Purpose: The aim of this study was to assess the feasibility and safety of laparoscopic resection following the insertion of self-expanding metallic stents (SEMS) for the treatment of obstructing left-sided colon cancer.
Methods: Between October 2006 and December 2012, laparoscopic resection following SEMS insertion was performed in 54 patients with obstructing left-sided colon cancer.
Results: All 54 procedures were technically successful without the need for conversion to open surgery. The median interval from SEMS insertion to laparoscopic surgery was 9 days (range, 3-41 days). The median surgery time was 200 minutes (range, 57-444 minutes), and estimated blood loss was 50 mL (range, 10-3,500 mL). The median time to soft diet was 4 days (range, 2-8 days) and possible length of stay (hypothetical length of stay according to the discharge criteria) was 7 days (range, 4-22 days). The median total number of lymph nodes harvested was 23 (range, 8-71) and loop ileostomy was performed in 2 patients (4%). Six patients (11%) developed postoperative complications: 2 patients with anastomotic leakages, 1 with bladder leakage, and 3 with ileus. There was no mortality within 30 days.
Conclusion: The present study shows that the presence of a SEMS does not compromise the laparoscopic approach. Laparoscopic resection following stent insertion for obstructing left-sided colon cancer could be performed with a favorable safety profile and short-term outcome. Large-scale comparative studies with long-term follow-up are needed to demonstrate a significant benefit of this approach.
Torsion of the gallbladder is a rare condition that is difficult to diagnose preoperatively, but prompt surgical intervention is necessary to avoid possible sepsis and death. A 36-year-old pregnant woman presented to Emergency Department with a constant epigastric pain at 17 weeks of gestation. Abdominal ultrasonography and magnetic resonance imaging demonstrated a distended gallbladder that contained no stones but had mild wall thickening. Laparoscopic cholecystectomy using three ports was performed under the impression of an acalculous cholecystitis. The gallbladder was found to be rotated 180 degrees clockwise on gallbladder mesentery and to be gangrenous. The postoperative course was uneventful and the patient was discharged on the 4th day after surgery. It is important to keep in mind gallbladder torsion in the differential diagnosis from acute cholecystitis when the patient has an acute onset of abdominal pain and a severely distended gallbldder. Prompt cholecystectomy via a laparoscopic approach should be performed.
Purpose: Studies of liver anatomy have developed alongside clinical achievements, as these types of research complement each other. The aim of this study is to determine whether or not the portal vein branches (P4d) in 'Nagino's trisectionectomy' exist, and to examine their characteristics using cadaver dissection.
Methods: From April 2012 to July 2012, 31 adult cadavers were delicately dissected. We defined a 'NewGP' as an extra glissonian pedicle (GP) other than the traditional GPs that supply segments II, III, IVa, and IVb in the ordinary direction, and anatomically located superior to the umbilical fissure (UF).
Results: We identified 'NewGPs' based on the UF and UF vein. The incidence of 'NewGPs' was 30/31 (96.8%). The diameter of the 'NewGPs' ranged from 3.5 to 5.6 mm, which was not significantly different from that of traditional GPs (II-, III-, or IV-GP), which have diameters ranging from 3.7 to 9.7 mm.
Conclusion: We think that the P4d in 'Nagino's trisectionectomy' correspond to the 'IVa NewGP' and the additional pedicle. We believe the clinical significance of the 'NewGP' is to complement the traditional II, III, IVa, and IVb pedicles in supplying the liver.
Purpose: Although many patients with hepatocellular carcinoma experience recurrence within 2 years after hepatectomy, some patients with T1 and T2 hepatocellular carcinoma show recurrence-free survival for more than 5 years after surgery. This study was designed to analyze the optimal follow-up period on patients with T1 and T2 hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) showing recurrence-free survival 5 years after surgery.
Methods: One hundred seventy patients underwent hepatectomy from January 1995 to December 1999. Numbers of patients with T1 and T2 HCC were 76 and 73, respectively. The recurrence patterns of patients experiencing recurrence more than 5 years after liver resection were analyzed in aspect of clinicopathological features and follow-up period.
Results: Thirteen patients experienced recurrence more than 5 years after surgery. Only age was found as a significant factor for recurrence. Eight patients were checked regularly with 6-month intervals and the others were checked with 12-month or more intervals. The size of the recurrent tumors in the 6-month interval group had a median of 1.1 cm (range, 1 to 4.2 cm) and the size of the recurrent tumors in the 12-month or more interval group had a median of 3 cm (range, 1.6 to 4 cm). The tumor size was significantly smaller in the 6-month interval group.
Conclusion: Though the patients with early stage HCC showed high overall survival, some patients experienced a late recurrence of more than 5 years after surgery. Patients less than 60 years old with early stage HCC should be checked regularly with 6-month intervals even over 5 years after liver resection.
Peterson's hernia is an internal hernia that can occur after Roux-en-Y anastomosis. It often accompanies small bowel volvulus and is prone to strangulation. Reconstruction of intestinal continuity after massive small bowel resection in a patient who undergoes near total gastrectomy and Roux-en-Y anastomosis can be difficult. A 74-year-old man who had undergone a near total gastrectomy and Roux-en-Y gastrojejunostomy for stomach cancer presented with abdominal pain. The preoperative computed tomography showed strangulated small bowel volvulus. During the emergent laparotomy, we found a strangulated Peterson's hernia with small bowel volvulus. After resection of the necrotized intestine, we made a new Roux-en-Y anastomosis connecting the remnant stomach and the jejunum with a transverse colon segment. We were safely able to connect the remnant stomach and the jejunum by making a new Roux-en-Y anastomosis utilizing a transverse colon segment as a new Roux-limb by two stage operation.
Purpose: Laparoscopic techniques have allowed surgeons to perform complicated intra-abdominal surgery with minimal trauma. Single incision laparoscopic surgery (SILS) was developed with the aim of reducing the invasiveness of conventional laparoscopy. In this study we aimed to compare results of SILS cholecystectomy and three port conventional laparoscopic (TPCL) cholecystectomy prospectively.
Methods: In this prospective study, 100 patients who underwent laparoscopic cholecystectomy for gallbladder disease were randomly allocated to SILS cholecystectomy (group 1) or TPCL cholecystectomy (group 2). Demographics, pathologic diagnosis, operating time, blood loss, length of hospital stay, complications, pain score, conversion rate, and satisfaction of cosmetic outcome were recorded.
Results: Forty-four SILS cholesystectomies (88%) and 42 TPCL cholecystectomies (84%) were completed successfully. Conversion to open surgery was required for 4 cases in group 1 and 6 cases in group 2. Operating time was significantly longer in group 1 compared with group 2 (73 minutes vs. 48 minutes; P < 0.05). Higher pain scores were observed in group 1 versus group 2 in postoperative day 1 (P < 0.05). There was higher cosmetic satisfaction in group 1 (P < 0.05).
Conclusion: SILS cholecystectomy performed by experienced surgeons is at least as successful, feasible, effective and safe as a TPCL cholecystectomy. Surgeons performing SILS should have a firm foundation of advanced minimal access surgical skills and a cautious, gradated approach to attempt the various procedures. Prospective randomized studies comparing single access versus conventional multiport laparoscopic cholecystectomy, with large volumes and long-term follow-up, are needed to confirm our initial experience. (ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT01772745.).
Accessory scrotum is a rare congenital anomaly that is often associated with perineal tumor or other developmental abnormalities. Because most cases are diagnosed and treated in early childhood, little is known about the natural biologic course of this entity and associated lesions through time. We present a case of accessory scrotum associated with lipomatous hamartoma in a 46-year-old man who was born with a perineal mass. We evaluate the clinicopathologic features and discuss the pathogenesis with a review of the literature.