Hand-Assisted Laparoscopic Hepatectomy for Primary Clear Cell Hepatocellular Carcinoma of the Liver

We report a case of primary clear cell hepatocellular carcinoma of the liver (PCCCL) for which we performed hand-assisted laparoscopic hepatectomy. A 71-year-old female with hepatitis C infection and diabetes mellitus was admitted to our department for a hepatic tumor with gallstone. Abdominal computed tomography revealed a tumor 25 mm in diameter on the surface in segment 5 of the liver. The imaging results suggested small hepatocellular carcinoma located on the surface in segment 5 of the liver, and we performed laparoscopic surgery aiming at a minimally invasive procedure. We performed laparoscopic cholecystectomy and hand-assisted laparoscopic hepatectomy. Histopathological findings showed moderately differentiated hepatocellular carcinoma, and as the proportion of clear cells was 75%, the tumor was diagnosed as PCCCL. This is the first report of hand-assisted laparoscopic hepatectomy for PCCCL. Laparoscopic hepatectomy is a useful minimally invasive surgical procedure when the tumor is located on the surface of the liver

A Case of Long Partial Response to Combination Therapy of Bevacizumab and Capecitabine for Liver Metastases of Rectal Cancer

A 69-year-old female visited our department with a diagnosis of rectosigmoid cancer and multiple hepatic metastases (stage IV). Abdominal CT revealed multiple metastatic lesions in the bilateral lobes of the liver. The primary lesion was considered to be resectable, and high anterior resection of the rectum was performed. After the operation, 6 courses of therapy with bevacizumab (BV) and modified FOLFOX6 were performed. CT showed a partial response, and tumor marker levels became normal. After a total of 11 courses of this therapy, grade 3 peripheral neuropathy developed, and the therapy was changed to BV and capecitabine (Cape). After 6 courses of this therapy, CT showed the maintenance of partial response, and tumor marker levels were also within the normal range. BV and Cape therapy may be useful not only for reducing peripheral neuropathy, but also as a maintenance therapy in patients requiring the suspension of oxaliplatin administration due to peripheral neuropathy

Impaction of a lithotripsy basket during endoscopic lithotomy of a common bile duct stone

The treatments for common bile duct (CBD) stones are being continually developed. Impaction of the lithotripsy basket during endoscopic removal of CBD stones was seen in 5.9% patients. We report the case of a 66-year-old woman who underwent surgery for the removal of an impacted biliary basket. She was admitted to our hospital with a complaint of right upper abdominal pain. Magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography revealed a CBD stone (20 mm × 15 mm). We diagnosed her with choledocholithiasis and performed endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography to remove the stone. However, unfortunately, the retrievable basket around the stone became impacted. An endotriptor along with forceps could not be used owing to the entrapment of the basket, and thus we performed urgent surgery. The basket containing the stone was removed through a longitudinal choledochotomy. The wires leading to the basket were cut, and the basket containing the stone was removed via the incision. A T-tube was inserted, and the choledochotomy was closed. The postoperative course was uneventful. In conclusion, if the diameter of a CBD stone is more than 20 mm, then the risk of basket impaction increases, and surgery may be necessary as the initial treatment of the CBD stone

Endoscopy-based early enterostomy closure for superior mesenteric arterial occlusion

AIM: To evaluate the efficacy of endoscopic examination of blood flow and edema in the remnant bowel

Diffuse Peritonitis due to Perforated Gastric Ectopic Pancreas

Ectopic pancreas is frequently found in the gastrointestinal tract. Lesions comprise well-developed and normally organized pancreatic tissue outside the pancreas, without anatomic or vascular connections with the true pancreas. Most patients with ectopic pancreas are asymptomatic or exhibit nonspecific symptoms. A 68-year-old Japanese woman had been experiencing intermittent pain in the right upper abdomen. Suddenly, the abdominal pain changed to intense pain in the right flank of the abdomen 2 days later. On initial medical examination, the abdomen exhibited rebound tenderness and distension. The results of laboratory tests revealed increased inflammatory reaction. Abdominal computed tomography showed free air and ascites on the surface of the liver and elevated levels of adipose tissue around the antrum and pylorus of the stomach. Perforation of the upper gastrointestinal tract was diagnosed and we performed urgent surgery. The site of perforation, whose size was 25 mm, was the lesser curvature of the antrum of the stomach. Since it was not possible to perform omentopexy, we performed extensive gastric resection. The reconstruction was a Billroth II operation. Microscopic analysis revealed pancreatic tissue within the ulceration, showing islets of Langerhans, acini, and ducts; the lesion was diagnosed as type I using Heinrich’s criteria. The postoperative course was uneventful. The patient was discharged on day 13 and remains clinically healthy. Gastric perforation due to ectopic pancreas has been reported in 2 cases, including our patient, and is extremely rare. Once gastric perforation has been diagnosed, the presence of ectopic pancreas might be considered

Pneumatosis cystoides intestinalis after fluorouracil chemotherapy for rectal cancer

Pneumatosis cystoides intestinalis (PCI) is a relatively rare condition characterized by intraluminal gas in the gastrointestinal tract. Several chemotherapeutic agents have been reported to be associated with PCI, although fluorouracil-related PCI is extremely rare. We report a case of a 76-year old man who received adjuvant chemotherapy for rectal cancer with fluorouracil (FU) and leucovorin (LV). After 1 cycle of the treatment, he presented with diarrhea and abdominal pain. Abdominal radiogram revealed the presence of free air under the diaphragm and intramural gas in the intestine. Laparotomy was performed, showing a suspected diagnosis of perforation in the gastrointestinal tract. Intraoperative findings revealed pneumatosis of the intestine without evidence of perforation. He was treated supportively and his symptoms improved. In conclusion, we should consider the possibility of PCI occurring in patients with malignancies during chemotherapy treatment

Pericardiocentesis with cisplatin for malignant pericardial effusion and tamponade

AIM: To evaluate the role and outcome of pericardiocentesis with intrapericardial cisplatin instillation for malignant pericardial effusion resulting from esophageal cancer

Post-gastrectomy spleen enlargement and esophageal varices: Distal vs total gastrectomy

AIM: To study the relationship between platelet count-to-spleen diameter ratio and post-gastrectomy esophageal varices (EVs) development in patients without liver cirrhosis or hepatitis

Gastric Cancer Arising from an Upside-Down Stomach through a Paraesophageal Hiatal Hernia

We report the rare case of an elderly patient with an advanced gastric cancer arising from an upside-down stomach through a paraesophageal hiatal hernia (PEH). An 82-year-old man presented with appetite loss and anemia. Upper gastrointestinal endoscopy revealed a type 1 tumor located in the middle body of the stomach. An upper gastrointestinal series and computed tomography showed organoaxial rotation of the stomach, which was located in the mediastinum, through a PEH, indicating an upside-down stomach. The preoperative diagnosis was gastric cancer arising from an upside-down stomach through a PEH. The patient underwent total gastrectomy with lymph node dissection and closure of the hernial orifice. Although a large PEH is a chronic disorder, gastric malignancies should be considered in patients with PEH manifested as an upside-down stomach due to its anatomical characteristics, and careful preoperative diagnosis is mandatory

Jejunal Scarf-Covering Method in Pancreaticojejunostomy after Total Gastrectomy

Pancreatic fistula is the most serious postoperative complication after pancreaticoduodenectomy, and it leads to intra-abdominal abscess, sepsis, hemorrhage and high mortality. To prevent pancreatic fistula, wrapping of skeletonized vessels and the anastomotic site of the pancreaticoenterostomy using the round ligament, greater omentum, or both has been evaluated. However, the round ligament and greater omentum have already been resected in patients who have previously undergone total gastrectomy, making them unavailable in pancreaticoduodenectomy. Therefore, we developed a procedure for wrapping the anastomotic site of the pancreaticojejunostomy using the jejunum, namely the ‘jejunal scarf-covering method’ as a novel technique to prevent pancreatic fistula following pancreaticoduodenectomy in patients who have previously undergone total gastrectomy