Modified Cattell's reconstruction with pancreaticogastrostomy following pylorus-preserving pancreaticoduodenectomy for a patient with gastroptosis

Gastroptosis is a condition in which the stomach is enlarged and located in an abnormally low position, which impedes normal stomach function. A patient with gastroptosis has equivocal complaints such as nausea, stomach fullness and abdominal pain. Pylorus-preserving pancreaticoduodenectomy (PPPD) has a better outcome than the Whipple procedure in terms of operative mortality and morbidity, and postoperative nutritional state. However, delayed gastric emptying (DGE) is frequently observed after PPPD. If PPPD is performed for a patient with gastroptosis, the risk of postsurgical DGE may increase. Therefore, we have developed a modified Cattell's reconstruction with pancreaticogastrostomy (PG) after PPPD to prevent DGE in a patient with gastroptosis and adenocarcinoma of the ampulla of Vater.     

A new surgical technique of transduodenal pancreatic juice drainage prevents pancreatic fistula following distal pancreatectomy

Although, a variety of techniques have been described to reduce the risk of postoperative pancreatic fistula, there is no consensus on appropriate technique for closure of the pancreatic remnant after distal pancreatectomy. We developed a new surgical technique, transduodenal pancreatic juice drainage, for preventing postoperative pancreatic fistula. The procedure involves a transduodenal approach. A pancreatic stent was inserted into the main pancreatic duct from the papilla of Vater to its the distal side, and continuous suction drainage was performed. The pancreatic parenchyma was divided using a knife, and the main pancreatic duct was ligated. The cut surface of the remaining pancreas was closed by hand suturing. This procedure was performed on 10 patients, and none of them developed clinical postoperative pancreatic fistula. We consider our transduodenal pancreatic juice drainage technique to be an effective procedure for preventing postoperative pancreatic fistula in patients who have undergone distal pancreatectomy.     

Open abdominal surgery with mesh and zipper for superior mesenteric artery occlusion

Intestinal infarction caused by superior mesenteric arterial occlusion (SMAO) often requires massive resection of the necrotic bowel. However, this procedure frequently causes the short bowel syndrome. To avoid the development of this syndrome, it is important to conserve as much of the remnant bowel as possible. However, SMAO frequently occurs in patients with atrial fibrillation; even if the operation saves the patient's life, the risk of disease recurrence remains. We developed a novel open abdominal surgical technique involving the use of a mesh with a zipper to monitor the blood flow around the primary anastomosis created during the initial operation. Here, we described this technique and the postoperative management procedures and evaluate the efficiency of the technique.     

Primary lateral sclerosis: Upper‐motor‐predominant amyotrophic lateral sclerosis with frontotemporal lobar degeneration – immunohistochemical and biochemical analyses of TDP‐43

Primary lateral sclerosis (PLS) is clinically defined as a disorder selectively affecting the upper motor neuron (UMN) system. However, recently it has also been considered that PLS is heterogeneous in its clinical presentation. To elucidate the association of PLS, or disorders mimicking PLS, with 43‐kDa TAR DNA‐binding protein (TDP‐43) abnormality, we examined two adult patients with motor neuron disease, which clinically was limited almost entirely to the UMN system, and was followed by progressive frontotemporal atrophy. In the present study, the distribution and severity, and biochemical profile of phosphorylated TDP‐43 (pTDP‐43) in the brains and spinal cords were examined immunohistochemically and biochemically. Pathologically, in both cases, frontotemporal lobar degeneration with ubiquitin inclusions (FTLD‐U) was evident, with the most severe degeneration in the motor cortex. An important feature in both cases was the presence of Bunina bodies and/or ubiquitin inclusions, albeit very rarely, in the well preserved lower motor neurons. The amygdala and neostriatum were also affected. pTDP‐43 immunohistochemistry revealed the presence of many positively stained neuronal cytoplamic inclusions (NCIs) and dystrophic neurites/neuropil threads in the affected frontotemporal cortex and subcortical gray matter. By contrast, such pTDP‐43 lesions, including NCIs, were observed in only a few lower motor neurons. pTDP‐43 immunoblotting revealed that fragments of ～25‐kDa were present in the cortices, but not in the spinal cord in both cases. Genetically, neither of the patients had any mutation in the TDP‐43 gene. In conclusion, we consider that although PLS may be a clinically significant disease entity, at autopsy, the majority of such clinical cases would present as upper‐motor‐predominant amyotrophic lateral sclerosis with FTLD‐TDP.     

Promising role of D-amino acids in irritable bowel syndrome

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is an important health care concern. Alterations in the microbiota of the gut-brain axis may be linked to the pathophysiology of IBS. Some dietary intake could contribute to produce various metabolites including D-amino acids by the fermentation by the gut microbiota. D-amino acids are the enantiomeric counterparts of L-amino acids, in general, which could play key roles in cellular physiological processes against various oxidative stresses. Therefore, the presence of D-amino acids has been shown to be linked to the protection of several organs in the body. In particular, the gut microbiota could play significant roles in the stability of emotion via the action of D-amino acids. Here, we would like to shed light on the roles of D-amino acids, which could be used for the treatment of IBS.