Inter-prefectural and urban-rural regional disparities in rectal cancer and rectal resections: A Japanese nationwide population-based cohort study from 2014 to 2019.

Aim: This observational study aimed to elucidate the regional disparities in rectal cancer (RC) and rectal resections (RRs) across Japan.

Methods: The annual incidence of RC, and number of all RRs and board-certified surgeons by the Japan Society for Endoscopic Surgery were examined by prefecture in Japan from 2014 to 2019. The surgical approaches were broken down by open and laparoscopic.

Endobronchial Aspergilloma.

Bronchial aspergilloma, an uncommon subtype of pulmonary aspergilloma, likely developed in the main bronchus due to airflow stagnation and dryness following lobectomy. Detailed imaging and bronchoscopy provided valuable diagnostic insights, underscoring the importance of considering fungal infections in surgically altered airways.

Appropriate procedures to increase the adherence of children to blood collection: A cross-sectional study.

Background And Aim: Venipuncture for blood collection elicits fear and pain in children. We investigated factors that affect satisfaction with health checkups that included blood collection in healthy 7-8-year-old children who underwent blood collection with topical anesthesia.

Method: Two studies, one questionnaire survey, and the other structured interviews were conducted to gather insights and understand the emotions of 492 and 20 children, respectively.

Real-time bowel sound analysis using newly developed device in patients undergoing gastric surgery for gastric tumor.

Background And Aim: Objective measurements are not available for determining bowel sounds. The present study sought to evaluate the efficacy of a novel bowel sound monitoring system for perioperative use in patients undergoing gastric surgery.

Methods: The study enrolled 14 patients who underwent surgery for gastric cancer at Kochi Medical School from 2017 to 2018.

Structural Thickening of Medial Layer in Coronary Artery With Spasm in Patients With Myocardial Infarction.

Background The underlying pathophysiology of coronary artery spasm (CAS) remains unclear. We aim to determine whether coronary artery medial layer thickness is associated with CAS using optical coherence tomography. Methods and Results A total of 50 patients with previous myocardial infarction underwent optical coherence tomography of the left anterior descending artery: 20 with CAS and 30 without CAS.

Current status of laparoscopic total gastrectomy.

In this article, the current state of laparoscopic total gastrectomy (LTG) was reviewed, focusing on lymph node dissection and reconstruction. Lymph node dissection in LTG is technically similar to that in laparoscopic distal gastrectomy for early gastric cancer; however, LTG for advanced gastric cancer requires extended lymph node dissections including splenic hilar lymph nodes. Although a recent randomized controlled trial clearly indicated no survival benefit in prophylactic splenectomy for lymph node dissection at the splenic hilum, some patients may receive prognostic benefit from adequate splenic hilar lymph node dissection.