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Several studies have demonstrated that diverse systemic inflammatory-based prognostic parameters predict a poor prognosis in patients with gastric cancer. However, few studies have focused on the relationships between postoperative complications and systemic inflammatory-based prognostic parameters after curative gastrectomy. We investigated the relationships between postoperative complications and these parameters and assessed the clinical utility of the parameters as predictors of postoperative complications in patients with stage I–III gastric cancer. We retrospectively reviewed 300 patients who underwent curative gastrectomy for stage I–III gastric cancer. All postoperative complications were classified as infectious or noninfectious. We evaluated the relationships between postoperative complications and clinical factors, including systemic inflammatory-based prognostic parameters. In total, 101 patients (33.7%) had postoperative Clavien–Dindo grade II–IV complications, and 54 (18.0%) patients developed infectious complications including pancreatic fistula, pneumonia, anastomotic leak, intra-abdominal abscess, and cholecystitis. The relationships between postoperative complications and systemic inflammatory-based prognostic parameters were evaluated by the areas under the receiver operating characteristic curves. Postoperative pneumonia was identified as the most sensitive complication to the systemic inflammatory-based prognostic parameters. Multivariate analysis revealed that preoperative neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (odds ratio, 14.621; 95% confidence interval, 1.160–184.348; p = 0.038) was an independent predictor of pneumonia. Preoperative neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio may be a useful predictor of postoperative pneumonia in patients with stage I–III gastric cancer after curative gastrectomy.

TAS-102 improved the overall survival of metastatic colorectal cancer (CRC) patients with a median progression-free survival (PFS) in the RECOURSE trial. Subsequently, the combination of TAS-102 and bevacizumab was shown to extend the median PFS (C-TASK FORCE study). However, the study included patients who received second- and third-line treatment. Our study exclusively examined patients receiving this combination as a third-line treatment to investigate the clinical impact beyond cytotoxic doublets. This investigator-initiated, open-label, single-arm, multi-centered phase II study was conducted in Japan. Eligible CRC patients were refractory or intolerant to fluoropyrimidine, irinotecan, and oxaliplatin in first- and second-line therapy. TAS-102 (35 mg/m2) was given orally twice daily on days 1–5 and 8–12 in a 4-week cycle, and bevacizumab (5 mg/kg) was administered by intravenous infusion every 2 weeks. The primary endpoint was PFS and the secondary endpoints were time-to-treatment failure, response rate, overall survival (OS), and safety. Between June 2016 and August 2017, 32 patients were enrolled. All patients previously received bevacizumab. The median PFS was 4.5 months; the median overall survival was 9.3 months. Partial response was observed in two patients. The most common adverse events above grade 3 were neutropenia followed by thrombocytopenia. There were no non-hematological adverse events above grade 3 and no treatment-related deaths occurred. This study met its primary endpoint of PFS, which is comparable to the results of the C-TASK FORCE study. The TAS-102 and bevacizumab combination has the potential to be a therapeutic option for third-line treatment of metastatic CRC.

Anastomotic leak is one of the most serious postoperative complications, and intraoperative adequate perfusion plays a key role in preventing its development in gastric cancer surgery. This study aimed to investigate the relationships between anastomotic leak and the parameters defined by an assessment of intraoperative anastomotic perfusion using a near-infrared indocyanine green (ICG) fluorescence system and to evaluate the usefulness of this ICG fluorescence assessment in gastric cancer surgery. We retrospectively reviewed data of 100 patients who underwent gastric cancer surgery. In a visual assessment based on fluorescence intensity, we classified ICG fluorescence image patterns as homogeneous, heterogeneous, or faint. In a chronological assessment, the first or second time point of ICG fluorescence appearance on one or the other side of the anastomosis was defined as FT or ST, respectively. The time difference in ICG fluorescence appearance between FT and ST was defined as TD. The relationships between anastomotic leak and the evaluated clinical factors, including the parameters identified by the ICG fluorescence assessment, were evaluated using univariate or multivariate analysis. Although no signs of leak were found by surgeons’ subjective judgments, four patients developed postoperative anastomotic leak of Clavien–Dindo grade III or IV. Multivariate analysis revealed that TD was an independent predictor of anastomotic leak (odds ratio 35.361, 95% confidence interval 1.489–839.923, p = 0.027). A novel parameter identified using near-infrared ICG fluorescence assessment may be useful to predict anastomotic leak in gastric cancer surgery. UMIN Clinical Trials Registry: #UMIN000030747 ( https://www.umin.ac.jp/ctr/index.htm ).

The aim of this phase II study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of combination therapy with five-cycle CAPOX (capecitabine plus oxaliplatin) plus bevacizumab, followed by five-cycle maintenance therapy with capecitabine plus bevacizumab and reintroduction of CAPOX plus bevacizumab for five cycles, with a preplanned intermittent oxaliplatin strategy in metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC). Patients with untreated mCRC were administered CAPOX (130 mg/m2 oxaliplatin on day 1, 2000 mg/m2/day capecitabine on days 1–14, every 21 days) + bevacizumab (7.5 mg/kg) every 3 weeks for five cycles, maintenance treatment without oxaliplatin for five cycles, and CAPOX + bevacizumab reintroduction for five cycles or upon tumor progression. The primary endpoint was progression-free survival (PFS), and the secondary endpoints were the time to treatment failure (TTF), overall survival, response rate (RR), and safety. Forty-seven patients who fulfilled the inclusion criteria were enrolled in the evaluation of efficacy and safety. Median PFS was 14.1 months (95% confidence interval [CI], 8.6–19.5), and median TTF was 12.3 months (95% CI, 10.3–14.3). The objective RRs were 51.1% (24/47) during induction therapy, 58.3% (21/36) during maintenance therapy, and 63.6% (14/22) during reintroduction therapy. The frequency of patients with neutropenia, diarrhea, peripheral sensory neuropathy, venous thromboembolism, or grade ≥ 3 allergic reactions was 2.1%. CAPOX plus bevacizumab therapy with a preplanned intermittent oxaliplatin strategy consisting of brief five-cycle induction therapy, five-cycle maintenance therapy with capecitabine plus bevacizumab, and five-cycle reintroduction therapy consisting of CAPOX plus bevacizumab is safe and effective for mCRC patients. UMIN ID: 000,005,732, date of registration: June 7, 2011. https://upload.umin.ac.jp/cgi-open-bin/ctr/ctr_view.cgi?recptno=R000006695

We herein describe a case of laparoscopic surgery for an esophageal duplication cyst using a near‐infrared indocyanine green fluorescence system. A 64‐year‐old woman with a cystic tumor adjacent to the esophagogastric junction was referred to our hospital for treatment. Esophagogastroduodenoscopy and abdominal CT revealed a 70‐mm submucosal tumor derived from the abdominal esophagus. We performed laparoscopic resection and then evaluated the tissue perfusion of the abdominal esophagus by using a near‐infrared indocyanine green fluorescence system. A Dor fundoplication was performed to prevent postoperative gastroesophageal reflux disease and reinforce the mucosal layer defect. The postoperative course was uneventful, and pathological evaluation confirmed that the tumor was an esophageal duplication cyst. The patient did not develop recurrence in the 24 months after surgery. We have demonstrated that laparoscopic resection of an esophageal duplication cyst may be performed effectively with intraoperative assessment of tissue perfusion using a near‐infrared indocyanine green fluorescence system.

Approximately 30% patients with stage III colon cancer (CC) develop local recurrence and/or distant metastasis, even if postoperative adjuvant chemotherapy with oxaliplatin plus 5-fluorouracil and leucovorin (5-FU/LV) has been completed. In the present study, molecular analysis was performed to identify molecular markers of tumor recurrence in patients with stage III CC receiving oxaliplatin-based adjuvant chemotherapy. The FACOS study was conducted as a phase II study to evaluate the safety and efficacy of oxaliplatin-based treatment for stage III CC patients. Of the 132 CC patients enrolled in the present study, gene expression analysis using a microarray was conducted in 51 patients. Of these 51 patients, 6 developed recurrence within 5 years. The topmost 5% genes that showed differential expressions between cases that developed/did not develop recurrence were selected, and a set of predictive molecular markers for recurrence was identified. Of the 34,694 genes in the microarray, 1,734 genes were extracted as topmost 5% genes showing differential expressions between cases with and without recurrence. Among these, 10 genes, includingADH1A, ADH1C, CA12, CHP2, HMGCS2, SNAR-A1, TPI1, MS4A12, PLA2G10 and PTPRO, were identified as markers that could clearly divide patients with and without recurrence. Although several prediction models of tumor recurrence have been reported for CC, the set of 10 genes that the present study identified may be useful to predict the risk of recurrence in stage III CC patients receiving oxaliplatin-based adjuvant chemotherapy. Based on these results, high-risk patients with CC should be carefully observed to detect tumor recurrence during the follow-up period.

Low anterior resection syndrome (LARS) commonly develops after an anal sphincter-preserving operation (SPO). The etiology of LARS is not well understood, as the anatomical components and physiological function of normal defecation, which may be damaged during the SPO, are not well established. SPOs may damage components of the anal canal (such as the internal anal sphincter, longitudinal conjoint muscle, or hiatal ligament), either mechanically or via injury to the nerves that supply these organs. The function of the rectum is substantially impaired by resection of the rectum, division of the rectococcygeus muscle, and/or injury of the nervous supply. When the remnant rectum is small and does not function properly, an important functional role may be played by the neorectum, which is usually constructed from the left side of the colon. Hypermotility of the remnant colon may affect the manifestation of urge fecal incontinence. To develop an SPO that minimizes the risk of LARS, the anatomy and physiology of the structures involved in normal defecation need to be understood better. LARS is managed similarly to fecal incontinence. In particular, management should focus on reducing colonic motility when urge fecal incontinence is the dominant symptom.

This randomized phase II trial compared tegafur–uracil/leucovorin (UFT/LV) plus oxaliplatin (TEGAFOX) to UFT/LV as adjuvant chemotherapy for patients with high-risk stage II/III colorectal cancer. From 2010 to April 2015, 159 patients who underwent curative resection were randomly assigned to receive TEGAFOX (85 mg/m2 oxaliplatin on days 1 and 15, 300 mg/m2/day UFT and 75 mg/day LV on days 1–28, every 35 days for five cycles) or UFT/LV. The primary study endpoint was disease-free survival. The 3-year disease-free survival rate was 84.2% in the TEGAFOX arm, versus 62.1% for UFT/LV. The stratified hazard ratio for disease-free survival for TEGAFOX compared to UFT/LV was 0.338 (P < 0.01). The incidence of any-grade adverse events was significantly higher in the TEGAFOX arm (96.1%) than in the UFT/LV arm (76.6%; P < 0.01). The rates of any-grade neutropenia, thrombocytopenia, aspartate aminotransferase/alanine aminotransferase elevation, and peripheral sensory neuropathy were higher in the TEGAFOX group, whereas the incidence of grade ≥ 3 adverse events did not differ between the groups. TEGAFOX is an additional adjuvant chemotherapy option for high-risk stage II/III colorectal cancer. UMIN ID: 000007696, date of registration: April 10, 2012

Chemotherapy with oxaliplatin is known to induce sinusoidal obstruction syndrome (SOS). In a previous single-center study, we reported that oxaliplatin-induced increase in splenic volume (SV) is strongly indicative of SOS, and that this increase in SV persisted for 1 year after completing chemotherapy. The aim of this study was to confirm the oxaliplatin-induced SV change in a multicenter study in patients with stage III colon cancer in Japan.We enrolled 59 patients who underwent curative resection for stage III colon cancer in the FACOS study in a phase II multi-center clinical study. Participants received mFOLFOX6 or CAPOX as adjuvant chemotherapy. SV change was assessed three times by computed tomographic volumetry: before surgery, on completion of adjuvant chemotherapy, and 1 year after completing adjuvant chemotherapy.SV on completing and 1 year after chemotherapy was significantly higher than that before surgery (P 0.001). Oxaliplatin-induced SOS persisted for 1 year after the completion of adjuvant chemotherapy in half of the patients. There was no difference in 3-year disease-free survival with respect to the presence or absence of increased SV. An increase in SV was observed in 72% of patients treated with mFOLFOX6 and 94% of patients treated with CAPOX (P = 0.13).This study can be verified the findings observed in our previous single-center study, oxaliplatin-based adjuvant chemotherapy was associated with an increase in SV. Furthermore, this increase can persist for 1 year. The continuous presence of SOS may have a negative impact on prognosis in patients that develop recurrent disease.

Adjuvant chemotherapy with oxaliplatin combined with a fluoropyrimidine derivative is widely accepted as standard therapy for patients with stage III colon cancer, since few clinical data are available for Japanese patients. The FACOS trial investigated the tolerability of modified FOLFOX6 (mFOLFOX6) and XELOX regimens in Japanese colon cancer patients. Twelve cycles of mFOLFOX6 or 8 cycles of XELOX were given to patients with eligibility: stage III curatively resected colon cancer, performance status of 0–1, age from 20 to 75 years, and adequate organ function. The primary endpoint was 3-year disease-free survival. Secondary endpoints were the incidence of adverse events (AEs) and the completion rate of study therapy. From April 2010 to April 2014, a total of 132 patients were enrolled. Safety was analyzed in 130 patients, with finalized data from 73 patients receiving mFOLFOX6 and 57 patients receiving XELOX. A total of 130 patients (100%) experienced AEs (any grade), and 52 patients (40.0%) experienced AEs of grade ≥ 3. No significant difference in the frequency of grade ≥ 3 AEs was observed between mFOLFOX6 and XELOX groups. Continuation of the planned cycle rate of protocol treatment was 69.9% in the mFOLFOX6 group and 68.4% in the XELOX group. Treatment was discontinued because of AEs in 14 patients (19.2%) in the mFOLFOX6 group and 8 (14.0%) in the XELOX group. Mean relative dose intensity for oxaliplatin was 78.0% in the mFOLFOX6 group and 82.8% in the XELOX group. As adjuvant chemotherapy for stage III colon cancer, mFOLFOX6/XELOX regimens are acceptable.

Diverticular disease of the colon occurs quite frequently in developed countries, and its prevalence has recently increased in Japan. The appearance of diverticulosis increases with age, although mostly remaining asymptomatic. Approximately 20% of cases require treatment. As the Western lifestyle and number of elderly people increase, the need for medical treatment also increases. Computed tomography (CT) is the gold standard for diagnosing diverticulitis. Complicated diverticulitis is classified by the size and range of abscess formation and the severity of the peritonitis. Each case should be classified based on clinical and computed tomography (CT) findings and then treated appropriately. Most patients with uncomplicated diverticulitis (stages 0–Ia) can be treated conservatively. Diverticulitis with a localized abscess (stages Ib–II) is generally resolved with conservative treatment. If the abscess is larger or conservative treatment fails, however, percutaneous drainage or surgery should be considered. Operative treatment is considered standard therapy for severe diverticulitis with perforation and generalized peritonitis (stages III–IV). Colonic diverticulitis treated conservatively frequently recurs. Elective surgery after recovery should be considered carefully and decisions made on a case‐by‐case basis. Because cases of colonic diverticulitis will undoubtedly increase in Japan, it is likely that we will be confronted with increasing numbers of treatment decisions. We therefore need to have a systematic strategy for treating the various stages of colonic diverticulitis appropriately. We herein review the management of complicated diverticulitis.

Perfusion computed tomography (PCT) is a less invasive imaging modality that provides information about tissue hemodynamics at the capillary level. The present study aimed to investigate the correlation between hepatic perfusion and gastric cancer progression. A total of 136 patients with gastric adenocarcinoma were evaluated in the present study. Prior to initial treatment, liver PCT was performed across the hepatic hilar plane and the hepatic blood flow (HBF) was measured using the dual-input deconvolution method. HBF was compared with clinicopathological factors, patient prognosis and circulating serum proangiogenic cytokines. The median HBF was 217 ml/min/100 g tissue. Patients with high HBF had larger tumors (43 mm vs. 71, P

Background The neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) and the platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR) are associated with poor prognoses in patients with gastric cancer; however, few studies have focused on the dynamic changes in these ratios during the treatment of patients with gastric cancer. Here, we assessed the clinical utility of changes in these ratios as prognostic indicators in patients with stage II or III gastric cancer who received adjuvant chemotherapy. Methods We retrospectively reviewed 100 patients who received S-1 adjuvant chemotherapy at ≥70% of the relative dose intensity, and their NLRs and PLRs were evaluated at different times: prior to gastrectomy and upon commencement and termination of adjuvant chemotherapy. To assure the clinical utility of the changes in NLR and PLR as prognostic indicators, other clinical factors were assessed as well. Results Disease recurred in 35 patients as follows: lymph node metastasis (17 patients, 17.0%), peritoneal metastasis (12 patients, 12.0%), and hematogenous metastasis (6 patients, 6.0%); 24 patients died. An increase in the NLR during adjuvant chemotherapy with S-1 was identified as an independent indicator associated with overall survival (hazard ratio [HR] 6.736, 95% confidence interval [CI] 2.420–18.748; P

224 Background: The combination regimen of TAS-102 and bevacizumab as salvage-line therapy for metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC) was established based on its high clinical effectiveness (C-TASK FORCE). Recently, our current phase II TAS-CC3 study demonstrated comparable median progression-free survival (PFS: 4.5m) and overall survival (OS: 9.2m) with exclusive inclusion of 3rd line therapy patients. However, practical predictors for its efficacy are lacking. This study evaluated inflammation-based scores as potential predictors for this combination therapy. Methods: This is a post hoc analysis of investigator-initiated, open-label, single-arm, multicentered phase II study (TAS-CC3) in Japan with 32 mCRC patients treated with the combination therapy. We investigated the predictive and prognostic values of pretreatment blood inflammation-based scores, including neutrophil-to-lymphocyte (NLR), platelet-to-lymphocyte (PLR), and lymphocyte-monocyte ratios (LMR), on disease-control (DC), PFS and OS. These were divided into two groups (high and low) using cut-off of each median values. This study was registered at the University Hospital Medical Information Network, as UMIN#000022438. Results: ROC curve analyses of 3 inflammation-based scores versus DC showed a best predictive performance in LMR, followed by NLR and PLR (AUC: 0.89, 0.85, and 0.68, respectively). The high LMR group had a significantly higher DC rate than the low group (87.5 vs. 43.8%, P= 0.023). Two patients showing partial responses were in the high group. The high LMR group showed significantly longer survivals compared with the low group (4.9 vs. 2.3m, respectively for median PFS, P= 0.014) (20.5 vs. 5.1m, respectively for median OS, P< 0.001). The values of LMR were significantly correlated with PFS and OS (r = 0.56: P< 0.001 and 0.62: P< 0.001, respectively). Conclusions: Pretreatment LMR is a valid predictive and prognostic biomarker for mCRC patients with TAS-102 and bevacizumab treatment and might be clinically useful for selecting patients of the responder. Clinical trial information: 000022438.

116 Background: Regorafenib, a multi-kinase inhibitor, significantly improved overall survival in previously treated metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC) patients in the phase 3 CORRECT trial. Despite its significant benefits, various toxicities such as hand-foot skin reaction (HFSR), fatigue, and liver dysfunction have limited regorafenib use. The toxicities occur soon after treatment initiation, typically within the first cycle, and later improve. Although the standard daily dose of regorafenib is 160 mg, physicians have adopted various dosing regimens in clinical practice, indicating the need to optimize the dosing strategy to maintain the antitumor benefits. The ReDOS study demonstrated the effectiveness of a weekly dose-escalating strategy (WDES) of regorafenib starting with a lower daily dose. We conducted the phase II RECC study to evaluate the safety and efficacy of WDES for regorafenib in an Asian population. Methods: Patients with sufficient organ function who had previously received more than two lines of chemotherapy were included. Regorafenib was started at 80 mg/day and escalated to 120 mg/day in Week 2 and 160 mg/day in Week 3 if no severe drug-related toxicities were observed. The primary endpoint was progression-free survival (PFS) and secondary endpoints were time to treatment failure (TTF), response rate (RR), overall survival (OS), and safety. Tumor response and progression were assessed radiologically every 8 weeks. Results: From March 2017 to November 2018, 57 eligible patients were enrolled and all started regorafenib at 80 mg/day. Thirty-five patients (61%) were subsequently escalated to 120 mg/day and 16 (28%) to 160 mg/day. Forty patients (70.2%) finished Cycle 2 at 8 weeks. Only 8 patients (14%) discontinued treatment because of adverse events. The median PFS was 1.9 months, RR was 0%, and disease control rate was 32%. The most frequent adverse event ≥grade 3 was hypertension (17.5%), followed by HFSR (14%). No treatment-related deaths occurred. Conclusions: Regorafenib dose escalation was well tolerated with PFS similar to that reported in the CORRECT study, indicating that WDES may represent an option for regorafenib administration. Clinical trial information: UMIN000028933.

The aim of this single-arm phase II clinical trial was to evaluate whether the alternate-day administration of S-1 plus irinotecan would reduce the incidence of severe diarrhea in comparison to consecutive-day S-1 administration (standard IRIS regimen) in second-line treatment for patients with metastatic colorectal cancer. Patients with metastatic colorectal cancer after failure with first-line treatment of oxaliplatin and fluoropyrimidine were enrolled. Irinotecan (150 mg/m2) and bevacizumab (5 mg/kg) were given intravenously on day 1. Oral S-1 was administered on alternate days at a dose of 40–60 mg twice a day. Cycles were repeated every 2 weeks. The primary endpoint was the incidence of grade ≥ 3 diarrhea. Our hypothesis set 21% as a threshold incidence and 10% as an expected incidence from previous studies with one-sided alpha 0.05. The secondary endpoints included the relative dose intensity, progression-free survival, overall survival and other adverse events. A total of 51 patients were enrolled. The incidence of grade ≥ 3 diarrhea was 15.7% (8/51). Other common grade ≥ 3 adverse events were neutropenia, anemia, thrombocytopenia and fatigue were 13.7% (7/51), 5.9% (3/51), 2.0% (1/51) and 5.9% (3/51), respectively. The relative dose intensities of irinotecan, bevacizumab, and S-1 were 80.0, 86.8, and 77.7%, respectively. The median progression-free survival and overall survival were 8.4 months (5.8–9.8) and 17.1 months (11.8–22.3). The alternate-day S-1 administration does not have significant effectiveness to reduce diarrhea in patients who received second-line treatment for metastatic colorectal cancer.

The clinical outcomes of patients who have undergone total pelvic exenteration (TPE) for locally advanced primary colorectal cancer have not been satisfactory. For the last 13 years, we have performed layer-oriented, en bloc resection of tumor for which TPE is indicated, in the hope of improving postoperative outcomes. The clinical outcomes of these cases were retrospectively analyzed.A total of 54 patients who underwent TPE from 1986 to 2013 were retrospectively analyzed. Since 2002, a layer-oriented removal for clinical T4 colorectal cancer, as in T3 or less invasive tumors removed by total mesorectal excision, was applied to 23 cases for which TPE was indicated. Postoperative mortality, morbidity, overall survival (OS), and disease-free survival (DFS) were evaluated.On univariate analysis, good postoperative OS and DFS were associated with the layer-oriented operative maneuver, blood loss less than 2000 mL, negative nodal metastasis, and no preoperative radiation therapy. Male sex was the marginal determinant correlated with good OS and DFS. Depth of invasion to T3 was the marginal determinant correlated with good DFS. On multivariate analysis using the 4 factors identified on univariate analyses, the layer-oriented operative procedure was a significant determinant for both good OS and DFS, together with negative nodal metastases. Postoperative mortality and morbidity in the layer-oriented excision were acceptable.For primary colorectal cancers for which TPE is indicated, layer-oriented excision was a safe and effective procedure, and it may be recommended as one of the standard surgical approaches in TPE.

Ryohei Itagaki, Keiji Koda, Masato Yamazaki, Kiyohiko Shuto, Chihiro Kosugi, Atsushi Hirano, Hidehito Arimitsu, Risa Shiragami, Yukino Yoshimura, Masato Suzuki Department of Surgery, Teikyo University Chiba Medical Center, Anesaki, Ichihara, Chiba, Japan Purpose: Serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine [5-HT])3 receptor antagonists are effective for the treatment of diarrhea-predominant irritable bowel syndrome (IBS-D), in which exaggerated intestinal/colonic hypermotility is often observed. Recent studies have suggested that the motility disorder, especially spastic hypermotility, seen in the neorectum following sphincter-preserving operations for rectal cancer may be the basis of the postoperative defecatory malfunction seen in these patients. We investigated the efficacy of 5-HT3 receptor antagonists in patients suffering from severe low anterior resection syndrome. Patients and methods: A total of 25 male patients with complaints of uncontrollable urgency or fecal incontinence following sphincter-preserving operations were enrolled in this study. Defecatory status, assessed on the basis of incontinence score (0–20), urgency grade (0–3), and number of toilet visits per day, was evaluated using a questionnaire before and 1 month after the administration of the 5-HT3 antagonist ramosetron. Results: All the parameters assessed improved significantly after taking ramosetron for 1 month. The effect was more prominent in cases whose anastomotic line was lower, ie, inside the anal canal. Defecatory function was better in patients who commenced ramosetron therapy within 6 months postoperatively, as compared to those who were not prescribed ramosetron for more than 7 months postoperatively. Conclusion: These results suggest that 5-HT3 antagonists are effective for the treatment of low anterior resection syndrome, as in diarrhea-predominant irritable bowel syndrome. The improvement in symptoms is not merely time dependent, but it is related to treatment with 5-HT3 antagonists. Keywords: low anterior resection syndrome, serotonin receptor antagonist, ISR, defecatory malfunction

Postoperative anastomotic leaks and subsequent mediastinal abscess are serious complications. The purpose of this study was to assess the efficacy of naso-esophageal extraluminal drainage after thoracic esophagectomy with gastric conduit reconstruction using a posterior mediastinal route. About 50 of 365 patients (13.7%) with esophageal cancer and postoperative anastomotic leak after curative esophagectomy was investigated. Beginning in June 2009, naso-esophageal extraluminal drainage by inserting a naso-esophageal aspiration tube into the abscess cavity when percutaneous abscess drainage was introduced which was ineffective or technically impossible. Twenty-five patients underwent naso-esophageal extraluminal drainage concomitantly with enteral nutrition. Twenty-one (84%) patients had major leaks, one (4%) minor leak and three (12%) had endoscopically proven conduit necrosis. None of the naso-esophageal extraluminal drainage cases (100%) required reintervention or reoperation and all experienced complete cure (100%) during hospitalization. Endoscopic balloon dilatation was performed for four patients after discharge because of anastomotic stricture. Patients with leaks were divided into two groups: current group (n = 32), treated after June 2009, and preceding group (n = 18), treated prior to the introduction of naso-esophageal extraluminal drainage. Significantly more patients in the preceding group suffered respiratory failure (28% vs. 61%, p = 0.024), and higher reoperation rate (0% vs. 17%, p = 0.042) and hospital mortality (0% vs. 22%, p = 0.013). In the current group, 31 (97%) patients experienced complete cure during hospitalization. Naso-esophageal extraluminal drainage and concomitant enteral nutritional support are less invasive, and effective and powerful methods to treat even major leakage after esophagectomy. These methods may be an alternative management to improve mortality for patients with esophageal cancer.

Background TAS-102 improved overall survival of metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC) patients with median progression-free survival (PFS) of 2.0 months (RECOURSE trial). Subsequently, the combination of TAS-102 and bevacizumab (BV) has been shown to extend median PFS to 3.7 months (C-TASK FORCE). However, this study included patients with 2nd line and 3rd line chemotherapy. Furthermore, combination chemotherapy of TAS-102 plus BV was reportedly associated with grade ≥3 neutropenia in 72% of treated patients. This study was designed for patients being treated as 3rd line chemotherapy to investigate the clinical impact of this combination and whether neutropenia could be suppressed by altering the TAS-102 administration protocol (biweekly method). Methods This phase II study was conducted in investigator-initiated, open-label, single-arm, multicenter manner in Japan. Eligible patients were 20-80 years old and had to have an ECOG performance status of 0 or 1; had confirmed unresectable mCRC with histologically diagnosed adenocarcinoma; had previously administrated first- and second-line chemotherapy for mCRC and whose tumors were diagnosed as progression of disease (PD). TAS-102 (35 mg/ m²) was given orally twice daily on days 1 -5 and 15 -19 in a 4-weeks cycle, and BV (5 mg/ kg) was administered by intravenous infusion for 30 min in every 2 weeks. The primary endpoint was PFS, and the secondary endpoints were response rate (RR), disease control rate (DCR), overall survival (OS), and safety. This study was registered at the University Hospital Medical Information Network, as UMIN#000030030. Results Between January 1, 2018, and March 31, 2019, 45 patients with mCRC were enrolled in this study (median age, 63; male, 51%). The median PFS was 121 days. The RR and DCR were 4.4% and 73.3%, respectively. Grade 3 or higher adverse events were hypertension (20.0%), neutropenia (15.5 %), leukopenia (6.7 %), fatigue (6.7 %), anemia (4.4 %), anorexia (2.2 %), nausea (2.2 %), creatinine increased (2.2 %) and proteinuria (2.2 %). No treatment-related deaths occurred. Conclusions Biweekly administration of TAS-102 and BV prevents neutropenia and could be one of the treatment options for 3rd line chemotherapy for mCRC. Clinical trial identification UMIN000030030. 2018/March/01. Legal entity responsible for the study The authors. Funding Has not received any funding. Disclosure All authors have declared no conflicts of interest.

614 Background: TAS-102 improved overall survival of metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC) patients with median progression free survival (PFS) of 2.0 months (RECOURSE trial). Subsequently, the combination of TAS-102 and bevacizumab has been shown to extend median PFS with 3.7 months (C-TASK FORCE). However, this study included patients with 2nd line and 3rd line chemotherapy. Our study was planned exclusively for patients receiving this combination as a 3rd line chemotherapy to investigate clinical impact of this combination beyond cytotoxic doublet. Methods: This phase II study was conducted in investigator-initiated, open-label, single-arm, multicentered manner in Japan. Eligible patients were 20-80 years old, and had to have an ECOG performance status of 0 or 1; had confirmed unresectable mCRC with histologically diagnosed adenocarcinoma; were refractory or intolerant to fluoropyrimidine, irinotecan, and oxaliplatin in the 1st and the 2nd line chemotherapy. TAS-102 (35 mg/ m²) was given orally twice daily on days 1–5 and 8–12 in a 4-weeks cycle, and bevacizumab (5 mg/ kg) was administered by intravenous infusion for 30 minutes in every 2 weeks. The primary endpoint was progression free survival (PFS), and the secondary endpoints were time to treatment failure (TTF), response rate (RR), overall survival (OS), and safety. Results: Between June 2016 and August 2017, 32 pts were enrolled. The median PFS was 4.5 months, and the median OS was 9.3 months. Partial response was observed in 2 patients. The most common adverse events above grade 3 were neutropenia (15 patients) followed by thrombocytopenia (4 patients). Treatment-related serious adverse events were reported in 1 patient. There were no non-hematologic adverse events above grade 3. No treatment-related deaths occurred. Conclusions: This is the first study which involves the combination TAS-102 and bevacizumab as the 3rd line chemotherapy in the setting beyond cytotoxic doublet for the patients with mCRC. This study met its primary endpoint PFS, which is comparable to the results of C-TASK FORCE study. This combination has a potential to be one of therapeutic options of the 3rd line chemotherapy for mCRC. Clinical trial information: 000022438.

546 Background: Oxaliplatin reduces the recurrence rate after curative surgery for stage III colorectal cancer. However, it can cause hepatic sinusoidal obstruction syndrome (SOS), an adverse effect that creates morbidity after liver resection for recurrence. SOS has conventionally been diagnosed by liver biopsy, which is invasive. We have reported that a 10% increase in splenic volume (SV) indicates SOS (J Surg Oncol 2017). In this multi-center study, we measured SV to evaluate SOS caused by adjuvant chemotherapy. Methods: This multi-center study included the participants of the FACOS study, which included patients with Stage III colon cancer. Participants received 12 cycles of mFOLFOX6 or eight cycles of XELOX as adjuvant chemotherapy. We used multi-detector raw CT to measure SV three times; before surgery, on completion of adjuvant chemotherapy, and 1-year after completing adjuvant chemotherapy. CT images were taken in 5-mm slices. SV was calculated by using a volume calculator SYNAPSE VINCENT v3.0(Fujifilm, Japan). Results: The FACOS study included 130 patients, 16.9% of whom discontinued treatment. The mean relative dose intensity (RDI) of oxaliplatin was 80.3%. Grade 3 neutropenia, thrombocytopenia, and neuropathy were observed in 28.5%, 6.2%, and 4.6% of patients, respectively. The 3 year DFS was 82.2%. We analyzed data of 75 patients (57.7%) for whom the three CT studies were available. SV on completing chemotherapy (median 181 cm3) and SV 1-year after completing chemotherapy (141 cm3) were significantly higher than that before surgery (128 cm3) (P < 0.001). SV increased by more than 10% after chemotherapy in 72% and was still increased 1 year after chemotherapy in 51% of patients. Conclusions: In our previous single center study, SV had increased in 84% on completing chemotherapy and was still increased in 47% 1 year after completing chemotherapy. Adjuvant chemotherapy without oxaliplatin induced SV increases in only 20% of patients on completing chemotherapy. Thus, these results are reproducible and show the potential of oxaliplatin to induce SOS. Oxaliplatin frequently induces SOS and this SOS persists for over 1 year in half of affected patients. Clinical trial information: UMIN000005427.

Background: It has not been elucidated whether the clinical efficacy of oral fluoropyrimidines for adjuvant chemotherapy of colorectal cancer varies with tumor biological characteristics. Patients and Methods: A multicenter randomized trial was performed comparing oral tegafur/gimeracil/oteracil (S-1) and uracil-tegafur/ leucovorin (UFT/LV) as adjuvant therapy for stage III colorectal cancer. Postoperative survival was compared based on the 5-FU-related mRNA levels in cancer tissues. Results: Among patients with tumor expressing dihydropyrimidine dehydrogenase (DPD) mRNA within the 66.7th percentile (lower 2/3) of all cases, overall survival (OS) was significantly better in the S-1 than in the UFT/LV group. In the S-1 group, patients with low DPD-expressing tumors had significantly better OS than those with highly expressing tumors. Patients with low thymidine synthase (TS)-expressing tumors had significantly better OS than those with highly expressing tumors. Conclusion: The efficacy of oral fluoropyrimidines as adjuvant chemotherapy for colorectal cancer may be influenced by the level of 5-FU-related mRNA in cancer tissues.

Background Details of postoperative damage to anal sphincter tonus following sphincter-preserving operation for rectal cancer remain unclear. Methods Postoperative anal tonus was measured using 3-dimensional (3D) vector manometry in 56 patients. Anal length with pressure from any direction was defined as total length (TL). Length with circular pressure (LCP), which is only measurable using 3D manometry, was also evaluated. Results In operations associated with low anastomosis, both TL and LCP at rest were significantly shortened when compared with control (high interior resection [HAR]). In particular, degraded LCP at rest was obvious. Anal lengths in squeezing state were preserved except in cases with intersphincteric resection (ISR). Postoperative incontinence score inversely correlated with functional anal length at rest. Conclusions Although the sphincter muscles are mechanically preserved, function of the internal sphincter and subsequent defecatory function can be degraded in cases with operative procedures including surgical maneuvers at the pelvic floor.

Background: Breast-conserving surgery after primary systemic therapy (PST) has become a widely acceptable procedure for locally advanced breast cancers. Sometimes it is difficult to determine the appropriate resection-line at the time of surgical operation because of tumor size reduction or indistinct boundary of the tumor. Moreover we cannot detect tumors in cases with complete response. That was why we developed a new navigation technique using real-time image reconstruction. Materials and methods: Multi-detector row computed tomography (MD-CT) has been performed for all breast cancer patients in our institute. DICOM images of MD-CT were analyzed by image processing software ‘OsiriX'. OsiriX is an open source software which anyone can download from website (http://www. osirix-viewer.com). OsiriX has been specifically designed for navigation and visualization of multimodality and multidimensional images. We used 3D volume rendering images. At the time of surgery, pre-PST volume rendering images ware superimposed directly on the patients’ skin from projector which was connected to a personal computer in the operating room. Results: We could see ‘real-time’ rendering images (from skin to organ by layer to layer) on the patient's body. By using pre-PST imaging data, we could recognize precise tumor area and could perform breast conserving surgery safer and easier than before. Conclusion: Using 3D reconstruction MD-CT images which were obtained before PST, ‘real-time’ virtual navigation was helpful to determine the resection-line for clear surgical margin in breast-conserving surgery after PST. This new technique does not need some expensive equipments and easily performed by surgeon. Ordinary personal computer and projector make it possible to demonstrate a new environment in surgical operation. Citation Information: Cancer Res 2010;70(24 Suppl):Abstract nr P4-10-11.

740 Background: The FOLFOX with bevacizumab (B-mab) has been established as a standard first-line therapy for metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC), and OPTIMOX1 study suggested that stop and go strategy for oxaliplatin reduced peripheral sensory neuropathy. The CapeOx is one of the standard treatments for mCRC that has been proven to be as effective as the FOLFOX regimen. Thus we accessed the efficacy and safety of the combination of intermittent CapeOx + B-mab as a first-line therapy in patients with mCRC in this trial. Methods: Eligibility criteria included ECOG PS: 0–1, No Peripheral neuropathy ( < Grade 1). Patients received CapeOX (oxaliplatin 130mg/m2, capecitabine 2000mg/m2 + B-mab 7.5mg/kg) q3 weeks for 5 cycles, maintenance without oxaliplatin for 5 cycles, and reintroduction CapeOX + B-mab for 5 cycles until progression. Primary endpoint was Progression Free Survival (PFS). Results: Between March 2011 and August 2013, 55 pts were enrolled. Baseline characteristics were median age of 67 years (range, 20–83); PS 0/1 (49/6 pts); male/female (33/22 pts), colon/rectum (28/27pts) and metastatic lesion liver/lung/lymph nodes (32/18/21 pts). A total of 47 pts were evaluated as Par Protocol Set population. 38 pts moved from initial CapeOX to maintenance Capecitabine. 20 pts moved to CapeOx reintroduction. Median PFS was 14.7months (95%CI, 8.6–19.5) and Median TTF was 12.3 months (95%CI, 10.3–14.3). Best overall response rate was 48.0%. Oxaliplatin reintroduction rate was 57.4%. Main grade 3/4 toxicity were: neutropenia (1 pt), anemia (1 pt), peripheral neuropathy (1 pt), allergic reaction of oxaliplatin (1 pt), deep vein thrombosis (1 pt), nausea (1 pt), hand-foot syndrome (1 pt), and hypertension (1 pt). Conclusions: This study met its primary endpoint PFS. CapeOx intermittent oxaliplatin indicated to reduce incidence of severe neutropenia and peripheral sensory neuropathy. The results suggested that our treatment strategy was well tolerate and effective for first line therapy in mCRC, and maintenance duration for 5 cycles, was reasonable. Clinical trial information: UMIN000005732.

We applied a new concept of “image overlay surgery” consisting of the integration of virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR) technology, in which dynamic 3D images were superimposed on the patient’s actual body surface and evaluated as a reference for surgical navigation in gastrointestinal, hepatobiliary and pancreatic surgery. We carried out seven surgeries, including three cholecystectomies, two gastrectomies and two colectomies. A Macintosh and a DICOM workstation OsiriX were used in the operating room for image analysis. Raw data of the preoperative patient information obtained via MDCT were reconstructed to volume rendering and projected onto the patient's body surface during the surgeries. For accurate registration, OsiriX was first set to reproduce the patient body surface, and the positional coordinates of the umbilicus, left and right nipples, and the inguinal region were fixed as physiological markers on the body surface to reduce the positional error. The registration process was non-invasive and markerlesss, and was completed within 5 min. Image overlay navigation was helpful for 3D anatomical understanding of the surgical target in the gastrointestinal, hepatobiliary and pancreatic anatomies. The surgeon was able to minimize movement of the gaze and could utilize the image assistance without interfering with the forceps operation, reducing the gap from the VR. Unexpected organ injury could be avoided in all procedures. In biliary surgery, the projected virtual cholangiogram on the abdominal wall could advance safely with identification of the bile duct. For early gastric and colorectal cancer, the small tumors and blood vessels, which usually could not be found on the gastric serosa by laparoscopic view, were simultaneously detected on the body surface by carbon dioxide-enhanced MDCT. This provided accurate reconstructions of the tumor and involved lymph node, directly linked with optimization of the surgical procedures. Our non-invasive markerless registration using physiological markers on the body surface reduced logistical efforts. The image overlay technique is a useful tool when highlighting hidden structures, giving more information.

Transgastric access is a major route in natural orifice translumenal endoscopic surgery (NOTES); gastrotomy should be performed unless it would damage surrounding organs in the peritoneal cavity. This article describes a novel rendezvous gastrotomy technique over a direct percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG). In six live porcines, the gastrotomy involved applying a direct PEG through the abdominal wall into the stomach and exchanging to a needle trocar. An endoscopic balloon catheter was passed through the trocar by rendezvous technique. Then the inflated balloon and endoscope were advanced to the peritoneal cavity through the gastrotomy. Transgastric cholecystectomy was performed with a hybrid needle grasper through the same percutaneous site and the gastrotomy was closed with endoscopic clips. The rendezvous gastrotomy technique could reduce guidewire exchange. The success rate was 100% (6/6). Mean times for transgastric peritoneoscopy and cholecystectomy were 25.5 and 83.5 min. Mortality and morbidity was 0%. The addition of the extra trocar was unnecessary in all procedures. The advantage of this introduction system includes the creation of controlled gastric perforation, which is easier to close. It provides reliable transgastric access and increases safety. It simplifies transgastric NOTES and provides less invasive hybrid NOTES procedure.

はじめに：鼠径ヘルニア根治手術は若い外科医が基本手技を鍛錬する場であり，外科手術の入門編として位置していた．現在，初期研修医制度が実施され，外科系診療科志望でない研修医も外科をローテーションするカリキュラムが組まれている．今回，我々は鼠径ヘルニア根治術を初期研修医に執刀させる是非を検討する．方法：2005年4月から2007年12月に根治手術を施行した139例を対象とした．134例にmesh plug法が，5例にPROLENE hernia system法が行われた．初期研修医執刀例は72例（R群），外科医執刀例は67例（S群）だった．R群とS群において，患者背景，術中，術後因子を検討した．結果：患者背景においてR群とS群で有意差はなかった．術中因子として手術時間においてR群：S群に有意差を認めた（88.0分：64.2分，p＜0.001）．術後因子は，入院期間（3.8±2.1日：4.9±8.3日，p=0.14），合併症（9.8％：6.6％，p=0.64）に統計学的に有意差はなかったが，再発はR群7例（9.7％），S群1例（1.5％）で有意にR群において高かった（p=0.04）．考察：入院期間，合併症には有意差はなく，再発率は初期研修医術者が外科医と比較し有意に高かったが，助手として外科専門医が指導することで，再発率が抑えられる．よって，現在の研修医制度において外科系研修カリキュラムの手術執刀についての指導指診作成が望まれる．

結腸憩室炎に対する治療法は軽∼中等症の場合では絶食·抗生物質投与による治療が行われるが，穿孔ないし穿破をともなう場合，外科的治療が選択されることが多い．今回我々は穿破による膿瘍形成した憩室炎に対し，大腸内視鏡を用いて排膿術を施行，保存的治療にて軽快した2例を経験した．2症例は右側腹部痛，発熱を主訴に当院受診．CTにて上行結腸に広範な壁肥厚像，膿瘍形成を認め，穿破による憩室炎の診断となった．大腸内視鏡施行し上行結腸の広範な炎症を認め，表面に白苔をともなう排膿している憩室に対し，生理食塩水にて洗浄し，膿瘍ドレナージを施行した．術直後に腹痛，発熱が軽減し，保存的治療のみで退院した．結腸憩室炎に対する大腸内視鏡による膿瘍ドレナージは，外科的なサポート下において1つの治療オプションとして考慮できる手技と考えられた．

胆道再建20症例を対象にDIC併用造影MDCT（以下:Dual contrast DIC-CT）を行い肝内胆管から吻合部，挙上空腸および胆管壁とその周囲の形態的観察の可能性につき検討した．胆管から吻合部にかけての胆管短径および長径計測可能は右前枝15/20例（75％），右後枝15/20例（75％），左枝10/18例（55.5％），吻合部16/24吻合（66.6％）で，仮想的内腔面観察可能は順に15/20例（75％），11/20例（55％），10/18例（55.5％），11/20例（55％）であった．胆管径計測，内腔面観察不能の原因はpneumobiliaと造影剤による描出不良であった．Dual contrast DIC-CTによる胆管壁の観察から胆管炎を繰り返す症例で壁厚の測定が可能であった．また術後一過性の原因不明発熱を繰り返す症例で吻合部胆管に接する嚢胞性病変を認めその原因と推察された．Dual contrast DIC-CTを用いた検討により胆道再建後症例の病態解明に役立つ検査の一つになり得るものと思われた．

胆管閉塞を来した好酸球性胆管炎の2症例を経験した. 症例1は53歳の女性で, 検診にて肝異常陰影を指摘された. CT, ERCPで肝左葉の肝内胆管閉塞を認めた. 胆汁細胞診は良性であったが胆管癌も否定できず肝左葉切除術を施行した. 病理組織学的には胆管閉塞部位に多数の好酸球浸潤を認めた. 術後18か月再発の兆候はない. 症例2は87歳の女性で, 主訴は右上腹部痛. ERCPで下部胆管閉塞と総胆管結石を認め, 閉塞部位の組織診で好酸球主体の炎症細胞浸潤を認めた. 内視鏡的胆道拡張術, 切石術により症状は軽快した. 術後17か月再発の兆候はない. 文献上, 好酸球性胆管炎として報告されている症例は18例と少ない. 悪性疾患を念頭に高侵襲な治療が施行された報告もあるが, 近年臨床報告の増加から徐々に病態が解明されつつあり, 内視鏡的治療が主体となっていくと考えられる. 本疾患の知見と的確な診断により治療の低侵襲を維持できると考えられた.

We herein report our experience of performing laparoscopic and endoscopic cooperative surgery for a gastrointestinal stromal tumor with complete situs inversus. A 78-year-old man was referred to our department for treatment of a gastric submucosal tumor. Based on chest X-ray and computed tomography (CT) findings, complete situs inversus was also diagnosed. Upper gastrointestinal endoscopy and imaging showed a 45-mm gastric submucosal tumor in the upper stomach near the esophagogastric junction. We performed local resection of the gastric submucosal tumor by laparoscopic and endoscopic cooperative surgery. Pathological examination revealed that the tumor was an intermediate-risk gastrointestinal stromal tumor, and the patient was discharged on postoperative day 12. The patient is still alive without recurrence or any complications 9 months after surgery.

The aim of this study is to evaluate the influence of dividing the inferior mesenteric artery (IMA) and preserving the left colic artery (LCA) on rectosigmoid cancer surgery.Colonic blood flow at the proximal site of the anastomosis was measured by laser Doppler flowmetry in 96 patients with cancer of the rectum and sigmoid colon while clamping IMA or LCA. Results were analyzed with patient characteristics and postoperative complications.Blood flow was significantly decreased by either IMA or LCA clamping, and its reduction rate was 38.5 +/- 1.8%, ranged from 0 to 82.8%, or 16.4 +/- 1.8%, ranged from 0 to 66.2%, respectively. For multivariate analyses, aging and male gender were predictive factors of high blood flow reduction by IMA clamping. The reduction rate was significantly correlated with aging in male patients, while no such correlation was observed in women. Aging correlation in men was more significant in ultralow anterior resection cases. Three elderly male patients received IMA high ligation among 19 patients who demonstrated more than 50% blood flow reduction by IMA clamping. Among these, two patients, those who underwent ultralow anterior resection, suffered severe anastomotic ischemia.Colonic blood flow at the proximal site of the anastomosis was significantly decreased by either IMA or LCA clamping. Patients with high reduction by IMA clamping need intraoperative efforts to prevent anastomotic ischemia, particularly in elderly male patients who undergo ultralow anterior resection.

Aberrant crypt foci (ACF) are thought to be preneoplastic lesions and are assessed by magnifying chromoscopy with methylene blue staining. The aim of this study was to evaluate the predictive value of rectal ACF recognized by conventional chromoscopy for colonic advanced neoplasms.Total colonoscopy, involving rectal chromoscopy using indigo carmine with standard colonoscopies, was performed on 386 patients. Patients who showed no ACF were classified as Grade 0, and those who had 1-4, 5-9, and 10+ ACF were classified as Grades 1, 2, or 3, respectively. The correlation between ACF grading and the prevalence of colonic advanced neoplasm, any adenomaor=1 cm in size and/or with villous or tubulovillous morphology, and/or with high-grade dysplasia or invasive cancer, was assessed.Sixty-three patients were classified as ACF Grade 0, 119 as Grade 1, 116 as Grade 2, and 88 as Grade 3. Colonic advanced neoplasm was observed in 4 patients (6.3%) for Grade 0, 43 (36.1%) for Grade 1, 61 (52.6%) for Grade 2, and 57 (64.8%) for Grade 3. As the ACF grade increased, the chance of a patient having a colonic advanced neoplasm increased. For multivariate analyses, compared with patients with Grade 0, those with Grades 1, 2, or 3 had a greater risk of colonic advanced neoplasm (odds ratio [OR] 9.18, 95% CI 3.08-27.33, OR 20.44, 95% CI 6.81-61.42, and OR 32.94, 95% CI 10.49-103.41, respectively).Chromoscopic assessment of rectal ACF by conventional techniques is useful for predicting colonic advanced neoplasms.

Background We investigated the correlation between operative procedures for rectal carcinoma and postoperative rectovaginal fistulas (RVF), and treatment for RVF. Methods The medical records of 161 female patients with rectal carcinoma were examined retrospectively with respect to the cause, incidence, and methods of treatment for RVF occurring after rectal cancer operations, and to the outcomes of gluteal-fold flap repairs for RVF. Results Of the 161 patients, 16 developed RVF clinically. The incidence of RVF was significantly higher in patients who were anastomosed by the double stapling technique (DST) and had concomitant resection of the vaginal wall. No statistical difference was found between the established diverting ostomy group and the no-stoma group. Six patients recovered by the establishment of a diverting ostomy only. The gluteal-fold flap technique was performed for 5 patients. No RVF recurrences were noted in these 5 patients. Conclusions The incidence of RVF was higher in the patients who were anastomosed by DST or had concomitant resection of the vaginal wall. Although some RVFs heal with only fecal diversion, for patients in whom RVF is caused by involvement of the vaginal wall in the circular staple or intersphincteric resection, good results are obtained with the gluteal-fold flap repair technique.

症例は53歳,女性.検診にて直腸隆起性病変指摘され当院紹介受診.精査により大きさ4×2.5×4cmの仙骨前部類表皮嚢胞腫と診断し,悪性所見を認めなかったため経過観察した. 2年7カ月後のMRI検査にて腫瘤の増大傾向を認めたため悪性化の可能性が考慮され根治術を施行することとなった.術前超音波内視鏡検査にて腫瘤と直腸の明らかな連続性を認めなかったため経仙骨的腫瘤切除術を施行した.腫瘤は大きさ4×3×4.5cmで,病理所見にて腫瘤は扁平上皮に裏打ちされた嚢胞壁構造を有しており,上皮に異型性は認めず,嚢胞壁は線維性結合組織により構成されていた.また皮膚付属器は認めず,類表皮嚢胞腫と診断され,明らかな悪性所見は認めなかった.仙骨前部類表皮嚢胞腫は悪性化の可能性があるため根治術が必要であるが,術式において超音波内視鏡検査にて直腸切除の必要性がないことを事前に知りえたことで経仙骨的切除術が可能であった1例である.

Hiatal hernias after total gastrectomy for advanced gastric cancer are very rare. We review a case of a 44-year-old male who presented with dyspnea and chest pain 2 days after total gastrectomy, lower esophagectomy, and splenectomy with retrocolic Roux-en-Y reconstruction approached by a left thoracoabdominal incision for gastric cancer at the cardia. Plain and cross-sectional imaging identified a large hiatal hernia protruding into the right thorax containing left-sided transverse colon and small intestine. Our patient underwent a laparotomy, and after hernia reduction the hiatal defect was repaired by direct suturing. He experienced anastomotic leakage and right pyothorax, but recovered. The potential cause is discussed here and the published literature on this rare complication is reviewed briefly.

Purpose: Abdominoperineal resection has been the standard surgery for very low rectal cancer located within 5 cm of the anal verge. However, permanent colostomy exerts serious limitations on quality of life. The present study aimed to investigate curability and functional results of intersphincteric resection and additional partial external sphincteric resection for carcinoma of the anorectal junction. Methods: Thirty-five patients were prospectively studied from November 1999 to September 2002. All patients displayed adenocarcinoma (T3: n = 26; T2: n = 7; T1: n = 2) located between 0 and 2 cm above the dentate line. Abdominotransanal rectal resection with total mesorectal excision was performed in all patients (total intersphincteric resection: n = 14; subtotal intersphincteric resection: n = 5; additional partial external sphincteric resection: n = 6). All patients underwent diverting colostomy, which was closed at a median of six months postoperatively. Twenty patients received preoperative radiochemotherapy. Results: All patients had curative intent with microscopic safety margins (mean surgical cut end: 4 mm; mean distal cut end: 10 mm). No postoperative mortality was encountered. Morbidity was identified in 13 patients (perianastomotic abscess: n = 4; anastomotic leakage and fistula: n = 4; postoperative bleeding: n = 2; wound infection: n = 1; anastomotic stenosis: n = 1; anovaginal fistula: n = 1). One of these patients received a permanent colostomy. Five patients developed recurrence (liver: n = 1; lung: n = 2; local and lung: n = 1; abdominal wall: n = 1) during the median observation period (23 months). Two of these patients underwent curative resection of liver or lung metastases. Twenty-one patients have received stoma closure, and although continence was satisfactory in all, 5 displayed occasional minor soiling 12 months after stoma closure. Anal canal manometry demonstrated significant reduction in maximum resting pressure (median: 50 cmH2O at 12 months after stoma closure), but acceptable function results were obtained. Conclusion: Curability and anal function were achieved by means of intersphincteric resection without or with additional partial external sphincteric resection. These procedures can be recommended for low rectal cancer patients who are candidates for abdominoperineal resection.

Tumor implantation along the needle tract following percutaneous procedures under ultrasonographic guidance for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and pancreatic carcinoma (PC) has been well documented. The purpose of the present study was to investigate the correlation between the procedure, the pathologic differentiation of the primary tumor, and the treatment after implantation. Between July 1992 and March 2000, HCC patients (n=372) who underwent biopsy, percutaneous ethanol injection (PEI) therapy and percutaneous microwave coagulation therapy (PMCT) and PC (n=73) patients who underwent biopsy were retrospectively studied. Needle tract implantation was found in six of the HCC patients (1.6%) and one of the PC patients (1.4%). The interval to diagnosis ranged from 5 to 25 months (mean +/- SD 11.2 +/- 7.6 months) in the HCC patients. The needle tract implantation was evident for all procedure types in these patients (two after PEI alone, two after both biopsy and PEI, and one after PMCT) and for each degree of pathologic differentiation of the primary tumors (well differentiated in one, moderately differentiated in two, and poorly differentiated in one). Each implanted tumor was surgically resected, with no recurrence at the focal lesion. These results suggest that needle tract implantation develops regardless of the procedure or the pathologic differentiation of the primary tumor, and that surgical resection might be effective for controlling these implanted lesions.