Sarcopenia versus clinical frailty scale in predicting the risk of postoperative mortality after emergency laparotomy: a retrospective cohort study.

OBJECTIVES: To compare predictive significance of sarcopenia and clinical frailty scale (CFS) in terms of postoperative mortality in patients undergoing emergency laparotomy METHODS: In compliance with STROCSS statement standards, a retrospective cohort study with prospective data collection approach was conducted. The study period was between January 2017 and January 2022. All adult patients with non-traumatic acute abdominal pathology who underwent emergency laparotomy in our centre were included. The primary outcome was 30-day mortality and secondary outcomes were in-hospital mortality and 90-day mortality. The predictive value of sarcopenia and CFS were compared using the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis and multivariable binary logistic regression analysis. RESULTS: A total of 1043 eligible patients were included. The risk of 30-day mortality, in-hospital mortality, and 90-day mortality were 8%, 10%, and 11%, respectively. ROC curve analysis suggested that sarcopenia is a significantly stronger predictor of 30-day mortality (AUC: 0.87 vs. 0.70, P<0.0001), in-hospital mortality (AUC: 0.79 vs. 0.67, P=0.0011), and 90-day mortality (AUC: 0.79 vs. 0.67, P=0.0009) compared with CFS. Moreover, multivariable binary logistic regression analysis identified sarcopenia as an independent predictor of mortality [coefficient: 4.333, OR: 76.16 (95% CI 37.06-156.52), P<0.0001] but not the CFS [coefficient: 0.096, OR: 1.10 (95% CI 0.88-1.38), P=0.4047]. CONCLUSIONS: Sarcopenia is a stronger predictor of postoperative mortality compared with CFS in patients undergoing emergency laparotomy. It cancels out the predictive value of clinical frailty scale in multivariable analyses; hence among the two variables, sarcopenia deserves to be included in preoperative predictive tools.

Prognostic significance of socioeconomic deprivation in patients with colorectal liver metastasis undergoing liver resection: a retrospective cohort study.

AIMS: To evaluate the effect of socioeconomic deprivation on overall survival (OS) in patients undergoing liver resection for colorectal liver metastasis (CRLM). METHODS: The STROCSS guideline for observational studies was followed to conduct a single-centre retrospective cohort study. All consecutive patients undergoing resection of CRLM between 2013 and 2021 were considered eligible for inclusion. The Welsh Index of Multiple Deprivation (WIMD) rank was used to determine socioeconomic deprivation status of each patient. Prognostic significance of socioeconomic deprivation was determined by Kaplan-Meier survival statistics and stepwise Cox proportional-hazards regression model. RESULTS: A total of 455 patients were eligible for inclusion; 237 patients were classed as least socioeconomically deprived and 218 patients as most socioeconomically deprived. Kaplan-Meier survival statistics showed that socioeconomic deprivation was associated with significantly lower probability of overall survival (HR: 1.55, 95% CI 1.23-1.95; logrank test: P = 0.0001). The stepwise Cox proportional-hazards regression analysis identified socioeconomic deprivation as predictor of OS (HR: 1.56, P = 0.0003) alongside the following variables: ASA status 1 (HR: 0.43, P = 0.0349), presence of extrahepatic disease (HR: 1.51, P = 0.0075), number of tumours (HR: 1.07, P = 0.0221), size of largest tumour (HR: 1.01, P = 0.0003), extended hemihepatectomy (HR: 3.24, P = 0.0018) and absence of recurrence (HR: 0.55, P < 0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: Socioeconomic deprivation reduces the probability of long-term overall survival following liver resection in patients with CRLM. This should be taken into account at different levels of health care planning for management of patients with CRLM including preoperative risk assessment, health care need assessment and allocation of resources.

Development and Validation of HAS (Hajibandeh Index, ASA Status, Sarcopenia) - A Novel Model for Predicting Mortality After Emergency Laparotomy.

OBJECTIVES: To develop and validate a predictive model to predict the risk of postoperative mortality after emergency laparotomy taking into account the following variables: age, age ≥ 80, ASA status, clinical frailty score, sarcopenia, Hajibandeh Index (HI), bowel resection, and intraperitoneal contamination. SUMMARY BACKGROUND DATA: The discriminative powers of the currently available predictive tools range between adequate and strong; none has demonstrated excellent discrimination yet. METHODS: The TRIPOD and STROCSS statement standards were followed to protocol and conduct a retrospective cohort study of adult patients who underwent emergency laparotomy due to non-traumatic acute abdominal pathology between 2017 and 2022. Multivariable binary logistic regression analysis was used to develop and validate the model via two protocols (Protocol A and B). The model performance was evaluated in terms of discrimination (ROC curve analysis), calibration (calibration diagram and Hosmer-Lemeshow test), and classification (classification table). RESULTS: One thousand forty-three patients were included (statistical power = 94%). Multivariable analysis kept HI (Protocol-A: P =0.0004; Protocol-B: P =0.0017), ASA status (Protocol-A: P =0.0068; Protocol-B: P =0.0007), and sarcopenia (Protocol-A: P <0.0001; Protocol-B: P <0.0001) as final predictors of 30-day postoperative mortality in both protocols; hence the model was called HAS (HI, ASA status, sarcopenia). The HAS demonstrated excellent discrimination (AUC: 0.96, P <0.0001), excellent calibration ( P <0.0001), and excellent classification (95%) via both protocols. CONCLUSIONS: The HAS is the first model demonstrating excellent discrimination, calibration, and classification in predicting the risk of 30-day mortality following emergency laparotomy. The HAS model seems promising and is worth attention for external validation using the calculator provided. HAS mortality risk calculator https://app.airrange.io/#/element/xr3b_E6yLor9R2c8KXViSAeOSK .

The risk and predictors of gallbladder cancer in patients with gallbladder polyps: A retrospective cohort study with an insight into confounding by indication.

BACKGROUND AND AIM: We aimed to determine the risk and predictors of gallbladder cancer in all individuals with gallbladder polyps (GP) including those who did not have cholecystectomy. METHODS: The STROCSS guideline was followed to conduct a retrospective cohort study. All individuals with GP between 2010 and 2019 were followed up to determine the risk and predictors of gallbladder cancer. The primary outcomes were gallbladder cancer and gallbladder dysplasia, and the secondary outcomes included polyp growth rate and polyp disappearance rate. Binary logistic regression analysis and receiver operating characteristic curve analysis were conducted to evaluate the outcomes. RESULTS: Analysis of 438 patients showed risk of gallbladder cancer was 0.7% in all polyps (0% in polyps < 10 mm; 5.9% in polyps ≥ 10 mm). The risk of gallbladder dysplasia or cancer was 1.1% in all polyps (0% in polyps < 10 mm; 10% in polyps ≥ 10 mm). The polyp size (P = 0.0001) was predictor of cancer; however, patient's age (P = 0.1085), number of polyps (P = 0.9983), symptomatic polyps (P = 0.3267), and change in size (P = 0.9012) were not. Size of 21 mm was cut-off for risk of cancer (area under the curve [AUC]: 0.995, P < 0.001) and 11.8 mm for risk of dysplasia or cancer (AUC: 0.986, P < 0.001). The mean polyp growth rate was 0.3 mm/year and polyp disappearance rate was 16%. CONCLUSIONS: The GP size remains the only predictor of malignant changes regardless of patient's age, patient's symptoms and number of polyps. The polyp growth rate is unremarkable, and a significant proportion disappears during follow-up. We changed our follow-up protocol with reduced number of scans and early discharge policy.

Case Report: Response to ipilimumab and nivolumab in a patient with adrenocortical carcinoma.

Background: Adrenocortical carcinoma (ACC) is a rare malignancy with limited treatment options. The evidence for the use of immunotherapy in ACC has been conflicting, with overall response rates ranging from 6 - 33%. Case presentation: We describe the case of a 32 year old patient who was initially thought to have an inoperable clear cell renal cell carcinoma and was treated with immunotherapy with ipilimumab and nivolumab. The patient had an excellent partial response to treatment. Further work-up prior to consideration of surgery demonstrated that the tumour was an ACC, rather than a renal cancer. She had a right adrenalectomy and right hepatectomy, achieving an R0 resection and remains disease-free one year after surgery. Conclusion: This case illustrates the challenge of diagnosing ACC, and that doublet immunotherapy with ipilimumab and nivolumab can have significant clinical efficacy in ACC.

The risk of hepatic pseudoaneurysm after liver trauma in relation to the severity of liver injury: a meta-analysis and meta-regression analysis.

AIM: To determine the risk of hepatic pseudoaneurysm after liver trauma in relation to the severity of liver injury. METHODS: We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis in compliance with PRISMA statement standards (Registration Number: CRD42022328834). A search of electronic information sources was conducted to identify all studies reporting the risk of hepatic pseudoaneurysm after liver trauma. The JBI assessment tool was used to assess the risk of bias of the included studies. Random-effects models were applied to calculate pooled outcome data. RESULTS: A total of 2030 patients from six studies were included. Based on the American Association for the Surgery of Trauma classification system, 21% had grade I injury; 33% grade II injury; 28% grade III injury; 12% grade IV injury and 5% grade V injury. The pooled risk of hepatic pseudoaneurysm was 1.8% (95% CI 1.1-2.5%). The risk was 0.4% (0-1.2%) in patients with grade I injury, 0.7% (0-1.7%) in patients with grade II injury; 1.5% (0.4-2.7%) in patients with grade III injury; 4.6% (1.4-7.7%) in patients with grade IV injury and 10.6% (1.8-22.9%) in patients with grade V injury. The average time between liver injury and detection of hepatic pseudoaneurysm was 6 days (95% CI 1-10) CONCLUSIONS: The risk of hepatic pseudoaneurysm after liver trauma increases as the severity of liver injury increases. Hepatic pseudoaneurysms are rare after grade I or grade II injuries, and increasingly common after grades III, IV and V injuries. We recommend routine surveillance imaging in patients with grade III to V injuries.

Cohort study of long-term survival and recurrence patterns following operative management of colorectal liver metastasis - is follow-up beyond 5 years warranted?

AIMS: To evaluate the patterns of overall survival (OS) and recurrence following surgical resection of colorectal liver metastases (CRLM). METHODS: In compliance with STROCSS guideline, a single-centre retrospective cohort study was conducted. All consecutive patients undergoing resection of CRLM between 2003 and 2019 were considered eligible for inclusion. The outcome measures included OS, recurrence-free survival (RFS), recurrence rate, time to recurrence (TTR) and longest TTR. Statistical analyses included simple descriptive statistics and Kaplan-Meier survival statistics. RESULTS: We included 486 liver resections in 472 patients. The estimated median OS and RFS were 5.1 years and 3.1 years, respectively. The probability of 1-year, 3-year, 5-year and 10-year OS was 93%, 69%, 50% and 34%, respectively. The probability of 1-year, 3-year, 5-year and 10-year RFS was 81%, 50%, 34% and 33%, respectively. Recurrence occurred in 56% (271/486) of patients, and the median TTR was 1.6 years (IQR: 0.8-2.7) with longest TTR of 4.8 years. Although there were no recurrences in the 66 patients that entered the 6th year, the 95% CI for true rate of recurrence in the population given these data is 0-5.4%. CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that recurrences that occur after operative management of CRLM are almost certain to occur within the first 5 years even for patients surviving longer than 5 years. This does not disprove the requirement for follow up beyond 5 years. However, based on this data, we have altered our follow up from 10 to 6 years. The need for the 6th year of follow up will be reassessed in light of further observations.

How successful is liver resection for colorectal cancer liver metastases in patients over 75 years old?

BACKGROUNDS/AIMS: As populations age, an increased incidence of colorectal cancer will generate an increase in colorectal cancer liver metastases (CRLM). In order to guide treatment decisions, this study aimed to identify the contemporary complication rates of elderly patients undergoing liver resection for CRLM in a, centralised, UK centre. METHODS: All patients undergoing operative procedures for CRLM between January 2013 and January 2019 were included. Patient, tumour and operative data were analysed, including the prognostic marker; tumour burden score. RESULTS: 339 operations were performed on 289 consecutive patients with CRLM (272 patients ＜75 years old, 67 patients ≥75 years old). Median age was 66 years (range 20-93). There was no difference in major complication rates between the two age cohorts (6.65 vs. 6.0%, p=0.847) or operative mortality (1.1% vs. 1.4%, p=0.794). Younger patients had higher R1 resection rates (20.4% vs. 4.5%, p=0.002) and post-operative chemotherapy rates (60.3% vs. 35.8%, p< 0.001). The 1, 3 and 5-year OS was 90.2%, 70.5% and 52.3% respectively, median 70 months, with no difference between age cohorts (p=0.772). Tumour Burden score and operation type were independent predictors of overall survival. CONCLUSIONS: Liver resection for CRLM in patients 75 years and older is feasible, safe and confers a similar 5-year survival rate to younger patients. The current outcomes from surgery are better than historical datasets.

SARS-CoV-2 infection in acute pancreatitis increases disease severity and 30-day mortality: COVID PAN collaborative study.

OBJECTIVE: There is emerging evidence that the pancreas may be a target organ of SARS-CoV-2 infection. This aim of this study was to investigate the outcome of patients with acute pancreatitis (AP) and coexistent SARS-CoV-2 infection. DESIGN: A prospective international multicentre cohort study including consecutive patients admitted with AP during the current pandemic was undertaken. Primary outcome measure was severity of AP. Secondary outcome measures were aetiology of AP, intensive care unit (ICU) admission, length of hospital stay, local complications, acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), persistent organ failure and 30-day mortality. Multilevel logistic regression was used to compare the two groups. RESULTS: 1777 patients with AP were included during the study period from 1 March to 23 July 2020. 149 patients (8.3%) had concomitant SARS-CoV-2 infection. Overall, SARS-CoV-2-positive patients were older male patients and more likely to develop severe AP and ARDS (p<0.001). Unadjusted analysis showed that SARS-CoV-2-positive patients with AP were more likely to require ICU admission (OR 5.21, p<0.001), local complications (OR 2.91, p<0.001), persistent organ failure (OR 7.32, p<0.001), prolonged hospital stay (OR 1.89, p<0.001) and a higher 30-day mortality (OR 6.56, p<0.001). Adjusted analysis showed length of stay (OR 1.32, p<0.001), persistent organ failure (OR 2.77, p<0.003) and 30-day mortality (OR 2.41, p<0.04) were significantly higher in SARS-CoV-2 co-infection. CONCLUSION: Patients with AP and coexistent SARS-CoV-2 infection are at increased risk of severe AP, worse clinical outcomes, prolonged length of hospital stay and high 30-day mortality.

Hepatocellular carcinoma in body builders; an emerging rare but serious complication of androgenic anabolic steroid use.

Illicit use of androgenic anabolic steroids (AAS) is a known problem amongst certain groups including body builders and other athletes. Use of these drugs is thought to be high in some areas of South Wales. A number of adverse effects have been associated with use of AAS including the development of hepatic adenomas. There have been a handful of rare cases of the development of hepatocellular carcinoma following AAS use. We report two such cases presenting to the same surgical centre in South Wales within six months. We do this with reference to data from Public Health Wales, including the Harm Reduction Wales Needle and Syringe provision report, which indicate a particularly high rate of use of AAS in the surrounding area. We believe these cases are important from the public health point of view. They demonstrate a rare and not widely known about, but potentially fatal adverse effect of AAS, now becoming prevalent with the high use of these drugs. This is important for doctors to be aware of, but also could form the focus of a public health campaign targeted at AAS users.

Partial ALPPS with a longer wait between procedures is safe and yields adequate future liver remnant hypertrophy.

BACKGROUNDS/AIMS: Associating Liver Partition and Portal Vein Ligation for Staged Hepatectomy (ALPPS) has generated controversy due to high morbidity and mortality. We present our series of patients with 30-40% parenchymal transection and minimal hilar dissection. METHODS: Patients who had partial ALPPS between April 2015 and April 2016 were included. Patients with colorectal liver metastases (CRLM) had their future liver remnants (FLR) cleared with metastasectomies. The liver was divided along the future line of transection to 30-40%, right portal vein was stapled and divided without extensive hilar dissection, with minimal handling of right liver, which was not mobilised. We preserved the middle hepatic vein. Data were collected prospectively for hypertrophy of the FLR, morbidity and mortality. RESULTS: Among the 8 patients (age 25-68) investigated, one patient with cholangiocarcinoma had portal vein embolization prior to partial ALPPS. All patients completed two stages with adequate FLR hypertrophy at a median of 28 days. No mortality was found. The median length of stay after stages 1 and 2 was 9 and 9.6 days, respectively. The median increase in FLR was 38%. CONCLUSIONS: A limited transection of 30-40%, minimal hilar dissection and longer wait between stages yielded adequate FLR hypertrophy with low morbidity and no mortality.

Top research priorities in liver and gallbladder disorders in the UK.

OBJECTIVES: There is a mismatch between research questions considered important by patients, carers and healthcare professionals and the research performed in many fields of medicine. The non-alcohol-related liver and gallbladder disorders priority setting partnership was established to identify the top research priorities in the prevention, diagnostic and treatment of gallbladder disorders and liver disorders not covered by the James-Lind Alliance (JLA) alcohol-related liver disease priority setting partnership. DESIGN: The methods broadly followed the principles of the JLA guidebook. The one major deviation from the JLA methodology was the final step of identifying priorities: instead of prioritisation by group discussions at a consensus workshop involving stakeholders, the prioritisation was achieved by a modified Delphi consensus process. RESULTS: A total of 428 unique valid diagnostic or treatment research questions were identified. A literature review established that none of these questions were considered 'answered' that is, high-quality systematic reviews suggest that further research is not required on the topic. The Delphi panel achieved consensus (at least 80% Delphi panel members agreed) that a research question was a top research priority for six questions. Four additional research questions with highest proportion of Delphi panel members ranking the question as highly important were added to constitute the top 10 research priorities. CONCLUSIONS: A priority setting process involving patients, carers and healthcare professionals has been used to identify the top 10priority areas for research related to liver and gallbladder disorders. Basic, translational, clinical and public health research are required to address these uncertainties.

Epidural analgesia provides effective pain relief in patients undergoing open liver surgery.

BACKGROUND: Epidural analgesia has been the reference standard for the provision of post-operative pain relief in patients recovering from major upper abdominal operations, including liver resections. However, a failure rate of 20-32% has been reported. AIM: The aim of the study was to analyse the success rates of epidural analgesia and the outcome in patients who underwent liver surgery. METHODS: We collected data from a prospectively maintained database of 70 patients who underwent open liver surgery by a bilateral subcostal incision during a period of 20 months (February 2009 to September 2010). Anaesthetic consultants with expertise in anaesthesia for liver surgery performed the epidural catheter placement. A dedicated pain team assessed the post-operative pain scores on moving or coughing using the Verbal Descriptor Scale. The outcome was measured in terms of epidural success rates, pain scores, post-operative chest infection and length of hospital stay. RESULTS: The study group included 43 males and 27 females. The indication for resection was liver secondaries (70%), primary tumours (19%) and benign disease (11%). While major (≥3 segments) and minor resections (≤ 2 segments) were performed in 44% and 47% respectively, 9% of patients were inoperable. Epidural analgesia was successful in 64 patients (91%). Bacterial colonisation of epidural tip was noticed in two patients. However, no neurological complications were encountered. Five patients (7%) had radiologically confirmed chest infection. Four patients (6%) developed wound infection. One patient died due to liver failure following extended right hepatectomy and cholecystectomy for gall bladder cancer. The median length of stay was 6 days (3-27 days). The extent of liver resection (p = 0.026) and post-operative chest infection (p = 0.012) had a significant influence on the length of stay. CONCLUSION: Our experience shows that epidural analgesia is safe and effective in providing adequate pain relief following open liver surgery.

The impact of local guidelines on the tumour marker requesting patterns of a General Surgery Department.

BACKGROUND: The inappropriate use of tumour markers (TMs) is a common problem. The aim of this audit was to evaluate the impact of local guidelines on the TM requesting patterns of a General Surgery Department. METHODS: CA 125, CA 19-9, CA15-3, CEA, AFP and HCG requests from all hospital surgical locations were audited over two periods of eight months before and after the implementation of local requesting guidelines. RESULTS: Postintervention, total TM requests decreased by 32% while patient requests decreased by 9.8%. Single TM requesting increased and requests for panels containing four or more TMs decreased from 279 to 60 requests (78% reduction). CONCLUSION: Interdepartmental collaboration and the implementation of local guidelines have resulted in a change in requesting behaviour, most notably a reduction in multiple TM panel requests.

Gallstone pancreatitis after laparoscopic cholecystectomy.

This case report describes the rare presentation of an unknown dumbbell shaped (or hourglass with diaphragmatic membrane) gallbladder presenting as gallstone pancreatitis 5 months after laparoscopic cholecystectomy for cholelithiasis and our management strategy. This case highlights the importance of ensuring adequate exposure at the time of operation to prevent such presentations.

Cavoportal transposition for portal vein thrombosis in a pediatric living-related liver transplantation.

We report a case of a living-related liver transplantation in a child in whom diffuse thrombosis of the portal venous system required the use of recipient vena cava to perfuse the donor portal vein (cavoportal transposition). An 8 (1/2)-month-old infant with biliary atresia received the left lateral segment of his father's liver. The child's portal vein was irretrievably thrombosed, as were the splenic and superior mesenteric veins. A cavoportal anastomosis provided excellent flow to the liver, and there was no engorgement of the graft, which had good immediate function. The main postoperative problem was loss of 3 to 3.5 liters of ascitic fluid through the drain for 2 weeks. The ascites eventually resolved over a period of 4 weeks. Twenty-four months after transplantation, the child is thriving on a normal diet and has no ascites. A Doppler examination showed good flow in the cavoportal anastomosis.

The cost effectiveness of tacrolimus versus microemulsified cyclosporin: a 10-year model of renal transplantation outcomes.

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVE: In 1983, the launch of cyclosporin was a significant clinical advance for organ transplant recipients. Subsequent drug research led to further advances with the introduction of cyclosporin microemulsion (cyclosporin ME) and tacrolimus. This paper presents the results from a long-term model comparing the clinical and economic outcomes associated with cyclosporin ME and tacrolimus immunosuppression for the prevention of graft rejection following renal transplantation. STUDY DESIGN: A model was developed to project the costs and outcomes over a 10-year period following transplantation. The model was based on the results of a prospective, randomised study of 179 renal transplantation recipients receiving either cyclosporin ME or tacrolimus, which was conducted by the Welsh Transplantation Research Group (median follow-up: 2.7 years). METHODS: The short-term costs and outcomes were the averages from the actual head-to-head trial data. From this, the long-term costs and outcomes were extrapolated based on the rate of change in patient and graft survival at 3, 5 and 10 years post transplant, as reported in the 1995 United Kingdom Transplant Support Service Authority Renal Transplant Audit. PERSPECTIVE AND YEAR OF COST DATA: The analysis was conducted from the perspective of a UK transplant unit. Costs were at 1999 prices (pounds sterling 1 = dollars US 1.42 = Euro 1.5) and costs and outcomes were discounted at 6% and 1.5%, respectively. RESULTS: The model estimated that 10 years after transplantation, the proportion of patients surviving was 56% of the cyclosporin ME cohort and 64% of the tacrolimus cohort. The cumulative cost of maintenance therapy at 10 years was pounds sterling 23204 per patient maintained on cyclosporin ME versus pounds sterling 23803 per patient on tacrolimus. The cost per survivor at 10 years was pounds sterling 37000 (tacrolimus) versus pounds sterling 41000 (cyclosporin ME) and the cost per patient with a functioning graft was pounds sterling 39000 versus pounds sterling 45000. A Monte Carlo simulation of the model (10000 simulations) gave an average cost at 10 years of pounds sterling 23279 (SD pounds sterling 3457) for cyclosporin ME and pounds sterling 22841 (SD pounds sterling 3590) for tacrolimus. A (second order) probabilistic sensitivity analysis was also performed. The average cost at 10 years from a simulated cohort of 1000 was pounds sterling 23473 (SD pounds sterling 2154) for cyclosporin ME and pounds sterling 24087 (SD pounds sterling 2025) for tacrolimus. CONCLUSION: Renal transplant recipients maintained on tacrolimus have better short- and long-term outcomes than patients maintained on cyclosporin ME. The long-term use of tacrolimus is a more cost-effective solution in terms of the number of survivors, patients with a functioning graft and rejection-free patients.