Laparoscopic excision for small intestinal mesenteric tumour diagnosed Schloffer tumour.

This report presents a case of Schloffer tumour at the small intestinal mesentery, mimicking a malignant tumour, treated laparoscopically. Six years prior, a 57-year-old woman underwent laparoscopic salpingo-oophorectomy for a benign, cystic, ovarian tumour, but she had no history of malignancy. She was treated at an outpatient clinic for gastrointestinal complaints and was relieved of these symptoms. Abdominal computed tomography showed an incidental mesenteric tumour of the small intestine, tending toward growth. Due to the tumour's malignant potential, laparoscopic examination was performed. A spherical tumour with a base in the jejunum mesentery was observed. It was removed without damage. The post-operative course was uneventful, and the patient was discharged 3 days after the operation without complications. Histological diagnosis showed this to be a Schloffer tumour, but no malignancy was observed. Unidentified intraperitoneal tumours in patients with surgical histories may be Schloffer tumours, and this should be kept in mind.

Impact of obesity on surgical outcome after single-incision laparoscopic cholecystectomy.

INTRODUCTION: Single-incision laparoscopic cholecystectomy (SILC) is widely used as a treatment option for gallbladder disease. However, obesity has been considered a relative contraindication to this approach due to more advanced technical difficulties. The aim of this report was to review our experience with SILC to evaluate the impact of body mass index (BMI) on the surgical outcome. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Between May 2009 and February 2013, 237 patients underwent SILC at our institute. Pre- and post-operative data of the 17 obese patients (O-group) (BMI ≥30 kg/m2) and 220 non-obese patients (NO-group) (BMI <29.9 kg/m2) were compared retrospectively. SILC was performed under general anaesthesia, using glove technique. Indications for surgery included benign gallbladder disease, except for emergent surgeries. RESULTS: Mean age of patients was significantly higher in the NO-group than O-group (58.9 ± 13.5 years vs. 50.8 ± 14.0 years, P = 0.025). SILC was successfully completed in 233 patients (98.3%). Four patients (1.7%) in the NO-group required an additional port, and one patient was converted to an open procedure. The median operative time was 70 ± 25 min in the NO-group and 75.2 ± 18.3 min in the O-group. All complications were minor, except for one case in the NO-group that suffered with leakage of the cystic duct stump, for which endoscopic nasobiliary drainage was need. CONCLUSION: Our findings show that obesity, intended as a BMI ≥30 kg/m2, does not have an adverse impact on the technical difficulty and post-operative outcomes of SILC. Obesity-related comorbidities did not increase the risks for SILC.

Single-incision laparoscopic excision of symptomatic accessory spleen in the pelvis: An initial report.

An accessory spleen (AS) is commonly located near the spleen's hilum and/or in the pancreas tail. However, a symptomatic AS is rarely found in the pelvis. We present a resected case with lower abdominal pain whose final diagnosis was symptomatic AS caused by torsion in the pelvis. An 18-year-old man was presented to our hospital with lower abdominal pain. Enhanced abdominal computed tomography showed an inflammatory mass with a cord-like band in the pelvic space. We finally diagnosed pelvic neoplasm and performed single-incision laparoscopic surgery (SILS) using an access platform. SILS of these tumours located on a pelvic lesion has never been reported; this is the first report of torsion of a pelvic AS. SILS for AS is a safe, feasible procedure, even when the AS lays in the pelvic space.

Single-port laparoscopic and endoscopic cooperative surgery for a gastric gastrointestinal stromal tumor: report of a case.

We herein report a case of single-port laparoscopic and endoscopic cooperative surgery (LECS) for a gastric gastrointestinal stromal tumor (GIST). A 75-year-old female with an endoluminal GIST located near the esophagogastric junction underwent LECS. Both the mucosal and submucosal layers around the tumor were circumferentially dissected using endoscopic submucosal dissection via intraluminal endoscopy. The endoluminal GIST was exteriorized to the abdominal cavity. The tumor and the edge of the incision line were closed using an endoscopic linear stapler. The LECS was successfully accomplished without the need for any skin incisions or additional ports. The length of the operation was 120 min and blood loss was 5 ml. Oral intake was resumed on the second day and the length of hospital stay was 5 days. No complications were noted and the patient had an excellent cosmetic result. In our experience, single-port LECS is feasible and safe for gastric GIST when performed by a surgeon experienced in laparoscopic and gastric surgery.

Bariatric surgery and non-alcoholic Fatty liver disease: current and potential future treatments.

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) are increasingly common cause of chronic liver disease worldwide. The diagnosis of NASH is challenging as most affected patients are symptom-free and the role of routine screening is not clearly established. Most patients with severe obesity who undergo bariatric surgery have NAFLD, which is associated insulin resistance, type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), hypertension, and obesity-related dyslipidemia. The effective treatment for NAFLD is weight reduction through lifestyle modifications, antiobesity medication, or bariatric surgery. Among these treatments, bariatric surgery is the most reliable method for achieving substantial, sustained weight loss. This procedure is safe when performed by a skilled surgeon, and the benefits include reduced weight, improved quality of life, decreased obesity-related comorbidities, and increased life expectancy. Further research is urgently needed to determine the best use of bariatric surgery with NAFLD patients at high risk of developing liver cirrhosis and its role in modulating complications of NAFLD, such as T2DM and cardiovascular disease. The current evidence suggests that bariatric surgery for patients with severe obesity decreases the grade of steatosis, hepatic inflammation, and fibrosis. However, further long-term studies are required to confirm the true effects before recommending bariatric surgery as a potential treatment for NASH.

Serous cystadenocarcinoma of the mesentery in a man: case report and review of literature.

In February 2007, a 41-year-old Japanese male was admitted to our hospital with increasing upper abdominal pain. A contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CT) scan of the abdomen demonstrated a well-demarcated, hypodense cystic mass with a thickened wall in the mesocolon. The laboratory results were within normal limits, except for increased carcinoembryonic antigen, carbohydrate antigen 19-9, DUPAN-2 and SPAN-1. The patient was diagnosed as having a mesenteric malignant cyst, and during a laparotomy, a right hemicolectomy with mesenteric cystectomy was performed without rupture in March 2007. In the microscopic findings, there was a well-differentiated adenocarcinoma in the inner surface of the cyst and in the fibrous connective tissue of the hypertrophic cystic wall. The tumor cells were immunohistochemically reactive to cytokeratin (CK) 7, CK18 and CK20. No remnant of the malignancy was detected in the resected margin of the colon, cyst, liver or peritoneum nor was an uptake detected in an 18[F]-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography/CT examination of other organs. Finally, the malignancy was concluded to be a serous cystadenocarcinoma of the mesentery. Nineteen months after the operation, the patient died from peritonitis carcinomatosa due to a small intestine rupture. This report suggests mesenteric cystadenocarcinomas originating in the ovary, oviduct and intestinal mucosa, but these were ruled out in our patient. In this report, we discuss a case of the malignant transformation of a cyst into adenocarcinoma, which to our knowledge has never been previously reported in a male patient.

Single-port transumbilical laparoscopic excision of retroperitoneal schwannoma mimicking a nonfunctional endocrine tumor in the body of the pancreas: a case report.

Schwannomas are benign tumors that arise from neural sheath Schwann cells. Solitary benign schwannoma is generally located in the head and neck and is a rare neoplasm among the tumors of the retroperitoneal space. Reports of laparoscopic excision of retroperitoneal schwannomas have recently been on the increase. However, few cases of single-port laparoscopic excision of these tumors have been reported. Moreover, there are no reports of single-port excision of schwannomas attached to the body of pancreas and around the splenic vessels. This is the first report of a schwannoma lying adjacent to the body of the pancreas between the splenic artery and vein that was excised by single-port laparoscopic surgery. The most notable aspect of our procedure is the use of bipolar forceps. Single-port laparoscopic excision using bipolar forceps is a feasible and safe procedure for retroperitoneal solitary tumors, even when they are close to the splenic artery and vein.

Laparoscopic splenectomy for the treatment of refractory thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura.

Thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP) is a serious hematologic disorder with a high rate of morbidity and mortality. We report here on the surgical and homological outcomes of laparoscopic splenectomy (LS) in a patient with refractory TTP. A 69-year-old Japanese woman was referred to our hospital because of purpura in the lower extremities. In addition to the marked thrombocytopenia, hemolytic anemia and progressive mental disorder were noted. The ADAMTS13 (a disintegrin and metalloprotease with thrombospondin type 1 motif 13) activity was undetectable and ADAMTS13 inhibitor was extremely increased. The diagnosis of TTP was made based on the clinical features and laboratory abnormalities. She received steroid-pulse therapy for 3 days, low-dose methylprednisolone continuous infusion and plasma exchange (PE) daily for 14 days. However, the patient was found to be refractory TTP to PE. The LS was performed at 15 days after diagnosis. The ADAMTS13 inhibitor was not detected after LS, and in addition, the platelet count had increased to over 100,000/mm(3) on postoperative day 17. The patient remains in remission 24 months after surgery. The results of our case demonstrate that LS is a safe and reasonable treatment option for patients with TTP refractory to PE.

Single-port laparoscopic adrenalectomy for a right-sided aldosterone-producing adenoma: a case report.

INTRODUCTION: Single-port laparoscopic adrenalectomy is one of the most interesting surgical advances. Here, we evaluate the safety and feasibility of single-port laparoscopic adrenalectomy as treatment for a right-sided aldosterone-producing adenoma. CASE PRESENTATION: A 39-year-old Japanese woman presented with hypertension and hypokalemia. Abdominal computed tomography and an endocrinological workup revealed a 19mm right adrenal tumor with primary aldosteronism. Our patient was informed of the details of the surgical procedure and our efforts to reduce the number of incisions needed - ideally, to a single incision - when removing her adrenal gland. A single-port laparoscopic adrenalectomy was attempted. A multichannel port was inserted through a 2.5cm umbilical incision. A 5mm flexible laparoscope, articulating laparoscopic dissector and tissue sealing device were the primary tools used in the operation. The right liver lobe was evaluated using a percutaneous instrument, providing good visualization of the operative field surrounding her right adrenal gland. The single-port laparoscopic adrenalectomy was successfully completed without any intraoperative complications. The operating time was 76 minutes, and her blood loss was 5mL. Oral intake was resumed on the first postoperative day, and the length of her hospital stay was three days. Her postoperative course was uneventful with no morbidity within one month of follow-up, and our patient had excellent cosmetic results. CONCLUSIONS: Single-port laparoscopic adrenalectomy is a safe and feasible procedure for patients with a right-sided adrenal tumor when performed by a surgeon experienced in laparoscopic and adrenal surgery. However, more surgical experience using this technique is required to confirm our initial impressions.

Single-incision laparoscopic Heller myotomy and Dor fundoplication for achalasia: report of a case.

Our objective was to establish the efficiency of single-incision laparoscopic Heller myotomy and Dor fundoplication (SILHD) as treatment for esophageal achalasia. A 58-year-old man underwent SILHD for achalasia. The left triangular ligament was retracted using a suture thread and fixed to the body surface, providing a good operative field at the cardia. We performed a 7-cm long myotomy, extending 2 cm into the gastric wall, using a tissue-sealing device or L-shaped electrocautery. Oral intake resumed on postoperative day 1, and hospital stay was 4 days. No morbidity was observed. Based on our experience, we believe that the SILHD can be performed safely and seems to offer at least short-term benefits for selected patients with esophageal achalasia, when performed by surgeons experienced in laparoscopic and esophageal surgery.

Single-incision laparoscopic gastric resection for submucosal tumors: report of three cases.

Between March and April 2009, three consecutive patients underwent single-incision laparoscopic gastric wedge resection for a submucosal tumor located in the anterior wall or greater curvature of the stomach. First, we placed two or three trocars through the same infra-umbilical skin incision. Then, we either elevated the tumor with a mini-loop retractor or retracted the gastric wall near the tumor with a laparoscopic grasper. Finally, we resected the tumor using an endoscopic linear stapler. Single-incision laparoscopic gastric resection was successfully completed in all three patients without the need for any extraumbilical skin incisions or conversion to conventional laparoscopic procedures. There was no morbidity. The mean operating time and blood loss were 86 min and 4 ml, respectively, and the mean tumor size and surgical margin were 34 mm and 8 mm, respectively. Histopathologically, two tumors were diagnosed as gastrointestinal stromal tumors and one as a carcinoid tumor. Thus, single-incision laparoscopic gastric resection for submucosal tumors is safe and feasible when performed by experienced laparoscopic surgeons using conventional laparoscopic instruments.

Concomitant laparoscopic splenectomy and cholecystectomy.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to assess the feasibility and outcomes of concomitant laparoscopic treatment for coexisting spleen and gallbladder diseases. METHODS: Between March 1997 and August 2009, 9 patients underwent concomitant laparoscopic splenectomy and cholecystectomy. Indications for laparoscopic splenectomy included hereditary spherocytosis (4 patients), splenic artery aneurysm (2), hypersplenism (2), and Evans syndrome (1). RESULTS: The median operating time and the blood loss were 165 minutes (range: 70 to 300 min) and 36 mL (range: 10 to 274 mL). The median resected splenic weight was 256 g (range: 137 to 820 g). No patient required conversion to an open procedure. Portal system thrombosis occurred in 2 patients. The median length of hospital stay was 9 days (range: 3 to 15 d). CONCLUSION: With increasing institutional experience, concomitant laparoscopic splenectomy and cholecystectomy is a safe and feasible procedure and may be considered for coexisting spleen and gallbladder diseases.

[Laparoscopic liver resection].

Totally laparoscopic liver resection (TLLR) is still a challenging procedure, although experienced liver surgeons have performed this operation successfully. Between May 1997 and October 2009, 97 patients at Iwate Medical University Hospital underwent TLLR, which included 79 partial resections, 15 left lateral sectionectomies, two S5 subsegmentectomies, and one right hepatectomy. Important considerations in determining indications for TLLR include tumor size, type, and location. Standardization of surgical procedures is also very important for performing surgery safely and efficiently. In a partial liver resection, we prefer to use a pre-coagulation technique using radiofrequency waves to reduce blood loss from the cut surface of the liver parenchyma. The surface of the hepatic parenchyma was transected up to 2 cm without bleeding using ultrasonic coagulating shears. In the left lateral sectionectomy, hepatic parenchyma was thinned on a line left of the falciform ligament by ultrasonic coagulating shears; the portal pedicles and left hepatic vein were divided using an endoscopic linear staplers with a small portion of surrounding liver tissue. This paper reviews the indications and techniques of TLLR for hepatocellular carcinoma.

Risk factors for early postoperative small bowel obstruction after colectomy for colorectal cancer.

BACKGROUND: Small bowel obstruction (SBO) after colectomy leads to markedly lower patient quality of life, longer hospital stays, and increased hospitalization costs. From a systemic treatment point of view, early postoperative SBO is one of the major concerns of the surgery because it often delays chemotherapy in advanced cases. The goal of this single-center study was to evaluate the risk factors for early postoperative SBO. METHODS: Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed for 1,004 patients who underwent open colectomy (OC, 421 patients) or laparoscopic-assisted colectomy (LAC, 583 patients) for colorectal cancer between January 1997 and December 2008. RESULTS: The overall early postoperative SBO were 45 cases (4.5%). Univariate analysis of the risk factors for early postoperative SBO showed no statistical significance between respective risk factors and occurrence of SBO for age >70 years, body mass index >25 kg/m(2), ASA score > or =3, pT stage T4, pN stage > or =N1, pM stage M1, or increased blood loss. Multivariate analysis demonstrated that OC (odds ratio (OR), 2.62; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.34-5.13; P = 0.005), and rectal cancer (OR, 2.12; 95% CI, 1.1-4.1; P = 0.025) were independent risk factors for postoperative SBO after colectomy for colorectal cancer. Regarding the causes of SBO, paralytic obstruction was more frequent in the LAC group, and adhesive obstruction was more frequent in the OC group. CONCLUSIONS: Early postoperative SBO cases are more likely to occur with OC and rectal cancer. LAC is an effective surgical procedure from the perspective of reducing the incidence of early postoperative SBO after colectomy for colorectal cancer.

Laparoscopic excision of retroperitoneal tumors: report of three cases.

Retroperitoneal neural tumors are rarely excised laparoscopically, with fewer than ten cases reported in the literature. Between February 2005 and December 2007, we performed successful planned laparoscopic excision of retroperitoneal tumors using the four-trocar technique in three patients. All three patients were women, with a mean age of 40.7 years. The mean tumor size was 4.8 cm. The mean operative time was 126 min and the mean blood loss 14.3 ml. The postoperative pathological diagnosis was schwannoma in one patient and ganglioneuromas in two. There was no morbidity or mortality. Although difficult to diagnose preoperatively, neural tumors in the retroperitoneal space are most often benign, with a good prognosis. Laparoscopic surgical techniques for retroperitoneal tumors are safe, and their use is encouraged when an appropriate diagnosis is made, after exclusion of malignant subtypes.

Tailored laparoscopic resection for suspected gastric gastrointestinal stromal tumors.

BACKGROUND: The aim of the present study was to evaluate the long-term outcomes of tailored laparoscopic resections for suspected gastric gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs) based on the tumor size, location, and growth morphology. METHODS: Between February 1994 and April 2009, 64 patients undergoing gastric resections of suspected gastric GISTs were identified in a prospectively collected database. Medical records were reviewed for patient demographics, perioperative outcomes, and follow-up. RESULTS: Forty-five patients underwent attempted laparoscopic resections, with 44 completed laparoscopically. Twenty-eight neoplasms were located in the upper third of the stomach (including 6 neoplasms at the esophagogastric junction), 9 in the middle third, and 8 in the lower third (including 4 prepyloric neoplasms). Laparoscopic approaches included 35 exogastric (3 single incision access) and 10 transgastric approaches. Median operating time was 100min (range, 30-240), and blood loss was 5ml (range, 1-80). Median tumor size and operative margin were 32mm (range, 16-74) and 7mm (range, 1-20), respectively. One patient was converted to an open, pylorus-preserving gastrectomy. One patient developed a complication. The histopathologic risk assessment classifications of 37 GISTs were 2 very low, 26 low, 7 intermediate, and 2 high risk. Although 1 patient developed a local recurrence after intragastric resection, all 45 patients were disease free at a median follow-up of 74 months (range, 1-181). CONCLUSION: Although technically demanding, tailored laparoscopic resection based on tumor characteristics in most patients with suspected gastric GIST is safe and feasible and resultis in good both surgical and oncologic outcomes.

Laparoscopic subtotal cholecystectomy for severe cholecystitis.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the efficacy and outcome of laparoscopic subtotal cholecystectomy (LSC) for patients with severe cholecystitis. METHODS: Between April 1992 and May 2008, 1226 patients underwent laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC). From 2000 onward 60 patients with severe cholecystitis underwent LSC. The outcomes of LC were compared between patients who underwent the procedure between 1992 and 1999 (group A; n = 643) and those who underwent the procedure between 2000 and 2008 after the introduction of LSC (group B; n = 583), respectively. In Group B, operative outcomes were also compared between the LC and LSC groups. RESULTS: The incidence of bile duct injury (1.6% vs 0.3%, P = 0.040) and conversion to open cholecystectomy (2.2% vs 0.3%, P = 0.046) was significantly lower in group B. The mean operative time was significantly longer (119.6 min vs 71.0 min., P < 0.001), and the mean blood loss was significantly higher (53.4 ml vs 12.9 ml, P < 0.001) in the LSC group. No significant differences were observed between LC and LSC in the incidence of postoperative morbidities or postoperative hospital stay. No patient had remnant gallstones or gallbladder cancers after a median follow-up of 42 months. CONCLUSIONS: Laparoscopic subtotal cholecystectomy is safe and effective for preventing bile duct injuries and lowering the conversion rate in patients with technically difficult severe cholecystitis.

Laparoscopic surgery for splenic artery aneurysm.

PURPOSE: We describe 6 cases of laparoscopic splenectomy for multiple, fusiform splenic artery aneurysm (SAA) in patients difficult to treat with interventional radiology procedure and present a literature review. METHODS: Between November 1999 and May 2008, 6 patients with SAA underwent laparoscopic surgery. Among these patients, 4 had splenectomy alone and 2 had splenectomy with distal pancreatectomy. The mean size of the aneurysm was 3.1 cm (range: 2 to 4 cm). RESULTS: Laparoscopic surgeries for SAA were completed successfully in all the 6 patients. The mean operative time and the blood loss were 186.7 minutes (range: 115 to 300 min) and 187.8 mL (range: 3 to 850 mL). The length of the hospital stay was 8.5 days (range: 3 to 15 d). In only 1 case, portal system thrombosis was observed, and the other serious morbidities such as hemorrhage or pancreatic leakage were not observed. No recurrence was observed during a mean follow-up period of 116 months (range: 14 to 260 mo). CONCLUSIONS: Laparoscopic surgery should be considered to be a safe therapeutic option for SAA patients with the risk of rupture who are difficult to treat with interventional radiology therapy.

Assessment of gastric motor function by cine magnetic resonance imaging.

BACKGROUND AND AIM: The aim of the present study was to evaluate gastric motor function by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and investigate whether this examination is a useful tool for therapeutic efficacy or postoperative gastric motor function. METHODS: Twenty-five healthy volunteers and 10 gastric cancer patients with pylorus-preserving gastrectomy (PPG) underwent cine-MRI. Gastric volume was determined by 3D-volumetry. Gastric motility was quantified by calculating the gastric motility index (GMI). RESULTS: The image acquisition and analysis were successfully carried out for all subjects. In healthy volunteers, mean frequency, amplitude, velocity of gastric peristaltic waves and GMI 30 min after the intake of jelly were 3/min, 8.8 mm, 2.2 mm/s and 19.6 mm2/s, respectively. Mean amplitude (8.8 vs 10.4 mm, P = 0.027), velocity (2.2 vs 2.6 mm/s, P < 0.001) of peristaltic waves, and GMI (19.6 vs 26.7 mm2/s, P < 0.001) significantly increased at 30 min after giving mosapride citrate (MS). Mean gastric volume after MS administration was significantly decreased; 0 min (317.3 vs 272.9 mL, P = 0.021), 45 min (263.4 vs 206.4 mL, P = 0.004) and 60 min (228.7 vs 165 mL, P = 0.001). PPG patients with postprandial symptoms were observed having antiperistalsis-like contraction waves and reflux of gastric contents from the pyloric region into the upper part of the stomach. Mean gastric volume in PPG patients with postprandial symptoms at 30 min after intake of jelly tended to be greater than in those without such symptoms. CONCLUSIONS: The present study demonstrates that cine-MRI is a sensitive and non-invasive imaging technique for simultaneously measuring gastric motility and emptying.

[Local recurrence after surgical resection of pancreatic cancer effectively treated with combined chemoradiotherapy].

We report a patient for whom systemic chemotherapy using gemcitabine was effective against local recurrence of pancreatic cancer. A 59-year-old man underwent pancreatoduodenectomy for pancreatic head cancer. The diagnosis was moderately-differentiated tubular adenocarcinoma(tubular type, pT2, pN0, fM0, fStage II ). Ten months after surgery, the patient had a CT examination which revealed a mass at the cut-end of the pancreas. The serum CA19-9 level was found to be elevated 790(U/mL). Chemotherapy with GEM(1,000 mg/m2)was administered intravenously on days 1, 8, and 15. Courses were repeated every 28 days. The patient received 8 courses of chemotherapy by GEM, and the regimen was changed to every two weeks because of the adverse event, leucopenia(grade 2)and thrombocytopenia( grade 2). Twenty-one months after chemotherapy, CT examination revealed regrowth at the same location at the cut-end of the pancreas, and so radiotherapy was performed at a total 63 Gy. The serum CA19-9 level dropped to within the normal range. The patient had been receiving systemic chemotherapy as an outpatient for 48 months without deterioration of quality of life. Unfortunately, the patient died of bacteriogenous meningitis 56 months after recurrence. Our experience suggests that this chemotherapy is simple and possible to continue safely on an ambulatory basis while maintaining quality of life.