Impact of Extra-anatomical Hepatic Artery Reconstruction During Living Donor Liver Transplantation on Biliary Complications and Graft and Patient Survival.

BACKGROUND: This study was designed to analyze the feasibility of extra-anatomical hepatic artery (HA) reconstruction in living donor liver transplantation (LT). METHODS: Patients who underwent their first living donor LT at our center between January 2008 and December 2017 were reviewed. HA reconstruction was classified as anatomical or extra-anatomical reconstruction (EAR). We compared the background characteristics and posttransplantation outcomes, including complications, biliary complications, graft survival, and overall survival. The potential risk factors for bile leakage were analyzed using multivariable logistic regression, while risk factors for biliary stricture-free survival, graft survival, and overall survival were analyzed using multivariable Cox regression. RESULTS: Among 800 patients, 35 (4.4%) underwent EAR, of whom 7 (7/35, 20.0%) experienced HA complications after the initial anatomical reconstruction and required EAR during reoperation. Patients who underwent EAR (n = 2/35, 5.7%) had a similar rate of HA complications compared with those who underwent anatomical reconstruction (n = 46/772, 5.9%, P = 0.699). EAR was a significant risk factor for bile leakage (odds ratio [OR], 4.167; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.928-9.006; P < 0.001) along with multiple bile ducts (OR, 1.606; 95% CI, 1.022-2.526; P = 0.040) and hepaticojejunostomy (OR, 4.108; 95% CI, 2.190-7.707; P < 0.001). However, EAR had no statistical relationship to biliary stricture-free survival (hazard ratio [HR], 1.602; 95% CI, 0.982-2.613; P = 0.059), graft survival (HR, 1.745; 95% CI, 0.741-4.109; P = 0.203), or overall survival (HR, 1.405; 95% CI, 0.786-2.513; P = 0.251). HA complications were associated with poor biliary stricture-free survival (HR, 2.060; 95% CI, 1.329-3.193; P = 0.001), graft survival (HR, 5.549; 95% CI, 2.883-10.681; P < 0.001), and overall survival (HR, 1.958; 95% CI, 1.195-3.206; P = 0.008). CONCLUSION: Extra-anatomical HA reconstruction during living donor LT was not a risk factor for biliary stricture, graft failure, or overall survival.

Diminished Survival in Patients with Bile Leak and Ductal Injury: Management Strategy and Outcomes.

BACKGROUND: The increased incidence of bile duct injuries (BDIs) after the adoption of laparoscopic cholecystectomy has been well documented. However, the longitudinal impact of bile leaks and BDIs on survival and healthcare use have not been studied adequately. The aims of this analysis were to determine the incidence, long-term outcomes, and costs of bile leaks and ductal injuries in a large population. STUDY DESIGN: The California Office of Statewide Health Planning and Development database was queried from 2005 to 2014. Bile leaks, BDIs, and their management strategy were defined. Survival was calculated by Kaplan-Meier failure estimates with multivariable regression and propensity analyses. Cost analyses used inflation adjustments and institution-specific cost-to-charge ratios. RESULTS: Of 711,454 cholecystecomies, bile leaks occurred in 3,551 patients (0.50%) and were managed almost exclusively by endoscopists. Bile duct injuries occurred in 1,584 patients (0.22%) with 84% managed surgically. Patients with a bile leak were more likely to die at 1 year (2.4% vs 1.4%; odds ratio 1.85; p < 0.001). Similarly, BDI patients had an increased 1-year mortality (7.2% vs 1.3%; odds ratio 2.04; p < 0.0001). Survival of BDI patients was better with an operative approach (odds ratio 0.19; p < 0.001) when compared with endoscopic management. Operatively managed BDIs were also associated with fewer emergency department visits and readmissions, as well as lower cumulative costs at 1 year ($60,539 vs $118,245; p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: The 0.22% incidence of BDIs observed in California is lower than reported in the first decade after the introduction of laparoscopic cholecystectomy. Bile leaks are 2.3 times more common than BDIs. Patients with a bile leak or BDI have diminished survival. Surgical repair of a BDI leads to enhanced survival and reduced cumulative cost compared with endoscopic management.

Cholangiopathy in critically ill patients surviving beyond the intensive care period: a multicentre survey in liver units.

BACKGROUND: The outcome of cholangiopathy developing in intensive care unit (ICU) is not known in patients surviving their ICU stay. AIM: To perform a survey in liver units, in order to clarify the course of cholangiopathy after surviving ICU stay. METHODS: The files of the liver units affiliated to the French network for vascular liver disease were screened for cases of ICU cholangiopathy developing in patients with normal liver function tests on ICU admission, and no prior history of liver disease. RESULTS: Between 2005 and 2015, 16 cases were retrieved. Extensive burns were the cause for admission to ICU in 11 patients. Serum alkaline phosphatase levels increased from day 11 (2-46) to a peak of 15 (4-32) × ULN on day 81 (12-511). Magnetic resonance cholangiography showed irregularities or frank stenosis of the intrahepatic ducts, and proximal extrahepatic ducts contrasting with a normal aspect of the distal common bile duct. Follow-up duration was 20.6 (4.7-71.8) months. Three patients were lost to follow-up; 2 patients died from liver failure and no patient was transplanted. One patient had worsening strictures of the intrahepatic bile ducts with jaundice. Nine patients had persistent but minor strictures of the intrahepatic bile ducts on MR cholangiography, and persistent cholestasis without jaundice. One patient had normal liver function tests. CONCLUSIONS: In patients surviving their ICU stay, ICU cholangiopathy is not uniformly fatal in the short term or clinically symptomatic in the medium term. Preservation of the distal common bile duct appears to be a finding differentiating ICU cholangiopathy from other diffuse cholangiopathies.

Biliary Complications After Liver Transplantation: Incidence, Risk Factors and Impact on Patient and Graft Survival.

INTRODUCTION: Biliary complications (BC) are one of the most frequent surgical complications after liver transplantation. They include biliary stenosis, leaks, choledocolitiasis and sphincter of Oddi dysfunction. These complications can cause graft dysfunction, retrasplantation, or even death. The purpose of this study was to identify factors related to BC. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The medical records of all adult patients who underwent their first liver transplantation in our institution from 2005 to 2013 were reviewed, and any BC that required management was recorded. Cumulative incidence of BC was estimated using Kaplan-Meier. Patient and graft survival was compared using the log-rank test. The Cox regression model was used to establish associated factors. RESULTS: Of the 236 patients who underwent liver transplantation, 41 patients (17.8%) developed BC. Cumulative incidence was 12.9%, 17.2%, and 20%, after 1, 3 and 5 years of the transplantation, respectively. Twenty-six cases of biliary stenosis, 11 of leaks, and 4 of choledocolitiasis were identified. Most patients were managed endoscopically (82.9%). There were no differences in patient or graft survival. DISCUSSION: Biliary stenosis is the most frequent BC. Patients with higher risk of BC were of blood type AB (P < .001), had viral hepatitis (P = .049), or had alcoholic cirrhosis (P = .036). The success with the endoscopic treatment reduced the need for surgical interventions. CONCLUSIONS: The incidence of BC in our institution is comparable with the incidence reported in other institutions. Further prospective studies with larger series of patients are warranted to identify other factors associated with development of BC.

[Role of bacteriobilia in postoperative complications]. / Papel de la bacteriobilia en las complicaciones postoperatorias.

OBJECTIVE: At present there is a controversy regarding the impact of positive bile cultures on morbidity and mortality rates, and on the incidence of readmissions in patients with biliar disease. The aim of this study was to evaluate the role of bacteriobilia in postoperatory infections, mortality or readmissions in these patients. METHODS: The information was obtained from all patients with bile cultures admitted to Hospital Universitario Marqués de Valdecilla (Santander, Spain) from January to December 2011. Clinical, epidemiological and microbiological data and laboratory findings were analyzed. The patients were followed for two years. RESULTS: One hundred and fifty-two patients (65% men) were included. Mean age was 67 years (SD= 15 years). The most frequent diagnoses were acute cholecystitis (79%) and cholangitis (8%). Laparoscopic cholecystectomy was performed in 42% of patients, open cholecystectomy in 45% and percutaneous cholecystostomy in 8%. Bacteriobilia was present in 83 patients (55%). The most frecuent microorganisms isolated were Escherichia coli (31%), Enterococcus faecium (13%) and Klebsiella pneumoniae (13%). The initial antimicrobial agent was a carbapenem in 62 patients (44%) and piperacillin-tazobactam in 28 (18%). There were 39 postoperative infections (26%), 21 readmissions (14%) and 17 patients died during admission (11%). The presence of microorganisms in bile cultures was not a statistically significant predictor of neither complications nor readmissions. CONCLUSIONS: Intra-operative bile cultures would allow guide early appropriate antibiotic treatment use in case of infection, or empiric antimicrobial therapy, however there was no correlation between bacteriobilia and postoperative infections, length of stay, mortality or readmissions.

Biliary complications after liver transplantation.

UNLABELLED: Biliary complications (BCs) remain one of the most outstanding factors influencing long-term results after orthotopic liver transplantation. The authors carried out a systematic overview of 1720 papers since 2008, and focused on 45 relevant ones. Among 14,411 transplanted patients the incidence of BCs was 23%. Biliary leakage occurred in 8.5%, biliary stricture in 14.7%, mortality rate was 1-3%. RISK FACTORS: preoperative sodium level; p = 0.037, model of end-stage liver disease score >25; p = 0.048, primary sclerosing cholangitis; p = 0.001, malignancy; p = 0.026, donor age >60, macrovesicular graft steatosis; p = 0.001, duct-to-duct anastomosis; p = 0.004, long anhepatic phase; p = 0.04, cold ischemic time >12 h; p = 0.043, use of T-tube; p = 0.032, insufficient flush of bile ducts; p = 0.001, acute rejection; p = 0.003, cytomegalovirus infection; p = 0.004 and hepatic artery thrombosis; p = 0.001. The management was surgical in case of biliary leakage, and interventional radiology or endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography in case of biliary stricture. Mapping of miRNA profile is a new field of research. Nemes-Doros score is a useful tool in the estimation of hepatic artery thrombosis. Management of BCs requires a multidisciplinary expert team.

Section 11. Radiological intervention approaches to biliary complications after living donor liver transplantation.

Although endoscopic treatment has become the first choice to treat biliary complications, percutaneous transhepatic treatment still has important roles to treat biliary stricture or leak after living donor liver transplantation. This study reviewed a total of 527 recipients who had undergone percutaneous transhepatic treatment to treat biliary stricture (n=498) and leaks (n=29). Percutaneous transhepatic treatment included percutaneous transhepatic biliary drainage, perihepatic biloma drainage, balloon dilation of biliary stricture, and drainage catheter interposition or retrievable covered stent placement across a stricture or leak segment. Clinical success was achieved in 440 (88.4%) recipients with biliary stricture and 19 (65.5%) recipients with bile leaks. Percutaneous transhepatic treatment seems to be an effective alternative for treating biliary complications resistant to or inaccessible by endoscopic treatment.

Bile Duct Injury after Transcatheter Arterial Chemoembolization: Risk Factors and Clinical Implications.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: The current study aims to investigate the risk factors and clinical implications of bile duct injury after performing transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (TACE) for the treatment of patients with hepatic malignancy. METHODOLOGY: A total of 2340 patients with hepatic malignancies underwent 5656 TACE procedures without any radiographic evidence of biliary abnormalities pre-TACE. Of these, 40 patients developed bile duct injuries 3 weeks to 3 months after TACE. RESULTS: TACE-induced bile duct injuries occurred in 30 out of 348 patients with liver metastatic tumors (8.6%) and in 10 out of 1992 patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) (0.5%). Bile duct injuries, including focal (n = 12) and multiple intrahepatic bile duct dilatation (n = 16), along with cystic lesions or bilomas (n = 12), were identified during follow-up post-TACE imaging. In addition, 6 patients with multiple bile duct injuries presented mild jaundice, and 8 patients with large biloma showed associated serious bacterial infections. The remaining 26 patients were asymptomatic. Biliary injury-related mortality occurred in 4 patients (10%). CONCLUSIONS: Knowledge of TACE-induced bile duct injury imaging findings can help interventional radiologists in providing correct diagnosis and treatment. Awareness of patients with high-risk factors may also reduce post-TACE ischemic biliary injuries.

Patterns and predictive factors of complications after endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography.

BACKGROUND: With an increased use of magnetic resonance imaging, the indications for endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) have changed. Consequently, the patterns and factors predictive of complications after ERCP performed during current routine clinical practice are not well known. METHODS: A prospective multicentre cohort study was undertaken in 11 Norwegian hospitals. Complications and mortality within 30 days after ERCP were analysed by univariable and multivariable regression analysis. RESULTS: There were 2808 ERCP procedures, of which 2573 (91·6 per cent) were therapeutic. More than half of the patients were aged 70 years or more. Common bile duct cannulation was achieved in 2557 procedures (91·1 per cent). Complications occurred in 327 (11·6 per cent) of the procedures, including cholangitis in 100 (3·6 per cent), pancreatitis in 88 (3·1 per cent), bleeding in 66 (2·4 per cent), perforation in 25 (0·9 per cent) and cardiovascular-respiratory events in 32 (1·1 per cent). In the multivariable regression analysis, older age, increasing American Society of Anesthesiologists fitness score, centre ERCP volumes of more than 150 procedures annually and precut sphincterotomy were predictive factors for severe complications. The overall 30-day mortality rate was 2·2 per cent (63 patients), with a procedure-related mortality rate of 1·4 per cent (39 patients). Malignancy was diagnosed in 46 (73 per cent) of the patients who died. CONCLUSION: ERCP is a procedure with considerable risk for complications. Morbidity and mortality are related to patient age and co-morbidity, as well as hospital volume of ERCP procedures and the type of intervention.

Effect of intended intraoperative cholangiography and early detection of bile duct injury on survival after cholecystectomy: population based cohort study.

OBJECTIVES: To determine whether the routine use of intraoperative cholangiography can improve survival from complications related to bile duct injuries. DESIGN: Population based cohort study. SETTING: Prospectively collected data from the Swedish national registry of gallstone surgery and endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography, GallRiks. Multivariate analysis done by Cox regression. POPULATION: All cholecystectomies recorded in GallRiks between 1 May 2005 and 31 December 2010. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Evidence of bile duct injury, rate of intended use of intraoperative cholangiography, and rate of survival after cholecytectomy. RESULTS: During the study, 51,041 cholecystectomies were registered in GallRiks and 747 (1.5%) iatrogenic bile duct injuries identified. Patients with bile duct injuries had an impaired survival compared with those without injury (mortality at one year 3.9% v 1.1%). Kaplan-Meier analysis showed that early detection of a bile duct injury, during the primary operation, improved survival. The intention to use intraoperative cholangiography reduced the risk of death after cholecystectomy by 62% (hazard ratio 0.38 (95% confidence interval 0.31 to 0.46)). CONCLUSIONS: The high incidence of bile duct injury recorded is probably from GallRiks' ability to detect the entire range of injury severities, from minor ductal lesions to complete transections of major ducts. Patients with bile duct injury during cholecystectomy had impaired survival, and early detection of the injury improved survival. The intention to perform an intraoperative cholangiography reduced the risk of death after cholecystectomy.

Hepatic resection for primary hepatolithiasis: a single-center Western experience.

BACKGROUND: The incidence (0.6% to 1.3%) of primary hepatolithiasis (PHL), also known as Oriental cholangiohepatitis, is increasing in Western countries and the treatment remains challenging. We analyzed the outcomes of patients undergoing hepatic resection (HR) for PHL at a single Western center. STUDY DESIGN: The records of all patients undergoing HR for PHL between August 1998 and January 2012 were reviewed. Patients were required to have preserved liver function (Child-Pugh class A) with no evidence of portal hypertension. Diagnosis of disease recurrence was based on radiographic and clinical findings. RESULTS: Of the 30 patients who underwent HR, 63.3% presented with earlier failed therapeutic strategies. The majority of the patients were female (63.3%), presented with cholangitis (66.6%), left-sided (66.6%), and unilateral (90.0%) disease, and underwent left-sided hepatic resection (76.6%). Previously created choledochoduodenostomies (13.3%) were all revised into Roux-en-Y hepaticojejunostomy anastomoses in conjunction with the HR. The incidence of concomitant cholangiocarcinoma was 23.3%, with a mean tumor size of 4.2 cm. Perioperative morbidity and mortality rates were 6.6% and 0%, respectively. At a median follow-up of 35 months, all patients had complete intrahepatic stone clearance. One patient required postoperative ERCP. Of the 7 patients with cholangiocarcinoma, 2 had cancer recurrence within the first year of the HR. The remaining patients are disease-free at a median follow-up of 21 months. CONCLUSIONS: Hepatic resection is a safe and definitive treatment option in the management of PHL. It achieves excellent short- and long-term results. The high incidence of concomitant cholangiocarcinoma makes a compelling argument for resection of all involved hepatic segments, when possible.

Bile duct anastomotic stricture after pediatric living donor liver transplantation.

BACKGROUND/PURPOSE: Hepaticojejunostomy is a well-accepted method, whereas duct-to-duct anastomosis is gaining popularity for bile duct reconstruction in pediatric living donor liver transplantation (LDLT). Biliary complications, especially biliary anastomotic stricture (BAS), are not clearly defined. The aim of the present study is to determine the rate of BAS and its associated risk factors. METHODS: The study included 78 pediatric patients (<18 years old) who underwent LDLT during the period from end of September 1993 to end of November 2010. The diagnosis of BAS was based on clinical, biochemical, histologic, and radiologic results. RESULTS: All patients received left-side grafts. Thirteen patients (16.7%) developed BAS after LDLT. Among them, 3 patients (23.1%) had duct-to-duct anastomosis during LDLT. The median follow-up period for the BAS group and the non-BAS group was 57.8 and 79.5 months, respectively (P = .683). Ten of the patients with BAS required percutaneous transhepatic biliary drainage with or without dilatation for treating the stricture. Multivariable analysis showed that hepatic artery thrombosis and duct-to-duct anastomosis were 2 risk factors associated with BAS. CONCLUSION: In pediatric LDLT, hepaticojejunostomy is the preferred method for bile duct reconstruction, but more large-scale research needs to be done to reconfirm this result.

Prevalence, incidence, and prognosis of hepatobiliary disease in community-based patients with type 2 diabetes: the Fremantle Diabetes Study.

CONTEXT: Few studies have examined morbidity and mortality associated with hepatobiliary disease in diabetes. Most have used administrative databases and/or have had limited/incomplete data including recognized risk factors for hepatobiliary disease. OBJECTIVE: The objective of the study was to explore the relationship between type 2 diabetes and hepatobiliary disease in well-characterized patients with detailed risk factor data including viral hepatitis status and hemochromatosis genotype. DESIGN: This was a community-based longitudinal observational study. SETTING: The study was conducted in an urban Australian community. PATIENTS: The study included 1294 patients of mean ± SD aged 64.1 ± 11.3 yr and 5156 age-, gender-, and ZIP code-matched nondiabetic controls. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Prevalent and incident hepatobiliary disease and hepatobiliary disease-related death were measured. Competing risks proportional hazard models provided independent associates of these end points. RESULTS: During 13,705 patient-years (mean 11.5 yr), 144 patients had an initial hepatobiliary disease-related hospitalization/cancer registration vs. 403 controls during 63,937 person-years of follow-up, an incidence rate ratio of 1.66 (95% confidence interval 1.37-2.02). Incident hepatobiliary disease was associated with a lower glycosylated hemoglobin and higher urinary albumin to creatinine ratio. Nearly half of the patients (49.9%) died during follow-up [crude mortality ratio vs. nondiabetic controls 1.97 (1.16-3.32)], and 21 (3.3%) from hepatobiliary disease including two cases of cirrhosis attributable to nonalcoholic steatohepatitis. Hepatobiliary disease-related death was independently predicted by prior hepatobiliary disease, hepatitis C seropositivity, retinopathy, and peripheral neuropathy; higher educational level and higher fasting serum glucose were protective. CONCLUSIONS: Hepatobiliary disease and associated mortality are increased in type 2 diabetes. Multiple factors including fatty infiltration, microangiopathy, and direct glucotoxicity are likely to contribute, but hospitalization and death due to cirrhosis from nonalcoholic steatohepatitis appear uncommon.

[Survival benefits of chemotherapy for unresectable biliary tract cancer--a multicenter retrospective analysis].

There is no agreement on the standard chemotherapeutic regimen for biliary tract cancer(BTC), although multi-drug regimens such as gemcitabine and/or S-1 have been tested in clinical trials. This study retrospectively reviewed data from patients with BTC who were seen at hospitals in the Kitakyushu and Fukuoka areas between 2005 and 2006, and examined the effect of systemic chemotherapy regimen on survival benefits in patients with unresectable BTC. Chemotherapy may benefit patients with BTC any age group, regardless of the primary site.

Assessment of need for repeat ERCP during biliary stent removal after clinical resolution of postcholecystectomy bile leak.

OBJECTIVES: In patients who have undergone endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) with biliary stent placement for postcholecystectomy bile leak there is limited evidence to support the repeat ERCP at the time of stent removal. Esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD) with biliary stent removal may suffice. The aim of this study was to describe the clinical course of patients who underwent biliary stent placement for a postcholecystectomy bile leak and determine whether repeat ERCP is necessary. METHODS: We identified all adult patients who underwent biliary stent placement for postcholecystectomy bile leak from 1 January 1996 to 31 October 2008. Demographic data, cholecystectomy details, and procedural data were collected, specifically focusing on closure of the bile leak. Time to resolution of leak was calculated, up to either the date of the first repeat ERCP that demonstrated no persistent leak or the date of removal of any radiologically placed percutaneous drain, whichever came first. RESULTS: Sixty-four patients underwent repeat ERCP with biliary stent removal. The median time to repeat ERCP was 36 days (interquartile range (IQR) 26-48). Fifty-seven (89%) patients had resolved the leak by time of repeat ERCP. Of those in whom the leak had not resolved, 6 had a repeat exam within 14 days of stent placement; 4 of these resolved the leak by day 39. There were no procedure-related complications in the ERCP group. Thirteen patients underwent EGD with stent removal after a median of 29 days (IQR 23-38). None had adverse events, with a median follow-up of 38 months. Overall, the median time to resolution of biliary leak was 33 days (IQR 22-44). Importantly, repeat ERCP altered the management in only one patient in whom bile duct stones were found. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with uncomplicated postcholecystectomy bile leak who have clinically resolved their leak do not require cholangiography at the time of stent removal. In these patients, EGD with stent removal at 4-6 weeks seems to be sufficient and significantly less expensive.

Ischemic cholangiopathy following liver transplantation from donation after cardiac death donors.

The use of donation after cardiac death (DCD) donor hepatic allografts is becoming more widespread; however, there have been published reports of increased graft failure from specific complications associated with this type of allograft. The complication of ischemic cholangiopathy (IC) has been reported to occur more frequently after the use of DCD hepatic allografts. We report the results of 52 liver transplants from DCD donors and the factors that influenced the development of IC. We conducted a retrospective review of all DCD and donation after brain death (DBD) donor liver recipients from September 2003 through December 2006 at a single institution. Survival and complication rates were compared between the 2 groups. The Cox proportional hazards model was then used to identify recipient and donor factors that predict the development of IC in the DCD group. There was no difference in 1-year patient or graft survival rates between the 2 groups. There was no incidence of primary nonfunction from the DCD allografts. Hepatic artery complications and anastomotic bile duct complications were comparable in the 2 groups. There was, however, an increased risk for the development of IC in the DCD group (13.7% versus 1%, P = 0.001). Donor weight >100 kg and total ischemia times > or =9 hours, in donors older than 50 years of age, predicted the development of IC in the DCD group. In conclusion, there is a higher incidence of IC in recipients receiving DCD donor livers; however, patient and graft outcomes with DCD donors remain comparable to those with DBD donors. Careful donor selection may improve utilization of these grafts.

Hodgkin lymphoma-related vanishing bile duct syndrome and idiopathic cholestasis: statistical analysis of all published cases and literature review.

BACKGROUND: Hodgkin lymphoma (HL)-related vanishing bile duct syndrome (VBDS) and idiopathic cholestasis (IC) are rare conditions that often lead to liver failure and death. The available literature consists primarily of case reports, resulting in little clarity as to the clinical course and ideal treatment for this disease. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We performed a literature search from which we identified all published cases of HL-related VBDS or IC, and created a database of detailed presentation, treatment, and outcome information for all patients. Patient and disease factors were analyzed for an association with overall survival and liver failure-free survival. A case presentation introduces this analysis. RESULTS: Thirty-seven cases of HL-related VBDS/IC were identified. Median follow-up was 7 months; 1-year OS and liver failure-free survival (LFFS) are 43% and 41%, respectively. Sixty-five percent of the patients died while 30% were alive with normal or near-normal stable liver function and no evidence of recurrent HL at last evaluation. Of the 20 patients without residual HL following therapy, 12 (60%) achieved liver failure-free survival. On univariate analysis, factors significantly associated with improved liver failure-free survival were stage I/II HL (p=0.02), a complete response of HL (p=0.0002), and delivery of radiotherapy (pB0.0001). Two patients received chemotherapy without radiation and survived with recovery of liver function. DISCUSSION: HL-related VBDS/IC is potentially reversible and not uniformly fatal, with 30% of presenting patients demonstrating good lymphoma and liver outcomes after definitive therapy for HL. As a complete response of HL provides the only possibility of recovering liver function, patients with this disease should proceed to definitive treatment of HL as soon as feasible.

Classification and prognosis of intrahepatic biliary stricture after liver transplantation.

Intrahepatic biliary stricture (IHBS) after liver transplantation (LT) may develop in patients with hepatic artery thrombosis, chronic rejection, or ABO incompatibility, as well as in patients with prolonged warm ischemia in non-heart-beating donor (NHBD) LT. However, the clinical course and methods of management have not been well defined for IHBSs to date. Thus, the purpose of this study was to provide a classification of post-LT IHBS and to investigate patient prognosis. Forty-four patients who developed IHBS after NHBD LT were enrolled. On the basis of the cholangiographic appearance, patients were classified into 4 groups: unilateral focal (UF, n=8), confluence (CO, n=10), bilateral multifocal (BM, n=21), and diffuse necrosis (DN, n=5). The UF type was defined as cases with stricture only in the segmental branch of the unilateral hemiliver; the CO type in cases with several strictures at confluence level; and the BM type in cases with multiple strictures bilaterally. Cases with diffuse obliteration of peripheral ducts or destruction of the central architectural integrity, over a long segment, were classified as the DN type. Five patients with the CO type required several interventions requiring biliary dilatation, yet all patients with the UF or CO type had a good prognosis. Among the patients with the BM type, 3 patients (14.3%) died or underwent retransplantation due to biliary complications, and 7 (33.3%) required repeated interventions for >1 year without improvement. Moreover, among 5 patients classified as the DN type, 1 (20%) died of biliary sepsis, 2 (40%) underwent retransplantation, and the remaining 2 (40%) did not recover from persistent jaundice and life-threatening cholangitis despite multiple interventions. In conclusion, all patients classified as UF or CO had a good outcome with or without additional interventions. However, all patients with the DN type and about half the patients with the BM type did not recover from life-threatening complications, despite repeated aggressive interventions; early retransplantation was therefore the only treatment option for these patients.

Cholecystectomy in Sweden 2000-2003: a nationwide study on procedures, patient characteristics, and mortality.

BACKGROUND: Epidemiological data on characteristics of patients undergoing open or laparoscopic cholecystectomy are limited. In this register study we examined characteristics and mortality of patients who underwent cholecystectomy during hospital stay in Sweden 2000 - 2003. METHODS: Hospital discharge and death certificate data were linked for all patients undergoing cholecystectomy in Sweden from January 1st 2000 through December 31st 2003. Mortality risk was calculated as standardised mortality ratio (SMR) i.e. observed over expected deaths considering age and gender of the background population. RESULTS: During the four years of the study 43072 patients underwent cholecystectomy for benign biliary disease, 31144 (72%) using a laparoscopic technique and 11928 patients (28%) an open procedure (including conversion from laparoscopy). Patients with open cholecystectomy were older than patients with laparoscopic cholecystectomy (59 vs 49 years, p < 0.001), they were more likely to have been admitted to hospital during the year preceding cholecystectomy, and they had more frequently been admitted acutely for cholecystectomy (57% Vs 21%, p < 0.001). The proportion of women was lower in the open cholecystectomy group compared to the laparoscopic group (57% vs 73%, p < 0.001). Hospital stay was 7.9 (8.9) days, mean (SD), for patients with open cholecystectomy and 2.6 (3.3) days for patients with laparoscopic cholecystectomy, p < 0.001. SMR within 90 days of index admission was 3.89 (3.41-4.41) (mean and 95% CI), for patients with open cholecystectomy and 0.73 (0.52-1.01) for patients with laparoscopic cholecystectomy. During this period biliary disease accounted for one third of all deaths in both groups. From 91 to 365 days after index admission, SMR for patients in the open group was 1.01 (0.87-1.16) and for patients in the laparoscopic group 0.56 (0.44-0.69). CONCLUSION: Laparoscopic cholecystectomy is performed on patients having a lower mortality risk than the general Swedish population. Patients with open cholecystectomy are more sick than patients with laparoscopic cholecystectomy, and they have a mortality risk within 90 days of admission for cholecystectomy, which is four times that of the general population. Further efforts to reduce surgical trauma in open biliary surgery are motivated.

Internal biliary fistula due to cholelithiasis: a single-centre experience.

AIM: To discuss about the perioperative problems encountered in patients with internal biliary fistula (IBF) caused by cholelithiasis. METHODS: In our hospital, 4,130 cholecystectomies were carried out for symptomatic cholelithiasis from January 2000 to March 2004 and only 12 patients were diagnosed with IBF. The perioperative data of these 12 IBF patients were analyzed retrospectively. RESULTS: The incidence of IBF due to cholelithiasis was nearly 0.3%. The mean age was 57 years. Most of the patients presented with non-specific complaints. Only two patients were considered to have IBF when gallstone ileus was observed during the investigations. Nine patients underwent emergency laparotomy with a pre-operative diagnosis of acute abdomen. In the remaining three patients, elective laparoscopic cholecystectomy was converted to open surgery after identification of IBF. Ten patients had cholecystoduodenal fistula and two patients had cholecystocholedochal fistula. The mean hospital stay was 13 d. Two wound infections, three bile leakages and three mortalities were observed. CONCLUSION: Cholecystectomy has to be performed in early stage in the patients who were diagnosed as cholelithiasis to prevent the complications like IBF which is seen rarely. Suspicion of IBF should be kept in mind, especially in the case of difficult dissection during cholecystectomy and attention should be paid in order to prevent iatrogenic injuries.