Microfluidic-Generated Injectable Bulking Agents with Biocompatible Surfaces and Their Mid-term Outcomes in a Rat Model with Anal Sphincter Injury.

Bulking agents have gained attention as new, minimally invasive treatments for fecal incontinence. Various materials and surface treatment techniques have been extensively studied to ensure good biocompatibility and long-term stability. Despite significant improvements in biocompatibility, the nonuniform particle size of existing materials has led to other challenges, such as the induction of phagocytosis or reduction of injectability during in vivo tests.

Long-term oncologic outcome of D3 lymph node dissection for clinical stage 2/3 right-sided colon cancer.

Purpose: To investigate oncologic outcomes including overall survival and disease-free survival depending on the extent of lymphadenectomy (D3 versus D2) by comparing D3 and D2 lymphadenectomy in patients with clinical stage 2/3 right colon cancer.

Methods: Consecutive series of patients who underwent radical resection for right colon cancer at our three hospitals between January 2015 and June 2018 were retrospectively analyzed. Study cohorts were divided into two groups: D3 group and D2 group.

Clinical outcomes of surgical management for recurrent rectal prolapse: a multicenter retrospective study.

Purpose: There are few reports on outcomes following surgical repair of recurrent rectal prolapse. The purpose of this study was to examine surgical outcomes for recurrent rectal prolapse.

Methods: We conducted a multicenter retrospective study of patients who underwent surgery for recurrent rectal prolapse.

Preclinical testing of an anal bulking agent coated with a zwitterionic polymer in a fecal incontinence rat model.

Fecal incontinence is a disabling condition in which the passage of fecal material cannot be controlled. Although the condition is not life-threatening, it can seriously reduce the quality of life of a patient by isolating them from others. Though various surgical treatments are available for moderate to severe symptoms, a bulking agent is a minimally invasive technique that has attracted attention because of its safety and simple treatment process.

Injectable polydimethylsiloxane microfiller coated with zwitterionic polymer for enhanced biocompatibility.

Silicone-based fillers have been applied in several branches of medicine, such as soft tissue augmentation, because of their stability and durability. However, the inherently hydrophobic surfaces of silicone occasionally cause excessive deposition of the fibrous matrix in vivo, leading to severe fibrosis. In this study, we evaluated the use of a zwitterionic copolymer to offer a facile surface treatment method for silicone-based fillers and performed a preclinical trial of the formulation as-prepared.

Laparoscopic Ventral Mesh Rectopexy (LVMR) for Internal and External Rectal Prolapse: An Analysis of 122 Consecutive Patients.

Background: Even though several reports have been published on the results of laparoscopic ventral mesh rectopexy (LVMR) in Asia, there are few mid-term or long-term results of LVMR. The authors aimed to evaluate the results of LVMR in patients with internal rectal prolapse (IRP) external rectal prolapse (ERP).

Materials And Methods: From September 2013 to January 2019, 122 patients with IRP (n=48) or ERP (n=74) underwent LVMR.

Impact of D3 lymph node dissection on upstaging and short-term survival in clinical stage I right-sided colon cancer.

Background: D3 lymph node dissection is becoming the standard procedure for the treatment of advanced right colon cancer and has shown increasing evidence of its oncologic benefit. However, a clear indication for its application is lacking and data on this topic is unsatisfactory. Thus, the necessity for D3 lymph node dissection in clinical stage I right colon cancer remains controversial.

Short-term benefits of balneotherapy for patients with chronic pelvic pain: a pilot study in Korea.

The aim of this study was to evaluate whether balneotherapy might be effective in patients with chronic pelvic pain (CPP) in the short term. This was an open and prospective pilot study. The balneotherapy programme was performed in a spa resort located in Wando Island, Republic of Korea from August 26 2018 to September 1 2018.

Effect of a Shortened Duration of FOLFOX Chemotherapy on the Survival Rate of Patients with Stage II and III Colon Cancer.

Background: FOLFOX chemotherapy is widely used as an adjuvant treatment for advanced colon cancer. The duration of adjuvant chemotherapy is usually set to 6 months, which is based on a former study of 5-fluorouracil/leucovorin chemotherapy. However, the FOLFOX regimen is known to have complications, such as peripheral neuropathy.

Eosinophilic Gastrointestinal Disorder Presenting as Intractable Vomiting and Ascites in a Young Girl.

Eosinophilic gastrointestinal disorder (EGID) is a rare disease in children that affects the bowel wall, with eosinophilic infiltration in the absence of any other causes for eosinophilia. The etiology remains unknown, but allergies and immunological imbalance are suspected triggers. We encountered a case of serosal EGID presenting as intractable vomiting and ascites in a 9-year-old girl, after influenza virus infection.

Clinical Significance of 5-Fluorouracil Chemosensitivity Testing in Patients with Colorectal Cancer.

Aim: To evaluate whether the results of chemosensitivity testing were associated with prognosis of colorectal cancer patients after adjuvant 5-fluorouracil (FU)/ leucovorin chemotherapy.

Patients And Methods: Eighty-nine patients who received 5-FU/leucovorin adjuvant chemotherapy for colorectal cancer were enrolled. Chemosensitivity tests were performed and tumor growth inhibition rate was calculated using the MTT (3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)02,5-diphenyl-2H tetrazolium bromide) assay.

Lymph Node Micrometastasis Cannot Be Considered as Positive Lymph Node in Nonmetastatic Colorectal Cancer.

The prognostic value of micrometastasis in colorectal cancer (CRC) remains controversial. The study investigated whether lymph node (LN) micrometastasis can have prognostic value in CRC as compared with macrometastasis. The study included 488 patients with curatively resected stage I, II, or III CRC treated between 2004 and 2011.

Transanal Minimally Invasive Surgery (TAMIS) for Rectal Lesions: A Systematic Review.

Background/aims: Transanal minimally invasive surgery (TAMIS) has received attention as an alternative to transanal endoscopic microsurgery for rectal lesions. We review the effectiveness and safety of TAMIS for the treatment of rectal lesions.

Methodology: The MEDLINE, Web of Science, and Cochrane Library databases were searched using predefined inclusion criteria.

Endoscopic obstruction in rectal cancers: survival and recurrence patterns following curative surgery.

Background: It is controversial whether preoperative obstruction in rectal cancers can affect prognosis or influence recurrence patterns. We investigated the association between endoscopic obstruction with survival and recurrence patterns in patients with locally advanced rectal cancers.

Materials And Methods: An observational study and multivariate analysis were conducted to identify determinants of survival and to compare recurrence patterns between patients with obstructive or nonobstructive tumors after curative resection.

SIRT1 Expression Is Associated with Good Prognosis in Colorectal Cancer.

Background: Silent mating type information regulation 2 homolog 1 (SIRT1), an NAD+-dependent deacetylase, might act as a tumor promoter by inhibiting p53, but may also as a tumor suppressor by inhibiting several oncogenes such as β-catenin and survivin. Deleted in breast cancer 1 (DBC1) is known as a negative regulator of SIRT1.

Methods: Immunohistochemical expressions of SIRT1, DBC1, β-catenin, surviving, and p53 were evaluated using 2 mm tumor cores from 349 colorectal cancer patients for tissue microarray.

Reduced CDX2 expression predicts poor overall survival in patients with colorectal cancer.

The homeodomain transcription factor CDX2 directs development and maintenance of normal intestinal epithelium. However, the role of CDX2 in colorectal carcinogenesis is poorly understood. Hence, we investigated the CDX2 expression in patients with colorectal cancer and its relationship to tumor cell proliferation and differentiation and evaluated the role of this molecule as a biologic marker for the prediction of poor patient survival.

Expression of GLI1 correlates with expression of lymphangiogenesis proteins, vascular endothelial growth factor C and vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 3, in colorectal cancer.

Aberrant activation of the hedgehog (Hh) signaling pathway is associated with tumorigenesis in various tissues. In colorectal cancer (CRC), evidence for Hh activation is inconsistent, and the relationship between the Hh signaling pathway and lymphangiogenesis has not been studied. The aim of this study was to determine the relationship between Hh signaling and lymphangiogenesis and the association of this relationship with lymph node metastasis in CRC.

Periappendiceal abscess mimicking appendiceal cancer.

Appendiceal cancer was strongly suspected in this case because of its unique colonoscopic, radiologic, and intraoperative presentation. Hence, laparoscopic enbloc right hemicolectomy and peritonectomy were performed. The diagnosis of periappendiceal abscess was confirmed later after the operation.

Pneumatosis intestinalis and laparoscopic exploration: beware of gas explosion.

Colonic gas explosion, although rare, is sometimes a fatal iatrogenic complication in endoscopic procedures or laparotomic surgery, but it has not been reported during port incision of laparoscopy. We report a case of gas detonation in a patient with pneumatosis intestinalis and pneumoperitoneum, on opening the peritoneum with a diathermy for umbilical trocar insertion. Based on our experience, in cases of pneumoperitoneum, surgeons need to avoid using a diathermy in opening the peritoneum.

The efficacy of oral tegafur-uracil as maintenance therapy following intravenous 5-fluorouracil chemotherapy in stage III colon cancer.

Background/aims: The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact on disease-free survival (DFS) of adding oral tegafur-uracil (UFT) to intravenous 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) as surgical adjuvant chemotherapy for stage II and III colon cancer.

Methodology: The authors retrospectively analyzed 148 patients treated from 2000 through 2005 with pathologically confirmed stage II or III colon cancer. Forty seven patients were treated with 6 cycles of 5-FU+leucovorin (5-FU group) and the other 101 patients were treated with same above regimen followed by an additional 12 cycles of UFT+leucovorin (LV) for 28 days with a 7-day rest period (5-FU+UFT group).