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Background Acute obstruction of the hepatic vein (HV) or the portal vein (PV), particularly when it occurs during liver surgery, is potentially fatal unless repaired swiftly. As surgical interventions for this problem are technically demanding and potentially unsuccessful, other treatment options are needed. Case presentation We report two cases of acute, surgically uncorrectable HV or PV obstruction during liver resection or living donor liver transplantation (LDLT), which was successfully treated with urgent intraoperative placement of endovascular stents using interventional radiology (IVR). In Case 1, a patient with colonic liver metastases underwent a non-anatomic partial hepatectomy of the segments 4 and 8 with middle hepatic vein (MHV) resection. Additionally, the patient underwent an extended right posterior sectionectomy with right hepatic vein (RHV) resection for tumors involving RHV. Reconstruction of the MHV was needed to avoid HV congestion of the anterior section of the liver. The MHV was firstly reconstructed by an end-to-end anastomosis between the MHV and RHV resected stumps. However, the reconstruction failed to retain the HV outflow and the anterior section became congested. Serial trials of surgical revisions including re-anastomosis, vein graft interposition and vein graft patch-plasty on the anastomotic wall failed to recover the HV outflow. In Case 2, a pediatric patient with biliary atresia underwent an LDLT and developed an intractable PV obstruction during surgery. Re-anastomosis with vein graft interposition failed to restore the PV flow and elongated warm ischemic time became critical. In both cases, the misalignment in HV or PV reconstruction was likely to have caused flow obstruction, and various types of surgical interventions failed to recover the venous flow. In both cases, an urgent IVR-directed placement of self-expandable metallic stents (SEMS) restored the HV or PV perfusion quickly and effectively, and saved the patients from developing critical conditions. Furthermore, in Cases 1 and 2, the SEMS placed were patent for a sufficient period of time (32 and 44 months, respectively). Conclusions The IVR-directed, urgent, intraoperative endovascular stenting is a safe and efficient treatment tool that serves to resolve the potentially fatal acute HV or PV obstruction that occurs in the middle of liver surgery.

We describe a “left-posterior approach” in which the important steps in laparoscopic distal pancreatectomy (LDP) for left-sided pancreatic cancer are accomplished in the direction caudal and dorsal to the pancreas. The patients who underwent LDP with a left-posterior approach at our hospital from January 2016 to April 2020 were reviewed to evaluate the short-term postoperative outcomes. In LDP, we first dissected retroperitoneal tissues above the left renal vein and superior mesenteric artery, yielding the mobilization of the pancreatic body widely. Then, the splenic artery was divided behind the ventrally lifted pancreas as an artery-first approach. The regional lymphadenectomy was performed in an en bloc manner consecutively in the same operative field. The neck of the pancreas was transected with a linear stapler after mobilization of the spleen. In nine patients (five men and four women) aged 76 years (range: 64–82 years), the operative time was 398 min (276–482 min) with the estimated blood loss of 40 ml (0–80 ml). No patients developed grade B/C pancreatic fistula or delayed gastric emptying. Postoperative complications classified as grade III in the Clavien–Dindo classification occurred in one patient (abdominal abscess). The pathology confirmed R0 resection in all patients who had pancreatic cancer (n = 5), IPMNs (n = 3), and high-grade pancreatic intraepithelial neoplasia (PanIN) (n = 1). The number of retrieved lymph nodes was 35 (11–49). The procedure with a left-posterior approach is a rational surgical technique in LDP for left-sided pancreatic cancer.

Background Minimally invasive pancreaticoduodenectomy (MIPD), including laparoscopic pancreaticoduodenectomy (LPD) and robotic pancreaticoduodenectomy (RPD), is technically demanding because of pancreaticojejunostomy (PJ). Postoperative pancreatic fistula (POPF) is the most serious complication of MIPD and open pancreaticoduodenectomy (OPD). Contrary to expectations, conventional PJ in MIPD did not improve POPF rate and length of hospital stay. High POPF rates are attributed to technical issues encountered during MIPD, which include motion restriction and insufficient water tightness. Therefore, we developed wrapping double-mattress anastomosis, the Kiguchi method, which is a novel PJ technique that can improve MIPD. Herein, we describe the Kiguchi method for PJ in MIPD and compare the outcomes between this technique and conventional PJ in OPD. Methods The current retrospective study included 83 patients in whom the complete obstruction of the main pancreatic duct by pancreatic tumors was absent on preoperative imaging. This research was performed from September 2016 to August 2020 at Fujita Health University Hospital. All patients were evaluated as having a soft pancreatic texture, which is the most important factor associated with POPF development. Briefly, 50 patients underwent OPD with conventional PJ (OPD group). Meanwhile, 33 patients, including 15 and 18 who had LPD and RPD, respectively, underwent MIPD using the Kiguchi method (MIPD group). After a 1:1 propensity score matching, 30 patients in the OPD group were matched to 30 patients in the MIPD group. Results The patients’ preoperative data did not differ. The grade B/C POPF rate was significantly lower in the MIPD group than in the OPD group (6.7% vs 40.0%, p = 0.002). The MIPD group had a significantly shorter median length of hospital stay than the OPD group (24 vs 30 days, p = 0.004). Conclusion The novel Kiguchi method in MIPD significantly reduced the POPF rate in patients without complete obstruction of the main pancreatic duct.

Background: Minimally invasive pancreaticoduodenectomy (MIPD), including laparoscopic pancreaticoduodenectomy (LPD) and robotic pancreaticoduodenectomy (RPD), is especially demanding due to pancreaticojejunostomy (PJ). Postoperative pancreatic fistula (POPF) remains the most serious complication in MIPD as well as in open pancreaticoduodenectomy (OPD). Conventional PJ in MIPD did not improve the POPF rate and hospital stay, contrary to expectations. High POPF rates have been attributed to technical issues encountered during MIPD, including motion restriction and insufficient water tightness; therefore, we have developed the Kiguchi method as a novel PJ technique optimized for MIPD. Herein, we describe the technique and assess its impact in patients with a soft pancreatic texture, which has been reported to be significantly related to POPF.Methods: The retrospective study included 188 patients with a soft pancreatic texture. Briefly, 143 patients underwent OPD with conventional PJ (OPD group); 19 patients underwent MIPD with conventional PJ (Old-MIPD group), including 7 and 12 patients undergoing LPD and RPD, respectively; and 26 patients underwent MIPD using the Kiguchi method (New-MIPD group), including 15 and 11 patients undergoing LPD and RPD, respectively. Short-term outcomes were assessed, and POPF risk factors were determined using univariate and multivariate analyses.Results: The grade B/C POPF rate was significantly lower in the New-MIPD group than in the Old-MIPD and OPD groups (3.8% vs. 42.1% and 36.4%, respectively). The median hospital stay was significantly shorter in the New-MIPD group than in the Old-MIPD and OPD groups (23 vs. 33 and 31 days, respectively). By multivariate analysis, the PJ method and male sex were significant POPF risk factors. Among the patients without POPF, the hospital stay was significantly shorter in those undergoing MIPD than in those undergoing OPD, suggesting the advantage of MIPD. Conclusions: The novel Kiguchi method significantly reduced the POPF rate in patients with a soft pancreatic texture.

Background Laparoscopic distal pancreatectomy (LDP) is widely performed [ 1 , 2 ]. However, LDP with regional lymphadenectomy for locally advanced pancreatic cancer (LAPC) is technically demanding [ 3 ]. We previously reported a new strategy named “retroperitoneal-first laparoscopic approach (Retlap)” for distal pancreatectomy with en bloc celiac axis resection [ 4 ]. In this study, Retlap is applied during LDP with regional lymphadenectomy (see Fig. 1 ). Methods This video demonstrates the case of a 70-year-old woman with a 100 × 40-mm LAPC. Preoperative computed tomography revealed a large tumor near the root of the celiac axis and acute pancreatitis in the pancreatic head. An ample dorsal margin should be secured and regional lymphadenectomy performed because of the large tumor. In Retlap, the celiac axis was exposed using the retroperitoneal approach from the dorsal side of the pancreatic body, and then the left adrenal grand and left celiac ganglion were removed. Without interfering with the tumor, the root of the splenic artery was identified, facilitating easy performance of lymphadenectomy around the celiac axis and superior mesenteric artery in Retlap. After dividing the splenic artery, the procedure was converted to laparoscopic approach and resection was completed. Results The operative time and estimated blood loss were 487 min and 45 mL, respectively. Pathological examination confirmed a negative surgical margin, and R0 resection was achieved with uneventful postoperative course. Conclusion Retlap was technically feasible and useful for achieving adequate and secure surgical margin and regional lymphadenectomy. Retlap can help secure the operative field of view in difficult cases of LAPC.

Background Distal pancreatectomy with en-bloc celiac axis resection (DP-CAR) for borderline resectable pancreatic body cancer is increasingly being performed [ 1 , 2 ]. For survival benefits, obtaining margin-free resection (R0 resection) is crucial [ 3 ]. However, in patients with cancer abutting the root of the celiac axis and/or SMA, accurate resectability using preoperative imaging is difficult to judge [ 4 ]. Recently, we developed a novel strategy named “Retlap: Ret roperitoneal-first lap aroscopic ap proach” to achieve accurate evaluation of resectability and minimal invasiveness for difficult hepatopancreatobiliary malignancies and retroperitoneal tumors. Retlap enables direct evaluation of invasion of the roots of the celiac axis and SMA through the retroperitoneal approach. Methods This video demonstrates the case of a 50-year-old man with a 47 × 36-mm pancreatic body tumor after chemoradiotherapy. Preoperative computed tomography revealed tumor abutting on the roots of the celiac axis and SMA. Changes in the surrounding tissues due to chemoradiotherapy prevented accurate determination of the tumor invasion extent via preoperative imaging; thus, Retlap was applied. Retlap enabled us to identify and secure the roots of the celiac axis and SMA easily despite the advanced tumor. After confirming resectability, DP-CAR was performed. Results The operative time and estimated blood loss were 841 min and 572 mL. A negative surgical margin using Retlap was confirmed in frozen sections and R0 resection was achieved with uneventful postoperative course. Conclusion Retlap was technically feasible and useful for achieving accurate evaluation of resectability and minimal invasiveness for DP-CAR. Retlap can help provide optimal outcomes in locally advanced pancreatic cancer cases.

Introduction Various approaches to laparoscopic single-site surgery (LESS) have been developed to reduce pain and other complications, promote recovery, and improve cosmetic outcomes, particularly relative to conventional open or laparoscopic surgery. Three-port procedures for LESS have been reported to be superior to single-port access, but they usually require expensive, technically sophisticated instruments. To avoid these problems, we have developed a modified procedure for performing LESS with a single port, referred to as the “Obama system.” Methods From January 2009 through December 2010, we performed laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) in 61 patients. Conventional LC with three ports was performed in 39 patients, LESS with a SILS Port was performed in 4 patients, and modified LESS was performed using the Obama system in 18 patients. The operative results were compared. Results LC was successfully completed in all 61 patients, with no postoperative complications. The mean operating time was 102.3 min (C-reactive protein [CRP] ≤ 2) and 160.1 min (CRP > 2) in the 39 patients who underwent conventional LC, 108.3 min (CRP ≤ 2) in the 4 patients who underwent LESS with a SILS Port, and 116.5 min (CRP ≤ 2) and 186.5 min (CRP > 2) in the 18 patients who underwent LESS using the Obama system. No morbidity or mortality was associated with any technique. Conclusion The Obama system is easier to use and more efficient and reliable than any other technique currently available for LESS. This system is expected to greatly contribute to the further development and wider acceptance of LESS.

This report concerns a 68-year-old man with an esophageal gastrointestinal stromal tumor (GIST) surgically resected after preoperative treatment. Endoscopic examination and the biopsy revealed the submucosal tumor in the lower esophagus to be c-kit gene positive, and we diagnosed the tumor as a GIST. Computed tomography showed a 124 × 74 × 115 mm mass with an unclear margin adjacent to the posterior wall of the left atrium and the inferior right pulmonary vein. As we judged the tumor to be locally advanced and unresectable because of its size and invasiveness, we started neoadjuvant therapy with imatinib mesylate to attain downstaging for complete surgical resection. After 3 months of the treatment, the size of the tumor was reduced to 84 × 52 × 85 mm, and it was free from the adjacent organs. Complete surgical resection was performed together with lower esophagectomy. The patient is alive without cancer 2 years after surgery.