Intraoperative maneuvers may affect the development of early postoperative small bowel obstruction after laparoscopic colorectal cancer surgery: Multicenter prospective cohort study.

Background: Early postoperative small bowel obstruction (EPSBO) is one of the most common complications after colorectal cancer (CRC) surgery, and clarification of its causes is desired. Several reports have demonstrated the risks of EPSBO, but few have focused on laparoscopic surgery for CRC and intraoperative maneuvers. We therefore prospectively examined the risk factors for EPSBO after laparoscopic CRC resection.

Prognostic factors in gastrointestinal perforation.

Background/aims: Postoperative complications associated with gastrointestinal (GI) perforation may lead to a poor prognosis. The goal of the study was to identify factors required for the establishment of appropriate perioperative procedures in such cases.

Methodology: The subjects were 51 patients with GI perforation treated from July 2007 to June 2008 in six hospitals in the Minamikawachi district.

A wound protector shields incision sites from bacterial invasion.

Background: Superficial surgical site infection (SSI) can be caused by bacterial invasion during surgery. We investigated whether bacteria are found at the wound margin during surgery and whether a wound protector (WP; Alexis® Wound Retractor; Applied Medical, Rancho Santa Margarita, CA) contributes to preventing invasion of the incision margin.

Methods: We studied 272 patients who underwent gastrointestinal surgery (115 gastric, 157 colorectal, including emergency operations) between October 2005 and July 2007.

A case of pathological complete response of advanced rectal cancer to preoperative chemoradiotherapy using S-1.

In patients with advanced rectal cancer, preoperative chemoradiotherapy is superior to postoperative chemoradiotherapy because of causing less toxicity and achieving higher rates of sphincter preservation and curative resection. We treated a patient who had advanced rectal cancer with preoperative chemotherapy using S-1 and concurrent radiotherapy. S-1 was orally administered at a dose of 100 mg/day during the first cycle (two-week on and one week off).

Randomized, controlled investigation of the anti-infective properties of the Alexis retractor/protector of incision sites.

Background: We prospectively investigated whether the wound-protective Alexis (Applied Medical, Rancho Santa Margarita, CA) wound retractor was effective in preventing surgical site infection (SSI).

Methods: We examined the actual condition of SSI in a 12-month randomized, controlled trial consisting of 221 patients who had undergone nontraumatic gastrointestinal surgery. The patients were divided into a With Alexis retractor group (n = 111) and a Without Alexis retractor group (n = 110).