Mihnea Ionescu

Central Pancreatectomy versus Spleen-Preserving Distal Pancreatectomy: A Comparative Analysis of Early and Late Postoperative Outcomes

Background/Aim: The aim of the present study is to compare the postoperative and long-term outcomes of central pancreatectomy (CP) and spleen-preserving distal pancreatectomy (SPDP). Methods: Clinical, pathological and long-term data were compared between 22 patients who underwent CP and 25 patients who underwent SPDP (2002–2012). Results: The median length of resected pancreas was 8.5 cm in the SPDP group and 5 cm in the CP group (p < 0.001). The median estimated blood loss was significantly lower in the CP group (p = 0.019). Morbidity was 50% for CPs and 40% for SPDPs (p = 0.564). The rate of pancreatic fistulae was 36% for CPs and 40% for SPDPs (p = 0.530). The rate of new-onset diabetes was nil in the successful CP group and 16% in the SPDP group (p = 0.111). Conclusion: Morbidity and pancreatic fistula rates are not higher after CP when compared to SPDP. The loss of normal pancreatic tissue is significantly lower for CP, and thus there is potentially better preservation of the pancreatic endocrine functions. CP should be considered only in selected cases when preservation of the pancreas is of utmost importance, especially for lesions situated at the level of the pancreatic neck.

Central pancreatectomy for pancreatoblastoma in a 16-year-old girl

Long-term functional results after standard pancreatic resections are a major concern, especially in children. An alternative pancreas-sparing procedure (such as central pancreatectomy) should be taken into consideration whenever it is feasible, and a prolonged survival is expected. Pancreatoblastoma is an unusual malignant tumor in childhood. However, in initially resectable tumors, the 15-year survival is more than 80%. Thus, there is a potential role of a conservative pancreatic resection in successful treatment of pancreatoblastoma. The management in a case of a 16-year-old girl with a pancreatoblastoma in the body of pancreas is presented. Complete surgical resection by central pancreatectomy followed by chemotherapy led to a prolonged disease-free survival, with good functional results. Central pancreatectomy could be an alternative surgical technique in some selected cases of pancreatoblastoma, having the lowest incidence of postoperative exocrine and endocrine insufficiency rate and offering the best nutritional status.

Living Donor Liver Transplantation for Unresectable Liver Adenomatosis Associated with Congenital Absence of Portal Vein: A Case Report and Literature Review

Patient: Female, 21 Final Diagnosis: Unresectable liver adenomatosis associated with congenital absence of portal vein Symptoms: — Medication: — Clinical Procedure: Living donor liver transplantation Specialty: Transplantology Objective: Rare disease Background: Abernethy malformation (AM), or congenital absence of portal vein (CAPV), is a very rare disease which tends to be associated with the development of benign or malignant tumors, usually in children or young adults. Case Report: We report the case of a 21-year-old woman diagnosed with type Ib AM (portal vein draining directly into the inferior vena cava) and unresectable liver adenomatosis. The patient presented mild liver dysfunction and was largely asymptomatic. Living donor liver transplantation was performed using a left hemiliver graft from her mother. Postoperatively, the patient attained optimal liver function and at 9-month follow-up has returned to normal life. Conclusions: We consider that living donor liver transplantation is the best therapeutic solution for AM associated with unresectable liver adenomatosis, especially because compared to receiving a whole liver graft, the waiting time on the liver transplantation list is much shorter.

Major hepatectomies for perihilar cholangiocarcinoma: Predictors for clinically relevant postoperative complications using the International Study Group of Liver Surgery definitions

BACKGROUND/AIM Major hepatectomies are widely used in curative-intent surgery for perihilar cholangiocarcinoma, but morbidity rates are high. The aim of the study is to explore potential predictors for clinically relevant complications after major hepatectomies for perihilar cholangiocarcinoma. METHODS Seventy patients were included. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed for risk factors of morbidities using the International Study Group of Liver Surgery definitions. RESULTS Severe morbidity rate was 36.5%. Clinically relevant posthepatectomy liver failure, bile leak, and hemorrhage rates were 24%, 22%, and 8.5%, respectively. A neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio > 3.3 is an independent prognostic factor for severe complications (hazard ratio = 1.258; 95% confidence interval 1.008-1.570; p = 0.042) while the number of blood units > 3 is an independent prognostic factor for clinically relevant liver failure (hazard ratio = 1.254; 95% confidence interval 1.082-1.452; p = 0.003). Biliary drainage and portal vein resection were not statistically correlated with any postoperative complication (p ≥ 0.101). Significantly higher bilirubinemia levels were observed in patients with postoperative hemorrhage (p = 0.023). CONCLUSION Clinically relevant morbidity rates after major hepatectomies for perihilar cholangiocarcinoma are high. Liver failure represents the main complication and is correlated with the number of transfused blood units. A patient with increased bilirubinemia appears to have a high risk for postoperative hemorrhage. Biliary drainage and portal vein resection does not appear to have a detrimental effect on morbidities. Neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio is a novel independent predictor for severe morbidity after major hepatectomies for perihilar cholangiocarcinoma and may contribute to better and informed decision-making.

Clinical value of spleen‐preserving distal pancreatectomy: a case‐matched analysis with a special emphasis on the postoperative systemic inflammatory response

The impact of splenectomy on outcomes after distal pancreatectomy was assessed in the present study, with a special emphasis on the postoperative systemic inflammatory response.

Curative-intent Surgery for Perihilar Cholangiocarcinoma with and without Portal Vein Resection - A Comparative Analysis of Early and Late Outcomes

Introduction: The safety of portal vein resection (PVR) during surgery for perihilar cholangiocarcinoma (PHC) has been demonstrated in Asia, America, and Western Europe. However, no data about this topic are reported from Eastern Europe. The aim of the present study is to comparatively assess the early and long-term outcomes after resection for PHC with and without PVR. PATIENTS AND METHODS The data of 21 patients with PVR were compared with those of 102 patients with a curative-intent surgery for PHC without PVR. The appropriate statistical tests were used to compare different variables between the groups. Results: A PVR was performed in 17% of the patients. In the PVR group, significantly more right trisectionectomies (p=0.031) and caudate lobectomies (0.049) were performed and, as expected, both the operative time (p=0.015) and blood loss (p=0.002) were significantly higher. No differences between the groups were observed regarding the severe postoperative morbidity and mortality rates, and completion of adjuvant therapy. However, in the PVR group the postoperative clinicallyrelevant liver failure rate was significantly higher (p=0.001). No differences between the groups were observed for the median overall survival times (34 vs. 26 months, p = 0.566). A histological proof of the venous tumor invasion was observed in 52% of the patients with a PVR and was associated with significantly worse survival (p=0.027). CONCLUSION A PVR can be safely performed during resection for PHC, without significant added severe morbidity or mortality rates. However, clinically-relevant liver failure rates are significantly higher when a PVR is performed. Furthermore, increased operative times and blood loss should be expected when a PVR is performed. Histological tumor invasion of the portal vein is associated with significantly worse survival.

Resection of Concomitant Hepatic and Extrahepatic Metastases from Colorectal Cancer - A Worthwhile Operation?

Background: The benefit of hepatic resection in case of concomitant colorectal hepatic and extrahepatic metastases (CHEHMs) is still debatable. The purpose of this study is to assess the results of resection of hepatic and extrahepatic metastases in patients with CHEHMs in a high-volume center for both hepatobiliary and colorectal surgery and to identify prognostic factors that correlate with longer survival in these patients. METHOD It was performed a retrospective analysis of 678 consecutive patients with liver resection for colorectal cancer metastases operated in a single Centre between April 1996 and March 2016. Among these, 73 patients presented CHEHMs. Univariate analysis was performed to identify the risk factors for overall survival (OS) in these patients. Results: There were 20 CHMs located at the lymphatic node level, 20 at the peritoneal level, 12 at the ovary and lung level, 12 presenting as local relapses and 9 other sites. 53 curative resections (R0) were performed. The difference in overall survival between the CHEHMs group and the CHMs group is statistically significant for the entire groups (p 0.0001), as well as in patients who underwent R0 resection (p 0.0001). In CHEHMs group, the OS was statistically significant higher in patients who underwent R0 resection vs. those with R1/R2 resection (p=0.004). Three variables were identified as prognostic factors for poor OS following univariate analysis: 4 or more hepatic metastases, major hepatectomy and the performance of operation during first period of the study (1996 - 2004). There was a tendency toward better OS in patients with ovarian or pulmonary location of extrahepatic disease, although the difference was not statistically significant. CONCLUSION In patients with concomitant hepatic and extrahepatic metastases, complete resection of metastatic burden significantly prolong survival. The patients with up to 4 liver metastases, resectable by minor hepatectomy benefit the most from this aggressive onco-surgical management.

Pseudoaneurysm of the splenic artery - an uncommon cause of delayed hemorrhage after pancreaticoduodenectomy

Delayed post-pancreatectomy hemorrhage (PPH) is a relatively uncommon, but feared, complication after pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD). A splenic artery pseudoaneurysm is a rare cause of delayed PPH after a PD. This paper describes the case of a patient with PD used to treat a distal bile duct cholangiocarcinoma complicated with a clinically significant pancreatic fistula and secondary intraabdominal abscess. Computed tomography-guided drainage of the abscess was performed with an apparently favourable outcome; the patient was discharged on postoperative day (POD) 35 and the abdominal drains were removed on POD 50. On POD 80, the patient was readmitted for a severe digestive hemorrhage. Computed tomography revealed a pseudoaneurysm of the splenic artery with a subsequent hematoma formation. Immediately, an angiography was performed and coils were successfully mounted. This case illustrates the rare possibility of the development of a splenic artery pseudoaneurysm with severe delayed PPH after PD complicated with a clinically significant pancreatic fistula, even after the patient was discharged from the hospital. An interventional radiology approach represents the first treatment option in hemodynamically stable patients with high success rates.

Operative Management and Outcomes of 150 Patients with Curative-intent Surgery for Perihilar Cholangiocarcinomas: A Single Institute East European Perspective

Introduction: The knowledge of current approach and outcomes of curative-intent surgery for perihilar cholangiocarcinoma (PHC) has been highlighted in studies of the literature including mainly East Asian and Western patients. Thus, papers presenting the curative-intent surgery in East Europe are scarce. The study aims to present the operative management and outcomes of curative-intent surgery for PHC in an East European institutional experience. Patients and methods: The data of all patients with curative-intent surgery for PHC between 1996 and 2017 were retrospectively reviewed from a prospective maintained electronic database at our Department of Surgery. The assessment was made for the operative management and early and late outcomes. Results: Liver resections were performed in 80.7% of patients, with caudate lobectomies in 64.7% of cases. Vascular resections were performed in 19.4% of patients. Preoperative biliary drainage was performed in 26% of patients. Negative resection margins were obtained in 76.7% of patients. Overall and severe morbidity rates were 57.3% and 24%, respectively. Postoperative bile leak, liver failure and hemorrhage rates were 31.3%, 24.7% and 10%, respectively. The 90-day mortality rate was 6%. The median overall and disease-free survival times were 26 months and 21 months, respectively. Conclusion: The standard approach for curative-intent surgery for PHC implies bile duct resection associated with major hepatectomies, including caudate lobectomy. Expertise in referral surgical centers of East Europe is associated with morbidity, mortality and overall survival rates comparable with those reported in Western centres, despite low rate of preoperative biliary drainage and no use of portal vein embolization. Improvements of preoperative optimization with portal vein embolization and biliary drainage may potentially lead to better early and long-term outcomes.

Pattern of the First Recurrence Has No Impact on Long-Term Survival after Curative Intent Surgery for Perihilar Cholangiocarcinomas

Aim To explore the pattern of the first recurrence and impact on long-term survival after curative intent surgery for perihilar cholangiocarcinomas (PHC). Materials and Methods Patients with curative intent surgery for PHC between 1996 and 2017 were analyzed. Survival times were estimated using the Kaplan-Meier method. Comparisons were made with the log-rank test. Results A number of 139 patients were included. The median overall survival was 26 months. A recurrence was observed in 86 patients (61.9%), during a median follow-up time of 89 months. The median disease-free survival was 21 months with 1-, 3-, 5-, and 10-year estimated recurrence rates of 38%, 60%, 69%, and 77%, respectively. A number of 57 patients (41%) developed distant only recurrence, while 26 patients (18.7%) presented local and distant recurrences. An isolated local recurrence was observed in 3 patients (2.2%). The median overall survival was 15 months for patients with local recurrence, 15 months for patients with liver metastases, and 17 months for patients with peritoneal carcinomatosis (p = 0.903) as the first recurrence. Conclusion Curative intent surgery for PHC is associated with high recurrence rates. Most patients will develop distant metastases, while an isolated local recurrence is uncommon. The pattern of recurrence does not appear to have a significant impact on survivals.