Laparoscopic and endoscopic cooperative surgery for gastric tumors: Perspective for actual practice and oncological benefits

Laparoscopic and endoscopic cooperative surgery(LECS) is a surgical technique that combines laparoscopic partial gastrectomy and endoscopic submucosal dissection. LECS requires close collaboration between skilled laparoscopic surgeons and experienced endoscopists. For successful LECS, experience alone is not sufficient. Instead, familiarity with the characteristics of both laparoscopic surgery and endoscopic intervention is necessary to overcome various technical problems. LECS was developed mainly as a treatment for gastric submucosal tumors without epithelial lesions, including gastrointestinal stromal tumors(GISTs). Local gastric wall dissection without lymphadenectomy is adequate for the treatment of gastric GISTs. Compared with conventional simple wedge resection with a linear stapler, LECS can provide both optimal surgical margins and oncological benefit that result in functional preservation of the residual stomach. As technical characteristics, however, classic LECS involves intentional opening of the gastric wall, resulting in a risk of tumor dissemination with contamination by gastric juice. Therefore, several modified LECS techniques have been developed to av-oid even subtle tumor exposure. Furthermore, LECS for early gastric cancer has been attempted according tothe concept of sentinel lymph node dissection. LECS is a prospective treatment for GISTs and might become a future therapeutic option even for early gastric cancer. Interventional endoscopists and laparoscopic surgeons collaboratively explore curative resection. Simultaneous intraluminal approach with endoscopy allows surgeons to optimizes the resection area. LECS, not simple wedge resection, achieves minimally invasive treatment and allows for oncologically precise resection. We herein present detailed tips and pitfalls of LECS and discuss various technical considerations.

Laparoscopic appendectomy for acute appendicitis: How to discourage surgeons using inadequate therapy

Acute appendicitis(AA) develops in a progressive and irreversible manner, even if the clinical course of AA can be temporarily modified by intentional medications. Reliable and real-time diagnosis of AA can be made based on findings of the white blood cell count and enhanced computed tomography. Emergent laparoscopic appendectomy(LA) is considered as the first therapeutic choice for AA. Interval/delayed appendectomy at 6-12 wk after disease onset is considered as unsafe with a high recurrent rate during the waiting time. However, this technique may have some advantages for avoiding unnecessary extended resection in patients with an appendiceal mass. Nonoperative management of AA may be tolerated only in children. Postoperative complications increase according to the patient's factors, and temporal avoidance of emergent general anesthesia may be beneficial for high-risk patients. The surgeon's skill and cooperation of the hospital are important for successful LA. Delaying appendectomy for less than 24 h from diagnosis is safe. Additionally, a semi-elective manner(i.e., LA within 24 h after onset of symptoms) may be paradoxically acceptable, according to the factors of the patient, physician, and institution. Prompt LA is mandatory for AA. Fortunately, the Japanese government uses a universal health insurance system, which covers LA.

Crucial anatomy and technical cues for laparoscopic transabdominal preperitoneal repair: Advanced manipulation for groin hernias in adults

Groin hernias include indirect inguinal, direct inguinal, and femoral hernias. Obturator and supravesical hernias appear very close to the groin. High-quality repairs are required for groin hernias. The concept of "tension-free repair" is generally accepted, and surgical repairs with mesh are categorized as "hernioplasties". Surgeons should have good knowledge of the relevant anatomy. Physicians generally focus on the preperitoneal space, myopectineal orifice, topographic nerves, and regional vessels. Currently, laparoscopic surgery has therapeutic potential in the surgical setting for hernioplasty, with laparoscopic transabdominal preperitoneal(TAPP) repair appearing to be a powerful tool for use in adult hernia patients. TAPP offers the advantages of accurate diagnoses, repair of bilateral and recurrent hernias, less postoperative pain, early recovery allowing work and activities, tension-free repair of the preperitoneal(posterior) space, ability to cover obturator hernias, and avoidance of potential injury to the spermatic cord. The disadvantages of TAPP are the need for general anesthesia, adhering to a learning curve, higher cost, unexpected complications related to abdominal organs, adhesion to the mesh, unexpected injuries to vessels, prolonged operative time, and as-yet-unknown long-term outcomes. Both technical skill and anatomical familiarity are important for safe, reliable surgery. With increasing awareness of the importance of anatomy during TAPP repair, we address the skills and pitfalls during laparoscopic TAPP repair in adult patients using illustrations and schemas. We also address debatable points on this subject.

Protocol for laparoscopic cholecystectomy: Is it rocket science?

Laparoscopic cholecystectomy(LC) does not require advanced techniques, and its performance has therefore rapidly spread worldwide. However, the rate of biliary injuries has not decreased. The concept of the critical view of safety(CVS) was first documented two decades ago. Unexpected injuries are principally due to misidentification of human factors. The surgeon's assumption is a major cause of misidentification, and a high level of experience alone is not sufficient for successful LC. We herein describe tips and pitfalls of LC in detail and discuss various technical considerations.Finally, based on a review of important papers and our own experience, we summarize the following mandatory protocol for safe LC:(1) consideration that a high level of experience alone is not enough;(2) recognition of the plateau involving the common hepatic duct and hepatic hilum;(3) blunt dissection until CVS exposure;(4) Calot's triangle clearance in the overhead view;(5) Calot's triangle clearance in the view from underneath;(6) dissection of the posterior right side of Calot's triangle;(7) removal of the gallbladder body; and(8) positive CVS exposure. We believe that adherence to this protocol will ensure successful and beneficial LC worldwide, even in patients with inflammatory changes and rare anatomies.

Laparoscopic approach for choledochojejunostomy

Laparoscopic hepatobiliary and pancreatic (HBP) surgery has been developed slowly because of technical challenges and a protracted learning curve with the exception of laparoscopic cholecystectomy [1]. Surgical treatments for benign diseases of the extrahepatic bile duct (EHBD) are classified according to their therapeutic purpose as lithotomy (i.e., choledocholithotomy) or diversion (i.e., choledochojejunostomy)[2].

Impact of continuous local lavage on pancreatic juice-related postoperative complications: Three case reports

BACKGROUND Postoperative pancreatic leakage readily results in intractable pancreatic fistula and subsequent intraperitoneal abscess.This refractory complication can be fatal;therefore,intensive treatment is important.Continuous local lavage (CLL) has recently been reevaluated as effective treatment for severe infected pancreatitis,and we report three patients with postoperative intractable pancreatic fistula successfully treated by CLL.We also discuss our institutional protocol for CLL for postoperative pancreatic fistula.CASE SUMMARY The first patient underwent subtotal stomach-preserving pancreaticoduodenectomy,and pancreatic leakage was observed postoperatively.Intractable pancreatic fistula led to intraperitoneal abscess,and CLL near the pancreaticojejunostomy site was instituted from postoperative day (POD) 8.The abscess resolved after 7 d of CLL.The second patient underwent distal pancreatectomy.Pancreatic leakage was observed,and intractable pancreatic fistula led to intraperitoneal abscess near the pancreatic stump.CLL was instituted from POD 9,and the abscess resolved after 4 d of CLL.The third patient underwent aneurysmectomy and splenectomy with wide exposure of the pancreatic parenchyma.Endoscopic retrograde pancreatic drainage was performed on POD 15 to treat pancreatic fistula;however,intraperitoneal abscess was detected on POD 59.We performed CLL endoscopically via the transgastric route because the percutaneous approach was difficult.CLL was instituted from POD 63,and the abscess resolved after 1 wk of CLL.CONCLUSION CLL has therapeutic potential for postoperative pancreatic fistula.