Relationship of the serum procalcitonin level with the severity of acute pancreatitis.

The procalcitonin (PCT) level in the blood was determined in cases of acute pancreatitis. The PCT level was found to show a significant correlation with the severity of acute pancreatitis. Furthermore, the PCT level was significantly higher in the cases which developed MODS than in those which did not.

Soluble Fas and soluble FasL in multiple organ dysfunction syndrome complicating diffuse peritonitis.

The FasL-Fas system has been recognized as one of the apoptosis-inducing systems in the body. We studied the association between the serum levels of sFas, sFasL and TNF-alpha and the severity of the pathophysiological condition in 20 patients with multiple organ dysfunction syndrome (MODS) complicating generalized peritonitis. The serum levels of sFas and TNF-alpha were significantly higher in the patients who died than in those who survived.

Surgical outcome of colon interposition by the posterior mediastinal route for thoracic esophageal cancer.

Background: For thoracic esophageal cancer patients with a history of gastrectomy, esophageal reconstruction using segments of colon was often accomplished using the anterior mediastinal route to avoid fatal complications related to colon necrosis. Our aim was to review our experience with reconstruction by the posterior mediastinal route and assess the surgical outcomes.

Methods: Between 1989 and August 2006, 34 esophageal cancer patients at Akita University Hospital underwent esophageal reconstruction accomplished by colon interposition by the posterior mediastinal route.

Outcome and treatment strategy for mid- and lower-thoracic esophageal cancer recurring locally in the lymph nodes of the neck.

The aim of the present study was to assess the outcome of treatment for patients with recurrent mid- and lower-thoracic esophageal cancers in whom recurrence was localized to the lymph nodes of the neck, and to determine the best strategy for further treatment. Between 1989 and 2001, 270 patients with mid- and lower-thoracic esophageal cancer underwent curative esophagectomy; 90 of those patients had a cancer recurrence. Our focus was on lymph node recurrence, especially when the recurrent cancers were localized to the lymph nodes in the neck.

Magnetic resonance imaging for chylothorax after esophagectomy.

A 75-year-old man underwent esophagectomy for thoracic esophageal cancer. After the operation, the output fluid from the right chest drain increased, and laboratory analysis confirmed the fluid to be chyle. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was then carried out to identify the leakage point and the size of the injury to the thoracic duct.

[A case of curatively resected AFP producing gastric cancer that responded remarkably to 1 course of TS-1 and showed complete loss of multiple liver metastatic tumors].

A 73-year-old woman was admitted to our hospital for evaluation of hypochondralgia, and a thorough examination revealed an AFP producing gastric cancer with multiple liver metastases. One course of TS-1 100 mg/day for 4 weeks and discontinuation for 2 weeks was started from February, 2003. After 3 months, the level of AFP reduced remarkably from 53,700 ng/ml to the normal limit.

Use of autologous instead of allogeneic blood transfusion during esophagectomy prolongs disease-free survival among patients with recurrent esophageal cancer.

Background And Objectives: A substantial body of evidence suggests that allogeneic blood transfusion increases the rate of recurrence of resected malignancies. The present study was conducted with the aim of understanding better the clinical characteristics of recurrent esophageal cancer and determining whether any survival advantage is conferred by transfusing autologous instead of allogeneic blood during the esophagectomy for the original malignancy.

Methods: We retrospectively analyzed 123 patients who received blood transfusion while undergoing esophagectomy for thoracic esophageal cancer between January 1991 and February 1998.

Outcomes of active operation during intensive followup for second primary malignancy after esophagectomy for thoracic squamous cell esophageal carcinoma.

Background: Recent advances in the treatment of thoracic esophageal cancer have afforded it a better prognosis. As a consequence, increasing attention is being paid to the outcomes with postoperative monitoring for second primary malignancies after esophagectomy, but no recent study has focused on the longterm followup and outcomes in these patients.

Study Design: In 1989, we began intensive prospective screening and surveillance designed to detect cancers of the head and neck, lung, stomach, residual esophagus, and colon/rectum after esophagectomy.

Examination of soluble Fas (sFas) and soluble Fas ligand (sFasL) in patients with burns.

The FasL-Fas system is one of the recognized apoptosis-inducing systems, and has been determined to have important functions in relation to homeostasis and biological defense mechanisms. In this study, we investigated the serum levels of soluble Fas (sFas), soluble FasL (sFasL) and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha) in patients with burns. The sFas levels were found to be significantly higher in the patients who eventually died as compared to those in the patients who survived (3.

Prospective endoscopic follow-up results of reconstructed gastric tube.

Background/aims: Recent advances in the treatment of esophageal cancer have afforded better prognosis for patients. Despite the increased need to monitor the progress of patients with reconstructed digestive tracts over the long-term, no reliable prospective studies have yet been conducted. This prospective study determined secondary disease of the reconstructed gastric tube after esophagectomy for esophageal cancer.

Survival advantage of using autologous blood transfusion during surgery for esophageal cancer.

Purpose: There is evidence that blood transfusion is associated with an increased rate of tumor recurrence. This study was conducted to assess the survival advantage of giving autologous blood instead of allogeneic blood during surgery for esophageal cancer.

Methods: We retrospectively analyzed 62 patients who underwent esophagectomy for thoracic esophageal cancer between January 1991 and February 1995 and received allogeneic blood transfusion, and 61 patients operated on between March 1995 and February 1998, who received autologous blood transfusion.

Histological confirmation of healing of gastrobronchial fistula using a muscle flap.

We report a case of gastrobronchial fistula that developed after esophagectomy for esophageal cancer. The fistula was repaired successfully by transposing a pectoralis major muscle flap. Complete healing was confirmed histologically by epithelialization of the fistula site and at autopsy 12 months after surgery.