C.A.H. Liyanage

Cryptogenic cirrhosis is the leading cause for listing for liver transplantation in Sri Lanka.

Hepatitis B and C are rare in Sri Lanka. Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease is increasing in the country. Eighty-one patients referred for liver transplantation (LT) over a period of 18 months were prospectively evaluated. Ninety-two percent (n = 74) were males. Cryptogenic cirrhosis was the leading indication for LT (58 %, n = 47) followed by alcohol in 27 % (n = 33). Hepatitis B and C were not seen in our cases. The liver biochemistry and clinical status of cirrhosis were similar in cryptogenic and alcoholic cirrhotics. Fourteen patients died while waiting for transplant, and nine transplants were performed. Cryptogenic cirrhosis is the leading cause for LT in Sri Lanka.

Clinical characteristics and outcome of hepatocellular carcinoma in alcohol related and cryptogenic cirrhosis: a prospective study.

BACKGROUND Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is becoming a leading cause of chronic liver disease. Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of its complications. Although the pathophysiology is unclear, it is reasonable to expect that cryptogenic cirrhosis related HCC (cryptogenic HCC) behaves differently to other types of HCC. This study prospectively compared patients with cryptogenic HCC and those with HCC related to alcoholic cirrhosis. METHODS A total of 150 consecutive patients with HCC (89 cryptogenic HCC and 61 alcohol related HCC) referred to our unit over a 23-month period were studied. Their demographic data, liver function, tumor characteristics and outcomes were compared. RESULTS Alcohol related HCC was seen only in males. Compared with cryptogenic HCC, alcohol related HCC had significantly higher aspartate aminotransferase/alanine aminotransferase (AST/ALT) ratio (1.7 vs 1.4, P=0.002), model for end-stage liver disease score (13 vs 11, P=0.018) and Childs score (7 vs 6, P=0.037). No significant difference was seen in platelet counts, serum sodium and AST to platelet ratio index. Single nodular tumors were more common in cryptogenic HCC, while diffuse type tumors and macroscopic vascular invasion were common in alcohol related HCC. In patients who could not be offered any treatment because of advanced tumors or poor liver function, alcohol related HCC had a significantly lower median survival (5.3 months) compared with cryptogenic HCC (9.3 months, P=0.034). CONCLUSIONS Compared with cryptogenic HCC, alcohol related HCC had worse liver function and aggressive tumor morphology at presentation, and a higher proportion was untreatable. In patients who could not be treated, median survival was lower in patients with alcohol related HCC than in those with cryptogenic HCC.

Obstructive jaundice caused by a biliary mucinous cystadenoma in a woman: a case report

IntroductionMucinous cystadenoma of the liver is a rare (less than 5%) neoplasm. This condition is more common in young women and accounts for non-specific symptoms. Cyst adenomas commonly affect the intrahepatic system (90%) and are rarely found in the extrahepatic biliary system or affecting both the systems.Case presentationA 39-year-old Sinhalese woman presented with features of obstructive jaundice and was found to have a biliary neoplasm on imaging. In the absence of a definitive diagnosis despite extensive imaging she underwent preoperative endoscopic biliary drainage followed by a left hemihepatectomy with Roux-en-Y hepaticojejunostomy. A pathological examination of the specimen revealed an obstruction of the bile duct caused by a biliary mucinous cystadenoma affecting both the intrahepatic and extrahepatic systems.ConclusionsBiliary mucinous cystadenoma rarely present with obstructive jaundice affecting both intrahepatic and extrahepatic ducts. Exhaustive investigation might not help in the diagnosis and may need to be treated based on clinical judgment. The definitive treatment modality is surgery due to its malignant potential. The operative procedure is technically demanding and is best performed at specialist centers to minimize complications.

Recurrence of graft steatosis after liver transplantation for cryptogenic cirrhosis in recently commenced liver transplant program

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) seems to recur in at least one third of patients transplanted for non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH)-related cirrhosis. While, NASH recurrence does not seem to affect overall graft and patient survival up to 10 years, cardiovascular and infection-related morbidity and mortality seem to be increased in these patients. This report looks at the graft histology in patients who were transplanted for NASH-related cirrhosis after short-term follow up. We report a high prevalence of recurrent NAFLD in liver grafts post-transplant among five patients. The degree of steatosis noted among the recipients is alarming.

Diffuse-Type Hepatoma: A grave prognostic marker

Background: Data on diffuse-type hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) are rare. HCC in Sri Lanka is rising, and the majority is related to nonalcoholic fatty liver disease. This study was planned to compare nodular- and diffuse-type HCC in this cohort. Methods: CT scans of 227 patients with HCC negative for infective hepatitis were analyzed and grouped as nodular and diffuse from July 2011 to July 2014. Diffuse-type cancer was defined as a tumor without convex/distinct margin, diffusely infiltrating the hepatic parenchyma. There were 45 (20%) cases. The baseline liver functions, etiology, treatment, and the outcome were compared with nodular-type cancers. Stage III diffuse cancers were matched with 2 stage III nodular cancers looking at the T stage and background liver. Results: There was no difference in the age (63 vs. 62 years, p = 0.937) and gender. Diffuse cancers had a low BMI (24 vs. 22, p = 0.009), a higher alpha fetoprotein (AFP) level (p < 0.001), a higher incidence of major vascular invasion (14 vs. 80%, p < 0.001), and a history of significant alcohol consumption (39 vs. 67%, p = 0.001). The baseline liver functions were similar in diffuse and nodular cancers. A large proportion (27 vs.77%, p < 0.001) of diffuse cancers were not candidates for active treatment. Overall survival was poor in the diffuse type (4.7 vs. 25 months, p < 0.001). Diffuse-type stage III cancers had a poor survival compared to matched nodular cancers (2.5 vs. 15.8 months, p = 0.001). Conclusion: HCC without a background of infective hepatitis were common in our cohort. These tumors are associated with high AFP levels, major vascular invasion, and a poor prognosis.

Nasojejunal feeding versus feeding jejunostomy after upper gastrointestinal surgery

The use of enteral nutrition over parenteral nutrition is recommended in the case of patients undergoing major gastrointestinal surgery for cancer, as it reduces sepsis related morbidity. In this study we compared ourexperience of nasojejunal tube feeding with feeding jejunostomy DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.4038/sljs.v32i2.7353 The Sri Lanka Journal of Surgery 2014; 32(2): 26-31

Aortic patch reconstruction of superior mesenteric and celiac axis in a deceased donor liver transplantation

A liver was harvested for transplantation from a 35 year old patient who was brain dead following a road traffic accident. During the procedure it was noted that there was a replaced right hepatic artery arising from the superior mesenteric artery (SMA). The left hepatic artery was arising from the common hepatic artery. The graft was harvested preserving the celiac axis and the origin of the SMA in a common aortic cuff (Figures 1A and 1B). The SMA was divided 1 cm distal to the origin of the replaced right hepatic artery. Aortic patch reconstruction of superior mesenteric and celiac axis in a deceased donor liver transplantation