The feasibility of laparoscopic extended pelvic surgery for rectal cancer

Purpose

The present study aimed to assess the safety and feasibility of laparoscopic extended pelvic surgery for primary or recurrent rectal cancer.

Methods

The data on 77 patients, who underwent extended pelvic surgery between February 2008 and June 2014, were retrospectively analyzed. The patients were divided, based on their treatment history, into an open surgery (OS) group (n = 41) and a laparoscopic surgery (LS) group (n = 36).

Results

The operative time in the LS group was significantly longer than that in the OS group (766 vs. 561 min; p < 0.001). In contrast, the LS group was associated with a significantly lower volume of intraoperative blood loss (195 vs. 923 ml; p < 0.001), fluid balance (5.38 vs. 8.23 ml/kg/h; p < 0.001) and rate of complications (40.0 vs. 68.3 %; p = 0.035), and a significantly shorter postoperative hospital stay. The postoperative levels of colloid osmotic pressure and albumin were significantly higher in the LS group.

Conclusion

The operative time of the LS group was longer than that of the OS group; however, the LS group experienced less blood loss and fewer complications. Moreover, LS was associated with a reduction in intraoperative infusions and a reduced fluid balance, which maintained homeostasis.

     

CD133 Expression at the Metastatic Site Predicts Patients’ Outcome in Colorectal Cancer with Synchronous Liver Metastasis

Background

CD133 is a transmembrane protein that is proposed to be a stem cell marker of colorectal cancer (CRC); however, the correlation between CD133 expression and survival of CRC patients with liver metastasis has not been fully examined.

Methods

CD133 expression was evaluated immunohistochemically, both in primary tumors and synchronous liver metastases of 88 consecutive CRC patients, as well as recurrent lesions in the remnant liver of 27 of these 88 patients. The relationship between CD133 expression and clinicopathological characteristics, recurrence-free survival, and overall survival (OS) was analyzed.

Results

CD133 expression in liver metastases (mCD133) was detected in 50 of 88 patients (56.8 %), and had significant correlation with CD133 expression in primary lesions (pCD133) (p < 0.001). CD133 expression in liver recurrent lesions (recCD133) also had a significant correlation with mCD133 (p < 0.001). mCD133+ patients had significantly longer disease-free survival (p = 0.043) and OS (p = 0.014) than mCD133? patients. In addition, mCD133+ patients had a significantly lower rate of extrahepatic recurrence (p < 0.001).

Conclusions

Patients without CD133 expression in liver metastasis had significantly shorter survival, perhaps because mCD133? patients had a significantly higher rate of extrahepatic recurrence.

     

Selection of grip function in double free gracilis transfer procedures after complete paralysis of the brachial plexus

Double free gracilis transfer (DFGT) procedures introduced by Doi et al have resulted in significant improvement in maintaining functional prehensile hand after total brachial plexus injury (TBPI). However, not all patients with satisfactory recovery of finger motion could improve their prehensile function. The use of reconstructed hand in daily activities was examined retrospectively to plan individual grip function, depending on the patient's own demand.Thirty patients who had had reconstruction with DFGT procedures were evaluated retrospectively according to total active motion (TAM), power grip, hook grip, and pinch function. Power grip was evaluated by holding a bottle and hook grip by lifting a weight. Only 11 patients (36%) had very light pulp-to-pulp pinch, 11 (36%) had power grip, and 25 (83%) had hook grip. The mean weight that could be carried by hook grip was 1.3 kg. The mean TAM was 43 degrees. Pain sensation was the only encouraging sensation recovery, radiating to the chest.Fine movements of the hand like pinching require well-developed exquisite control of movements. TBPI patients have the contralateral normal limb, which they always prefer, only using their reconstructed hand when the activity requires both hands, such as when holding a bottle to open its cap or lifting bags when the contralateral normal hand is already engaged. For performance of these actions, hook grip and power grip are the useful prehensile hand functions that can be obtained after DFGT. Selection of grip functions should be done according to patient needs, and the late-stage reconstructive hand operations should be decided according to preferred grip function.     

Local intraarterial fibrinolysis in central retinal artery occlusion: case report

The authors report a case of local intraarterial fibrinolysis (LIF) in central retinal artery occlusion (CRAO). A 79-year-old man with stenosis of the left internal carotid artery (ICA) suffered sudden loss of vision in his left eye. LIF was carried out using a microcatheter in the origin of the ophthalmic artery on the side of the CRAO. Treatment was performed with 120,000 IU of urokinase. After LIF, marked improvement of vision was established. No complication occurred during LIF. One month later, carotid artery stenting was performed for the left ICA stenosis. We consider LIF in CRAO is effective treatment.     

Follow-up for patients with obstructive sleep apnea syndrome using a portable recording device

A home screening device, LT-200, can record data on both breathing conditions and body positions during sleep for up to 3 consecutive days in patients with obstructive sleep apnea (OSAS). We investigated the usefulness of the LT-200 device for follow-up of OSAS. Eighteen patients (age 51.0 +/- 10.8 years, mean +/- SD) were enrolled in this study. Standard polysomnography (PSG) was performed on all patients. The number of apnea/hypopnea episodes per hour (apnea/hypopnea index: AHI), the total time that nocturnal oxygen saturation was < 90% (oxygen desaturation time: ODT), and the minimum oxygen saturation during sleep (lowest Spo2) were calculated. We used the LT-200 and PSG to evaluate any improvement in the data obtained after auto-continuous positive airway pressure (auto-CPAP) therapy. AHI was also measured using the LT-200 in three sleep positions to evaluate the efficacy of the lateral position. AHI, ODT, and lowest Spo2 values did not differ significantly between the PSG and LT-200 recordings on the control and therapy nights. The LT-200 recordings showed that AHI, ODT, and lowest Spo2 tended to be better on the second night of auto-CPAP therapy than on the first. AHI was significantly lower in the right and left lateral sleep positions than that in the supine position. Our findings suggest that since the LT-200 device provides important information about the severity of OSAS, the efficacy of auto-CPAP therapy, and body position under unattended conditions in the home. It may prove to be a useful tool for following up patients.     

Predictive Factors for the Development or Regression of Fatty Liver in Japanese Adults

Fatty liver is commonly associated with alcohol or metabolic syndrome. We aimed to examine the longitudinal aspects of fatty liver, and clarify the independent predictors for the development or regression of fatty liver. In the present study, the clinical features of 1578 Japanese adults (1208 men and 370 women; 35 to 69 years of age) who visited our center both in 2000 and 2007–2008 were recorded and compared, including liver status diagnosed by ultrasonography. Of the 1578 participants, 217 (13.8%) showed fatty liver development, and 74 (4.7%) showed fatty liver regression. Logistic regression analysis revealed that body mass index and percentage body fat were strongly associated with the development or regression of fatty liver. Metabolic syndrome-related disorders such as serum levels of total cholesterol, triglyceride, uric acid, and fasting blood glucose were also associated with clinical course to some degree. However, the history of alcohol intake, the presence of metabolic syndrome, blood pressure, and habitual physical exercise were not independent predictors for the development or regression of fatty liver. Our present data suggest that control of body weight in men and the percentage body fat in women are particularly important for the prevention or treatment of fatty liver.     

Legionella pneumonia which occurred in a private whirlpool bath user

A 88 year old female with active rheumatoid arthritis treated by low dose of prednisolone and methotrexate was admitted to our hospital because of severe bilateral pulmonary infiltration and acute respiratory distress syndrome. On admission, she had consciousness disturbance and was intubated because of severe respiratory failure. We heard from her family of her habit she had taking a private whirlpool bath 2 or 3 times everyday. So, we suspected a Legionella pneumophila infection. We started intravenous erythromycin (EM) (1,500mg/day) and methylprednisolone pulse therapy (1,000mg x 3days) and full controlled mechanical ventilation supported with PEEP. Her respiratory failure was gradually improved and she was discharged on the 44 the hospital day. Legionella pneumophila (serogroup 6) was isolated in her sputum by B-CYE alpha culture. Legionella pneumophila (serogroup 6) was isolated in her private whirlpool bath too. Both samples revealed the same by genetic analysis with pulse field gel electrophoresis (PFGE). This is the first adult case of Legionella pneumophila pneumonia infected from a private whirlpool bath confirmed by genetic analysis. We should always suspect Legionella pneumonia as one of the severe community-acquired pneumonia, because Legionella pneumophila were frequently detected among various water sources including the private whirlpool bath.     

Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy with progression from apical hypertrophy to asymmetrical septal hypertrophy: a case report

A 41-year-old man was referred to our hospital for further examination because of abnormal electrocardiography findings at a health-check examination. Transthoracic echocardiography showed left ventricular hypertrophy confined to the most distal portion of the left ventricle, which is a typical feature of apical hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. Ten years later, he was again admitted for the evaluation of chest pain. Echocardiography showed asymmetrical septal hypertrophy in addition to apical hypertrophy. These findings demonstrate morphologic evolution in hypertrophic cardiomyopathy from apical hypertrophy to asymmetrical septal hypertrophy.