非穿透性深层巩膜切除术和小梁切除术的近期疗效比较

目的 评价非穿透性深层巩膜切除术的疗效及其术后并发症。方法 回顾性对比分析深层巩膜切除术组 18例 30眼 (平均随访 9.36个月 )和小梁切除术组 2 2例 38眼(平均随访 12个月 )的术后眼压下降、有效率及其并发症。结果 非穿透性深层巩膜切除术组术前 ,术后 1周、1、2、3、6、9、 12个月眼压分别为 (2 6 .39± 2 .0 1) m m Hg (1k Pa =7.5 mm Hg)、(15 .36± 5 .6 6 ) mm Hg、(15 .70± 4.37) mm Hg、(15 .88± 2 .5 7) m m Hg、 (15 .2 3± 2 .80 ) mm Hg、 (16 .37±2 .83) mm Hg、(18.0 5± 2 .43) m m Hg、(17.37± 3.0 6 ) mm Hg。小梁切除术组术前 ,术后 1周、1、2、3、6、9、12个月眼压分别为 (2 9.11± 7.2 6 ) mm Hg、(17.33± 8.97) mm Hg、(17.6 6±4.78) mm Hg、(16 .97± 4.77) m m Hg、(17.42± 5 .35 ) mm Hg、(18.86± 4.6 6 ) m m Hg、 (18.49± 4.32 ) mm Hg、 (18.2 9±3.76 ) mm Hg。 2组术后 12个月的成功率均为 75 % .深层巩膜切除术组除了 3例术后 1周内出现前房混浊外无其他并发症。结论 非穿透性深层巩膜切除术的疗效与小梁切除术相同 。

眼球下方青光眼窦小梁切除术的临床观察

目的：探讨眼球下方青光眼窦小切除术的临床效果。方法：常规显微镜下6点位置做以下窟窿为基底的结膜瓣，术后结膜下注射庆大霉素、地塞米松，敷料包盖双眼。结果：320例，510只眼，均于术后第一天前房形成，正常480例，浅Ⅰ度43眼。浅Ⅱ度9眼，经散瞳治疗及静点甘露醇3d，恢复正常。无感染发生。出院时平均眼压1．72kPa，3mo以上平均(2．4±0．33)kPa。结论：通过改进青光眼手术切口实施的320例、510眼的手术观察，不仅达到了降低眼压的目的，同时也较好地保持了眼球上部的正常生理解剖结构，为后期白内障手术留有余地，收到良好效果。

Vascular endothelial growth factor and angiopoietins regulate sinusoidal regeneration and remodeling after partial hepatectomy in rats

AIM： To study the regulatory mechanisms of sinusoida regeneration after partial hepatectomy. METHODS： We invesldgated the expression of angiopoietin （Ang）-1, Ang-2, Tie-2, and vascular endothelial growth factor （VEGF） in regenerating liver tissue by quantitative reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction （RT- PCR） using a LightCycler （Roche Diagnostics） and also immunohistochemical staining after 70% hepatectomy in rats. In the next step, we isolated liver cells （hepatocytes, sinusoidal endothelial cell （SEC）, Kupffer cell, and hepatic stellate cells （HSC）） from regenerating liver tissue by in situ collagenase perfusion and counterflow elutriation, to determine potential cellular sources of these angiogenic factors after hepatectomy. Proliferation and apoptosis of SECs were also evaluated by proliferating cell nuclear antigen （PCNA） staining and the terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase d-uridine triphosphate nick end labeling （TUNEL） assay, respectively. RESULTS： VEGF mRNA expression increased with a peak at 72 h after hepatectomy, decreasing thereafter. The expression of Ang-1 mRNA was present at detectable levels before hepatectomy and increased slowly with a peak at 96 h. Meanwhile, Ang-2 mRNA was hardly detected before hepatectomy, but was remarkably induced at 120 and 144 h. In isolated cells, VEGF mRNA expression was found mainly in the hepatocyte fraction. Meanwhile, mRNA for Ang-1 and Ang-2 was found in the SEC and HSC fractions, but was more prominent in the latter. The PCNA labeling index of SECs increased slowly, reaching a peak at 72 h, whereas apoptotic SECs were detected between 120 h and 144 h. CONCLUSION： Ang-Tie system, together with VEGF, plays a critical role in regulating balance between SEC proliferation and apoptosis during sinusoidal regeneration after hepatectomy. However, the VEGF system plays a more important role in the early phase of sinusoidal regeneration than angiopoietin/Tie system.

Expressed genes in regenerating rat liver after partial hepatectomy

AIM: To reveal the liver regeneration (LR) and its controlas well as the occurrence of liver disease and to study the gene expression profiles of 551 genes after partial hepatectomy (PH) in regenerating rat livers.METHODS: Five hundred and fifty-one expressed sequence tags screened by suppression subtractive hybridization were made into an in-house cDNA microarray, and the expressive genes and their expressive profiles in regenerating rat livers were analyzed by microarray and bioinformatics. RESULTS: Three hundred of the analyzed 551 genes were up- or downregulated more than twofolds at one or more time points during LR. Most of the genes were up- or downregulated 2-5 folds, but the highest reached 90 folds of the control. One hundred and thirty-nine of themshowed upregulation, 135 displayed downregulation, and up or down expression of 26 genes revealed a dependence on regenerating livers. The genes expressedin 24-h regenerating livers were much more than those in the others. Cluster analysis and generalization analysis showed that there were at least six distinct temporal patterns of gene expression in the regenerating livers, that is, genes were expressed in the immediate early phase, early phase, intermediate phase, early-late phase, late phase, terminal phase. CONCLUSION: In LR, the number of down-regulated genes was almost similar to that of the upregulated genes; the successively altered genes were more than the rapidly transient genes. The temporal patterns of gene expression were similar 2 and 4 h, 12 and 16 h, 48 and 96 h, 72 and 144 h after PH. Microarray combined with suppressive subtractive hybridization can effectively identify the genes related to LR.

Effect of bombesin and neurotensin on gut barrier function in partially hepatectomized rats

AIM： To investigate the effect of regulatory peptides bombesin （BBS） and neurotensin （NT） on intestinal barrier function in partially hepatectomized rats. METHODS： Ninety male Wistar rats were randomly divided into five groups： Ⅰ （n = 10）： controls, Ⅱ （n = 20）： sham operated, Ⅲ （n = 20）： partial hepatectomy 70% （PHx）, Ⅳ （n = 20）： PHx＋BBS （30 μg/kg/d）, Ⅴ （n = 20）： PHx＋NT （300 μg/kg/d）. Groups IV and V were treated for 8 days before PHx and 48 h post surgery. At the end of the experiment, on day 10, intestinal barrier function was assessed by measuring endotoxin concentrations in portal and aortic blood. Tissue sections of the terminal ileum were examined histologically and villus density, mucosal thickness, mitotic activity and apoptosis in crypts were assessed. In addition, ileal mucosa was analyzed for DNA and protein content and microbiological analysis was performed in cecal contents. To estimate intestinal oxidative stress, lipid peroxidation was determined on tissue homogenates from terminal ileum. RESULTS： BBS or NT administration significantly reduced portal and systemic endotoxemia observed 48 h after partial hepatectomy. In hepatectomized rats （group Ⅲ）, a trend towards induction of mucosal atrophy was observed, demonstrated by the reduction of villus density, mucosal thickness, protein content and significant reduction of DNA, while these alterations were reversed by regulatory peptides administration. This trophic effect of BBS and NT was accompanied by induction of mitoses above control levels and a significant reduction of apoptosis in intestinal crypts. Intestinal lipid peroxidation was found significantly lower in PHx group and regulatory peptides exerted an antioxidant action, further decreasing this parameter of oxidative stress. The ：bacterial population of E. coli and aerobic Gram （＋） cocci was increased in cecal content of hepatectomized rats, while this parameter was not affected by the administration of BBS or NT. CONCLUSION： Gut regulatory peptides BBS and NT improve intestinal barrier function and reduce endotoxemia in experimental partial hepatectomy. This effect is, at least in part, mediated by their trophic, antiapoptotic, mitogenic, and antioxidant effect on the intestinal epithelium. This observation might be of potential value in patients undergoing liver resection.

MITOMYCIN C “STRAIGHT SCLERAL TUNNEL INCISION”-TRABECULECTOMY WITH A RELEASABLE SUTURE

Objective To evaluate the efficacy of ＂straight scleral tunnel incision＂-trabeculectomy with a releasable suture supplemented with mitomycin C （MMC） on reducing intraocular pressure （ IOP）, complications, and corneal astigmatism in patients with primary angle-closure glaucoma （PACG）. Methods Totally 217 acute or chronic PACG patients with occludable angle above 180℃ and IOP above 21 mm Hg were divided into 3 groups. Patients in group A （98 cases, 128 eyes）, B （71 cases, 95 eyes）, and C （48 cases, 60 eyes） were treated with ＂straight scleral tunnel incision＂-trabeculectomy with a releasable suture supplemented with MMC, releasable suture trabeculectomy with MMC, and trabeculectomy with MMC, respectively. IOP, complications, and sureicallv induced astigmatism （SIA） were evaluated oreooerativelv and up to 12 months oostoperatively. Results IOP of 2 weeks after treatment was significantly lower than preoperative IOP in all the 3 groups （ all P〈0.001）. Success rates （IOP≤20 mmHg） in groupA, B, and C were 87. 91% , 89.23%, and 83.72% respectively at 12 months after treatment （P = 0.256）. The incidence of shallow anterior chamber and hypotony had no significant difference between group A and B, but both of them were lower than that in group C （ P 〈 0.05 ）. There were no significant differences in preoperative corneal astigmatism among the 3 groups. The corneal astigmatism after 2 weeks in group A （1.71 ±1.47D） was higher than that before operation （ 1.28 ± 1.05D, P =0. 126）. With 12 months gone, the astigmatism almost returned to preoperative levels. The corneal astigmatisms after 2 weeks in group B and C （ 1.99 ± 1.20D and 2. 22 ± 1.39D） were significantly higher than those before operation （ 1.20 ± 0. 85D and 1.18 ±0.93D, P =0. 002, P =0. 001 ）, respectively. With 112 months gone, the mean astigmatisms in group B and C （ 1.87 ± 0. 91D and 1.90 ± 1.16D） were still significantly higher than those before operation （P = 0. 001, P = 0. 003 ）. The highest astigmatic polar values in group A, B, and C （ 1.00D, 1.89D, and 1.77D） occurred after 2 weeks, 1 month, and 1 month postoperation, respectively, which were significantly higher than those before operation （0.19 ± 1.32D, 0. 12 ± 1.22D, and 0.17 ± 1.25D, P 〈 0.01 ）, respectively. With 12 months gone, they were 0.03D, -0.18D, and -0.13D higher than those before operation, respectively. The rates of function bleb and thin-wall bleb were 71.43% and 26. 37% in group A, 75.38% and 29.23% in group B, 72.09% and 25.58% in group C, respectively at 12 months after treatment. There were no significant differences among the 3 groups. Conclusion ＂Straight scleral tunnel incision＂-trabeculectomy with a releasable suture supplemented with MMC can reduce complications and get satisfactory results in reducing lOP and SIA.

Successful laparoscopic splenectomy after living-donor liver transplantation for thrombocytopenia caused by antiviral therapy

Although interferon (IFN) based therapy for recurrent hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection after liver transplantation has been widely accepted, it induces various adverse effects such as thrombocytopenia, resulting in its interruption. Recently, concomitant splenectomy at the time of living donor liver transplantation (LDLT) has been tried to overcome this problem, but this procedure leads to several complications such as excessive intraoperative bleeding and serious infection. A 60-year-old female received LDLT using a left lobe graft from her second son for liver failure caused by hepatitis C-related cirrhosis. Six months after LDLT, she was diagnosed as recurrent HCV infection by liver biopsy. IFN monotherapy was started from 7 mo after LDLT and her platelet count decreased to less than 50 000/μL, which thus made it necessary to discontinue the treatment. We decided to attempt laparoscopic splenectomy (LS) under general anesthesia. Since intra-abdominal findings did not show any adhesion formations around the spleen, LS could be successfully performed. After LS, since her platelet count immediately increased to 225 000/μL 14 d after operation, IFN therapy was restarted and we could convert the combination therapy of IFN and ribavirin, resulting in no detectable viral marker. Inconclusion, LS can be performed safely even after LDLT, and LS after LDLT is a feasible and less invasive modality for thrombocytopenia caused by antiviral therapy.

Retrieval-balloon-assisted enterography in post-pancreaticoduodenectomy endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography

This case reports an application of conventional duodenoscope in a post pancreaticoduodenectomy patient with the help of retrieval balloon assisted enterography.The 56-year-old woman had pancreaticoduodenectomy with Child reconstruction 9 mo ago because of pancreatic adenocarcinoma and now there are recurrent enlarged lymph nodes in the anastomotic stoma of hepaticojejunostomy.Considering the patient's late-stage cancer,a plastic stent was then successfully placed there to drainage.The main challenge in this case was the extremely long afferent loop and blind cannulation through the anastomotic stoma of hepaticojejunostomy.Retrieval balloon assisted enterography is very helpful for duodenoscope going through the reconstructed intestinal tract and for the cannulation.After two weeks,the patient remained free of painful symptoms and free of fever.Liver function improved well.Four months after the placement of stent,the patient died of cachexia without jaundice,fever and abdominal pain according to her daughter's statement.

Autoimmune thrombocytopenia in response to splenectomy in cirrhotic patients with accompanying hepatitis C

AIM： To estimate the contribution of autoimmune thrombocytopenia to hepatitis C virus-related liver cirrhosis （type C cirrhosis）, we evaluated the influence of splenectomy upon platelet-associated immunoglobulin G （PAIgG） levels and platelet numbers. METHODS： PAIgG titers and immune markers were determined in 24 type C cirrhotic patients with an intact spleen, 17 type C cirrhotic patients submitted to splenectomy, and 21 non-C cirrhosis with an intact spleen. RESULTS： Thrombocytopenia （PLT〈15×10^4/μL） in type C cirrhosis was diagnosed in all patients with an intact spleen, 8 patients submitted to splenectomy, and in 19 non-C cirrhosis with intact spleen. Elevated titers of PAIgG at more than 25.0 ng/107cells were detected in all cirrhotic patients except for one splenectomized patient. PAIgG titers （ng/10^7cells） were significantly higher in the type C cirrhosis with an intact spleen （247.9 ± 197.0） compared with the splenectomized patients （125.6±87.8） or non-C cirrhosis （152.4± 127.4）. PAIgG titers were negatively correlated with platelet counts in type C cirrhotic patients with an intact spleen. In comparison with the type C cirrhosis with an intact spleen, the splenectomized patients had a reduced CD4/CD8 ratio and serum neopterin levels. The spleen index （cm^2） was negatively correlated with platelet counts in the non-C cirrhosis, but not in the type C cirrhosis. CONCLUSION： Our data indicate that the autoimmune mechanism plays an important role in thrombocytosis complicated by HCV-positive cirrhosis. In addition, splenectomy may impair T cells function through, at least in part, a reduction of CD4/CD8 ratio, consequently suppressing PAIgG production.

Management of cholelithiasis in Italian children:A national multicenter study

AIM:To evaluate the management of Italian children with cholelithiasis observed at Pediatric and Surgical Departments linked to Italian Society of Pediatric Gastroenterology Hepatology and Nutrition. METHODS: One-hundred-eighty children (90 males, median age at diagnosis 7.3 years; range, 0-18 years) with echographic evidence of cholelithiasis were enrolled in the study; the data were collected by an anonymous questionnaire sent to participating centers. RESULTS: One hundred seventeen patients were treated with ursodeoxycholic acid; in 8 children dissolution of gallstones was observed, but the cholelithiasis recurred in 3 of them. Sixty-five percent of symptomatic children treated became asymptomatic. Sixty-four patients were treated with cholecystectomy and in only 2 cases a postoperative complication was reported. Thirty- four children received no treatment and were followed with clinical and echographic controls; in no case thedevelopment of complications was reported. CONCLUSION: The therapeutic strategies were extremely heterogeneous. Ursodeoxycholic acid was ineffective in dissolution of gallstones but it had a positive effect on the symptoms. Laparoscopic cholecystectomy was confirmed to be an efficacy and safe treatment for pediatric gallstones.

Application of video-assisted thoracic surgery in the standard operation for thoracic tumors

Objective： To evaluate the short-term outcomes of video-assisted thoracic surgery （VATS） for thoracic tumors. Methods： The data of 1,790 consecutive patients were retrospectively reviewed. These patients underwent VATS pulmonary resections, VATS esophagectomies, and VATS resections of mediastinal tumors or biopsies at the Cancer Institute ＆ Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences between January 2009 and January 2012. Results： There were 33 patients converted to open thoracotomy （OT, 1.84%）. The overall morbidity and mortality rate was 2.79% （50/1790） and 0.28% （5/1790）, respectively. The overall hospitalization and chest tube duration were shorter in the VATS lobectomy group （n=949） than in the open thoracotomy （OT） lobectomy group （n=753）. There were no significant differences in morbidity rate, mortality rate and operation time between the two groups. In the esophageal cancer patients, no significant difference was found in the number of nodal dissection, chest tube duration, morbidity rate, mortality rate, and hospital length of stay between the VATS esophagectomy group （n=8 1） and open esophagectomy group （n=81）. However, the operation time was longer in the VATS esophagectomy group. In the thymoma patients, there was no significant difference in the chest tube duration, morbidity rate, mortality rate, and hospital length of stay between the VATS thymectomy group （n=41） and open thymectomy group （n=41）. However, the operation time was longer in the VATS group. The median tumor size in the VATS thymectomy group was comparable with that in the OT group. Conclusions： In early-stage （Ⅰ/Ⅱ） non-small cell lung cancer patients who underwent lobectomies, VATS is comparable with the OT approach with similar short-term outcomes. In patients with resectable esophageal cancer, VATS esophagectomy is comparable with OT esophagectomy with similar morbidity and mortality. VATS thymectomy for Masaoka stage I and II thymoma is feasible and safe, and tumor size is not contraindicated. Longer follow-ups are needed to determine the oncologic equivalency of VATS lobectomy, esophagectomy, and thymectomy for thymoma vs. OT.

Low preoperative platelet counts predict a high mortality after partial hepatectomy in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma

AIM： To assess the validity of our selection criteria for hepatectomy procedures based on indocyanine green disappearance rate （KICG）, and to unveil the factors affecting posthepatectomy mortality in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma （HCC）. METHODS： A retrospective analysis of 198 consecutive patients with HCC who underwent partial hepatectomies in the past 14 years was conducted. The selection criteria for hepatectomy procedures during the study period were KICG≥0.12 for hemihepatectomy, KICG≥0.10 for bisegmentectomy, KCG≥0.08 for monosegmentectomy, and KICG≥ 0.06 for nonanatomic hepatectomy. The hepatectomies were categorized into three types： major hepatectomy （hemihepatectomy or a more extensive procedure）, bisegmentectomy, and limited hepatectomy. Univariate （Fishers exact test） and multivariate （the logistic regression model） analyses were used. RESULTS： Postoperative mortality was 5% after major hepatectomy, 3% after bisegmentectomy, and 3% after limited hepatectomy. The bhree percentages were comparable （P = 0.876）. The platelet count of ≤ 10× 10^4/μL was the strongest independent factor for postoperative mortality on univariate （P = 0.001） and multivariate （risk ratio, 12.5; P= 0.029） analyses. No patient with a platelet count of 〉7.3× 10^4/μL died of postoperative morbidity, whereas 25% （6/24 patients） of patients with a platelet count of ≤7.3×10^4/μL died （P〈0.001）. CONCLUSION： The selection criteria for hepatectomy procedures based on KICG are generally considered valid, because of the acceptable morbidity and mortality with these criteria. The preoperative platelet count independently affects morbidity and mortality after hepatectomy, suggesting that a combination of KICG and platelet count would further reduce postoperative mortality.

Clinical experiences with 20 cases of single-direction thoracoscopic lobectomy and systematic lymph node dissection for peripheral NSCLC

Objective: To evaluate the safety, efficacy, feasibility of single-direction thoracoscopic lobectomy for peripheral lung cancer. Methods: From December 2009 to March 2011, 20 patients with peripheral lung cancer were treated with single-direction thoracoscopic lobectomy and systemic lymph nodes dissection. Results: Surgeries were successfully performed. No significant complications occurred perioperatively. The average operation time was 193 min, the average blood loss was 234 ml, the average duration of drainage was 6 d, the postoperative hospital stay was 12 d, and the average number of lymph nodes dissected was 16. Conclusion: Single-direction thoracoscopic lobectomy is feasible and safe in the treatment of peripheral lung cancer and can simplify the surgical procedures.

Overexpression of NK2 inhibits liver regeneration after partial hepatectomy in mice

AIM： To investigate the in vivo effects of NK2 on liver regeneration after partial hepatectomy （PH）. METHODS： Survival after PH was observed with 21 NK2 transgenic mice and 23 wild-type （WT） mice over 10 d. Liver regeneration was analyzed using histology and immunohistochemistry. Expressions of genes were analyzed using Northern blot analysis, immunoprecipitation and immunoblotting, and reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction assay. Kaplan Meier method and the log-rank test were used for analyzing the survival after PH. Differences in the results of immunohistochemistry and percentage of liver regeneration was determined by the Student＇s t-test. RESULTS： More than half of NK2 transgenic mice died within 48 h after PH. After PH, increased deposition of small lipid droplets in hepatocytes was evident and hepatic proliferation was inhibited in NK2 transgenic mice. The hepatic expression and kinase activity of HGF receptor, c-Met, were unchanged among WT mice and NK2 transgenic mice after PH. The expression of tumor necrosis factor-co （TNF-c0 and interleukin-6 （IL-6） in liver tissues were prolonged in NK2 transgenic mice that died after PH. CONCLUSION： Our findings indicate that overexpression of NK2 inhibits liver regeneration after PH.

Identification of expressed genes in regenerating rat liver in 0-4-8-12 h short interval successive partial hepatectomy

AIM: To identify the genes differentially expressed in the regenerating rat liver of 0-4-8-12 h short interval successive partial hepatectomy (SISPH) and to analyze their expression profiles.METHODS: Five hundred and fifty-one elements screened from subtractive cDNA libraries were made into a cDNA microarray (cDNA chip). Extensive gene expression analysis following 0-4-8-12 h SISPH was conducted by microarray.RESULTS: One hundred and eighty-three elements were selected, which were either up- or down-regulated more than 2-fold at one or more time points after SISPH. Cluster analysis and generalization analysis showed that there were five distinct temporal patterns of gene expression.Eighty-six genes were unreported, associated with liver regeneration (LR).CONCLUSION: Microarray analysis shows that the down regulated genes are much more than the up-regulated ones in SISPH; the numbers of genes expressed consistently are fewer than that expressed immediately; the genes expressed in high abundance are much fewer than that increased 2-5-fold. The comparison of SISPH with partial hepatectomy (PH) shows that the expression trends of most genes in SISPH and in PH are similar,but the expression of 43 genes is specifically altered in SISPH.

Matrix metalloproteinase-9 contributes to parenchymal hemorrhage and necrosis in the remnant liver after extended hepatectomy in mice

AIM： To investigate the effect of matrix metallopro- teinase-9 （MMP-9） on the remnant liver after massivehepatectomy in the mouse.METHODS： Age-matched, C57BL/6 wild-type （WT）, MMP-9（-/-）, and tissue inhibitors of metalloprotein- ases （TIMP）-1（-/-） mice were used. The mice received 80%-partial hepatectomy （PH）. Samples were obtained at 6 h after 80%-PH, and we used histology, immuno- histochemical staining, western blotting analysis and zymography to investigate the effect of PH on MMP-9. The role of MMP-9 after PH was investigated using a monoclonal antibody and MMP inhibitor.RESULTS： We examined the remnant liver 6 h after 80%-PH and found that MMP-9 deficiency attenuated the formation of hemorrhage and necrosis. There were significantly fewer and smaller hemorrhagic and ne- crotic lesions in MMP-9（-/-） remnant livers compared with WT and TIMP-1（-/-） livers （P 〈 0.01）, with no dif- ference between WT and TIMP-1（-/-） mice. Serum ala- nine aminotransaminase levels were significantly lower in MMP-9（-/-） mice compared with those in TIMP-I（-/-） mice （WT： 476± 83 IU/L, MMP-9（-/-）： 392 ± 30 IU/L, TIMP-I（-/-）： 673 ± 73 IU/L, P 〈 0.01）. Western blot- ting and gelatin zymography demonstrated a lack of MMP-9 expression and activity in MMP-9（-/-） mice, which was in contrast to WT and TIMP-1（-/-） mice. No change in MMP-2 expression was observed in any of the study groups. Similar to MMP-9（-/-） mice, when WT mice were treated with MMP-9 monoclonal antibody or the synthetic inhibitor GM6001, hemorrhagic and necrotic lesions were significantly smaller and fewer than in control mice （P 〈 0.05）. These results suggest that MMP-9 plays an important role in the development of parenchymal hemorrhage and necrosis in the small remnant liver.CONCLUSION： Successful MMP-9 inhibition attenuates the formation of hemorrhage and necrosis and mightbe a potential therapy to ameliorate liver injury after massive hepatectomy.

Clinical impact of surveillance for head and neck cancer in patients with esophageal squamous cell carcinoma

To evaluate the clinical impact of surveillance for head and neck (HN) region with narrow band imaging (NBI) in patients with esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC).METHODSSince 2006, we introduced the surveillance for HN region using NBI for all patients with ESCC before treatment, and each follow-up. The patients with newly diagnosed stage I to III ESCC were enrolled and classified into two groups as follows: Group A (no surveillance for HN region); between 1992 and 2000), and Group B (surveillance for HN region with NBI; between 2006 and 2008). We comparatively evaluated the detection rate of superficial head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC), and the serious events due to metachronous advanced HNSCC during the follow-up.RESULTSA total 561 patients (group A: 254, group B: 307) were enrolled. Synchronous superficial HNSCC was detected in 1 patient (0.3%) in group A, and in 12 (3.9%) in group B (P = 0.008). During the follow up period, metachronous HNSCC were detected in 10 patients (3.9%) in group A and in 30 patients (9.8%) in group B (P = 0.008). All metachronous lesions in group B were early stage, and 26 patients underwent local resection, however, 6 of 10 patients (60%) in group A lost their laryngeal function and died with metachronous HNSCC.CONCLUSIONSurveillance for the HN region by using NBI endoscopy increase the detection rate of early HNSCC in patients with ESCC, and led to decrease serious events related to advanced metachronous HNSCC.

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.

Endoscopic resection of carcinoid of the minor duodenalpapilla

We encountered a 65-year-old man with a carcinoid tumor of the minor duodenal papilla. Since he had liver cirrhosis and completely refused surgery, we performed an endoscopic snare papillectomy. The papillectomy was performed successfully without procedure-related complication. The specimens revealed a carcinoid tumor showing that the margin of the tumor was positive. One week later, upper GI endoscopy was performed and the biopsy specimens obtained from base of ulcer showed no neoplastic cells. We performed a duodenoscopy and CT 3, 6 and 18 mo later, and there was no macroscopic or microscopic evidence of tumor recurrence after more than 4 years.