[A Case Where Rectal Cancer Ileus Caused Perforation in the Ascending Colon].

The patient was a 65-year-old man. He had not defecated for a week in early December 2015, and had noticed abdominal pain and abdominaldistension from 4 days prior. The pain and distension worsened, and the patient was rush transported to our hospital. Via abdominal CT we found free air in the upper abdomen, expansion of the small and large intestines, and notably, significant intestinal tract expansion and a gas reservoir in the ascending colon. We found significant narrowing as well as hypertrophy along the entire circumference of the rectum and suspected gastrointestinal perforation due to rectal cancer ileus. Inflammation findings were abnormally high and we performed emergency surgery. We found a laceration on the ascending colon, which had expanded markedly. We elevated that location and installed a colostomy. Following surgery the patient developed mild SSI and ileus, which were alleviated through conservative treatment. A month after the operation we performed a colonoscopy and found a tumor along the entire circumference of the rectum Rs. It was diagnosed as group V tub1-2 via biopsy. We performed surgery in late January 2016(colostomy closure, laparotomy rectal low anterior resection). We are reporting a rare case where rectal cancer ileus caused perforation in the ascending colon.

Laparoscopic surgery for colorectal cancer is safe and has survival outcomes similar to those of open surgery in elderly patients with a poor performance status: subanalysis of a large multicenter case-control study in Japan.

BACKGROUND: It remains controversial whether open or laparoscopic surgery should be indicated for elderly patients with colorectal cancer and a poor performance status. METHODS: In those patients aged 80 years or older with Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status score of 2 or greater who received elective surgery for stage 0 to stage III colorectal adenocarcinoma and had no concomitant malignancies and who were enrolled in a multicenter case-control study entitled "Retrospective study of laparoscopic colorectal surgery for elderly patients" that was conducted in Japan between 2003 and 2007, background characteristics and short-term and long-term outcomes for open surgery and laparoscopic surgery were compared. RESULTS: Of the 398 patients included, 295 underwent open surgery and 103 underwent laparoscopic surgery. There were no significant differences in the baseline characteristics between open surgery and laparoscopic surgery patients, except for previous abdominal surgery and TNM stage. The median operation duration was shorter with open surgery (open surgery, 153 min; laparoscopic surgery, 202 min; P < 0.001), and less blood loss occurred with laparoscopic surgery (median open surgery, 109 g; median laparoscopic surgery, 30 g; P < 0.001). An operation duration of 180 min or more (odds ratio, 1.97; 95 % confidence interval, 1.17-3.37; P = 0.011) and selection of laparoscopic surgery (odds ratio, 0.41; 95 % confidence interval, 0.22-0.75; P = 0.003) were statistically significant in the multivariate analysis for postoperative morbidity. Moreover, laparoscopic surgery did not result in an inferior overall survival rate compared with open surgery (log-rank test P = 0.289, 0.278, 0.346, 0.199, for all-stage, stage 0-I, stage II, and stage III disease, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Laparoscopic surgery in elderly colorectal cancer patients with a poor performance status is safe and not inferior to open surgery in terms of overall survival.

[A case of para-aortic lymph node metastasis from gastric cancer treated with chemoradiotherapy].

A 64-year-old man was diagnosed as having advanced gastric cancer with peritoneal and para-aortic lymph node metastases. He received 2 courses of chemotherapy with S-1 and cisplatin( CDDP) and 5 courses of combination chemotherapy with capecitabine, CDDP, and trastuzumab. The peritoneal and para-aortic lymph node metastases disappeared after chemotherapy, and subsequently, total gastrectomy was performed (pT2N3aM0, stage IIIA). Although the patient received combination chemotherapy with capecitabine and trastuzumab, para-aortic lymph node recurrence was noted 6 months after the operation. Radiation therapy at a total dose of 50 Gy targeted at the para-aortic lymph node metastasis along with S-1 and trastuzumab chemotherapy was administered. No serious adverse effects were observed during chemoradiotherapy. Following chemoradiation therapy, tumor recurrence was not observed. Therefore, chemoradiotherapy is considered an effective treatment for lymph node metastasis from gastric cancer.

[A case of hemobilia developing after radiofrequency ablation (RFA) for hepatocellular carcinoma].

We report a case of hemobilia developing after RFA for hepatocellular carcinoma. A 75-year-old woman with hepatitis C was diagnosed as hepatocellular carcinoma (d=15 mm) located in subsegment 7. Laboratory data on admission are AFP 37.3 ng/mL, PIVKA-II 20 mAU/mL, GOT/GPT 84/52 IU/L, T-Bil 1.1 mg/dL, Alb 3.8 g/dL, Plt 8.9x104/microL, and PT 11.8 seconds (INR 1.28) "Child classification A". Under general anesthesia, percutaneous RFA (Cool-tip radionics 10 minutes) was performed. Tumor appeared to be well treated, but on day 5 after the procedure, the patient had sudden upper abdominal pain, followed by the elevation of total bilirubin conc. (3.3 mg/dL) and decrease of Hb. Abdominal ultrasonography showed a debris-like shadow in the gall bladder. Hemobilia was confirmed because endoscopic examination revealed blood contaminated bile from the papilla Vater. Since spontaneous thrombolysis is known to occur in the bile, the patient was only followed by MRI. Symptoms were subsided in a week without any treatment. Obstructive jaundice due to hemobilia is a rare complication of RFA, and may be followed without any treatment.

[Repeated resections of asynchronous liver metastases after pancreatomy for pancreatic cancer--a case report].

The prognosis of pancreatic cancer is most dismal in all gastrointestinal cancers, because the patients with pancreatic cancer are vulnerable for recurrence such as local relapse and liver metastasis even after a complete surgical resection. We herein report a case of pancreatic cancer, which underwent resection of local relapse and multiresections of liver metastases, resulting in a relatively longer survival. A 71-year-old woman was referred to our hospital for a local recurrence in the tail of the pancreas in October 2006, 17 months after the first distal pancreatectomy. A second distal pancreatectomy was curatively performed on this patient. After the second surgery, sequent solitary liver metastases appeared, and we then performed partial hepatectomies repeatedly in August 2007, December 2007 and December 2008. The histopathological findings of each specimen from the resected liver showed tubular adenocarcinoma, same as the original pancreatic tumor obtained from the first surgery. Although chemotherapy was not permitted due to gemcitabine-induced interstitial pneumonitis, the patient is still alive over 4 years after the first operation under palliative care. This study discusses a controversial issue about the resection of the liver metastases from pancreatic cancer, along with the necessity for careful selection of the patients before attempting the operation.

[Advanced lung cancer with mediastinal lymph node metastasis and recurrence of brain metastasis completely responsive to combination chemotherapy and gamma knife radiosurgery--a case report].

We report a case in which advanced lung cancer with mediastinal lymph node metastasis and recurrence of brain metastasis was completely responsive to combination chemotherapy and gamma knife radiosurgery. The patient was a 61-year-old woman, who suffered from advanced lung cancer (SCC) with bilateral mediastinal lymph node metastasis and contralateral lung nodule. She was treated with CBDCA combined with PTX. Bilateral lung nodules were surgically resected. Seven months after resection, solitary brain metastasis appeared, and gamma knife radiosurgery was performed. Histological efficacy of both primary lung tumor (SCC) and metastatic brain tumor was evaluated as Ef 3 (pCR). She has had no recurrence for 3 years after radiosurgery.

[A case of nonfunctioning islet cell tumor with extensive calcification].

A 52-year-old man was admitted for detailed examination of a mass with extensive calcification in the tail of the pancreas by fluoro-deoxy glucose-positron emission tomography/computed tomography (FDG-PET/CT). Abdominal CT and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings showed a calcified tumor 5 cm in diameter with a smooth surface. The tumor mainly showed calcification at it center and a partially solid element around it margin which was enhanced in the early phase. With no definiture preoperative diagnossi, we performed distal pancreatectomy and splenectomy. Pathological and immunohistochemical studies revealed a nonfunctioning islet cell tumor with calcification. A nonfunctioning islet cell tumor with central calcification formation as it grew to a maximum diameter of 7 cm is rare. When diagnosing pancreatic tumors it must be kept in mind that some nonfunctioning islet cell tumors of the pancreas can show nontypical features such as calcification formation.

[A case of metastases of umbilicus (Sister Mary Joseph's nodule)].

We report a case of advanced unresectable pancreatic cancer (cT4N1M0/stage IVa). The patient was a 68-year-old man. Chemo-radiation therapy (CRT) with GEM (1,000 mg/body) was administered once a week on days 1, 8 and 15 for 3 weeks. The radiotherapy dose was 45 Gy (1.5 Gy x 2/day, 15 days). After CRT, the patient was treated with a GEM+ UFT-E combination chemotherapy. When that was done, CT scan revealed metastases of umbilicus (Sister Mary Joseph's nodule) and the liver. Microwave Coagulation Therapy for the liver metastasis and tumorectomy for metastasis of umbilicus were performed. But he died after 4 months from the therapies.

Adenocarcinoma arising in gastric inverted hyperplastic polyp: a case report and review of the literature.

A 54-year-old man, found to have a submucosal tumor in the stomach by double contrast roentgenography, endoscopy, and endoscopic ultrasonography, underwent a laparoscopic partial gastrectomy. The pathological examination revealed that the lesion, measuring 45 mm x 35 mm, was an inverted hyperplastic polyp (IHP) located in the submucosal layer and consisting mostly of columnar cells resembling foveolar epithelium and pyloric gland cells. Notably, adenocarcinoma with adjacent dysplasia was observed in the submucosal glands. Transition from hyperplasia to dysplasia and from dysplasia to adenocarcinoma was noted. The adenocarcinoma component was intensely and diffusely positive for p53 overexpression, while the dysplasia component showed only weak and focal positivity, suggesting a role of p53 mutation in the dysplasia-carcinoma sequence. Gastric IHP is very rare, and only 31 cases (in 29 patients) have been reported. Five of these IHPs coexisted with gastric adenocarcinomas, which had all developed separately from the IHP lesions. Therefore, this is the first case of adenocarcinoma arising within gastric IHP itself.

[A case of gemcitabine-based chemo-radiation therapy for unresectable pancreatic cancer with liver metastases].

We report a case of advanced unresectable pancreatic cancer with multiple liver metastases (cT4N x M1, stage IVb). The patient is a 68-year-old man. Serum DUPAN-2 was 15,800 U/mL. Abdominal CT scan revealed the body and tail of pancreatic cancer and multiple liver metastases. Chemo-radiation therapy (CRT) with GEM 1000 mg/body was given once a week on days 1, 8 and 15 for 3 weeks. The radiotherapy dose was 45 Gy (1.5 Gy x 2/day, 15 days). Hematological side effect such as anemia (grade 3) and thrombopenia (grade 2) appeared, but could be well controlled. Abdominal CT scan revealed no change in size, but serum DUPAN-2 decreased up to 4590 U/mL. After CRT, the patient was treated thereafter by the combination chemotherapy with GEM and S-1. After 7 months, CT scan revealed no change in tumor size.

Non-clip laparoscopic colectomy using electrothermal bipolar vessel sealer clinical experiences.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: An electrothermal bipolar vessel sealer (EBVS) has been developed as an alternative to suture vessels, hemostatic clips, staplers and ultrasonic coagulators for ligating vessels and tissue bundles. To leave the artificial material in the abdominal cavity, such as hemostatic clips or staplers, is undesirable because some complications have been reported and their long-term effects are not well known. We have performed laparoscopic colectomy without any metastatic clips using EBVS to divide all vessels. METHODOLOGY: From 2001 through 2002, ten consecutive patients underwent laparoscopic colectomy for colon cancer and ulcerative colitis with non-use of hemostatic clip technique in Kobe University Hospital, Kobe, Japan. RESULTS: All procedures were performed successfully without any kind of trouble. The average blood loss was 103.1 +/- 42.6mL. The average operation time was 234.0 +/- 11.1 min. There were no postoperative complications or death. In addition to the minimal blood loss and procedure time, the merit of EBVS is to leave no artificial material behind in contrast to the application of hemostatic clips or staplers. CONCLUSIONS: The use of EBVS is safe and easy in laparoscopic colectomy. This non-clip technique using EBVS will reduce the opportunity to leave artificial materials in the abdominal cavity.

Molecular analysis for differential diagnosis of small bowel obstruction: expression of proinflammatory cytokines and diamine oxidase activity.

BACKGROUND: A small bowel obstruction is classified as simple (nonstrangulated) or strangulated. The early recognition with correct diagnosis of small bowel obstruction is a critical issue as the release from strangulation requires surgical emergency. METHODS: To evaluate the physiological effect on small bowel obstruction, a metallic ring was put in the small intestine (simple ileus) and a loop obstruction was made with keeping the blood flow (strangulated obstruction). Serum level of cytokines, IL-6, TNF-α, and IL-1ß as well as endotoxin and seromuscular enzymes, CPK and LDH, were serially analyzed. Serum and mucosal DAO activity were also assessed. RESULTS: Endotoxin was increased at 18 h through 48 h in strangulated obstruction, but not detected in the simple ileus. Early proinflammatory cytokines were significantly elevated in strangulated obstruction. High expression of IL-6 prolonged after 12h. Transiently expressed IL-1ß peaked at 12h, TNF-α was increased at 18 h. In simple ileus, these expressions of cytokines were low and slow. LDH and CPK were significantly elevated at 48h, but there were no difference between simple ileus and strangulated obstruction. Serum DAO activity was significantly increased in simple ileus, but gradually decreased in strangulated obstruction, while mucosal DAO activity was decreased in both groups. CONCLUSIONS: High level of serum IL-6 is an early marker for strangulated obstruction. The pattern of serum DAO activity, decrease in strangulated obstruction and increase in simple ileus, might be useful molecular parameter in the early and proper diagnosis of small bowel obstruction.

Identification of hiatal ligament for laparoscopic total mesorectal excision.

Total mesorectal excision (TME) based operation is now established as a standard procedure for patients with lower or middle third rectal cancer. Laparoscopic surgery has a great advantage in colorectal surgery, with good operative views, as well as benefit to the patients owing to less invasiveness, early recovery and shorter hospitalization. From April 2001 through March 2002, we assessed the laparoscopic TME for eight consecutive patients with rectal cancer in Kobe University Hospital (median age: 65.3). The procedure included sharp mesorectal dissection with high vascular ligation and preservation of autonomic pelvic nerves. During the laparoscopic TME, the hiatal ligament that is the sequence of anococcygeal raphe body can be identified with the traction of the rectum upward, and this fixes the posterior wall of the rectum to the levator hiatus. Resection of the hiatal ligament enables us to isolate the recto-anal canal up to the level of the internal anal sphincter. We conclude that identification of the hiatus ligament is essential to achieve the appropriate laparoscopic TME.

Retroperitoneoscopic laparoscopic distal pancreatectomy with spleen salvage.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Laparoscopic pancreatic surgery has now developed as a clinical practice. In urological surgery, direct extraperitoneal surgery has become popular in laparoscopic adrenalectomy and nephrectomy. As the pancreas is also an organ located in the retroperitoneal cavity, we evaluate the efficacy of retroperitoneoscopic laparoscopic distal pancreatectomy. METHODOLOGY: Specific-pathogen-free Large Yorkshire pigs were studied. No major bleeding episodes were encountered. After carbon dioxide insufflation, the abdominal viscera were inspected with a laparoscope. Below the left costal convexity, the balloon dissector was introduced and the second port was inserted in the retroperitoneal cavity. The scope was inserted using that port and additional two ports were inserted into the retroperitoneal cavity. RESULTS: The tail to body of the pancreas were easily mobilized from the retroperitoneum. The identified splenic artery and vein were carefully isolated from the pancreas. After lap-disk was applied to a 4-cm incision, the tail of the pancreas was pulled out to resect using various devices. The cut surface of the pancreas resected with ultrasonic dissector showed a less damaged area than that with monopolar electrocautery and bipolar electrocautery. CONCLUSIONS: Retroperitoneoscopic laparoscopic distal pancreatectomy is a rational procedure and is safe. As the pancreatic parenchyma has greater water content, the devices of ultrasonic dissector seem to be helpful.

Tape ligature of cystic duct and fundus-down approach for safety laparoscopic cholecystectomy: outcome of 500 patients.

It is important to identify the structure of Calot's triangle at the time of cystic duct isolation to decrease intraoperative bile duct injury. Isolation of the cystic duct is the first dangerous technique in laparoscopic cholecystectomy. In conventional open cholecystectomy, the fundus-down approach (retrograde) is a more common procedure than the approach in the reverse direction. Similarly, the fundus-down approach is safe and has benefits of reducing common bile duct injury. We report the easy and safe contrivance for laparoscopic cholecystectomy with taping of the cystic duct followed by resection of the gallbladder with the fundus-down approach, performed for 500 patients. The identified cystic duct was ligatured temporarily with Teflon tape. Then, fundus of the gallbladder was isolated with the fundus-down approach except for Calot's triangle. The tape was used for pulling down the cystic duct and Calot's triangle was easily visible. The cystic duct was cut off only after the confirmation of no bile duct injury. Thanks to this tape procedure, there was no bile duct injury in our 500 cases. We recommend this tape ligature of the cystic duct with the fundus-down approach to decrease the incidence of common bile duct injury.

Lymphadenectomy along the middle colic artery in laparoscopic resection of transverse colon.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Although laparoscopic-assisted colectomy has been replacing open colectomy, dissection of lymph nodes along the main artery is sometimes difficult and dangerous in laparoscopic-assisted colectomy, especially, lymph nodes at the origin of the middle colic artery in laparoscopic resection of the transverse colon. METHODOLOGY: After the isolation of colon, meso-colon in both ends was excised. Then, the colon was rotated clockwise 90 degrees by centering at the base of the meso-colon. This procedure made it easier to isolate the anterior and posterior leaf of the meso-colon at its base. The middle colic artery was divided at the root with the dissection of lymph nodes around the base of the meso-colon. RESULTS: Successful lymphadenectomy of the lymph node along the origin of the middle colic artery was performed. Twelve patients with early transverse colon cancer underwent laparoscopic transverse colon resection using this method. CONCLUSIONS: This method may contribute to the easy and safe laparoscopic transverse colectomy by improving the limited view of the laparoscope and raises the possibility for laparoscopic resection of advanced colon cancer.

A novel technique of finger-assisted laparoscopic surgery.

BACKGROUND: Although advanced and complex laparoscopic procedures are now being performed, tactile sensation is limited with available laparoscopic instrumentation. For immediate hemostasis, it sometimes is necessary to convert laparoscopic into open surgery. METHODS: We improved the procedure with the aid of an abdominal wall sealing device, a Lap protector, and a surgical grove. With this simple apparatus, we can easily switch from laparoscopic to open surgery and vice versa. RESULTS: Only 4 cm of skin incision was made. The operator can use his or her finger and most of the usual surgical instruments during the laparoscopic surgery. CONCLUSIONS: Finger-assisted laparoscopic surgery is affordable to perform the advanced laparoscopic procedure. This new technique made laparoscopic abdominal surgery easier and safer for beginners in laparoscopic surgery and skilled surgeons in open surgery. For the experts, this technique set up the safety door for the emergency in laparoscopic surgery.

Apoptosis in Helicobacter pylori gastritis and residual gastritis after distal gastrectomy.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Active gastritis, accelerated cell turnover followed by apoptosis, DNA damage and hyperplasia are often seen in the anastomosis area after gastrectomy. Recently, it has been reported that H. pylori induces apoptosis on gastric cells. Until now, the surgical effect itself and H. pylori infection have not been well differentiated as causes of apoptosis associated with gastritis. Our aim is to clarify the relationship of residual gastritis after gastrectomy and H. pylori gastritis. METHODOLOGY: Residual gastritis model using the Mongolian gerbil has been established with microsurgical technique. Residual gastritis with and without H. pylori infection was studied by histopathological examination and quantitated by Rauws' score. Elevation of pH in gastric juice after surgery was confirmed. Stimulation of downstream events leading to apoptosis, cleavage of poly-ADP-ribose polymerase as a result of activation of caspase-3, was evaluated using Western blotting. RESULTS: Histopathologically, H. pylori infection led to deterioration after surgery. The postoperative Rauws' score with infection was higher than without infection. Cleavage of poly-ADP-ribose polymerase was increased after surgery in gerbils with and without H. pylori infection. Densitometric study showed a greater increase in the animals with H. pylori infection than those without infection that was enhanced after surgery (0.59 vs. 1.04, 0.73 vs. 1.17, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Apoptosis is increased both in residual gastritis and H. pylori gastritis. Both enterogastric reflux and H. pylori infection may be linked to tumorigenesis in anastomosis sites followed by accelerated epithelial cell turnover followed by apoptosis.

Laparoscopy-assisted colon resection for mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue (MALT) lymphoma in the cecum.

Colonic MALToma (mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue lymphoma) has not been well investigated compared to stomach MALToma which is related to Helicobacter pylori infection. We report the uncommon case of MALToma in the cecum initially identified as submucosal tumor, successfully treated by laparoscopy-assisted resection with systemic lymphadectomy. As the metastatic ability and sensitivity against chemotherapy of colonic MALToma is not known, temporally, this treatment seems to be the best choice.

Expression of cyclooxygenases in Helicobacter pylori gastritis and residual gastritis after distal gastrectomy.

It has long been thought that duodenal reflux induces residual gastritis after distal gastrectomy. H. pylori infection appears to be another factor in residual gastritis; and H. pylori induced gastritis may exist preoperatively or may have been introduced postoperatively. Up until now, the surgical effect itself and H. pylori infection have not been well differentiated as causes of residual gastritis. Our aim in this study was to clarify the relationship between the surgical effect and H. pylori infection in residual gastritis. A residual gastritis model using the Mongolian gerbil has been established with microsurgical technique. Residual gastritis with and without H. pylori infection has been studied by histopathological examination and quantitated by Rauws' score. The expression of cyclooxygenase (both COX-1 and COX-2) has also been examined immunohistologically. Elevation of pH in gastric juice after surgery was confirmed. H. pylori infection led to deterioration after surgery. The postoperative Rauws' score with infection is higher than without infection. Levels of COX-1 were higher after surgery in both animals. COX-2 was not expressed in the animals without infection and only a little was expressed in the animals with infection. COX-2 was strongly expressed in the operated animals with infection, but the surgical effect was minute in the animals without infection. Residual gastritis consisted of both surgical gastritis and H. pylori gastritis. H. pylori gastritis is curable with eradication of the organism, but surgical gastritis is not. The COX inhibitor can be a good candidate in preventing residual gastritis after eradication of the H. pylori organism. The clinical implications of COX expression for patients with residual gastritis might deserve further study in the point of treatment of surgical and H. pylori gastritis.