Laparoscopic anatomic bi-segmentectomy (S3 and S4b) using the Glisson's pedicle-first and intrahepatic anatomic markers approach.

BACKGROUND: With the advancement of laparoscopic technology, more precise anatomical hepatectomies such as segmentectomy or even bi-segmentectomy have been recommended by updated expert consensus to treat a single small hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) [1, 2]. Herein, we presented a video of laparoscopic anatomic bi-segmentectomy (S3 and S4b) using the Glisson's pedicle-first and intrahepatic anatomic markers approach. METHODS: A 66-year-old male was referred for treatment of a single HCC adjacent to the Sagittal part of the left portal vein. The procedure was performed according to the following steps: (1) dissecting and transecting the Glisson's pedicle to S3 and S4b based on Laennec's capsule [3]; (2) identification of the ischemia boundary on the liver surface and confirming the presence of adequate surgical margins within the boundary, ensuing the integrity of segment 2 and 4a by the intraoperative ultrasonography meanwhile; (3) the left parenchymal transection was begun along the demarcation line, exposing the Glisson's pedicle to S2, left hepatic vein, and umbilical fissure vein; (4) the right parenchymal transection was performed to expose the V5, V4b, and V4a. And this operation was approved by the Institutional Review Board of the West China Hospital and written informed consent was obtained from patient of Sichuan University and written informed consent was obtained from patient. (5) The blood supply of residual liver surface was observed, and the integrity of segment 2 and 4a hepatic pedicle was ensured by intraoperative ultrasonography. RESULTS: The operative time was 224 min and blood loss during operation was 50 ml. The histopathologic examination showed a solitary HCC, 4 cm in diameter, with negative surgical margin and no microvascular invasion. The patient had an uneventful postoperative recovery and was discharged on postoperative day 5. CONCLUSION: Laparoscopic bi-segmentectomy (S3 and S4b) using the Glisson's pedicle-first and intrahepatic anatomic markers approach is feasible and effective. Its advantages lie in obtaining the benefits of anatomical hepatectomy, while maximizing the postoperative functional hepatic reserve [4-6].

Hepatic Resection Combined with Intraoperative Radiofrequency Ablation Versus Hepatic Resection Alone for Selected Patients with Moderately Advanced Multifocal Hepatocellular Carcinomas.

BACKGROUND: The role of hepatic resection (HR) combined with radiofrequency ablation (RFA) versus HR alone remains unclear for patients with multifocal hepatocellular carcinomas (HCCs). The aim of this study was to assess the outcomes of selected patients with moderately advanced multifocal HCCs after HR combined with intraoperative RFA versus HR alone. METHODS: A total of 304 selected patients with multifocal HCCs (three or fewer lesions, with the largest lesion > 4.5 cm and the residual lesion[s] ≤ 3 cm) who underwent HR plus RFA (HR+RFA group) or HR alone (HR group) were included. Propensity score matching (PSM) was used to adjust for baseline differences. Multivariable and subgroup analyses estimated the effects of clinical factors on survival. RESULTS: Both overall survival (OS) and recurrence-free survival (RFS) were comparable between both groups before and after PSM. Subgroup analysis showed that HR was associated with better RFS than HR+RFA for those patients with two tumors, or with all lesions located in the same lobe or without microvascular invasion (MVI) [all p < 0.05]. Moreover, en bloc resection provided a higher RFS than separate resection for those with all lesions in the same lobe (p = 0.039). CONCLUSION: For selected patients with moderately advanced multifocal HCCs, HR+RFA may offer similar OS and RFS as HR alone. However, HR may be more suitable for those with two tumors, or with all lesions in the same lobe or without MVI. Moreover, en bloc resection may be recommended for those with all lesions in the same lobe.

Sarcopenia defined by psoas muscle index independently predicts long-term survival after living donor liver transplantation in male recipients.

BACKGROUND: The effect of sarcopenia on long-term outcomes in recipients after living donor liver transplantation (LDLT), including overall survival and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) recurrence, remains unclear, especially in China. METHODS: From 2009 to 2015, 117 adult patients underwent LDLT in our center. In all, 82 patients who had computed tomography images reaching the third lumbar vertebra level within 1 month of LDLT were included; 70 male patients were included in the final analysis after excluding 12 female patients because of poor performance of the calculated cutoff value. Sarcopenia was defined according to the psoas muscle index (PMI) cutoff value, which was calculated based on dynamic time-dependent outcomes using X-tile software. Cox proportional hazards models were used to assess multivariate-adjusted hazards ratios (HRs) to seek potential correlations between sarcopenia and posttransplant outcomes. RESULTS: According to the cutoff value of PMI (6.25 cm2/m2), 38 patients (54.3%) were diagnosed with sarcopenia. After an average of 63.3 months of follow-up, 21 patients died after LDLT, 16 in the sarcopenia group and 5 in the non-sarcopenia group, respectively. Sarcopenia was identified as being significantly associated with worse posttransplant overall survival in multivariate analysis, resulting in an HR of 3.22 [95% confidence interval (CI), 1.15-8.98]. Among the 50 recipients with HCC, sarcopenia was significantly associated with HCC recurrence in univariate analysis (HR 2.87, 95% CI, 1.06-7.80) but was not detected as an independent risk factor of HCC recurrence in multivariate analysis, although a trend (tendency)towards significance was observed (HR 2.60, 95% CI, 0.95-7.10; P=0.062). CONCLUSIONS: Sarcopenia defined by PMI is a feasible and reliable independent predictor of posttransplant overall survival in male LDLT candidates. However, its correlation with posttransplant HCC recurrence remains uncertain.

A randomized controlled trial of effect of 15- or 25-minute intermittent Pringle maneuver on hepatectomy for hepatocellular carcinoma.

BACKGROUND: The feasibility and safety of using longer ischemic interval during intermittent Pringle maneuver for hepatectomy in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma are still unclear. The aim of this study was to compare the short-term outcomes of hepatectomy using intermittent Pringle maneuver with an ischemic interval of 25 minutes versus 15 minutes in hepatocellular carcinoma patients. METHODS: A total of 344 patients with hepatocellular carcinoma undergoing hepatectomy were randomized to receive the intermittent Pringle maneuver with a 15-minute (n = 172) or 25-minute (n = 172) ischemic interval. Primary endpoint was transaminase-based postoperative hepatic injury, assessed by their peak values as well as area under the curve of the postoperative course of aminotransferases. Secondary endpoints included the intraoperative blood loss, transection speed, morbidity, mortality, and postoperative inflammatory reaction. RESULTS: There were no significant differences between the 2 groups in the postoperative aminotransferase serum levels or their area under the curve values, but the 25-minute intermittent Pringle maneuver group was associated with significantly higher speed for liver transection (1.38 vs 1.23 cm2/min, P = .002) and a lower blood loss during transection (109 vs 166 mL, P < .001) than the 15-minute intermittent Pringle maneuver group. Postoperative complications, inflammatory cytokines serum levels, and 90-day mortality were comparable. Stratification analysis showed that the 25-minute intermittent Pringle maneuver did not aggravate the hepatic injury but resulted in a lower blood loss during transection and higher transection speed in hepatocellular carcinoma patient undergoing laparoscopic or open hepatectomy. CONCLUSION: Intermittent Pringle maneuver with a 25-minute ischemic interval can be applied safely and efficiently in open or laparoscopic hepatectomy in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma patients.

Can ultrasound elastography assess liver quality in brain-dead donors and predict early allograft dysfunction after transplantation?

PURPOSE: To evaluate the role of two-dimensional shear wave elastography (2D SWE) in assessing graft quality before liver transplantation and the relationship between donor liver stiffness (LS) and early allograft dysfunction (EAD) after transplantation. METHODS: Eighty-three donors from January 2018 to December 2018 were involved in this prospective study. Liver stiffness measurements (LSMs) were performed using 2D SWE. The differences in LS values between discarded and transplanted grafts were analyzed. The relationship of donor LS with recipient EAD was also evaluated. RESULTS: Our results suggest that the donor LS values were higher in discarded grafts than in transplanted grafts (24.0 ± 10.9 kPa vs 10.0 ± 2.6 kPa, p < 0.001). LSM failed in one donor. According to multivariate logistic regression analysis, the donor LS values ≥10.9 kPa (odds ratio [OR] 4.042, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.133-14.421, p = 0.031), BMI (OR 1.287, 95% CI 1.025-1.616, p = 0.030) and INR (OR 6.703, 95% CI 1.338-33.589, p = 0.021) were independently associated with EAD. CONCLUSION: Donor LSM conducted by 2D SWE might represent an effective quantitative method to evaluate graft quality. Donor LS might predict recipient EAD after liver transplantation.

Potential Effects of Coronaviruses on the Liver: An Update.

The coronaviruses that cause notable diseases, namely, severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS), middle east respiratory syndrome (MERS) and coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), exhibit remarkable similarities in genomic components and pathogenetic mechanisms. Although coronaviruses have widely been studied as respiratory tract pathogens, their effects on the hepatobiliary system have seldom been reported. Overall, the manifestations of liver injury caused by coronaviruses typically involve decreased albumin and elevated aminotransferase and bilirubin levels. Several pathophysiological hypotheses have been proposed, including direct damage, immune-mediated injury, ischemia and hypoxia, thrombosis and drug hepatotoxicity. The interaction between pre-existing liver disease and coronavirus infection has been illustrated, whereby coronaviruses influence the occurrence, severity, prognosis and treatment of liver diseases. Drugs and vaccines used for treating and preventing coronavirus infection also have hepatotoxicity. Currently, the establishment of optimized therapy for coronavirus infection and liver disease comorbidity is of significance, warranting further safety tests, animal trials and clinical trials.

The Different Effects of Nucleotide and Nucleoside Analogues on the Prognosis of HBV-Related HCC After Curative Resection.

BACKGROUND: Postoperative oral antiviral treatment with nucleoside or nucleotide analogues can suppress viral replication and reduce tumour recurrence for patients with hepatitis b virus-related hepatocellular carcinoma (HBV-related HCC) after curative resection. However, the superior antiviral treatment is still unclear. We conducted this study to investigate the different effects of nucleotide and nucleoside analogues on the prognosis of HBV-related HCC after curative resection. METHODS: From February 2007 to February 2016, 487 consecutive patients with newly diagnosed HCC according to the Milan criteria who underwent R0 resection were enrolled according to the inclusion and exclusion criteria. According to their postoperative antiviral treatment, they were divided into the nucleotide group (NtA, n = 111) and the nucleoside group (NsA, n = 376). RESULTS: The baseline characteristics, serologic parameters, tumour characteristics, and operative data of the 2 groups were comparable. Nucleotide analogue use significantly decreased HCC recurrence (P = 0.028) and HCC-related death (P = 0.004), with hazard ratios (HRs) of 0.685 (95% CI, 0.484 to 0.971, P = 0.033) and 0.507 (95% CI, 0.310 to 0.830, P = 0.004), respectively, in multivariate Cox analyses. After the study patients were stratified according to three variables, we found that nucleotide analogue use was significantly associated with increased disease-free and overall survival among patients with cirrhosis, HBeAg-negative patients, and patients with positive HBV-DNA. CONCLUSIONS: In patients with HBV-related HCC, nucleotide analogues but not nucleoside analogues significantly reduced HCC recurrence and improved overall survival after R0 hepatic resection.

Living donor liver transplantation or hepatic resection combined with intraoperative radiofrequency ablation for Child-Pugh A hepatocellular carcinoma patient with Multifocal Tumours Meeting the University of California San Francisco (UCSF) criteria.

BACKGROUND: How much difference there is between hepatic resection (HR) combined with intraoperative radiofrequency ablation (RFA) and living donor liver transplantation (LDLT) in treatment of multifocal hepatocellular carcinomas (HCCs) remains unclear. This study compared outcomes for patients with multifocal HCCs meeting the University of California San Francisco (UCSF) criteria treated by LDLT or HR + RFA. METHODS: A total of 126 consecutive Child-Pugh A patients with multifocal HCCs meeting the UCSF criteria, who underwent LDLT (n = 51) or HR + RFA (n = 75), were included. Propensity score (PS) matching was performed to adjust for baseline differences. Overall survival (OS) and recurrence-free survival (RFS) were calculated, and subgroup, multivariate and nomogram analyses were performed. RESULTS: LDLT provided significantly better OS and RFS than did HR + RFA before and after PS matching and reduced the dropout rate on waiting list, but HR + RFA was more convenient, less invasive and less cost. Patients with all lesions located in the same lobe had better OS and RFS than those located in the different lobes after HR + RFA. Multivariate and nomogram analyses revealed that HR + RFA, alpha-fetoprotein ≥ 400 ng/mL, the major tumour size > 3 cm and microvascular invasion were independent predictors of poor prognosis. CONCLUSION: For Child-Pugh A patients with multiple HCCs meeting the UCSF criteria, LDLT may offer significantly better long-term results than did HR + RFA, and HR + RFA may still be considered as an acceptable curative therapy for those without considering transplantation or as a bridge treatment for a patient, with a plan for transplantation in the future.

A Novel Strategy for Preventing Posttransplant Large-For-Size Syndrome in Adult Liver Transplant Recipients: A Pilot Study.

There are two causes of graft compression in the large-for-size syndrome (LFSS). One is a shortage of intra-abdominal space for the liver graft, and the other is the size discrepancy between the anteroposterior dimensions of the liver graft and the lower right hemithorax of the recipient. The former could be treated using delayed fascial closure or mesh closure, but the latter may only be treated by reduction of the right liver graft to increase space. Given that split liver transplantation has strict requirements regarding donor and recipient selections, reduced-size liver transplantation, in most cases, may be the only solution. However, surgical strategies for the reduction of the right liver graft for adult liver transplantations are relatively unfamiliar. Herein, we introduce a novel strategy of HuaXi-ex vivo right posterior sectionectomy while preserving the right hepatic vein in the graft to prevent LFSS and propose its initial indications.

Overexpression of PD-L1 is an Independent Predictor for Recurrence in HCC Patients Who Receive Sorafenib Treatment After Surgical Resection.

OBJECTIVE: The predicting values of programmed cell death protein 1 (PD-1) and programmed death-ligand 1(PD-L1) were unclear in Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patients who receive sorafenib treatment after curative hepatic resection. METHODS: We retrospectively enrolled HCC patients who received adjuvant sorafenib treatment after curative resection (N = 154), and patients had resection alone (N = 312). Immunohistochemistry was used to assess expression of PD-1 on tumor infiltration immune cells and PD-L1 on HCC cells. Cox proportional hazard models were used to explore association between clinicopathological factors and risk of tumor recurrence. RESULTS: No significant difference was detected in RFS (p = 0.542), or OS (p = 0.542) between the resection and sorafenib group and resection alone group. In the 154 patients who received adjuvant sorafenib, expression of PD-1 or PD-L1 was not significantly associated with long-term outcomes. However, in the 122 patients at high risk of postoperative recurrence who had adjuvant sorafenib treatment, characterized by maxim tumor size ≥5 cm, or the presence of macro- or micro-vascular invasion, patients with PD-L1 overexpression (≥3.0) had significantly worse RFS (p = 0.021), and overexpression of PD-L1 (HR: 1.88, 95%CI: 1.18-2.99, p = 0.008) was identified as an independent risk factor associated with unfavorable RFS. CONCLUSION: Overexpression of PD-L1 serves as an independent predictor of recurrence in HCC patients at high risk of relapse who received adjuvant sorafenib treatment after curative resection.

The current status and outcomes of pediatric liver transplantation in western China: A multi-center retrospective study.

This retrospective study was conducted to examine the development and current status of pediatric liver transplantation (LT) in western China. Clinical, demographic, morbidity, and mortality data were collected to analyze. It included 260 consecutive pediatric LTs performed at three centers in western China between January 2000 and May 2019. Kaplan-Meier graft survival rates at 1, 3, 5, and 10 years were 82.1%, 77.2%, 76.6%, and 76.6%, respectively; corresponding patient survival rates were 84.7%, 80.7%, 80.0%, and 80.0%, respectively. More patients underwent living donor liver transplantation (LDLT; n = 188 (73.4%)) than deceased-donor liver transplantation (DDLT; n = 68 (26.6%)). Survival was better after LDLT (91.5%, 86.6%, and 80.6% at 1, 3, and 5 years, respectively) than after DDLT (80.9%, 72.4%, and 63.9%, respectively; P < .05). Biliary atresia was the leading LT indication (n = 141 (55.1%)), followed by metabolic disease (n = 36 (14.1%)), which was associated with the best recipient survival (88.5% at 5 years). The transplant era and graft-to-recipient body weight ratio (GRWR) also significantly predicted overall survival. Survival rates at 5 years were worst in 2000-2005 (54.5%) and best for GRWRs of 0.8%-4% (80.4%). The development of pediatric LT in western China began slowly, but the quantity and quality of pediatric LT has progressed in recent years. This procedure is now a promising and reliable treatment for children with end-stage liver disease in western China.

Comparison of Hepatic Resection Combined with Intraoperative Radiofrequency Ablation, or Hepatic Resection Alone, for Hepatocellular Carcinoma Patients with Multifocal Tumors Meeting the University of California San Francisco (UCSF) Criteria: A Propensity Score-Matched Analysis.

BACKGROUND: Whether hepatic resection (HR) combined with radiofrequency ablation (RFA) or HR alone is the treatment of choice for early or moderately advanced multifocal hepatocellular carcinomas (HCCs) is a matter of debate. This study compared the short- and long-term outcomes of patients with multifocal tumors meeting the University of California San Francisco (UCSF) criteria after HR plus intraoperative RFA or HR alone. METHODS: A total of 261 consecutive patients with multifocal HCCs meeting the UCSF criteria from January 2010 to January 2018, who underwent combined treatment (n = 51) or HR (n = 210), were included. Propensity score matching was performed to adjust for baseline differences. Overall survival (OS) and recurrence-free survival (RFS) were calculated, and subgroup analysis, along with univariate and multivariate analyses, were performed. RESULTS: The 1-, 3-, and 5-year OS rates after combined treatment or HR alone were 86.3%, 66.6%, and 34.2%, and 92.8%, 67.1%, and 37%, respectively (p = 0.423); combined treatment provided similar RFS rates as HR at 1, 3, and 5 years (78.4%, 35.8% and 20.9% vs. 82.6%, 50.4% and 24.5%, respectively; p = 0.076). The propensity matching model showed similar results. Subgroup analysis showed that HR was associated with better RFS than HR plus RFA for patients with two tumors or major tumors ≤ 3 cm. Multivariate analysis revealed that portal hypertension and three tumors are independent risk factors. CONCLUSIONS: For multifocal HCC patients meeting the UCSF criteria, combined treatment may offer similar OS and RFS as HR; however, HR may be more suitable than combined treatment for patients with two tumors or major tumors ≤ 3 cm.

Individualized biliary reconstruction techniques in autotransplantation for end-stage hepatic alveolar echinococcosis.

BACKGROUND: Biliary reconstruction in ex vivo liver resection followed by autotransplantation (ERAT) for end-stage hepatic alveolar echinococcosis (HAE) remains the most challenging step, we present our experience with this complex procedure. METHODS: A retrospective data analysis of 55 patients with end-stage HAE underwent ERAT, the biliary reconstruction techniques and short- and long-term outcomes were discussed. RESULTS: All autografts were derived from the left lateral section after extensive ex vivo liver resection, multiple bile ducts were observed in 52 (94.5%) patients, and forty-four (80.0%) cases required ductoplasty. Biliary reconstruction was achieved with duct-to-duct anastomosis in 32 (58.2%) patients, Roux-en-Y hepaticojejunostomy (RYHJ) in 14 (25.5%) patients, and a combination of the two methods in 9 (16.4%) patients. Twenty (36.4%) patients had multiple anastomoses. Biliary leakage occurred in 8 (14.5%) patients postoperatively. Three (5.5%) patients died of liver failure, cerebral hemorrhage and intraabdominal bleeding. During a median of 31 months followed-up time, 3 (5.5%) patients developed anastomotic stricture, 1 of whom was treated by repeat RYHJ, while the others were managed with stenting. CONCLUSIONS: With a well-designed plan and precise anastomosis, complex biliary reconstruction in ERAT can be performed with few biliary complications by a professional team.

The risk factors for long-term survival outcome in solitary hepatocellular carcinoma up to 2 cm: Propensity score matching analysis in a population cohort with a high rate of HBV infection.

BACKGROUND: The American Joint Committee on Cancer staging recently classified solitary hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) ≤ 2 cm with or without vascular invasion as stage T1a. We aimed to discuss the risk factors of these stage T1a patients. METHODS: Patients diagnosed with solitary HCC ≤2 cm from September 2008 to June 2015 were included in our study. Due to the small number of patients undergoing a non-curable approach and liver transplantation, patients undergoing liver resection (LR) and radiofrequency ablation (RFA) were included. In the comparison between LR and RFA, 1:1 propensity score matching (PSM) was used. The overall survival (OS) and disease-free survival (DFS) were predicted, and the Cox proportional hazard model was used to find the prognostic factors, described as hazard ratio (HR) and 95% confidence interval (CI). RESULTS: In total, 273 HCC patients were involved in our study, of whom 192 patients underwent LR and 81 patients underwent RFA. The proportion of Child-Pugh A patients was higher in the LR group (91.7%) versus the RFA group (76.5%) (P = 0.001), and the tumour size was slightly larger in the LR group, with a median size of 1.9 cm versus 1.7 cm in the RFA group (P = 0.001). No difference was found in OS between LR and RFA. However, RFA was the only risk factor for recurrence (HR 1.578, 95% CI 1.006-2.467, P = 0.047). A total of 80 pairs were compared after PSM, and there was no significant difference in OS or DFS between LR and RFA after PSM (P = 0.5434 or P = 0.1642, respectively). Child-Pugh stage B was the only risk factor for OS in the multivariate analysis after PSM (HR 2.289, 95% CI 1.089-4.812, P = 0.029). CONCLUSION: RFA was comparable with LR in treating solitary HCC up to 2 cm but with a higher risk for recurrence due to the imbalanced pre-operative covariates. When the pre-operative factors were consistent, liver function was the only prognostic factor for long-term OS.

The Influence of Metabolic Syndrome on the Risk of Hepatocellular Carcinoma in Patients with Chronic Hepatitis B Infection in Mainland China.

BACKGROUND: The association between metabolic syndrome (MS), both in terms of its components and as a whole, and the risk of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in subjects with hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection remains unclear, especially in mainland China. METHODS: We prospectively included 6,564 individuals with HBV infection from an initial cohort of 105,397 civil servants. The multivariate-adjusted HR and 95% confidence interval (95% CI) were evaluated using Cox proportional hazards models to explore the potential connection between HCC risk and MS. Cumulative incidences were plotted using Kaplan-Meier curves. RESULTS: After a 45,668.0 person-year follow-up (76.0 ± 30.8 months) of 6,564 subjects who were seropositive for hepatitis B surface antigen, 89 incident HCC cases were identified. MS as a whole was independently associated with a 2-fold increased HCC risk (HR, 2.25; 95% CI, 1.41-3.60) after adjusting for age (in 1-year increments), gender, cigarette smoking, alcohol consumption, liver cirrhosis, and elevated aspartate aminotransferase levels (≥40 U/L). Subjects with three or more factors and those with one or two factors had adjusted increased HCC risks of 2.12-fold (95% CI, 1.16-3.89) and 1.28-fold (95% CI, 0.74-2.22), respectively, in comparison with those without any metabolic factors. Central obesity and type 2 diabetes were associated with significantly increased HCC risk, whereas this association was not observed in obese subjects (body mass index ≥30 kg/m2; 95% CI, 0.73-3.44). CONCLUSIONS: MS as a whole, central obesity, and type 2 diabetes were independently associated with increased HCC risk in a population with HBV infection in mainland China. IMPACT: MS may be a risk factor for HCC.

Circadian Rhythms Have Effects on Surgical Outcomes of Liver Transplantation for Patients With Hepatocellular Carcinoma: A Retrospective Analysis of 147 Cases in a Single Center.

AIM: To investigate the impact of circadian rhythms on the outcomes of liver transplantation on patients suffering from hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed data of patients who underwent liver transplantation from 2012 to 2017 in our center. Based on the begin time of transplantation, these patients were separated into 2 groups: day group and night group. The intraoperative and postoperative clinical variables were analyzed to find out the impact of the circadian rhythms. Multivariate analysis was performed to examine strength associations between the begin time of operation and surgical outcomes. RESULTS: A total of 147 patients were included in this study: 102 patients in the day group and 45 patients in the night group. Compared with the day group, patients in the night group had higher incidence of intraoperative massive hemorrhage (11.1% vs 2.0%, P = .048), more intraoperative blood loss (2168.00 ± 2324.20 mL vs 1405.88 ± 1037.69 mL, P = .040), and more requirement of red blood cells (RBC) suspension (8.59 ± 7.11 u vs 6.37 ± 5.78 u, P = .048). In addition, total operation time in the night group was longer than that in the day group (8.90 ± 1.65 hours vs 8.26 ± 1.69 hours, P = .034), as well as the cold ischemia time (9.35 ± 5.03 hours vs 7.21 ± 3.93 hours, P = .014). Furthermore, the night group had higher incidence of other intraoperative complications (13.3% vs 2.9%, P = .038), postoperative abdominal infection (20.0% vs 6.9%, P = .038), and more hospital cost (37,357.96 ± 6779.96 dollars vs 33,551.75 ± 11,683.38 dollars, P = .045). Moreover, patients in the night group needed longer time to restore hepatic function to normal (21.77 ± 10.91 days vs 17.54 ± 10.80 days, P = .033). Multivariate analysis showed that begin time of operation was the independent risk factor of longer operation time, more blood loss during operation, higher incidence of massive hemorrhage and other intraoperative complications, longer time for restoration of hepatic function to normal, higher incidence of abdominal infection at the early stage after transplantation, and more hospital cost (all P value ≤ .05). CONCLUSION: Liver transplantation performed at night was associated with higher incidence of intraoperative and early postoperative complications, as well as higher hospital cost. And these worsened outcomes all could be explained by the influence that circadian rhythms had on patients or medical workers.