Dual common bile duct examination with transcystic choledochoscopy and cholangiography in laparoscopic cholecystectomy for suspected choledocholithiasis: a prospective study.

BACKGROUND: Detection of common bile duct (CBD) stones is a major objective of intraoperative cholangiography (IOC) in laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC). We evaluated the feasibility and safety of the routine use of transcystic choledochoscopy following IOC (dual common bile duct examination: DCBDE), which may improve the diagnostic accuracy of CBD stones and facilitate one-stage clearance, in LC for suspected choledocholithiasis. METHODS: Between May 2017 and November 2018, 38 patients with suspected choledocholithiasis were prospectively enrolled in this study, regardless of whether they underwent endoscopic sphincterotomy. Transcystic choledochoscopy was routinely attempted following IOC in LC. RESULTS: Five cases were excluded due to cholecystitis, bile duct anomaly, or liver cirrhosis. DCBDE was performed in the remaining 33 patients. The biliary tree was delineated by IOC in all patients. Subsequently, choledochosope was performed in 32 patients except for one who was found to have pancreaticobiliary malunion in IOC. The scope was successfully passed into the CBD in 25 (78.1%) patients. Choledochoscopy detected 3 (9.4%) cases of cystic duct stones and 4 (12.5%) cases of CBD stones which were not identified by IOC. All those stones were removed via cystic duct. There were no intra- and postoperative complications, except for two cases of wound infection and one case of a transient increase in serum amylase. CONCLUSIONS: DCBDE in LC is a safe and promising approach for intraoperative diagnosis and one-stage treatment of suspected choledocholithasis.

[A Case of Gastric Cancer Associated with Sjögren's Syndrome and Interstitial Pneumonia].

A 77-year-old man presented with poor appetite and dyspnea. A gastroendoscopy showed an advanced gastric cancer and a CT scan demonstrated diffuse interstitial infiltrative shadows in both lungs. Laboratory data showed high level of anti-SSA and anti-SSB antibodies, suggestive of interstitial pneumonia associated with Sjögren's syndrome. Although the levels of KL-6 and SP-D, markers of interstitial pneumonia, decreased after steroid and immunosuppressive therapy, the CT findings of interstitial pneumonia showed no remarkable change. Surgery was performed 2 months after the administration of prednisolone since the respiratory function had improved, allowing the administration of general anesthesia. A CT scan revealed remarkable improvement of the lung lesions after the surgery. Therefore, it is likely that Sjögren's syndrome and interstitial pneumonia manifested as paraneoplastic syndromes in the presented case.

[A Case of Bullous Pemphigoid Relieved after Sigmoid Colon Cancer Resection].

A 76-year-old man presented with many bullous lesions and erythema over his whole body in August 2014. Blood examination showed an elevation of the anti-BP180 antibody (658 U/mL) and a biopsied specimen of the skin lesions showed subepidermal bulla. A diagnosis of bullous pemphigoid was made based on the clinical and histological findings. Although 20 mg/day of prednisolone was administered, there was a poor response and consequently the dose of steroid was increased to 70 mg/day after 2 weeks. Bullous pemphigoid related to a malignant tumor was suspected. Colonic endoscopic examination revealed a sigmoid colon cancer and he underwent a sigmoidectomy with lymphodenectomy. The histopathological findings revealed a moderately-differentiated adenocarcinoma, pT1b, pN1, pStage Ⅲa, and he received adjuvant chemotherapy(UFT/ LV). The dermatological findings were rapidly relieved after tumor resection and anti-BP180 antibody was normalized. He has had no signs or symptoms of recurrence, both of the cancer and the bullous pemphigoid, for 9 months after the operation.

[A Case of Local Recurrence and Lung Metastasis from a Rectal Cancer Treated with Systemic Chemotherapy and Cyberknife].

A 73-year-old man underwent abdominoperineal resection for a rectal cancer. He developed a hip pain 3 years and 6 months after the surgery. A CT scan revealed a local recurrence in the perineum and multiple lung metastases in the bilateral lung. He received systemic chemotherapy consisting of XELOX with bevacizumab. Thereafter, the hip pain was slightly relieved. The hip pain worsened 1 year and 6 months after the recurrence. The border between the perineal tumor and skin was very narrow, and conventional radiation therapy could cause a perineal skin necrosis and subsequent poor wound healing. Therefore, we selected a Cyberknife treatment. The hip pain was relieved and a CT scan showed a reduction of the perineal tumor's size after the Cyberknife treatment. A Cyberknife treatment may be effective and promising as palliation for patients with local recurrence of rectal cancer.

Surgical Management of Breast Cancer Developing Along the Pathway of a Ventriculoperitoneal Shunt: A Case Report.

BACKGROUND Ventriculoperitoneal shunts are commonly used in neurosurgery for the treatment of hydrocephalus. This case report details an unusual instance where breast cancer developed along the pathway of an existing ventriculoperitoneal shunt. CASE REPORT An 86-year-old woman, who previously underwent ventriculoperitoneal shunt placement for normal-pressure hydrocephalus, visited our hospital upon detecting a mass in her left breast. The physical examination discovered an irregular mass located at the 9 o'clock position of the left breast. Subsequent breast ultrasonography identified a 36 mm mass with indistinct borders, rough margins, and signs of skin infiltration. Invasive ductal carcinoma of a triple-negative subtype was diagnosed through a core-needle biopsy. Contrast-enhanced computed tomography indicated the ventriculoperitoneal shunt's pathway, running from the left ventricle, passing through the center of the breast mass, and leading into the abdominal cavity. Fears of shunt occlusion and potential infection due to the untreated breast cancer prompted surgical intervention after consultation with the neurosurgeon. The surgery involved rerouting the ventriculoperitoneal shunt from the left thoracoabdomen to the right, performing a left mastectomy, and removing the fistula in the abdominal wall to minimize the risk of cancer recurrence along the shunt pathway. Postoperative histopathological examination confirmed the initial diagnosis of invasive ductal carcinoma of a triple-negative subtype, with no malignancy detected in the removed abdominal wall fistula. CONCLUSIONS Taking into account prior cases of cancer metastasizing distantly due to ventriculoperitoneal shunts, our case emphasizes the necessity to consider additional preventative measures against cancer seeding. This approach is particularly significant when treating breast cancer that arises along the pathway of a ventriculoperitoneal shunt, apart from performing conventional breast cancer surgery.

Advanced esophagogastric junction cancer with brain, bone and gastric intramural metastases responding to combined modality therapy.

A 63-year-old man was admitted to our hospital in March 2017 with dysphagia and right homonymous hemianopsia. We diagnosed him with esophagogastric junction cancer (adenocarcinoma) with metastases to the cerebral occipital lobe, bone, and lymph nodes. After one cycle of 5FU + cisplatin (FP), the brain metastasis was resected because of the hemiplegic symptoms he developed. Histology of the resected tissue showed no viable tumor cells. After three cycles of FP, the primary lesion and metastases were resolved. Upper gastrointestinal endoscopy revealed a scar at the primary site. This was considered a complete response (CR). In April 2018, CT revealed a mass at the cardia, which was considered as lymph node metastases with gastric wall invasion. Although two additional cycles of FP were administered for recurrent tumors, the efficacy was progressive. In August 2018, proximal gastrectomy and D1 + lymph node dissection were performed. The pathological diagnosis was gastric intramural metastases and lymph node metastases (ypN1 [2/22]). Weekly paclitaxel therapy was administered for three months after surgery. Two years have passed since the last surgery without recurrence. We report a rare case of esophagogastric junction cancer with brain, bone, and gastric intramural metastases that responded to combined modality therapy.

Novel approach to intraoperative peritoneal lavage with an extracorporeal stirring method in laparoscopic surgery for generalized peritonitis: Preliminary results.

INTRODUCTION: The primary concern with laparoscopic intraoperative peritoneal lavage (IOPL) for generalized peritonitis relates to the difficulty and uncertainty in ensuring adequate washout of contaminated fluid. Here, we describe a new method of laparoscopy-assisted IOPL. METHODS: We performed emergency surgery in 10 patients with generalized peritonitis necessitating IOPL. A small wound retractor was inserted into the abdominal cavity through an incision and elevated to raise the abdominal wall. More than 3-L saline was injected via the retractor at one time. The abdomen was manually shaken by pressure from outside the body. Contaminated fluid was removed with a long suction device through the retractor. This procedure was repeated until the fluid was confirmed to be transparent by laparoscopy, and then drains were placed. RESULTS: Median lavage time was 23.5 minutes (range, 15-34 minutes), and volume of lavage fluid was 19 L (range, 10-20 L). Median time to resumption of fluid intake was 3 days (range, 1-12 days), time to food intake was 6 days (range, 3-14 days), and time to first bowel movement was 5 days (range, 3-10 days). Median duration of antibiotic use was 8.5 days (range, 5-15 days). Complications were one case of antibiotic-induced rash, two cases of paralytic ileus, and one case of pelvic abscess. All patients recovered well without additional surgical intervention. CONCLUSIONS: This new approach to laparoscopy-assisted IOPL was feasible for these patients with generalized peritonitis. This procedure enabled corpus lavage to be performed in a similarly short time to open surgery but with less invasiveness. Further research is needed to confirm indications and long-term outcomes.

Laparoscopic repair of secondary perineal hernia with coverage by the mobilized cecum.

The incidence of secondary perineal hernia (SPH) has increased since the introduction of extralevator abdominoperineal resection and laparoscopic abdominoperineal resection. Currently, laparoscopic mesh repair is the usual procedure. Here, we demonstrate a repair of SPH without mesh that uses the mobilized cecum to cover the pelvic hernial orifice. An 83-year-old man complained of discomfort when sitting for long periods. He was status post laparoscopic abdominoperineal resection and was diagnosed with SPH. Hernia repair was performed. After transperitoneal adhesiolysis in the inferior pelvis, the right colon was laparoscopically mobilized, and the pelvic orifice was covered by suturing the cecum to the pelvic brim. The perineal skin was managed with negative pressure wound therapy. The postoperative course was uneventful. There has been no sign of recurrent herniation for 12 months. This method of SPH repair is simple to perform and avoids mesh-related complications.

Recurrence after curative-intent resection of perihilar cholangiocarcinoma: analysis of a large cohort with a close postoperative follow-up approach.

BACKGROUND: Although several studies have been conducted on the patterns of recurrence in resected perihilar cholangiocarcinoma, they have many limitations. The aim of this study was to investigate recurrence after resection and to evaluate prognostic factors on the time to recurrence and recurrence-free survival. METHODS: Consecutive patients who underwent curative-intent resection of perihilar cholangiocarcinoma between 2001 and 2012 were reviewed retrospectively. The Cox proportional hazards model was used for multivariable analysis. RESULTS: In the study period, 402 patients underwent resection of perihilar cholangiocarcinoma (R0, n = 340; R1, n = 62). Radial margin positivity (n = 43, 69%) was the most common reason for R1 resection. The median follow-up of survivors was 7.4 years. The cumulative recurrence probability was higher in R1 than in R0 resection (86% vs 57% at 5 years, P < .001). Seventeen R0 patients had a recurrence over 5 years after resection. There was no difference in median survival time after recurrence between R0 and R1 resection (10 vs 7 months). The proportion of isolated locoregional recurrence was higher in R1 than in R0 resection (37% vs 16%, P < .001), whereas the proportion of distant recurrence was similar. In R0 resection, the independent prognostic factors for time to recurrence and recurrence-free survival were microscopic venous invasion and lymph node metastasis. CONCLUSION: More than half of patients with perihilar cholangiocarcinoma experience recurrence after R0 resection. These recurrences occur frequently within 5 years but occasionally after 5 years, which emphasizes the need for close and long-term surveillance. Adjuvant strategies should be considered, especially for patients with nodal metastasis or venous invasion even after R0 resection.

Sphincter-preserving surgery for recurrent pelvic malignancy using a hybrid procedure of open laparotomy and transanal endoscopic approach.

BACKGROUND: Surgery for the treatment of recurrent pelvic malignancy is challenging. Sphincter-preserving surgery (SPS) has been applied in limited cases. Transanal endoscopic approach (TEA) has been used for primary rectal cancer, predominantly for hybrid transabdominal-transanal total mesorectal excision. Here, we describe the use of TEA as a hybrid approach in a case of recurrent ovarian cancer. CASE PRESENTATION: A 59-year-old woman had recurrence of serous ovarian adenocarcinoma in the vaginal stump, near the site of anastomosis from a rectal resection 18 months previously. We used a hybrid approach comprising conventional open laparotomy and TEA to accomplish sphincter preservation. In addition to sphincter preservation, TEA allowed for the creation of a "terminal" space, which was made by anterior dissection between the rectum and the vagina. We employed TEA to create an opening in the scar tissue along the sacrum, which was used as a "guide" for pelvic dissection to prevent nerve injury. After exteriorization of the tumor, bowel continuity was achieved by hand-sewn coloanal anastomosis with a protective diverting ileostomy. Pathological examination revealed no involvement of the surgical margins. The diverting ileostomy was taken down 8 months postoperatively. CONCLUSION: A hybrid approach comprising conventional open laparotomy and TEA allowed for safe and secure SPS and complete excision of a recurrent pelvic malignancy. This hybrid surgical approach expands the use of SPS in highly selected cases.

Closure of the cystic duct orifice in laparoscopic subtotal cholecystectomy for severe cholecystitis.

INTRODUCTION: Laparoscopic subtotal cholecystectomy (LSC) has been recognized as an alternative to conversion to laparotomy for severe cholecystitis. However, it may be associated with an increased risk of recurrent stones in the gallbladder remnant. The objective of this study was to evaluate the safety and feasibility of the complete removal of the gallbladder cavity in LSC for severe cholecystitis using the cystic duct orifice suturing (CDOS) technique. METHODS: In a consecutive series of 412 laparoscopic cholecystectomies that were performed from January 2015 to June 2017, 12 patients who underwent LSC with CDOS were enrolled in this retrospective study. In this procedure, Hartmann's pouch was carefully identified, and the infundibulum-cystic duct junction was transected while the posterior wall adherent to Calot's triangle was left behind. The clinical records, including the operative records and outcomes, were analyzed. RESULTS: The median operating time and blood loss were 158 min and 20 mL, respectively. In all cases, LSC with CDOS was completed without conversion to open surgery. No injuries to the bile duct or vessels were experienced. The median postoperative hospital stay was 6 days. Postoperative complications occurred in two patients (bile leakage, n = 1: common bile duct stones, n = 1) and were successfully treated by endoscopic management. A gallbladder remnant was not delineated by postoperative imaging in any of the cases. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that LSC with CDOS is a promising approach that can avoid dissection of Calot's triangle and achieve the complete removal of the gallbladder cavity in patients with severe cholecystitis.

Intrapericardial diaphragmatic hernia into the pericardium after esophagectomy: a case report.

BACKGROUND: Intrapericardial diaphragmatic hernia (IPDH), defined as prolapse of the abdominal viscera into the pericardium, is a rare clinical condition. This case illustrates the possibility of IPDH after esophagectomy with antethoracic alimentary reconstruction, although such hernias are extremely rare. IPDH often presents with symptoms of bowel obstruction such as abdominal discomfort or vomiting. If not properly treated, life-threatening necrosis and/or perforation of the herniated contents may occur. CASE PRESENTATION: A 68-year-old Japanese man underwent subtotal esophagectomy with three-field lymph node dissection for treatment of esophageal cancer. Completion gastrectomy with perigastric lymph node dissection was also performed because the patient had previously undergone distal partial gastrectomy for treatment of gastric cancer. The alimentary continuity was reconstructed using the pedicled jejunal limb through the antethoracic route. When we separated the diaphragm from the esophagus and removed xiphoid surgically to prevent a pedicled jejunal limb injury, the pericardium was opened. The patient was readmitted to our hospital because of abdominal discomfort and vomiting 6 months after the esophagectomy. A diagnosis of IPDH after esophagectomy was made. The patient was treated by primary closure of the diaphragmatic defect using vertical mattress sutures and additional reinforcement of the closing defect using a graft harvested from the rectus abdominis posterior sheath. The postoperative course was uneventful, and he was discharged on the seventh day after hernia repair. CONCLUSIONS: This patient's clinical course provides two important clinical suggestions. First, we must be aware of the possibility of iatrogenic IPHD after esophagectomy with antethoracic alimentary reconstruction. Second, a graft from the rectus abdominis posterior sheath is beneficial in the treatment of IPDH.

Verification of the oncologic inferiority of percutaneous biliary drainage to endoscopic drainage: A propensity score matching analysis of resectable perihilar cholangiocarcinoma.

BACKGROUND: Percutaneous transhepatic biliary drainage is an established biliary drainage method but is associated with a potential risk of seeding metastasis. The aim of this retrospective study was to evaluate whether percutaneous transhepatic biliary drainage really increases seeding metastasis and worsens the postoperative survival in patients with resectable perihilar cholangiocarcinoma. METHODS: Patients who underwent resection for perihilar cholangiocarcinoma after percutaneous transhepatic biliary drainage or endoscopic biliary drainage were retrospectively reviewed. Seeding metastasis was defined as peritoneal/pleural dissemination and percutaneous transhepatic biliary drainage sinus tract recurrence. Univariate and multivariate analyses followed by propensity score matching were performed to adjust the data for the baseline characteristics of the percutaneous transhepatic biliary drainage and endoscopic biliary drainage patients. RESULTS: Of 320 resected patients, 168 underwent percutaneous transhepatic biliary drainage and the remaining 152 received endoscopic biliary drainage before operation. The survival of the percutaneous transhepatic biliary drainage patients was significantly lower than that of the endoscopic biliary drainage patients (37.0% vs 44.3% at 5 years, P = .019). Multivariate analyses showed that percutaneous transhepatic biliary drainage was an independent predictor of poor survival (P = .011) and a risk factor for seeding metastasis (P = .005). After propensity score matching (71 patients in each group), the survival of the percutaneous transhepatic biliary drainage patients was significantly worse than that of the endoscopic biliary drainage patients (P = .018). The estimated cumulative recurrence rate of seeding metastasis was significantly higher in the percutaneous transhepatic biliary drainage patients than in the endoscopic biliary drainage patients (P = .005), while the recurrence rates at other sites were similar between the 2 groups (P = .413). CONCLUSION: Percutaneous transhepatic biliary drainage increases the incidence of seeding metastasis and shortens the postoperative survival in patients with perihilar cholangiocarcinoma. Endoscopic biliary drainage is recommended as the optimal method for preoperative biliary drainage.

Percutaneous biliary drainage is oncologically inferior to endoscopic drainage: a propensity score matching analysis in resectable distal cholangiocarcinoma.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to evaluate whether percutaneous transhepatic biliary drainage (PTBD) increases the incidence of seeding metastasis and shortens postoperative survival compared with endoscopic biliary drainage (EBD). METHODS: A total of 376 patients with distal cholangiocarcinoma who underwent pancreatoduodenectomy following either PTBD (n = 189) or EBD (n = 187) at 30 hospitals between 2001 and 2010 were retrospectively reviewed. Seeding metastasis was defined as peritoneal/pleural dissemination and PTBD sinus tract recurrence. Univariate and multivariate analyses followed by propensity score matching analysis were performed to adjust the data for the baseline characteristics between the two groups. RESULTS: The overall survival of the PTBD group was significantly shorter than that of the EBD group (34.2 % vs 48.8 % at 5 years; P = 0.003); multivariate analysis showed that the type of biliary drainage was an independent predictor of survival (P = 0.036) and seeding metastasis (P = 0.001). After two new cohorts with 82 patients each has been generated after 1:1 propensity score matching, the overall survival rate in the PTBD group was significantly less than that in the EBD group (34.7 % vs 52.5 % at 5 years, P = 0.017). The estimated recurrence rate of seeding metastasis was significantly higher in the PTBD group than in the EBD group (30.7 % vs 10.7 % at 5 years, P = 0.006), whereas the recurrence rates at other sites were similar between the two groups (P = 0.579). CONCLUSIONS: Compared with EBD, PTBD increases the incidence of seeding metastasis after resection for distal cholangiocarcinoma and shortens postoperative survival.

Laparoscopic repeat hepatectomy after right hepatopancreaticoduodenectomy.

Although laparoscopic hepatectomy is widely accepted for primary hepatectomy, the clinical value of laparoscopic hepatectomy for repeat hepatectomy is still challenging. We herein describe our experience with laparoscopic repeat hepatectomy after right hepatopancreaticoduodenectomy. A 72-year-old woman who had undergone right hepatopancreaticoduodenectomy for perihilar cholangiocarcinoma 31 months prior was diagnosed with liver metastasis in segment 3. We performed laparoscopic repeat hepatectomy. Because mild adhesions in the left side of the abdominal cavity were detected by laparoscopy, the planned procedure was accomplished. The operative time and intraoperative blood loss were 139 min and less than 1 mL, respectively. The patient was discharged at 6 days after surgery and was healthy with no evidence of recurrence at 21 months after laparoscopic repeat hepatectomy. Laparoscopic repeat hepatectomy is a suitable and safe procedure for minor hepatectomy, provided that careful technique is used after the working space is secured under pneumoperitoneum.