Outcomes of bariatric surgery in patients with inflammatory bowel disease from a French nationwide database.

BACKGROUND: The outcomes of bariatric surgery (BS) in patients with chronic inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) remain rarely described. We aimed to evaluate the 90-day morbidity and mortality rates, and the risk of IBD complications 2 years after BS. METHOD: Patients from the French Programme de Médicalisation des Systèmes d'Information (PMSI) database who underwent a primary BS between 2016 and 2018 were included. We identified patients with a previous diagnosis of IBD. Postoperative 90-day (POD90) morbidity and mortality rates were compared between the two groups. The evolution of IBD was followed 2 years after BS. RESULTS: Between 2016 and 2018, 138 980 patients underwent primary BS, including 587 patients with IBD: 326 (55.5 per cent) with Crohn's disease (CD) and 261 (44.5 per cent) with ulcerative colitis (UC). The preferred surgical technique was sleeve gastrectomy, especially in the IBD group (81.1 per cent), followed by gastric bypass (14.6 per cent). Patients with IBD had more comorbidities (Charlson Comorbidity Index of 1 or more, hypertension, and diabetes; P < 0.001) than those without IBD. The POD90 mortality rate did not differ between the two groups (0.049 per cent in the IBD group versus 0 per cent in the non-IBD group), but more unscheduled rehospitalizations at POD90 were observed in patients with IBD (6.0 per cent versus 3.7 per cent; P = 0.004). Two years after BS, 86 patients (14.6 per cent) in the IBD group had at least one unplanned readmission for the management of their IBD; 15 patients stayed for 3 or more days. After multivariable analysis, patients with CD had an independent elevated risk of IBD-related unplanned readmissions 2 years after BS versus UC (adjusted odds ratio 1.90, 95 per cent c.i. 1.22 to 2.97; P = 0.005). CONCLUSION: In a highly selected cohort of patients with well-controlled IBD, BS did not result in added mortality or morbidity. A point of vigilance must be underlined regarding BS in patients with CD.

Hypothermic Oxygenated Perfusion Improves Extended Criteria Donor Liver Graft Function and Reduces Duration of Hospitalization Without Extra Cost: The PERPHO Study.

Few studies have evaluated the efficacy or the cost of hypothermic oxygenated perfusion (HOPE) in the conservation of extended criteria donor (ECD) grafts from donation after brain death (DBD) donors during liver transplantation (LT). We performed a prospective, monocentric study (NCT03376074) designed to evaluate the interest of HOPE for ECD-DBD grafts. For comparison, a control group was selected after propensity score matching among patients who received transplants between 2010 and 2017. Between February and November 2018, the HOPE procedure was used in 25 LTs. Immediately after LT, the median aspartate aminotransferase (AST) level was significantly lower in the HOPE group (724UI versus 1284UI; P = 0.046) as were the alanine aminotransferase (ALT; 392UI versus 720UI; P = 0.01), lactate (2.2 versus 2.7; P = 0.01) There was a significant reduction in intensive care unit stay (3 versus 5 days; P = 0.01) and hospitalization (15 versus 20 days; P = 0.01). The incidence of early allograft dysfunction (EAD; 28% versus 42%; P = 0.22) was similar . A level of AST or ALT in perfusate >800UI was found to be highly predictive of EAD occurrence (areas under the curve, 0.92 and 0.91, respectively). The 12-month graft (88% versus 89.5%; P = 1.00) and patient survival rates (91% versus 91.3%; P = 1.00) were similar. The additional cost of HOPE was estimated at € 5298 per patient. The difference between costs and revenues, from the hospital's perspective, was not different between the HOPE and control groups (respectively, € 3023 versus € 4059]; IC, -€ 5470 and € 8652). HOPE may improve ECD graft function and reduce hospitalization stay without extra cost. These results must be confirmed in a randomized trial.

Are colorectal cancer patients at risk for COVID-19 infection during the postoperative period? The Covid-GRECCAR study.

INTRODUCTION: During the COVID-19 pandemic, cancer patients have been regarded as having a high risk of severe events if they are infected with SARS-CoV-2, particularly those under medical or surgical treatment. The aim of this study was to assess the posttreatment risk of infection by SARS-CoV-2 in a population of patients operated on for colorectal cancer 3 months before the COVID-19 outbreak and who after hospitalization returned to an environment where the virus was circulating. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This French, multicenter cohort study included consecutive patients undergoing elective surgery for colorectal cancer between January 1 and March 31, 2020, at 19 GRECCAR hospitals. The outcome was the rate of COVID-19 infection in this group of patients who were followed until June 15, 2020. RESULTS: This study included 448 patients, 262 male (58.5%) and 186 female (41.5%), who underwent surgery for colon cancer (n = 290, 64.7%), rectal cancer (n = 155, 34.6%), or anal cancer (n = 3, 0.7%). The median age was 68 years (19-95). Comorbidities were present in nearly half of the patients, 52% were at least overweight, and the median BMI was 25 (12-42). At the end of the study, 448 were alive. Six patients (1.3%) developed COVID-19 infection; among them, 3 were hospitalized in the conventional ward, and none of them died. CONCLUSION: The results are reassuring, with only a 1.3% infection rate and no deaths related to COVID-19. We believe that we can operate on colorectal cancer patients without additional mortality from COVID-19, applying all measures aimed at reducing the risk of infection.

Impact of preoperative enteral nutritional support on postoperative outcome in patients with Crohn's disease complicated by malnutrition: Results of a subgroup analysis of the nationwide cohort registry from the GETAID Chirurgie group.

AIM: Postoperative morbidity is high in patients operated on for Crohn's disease (CD) complicated by malnutrition. This study aimed to evaluate the impact of preoperative enteral nutritional support (PENS) on postoperative outcome in patients with CD complicated by malnutrition included in a prospective nationwide cohort. METHOD: Malnutrition was defined as body mass index <18 kg/m2 and/or albuminaemia <30 g/L and/or weight loss >10%. Failure of PENS was defined as the requirement for additional preoperative parenteral nutrition to PENS. Univariate analysis of the risk factors for PENS failure was performed. Propensity score matching (PSM) was used to compare the outcomes between 'upfront surgery' and 'PENS' groups. The primary endpoint was the rate of intra-abdominal septic morbidity and/or temporary defunctioning stoma. RESULTS: Among 592 patients included, 149 were selected. In the intention-to-treat population including 20 (13.4%) patients with PENS failure after PSM, 78 'upfront surgery' and 71 'PENS'-matched patients were compared, with no significant difference in the primary endpoint. Perforating CD and preoperative intra-abdominal fistula were associated with PENS failure [37.5 vs 16.1% (P = 0.047) and 41.2% vs 16.2% (P = 0.020), respectively]. After exclusion of these 20 patients, PSM was used to compare 45 'upfront surgery' and 51 'PENS'-matched patients, with a significantly decreased rate of intra-abdominal septic complications and/or temporary defunctioning stoma in the PENS group (19.6 vs 42.2%, P = 0.016). CONCLUSION: Preoperative enteral nutritional support is associated with a trend but no conclusive evidence of a reduction in intra-abdominal septic complications and/or requirement for defunctioning stoma. Patients with perforating CD complicated with malnutrition are at risk of PENS failure.

Efficacy and Safety of Tumor Necrosis Factor Antagonists in Treatment of Internal Fistulizing Crohn's Disease.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: Few data are available on the effects of tumor necrosis factor (TNF) antagonist therapy for patients with internal fistulizing Crohn's disease (CD) and there is debate regarding the risk of abscess. We aimed to assess the long-term efficacy and safety of anti-TNF therapy for patients with internal fistulas. METHODS: We performed a retrospective study of data collected from the Groupe d'Etude Thérapeutique des Affections Inflammatoires Digestives trial, from January 1, 2000, through December 31, 2017. Our final analysis included 156 patients who began treatment with an anti-TNF agent for CD with internal fistula (83 men; median disease duration, 4.9 y). The primary end point was the onset of a major abdominal surgery. Secondary analysis included disappearance of the fistula tract during follow-up evaluation and safety. The Kaplan-Meier method was used for statistical analysis. RESULTS: After a median follow-up period of 3.5 years, 68 patients (43.6%) underwent a major abdominal surgery. The cumulative probabilities for being surgery-free were 83%, 64%, and 51% at 1, 3, and 5 years, respectively. A concentration of C-reactive protein >18 mg/L, an albumin concentration <36 g/L, the presence of an abscess at the fistula diagnosis, and the presence of a stricture were associated independently with the need for surgery. The cumulative probabilities of fistula healing, based on imaging analyses, were 15.4%, 32.3%, and 43.9% at 1, 3, and 5 years, respectively. Thirty-two patients (20.5%) developed an intestinal abscess and 4 patients died from malignancies (3 intestinal adenocarcinomas). One patient died from septic shock 3 months after initiation of anti-TNF therapy. CONCLUSIONS: In a retrospective analysis of data from a large clinical trial, we found that anti-TNF therapy delays or prevents surgery for almost half of patients with CD and luminal fistulas. However, anti-TNF therapy might increase the risk for sepsis-related death or gastrointestinal malignancies.

Penetrating Crohn Disease Is Not Associated With a Higher Risk of Recurrence After Surgery: A Prospective Nationwide Cohort Conducted by the Getaid Chirurgie Group.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to assess recurrence risk factors following ileocolonic resection (ICR) for Crohn disease (CD) in a nationwide cohort study SUMMARY BACKGROUND DATA:: Recurrence rate after ICR for CD can be up to 60%, but its predictive factors have never been evaluated in large prospective cohort studies. METHODS: From 2013 to 2015, 346 consecutive patients undergoing ICR for CD and a postoperative ileocoloscopy within 6 to 12 months after surgery at 19 academic French centers were included prospectively. RESULTS: Twelve-month postoperative endoscopic (Rutgeerts score ≥i2) and clinical recurrence rates were 57.6% [95% confidence interval (CI), 54.2-61.0] and 11.3% (95% CI, 9-13.6), respectively. A total of 185 patients (54%) had a postoperative CD prophylaxis, comprising thiopurine in 69 (20%), or anti-tumor necrosis factor (TNF) therapy in 93 (27%). In multivariate Cox regression analysis, absence of postoperative smoking {odds ratio [OR] = 0.60 (95% CI, 0.40-0.91); P = 0.016}, postoperative prophylaxis [OR = 0.60 (95% CI, 0.41-0.88); P = 0.009], and penetrating disease behavior [OR = 0.58 (95% CI, 0.39-0.86); P = 0.007] were the only independent predictors of reduced endoscopic recurrence risk. Postoperative prophylaxis [OR 0.31 (95% CI, 0.15-0.66); P = 0.002), and penetrating behavior [OR = 00.36 (95% CI, 0.16-0.81); P = 0.013), were the only independent predictors of reduced clinical recurrence risk. Postoperative anti-TNF therapy was associated with a significant reduction of both 12-month risks of endoscopic (P < 0.001) and clinical (P = 0.019) recurrences. CONCLUSION: Absence of postoperative smoking, CD prophylaxis, and penetrating disease behavior could be independent predictors of reduced postoperative recurrence after ICR for CD. Prophylactic anti-TNF therapy reduces both endoscopic and clinical recurrence rates. It suggests that upfront surgery followed by postoperative anti-TNF therapy is probably the best therapeutic approach for complex CD (penetrating disease behavior).

Anti-TNF Therapy Is Associated With an Increased Risk of Postoperative Morbidity After Surgery for Ileocolonic Crohn Disease: Results of a Prospective Nationwide Cohort.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the risk factors of morbidity after surgery for ileocolonic Crohn disease (CD). SUMMARY BACKGROUND DATA: The risk factors of morbidity after surgery for CD, particularly the role of anti-TNF therapy, remain controversial and have not been evaluated in a large prospective cohort study. METHODS: From 2013 to 2015, data on 592 consecutive patients who underwent surgery for CD in 19 French specialty centers were collected prospectively. Possible relationships between anti-TNF and postoperative overall morbidity were tested by univariate and multivariate analyses. Because treatment by anti-TNF is possibly dependent on the characteristics of the patients and disease, a propensity score was calculated and introduced in the analyses using adjustment of the inverse probability of treatment-weighted method. RESULTS: Postoperative mortality, overall and intra-abdominal septic morbidity rates in the entire cohort were 0%, 29.7%, and 8.4%, respectively; 143 (24.1%) patients had received anti-TNF <3 months prior to surgery. In the multivariate analysis, anti-TNF <3 months prior to surgery was identified as an independent risk factor of the overall postoperative morbidity (odds-ratio [OR] =1.99; confidence interval [CI] 95% = 1.17-3.39, P = 0.011), with preoperative hemoglobin <10 g/dL (OR = 4.77; CI 95% = 1.32-17.35, P = 0.017), operative time >180 min (OR = 2.71; CI 95% = 1.54-4.78, P < 0.001) and recurrent CD (OR = 1.99; CI 95% = 1.13-3.36, P = 0.017). After calculating the propensity score and adjustment according to the inverse probability of treatment-weighted method, anti-TNF <3 months prior to surgery remained associated with a higher risk of overall (OR = 2.98; CI 95% = 2.04-4.35, P <0.0001) and intra-abdominal septic postoperative morbidities (OR = 2.22; CI 95% = 1.22-4.04, P = 0.009). CONCLUSIONS: Preoperative anti-TNF therapy is associated with a higher risk of morbidity after surgery for ileocolonic CD. This information should be considered in the surgical management of these patients, particularly with regard to the preoperative preparation and indication of temporary defunctioning stoma.

A systematic literature review on solitary rectal ulcer syndrome: is there a therapeutic consensus in 2018?

PURPOSE: To screen all treatments tested for solitary rectal ulcer syndrome (SRUS) without rectal prolapse and to assess their efficacy. METHOD: A systematic review was performed according to the PRISMA guidelines, focusing on the treatment of SRUS without rectal prolapse. The types of treatment and their efficacy were collected and critically assessed. RESULTS: A selection of 20 studies among the 470 publications focusing on SRUS provided suitable data for a total of 516 patients. Only 2 studies were randomised prospective trials that focused on argon plasma treatment. The mean follow-up was 21.8 months and ranged from 0.25 to 90 months. Most of the studies focused on surgery, including rectopexy, stapled transanal rectal resection, excision of the ulcer, the Delorme procedure, proctectomy, low anterior resection, and ostomy. Populations of the studies were heterogeneous and selected outcomes were specific (failure of medical or surgical treatment). Conservative treatment (high-fibre diet, laxatives, change of defecatory habits, and biofeedback treatment) induced a symptomatic improvement in 71/91 patients (63.6%) and healing of mucosal lesion in 17/51 patients (33.3%). Surgeries (all types) improved SRUS in 77% (54-100%) of patients. Argon plasma coagulation is a promising technique but longer follow-up is necessary. CONCLUSIONS: The general quality of the studies focusing on the treatment of SRUS was poor due to the heterogeneity of the population, the sample size of the cohorts, and the heterogeneity of efficacy assessments. The therapeutic approach appears to be multimodal and multidisciplinary and validated in centres of expertise. Further studies evaluating multimodal strategies are needed.

Benefits of temporary portocaval shunt during orthotopic liver transplantation with vena cava preservation: A propensity score analysis.

During orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT), clamping of the portal vein induces splanchnic venous congestion and accumulation of noxious compounds. These adverse effects could increase ischemia/reperfusion injury and subsequently the risk of graft dysfunction, especially for grafts harvested from extended criteria donors (ECDs). Temporary portocaval shunt (TPCS) could prevent these complications. Between 2002 and 2013, all OLTs performed in our center were retrospectively analyzed and a propensity score matching analysis was used to compare the effect of TPCS in 686 patients (343 in each group). Patients in the TPCS group required fewer intraoperative transfusions (median number of packed red blood cells-5 versus 6; P = 0.02; median number of fresh frozen plasma-5 versus 6; P = 0.02); had improvement of postoperative biological parameters (prothrombin time, Factor V, international normalized ratio, alkaline phosphatase, and gamma-glutamyltransferase levels); and showed significant reduction of biliary complications (4.7% versus 10.2%; P = 0.006). Survival analysis revealed that TPCS improved 3-month graft survival (94.2% versus 88.6%; P = 0.01) as well as longterm survival of elderly (ie, age > 70 years) donor grafts (P = 0.02). In conclusion, the use of TPCS should be recommended especially when considering an ECD graft. Liver Transplantation 23 174-183 2017 AASLD.

Sexuality and fertility outcomes after hand sewn versus stapled ileal pouch anal anastomosis for ulcerative colitis.

BACKGROUND: Ileal pouch anal anastomosis (IPAA) may alter sexuality and fertility in women. The laparoscopic approach seems to reduce infertility rates in women after IPAA. However, the impact of hand sewn versus stapled IPAA on sexuality and fertility has never been assessed in patients with ulcerative colitis (UC). The objective of this study was to analyze the impact of the IPAA technique on sexuality and fertility in UC. METHODS: All UC patients who underwent an IPAA between May 1996 and April 2011 were included. The patients answered mailed questionnaires including sexuality validated questionnaires and fertility questionnaires. The risk factors of sexual dysfunction were explored. RESULTS: A total of 135 patients were included. Eighty-eight patients (65%) answered the questionnaires. Their mean age and follow-up were 37.2 ± 13.4 y and 109.7 ± 57.5 mo. The rates of female and male sexual dysfunction were 50% and 29%, respectively. Intestinal transit disorders were identified as risk factors in both men and women and anastomotic stricture in women sexual dysfunction, in univariate analyses. The IPAA technique did not impact sexual function in women but there was a trend for less erectile dysfunction after hand sewn IPAA (16.7% versus 44.4%). The fertility rate was 47% in women and 75% in men, with a trend for a better fertility in women after hand sewn IPAA (P = 0.07). CONCLUSIONS: In this preliminary study, the hand sewn or stapled IPAA technique did not impact the sexuality or fertility outcomes of UC patients, but there was a trend for better female fertility and male erectile function after hand sewn IPAA. Intestinal transit disorders contributed to male and female sexual dysfunction after IPAA.

[A case of idiopathic myointimal hyperplasia of mesenteric veins]. / Un cas d'hyperplasie myointimale idiopathique des veines mésentériques du côlon.

The idiopathic myointimal hyperplasia of mesenteric veins is a rare pathology, affecting recto-sigmoid and mimicking clinically an inflammatory chronic disease of the bowel. Only about fifteen cases have been reported in the literature. This lesion is characterized by a myointimal thickening of the mesenteric veins, without inflammatory infiltrate of the vascular wall, differentiating it from vasculitis. We present here the case of a 48-year-old man, in whom the diagnosis of ulcerative colitis then digestive vasculitis had first been raised.

The median effective analgesic dose (ED50) of ropivacaine in ultrasound-guided transversus abdominis plane block for analgesia in reversal of ileostomy: A double-blind up-down dose-finding study.

BACKGROUND: The transversus abdominis plane block has become popular since it has been combined with ultrasound-guided techniques. In abdominal surgery, and especially in subumbilical surgery, it improves postoperative analgesia and reduces morphine consumption. Although it has been shown to be an effective technique, there are wide variations in reported doses and volumes of local anaesthetic used. OBJECTIVE: The primary objective was to assess the median effective analgesic dose (ED50 = effective dose in 50% of patients) of ropivacaine in TAP blocks for patients undergoing reversal of ileostomy. DESIGN: A double-blind up-down dose-finding study. SETTING: French Teaching Hospital. PATIENTS: Twenty-six colorectal patients were included. INTERVENTIONS: After standardised general anaesthesia, a unilateral ultrasound-guided TAP block was performed on patients undergoing elective reversal of ileostomy using 20 ml of ropivacaine. Doses were predefined according to the up-and-down method. The first patient received a dose of 1.6 mg kg(-1). The dose adjustment interval was 0.2 ml kg(-1). The potentially toxic dose of 3 mg kg(-1) was never exceeded. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: The primary endpoint was pain (defined as 3 or higher on a numerical pain scale of 0 to 10) at rest 6 h after TAP block. RESULTS: Out of the twenty-six patients who were included in the study, the ED50 of ropivacaine in TAP block for patients undergoing reversal of ileostomy was 2.70 mg kg(-1) [95% confidence interval (95% CI) 2.37 to 3.03 mg kg(-1)]. CONCLUSION: The ED50 of ropivacaine in TAP blocks in reversal of ileostomy is close to the toxic threshold. Anaesthesiologists should always be aware of the systemic toxicity risk and use weight-based doses when performing a TAP block.

No surgery for full-thickness rectal prolapse: what happens with continence?

BACKGROUND: Surgery is the only validated means of treating overt rectal prolapses, but both patients and physicians may decline or postpone the surgical approach. However, little is known on the functional outcome of nonoperated rectal prolapse. The aim of the present study was to highlight the natural history of overt rectal prolapse in patients for whom surgery was avoided or delayed. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A total of 206 patients complaining of full-thickness rectal prolapse were referred to a single institution that provided anorectal physiology for functional anorectal disorders. Standardized questionnaires, anorectal manometry, endosonography, and evacuation proctography constituted a prospective database. Fecal incontinence was evaluated with the Cleveland Clinic score (CCIS), and constipation was evaluated with the Knowles Eccersley Scott Symptom score (KESS). RESULTS: Forty-two nonoperated patients (mean age: 61 ± 16 years) were compared to those of operated patients paired according to age and gender: the mean follow-up was 44 ± 26 months. The two groups had a similar past-history, follow-up, stool frequency, and main complaints, but lower quantified symptomatic scores and a better quality of life were reported in the nonsurgical group. At the end of follow-up, the nonsurgical group did not show any variation in CCI and KESS scores. By contrast, these two scores significantly improved in the rectopexy group. Sixteen nonoperated patients experienced a degradation of their continence status with an average increase of 5 ± 4.3 points of the CCIS. The patients with a CCIS <7 at referral were likely to deteriorate as compared to those having a higher score. Patients with a symptom history longer than 4 years never improved and in two-thirds continence deteriorated throughout the follow-up. CONCLUSION: In the absence of the surgical option, patients with a 4-year duration of rectal prolapse and those with mild incontinence had no chance of improvement. These findings may be taken into account when surgery of rectal prolapse is not chosen.

Comparison of alternative arterial anastomosis site during liver transplantation when the recipient's hepatic artery is unusable.

Background: Few studies have analyzed outcomes of liver transplantation (LT) when the recipient hepatic artery (HA) was not usable. Methods: We retrospectively evaluated the outcomes of LT performed using the different alternative sites to HA. Results: Between 2002 and 2017, 1,677 LT were performed in our institution among which 141 (8.4%) with unusable recipient HA were analyzed. Four groups were defined according to the site of anastomosis: the splenic artery (SA group, n=26), coeliac trunk (CT group, n=12), aorta using or not the donor's vessel (Ao group, n=91) and aorta using a vascular prosthesis (Ao-P group, n=12) as conduit. The median number of intraoperative red blood cell transfusions was significantly increased in the Ao and Ao-P groups (5, 5, 8.5 and 16 for SA, CT, Ao and Ao-P group respectively, P=0.002), as well as fresh frozen plasma (4.5, 2.5, 10, 17 for the SA, CT, Ao and Ao-P groups respectively, P=0.001). Hospitalization duration was also significantly increased in the Ao and Ao-P groups (15, 16, 24, 26.5 days for the SA, CT, Ao and Ao-P groups respectively, P<0.001). The occurrence of early allograft dysfunction (EAD) (P=0.07) or arterial complications (P=0.26) was not statistically different. Level of factor V, INR, bilirubin and creatinine during the 7th postoperative days (POD) was significantly improved in the SA group. No difference was observed regarding graft (P=0.18) and patient (P=0.16) survival. Conclusions: In case of unusable HA, intraoperative and postoperative outcomes are improved when using the SA or CT compared to aorta.

Postoperative Morbidity After Iterative Ileocolonic Resection for Crohn's Disease: Should we be Worried? A Prospective Multicentric Cohort Study of the GETAID Chirurgie.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: To compare perioperative characteristics and outcomes between primary ileocolonic resection [PICR] and iterative ileocolic resection [IICR] for Crohn's disease [CD]. METHODS: From 2013 to 2015, 567 patients undergoing ileocolonic resection were prospectively included in 19 centres of the GETAID chirurgie group. Perioperative characteristics and postoperative results of both groups [431 PICR, 136 IICR] were compared. Uni- and multivariate analyses of the risk factors of overall 30-day postoperative morbidity was carried out in the IICR group. RESULTS: IICR patients were less likely to be malnourished [27.2% vs 39.9%, p = 0.007], and had more stricturing forms [69.1% vs 54.3%, p = 0.002] and less perforating disease [19.9% vs 39.2%, p < 0.001]. Laparoscopy was less commonly used in IICR [45.6% vs 84.5%, p < 0.01] and was associated with increased conversion rates [27.4% vs 14.6%, p = 0.012]. Overall postoperative morbidity was 36.8% in the IICR group and 26.7% in the PICR group [p = 0.024]. There was no significant difference between IICR and PICR regarding septic intra-abdominal complications, anastomotic leakage [8.8% vs 8.4%] or temporary stoma requirement. IICR patients were more likely to present with non-infectious complications and ileus [11.8% vs 3.7%, p < 0.001]. Uni- and multivariate analyses did not identify specific risk factors of overall postoperative morbidity in the IICR group. CONCLUSIONS: Surgery for recurrent CD is associated with a slight increase of non-infectious morbidity [postoperative ileus] that mainly reflects the technical difficulties of these procedures. However, IICR remains a safe therapeutic option in patients with recurrent CD because severe morbidity including anastomotic complications is similar to patients undergoing primary resection. PODCAST: This article has an associated podcast which can be accessed at https://academic.oup.com/ecco-jcc/pages/podcast.

Lateral cavo-caval shunt: an alternative veno-venous bypass in liver surgery.

When inferior vena cava (IVC) resection is mandatory during liver surgery, use of a veno-venous bypass (VVB) is usually required despite its specific related adverse events. We describe a safe and alternative technique which allows both derivation of the portal and the caval blood flow by performing a lateral cavo-caval shunt using a prosthetic graft.

High Intrapatient Variability of Tacrolimus Exposure in the Early Period After Liver Transplantation Is Associated With Poorer Outcomes.

BACKGROUND: Tacrolimus (TAC) is the cornerstone of immunosuppressive regimen in liver transplantation (LT). Its pharmacokinetics is characterized by a high interpatient and intrapatient variability (IPV) leading to an unpredictable dose-response relationship. The aim of our study was to evaluate the impact of TAC IPV (IPV) on graft and patient outcomes after LT. METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed 812 LT recipients treated with TAC. The IPV of TAC concentrations was estimated by calculating the coefficient of variation (CV) of whole blood trough concentrations. Patients were categorized in 2 groups: low IPV (CV < 40%) and high IPV (CV ≥ 40%). RESULTS: There were significantly more neurologic complications (31.2% vs 16.6%, P < 0.001), cardiovascular complications (19.7% vs 9.7%, P < 0.001), and acute renal failure requiring dialysis (8.5% vs 2.2%, P < 0.001) in the high CV group than in the low CV group. Moreover, graft survival was significantly poorer in the high CV group (hazard ratio, 1.42; 95% confidence interval, 1.04-1.95; P = 0.03). A pretransplantation elevated Model for End-Stage Liver Disease score (P < 0.001) and Child-Pugh grade (P < 0.001) were identified as risk factors for presenting a high CV. CONCLUSIONS: A high CV of TAC concentrations was found to be predictive of TAC-related toxicity and poorer survival.

Tacrolimus Concentrations Measured in Excreted Bile in Liver Transplant Recipients: The STABILE Study.

PURPOSE: Tacrolimus (TAC) is the main immunosuppressive drug in liver transplantation. Despite intensive therapeutic drug monitoring (TDM) that relies on whole blood trough concentration (TACblood), patients still present with acute cellular rejection or TAC-related toxic effects with concentrations within the therapeutic range. TAC concentration in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (TACPBMC) is considered as an efficient surrogate marker of TAC efficacy. However, it is still not applicable in daily practice. New TDM methods are therefore needed, especially during the early postoperative period. TAC is metabolized in the liver and eliminated through biliary excretion. We therefore hypothesised that TAC concentration measured in excreted bile (TACbileC) could be a relevant surrogate marker of its efficacy. METHODS: The Therapeutic Drug Monitoring of Tacrolimus Biliary Concentrations for Liver-Transplanted Patients (STABILE) study is a prospective monocentric trial. During the 7 first days after TAC therapy initiation, TACbileC was measured. The correlation between TACbileC and TACPBMC as well as between TACblood and TACPBMC was assessed. The correlations between TACbileC and liver graft function parameter or with occurrence of neurologic toxic effects were also evaluated. FINDINGS: Between May 2016 and April 2017, 41 patients were analyzed. TACbileC was significantly correlated with TACPBMC (r = 0.25, P = 0.007). However, a better correlation was found between TACPBMC and TACblood (r = 0.53, P < 0.001) and was confirmed in multivariate analysis. However, only TACbileC was significantly correlated with liver graft function, such as factor V (r = 0.40, P = 0.009) or bilirubin level (r = 0.21, P = 0.01), and significantly lower in patients presenting with neurologic toxic effects (P < 0.001). Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis found that a TACbileC level lower than 0.20 ng/mL on day 2 after TAC therapy initiation was a good predictive marker of occurrence of neurotoxic effects (AUC = 0.81). IMPLICATIONS: TACbileC is not a better surrogate maker of TAC activity than TACblood. However, TACbileC could help predict the occurrence of TAC toxic effects when a T-tube is inserted. ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT02820259.