Improved Mortality, Morbidity, and Long-Term Outcome After Anatomical Hepatectomy With the Glissonean Pedicle Approach in Patients With Hepatocellular Carcinoma: 30 Years' Experience at a Single Institute.

OBJECTIVE: We evaluated the morbidity and mortality after anatomical hepatectomy with the Glissonean pedicle approach, and long-term outcomes in relation to the morbidity in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). SUMMARY BACKGROUND DATA: The mortality, morbidity, and long-term outcomes were evaluated retrospectively. METHODS: A total of 1953 patients with HCC underwent various anatomical hepatectomies with the Glissonean pedicle approach between 1985 and 2014. The mortality (30-day and 90-day) and morbidity (Clavien-Dindo class Ilia or higher) were evaluated among six 5-year eras (1985-1989, 1990-1994, 1995-1999, 2000-2004, 2005-2009, 2010-2014). RESULTS: A total of 460 patients (24%) showed morbidity, and the overall 30-day and 90-day mortality rates were 1.8% and 3.3%, respectively. The 30-day (3.9%, 3.0%, 1.8%, 1.3%, 0.3%, 0.5%: P = 0.0074) and 90-day mortality (6.0%, 4.3%, 3.8%, 2.8%, 2.2%, 1.4%: P = 0.0445) significantly improved over the eras. Blood loss >2 L (odds ratio: 11.808, P = 0.0244) was an independent risk factor for 30-day mortality, and blood loss >2 L (odds ratio: 4.046, P = 0.0271) and bile leakage (odds ratio: 2.122, P = 0.0078) were independent risk factors for 90-day mortality on multivariate analysis. Morbidity was significant independent prognostic factors for overall survival (relative risk: 2.129, P < 0.0001) and recurrence-free survival (relative risk: 1.299, P < 0.0001) in patients with HCC. CONCLUSIONS: Anatomical hepatectomy with the Glissonean pedicle approach was achieved safely in patients with HCC. For more safety and longer survival, blood loss, bile leakage, and morbidity should be reduced. Longterm outcomes after anatomical hepatectomy with the Glissonean pedicle approach in patients with HCC have been improved over 30 years with gradually less mortality and morbidity due to decreases in blood loss >2 L and bile leakage.

Clinical and anthropometric characteristics of non-obese non-alcoholic fatty liver disease subjects in Japan.

AIM: The underlying mechanism of non-obese non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) has not been fully elucidated. We classified patients with NAFLD by sex and body mass index and compared their clinical features to clarify the background pathophysiology of non-obese NAFLD. METHODS: A total of 404 patients with NAFLD were divided according to their body mass index (<25 [non-obese], 25 to <30 [obese], and ≥30 [severe obese]), and were further compared with 253 patients without obesity and NAFLD (non-NAFLD). RESULTS: The proportion of the individuals with non-obese NAFLD was 25.7% in men and 27.6% in women. The male and female non-obese NAFLD groups had lower skeletal muscle mass and muscle strength than the obese NAFLD groups. The visceral fat area, although low, was ≥100 cm2 in 59.3% of men and 43.8% of women. An increase in liver fat accumulation, hepatic fibrosis, homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance, and leptin levels was modest in the non-obese NAFLD group compared with a marked increase in the obese NAFLD groups. The muscle mass of the non-obese NAFLD group was similar to that of the non-NAFLD group, but muscle steatosis was particularly common among women. Multivariate analysis revealed that the factors contributing to increased liver fat accumulation in the non-obese NAFLD group were visceral fat area, HbA1c, myostatin, and leptin. CONCLUSIONS: In patients with non-obese NAFLD, a sex difference was observed in the clinical features. In addition to increased visceral fat, decreased muscle mass and muscle strength, muscle atrophy (presarcopenia), and impaired glucose tolerance were considered to be important pathophysiological factors.

Right anatomical hepatectomy: pioneers, evolution, and the future.

To identify the pioneers of right anatomical hepatectomy (RAH), and clarify the development of associated operative procedures, concepts, and the future, we reviewed the "hidden" literature published in Eastern and Western countries since the 1940s. We searched the English and non-English literature on RAH through web search engines, text books and documents, and also referred to experts' comments. Non-English literature, other than in Japanese, was translated. Changes in the anatomical concept, anatomical identification, vascular control technique, approaches, pre-operative management, and other aspects of RAH were analyzed. Honjo and Lortat-Jacob, in 1949 and 1951, respectively, reported the first cases of successful RAH; since then, RAH has been used in the treatment of liver malignancies worldwide. Vascular in-flow control is divided into intrafascial, extrafascial or transfissual access. The anatomical border along the main hepatic veins was proposed for transection, and anterior approaches have been suggested as alternative options in the hazardous situation of right liver rotation. In the laparoscopic era, several procedures and positions have been devised for RAH. In summary, RAH and related anatomical hepatectomy have been established as treatment methods for 70 years, and the future of RAH includes new concepts, approaches, and techniques to optimize patient safety and disease curability.

Genomic characterization of biliary tract cancers identifies driver genes and predisposing mutations.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: Biliary tract cancers (BTCs) are clinically and pathologically heterogeneous and respond poorly to treatment. Genomic profiling can offer a clearer understanding of their carcinogenesis, classification and treatment strategy. We performed large-scale genome sequencing analyses on BTCs to investigate their somatic and germline driver events and characterize their genomic landscape. METHODS: We analyzed 412 BTC samples from Japanese and Italian populations, 107 by whole-exome sequencing (WES), 39 by whole-genome sequencing (WGS), and a further 266 samples by targeted sequencing. The subtypes were 136 intrahepatic cholangiocarcinomas (ICCs), 101 distal cholangiocarcinomas (DCCs), 109 peri-hilar type cholangiocarcinomas (PHCs), and 66 gallbladder or cystic duct cancers (GBCs/CDCs). We identified somatic alterations and searched for driver genes in BTCs, finding pathogenic germline variants of cancer-predisposing genes. We predicted cell-of-origin for BTCs by combining somatic mutation patterns and epigenetic features. RESULTS: We identified 32 significantly and commonly mutated genes including TP53, KRAS, SMAD4, NF1, ARID1A, PBRM1, and ATR, some of which negatively affected patient prognosis. A novel deletion of MUC17 at 7q22.1 affected patient prognosis. Cell-of-origin predictions using WGS and epigenetic features suggest hepatocyte-origin of hepatitis-related ICCs. Deleterious germline mutations of cancer-predisposing genes such as BRCA1, BRCA2, RAD51D, MLH1, or MSH2 were detected in 11% (16/146) of BTC patients. CONCLUSIONS: BTCs have distinct genetic features including somatic events and germline predisposition. These findings could be useful to establish treatment and diagnostic strategies for BTCs based on genetic information. LAY SUMMARY: We here analyzed genomic features of 412 BTC samples from Japanese and Italian populations. A total of 32 significantly and commonly mutated genes were identified, some of which negatively affected patient prognosis, including a novel deletion of MUC17 at 7q22.1. Cell-of-origin predictions using WGS and epigenetic features suggest hepatocyte-origin of hepatitis-related ICCs. Deleterious germline mutations of cancer-predisposing genes were detected in 11% of patients with BTC. BTCs have distinct genetic features including somatic events and germline predisposition.

Intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma.

Cholangiocarcinoma, also referred to as cholangiocellular carcinoma (particularly in Japan), develops along the biliary tract. The tumor may be intra- or extrahepatic and have different features with specific treatments based on the site of origin. Guidelines for diagnosis and management of cholangiorcarcinoma, such as those proposed by EASL (European Association for the Study of the Liver)1 and the Mayo Clinic2 classify the tumor into intrahepatic, perihilar, and distal cholangiocarcinoma. There are three main macroscopic patterns of growth of cholangiocarcinoma: mass-forming, periductal-infiltrating and intraductal. A combination of mass-forming and periductal infiltrating tumors have been shown to have a poor prognosis.3 Intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (ICC) comprises two microscopic subtypes: bile duct and cholangiolar.4 The bile duct subtype has tall columnar cells that form large glands, whereas cholangiolar tumors are composed of cuboidal and low columnar cells. Patients with cholangiolar tumors, referred to as cholangiolocellular carcinoma, reportedly have a better 5-year survival rate than those with the bile duct type.4.

Intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma and cholangiolocellular carcinoma in cirrhosis and chronic viral hepatitis.

Intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (ICC) is the second most common primary liver cancer. Cirrhosis and chronic viral hepatitis are known to be important risk factors for ICC, especially the mass-forming (MF) type of ICC at the periphery of the liver. Cholangiolocellular carcinoma (CoCC) is a rare type of primary liver cancer, which is thought to originate from hepatic progenitor or stem cells. CoCC often exhibits the similar MF type at the periphery of the liver, as ICC, and CoCC is also associated with cirrhosis or chronic viral hepatitis. Better survival rates after surgery have been reported for ICC patients with chronic viral hepatitis than for those without chronic viral hepatitis, although survival rates did not differ significantly in relation to cirrhosis. On the other hand, patients with CoCC had better surgical results than those with MF-type ICC. This review summarizes the clinical characteristics and surgical outcomes of ICC and CoCC associated with cirrhosis or chronic viral hepatitis.

Long-term survival of patients with cholangiolocellular carcinoma after curative hepatectomy.

BACKGROUND: Cholangiolocellular carcinoma (CoCC) has distinct pathological characteristics, and CoCC is considered to originate from hepatic progenitor or stem cells. However, the surgical outcome of CoCC has not been clarified in detail. METHODS: We retrospectively studied 275 patients with intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (ICC) who underwent hepatectomy between 1990 and 2011. Surgical outcomes were compared between 29 patients with CoCC and 130 patients with mass-forming (MF) type ICC since all patients with CoCC showed MF type on macroscopic findings. RESULTS: The number of patients with chronic liver disease was significantly higher in the CoCC group than in the ICC group. The number of patients with abnormal levels of CA19-9 was significantly lower in the CoCC group than in the ICC group. Portal vein invasion and intrahepatic metastasis were significantly lower in patients with CoCC group than in the ICC group. In the CoCC group, 15 of 28 patients survived for more than 5 years after curative surgery whereas 15 of 102 patients with ICC survived for more than 5 years after curative surgery. The 5-year survival rate was significantly higher in patients with CoCC (75 %) than in patients with ICC (33 %, p = 0.0005). Multivariate analysis showed CoCC, absence of portal vein invasion or hepatic vein invasion, and absence of intrahepatic metastasis to be significant independent prognostic factors for overall survival in patients with MF-type ICC and CoCC. CONCLUSIONS: CoCC is rare, but patients with CoCC had special characteristics with favorable long-term survival due to its less invasive histopathologic characteristics.

[Multiple large hepatocellular adenomas in a patient with glycogen storage disease type Ia].

A man diagnosed at birth with glycogen storage disease type Ia was found to have multiple hepatocellular adenomas at 15 years of age. At 18 years of age, he underwent transarterial tumor embolization in segments 4 and 5. At 27 years of age, the tumor in segment 4 had increased in size on follow-up computed tomography, and he was referred to our hospital. Because the tumor was large, increasing in size, and we could not exclude malignancy, we performed resection of segments 4 and 8 of the liver and partial resection of segment 5 for excisional biopsy. The pathological diagnosis was multiple inflammatory hepatocellular adenomas.

Role of gadolinium-ethoxybenzyl-diethylenetriamine pentaacetic acid-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging in the management of hepatocellular carcinoma: consensus at the Symposium of the 48th Annual Meeting of the Liver Cancer Study Group of Japan.

We summarize here the consensus reached at the Symposium of the 48th Annual Meeting of the Liver Cancer Study Group of Japan held in Kanazawa on July 20th and 21st, 2012, on the role of gadolinium-ethoxybenzyl-diethylenetriamine pentaacetic acid-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (EOB-MRI) in the management of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Currently, dynamic CT is the first choice of imaging modality when HCC is suspected. EOB-MRI is useful for differentiation and definitive diagnosis of HCC when dynamic CT/MRI does not show conclusive findings for HCC. In addition, contrast- enhanced ultrasound with Sonazoid is useful for making a decision on whether or not to treat a hypovascular lesion <1 cm when the nodules are shown with low intensity in the hepatocyte phase of EOB-MRI. Furthermore, EOB-MRI should be performed in selected cases of HCC ultrahigh-risk groups every 3-4 months, or EOB-MRI should be performed at least once at the first visit in all HCC ultrahigh-risk groups.

Impact of hepatectomy for huge solitary hepatocellular carcinoma.

BACKGROUND: To evaluate the surgical outcome of patients with huge solitary hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC, ≥10 cm in diameter) without major vascular invasion. METHODS: We retrospectively studied 177 patients with huge HCC (≥10 cm in diameter) who underwent hepatectomy from 1990 to 2008. Surgical outcomes and clinicopathological characteristics were compared among 54 patients with solitary HCC without a major portal vein tumor thrombus (MPVT), 53 patients with multiple HCCs without MPVT, and 70 patients who have HCC with MPVT. RESULTS: The mean tumor size and indocyanine green retention rate at 15 min showed no significant difference among patients groups. The overall 5-year survival rate was significantly higher in patients with solitary HCC (79%) than in patients with multiple HCCs (31%, P < 0.0001) and MPVT (17%, P < 0.0001). In patients who underwent curative surgery, the 5-year disease-free survival rate was significantly higher in patients with solitary HCC (48%) than in patients with multiple HCCs (12%, P = 0.0008) and MPVT (12%, P = 0.0003). Multivariate analysis showed solitary HCC to be a significant independent prognostic factor for overall survival and disease-free survival. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with solitary HCC without MPVT show a favorable surgical outcome even for tumor size ≥10 cm in diameter.

Immunohistochemical expression of NRF2 is correlated with the magnitude of inflammation and fibrosis in chronic liver disease.

BACKGROUND: The nuclear factor E2-related factor 2-Kelch-like Ech-associated protein (NRF2-KEAP1) pathway is a major cellular defense mechanism against oxidative stress. However, the role of NRF2-KEAP1 signaling in the development of chronic liver disease remains unclear. METHODS: Clinical liver specimens from 50 hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) developed from non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), 49 HCCs developed from chronic viral hepatitis C (CHc), and 48 liver metastases of colorectal cancer (CRC) from both tumorous and non-tumorous areas were collected during hepatic resection surgery. They were evaluated by immunohistochemical analyses of hematoxylin-eosin, Masson's trichrome, NRF2, and KEAP1, and compared with clinicopathological information. RESULTS: Hepatic inflammation and fibrosis were more severe in the low-intensity NRF2 group than in the high-intensity NRF2 group both between CRC and NASH (Low vs. High: inflammation; p = 0.003, fibrosis; p = 0.014), and between CRC and CHc (Low vs. High: inflammation; p = 0.031, fibrosis; p = 0.011), which could indicate that NRF2 expression in cytosol of hepatocytes was inversely correlated with liver inflammation and fibrosis in non-tumorous areas. The dense staining of NRF2 in the nuclei of non-tumor hepatocytes positively correlated with liver inflammation (CRC and NASH; R = 0.451, p < 0.001, CRC and CHc; R = 0.502, p < 0.001) and fibrosis (CRC and NASH; R = 0.566, p < 0.001, CRC and CHc; R = 0.548, p < 0.001) in both NASH and CHc, and was inversely correlated with hepatic spare ability features such as platelet count (R = -0.253, p = 0.002) and prothrombin time (R = -0.206, p = 0.012). However, KEAP1 expression was not correlated with NRF2 expression levels and nuclear staining intensity. CONCLUSIONS: Nuclear translocation of NRF2 was correlated with the magnitude of liver inflammation and fibrosis in chronic liver disease. These results suggest that NRF2 plays a protective role in the development of chronic liver diseases such as NASH and CHc.

Combined hepatocellular-cholangiocarcinoma had poor outcomes after hepatectomy regardless of Allen and Lisa class or the predominance of intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma cells within the tumor.

BACKGROUND: We evaluated the surgical outcomes of combined hepatocellular-cholangiocarcinoma (CHC) in relation to Allen and Lisa class and the predominance of intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (ICC) cells within the tumor. METHODS: We retrospectively studied 44 patients with CHC who underwent hepatectomy between 1987 and 2010. Clinicopathologic characteristics and surgical outcomes were compared in relation to Allen and Lisa class (33 combined type, 11 mixed type) and the predominance of ICC cells within the tumor (cases in which ICC cells accounted for 50% or less of all cells within the tumor, n = 22; cases in which ICC cells accounted for more than 50%, n = 22). RESULTS: The survival rate for 42 patients with CHC who underwent curative surgery was 24% at 5 years, and median survival was 15.4 months. According to Allen and Lisa class, the number of cases with portal invasion was far higher in patients with the mixed type than in patients with the combined type. The 5-year survival rates of patients with the combined type and mixed type who underwent curative surgery were 27% and 13%, respectively, showing no statistically significant difference. According to the predominance of ICC cells, there was no difference in clinicopathologic findings between the groups. The 5-year survival rates of patients with ≤50% and >50% ICC cells within the tumor who underwent curative surgery were 21% and 26%, respectively, showing no statistically significant difference. CONCLUSIONS: CHC had poor outcomes after hepatectomy regardless of Allen and Lisa class or the predominance of ICC cells within the tumor.

Intrahepatic Cholangiocarcinoma With Neither Intrahepatic Metastasis Nor Lymph Node Metastasis Is the Optimal Indication for Hepatectomy With Adjuvant Therapy.

Background/Aim: The optimal indication of hepatectomy with adjuvant therapy for intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (ICC) has not been evaluated in detail. Patients and Methods: We retrospectively studied 224 patients with ICC who underwent hepatectomy between 2000 and 2019. Prognostic factors for overall survival (OS) were evaluated by univariate and multivariate analysis. A total of 127 patients were treated with adjuvant therapy (62 patients with chemotherapy and 65 patients with immunotherapy) after hepatectomy, and 97 patients were treated with hepatectomy alone. Results: Intrahepatic metastasis (IM), lymph node metastasis (LNM) of ICC, adjuvant chemotherapy, and adjuvant immunotherapy were significant prognostic factors for OS on multivariate analysis. In 127 patients with neither IM nor LNM, the 5-year OS rate was significantly higher in 36 patients with adjuvant chemotherapy (81%) and in 34 patients with adjuvant immunotherapy (68%) than in 57 patients with hepatectomy alone (45%). Conclusion: The absence of IM or LNM is the optimal indication for hepatectomy with adjuvant therapy in patients with ICC.

Conversion surgery for hepatocellular carcinoma after tyrosine kinase inhibitor treatment.

Background and Aim: Conversion surgery (CS), which aims to cure after systematic therapy, is only scarcely reported in the field of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). However, advancements in systemic therapy for HCC are expected to increase the candidates eligible for CS because of the higher response rate. The aim of this study was to clarify the characteristics of patients who underwent CS after tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) therapy. Methods: In all, 364 patients who were treated with first-line sorafenib (SOR; n = 292) and lenvatinib (LEN; n = 72) from July 2009 to October 2020 were retrospectively enrolled. The endpoint of this analysis was overall survival (OS), and factors associated with CS are revealed. Results: Six patients underwent CS after TKI therapy, and of these four (1.4%) and two (2.7%) patients received SOR and LEN, respectively. At baseline, patients who underwent CS were significantly younger (median 52 [range, 46-83] years of age, P = 0.019), and their etiology included viral hepatitis, especially hepatitis B virus (HBV) (P = 0.049). Improvements or maintenance of preoperative modified albumin-bilirubin grade from baseline were observed in five (83.3%) patients, and partial radiologic response was observed in four (66.7%) patients. The median OS and 3-year survival rate of patients treated with CS were "not reached" and 80.0%, respectively. Conclusion: The patients who underwent CS after TKI therapy for HCC experienced long survival, were relatively young, and exhibited radiologic response to TKIs, and their liver function was either maintained or improved. Therefore, CS may lead to a better prognosis in patients with advanced HCC.

Mass-forming intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma with marked enhancement on arterial-phase computed tomography reflects favorable surgical outcomes.

BACKGROUND: Outcomes after hepatectomy in patients with mass-forming (MF) type intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (ICC) with marked enhancement within the tumor on arterial-phase computed tomography (CT) scans have not been clarified in detail. METHODS: We retrospectively studied 140 patients with MF type ICC who underwent hepatectomy from 1989 through 2008. Surgical outcomes were compared between 25 patients with MF type ICC with marked enhancement within the tumor (hypervascular ICC) and 109 patients without enhancement within the tumor (hypovascular ICC) on arterial-phase CT scans. RESULTS: Portal invasion and intrahepatic metastasis were significantly lower in patients with hypervascular ICC than in those with hypovascular ICC. The 5-year survival rate was significantly higher in patients with hypervascular ICC (86%) than in patients with hypovascular ICC (27%, P < 0.0001). Multivariate analysis showed hypervascular ICC on arterial-phase CT scans, normal level of cancer-associated carbohydrate antigen 19-9, absence of portal invasion, and absence of intrahepatic metastasis of ICC to be significant independent prognostic factors for overall survival in patients with MF type ICC. CONCLUSIONS: MF type ICC with marked enhancement within the tumor on arterial CT scans showed a favorable surgical outcome due to its less invasive histopathologic characteristics in patients with MF type ICC.

Surgical outcomes of intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma.

Intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (ICC) is considered to be a fatal disease because of frequent recurrence despite curative surgery. The macroscopic classification of ICC in the General Rules for the Clinical and Pathological Study of Primary Liver Cancer of the Liver Cancer Study Group of Japan reflects tumor-spreading patterns; therefore, the clinicopathological findings and surgical outcomes can be predicted using this classification. Lymph node and intrahepatic metastases, and a curative resection are important prognostic factors in ICC; however, lymph node dissection is still controversial. In particular, the intraductal growth type and periductal infiltrating type of ICC without hilar invasion have favorable surgical outcomes, whereas the mass-forming type and periductal infiltrating type of ICC with hilar invasion have high hepatic recurrence and local recurrence, respectively. Multimodal treatments are therefore needed to improve the surgical outcomes of ICC.

Favorable long-term surgical outcomes of hepatocellular carcinoma in patients with hepatitis B envelope antibody.

BACKGROUND: Surgical outcome of patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in relation to the serum hepatitis B envelope (HBe) has not been clarified in detail. METHODS: We retrospectively studied 732 patients with HCC within the Milan criteria who underwent hepatectomy from 1991 through 2005. Serum hepatitis B surface antigen (HBs-Ag) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) antibody were routinely performed preoperatively, and 92 patients were only positive for HBs-Ag. Serum HBe antibody (HBe-Ab) was further examined, and surgical outcomes after hepatectomy were compared with those of 70 patients who were positive for HBe-Ab and 15 patients who were negative for HBe-Ab. RESULTS: The 5- and 10-year survival rates were significantly greater in patients who were positive for HBe-Ab (90% and 80%, respectively) than in patients who were negative for HBe-Ab (61% and 37%: P = 0.0004, respectively). The 5-year recurrence-free survival rate was significantly greater in patients who were positive for HBe-Ab (53%) than in patients who were negative for HBe-Ab (21%: P = 0.0054). Multivariate analysis showed that positive HBe-Ab was an independent prognostic factor for survival (P = 0.0045) and recurrence-free survival (P = 0.004). CONCLUSIONS: Favorable long-term surgical outcomes were achieved in patients with HCC within the Milan criteria who were positive for HBe-Ab.

Debulking of giant liver hemangiomas with severe symptoms: a case report.

BACKGROUND: There are no previous reports of debulking of giant liver hemangioma. This report describes our experience with debulking surgery for a patient with bilateral giant liver hemangiomas with severe symptoms. CASE PRESENTATION: We present a case of symptomatic giant liver hemangioma in a 41-year-old woman. She presented with abdominal pain and fullness at a local hospital and underwent trans-arterial embolization (TAE). TAE was not effective, and she was not able to walk a long distance. Giant liver hemangiomas, 30 cm and 15 cm in diameter, were located in the right liver and in the left lateral section, respectively, and normal liver parenchyma with tiny liver hemangiomas was present in segment 4. The liver function was normal. However, right hemi-hepatectomy with left lateral sectionectomy was considered to be risky according to the 3DCT volumetry. Therefore, we performed right hemi-hepatectomy in order to reduce her symptoms. The postoperative course was uneventful, and she was discharged on the 14th day after surgery. The abdominal fullness and abdominal pain disappeared immediately after surgery. The hemangiomas in the remnant liver, 15 cm in diameter, showed no change, and she is well without symptoms 7 years after surgery. CONCLUSIONS: Debulking surgery is one of the options for bilateral giant liver hemangiomas with severe symptoms.

A patient with post-Fontan operation underwent left hepatectomy and caudate lobectomy for hepatocellular carcinoma: a case report.

BACKGROUND: The Fontan procedure has been widely accepted for children with single ventricle physiology and guarantees survival rates of approximately 80% at age 20 years. However, there have been cases of Fontan-associated liver disease (FALD) caused due to congestion, along with recent reports of the development of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in younger patients with FALD. The literature consists of only five previous case reports of patients who underwent hepatectomy for HCC due to poorer cardiac function and liver cirrhosis caused due to congestion. CASE PRESENTATION: The patient was a 37-year-old woman who presented with epigastralgia. Computed tomography (CT) revealed a liver tumor, 8 cm in diameter, in the caudate lobe. Liver damage was A, with an indocyanine green retention rate of 6% at 15 min. The levels of alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) and protein induced by vitamin K antagonists-II (PIVKA-II) were elevated to 81,663 ng/ml (normal < 10 ng/ml) and 238 mAU/ml (normal < 40 mAU/ml), respectively. Left ventricular ejection fraction was 56%, and central venous pressure (CVP) was 12 mmHg. Left hepatectomy and caudate lobe resection were successfully performed in the reverse Trendelenburg position which reduced the CVP. The total operation duration was 450 min, with a total blood loss of 3200 ml. The patient's postoperative course was uneventful, and she is still alive 16 months after surgery. CONCLUSIONS: First left hepatectomy with caudate lobectomy during reverse Trendelenburg position which reduced the CVP was performed in a patient with HCC and FALD.