Prognosis of repeat hepatectomy for liver transplantable hepatocellular carcinoma recurrence after hepatectomy: a Retrospective Cohort Study with the Hiroshima Surgical Study Group of Clinical Oncology (HiSCO).

PURPOSE: Factors affecting the prognosis of repeat hepatectomy for transplantable hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) recurrence after hepatectomy remain unclear. We aimed to clarify the prognostic factors for transplantable hepatocellular carcinoma recurrence after hepatectomy. METHODS: We included 1758 primary and 486 repeat hepatectomies out of 2244 for HCC performed between 2006 and 2017 using the Hiroshima Study Group for Clinical Oncology and Surgery database. We first compared survival rates of primary and repeat hepatectomy patients. Subsequently, prognostic factors were analyzed in patients who underwent a repeat hepatectomy for transplantable hepatocellular carcinoma recurrence after hepatectomy (defined as age < 70 years at the time of recurrence and recurrent tumor morphology that meets the Milan criteria). RESULTS: The 5-year overall survival rate (OS) after repeat hepatectomy was 63.2%, while the 5-year recurrence-free survival rate (RFS) was 23.7%. RFS demonstrated significant inferiority in the repeat hepatectomy group than in the primary hepatectomy group; however, OS did not present a notable difference between the two cohorts. In the transplantable recurrence group, mALBI grade 2b, max tumor size > 20 mm, and multiple tumors were independent prognostic risk factors for overall survival. Patients with two or more risk factors had a significantly lower survival rate (only 30.6% at 5 years) compared to those with one or fewer risk factors (81.8% at 5 years). CONCLUSIONS: We identified the risk factors involved in post-hepatectomy survival for patients with transplantable recurrence after hepatectomy. The results are a potential indicator of whether salvage liver transplantation should be considered during repeat hepatectomy.

Comparison of new prognostic systems for patients with resectable hepatocellular carcinoma: Albumin-Bilirubin grade and Albumin-Indocyanine Green Evaluation grade.

AIM: We aimed to compare the prognostic abilities of two novel liver function-estimating models, Albumin-Bilirubin (ALBI) and Albumin-Indocyanine Green Evaluation (ALICE) grades, in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma. METHODS: Data of 1270 patients who underwent initial hepatectomy for hepatocellular carcinoma between 1986 and 2016 were retrospectively collected from a multi-institutional database. The prognostic impact of each system was analyzed according to the results of the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve, the Cox regression model and the linear trend χ2 -test. RESULTS: The ALBI and ALICE scores, which were obtained before grading status, were significantly correlated (correlation coefficient 0.930; P < 0.001). Both ALBI and ALICE grades stratified well in terms of overall survival, and were found to be independent prognostic factors on multivariate analysis (P < 0.05). The area under the receiver operating characteristic curves for 5-year survival in both groups were equivalent (0.602 vs. 0.614, P = 0.402); however, homogeneity, discriminatory ability, and the Akaike information criterion were superior for the ALICE grade than for the ALBI grade (73.8 vs. 65.7, 43.4 vs. 34.9, and 7204.1 vs. 7212.2, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Both grading systems could estimate the liver function of patients with hepatocellular carcinoma. Regarding hepatectomy patients, the ALICE grade was a more suitable model than the ALBI grade.

LC-MS/MS imaging with thermal film-based laser microdissection.

Mass spectrometry (MS) imaging is a useful tool for direct and simultaneous visualization of specific molecules. Liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) is used to evaluate the abundance of molecules in tissues using sample homogenates. To date, however, LC-MS/MS has not been utilized as an imaging tool because spatial information is lost during sample preparation. Here we report a new approach for LC-MS/MS imaging using a thermal film-based laser microdissection (LMD) technique. To isolate tissue spots, our LMD system uses a 808-nm near infrared laser, the diameter of which can be freely changed from 2.7 to 500 µm; for imaging purposes in this study, the diameter was fixed at 40 µm, allowing acquisition of LC-MS/MS images at a 40-µm resolution. The isolated spots are arranged on a thermal film at 4.5-mm intervals, corresponding to the well spacing on a 384-well plate. Each tissue spot is handled on the film in such a manner as to maintain its spatial information, allowing it to be extracted separately in its individual well. Using analytical LC-MS/MS in combination with the spatial information of each sample, we can reconstruct LC-MS/MS images. With this imaging technique, we successfully obtained the distributions of pilocarpine, glutamate, γ-aminobutyric acid, acetylcholine, and choline in a cross-section of mouse hippocampus. The protocol we established in this study is applicable to revealing the neurochemistry of pilocarpine model of epilepsy. Our system has a wide range of uses in fields such as biology, pharmacology, pathology, and neuroscience. Graphical abstract Schematic Indication of LMD-LC-MS/MS imaging.

Physiological and Operative Severity Score for the enUmeration of Mortality and morbidity and modified Physiological and Operative Severity Score for the enUmeration of Mortality and morbidity for the mortality prediction among nonagenarians undergoing emergency surgery.

BACKGROUND: The aims of this study were to determine the outcomes of emergency abdominal surgery in patients aged ≥90 y and to analyze the role of Physiological and Operative Severity Score for the enUmeration of Mortality and morbidity (POSSUM) and modified POSSUM in predicting their morbidity and mortality. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Patients aged ≥90 y who underwent emergency abdominal surgery from January 2011 to December 2014 were enrolled in this study. RESULTS: A total of 36 patients satisfied the inclusion criteria. The mortality and morbidity rates in the study group were 8.3% and 61.1%, respectively. Overall observed-to-expected morbidity ratio calculated by POSSUM and modified POSSUM were 0.83 (χ2 = 32.189, P = 0.6045) and 0.97 (χ2 = 33.915, P = 0.7398), respectively. Both models demonstrated a good fit for prediction of morbidity. Overall observed-to-expected mortality ratios calculated by POSSUM and modified POSSUM were 0.26 (χ2 = 12.217, P = 0.2013) and 0.20 (χ2 = 12.217, P = 0.0936), respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Both POSSUM and modified POSSUM accurately predicted morbidity in the setting of emergency abdominal surgery in nonagenarians.

[Abdominoperineal Resection for Anal Metastasis of Rectal Cancer].

Anal metastasis of colorectal cancer is rare, and no standardized effective therapeutic strategy exists. We report a case of abdominoperineal resection for anal metastasis of rectal cancer. A 65-year-old man underwent laparoscopic low anterior resection for rectal cancer in August 2013. Histopathological examination revealed a moderately differentiated adenocarcinoma( tub2, pSS, ly3, v2, pN1, H0, P0, M0, Stage III a, Cur A). In February 2015, he complained of anal discomfort, and tumor markers were elevated. Enhanced CT revealed a 15-mm high-density solid tumor in the anal canal. The results of needle biopsy indicated a moderately differentiated adenocarcinoma. This tumor was suspected to be metastasis from rectal cancer, and we performed abdominoperineal resection. Histopathological examination revealed a moderately differentiated adenocarcinoma, which was the same histological type as the primary rectal cancer and was covered with normal anal epithelium. Collectively, the findings indicated anal metastasis from rectal cancer. The patient is alive without recurrence for 18 months after resection. Anal metastasis should be considered as a differential diagnosis in patients with anal discomfort who have a history of colon/rectal cancer. Abdominoperineal resection may be an effective treatment modality for this condition.

A Case of Spontaneously Reduced Ileoileal Intussusception Caused by a Lipoma.

Intussusception in adulthood is unusual. We describe herein a rare case of adult ileoileal intussusception caused by an ileal lipoma, which was diagnosed preoperatively and was confirmed at the operation to have reduced spontaneously. A 68-year-old woman experienced sudden-onset colicky pain in the upper abdomen accompanied by vomiting and was brought to our hospital by ambulance. Physical examination revealed a distended abdomen and tenderness in the upper abdomen. Laboratory findings showed slightly elevated inflammatory parameters. Abdominal computed tomography (CT) showed a target sign in the ileum, which is a typical sign of intussusception. Additional caudal-side scans showed a homogenous and fatty mass measuring 2.5 cm that was considered to be the leading point for the invagination. These findings led to a pre-operative diagnosis of intussusception induced by a lipoma. The patient underwent emergency surgery. Laparotomy revealed a yellowish, soft ileal tumor measuring 2.5 cm in diameter and that the intussusception had already been reduced at laparotomy. Approximately 15 cm of the ileum's length, including the tumor, was resected, and an end-to-end anastomosis was performed. Adult intussusception caused by an ileal lipoma is a rare condition. However, CT is the most useful tool for making a definite preoperative diagnosis based on its typical findings.

[A case of triple-negative breast cancer responding to multidisciplinary treatment containing bevacizumab].

We report a case of a 64-year-old woman with Stage IV breast cancer who responded well to chemotherapy containing bevacizumab. She noticed a left breast tumor with acute progression and was diagnosed as having Stage IV, estrogen receptor( ER)(-), progesterone receptor(PgR)(-), human epidermal growth factor receptor 2(HER2)(-)breast cancer (T4cN3cM1[lymph nodes]). She received 5 courses of adriamycin(60mg/m / 2)plus cyclophosphamide(600mg/m2)(AC therapy)and 4 courses of weekly paclitaxel(PTX 90mg/m / 2)plus bevacizumab(AVA 10 mg/m2)as systemic therapy. Computed tomography(CT)and magnetic resonance imaging(MRI)revealed a complete response(CR). After local resection of the breast tumor and radiation to the breast and regional lymph nodes, capecitabine therapy was initiated. Currently, at 5 months after surgery, no new lesion has been detected.

[Estimation of peritoneal dissemination in patients with unresectable advanced or recurrent colorectal cancer who underwent curative resection after combination chemotherapy].

In a group of 209 colorectal cancer patients with unresectable tumors, 10 patients underwent curative resection after combination chemotherapy at our hospital between 2006 and 2012. Of these 10 patients, 5 presented with peritoneal dissemination at the start of chemotherapy. With the exception of 1 patient with peritoneal recurrence, peritoneal dissemination and liver metastasis were observed in all patients at the time of diagnosis of colorectal cancer. Computed tomography (CT) and/ or positron emission tomography-CT examination revealed disappearance of peritoneal dissemination in response to chemotherapy, except in 1 patient with peritoneal recurrence. After combination chemotherapy, surgical resection of liver metastases and peritoneal dissemination was performed. Pathological and intraoperative findings indicated disappearance of peritoneal dissemination in 3 patients and P2 grade peritoneal dissemination in 1 patient. In the patient with peritoneal recurrence, 1 tumor was completely resected. Interestingly, none of the 3 patients that exhibited complete disappearance of peritoneal dissemination showed peritoneal recurrence, although 1 patient exhibited metastases in the lung and non-regional lymph nodes. In contrast, the patient with P2 grade peritoneal dissemination showed peritoneal recurrence and lung metastasis. All 5 patients survived (duration from diagnosis of colorectal cancer, 31-83 months). Herein, we report the use of combination chemotherapy to achieve the disappearance of peritoneal dissemination, changing unresectable colorectal cancer with peritoneal dissemination into resectable cancer.

Validation of appendiceal stump invagination in laparoscopic appendectomy.

INTRODUCTION: There are various methods for appendiceal stump dissection, but the necessity for stump invagination remains unclear. This study aimed to assess the efficacy of appendiceal stump invagination in patients with acute appendicitis after laparoscopic appendectomy (LA). METHODS: We enrolled 327 patients with acute appendicitis who underwent LA between 2012 and 2020. Perioperative variables and surgical outcomes were analyzed between the invagination of the appendiceal stump and noninvagination groups. Propensity score-matched analysis (PSM) was performed. RESULTS: More patients experienced severe inflammation and severe intra-abdominal contamination in the noninvagination group than in the invagination group. Patients in the noninvagination group had an older age, higher body mass index, and poorer American Society of Anesthesiologists physical status than the invagination group. Severe inflammation in the noninvagination group was associated with longer hospital stays and poorer postoperative complications than in the invagination group. PSM analysis was performed to minimize bias in the two groups. After PSM analysis, there were no significant differences in surgical site infection, postoperative intra-abdominal abscess, Clavien-Dindo class ≥IIIa, or postoperative stay between the two groups. During the follow-up period, the postoperative adhesive ileus was not significantly different between the invagination and noninvagination groups. CONCLUSION: Invagination of the appendiceal stump during LA is not necessary to prevent short- and long-term complications. Even in cases dissected using a laparoscopic endostapler, the appendiceal stump per se is not related to postoperative adhesive ileus.

Impact of Geriatric Nutritional Risk Index After Initial Hepatectomy for Hepatocellular Carcinoma: a Retrospective Cohort Study with the Hiroshima Surgical Study Group of Clinical Oncology (HiSCO).

INTRODUCTION: The importance of a nutrition scoring system, including the geriatric nutritional risk index (GNRI), was reported as an objective tool widely used to assess nutritional status in patients with inflammatory disease, chronic heart failure, and chronic liver disease. However, studies on the relationship between GNRI and the prognosis in patients who have undergone initial hepatectomy have been limited. Thus, we conducted a multi-institutional cohort study to clarify the relationship between GNRI and long-term outcomes for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patients after such a procedure. METHODS: Data from 1,494 patients who underwent initial hepatectomy for HCC between 2009 and 2018 was retrospectively collected from a multi-institutional database. The patients were divided into two groups according to GNRI grade (cutoff: 92), and their clinicopathological characteristics and long-term results were compared. RESULTS: Of the 1,494 patients, the low-risk group (≥ 92; N = 1,270) was defined as having a normal nutritional status. Meanwhile, low GNRI (< 92; N = 224) were divided into malnutrition as the high-risk group. Multivariate analysis identified seven prognostic factors of poor overall survival (higher tumor markers; α-fetoprotein (AFP) and des-γ-carboxy protein [DCP], higher ICG-R15 levels, larger tumor size, multiple tumors, vascular invasion, and lower GNRI and eight prognostic factors of high recurrence (HCV antibody positive, higher ICG-R15 levels, higher tumor markers such as AFP and DCP, greater bleeding, multiple tumors, vascular invasion, and lower GNRI). CONCLUSIONS: In patients with HCC, preoperative GNRI predicts poorer overall survival and high recurrence.

The efficacy and safety of pure laparoscopic liver resection for hepatocellular carcinoma in super-elderly patients over 80 years: A multicenter propensity analysis.

BACKGROUND: Very few reports have evaluated the safety of laparoscopic liver resection in super-elderly patients. We assessed the short-term outcomes of laparoscopic liver resection in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma aged ≥80 years, using propensity score matching. METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed the data of 287 patients (aged ≥80 years) who underwent liver resection for hepatocellular carcinoma at eight hospitals belonging to Hiroshima Surgical study group of Clinical Oncology, between January 2012 and December 2021. The perioperative outcomes were compared between laparoscopic and open liver resection, using propensity score matching. RESULTS: Of the 287 patients, 83 and 204 were included in the laparoscopic and open liver resection groups, respectively. Propensity score matching was performed, and 52 patients were included in each group. The operation (p = .68) and pringle maneuver (p = .11) time were not different between the groups. There were no significant differences in the incidences of bile leakage or organ failure. The laparoscopic liver resection group had significantly less intraoperative bleeding and a lower incidence of cardiopulmonary complications (both p < .01). CONCLUSIONS: Laparoscopic liver resection can be safely performed in elderly patients aged ≥80 years.

Intracholecystic Papillary Neoplasm Localized to the Cystic Duct: A Case Report.

Intracholecystic papillary neoplasm (ICPN) of the gallbladder is a premalignant lesion. An ICPN arising from the cystic duct is rare. A woman in her 60s exhibited dilatation of the common bile duct on computed tomography (CT) performed for screening of respiratory disease. The CT revealed an enhancing mass, 3.3 cm in diameter, in the cystic duct. Endoscopic ultrasonography showed a well-demarcated, hyperechoic mass in the dilated cystic duct. Endoscopic retrograde cholangiography showed that the common bile duct was slightly retracted by the dilated cystic duct. Cytological analysis of the bile juice did not show any evidence of malignancy. She was diagnosed with a cystic bile duct tumor suggestive of ICPN. Cholecystectomy, resection of the extrahepatic bile duct, and lymph node dissection were performed. Macroscopically, the papillary-proliferated tumor was localized to the cystic duct. No critical lesions were evident in the common bile duct. Histologically, the tumor in the cystic duct showed intraluminal growth with a papillary configuration without malignancy. Based on these findings, the tumor was diagnosed as an ICPN. We encountered a rare case of ICPN localized to the cystic duct of the gallbladder.

Duodenal diverticula perforation caused by an impacted bezoar successfully treated by endoscopic drainage and lithotripsy: A case report and literature review.

Duodenal diverticula perforation due to an impacted bezoar is a rare disease. Surgical treatment is associated with high rates of complications and mortality; therefore, treatment strategies must be carefully decided. Endoscopic treatment offers significant benefits to patients over surgery.

Castleman's Disease Arising from the Hepatoduodenal Ligament Mimicking a Duodenal Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumor.

Castleman's disease (CD) arising from the hepatoduodenal ligament is extremely rare. A 32-year-old man was referred to a clinic with nausea. He was found to have an abdominal mass by ultrasonography and consulted our hospital for further examination. Computed tomography revealed an equally enhancing mass, 5.2 cm in diameter, adjacent to the duodenum. On magnetic resonance imaging, the mass revealed a slightly iso-intensity signal equal to smooth muscle on T1-weighted imaging, a slightly high-intensity signal on T2-weighted imaging, and a high-intensity signal on diffusion-weighted imaging. Endoscopic ultrasonography showed a well-demarcated hypoechoic mass adjacent to the duodenum. The Doppler echo pattern indicated abundant blood flow. The preoperative diagnosis was a duodenal gastrointestinal stromal tumor. The patient underwent laparotomy and tumor excision. The finding of the intraoperative frozen section was CD. Histologically, the lymph follicles were markedly increased in number throughout the cortex and medulla with vascular proliferation and hyalinization in the intra- or extra-follicles. The germinal centers were atrophic and surrounded by concentrically arranged layers of small lymphocytes. The histological findings were the hyaline vascular variant of CD. If a hypervascular solid mass is detected in the abdomen, CD should be considered in the differential diagnosis.

Spontaneous rupture of the umbilical vein associated with liver cirrhosis: A case report.

INTRODUCTION: A decompensated cirrhosis sometimes develops collateral circulation due to severe fibrosis. Rupture of this collateral circulation can induce a fatal situation. CASE PRESENTATION: A 59-year-old man with alcoholic cirrhosis was admitted to our emergency department with a chief complaint of impaired consciousness. The patient had hypotension upon arrival, and enhanced computed tomography (CT) revealed a massive hemoperitoneum. Imaging examinations, including interventional radiography, could not identify the source of bleeding preoperatively; therefore, emergency surgery was performed. Intraoperatively, a collapsed small vessel connecting liver segment 4 and the expanded umbilical vein as collateral circulation due to portal hypertension was detected as the source of bleeding. Ligating the stump of the small vessel and postoperative intensive care saved the patient's life. The patient was discharged from our hospital 14 days after the surgery. CLINICAL DISCUSSION: A rupture of the umbilical vein associated with cirrhosis is rare and causes a critical situation because of the fast blood flow in the collateral circulation caused by portal hypertension. Moreover, the amount of bleeding tends to increase since the abdominal cavity is a free space and patients with cirrhosis have coagulopathies, including thrombocytopenia and prolonged prothrombin time. Although a retrospective review of the enhanced CT image could identify the minute findings, arterial portography was insufficient to detect bleeding from the umbilical vein. Therefore, emergency exploratory laparotomy was required for the diagnosis and treatment. CONCLUSION: Rupture of the reopened umbilical vein can cause idiopathic spontaneous hemoperitoneum in patients with decompensated cirrhosis.

Imaging diagnosis of aberrant proper hepatic and gastroduodenal arteries prior to pancreaticoduodenectomy: A case report.

In hepatobiliary and pancreatic surgery, an understanding of hepatic artery anomalies is of great importance to surgeons. Cases of the proper hepatic artery originating from the superior mesenteric artery and the gastroduodenal artery originating from the celiac trunk are extremely rare. To our knowledge, there are no reports of these arterial variants being diagnosed before hepatobiliary and pancreatic surgery. A 73-year-old woman underwent subtotal stomach-preserving pancreaticoduodenectomy and lymphadenectomy for duodenal carcinoma. Preoperative vascular construction with 3-dimensional computed tomography showed variants of the proper hepatic artery and gastroduodenal artery. The proper hepatic artery originated from the superior mesenteric artery, and the gastroduodenal artery originated from the celiac trunk. Intraoperative findings and preoperative vascular construction from 3-dimensional computed tomography were found to be matched exactly; both the proper hepatic artery and gastroduodenal artery were preserved. By diagnosing a rare arterial variant preoperatively, we were able to perform the surgery safely. In hepatobiliary and pancreatic surgery, understanding any potential variation of the hepatic artery before surgery is crucial to ensure the best patient outcomes.

Appendicitis with submucosal fecalith mimicking a submucosal tumor: a case report.

BACKGROUND: Submucosal fecalith(s) mimicking submucosal tumors of the gastrointestinal lumen are rare. Moreover, accurate preoperative diagnosis of these entities is exceedingly difficult, and the mechanism(s) of their formation remains unclear. CASE PRESENTATION: A 40-year-old woman visited the authors' hospital due to lower abdominal pain and diarrhea. She had previously been treated for endometriosis. Laboratory investigation revealed increased C-reactive protein levels. Abdominal contrast-enhanced computed tomography revealed thickening of the appendix wall and dilation of the small intestine. The patient was diagnosed with paralytic ileus caused by appendicitis, and interval appendectomy was scheduled. She underwent laparoscopic-assisted appendectomy after conservative treatment. Partial cecal resection was selected due to the presence of an elastic mass in the cecum. The final pathological diagnosis was submucosal fecalith, not submucosal tumor. On day 5, the patient was discharged without any postoperative complications. CONCLUSIONS: In cases of appendicitis with fecalith(s) that appear as submucosal tumor(s) on colonoscopy, submucosal fecalith mimicking submucosal tumor should be considered in the differential diagnosis.

How to do it: endovascular stent and ligament resection during pancreaticoduodenectomy for coeliac axis stenosis in median arcuate ligament syndrome.

To decrease complications associated with the treatment of coeliac axis (CA) stenosis due to median arcuate ligament (MAL) syndrome in pancreaticoduodenectomy, we performed combined preoperative endovascular stenting and intraoperative MAL resection. This technique can secure the CA blood flow to the hepatic artery before surgery in one stage and prevent CA restenosis and stent dislocation because there is no extrinsic compression of the CA after MAL resection.

Laparoscopic resection of schwannoma in the hepatoduodenal ligament: a case report.

BACKGROUND: The occurrence of schwannomas in the hepatoduodenal ligament is rare, and its preoperative accurate diagnosis is difficult. Only few cases have been treated with laparoscopic surgery. CASE PRESENTATION: A 54-year-old man visited our hospital following abnormal abdominal computed tomography findings. He had no complaints, and his laboratory investigations were normal. Abdominal contrast-enhanced computed tomography revealed a tumor with enhancement at the margin of the hepatoduodenal ligament. The abdominal magnetic resonance imaging findings of the tumor showed hypointensity on the T1-weighted images and mixed hypointensity and hyperintensity on the T2-weighted fat-suppression images. Positron emission tomography showed localized accumulation of fludeoxyglucose only in the hepatoduodenal ligament tumor. The patient underwent laparoscopic tumor resection for accurate diagnosis. Histopathologically, the tumor was mainly composed of spindle cells, which were strongly positive for S-100 protein on immunohistochemical staining. The patient was discharged without any postoperative complications on day 5. CONCLUSIONS: Complete tumor resection is essential for schwannomas to avoid recurrence. Laparoscopic surgery is useful for schwannomas occurring in the hepatoduodenal ligament and can be performed safely by devising an appropriate surgical method.

Anomalous origin of the middle colic artery from the ileocecal artery affecting laparoscopic ascending colon cancer resection.

The anomalies of the middle colic artery have rarely been reported and reviewed in literature. However, in case such anomalies are observed in clinical practice, surgery must still be performed safely. This report presents the case of a 78-years-old female who underwent ileocecal resection and hepatectomy due to ascending colon cancer with liver metastasis. Preoperative abdominal contrast-enhanced computed tomography showed an anomaly of the middle colic artery. Since such anomaly is extremely rare, preoperative evaluation of vascular structure is important for safely performing the surgery.