Purpose: We identified the risk factors for remnant gastric cancer (RGC) based on remnant gastric mucosal characteristics and gastritis morphology in patients undergoing distal gastrectomy. Materials and Methods: This multicenter retrospective study included 100 patients with RGC after distal gastrectomy and 550 patients without RGC treated between 2013 and 2020.Endoscopic findings, including anastomotic redness, red streaks, enlarged folds, bile reflux as anastomotic findings, as well as disappearance of the regular arrangement of collecting venules (RAC), atrophic gastritis, and intestinal metaplasia as background gastric mucosal findings, were evaluated. Disease risk score matching (1:1) was adjusted for baseline characteristics. Logistic regression analysis was used to develop a risk score model to stratify RGC risk into low, moderate, and high categories. Results: After matching, 96 patients with RGC and 96 controls were analyzed. Anastomotic redness and red streaks, as well as the disappearance of RAC and atrophic gastritis, were significantly more frequent in the RGC group than in the control group, whereas enlarged folds and bile reflux showed no significant differences. Risk scores were assigned as follows:anastomotic redness, 2; red streaks, 3; disappearance of RAC, 7; and atrophic gastritis, 3. The total score stratified patients into high (≥15), moderate (7–14), and low risk (≤6). The positive and negative predictive values were 67.7% and 83.3%, respectively. Conclusions The endoscopic findings of anastomotic redness, red streaks, RAC disappearance, and atrophic gastritis were significantly associated with RGC development.The proposed risk-scoring model could serve as a stratification tool for RGC surveillance.

Background/Aims: In patients undergoing endoscopic extraction of common bile duct stones (CBDs) and subsequent cholecystectomy, CBDs sometimes recur during the preoperative and perioperative periods. In this study, the incidence and risk factors for CBDs recurrence were investigated. Methods: A total of 245 patients (mean age: 66 years; 138 men) who underwent cholecystectomy within 180 days of CBDs extraction between October 2017 and June 2023 were included. Recurrence was defined as the detection of the CBDs during the preoperative or perioperative period using imaging modalities such as computed tomography or re-endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography, regardless of the presence of cholangitis. Results: CBDs recurrence occurred in 4.1% of the patients (10/245). The median time to recurrence was 40 days. Preoperative recurrence was observed in nine patients, and only one patient had postoperative recurrence. Multivariate analysis identified cystic duct stones as the only significant risk factor for CBDs recurrence (hazard ratio, 15.6; 95% confidence interval, 3.7–66; p<0.001). Conclusions The risk of CBDs recurrence after endoscopic extraction during the pre and perioperative periods is high in patients with cystic duct stones. Prophylactic biliary stenting may be considered in high-risk patients.

BACKGROUND: Upon injury, tissue repair often leads to a loss in functionality, organisation, and structure. The immune system, particularly macrophages, is crucial during tissue healing. Macrophages polarise into pro-inflammatory M1 and anti-inflammatory M2 subsets, regulating various stages of tissue healing. Macrophages steer fibroblasts in the process of extracellular matrix degradation, synthesis, and rearrangement. However, the direct role of paracrine signalling by different macrophage phenotypes on fibroblast-induced structural tissue remodelling remains elusive. Therefore, this study aimed to explore how paracrine factors from M1, M2a, and M2c macrophages affect fibroblast remodelling abilities in an in vitro model system. METHODS: Macrophages were polarised in vitro, and their conditioned medium or cytokine-enriched medium containing specific macrophage-secreted factors was added to fibroblast-populated reconstituted collagen tissues. RESULTS: Macrophage-conditioned media led to changes in fibroblast-induced tissue compaction for all macrophage subsets. The presence of macrophage polarising factors in the conditioned medium, particularly LPS/IFNc, and high serum levels directly affected tissue compaction and matrix remodelling gene expression. Without these confounding factors, M1 cytokine-enriched medium led to reduced tissue compaction when compared to M2a/M2c cytokine-enriched media. MMP activity analysis showed that matrix degradation likely contributed to tissue compaction. CONCLUSION Factors secreted by M1 macrophages resulted in reduced tissue compaction compared to M2a/M2c macrophages in an in vitro model of tissue remodelling, suggesting a diminished capacity for fibroblasts to remodel the extracellular matrix. Importantly, factors to polarize macrophages and serum are regarded as confounding factors in studying the effect of paracrine signalling by macrophages on tissue remodelling.

Dominant dystrophic epidermolysis bullosa (DDEB) is a rare inherited skin disorder characterized by extreme fragility of the skin and mucosa that poses significant challenges for anesthetic management. Herein, we report a case of a 65-year-old woman with DDEB who underwent a 13-hour surgery for mandibular cancer under general anesthesia. To prevent skin and mucosal injuries, meticulous perioperative strategies were implemented, including the use of barrier films and pressure-relieving pads and avoiding adhesive devices. High-flow nasal cannula oxygenation enabled awake fiberoptic intubation without the need for mask ventilation, minimizing the risk of blister formation and airway trauma. Despite the prolonged duration, no pressure ulcers or new skin injuries developed, other than minor epidermal peeling of the lips. This case demonstrates that comprehensive preoperative planning and intraoperative protection can ensure safe anesthesia in patients with DDEB undergoing long surgical procedures.

Background: Endoscopic ultrasound-guided drainage (EUSD) is an effective treatment for postoperative pancreatic fluid collections (POPFCs); however, standards regarding stents used for EUSD have not been established. This study analyzed the outcomes of EUSD of POPFCs at our hospital and examined the safety and effectiveness of plastic stents/tubes. Methods: This retrospective, single-center study focused on EUSD of POPFCs performed at our hospital. We examined the rates of technical success, clinical success, adverse events, and recurrence. Results: Twenty-seven patients were included in this study. The initial drainage methods comprised one nasocystic plastic tube (NPT) and one double-pigtail plastic stent (DPS) for 19 (70.4%) patients, two DPS for four (14.8%) patients, one NPT for three (11.1%) patients, and one lumen-apposing metal stent for one (3.7%) patient. The technical success and clinical success rates were both 100%. Fourteen of the 19 patients with one NPT and one DPS improved, but five patients required additional interventions and improved with fistula site dilation. Although recurrence occurred in one patient, improvement was achieved with second EUSD. Early adverse events comprised one case of bleeding for which hemostasis was achieved by performing coil embolization. Late adverse events comprised three cases of DPS migration; however, no additional intervention was required. Conclusion The use of plastic tubes/stents is safe and effective for EUSD of POPFCs.

Splenic pseudoaneurysm rupture is a serious condition that sometimes leads to death. Pseudoaneurysm rupture is often treated with transcatheter arterial embolization (TAE), after which the re-rupture rate is 18%–37%. A 59-year-old man presented with back pain, and contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CECT) revealed pancreatic tail cancer with multiple liver metastases. After three courses of chemotherapy, CECT revealed good response with shrinkage of the tumors. However, the patient had back pain and CECT revealed pancreatic pseudocyst with pseudoaneurysm rupture. He underwent angiography, wherein the splenic artery pseudoaneurysm was embolized using TAE. Subsequently, pseudocyst drainage was performed using lumen-apposing metal stent (LAMS) to prevent pseudoaneurysm re-rupture. Thereafter, the pseudocyst shrieked with decreased serum levels of C-reactive protein, allowing the patient to re-institute chemotherapy. Pseudocyst drainage using LAMS was safe and effective when the pancreatic pseudoaneurysm had a high-risk rebleeding due to exposure to pancreatic juice.

Purpose: Urinary incontinence (UI) is a significant complication following surgery for pelvic organ prolapse (POP), including laparoscopic sacrocolpopexy (LSC). Although the incidence of postoperative UI is lower after LSC than after transvaginal mesh surgery, a subset of patients still experience UI. This study aimed to determine which factors, including mesh-related factors, contribute to UI impairing daily life following LSC. Methods: The study enrolled 96 patients who underwent LSC at our institution between June 2016 and September 2023. The Pearson chi-square test, multiple logistic regression analysis, and Cox proportional hazards model were used to determine the independent factors contributing to UI after LSC. Results: The Pearson chi-square test showed that body mass index, POP quantification (POP-Q) stage 4 and the presence of preoperative UI significantly correlated with the postoperative UI among preoperative and intraoperative factors (all P<0.05). POP-Q stage 4 and the presence of preoperative UI were also significant factors in both univariate and multivariate analyses of multiple logistic regression analysis (all P<0.05). However, only preoperative UI remained an independent predictor for shorter time to UI onset in the multivariate Cox proportional hazards model (hazard ratio, 3.56; 95% confidence interval, 1.29–11.58; P=0.0158). Conclusions Patients with preoperative UI and stage 4 POP should receive close monitoring for postoperative UI.

Background/Aims: Serum leucine-rich alpha-2 glycoprotein (LRG) is a potential biomarker of Crohn’s disease (CD). This study aimed to evaluate the usefulness of LRG in predicting clinical relapse in patients in remission with CD. Methods: This retrospective observational study assessed the relationships among patient-reported outcome (PRO2), LRG, and other blood markers. The influence of LRG on clinical relapse was assessed in patients in remission with CD. Results: Data of 94 patients tested for LRG between January 2021 and May 2023 were collected. LRG level did not correlate with PRO2 score (ρ = 0.06); however, it strongly correlated with C-reactive protein (CRP) level (r=0.79) and serum albumin level (r=–0.70). Among 69 patients in clinical remission, relapse occurred in 22 patients (31.9%). In the context of predicting relapse, LRG showed the highest area under the curve, followed by CRP level, platelet count, and albumin level. Multivariate analysis revealed that only LRG (P= 0.02) was an independent factor for predicting clinical remission. The cumulative non-relapse rate was significantly higher in patients with LRG < 13.8 μg/mL than in patients in remission with LRG ≥ 13.8 μg/mL and normal CRP level (P= 0.002) or normal albumin level (P= 0.001). Cumulative non-relapse rate was also higher in patients with LRG < 13.8 μg/mL compared to those with LRG ≥ 13.8 μg/mL in patients with L3 or B2+B3 of Montreal calcification. Conclusions LRG is useful in predicting clinical relapse in patients with CD during biological remission. LRG is a useful biomarker for predicting prognosis, even in patients with intestinal stenosis, or previous/present fistulas.

Objective: This study aimed to compare the clinical and comprehensive radiological outcomes of 3 types of endoscopic decompression surgery: unilateral biportal endoscopic lumbar decompression (UBELD), microendoscopic laminotomy (MEL), and percutaneous endoscopic lumbar decompression (PELD). Methods: Patients with single-level lumbar spinal stenosis without instability were included in this multicenter retrospective study. Visual analogue scale (VAS) scores for each extremity, VAS back pain, and Japanese Orthopaedic Association (JOA) scores at preoperative and postoperative 1st, 6th, and 12th months were used as clinical outcome measures. In order to compare the radiological results of the patients, bilateral superior articular distance (SAD), bilateral lateral recess height (LR height), bilateral lateral recess angle (LR angle), and cross-sectional spinal canal area values were measured. Results: Eighty patients in the UBELD group, 73 patients in the MEL group, and 62 patients in the PELD group were included in the study. There was a statistically significant improvement in VAS scores and JOA scores in all groups compared to the preoperative period. At the 12th month postoperatively, the highest lateral decompression values on the approach side were determined as MEL (SAD: 4.1 mm, LR angle: 38.8°, LR height: 4.0 mm), followed by UBELD (SAD: 3.6 mm, LR angle: 36.2°, LR height: 3.3 mm) and PELD (SAD: 3.0 mm, LR angle: 21.7°, LR height: 2.3 mm), respectively. For the contralateral side, the highest lateral recess decompression values were listed as UBELD > MEL > PELD. Conclusion Effective decompression can be performed using all endoscopic techniques in lumbar spinal stenosis. However lateral recess decompression values were found to be better in UBELD and MEL techniques, compared to PELD.