Ten Thousand Consecutive Gastrectomies for Gastric Cancer: Perspectives of a Master Surgeon

As radical gastrectomy with lymph node dissection is currently the best strategy to cure gastric cancer, the role of the surgeon remains quite important in conquering it. Dr. Sung Hoon Noh, a surgeon and surgical oncologist specializing in gastric cancer, has treated gastric cancer for 30 years and has conducted over 10000 cases of gastrectomy for gastric cancer. He first adapted an electrocautery device into gastric cancer surgery and has led standardization of surgical procedures, including spleen preserving gastrectomy. His procedures based on patient-oriented insights have become the basis of the concept of enhanced recovery after surgery. He has also contributed to improving patient's survival through adoption of a multidisciplinary approach: he proved the benefit of adjuvant chemotherapy after radical D2 gastrectomy for stage II/III gastric cancer in clinical trials, updating treatment guidelines throughout the world. Dr. Noh also opened the era of precision medicine for treating gastric cancer, as he developed and validated a mRNA expression based algorithm to predict prognosis and response to chemotherapy. This article reviews his contribution and long history of service in the field of gastric cancer. The perspectives of this master surgeon, based on his profound experience and insights, will outline directions for integrative multidisciplinary health care and how can surgeons prepare for the future.

2014–2017 Nationwide Bariatric and Metabolic Surgery Report in Korea

PURPOSE: The information committee of the Korean Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery (KSMBS) performed the nationwide survey of bariatric and metabolic operations to report IFSO (International Federation for the Surgery of Obesity and Metabolic Disorders) worldwide survey annually. This study aimed to report the trends of bariatric and metabolic surgery in Korea in 2014–2017. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We analyzed the accumulated nationwide survey data conducted for annual ISFO survey from 2014 to 2017. Trends such as the number of operations by hospital type and the number of operations by surgical method were analyzed. RESULTS: The number of operations has decreased sharply in 2015 comparing to 2014 (913⇒550). The number of operations performed in private hospitals dropped sharply from 529 to 250, 198, and 103 cases. The number of revisional surgeries increased to 223 in 2015. The primary surgery number fell from 757 in 2014 to 327 in 2015. In primary surgery, sleeve gastrectomy was gradually increased from 2014 to 143 (18.9%), 105 (32.1%), 167 (47.2%) and 200 (56.3%) and became the most frequently performed surgery. On the other hand, the incidence of adjustable gastric band decreased gradually from 439 (58.0%) to 117 (35.8%), 112 (31.6%) and 59 (16.6%). CONCLUSION: The overall number of obesity metabolic operations has decreased since 2014, especially the number of adjustable gastric band, and the number of operations in private hospitals declined sharply. On the other hand, the number of operations in university hospitals did not change much, and the number of sleeve gastrectomy increased.

Could Adjuvant Chemotherapy after Surgery Benefit Elderly Patients with Advanced Gastric Cancer?

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to evaluate tolerance to adjuvant chemotherapy, and to compare survival between treatments using only surgery and using surgery with adjuvant chemotherapy, in elderly patients with advanced gastric cancer who were ≥75 years of age. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Patients ≥75 years of age who were diagnosed with pathological stage II or III gastric cancer were identified retrospectively and categorized into the surgery only and surgery with adjuvant chemotherapy groups. Clinicopathological and survival data were compared between these two groups. RESULTS: Among the 130 patients studied, 67 patients underwent curative surgery only, and 63 patients received adjuvant chemotherapy after curative surgery. In the latter group, adverse events were reported in 24 patients (38.1%). The treatments were discontinued in 19 patients (30.2%) owing to any reason. The overall 5-year survival rates of the surgery only and the surgery with adjuvant chemotherapy groups did not differ significantly (44.1% vs. 30.7%, respectively; P=0.804). Among 90 death events, deaths from recurrences of gastric cancer occurred in 42 patients. Multivariate analyses revealed that the American Society of Anesthesiologists score and the depths of tumor invasions were related to survival, and the addition of adjuvant chemotherapy after surgery did not influence survival. CONCLUSIONS: The decision for the addition of adjuvant chemotherapy for elderly patients should be taken after considering the condition of individual patients and their life expectancies.

The Assessment of the Oncological Safety Margin of Insufficient Lymph Node Dissection in pT2 (pm) Gastric Cancer

PURPOSE: To identify the effect of insufficient lymph node dissection (LND) on the survival of patients with pT2 gastric cancer. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 340 patients (120 patients with insufficient LND and others with D2 LND) who underwent gastrectomy for pT2 gastric cancer between January 2008 and December 2010 were included. RESULTS: The incidence of preoperatively diagnosed early gastric cancer was higher and there were fewer metastatic lymph nodes (LNs) in the insufficient LND group than the D2 group, but there was no survival difference between two groups (p=0.365). Among the 89 patients with metastatic LNs after D2 LND, 13 patients (14.6%) had metastatic LNs at selected N2 stations (#10, 11, or 12a), but none of these patients were in the pN1 category. One patient had five metastatic LNs at station #11p with no metastatic LNs at any other stations. The number of metastatic LNs was identified as the only risk factor for LN metastasis at selected N2 stations by logistic regression. CONCLUSION: If a patient has pN0 or pN1 category after insufficient LND for pT2 gastric cancer, the surgery can be regarded as secure. However, for patients with pN2 or pN3 category, more careful examination is required.

Minimally Invasive Surgery for Gastric Cancer Treatment: Current Status and Future Perspectives

Minimally invasive surgery, which has been extensively used to treat gastric adenocarcinoma, is now regarded as one of the standard treatments for early gastric cancer, and its suitability for advanced gastric cancer is being investigated. The use of cutting-edge techniques for minimally invasive surgery enables surgeons to deliver various treatment options to minimize a patient's distress and to maintain oncologic safety. Ongoing multicenter prospective studies aim to validate the efficacy of these surgical techniques and to expand the indications of minimally invasive surgery for the treatment of gastric cancer. In this review, we summarize the current status and issues regarding minimally invasive surgery for the treatment of gastric cancer.

Laparoscopic Total Gastrectomy in a Gastric Cancer Patient with Intestinal Malrotation

As the incidence of early gastric cancer increases, laparoscopic surgery has become one of the treatments of choice for gastric cancer. With the increase of laparoscopic surgery, the chance of discovering aberrant anatomy during the operation also increases. We present a case of laparoscopic total gastrectomy in gastric cancer patients with intestinal malrotation. Intestinal malrotation occurs in one in every 500 births. We found that laparoscopic total gastrectomy in such patients can be performed successfully when it is performed with a proper Roux limb orientation through an alternative minilaparotomy.

Laparoscopic Total Gastrectomy in a Gastric Cancer Patient with Intestinal Malrotation

As the incidence of early gastric cancer increases, laparoscopic surgery has become one of the treatments of choice for gastric cancer. With the increase of laparoscopic surgery, the chance of discovering aberrant anatomy during the operation also increases. We present a case of laparoscopic total gastrectomy in gastric cancer patients with intestinal malrotation. Intestinal malrotation occurs in one in every 500 births. We found that laparoscopic total gastrectomy in such patients can be performed successfully when it is performed with a proper Roux limb orientation through an alternative minilaparotomy.

Efficacy of Intravenous Iron Sucrose for Treating Anemia after Gastrectomy

PURPOSE: Many patients suffer with anemia after gastrectomy. Iron deficiency due to a decreased oral intake and malabsoption is the most common cause of anemia in gastrectomized patients. This study evaluated the efficacy of administering intravenous iron sucrose for treating patients with anemia. MATERIALS AND METHODS: From May 2007 to October 2007 at Yonsei University Severance Hospital, we reviewed 47 outpatients whose hemoglobin levels were below 11 g/dl after gastrectomy. Iron sucrose was used for iron supplementation. To determine the difference between before and after the treatment (at 1 week, 2 weeks, 3 weeks, 3 months and 6 months after treatment), we prospectively examined such anemia parameters as the hemoglobin level (Hgb), the hematocrit (Hct), serum iron, TIBC, ferritin and transferin. RESULTS: Out of the 47 patients, only 36 completed their treatment. Eleven were male and 25 were female. The Hgb levels, which indicate anemia, were elevated 0.6, 0.8, 1.3, 2.1 and 2.2 g/dl after 1 week, 2 weeks, 3 weeks, 3 months and 6 months after administration, respectively (P<0.001). The changes from 1 week to 3 months were statistically significant, but those from 3 to 6 months were not. The Hgb levels of 26 patients, which accounted for 72% of all the patients, elevated up to 12 g/dl or more. No side effects or complications were found, but there was one case of temporary nausea. CONCLUSION: Anemia after gastrectomy is safely treated in a relatively short time with administering iron sucrose. The patients' Hgb levels are expected to increase in a week and keep increasing up to 3 months.