Successful hybrid NOTES resection of early gastric cancer in a patient with concomitant advanced colon cancer

 

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NOTES (natural orifice transluminal endoscopic surgery) is currently of greatest interest to endoscopists and laparoscopic surgeons [1] [2] [3]. Early gastric cancer (EGC) is generally managed with endoscopic submucosal resection (ESD) if indicated. We present a case of EGC removed by hybrid NOTES, with a concomitant colon cancer resected via laparoscopic colectomy.

A 62-year-old man was diagnosed with simultaneous gastric and colonic cancer. The gastric cancer was an EGC in the form of a moderately differentiated adenocarcinoma on the upper body; the mass in the ascending colon was also moderately differentiated adenocarcinoma ([Fig. 1]). Computed tomography and positron emission tomography showed no definite evidence of metastasis. Although total gastrectomy with right colectomy was the treatment of choice, the patient was concerned about his expected quality of life after the surgical resection. ESD of the EGC was also considered, but this was not suitable even on the basis of an expanded indication [4]. We therefore decided to perform hybrid NOTES for gastric adenocarcinoma and laparoscopy-assisted colectomy.

Fig. 1 a The shallow ulcerative lesion on the posterior wall of the upper body was diagnosed as adenocarcinoma. b The ulcerofungating mass noted on the ascending colon was also confirmed as an adenocarcinoma.

After successful removal of the colon cancer by the colorectal surgeon (J. K.) using a standardized laparoscopic technique, the endoscopist (B. K.) used an improved insulated-tip (IT2) knife and endoscopic papillotome to cut around the EGC for a full-thickness incision. The stomach was artificially perforated and collapsed, and a surgeon (S. S. P.) helped by holding back the shrunken stomach. The lesion was cut around for about two-thirds of the total diameter, and laparoscopic removal was completed via a wedge resection with stapling ([Fig. 2]). Pathologically, the gastric lesion was a poorly differentiated tubular adenocarcinoma (type IIb + IIc) invading the lamina propria. The colon cancer was diagnosed as a moderately differentiated adenocarcinoma with three positive lymph nodes. The resection margins of both cancers were free of carcinoma. Endoscopic follow-up and a CT scan taken after 4 months revealed no distinct recurrence of either lesion.

Fig. 2 a, b Endoscopic and laparoscopic findings during hybrid NOTES. a A needle-knife was used to make circumferential surface marks around the gastric cancer, followed by (b, c) full-thickness cutting around the lesion using an IT2 knife. d Laparoscopic assistance completed the hybrid NOTES procedure with a wedge resection.

Current NOTES researchers who still have access to only a handful of pre-existing equipment without any innovative new devices will benefit from the possibility of performing hybrid NOTES. In an institution with an experienced laparoscopic surgeon and also a skillful endoscopist, hybrid NOTES is a reasonable choice for patients requiring organ preservation. It will also function as a crucial makeshift bridge for crossing over to authentic NOTES in the near future.

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References

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H. J. ChunMD, PhD 

Department of Internal Medicine
Institute of Digestive Disease and Nutrition
Korea University College of Medicine

126-1, 5-Ga, Anam-Dong
Seongbuk-Gu
Seoul 136-705
Korea

Fax: +82-2-9531943

Email: drchunhj@chol.com