Low-pressure Pneumoperitoneum for Laparoscopic Surgery Using a Disposable,Flexible Abdominal Wall Retractor

Abstract: Since April 1991, we have studied 160 patients who had had a successful laparoscopic cholecystectomy. Nine patients who presented with chronic cholecystitis with severe local adhesion and who were also considered to require a longer operative time were selected as suitable candidates for this procedure. They were successfully treated under a zero- to four-mmHg low-pressured pneumoperitoneum procedure combined with total abdominal wall lifting using a disposable, flexible vinyl tube retractor. This method enabled exactly the same clear laparoscopic vision as is possible in the routinely-used high-pressure pneumoperitoneum even in the marginal portions of the abdominal cavity. Moreover, it facilitated early reinsufflation after the cauterization-produced smoke was exhausted, which minimized the operative time and reduced the surgeon's anxiety concerning the maintenance of a sufficiently airtight condition. We believe that this low-pressure pneumopeqitoneum procedure also benefits the poor-risk patient who has restricted cardiopulmonary function, especially during advanced laparoscopic surgery which requires a longer operative and anesthetic time.     

Varicose bleeding after liver transplantation in a patient with severe portosystemic shunts

Recipients for liver transplantation often have portosystemic shunts due to portal hypertension. It is an important problem whether such shunts should be ligated during operations. Ligating the shunts seems of benefit for increasing portal blood flow to the liver, but it is sometimes difficult technically, and it is invasive to the patient. We experienced a recipient with huge portosystemic shunts and no esophageal varices before living-related liver transplantation. Some shunts were ligated during operation to increase portal blood flow to the graft. Unfortunately, the patient suffered severe bleeding from esophagogastric varices after he underwent retransplantation owing to accidental liver failure. Based on our experience, extreme care should be exercised to avoid varicose bleeding after ligating the portosystemic shunts of liver transplantation patients.     

Endoscopic resection of carcinoma in situ of the esophagus accompanied by esophageal varices

Summary A case of carcinoma in situ of the esophagus accompanied by esophageal varices was treated by endoscopic mucosal resection using a transparent tube (EMRT) following eradication of the varices via injection sclerotherapy (EIS). Intravariceal injection sclerotherapy was performed for esophageal varices, and after eradication of the varices had been achieved, half of the circumferential esophageal mucosal resection of the cancer lesion was carried out. No serious complication such as perforation or mass bleeding was observed. Cancer-involved mucosa was completely resected and all specimens contributed well to accurate histopathological study, being diagnosed as intraepithelial squamous-cell carcinoma. The artificial ulcer recovered completely, showing no stenotic changes. Our conclusion from this experience is that EIS + EMRT is a valuable and minimally invasive treatment for patients exhibiting this disease, providing an accurate histopathological diagnosis.     

Curative resection of gallbladder cancer with simultaneous liver metastasis

A 67-year-old man visited our hospital for further check-up of biliary tract disease since his two brothers suffered from biliary tract cancer. Abdominal CT scan revealed a wall thickning at the fundus of gallbladder and its vascularity was rich. Chronic cholecystitis was diagnosed, however, cancer was highly suspected. Cholecystectomy was performed and the frozen section of the gallbladder was compatible for cancer. Therefore, segment-4a and -5 liver resections with regeonal lymph node dissection were added. Although preoperative radiological findings were free of liver metastasis, the resected liver specimen included a nodule of 1 cm in segment-5. Extrahepatic bile duct was not resected because the stump of the cystic duct was free from cancer. The final pathological diagnosis according to the TNM classification was pT3N1M1, Stage IV. We considered the patient to be in the high-risk group of recurrence, adjuvant chemotherapy using both gemcitabine and S-1 was performed. S-1 (80 mg/body/day) was scheduled on day 1-14, and gemcitabine (1,000 mg/body) was scheduled on day 8, day 15. The treatment was continued for two years (a total of 28 courses) without experiencing advese events. The patient is cancer free by means of radiological and hematological studies. Gallbladder cancer with liver metastasis in segment-4a and/or -5 can be considered as "local" metastasis, which a liver resection and adjuvant therapy may lead to a good prognosis.     

New Electrophysiologic Features and Catheter Ablation of Atrioventricular and Atriofascicular Accessory Pathways:

Catheter Ablation for Mahaim Pathways. Introduction : Several modalities of catheter ablation have been proposed to eliminate Mahaim pathway conduction. However, limited research has been reported on the electrophysiologic nature of this pathway in its entity.
Methods and Results : In seven patients, electrophysiologic study was performed, and radiofrequency energy was applied to investigate the electrophysiologic clues for successful ablation. In all seven patients, the Mahaim pathway was diagnosed as a right-sided atriofascicular or atrioventricular pathway with decremental properties. In two patients, two different kinds of electrograms were recorded through the ablation catheter positioned at the Mahaim pathway location: one was suggestive of conduction over the decremental portion, demonstrating a dulled potential; and the other of nondecremental conduction, demonstrating a spiked potential. All but one of the Mahaim pathways were eliminated successfully at the atrial origin where the spiked Mahaim potential was recorded. Radiofrequency energy application was performed at the slow potential site resulting in failure to eliminate the conduction over the Mahaim pathway. Conduction block at the site between the slow and fast potential recording sites was provoked by intravenous administration of adenosine, concomitant with a decrease in the amplitude of the Mahaim potential. In one patient, the clinical arrhythmia was a sustained monomorphic ventricular tachycardia originating from the ventricular end of the Mahaim fiber.
Conclusion : The identification of Mahaim spiked potentials may be the optimal method to permit their successful ablation. Detailed electrophysiologic assessment is indispensable for successful ablation of tachycardias associated with Mahaim fibers because tachycardias unassociated with Mahaim fibers can occur despite complete elimination of the Mahaim fiber.     

Multiple aneurysms of the visceral arteries with migrating vascular bruit on postural change: A case report

Multiple aneurysms of the gastroepiploic artery and the ileocecal branch of the superior mesenteric artery were found in a 68-year-old male patient by angiography. The patient presented with one-hour postprandial epigastric pain of 10 years duration. Abdominal bruit was auscultated at the two different sites, one of which shifted downwards upon upright position. From the freely movable nature of the great omentum, this bruit, migrating upon postural change, was most likely from the gastroepiploic artery aneurysms. The aneurysms were excised and the abdominal bruit disappeared. The etiology of the aneurysms was suggested to be arterial fibrodysplasia histologically. From this experience, it was stressed that postural change should be added to a routine physical examination to rule out an aneurysm from the freely movable great omentum.     

Two cases of pancreatic cancer with fairly good prognosis

We report two cases of advanced pancreatic cancer whose prognoses are fairly good with surgery and chemotherapy. Case 1: A 71-year-old male patient was diagnosed as pancreatic head cancer by abdominal ultrasound. The tumor size was about 2 cm in diameter. Whipple's procedure and regional lymphadenectomy were conducted. Pathological diagnosis was pT3N2 with s0 and rp1. Gemcitabine (GEM) was administered in a routine fashion at out-patient clinic. He is free of disease after three years and eight months. Case 2: A 63-year-old male patient was diagnosed as pancreatic head cancer although the mass was not so clearly visible by CT. Pylorus preserving pancreaticoduodenectomy was performed with D2 lymph node dissection. Pathological report was pT3N1 with s0 and rp0. GEM was started six months after the operation but continued for only six months. After the non-treatment interval of six months, GEM was restarted due to the sudden elevation of CA19-9. Soon the number dropped but instead of reaching normal range, it began to increase again. S-1 was added to the regimen which gave a great response. He is well after three and a half years. CA19-9 was almost being normal. Both patients had cancer within the pancreas without an invasion to the surrounding tissue. GEM is a standard regimen for adjuvant chemotherapy. However, S-1 may contribute to the outcome when GEM becomes powerless.     

A case of ruptured hepatocellular carcinoma originated from nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH)

A 69-year-old woman visited our emergency room because of sudden right lower quadrant abdominal pain. Abdominal CT revealed a ruptured tumor in the anterior segment of the liver. Emergency laparotomy was selected due to interventional radiology was not available. As the patient was in shock status with massive intraabdominal hemorrhage, ligation of the right hepatic artery and suturing of the tumor bleeding point was carried out. Given the patient's history and liver biopsy report, we concluded as hepatocellular carcinoma derived form NASH. Anterior resection of the liver was performed after the patient became stable. About one year later, tumor was detected in the lateral segment and was removed. The patient is free of disease for two and a half years after the initial operation. Carcinogenesis of the hepatocellular carcinoma within NASH is not well described. We herein report a case of ruptured hepatocellular carcinoma originated from NASH.     

Oral rehydration solution for providing water and electrolytes following laparoscopic cholecystectomy and recovery of intestinal function

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Oral rehydration solution (OS-1: Na+ 50mEq/L, K+ 20mEq/L, Cl- 50mEq/L, and glucose 1.8%) was administered orally to patients from the early phase following laparoscopic cholecystectomy to assess its effects on water and electrolyte supplementation and recovery from postoperative intestinal paralysis. METHODOLOGY: OS-1 group (n = 22) received OS-1 orally and KN3B group (n = 22) received KN3B (an intravenous maintenance solution) intravenously. The OS-1 group was instructed to consume approximately 1000-1500mL of OS-1 postoperatively from as soon as oral intake was possible up to before lunch on postoperative day 1. RESULTS: The average dose in the OS-1 group (1178 +/- 319 mL) was significantly lower than that in the KN3B group (1371 +/- 196 mL), but within the target dose. The two solutions were equally effective and safe for water and electrolyte supplementation. The time for 50% of patients to pass bowel gas after surgery (indicating recovery from intestinal paralysis) was significantly shorter in the OS-1 group (14.00 hours) than in the KN3B group (23.75 hours). CONCLUSIONS: Oral rehydration solution (OS-1), administered from the early postoperative phase, is safe and effective for the provision of water and electrolytes and promotes early recovery from intestinal paralysis as assessed by the passage of bowel gas following laparoscopic cholecystectomy.