Benefits of early postoperative jejunal feeding in patients undergoing duodenohemipancreatectomy

AIM： To study whether early postoperative enteral nutrition reduces the incidence of complications and/or improves nutritional status following duodenohernipancre atectomy （DHP）. METHODS： We studied 39 patients who underwent DHP for a peri-ampullary mass. Twenty-three patients received total parental nutrition and then started to have an oral intake of nutrition between postoperative day （POD） 7 and 14 [late postoperative enteral nutrition （LPEN） group]. Sixteen patients started to have enteral feeding through a jejunostomy catheter the day after the operation [early postoperative enteral nutrition （EPEN） group]. The incidence of complications and laboratory data at the early postoperative stage were studied in comparison between LPEN and EPEN groups. RESULTS： Serum levels of albumin and total protein in the EPEN group were significantly higher than those in the LPEN group. The loss of body mass index was significantly suppressed in the EPEN group as compared to the LPEN group. The lymphocyte count decreased immediately after the operation was restored significantly faster in the EPEN group than in the LPEN group. The EPEN group showed significantly fewer incidences of postoperative pancreatic fistulas, as well as a significantly shorter length of hospitalization than the LPEN group. There were no significant differences in the incidences of other postoperative complications between the two groups, such as delayed gastric emptying, surgical site infection, cholangitis, and small bowel obstruction.CONCLUSION： EPEN is a safe and beneficiaopportunity for patients who have undergone DHP for a peri-ampullary mass.

Pharmacokinetic study of paclitaxel in malignant ascites from advanced gastric cancer patients

AIM： To examine the paclitaxel concentrations in plasma and ascites after its intravenous administration in patients with ascites due to peritonitis carcinomatosa resulting from advanced gastric cancer. METHODS： Two patients with ascites due to peritonitis carcinomatosa resulting from gastric cancer were included in this study. The paclitaxel concentrations in plasma and ascites were investigated for 72 h in case 1 and 168 h in case 2 after intravenous administration. RESULTS： The paclitaxel concentration in plasma peaked immediately after administration, followed by rapid decrease below the threshold value of 0.1 μmol （85 ng/mL） within 24 h. In contrast, the paclitaxel concentration in ascites increased gradually for 24 h after administration to a level consistent with the level found in plasma. After 24 h the level of paclitaxel in ascites and plasma became similar, with the optimal level being maintained up to 72 h following administration. CONCLUSION： The concentration of paclitaxel in ascites is maintained within the optimal level for the treatment of cancer cells for up to 72 h after intravenous administration. Paclitaxel is a promising drug for the treatment of malignant ascites of gastric cancer.

Clinical applications of 5-aminolevulinic acid-mediated fluorescence for gastric cancer

5-aminolevulinic acid(ALA) is a naturally occurring amino acid that is a protoporphyrin IX(Pp IX) precursor and a next-generation photosensitive substance. After exogenous administration of ALA, Pp IX specifically accumulates in cancer cells owing to the impaired metabolism of ALA to Pp IX in mitochondria, which results in a red fluorescence following irradiation with blue light and the formation of singlet oxygen. Fluorescence navigation by photodynamic diagnosis(PDD) using ALA provides good visualization and detection of gastric cancer lesions and is a potentially valuable diagnostic tool for gastric cancer for evaluating both the surgical resection margins and extension of the lesion. Furthermore, PDD using ALA might be used to detect peritoneal metastases during preoperative staging laparoscopy, where it could provide useful information for the selection of a therapeutic approach. Another promising application for this modality is in the evaluation of lymph node metastases. Photodynamic therapy(PDT) using ALA to cause selective damage based on the accumulation of a photosensitizer in malignant tissue is expected to be a non-invasive endoscopic treatment for superficial early gastric cancer. ALA has the potential to be used not only as a diagnostic agent but also as a therapeutic drug, resulting in a new strategy for cancer diagnosis and therapy. Here, we review the current use of PDD and PDT in gastric cancer and evaluate its future potential beyond conventional modalities combined with a light energy upconverter, a light-emitting diode and nearinfrared rays as light sources.

Laparoscopic endoscopic cooperative surgery as a minimally invasive treatment for gastric submucosal tumor

Laparoscopic wedge resection is a useful procedure fortreating patients with submucosal tumor(SMT) including gastrointestinal stromal tumor(GIST) of the stomach. However, resection of intragastric-type SMTs can be problematic due to the difficulty in accurately judging the location of endoluminal tumor growth, and often excessive amounts of healthy mucosa are removed; thus, full-thickness local excision using laparoscopic and endoscopic cooperative surgery(LECS) is a promising procedure for these cases. Our experience with LECS has confirmed this procedure to be a safe, feasible, and minimally invasive treatment method for gastric GISTs less than 5 cm in diameter, with outcomes similar to conventional laparoscopic wedge resection. The important advantage of LECS is the reduction in the resected area of the gastric wall compared to that in conventional laparoscopic wedge resection using a linear stapler. Early gastric cancer fits the criteria for endoscopic resection; however, if performing endoscopic submucosal dissection is difficult, the LECS procedure might be a good alternative. In the future, LECS is also likely to be indicated for duodenal tumors, as well as gastric tumors. Furthermore, developments in endoscopic and laparoscopic technology have generated various modified LECS techniques, leading to even less invasive surgery.

Clinicopathological features of early gastric cancer with duodenal invasion

The incidence of early gastric cancer （EGC） with duodenal invasion is extremely low, although advanced gastric cancer that arises in the antrum occasionally invades the duodenum. We investigated the clinicopathological features of EGC with duodenal invasion and provided strategies for clinical management.A Medline search was performed using the keyword early gastric cancer＂ and ＂duodenal invasion＇： Additional articles were obtained from references within the papers identified by the Medline search. We revealed that EGC with duodenal invasion was of the superficial spreading type of tumor. Tumors 〉 60 mm in size invaded the duodenum more extensively, and the distance of duodenal invasion from the pyloric ring was further in the elevated type than in the depressed type of tumor.There was no significant difference between the length of duodenal invasion and the histological type of the tumor. Gastric cancer located adjacent to the pyloric ring, even if cancer invasion was confined to the mucosa or submucosa, was more likely to invade the duodenum.The present study reveals that the elevated type of EGC is associated with more extensive duodenal invasion when the tumor size is 〉 60 ram, thus highlighting the importance of identification of duodenal invasion in these cases. We also reveal that sufficient duodenal resection with a cancer-free distal surgical margin should be performed in cases of duodenal invasion.

Laparoscopic splenectomy for splenic hamartoma:Case management and clinical consequences

Splenic hamartoma is a rare benign tumor,and although minimally invasive surgery may be suitable for this condition,there have only been 2 previous reports of laparoscopic surgery.Here we report the third case of splenic hamartoma managed by laparoscopic splenectomy.A 37-year-old male was incidentally diagnosed by abdominal ultrasonography with a hypoechoic mass measuring 2.5 cm × 2.4 cm in the spleen.Color Doppler sonography showed multiple flow signals within the mass and contrast-enhanced computed tomography revealed strong enhancement of the lesion.On T1-and T2-weighted magnetic resonance images,the splenic mass was demonstrated as isointense and hyperintense respectively.Although a malignant tumor could not be ruled out,a hand-assisted laparoscopic splenectomy was performed because the splenic mass was limited in size and had not invaded adjacent organs.The pathological diagnosis was splenic hamartoma.The postoperative course was uneventful and the patient was discharged by the seventh postoperative day.Although splenic hamartomas have some specific imaging features,more reports and analyses of these cases are required to increase the reliability of the diagnosis and management.Hand-assisted laparoscopic splenectomy may play a pivotal role in the postoperative diagnosis and management of this condition.

Clinical analysis of primary anaplastic carcinoma of the small intestine

Primary anaplastic carcinoma is a rare variant of small intestinal cancer. Most reports of primary anaplastic carcinoma of the small intestine are isolated case reports, therefore the clinicopathological features, therapeutic management, and surgical outcome of this tumor type remain unclear. This review analyzes the available clinical characteristics of primary anaplastic carcinoma of the small intestine and investigates key differences from differentiated adenocarcinoma of the small intestine. A Medline search was performed using the keywords ＇small intestine＇ and ＇anaplastic carcinoma＇ or ＇undifferentiated carcinoma＇. Additional articles were obtained from references within the papers identified by the Medline search. The literature revealed a poor prognosis for patients who underwent surgical resection for anaplastic carcinoma of the small intestine, which gave a 3-year overall survival rate of 10.8% and a median survival time of 5.0 mo. The literature suggests that anaplastic carcinoma~ is markedly more aggressive than differentiated adenocarcinoma of the small intestine. Surgical resection with the aim of complete tumor removal provides the only beneficial therapeutic option for patients with anaplastic carcinoma of the small intestine, because chemotherapy and radiation therapy have no significant effect on the rate of survival. However, despite complete tumor resection, most patients with anaplastic carcinoma of the small intestine are at great risk of disease recurrence. Multicenter clinical trials are expected to provide additional therapeutic strategies and establish the efficacy of multimodality adjuvant therapy. This report also highlights the importance of a systematic diagnostic approach for anaplastic carcinoma of the small intestine.

Mucin phenotype of gastric cancer and clinicopathology of gastric-type differentiated adenocarcinoma

Differentiated adenocarcinoma of the stomach is classified into gastric or intestinal phenotypes based on mucus expression. Recent advances in mucin histochemistry and immunohistochemistry have highlighted the importance of such a distinction, and it is important clinically to distinguish between gastricand intestinal-type differentiated adenocarcinoma. However, a clinical and pathological diagnosis of this type is often difficult in early gastric cancer because of histological similarities between a hyperplastic epithelium and lowgrade atypia. Furthermore, determining tumor margins is often difficult, even with extensive preoperative examination. It is therefore critical to consider these diagnostic difficulties and different biological behaviors with high malignant potential when treating patients with gastric-type differentiated adenocarcinoma.

Clinicopathological study of cardiac tamponade due to pericardial metastasis originating from gastric cancer

AIM： To review the cases reported in the literature, examined their clinicopathological features, and evaluated the efficacy of different therapeutic modalities for this rare condition. METHODS： A search of the MEDLINE database revealed 16 cases of pericarditis carcinomatosa （PC） originating from GC reported in the literature between 1982 and 2005. Additional detailed data were obtained from the authors of these studies for subsequent clinicopathological investigation. We have also described about a case study from our own clinic. RESULTS： The mean age of cases with pericarditis carcinomatosa originating from GC was 54 years. Females were diagnosed at a younger age （46.3 years） compared to males （58 years）. The mean survival period afer diagnosis was 4.5 mo. No statistical differences in the length of survival time were found between different therapeutic modalities, such as drainage, and local and/or systemic chemotherapy after drainage. However, three cases who underwent systemic chemotherapy survived for more than 10 mo. Cases that developed metachronous cardiac tamponade for more than 2 years afer the diagnosis of GC generally survived for a longer period of time, although this was not statistically significant. Multivariate analysis revealed that low levels of carcinoembryonic antigen （CEA）, and CEA and/or cancer antigen 19-9 （CA 19-9） were associated with longer survival. CONCLUSION： Cases with low levels of CEA, and CEA and/or CA 19-9 should undergo systemic chemotherapy with or without local chemotherapy afer drainage.

Nodular fasciitis in the mesentery, a differential diagnosis of peritoneal carcinomatosis

Nodular fasciitis is a benign proliferative lesion composed of fibroblast-like cells that affects various sites in the body.We describe a patient with nodular fasciitis in the mesentery,encountered during laparotomy for the treatment of ascending colon cancer.The nodular fasciitis in our patient resembled peritoneal dissemination of malignancy on macroscopic observation.Because the treatment options change with concomitant peritoneal dissemination of gastrointestinal tract malignancy,recognition of this rare condition and preparation for unexpected nodular lesions are crucial.

Effect of Daikenchuto (TJ-100) on abdominal bloating in hepatectomized patients

AIM: To evaluate the clinical usefulness of Daikenchuto (DKT) in hepatecomized patients. METHODS: Twenty patients were enrolled with informed consent. Two patients were excluded because of cancelled operations. The remaining 18 patients were randomly chosen for treatment with DKT alone or combination therapy of DKT and lactulose (n = 9, each group). Data were prospectively collected. Primary end points were Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) score for abdominal bloating, total Gastrointestinal Symptoms Rating Scale (GSRS) score for abdominal symptoms, and GSRS score for abdominal bloating. RESULTS: The VAS score for abdominal bloating and total GSRS score for abdominal symptoms recovered to levels that were not significantly different to preoperative levels by 10 d postoperation. Combination therapy of DKT and lactulose was associated with a significantly poorer outcome in terms of VAS and GSRS scores for abdominal bloating, total GSRS score, and total daily calorie intake, when compared with DKT alone therapy. CONCLUSION: DKT is a potentially effective drug for postoperative management of hepatectomized patients, not only to ameliorate abdominal bloating, but also to promote nutritional support by increasing postoperative dietary intake.

Adult intussusception with cecal adenocarcinoma:Successful treatment by laparoscopy-assisted surgery following preoperative reduction

We report a case of adult intussusception caused by cecal adenocarcinoma that was treated by laparoscopyassisted ileocecal resection following reduction by contrast enema and preoperative colonoscopy.A 68-yearold male with cecal cancer was admitted to our hospital because of colicky abdominal pain after taking a laxative.His abdomen was distended,and a mass was palpable in the right upper quadrant,which appeared as a target-or sausage-shaped lesion by ultrasonograhpy and computed tomography.A contrast enema using water-soluble material showed a cup-shaped filling defect characterized by intussusception in the ascending colon.This round defect with a clear margin was pushed gradually back into the cecum by the enema pressure.Re-occurrence of the intussusception is easilyreleased by colonoscopy.We performed laparoscopyassisted ileocecal resection of a protruding tumor measuring 6.5 cm × 5.0 cm × 3.5 cm from the cecum,with D3 lymph node dissection.Histological examination revealed a well-differentiated adenocarcinoma that had invaded the serosa without permeating the lymphatic or venous capillaries,as well as lymph node metastasis.The postoperative course was uneventful,and the patient has been well without evidence of disease recurrence for 5 years following the operation.Preliminary reduction of adult colonic intussusception before surgical resection is therefore an option in cases of an early and correct diagnosis of intussusception.