Tatsuo Yamakawa

An improved choledochofiberscope and non-surgical removal of retained biliary calculi under direct visual control

The authors report 126 peroperative and postoperative choledochoscopies using an improved fiberoptic instrument developed in the Department of Surgery at the Teikyo University School of Medicine, Tokyo. In 7 of 29 patients operated upon for calculous biliary tract disease, retained stones were found. All stones were successfully removed by visually guided and controlled instruments.

Experience with Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy

Abstract: Laparoscopic cholecystectomy is rapidly replacing conventional cholecystectomy as the treatment of choice for gallbladder stone disease because of its lower morbidity. Our study began on 29th May, 1990 and continued until February 28th, 1991. 40 laparoscopic cholecystectomies were successfuly performed. 4 patients had an open cholecystectomy instead because of bleeding in 1, dense adhesions in 2 and Mirizzis Syndrome in 1. The two technical measures taken to avoid common bile duct injury, were 1) exposure of both the cystic duct and cystic artery in the same field before clipping and division 2) demonstration of the continuity between the cystic duct and the Hartmans pouch. Technical difficulties often encountered were extensive adhesions, multiple or giant stones, inflamed gallbladder and a short or dilated cystic duct. There were 4 complications; one diaphragmatic injury resulting in a pneumothorax, one periumbilical subcutaneous emphysema and 2 mild bile leaks. On average, each patient required 1.3 intramuscular analgesic injections and spent 10 days recuperating in hospital. In Japan, many patients insist on staying longer in hospital. We believe that laparoscopic cholecystectomy will rapidly become the preferred treatment for gallbladder stone disease.

Experience with laparoscopic double gallbladder removal.

Double gallbladder is a rare congenital anomaly and an encounter with it while performing cholecystectomy laparoscopically is a challenge to the laparoscopic surgeon. A 28-year-old man complaining of epigastric pain was evaluated at Teikyo University Hospital, Mizonokuchi, Japan. There were no abnormal laboratory findings. Ultrasonography revealed an acoustic shadow in each compartment without any inflammatory changes in the gallbladder. No lesions were endoscopically noted in the stomach. CT scan could not demonstrate the anomaly. ERCP revealed a duplication of the gallbladder shadow with a stone in each vesicle and also the confluence of two cystic ducts from both the gallbladders draining into the common bile duct (CBD). Laparoscopic cholecystectomy was performed successfully in this case. This paper presents this particular case because of double gallbladders rarity in the literature and to emphasize the importance of preoperative cholangiographic evaluation for double gallbladder. The laparoscopic surgeon is given an idea of the meticulous dissection at the “hepatocystic triangle” due to the various other vascular and other congenital anomalies associated with it. An account of the classification of this congenital abnormality and its various types is also discussed here.

Prevention of laparoscopic surgeon's thumb

Laparoscopic surgery is being used in an increasing number of operations today. We have been performing various types of laparoscopic techniques in our department. A problem we sometimes have encountered involves a ring of pressure that develops around the surgeons thumb at the end of the procedure, which is accompanied by an area of paresthesia in the distribution of the lateral digital nerve. We report our own experience and a small review of the literature.

Perioperative Approach in the Surgical Management of Carotid Body Tumors

BACKGROUND Now, surgical resection still remains the gold standard for the treatment of carotid body tumors (CBTs). Although advances in surgical techniques and the introduction of sensitive imaging modalities have significantly reduced mortality, the incidence of perioperative neurovascular complications, especially cranial nerve deficit and intraoperative hemorrhage, remains considerable. To solve these problems, preoperative embolization has been suggested; the reported benefits of preoperative embolization performed <48 hours before surgery include a reduction in tumor size, decreased blood loss, and improved visualization, theoretically reducing neurologic morbidity by lessening the risk of stroke and damage to cranial nerves. The purpose of this study was to review our experience in the surgical management of CBTs with preoperative embolization and evaluate the outcomes and complications according to the Shamblin classification. METHODS Thirty-two patients who had been diagnosed with and surgically treated for CBTs were enrolled from January 2005 till July 2010. All perioperative scans were evaluated by computed tomography angiography. We reviewed patient demographics, radiographic findings, and surgical outcomes collected from medical records. RESULTS Thirty-two patients underwent surgical excision without mortality. Angiography with selective preoperative tumor embolization was performed on 21 patients. The median blood loss, operation time, and hospital stay for these patients were significantly reduced compared with those without embolization. There were no recurrences or delayed complications at the median follow-up of 20 months. CONCLUSION Embolization as an adjunctive tool was beneficial for CBT surgery outcomes. Embolization should only be undertaken in those vessels that can be subselectively catheterized and determined not to allow free reflux of contrast medium into the internal carotid artery. Tumor embolization was performed on patients with Cook detachable coils, which are highly effective for supply artery closure if properly selected, and complications can be minimized by proper selection and positioning of the coil. Operation within 48 hours after embolization is recommended to minimize revascularization edema or a local inflammatory response.

The “right” way is not always popular: comparison of surgeons’ perceptions during laparoscopic cholecystectomy for acute cholecystitis among experts from Japan, Korea and Taiwan

Generally, surgeons’ perceptions of surgical safety are based on experience and institutional policy. Our recent pilot survey demonstrated that the acceptable duration of surgery and criteria for open conversion during laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) vary among workplaces.

What are the appropriate indicators of surgical difficulty during laparoscopic cholecystectomy? Results from a Japan‐Korea‐Taiwan multinational survey

Serious complications continue to occur in laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC). The commonly used indicators of surgical difficulty such as the duration of surgery are insufficient because they are surgeon and institution dependent. We aimed to identify appropriate indicators of surgical difficulty during LC.

Leiomyosarcoma of the transverse colon

SummaryA case report of leiomyosarcoma of the transverse colon was presented in view of its rarity of the occurrence. An extra-colonic, mobile abdominal mass showing a rapid growth with mild tenderness was the principal preoperative findings in the patient. The occurrence of malignant tumors in smooth muscles of the colon, not including the rectum, is extremely rare. In review of the references, about thirty cases have been previously reported.

An opportunity in difficulty: Japan–Korea–Taiwan expert Delphi consensus on surgical difficulty during laparoscopic cholecystectomy

We previously identified 25 intraoperative findings during laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) as potential indicators of surgical difficulty per nominal group technique. This study aimed to build a consensus among expert LC surgeons on the impact of each item on surgical difficulty.

New integrated ultrasonic surgical system, ‘Sonosurg’

A new surgical system named ‘SonoSurg’ integrating both the ultrasonic coagulating cutter and the conventional ultrasonic aspirator has been developed for clinical use. It maintains the functions of each independent device. Various types of hand pieces can be easily exchanged at the time of surgery. Moreover, all output switches are installed in the common foot switch. Therefore, the extent of the application of this system has been extremely expanded through these additional ancillary units with different function or varieties of hand pieces that are usable in accordance with the purposes. Experience with this system used in endoscopic or open surgeries at a couple of institutions is evaluated in this paper. We believe that the integration of these two different models will be very useful in various aspects, such as the improvement of surgical safety and to simplify surgical procedures as well as functional improvement of the operating theater.