Francesca Ratti

Laparoscopic Versus Open Liver Resection for Colorectal Metastases in Elderly and Octogenarian Patients: A Multicenter Propensity Score Based Analysis of Short- and Long-term Outcomes

Objective: This study aims to compare the perioperative and oncological outcomes of laparoscopic and open liver resection for colorectal liver metastases in the elderly. Background: Laparoscopic liver resection has been associated with less morbidity and similar oncological outcomes to open liver resection for colorectal liver metastases (CRLMs). It has been reported that these benefits continue to be observed in elderly patients. However, in previous studies, patients over 70 or 75 years were considered as a single, homogenous population raising questions regarding the true impact of the laparoscopic approach on this diverse group of elderly patients. Method: Prospectively maintained databases of all patients undergoing liver resection for CRLM in 5 tertiary liver centers were included. Those over 70-years old were selected for this study. The cohort was divided in 3 subgroups based on age. A comparative analysis was performed after the implementation of propensity score matching on the 2 main cohorts (laparoscopic and open groups) and also on the study subgroups. Results: A total of 775 patients were included in the study. After propensity score matching 225 patients were comparable in each of the main groups. Lower blood loss (250 vs 400 mL, P = 0.001), less overall morbidity (22% vs 39%, P = 0.001), shorter High Dependency Unit (2 vs. 6 days, P = 0.001), and total hospital stay (5 vs. 8 days, P = 0.001) were observed after laparoscopic liver resection. Comparable rates of R0 resection (88% vs 88%, P = 0.999), median recurrence-free survival (33 vs 27 months, P = 0.502), and overall survival (51 vs 45 months, P = 0.671) were observed. The advantages seen with the laparoscopic approach were reproduced in the 70 to 74-year old subgroup; however there was a gradual loss of these advantages with increasing age. Conclusions: In patients over 70 years of age laparoscopic liver resection, for colorectal liver metastases, offers significant lower morbidity, and a shorter hospital stay with comparable oncological outcomes when compared with open liver resection. However, the benefits of the laparoscopic approach appear to fade with increasing age, with no statistically significant benefits in octogenarians except for a lower High Dependency Unit stay.

Impact of type of liver resection on the outcome of colorectal liver metastases: A case-matched analysis†

Wedge resection (WR) for colorectal liver metastases (CLM) has become more common in an attempt to preserve liver parenchyma. However, some investigator have reported that WR is associated with a higher incidence of positive margin and an inferior survival compared with anatomic resection (AR) 1 .

Tumor progression during preoperative chemotherapy predicts failure to complete 2-stage hepatectomy for colorectal liver metastases: Results of an Italian multicenter analysis of 130 patients

BACKGROUND We aimed to evaluate the feasibility and long-term results of 2-stage hepatectomy (TSH) in patients with bilobar colorectal liver metastases (CRLM). STUDY DESIGN We performed a retrospective multicenter study including 4 Italian hepatobiliary surgery units. One hundred thirty patients were selected for TSH between 2002 and 2011. The primary endpoint was feasibility of TSH and analysis of factors associated with failure to complete the procedure. The secondary endpoint was the long-term survival analysis. RESULTS Patients presented with synchronous CRLM in 80.8% of cases, with a mean number of 8.3 CRLM and with concomitant extrahepatic disease in 20.0% of cases. The rate of failure to complete TSH was 21.5% and tumor progression was the most frequent reason for failure (18.5% of cases). Primary tumor characteristics, type, number, and distribution of CRLM were not associated with significantly different risks of disease progression. Multivariable logistic regression analysis showed that tumor progression during prehepatectomy chemotherapy was the only independent risk factor for failure to complete TSH. The 5- and 10-year overall survival rates for patients who completed TSH were 32.1% and 24.1%, respectively, with a median survival of 43 months. Duration of prehepatectomy chemotherapy ≥6 cycles was found to be the only independent predictor of overall and disease-free survival. CONCLUSIONS This study showed that selection of patients by response to prehepatectomy chemotherapy may be extremely important before planning TSH because tumor progression while receiving prehepatectomy chemotherapy was associated with significantly higher risk of failure to complete the second stage. For patients who completed the TSH strategy, long-term outcomes can be achieved with results similar to those observed after single-stage hepatectomy.

Randomized clinical trial of open versus laparoscopic left lateral hepatic sectionectomy within an enhanced recovery after surgery programme (ORANGE II study)

Laparoscopic left lateral sectionectomy (LLLS) has been associated with shorter hospital stay and reduced overall morbidity compared with open left lateral sectionectomy (OLLS). Strong evidence has not, however, been provided.

Robot-Assisted Versus Open Liver Resection in the Right Posterior Section

Background: Open liver resection is the current standard of care for lesions in the right posterior liver section. The objective of this study was to determine the safety of robot-assisted liver resection for lesions located in segments 6 and 7 in comparison with open surgery. Methods: Demographics, comorbidities, clinicopathologic characteristics, surgical treatments, and outcomes from patients who underwent open and robot-assisted liver resection at 2 centers for lesions in the right posterior section between January 2007 and June 2012 were reviewed. A 1:3 matched analysis was performed by individually matching patients in the robotic cohort to patients in the open cohort on the basis of demographics, comorbidities, performance status, tumor stage, and location. Results: Matched patients undergoing robotic and open liver resections displayed no significant differences in postoperative outcomes as measured by blood loss, transfusion rate, hospital stay, overall complication rate (15.8% vs 13%), R0 negative margin rate, and mortality. Patients undergoing robotic liver surgery had significantly longer operative time (mean, 303 vs 233 minutes) and inflow occlusion time (mean, 75 vs 29 minutes) compared with their open counterparts. Conclusions: Robotic and open liver resections in the right posterior section display similar safety and feasibility.

Transarterial Chemoembolization with Drug-eluting Beads Preloaded with Irinotecan as a First-Line Approach in Uveal Melanoma Liver Metastases: Tumor Response and Predictive Value of Diffusion-weighted MR Imaging in Five Patients

Five patients with uveal melanoma metastatic to the liver (two to five lesions per patient) were prospectively enrolled and treated with transarterial chemoembolization with drug-eluting beads preloaded with irinotecan as a first-line therapy. An overall response rate of 80% was obtained per Response Evaluation Criteria In Solid Tumors. All patients were alive after mean follow-up durations of 10.6 months and 16.3 months, respectively, after the first treatment and the diagnosis of liver metastasis. The apparent diffusion coefficient values obtained by diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging were significantly lower in lesions that showed a response. These findings are very promising and can constitute the background for further studies involving larger cohorts of patients.

Outcome after laparoscopic and open resections of posterosuperior segments of the liver

Laparoscopic resection of posterosuperior (PS) segments of the liver is hindered by limited visualization and curvilinear resection planes. The aim of this study was to compare outcomes after open and laparoscopic liver resections of PS segments.

Liver failure in patients treated with chemotherapy for colorectal liver metastases: Role of chronic disease scores in patients undergoing major liver surgery. A case-matched analysis

AIM An accurate and noninvasive tool to predict Chemotherapy Associated Liver Injury (CALI) still lacks. Study aimed to evaluate chronic liver disease scores (Aspartate aminotransferase to Platelet Ratio Index, APRI and Fibrosis-4, FIB-4) as Postoperative Liver Failure (PLF) predictors in patients treated with Oxaliplatin for Colorectal Liver Metastases (CLM). METHODS 8 patients who developed PLF after major hepatectomy (Group B) were compared to 24 patients who did not develop PLF (Group A) in a case-matched analysis for patients and disease characteristics. ROC curves analysis was performed to assess score accuracy. RESULTS In Group A number of CT cycles was lower, (6 vs 9, p NS), interval between treatment and surgery was longer (11 vs 7 weeks, p < 0.05) and bevacizumab was more frequently administered (66.7% vs 37.5%, p < 0.05). In Group B median APRI score was 0.53 (range: 0.86-4.26) whereas in Group A was 0.30 (range: 0.06-2.21, p < 0.05). Median FIB-4 score was 2.46 (range: 0.86-13.65) in Group B and 1.58 (range: 0.27-7.68) in Group A (p < 0.001). Multivariate analysis showed a significant correlation between APRI and the onset of PLF. A good accuracy of APRI score was evident in ROC curves with an area under the curve of 0.72 (p 0.003). CONCLUSIONS APRI score is calculated considering both liver damage and platelet count, it is cost effective and easily available. This study demonstrates that there is a good accuracy in PLF prediction and consequently in CT induced liver damage evaluation.

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.

The Italian Experience in Minimally Invasive Surgery of the Liver: A National Survey

In 2009, the most comprehensive review of published series of minimally invasive liver resection (MILR) reported nearly 3,000 cases performed worldwide, emphasizing an exponential growth in the application of this technique by surgeons experienced with both hepatic and laparoscopic surgery [1]. The goal of our survey was to provide an overview of the spread of the minimally invasive approach to liver resections in Italy.