A selective cyclooxygenase-2 inhibitor (Etodolac) prevents spontaneous biliary tumorigenesis in a hamster bilioenterostomy model.

Background: Secondary biliary carcinomas are associated with persistent reflux cholangitis after bilioenterostomy. Cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) has been a target for cancer prevention. The aim of this study was to evaluate the chemopreventive efficacy of long-term treatment with a selective COX-2 inhibitor medication during the natural course after bilioenterostomy without chemical induction.

Radical surgery for advanced pure squamous cell carcinoma of the gallbladder: report of a case.

Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) of the gallbladder is frequently detected at an advanced stage because of its tendency to infiltrate adjacent organs. In addition, more rapid growth of this type of carcinoma compared to that of adenocarcinoma, the most frequent subtype of gallbladder carcinoma, has been reported. Although it is not rare to find squamous cell carcinoma components in cases other than the usual adenocarcinoma of the gallbladder, these cases must be distinguished from those of pure squamous cell carcinoma, as diagnosed in the present case.

Dynamic contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging to predict pancreatic fistula after distal pancreatectomy.

Background/aims: This study hopes to identify risk factors for postoperative pancreatic fistulae in patients undergoing distal pancreatectomy.

Methods: The study group was composed of 39 patients who had undergone distal pancreatectomy between January 2000 and June 2008. Fourteen presumed risk factors were retrospectively reviewed.

Placement of a plastic biliary stent tube with primary closure of the common bile duct after laparoscopic common bile duct exploration.

Laparoscopic common bile duct exploration (LCBDE) is one of the standard surgical procedures for treating choledocholithiasis. Several methods of biliary drainage following LCBDE have been advocated to prevent bile leakage. We report herein a surgical procedure using a plastic biliary stent tube following LCBDE for biliary drainage.

Limited pancreatectomy for metastatic pancreatic tumors from renal cell carcinoma.

Background/aims: Metastasis of renal cell carcinoma (RCC) to distant organs occurs commonly, even after radical nephrectomy, but metastatic lesions are rarely detected in the pancreas. The present study aim was to improve the postoperative quality of life of a patient with pancreatic metastasis of RCC through limited resection of the pancreas.

Methodology: Since therapeutic modalities including chemotherapy or radiation are ineffective for metastatic tumors, surgical intervention is a treatment of choice in selected patients.