Single‐incision laparoscopic and endoscopic cooperative surgery for gastrointestinal stromal tumor arising from the duodenum

We report a case involving a minimally invasive single‐incision laparoscopic and endoscopic cooperative local excision of a duodenal gastrointestinal stromal tumor. A 59‐year‐old man presented with a 35‐mm lesion located in the second portion of the duodenum. A local resection was performed via single‐incision laparoscopic and endoscopic cooperative surgery. Intraluminal endoscopic dissection of the duodenal mucosa and submucosa was performed circumferentially around the tumor. The resection was then completed by laparoscopic dissection of the seromuscular layer around the tumor. The tumor was retrieved laparoscopically. After confirming that the resection achieved clear surgical margins, we closed the duodenal wall with a laparoscopic stapling device. There were no postoperative complications, including stenosis. Single‐incision laparoscopic and endoscopic cooperative surgery can be safely and effectively performed for a duodenal submucosal tumor.     

Laparoscopic‐endoscopic cooperative surgery is a safe and effective treatment for superficial nonampullary duodenal tumors

The use of endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) for duodenal neoplasms has increased in recent years, but delayed perforation and bleeding are also known to frequently occur. We present two cases in which duodenal adenoma was successfully treated with laparoscopic‐endoscopic cooperative surgery. ESD was combined with laparoscopic seromuscular sutures. The lesions in both cases were located in the second portion of the duodenum. The patients requested resection of the lesion, and we performed laparoscopic‐endoscopic cooperative surgery. After the laparoscopic surgeon mobilized the duodenum, the endoscopic surgeon performed ESD for the duodenal tumor without perforation. The laparoscopic surgeon sutured the duodenal wall in the seromuscular layer to strengthen the ulcer bed after ESD. Histopathological studies confirmed that the surgical margins were tumor‐free in both cases. The patients were discharged with no complications. This unique laparoscopic‐endoscopic cooperative procedure is a safe and effective method for resecting superficial nonampullary duodenal tumors.     

Laparoscopic‐endoscopic cooperative surgery for ileal lipoma: A case report

This is the first report of laparoscopic‐endoscopic cooperative surgery (LECS) for an ileal tumor. A 50‐year‐old man was admitted to our hospital with a positive fecal occult blood test. Colonoscopy detected a submucosal tumor with intussusception located in the ileum, 10 cm oral from the Bauhin valve. On further examination, he was diagnosed with an ileal lipoma. There were no signs of malignancy. LECS was performed for the ileal tumor. After submucosal elevation by injecting saline solution, a mucosal incision was made circumferentially along the tumor. A full‐thickness incision was created endoscopically and laparoscopically on the circumferential mucosal incisional line. The tumor was withdrawn intraluminally by endoscopy. The defect of the ileal wall was closed laparoscopically in an axial direction with linear staplers. Histologically, the tumor was a 25‐mm ileal lipoma with negative resection margins and no malignancy.     

Multiple gastric gastrointestinal stromal tumors treated by laparoscopic‐endoscopic cooperative surgery: A case report

The typical treatment of choice for gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GIST) is surgical resection. Here we report a case of three GIST lesions resected safely by laparoscopic‐endoscopic cooperative surgery (LECS). A 78‐year‐old woman was referred to our hospital for further treatment of an enlarging gastric submucosal tumor. Esophagogastroduodenoscopy and endoscopic ultrasonography revealed two gastric submucosal tumors. Endoscopic ultrasonography‐guided fine needle aspiration was subsequently performed. The patient underwent LECS in accordance with therapeutic guidelines for GIST. Assisted by a laparoscope and using three trocars, a full‐thickness resection was performed endoscopically for the 3‐cm lesion and its nearby submucosal tumor, which was newly detected intraoperatively. The other lesion was also resected with an autosuture device under laparoscopy. No intraoperative or postoperative complications were observed. In LECS, endoscopic observation and resection can minimize gastric deformation and preserve gastric function. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first case of LECS performed on multiple GIST.     

Gastric volvulus with a large bochdalek hernia in an adult successfully treated with emergency endoscopic reduction followed by elective laparoscopic mesh repair: A case study

We report a case of gastric volvulus with a large Bochdalek hernia successfully treated with emergency endoscopic reduction followed by elective laparoscopic mesh repair. The patient was a 71‐year‐old woman with no history of trauma. She was referred to our hospital because of nausea and vomiting after eating. Thoracic and abdominal CT showed gastric volvulus and a large Bochdalek hernia. The patient underwent emergency endoscopic reduction and elective laparoscopic surgery. The defect (10 × 12 cm) was reinforced with a Dual Mesh (expanded polytetrafluoroethylene) and fixed to the diaphragm with nonabsorbable sutures. The postoperative course was uneventful, and no complications or recurrence was found at the 2‐year follow‐up. The endoscopic reduction and elective laparoscopic procedure was performed successfully and resulted in significant clinical improvement in this case.     

Laparoscopic sentinel node navigation surgery for early gastric cancer

The sentinel node (SN) concept has revolutionized how the surgical staging of both melanoma and breast cancer are approached. Applying this concept can yield benefits for the patient by avoiding various complications relating to unnecessary prophylactic regional lymph node dissection in cases with negative SN for cancer metastasis. Clinical application of SN mapping for early gastric cancer had been controversial for years. However, single institutional results of laparoscopic SN mapping for early gastric cancer are considered acceptable in terms of detection rate and accuracy in determining lymph node status. For early stage gastric cancer such as cT1N0M0 – in which a better prognosis was generally achieved through conventional surgical approaches – an individualized, minimally invasive surgery that might retain the patient's quality of life should be established as the next surgical challenge. Although there are many issues still to resolve, laparoscopic minimized gastrectomy with SN navigation surgery or combined endoscopic mucosal resection and endoscopic submucosal dissection has the potential to achieve this goal.     

Successful treatment of duodenal carcinoid tumor by laparoscopy-assisted endoscopic full-thickness resection with lymphadenectomy

Reports on endoscopic full-thickness resection of the duodenum using the endoscopic submucosal dissection technique are rare. Here we present a case of a duodenal bulb carcinoid tumor successfully treated by laparoscopy-assisted endoscopic full-thickness resection (LAEFR). An asymptomatic 65-year-old woman had a 10-mm, submucosal tumor on the anterior wall of the duodenal bulb. Abdominal CT revealed an enlarged lymph node adjacent to the duodenum and pancreas. Although we informed the patient of the need for pancreatoduodenectomy with a lymphadenectomy, the patient expressly requested LAEFR. After negative nodal metastasis was confirmed by an intraoperative frozen section of the enlarged nodes, LAEFR was performed using the endoscopic submucosal dissection technique under the laparoscopic assistance. The duodenal wall defect was closed by laparoscopy with an Albert anastomosis. The entire circumferential margin of the specimen was histopathologically negative for carcinoid tumor cells. In summary, LAEFR enables en bloc and whole-layer excision of nonperiampullary duodenal lesions with a sufficient surgical margin, both vertically and laterally. LAEFR is a minimally invasive and effective treatment for selected patients with duodenal carcinoid tumor.     

Gastric lymphatic basin dissection for sentinel node biopsy using hybrid natural orifice transluminal endoscopic surgery (NOTES)

Abstract

The aim of the present study was to describe a method of gastric lymphatic basin dissection for sentinel node biopsy using natural orifice transluminal endoscopic surgery with laparoscopic assistance (hybrid NOTES) in a porcine model. Lymph node dissection was performed in three healthy female domestic farm pigs (each around 40 kg) between October, 2007, and December, 2007. The pigs were administered a general anesthetic and laparoscopy-guided transvaginal colpotomy was performed. A two-channel endoscope was then inserted through the incision into the peritoneal cavity via the transvaginal route. An endoscope was inserted simultaneously into the mouth and indocyanine green solution was injected into the submucosal layer of the gastric wall at four sites. Dyed omentum and lymphatics were dissected using a laparoscopic dissector and the grasping forceps of a transvaginal endoscope. Lymphatics and omentum (mean 13.3 cm, range 8–20 cm) were removed transvaginally. The mean number of detected and resected sentinel nodes was 2.6 (range 1–4, diameter 2～12 mm). Sentinel lymphatic basin dissection was performed successfully and without intraoperative complications in all three cases. Hybrid NOTES is technically feasible, and this procedure may represent an alternative to laparoscopic sentinel lymph node dissection of the stomach.     

Laparoscopic reduced port surgery for schwannoma of the sigmoid colon: A case report

A 74‐year‐old woman who developed schwannoma of the sigmoid colon was referred to our hospital for colonography to determine the cause of her stool occult blood. Colonoscopy revealed a submucosal tumor, which measured 3 cm in diameter, in the sigmoid colon. Endoscopic ultrasonography revealed a low echoic, homogeneous and demarcated submucosal tumor that continued into the fourth layer of the colonic wall. Gastrointestinal stromal, myogenic or neurogenic tumor was suspected, and thus, laparoscopic sigmoidectomy was carried out. We used two ports during the operation, a SILS Port in the umbilical region and a 12‐mm port in the right lower abdominal wall, and performed sigmoidectomy with D2 lymph node dissection. Histological findings revealed spindle‐like tumor cells with multiform nuclei. The tumor was diagnosed by immunostaining as benign schwannoma of the sigmoid colon. The conventional surgical treatment for schwannoma of the digestive tract is partial resection, but if preoperative diagnosis is unknown, radical resection with lymphadenectomy is acceptable for submucosal tumors in the digestive tract. In this case, laparoscopic reduced port surgery using only one or two ports may be more feasible and beneficial with regard to cosmesis and reduced postoperative pain than conventional laparoscopic colectomy.     

Laparoscopic surgery for an esophageal duplication cyst using a near‐infrared indocyanine green fluorescence system: A case report

We herein describe a case of laparoscopic surgery for an esophageal duplication cyst using a near‐infrared indocyanine green fluorescence system. A 64‐year‐old woman with a cystic tumor adjacent to the esophagogastric junction was referred to our hospital for treatment. Esophagogastroduodenoscopy and abdominal CT revealed a 70‐mm submucosal tumor derived from the abdominal esophagus. We performed laparoscopic resection and then evaluated the tissue perfusion of the abdominal esophagus by using a near‐infrared indocyanine green fluorescence system. A Dor fundoplication was performed to prevent postoperative gastroesophageal reflux disease and reinforce the mucosal layer defect. The postoperative course was uneventful, and pathological evaluation confirmed that the tumor was an esophageal duplication cyst. The patient did not develop recurrence in the 24 months after surgery. We have demonstrated that laparoscopic resection of an esophageal duplication cyst may be performed effectively with intraoperative assessment of tissue perfusion using a near‐infrared indocyanine green fluorescence system.     

Laparoscopic dissection for pelvic lymph node recurrence of thymic carcinoma: A case report

Thymic carcinoma, a rare mediastinal neoplasm, is characterized by extensive local invasion and distant metastasis. To our knowledge, this is the first case report demonstrating the efficacy of laparoscopic dissection for pelvic lymph node metastases from thymic carcinoma. A 64‐year‐old man was found to have a mediastinal mass by CT and underwent radical resection. Six months after resection of his thymic carcinoma, follow‐up CT revealed a gluteal tumor and enlarged pelvic lymph nodes. The gluteal tumor was resected percutaneously. Two months after this procedure, PET showed that the three pelvic lymph nodes had abnormal uptake of ¹⁸F‐fluorodeoxyglucose and had enlarged further. The patient accordingly underwent laparoscopic dissection of these lymph nodes. Pathological examination of all resected specimens showed metastatic thymic carcinoma. We recommend laparoscopic dissection of pelvic lymph node metastases because it provides a clear intraoperative view and is minimally invasive.     

Laparoscopic subtotal proctocolectomy for synchronous triple colorectal cancers: a case report

A 42‐year‐old woman presented with abdominal pain. On the basis of CT results, we diagnosed her condition as bowel obstruction caused by advanced transverse colon cancer. Colonoscopy findings showed three lesions: (i) an advanced tumor in the transverse colon; (ii) a laterally spreading descending colon tumor; and (iii) a rectal polyp. The tumors and the polyp were all pathologically diagnosed as adenocarcinoma. After inserting a self‐expanding metallic stent into the main tumor of the transverse colon to decompress the bowel, we performed endoscopic submucosal dissection of the laterally spreading descending colon tumor. Pathological examination results showed submucosal invasion and a positive margin. Because we endoscopically identified that the rectal polyp was invading the submucosa, we performed laparoscopic subtotal proctocolectomy and ileorectal anastomosis with lymph node dissection along the surgical trunk; we also performed central vascular ligation of the ileocolic artery, right and left branches of the middle colic artery, and inferior mesenteric artery. The patient's postoperative course was uneventful. We present this case because there have been few reports on laparoscopic subtotal or total proctocolectomy for synchronous multiple colorectal cancers.     

Laparoscopic resection of a dumbbell‐shaped lipoma extending through the obturator foramen: A case report

Lipomas are often lightweight and small in size with few subjective symptoms. Giant lipomas are uncommon. We herein report a case involving a giant, deep‐seated dumbbell‐shaped intermuscular lipoma in the right thigh that extended into the pelvic region through the obturator foramen and caused obturator neuropathy. A 64‐year‐old man with numbness while walking was diagnosed with a 17 × 16‐cm lipomatous tumor. He underwent radical surgery performed by a multidisciplinary team consisting of orthopedic and colorectal surgeons. High‐definition magnified laparoscopic images of the deep pelvis confirmed that tumor had infiltrated the obturator nerve. The tumor was completely resected with the obturator nerve. Six months after surgical resection, the patient had no gait disturbance or evidence of recurrence. The laparoscopic approach for this kind of complicated deep pelvic surgery was safe and feasible when performed by colorectal surgeon with ample knowledge of the pelvic anatomy.     

Laparoscopic high anterior resection for rectal cancer with rare variations of the left renal vessels: A case report

We present a case of rectal cancer with rare variations of the left renal vessels. A man in his 60s underwent endoscopic mucosal resection for an Ip‐type lesion in the upper rectum. Histologically, the lesion was a well‐differentiated adenocarcinoma that had invaded the deep submucosal layer. Therefore, additional resection of the rectum with regional lymph node dissection was recommended. Preoperative CT revealed rare variations of the left renal vessels. There were two left renal arteries and veins; the caudal left renal artery and vein were located between the inferior mesenteric artery and the abdominal aorta. During the operation, these renal vessels were confirmed, and laparoscopic high anterior resection was performed safely without any injury to these renal vessels. To avoid the risk of unexpected intraoperative injuries, it is important to preoperatively check whether there are any variations in the renal vessels, even before colorectal surgery.     

Salvage treatment of laparoscopic cholecystectomy‐associated bile duct stenosis combining laparoscopic and endoscopic procedures: A case report

The incidence of laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC)‐associated bile duct injury has reached a steady state despite learning curve effect. Herein we report the case of a 74‐year‐old Japanese man who suffered from bile duct stenosis and stones after LC. The stenosis was due to stricture caused by surgical clips used inappropriately during LC. We planned a salvage treatment combining laparoscopic and endoscopic approaches. At laparoscopic observation, the clips had already invaded the right side of the bile duct; minimal absorbable suture was performed after all the clips were removed. The bile duct stenosis was then endoscopically dilated and the biliary stones were successfully removed. For the recurrent biliary stenosis after discharge, endoscopic balloon dilation was performed and multiple plastic stent tubes were placed. The stent tubes were removed 4 months later, and the patient has had no symptoms for 1 year. A combined laparoscopic and endoscopic approach was useful for the salvage treatment of LC‐associated bile duct stenosis.     

Minimally invasive abdominal and left thoracic approach for esophagogastric junction adenocarcinoma with esophageal diverticulum: A case report

Controversy remains regarding the optimal resection approach for Siewert type II adenocarcinoma of the esophagogastric junction (EGJ). Furthermore, an esophageal diverticulum, although rare, can complicate surgical procedures. Herein, we report a case of EGJ adenocarcinoma with an esophageal diverticulum that was treated using the minimally invasive abdominal and left thoracic approach (MALTA). A 72‐year‐old man, with EGJ adenocarcinoma and an epiphrenic diverticulum on esophagogastroduodenoscopy underwent endoscopic submucosal dissection. The pathological diagnosis of the specimen revealed invasion to the lymphatic vessels. Therefore, laparoscopic proximal gastrectomy and thoracoscopic lower esophagectomy with D1 lymph node dissection and double‐tract reconstruction of the esophageal diverticulum were performed via MALTA. The patient was discharged without any postoperative morbidity. MALTA provides good visualization for the transection of the lower esophagus in cases of esophageal diverticulum. Moreover, MALTA for adenocarcinoma of the EGJ is technically feasible, even with the presence of a lower esophageal diverticulum.     

Endoscopic diagnosis of early-stage primary esophageal small cell carcinoma: Report of two cases

BACKGROUNDPrimary esophageal small cell carcinoma (PESCC) is a highly aggressive malignancy, and its detailed clinical behaviors have remained virtually unknown. Because of the rapid tumor progression, the diagnosis of esophageal small cell carcinoma at early stage is extremely difficult in clinical practice. Currently, only a handful of PESCC cases have been reported.CASE SUMMARYCase 1: A 62-year-old man was diagnosed with an esophageal submucosal tumor by endoscopy. Endoscopic ultrasonography showed a 0.8 cm low echo nodule in the muscularis mucosa. As the patient refused to undergo endoscopic resection, neoplasia was detected by endoscopy 1 year later. Case 2: A 68-year-old woman was diagnosed as having an esophageal submucosal tumor by endoscopy at a local hospital. About 2 wk later, we performed endoscopic ultrasonography and found a 1 cm low echo nodule in the muscularis mucosa; the submucosal was thinner than normal but still continuous; mucosal hyperemia and erosion were found on the surface of the tumor. Endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) was performed and the histopathological finding showed a small cell carcinoma invading the submucosal layer.CONCLUSIONEarly esophageal small cell carcinoma shows submucosal infiltrating growth with a hypoechoic mass in the muscularis mucosa as diagnosed by endoscopic ultrasonography. It is easily misdiagnosed as submucosal masses. Endoscopic manifestations should be identified and pathological biopsies should be employed. ESD may be performed to provide an opportunity for early treatment of PESCC.     

改良的圈套器行内镜黏膜下剥离术切除结直肠息肉及黏膜下肿瘤的疗效评价

目的探讨改良的圈套器行内镜黏膜下剥离术(ESD)切除结直肠息肉及黏膜下肿瘤的安全性、有效性。方法回顾性研究2014年12月-2016年5月利用改良的圈套器完成ESD切除结直肠息肉、神经内分泌肿瘤(NETs)和间质瘤患者的临床资料,探讨改良的圈套器进行ESD术治疗结直肠病变的安全性、有效性、治疗时间和并发症等,并与HOOK刀完成ESD术进行比较。结果共20例病例24处入选并完成ESD术,其中16例病例共20处病灶均顺利完成改良的圈套器行ESD术(实验组),4例病灶采用传统HOOK刀完成ESD术(对照组)。两组手术成功率均为100.0%,病灶整块切除率100.0%(24/24);实验组息肉长径为1.2~4.0 cm,平均长径(2.4±0.9)cm,对照组息肉长径为1.5~3.0 cm,平均长径(2.2±0.6)cm;实验组手术时间为45.0~120.0 min,平均时间(83.3±23.9)min,对照组手术时间45.0~80.0 min,平均时间(66.2±15.4)min,与对照组比较,实验组耗时长,差异具有统计学意义(P=0.038)。术后病理:结直肠腺瘤15例(其中3例腺瘤伴局部腺体高级别上皮内瘤变),增生性息肉1例,高级别上皮内瘤变1例,NETs 2例共4处病灶,间质瘤1例,两组中除1例来源于固有肌层间质瘤全层切除术以外,无1例出现出血、穿孔、感染等并发症,无1例术中、术后转外科治疗。结论改良的单圈套器能够安全、有效地完成ESD术切除巨大结直肠息肉及黏膜下肿瘤,拓展了圈套器在内镜切除术中的使用方法及适应证,但需要更长时间来完成手术。     

内镜切除术与腹腔镜切除术治疗非微小胃间质瘤的对比研究

目的 对比分析内镜下切除和腹腔镜手术切除非微小胃间质瘤（直径大于1 cm且小于5 cm）的疗效及安全性。方法 回顾性分析2012年1月－2017年12月在苏州大学附属第一医院和苏州大学附属张家港医院行内镜下切除和外科腹腔镜手术治疗、并经术后病理及免疫组化确诊为非微小胃间质瘤患者的临床资料。根据手术方式将患者分为内镜切除组和腹腔镜手术组,比较两组患者术后住院时间、并发症、治愈性切除率等。结果 内镜切除组术后进食时间、术后排气时间、住院时间较腹腔镜手术组短,住院费用较腹腔镜手术组少,两组患者比较,差异有统计学意义（均P < 0.05）。术后对所有患者进行随访,内镜切除组平均随访时间为32个月,有1例出现复发;腹腔镜手术组平均随访时间为35个月,有1例出现复发,1例出现转移,两组患者比较,差异无统计学意义（P > 0.05）。结论 内镜下切除直径大于1 cm且小于5 cm的非微小胃间质瘤,具有肿瘤切除率高、术后恢复快、并发症少等优势,且与腹腔镜手术相比,复发率无明显差异。     

Successful resection of cellular angiofibroma in the retroperitoneum by using laparoscopic approach

Retroperitoneal cellular angiofibroma (RCA) is very rare, and the optimal treatment for RCA has not been established. We report the case of RCA in a 58‐year‐old man who underwent curative laparoscopy‐assisted resection. Preoperative computed tomography showed heterogeneous enhancement of the 7 cm diameter tumor in the pelvis. A smaller (2.3 cm) mass was also detected in the small intestine. The preoperative diagnosis was peritoneal metastasis of the gastrointestinal tumor of the small intestine. The pelvic tumor was laparoscopically mobilized from the rectum, the left ureter, and the left internal iliac vessels. The tumor was excised by detachment from the urinary bladder in laparotomy. The pathological diagnosis was RCA. The tumor had not recurred by the 1‐year follow‐up. The laparoscopic approach thus might be useful for resection of RCA.