IRIS U kit usefulness in transanal total mesorectal excision for lower rectal cancer to avoid urethral injury.

Transanal total mesorectal excision (taTME) has improved the laparoscopic dissection for rectal cancer in the narrow pelvis. Although taTME has more clinical benefits than laparoscopic surgery, such as a better view of the distal rectum and direct determination of distal resection margin, an intraoperative urethral injury could occur in excision ta-TME. This study aimed to determine the feasibility and efficacy of the ta-TME with IRIS U kit surgery. This retrospective study enrolled 10 rectal cancer patients who underwent a taTME with an IRIS U kit. The study endpoints were the safety of access (intra- or postoperative morbidity). The detectability of the IRIS U kit catheter was investigated by using a laparoscope-ICG fluorescence camera system. Their mean age was 71.4±6.4 (58-78) years; 80 were men, and 2 were women. The mean operative time was 534.6 ± 94.5 min. The coloanal anastomosis was performed in 80%, and 20% underwent abdominal peritoneal resection. Two patients encountered postoperative complications graded as Clavien-Dindo grade 2. The transanal approach with IRIS U kit assistance is feasible, safe for patients with lower rectal cancer, and may prevent intraoperative urethral injury.

Hepatic venous outflow obstruction after adult living donor liver transplantation.

Hepatic venous outflow obstruction (HVOO) is a rare but critical vascular complication after adult living donor liver transplantation. We categorized HVOOs according to their morphology (anastomotic stenosis, kinking, and intrahepatic stenosis) and onset (early-onset < 3 mo vs. late-onset ≥ 3 mo). Overall, 16/324 (4.9%) patients developed HVOO between 2000 and 2020. Fifteen patients underwent interventional radiology. Of the 16 hepatic venous anastomoses within these 15 patients, 12 were anastomotic stenosis, 2 were kinking, and 2 were intrahepatic stenoses. All of the kinking and intrahepatic stenoses required stent placement, but most of the anastomotic stenoses (11/12, 92%) were successfully managed with balloon angioplasty, which avoided stent placement. Graft survival tended to be worse for patients with late-onset HVOO than early-onset HVOO (40% vs. 69.3% at 5 y, p = 0.162) despite successful interventional radiology. In conclusion, repeat balloon angioplasty can be considered for simple anastomotic stenosis, but stent placement is recommended for kinking or intrahepatic stenosis. Close follow-up is recommended in patients with late-onset HVOO even after successful treatment.

Surgical Outcomes of Domino Liver Transplantation Using Grafts From Living Donors With Familial Amyloid Polyneuropathy.

Domino liver transplantation (DLT) using grafts from donors with familial amyloid polyneuropathy is an acceptable procedure for expanding the donor pool. The vascular and biliary reconstructions in living donor DLT (LDDLT) are technically demanding, and data on the short-term and long-term surgical outcomes of domino donors and recipients in LDDLT are limited. In this study, we identified 25 domino recipients from our liver transplantation program (1999-2018), analyzed the vascular and biliary reconstructions performed, and evaluated the surgical outcomes, including graft survival. Piggyback technique was adopted in all 25 domino donors. The only surgical complication in domino donors was hepatic vein (HV) stenosis with an incidence rate of 4%. In 22 domino recipients, right HV and middle/left HV were reconstructed separately. A total of 10 recipients had 2 arteries anastomosed, and 18 underwent duct-to-duct biliary anastomosis. HV stenosis and biliary stricture had incidence rates of 8% and 24%, respectively, in the recipients, but none of them developed hepatic artery thrombosis. The 1-year and 5-year graft survival rates were 100% each in the domino donors, and 84.0% and 67.3% in the domino recipients, respectively. In conclusion, LDDLT has acceptable outcomes without increasing the operative risk in donors despite the demanding surgical technique involved.

Efficacy and Safety of Arterial Infusion Chemotherapy in Patients with Advanced Hepatocellular Carcinoma and Child-Pugh Class B: A Retrospective Cohort Study.

INTRODUCTION: Although many treatment options are available for patients with advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and Child-Pugh (CP) class A, those for patients with CP class B remain limited. We aimed to assess the safety and efficacy of hepatic arterial infusion chemotherapy (HAIC) using 5-fluorouracil and cisplatin in patients with advanced HCC and CP class B. METHODS: Sixty patients who received HAIC with 5-fluorouracil and cisplatin at Kurume Chuo Hospital between April 2012 and March 2021 were recruited. Cisplatin (30 mg administered over 2 h) and 5-fluorouracil (1,250 mg, 72-h constant infusion) were administered to the tumor-feeding artery every 2 weeks. The primary endpoint was overall survival (OS), while the secondary endpoints were progression-free survival and adverse effects. RESULTS: Among the 60 patients, CP class A and class B were noted in 30 patients each. OS did not significantly differ between the two classes. After 4 weeks of HAIC with 5-fluorouracil and cisplatin, 12 patients in the class B group exhibited improved CP scores (CPSs) relative to those at the start of treatment. There was a significant difference in OS between patients whose CPSs had improved and those whose scores remained unchanged or had worsened. CONCLUSIONS: HAIC using 5-fluorouracil and cisplatin is effective and safe for patients with CP class B, and improvements in CPSs after 4 weeks of this therapy may represent a predictive marker of treatment efficacy regardless of pretreatment CPS in patients with CP class B.

Medium-term oncological outcomes of totally laparoscopic colectomy with intracorporeal anastomosis for right-sided and left-sided colon cancer: propensity score matching analysis.

BACKGROUND: This retrospective study aimed to compare long-term oncological outcomes between laparoscopic-assisted colectomy (LAC) with extracorporeal anastomosis (EA) and totally laparoscopic colectomy (TLC) with intracorporeal anastomosis (IA) for colon cancers, including right- and left-sided colon cancers. METHODS: Patients with stage I-III colon cancers who underwent elective laparoscopic colectomy between January 2013 and December 2017 were analyzed retrospectively. Patients converted from laparoscopic to open surgery and R1/R2 resection were excluded. Propensity score matching (PSM) analysis (1:1) was performed to overcome patient selection bias. RESULTS: A total of 388 patients were reviewed. After PSM, 83 patients in the EA group and 83 patients in the IA group were compared. Median follow-up was 56.5 months in the EA group and 55.5 months in the IA group. Estimated 3-year overall survival (OS) did not differ significantly between the EA group (86.6%; 95% confidence interval (CI), 77.4-92.4%) and IA group (84.8%; 95%CI, 75.0-91.1%; P = 0.68). Estimated 3-year disease-free survival (DFS) likewise did not differ significantly between the EA group (76.4%; 95%CI, 65.9-84.4%) and IA group (81.0%; 95%CI, 70.1-88.2%; P = 0.12). CONCLUSION: TLC with IA was comparable to LAC with EA in terms of 3-year OS and DFS. TLC with IA thus appears to offer an oncologically feasible procedure.

Closure of enterotomy after side-to-side ileocolic anastomosis with two barbed sutures in totally laparoscopic colectomy for right-sided colon cancer.

Good short-term outcomes of intracorporeal ileocolic anastomosis (IIA) in totally laparoscopic colectomy for right-sided colon cancer (TLRC) have been shown in many reports, but no standardized technique for enterotomy closure after stapled side-to-side ileocolic anastomosis has so far been established. We retrospectively compared the short-term outcomes between 13 consecutive patients receiving either TLRC with IIA by conventional enterotomy closure (n = 6) or closure of the enterotomy using two barbed sutures (CEBAS) (n = 7) from July 2019 to April 2020. No anastomotic bleeding or leakage was observed in either group. Time to enterotomy closure was significantly shorter with the CEBAS method (16.5 ± 3.7 min) than with the conventional method (24.5 ± 4.7 min, p = 0.0059). The CEBAS method in TLRC with IIA was thus found to be technically feasible and it might reduce the stress associated with intracorporeal enterotomy closure.

A prospective feasibility study of one-year administration of adjuvant S-1 therapy for resected biliary tract cancer in a multi-institutional trial (Tokyo Study Group for Biliary Cancer: TOSBIC01).

BACKGROUND: Although surgery is the definitive curative treatment for biliary tract cancer (BTC), outcomes after surgery alone have not been satisfactory. Adjuvant therapy with S-1 may improve survival in patients with BTC. This study examined the safety and efficacy of 1 year adjuvant S-1 therapy for BTC in a multi-institutional trial. METHODS: The inclusion criteria were as follows: histologically proven BTC, Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) performance status 0 or 1, R0 or R1 surgery performed, cancer classified as Stage IB to III. Within 10 weeks post-surgery, a 42-day cycle of treatment with S-1 (80 mg/m2/day orally twice daily on days 1-28 of each cycle) was initiated and continued up to 1 year post surgery. The primary endpoint was adjuvant therapy completion rate. The secondary endpoints were toxicities, disease-free survival (DFS), and overall survival (OS). RESULTS: Forty-six patients met the inclusion criteria of whom 19 had extrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma, 10 had gallbladder carcinoma, 9 had ampullary carcinoma, and 8 had intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma. Overall, 25 patients completed adjuvant chemotherapy, with a 54.3% completion rate while the completion rate without recurrence during the 1 year administration was 62.5%. Seven patients (15%) experienced adverse events (grade 3/4). The median number of courses administered was 7.5. Thirteen patients needed dose reduction or temporary therapy withdrawal. OS and DFS rates at 1/2 years were 91.2/80.0% and 84.3/77.2%, respectively. Among patients who were administered more than 3 courses of S-1, only one patient discontinued because of adverse events. CONCLUSIONS: One-year administration of adjuvant S-1 therapy for resected BTC was feasible and may be a promising treatment for those with resected BTC. Now, a randomized trial to determine the optimal duration of S-1 is ongoing. TRIAL REGISTRATION: UMIN-CTR, UMIN000009029. Registered 5 October 2012-Retrospectively registered, https://upload.umin.ac.jp/cgi-open-bin/ctr_e/ctr_view.cgi?recptno=R000009347.

Male sex and anterior wall tumor location as risk factors for urinary dysfunction after laparoscopic rectal surgery.

BACKGROUND: Total mesorectal excision (TME) has decreased the local recurrence rate and improved the overall survival of rectal cancer patients. However, urinary dysfunction remains a clinical problem after rectal cancer surgery. The aim was to assess the risk factors for postoperative urinary dysfunction. METHODS: This study was a single-center, retrospective analysis of 104 patients who underwent laparoscopic rectal surgery between November 2016 and October 2017. Postoperative urinary dysfunction was defined as the need for urinary catheter re-insertion or the presence of residual urine (≥ 150 mL) postoperatively. RESULTS: Postoperative urinary dysfunction was seen in 18 patients (17%). Multivariate analysis showed that male sex (odds ratio 3.89, p = 0.034) and anterior wall tumor location (odds ratio = 4.07, p = 0.037) were the predictors of postoperative urinary dysfunction. Compared with patients without risk factors, those with the two risk factors needed longer hospital stays (16 days vs. 30 days, p = 0.0022). CONCLUSION: Male sex and anterior wall tumor location were the risk factors for urinary dysfunction after laparoscopic rectal surgery.

The Management of Recurrence within Six Months after Hepatic Resection for Colorectal Liver Metastasis.

BACKGROUND: Hepatectomy is currently recommended as the most reliable treatment for colorectal liver metastases. However, the association between the choice of treatment for recurrence and the timing of recurrence remains controversial. METHODS: Two-hundred ninety-five patients who underwent hepatectomy were retrospectively analyzed for the risk factors and the outcomes for early recurrence within 6 months. The remnant liver volumes (RLVs) and laboratory data were measured postoperatively using multidetector computed tomography on days 7 and months 1, 2, and 5 after the operation. RESULTS: Early recurrence developed in 88/295 patients (29.8%). Colorectal cancer lymph node metastasis, synchronous liver metastasis, and multiple liver metastases were independent risk factors for the occurrence of early recurrence (p < 0.001, 0.032, and 0.019, respectively). Patients with early recurrence had a poorer prognosis than did patients who developed later recurrence (p < 0.001). Patients who underwent surgery or other local treatment had better outcomes. The changes in RLV and laboratory data after postoperative month 2 were not significantly different between the 2 groups. CONCLUSION: Patients with early recurrence within 6 months had a poorer prognosis than did patients who developed later recurrence. However, patients who underwent repeat hepatectomy for recurrence had a better prognosis than did those who underwent other treatments, with good prospects for long-term survival.

Hepatectomy and liver regeneration in the results of treatment of colorectal liver metastasis.

INTRODUCTION: Hepatectomy is currently the most reliable treatment modality for colorectal liver metastases (CRLM). This paper describes and discusses the outcomes of initial versus repeat hepatic resection for CRLM. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Between January 2008 and December 2018, we retrospectively analyzed the data of 385 patients who underwent initial and repeat hepatic resection for CRLM at a single institution with respect to surgical outcomes and remnant liver regeneration. The remnant liver volume was postoperatively measured via computed tomography on postoperative day 7 and at 1, 2, 5, 12, and 24 months postoperatively. RESULTS: The liver regeneration rate peaked at 1 week postoperatively, and gradually decreased thereafter. Remnant liver volume plateaued around 1-2 months postoperatively, when regeneration was almost complete. There was no difference in the rate of liver volume regeneration during the entire postoperative period between initial and repeat hepatic resection (p = 0.708, 0.511, 0.055, 0.053, 0.102, and 0.110, respectively). After 2 months postoperatively, the laboratory data showed recovery toward near normal levels, and none of the data exhibited significant differences. There were also no significant differences in morbidity rate, mortality rate, overall survival, and recurrence-free survival after hepatic resection (p = 0.488, 0.124, 0.071 and 0.387, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Initial and repeat hepatectomy showed similar outcomes of remnant liver regeneration and short- and long-term prognoses.

Clinical impact of single-incision laparoscopic right hemicolectomy with intracorporeal resection for advanced colon cancer: propensity score matching analysis.

BACKGROUND: Laparoscopic right hemicolectomy has become an acceptable treatment for right-sided colon cancer. Most centers use multiport laparoscopic right hemicolectomy extracorporeally (MRHE), whereas single-incision laparoscopic right hemicolectomy intracorporeally (SRHI) remains controversial. The aim of this study was to compare these two techniques using propensity score matching analysis. METHODS: We analyzed the data from 111 patients who underwent laparoscopic right hemicolectomy between December 2015 and December 2016. The propensity score was calculated according to age, gender, body mass index, the American Society of Anesthesiologists score, previous abdominal surgery, and D3 lymph node dissection. Postoperative pain was evaluated using a visual analogue scale (VAS) and postoperative analgesic use was an outcome measure. RESULTS: The length of skin incision in SRHI was significantly shorter than in MRHE [3 (3.5-6) versus 4 (3-6) cm, respectively; P = 0.007]. The VAS score on day 1 and day 2 after surgery was significantly less in SRHI than in MRHE [30 (10-50) versus 50 (20-69) on day 1, P = 0.037; 10 (0-50) versus 30 (0-70) on day 2, P = 0.029]. Significantly fewer patients required analgesia after SRHI on day 1 and day 2 after surgery [1 (0-3) versus 2 (0-4) on day 1, P = 0.024; 1 (0-2) versus 1 (0-4) on day 2, P = 0.035]. There were no significant differences in operative time, intraoperative blood loss, number of lymph nodes removed, and postoperative course between groups. CONCLUSIONS: SRHI appears to be safe and technically feasible. Moreover, SRHI reduces the length of the skin incision and postoperative pain compared with MRHE.

Surgical Outcome and Hepatic Regeneration after Hepatic Resection for Hepatocellular Carcinoma in Elderly Patients.

INTRODUCTION: The rising proportion of elderly patients (aged 80 yearsor above) in our population means that more elderly patients are undergoing hepatectomy. METHODS: Five-hundred and thirty patients who underwent hepatectomy for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) were retrospectively analyzed with respect to their preoperative status and perioperative results, including remnant liver regeneration. The remnant liver volume was postoperatively measured with multidetector CT on postoperative day 7 and 1, 2, 5, and 12 months after surgery. An elderly group (aged 80 or older) was compared with a non-elderly group (aged less than 80 years). RESULTS: Underlying diseases of the cardiovascular system were significantly more common in the elderly group (57.8%, p = 0.0008). The postoperative incidence of Clavien-Dindo Grade IIIa or higher complications was 20.0% in the elderly group and 24.3% in the non-elderly group, and this difference was not significant. As for regeneration of the remnant liver after resection, this was not morphologically delayed compared to the non-elderly group. CONCLUSIONS: In this study, we have demonstrated that safe, radical hepatectomy, similar to procedures performed on non-elderly patients, can be performed on patients with HCC aged 80 and older with sufficient perioperative care.

Totally extraperitoneal approach to laparoscopic lateral lymph node dissection for patients with recurrent lateral pelvic lymph nodes after rectal cancer surgery: a novel technique-M TEP LLND.

Lateral lymph node dissection (LLND) for recurrence of lateral pelvic lymph node metastasis after rectal cancer surgery is technically demanding because of the need for re-do surgery. We herein report a novel technique of laparoscopic LLND via a totally extraperitoneal (TEP) approach. Since October 2018, we have performed LLND based on a TEP approach, called "M TEP LLND", with two cases treated. By peeling in the caudal direction in the dorsal layer of the rectus abdominis muscle, a working space is created once the extraperitoneal space is reached, and LLND is performed. All lateral pelvic lymph node dissection procedures have been successfully completed, and there have been no intraoperative or postoperative complications. This procedure allows TEP-experienced colorectal surgeons to perform safe and complete LLND without any influence of intraperitoneal adhesion or intestinal obstruction. M TEP LLND is less invasive than the conventional intraperitoneal approach and appears to be useful, particularly for recurrence of lateral pelvic lymph node metastasis.

The impact of preoperative carbohydrate loading on intraoperative body temperature: a randomized controlled clinical trial.

BACKGROUND: Preoperative carbohydrate loading (CHO) is one element of the enhanced recovery after surgery protocol. No clinical trial has investigated the impact of preoperative CHO on intraoperative body temperature. METHODS: This study was a single-center, prospective, randomized controlled clinical trial involving patients undergoing laparoscopic colon cancer surgery. The primary end point was the intraoperative core temperature during surgery, which was measured at 30-min intervals for 150 min after starting surgery. The secondary end points were short-term outcomes and body composition changes. RESULTS: From July 2013 to May 2014, we randomized 70 patients into the control group (n = 33) or CHO group (n = 31); six patients were excluded. The core temperature of the CHO group 90, 120, and 150 min after starting surgery was significantly lower than that of the control group (control vs. CHO, respectively: 90 min; 36.26 ± 0.41 vs. 36.05 ± 0.43 °C, p = 0.0233, 120 min; 36.30 ± 0.44 vs. 36.06 ± 0.50 °C, p = 0.0283, 150 min; 36.33 ± 0.50 vs. 36.01 ± 0.56 °C, p = 0.0186). We also found a significant difference in body weight loss (control vs. CHO, respectively: - 1.6 ± 0.8 vs. - 0.9 ± 1.4 kg, p = 0.0304) and loss of lower limb muscle mass (- 0.7 ± 0.7 vs. - 0.3 ± 0.6 kg, p = 0.0110) between the control and CHO groups, respectively. CONCLUSION: CHO had no effect on raising the intraoperative core temperature, and no negative impact on the perioperative outcome. CHO prevented the loss of lower limb muscle mass, which may lead to better postoperative recovery.

Preoperative Chemotherapy May Not Influence the Remnant Liver Regenerations and Outcomes After Hepatectomy for Colorectal Liver Metastasis.

BACKGROUND: Various chemotherapy regimens have been shown to improve outcomes when administered before tumor excision surgery. However, there is no consensus on the utility of multidisciplinary treatment with preoperative chemotherapy for treating colorectal liver metastasis (CLM). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Two hundred-fifty patients who underwent hepatectomy were retrospectively analyzed using propensity score matching. Postoperative outcomes were evaluated with a focus on the effect of pre-hepatectomy chemotherapy on regeneration of the remnant liver in patients with CLM. The remnant liver volumes (RLVs) were postoperatively measured with multidetector computed tomography on days 7 and months 1, 2, 5, and 12 after the operation. RESULTS: RLV regeneration and blood test results did not significantly differ between patients who underwent preoperative chemotherapy versus those who did not immediately after surgery or at any time point from postoperative day 7 to postoperative month 12. The 1-, 2-, and 3-year overall survival (OS) rates for all patients were 94.6, 86.2, and 79.9%, respectively; the corresponding disease-free survival (RFS) rates were 49.3, 38.6, and 33.7%, respectively. There were no significant differences in OS and RFS between the two groups after hepatic resection. The recurrence rates, including marginal and intrahepatic recurrences, as well as resection frequency of the remnant liver were not significantly different between the two groups. CONCLUSION: Preoperative chemotherapy may have no appreciable benefit for patients with CLM in terms of perioperative and long-term outcomes.

The utility of the subcuticular suture in hepatic resection.

AIM OF THE STUDY: Despite recent technical progress and advances in the perioperative management of liver surgery, postoperative surgical site infection (SSI) is still one of the most common complications that extends hospital stays and increases medical expenses following hepatic surgery. MATERIAL AND METHODS: From 2001 to 2017 a total of 1180 patients who underwent hepatic resection for liver tumours were retrospectively analysed with respect to the predictive factor of superficial incisional SSI, using a propensity score matching by procedure (subcuticular or mattress suture). RESULTS: The incidence of superficial and deep incisional SSIs was found to be 7.1% (84/1180). By propensity score matching (PSM), 121 of the 577 subcuticular suture group patients could be matched with 121 of the 603 mattress suture group patients. Multivariate analysis demonstrated wound closure technique as the only independent risk factor that correlated significantly with the occurrence of superficial incisional SSIs (p = 0.038). C-reactive protein (CRP) levels on postoperative day 4 were significantly higher in patients with incisional SSIs than in those without (p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Wound closure technique with subcuticular continuous spiral suture using absorbable suture should be considered to minimise the incidence of incisional SSIs. Moreover, wounds should be carefully checked when CRP levels are high on postoperative day 4.

Oncological impact of laparoscopic lymphadenectomy with preservation of the left colic artery for advanced sigmoid and rectosigmoid colon cancer.

BACKGROUND: Laparoscopic lymphadenectomy around the inferior mesenteric artery (IMA) with preservation of the left colic artery (LCA) remains a controversial approach. The aim of the study was to investigate the clinical outcomes. METHODS: This study analysed 211 patients who underwent laparoscopic resection of advanced (≥T3) sigmoid and rectosigmoid colon cancers with D3 lymphadenectomy including 91 high ligations of the IMA (HL) and 120 low ligations with preservation of the LCA (LL) from January 1998 to December 2009. RESULTS: There were no significant differences in operative result between the groups. In stage II cancer, the overall survival rate (94.8% HL vs. 91.8% LL; 95% confidence interval (CI), -0.8 to 0.68, p = 0.920) and disease-free survival (93.0% HL vs. 87.6% LL; 95% CI, -0.8 to 0.40, p = 0.540) did not differ significantly between the two groups. A similar tendency in overall survival was observed in patients with stage III cancer (88.3% HL vs. 86.9% LL; 95% CI, -0.44 to 0.57, p = 0.989) and disease-free survival (71.4% HL vs. 69.8% LL; 95% CI, -0.38 to 0.40, p = 0.637). CONCLUSIONS: Laparoscopic lymphadenectomy around the IMA with preservation of the LCA resulted in acceptable clinical outcomes in patients with advanced sigmoid and rectosigmoid colon cancer.

Robotic transabdominal preperitoneal repair for recurrent inguinal hernia after Kugel hernioplasty: A case report.

INTRODUCTION AND IMPORTANCE: The laparoscopic posterior approach adapts the advantages of Kugel hernioplasty, making it possible to perform it at the new layer even if the inguinal hernia is recurrent following the anterior approach, producing a high level of completion. However, in laparoscopic surgery for recurrent inguinal hernia using posterior approaches, dissecting the extraperitoneal space is difficult. Robotic surgery may enable precise dissection, even if the space is severely adhered. Here, we report a robotic approach after extraperitoneal approach for recurrent inguinal hernia, which developed after Kugel hernioplasty. CASE PRESENTATION: A 78-year-old Japanese man, who underwent left inguinal hernia repair (Kugel hernioplasty) 2 years ago, presented with recurrent reducible left inguinal swelling. A peritoneal incision was created above the deep inguinal ring to treat the primary right inguinal hernia. The pressure in the left inguinal region revealed a spermatic cord lipoma protruding from the internal inguinal ring as a recurrent inguinal hernia of the abdominal cavity. CLINICAL DISCUSSION: Robotic transabdominal preperitoneal repair for recurrent inguinal hernia is effective, especially after posterior approach Kugel hernioplasty, in which dissection of the extraperitoneal space is difficult. In the present case, the peritoneal flap was conserved without removing the direct Kugel patch. CONCLUSION: Kugel hernioplasty, which is a posterior approach, would result in severe extraperitoneal space adhesion. Essentially, a new and previously unused approach is preferable to the previous approach in patients with recurrent inguinal hernias. Robotic approach is effective for recurrent inguinal hernias even if the space was severe adhesion.

Laparoscopic splenectomy for sclerosing angiomatoid nodular transformation of the spleen: Report a case.

INTRODUCTION AND IMPORTANCE: Sclerosing angiomatoid nodular transformation (SANT) of the spleen is an extremely rare benign lesion. CASE PRESENTATION: Here, we describe the case of a 52-year-woman who was diagnosed with sclerosing angiomatoid nodular transformation of the spleen. Abdominal contrast-enhanced CT revealed a solid lesion in the splenic hilum that was slowly enhanced between the portal venous and equilibrium phases incidentally. Fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography (FDG-PET) revealed FDG accumulation within the mass, with a maximum standardized uptake value (SUVmax) of 2.57. Based on these findings, the patient was scheduled for laparoscopic splenectomy. The total operating time was 193 min, and the intraoperative blood loss was 20 ml. The resected specimen was 9.0 × 8.4 × 5.6 cm and dark brown in colour with a large central stellate fibrotic scar. CLINICAL DISCUSSION: Pathological examination revealed nodular angioma lesions and the proliferation of fibrotic interstices and inflammatory cells. We could diagnose the SANT by the only HE staining without Immunohistochemical staining. CONCLUSION: Although SANT is a rare benign lesion, which is difficult to definitively diagnose based on preoperative imaging findings alone, it should be considered in cases of solitary splenic lesions, and we recommend performing LS and subsequent histological examination for the diagnosis of this disease.