• Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition
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• v.27 no.3
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• pp.168-175
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• 2024

Purpose: The presence of alcoholic stool in biliary atresia (BA) patients is the basis of a stool color card (SCC), a screening tool that has led to more patients receiving Kasai portoenterostomy earlier. This study aimed to evaluate the color image processing of stool images captured using smartphones. We propose that measuring digital color parameters is a more objective method for identifying BA stools and may improve the sensitivity of BA screening. Methods: A prospective study was conducted in five hospitals in Thailand between October 1, 2020, and December 31, 2021. Stools from infants presenting with jaundice, acholic stool, or dark-colored urine were photographed. Digital image color analysis was performed, and software was developed based on the color on the original SCC. Sensitivity and specificity for predicting BA stools were compared between the SCC and the software. Results: Of 33 infants eligible for data collection, 19 were diagnosed with BA. Saturation and blue were two potential digital color parameters used to differentiate BA stools. The receiver operating characteristic curve was used to determine the optimum cutoff point of both values, and when saturation ≤56 or blue ≥61 was set as a threshold for detecting BA stool, high accuracy was achieved at 81.8% and 78.8%, respectively. Conclusion: Digital image processing is a promising technology. With appropriate cutoff values of saturation in hue, saturation, value and blue in red, green, blue color models, BA stools can be identified, and equivocal-colored stools of non-BA patients can be differentiated with acceptable accuracy in infants presenting with jaundice.

• Annals of Hepato-Biliary-Pancreatic Surgery
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• v.27 no.4
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• pp.372-379
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• 2023

Backgrounds/Aims: While single-incision laparoscopic cholecystectomy (SILC) has advantages in cosmesis and postoperative pain, its utilization has been limited. This study raises the possibility of expanding its indication to acute cholecystitis with the novel method of solo surgery under retrospective analysis. Methods: We compared the outcomes of SILC (n = 58) to those of three-incision laparoscopic cholecystectomy (TILC; n = 117) for acute cholecystitis, being performed from March 2014 to December 2015. Results: Intraoperative results, including the operation time, did not differ significantly, except for drain catheter insertion (p = 0.004). Each group had 1 case of open conversion due to common bile duct injury. There was no significant difference in the length of hospital stay. Either group by itself was not a risk factor for complications, but in preoperative drainage for intraoperative perforation, 3 factors of intraoperative perforation, biliary complication, and history of upper abdominal operation for additional port, only American Society of Anesthesiology (ASA) scores for postoperative complication of Clavien-Dindo grades III and IV were significant risk factors. Conclusions: Our study findings showed comparative outcomes between both groups, providing evidence for the safety and feasibility of SILC for acute cholecystitis.

• Annals of Hepato-Biliary-Pancreatic Surgery
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• v.27 no.3
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• pp.271-276
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• 2023

Backgrounds/Aims: Laparoscopic cholecystectomy within one week of acute cholecystitis is considered safe and advantageous. Surgery beyond first week is reserved for non-resolving attack or complications. To compare clinical outcomes of patients undergoing laparoscopic cholecystectomy in the first week and between two to six weeks of an attack of acute cholecystitis. Methods: In an analysis of a prospectively maintained database, all patients who underwent laparoscopic cholecystectomy for acute cholecystitis were divided into two groups: group A, operated within one week; and group B, operated between two to six weeks of an attack. Main variables studied were mean operative time, conversion to open cholecystectomy, morbidity profile, and duration of hospital stay. Results: A total of 116 patients (74 in group A and 42 in group B) were included. Mean interval between onset of symptoms & surgery was five days (range, 1-7 days) in group A and 12 days (range, 8-20 days) in group B. Operative time and incidence of subtotal cholecystectomy were higher in group B (statistically not significant). Mean postoperative stay was 2 days in group A and 3 days in group B. Laparoscopy was converted to open cholecystectomy in two patients in each group. There was no incidence of biliary injury. One patient in group B died during the postoperative period due to continued sepsis and multiorgan failure. Conclusions: In tertiary care setting, with adequate surgical expertise, laparoscopic cholecystectomy can be safely performed in patients with acute cholecystitis irrespective of the time of presentation.

• Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition
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• v.27 no.4
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• pp.224-235
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• 2024

Purpose: Biliary atresia (BA) is the leading cause of neonatal cholestasis (25-45%). The primary treatment is hepatic portoenterostomy (Kasai procedure), but only 20-40% provide long-term benefits. This study aimed to develop a predictive model for surgical efficacy by comparing preoperative and early postoperative indicators in infants with different outcomes. Methods: We enrolled 166 infants with BA (93 girls, 73 boys) who underwent the Kasai procedure between September 2002 and December 2021, dividing them into favorable or adverse outcome groups. Over 40 parameters were measured, and the diagnostic significance of the prognostic model was evaluated. Results: Kasai surgery was efficacious in 69 patients (42%) and non-efficacious in 97 (58%). Our model assesses efficacy by day 14 after surgery, improving on the <34 µmol/L direct bilirubin threshold established for 3-6 months after the procedure. Including the Desmet fibrosis score refined the model. Conclusion: Blood cholesterol below 5.41 mmol/L, direct bilirubin below 56.3 µmol/L on postoperative days 14±3, and a low Desmet score indicate a high probability of efficacious Kasai surgery in infants with BA.

• Annals of Hepato-Biliary-Pancreatic Surgery
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• v.28 no.1
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• pp.34-41
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• 2024

Backgrounds/Aims: Liver transplantation (LT) provides a favorable outcome for patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and was launched in Vietnam in 2004. In this study, we evaluated the short-term and long-term outcomes of LT and its risk factors. Methods: This retrospective study analyzed HCC patients who underwent LT at Viet Duc University hospital, Vietnam, from 01/2012-03/2022. The following data were gathered: demographics, virus infection, tumor characteristics, alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) level, Child-Pugh and MELD scores, selection criteria, type of LT, complications, 30-day mortality, and disease-free and overall survival (DFS and OS). Results: Fifty four patients were included, the mean age was 55.39 ± 8.46 years. Nearly 90% had hepatitis B virus-related HCC. The median (interquartile range) AFP level was 16.2 (88.7) ng/mL. The average MELD score was 10.57 ± 5.95; the rate of Child-Pugh A and B were 70.4% and 18.5%, respectively. Nearly 40% of the patients were within Milan criteria, brain-dead donor was 83.3%. Hepatic and portal vein thrombosis occurred in 0% and 1.9%, respectively; hepatic artery thrombosis 1.9%, biliary leakage 5.6%, and postoperative hemorrhage 3.7%. Ninety-day mortality was 5.6%. Five-year DFS and OS were 79.3% and 81.4%, respectively. MELD score and ChildPugh score were predictive factors for DFS and OS (p < 0.05). In multivariate analysis, Child-Pugh score was the only significant factor (p < 0.05). Conclusions: In Vietnam, LT is an effective therapy for HCC with an acceptable complication rate, mortality rate, and good survival outcomes, and should be further encouraged.

• Annals of Hepato-Biliary-Pancreatic Surgery
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• v.28 no.2
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• pp.161-202
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• 2024

Backgrounds/Aims: Reported incidence of extrahepatic bile duct cancer is higher in Asians than in Western populations. Korea, in particular, is one of the countries with the highest incidence rates of extrahepatic bile duct cancer in the world. Although research and innovative therapeutic modalities for extrahepatic bile duct cancer are emerging, clinical guidelines are currently unavailable in Korea. The Korean Society of Hepato-Biliary-Pancreatic Surgery in collaboration with related societies (Korean Pancreatic and Biliary Surgery Society, Korean Society of Abdominal Radiology, Korean Society of Medical Oncology, Korean Society of Radiation Oncology, Korean Society of Pathologists, and Korean Society of Nuclear Medicine) decided to establish clinical guideline for extrahepatic bile duct cancer in June 2021. Methods: Contents of the guidelines were developed through subgroup meetings for each key question and a preliminary draft was finalized through a Clinical Guidelines Committee workshop. Results: In November 2021, the finalized draft was presented for public scrutiny during a formal hearing. Conclusions: The extrahepatic guideline committee believed that this guideline could be helpful in the treatment of patients.

• Journal of Gastric Cancer
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• v.4 no.1
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• pp.1-6
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• 2004

Purpose: Despite numorous reports on the relationship between the level of carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) in gall bladder bile and liver metastasis in colorectal cancer, no similar studies have been carried out for gastric carcinomas. We, therefore, undertook the present study to establish the relationship between the gall bladder bile CEA and liver metastasis as well as the post-operative survival rate in gastric carcinoma patients with curative resections. Materials and Methods: In 373 gastric cancer patients (252 males, 121 females, age $21\∼76$ years) operated on at Kosin University Hospital between 1989 1996, the CEA concentration in the gall bladder bile was determined during the operation and the value was related to the rates of post-operative survival and liver metastasis during follow-up period. Results: The overall rate of patient survival decreased gradually with increase in TNM stage. The 13-year postoperative survival rates for stages Ia, Ib, II, IIIa, and IIIb were $95.7\%,\;92.5\%,\;79.9\%,\;50.9\%,\;and\;43.3\$, respectively, and the 10-year survival rate for stage IV was $22.6\%$. The patients with a high ($\geq$10 ng/ml) biliary CEA showed a significantly lower rate of survival than those with a low (<10 ng/ml) biliary CEA. The 13-year cumulative survival rate was $55.4\%$ for the high CEA group and $76.5\%$ for the low CEA group (P<0.01). Also, the patients with a high biliary CEA showed a significantly higher rate ($11.5\%$) of liver metastasis than those with a low biliary CEA ($1.9\%$) (P<0.000). In patients with TNM stages (I and II), the CEA level did not affect the post-operative survival rates ($95.4\%\;and87.7\%$ in the high and low CEA groups, P>0.10), but in those with high TNM stages (III and IV), the survival rate was significantly lower in the high CEA group ($25.9\%$) than in the low CEA group ($57.8\%$) (P<0.05). Conclusion: These result suggest that the gall bladder bile CEA level obtained in an advanced-staged gastric cancer operation may be used in predicting the post-operational survival rate and in sorting out patients with a high risk for cancer recurrence, especially in the liver area.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.13 no.4
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• pp.1317-1320
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• 2012

Biliary tract cancers, broadly described as malignancies that arise from the biliary tract epithelia, are usually divided into two major clinical phenotypes: cholangiocarcinoma and gallbladder cancer, differing in etiopathogenesis, risk factors, and perhaps molecular and genetic signatures. Atypical symptoms and lack of tumor biomarkers make it difficult to diagnose in early stages. At the time of presentation, few patients are candidates for potentially curative surgical resection. We here assessed and compared features of a total of 150 cases divided into extra- and intrahepatic cholangiocarcinomas and gallbladder cancers (GBC). Althought there were no significant differences in serum tumour marker levels, GBC patients had the poorest prognosis. Furthermore, gallbladder cancer respond poorly to chemotherapy or radiation therapy and approximately half of untreated patients died within 10 months. Therefore, treatment for patients with gallbladder cancer is still in challenge. Outcomes and survival of these patients had improved little over the past three decades - a period in which new successful treatments have greatly contributed to the prolonged patient survival for many other cancers.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.17 no.1
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• pp.37-44
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• 2016

Several infectious agents are considered to be causes of cancer in human, mainly hepatitis B and C viruses, high-risk human pailloma viruses, Helicobacter pylori, Clonorchis sinensis, and Opisthorchis viverrini. Here we described the evident research and the association between Helicobacter spp. and biliary tract cancer particularly cholangiocarcinoma (CCA). Global epidemiological studies have suggested that Helicobacter spp. are possible risk factors for biliary tract diseases. Molecular studies support a linkage of Helicobacter spp. with CCA development. H. pylori, H. bilis, and H. hepaticus, are found in CCA, but the most common species are H. pylori and H. bilis. The type of CCA are associated with Helicobacter spp. include extrahepatic CCA, and common bile duct cancer. Up to the present, however, the results from different regions, materials and methods, sub-sites of cancer, and controls have not been consistent, thus introducing heterogeneity. Therefore, a comparison between co-Helicobacter spp.-CCA in the countries with low and high incident of CCA is required to settle the question. Furthermore, clarifying variation in the role of Helicobacter species in this CCA, including pathogenesis of CCA through enhanced biliary cell inflammation and proliferation, is necessary.

• Advances in pediatric surgery
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• v.13 no.2
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• pp.135-143
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• 2007

Biliary atresia (BA) is an uncommon neonatal surgical disease that has a fatal outcome if not properly treated. The survival rates of the patients with native liver after Kasai's operation in countries outside Japan are not so good. We reviewed the results of 22 cases of biliary atresia treated in Kosin University Hospital between October 1987 and March 2001. There were 13 males and 9 females aged from 21 to 106 days (mean 52 days). There were 3 cases of Type I (13.6%), and 3 of Type II (13.6%), and 16 Type III (72.7%). The operative methods were resection of the common bile duct remnant and cyst followed by Roux-en-Y hepaticojejunostomy in 3 cases for Type I BA; Kasai I in 15 cases, Kasai II in 1 case, and Ueda's operation in 3 cases for Types II and III BA. There was no death within the first 30 days after operation. We were able to follow 21 of the 22 patients (95.4%) for more than 5 years. The actual 5 year survival rate (YSR) was 40.9%. One Type I case received a living-related liver transplantation at 6 years of age because of the multiple intrahepatic stones and liver cirrhosis. Five YSR after biliostomy group (Kasai II and Ueda op.) was 75 % (3/4) while that of Kasai I was 20% (3/15). One case had no bile duct in the resected fibrotic plaque on microscopic review and died 8 months after Kasai I operation, would have been a strong candidate for early liver transplantation. From the above result, our conclusions are as follows; (1) early liver transplantation should be considered for cases of no bile duct after pathologic examination of the resected specimen, (2) measures to prevent postoperative cholangitis and prevention of postoperative liver cirrhosis are needed, (3) liver transplantation program should be available for failed cases.