Carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) is a useful marker for rectal cancer. The aim of this study was to investigate the prognostic impact of CEA level according to neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy (nCRT) in rectal cancer patients who underwent radical surgery.Methods: A total of 245 patients with rectal cancer who underwent radical surgery were retrospectively evaluated. Serum CEA level was measured preoperatively and postoperatively. We compared survival outcomes based on CEA level before and after surgery according to nCRT.Results: Of the 245 patients, elevation of CEA level was observed preoperatively in 79 and postoperatively in 30, respectively. Eighty-seven (35.5%) patients received nCRT, and elevated CEA level was a significant prognostic factor both before and after surgery. In patients who had not received nCRT, an elevated CEA level was a significant prognostic factor before surgery but was not significant after surgery. In a multivariate analysis for prognostic factors, elevation of preoperative CEA level was an independent prognostic factor of disease-free survival (DFS) regardless of nCRT.Postoperative CEA level was an independent prognostic factor of DFS in patients who had received nCRT but was not a factor in patients who had not received nCRT. Conclusion:Serum CEA level was an independent prognostic factor both preoperatively and postoperatively in rectal cancer patients who had received nCRT.

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The aim of our study was to present an abdominal wall closure technique using barbed suture V-Loc TM 90 after single incision laparoscopic appendectomy (SILA) and to compare perioperative outcomes with conventional layer by layer abdominal wall closure after SILA. Methods: From March 2014 to July 2016, a retrospective case-control study was conducted for a total of 269 consecutive patients who underwent SILA. According to abdominal wall closure methods, 129 patients were classified into the V-Loc closure group and 140 patients were assigned into the conventional layer by layer closure group. In the V-Loc group, abdominal wall closure was performed from the fascia to the skin with a single thread of unidirectional absorbable barbed suture V-Loc TM 90 2-0 using continuous running suture and reverse overlapping reinforced running technique. Subcutaneous closure and subcuticular suture were performed with the remaining portion of V-Loc. Results: The V-Loc closure group showed shorter total operation time (40.0±15.4 min vs. 44.9±16.3 min, p=0.013) and abdominal wall closure time (5.5±0.9 min vs. 6.5±0.8 min, p<0.001). Postoperative incision length was significantly shorter in the V-Loc closure group (1.1±0.3 cm vs. 1.8±0.4 cm, p<0.001). Postoperative wound pain, time to resume diet, postoperative hospital stay, complications including surgical site infection, or mean patient satisfaction score at one month after hospital discharge was not significantly different between the two groups. Conclusion: In conclusion, unidirectional knotless barbed suture is a safe alternative method for abdominal wall closure after SILA. It can save time while providing comparable cosmesis.

and discharged on POD 5. Histopathological examination showed IPMN with invasive adenocarcinoma, R0 resection and T2 N0 M0 stage. Laparoscopic approach is safe and feasible in carefully selected patients of carcinoma body and tail of pancreas.

This study was aimed at reporting our experience with single-incision laparoscopic appendectomies (SILA) performed by a surgical resident, and to evaluate the safety and feasibility of the procedure, together with a comparison of the outcomes of the same procedure performed by a staff surgeon. Methods:We conducted a retrospective case series analysis of 60 consecutive patients who underwent SILA. Two surgeons, an attending staff surgeon and a second-year surgical resident, performed the SILA procedures. SILA procedures performed by the resident were intraoperatively guided and supervised by the staff surgeon.Results: A total of 60 case-matched patients with acute appendicitis underwent a SILA performed by either the resident or attending staff. There was no difference in patient demographics between the two groups of patients. The mean operation time was longer in the resident group than in the staff group (43.2±6.0 minutes vs. 32.9±10.5 minutes, p<0.001). There was no significant difference in the operative data between the two groups. No conversion to an open procedure occurred in either group. Postoperative pain, time to onset of oral intake, and number of days of postoperative hospital stay were similar in both groups. Conclusion:SILA procedures performed by a resident are safe and feasible despite longer operation times. Perioperative supervision and guidance by an attending staff surgeon may facilitate surgical outcomes.