Male sex and history of ischemic heart disease are major risk factors for anastomotic leakage after laparoscopic anterior resection in patients with rectal cancer.

BACKGROUND: Anastomotic leakage (AL) is the most serious and common complication of surgery for rectal cancer, and associated risk factors remain unknown despite developments in laparoscopic surgery. The present study aimed to determine risk factors for AL after laparoscopic anterior resection (AR) of rectal cancer. METHODS: This retrospective cohort study extracted information from a prospective database of all consecutive colorectal resections that proceeded at Nippon Medical School Hospital between January 2011 and December 2015 (n = 865). We identified 154 patients with rectal cancer treated by elective laparoscopic AR with anastomosis using primary double-stapling. Clinical variables and comorbidity, habits, and surgery-related variables were assessed by univariate and multivariate analyses to determine preoperative risk factors for clinical AL. RESULTS: The overall rate of clinical AL was 11.7% (18 of 154 patients), and 5 (27.8%) of 18 patients required revised laparotomy. Data from males were analyzed because AL occurred only in males. Univariate analysis of male patients (n = 100) significantly associated preoperative creatinine values (p = 0.03) and a history of ischemic heart disease (IHD) (p = 0.012) with AL. The frequency of AL tended to increase (p = 0.06) when patients had low AR (p = 0.06) and transanal drainage. Having AL significantly prolonged hospital stays compared with patients without leakage (36.2 vs. 11.1 days; p <  0.01). Multivariate analysis identified a history of IHD (odds ratio [OR], 4.73; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.27-17.5; p = 0.025] as an independent risk factor for AL. CONCLUSIONS: Male sex and a history of IHD are possible risk factors for AL after elective laparoscopic rectal cancer surgery.

Combined use of preoperative lymphocyte counts and the post/preoperative lymphocyte count ratio as a prognostic marker of recurrence after curative resection of stage II colon cancer.

PURPOSE: Diagnostic markers for recurrence of colorectal cancer have not been established. The aim of the present study was to identify new diagnostic markers for recurrence after curative surgery of stage II colon cancer. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this study, the prognostic values of the preoperative lymphocyte count and the post/preoperative lymphocyte count ratio (PPLR) were evaluated in 142 patients with localized colon cancer treated with surgery at a single medical center. The associations of patient demographics, blood chemistry, and serum biochemical indices with recurrence-free survival (RFS) and cancer-specific survival (CSS) were examined by univariate and multivariate analyses. RESULTS: Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis showed that the optimal cut-off values of the lymphocyte count and PPLR were, respectively, 1555.2/µl and 1.151 for RFS. On univariate analysis, tumor depth of invasion, carbohydrate antigen 19-9 (CA19-9), and preoperative low lymphocyte count (≤1555.2/µl) were all correlated with poorer RFS (p < 0.05). On multivariate analysis, T4, low lymphocyte count, and low PPLR were independent predictors of poor RFS. Furthermore, the patients were categorized into four categories based on preoperative lymphocyte count high/low and PPLR high/low. Patients with a low preoperative lymphocyte count and low PPLR had the poorest RFS and CSS compared to the other patients. CONCLUSION: The combination of the preoperative lymphocyte count and the PPLR appears to be a potential marker for predicting recurrence of stage II colon cancer.

Primary small intestinal volvulus after laparoscopic rectopexy for rectal prolapse.

Primary small intestinal volvulus is defined as torsion in the absence of congenital malrotation, band, or postoperative adhesions. Its occurrence as an early postoperative complication is rare. A 40-year-old woman presented with rectal prolapse, and laparoscopic rectopexy was uneventfully performed. She could not have food on the day after surgery. She started oral intake on postoperative day 3 but developed abdominal pain after the meal. Contrast-enhanced CT revealed torsion of the small intestinal mesentery. An emergent laparotomy showed small intestinal volvulus, without congenital malformation or intestinal adhesions. We diagnosed it as primary small intestinal volvulus. The strangulated intestine was resected, and reconstruction was performed. The patient recovered uneventfully after the second surgery. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of primary small intestinal volvulus occurring after rectopexy for rectal prolapse. Primary small intestinal volvulus could be a postoperative complication after laparoscopy.

Modified Marionette Technique for Laparoscopic Colorectal Surgery.

INTRODUCTION: Single-port laparoscopic surgery has some technical limitations with respect to control of the forceps inserted through the single-access site, which results in increased internal collisions due to coaxial alignment of the instruments, as well as and decreased range of motion and visualization. To overcome these limitations, we employ a "modified marionette technique" as a way to carry out laparoscopic colorectal surgery. Materials and Surgical Technique: The procedures for the modified marionette technique are performed as follows: An Internal Organ Retractor (IOR)™ and an atraumatic clip designed to firmly grasp tissue, with 1-0 nylon thread, are inserted through a 12-mm trocar and secured in place where adequate visualization and traction for cutting with a radio knife is required. A looped 1-0 nylon thread put through an 18-gauge injection needle is pierced through the abdominal wall, the looped nylon extruded, and the nylon attached to the IOR is pulled out by threading the looped nylon thread. This allows for adequate traction from outside the body through the abdominal wall and appropriate placing adjustments. CONCLUSION: The "modified marionette technique" using IOR introduced here is an easy, economical, effective and safe traction technique for colorectal surgeries. This technique will be a useful tool for performing both reduced port and multiport laparoscopic colorectal surgeries.

Efficacy and safety of neoadjuvant chemotherapy with oxaliplatin, 5-fluorouracil, and levofolinate for T3 or T4 stage II/III rectal cancer: the FACT trial.

PURPOSE: A multicenter phase II clinical study was performed in patients with T3 or T4 stage II/III rectal cancer to evaluate the efficacy and safety of neoadjuvant chemotherapy with 5-fluorouracil, levofolinate, and oxaliplatin (mFOLFOX6). METHODS: Patients received four 2-week cycles of mFOLFOX6 therapy (oxaliplatin at 85 mg/m2 + leucovorin at 200 mg/m2 + fluorouracil as a 400 mg/m2 bolus followed by infusion of 2400 mg/m2 over 46 h, all on Day 1). They were evaluated by computed tomography after completion of the fourth cycle. If there was no disease progression, two additional cycles were administered and then surgery was performed. Adjuvant chemotherapy was generally administered for 6 months using appropriate regimens at the discretion of the physician. RESULTS: mFOLFOX6 therapy was given to 52 patients with locally advanced rectal cancer. The preoperative response rate was 48.8% and the operation rate was 80.8%. Serious adverse events of Grade 3-4 were neutropenia (n = 5), leukopenia (n = 1), thrombocytopenia (n = 1), febrile neutropenia (n = 1), nausea (n = 1), vomiting (n = 1), and peripheral neuropathy (n = 2). The R0 resection rate, pathologic complete response rate, and sphincter preservation rate were 91.0, 11.9, and 73.8%, respectively. Postoperative complications were tolerable. CONCLUSIONS: The present results suggested that neoadjuvant therapy with mFOLFOX6 is safe and effective, representing a reasonable treatment option for locally advanced rectal cancer.

Intestinal hemorrhage caused by Meckel's diverticulum with ectopic gastric mucosa on polypoid lesion: a case report.

Meckel's diverticulum may sometimes present as an intraluminal polypoid mass causing small bowel obstruction; however, gastrointestinal bleeding due to Meckel's diverticulum with a polypoid lesion is rare. A 14-year-old girl presented with tarry stool and syncope in our hospital. Laboratory examination showed iron-deficiency anemia with a low hemoglobin level of 5.8 g/dl. The bleeding site was detected by neither upper gastrointestinal endoscopy nor colonoscopy. Transanal double-balloon enteroscopy showed a diverticulum with an ulceration at a site approximately 50 cm from the ileocecal valve and a polypoid lesion inside of the diverticulum. Histopathological examination of a polypoid lesion revealed an ectopic gastric mucosa of the fundic type. Furthermore, technetium-99m pertechnetate scintigraphy showed a hot spot in her lower right abdomen. On the basis of these findings, she was diagnosed as having hemorrhagic Meckel's diverticulum. Single-incision laparoscopy-assisted segmental bowel resection of the ileum was performed. The patient recovered well, and she was discharged from the hospital on postoperative day 7. She was doing well 6 months later without evidence of reoccurrence. In this report, we describe a case of Meckel's diverticulum with a polypoid lesion; hemorrhage may have occurred owing to the ulceration of the ileal mucosa with which the polypoid lesion directly came in contact. We consider this case to be of interest to gain insight into the site and mechanism of ulceration associated with Meckel's diverticulum.

A case of repeated small bowel perforations in a short period in a patient with cholesterol crystal embolism.

We report a case of jejunal perforation related to cholesterol crystal embolism (CCE) in a woman in her seventies. The jejunum was partially resected;histological examination of the resected tissue revealed that the perforation was caused by CCE. On postoperative day 12, computed tomography (CT) showed free air in the abdomen. We then performed a second operation to alleviate the anastomotic leakage. Subsequently, 26 days after the second surgery, CT again showed free air in the abdomen. A third operation was performed, and multiple perforations of the jejunum were detected. She died of multiple organ failure 43 days after the first surgery. The prognosis of CCE with gastrointestinal perforation is reported to beextremely poor, and there is a high rate of anastomotic leakage. Partial resection of the intestine and ileostomy might be useful for removing the intestinal perforations caused by a CCE. Steroid administration should be continued, however, because discontinuation may worsen the problem.

Utility of KRAS mutation detection using circulating cell-free DNA from patients with colorectal cancer.

In this study, we evaluated the clinical utility of detecting KRAS mutations in circulating cell-free (ccf)DNA of metastatic colorectal cancer patients. We prospectively recruited 94 metastatic colorectal cancer patients. Circulating cell-free DNA was extracted from plasma samples and analyzed for the presence of seven KRAS point mutations. Using the Invader Plus assay with peptide nucleic acid clamping method and digital PCR, KRAS mutations were detected in the ccfDNA in 35 of 39 patients previously determined to have primary tumors containing KRAS mutations using the Luminex method, and in 5 of 55 patients with tumors containing wild-type KRAS. Curative resection was undertaken in 7 of 34 patients with primary and ccfDNA KRAS mutations, resulting in the disappearance of the mutation from the cell-free DNA in five of seven patients. Three of these patients had tumor recurrence and KRAS mutations in their ccfDNA reappeared. Epidermal growth factor receptor blockade was administered to 24 of the KRAS tumor wild-type patients. Of the 24 patients with wild-type KRAS in their primary tumors, three patients had KRAS mutations in their ccfDNA and did not respond to treatment with epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) blockade. We also detected a new KRAS mutation in five patients during chemotherapy with EGFR blockade, before disease progression was detectable with imaging. The detection of KRAS mutations in ccfDNA is an attractive approach for predicting both treatment response and acquired resistance to EGFR blockade, and for detecting disease recurrence.

Rechallenge with 5-fluorouracil in a patient who developed encephalopathy caused by 5-fluorouracil for colon cancer.

We report a case involving a patient with colon cancer who underwent 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) rechallenge and maintained an oncological effect for a long period after encephalopathy caused by 5-FU. Our patient was a 61-year-old man who was diagnosed with adenocarcinoma of the ascending colon with direct liver invasion. He underwent right hemicolectomy with partial liver resection followed by adjuvant chemotherapy with modified FOLFOX6 (mFOLFOX6). Ten months after completion of mFOLFOX6, his carcinoembryonic antigen concentration increased, and ascites was revealed by computed tomography 2 months later. We started FOLFIRI, and he was taken to our hospital by ambulance because of loss of consciousness 10 days after the start of the third cycle of FOLFIRI. Laboratory investigations showed hyperammonemia and elevations of his serum creatinine and blood urea nitrogen concentrations. Brain computed tomography demonstrated no abnormalities. Transfusion of 1500 ml of crystalloid fluid resulted in gradual recovery over the next 12 h. His ammonia concentration decreased to a normal level. Twelve days after onset of the encephalopathy, we restarted FOLFIRI, but the dose of continuous 5-FU was decreased by 20 %. The patient's carcinoembryonic antigen concentration considerably decreased from 376.5 to 19.9 ng/ml, and his ascites disappeared. Nineteen months after the resumption of FOLFIRI, he underwent 34 courses of FOLFIRI and maintained stable disease. The encephalopathy did not recur.

Surgical Specimens of Colorectal Cancer Fixed with PAXgene Tissue System Preserve High-Quality RNA.

BACKGROUND: RNA analysis of surgical specimens is one of the most useful methods for exploring biomarkers of advanced cancer. The most readily available source for RNA is formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded (FFPE) specimens, but RNA isolated from FFPE tissue is of limited use. The PAXgene Tissue (PAX) system is a formalin-free system designed to improve the quality of molecular analysis without diminishing the quality of histopathological analysis. In this human colorectal cancer tissue study, we aimed to evaluate whether surgical specimens fixed with PAX can preserve high-quality RNA in comparison with FFPE and fresh-frozen tissue specimens. METHODS: Ten consecutive advanced colorectal cancer patients undergoing colectomy were examined. Each specimen was processed in three ways: as frozen tissue, as PAX-fixed tissue, and as formalin-fixed tissue. RNA integrity numbers (RINs) were assessed using an Agilent Bioanalyzer. RNA transcript levels and stability were investigated by quantitative real-time PCR. We also evaluated the immunohistochemical intensity of Ki-67, CEA, and EGFR in the PAX samples. RESULTS: The average RINs of RNA extracted from frozen and PAX samples were significantly higher than those from FFPE samples (p < 0.001). The cycle threshold (Ct) values were similar in PAX and frozen samples, but significantly increased in FFPE samples (p < 0.001). Most of the ΔCt values in the PAX samples did not differ significantly from those in the matched frozen samples. On the other hand, most of the ΔCt values in the FFPE samples differed significantly from those in the matched frozen samples. The immunohistochemical intensity in the PAX samples was well preserved. CONCLUSIONS: The quality of RNA extracted from PAX samples may be slightly inferior to that from frozen samples, but is greatly superior to that from FFPE samples.

[Skeletal Mass Depletion Is a Negative Prognostic Factor in Gastrointestinal Cancer Patients in the Terminal Stage].

BACKGROUND: Skeletal mass depletion has been reported to be a prognostic factor for cancer patients. However, special and expensive devices are required to measure skeletal mass, and this is a major reason why skeletal mass is not used extensively for prognostic marker in clinical settings. We developed a new method to measure skeletal mass for use as a prognostic marker using CT images without special and expensive devices. In this study, we evaluated the usefulness of skeletal mass as measured by this new method as a prognostic marker for gastrointestinal cancer patients. METHOD: Patients who died from gastrointestinal cancer between March 2010 and October 2013 were included. We measured the right-sided maximum psoas muscle cross sectional area (MPCA) by using CT images before surgery and after the patients developed a terminal condition. The maximum psoas muscle cross sectional area ratio (MPCA-R) was defined as follows: MPCA-R=MPCA before surgery/MPCA after developing a terminal condition. We evaluated the correlation between MPCA-R and survival. RESULT: Fifty-nine patients were included. The median survival was 44 days, and MPCA-R was significantly correlated with survival (p=0.001). On receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis, the area under the curve (AUC) to predict 30-day and 90-day survival was 0.710 and 0.748, respectively. CONCLUSION: MPCA-R is a new and novel prognostic marker for gastrointestinal cancer patients in terminal condition.

A Case of Portal Venous Gas after Rectal Surgery without Anastomotic Leakage or Bowel Necrosis.

Portal venous gas has traditionally been considered an indicator of a poor prognosis due to bowel necrosis. Portal venous gas has recently been detected in patients with various clinical conditions, such as Crohn's disease, chemotherapy, and blunt abdominal injury without bowel necrosis. We herein report the first case of a patient with rectal cancer in whom portal venous gas developed after low anterior resection without anastomotic leakage or bowel necrosis. A 66-year-old man who had undergone low anterior resection started having severe diarrhea the day after the operation. A fever was present for 2 days after the operation but resolved on postoperative day 3. The patient complained of abdominal pain 5 days postoperatively. Computed tomography showed portal venous gas. Emergency open laparotomy was performed, but only limited ascites fluid without leakage or bowel necrosis was found. We irrigated the abdominal cavity and performed an ileostomy with insertion of a drainage tube in the rectovesical pouch. Only serous ascites was discharged through the drainage tube. The portal venous gas disappeared 3 days after the second operation. The patient was discharged in good condition 21 days after the first operation. Portal venous gas can develop after rectal surgery without anastomotic leakage or bowel necrosis. Conservative treatment is reasonable for patients without signs of bowel necrosis or panperitonitis. However, patients with portal venous gas must be carefully observed because portal venous gas may be life threatening.

Superior mesenteric artery syndrome treated with single-incision laparoscopy-assisted duodenojejunostomy.

Superior mesenteric artery (SMA) syndrome is an uncommon disease resulting from compression and partial obstruction of the third portion of the duodenum from the SMA. A 77-year-old man, who did not have a history of surgery, experienced repeated vomiting and developed abdominal distension. Abdominal CT showed a narrowed third portion of the duodenum, with a distended stomach and proximal duodenum. The patient was diagnosed as having SMA syndrome and was initially treated conservatively, but his condition did not improve. Single-incision laparoscopy-assisted duodenojejunostomy was performed. The patient recovered well and was discharged from hospital on postoperative day 8. Laparoscopic treatment is feasible for the treatment of SMA syndrome given its safety and minimal invasiveness. This is a report of the first case of single-incision laparoscopy-assisted duodenojejunostomy. This procedure is safer and less invasive than a conventional laparoscopic approach in a patient with SMA syndrome.

Successful Treatment of Necrotizing Fasciitis after Rectal Surgery with the Application of a Negative-pressure Wound Therapy: A Case Study.

INTRODUCTION: Necrotizing fasciitis (NF) is an aggressive soft tissue infection that involves the deep fascia and is characterized by the extensive deterioration of the surrounding tissue. Immediate recognition and aggressive treatment, including debridement and systemic antibiotics, are mandatory for the successful management of NF. Following radical debridement, closure of the remaining wound can pose significant reconstructive challenges. Accumulating evidence indicates that application of negative-pressure wound therapy (NPWT) is useful in the treatment of patients with severe acute complex wounds, including NF. CASE PRESENTATION: A 58-year-old man who had undergone surgical resection for rectal carcinoma followed by chemo-radiation therapy developed NF of the pelvis and thigh three years after the surgical procedure. Following extensive debridement, a VAC system was applied to the large open wound and successfully contributed to wound bed cleansing, which was followed by surgery for skin grafting. CONCLUSION: This case demonstrates the successful management of a complex and potentially lethal wound of the perineum to lower leg with debridement and skin grafting as well as with the application of the VAC system.

[A case of multiple primary small intestinal adenocarcinomas].

A 62-year-old woman, with a past history of long-term non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug use and gastric ulcer, was hospitalized for intestinal obstruction in April 2012. Two stenoses were identified in the ileum in association with small intestinal ulcers, and she underwent partial resection of the small intestine. Histologically, the two lesions were poorly differentiated adenocarcinomas; metastatic small intestinal cancer was suspected, but whole body examination revealed no other lesions. The final diagnosis was multiple primary small intestinal malignancies, necessitating additional resection of the small intestine in July. We report this case to raise awareness among physicians of the possibility of primary small intestinal cancer in patients with multiple small intestinal stenoses.

Dysmotility by mechanical bowel preparation using polyethylene glycol.

BACKGROUND: The effects of mechanical bowel preparation (MBP) on morbidity (e.g., anastomotic leakage and surgical site infection) have been evaluated. Its effect on early recovery after surgery has drawn renewed attention, and its use is discouraged in the postsurgical management of enhanced recovery. However, most surgeons in Japan prefer polyethylene glycol (PEG) for MBP. We investigated the effect of MBP with PEG on postoperative intestinal motility. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We prospectively evaluated a consecutive series of 258 colon cancer patients who underwent colonic resection and primary anastomosis. We orally administered 2000 mL of PEG in the PEG group and did not administer PEG to patients in the no-PEG group. Postoperative gastrointestinal motility was assessed with radiopaque markers. All patients ingested radiopaque markers 2 h before surgery. Postoperative intestinal motility was radiologically assessed by counting the number of residual markers. Abdominal radiography was conducted on postoperative days 1, 3, and 5 to count residual markers in the large and small intestines. RESULTS: The total number of residual markers in the no-PEG group was less than that in the PEG group on day 5 (P < 0.01) but not on days 1 and 3. On all 3 d, the numbers of residual markers in the small intestine were significantly less in the no-PEG group than in the PEG group (P < 0.001). There were no differences in postoperative complications between the no-PEG and PEG groups. CONCLUSIONS: PEG can negatively affect postoperative intestinal motility, and MBP using PEG is unnecessary in elective colon cancer surgery.

Gene profiling and bioinformatics analyses reveal time course differential gene expression in surgically resected colorectal tissues.

It has previously been reported that gene profiles in surgically-resected colorectal cancer tissues are altered over time possibly due to the different tissue-acquisition methods and sample extraction timing that were used. However, the changes that occur are still not clearly understood. In the present study, time-dependent changes in gene expression profiling in colorectal surgical specimens were analyzed. Normal and tumor tissues at several time-points (0, 30, 60 and 120 min) were extracted, and RNA quality, microarray experiments, quantitative PCR and bioinformatics clustering were performed. Although RNA integrity was preserved 2 h after resection, inherent increased/decreased gene expression was observed from 30-120 min in approximately 10% of genes. Bioinformatics clustering could not distinguish case-by-case, probably due to gene profiling changes. Irregular changes in gene expression after surgical resection were found, which could be a crucial confounding factor for quantitative analyses.

[Reduction in oxaliplatin-related neurotoxicity by the administration of Keishikajutsubuto(TJ-18)and powdered processed aconite root].

Oxaliplatin (L-OHP)is an important chemotherapeutic drug for the treatment of colorectal cancer. Peripheral neuropathy was observed in 90% of patients who received L-OHP.Neuropathy often results in the discontinuation of treatment or a decrease the quality of life(QOL). The most effective method for reducing neuropathy is the discontinuation of L-OHP. To reduce neuropathy, we administered Keishikajutsubutou(TJ-18)with powdered processed aconite root(TJ-3023), and we report the effect of these compounds. The subjects comprised 11 patients with metastatic colorectal cancer. L-OHP(85mg/m2)was administered as part of the FOLFOX6(10 patients)or FOLFOX7(1 patient)regimen. All patients had experienced neuropathy. We administered TJ-18(7.5 g)and T-3023(1 g). After 2 weeks, the TJ-3023 dose was increased to 2 g for nonresponders. The response was evaluated according to the Neurotoxicity Criteria of DEBIOPHARM. Reduction in neuropathy was observed in 5 cases(45.5% ). Among 6 patients whose feet and hands felt warm, reduction in neuropathy was observed in 5(83.3% ).

Objective assessment of postoperative gastrointestinal motility in elective colonic resection using a radiopaque marker provides an evidence for the abandonment of preoperative mechanical bowel preparation.

BACKGROUND: It has been suggested that mechanical bowel preparation (MBP) has no benefit in terms of anastomotic healing, infection rate, or improvement in the postoperative course in patients undergoing elective colorectal surgery, and that it should be abandoned. However, the effect of MBP on postoperative gastrointestinal motility has been assessed subjectively. In this randomized trial, we objectively assessed the effect of MBP on postoperative gastrointestinal motility and mobility in elective colonic resection. METHOD: In total, 79 patients scheduled to undergo elective colonic resection for cancer were randomized to MBP or no-MBP groups prior to surgery. All patients ingested radiopaque markers before surgery to evaluate postoperative gastrointestinal motility, objectively evaluated by the transition of the markers at postoperative days (PODs) 1, 3, 5 and 7. The groups were then further subdivided into open and laparoscopic-assisted colectomy (LAC) groups and evaluated in terms of gastrointestinal motility and postoperative mobility. RESULTS: There was no significant difference between the no-MBP and MBP groups in terms of perioperative and postoperative course. In the LAC subgroup, there was no significant difference between the no-MBP and MBP groups in terms of marker transition. However, in the open subgroup, there was a significant difference between the groups in terms of the residual ratio of markers in the small intestine at POD 3 (no-MBP 35.3% vs. MBP 69.2%; p=0.041), excretion rate of markers at POD 5 (no-MBP 49.7% vs. MBP 8.8%; p=0.005), and residual ratio in the small intestine at POD 7 (no-MBP 3.1% vs. MBP 28.8%; p=0.028). Additionally, the excretion rate in the no-MBP group was significantly higher than in the MBP group at POD 7 (74.1% vs. 33.8%; p=0.007). CONCLUSIONS: Our data provide additional evidence to support the abandonment of MBP in elective open colonic surgery.

Success rate of collagen gel droplet-embedded culture drug sensitivity test in colorectal cancer: are antibiotics a prerequisite for specimen irrigation?

The collagen gel droplet-embedded culture drug sensitivity test (CD-DST) is one of the best chemosensitivity tests owing to its high success rate. However, CD-DST is often a culture method, and contamination is a serious problem, especially in the case of colorectal cancer, which is contaminated by enteric bacteria. It has been reported that the success rate of CD-DST is 64.0% in the case of colorectal cancer. Therefore, the sampling and washing of specimens before culture are extremely important. By washing specimens carefully with normal saline containing antibiotics, we achieved a success rate of 85.3% in the case of colorectal cancer. To improve the success rate, we started specimen irrigation with a large amount of normal saline in January 2007. As a result, a success rate exceeding 90% was acquired. For the success of CD-DST for colorectal cancer, it is important to irrigate specimens many times with a large amount of normal saline.