Development and Validation of a Prediction Model for Acute Hypotensive Events in Intensive Care Unit Patients.

Background: Persistent hypotension in the intensive care unit (ICU) is associated with increased mortality. Predicting acute hypotensive events can lead to timely intervention. We aimed to develop a prediction model of acute hypotensive events in patients admitted to the ICU. Methods: We included adult patients admitted to the Nagoya City University (NCU) Hospital ICU between January 2018 and December 2021 for model training and internal validation. The MIMIC-III database was used for external validation. A hypotensive event was defined as a mean arterial pressure < 60 mmHg for at least 5 min in 10 min. The input features were age, sex, and time-series data for vital signs. We compared the area under the receiver-operating characteristic curve (AUROC) of three machine-learning algorithms: logistic regression, the light gradient boosting machine (LightGBM), and long short-term memory (LSTM). Results: Acute hypotensive events were found in 1325/1777 (74.6%) and 2691/5266 (51.1%) of admissions in the NCU and MIMIC-III cohorts, respectively. In the internal validation, the LightGBM model had the highest AUROC (0.835), followed by the LSTM (AUROC 0.834) and logistic regression (AUROC 0.821) models. Applying only blood pressure-related features, the LSTM model achieved the highest AUROC (0.843) and consistently showed similar results in external and internal validation. Conclusions: The LSTM model using only blood pressure-related features had the highest AUROC with comparable performance in external validation.

Comparative efficacy of ultrasound guidance or conventional anatomical landmarks for neuraxial puncture in adult patients: a systematic review and network meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Preprocedural, real-time, and computer-aided three-dimensional ultrasound has been widely used for neuraxial puncture; however, the optimal guidance is unclear. We examined the comparative efficacy of three ultrasound guidance and anatomical landmarks for neuraxial puncture in adults. METHODS: We searched for randomised controlled studies comparing the efficacy of ultrasound guidance and anatomical landmarks for neuraxial puncture in adults using electronic databases and unpublished studies. The primary outcomes were first-pass success and patient satisfaction. A random-effects network meta-analysis (NMA) was used. RESULTS: We identified 74 eligible studies (7090 patients). Preprocedural ultrasound and real-time ultrasound-guided neuraxial puncture improved first-pass success compared with anatomical landmarks (risk ratio [RR] 1.6; 95% credible interval [CrI] 1.3-1.9; RR 1.9; 95% CrI 1.3-2.9, respectively, moderate confidence). Computer-aided ultrasound-guided neuraxial puncture also increased first-pass success (RR 1.8; 95% CrI 0.97-3.3, low confidence), although estimates were imprecise. However, real-time ultrasound-guided neuraxial puncture resulted in minimal difference in first-pass success compared with preprocedural ultrasound (RR 1.2; 95% CrI 0.8-1.8, moderate confidence). Preprocedural ultrasound improved patient satisfaction slightly compared with anatomical landmark use (standardised mean differences 0.28; 95% CrI 0.092-0.47, low confidence). CONCLUSIONS: This NMA provides evidence supporting ultrasound-guided neuraxial puncture compared with use of anatomical landmarks, including indirect comparisons. Among the three ultrasound guidance methods, preprocedural ultrasound appears to be a better adjunctive option.

Rapid Response System and Limitations of Medical Treatment Among Children With Clinical Deterioration in Japan: A Multicenter Retrospective Cohort Study.

Objective: We investigated the role of rapid response systems (RRSs) in limitations of medical treatment (LOMT) planning among children, their families, and health care providers. Methods: This multicenter retrospective cohort study examined children with clinical deterioration using the Japanese RRS registry between 2012 and 2021. Results: Children (n = 348) at 28 hospitals in Japan who required RRS calls were analyzed. Eleven (3%) of the 348 patients had LOMT before RRS calls and 11 (3%) had newly implemented LOMT after RRS calls. Patients with LOMT were significantly less likely to be admitted to an intensive care unit compared with those without (36% vs. 61%, p < 0.001) and were more likely to die within 30 days (45% vs. 11%, p < 0.001). Conclusions: LOMT issues existed in 6% of children who received RRS calls. RRS calls for clinically deteriorating children with LOMT were associated with less intensive care and higher mortality.

Association between postinduction hypotension and postoperative mortality: a single-centre retrospective cohort study.

PURPOSE: We aimed to elucidate whether postinduction hypotension (PIH), defined as hypotension between anesthesia induction and skin incision, and intraoperative hypotension (IOH) are associated with postoperative mortality. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective cohort study of adult patients with an ASA Physical Status I-IV who underwent noncardiac and nonobstetric surgery under general anesthesia between 2015 and 2021 at Nagoya City University Hospital. The primary and secondary outcomes were 30-day and 90-day postoperative mortality, respectively. We calculated four hypotensive indices (with time proportion of the area under the threshold being the primary exposure variable) to evaluate the association between hypotension (defined as a mean blood pressure < 65 mm Hg) and mortality using multivariable logistic regression models. We used propensity score matching and RUSBoost (random under-sampling and boosting), a machine-learning model for imbalanced data, for sensitivity analyses. RESULTS: Postinduction hypotension and IOH were observed in 82% and 84% of patients, respectively. The 30-day and 90-day postoperative mortality rates were 0.4% (52/14,210) and 1.0% (138/13,334), respectively. Postinduction hypotension was not associated with 30-day mortality (adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 1.03; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.93 to 1.13; P = 0.60) and 90-day mortality (aOR, 1.01; 95% CI, 0.94 to 1.07; P = 0.82). Conversely, IOH was associated with 30-day mortality (aOR, 1.19; 95% CI, 1.12 to 1.27; P < 0.001) and 90-day mortality (aOR, 1.12; 95% CI, 1.06 to 1.19; P < 0.001). Sensitivity analyses supported the association of IOH but not PIH with postoperative mortality. CONCLUSION: Despite limitations, including power and residual confounding, postoperative mortality was associated with IOH but not with PIH.

RéSUMé: OBJECTIF: Nous avons cherché à déterminer si l'hypotension post-induction (HPI), définie comme une hypotension entre l'induction de l'anesthésie et l'incision cutanée, et l'hypotension peropératoire (HPO) étaient associées à la mortalité postopératoire. MéTHODE: Nous avons mené une étude de cohorte rétrospective de patient·es adultes ayant un statut physique I-IV selon l'ASA et ayant bénéficié d'une chirurgie non cardiaque et non obstétricale sous anesthésie générale entre 2015 et 2021 à l'Hôpital universitaire de la ville de Nagoya. Les critères d'évaluation principal et secondaire étaient la mortalité postopératoire à 30 et 90 jours, respectivement. Nous avons calculé quatre indices d'hypotension (la proportion temporelle de la zone sous le seuil étant la principale variable d'exposition) pour évaluer l'association entre l'hypotension (définie comme une tension artérielle moyenne < 65 mm Hg) et la mortalité à l'aide de modèles de régression logistique multivariée. Nous avons utilisé l'appariement par score de propension et le RUSBoost (sous-échantillonnage et boosting aléatoire), un modèle d'apprentissage automatique pour les données déséquilibrées, pour les analyses de sensibilité. RéSULTATS: Une HPI et une HPO ont été observées chez 82 % et 84 % des patient·es, respectivement. Les taux de mortalité postopératoire à 30 et 90 jours étaient respectivement de 0,4 % (52/14 210) et de 1,0 % (138/13 334). L'hypotension post-induction n'était pas associée à la mortalité à 30 jours (rapport de cotes ajusté [RCa], 1,03; intervalle de confiance [IC] à 95 %, 0,93 à 1,13; P = 0,60) et à la mortalité à 90 jours (RCa, 1,01; IC 95 %, 0,94 à 1,07; P = 0,82). À l'inverse, l'HPO était associée à une mortalité à 30 jours (RCa, 1,19; IC 95 %, 1,12 à 1,27; P < 0,001) et à la mortalité à 90 jours (RCa, 1,12; IC 95 %, 1,06 à 1,19; P < 0,001). Les analyses de sensibilité ont confirmé l'association de l'HPO, mais pas de l'HPI, avec la mortalité postopératoire. CONCLUSION: Malgré les limitations, y compris la puissance et persistance de facteurs confondants, la mortalité postopératoire était associée à l'hypotension peropératoire mais pas à l'hypotension post-induction seule.

Incidence and factors associated with newly implemented do-not-attempt-resuscitation orders among deteriorating patients after rapid response system activation: A retrospective observational study using a Japanese multicenter database.

Aim: The rapid response system (RRS) was initially aimed to improve patient outcomes. Recently, some studies have implicated that RRS might facilitate do-not-attempt-resuscitation (DNAR) orders among patients, their families, and healthcare providers. This study aimed to examine the incidence and factors independently associated with DNAR orders newly implemented after RRS activation among deteriorating patients. Methods: This observational study assessed patients who required RRS activation between 2012 and 2021 in Japan. We investigated patients' characteristics and the incidence of new DNAR orders after RRS activation. Furthermore, we used multivariable hierarchical logistic regression models to explore independent predictors of new DNAR orders. Results: We identified 7904 patients (median age, 72 years; 59% male) who required RRS activation at 29 facilities. Of the 7066 patients without pre-existing DNAR orders before RRS activation, 394 (5.6%) had new DNAR orders. Multivariable hierarchical logistic regression analyses revealed that new DNAR orders were associated with age category (adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 1.56; 95% confidence interval, 1.12-2.17 [65-74 years old reference to 20-64 years old], aOR, 2.56; 1.92-3.42 [75-89 years old], and aOR, 6.58; 4.17-10.4 [90 years old]), malignancy (aOR, 1.82; 1.42-2.32), postoperative status (aOR, 0.45; 0.30-0.71), and National Early Warning Score 2 (aOR, 1.07; 1.02-1.12 [per 1 score]). Conclusion: The incidence of new DNAR orders was one in 18 patients after RRS activation. The factors associated with new DNAR orders were age, malignancy, postoperative status, and National Early Warning Score 2.

The Japanese Epidemiologic Study for Perioperative Anaphylaxis, a prospective nationwide study: allergen exposure, epidemiology, and diagnosis of anaphylaxis during general anaesthesia.

BACKGROUND: Diagnosis of perioperative anaphylaxis is often challenging. This study describes the utility of a newly developed tool for identifying patients with a high possibility of anaphylaxis, and aimed to investigate the frequency of anaphylaxis with each drug during the perioperative period in Japan. METHODS: This study included patients with anaphylaxis of Grade 2 or higher severity during general anaesthesia at 42 facilities across Japan in 2019 and 2020. We developed and adopted a unique objective evaluation tool yielding a composite score for diagnosing anaphylaxis, which includes the results of skin tests and basophil activation tests, and clinical scores for perioperative anaphylaxis. The number of cases using each drug and the total number of anaphylaxis cases were investigated to calculate the frequency of anaphylaxis. RESULTS: General anaesthesia was performed in 218 936 cases, which included 55 patients with suspected perioperative anaphylaxis. The developed composite score diagnosed 43 of them with a high probability of anaphylaxis. The causative agent was identified in 32 cases. Plasma histamine levels showed high diagnostic accuracy for anaphylaxis. The top causative agents were rocuronium (10 cases in 210 852 patients, 0.005%), sugammadex (7 cases in 150 629 patients, 0.005%), and cefazolin (7 cases in 106 005 patients, 0.007%). CONCLUSIONS: We developed a composite tool to diagnose anaphylaxis, and found that the combination of tryptase levels, skin testing, and basophil activation testing results and clinical score improved the certainty of anaphylaxis diagnosis. The incidence of perioperative anaphylaxis in our study was 1 in about 5000 general anaesthesia cases. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION: UMIN000035350.

Efficacy of intravenous dexamethasone on postoperative pain after caesarean delivery under spinal anaesthesia with an intrathecal long-acting opioid: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

PURPOSE: Intravenous dexamethasone is recommended in elective caesarean delivery to decrease postoperative pain. However, the efficacy of spinal anaesthesia with an intrathecal long-acting opioid such as morphine or diamorphine for caesarean delivery has not been systematically investigated. METHODS: We searched all randomized controlled trials (RCTs) of pregnant women undergoing caesarean delivery under spinal anaesthesia with an intrathecal morphine or diamorphine via MEDLINE, CENTRAL, EMBASE, ICTRP, and ClinicalTrials.gov on May 18, 2022. Primary outcomes were time to first rescue analgesia, consumption of oral morphine equivalents, and incidence of drug-related adverse reactions. We evaluated the risk of bias for each outcome using the Risk of Bias 2. We conducted a meta-analysis using a random effects model. We evaluated the certainty of evidence with the GRADE approach. RESULTS: Five RCTs (455 patients) were included. The results of intravenous dexamethasone were as follows: time to first rescue analgesia (mean difference [MD] 0.99 h, 95% confidence interval [CI] - 0.86 to 2.84; very low certainty) and consumption of oral morphine equivalents (MD - 6.55 mg, 95% CI - 17.13 to 4.02; moderate certainty). No incidence of drug-related adverse reactions was reported (very low certainty). CONCLUSION: The evidence was very uncertain about the efficacy of intravenous dexamethasone on time to first rescue analgesia and the incidence of drug-related adverse reactions. Intravenous dexamethasone probably reduces the consumption of oral morphine equivalents. Anaesthesiologists might want to consider intravenous dexamethasone for postoperative pain after caesarean delivery under spinal anaesthesia with an intrathecal long-acting opioid.

Intercristal line determined by palpation in parturients in the sitting and the lateral decubitus positions: a prospective observational study.

PURPOSE: We aimed to investigate intersected vertebral level changes in the palpated intercristal line (PI-line) when shifting from a sitting to a lateral decubitus position in parturients. METHODS: We consecutively enrolled parturients with a gestational age of ≥36 weeks. The attending anesthesiologists palpated the superior aspects of the posterior iliac crests bilaterally in a sitting position and then in a lateral decubitus position. The blinded investigators performed the ultrasound and recorded the intersected segment level of the PI-line. The distance between any two consecutive vertebral interspaces was divided into 3 segments, and comparisons were made with 15 segments of five vertebral interspaces above the sacrum. The primary outcome was the concordance rate of intersected segment level of the PI-line between the two positions. We also examined the intersected segment level of the PI-line of the two positions and the magnitude of these changes. RESULTS: Thirty-nine parturients were analyzed. The concordance rate of intersected segment levels of the PI-line between the two positions was 21% (8/39). In 56% (22/39) of the parturients, the intersected segment level of the PI-line in the sitting position was more cephalad and 23% (9/39) were more caudal. Fifteen percent (6/39) of parturients had three or more segment differences between the two positions. CONCLUSIONS: The intersected segment level of the PI-line, measured with trisected segments in each vertebral interspace, was different between the sitting and the lateral decubitus positions in approximately 80% of the parturients. Notably, 15% (6/39) of the parturients had at least one vertebral interspace deviation.

Trends and patterns in the practice of pediatric sedation for magnetic resonance imaging in Japan: A longitudinal descriptive study from 2012 to 2019.

BACKGROUND: Worldwide, pediatric sedation for magnetic resonance imaging is a standard practice; however, there are few studies on its trends and patterns. AIMS: This study aimed to investigate the trends and patterns of pediatric sedation for magnetic resonance imaging in Japan and determine the incidence of and risk factors for adverse events/interventions. METHODS: This longitudinal descriptive study assessed children (age < 15 years) who underwent sedation for magnetic resonance imaging between April 2012 and December 2019 in Japan using a nationwide claims database. We assessed the patients' demographic characteristics, time trends in sedatives, sedative patterns by age, and adverse events/interventions within two post-sedation days. Further, we used multivariable logistic regression models to explore factors related to the incidence of adverse events/interventions. RESULTS: We identified 29 187 cases (median age, 2.0 years; 55.2% males). The most common sedative was triclofos sodium (n = 18 812, 51.7%). There was an increasing trend in barbiturate use (17.0% [2012] to 25.0% [2019]) and decreasing trends in the use of triclofos sodium (56.4% [2012] to 47.7% [2019]) and chloral hydrate (15.6% [2012] to 10.8% [2019]). We identified 534 adverse events/interventions in 460 cases (1.5%). Multivariable logistic regression analyses revealed that the incidence of adverse events/interventions mainly increased with the number of sedatives (≥3; adjusted odds ratio, 5.10; 95% confidence interval, 3.67-7.10) and unscheduled setting (adjusted odds ratio, 6.28; 95% confidence interval, 4.85-8.61); further, it decreased with high hospital procedure volume (adjusted odds ratio, 0.62; 95% confidence interval, 0.49-0.78). CONCLUSIONS: Based on a Japanese real-world setting, there is an increasing trend in barbiturate use and decreasing trends in the use of triclofos sodium and chloral hydrate in pediatric sedation for magnetic resonance imaging. Low hospital procedure volumes were associated with an increased risk of adverse events/interventions.

Remimazolam for induction of anesthesia in elderly patients with severe aortic stenosis: a prospective, observational pilot study.

BACKGROUND: Remimazolam, a novel benzodiazepine, has been reported to cause less hypotension than propofol during induction of anesthesia. Therefore, remimazolam might be a valuable option in elderly patients with severe aortic stenosis who are considered to be the most vulnerable to hemodynamic instability. We aimed to evaluate the feasibility and hemodynamic effects of remimazolam as an induction agent in elderly patients with severe aortic stenosis. METHODS: This prospective, open-label, single-arm, observational pilot study was conducted in a university hospital between November 2020 and April 2021. We included 20 patients aged 65 years or older scheduled for transcatheter or surgical aortic valve replacement for severe aortic stenosis under general anesthesia. Patients were administered intravenous remimazolam infusion at 6 mg/kg/h combined with 0.25 µg/kg/min of remifentanil infusion. The primary outcome was the vasopressor dosage between the induction of anesthesia and the completion of tracheal intubation. The secondary outcomes included hemodynamic changes, bispectral index changes, and the time from the start of remimazolam infusion to loss of consciousness. We also recorded awareness during anesthesia induction and serious adverse events related to death, life-threatening events, prolonged hospitalizations, and disability due to permanent damage. RESULTS: Twenty patients aged 84 [79-86] (median [interquartile range]) with American Society of Anesthesiologists physical status 4 were analyzed. Ephedrine 0 [0-4] mg and phenylephrine 0.1 [0-0.1] mg were administered to 14/20 patients (3 doses in 1 patient, 2 doses in 4 patients, and one dose in 9 patients). Loss of consciousness was achieved at 80 [69-86] s after the remimazolam infusion was started. The mean arterial pressure decreased gradually after loss of consciousness but recovered immediately after tracheal intubation. The bispectral index values gradually decreased and reached < 60 at 120 s after loss of consciousness. Neither awareness during induction of anesthesia nor serious adverse events, such as severe bradycardia (< 40 bpm), life-threatening arrhythmia, myocardial ischemia, or anaphylactic reactions were observed. CONCLUSIONS: Remimazolam could be used as an induction agent with timely bolus vasopressors in elderly patients with severe aortic stenosis. TRIAL REGISTRATION: UMIN Clinical Trials Registry, identifier UMIN000042318 .

Impact of the First Wave of COVID-19 on the Number of General Anesthesia Cases in 34 Tertiary Hospitals in Japan: A Multicenter Retrospective Study.

Since the first case of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) was reported in Japan in January 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic has brought about a significant change in people's lives. Although the COVID-19 pandemic is expected to have had an impact on the work of anesthesiologists, the specific impact has been largely unreported. We hypothesized that the number of general anesthesia (GA) cases has decreased due to the COVID-19 pandemic. To test this hypothesis, we conducted a retrospective survey at 34 facilities in Japan as a part of the Japanese Epidemiologic Study for Perioperative Anaphylaxis. The results showed that the number of GA cases had significantly decreased, particularly in May 2020, under the government's declaration of a state of emergency. The decline in GA caseload had not fully recovered by July 2020. Furthermore, there were regional differences in the decline in the number of GA cases. The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the work of anesthesiologists was greater in prefectures where there were more COVID-19 patients and where the state of emergency was declared earlier. Our study suggested a region-dependent decrease in the number of GA cases due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Strategy for improving the prognosis of patients with intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma by surgical treatment†:†Considerations based on experience and a literature review.

The prognosis of patients with intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (ICC) is still poor, and the 5-year survival rate in patients undergoing radical surgery (R0) is less than one-third. Since the prognosis depends mainly on tumor factors, so early diagnosis is necessary. To extend the survival time of these patients with a poor prognosis, cases of long-term survival were examined based on the results of our experiences and the literature. It was found that the hepatitis virus was highly involved in the carcinogenesis of ICC, and patients who were infected with hepatitis virus had rather good survival. J. Med. Invest. 68 : 15-21, February, 2021.

Subglottic stenosis due to an unexpected foreign body diagnosed after emergency tracheostomy in a child.

BACKGROUND: Subglottic stenosis is a known complication of traumatic and prolonged endotracheal intubation. It is rare that the causes of severe subglottic stenosis are revealed to be an unexpected foreign body after airway securement in a child. Subglottic stenosis in a child is often associated with airway emergency, and management of difficult airway may be required. CASE PRESENTATION: We report the case of an 8-year-old girl with severe subglottic stenosis who required emergency tracheostomy. Emergency tracheostomy was performed under regional anesthesia. Sevoflurane was administered with sufficient titration to maintain spontaneous breathing. At first, the cause of severe subglottic stenosis was thought to be a traumatic event that had occurred 1 month previously; however, subsequent laryngoscopy revealed that the cause of subglottic stenosis was a foreign body. CONCLUSIONS: Management of the airway in a child with severe subglottic stenosis should be selected according to each patient's individual circumstances.

Experimental Studies on Protective Effects of FK506 Against Hepatic Ischemia-Reperfusion Injury.

Purposes; FK506 (strong immunosuppressive agent) was investigated experimentally whether to protect the hepatic IRI. Methods; Warm ischemic experiment using pigs and rats were performed and examined whether FK506 is effective. Results; The results obtained are as follows. 1. Warm ischemia allowed time of the pigs without FK506 was 150 minutes, but as for that of FK506 group, the extension of 30 minutes was got in 180 minutes. 2. Biliary excretion rate of BSP after reperfusion were better in the group of 180 minutes ischemia with FK506 than in without FK506 group. 3. Chemiluminescence intensity in the peripheral neutrophils and adhered and infiltrated leukocytes in the liver were suppressed markedly by FK506. 4. The vascular endothelium with the scanning electron microscope was relatively preserved in the FK506 group comparing to the placebo group on 30 minutes after reperfusion. 5. Stress gastric ulcer was controlled and myeloperoxidase activity in the gastric mucosa was suppressed by FK506. Conclusion; Based on the results of theses experiments, it was suggested that FK506 has a protective effect on IRI by suppressing: the impairment of sinusoidal endothelial cells; the activation of KCs; the disturbance of micro-circulation; oxidative stress; inflammation; and the accumulation of leukocytes. J. Med. Invest. 63: 262-269, August, 2016.

Cancer cells spread through lymph vessels in the submucosal layer of the common bile duct in gallbladder carcinoma.

INTRODUCTION: In the present study, we performed immunohistochemical staining with a lymphatic epithelium-specific marker, D2-40, to analyze the status of lymphatic spreading in the hepatoduodenal ligament in T2 gallbladder carcinoma (GC). METHODS: One hundred and eighty-six paraffin-embedded specimens from 15 T2 GC patients were reviewed. RESULTS: Lymph vessels lined with D2-40 were visualized in the submucosal layer of the common bile duct in all cases. In 3 of 15 patients, clusters of cancer cells were identified in the submucosal lymph vessels of the extrahepatic bile duct, and this lymphatic invasion of cancer cells failed to be detected with only conventional hematoxylin-eosin staining. The frequency of the invasion to the submucosal lymph vessels in T2 GC correlated with presence of microscopic invasion to hepatoduodenal ligament and perineural invasion. CONCLUSION: There were lymph vessels in the submucosal layer of the common bile duct, and cancer cells can spread through these channels in addition to the large lymph vessels in subserosal layer around the extrahepatic bile duct in GC. The present results would support the concept of en bloc resection of the extrahepatic bile duct in curative resection for T2 GC.

Long-term outcomes of extended radical resection combined with intraoperative radiation therapy for pancreatic cancer.

BACKGROUND/PURPOSE: Systemic and/or local recurrence often occurs even after curative resection for pancreatic cancer (PC). To prevent local relapse we adopted an extended radical resection combined with intraoperative radiation therapy in patients with PC, and all the patients were followed for more than 5 years. METHODS: We assessed the long-term outcomes of 41 patients who underwent this combined therapy. The cumulative survival curve in this series was depicted using the Kaplan-Meier method. Statistical analyses were performed using the log-rank test. RESULTS: The actual 5-year survival rate was 14.6%, with a median survival time of 17.6 months. Six patients have been 5-year survivors. Local recurrence occurred in only 2 patients (5.0%). Cancer-related death occurred in 32 patients, 18 of whom had liver metastases. The patients with liver metastases had a significantly shorter survival time than those with other cancer-related causes of death. Patients with n3 lymph node involvement, extrapancreatic nerve plexus invasion, and stage IV disease had significantly poorer prognoses than patients without these characteristics. CONCLUSIONS: Our combined therapy for patients with PC contributed to local control; however, it provided no survival benefit, because of liver metastases.

Complete remission of pancreatic cancer after multiple resections of locally pancreatic recurrent sites and liver metastasis: report of a case.

Pancreatic cancer has the most dismal prognosis of all gastrointestinal cancers. We herein report a case of complete remission from pancreatic cancer by multire-sections of locally pancreatic recurrent sites and liver metastasis over a 14-year period. A 60-year-old man was admitted to our hospital because of a neoplasm of the tail of the pancreas in April 1992. A distal pancreatectomy was curatively performed on this patient. At 1 year after surgery a solitary liver metastasis appeared, and we thus performed a partial hepatectomy. Thereafter, local recurrences appeared twice and we performed a pancreatectomy each time. Finally, we performed a total pancreatectomy. The histopathological findings of specimens of the pancreas showed papillary adenocarcinoma, although the original pancreatic tumor also demonstrated areas of tubular adenocarcinoma. Metastatic liver tumor showed tubular adenocarcinoma. The patient has survived for 14 years since the first operation. This is a rare case of a long survival of a patient with pancreatic cancer due to its histopathology and biologic characteristics.