Department of Gastroenterological Surgery Division of Lower Gastrointestinal Surgery

Research: We conduct a wide range of clinical research and multicenter joint clinical trials, focusing on molecular biology biology research into the mechanisms of colorectal cancer development, progression, and metastasis. Specifically, we are investigating the usefulness of cfDNA/ctDNA as predictors of recurrence and treatment outcomes, and the usefulness of MRI in the disappearance of liver metastases, with the aim of applying these findings to clinical practice. We are also conducting a multicenter joint clinical trial to verify the usefulness of drug prophylaxis against perioperative venous thromboembolism. Furthermore, we are developing surgical procedures aimed at improving the safety of extended surgery involving the combined resection of other organs, and are researching navigation surgery using preoperative imaging diagnosis.

Treatment: We perform 350 surgical cases per year, of which approximately 200 are colon cancer cases. More than 90% of these cases are performed laparoscopically. There are three characteristics of our treatment. The first is our wealth of experience in extended surgery and local recurrence surgery. We perform laparoscopic surgery for highly difficult surgeries that require the combined resection of other organs, such as total pelvic exenteration, and patients are referred from not only the Kinki region but also from all over the country. In principle, extended surgery is also performed laparoscopically, which dramatically reduces blood loss compared to laparotomy. The second is that all surgical cases are performed by doctors certified by the Japanese Society of Endoscopic Surgery. Currently, six of our eight staff members are qualified, and we believe that we are able to provide safe surgery. The third is our diverse approach to rectal cancer. Rectal cancer surgery requires operations deep in the pelvis. Therefore, by using robot-assisted surgery and transanal approaches in combination, we can ensure a good surgical field and provide safe surgery.