[Questionnaire Survey on Oral Care and Oral Troubles for Patients with Gastric Cancer Received Chemotherapy].

BACKGROUND: The actual situation of oral care and oral troubles for patients with gastric cancer received chemotherapy is not clear. METHODS: Questionnaire survey in the form of oral questions was performed for patients with gastric cancer who received chemotherapy from December 2021 to February 2022. The relevance between the survey results and background factors was examined using the χ2 test. RESULTS: We performed the questionnaire survey for 36 patients. Of the 36 patients, 29 patients received dental check-up before starting chemotherapy. Fourteen of the 29 patients(48%)continued the dental check-up. Of 14 patients who continued the dental check-up, 9 patients were 65 years or older, while 14 of 15 patients who discontinued the dental check-up were 65 years or older. Continuity of dental check-up was low among the elderly patients. The rate of dysgeusia were 78 vs 30% in the patients who adopted and who did not adopt oral care other than toothbrushing(p=0.01). The frequency of oral troubles was dysgeusia(47%), stomatitis(42%), and dry mouth(36%). The severity of the oral troubles was, in order, dysgeusia, dry mouth, and pain. The most common side effect due to chemotherapy causing decreased food intake was dysgeusia. CONCLUSIONS: Dysgeusia was the most frequent and severe oral trouble.

[Regimen Selection by Narrative Approach in Patients with Advanced Gastric Cancer-Paclitaxel or Nab-Paclitaxel?]

BACKGROUND: According to the sixth Gastric Cancer Treatment Guideline, the regimen included nab-paclitaxel(nab-PTX) is a conditional recommendation as second-line treatment for advanced gastric cancer. However, the selection criteria of nab-PTX is not clear. METHOD: Questionnaire survey as narrative approach on the problems of paclitaxel premedication, the symptoms due to paclitaxel containing alcohol, and infusion time was conducted for patients who had been treated with paclitaxel. RESULTS: Thirty-six patients answered the questionnaire. Nonelderly patients(<65 years)or patients without comorbid medications complained of dissatisfaction with the inconvenience due to premedication significantly more than elderly patients(≥65 years)or patients with comorbid medications. Females or nonelderly patients were significantly more troubled by sleepiness due to premedication than males or elderly patients. Eight out of 11 patients who had visited hospital by driving a car for first-line treatment were troubled by prohibition of driving on the day of treatment. Thirty out of 36 patients answered that they would feel benefits from 30-minutes shortening of infusion time. CONCLUSION: Questionnaire survey suggests that we may select the patients for nab-PTX properly by clarifying the inconvenience of daily life associated with premedication, the way of transportation for visiting hospital, and the benefits by shortening of infusion time.

Association between methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus nasal carriage and infection after pancreatic surgery.

BACKGROUND: Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) infections after pancreatectomy are relatively rare; however, they can be fatal when associated with pseudoaneurysms. For the past 12 years, we have been investigating nasal MRSA carriage by polymerase chain reaction testing, postoperatively in patients admitted to the intensive care units, to prevent nosocomial infections. Here, we investigated the relationship between MRSA nasal carriage and postoperative MRSA infection at the surgical site, following pancreatectomy. METHODS: This single-center retrospective study analyzed 313 pancreatectomies (220 pancreaticoduodenectomies and 93 distal pancreatectomies), performed at our hospital between January 2011 and June 2022. The incidence of surgical site infection (SSI) and postoperative MRSA infection were compared between the nasal MRSA-positive and nasal MRSA-negative groups. RESULTS: MRSA nasal carriage was identified in 24 cases (7.6%), and the frequency of SSIs in the nasal MRSA-positive and MRSA-negative groups were 50% and 36.7%, respectively, with no significant difference (p = .273). However, the frequency of MRSA infection among the SSI cases was significantly higher in the nasal MRSA-positive group (16.7%) than in the nasal MRSA-negative group (1.7%) (p = .003). CONCLUSION: It should be noted that MRSA carriers have a significantly higher frequency of MRSA-positive SSIs.

The effect of specimen processing time on HER2 expression in gastric cancer and esophagogastric junction cancer: a single-center retrospective observational study.

BACKGROUND: Recent developments in the field of companion diagnosis and molecular-targeting therapeutic agents have helped in developing treatments targeting human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) in gastric cancer (GC) and esophagogastric junction cancer (EGJC), and the importance of accurate diagnosis of HER2 expression is increasing. However, the HER2-positivity rate significantly differs among reports in GC and EGJC, and factors that affect HER2-positivity require elucidation. METHODS: The present study retrospectively examined factors related to HER2-positivity in a single institution, including age, sex, body mass index, the American Society of Anesthesiologists physical status, tumor information, and surgery information, including time to specimen processing. RESULTS: Our study included 165 patients tested for HER2 using GC and EGJC surgery specimens among the 1,320 patients who underwent gastrectomy from January 2007 to June 2022. In total, 35 (21.2%) and 130 (78.8%) patients were HER2-positive and -negative, respectively. Multivariate analysis revealed that intestinal type (odds ratio [OR]: 3.41, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.44-8.09, p = 0.005), pM1 (OR: 3.99, 95% CI: 1.51-10.55, p = 0.005), and time to specimen processing of < 120 min (OR: 2.65, 95% CI: 1.01-6.98, p = 0.049) were independent factors that affected HER2-positivity. CONCLUSIONS: The outcomes of the present study indicated that intestinal type, pM, and time to specimen processing are important factors affecting HER2-positive rates in GC and EGJC. Therefore, the risk of false-negative HER2 results may be reduced by decreasing the time required to process the resected specimen. Additionally, accurate diagnosis of HER2 expression may increase the opportunity to administer molecular-targeted drugs that can expect therapeutic effects to patients appropriately. TRAIL REGISTRATION: Retrospectively registered.

Long-Term Feasibility of Rescue Reconstruction for Isolated Bile Ducts With Using Cystic Duct in Living Donor Liver Transplantation.

BACKGROUND: The isolated bile duct is sometimes observed in the right liver graft of living donor liver transplantation (LDLT). Even though, as a rescue option, it is known to use the recipient's cystic duct (CyD) for duct-to-duct anastomosis, the long-term feasibility of rescue duct-to-CyD (D-CyD) anastomosis remains unclear. METHODS: We prospectively collected data in the right liver-LDLT cohort and compared rescue D-CyD anastomosis (n = 4) with standard duct-to-hepatic duct (D-HD, n = 45) anastomosis (D-CyD group, n = 4). RESULTS: The observation period was over 5 years (range, 68-171 mo) after LDLT. The D-CyD group included the following anastomosis procedures: anastomosis between the intrahepatic bile duct of the graft and the CyD of the recipient and anastomosis between the posterior HD and the CyD. Surgical outcomes between the 2 groups are similar, excluding the time for the biliary reconstruction (D-CyD, 116 ± 13 min vs D-HD, 57 ± 3 min). During the period, one recipient in the D-CyD group exhibited postoperative biliary stricture and biliary stone, and 6 recipients underwent those complications in the D-HD group (D-CyD, 25.0% vs D-HD, 13.3%) All recipients in the D-CyD group are presently alive and have not experienced liver dysfunction. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings suggest that rescue D-CyD anastomosis for an isolated bile duct in a right liver LDLT is acceptable as a life-saving option in terms of long-term feasibility.

Robot-assisted laparoscopic surgery with a fluorescent near-infrared ray ureteral catheter for a rectal cancer patient with pelvic kidney: A case report.

An 85-year-old woman presented with a stomachache after a meal and was admitted to the previous clinic. Multi-detector computed tomography (CT) of the abdomen showed wall thickening in the rectum and right ectopic pelvic kidney. Colonoscopy revealed a mass at the rectum, and a biopsy showed adenocarcinoma. CT showed no lymphadenopathy or distant metastasis. Hartmann's procedure with fluorescent near-infrared ray ureteral catheters was used to avoid causing urinary injury. Robotic surgery was performed while checking the route of the ureter in near-infrared mode. The patient was discharged on postoperative day 14 without specific complications. This case appears to be the first of robot-assisted laparoscopic surgery for a rectal cancer patient with pelvic kidney.

[A Case Report of SOX Therapy for an Elderly Patient with Hemorrhagic Primary Duodenal Carcinoma].

BACKGROUND: Although pancreatoduodenectomy is recommended as a radical surgery for duodenal carcinoma, it has been reported that pancreatoduodenectomy in elderly patients has a high risk of surgical complications. CASE PRESENTATION: A man in his 80's was diagnosed with advanced duodenal carcinoma, presenting with anemia(Hb 5.4 g/dL). Computed tomography scanning showed wall thickening in the descending leg of the duodenum, pancreatic invasion was suspected, and clinical diagnosis was Stage ⅡB(cT4N0M0). Although radical surgery was possible, the patient refused surgery considering the risks of surgical complications. The gastroduodenal bypass surgery was performed to control bleeding, and the patient was treated with S-1 plus oxaliplatin(SOX; S-1 100 mg/body, days 1-14; oxaliplatin 100 mg/m2, day 1 q21 days). After 6 courses of the SOX regimen, the wall thickening of duodenum disappeared, and SOX was switched to S-1 monotherapy (S-1 100 mg/body, days 1-28, q42 days)according to Grade 2 thrombocytopenia and decreased performance status. After 11 courses of S-1, upper gastrointestinal endoscopy showed that the tumor had disappeared, the biopsy of duodenum showed no evidence of malignancy, and chemotherapy was terminated. The patient has been followed up for 7 months without recurrence. CONCLUSIONS: SOX for elderly patient showed efficacy against hemorrhagic duodenal carcinoma.

[Conversion Surgery Performed after SOX plus Nivolumab Therapy for Advanced Gastric Cancer with Para-Aortic Lymph Node Metastasis].

The patient was a 78-year-old woman. She presented with anemia and a positive fecal occult blood test. Endoscopic findings revealed type 3 advanced gastric cancer. As it had metastasized to the para-aortic lymph node(PALN: No. 16a2 lat), it was diagnosed as gastric cancer at cardia cT4aN1(No.1)M1(No.16a2 lat), cStage Ⅳ. She was administered S-1, oxaliplatin, and nivolumab(SOX plus Nivo)therapy as a first-line treatment. SOX plus Nivo resulted in a remarkable reduction of the lymph nodes, which were PR. After 3 courses of chemotherapy, a laparoscopic proximal gastrectomy was performed, with D2 plus No. 16a2 int/lat lymph nodes dissection as conversion surgery. Histopathological examination was pT3N0M0, and R0 resection was pStage ⅡA. She was discharged at POD21 and started S-1 from POD69. The patient is alive with no signs of recurrence 10 months postoperatively.

[A Case of Preoperative Chemotherapy for Advanced Gastric Cancer, Laparoscopic Total Gastrectomy, Pancreaticoduodenectomy, and Para-Aortic Lymph Node Dissection].

Bulky N+ gastric cancer has a poor prognosis. The results of JCOG0405 showed the efficacy of neoadjuvant chemotherapy with S-1 plus cisplatin combination therapy for Bulky N+ gastric cancer. JLSSG0901 demonstrated the safety and efficacy of laparoscopic surgery for advanced gastric cancer. But the safety of laparoscopic surgery for locally advanced and extensive nodal metastasis cancer(T4b, para-aortic lymph node metastasis)is not apparent. After DOS therapy, we performed total laparoscopic gastrectomy, DP(distal pancreatectomy), D2+ #16a2/b1 lat, and Roux-en-Y reconstruction, and histopathological results showed that the aortic lymph node metastasis disappeared. We controlled extensive lymph node metastasis using preoperative triplet chemotherapy. Laparoscopic surgery after preoperative chemotherapy for Bulky N+ gastric cancer can be a treatment option because we performed laparoscopic resection and para-aortic lymph node dissection with no complications, including pancreatic complications.

[Our Experience with Atezolizumab plus Bevacizumab for Unresectable Hepatocellular Carcinoma].

We report our experience with atezolizumab plus bevacizumab for unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma. METHODS: Fourteen patients with unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma treated with atezolizumab plus bevacizumab at our department were retrospectively evaluated for antitumor efficacy and adverse events. RESULTS: Age ranged from 66-91 years(median 77.5 years), 11 males and 3 females, number of doses ranged from 2-26(median 13), and observation period ranged from 31-790 days (median 427 days). Antitumor efficacy was CR in 3 patients, PR in 3, SD in 6, and PD in 2. One patient with PD died 650 days after the start of treatment, but the others are still alive. Adverse events included proteinuria in 9 patients who discontinued bevacizumab, hypothyroidism requiring levothyroxine sodium hydrate in 7 patients, dermatitis in 2 patients, and colitis requiring hospitalization in 2 patients. DISCUSSION: Despite the small number of cases, a high antitumor effect was observed with a CR rate of 21%. Although proteinuria and hypothyroidism were observed relatively frequently as adverse events, they were easily controlled and did not pose a major clinical problem.

[Clinical Outcome of Five Patients with Perforated Colorectal Cancer].

We studied the clinicopathological findings of 5 patients with perforated colorectal cancer. Three patients were male, and the primary cancer site was left side colon in 4 patents. Two patients had endoscopy-related perforation. The chief complaint was abdominal pain in all cases. All patients underwent emergency surgery. Two patients had Stage Ⅱ cancer, 3 had Stage Ⅳ. The mean ICU stay was 2.8 days. The average postoperative hospital stay was 71.8 days. Three patients were discharged home and 2 were transferred to other hospitals. The 3 patients who were discharged home received chemotherapy. Perforation of the cancer site is a risk factor for recurrence, and early recovery and additional treatment should be considered.

[A Case Report of the Ascending Colon Cancer with Bullous Pemphigoid].

The patient was a 70-year-old man. The patient had progressive anemia while taking 10 mg/day of prednisolone and 100 mg/day of mizoribine orally for bullous pemphigoid, a colonoscopy diagnosed ascending colon cancer. Adenocarcinoma, Group 5 was detected on biopsy. Abdominal computed tomography showed no metastases. The tumor was diagnosed as ascending colon cancer, cT4aN0M0, cStage Ⅱb. We performed laparoscopic right hemicolectomy and D3 dissection. Histopathological examination revealed pT3N0M0, pStage Ⅱa. In the present report, we describe a case of the ascending colon cancer with bullous pemphigoid, and discuss the case with a review of the literature.

Higher Body Mass Index Is a Simple Favorable Non-cancer Prognostic Marker for Japanese Elderly Colorectal Cancer Patients after Curative Resection.

Objectives: In elderly colorectal cancer (CRC) patients, preoperative surgical indications can be controversial in some cases depending on the patient's physical condition. In comparison with younger patients, both cancer-specific survival (CSS) and non-CCS (NCSS) have an impact on the prognosis and both CSS and NCSS should be considered in the preoperative assessment. We aimed to investigate the impact of body mass index (BMI) on CSS and NCSS in Japanese elderly CRC patients. Methods: We retrospectively collected data from 471 Japanese elderly patients (≥80 years) with stage I-III CRC who underwent curative surgery from 1998 to 2017. A Kaplan-Meier survival analysis with propensity score matching (PSM) and a multivariate Cox regression analysis were performed. Results: After PSM, 123 higher BMI (≥23) and 123 lower BMI (<23) cases were matched. The higher BMI group had significantly better survival than the lower BMI group regarding NCSS and overall survival (OS; P < .001 and P < .001, respectively). The multivariate survival analysis further confirmed that the higher BMI group had significantly better survival than the lower BMI group regarding CSS, NCSS, and OS (P = .027, P < .001, and P < .001, respectively). Conclusions: In Japanese elderly patients with stage I-III CRC who underwent curative surgery, preoperative higher BMI was a significant and simple favorable prognostic predictor, especially for NCSS and OS.

Impact of aspirin discontinuation on thrombotic complications in laparoscopic colorectal cancer surgery.

BACKGROUND: The number of patients taking antiplatelet therapy is increasing. However, there is no definitive guideline for the perioperative management of antiplatelet therapy. Conventionally, the discontinuation of antiplatelet drugs has been the basic treatment as perioperative management. Therefore, we investigated the risk of discontinuing aspirin concerning thrombotic complications in laparoscopic colorectal cancer surgery. METHODS: Between January 2015 and December 2019, a total of 729 patients underwent laparoscopic colorectal cancer surgery in Toyonaka Municipal Hospital. Sixty-four patients taking antithrombotic drugs aside from aspirin were excluded from this study; the remaining 665 patients were considered eligible and divided into three groups. The patients not taking aspirin were classified as the "Control group" (n = 588). Among the patients taking aspirin, those who continued preoperative aspirin were classified as the "Aspirin group" (n = 30), and those who discontinued preoperative aspirin were classified as the "No-aspirin group" (n = 47). The Aspirin, No-aspirin, and Control groups were compared retrospectively. RESULT: Among the 3 groups, there were no significant difference in operative time (p = 0.14), bleeding volume (p = 0.63), or postoperative hospital stay (p = 0.06). Assessing the postoperative complication, bleeding complications were significantly more frequent in the Aspirin group (p < 0.01), although those complications were all Clavien-Dindo grade II. In contrast, thrombotic complications were significantly more frequent in the No-aspirin group (p < 0.01). Note that those complications were all Clavien-Dindo Grade III/IV. This result suggested that discontinuing aspirin increased the risk of severe thrombotic complication. CONCLUSION: Discontinuation of aspirin as perioperative management in laparoscopic colorectal cancer surgery increased the risk of severe thrombotic complications.

[A Case of Peritoneal Recurrence from Ascending Colon Cancer Successfully Treated with Laparoscopic Concomitant Right Seminal Vesiculectomy in Low Anterior Resection].

A 60s male, who had laparoscopic ileocecal resection for ascending colon cancer 2 years ago, had enhanced computed tomography(CT)for follow-up and a 12-mm nodule in Douglas' pouch adjacent to right seminal vesicle and rectum was found. 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose(FDG)-positron emission tomography CT revealed abnormal accumulation of 18F-FDG only to the lesion(standardized uptake value max 2.60)and the diagnosis of peritoneal recurrence of ascending colon cancer was made. We planned and safely performed laparoscopic concomitant right seminal vesiculectomy in low anterior resection. The pathological diagnosis was peritoneal dissemination of colon cancer and the margin was pathologically negative. The postoperative course was smooth except for temporary dysuria and he was discharged on postoperative day 17. As of writing 1 year after surgery, the patient continues to do well with no sign of recurrence. Laparoscopic concomitant seminal vesiculectomy in low anterior resection can be a good option for the curative resection of peritoneal recurrence.

[A Case of Effective Plasma Exchange for Thrombotic Microangiopathy during Chemotherapy for Pancreatic Cancer].

The patient was a 78-year-old man. After 4 courses of GEM plus nab-PTX therapy for multiple recurrent liver metastases after pancreatic body cancer surgery, the patient was aware of general malaise and edema of the extremities. Blood tests showed pancytopenia, and he was admitted to the hospital with a diagnosis of chemotherapy-induced pancytopenia. On the second day, hemolytic anemia with crushed red blood cells was observed, suggesting thrombotic microangiopathy (TMA). Considering the possibility of thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura(TTP), the patient was started on plasma exchange with steroids. After 7 days of plasma exchange, his thrombocytopenia, hemolytic anemia, and renal dysfunction improved, and he was discharged from the hospital on the 28th day. Although GEM-induced TMA is a life-threatening complication, there is no established treatment for it. We report a case of GEM-induced TMA that was successfully treated with plasma exchange.

Left paraduodenal hernia treated by single-incision laparoscopic surgery: a case report.

BACKGROUND: Paraduodenal hernia is a rare internal hernia which accounts for only 1% of all intestinal hernias. There have been limited reported cases of paraduodenal hernia treated by laparoscopic surgery. We report a case of left paraduodenal hernia that was successfully treated by single-incision laparoscopic surgery (SILS). CASE PRESENTATION: A 17-year-old woman presented with left upper abdominal pain. An abdominal enhanced multi-detector computed tomography demonstrated encapsulated cluster of small bowel loops in the left upper quadrant which passed through the dorsal side of the inferior mesenteric vein, and showed that blood flow of the prolapsed small bowel was preserved. We preoperatively diagnosed left paraduodenal hernia without ischemia or necrosis. We performed elective SILS because she was a young actress training school student and cosmetic benefit was thought to be important. We pulled out the protruded small bowel and closed a defect with a running suture by SILS. The patient was discharged 3 days after the surgery with no complications. CONCLUSIONS: We reported the case of left paraduodenal hernia successfully diagnosed and treated by SILS.