Solitary mediastinal lymph node recurrence after curative resection of colon cancer

We report two cases of solitary mediastinal lymph node recurrence after colon cancer resection. Both cases had para-aortic lymph node metastasis at the time of initial surgery and received adjuvant chemotherapy for 4 years in case 1 and 18 mo in case 2. The time to recurrence was more than 8 years in both cases. After resection of the recurrent tumor, the patient is doing well with no recurrence for 6 years in case 1 and 4 mo in case 2. Patients should be followed up after colon cancer surgery considering the possibility of solitary mediastinal lymph node recurrence if they had para-aortic node metastasis at the time of initial surgery.

Standardized technique for single-incision laparoscopicassisted stoma creation

To describe the procedure, efficacy, and utility of singleincision laparoscopic-assisted stoma creation(SILStoma) for transverse colostomy. Using single-incision laparoscopic surgery, we developed a standardized technique for SILStoma. Twelve consecutive patients underwent SILStoma for transverse colostomy at Osaka Medical Center for Cancer and Cardiovascular Diseases from April 2013 to March 2016. A single, intended stoma site was created with a 2.5-3.5 cm skin incision for primary access to the intra-abdominal space, and it functioned as the main port through which multi-trocars were placed. Clinical and operative factors and postoperative outcomes were evaluated. Patient demographics, including age, gender, body mass index, and surgical indications for intestinal diversion were evaluated. SILStoma was performed in nine cases without the requirement of additional ports. In the remaining three cases, 1-2 additional 5-mm ports were required for mobilization of the transverse colon and safe dissection of abdominal adhesions. No cases required conversion to open surgery. In all cases, SILStoma was completed at the initial stoma site marked preoperatively. No intraoperative or postoperative complications greater than Grade Ⅱ(the Clavien-Dindo classification) were reported in the complication survey. Surgical site infection at stoma sites was observed in four cases; however, surgical interventions were not required and all infectionswere cured completely. In all cases, the resumption of bowel movements was observed between postoperative days 1 and 2. SILStoma for transverse loop colostomy represents a feasible surgical procedure that allows the creation of a stoma at the preoperatively marked site without any additional large skin incisions.

Endoscopic ultrasound-guided fiducial marker placement for neoadjuvant chemoradiation therapy for resectable pancreatic cancer

BACKGROUND Preoperative neoadjuvant chemoradiation therapy(NACRT)is applied for resectable pancreatic cancer(RPC).To maximize the efficacy of NACRT,it is essential to ensure the accurate placement of fiducial markers for image-guided radiation.However,no standard method for delivering fiducial markers has been established to date,and the nature of RPC during NACRT remains unclear.AIM To determine the feasibility,safety and benefits of endoscopic ultrasound-guided(EUS)fiducial marker placement in patients with RPC.METHODS This was a prospective case series of 29 patients(mean age,67.5 years;62.1%male)with RPC referred to our facility for NACRT.Under EUS guidance,a single gold marker was placed into the tumor using either a 19-or 22-gauge fine-needle aspiration needle.The differences in daily marker positioning were measured by comparing simulation computed tomography and treatment computed tomography.RESULTS In all 29 patients(100%)who underwent EUS fiducial marker placement,fiducials were placed successfully with only minor,self-limiting bleeding during puncture observed in 2 patients(6.9%).NACRT was subsequently administered to all patients and completed in 28/29(96.6%)cases,with one patient experiencing repeat cholangitis.Spontaneous migration of gold markers was observed in 1 patient.Twenty-four patients(82.8%)had surgery with 91.7%(22/24)R0 resection,and two patients experienced complete remission.No inflammatory changes around the marker were observed in the surgical specimen.The daily position of gold markers showed large positional changes,particularly in the superior-inferior direction.Moreover,tumor location was affected by food and fluid intake as well as bowel gas,which changes daily.CONCLUSION EUS fiducial marker placement following NACRT for RPC is feasible and safe.The RPC is mobile and is affected by not only aspiration,but also food and fluid intake and bowel condition.