Absence of a weekday effect on short- and long-term oncologic outcomes of gastrectomy for gastric cancer: a propensity score matching analysis.

BACKGROUND: Day of the week when elective gastrointestinal surgery is performed may be influenced by various background and tumor-related factors. Relationships between postoperative outcome and when in the week gastrectomy is performed remain controversial. We undertook this study to evaluate whether weekday of gastrectomy influenced outcomes of gastric cancer treatment ("weekday effect"). METHODS: Patients who underwent curative surgery for gastric cancer between 2004 and 2017 were included in this retrospective study. To obtain 2 cohorts well balanced for variables that might influence clinical outcomes, patients whose gastrectomy was performed early in the week (EW group) were matched 1:1 with others undergoing gastrectomy later in the week (LW group) by use of propensity scores. RESULTS: Among 554 patients, 216 were selected from each group by propensity score matching. Incidence of postoperative complications classified as Clavien-Dindo grade II or higher was similar between EW and LW groups (20.4% vs. 24.1%; P = 0.418). Five-year overall and recurrence-free survival were 86.0% and 81.9% in the EW group, and 86.2% and 81.1% in the LW group (P = 0.981 and P = 0.835, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Short- and long-term outcomes were comparable between gastric cancer patients who underwent gastrectomy early and late in the week.

Benefit of laparoscopic compared to standard open gastric cancer surgery for sarcopenic patients: a propensity score-matching analysis.

BACKGROUND: Laparoscopic gastrectomy (LG) is performed widely, but whether LG is the optimal treatment for sarcopenic gastric cancer patients is unclear. This study aimed to determine whether LG is particularly beneficial for gastric cancer patients with sarcopenia. METHODS: We collected data concerning 604 consecutive patients who underwent gastrectomy for gastric cancer between January 2003 and December 2019. After adjustment using one-to-one propensity score matching, short-term and long-term outcomes were compared between LG and open gastrectomy (OG) groups among patients with sarcopenia and those without. RESULTS: Among patients with and without sarcopenia, the LG group had a significantly longer operative time but less blood loss than the OG group. The two groups showed no significant differences regarding complications. Although 5-year overall and disease-specific survival were similar between LG and OG groups among patients with and without sarcopenia, LG was associated with greater 5-year non-gastric cancer-related survival than OG among patients with sarcopenia (88.3% vs. 78.1%, P = 0.048), but not those without. CONCLUSION: LG for resectable gastric cancer was not inferior to OG regarding complications and outcomes in patients with or without sarcopenia. No difference in overall survival was evident between these approaches, but LG may lessen mortality from conditions unrelated to gastric cancer in sarcopenic patients.

Impact of body fat and muscle quantity on short- and long-term outcome after gastrectomy for cancer.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: Preoperative low skeletal muscle mass and obesity have been identified as poor prognostic factors after gastrectomy for cancer, but the predictive value of combined quantitation of skeletal muscle mass and obesity remains unclear. This study examined the impact of combined body compositions on outcomes after gastrectomy for cancer. METHODS: 518 patients who had undergone gastric resection for cancer between 2004 and 2017 were analyzed retrospectively. Skeletal muscle mass (skeletal muscle mass index (SMI)) and visceral obesity (visceral fat area) were measured in preoperative computed tomographic images to categorize patients as outlined below. Impacts of these body compositions on outcomes after gastrectomy were investigated. RESULTS: Body composition was classified as high SMI without obesity in 231 patients (45%), high SMI with obesity in 202 (39%), low SMI without obesity in 55 (11%), and low SMI with obesity in 30 (6%). Postoperative complications developed in 128 patients (25%). Multivariate analysis identified low SMI with obesity as an independent risk factor for postoperative complications (odds ratio, 3.27; P = 0.010). Moreover, patients with low SMI without obesity had lower 5-year overall survival rates than patients with high SMI without obesity (64.4% vs. 88.0%; P < 0.001) and worse 5-year relapse-free survival rates (61.3% vs. 81.3%; P = 0.002). Multivariate analysis identified low SMI without obesity as a significant risk factor for overall survival (hazard ratio, 3.033; P < 0.001) and relapse-free survival (hazard ratio, 2.144; P = 0.008) after gastrectomy. CONCLUSION: Preoperative low SMI with obesity was an independent risk factor for postoperative complications, while low SMI without obesity was an independent risk factor for overall and relapse-free survival following gastrectomy for cancer.

Superior mesenteric vein reconstruction during pancreatoduodenectomy using a dilated right ovarian vein in a patient at future risk for pelvic congestion syndrome: a case report.

BACKGROUND: Pancreatoduodenectomy including resection of the superior mesenteric vein (SMV) is increasingly performed for right-sided pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma invading the wall of that vessel. Various venous grafts may be chosen for reconstruction. We present a woman with pancreatic cancer who underwent such a pancreatoduodenectomy with venous reconstruction using a dilated right ovarian vein. CASE PRESENTATION: A 71-year-old woman with cancer involving the pancreatic head, uncinate process, and SMV underwent pancreatoduodenectomy with SMV resection. Reconstruction used a portion of the right ovarian vein that was markedly dilated and had placed her at risk for pelvic congestion syndrome (PCS). Graft patency was confirmed 8 months after surgery. She now finished receiving adjuvant chemotherapy and has no symptoms of PCS. CONCLUSION: If an ovarian vein has sufficient diameter, it can be used to reconstruct the resected segment of the SMV during pancreatoduodenectomy in suitable patients.

Association between low preoperative skeletal muscle quality and infectious complications following gastrectomy for gastric cancer.

PURPOSE: It is known that sarcopenia affects the overall short- and long-term outcomes of patients with gastric cancer (GC); however, the effect of muscle quality on infectious complications after gastrectomy for GC remains unclear. We investigated the associations between the preoperative quantity and quality of skeletal muscle on infectious complications following gastrectomy for GC. METHODS: The subjects of this retrospective study were 353 GC patients who underwent radical gastrectomy between 2009 and 2018. We examined the relationships between their clinical factors, including skeletal muscle mass index and intramuscular adipose tissue content (IMAC), and infectious complications after gastrectomy. RESULTS: Infectious complications developed in 59 patients (16.7%). The independent risk factors for infectious complications identified by multivariate analysis were male gender (P < 0.001), prognostic nutritional index below 45 (P = 0.006), and high IMAC (P = 0.011). Patients with a high IMAC were older and had a higher body mass index, as well as a greater age-adjusted Charlson comorbidity index, than those with low or normal IMAC. CONCLUSIONS: Low skeletal muscle quality defined by a high IMAC is a risk factor for infectious complications following gastrectomy. When feasible, preoperative nutritional intervention and rehabilitation aiming to improve muscle quality could reduce infectious complications after gastrectomy for GC.

Prediction of Portal Vein Thrombosis Following Hepatectomy for Perihilar Cholangiocarcinoma: Efficacy of Postoperative Portal Vein Diameter Ratio and Angle.

BACKGROUND: Portal vein thrombosis (PVT) is a life-threatening complication after hepatectomy. However, the relationship between postoperative PVT and morphometric features of the PV has not been fully elucidated yet. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A total of 81 patients who underwent hepatectomy for perihilar cholangio-carcinoma (PHCC) were studied. We investigated the diameters and angles of PV using pre- and postoperative computed tomography (CT) reconstructed by SYNAPSE VINCENT®. RESULTS: The incidence of PVT after hepatectomy was 11.1%. There were significant differences with respect to the remnant liver PV diameter (p=0.015), the diameter ratio (p=0.001), and the postoperative PV angle (p=0.001) between patients with and without PVT. Multivariate analysis revealed that a postoperative PV angle of less than 90° (p=0.008) and a diameter ratio of less than 45% (p=0.041) were independent risk factors for PVT. CONCLUSION: A postoperative PV angle of less than 90° and diameter ratio of less than 45% eventually lead to PVT after hepatectomy for PHCC.

Combined resection of the transpancreatic common hepatic artery preserving the gastric arterial arcade without arterial reconstruction in hepatopancreatoduodenectomy: a case report.

BACKGROUND: Surgeons sometimes must plan pancreatoduodenectomy (PD) for patients with a variant common hepatic artery (CHA) branching from the superior mesenteric artery (SMA) penetrating the pancreatic parenchyma, known as a transpancreatic CHA (tp-CHA). CASE PRESENTATION: A 67-year-old man was admitted to our hospital because of liver dysfunction. A duodenal tumor was identified by gastrointestinal endoscopy, and a biopsy revealed a neuroendocrine tumor. Computed tomography showed multiple metastases in the left three sections of the liver. As an anatomical variant, the CHA branched from the SMA and passed through the parenchyma of the pancreatic head, and all hepatic arteries branched from the CHA. Furthermore, the arcade between the left and right gastric artery (RGA) was detected, and the RGA branched from the root of the left hepatic artery. PD and left trisectionectomy of the liver were performed. The tp-CHA was resected with the pancreatic head, and the gastric arterial arcade was preserved to maintain the right posterior hepatic arterial flow. Postoperatively, there were no signs of hepatic ischemia. CONCLUSIONS: When planning PD, including hepatopancreatoduodenectomy, for patients with a tp-CHA, surgeons should simulate various situations for maintaining the hepatic arterial flow. The preservation of the gastric arterial arcade is an option for maintaining the hepatic arterial flow to avoid arterial reconstruction.

Pancreaticoduodenectomy with hepatic arterial revascularization for pancreatic head cancer with stenosis of the celiac axis due to compression by the median arcuate ligament: a case report.

A 71-year-old woman presented to our hospital because pancreatic head cancer was suspected on a medical checkup. Computed tomography showed a 30 mm low-density lesion in the pancreatic head, and the stenosis of the celiac axis (CA) due to the median arcuate ligament (MAL) compression. We made a preoperative diagnosis of pancreatic head cancer and performed laparotomy. Transection of the MAL failed to restore adequate hepatic arterial flow, necessitating arterial revascularization, which was achieved by end-to-end anastomosis between the gastroduodenal artery and the middle colic artery. After reconstruction, Doppler ultrasonography showed improved hepatic arterial signal. The patient was discharged 16 days after surgery with no complications. When planning pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD) for such patients with CA stenosis due to MAL compression, surgeons should simulate a situation of insufficient hepatic arterial flow after division of the MAL, and prepare for reconstruction of the hepatic artery during PD.

Negative Impact of Skeletal Muscle Wasting After Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy Followed by Surgery on Survival for Patients with Thoracic Esophageal Cancer.

BACKGROUND: Skeletal muscle wasting during curative treatment is an important issue faced by esophageal cancer patients. However, it has not been clarified whether skeletal muscle change during neoadjuvant chemotherapy followed by surgery adversely affects prognosis. This study aimed to determine the relation between skeletal muscle change and survival for patients with advanced esophageal cancer who underwent neoadjuvant chemotherapy followed by surgery. METHODS: This study retrospectively analyzed 66 patients with thoracic esophageal cancer who had undergone neoadjuvant chemotherapy followed by esophagectomy. The study investigated the correlation between the change in the total muscle cross-sectional area at the third lumbar vertebra before and 4 months after surgery as well as the postoperative recurrence and overall survival (OS). RESULTS: Of the 66 patients, 39 (59%) showed a skeletal muscle decrease from baseline to 4 months after esophagectomy. The change in the skeletal muscle index from baseline to 4 months after surgery was -1.2 cm2/m2. Multivariable analysis showed that nonsquamous cell carcinoma subtype (hazard ratio [HR] 2.57; p = 0.029), pathologic stage (HR 5.73; p < 0.01), and skeletal muscle wasting (HR per 1 unit decrease in skeletal muscle index, 1.16; p = 0.015) were the independent prognostic factors associated with worse OS. Additionally, pathologic stage (HR 6.03; p < 0.01) and skeletal muscle wasting (HR per 1 unit decrease in skeletal muscle index, 1.11; p = 0.048) also were found to be independent prognostic factors associated with worse recurrence-free survival. CONCLUSIONS: The study findings suggest that skeletal muscle wasting from baseline has a negative impact on cancer recurrence and survival.

An S100P-positive biliary epithelial field is a preinvasive intraepithelial neoplasm in nodular-sclerosing cholangiocarcinoma.

Nodular-sclerosing cholangiocarcinoma (NS-CCA) is a common CCA of the intrahepatic large, perihilar, and distal bile ducts. Intraepithelial biliary neoplasms, such as the mucosal extension of carcinoma and preinvasive neoplastic lesions (ie, biliary intraepithelial neoplasia) reportedly occur in the bile ducts around CCA. In the present study, we collectively refer to these intraepithelial lesions as "intraepithelial neoplasms of the bile duct (IENBs)". We examined the IENBs in 57 surgically resected cases of NS-CCA. S100P immunostaining was used to help detect IENBs. The IENBs formed field(s) of continuous neoplastic biliary epithelial cells and showed a flat, micropapillary, or papillotubular configuration. IENBs could be classified into 3 categories based on their atypia: group A (neoplastic but not enough for malignancy), B (neoplastic and sufficiently well differentiated for high-grade dysplasia), and C (overtly malignant and variably differentiated). IENB was found in 31 of 57 cases, with group C the most common (26 cases) followed by group B (22 cases) and group A (16 cases). The expression of cancer-related molecules and MIB-1 index of groups A and B differed from those of invasive CCA, whereas these features of group C were relatively similar to those of invasive CCA. In conclusion, IENB was not infrequently found in NS-CCA and could be classified into 3 grades. Preinvasive lesions (biliary intraepithelial neoplasias) are likely to be found in groups A and B, whereas cancerization would be included in group C. The classification of IENB may be useful for future studies of the preinvasive intraepithelial neoplastic lesions of NS-CCAs.

Cystic micropapillary neoplasm of peribiliary glands with concomitant perihilar cholangiocarcinoma.

We report a case of a 75-year-old man with cystic micropapillary neoplasm of peribiliary glands detected preoperatively by radiologic examination. Enhanced computed tomography showed a low-density mass 2.2 cm in diameter in the right hepatic hilum and a cystic lesion around the common hepatic duct. Under a diagnosis of perihilar cholangiocarcinoma, right hepatectomy with caudate lobectomy and bile duct resection were performed. Pathological examination revealed perihilar cholangiocarcinoma mainly involving the right hepatic duct. The cystic lesion was multilocular and covered by columnar lining epithelia exhibiting increased proliferative activity and p53 nuclear expression; it also contained foci of micropapillary and glandular proliferation. Therefore, the lesion was diagnosed as a cystic micropapillary neoplasm of peribiliary glands and resembled flat branch-type intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasm of the pancreas. Histological examination showed the lesion was discontinuous with the perihilar cholangiocarcinoma. Immunohistochemistry showed the cystic neoplasm was strongly positive for MUC6 and that the cholangiocarcinoma was strongly positive for MUC5AC and S100P. These results suggest these two lesions have different origins. This case warrants further study on whether this type of neoplasm is associated with concomitant cholangiocarcinoma as observed in pancreatic intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasm with concomitant pancreatic duct adenocarcinoma.

Latest advances in the pathological understanding of cholangiocarcinomas.

Cholangiocarcinomas (CCAs) are anatomically classified into intrahepatic, perihilar, and distal types. The gross pathological classification of intrahepatic CCAs divides them into mass-forming, periductal-infiltrating, and intraductal-growth types; and perihilar/distal CCAs into flat- and nodular-infiltrating and papillary types. Unique preinvasive lesions appear to precede individual gross types of CCA. Biliary intraepithelial neoplasia, a flat lesion, precedes periductal-, flat-, and nodular-infiltrating CCAs, whereas intraductal papillary neoplasm of the bile duct (IPNB) precedes the intraductal-growth and papillary type of CCAs. IPNBs are heterogeneous in their histological and pathological profiles along the biliary tree. Hepatobiliary cystadenomas/adenocarcinomas are reclassified as cystic IPNBs and hepatic mucinous cystic neoplasms. Peribiliary glands may participate in the development of CCAs. These latest findings present a new challenge for understanding the pathology of CCAs.

Laparoendoscopic single site partial resection of the stomach for gastrointestinal stromal tumor.

Laparoendoscopic single site surgery offers excellent cosmetic results and may be associated with decreased postoperative pain, reduced need for analgesia, and thus accelerated recovery. Preliminary experience with single-incision laparoscopic partial resection of the stomach for gastrointestinal stromal tumor (GIST) is reported. A single curved intraumbilical 25-mm incision was made with pulling out the umbilicus, and a 12-mm and two 5-mm ports were inserted. The submucosal gastric tumor located in the anterior wall of the stomach was resected with 2 endoscopic staplers under the retraction of 2-mm mini-loop retractor. The procedure was completed successfully without any perioperative complications, and there was no need to extend the skin incision. The operative time was 64 minutes. The final pathologic diagnosis was benign GIST. Postoperative follow-up did not reveal any umbilical wound complication. Laparoendoscopic single site partial resection of the stomach for GIST is feasible and a promising alternative method for scarless abdominal surgery.

Single-incision laparoscopic cholecystectomy: single institution experience and literature review.

Single-incision laparoscopic surgery is a rapidly evolving field as a bridge between traditional laparoscopic surgery and natural orifice transluminal endoscopic surgery. We report one of the initial clinical experiences in Japan with this new technique. Four cases of gallbladder diseases were selected for this new technique. A single curved intra-umbilical 25-mm incision was made by pulling out the umbilicus. A 12-mm trocar was placed through an open approach, and the abdominal cavity was explored with a 10-mm semi-flexible laparoscope. Two 5-mm ports were inserted laterally from the laparoscope port. A 2-mm mini-loop retractor was inserted to retract the fundus of the gallbladder. Dissection was performed using an electric cautery hook and an Endograsper roticulator. There were two women and two men with a mean age of 50.5 years (range: 40-61 years). All procedures were completed successfully without any perioperative complications. In all cases, there was no need to extend the skin incision. Average operative time was 88.8 min. Postoperative follow-up did not reveal any umbilical wound complication. Single-incision laparoscopic cholecystectomy is feasible and a promising alternative method as scarless abdominal surgery for the treatment of some patients with gallbladder disease.