Efficacy and safety of radial incision and cutting for nonsurgical refractory benign esophageal stricture.

Radial incision and cutting (RIC) was established to improve refractory esophageal anastomotic strictures but its efficacy and safety for nonsurgical refractory strictures remain unclear. To evaluate the usefulness of RIC in nonsurgical refractory strictures, we retrospectively compared outcomes between nonsurgical and surgical strictures. We retrospectively studied 54 consecutive patients who were initially treated with RIC for refractory benign esophageal stricture.

A prospective evaluation of postoperative swallowing function and dysphagia following endoscopic laryngopharyngeal surgery.

Background: Endoscopic laryngopharyngeal surgery (ELPS) is a minimally invasive transoral surgery for superficial pharyngeal and laryngeal cancer, but dysphagia occasionally occurs post-treatment. We investigated dysphagia following ELPS and its risk factors.

Methods: Of the 145 patients who underwent ELPS, 92 were evaluated in this study using the Hyodo score, Functional Outcome Swallowing Scale, Eating Assessment Tool-10 along with the total scores for the three items of the method of intake, time, and food preoperatively and on postoperative 1, 3, and 6 months.

The Safety and Clinical Validity of Endoscopic Submucosal Dissection for Early Gastric Cancer in Patients Aged More Than 85 Years.

Endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) is a safe and minimally invasive method for the treatment of early gastric cancer (EGC). However, whether ESD for EGC is also safe and feasible in patients aged ≥85 years is unclear. The patients enrolled in this study were divided into three groups: age ≥85 years (44 patients, 49 lesions), age 65−84 years (624 patients, 687 lesions), and age ≤64 years (162 patients, 174 lesions).

Repeated talaporfin sodium photodynamic therapy for esophageal cancer: safety and efficacy.

Background: Talaporfin sodium photodynamic therapy (tPDT) is an effective salvage treatment for local failure after chemoradiotherapy for esophageal cancer. Repeated tPDT could also be indicated for local recurrence or residue after the first salvage tPDT. However, the safety and efficacy of repeated tPDT have not been elucidated.

Fluorescence visualization of the intersegmental plane by bronchoscopic instillation of indocyanine green into the targeted segmental bronchus: determination of the optimal settings.

Objective: To determine the appropriate amount of indocyanine green for bronchial insufflation.

Methods: We enrolled 20 consecutive patients scheduled for anatomical segmentectomy in the Kochi Medical School Hospital. After inducing general anesthesia, 6 to 60 mL of 200-fold-diluted indocyanine green (0.