Liver transplantation in patients with non-neoplastic portal vein thrombosis: 20 years of experience in a single center.

BACKGROUND: The Yerdel classification is widely used for describing the severity of portal vein thrombosis (PVT) in liver transplant (LT) candidates, but might not accurately predict transplant outcome. METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed data regarding 97 adult patients with PVT who underwent LT, investigating whether the complexity of portal reconstruction could better correlate with transplant outcome than the site and extent of the thrombosis. RESULTS: 79/97 (80%) patients underwent thrombectomy and anatomical anastomosis (TAA), 18/97 (20%) patients underwent non-anatomical physiological reconstructions (non-TAA). PVT Yerdel grade was 1-2 in 72/97 (74%) patients, and 3-4 in 25/97 (26%) patients. Univariate analysis revealed higher 30-day mortality, 90-day mortality, 1-year mortality, and a higher rate of severe early complications in the non-TAA group than in the TAA group (p = .018, .001, .014, .009, respectively). In the model adjusted for PVT Yerdel grade, non-TAA remained independently associated with higher 30-day, 90-day, and 1-year mortality (p = .021, .007, and .015, respectively). The portal vein re-thrombosis and overall patient and graft survival rates were similar. DISCUSSION: In our experience, the complexity of portal reconstruction better correlated with transplant outcome than the Yerdel classification, which did not even appear to be a reliable predictor of the surgical complexity and technique.

Prognostic role of infracentimetric colorectal liver metastases.

BACKGROUND: The number of lesions and the size of the largest (CRLMmax) have been widely investigated as prognostic factors in patients with colorectal liver metastases (CRLM). The aim of the present study was to assess whether, in patients undergoing curative liver resection, the presence of infracentimetric lesions could affect recurrence-free survival (RFS) and overall survival (OS). METHODS: Patients who underwent a liver resection for CRLM between 2001 and 2019 were included. The size of CRLM was measured on the surgical specimen. The best cut-off of the smallest lesion (CRLMmin) associated with RFS was determined through the time-dependent ROC analysis. A multivariate Cox regression analysis was carried out. RESULTS: Overall, 227 patients were included. Median follow-up time was 50 months [IQR 26-84]. Recurrence occurred for 151 (66.5%) patients (liver recurrence in 67.5%, while exclusive extra-hepatic recurrence in 32.5%). The best cut-off for CRLMmin associated with RFS was 9 mm, with 12- and 24-month td-AUC 0.56 and 0.52 respectively. CRLMmin ≤ 9 mm was found to be an independent prognostic factor that impairs RFS at multivariate analysis (HR 1.534 (1.02-2.32), p = 0.042). In particular, CRLMmin ≤ 9 mm was correlated with impaired hepatic RFS (HR 1.860 (1.15-3.01), p = 0.011), but not extra-hepatic RFS. CONCLUSIONS: Infracentimetric metastases (≤ 9 mm) are an independent prognostic factor that impairs hepatic RFS. This result suggests the potential benefit of neoadjuvant chemotherapy (CT) also in selected patients with initially resectable lesions, in case of CRLM ≤ 9 mm on preoperative imaging.

Arterial Lactate Concentration at the End of Liver Transplantation Is an Early Predictor of Primary Graft Dysfunction.

BACKGROUND: Although many prognostic factors of primary graft dysfunction after liver transplantation (LT) are available, it remains difficult to predict failure in a given recipient. OBJECTIVE: We aimed to determine whether the intraoperative assay of arterial lactate concentration at the end of LT (LCEOT) might constitute a reliable biological test to predict early outcomes [primary nonfunction (PNF), early graft dysfunction (EAD)]. METHODS: We reviewed data from a prospective database in a single center concerning patients transplanted between January 2015 and December 2016 (n = 296). RESULTS: There was no statistical imbalance between the training (year 2015) and validation groups (year 2016) for epidemiological and perioperative feature. Ten patients (3.4%) presented with PNF, and EAD occurred in 62 patients (20.9%); 9 patients died before postoperative day (POD) 90. LCEOT ≥5 mmol/L was the best cut-off point to predict PNF (Se=83.3%, SP=74.3%, positive likelihood ratio (LR+)=3.65, negative likelihood ratio (LR-)=0.25, diagnostic odds ratio (DOR)=14.44) and was predictive of PNF (P = 0.02), EAD (P = 0.05), and death ≤ POD90 (P = 0.06). Added to the validated BAR-score, LCEOT improved its predictive value regarding POD 90 survival with a better AUC (0.87) than BAR score (0.74). The predictive value of LCEOT was confirmed in the validation cohort. CONCLUSION: As a reflection of both hypoperfusion and tissue damage, the assay of arterial LCEOT ≥5 mmol/L appears to be a strong predictor of early graft outcomes and may be used as an endpoint in studies assessing the impact of perioperative management. Its accessibility and low cost could impose it as a reliable parameter to anticipate postoperative management and help clinicians for decision-making in the first PODs.

Extreme large-for-size syndrome after adult liver transplantation: A model for predicting a potentially lethal complication.

There is currently no tool available to predict extreme large-for-size (LFS) syndrome, a potentially disastrous complication after adult liver transplantation (LT). We aimed to identify the risk factors for extreme LFS and to build a simple predictive model. A cohort of consecutive patients who underwent LT with full grafts in a single institution was studied. The extreme LFS was defined by the impossibility to achieve direct fascial closure, even after delayed management, associated with early allograft dysfunction or nonfunction. Computed tomography scan-based measurements of the recipient were done at the lower extremity of the xiphoid. After 424 LTs for 394 patients, extreme LFS occurred in 10 (2.4%) cases. The 90-day mortality after extreme LFS was 40.0% versus 6.5% in other patients (P = 0.003). In the extreme LFS group, the male donor-female recipient combination was more often observed (80.0% versus 17.4%; P < 0.001). The graft weight (GW)/right anteroposterior (RAP) distance ratio was predictive of extreme LFS with the highest area under the curve (area under the curve, 0.95). The optimal cutoff was 100 (sensitivity, 100%; specificity, 88%). The other ratios based on height, weight, body mass index, body surface area, and standard liver volume exhibited lower predictive performance. The final multivariate model included the male donor-female recipient combination and the GW/RAP. When the GW to RAP ratio increases from 80, 100, to 120, the probability of extreme LFS was 2.6%, 9.6%, and 29.1% in the male donor-female recipient combination, and <1%, 1.2%, and 4.5% in other combinations. In conclusion, the GW/RAP ratio predicts extreme LFS and may be helpful to avoid futile refusal for morphological reasons or to anticipate situation at risk, especially in female recipients. Liver Transplantation 23 1294-1304 2017 AASLD.

Locally Advanced Glomus Tumor of the Stomach With Synchronous Liver Metastases: Case Report and Literature Review.

Gastric glomus tumors (GGTs) are usually rare mesenchymal neoplasms. They are typically benign, with very few metastatic cases reported and no specific guidelines on their management. Here, we present a patient with a locally advanced GGT with synchronous liver metastases. One month after resection of the GGT, emergency laparotomy was required for massive hemoperitoneum due to bleeding from the largest metastasis. Indeed, a dramatic progression of liver metastases was observed in just one month. A wide local excision is considered the treatment of choice for GGTs. In particular, this case report suggests that the resection of any liver metastases should possibly be performed at the same time as the GGT excision and not at a later stage.

Delayed-release oral mesalamine tablet mimicking a small jejunal gastrointestinal stromal tumor: A case report.

BACKGROUND: Enteric-coated medications are supposed to pass intact through the gastric environment and to release the drug content into the small intestine or the colon. Before dissolution of the enteric coating, they may appear hyperdense on computed tomography (CT). Unfortunately, few reports have been published on this topic so far. In this case report, the hyperdense appearance on contrast-enhanced CT of an enteric-coated mesalamine tablet was initially misinterpreted as a jejunal gastrointestinal stromal tumor (GIST). CASE SUMMARY: An asymptomatic 81-year-old male patient, who had undergone laparoscopic right nephrectomy four years earlier for stage 1 renal carcinoma, was diagnosed with a jejunal GIST at the 4-year follow-up thoraco-abdominal CT scan. He was referred to our hub hospital for gastroenterological evaluation, and subsequently underwent 18-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography, abdominal magnetic resonance imaging, and video capsule endoscopy. None of these examinations detected any lesion of the small intestine. After reviewing all the CT images in a multidisciplinary setting, the panel estimated that the hyperdense jejunal image was consistent with a tablet rather than a GIST. The tablet was an 800 mg delayed-release enteric-coated oral mesalamine tablet (Asacol®), which had been prescribed for non-specific colitis, while not informing the hospital physicians. CONCLUSION: Delayed-release oral mesalamine (Asacol®), like other enteric-coated medications, can appear as a hyperdense image on a CT scan, mimicking a small intestinal GIST. Therefore, a detailed knowledge of the patients' medications and a multidisciplinary review of the images are essential.

Standard Versus Advanced Protective Measures in a COVID-Free Surgical Pathway.

Introduction The importance of coronavirus disease (COVID)-free surgical pathways during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has been demonstrated. However, the extent of protective measures to be applied against severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), particularly before vaccines became available, remained unclear. Methods This retrospective study included all SARS-CoV-2-negative patients admitted to the COVID-free pathway of a regional abdominal surgery hub center in Northern Italy over 12 months, before the vaccination campaign. During the first seven months, basic protective measures against SARS-CoV-2 were adopted (surgical masks, swabs for symptomatic patients, and intra- or interhospital transfers), since patients were treated as effectively negative (standard management). During the last five months, advanced measures were implemented (enhanced personal protections and systematic control swabs), as patients were considered potentially positive (advanced management). The aim of this article was to compare SARS-CoV-2 incidence and surgical outcomes in these periods. Results A total of 283 and 194 patients were admitted under standard and advanced management, respectively; pre-admission data differed only in the rate of previous SARS-CoV-2 infection (2.5% versus 6.7%, p= 0.034). The SARS-CoV-2 incidence was 3.9% and 3.1% for standard and advanced periods, respectively (p = 0.835). Two internal outbreaks developed during the standard phase. The advanced protocol significantly increased the rate of patients re-tested for SARS-CoV-2 (83% versus 41.7%, p < 0.001) and allowed early detection of all infections, which remained sporadic. Surgical outcomes were similar. Conclusions Advanced management was instrumental in detecting positive patients early and preventing outbreaks, without affecting surgical results; accordingly, it stands as a reproducible model for future pandemic scenarios.

Anatomical Quality Criteria for Sleeve Gastrectomy.

BACKGROUND: Sleeve gastrectomy (SG) is the most common bariatric procedure performed worldwide. However, without a standardised surgical technique, heterogeneous outcomes and complications such as gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (GERD) have been reported. The aim of this study was to identify reproducible anatomical criteria for SG to obtain safe and effective results. METHODS: A prospective photographic study that captured every phase of each procedure was completed. The photographic documentation was carefully examined in order to identify anatomical criteria that would help make our technique reproducible. Postsurgical results were reported in terms of complications and mortality, while functional and morphological results were evaluated using 3-month upper gastrointestinal (UGI) series and 12-month computed tomography (CT) scan, respectively. BMI, percentage excess weight loss (%EWL), comorbidities, and GERD symptoms at 12 months were analysed. RESULTS: One hundred thirty-four consecutive laparoscopic SG were photographed, and four reproducible anatomical criteria were identified: (1) to preserve the gastric antral posterior ligament (GAPL); (2) to dissect the gastro-pancreatic ligament (GPL); (3) to expose the right edge of the left diaphragmatic crus; and (4) to ensure staple-line linearity. No leaks occurred, and only one patient needed relaparoscopy for staple-line hematoma. Mortality and 30-day readmission rates were null. Gastric tube morphologies on the 12-month CT scans were homogeneous. At 12 months, median BMI was 30.8 kg/m2 [IQR 20-47.2] and mean %EWL was 69.0 ± 24.5%; comorbidities resolved in 65.8-88.1% of patients, and GERD symptoms resolved in 44.4%. CONCLUSION: The four anatomical criteria for SG that we propose are safe, effective, and reproducible and have acceptable postsurgical outcomes.

Total Gastrectomy with Roux-en-Y Limb Reconstruction for Complex and Chronic Fistulas After Laparoscopic Sleeve Gastrectomy: Single-Center Experience.

PURPOSE: When a leak after laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG) becomes a chronic fistula, the best surgical treatment remains controversial. The aim of study was to review our experience concerning the treatment of chronic and complex fistulas after LSG. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective analysis of patients with a gastric fistula following LSG who were treated at our center between January 2013 and December 2018 was performed. All patients included underwent a total gastrectomy with a Roux-en-Y reconstruction (TG) for LSG chronic fistula. RESULTS: During the period considered, 13 patients had a chronic fistula and were treated with open TG. The primary leak evolved to a gastro-cutaneos fistula in three patients (23%), to a gastro-splenic fistula in two patients (15.4%), to a gastro-pleural fistula in four patients (30.8%), and to a gastro-bronchial fistula in four patients (30.8%). During TG, a splenectomy and a spleno-pancreatectomy were needed in the two cases of gastro-splenic fistula. Five patients (38.5%) developed an early complication. Two patients developed an esophago-jejunal anastomotic leak treated with a conservative approach (15.4%). No patients needed hospitalization in the intensive care unit. Overall mean length of stay was 19 days (8-30 days). Mean BMI before LSG was 36 (± 5 kg/m2), mean BMI before TG was 30.3 (± 5.2 kg/m2), and mean BMI 2 years after TG was 23.5 (± 2.9 kg/m2). CONCLUSION: When a more conservative and less mutilating surgical option is not possible, open TG with esophago-jejunostomy remains a valuable salvage procedure in the case of complex and extensive fistulas after LSG.

Neoadjuvant therapy in the treatment of hilar cholangiocarcinoma: Review of the literature.

Cholangiocarcinoma (CCA) is a malignant tumor of the biliary system and includes, according to the anatomical classification, intra hepatic CCA (iCCA), hilar CCA (hCCA) and distal CCA (dCCA). Hilar CCA is the most challenging type in terms of diagnosis, treatment and prognosis. Surgery is the only treatment possibly providing long-term survival, but only few patients are considered resectable at the time of diagnosis. In fact, tumor's extension to segmentary or subsegmentary biliary ducts, along with large lymph node involvement or intrahepatic metastases, precludes the surgical approach. To achieve R0 margins is mandatory for the disease-free survival and overall survival. In case of unresectable locally advanced hCCA, radiochemotherapy (RCT) as neoadjuvant treatment demonstrated to be a therapeutic option before either hepatic resection or liver transplantation. Before liver surgery, RCT is believed to enhance the R0 margins rate. For patients meeting the Mayo Clinic criteria, RCT prior to orthotopic liver transplant (OLT) has proved to produce acceptable 5-years survivals. In this review, we analyze the current role of neoadjuvant RCT before resection as well as before OLT.