In patients with upper cervical instability, airway management may provoke subluxation of the craniocervical region and neurologic injury, and can be challenging for the anesthesiologist. Endotracheal intubation using a fiberoptic bronchoscope is frequently used in these patients to minimize spine motion, but this procedure may fail in patients with altered airway anatomy. When fiberoptic endotracheal intubation fails in these patients, optional intubation methods are limited. We describe successful awake fiberoptic orotracheal intubation using a modified Guedel airway divided in the midline for a 59-year-old man with an anticipated difficult airway, due to limited mouth opening, a nasopharyngeal tumor, and craniocervical spine instability after failure of conventional fiberoptic orotracheal intubation.
Airway Management ; Bronchoscopes ; Humans ; Intubation* ; Intubation, Intratracheal ; Middle Aged ; Mouth ; Neck ; Spine

PURPOSE: The present study aimed to evaluate atypical lymph node metastasis rates according to tumor depth, size, and location in patients with gastric cancer.METHODS: A total of 727 gastric adenocarcinoma patients, with metastasis to 1 or 2 lymph nodes, who underwent radical gastrectomy with curative intent from May 2003 to May 2017, were enrolled in this study. The characteristics of atypical (skip or transversal) metastases were evaluated according to the following risk factors: longitudinal versus circumferential location, size, and T stage of the tumor.RESULTS: The rates of skip and transversal metastases were 8.4% and 15.5%, respectively. Skip metastases were present throughout, regardless of the primary tumor location. On the contrary, transversal metastases of gastric cancer were most frequently observed in the lower third region (19.5%, P=0.002). When the size of the tumor is large (>4 cm), transversal metastasis was found to be significantly more common (P=0.035), compared with skip metastasis, which was less common (P=0.011). There was no significant correlation between atypical metastases and tumor depth.CONCLUSION: Lower and larger tumors were more likely to have transversal metastases compared with others; however, skip metastases were less common in large tumors.
Adenocarcinoma ; Gastrectomy ; Humans ; Lymph Node Excision ; Lymph Nodes ; Neoplasm Metastasis ; Risk Factors ; Stomach Neoplasms

Purpose: Single-incision laparoscopic distal gastrectomy (SIDG) requires experienced camera operators for a stable image. Since it is difficult for skilled camera operators to participate in all SIDG, we began performing solo surgery using mechanical camera holders. We aimed to compare the short-term outcomes and cost between solo SIDG and conventional multiport laparoscopic distal gastrectomy (MLDG) for early gastric cancer (EGC). Methods: From January 2014 to December 2016, a total of 938 consecutive patients underwent laparoscopic gastrectomy for EGC. Solo SIDG (n = 99) and MLDG patients (n = 198) were selected and 1:2 propensity score matching was done to compare the quality of operation and cost-effectiveness. All solo SIDG was performed by a surgeon using a camera holder, without any assistant. Results: Mean operation time (120 ± 35.3 vs. 178 ± 53.4 minutes, P = 0.001) and estimated blood loss (24.6 ± 47.4 vs. 46.7 ± 66.5 mL, P = 0.001) were significantly lower in the solo SIDG group. Hospital stay, use of analgesics, and postoperative inflammatory markers (WBC, CRP) were similar between the 2 groups. The early (<30 days) complication rate in solo SIDG and MLDG groups was 21.2% and 23.7%, respectively (P = 0.240); the late (≥30 days) complication rate was 7.1% and 11.1%, respectively (P = 0.672). The manpower cost of solo SIDG was significantly lower than that of MLDG (P = 0.001). Conclusion This study demonstrated that solo SIDG performed by experienced laparoscopic surgeons is safe and feasible for EGC. Solo SIDG is expected to be a promising potential treatment for EGC.

Purpose: Conventional straight-shaped laparoscopic surgical instruments have limitations that, unlike robotic surgery, the wrist joint cannot be used. This study aimed to analyze the short-term safety and feasibility of ArtiSential (Livsmed), a new articulating laparoscopic instrument, which obviates the limitations of conventional laparoscopic surgery and allows the wrist joint to be used freely over 360° as in robotic surgery. Methods: The study included patients who underwent conventional laparoscopy or laparoscopy with the ArtiSential instrument. Patients who underwent laparoscopic gastrectomy for primary gastric adenocarcinoma in our institution were retrospectively reviewed. The groups were propensity score matched in a 1:1 ratio. Primary endpoint was incidence of early postoperative complication (postoperative 30-day morbidity and mortality) and secondary endpoints were operative outcomes. Results: A total of 327 patients (147 of the conventional group and 180 of the ArtiSential group) were propensity score matched. After propensity score matching was performed, each group comprised of 122 patients. Both groups were comparable with regard to operation time, estimated blood loss, number of retrieved lymph nodes, and length of hospital stay. The ArtiSential group had a faster time to a fluid diet (2.6 ± 1.3 days vs. 2.3 ± 0.6 days, p = 0.015). There was no statistically significant difference in early postoperative complications between the two groups (the conventional group, 23.0%; the ArtiSential group, 26.2%; p = 0.656) Conclusion The current study showed that the use of ArtiSential is a safe and feasible option without increasing operation time, length of hospital stay, and intraoperative bleeding.

PURPOSE: Laparoscopic distal pancreatectomy (LDP) has been widely performed for solid pseudopapillary neoplasm (SPN) involving the body or tail of the pancreas. However, it has not been established whether spleen preservation in LDP is oncologically safe for the treatment of SPN with malignant potential. In this study, we compared the short- and long-term outcomes between patients with SPN who underwent laparoscopic spleen-preserving distal pancreatectomy (LSPDP) vs laparoscopic distal pancreatectomy with splenectomy (LDPS). METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of 46 patients with SPN who underwent LDP between January 2005 and November 2016. Patients were divided into 2 groups according to spleen preservation: the LSPDP group (n=32) and the LDPS group (n=14). Clinicopathologic characteristics and perioperative outcomes were compared between groups. RESULTS: There were no significant differences in pathologic variables, including tumor size, tumor location, node status, angiolymphatic invasion, or perineural invasion between groups. Median operating time was significantly longer in the LSPDP group vs the LDPS group (243 vs 172 minutes; p=0.006). Estimated intraoperative blood loss was also significantly greater in the LSPDP group (310 vs 167 ml; p=0.063). There were no significant differences in incidence of postoperative complications (≥ Clavien-Dindo class IIIa) or pancreatic fistula between groups. After a median follow-up of 35 months (range, 3S153 months), there was no recurrence or disease-specific mortality in either group. CONCLUSION: The results show that LSPDP is an oncologically safe procedure for SPN involving the body or tail of the pancreas.
Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Incidence ; Medical Records ; Mortality ; Pancreas ; Pancreatectomy ; Pancreatic Fistula ; Postoperative Complications ; Recurrence ; Retrospective Studies ; Spleen ; Splenectomy ; Tail

Purpose: The Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) protocol enhances recovery rate after laparoscopic distal gastrectomy (LDG). An ERAS protocol has been applied to most patients who underwent LDG at our center. In this study, we determined the actual compliance rate of the ERAS protocol and analyzed the risk factors for noncompliance. Methods: Medical records of 1,013 patients who underwent LDG from March 2016 to December 2017 were reviewed retrospectively. The compliance group (A) included 327 patients who were discharged within four days postoperatively. The noncompliance group (B) comprised 686 patients who were not discharged within four days postoperatively. Results: The compliance rate of the ERAS protocol was 32.3%. Potential compliance rate was 53.2%. Most common reasons for noncompliance were fever (n = 115) and ileus (n = 111). The 30-day emergency room visit rate was significantly lower in group A than that in group B (p = 0.006). Median age, American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) physical status classification, operation time, and pathologic stage were significantly higher in group B than those in group A (p < 0.001, p < 0.001, p = 0.005, and p < 0.001, respectively). Risk factors for noncompliance were ASA classification of ≥III (odds ratio [OR], 2.251; p = 0.007), age of ≥70 years (OR, 1.572; p = 0.004), operation time of ≥180 minutes (OR, 1.475; p = 0.003), and pathologic stage of ≥III (OR, 2.224; p < 0.001). Conclusion The current ERAS protocols should be applied to patients without risk factors.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate the clinicopathologic characteristics of young gastric cancer patients and analyze the risk factors for stage underestimation and survival. Methods: Relevant data of 5029 patients who underwent surgery for gastric cancer at Seoul National University Bundang Hospital between 2003 to 2014 were collected. Patients were divided based on age (younger group and older group). Clinical stages were compared to pathologic stages for accuracy, and risk factors for underestimation were analyzed using univariate and multivariate analysis regression. Overall survival and cancer-specific survival were analyzed using the Kaplan-Meier method. Results: A total of 4396 patients were eligible for inclusion. The younger group was an independent risk factor for nodal metastasis (RR=1.44, 95% CI 1.06~1.95) and an independent risk factor for clinical N-stage underestimation (RR=1.50, 95% CI=1.14~1.98). However, there was no significant difference in 5-year cancer-specific survival for both age groups (92.2% vs 90.2%, p=0.306). Conclusion In conclusion, intra-operative investigation of T-stage with standard operation should be done in young gastric cancer patients as they have a higher incidence of lymph node metastasis, with greater frequency of stage underestimation.