Synchronous Cholecystectomy and Totally Extraperitoneal (TEP) Herniorrhaphy Using an Umbilical Incision

Two or more procedures maybe combined into a single surgical event using an abdominal laparoscopic surgery technique. Synchronous operations can provide patients with the advantage of a single hospital stay, single anesthetic exposure and single recovery period. Cholecystectomy and totally extraperitoneal (TEP) herniorrhaphy should be performed in both extremities and in different spaces of the abdomen. As described in this report, laparoendoscopic single site surgery (LESS), synchronous cholecystectomy and TEP herniorrhaphy were successfully performed using an umbilical incision in a single surgical event.

Routine chest computed tomography as a preoperative work-up for primary colorectal cancer: is there any benefit in short-term outcome? / 대한외과학회지

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to assess the role of pre-operative chest computed tomography (CT) compared with abdominopelvic CT (AP-CT) and chest radiography (CXR) for detecting pulmonary metastasis in patients with primary colorectal cancer (CRC). METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed the data of 619 patients with primary CRC who simultaneously received a preoperative chest CT (chest CT group), AP-CT with hilar extension, and CXR (CXR group). RESULTS: In the chest CT group, there were 297 (48.0%) normal, 198 (32%) benign, 96 (15.5%) indeterminate, 26 (4.2%) metastasis, and two lung cancers. Eighteen patients (2.9%) in the CXR group who had no pulmonary metastasis were diagnosed with pulmonary metastasis on a chest CT. The sensitivity and accuracy were 83.9% and 99.0% in the chest CT group, respectively, and 29.0% and 91.5% in the CXR group, respectively (P < 0.0001 and P = 0.0003). CONCLUSION: Chest CT appears to improve the accuracy of pre-operative staging in patients with CRC and is useful for the early detection of pulmonary metastasis as a baseline study for abnormal lung nodules.

Synchronous Colorectal Cancer

PURPOSE: Synchronous colorectal cancer is clinically significant because there is a chance to miss concurrent lesions. The aim of this study is to investigate the clinical features of synchronous colorectal cancer. METHODS: Retrospectively, the records of 4,494 colorectal cancer patients who underwent a potentially curative resection for colorectal cancer from September 1994 to December 2005 were reviewed. Synchronous colorectal cancer was defined according to the following two criteria: 1) two or more colorectal cancers had to be found simultaneously in the same patient and 2) each of the tumors had to be distinctly separated by an intact bowel wall. RESULTS: Synchronous colorectal cancer was diagnosed in 114 patients (2.5%). Synchronous colorectal cancer shows different features compared with single colorectal cancer. Synchronous colorectal cancer occurs at a older age, occurs more frequently in the colon, has a bigger size, and has more polyps. There was no difference of stage based on survival rate between synchronous and single colorectal cancer patients. The preoperative diagnosis rate of synchronous colorectal cancer was 74.6%. Eleven (9.6%) synchronous colorectal cancer patients underwent a total colectomy, and there were no significant differences in survival or complications compared with the other group. CONCLUSION: Synchronous colorectal cancer is difficult to diagnose preoperatively. Early postoperative examination for synchronous colorectal cancer is required, especially in patients who did not have a complete preoperative evaluation.

Primary Adenosquamous Carcinoma of the Stomach

PURPOSE: A primary adenosquamous carcinoma of the stomach is relatively rare, accounting for only about 0.5% of all gastric cancers. However, its histopathologic characteristics are still unclear, and the most appropriate form of therapy has not been established yet. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the clinicopathologic features of 8 patients with pathologically confirmed primary adenosquamous carcinomas out of 8,268 patients who underwent gastric cancer surgery at Samsung Medical Center between September 1994 and December 2004. RESULTS: The median age of the 8 patients was 49 (41~69) years, and the male : female ratio was 5 : 3. In 3 patients, the tumor was located at the mid body of the stomach, and in 5 patients, at the lower body or antrum. The tumor sizes were 2.5~8 cm. Seven patients showed metastases to the regional lymph nodes. The UICC stage distribution were: 5 stage II, 2 stage III, and 1 stage IV. In the stage IV patient, a palliative gastrojejunostomy was performed, and he died 5 months after surgery. Of the 7 patients who underwent a radical gastrectomy and adjuvant chemotheratpy, the median survival was 34 (12~66) months, 2 patients died of cancer recurrence, and 4 patients are being followed up without evidence of recurrence. CONCLUSION: As for an adenocarcinoma of the stomach, a radical gastrectomy including regional lymph node dissection and postoperative adjuvant therapy should be performed for appropriate treatment of an adenosquamous carcinoma of the stomach.