The prevention of dementia is an important issue that should be addressed in Japan. To prevent dementia, it is important to implement interventions (e.g., exercise or cognitive training) for the healthy community-dwelling elderly. However, such interventions are not always evidence-based. In this review, we evaluated exercise and cognitive training intervention protocols for the prevention of dementia based on recent findings. In addition, we proposed specific methods for implementing such interventions in the community.

A 50-year-old man was referred to our hospital with a tumor in the left ventricle. He had suffered from rheumatic fever when 14 years old. He had shown signs of chronic heart failure due to atrial fibrillation and rheumatic valves (ASr, MSr) for 10 years. There was a history of unaccountable fever and rash, so infective endocarditis was suspected and echocardiography was performed. It showed a homogeneous mass with a diameter of approximately 10mm, fixed directly to the left ventricular septum 20mm below the aortic valvular ring. At operation, the tumor was excised together with endocardium and a part of the muscular coat. The rheumatic aortic and mitral valves were replaced with a 21mm SJM AHP and a 27mm SJM MTK mitral valve, respectively. Tricuspid annuloplasty (TAP) (De Vega 29mm) was also performed. Histopathological examination of the tumor revealed benign papillary fibroelastoma. It suggested that the tumors were secondary to mechanical wear and tear, and represent a degenerative process due to rheumatic valve disease.

In Japan, the number of people 65 and over is increasing while the number of children is decreasing. A greater number of senior citizens live by themselves or husband and wife alone than before.
To realize comfortable and independent life for aged people, it is important to prepare housing and environment which have special services for them.
We would like to explain two housing projects which were planned and are being put into execution in Japan. One is ‘Silver Housing’ multiunit dwellings for the aged built by the Ministry of Construction and the Ministry of Health and Welfare since 1987. The other is ‘Silver Peer’ project which has been pushed forward by the Tokyo Metropolitan Government since 1987.

The use of the internal mammary artery (IMA) is now routine in most coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) because of its improved long-term patency and survival. A small but important percentage of these patients will require valve surgery and thoracic aortic aneurysm repair following CABG. These operations present a challenging problem for the cardiac surgeon because of difficulties regarding approach, dissection around the IMA and optimal myocardial protection. We investigated surgical results and the effectiveness of various methods of myocardial protection in 8 patients who underwent reoperations between December 1983 and June 2005. The mortality was 13%. There were 2 perioperative myocardial infarctions (25%), 6 cases of prolonged ventilation (75%), 3 cases of low output syndrome (38%), 1 case of acute renal failure (13%) and 1 case of sepsis (13%). We carried out resternotomy for 6 patients without any hospital death or perioperative myocardial infarction. Our reoperation approach had acceptable risk control with resternotomy, avoidance of dissecting the IMA and hypothermic perfusion.

Background : The improvement in surgical results for congenital heart disease has resulted in an increase in the number of adult congenital heart disease (ACHD) cases. Some ACHD patients are known to develop thoracic aortic aneurysm (TAA) at a young age, so we examined TAA in ACHD patients presenting at our institute over a 10-year interval. Methods : From 2002 to 2011, we performed 32 cases of surgery for TAA in ACHD patients. We excluded 5 cases of adult bicuspid aortic valve, 2 of TAA with untreated congenital heart disease (CHD), 1 of Marfan syndrome with CHD, and 9 of coarctation of the aorta (CoA) repair for the same site ; 15 patients were included. Results : The male/female ratio was 13/2, and the age of reoperation was 33.3±10.8 years. The 15 ACHD patients included 5 cases of the tetralogy of Fallot (TOF), 4 of congenital aortic stenosis (AS), 3 of ventricular septal defect (VSD), and 1 of each CoA complex, polysplenia/double outlet right ventricle (DORV), and polysplenia/corrected transposition of the great arteries (cTGA). Twelve cases of root dilatation and 2 of ascending aortic aneurysm were observed and 10 cases were concomitant with moderate to severe aortic regurgitation. Thirteen cases underwent elective surgery and the other two cases were emergency surgeries : a Bentall procedure for type 2 acute aortic dissection of polysplenia/DORV, and a Bentall and right ventricular outflow reconstruction (RVOTR) for ascending aorta/right ventricle rupture due to Konno patch detachment in congenital AS. The 13 elective cases included 11 cases of Bentall procedure, 1 of ascending aorta/hemi arch replacement, and 1 of ascending aorta replacement. Concomitant procedures were 1 case of aortic valve replacement, 1 of mitral valve replacement, 1 of subaortic stenosis release, and 2 of RVOTR. Operation time was 572.8+/-101.4 min, cardiopulmonary bypass time was 295.8+/-100.2 min, and aorta clamp time was 188.1+/-58.8 min. One hospital death was observed in 1 emergency case due to methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) sepsis, but no 30-day mortality was observed. Intensive care unit (ICU) stay was 9.4+/-10.1 days and hospital stay was 34.4+/-18.2 days. Conclusion : The most common ACHD found during TAA surgery in our institute was Tetralogy of Fallot. ACHD had various complications and restrictions for surgery but TAA surgery in ACHD patients was safe and feasible.

Objective : This study aimed to investigate the changes in the functioning of users of visiting rehabilitation services and related factors. Methods: Among 107 users in 22 visiting rehabilitation centers, we analyzed the data of 80 who completed the 6-month study. Their Functional Independence Measure (FIM), Life-Space Assessment (LSA), and level of caregiver burden (J-ZBI_8) were compared at the commencement of this study, and at 3 and 6 months afterwards. A multiple linear regression analysis was performed to examine the factors related to the variables, which changed over 6 months. Results : Over a period of 6 months from the commencement of the study, we found that FIM and LSA scores significantly improved from 82.4 to 87.3 (p=0.016) and from 9.9 to 12.3 (p=0.05), respectively, in the group who were still within 1 year from the time since onset/injury. A multiple regression analysis revealed that the period of time since onset/injury, independence degree of daily living for the demented elderly, and presence of goal setting for activities of daily living/domestic work significantly influenced changes in total FIM scores (p=0.001, R²=0.32). Furthermore, the change in LSA scores was significantly influenced by gender, presence of cerebrovascular diseases, period of time since onset/injury, number of occupations involved in visiting rehabilitation services, and J-ZBI_8 scores (p=0.0001, R²=0.36). Conclusion : Effective visiting rehabilitation requires having appropriate goals set for daily living activities and the establishment of interprofessional collaboration within visiting rehabilitation centers.

Purpose: Intra-abdominal infection is a common postoperative complication of laparoscopic pylorus-preserving gastrectomies (PPGs). Many studies have reported that intra-abdominal infectious complications after gastrectomy adversely affect patient survival outcomes. To prevent gastric fluid leakage into the abdominal cavity, we developed a novel anastomosis method in which the stomach lumen is not opened (termed the non-opened clean end-toend anastomosis method [NoCEAM]) and evaluated its feasibility. Materials and Methods: Subsequent to lymphadenectomy, the oral and anal resection lines were sutured using an intraoperative endoscope. After closing the stomach circumferentially with clips, the specimen was rolled outward like a “donut.” We resected the specimen circumferentially using a linear stapler, and anastomosis was completed simultaneously.We examined the feasibility of this procedure ex vivo, using three porcine stomachs, and in vivo, using one pig. Subsequently, we applied the procedure to 13 consecutive patients with middle-third early gastric cancer utilizing laparotomic, laparoscopic, and robotic PPG. Results: NoCEAM was completed in all porcine models and human cases. In the human cases, the mean operation time (±standard deviation) was 279±51 minutes, and mean blood loss volume was 22±45 mL. The mean number of linear staples used was 5.06±0.76. None of the patients had complications, and all were discharged on the eighth postoperative. The serum total protein, serum albumin, and hemoglobin levels did not change significantly after surgery. Conclusions NoCEAM is feasible and safe for performing totally laparoscopic or robotic PPG. It may reduce postoperative complications, such as intra-abdominal infections.

Postoperative pancreatic fistulas (POPFs) are common adverse events that occur after pancreatic surgery. Endoscopic ultrasonography (EUS)-guided drainage (EUS-D) is a first-line treatment, similar to that for pancreatic fluid collection (PFCs) after acute pancreatitis. However, some POPFs do not develop fluid collections depending on the presence or location of the surgical drain, whereas others develop fluid collections, such as postoperative fluid collections (POPFCs). Although POPFCs are similar to PFCs, the strategy and modality for POPF management need to be modified according to the presence of fluid collections, surgical drains, and surgical type. As discussed for PFCs, the indications, timing, and selection of interventions or stents for EUS-D have not been fully elucidated for POPFs. In this review, we discuss the management of POPFs and POPFCs in comparison with PFCs due to acute pancreatitis and summarize the topics that should be addressed in future studies.

Background: The need for support focused on frailty and quality of life (QoL) in older adults is increasing. The Kihon Checklist (KCL) is a comprehensive and easy-to-use tool to assess frailty in older adults. Previous studies have shown associations between frailty and QoL; however, few studies have investigated the association between frailty using the KCL and QoL. In this study, the quantitative relationship between the KCL and QoL in community-dwelling older adults was investigated. Methods: This cross-sectional study included from participants in the 2017–2019 baseline survey of a cohort study of community-dwelling older adults in Sapporo, Japan. The World Health Organization-Five Well-Being Index (WHO-5) was used to assess QoL. The KCL was used to assess frailty, and the relationship between frailty and QoL was examined using binomial logistic regression analysis and restricted cubic spline models. Results: Four-hundred participants were included in the analysis. Of the participants, 22.5% had a lower QoL and they were more likely to have frailty than healthy participants (p<0.001). The KCL scores were significantly associated with a lower QoL (p<0.001). Furthermore, the association between the KCL score and QoL was linear, and subscales of activities of daily living, and depressive mood were significantly associated with a lower QoL. Conclusion The KCL, a comprehensive frailty questionnaire, was associated with a lower QoL in older adults. To maintain QoL in community-dwelling older adults, it is necessary to provide them with appropriate support from the stage before they are identified as frail by the KCL.

Background: The need for support focused on frailty and quality of life (QoL) in older adults is increasing. The Kihon Checklist (KCL) is a comprehensive and easy-to-use tool to assess frailty in older adults. Previous studies have shown associations between frailty and QoL; however, few studies have investigated the association between frailty using the KCL and QoL. In this study, the quantitative relationship between the KCL and QoL in community-dwelling older adults was investigated. Methods: This cross-sectional study included from participants in the 2017–2019 baseline survey of a cohort study of community-dwelling older adults in Sapporo, Japan. The World Health Organization-Five Well-Being Index (WHO-5) was used to assess QoL. The KCL was used to assess frailty, and the relationship between frailty and QoL was examined using binomial logistic regression analysis and restricted cubic spline models. Results: Four-hundred participants were included in the analysis. Of the participants, 22.5% had a lower QoL and they were more likely to have frailty than healthy participants (p<0.001). The KCL scores were significantly associated with a lower QoL (p<0.001). Furthermore, the association between the KCL score and QoL was linear, and subscales of activities of daily living, and depressive mood were significantly associated with a lower QoL. Conclusion The KCL, a comprehensive frailty questionnaire, was associated with a lower QoL in older adults. To maintain QoL in community-dwelling older adults, it is necessary to provide them with appropriate support from the stage before they are identified as frail by the KCL.