Efficacy of non-stented pancreaticojejunostomy demonstrated in the hard pancreas.

Background/aims: The aim of this study was to compare hard and soft pancreas for short-term complications of pancreaticoduodenectomy performed with a duct-to-mucosa anastomosis of pancreaticojejunostomy without a stenting tube.

Methodology: We investigated 156 patients with pancreaticojejunostomy who were classified into two groups of hard pancreas (group A: 79) and soft pancreas (group B: 77). Outcomes, including complications and operative procedures, are reported.

Retrospective study of gemcitabine plus S-1 versus gemcitabine alone in cases with unresectable advanced pancreatic cancer.

Background/aims: The aim of this study was to compare gemcitabine plus S-1 (GS) combination chemotherapy to gemcitabine (GEM) monotherapy in cases with unresectable advanced pancreatic cancer.

Methods: We retrospectively reviewed 107 consecutive patients with unresectable advanced pancreatic cancer who received GEM monotherapy or GS combination chemotherapy between 2004 and 2010. In 73 patients, GEM (1000 mg/m2) was administered intravenously on days 1, 8 and 15, repeated every four weeks.

[Pneumatosis cystoides intestinalis with a gastric ulcer and the stenosis of the pylorus].

A health check up in a 31-year-old man revealed free air under the diaphragm by a chest X-ray. The CT showed marked cystic emphysema along the small intestinal wall, as well as thickening and stenosis of the pyloric wall of stomach. Therefore, we suspected pneumatosis cystoides intestinalis (PCI) with stenosis of the pylorus.