Usefulness of laparoscopic surgery for colorectal perforation: a single-center retrospective cohort study.

PURPOSE: This study aimed to determine the safety and efficacy of laparoscopic surgery in patients with colorectal perforation owing to a significant lack of evidence in this field. METHODS: This retrospective cohort study analyzed the data of 70 patients who underwent emergency surgery for colorectal perforations between January 2017 and December 2023. The surgical outcomes of the patients who underwent open and laparoscopic surgeries were statistically compared. The primary endpoints were postoperative mortality and complications. The secondary endpoints included blood loss, surgical time, length of hospital stay, and 1-year overall survival. RESULTS: Overall, 28 patients underwent open surgery and 42 underwent laparoscopic surgery. No significant difference was noted in the postoperative mortality or overall rate of severe complications between the two groups. The incidence of superficial and deep incisional surgical site infection was lower in the laparoscopic surgery group (35.7% vs. 0.0%, p < 0.001), while the surgical time was significantly longer in the laparoscopic group (175.6 ± 92.2 min vs. 290.0 ± 102.3 min, p < 0.001). No significant differences were found in blood loss, length of hospital stay, or 1-year overall survival. CONCLUSIONS: Laparoscopic surgery for colorectal perforation markedly reduced superficial and deep incisional surgical site infection, with no substantial difference in mortality or severe complications.

Minimally Invasive Conversion Surgery for Unresectable Gastric Cancer with Splenic Metastasis and Splenic Vein Tumor Thrombus: A Case Report.

While the importance of conversion surgery has increased with the development of systemic chemotherapy for gastric cancer (GC), reports of conversion surgery for patients with GC with distant metastasis and tumor thrombus are extremely scarce, and a definitive surgical strategy has yet to be established. Herein, we report a 67-year-old man with left abdominal pain referred to our hospital following a diagnosis of unresectable GC. Esophagogastroduodenoscopy and contrast-enhanced abdominal computed tomography (CT) revealed advanced GC with splenic metastasis. A splenic vein tumor thrombus (SVTT) and a continuous thrombus to the main trunk of the portal vein were detected. The patient was treated with anticoagulation therapy and systemic chemotherapy comprising S-1 and oxaliplatin. One year following chemotherapy initiation, a CT scan revealed progressive disease (PD); therefore, the chemotherapy regimen was switched to ramucirumab with paclitaxel. After 10 courses of chemotherapy resulting in primary tumor and SVTT shrinkage, the patient underwent laparoscopic total gastrectomy (LTG) and distal pancreaticosplenectomy (DPS). He was discharged without complications and remained alive 6 months postoperatively without recurrence. In summary, the wait-and-see approach was effective in a patient with GC with splenic metastasis and SVTT, ultimately leading to an R0 resection performed via LTG and DPS.

Small bowel volvulus associated with percutaneous endoscopic gastrojejunostomy tube: A case report.

INTRODUCTION: Percutaneous endoscopic gastrojejunostomy (PEG-J) is a convenient and safe enteral feeding tool for patients with oropharyngeal dysfunction accompanied by gastroesophageal reflux. However, serious complications have not been fully characterized. PRESENTATION OF CASE: A 22-year-old man with cerebral palsy was referred to our department with complaints of vomiting and massive bloody stools for 10 h. On imaging examination, strangulated bowel obstruction due to the PEG-J tube was suspected because the tube was located on the right side of the body, and the small intestine was diffusely dilated with a reduced wall contrast effect. Urgent laparoscopy revealed a small bowel volvulus (SBV) twisted 180° clockwise around the superior mesenteric artery, which was repaired manually without intestinal resection. The patient was treated in the intensive care unit postoperatively but required partial ileal resection and colostomy owing to the difficulty in managing watery diarrhea and intestinal infection. The patient was discharged after stoma closure 121 days after initial surgery. DISCUSSION: Although SBV rotated at the site of PEG insertion has been reported as a rare complication, there are no reports of rotation of the PEG-J tube itself associated with SBV. In the present case, abnormal positioning of the PEG-J tube on imaging was helpful for diagnosis. CONCLUSION: SBV should be recognized as a potential complication of PEG-J, since delayed diagnosis can lead to irreversible ischemia of the extensive small intestine.

Stone removal by percutaneous papillary balloon dilatation for cystic duct and bile duct stones after cholecystectomy and distal gastrectomy with Roux-en-Y gastrojejunostomy.

A 71-year-old woman was referred to our department for abdominal pain. She was diagnosed with acute obstructive cholangitis due to cystic duct and bile duct stones after cholecystectomy and Roux-en-Y gastrojejunostomy. Two years ago, the patient underwent endoscopic and laparoscopic treatment for cystic duct and bile duct stones, however, the stones remained. This time, she was treated with stone removal using percutaneous papillary balloon dilatation (PPBD). Large stones in the common hepatic and bile ducts were crushed by electrohydraulic lithotripsy and then pushed out into the duodenum through the dilated papilla of Vater using a balloon catheter covered with the sheath and cholangioscopy. Stone in the cystic duct was pulled to the common bile duct and pushed to the duodenum. Stone removal using PPBD is an excellent alternative for patients with cystic duct and bile duct stones unable to be treated with endoscopic or laparoscopic stone removal.

Percutaneous stone removal using cobra-shaped sheath and cholangioscopy for multiple hepatolithiasis with choledochoduodenal anastomotic stenosis.

Management of multiple hepatolithiasis with choledochoenteral anastomotic stenosis remains difficult and time-consuming. We report a case of a 77-year-old man with severe right hypochondoralgia, treated with percutaneous transhepatic balloon dilatation of choledocoduodenal anastomotic stenosis and percutaneous stone removal using 8Fr. cobra-shaped sheath and cholangioscopy. Hilar hepatic stones were pushed out into the duodenum through the dilated anastomosis using 5Fr. balloon catheter covered with the sheath and cholangioscopy. For stones located in the left, right anterior and aberrant right posterior hepatic ducts, a guidewire and a removal balloon catheter were inserted by using the cobra-shaped sheath. Stones pulled from the intrahepatic bile ducts to the common hepatic duct were pushed out into the duodenum. Clearance of intrahepatic bile duct stones was confirmed by balloon-occluded cholangiography using the cobra-shaped sheath and 6Fr. balloon catheter. The use of cobra-shaped sheath improved percutaneous stone removal, but the procedure needs further improvement.

Neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio and C-reactive protein-to-albumin ratio as prognostic factors for unresectable advanced or recurrent gastric cancer.

PURPOSE: This study evaluated the prognostic value of C-reactive protein-to-albumin (CAR) and neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratios (NLR) in conjunction with host-related factors in patients with unresectable advanced or recurrent gastric cancer. METHODS: A total of 411 patients with unresectable advanced gastric cancer were treated at Kochi Medical School between 2007 and 2019. Associations between clinicopathological parameters and systemic inflammatory and nutritional markers, including CAR and NLR, with overall survival were analyzed retrospectively. RESULTS: The optimal cut-off values of predicted median survival time were 0.096 (sensitivity, 74.9%; specificity, 42.5%) for CAR and 3.47 (sensitivity, 64.1%; specificity, 57.5%) for NLR, based on the results of receiver operating characteristic analysis. A weak significant positive correlation was identified between CAR and NLR (r = 0.388, P < 0.001). The median survival time was significantly higher in patients with intestinal-type than those with diffuse-type histology (18.3 months vs. 9.5 months; P = 0.001), CAR < 0.096 than those with CAR ≥ 0.096 (14.8 months vs. 9.9 months; P < 0.029), and those with NLR < 3.47 than NLR ≥ 3.47 (14.7 months vs. 8.8 months; P < 0.001). Multivariate survival analysis revealed that diffuse-type histology (hazard ratio (HR) 1.865; 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.397-2.490; P < 0.001)), 1 or more performance status (HR 11.510; 95% CI 7.941-16.683; P < 0.001), and NLR ≥ 3.47 (HR 1.341; 95% CI 1.174-1.769; P = 0.023) were significantly associated with independent predictors of worse prognosis. CONCLUSIONS: High CAR and NLR are associated with poor survival in patients with unresectable and recurrent gastric cancer.

Indocyanine green fluorescence-guided laparoscopic deroofing of a liver cyst: A case report.

In performing laparoscopic deroofing (LD) of liver cysts, indocyanine green (ICG) fluorescent imaging is particularly useful for delineating adequate margins for the procedure and for avoiding duct injuries. However, the optimal timing of ICG injection has not yet been clarified. Herein, we describe a patient who had a large liver cyst, in whom safe and efficient LD was performed under sharp fluorescent imaging obtained by intravenous injection of ICG 1 hour before cyst fenestration.

Sarcoidosis-lymphoma syndrome with portal hypertension: diagnostic clues and approach.

Sarcoidosis-lymphoma syndrome associated with portal hypertension is very rare. A 68-year-old female presented with a 5 kg weight loss in 6 months. Soluble interleukin-2 receptor activity was increased and total platelet count was decreased. Contrast-enhanced computed tomography showed the presence of hepatosplenomegaly and a 3 cm-sized tumor in segment 3 of the liver. The hepatic venous catheterization showed mild portal hypertension. On fluorodeoxyglucose-positron emission tomography/computed tomography, progressive malignant lymphoma was suspected. However, bone marrow biopsy showed multiple noncaseating granulomas. A laparoscopic liver biopsy revealed that the liver tumor had features of Hodgkin lymphoma. There were multiple noncaseating epithelioid granulomas in the portal tracts of the liver. Splenectomy for splenomegaly and partial hepatectomy for the liver tumor were performed. Pathological examination of the resected specimens revealed multiple noncaseating epithelioid granulomas in the liver and spleen. Histopathology of the liver tumor confirmed classic Hodgkin lymphoma with mixed cellularity. We conclude that hepatic venous catheterization, positron emission tomography/computed tomography, and pathological examinations of bone marrow, liver, and spleen are crucial for the diagnosis of sarcoidosis-lymphoma syndrome associated with portal hypertension.

Serum zinc deficiency in patients after gastrectomy for gastric cancer.

PURPOSE: Zinc is an essential dietary component for humans and the second most prevalent trace element; however, serum zinc levels after gastrectomy have not been fully elucidated. This study aimed to evaluate the correlation between clinicopathologic features and serum zinc levels in patients who underwent gastrectomy for gastric cancer. METHODS: The study enrolled 617 patients who underwent gastrectomy for gastric cancer at the Kochi Medical School. Clinical data were obtained to investigate associations between clinicopathological features, including nutritional indicators and serum zinc levels. Serum zinc deficiency was defined as serum zinc level < 80 µg/dL. RESULTS: The median zinc level of the 617 patients was 73 µg/dL (range, 31-144 µg/dL), and serum zinc deficiency was present in 68.6% of patients. Median age was significantly higher in the zinc low level group than in the normal group (69 vs. 66 years, P < 0.001). Albumin was significantly lower in the zinc low level group than in the normal group (3.9 vs. 4.2 g/dL, P < 0.001). C-reactive protein level was significantly higher in the zinc low level group than in the normal group (0.12 vs. 0.10 mg/dL, P = 0.014). The median serum zinc level was significantly lower in the patients who received chemotherapy after gastrectomy than in those who were not received chemotherapy (72 vs. 76 µg/dL, P < 0.001). Serum zinc levels showed a significant positive correlation with serum albumin (r = 0.505, P = 0.044). Multivariate analysis showed that serum albumin level was significantly associated with serum zinc level (ß = 0.489, P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Serum zinc deficiency was found in 68.6% of postoperative patients who underwent gastrectomy for gastric cancer, which was highly correlated with serum albumin.

Cystic lymphangioma of the greater omentum treated by laparoscopic resection.

We report a rare case of cystic lymphangioma of the greater omentum, which was treated by laparoscopic resection. A 61-year-old man was referred to our hospital for the treatment of a perigastric cystic lesion. Esophagogastroduodenoscopy revealed neither a mucosal lesion nor a submucosal tumor in the stomach. Abdominal contrast-enhanced computed tomography imaging showed a cystic lesion in the ventral side of the lower part of the stomach and no mass lesions in the liver. The patient underwent laparoscopic resection of the cystic lesion. The intraoperative observation confirmed that a well-defined cystic lesion was present wrapped in the greater omentum and located predominantly in the right side. Although the cystic lesion was located directly beside the right gastroepiploic artery and vein, excision of the cystic lesion along with the cuff of the omentum was performed without sacrificing the vessels. Macroscopic examination of the resected specimen showed an ovoid, cystic mass measuring 7.5 × 4.3 cm within the omentum. The pathological diagnosis was "cystic lymphangioma without malignant signs." Following surgery, the patient remained symptom-free without evidence of recurrence for 6 months. The laparoscopic approach, being minimally invasive, can be considered the most feasible approach for the resection of an abdominal cystic lymphangioma.

Isolated adrenocorticotropic hormone deficiency induced by nivolumab treatment for advanced gastric cancer.

Isolated adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) deficiency is a rare immune-related adverse event associated with immunotherapy using immune checkpoint inhibitors for malignant tumors. A 68-year-old man had previously undergone a complete gastrectomy with regional lymph-node dissection for remnant gastric cancer, with a final diagnosis of T4aN2M1, Stage IV. Because he developed lymph-node metastases during postoperative chemotherapy using S-1 plus oxaliplatin, he was treated with ramucirumab plus nab-paclitaxel. Eight months after the operation, the patient developed multiple liver metastases and was treated with nivolumab (3 mg/kg, every 2 weeks). After four cycles of nivolumab treatment, the cortisol level decreased, and the patient reported general fatigue and appetite loss. Pituitary stimulation testing using a combination of corticotropin-releasing hormone, luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone, and thyrotropin-releasing hormone revealed markedly low ACTH and cortisol responses. Magnetic resonance imaging revealed no enlargement of the pituitary gland or thickening of the stalk. After steroid replacement therapy using hydrocortisone, the patient's symptoms of general fatigue improved. After discharge, nivolumab and steroid replacement were continued. During the subsequent 6 months, the clinical course of the patient was mostly uneventful. Abdominal computed tomography revealed a marked shrinkage of liver and lymph-node metastases, which indicated a partial response with a 95.0% decrease in target lesions compared with baseline. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first case reported in the English literature of a patient who developed isolated ACTH deficiency during nivolumab treatment for a metastatic advanced gastric cancer.

[Curative Resection for Advanced Gastric Cancer with Lymph Node Metastasis along the Middle Colic Artery].

Mesenteric lymph node metastasis of gastric cancer is extremely rare. We report the case of a patient with advanced gastric cancer having lymph node metastasis in the transverse mesocolon who underwent gastrectomy with lymph node dissection followed by chemotherapy. A 74-year-old male complaining of tarry stool was referred to our hospital for further examination following a diagnosis of gastric cancer by a local medical doctor. Esophagogastroduodenoscopy revealed an irregular and ulcerated lesion in the lower third of the stomach, and analyses of biopsy specimens revealed adenocarcinoma. Abdominal computed tomography revealed abdominal wall thickening in the lower third of the stomach, with enlarged lymph nodes in the perigastric area and the left side area of the middle colic artery. With a clinical diagnosis of gastric cancer, the patient underwent distal gastrectomy with lymph node dissection followed by Billroth Ⅰ reconstruction. During surgery, the enlarged lymph node along with the middle colic artery in the transverse mesocolon was dissected. The gross appearance of the resected specimen shows a large and ulcerated tumor measuring 6.0×5.5 cm in the lesser curvature side of the lower third of the stomach. The pathological examination of the resected specimen showed solid-type poorly-differentiated adenocarcinoma with lymph nodes metastases, which was detected in the perigastric area and transverse mesocolon. The final diagnosis according to the Japanese classification of gastric carcinoma by the Japanese Gastric Cancer Association was L, Less-Post-Ant, Type 2, 6.0×5.5 cm, T3(SS), N2(5/19), M1(LYM), P0, H0, CY0, por1, Ly0, V1a, Stage Ⅳ, R0. Subsequently, the patient received S-1 plus oxaliplatin chemotherapy; however, he developed para-aortic lymph node metastases 18 months after surgery. Therefore, the patient was treated with ramucirumab plus nab-paclitaxel and was alive 20 months after the operation. Although mesocolonic lymph node metastasis of gastric cancer is rare, future identification of risk factors and the development of novel treatments should be achieved through further investigations and the accumulation of 3 cases.