ENDOSCOPIC SUBMUCOSAL DISSECTION FOR RECURRENT GASTRIC TUMORS

Endoscopic resection has been accepted as the standard treatment for intramucosal gastric tumors of differentiated type. However, the indication was limited to small tumors to achieve en bloc resection and prevent local recurrence in cases of conventional endoscopic mucosal resection (EMR) such as the strip biopsy and the cap technique. To avoid multi‐fragmental resection, we have developed endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) as a new endoscopic resection technique. ESD is a remarkable technique, because we make it possible to remove the lesions en bloc regardless of size, shape, coexisting ulcer, and location. However, it is difficult or impossible to resect recurrent tumors en bloc in conventional EMR owing to hard fibrosis, and some patients need laparotomy. Using ESD, we can dissect the submucosal layer as we directly look at the submucosa, and remove the lesion safely and reliably even in cases of hard fibrosis. The key to treatment of recurrent tumors in ESD are as follows: (i) using enough submucosal injection solution (we use a mixture of Glyceol and 1% 1900 kDa hyaluronic acid preparation); (ii) incising the mucosa without fibrosis; (iii) understanding characteristics of various cutting devices, and changing other devices in difficult situations. In these ways we can remove the majority of the recurrent tumors en bloc. Hence, we consider that ESD is a very effective treatment which achieves excellent en bloc and complete resection rates and enables patients with intramucosal gastric tumors to a recurrent‐free survival even in recurrent tumors.     

INTRAOPERATIVE BLEEDING IN ENDOSCOPIC SUBMUCOSAL DISSECTION IN THE STOMACH AND STRATEGY FOR PREVENTION AND TREATMENT

To control intraoperative bleeding is an important key to successful endoscopic submucosal dissection. The distribution of submucosal vessels encountered during the procedure differ in places in the stomach and are roughly categorized into three groups: those located in the antrum, those in the lesser curvature, and those on the anteroposterior corpus wall which consists of oblique muscle layers. Therefore, knowledge of a suitable setting of diathermy and adjusted depth of dissection in the submucosal layer for each site is imperative. The combination of utilizing the distal attachment forced or swift coagulation (trimming with coagulation mode) have enable the treatment with an insulation tipped knife safer.     

Symptoms, diagnosis and endoscopic management of common bile duct stones

Symptomatic BDS commonly cause significant morbidity and attempt at stone removal should be attempted if possible. Complications of CBDS include biliary colic, jaundice, cholangitis and pancreatitis. Investigations aimed to predict the presence of stones within the bile duct include serum bilirubin, AST, ALP, common bile duct diameter and age as independent predictors of choledocholithiasis. TUS is a sensitive test in detecting bile duct dilatation but the sensitivity is reduced in its ability to detect choledocholithiasis. A NIH consensus statement found that ERC, MRC and EUS were comparable in their sensitivities, specificities and accuracy rates for detection of choledocholithiasis. ERC and stone removal using a balloon or basket is often performed following EST. EBD may be performed if patients have uncorrected coagulopathies but the risk of pancreatitis is higher than for EST (although the risk of bleeding complications is lower for EBD). ML is often required in difficult to remove CBDS and using this device, CBDS can be removed in 90–95% of cases. Other forms of lithotripsy including laser lithotripsy and EHL are confined to specialised centres and the evidence for their use is based on small studies. ESWL may clear stones from the bile duct in up to 93% of patients but frequently ERC and stone fragment removal is required post ESWL. The role of medical therapy in difficult to remove CBDS (or in CBDS in patients with severe co-morbid illness preventing ERC + stone removal) is still currently uncertain due to a lack of large randomised control trials.     

Anatomy and pathophysiology of the popliteal tendon area in the lateral meniscus: 1. Arthroscopic and anatomical investigation

An arthroscopic and anatomical investigation was performed to define the abnormal conditions of the popliteal tendon area in a lateral meniscus. Arthroscopic findings for 100 patients and anatomical observations of 10 amputated knees were analyzed. Five of the 10 dissected menisci were also examined histologically. Menisco-tibial coronary ligaments were classified into two types, as follows: type I--a coronary ligament covering an entire popliteal tendon beneath the meniscus; type II--a popliteal tendon visible beneath the meniscus through defects of the coronary ligament. Twenty-one of 100 cases were classified as type I, and 79 were classified as type II. Three of the 10 anatomical dissections were type I, and the remaining 7 were type II. Menisci in which the type I coronary ligaments were thought to be torn and menisci with type II coronary ligaments showed a rather marked mobility, but no conclusion could be reached.     

Localized wall thickening of the gallbladder mimicking a neoplasm

Clinical diagnosis of chronic cholecystitis is made based on diffuse hyperechoic thickening of the gallbladder wall as shown by ultrasonographic examination. We herein report three cases of chronic cholecystitis showing localized hypoechoic thickening of the gallbladder wall that mimicked gallbladder cancer by ultrasonography. Histologically, hypertrophy of the muscularis propria was a common characteristic finding in these three patients. A smooth surface of the inner hypoechoic layer of the thickened wall was considered to be a reliable finding in the differential diagnosis between this type of chronic cholecystitis and gallbladder cancer.     

质疑Frank—Starling心脏定律

心脏收缩释放的能量（作功）是心肌纤维长度（心室舒张末期容积，EDV）的函数，即Frank—Star一1ing（FS）心脏作功定律，被誉为心脏生理学中的“经典”理论。对此，笔者从各种不同角度进行了探讨：首先分析了Frank伸展离体心肌和Starling及其同事使用心肺制备做的实验与动物生理实际的差异，以及人们在实验中观测到的增加心肌前负荷引起收缩力增强的现象（FS现象），认为：①在正常生理条件下的动物体内，来自心脏以外的、如同心肺制备中那样人工控制心室充盈压力升高、引起EDV增加的那种血液的重力动力是不存在的。②另一方面，人为地增加前负荷，那是改变了心肌收缩时的外环境条件。③由此而激发出的FS现象，是心脏适应其外环境条件变化所作出的反应。④此种心肌收缩力增强的反应，需通过心肌细胞内部与收缩过程发生有关的心肌兴奋一收缩和化学一力学偶联等一系列生化机制（不恒定因素）方能得以实现。⑤根据他们实验中观测到的FS现象，在逻辑上不能得出前负荷这一心肌收缩时的外环境条件变化调控其作功的推论。换言之，所有的在实验中被激发出来的FS现象，都不足以成为支持FS心脏定律的证据。然后，引用国内外公认的计算心脏每搏射血作功（w）的生物物理学公式“w=P×（EDV—ESV）”，证明了w和EDV之间没有函数关系。根据心脏作功的医用物理学和生物数学的基本原理，笔者认为Frank—Starling心脏定律表达的不是心脏作功的规律。     

内镜黏膜下剥离术治疗直肠类癌

目的探讨内镜黏膜下剥离术（ESD）治疗直肠类癌的应用价值。方法肠镜发现直肠黏膜下肿块后进行微探头超声检查，对诊断为类癌者应用头端弯曲的针形切开刀进行内镜黏膜下剥离术治疗：（1）黏膜下注射生理盐水抬高病灶，使病灶与肌层分离；（2）预切开病灶周围黏膜；（3）剥离病变下方黏膜下层结缔组织，完整切除病灶。结果5例直肠类癌患者，肿瘤直径0.4～1.2（平均1．1）cm，均成功完成ESD治疗。ESD手术时间（自黏膜下注射至完整剥离病变）20-45（平均35）min；术中创面少量出血，均经电凝、氩离子血浆凝固和止血夹成功止血。不需再次肠镜下止血。1例剥离深至肌层，出现皮下气肿，保守治疗好转。术后全部经病理确诊。基底和切缘未见病变累及。1个月后肠镜复查，创面基本愈合。结论ESD是治疗直肠类癌的新方法．以往需要外科手术切除的肿瘤通过ESD可以达到同样的治疗效果。     

MANAGEMENT TO PREVENT BLEEDING DURING ENDOSCOPIC SUBMUCOSAL DISSECTION USING THE FLUSH KNIFE FOR GASTRIC TUMORS

The gastric vasculature responsible for intraoperative bleeding in endosocpic submucosal dissection (ESD) is the ramified vascular network occupying the middle of the submucosal layer and large vessels penetrating the muscle layer. Appropriate management for these vessels must be addressed. The trimming of the ramified vascular network can be safely performed with coagulation mode following shallow mucosal cutting. A large penetrating vessel usually requires precoagulation prior to dissection. These procedures are effectively performed with the water jet short needle knife (Flush knife).     

Staged anterior resection and TEM to preserve rectal function in synchronous malignant and benign rectal lesions

BACKGROUND: Traditionally patients with a high rectosigmoid carcinoma and a synchronous large distal rectal adenoma would be treated by low anterior resection with associated loss of rectal function. METHOD: Four patients with a carcinoma of the upper rectum or distal sigmoid colon and a synchronous distal rectal adenoma were treated by high anterior resection followed by staged Transanal Endoscopic Microsurgery (TEM) thus conserving the distal rectum. Preoperative and postoperative rectal function was assessed using the St. Mark's incontinence score. RESULTS: The proximal carcinomas and distal adenomas were 12-18 cms and 0.5-9 cms respectively from the dentate line. The mean surface area of the distal adenomas was 9.7 cms2. There were no deaths or major complications. There were no recurrences after a mean follow-up of 31.5 months. Rectal function was unchanged in three patients with a minor increase in the score in one. CONCLUSION: Staged high anterior resection and 'rEM offers effective treatment of synchronous rectosigmoid carcinoma and distal rectal adenoma with preservation of rectal function.