General rules for recording endoscopic findings of esophagogastric varices (2nd edition).

General rules for recording endoscopic findings of esophageal varices were initially proposed in 1980 and revised in 1991. These rules have widely been used in Japan and other countries. Recently, portal hypertensive gastropathy has been recognized as a distinct histological and functional entity.

[Graduate education in surgery in Japan].

The Japan Surgical Society started some 40 years ago a certifying system of surgeons who have completed the training program authorized by JSS and passed the certifying examination held by JSS. Similar certifying system of medical specialists has been started by more than 50 specialty societies and these society certified doctors are called as specialist in Japan. However, these certifying systems by medical specialty societies is criticized by other medical organizations such as the Japan Medical Association, and hospital organizations as to the level of training and certifying process.

Present status of pancreas transplantation in Japan.

Since October 1, 1999, a total of 17 pancreas transplantations have been performed in Japan, involving 15 brain-dead donors and 2 non-heart beating donors. The donor ages were relatively high with 67% (10/15) over age 40 and brain death was typically attributable to cerebrovascular accidents (70.6%; 12/17).

[The role and leadership of the Japan Surgical Society in the future reforms in surgery].

Changes in medical sciences medical technologies, and medical care system of Japan during the last decade are quick and drastic. Surgery seems to be losing its glory, and carrier as a surgeon seems no more appealing nor attractive to the graduates from the medical school. In order to recover its attractiveness and former glory, education and training system of surgery in medical school, curriculum and training system in surgical residency and continuing education should be revisited and reorganized.

[Surgical education in medical school].

Progress of medicine and technology is quick. Accumulation of knowledge is immense and advancement of surgical technologies is vast. Curriculum and methods of surgical education in medical school should be modified accordingly.

Muscle strength and walking ability after laparoscopic hernioplasty versus conventional repair.

Purpose: We examined muscle strength and walking ability after hernia repair to compare the effects of laparoscopic hernioplasty and conventional repair.

Methods: Twenty-seven patients with primary inguinal hernias were randomly divided into two groups according to the surgical procedure: 15 patients were treated with laparoscopic hernioplasty and 12 with conventional repair. Two types of muscle testing around the inguinal region, one by manual examination and one using a musculator, were done preoperatively and 1 week postoperatively.

Hand-assisted laparoscopic distal pancreatectomy in pigs using our original hand device (Lap Disc).

We analyzed the safety and feasibility of a hand-assisted laparoscopic distal pancreatectomy (HALDP) in pigs. We performed HALDP in five cases using our original hand device (Lap Disc). The procedures in all cases were successfully performed.

Influence of perioperative blood transfusion on the prognosis of patients with gastric cancer receiving anticancer chemotherapy.

BACKGROUND: The deleterious effect of blood transfusions on survival has been reported in patients with cancers of various organs. However, it remains unclear whether there is any adverse effect of blood transfusion when the patients are administered anticancer drugs after surgery for gastric cancers.METHODS: Data from patients with gastric resection for advanced gastric cancer were retrospectively analyzed to determine the influence of perioperative blood transfusion on the survival rate.