Repair of Bile Duct Injury Using Indocyanine Green Following Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy.

Bile duct injury (BDI) is a potential complication that may arise during cholecystectomy and continues to occur with a certain frequency in the present day. Numerous reports have been published regarding the utilization of indocyanine green (ICG) for the prevention of biliary injury, and we feel that the importance of ICG is being recognized. In this context, we present a case wherein a BDI occurred following cholecystectomy, and ICG was employed for the safe repair of the biliary tract.

A case of bloodstream co-infection of Saccharomyces cerevisiae and Candida glabrata while using micafungin.

BACKGROUND: Saccharomyces cerevisiae is ubiquitous in the gastrointestinal tract and known as brewer's or baker's yeast. We experienced a case of S. cerevisiae and Candida glabrata co-infectious bloodstream infection. It is rare to detect both S. cerevisiae and Candida species in blood cultures together. CASE: We treated a 73-year-old man who developed a pancreaticoduodenal fistula infection after pancreaticoduodenectomy. The patient had a fever on postoperative day 59. We took blood cultures and detected C. glabrata. Thus, we started micafungin. On postoperative day 62, we retested blood cultures, and detected S cerevisiae and C. glabrata. We changed micafungin to liposomal amphotericin B. Blood cultures became negative on postoperative day 68. We changed liposomal amphotericin B to fosfluconazole and micafungin because of hypokalemia. He got well, and we terminated antifungal drugs 18 days after the blood cultures became negative. CONCLUSION: Co-infection with S. cerevisiae and Candida species is rare. In addition, in this case, S. cerevisiae developed from blood cultures during micafungin administration. Thus, micafungin may not be effective enough to treat S. cerevisiae fungemia, although echinocandin is considered one of the alternative therapy for Saccharomyces infections.

A Case of Resection of Hepatocellular Carcinoma in a Patient With Fontan-Associated Liver Disease.

The Fontan procedure (FP) is an operation used in patients with congenital single ventricle disease. The long-term prognosis after surgery has improved due to technological advances. However, the hemodynamics after FP are complicated. There are some reports of Fontan-associated liver disease (FALD) after FP. We report a case of a young woman who developed hepatocellular carcinoma due to FALD.

Serum carnitine as a biomarker of sarcopenia and nutritional status in preoperative gastrointestinal cancer patients.

BACKGROUND: Sarcopenia is an important factor in the postoperative outcome of gastrointestinal cancer patients. However, little research has been carried out on potential biomarkers of sarcopenia. Carnitine is an amino acid derivative that is stored in skeletal muscle and is essential for muscle energy metabolism. The primary purpose of this study was to investigate whether serum carnitine level is a biomarker of sarcopenia in preoperative patients with gastrointestinal cancer. The secondary purposes were (i) to examine the associations between carnitine, nutritional status, and albumin level, and (ii) to determine whether carnitine is a prognostic factor for postoperative complications. METHODS: One hundred fourteen patients scheduled to undergo gastroenterological surgery between August 2016 and January 2017 were enrolled. Their mean age was 68.4 ± 10.5, and 64.9% were male. Serum carnitine fractions [total carnitine (TC), free l-carnitine (FC), and acylcarnitine (AC)] were measured prior to surgery. The correlation between carnitine level and a variety of clinical features was analysed, including skeletal muscle index (SMI), sarcopenia, prognostic nutritional index (PNI), and postoperative complications. RESULTS: Tumour locations included the oesophagus (n = 17), stomach (n = 16), pancreas (n = 20), bile duct (n = 9), liver [n = 33; primary liver cancer (n = 18), liver metastasis (n = 15)], and colorectal region (n = 19). TC and FC levels varied significantly by tumour location. TC and FC showed significant positive correlations with SMI [TC (r = 0.295, P = 0.0014), FC (r = 0.286, P = 0.0020)] and PNI [TC (P = 0.0178, r = 0.222), FC (P = 0.0067, r = 0.2526)]. These levels were significantly lower in the sarcopenia group (TC, P = 0.0124; FC, P = 0.0243). In addition, TC and FC showed significant positive correlations with ALB level [TC (P = 0.038 r = 0.19), FC (P = 0.016 r = 0.23)]. When patients were divided into high ALB (≥3.5 g/dL, 96 patients) and low ALB (<3.5 g/dL, 18 patients) groups, these correlations were no longer significant, but in the low ALB group there was a tendency towards a negative relationship between ALB level and both TC and FC. No significant relationship was found between postoperative complications and carnitine level. CONCLUSIONS: This study suggests that carnitine level is a biomarker of sarcopenia and nutritional status. However, it did not find an association between carnitine level and postoperative complications.

Pancreaticoduodenectomy preserving aberrant gastroduodenal artery utilized in a previous coronary artery bypass grafting: A case report and review of literature.

RATIONALE: Pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD) is a technically demanding procedure with high rates of morbidity and mortality. Therefore, preoperative evaluation of anatomy is indispensable. Multi-detector row computed tomography (CT) enables us to precisely understand arterial anatomy. It is a well-known fact that anatomical variants are often present in the hepatic artery (HA) but rarely in the gastroduodenal artery (GDA). We present the case of a patient with ampullary cancer with a rare anatomical anomaly, "replaced GDA (rGDA) " arising from the superior mesenteric artery, along with a history of coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) using right gastroepiploic artery (RGEA). PATIENT CONCERNS: A 69-year-old male patient was referred to our department for further investigation of elevated hepatobiliary enzymes. He presented with no symptoms besides intermittent fever of 38°C. He had an operative history of CABG using the RGEA. DIAGNOSIS: Abdominal CT and esophagogastroduodenoscopy showed an ampullary tumor and biopsy specimen from the lesion revealed adenocarcinoma. CT angiography revealed the rGDA instead of a normal common HA. INTERVENTION: We performed a safe PD, preserving the rGDA and the RGEA to maintain hepatic and cardiac perfusion. OUTCOMES: Owing to the presence of a refractory pancreatic fistula, the length-of-hospital stay was extended, and he was discharged on postoperative day 72 without vascular complications. At present, the patient is in good physical condition and does not present with cardiovascular complications as well as tumor recurrence at 6 months after surgery. LESSONS: This is possibly the first case of a patient who underwent PD and has a proper HA following a GDA arising from a superior mesenteric artery (rGDA) and has a previous operative history of CABG using the gastroepiploic artery. The coexistence of the history of cardiovascular surgery made PD for this patient considerably more challenging.In the case of a rare anatomical anomaly, a coronary artery bypass via the RGEA should not be considered as an obstacle when R0 resection is achievable.

Evaluation of Analytical Precision of Polychromatic Simultaneous WDXRF Spectrometer and Application to Valence Analysis of Cathode Materials of Lithium-Ion Batteries.

A polychromatic simultaneous wavelength-dispersive X-ray fluorescence (PS-WDXRF) spectrometer can measure the valence changes of 3d transition metals with high precision in the laboratory. Adjustment and maintenance of the drive mechanism are unnecessary, and high-precision measurements are possible in a short time because the optical system has no moving parts and is compact. We have developed a PS-WDXRF spectrometer with improved analytical precision that can measure simultaneously the valence changes of three main elements, Mn, Co, and Ni, which are used as cathode materials in Li-ion batteries (LIBs). In this study, the analytical precision of the spectrometer is evaluated, and its precision is confirmed with actual battery cathodes. The identification precision of the fluorescent X-ray peak energy is <0.015 eV, and the valence identification precision is obtained to be <0.06. LiNi0.5Co0.2Mn0.3O2 (NCM523)-based LIB cathodes are analyzed under conditions maintaining this precision, and the valence changes of the 3d transition metals in NCM523 during charging and discharging are found to be 0.68 for Ni, 0.19 for Co, and 0.08 for Mn. These results indicate that Ni contributes the most to the redox process in NCM523-based LIBs, Co contributes slightly, and Mn does not contribute.

A Case of Laparoscopic-Assisted Percutaneous Endoscopic Gastrostomy (LAPEG) for Gastric Volvulus.

BACKGROUND: Percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG) is the standard modality for long-term enteral nutrition for patients with dysphagia. Compared with open gastrostomy, though PEG is an extremely safe procedure with fewer complications, there are severe cases due to anatomical features. For these cases, laparoscopic-assisted percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (LAPEG) is the optimal method. CASE PRESENTATION: A 52-year-old man had a disturbance in swallowing because of cerebral infarction. We attempted PEG under gastrointestinal fiberscope (GIF) and colon fiberscope inspection; however, the procedure was unsuccessful because it was impossible to move the transverse colon downward. We therefore attempted LAPEG to observe the stomach and other organs. Under laparoscopic observation, we diagnosed gastric volvulus, classified as the organo-axial type. For this reason, inserting the tube through the skin was very difficult. We easily corrected the gastric volvulus by using laparoscopic forceps and were finally able to place the PEG tube safely. DISCUSSION: Gastric volvulus is rare in clinical practice. The treatment of gastric volvulus depends on whether mucosal ischemia is present. Endoscopic reduction of gastric volvulus is effective for many patients. Surgical treatment should be considered for patients with gastric volvulus that frequently recurs. In our patient, completely inserting the GIF was impossible; therefore, we could not correctly diagnose gastric volvulus. Laparoscopy-assisted PEG is a useful and safe technique for placing a gastrostomy tube in patients presenting with anatomical difficulties. Moreover, in our patient, gastropexy was performed with PEG. Therefore, LAPEG may be used to prevent the recurrence of gastric volvulus. Gastropexy is a useful option in LAPEG. CONCLUSIONS: Laparoscopy has the advantage of allowing a direct inspection of the stomach while gastrostomy is performed and may reveal complications to PEG insertion. Furthermore, in our patient, gastropexy was performed with PEG.

Aneurysms of Pancreaticoduodenal Artery due to Median Arcuate Ligament Syndrome, Treated by Open Surgery and Laparoscopic Surgery.

INTRODUCTION: There are many possible causes of an abdominal visceral aneurysm, including the obstruction of the celiac artery by the median arcuate ligament (MAL). We report two cases of an aneurysm of the pancreaticoduodenal artery due to MAL syndrome that we treated surgically. CASE PRESENTATION: Case 1: a 66-year-old Japanese woman was diagnosed with a rupture of an aneurysm of the inferior pancreaticoduodenal artery. Because of the difficulty of endovascular therapy, we performed an emergency operation. We chose an abdominal operation, and the postoperative course was uneventful. Case 2: a 75-year-old Japanese man presented at our hospital with acute abdominal pain, nausea, and cold sweat. Our experience of treating MAL syndrome in case 1 enabled us to diagnose the disease accurately. We chose laparoscopic surgery, and the postoperative course was uneventful. DISCUSSION: There are several treatment choices for an aneurysm of the pancreaticoduodenal artery due to MAL syndrome. We have performed only a release of the MAL for treatment, but it is difficult to conclude whether only releasing the MAL is enough to ensure a positive long-term prognosis. Regular follow-up is needed in such cases. CONCLUSION: Laparoscopic surgery can be considered one of the options for MAL syndrome.

Group A Streptococcal Toxic Shock-Like Syndrome in a Male Presenting as Primary Peritonitis: A Case Report and a Review in Japan.

BACKGROUND: Streptococcal toxic shock-like syndrome (TSLS) is a severe infection caused by group A hemolytic streptococcus. It is clinically characterized by rapidly progressive septic shock and multiple organ failure within just a few hours. TSLS presenting as primary peritonitis is rare, especially in a male. Herein, we report a case of TSLS in a male presenting with primary peritonitis, with a review of 25 cases in Japan. CASE PRESENTATION: A 51-year-old male was referred to our hospital with abdominal pain and hypotension. We made a preoperative diagnosis of peritonitis with septic shock and performed an emergency operation. Intraoperative findings indicated no marked origin of the peritonitis. Preoperative blood culture showed the presence of group A hemolytic streptococcus. The patient required intensive care involving artificial respiration, abdominal drainage and cytokine absorption therapy, and was discharged on postoperative day 25. CONCLUSION: TSLS in a male presenting as primary peritonitis is rare. Although this condition is a severe infection, it can be treated by multimodal therapy.

Abdominoperineal Resection for Unexpected Distal Intramural Spreading of Rectal Cancer.

INTRODUCTION: In rectal cancer, distal intramural spread may sometimes occur, but a maximum extent of distal spread of > 6 cm is very rare. CASE PRESENTATION: A 65-year-old Japanese male with an advanced rectal cancer tumor with para-aortic lymph node metastasis was admitted. We performed a low anterior resection with lymphadenectomy, but the intraoperative frozen-section analysis of margins revealed malignant cell positivity; we, therefore, performed an abdominoperineal resection. Pathological findings showed that the maximum extent of distal spread was 6 cm. After 12 courses of FOLFOX4 as adjuvant chemotherapy, abdominal computed tomography revealed whole lymph node metastases, including Virchow's node. Though FOLFIRI + panitumumab was started, he was not eligible for additional chemotherapy after 10 cycles. CONCLUSION: An intraoperative frozen pathology examination was helpful for the additional resection, when unexpected distal spreading had occurred in rectal cancer. The evidence of a distal negative margin should not be underestimated.

Mixed Neuroendocrine Carcinoma and Squamous Cell Carcinoma of the Colon: Case Report and Literature Review.

Neuroendocrine carcinoma (NEC) of the colon is very rare, and squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) of colon cancer is rare. We recently treated a patient with both NEC and SCC that initially presented as multiple unresectable liver and lung metastases. A 68-year-old Japanese man was referred to our hospital because of diarrhea with descending colon cancer obstruction. He underwent a left colectomy. Based on immunohistochemistry results, we diagnosed mixed NEC and SCC, the primary lesion location of which was probably the lung in the final pathologic examination. He began systemic palliative chemotherapy with CDDP and CPT-11. After 3 months of treatment, shown the progressive disease, we started CDDP and VP-16. The patient was not eligible for additional chemotherapy after 2 months.

Impact of Left Colonic Artery Preservation on Anastomotic Leakage in Laparoscopic Sigmoid Resection and Anterior Resection for Sigmoid and Rectosigmoid Colon Cancer.

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the effect of left colonic artery (LCA) preservation on laparoscopic sigmoidectomy outcomes METHODS: We identified 447 consecutive patients who underwent laparoscopic sigmoidectomy at our hospital group between January 2010 and December 2016. We divided the patients into groups with and without LCA preservation and with and without anastomotic leakage (AL). We compared the patient age and gender, tumor location, stage, D2/D3 lymph node dissection, comorbidities, operating time, and blood loss between these groups. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to determine the risk factors for AL. RESULTS: There were significant differences in age, sex, tumor location, D2/D3 lymph node dissection, hypertension, operating time, blood loss, and AL for groups with and without LCA preservation. There were significant differences in sex, tumor location, and LCA preservation for groups with and without AL. Multivariate analysis showed male sex (hazard ratio (HR) = 6.37, 95% confidence interval (CI) 2.39-20.6; p < 0.0001), non-LCA preservation (HR = 5.01, 95% CI 1.41-31.8.0; p = 0.01), and rectosigmoidal tumor location (HR = 2.51, 95% CI 1.15-5.61; p = 0.01) as significant independent risk factors for AL. CONCLUSIONS: Based on the results obtained by performing laparoscopic operation for sigmoid colon cancer and rectosigmoid cancer, the LCA preservative procedure is warranted for prevention of AL.

A Case of Segmental Arterial Mediolysis Presenting as Mucosal Gastric Hematoma.

BACKGROUND: Although segmental arterial mediolysis (SAM) has been increasingly recognized as arteriopathy and there are some case reports about SAM, it is still very rare. It is characterized clinically by aneurysm, dissection, stenosis, and occlusion within splanchnic arterial branches, causing intra-abdominal hemorrhage or bowel ischemia. Mortality is as high as 50% in acute events. CASE PRESENTATION: A 51-year-old man was referred to our hospital with hematemesis. Gastroscopy revealed a submucosal-like tumor on the posterior wall of gastric angle with ulceration. Computed tomography indicated a tumor measuring 65 × 50 mm in the stomach, which was suspected to have invaded into the pancreas. Significant hematemesis recurred; the patient developed shock and underwent emergency distal gastrectomy, distal pancreatectomy, and splenectomy. The pathology and the clinical course were compatible with SAM splenic artery rupture causing retroperitoneal hemorrhage that penetrated into the stomach. After that surgery, aneurysm of common hepatic artery ruptured and coil embolization was performed. CONCLUSION: SAM is an important cause of intra-abdominal or retroperitoneal hemorrhage in patients without underlying disease. SAM typically presents as intra-abdominal hemorrhage, but, in this case, the retroperitoneal hemorrhage penetrated into the stomach and it looked like a submucosal tumor.