Charbel Sandroussi

A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis of Survival and Surgical Outcomes Following Neoadjuvant Chemoradiotherapy for Pancreatic Cancer

IntroductionThis systematic review and meta-analysis aims to characterize the surgically important benefits and complications associated with the use of neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy for the treatment of both resectable and initially unresectable pancreatic cancer. Studies were identified through a systematic literature search and analyzed by two independent reviewers. Survival, peri-operative complications, death rate, pancreatic fistula rate, and the incidence of involved surgical margins were analyzed and subject to meta-analysis.MethodsNineteen studies, involving 2,148 patients were identified. Only cohort studies were included.ResultsThe meta-analysis found that patients with unresectable pancreatic cancer who underwent neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy achieved similar survival outcomes to patients with resectable disease, even though only 40% were ultimately resected. Neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy was not associated with a statistically significant increase in the rate of pancreatic fistula formation or total complications.ConclusionPatients receiving neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy were less likely to have a positive resection margin, although there was an increase in the risk of peri-operative death.

Living donor liver transplantation versus deceased donor liver transplantation for hepatocellular carcinoma: Comparable survival and recurrence

Several studies have reported higher rates of recurrent hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) after living donor liver transplantation (LDLT) versus deceased donor liver transplantation (DDLT). It is unclear whether this difference is due to a specific biological effect unique to the LDLT procedure or to other factors such as patient selection. We compared the overall survival (OS) rates and the rates of HCC recurrence after LDLT and DDLT at our center. Between January 1996 and September 2009, 345 patients with HCC were identified: 287 (83%) had DDLT and 58 (17%) had LDLT. The OS rates were calculated with the Kaplan‐Meier method, whereas competing risks methods were used to determine the HCC recurrence rates. The LDLT and DDLT groups were similar with respect to most clinical parameters, but they had different median waiting times (3.1 versus 5.3 months, P = 0.003) and median follow‐up times (30 versus 38.1 months, P = 0.02). The type of transplant did not affect any of the measured cancer outcomes. The OS rates at 1, 3, and 5 years were equivalent: 91.3%, 75.2%, and 75.2%, respectively, for the LDLT group and 90.5%, 79.7%, and 74.6%, respectively, for DDLT (P = 0.62). The 1‐, 3‐, and 5‐year HCC recurrence rates were also similar: 8.8%, 10.7%, and 15.4%, respectively, for the LDLT group and 7.5%, 14.8%, and 17.0%, respectively, for the DDLT group (P = 0.54). A regression analysis identified microvascular invasion (but not the graft type) as a predictor of HCC recurrence. In conclusion, in well‐matched cohorts of LDLT and DDLT recipients, LDLT and DDLT provide similarly low recurrence rates and high survival rates for the treatment of HCC. Liver Transpl 18:315–322, 2012.

A prospective study of subclinical myocardial damage in endovascular versus open repair of infrarenal abdominal aortic aneurysms.

BACKGROUND Endovascular repair of abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAAs) is considered to be less invasive and better tolerated by the cardiovascular system than open repair. Our aim was to assess the true incidence of perioperative myocardial damage associated with endovascular vs open infrarenal AAA repair. METHODS Between July 1999 and June 2001, preoperative and postoperative serum troponin T (TnT) levels were measured in all patients presenting for elective AAA repair at Royal Prince Alfred Hospital. The incidence of myocardial damage was recorded on the basis of standard clinical, biochemical, and electrocardiographic changes or a subclinical increase of 50% or more in serum TnT. Patients were excluded if the TnT increase was associated with a significant increase of serum creatinine (> or =50%) with no other evidence of myocardial ischemia. The differences between the two groups were analyzed with the chi 2 test and odds ratios. RESULTS A total of 35 open and 112 endovascular AAA repairs were included in the study. There was no significant difference in age, sex, preoperative serum creatinine, or preoperative serum TnT between the two treatment groups. Seventeen patients had biochemical evidence of myocardial damage, which was clinically obvious in only one patient. Even though the incidence of previous myocardial infarction was significantly higher in patients undergoing endovascular repair (41%) than open repair (22%; P < .05), the overall incidence of myocardial damage (clinical or subclinical) was significantly higher in the open group compared with the endovascular group (8 [25%] of 32 vs 9 [8%] of 109, respectively; odds ratio, 3.7; 95% confidence interval, 1.28-10.49; P < .02). CONCLUSIONS There is a previously underestimated incidence of subclinical myocardial damage associated with surgery for infrarenal AAA which is lower after endovascular than open repair.

Systematic review and meta‐analysis of the role of vascular resection in the treatment of hilar cholangiocarcinoma

BACKGROUND The management of hilar cholangiocarcinoma has evolved over time and extended liver resection, including the caudate lobe, and major vascular resection and extended lymphadenectomy have become established practice. The benefit of vascular resection has not been investigated. METHODS A systematic search of the MEDLINE and EMBASE databases was used to identify studies. A systematic review and a meta-analysis of the available studies were conducted according to PRISMA guidelines. Odds ratios were calculated using the Mantel-Haenszel method. Primary outcome variables assessed included morbidity, mortality, vascular complications and the effect of vascular resection on longterm survival. RESULTS Of 411 search results, only 24 studies reported the results of vascular resection in hilar cholangiocarcinoma. Meta-analysis showed increased morbidity and mortality with hepatic artery resection. Portal vein resection was achievable with no impact on postoperative mortality. Vascular resection did not improve negative margin rates and had no impact on longterm survival. CONCLUSIONS Portal vein resection does not preclude curative resection; however, it is not routinely recommended unless there is suspicion of tumour invasion. There was no proven survival advantage with portal vein resection. Arterial resection results in higher morbidity and mortality with no proven benefit.

Can hepatic resection provide a long-term cure for patients with intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma?

A patient can be considered statistically cured from a specific disease when their mortality rate returns to the same level as that of the general population. In the current study, the authors sought to assess the probability of being statistically cured from intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (ICC) by hepatic resection.

Living donor hepatectomy: The importance of the residual liver volume

Living liver donation is a successful treatment for patients with end‐stage liver disease. Most adults are provided with a right lobe graft to ensure a generous recipient liver volume. Some centers are re‐exploring the use of smaller left lobe grafts to potentially reduce the donor risk. However, the evidence showing that the donor risk is lower with left lobe donation is inconsistent, and most previous studies have been limited by potential learning curve effects, small sample sizes, or poorly matched comparison groups. To address these deficiencies, we conducted a case‐control study. Forty‐five consecutive patients who underwent left hepatectomy (LH; n = 4) or left lateral segmentectomy (LLS; n = 41) were compared with matched controls who underwent right hepatectomy (RH) or extended right hepatectomy (ERH). The overall complication rates of the 3 groups were similar (31%‐37%). There were no grade 4 or 5 complications. There were more grade 3 complications for the RH patients (13.3%) and the ERH patients (15.6%) versus the LH/LLS patients (2.2%). The extent of the liver resection significantly correlated with the peak international normalized ratio (INR), the days to INR normalization, and the peak bilirubin level. A univariate analysis demonstrated that hepatectomy, the spared volume percentage, and the peak bilirubin level were strongly associated with grade 3 complications. A higher peak bilirubin level, which correlated with a lower residual liver volume, was associated with grade 3 complications in a multivariate analysis (P = 0.005). RH and grade 3 complications were associated with an increased length of stay (>7 days) in a multivariate analysis. In conclusion, this analysis demonstrates a significant correlation between the residual liver volume and liver dysfunction, serious adverse postoperative events, and longer hospital stays. Donor safety should be the first priority of all living liver donor programs. We propose that the surgical procedure removing the smallest amount of the liver required to provide adequate recipient graft function should become the standard of care for living liver donation. Liver Transpl, 2011.

Conditional Probability of Long-term Survival After Liver Resection for Intrahepatic Cholangiocarcinoma: A Multi-institutional Analysis of 535 Patients

IMPORTANCE Whereas conventional actuarial overall survival (OS) estimates rely exclusively on static factors determined around the time of surgery, conditional survival (CS) estimates take into account the years that a patient has already survived. OBJECTIVE To define the CS of patients following liver resection for intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (ICC). DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS Between January 1, 1990, and December 31, 2013, a total of 535 patients who underwent resection of ICC were identified from an international multi-institutional database. In this retrospective international study conducted from January to June 2014, clinicopathological characteristics, operative details, and long-term survival data were analyzed. Conditional survival estimates were calculated as the probability of survival for an additional 3 years. INTERVENTION Resection of ICC. MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES Overall survival and CS. RESULTS While actuarial OS decreased over time from 39% at 3 years to 16% at 8 years (P = .002), the 3-year CS (CS₃) increased over time among those patients who survived. The CS₃ at 5 years-the probability of surviving to postoperative year 8 after having already survived to postoperative year 5-was 65% compared with 8-year OS of 16% (P = .002). Factors that were associated with worse OS included larger tumor size (hazard ratio [HR], 1.02; 95% CI, 1.00-1.05; P = .05), multifocal disease (HR, 1.49; 95% CI, 1.19-1.86; P = .01), lymph node metastasis (HR, 2.21; 95% CI, 1.67-2.93; P < .01), and vascular invasion (HR, 1.39; 95% CI, 1.10-1.75; P = .006). The calculated CS₃ exceeded the actuarial survival for all high-risk subgroups. For example, patients with lymph node metastasis had an actuarial OS of 11% at 6 years vs a CS₃ of 49% at 3 years (Δ38%). Similarly, patients with vascular invasion had an actuarial OS of 15% at 6 years compared with a CS₃ of 50% at 3 years (Δ35%). CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE Conditional survival estimates may provide critical quantitative information about the changing probability of survival over time among patients undergoing liver resection for ICC. Therefore, such estimates can be of significant value to patients and health care professionals.

Liver resection for metastatic melanoma: Equivalent survival for cutaneous and ocular primaries

The value of surgical resection in patients with hepatic metastases from melanoma is poorly documented in the literature. This study sought to determine the clinicopathologic and surgical factors predictive of outcome for melanoma patients who underwent resection of hepatic metastases.

ENDOVASCULAR GRAFTING OF THE THORACIC AORTA, AN EVOLVING THERAPY: TEN-YEAR EXPERIENCE IN A SINGLE CENTRE

Background:  Surgical therapy for the thoracic aorta carries a high morbidity and mortality. Endovascular therapy for aneurysms and its adaptation to the thoracic aorta over the past 10 years is an exciting advance. This is a retrospective review of endovascular grafting of the thoracic aorta during the past decade at Royal Prince Alfred Hospital and the outcomes achieved over this period.

A multi‐institution analysis of outcomes of liver‐directed surgery for metastatic renal cell cancer

OBJECTIVES Management of liver metastasis (LM) from a non-colorectal, non-neuroendocrine primary carcinoma remains controversial. Few data exist on the management of hepatic metastasis from primary renal cell carcinoma (RCC). This study sought to determine the safety and efficacy of surgery for RCC LM. METHODS A total of 43 patients who underwent surgery for RCC hepatic metastasis between 1994 and 2011 were identified in a multi-institution hepatobiliary database. Clinicopathologic, operative and outcome data were collected and analysed. RESULTS Mean patient age was 62.4 years and most patients (67.4%) were male. The mean tumour size of the primary RCC was 6.9 cm and most tumours (72.1%) were designated as clear cell carcinoma. Nine patients (20.9%) presented with synchronous LM. Among the patients with metachronous disease, the median time from diagnosis of the primary RCC to treatment of LM was 17.2 months (range: 2.1-189.3 months). The mean size of the RCC LM was 4.0 cm and most patients (55.8%) had a solitary metastasis. Most patients (86.0%) underwent a minor resection (up to three segments). Final pathology showed margin status to be negative (R0) in 95.3% of patients. Postoperative morbidity was 23.3% and there was one perioperative death. A total of 69.8% of patients received perioperative chemotherapy. Overall 3-year survival was 62.1%. Three-year recurrence-free survival was 27.3% and the median length of recurrence-free survival was 15.5 months. CONCLUSIONS Resection of RCC hepatic metastasis is safe and is associated with low morbidity and near-zero mortality. Although recurrence occurs in up to 50% of patients, resection can be associated with long-term survival in a well-selected subset of patients.