The postoperative platelet distribution width is useful for predicting the prognosis in patients with esophageal squamous cell carcinoma Abstract Purpose The platelet distribution width (PDW) is reportedly useful as a prognostic indicator for some cancers. However, its prognostic significance in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) is unclear. Methods We enrolled 104 patients with thoracic ESCC, who underwent curative esophagectomy. Results Receiver operating curve analyses indicated that the optimal cut-off values of pre- and postoperative PDW were 16.9 and 17.0, respectively. The 5-year overall survival (OS) rate was significantly lower in patients with a high-preoperative PDW (≥ 16.9; 52.6%) than in those with a low-preoperative PDW (< 16.9; 61.0% P = 0.045). The 5-year disease-specific survival (DSS) rates were 64.3% in patients with a high-preoperative PDW and 69.3% in those with a low-preoperative PDW (P = 0.13). Regarding the postoperative PDW, the 5-year OS rate was significantly lower in patients with a high-postoperative PDW (≥ 17.0; 35.7%) than in those with a low-postoperative PDW (< 17.0; 66.8% P = 0.0017). The 5-year DSS rates were 52.2% in patients with a high-postoperative PDW and 73.2% in those with a low-postoperative PDW (P = 0.037). Finally, a multivariate analysis revealed that the postoperative PDW but not the preoperative PDW was an independent prognostic factor. Conclusions The postoperative PDW was useful for predicting the prognosis of patients with ESCC.

Efficacy and safety of enoxaparin for preventing venous thromboembolic events after laparoscopic colorectal cancer surgery: a randomized-controlled trial (YCOG 1404) Abstract Purpose We conducted a prospective study to evaluate the efficacy and safety of postoperative enoxaparin for the prevention of venous thromboembolism (VTE) after laparoscopic surgery for colorectal cancer (LAC) in Japanese patients. Methods The subjects of this multicenter, open-label randomized-controlled trial were 121 patients who underwent LAC between September 2015 and May 2017. The patients were randomly allocated to receive intermittent pneumatic compression (IPC) with enoxaparin (20 mg, twice daily), started 24–36 h after surgery and continued until discharge (Enoxaparin group; n = 61), or IPC alone (IPC group; n = 60). The primary endpoint was the incidence of VTE on day 28 after surgery. The safety outcome was the incidence of any bleeding during treatment and follow-up. Results The incidence of VTE on day 28 after surgery was 12.3% (7/57 patients) in the enoxaparin group and 11.9% (7/59 patients) in the IPC group ((p = 1.00). One of the 57 patients (1.8%) in the enoxaparin group and none in the IPC group experienced a bleeding event. Conclusions It may be unnecessary to give enoxaparin to all Japanese patients for the prevention of VTE after LAC. The UMIN Clinical Trials Registry number was UMIN000018633.

Reinforcement and reapproximation of the aortic stump during surgery for acute aortic dissection Abstract Anastomosis of the fragile aortic wall in patients with acute aortic dissection presents a challenge to cardiovascular surgeons. Reinforcement of the stump is a key to accomplishing successful anastomosis. Surgical glues such as gelatin–resorcin–formalin (GRF) glue and Bioglue are easy to use and have radically changed the process of the reinforcement and reapproximation. However, as surgical glues have been associated with disadvantages such as tissue necrosis, enthusiasm for their use has waned. In this review, we discuss the various methods for reinforcement and reapproximation of the aortic stump during operations for acute aortic dissection, mainly outside the category of surgical glues.

Phase II trial of induction chemotherapy with carboplatin and paclitaxel plus bevacizumab in patients with stage IIIA to IV nonsquamous non-small cell lung cancer Abstract Purpose Surgery remains the best curative treatment option for non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), but is of benefit only to patients with localized disease. A meta-analysis showed a significant beneficial effect of induction chemotherapy on survival, but there is still no clear evidence. This phase II study was conducted to establish whether induction chemotherapy with carboplatin (CBDCA) and paclitaxel (PTX) plus bevacizumab prior to surgery reduces the risk of progression. Methods The subjects of this study were 29 patients with treatment-naive nonsquamous NSCLC (clinical stages IIIA to IV). Patients received PTX (200 mg/m2), CBDCA (area under the curve, 5), and bevacizumab (15 mg/kg) followed by surgery. Chemotherapy was repeated every 3 weeks for up to six cycles. Results The overall response rate was 72.4%. Of the 29 patients, ten underwent surgery after the induction chemotherapy and complete resection was achieved in 7 (70%). The median progression-free-survival (PFS) time and the 3-year PFS rate were 0.92 years and 16.2%, respectively. The median overall survival (OS) time and the 3-year OS rate were 1.96 years and 44.9%, respectively. Conclusion Combined modality therapy with surgery after induction chemotherapy with CBDCA and PTX plus bevacizumab is clinically feasible and tolerable for patients with unknown or negative molecular profiles.

Impact of chronic lung allograft dysfunction, especially restrictive allograft syndrome, on the survival after living-donor lobar lung transplantation compared with cadaveric lung transplantation in adults: a single-center experience Abstract Purpose The differences in chronic lung allograft dysfunction (CLAD) between living-donor lobar lung transplantation (LDLLT) and cadaveric lung transplantation (CLT) remain unclear. We conducted this study to compare the impact of CLAD on the outcomes after LDLLT vs. CLT. Methods We conducted a retrospective review of the data of 97 recipients of bilateral lung transplantation, including 51 recipients of LDLLT and 46 recipients of CLT. Results The CLAD-free survival and overall survival after LDLLT were similar to those after CLT. CLAD and restrictive allograft syndrome (RAS), but not bronchiolitis obliterans syndrome (BOS), developed significantly later after LDLLT than after CLT (p = 0.015 and p = 0.035). Consequently, patients with CLAD and RAS, but not those with BOS, after LDLLT had a significantly better overall survival than those after CLT (p = 0.037 and p = 0.0006). Furthermore, after the diagnosis of CLAD, the survival of patients with RAS after LDLLT tended to be better than that after CLT (p = 0.083). Conclusion CLAD, especially RAS, appears to develop later after LDLLT than after CLT and seems to have a lower impact on the overall survival after LDLLT than that after CLT.

Feasibility of neoadjuvant therapy for elderly patients with locally advanced rectal cancer Abstract Purpose The feasibility of neoadjuvant therapy (NAT) for elderly patients with rectal cancer has not been evaluated well. Methods Between 2004 and 2014, 506 patients with locally advanced low rectal cancer underwent curative resection. Fifty-four were over 75 years old (elderly group), and 452 were under 75 years old (young group). The patients were divided into sub-groups according to whether they received NAT. Results Nineteen (35.2%) patients from the elderly group and 348 (77.0%) from the young group received NAT. The proportion of patients who received NAT was significantly lower in the elderly group. In the elderly group, the median age and prevalence of co-morbidities were significantly lower in patients with than in those without NAT. The incidence of severe adverse events was similar in the two groups. On multivariate analysis, age was not related to postoperative complications in patients who received NAT. The 5-year local recurrence rate was significantly lower in the elderly patients who received NAT, and similar to that of the young patients who received NAT. Conclusions Neoadjuvant therapy was feasible and should be considered as a treatment option for carefully selected elderly patients with locally advanced low rectal cancer.

Developments and perspectives of laparoscopic liver resection in the treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma Abstract Laparoscopic liver resection (LLR) was introduced in the early 1990s, initially for partial resection of the anterolateral segments, from where it has expanded in a stepwise fashion. Movement restriction makes bleeding control demanding. Managing pneumoperitoneum pressure with inflow control can inhibit venous bleeding and create a dry surgical field for easier hemostasis. Since the lack of overview leads to disorientation, simulation and navigation with imaging studies have become important. Improved direct access to the liver inside the rib cage can be obtained in LLR, reducing destruction of the associated structures and decreasing the risk of refractory ascites and liver failure, especially in patients with a cirrhotic liver. Although LLR can be performed as bridging therapy to transplantation for severe cirrhosis, its impact on expanding the indications of liver resection (LR) and the consequent survival benefits must be evaluated. For repeat LR, LLR is advantageous by producing fewer adhesions and reducing the need for adhesiolysis. The laparoscopic approach facilitates better access in a small operative field between adhesions. Further evaluations are needed for repeat anatomical resection, since alterations of the anatomy and surrounding scars and adhesions of major vessels have a larger impact.

Daikenchuto accelerates the recovery from prolonged postoperative ileus after open abdominal surgery: a subgroup analysis of three randomized controlled trials Abstract Purpose Prolonged postoperative ileus (POI) is a common complication after open abdominal surgery (OAS). Daikenchuto (DKT), a traditional Japanese medicine that peripherally stimulates the neurogenic pathway, is used to treat prolonged POI in Japan. To analyze whether DKT accelerates the recovery from prolonged POI after OAS, we conducted a secondary analysis of three multicenter randomized controlled trials (RCTs). Methods A secondary analysis of the three RCTs supported by the Japanese Foundation for Multidisciplinary Treatment of Cancer (project numbers 39-0902, 40-1001, 42-1002) assessing the effect of DKT on prolonged POI in patients who had undergone OAS for colon, liver, or gastric cancer was performed. The subgroup included 410 patients with no bowel movement (BM) before the first diet, a DKT group (n = 214), and a placebo group (n = 196). Patients received either 5 g DKT or a placebo orally, three times a day. The primary endpoint was defined as the time from the end of surgery to the first bowel movement (FBM). A sensitivity analysis was also performed on the age, body mass index and dosage as subgroup analyses. Results The primary endpoint was significantly accelerated in the DKT group compared with the placebo group (p = 0.004; hazard ratio 1.337). The median time to the FBM was 113.8 h in the placebo group and 99.1 h in the DKT treatment group. Conclusions The subgroup analysis showed that DKT significantly accelerated the recovery from prolonged POI following OAS. Trial registration number UMIN000026292.

The tumor doubling time is a useful parameter for predicting the histological type of thymic epithelial tumors Abstract Purpose We assessed the utility of the tumor doubling time (TDT) for predicting the histological type of thymic epithelial tumors. Methods We retrospectively reviewed 130 patients with thymic epithelial tumors who underwent computed tomography two or more times before surgery. The patients were divided into low-risk thymoma (types A, AB and B1), high-risk thymoma (types B2 and B3) and thymic carcinoma (thymic carcinoma and thymic neuroendocrine tumor) groups. In the 96 patients who showed tumor enlargement, the relationship between the histological type and the TDT of the tumor was investigated. Results The study population included 55 men and 41 women from 26 to 82 years of age. The TDT of the thymic carcinoma group (median 205 days) was significantly shorter in comparison to the low-risk thymoma (median 607 days) and high-risk thymoma (median 459 days) groups. No significant differences were observed between the low-risk thymoma and high-risk thymoma groups. When we set the cutoff time for differentiating thymic carcinoma group from thymoma at 313 days, the sensitivity and specificity were 83.8% and 82.1%, respectively. Conclusions The TDT is a useful parameter for differentiating between thymoma and thymic carcinoma group.

Conversion surgery only for highly selected patients with unresectable pancreatic cancer: a satisfactory outcome in exchange for a lower resection rate Abstract Purpose The purpose of this study is to clarify the resection rate, safety, and significance of conversion surgery for highly selected patients with unresectable pancreatic cancer (URPca). Methods We studied 434 URPca patients. Conversion surgery was permitted only for patients who met following requirements: responders to first-line therapy, showing sufficient reduction of the local tumor to enable complete resection, at least 6 months of disease control, and no metastatic lesions detected on radiological examinations (for patients with metastatic disease). The overall survival (OS) was compared between patients who underwent surgery and those who did not. Furthermore, a multivariate analysis was performed to identify possible predictive factors for both total patients with URPca and responders. Results Conversion surgery was performed in 18 patients (4.1%). The pathologically complete resection rate was 88.9% (16/18). The median operative time, blood loss, and hospitalization duration were 450 min, 780 ml, and 29 days, respectively. The OS was significantly better in patients who underwent surgery than in those who did not. In a multivariate analysis, conversion surgery was shown to be significantly correlated with the OS both in total patients and responders. Conclusions A satisfactory outcome was achieved for highly selected patients with URPca in exchange for a lower resection rate (4.1%).