Intraoperative visualization of lymphatic flow could guide surgeons performing laparoscopic colon cancer surgery on the extent of intestinal resection required. The purpose of this study was to investigate indocyanine green fluorescence imaging for intraoperative detection of lymphatic flow and nodes in such patients. All patients undergoing elective laparoscopic surgery for colorectal cancer from October 2016 to July 2017 were included in this study. Indocyanine green was injected submucosally around the tumors via a colonoscope and lymphatic flow assessed with a laparoscopic near-infrared camera system intraoperatively. Lymphatic flow was visualized perioperatively in 43 of 57 patients (75.4%). The rate of visualized lymphatic flow was significantly higher in patients with a lower clinical stage than in those with a higher clinical stage (p = 0.0103). Among the 14 patients in whom lymphatic flow was not visualized, 10 (71.4%) had cStage III or IV cancer. Our results indicate the potential role of intraoperative navigation in colon cancer surgery in early-stage colon cancers. This method allows the surgeon to clearly identify lymphatic flow during surgery and allows the determination and individualization of the lymph node dissection range.

Background Complete mesocolic excision (CME) with central vascular ligation (CVL) for colon cancer is an essential procedure for improved oncologic outcomes after surgery. Laparoscopic surgery for splenic flexure colon cancer was recently adopted due to a greater understanding of surgical anatomy and improvements in surgical techniques and innovative surgical devices. Methods We retrospectively analyzed the data of patients with splenic flexure colon cancer who underwent laparoscopic CME with CVL at our institution between January 2005 and December 2017. Results Forty-five patients (4.8%) were enrolled in this study. Laparoscopic CME with CVL was successfully performed in all patients. The median operative time was 178 min, and the median estimated blood loss was 20 g. Perioperative complications developed in 6 patients (13.3%). The median postoperative hospital stay was 9 days. According to the pathological report, the median number of harvested lymph nodes was 15, and lymph node metastasis developed in 14 patients (31.1%). No metastasis was observed at the root of the middle colic artery or the inferior mesenteric artery. The median follow-up period was 49 months. The cumulative 5-year overall survival and disease-free survival rates were 85.9% and 84.7%, respectively. The cancer-specific survival rate in stage I-III patients was 92.7%. Recurrence was observed in 5 patients (11.1%), including three patients with peritoneal dissemination and two patients with distant metastasis. Conclusions Laparoscopic CME with CVL for splenic flexure colon cancer appears to be oncologically safe and feasible based on the short- and long-term outcomes in our study. However, it is careful to introduce this procedure to necessitate the anatomical understandings and surgeon’s skill. The appropriate indications must be established with more case registries because our experience is limited.

Highlights Diaphragmatic hernia is a rare late-onset complication associated with RFA for HCC. The tumor location is closely related to the risk of diaphragmatic hernia caused by RFA. Patients with HCC often have severe liver dysfunction and cirrhosis. Laparoscopic approach is safe and minimally invasive for severe cirrhosis patient. The hernia gate was closed by suture, and vulnerable area was reinforced using mesh.

Introduction Cirrhosis is a significant determinant of postoperative morbidity and mortality. Patients with severe liver cirrhosis are substantially contraindicated for surgical treatment of inguinal hernia because of the substantial recurrence rate and high postoperative morbidity and mortality. However, hernia with incarceration and strangulation, which could become life-threatening, should be repaired urgently even for patients with severe liver cirrhosis. No clear surgical guidelines have been established regarding the treatment strategy for inguinal hernia in patients with cirrhosis. Presentation of case A 62-year-old man with a history of chronic C-type liver cirrhosis (Child-Pugh classification C) and hepatocellular carcinoma was referred to us for surgical treatment of an irreducible right inguinal hernia. An abdominal computed tomography (CT) scan revealed that the small intestine had herniated into the scrotum and severe abdominal wall varicose veins due to liver cirrhosis. We performed a hybrid method that combines examination laparoscopy and Lichtenstein's technique to observe the abdominal cavity and to avoid the risks due to severe varicosis of the inferior epigastric vein. Discussion There have been some reports of inguinal hernia with cirrhosis and ascites, but no reports of incarcerated inguinal hernia with abdominal wall varicose veins. In the present case, we chose a laparoscopic approach to observe the abdominal cavity to confirm intestinal necrosis. Hybrid surgery using laparoscopy and Lichtenstein's technique for incarcerated inguinal hernia could be performed safely. Conclusion Hybrid surgery using laparoscopy and Lichtenstein's technique may be an effective method for patients with incarcerated inguinal hernia with end-stage cirrhosis and severe abdominal varicosis.

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