Project description:AimTo report a single-centre experience with the novel Associating Liver Partition and Portal vein ligation for Staged hepatectomy (ALPPS) technique and systematically review the related literature.MethodsSince January 2013, patients with extended primary or secondary liver tumors whose future liver remnant (FLR) was considered too small to allow hepatic resection were prospectively assessed for the ALPPS procedure. A systematic literature search was performed using PubMed, Scopus and the Cochrane Library Central.ResultsUntil July 2014 ALPPS was completed in 9 patients whose mean age was 60 ± 8 years. Indications for surgical resection were metastases from colorectal cancer in 3 cases, perihilar cholangiocarcinoma in 3 cases, intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma in 2 cases and hepatocellular carcinoma without chronic liver disease in 1 case. The calculated FLR volume was 289 ± 122 mL (21.1 ± 5.5%) before ALPPS-1 and 528 ± 121 mL (32.2 ± 5.7%) before ALLPS-2 (p < 0.001). The increase in FLR between the two procedures was 96 ± 47% (range: 24-160%, p < 0.001). Additional interventions were performed in 4 cases: 3 patients underwent Roux-en-Y hepaticojejunostomy, and one case underwent wedge resection of a residual tumor in the FLR. The average time between the first and second step of the procedure was 10.8 ± 2.9 days. The average hospital stay was 24.1 ± 13.3 days. There was 1 postoperative death due to hepatic failure in the oldest patient of this series who had a perihilar cholangiocarcinoma and concomitant liver fibrosis; 11 complications occurred in 6 patients, 4 of whom had grade III or above disease. After a mean follow-up of 17.1 ± 8.5 months, the overall survival was 89% at 3-6 and 12 months. The recurrence-free survival was 100%, 87.5% and 75% at 3-6-12 months respectively. The literature search yielded 148 articles, of which 22 articles published between 2012 and 2015 were included in this systematic review.ConclusionThe ALPPS technique effectively increased the resectability of otherwise inoperable liver tumors. The postoperative morbidity in our series was high in accordance with the data from the systematic review. Age, liver fibrosis and presence of biliary stenting were predisposing factors for postoperative morbidity and mortality.
Project description:Colorectal liver metastases (CRLM) are the major cause of death in patients with colorectal cancer (CRC). The cornerstone treatment of CRLM is surgical resection. Post-operative morbidity and mortality are mainly linked to an inadequate future liver remnant (FLR). Nowadays preoperative portal vein embolization (PVE) is the most widely performed technique to increase the size of the future liver remnant (FLR) before major hepatectomies. One method recently proposed to increase the FLR is liver venous deprivation (LVD), but its oncological impact is still unknown. The aim of this study is to report first short- and long-term oncological outcomes after LVD in patients undergoing right (or extended right) hepatectomy for CRLM. Seventeen consecutive patients undergoing LVD between July 2015 and May 2020 before an (extended) right hepatectomy were retrospectively analyzed from an institutional database. Post-operative and follow-up data were analyzed and reported. Primary outcomes were 1-year and 3-year overall survival (OS) and hepatic recurrence (HR). Postoperative complications occurred in 8 patients (47%). No deaths occurred after surgery. HR occurred in 9 patients (52.9%). 1-year and 3-year OS were 87% (95% confidence interval [CI]: ±16%) and 60.3%, respectively (95% CI: ±23%). Median Disease-Free Survival (DFS) was 6 months (CI 95%: 4.7-7.2). With all the limitations of a retrospective study with a small sample size, LVD showed similar oncological outcomes compared to literature reports for Portal Vein Embolization (PVE).
Project description:Extended venous thromboembolism (VTE) prophylaxis has been shown to reduce the incidence of VTE in patients following cancer resections.[1] However, ensuring patients are discharged with the prescription remains a challenge, with junior doctors frequently rotating throughout different specialties. We conducted an audit to assess the compliance rate in the colorectal and hepatobiliary (HPB) unit at the Queen's Medical Centre in Nottingham. Extended VTE prophylaxis was considered compliant to the guideline if it was prescribed on discharge. The baseline measurement demonstrated compliance rates of 79% and 48% in the colorectal and HPB units respectively. Following discussion with the stakeholders, several interventions that include education and visual reminders were implemented to increase awareness of the importance of extended VTE prophylaxis among junior doctors. Results of the re-audit have shown a remarkable improvement; compliance rates were increased to 93% and 72% in the colorectal and HPB units respectively. We conclude that visual reminder is a simple yet effective tool to improve awareness among junior doctors on the importance of extended VTE prophylaxis in cancer patients. Nevertheless, education remains crucial to ensure the sustainability of any intervention.
Project description:Anatomic resections with bronchial and/or vascular resections and reconstruction, so called sleeve resections were originally performed in patients with impaired cardio-pulmonary reserves. Nowadays, sleeve resections are established surgical procedures of first choice for tracheobronchial pathologies, whenever anatomically and oncologically feasible. Experienced thoracic surgeons have a broad surgical armentarium to avoid a pneumonectomy and the morbidity and mortality associated with it. Sleeve resections are associated with better outcomes in all aspects. Thus, sleeve resection is not an alternative for pneumonectomy and vice versa. In this review article we set out to provide a contemporary overview on this topic.
Project description:BackgroundThe 5-year survival of patients receiving standard-of-care chemotherapy for metastatic gastric cancer (MGC) to the liver is <2%. This review examines the published data on liver resections for MGC and analyses the rationale for potentially aggressive surgical management.MethodsA search of the PubMed and Scopus databases was used to identify studies published in English from 1990 to 2009 that reported on 10 or more patients who underwent liver resections for MGC. All available clinicopathologic data were analysed. In particular, we examined longterm survival and the characteristics of individuals surviving for >5 years.ResultsNineteen studies reported on 436 patients. Median 5-year survival was 26.5% (range: 0-60%). Overall, 13.4% (48/358) of patients were alive at 5 years and studies with extended follow-up reported that 4.0% (7/174) of patients survived for >10 years. Overall in-hospital mortality was 3.5% (12/340 patients); however, the median mortality rate across the studies was 0%. No prognostic factor was found to be consistently statistically significant across these small studies.ConclusionsDespite the limitations of any analysis of retrospective data for highly selected groups of patients, it would appear that liver resections combined with systemic therapy for MGC can result in prolonged survival.
Project description:Guidelines recommend an extended course of anticoagulation therapy for patients who experienced venous thromboembolism (VTE) without transient provocation, however, optimal duration remains uncertain. We assessed effectiveness and safety of extended use of apixaban and warfarin greater than 6 months of initial treatment in patients with VTE. We conducted a retrospective cohort study of Medicare beneficiaries aged greater than or equal to 18 years with deep vein thrombosis or pulmonary embolism. Patients were required to have initiated anticoagulants within 30 days of their first VTE diagnosis, completed 6 months of initial anticoagulant treatment, and received extended phase treatment with apixaban (the apixaban group) or warfarin (the warfarin group) or no extended therapy. Multivariable Cox proportional hazards modeling with inverse probability treatment weighting was used to compare recurrent VTE, mortality, and major bleeding risks among the three groups. Mean extended-treatment duration was up to 10 months and 14 months in apixaban and warfarin groups, respectively. Compared with no extended treatment, apixaban use was associated with decreased risks of recurrent VTE (hazard ratio [HR] = 0.08, [95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.01-0.41]) and mortality (HR = 0.37, [95% CI: 0.27-0.51]) without increased major bleeding risk (HR = 1.29, [95% CI: 0.68-2.45]); warfarin use was associated not with recurrent VTE risk change but with increased major bleeding risk (HR = 2.14, [95% CI: 1.26-3.65]) and decreased mortality risk (HR = 0.39, [95% CI: 0.29-0.51]). Compared with warfarin, apixaban use was associated with decreased recurrent VTE (HR = 0.13, [95% CI: 0.03-0.63]) and major bleeding (HR = 0.56, [95% CI: 0.32-0.98]) risks. Subgroup and sensitivity analyses (e.g., intention-to-treat) findings remained consistent. Compared with warfarin or no extended therapy, extended-apixaban use was associated with reduced risk of recurrent VTE without increased major bleeding risk. Continuing anticoagulant therapy with apixaban greater than 6 months may be effective and safe.
Project description:Background and Aims The aim was to establish a liver venous deprivation (LVD) model in rats, compare hepatic hypertrophy between LVD and associated liver partition and portal vein ligation for staged hepatectomy (ALPPS), and explore the underlying mechanisms. Methods The LVD or extended-LVD (e-LVD) group received portal vein ligation (PVL) combined with hepatic vein ligation (HVL). The ALPPS or e-ALPPS group received PVL plus parenchyma ligation. Liver regeneration was assessed by measuring the liver weight and performing pathological analysis. Liver functions and the sphingosine kinase 1 (SPHK1)/sphingosine-1-phosphate (S1P)/sphingosine-1-phosphate receptor 1 (S1PR1) pathway were also investigated. Results All future liver remnants (FLRs) in the ALPPS, e-ALPPS, LVD, and e-LVD groups exhibited significant hypertrophy compared with the control group. The LVD and e-LVD procedures induced similar liver hypertrophy than that in the corresponding ALPPS groups. Furthermore, the LVD and e-LVD methods led to obvious cytolysis in the venous-deprived lobes as well as a noticeable increase in serum transaminase levels, while no necrosis was observed in the ALPPS and e-ALPPS groups. SPHK1/S1P/S1PR1 pathway were distinctly activated after operation, especially in congestive/ischemic livers. Conclusions We describe the first rat model of LVD and e-LVD with simultaneously associated HVL and PVL. Compared with the ALPPS technique, the LVD or e-LVD procedure had a comparable overall effect on the hypertrophy response and a stronger effect on liver function. The SPHK1/S1P/S1PR1 pathway was involved in the LVD- or ALPPS-induced liver remodeling. Graphical abstract
Project description:Background and objectiveThe measurement of portal venous pressure (PVP) has been extensively studied, primarily through indirect methods. However, the potential of ultrasound-guided percutaneous transhepatic PVP measurement as a direct method has been largely unexplored. This study aimed to investigate the accuracy, safety, and feasibility of this approach.MethodsIn vitro, the experiment aimed to select a needle that could accurately transmit pressure, had a small inner diameter and was suitable for liver puncture, and performed on 20 healthy New Zealand white rabbits. An ultrasound-guided percutaneous transhepatic portal vein puncture was undertaken to measure PVP. Additionally, free hepatic venous pressure (FHVP) and wedged hepatic venous pressure (WHVP) were measured under digital subtraction angiography (DSA). The correlation between the two methods was assessed. Enroll study participants from October 18, 2023 to November 11, 2023 with written informed consent. Five patients were measured the PVP under ultrasound guidance before surgery to determine the feasibility of this measurement method.ResultsThere was no significant difference in the results obtained using 9 different types of needles (P > 0.05). This demonstrated a great repeatability (P < 0.05). The 22G chiba needle with small inner diameter, allowing for accurate pressure transmission and suitable for liver puncture, was utilized for percutaneous transhepatic PVP measurement. There were positive correlations between PVP and HVPG (r = 0.881), PVP and WHVP (r = 0.709), HVPG and WHVP (r = 0.729), IVCP and FHVP (r = 0.572). The PVP was accurately and safely measured in 5 patients with segmental hepatectomy. No complications could be identified during postoperative ultrasound.ConclusionPercutaneous transhepatic portal venous puncture under ultrasound guidance is accurate, safe and feasible to measure portal venous pressure.Clinical trial registration numberThis study has been registered in the Chinese Clinical Trial Registry with registration number ChiCTR2300076751.