Endoscopic Resection of Ampullary Neuroendocrine Tumor.

We report the case of a 57-year-old man with a 1.0-cm grade 1 neuroendocrine tumor (G1 NET) of the ampulla of Vater (ampullary NET) who underwent endoscopic snare papillectomy. Pancreatitis occurred after endoscopic resection but was cured with conservative therapy. In two years of follow-up, no local recurrence or metastasis occurred. Endoscopic snare papillectomy for small G1 NET of the ampulla of Vater is relatively safe and less invasive than surgical treatment and should be considered as treatment option.

Use of a Fibrinogen/Thrombin-Based Collagen Fleece (TachoComb, TachoSil) With a Stapled Closure to Prevent Pancreatic Fistula Formation Following Distal Pancreatectomy.

BACKGROUND/PURPOSE: Postoperative pancreatic fistula formation remains a source of significant morbidity following distal pancreatectomy. The aim of this study was to evaluate the rate of clinically significant fistulas (International Study Group on Pancreatic Fistula grade B and grade C) after distal pancreatectomy using a fibrinogen/thrombin-based collagen fleece (TachoComb, TachoSil) with a stapled closure. METHODS: Seventy-five patients underwent distal pancreatectomy at our institution between January 2005 and March 2014. A fibrinogen/thrombin-based collagen fleece was applied to the staple line of the pancreas before stapling. RESULTS: Twenty-six patients (34.7%) developed a pancreatic fistula, 8 patients (10.7%) developed a grade B fistula, and no patients developed a grade C fistula. The duration of the drain was significantly different in patients with or without a pancreatic fistula (8.0 ± 4.5 vs. 5.4 ± 1.3 days, P = .0003). Histological analysis showed that there was a tight covering with the fibrinogen/thrombin-based collagen fleece. CONCLUSION: The fibrinogen/thrombin-based collagen fleece (TachoComb, TachoSil) with a stapled closure has low rates of fistula formation and provides a safe alternative to the conventional stapled technique in distal pancreatectomy.

Postoperative complications and survival after gastric cancer surgery in patients older than 80 years of age.

BACKGROUND: This study sought to identify and evaluate the risk factors of postoperative complications, prognostic factors, and appropriate surgical strategies in elderly patients undergoing surgery for gastric cancer. METHODS: The medical records of 396 radical gastrectomies conducted from January 2006 to December 2011 were retrospectively reviewed. Surgical results and survival rates were assessed for 60 elderly patients (aged ≥ 80 years) and 336 non-elderly patients (aged < 80 years). The study groups were compared with respect to clinicopathological findings, surgical outcomes, and survival. RESULTS: Elderly patients underwent gastrectomies with shorter operation time, showed less extensive lymphadenectomy, and had a significant difference in overall survival compared with non-elderly patients, although there was no difference in cause-specific survival among patients receiving curative resection. No significant risk factors affecting postoperative complications were identified in the elderly patients. Number of comorbidities (≥2) (HR, 5.30; 95 % CI, 1.11-25.32; P = 0.037) and TNM stage (≥II) (HR, 12.97; 95 % CI, 1.60-105.38; P = 0.017) were identified as independent prognostic factors in the elderly patients receiving curative resection. CONCLUSIONS: Age is not an independent prognostic factor for patients receiving curative resection for gastric cancer. Multiple comorbidities may also influence the prognosis of elderly patients. Careful follow-up would improve overall survival for elderly patients.

Postoperative bleeding complications after gastric cancer surgery in patients receiving anticoagulation and/or antiplatelet agents.

BACKGROUND: Perioperative antithrombotic treatment for gastric cancer patients receiving chronic anticoagulation and/or antiplatelet agents requires an understanding of potential bleeding and thromboembolic risks. However, no study has examined the safety aspects of perioperative antithrombotic treatment during radical gastrectomy. This study sought to evaluate postoperative bleeding and thromboembolic complications after radical gastrectomy in patients undergoing perioperative antithrombotic treatment. METHODS: The medical records of patient treated by radical gastrectomy from January 2006 to December 2010 were retrospectively reviewed. Those in the thromboprophylaxis group had received one of three regimens of perioperative antithrombotic treatment according to the clinical indications of chronic anticoagulation and/or antiplatelet agents and several published evidence-based recommendations: (1) bridging therapy with unfractionated heparin; (2) continuation of aspirin; or (3) both 1 and 2. multivariate analysis was used to identify risk factors for postoperative bleeding complications after radical gastrectomy. RESULTS: During the study period, 340 patients underwent radical gastrectomy. Of these, 62 patients received perioperative antithrombotic treatment; this thromboprophylaxis group had a significantly higher postoperative bleeding rate (8.1 vs. 0.7 %, P = 0.003). However, other complications, including thromboembolic events, were similar in the two study groups. Multivariate analysis revealed that perioperative antithrombotic treatment was the only independent risk factor of postoperative bleeding complications after radical gastrectomy (odds ratio, 8.53; 95 % confidence interval, 1.47-49.39; P = 0.017). CONCLUSIONS: Perioperative antithrombotic treatment is an independent risk factor of postoperative bleeding complications in patients with gastric cancer undergoing radical gastrectomy, although such treatment was effective in preventing postoperative thromboembolic events.

Gemcitabine and s-1 combination chemotherapy in patients with advanced biliary tract cancer: a retrospective study.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to investigate the efficacy and safety of gemcitabine and S-1 combination chemotherapy in patients with advanced biliary tract cancer. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A retrospective study was performed on 15 consecutive patients. Gemcitabine was administered intravenously at 1,000 mg/m(2) on days 8 and 15. Oral S-1 (60 mg/m(2) in 2 divided doses) was given daily for the first 2 weeks, followed by 1 week of rest. This 3-week course of treatment was repeated. The primary endpoint was response rate, and the secondary endpoints were overall survival, progression-free survival, and safety. RESULTS: The overall response rate was 26.7%, and the disease control rate was 73.4%. The overall survival was 12.0 months (95% CI, 9.5-14.5 months), and the progression-free survival was 8.0 months (95% CI, 4.3-11.7 months). Adverse events of grade 3 or 4 occurred in 33.3%, and the major grade 3/4 toxicities were anemia (20.0%), leukopenia (13.3%), and anorexia (13.3%). CONCLUSION: Gemcitabine and S-1 combination chemotherapy is effective and safe in patients with advanced biliary tract cancer.