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Background Although surgical site infection (SSI) following pancreaticoduodenectomy is a common complication, the risk factors remain unclear. Patients and methods A retrospective study of 408 consecutive patients undergoing pancreaticoduodenectomy was conducted and the risk factors for SSI were assessed. The bacterial composition was also analyzed. Results Sixty-one patients developed incisional SSI, and 195 developed organ/space SSI. A multivariate analysis identified that length of operation >480 min (odds ratio [OR] 3.22), main pancreatic duct (MPD) ≤3 mm (OR 2.18), and abdominal wall thickness >10 mm (OR 2.16) were significant risk factors for incisional SSI. The development of pancreatic fistula (OR 7.56), use of semi-closed drainage system (OR 3.68), body mass index >23.5 kg/m 2 (OR 3.04), MPD ≤3 mm (OR 2.21), and length of operation >480 min (OR 1.78) were significantly associated with organ/space SSI. Bacterial isolation at the SSI foci revealed that gut-derived micro-organisms were the predominant bacterial species. Conclusions The presence of pancreatic fistula was the strongest risk factor for organ/space SSI. Efforts to reduce the development of pancreatic fistulas, to decrease length of operation, and to use a closed drainage system would decrease the incidence of SSI following pancreaticoduodenectomy. If SSI that requires antibacterial treatment occurs, then the treatment should target enterobacteria.

Mean corpuscular volume (MCV) is known to increase with alcohol and tobacco consumption, and is therefore a potential predictive marker for esophageal cancer onset. However, this potential has not previously been examined using a large database. This study aims to clarify whether MCV is a predictor of esophageal cancer onset using health checkup data from a comprehensive health insurance claims database of a major administrative district in Japan. Health checkup data for 582,342 individuals recorded between April 2012 and September 2020 in the Shizuoka Kokuho Database were analyzed. Risk factors were assessed using both univariable and multivariable Cox proportional hazards models. Within the cohort, 1,562 health checkup participants (0.27%) had been diagnosed with esophageal cancer during the study period. Multivariable analysis revealed that risk of esophageal cancer onset was predicted by hypertension, smoking, systolic blood pressure, alcohol consumption, alcohol use disorder, body mass index, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and MCV. The cutoff value of MCV for predicting esophageal cancer onset was 104.086 fl. These results suggest that it may be appropriate to carry out endoscopy to detect esophageal cancer when MCV, a well-known indicator of alcohol and tobacco consumption, is greater than 104 fl.

Background Sarcopenia is an important factor in the postoperative outcome of gastrointestinal cancer patients. However, little research has been carried out on potential biomarkers of sarcopenia. Carnitine is an amino acid derivative that is stored in skeletal muscle and is essential for muscle energy metabolism. The primary purpose of this study was to investigate whether serum carnitine level is a biomarker of sarcopenia in preoperative patients with gastrointestinal cancer. The secondary purposes were (i) to examine the associations between carnitine, nutritional status, and albumin level, and (ii) to determine whether carnitine is a prognostic factor for postoperative complications. Methods One hundred fourteen patients scheduled to undergo gastroenterological surgery between August 2016 and January 2017 were enrolled. Their mean age was 68.4 ± 10.5, and 64.9% were male. Serum carnitine fractions [total carnitine (TC), free l‐carnitine (FC), and acylcarnitine (AC)] were measured prior to surgery. The correlation between carnitine level and a variety of clinical features was analysed, including skeletal muscle index (SMI), sarcopenia, prognostic nutritional index (PNI), and postoperative complications. Results Tumour locations included the oesophagus (n = 17), stomach (n = 16), pancreas (n = 20), bile duct (n = 9), liver [n = 33; primary liver cancer (n = 18), liver metastasis (n = 15)], and colorectal region (n = 19). TC and FC levels varied significantly by tumour location. TC and FC showed significant positive correlations with SMI [TC (r = 0.295, P = 0.0014), FC (r = 0.286, P = 0.0020)] and PNI [TC (P = 0.0178, r = 0.222), FC (P = 0.0067, r = 0.2526)]. These levels were significantly lower in the sarcopenia group (TC, P = 0.0124; FC, P = 0.0243). In addition, TC and FC showed significant positive correlations with ALB level [TC (P = 0.038 r = 0.19), FC (P = 0.016 r = 0.23)]. When patients were divided into high ALB (≥3.5 g/dL, 96 patients) and low ALB (<3.5 g/dL, 18 patients) groups, these correlations were no longer significant, but in the low ALB group there was a tendency towards a negative relationship between ALB level and both TC and FC. No significant relationship was found between postoperative complications and carnitine level. Conclusions This study suggests that carnitine level is a biomarker of sarcopenia and nutritional status. However, it did not find an association between carnitine level and postoperative complications.

Background Saccharomyces cerevisiae is ubiquitous in the gastrointestinal tract and known as brewer's or baker's yeast. We experienced a case of S. cerevisiae and Candida glabrata co-infectious bloodstream infection . It is rare to detect both S. cerevisiae and Candida species in blood cultures together. Case We treated a 73-year-old man who developed a pancreaticoduodenal fistula infection after pancreaticoduodenectomy. The patient had a fever on postoperative day 59. We took blood cultures and detected C. glabrata . Thus, we started micafungin. On postoperative day 62, we retested blood cultures, and detected S cerevisiae and C. glabrata . We changed micafungin to liposomal amphotericin B. Blood cultures became negative on postoperative day 68. We changed liposomal amphotericin B to fosfluconazole and micafungin because of hypokalemia. He got well, and we terminated antifungal drugs 18 days after the blood cultures became negative. Conclusion Co-infection with S. cerevisiae and Candida species is rare. In addition, in this case, S. cerevisiae developed from blood cultures during micafungin administration. Thus, micafungin may not be effective enough to treat S. cerevisiae fungemia, although echinocandin is considered one of the alternative therapy for Saccharomyces infections.

Backgrounds Actinomyces species are gram-positive, obligate anaerobic rods and are rare causes of cholecystitis. Because Actinomyces species are anaerobic bacteria, it is difficult for Actinomyces to survive in bile apart from A. naeslundii. We experienced a case of recurrent acute cholecystitis caused by A. odontolyticus. Case presentation A patient had been diagnosed with acute cholecystitis and treated one month before and after that, admitted to our hospital because of recurrent cholecystitis. Gram stain of the bile revealed gram-positive rods and gram-positive cocci. We found A. odontolyticus and MRSA in bile culture and MRSA in blood culture. We administered piperacillin-tazobactam and then changed it to ampicillin-sulbactam and vancomycin. The patient underwent laparoscopic cholecystectomy and was discharged safely. Conclusions To our knowledge, this is the first case of cholecystitis caused by A. odontolyticus . Cholecystitis caused by Actinomyces species is rare. In addition, we may overlook it with the low positivity of bile cultures of Actinomyces . Whenever the cholecystitis recurs without any obstruction of the biliary tract, we should search for the gram-positive rods hidden in the bile, such as A. odontolyticus, as the causative organism, even if the bile culture is negative.

Objective To evaluate the preoperative factors predictive of postoperative early recurrence in patients with resected pancreatic cancer focusing on the serum CA19-9 value. Methods One hundred fifty-four patients undergoing surgical resection for pancreatic cancer were enrolled in this study. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to determine the predictors of early recurrence which was defined as relapse within 6 months after surgery. Results On ROC curve analysis, the cutoff value of CA19-9 was determined to be 100 U/ml. Of 73 patients with CA19-9 value ≥ 100 U/ml, 39 (53 %) had early recurrence. In contrast, only 9 of 81 patients (11 %) with CA19-9 value < 100 U/ml developed a recurrence at an early period ( p  < 0.001). Multivariate analysis revealed that CA19-9 value ≥ 100 U/ml (odds ratio, 11.2) were significant predictors of early recurrence. The overall 3- and 5-year survival rates and median survival times were 47.3 %, 40.1 %, and 31 months in patients with CA19-9 value < 100 U/ml and 21.2 %, 9.4 %, and 16 months in patients with CA19-9 value ≥ 100 U/ml ( p  < 0.001). Conclusions A preoperative CA19-9 value ≥ 100 U/ml was a significant predictor of early recurrence and a poor prognosis after resection for pancreatic adenocarcinoma.

Solitary fibrous tumors (SFTs) are mesenchymal tumors, and retroperitoneal occurrence is rare. It has been identified in a variety of soft tissues and organs, such as the pleura, peritoneum, and meninges. In this case, the tumor was in contact with the abdominal aorta, and the invasion was difficult to judge preoperatively. Intraoperatively, it was revealed that the tumor could not be completely removed without aortic replacement. Although SFTs have a generally good prognosis, certain factors, such as tumor incomplete resection, have been reported to increase the risk of recurrence and metastasis. We were able to completely remove the tumor by performing a combined resection of the aorta. The specimens were microscopically disorganized proliferation of spindle-shaped cells. Immunostaining was positive for cluster of differentiation 34 (CD34) and signal transducer and activator of transcription 6 (STAT6). The tumor cells infiltrating into aortic adventitia were observed. This is a valuable case in which artificial blood vessel replacement was able to reduce the risk of recurrence and metastasis due to tumor remnants. We report a rare case of SFT resected with artificial blood vessel replacement.

Objectives Endoscopic lithotripsy and elective cholecystectomy, followed by endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography, are the first‐line treatments for patients with common bile duct (CBD) stones (CBDS) and gallstones. However, this approach entails acute cholecystitis and recurrent cholangitis risk while patients await surgery. We aimed to identify acute cholecystitis and cholangitis risk factors during the waiting time for elective cholecystectomy. Methods This study comprised 151 patients with CBDS combined with gallstones who underwent cholecystectomy within 90 days of the first endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography at two tertiary care centers between January 2019 and October 2021. Results The incidence of biliary tract events (acute cholecystitis, acute cholangitis, or any complications requiring unplanned cholangiopancreatography) was 28% (43 cases). In univariate and multivariate analyses, plastic stent placement as a bridge to surgery for the first treatment of CBDS was an independent risk factor for biliary tract events during the waiting time for surgery (odds ratio 4.25, p = 0.002). A subgroup analysis among those with plastic stent placement revealed a CBD diameter of ≤ 10 mm as an independent risk factor for acute cholecystitis (odds ratio 4.32; p = 0.027); a CBD diameter ≥ 11 mm was an independent risk factor for acute cholangitis and unplanned re‐endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (odds ratio 5.66; p = 0.01). Conclusions Plastic stent placement for CBDS before elective cholecystectomy increases the risk of acute cholecystitis or acute cholangitis during the waiting time for elective cholecystectomy.

•Esophageal ulcers are caused by various reasons and 1% of patients with esophageal ulcers have unknown etiology.•We report the endoscopical and pathological charactrictics of multiple esophageal ulcer 4.5 y after gastrectomy.•The patient met the diagnostic criteria for zinc deficiency and the ulcers improved after zinc supplementation.•Zinc deficiency occurs commonly after gastrectomy.•We recommend that all patients undergoing gastrectomy should be carefully screened for zinc deficiency. A 76-y-old Japanese man who had undergone gastrectomy 4.5 y earlier experienced 2 wk of sore throat, heartburn, and difficulty swallowing. Endoscopy showed deep, craterlike, longitudinal ulcers in the lower and middle esophagus. Immunohistochemistry and blood tests were negative for herpes simplex virus and cytomegalovirus infections. The patient reported no other symptoms affecting the gastrointestinal tract. Although his symptoms ameliorated after initial hospitalization and treatment, they re-emerged a few days after being discharged. Fifty-one days after being first admitted, he complained of glossalgia. The serum zinc level was found to be 38 µg/dL, which was below the reference range; the patient was diagnosed with zinc deficiency. After oral zinc administration, the patient was relieved of the symptoms, and his pain was alleviated. Upper gastrointestinal endoscopy after symptom relief showed improvement in the esophageal ulcers. He has continued taking zinc supplementations, and has not developed similar symptoms in the 5 y since being treated. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first case report of esophageal ulcers related to zinc deficiency.

Bile duct injury (BDI) is a potential complication that may arise during cholecystectomy and continues to occur with a certain frequency in the present day. Numerous reports have been published regarding the utilization of indocyanine green (ICG) for the prevention of biliary injury, and we feel that the importance of ICG is being recognized. In this context, we present a case wherein a BDI occurred following cholecystectomy, and ICG was employed for the safe repair of the biliary tract.