[Late recurrence of gastric cancer diagnosed 10 years after curative gastrectomy: a review of 30 Japanese case reports].

A woman in her 50s was referred to our hospital with intestinal obstruction. Ten years prior, she had been treated for gastric cancer, pathologically confirmed as stage IIIA poorly differentiated adenocarcinoma with signet-ring cell carcinoma. Intraoperatively, a 4-cm hard white tumor was found in the mesoileum and around the ileum. Pathological examination revealed poorly differentiated adenocarcinoma with signet-ring cell carcinoma and infiltration and fibrosis. Late peritoneal recurrence of gastric carcinoma was diagnosed. Recurrence of gastric carcinoma more than 10 years after curative gastrectomy is extremely rare. A review of 30 cases reported in Japan revealed recurrence was more frequent in females (60%) and the mean age was around 50 years at the time of primary surgery. Poorly differentiated adenocarcinoma and/or signet-ring cell carcinoma was the primary gastric cancer in 82% of cases and bone metastasis was the most frequent site of recurrence.

Multicenter laparoscopic evaluation of the peritoneum in peritoneal dialysis patients.

Laparoscopic findings have been used to confirm peritoneal degenerations in peritoneal dialysis (PD) therapy. This study evaluated morphological changes in the peritoneum and their clinical relevance in patients undergoing PD. Laparoscopic findings at the rectovesical peritoneum were evaluated and scored using an imaging system at the time of PD catheter removal in this multicenter study. Angiogenesis evaluated by the vascular score (VS), color changes score (CCS), plaque score (PS), PD duration, history of peritonitis, dialysate/plasma creatinine (D/P Cr) levels, and age at PD termination were statistically analyzed. The VS of patients with PD duration more than 96 months was significantly decreased compared with that of the other patients and was negatively correlated with D/P Cr levels at PD termination. The CCS for patients with PD duration more than 96 months were significantly higher than those for the other patients and positively correlated with D/P Cr levels at PD termination. The PS of patients with recurring peritonitis were significantly higher than those of the other patients. Diminished vascularity and increased color changes in the peritoneum may be predictive of D/P Cr levels with peritoneal degradation. Laparoscopic evaluation of the abdominal cavity can provide detailed information about peritoneal injury.

[Spindle cell type anaplastic carcinoma of the pancreas: review of 27 Japanese case reports].

Spindle cell type anaplastic carcinoma of the pancreas is extremely rare and has a very poor prognosis. A previously healthy 68-year-old woman was referred to our hospital due to a large tumor in the body of the pancreas. Abdominal computed tomography revealed an irregular, well-enhanced 140-mm tumor containing a cystic component. The patient underwent distal pancreatectomy for a possible malignant tumor (e.g., mucinous cystic neoplasms). Histological examination showed that the tumor contained spindle-shaped cells and adenocarcinoma with nuclear atypia, and a definitive diagnosis of anaplastic carcinoma spindle cell type was made. A review of 27 cases reported in Japan revealed 43% of these lesions invaded other organs, and 26% were classified in Stage IV at the time of diagnosis. Postoperative recurrence rate was 78.2%, and mortality rate was 59.3%. Early diagnosis and sequential radial surgery would improve the poor prognosis.

Results of pancreaticojejunal end-to-side anastomosis using the invagination method without a pancreatic stenting tube.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Perioperative management of pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD) is a constant dilemma and challenging for gastrointestinal surgeons. Postoperative pancreatic fistula (POPF) and delayed gastric emptying (DGE) are of particular concern, and the onset of these conditions indicates a prolonged postoperative stay (POS). The procedure and postoperative outcomes of pancreaticojejunostomy performed at our hospital are reported. METHODOLOGY: POPF, DGE, and POS were investigated in 54 patients who had undergone PD at our hospital since June 2007. Pancreaticojejunal end-to-side anastomosis using the invagination method without a stenting tube and without duct-to-mucosa anastomosis was performed in all patients, regardless of pancreatic duct diameter. RESULTS: There were 26 patients (48.2%) without POPF, 24 (44.4%) with grade A, 4 (7.4%) with grade B, and none with grade C. The mean POS was 28.3 days. DGE was observed in 4 patients (7.4%) who underwent pylorus-preserving PD (PpPD). There were 34 patients with a soft pancreas. None of the patients experienced intraperitoneal bleeding or abscess, and no surgery-related deaths occurred. CONCLUSIONS: The reconstructive pancreaticojejunostomy procedure performed at our hospital appears to be safe and convenient, and we plan to collect additional data, including assessments of the function of the remaining pancreas, in the future.

Impact of Straight Stomach Reconstruction on Delayed Gastric Emptying and Nutritional Recovery After Pancreaticoduodenectomy.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of a modified reconstruction technique-anchored straight stomach reconstruction-in reducing the incidence of delayed gastric emptying (DGE) after pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD) and its impact on postoperative nutritional recovery. METHODS: A case series analysis of 125 consecutive PD patients was conducted: 104 of them had undergone anchored straight stomach reconstruction (SSR group) and the remaining 21 without (Non-SSR group). The incidence of DGE and the change in postoperative nutritional status (body weight and serum albumin level during 12 months post-surgery) were compared. RESULTS: The incidence of DGE in the SSR group (13%) was significantly lower than that in the Non-SSR group (33%) (P = .018); further the significant DGE (grade B or C) was only 5%. Comparison of nutritional status showed that SSR facilitated a prompt recovery of body weight and serum albumin level at 6 months after PD. At 12 months after surgery, body weight gain was significantly better in the SSR group than in the Non-SSR group (P = .006), and albumin level tended to be higher in the SSR group (P = .071). CONCLUSION: Straight stomach reconstruction is able to reduce DGE in patients after PD and also improves their postoperative nutritional recovery.

Incisional surgical site infections by subcutaneous soaking of wound with aqueous 0.05% chlorhexidine gluconate in gastroenterological surgery: A randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Chlorhexidine gluconate solution is superior to povidone-iodine for prevention of surgical site infection. However, the overall efficacy of chlorhexidine gluconate for surgical site infection prevention in various types of gastroenterological surgery, as well as the optimal concentration of chlorhexidine gluconate, remain unclear. The aim of the present study was to clarify whether subcutaneous wound soaking with chlorhexidine gluconate would reduce the incidence of surgical site infection associated with gastroenterological surgery in patients with wound classes Ⅱ to Ⅳ. METHODS: Patients were randomly assigned (1:1) to either wound soaking with chlorhexidine gluconate (chlorhexidine gluconate group) or no chlorhexidine gluconate soaking (control group). After closure of the abdominal fascia, gentle subcutaneous soaking of the wound was performed using gauze fully soaked in aqueous 0.05% chlorhexidine gluconate before skin closure. Incisional surgical site infection was diagnosed using the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention criteria. The primary end point was the occurrence of incisional surgical site infection. RESULTS: Among 363 patients, 245 (67%) underwent laparoscopic surgery. All 363 patients were included-181 in the chlorhexidine gluconate group (49.9%) and 182 (50.1%) in the control group. There were no significant inter-group differences in patient background, the type of procedure, or wound classification. The incidence proportion of incisional surgical site infection was significantly lower in the chlorhexidine gluconate group than in the control group (9.4% vs 19.2%; P = .008). CONCLUSION: Subcutaneous wound soaking with chlorhexidine gluconate reduces the incidence of incisional surgical site infection in patients undergoing gastroenterological surgery.

Mesh shrinkage after transabdominal preperitoneal inguinal hernia repair.

Synthetic mesh is now used for inguinal hernia repair in most cases. It is well known that the indwelling mesh contracts after placement in the body, regardless of the material. The aim of this study was to develop a method for indirect measurement of the mesh area postoperatively that allows for easy comparison with the condition of the mesh immediately after surgery. X-ray-impermeable tackers were used to fix the mesh, and changes of the indwelling mesh after surgery were measured indirectly using two mesh materials. This study involved 26 patients who underwent inguinal hernia repair with a polypropylene or polyester mesh (13 patients each). Polypropylene showed a stronger tendency to shrink, but there was no significant difference between the materials. For both materials, some patients showed relatively strong shrinkage and others showed relatively weak shrinkage. The group with the strong shrinkage had significantly higher body mass index. The results of the present study showed that mesh surly shrinked over time and there was no adverse effect of mesh shrinkage on the patients outcomes in this population. Mesh would shrink over time regardless of the sort of mesh but it did not affect the patients outcomes.

Mixed neuroendocrine carcinoma and hepatocellular carcinoma in the liver.

BACKGROUND: Mixed neuroendocrine carcinoma (NEC) and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is extremely rare, thus radiological features have not been fully clarified. CASE: A male patient (age: 70 years) visited our hospital due to a tumor in the liver. Examination using contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CT) revealed a tumor (diameter: 5.0 cm) in hepatic segment 5, with early enhancement of the peripheral area and slight internal heterogeneous enhancement in the arterial and delayed phases, respectively. F-18 fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG)-positron emission tomography (PET)/CT revealed intratumoral heterogeneity, characterized by increased uptake (standardized uptake value, 12.10) in the corresponding low-density area detected using enhanced CT relative to the surrounding areas of the tumor. On magnetic resonance imaging, diffusion-weighted imaging also showed high intensity in the corresponding low-density area detected using CT. Preoperatively, the patient was diagnosed with HCC and underwent anterior sectionectomy. Pathological findings revealed both HCC and NEC components, and the patient was diagnosed with mixed NEC and HCC. Comparison of component distribution with FDG-PET/CT revealed an increased uptake area was congruent with the NEC component in the tumor. CONCLUSION: In this case, the difference in tumor components affected the uptake in FDG-PET/CT. Such heterogeneous uptake with an enhanced spot may be useful for suspecting the presence of mixed NEC and HCC in patients with atypical HCC.

The efficacy of intraoperative ultrasonography during laparoscopic cholecystectomy.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Intraoperative ultrasonography (IOUS) has been used to delineate anatomy during laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LapC) and screen for common bile duct stones (CBDS), however no consensus about its efficacy has been reached in Japan. In this study, we compared and evaluated the performance of intraoperative cholangiography(IOC) and IOUS during LapC. METHODOLOGY: We evaluated 295 cases of cholecystolithiasis that underwent surgery from 2005- 2009 at our hospital. Frequency of CBDS and duration of surgery was examined in cases with IOC alone or IOC and IOUS in combination. RESULTS: There were 5 cases (1.7%) in which IOUS or IOC detected CBDS that had not been detected by preoperative evaluation using abdominal CT, abdominal ultrasonography or MRCP. Out of 62 LapC cases involving both IOC and IOUS, 60 cases showed the same findings, i.e. no false-negative results, indicating that IOUS is a trustworthy examination method. The mean duration of surgery involving IOUS alone was 135 minutes while a longer mean time of 163 minutes was found for that involving IOC alone or IOC and IOUS in combination. CONCLUSIONS: This study shows that IOC can be considered useful as it did not produce any false-negative results in screening CBDS and it also shortened the operation time. We also found some problems associated with IOC, such as small calculi falling within the gallbladder during examination procedures and the irradiation of patients and staff.

A huge hepatic angiomyolipoma with growth during 5 years of follow-up.

A 45-year-old woman was referred to our hospital with a huge liver tumor that had been diagnosed as a hepatic angiomyolipoma (HAML) 5 years previously. At the time of referral, it had enlarged from 12 to 20 cm within the previous 5 years and become symptomatic. Enhanced computed tomography revealed a very large, well-defined, low-density mass occupying the entire right lobe of the liver. The patient underwent right hemi-hepatectomy. The resected specimen weighed 1620 g and measured 20 × 14 × 8 cm. The pathological diagnosis was confirmed as benign HAML. The estimated growth rate of this tumor was 44% per year with a doubling time of 826 days. Although the majority of HAMLs are stable lesions, resection should perhaps be considered when the tumor is known to be growing and exceeds 6 cm in diameter, even if it has been diagnosed as benign.

Primary anterior perineal hernia: A case report and review of the literature.

Perineal hernia is a type of pelvic floor hernia and an extremely rare pathologic state. Perineal hernias can be classified into anterior and posterior types according to their positional relationship to the superficial transverse perineal muscle. A 49-year-old woman presented with bulging of the right labium major while standing. Standing external ultrasonography revealed a mass in the bulge, which could not be identified by transvaginal ultrasonography, CT, or MRI. Although hernia content could not be identified preoperatively, the patient was given a diagnosis of primary perineal hernia and underwent laparoscopic repair. Symptoms resolved postoperatively, and no sign of relapse has been noted for 8 months postoperatively. Here, we report the case details and review previous case reports.

Mirizzi Syndrome with Cholecystobiliary Fistula: Observation of Development from Asymptomatic Cholecystolithiasis to Surgery.

Despite a considerable number of reports of Mirizzi syndrome, none have described the process of its development from simple cholecystolithiasis. We report an extremely rare case of Mirizzi syndrome in which it was possible to observe the process of development of cholecystobiliary fistula from asymptomatic cholecystolithiasis until unavoidable surgical intervention 4 years later. A 68-year-old woman presented at our hospital with right upper quadrant pain. She had been diagnosed as having asymptomatic cholecystolithiasis 4 years previously. Diagnostic abdominal computed tomography (CT) had revealed a 1.9 cm radiopaque stone, and thereafter, the patient had been monitored by imaging alone. CT conducted 6 months before the present admission revealed that the gallbladder stone was compressing the common hepatic duct, although the patient remained asymptomatic. On admission, abdominal CT showed that the gallbladder stone was obstructing the common bile duct with dilatation of the intrahepatic duct. Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography revealed a round filling defect at the confluence of the common bile duct and the image of the cystic duct; therefore, the patient was categorized as having Mirizzi syndrome type III, according to the Csendes classification. Intraoperative findings revealed a cholecystobiliary fistula involving up to two-thirds of the circumference of the common bile duct.

Serum micro-RNA Identifies Early Stage Colorectal Cancer in a Multi-Ethnic Population.

OBJECTIVE: Certain microRNAs (miR) have been previously described to be dysregulated in cancers and can be detected in blood samples. Studies examining the utility of miRs for colon cancer screening have primarily been performed in ethnically homogeneous groups of patients, thus the performance of miRs in multiethnic populations is unknown. METHODS: Four miRs were selected that were shown to be aberrantly expressed in the blood or stool of patients with colorectal cancer (CRC) of various ethnicities. In this study, the ability of these miRs to discern early stage CRC was determined in a previously untested multiethnic population of 73 CRC cases and 18 controls. RESULTS: The ratios of non-vesicular to extracellular vesicular levels of miR's -21, -29a, and -92a were statistically and quantitatively related to CRC stage compared to controls. CONCLUSION: Serum levels of miR-21, miR-29a and miR-92a were able to significantly detect early stage CRC in a multiethnic and previously untested population.
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[A case of recurrent breast cancer responding to vinorelbine/trastuzumab combination therapy].

A 60-year-old woman with Stage II, ER-positive, PgR-positive, HER2 (2+) cancer in the right breast underwent right mastectomy with right axillary dissection after chemotherapy with EC followed by docetaxel (DOC) alone. Exemestane was used for postoperative adjuvant treatment. She underwent a right chest wall tumor resection for local recurrence. Hormone therapy was continued with toremifene in place of exemestane. In December 2007, two years after the second surgery, CEA was elevated and PET showed a local recurrence in the right chest wall and metastases to the right axillary nodes and liver. The tumor was ER-positive, PgR-negative and HER2 (3+) at recurrence, and vinorelbine/trastuzumab combination was initiated as first-line chemotherapy for the recurrent lesion and liver metastasis. All lesions in the right chest wall, right axillary nodes and liver disappeared from PET and CT images after five courses of the regimen, resulting in clinical CR. Vinorelbine combined with trastuzumab appears to be a useful therapy for HER2-positive recurrent breast cancer.

Appendiceal Perforation due to Migration of a Dental Instrument.

A 40-year-old male without any past medical history accidentally swallowed a titanium dental instrument (reamer) for root canal treatment. A cathartic was prescribed at a local hospital, and the course was observed. However, since the reamer was not excreted in feces, he was referred to our hospital. After admission, CT, lower gastrointestinal endoscopy, and barium enema revealed the migration of a foreign body into the appendix and its protrusion into the intraperitoneal cavity. As an emergency operation, laparoscopic appendectomy including the foreign body was performed. The following course was favorable without postoperative complications, and he was discharged on the 2nd hospital day. We report a patient with appendiceal perforation due to a foreign body (dental instrument for root canal treatment) in the appendix.

Hepatic Sclerosing Hemangioma with Predominance of the Sclerosed Area Mimicking a Biliary Cystadenocarcinoma.

We report here an extremely rare case of hepatic sclerosing hemangioma mimicking a biliary cystadenocarcinoma. A previously healthy 39-year-old woman was referred to our hospital because of a large tumor in the liver. Abdominal computed tomography revealed early peripheral ring enhancement in the arterial phase and slight internal heterogeneous enhancement in the delayed phase. Magnetic resonance imaging revealed a tumor with low intensity in the T1-weighted image and very high intensity in the fat-saturated T2-weighted image. The patient underwent hepatectomy for a possible malignant liver tumor. Grossly, the tumor appeared as a white, solid, and cystic mass (weighted 1.1 kg and measured 170×100×80 mm) that was elastic, soft, and homogeneous with a yellowish area. Histological examination showed that the tumor mostly consisted of fibrotic areas with hyalinization. The typical histology of cavernous hemangioma was confirmed in part, and the tumor was diagnosed as a sclerosing hemangioma with predominancy of the sclerosed area. A review of 20 cases reported previously revealed that only 2 (10%) patients were diagnosed as having sclerosing hemangioma preoperatively.

Safe Skin Management during Open Hepatectomy in a Patient with Recessive Dystrophic Congenital Epidermolysis Bullosa.

Congenital epidermolysis bullosa is a rare, genetic condition in which even slight stimulation can cause blistering of the skin or mucosa. While previous reports of treatments requiring general anesthesia in these patients were focused on anesthesia-related procedures, such as endotracheal intubation, no report has described specific management required for these patients during surgery, such as preparation of the surgical site, fixation of infusion lines and other tubes, and adjustment of the operation table. This is probably the first report to address these issues. This report presents a case of recessive dystrophic congenital epidermolysis bullosa in which open hepatectomy was safely performed.

[A patient with recurrent rectal cancer in whom pulmonary metastasis disappeared by FOLFOX 4 therapy].

We performed FOLFOX 4 therapy in a patient with lung metastasis (a 62-year-old woman) after surgery for rectal cancer and observed both normalization of tumor markers and disappearance of the metastasis. Low anterior resection was performed for progressive rectal cancer, and treatment with UFT and folinate was started one month after surgery. However, tumor markers increased after 2 months of treatment and CT scans showed metastases to both lungs. FOLFOX 4 therapy was started, and tumor markers became normal after four courses, while the lung metastases disappeared after 10 courses. The dosage of FOLFOX 4 was reduced after three courses due to neutropenia and diarrhea. This treatment appeared to be effective for the inhibition of lung metastasis associated with colorectal cancer.

Postoperative portal vein thrombosis and gastric hemorrhage associated with late-onset hemorrhage from the common hepatic artery after pancreaticoduodenectomy.

Portal vein thrombosis (PVT) is a rare but serious postoperative complication of pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD). We reported a case of late-onset postoperative PVT with hemorrhage from the common hepatic artery (CHA) in a 73-year-old man who underwent pylorus-preserving pancreaticoduodenectomy (PPPD) for duodenum papilla cancer, followed by reconstruction using the modified Child's technique. The pancreaticojejunostomy was achieved by end-to-side, 2-layer invagination anastomosis without pancreatic duct stenting. Drain removal and hospital discharge were scheduled on postoperative day (POD) 18, but blood-stained fluid in the drain and sudden hematemesis were noted. Emergency surgery was performed because PVT and imaging findings were suggestive of necrosis of the lifted jejunum. Although no jejunal necrosis was identified during surgery, bleeding from the side of the CHA was detected and the bleeding point was suture-closed to achieve hemostasis. We suspected late-onset postoperative arterial hemorrhage and subsequent hematoma formation, which caused portal vein compression and PVT formation. We chose a conservative treatment strategy for PVT, taking into account the operation time, intraoperative vital signs and blood flow in the portal vein. Despite the complicated postoperative course, he was discharged home in a fully ambulatory state on POD 167.