Comparing short-term outcomes after totally laparoscopic distal gastrectomy and laparoscopy-assisted distal gastrectomy with Billroth I anastomosis: early experience of a single institution

Purpose@#To determine the safety and feasibility of totally laparoscopic distal gastrectomy (TLDG) with modified delta-shaped anastomosis, we compared the short-term outcomes of TLDG to those of laparoscopy-assisted distal gastrectomy (LADG) with Billroth I anastomosis. @*Methods@#We analyzed the characteristics of 85 patients with gastric cancer who underwent laparoscopic distal gastrectomy with Billroth I anastomosis between January 2013 and December 2018. After propensity score matching, each group had 35 patients. @*Results@#Of these 85 patients, 44 underwent TLDG and 41 underwent LADG. Propensity score matching was performed with three covariates (age, underlying disease, and hypertension), and 35 patients from each group were matched 1:1. After matching, the TLDG group was older than the LADG group (64.5 ± 10.6 years vs. 56.3 ± 11.2 years, p = 0.003) and had more patients with hypertension (57.1% vs. 22.9%,p = 0.003).Tumors were larger in the TLDG group than in the LADG group (23.4 ± 16.2 mm vs. 16.0 ± 7.9 mm, p = 0.018). A greater proportion of patients had fever in the TLDG group than the LADG group (42.9% vs.20.0%, p = 0.039), and C-reactive protein from postoperative days 3 to 6 was greater in the TLDG group (11.4 ± 5.7 mg/dL vs. 7.0 ± 5.0 mg/dL, p = 0.001). @*Conclusion@#Although our data represent only our early experience performing TLDG with modified deltashaped anastomosis, this procedure is relatively safe and feasible. Nevertheless, compared to LADG, which is the conventional method, the operative time for TLDG was longer. Surgeons must also watch out for anastomotic complications

Pretransplant Hepatic Malignancy Increases Risk of De Novo Malignancy after Liver Transplantation

BACKGROUND: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) recurrence and development of de novo malignancy (DNM) after liver transplantation (LT) are the major causes of late recipient death.METHODS: We analyzed the incidence of extrahepatic DNM following living donor LT according to the status of pretransplant hepatic malignancy. We selected 2,076 adult patients who underwent primary LDLT during 7 years from January 2010 to December 2016.RESULTS: The pretransplant hepatic malignancy group (n = 1,012) showed 45 cases (4.4%) of the following extrahepatic DNMs: posttransplant lymphoproliferative disease (PTLD) in 10; lung cancer in 10; stomach cancer in 6; colorectal cancer in 5; urinary bladder cancer in 3; and other cancers in 11. The pretransplant no hepatic malignancy group (n = 1,064) showed 25 cases (2.3%) of the following extrahepatic DNMs: colorectal cancer in 3; stomach cancer in 3; leukemia in 3; lung cancer in 3; PTLD in 2; prostate cancer in 2; and other cancers in 9. Incidences of extrahepatic DNM in the pretransplant hepatic malignancy and no hepatic malignancy groups were as follows: 1.1% and 0.5% at 1 year, 3.2% and 2.0% at 3 years, 4.6% and 2.5% at 5 years, and 5.4% and 2.8% at 8 years, respectively (P = 0.006). Their overall patient survival rates were as follows: 97.3% and 97.2% at 1 year, 91.6% and 95.9% at 3 years, 89.8% and 95.4% at 5 years, and 89.2% and 95.4% at 8 years, respectively (P < 0.001). Pretransplant hepatic malignancy was the only significant risk factor for posttransplant extrahepatic DNM.CONCLUSION: Our results suggest that patients who had pretransplant hepatic malignancy be followed up more strictly because they have a potential risk of primary hepatic malignancy recurrence as well as a higher risk of extrahepatic DNM than patients without pretransplant hepatic malignancy.

Pretransplant Hepatic Malignancy Increases Risk of De Novo Malignancy after Liver Transplantation

BACKGROUND@#Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) recurrence and development of de novo malignancy (DNM) after liver transplantation (LT) are the major causes of late recipient death.@*METHODS@#We analyzed the incidence of extrahepatic DNM following living donor LT according to the status of pretransplant hepatic malignancy. We selected 2,076 adult patients who underwent primary LDLT during 7 years from January 2010 to December 2016.@*RESULTS@#The pretransplant hepatic malignancy group (n = 1,012) showed 45 cases (4.4%) of the following extrahepatic DNMs: posttransplant lymphoproliferative disease (PTLD) in 10; lung cancer in 10; stomach cancer in 6; colorectal cancer in 5; urinary bladder cancer in 3; and other cancers in 11. The pretransplant no hepatic malignancy group (n = 1,064) showed 25 cases (2.3%) of the following extrahepatic DNMs: colorectal cancer in 3; stomach cancer in 3; leukemia in 3; lung cancer in 3; PTLD in 2; prostate cancer in 2; and other cancers in 9. Incidences of extrahepatic DNM in the pretransplant hepatic malignancy and no hepatic malignancy groups were as follows: 1.1% and 0.5% at 1 year, 3.2% and 2.0% at 3 years, 4.6% and 2.5% at 5 years, and 5.4% and 2.8% at 8 years, respectively (P = 0.006). Their overall patient survival rates were as follows: 97.3% and 97.2% at 1 year, 91.6% and 95.9% at 3 years, 89.8% and 95.4% at 5 years, and 89.2% and 95.4% at 8 years, respectively (P < 0.001). Pretransplant hepatic malignancy was the only significant risk factor for posttransplant extrahepatic DNM.@*CONCLUSION@#Our results suggest that patients who had pretransplant hepatic malignancy be followed up more strictly because they have a potential risk of primary hepatic malignancy recurrence as well as a higher risk of extrahepatic DNM than patients without pretransplant hepatic malignancy.

Is renal replacement therapy necessary in deceased donor liver transplantation candidates with hepatorenal syndrome?: a 2-year experience at a high-volume center

PURPOSE: Hepatorenal syndrome (HRS) is a fatal complication in patients with end-stage liver disease awaiting liver transplantation (LT). HRS often develops in patients with high model for end-stage liver disease (MELD) score. This study investigated the outcomes of peritransplant management of HRS in a high-volume LT center in Korea for 2 years.METHODS: A total of 157 recipients that deceased donor liver transplantation (DDLT) from January 2017 to December 2018 were included. In-hospital mortality (IHM) was analyzed in relation to pre- and posttransplant application of renal replacement therapy (RRT).RESULTS: Primary diagnoses for DDLT were alcoholic liver disease (n = 61), HBV-associated liver cirrhosis (n = 48), retransplantation for chronic graft failure (n = 24), and others (n = 24). Mean MELD score was 34.6 ± 6.2 with 72 patients at Korean Network for Organ Sharing MELD status 2 (45.9%), 43 at status 3 (27.4%), 36 at status 4 (22.9%), and 6 at status 5 (3.8%). Pretransplant RRT was performed in 16 patients (10.2%) that did not show IHM. Posttransplant RRT was performed in 69 patients (44.0%), for whom IHM incidence was 15.9%. In 53 patients that had undergone de novo posttransplant RRT, IHM incidence increased to 20.8%. IHM in the 88 patients not requiring RRT was 2.3%.CONCLUSION: The majority of adult DDLT recipients in Korean MELD score-based allocation system have very high MELD scores, which is often associated with HRS. Pretransplant RRT appears to improve posttransplant survival outcomes. We thereby recommend that, if indicated, pretransplant RRT be performed while awaiting DDLT.

Pretransplant Hepatic Malignancy Increases Risk of De Novo Malignancy after Liver Transplantation

BACKGROUND@#Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) recurrence and development of de novo malignancy (DNM) after liver transplantation (LT) are the major causes of late recipient death.@*METHODS@#We analyzed the incidence of extrahepatic DNM following living donor LT according to the status of pretransplant hepatic malignancy. We selected 2,076 adult patients who underwent primary LDLT during 7 years from January 2010 to December 2016.@*RESULTS@#The pretransplant hepatic malignancy group (n = 1,012) showed 45 cases (4.4%) of the following extrahepatic DNMs: posttransplant lymphoproliferative disease (PTLD) in 10; lung cancer in 10; stomach cancer in 6; colorectal cancer in 5; urinary bladder cancer in 3; and other cancers in 11. The pretransplant no hepatic malignancy group (n = 1,064) showed 25 cases (2.3%) of the following extrahepatic DNMs: colorectal cancer in 3; stomach cancer in 3; leukemia in 3; lung cancer in 3; PTLD in 2; prostate cancer in 2; and other cancers in 9. Incidences of extrahepatic DNM in the pretransplant hepatic malignancy and no hepatic malignancy groups were as follows: 1.1% and 0.5% at 1 year, 3.2% and 2.0% at 3 years, 4.6% and 2.5% at 5 years, and 5.4% and 2.8% at 8 years, respectively (P = 0.006). Their overall patient survival rates were as follows: 97.3% and 97.2% at 1 year, 91.6% and 95.9% at 3 years, 89.8% and 95.4% at 5 years, and 89.2% and 95.4% at 8 years, respectively (P < 0.001). Pretransplant hepatic malignancy was the only significant risk factor for posttransplant extrahepatic DNM.@*CONCLUSION@#Our results suggest that patients who had pretransplant hepatic malignancy be followed up more strictly because they have a potential risk of primary hepatic malignancy recurrence as well as a higher risk of extrahepatic DNM than patients without pretransplant hepatic malignancy.

Determination of Hepatitis B Immunoglobulin Infusion Interval Using Pharmacokinetic Half-life Simulation for Posttransplant Hepatitis B Prophylaxis

BACKGROUND: Prophylaxis for hepatitis B virus (HBV) recurrence is essential after liver transplantation (LT) in HBV-associated recipients. This study established an individualized HBV prophylaxis protocol, through optimization of hepatitis B immunoglobulin (HBIG) administration, with application of simulative half-life (SHL). METHODS: This study involved five parts: Part 1 developed the SHL estimation method with 20 patients; Parts 2 and 3 assessed the SHL variability and developed a simulation model to apply SHL in 100 patients; Part 4 validated the simulation model in 114 patients, and Part 5 was a cross-sectional study on the current status of HBIG infusion intervals in 660 patients. RESULTS: In Part 1, infusion of 10,000 IU HBIG induced add-on rise hepatitis B surface antibody (anti-HBs) titer of 5,252.5 ± 873.7 IU/L, which was 4.4% lower than actual measurement. Mean SHL of 20.0 ± 3.7 days was 2.2% longer than actual measurement. In Part 2, the medians of the intra- and inter-individual coefficient of variation in SHL were 13.5% and 18.5%, respectively. Pretransplant HBV DNA load and posttransplant antiviral therapy did not affect SHL. In Part 3, a simulation model was developed to determine the interval of HBIG infusion, by using SHL. In Part 4, all 114 patients were successfully managed with regular HBIG infusion intervals of ≥ 8 weeks, and the interval was prolonged to ≥ 12 weeks in 89.4%, with a target trough anti-HBs titer ≥ 200 IU/L. In Part 5, 47.4% of our patients received HBIG excessively, at a target trough titer of 500 IU/L. CONCLUSION: SHL estimation using only clinically available parameters seems to be reliably accurate when compared with actual measurements. We believe that SHL estimation is helpful to establish a personalized HBV prophylaxis protocol for optimizing HBIG administration.

Eosinophilic Gastritis Presenting as Tissue Necrosis

Eosinophilic gastroenteritis is very rare disorder that is characterized by eosinophilic infiltration of the gastrointestinal tract in the absence of any definite causes of eosinophilia. It is associated with various clinical gastrointestinal manifestations, and depends on the involved layer and site. We report a case of eosinophilic gastritis presenting with severe necrosis. The symptoms disappeared immediately after beginning steroid treatment, and the eosinophil count decreased to the reference range. The patient showed eosinophilic gastritis characterized by necrotic change such as necrotizing gastritis. It is a unique presentation of eosinophilic gastritis. To the best of our knowledge, no case of eosinophilic gastritis characterized by necrotic change such as necrotizing gastritis has been previously reported in Korea.

Relationship between 15-hydroxyprostaglandin dehydrogenase and gastric adenocarcinoma

PURPOSE: Prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) is a contributory carcinogen in gastric adenocarcinoma. 15-Hydroxyprostaglandin dehydrogenase (15-PGDH) catabolizes PGE2 by oxidizing its 15(s)-hydroxy group. The aim of this study was to investigate the expression of 15-PGDH in gastric adenocarcinoma tissue and the relationship between 15-PGDH expression and clinicopathologic features of gastric adenocarcinoma. METHODS: Ninety-nine patients who underwent surgical resection for gastric adenocarcinoma between January 2007 and December 2007 were enrolled and evaluated retrospectively. RESULTS: In 62 patients (62.6%), 15-PGDH expression was lower in gastric adenocarcinoma tissue than in nonneoplastic tissue. Regarding the relationship between 15-PGDH expression and clinicopathological features, 15-PGDH expression was significantly lower in tissues with poor differentiation (P = 0.002), advanced T stage (P = 0.0319), a higher number of lymph node metastases (P = 0.045), lymphatic invasion (P = 0.031), and vascular invasion (P = 0.036). CONCLUSION: 15-PGDH expression was associated with a subset of clinicopathologic features such as differentiation grade, T stage, lymphatic invasion, and vascular invasion.

Clinicopathologic Features of Papillary Thyroid Carcinoma Coexisting with Hashimoto's Thyroiditis / 대한내분비외과학회지

PURPOSE: Hashimoto's thyroiditis (HT) is an important cause of hypothyroidism caused by autoimmune chronic lymphocytic thyroiditis. In order to attain a better understanding for use in treatment of papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) coexisting with HT, we conducted an analysis of the clinicopathologic features, as well as the importance of HT as a prognostic factor. METHODS: In this retrospective study, we analyzed 341 patients who were histopathologically diagnosed with PTC following surgery. RESULTS: PTC coexisting with HT was observed in 19.6% (67 patients) of all PTC patients. A statistically significant gender difference was observed in the group with HT (two male vs. 65 female), with a higher positive rate of anti-thyroglobulin antibody and smaller tumor size, compared to the PTC group without HT. When tumor size increased, a lower coexistence rate of HT was observed. No significant differences were observed in multifocality, cervical lymph node (LN) metastasis, coexistence of benign nodule, and extent of LN dissection. However, frequency of extrathyroidal extension was significantly lower and total thyroidectomy rate was higher in the group with HT. TNM stage and AMES stage were similar in both groups; frequency of high MACIS score showed a significant decrease in the group with HT. The recurrence rate and disease- free survival in patients with PTC were not significantly affected by coexistence of HT. CONCLUSION: We found a significant relationship with gender, extrathyroidal extension, and tumor size in PTC coexisting with HT. However, no significant differences in recurrence rate and disease-free survival were observed between groups. Therefore, coexistence in PTC could not be applicable as a prognostic factor of PTC.