Sung Hwan Lee

Minimally invasive radical pancreatectomy for left-sided pancreatic cancer: Current status and future perspectives

Minimally invasive distal pancreatectomy with splenectomy has been regarded as a safe and effective treatment for benign and borderline malignant pancreatic lesions. However, its application for left-sided pancreatic cancer is still being debated. The clinical evidence for radical antegrade modular pancreatosplenectomy (RAMPS)-based minimally invasive approaches for left-sided pancreatic cancer was reviewed. Potential indications and surgical concepts for minimally invasive RAMPS were suggested. Despite the limited clinical evidence for minimally invasive distal pancreatectomy in left-sided pancreatic cancer, the currently available clinical evidence supports the use of laparoscopic distal pancreatectomy under oncologic principles in well-selected left sided pancreatic cancers. A pancreas-confined tumor with an intact fascia layer between the pancreas and left adrenal gland/kidney positioned more than 1 or 2 cm away from the celiac axis is thought to constitute a good condition for the use of margin-negative minimally invasive RAMPS. The use of minimally invasive (laparoscopic or robotic) anterior RAMPS is feasible and safe for margin-negative resection in well-selected left-sided pancreatic cancer. The oncologic feasibility of the procedure remains to be determined; however, the currently available interim results indicate that even oncologic outcomes will not be inferior to those of open radical distal pancreatosplenectomy.

The First Experiences of Robotic Single-Site Cholecystectomy in Asia: A Potential Way to Expand Minimally-Invasive Single-Site Surgery?

Purpose Herein, we firstly present the robotic single-site cholecystectomy (RSSC) as performed in Asia and evaluate whether it could overcome the limitations of conventional laparoscopic single-site cholecystectomy. Materials and Methods From October 2013 to November 2013, RSSC for benign gallbladder (GB) disease was firstly performed consecutively in five patients. We evaluated these early experiences of RSSC and compared factors including clinicopathologic factors and operative outcomes with our initial cases of single-fulcrum laparoscopic cholecystectomy (SFLC). Results Four female patients and one male patient underwent RSSC. Neither open conversion nor bile duct injury or bile spillage was noted during surgery. In comparisons with SFLC, patient-related factors in terms of age, sex, Body Mass Index, diagnosis, and American Society of Anesthesiologist score showed no significant differences between two groups. There were no significant differences in the operative outcomes regarding intraoperative blood loss, bile spillage during operation, postoperative pain scale values, postoperative complications, and hospital stay between the two groups (p<0.05). Actual dissection time (p=0.003) and total operation time (p=0.001) were significantly longer in RSSC than in SFLC. There were no drain insertion or open conversion cases in either group. Conclusion RSSC provides a comfortable environment and improved ergonomics to laparoscopic single-site cholecystectomy; however, this technique needs to be modified to allow for more effective intracorporeal movement. As experience and technical innovations continue, RSSC will soon be alternative procedure for well-selected benign GB disease.

Laparoscopic pancreatic reconstruction technique following laparoscopic pancreaticoduodenectomy

With the advance of laparoscopic experiences and techniques, it is carefully regarded that laparoscopic pancreaticoduodenectomy (lap‐PD) is feasible and safe in managing perimapullary pancreatic pathology. Especially, laparoscopic management of remnant pancreas can be a critical step toward completeness of minimally invasive PD. According to available published reports, there is a wide range of technical differences in choosing surgical options in managing remnant pancreas after lap‐PD. For the evidence‐based surgical approach, it would be ideal to test potential techniques by randomized controlled trials, but, currently, it is thought to be very difficult to expect those clinical trials to be successful because there are still a lack of expert surgeons with sound surgical techniques and experience. In addition, lap‐PD is so complicated and technically demanding that many surgeons are still questioning whether this surgical approach could be standardized and popular like laparoscopic cholecystectomy. In general, surgical options are usually chosen based on following question: (1) Is it simple? (2) Is it easy and feasible? (3) Is it secure and safe? (4) Is there any supporting scientific evidence? It would be interesting to estimate which surgical technique would be appropriate in managing remnant pancreas under these considerations. It is hoped that a well standardized multicenter‐based randomized control study would be successful to test this fundamental issues based on sound surgical techniques and scientific background.

AFP-producing acinar cell carcinoma treated by pancreaticoduodenectomy in a patient with a previous radical subtotal gastrectomy by gastric cancer

We report a case of alpha-fetoprotein (AFP)-producing acinar cell carcinoma (ACC) of the pancreas. The tumor was diagnosed in a 72 yearold female after radical subtotal gastrectomy (Billroth I) due to early gastric cancer six months before. The initial serum AFP levels were increased to 2,254.1 IU/ml and preoperative imaging studies showed a mass with approximately 2.5 cm in diameter near the neck of the pancreas. A pancreaticoduodenectomy was performed. The pathologic examination revealed an ill-defined lobulating tumor confined to the pancreas (T1 stage). Immunohistochemical study showed that the tumor cells expressed AFP. The Adenosine triphosphate-based chemotherapy response assay (ATP-CRA) suggested that cisplatin would be more desirable than gemcitabine in AFP-producing ACC of the pancreas as an adjuvant chemotherapy. However, the adjuvant chemotherapy was not performed due to the early pathological stage. The patient died from carcinomatosis and pneumonia. Even if the tumor was on a relatively early stage, an adjuvant treatment should be considered ACC.

Preoperative Volume-Based PET Parameter, MTV2.5, as a Potential Surrogate Marker for Tumor Biology and Recurrence in Resected Pancreatic Cancer

AbstractThis study aims to evaluate the role of volume-based positron emission tomography parameters as potential surrogate markers for tumor recurrence in resected pancreatic cancer.Between January 2008 and October 2012, medical records of patients who underwent surgical resection for pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma and completed 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography/CT as a part of preoperative staging work-up were retrospectively reviewed. Not only clinicopathologic variables but also positron emission tomography parameters such as SUVmax, MTV2.5 (metabolic tumor volume), and TLG (total lesion glycolysis) were obtained.Twenty-six patients were women and 31 were men with a mean age of 62.9 ± 9.1 years. All patients were preoperatively determined to resectable pancreatic cancer except 1 case with borderline resectability. R0 resection was achieved in all patients and 45 patients (78.9%) received postoperative adjuvant chemotherapy with or without radiation therapy. Median overall disease-free survival was 12.8 months with a median overall disease-specific survival of 25.1 months. SUVmax did not correlate with radiologic tumor size (P = 0.501); however, MTV2.5 (P = 0.001) and TLG (P = 0.009) were significantly associated with radiologic tumor size. In addition, MTV2.5 (P < 0.001) and TLG (P < 0.001) were significantly correlated with a tumor differentiation. There were no significant differences in TLG and SUVmax according to lymph node ratio; only MTV2.5 was related to lymph node ratio with marginal significance (P = 0.055). In multivariate analysis, lymph node ratio (Exp [&bgr;] = 2.425, P = 0.025) and MTV2.5 (Exp[&bgr;] = 2.273, P = 0.034) were identified as independent predictors of tumor recurrence following margin-negative resection. Even after tumor size-matched analysis, MTV2.5 was still identified as significant prognostic factor in resected pancreatic cancer (P < 0.05). However, preoperative neoadjuvant treatment attenuated adverse oncologic impact of high preoperative MTV2.5 (P = 0.210).Preoperatively determined volume-based PET parameter, MTV2.5, can potentially be used as a surrogate marker to estimate tumor biology and tumor recurrence. Individual treatment strategies for pancreatic cancer can be suggested based on patients’ preoperative MTV2.5.

Fatal liver injury complicated by percutaneous catheter drainage after distal pancreatosplenectomy in a patient with pancreatic cancer

Postoperative pancreatic fistula (POPF) combined with postoperative fluid collection, bleeding and abscess formation is one of the most critical morbidities after distal pancreatectomy or pancreaticoduodenectomy. Percutaneous catheter drainage has been commonly used for managing for the postoperative management of abnormal fluid collection. Removal of the catheter is rarely associated with occurrence of life-threatening complication such as serious liver damage. Herein, we report a case of unexpected fatal liver injury complicated by percutaneous catheter drainage treatment after distal pancreatosplenectomy in a patient with pancreatic cancer. We suggest that prudent decision for timing of catheter removal and meticulous care during procedure can reduce the possibility of major liver injury in patients with percutaneous transhepatic catheter drainage.

Adverse oncologic effects of intraoperative transfusion during pancreatectomy for left-sided pancreatic cancer: the need for strict transfusion policy

The aim of the present study was to investigate the prognostic impact of transfusion following distal pancreatectomy (DP) for left‐sided pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC).

Impact of Braun anastomosis on reducing delayed gastric emptying following pancreaticoduodenectomy: a prospective, randomized controlled trial

The present study investigates the clinical impact of Braun anastomosis on delayed gastric emptying (DGE) after pylorus‐preserving pancreaticoduodenectomy (PPPD).

Pathological Complete Remission of Pancreatic Cancer Following Neoadjuvant Chemoradiation Therapy; Not the End of Battles.

AbstractIn spite of controversial issues, pancreatectomy following neoadjuvant chemoradiation therapy (NeoCRT) has been applied in treating advanced pancreatic cancer. Cases of pathological complete remission (pCR) following NeoCRT is rare, and its long-term follow-up data are still lacking.From January 2000 to December 2012, medical records of the patients who underwent pancreatectomy for pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma were retrospectively reviewed. Characteristics of the patients with pCR were summarized and their long-term follow-up data were analyzed.Among 86 patients with pancreatic cancer who underwent radical pancreatectomy following NeoCRT, 10 patients (11.6%) were reported to pCR. Nine out of 10 patients received gemcitabine-based chemoradiation therapy. Median pre-NeoCRT serum CA 19-9 was 313.5 U/ml, and post-NeoCRT serum CA 19-9 was 9.9 U/ml, which was shown to be significant difference between 2 serum CA 19-9 level (P = 0.005). Pylorus-preserving pancreaticoduodenectomy was done in 8 patients, and the others received distal pancreatosplenectomy. Postoperative chemotherapy was received in 6 patients. Disease-free survival was statistically superior in patients with pCR than patients without pCR (P < 0.05). However, 5 patients experienced cancer recurrence and no clinicopathologic variables including preoperative resectability could not predict the potential recurrence of tumor in patients with pCR (P > 0.05).pCR is rarely reported following NeoCRT, but this condition is not telling the cure of the disease. Early recurrence in the pattern of liver metastasis and peritoneal seeding can be expected. However, long-term survival could be maintained in patients without recurrence. Further investigation is necessary for predicting failure of treatment.

Effect of isotretinoin on experimentally induced comedones

SummaryThe effect of isotretinoin on experimentally induced comedones was studied by means of histoplanimetry and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). To induce comedone formation, insoluble cutting oil was applied to the ventral surface of the ears of rabbits for 2 weeks. After comedones formed, isotretinoin was fed to the rabbits by a feeding tube, daily, for 4 weeks. A low dose (2.0 mg/kg) and a high dose (20.0 mg/kg body weight) were selected for two different groups. Soybean oil served as the vehicle. Histoplanimetrically, the high-dose group showed a significant decrease in size of comedones when compared to the control group and the low-dose group [P<0.005], and in the high-dose group, the follicular lumen contained a small number of loose, non-adherent, horny cells. Upon SEM examination, the comedones were seen to have a ‘chrysanthemum’ appearance before treatment. After treatment, the high-and low-dose groups both showed evidence of the elimination of comedones on three-dimensional analysis.