The effect of the enhanced recovery programme on long-term survival following liver resection for colorectal liver metastases.

BACKGROUND: Enhanced recovery programmes are associated with improved short-term outcomes following liver surgery. The impact of enhanced recovery programmes on medium- and long-term outcomes is incompletely understood. This study aimed to assess the impact of an enhanced recovery programme on long-term survival in patients undergoing surgery for colorectal liver metastases. METHODS: At a tertiary hepatobiliary centre, we analysed short-, medium- and long-term outcomes in consecutive patients undergoing liver resection for colorectal liver metastases. A five-year retrospective review was carried out comparing the enhanced recovery programme to standard care. RESULTS: A total of 172 patients were included in the analysis: 87 on standard care and 85 on an enhanced recovery programme. Open surgery was performed in 122 patients: 74 (85.1%) and 48 (56.5%) patients in the standard care and enhanced recovery programme, respectively (p < 0.001). There was a significant reduction in the median (IQR) length of hospital stay in the enhanced recovery programme compared with standard care (7 (5) days vs. 8 (3) days, p = 0.0009). There was no significant difference in survival between standard care and the Enhanced Recovery Programme at one (p = 0.818), three (p = 0.203), and five years (p = 0.247). CONCLUSION: An enhanced recovery programme was associated with a reduced length of hospital stay. There was no effect on the one-, three- and five-year survival.

Multi-institutional expert update on the use of laparoscopic bile duct exploration in the management of choledocholithiasis: Lesson learned from 3950 procedures.

BACKGROUND: Recently there has been a growing interest in the laparoscopic management of common bile duct stones with gallbladder in situ (LBDE), which is favoring the expansion of this technique. Our study identified the standardization factors of LBDE and its implementation in the single-stage management of choledocholithiasis. METHODS: A retrospective multi-institutional study among 17 centers with proven experience in LBDE was performed. A cross-sectional survey consisting of a semi-structured pretested questionnaire was distributed covering the main aspects on the use of LBDE in the management of choledocholithiasis. RESULTS: A total of 3950 LBDEs were analyzed. The most frequent indication was jaundice (58.8%). LBDEs were performed after failed ERCP in 15.2%. The most common approach used was the transcystic (63.11%). The overall series failure rate of LBDE was 4% and the median rate for each center was 6% (IQR, 4.5-12.5). Median operative time ranged between 60-120 min (70.6%). Overall morbidity rate was 14.6%, with a postoperative bile leak and complications ≥3a rate of 4.5% and 2.5%, respectively. The operative time decreased with experience (P = .03) and length of hospital stay was longer in the presence of a biliary leak (P = .04). Current training of LBDE was defined as poor or very poor by 82.4%. CONCLUSION: Based on this multicenter survey, LBDE is a safe and effective approach when performed by experienced teams. The generalization of LBDE will be based on developing training programs.

Role of endoscopic intervention in biliary complications of hepatic hydatid cyst disease.

OBJECTIVE: Biliary complications of hepatic hydatidosis are often difficult to detect and manage. The aim of this study was to present our experience on the effectiveness of endoscopic treatment modalities in cases of biliary complications of hepatic hydatid cysts. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Over the past 10 years, 15 patients diagnosed with hepatic hydatidosis and manifesting symptoms and signs indicative of biliary involvement were examined by means of endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) in our Gastroenterology Endoscopic Unit; 7 patients had already been operated on for hepatic hydatid cysts; one of them had a concomitant hydatid cyst in the lung. Diagnosis of the disease was based on a combination of ultrasonography (US), computed tomography (CT) and specific immunologic and/or microbiologic studies. RESULTS: Biliary complications of hydatid cysts were detected by ERCP in 9 patients (60%). Eight (88.9%) patients displayed a communication between the hydatid cyst or its residual cavity and the biliary tree; 5 patients had daughter cysts or residual hydatid material within the biliary tree, 1 patient had a biliocutaneous fistula, 1 patient a postoperative biliary leakage and 1 patient had only an opacification of the hydatid cyst during ERCP. In one patient, ERCP showed stenoses of both of the main hepatic ducts due to their compression by the cyst. Jaundice (88.9%), fever (33.3%) and right upper quadrant abdominal pain (88.9%) were the most frequent manifestations. These complications were demonstrated by US and CT imaging in only 25% of the cases. Four patients underwent ERCP before surgery and 5 after surgery. Endoscopic management was successful in all patients, resulting in clearance of the biliary tree, closure of fistulas, stopping of biliary leakage and jaundice remission. No serious endoscopy-related complications were recorded, with the exception of a pulmonary hydatid cyst rupture during ERCP. CONCLUSIONS: This study suggests that endoscopic treatment modalities are helpful and safe methods in the treatment of biliary complications of hepatic hydatidosis before and after definitive surgical management of the hydatid cysts.