Analyzing the high frequency of false-positive carcinoembryonic antigen elevations in postoperative pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma.

Purpose: The dynamics of postoperative carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) patients have not been well assessed. This study investigated the correlation between postoperative CEA elevations and tumor recurrence.

Methods: Medical records were retrospectively analyzed for 84 patients who received curative resection for PDAC from January 2019 to December 2020.

Surgical treatment of pancreatic metastases: More appropriate surgical methods based on a clinicopathologic study of 43 patients.

Purpose: There is no established surgical method for metastatic lesion to the pancreas. In the case of relatively small lesion, we often hesitate to select which surgical method, that is, wedge/partial resection or Whipple/distal pancreatectomy. Moreover, it is debatable whether lymph node dissection is necessary or not.

Technical Guidelines for Safe Mesojejunum Dissection During Pancreaticoduodenectomy: Unveiling Critical Techniques in a Complex Procedure.

Background: Pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD) is a complex procedure involving the dissection of the superior mesenteric artery and vein. However, a safe and standardized technique for dissecting the jejunal veins (JVs) in the mesojejunum during PD remains elusive.

Methods: We retrospectively analyzed 198 patients who underwent open PD with mesojejunum dissection using an anterior artery-first approach and evaluated anatomical variations in the first JV trunk (FJVT) and its tributaries.

Strategies for Recurrent Colorectal Liver Metastases Based on Prognostic Factors and Resectability: Potential Benefit of Multidisciplinary Treatment.

Background: Colorectal liver metastasis (CLM) is classified into technical and oncologic categories, with recommended treatments for each resectability category. However, the classification of recurrent CLM has not been established to date.

Methods: This study evaluated patients with CLM who underwent initial liver resection between 2006 and 2020 and subsequently experienced liver recurrence.

Pancreaticoduodenectomy for octogenarians under postoperative rehabilitation enhanced ERAS protocol.

Background: Although pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD) for pancreatic or periampullary cancer is the gold standard treatment regardless of patient age, patients aged 80 years or older have poor postoperative short-term outcomes because of their poor functional status and many medical comorbidities. Postoperative rehabilitation in octogenarians could improve postoperative outcomes; however, its effect remains unclear.

Methods: This retrospective study included patients who underwent PD at two institutions between January 2019 and December 2022.

Posthepatectomy Liver Failure in Patients with Splenomegaly Induced by Induction Chemotherapy for Colorectal Liver Metastases.

Purpose: With advances in chemotherapy, conversion surgery is often performed for initially unresectable colorectal cancer liver metastasis (CLM). However, unexpected posthepatectomy liver failure (PHLF) is sometimes associated with chemotherapy-associated liver injuries following long-term chemotherapy. We aimed to identify predictive factors for PHLF after conversion surgery for initially unresectable CLM.

Short- and long-term outcomes of liver resection with hepatic vein reconstruction for liver tumors: A nationwide multicenter survey.

Background/purpose: This study clarifies the short- and long-term outcomes of liver resection with hepatic vein (HV) reconstruction for liver tumors and identifies the risk factors for poor outcome.

Methods: We contacted 263 specialized centers in Japan and collected data on this surgical procedure. Patient characteristics, surgical procedures, and outcomes were then analyzed.

Feasibility of major hepatectomy following preoperative chemotherapy for advanced perihilar cholangiocarcinoma.

Background: The safety of major hepatectomy following preoperative chemotherapy for perihilar cholangiocarcinoma (PHCC) is underexplored. This study evaluates the impact of preoperative chemotherapy on surgical outcomes and assesses chemotherapy-induced liver injury in patients with advanced PHCC.

Methods: This retrospective study included 62 PHCC patients who underwent surgery between January 2019 and January 2024.

Pancreatoduodenectomy with superior mesenteric vein resection and non-reconstruction for pancreatic head cancer paying particular attention to hemodynamics.

Purpose: Locally advanced pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) with an unreconstructible superior mesenteric vein (SMV) invasion is one of the criteria of unresectability in the National Comprehensive Cancer Network guidelines. Advances in chemotherapy have improved downstaging and conversion surgery outcomes, thereby broadening surgical options for locally advanced PDAC. However, operations for PDAC with an unreconstructible SMV is less well-documented.

Low incidence of pancreatic fistula and well-preserved endocrine function with non-reconstructed small remnant pancreas after pancreaticoduodenectomy.

Aim: Pancreatic reconstruction after pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD) that leaves a small remnant pancreas is often difficult. Pancreatic fistula is a major complication after PD, and fistulas are rare in patients with hard pancreas. However, the clinical impact of non-reconstructed small remnant after PD with hard pancreas is unknown.

Association of stromal type IV collagen and prognosis in neoadjuvant chemotherapy-treated pancreatic cancer.

Background: Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) has poor prognosis due to its low surgical eligibility and resistance to chemotherapy. Abundant stroma is characteristic of PDAC, and cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) are a major stromal constituent, contributing to chemoresistance. Because neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) is included in PDAC treatment as a standard regimen, the role of CAFs in NAC resistance must be studied.

A Multicenter Phase 2 Trial Evaluating the Efficacy and Safety of Preoperative Lenvatinib Therapy for Patients with Advanced Hepatocellular Carcinoma (LENS-HCC Trial).

Introduction: The phase III REFLECT trial demonstrated that lenvatinib was superior to sorafenib in terms of progression-free survival (PFS), time to progression, and objective response rate (ORR) for patients with unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). This study assessed the efficacy and safety of preoperative lenvatinib therapy for patients with oncologically or technically unresectable HCC.

Methods: In this multicenter single-arm phase II trial, patients with advanced HCC and factors suggestive of a poor prognosis (macroscopic vascular invasion, extrahepatic metastasis, or multinodular tumors) were enrolled.

Utilization of the modified Kama scoring system for predicting bail-out cholecystectomy: a valuable tool in the era of rising laparoscopic surgery prevalence.

Purpose: Recently, bail-out cholecystectomy (BOC) during laparoscopic cholecystectomy to avoid severe complications, such as vasculobiliary injury, has become widely used and increased in prevalence. However, current predictive factors or scoring systems are insufficient. Therefore, in this study, we aimed to test the validity of existing scoring systems and determine a suitable cutoff value for predicting BOC.

Introduction of robotic pancreatoduodenectomy following phase 2a IDEAL guidelines.

Background: Robotic pancreatoduodenectomy (RPD) is a newly introduced procedure, which is still evolving and lacks standardization. An objective assessment is essential to investigate the feasibility of RPD. The current study aimed to assess our initial ten cases of RPD based on IDEAL (Idea, Development, Exploration, Assessment, and Long-term study) guidelines.

Intraoperative indocyanine green fluorescence imaging to predict early hepatic arterial complications after liver transplantation.

The purpose of this study was to propose an innovative intraoperative criterion in a liver transplantation setting that would judge arterial flow abnormality that may lead to early hepatic arterial occlusion, that is, thrombosis or stenosis, when left untreated and to carry out reanastomosis. After liver graft implantation, and after ensuring that there is no abnormality on the Doppler ultrasound (qualitative and quantitative assessment), we intraoperatively injected indocyanine green dye (0.01 mg/Kg), and we quantified the fluorescence signal at the graft pedicle using ImageJ software.

An Elemental Diet Reduces Chylous Ascites of Patients Undergoing Pancreatoduodenectomy in the Setting of Early Enteral Feeding.

Objectives: The elemental diet (ED) is a formula to support nutritional status without increasing chylous burden. This study evaluates the efficacy of early ED feeding after pancreatoduodenectomy (PD).

Materials And Methods: A prospective phase II study of consecutive patients who underwent PD with early ED feeding was conducted.

Prospective evaluation of common hepatic duct histopathology at the time of choledochal cyst excision ranging from children to adults.

Purpose: To evaluate common hepatic duct just distal to the HE anastomosis (d-CHD) prospectively for mucosal damage, inflammation, fibrosis, dysplasia, carcinoma in situ, malignant transformation, effects of serum amylase, and symptoms at presentation in CC cases ranging from children to adults.

Methods: Cross-sections of d-CHD obtained at cyst excision 2018-2023 from 65 CC patients; 40 children (< 15 years old), 25 adults (≥ 15) were examined with hematoxylin and eosin, Ki-67, S100P, IMP3, p53, and Masson's trichrome to determine an inflammation score (IS), fibrosis score (FS), and damaged mucosa rate (DMR; damaged mucosa expressed as a percentage of the internal circumference).

Results: Mean age at cyst excision ("age") was 18.