Preoperative Risk Factors for Conversion of Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy to Open Cholecystectomy and the Usefulness of the 2013 Tokyo Guidelines

To identify predictive factors for conversion from laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) to open cholecystectomy performed for mixed indications as an acute or elective procedure. We retrospectively analyzed the data of 236 consecutive cases of LC performed in our department between January 2012 and January 2015, and evaluated preoperative risk factors for conversion and the usefulness of the 2013 Tokyo guidelines (TG2013) for diagnosing acute cholecystitis. The conversion rate in our series was 8% (19/236 cases). The following independent predictive factors of conversion were identified (p≤0.04): previous upper abdominal surgery (odds ratio (OR), 14.6), pericholecystic fluid (OR, 10.04), acute cholecystitis (OR, 7.81), and emergent LC (OR, 15.8). Specifically for patients with acute cholecystitis defined using the 2013 Tokyo guidelines, use of an antiplatelet or anticoagulant drug for cardiovascular disease (p=0.043), previous upper abdominal surgery (p<0.031) and a resident as operator (p=0.041) were predictive factors. The risk factors for conversion identified herein could help to predict the difficulty of the procedure and could be used by surgeons to better inform patients regarding the risks for conversion. The TG2013 can be an effective tool for diagnosing acute cholecystitis to make informed clinical decisions regarding the optimal procedure for a patient

Second-Generation Histamine H1 Receptor Antagonists Suppress Delayed Rectifier K+-Channel Currents in Murine Thymocytes

Background/Aims. Voltage-dependent potassium channels (Kv1.3) are predominantly expressed in lymphocyte plasma membranes. These channels are critical for the activation and proliferation of lymphocytes. Since second-generation antihistamines are lipophilic and exert immunomodulatory effects, they are thought to affect the lymphocyte Kv1.3-channel currents. Methods. Using the patch-clamp whole-cell recording technique in murine thymocytes, we tested the effects of second-generation antihistamines, such as cetirizine, fexofenadine, azelastine, and terfenadine, on the channel currents and the membrane capacitance. Results. These drugs suppressed the peak and the pulse-end currents of the channels, although the effects of azelastine and terfenadine on the peak currents were more marked than those of cetirizine and fexofenadine. Both azelastine and terfenadine significantly lowered the membrane capacitance. Since these drugs did not affect the process of endocytosis in lymphocytes, they were thought to have interacted directly with the plasma membranes. Conclusions. Our study revealed for the first time that second-generation antihistamines, including cetirizine, fexofenadine, azelastine, and terfenadine, exert suppressive effects on lymphocyte Kv1.3-channels. The efficacy of these drugs may be related to their immunomodulatory mechanisms that reduce the synthesis of inflammatory cytokine

Metachronous colorectal carcinoma with massive submucosal invasion detected by annual surveillance in a Lynch syndrome patient: a case report

Abstract Background Lynch syndrome is the most common form of hereditary colorectal carcinoma. It is characterized by the presence of germline mutations in DNA mismatch repair genes. Mutation carriers have a lifetime risk of developing colorectal carcinoma of approximately 80%. Current treatment guidelines recommend periodic surveillance for colorectal carcinoma in patients with Lynch syndrome. However, the optimal interval between colonoscopies has not yet been determined. Case presentation We describe a 54-year-old man with Lynch syndrome who was undergoing annual colonoscopy surveillance for the development of colorectal carcinoma. At 54, 57, 59, and 60 years old, a colonoscopy showed high-grade dysplasia and adenoma. Therefore, endoscopic mucosal resection was performed. At 61 years old, a colonoscopy showed metachronous colorectal carcinoma with massive submucosal invasion. He subsequently underwent laparotomy for colorectal carcinoma. Conclusions Annual surveillance using colonoscopy can detect colorectal carcinoma at an early stage, leading to reduced mortality. However, some patients might require a laparotomy, as was the case here. More frequent colonoscopic surveillance might be necessary to avoid surgery for colorectal carcinoma in Lynch syndrome patients with multiple risk factors for interval cancer

Surgical resection of splenic metastasis from the adenosquamous gallbladder carcinoma: A case report

Introduction: Splenic metastasis of gallbladder carcinoma is extremely rare. Specific anatomical, histological, and functional properties of spleen are believed to be responsible for the rarity of solitary splenic metastasis. Presentation of case: We present the case of a 62-year-old female who developed metachronous splenic metastasis of adenosquamous carcinoma of the gallbladder. We performed central bisegmentectomy of the liver for gallbladder carcinoma. The patient subsequently presented 3 months later with isolated splenic metastasis and liver metastasis. Splenectomy and partial hepatectomy was performed at this time. Histological examination confirmed metastatic adenosquamous carcinoma of the gallbladder. No signs of recurrence were observed at 3 months after the second surgery. Discussion: Although splenectomy provides a potential means of radical treatment in patients with isolated splenic metastases, it should be performed with caution as splenic metastatic lesions may represent the initial clinical manifestation of systemic metastases at multiple sites. In this case, radical surgery was performed following the confirmation of no new unresectable metastatic lesions or systemic dissemination. Conclusion: This is the first report on the adenosquamous splenic metastasis from the gallbladder carcinoma. Curative resection may be the treatment of choice for prolonging survival in patients with the splenic metastasis of gallbladder carcinoma