Impact of the inferior vena cava morphology on fluid dynamics of the hepatic veins.

We reported previously that a large vertical interval between the hepatic segment of the inferior vena cava (IVC) and right atrium (RA), referred to as the IVC-RA gap, was associated with more intraoperative bleeding during hemi-hepatectomy. We conducted a computational fluid dynamics (CFD) study to clarify the impact of fluid dynamics resulting from morphologic variations around the liver. The subjects were 10 patients/donors with a large IVC-RA gap and 10 patients/donors with a small IVC-RA gap. Three-dimensional reconstructions of the IVC and hepatic vessels were created from CT images for the CFD study. Median pressure in the middle hepatic vein was significantly higher in the large-gap group than in the small-gap group (P = 0.008). Differences in hepatic vein pressure caused by morphologic variation in the IVC might be one of the mechanisms of intraoperative bleeding from the hepatic veins.

Prolonged warm ischemia time in the recipient is associated with post-transplant biliary stricture following living-donor liver transplantation.

PURPOSE: Post-transplant biliary stricture (PBS) is a common and important complication following orthotopic liver transplantation (LT). This study clarified the incidence of PBS and identified its risk factors. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of 67 patients who underwent living-donor LT (LDLT) at our institute between June 2010 and July 2022 and analyzed their clinical characteristics, prognosis, and risk factors for PBS. RESULTS: Of the 67 patients, 26 (38.8%) developed PBS during the observation period. Multivariate analyses revealed the following independent risk factors for PBS formation: increased red cell transfusion volume per body weight (> 0.2 U/kg; hazard ratio [HR], 3.8; P = 0.002), increased portal vein pressure (PVP) at the end of LT (> 16 mmHg; HR, 2.88; P = 0.032), postoperative biliary leakage (HR, 4.58; P = 0.014), and prolonged warm ischemia time (WIT) (> 48 min; HR, 4.53; P = 0.008). In patients with PBS, the cumulative incidence of becoming stent free was significantly higher in patients with a WIT ≤ 48 min than in those with a WIT > 48 min (P = 0.038). CONCLUSION: Prolonged WIT is associated with intractable PBS following LDLT.

Early laparoscopic cholecystectomy for acute cholecystitis following the Tokyo Guidelines 2018: a prospective single-center study of 201 consecutive cases.

BACKGROUND: Early laparoscopic cholecystectomy (ELC) for acute cholecystitis (AC) poses multiple challenges. The Tokyo Guidelines 2018 (TG18) eliminated the time limit (< 72 h) and expanded the surgical indication to severe AC. This study aimed to evaluate the clinical outcomes of ELC for AC following the TG18 in a single high-volume center. METHODS: From 2019 to 2021, we managed all AC patients with a TG18 flowchart and prospectively enrolled those who underwent ELC within 7 days of symptom onset. The primary outcome was overall morbidity, with a comparison between mild (Grade I) and moderate/severe (Grade II/III) AC. RESULTS: During the study period, 201 patients underwent ELC was for Grade I (56.2%), II (40.3%), and III (3.5%) ACs. Mean age was 69 ± 15.2 years and time to surgery from symptom onset was 0 (12.9%), 1-3 (66.7%), and 4-7 days (20.4%). Mean operative time and blood loss were 118.9 ± 42.7 min and 57.8 ± 99.4 mL, respectively. The critical view of safety (CVS) was achieved in 76.1% of patients, and bailout procedures were performed in 21.4%. There were no open conversions or bile duct injuries. Major morbidities (Clavien-Dindo classification ≥ IIIa) were observed in 5.5% of cases and mortality in 0.5%. Comparing Grades II/III to Grade I, operative time was longer (112.3 vs. 127.3 min, p = 0.014), blood loss was higher (40.3 vs. 80.1 mL, p = 0.005), the CVS rate was lower (83.2 vs. 67.0%, p = 0.012), and the major morbidity rate was higher (1.8 vs. 10.2%, p = 0.012). In the subgroup analysis of Grade II/III, there were no significant differences in major morbidities (p = 0.288) between the two groups (0-3 vs. 4-7 days). CONCLUSION: ELC for AC following TG18 is feasible with low morbidity rates. However, ELC for Grade II/III ACs remains challenging, and surgeons must carefully assess intraoperative difficulties and surgical risks before proceeding.

Intramuscular Adipose Tissue Content as a Predictor of Incisional Hernia after Hepatic Resection.

BACKGROUND: Incisional hernia (IH) is a common surgical complication, with an incidence of 6-31% following major abdominal surgery. This study aimed to investigate the impact of intramuscular adipose tissue content (IMAC) on the incidence of IH in patients who underwent hepatic resection. METHODS: Data of 205 patients who underwent open hepatic resection between 2007 and 2019 at Ehime University Hospital were retrospectively analyzed. Patient characteristics, perioperative findings, and body composition were compared between patients with IH and those without IH. The quantity and quality of skeletal muscle, calculated as skeletal muscle index and IMAC, were evaluated using preoperative computerized tomography images. RESULTS: Forty (19.5%) patients were diagnosed with IH. The cumulative incidence rates were 15.6% at 1 year and 19.6% at 3 years. On univariate analysis, body mass index, areas of subcutaneous and visceral fat, and IMAC were significantly higher in the IH group than in the non-IH group (p = 0.0023, 0.0070, 0.0047, and 0.0080, respectively). No significant difference in skeletal muscle index was found between the groups (p = 0.3548). The incidence of diabetes mellitus, intraoperative transfusion, and postoperative wound infection was significantly higher in the IH group than in the non-IH group (p = 0.0361, 0.0078, and 0.0299, respectively). On multivariate analysis, a high IMAC and wound infection were independent risk factors for IH (adjusted odds ratio, 2.83 and 4.52, respectively; p = 0.0152 and 0.0164, respectively). CONCLUSION: IMAC can predict the incidence of IH in patients undergoing hepatic resection.

Postoperative arterial lactate levels can predict postoperative pancreatic fistula following pancreaticoduodenectomy: A single cohort retrospective study.

BACKGROUND: /Objectives: Postoperative pancreatic fistula (POPF) is a serious complication after pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD). Thus, identification of the risk factors for POPF is urgently needed. In this study, we aimed to identify whether arterial lactate (LCT) levels following PD might be a marker of the potential risk of POPF. METHODS: Between September 2009 and December 2020, 151 patients who underwent elective PD were retrospectively enrolled. Patient characteristics, perioperative clinicopathological variables, postoperative blood biochemistry data were analyzed in univariable and multivariable analyses. Pancreatic fistula of Grade B and C was considered as POPF. RESULTS: Patients were divided into the POPF group (n = 33, 21.9%) and non-POPF group (n = 118, 78.1%). Higher body mass index (p = 0.017), increased estimated blood loss (p = 0.047), soft textured pancreas (p = 0.007), smaller main pancreatic duct (p = 0.016), higher LCT levels (p < 0.001), higher aspartate aminotransferase levels (p = 0.023) and higher procalcitonin levels (p = 0.024) were significantly associated with POPF. Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis revealed that 2.1 mmol/L was the optimal cut-off value of LCT (sensitivity = 78.8%, specificity = 61.2%) for predicting POPF occurrence. Univariate and multivariate analyses confirmed that an LCT of ≥2.1 mmol/L was independently associated with the risk of POPF following PD (odds ratio = 6.78, 95% confidence interval = 2.22-20.74; p = 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Higher LCT is a predictive marker for POPF following PD.

Importance of reconstruction of middle hepatic vein tributaries of right-lobe grafts in living donor liver transplantation: demonstration of the reconstruction technique.

PURPOSE: The aim of the present study on living donor liver transplantation (LDLT) using a right-lobe graft without the middle hepatic vein (MHV) was to investigate the clinical impact of MHV tributary reconstruction using our criteria and techniques. METHODS: The medical records of 40 patients who underwent adult LDLT using a right-lobe graft without the MHV between April 2008 and December 2020 were retrospectively reviewed. In this cohort, the criterion for MHV tributary reconstruction was estimated drainage volume of each MHV tributary greater than 100 mL. The drainage vein of segment 8 (V8) was reconstructed as the common orifice of the right hepatic vein and V8 using a venous patch graft, and that of segment 5 was reconstructed using artificial vascular grafts. The outcomes were compared between the groups with and without MHV tributary reconstruction. Factors associated with postoperative massive ascites were also investigated. RESULTS: Twenty patients underwent MHV tributary reconstruction. There were no significant differences in the amount of postoperative ascites, Clavien-Dindo classification ≥ III postoperative complications, and 90-day in-hospital mortality between the groups (P = 0.678, P = 1.000, and P = 0.244, respectively). On multivariate analyses, a low-estimated functional graft-to-recipient weight ratio, which was calculated using estimated graft volume minus the territory of MHV tributaries that was not reconstructed, was identified as an independent predictor of postoperative massive ascites (odds ratio, 40.479; 95% confidence interval, 3.823-428.622). CONCLUSION: The present study suggests that selective MHV tributary reconstruction might be useful for achieving successful graft function.

Laparoscopic clamp-crushing enucleation with a pancreatic duct stent for tumors located close to the main pancreatic duct.

The perioperative management and technical details of laparoscopic clamp-crushing enucleation for low-malignant-potential pancreatic neuroendocrine neoplasms (PNENs) located close to the main pancreatic duct (MPD) in the body/tail of the pancreas using a perioperative MPD stent are reported. The procedure was performed in two patients with PNEN (13 and 10 mm in diameter) in the body/tail of the pancreas. A naso-pancreatic stent (NPS) was placed preoperatively in both patients. Resection was performed using Maryland-type bipolar forceps. The surgical duration was 139 and 55 min, and the estimated blood loss was 5 and 0 mL, respectively. One patient was discharged uneventfully on postoperative day (POD) 12. The other patient developed a grade B pancreatic fistula, but was discharged on POD 22. Laparoscopic clamp-crushing enucleation with an NPS might be a viable treatment option for tumors located close to the MPD.

[A Case of Unresectable Hepatocellular Carcinoma Treated using Lenvatinib and Conversion Surgery].

A 57-year-old man was treated with lenvatinib for unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC). Thereafter, the tumor marker levels decreased, and the tumor became resectable. The patient underwent portal vein embolization followed by laparoscopic extended left lobectomy. The patient's postoperative course was uneventful, and the tumor marker levels remained within the normal range. No recurrence was observed 3 months after surgery. In recent years, the use of systemic chemotherapy with drugs, such as lenvatinib, followed by conversion surgery has been reported in some cases of unresectable HCC. The present case reports successful conversion surgery following lenvatinib treatment.

Pure Laparoscopic Right Hepatectomy for Hepatocellular Carcinoma with Bile Duct Tumor Thrombus (with Video).

BACKGROUND: Laparoscopic liver resection has been increasingly utilized due to its less invasiveness approach compared with open surgery,1-3 but often creates challenges. Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) with bile duct tumor thrombus (BDTT) portends a poorer prognosis and often precludes patients from potential liver resection.4-6 We herein report a case of laparoscopic hepatectomy and thrombectomy in a patient with HCC and BDTT. METHODS: CT, ERCP, and POCS showed a 40-mm tumor located in the right lobe with BDTT. A five 12-mm trocar was inserted at the umbilicus for laparoscope, the epigastrium, both sides of the hypochondrium, and right lateral region. Moreover, a 5-mm trocar was inserted at left hypochondrium. After cholecystectomy, hepatoduodenal ligament was encircled using the tourniquet through 5-mm trocar site. The right portal vein was transected by stapler following transection of the right hepatic artery. After ICG staining (0.5 mg/body i.v.),7 hepatic parenchymal transection was performed using clamp-crashing technique. Moreover, CUSA also was used near Glissonian sheath. BDTT was removed from the right BD. Moreover, the cholangioscopy confirmed no BDTT remnants. The resection stump was then sutured. Finally, the right hepatic vein was divided with a stapler. A drainage tube was placed in the right subphrenic space. Operation time was 496 min, and blood loss was 91 ml. The patient was discharged without complications on postoperative day 11. Pathological diagnosis showed moderately differentiated HCC, tumor size 40 × 45 mm with negative surgical margins. CONCLUSIONS: Pure laparoscopic resection for HCC with BDTT is a radical, yet feasible procedure.

[Laparoscopic Hepatic Resection for a Hepatic Perivascular Epithelioid Cell Tumor-A Case Report].

A 50-year-old female who had a liver tumor was referred to our hospital for further examination. Abdominal CT and MRI revealed a 2 cm tumor in liver segment 2 that was suspected to be HCC. On the basis of the CT and MRI findings, the patient underwent needle biopsy. The pathological findings suggested the possibility of perivascular epithelioid cell tumor (PEComa). Accordingly, we performed laparoscopic liver segmentectomy. As a hepatic PEComa is relatively rare, the current case serves as an important reminder to consider PEComa in the differential diagnosis of liver tumors.

[Gallbladder Metastasis from Renal Cell Carcinoma Four Years after Nephrectomy-A Case Report].

An 80-year-old man who had undergone nephrectomy for renal cell carcinoma(RCC)4 years before presentation was admitted to our department for further investigation of the gallbladder tumor. The patient was diagnosed with early gallbladder carcinoma based on CT and MRI findings and treated with laparoscopic cholecystectomy. The intraoperative frozen section revealed that the identified tumor was clear cell carcinoma. Finally, morphological similarity with a previous specimen of RCC and immunostaining resulted in the diagnosis of gallbladder metastasis from RCC. Therefore, it is important to consider metastatic carcinoma of the gallbladder in the differential diagnosis of gallbladder tumors for patients with a history of renal cell carcinoma.

[Pancreatobiliary Fistula with Jaundice-A Case Report].

An 80-year-old woman was admitted to our hospital due to jaundice. CT and MRCP revealed that the common bile duct and main pancreatic duct were dilatated due to a cystic lesion in the pancreatic head. Moreover, ERCP revealed the presence of a pancreatobiliary fistula and mucus discharge from the enlarged papilla. The patient underwent biliary and pancreatic drainage using plastic stents. However, the treatment was not effective because of the presence of the protein plug. The patient underwent EST because of her rejection to surgery. After the procedure, jaundice was resolved. We report this case with a review of the available literature.

[Intra-Abdominal Desmoid Tumor in a Young Man without Laparotomy History-A Case Report].

During a follow-upstudy after the treatment of T cell lymphoma, a 21-year-old man reported an intra-abdominal mass in his right lower abdomen, which was then confirmed using abdominal CT. Therefore, recurrence was suspected due to his medical history. To perform a biopsy, laparoscopic surgery was scheduled, which located the tumor in the mesentery of the terminal ileum, involving the cecum. For this, laparoscopic ileocecal resection was performed. After 7 days, the patient was discharged without complications. Histopathologically, the mass was diagnosed as a desmoid tumor via immunostaining. It is relatively rare that an intra-abdominal desmoid tumor occurs without risk factors in a young man. We herein report a case of an intra-abdominal desmoid tumor, which was successfully treated using laparoscopic surgery.

[Subcutaneous Metastasis from Rectal Carcinoma after Low Anterior Resection-A Case Report].

A 63-year-old woman was admitted to our hospital owing to advanced rectal carcinoma. The patient underwent laparoscopic lowanterior resectionwith D3 lymph node dissection and partial resection of the uterus. The histopathological diagnosis was fT4bN2M0, fStage Ⅲb. Thus, capecitabine plus oxaliplatin(CapeOX)therapy as adjuvant chemotherapy was scheduled for 6 months. However, after the 4th course of chemotherapy, contrast-enhanced CT revealed multiple metastases of the rectal carcinoma including metastases in the liver, peritoneum, retroperitoneum, and subcutaneous tissue of the left lower back. The patient received palliative treatment and died 8 months after surgery. Only a fewcases of subcutaneous metastasis of rectal carcinoma have been reported. Therefore, we herein report this case with a review of the literature.

[A Case of Synchronous Multiple Colon Carcinoma-A Case Report].

A 67-year-old woman with anemia was referred to us for further study. A colonoscopy exhibited multiple tumors(tub1)in the transverse and sigmoid colon(two regions)and rectum. Contrast-enhanced CT revealed no apparent distant and lymph node metastases. Thus, subtotal colectomy with D3 lymph node dissection was performed. Pathologically, the tumor was diagnosed as pStage Ⅱand pStage 0. After surgery, the patient had no recurrence for 8 months. We herein report a rare case of four synchronous colorectal carcinomas that were successfully treated.

[A Case of Ampullary Region Carcinoma in a Young Woman - A Case Report].

A 19-year-old woman with general fatigue who initially consulted a local hospital was referred to us for further examination of jaundice. Contrast-enhanced CT revealed apparent dilatation of the bile duct. Gastrointestinal endoscopy exhibited a tumor of the papilla of Vater(adenocarcinoma, tub2). Thus, pylorus-preserving pancreatoduodenectomy with D2 lymph node dissection was performed. Pathologically, she was diagnosed with a T3bN1M0, pStage ⅡB tumor. After surgery, the patient underwent adjuvant chemotherapy containing S-1 for 6 months. We herein report a juvenile case of ampullary region carcinoma that was successfully treated.

[Curatively Resected Stage â £Gastric Cancer with Positive Peritoneal Cytology Due to SOX Therapy-A Case Report].

A 70-year-old man with epigastralgia who initially visited a local hospital was referred to us for further examination. Gastrointestinal endoscopy exhibited a type 3 tumor of the stomach from the body to the antrum(adenocarcinoma, por1). Contrast-enhanced CT revealed thickness in the wall of the gastric body with bulky lymph nodes and ascites. Staging laparoscopy showed that the patient was diagnosed with sStage Ⅳ gastric cancer with positive peritoneal cytology. Therefore, SOX therapy was administered. Subsequently, total gastrectomy with D2 lymph node dissection was performed, since the primary tumor and lymph nodes were significantly reduced. Histopathologically, the residual lesion was only observed in the mucosal layer without lymph node metastases. We herein report a case of Stage Ⅳ gastric cancer, which was successfully treated by conversion surgery after SOX therapy.

Breast hemangioma with difficulty in preoperative diagnosis: a case report.

We report a rare case of breast hemangioma found in a 70-year-old Japanese female. Before seeking medical attention, the patient noticed a hard mass in her right breast but denied associated symptoms. A mammography revealed a well-circumscribed, highly dense, lobular nodule located in the middle inter portion of the right breast. To verify this finding, we used ultrasonography which revealed an irregular, iso-echoic nodule measuring 10 mm in the same portion. Based on these findings, we suspected a malignancy and performed a core needle biopsy. Unexpectedly, a histological examination of the biopsy displayed normal vasculature, adipose, and mammary tissues. In order to make an accurate diagnosis, the mass was surgically excised under general anesthesia and sent to pathology. Pathological findings of the mass were positive for breast hemangioma, and the patient has had no recurrence of the disease for the past 24 months.

Refractory postoperative pancreatic fistula following laparoscopic distal pancreatectomy for pancreatic cancer caused by incomplete pancreas divisum: a case report.

Pancreas divisum (PD) represents a prevalent congenital pancreatic variant, typically arising from the failure of fusion between the ventral and dorsal pancreatic ducts. This condition is frequently associated with recurrent pancreatitis. We herein present a case involving an incomplete PD diagnosis following the identification of a refractory postoperative pancreatic fistula (POPF) after laparoscopic distal pancreatectomy (DP) for pancreatic cancer. A 74-year-old female patient, who had undergone laparoscopic DP for pancreatic cancer, developed a POPF accompanied by intraabdominal bleeding, necessitating urgent intervention radiology to avert life-threatening complications. Following this, intraabdominal drainage was performed through an intraoperative drainage root. Subsequent fistulography and endoscopic retrograde pancreatography unveiled the presence of an incomplete PD for the first time. Consequently, a stent was placed in the Santorini duct. However, the volume of pancreatic juice from the intraabdominal drainage tube exhibited no reduction. Despite repeated attempts to access the pancreatic duct via a guidewire through the drainage tube, these endeavors proved futile. Paradoxically, the removal of the external drainage tube led to a recurrence of intraabdominal abscess formation. Consequently, reinsertion of the drainage tube became imperative. Consideration was given to draining the abscess under endoscopic ultrasonography and performing pancreatic duct drainage. However, due to the diminution of the abscess cavity through the external fistula drainage procedure, coupled with the absence of pancreatic duct dilation and its tortuous course, it was deemed a formidable challenge. the patient necessitated a lifestyle adaptation with a permanently placed percutaneous drainage tube.

Laparoscopic liver resection for a patient of hepatocellular carcinoma with von Willebrand disease: a case report.

BACKGROUND: The safety of laparoscopic hepatectomy for inherited coagulation disorders is unclear; however, the safety of open hepatectomy has been reported in several studies. Herein, we report the first case of a laparoscopic hepatectomy for a patient with von Willebrand Disease (VWD). CASE PRESENTATION: A 76-year-old male with a history of chronic hepatitis C and VWD type 2B was advised surgical resection of a 4 cm hepatocellular carcinoma in segment 7 of the liver. The patient was diagnosed with VWD in his 40 s due to gastrointestinal bleeding caused by gastric erosion. The von Willebrand factor (VWF) ristocetin cofactor activity was 30%, and VWF large multimer deficiency and increased ristocetin-induced platelet agglutination were observed. The preoperative platelet count was reduced to 3.5 × 104/µL; however, preoperative imaging findings had no evidence of liver cirrhosis, such as any collateral formations and splenomegaly. The indocyanine green retention rate at 15 min was 10%, and his Child-Pugh score was 5 (classification A). Perioperatively, VWF/factor VIII was administered in accordance with our institutional protocol. A laparoscopic partial hepatectomy of the right posterior segment was performed. The most bleeding during surgery occurred during the mobilization of the right lobe of the liver due to inflammatory adhesion between the retroperitoneum and the tumor. Bleeding during parenchymal transection was controlable. The duration of hepatic inflow occlusion was 65 min. The surgical duration was 349 min, and the estimated blood loss was 2150 ml. Four units of red blood cells and fresh frozen plasma were transfused at the initiation of parenchymal transection, and 10 units of platelets were transfused at the end of the parenchymal transection. On postoperative day 1, the transection surface drainage fluid became hemorrhagic, and emergency contrast-enhanced computed tomography showed extravasation in the greater omentum. Percutaneous transcatheter arterial embolization of the omental branch of the right gastroepiploic artery was performed. No further postoperative interventions were required. The patient was discharged on postoperative day 14. CONCLUSION: The indications for laparoscopic hepatectomy in patients with VWD should be carefully considered, and an open approach may still be the standard approach for patients with VWD.