Prevention of Post-Hepatectomy Liver Failure in Cirrhotic Patients Undergoing Minimally Invasive Liver Surgery for HCC: Has the Round Ligament to Be Preserved?

Post-hepatectomy liver failure (PHLF) represents a major cause of morbidity and mortality after liver resection. The factors related to PHLF are represented not only by the volume and function of the future liver remnant but also by the severity of portal hypertension. The aim of this study was to assess whether the preservation of the round ligament (RL) may mitigate portal hypertension, thus decreasing the risk of PHLF and ascites in cirrhotic patients while undergoing minimally invasive liver surgery (MILS). All the cirrhotic patients who underwent MILS for HCC from 2016 to 2021 in two international tertiary referral centers were retrospectively analyzed, comparing cases with the RL preserved vs. those with the RL divided. Only patients with cirrhosis ≥ Child A6, portal hypertension, and ICG-R15 > 10% were included. Main postoperative outcomes were compared, and the risk factors for postoperative ascites (severe PHLF, grade B/C) were investigated through a logistic regression. After the application of the selection criteria, a total of 130 MILS patients were identified, with 86 patients with the RL preserved and 44 with the RL divided. The RL-preserved group showed lower incidences of severe PHLF (7.0% vs. 20.5%, p = 0.023) and ascites (5.8% vs. 18.2%, p = 0.026) in comparison with the RL-divided group. After uni/multivariate analysis, the risk factors related to postoperative ascites were RL division and platelets < 92 × 103/µL, calculated with ROC analysis. The preservation of the round ligament during MILS may mitigate portal hypertension, preventing PHLF and ascites in cirrhotic patients with borderline liver function.

Latest Findings on Minimally Invasive Anatomical Liver Resection.

Minimally invasive liver resection (MILR) is being widely utilized owing to recent advancements in laparoscopic and robot-assisted surgery. There are two main types of liver resection: anatomical (minimally invasive anatomical liver resection (MIALR)) and nonanatomical. MIALR is defined as a minimally invasive liver resection along the respective portal territory. Optimization of the safety and precision of MIALR is the next challenge for hepatobiliary surgeons, and intraoperative indocyanine green (ICG) staining is considered to be of considerable importance in this field. In this article, we present the latest findings on MIALR and laparoscopic anatomical liver resection using ICG at our hospital.

Preoperative blood circulation modification prior to pancreaticoduodenectomy in patients with celiac trunk occlusion: Two case reports.

BACKGROUND: Celiac trunk stenosis or occlusion is a common condition observed in patients undergoing pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD). The risk of upper abdominal organ ischemia or failure increases if the blood circulation in the celiac arterial system is not maintained after the surgery. CASE SUMMARY: We present two cases of elderly patients with distal cholangiocarcinoma and celiac trunk occlusion who underwent PD. We performed blood circulation modification preoperatively with transcatheter coil embolization of the arterial arcades of the pancreatic head via the superior mesenteric artery to develop collateral communication between the superior mesenteric artery and the common hepatic or splenic arteries to ensure arterial blood flow to the upper abdominal organs. The postoperative course was marked by delayed gastric emptying, but no major surgical complications, such as biliary or pancreatic fistula, or clinical, biochemical, or radiological evidence of ischemic disease, was observed. CONCLUSION: Preoperative blood circulation modification may be a valid alternative procedure for elderly patients with celiac trunk occlusion who are ineligible for interventional or surgical revascularization.

Large bowel obstruction as a consequence of transverse colon volvulus: A case report.

INTRODUCTION: Transverse colon volvulus incidence is comparatively rare when compared to cecal and sigmoid volvulus. Its diagnosis is still challenging for the surgeon. Delay in the diagnosis of this condition carries high morbidity and mortality rates. AIM: To report a rare case of transverse colon volvulus in a young adult male that presented as large bowel obstruction and was operated upon in the General Surgery department in the Jordanian Royal Medical Services (JRMS), Amman, Jordan. PRESENTATION OF CASE: An 18-year-old male presented with severe generalized abdominal pain of 12-h-duration, associated with significant abdominal distention and constipation of one-day duration. His abdominal examination revealed a massively distended, tender abdomen; however, there were no signs of peritonitis. Abdominal radiographs showed a massively dilated large bowel. He underwent exploratory laparotomy that revealed the diagnosis of transverse colon volvulus. His condition was managed operatively with transverse colectomy with a primary anastomosis. The patient had a satisfactory postoperative recovery. DISCUSSION: Only 3-5% of all cases of intestinal obstruction are caused by colonic volvulus. Transverse colon is involved in 2-4% of them. The diagnosis of transverse colon volvulus can be delayed and difficult because it does not have the same classically recognizable radiographic features as cecal and sigmoid volvulus. CONCLUSION: Transverse colon volvulus is a rare entity. A swift suspicion of diagnosis is key to preventing severe outcomes. It can result in bowel perforation and fecal peritonitis. The definitive diagnosis is frequently made intraoperatively. Early surgical intervention is essential for better outcome and avoiding complications.

Hartmann pouch herniation in Calot's triangle: A case report.

INTRODUCTION: Laparoscopic cholecystectomy is one of the most frequent operations performed around the world. Some pathological findings are particularly rare and difficult to diagnose preoperatively. Here, we report a case of a patient who presented to our hospital with calculus cholecystitis with a unique Intraoperative finding of Hartmann pouch herniation through hepatocystic triangle. The aim of the study is to consider Hartmann pouch herniation as a rare differential diagnosis of gallbladder stone complication. PRESENTATION OF CASE: We present a 48-year-old male who came to our emergency department complaining of constant epigastric abdominal pain lasting 3 h with vomiting. Utilizing chemistry laboratory studies and radiological studies, the final diagnosis was acute calculus cholecystitis. Early laparoscopic cholecystectomy was done and revealed Hartmann pouch herniation through the Calot's triangle. This herniation resulted in strangulation of the Hartmann pouch and displacement of the cystic duct and artery anteriorly. DISCUSSION: The biliary tract is liable for congenital anomalies. These anatomical variations can be diagnosed either intra-operatively or pre-operatively using radiological imaging. Hartmann pouch herniation is a new finding that we encountered in this case. CONCLUSION: Profound surgeons' anatomical knowledge is essential for the safety of patients, especially for hepatobiliary surgeries due to the wide variations in normal and pathological anatomy. Using critical view of safety can decrease avoidable complications. Consulting specialized hepatobiliary surgeon is preferred when dealing with such cases.

Simultaneous small and large bowel obstruction as a consequence of internal hernia: A case report.

INTRODUCTION: Intestinal obstruction ascribed to internal hernia is quite rare, especially in adults. There are no differentiating features in the presentation of intestinal obstruction due to internal hernia as compared to other causes. Delay in the diagnosis of this condition carries a considerable risk especially in a virgin abdomen. We report a rare case of internal hernia which presented as acute small and large bowel obstruction. PRESENTED CASE: We report a 47- year- old male with generalized abdominal pain associated with vomiting and obstipation. The patient was in hypovolemic shock that only had a transient response to resuscitation. CT scans of the abdomen with contrast was done and showed both large and small bowel obstruction. Exploration laparotomy was done and revealed a concurrent nonviable portion of ileum and twisted sigmoid colon (volvulus) which protruded through a congenital transmesentric defect. Resection was mandatory, and repair of the defect was done. DISCUSSION: Incidence of internal hernia generally does not exceed 1%. The diagnosis of congenital internal hernia relies on absence history of trauma, inflammatory process and abdominal surgery. Protrusion of simultaneous small and large bowels together through transmesenteric congenital gate is uncommon. CONCLUSION: Whether the patient presenting with intestinal obstruction has a history of undergoing previous surgeries (for any reason) or not, the diagnosis of internal hernia must be kept in mind. Coexisting involvement of both small and large bowels that need resection poses the question of the need for restoration of bowel continuity with either colostomy or ileostomy.