Jia-Hong Dong

Analysis of risk factors for postoperative pancreatic fistula following pancreaticoduodenectomy

AIM To explore the morbidity and risk factors of postoperative pancreatic fistula (POPF) following pancreaticoduodenectomy. METHODS The data from 196 consecutive patients who underwent pancreaticoduodenectomy, performed by different surgeons, in the General Hospital of the Peoples Liberation Army between January 1(st), 2013 and December 31(st), 2013 were retrospectively collected for analysis. The diagnoses of POPF and clinically relevant (CR)-POPF following pancreaticoduodenectomy were judged strictly by the International Study Group on Pancreatic Fistula Definition. Univariate analysis was performed to analyze the following factors: patient age, sex, body mass index (BMI), hypertension, diabetes mellitus, serum CA19-9 level, history of jaundice, serum albumin level, blood loss volume, pancreatic duct diameter, pylorus preserving pancreaticoduodenectomy, pancreatic drainage and pancreaticojejunostomy. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to determine the main independent risk factors for POPF. RESULTS POPF occurred in 126 (64.3%) of the patients, and the incidence of CR-POPF was 32.7% (64/196). Patient characteristics of age, sex, BMI, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, serum CA19-9 level, history of jaundice, serum albumin level, blood loss volume, pylorus preserving pancreaticoduodenectomy and pancreaticojejunostomy showed no statistical difference related to the morbidity of POPF or CR-POPF. Pancreatic duct diameter was found to be significantly correlated with POPF rates by univariate analysis and multivariate regression analysis, with a pancreatic duct diameter ≤ 3 mm being an independent risk factor for POPF (OR = 0.291; P = 0.000) and CR-POPF (OR = 0.399; P = 0.004). The CR-POPF rate was higher in patients without external pancreatic stenting, which was found to be an independent risk factor for CR-POPF (OR = 0.394; P = 0.012). Among the entire patient series, there were three postoperative deaths, giving a total mortality rate of 1.5% (3/196), and the mortality associated with pancreatic fistula was 2.4% (3/126). CONCLUSION A pancreatic duct diameter ≤ 3 mm is an independent risk factor for POPF. External stent drainage of pancreatic secretion may reduce CR-POPF mortality and POPF severity.

Radiofrequency ablation for hypersplenism in patients with liver cirrhosis: a pilot study.

Radiofrequency ablation is a relatively new technique used for local ablation of unresectable tumors. We investigated the feasibility and eficacy of radiofrequency ablation for hypersplenism and its effect on liver function in patients with liver cirrhosis and portal hypertension. Nine consecutive patients with hypersplenism due to cirrhotic portal hypertension underwent radiofrequency ablation in enlarged spleens. The ablation was performed either intraoperatively or percutaneously. Patients are followed up for over 12 months. After treatment, between 20% and 43% of spleen volume was ablated, and spleen volume increased by 4%–10.2%. White blood cell count, platelet count, liver function, and hepatic artery blood flow showed significant improvement after 1-year follow-up. Splenic vein and portal vein blood flow were significantly reduced. Only minor complications including hydrothorax (three of nine patients) and mild abdominal pain (four of nine patients) were observed. No mortality or other morbidity occurred. Radiofrequency ablation is a safe, effective, and minimally invasive approach for the management of splenomegaly and hypersplenism in patients with liver cirrhosis and portal hypertension. Increased hepatic artery blood flow may be responsible for sustained improvement of liver condition. Radiofrequency ablation may be used as a bridging therapy for cirrhotic patients waiting for liver transplantation.

Risk scoring system and predictor for clinically relevant pancreatic fistula after pancreaticoduodenectomy.

AIM To establish a scoring system to predict clinically relevant postoperative pancreatic fistula (CR-POPF) after pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD). METHODS The clinical records of 921 consecutive patients who underwent PD between 2008 and 2013 were reviewed retrospectively. Postoperative pancreatic fistula (POPF) was defined and classified by the international study group of pancreatic fistula (ISGPF). We used a logistic regression model to determine the independent risk factors of CR-POPF and developed a scoring system based on the regression coefficient of the logistic regression model. The optimal cut-off value to divide the risk strata was determined by the Youden index. The patients were divided into two groups (low risk and high risk). The independent sample t test was used to detect differences in the means of drain amylase on postoperative day (POD) 1, 2 and 3. The optimal cut-off level of the drain amylase to distinguish CR-POPF from non-clinical POPF in the two risk strata groups was determined using the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves. RESULTS Grade A POPF occurred in 106 (11.5%) patients, grade B occurred in 57 (6.2%) patients, and grade C occurred in 32 (3.5%) patients. A predictive scoring system for CR-POPF (0-6 points) was constructed using the following four factors: 1 point for each body mass index ≥ 28 [odds ratio (OR) = 3.86; 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.92-7.75, P = 0.00], soft gland texture (OR = 4.50; 95%CI, 2.53-7.98, P = 0.00), and the difference between the blood loss and transfusion in operation ≥ 800 mL (OR = 3.45; 95%CI, 1.92-7.75, P = 0.00); and from 0 points for a 5 mm or greater duct diameter to 3 points for a less than 2 mm duct (OR = 8.97; 95%CI: 3.70-21.77, P = 0.00). The ROC curve showed that the area under the curve of this score was 0.812. A score of 3 points was suggested to be the best cut-off value (Youden index = 0.485). In the low risk group, a drain amylase level ≥ 3600 U/L on POD3 could distinguish CR-POPF from non-clinical POPF (the sensitivity and specificity were 75% and 85%, respectively). In the high risk group, the best cut-off was a drain amylase level of 1600 (the sensitivity and specificity were 77 and 63%, respectively). CONCLUSION A 6-point scoring system accurately predicted the occurrence of CR-POPF. In addition, a drain amylase level on POD3 might be a predictor of this complication.

Risk factors for postoperative pancreatic fistula: Analysis of 539 successive cases of pancreaticoduodenectomy

AIM To analyze the risk factors for pancreatic fistula after pancreaticoduodenectomy. METHODS We conducted a retrospective analysis of 539 successive cases of pancreaticoduodenectomy performed at our hospital from March 2012 to October 2015. Pancreatic fistula was diagnosed in strict accordance with the definition of pancreatic fistula from the International Study Group on Pancreatic Fistula. The risk factors for pancreatic fistula were analyzed by univariate analysis and multivariate logistic regression analysis. RESULTS A total of 269 (49.9%) cases of pancreatic fistula occurred after pancreaticoduodenectomy, including 71 (13.17%) cases of grade A pancreatic fistula, 178 (33.02%) cases of grade B, and 20 (3.71%) cases of grade C. Univariate analysis showed no significant correlation between postoperative pancreatic fistula (POPF) and the following factors: age, hypertension, alcohol consumption, smoking, history of upper abdominal surgery, preoperative jaundice management, preoperative bilirubin, preoperative albumin, pancreatic duct drainage, intraoperative blood loss, operative time, intraoperative blood transfusion, Braun anastomosis, and pancreaticoduodenectomy (with or without pylorus preservation). Conversely, a significant correlation was observed between POPF and the following factors: gender (male vs female: 54.23% vs 42.35%, P = 0.008), diabetes (non-diabetic vs diabetic: 51.61% vs 39.19%, P = 0.047), body mass index (BMI) (≤ 25 vs > 25: 46.94% vs 57.82%, P = 0.024), blood glucose level (≤ 6.0 mmol/L vs > 6.0 mmol/L: 54.75% vs 41.14%, P = 0.002), pancreaticojejunal anastomosis technique (pancreatic duct-jejunum double-layer mucosa-to-mucosa pancreaticojejunal anastomosis vs pancreatic-jejunum single-layer mucosa-to-mucosa anastomosis: 57.54% vs 35.46%, P = 0.000), diameter of the pancreatic duct (≤ 3 mm vs > 3 mm: 57.81% vs 38.36%, P = 0.000), and pancreatic texture (soft vs hard: 56.72% vs 29.93%, P = 0.000). Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that gender (male), BMI > 25, pancreatic duct-jejunum double-layer mucosa-to-mucosa pancreaticojejunal anastomosis, pancreatic duct diameter ≤ 3 mm, and soft pancreas were risk factors for pancreatic fistula after pancreaticoduodenectomy. CONCLUSION Gender (male), BMI > 25, pancreatic duct-jejunum double-layer mucosa-to-mucosa pancreaticojejunal anastomosis, pancreatic duct diameter ≤ 3 mm, and soft pancreas were risk factors for pancreatic fistula after pancreaticoduodenectomy.

Poor prognosis for hepatocellular carcinoma with transarterial chemoembolization pre-transplantation: Retrospective analysis

AIM To investigate whether transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) before liver transplantation (LT) improves long-term survival in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patients. METHODS A retrospective study was conducted among 204 patients with HCC who received LT from January 2002 to December 2010 in PLA General Hospital. Among them, 88 patients received TACE before LT. Prognostic factors of serum α-fetoprotein (AFP), intraoperative blood loss, intraoperative blood transfusion, disease-free survival time, survival time with tumor, number of tumor nodules, tumor size, tumor number, presence of blood vessels and bile duct invasion, lymph node metastasis, degree of tumor differentiation, and preoperative liver function were determined in accordance with the Child-Turcotte-Pugh (Child) classification and model for end-stage liver disease. We also determined time of TACE before transplant surgery and tumor recurrence and metastasis according to different organs. Cumulative survival rate and disease-free survival rate curves were prepared using the Kaplan-Meier method, and the log-rank and χ(2) tests were used for comparisons. RESULTS In patients with and without TACE before LT, the 1, 3 and 5-year cumulative survival rate was 70.5% ± 4.9% vs 91.4% ± 2.6%, 53.3% ± 6.0% vs 83.1% ± 3.9%, and 46.2% ± 7.0% vs 80.8% ± 4.5%, respectively. The median survival time of patients with and without TACE was 51.857 ± 5.042 mo vs 80.930 ± 3.308 mo (χ(2) = 22.547, P < 0.001, P < 0.05). The 1, 3 and 5-year disease-free survival rates for patients with and without TACE before LT were 62.3% ± 5.2% vs 98.9% ± 3.0%, 48.7% ± 6.7% vs 82.1% ± 4.1%, and 48.7% ± 6.7% vs 82.1% ± 4.1%, respectively. The median survival time of patients with and without TACE before LT was 50.386 ± 4.901 mo vs 80.281 ± 3.216 mo (χ(2) = 22.063, P < 0.001, P < 0.05). TACE before LT can easily lead to pulmonary or distant metastasis of the primary tumor. Although there was no significant difference between the two groups, the chance of metastasis of the primary tumor in the group with TACE was significantly higher than that of the group without TACE. CONCLUSION TACE pre-LT for HCC patients increased the chances of pulmonary or distant metastasis of the primary tumor, thus reducing the long-term survival rate.

Ultrasound-guided radiofrequency ablation of the segmental Glissonian pedicle: A new technique for anatomic liver resection.

BACKGROUND Anatomic liver resection is widely accepted as the optimal surgical treatment for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC); however, the complexity of conventional operative methods limits their use. To explore the possibility of using modern techniques to achieve a simpler approach, we have evaluated ultrasound-guided segmental radiofrequency ablation (RFA) of the Glissonian pedicle before liver resection in a porcine model and in HCC patients. METHODS This study had 2 stages. First, we piloted anatomic liver resection using ultrasound-guided RFA of the segmental Glissonian pedicle in 6 Bama miniature pigs. Having found this technique safe and effective, we selected 21 HCC patients to treat with the same approach. RESULTS The pigs had no postoperative mortality or morbidity. Demarcation areas were apparent in all targeted segments. The mean length of segmental portal, arterial, and biliary tract branches ablated was 1.7, 1.4, and 1.6 cm, respectively. Human HCC operations consisted of 8 subsegmentectomies, 8 segmentectomies, and 5 multisegmentectomies. The procedure was feasible in all patients, with no mortality, morbidity, or need for blood transfusions. A demarcation area was apparent in all patients within 157 seconds of RF application for each target feeding vessel. The mean number of target feeding vessels was 2 (range, 1-7). CONCLUSION Our study demonstrates that ultrasound-guided RFA ablation of the segmental Glissonian pedicle is expedient, safe, and effective, and is suitable for resection of any hepatic segments or subsegments, from segments 2 to 8.

Ultrathin choledochoscope improves outcomes in the treatment of gallstones and suspected choledocholithiasis

ABSTRACT Background: We aimed to compare laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) and simultaneous laparoscopic transcystic common bile duct exploration (LTCBDE) using an ultrathin choledochoscope with LC followed by endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERC) and endoscopic sphincterotomy (ES) when indicated. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the records of patients seen between 2004 and 2014 and treated with LC+LTCBDE or LC for gallstones and suspected choledocholithiasis. Postoperative complications and surgical outcomes were compared using t-test, Mann-Whitney U test, or chi-square test. Results: 115 patients underwent successful LC+LTCBDE and 112 LC; follow-up data was available for 103 and 106 patients, respectively. Seventeen patients (16.5%) in the LC+LTCBDE group and 10 (28.6%) in the LC+ERC+ES group developed complications (P = 0.114). The LC+LTCBDE group had a significantly higher rate of satisfactory biliary function outcomes than the LC+ERC+ES group (98.1% vs. 85.7%, respectively) (P = 0.017). Conclusions: Single-step LC+LTCBDE using an ultrathin choledochoscope may provide better outcomes in patients with gallstones and suspected choledocholithiasis.

Outcomes of liver transplantation for end-stage biliary disease: A comparative study with end-stage liver disease

AIM To evaluate the outcomes of patients with end-stage biliary disease (ESBD) who underwent liver transplantation, to define the concept of ESBD, the criteria for patient selection and the optimal operation for decision-making. METHODS Between June 2002 and June 2014, 43 patients with ESBD from two Chinese organ transplantation centres were evaluated for liver transplantation. The causes of liver disease were primary biliary cirrhosis (n = 8), cholelithiasis (n = 8), congenital biliary atresia (n = 2), graft-related cholangiopathy (n = 18), Carolis disease (n = 2), iatrogenic bile duct injury (n = 2), primary sclerosing cholangitis (n = 1), intrahepatic bile duct paucity (n = 1) and Alagilles syndrome (n = 1). The patients with ESBD were compared with an end-stage liver disease (ESLD) case control group during the same period, and the potential prognostic values of multiple demographic and clinical variables were assessed. The examined variables included recipient age, sex, pre-transplant clinical status, pre-transplant laboratory values, operation condition and postoperative complications, as well as patient and allograft survival rates. Survival analysis was performed using Kaplan-Meier curves, and the rates were compared using log-rank tests. All variables identified by univariate analysis with P values < 0.100 were subjected to multivariate analysis. A Cox proportional hazard regression model was used to determine the effect of the study variables on outcomes in the study group. RESULTS Patients in the ESBD group had lower model for end-stage liver disease (MELD)/paediatric end-stage liver disease (PELD) scores and a higher frequency of previous abdominal surgery compared to patients in the ESLD group (19.2 ± 6.6 vs 22.0 ± 6.5, P = 0.023 and 1.8 ± 1.3 vs 0.1 ± 0.2, P = 0.000). Moreover, the operation time and the time spent in intensive care were significantly higher in the ESBD group than in the ESLD group (527.4 ± 98.8 vs 443.0 ± 101.0, P = 0.000, and 12.74 ± 6.6 vs 10.0 ± 7.5, P = 0.000). The patient survival rate in the ESBD group was not significantly different from that of the ESBD group at 1, 3 and 5 years (ESBD: 90.7%, 88.4%, 79.4% vs ESLD: 84.9%, 80.92%, 79.0%, χ(2) = 0.194, P = 0.660). The graft-survival rates were also similar between the two groups at 1, 3 and 5 years (ESBD: 90.7%, 85.2%, 72.7% vs ESLD: 84.9%, 81.0%, 77.5%, χ(2) = 0.003, P = 0.958). Univariate analysis identified MELD/PELD score (HR = 1.213, 95%CI: 1.081-1.362, P = 0.001) and bleeding volume (HR = 0.103, 95%CI: 0.020-0.538, P = 0.007) as significant factors affecting the outcomes of patients in the ESBD group. However, multivariate analysis revealed that MELD/PELD score (HR = 1.132, 95%CI: 1.005-1.275, P = 0.041) was the only negative factor that was associated with short survival time. CONCLUSION MELD/PELD criteria do not adequately measure the clinical characteristics and staging of ESBD. The allocation system based on MELD/PELD criteria should be re-evaluated for patients with ESBD.

Proper bile duct flow, rather than radical excision, is the most critical factor determining treatment outcomes of bile duct cysts

BackgroundThe purpose of this study was to compare the impact of the extent of excision and the patent bile duct flow on treatment outcomes of bile duct cysts (BDCs).MethodsWe retrospectively analyzed the records of 382 patients who received surgery for BDCs from January 2005 to December 2014.ResultsFor Type Ia cysts, proper bile flow was associated with good long-term treatment outcomes with a greater level of significance (p < 0.001) than complete excision (p = 0.012). For Type IVa cysts, proper bile flow, but not complete excision, was associated with good long-term outcomes (p < 0.00001). In addition, 96.3% (104/108) of Type IVa patients with proper bile flow had no late complications and good biliary function, while no patient without patent bile flow had a good clinical outcome. For Type Ic cysts, 92 patients who received partial excisions had good outcomes when proper bile flow was restored. Regression analysis revealed that the absence of proper bile flow, in comparison to incomplete excision, is a greater risk factor for poor long-term treatment effects for Type Ia and Type IVa cysts.ConclusionsCompared to complete excision, the establishment of proper bile flow exerted a greater impact on improving long-term clinical outcomes after BDC surgery.