[Fusion vaccine therapy by IL-2-gene-transduced dendritic cells and tumor cells].

We evaluated the usefulness of fusion vaccine prepared from IL-2-gene-transduced splenic dendritic cells (DCs) and fibrosarcoma tumor cells (QRsP) in treating of lung metastasis. The IL-2 or LacZ gene was transferred into spleen-derived DCs using an adenoviral vector. Irradiated QRsP tumor cells were fused with IL-2 gene transduced DCs (fusion/IL-2) or LacZ gene transduced DCs (fusion/LacZ) by polyethyleneglycol.

Prospective randomized study of two laparotomy incisions for gastrectomy: midline incision versus transverse incision.

Background: We performed a randomized study to evaluate the differences between upper midline incision and transverse incision for gastrectomy.

Methods: Patients undergoing distal gastrectomy or total gastrectomy for gastric cancer were randomly allocated to have either an upper midline incision or a transverse incision. The times taken to open and close the abdominal cavity, the number of doses of postoperative analgesics, and the incidence of postoperative pneumonia, wound infection, and intestinal obstruction were compared between the patients having the two incisions.

Diffuse intrahepatic bile duct dilation caused by a very small hepatic cyst.

A 72-year-old woman presented to our hospital with diffuse dilation of the intrahepatic bile ducts. Imaging studies revealed a solitary hepatic cyst, 3 cm in diameter, in segment 4 of Couinaud's category of the liver, riding on the hilar hepatic duct. Deroofing of the hepatic cyst was performed, and the dilation of the intrahepatic bile ducts was attenuated.