清水 敦

Abstract It is important to assess the prognosis and intervene before and after surgery in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma. This study aims to elucidate the association of outcomes and residual liver function after hepatectomy. A total of 176 patients who underwent the initial resection for hepatocellular carcinoma between January 2011 and March 2021 at Jichi Medical University were included. Hepatic clearance of the remnant liver was measured using 99mTc-galactosyl serum albumin scintigraphy. The log-rank test was used to analyze survival using the Kaplan–Meier method. Hazard ratios (HR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) for overall survival were calculated using Cox’s proportional hazard model. In multivariate analysis, microvascular invasion, intraoperative blood loss, and hepatic clearance of the remnant liver were independently associated with overall survival. Hepatic clearance of the remnant liver was independently associated with recurrence free survival. This is the first report to show that lower residual liver function is associated with shorter survival in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma undergoing hepatectomy. Preoperative determination of remnant liver function may allow assessment of prognosis in patients planned to undergo resection of hepatocellular carcinoma. Preservation of liver functional reserve may be crucial for improved long-term outcomes after hepatectomy.

BACKGROUND: Estimation of the functional reserve of the remnant liver is important to reduce morbidity and mortality. AIM: To estimate the functional reserve of the remnant liver in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). METHODS: We reviewed the medical records of 199 patients who underwent resection of HCC. Hepatic clearance of the remnant liver was calculated using fusion images of 99mTc-labelled galactosyl-human serum albumin liver scintigraphy and computed tomography. Posthepatectomy liver failure (PHLF) was classified according to the International Study Group of Liver Surgery. Complications was classified according to Clavien-Dindo classification. We analyzed by the risk factors for PHLF, morbidity and mortality with multivariate analysis. RESULTS: Twenty-seven (30%) patients had major complications and 23 (12%) developed PHLF. The incidence of major complications increased with increasing albumin-bilirubin (ALBI) grade. The area under the curve values for hepatic clearance of the remnant liver, liver to heart-plus-liver radioactivity at 15 min (LHL15), and ALBI score predicting PHLF were 0.868, 0.629, and 0.655, respectively. The area under the curve for hepatic clearance of the remnant liver, LHL15, and ALBI score predicting major complications were 0.758, 0.594, and 0.647, respectively. The risk factors for PHLF and major complications were hepatic clearance of the remnant liver and intraoperative bleeding. CONCLUSION: The measurement of hepatic clearance may predict PHLF and major complications for patients undergoing resection of HCC.

Background: Physician attire influences perceptions of care. This study was conducted to evaluate the impact of physician attire on perceptions of care by patients and families in a Japanese palliative care unit. Methods: From November 2018 to February 2020, patients and family members admitted to the Palliative Care Unit at Jichi Medical University Hospital were recruited and completed a survey consisting of 4 demographic questions and 15 questions regarding perceptions of care. A 7-point Likert scale (1 = strongly agree, 4 = neutral, 7 = strongly disagree) was used to judge attire (name tag, long sleeve white coat, short sleeve white coat, scrubs, scrub color, jeans, sneakers) addressing patient and overall impact on perception of care. Results: Of 203 patients admitted, 79 were enrolled. Surveys were received from 23 patients and 52 family members. Patients and families want physicians to wear name tags (median, interquartile range) (2, 1-2) and white coats (3, 2-4). Patients want to be addressed by surnames (2, 1.5-4). Patients and family members have neutral opinions about short sleeve white coats (4, 4-4) and scrubs (4, 4-4). Jeans were not liked (4, 4-6) while sneakers are acceptable (3, 2-4). The impact of attire on perceptions of care is significantly (p =.04) greater for patients (3, 2-4) than family members (4, 3-4). Conclusion: Patients and family members prefer their physicians to wear name tags and white coats and address patients by surnames. Physician attire has a significantly greater impact on perceptions of care for patients than family members in a palliative care unit.

BACKGROUND: Communicating accessory bile ducts are defined as ducts that communicate between major biliary channels but do not drain individual segments of the liver. The Couinaud Type A communicating accessory bile duct is a rare anomaly where an aberrant duct connects the right main hepatic duct to the common hepatic duct without segmental drainage. There are very few reports of this anomaly in the literature to date. CASE PRESENTATION: A 75-year-old male who died of ischemic heart disease donated his body for cadaveric dissection, which included careful attention to the anatomy of the hepatic hilum. During dissection, it was found that the right hepatic duct was duplicated and an accessory duct drained directly into the common hepatic duct. Although rare and difficult to visualize even with modern preoperative imaging techniques, sound knowledge of this rare anatomic variation is imperative to avoid inadvertent intraoperative biliary injuries which can lead to severe morbidity. CONCLUSIONS: An aberrant bile duct from the right hepatic duct to the common hepatic duct (Couinaud Type A) is an uncommon accessory bile duct that one must be aware of when performing complex hepatobiliary procedures such as right liver resection for living-related donation. Detailed preoperative imaging and careful dissection with anticipation of anomalous anatomy are of the utmost importance for the safe conduct of hepatic surgery.

PURPOSE: Intraoperative bleeding from the pelvic venous structures is one of the most serious complications of total pelvic exenteration with distal sacrectomy. The purpose of this study was to investigate the topographic anatomy of these veins and the potential source of the bleeding in cadaver dissections. METHODS: We dissected seven cadavers, focusing on the veins in the surgical resection line for total pelvic exenteration with distal sacrectomy. RESULTS: The presacral venous plexus and the dorsal vein complex are thin-walled, plexiform, and situated on the line of resection. The internal iliac vein receives blood from the pelvic viscera and the perineal and the gluteal regions and then crosses the line of resection as a high-flow venous system. It has abundant communications with the presacral venous plexus and the dorsal vein complex. CONCLUSION: The anatomical features of the presacral venous plexus, the dorsal vein complex, and the internal iliac vein make them highly potential sources of bleeding. Surgical management strategies must consider the anatomy and hemodynamics of these veins carefully to perform this procedure safely.

PURPOSE: The term "lateral rectal ligament" in surgery for rectal cancer has caused confusion regarding its true existence and contents. In previous studies, investigators claimed the existence of the ligament and described its topographical features as neurovascular structures and their surrounding connective tissues located at the anterolateral aspect of the distal rectum or the posterolateral aspect of the middle rectum. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the structure of the so-called "lateral rectal ligament" in cadaver dissections. METHODS: Dissection was performed in nine cadavers (eight males and one female, aged 73 to 94 years) in accordance with typical total mesorectal excision techniques. During dissection, structures related to "the ligament" were examined and images recorded. RESULTS: At the anterolateral aspect of the distal rectum, the middle rectal artery was noted to be crossing the fusion of Denonvilliers' fascia and the proper rectal fascia. At the posterolateral aspect of the middle rectum, there was a structure which consisted of the rectal nerves running through the fusion of the pelvic fasciae. Although called "ligaments," neither structure contained discrete strong connective tissue fixing the rectum to the pelvic wall. CONCLUSIONS: The proper rectal fascia and surrounding pelvic fasciae fuse firmly anterolaterally and posterolaterally where neurovascular structures course toward the rectum. During a total mesorectal excision, the surgical dissection plane coincides with the fused part of the fasciae, which had long been considered the "lateral rectal ligament."

Background: Long-term term survival in patients with pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors has been reported, even in patients with metastatic disease. Metastases to the spleen are extremely rare, but have been reported from a number of primary malignancies, such as breast cancer, lung cancer, melanoma and ovarian cancer. This is the first report of a splenic metastasis from a primary pancreatic neuroendocrine tumor. Case presentation: The patient presented as a 53 years old white male with anemia and fatigue. Physical examination revealed a left upper quadrant fullness and computed tomography showed a 24 cm left upper quadrant mass with multiple liver metastases, splenomegaly and a 1 cm mass in the spleen. Resection of the primary pancreatic tumor (T4N0M1) was accompanied by gastrectomy, splenectomy and resection of adherent bowel. The spleen contained a metastatic lesion 1.0 cm in diameter, consistent with a primary neuroendocrine tumor of the pancreas. This operation was followed 8 months later, by delayed resection of liver metastases. The patient receives monthly administration of somatostatin long-acting analogue and has undergone several ablations of liver lesions with percutaneous radiofrequency ablation as well as a second liver resection. The patient is alive seven years after initial presentation, with no evidence of disease on imaging studies. Conclusions: This is the first report of a splenic metastasis from a primary pancreatic neuroendocrine tumor. The patient initially presented with synchronous multiple liver metastases and a single splenic metastasis. After resection of the primary tumor and spleen, the patient has undergone aggressive cytoreductive surgery/ablation of liver lesions and somatostatin therapy with resulting long-term survival.

INTRODUCTION: Pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors are rare. Treatment includes aggressive local management of the primary lesion and metastases, and systemic somatostatin. This is the first report of an isolated metachronous metastasis to the adrenal gland from a pancreatic neuroendocrine tumor that presented 90 months after the primary tumor. PRESENTATION OF CASE: The patient presented as a 53yo man with a left upper quadrant mass and synchronous metastases to the spleen and liver (pancreatic neuroendocrine tumor T4N0M1, Stage IV), which were resected (CD56-, synaptophysin+, chromogranin+, Ki-67<1%). Over the next 90 months, he underwent five procedures to treat hepatic recurrences (2 liver resections and 3 percutaneous radiofrequency ablations). Serum PIVKA levels were elevated prior to treatment of four of six lesions and returned to baseline after therapy. He presents now, asymptomatic, with a right adrenal mass found on routine imaging and no other lesions. Serum PIVKA was elevated to 44mg/dL. The adrenal gland was resected and shown to be a metastasis (CD56+, synaptophysin+, chromogranin+, Ki-67 15-20%). DISCUSSION: This patient's clinical course reflects aggressive local therapy of the primary lesion and multiple metastatic lesions to three organs (liver, spleen, adrenal) over nearly eight years. The utility of serum PIVKA levels in patients with pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors is not previously reported and needs further investigation. CONCLUSION: This patient has a pancreatic neuroendocrine tumor with metastases to the spleen, liver and adrenal gland and elevated PIVKA levels with recurrent disease. These unique clinical features add to the diversity of clinical presentation of these rare tumors.

慢性膵炎の疼痛治療として、まず内科的治療が行われる。外科的治療は内科的治療無効例に対して適応が検討される。膵管拡張例には膵管ドレナージ術が適応になり、術式としては主にPartington手術とFrey手術が行われる。膵切除術は、膵管拡張がなく病変が頭部もしくは体尾部に限局した症例が適応になるが、術後の膵内分泌機能低下が必発であり、それを上回る利点があると判断された症例に実施すべきである。膵全摘術、腹腔神経叢ブロック、(胸腔鏡下)内臓神経切除術は限られた症例のみが適応となる。慢性膵炎の疼痛治療は、症例により所見、疼痛の状態はさまざまで、慢性膵炎が良性疾患であることも考慮して、治療方針を決定する必要がある。外科的治療の実施にあたっても、断酒・禁煙を中心とする生活指導は重要で、治療コンプライアンスの高い症例に対してのみ治療を行うことが推奨される。(著者抄録)

Previous studies have demonstrated the safety of ABO-incompatible pediatric LDLT using preoperative plasmapheresis and rituximab; however, no reports have described the timing and dosage of rituximab administration for pediatric LDLT. This study aimed to describe a safe and effective dosage and timing of rituximab for patients undergoing pediatric ABO-incompatible LDLT based on the experience of our single center. A total of 192 LDLTs in 187 patients were examined. These cases included 29 ABO-incompatible LDLTs in 28 patients. Rituximab was used beginning in January 2004 in recipients older than two yr of age (first period: 375 mg/m(2) in two cases; second period: 50 mg/m(2) in two cases; and 200 mg/m(2) in eight cases). Two patients who received 375 mg/m(2) rituximab died of Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia and hemophagocytic syndrome. One patient who received 50 mg/m(2) rituximab required retransplantation as a consequence of antibody-mediated complications. All eight patients administered 200 mg/m(2) survived, and the mean CD20(+) lymphocyte count was 0.1% at the time of LDLT. In the preoperative management of patients undergoing pediatric ABO-incompatible LDLT, the administration of 200 mg/m(2) rituximab three wk prior to LDLT was safe and effective.

アルコール摂取(多飲)は急性膵炎、慢性膵炎の成因として最も頻度が高い。他の成因と異なり、アルコール性膵炎は断酒・禁煙で発症・進展の予防が可能で、生活指導が重要な疾患である。その一方で「アルコール性」を規定するエタノール摂取量の明確な基準はなく、その発症・進展の機序についても不明な点が多い。慢性膵炎臨床診断基準2009では慢性膵炎をアルコール性と非アルコール性に分類し、発症前、発症早期に治療介入ができるように慢性膵炎疑診、早期慢性膵炎の診断基準を設定した。急性膵炎でも高リスク群であるアルコール多飲者の実際の発症率は低率で、遺伝子異常(SPINK1、PRSS1など)など、他の要因が深く関与していることが想定されている。アルコール性急性膵炎、慢性膵炎の診断・治療は、他の成因によるものと大きく変わるところはなく、介入治療は改訂アトランタ分類2012による膵炎局所合併症の新分類に応じた適切な時期・手技で行うことが推奨される。(著者抄録)

We report a 71-year-old man who had undergone pylorus-preserving pancreatoduodenectomy (PPPD) using PPPD-IV reconstruction for cholangiocarcinoma. For 6 years thereafter, he had suffered recurrent cholangitis, and also a right liver abscess (S5/8), which required percutaneous drainage at 9 years after PPPD. At 16 years after PPPD, he had been admitted to the other hospital because of acute purulent cholangitis. Although medical treatment resolved the cholangitis, the patient was referred to our hospital because of dilatation of the intrahepatic biliary duct (B2). Peroral double-balloon enteroscopy revealed that the diameter of the hepaticojejunostomy anastomosis was 12 mm, and cholangiography detected intrahepatic stones. Lithotripsy was performed using a basket catheter. At 1 year after lithotripsy procedure, the patient is doing well. Hepatobiliary scintigraphy at 60 minutes after intravenous injection demonstrated that deposit of the tracer still remained in the upper afferent loop jejunum. Therefore, we considered that the recurrent cholangitis, liver abscess, and intrahepatic lithiasis have been caused by biliary stasis due to nonobstructive afferent loop syndrome. Biliary retention due to nonobstructive afferent loop syndrome may cause recurrent cholangitis or liver abscess after hepaticojejunostomy, and double-balloon enteroscopy and hepatobiliary scintigraphy are useful for the diagnosis of nonobstructive afferent loop syndrome.

胆道手術におけるドレーン挿入の功罪を臨床試験の結果から検討した.膿瘍・穿孔などの合併症がない胆嚢摘出術では,開腹・腹腔鏡下ともにドレーンの挿入は創感染,呼吸器感染といった術後の合併症を増やし,それに見合う利点がないとされる.胆道切開や胆管切除・吻合でも同様に,ドレーンの利点が乏しいという結果が得られている.ルーチンワークとして行われがちなドレーンの挿入であるが,evidence-based medicine(EBM)に基づき再考すべきである.(著者抄録)

症例は50歳女性。検診の腹部エコー検査で肝腫瘤を指摘され、精査目的に当院へ紹介となった。HBs抗原とHCV抗体は陰性、HBs抗体とHBc抗体が陽性で肝機能は正常であった。腹部エコー検査では肝S4表面に24×15mm大の低エコー腫瘤を認めた。造影エコー検査(ソナゾイド)では早期動脈相で強く全体が濃染され、肝静脈への還流像が描出された。Kupffer相では欠損像を呈した。腹部造影CT、Gd-EOB-DTPA造影MRIでは動脈相で濃染され、門脈相でwash outされた。画像所見とoccult HBV感染から肝細胞癌が否定できず、肝S4亜区域切除術を施行した。病理組織学的には上皮様の紡錘形細胞と豊富な血管成分を中心とした腫瘍で脂肪成分はわずかであった。免疫染色でHMB-45、MelanA、αSMAが陽性で肝血管筋脂肪腫と診断した。肝血管筋脂肪腫は特に肝細胞癌との鑑別が困難である。(著者抄録)

2001年〜2011年に施行した大腿ヘルニア手術症例52例を検討した。全例でCT施行し、大腿ヘルニアの術前診断は41例(CT正診率80%)だった。嵌頓群は37例(71%)で、イレウス症状は20例(嵌頓群の54%)で認め、全例緊急手術を要した。ヘルニア内容は小腸27例(73%)が最も多かった。腸切除は16例(43%)で施行した。発症から手術までの経過時間は、切除群と非切除群で平均値は同等で有意差を認めなかった(P=0.621)。後壁補強はMcVay法が37例(95%)で施行され、非嵌頓群では各種メッシュ法が53%で選択されていた。術後合併症は嵌頓群で有意に多かったが、腸切除の有無では有意差を認めなかった。腸切除を避けるためには、早期診断・治療が必要であり、発症からできるだけ早いタイミングでの介入が有効と考えられた。(著者抄録)

胆膵領域の診断に用いられる画像診断装置の進歩は著しい。これら画像診断装置から得られる高精細の情報を、系統的に活用する手法の開発が必要である。われわれは、画像情報を処理することによるvirtual 3D model(仮想三次元モデル)を作成した。さらに、産業界で用いられる3次元プリンタのrapid prototyping法によりreal 3D model(実体3次元モデル)を作成する手法を開発した。本手法により患者の個人情報を直接反映した臓器モデルが作成可能である。Virtual 3D modelは、コンピューター上での加工、処理が容易である。Real 3D modelは直接の大きさの把握や曲面の理解などに寄与する。デジタルとアナログの組み合わせにより、より詳細な理解や情報共有が得られる。今後は臨床のみならず、教育や患者コミュニケーションツールとしての活用も期待される。(著者抄録)