Clinical Impact of the Charlson Comorbidity Index on the Efficacy of Salvage Photodynamic Therapy Using Talaporfin Sodium for Esophageal Cancer.

Introduction Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is a salvage treatment for local failure after chemoradiotherapy for esophageal cancer. Salvage PDT is the treatment available for vulnerable patients with various comorbidities at risk of salvage esophagectomy. This study assessed the impact of the Charlson comorbidity index (CCI) on the outcomes of salvage PDT using talaporfin sodium (TS) for esophageal cancer. Metohds Consecutive patients with esophageal cancer who underwent salvage TS-PDT from 2016 to 2022 were included in this retrospective study. We investigated the local complete response (L-CR), progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) and evaluated the relationship between the CCI and therapeutic efficacy. Results In total, 25 patients were enrolled in this study. Overall, 12 patients (48%) achieved an L-CR, and the 2-year PFS and OS rates were 24.9% and 59.4%, respectively. In a multivariate analysis, a CCI ≥1 (p=0.041) and deeper invasion (p=0.048) were found to be significant independent risk factors for not achieving an L-CR. To evaluate the efficacy associated with comorbidities, we divided the patients into the CCI=0 group (n=11) and the CCI ≥1 group (n=14). The rate of an L-CR (p=0.035) and the 2-year PFS (p=0.029) and OS (p=0.018) rates in the CCI ≥1 group were significantly lower than those in the CCI=0 group. Conclusion This study found that the CCI was negatively associated with the efficacy of salvage TS-PDT for esophageal cancer.

[A Case of Primary Jejunum Cancer Mimicking Superior Mesenteric Artery Syndrome].

In this report, we described a case of jejunum cancer that presented with abdominal pain and vomiting as chief complaints, which mimicked superior mesenteric artery syndrome. An elderly woman in her 70s was referred to our department for prolonged abdominal discomfort. Findings from CT and abdominal echo indicated that superior mesenteric artery syndrome may be responsible for jejunum cancer. Upper gastrointestinal endoscopy revealed a peripheral type 2 lesion in the upper jejunum. Upon biopsy, the patient was diagnosed with adenocarcinoma(papillary type). Surgical resection of the small intestine was performed. Although small intestinal cancer is a fairly rare disease, it should be considered a differential diagnosis. Comprehensive evaluations including medical history and imaging should be considered.

Papillary hyperplasia of the gallbladder diagnosed as gallbladder cancer before surgery: A case report.

INTRODUCTION AND IMPORTANCE: Gallbladder cancer has a poor prognosis. Therefore, an accurate diagnosis is required, for which various tests are performed. However, in some cases, it is difficult to distinguish between benign and malignant diseases before surgery. Papillary hyperplasia of the gallbladder is known for its secondary changes. Papillary hyperplasia of the gallbladder, which is known for its secondary changes, is a benign disease. We encountered papillary hyperplasia of the gallbladder with morphological changes over the course of 1 year. In addition, the tumor was suggested to be malignant during various examinations. We present a case of papillary hyperplasia of the gallbladder showing an increasing tendency and findings indicative of malignancy on imaging. PRESENTATION OF CASE: A 70-year-old man underwent routine abdominal ultrasonography every year. We observed that the gallbladder wall was thickened. The tumor size was 24 mm. FDG-PET and other examinations indicated malignancy requiring surgery. CLINICAL DISCUSSION: Accurate diagnosis of gallbladder tumor is difficult only by diagnostic imaging. There are problems with preoperative cytology and histology. FS can be an important test to avoid extended surgery. CONCLUSION: We report a rare case of papillary hyperplasia of the gallbladder, which was difficult to diagnose. Even when morphological changes and imaging findings suggest malignancy, similar findings could appear in papillary hyperplasia of the gallbladder owing to chronic inflammation.

Subtotal gastrectomy for gastric tube cancer using intraoperative indocyanine green fluorescence method.

INTRODUCTION: Currently, the frequency of evaluating the flow of a reconstructed gastric tube using indocyanine green (ICG) fluorescence has been increasing. However, it has been difficult to decide on the operation method for patients with gastric tube cancer (GTC). We herein report a case in which ICG was effective in a patient with resection of GTC. PRESENTATION OF CASE: An 83-year-old man underwent subtotal esophagectomy with gastric tube reconstruction via the retrosternal route for esophageal cancer and right hemicolectomy for ascending colon cancer 16 years earlier. Postoperatively, the proximal part of the gastric tube had poor blood flow. Therefore, the patient underwent proximal-side resection of the gastric tube. Thereafter, free jejunal graft reconstruction was performed. The patient had not developed recurrence at that point. Recently, the patient visited the hospital complaining of nausea and chest discomfort. Upper gastrointestinal endoscopy revealed a type 0-IIa + IIc lesion located around the pylorus. A biopsy showed adenocarcinoma. Based on these findings, the patient was diagnosed with gastric tube cancer (cT1bN0M0StageI). The invasion depth of the cancer was predicted to be widespread submucosal invasion. Therefore, the patient underwent surgery. Intraoperatively, we evaluated the flow of the gastric tube after clamping the right gastroepiploic artery using ICG fluorescence. As a result, the flow of the gastric tube was deemed insufficient. Consequently, subtotal gastrectomy was performed with preservation of the right gastroepiploic artery via Roux-en-Y reconstruction. DISCUSSION: ICG fluorescence is useful for evaluating the flow of the gastric tube helping to decide the operating method. CONCLUSION: We herein report a case of subtotal gastrectomy for GTC using intraoperative ICG fluorescence.

[A Resected Case of Leiomyosarcoma Originating from the Ovarian Vein].

We present a 46-year-old female patient who underwent resection of a retroperitoneal tumor, which was found by medical check-up. The tumor which was elastic hard and had good mobility displaced the duodenum to her abdominal wall. Since her right ovarian vein adhered to the tumor, we removed the tumor with the ligated vein. Pathological findings showed the tumor consisted of spindle-shaped cells with pleomorphic nucleus and it presented the fascicular growth pattern. Additional immunostaining showed positive for HHF35, h-caldesmon. Because the leiomyosarcoma connected with the smooth muscle of the right ovarian vein, we considered the vascular smooth muscle was the origin of the tumor. It is 2 years after the operation, there has been no local recurrence or metastasis.

[A Case of Advanced Rectal Cancer Successfully Treated with Preoperative Radiochemotherapy].

An 80-year-old woman who visited our hospital with chief complaints of decreased appetite and diarrhea. Lower gastrointestinal endoscopy showed a type 2 tumor in the rectal Ra, and biopsy revealed a well-differentiated adenocarcinoma. The patient had locally advanced rectal cancer with widespread contact with the sacrum, and preoperative radiochemotherapy (S-1 100 mg/day plus radiotherapy 50 Gy/25 Fr)was performed. After the treatment was completed, the tumor was remarkably reduced, but the surgery was strongly rejected, and therefore chemotherapy became the policy. XELOX plus bevacizumab therapy was started, but in the second course was performed, obstructive symptoms appeared, so a semi-urgent lower anterior resection and ileostomy were performed. Postoperative pathological findings showed only a small amount of tumor cells in the mucosa, suggesting that preoperative treatment was effective.

Impact of Anatomical Resection for Hepatocellular Carcinoma With Microportal Invasion (vp1): A Multi-institutional Study by the Kyushu Study Group of Liver Surgery.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of the present study was to evaluate the value of anatomical resection for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) with microportal vascular invasion (vp1) between 2000 and 2010. BACKGROUND: Vascular invasion has been reported as a prognostic factor of liver resection for HCC. Anatomical resection for HCC has resulted in optimum outcomes of eradicating intrahepatic micrometastases through the portal vein, but opposite results have also been reported. METHODS: A clinical chart review was performed for 546 patients with HCC with vp1. We retrospectively evaluated the recurrence-free survival (RFS) between anatomical (AR) and nonanatomical resection (NAR). The site of recurrence was also compared between these groups. The influence of AR on the overall survival (OS) and RFS rates was analyzed in patients selected by propensity score matching, and the prognostic factors were identified. RESULTS: A total of 546 patients were enrolled, including 422 in the AR group and 124 in the NAR group. There was no difference in the 5-year OS and RFS rates between the 2 groups. Local recurrence was significantly more frequent in the NAR group than in the AR group. In a multivariate analysis, hepatitis C virus, serum protein induced by vitamin K absence II of 380 mAU/mL or more, tumor diameter of 5 cm or more, and age of 70 years or older were significant predictors of a poor RFS after liver resection. There were no significant differences in the OS or RFS between the AR and NAR groups by a propensity score-matched analysis. CONCLUSIONS: Although local recurrence around the resection site was suppressed by AR, AR for HCC with vp1 did not influence the RFS or OS rates after hepatectomy in the modern era.

[A Case of Small Bowel Perforation Due to Lung Cancer Metastasis].

A 79-year-old man was diagnosed with Stage ⅢB(T4N2M0)adenocarcinoma of the lung, administered. He suddenly developed abdominal pain with muscle guarding and rebound tenderness. An abdominal computed tomography scan revealed a thickened small bowel wall and mesenteric mass, as well as massive ascites and free air. He underwent an emergency laparotomy following a diagnosis of pan-peritonitis due to intestinalperforation. A partialresection of the smallintestine and abdominal drainage were performed. The resected specimen included an ulcerative lesion on the mucosal surface. The pathological diagnosis was a metastasis of lung cancer. The patient died in hospice 29 days postoperatively. In the present case, however, surgery improved the patient's quality of life. Although lung cancer metastasis to the small bowel is associated with a poor prognosis, palliative surgery is indicated in otherwise fatal circumstances.

[A Clinical Study of Seven Cases of LECS for Gastric Submucosal Tumors].

Laparoscopy and endoscopy cooperative surgery(LECS)is a surgical technique to resect a tumor with minimal invasion, using both a laparoscope and endoscope. Twenty-eight surgeries for gastric submucosal tumors(SMT)were performed between 2009 and 2019. Seven of those cases were performed using LECS. Two male and 5 female patients underwent LECS; their mean age was 53 years. The tumors were located at the anterior wall of the fornix in 1 case, anterior wall of the subcardia in 2 cases, anterior wall of the upper gastric body in 3 cases, and anterior wall of the lower gastric body in 1 case. Two cases were intraductal growing types, and 5 cases were intramural growing types. No postoperative complications have occurred. The mean size of the tumors was 21.1 mm. In pathological findings, 5 cases were gastrointestinal stromal tumor (GIST); 1 case was high risk, 2 cases were low risk, and 1 case was very low risk as classified using the modified-Fletcher's classification. Imatinib was administered to the high risk case, and there have been no recurrences in any cases.

[A Case of Small Cell Carcinoma of the Pancreas].

A 55-year-old man was admitted to our hospital for jaundice. Magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography showed a mass in the pancreatic head as well as biliary obstruction. We strongly suspected invasive ductal carcinoma of the pancreas. We performed pancreaticoduodenectomy with partial resection of the portal vein. The histopathological diagnosis was small cell carcinoma of the pancreas. We detected metastasis of the right hilar lymph node in PET-CT scan performed 2 months after the surgery and started chemotherapy with cisplatin(CDDP)plus irinotecan(CPT-11). However, we observed recurrent metastasis of the right hilar lymph node 12 months after the surgery. We started second-line chemotherapy with amrubicin( AMR)and radiotherapy. Unfortunately, the patient died from multiple metastases of the left adrenal gland and brain 26 months after the surgery. The prognosis of small cell carcinoma of the pancreas is extremely poor. Multimodal treatment such as chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and curative operation are required for long-term survival.

[Radical Surgery Following Chemotherapy in a Patient with Mesenteric Recurrence Associated with Hematoma upon ESD for Rectal Cancer Three Years Six months Later].

A63 -year-old man complaining of anal pain visited our hospital. Three years 6 months previously, the patient underwent endoscopic submucosal dissection(ESD)for early-stage rectal cancer. Based on the pathological findings, adenocarcinoma with invasion to the submucosal layer(2,000 mm)and lymphovascular invasion were diagnosed. Abdominal computed tomography( CT)revealed a solid tumor 50mm in diameter and hematoma measuring approximately 90mm in length adjoining the tumor in the mesorectum. We performed exploratory laparoscopy. Ahematoma was confirmed in the mesentery from the sigmoid colon and rectum. After the surgery, endoscopic ultrasound-guided fine needle aspiration(EUS-FNA)revealed well-differentiated adenocarcinoma. We diagnosed a hematoma associated with mesenteric recurrence following ESD for rectal cancer. The patient received chemotherapy first because of the large size of the recurrent cancer. Four courses of mFOLFOX6(5-FU: bolus 400mg/m / / / 2,2,400mg/m2,oxaliplatin 85 mg/m2) and panitumumab(6 mg/kg)were administered. Based on the CT findings following chemotherapy, the hematoma had disappeared, and the size of the recurrent cancer in the mesorectum reduced to 28 mm. The patient underwent laparoscopic lower anterior resection with D3 lymph node dissection and ileostomy. The postoperative course was uneventful. Currently, the patient has no recurrence.

[A Case of Mesenteric Malignant Lymphoma Treated Using Single-Port Surgery and an Umbilical ZigZag Incision].

A 73 -year-old man was found to have a mesenteric tumor on abdominal ultrasonography and computed tomography (CT). Single-port laparoscopic surgery using an umbilical ZigZag incision was performed. Operative findings revealed that the tumor involved the mesentery. The tumor and a section of small intestines were resected. Pathological examination diagnosed follicular lymphoma. Single-port laparoscopic surgery using an umbilical ZigZag incision is superior for manipulation of forceps and evisceration. This operative method may be useful for resection or biopsy of mesenteric tumors.

Hepatic Pseudolymphoma with an Occult Hepatitis B Virus Infection.

A 49-year-old woman who was asymptomatic was found to have a small liver tumor on abdominal ultrasonography (US) at her annual health checkup. US revealed a hypoechoic, solid, mass measuring 17-mm in size in segment 6. The tumor markers associated with liver malignancy were negative. An infectious disease screen was negative for hepatitis B surface antigen, but positive for antibody to hepatitis B core antigen. Imaging studies using computed tomography (CT), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and CT angiography suggested a malignant liver tumor, such as hepatocellular carcinoma. Partial hepatic resection of the posterior segment was performed. The pathological diagnosis was pseudolymphoma of the liver.

Anterior approach for right hepatectomy with hanging maneuver for hepatocellular carcinoma: a multi-institutional propensity score-matching study.

BACKGROUND: This multi-institutional study aimed to assess the benefits of anterior approach for right hepatectomy with hanging maneuver (ARH-HM) for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) compared with conventional right hepatectomy (CRH). METHODS: From January 2000 to December 2012, 306 patients with HCC ≥5 cm were divided into two groups: ARH-HM (n = 104) and CRH (n = 202). RESULTS: After one-to-one propensity score-matched analysis, 72 ARH-HM and 72 CRH patients presented comparable background factors. Patients in the ARH-HM group demonstrated significantly less intraoperative blood loss (480 vs. 1,242 g, P < 0.001) and a lower frequency of red cell concentrate transfusion (21.1% vs. 50.7%, P < 0.001) compared with patients in the CRH group. The 5-year overall survival rate was significantly better in the ARH-HM group compared with the CRH group (50.2% vs. 31.4%, P = 0.021). Limited to patients with HCC ≥10 cm, recurrence-free and overall survival of the ARH-HM group was significantly greater than those of the CRH group. CONCLUSION: In comparison with CRH, ARH-HM for large HCC can provide better overall survival rates with a decrease in intraoperative blood loss and transfusion rates. Survival impact was evident especially in patients with HCC ≥10 cm.

Surgical management of recurrent intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma: predictors, adjuvant chemotherapy, and surgical therapy for recurrence: A multi-institutional study by the Kyushu Study Group of Liver Surgery.

Objectives of the present study were to identify predictors of the recurrence of intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (ICC), and to evaluate the survival benefit of adjuvant chemotherapy and surgical treatment for ICC recurrence. A multi-institutional retrospective study was carried out in 356 patients with ICC who underwent curative surgery at one of 14 institutions belonging to the Kyushu Study Group of Liver Surgery. A total of 214 patients (60%) had recurrence. Predictors of ICC recurrence were as follows: positive for pathological intrahepatic metastasis (im), positive for lymph node metastasis (n), positive for pathological lymphatic infiltration (ly), pathological bile duct invasion (b), and tumor size ≥4.4 cm. Adjuvant chemotherapy was given to 120 patients (34%) and, in the patients with im or tumor size ≥4.4 cm, adjuvant chemotherapy showed a survival benefit. Only 37 patients (17%) underwent surgical treatment for ICC recurrence. The surgical treatment resulted in a good 5-year survival rate (44%), which is similar to the rate obtained by the first operation for primary ICC. Prognosis of patients with primary im after the second operation was significantly worse (5-year survival 18%) compared to patients without primary im. Primary im+ should be considered a contraindication for surgical treatment for ICC recurrence.

[A Case of Remnant Gastric Cancer That Completely Responded to Neoadjuvant S-1 and Cisplatin Therapy].

A 69-year-old man, who had undergone distal gastrectomy for duodenal ulcer, was diagnosed with remnant gastric cancer and jejunal mesenteric lymph node metastasis. To improve curability, we planned 2 courses of S-1 and cisplatin therapy. After chemotherapy, primary lesion and lymph node metastases reduced in size drastically. Completion gastrectomy and lymph node dissection were performed with curative intent. The tumor was found to have a pathological complete response(pCR) to chemotherapy on histological examination.

Portal Vein Embolization Followed by Right-Side Hemihepatectomy for Hepatocellular Carcinoma Patients: A Japanese Multi-Institutional Study.

BACKGROUND: Portal vein embolization (PVE) is useful to expand the indications of major hepatectomy; however, its oncologic effects are not fully understood. This study aimed to confirm the efficacy of preoperative PVE for hepatocellular carcinoma patients. STUDY DESIGN: Between 2000 and 2012, five hundred and ten patients with hepatocellular carcinoma undergoing right-side hemihepatectomy were enrolled (PVE group, n = 162 and non-PVE group, n = 348). To equalize background factors, one-to-one propensity case-matched analysis and multivariate analysis were performed. Short- and long-term outcomes were evaluated. RESULTS: Propensity score-matched patients, 148 in each group, were selected. The percentage of resected liver volume on admission was significantly greater in the PVE group (60.5% vs 48.3%; p < 0.001), but decreased considerably after PVE, from 60.5% to 50.3% (p < 0.001). The 5-year cumulative recurrence-free survival (36.4% vs 35.3%) and overall survival (58.6% vs 52.8%) rates were comparable. Extrahepatic recurrences were less common in the PVE group (18.1% vs 38.8%; p = 0.004). Independent prognostic factors for recurrence-free survival were morbidity (hazard ratio [HR] = 1.56), multiple tumors (HR = 1.97), red cell concentrate administration (HR = 1.57), older age (HR = 2.09), and massive portal invasion (HR = 2.33); and those for overall survival were morbidity (HR = 2.37), multiple tumors (HR = 1.71), and massive hepatic venous invasion (HR = 3.49). CONCLUSIONS: Even though hepatocellular carcinoma patients who underwent preoperative PVE and right-side hemihepatectomy had a significantly larger resected liver volume on admission, they have a comparable long-term prognosis as patients with up front hepatectomy. In addition, PVE might decrease extrahepatic recurrences.

[A Case of Locally Far-Advanced Colon Cancer Resected by Laparoscopic Surgery after Colonic Stent Insertion and Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy].

We report a case of locally far-advanced colon cancer resected by laparoscopic surgery after colonic stent insertion and neoadjuvant chemotherapy. A 71-year-old man with obstructive symptoms was admitted to our hospital in July 2015. CT revealed a sigmoid colon tumor infiltrating the retroperitoneum and small intestine. Lower gastrointestinal endoscopy showed a sigmoid colon cancer. Self-expandable metallic stent insertion for obstructive colon cancer alleviated the patient's symptoms quickly. Four courses of neoadjuvant chemotherapy(XELOX)reduced the primary tumor in size, allowing for laparoscopic surgical resection. Combination therapy with colonic stenting and neoadjuvant chemotherapy can be an effective treatment for obstructive colon cancer. However, further studies and additional cases are needed to assess the safety and efficacy of this combination therapy.

The Results of a Propensity Score Matching Analysis of the Efficacy of Abdominal Fascia and Skin Closure Using PDS® Plus Antibacterial (Polydioxanone) Sutures on the Incidence of Superficial Incisional Surgical Site Infections after Gastroenterologic Surgery.

BACKGROUND: Surgical site infections (SSIs) lead to prolonged hospitalization and increased cost of hospital stay after surgery. Therefore, the prevention of SSIs is one of the most critical tasks facing surgeons and nursing staff. In the present study, the efficacy of using triclosan-coated polidioxanone sutures (PDS® Plus Antibacterial Suture, (Ethicon Inc., Somerville, NJ) for abdominal closure was analyzed retrospectively using a propensity score matching analysis. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Of 1,768 patients who underwent gastroenterologic surgery at Fukuoka University Hospital between January 2009 and September 2013, 812 underwent abdominal closure using PDS Plus. These patients were compared retrospectively regarding the incidence of SSIs using a propensity score matching method with 956 patients treated in the previous period without abdominal closure using PDS Plus sutures. The propensity score was calculated from the age, gender, body mass index, smoking status, diabetes mellitus, use of steroid medication, malignant or benign disease, organ location, emergency or planned surgery, wound classification, the American Society of Anesthesiologists score, open or laparoscopic surgery, the length of the operation, and blood loss. RESULTS: Nine hundred sixty-six patients (483 matched sets) were enrolled by the propensity score matching method. No parameter used for the propensity score was different between the PDS Plus and control groups. Closure using PDS Plus could reduce the incidence of SSIs compared with that in the control group (p = 0.022). Of the parameters used for the propensity score, malignant disease (p = 0.0002), open surgery (p = 0.0020), a prolonged operation (p < 0.0001), high blood loss (p < 0.0001), the need for a transfusion (p = 0.019), and gastrointestinal tract surgery (p = 0.0059) were significant risk factors for the development of SSIs in the univariable analysis. In a multivariable regression model, open surgery (p < 0.0001), prolonged operation (p < 0.0001), gastrointestinal tract surgery (p = 0.001), and abdominal closure without PDS Plus (p < 0.0001) were the independent risk factors for the development of an SSI. The development of an SSI prolonged the hospital stay (p < 0.0001) and the use of antibiotic medication (p < 0.0001); abdominal closure using PDS Plus affected the antibiotic medication period (p = 0.013) but not the hospital stay (p = 0.40). CONCLUSION: Although abdominal fascia and skin closure using PDS Plus was compared with variable abdominal closure, the present findings suggest that abdominal fascia and skin closure using PDS Plus sutures could help prevent the development of SSIs after gastroenterologic surgery, as determined by a propensity score matching analysis.

Spontaneous Pneumoperitoneum due to Constipation.

We report a rare case of spontaneous pneumoperitoneum. An 82-year-old Japanese male patient was referred to our hospital because of constipation and abdominal pain. Abdominal computed tomography revealed a large amount of feces in the colon and rectum, and free air in the abdomen. Based on these findings, the patient was diagnosed with gastrointestinal perforation. Emergency exploratory laparotomy was performed. Neither perforation nor ischemic changes were recognized in the digestive tract. The patient's defecation was managed postoperatively until discharge on the 13th postoperative day. The authors assumed that free air, which was released after a mucosal injury due to the internal pressure caused by the presence of a large amount of feces in the colon and rectum, had penetrated the bowel wall through the bowel mucosa. We herein report the present case while also reviewing the pertinent literature.