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Biomedical subjects

M Makuuchi

Publications and source records attributed to M Makuuchi.

At least 217 records · Page 12Linked to original sources

Early hepatocellular carcinoma as an entity with a high rate of surgical cure.

Early hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) has been defined as a well-differentiated cancer containing Glisson's triad, but it remains unknown whether this lesion is curable. We prospectively studied 70 patients (enrolled from 1,172 referrals between 1982 and 1991) who had a diagnosis of a single HCC 2 cm or less in diameter (Stage T1) and who underwent curative hepatectomy and long-term follow-up (range, 0.2 to 14.3 years). Patients were eligible for surgery if they had a tumor that met the diagnostic criteria for HCC and were in Child-Pugh class A (n = 59) or B (n = 11) status. Among the 70 patients, there was 1 operative death. Based on our typing system, the tumors were assigned as early HCC (n = 15), overt HCC (n = 52), and non-HCC tumor (n = 3). The rate of microscopic regional spread was lower in early HCCs than in overt HCCs (7% vs. 42%; P = .01). The early HCC group had a longer time to recurrence than did the overt HCC group (3.9 vs. 1.7 years; P < .001) and had no local recurrence. After a median follow-up of 6.3 years, both overall survival and recurrence-free survival in the early HCC group were significantly better than those in the overt HCC group (P = .01; P = .001). In these two groups, the 5-year rates of overall survival were 93% and 54% (P = .01), and those of recurrence-free survival were 47% and 16% (P = .05), respectively; a significant survival benefit persisted over a decade (57% vs. 21%; P = .05). The early HCC group was at a lower risk of recurrence (relative risk, 0.31; 95% CI, 0.15 to 0.65; P = .002) and death (relative risk, 0.26; 95% CI, 0.09 to 0.73; P = .01) than was the overt HCC group. Early HCC is a distinct clinical entity with a high rate of surgical cure, thereby justifying its definition. It can be a lesion that corresponds to "Stage 0" cancer in other organs.

Carcinoma, Hepatocellular↗

[Pancreas carcinoid with extensive liver metastasis--simultaneous excision].

This case report describes an unusually large islet cell tumour of the pancreas presenting clinically with extensive metastases in the liver. The patient involved was a 55-year-old woman. The leading symptom was severe, hardly tractable diarrhoea. Histological examination including immunohistochemistry and measurements of the proliferation index revealed a probable malignant Vipoma of low grade. It was treated by simultaneous R0 resection of the tumour masses; the postoperative course was unremarkable. This outcome is seen as a strong argument in favour of a radical surgical approach even if there is significant metastatic disease in the liver. The advantage of intraoperative ultrasound is discussed along with aspects of tumour classification and alternative therapeutic modalities.

Female↗

Increase in natural killer cell activity following living-related liver transplantation.

We monitored the serial changes of natural killer cell (NK) activity in eight recipients of living-related liver transplantation. The HLA types of all eight patients were haplotypically identical with those of their donors. Tacrolimus and methylprednisolone were used for immunosuppression. The NK activity before transplantation was 24.1 +/- 20.2% which is surprisingly low when compared with the value for normal individuals (67.7 +/- 13.2%, P < 0.01) or a liver dysfunction group (49.4 +/- 21.9%, P < 0.05). Serial changes in NK activity revealed a minimum of 6.1 +/- 3.6% 1 week after transplantation, gradually increasing to 49.2 +/- 12.5% at 2 months after transplantation. These results suggest that the diseased liver might play an important role in the suppression of NK activity.

Adolescent↗

A miniature probe enables clear demonstration of the cystic duct during laparoscopic cholecystectomy.

We performed intraoperative ultrasonography with a miniature probe to explore the biliary anatomy, especially the cystic duct, during laparoscopic cholecystectomy. By using this radial-type probe introduced into a hard metal sheath with a balloon at the end, the plane containing Calot's triangle can be scanned easily when the gallbladder is extracted to the right side, thereby facilitating the identification of the cystic duct as well as the common ducts. In 30 cases, no common duct stone was found and the cystic duct was clearly identified. This radial-type miniature probe can be used to locate the cystic duct and avoid inadvertant incision or division of the common ducts.

Catheterization↗

A combination of laser therapy, radiation therapy, and stent placement for the palliation of complete malignant bronchial obstruction.

We treated a complete obstruction of the left mainstem bronchus due to nonresectable recurrent esophageal carcinoma with a combination of laser therapy, radiation therapy, and the placement of an expandable metallic stent. The patient survived 1 year after the first therapy, with good quality of life. We conclude that a combination of laser ablation, radiotherapy, and stent placement can improve survival and quality of life for the patients with complete malignant bronchial obstruction.

Aged↗

Survival of patient with late onset hepatic failure by living-related liver transplantation from maternal donor with incompatible blood type.

A 14-year-old girl with blood type B with late onset hepatic failure (LOHF) of unknown cause has survived through living-related liver transplantation (LRLT). No hepatitis virus, including HAV, HBV, HCV, and HGV, was positive at the onset of LOHF. Autoimmune hepatitis was thought to be the cause because of positive results for serum anti-nuclear antibody at 80 times dilution and elevated gamma-globulin, but treatment with glucocorticoid did not suppress the progressive hepatic failure. Supportive therapy, including pulse therapy with 1g methylprednisolone for 3 days, ursodesoxycholic acid, branched-chain amino acid, and azathioprine did not resolve the hepatic failure. She was treated by repeated plasmapheresis and plasma absorption for 10 months, and then received the left lobe of her mother's liver. (Her mother's blood type was AB). The patient had been well, being treated with tacrolimus and prednisolone, although the serum titer of anti-blood type B antibody was high just after LRLT and mild liver dysfunction continued for more than 3 years after LRLT. Follow-up biopsy 3 years after LRLT revealed chronic hepatitis and progression to liver cirrhosis. Re-transplantation is now under consideration; the patient is now aged 19 years.

ABO Blood-Group System↗

Aortoesophageal fistula: report of an unusual case.

We report herein the case of a patient with an aortoesophageal fistula (AEF) who was managed successfully by surgery. A 5-mm oval, well circumscribed aortic perforation just above the orifice of the celiac axis and a 4-mm defect in the esophagus were primarily closed, and an omental flap was placed between the aorta and the esophagus. No definite etiology could be determined. Our experience of this case suggests that primary closure for defects in both the aorta and the esophagus is the best option when the defects are small, and that the possibility of an AEF must be considered in patients with midthoracic pain or hematemesis, even if there is no history of thoracic aortic aneurysm, foreign body ingestion, trauma, or esophageal disease.

Adult↗

Utilization of the lateral circumflex femoral artery as a midway outflow for aorto-popliteal grafting: report of a case.

We describe herein the case of a patient who presented with total occlusion of all the major arteries in the unilateral iliofemoral region, including the distal deep femoral artery, on whom an aortolateral circumflex femoral-popliteal artery sequential bypass was successfully performed. This case report serves to demonstrate that the lateral circumflex femoral artery can provide a suitable midway outflow for aortopopliteal bypass in patients with extensive thrombosis of the iliofemoral arteries.

Aged↗

Increased nitric oxide production in the liver in the perioperative period of partial hepatectomy with Pringle's maneuver.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: There is no evidence that nitric oxide is produced in the liver during ischemia/reperfusion injury. This study examined the production of nitric oxide and inducible nitric oxide synthase in patients undergoing partial hepatectomy. METHODS: Twenty patients undergoing partial hepatectomy with only Pringle's maneuver were included. Peripheral blood was taken 1 day before the operation, during the operation (just after laparotomy and the first and last Pringle's maneuver) and 1 and 3 days after the operation, for measurement of plasma nitrate/nitrite, endotoxin and cytokine levels. Blood was also sampled from hepatic veins after Pringle's maneuver. Two liver specimens were taken from each patient, one before ischemia and one after partial hepatectomy, for the detection of inducible nitric oxide synthase. RESULTS: Average nitrate reached a maximum (33.5+/-3.4 micromol/l) after the final clamp (hepatic venous level). The increase in nitrate level during the operation correlated with the total duration of clamping. Endotoxin and interleukin-6 levels increased in a similar manner to nitrate levels, but tumor necrosis factor-alpha and interleukin-1 beta levels did not. In liver specimens taken after partial hepatectomy from patients, inducible nitric oxide synthase mRNA and protein were detected. CONCLUSIONS: Nitric oxide was produced in livers during ischemia/reperfusion injury and inducible nitric oxide synthase was involved in nitric oxide production.

Adult↗

Reconstruction of the hepatic and portal veins using a patch graft from the right ovarian vein.

We describe a patch-graft technique using the right ovarian vein for reconstruction of the right hepatic and portal veins after resection in hepatectomy and pancreatoduodenectomy in female patients. After partial resection of the right hepatic vein or portal vein for removing either hepatic or pancreatic tumors, the defects were covered by a patch graft from the right ovarian vein. The proximal part of the vein, 5 cm in length, was harvested, divided longitudinally, and then divided into two equal parts, which were sutured together to give a patch measuring 2.5 x 2.0 cm. This technique can be applied for reconstruction after partial resection of the hepatic or portal vein in hepatectomy and pancreatoduodenectomy.

Colonic Neoplasms↗