Soon-Ae Lee

Survival Analysis of Intrahepatic Cholangiocarcinoma After Resection

BackgroundIntrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (ICC) is the second most common primary hepatic malignancy, but the studies for the outcome after resection of ICC are rare. The aim of this study was to elucidate outcomes and prognostic factors of ICC in patients undergoing hepatic resection.MethodsA retrospective study was conducted with a total of 63 patients who underwent surgical resection with curative intent for ICC. We performed the survival analysis with preoperative and postoperative clinicopathologic factors according to the clinical outcome.ResultsThe cumulative 1-, 3-, and 5-year survival rates were 68.2, 50.5, and 31.8%, respectively. Univariate analysis revealed that patient’s old age, high preoperative carbohydrate antigen 19-9 (CA19-9) level, major vessel invasion, T classification, lymph node metastasis, lymphatic invasion, perineural invasion, intrahepatic metastasis, and narrow resection margin were statistically significant. By multivariate analysis, patient’s old age, high preoperative CA19-9 level, lymphatic invasion, and narrow resection margin were independent dismal prognostic factors. The preoperative CA19-9 level shows a significant correlation with some histopathologic factors including major vessel invasion, bile duct invasion, and perineural invasion.ConclusionsPreoperative CA19-9 level was a valuable clinical factor for predicting histopathologic invasiveness as well as clinical outcome. An adequate resection margin was the only modifiable factor by a surgeon during hepatic resection for ICC.

Various Liver Resections Using Hanging Maneuver by Three Glisson's Pedicles and Three Hepatic Veins

Objective:To introduce a simple and effective technique for various kinds of anatomic liver resection using the hanging maneuver by 3 Glissons pedicles and 3 hepatic veins. Summary Background Data:The advantages of the liver-hanging maneuver described by Belghiti et al and the anatomic characteristics peculiar to the liver induced us to devise another new approach to the use of a hanging technique applied to various kinds of anatomic liver resection. Methods:The hanging tape is located along the anteromedian surface of the retrohepatic IVC or the ligamentum venosum with its upper end among 3 hepatic veins and with its lower end among 3 Glissons pedicles. With both ends of the tape pulled up, the hepatic parenchymal transection is performed aiming at the tape. Results:From March 2003 to October 2005, this technique was used in 187 anatomic liver resections. Three (1.6%) of the patients required blood transfusion during or after surgery. There was no operative mortality or major morbidity and no reoperation. Conclusions:This technique has the advantages of hanging maneuver based on the anatomic considerations of the liver and needs minimal mobilization of the remaining liver. The hanging maneuver can be a key technique for anatomic liver resection.

Clinical significance of portal-superior mesenteric vein resection in pancreatoduodenectomy for pancreatic head cancer.

Objectives The purpose of this study was to determine the significance of portal vein–superior mesenteric vein (PV-SMV) invasion on survival in patients who underwent margin-negative pancreatoduodenectomy (PD) with PV-SMV resection for pancreatic adenocarcinoma. Methods We retrospectively reviewed the records of 60 patients who underwent margin-negative PD with or without PV-SMV resection for pancreatic adenocarcinoma between August 2001 and December 2007. The depth of vessel invasion was investigated and was categorized into 3 groups: tunica adventitia, media, and intima. Clinicopathologic factors and survival were analyzed. Results Portal vein–superior mesenteric vein resection was performed on 19 patients, but only 15 patients (78.9%) had histologically true invasion and showed poorer survival (median survival, 14 vs 9 months; P < 0.05). Univariate analysis revealed that poorly differentiated tumor, lymphatic invasion, endovascular invasion, PV-SMV invasion, and invasion into the intima of PV-SMV were statistically significant. Poorly differentiated tumor and invasion into the intima of PV-SMV were significant in multivariate analysis. Conclusions Aggressive surgical resection should be attempted in cases with suspected PV-SMV invasion because 21.1% of patients had no true invasion and showed better survival than those with true invasion. However, invasion into the tunica intima may be a poor prognostic factor for survival even after margin-negative PD for pancreatic adenocarcinoma.

Learning curve for living‐donor liver transplantation in a fledgling cancer center

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) has become one of the main indications for liver transplantation. To keep abreast of the times, a comprehensive cancer center may have to perform liver transplantation as a treatment option for HCC. We introduce a learning curve for living‐donor liver transplantation (LDLT) and present our initial experience in a new cancer center as an example to any center considering LDLT. A total of 51 consecutive adult right liver LDLTs performed from January 2005 to January 2008 were analyzed by comparing the first 17 transplants performed with the help of an outside experienced team (group 1) with the middle 17 (group 2) and the last 17 cases (group 3) performed in our center independently. There was no hospital mortality in donors and recipients. In a mean follow‐up of 34 months (range: 12–48 months), there was only one case of late mortality in donor and recipient, respectively. A total of four donors and 12 recipients underwent re‐operations. The warm ischemic time was significantly longer in group 2 than that in groups 1 and 3. Otherwise, there was no significant difference in the operative outcomes among the three groups. Thorough preparation and the assistance of an experienced liver transplantation team at the beginning can facilitate a more rapid learning curve and bring about a good outcome even in a small, newly established institution.

Graft-to-recipient weight ratio lower to 0.7% is safe without portal pressure modulation in right-lobe living donor liver transplantation with favorable conditions.

BACKGROUND The low graft-to-recipient weight ratio (GRWR) in adult-to-adult living donor liver transplantation (LDLT) is one of the major risk factors affecting graft survival. The goal of this study was to evaluate whether the lower limit of the GRWR can be safely reduced without portal pressure modulation in right-lobe LDLT. METHODS From 2005 to 2011, 317 consecutive patients from a single institute underwent LDLT with right-lobe grafts without portal pressure modulation. Of these, 23 had a GRWR of less than 0.7% (group A), 27 had a GRWR of ≥0.7%, <0.8% (group B), and 267 had a GRWR of more than and equal to 0.8% (group C). Medical records, including recipient, donor, operation factors, laboratory findings and complications were reviewed retrospectively. RESULTS The baseline demographics showed low model for end-stage liver disease score (mean 16.3+/-8.9) and high percentage of hepatocellular carcinoma (231 patients, 72.9%). Three groups by GRWR demonstrated similar characteristics except recipient body mass index and donor gender. For small-for-size syndrome, there were 3 (13.0%) in group A, 1 (3.7%) in group B, and 2 patients (0.7%) in group C (P<0.001). Hepatic artery thrombosis was more frequently observed in group A than in groups B and C (8.7% vs 3.7% vs 1.9%, P=0.047). However, among the three groups, graft survival rates at 1 year (100% vs 96.3% vs 93.6%) and 3 years (91.7% vs 73.2% vs 88.1%) were not different (P=0.539). In laboratory measurements, there was no group difference in total bilirubin and albumin. However, prothrombin time was longer in group A within postoperative 1 week and platelet count was lower in groups A and B within postoperative 1 month. CONCLUSION A GRWR lower to 0.7% is safe and does not need to modulate portal pressure in adult-to-adult LDLT using the right-lobe in favorable conditions including low model for end-stage liver disease score.

ABO-incompatible living donor liver transplantation without graft local infusion and splenectomy

BACKGROUND Graft local infusion and splenectomy in ABO-incompatible (ABO-I) living donor liver transplantation (LDLT) are associated with high rates of operative complications. METHODS Consecutive ABO-I LDLT patients treated at the National Cancer Centre between January 2012 and February 2013 were identified. The protocol for ABO-I LDLT at the study centre included the administration of rituximab (300 mg/m(2)) at 2 weeks preoperatively, followed by plasma exchanges (target isoagglutinin titre: ≤ 1:8), basiliximab (20 mg on the day of surgery and on postoperative day 4), and i.v. immunoglobulin (0.8 g/kg on postoperative days 1 and 4) without graft local infusion or splenectomy. RESULTS Fifteen patients (11 men and four women) who underwent transplantation for liver cirrhosis (n = 3) or hepatocellular carcinoma (n = 12) were identified. These included 13 patients with hepatitis B virus infection, one with hepatitis C virus infection and one with alcoholic cirrhosis. The mean age, mean Model for End-stage Liver Disease (MELD) score and mean graft-to-recipient weight ratio (GRWR) of these patients was 51.8 years, 11.5 and 0.84, respectively. The median isoagglutinin titre before plasma exchange was 1:32 (range: 1:4 to 1:256). There were no hyperacute or antibody-mediated rejections. No bacterial or fungal infections were observed. Complications included herpes zoster viral infection in one patient, postoperative bleeding in one patient and extrahepatic biliary stricture in three patients. CONCLUSIONS This simplified ABO-I LDLT protocol showed good graft outcomes without immunologic failure or serious infections.

Clinicopathological features and prognosis of combined hepatocellular carcinoma and cholangiocarcinoma after surgery.

BACKGROUND Combined hepatocellular carcinoma and cholangiocarcinoma (cHCC-CC) is a rare subtype of primary liver cancer consisting of both hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and cholangiocarcinoma (CC). Because of the rarity of this tumor, its feature is poorly understood. The present study aimed to evaluate the clinicopathological features and long-term prognosis of patients with cHCC-CC after surgery and to compare with those of the patients with stage-matched HCC and CC. METHODS The clinicopathological features of the patients who underwent surgery for cHCC-CC at our center during the period of 2001-2010 were retrospectively analyzed and compared with those of stage-matched HCC and CC patients. Cancer staging was performed according to the AJCC Cancer Staging Manual (6th ed.). Overall survival and disease-free survival were compared among the groups and prognostic factors of cHCC-CC were evaluated. RESULTS Significant differences were observed in clinicopathological features among 42 patients with cHCC-CC, 90 patients with HCC and 45 patients with CC. Similar to HCC patients, cHCC-CC patients had frequent hepatitis B virus antigen positivity, microscopic vessel invasion, cirrhosis and high level of serum alpha-fetoprotein. Similar to CC patients, cHCC-CC patients showed increased bile duct invasion and decreased capsule. The 1-, 3-, and 5-year overall survival and disease-free survival of patients with cHCC-CC were not significantly different from those with stage-matched patients with CC; but significantly poorer than those with HCC. In subanalysis of patients with stage II, the overall survival in patients with cHCC-CC or CC was significantly poorer than that in patients with HCC. We did not find the difference in patients with other stages. Univariate analysis of overall and disease-free survival of patients with cHCC-CC showed that the vascular invasion and intrahepatic metastasis were the significant predictive factors. CONCLUSION Patients with cHCC-CC showed similar clinicopathological features as those with HCC or CC, and patients with cHCC-CC or CC had a poorer prognosis compared with those with HCC, especially at matched stage II.

Survival Analysis after Liver Resection for Hepatocellular Carcinoma: A Consecutive Cohort of 1002 Patients.

The improvements in surgical technique and perioperative management in the recent decades may warrant revisit for survival outcomes and prognostic factors after liver resection for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). This study aimed to analyze the survival outcomes after liver resection for HCC for a consecutive cohort of 1002 patients.

Pretransplant absolute monocyte count in peripheral blood predicts posttransplant tumor prognosis in patients undergoing liver transplantation for hepatocellular carcinoma

BACKGROUND Preoperative absolute monocyte count in peripheral blood (AMCPB) is closely associated with prognoses in not only various malignancies but also hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). The purpose of this study was to evaluate whether pretransplant AMCPB predicts posttransplant outcomes in patients with HCC undergoing liver transplantation (LT). METHOD We retrospectively analyzed relationships between clinicopathologic factors involving pretransplant AMCPB and tumor recurrence or survival in 256 patients who had undergone LT for HCC between January 2005 and April 2012. RESULTS ROC curve analysis showed that AMCPB >200/mm(3) was a risk factor for tumor recurrence; 43 patients showed higher AMCPB (>200/mm(3)), whereas 213 showed lower AMCPB (≤200/mm(3)) at the time of LT. On multivariate analysis, pretransplant high AMCPB, positive findings in pretransplant (18)F-FDG PET/CT, pathological maximal tumor size >5 cm, intrahepatic metastasis, moderately or poorly differentiated tumor and microvascular invasion were independent factors affecting recurrence-free survival. When we performed subgroup analysis based on the Milan criteria, high AMCPB was an independent factor for predicting HCC recurrence in patients with tumor beyond the Milan criteria (P=0.004), and not for patients within the criteria. CONCLUSION This study demonstrated that pretransplant AMCPB could predict tumor recurrence after LT for HCC, especially in patients with tumor beyond the Milan criteria.

Minimal anhepatic technique for living donor liver transplantation using right liver graft

The most critical moment in liver transplantation is graft reperfusion after an anhepatic period in which there is a chance of great hemodynamic instability that may lead to significant graft dysfunction in the postoperative period. During the anhepatic period, splanchnic congestion secondary to portal clamping occurs invariably without any liver function. Early persistent ionic hypocalcemia and late olyguric renal failure are the most constant and prominent complications during the anhepatic period. The usual anhepatic period in living donor liver transplantation (LDLT) does not appear to cause any detrimental effects, but the anhepatic period is a threat to patients and should be reduced as much as possible especially in hemodynamically unstable recipients with limited hepatic reserve. Previous studies have shown that a temporary portocaval shunt to reduce splanchnic congestion improves hemodynamic status, reduces intraoperative transfusion requirements, and preserves renal function during and after orthotopic liver transplantation. This technique is particularly useful for patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) or fulminant hepatitis who lack adequate portosystemic collaterals in the splanchnic area. Nevertheless, it is an artificial shunt that is extraanatomic and not physiologic, requires some unwanted time, and does not avoid or reduce the entire anhepatic period. We introduce a simple and effective technique to eliminate or minimize the seemingly inevitable anhepatic period for LDLT using right liver graft to address the 2 main problems of the anhepatic period: splanchnic congestion and no liver function.