Clinical Impact of the Charlson Comorbidity Index on the Efficacy of Salvage Photodynamic Therapy Using Talaporfin Sodium for Esophageal Cancer

Introduction Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is a salvage treatment for local failure after chemoradiotherapy for esophageal cancer. Salvage PDT is the treatment available for vulnerable patients with various comorbidities at risk of salvage esophagectomy. This study assessed the impact of the Charlson comorbidity index (CCI) on the outcomes of salvage PDT using talaporfin sodium (TS) for esophageal cancer. Metohds Consecutive patients with esophageal cancer who underwent salvage TS-PDT from 2016 to 2022 were included in this retrospective study. We investigated the local complete response (L-CR), progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) and evaluated the relationship between the CCI and therapeutic efficacy. Results In total, 25 patients were enrolled in this study. Overall, 12 patients (48%) achieved an L-CR, and the 2-year PFS and OS rates were 24.9% and 59.4%, respectively. In a multivariate analysis, a CCI ≥1 (p=0.041) and deeper invasion (p=0.048) were found to be significant independent risk factors for not achieving an L-CR. To evaluate the efficacy associated with comorbidities, we divided the patients into the CCI=0 group (n=11) and the CCI ≥1 group (n=14). The rate of an L-CR (p=0.035) and the 2-year PFS (p=0.029) and OS (p=0.018) rates in the CCI ≥1 group were significantly lower than those in the CCI=0 group. Conclusion This study found that the CCI was negatively associated with the efficacy of salvage TS-PDT for esophageal cancer.

[A Case of Primary Jejunum Cancer Mimicking Superior Mesenteric Artery Syndrome]

In this report, we described a case of jejunum cancer that presented with abdominal pain and vomiting as chief complaints, which mimicked superior mesenteric artery syndrome. An elderly woman in her 70s was referred to our department for prolonged abdominal discomfort. Findings from CT and abdominal echo indicated that superior mesenteric artery syndrome may be responsible for jejunum cancer. Upper gastrointestinal endoscopy revealed a peripheral type 2 lesion in the upper jejunum. Upon biopsy, the patient was diagnosed with adenocarcinoma(papillary type). Surgical resection of the small intestine was performed. Although small intestinal cancer is a fairly rare disease, it should be considered a differential diagnosis. Comprehensive evaluations including medical history and imaging should be considered.

Papillary hyperplasia of the gallbladder diagnosed as gallbladder cancer before surgery: A case report

Introduction and importance

Gallbladder cancer has a poor prognosis. Therefore, an accurate diagnosis is required, for which various tests are performed. However, in some cases, it is difficult to distinguish between benign and malignant diseases before surgery. Papillary hyperplasia of the gallbladder is known for its secondary changes. Papillary hyperplasia of the gallbladder, which is known for its secondary changes, is a benign disease. We encountered papillary hyperplasia of the gallbladder with morphological changes over the course of 1 year. In addition, the tumor was suggested to be malignant during various examinations. We present a case of papillary hyperplasia of the gallbladder showing an increasing tendency and findings indicative of malignancy on imaging.

Presentation of case

A 70-year-old man underwent routine abdominal ultrasonography every year. We observed that the gallbladder wall was thickened. The tumor size was 24 mm. FDG-PET and other examinations indicated malignancy requiring surgery.

Clinical discussion

Accurate diagnosis of gallbladder tumor is difficult only by diagnostic imaging. There are problems with preoperative cytology and histology. FS can be an important test to avoid extended surgery.

Conclusion

We report a rare case of papillary hyperplasia of the gallbladder, which was difficult to diagnose. Even when morphological changes and imaging findings suggest malignancy, similar findings could appear in papillary hyperplasia of the gallbladder owing to chronic inflammation.

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Gallbladder cancer has a poor prognosis.

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It is difficult to distinguish between benign diseases before surgery.

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Papillary hyperplasia of the gallbladder shows secondary changes.

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Papillary hyperplasia of the gallbladder can be confused for a malignancy.

[A Case of Advanced Rectal Cancer Successfully Treated with Preoperative Radiochemotherapy]

An 80-year-old woman who visited our hospital with chief complaints of decreased appetite and diarrhea. Lower gastrointestinal endoscopy showed a type 2 tumor in the rectal Ra, and biopsy revealed a well-differentiated adenocarcinoma. The patient had locally advanced rectal cancer with widespread contact with the sacrum, and preoperative radiochemotherapy (S-1 100 mg/day plus radiotherapy 50 Gy/25 Fr)was performed. After the treatment was completed, the tumor was remarkably reduced, but the surgery was strongly rejected, and therefore chemotherapy became the policy. XELOX plus bevacizumab therapy was started, but in the second course was performed, obstructive symptoms appeared, so a semi-urgent lower anterior resection and ileostomy were performed. Postoperative pathological findings showed only a small amount of tumor cells in the mucosa, suggesting that preoperative treatment was effective.

[A Resected Case of Leiomyosarcoma Originating from the Ovarian Vein]

We present a 46-year-old female patient who underwent resection of a retroperitoneal tumor, which was found by medical check-up. The tumor which was elastic hard and had good mobility displaced the duodenum to her abdominal wall. Since her right ovarian vein adhered to the tumor, we removed the tumor with the ligated vein. Pathological findings showed the tumor consisted of spindle-shaped cells with pleomorphic nucleus and it presented the fascicular growth pattern. Additional immunostaining showed positive for HHF35, h-caldesmon. Because the leiomyosarcoma connected with the smooth muscle of the right ovarian vein, we considered the vascular smooth muscle was the origin of the tumor. It is 2 years after the operation, there has been no local recurrence or metastasis.

[A Case of Small Cell Carcinoma of the Pancreas]

A 55-year-old man was admitted to our hospital for jaundice. Magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography showed a mass in the pancreatic head as well as biliary obstruction. We strongly suspected invasive ductal carcinoma of the pancreas. We performed pancreaticoduodenectomy with partial resection of the portal vein. The histopathological diagnosis was small cell carcinoma of the pancreas. We detected metastasis of the right hilar lymph node in PET-CT scan performed 2 months after the surgery and started chemotherapy with cisplatin(CDDP)plus irinotecan(CPT-11). However, we observed recurrent metastasis of the right hilar lymph node 12 months after the surgery. We started second-line chemotherapy with amrubicin( AMR)and radiotherapy. Unfortunately, the patient died from multiple metastases of the left adrenal gland and brain 26 months after the surgery. The prognosis of small cell carcinoma of the pancreas is extremely poor. Multimodal treatment such as chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and curative operation are required for long-term survival.

[Radical Surgery Following Chemotherapy in a Patient with Mesenteric Recurrence Associated with Hematoma upon ESD for Rectal Cancer Three Years Six months Later]

A63 -year-old man complaining of anal pain visited our hospital. Three years 6 months previously, the patient underwent endoscopic submucosal dissection(ESD)for early-stage rectal cancer. Based on the pathological findings, adenocarcinoma with invasion to the submucosal layer(2,000 mm)and lymphovascular invasion were diagnosed. Abdominal computed tomography( CT)revealed a solid tumor 50mm in diameter and hematoma measuring approximately 90mm in length adjoining the tumor in the mesorectum. We performed exploratory laparoscopy. Ahematoma was confirmed in the mesentery from the sigmoid colon and rectum. After the surgery, endoscopic ultrasound-guided fine needle aspiration(EUS-FNA)revealed well-differentiated adenocarcinoma. We diagnosed a hematoma associated with mesenteric recurrence following ESD for rectal cancer. The patient received chemotherapy first because of the large size of the recurrent cancer. Four courses of mFOLFOX6(5-FU: bolus 400mg/m / / / 2,2,400mg/m2,oxaliplatin 85 mg/m2) and panitumumab(6 mg/kg)were administered. Based on the CT findings following chemotherapy, the hematoma had disappeared, and the size of the recurrent cancer in the mesorectum reduced to 28 mm. The patient underwent laparoscopic lower anterior resection with D3 lymph node dissection and ileostomy. The postoperative course was uneventful. Currently, the patient has no recurrence.

[A Clinical Study of Seven Cases of LECS for Gastric Submucosal Tumors]

Laparoscopy and endoscopy cooperative surgery(LECS)is a surgical technique to resect a tumor with minimal invasion, using both a laparoscope and endoscope. Twenty-eight surgeries for gastric submucosal tumors(SMT)were performed between 2009 and 2019. Seven of those cases were performed using LECS. Two male and 5 female patients underwent LECS; their mean age was 53 years. The tumors were located at the anterior wall of the fornix in 1 case, anterior wall of the subcardia in 2 cases, anterior wall of the upper gastric body in 3 cases, and anterior wall of the lower gastric body in 1 case. Two cases were intraductal growing types, and 5 cases were intramural growing types. No postoperative complications have occurred. The mean size of the tumors was 21.1 mm. In pathological findings, 5 cases were gastrointestinal stromal tumor (GIST); 1 case was high risk, 2 cases were low risk, and 1 case was very low risk as classified using the modified-Fletcher's classification. Imatinib was administered to the high risk case, and there have been no recurrences in any cases.

[A Case of Small Bowel Perforation Due to Lung Cancer Metastasis]

A 79-year-old man was diagnosed with Stage ⅢB(T4N2M0)adenocarcinoma of the lung, administered. He suddenly developed abdominal pain with muscle guarding and rebound tenderness. An abdominal computed tomography scan revealed a thickened small bowel wall and mesenteric mass, as well as massive ascites and free air. He underwent an emergency laparotomy following a diagnosis of pan-peritonitis due to intestinalperforation. A partialresection of the smallintestine and abdominal drainage were performed. The resected specimen included an ulcerative lesion on the mucosal surface. The pathological diagnosis was a metastasis of lung cancer. The patient died in hospice 29 days postoperatively. In the present case, however, surgery improved the patient's quality of life. Although lung cancer metastasis to the small bowel is associated with a poor prognosis, palliative surgery is indicated in otherwise fatal circumstances.

[A Case of Mesenteric Malignant Lymphoma Treated Using Single-Port Surgery and an Umbilical ZigZag Incision]

A 73 -year-old man was found to have a mesenteric tumor on abdominal ultrasonography and computed tomography (CT). Single-port laparoscopic surgery using an umbilical ZigZag incision was performed. Operative findings revealed that the tumor involved the mesentery. The tumor and a section of small intestines were resected. Pathological examination diagnosed follicular lymphoma. Single-port laparoscopic surgery using an umbilical ZigZag incision is superior for manipulation of forceps and evisceration. This operative method may be useful for resection or biopsy of mesenteric tumors.

Hepatic Pseudolymphoma with an Occult Hepatitis B Virus Infection

A 49-year-old woman who was asymptomatic was found to have a small liver tumor on abdominal ultrasonography (US) at her annual health checkup. US revealed a hypoechoic, solid, mass measuring 17-mm in size in segment 6. The tumor markers associated with liver malignancy were negative. An infectious disease screen was negative for hepatitis B surface antigen, but positive for antibody to hepatitis B core antigen. Imaging studies using computed tomography (CT), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and CT angiography suggested a malignant liver tumor, such as hepatocellular carcinoma. Partial hepatic resection of the posterior segment was performed. The pathological diagnosis was pseudolymphoma of the liver.

[A Case of Remnant Gastric Cancer That Completely Responded to Neoadjuvant S-1 and Cisplatin Therapy]

A 69-year-old man, who had undergone distal gastrectomy for duodenal ulcer, was diagnosed with remnant gastric cancer and jejunal mesenteric lymph node metastasis. To improve curability, we planned 2 courses of S-1 and cisplatin therapy. After chemotherapy, primary lesion and lymph node metastases reduced in size drastically. Completion gastrectomy and lymph node dissection were performed with curative intent. The tumor was found to have a pathological complete response(pCR) to chemotherapy on histological examination.

Anterior approach for right hepatectomy with hanging maneuver for hepatocellular carcinoma: a multi-institutional propensity score-matching study

BACKGROUND

This multi-institutional study aimed to assess the benefits of anterior approach for right hepatectomy with hanging maneuver (ARH-HM) for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) compared with conventional right hepatectomy (CRH).

METHODS

From January 2000 to December 2012, 306 patients with HCC ≥5 cm were divided into two groups: ARH-HM (n = 104) and CRH (n = 202).

RESULTS

After one-to-one propensity score-matched analysis, 72 ARH-HM and 72 CRH patients presented comparable background factors. Patients in the ARH-HM group demonstrated significantly less intraoperative blood loss (480 vs. 1,242 g, P < 0.001) and a lower frequency of red cell concentrate transfusion (21.1% vs. 50.7%, P < 0.001) compared with patients in the CRH group. The 5-year overall survival rate was significantly better in the ARH-HM group compared with the CRH group (50.2% vs. 31.4%, P = 0.021). Limited to patients with HCC ≥10 cm, recurrence-free and overall survival of the ARH-HM group was significantly greater than those of the CRH group.

CONCLUSION

In comparison with CRH, ARH-HM for large HCC can provide better overall survival rates with a decrease in intraoperative blood loss and transfusion rates. Survival impact was evident especially in patients with HCC ≥10 cm.

Surgical management of recurrent intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma: predictors, adjuvant chemotherapy, and surgical therapy for recurrence: A multi-institutional study by the Kyushu Study Group of Liver Surgery

Objectives of the present study were to identify predictors of the recurrence of intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (ICC), and to evaluate the survival benefit of adjuvant chemotherapy and surgical treatment for ICC recurrence. A multi‐institutional retrospective study was carried out in 356 patients with ICC who underwent curative surgery at one of 14 institutions belonging to the Kyushu Study Group of Liver Surgery. A total of 214 patients (60%) had recurrence. Predictors of ICC recurrence were as follows: positive for pathological intrahepatic metastasis (im), positive for lymph node metastasis (n), positive for pathological lymphatic infiltration (ly), pathological bile duct invasion (b), and tumor size ≥4.4 cm. Adjuvant chemotherapy was given to 120 patients (34%) and, in the patients with im or tumor size ≥4.4 cm, adjuvant chemotherapy showed a survival benefit. Only 37 patients (17%) underwent surgical treatment for ICC recurrence. The surgical treatment resulted in a good 5‐year survival rate (44%), which is similar to the rate obtained by the first operation for primary ICC. Prognosis of patients with primary im after the second operation was significantly worse (5‐year survival 18%) compared to patients without primary im. Primary im+ should be considered a contraindication for surgical treatment for ICC recurrence.

[A Case of Locally Far-Advanced Colon Cancer Resected by Laparoscopic Surgery after Colonic Stent Insertion and Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy]

We report a case of locally far-advanced colon cancer resected by laparoscopic surgery after colonic stent insertion and neoadjuvant chemotherapy. A 71-year-old man with obstructive symptoms was admitted to our hospital in July 2015. CT revealed a sigmoid colon tumor infiltrating the retroperitoneum and small intestine. Lower gastrointestinal endoscopy showed a sigmoid colon cancer. Self-expandable metallic stent insertion for obstructive colon cancer alleviated the patient's symptoms quickly. Four courses of neoadjuvant chemotherapy(XELOX)reduced the primary tumor in size, allowing for laparoscopic surgical resection. Combination therapy with colonic stenting and neoadjuvant chemotherapy can be an effective treatment for obstructive colon cancer. However, further studies and additional cases are needed to assess the safety and efficacy of this combination therapy.

Portal Vein Embolization Followed by Right-Side Hemihepatectomy for Hepatocellular Carcinoma Patients: A Japanese Multi-Institutional Study

BACKGROUND

Portal vein embolization (PVE) is useful to expand the indications of major hepatectomy; however, its oncologic effects are not fully understood. This study aimed to confirm the efficacy of preoperative PVE for hepatocellular carcinoma patients.

STUDY DESIGN

Between 2000 and 2012, five hundred and ten patients with hepatocellular carcinoma undergoing right-side hemihepatectomy were enrolled (PVE group, n = 162 and non-PVE group, n = 348). To equalize background factors, one-to-one propensity case-matched analysis and multivariate analysis were performed. Short- and long-term outcomes were evaluated.

RESULTS

Propensity score-matched patients, 148 in each group, were selected. The percentage of resected liver volume on admission was significantly greater in the PVE group (60.5% vs 48.3%; p < 0.001), but decreased considerably after PVE, from 60.5% to 50.3% (p < 0.001). The 5-year cumulative recurrence-free survival (36.4% vs 35.3%) and overall survival (58.6% vs 52.8%) rates were comparable. Extrahepatic recurrences were less common in the PVE group (18.1% vs 38.8%; p = 0.004). Independent prognostic factors for recurrence-free survival were morbidity (hazard ratio [HR] = 1.56), multiple tumors (HR = 1.97), red cell concentrate administration (HR = 1.57), older age (HR = 2.09), and massive portal invasion (HR = 2.33); and those for overall survival were morbidity (HR = 2.37), multiple tumors (HR = 1.71), and massive hepatic venous invasion (HR = 3.49).

CONCLUSIONS

Even though hepatocellular carcinoma patients who underwent preoperative PVE and right-side hemihepatectomy had a significantly larger resected liver volume on admission, they have a comparable long-term prognosis as patients with up front hepatectomy. In addition, PVE might decrease extrahepatic recurrences.

Spontaneous Pneumoperitoneum due to Constipation

We report a rare case of spontaneous pneumoperitoneum. An 82-year-old Japanese male patient was referred to our hospital because of constipation and abdominal pain. Abdominal computed tomography revealed a large amount of feces in the colon and rectum, and free air in the abdomen. Based on these findings, the patient was diagnosed with gastrointestinal perforation. Emergency exploratory laparotomy was performed. Neither perforation nor ischemic changes were recognized in the digestive tract. The patient's defecation was managed postoperatively until discharge on the 13th postoperative day. The authors assumed that free air, which was released after a mucosal injury due to the internal pressure caused by the presence of a large amount of feces in the colon and rectum, had penetrated the bowel wall through the bowel mucosa. We herein report the present case while also reviewing the pertinent literature.

Optimal timing for performing percutaneous transhepatic gallbladder drainage and subsequent cholecystectomy for better management of acute cholecystitis

BACKGROUND

We aimed to clarify the appropriate timing for performing percutaneous transhepatic gallbladder drainage (PTGBD) and cholecystectomy, and the effect of PTGBD on surgical difficulty in acute cholecystitis patients.

METHODS

We retrospectively examined 46 patients who underwent laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) after PTGBD for acute cholecystitis. We evaluated the duration from acute cholecystitis onset to PTGBD and the appropriate interval from PTGBD to elective LC. Intraoperative blood loss, operating time, rate of conversion to open surgery, and rate of severe adhesion were the objective and subjective measures.

RESULTS

Based on the cut-off value calculated using the Youden index, the group with a duration from acute cholecystitis onset to PTGBD of ≤73.5 h had a significantly shorter operating time (127.5 min vs. 180.0 min, P = 0.007), lower rate of severe adhesion (3/20 vs. 14/26, P = 0.007), and lower rate of conversion to open surgery (2/20 vs. 13/26, P = 0.004); moreover, the interval from PTGBD to elective LC did not significantly differ between these groups.

CONCLUSION

The most important predictor of successful LC following PTGBD for acute cholecystitis was a duration from acute cholecystitis onset to PTGBD of ≤73.5 h. Hence, PTGBD should be performed immediately in cases where early cholecystectomy is not indicated.

A Successfully Resected Case of Recurrent Lung and Liver Metastases of Rectal Cancer Treated with XELIRI + Bevacizumab Therapy

It has been reported that many colorectal cancer (CRC) patients with synchronous or metachronous liver metastases underwent surgery subsequent to neoadjuvant combination chemotherapy with folinic acid, fluorouracil, and oxaliplatin (FOLFOX), folinic acid, fluorouracil, and irinotecan (FOLFIRI), or capecitabine and oxaliplatin (XELOX). However, there are very few reports of the use of capecitabine and irinotecan (XELIRI). We herein report a successfully resected case of recurrent lung and liver metastases of rectal cancer treated with combination chemotherapy with XELIRI + bevacizumab (BV) therapy. A 63-year-old male developed recurrence of a solitary nodule in the right lower lobe of the lung and multiple liver metastases after low anterior resection for rectal cancer 1 year previously. Partial resection of the right lower lobe of the lung was performed and treatment with XELIRI + BV was initiated. A computed tomography scan revealed a reduction in tumor size without any new lesions after four cycles of XELIRI + BV therapy. Partial hepatectomy of S1, S5, and S7 was safely performed. The patient is now undergoing adjuvant chemotherapy and has been free from recurrence for 18 months following surgery. There are only few studies with relatively low patient numbers reporting on the outcome after resection of both pulmonary and hepatic metastases of CRC. We therefore report a patient who underwent sequential resection of pulmonary and hepatic metastases with XELIRI + BV therapy.

[Surgical treatment of acute cholecystitis]

Fundamental treatment for acute cholecystitis is cholecystectomy. However, the adoption of a treatment is dependend on degree of a severity of acute cholecystitis in each patient because its degree is influenced by factors such as duration from the onset of symptoms to medical examination. Early laparoscopic cholecystectomy is the preferred procedure for mild acute cholecystitis. Early cholecystectomy is also performed for moderately acute cholecystitis. However, if patients have severe local inflammation (gangrenous and purulent cholecystitis) early gallbladder drainage or open cholecystectomy is indicated. Emergency operation under adequate medical treatment is indicated for a patient with severe local inflammation of the gallbladder, torsion of the gallbladder, emphysematous cholecystitis, gangrenous cholecystitis, and purulent cholecystitis. Pericholecystic abscess, necrosis of the gallbladder wall, and perforation of the gallbladder can be diagnosed accurately by use of imaging diagnosis. The optimal surgical treatment for acute cholecystitis according to grade of severity should be performed referring to imaging findings.

Clinical features of Wilson disease: Analysis of 10 cases

AIM

  The diagnosis of Wilson disease is based on the results of several clinical and biochemical tests. This study aimed to clarify the clinical features and spectrum of Wilson disease, including severe Wilson disease.

METHODS

  Between 1985 and 2009, 10 patients with clinical, biochemical or histological evidence of Wilson disease were either diagnosed or had a previously established diagnosis confirmed at Fukuoka University Hospital. Severe Wilson disease was defined by a serum prothrombin time ratio of more than 1.5 or serum prothrombin activity of less than 50%. The 10 Wilson disease patients were divided into two groups, one containing three non-severe patients and the other containing seven severe patients, and the biochemical features of the patients in these two groups were compared.

RESULTS

  The mean age at diagnosis was 21.5 ± 11.7 years (range, 7-39). Decreased serum ceruloplasmin, enhanced 24-h urinary copper excretion, presence of Kayser-Fleischer rings and histological signs of chronic liver damage were confirmed in 100%, 100%, 66.7% and 100% of patients, respectively. Severe Wilson disease patients had higher levels of serum ceruloplasmin and serum copper (P < 0.05, P < 0.05, respectively) than non-severe patients.

CONCLUSION

  In severe Wilson disease patients, the serum ceruloplasmin and serum copper levels were higher than those in non-severe Wilson disease patients.

Clinical features of Wilson disease: Analysis of 10 cases

AIM

  The diagnosis of Wilson disease is based on the results of several clinical and biochemical tests. This study aimed to clarify the clinical features and spectrum of Wilson disease, including severe Wilson disease.

METHODS

  Between 1985 and 2009, 10 patients with clinical, biochemical or histological evidence of Wilson disease were either diagnosed or had a previously established diagnosis confirmed at Fukuoka University Hospital. Severe Wilson disease was defined by a serum prothrombin time ratio of more than 1.5 or serum prothrombin activity of less than 50%. The 10 Wilson disease patients were divided into two groups, one containing three non-severe patients and the other containing seven severe patients, and the biochemical features of the patients in these two groups were compared.

RESULTS

  The mean age at diagnosis was 21.5 ± 11.7 years (range, 7-39). Decreased serum ceruloplasmin, enhanced 24-h urinary copper excretion, presence of Kayser-Fleischer rings and histological signs of chronic liver damage were confirmed in 100%, 100%, 66.7% and 100% of patients, respectively. Severe Wilson disease patients had higher levels of serum ceruloplasmin and serum copper (P < 0.05, P < 0.05, respectively) than non-severe patients.

CONCLUSION

  In severe Wilson disease patients, the serum ceruloplasmin and serum copper levels were higher than those in non-severe Wilson disease patients.

Prospective randomized trial of a closed-suction drain versus a Penrose drain after a colectomy

BACKGROUND/AIMS

Prospective studies in the gastroenterological surgery literature have shown fewer wound related complications with a closed-suction drainage than with an open passive drainage. This study compared the SSI and cost of closed-suction drainage and open passive drainage in a randomized trial.

METHODOLOGY

This study involved 112 patients undergoing colectomy from December, 2003 through April, 2007. A closed-suction or an open (Penrose) drainage was used based on the surgeon's preference. The cost and the incidence of complications including SSI was compared in the two drain types.

RESULTS

The SSI rate was 13/112 cases 11.6%, but there was no significant difference between the drain groups. In addition, 18 laparoscopic surgery cases did not show any wound infection or drain infections. The closed-suction drain was not expensive regarding personnel expenses and the cost of changing the dressings.

CONCLUSIONS

No statistically significant postoperative differences were observed between a closed-suction drain or an open drain after a colectomy. However, a closed-suction drain management is useful for the reduction of a cost, labor saving, and the decrease of medical waste.

Impact of short hepatic vein reconstruction in living donor adult liver transplantation using a left liver plus caudate lobe graft

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the impact of short hepatic vein reconstruction in the transplanted left liver plus caudate lobe graft.

METHODS

Six left liver plus caudate lobe grafts used for living donor adult liver transplantation were included in this study. The liver grafts were divided into two groups: those with (V1 group; n = 4) or without (control group; n = 2) short hepatic vein reconstruction. The changes in the transplanted left lobe (segments II-IV) and caudate lobe were compared between the two groups at 1 month after transplantation.

RESULTS

The addition of the caudate lobe increased the graft volume by 15 mL, which corresponded to a 4.3% gain of graft volume at the time of transplantation. Although the graft volume/standard liver volume ratio of the whole grafts after transplantation showed no difference between the two groups, the regeneration rate of the caudate lobe in the V1 group was significantly greater than that in the control group (p= 0.04).

CONCLUSION

Although no definite advantage from the V1 reconstruction was demonstrated, hepatic vein reconstruction with a significantly-sized short hepatic vein might provide an additional margin of safety for marginally-sized liver grafts during the early phase of graft regeneration.

Single orifice vein reconstruction in left liver plus caudate lobe graft

BACKGROUND/AIMS

We describe the innovative techniques with single orifice vein reconstruction for the complete venous drainage in the left liver plus caudate lobe graft.

METHODOLOGY

Eight left liver plus caudate lobe grafts used for living donor adult liver transplantation were reviewed. A wide and single venous orifice was created by gathering the left, middle or its tributaries, and/or short hepatic vein using a patch vein graft or a conduit vein graft. This single, newly-created orifice was then anastomosed to the common trunk created in the recipient's hepatic veins.

RESULTS

Of 8 liver grafts, six included the middle hepatic vein trunk. Another two included only the middle hepatic vein tributaries. Significantly-sized short hepatic veins were preserved in 4 grafts and were connected with the major hepatic veins or tributaries of the middle hepatic vein to make a single orifice using a conduit vein graft. For remaining 4 grafts without significantly-sized short hepatic veins, two adjacent hepatic vein trunks (left and middle hepatic veins) were simply connected together. To enlarge the common orifice of the hepatic veins, the patch vein grafts were further attached. Hepatic vein waveforms of all grafts showed the biphasic or triphasic pattern and the graft congestion was not observed immediately after venoplasty. No graft was lost due to hepatic venous outflow block with the mean follow-up of 15 months.

CONCLUSIONS

The short-term results of our technique were satisfactory. The present technique can simplify graft-to-recipient hepatic vein reconstruction without unfavorable tension on the anastomosis.

Predictive factors of early recurrent death after a curative resection of gastric cancer

Although several prognostic factors for gastric cancer have been shown, the predictive factors of early recurrent death remain to be elucidated. This study included 402 patients who underwent a curative resection for gastric cancer. Fifty-six patients died of recurrence. A multivariate analysis was performed to determine the independent factors correlated with survival time. The patients with an elevation of tumor markers, tumors in the upper one third of the stomach, deep wall invasion (T3, T4), extended lymph node metastases (N2, N3), an advanced stage (stages III and IV), and operation (total gastrectomy) showed a significantly different survival time. According to a multivariate analysis, the survival time was independently associated with tumor location, tumor markers, and lymph node metastases. The patients with tumors in the upper one third of the stomach, elevated tumor markers, and extended lymph node metastases can not be controlled by surgery alone.

Does a correlation exist between tumor occupation rate and Dukes classification in rectal cancer?

This study was undertaken to evaluate the correlation between tumor occupation rate and stage in rectal cancer patients. 210 patients with histologically confirmed adenocarcinoma of the rectum were evaluated. Retrospectively, we divided the subjects' pathological specimens into four groups: group A, tumor occupied less than one fourth of the colic lumen; group B, tumor occupied one fourth to one half of the colic lumen; group C, tumor occupied one half to three quarters of the colic lumen; group D, tumor occupied more than three quarters of the colic lumen. As the tumor occupation rate increased, more invasive cases were observed. Patients of group A had significantly longer survival than those of the other groups. Tumor occupation rates correlated significantly with the Dukes classification (r = 0.546, P < 0.0001). Tumor occupation rate is a primitive method but an easy and inexpensive technique for judging tumor stage. This method can assist in preoperative evaluation, thereby reducing the need for other redundant methods.

Characteristic Differences between Patients Who Have Undergone Surgical Treatment for Lung Metastasis or Hepatic Metastasis From Colorectal Cancer

OBJECTIVE

The characteristic differences between patients with lung or liver metastases from colorectal carcinoma (CRC) have not yet been clarified. A small group of these patients demonstrate a better prognosis, and the selection criteria for resection of liver and/or lung metastasis are not well defined. It is important to compare and analyze the most common metastatic sites, which include liver metastases and lung metastases. The objective of this study was to compare the characteristics of the two groups in order to identify patients who benefitted from surgical resection of CRC.

METHODS

We retrospectively reviewed the medical charts of 80 patients who had undergone resection for liver or lung metastasis from CRC in Fukuoka University Hospital between June 1991 and December 2004. These patients were grouped according to surgical therapy received for the metastases, and separated into two groups, as follows: LUM, lung metastases resection; LIM, liver metastases resection. We evaluated these groups for a set of several factors.

RESULTS

The characteristic factors between the two groups (LUM vs. LIM) demonstrated significant differences according to histological differentiation, venous invasion, and lymphatic permeation. There was a statistical difference in the disease-free interval (DFI) between the two groups (947.06 +/- 840.39 days in LUM vs. 246.03 +/- 229.26 days in LIM). Although serum CEA levels at resection of metastasis showed significant differences between the groups (LUM, 13.25 +/- 31.55 ng/ml; LIM, 55.21 +/- 99.52 ng/ml), the primary serum CEA levels were not significantly different. Overall survival rates at 5 years were 37.0 % for LUM and 42.8 % for LIM. There was no significant difference in the survival rate of the LUM vs. the LIM group after resection of metastasis. The Cox proportional hazards regression model was used to determine serum CEA status at the time of the metastases and showed a significant difference indicating poor prognosis for patients with LUM, but the results were not significant for LIM cases.

CONCLUSIONS

Candidates for surgical treatment for lung or liver metastases from CRC may be an acceptable for the same valuable approach, even if characteristic differences were observed in each group.

Application of Dye-Enhanced Laser Ablation for Liver Resection

BACKGROUND

Dye-enhanced laser ablation (DLA) using a low-power diode laser for indocyanine green (ICG)-stained tissue has proven its effectiveness in dye-enhanced laser photocoagulation of retinal vessels or endoscopic surgical mucosectomy. We have applied DLA in hepatectomy and described its histological distinction in comparison with the cavitron ultrasonic surgical aspirator (CUSA).

METHODS

A diode laser (UDL-60 Laser unit, Olympus, Tokyo, Japan) with 810 +/- 20 nm wavelength was employed for this study. The ICG dye (Diagnogreen, Daiichi Pharmaceutical, Tokyo, Japan) with a peak absorption wavelength at 800-810 nm was injected topically into the resection plane of the liver. The liver tissue was divided by touching the tip of the diode laser. Three different concentrations of ICG solution such as 2.0, 1.0 and 0.5 mg/ml were tested in the preliminary animal experiment. The use of a low-power diode laser at 10 W with an ICG concentration of 0.5 mg/ml was the appropriate combination for liver resection. In the clinical series, 27 hepatectomies were performed by DLA, and 10 with CUSA.

RESULTS

DLA demonstrated smooth cutting and good hemostasis in liver resection. Among the hepatectomy cases given DLA, no postoperative hemorrhage or bile leakage was noted. The postoperative hospital stay was significantly shorter in the DLA than the CUSA group. The cut surface of the liver was sealed microscopically with a layer of protein coagulum.

CONCLUSIONS

A layer of protein sealant on the cut surface of the liver contributes to the short postoperative hospital stay when using DLA.

Safe bile duct division in right lateral sector graft

BACKGROUND/AIMS

Right lateral sector (RLS, segments VI and VII according to Couinaud's nomenclature for liver segmentation) graft was introduced as an alternative liver graft. The authors report their surgical techniques for bile duct division in RLS graft harvest.

METHODOLOGY

Between January 2000 and December 2001, 11 donors provided their RLS. Intraoperative cholangiography was performed and the anatomy of the upper biliary confluence was confirmed. When the right lateral duct entered the common bile duct (caudal right lateral duct), the duct was divided at its root in situ. In other situations, the right portal branch was first dissected and taped. With the right portal branch pulled cranially, the right lateral duct was dissected from surrounding connective tissues and divided as long as possible.

RESULTS

Cholangiography revealed various right lateral duct anatomies, such as entering the right duct (n=6), the left and right bifurcation (n=2), the common bile duct (n=2) and the left duct (n=1). The postoperative course was uneventful in all donors. All of the patients survived the operation.

CONCLUSIONS

Careful attention should be paid to bile duct division in donor hepatectomy. The present technique can ensure a safe harvest of RLS graft with a long right lateral duct.

Left-sided gallbladder associated with congenital hypoplasia of the left lobe of the liver: a case report and review of literature

Left-sided gallbladder is a rare anomaly that is often associated with other abnormal anatomy in the hepatobiliary system. We report our experience of a case of left-sided gallbladder associated with the congenital hypoplasia of the left lobe of the liver. A 71-year-old woman underwent cholecystectomy for acute cholecystitis. Intraoperative findings revealed the absence of the left lobe of the liver. The gallbladder was located in the left side of the round ligament, which was associated with abnormal intrahepatic portal branching. The incidence of left-sided gallbladder without situs inversus is very rare. The following anomalous anatomy associated with left-sided gallbladder should be a concern when a surgeon encounters a left-sided gallbladder: right-sided round ligament associated with abnormal intrahepatic portal branching and ectopic gallbladder attached to the left lobe of the liver that connects to the left hepatic duct via the cystic duct or the accessory bile duct.

Central pontine myelinolysis after living donor liver transplantation

There are few reports of central pontine myelinolysis after living donor liver transplantation. A 59-year-old male received a right liver graft from his daughter for hepatitis B-related liver cirrhosis. Methylprednisolone and tracrolimus were used for immunosuppression. Dysarthria and dysphasia were noted on the second postoperative day. Brain magnetic resonance image taken on the 9th postoperative day revealed a hyperintense area at the center of his pons in T2-weighted images. The symptoms improved spontaneously 1 month after the operation. Central pontine myelinolysis should be included in the differential diagnosis when neurologic manifestations are observed after living donor liver transplantation.

Refractory acute rejection in a living related liver transplantation

Hepatic allograft rejection after liver transplantation remains an important problem. We report a case of corticosteroid and anti-T cell monoclonal antibody-resistant acute cellular rejection in living related liver transplantation. A 57-year-old female received a right liver graft from her daughter for hepatitis C-related liver cirrhosis. Methylprednisolone and tracrolimus were used for immunosuppression. The patient experienced acute rejection 10 days after the operation. Rescue therapy was attempted using high doses of methylprednisolone and then monoclonal antibodies. Deterioration of graft function, however, was not prevented, resulting in graft and patient loss. Graft lost due to refractory acute rejection could also occur in living related liver transplantation, although it should be rare.

A case of gallbladder cancer associated with pancreaticobiliary maljunction

We report a case of gallbladder cancer associated with pancreaticobiliary maljunction. The patient was a 60-year-old woman who consulted a local doctor because of discomfort in the right hypochondriac region. Abdominal ultrasonography (US) showed a gallbladder abnormality, and she was referred to Kurume University Hospital, where she was hospitalized for further study and surgery. Abdominal US revealed a sessile tumor with an irregular surface in the fundus of the gallbladder. The internal echo of the tumor was nonhomogeneous, and the structure of the gallbladder wall was partly torn. The common bile duct and the left intrahepatic bile duct were dilated. Abdominal computed tomography (CT) showed an elevated lesion with the same degree of imaging effect as that of the liver on the peritoneal side of the fundus of the gallbladder. The structure of the gallbladder was preserved, and the gallbladder was well demarcated from the surrounding tissue. No hepatic or lymph node metastases were noted. Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) visualized the pancreaticobiliary maljunction where the pancreatic duct joined the bile duct, entering an approximately 2-cm-long common channel. Dilatation of the common bile duct and intrahepatic bile ducts was observed and diagnosed as the IV-A type according to the Toya classification. Abdominal angiography in the arterial phase showed dilatation of the cystic artery and hyperplasia of vessels but no apparent encasement. In the venous phase, a deep-staining tumor was observed. From the above findings, we made a diagnosis of gallbladder cancer complicating pancreaticobiliary maljunction, and performed an operation. Since intraoperative US showed that the outermost layer of the gallbladder was in part ill-demarcated, we diagnosed the depth of penetration as ss, and performed cholecystectomy and bile duct resection and hepatic resection (S4a and S5), and lymphnode dissection (D2; dissection of groups 1 and 2 lymphnodes). The resected specimen grossly showed a papillomatous lesion with a cauliflower-like surface. The histopathologic diagnosis was papillary adenocarcinoma, depth ss, stage II. Tumor cells proliferated in a papillomatous pattern and were mostly confined to the muscular coat but partly infiltrated into the subserosal coat. In the diagnosis of pancreaticobiliary maljunction, it is crucial to consider complicating gallbladder cancer.

Resectable carcinoma of the pancreatic head developing 7 years and 4 months after distal pancreatectomy for carcinoma of the pancreatic tail

A 67-year-old woman was referred with an abnormal finding on an abdominal echogram but presented with no symptoms; a pancreatic tail tumor was detected by ultrasonography. Biochemical examinations showed slight elevation of serum carcinoembryonic antigen level. The lesion was resected by tail and body pancreatectomy and her postoperative course was uneventful. Seven years and 4 months after the initial operation, however, her serum level of carbohydrate antigen 19-9 was found to be elevated, and a recurrence of pancreatic cancer was suspected. Examinations revealed a mass in the head of the remnant pancreas. The lesion was radically resected by total remnant pancreatectomy. Histological examinations showed that the initial tumor was a well differentiated tubular adenocarcinoma, while the second tumor was characterized as a moderately differentiated tubular adenocarcinoma. The surgical margins of the distal pancreatectomy specimen were free of atypical cells. Therefore, the position of the second lesion diminished the likelihood that it had developed by intrapancreatic metastasis. This suggests that the second carcinoma in the head of the pancreas may have been a second primary lesion.

Adeno-endocrine cell carcinoma of the gallbladder

We encountered a rare case of adeno-endocrine cell carcinoma of the gallbladder in an 81-year-old woman. Imaging study revealed a common bile duct stone. Endoscopic sphincterotomy was performed, and the stone was extracted successfully. Thereafter, cholecystectomy was performed. A papillary tumor was found in the neck of the gallbladder. Histologically, the tumor consisted of two components, well differentiated adenocarcinoma and endocrine cell carcinoma. However, no clinical signs of tumor hormonal activity were observed. The tumor cells in the area of the endocrine cell carcinoma were small and round. Histochemical studies of these tumor cells were positive for chromogranin A and Grimelius silver impregnation. The tumor cells in the area of the adenocarcinoma were well differentiated adenocarcinoma and included goblet-type cells with a tubular structure or solid growth pattern. These adenocarcinoma cells stained positively for Alcian blue and periodic acid-Schiff, and both types of tumor cells stained positively for carbohydrate antigen and carcinoembryonic antigen. It was suggested that the histogenesis of the endocrine cell carcinoma of the gallbladder was closely related to that of the adenocarcinoma.

In vitro B-mode ultrasonographic criteria for diagnosing axillary lymph node metastasis of breast cancer

Axillary lymph node status is an important factor for staging and treatment planning in breast cancer. Our study was performed in vitro on a node-by-node basis to evaluate the ability of B-mode ultrasonographic images to distinguish metastatic from nonmetastatic nodes. Immediately prior to histologic examination, individual dissected axillary nodes were scanned in a water bath using a 10 MHz B-mode ultrasonographic transducer. Four B-mode features (size, circularity, border demarcation, and internal echo) were evaluated for their ability to distinguish metastatic from nonmetastatic lymph nodes. Lymph node metastasis was indicated by (1) a large size (i.e., a length of the longest axis of 10 mm or greater); (2) a circular shape (i.e., the ratio of the shortest axis to the longest axis between 0.5 and 1.0); (3) a sharply demarcated border compared with surrounding fatty tissue; and (4) a hypoechoic internal echo, with obliteration of the fatty hilum. The sensitivity and specificity were compared for all combinations of features. We examined 84 histologically characterized axillary nodes from 27 breast cancer patients, including 64 nonmetastatic and 20 metastatic nodes. Of the criteria cited, circular shape was the best single feature for distinguishing metastatic from nonmetastatic nodes (sensitivity, 65%; specificity, 73%). The best combination of sensitivity (85%) and specificity (73%) was obtained using the criterion that a lymph node contained cancer when at least three positive features were present. The present in vitro study demonstrated that the sensitivity and specificity of B-mode ultrasonography for diagnosing lymph node metastasis were lower than 90%. Therefore, B-mode ultrasonography may not be an optimal noninvasive screening method for diagnosing axillary lymph node metastasis in breast cancer patients, particularly under in vivo clinical conditions.

In vitro diagnosis of axillary lymph node metastases in breast cancer by spectrum analysis of radio frequency echo signals

Axillary lymph node status is of particular importance for staging and managing breast cancer. Currently, axillary lymph node dissection is performed routinely in cases of invasive breast cancer because of the lack of accurate noninvasive methods for diagnosing lymph node metastasis. We investigated the diagnostic ability of ultrasonic tissue characterization based on spectrum analysis of backscattered echo signals to detect axillary lymph node metastasis in breast cancer in vitro compared with in vitro B-mode imaging. Immediately after surgery, individual lymph nodes were isolated from axillary tissue. Each lymph node was scanned in a water bath using a 10-MHz instrument, and radio frequency data and B-mode images were acquired. Spectral parameter values were calculated, and discriminant analysis was performed to classify metastatic and nonmetastatic lymph nodes. Forty histologically characterized axillary lymph nodes were enrolled in this study, including 25 nonmetastatic and 15 metastatic lymph nodes. A significant difference existed in the spectral parameter values (slope and intercept) for metastatic and nonmetastatic lymph nodes. Spectral parameter-based discriminant function classification of metastatic vs. nonmetastatic lymph nodes provided a sensitivity of 93.3%, specificity of 92.0%, and overall accuracy of 92.5%. In comparison, B-mode ultrasound images of in vitro lymph nodes provided a sensitivity of 73.3%, specificity of 84.0%, and overall accuracy of 80.0%. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis comparing the efficacy of both methods gave an ROC curve area of 0.9888 for spectral methods, which was greater than the area of 0.8980 for B-mode ultrasound. Hence, this in vitro study suggests that the diagnostic ability of spectrum analysis may prove to be markedly superior to that of B-mode ultrasound in detecting axillary lymph node metastasis in breast cancer. Because of these encouraging results, we intend to conduct an investigation of the ability of spectral methods to classify metastatic axillary lymph nodes in vivo.

In vitro investigation of lymph node metastasis of colorectal cancer using ultrasonic spectral parameters

Lymph node involvement is one of the major factors affecting the prognosis of colorectal cancer. Various imaging methods, including ultrasound and computed tomography, are not sufficiently sensitive or specific for reliably determining lymph node involvement. We investigated the feasibility of using ultrasonic tissue characterization (UTC) based on spectrum analysis of backscattered echo signals for diagnosing lymph node metastasis of colorectal cancer in vitro. Forty lymph nodes, including 17 metastatic and 23 nonmetastatic nodes, from 11 colorectal cancer operations were investigated. Lymph nodes were scanned using a clinical instrument; B-mode imaging was performed for each lymph node, and radiofrequency (RF) data were acquired. The UTC parameters, slope and intercept, were calculated from the normalized power spectrum of the backscattered echo signals from each lymph node. The mean values of UTC parameters of metastatic and nonmetastatic lymph nodes were compared. The accuracy of UTC in distinguishing metastatic from nonmetastatic lymph nodes was calculated using discriminant analysis. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis was performed to compare the classification efficacy of UTC and B-mode ultrasound. UTC parameters demonstrated a significant difference in parameter values between metastatic and nonmetastatic lymph nodes. The overall accuracy in diagnosing the lymph node metastasis was 87.5% for UTC and 77.5% for B-mode ultrasound. ROC analysis produced an ROC curve area of 0.92 or 0.89 for UTC (depending on the performance-assessment algorithm) and 0.84 for B-mode ultrasound, which indicated that UTC performed markedly better than B-mode ultrasound in diagnosing metastatic lymph nodes. The advantages of UTC over conventional B-mode ultrasound in discriminating metastatic lymph nodes from nonmetastatic lymph nodes are extremely encouraging, and warrant an in vivo UTC study.

In vivo detection of carotid plaque thrombus by ultrasonic tissue characterization

The purpose of the study was to determine whether ultrasonic tissue characterization could detect carotid plaque thrombus in vivo. Patients undergoing carotid endarterectomy were examined preoperatively and the ultrasonic tissue characterization findings were compared to those of optical microscopy of the removed plaque specimens. Ten of 15 patients studied had plaque thrombus. Ultra-ultrasonic tissue characterization entailed an analysis of parameters obtained from the power spectrum of backscattered ultrasound signals. Data were obtained with a nominal 10 MHz sector scanning transducer with an effective bandwidth of 3 to 13 MHz. The parameters were the slope and intercept derived from the linear regression of the normalized spectrum and total power (log of the integrated power of the normalized spectrum over the effective bandwidth). The combined effect of the three parameters was determined by discriminant function analysis and showed a significant difference (P < 0.05) between nonthrombus and plaque thrombus in a small sample of patients with advance carotid atherosclerosis. These parameters applied singly could not provide such a distinction. Correct classification of carotid plaque thrombus using the multiple-parameter analysis revealed a sensitivity of 90%, specificity of 80%, and accuracy of 86.7%. This study demonstrates that analysis utilizing a combination of multiple spectral parameters was able to detect carotid plaque thrombus in vivo.

Carotid plaque typing by multiple-parameter ultrasonic tissue characterization

We evaluated the ability of ultrasonic tissue characterization (UTC), based on backscattered echo signals, to distinguish among the components of advanced carotid plaques. We performed spectral analysis of echo signals acquired from human carotid endarterectomy specimens in vitro to calculate three parameters of the calibrated power spectrum: slope, intercept and total power for fibrous, lipid pool and thrombus constituents of plaque. Plaque constituents were identified histologically. We evaluated classification efficacy by discriminant function analysis. Slope and intercept parameters alone provided correct classification in 92.5%, 57.6% and 72.4% of fibrous, lipid pool and thrombus plaque components, respectively. Slope, intercept and total power used in combination improved classification of the three tissue types to 93.0%, 69.7% and 81.0%. The overall proportion of correctly classified tissue regions increased from 84.5% to 88.0% by the combined use of the three parameters. The improvement in classification that occurred when we included total power as a third parameter suggests that ultrasound plaque components may not consist solely of small, randomly distributed isotropic scatterers. Our ability to identify plaque thrombi provides motivation for future studies of parameter-based imaging methods for identifying such plaque that presents an increased risk of embolic neurologic ischemic events.

Technique of laparoscopic ultrasound examination of the liver and pancreas

Since the introduction of a recent laparoscopic ultrasound (LU), the value of this modality in examining the liver and pancreas has been reported. However, a precise scanning technique of LU has not previously been described. Based on our experience with intraoperative ultrasound during laparotomy, we have developed a technique for complete examination of the entire organs using a rigid LU probe. A 7.5-MHz rigid probe, 10 mm in diameter, was employed. The scanning was performed through three trocar ports: right subcostal, subxiphoid, and umbilical. For the liver, the subcostal scanning provided fundamental transverse views. The subxiphoid and umbilical scanning delineated the areas unable to be imaged by the subcostal scanning. For the pancreas, the subcostal and umbilical scanning demonstrated longitudinal and transverse views, respectively. The subxiphoid scanning enhanced examination of the pancreatic head. Three basic probe maneuvers (advancement-withdrawal, lateral movement, and rotation) and various scanning techniques (contact, probe-standoff, and compression scanning) should be utilized appropriately. With a rigid probe, complete LU examination of the liver and pancreas is possible using these techniques. We believe the present scanning method will help more surgeons learn LU.