Optimal Timing of Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy After Conservative Therapy for Acute Cholecystitis.

Background/Aim: According to the Tokyo Guidelines 2018, the operation for acute cholecystitis is recommended to be performed as early as possible. However, there are cases in which early surgeries cannot be performed due to complications of patients or facility conditions, resulting in elective surgery. Hence, we retrospectively analyzed elective surgery cases in this study. Patients and Methods: There were 345 patients who were underwent laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) at our hospital from January 2019 to December 2020 in this retrospective study. A total of 83 patients underwent LC more than 3 days after conservative treatment. The elective LC patients were divided into the Early group (4-90 days after onset, n=36) and the Delayed group [91 days or more (13 weeks or more) after onset, n=31], excluding 16 patients who underwent percutaneous transhepatic gallbladder drainage. Results: As for operative time, there was a significant difference between the Delayed and Early groups (91.2 vs. 117 minutes, p=0.0108). And also, there was a significant difference in the postoperative hospital stay, which was significantly shorter in the Delayed group than in the Early group (3.4 vs. 5.9 days, p=0.0436). Although there were no significant differences in either conversion rates or complication rates, both of these were decreasing in the Delayed group. In particular, there were no complications in the Delayed group. Conclusion: When the conservative treatment for acute cholecystitis precedes and precludes urgent/early LC within 3 days, delaying LC for at least 91 days (13 weeks or more) after onset could reduce operative time and postoperative hospital stay. Moreover, there would be no complications after LC, and the rates of conversion during LC may be kept low.

Gemcitabine alters sialic acid binding of the glycocalyx and induces inflammatory cytokine production in cultured endothelial cells.

Gemcitabine (GEM) is an anticancer drug inhibiting DNA synthesis. Glomerular thrombotic microangiopathy (TMA) has been reported as an adverse effect. However, the precise mechanism of GEM-induced endothelial injury remains unknown. Cultured human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) in the confluent phase were exposed to GEM (5-100 µM) for 48 h and evaluated cell viability and morphology, lectin binding concerning sialic acid of endothelial glycocalyx (GCX), and immunofluorescent staining of platelet-endothelial cell adhesion molecule (PECAM) and vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 2 (VEGFR2). The mRNA expression of α2,6-sialyltransferase (ST6Gal1), sialidase (neuraminidase-1: NEU-1), and interleukin (IL)-1ß and IL-6 was also evaluated. GEM exposure at 5 µM induced cellular shrinkage and intercellular dissociation, accompanied by slight attenuation of PECAM and VEGFR2 immunostaining, although cell viability was still preserved. At this concentration, lectin binding showed a reduction of terminal sialic acids in endothelial GCX, probably associated with reduced ST6Gal1 mRNA expression. IL-1ß and IL-6 mRNA expression was significantly increased after GEM exposure. GEM reduced terminal sialic acids in endothelial GCX through mRNA suppression of ST6Gal1 and induced inflammatory cytokine production in HUVECs. This phenomenon could be associated with the mechanism of GEM-induced TMA.

A novel technique of STEM observation of TEM section using LVSEM and application of pathological diagnosis of renal biopsy.

The usefulness of the transmission electron microscope (TEM) for pathological diagnosis is apparent. However, high operating costs and other disadvantages have limited the ability to maintain and operate a TEM. In recent years, a general-purpose benchtop low-vacuum scanning electron microscope (LVSEM), which is inexpensive and easy to operate, has been developed and is expected to be applied in electron microscopic pathological diagnosis. To date, we have previously observed TEM ultrathin sections of Immunoglobulin A (IgA) nephropathy with a benchtop LVSEM using an ultra variable-pressure detector (UVD) and a newly developed holder for observing scanning transmission electron microscope (STEM) images (UVD-STEM holder) and compared the images with those obtained with typical TEM observations. We reported the results in the 53rd Annual Meeting of the Japanese Society for Clinical Molecular Morphology and the 64th Symposium of The Japanese Society of Microscopy and discussed the validity of the methods in the pathological diagnosis of IgA nephropathy and other renal diseases. As a result, we demonstrated the potential for pathological diagnosis using benchtop LVSEM. In this study, we similarly examined typical kidney diseases such as membranous nephropathy, lupus nephritis and amyloidosis. We could obtain sufficient data for the pathological diagnosis of IgA nephropathy, membranous nephropathy and lupus nephritis. However, it is difficult to detect amyloid fibres that are characteristic of amyloidosis. The development of this method is expected to expand the possibilities for pathological diagnosis using electron microscopy, including its application to other diseases.

The "Watch and Wait" Method After Chemoradiotherapy for Rectal Cancer Requiring Abdominoperineal Resection.

The present study examined the therapeutic effects of preoperative neoadjuvant chemoradiation therapy (NACRT) and predictive factors for complete clinical remission, compared the prognosis and costs of abdominoperineal resection (APR) and the "watch and wait" method (WW), and evaluated the usefulness of WW. In our department, patients with stage II-III lower rectal cancer requiring APR receive NACRT. NACRT was performed as a preoperative treatment (52 Gy + S-1: 80-120 mg/day × 25 days). Eight weeks after the completion of NACRT, rectal examination, endoscopic, computed tomography, and magnetic resonance imaging findings were evaluated to assess its therapeutic effects. APR was indicated for patients in whom endoscopic findings suggested a residual tumor in which a deep ulcer or marginal swelling remained or lymph node metastasis. However, WW was selected for patients who refused APR after informed consent was obtained. In the APR and WW groups, 5- and 20-year treatment costs after CRT were calculated using the Medical Fee Points of Japan in 2020. No significant differences were observed in 3-year disease-free survival rates for either parameter between the two groups. Regarding expenses, treatment costs were lower in the WW group than in the APR group. Organ preservation using active surveillance with CRT for rectal cancer requiring APR is feasible with the achievement of endoluminal complete remission.

A technique for constructing diverting loop ileostomy to prevent outlet obstruction after rectal resection and total colectomy: a retrospective single-center study.

PURPOSE: Preventing outlet obstruction associated with a diverting stoma is important. Previously, we constructed a diverting loop ileostomy with the proximal limb of the small intestine on the caudal side, namely the oral inferior (OI) method. However, to address the issue of twisting and stenosis of the small intestine, we recently constructed a diverting loop ileostomy with the proximal limb on the cranial side, namely the oral superior (OS) method. We compared the incidence of outlet obstruction between the two methods. METHODS: The subjects of this retrospective study were 133 patients who underwent colorectal resection or total colectomy, with D2 or more lymph node dissection and diverting loop ileostomy construction, between April, 2001 and December, 2018, at our hospital. The OI method was performed in 54 patients and the OS method was performed in 79 patients. RESULTS: In the OS group, a history of laparotomy, neoadjuvant therapy, clinical stage III, and the use of anti-adhesion materials were more common, whereas blood loss and the incidence of outlet obstruction were significantly lower. Multivariate analysis identified only OS placement as a significant factor for reducing the incidence of outlet obstruction. CONCLUSION: When constructing a diverting loop ileostomy, placing the proximal limb on the cranial side is important.

Impact of non-curative endoscopic submucosal dissection on short- and long-term outcome of subsequent laparoscopic gastrectomy for pT1 gastric cancer.

BACKGROUND: The feasibility and oncological safety of non-curative endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) prior to additional gastrectomy for early gastric cancer (EGC) are still unclear. The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of non-curative ESD on short- and long-term outcomes of subsequent laparoscopic gastrectomy (LG) for pathological T1 (pT1) EGC. METHODS: We retrospectively investigated 422 patients who underwent LG for pT1 EGC between January 2007 and December 2017 at our center. Eighty-five of these patients underwent ESD with curative intent before surgery. Using propensity-score matching for sex, age, body mass index, American society of anesthesiologists score, history of previous abdominal surgery, tumor location, mucosal/submucosal infiltration, histology, lymph node metastasis, extent of lymph node dissection, operative method, lymphatic invasion, and venous invasion, the clinicopathologic and survival data of these patients were compared. RESULTS: The median follow-up period was 60 (range 2-168) months. Using propensity-score matching from a total of 422 patients, 75 patients were selected in the Non-ESD and the ESD cohorts each. There were no significant differences in terms of characteristics and clinicopathological findings between the two groups. Furthermore, there were no significant differences in postoperative morbidity (13.3% vs. 17.3%; P = 0.497) and mortality (1.3% vs. 0%; P = 0.316). Both the 5-year overall survival ratio (88.8% vs. 86.9%; P = 0.757) and 5-year disease-specific survival ratio (97.1% vs. 98.4%; P = 0.333) were similar in the two groups. CONCLUSION: Short- and long-term outcomes of LG in patients with pT1 EGC are not related to preoperative ESD history. Even for non-curative resections, ESD prior to surgery is feasible in terms of oncological and surgical outcomes in pT1 EGC.

Obesity is not a risk factor for either mortality or complications after laparoscopic cholecystectomy for cholecystitis.

Obesity is a positive predictor of surgical morbidity. There are few reports of laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) outcomes in obese patients. This study aimed to clarify this relationship. This retrospective study included patients who underwent LC at Showa University Northern Yokohama Hospital between January 2017 and April 2020. A total of 563 cases were examined and divided into two groups: obese (n = 142) (BMI ≥ 25 kg/m2) and non-obese (n = 241) (BMI < 25 kg/m2). The non-obese group had more female patients (54%), whereas the obese group had more male patients (59.1%). The obese group was younger (56.6 years). Preoperative laboratory data of liver function were within the normal range. The obese group had a significantly higher white blood cell (WBC) count (6420/µL), although this was within normal range. Operative time was significantly longer in the obese group (p = 0.0001). However, blood loss and conversion rate were not significantly different among the groups, neither were surgical outcomes, including postoperative hospital stay and complications. Male sex and previous abdominal surgery were risk factors for conversion, and only advanced age (≥ 79 years) was an independent predictor of postoperative complications as observed in the multivariate analysis. Although the operation time was prolonged in obese patients, operative factors and outcomes were not. Therefore, LC could be safely performed in obese patients with similar efficacy as in non-obese patients.

Three-dimensional electron microscopy for endothelial glycocalyx observation using Alcian blue with silver enhancement.

Glycocalyx (GCX) is a thin layer of negatively charged glycoproteins that covers the vascular endothelial surface and regulates various biological processes. Because of the delicate and fragile properties of this structure, it is difficult to detect GCX morphologically. We established a simple method for a three-dimensional visualization of endothelial GCX using low-vacuum scanning electron microscopy (LVSEM) on formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded (FFPE) sections. Mouse kidney tissue was fixed with 10% buffered formalin containing 1% Alcian blue (ALB) via perfusion and immersion. FFPE sections were observed by light microscopy (LM) and LVSEM, and formalin-fixed epoxy resin-embedded ultrathin sections were observed by transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The endothelial GCX from various levels of kidney blood vessels was stained blue in LM and confirmed as a thin osmiophilic layer in TEM. In LVSEM, the sections stained by periodic acid methenamine silver (PAM) revealed the endothelial GCX as a layer of dense silver-enhanced particles, in both the samples fixed via perfusion and immersion. Correlative light and electron microscopy (CLEM) revealed the fine visible structure of endothelial GCX. This simple method using FFPE samples with ALB will enable the three-dimensional evaluation of endothelial GCX alterations in various human diseases associated with endothelial injury in future studies.

The ability of positron emission tomography/computed tomography to detect synchronous colonic cancers in patients with obstructive colorectal cancer.

Positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) is frequently used to detect colorectal cancer. The present retrospective study assessed the ability of PET/CT to identify synchronous colonic lesions in 72 patients with obstructive colorectal cancer. All patients had undergone surgical resection without undergoing preoperative total colonoscopy (TCS) at the Digestive Disease Center (April 2007 to September 2016), and subsequently underwent TCS of the proximal colon within 2 years post-surgery. A total of 11 patients exhibited 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose uptake during PET/CT of the proximal colon (4 invasive cancers, 3 advanced adenomas and 4 false-positive results), and 61 patients had no uptake in the proximal colon. Among these 61 patients, postoperative TCS revealed 2 invasive cancers and 4 advanced adenomas. The sensitivity of PET/CT for detecting synchronous invasive cancers was 66.6% (4/6), with a specificity of 89.4% (59/66), a positive predictive value of 36.4% (4/11), a negative predictive value of 96.7% (59/61), and an accuracy of 87.5% (63/72). Negative PET/CT results indicated a low probability of synchronous lesions in the proximal colon. Thus, PET/CT may be a useful tool for detecting synchronous colonic cancers in patients with obstructive colon cancer.

Impact of obesity on short- and long-term outcomes of laparoscopy assisted distal gastrectomy for gastric cancer.

BACKGROUND: Laparoscopy assisted distal gastrectomy (LADG) for gastric cancer has been rapidly adopted for the treatment of both early and advanced gastric cancers which need lymph node dissection, but remains difficult procedure, especially in patients with obesity. We evaluated the impact of obesity on short- and long-term outcomes of LADG for gastric cancer. METHODS: We retrospectively investigated 243 patients who underwent LADG for gastric cancer between January 2007 and December 2014. The patients were classified based on their body mass index (BMI) into the Obese (BMI ≥ 25) and Non-Obese (BMI < 25) Groups. Patient characteristics, clinicopathologic and operative findings, and short- and long-term outcomes were investigated and compared between the groups. RESULTS: The groups did not differ in age, sex, American Society of Anesthesiologists score, the presence of comorbidities, or pathologic stage. Operative time (265 ± 46.6 vs. 244 ± 55.6 min; P = 0.007) and estimated blood loss (113 ± 101.4 vs. 66.5 ± 95.2 ml; P = 0.007) were greater in the Obese Group. Fewer lymph nodes were retrieved in the Obese Group (38 ± 23.7 vs. 47.5 ± 24.3; P = 0.004). No differences were evident in postoperative complication rate (20% vs. 17%; P = 0.688) or the duration of postoperative hospital stay (9 ± 8.5 vs. 9 ± 5.1 days; P = 0.283) between the two groups. In the Obese Group, the 5-year overall survival rate was significantly lower than in the Non-Obese Group (67.6% vs. 90.3%; P = 0.036). Furthermore, 5-year disease-specific survival was significantly lower in the Obese Group than in the Non-Obese Group (72.7% vs. 94.9%; P = 0.015). CONCLUSIONS: LADG in patients with obesity could be performed as safe as in patients without obesity, with comparable postoperative results. But obesity may be a poor prognostic factor in gastric cancer.

Fecal Volume after Laparoscopic Low Anterior Resection Predicts Anastomotic Leakage.

BACKGROUND/AIM: Anastomotic leakage (AL) is a major complication after laparoscopic low anterior resection (Lap-LAR). Many surgeons encounter AL following severe postoperative diarrhea. However, little is known about the relationship between postoperative fecal volume and AL. This study determined whether postoperative fecal volume can predict AL. METHODS: A retrospective assessment was performed with data from 176 patients with rectal cancers who underwent Lap-LAR between April 2011 and August 2015. A transanal tube was routinely placed in all cases. The fecal volume from the transanal tube was measured daily. The total fecal volume for 3 days after surgery was compared between the AL and non-AL groups. RESULTS: AL occurred in 11 patients. There were 3 patients with a fecal volume ≥1,000 mL for 3 days after surgery. AL occurred in these 3 patients. In patients with a fecal volume <1,000 mL, the total fecal volume was significantly greater in the AL group than that in the non-AL group (p = 0.0003). The cut-off value of the total fecal volume in AL was 118 mL. CONCLUSIONS: The volume of fecal discharge for 3 days after surgery is associated with the incidence of AL, and a fecal volume ≥118 mL may be a reliable predictor for AL.

Laparoscopic Extirpation of a Schwannoma in the Lateral Pelvic Space.

Schwannomas in the lateral pelvic space are very rare. Here, we report the case of a 48-year-old woman who had a tumor detected in her abdomen by abdominal ultrasonography. Abdominal computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging revealed a well-defined solid tumor of 65 mm in diameter in the right lateral pelvic space. We performed laparoscopic surgery under a diagnosis of a gastrointestinal tumor or neurogenic tumor. The tumor was safely dissected and freed from the surrounding tissues using sharp and blunt maneuvers. The tumor originated from the right sciatic nerve. Complete laparoscopic extirpation was performed with preservation of the right sciatic nerve. Pathological examination suggested schwannoma. The patient recovered well but had remaining sciatic nerve palsy in her right foot. Laparoscopic extirpation for a schwannoma in the lateral pelvic space was safe and feasible due to the magnified surgical field afforded by laparoscopy.

Morphology as a risk factor for the malignant potential of T2 colorectal cancer.

Currently, depressed type T1 colorectal cancer is often detected and its malignant potential is being revealed. However, few reports have focused on the morphology of T2 colorectal cancer types. The aim of the present retrospective study was to clarify the characteristics of colorectal T2 cancer types derived from depressed type T1 cancer. The present study included 195 patients with colorectal T2 cancer surgically resected at a referral hospital between April 2001 and April 2009. A total of 48 lesions (25%) with lymph node metastasis and 4 (2%) with distant metastasis were found. The lesions were classified by their form during endoscopy into four categories: Group A, depressed type (the periphery consists of normal mucosa); group B, laterally spreading type; group C, protruded type; group D, ulcerative type (the periphery consists of neoplastic mucosa). Tumor size, lymphatic and venous involvement, lymph node metastasis, and distant metastasis were compared between the four categories. The distribution of patients were as follows: Group A, 73 (37%), group B, 26 (13%), group C, 24 (12%) and group D, 72 (37%). The average tumor size for each category was 23, 51, 30 and 36 mm for groups A, B, C and D, respectively. The number of positive findings for lymphatic involvement, venous involvement, lymph node metastasis and distant metastasis for each category were: Group A, 50 (69%), 54 (74%), 19 (26%) and 1 (1%); group B, 14 (54%), 12 (46%), 8 (31%) and 0 (0%); group C, 14 (58%), 8 (33%), 6 (25%) and 0 (0%); group D 35 (49%), 41 (57%), 16 (22%) and 3 (4%). Group A demonstrated a significantly smaller tumor size (P<0.01), and higher rates of lymphatic and venous involvement (P=0.0333 and P=0.0019, respectively). No significant differences were observed between categories with regards to nodal and distant metastases. Of the T2 cancer types, ~40% were the depressed type. Compared with the other forms, depressed type lesions exhibited a smaller tumor size, and higher rates of lymphatic and venous involvement, which suggested these lesions were of a more malignant nature.

Tumor Diameter is an Easy and Useful Predictor of Recurrence in Stage II Colorectal Cancer.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Adjuvant chemotherapy for stage II colorectal cancer (CRC) can generally be administered to high-risk subgroups. To better identify these patients, we aimed at assessing factors that affect recurrence. METHODS: In our hospital, 432 colon and 96 rectal stage II cancer patients who underwent surgical resection between 2001 and 2011 were divided into recurrence and non-recurrence groups. Age, sex, lymphatic vessel invasion, venous invasion, tumor diameter, tumor depth, histological type, preoperative carcinoembryonic antigen level, number of sampled nodes, adjuvant chemotherapy, morphology, surgical approach, anastomotic leakage, preoperative bowel obstruction, and preoperative perforation were retrospectively compared between the groups. RESULTS: For colon cancer, multivariate analysis revealed a significant association between tumor diameter ≥40 mm and recurrence (p = 0.039). For rectal cancer, multivariate analysis revealed that tumor diameter ≥50 mm (p = 0.001) and ≤12 sampled nodes (p = 0.021) were associated with recurrence. Tumor diameter in rectal cancer was associated with worse disease-free survival (p = 0.026). CONCLUSION: Tumor diameter is a significant predictor of recurrence in stage II CRC. This is an important finding because tumor diameter is easy to evaluate clinically and might help to identify candidates for adjuvant chemotherapy.

Transverse colon cancer occurring at a colostomy site 35 years after colostomy: a case report.

BACKGROUND: Carcinomas occurring at colostomy sites are rare, and most of these are metachronous colorectal cancers. The median time between colostomy and development of a carcinoma at a colostomy site is 22 years, which exceeds the length of the recommended follow-up period. We report a rare case of a carcinoma of the transverse colon occurring at a colostomy site in a patient without a history of colorectal cancer. CASE REPORT: An 89-year-old woman presented with a tumor occurring at a colostomy site. Thirty-five years previously, she had undergone a transverse loop colostomy for an iatrogenic colon perforation that occurred during left ureteral lithotomy. Upon physical examination, the patient had a hard nodule measuring 3 cm at the colostomy site. A biopsy of the nodule suggested adenocarcinoma, and the preoperative diagnosis was transverse colon cancer. A laparotomy was performed via a peristomal incision with 5-mm skin margins, and the tumor was covered by a surgical glove to avoid any tumor seeding. The colon was separated from the tumor by 5-cm margins, and the specimen was removed en bloc. An end colostomy was constructed to a new site on the right side of the abdomen. The deficit in the abdominal wall was repaired, and the skin was closed via a purse-string suture. The final diagnosis of the stoma tumor was transverse colon cancer (T2, N0, M0, stage I). One year and five months after surgery, there was no evidence of recurrence. CONCLUSIONS: The occurrence of carcinomas at colostomy sites in patients without a history of colorectal cancer is rare. It is important to train ostomates to monitor the stoma for possible tumor recurrence.

Efficacy of transanal tube for prevention of anastomotic leakage following laparoscopic low anterior resection for rectal cancers: a retrospective cohort study in a single institution.

BACKGROUND: Anastomotic leakage is one of the most serious complications following laparoscopic low anterior resection (LAR) for rectal cancers. The purpose of this study was to investigate whether transanal tube placement can reduce anastomotic leakage following laparoscopic LAR. METHODS: Retrospective assessment was performed on 205 patients with rectal cancers who underwent laparoscopic LAR. A transanal tube was placed after anastomosis in 96 patients (group A). Another 109 patients were operated on without a transanal tube (group B). Clinicopathological and operative variables, the frequencies of anastomotic leakage and re-operation after leakage were investigated. RESULTS: Patient age, gender, body mass index, tumor size, Dukes' stage, intra-operative blood loss, and the rate of left colic artery preservation were comparable between the two groups. Tumor location was lower and operative time was significantly longer in group A than group B (p < 0.001). Overall rate of leakage was 9.3 % (19/205). The frequency of leakage was 4.2 % (4/96) in group A and was 13.8 % (15/109) in group B. The rate of leakage was significantly lower in group A (p < 0.05). Furthermore, the re-operation rate for symptomatic anastomotic leakage was 0 % (0/4) in group A, while in contrast it was 73.3 % (10/15) in group B. The rate of re-operation was lower in group A than group B (p < 0.05) and all cases with symptomatic leakage in group A were cured by conservative treatment. CONCLUSIONS: Transanal tube placement was effective for prevention of anastomotic leakage following laparoscopic LAR and avoiding re-operation after symptomatic leakage.

Malignant peritoneal mesothelioma with lymph node metastasis that originated in the transverse colon.

BACKGROUND: We report an extremely rare case of resection of localized biphasic malignant peritoneal mesothelioma of the transverse colon. CASE REPORT: Computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging in a 72-year-old man showed a tumor with enhanced borders consistent with the transverse colon. Colonoscopy showed ulcerative lesions in the transverse colon, but histological examination showed no malignancy. A gastrointestinal stromal tumor was strongly suspected, so an extended right hemicolectomy was performed. Histopathological examination showed that the tumor was a localized malignant peritoneal mesothelioma of the transverse colon. The patient did not receive postoperative chemotherapy and died 18 months after surgery. CONCLUSIONS: The number of patients with malignant mesotheliomas is predicted to increase in the future both in Japan and in western countries. We report this case due to its probable usefulness in future studies pertaining to the diagnosis and treatment of malignant mesotheliomas.

[A case of severe enteritis induced by adjuvant chemotherapy for colon cancer].

A 77-year-old man underwent surgery for sigmoid colon cancer. He was diagnosed with Stage IIIa colon cancer; there- fore, we initiated oral administration of adjuvant chemotherapy comprising uracil/tegafur(UFT)plus Leucovorin(LV). However, chemotherapy was stopped after 21 days because of fatigue and diarrhea. He recovered after 3 weeks, and we administered the same regimen with a dose reduction. However, he again experienced fatigue and diarrhea after 20 days; therefore, chemotherapy was discontinued. Subsequently, he was hospitalized 8 times for conditions such as diarrhea, hypoalbuminemia, and fever. Computed tomography revealed thickening of the transverse colonic wall and colonoscopy revealed colitis, which we believe was induced by UFT plus LV. Twelve months after the last chemotherapy session, he was diagnosed with Clostridium difficile colitis. Therefore, we initiated the oral administration of vancomycin, which resulted in rapid recovery from colitis. However, he developed liver metastasis and died 29 months after the initiation of chemotherapy. We believe that this severe case of intractable colitis was caused by UFT plus LV. Therefore, we report this case with a review of the literature on enteritis induced by fluorouracil-based anticancer agents in Japan.

Complete laparoscopic surgery for early colorectal cancer after endoscopic resection.

INTRODUCTION: Laparoscopic-assisted colorectal surgery requires a mini-laparotomy to extract the specimen and insert the anvil head of the circular stapler into the proximal colon. However, such a mini-laparotomy occasionally causes local pain and surgical-site infection. To avoid mini-laparotomy, we invented a new laparoscopic technique, complete laparoscopic surgery for colorectal cancer. MATERIALS AND SURGICAL TECHNIQUE: Sigmoid colon or rectal cancer patients who had undergone colonoscopic excision for T1 cancer and subsequently required bowel resection due to unfavorable histology were recruited. This new procedure used both the double stapling technique and the rectal-prolapsing technique, where the anvil was transanally inserted into the proximal colon and bowel resection was extracorporeally performed after pulling out the colon-rectum via the anus. DISCUSSION: This procedure was attempted in 17 patients and successfully achieved in 13 patients. Total laparoscopic colorectal surgery has some problems such as bacterial contamination or infection, as well as dissemination caused by intraluminal exfoliated cancer cells. This procedure is limited to post-endoscopic resection patients who are suited for reconstruction by double stapling technique, and it may be impossible in patients with thick mesentery or anal stenosis. Moreover, this method resolves issues of peritoneal contamination and dissemination. However, a new protection method for implantation of exfoliated cancer cells needs to be established, so that complete laparoscopic surgery can be employed in patients with small cancers.

Intraductal tubulopapillary neoplasms of the pancreas: case report and review of the literature.

A 69-year-old woman was referred to our hospital after incidental identification of a pancreatic mass during follow-up for diabetes mellitus. Various imaging examinations showed a tumor in the main pancreatic duct, without apparent hypersecretion of mucin. Brush cytologic examination revealed class V disease (adenocarcinoma). Because preoperative examination suggested an intraductal neoplasm with associated invasive cancer, total pancreatectomy was performed. Histological examination, based on current World Health Organization classifications, suggested a diagnosis of intraductal tubulopapillary neoplasm. A small cystic lesion adjacent to the intraductal tubulopapillary neoplasm was incidentally diagnosed as serous cystadenoma. The patient has remained well without recurrence as of 24 months postoperatively. Computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging of the intraductal tubulopapillary neoplasm suggested ductal cell carcinoma of the pancreas rather than intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasm. Distinguishing intraductal tubulopapillary neoplasm from ductal cell carcinoma is clinically important, as intraductal tubulopapillary neoplasm has a favorable prognosis after curative resection.