Robot-Assisted Pancreaticoduodenectomy with Hemicircumferential Dissection of Nerve Plexus Around the Superior Mesenteric Artery.

BACKGROUND: Pancreatic head cancer with perineural invasion of the superior mesenteric artery (SMA) requires dissection of the nerve plexus around the SMA (PLsma, superior mesenteric nerve plexus) to obtain cancer-free margins.1,2 Technically challenging robot-assisted pancreaticoduodenectomy with PLsma resection is rarely performed owing to the technical limitations of the robot. In this multimedia article, we present our approach to robot-assisted pancreaticoduodenectomy with PLsma dissection.3-5 METHODS: We performed a robot-assisted pancreaticoduodenectomy with resection of the hemicircle of the PLsma in a 78-year-old woman with resectable pancreatic cancer extending to the root of the inferior pancreaticoduodenal artery. In this video, we show how to obtain an optimal view using the multiple scope transition method,4 and technical tips to perform a PLsma dissection with a robot to perform this difficult surgery safely. RESULTS: The operative time was 568 min and 300 mL of blood was lost. The pathological diagnosis was invasive pancreatic ductal carcinoma with lymph node metastasis, and R0 resection was performed. The distance margin from the SMA was 2 mm. The patient was discharged on the 18th postoperative day without postoperative complications. CONCLUSIONS: Robot-assisted pancreaticoduodenectomy with dissection of the hemicircle of the PLsma, which is difficult to perform, can be performed safely with an optimal view using the multiple-scope transition method, and delicate dissection using a robot.

Scope transition and early arterial inflow control provide safe and comfortable dissection in robotic distal pancreatectomy.

PURPOSE: We describe details and outcomes of a novel technique for optimizing the surgical field during robotic distal pancreatectomy (RDP) for distal pancreatic lesions, which has become common with potential advantages over laparoscopic surgery. METHODS: For suprapancreatic lymph node dissection and splenic artery ligation, we used the basic center position with a scope through the midline port. During manipulation of the perisplenic area, the left position was used by moving the scope to the left medial side. The left lateral position is optionally used by moving the scope to the left lateral port when scope access to the perisplenic area is difficult. In addition, early splenic artery clipping and short gastric artery dissection for inflow block were performed to minimize bleeding around the spleen. We evaluated retrospectively the surgical outcomes of our method using a scoring system that allocated one point for blood inflow control and one point for optimizing the surgical view in the left position. RESULTS: We analyzed 34 patients who underwent RDP or R-radical antegrade modular pancreatosplenectomy (RAMPS). The left position was applied in 14 patients, and the left lateral position was applied in 6. Based on the scoring system, only the 0-point group (n = 8) had four bleeding cases (50%) with splenic injury or blood pooling; the other 1-point or 2-point groups (n = 13, respectively) had no bleeding cases (p = 0.0046). CONCLUSION: Optimization of the surgical field using scope transition and inflow control ensured safe dissection during RDP.

Immunoglobulin-like transcript 2 as an impaired anti-tumor cytotoxicity marker of natural killer cells in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma.

Introduction: Natural killer (NK) cells play a pivotal role in immune surveillance in the liver. We aimed to identify potential targets for NK cell-mediated immune intervention by revealing the functional molecules on NK cells in HCC patients. Methods: To evaluate the impact of aging on NK cell phenotypes, we examined NK cells from healthy volunteers (HVs) of various ages. Because ILT2 expression on CD56dim NK cells increased with increasing age, we enrolled age-matched HCC patients and HVs. We determined the NK cell phenotypes in blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) and intrahepatic lymphocytes (IHLs) from cancerous and non-cancerous tissues. We evaluated cytotoxicity and antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity (ADCC) of NK cells in vitro. Results: ILT2-positive CD56dim NK cells in PBMCs were increased in HCC patients compared with HVs. In HCC patients, ILT2-positive CD56dim NK cells were increased in cancerous IHLs compared with non-cancerous IHLs and PBMCs. We examined the impact of macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) on ILT2 expression in co-cultures of HCC cells and NK cells. The enhanced expression of ILT2 on CD56dim NK cells from HCC patients was inhibited by masking antibodies against MIF and CXCR4. ILT2-positive CD56dim NK cells exhibited lower capacities for cytotoxicity and ADCC than ILT2-negative cells, which were partially restored by ILT2 blockade. Conclusions: In HCC patients, ILT2 is a signature molecule for cancerous CD56dim NK cells with impaired cytolytic capacity. The MIF-CXCR4 interaction is associated with ILT2 induction on CD56dim NK cells and ILT2 serves as a target for functional NK cell restoration.

An Elemental Diet Reduces Chylous Ascites of Patients Undergoing Pancreatoduodenectomy in the Setting of Early Enteral Feeding.

OBJECTIVES: The elemental diet (ED) is a formula to support nutritional status without increasing chylous burden. This study evaluates the efficacy of early ED feeding after pancreatoduodenectomy (PD). MATERIALS AND METHODS: A prospective phase II study of consecutive patients who underwent PD with early ED feeding was conducted. Patient backgrounds, surgical outcomes, and ED feeding tolerability were compared with a historical cohort of 74 PD patients with early enteral feeding of a low residue diet (LRD). RESULTS: The ED group comprised 104 patients. No patient in the ED group discontinued enteral feeding because of chylous ascites (CAs), whereas 17.6% of the LRD group experienced refractory CAs that disrupted further enteral feeding. The CAs rate was significantly decreased in the ED group compared with the LRD group (3.9% and 48.7%, respectively; P < 0.001). There was no significant difference in the incidence of major complications (ED: 17.3%, LRD: 18.9%; P = 0.844). Postoperative prognostic nutritional index was similar between the 2 groups ( P = 0.764). In multivariate analysis, enteral feeding formula, and sex were independent risk factors for CAs (LRD: P < 0.001, odds ratio, 22.87; female: P = 0.019, odds ratio, 2.78). CONCLUSIONS: An ED reduces postoperative CAs of patients undergoing PD in the setting of early enteral feeding.

Management of potential portal vein thrombus during laparoscopic right hemihepatectomy following portal vein embolization.

BACKGROUND: Portal vein embolization (PVE) is often performed prior to right hemihepatectomy (RH) to increase the future liver remnants. However, intraoperative removal of portal vein thrombus (PVT) is occasionally required. An algorithm for treating the right branch of the PV using laparoscopic RH (LRH) after PVE is lacking and requires further investigation. METHODS: In our department, after the confirmation of a lack of extension of PVT to the main portal trunk or left branch on preoperative examination (ultrasound and contrast-enhanced computed tomography), a final evaluation was performed using intraoperative ultrasonography (IOUS). Here we present the cases of eight patients who underwent LRH after PVE and examine the safety of our treatment strategies. RESULTS: IOUS revealed PVT extension into the main portal trunk in two cases. For the other six patients without PVT extension, we continued the laparoscopic procedure. In contrast, in the two cases with PVT extension, we converted to laparotomy after hepatic transection and removed the PVT. The median operation time for hepatectomy was 562 min (421-659 min), the median blood loss was 293 mL (85-1010 mL), no liver-related postoperative complications were observed, and the median length of stay was 10 days (6-34 days). CONCLUSIONS: PVT evaluation and removal are important in cases of LRH after PVE. Our strategy is safe and IOUS is particularly useful for laparoscopically evaluating PVT extension.

Laparoscopic Portal Vein Ligation and Embolization During First-Stage Hepatectomy for Initially Unresectable Colorectal Liver Metastases.

BACKGROUND: Two-stage hepatectomy (TSH) is the only treatment for the patients with multiple bilobar colorectal liver metastases (CRMs) who are not candidates for one-step hepatectomy because of insufficient future remnant liver volume and/or impaired liver function.1-5 Although laparoscopic approaches have been introduced for TSH,6-8 the postoperative morbidity and mortality remains high because of the technical difficulties during second-stage hepatectomy.9,10 The authors present a video of laparoscopic TSH with portal vein (PV) ligation and embolization, which minimizes adhesions and PV thrombosis risk in the remnant liver, thereby facilitating second-stage hepatectomy. METHODS: Three patients with initially unresectable bilateral CRMs received a median of chemotherapy 12 cycles, followed by conversion TSH. After right PV ligation, laproscopic PV embolization was performed by injection of 100% ethanol into the hepatic side of the right PV using a 23-gauge winged needle. After PV embolization, a spray adhesion barrier (AdSpray, Terumo, Tokyo, Japan)11 was applied. RESULTS: During the first stage of hepatectomy, two patients underwent simultaneous laparoscopic colorectal resection (left hemicolectomy and high anterior resection). In the initial hepatectomy, two patients underwent two limited hepatectomies each, and one patient underwent six hepatectomies in the left lobe. After hepatectomy, all the patients underwent right PV embolization. During the second stage, two patients underwent open extended right hepatectomy (right adrenalectomy was performed because of adrenal invasion in one patient), and one patient underwent laparoscopic extended right hepatectomy. No postoperative complications occurred in the six surgeries. CONCLUSIONS: Laparoscopic TSH with PV embolization is recommended for safe completion of the second hepatectomy.

Unique Biology of Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma Accompanied by Rapidly Impaired Diabetes: A Favorable Long-Term Survival Following Curative Resection.

BACKGROUND: Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinomas (PDACs) are sometimes diagnosed accompanied by rapidly impaired diabetes (PDAC-RID). Although this type of PDAC may have unusual biological features, these features have not been explained. METHODS: Patients with PDAC who underwent upfront pancreatectomy between 2010 and 2018 were retrospectively reviewed. PDAC-RID was defined as a glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) value of ≥ 8.0% of newly diagnosed diabetes, and acute exacerbation of previously diagnosed diabetes. Other patients were classified as PDAC with stable glycometabolism (PDAC-SG). Clinicopathological factors, long-term survival rates, and recurrence patterns were evaluated. RESULTS: Of the 520 enrolled patients, 104 were classified as PDAC-RID and 416 as PDAC-SG. There was no significant difference regarding TNM staging, resectability, or adjuvant chemotherapy rate between the groups. However, 5-years cancer-specific survival (CSS) was significantly higher in the PDAC-RID group than in the PDAC-SG group (45.3% vs. 31.1%; p = 0.02). This survival difference was highlighted in relatively early-stage PDAC (≤ pT2N1) (CSS: 60.8% vs. 43.6%; p = 0.01), but the difference was not significant for advanced-stage PDAC. A multivariate analysis of early-stage PDAC showed that PDAC-SG was an independent risk factor of shorter CSS (hazard ratio 1.76; p = 0.02). The hematogenous metastatic rate in early-stage PDAC was lower in the PDAC-RID group than in the PDAC-SG group (18.3% vs. 35.8%; p = 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: PDAC-RID showed a favorable long-term survival rate after curative resection with low hematogenous metastases, which may be due to its unique biology.