本間 祐子

PURPOSE: Low anterior resection syndrome (LARS) causes devastating symptoms and impairs the quality of life (QOL). This study investigated the incidence and risk factors of LARS and their association with the QOL in patients with lower rectal tumors. METHODS: Patients who underwent anus-preserving surgery for lower rectal tumors between 2014 and 2019 and who had anal defecation between 2020 and 2021 were surveyed. The LARS score measured severity, and the QOL was evaluated using the Japanese version of the Fecal Incontinence Quality-of-Life Scale (JFIQL). The primary endpoint was the incidence of Major LARS, and the secondary endpoints were risk factors and association with the JFIQL. RESULTS: Of 107 eligible patients, 82 (76.6%) completed the LARS survey. The incidence of Major LARS was 48%. Independent risk factors included neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy (CRT) and a short interval (< 24 months after surgery; odds ratio, 4.6; 95% confidence interval: 1.1-19, both). The LARS score was moderately correlated with the JFIQL generic score (correlation coefficient: - 0.54). The JFIQL scores were significantly worse in the Minor and Major LARS groups than in the No LARS group. CONCLUSIONS: Major LARS was found in 48% of lower rectal tumors, and independent risk factors include neoadjuvant CRT and a short interval. The QOL was significantly impaired in patients with both Minor and Major LARS.

Lateral lymph node (LLN) metastasis in T1 rectal cancer has an incidence of less than 1%. However, its clinical features are largely uncharted. We report a case of LLN metastasis in T1 rectal cancer and review the relevant literature. A 56-year-old female underwent rectal resection for lower rectal cancer 2 years previously (pT1bN0M0). During follow-up, an elevated tumor marker CA19-9 was documented. Enhanced CT and MRI showed a round shape nodule 2 cm in size on the left side of pelvic wall. PET-CT showed high accumulation of FDG in the same lesion, leading to a diagnosis of isolated LLN recurrence. Because no other site of recurrence was detected, surgical resection of the LLN was performed. Microscopic findings were consistent with metastatic lymph node originating from the recent rectal cancer. Adjuvant chemotherapy for six months was given, and patient remains free of recurrent disease seven months after LLN resection. Although LLN recurrence after surgery for T1 rectal cancer is rare, post-surgical follow-up should not be omitted. When LLN metastasis is suspected on CT, MRI and/or PET-CT will be recommended. Surgical resection of LLN metastasis in patients with T1 rectal cancer may lead to favorable outcomes, when recurrence in other areas is not observed.

AIM: Low anterior resection syndrome (LARS) causes devastating symptoms and impairs quality of life (QOL). Although its incidence and risk factors have been reported, these data are scarce in Japan. This study aimed to elucidate the incidence and risk factors of LARS as well as to evaluate its association with QOL in Japanese patients. METHOD: Patients with anal defecation at the time of the survey between November 2020 and April 2021 were included, among those who underwent anus-preserving surgery for rectal tumors between 2014 and 2019 in tertiary referral university hospital. The severity of LARS and QOL were evaluated with the LARS score and the Japanese version of the fecal incontinence quality of life scale (JFIQL), respectively. Primary endpoint was the incidence of major LARS. Secondary endpoints were risk factors and association with JFIQL. RESULTS: Of 332 eligible patients, 238 (71.7%) answered the LARS survey completely. The incidence of major LARS was 22% overall, and 48% when limited to lower tumors. Independent risk factors included lower tumors (OR: 7.0, 95% CI: 2.1-23.1, p = 0.001) and surgical procedures with lower anastomoses (OR: 4.6, 95% CI: 1.2-18.5, p = 0.03). The JFIQL generic score correlated moderately with the LARS score (correlation coefficient of -0.65). The JFIQL generic score was also significantly lower in lower tumors. CONCLUSIONS: The incidence of major LARS is 22% in Japanese patients, and independent risk factors include lower tumors and surgical procedures with lower anastomoses. More severe LARS is associated with worse QOL which is significantly more impaired in patients with lower tumors.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of staple height and rectal wall thickness on the development of an anastomotic leak after laparoscopic low anterior resection performed with the double stapling technique. METHODS: One hundred ninety-nine patients treated from 2013 to 2021 were enrolled. Patients were divided into two groups: those who developed an anastomotic leak (AL (+)) and those who did not (AL (-)). Clinicopathological factors were compared between the groups. RESULTS: Anastomotic leaks were observed in 8/199 patients (4%). A 1.5 mm linear stapler was used for 35/199 patients (17%), 1.8 mm for 89 (45%), and 2 mm for 75 (38%). In the AL (+) group (n = 8), lower staple height (1.5 mm or 1.8 mm) was used more frequently than in the AL (-) group (n = 191). Rectal wall thickness and the rectal wall thickness to staple height ratio was significantly (p < .05) greater in the AL (+) group. However, rectal wall thickness was significantly (p < .05) greater in patients who received neoadjuvant treatment and those with advanced T stage (T3,4) lesions. CONCLUSION: Linear stapler staple height and rectal wall thickness are significantly associated with the development of an anastomotic leak after laparoscopic low anterior resection. Larger staples should be selected in patients with a thicker rectal wall due to neoadjuvant treatment or adjacent advanced rectal tumors.

目的:大腸憩室出血治療の現状を調査し,外科治療必要症例の頻度や臨床的特徴を検討した.対象と方法:2010年1月から2020年4月までに当院で経験した大腸憩室出血194例を対象とし後方視的に検討した.結果:手術は7例(4%)に行われていた.手術理由は内視鏡止血困難5例,内視鏡+IVR治療困難2例,循環動態不安定3例であった(重複あり).全例とも上行結腸で,経過中にショック状態となり輸血を受けていた.手術は開腹の結腸右半切除が行われていた.左右結腸の多発例で,抗凝固薬を内服していた1例は術後3年間に3度血便を認めたが保存的に治癒した.結語:当院における憩室出血治療は概ねガイドラインに沿って行われていた.手術例では,ショック状態で輸血例であったが,周術期治療成績は良好であった.切除範囲については術後のQOLを考慮に入れた総合的な判断が必要と考えられた.(著者抄録)

壊死型虚血性大腸炎は非常に致死率の高い疾患だが複数の併存疾患があり術前の全身状態も悪い症例に対し集学的治療で救命できた1例を経験したので報告する.症例は63歳女性で,SLEに対しステロイド,下肢静脈血栓症に対しワーファリンを内服していた.46歳子宮頸癌に対し放射線化学療法施行し,49歳膀胱腟直腸瘻となり回腸人工肛門造設され結腸は空置されていた.入院1週間前から腹痛が出現し徐々に体動困難となり救急搬送された.著明な代謝性アシドーシス,腎不全,凝固異常を呈し,腹部CTで腹腔内遊離ガスを認め穿孔性腹膜炎の診断で緊急手術を施行した.開腹時,下行結腸脾彎曲部からS状結腸にかけての壊死型虚血性大腸炎と診断し全結腸切除術を施行した.術後,敗血症,急性腎不全,残存直腸縫合不全など多彩な合併症を認めたが,エンドトキシン吸着療法や持続血液透析濾過療法などの集学的治療を行い,術後53日目軽快退院となった.(著者抄録)

75歳以上の高齢者における腹腔鏡下大腸手術の治療成績を検討したので報告する。当院において2010年1月から2017年6月までの期間に大腸癌に対し腹腔鏡下大腸手術を施行した565例を対象とし、75歳未満の若年者群(474例)と75歳以上の高齢者群(91例)の2群間の短期成績を比較検討した。高齢者群において術前併存症が多くASA scoreは高値であった。また、高齢者群においてD3郭清の施行率が低く(高齢者群41.8%vs若年者群54.0%、p=0.04)、開腹移行率が高値であった(高齢者群4.4%vs若年者群1.1%、p=0.04)。しかし両群間において手術時間、術中出血量、術後在院日数、術後合併症発生率について有意差を認めなかった。以上より75歳以上高齢者においても75歳未満の若年者と同様に腹腔鏡下大腸手術を選択することが可能である。(著者抄録)

Fecalomas most commonly occur in constipated patients and are rarely reported after colectomy. A 55-year-old Japanese female presented with a fecaloma after colectomy, which was impacted at a functional end-to-end anastomosis (FEEA) site. Four and a half years ago, she underwent sigmoidectomy for colon cancer. A follow-up computed tomography (CT) scan revealed an 11 cm incidental fecaloma. The patient was advised to undergo surgery, but she desired nonoperative management because of minimal symptoms, and was referred to our institution. On the day of admission (day 1), mechanical fragmentation of the fecaloma was attempted during the first colonoscopy. Although a large block of stool was evacuated after a second colonoscopic fragmentation on day 8, the third colonoscopy on day 21 and CT scan on day 22 showed no significant change in the fecaloma. Frequent colonoscopic fragmentation was performed, with a fourth, fifth, and sixth colonoscopy on days 24, 29, and 31, respectively. After the size reduction was confirmed at the sixth colonoscopy, the patient was discharged home on day 34. The fecaloma completely resolved after the seventh colonoscopic fragmentation on day 44. Sixteen months after treatment, there is no evidence of recurrent fecaloma. According to the literature, risk factors for fecaloma after colectomy include female gender, left-side colonic anastomosis, and FEEA. FEEA might not be recommended for anastomoses in the left colon, particularly in female patients, to avoid this complication. Colonoscopic fragmentation is recommended for fecalomas at an anastomotic site after colectomy in patients without an absolute indication for surgery.

74歳、女性。検診で便潜血検査陽性を指摘され当院を受診し、大腸内視鏡検査を施行した。挿入時にS状結腸の伸展を認め、挿入に2人の医師が関与した。盲腸までの挿入時間は43分であった。全大腸を観察し特に異常は認められなかった。検査後4日目に心窩部痛が出現し、10日目に下腹部痛が出現したため近医を受診。単純CTで骨盤内に腹水貯留を認めたため、精査加療目的に当科紹介となった。来院時、循環動態は安定しており、下腹部に軽度の自発痛および圧痛を認めた。腹部造影CTで脾周囲を中心に、肝表面、骨盤内に液体貯留を認め、脾臓下極の被膜損傷による腹腔内出血と診断した。循環動態は安定しており、モニタリングを行いながら保存的に経過を観察する方針とした。入院4日目の造影CTで腹腔内出血の増悪はなく、入院21日目に退院となった。大腸内視鏡検査後の脾損傷は、遅発性に出現することがあり、稀ではあるが留意すべき検査後合併症の一つである。(著者抄録)

BACKGROUND: Goblet cell carcinoid (GCC) is a neuroendocrine tumor usually found in the appendix. GCCs exhibit characteristic findings with mixed endocrine-exocrine features such as staining positive for neuroendocrine markers and producing mucin. The primary GCC of the rectum is exceedingly rare. CASE PRESENTATION: A 77-year-old Japanese male presented with hematochezia. Anal tenderness and a hard mass in the anal canal were found on the digital rectal examination, and colonoscopy was performed. Colonoscopy showed an irregularly shaped mass in the anal canal. Biopsy showed mixed features including adenocarcinoma in situ, well-differentiated adenocarcinoma, and mucinous carcinoma with invasive proliferation. No metastatic lesions were found on the computed tomography scan. Pelvic magnetic resonance imaging scan showed extramural growth of a tumor on the ventral side of the rectum without invasion to the prostate. Laparoscopic abdominoperineal resection was performed. The final diagnosis was well-differentiated adenocarcinoma in the mucosa and goblet cell carcinoid from the submucosa to the adventitia of the rectum. The patient was discharged from the hospital on postoperative day 16. Six months after resection, a computed tomography scan revealed multiple metastatic lesions in the liver. Several chemotherapy regimens were given, and the patient has stable disease 27 months after surgery. CONCLUSION: We present a patient with rectal GCC with metachronous liver metastases. Since GCC grows intramurally and is biologically aggressive compared to typical carcinoid lesions, the disease is usually diagnosed at an advanced stage. The development of optimal adjuvant chemotherapy is needed for those patients.