Roger Noun

CONTINUOUS VERSUS INTERMITTENT PORTAL TRIAD CLAMPING FOR LIVER RESECTION: A CONTROLLED STUDY

OBJECTIVE The authors compared the intra- and postoperative course of patients undergoing liver resections under continuous pedicular clamping (CPC) or intermittent pedicular clamping (IPC). SUMMARY BACKGROUND DATA Reduced blood loss during liver resection is achieved by pedicular clamping. There is controversy about the benefits of IPC over CPC in humans in terms of hepatocellular injury and blood loss control in normal and abnormal liver parenchyma. METHODS Eighty-six patients undergoing liver resections were included in a prospective randomized study comparing the intra- and postoperative course under CPC (n = 42) or IPC (n = 44) with periods of 15 minutes of clamping and 5 minutes of unclamping. The data were further analyzed according to the presence (steatosis >20% and chronic liver disease) or absence of abnormal liver parenchyma. RESULTS The two groups of patients were similar in terms of age, sex, nature of the liver tumors, results of preoperative assessment, proportion of patients undergoing major or minor hepatectomy, and nature of nontumorous liver parenchyma. Intraoperative blood loss during liver transsection was significantly higher in the IPC group. In the CPC group, postoperative liver enzymes and serum bilirubin levels were significantly higher in the subgroup of patients with abnormal liver parenchyma. Major postoperative deterioration of liver function occurred in four patients with abnormal liver parenchyma, with two postoperative deaths. All of them were in the CPC group. CONCLUSIONS This clinical controlled study clearly demonstrated the better parenchymal tolerance to IPC over CPC, especially in patients with abnormal liver parenchyma.

Liver hanging maneuver: a safe approach to right hepatectomy without liver mobilization.

In right hepatectomy the complete mobilization of the liver before parenchymal transection is considered as a basic maneuver for a safe procedure. When a huge tumor invades the diaphragm, liver mobilization may be difficult. In these cases Lai and coworkers reported an “anterior approach” with parenchymal transection from the anterior surface down to the IVC. The absence of liver rotation has many advantages. It may avoid tumor dissemination and requires no compression of the remnant liver. Because it may be difficult to control bleeding in the deeper parenchymal plane we propose a new technique of hanging the liver after lifting it with a tape passed between the anterior surface of the IVC and the liver parenchyma.

Portal triad clamping or hepatic vascular exclusion for major liver resection. A controlled study.

OBJECTIVE The authors compared operative course of patients undergoing major liver resections under portal triad clamping (PTC) or under hepatic vascular exclusion (HVE). SUMMARY BACKGROUND DATA Reduced blood loss during liver resection is achieved by PTC or HVE. Specific complications and postoperative hepatocellular injury mediated with two procedures have not been compared. METHODS Fifty-two noncirrhotic patients undergoing major liver resections were included in a prospective randomized study comparing both the intraoperative and postoperative courses under PTC (n = 24) or under HVE (n = 28). RESULTS The two groups were similar at entry, but eight patients were crossed over to the other group during resection. In the HVE group, hemodynamic intolerance occurred in four (14%) patients. In the PTC group, pedicular clamping was not efficient in four patients, including three with involvement of the cavohepatic intersection and one with persistent bleeding due to tricuspid insufficiency. Intraoperative blood losses and postoperative enzyme level reflecting hepatocellular injury were similar in the two groups. Mean operative duration and mean clampage duration were significantly increased after HVE. Postoperative abdominal collections and pulmonary complications were 2.5-fold higher after HVE but without statistical significance, whereas the mean length of postoperative hospital stay was longer after HVE. CONCLUSIONS This study shows that both methods of vascular occlusion are equally effective in reducing blood loss in major liver resections. The HVE is associated with unpredictable hemodynamic intolerance, increased postoperative complications with a longer hospital stay, and should be restricted to lesions involving the cavo-hepatic intersection.

Temporary portocaval anastomosis with preservation of caval flow during orthotopic liver transplantation

BACKGROUND A novel technique of orthotopic liver transplantation was developed whereby both vena caval and portal venous blood flows are preserved during the entire procedure. PATIENTS AND METHODS This method of liver transplantation was successfully performed in 51 consecutive patients and included a temporary portocaval shunt, a total hepatic resection with vena caval preservation, and an end-to-side cavocaval anastomosis. RESULTS Preservation of vena cava and portocaval anastomosis were feasible in 51 patients (100%), including 34 patients with cirrhosis and 2 patients undergoing elective retransplantation. Both caval and portal flows were preserved during the entire procedure in 48 patients (94%). No venovenous bypass was required. Four deaths (7.8%) occurred postoperatively, all of them unrelated to the surgical procedure. CONCLUSION We believe adoption of this orthotopic liver transplantation technique will obviate the need for venovenous bypass.

Hepatic vascular occlusion: which technique?

Each vascular occlusion technique has a place in major and minor hepatic resectional surgery, based on the tumor location, presence of associated underlying liver disease, patient cardiovascular status, and experience of the operating surgeon. Understanding of the potential application of different techniques, anticipation of the expected and potential hemodynamic responses, and knowledge of the limitations of each technique are fundamental to appropriate surgical planning adapted to each patient. Experience with the various clamping methods enables an aggressive but safe approach to surgical treatment of hepatobiliary diseases, with acceptable blood loss and transfusion requirements. In all cases, surgical strategy should be defined with the anesthesiologist, particularly in regard to hemodynamic monitoring, in order to optimize perioperative patient management and to minimize the risk for complications such as bleeding and air embolism. Importantly, randomized study has shown that the added dissection, operative, and postoperative risks associated with HVE are not balanced by decreased blood loss compared with hepatic pedicle clamping, except in exceptional cases when tumors involve the major hepatic veins or vena cava. In addition, dissection in preparation for clamping may be used as safe approach techniques to tumors in difficult locations, even when eventual clamping is not performed. Similarly, the liver-hanging maneuver enables resection without mobilization, compression, and manipulation of large tumors. In the future, renewed interest in the impact of hepatic ischemia and reperfusion may reveal that some clamping methods, in particular inflow occlusion, act as a means of preconditioning before a period of prolonged hepatic ischemia, for complex hepatic resection or for graft harvest from a living donor. Finally, the addition of infrahepatic caval clamping may add a new, simple, effective technique to the armamentarium of the liver surgeon, particularly as more routine hepatic surgery moves from the specialized center to the community.

High Preoperative Serum Alanine Transferase Levels: Effect on the Risk of Liver Resection in Child Grade A Cirrhotic Patients

Abstract. Despite careful selection of cirrhotic patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), liver resection remains associated with a greater risk than in patients without underlying liver disease. In this study we assessed by multivariate analysis parameters associated with in-hospital mortality and morbidity in a selected group of 108 Childs-Pugh A cirrhotic patients undergoing liver resection of HCC. The overall incidences of in-hospital deaths and postoperative complications were 8.3% and 48.1%, respectively. By univariate analysis, the preoperative serum alanine transferase (ALT) level (p= 0.001) and intraoperative transfusions (p= 0.01) were significantly associated with in-hospital death; however, only the serum ALT concentration was an independent risk factor. In-hospital mortality rates in patients whose serum ALT was below 2N (twofold the upper limit of the normal value), between 2N and 4N, and more than 4N were 3.9%, 13.0%, and 37.5%, respectively. An ALT level greater than 2N was predominantly observed in patients with a hepatitis C virus infection and significantly associated with histologic features of superimposed active hepatitis. Patients with an ALT level greater than 2N experienced an increased incidence of postoperative ascites (58% versus 32%,p= 0.01), kidney failure (16% versus 0%,p= 0.0003), and upper gastrointestinal bleeding (6.4% versus 0%, p= 0.02). These results indicate that the preoperative ALT level is a reliable predictor of in-hospital mortality and morbidity following liver resection in Child-Pugh A cirrhotic patients. Cirrhotic patients with ALT > 2N should undergo only a limited resection; if a larger resection is required, those patients should be considered for nonsurgical therapy or liver transplantation.

Pseudotumor developing in heterotopic pancreas

Abstract. Cystic dystrophy in heterotopic pancreas (CDHP) is characterized by the presence of cystic formations surrounded by inflammation and scarring. It usually involves the duodenal wall and can be responsible for strictures and pain. The diagnosis of this disorder was previously based on pancreatoduodenectomy specimens removed for a suspected pancreatic tumor. Six cases were observed in young men (mean age 40 years) between 1989 and 1993. Computed tomography (CT) and endoscopic ultrasonography (EUS) features allowed definitive preoperative diagnosis of CDHP. After surgical resection of the tissue-bearing segments that included five pancreatoduodenectomies and one antrectomy, symptoms disappeared in all patients. Patients were followed 2 to 45 months; one patient experienced recurrence of pain and hyperamylasemia 17 months after surgery. The preoperative diagnosis of CDHP is presently possible because of modern imaging procedures and improved knowledge of specific signs. Resection is the most appropriate treatment.

Appraisal of the order of revascularization in human liver grafting: a controlled study

BACKGROUND By current convention, the liver graft is revascularized, first with portal blood flow, and thereafter with arterial blood flow. Although experimental studies showed no detrimental effects of primary arterialization, this order of revascularization has not been investigated in clinical transplants. STUDY DESIGN Twenty-nine patients were included in our controlled study to investigate and compare, by means of a technical procedure that permits either initial arterial revascularization (IAR) or initial portal revascularization (IPR), the effects of graft revascularization by IAR and by IPR in clinical transplants. RESULTS Patients were equally divided in the IAR group (n = 15) and the IPR group (n = 14), and were homogeneous in terms of recipients and graft characteristics. Graft reperfusion was uniform and diffuse in all grafts with IAR versus 10 (71%) with IPR (p < 0.05). After reperfusion, the time taken for completion of the procedure was shorter in the IAR group (159 +/- 28 versus 242 +/- 39 minutes) (p < 0.01). Both mean blood transfusions and antifibrinolytic requirements were lower in the IAR group: 5.4 +/- 1.8 versus 7.6 +/- 3.5 packed red cell units, and 13% versus 50%, respectively (p < 0.05). Postoperative ASAT level, clotting factor V level, and bile flow were not different between the two groups. Early postoperative vascular or biliary complications did not occur. During a mean follow-up of 16 months (range, 7-20), one hepatic artery thrombosis occurred in the IPR group, and one anastomotic biliary stricture occurred in each group. CONCLUSION Under adequate portal decompression, LAR is a safe option and results in better graft reperfusion, shorter post revascularization phase, and reduced transfusion and antifibrinolytic requirements.

Hepatic vascular occlusion

Each vascular occlusion technique has a place in major and minor hepatic resectional surgery, based on the tumor location, presence of associated underlying liver disease, patient cardiovascular status, and experience of the operating surgeon. Understanding of the potential application of different techniques, anticipation of the expected and potential hemodynamic responses, and knowledge of the limitations of each technique are fundamental to appropriate surgical planning adapted to each patient. Experience with the various clamping methods enables an aggressive but safe approach to surgical treatment of hepatobiliary diseases, with acceptable blood loss and transfusion requirements. In all cases, surgical strategy should be defined with the anesthesiologist, particularly in regard to hemodynamic monitoring, in order to optimize perioperative patient management and to minimize the risk for complications such as bleeding and air embolism. Importantly, randomized study has shown that the added dissection, operative, and postoperative risks associated with HVE are not balanced by decreased blood loss compared with hepatic pedicle clamping, except in exceptional cases when tumors involve the major hepatic veins or vena cava. In addition, dissection in preparation for clamping may be used as safe approach techniques to tumors in difficult locations, even when eventual clamping is not performed. Similarly, the liver-hanging maneuver enables resection without mobilization, compression, and manipulation of large tumors. In the future, renewed interest in the impact of hepatic ischemia and reperfusion may reveal that some clamping methods, in particular inflow occlusion, act as a means of preconditioning before a period of prolonged hepatic ischemia, for complex hepatic resection or for graft harvest from a living donor. Finally, the addition of infrahepatic caval clamping may add a new, simple, effective technique to the armamentarium of the liver surgeon, particularly as more routine hepatic surgery moves from the specialized center to the community.

Review articleHepatic vascular occlusion: which technique?

Each vascular occlusion technique has a place in major and minor hepatic resectional surgery, based on the tumor location, presence of associated underlying liver disease, patient cardiovascular status, and experience of the operating surgeon. Understanding of the potential application of different techniques, anticipation of the expected and potential hemodynamic responses, and knowledge of the limitations of each technique are fundamental to appropriate surgical planning adapted to each patient. Experience with the various clamping methods enables an aggressive but safe approach to surgical treatment of hepatobiliary diseases, with acceptable blood loss and transfusion requirements. In all cases, surgical strategy should be defined with the anesthesiologist, particularly in regard to hemodynamic monitoring, in order to optimize perioperative patient management and to minimize the risk for complications such as bleeding and air embolism. Importantly, randomized study has shown that the added dissection, operative, and postoperative risks associated with HVE are not balanced by decreased blood loss compared with hepatic pedicle clamping, except in exceptional cases when tumors involve the major hepatic veins or vena cava. In addition, dissection in preparation for clamping may be used as safe approach techniques to tumors in difficult locations, even when eventual clamping is not performed. Similarly, the liver-hanging maneuver enables resection without mobilization, compression, and manipulation of large tumors. In the future, renewed interest in the impact of hepatic ischemia and reperfusion may reveal that some clamping methods, in particular inflow occlusion, act as a means of preconditioning before a period of prolonged hepatic ischemia, for complex hepatic resection or for graft harvest from a living donor. Finally, the addition of infrahepatic caval clamping may add a new, simple, effective technique to the armamentarium of the liver surgeon, particularly as more routine hepatic surgery moves from the specialized center to the community.