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Laparoscopy-assisted endoscopic full-thickness resection (LAEFTR) has been suggested as an alternative to laparoscopic wedge resection in the treatment of gastric subepithelial tumors (SETs). It is expected to minimize the resection of the tissue surrounding the tumors and maintain the function of the remnant stomach. Here, we performed a prospective pilot study to evaluate the efficacy of laparoscopy-assisted endoscopic full-thickness resection (LAEFTR) for patients with gastric SETs.We enrolled twelve patients who were diagnosed with gastric SETs with an intraluminal growth pattern or which is located in the gastric antrum between October 2011 and September 2013. LAEFTR was performed endoscopically using an endoscopic knife to make an incision half way around the tumor circumference and a laparoscopic resection around the remaining tumor circumference, followed by its laparoscopic removal. The feasibility, safety, and effectiveness of LAEFTR for gastric SETs were evaluated.The median size of the tumors in twelve patients was 22 mm (21-33). Of the 12 patients, 8 received LAEFTR, while the others underwent conventional laparoscopic wedge resection, since their tumor outlines were clearly visible in laparoscopic view. In 8 patients who underwent LAEFTR, the mean total operation time (endoscopic procedure time/laparoscopic procedure time) were 117 (37/41) min. The tumors were completely resected with clear margin, and there was no perioperative and postoperative complications.LAEFTR currently seems to be the ideal treatment modality of intraluminal gastric SETs where their resection margins are difficult to define under laparoscopic guidance alone.

In today's SoC design, the number of registers has been increased along with complexity of hardware blocks. Register validation is a time-consuming and error-pron task. Therefore, we need an efficient way to perform verification with less effort in shorter time. In this work, we suggest register test automation flow based UVM (Universal Verification Methodology). UVM provides a standard methodology, called a register model, to facilitate stimulus generation and functional checking of registers. However, it is not easy for designers to create register models for their functional blocks or integrate models in test-bench environment because it requires knowledge of SystemVerilog and UVM libraries. For the creation of register models, many commercial tools support a register model generation from register specification described in IP-XACT, but it is time-consuming to describe register specification in IP-XACT format. For easy creation of register model, we propose spreadsheet-based register template which is translated to IP-XACT description, from which register models can be easily generated using commercial tools. On the other hand, we also automate all the steps involved integrating test-bench and generating test-cases, so that designers may use register model without detailed knowledge of UVM or SystemVerilog. This automation flow involves generating and connecting test-bench components (e.g., driver, checker, bus adaptor, etc.) and writing test sequence for each type of register test-case. With the proposed flow, designers can save considerable amount of time to verify functionality of registers.

Background. Although Billroth II (BII) reconstruction is simpler and faster than Billroth I or Roux-en-Y (RY) reconstruction in patients undergoing totally laparoscopic distal gastrectomy (TLDG), BII reconstruction is associated with several complications, including more severe bile reflux. BII Braun anastomosis may be a better alternative to RY reconstruction. Methods. This retrospective study included 56 consecutive patients who underwent TLDG for gastric cancer, followed by BII Braun or RY reconstruction, between January 2013 and December 2015. Surgical outcomes, including length of operation, quantity of blood lost, and postoperative complications, were compared in the two groups. Results. Clinicopathological characteristics did not differ between the BII Braun and RY groups. Mean length of operation was significantly longer in the RY than the BII Braun group (157.3 min versus 134.6 min, p < 0.010), but length of hospital stay, blood loss, and complication rate did not differ between the two groups. Ileus occurred in three patients (10.0%) in the RY group. Endoscopic findings 6 months after surgery showed bile reflux in seven (28%) patients in the BII Braun group and five (17.2%) in the RY group (p = 0.343), but no significant differences in rate of gastric residue or degree of gastritis in the remnant stomach in the two groups. Conclusions. B-II Braun anastomosis is a good alternative to RY reconstruction, reducing length of operation and ileus after TLDG.

Purpose: The role of peritoneal washing cytology in determining further treatment strategies after surgery for gastric cancer remains unclear. One reason for this is the fact that optimal procedures to increase the accuracy of predicting peritoneal metastasis have not been established. The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of cytology using samples harvested from two different abdominal cavity sites during gastric cancer surgery. Materials and Methods: We prospectively recruited 108 patients who were clinically diagnosed with locally advanced gastric cancer (higher than cT1 stage disease). Peritoneal washing fluids were collected from the pouch of Douglas and the subphrenic area. Patients were prospectively followed up for 2 years to determine the recurrence and survival rates. Results: Thirty-three patients dropped out of the study for various reasons, so 75 patients were included in the final analysis. Seven patients (9.3%) showed positive cytology findings, of whom, three showed peritoneal recurrence. Tumor size was the only factor associated with positive cytology findings (P=0.037). The accuracy and specificity of cytology for predicting peritoneal recurrence were 90.1% and 94.2%, respectively, whereas the sensitivity was 50.0%. The survival rate did not differ between patients with positive cytology findings and those with negative cytology findings (P=0.081). Conclusions: Peritoneal washing cytology using samples harvested from two different sites in the abdominal cavity was not able to predict peritoneal recurrence or survival in gastric cancer patients. Further studies will be required to determine whether peritoneal washing cytology during gastric cancer surgery is a meaningful procedure.

Background: Despite the small but significant survival benefit of adjuvant chemotherapy in locally advanced gastric cancer (LAGC), the optimal regimen remains to be determined. We conducted a randomized trial comparing oral (PO) chemoimmunotherapy (CITX) with intravenous (IV) CITX in LAGC patients (stages IB-IIIB) with curative resection (≥ D2 dissection). Methods: The patients were randomized to the IV (5-fluorouracil 500 mg/m2 weekly for 24 weeks, mitomycin-C 8 mg/m2 every 6 weeks × 4) or the PO (uracil-ftorafur (UFT) 400-600 mg/day for 12 months) group. Patients in both groups received PO polysaccharide-K (3 g/day for 4 months). The planned number of patients was 368 for proving the non-inferiority of PO CITX compared to IV CITX for overall survival. Results: The trial was closed prematurely after enrolling 82 patients (44 in the IV group, 38 in the PO group). With a median follow-up of 82 months, there were no significant differences in the 5-year disease-free survival (73% vs. 55%, p = 0.358) and overall survival (77% vs. 66%, p = 0.159) between the 2 groups. The IV group demonstrated a higher incidence of grade 2 or 3 neutropenia, thrombocytopenia, and vomiting. Conclusions: PO CITX with UFT appeared to be at least non-inferior to 5-fluorouracil and mitomycin-C CITX, with lower toxicity in the adjuvant treatment for LAGC.

Determining resection margins for gastric cancer, which are not exposed to the serosal surface of the stomach, is the most important procedure during totally laparoscopic gastrectomy (TLG). The aim of this protocol is to introduce a procedure for intraoperative gastroscopy, in order to directly mark tumors during TLG for gastric cancer in the middle third of the stomach. Patients who were diagnosed with adenocarcinoma in the middle third of the stomach were enrolled in this case series. Before surgery, additional gastroscopy for tumor localization is not performed. Under general anesthesia, laparoscopic mobilization of the stomach is performed first. After the first portion of the duodenum is mobilized from the pancreas and clamped, the surgeon moves to the other side for the gastroscopic procedure. On the insertion of a gastroscope through the oral cavity into the stomach, 2 - 3 cc of indigo carmine is administered via an endoscopic injector into the gastric muscle layer at the proximal margin of the stomach. The location of stained serosa in the laparoscopic view is used to guide distal subtotal gastrectomy, however, total gastrectomy is performed if the tumor is too close to the esophagogastric junction. A specimen is sampled after distal gastrectomy to confirm sufficient length from resection margin to tumor before reconstruction. In our case series, all patients had tumor-free margins and required no additional resection. There was no morbidity related to the gastroscopic procedure, and the time required for the procedure has gradually decreased to about five minutes. Intraoperative gastroscopy for tumor localization is an accurate and tolerated method for gastric cancer patients undergoing totally laparoscopic distal gastrectomy.

Compared to end-to-side anastomosis with a circular stapler, the overlap method is favored for intracorporeal esophagojejunostomy because it facilitates handling of the stapler, even in narrow spaces, and wider anastomosis. However, it associates with technical difficulties during anastomosis, including difficult traction on the esophageal stump that necessitates stay sutures. Here, we introduce a new modified overlap method that employs knotless barbed sutures (MOBS) and report the outcomes of our case series. All consecutive patients who underwent intracorporeal esophagojejunostomy in 2015–2016 were included. All patients underwent surgery as follows: After esophageal transection with a linear stapler, two V-loc 90 sutures (Covidien, Mansfield, MA, USA) were sutured in the center of the stapled line. The opening was made between the two threads, and the intraluminal space was identified. The jejunum was ascended toward the esophageal stump by inserting a 45-mm-long linear staple. The anastomosis was made at the space between the right and left crura. After firing the linear stapler, the entry hole was closed bidirectionally using the pre-sutured threads. Forty patients underwent MOBS (27 by laparoscopy; 13 by robot). Mean total operative and MOBS procedural times were 180.6 and 22.4 min, respectively. Mean hospital stay was 6.9 days. Two patients had major complications (5.0 %). There were no anastomosis-related complications. Laparoscopy and robot subgroups did not differ in mean MOBS procedural times (22.2 vs. 22.7 min, p = 0.787). MOBS is a safe and feasible method that is a good option for intracorporeal esophagojejunostomy after laparoscopic gastrectomy.

Purpose: The treatment of choice for gastric submucosal tumors (SMT) is surgical resection. Recent advanced techniques has facilitated more extensive application of laparoscopic surgery to most types of resectable gastric SMTs. The aim of this study was to verify the efficacy of laparoscopic resection for treatment of gastric SMT through analysis of outcomes obtained at a single center. Methods: A total of 141 patients who underwent laparoscopic resection for treatment of gastric SMT were enrolled between April 2003 and June 2011. Analysis of the demographics, tumor characteristics, and surgical or oncological outcomes of these patients was performed. Results: Gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GIST) were the most common pathologic findings (90 cases), and the upper third of the stomach was the most common location (70 cases). Wedge resections were performed in 128 patients and major gastrectomies were performed in 13 patients. The mean surgical time was 102 minutes, which was reduced to a stable 70 minutes after the 30 th case. The surgical time for tumors located on the posterior or lesser portion of the upper third of the stomach was longer than that for other lesions. Twelve postoperative complications, including two cases of intra-abdominal bleeding, one case of marginal ulcer bleeding, and one case of leakage occurred. However, there was no occurrence of complications after the 70 th case. During the follow-up period, two patients suffered recurrent GIST. Conclusion: Laparoscopic surgery for treatment of gastric SMT is safe and feasible, particularly as the surgeon develops greater skill with increased experience. Laparoscopic resection is useful for treatment of any type of gastric SMT.

Purpose: As the proportion of early gastric cancer (EGC) has recently been increased, minimally invasive treatment is currently accepted as main therapy for EGC. Accurate preoperative staging is very important in determining treatment options. To know the accuracy of endoscopic ultrasonography (EUS), we compared the depth of invasion of the tumor with preoperative EUS and postoperative pathologic findings. Materials and Methods: We retrospectively analyzed 152 patients who underwent EUS before laparoscopic gastrectomy. The preoperative EUS results were compared with the pathological findings. Results: The overall proportion of coincidence for depth of invasion between EUS and pathologic results was 41.4%. Univariate analysis showed that the rate of corrected prediction of EUS for tumor depth significantly decreased for the lesions more than 3cm in diameter (P=0.033), and those with a depressed morphology (P=0.035). In multivariate analysis, the depressed type (P=0.029, OR=2.873) and upper lesion (P=0.035, OR=2.151) was the significantly independent factors influencing the inaccurate prediction of EUS for tumor depth. Conclusions: When we decide the treatment modality considering the clinical depth of invasion by EUS, the possibility of discordance with pathologic results should be considered for the lesions located in the upper third of the stomach and with a depressed morphology.

Purpose: Gastric cancer surgery is a common operation in East Asia, such as Korea and Japan, and there has been a significant increase in the need for this procedure due to the aging population. As a result, surgery for the treatment of gastric cancer for elderly patients is expected to increase. This study examined the effect of old age on gastric cancer surgery, and analyzed the operative risk factors for elderly patients. Materials and Methods: From November 2008 to August 2010, 590 patients, who underwent a curative resection for gastric cancers, were enrolled. Patients who underwent palliative or emergency surgery were excluded. A retrospective analysis of the correlation between surgical outcomes and age was performed. The elderly were defined as patients who were over the age of 65 years. Results: The mean age of all patients was 58.3 years, and complications occurred in 87 cases (14.7%). The most common complication was wound infection and severe complications requiring surgical, endoscopic, or radiologic intervention developed in 52 cases (8.8%). The rate of complications increased with increasing age of the patients. Univariate analysis revealed age, comorbidity, extent of resection, operation time, and combined resection to be associated with surgical complications. In particular, age over 75 years old, operation time, and comorbidity were predictive factors in multivariate analysis. In the elderly, only comorbidity was associated with surgical complications Conclusions: The patients’ age is the most important factor for predicting surgical complications. Surgeons should pay an attention to the performance of gastric cancer surgery on elderly patients. In particular, it must be performed carefully for elderly patients with a comorbidity.

A few studies reported the association between negative Helicobacter pylori infection and poor clinical outcome in resected gastric cancer patients. We investigated the H. pylori infection status and its association with the clinical outcome in 274 locally advanced gastric cancer patients (American Joint Committee on Cancer stage IB: 25, II: 82, IIIA: 80, IIIB: 39 and IV: 48) who underwent adjuvant chemotherapy after curative resection (≥ D2 dissection). H. pylori infection status in hematoxylin and eosin stained corporal and antral mucosa of non-tumor tissue was graded according to the updated Sydney System and categorized as H. pylori negative (normal or mild infection) and H. pylori positive (moderate or marked infection). Eighty-one patients received 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) and doxorubicin-based chemotherapy, while 193 patients underwent 5-FU, mitomycin-C and polysaccharide-K chemotherapy. The median follow-up duration of survivors was 144 (120-184) months. In univariate analysis, patients with H. pylori negative status (108 patients) demonstrated significantly poor 10-year overall survival (OS) compared to those with H. pylori-positive status (166 patients; 21.3% vs. 71.1%, p0.0001). H. pylori negative status was associated with poor outcome in all stages except stage IIIB. In multivariate analysis, H. pylori-negative status was the most significant independent prognostic factor of poor OS (hazard ratio: 3.45, 95% confidence interval: 2.43-4.89, p0.0001) followed by old age (54 years, p0.0001), advanced stage (stage III or IV, p = 0.001), and Borrmann type IV (p = 0.027). H. pylori infection status seems to have strong prognostic significance in locally advanced gastric cancer. H. pylori-negative patients may need careful follow-up after curative resection.

INTRODUCTIONIncidence of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is high. antireflux surgery with specific indications could be an option. Nissen fundoplication is the most popular surgical procedure for GERD, and recent results using laparoscopy have reported excellent short- and mid-term results. Regarding surgical outcome of antireflux surgery, the rate of complications has been reported as below 2.4%, but rare cases still require reoperation.PRESENTATION OF CASEA 53-year old male patient underwent laparoscopic Nissen fundoplication three years ago owing to gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) troubled by dysphagia and heartburn However, despite undergoing surgery, his symptoms did not show improvement .A robotic redo fundoplication was planned. The patient recovered uneventfully, and the esophagography on postoperative day four revealed improvement of previous upward contrast reflux and distension of the distal esophagus during swallowing had disappeared. Dysphagia and heartburn had still not occurred at one year follow-up.DISCUSSIONRedo antireflux surgery for postoperative stricture is not an easy procedure due to postoperative adhesion and anatomical change. Robotic surgery may be more helpful for precise dissection of the adhesion site by a previous operation and robotic suturing for re-fundoplication was more effective.CONCLUSIONRe-do fundoplication using a robot, which is a complicated procedure compared with primary anti-reflux surgery would be a general procedure in the near future.

Background Covered metallic or plastic stent placement has become an important treatment for postoperative esophageal leakage; however, fluoroscopic guidance is also required. Here we present a novel stent insertion technique with a newly designed proximal-releasing, self-expanding metallic stent (PR-SEMS) and transnasal endoscope that can enable stent insertion without fluoroscopy as a new method to prevent stent migration. Objective To describe our experience with 7 patients who underwent PR-SEMS insertion with the direct-vision technique and our use of the transnasal endoscope without fluoroscopy. Design Prospective outcome study. Setting A tertiary-care referral university hospital. Patients This study involved all patients at our center who experienced postoperative esophageal leakage after esophagectomy, primary closure, or total gastrectomy. Intervention PR-SEMS insertion with the direct vision technique and use of transnasal endoscopy without fluoroscopy. Main Outcome Measurements Success rate of stent insertion, healing rate of postoperative esophageal leaks, and stent migration rate. Results All stents were placed at the expected location without complications. One patient had massive hematemesis and underwent surgery. The bleeding focus was the splenic artery, which was damaged during gastrectomy. A significant marginal ulcer occurred in one patient, and the stent was immediately retrieved with an endoscope. After stent removal, 4 postoperative leakages were completely healed, and 2 lesions were not occluded. The 2 remaining minimal lesions became completely occluded with conservative management after stent removal. Stent migration did not occur. Limitations A small number of patients. Further prospective, randomized, controlled trials are needed. Conclusion PR-SEMS insertion under transnasal endoscopic guidance is a feasible, safe, and effective treatment for postoperative esophageal leakage, and it can be performed as a bedside procedure. Our anchoring method is effective for the prevention of migration from nonobstructed lesions.

Background/Aims: The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of performing laparoscopic cholecystectomy on patients undergoing laparoscopic-assisted gastrectomy for gastric cancer. Methods: This single center study involved a retrospective review of a database of 400 patients who underwent consecutive laparoscopic-assisted gastrectomy for early gastric cancer from June 2003 to July 2007. Outcomes in 26 patients who underwent both laparoscopic-assisted gastrectomy and laparoscopic cholecystectomy were compared with outcomes from 364 patients who underwent laparoscopic-assisted gastrectomy without laparoscopic cholecystectomy. Results: There were no postoperative 30-day mortalities in the combined cholecystectomy group. The mean surgery duration, time to first flatus and postoperative hospital stay for the laparoscopic gastric resection without combined operation were 181.7 min, 2.7 days and 9.7 days, respectively, and 196.7 min, 2.6 days and 8.8 days, respectively, for the combined cholecystectomy group. None of the postoperative complications was related to combined cholecystectomy. Conclusion: Performing a combined cholecystectomy prolonged the mean surgery duration by approximately 15 min, but had no effect on surgical outcomes. It appears that performing a cholecystectomy at the same time as laparoscopic gastric resection is safe and feasible in patients with both early gastric cancer and gallbladder disease.

PURPOSE: Obesity is associated with morbidity following gastric cancer surgery, but whether obesity influences morbidity after laparoscopic gastrectomy (LG) remains controversial. The present study evaluated whether body mass index (BMI) and visceral fat area (VFA) predict postoperative complications. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 217 consecutive patients who had undergone LG for gastric cancer between May 2003 and December 2005 were included in the present study. We divided the patients into two groups ('before learning curve' and 'after learning curve') based on the learning curve effect of the surgeon. Each of these groups was sub-classified according to BMI (

Does the timing of adjuvant chemotherapy for gastric cancer influence patient outcome?

Laparoscopy-assisted gastrectomy (LAG) is a complex and time-consuming procedure, which is increasingly used for early gastric cancer (EGC). We provide a multidimensional analysis of the learning curve in LAG.Cumulative sum method was used to analyze outcomes of 109 patients undergoing LAG for EGC by one surgeon over a two year period; the influence of patient selection was evaluated. Target failure rate was set at 10%, with failure defined as open conversion, mortality, major morbidity, residual tumor, or inappropriate lymphadenectomy.There were 19 failures--fourteen performance and five oncologic. The learning curve, which displayed a slight rising trend and three phases was achieved after 40 cases with selected patients; it was broken, however, by the introduction of advanced procedures and unselected patients.Advanced procedures and broad indications in LAG should be delayed until a learning curve is completed under the target failure rate.

Despite evidence that Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection is closely associated with stress in gastric ulcer patients, the underlying mechanism why ulcer recurrence after stress is augmented especially in patients with H. pylori remains unknown. In this study, we found that oxidative stress played a critical role in the augmented mucosal damage provoked by water immersion restraint stress (WIRS) in H. pylori infection and that an antioxidant, alpha-tocopherol, could ameliorate the aggravation of stress-associated gastric mucosal damage. Two hundred forty SD rats were divided into two groups according to H. pylori inoculation, and after 24 weeks of H. pylori infection, the water immersion restraint stress was imposed for 30, 120, or 480 min, respectively. To evaluate the therapeutic effects of an antioxidant, alpha-tocopherol was administrated 40 mg/kg daily prior to imposing WIRS. Remarkably increased hemorrhagic lesions and bleeding indexes were noted in the H. pylori-infected group with statistical significance (P < 0.05) compared to the noninfected group at the same duration of WIRS. Significantly higher oxidative stress documented by iNOS, lipid peroxides, and GSH level was detected in gastric homogenates of the H. pylori-infected group. Proteomic analysis using 2-dimensional electrophoresis showed a decrease of HSP27 and other chaperone proteins. alpha-Tocopherol pretreatment significantly prevented the gastric mucosal damage, caused by WIRS in the presence of H. pylori. alpha-Tocopherol induced HSP27 expression, which was well correlated with downregulation of iNOS mRNA. Conclusively, the presence of H. pylori caused significant deterioration of stress-induced gastric mucosal lesions through increased oxidative stress and thus antioxidant treatment such as alpha-tocopherol protected the gastric injuries.

Background: It has been suggested that chronic, persistent, uncontrolled inflammations in the stomach could provide the basic step for the beginning of carcinogenesis. One of the potential clinical applications of rebamipide is the inhibition of the immuno-inflammatory response in gastric mucosa imposed by Helicobacter pylori. Aim: To determine the implications of long-term rebamipide treatment in H. pylori infection, we studied the underlying moleculo-pathological changes in gastric lesions in mice infected with H. pylori (SS1 strain), following this treatment. Methods: C57BL/6 mice were sacrificed 24 and 50 weeks after H. pylori infection, respectively. Colonization rates of H. pylori, degree of gastric inflammation and other pathological changes including atrophic gastritis and metaplasia, serum levels of IL-1β, TNF-α, IFN-γ and IL-10, mRNA transcripts of various mouse cytokines and chemokines, and NF-KB binding activities, and finally the presence of gastric adenocarcinoma were compared between an H. pylori infected group (HP), and an H. pylori infected group administered with long-term rebamipide-containing pellet diets (HPR). Results: Serum levels of IL-1β, IFN-γ and TNF-α, the gastric mucosal expression of ICAM-1, HCAM and MMP, and transcriptional regulation of NF-KB-DNA binding were all significantly decreased in the HPR group compared with the HP group. An RNase protection assay showed, in the rebamipide administered group, significantly decreased mRNA levels of apoptosis-related genes such as caspase-8, FasL, Fas, TRAIL and various cytokines genes such as IFN-y, RANTES, TNF-A, TNFR p75. IL-1β. In the experiment designed to provoke gastric cancer through MNU treatment with H. pylori infection, the incidence of gastric carcinoma was not different in either group. However, long-term administration of rebamipide showed the advantage of decreasing precancerous lesions like chronic atrophic gastritis and showed molecular evidence of attenuation of proliferation. Conclusion: The long-term administration of rebamipide should be considered in the treatment of H. pylori since it demonstrated molecular and biological advantages like a lessening of gastric inflammation and a possible chemopreventive effect.

Background: Long-term evaluation of gastric pathology after H. pylori infection is very important in order to reveal its clinical implications, since debate still exists on the gastric carcinogenesis provoked by H. pylori infection in animal models. Aim: Either to evaluate the long-term outcome of H. pylori infection or to determine how H. pylori could provoke gastric cancer in the mice model. Methods: Four-week-old specific pathogen free C57BL/6 mice (n = 115) were infected with SS1. the mouse-adapted H. pylori strain. After 4, 8, 16, 24, 36, 50 and 80 weeks of bacterial infection, the H. pylori-infected mice were sacrificed. Results: After 80 weeks of infection, almost all the H. pylori-infected mice developed hyperplastic gastritis. but did not show any evidence of gastric adenoma, dysplasia or carcinoma. PCNA positive cells were most abundant after 50 weeks and tended to decrease thereafter up to 80 weeks, whereas apoptosis began to be noted 8 weeks after H. pylori infection, showing 7-8 apoptotic cells/high power field, and tending to increase as time passed. Normally observed neutral mucin decreased during the experiment, showing the most marked decrease 50 weeks after H. pylori infection. In contrast, acidic mucin was noted from 50 weeks after infection. Conclusion: The SS1-infected mouse seems to be a suitable animal model for H. pylori-related research. and H. pylori itself does not induce gastric cancer in normal wild-type mouse model following long-term exposure, which could be explained by the balance that exists between cell proliferation and apoptosis.

Both 5-fluorouracil and doxorubicin are commonly used agents in chemotherapy of gastric cancer in adjuvant setting as well as metastatic disease. In a variety of malignancies, high expression of multidrug resistance-associated protein1 and P-glycoprotein has been associated with resistance to doxorubicin, whereas 5-fluorouracil resistance has correlated with the level of thymidylate synthase expression. We evaluated the expression of multidrug resistance-associated protein1, P-glycoprotein, and thymidylate synthase using immunohistochemistry in 103 locally advanced gastric cancer patients (stage IB-IV) who underwent 5-fluorouracil and doxorubicin-based adjuvant chemotherapy after curative resection and investigated the association between their expression and clinicopathologic characteristics including prognosis of the patients. While high expression (⩾5% of tumour cells positive) of multidrug resistance-associated protein1 and P-glycoprotein was observed in 70 patients (68%) and 42 patients (41%), respectively, 65 patients (63%) had primary tumours with high expression (⩾25% of tumour cells positive) of thymidylate synthase. There was a significant association between multidrug resistance-associated protein1 and P-glycoprotein expression (P

The main purpose of this paper is to present selection criteria for ROK Airforce pilot training candidates in order to save costs involved in sequential pilot training. We use classification models such Decision Tree, Logistic Regression and Neural Network based on aptitude test results of 288 ROK Air Force applicants in 1994-1996. Different models are compared in terms of classification accuracy, ROC and Lift-value. Neural network is evaluated as the best model for each sequential flight test result while Logistic regression model outperforms the rest of them for discriminating the last flight test result. Therefore we suggest a pilot selection criterion based on this logistic regression. Overall. we find that the factors such as Attention Sharing, Speed Tracking, Machine Comprehension and Instrument Reading Ability having significant effects on the flight results. We expect that the use of our criteria can increase the effectiveness of flight resources.

Background and Aim: Debate that Helicobacter pylori might play a causative role in gastric carcinogenesis still exists in spite of the World Health Organization’s definition of H. pylori as a class I carcinogen. In order to define the exact role of H. pylori infection in gastric carcinogenesis, we established a mice model of H. pylori infection. Methods: One hundred and forty-four female C57BL/6 mice were divided into nine groups according to N-methyl-N-nitrosourea (MNU) treatment and H. pylori infection. All mice were killed at the 50th or 80th week after treatment, and their histopathological changes were evaluated according to group. Results: The incidence of gastric adenocarcinoma at the 50th week was 80% in mice treated with both MNU 240 μg/L and H. pylori infection, whereas the incidence was only 27% in mice treated with only MNU 240 μg/L. Although H. pylori caused marked expansion of the proliferative zone at the surface epithelium, H. pylori infection alone caused only chronic atrophic gastritis without any evidence of carcinomas until 80 weeks. The combination of MNU and H. pylori infection also resulted in a significantly higher incidence of gastric adenoma and adenocarcinoma. Significantly higher expressions of proliferating cell nuclear antigen were noted in the gastric mucosa infected with H. pylori compared to controls. Conclusions: These results clearly demonstrated the role of H. pylori infection, rather than direct carcinogens, in promoting gastric carcinogenesis in a mice model. © 2002 Blackwell Science Asia Pty Ltd

Gastric cancer is one of the most common malignant tumors worldwide. The incidence of gastric cancer in East Asia, including Korea and Japan, is higher than in other regions, so the screening system in these regions has evolved to diagnose those with gastric cancer at an early stage. 1 Therefore, the proportion of patients with early gastric cancer (EGC) in these areas has recently increased. Patients with EGC have an excellent prognosis after curative resection, owing to low rates of lymph node metastasis and distant recurrence in the peritoneum and liver relative to patients with advanced-stage gastric cancer. Because lymph node metastasis is limited to a small number of perigastric lymph nodes even in EGC, some patients have been treated with limited (D1þ) lymphadenectomy. 2 In contrast with standard surgical procedures that include extended (D2) lymphadenectomy for gastric cancer, D1þ lymphadenectomy can be easily performed to reduce postoperative morbidity. 3 However, despite this, a total or subtotal gastrectomy should still be performed for EGC because a D1þ lymphadenectomy includes lymph nodes around the major vessels feeding the stomach. Extensive gastric resection that includes resection of the pylorus and autonomic nerve fibers can have a negative impact on quality of life after surgery, owing to reflux gastritis and uncontrolled bowel movements. Considering the long survival time of patients with EGC, function of the stomach should be maintained after complete resection of gastric cancer. One of the evolving modalities to maintain gastric function after removal of gastric cancer is endoscopic resection. Although endoscopic resection has been reserved for patients with EGC who are very unlikely to have metastatic lymph nodes, the proportion of gastric cancer patients treated with endoscopic resection has gradually increased as more patients are being diagnosed with EGC. 4 Development of the endoscopic resection technique can eliminate the limitation with regard to the range of en bloc resection in cases of mucosal cancers without metastatic lymph nodes, and furthermore expand the depth of resection into the submucosal layer. 5 Therefore, several gastroenterologists have been performing endoscopic resections using the extended criteria for this procedure suggested by previous reports. 2,6 However, despite the many benefits regarding quality of life, the temerarious use of endoscopic resection should be limited due to the lack of clinical evidence and limited ability for the identification of metastatic lymph nodes. On the other hand, if it becomes possible to confirm lymph node status and to perform minimal lymph node dissection for patients with EGC who meet the expanded indications for endoscopic treatment, then local resection

The levels of organic acids representing metabolic pathway end products are important indicators of physiological status, and may be associated with metabolic changes in cancer. The aim of this study is to investigate the levels of organic acids in cancerous and normal tissues from gastric cancer patients and to confirm the role of metabolic alterations in gastric carcinogenesis. Organic acids in normal and cancerous tissues from forty-five patients with gastric adenocarcinoma were investigated by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry in selected ion monitoring mode as methoxime/ tert-butyldimethylsilyl derivatives. We analysed the significant differences in the levels of organic acids in normal and cancer tissues and investigated the correlation of these levels in cancer tissues with clinicopathological features. The levels of Krebs cycle components, including alpha-ketoglutaric acid, succinic acid, fumaric acid, malic acid and oxaloacetic acid, were significantly increased in cancer tissues compared to normal tissues. In addition, the levels of glycolytic products, including pyruvic acid and lactic acid, as well as the levels of ketone bodies, including 3-hydroxybutyric acid, were also significantly increased in cancer tissues compared to normal tissues. The levels of ketone bodies in cancer tissues with differentiated histology and in intestinal-type cancer tissues were significantly increased. The organic acid profiling analysis described here may be a generally useful clinical tool for understanding the complexity of metabolic events in gastric adenocarcinoma, and organic acids may have potential as metabolic markers for the future discovery of diagnostic and therapeutic modalities.

We evaluated the expression of thymidylate synthase (TS) in locally advanced gastric cancer patients treated with adjuvant chemotherapy after curative resection and investigated the association between TS expression and clinicopathologic characteristics including prognosis of the patients. TS expression was evaluated by immunohistochemical staining using TS106 monoclonal antibody in 103 locally advanced gastric cancer patients (stage IB–IV) who underwent 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) and doxorubicin-based adjuvant chemotherapy after curative resection. 65 patients (63%) had primary tumours with high TS expression (≥ 25% of tumour cells positive), and 38 patients (37%) demonstrated low TS expression (< 25% of tumour cells positive or no staining). High TS expression was associated with male gender (P = 0.002), poorly differentiated histology (P = 0.015), and mixed type in Lauren’s classification (P = 0.027). There were no statistically significant differences in 4-year disease-free survival (60.0% vs 57.2%, P = 0.548) and overall survival (59.6% vs 59.3%, P = 0.792) between high-TS group and low-TS group. In conclusion, although high TS expression was associated with poorly differentiated histology and mixed type in Lauren's classification, it did not predict poor disease-free and overall survival in gastric cancer patients treated with 5-FU and doxorubicin-based adjuvant chemotherapy after curative resection. Further prospective studies including the evaluation of other biological markers associated with the resistance to 5-FU and doxorubicin are necessary. © 2001 Cancer Research Campaign http://www.bjcancer.com

BACKGROUND O6-methylguanine-DNA methyltransferase (MGMT) can remove O6alkylG DNA adducts. If they are not removed, then the adducts mispair with T during DNA replication, resulting in G-to-A mutation. Interrelations between MGMT gene inactivation by promoter methylation, K-ras mutation, and clinicopathologic features in patients with gastric carcinoma were studied. METHODS Surgically removed tumor tissues from 79 patients were analyzed with MGMT methylation by genomic DNA modification and methylation specific polymerase chain reaction analysis, K-ras mutation by mutant allele specific amplification, TNM classification according to the International Union Against Cancer system, and MGMT protein expression by immunohistochemistry. RESULTS MGMT-promoter methylation was found in 18 of 79 tumors. Among those 18 tumors, K-ras mutations were found in 33% and 11% of tumors at codons 12 and 13, respectively, corresponding to 20 times and 7 times greater rates of mutation compared with unmethylated tumors. MGMT methylation was associated significantly with lymph node invasion (P < 0.01), tumor stage (P < 0.03) and 5-year disease free survival (P < 0.02). MGMT protein expression was detected in intestinal metaplasia and adenocarcinoma samples, whereas no expression was detected in normal foveolar cells. CONCLUSIONS MGMT-promoter methylation in patients with gastric carcinoma was associated significantly with point mutations of K-ras at codons 12 and 13, lymph node invasion, tumor stage, and disease free survival. These associations indicate a significant role of MGMT methylation during gastric carcinogenesis. Cancer 2001;92:2760–8. © 2001 American Cancer Society.

Hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) can promote proliferation of many types of tumor cells including gastric cancer cells. To study the role of HGF in the progression of gastric carcinoma, HGF levels were measured by an enzyme immunoassay (EIA) system in sera of gastric cancer patients and followed up the levels after the operation. The mean serum HGF level in 212 healthy control subjects, 140 patients with primary gastric cancer, and 13 patients with recurrent gastric cancer were 0.199 +/- 0.073, 0.325 +/- 0.209, and 0.578 +/- 0.258 ng/ml, respectively. The increase of the levels was significantly correlated with the progression of tumor stage. The levels decreased to normal levels 1 month after curative resection of the tumors. However, the levels did not decrease significantly in nonresected cases. During the follow-up of the patients for several months, the level was significantly increased in recurrent gastric cancer patients, whereas there was no increase in nonrecurrent patients. In conclusion, the serum HGF levels significantly correlated with the aggressiveness of the tumors, suggesting an important role of HGF in the progression of gastric carcinoma.

In this study, we investigated whether gastric cancer with hypoxia-induced resistance to 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) could be re-sensitized following treatment with low-dose dichloroacetate (DCA), an inhibitor of the glycolytic pathway. The expression profiles of hypoxia-inducible factor-1α (HIF-1α) and pyruvate dehydrogenase kinase-1 (PDK-1) were analyzed in tissues from 10 patients with gastric cancer who had different responses to adjuvant 5-FU treatment. For the in vitro assays, cell viability and apoptosis were evaluated with and without treatment with 20 mM DCA in the AGS and MKN45 cell lines, as well as in PDK1 knockdown cell lines. The expression levels of HIF-1α and PDK-1 were both elevated in the tumor tissues relative to the normal gastric tissues of most patients who showed recurrence after adjuvant 5-FU treatment. Cellular viability tests showed that these cell lines had a lower sensitivity to 5-FU under hypoxic conditions compared to normoxic conditions. Moreover, the addition of 20 mM DCA only increased the sensitivity of these cells to 5-FU under hypoxic conditions, and the resistance to 5-FU under hypoxia was also attenuated in PDK1 knockdown cell lines. In conclusion, DCA treatment was able to re-sensitize gastric cancer cells with hypoxia-induced resistance to 5-FU through the alteration of glucose metabolism.

Purpose The aim of this study is to investigate the clinical factors affecting on the cure rate by invasive and open surgery for gastric cancer and to establish a subgroup of patients who can be applied by the early recovery after surgery program through this retrospective analysis. Materials and Methods In this retrospective study, we analyzed 425 patients who underwent gastric cancer surgery between January 2011 and December 2011 and were managed with conventional clinical therapies. This clinical algorithm was made when the patient was in minimally invasive surgery group and discharged from hospital one day faster than them in open surgery group. Results The completion rate of the clinical pathway was 62.4%. Despite the different applications of clinical pathway, completion rate in minimally invasive surgery group was significantly higher than that of open group (P

The aims of this study were to investigate trends in minimally invasive surgery (MIS) for gastric cancer through the experience of a single center and to predict the direction of the development of MIS.During a 7-year period, 2,160 patients underwent curative gastric cancer surgery. Changes in the proportion and pathologic features of a total of 750 cases that involved MIS, as well as the surgical methods and outcomes of MIS, were analyzed.An analysis of the patient population treated by MIS revealed that the proportion of patients with T2 or greater tumors on the basis of pathologic findings was initially5.0% but had recently increased to 24.3%. Although the proportions of intracorporeal anastomosis and robotic surgery had recently increased, the complication rate and operative time had stabilized 2 years after the 1st MIS.Given these results, the application of MIS for gastric cancer is expected to become more frequent. In addition, new modalities will be preferred by both surgeons and patients to reduce the invasiveness of gastric cancer surgery.

Purpose: Composite neuroendocrine-exocrine carcinomas are malignancies that have two distinct components residing within the same tumor: an adenocarcinomatous portion and a neuroendocrine portion. This is rare in gastric cancers; however, poorly differentiated adenocarcinomas can sometimes reveal evidence of neuroendocrine features (NEF) or be ‘mixed endocrine and exocrine carcinomas’. This study aimed to review NEF in gastric adenocarcinoma and to evaluate its prognostic significance. Materials and Methods: We selected 29 patients who were diagnosed with gastric adenocarcinoma with NEF and received gastrectomies at the Department of Surgery, Ajou University Hospital between January 2001 and December 2009. We analyzed the clinicopathologic features of gastric cancer with NEF and the prognosis associated with such tumors. Results: The pathologic result with respect to TNM staging of the gastric cancers with NEF were as follows: 5 cases of T1, 5 cases of T2, 10 cases of T3, and 9 cases of T4. There were 7 cases of N0, 7 cases of N1, 8 cases of N2 and 7 cases of N3. The staging of patients with NEF was higher than that of patients without NEF. Especially tumor lymphovascular invasion rate was 82.8%. The overall survival of patients with gastric cancer characterized by NEF was 73.8 months. Conclusions: Positive NEF status might be correlated with clinicopathologic parameters such as a high stage and high frequency of regional lymph node metastasis.

Although several studies have reported on the feasibility of robot-assisted gastric cancer surgery using the da Vinci surgical system, reconstruction techniques have depended on staplers or hand sewing through minilaparotomy.The aim of this study is to report on the feasibility of reconstruction methods using a robot-sewing technique in robotic surgery for treatment of gastric cancer.Between January and April 2010, 7 patients in whom gastric adenocarcinoma was diagnosed underwent robotic surgery including robot-sewn anastomosis. We demonstrated the surgical techniques with analysis of clinicopathologic characteristics and surgical outcomes.All robotic surgeries were performed without other laparoscopic instruments. Two Roux-en-Y reconstructions for two total gastrectomy, two Roux-en-Y reconstructions, and three gastroduodenostomies, for five subtotal gastrectomies, were successfully accomplished. Total median operation time was 205 minutes, and median reconstruction time was 69 minutes. One patient was readmitted for stasis in the remnant stomach but conservatively recovered.A robot-sewn anastomosis for reconstruction in robotic surgery for gastric cancer was feasible regardless of the reconstruction method.

Complications associated with laparoscopically assisted gastrectomy (LAG) are not significantly different from those associated with open gastrectomy. However, additional risks related to abdominal access, pneumoperitoneum, and special electrosurgical instruments result in an increased incidence of complications with LAG. This study analyzed the causes and risk factors linked to postoperative morbidity.A retrospective review analyzed the data of 300 patients who underwent consecutive LAG for gastric cancer in our department from May 2003 to October 2006. Among the 300 patients, total gastrectomy was performed for 42 patients, distal gastrectomy for 258 patients, and proximal gastrectomy for 3 patients. The clinical and operative data obtained included body mass index, medical comorbidities, history of previous abdominal surgery, operative time, type of surgery, extent of lymph node dissection according to the Japanese Guideline, number of retrieved lymph nodes and lymph node metastases, additional operative procedure, depth of tumor invasion, and disease stage. The outcome data consisted of mortality, major morbidities, and postoperative hospital stay. The 300 cases were divided into two periods: 50 cases in the first period and 250 cases in the second period.Postoperative complications developed in 61 cases (20.3%), wound infection in 21 cases (7%), intraabdominal abscess in 3 cases (1%), bleeding in 12 cases (4%), stenosis in 13 cases (4.3%), leakage in 3 cases (1%), acute pancreatitis in 2 cases (0.7%), pulmonary complication in 4 cases (1.3%), renal complication in 4 cases (1.3%), and cardiac complication in 2 cases (0.7%). The 30-day mortality rate was 0.7% (n=2). Univariate analysis proved that gender, operative period, comorbidity, and operative times were important risk factors. Multivariate analysis proved that cormobidity and operative period were important risk factors.The data suggest that LAG can be performed with acceptable perioperative complication rates. The surgeon's experience and careful patient selection determined optimal patient outcomes.

Although adjuvant chemotherapy has demonstrated small but significant survival benefit in locally advanced gastric cancer in several meta-analyses, optimal chemotherapy regimen remains to be determined.We retrospectively analyzed the survival of 207 gastric cancer patients (stage IB: 19, II: 65, IIIA: 58, IIIB: 28, IV: 37) who underwent 5-fluorouracil (5-FU), mitomycin-C (MMC), and polysaccharide-K (PSK) chemoimmunotherapy (CITX) after curative resection (FM group). The survival of FM group was compared with that of historical control cohort of 103 patients with almost identical stage distribution who received 5-FU and doxorubicin-based chemotherapy (FA group).Five-year disease-free survival and overall survival (OS) of FM group were 58.7% and 59.1%, respectively. Frequent perineural invasion was significantly associated with poor OS (p = 0.01) in multivariate analysis. There was no statistically significant difference in 5-year OS (59.1% vs. 56.2%, p = 0.637) between FM and FA groups. FM group showed superior 5-year OS (84.4% vs. 67.6%, p = 0.019) compared with FA group in stage IB or II patients without significant difference (p = 0.222) in stage IIIA to IV.5-FU, MMC, and PSK CITX is as effective as 5-FU and doxorubicin-based chemotherapy. Moreover, frequent perineural invasion seems to be an important poor prognostic factor.

Background: Although activation of mitogen activated protein kinases (MAPKs) by Helicobacter pylori infection is associated with induction of host angiogenesis, which may contribute to H pylori associated gastric carcinogenesis, the strategy for its prevention has not been identified. As we previously reported a strong inhibitory action of gastric proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) on MAPK extracellular signal regulated kinase (ERK)1/2 phosphorylation, we investigated whether PPIs could suppress the H pylori induced angiogenesis via inhibition of MAPK ERK1/2. Methods: To address the relationship between H pylori infection and angiogenesis, comparative analysis of density of CD34 + blood vessel was performed in tissues obtained from 20 H pylori positive gastritis and 18 H pylori negative gastritis patients. Expression of hypoxia inducible factor 1 (HIF-1α) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) was tested by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction and secretion of interleukin 8, and VEGF was measured by ELISA. To evaluate the direct effect of H pylori infection on the tubular formation of human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC), an in vitro angiogenesis assay was employed. Activation of MAPK and nuclear factor κB (NFκB) was detected by immunoblotting. Results: H pylori positive gastritis patients showed a higher density of CD34 + blood vessels (mean 40.9 (SEM 4.4)) than H pylori negative gastritis patients (7.2±0.8), which was well correlated with expression of HIF-1α. Conditioned media from H pylori infected gastric epithelial cells directly induced tubular formation of HUVEC and the increase of in vitro angiogenesis was suppressed by PPI treatment. Infection of H pylori significantly upregulated expression of HIF-1α and VEGF in gastric epithelial cells and expression of proangiogenic factors was mediated by MAPK activation and partially responsible for NFκB activation. PPIs effectively inhibited the phosphorylation of MAPK ERK1/2 that is a principal signal for H pylori induced angiogenesis. Conclusions: The fact that PPIs could downregulate H pylori induced angiogenesis indicates that antiangiogenic treatment using a PPI could be a promising protective therapeutic approach for H pylori associated carcinogenesis.

Carcinogenesis and the progression of carcinoma are thought to develop from multistage activation of oncogenes and loss of suppressor genes. One of the important functions of carcinoma cells is their ability to infiltrate surrounding normal tissue. This process requires cancer cells of the development of increased ability of proliferation and motility, and of detachment from other cancer cells. Although many studies have been reported about this process, the mechanisms are not fully understood in gastric carcinoma. Hepatocyte growth factor (HGF), a well-known peptide as a potent stimulator of hepatocyte growth, can promote proliferation, motility, morphogenesis, and angiogenesis in many types of cells, including tumor cells.1–4 Previously, we reported that the serum level of HGF in patients with gastric cancer significantly correlated with the progression of tumor stage, which was normalized after curative resection of the tumor and rebounded in recurrent cases,5 suggesting a close relationship between gastric cancer progression and the level of HGF. It has been already shown that c-Met, the receptor of HGF, is amplified in gastric cancers, and that the c-Met overexpression has a close association with the progression of gastric carcinoma.6–8 Although the incidence was very low, we also reported the activating mutation of c-Met from primary gastric cancer.9 E-cadherin is a protein that plays a main role in the establishment of cell-cell adhesion in epithelial cells.10 Down-regulation of E-cadherin in transformed cell lines has been associated with dedifferentiation and acquisition of the ability to invade, suggesting a possible role of this protein as a tumor suppressor.11 An inverse correlation between the expression of E-cadherin and peritoneal or lymph node metastasis has been reported in gastric cancer.12 As for the relation between HGF and E-cadherin, it was suggested that HGF could induce rapid dissociation of E-cadherin from the cytoskeleton. A gastric carcinoma cell line, TMK-1 cells, lost their tight cell-cell contact, resulting in marked scattering after treatment with HGF, and such scattering was associated with a reduction in the expression of E- and P-cadherin protein.13 In this work, we have first studied the correlation between HGF, c-Met, and E-cadherin in human gastric carcinoma tissues from curatively resected specimens, and we found a strong correlation between the level of HGF and the level and/or localization of E-cadherin. We also showed that HGF could induce the translocation of E-cadherin in human gastric cancer cell line, which resulted in the invasion into matrigel.

e15056 Background: Although adjuvant chemotherapy is currently established as standard treatment in stage II/III gastric cancer, there is no report about the optimal timing of the initiation of che...

We present the radiologic findings of gastric glomus tumors in two patients, in whom upper gastrointestinal series and computed tomography (CT) were primarily used for diagnosis. The diagnosis was surgically confirmed. Contrast-enhanced CT showed peripheral nodular or homogeneous strong enhancement in the arterial phase and prolonged enhancement in the delayed phase.

Purpose The intracorporeal reconstruction after laparoscopic gastrectomy can minimize postoperative pain, and give better cosmetic effect, while it may have technical difficulties and require the learning curve. This study aimed to analyze the surgical outcome of intracorporeal reconstruction according to the surgeon's experience comparing with extracorporeal procedure. Materials and methods From January 2009 to September 2011, intracorporeal reconstruction in laparoscopic surgery for gastric cancer was performed for 71 patients (Intra group). During same period, 231 patients underwent laparoscopy-assisted gastrectomy (Extra group). These patients were classified into initial (1st to 20th case of intra group), intermediate (21th to 46th case), and experienced (after 47th case) phases. Results Intracorporeal procedures included 35 cases of Billroth-I, 30 Billroth-II and 6 Roux en Y reconstructions. In the initial phase, operation time (P=0.022) were significantly longer for the patients of intra group than them of extra group. Although the difference was not significant, the length of hospital stay was longer and complication rate was higher in the intra group. In intermediate and experienced phases, there was no difference between two groups in operation time and hospital stay. In these phases, complication rate was lower in the intra group than the extra group (3.9% versus 9.7%). The pain scale was significantly lower post operation day 5 in the intra group. Conclusions Intracorporeal reconstruction after laparoscopic distal gastrectomy was feasible and safe, and the technique was stabilized after 20th case if the surgeon has sufficient experiences when we compared it with extracorporeal reconstruction.

Purpose: Laparoscopic gastrectomy is a widely accepted surgical technique. Recently, robotic gastrectomy has been developed, as an alternative minimally invasive surgical technique. This study aimed to evaluate the question of whether robotic gastrectomy is feasible and safe for the treatment of gastric cancer, due to its learning curve. Materials and Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the prospectively collected data of 100 consecutive robotic gastrectomy patients, from November 2008 to March 2011, and compared them to 282 conventional laparoscopy patients during the same period. The robotic gastrectomy patients were divided into 20 initial cases; and all subsequent cases; and we compared the clinicopathological features, operating times, and surgical outcomes between the three groups. Results: The initial 20 robotic gastrectomy cases were defined as the initial group, due to the learning curve. The initial group had a longer average operating time (242.25±74.54 minutes vs. 192.56±39.56 minutes, P>0.001), and hospital stay (14.40±24.93 days vs. 8.66±5.39 days, P=0.001) than the experienced group. The length of hospital stay was no different between the experienced group, and the laproscopic gastrectomy group (8.66±5.39 days vs. 8.11±4.10 days, P=0.001). The average blood loss was significantly less for the robotic gastrectomy groups, than for the laparoscopic gastrectomy group (93.25±84.59 ml vs. 173.45±145.19 ml, P

Purpose: The goal of this study was to assess the correlation between the Helicobacter pylori status of patients who underwent curative resection for gastric adenocarcinoma and their prognosis in Eastern societies where H. pylori infection is prevalent. Methods: Between 2006 and 2007, 192 patients who had a curative resection for the treatment of gastric adenocarcinoma were enrolled in the study. Of these patients, 18 were excluded due to an inexact evaluation of the H. pylori status, thereby leaving 174 patients in the final analysis. Serologic testing for H. pylori was assessed using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay kit for immunoglobulin G, and the histological presence of H. pylori was identified using the Giemsa stain. Results: Of the 174 patients, 111 patients (63.8%) were confirmed for H. pylori infection. H. pylori status did not correlate with the overall or disease-free survival. For patients with stage III or IV gastric cancer, a positive H. pylori status was a significant predictive factor for recurrence over that of a negative H. pylori status (P = 0.019). Negative H. pylori status was a predictive factor for recurrence in multivariable analysis (relative risk, 2.724; 95 confidence interval, 1.192 to 6.228). Conclusion: Helicobacter pylori status did not correlate with the clinicopathologic factors of gastric adenocarcinoma. However, a negative Helicobacter pylori status may be a predictive factor for recurrence in patients diagnosed with advanced gastric adenocarcinoma.

Purpose: The Roux en Y method has rarely been performed due to longer operation time and high risk of complication, despite several merits including prevention of bile reflux. We conducted a retrospective review of the result of Roux en Y reconstruction using two circular staplers after subtotal gastrectomy. Materials and Methods: From December 2008 to May 2009, a total of 26 patients underwent Roux en Y reconstruction using two circular staplers after subtotal gastrectomy, and seventy-two patients underwent Billroth-I reconstruction. Roux en Y anastomosis was performed using two circular staplers without hand sewing anastomosis. We compared clinicopathologic features and surgical outcomes between the two groups. All patients underwent gastrofiberscopy between six and twelve months after surgery to compare the bile reflux. Results: No significant differences in clinicopathologic findings were observed between the two groups, except for the rate of minimal invasive surgery (P=0.004) and cancer stage (P=0.002). No differences in the rate of morbidity (P=0.353) and admission duration (P=0.391) were observed between the two groups. Gastrofiberscopic findings showed a significant reduction of bile reflux in the remnant stomach in the Roux en Y group (P=0.019). Conclusions: When compared with Billroth-I reconstruction, Roux en Y reconstruction using the double stapler technique was found to reduce bile reflux in the remnant stomach without increasing postoperative morbidity. Based on these results, we planned to begin a randomized controlled clinical trial for comparison of Roux en Y reconstruction using this method with Billroth-I anastomosis.

Purpose: Laparoscopic gastrectomy has been common treatment modality for gastric cancer. But, most surgeons tend to perform laparoscopy-assisted distal gastrectomy using epigastric incision. Delta-shaped anastomosis is known as intracorporeal gastroduodenostomy, but it is technically difficult and needed many staplers. So we tried to find simple and economical method, here we report on the results of liner-shaped gastroduodenostomy in totally laparoscopic distal gastrectomy. Materials and Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of 25 patients who underwent totally laparoscopic distal gastrectomy using liner-shaped anastomosis at School of Medicine, Ajou University between January to October 2009. The indication was early gastric cancer as diagnosed by preoperative workup, the anastomoses were performed by using laparoscopic linear stapler. Results: There were 12 female and 13 male patients with a mean age of . The following procedures were performed 14 laparoscopic gastrectomies, 11 robotic gastrectomies. The mean operation time was minutes, the mean anastomotic time was minutes. The mean number of stapler cartridges was . Postoperative complication occurred in one patient, anastomotic stenosis, and the patient required reoperation to gastrojejunostomy. The mean length of postoperative hospital stay was days except the complication case, and there was no case of conversion to open procedure and postoperative mortality. Conclusions: Linear-shaped gastroduodenostomy in totally laparoscopic distal gastrectomy is technically simple and feasible method.

Situs inversus totalis is a congenital condition in which there is complete right to left reversal of the thoracic and abdominal organ. According to an increase in minimally invasive treatments, laparoscopic surgery for patients with situs inversus totalis has also been increasing. We performed laparoscopy-assisted subtotal gastrectomy on a 60-year-old gastric cancer patient with situs inversus totalis. He was diagnosed with early stage gastric adenocarcinoma at antrum of the anterior wall. We experienced some technical difficulties because of the position and anatomic variation of major vessels. However, the subtotal gastrectomy was completed with D1＋ beta lymph node dissection followed by extracorporeal gastroduodenostomy. The patient was discharged six days after operation without any complications. The pathologic report showed that tumor invasion was limited to the submucosa and one lymph node was positive for metastasis. We believe our experience is the first reported case of laparoscopic gastric cancer surgery for situs inversus in Korea.