Endoscopic Resection of Zenker's Diverticulum

We report an endoscopically assisted total diverticulectomy for Zenker's diverticulum. Skin incisions were made at the anterior axillary line, the center of the sternum, and the neck as portals for endoscopical instruments. The skin was retracted with hooks which provided an excellent view of the working space. The diverticulum was fully exposed and resected by using a multifire endoscopic stapler. This approach is minimally invasive in comparison with the conventional open cervical approach

Laparoscopic Diagnosis and Laparoscopic Hyperthermic Intraoperative Intraperitoneal Chemotherapy for Pseudomyxoma Peritonei Detected by CT Examination

Background. Patients with early stage of pseudomyxoma peritonei (PMP) are sometimes difficult to diagnose the primary sites and intraperitoneal spread of tumor and to perform a cytological study. Methods. Patients without a definitive diagnosis and with unknown extent of peritoneal spread of tumor underwent laparoscopy. Hyperthermic intraoperative intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC) was administered as part of the same intervention. The results of treatment were evaluated at the time of second-look laparotomy (SLL) as a subsequent intervention. Results. Eleven patients were managed by diagnostic laparoscopy followed by laparoscopic HIPEC (LHIPEC). The operation time of laparoscopic examination and LHIPEC was 177 ± 26 min (range 124–261 min). No intraoperative complication was experienced. The peritoneal carcinomatosis index (PCI) score by laparoscopic observation was 16.5 ± 6.4 (range 0–30). One patient with localized pseudomyxoma peritonei (PMP) mucocele did not received LHIPEC; the other 10 patients with peritoneal metastases (PM) were treated with LHIPEC. After LHIPEC, ascites disappeared in 2 cases and decreased in the amount in the other 8 cases. Nine patients underwent SLL and cytoreductive surgery (CRS) combined with HIPEC. The duration between LHIPEC and SLL ranged from 40 to 207 days (97 ± 40 days). The PCI at the SLL ranged from 4 to 27 (12.9 ± 7.1). The PCI at the time of SLL decreased as compared to PCI at the time of diagnostic laparotomy in 7 of 9 patients. Median follow-up period is 22 months (range 7–35). All 11 patients are alive. Conclusion. The early results suggest that laparoscopic diagnosis combined with LHIPEC is useful to determine the surgical treatment plan and reduce the tumor burden before definitive CRS at SLL

Preventative Effect of a Flavonoid, Enzymatically Modified Isoquercitrin on Ocular Symptoms of Japanese Cedar Pollinosis

ABSTRACTBackgroundFlavonoids are nutrients that exert anti-allergic effects. We investigated the preventative effect of enzymatically modified isoquercitrin (EMIQ), a flavonoid, to relieve the symptoms of Japanese cedar pollinosis.MethodsIn a parallel-group, double-blind placebo-controlled study design, 24 subjects with Japanese cedar pollinosis took 100 mg EMIQ or a placebo for 8 weeks, starting 4 weeks prior to the onset of pollen release. Subjective symptoms, ADL scores and the usage of drugs were recorded daily, and the QOL score was obtained every 4 weeks. Blood sampling was performed before and after the study to measure serum levels of IgE and flavonoids.ResultsDuring the entire study period, ocular symptom + medication score for the EMIQ group was significantly lower (p < 0.05) than that of the placebo group. When limited to the period, ocular symptom scores (p < 0.05, weeks 5–6), and ocular congestion scores (p < 0.05, weeks 5–6) for the EMIQ group was significantly lower than that for the placebo group while other scores for the EMIQ group, such as ocular itching scores (p = 0.09, weeks 4–5), lacrimation scores (p = 0.07, weeks 5–6), and ocular congestion scores (p = 0.06, weeks 45), all tended to be lower. However no significant differences were found in nasal symptoms between the two groups. Serum concentrations of IgE were not significantly downregulated but the serum concentrations of quercetin and its derivatives were elevated significantly by the intake of EMIQ.ConclusionsIntake of the quercetin glycoside EMIQ proved to be effective for the relief of ocular symptoms caused by Japanese cedar pollinosis

Morbidity and Mortality Outcomes of Cytoreductive Surgery and Hyperthermic Intraperitoneal Chemotherapy at a Single Institution in Japan

Background. Even though cytoreductive surgery (CRS) and hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC) are associated with a high morbidity and mortality rates, it has been reported that CRS and HIPEC improved survival of selected patients with peritoneal carcinomatosis. We aimed to report morbidity and mortality results of CRS and HIPEC from a single institution in Japan. Methods and Results. Total of 284 procedures of CRS were performed on patients with pseudomyxoma peritonei, peritoneal carcinomatosis (PC) from colon cancer and gastric cancer between 2007 and 2011 in our institution. The morbidity rate was 49% of all procedure, and grades I/II and grades III/IV complications were 28% and 17%, respectively. Most frequent complication was surgical site infections including intraabdominal abscess. The mortality rate was 3.5%, and reoperation was needed in 11% of all procedures. Univariate and multivariate analysis showed peritoneal carcinomatosis index (PCI) greater than 20 was the only significant factor for occurrence of postoperative complications (P<0.01). In contrast, HIPEC significantly reduced postoperative complications (P<0.05). Conclusions. The morbidity and mortality rates of our institution are comparable with previous reports that are in acceptable rates. Optimal patient selection such as patients with PCI less than 20 seems to be of paramount importance to CRS and HIPEC

Management of tracheostomy in COVID-19 patients : The Japanese experience

Objective: Involvement in the tracheostomy procedure for COVID-19 patients can lead to a feeling of fear in medical staff. To address concerns over infection, we gathered and analyzed experiences with tracheostomy in the COVID-19 patient population from all over Japan. Methods: The data for health-care workers involved in tracheostomies for COVID-19-infected patients were gathered from academic medical centers or their affiliated hospitals from all over Japan. Results: Tracheostomies have been performed in 35 COVID-19 patients with a total of 91 surgeons, 49 anesthesiologists, and 49 surgical staff members involved. Twenty-eight (80%) patients underwent surgery more than 22 days after the development of COVID-19-related symptoms (11: 22-28 days and 17: >= 29 days). Thirty (85.7%) patients underwent surgery >= 15 days after intubation (14: 15-21 days, 6: 22-28 days, and 10: >= 29 days). Among the total of 189 health-care workers involved in the tracheostomy procedures, 25 used a powered air-purifying respirator (PAPR) and 164 used a N95 mask and eye protection. As a result, no transmission to staff occurred during the 2 weeks of follow-up after surgery. Conclusion: No one involved in tracheostomy procedures were found to have been infected with COVID-19 in this Japanese study. The reason is thought to be that the timing of the surgery was quite late after the infections, and the surgery was performed using appropriate PPE and surgical procedure. The indications for and timing of tracheostomy for severe COVID-19 patients should be decided through multidisciplinary discussion. (c) 2021 Oto-Rhino-Laryngological Society of Japan Inc. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved