Clinical Impact of Different Reconstruction Methods on Remnant Gastric Cancer at the Anastomotic Site after Distal Gastrectomy

Background/Aims@#The anastomotic site after distal gastrectomy is the area most affected by duodenogastric reflux. Different reconstruction methods may affect the lesion characteristics and treatment outcomes of remnant gastric cancers at the anastomotic site. We retrospectively investigated the clinicopathologic and endoscopic submucosal dissection outcomes of remnant gastric cancers at the anastomotic site. @*Methods@#We recruited 34 consecutive patients who underwent endoscopic submucosal dissection for remnant gastric cancer at the anastomotic site after distal gastrectomy. Clinicopathology and treatment outcomes were compared between the Billroth II and non-Billroth II groups. @*Results@#The tumor size in the Billroth II group was significantly larger than that in the non-Billroth II group (22 vs. 19 mm; p=0.048). More severe gastritis was detected endoscopically in the Billroth II group (2 vs. 1.33; p=0.0075). Moreover, operation time was longer (238 vs. 121 min; p=0.004) and the frequency of bleeding episodes was higher (7.5 vs. 3.1; p=0.014) in the Billroth II group. @*Conclusions@#Compared to remnant gastric cancers in non-Billroth II patients, those in the Billroth II group had larger lesions with a background of severe remnant gastritis. Endoscopic submucosal dissection for remnant gastric cancers in Billroth II patients involved longer operative times and more frequent bleeding episodes than that in patients without Billroth II.

<b>A Case of Intestinal Spirochete Infection Treated with </b><b>Daikenchuto Extract</b> / 日本東洋医学雑誌

Intestinal spirochetosis is a rare gastrointestinal infection caused by <i>Brachyspira</i>. Clinical manifestations vary, ranging from asymptomatic infection to gastrointestinal bleeding, diarrhea, or abdominal pain. Antimicrobial medications such as metronidazole are routinely given, but their clinical efficacy has not determined with any precision. We report a case of intestinal spirochetosis treated with daikenchuto extract with literature reviews. Treatment of intestinal spirochetosis can be difficult, and use of daikenchuto extract may be an option especially for patients with symptoms such as chronic diarrhea, abdominal distention, or change in flatus.