Yasuaki Taura

A modified Foker’s technique for long gap esophageal atresia

External traction using the Foker’s technique enables elongation in the esophageal segments within days, and allows the primary repair of the long gap. This article presents our modified Foker’s technique which was easily applicable for long-gap esophageal atresia.

Yolk sac tumor of the vulva: a case report with recurrence after long-term follow-up

A yolk sac tumor (YST) of the vulva is extremely rare and highly malignant with recurrence frequently occurring within a year. This report presents the 13th known case of vulvar YST, with recurrence occurring after the longest known follow-up period so far reported in the literature.

Scaffold-free trachea regeneration by tissue engineering with bio-3D printing

OBJECTIVES Currently, most of the artificial airway organs still require scaffolds; however, such scaffolds exhibit several limitations. Alternatively, the use of an autologous artificial trachea without foreign materials and immunosuppressants may solve these issues and constitute a preferred tool. The rationale of this study was to develop a new scaffold-free approach for an artificial trachea using bio-3D printing technology. Here, we assessed the circumferential tracheal replacement using scaffold-free trachea-like grafts generated from isolated cells in an inbred animal model. METHODS Chondrocytes and mesenchymal stem cells were isolated from F344 rats. Rat lung microvessel endothelial cells were purchased. Our bio-3D printer generates spheroids consisting of several types of cells to create 3D structures. The bio-3D-printed artificial trachea from spheroids was matured in a bioreactor and transplanted into F344 rats as a tracheal graft under general anaesthesia. The mechanical strength of the artificial trachea was measured, and histological and immunohistochemical examinations were performed. RESULTS Tracheal transplantation was performed in 9 rats, which were followed up postoperatively for 23 days. The average tensile strength of artificial tracheas before transplantation was 526.3 ± 125.7 mN. The bio-3D-printed scaffold-free artificial trachea had sufficient strength to transplant into the trachea with silicone stents that were used to prevent collapse of the artificial trachea and to support the graft until sufficient blood supply was obtained. Chondrogenesis and vasculogenesis were observed histologically. CONCLUSIONS The scaffold-free isogenic artificial tracheas produced by a bio-3D printer could be utilized as tracheal grafts in rats.

Pancreatic head resection preserving the main pancreatic duct for congenital hyperinsulinism of infancy

Surgical intervention for congenital hyperinsulinism with an unclear focal lesion in the pancreatic head sometimes require the resection of most of the pancreas head and pancreaticojejunotomy. This report presents the case of a patient that underwent pancreatic head resection preserving the main pancreatic duct to avoid pancreaticojejunostomy.

A gallstone in the Roux-en Y limb during pregnancy in a female patient with biliary atresia

A 28-year-old female developed liver dysfunction at the 13th gestation week of her second pregnancy. A postpartum radiological examination revealed a stone in the Roux-en Y (RY) limb. She underwent surgical removal of the gallstone in the RY limb. Bile congestion during pregnancy led to the development of a gallstone.

Arthralgia and Osteolytic Lesions Associated with Traumatic Pancreatitis in a 10-Year-Old Girl

A case of traumatic pancreatitis with subsequent joint pain and osteolytic lesions is presented. A 10-year-old girl was admitted to our hospital with abdominal pain caused by blunt epigastric injury. She was diagnosed with traumatic pancreatitis, and multiple pancreatic pseudocysts subsequently developed. Two weeks after admission, she complained of joint pain, and MR revealed osteolytic lesions of both knee joints. On the 58th day, endoscopic transgastric pseudocyst drainage was performed. Joint pain and osteolytic lesions resolved rapidly, in parallel with the decrease in serum amylase level and pseudocyst size.