Masakazu Goto

Sentinel Lymph Node Biopsy Using Intraoperative Indocyanine Green Fluorescence Imaging Navigated with Preoperative CT Lymphography for Superficial Esophageal Cancer

BackgroundThe sentinel lymph node (SLN) concept has been gaining attention for gastrointestinal neoplasms but remains controversial for esophageal cancer. This study evaluated the feasibility of SLN identification using intraoperative indocyanine green (ICG) fluorescence imaging (IGFI) navigated by preoperative computed tomographic lymphography (CTLG) to treat superficial esophageal cancer.MethodsSubjects comprised 20 patients clinically diagnosed with superficial esophageal cancer. Five minutes after endoscopic submucosal injection of iopamidol around the primary lesion using a four-quadrant injection pattern with a 23-gauge endoscopic injection sclerotherapy needle, three-dimensional multidetector computed tomography was performed to identify SLNs and lymphatic routes. ICG solution was injected intraoperatively around the tumor. Fluorescence imaging was obtained by infrared ray electronic endoscopy. Thoracoscope-assisted standard radical esophagectomy with lymphadenectomy was performed to confirm fluorescent lymph nodes detected by CTLG.ResultsLymphatic vessels and SLNs were identified preoperatively using CTLG in all cases. Intraoperative detection rates were 100% using CTLG and 95% using IGFI. Lymph node metastases were found in four cases, including one false-negative case with SLNs occupied by bulky metastatic tumor that were not enhanced with both methods. The other 19 cases, including three cases of metastatic lymph nodes, were accurately identified by both procedures.ConclusionsPreoperative CTLG visualized the correct number and site of SLNs in surrounding anatomy during routine computed tomography to evaluate distant metastases. Referring to CTLG, SLNs were identified using IGFI, resulting in successful SLN navigation and saving time and cost. This method appears clinically applicable as a less-invasive method for treating superficial esophageal cancer.

Laparoscopic permanent sigmoid stoma creation through the extraperitoneal route.

About 50% of patients who have a permanent stoma experience some degree of parastomal hernia formation. To prevent this complication, the extraperitoneal route is considered to be more effective than the transperitoneal route in the case of open colorectal surgery. This technique also has superiority in avoiding postoperative intestinal obstruction. Although laparoscopic surgery for rectal cancer has not been proved to be as safe as open surgery by a randomized-controlled trial, some studies have shown the equality of long-term results with laparoscopic low anterior resection and laparoscopic abdominoperineal resection. It is anticipated that cases of laparoscopic abdominoperineal resection will increase in the near future. However, a laparoscopic technique for creation of a permanent stoma has hardly been discussed. Most operative procedures for laparoscopic stoma creation have been performed with transperitoneal route, which may cause parastomal hernia and/or intestinal obstruction. This report describes a laparoscopic technique for permanent sigmoid stoma creation through the extraperitoneal approach.

Three-dimensional CT for preoperative detection of the left gastric artery and left gastric vein in laparoscopy-assisted distal gastrectomy.

We evaluated 3‐D CT imaging for preoperative classification of the left gastric artery and vein in patients with early gastric cancer and estimated its clinical benefit.

Mesh-Airtight-Preperitoneum: a simple method for confirming mesh placement in transabdominal preperitoneal repair of inguinal hernia

We devised a method for confirming the position of mesh placed during transabdominal preperitoneal repair (TAPP) of an inguinal hernia. The preperitoneum is sufficiently detached, and the mesh is fixed in place as usual. Before completely closing the peritoneum, pressure is applied from outside the body and inside the abdominal cavity to remove as much air as possible from the detached preperitoneum; the peritoneum is then sutured using a V-Loc(TM) closure device so that it does not constrict. By releasing the pressure all at once, the airtightness of the preperitoneum is maintained, and the position of the mesh can be observed through the translucent peritoneum. This method, called Mesh-Airtight-Preperitoneum (MAPP), could become widely used as a simple technique for confirming mesh position in TAPP. J. Med. Invest. 63: 270-273, August, 2016.

Short-Term Outcomes of Laparoscopic Distal Gastrectomy for Advanced Gastric Cancer

The purpose of this study was to investigate the oncologic outcomes of laparoscopic distal gastrectomy (LDG) for advanced gastric cancer (AGC). Between April 2003 and March 2014, LDG was performed for 392 patients, 91 patients (23.2%) had histopathologically diagnosed AGC beyond T2 depth. The clinicopathological features, postoperative outcomes, mortality, morbidity, recurrence rate, and survivals of those patients were reviewed. The TNM stages of the tumor were IB in 26 patients (28.5%), IIA in 20 (21.9%), IIB in 18 (19.7%), IIIA in 13 (14.2%), IIIB in 6 (6.5%), IIIC in 6 (6.5%), and IV in 2 (2.1%). Major morbidity occurred in 14 patients (15.3%), with no postoperative mortality. Median follow-up was 24.5 months; 10 patients developed recurrence during the follow-up period, and 10 patients died, including 6 cancer deaths. The 5-year overall and disease-free survival rates were 76.8% and 72.6%, respectively. By stage, OS/DFS was 92.3%/91.8% in stage IB, 85.4%/85.4% in stage II, and 49.3%/26.9% in stage III. Oncologic outcomes were good in patients with AGC, especially with stage IB-IIB, who underwent LDG. LDG appears to be an effective approach for treating stage IB and II gastric cancer.