Effect of laparoscopic liver resection on postoperative delirium in elderly patients with hepatocellular carcinoma.

BACKGROUND: Delirium is a multifactorial and heterogeneous syndrome that is defined as acutely altered consciousness. This retrospective multicenter study evaluated the impact of postoperative delirium after liver resection for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in elderly patients. METHODS: Patients aged ≥75 years, who underwent curative liver resection for HCC at nine university hospitals from April 2010 to December 2017, were evaluated to compare short- and long-term outcomes between patients with and without delirium. Risk factors for delirium were determined using multivariate regression analysis. RESULTS: The rate of postoperative delirium was 14.2% (n = 80) in the study cohort of 562 patients. Multivariate analysis revealed smoking history, hypertension, sleeping pill consumption, and open liver resection as risk factors for postoperative delirium. The rate of other causes of death was significantly higher in the delirium group than in the no-delirium group although the rate of death at 1 year due to HCC or liver failure was similar between the two groups (p = .015). The 1-year mortality rates due to vascular diseases were 71.4% and 15.4% in the delirium and no-delirium groups, respectively (p = .022). The 1-, 3-, and 5-year survival rates after liver resection were 86.6%, 64.1%, and 36.5% in the delirium group and 91.3%, 71.2%, and 56.9% in the no-delirium group, respectively (p = .046). CONCLUSION: The multivariate analysis revealed the possible benefits of laparoscopic liver resection in reducing the rate of postoperative delirium after liver resection for HCC in elderly patients.

The Prognostic Value of Preoperative Serum Markers and Risk Classification in Patients with Hepatocellular Carcinoma.

BACKGROUND: Complex hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) prognostic biomarkers have been reported in various studies. We aimed to establish biomarkers that could predict prognosis, and formulate a simple classification using non-invasive preoperative blood test data. METHODS: We retrospectively identified 305 patients for a discovery cohort who had undergone HCC-related hepatectomy at four Japanese university hospitals between January 1, 2011 and December 31, 2013. Preoperative blood test parameter optimal cut-off values were determined using receiver operating characteristic curve analysis. Cox uni- and multivariate analyses were used to determine independent prognostic factors. Risk classifications were established using classification and regression tree (CART) analysis. Validation was performed with 267 patients from three other hospitals. RESULTS: In multivariate analysis, α-fetoprotein (AFP, p < 0.001), protein induced by vitamin K absence or antagonist-II (PIVKA-II, p = 0.006), and C-reactive protein (CRP, p < 0.001) were independent prognostic factors for overall survival (OS). AFP (p = 0.007), total bilirubin (p = 0.001), and CRP (p = 0.003) were independent recurrent risk factors for recurrence-free survival (RFS). CART analysis results formed OS (CRP, AFP, and albumin) and RFS (PIVKA-II, CRP, and total bilirubin) decision trees, based on machine learning using preoperative serum markers, with three risk classifications. Five-year OS (low risk, 80.0%; moderate risk, 56.3%; high risk, 25.2%; p < 0.001) and RFS (low risk, 43.4%; moderate risk, 30.8%; high risk, 16.6%; p < 0.001) risks differed significantly. These classifications also stratified OS and RFS risk in the validation cohort. CONCLUSION: Three simple risk classifications using preoperative non-invasive prognostic factors could predict prognosis.

Short- and long-term outcomes of laparoscopic versus open repeat liver resection for hepatocellular carcinoma: A multicenter study.

OBJECTIVE: This multicenter study aimed to compare the short- and long-term outcomes of laparoscopic (LRLR) versus open repeat liver resection (ORLR) for recurrent hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) using propensity score matching (PSM). Despite the expanding indications for laparoscopic liver resection, limited data regarding the outcomes of LRLR have previously been reported. METHODS: This study included patients who underwent repeat liver resection for recurrent HCC. Patients were divided into the LRLR and ORLR groups, and their short- and long-term outcomes were compared via PSM. RESULTS: There were 256 and 130 patients in the ORLR and LRLR groups, respectively. After PSM, 64 patients were included in each group. Intraoperative blood loss was significantly less in LRLR than in ORLR (56 vs 208 ml, P < .001). Postoperative complications of Clavien-Dindo IIIa or more were significantly less in LRLR than in ORLR (3.1% vs 15.6%, P = .030). The length of hospital stay was notably shorter in LRLR than in ORLR (9 vs 12 days, P < .001). Survival rates after repeat liver resection at 1, 3, and 5 years, respectively, were comparable at 93.4%, 81.9%, and 63.5% for ORLR and at 94.8%, 80.7%, and 67.3% for LRLR (P = .623). Subgroup analysis of patients who underwent wedge resection in repeat liver resection revealed that the postoperative complication rate was notably lower in LRLR than in ORLR (7.2% vs 21.8%, P = .030). CONCLUSION: LRLR for recurrent HCC is a viable option due to its better short-term outcomes and comparable long-term outcomes compared to ORLR.

Risk factors for and management of morbidity in pure laparoscopic resection of the right posterosuperior segments of the liver: A multicenter retrospective study.

BACKGROUND: This study aimed to determine the risk factors for severe postoperative complications in patients undergoing pure laparoscopic liver resection (LLR) for tumors in the right posterosuperior (PS) segments. METHODS: The study included 289 patients who underwent parenchyma-sparing pure LLR for tumors in the right PS segments at eight treatment centers between January 2009 and December 2019. RESULTS: Multivariate analysis revealed tumor size ≥3 cm (P = .016), segmentectomy (P = .044), and liver cirrhosis (P = .029) as independent risk factors for severe postoperative complications. The severe complication rates (2.7% vs 12.1%, P = .0025), median intraoperative blood loss (100 mL vs 150 mL, P = .001), and median operation time (248 minutes vs 299.5 minutes, P = .0013) were lower in the patients without all these three risk factors than those with at least one risk factor. The median length of postoperative hospital stay was shorter in patients with no risk factors than those with at least one risk factor (9 days vs. 10 days, P = .001). CONCLUSIONS: Tumor size ≥3 cm, segmentectomy, and liver cirrhosis were the risk factors for severe postoperative complications after parenchyma-sparing pure LLR for tumors in the right PS segments. Patients without these three risk factors would be appropriate candidates for safely performing parenchyma-sparing pure LLR in the right PS segments at the outset.

Treatment strategy for resectable colorectal cancer liver metastases from the viewpoint of time to surgical failure.

PURPOSE: The efficacy of pre or postoperative chemotherapy for resectable colorectal cancer liver metastases (CRLM) is disputed. This study aimed to examine the risk factors for time to surgical failure (TSF) and analyze the efficacy of pre or postoperative chemotherapy prior to liver resection for CRLM. METHODS: The clinicopathological factors of 567 patients who underwent initial hepatectomy for CRLM at 7 university hospitals between April 2007 and March 2013 were retrospectively analyzed. The prognostic factors were identified and then stratified into two groups according to the number of preoperative prognostic factors: the high-score group (H-group, score 2-4) and the low-score group (L-group, score 0 or 1). RESULTS: Patients who experienced unresectable recurrence within 12 months after initial treatment had a significantly shorter prognosis than other patients (p < 0.001). Multivariate analysis identified age ≥ 70 (p = 0.001), pT4 (p = 0.015), pN1 (p < 0.001), carbohydrate antigen 19-9 ≥ 37 U/ml (p = 0.002), Clavien-Dindo grade ≥ IIIa (p = 0.013), and postoperative chemotherapy (p = 0.006) as independent prognostic factors. In the H-group, patients who received chemotherapy had a better prognosis than those who did not (p = 0.001). CONCLUSION: Postoperative chemotherapy is beneficial in colorectal cancer patients with more than two of the following factors: age ≥ 70, carbohydrate antigen 19-9-positivity, pT4, and lymph node metastasis.

National survey of hepatobiliary and pancreatic surgery in hemophilia patients in Japan.

BACKGROUND: Approximately 8300 hemophiliacs are registered in Japan, but no comprehensive reports on hepatobiliary and pancreatic surgery (HBPS) have been conducted. This report investigates the current status of HPBS in hemophilia patients in Japan. METHODS: The subjects were hemophiliac patients seen between January 1 2007, and December 31 2017, at facilities participating in this study among the facilities for performing high-difficulty cases nationwide designated by the Japanese Society for HBPS. A retrospective examination of short-term outcomes in 49 cases was conducted to assess patient background, disease, surgical procedure, and complications. RESULTS: The types of hemophilia were A: 43 cases, B: four cases, and von Willebrand disease: two cases (hemophilia severity: mild 32, moderate seven, severe 10). The target malignant diseases for surgery were hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in 20 cases, intrahepatic cholangiocellular carcinoma (CCC) in four cases, combined HCC-CCC in two cases, hilar CCC in two cases, and pancreatic cancer in four cases. As for the surgical procedure, limited resection (subsegmentectomy and partial hepatectomy) was performed in 16 cases of HCC even with normal liver function tests. Pancreaticoduodenectomy and distal pacreatectomy were performed for pancreatic cancers as in the standard procedure. Postoperative complications were postoperative bleeding in two cases after hepatectomy and one after pancreatectomy in one case. When compared with Japanese National Clinical Data base, the complication rates after hepatectomy and pancreatectomy were not conspicuous in hemophilic patients. CONCLUSIONS: As long as they are performed in qualified centers, complication rate is not increased in hemophilic patients undergoing HBPS.

Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy Versus Upfront Surgery for Resectable Liver Metastases from Colorectal Cancer: a Multicenter, Propensity Score-Matched Cohort Study.

BACKGROUND: Adjuvant chemotherapy for resectable colorectal liver metastasis (CRLM) is widely used, but its efficacy lacks clear evidence. This retrospective cohort study investigated the effectiveness of neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) compared to upfront surgery for CRLM. METHODS: Data from patients with resectable CRLM were analyzed. Short-term outcomes and long-term prognosis were analyzed using propensity score matching. CRLM was stratified according to the H-classification (H1 and H2), and the effectiveness of adjuvant chemotherapy was analyzed in each group. RESULTS: We analyzed 599 cases that were matched into an NAC group (n = 136) and an upfront surgery group (n = 136). The proportion of synchronous metastases, H2-classification, and postoperative chemotherapy rate did not differ between the groups. Overall survival (OS) after initial treatment was significantly worse in the NAC group than in the upfront surgery group (P = 0.029). The 5-, 7-, and 10-year OS rates for H1 patients were significantly better in the upfront surgery group than in the NAC group (64%, 51%, and 44% vs. 50%, 31%, and 18%, respectively) (P = 0.004). CONCLUSION: Patients with resectable CRLM should undergo upfront surgery, because NAC did not improve OS after initial treatment in these patients.

Superiority of CRP-albumin-lymphocyte index (CALLY index) as a non-invasive prognostic biomarker after hepatectomy for hepatocellular carcinoma.

BACKGROUND: We aimed to investigate whether a novel biomarker incorporating albumin, lymphocytes, and CRP can predict the prognosis for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) after hepatectomy. METHODS: Between January 2011 and December 2013, 384 patients who underwent hepatectomy in four university hospitals in Japan were investigated as a discovery cohort. The CRP-Albumin-Lymphocyte (CALLY index) was defined as (Albumin × Lymphocyte)/(CRP × 104). Patients with a CALLY index ≥5 (n = 200) were compared to those with an index <5 (n = 184). Next, validation was performed using 267 patients from three other university hospitals (external validation cohort). RESULTS: The number of TNM Stage III and IV patients was significantly higher in the CALLY <5 group than the ≥5 group (p = 0.003). There was a significant difference in the 5-year survival rate (CALLY ≥5: 71% vs. <5: 46%; p < 0.001). Multivariate analysis identified the CALLY index as an independent factor of overall survival. Similarly, there was a significant difference in the 5-year survival rate between the CALLY ≥5 (73%) and <5 (48%) groups (p < 0.001), and the CALLY index was identified as an independent prognostic factor in the external validation cohort. CONCLUSION: The CALLY index derived from CRP, albumin, and lymphocyte values is a promising predictive biomarker for postoperative prognosis of patients with HCC.

Impact of laparoscopic parenchyma-sparing resection of lesions in the right posterosuperior liver segments on surgical outcomes: A multicenter study based on propensity score analysis.

BACKGROUND: Laparoscopic liver resection for hepatic lesions is increasingly performed worldwide. However, parenchyma-sparing laparoscopic liver resection for hepatic lesions in the right posterosuperior segments is very technically demanding. This study aimed to compare postoperative outcomes between patients undergoing laparoscopic liver resection and open liver resection for hepatic lesions in the right posterosuperior segments. METHODS: In total, 617 patients who underwent liver resection of hepatic lesions in the right posterosuperior segments (segment Ⅶ or Ⅷ) at 8 centers were included in this study. We lessened the impact of confounders through propensity score matching, inverse probability weighting, and double/debiased machine learning estimations. RESULTS: After matching and weighting, the imbalance between the 2 groups significantly decreased. Compared with open liver resection, laparoscopic liver resection was associated with a lower volume of intraoperative blood loss and incidence of postoperative complications in the matched and weighted cohorts. After surgery, the incidence of pulmonary complication and cardiac disease was lower in the laparoscopic liver resection group than in the open liver resection group in both the matched and weighted cohorts. The odds ratios of laparoscopic liver resection for postoperative complications in the matched and weighted cohorts were 0.49 (95% confidence interval, 0.29-0.83) and 0.40 (95% confidence interval, 0.25%-0.64%), respectively. The double/debiased machine learning risk difference estimator for postoperative complications of laparoscopic liver resection was -19.8% (95% confidence interval, -26.8% to -13.4%). CONCLUSION: Parenchyma-sparing laparoscopic liver resection for hepatic lesions in the right posterosuperior segments had clinical benefits, including lower volume of intraoperative blood loss and incidence of postoperative complications.

Prognostic impact of neoadjuvant chemotherapy in patients with synchronous colorectal liver metastasis: A propensity score matching comparative study.

BACKGROUND: Synchronous colorectal liver metastasis (SCRLM) is at an advanced tumor stage and requires multidisciplinary treatments. Neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) is thought to be an effective treatment modality, but its prognostic impact is still unclear. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Patients with resectable SCRLM presented to eight university hospitals between 2007 and 2017 were retrospectively reviewed. Propensity score matching (PSM) was performed to adjust baseline characteristics between patients who received NAC with those who underwent up-front hepatectomy. The prognostic impact of NAC was then evaluated. RESULTS: The cohort comprised of 320 patients: 151 patients received NAC and the remaining 169 patients underwent up-front hepatectomy. After a 1:1 ratio of PSM, 102 patients per group were selected. Within the PSM cohort, 66% patients had multiple liver tumors, with 15% having five or more liver tumors. The median survival (95% confidence interval) periods for patients with and without NAC in the PSM cohort were 88.5 (68.4 - not reached) and 84.2 (52.1 - not reached) months, respectively (P = 0.51). On multivariate analysis, the postoperative events in these patients including operative complications and use of adjuvant chemotherapy after hepatectomy were prognostic factors with hazards (95% confidence interval) being 1.88 (1.18-2.98) and 0.65 (0.42-1.01), respectively. CONCLUSION: This PSM study was restricted to patients with SCRLM and relatively advanced tumor stagings. NAC did not show any significant prognostic impact. While operative complications had a significant prognostic impact, use of adjuvant chemotherapy after hepatectomy had only a marginal prognostic impact. Reconsideration of indications for NAC is needed.

Risk factors for incisional hernia according to different wound sites after open hepatectomy using combinations of vertical and horizontal incisions: A multicenter cohort study.

Background: Although several risk factors for incisional hernia after hepatectomy have been reported, their relationship to different wound sites has not been investigated. Therefore, this study aimed to examine the risk factors for incisional hernia according to various wound sites after hepatectomy. Methods: Patients from the Osaka Liver Surgery Study Group who underwent open hepatectomy using combinations of vertical and horizontal incisions (J-shaped incision, reversed L-shaped incision, reversed T-shaped incision, Mercedes incision) between January 2012 and December 2015 were included. Incisional hernia was defined as a hernia occurring within 3 y after surgery. Abdominal incisional hernia was classified into midline incisional hernia and transverse incisional hernia. The risk factors for each posthepatectomy incisional hernia type were identified. Results: A total of 1057 patients met the inclusion criteria. The overall posthepatectomy incisional hernia incidence rate was 5.9% (62 patients). In the multivariate analysis, the presence of diabetes mellitus and albumin levels <3.5 g/dL were identified as independent risk factors. Moreover, incidence rates of midline and transverse incisional hernias were 2.4% (25 patients), and 2.3% (24 patients), respectively. In multivariate analysis, the independent risk factor for transverse incisional hernia was the occurrence of superficial or deep incisional surgical site infection, and interrupted suturing for midline incisional hernia. Conclusions: Risk factors for incisional hernia after hepatectomy depend on the wound site. To prevent incisional hernia, running suture use might be better for midline wound closure. The prevention of postoperative wound infection is important for transverse wounds, under the presumption of preoperative nutrition and normoglycemia.

Clinical Importance of CD200 Expression in Colorectal Liver Metastasis.

BACKGROUND: Approximately 30% of patients diagnosed with colorectal cancer (CRC) develop liver metastases. We evaluated the role of CD200, a potent immunosuppressive molecule, in colorectal liver metastases (CRLM). METHODS: We examined 110 patients who underwent curative liver resection for CRLM at our institution between 2000 and 2016. Based on the results of immunohistochemical analysis, the patients were divided into high-CD200 (n = 47) and low-CD200 (n = 63) expression groups. The relationships between CD200 expression and various clinicopathological outcomes were investigated. RESULTS: The overall survival (OS) of patients in the high-CD200 group was significantly worse than that in the low-CD200 group (p = 0.009). Multivariate analysis showed that the independent prognostic factors in CRLM were maximum tumor size > 30 mm (p = 0.002), preoperative carcinoembryonic antigen level > 20 ng/mL (p < 0.001), primary CRC N2-3 (p = 0.049), and high-CD200 expression (p = 0.004). Furthermore, CD4+, CD8+, and CD45RO+ tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes in CRLM were significantly higher in the low-CD200 group than in the high-CD200 group (p = 0.005, p = 0.001, and p < 0.001, respectively). In addition, patients who had received preoperative chemotherapy had higher CD200 expression than those who had not received preoperative chemotherapy, and OS was significantly worse in patients in the high-CD200 group who had received preoperative chemotherapy. CONCLUSIONS: CD200 expression was an independent prognostic factor in CRLM. CD200 may play a critical role in tumor immunity in CRLM, and can therefore be used as a potential therapeutic target in CRLM.

Unresectable hilar cholangiocarcinoma treated with chemoradiotherapy: a 9-year survival case.

Patients with advanced unresectable hilar cholangiocarcinoma have poor prognosis, and the survival is usually short. Herein, we report a 9-year survival case of unresectable hilar cholangiocarcinoma treated with chemoradiotherapy. A 64-year-old male patient presented with hilar cholangiocarcinoma. The tumor was located in the right hepatic duct, and it extended from the bifurcation of the anterior and posterior branches to the periphery. In the left side, the tumor extended from the umbilical portion to B2 and B3. However, there was no distant metastasis. The patient was then diagnosed with locally advanced, unresectable hilar cholangiocarcinoma and was treated with chemoradiotherapy. He received a total dose of 60 Gy in 30 daily fractions via intensity-modulated radiation therapy. In addition, he received gemcitabine chemotherapy for 5 years. There has been neither re-elevation of carbohydrate antigen 19-9 levels nor tumor relapse for 5 years during chemotherapy. Therefore, gemcitabine treatment was discontinued. However, the patient experienced tumor relapse 3 years after the last chemotherapy. Hence, chemotherapy with gemcitabine and cisplatin was initiated. At present, 1 year has passed after treatment for recurrence, and the patient has survived for 9 years since the initial treatment. Herein, we report a rare case of long-term survival with chemoradiotherapy in locally advanced unresectable hilar cholangiocarcinoma.

Pulmonary complications after laparoscopic liver resection.

BACKGROUND: Although postoperative pulmonary complications (PPCs) are one of the common complications after liver surgery and might be avoided with the use of a laparoscopic approach, few reports have focused on the comparison of PPCs between laparoscopic liver resection (LLR) and open liver resection (OLR). The aim of this study was to clarify the effect of LLR on PPCs. METHODS: The study included 307 patients who underwent liver resection, excluding biliary reconstruction, at our institution between 2014 and 2018. Patients were divided into the OLR and LLR groups. The perioperative outcomes and PPCs were compared between the two groups using propensity score matching. On day 3 after liver surgery, all patients had chest radiography to confirm the presence of pleural effusion, including cases that required thoracentesis, and pneumonia. RESULTS: Of the 307 patients, 172 and 135 patients were included in OLR and LLR groups, respectively. After propensity score matching, 65 patients were included in each group. Compared with the matched OLR group, the matched LLR group had significantly lower intraoperative blood loss (P < 0.001); rate of intraoperative blood transfusion (P = 0.011); overall PPCs (P = 0.032); and number of cases with chest radiography-confirmed pleural effusion (P = 0.048), pleural effusion requiring thoracentesis (P = 0.029), and pneumonia (P = 0.012). Moreover, postoperative hospital stay was significantly shorter in the matched LLR group than in the matched OLR group. CONCLUSIONS: Compared with OLR, LLR might be a better surgical approach to avoid PPCs.

Outcomes in Patients with Chronic Kidney Disease After Liver Resection for Hepatocellular Carcinoma.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to clarify the feasibility of liver resection in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD). METHODS: In all, 204 patients who underwent primary liver resection for HCC between 2011 and 2019 were analyzed. Short-term and long-term outcomes were compared between the CKD and control groups. The CKD group was defined by a preoperative estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) < 45 mL/min/1.73 m2 and chronic kidney disease Stage 3B or higher. RESULTS: Twenty-eight patients (13.7%) had CKD. No significant differences were observed in the overall complication rates between the groups (46.4% vs. 34.7% p = 0.229). The incidence of bile leakage was significantly higher in the CKD group than in the control group (14.3% vs. 4.0% p = 0.048), and the median postoperative hospital stay was significantly longer in the CKD group (11 vs. 9 days p = 0.031). No significant differences were found in the disease-free survival between the two groups (p = 0.763), but overall survival (OS) was significantly worse in the CKD group than in the control group (p = 0.022). In the multivariable analysis, a CKD diagnosis (hazard ratio, 2.261; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.139-4.486 p = 0.020) was identified as an independent poor prognostic factor for OS. The percentage of patients who died from cardiovascular disease was significantly higher in the CKD group (27.3% vs. 2.3% p = 0.023). CONCLUSIONS: Liver resection for HCC in CKD patients is associated with acceptable perioperative outcomes. However, cardiovascular disease may negatively affect the OS of CKD patients after liver resection.

The Prognosis and Recurrence Pattern of Right- and Left-Sided Colon Cancer in Stage II, Stage III, and Liver Metastasis After Curative Resection.

PURPOSE: Primary tumor location of colon cancer has been reported to affect the prognosis after curative resection. However, some reports suggested the impact was varied by tumor stage. This study analyzed the prognostic impact of the sidedness of colon cancer in stages II, III, and liver metastasis after curative resection using propensity-matched analysis. METHODS: Right-sided colon cancer was defined as a tumor located from cecum to splenic flexure, while any more distal colon cancer was defined as left-sided colon cancer. Patients who underwent curative resection at Nara Medical University hospital between 2000 and 2016 were analyzed. RESULTS: There were 110 patients with stage II, 100 patients with stage III, and 106 patients with liver metastasis. After propensity matching, 28 pairs with stage II and 32 pairs with stage III were identified. In the patients with stage II, overall survival (OS) and recurrence-free survival (RFS) were not significantly different for right- and left-sided colon cancers. In the patients with stage III, OS and RFS were significantly worse in right-sided colon cancer. In those with liver metastasis, OS of right-sided colon cancer was significantly worse than left-sided disease, while RFS was similar. Regarding metachronous liver metastasis, the difference was observed only in the patients whose primary colon cancer was stage III. In each stage, significantly higher rate of peritoneal recurrence was found in those with right-sided colon cancer. CONCLUSION: Sidedness of colon cancer had a significant and varied prognostic impact in patients with stage II, III, and liver metastasis after curative resection.

Clamp-Crush Technique for Laparoscopic Liver Resection.

Liver parenchymal transection is the most important process in laparoscopic liver resection (LLR). Various surgical methods and devices for LLR have been applied including the cavitron ultrasonic surgical aspirator, ultrasonic scalpel, and staplers. Very few reports have investigated the clamp--crush technique for LLR.1,2 Current study shows a clamp-crush technique for LLR and evaluates its perioperative outcomes. The clamp-crush technique was performed using simple forceps and the Pringle maneuver under a low central venous pressure. The vessels that remained after crushing were clipped if they were thick; or removed with an ultrasonic cutting-coagulation system if they were thin. Sixty-one LLRs were performed using the clamp-crush technique. Pathological cirrhosis was observed in 22 patients (36.0%). The types of resection were as follows: 31 wedge resections (50.8%), 11 segmentectomies (19.0%), 9 sectionectomies (14.8%), and 10 hemihepatectomies (16.4%). The intraoperative blood loss was 62 ml; the surgical duration was 272 min. The postoperative major complication (Clavien-Dindo ≥ IIIa) rate was 4.9%. The median hospital stay was 8 days (range = 4-53 days). A 76-year-old female underwent right LLR for a 9-cm HCC. The right hepatic artery and portal vein were dissected separately. After mobilizing the liver, parenchymal transection was performed using the clamp-crush technique. The middle hepatic vein was totally exposed. Intraoperative blood loss was 32 ml and the surgical duration was 5 h 32 min with no postoperative complications. The clamp-crush technique is safe and feasible for LLR and could contribute to quick parenchymal transection and flattening of the transection plane.

Preoperative Risk Assessment for Loss of Independence Following Hepatic Resection in Elderly Patients: A Prospective Multicenter Study.

OBJECTIVE: To establish a preoperative risk assessment method for loss of independence after hepatic resection. SUMMARY BACKGROUND DATA: Hepatic resection often results in loss of independence in preoperatively self-sufficient elderly people. Elderly patients should therefore be carefully selected for surgery. METHODS: In this prospective, multicenter study, 347 independently-living patients aged ≥65 years, scheduled for hepatic resection, were divided into study (n = 232) and validation (n = 115) cohorts. We investigated the risk factors for postoperative loss of independence in the study cohort and verified our findings with the validation cohort. Loss of independence was defined as transfer to a rehabilitation facility, discharge to residence with home-based healthcare, 30-day readmission for poor functionality, and 90-day mortality (except for cancer-related deaths). RESULTS: In the study cohort, univariate and multivariate analyses indicated that frailty, age ≥ 76 years, and open surgery were independent risk factors for postoperative loss of independence. Proportions of patients with postoperative loss of independence in the study and validation cohorts were respectively 3.0% and 0% among those with no applicable risk factors, 8.1% and 12.5% among those with 1 applicable risk factor, 25.5% and 25.0% among those with 2 applicable risk factors, and 56.3% and 50.0% among those with all 3 factors applicable (P < 0.001 for both cohorts). Areas under the receiver operating characteristic curves for the study and validation groups were 0.777 and 0.783, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Preoperative risk assessments using these 3 factors may be effective in predicting and planning for postoperative loss of independence after hepatic resection in elderly patients.

Preoperative Risk Assessment for Delirium After Hepatic Resection in the Elderly: a Prospective Multicenter Study.

BACKGROUND: Hepatic resection often results in delirium in preoperatively self-sufficient elderly people. The association of frailty with postoperative delirium remains unclear, and preoperative risk assessment, including frailty, of postoperative delirium has not been established. METHODS: This prospective multicenter study included 295 independently living patients aged ≥ 65 years scheduled for initial hepatic resection. All patients answered the phenotypic frailty index Kihon Checklist, which is a self-reporting list of 25 questions, within a week before surgery. The risk factors for postoperative delirium were investigated. Patients who scored ≥ 4 in the Intensive Care Delirium Screening Checklist were designated as having postoperative delirium. RESULTS: Delirium developed after liver resection in 22 of 295 patients (7.5%). Total Kihon Checklist score (≥ 6 points), age (≥ 75 years), and serum albumin concentration (≤ 3.7 g/dL) were the independent risk factors for postoperative delirium. The proportion of patients with postoperative delirium was 0% in those with no applicable risk factors, 3.2% in those with one applicable risk factor, 12.0% in those with two applicable risk factors, and 40.9% in those with all three factors (p < 0.001). The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve for this risk assessment for predicting postoperative delirium was 0.842. CONCLUSION: The use of these three factors for preoperative risk assessment may be effective in predicting and preparing for delirium after hepatic resection in elderly patients.