Investigating the Follow-up Period after ALTA Sclerotherapy Using Transanal Ultrasonography.

Objectives: This study aims to clarify the appropriate follow-up period after aluminum potassium sulfate and tannic acid (ALTA) sclerotherapy for internal hemorrhoids by transanal ultrasonography. Methods: Forty-four patients (98 lesions) who underwent ALTA sclerotherapy were analyzed. Transanal ultrasonography was performed pre and post-ALTA sclerotherapy to observe the thickness and the internal echo image of hemorrhoid tissue. Patients who developed complications were excluded. Results: No recurrence in 12 months was observed in 44 patients. After 1-3 months of ALTA sclerotherapy, hemorrhoids were observed in the low-echo imaging region. During this period, hemorrhoidal tissue was observed thickest by granulation. Moreover, hemorrhoid tissue contracted by fibrosis formed 5-7 months post-ALTA sclerotherapy, with a thinner hemorrhoid. Furthermore, hemorrhoids hardened and regressed with intense fibrosis 12-months after the therapy and eventually became thinner than pre-ALTA sclerotherapy. Conclusions: After ALTA sclerotherapy, the suggested follow-up period with and without the development of complications is ～6 and ～3 months, respectively.

Risk factors for outlet obstruction after laparoscopic surgery and diverting ileostomy for rectal cancer.

PURPOSE: Outlet obstruction is defined as bowel obstruction at the stoma opening. The aim of this study was to evaluate the risk factors for outlet obstruction in patients with rectal cancer who underwent laparoscopic surgery and diverting ileostomy. METHODS: Among consecutive patients who underwent laparoscopic curative resection for primary rectal cancer between 2013 and 2015, 261 patients with diverting ileostomy were included in the analysis. The thickness of the abdominal wall, including the thickness of the rectus abdominis muscle, was measured using preoperative computed tomography. The clinicopathological factors were compared between the patients with and without outlet obstruction. RESULTS: Fourteen (5.4%) patients were diagnosed with outlet obstruction, but reoperation was not required. The rectus abdominis muscle was significantly thicker in male patients with outlet obstruction compared to those without outlet obstruction, but not in females. In a multivariate analysis, a rectus abdominis muscle thickness of 10 mm or more was determined to be an independent risk factor for outlet obstruction (odds ratio, 7.0482; p = 0.0061). CONCLUSIONS: The thickness of the rectus abdominis muscle may be used to predict the occurrence of outlet obstruction in male patients with rectal cancer who undergo laparoscopic surgery and diverting ileostomy.

Correction to: Signification of Systemic Immune-Inflammation Index for prediction of prognosis after resecting in patients with colorectal cancer.

The authors regrets that there is a typo error on Tables 1, 2 and 3 of their published paper.

Signification of Systemic Immune-Inflammation Index for prediction of prognosis after resecting in patients with colorectal cancer.

PURPOSE: Systemic inflammatory response has been reported to be associated with prognosis in cancer patients. The aim of this study is to investigate the association between Systemic Immune-Inflammation Index (SII), a novel inflammation-based prognostic score and long-term outcomes among patients with colorectal cancer (CRC) after resection. METHODS: We retrospectively investigated 733 patients who underwent resection for CRC between January 2010 and December 2014 at the Jikei University Hospital and explored the relationship between SII, calculated by multiplying the peripheral platelet count by neutrophil count and divided by lymphocyte count, and overall survival. In survival analyses, we conducted Cox proportional hazards models, adjusting potential confounders including TNM stage, serum CEA, serum CA 19-9, neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio, platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio, and platelet count. RESULTS: In multivariate analysis, age ≥ 65 years (p = 0.003), tumor location (p = 0.043), advanced TNM stage (p < 0.001), serum CA 19-9 > 37 mU/ml (p < 0.001), and SII (P for trend = 0.017) were independent and significant predictors of poor patient survival. Compared to patients with low SII, those with high and intermediate SII patients had poorer survival (Hazard ratio 2.48; 95% CI 1.31-4.69, Hazard ratio 1.65; 95% CI 0.83-3.27, respectively). CONCLUSION: The Systemic Immune-Inflammation Index might be an independent and significant indicator of poor long-term outcomes in patients with CRC after resection.

Clinical factors affecting the distal margin in rectal cancer surgery.

PURPOSE: In rectal cancer surgery, an insufficient distal margin (DM) is associated with a high risk of local recurrence, whereas an excessive DM will cause low anterior resection syndrome, impairing quality of life. This study aimed to identify the factors that affect the distance between the colorectal resection site and the tumor to optimize achieving the correct DM. METHODS: The subjects of this study were 219 patients who underwent resection for primary rectal cancer in our department between January 2006 and July 2014. According to Japanese guidelines, DM (rDM) was based on the tumor location, but the pathological DM (pDM) was measured from surgical specimens. The patients were divided into two groups: the pDM-less-than-rDM group (pDM < rDM) and the pDM-greater-or-equal-to-rDM group (pDM ≥ DM). The factors associated with the DM in the two groups were compared. RESULTS: In the pDM < rDM group, the tumor distance from the anal verge was shorter (p = 0.001) and significantly more patients underwent laparotomy (p = 0.047). CONCLUSION: The DM tended to be shorter than that planned by the surgeon in patients with lower rectal cancers and those treated by laparotomy,; therefore, when performing rectal resection, care must be taken to ensure that the pDM is not shorter than the rDM.

Comparison of Postoperative Outcomes Between Laparoscopic and Open Surgery for Colorectal Cancer.

BACKGROUND/AIM: To determine the superiority of the laparoscopic vs. open technique for colorectal cancer surgery. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We performed a retrospective analysis of consecutive patients who underwent curative surgery by laparoscopic colectomy (LC) or open colectomy (OC) for colon cancer. The patients were classified into two groups: as LC group and OC group. We retrospectively assessed clinical characteristics, intraoperative and postoperative outcomes and long-term outcomes between the two groups by univariate analysis. RESULTS: The LC group had significantly less intraoperative blood loss, complications, and shorter post-operative hospital stay than the OC group. The overall survival of Stage II in the LC group is significantly longer than the OC group. DFS of Stage III in the LC group was significantly longer than the OC group. CONCLUSION: LC showed more favorable results in both short-term and long-term outcomes than OC.

Laparoscopic modified Sugarbaker parastomal hernia repair with 2-point anchoring and zigzag tacking of Parietex™ Parastomal Mesh technique.

BACKGROUND: The ideal mesh and mesh fixation technique for laparoscopic Sugarbaker (SB) parastomal hernia repair have not yet been identified. METHODS: Sixteen patients with parastomal hernia who underwent laparoscopic modified SB repair (LSB) between June 2012 and October 2015 were retrospectively analyzed. LSB was performed using a developed standardized 2-point anchoring and zigzag tacking of Parietex™ Parastomal Mesh (PCO-PM) technique. RESULTS: Out of 16 cases, 14 were primary and 2 recurrent hernias; 13 were para-end colostomy and 3 were para-ileal conduit (PIC) hernias. The median longitudinal and transverse diameters of the hernia orifice were 5 cm (2.5-7 cm) and 4.2 cm (2-6 cm), respectively. Five cases had a concomitant midline incisional hernia, which was simultaneously repaired. In all cases, the mesh was placed without deflection. The median operation time was 193 (75-386) min. Perioperative complications occurred in two cases (13 %) with PIC, one intra-operatively and the other postoperatively. The intra-operative complication was enterotomy close to the ureteroenteric anastomosis of the ileal conduit; it was repaired through a mini-laparotomy. LSB was accomplished without any subsequent postoperative complications. The postoperative complication was ureteral obstruction that required creation of nephrostomy. Mini-laparotomy was necessary in those two cases (13 %) because of intra-operative enterotomy and severe intra-abdominal adhesions. The median postoperative length of stay was 9 (5-14) days. No recurrence was observed with a median follow-up of 14.5 (2-41) months. CONCLUSIONS: Our LSB using standardized mesh fixation technique is safe and feasible, and the PCO-PM seems to be the most optimal prosthesis.

Is it safe to perform endoscopic band ligation for the duodenum? A pilot study in ex vivo porcine models.

AIM: In the digestive tract, endoscopic band ligation (EBL) has been routinely used for the treatment of variceal bleeding and superficial malignancies. In recent years, endoscopic treatments for duodenal varices, adenoma, and cancer have also actively incorporated EBL. Although there have been a number of reports on the risks associated with the use of EBL in the esophagus, stomach, and colon, few studies have focused on EBL in the duodenum. We performed EBL procedures to evaluate the risks associated with the use of EBL in the duodenum. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Overall, EBLs were performed at nine sites in duodenum sampled from a pig immediately after sacrifice. Submucosal saline injections were placed in three of the nine studied sites. RESULTS: Regardless of saline injection, the full thickness of the duodenal wall was ligated in all attempts. CONCLUSIONS: Routine EBL is not recommended in the duodenum because the risk of perforation is unacceptably high.

Use of balloon enteroscopy in preoperative diagnosis of neurofibromatosis-associated gastrointestinal stromal tumours of the small bowel: a case report.

Neurofibromatosis type I (NF1) is one of the most common inheritable disorders and is associated with an increased risk of gastrointestinal stromal tumours (GISTs). However, the predominant location of these lesions in the small bowel makes them difficult to diagnose. We report the successful use of balloon enteroscopy in conjunction with conventional methods for clinical diagnosis of jejunal GISTs in a 70-year-old man with NF1 who presented with melaena. The importance of screening NF1 patients for GISTs and the complementary role of balloon enteroscopy with capsule endoscopy in such diagnoses is discussed.