Impact of visceral fat obesity (obesity disease) on short- and long-term outcomes of laparoscopic gastrectomy in gastric cancer.

BACKGROUND: As the incidence of obesity increases worldwide, laparoscopic gastrectomy (LG) in obese patients with gastric cancer is more common. It is unclear how visceral fat obesity (obesity disease [OD]) may influence short- and long-term outcomes after LG. METHODS: This study included 170 gastric cancer patients who underwent curative LG at Minoh City Hospital from 2008 to 2020. Patients were classified based on preoperative body mass index (BMI) and visceral fat area (VFA): normal (N; n = 95), visceral fat accumulation alone (VF; n = 35), obesity with visceral fat accumulation (OD; n = 35), and obesity alone (n = 5). RESULTS: Compared with normal VFA, high preoperative VFA (≥100 cm2) was significantly associated with longer operation time, greater blood loss, more frequent postoperative complications, and longer hospital stay. Multivariate analysis revealed the following independent risk factors for postoperative intra-abdominal infectious complications: Charlson Comorbidity Index ≥4 (odds ratio [OR]: 3.1, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.2-8.5), dissected lymph node area (D2) (OR: 3.0, 95% CI: 1.2-7.1), and preoperative VFA (≥100 cm2) (OR: 3.7, 95% CI: 1.6-8.8). Intraoperative and postoperative courses were comparable between groups VF and OD. The 3-year overall survival rate was significantly worse in group VF (73.2%) compared with groups OD (96.7%) and N (96.7%) (p < .0001). Recurrence-free survival and cancer-specific survival were comparable between groups VF, OD, and N. CONCLUSION: Visceral fat accumulation strongly predicted postoperative morbidity. Despite increased perioperative risk, OD did not negatively impact successful lymphadenectomy or survival following LG.

Ischemia prediction score (IsPS) in patients with strangulated small bowel obstruction: a retrospective cohort study.

BACKGROUNDS: Intestinal ischemia of strangulated small bowel obstruction (SSBO) requires prompt identification and early intervention. This study aimed to evaluate the risk factors and develop a prediction model of intestinal ischemia requiring bowel resection in SSBO. METHODS: This was a single-center, retrospective cohort study of consecutive patients underwent emergency surgery for SSBO from April 2007 to December 2021. Univariate analysis was performed to identify the risk factors for bowel resection in these patients. Two clinical scores (with contrasted computed tomography [CT] and without contrasted CT) were developed to predict intestinal ischemia. The scores were validated in an independent cohort. RESULTS: A total of 127 patients were included, 100 in the development cohort (DC) and 27 in the validation cohort (VC). Univariate analysis showed that high white blood cell count (WBC), low base excess (BE), ascites and reduced bowel enhancement were significantly associated with bowel resection. The ischemia prediction score (IsPS) comprised 1 point each for WBC ≥ 10,000/L, BE ≤ -1.0 mmol/L, ascites, and 2 points for reduced bowel enhancement. The simple IsPS (s-IsPS, without contrasted CT) of 2 or more had a sensitivity of 69.4%, specificity of 65.4%. The modified IsPS (m-IsPS, with contrasted CT) of 3 or more had a sensitivity of 86.7%, specificity of 76.0%. AUC of s-IsPS was 0.716 in DC and 0.812 in VC, and AUC of m-IsPS was 0.838 and 0.814. CONCLUSION: IsPS predicted possibility of ischemic intestinal resection with high accuracy and can help in the early identification of intestinal ischemia in SSBO.

[A Case of Long-Term Survival with Tumor Resection and DOX plus DTIC Therapy for Desmoid Tumor after FAP Surgery].

The patient is a 22-year-old, female. She had a family history of familial adenomatous polyposis(FAP)and a prophylactic total colorectal resection was performed for FAP at age of 18. She presented with fever and abdominal distention and palpated a mass with tenderness in the right lower abdomen. Contrast-enhanced CT scan of the abdomen showed a heterogeneous contrast effect around the tumor margins. With the diagnosis of intra-abdominal desmoid tumor, a partial duodenal resection, small bowel mass resection, and right fallopian tube resection were performed along with the tumor, and an artificial anus was created with the jejunum. Contrast-enhanced CT scan of the abdomen 16 months after resection of desmoid tumor showed a 6.5 cm long desmoid tumor recurrence in the mesentery. She received 5 courses of doxorubicin (DOX)plus dacarbazine(DTIC)therapy followed by continued NSAIDs. Seven years after the operation, she has been able to maintain the shrinkage of the recurrent tumor and is still on medication. Long-term surveillance is necessary because of the possibility of the appearance of other associated lesions in the future.

[A Case of Right Hemicolectomy for Inflammatory Myofibroblastic Tumor Arising in the Right Transverse Colon].

The patient was a 21-year-old male. He presented with right lower abdominal pain and showed tenderness in the same area. An abdominal contrast-enhanced CT examination revealed a 45 mm tumor that continuously stained in the right transverse colon. The patient presented with tenderness and rebound tenderness. Due to a suspected submucosal tumor, laparotomy was performed and an elastic hard tumor of 5 cm in size was found on the serous membrane side of the right transverse colon. As malignancy could not be ruled out, a right hemicolectomy with lymph node dissection was performed. The pathological diagnosis was an inflammatory myofibroblastic tumor(IMT), characterized by the proliferation of spindle- shaped spindle-shaped fibroblast-like cells with inflammatory cell infiltration. As of 9 years post-surgery, there has been no recurrence. However, long-term surveillance is necessary.

[A Case of Surgery for Skin Metastasis of Papillary Thyroid Carcinoma in a Very Elderly Patient to Improve the Quality of Life].

The patient was a 100-year-old woman who underwent right lobe thyroidectomy for papillary thyroid cancer in another hospital around 1990. She developed local recurrence in 2010 and underwent anterior tracheal local recurrence resection in May 2017. Subsequently, metastases were confirmed in the lateral cervical lymph nodes, but the patient only received TSH suppression because of her advanced age. Multiple pulmonary metastases developed in November 2020 and supraclavicular lymph node metastases in July 2021, but the patient was under the care of a visiting physician on best supportive care. The patient was referred to our hospital in January 2022 due to the appearance of a cutaneous mass in the sternal incision area, which gradually increased in size. A well-mobile, well-defined, spherical mass was found in the sternotomy area. The maximum diameter was 19 mm. The cytological findings were consistent with cutaneous metastasis of papillary thyroid carcinoma. As the patient was elderly and had multiple pulmonary metastases, she was temporarily observed. However, by June 2022, the mass had increased from 19 mm to 33 mm with cutaneous discoloration. There was no tendency for multiple pulmonary metastases to grow during this period. The decision was made to operate in order to prevent a decline in quality of life due to self-destruction of the cutaneous metastasis. The tumor was removed under general anesthesia, including the cutaneous discoloration, and reconstructed with a rhomboid skin flap. Post-operatively, there was no local recurrence or significant increase in pulmonary metastases. It is suggested that resection of cutaneous metastasis of malignant tumors may be effective in preserving quality of life even in a 100-year-old elderly patient like the present case and should be considered as an indication.

[Long-Term Survival of a Patient with Advanced Antral Gastric Cancer Successfully Treated with Multidisciplinary Therapy].

We report the case of long-term survival of a patient with advanced antral gastric cancer with multiple paraaortic lymph nodes metastasis who was successfully treated with multidisciplinary therapy. A 70-year-old female was admitted to our hospital complaining of vomiting. Upper gastrointestinal endoscopy revealed a Type 3 tumor in the gastric antrum. Computed tomography(CT)showed a marked decrease in the size of the primary gastric tumor and lymph nodes after 9 courses of mFOLFOX6 therapy. Subsequently, 7 courses of paclitaxel plus ramucirumab(PTX plus Rmab)therapy and 10 courses of nivolumab therapy were administered. After nivolumab therapy, marked shrinkage of the lymph nodes was observed on CT. Distal gastrectomy with D2(+ #16a2+b1)lymph node dissection was performed. The pathological finding was ypT0N1M0 with a Grade 3 effect of the chemotherapy. After 6 months of adjuvant chemotherapy with S-1, CT revealed supraclavicular lymph node metastases. After 4 courses of nivolumab therapy, CT showed a marked increase in the size of the lymph node. Consequently, the regimen was changed to irinotecan. After 16 courses of irinotecan therapy, CT showed a marked shrinkage in the size of the lymph node. The patient is currently alive with no signs of recurrence for 5 years, ie, since the initiation of the multidisciplinary therapy.

[An Experience of Multidisciplinary Treatment for Advanced Esophageal Cancer with Tumor Perforation during Preoperative Chemotherapy].

Perforation of esophageal cancer is one of the fatal oncologic emergencies, and a prompt and accurate treatment strategy is required. Here, we report a case of advanced esophageal cancer that had perforated during preoperative chemotherapy and was successfully resected with multidisciplinary treatment. The prognosis of perforated esophageal cancer can be expected to improve by multidisciplinary treatment appropriately combining initial treatment for infection control and subsequent cancer treatment.

Robotic complete mesocolic excision of right-sided colon cancer with bulky lymph node metastases using the da Vinci® Si™ system: A case report.

Reports on robotic surgery in the treatment of right-sided colorectal cancer most commonly use the da Vinci® Xi™ system; however, with the increasing popularity of robotic surgery for the treatment of colon cancer, it is likely to be performed using the da Vinci Si™ and X™ systems. The present study reported the case of a 63-year-old woman who underwent complete mesocolic excision (CME) with the da Vinci Si system involving a rotation technique for ascending colon cancer with bulky lymph node metastasis to the anterior pancreas. Robot-assisted right hemicolectomy was planned for this patient with T4aN2bM0, stage IIIc cancer. A lap protector and EZ access (Hakko Co. Ltd.) were fixed in the umbilical incision, and the da Vinci camera port was placed just off-center at the EZ access to allow the camera port to be repositioned by rotating it. The medial approach was used. The bulky metastatic lymph nodes at the head of the pancreas were dissected after ligating the right colic artery and vein. During CME, rotation of the EZ access was used to avoid interference between the robotic arms. The right colon was released from the retroperitoneum and resected. A functional end-to-end anastomosis was created, and right colectomy was successfully completed. The total operation time was 271 min and the console time with the da Vinci Si system was 140 min. The patient was discharged on postoperative day 8 without complications. In conclusion, robotic right colectomy was successfully performed and rotation of the EZ access facilitated robotic surgery using the da Vinci Si system.

[A Case of Malignant Rectal B Cell Lymphoma That Was Difficult to Differentiate from Rectal Neuroendocrine Tumor].

A 74-year-old woman with a chief complaint of hematochezia was admitted to our hospital. Colonoscopy revealed a 2 cm submucosal tumor with an erosion in the Rb of the rectum. Biopsy showed various inflammatory cell clusters, but no malignant findings. Thoracoabdominal CT and abdominal MRI showed no abnormal findings other than that of rectal wall thickening. Somatostatin receptor scintigraphy performed on suspected rectal NET showed no abnormal accumulation. A total of 3 biopsies were performed, but a definitive diagnosis was not confirmed, and transanal rectal mucosal resection was performed for diagnostic purposes. Immunohistochemistry showed CD20(+)and bcl-2(+), and the lesion was diagnosed as malignant rectal B cell lymphoma. For 1 year postoperatively, the patient showed no recurrence. For this case, biopsy often failed to confirm a definitive diagnosis on rectal submucosal tumors. If the tumor is >1 cm in diameter in a rectal NET, a rectal resection with lymph node dissection is required, and anal function may be impaired. Local tumor excision for diagnosis and treatment may be worthwhile in rectal submucosal tumors if pre-resection diagnosis with biopsy is difficult.

[A Case of Nivolumab Responding to Multiple Lymph Node Metastases during Multidisciplinary Treatment for Esophageal Cancer].

In nivolumab therapy for unresectable advanced esophageal cancer, there are a few cases that show a complete response, and long-term survival can be expected in such cases. Here, we report a case in which nivolumab had a complete response to multiple lymph node metastases during multidisciplinary treatment for esophageal cancer and survived for a relatively long period despite being elderly. Examination of complete response cases provides us with significant insights in considering the unexplained biomarkers of immune checkpoint inhibitors and treatment discontinuation during complete response.

The Validity of a New Edition of Classification for Ovarian Metastasis from Colorectal Cancer.

OBJECTIVES: In the 9th edition of the Japanese Classification of Colorectal, Appendiceal, and Anal Carcinoma (JCCRC), ovarian metastasis is classified as distant metastasis. We assessed the significance of resection of ovarian metastases and the validity of this 9th edition of JCCRC for ovarian metastases from colorectal cancer (CRC). METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed the clinicopathological factors and overall survival of 17 patients with ovarian metastases from CRC who underwent resection and 110 female CRC patients with Stage IV (M1a) disease. RESULTS: The patients with only ovarian metastases who underwent resection had a longer median survival time than patients with both ovarian and peritoneal metastases who underwent resection (45.4 months vs. 9.3 months, P = 0.029). The 5-year overall survival of the patients with only ovarian metastases who underwent R0 resection was as long as that of the female Stage IV (M1a) CRC patients after R0 resection (50% vs. 48%, P = 0.334). CONCLUSIONS: We found that, after resection, patients with only ovarian metastases had significantly better prognoses than patients with ovarian and peritoneal metastases. R0 resection of ovarian metastasis indicated as good prognosis as R0 resection of metastasis to one distant organ without ovaries. So the 9th edition of JCCRC, which classifies ovarian metastasis from CRC as distant metastasis, is appropriate.

[A Case of Anastomotic Recurrent Descending Colon Cancer Successfully Treated with Single-Incision Laparoscopic Partial Colectomy with Intracorporeal Anastomosis].

A 60s-year-old male, who had laparoscopic partial colectomy with resection of left colic artery for descending colon cancer 8 years ago and completed 5-year-follow-up without the evidence of recurrence, was diagnosed as anastomotic recurrence of descending colon cancer, and referred to our hospital. We planned and safely performed single-incision laparoscopic colectomy(SILC)with intracorporeal anastomosis(ICA)(operation time of 390 min and estimated blood loss of 60 g). Following the adhesiolysis, the intracorporeal resection of the lesion was performed with automatic stapling device preserving middle colic and inferior mesenteric arteries and veins. Then, after the recovery of the specimen, ICA was performed as follows; after making a small hole just below the staple line at the opposite side of mesenteric attachment, the oral and the anal stump of colon was pulled-up and placed side-by-side with temporary strings and automatic suturing device was inserted into the holes and fired to form a side-to-side anastomosis, then the common stab incision was pulled- up with 3 temporary strings and closed with a stapler. The postoperative course was smooth and discharged on postoperative day 8. The ICA can be a good option for SILC when colonic and vascular tension would be the limiting factor of anastomosis.

[A Case of Locally Advanced Rectal Cancer with Multiple Liver Metastases Could Be Resected after Triplet Chemotherapy].

The patient was a 60's man, whose chief complaints were melena and weight loss. He visited our hospital, and further evaluation revealed rectal cancer(Ra)invading the abdominal wall with multiple liver metastases. The clinical diagnosis was cT4b(abdominal wall)N2bM1a(H1), cStage Ⅳ. We performed a transverse colostomy on the day prior to chemotherapy administration. He was administered 8 courses of FOLFOXIRI plus bevacizumab. After the chemotherapy, the primary tumor and liver metastases showed PR, with a diagnosis of ycT3N1bM1a(H1), Stage Ⅳ. We performed a robot-assisted laparoscopic low anterior resection for the primary tumor. Two months later, the partial resection of liver S6 and S8 was performed. The patient has been cancer-free for 6 months now.

[A Case of Improvement by SOX Therapy for DIC Caused by Gastric Cancer].

Disseminated intravascular coagulation(DIC)has a poor prognosis in gastric cancer. The patient was a 78-year-old man. He had been diagnosed with Stage Ⅳ gastric cancer. Before chemotherapy, thrombocytopenia and elevated D-dimer occurred, and we diagnosed DIC. We started SOX therapy to treat gastric cancer with DIC. DIC improved on the 10th day after the onset of DIC. But developed DIC again on the 21st day. We started SOX therapy again. However, the DIC did not improve. The patient died 32 days after the initial DIC. Oxaliplatin regimen may be a potential treatment for DIC.

Clinical Utility of Bile Duct Axis Deviation for Differential Diagnosis Between Pancreatic Head Cancer and Bile Duct Cancer.

BACKGROUNDS: Differential diagnosis between pancreatic head cancer (PHC) and intrapancreatic bile duct cancer (BDC) is important, but no clinical standard has been established. Here we examine the diagnostic utility of bile duct axis deviation and other clinical factors for this differential diagnosis. METHODS: This study enrolled patients who underwent pancreaticoduodenectomy for PHC or BDC at our center between 2009 and 2016. PHCs in groove or uncinate portions were excluded from analysis. From contrast-enhanced computed tomography images, the bile duct angle (BDA) was measured using three points: the junction of intrahepatic bile ducts, upper pancreatic edge, and Vater papilla. Logistic regression was performed to evaluate the diagnostic performance of BDA and other clinical factors for differential diagnosis. RESULTS: During the study period, 22 PHCs and 31 BDCs were resected. The combination of BDA ≤ 130°, main pancreatic duct diameter ≥ 4.3 mm, and absence of jaundice predicted PHC rather than BDC with an area under the curve of the receiver-operator characteristics curve of .856 (95% confidence interval, .766-.947). CONCLUSION: Clinical findings of larger bile duct axis deviation, main pancreatic duct dilation, and the absence of jaundice may be useful for distinguishing PHC from BDC.

Surgical Outcome of Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy in Patients With a History of Gastrectomy.

BACKGROUND: Although laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) has been applied to patients with a history of abdominal surgery, we lack data on the surgical outcome of LC in patients with a history of gastrectomy. Here, we assessed the outcomes of LC and investigated predictive factors for conversion from laparoscopic to open surgery in patients with a gastrectomy history. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We retrospectively compared the surgical outcomes of LC between patients with and without a history of gastrectomy. We performed multivariate regressions to identify independent predictive factors for open conversion during an LC. RESULTS: Among 2235 patients who underwent LCs, 39 (1.7%) had undergone a previous gastrectomy (29 men, 10 women; mean age, 72 y; 34 with distal gastrectomy and 5 with total gastrectomy). The operation time, intraoperative bleeding, postoperative hospital stays, and conversion rate were significantly worse in patients with, compared with those without the history of gastrectomy. Conversion during an LC in the cases with a history of gastrectomy was significantly correlated with age and the type of gastrectomy. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggested that LC in patients with a history of gastrectomy exhibited worse outcomes in terms of operation time, intraoperative bleeding, postoperative hospital stay, and conversion rate than those without it. Furthermore, it was also implied that age and the type of gastrectomy were significant predictive factors for conversion during an LC in patients with a history of gastrectomy.

[A Resected Case of Hemorrhagic Hepatic Cyst Difficult to Differentiate from Mucinous Cystic Neoplasm of the Liver].

CASE: A 77-year-old woman was referred to our hospital for detailed examination of a cystic liver tumor. Contrast-enhanced CT and MRIshowed a cystic liver tumor with an enhanced mural nodule in S6 of the liver. Under a preoperative diagnosis of hemorrhagic hepatic cyst and mucinous cystic neoplasm(MCN)of the liver, extended posterior segmentectomy was performed. Histological examination of the tumor revealed no neoplastic cells, and the tumor was finally diagnosed as a hemorrhagic hepatic cyst of the liver. CONCLUSION: Similar to previous reports of hemorrhagic hepatic cysts, preoperative differential diagnosis from MCN of the liver was difficult in this case. Hemorrhagic hepatic cysts are rare and are sometimes confused with MCN of the liver, especially when an enhanced mural nodule is found in the cyst. The possibility of hemorrhagic hepatic cysts should be considered during diagnosis of liver cystic tumors.

[Long-Term Survival in a Case of Colon Cancer with Peritoneal Dissemination and Ovarian Metastasis after Multimodality Therapy].

A 70-year-old woman underwent treatment for cecal cancer(pT4bN1M0, Stage Ⅲb)in 2010. Four years and 2 months after the first surgery, she underwent ileum resection for stenosis due to perineal dissemination(P3). Two years after this recurrence, during which time she had completed 26 courses of FOLFIRI plus bevacizumab(Bmab), 9 courses of capecitabine plus oxaliplatin(CapeOX)plus Bmab, and 3 courses of Cape, no peritoneal dissemination was detected by computed tomography( CT). Thereafter, an additional 19 courses of Cape plus Bmab were introduced, but CEA continued to increase. Right ovarian metastasis was suspected based on CT and FDG-PET/CT examination. Four years and 1 month after the initial recurrence of perineal dissemination, the patient underwent bilateral ovarian resection, during which the lack of peritoneal dissemination was confirmed. Pathologically, right ovarian metastasis was diagnosed. The patient is still alive 4 years and 6 months after the first operation.

[A Case of Resection of a Metastatic Tumor Combined with the Spleen, Preserving the Remnant Stomach, for Recurrent Gastric Cancer of the Splenic Hilar Region after Distal Gastrectomy].

We describe a case of residual stomach preserving surgery performed under evaluation of residual gastric blood flow with indocyanine green(ICG)fluorography, for gastric cancer with recurrence of splenic lymph node metastasis after distal gastrectomy( DG)in a 65-year-old man. After 4 courses of S-1 plus CDDP(SP)therapy for advanced gastric cancer with ascites, DG, D2 dissection, and Billroth Ⅰ reconstruction were performed and radical resection was obtained(L, Type 3, pap/tub, ypT3N1H0P0CY0M0, ypStage ⅡB). Three years and 6 months after the surgery, a mass 4 cm in diameter was found in the splenic hilum, and a pancreatosplenial resection was performed to remove the tumor for diagnosis and treatment purposes. We confirmed that there was no problem with blood flow, and we were able to preserve the stomach. Intraoperative ICG fluorescence imaging was considered a promising method for evaluating residual gastric blood flow.

Clinical investigation of the cystic duct variation based on the anatomy of the hepatic vasculature.

PURPOSE: Anatomical variation of the cystic duct (CD) is rare but can result in misunderstanding of the CD anatomy during laparoscopic cholecystectomy, potentially leading to bile duct injury. Therefore, the precise preoperative identification of CD variation is important. However, preoperative imaging analyses of the biliary system are not always possible or sufficient. We therefore investigated CD variations based on the anatomy of the hepatic vasculature. METHODS: This study enrolled 480 patients who underwent imaging before hepatobiliary pancreatic surgery. We assessed the variation of the CD and hepatic vasculature and evaluated the correlations among these variations. RESULTS: A variant CD anatomy was identified in 12 cases (2.5%) as CD draining into the right hepatic bile duct (BD) in 4 cases and into the right posterior BD in 8 cases. CD variation was significantly more common in cases with portal vein (PV) and BD variation than in those without the variation. We developed a scoring system based on the presence of PV and BD variations that showed good discriminatory power for identification of CD variants. CONCLUSION: Cases with a variant CD anatomy were more likely to exhibit variant PV and BD anatomies than cases with a normal CD anatomy. These findings will be useful for the preoperative identification of CD variants.