Graham Starkey

Outcomes of contemporary management of gangrenous and non-gangrenous acute cholecystitis.

BACKGROUND Gangrenous cholecystitis (GC) is considered a more severe form of acute cholecystitis. The risk factors associated with this condition and its impact on morbidity and mortality compared with those of non-gangrenous acute cholecystitis (NGAC) are poorly defined and based largely on findings from older studies. METHODS Patients with histologically confirmed acute cholecystitis treated in specialized units in a tertiary hospital between 2005 and 2010 were identified from a prospectively maintained database. Data were reviewed retrospectively and patients with GC were compared with those with NGAC. RESULTS A total of 184 patients with NGAC and 106 with GC were identified. The risk factors associated with GC included older age (69 years vs. 57 years; P= 0.001), diabetes (19% vs. 10%; P= 0.049), temperature of >38 °C (36% vs. 16%; P < 0.001), tachycardia (31% vs. 15%; P= 0.002), detection of muscle rigidity on examination (27% vs. 12%; P= 0.01) and greater elevations in white cell count (WCC) (13.4 × 10⁹/l vs. 10.7 × 10⁹/l; P < 0.001), C-reactive protein (CRP) (94 mg/l vs. 17 mg/l; P= 0.001), bilirubin (19 µmol/l vs. 17 µmol/l; P= 0.029), urea (5.3 mmol/l vs. 4.7 mmol/l; P= 0.016) and creatinine (82 µmol/l vs. 74 µmol/l; P= 0.001). The time from admission to operation in days was greater in the GC group (median = 1 day, range: 0-14 days vs. median = 1 day, range: 0-10 days; P= 0.029). There was no overall difference in complication rates between the GC and NGAC groups (22% vs. 14%; P= 0.102). There was a lower incidence of common bile duct stones in the GC group (5% vs. 13%; P= 0.017). Gangrenous cholecystitis was associated with increased mortality (4% vs. 0%; P= 0.017), but this was not an independent risk factor on multivariate analysis. CONCLUSIONS Gangrenous cholecystitis has certain clinical features and associated laboratory findings that may help to differentiate it from NGAC. It is not associated with an overall increase in complications when treated in a specialized unit.

A Fast Track Recovery Program Significantly Reduces Hospital Length of Stay Following Uncomplicated Pancreaticoduodenectomy

CONTEXT Factors affecting length of hospital stay after uncomplicated pancreaticoduodenectomy have not been reported. We hypothesized that patients undergoing uncomplicated pancreaticoduodenectomy treated by fast track recovery program would have a shorter length of hospital stay compared to those managed by a standard program. METHODS Patients without surgical or medical complications following pancreaticoduodenectomy managed by fast track or standard protocols, between 2005 and 2011, were identified and prognostic predictors for length of hospital stay determined. RESULTS Forty-one patients treated by pancreaticoduodenectomy had no medical or surgical complications during this period. Of these patients, 20 underwent fast track recovery program compared to 21 who underwent standard care. Patients in the standard group were more likely to have a feeding jejunostomy tube (P<0.001), pylorus preserving procedure (P=0.001) and a nasogastric tube in place longer than 24 hours postoperatively (P<0.001). The median postoperative length of stay was shorter in the fast track recovery program group (8 days, range: 7-16 days) versus 14 days, range: 8-29 days; P<0.001). There were three readmissions in the fast track recovery program related to abdominal pain and none in the standard group. The overall length of stay, accounting for readmissions, still remained significantly shorter in the fast track recovery program group (median 9 days, range: 7-17 days versus median14 days, range: 8-29 days ; P<0.001). There were no significant differences in discharge destination between groups. On multivariate analysis, the only factor independently associated with postoperative discharge by day 8 was fast track recovery program (OR: 37.1, 95% CI: 4.08-338; P<0.001). CONCLUSION Fast track recovery program achieved significantly shorter length of stay following uncomplicated pancreaticoduodenectomy.

Outcomes of cholecystectomy for treatment of acute cholecystitis in octogenarians

The independent influence of advanced age on outcomes in contemporary series treated by early cholecystectomy is undetermined.

Percutaneous cholecystostomy for treatment of acute cholecystitis in the era of early laparoscopic cholecystectomy.

Background: Acute cholecystitis is a common surgical problem that is optimally managed by early laparoscopic cholecystectomy when possible. Percutaneous cholecystostomy (PC) has been used in certain high-risk cases as a bridge to surgery or for definitive therapy. The aim of this study was to determine the short-term and long-term outcomes of patients with acute cholecystitis treated by PC. Study Design: Patients with acute cholecystitis treated by PC between 2005 and 2011 in a tertiary hospital were identified from a prospectively maintained database. Outcome differences between patients with acalculous acute cholecystitis (AAC) and those with acute cholecystitis relating to gallstones were determined. Results: There were 32 cases from a total of 443 patients with acute cholecystitis treated by PC during the study period. The overall 30-day mortality rate after PC was 9%. There were 8 patients with AAC in this series. Ischemic heart disease and chronic renal failure were noted in 47% and 41% of patients, respectively. In all cases, patients were considered unfit for surgery. AAC was more common in male patients. In all other aspects patients with AAC had similar characteristics to those with gallstones. Patients underwent percutaneous drainage a median of 3 days after admission with a direct transperitoneal route used in 16 (75%) cases. Positive bile cultures from the gallbladder were noted in 60% of cases tested. Complications were noted in 53% of patients and were related to the cholecystostomy tube in 19% of cases. Subsequent cholecystectomy was performed in 9 (28%) patients, at a median of 73 days after initial tube insertion. No differences in morbidity and mortality were noted between patients with AAC and those with gallstones. The overall mean and 12 months survival was 43 months and 72%, respectively. Hypotension at presentation (odds ratio 9.2; 95% confidence interval, 1.4-59.8; P=0.019) and absence of bile duct filling on cholecystography (odds ratio 4.6; 95% confidence interval, 1.2-16.3; P=0.017) were independently associated with decreased survival. Conclusions: PC can be performed safely in patients considered unfit for surgery at presentation. Outcomes are similar in patients with or without gallstones. Hypotension and absence of common bile duct filling on initial cholangiography are markers of decreased long-term survival. A significant number of patients require subsequent definitive cholecystectomy.

From minimal to maximal surgery in the treatment of hepatocarcinoma: A review

Hepatocellular carcinoma represents one of the most challenging frontiers in liver surgery. Surgeons have to face a broad spectrum of aspects, from the underlying liver disease to the new surgical techniques. Safe liver resection can be performed in patients with portal hypertension and well-compensated liver function with a 5-year survival rate of 50%, offering good long-terms results in selected patients. With the advances in laparoscopic surgery, major liver resections can be performed with minimal harm, avoiding the wound and leak complications related to the laparotomies. Studies have shown that oncological margins are the same as in open surgery. In patients submitted to liver resection (either laparoscopic or open) who experience recurrence, re-resection or salvage liver transplantation has been showing to be an alternative approach in well selected cases. The decision making approach to the cirrhotic patient is becoming more complex and should involve hepatologists, liver surgeons, radiologists and oncologists. Better understanding of the different risk factors for recurrence and survival should be aimed in these multidisciplinary discussions. We here in discuss the hot topics related to surgical risk factors regarding the surgical treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma: anatomical resection, margin status, macrovascular tumor invasion, the place of laparoscopy, salvage liver transplantation and liver transplantation.

Sex differences and outcomes of management of acute cholecystitis.

Background: Several series have reported differences in characteristics, severity, operative complexity, and outcomes of patients with symptomatic gallstone disease according to sex. Whether sex truly influences outcomes of patients with acute cholecystitis in the current era of early laparoscopic cholecystectomy for acute cholecystitis is unknown. Methods: Patients with histologically confirmed acute cholecystitis treated by a specialized unit in a tertiary hospital between November 2005 and January 2011 were identified. Retrospective review of data was undertaken and patients were compared according to sex. Results: There were 386 cases of confirmed acute cholecystitis in this series, with 181 (47%) occurring in male patients. Male patients with acute cholecystitis tended to be older (66vs. 57 y; P<0.001) and were more likely to have underlying diabetes (21% vs. 9%; P=0.001), ischemic heart disease (24% vs. 8%; P<0.001), chronic liver disease (6% vs. 1%; P=0.015), and chronic obstructive airways disease (11% vs. 5%; P=0.025). They were also more likely to be febrile, tachycardic, hypotensive, and exhibit right upper quadrant rigidity at presentation than females (P<0.05), despite similar duration of symptoms before presentation (P=0.970). The operative technique, operative time, and rate of conversion to open surgery were similar between the sexes. Gangrenous pathology was, however, more common in male patients (45% vs. 23%; P<0.001). The overall complication, mortality, and readmission rates were similar between the 2 groups. Males, however, had a longer postoperative length of stay (4 vs. 3 d; P=0.001). Conclusions: Male patients with acute cholecystitis are older, have more comorbidities, and are more likely to have gangrenous cholecystitis than female patients. Despite these differences, operative outcomes and postoperative morbidity and mortality are similar between male and female patients.

Age 80 years and over is not associated with increased morbidity and mortality following pancreaticoduodenectomy

Pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD) is associated with high morbidity, which is perceived to be increased in the elderly. To our knowledge there have been no Australian series that have compared outcomes of patients over the age of 80 undergoing PD to those who are younger.

Assessment of Liver Remnant Using ICG Clearance Intraoperatively during Vascular Exclusion: Early Experience with the ALIIVE Technique.

Background. The most significant risk following major hepatectomy is postoperative liver insufficiency. Current preoperative assessment of the future liver remnant relies upon assumptions which may not be valid in the setting of advanced resection strategies. This paper reports the feasibility of the ALIIVE technique which assesses the liver remnant with ICG clearance intraoperatively during vascular exclusion. Methods. 10 patients undergoing planned major liver resection (hemihepatectomy or greater) were recruited. Routine preoperative assessment included CT and standardized volumetry. ICG clearance was measured noninvasively using a finger spectrophotometer at various time points including following parenchymal transection during inflow and outflow occlusion before vascular division, the ALIIVE step. Results. There were one case of mortality and three cases of posthepatectomy liver failure. The patient who died had the lowest ALIIVE ICG clearance (7.1%/min versus 14.4 ± 4.9). Routine preoperative CT and standardized volumetry did not predict outcome. Discussion/Conclusion. The novel ALIIVE technique is feasible and assesses actual future liver remnant function before the point of no return during major hepatectomy. This technique may be useful as a check step to offer a margin of safety to prevent posthepatectomy liver failure and death. Further confirmatory studies are required to determine a safety cutoff level.

Outcomes of patients with histologically proven acute acalculous cholecystitis

Acute acalculous cholecystitis (AAC) is traditionally described in the setting of critical illness, where the diagnosis is based on clinical assessment and imaging criteria. Very few studies have assessed the features and outcomes of AAC in patients treated by cholecystectomy.

Australia's first liver-intestinal transplant.

MJA 2012; 197: 463–465 doi: 10.5694/mja12.10605 oped progressive jaundice (total s tration approaching 300 mol/L; < 20 mol/L) and hypoalbuminaem tion, 21 g/L; RI, 35–45 g/L). On 2 July 2010, a combined anaesthetists and theatre staff pe donor liver–intestinal transplant lasted 13.5 hours (Box 1). With the completion of the first liver–intestinal transplant in Australia in July 2010, the Austin Hospital in Victoria became one of only 35 active centres worldwide to offer this life-saving procedure to patients with irreversible intestinal failure and associated lifethreatening complications of parenteral nutrition.