Pancreatic cancers in which invasion to the root of the mesentery are suspected have been regarded as unresectable in general. We report the surgical techniques in two cases of locally advanced pancreatic cancer for which in situ surgical procedures including partial abdominal evisceration and intestinal autotransplantation were performed. The patients were a woman 57 years of age and a man 64 years of age. Both cases had a locally advanced cancer that had originated in the pancreatic uncus and was found to have invaded the root of the mesentery, as well as the superior mesenteric artery (SMA) and the superior mesenteric vein (SMV). The cancers in both patients were assessed as resectable because the jejunal artery and vein were secured intact at a site peripheral from the root of the mesentery, and the origin of the SMA along with the portal and splenic veins was intact at a proximal site, so pancreatectomy and resection of the transverse and ascending colons were performed. The SMA and the SMV were ablated just below each origin at a site proximal to the root of the mesentery. At a distal site, two jejunal arteries and one jejunal vein were kept intact and all the remaining arteries and veins were ablated. The remaining small intestine had become a free autograft. As for the portal and jejunal veins, end-to-end anastomosis was performed. Reconstruction of the SMA was achieved with an end-to-end anastomosis, using the right internal iliac artery as a graft. Reconstruction of the alimentary tract was achieved using small intestine as an autograft. Both patients survived the major operative procedures. Warm ischemia time was 84 min for the SMA and 12 min for the SMV-portal system in Case 1 while it was 30 min for the SMA and 25 min for the SMV-portal system in Case 2. No ex-vivo resection technique was used. Leakage occurred in both cases at the anastomotic lesion between the small intestine and the left colon. Abdominal drainage and conservative treatment were applied in both cases. Cure was achieved within 3 months postoperatively in Case 1 and within 2.5 months in Case 2. Subsequently, the patients returned to their preoperative lives. Case 1 died 11 months and Case 2 died 12 months after the operation due to abdominal dissemination and liver metastases. We were able to perform in situ procedures including partial abdominal evisceration and intestinal autotransplantation for two cases of pancreatic cancer with possible invasion to the root of the mesentery. There are few reports of such procedures. There has been one report of a case which applied an ex vivo technique. It is expected that the development of adequate adjuvant therapy will lead to further improvement in the prognosis of pancreatic cancers.

We often encounter unresectable pancreatic cancer due to invasions of the major vessels. Vascular resection for locally advanced pancreatic cancers has an advantage in en block local resection. There are potential cases in which good outcomes can be achieved by arterial resection. Pancreatectomy (including total pancreatectomy in 15 cases, pancreatoduodenectomy in 7 cases and distal pancreatectomy in one case) was performed in 23 cases of invasive ductal carcinoma of the pancreas, in combination with resection and reconstruction of the hepatic artery in 15 cases, the superior mesenteric artery in 12 cases (there are overlaps) and the portal vein in 20 cases. The median operating time was 686 min (416-1,190 min) and the median blood loss was 2,830 ml (440-19,800 ml). This shows that the surgery was highly-invasive. The operative mortality rate was 4.3%. On the basis of the UICC classification, there were 2 cases of Stage IIa, 4 cases of Stage IIb, 9 cases of Stage III, 8 cases of Stage IV, while there were 18 cases (78.3%) of R0 resection. On the other hand, the final histological findings showed that there were 8 cases (34.8%) of M1 (liver and non-regional lymph node metastases), so it is thought that decisions on operative indications should be not be made slightly. As for the overall survival rate, the 1-year survival rate was 51.2% and the 3-year survival rate was 23.1% while the median survival time (MST) was 12 months. As for 15 cases of M0, the 1-year survival rate was 61.9% and the 4-year survival rate was 38.7% while the MST was 16 months. On the other hand, the MST was poor (10 months) in 8 cases of M1, showing that a statistically significant difference was observed depending upon the degree of metastasis (log-rank P = 0.0409). In 18 cases of R0, the 1-year survival rate was 67.2%, the 4-year survival rate 30.2% and the MST 13 months, respectively, while in 5 cases of R1 and R2, the MST was 6 months, showing that there was a statistically significant difference between R0 cases and R1, R2 cases (log-rank P = 0.0002). Further discussion is required concerning surgical indications and significance. However, it is thought that resection is useful only when surgery of R0 has taken place for selected locally advanced pancreatic cancer (M0).

The resectability of locally advanced pancreatic cancer depends upon, before anything else, the relationship between the tumor and the adjacent arterial structure. Pancreatic cancer that has developed at the caudal side of the pancreas can invade the common hepatic artery (CHA). Pancreatic cancers with CHA involvement can become candidates for surgery in selected cases. Pancreatic cancer arising at the caudal side of the pancreas head may sometimes invade the right and left hepatic arteries (RLHA) as well as the CHA. Pancreatic cancer with RLHA involvement may be assessed as unresectable unless complex vascular reconstruction is performed. We have experienced 3 cases of successfully resected pancreatic cancer with RLHA and portal vein (PV) invasion. Pancreatectomy (including total pancreatectomy in two cases and pancreatoduodenectomy in one case) with RLHA and PV reconstruction was performed. Three different techniques of arterial reconstruction that were suitable for the individual cases were used. They were: (1) end-to-end anastomosis between the CHA and the left hepatic artery (LHA) and end-to-end anastomosis between the middle hepatic artery (MHA) and the right hepatic artery (RHA), (2) end-to-end anastomosis between the left gastric artery (LGA) and the RHA and end-to-end anastomosis between the right gastroepiploic artery and the LHA, and (3) end-to-side anastomosis between the splenic artery (SA) and the LHA and end-to-end anastomosis between the SA and the RHA. The mean operating time was 735 min (range 686-800 min) and the mean blood loss was 1726 ml (range 1140-2230 ml). Microscopic curative resection (R0) was possible in all cases even if their International Union Against Cancer (UICC) stage was IIb. There was one case of wound infection, although no serious complications, including hepatic artery thrombosis, liver failure, or biliary fistula were observed. By follow-up three-dimensional computed tomography (3D-CT) angiography, the patency of the anastomosed artery was confirmed to be maintained in all three cases. R0 operation with 3 different arterial reconstruction techniques was able to be performed without presenting any risk.

The results of TIPS and the combined TIPS and portal-azygous disconnection for portal hypertension and variceal bleeding were evaluated. 358 patients with portal hypertension were admitted to our clinical ward because of variceal bleeding. 263 patients underwent TIPS and 95 patients with combined TIPS and portal-azygous disconnection. Portal hemodynamics was evaluated by pressure measurements, venography and Doppler ultrasound before and 2 weeks after the procedure. The rates of shunt patency, rebleeding, encephalopathy and survival were observed during the follow-up period from 1 to 10 years. The portal pressure and HVPG were decreased significantly after TIPS. TIPS procedure was successfully performed in 97.50% patients. During 1 month after treatment, acute shunt occlusion occurred in 3.42% patients with TIPS and there were no occluded shunts in patients with combined TIPS and portal-azygous disconnection. Encephalopathy was observed in 36.50% patients with TIPS and 18.95% with combined TIPS and portal-azygous disconnection. Recurrent variceal bleeding was documented in 6.46% patients with TIPS and none of patients with combined TIPS and azygous portal disconnection. Thirty-three patients with TIPS and two patients with combined TIPS and portal-azygous disconnection died. During follow-up periods, the patency of shunts in patients with TIPS and patients combined TIPS and azygous portal disconnection was 68.47, 43.84 and 87.06, 57.65% in 12 and 24 months after operation, respectively. The rates of rebleeding, and encephalopathy in patients with TIPS and patients with combined TIPS and azygous portal disconnection were 17.95, 31.79 and 7.04, 16.47%, respectively. The survival rate in 1, 5, 10 years in patients with TIPS and patients combined TIPS and azygous portal disconnection was 87.68, 51.23, 39.90 and 94.12, 81.18, 76.47%. Combined TIPS and portal-azygous disconnection can improve the effect of TIPS for portal hypertension.

The range of indications for laparoscopic surgery has widened since it was first introduced. The aim of the present study was to develop standards for the appropriate use of laparoscopic surgery in patients with choledocholithiasis or cholelithiasis. We conducted a study following the RAND appropriateness method (RAM) to develop criteria for hepatobiliary laparoscopy. A panel comprised of 7 experts rated the appropriateness of a set of indications, from 1 (very inappropriate) to 9 (very appropriate). The panelists performed ratings in 2 rounds. The first round was performed independently by every expert. The second round took place during a face-to-face meeting. According to the median of panelists' ratings and agreement criteria, every indication was classified as appropriate, uncertain, or inappropriate. In the first round, 112 (46.7%) indications were judged as appropriate, 102 (42.5%) as uncertain, and 26 (10.8%) as inappropriate. In the second round, 99 indications (48.5%) were considered as appropriate, 81 (39.7%) as uncertain, and 24 (11.8%) as inappropriate. Disagreement between panelists decreased in the second round compared with the first round. Thirteen indications were rated as disagreement (6.4%), 125 as uncertain (61.3%), and 66 as agreement (32.3%), while in the first round, the results and proportions were 44 (18.3%), 132 (55.0%), and 64 (26.7%), respectively. By using RAM, the panel was able to develop detailed explicit appropriateness criteria for the proper application of hepatobiliary laparoscopy. The criteria may be used prospectively to help in making clinical decisions or retrospectively to assess the overuse of clinical procedures.

Laparoscopic hepatectomy is a promising option for patients affected by a liver mass, and the procedure is gaining popularity. Minor laparoscopic resections have been widely reported. In contrast, major laparoscopic hepatectomy has been performed in only a limited number of cases. Hand-assisted laparoscopic liver surgery has been advocated in order to improve liver exposure and vascular control and increase the safety of the procedure. Transparenchymal en-bloc transection of the right portal triad has been reported to be safe and useful in open surgery. We describe a personal technique for hand-assisted right hemihepatectomy. With ultrasound guidance, the right hepatic pedicle is isolated intrahepatically and transected en bloc with a single firing of an endostapler. Parenchymal transection is carried out with ultrasonically activated or vessel-sealing devices together with endostaplers. The procedure was successfully accomplished in three patients. The Pringle maneuver was never performed. No intraoperative or postoperative complications occurred. This study is the first to report a technique of right hemihepatectomy that combines hand-assisted laparoscopy and an ultrasound-guided intrahepatic approach. This technique may be a useful option to simplify the operation, reduce operative time, and increase the safety of the procedure.

The most common cause of conversion to laparotomy (open splenectomy) during laparoscopic splenectomy (LS) is bleeding from the splenic hilar vessels. Recently, the efficacy of Ligasure (a vessel-sealing system) as a safety device for sealing vessels and reducing intraoperative blood loss has been reported with various laparoscopic procedures. The objective of this report was to describe our techniques for minimizing bleeding during LS, characterized by the application of Ligasure (which reduces the number of clips and staples, and reduces unnecessary bleeding) and a splenic hilum hanging maneuver with a Diamond-Flex flexible retractor to obtain optimal exposure of the splenic hilum. We have performed 87 LSs since February 1993, and have employed the Ligasure instead of metal clips and staplers since September 2003. We have also introduced the splenic hilum hanging maneuver paired with Ligasure use. We have performed this new LS in 30 consecutive adult patients presenting with idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (n = 14), benign splenic tumor (n = 5), lymphoma (n = 4), hereditary spherocytosis (n = 2), liver cirrhosis (n = 2), and other pathologies (n = 3). The splenic ligaments and vessels, including the splenic artery and vein, were divided using a 5-mm Ligasure instead of a clip or stapler. The splenic hilum was encircled and elevated, using a Diamond-Flex, to ensure better exposure in all patients. LS was successfully completed in 29 patients (97%), with only one conversion to open splenectomy. Mean blood loss for all patients with completed LS was only 21.6 ml (range 0-250 ml). Moreover, blood loss was not determinable (considered as 0 ml in this study) in 15 patients (52%). Mean spleen weight and operating time were 319.4 g (range 80-1605 g) and 143.4 min (range 90-180 min), respectively. No postoperative mortalities were encountered. Two patients experienced complications, including grade B pancreatic fistula and atelectasis, for an overall morbidity rate of 6.7%. Mean postoperative stay was 6.5 days (range 3-14 days). LS using a Ligasure in combination with the splenic hilum hanging maneuver may reduce intraoperative blood loss.

Pancreaticojejunal anastomotic leakage remains a major complication after pancreatoduodenectomy, and various means of preventing pancreatic leakage have been studied over the past few decades. The purpose of this study was to determine whether closed suction drainage provided a better option than gravity drainage in pancreaticojejunostomy. Between 2004 and 2006, a total of 110 patients who underwent pancreaticojejunostomy at our institute were enrolled in this prospective randomized pilot study. Fifty-five patients were allocated to the closed suction drainage (CD) group and 55 to the gravity drainage (GD) group. In each patient a polyethylene pediatric feeding tube was inserted into the remnant pancreatic duct across a duct-to-mucosa type pancreaticojejunostomy and totally externalized. The tube was then connected to the aspiration bag of a Jackson-Pratt drain to generate negative pressure or to a bile bag for natural drainage. Pancreatic fistulas were defined and graded as A, B, or C according to the international study group for pancreatic fistulas (ISGPF) criteria. No differences were found between the GD and CD groups in age, sex distribution, or diagnosis. A pancreatic fistula occurred in 24 patients (43.6%) in the GD group and in 14 (25.5%) in the CD group (P = 0.045). In the GD group, grade B and C fistula occurred in 6 patients (10.9%), whereas in the CD group, this occurred in 5 patients (9.1%). In this study, temporary external drainage of the pancreatic duct with closed suction drainage significantly reduced the incidence of grade A pancreatic fistula. A follow-up randomized prospective multicenter study has been initiated.

An accepted treatment strategy for cholelithiasis with secondary choledocholithiasis is the laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) following endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreaticography (ERCP). Although early cholecystectomy is advised, there is no consensus about the time interval between LC and ERCP. The aim of this study is to evaluate the effects of the time interval between ERCP and ERCP on operation outcomes. Patients with cholelithiasis and a risk of choledocholithiasis underwent ERCP. Patients were grouped as those operated on between 24 and 72 h after ERCP (group 1) and those operated on more than 72 h after ERCP (group 2). Patients' age, gender, body mass index, American Society of Anesthesiologists Physical Status, abdominal ultrasonography findings, white blood cell count, total serum bilirubin, ALP, amylase, ALT, AST, GGT levels, ERCP findings, time interval between ERCP and LC, conversion rate, median postoperative hospital stay, median operation time, intraoperative complication and postoperative complication rates were collected. There was no significant difference between the demographics of the patients in both groups. The median operation time, median postoperative hospital stay and conversion rate in group 2 were significantly higher than those of group 1. More postoperative complications were seen in group 2. Early cholecystectomy after ERCP, within 72 h, has better outcomes, probably due to the inflammatory processes.

The signal transduction of mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) has appeared to be an important mediator of ischemic-related events. Because of this, we analyzed the participation of p38 and JNK in liver ischemia and reperfusion, as two individual members of the MAPK family of proteins. All papers referred to in PubMed for the past 15 years were analyzed to determine how and when these MAPKs were considered to be an intricate part of the ischemic event. References were cross-studied to ascertain whether other papers could be found in the literature. The role of p38 and JNK in liver ischemia was confirmed in the literature. The activation of these mediators was associated with the induction of apoptosis and necrosis. Inhibitors of p38 and JNK reduced the liver ischemia and reperfusion damage, probably through the mechanisms mentioned before. The development of effective inhibitors of p38 and JNK protein mediators is important for minimizing the harmful effects associated with liver ischemia and reperfusion.