Oncologic Outcomes of Extended Lymphadenectomy without Liver Resection for T1/T2 Gallbladder Cancer

PURPOSE: This study provides a standardized operative strategical algorithm that can be applied to patients with T1/T2 gallbladder cancer (GBC). Our aim was to determine the oncologic outcome of radical cholecystectomy with para-aortic lymph node dissection without liver resection in T1/T2 GBC. MATERIALS AND METHODS: From January 2005 to December 2017, 164 patients with GBC underwent operations by a single surgeon at Severance Hospital. A retrospective review was performed for 113 of these patients, who were pathologically determined to be in stages T1 and T2 according to American Joint Committee on Cancer 7th guidelines. RESULTS: Of the 113 patients, 109 underwent curative resection for T1/T2 GBC; four patients who underwent palliative operations without radical cholecystectomies were excluded from further analyses. For all T1b and T2 lesions, radical cholecystectomy with para-aortic lymph node dissection was performed without liver resection. There were four GBC-related mortalities, and 5-year disease-specific survival was 97.0%. The median follow-up was 50 months (range: 5–145 months). In all T stages, the median was not reached for survival analysis. Five-year disease-specific survival for T1a, T1b, and T2 were 100%, 94.1%, and 97.1%, respectively. Five-year disease-free survival for T1a, T1b, and T2 were 100%, 87.0%, and 91.8%, respectively. CONCLUSION: Our results suggest that the current operative protocol can be applied to minimal invasive operations for GBC with similar oncologic outcomes as open approach. For T1/T2 GBC, radical cholecystectomy, including para-aortic lymph node dissection, can be performed safely with favorable oncologic outcomes.

Robotic Cholecystectomy Using the Newly Developed Korean Robotic Surgical System, Revo-i: A Preclinical Experiment in a Porcine Model

One Korean company recently successfully produced a robotic surgical system prototype called Revo-i (MSR-5000). We, therefore, conducted a preclinical study for robotic cholecystectomy using Revo-i, and this is a report of the first case of robotic cholecystectomy performed using the Revo-i system in a preclinical porcine model. Revo-i consists of a surgeon console (MSRC-5000), operation cart (MSRO-5000) and vision cart (MSRV-5000), and a 40 kg-healthy female porcine was prepared for robotic cholecystectomy with general anesthesia. The primary end point was the safe completion of these procedures using Revo-i: The total operation time was 88 minutes. The dissection time was defined as the time from the initial dissection of the Calot area to the time to complete gallbladder detachment from the liver bed: The dissection time required 14 minutes. The surgical console time was 45 minutes. There was no gallbladder perforation or significant bleeding noted during the procedure. The porcine survived for two weeks postoperatively without any complications. Like the da Vinci surgical system, the Revo-i provides a three-dimensional operative view and allows for angulated instrument motion (forceps, needle-holders, clip-appliers, scissors, bipolar energy, and hook monopolar energy), facilitating an effective laparoscopic procedure. Our experience suggests that robotic cholecystectomy can be safely completed in a porcine model using Revo-i.

Erratum to: The Usefulness of Critical Pathway in Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy

Authors requested to change the name of the hospital to proper name.

Laparoscopic Excision of a Retroperitoneal Solitary Fibrous Tumor: A Case Report

Solitary fibrous tumors (SFTs) are rare mesenchymal tumors mainly originating in the pleura. Since complete resection is the most important prognostic factor, typical surgical approach has been open laparotomy. In this report, we present a unusual case of large retropancreatic SFT that was successfully treated via laparoscopic resection. A 22-year-old female was diagnosed with a 8×7 cm-sized well-demarcated mass with multiple loculating and enhancing solid portions on the left adrenal fossa. The mass showed no definite invasion of adjacent organs and laparoscopic resection was planned. Using blunt dissection and individual vessel ligation, the operation was successful. The operative time was 220 minutes, and the amount of intraoperative blood loss was estimated to be within 100 ml. The patient recovered without complications. Laparoscopic excision of large retroperitoneal SFTs can be safe and feasible if there is no evidence of local invasion or malignancy on preoperative radiologic images.

Technical Compensation for Hepatic Vein Injury during Robotic Single Site Cholecystectomy

This video describes an event that could occur during any cholecystectomy. To the best of our knowledge, this video is the first description of the technical compensation for hepatic vein injury during robotic single-site cholecystectomy (RSSC). A 61-year-old male with a 1.6 cm gallbladder stone sought to go through with RSSC. During dissection of gallbladder from the liver bed, the hepatic vein was unexpectedly exposed and injured. Using the angulated robotic needle holder, the injured hepatic vein was repaired with 5-0 prolene monofilament suture. Although there is a lack of EndoWrist movement in RSSC, suturing was feasible. The patient was discharged on the second postoperative day without complications. Incidental hepatic vein injury could be safely managed using RSSC and prevent the need for conversion to a conventional laparoscopic or open approach.

The Usefulness of Critical Pathway in Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy

PURPOSE: Under the rising demand of health services, the critical pathway (CP) which standardizes the practice guideline was introduced as a means to provide quality healthcare service. CP may increase the patient's satisfaction rate by providing systematic and consistent service. We aimed to evaluate the significance of CP by development and application of CP to patients undergoing laparoscopic cholecystectomy. METHODS: From June 2010 to July 2011, 148 patients underwent elective laparoscopic cholecystectomy. Patients were divided into two groups, including 57 patients in the CP group and 91 patients in the non-CP group. In a retrospective review, related hospital costs were analyzed and compared for both groups. Survey results on satisfaction for the CP group were also analyzed. RESULTS: The mean age was 22.7 years in the CP group and 37.9 years in the non-CP group. Number of hospitalized days was one day for the CP group and 2.51 days for the Non-CP group with p<0.001. In cost analysis all variables showed a significant reduction in the CP group compared to the Non-CP group. The satisfaction rate in the CP group scored 8 points out of 10. CONCLUSION: Results have shown benefit from the financial point of the view for the CP group. Current inclusion criteria for CP are limited and still in development for a solid protocol. Further efforts with a large-scale comparative study to broaden the indication for CP are desired.

Influencing factors on postoperative hospital stay after laparoscopic cholecystectomy

BACKGROUNDS/AIMS: Laparoscopic cholecystectomy can reduce postoperative pain and recovery time. However, some patients experience prolonged postoperative hospital stay. We aimed to identify factors influencing the postoperative hospital stay after laparoscopic cholecystectomy. METHODS: Patients (n=336) undergoing laparoscopic cholecystectomy for gallbladder pathology at 8 hospitals were enrolled and divided into 2 groups: 2 or less and more than 2 days postoperative stay. Perioperative factors and patient factors were retrospectively analyzed. RESULTS: The patient population median age was 52 years, and consisted of 32 emergency and 304 elective operations. A univariate analysis of perioperative factors revealed significant differences in operation time (p<0.001), perioperative transfusion (p=0.006), emergency operation (p<0.001), acute inflammation (p<0.001), and surgical site infection (p=0.041). A univariate analysis of patient factors revealed significant differences in age (p<0.001), gender (p=0.036), diabetes mellitus (p=0.011), preoperative albumin level (p=0.024), smoking (p=0.010), and American Society of Anesthesiologists score (p=0.003). In a multivariate analysis, operation time (p<0.001), emergency operation (p<0.001), age (p=0.014), and smoking (p=0.022) were identified as independent factors influencing length of postoperative hospital stay. CONCLUSIONS: Operation time, emergency operation, patient age, and smoking influenced the postoperative hospital stay and should be the focus of efforts to reduce hospital stay after laparoscopic cholecystectomy.

Confirmation of HIF-1α Independent Pathway in the Progression of HepG2 Cells by Hypoxic Condition

BACKGROUND/AIMS: When hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is exposed to hypoxic condition, HIF-1α is activated and results in angiogenesis and increased tumor burden. Although inhibition of HIF-1α may reduce tumor growth, there are some limitations to control tumor growth completely. For a more effective therapy for HCC, we investigated HIF-1α independent pathway related tumor growth with angiogenesis. METHODS: We cultured HepG2 cells (HCC cell line) in both normoxia and hypoxia conditions. These cells were divided into three groups: a echinomycin treated group, a echinomycin and quinazoline treated group and a control group without any treatments. Growth morphologies of cells were observed with a microscope after 24 hours. Immunocytochemistry assay was done to detect the angiogenesis during inhibition of HIF-1α and/or NF-κB in hypoxia condition, and compared with results in normoxia condition. RESULTS: In normoxia, the expression of HIF-1α on tumor growth was not found. In hypoxia, inhibition of HIF-1α reduced the tumor growth compared to the control group. But, inhibition of both HIF-1α and NF-κB did not show apparent reduction of tumor growth as shown in HIF-1α only group. CONCLUSIONS: Signaling pathways related to cancer cell growth exist through a vast network. Inhibition of one target molecule may result in over-expression of other molecules related to the tumor growth. For an effective therapy in blocking of the tumor growth, more comprehensive understanding of the network related to signaling pathways on tumor growth is necessary.

Local Control of Brain Metastasis: Treatment Outcome of Focal Brain Treatments in Relation to Subtypes / 한국유방암학회지

PURPOSE: To investigate treatment options for local control of metastasis in the brain, we compared focal brain treatment (FBT) with or without whole brain radiotherapy (WBRT) vs. WBRT alone, for breast cancer patients with tumor relapse in the brain. We also evaluated treatment outcomes according to the subtypes. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective review of breast cancer patients with brain metastasis after primary surgery. All patients received at least one local treatment for brain metastasis. Surgery or stereotactic radiosurgery was categorized as FBT. Patients were divided into two groups: the FBT group received FBT+/-WBRT, whereas the non-FBT group received WBRT alone. Subtypes were defined as follows: hormone receptor (HR)-positive/human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2)-negative, HR-positive/HER2-positive, HR-negative/HER2-positive, and triple-negative (TN). We examined the overall survival after brain metastasis (OSBM), brain metastasis-specific survival (BMSS), and brain metastasis-specific progression-free survival (BMPFS). RESULTS: A total of 116 patients were identified. After a median follow-up of 50.9 months, the median OSBM was 11.5 months (95% confidence interval, 9.0-14.1 months). The FBT group showed significantly superior OSBM and BMSS. However, FBT was not an independent prognostic factor for OSBM and BMSS on multivariate analyses. In contrast, multivariate analyses showed that patients who underwent surgery had improved BMPFS, indicating local control of metastasis in the brain. FBT resulted in better BMPFS in patients with HR-negative/HER2-positive cancer or the TN subtype. CONCLUSION: We found that patients who underwent surgery experienced improved local control of brain metastasis, regardless of its extent. Furthermore, FBT showed positive results and could be considered for better local control of brain metastasis in patients with aggressive subtypes such as HER2-positive and TN.

The role of prophylactic antibiotics on surgical site infection in elective laparoscopic cholecystectomy

BACKGROUNDS/AIMS: Although laparoscopic cholecystectomy is a common and widely accepted technique, the use of prophylactic antibiotics in elective laparoscopic cholecystectomy still remains controversial. The aim of this study is to determine whether prophylactic antibiotics could prevent surgical site infection after elective laparoscopic cholecystectomy and to identify any risk factors for surgical site infection. METHODS: This study included 471 patients undergoing laparoscopic cholecystectomy between January 2009 and May 2012. Period 1 patients (279) received second generation cephalosporin 1 g intravenously after induction of anesthesia, and Period 2 patients (192) were not given prophylactic antibiotics. The characteristics and surgical site infections of the patients were compared and analyzed. RESULTS: The overall rate of surgical site infection was 1.69% for the total of 471 patients. The incidence of surgical site infection was similar for the two Periods: 5 of 279 patients (1.79%) in Period 1, 3 of 192 patients (1.56%) in Period 2 (p=0.973). All of the patients with surgical site infections were well treated under conservative treatments without any sequelae. The preoperative albumin level (p=0.023) contributed to surgical site infection. CONCLUSIONS: Prophylactic antibiotics are not necessary for elective laparoscopic cholecystectomy but patients in poor nutritional state with low albumin level should consider prophylactic antibiotics.