Machine Learning-Based Analysis in the Management of Iatrogenic Bile Duct Injury During Cholecystectomy: a Nationwide Multicenter Study.

BACKGROUND: Iatrogenic bile duct injury (IBDI) is a challenging surgical complication. IBDI management can be guided by artificial intelligence models. Our study identified the factors associated with successful initial repair of IBDI and predicted the success of definitive repair based on patient risk levels. METHODS: This is a retrospective multi-institution cohort of patients with IBDI after cholecystectomy conducted between 1990 and 2020. We implemented a decision tree analysis to determine the factors that contribute to successful initial repair and developed a risk-scoring model based on the Comprehensive Complication Index. RESULTS: We analyzed 748 patients across 22 hospitals. Our decision tree model was 82.8% accurate in predicting the success of the initial repair. Non-type E (p < 0.01), treatment in specialized centers (p < 0.01), and surgical repair (p < 0.001) were associated with better prognosis. The risk-scoring model was 82.3% (79.0-85.3%, 95% confidence interval [CI]) and 71.7% (63.8-78.7%, 95% CI) accurate in predicting success in the development and validation cohorts, respectively. Surgical repair, successful initial repair, and repair between 2 and 6 weeks were associated with better outcomes. DISCUSSION: Machine learning algorithms for IBDI are a novel tool may help to improve the decision-making process and guide management of these patients.

Liver growth prediction in ALPPS - A multicenter analysis from the international ALPPS registry.

BACKGROUND: While ALPPS triggers a fast liver hypertrophy, it is still unclear which factors matter most to achieve accelerated hypertrophy within a short period of time. The aim of the study was to identify patient-intrinsic factors related to the growth of the future liver remnant (FLR). METHODS: This cohort study is composed of data derived from the International ALPPS Registry from November 2011 and October 2018. We analyse the influence of demographic, tumour type and perioperative data on the growth of the FLR. The volume of the FLR was calculated in millilitre and percentage using computed-tomography (CT) scans before and after stage 1, both according to Vauthey formula. RESULTS: A total of 734 patients were included from 99 centres. The median sFLR at stage 1 and stage 2 was 0.23 (IQR, 0.18-0.28) and 0.39 (IQR: 0.31-0.46), respectively. The variables associated with a lower increase from sFLR1 to sFLR2 were age˃68 years (p = .02), height ˃1.76 m (p ˂ .01), weight ˃83 kg (p ˂ .01), BMI˃28 (p ˂ .01), male gender (p ˂ .01), antihypertensive therapy (p ˂ .01), operation time ˃370 minutes (p ˂ .01) and hospital stay˃14 days (p ˂ .01). The time required to reach sufficient volume for stage 2, male gender accounts 40.3% in group ˂7 days, compared with 50% of female, and female present 15.3% in group ˃14 days compared with 20.6% of male. CONCLUSIONS: Height, weight, FLR size and gender could be the variables that most constantly influence both daily growths, the interstage increase and the standardized FLR before the second stage.

Pure laparoscopic vs. hand-assisted liver surgery for segments 7 and 8: propensity score matching analysis.

BACKGROUND: Laparoscopic liver resection of tumors located in segments 7 and 8 are considered a complex resection. The aim of this study was to compare the intraoperative and early postoperative outcomes of patients operated by pure laparoscopic (PLS) vs hand-assisted laparoscopic surgery (HALS). METHODS: From January 2003 to January 2021, we included patients with minimally invasive surgery for lesions located in segments 7 and 8. To overcome selection bias, we performed 1:1 propensity score matching (PSM) between HALS and PLS cohorts, including 30 patients in each of the groups. Of the 60 patients who underwent PSM, we compared the first 30 patients with the following 30 patients. RESULTS: A total of 79 LLRs were performed, 46 by HALS and 33 by PLS. After PSM, in the PLS cohort, cirrhosis was more frequent (33.3% vs. 13.3%, p = 0.02). The surgical time, blood loss, Pringle maneuver, clamping time, and morbidity were similar between both groups, but with a lower hospital stay in the PLS group (3 days vs. 4 days, p < 0.01). In the first 30 patients who underwent LLR, the use of PLS was lower than the use of HALS, increasing due to the learning curve (16.7% in the first period vs. 83.3% in the second period; p < 0.01). The hospital stay was lower in the second period due to the more frequent use of PLS (3 vs. 4 days, p < 0.01). CONCLUSION: PLS presents similar intraoperative and early postoperative results with lower hospital stay for lesions located in segments 7 and 8 compared to HALS. In centers with experience in LLRs, PLS could be performed safely in these segments.

Impact of Immune Response in Short-term and Long-term Outcomes After Minimally Invasive Surgery for Colorectal Liver Metastases: Results From a Randomized Study.

BACKGROUND: The potential benefit related to laparoscopic liver surgery (LLS) for colorectal liver metastases outcomes is not well known. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Serum cytokines associated with Th1 (tumor necrosis factor-α) and Th2 [interleukin (IL)-10 and IL-6] phenotypes were measured in 36 patients operated on for colorectal liver metastases by open liver surgery (OLS) and LLS. Measurements were performed at 3 time points: 1 day before surgery, day 3 postoperative, and 1 month postoperative. We compared the postoperative inflammatory response influence between LLS and OLS on long-term outcomes. RESULTS: In both groups, only IL-6 levels on day 3 postoperative were higher than those measured preoperatively and at 1 month. Comparing the tumor necrosis factor-α levels between the LLS and OLS groups, preoperative (7.28 vs. 2.36), day 3 (7.99 vs. 4.08) and 1 month (7.39 vs. 1.99) postoperative levels were higher in the OLS group (P<0.01, <0.01, and <0.01, respectively). In contrast, IL-10 levels were higher in the LLS group preoperatively (7.51 vs. 4.57) and on day 3 postoperative (13.40 vs. 4.57) (P=0.03 and 0.01, respectively). A cut-off IL-6 level of ≥4.41 in the first month was associated with a higher risk of recurrence (logrank=4.8, P=0.02). CONCLUSIONS: Both LLS and OLS induce an initial increase in IL-6 that normalizes one month after surgery, showing a similar pattern. In addition, a cut-off IL-6 value of 4.41 pg/mL was established, with a higher concentration at 1 month postoperative possibly related to a higher risk or recurrence.

Preoperative transarterial chemoembolization for laparoscopic liver resection in Child A cirrhotic patients with hepatocellular carcinoma.

PURPOSE: Laparoscopic liver resection (LLR) for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) offers better short-term results than open surgery with similar long-term results although it is technically difficult due to the risk of bleeding. METHODS: This study included patients with HCC in Child A cirrhosis who underwent TACE before LLR between 2009 and 2019. The primary endpoint was to analyze the intraoperative and early results of this technique. We also analyzed the long-term outcomes. Patients with and without clinically significant portal hypertension (CSPH) were compared. RESULTS: A total of 44 cirrhotic patients with HCC were included (24 CSPH and 20 non-CSPH). The Pringle maneuver was used in two cases (4.5%), mean blood losses was 100 ml (range 50-200), and three patients (6.8%) required a blood transfusion. The degree of necrosis achieved was greater than 90% in 27 patients (61.4%). At 1, 3, and 5 years, overall survival was 97.7%, 81.5%, and 63.4%, respectively, and disease-free survival was 85.2%, 52.5%, and 34.5%, respectively. There were no statistically significant differences between non-CSPH and CSPH groups regarding intraoperative, early, and long-term outcomes. CONCLUSION: In our experience, TACE could be beneficial to perform LLR in HCC Child-Pugh A patients with and without CSPH without serious complications and similar oncological outcomes.

Management of hepatic artery aneurysms.

We have read with interest the case published by Plua-Muñiz as an example of how endovascular treatment may be an acceptable and safe option even in an emerging situation as long as swift action is taken and the patient is stabilized previously. Hepatic artery aneurysms are an infrequent entity and their management is a great challenge. In the following letter we show our point of view and what the literature says about its management.