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Purpose: To minimize the parietal trauma associated with multiple surgical access sites, single-incision laparoscopic surgery for colectomy has been emerging with the improvements in instrumentation and surgical techniques. The purpose of this study was to compare the clinicopathological outcomes between single-incision laparoscopic right colectomy (SILC) and multiport laparoscopic right colectomy (MLC) for right colon cancer., Methods: Thirty-five consecutive patients undergoing SILC from a prospective single-institution database were case matched according to demographic data to an equivalent number of patients who underwent MLC., Results: The SILC patients had decreased scores for maximal pain assessed by a visual analog scale on postoperative days 1 and 3, and used fewer postoperative systemic narcotics. The median length of the hospital stay for the SILC patients was significantly shorter compared with the MLC patients. The postoperative morbidity rates were similar between the groups. The oncological findings were not significantly different between the groups., Conclusion: SILC is a feasible and safe alternative to conventional MLC for patients with right colon cancer.

Background: The risk factors predisposing to bile duct injury or postoperative bile leakage associated with laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) include the presence of an accessory hepatic duct, the anomalous cystic duct confluence, and duct of Luschka. One method to prevent bile duct injury is preoperative placement of an endoscopic nasobiliary drainage tube (ENBD assisted LC). The aims of this investigation are first, to report the incidence of bile duct anomalies according to the classification system proposed by Wakayama Medical University and second, to evaluate the efficacy of ENBD assisted LC with regard to prevention of intraoperative bile duct injury and postoperative bile duct injury or leakage., Methods: A total of 1,835 consecutive LCs performed at our institution during a recent 10-year period were reviewed., Results: Anomalous cystic duct confluence was detected in 11 cases and an accessory hepatic duct was detected in 37 cases. These anomalies were risk factors for bile duct injury in our series. However, there was no significant difference in the length of surgery, conversion rate to laparotomy, or frequency of bile duct injury or leakage between the standard LC group and ENBD assisted LC group., Conclusion: A bile duct anomaly was seen in 2.6% of LC cases. Placement of an ENBD tube prior to LC in predictably complicating bile duct anomalies may have successfully decreased the incidence of complications.

We report herein a case of recurrent mucosal cancer of the extrahepatic bile duct, with superficial flat spread, 12 years after operation. A 67-year-old woman had undergone common bile duct (CBD) resection and Roux-en-Y reconstruction. Histologically, the tumor was papillary adenocarcinoma, with superficial flat spread, with no invasive component. The epithelium at the distal margin had been exfoliated, so the absence or presence of any remnant cancerous lesion was unclear. But the superficial flat spread had expanded to within at least 3 mm from the distal margin. About 12 years postoperatively, she was hospitalized with upper abdominal pain, and duodenoscopy demonstrated a tumor in the second portion of the duodenum. Biopsy identified adenocarcinoma. Computed tomography showed a low-density mass between the duodenum and pancreatic head. Pancreatoduodenectomy was performed. Histologically, papillary adenocarcinoma was found within the whole of the intrapancreatic bile duct, and its histological appearance resembled that of the original tumor. Moderately differentiated tubular adenocarcinoma had invaded around the tissue of the intrapancreatic CBD. These findings suggest that remnant intramucosal flat carcinoma within the intrapancreatic bile duct had developed into invasive carcinoma over the course of 12 years. This case suggests that remnant intraepithelial flat carcinoma within the CBD may develop a late local recurrence.

We report a male patient aged 45 years, who in 1993 had been diagnosed as having middle bile duct cancer and had received a pancreatoduodenectomy. Histopathology showed a nodular tumor with the main lesion in the middle bile duct and superficial spreading in both proximal and distal directions (which was not observed macroscopically), and residual tumor in the epithelium of the cut edge near the liver. The patient underwent follow-up without postoperative adjuvant therapy. In 2002, 9 years after the operation, the patient developed jaundice and was diagnosed with recurrence of bile duct cancer in the anastomotic site, based on cholangiographic results. He underwent resection of the right hepatic and caudate lobes and the anastomotic region of the bile duct and jejunum. Pathological findings showed an invasive tumor in the anastomotic region, with continuous intraepithelial spread in the direction of the bile duct, which suggested that the residual tumor in the epithelium had grown to become an invasive cancer. In this patient, the recurrence required 9 years after resection. This case provides evidence for the clinical course that might be anticipated for a patient with a residual tumor in the epithelium of the bile duct stump and subsequent superficial spreading bile duct cancer.

Background: The extent of paraaortic lymph node (PAN) metastasis parellels that of distant metastases in patients with biliary carcinoma. Accurate preoperative assessment of PAN metastasis has a crucial impact on surgical indications. In this retrospective study, we evaluated whether computed tomography (CT) scans were useful for diagnosing PAN metastases and excluding patients with PAN metastases from an indication for surgery., Methods: Between March 1999 and November 2003, 57 patients with biliary carcinoma underwent radical lymphadenectomy or surgical biopsy of PANs. Nine of these patients were diagnosed as having PAN metastasis microscopically. All patients had undergone abdominal CT scans before surgery. To diagnose PAN metastases, we used the following diagnostic criteria. (1) Size; when lymph nodes were greater than 12 mm, 10 mm, 8 mm, or 6 mm in longo or short-axis diameter, the nodes were considered metastatic. (2) Shape and size; when the axial ratio of a lymph node was greater than 0.5, 0.7, 1.0, and the maximum diameter of the long or short axis was greater than 12 mm, 10 mm, 8 mm, or 6 mm, the node was considered metastatic. (3) Internal structure; if the internal structure of a PAN was heterogeneous, the node was considered metastatic. A positive predictive value was calculated for each included criterion when patients numbered ten or more., Results: Positive predictive values using the above criteria ranged from 13% to 36%. Only one patient had PANs with heterogeneous internal structures., Conclusions: We were unable to determine surgical indications based on the morphological criteria revealed by a CT scan.

Almost all reported cases of intraductal papillary-mucinous tumors of the pancreas (IPMTs) originate from Wirsung's duct (WD), the main pancreatic duct, or their branches. IPMTs arising from Santorini's duct (SD) and its branches have rarely been reported. This article presents the clinicopathologic features of IPMTs originating in SD and its branches. Of 36 IPMTs resected in our institution, 5 originated in the region of SD: 3 in SD and 2 from its branches. Both SD and WD were dilated in all cases on radiographic and ultrasonographic studies. The maximum diameter of SD, determined by computed tomography or ultrasonography, was larger than that of WD in all cases. Seven reports of IPMT arising from SD have been published. Four lesions originated from SD and the others from its branches. Overall, 9 of 12 lesions (75%) were considered malignant. In conclusion, the coexistence of an IPMT and a dilated SD suggests an origin in the SD. These tumors have a high malignant potential and should be excised.

We herein present the case of an intraductal papillary mucinous tumor of the pancreas resected by a gastric tube-preserving pancreatoduodenectomy in a patient who underwent an esophagectomy and reconstruction using the gastric tube. To preserve the gastric tube, the gastroduodenal artery and right gastroepiploic vein must be successfully skeletonized and preserved. In the present case, the vascular anatomy was clarified not only two-dimensionally with the use of selective abdominal angiography, but also three-dimensionally with the use of helical computed tomography. After precisely identifying the location of the tumor in relation of the blood vessels, it was confirmed that a gastric tube-preserving pancreatoduodenectomy was feasible. A detailed analysis of the vascular anatomy should be carried out by helical computed tomography preoperatively. When the radicality of tumor resection is not compromised, a gastric tube-preserving pancreatoduodenectomy can be recommended, due to the fact that it is considered to be less invasive.

Purpose: Stomach-preserving distal pancreatectomy with en bloc resection of the celiac, common hepatic, and left gastric arteries is a radical operation performed for locally advanced cancer of the pancreatic body. However, it is not known whether the collateral pathways that develop immediately from the superior mesenteric artery to the gastroduodenal and hepatic arteries provide sufficient blood flow to support the hepatobiliary system and the stomach. This article examines the ischemic gastropathy that can occur after this procedure and identifies the predisposing conditions., Methods: Between 1997 and 2001, nine patients underwent stomach-preserving distal pancreatectomy with en bloc resection of the celiac, common hepatic, and left gastric arteries. Concomitant resection of the right gastric artery or gastroduodenal artery was performed due to cancer infiltration in three patients., Results: Irregular, shallow, and wide ulcerations thought to be ischemic in origin developed in these three patients, but all the ulcerations healed in 1-2 weeks with antiulcer medication. None of the other six patients had evidence of gastric ischemia., Conclusions: Ischemic gastropathy is rare after distal pancreatectomy with celiac axis resection alone; however, division of additional arteries supplying the stomach may predispose to ischemic gastropathy.

Background/purpose: We report our experience performing wedge resection of the portal bifurcation and transverse suture closure in patients undergoing left hepatectomy and caudate lobectomy plus biliary reconstruction for hepatobiliary cancer., Methods: The procedure was performed in three patients with hilar or intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma. After confirming that tumor invasion of the portal bifurcation was not circumferential, the portal trunk and the right posterior and right anterior portal branches were isolated and clamped. Wedge resection of the portal bifurcation was performed, taking care to secure a clear surgical margin. The edges of the portal vein were approximated, using guy-sutures in the dorsal and ventral edges and a temporary central guy-suture, and portal reconstruction was carried out using a continuous transverse suture. After unclamping, good portal flow was confirmed by color Doppler ultrasonography., Results: The procedure was completed successfully in all three patients; the average time of portal vein occlusion was 15 min. Two patients had postoperative complications: bile leakage and wound infection, but no patient developed postoperative hepatic failure or died. The three patients are alive without recurrence at 2, 11, and 22 months after the operation., Conclusions: Wedge resection of the portal bifurcation is easier and simpler than using a venous patch or performing segmental resection.

We report the successful treatment of Budd-Chiari syndrome (BCS) due to an obstruction of the hepatic veins. A 19-year-old man developed bleeding esophageal and gastric varices, and a large amount of ascites was thus caused by portal hypertension. BCS complicated by an obstruction of the major hepatic veins was diagnosed after examinations. We performed percutaneous transluminal angioplasty (PTA). This resulted in a great improvement of BCS, a marked decrease in the pressure of the hepatic veins, and the disappearance of ascites. Restenosis occurred at 1 year and 5 years after the initial angioplasty, for which PTA was repeatedly performed. Nine years after the initial treatment, no stenosis has been observed and the patient has shown a favorable outcome.