Young Seok Han

Clinical significance of lncRNA-ATB expression in human hepatocellular carcinoma

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a worldwide health problem and it is important to understand the mechanistic roles of the biomolecules involved in its pathogenesis. Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) are frequently and aberrantly expressed in various human cancers and are known to play a role in cancer pathogenesis. The aim of this study was to analyze the expression of lncRNA-ATB in HCC and investigate the implications for prognoses. In total, 100 samples of HCC tissues and their corresponding, adjacent, non-cancerous liver tissues were collected. Total RNAs were extracted and the expression levels of lncRNA-ATB were measured by qRT-PCR. The association of lncRNA expression with clinicopathological features and patient survival were then analyzed. LncRNA-ATB was significantly upregulated in HCC tissues compared with the levels in corresponding non-cancerous tissues. Expression of lncRNA-ATB was significantly associated with portal vein thrombosis, intrahepatic or extrahepatic metastases, mUICC stage, and the BCLC stage. Large tumors (> 5 cm, HR = 3.851, 95% CI = 1.431–10.364, p = 0.008) and higher lncRNA-ATB expression (HR = 4.158, 95% CI = 1.226–14.107, p = 0.022) were the significant prognostic factors for overall survival. With this novel evidence of the involvement of lncRNA-ATB in HCC pathogenesis and clinical features, lncRNA-ATB can be concluded to have potential as a biomarker for the prognosis of HCC and as a targeted therapy for afflicted patients.

Intrahepatic Artery Pseudoaneurysm-induced Hemobilia Caused by a Plastic Biliary Stent After ABO-incompatible Living-donor Liver Transplantation: A Case Report

Bile leakage after duct-to-duct anastomosis in living-donor liver transplantation (LDLT) can mostly be managed by therapeutic endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography. Following this, various complications such as biliary infection, pancreatitis, perforation, and bleeding can occur, and endoscopic sphincterotomy is primarily associated with post- endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography bleeding; other causes have been published in case reports. In the present case, a plastic biliary stent used for treating liver abscesses and leakage at the bile duct anastomosis site after ABO-incompatible LDLT resulted in an intrahepatic artery pseudoaneurysm and hemobilia, which were managed by angiography and coil embolization. Although the complex postoperative course after LDLT can obscure the prompt diagnosis of an intrahepatic artery pseudoaneurysm and hemobilia, biliary stenting should be considered as a possible cause.

Pure laparoscopic donor right hepatectomy in a living donor with type 3a biliary variation: A case report

Rationale: With refinements in the operative technique, laparoscopic surgery has become the standard practice for liver resection. In the field of living donor liver transplantation, a few centers adopted laparoscopic surgery as an alternative to conventional open donor hepatectomy, and the application of pure laparoscopic donor right hepatectomy has been limited to the donors with simple, favorable biliary anatomy. Patient concerns: The candidate donor was a 19-year-old woman with type 3a bile duct variation. Interventions: After confirming precise cutting points under the guidance of a radiopaque marker rubber band, the bile ducts were divided and the remnant stumps were closed with suture and clipping using Hem-o-lok, respectively. Outcomes: The postoperative course was uneventful and she was satisfactory 6 months after surgery. Lessons: A laparoscopic donor hepatectomy for the living donor with biliary variation was feasible. Biliary variations are commonly encountered during living donor surgery, and we think that such variations in laparoscopic donor hepatectomy need to be overcome to expand the selection criteria.

Outcomes and recurrence pattern after non-anatomic liver resection for solitary hepatocellular carcinomas

Backgrounds/Aims Anatomic resection (AR) is preferred for eradicating portal tributaries in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). However, the extent of resection is influenced by underlying liver disease and tumor location. We compared the surgical outcomes and recurrence pattern between non-anatomic resection (NR) and AR. Methods From March 2009 to February 2012, 184 patients underwent surgical resection for HCC. Among these, 79 patients who were primarily treated for a single tumor without rupture or macroscopic vascular invasion were enrolled. The patients were divided into 2 groups based on the extent of resection: AR (n=31) or NR (n=48). We compared the clinical characteristics, overall survival, disease-free survival, pattern of recurrence, and biochemical liver functions during the perioperative period between the two groups. Results The extent of resection had no significant effect on overall or disease-free survival rates. The overall 1- and 3-year survival rates were 97% and 82% in the AR group, and 96% and 89% in the NR group, respectively (p=0.49). In addition, the respective 1- and 3-year disease-free survival rates for the AR and NR groups were 84% and 63%, and 85% and 65%, respectively (p=0.94). On the other hand, the presence of hepatic cirrhosis and a tumor size of >5 cm were significant risk factors for recurrence according to multivariate analysis (p<0.001 and p=0.003, respectively). The frequency of early recurrence, the first site of recurrence, and the pattern of intrahepatic recurrence were similar between the 2 groups (p=0.419, p=0.210, and p=0.734, respectively); in addition, the frequency of marginal recurrence did not differ between the 2 groups (1 patient in the AR group and 2 in the NR group). The NR group showed better postoperative liver function than the AR group. Conclusions Non-anatomic liver resection can be a safe and efficient treatment for patients with a solitary HCC without rupture or gross vascular invasion.

Predictive Factors for Long Operative Duration in Patients Undergoing Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy After Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangiography for Combined Choledochocystolithiasis

Purpose: Choledochocystolithiasis and its associated complications such as cholangitis and pancreatitis are managed by endoscopic retrograde cholangiography (ERC), with endoscopic stone extraction followed by laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC). However, affected patients present with complex conditions linked to operative difficulties in performing LC. The aim of this study was to elucidate the predictive factors for a prolonged LC procedure following ERC for treating patients with choledochocystolithiasis. Materials and Methods: The medical records of 109 patients who underwent LC after ERC for choledochocystolithiasis from September 2012 to August 2014 were evaluated retrospectively. The cases were divided into long and short operative duration groups using a cutoff operative time of 90 minutes. We used univariate and multivariate analyses to investigate predictive factors associated with long operative duration according to clinical variables, ERC-related factors, and peak serum levels of laboratory test values between the initial presentation and LC (intervening period). Results: Seventeen patients needed >90 min to complete LC. The presence of acute cholecystitis, placement of percutaneous transhepatic gallbladder drainage, higher peak serum white blood cell count and levels of C-reactive protein (CRP), and lower peak serum levels of lipase during the intervening period were associated with prolonged operative duration. Multivariate analysis showed that the independent predictive factors for long operative duration were the presence of acute cholecystitis (hazard ratio, 5.418; P=0.016) and higher peak levels of CRP (hazard ratio, 1.077; P=0.022). Conclusion: When patients with choledochocystolithiasis are scheduled for LC after ERC, the presence of acute cholecystitis and high CRP levels during the intervening period could predict a protracted operation.

Tenofovir, entecavir, and lamivudine in patients with severe acute exacerbation and hepatic decompensation of chronic hepatitis B

OBJECTIVE To compare the efficacy of and mortality after lamivudine (LAM), tenofovir (TDF), and entecavir (ETV) treatment in patients with severe acute chronic hepatitis B (CHB) exacerbation. METHODS We analyzed 91 patients with severe acute CHB exacerbation treated with LAM (n=28), TDF (n=26), or ETV (n=37) for 10 years. The primary endpoint was overall mortality or liver transplantation (LT) by 48 weeks. The determined predictors of mortality, virologic and biochemical responses, and drug resistance were also evaluated. RESULTS The overall mortality or LT rate was not significantly different among the LAM (14.3%), ETV (10.8%), and TDF (3.8%) groups (P=0.435). In the multivariate analysis, the occurrence of ascites (hazard ratio [HR] 10.467, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.596-68.645, P=0.014) and model for end-stage liver disease (MELD) scores above 25 (HR 28.920, CI 4.719-177.251, P=0.000) increased the risk of mortality or LT. All groups showed similar biochemical responses (P=0.134), virologic responses (HBV DNA <116copies/mL, P=0.151), and HBeAg seroconversion (P=0.560). Antiviral resistance emerged in five patients treated with LAM by 48 weeks (17.9%, P=0.003). CONCLUSION LAM, ETV, and TDF selection is not related with mortality and LT in patients with severe acute CHB exacerbation and hepatic decompensation. To reduce mortality, patients with ascites and MELD scores above 25 should be considered for LT.

Totally laparoscopic associating liver partition and portal vein ligation for staged hepatectomy using anterior approach in HCC patient with Type II portal vein anomaly

Associating liver partition and portal vein ligation for staged hepatectomy (ALPPS) has gradually developed because of rapid hypertrophy of the future liver remnant volume (FLR) in spite of high morbidity. To minimize the patients postoperative pain and morbidity including wound complication caused by two consecutive major abdominal operations, we adopted a totally laparoscopic approach and used a composite mesh graft. Also, to maximize the oncologic efficacy, we adopted the “anterior approach” technique. A 44-year-old woman with large hepatitis B-related hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in her right lobe was transferred to our hospital for surgical treatment. Preoperatively predicted FLR by a CT scan was 21% and type II portal vein anomaly was detected. A totally laparoscopic approach was planned. During the first stage operation, right anterior and posterior portal veins were meticulously dissected and tied. After parenchymal transection by the “anterior approach” technique, two glissonian pedicles of the right liver were individually isolated. A composite mesh graft was used to prevent severe adhesion on both liver partition surfaces. During the second-stage operation, 9 days after the first stage operation, the two isolated glissonian pedicles were initially transected. After full mobilization of the right lobe, the right hepatic vein was also transected. The right lobe was removed through the Pfannenstiel incision. She was discharged 7 days after the second stage operation. Her postoperative course was uneventful and there was no HCC recurrence for 15 months after hepatectomy. A totally laparoscopic ALPPS procedure can be a feasible technique that ensures patient safety and oncologic superiority, even in patients with complicated anatomical variation.