Total anomalous pulmonary venous connection (TAPVC) is rarely associated with remarkably small left heart structures. In these types of cases, the hemodynamics resembles that of hypoplastic left heart syndrome, and the treatment strategy is controversial. We present the case of a 1-day-old girl with infracardiac TAPVC, small left heart structures (hypoplastic left heart complex), bilateral superior vena cava, and aberrant origin of the right subclavian artery. We performed a semi-emergent first-stage open palliation for repair of TAPVC, because of pulmonary venous obstruction. We concomitantly performed atrial septal defect (ASD) enlargement and bilateral pulmonary artery banding (BPAB). The postoperative course was uneventful and the left heart structures did not grow, so we performed the Norwood procedure and placed a right ventricle-pulmonary artery shunt with a 5.0 mm artificial graft. Subsequently, the left heart structures were not suitable for biventricular repair, so we chose univentricular repair. The patient underwent a bilateral bidirectional Glenn operation and Fontan completion at 6 and 23 months of age, respectively. TAPVC repair, BPAB, and ASD enlargement are reasonable surgical options for a patient with borderline small left heart structures and TAPVC, as they enable us to wait for growth in the left heart structures and to determine whether univentricular or biventricular repair is suitable.

Colorectal endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) is now a well-established endoscopic treatment for early-stage colorectal neoplasms, especially in Asian countries, including Japan. Despite the spread of colorectal ESD, there are still situations in which achieving successful submucosal dissection is difficult. Various novel techniques and devices have been developed to overcome these difficulties, and past reports have shown that some of these strategies can be applied to colorectal ESD. We review several recent developments in the field. The techniques reviewed include the pocket creation method and traction methods and the devices reviewed include the overtube with balloon and electrosurgical knives with water-jet function. These improved techniques and devices can facilitate safer, more reliable ESDs and expand its applicability and acceptability all over the world.
Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; Colorectal Neoplasms ; Humans ; Japan ; Methods ; Traction

With increasing global life expectancy, the significance of geriatric assessment parameters has increased. Sarcopenia is a crucial assessment parameter and is defined as the age-related loss of muscle mass and strength. Sarcopenia is widely acknowledged as a risk factor for postoperative complications in diverse advanced malignancies and has a detrimental effect on the long-term prognosis. While most studies have primarily concentrated on the correlation between sarcopenia and advanced cancer, more recent investigations have focused on the relationship between sarcopenia and early-stage cancer. Endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD), which is less invasive than surgical intervention, is extensively employed in the management of early-stage cancer, although it is associated with complications such as bleeding and perforation. In recent years, several reports have revealed the adverse consequences of sarcopenia in patients with early-stage cancer undergoing ESD. This literature review briefly summarizes the recent studies on the association between sarcopenia and ESD.