The differences in clinicopathological features and prognosis among the subtypes of signet ring cell, mucinous, papillary, and lymphoepithelioma-like carcinoma in advanced gastric cancer.

Background/aims: There are differing histologic subtypes of gastric cancer. We investigated the clinicopathological features and prognosis of: signet ring cell (SRC), mucinous (MGC), papillary (PGC), and lymphoepithelioma-like (LELC) carcinoma in advanced gastric cancer.

Methodology: One hundred thirty six advanced gastric cancer patients, including 62 SRCs, 43 MGCs, 9 PGCs, and 22 LELCs, who underwent R0 gastrectomy between 2002 and 2013, were retrospectively evaluated.

Risk factors for duodenal stump leakage after gastrectomy for gastric cancer and management technique of stump leakage.

Background/aims: The goal of this study was to elucidate the risk factors for duodenal stump leakage after gastrectomy for gastric cancer. In addition, the management of duodenal stump leakage is reviewed.

Methodology: From January 2002 through December 2012, 1,195 patients with gastric cancer who underwent gastric R0 resection were enrolled in this study.

Comprehension of readmission after laparoscopy assisted distal gastrectomy: what are the causes?

Purpose: The aim of this study is to evaluate long-term outcomes regarding readmission for laparoscopy-assisted distal subtotal gastrectomy (LADG) compared to conventional open distal subtotal gastrectomy (CODG) for early gastric cancer (EGC).

Methods: Between January 2003 and December 2006, 223 and 106 patients underwent LADG and CODG, respectively, for EGC by one surgeon. The clinicopathologic characteristics, postoperative outcomes, postoperative complications, overall 5-year survival, recurrence, and readmission were retrospectively compared between the two groups.

Is the rate of postoperative complications following laparoscopy-assisted gastrectomy higher in elderly patients than in younger patients?

Background: With an increase in life expectancy, very elderly patients are presenting with gastric cancer more commonly than ever. The present study retrospectively analyzed the surgical outcomes of laparoscopy-assisted gastrectomy for gastric cancer in the young, elderly, and very elderly age groups.

Methods: The study group consisted of 1,055 patients who underwent laparoscopy-assisted gastrectomy between February 2002 and December 2012.

Analysis of prognostic factors and outcomes of gastric cancer in younger patients: a case control study using propensity score methods.

Aim: To understand the clinicopathological and prognostic features of gastric cancer in younger and older patients.

Methods: Between January 2002 and December 2008, 1667 patients underwent curative gastric surgery. For comparative purposes, the patients were divided into two groups: younger patients who were less than 40 years old (112 patients), and older patients who were 40 years old and older (1555 patients).

Readmissions following elective radical total gastrectomy for early gastric cancer: a case-controlled study.

Background: Readmission after gastrectomy is one of the factors that reflect quality of life. Therefore, we analyzed the several factors related to readmissions after total gastrectomy for early gastric cancer.

Methods: From January 2002 through December 2009, 102 consecutive patients who underwent radical total gastrectomy for early gastric cancer were enrolled in this study.

Long term survival results for gastric GIST: is laparoscopic surgery for large gastric GIST feasible?

Background: Recently, laparoscopic resection for relatively small sized gastric gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs) has been widely accepted as minimally invasive surgery. However, no report on the long-term safety and efficacy of this surgery for large sized gastric GISTs has been published to date.

Methods: Between July 1998 and January 2011, 104 consecutive patients who underwent resection for gastric GISTs were enrolled in this retrospective study.

Endoscopic treatment and risk factors of postoperative anastomotic bleeding after gastrectomy for gastric cancer.

Background: Anastomotic leakage, bleeding, and stricture are major complications after gastrectomy. Of these complications, postoperative anastomotic bleeding is relatively rare, but lethal if not treated immediately.

Methods: Of 2031 patients with gastric cancer who underwent radical gastrectomy (R0 resection) between January 2002 and December 2010, postoperative anastomotic bleeding was observed in 7 patients.

Comparative study of laparoscopy-assisted versus open subtotal gastrectomy for pT2 gastric cancer.

Purpose: Laparoscopy-assisted distal gastrectomy (LADG) is a widely accepted surgery for early gastric cancer. However, its use in advanced gastric cancer has rarely been studied. The aim of this study is to investigate the feasibility and survival outcomes of LADG for pT2 gastric cancer.

Comparative analysis of five-year survival results of laparoscopy-assisted gastrectomy versus open gastrectomy for advanced gastric cancer: a case-control study using a propensity score method.

Background: The aim of this study was to investigate the surgical and oncologic outcomes of laparoscopy-assisted gastrectomy (LAG) and open gastrectomy (OG) for advanced gastric cancer (AGC) using the case-control method with a sufficient follow-up period.

Patients And Methods: The authors retrospectively analyzed 89 patients who underwent LAG and 345 patients who underwent OG for AGC between August 1999 and June 2007. A total of 176 matched cases were included in the final analysis.

A 5 year analysis of readmissions after radical subtotal gastrectomy for early gastric cancer.

Background: Many patients and surgeons have become interested in the quality of life after surgery for early gastric cancer. However, no reports on readmission rates for gastrectomy patients have been published, even if readmission greatly affects the patient's quality of life.

Methods: In 530 consecutive early gastric cancer patients who underwent radical subtotal gastrectomy, we determined the incidence, cause, timing, type of treatment, and risk factors for readmission after discharge, and compared the readmission and nonreadmission groups with respect to clinicopathologic features and postoperative outcomes.

Laparoscopic rectosigmoid flap vaginoplasty.

Various methods have been developed for vaginoplasty, of which the rectosigmoid flap has its own advantages including sufficient increase in the vaginal length and lower incidence of complications such as contracture or strain after vaginoplasty. Laparoscopic operation can greatly minimise the abdominal scar associated with laparotomy and allow cosmetically superior outcomes. Its minimally invasive procedure can also achieve rapid recovery and shorten the duration of hospital stay.

Robotic gastrectomy for gastric cancer: surgical techniques and clinical merits.

Background: Robotic gastrectomy in the setting of gastric cancer is reported by some investigators. However, no study has compared robotic surgery with open or laparoscopic surgery for patients with gastric cancer. This study aimed to determine the clinical benefits of robotic gastrectomy over open and laparoscopic gastrectomy for the treatment of gastric cancer.

Cellular and peritoneal immune response after radical laparoscopy-assisted and open gastrectomy for gastric cancer.

Background And Objectives: The aim of this study was to assess cellular and peritoneal immune responses after radical laparoscopic surgery in gastric cancer.

Methods: Peripheral heparinized plasma and plain serum tube samples were collected preoperatively, and at 2 hr, 1 day, and 4 days postoperatively for analysis o; white blood cells, total lymphocytes, T-helper lymphocytes, T-suppressor lymphocytes, B-lymphocytes, natural killer cells, plasma C-reactive protein and serum amyloid-A. Twenty-four hours peritoneal fluid collection was performed on days 1 and 4 for TNF-alpha, IL-6, and IL-10 analysis.

The clinicopathologic and immunohistochemical characteristics of ampulla of Vater carcinoma: the intestinal type is associated with a better prognosis.

Background/aims: We wanted to compare the clinicopathological parameters with the immunohistochemical expression patterns and patient survival for the intestinal type (IT) and the pancreatobiliary type (PT) of ampulla of Vater carcinoma. Ampulla of Vater carcinoma can be classified histologically into either IT or PT. The biologic behavior and patient prognosis vary considerably in relation to the tumor type.

Laparoscopic management of a primary small bowel volvulus: a case report.

Primary small bowel volvulus in adults is a very rare condition, and it is defined as torsion of all or a large segment of the small intestine and its mesentery in the absence of any preexisting etiologic factors. Proper management of the patients suffering from a strangulated obstruction depends on making an early and accurate diagnosis. Timely treatment is crucial to prevent gangrene.

Traumatic abdominal wall hernia (TAWH): a case study highlighting surgical management.

We report a rare case of traumatic abdominal wall hernia (TAWH) caused by a traffic accident. A 47-year-old woman presented to the emergency room soon after a traffic accident. She complained of diffuse, dull abdominal pain and mild nausea.

Morbidity and mortality of laparoscopy-assisted gastrectomy with extraperigastric lymph node dissection for gastric cancer.

Gastrectomy with extraperigastric lymph node dissection has not been generally acceptable because of increased morbidity and mortality in some Western countries. Recently, many surgeons have become interested in laparoscopic gastric surgery for malignant disease as well as benign lesions because laparoscopic surgery itself has been shown to have many advantages over open surgery. The aims of this study are to evaluate the incidence and nature of operative morbidity and mortality after laparoscopy-assisted gastrectomy (LAG) with extraperigastric lymph node dissection with respect to surgical experience and to identify factors predictive of complications and death.

Pilot study of postoperative adjuvant chemoradiation for advanced gastric cancer: adjuvant 5-FU/cisplatin and chemoradiation with capecitabine.

Aim: To evaluate the efficacy and toxicity of postoperative chemoradiation using FP chemotherapy and oral capecitabine during radiation for advanced gastric cancer following curative resection.

Methods: Thirty-one patients who had underwent a potentially curative resection for Stage III and IV (M0) gastric cancer were enrolled. Therapy consists of one cycle of FP (continuous infusion of 5-FU 1000 mg/m(2) on d 1 to 5 and cisplatin 60 mg/m(2) on d 1) followed by 4500 cGy (180 cGy/d) with capecitabine (1650 mg/m(2) daily throughout radiotherapy).

Learning curve of laparoscopy-assisted distal gastrectomy with systemic lymphadenectomy for early gastric cancer.

Aim: To evaluate the nature of the "learning curve" for laparoscopy-assisted distal gastrectomy (LADG) with systemic lymphadenectomy for early gastric cancer.

Methods: The data of 90 consecutive patients with early gastric cancer who underwent LADG with systemic lymphadenectomy between April 2003 and November 2004 were reviewed. The 90 patients were divided into 9 sequential groups of 10 cases in each group and the average operative time of these 9 groups were determined.

Gastric cancer occurring in a patient with Plummer-Vinson syndrome: a case report.

Plummer-Vinson syndrome (sideropenic dysphagia) is characterized by dysphagia due to an upper esophageal or hypopharyngeal web in patients with chronic iron deficiency anemia. The main cause of dysphagia is the presence of the web in the cervical esophagus, and abnormal motility of the pharynx or esophagus is also found to play a significant role in this condition. This syndrome is thought to be precancerous because squamous cell carcinoma of hypopharynx, oral cavity or esophagus takes place in 10% of those patients suffering from this malady, but it is even more unusual that Plummer-Vinson syndrome should be accompanied by gastric cancer.

Sutureless intestinal anastomosis with the biofragmentable anastomosis ring: experience of 632 anastomoses in a single institute.

Purpose: Uncertainty with the safety of the biofragmentable anastomosis ring makes surgeons hesitate in its widespread use in intestinal surgery. This study was designed to evaluate the validity of the biofragmentable anastomosis ring as a routine anastomotic device in enterocolic surgery.

Methods: The study analyzed the nine-year experience of 632 biofragmentable anastomosis ring anastomoses performed in 617 patients: 525 (83 percent) as elective procedures and 107 (17 percent) as emergency.

Comparison of laparoscopy-assisted by conventional open distal gastrectomy and extraperigastric lymph node dissection in early gastric cancer.

Background And Objectives: Laparoscopy-assisted gastrectomy with lymph node dissection for gastric cancer is considered technically more complicated than the open method. Moreover, the safety and efficacy of laparoscopy-assisted distal gastrectomy (LADG) with extraperigastric lymph node dissection in patients with gastric cancer have not been established yet. To evaluate short-term surgical validity, surgical outcome of the laparoscopy-assisted distal gastrectomy (LADG) with extraperigastric lymph node dissection was compared with that of the conventional open distal gastrectomy (CODG) in patients with early gastric cancer.

Lymphatic mapping and sentinel node biopsy using 99mTc tin colloid in gastric cancer.

Objective: The aim of this study was to determine the feasibility of sentinel lymph node (SLN) biopsy in patients with gastric cancer for the assessment of regional lymph node status.

Summary Background Data: SLN is the first draining node from the primary lesion, and it is the first site of lymph node metastasis in malignancy. SLN mapping and biopsy are of great significance in the determination of the extent of lymphadenectomy, allowing patients with gastric cancer to have a better quality of life without jeopardizing survival.