Ability of Laparoscopic Gastric Mobilization to Prevent Pulmonary Complications After Open Thoracotomy or Thoracoscopic Esophagectomy for Esophageal Cancer: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

World Journal of Surgery - Esophagectomy has a high risk of postoperative morbidity, and pulmonary complications are the most common causes of serious morbidity. Thoracoscopic esophagectomy has...     

Clinical value of serum bone resorption markers for predicting clinical outcomes after use of bone modifying agents in metastatic bone tumors: A prospective cohort study

Bone modifying agents (BMAs) have become a standard treatment to prevent skeletal-related events (SREs) in bone metastases (BMs). The aim of our study is to determine the clinical value of serum bone resorption markers for predicting clinical outcomes after using BMAs in patients with BM. Patients were enrolled between May 2013 and October 2017 at the Nagoya University Hospital, Japan. We prospectively observed changes in pyridinoline cross-linked carboxyterminal telopeptide of type I collagen (ICTP) and tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase 5b (TRACP-5b) during treatment with BMAs. The relationship between serum markers before and after treatment and clinical outcomes such as progression of bone disease (BD), SREs and overall survival (OS) were evaluated. Pearson chi-square test and Kaplan–Meier product limit methods were used for analysis. Sixty-seven patients were analyzed. The primary tumor sites were 21 lung, 16 breast and 30 others. Forty and 27 patients were treated with Denosumab and Zoledronic acid, respectively. Progression of BDs, SREs and death were observed in 10, 16 and 31 cases, respectively. The median follow-up period after using BMAs was 12.3 (range 0.3–66.3) months. ICTP at 3–4 weeks was significantly correlated with increasing BD progression, SREs and death after treatment in both the whole and lung cancer cohorts. Base line ICTP and TRACP-5b were also associated with increasing BD progression in the whole cohort. Our study showed that early posttreatment ICTP is useful for predicting BD progression, SREs and OS after use of BMAs in patients with BM and even in patients with lung cancer BM.     

Enormous Aneurysm in Coronary Artery Fistula With Immunoglobulin G4–Related Disease

We report the first case of coronary artery fistula with aneurysmal change in a patient with immunoglobulin G4–related disease (IgG4-RD). This case revealed concomitant coronary artery dilation, pericardial inflammatory nodules, and coronary–pulmonary fistula aneurysm in addition to several IgG4-RD lesions. Each of these features was located in close proximity to the thickened pericardium. These lesions might result from inflammation of the pericardial space, which extended to the coronary–pulmonary artery vessels, leading to aneurysmal formation. This case will enhance our understanding of the pathological mechanisms of IgG4-RD inflammation.     

Pulmonary thrombosis associated with antidiuretic hormone replacement therapy due to secondary diabetes insipidus after traumatic brain injury: A case report

INTRODUCTIONDiabetes insipidus is a well-recognized complication of traumatic brain injury. The majority of patients with post-traumatic diabetes insipidus will require antidiuretic hormone (ADH) replacement therapy and tend to show dehydration. On the other hand, some negative effects of ADH on blood coagulation, such as increased platelet cohesion and the promotion of von Willebrand factor release, have also been reported. However, the incidence of thrombosis during antidiuretic hormone replacement therapy is disputed.PRESENTATION OF CASEA case of pulmonary thrombosis associated with ADH replacement therapy due to secondary diabetes insipidus after traumatic brain injury is presented here.DISCUSSIONIn our case, there were three factors that may have contributed to the observed thrombosis (dehydration, bed rest for a long period and ADH replacement therapy).CONCLUSIONWe believe that controlling urinary output and monitoring urinary and serum osmotic pressure are necessary for the management for diabetes insipidus patients after traumatic brain injury. In particular, we must carefully monitor the management of such patients during antidiuretic hormone replacement therapy.     

Does pre-operative physical rehabilitation improve the functional outcomes of patients undergoing gastrointestinal cancer surgery?

[Purpose] This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of pre-operative physical rehabilitation on the postoperative course of the patients with gastrointestinal cancer undergoing surgery. [Participants and Methods] A rehabilitation physician examined and educated 33 patients (42% of whom were male with a mean age of 65.2 ± 10.9 years) who were scheduled to undergo elective surgery for gastrointestinal cancer. They received instructions for performing exercise from a physical therapist 17.0 ± 7.3 days prior to surgery. We divided the participants into three groups (improvement, maintenance, and deterioration) based on the changes in their ability to walk prior to surgery. This study compared the results of the 6-min walk test, hospital anxiety and depression scale, and 36-Item Short-Form Health Survey version 2 for the three groups at baseline, following rehabilitation prior to surgery, and 4 weeks following surgery. [Results] In the improvement group, the decrease in the ability to walk between the baseline and 4 weeks after surgery was not significant. Conversely, the deterioration group exhibited a significant decrease in the ability to walk 4 weeks after surgery. [Conclusion] Improvement in walking ability by rehabilitation training prior to surgery leads to the preservation of physical function in the patients with gastrointestinal cancer undergoing surgery.Key words: Gastrointestinal cancer surgery, Physical function, Pre-operative physical rehabilitation     

A novel and innovative paper-based analytical device for assessing tear lactoferrin of dry eye patients

Purpose

To elucidate the correlation between lactoferrin concentration in the tear film and signs and symptoms of severe dry eye disease (DED) using a novel microfluidic paper-based analytical device (μPAD) and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).