Emanuele Felli

Total abdominal approach for postero-superior segments (7, 8) in laparoscopic liver surgery: a multicentric experience

Laparoscopic liver resections are frequently performed for peripheral lesions located in the antero-inferior segments. Resection of postero-superior segments is more demanding and dangerous than other segmentectomies, resulting in a longer operation time and increased blood loss. To reduce technical challenges, some authors advocated a modified surgical approach for these segments with the patient placed in the left lateral decubitus with the right arm suspended and suggested technical variations like the use of an additional intercostal trocar, the placement of one or two additional trans-thoracic trocars, a hand-assisted approach or a hybrid method with a median laparotomy. In the present series of 88 patients from four hepatobiliary centers with high volume of activity in Italy, a standard lithotomic position has been routinely used without the need for left lateral decubitus or semi-prone position and through abdominal wall without use of trans-thoracic trocars. This approach allows a more comfortable use of the Pringle maneuver that we used routinely in hepatic resection for PS segments; and, a very short time is needed for conversion, whenever it is required. In our series, laparoscopic resection of liver tumors located in the postero-superior segments of the liver with a total abdominal approach is technically feasible and safe with short-term results similar to other laparoscopic liver resections.

Liver transplantation for hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia: a systematic review

AIM To evaluate the indications, timing and results of liver transplantation in patients affected by hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia (HHT), by undertaking a systematic review of the current literature. METHODS Electronic bibliographical databases were searched on MEDLINE and Pubmed according to the PRISMA criteria. A total of 58 articles were initially found, 11 have been excluded because of single center series later included in the European Liver transplant Registry (ELTR), already reported in this study. Thirty-eight articles have been excluded because they did not report specifically new cases of liver transplantation for hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia. Finally 9 articles were included in the analysis. RESULTS A total of 56 patients who underwent liver transplantation for HHT are present in the English literature. One additional patient is presented in this article, for a total of 57 patients worldwide. To date, the most consistent published series is the one of the ELTR, including patients from 15 liver transplantation centers in the period 1985-2003 with a mean follow-up of 69 months. Ten-year patient and graft survival is 82.5% CONCLUSION: Liver transplantation should be considered as a radical but definitive treatment option in patients affected by HHT with liver or cardiac involvement not responsive to medical treatment.

Management of the splenic vein during a pancreaticoduodenectomy with venous resection for malignancy

Nowadays, pancreaticoduodenectomies (PD) with an “en-bloc” resection of the spleno-mesenterico-portal (SMP) venous axis are safely performed at tertiary centers for patients presenting venous invasion. However, for tumors infiltrating the SMP confluence optimal management of the splenic vein (SV) remains a matter of debate. Simple SV ligation has been associated with the development of sinistral portal hypertension, gastrointestinal bleeding and hypersplenism over the long term. To avoid these complications, reconstructive methods such as the direct implantation of the SV into a SMP “neoconfluence”, the inferior mesenteric vein-SV anastomosis and the distal spleno-renal shunt have been reported. This article summarizes the different technical solutions available and the current evidence supporting the optimal management of the SV stump during a “safe” radical PD for pancreatic cancer. Technical issues, advantages as well as drawbacks of the different techniques, are discussed.

Right hepatic artery crossing the common hepatic artery: an unusual blood supply to the liver

To perform hepatic surgery a precise preoperative and intraoperative study of liver vascular supply is mandatory. Detecting vascular variations may have great importance on surgical strategy and outcome, and details of anatomy do not concern only academical knowledge but become deeply involved in practice. We present a case of unusual blood supply to the liver, the common hepatic artery was directed to the right liver and a right hepatic artery originating from the superior mesenteric artery was directed to the left liver. The right hepatic artery crossed the common hepatic artery in the proximal part of the hepatic pedicle, anterior to the portal vein. To our knowledge this type of anatomical variation has not been described before and it represents a rare finding that has to be kept in mind, especially in case of major hepatectomies and more demanding splitting liver procedures such as A.L.P.P.S., in situ split, ex situ split and living donor liver transplantation.

Major hepatectomy for a symptomatic giant liver cavernous hemangioma

Liver hemangiomas (LH) are the most common benign tumor of the liver, usually diagnosed as incidental findings, and their incidence ranges from 5% to 20% (1). LH are defined as “giant” if their diameter exceeds 4 cm (2). LH are usually asymptomatic while in some cases they occur with an abdominal pain, hemorrhage, biliary compression or consumptive coagulopathy.

Prognostic value of venous invasion in resected T3 pancreatic adenocarcinoma: Depth of invasion matters

Background. Incomplete evaluation of venous invasion has led to conflicting results regarding the prognosis of patients undergoing pancreatectomy with a synchronous venous resection. This study evaluates the prognostic value associated with the presence and the depth of venous invasion in T3 pancreatic adenocarcinoma. Methods. This study evaluated retrospectively 181 consecutive pancreatoduodenectomies performed for T3N0M0 and T3N1M0 pancreatic adenocarcinomas (stages IIA and IIB) from January 2006 to December 2014. Univariate and multivariate Cox analyses were performed to assess survival prognostic factors. Results. Pancreatoduodenectomies with a segmental venous resection was performed on 91 patients, while 90 other patients had a standard pancreatoduodenectomies without venous resection. Pathologic venous invasion was detected in 68 (74%) of the 91 venous resection patients. Depth of venous invasion was into the adventitia (n = 25), media (n = 28), and intima (n = 15). The overall survival rates at 1, 3, 5, and 10 years were 75%, 33%, 21%, and 6%, respectively. There were no differences in survival between patients undergoing standard pancreatoduodenectomies and pancreatoduodenectomies with venous resection (27 vs 22 months; P = .28) or between patients with and without venous invasion (20 vs 27 months; P = .08). In multivariate analysis, depth of venous invasion into the intima (hazard ratio, 2.25; 95% confidence interval, 1.16–4.34; P = .0001) and adjuvant chemotherapy (hazard ratio, 0.16; 95% confidence interval, 0.09–0.43; P ≤ .0001) were identified as independent prognostic factors of overall survival. Conclusion. Depth of venous invasion into the intima indicates poor survival in pancreatic T3 adenocarcinoma. Preoperative identification of this factor could be helpful for better selection of patients for curative operation.

Antiangiogenic agents after first line and sorafenib plus chemoembolization: a systematic review

Transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) is the standard treatment for intermediate stage, although the combination of TACE with sorafenib may theoretically benefit HCC patients in intermediate stage. Owing to the significant antiangiogenic effect of sorafenib and the limitation of TACE, it is rational to combine them. Though the strategy of combining TACE and sorafenib has been increasingly used in patients with unresectable HCC but the current evidence is controversial and its clinical role has not been determined yet.In first-line therapy, patients receiving sorafenib had increased overall survival and progression free survival. Therefore several antiangiogenic agents have entered clinical studies on HCC, many with negative results. This review discusses the current drug development for patients with HCC and role of TACE plus sorafenib.Transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) is the standard treatment for intermediate stage, although the combination of TACE with sorafenib may theoretically benefit HCC patients in intermediate stage. Owing to the significant antiangiogenic effect of sorafenib and the limitation of TACE, it is rational to combine them. Though the strategy of combining TACE and sorafenib has been increasingly used in patients with unresectable HCC but the current evidence is controversial and its clinical role has not been determined yet. In first-line therapy, patients receiving sorafenib had increased overall survival and progression free survival. Therefore several antiangiogenic agents have entered clinical studies on HCC, many with negative results. This review discusses the current drug development for patients with HCC and role of TACE plus sorafenib.

A Steatosic Pancreas in a Non-obese Patient

We recently observed a steatosic pancreas with a minimal parenchymal component during a pancreaticoduodenectomy in an 80-year-old patient (Fig. 1). The patient presented to the emergency room with jaundice and abdominal pain. The computed tomography examination showed the presence of common bile duct dilatation secondary to a 30-mm tumour located in the head of the pancreas. The past medical history showed the patient had received a triple coronary artery bypass and had arterial hypertension and hypercholesterolaemia. The patient’s body mass index was 24.5 kg/m. The pre-operative imaging studies showed a fatty pancreas with a Brarified^ parenchymal component (Fig. 2) and no Wirsung duct dilatation. The parenchymal section inside the pancreatic capsule revealed a steatosic pancreas that had a fatty appearance and consistency. The Wirsung duct and pancreatic parenchyma were surrounded by adipose tissue, which was easily recognized by its different consistency and colour (Fig. 1). There was no postoperative pancreatic fistula observed. The pathological analysis showed a periampullary adenocarcinoma