[RADIOFREQUENCY ABLATION FOR THE TREATMENT OF VARICOSE VEINS].

Significant advances in the endovenous technique for treating incompetent saphenous veins could change the surgical strategy in patients with varicose veins. Radiofrequency ablation (RFA) was approved as a new technique for the treatment of varicose veins in Japan in June 2014. In RFA, the ablation temperature is controlled by a sensor at the upper end of the catheter. The vein wall is heated with stable conductive power of 120 degrees C, resulting in endothelial denudation. The RFA method was approved in 1998 in Europe and in 1999 in the USA. The ClosurePLUS catheter was developed in 2003 and ClosureFAST in 2006. High occlusion rates and lower postoperative complication rates were reported with ClosureFAST than with ClosurePLUS. It is expected that this new ablation technique will control saphenous vein reflux with less pain and less ecchymosis after surgery. The treatment of varicose veins is less invasive with RFA devices and will become widely accepted as an alternative to conventional surgery for varicose veins in Japan.

Effective management of an advanced gastric cancer patient by TS-1 combined chemotherapy using nasojejunal tube and successful transfer to home care after percutaneous transesophageal gastro-tubing (PTEG): a case report.

A 67-year-old woman with debilitation and massive ascites was admitted to our hospital and diagnosed with stage IV scirrhous gastric cancer with peritoneal dissemination. After successful nasojejunal tube feeding because of oral intake disability, TS-1 combined with paclitaxel chemotherapy was selected. TS-1 at 80mg/m2 was given daily via nasojejunal tube for 2 weeks, followed by a 1-week rest, and paclitaxel at 50mg/m2 was administered intravenously on day 1 and 8. There were no serious side effects. After 4 cycles, a partial response was observed and percutaneous transesophageal gastrotubing (PTEG) was placed. After the fifth cycle, she was transferred to her home and received chemotherapy in an outpatient clinic. After 7 cycles, the disease progressed, and TS-1 combined with low-dose cisplatin was administered for 3 cycles. However, the patient died 16 weeks after discharge. PTEG was useful not only for a route of TS-1 administration, but also for receiving chemotherapy at home to maintain her quality.

[A case report of advanced gastric cancer with carcinomatous ascites successfully treated by outpatient chemotherapy].

The patient was a 54-year-old male with peritoneal dissemination and carcinomatous ascites of advanced gastric cancer. Although 4 months of temporary partial responses were obtained by a combination chemotherapy with TS-1 and DOC, retention of ascites appeared. Second-line combination chemotherapy with 5-FU and PTX was not effective, and we attempted to use intraperitoneal chemotherapy of low-dose CDDP. After 100 mg of CDDP had been administered, ascites almost disappeared. Then,intraperitoneal injection of low-dose CDDP and intravenous injection of 5-FU were given. Tumor marker decreased remarkably, and CT revealed reduction of peritoneal dissemination. These regimens seem to be effective in ambulant patients with advanced gastric cancer with peritoneal dissemination and carcinomatous ascites.

[A case report of recurrent gastric cancer in which combination chemotherapy with paclitaxel and 5-fluorouracil made for successful biliary stenting and improvement in QOL].

The patient was a 49-year-old female who had undergone a total gastrectomy for gastric cancer on March 9 2001. Pathological diagnosis revealed sig, T 3 (SE), N 2, H 0, P 1, CY 0, M 0, Stage IV, and the curability was C. 5' DFUR 800 mg/day was administered as adjuvant chemotherapy. CDDP 10 mg/body/week intraperitoneally and 5-FU 500 mg/body/week were added. Retention of ascites, peritoneal dissemination, obstructive jaundice and right hydronephrosis appeared in June, 2003, and we started combination chemotherapy with paclitaxel and 5-fluorouracil. 5-fluorouracil (600 mg/m2/day) was infused continuously for 120-hours (days 1-5), and paclitaxel (80 mg/m2) was infused on days 8, 15, and 22 on an outpatient basis. Ascites and peritoneal dissemination had disappeared, and swollen lymph nodes were reduced after 2 courses of the chemotherapy. Furthermore, billiary stenting was performed and a PTCD tube could be removed after 4 courses. No serious adverse effect was observed, and the patient maintained good QOL through this treatment.

The influence of residual below-knee reflux and incompetent perforating veins on venous function after stripping surgery.

Persisting incompetent great saphenous vein (GSV) below the knee and residual incompetent perforating veins (IPV) are often found after selective stripping of GSV from the groin to upper calf. The aim of this study is to evaluate the venous function when the calf GSVs or calf perforating veins are incompetent after stripping surgery. One hundred-thirty-one limbs were treated by stripping from the groin to upper calf with stab avulsion or sclerotherapy of varices. One month and twelve months after surgery, the patients were examined clinically to establish the extent of persisting varices by duplex ultrasonography and air-plethysmography. Venous filling index (VFI) was a little higher in those who had residual calf GSV reflux 12 months later; it was also higher in the group with incompetent perforating veins than the group without. The chief complaints were found to have improved in all groups. The findings suggest that removal of the saphenous vein below the knee is not necessary, but it is important to take care of the incompetent perforating veins. (English Translation of Jpn J Phlebol 2011; 22: 239-244.).