Age distribution and disease severity of COVID-19 patients continued to change in a time-dependent manner from May 2021 to April 2022 in the regional core hospital in Japan.

The present retrospective study aimed to examine the real-world data regarding time-dependent changes in the age distribution of patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) as well as the severity and infectivity in a regional core hospital in Japan. Patients with COVID-19 who visited the fever outpatient branch in Takagi Hospital during phase I (May 1 to December 31, 2021), and during phase II (January 1 to April 30, 2022) were evaluated. The age distribution of outpatients and the characteristics of inpatients aged > 75 years were compared between phases I and II. The age distribution of outpatients shifted from the older generation in phase I to the younger generation in phase II (p < 0.01). Disease severity might be reduced in a time-dependent manner with a decrease in the hospitalization rate (phase I: 145/368 (39.4%); phase II: 104/1496 (7.0%); p < 0.01) and mortality rate (phase I: 10/368 (2.7%); phase II: 7/1496 (0.5%); p < 0.01). The number of patients increased in phase II (374.0/month) compared to that in phase I (36.8/month). Regarding the older inpatients, the disease severity of COVID-19 and hospitalization days were reduced in phase II compared to those in phase I (p < 0.01, each). In conclusion, the present study suggests a change in the age distribution of patients with COVID-19, a decrease in toxicity, and an increase in infectivity of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 in a time-dependent manner.

Quantification of Endolymphatic Space Volume after Intravenous Administration of a Single Dose of Gadolinium-based Contrast Agent: 3D-real Inversion Recovery versus HYDROPS-Mi2.

PURPOSE: Recently, the use of 3D real inversion recovery (3D-real IR) imaging has been proposed for the evaluation of endolymphatic hydrops (EH). This method shows similar contrast between the endolymphatic and perilymphatic spaces and surrounding bone compared with the hybrid of reversed image of positive endolymph signal and native image of perilymph signal multiplied with heavily T2-weighted MR cisternography (HYDROPS-Mi2) image. We measured the volume of the endolymphatic space using 3D-real IR and HYDROPS-Mi2 images, and compared the measurements obtained with both techniques. METHODS: HYDROPS-Mi2 and 3D-real IR images were obtained for 30 ears from 15 patients with clinical suspicion of EH; imaging was performed 4 h after intravenous administration of a single dose of gadolinium-based contrast agent. We measured the volume of the endolymphatic space in the cochlea and vestibule by manually drawing the regions of interest. The correlation between endolymphatic volume determined from HYDROPS-Mi2 images and 3D-real IR images was calculated. RESULTS: There was a strong positive linear correlation between the cochlear and vestibular endolymphatic volume determined from HYDROPS-Mi2 and 3D-real IR images. The Spearman's rank correlation coefficient (ρ) between the measurements obtained with both images was 0.805 (P < 0.001) for the cochlea and 0.826 (P < 0.001) for the vestibule. CONCLUSION: The endolymphatic volume measured using 3D-real IR images strongly correlated with that measured using HYDROPS-Mi2 images. Thus, 3D-real IR imaging might be a suitable method for the measurement of endolymphatic volume.

Signal Intensity of the Cerebrospinal Fluid after Intravenous Administration of Gadolinium-based Contrast Agents: Strong Contrast Enhancement around the Vein of Labbe.

PURPOSE: Since the first report on the deposition of gadolinium in the brain parenchyma after repeated intravenous administrations of gadolinium-based contrast agent GBCA (IV-GBCA), the mechanisms of penetration and retention are still remaining a hot topic of discussion and a target of investigation. We routinely obtain endolymphatic hydrops (EH) images at 4 h after IV administration of a single dose (SD) of GBCA (IV-SD-GBCA) using heavily T2-weighted three-dimensional fluid-attenuated inversion recovery imaging (hT2W-3D-FLAIR). Occasionally, we have encountered cases, which indicate high-signal intensity (SI) in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) surrounding the vein of Labbe. The purpose of the present study was to investigate the degree of contrast enhancement of the CSF surrounding the vein of Labbe on hT2W-3D-FLAIR after IV-SD-GBCA in comparison with other CSF spaces. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In 25 patients with a suspicion of EH, a magnetic resonance cisternography (MRC) and an hT2W-3D-FLAIR were obtained at 4 h after IV-SD-GBCA. The perivascular space (PVS) in the basal ganglia, CSF spaces in the ambient cistern (CSF-Amb), the CSF surrounding the superficial middle cerebral vein (CSF-SMCV), and the CSF surrounding the vein of Labbe (CSF-VL) were segmented on MRC. The PVS and CSF regions were co-registered onto the hT2W-3D-FLAIR and the SI of the PVS and CSF spaces were measured. The SI ratio (SIR) of the post-contrast hT2W-3D-FLAIR to the pre-contrast hT2W-3D-FLAIR was measured. Significant differences were evaluated using Steel-Dwass's test for multiple comparisons. RESULTS: The SIR of the CSF-VL was significantly higher than that of the PVS (P = 0.008), the CSF-Amb (P = 0.021), and the CSF-SMCV (P = 0.023). CONCLUSION: The strong contrast enhancement of CSF space around the vein of Labbe was confirmed on hT2W-3D-FLAIR at 4 h after IV-GBCA compared to the PVS and the other CSF spaces.

Relationship between Contrast Enhancement of the Perivascular Space in the Basal Ganglia and Endolymphatic Volume Ratio.

PURPOSE: We routinely obtain the endolymphatic hydrops (EH) image using heavily T2-weighted three dimensional-fluid attenuated inversion recovery (hT2w-3D-FLAIR) imaging at 4 hours after intravenous administration of a single-dose of gadolinium-based contrast media (IV-SD-GBCM). While repeating the examination, we speculated that the contrast enhancement of the perivascular space (PVS) in the basal ganglia might be related to the degree of EH. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between the endolymphatic volume ratio (%ELvolume) and the signal intensity of the PVS (SI-PVS). MATERIALS AND METHODS: In 20 patients with a suspicion of EH, a heavily T2-weighted 3D-turbo spin echo sequence for MR cisternography (MRC) and an hT2w-3D-FLAIR as a positive perilymph image (PPI) were obtained at 4 hours after IV-SD-GBCM. The %ELvolume of the cochlea and the vestibule were measured on the previously reported HYDROPS2-Mi2 image. The PVS in the basal ganglia was segmented on MRC using a region-growing method. The PVS regions were copied and pasted onto the PPI, and the SI-PVS was measured. The larger value of the right and the left ears was employed as the %ELvolume, and the weighted average of both sides was employed as the SI-PVS. The correlation between the %ELvolume and the SI-PVS was evaluated. RESULT: There was a strong negative linear correlation between the %ELvolume of the cochlea and the SI-PVS (r = -0.743, P < 0.001); however, there was no significant correlation between the %ELvolume of the vestibule and the SI-PVS (r = -0.267, P = 0.256). CONCLUSION: There was a strong negative correlation between the cochlear %ELvolume and the SI-PVS. Contrast enhancement of PVS might be a biomarker of EH.

Serum p53 antibody as a potential tumor marker in extrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma.

PURPOSE: Only a few studies have evaluated the clinicopathological significance of the p53 protein expression and s-p53-Abs level in patients with cholangiocarcinoma. We therefore analyzed the clinicopathological and prognostic significance of s-p53-Abs in patients with extrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma. METHODS: We prospectively evaluated s-p53-Abs levels before and after surgery in 61 patients with extrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma to determine the relationship between clinicopathological factors and the prognostic significance of s-p53-Abs. RESULTS: Among a total of 61 primary extrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma cases, 23% were positive for s-p53-Abs. Combination of s-p53-Abs with the conventional serum markers carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) and carbohydrate antigen 19-9 (CA19-9) significantly increased the rate of positive extrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma cases (57% for CEA and/or CA19-9 vs. 75% for CEA and/or CA19-9 and/or s-p53-Abs, P = 0.035). There were no significant differences in clinicopathological factors between the p53-seropositive and p53-seronegative patients. An immunohistochemical analysis showed the presence of significant associations between the intensity (P = 0.003) and extent (P = 0.001) of p53 immunoreactivity and p53-seropositivitly. Although s-p53-Abs was not a significant prognostic factor for the survival in either univariate or multivariate analyses, p53 immunoreactivity was independently associated with a poor survival. Among patients positive for s-p53-Abs before surgery, the s-p53-Abs levels were reduced after surgery in most. CONCLUSION: These findings suggested that s-p53-Abs might be associated with p53 immunoreactivity. In addition, s-p53-Abs may be useful for a diagnosis, but was not useful for predicting tumor recurrence or the survival. This study was registered as UMIN000014530.

Long-Term Prognostic Implications of the Admission Shock Index in Patients With Acute Myocardial Infarction Who Received Percutaneous Coronary Intervention.

The admission shock index (SI) enables prediction of short-term prognosis. This study investigated the prognostic implications of admission SI for predicting long-term prognoses for acute myocardial infarction (AMI). The participants were 680 patients with AMI who received percutaneous coronary intervention. Shock index is the ratio of heart rate and systolic blood pressure. Patients were classified as admission SI <0.66 (normal) and ≥0.66 (elevated; 75th percentile). The end point was 5-year major adverse cardiac events (MACEs). Elevated admission SI was seen in 176 patients. Peak creatine kinase levels were significantly higher and left ventricular ejection fraction was lower in the elevated SI group, which had a worse MACEs. In multivariate Cox regression analysis, SI ≥0.66 was a risk factor for MACE. Elevated admission SI was associated with poorer long-term prognosis.

Feasibility and Technique for Transvaginal Natural Orifice Transluminal Endoscopic Surgery Liver Resection: A Porcine Model.

INTRODUCTION: Natural orifice transluminal endoscopic surgery (NOTES) is a challenging minimally invasive procedure. Although laparoscopic techniques for liver resection are gaining acceptance worldwide, few studies have investigated NOTES liver resection. We used a porcine model to assess the feasibility and safety of transvaginal NOTES liver resection (TV NOTES LR). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Nine female pigs underwent TV NOTES LR. A nonsurvival acute porcine model with general anesthesia was used in all cases. Using hybrid NOTES technique, we placed only 1 umbilical 12-mm umbilical trocar in the abdominal wall, which was used to create pneumoperitoneum. A laparoscope was then advanced to obtain intra-abdominal visualization. A 15-mm vaginal trocar was inserted under direct laparoscopic vision, and a flexible endoscope was introduced through the vaginal trocar. A long, flexible grasper and endocavity retractor were used to stably retract the liver. The liver edge was partially transected using energy devices inserted through the umbilical trocar. To transect the left lateral lobe, a flexible linear stapler was inserted alongside the vaginal trocar. A specimen extraction bag was deployed and extracted transvaginally. Blood loss, bile leakage, operative time, and specimen size were evaluated. Necropsy studies were performed after the procedures. RESULTS: Eighteen transvaginal NOTES partial liver resections and 4 transvaginal NOTES left lateral lobectomies were successfully performed on 9 pigs. Mean operative time was 165.8 minutes, and mean estimated blood loss was 76.6 mL. All TV NOTES LRs were performed without complications or deaths. Necropsy showed no bile leakage from remnant liver. CONCLUSIONS: Our porcine model suggests that TV NOTES LR is technically feasible and safe and has the potential for clinical use as a minimally invasive alternative to conventional laparoscopic liver resection.

Efficacy of laparoscopic liver resection in colorectal liver metastases and the influence of preoperative chemotherapy.

BACKGROUND: Since 1993, we have performed minimally invasive laparoscopic liver resection (LLR) to treat malignant liver cancer, including colorectal liver metastases (CLM). However, further studies are needed to accumulate sufficient evidence on the oncological outcome of LLR for CLM. METHODS: To elucidate the efficacy of LLR for CLM, this study comparatively analyzed the invasiveness and short-term prognosis of LLR (n=43 cases) and open liver resection (OR) (n=62 cases) performed for CLM after 2006 and also investigated the safety of LLR following chemotherapy. RESULTS: Compared with the OR group, the LLR group had significantly less blood loss (P<0.001) and a shorter hospital stay (P<0.001). The E-PASS scoring system was used to compare surgical invasiveness, and although the preoperative risk score did not differ between the groups, the surgical stress score and comprehensive risk score were significantly lower in the LLR group (P<0.001). Concerning the survival rate and disease-free survival rate, there were no significant differences between procedures. However, more clinical cases and longer follow-up periods are needed to reach a definitive conclusion.Preoperative hemanalysis, intraoperative bleeding, complications, and postoperative length of stay did not differ significantly between LLR patients with preoperative chemotherapy and those with surgery alone, indicating no adverse effects of chemotherapy. CONCLUSIONS: LLR can be an effective minimally invasive surgery in CLM patients receiving both perioperative chemotherapy and surgery. Because LLR is comparable with OR with regard to short-term oncological outcome, LLR may be a valuable option for CLM.

A novel difficulty scoring system for laparoscopic liver resection.

Early on, laparoscopic liver resection (LLR) was limited to partial resection, but major LLR is no longer rare. A difficulty scoring system is required to guide surgeons in advancing from simple to highly technical laparoscopic resections. Subjects were 90 patients who had undergone pure LLR at three medical institutions (30 patients/institution) from January 2011 to April 2014. Surgical difficulty was assessed by the operator using an index of 1-10 with the following divisions: 1-3 low difficulty, 4-6 intermediate difficulty, and 7-10 high difficulty. Weighted kappa statistic was used to calculate the concordance between the operators' and reviewers' (expert surgeon) difficulty index. Inter-rater agreement (weighted kappa statistic) between the operators' and reviewers' assessments was 0.89 with the three-level difficulty index and 0.80 with the 10-level difficulty index. A 10-level difficulty index by linear modeling based on clinical information revealed a weighted kappa statistic of 0.72 and that scored by the extent of liver resection, tumor location, tumor size, liver function, and tumor proximity to major vessels revealed a weighted kappa statistic of 0.68. We proposed a new scoring system to predict difficulty of various LLRs preoperatively. The calculated score well reflected difficulty.

[A case of pancreatic cancer with distant metastasis successfully resected after neoadjuvant chemotherapy with a combination of S-1 and gemcitabine].

The patient was a 70-year-old man with a chief complaint of cough.After careful examination, he was diagnosed with pancreatic body cancer with metastasis to the liver and right pleura and with early gastric cancer.He was treated with S-1 and gemcitabine combination chemotherapy.After completing 3 courses, the distant metastasis could no longer be observed. After completing 4 courses, the tumor marker level in the serum was normalized.The pancreatic lesion was restricted by the end of 10 courses, and the pancreas body and tail were resected.After additional chemotherapy with S-1, he was switched to weekly paclitaxel therapy because of peritoneal dissemination.The patient survived for 15 months after surgery.In cases of unresectable pancreatic cancer with distant metastasis, it may be possible to consider the surgical option when chemotherapy is effective.

[An analysis of cases with malignant pyloroduodenal obstruction from unresectable pancreatic cancer who underwent palliative gastrojejunostomy].

The aims of this study were to examine the effectiveness of palliative gastrojejunostomy in terms of the postoperative food intake and hospital stay in patients with advanced pancreatic cancer. Retrospective data from 17 consecutive patients who underwent gastrojejunostomy from 2008 to 2013 in Toho University Omori Medical Center were analyzed. In our analysis, patients without peritoneal dissemination and distant metastasis were associated with poor oral intake and patients with lower neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio (NLR) were associated with rate of discharge.

Diabetes with preserved renal function is an independent risk factor for renal function deterioration after coronary computed tomography angiography.

OBJECTIVES: Diabetes mellitus (DM) and high fasting glucose levels are reportedly risk factors for contrast-induced nephropathy after invasive coronary angiography in patients with renal dysfunction. Cystatin C (CyC) is a sensitive marker for detecting early impairment of renal function. Using CyC, we investigated whether DM would be a risk for worsening renal function after coronary computed tomography angiography (CCTA) in patients with preserved renal function. METHODS: Two hundred twenty-eight patients scheduled for CCTA were enrolled. The serum CyC at preprocedure and 1 day after procedure, urinary microalbumin at preprocedure, and oral fluid volume for 24 hours after procedure were measured. The percentage changes in CyC from preprocedure to 1 day after procedure (%CyC) were also calculated. RESULTS: Ninety-eight patients had DM. The %CyC and urinary microalbumin were significantly greater in DM patients than in non-DM patients. The percentage of patients showing a %CyC of 10% or greater was significantly greater in DM patients than in non-DM patients (27% vs 8%, P < 0.01). Using multivariate regression analysis, oral fluid volume and urinary microalbumin were independent predictors for a %CyC of 10% or greater in DM patients (ß = - 0.428 [P < 0.0001] and ß = 0.464 [P < 0.0001], respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Diabetes mellitus is a risk factor for worsening changes in renal function after CCTA, even in patients with preserved renal function. In particular, elevated microalbuminuria and low oral fluid intake are high-risk factors for renal functional deterioration.

Effectiveness of laparoscopic subtotal cholecystectomy: perioperative and long-term postoperative results.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: We analyzed perioperative and long-term postoperative data to determine the effectiveness of laparoscopic subtotal cholecystectomy (LSC). METHODOLOGY: 89 LSCs done at our center were classified into 3 groups according to the operative procedure required to treat severe cholecystitis. Perioperative and long-term postoperative results were then compared with standard laparoscopic cholecystectomy (s-LC). RESULTS: Operative time was longer and postoperative CRP level was higher for LSC. Significantly more bleeding and longer operative times were seen only in the LSC-II subgroup, and average postoperative hospital stay was longer only in the LSC-III subgroup. As for long-term (1.5 to 8 years) postoperative results, 3 of 26 LSC-III cases had a relapse of cholecystolithiasis in remnant gallbladder tissue 2 years or later after initial surgery. CONCLUSIONS: There were no serious intraoperative complications such as the bile duct injury, and a smaller proportion of procedures were intraoperatively converted to open laparotomy. It is considered that LSC is a safe, useful surgical procedure to the patients in whom the neck of the gallbladder is anatomically unclear due to cholecystitis or fibrosis although patients undergoing LSC-III should be monitored for cholecystolithiasis in remnant gallbladder tissue. LSC is often the procedure of choice for patients.

Broad clinical utilization of NOTES: is it safe?

BACKGROUND: Natural orifice transluminal endoscopic surgery (NOTES) has been the focus of several studies as a less invasive alternative to conventional laparoscopy to access and treat intracavitary organs. For the last 5 years, much has been accomplished with animal studies, yet the clinical utilization of this novel technique is still modest. After 2 years of experience in the laboratory, we started our clinical experience. We report our experience with clinical utilization of NOTES procedures from 2007 to 2010. METHODS: Under UCSD institutional review board-approved trials, 104 patients were enrolled under seven different NOTES protocols from 2007 to 2010, where a NOTES procedure was offered as an alternative to conventional treatments. The treated pathologies were cholelithiasis, biliary dyskinesia, acute and chronic appendicitis, ventral hernias, morbid obesity, and achalasia. The access routes included transgastric (TG), transvaginal (TV), transesophageal (TE), and perirectal (PR). RESULTS: Among the 104 patients enrolled, 103 underwent a surgical procedure starting with diagnostic laparoscopy, and 94 cases were deemed appropriate to proceed via a NOTES approach. There were 9 aborted NOTES procedures at the time of the initial peritoneoscopy before creating a NOTES access route. The reasons to not proceed with a NOTES procedure in the TV cholecystectomy group (n = 5) were a large amount of pelvic adhesions in 4 patients and a severe inflammation of the gallbladder in 1 patient. In the TG cholecystectomy group (n = 1), it was severe inflammation of the gallbladder. In the TG appendectomy group (n = 1), it was the presence of localized peritonitis. In the TE endoscopic myotomy group (n = 2), it was the presence of megaesophagus with an inability to clean the esophagus of food debris. The NOTES procedures performed were 48 TV cholecystectomies, 4 TV appendectomies, 8 TG cholecystectomies, 2 PR peritoneoscopies, 3 TG appendectomies, 3 TV ventral hernia repairs, 5 TE endoscopic myotomies, 3 TV sleeve gastrectomies, and 18 TG sleeve gastrectomies. The average body mass indexes for those in the sleeve gastrectomy group was 42.1 kg/m(2) (TG route) and 40.6 kg/m(2) (TV route). There were no intraoperative complication and no conversions to standard laparoscopy during these procedures. The average hospital stay was 1-2 days. One patient who underwent TV cholecystectomy required an emergency department visit for nausea and vomiting. To date, 3 patients who underwent TV cholecystectomy have become pregnant and delivered normally. CONCLUSIONS: NOTES is safe, feasible, and reproducible with previous training in the laboratory and a consistent team at a high-volume center. Prospective randomized studies of a large patient population are necessary to assess long-term results.

Transesophageal endoscopic myotomy (TEEM) for the treatment of achalasia: the United States human experience.

BACKGROUND: From our early experience with NOTES, our group has acquired familiarity with transesophageal submucosal dissection and myotomy in swine model, which allowed us to perfect a model to perform purely endoscopic transesophageal myotomy (TEEM) for the treatment of achalasia and apply it into clinical practice. This study was designed to assess the safety, feasibility, and efficacy of TEEM in a series of patients with achalasia. METHODS: Under institutional review board approval, patients were enrolled on our study, where TEEM was offered as an alternative to laparoscopic or robotic Heller myotomy. The inclusion criteria were patients with achalasia confirmed by esophageal manometry, between age 18 and 50 years, and ASA class 2 or lower. The exclusion criteria were pregnancy, prior esophageal surgery, immunosuppression, coagulopathies, and severe medical comorbidities. The procedures were performed under general anesthesia, with the patient in supine position on positive pressure ventilation. With a GIF-180 (Olympus, Tokyo, Japan) positioned at 10 cm above the GEJ, a mucosotomy was performed at the 2 o'clock position, and a submucosal space was developed caudally creating a controlled submucosal tunnel extending 2 cm distal to the GEJ. Upon completion of this tunnel the gastroesophageal lumen was inspected for mucosal integrity. The scope was then reinserted into the submucosal tunnel and using a triangle-tip knife, myotomy was performed starting at 5 cm above the GEJ and ending at 2 cm below the GEJ. During this process the circular muscle layer of the esophagus was carefully divided with preservation of the longitudinal layer. At the end of the procedure, the mucosal incision was closed longitudinally with endoscopic clips and surgical glue. RESULTS: Five patients underwent TEEM, with no perioperative complication. All patients reported significant improvement of their dysphagia immediately after the procedure. On the first postoperative day, all barium swallows showed disappearance of the classical bird beak taper, rapid emptying of contrast into the stomach, and absence of leaks. All patients were discharged on the second postoperative day on liquid diet. Two patients reported transient heartburn, which were well controlled with medications. The average preoperative GERD-HRQL was 20, which improved to 11.3 at 7 days postoperative and 2 at 30 days postoperative. To date, three patients have already returned for their 6-month follow-up, reporting adequate swallowing and low LES pressures on esophageal manometry (their mean preoperative LES resting pressure was 36.46 mmHg and residual pressure was 43.16 mmHg, whereas the 6-month follow-up mean LES resting pressure was 10.06 mmHg and residual pressure was 0.43 mmHg). CONCLUSIONS: TEEM seems to be safe, feasible, and effective for the treatment of patients with achalasia. Long-term data are still necessary for wide-spread utilization of this novel technique.

Gas embolism in laparoscopic hepatectomy: what is the optimal pneumoperitoneal pressure for laparoscopic major hepatectomy?

Laparoscopic hepatectomy (LH) has become popular as a surgical treatment for liver diseases, and numerous recent studies indicate that it is safe and has advantages in selected patients. Because of the magnified view offered by the laparoscope under pneumoperitoneal pressure, LH results in less bleeding than open laparotomy. However, gas embolism is an important concern that has been discussed in the literature, and experimental studies have shown that LH is associated with a high incidence of gas embolism. Major hepatectomies are done laparoscopically in some centers, even though the risk of gas embolism is believed to be higher than for minor hepatectomy due to the wide transection plane with dissection of major hepatic veins and long operative time. At many high-volume centers, LH is performed at a pneumoperitoneal pressure less than 12 mmHg, and reports indicate that the rate of clinically severe gas embolism is low. However, more studies will be necessary to elucidate the optimal pneumoperitoneal pressure and the incidence of gas embolism during LH.

[Laparoscopic surgery for pancreatic cancer].

Laparoscopic distal pancreatectomy is currently in widespread use because of its technical simplicity, although laparoscopic pancreaticoduodenectomy is practiced in only a limited number of surgical institutions due to the associated technical difficulties especially at reconstruction. The indication for the treatment of pancreatic cancer by a laparoscopic procedure remains controversial. Because pancreatic cancer is already advanced at the time of diagnosis in many cases, it requires a difficult radical operation in terms of lymphadenectomy with nerves plexus in laparoscopic surgery. The oncologic clearance of pancreatic resection may be achievable by laparoscopic surgery, although longer follow-up and larger series of treatment are still needed.

Transrectal hybrid natural orifice transluminal endoscopic surgery (NOTES) nephrectomy in a porcine model.

OBJECTIVE: To examine feasibility of transrectal hybrid natural orifice translumenal endoscopic surgery (NOTES) nephrectomy in the porcine model. NOTES uses ports of entry to the peritoneal cavity instead of abdominal wall incisions, thereby eliminating visible scar and also potentially reducing postoperative pain. METHODS: After obtaining Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee approval, 3 female pigs (45 kg) underwent transrectal hybrid NOTES nephrectomy (2 right, 1 left). Pneumoperitoneum was created by a periumbilically-inserted 12-mm trocar, through which a laparoscope was advanced to obtain intraabdominal visualization. A horizontal incision was made 2 cm above the dentate line and a submucosal tunnel was created in the posterior rectal wall/presacral space. A dual-channel gastroscope was advanced through the submucosal tunnel and retroperitoneum to the level of the kidney using air insufflation. A window in the peritoneum was created and renal mobilization was completed. A transumbilically applied laparoscopic 45-mm stapler was used to transect the ureter and renal hilum. A specimen extraction bag was deployed transrectally and the specimen was delivered intact, followed by transrectal incision closure. RESULTS: Transrectal hybrid NOTES nephrectomy was successfully performed in all cases. Mean operative time was 180 minutes (30 minutes for rectal access). Estimated blood loss was 50 mL. On necropsy, no intraabdominal injuries were noted. CONCLUSIONS: In this initial report on feasibility of transrectal hybrid NOTES nephrectomy, we were able to perform the procedures with minimal blood loss and extract intact specimen. Survival studies are prerequisite to assess sterility and short- and long-term complications. This approach may be useful as an alternative to transvaginal access.

[Patterns causing hepatic arterial inner wall injury by catheter insertion-from a case in which catheter probe patency was confirmed 65 months after implant].

We experienced a case in which the hepatic artery catheter system could be used long term. Even after 5 years and five months, there was no damage to the hepatic artery, and we could still use this system. For insertion of the catheter, a fine catheter with the tip tapered at 2.7 F was selected. This catheter was inserted into the hepatic artery peripheral branch in the liver, after a side hole was created 11 cm from the tip, and the side hole was adjusted to stay in the common hepatic artery. We speculated that the reason for little injury to the hepatic artery was use of a fine catheter despite possible damage to the hepatic artery wall like saw cutting in this case. We classified the patterns according to which a catheter damaged the inner wall of the hepatic artery into 5: "straight punch type", "hook punch type", "whiplash type", "elbow blow type", "and saw type".