interruption of splanchnic nerve can lead to incomplete transection of nerve fibers responsible for cancer-derived abdominal visceral because lots of neural communications exist. METHODS: From December 1999 to June 2005, a total of 21 cancer patients underwent bilateral thoracoscopic segmental resection of splanchnic nerve with sympathectomy for intractable abdominal pain based on the anatomic observation of 26 embalmed Korean cadaveric specimens in Yonsei University Medical Center, Seoul, Korea. All patients were preoperatively asked to rate the extent of their current pain by using the numeric rating scale (NRS), where 0 indicated no pain and 10 indicated intractable pain. The effectiveness of this thoracoscopic procedure was assessed based on the NRS reevaluated after surgery. RESULTS: NRS score was significantly reduced after thoracoscopic surgery (1.71 +/- 1.10 versus 8.52 +/- 1.08, paired t test, P < .0001). Sixteen patients (76.2%) could tolerate pain without or with reduced dose of analgesics. No mortality and morbidity were found in this study. CONCLUSION: This bilateral thoracoscopic splanchnicectomy with sympathectomy is safe, easy, and effective method in managing cancer-derived visceral abdominal pain.

Gallbladder carcinoma associated with anomalous pancreaticobiliary duct junction.

BACKGROUND: Anomalous pancreaticobiliary ductal junction (APBDJ) is believed to be one of the risk factors for gallbladder carcinoma. The present study aims to delineate the gallbladder carcinoma characteristics associated with APBDJ. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Patients with gallbladder carcinoma associated with APBDJ between August 1992 and February 2005 were retrospectively reviewed. Two types of APBDJ classifications were considered: right-angle type (C-P) and acute-angle type (P-C). RESULTS: Ten of 218 patients (4.6%) with gallbladder carcinomas were associated with APBDJ. All patients were female with a mean age of 55.4 years (range 41 to 72 years). Gallstones were absent in nine patients. Seven patients (70%) had the P-C type and three patients (30%) had the C-P type. Survival differences between the P-C type and the C-P type of gallbladder carcinomas were noted (P=0.0269). Patients with incidentally detected gallbladder carcinoma had superior survival (P=0.0316). CONCLUSION: Gallbladder carcinomas associated with APBDJ were significantly related to relatively young female patients without gallbladder stones. Survival outcomes in these patients were not different from those of gallbladder carcinoma without APBDJ. In particular, the P-C type of APBDJ seemed to be more associated with relatively advanced gallbladder carcinomas, and patients with incidentally detected gallbladder carcinomas with APBDJ had superior survival.

Pancreaticoduodenectomy of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma in the elderly.

PURPOSE: Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma has the highest incidence between the ages of 60 and 70 years. As the elderly population has been increasing in the last several decades, the proportion of patients older than 70 years of age with resectable pancreatic cancer is expected to increase in our society. This retrospective observation was performed to evaluate surgical value of pancreaticoduodenectomy for the elderly patients with pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma. MATERIALS AND METHODS: From January 1990 to June 2005, among the patients who underwent pancreaticoduodenectomy for pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma, the elder patients older than 70 years of age were retrospectively reviewed. Perioperative surgical outcomes, including general clinicopathologic features, morbidity, mortality, and survival outcomes, were investigated based on available medical records. RESULTS: Seventy-seven patients underwent pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD) for pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma. Among them, 11 patients (14.3%) were 70 years older. More frequent incidences of morbidity (8 out of 11 vs. 25 out of 65, p=0.049), especially delayed gastric emptying (3 out of 8 vs. 3 out of 66, p=0.035), were observed and overall length of hospital stay was also longer in the elderly (49.2 +/- 13.9 days vs. 36.1 +/- 13.2, p=0.012). However, no significant differences in mortality rate and survival outcomes were noted when comparing with those of the younger patients (p > 0.05). CONCLUSION: We agree with the opinion that age factor can not be absolute contraindication for pancreaticoduodenectomy, however, appropriate preoperative evaluations, proper patient selection considering life expectancy, advanced surgical techniques and detailed perioperative management are mandatory to guarantee the safety of pancreaticoduodenectomy performed in the elderly with pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma.

The first korean experience of telemanipulative robot-assisted laparoscopic cholecystectomy using the da vinci system.

With the advancement of laparoscopic instruments and computer sciences, complex surgical procedures are expected to be safely performed by robot assisted telemanipulative laparoscopic surgery. The da Vinci system (Intuitive Surgical, Mountain View, CA, USA) became available at the many surgical fields. The wrist like movements of the instrument's tip, as well as 3-dimensional vision, could be expected to facilitate more complex laparoscopic procedure. Here, we present the first Korean experience of da Vinci robotic assisted laparoscopic cholecystectomy and discuss the introduction and perspectives of this robotic system.