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This study aimed to evaluate the effects of sarcopenia and inflammation on the prognosis of patients with pancreatic cancer after pancreaticoduodenectomy. Eighty patients who had undergone pancreaticoduodenectomy for pancreatic cancer between July 2010 and December 2023 were included in this study. The psoas muscle index was used to assess sarcopenia. The C-reactive protein-to-albumin ratio, prognostic nutritional index, neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio, and platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio were used to calculate the preoperative inflammatory marker levels. The prognostic factors for overall survival were determined using Cox regression analysis. Twenty-four patients were diagnosed with sarcopenia. Sarcopenia showed a significant association with advanced tumor stage. Univariate analysis revealed a significant reduction in overall survival in patients with a prognostic nutritional index of <45, C-reactive protein-to-albumin ratio of ≥0.047, cancer antigen 19-9 levels of ≥130 U/mL, sarcopenia, lymph node metastasis, and vascular invasion. Multivariate analysis revealed that a C-reactive protein-to-albumin ratio of ≥0.047 (hazards ratio, 3.383; 95% confidence interval: 1.384-8.689; p< 0.001), cancer antigen 19-9 levels of ≥130 U/mL (hazards ratio, 2.720; 95% confidence interval: 1.291-6.060; p = 0.008), sarcopenia (hazards ratio, 3.256; 95% confidence interval: 1.535-7.072; p = 0.002) and vascular invasion (hazards ratio, 2.092; 95% confidence interval: 1.057-4.170; p = 0.034) were independent predictors of overall survival. Overall survival in the sarcopenia and high C-reactive protein-to-albumin ratio groups was significantly poorer than that in the non-sarcopenia and low C-reactive protein-to-albumin ratio and sarcopenia or high C-reactive protein-to-albumin ratio groups. Sarcopenia and a high C-reactive protein-to-albumin ratio are independent prognostic factors in patients with pancreatic cancer after pancreaticoduodenectomy. Thus, sarcopenia may have a better prognostic value when combined with the C-reactive protein-to-albumin ratio.

INTRODUCTION: Laparoscopic resection for rectal cancer in a centenarian is extraordinarily rare, with only a few cases of elective curative surgery reported worldwide. As the global population ages, the number of centenarians with malignancies is increasing; however, surgical intervention in this age group remains controversial due to frailty and limited physiological reserve.CASE PRESENTATION: We present the case of a 100-year-old female with Stage IIIB rectal cancer who successfully underwent elective laparoscopic low anterior resection. Comprehensive preoperative geriatric assessments—comprising the Geriatric-8 (G8), instrumental activities of daily living (IADL), and EuroQol-5 dimensions (EQ-5D and EQ-VAS)—demonstrated excellent functional independence and physiological fitness. Despite severe intra-abdominal adhesions from a prior laparotomy, meticulous laparoscopic adhesiolysis and tumor-specific mesorectal excision were achieved without complications. Twelve lymph nodes were retrieved, with one positive node, and all resection margins were negative. The patient recovered uneventfully, retained postoperative independence, and was discharged on POD 12.CONCLUSIONS: This case highlights that functional and biological fitness—rather than chronological age—should guide surgical decision-making in the oldest-old population. It also underscores the feasibility and safety of minimally invasive curative surgery for selected centenarians when supported by detailed geriatric evaluation and multidisciplinary planning.

Background The prognostic nutritional index, a marker of nutritional status and systemic inflammation, is a known biomarker for various cancers. However, few studies have evaluated the predictive value of the prognostic nutritional index in patients with biliary tract cancer. Therefore, we investigated the prognostic significance of the prognostic nutritional index, and developed a risk-stratification system to identify prognostic factors in patients with biliary tract cancer. Methods Between July 2010 and March 2021, 117 patients with biliary tract cancer were recruited to this single-center, retrospective study. The relationship between clinicopathological variables, including the prognostic nutritional index, and overall survival was analyzed using univariate and multivariate analyses. A P  < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results The median age was 75 (range 38–92) years. Thirty patients had intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma; 29, gallbladder carcinoma; 27, distal cholangiocarcinoma; 17, ampullary carcinoma; and 13, perihilar cholangiocarcinoma. Curative (R0) resection was achieved in 99 patients. In univariate analysis, the prognostic nutritional index (< 42), lymph node metastasis, carbohydrate antigen 19-9 level (> 20 U/mL), preoperative cholangitis, tumor differentiation, operation time (≥ 360 min), and R1–2 resection were significant risk factors for overall survival. The prognostic nutritional index ( P  = 0.027), lymph node metastasis ( P  = 0.040), and tumor differentiation ( P  = 0.006) were independent prognostic factors in multivariate analysis. A combined score of the prognostic nutritional index and pathological findings outperformed each marker alone, in terms of discriminatory power. Conclusions The prognostic nutritional index, lymph node metastasis, and tumor differentiation were independent prognostic factors after surgical resection in patients with biliary tract cancer. A combined prediction model using the prognostic nutritional index and pathological findings accurately predicted prognosis, and can be used as a novel prognostic factor in patients with biliary tract cancer.

Backgound: This study aimed to determine the usefulness of the Controlling Nutritional Status (CONUT) scorescore for predicting postoperative pancreatic fistula (POPF). Patients and Methods: Data from 108 consecutive pancreaticoduodenectomy cases performed at the Surgery Department of Iwakuni Clinical Center, from April 2008 to May 2018, were included. Preoperative patient data and postoperative complication data were collected. Results: Of the 108 patients (male=65; female=43; mean age=70 years), 41 (37.9%) had indication for pancreaticoduodenectomy due to pancreatic carcinoma. Grade B or higher POPF was diagnosed in 32 patients (29.6%). In the multivariate analysis, body mass index ≥22 kg/m2 [odds ratio (OR)=5.24; p=0.005], CONUT score ≥4 (OR=3.28; p=0.042), non-pancreatic carcinoma (OR=47.17; p=0.001), and a low computed tomographic contrast attenuation value (late/early ratio) (OR=4.39; p=0.029) were independent risk factors for POPF. Conclusion: Patients with high CONUT score are at high risk for POPF. Preoperative nutritional intervention such as immunonutrition might help reduce the POPF risk in these patients.

The aim of this study was to identify predictors of conversion from laparoscopic to open cholecystectomy, and to determine whether pre-operative C-reactive protein-to-albumin ratio (CAR) can predict conversion from laparoscopic to open cholecystectomy, in patients with acute cholecystitis diagnosed according to the Tokyo Guidelines 2018. We retrospectively analysed 231 patients who underwent laparoscopic cholecystectomy for acute cholecystitis between January 2012 and March 2022. Two hundred and fifteen (93.1%) patients were included in the laparoscopic cholecystectomy group; sixteen (6.9%) patients were included in the conversion from laparoscopic to open cholecystectomy group. In univariate analysis, significant predictors of conversion from laparoscopic to open cholecystectomy included the interval between symptom onset and surgery (>72 h), C-reactive protein (≥15.0 mg/l) and albumin (<3.5 mg/l) levels, pre-operative CAR (≥5.54), gallbladder wall thickness (≥5 mm), pericholecystic fluid collection, and pericholecystic fat hyperdensity. In multivariate analysis, elevated pre-operative CAR (≥5.54) and the interval between symptom onset and surgery (>72 h) were independent predictors of conversion from laparoscopic to open cholecystectomy. Pre-operative CAR as a predictor of conversion from laparoscopic to open cholecystectomy may be useful for pre-operative risk assessment and treatment planning.

INTRODUCTION: A right-sided round ligament (RSRL) is a rare congenital anomaly characterized by the umbilical vein being connected to the right paramedian trunk. As it is associated with intrahepatic vascular anomalies, it poses special difficulties in hepatic resection, and an accurate understanding of those anomalies is indispensable.CASE PRESENTATION: An 80-year-old man visited a health clinic with the chief complaint of jaundice. Hyperbilirubinemia and impaired liver function were detected upon laboratory examination. Therefore, the patient was referred to our hospital for further examination and treatment. Contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CT) demonstrated dilatation of the intrahepatic bile ducts and the presence of a hypovascular tumor of 30 mm in size in the left lateral segment of the liver. The anterior branch of the portal vein (PV) formed a right-sided umbilical portion of the PV and was connected to the round ligament. This anomaly is known as an RSRL. The round ligament was located to the right of the gallbladder. Three-dimensional (3-D) CT of the PV clearly illustrated the independent ramification of the posterior branch and the subsequent bifurcation of the anterior branch and the left PV. Endoscopic, nasogastric biliary drainage was performed to treat the patient for obstructive jaundice, and endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography demonstrated severe stenosis of the hilar bile duct. Biopsies of the stenotic bile ducts were suggestive of adenocarcinoma. The root of the posterior branch of the bile duct was intact from the cancer. The preoperative diagnosis was intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (T4N0M0, stage III B), according to the American Joint Committee on Cancer Staging System, 8th edition. Left trisectionectomy with extrahepatic bile-duct resection and hepaticojejunostomy was performed. The histological diagnosis of the tumor was intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (large duct type, 5.5 × 4.5 cm). The final pathological stage was T4N1M0, stage 3B. Three months after surgery, the patient was doing well without recurrence.CONCLUSIONS: The anatomy of patients with an RSRL should be evaluated in detail before surgery, especially when curative hepatic resection is performed for intrahepatic or perihilar cholangiocarcinoma.

PurposeTo evaluate and compare the nutritional factors and clinical outcomes of pancreaticoduodenectomy between elderly and non-elderly patients.MethodsThis retrospective study evaluated 122 consecutive patients who underwent pancreaticoduodenectomy from April 2008 to April 2020. Preoperative and postoperative nutritional factors (prognostic nutritional index), complication rates, and survival rates were compared between the elderly (≥ 80 years) and non-elderly (< 80 years) patient groups. Changes in nutrition markers were evaluated before surgery to 1 year after surgery.ResultsA total of 20 elderly patients (16.4%) and 102 non-elderly patients (83.6%) underwent pancreaticoduodenectomy. Elderly patients had a significantly lower preoperative prognostic nutritional index than did non-elderly patients. At 3 months postoperatively, elderly patients had a lower albumin level and prognostic nutritional index. The median length of hospital stay was significantly longer (39.9 vs. 27 days, P = 0.004), the rate of death due to other diseases was higher, and the overall survival rate was significantly lower (1-/3-/5 year overall survival rates: 78.1%/26.7%/13.3% vs. 87.1%/54.4%/46.7%; log-rank test, P = 0.003) in the elderly group than in the non-elderly group.ConclusionsThe results suggest that careful patient selection and optimal perioperative care are necessary to determine whether pancreaticoduodenectomy is indicated for elderly patients.

Background/Aim: The C-reactive protein (CRP) to albumin ratio (CAR) is associated with outcomes in patients with sepsis. We aimed to evaluate the significance of preoperative CAR in therapeutic outcomes after gallbladder carcinoma (GBC) resection. Patients and Methods: Fifty-three patients who underwent surgical resection for GBC between January 2008 and September 2019 were enrolled. We retrospectively investigated the relation between preoperative CAR and overall and disease-free survival. Results: The optimal cut-off CAR was 0.07. Multivariate analysis showed that i) R1 or R2 resection (p=0.033), ii) advanced tumor stage (p=0.047), iii) CAR≥0.07 (p=0.011), and iv) postoperative complications (p=0.028) were significant independent predictors of overall survival; moreover, higher carbohydrate antigen levels (p=0.036) and R1 or R2 resection (p<0.001) were significant independent predictors of disease-free survival. Conclusion: Preoperative CAR may be a significant independent predictor of long-term outcomes after GBC resection.

The purpose of this study is to determine the effects of anti–high mobility group box 1 (HMGB1) monoclonal antibody (mAb) on ischemia/reperfusion injury (IRI) and the mode of liver regeneration. Rats underwent 70% hepatectomy with IRI caused by clamping the hepatoduodenal ligament for 20 minutes, followed by the administration of anti-HMGB1 mAb immediately before declamping the hepatoduodenal ligament. Five animals were used for each time point. We then evaluated IRI, regeneration parameters and the status of HMGB1 in remnant livers. The anti-HMGB1 mAb significantly ameliorated the degree of IRI in the remnant livers in association with the downregulation of HMGB1 protein. The ratio of Ki67-positive hepatocytes at 48 hours after 70% hepatectomy was significantly improved. Mean hepatocyte size was significantly reduced and cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor 1 expression was significantly attenuated. Anti-HMGB1 mAb ameliorated IRI and improved the mode of liver regeneration after IRI followed by 70% hepatectomy in rats.

Background Laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) is the accepted standard management for benign gallbladder disease. LC rarely results in a diagnosis of incidental gallbladder carcinoma (IGBC). The aim of our study was to report our experience with IGBC diagnosed during or following LC. Methods Between January 2008 and January 2015, 352 patients underwent LC at Iwakuni Clinical Center. Among these patients, 8 (2.3%) were diagnosed with IGBC. We evaluated their characteristics, surgical related variables, histopathological findings and surgical outcomes. Results Patient median age was 71 (range 49–88) years, and 3 out of 8 were female. All patients with IGBC were Japanese. The grade of cancer was as follows: pT1a (3 cases), pT2 (4 cases) and pT3 (1 case). Two patients with pT2 disease underwent radical surgery. The median follow-up time of these patients was 24 (range 11–80) months. All patients are still alive and two of three patients who refused radical surgery have developed recurrence (liver metastases and recurrence in the peritoneum). Conclusions Although the number of cases was small, the results of this study further support the suggestion that gallbladder carcinoma may be curable if diagnosed as IGBC at an early stage. If the cancer has reached an advanced stage, radical surgery should be performed.