Marco Catena

Case-matched analysis of totally laparoscopic versus open liver resection for HCC: short and middle term results.

Laparoscopy is gaining acceptance as a safe procedure for resection of liver neoplasms. The aim of this study is to evaluate surgical results and mid‐term survival of minor hepatic resection performed for HCC.

Impact of Preoperative Steroids Administration on Ischemia-Reperfusion Injury and Systemic Responses in Liver Surgery: A Prospective Randomized Study

Hepatic injury secondary to warm ischemia‐reperfusion (I/R) injury and alterations in haemostatic parameters are often unavoidable events after major hepatic resection. The release of inflammatory mediator is believed to play a significant role in the genesis of these events. It has been suggested that preoperative steroid administration may reduce I/R injury and improve several aspects of the surgical stress response. The aim of this prospective randomized study was to investigate the clinical benefits on I/R injury and systemic responses of preoperatively administered corticosteroids. Seventy‐six patients undergoing liver resection were randomized either to a steroid group or to a control group. Patients in the steroid group received preoperatively 500 mg of methylprednisolone. Serum levels of alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), total bilirubin, coagulation parameters, and inflammatory mediators, interleukin 6 and tumor necrosis factor alpha were compared between the 2 groups. Length of stay, and type and number of complications were recorded as well. Postoperative serum levels of ALT, AST, total bilirubin, and inflammatory cytokines were significantly lower in the steroid than in the control group at postoperative days 1 and 2. Changes in hemostatic parameters were also significantly attenuated in the steroid group. In conclusion, the incidence of postoperative complications in the steroid group tended to be significantly lower than the control group. It is of clinical interest that preoperative steroids administration before major surgery may reduce I/R injury, maintain coagulant/anticoagulant homeostasis, and reduce postoperative complications by modulating the inflammatory response. Liver Transpl 12:941–949, 2006.

Treatment of Non-Endemic Hepatolithiasis in a Western Country. The Role of Hepatic Resection

INTRODUCTION The aim of this study was to assess the safety and the efficacy of hepatic resective surgery in the treatment of single lobe hepatolithiasis. PATIENTS AND METHODS Retrospective analysis and comparison between hepatic resections in patients with hepatolithiasis (hepatolithiasis group [HG]) and liver masses (control group [CG]). Seventeen consecutive Caucasian patients with single lobe hepatolithiasis (HG) and 30 patients with liver masses without chronic liver disease and previous chemotherapy (CG), were operated during the 5-year period 2000-2005, inclusive. Major hepatic resections including 4 right hepatectomies, 10 left hepatectomies, and 3 left lateral sectionectomy in HG, and 12 right hepatectomies, 3 extended right hepatectomy, 5 left hepatectomies, 4 left lateral sectionectomy, 5 bisegmentectomy, and 1 mesohepatectomy in CG. The main outcome measures were: type and length of surgical procedures, intra- and postoperative blood losses and transfusions (packed red blood cells [PRBC] and fresh frozen plasma [FFP]), intra- and postoperative course and complications (within 30 days of the operation), length of hospitalisation, histopathology, and recurrence of hepatolithiasis. RESULTS Mean operation time was 6.21 +/- 2.38 h in HG versus 7.10 +/- 2.21 h in CG (P = 0.33). Mean intra-operative blood loss in CG was higher than in HG (1010 +/- 550 ml versus 560 +/- 459 ml; P = 0.035). The other variables considered in the two groups were not statistically different. Intra-operative transfusion were 0.50 +/- 0.85 units in HG versus 1.35 +/- 2.25 units of PRBC in CG (P = 0.06), and 0.66 +/- 1.34 units in HG versus 0.68 +/- 1.20 units of FFP in CG (P = 0.44), respectively. No cases of death were registered. Postoperative complications occurred in 12 patients (25.5%) - 5 cases (10.6%) in HG and 7 cases (14.8%) in CG (P = 0.18). Mean postoperative transfusions were 0.47 +/- 1.24 units in HG versus 1.10 +/- 1.18 units of PRBC in CG (P = 0.35), and 0.65 +/- 1.40 units in HG versus 0.46 +/- 0.82 units of FFP in CG (P = 0.25), respectively. Difference in median hospitalisation was not statistically significant (14 +/- 10 days versus 12 +/- 9 days; P = 0.28). Histopathology showed cholangiocarcinoma in 2 cases (11.7%). During the follow-up period (range, 5-127 months; mean, 50.4 +/- 41.9 months), 1 patient had lithiasis recurrence and 1 patient died for the co-existing cholangiocarcinoma. CONCLUSIONS Hepatic resection is the treatment of choice in patients with single lobe hepatolithiasis. An early indication for surgery may reduce the mortality/morbidity rates of hepatic resection for hepatolithiasis.

“Technological” Approach Versus Clamp Crushing Technique for Hepatic Parenchymal Transection: A Comparative Study

We evaluated the feasibility and effectiveness of combining two different electronic devices, the ultrasonic dissector (UD) and the harmonic scalpel (HS), during hepatic resection. One hundred consecutive patients underwent liver resection using UD plus HS between January and December 2004 (UD + HS group). The ultrasonic dissector was used to fracture liver parenchyma and the uncovered vessel was sealed using the HS. Surgical outcomes were compared with 100 consecutive patients who underwent liver resection using the clamp crushing method. Operative variables, postoperative liver function, hospital stay, and type and number of complications were compared. The two groups were equivalent in term of demographic and pathologic variables. The UD + HS group had a decreased blood loss (500 ml versus 700 ml, P=0.005), number of patients transfused (22 versus 39, P=0.009), tumor exposure at the transection surface (4 versus 12, P=00.012), and hospital stay (7 versus 8.5 days, P=0.020). Postoperative major complications, in particular, fluid collection and biliary fistula, were significantly less frequent in the UD+HS group (2 versus 9, P=0.030). A longer operative time was recorded in the UD+HS group (385 versus 330 minutes, P=0.001). The combined use of UD with HS allows liver resection to be safely performed, with the advantage of reducing blood losses and surgery-related complications. The only major disadvantage may be a longer transection time.

Prospective randomized study of the benefits of preoperative corticosteroid administration on hepatic ischemia-reperfusion injury and cytokine response in patients undergoing hepatic resection.

BACKGROUND Hepatic injury secondary to warm ischemia and reperfusion (I/R) remains an important clinical issue following liver surgery. The aim of this prospective, randomized study was to determine whether steroid administration may reduce liver injury and improve short-term outcome. PATIENTS AND METHODS Forty-three patients undergoing liver resection were randomized to a steroid group or a control group. Patients in the steroid group received 500 mg of methylprednisolone preoperatively. Serum levels of alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), total bilirubin, anti-thrombin III (AT-III), prothrombin time (PT), interleukin-6 (IL-6), and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha) were compared between the two groups. Length of stay and type and number of complications were recorded. RESULTS Postoperative serum levels of ALT, AST, total bilirubin, and inflammatory cytokines were significantly lower in the steroid group than in controls. The postoperative level of AT-III in the control group was significantly lower than in the steroid group (ANOVA p < 0.01). The incidence of postoperative complications in the control group tended to be significantly higher than that in the steroid group. CONCLUSION These results suggest that steroid pretreatment represents a potentially important biologic modifier of I/R injury and may contribute to maintenance of coagulant/anticoagulant homeostasis.

Laparoscopic liver resection without portal clamping: a prospective evaluation

BackgroundPrevious comparative studies have demonstrated that laparoscopic liver resection is associated with more frequent use and longer duration of portal camping than open liver resection, a fact that may partially explain the improvement in operative blood loss reported by most series of laparoscopic liver resection. The aim of this prospective study was to evaluate the real need for portal clamping in laparoscopic liver surgery.Study designSurgical outcomes of 40 consecutive patients who underwent laparoscopic liver resection for benign and malignant lesions from September 2005 to August 2007 were evaluate. Portal clamping was not systematically used.ResultsNo patient required blood transfusion and median blood loss was 160 ml (range 100–340 ml). Mean operating time was 267 min (range 220–370 min) and portal clamping was necessary in only one patient. Surgical complications included two grade I complication, three grade II, and one case of postoperative hemorrhage (grade III).ConclusionsLaparoscopic liver surgery without clamping can be performed safely with low blood loss.

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 .

Preoperative methylprednisolone administration maintains coagulation homeostasis in patients undergoing liver resection: importance of inflammatory cytokine modulation.

Alterations in hemostatic parameters are a common finding after major hepatic resection. There is growing evidence that inflammation has a significant role in inducing coagulation disarrangement that follows major surgery. To determine whether preoperative methylprednisolone administration has a protective effect against the development of coagulation disorders, we evaluated the effect of preoperative steroids administration on changes in hemostatic parameters and plasma levels of inflammatory cytokines in patients undergoing liver surgery. Seventy-three patients undergoing liver resection were randomized to a steroid group or to a control group. Patients in the steroid group received 500 mg of methylprednisolone preoperatively. Serum levels of coagulation parameters (prothrombin time, platelets, fibrinogen, plasma fibrin degradation products [D-dimer], antithrombin III) and inflammatory mediators (IL-6 and TNF-&agr;) were measured before and immediately after the operation and on postoperative days 1, 2, and 5. Multivariate analysis was performed to identify factors related to the characteristics of the patients and surgery affecting coagulation parameters between the two groups. Decreases in antithrombin III, platelet count and fibrinogen levels, prolongation of prothrombin time, and increases in the plasma fibrin degradation products were significantly suppressed by the administration of methylprednisolone. Cytokines production was also significantly suppressed by the administration of methylprednisolone, and there was significant correlation between plasma levels of cytokines and coagulation alterations. These findings suggest that preoperative methylprednisolone administration inhibits the development of coagulation disarrangements in patients undergoing liver resection, possibly through suppressing the production of inflammatory cytokines.

Liver Resection with Portal Vein Thrombectomy for Hepatocellular Carcinoma With Vascular Invasion

IntroductionHepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) tends to invade the intrahepatic vasculature, especially the portal vein.1 The presence of portal vein tumor thrombus (PVTT) in patients with HCC is one of the most significant factors for a poor prognosis.2–5 The presence of macroscopic PVTT in patients with HCC is also a significant factor for poor prognosis, with a median survival of <3 months without treatment.1 In surgically resected series, in patients with gross PVTT (PVTT in the portal trunk, its first-order branch, or its second-order branch), the 3-year and 5-year survival rates are reportedly 15% to 28% and 0% to 17%, respectively.2–5MethodsThe patient was a 77-year-old woman with well-compensated hepatitis C virus–related cirrhosis (stage A6 according to Child-Pugh classification) who sought care at our department for vague abdominal discomfort. Triphasic spiral computed tomographic scan confirmed HCC 6 cm in diameter in the left lobe of the liver. In addition, portal vein tumor thrombosis of the left branch that extended to the right portal vein was present.ResultsThe procedure included left hepatectomy and en-bloc portal vein thrombectomy with clamping of both the common portal vein trunk and the right portal vein. The portal vein was incised at the bifurcation of the right and left portal veins, and the thrombus was extracted from the incision in the portal vein. With this procedure, we were able to examine under direct vision the exact extent of the portal vein thrombus, and we identified whether the tumor thrombus was adherent to the venous wall or was freely floating in the venous lumen.Portal clamping and length of operation were 16 and 330 minutes, respectively. Intraoperative blood loss was 550 mL. The patient was discharged on postoperative day 6, and she was free of disease at 15 months after surgery.DiscussionLiver resection should be considered a valid therapeutic option for HCC with PVTT.

Inihibition of cytokine response by methylprednisolone attenuates antithrombin reduction following hepatic resection

Inihibition of cytokine response by methylprednisolone attenuates antithrombin reduction following hepatic resection -