Spleen Preservation in Laparoscopic Distal Pancreatectomy for Solid Pseudopapillary Neoplasm is Oncologically Safe

PURPOSE: Laparoscopic distal pancreatectomy (LDP) has been widely performed for solid pseudopapillary neoplasm (SPN) involving the body or tail of the pancreas. However, it has not been established whether spleen preservation in LDP is oncologically safe for the treatment of SPN with malignant potential. In this study, we compared the short- and long-term outcomes between patients with SPN who underwent laparoscopic spleen-preserving distal pancreatectomy (LSPDP) vs laparoscopic distal pancreatectomy with splenectomy (LDPS). METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of 46 patients with SPN who underwent LDP between January 2005 and November 2016. Patients were divided into 2 groups according to spleen preservation: the LSPDP group (n=32) and the LDPS group (n=14). Clinicopathologic characteristics and perioperative outcomes were compared between groups. RESULTS: There were no significant differences in pathologic variables, including tumor size, tumor location, node status, angiolymphatic invasion, or perineural invasion between groups. Median operating time was significantly longer in the LSPDP group vs the LDPS group (243 vs 172 minutes; p=0.006). Estimated intraoperative blood loss was also significantly greater in the LSPDP group (310 vs 167 ml; p=0.063). There were no significant differences in incidence of postoperative complications (≥ Clavien-Dindo class IIIa) or pancreatic fistula between groups. After a median follow-up of 35 months (range, 3S153 months), there was no recurrence or disease-specific mortality in either group. CONCLUSION: The results show that LSPDP is an oncologically safe procedure for SPN involving the body or tail of the pancreas.

Fatigue and weakness hinder patient social reintegration after liver transplantation

BACKGROUND/AIMS: With improvements in the survival of liver transplantation (LT) recipients, the focus is shifting to patient quality of life (QOL), and employment is an important factor in aiding the social reintegration of LT patients. This study aims to evaluate the current employment status of liver graft recipients and various factors that may hinder reemployment. METHODS: Fifty patients above age 18 who underwent either living or deceased donor LT at a single center from March 2009 to July 2016 were interviewed during their visit to the outpatient clinic. The internally developed questionnaire consisted of 10 items. The Karnofsky Performance Scale and EQ-5D were used to evaluate patient function and QOL. RESULTS: A total of 25 (50%) patients returned to work after transplantation (the working group), and 21 (84%) patients in the working group returned to work within the first year after transplantation. In the non-working group (n=25), 17 (68%) answered that their health was the reason for unemployment. Fatigue and weakness were the most frequent symptoms. CONCLUSIONS: The data shows that as many as 50% of total patients returned to work after receiving LT. Fatigue and weakness were the most common complaints of the unemployed group, and resolving the causes of these symptoms may help to increase the employment rate.

Solo Reduced Port Laparoscopic Left Lateral Sectionectomy

Laparoscopic approach for left lateral sectionectomy became the standard procedure. With increasing demand for minimizing of the access ports and with the advancement in surgical technique, reduced port laparoscopic surgery is introducing itself to the fields of hepatic surgery. We report a case of solo reduced port laparoscopic left lateral sectionectomy for a 25-year-old patient with a 1.7 cm sized tumor implant of growing teratoma syndrome. She underwent salpingo-oophorectomy and 3 cycles of chemotherapy with bleomycin, etoposide and cisplatin 2 prior to the operation. Her BMI was 18.3 kg/m². The total operation time was 85 minutes and estimated blood loss was scanty. The patient was discharged without a significant complication on postoperative day 5. In the video, we demonstrate the surgical procedure of the solo reduced port laparoscopic left lateral sectionectomy using a laparoscopic scope holder.

Pulmonary Thromboembolism in Patients with Acute Deep Vein Thrombosis / 대한혈관외과학회지

PURPOSE: Pulmonary thromboembolism (PTE) is one of the most critical complications of deep vein thrombosis (DVT). Studies on the incidence and the treatment of PTE are rare in Korea compared to western countries. This study analyzed the occurrence, risk factors and treatment of PTE in the patients diagnosed as acute DVT in a single center in Korea. METHODS: The study population was 84 patients diagnosed as acute DVT in Eulji University Hospital from August 2006 to March 2012. Of these patients, 51 patients who underwent chest computed tomography were finally included in this study. We performed a retrospective study and analyzed clinical characteristics, risk factors, and treatment of PTE. RESULTS: Among the 51 patients diagnosed as acute DVT, 22 patients (43.1%) had findings of PTE on chest computed tomography. PTE was more prevalent in male patients, when acute DVT occurred in the right lower extremity and proximal vein. All PTE patients were successfully treated with low molecular weight heparin. There was no mortality. CONCLUSION: Patients with acute DVT had similar incidence of PTE to western countries. However, PTE was successfully treated with conservative treatment. Therefore, expanding the indications of aggressive and invasive treatments, such as filter insertions, should be cautiously considered in Korean PTE patients.