Weekday Surgery Associated With Short-Term Outcomes in Patients With Colorectal Cancers.

INTRODUCTION: The "weekday effect" on elective surgery remains controversial. We aimed to examine the association between the day of surgery and short-term outcomes after elective surgery for stage I-III colorectal cancer (CRC). METHODS: We performed a multicenter retrospective analysis of 2574 patients who underwent primary colorectal resection for CRC between January 2017 and December 2019 at 15 institutions belonging to the Hiroshima Surgical Study Group of Clinical Oncology. Patients were divided into two groups according to the day of surgery: Friday and non-Friday (Monday to Thursday). After propensity score matching (PSM), we compared 30-day mortality and postoperative outcomes. RESULTS: Out of the total, 368 patients underwent surgery on Fridays, and the remaining 2206 underwent surgery on non-Fridays. The overall mortality rate was 0.04% (n = 1). In 1685 patients with colon cancer, the proportion of American Society of Anesthesiologists scores was significantly lower in the Friday group than in the non-Friday group before PSM. After PSM of patient, tumor, and operative characteristics, operative time was slightly more prolonged and blood loss was slightly greater in the Friday group; however, these differences were not clinically meaningful. In the 889 patients with rectal cancer, the proportion of patients with abnormal respiratory patterns was significantly lower in the Friday group than in the non-Friday group before PSM. After PSM, the Friday group had a higher incidence of morbidity (≥ Clavien-Dindo 3a), higher incidence of digestive complications, and prolonged postoperative hospital stay. CONCLUSIONS: The results may be useful in determining the day of the week for CRC surgery, which requires more advanced techniques and higher skills.

A rare case of multiple port site incisional hernias repaired by laparoscopy-assisted intraperitoneal onlay mesh: A case report.

INTRODUCTION: Port site herniation is a frequent complication of abdominal surgery, yet treatment strategies for multiple port site hernias are often difficult and case reports are rare. PRESENTATION OF CASE: A 72-year-old woman, with a history of multiple abdominal surgeries, underwent laparoscopic surgery for rectal prolapse four years prior. Three 12 mm ports were inserted into the umbilical region, right upper quadrant and right lower abdomen, subsequently, incisional hernias developed at all three sites. In addition, an incisional hernia developed in the lower abdomen, for a total of four incisional hernias. She was taking apixaban for atrial fibrillation, and since the standard surgical method of placing the mesh in the extraperitoneal space was judged to be high risk for postoperative bleeding and hematoma formation, we performed a laparoscopy-assisted intraperitoneal onlay mesh repair (IPOM). DISCUSSION: The key points of the surgery performed are: Laparoscopic surgery was initiated with a small incision in the umbilical region, using two 5 mm ports because we reasoned that using a 12 mm port could cause a new hernia. In the lateral hernia repair, a mesh was placed in the preperitoneal space on the dorsal side of the hernia, the mesh was sutured to the peritoneum because tucking cannot be performed if nerves are present on the dorsal aspect. The medial hernia was repaired by IPOM via a small laparotomy incision. CONCLUSION: For multiple incisional hernias, it is necessary to consider appropriate repair methods for each site.

Predictive factors associated with anastomotic leakage after resection of rectal cancer: a multicenter study with the Hiroshima Surgical study group of Clinical Oncology.

PURPOSE: Several factors have been reported as risk factors for anastomotic leakage after resection of rectal cancer. This study aimed to evaluate the risk factors for anastomotic leakage, including nutritional and immunological indices, following rectal cancer resection. METHODS: This study used a multicenter database of 803 patients from the Hiroshima Surgical study group of Clinical Oncology who underwent rectal resection with stapled anastomosis for rectal cancer between October 2016 and April 2020. RESULTS: In total, 64 patients (8.0%) developed postoperative anastomotic leakage. Five factors were significantly associated with the development of anastomotic leakage after rectal cancer resection with stapled anastomosis: male sex, diabetes mellitus, C-reactive protein/albumin ratio ≥ 0.07, prognostic nutritional index < 40, and low anastomosis under peritoneal reflection. The incidence of anastomotic leakage was correlated with the number of risk factors. The novel predictive formula based on odds ratios in the multivariate analysis was useful for identifying patients at high risk for anastomotic leakage. Diverting ileostomy reduced the ratio of anastomotic leakage ≥ grade III after rectal cancer resection. CONCLUSIONS: Male sex, diabetes mellitus, C-reactive protein/albumin ratio ≥ 0.07, prognostic nutritional index < 40, and low anastomosis under peritoneal reflection are possible risk factors for developing anastomotic leakage after rectal cancer resection with the stapled anastomosis. Patients at high risk of anastomotic leakage should be assessed for the potential benefits of diverting stoma.

Surgical strategies for localized colorectal amyloidosis.

BACKGROUND: Localized colorectal amyloidosis has a good prognosis, but cases involving bleeding or perforation may require surgery. However, there are few case reports discussing the differences in the surgical strategy between the segmental and pan-colon types. CASE PRESENTATION: A 69-year-old woman with a history of abdominal pain and melena was diagnosed with amyloidosis localized in the sigmoid colon by colonoscopy. Since preoperative imaging and intraoperative findings could not rule out malignancy, we performed laparoscopic sigmoid colectomy with lymph-node dissection. Histopathological examination and immunohistochemical staining revealed a diagnosis of AL amyloidosis (λ type). We diagnosed localized segmental gastrointestinal amyloidosis, because there was no amyloid protein in the margins, and the tumor was localized. There were no malignant findings. CONCLUSIONS: Unlike systemic amyloidosis, localized amyloidosis has a favorable prognosis. Localized colorectal amyloidosis can be classified into the segmental type, in which amyloid protein is deposited locally, and the pan-colon type, in which amyloid protein is deposited extensively in the colon. Amyloid protein causes ischemia due to vascular deposition, weakening of the intestinal wall due to muscle layer deposition, and decreased peristalsis due to nerve plexus deposition. No amyloid protein should remain outside the resection area. The pan-colon type is often reported to cause complications such as anastomotic leakage, and primary anastomosis should be avoided. On the other hand, if there is no contamination or tumor remnants in the margin, the segmental type may be considered for primary anastomosis.

Gastric volvulus associated with shrinkage of a gastrointestinal stromal tumor by neoadjuvant imatinib: a case report.

BACKGROUND: During neoadjuvant chemotherapy for giant gastrointestinal stromal tumors, changes in gastrointestinal stromal tumor size are rarely associated with events such as perforation and bleeding that require emergency surgery. Moreover, it is very rare for gastrointestinal stromal tumors to shrink and become mobile, resulting in gastric volvulus. Herein, we report a case of gastrointestinal stromal tumor shrinkage during neoadjuvant imatinib treatment, resulting in gastric volvulus that required surgery. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first reported occurrence of gastric volvulus during neoadjuvant imatinib treatment for a giant gastrointestinal stromal tumor. CASE PRESENTATION: A 58-year-old Japanese woman who was diagnosed with a giant gastric gastrointestinal stromal tumor and administered neoadjuvant imatinib presented to our hospital with complaints of abdominal pain and retching. Enhanced computed tomography revealed that the gastrointestinal stromal tumor had shrunk and shifted in position, and the stomach had organoaxially twisted. Accordingly, the patient was diagnosed with gastric volvulus caused by a gastric gastrointestinal stromal tumor. Conservative treatment did not improve the volvulus; hence, laparotomy was performed. The tumor developed from the lesser curvature of the stomach and caused rotation of the gastric body. The local gastric wall was resected. Histopathological examination confirmed the diagnosis of gastrointestinal stromal tumor. The patient received adjuvant imatinib for 3 years and has been alive for 5 years without recurrence. CONCLUSIONS: Gastric volvulus can be caused by the laxity of the ligaments that hold the stomach and gastric ptosis or esophageal hernia and diaphragmatic hernia; therefore, gastric gastrointestinal stromal tumors rarely cause gastric volvulus. However, a risk of torsion exists if the gastrointestinal stromal tumor develops extramural to lesser curvature and attains a certain size.

Laparoscopy-assisted repair with Ventralex ST Hernia Patch for a small subcostal hernia: A case report.

A 55-year-old woman with a history of right hepatic lobectomy via a Benz incision presented for evaluation of a new abdominal bulge in the right upper quadrant. We diagnosed an incisional hernia, but because we could neither reduce the hernia contents nor locate the orifice, we performed a laparoscopic evaluation. Laparoscopy revealed subcostal herniation of the greater omentum via a 2-cm defect on the caudal side of the right ribs, which we repaired using a Ventralex ST Hernia Patch. Laparoscopic placement of this mesh with straps allowed for reliable deployment, fixation, and confirmation of defect closure, including the cranial aspect-often a major challenge in subcostal hernia repair.

Laparoscopic transabdominal preperitoneal repair for recurrent groin hernia after failed anterior-posterior repair.

INTRODUCTION: The International Guidelines for Groin Hernia Management recommends an anterior repair after a failed posterior repair, and laparoscopic repair after a failed anterior tissue repair or Lichtenstein repair. However, there are not enough studies to guide decision-making for patients with recurrent hernia patients after combined anterior-posterior repair. We investigate the safety and usefulness of transabdominal preperitoneal repair (TAPP) for recurrent hernia patients after failed anterior-posterior repair. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective analysis of 13 consecutive patients with recurrent groin hernia who underwent TAPP after prior anterior preperitoneal mesh repair (that created anterior and posterior scarring) between September 2013 and October 2018. The control group comprised 45 patients who underwent TAPP for recurrent hernia after anterior repair (43 nonmesh repairs and two Lichtenstein repairs). RESULTS: There were no intraoperative complications, and chronic pain was not reported by the patients with prior anterior preperitoneal mesh repair. The mean operative time was 113 ± 31.3 minutes, and the mean postoperative stay was 1.62 ± 0.87 days. The Wong-Baker FACES rating scale score for pain on postoperative day 1 was 1.91 ± 1.5; on postoperative day 7, the score was 1.0 ± 0.89. None of these findings was significantly different from the findings in patients who had a prior anterior repair. A single patient experienced a further recurrence and underwent repeat TAPP. CONCLUSIONS: The use of TAPP after failed combined anterior-posterior mesh repair may be feasible and safe for recurrent groin hernia. Further study is needed to determine long-term outcomes.

Laparoscopic plug removal for chronic pain after inguinal hernia repair using the plug-and-patch technique: A case report.

INTRODUCTION: The use of tension-free mesh repair techniques for inguinal hernias has led to uniformly low recurrence rates. The main associated morbidity is chronic postoperative inguinal pain. Mesh removal and triple neurectomy is the indicated procedure; there is insufficient evidence to support mesh removal alone without neurectomy in patients with chronic postoperative inguinal pain. PRESENTATION OF CASE: A 76-year-old man previously underwent repair of a right inguinal direct hernia using the plug-and-patch technique. Two years later, he experienced groin pain requiring the use of pain medication. Five years after surgery, he expressed the desire to remove the mesh because of chronic pain, rated 8 out of 10 on a numeric rating scale. We suspected that he was experiencing nociceptive pain caused by a plug meshoma, so we performed a laparoscopic plug extraction. His inguinal pain improved to 2 out of 10 on the second postoperative day, and he stopped taking pain medication by 10 months after surgery. DISCUSSION: The laparoscopic approach to plug removal is safe and simple. We successfully avoided causing new-onset pain by not using a groin incision to remove the mesh plug. CONCLUSION: Laparoscopic plug removal for nociceptive pain due to a plug meshoma is effective. However, since there is insufficient evidence to recommend mesh removal without triple neurectomy, informed consent and further consideration of techniques and diagnostic methods are needed.

Sarcopenia is an independent predictor of delayed gastric emptying following pancreaticoduodenectomy: a retrospective study.

BACKGROUND: The pathogenesis of delayed gastric emptying (DGE), a common complication of pancreaticoduodenectomy, is unclear. Loss of skeletal muscle mass (sarcopenia) is associated with post-pancreaticoduodenectomy complications; however, few studies have investigated the relationship between sarcopenia and DGE. The aim of this study was to investigate whether post-pancreaticoduodenectomy DGE is affected by pre-operative skeletal muscle mass. METHODS: We retrospectively analysed the data of 112 consecutive patients who had undergone pancreaticoduodenectomy and divided them into the following two groups: no DGE (n = 100) and with DGE (n = 12). Patients were stratified by quartiles according to each element of body composition. The lowest quartile for skeletal muscle mass was defined as having sarcopenia. RESULTS: Ten and two patients had grades B and C DGE, respectively. According to univariate analysis, body mass index (P = 0.031), clinically relevant post-operative pancreatic fistula (P < 0.001) and skeletal muscle mass (P = 0.002) were significantly associated with DGE. According to multivariate analysis, high body mass index (≥25 kg/cm2 ) (P = 0.005), post-operative pancreatic fistula (P = 0.027) and low skeletal muscle mass (P = 0.004) were independently associated with DGE. CONCLUSION: Sarcopenia is an independent predictor of DGE after pancreaticoduodenectomy.

Inguinoscrotal hernia containing the urinary bladder successfully repaired using laparoscopic transabdominal preperitoneal repair technique: A case report.

We report herein a patient with an inguinoscrotal hernia containing the urinary bladder. The hernia was safely repaired using the laparoscopic transabdominal preperitoneal repair technique. A 76-year-old man was admitted to our hospital with abdominal pain, vomiting, and diarrhea. His scrotum was swollen to fist size. Abdominal CT showed herniation of the sigmoid colon and the bladder into the right inguinal region, and his abdominal pain was attributed to incarceration of the sigmoid colon; this was manually reduced. About 1 month later, we performed transabdominal preperitoneal repair. After the direct hernial orifice was identified, the bladder was noted to be sliding from the medial side of the hernia; this was reduced. Peeling on the medial side was carried out to the middle of the abdominal wall, and the myopectineal orifice was covered with mesh. The patient was discharged on postoperative day 1.

Successful treatment of a patient with an infected urachal remnant via single-incision laparoscopic surgery: Report of a case.

We report on a case of an infected urachal remnant successfully treated via a single-incisional laparoscopic technique. An 18-year-old woman was diagnosed with an infected urachal remnant. The center of the umbilicus was pulled and inverted from the skin, and the cephalic side of the urachus was dissected from the umbilicus. A single-incision laparoscopic technique employing ultrasonic coagulating shears was used to dissect the urachal remnant from the stump of the umbilicus to the caudal end. Single-incision laparoscopic excision of the urachal remnant can be used successfully as a minimally invasive technique with optimal cosmetic outcomes.

Successful treatment of conversion chemotherapy for initially unresectable synchronous colorectal liver metastasis.

A 72-year-old woman with a sigmoid colon cancer and a synchronous colorectal liver metastasis (CRLM), which involved the right hepatic vein (RHV) and the inferior vena cava (IVC), was referred to our hospital. The metastatic lesion was diagnosed as initially unresectable because of its invasion into the confluence of the RHV and IVC. After she had undergone laparoscopic sigmoidectomy for the original tumor, she consequently had 3 courses of modified 5-fluorouracil, leucovorin, and oxaliplatin (mFOLFOX6) plus cetuximab. Computed tomography revealed a partial response, and the confluence of the RHV and IVC got free from cancer invasion. After 3 additional courses of mFOLFOX6 plus cetuximab, preoperative percutaneous transhepatic portal vein embolization (PTPE) was performed to secure the future remnant liver volume. Finally, a right hemihepatectomy was performed. The postoperative course was uneventful. The patient was discharged from the hospital on postoperative day 13. She had neither local recurrence nor distant metastasis 18 mo after the last surgical intervention. This multidisciplinary strategy, consisting of conversion chemotherapy using FOLFOX plus cetuximab and PTPE, could contribute in facilitating curative hepatic resection for initially unresectable CRLM.

A new Ehlers-Danlos syndrome with craniofacial characteristics, multiple congenital contractures, progressive joint and skin laxity, and multisystem fragility-related manifestations.

We previously described two unrelated patients showing characteristic facial and skeletal features, overlapping with the kyphoscoliosis type Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (EDS) but without lysyl hydroxylase deficiency [Kosho et al. (2005) Am J Med Genet Part A 138A:282-287]. After observations of them over time and encounter with four additional unrelated patients, we have concluded that they represent a new clinically recognizable type of EDS with distinct craniofacial characteristics, multiple congenital contractures, progressive joint and skin laxity, and multisystem fragility-related manifestations. The patients exhibited strikingly similar features according to their age: craniofacial, large fontanelle, hypertelorism, short and downslanting palpebral fissures, blue sclerae, short nose with hypoplastic columella, low-set and rotated ears, high palate, long philtrum, thin vermilion of the upper lip, small mouth, and micro-retrognathia in infancy; slender and asymmetric face with protruding jaw from adolescence; skeletal, congenital contractures of fingers, wrists, and hips, and talipes equinovarus with anomalous insertions of flexor muscles; progressive joint laxity with recurrent dislocations; slender and/or cylindrical fingers and progressive talipes valgus and cavum or planus, with diaphyseal narrowing of phalanges, metacarpals, and metatarsals; pectus deformities; scoliosis or kyphoscoliosis with decreased physiological curvatures of thoracic spines and tall vertebrae; cutaneous, progressive hyperextensibility, bruisability, and fragility with atrophic scars; fine palmar creases in childhood to acrogeria-like prominent wrinkles in adulthood, recurrent subcutaneous infections with fistula formation; cardiovascular, cardiac valve abnormalities, recurrent large subcutaneous hematomas from childhood; gastrointestinal, constipation, diverticula perforation; respiratory, (hemo)pneumothorax; and ophthalmological, strabismus, glaucoma, refractive errors.

Pouchitis disease activity index (PDAI) does not predict patients with symptoms of pouchitis who will respond to antibiotics.

PURPOSE: To evaluate whether the pouchitis disease activity index (PDAI) alone is sufficient to select appropriate treatment plans for ulcerative colitis patients with bowel movement problems following ileal pouch-anal anastomosis (IPAA). METHODS: The study included 70 patients undergoing an IPAA. For these patients, an evaluation by PDAI was performed prospectively at 1-2 years after the ileostomy closure. When the symptoms relevant to bowel movement appeared, PDAI was evaluated and metronidazole or ciprofloxacin was administered. Pouchitis was diagnosed in patients with PDAI scores of 7 or higher. The patients whose PDAI score was less than 7 and who responded to antibiotic therapy were defined as treatment responders having disease not diagnosed by PDAI (TR-NDPDAI). RESULTS: Pouchitis was diagnosed in 16 of the 70 enrolled patients (22.9%) using the PDAI scoring system. Of these 16 patients, 11 had acute pouchitis and 5 had chronic pouchitis. Twenty-one patients whose PDAI score was less than 7 were symptomatic. Among them, 12 were TR-NDPDAI. In patients with TR-NDPDAI, antibiotic treatment resulted in significant improvements in the PDAI score (P < 0.001) and in clinical symptoms (P < 0.001) after treatment. CONCLUSION: Antibiotic treatment was effective in a considerable number of ulcerative colitis patients whose PDAI score was less than 7 after IPAA.

[Antiinfective host defense mechanism: toll-like receptors and innate immunity].

The innate immune system has evolved as the first line of defense against invading microorganisms. The recent discovery of the toll-like receptors(TLRs) has rapidly expanded our knowledge of molecular events that initiate host-pathogen interactions. The TLRs, which are expressed on the surface of cells, involved in innate immune recognition, including macrophages and dendritic cells, have a crucial role in the detection of microbial infection. Signals initiated by the interaction of TLRs with pathogen-associated molecular patterns (PAMPs) induce activation of the inflammatory and antimicrobial innate immune response. Ten members of the TLR family have been identified, and they appear to recognize PAMPs, including lipopolysaccharide, peptidoglycan, and bacterial DNA. There has been considerable interest in how adaptive immune responses are controlled by the innate immune system. Recent studies have suggested that TLRs may control the induction of Th1 responses and that a separate system of recognition regulates the Th2 response. Thus TLR signaling represents a key component in the innate immune response to microbial infection.