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Background/aim: The prognosis of biliary tract cancer is extremely poor, with a 5-year survival rate of 20%. Surgery is the only treatment that can be expected to cure biliary tract cancer, but because many cases are unresectable or recurrent, chemotherapy has become the standard treatment. The effects of first-line administration of durvalumab have not been explored. This study examined whether durvalumab has an additive effect in the first line., Patients and Methods: Twenty-three patients who were diagnosed with recurrent or non-resected biliary tract cancer requiring anticancer chemotherapy were recruited. Three of these cases were excluded because they had only received one course of durvalumab. We retrospectively collected clinical and laboratory data. Progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) were compared between patients who received durvalumab as first-line therapy (first group, FG) and those who received it as second-line or later therapy (second group, SG). PFS and OS were also compared in durvalumab-treated patients aged 75 years and older (older group) and in younger patients. Immune-related adverse events (irAEs) were graded using the Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events (CTCAE v5) based on the clinical notation available in the patient charts., Results: Kaplan-Meier curves showed that SG was significantly associated with worse PFS (p=0.018), and the FG group also showed significantly prolonged OS (p=0.030). In addition, PFS from the start of durvalumab treatment was significantly longer in the older group compared to the younger group. However, no significant difference in OS was observed between the two groups., Conclusion: Durvalumab appears to contribute to prolonged PFS and OS when administered as an initial treatment. It may also contribute to improved outcomes in older patients with biliary tract cancer., (Copyright © 2025 International Institute of Anticancer Research (Dr. George J. Delinasios), All rights reserved.)

Introduction: Biliary intraepithelial neoplasia (BilIN) is defined as a bile duct epithelial tumor with intraductal papillary neoplasia of the bile duct. BiIlN is a precancerous lesion of intrabiliary neoplasia. We performed laparoscopic hepatic resection for recurrent cholangitis due to intrahepatic lithiasis and diagnosed BilIN. This case suggests that it is necessary to consider the possibility of malignancy in cases of repeat cholangitis due to intrahepatic lithiasis., Case Presentation: A 34-year-old man developed cholecystitis due to gallstones at the age of 25 years and underwent laparoscopic cholecystectomy at the age of 26 years. One year later, cholangitis developed, and 2 years later, acute pancreatitis developed due to bile duct stones. Three years later, at the age of 31 years, he underwent endoscopic lithotripsy for bile duct stones and cholangitis. At that time, intrahepatic lithiasis was also detected in segment 6, but there was no stricture in the bile duct, and he was kept under observation. Three years later, at the age of 34 years, cholangitis in the bile duct of segment 6 was observed, and endoscopic nasobiliary drainage was performed. At that time, no strictures or common bile duct stones were found in bile duct of segment 6; however, we decided to perform laparoscopic hepatic resection of the ventral region of segment 6 because of the recurrent cholangitis. Pathological examination revealed bile duct inflammation and BilIN-1 in the bile duct epithelium; the bile duct stump was negative., Conclusions: We experienced a case of a young patient with recurrent cholangitis due to intrahepatic lithiasis and diagnosed BilIN after laparoscopic hepatectomy. In such a case, it is also necessary to select a strategy that considers the coexistence of precancerous lesions, such as BilIN., Competing Interests: Authors declare no competing interests for this article., (© 2025 The Author(s). Published by Japan Surgical Society.)

Intrahepatic portal and hepatic venous shunts have been reported in children (Takama et al. Surg Case Rep 2020;6(1):73) but are very rare in adults (Papamichail et al. Hepatobiliary Pancreat Dis Int 2016;15(3):329-333). Treatment is indicated in cases of portal hypertension or hyperammonemia. We evaluated and reported the usefulness, safety, and effectiveness of laparoscopic liver resection for this case. After performing intraoperative ultrasonography, the hilar plate was manipulated to identify the target Glissonean branch of segment 5 (G5). Bulldog forceps were then used for test clamping, which was identified by negative staining, Segment 5 was dissected and hepatic parenchymal resection was performed. The hepatic veins running within the ischemic area were dissected, and hepatic parenchymal resection, including intrahepatic portal and hepatic venous shunts, was performed. The operation time was 257 min, and she was discharged on the 8th postoperative day, with no complications. Serum ammonia levels decreased rapidly postoperatively. Laparoscopic liver resection may be effective for intrahepatic portal and hepatic venous shunts., (© 2024 Asia Endosurgery Task Force and Japan Society of Endoscopic Surgery and John Wiley & Sons Australia, Ltd.)

Background/aim: This study aimed to identify the risk factors for early recurrence (ER) after pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) resection to create a novel scoring system for ER and analyze their effect on the recurrence pattern., Patients and Methods: Sixty patients with PDAC who underwent pancreatectomy were included. The predicted risk factors for ER were analyzed. A new score defining ER was created and analyzed for recurrence pattern and prognosis., Results: Independent predictors included high CA 19-9 (≥147 U/ml), high lymph node ratio (LNR of ≥0.1277), and no adjuvant chemotherapy (AC). The 5-year overall survival rates with a score of 0, 1, and 2 were 55.8%, 11.0%, and 0%, respectively. In the moderate- risk score group, prognosis was improved by induction of AC within 58 days., Conclusion: Preoperative high CA19-9, high LNR, and no AC could be ER predictors. Induction of postoperative chemotherapy within 58 days may improve prognosis., (Copyright © 2024 International Institute of Anticancer Research (Dr. George J. Delinasios), All rights reserved.)

Purpose: Choledochoduodenostomy (CDD) is performed to treat choledocholithiasis (CDL) cases where endoscopic stone removal is difficult. Recognizing CDD characteristics is important for CDL treatment planning., Methods: A total of 116 patients, including 33 patients ≥ 80 years old (29 with previous total gastrectomy, 19 with previous distal gastrectomy, 20 with built-up stones, 19 with periampullary diverticulum, 10 with confluence stones, 8 with repetitive recurrent stones, 4 with hard stones, 3 with endoscopic retrograde cholangiography [ERC] not available due to lack of cooperation, 2 with a history of pancreatitis post-ERC, and 2 in whom ERC could not be performed due to a disturbed anatomy) underwent CDD for CDL. Postoperative complications and long-term outcomes were evaluated., Results: The in-hospital mortality rate was 0%. The morbidity (grade ≥ IIIA according to the Clavien-Dindo classification) rates in the elderly (≥ 80 years old) and non-elderly (51-79 years old) patients were 3.0% (1/33) and 2.4% (2/83), respectively (p = 0.85). Long-term complications included cholangitis in eight (7%) patients, of which three cases were repetitive and seven had an operative history of total or distal gastrectomy. The incidence of postoperative cholangitis after total or distal gastrectomy was 15% (7/48), which was significantly higher than that involving other causes (1.5%, 1/68; p < 0.01). Two patients with cholangitis after total gastrectomy experienced early recurrence of lithiasis at 2 and 9 months after surgery., Conclusions: CDD is safe, even in elderly patients. However, a history of total gastrectomy or distal gastrectomy may increase the incidence of postoperative cholangitis., (© 2023. The Author(s) under exclusive licence to Springer Nature Singapore Pte Ltd.)

Aim: To study the effect of preoperative osteosarcopenia (OSP) on the prognosis of treatment (surgery or radiofrequency ablation (RFA)) in patients with Barcelona Cancer Liver Classification stage A hepatocellular carcinoma (BCLC A HCC)., Methods: This study enrolled 102 patients with BCLC A HCC who underwent surgical resection (n = 45) and RFA (n = 57); the patients were divided into two groups: OSP (n = 33) and non-OSP (n = 69). Overall survival (OS) and disease-free survival (DFS) curves for both the groups and treatment methods (surgery and RFA) were generated using the Kaplan-Meier method and compared using the log-rank test. Univariate analyses for OS and DFS were performed using log-rank test. Multivariate analyses were performed for factors that were significant at univariate analysis by Cox proportional hazard model., Results: Multivariate analysis showed that OSP (HR 2.44; 95 % CI 1.30-4.55; p < 0.01) and treatment (HR 0.57; 95 % CI 0.31-0.99; p = 0.05) were significant independent predictors of DFS; and treatment (HR, 0.30; 95 % CI 0.10-0.85; p = 0.03) was a significant independent predictor of OS in the non-OSP group, in which the OS rate was significantly lower in patients treated with RFA than in those treated by resection (p = 0.01)., Conclusions: OSP is a prognostic factor for BCLC A HCC treatment. Surgical approach was associated with a significantly better prognosis in patients without OSP compared to those who underwent RFA., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare no Conflicts of Interest for this article., (Copyright © 2024. Published by Elsevier Ltd.)

Background: Necrotizing fasciitis after pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD) has never been reported. We experienced a case of necrotizing fasciitis caused by pseudoaneurysmal hemorrhage after PD., Case Presentation: A 72-year-old male was diagnosed with cholangiocarcinoma and underwent PD. Bile leakage was detected postoperatively, conservatively resolved, and the patient was discharged on the 36th day after surgery. On the 42nd day after surgery, a pseudoaneurysm of the gastroduodenal artery ruptured. Transcatheter arterial embolization was performed for hemostasis: however, a large intra-abdominal abscess caused by an infected hematoma was recognized. On the 57th day after surgery, the patient developed necrotizing fasciitis. He underwent debridement with skin reconstruction using a latissimus dorsi flap and skin transplantation. Costochondritis and liver metastasis were detected on the 267th day after surgery. Infection was controlled by rib cartilage resection, debridement, and negative pressure wound therapy. Chemotherapy involving gemcitabine and cisplatin was initiated on the 460th day after the initial surgery with a partial response (PR) and was continued for more than one year., Conclusions: We herein reported a rare case of necrotizing fasciitis following hematoma infection after PD that was treated using multidisciplinary therapy with PR following chemotherapy., (© 2022. The Author(s).)

Background/aim: Management strategies for pseudoaneurysm rupture after pancreatic resection have not yet been firmly established due to its low incidence and effects of environmental variability among centers. This study aimed to provide a basis for treatment strategy improvement., Patients and Methods: Clinical features and outcomes of 29 patients who experienced pseudoaneurysm formation or rupture following pancreatic resection were retrospectively reviewed., Results: The incidence of pseudoaneurysm formation was 2.8%. In 28 of 29 patients, pseudoaneurysm was identified via emergent dynamic computed tomography (CT). The rates of complete cessation of bleeding by interventional radiology (IVR) and surgical intervention were 88% and 100%, respectively. Mortality rate was 13.8%. Four patients treated by IVR died, including three of massive bleeding and one of liver failure., Conclusion: Patients with suspected pseudoaneurysm rupture after pancreatic resection should undergo immediate CT. Open surgery is preferable for patients with incomplete hemostasis by IVR or those who cannot immediately undergo IVR, however, IVR is an effective alternative., (Copyright © 2022 International Institute of Anticancer Research (Dr. George J. Delinasios), All rights reserved.)

Background: Previously, we developed an image-guided navigation system (IG-NS) incorporating augmented reality technology. Nevertheless, the system could still only aid the operator by presenting imagery and was short of achieving the goal of developing a real navigation system. Therefore, we developed a recognised position-guided navigation system (RP-NS) and herein reported the functionality and usefulness of this system in a phantom model for clinical applications., Methods: We developed RP-NS which was reconstructed by adding the positional recognition and instruction functions with the cautions by displaying the images on the monitor with a voice to the IG-NS. We evaluated accuracy of positional recognition and instruction functions using phantom model. By utilising the chronological recording of the tip position of the surgical apparatus, the surgical precision of the operators was assessed. Finally, the feasibility of improvements in surgical precision using this system was evaluated., Results: The RP-NS indicated an accuracy of the position recognition functions with an error of 2.7 mm. The surgeons could perform partial hepatectomies within mean value of 7.5% error as compared with calculated volume according to the instruction. Improvements in surgical precision using this system were obtained on the surgeons with different levels., Conclusions: The RP-NS was highly effective as a navigation system owing to precise positional recognition and adequate instruction functions. Therefore, these results indicate that the use of this system may complement differences in proficiency, and numerically evaluate surgical skills and analyse tendencies of surgeons., (© 2021 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.)

Lymphangiomas are classified as lymphatic malformations, which are more common in children and rare in adults. It frequently occurs in the cervical and axillary regions and uncommonly in the retroperitoneum. A 39-year-old woman presented to our department for the investigation for a 55 mm asymptomatic mass in the right anterior adrenal cavity. Abdominal ultrasound showed a tumor containing cysts in the right anterior adrenal cavity. Contrast-enhanced computed tomography showed that the tumor was poorly contrasted and ill-defined. Magnetic resonance imaging suggested that the tumor contained a small amount of fat. The tumor tended to grow, and the possibility of malignant diseases such as liposarcoma could not be excluded. Therefore, surgical resection was performed. Since intraoperative findings showed that the tumor tightly invaded to the duodenum and pancreatic head, a pancreaticoduodenectomy was selected. The entire tumor was removed without exposing the tumor. Macroscopic findings indicated that the specimen was 55 mm in size, indistinctly demarcated, yellow-white in color, and polycystic. Histologically, lymphovascular proliferation was observed with infiltration of the pancreatic head and the duodenal muscle layer. The diagnosis of lymphangioma was finally made. There was no recurrence 2 years after surgery., (© 2021. Japanese Society of Gastroenterology.)

Background: The surgical difficulty of laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) after percutaneous transhepatic gallbladder drainage (PTGBD) remains unknown. This study aimed to establish a scoring system (SS) to predict the necessity of a bailout procedure during LC after PTGBD and to evaluate the relationship between SS and perioperative complications., Methods: We retrospectively studied 70 patients who underwent LC after PTGBD. Preoperative factors potentially predictive of the need for the bailout procedure were analyzed. The SS included significantly predictive factors, with their cutoff values determined by receiver operating characteristic curves. Patients were assigned a score of 1 when exhibiting only one of these abnormalities. We compared the perioperative factors between three groups with scores of 0, 1, or 2. The SS was applied to another series of 65 patients for validation. We compared the score-2 patient perioperative factors between LC with the bailout procedure and open cholecystectomy from the beginning (OC)., Results: Independent predictors were time until PTGBD after symptom onset and the maximal wall gallbladder thickness (cutoff values: 3 days and 10 mm, respectively). The high-score group was significantly associated with bile duct injury (BDI). The sensitivity and specificity of our SS were 75.0% and 98.1% in validation, respectively. The score-2 OC and laparoscopic subtotal cholecystectomy (LSC) groups had no BDI., Conclusions: The SS using time until PTGBD after symptom onset and gallbladder wall thickness for predicting the need for the bailout procedure correctly predicted the need. The scores might be associated with the risk of BDI, and LSC or OC might be a better choice for score-2 patients., (© 2021 The Authors. Annals of Gastroenterological Surgery published by John Wiley & Sons Australia, Ltd on behalf of The Japanese Society of Gastroenterology.)

Introduction: Osteopenia, which is defined as a decrease in bone mineral density, has been recently recognized as a metabolic and an oncological biomarker for surgery in patients with malignancy. We aimed to study the prognostic impact of osteopenia in patients with pancreatic cancer (PC) after resection., Methods: A total of 56 patients who underwent curative resection of PC were retrospectively investigated. The skeletal muscle index at the third lumbar spine and bone mineral density at the 11th thoracic vertebra were measured using computed tomography., Results: Sarcopenia and osteopenia were identified in 24 (43%) and 27 (48%) patients, respectively. The overall and disease-free survival rates were significantly lower in the sarcopenia group than in the non-sarcopenia group (p < 0.01 and p < 0.01, respectively) and in the osteopenia group than in the non-osteopenia group (p < 0.01 and p < 0.01, respectively). In multivariate analysis, sarcopenia (odds ratio [OR] 4.05; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.23-13.38; p = 0.02) was a significant independent predictor of 1-year disease-free survival. Further, sarcopenia (OR 6.00; 95% CI 1.46-24.6; p = 0.01) and osteopenia (OR 4.66; 95% CI 1.15-18.82; p = 0.03) were significant independent predictors of 2-year overall survival., Conclusion: Osteopenia is a significant negative factor for 2-year overall survival after curative resection of PC., (© 2021. Japan Society of Clinical Oncology.)

Background: Prognostic factors after treatment for intrahepatic recurrent hepatocellular carcinoma (RHCC) after hepatic resection (Hx) are controversial. The current study aimed to examine the impact of treatment modality on the prognosis of intrahepatic RHCC following Hx., Methods: For control of variables, the subjects were 56 patients who underwent treatment for intrahepatic RHCC, three or fewer tumors, each measuring ≤3 cm in diameter without macroscopic vascular invasion (MVI), between 2000 and 2011. Retreatment consisted of repeat Hx (n = 23), local ablation therapy (n = 11) and transarterial chemoembolization or transcatheter arterial infusion (TACE/TAI) (n = 22). We retrospectively investigated the relation between type of treatment for RHCC and overall survival (OS) as well as disease-free survival (DFS)., Results: In multivariate (MV) analysis, the poor prognostic factors in DFS after retreatment consisted of disease-free interval (DFI) (≤1.5 y) ( P  = .011), type of retreatment (TACE/TAI) ( P  = .002), age (<65 y old) ( P  = .0022), perioperative RBC transfusion ( P  = .025), while those in OS after retreatment were DFI (≤1.5 y) ( P  < .0001). In evaluation of stratification for type of retreatment, DFS in the repeat Hx group was significantly better than those in the local ablation therapy group or the TACE/TAI group ( P  = .023 or P  < .0001, respectively)., Conclusions: DFI (≤1.5 y) was an independent poor prognostic factor in both DFS and OS, and repeat Hx for intrahepatic RHCC, few in number and size without MVI, seems to achieve the most reliable local control., Competing Interests: Conflict of Interest: The authors declare no conflicts of interest and received no funding support for this study., (© 2021 The Authors. Annals of Gastroenterological Surgery published by John Wiley & Sons Australia, Ltd on behalf of The Japanese Society of Gastroenterology.)

Introduction: A preoperative scoring system to predict carcinoma in patients with gallbladder polyps (GBPs)., Methods: Preoperative parameters of patients with GBPs who underwent cholecystectomies were used to construct a scoring system to ascertain the risk of malignancy (reference group). The scoring system developed from this approach was applied to the validation group., Results: In the reference group, 11.5% of patients had carcinomas, in whom the median age was 68 years and the polyp size was 16.9 mm. According to the univariate analysis, the significant factors for carcinoma were age ≥65 years, the presence of gallstones, polyp size ≥13 mm, solitary polyp, and sessile polyp. Age ≥65 years and polyp size ≥13 mm were significant factors according to the multivariate analysis. From these results, we developed a preoperative scoring system to predict carcinoma. The patients were divided into 1 of 2 groups: low-risk and high-risk and their malignancy rates were 4.1 and 61.1% respectively (p < 0.001). In the validation group, the malignancy rate was higher for those in the high-risk group (p = 0.016)., Conclusions: The proposed preoperative scoring system based on simple clinical variables appears to be useful for predicting malignancy in patients with GBPs., (© 2019 S. Karger AG, Basel.)

Background: Since there is no reliable evidence on the safety of pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD) in chronic hepatic dysfunction (CHD) including liver cirrhosis (LC), the effects of CHD on patients undergoing PD were investigated., Methods: This multi-institutional retrospective study analyzed 529 patients with CHD, including 105 patients diagnosed with LC, who underwent PD at 82 high-volume institutions between 2004 and 2013., Results: The in-hospital mortality rate was 5.9%. The incidence of postoperative hepatic decompensation upon discharge and refractory ascites was 10.2% and 8.9%, respectively. For hepatic decompensation, the serum aspartate aminotransferase (AST) of more than 50 IU/l and portal hypertension (PHT) were independent significant risk factors. For refractory ascites, prothrombin activity of <70%, serum AST of more than 50 IU/l and advanced PHT with collaterals were significant risk factors. Five-year overall survival was 57.8% in Child A and 24.8% in Child B patients (P < 0.0001). The Child B/C patients were divided into two groups according to an AST-platelet ratio index (APRI) of 1.0; the APRI of <1.0 yielded a significantly higher survival rate than their counterpart (43.2% vs. 14.7%, P = 0.04)., Conclusions: In addition to PHT, pre-operative evaluation of AST and APRI may be helpful for patient selection for PD in patients with CHD., (© 2019 Japanese Society of Hepato-Biliary-Pancreatic Surgery.)

Background: We previously developed an image-guided navigation system (IG-NS) using augmented reality technology for hepatobiliary and pancreatic (HBP) surgery. This system superimposed a 3D model onto a stereoscope-captured surgical field (i.e., the scope method). Unfortunately, this method requires an expensive stereoscope, surgeons have to shift their eyesight away from the surgical field, and the method has poor controllability. Therefore, an IG-NS using a tablet PC (i.e., the tablet method) was developed. The aim of the current study is to evaluate the efficiency of this novel method., Methods: We studied 9 patients, for whom a 3D model was created from computed tomography images. After registration was performed, the 3D model was superimposed onto the surgical field, which was captured by the tablet PC's camera., Results: The IG-NS could be applied with very little time lag. The visibility and controllability of the tablet method were superior to those of the scope method. It was especially useful in surgery for multiple metastatic liver carcinoma due to easy localization of the position of the carcinomas and vessels., Conclusions: We successfully developed the tablet method and tested it in a clinical setting. This system may contribute to surgical efficacy and improve the educational effects., (© 2018 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.)

Liver function is a major prognostic factor following hepatic resection for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), which is well correlated with the degree of fibrosis. On the other hand, the presence of liver cirrhosis itself leads to a higher incidence of HCC than chronic hepatitis. Therefore, preoperative noninvasive markers of fibrosis are important for the assessment of prognosis for treatment of HCC. The present study aimed to analyze whether aspartate aminotransferase to platelet ratio index (APRI) could predict prognosis following hepatic resection for HCC. The subjects were 162 patients who underwent hepatic resection for HCC between January 2000 and December 2011. The relationship between APRI and disease-free and overall survival were retrospectively investigated. In multivariate analysis, indocyanine green at 15 min (ICG-R15) ≥15% (P=0.0306), APRI ≥0.45 (P=0.0184), perioperative blood transfusion of red cell concentrates (RCC; P=0.0034) and TNM stage II, III or IV (P=0.0184) were significant predictors in disease-free survival. For overall survival, ICG-R15 ≥15% (P=0.0454), APRI ≥0.45 (P=0.0417), perioperative blood transfusion of RCC (P=0.0036) and TNM stage II, III or IV (P=0.0033) were significant predictors. In addition, higher APRI values were positively correlated with hepatitis C virus infection and preoperative liver function. In conclusion, APRI is an independent risk factor for disease-free and overall survival following hepatic resection for HCC.

Pulmonary cryptococcosis is difficult to distinguish from lung cancer clinically, and is often diagnosed by surgery. A 72-year-old woman, who underwent distal pancreatectomy and splenectomy for pancreatic carcinoma. Four months after surgery, a tumor shadow was detected in the left lung as a groundglass nodule (GGN)of 12 mm in diameter, which was found to change to 15 mm with increased density by the computed tomography(CT)scan after 2 months. The nodule showed positive accumulation of fluorodeoxyglucose(FDG)by positron emission tomography(PET), and was suspected of malignant tumor. She underwent a partial resection of the left lung under thoracoscopy.

Background: Therapeutic outcomes and prognosis of primary unresectable duodenal cancer remains unsatisfactory, because effective chemotherapy is not established., Case Presentation: A 71-year-old male diagnosed with unresectable duodenal carcinoma with distant lymph node metastases was judged inoperable (cT3N2M1 cStage in UICC 7th ). Duodenal obstruction developed due to tumor growth, and the patient underwent laparoscopic gastro-jejunostomy and then combined chemotherapy using S-1 and cisplatin. Abdominal CT revealed reduction of the tumor, and lymph node swelling almost disappeared after chemotherapy. He underwent subtotal stomach-preserving pancreaticoduodenectomy and lymph node dissection including the para-aortic region. The final stage was fT3N1M0, StageIIIA in UICC 7th . He developed pancreatic fistula (ISGPF grade B), which subsided, and he was discharged 29 days after operation. He underwent adjuvant chemotherapy using S-1 for 1 year, and he remains well without recurrence., Conclusions: S-1/cisplatin combination chemotherapy allowed R0 resection for advanced duodenal cancer.

Aim: Pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD) is still the only curative treatment for periampullary cancer. Confirming the outcomes of PD in elderly patients is important as the aging population continues to grow., Patients and Methods: We analyzed 340 patients with periampullary cancer who underwent PD, dividing them into three groups by age: group A: aged 64 years or younger, n=115; group B: 65-74 years, n=144; and group C: 75 years or older, n=81., Results: Group C had a significantly higher 60-day mortality of 6.3% (p=0.04), the lowest 5-year overall survival rate of 9.9% (p=0.02), and there was no impact of staging of the Union for International Cancer Control classification on overall survival of patients with pancreatic cancer. Independent prognostic factors of group C in the multivariate analysis were pancreatic cancer and reoperation., Conclusion: For elderly patients aged 75 years or over, caution should be exercised in selecting PD for patients with pancreatic cancer., (Copyright© 2017, International Institute of Anticancer Research (Dr. George J. Delinasios), All rights reserved.)

Background: Delayed gastric emptying (DGE), a common postoperative complication of pancreaticoduodenectomy, is not considered a life-threatening complication. In the present study, we analyzed the risk factors for DGE and its impact on long-term prognosis., Methods: We analyzed 383 patients who underwent pancreaticoduodenectomy between 2003 and 2010, dividing them into two groups according to DGE grade as defined by the International Study Group of Pancreatic Surgery: 243 without DGE (non-DGE group) and 140 with DGE of any grade (DGE group)., Results: The 5-year overall survival was 32.7% in the DGE group, and 41% in the non-DGE group (P = 0.02). Cox proportional hazards analyses showed that pancreatic cancer (compared with ampulla of Vater cancer: hazard ratio [HR] 3.4, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.82-6.34, P < 0.001), bile duct cancer (HR 2.1, 95% CI 1.08-4.06, P = 0.03), the Union for International Cancer Control stage (compared with stages I and II: HR 2.98, 95% CI 1.66-5.35, P < 0.001; compared with stage III: HR 4.71, 95% CI 2.51-8.86, P < 0.001), and DGE grade (grade C; HR 1.6, 95% CI 1.04-2.46, P = 0.03) were independent risk factors for cancer-specific survival., Conclusions: DGE, especially grade C, negatively affects cancer-specific survival., (© 2017 Japanese Society of Hepato-Biliary-Pancreatic Surgery.)

Purposes: To assess the feasibility and usefulness of endoscopic ultrasound-guided transgastric drainage (EUS-GD) in patients who required early postoperative drainage of peripancreatic fluid collection or postoperative pancreatic fistulas after pancreatic surgery., Patients and Methods: Between May 2012 and January 2016, 33 patients who developed peripancreatic fluid collection or postoperative pancreatic fistulas after pancreatic resection underwent EUS-GD or percutaneous drainage (PTD). Outcomes were compared retrospectively., Results: The drainage procedures were performed on postoperative day 4 to 71 (median, 12) in the EUS-GD group, and 7 to 35 (median, 14) in the PTD group. Technical and clinical success rates reached 92% (11/12) in the EUS-GD group, and 100% (21/21) in the PTD group with no complications or mortality. The duration of hospital stay after drainage was 10 to 44 (median, 15) days for EUS-GD, compared with 10 to 39 (median, 21) days for PTD., Conclusions: EUS-GD is a safe and useful method for early drainage, which could be a good alternative to PTD.

Aim: To investigate the clinical characteristics and prognosis of surgical patients with non-B non-C hepatocellular carcinoma (NBNC-HCC) compared to those of hepatitis B virus (HBV)- and hepatitis C virus (HCV)-HCC., Patients and Methods: Clinical data and outcomes were compared among the three groups. Prognostic factors of patients with NBNC-HCC were investigated., Results: Compared to HBV-HCC, patients with NBNC-HCC had higher chance of hypertension (HTN) (p<0.01), diabetes mellitus (DM) and body mass index (BMI) >25 kg/m 2 Compared to HCV-HCC, patients with NBNC-HCC had higher incidence of DM and higher BMI >25 kg/m 2 (p<0.01). There were no significant differences in overall survival (OS) rate among the three groups. In patients with NBNC-HCC, albumin (Alb; p<0.05) was an independent prognostic factor of OS, while Alb and α-fetoprotein (AFP) were independent prognostic factors of disease-free survival (DFS; p<0.01 each)., Conclusion: Surgical patients with NBNC-HCC often have concomitant DM, HTN and high BMI, for whom factors related to prognosis were Alb and AFP., (Copyright© 2017, International Institute of Anticancer Research (Dr. George J. Delinasios), All rights reserved.)

Aim: The optimal method for pancreatic stump closure to prevent postoperative pancreatic fistula (POPF) after distal pancreatectomy (DP), remains controversial though DP is still the only curative treatment for pancreatic cancer and other malignancies located on pancreatic body or tail., Patients and Methods: A total of 44 patients who consecutively underwent open DP were retrospectively analyzed, dividing them into two groups: group H (hand-sewn; n=24) and group S (stapler closure; n=20)., Results: POPFs were encountered in 5 (21%) and 11 (55%) patients in groups H and S, respectively (p=0.02). POPFs of Clavien-Dindo grade IIIa or above were observed in two (8%) and seven (35%) patients in groups H and S, respectively (p=0.03)., Conclusion: When indicating stapler closure, caution should be exercised for pancreatic consistency and thickness, device and cartridge type, and pancreatic duct ligation to more effectively control POPF rates., (Copyright© 2017, International Institute of Anticancer Research (Dr. George J. Delinasios), All rights reserved.)

A 61-year-old man visited our hospital for treatment of a retroperitoneal tumor. The patient had undergone distal gastrectomy for gastric cancer in the past. At 5 years after distal gastrectomy, a retroperitoneal tumor with a large diameter of 30mm was detected by computed tomography and the patient underwent chemotherapy for suspected lymph node metastasis from gastric cancer at a local hospital. However, the retroperitoneal tumor gradually increased, and it was diagnosed finally as asymptomatic paraganglioma. The patient underwent tumor resection and made a satisfactory recovery. He was discharged 11 days after the surgery in a good general condition. Here, we report a case of successful resection of asymptomatic paraganglioma in a patient 5 years after distal gastrectomy for gastric cancer.

A 53-year-old male visited his primary physician for epigastric and back pain. Abdominal-enhanced computed tomography (CT) revealed a simple cyst of the pancreatic tail attached to the stomach. A distal main pancreatic duct (MPD) was clearly dilated, but no pancreatic tumor was identified around the stenosis of MPD by CT scan and magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography (MRCP). Endoscopic retrograde pancreatography (ERP) revealed stenosis and distal dilation of the MPD located between the body and tail of the pancreas. Endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) revealed a low density mass of 7 mm in size with distal dilation of the MPD. With the suspicion of a small pancreatic cancer, the patient underwent distal pancreatectomy and splenectomy with lymph node dissection (D2). On histopathological evaluation, a small pancreatic adenocarcinoma of 6 mm in size was detected around the stenosis of MPD. Final pathological diagnosis was moderately differentiated invasive ductal adenocarcinoma of the pancreas with no lymph node metastasis (Japan Pancreatic Society (JPS) classification 7th edition; Pbt, TS1 (6 mm), tub2, intermediate type, INF β, ly1, v1, ne1, mpd(-), pT1b, pN0, pM0, stage IA,PCM(-), DCM(-) and the Union International Control Cancer (UICC) classification of malignant tumors 6th edition; pT1, pN0, pM0, stage IA, R0). We herein reported a patient who underwent radical resection for T1 pancreatic adenocarcinoma of 6 mm in diameter which caused acute pancreatitis and a pseudocyst due to obstruction of the MPD.

Indications for resection of branch duct intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasms (IPMNs) remain controversial because of their low tendency to be malignant. Surgical resection should be recommended if any factors indicating malignancy are present. However, preoperative differentiation between benign and malignant tumors is very difficult, especially in cases of branch duct IPMNs. We herein report a case of branch duct intraductal papillary mucinous adenoma (IPMA) of the pancreas with a large mural nodule of 25 mm. A 74-year-old woman was admitted for examination and treatment for a cystic tumor in the head of the pancreas. Magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography and computed tomography showed a cystic lesion, 50 mm in diameter, with an irregular mural nodule in the pancreatic head. Endoscopic ultrasonography demonstrated a multicystic tumor connected with the main pancreatic duct (MPD). The mural nodule had a diameter of 18 mm, and the MPD had a slight dilation of 6 mm. These findings suggested a high potential for malignancy. The patient underwent pancreaticoduodenectomy with lymph node dissection. The excised pancreas showed multiple cysts located in the branch pancreatic duct with a maximum diameter of 75 mm. The mural nodule had a maximum diameter of 25 mm. The tumor was diagnosed as an IPMA by pathological examination. After operation, the patient was discharged without any complications. Two years after resection, the patient remains in remission with no evidence of tumor recurrence.

A 47-year-old female was admitted to our hospital for treatment of end-stage liver disease due to primary biliary cirrhosis. Preoperative routine nasal sinus magnetic resonance imaging revealed diffuse inflammatory mucosal hyperplasia of the right maxillary sinus and mycetoma without invasive fungal sinusitis. Aspergillus antigen was positive. With a diagnosis of sinus aspergillosis, endoscopic sinus drainage and removal of mycetoma were performed. After endoscopic treatment, the right maxillary sinus was irrigated using amphotericin B for 2 weeks and then treated by iodine with gentamicin and ketoconazole for 6 weeks. At 1 month after endoscopic treatment, the mycetoma had disappeared. At 3 months after the endoscopic treatment, the patient underwent living-donor liver transplantation using the left and caudate lobe of her daughter. The patient made a satisfactory recovery and was discharged on 19 days after transplant. As of 44 months after transplant, she remains well without recurrence of aspergillosis.

Background: Inflammation plays a crucial role in tumor growth, metastasis, and survival. The preoperative platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR) has been reported as a significant prognostic indicators in several digestive malignancies. Our objective was to evaluate whether preoperative PLR is a prognostic index in resected pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma., Methods: Data from 131 patients who underwent pancreatic resection for pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma were available from a prospectively maintained database. The patients were divided into groups according to a preoperative PLR of <150 or ≥150. Survival data were analyzed., Results: In univariate and multivariate analyses, a preoperative PLR of ≥150 was a significant and independent risk factor for cancer recurrence and poor survival, respectively (disease-free survival [DFS]; P= .0014, P = .047; OS, P ≤ .01each). Similarly, lymph node metastasis, and moderate or poor differentiation were independent risk factors for cancer recurrence, whereas tumor diameter, positive surgical margin, and moderate or poor differentiation were independent risk factors for poor patient survival (P ≤ .05 each)., Conclusion: The preoperative PLR in patients with pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma was an independent predictor in DFS and overall survival after elective resection. Measurement of the PLR may help decision making in the postoperative management of patients with pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma., (Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

In living-donor liver transplantation, graft selection is especially important for the safety of the live donor and an acceptable outcome for the recipient. The essential medical requirements for living liver donation at Jikei University Hospital are as follows: an adult aged 65 years or younger, in good general condition, with partial liver volume of more than 35% of the standard liver volume (SLV) for the recipient, and without severe liver steatosis. Based on our criteria, we performed 13 living-donor liver transplantations between 2007 and 2013, including 1 retransplantation. Three cases were outside our standard donor criteria, including age (18 and 66 years) and 33% graft volume (GV) to SLV ratio for the recipient on preoperative volumetry using computed tomography. In 2 cases, the actual GV to SLV ratio at transplantation was less than 35%. Median postoperative hospital stay was 11 days for the donors, and 29 days for the recipients. All donors returned to their preoperative status, and all recipients were discharged in good condition. Our medical requirements for living liver donation seem to be acceptable because of the good outcome.

Background: Systemic inflammation as evidenced by the Glasgow prognostic score (GPS) predicts cancer-specific survival in various types of cancer. The aim of this study was to evaluate the significance of GPS in therapeutic outcome after surgical resection of gallbladder cancer., Methods: The subjects were 51 patients who underwent surgical resection for gallbladder cancer. For the assessment of systemic inflammatory response using the GPS, patients were classified into three groups: patients with normal albumin (≥3.5 g/dl) and normal C-reactive protein (CRP) (≤1.0 mg/dl) as GPS 0 (n = 38), those with low albumin (<3.5 g/dl) or elevated CRP (>1.0 mg/dl) as GPS 1 (n = 8), and those with low albumin (<3.5 g/dl) and elevated CRP (>1.0 mg/dl) as GPS 2 (n = 5). We retrospectively investigated the relation between patient characteristics including GPS, and disease-free as well as overall survival., Results: In disease-free survival, advanced tumor stage based on pathology (p = 0.006), positive lymph node metastasis (p = 0.001), and GPS 1 or 2 (p = 0.006) were independent predictors of cancer recurrence in multivariate analysis. In overall survival, positive lymph node metastasis (p = 0.002) and GPS 1 or 2 (p = 0.032) were independent predictors of poor patient outcome in multivariate analyses., Conclusion: The GPS in patients with gallbladder cancer is an independent prognostic predictor after surgical resection.

A 58-year-old male visited his primary physician for epigastric and back pain. Abdominal-enhanced computed tomography (CT) revealed a hypovascular pancreatic tumor measuring 17 × 11 mm in the uncinate process of the pancreas extending into the superior mesenteric plexus for greater than 180°. With a diagnosis of unresectable pancreatic cancer, the patient received gemcitabine and TS-1 with arterial infusion of nafamostat mesilate. After 3 courses of chemotherapy, enhanced CT revealed a decrease in size of the pancreatic tumor with no lymph node and distant metastasis and improved invasion of the superior mesenteric plexus down to 120°. The patient underwent R0 pancreaticoduodenectomy. The patient made a satisfactory recovery without complications and was discharged on postoperative day 10. We herein report the first curative resected case of a primarily unresectable pancreatic cancer after neoadjuvant chemotherapy using gemcitabine, TS-1, and nafamostat mesilate.

Objectives: Despite improvements in surgical techniques, instruments and perioperative management, postoperative pancreatic fistula (POPF) remains a serious complication after pancreaticoduodenectomy. The aim of the present study was to characterize a high-risk group for POPF after pancreaticoduodenectomy using perioperative clinical variables of patients., Patients and Methods: This retrospective study comprised of 247 patients who had undergone pancreaticoduodenectomy between May 2000 and May 2013. Perioperative risk factors pertinent to development of POPF were investigated using univariate and multivariate analyses., Results: POPF developed in 43 out of 247 patients (17.4 %). In univariate analysis, male gender (p=0.005), higher postoperative serum amylase (p=0.025) and lower postoperative serum albumin (p=0.041) were significant risk factors for POPF. In multivariate analysis, male gender (p=0.008) and lower postoperative serum albumin (p=0.010) were found to be independent risk factors., Conclusion: Male gender and postoperative lower serum albumin were associated with the development of POPF after pancreaticoduodenectomy., (Copyright© 2015 International Institute of Anticancer Research (Dr. John G. Delinassios), All rights reserved.)

Purpose: To date, gemcitabine-based or fluoropyrimidine-based regimens are recommended for unresectable advanced biliary tract cancer. Then, we conducted a phase I study of gemcitabine/cisplatin and S-1 that is an oral fluoropyrimidine. The aim of this study was to determine the dose-limiting toxicity (DLT), maximum-tolerated dose, and a recommended phase II dose of S-1. Response was assessed as a secondary endpoint., Patients and Methods: Patients who have been diagnosed with unresectable or postoperative recurrent biliary tract cancer received cisplatin (25 mg/m² i.v. for 120 min) followed by gemcitabine (1,000 mg/m² i.v. for 30 min) on days 1 and 8, and oral S-1 on alternate days; this regimen was repeated at 21-day intervals. A standard '3 + 3' phase I dose-escalation design was adopted. This study was registered with University hospital Medical Information Network (UMIN) Center in Japan, number UMIN000008415., Results: Twelve patients were evaluable in this study. No patients developed DLTs. Recommended dose of S-1 was 80 (<1.25 m²), 100 (1.25 ≤ 1.5 m²), and 120 mg (1.5 m²≥) per day. One patient could achieve conversion to curative surgery., Conclusion: This phase I study was performed safely and demonstrated encouraging response.

Central bisegmentectomy (CBS) of the liver is an en bloc hepatic resection of Couiaud segments 4, 5, and 8. The indications for CBS include benign and malignant tumors occupying both the left medial and right anterior segments. However, CBS has rarely been reported. Here, we investigate CBS in patients with suboptimal liver function for whom an extended lobectomy is not an optimal solution. Each case was 1 of 8 patients who underwent CBS for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) or colorectal cancer liver metastasis (CRLM) at the Department of Surgery, Jikei University Hospital. Indications for CBS consisted of CRLM in 3 patients and HCC in 5 patients. The median duration of operation was 552 minutes, and median blood loss was 2263 g. No postoperative nor in-hospital mortalities occurred. In this study, 1-, 2-, and 3-year disease-free survival rates were 62.5%, 12.5%, and 12.5%, respectively, and 1-, 2-, and 3-year overall survival rates were 100%, 100%, and 85.7%, respectively. CBS is advocated for central liver tumors in patients with suboptimal liver function for whom extended lobectomy could result in less than optimal remnant liver volume and function.

Aim: The aim of this study was to evaluate the significance of postoperative peripheral absolute blood lymphocyte-to-monocyte (ALC/AMC) ratio in pancreatic resections for pancreatic carcinoma., Patients and Methods: One hundred eleven patients who underwent pancreatic resection for pancreatic carcinoma were included in this study. We retrospectively examined perioperative findings as predictors of therapeutic outcome and the relation between postoperative ALC/AMC ratio and recurrence rate as well as overall survival of the patients with pancreatic carcinoma., Results: In univariate analysis, advanced tumor-node-metastasis (TNM) classification (p=0.0002), intraoperative flesh-frozen plasma (FFP) transfusion (p=0.0395), increased in preoperative serum carbohydrate antigen 19-9 (CA19-9) (p=0.0051) and lower postoperative ALC/AMC ratio (p=0.0007) were positively associated with poor disease-free survival. Advanced TNM classification (p=0.0008), intraoperative FFP transfusion (p=0.0343), elevated postoperative serum C-reactive protein (CRP) (p=0.0165) and lower postoperative ALC/AMC ratio (p=0.0029), as well as decreased preoperative lymphocyte counts (p=0.0248) were positively associated with poor overall survival. In multivariate analysis, advanced TNM classification (p=0.007), intraoperative FFP transfusion (p=0.0197), increase in preoperative serum CA19-9 (p=0.0075) and lower postoperative ALC/AMC ratio (p=0.0051) were independent factors for poor disease-free survival. Advanced TNM classification (p=0.0083), lower postoperative ALC/AMC ratio (p=0.0070) and elevated postoperative serum CRP (p=0.0094) were independent factors for poor overall survival., Conclusion: Lower postoperative peripheral ALC/AMC ratio may have a negative impact on recurrence and overall survival after pancreatic resection for pancreatic carcinoma., (Copyright© 2014 International Institute of Anticancer Research (Dr. John G. Delinassios), All rights reserved.)

Secondary malignancies are one of the late complications observed in long-term survivors of allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT). However, reports on secondary non-hematopoietic solid tumors derived from donor cells is extremely rare. We herein report a successfully-treated case of advanced bile duct cancer of donor-origin after allogeneic HSCT. A 44-year-old man was diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia. When he achieved the third complete response, allogeneic hematopoietic stem cells of one-mismatch female donor were transplanted at the age of 50 years. Post-transplant acute and chronic graft-versus-host disease was treated by increased immunosuppression. At the age of 59, the patient was diagnosed with lower bile duct cancer and underwent pancreaticoduodenectomy with lymph node dissection. Pathological findings revealed a well-differentiated adenocarcinoma of the bile duct. Additional fluorescence in situ hybridization analysis revealed female patterns of the tumor cells, which suggested that the tumor cells originated from the donor. The patient had a satisfactory recovery, and received adjuvant chemotherapy with S-1. He remains well with no evidence of tumor recurrence as of one year after resection., (Copyright© 2014 International Institute of Anticancer Research (Dr. John G. Delinassios), All rights reserved.)

The etiology of Klippel-Trenaunay syndrome (KTS) is not well understood. Although splenic involvement is very rare in KTS, life-threatening events such as spontaneous rupture of a splenic hemangioma may occur. We recently performed elective splenectomy for massive splenomegaly causing uncontrollable abdominal pain in a woman with KTS. The extracted spleen weighed 4260 g, and cavernous hemangiomas in the spleen were found to be the cause of the splenomegaly. The patient's abdominal pain resolved after surgery and her postoperative course was uneventful, except for persistent bleeding from the bladder. This is a rare case of KTS with associated severe splenomegaly caused by hemangiomas.

Aim: The aim of this study was to characterize a high-risk group of patients for pancreatic fistula (PF) after pancreatic resection using postoperative clinical variables of patients., Patients and Methods: The retrospective study included 297 patients who underwent pancreatic resection between January 2001 and December 2011. We examined the relationship between perioperative findings and the incidence of postoperative PF (POPF) among patients who underwent pancreatic resection between 2001 and 2009 (early period). Next, patients were stratified into three groups using serum albumin and CRP on postoperative day 1 (score 0: albumin ≥2.7 g/dl and CRP ≤10 mg/dl; score 1: albumin <2.7 g/dl or CRP >10 mg/dl; score 2: albumin <2.7 g/dl and CRP >10 mg/dl) as postoperative inflammatory score (PIS). We examined perioperative findings including PIS and POPF among patients who underwent pancreatic resection between 2010 and 2011 (late period)., Results: In univariate and multivariate analyses, male gender (p=0.032), serum albumin on postoperative day 1 (p=0.024) and serum CRP on postoperative day 1 were identified as independent risk factors for POPF in early-period patients. In univariate and multivariate analyses, postoperative hospital stay (p=0.009) and PIS (score 1: p=0.005, score 2: p=0.017) were identifical as independent risk factors for POPF in late-period patients., Conclusion: We found a novel PIS to indicate risk for PF after elective pancreatic resection.