Impact of the inferior vena cava morphology on fluid dynamics of the hepatic veins.

We reported previously that a large vertical interval between the hepatic segment of the inferior vena cava (IVC) and right atrium (RA), referred to as the IVC-RA gap, was associated with more intraoperative bleeding during hemi-hepatectomy. We conducted a computational fluid dynamics (CFD) study to clarify the impact of fluid dynamics resulting from morphologic variations around the liver. The subjects were 10 patients/donors with a large IVC-RA gap and 10 patients/donors with a small IVC-RA gap. Three-dimensional reconstructions of the IVC and hepatic vessels were created from CT images for the CFD study. Median pressure in the middle hepatic vein was significantly higher in the large-gap group than in the small-gap group (P = 0.008). Differences in hepatic vein pressure caused by morphologic variation in the IVC might be one of the mechanisms of intraoperative bleeding from the hepatic veins.

Prolonged warm ischemia time in the recipient is associated with post-transplant biliary stricture following living-donor liver transplantation.

PURPOSE: Post-transplant biliary stricture (PBS) is a common and important complication following orthotopic liver transplantation (LT). This study clarified the incidence of PBS and identified its risk factors. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of 67 patients who underwent living-donor LT (LDLT) at our institute between June 2010 and July 2022 and analyzed their clinical characteristics, prognosis, and risk factors for PBS. RESULTS: Of the 67 patients, 26 (38.8%) developed PBS during the observation period. Multivariate analyses revealed the following independent risk factors for PBS formation: increased red cell transfusion volume per body weight (> 0.2 U/kg; hazard ratio [HR], 3.8; P = 0.002), increased portal vein pressure (PVP) at the end of LT (> 16 mmHg; HR, 2.88; P = 0.032), postoperative biliary leakage (HR, 4.58; P = 0.014), and prolonged warm ischemia time (WIT) (> 48 min; HR, 4.53; P = 0.008). In patients with PBS, the cumulative incidence of becoming stent free was significantly higher in patients with a WIT ≤ 48 min than in those with a WIT > 48 min (P = 0.038). CONCLUSION: Prolonged WIT is associated with intractable PBS following LDLT.

Intramuscular Adipose Tissue Content as a Predictor of Incisional Hernia after Hepatic Resection.

BACKGROUND: Incisional hernia (IH) is a common surgical complication, with an incidence of 6-31% following major abdominal surgery. This study aimed to investigate the impact of intramuscular adipose tissue content (IMAC) on the incidence of IH in patients who underwent hepatic resection. METHODS: Data of 205 patients who underwent open hepatic resection between 2007 and 2019 at Ehime University Hospital were retrospectively analyzed. Patient characteristics, perioperative findings, and body composition were compared between patients with IH and those without IH. The quantity and quality of skeletal muscle, calculated as skeletal muscle index and IMAC, were evaluated using preoperative computerized tomography images. RESULTS: Forty (19.5%) patients were diagnosed with IH. The cumulative incidence rates were 15.6% at 1 year and 19.6% at 3 years. On univariate analysis, body mass index, areas of subcutaneous and visceral fat, and IMAC were significantly higher in the IH group than in the non-IH group (p = 0.0023, 0.0070, 0.0047, and 0.0080, respectively). No significant difference in skeletal muscle index was found between the groups (p = 0.3548). The incidence of diabetes mellitus, intraoperative transfusion, and postoperative wound infection was significantly higher in the IH group than in the non-IH group (p = 0.0361, 0.0078, and 0.0299, respectively). On multivariate analysis, a high IMAC and wound infection were independent risk factors for IH (adjusted odds ratio, 2.83 and 4.52, respectively; p = 0.0152 and 0.0164, respectively). CONCLUSION: IMAC can predict the incidence of IH in patients undergoing hepatic resection.

Postoperative arterial lactate levels can predict postoperative pancreatic fistula following pancreaticoduodenectomy: A single cohort retrospective study.

BACKGROUND: /Objectives: Postoperative pancreatic fistula (POPF) is a serious complication after pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD). Thus, identification of the risk factors for POPF is urgently needed. In this study, we aimed to identify whether arterial lactate (LCT) levels following PD might be a marker of the potential risk of POPF. METHODS: Between September 2009 and December 2020, 151 patients who underwent elective PD were retrospectively enrolled. Patient characteristics, perioperative clinicopathological variables, postoperative blood biochemistry data were analyzed in univariable and multivariable analyses. Pancreatic fistula of Grade B and C was considered as POPF. RESULTS: Patients were divided into the POPF group (n = 33, 21.9%) and non-POPF group (n = 118, 78.1%). Higher body mass index (p = 0.017), increased estimated blood loss (p = 0.047), soft textured pancreas (p = 0.007), smaller main pancreatic duct (p = 0.016), higher LCT levels (p < 0.001), higher aspartate aminotransferase levels (p = 0.023) and higher procalcitonin levels (p = 0.024) were significantly associated with POPF. Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis revealed that 2.1 mmol/L was the optimal cut-off value of LCT (sensitivity = 78.8%, specificity = 61.2%) for predicting POPF occurrence. Univariate and multivariate analyses confirmed that an LCT of ≥2.1 mmol/L was independently associated with the risk of POPF following PD (odds ratio = 6.78, 95% confidence interval = 2.22-20.74; p = 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Higher LCT is a predictive marker for POPF following PD.

Importance of reconstruction of middle hepatic vein tributaries of right-lobe grafts in living donor liver transplantation: demonstration of the reconstruction technique.

PURPOSE: The aim of the present study on living donor liver transplantation (LDLT) using a right-lobe graft without the middle hepatic vein (MHV) was to investigate the clinical impact of MHV tributary reconstruction using our criteria and techniques. METHODS: The medical records of 40 patients who underwent adult LDLT using a right-lobe graft without the MHV between April 2008 and December 2020 were retrospectively reviewed. In this cohort, the criterion for MHV tributary reconstruction was estimated drainage volume of each MHV tributary greater than 100 mL. The drainage vein of segment 8 (V8) was reconstructed as the common orifice of the right hepatic vein and V8 using a venous patch graft, and that of segment 5 was reconstructed using artificial vascular grafts. The outcomes were compared between the groups with and without MHV tributary reconstruction. Factors associated with postoperative massive ascites were also investigated. RESULTS: Twenty patients underwent MHV tributary reconstruction. There were no significant differences in the amount of postoperative ascites, Clavien-Dindo classification ≥ III postoperative complications, and 90-day in-hospital mortality between the groups (P = 0.678, P = 1.000, and P = 0.244, respectively). On multivariate analyses, a low-estimated functional graft-to-recipient weight ratio, which was calculated using estimated graft volume minus the territory of MHV tributaries that was not reconstructed, was identified as an independent predictor of postoperative massive ascites (odds ratio, 40.479; 95% confidence interval, 3.823-428.622). CONCLUSION: The present study suggests that selective MHV tributary reconstruction might be useful for achieving successful graft function.

Laparoscopic clamp-crushing enucleation with a pancreatic duct stent for tumors located close to the main pancreatic duct.

The perioperative management and technical details of laparoscopic clamp-crushing enucleation for low-malignant-potential pancreatic neuroendocrine neoplasms (PNENs) located close to the main pancreatic duct (MPD) in the body/tail of the pancreas using a perioperative MPD stent are reported. The procedure was performed in two patients with PNEN (13 and 10 mm in diameter) in the body/tail of the pancreas. A naso-pancreatic stent (NPS) was placed preoperatively in both patients. Resection was performed using Maryland-type bipolar forceps. The surgical duration was 139 and 55 min, and the estimated blood loss was 5 and 0 mL, respectively. One patient was discharged uneventfully on postoperative day (POD) 12. The other patient developed a grade B pancreatic fistula, but was discharged on POD 22. Laparoscopic clamp-crushing enucleation with an NPS might be a viable treatment option for tumors located close to the MPD.

[A Case of Unresectable Hepatocellular Carcinoma Treated using Lenvatinib and Conversion Surgery].

A 57-year-old man was treated with lenvatinib for unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC). Thereafter, the tumor marker levels decreased, and the tumor became resectable. The patient underwent portal vein embolization followed by laparoscopic extended left lobectomy. The patient's postoperative course was uneventful, and the tumor marker levels remained within the normal range. No recurrence was observed 3 months after surgery. In recent years, the use of systemic chemotherapy with drugs, such as lenvatinib, followed by conversion surgery has been reported in some cases of unresectable HCC. The present case reports successful conversion surgery following lenvatinib treatment.

Technical details of a left-side approach to the superior mesenteric artery during pancreaticoduodenectomy.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: To describe the procedure for a left-side approach to the superior mesenteric artery (SMA) during pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD) in a cadaveric study. OPERATIVE PROCEDURE: After dividing the upper jejunum, the jejunal artery (JA) is followed to its origin. At the cranial side of the JA, the mesojejunum to be dissected is detached from the ventral to the dorsal side and from the peripheral to the origin side of the SMA. The inferior pancreatoduodenal artery (IPDA), which is usually the common trunk of the IPDA and the first JA, is able to be visualized at the cranio-dorsal side of the origin of the JA. After cutting the IPDA, the mesojejunum can be detached from the SMA from the dorsal aspect to the right side. Subsequently, the pancreas head is dissected easily from the right aspect of the SMA. CONCLUSION: This left-side approach to the SMA may become a standard procedure.

Significant association between the preoperative erythrocyte mean corpuscular volume and infectious complications after pancreaticoduodenectomy.

PURPOSE: An organ/space surgical site infection reportedly develops in 20% of patients who undergo pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD). The present study aimed to identify the predictors for developing severe infectious complications after PD. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the records of 115 consecutive patients who underwent PD at Ehime University Hospital between January 2013 and January 2020. Severe infectious complications were defined as Clavien-Dindo classification grade ≥ III postoperative complications related to bacterial or fungal infections, including clinically relevant postoperative pancreatic fistula (CR-POPF). The patient characteristics, blood chemistry data, body composition data and operative data were evaluated as potential predictors of severe infectious complications. We also evaluated the erythrocyte indices, such as the mean corpuscular hemoglobin, the mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration, and the mean corpuscular volume (MCV). RESULTS: Among 115 patients, 25 (21.7%) developed severe infectious complications, which included 20 (17.4%) cases of CR-POPF. According to multivariate analyses, MCV > 97.4fL, C-reactive protein (CRP) > 1.2 mg/dL and diameter of main pancreatic duct < 5 mm were independent predictors of severe infectious complications (odds ratio, 13.891, 7.356 and 4.676, respectively, 95% confidence interval, 3.457-55.815, 1.868-28.964 and 1.391-15.716, respectively). CONCLUSION: Preoperative high MCV/CRP values and a small main pancreatic duct are predictive factors associated with severe infectious complications after PD.

Pharyngeal metastasis following living-donor liver transplantation for hepatocellular carcinoma: a case report and literature review.

BACKGROUND: The most common sites of recurrence after liver transplantation for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) have been reported to be the liver, lung, bone, and adrenal glands, but there have also been many reports of cases of multiple recurrence. The prognosis after recurrence is poor, with reported median survival after recurrence of HCC ranging from 9 to 19 months. Here, we report a case of long-term survival after recurrence of pharyngeal metastasis following living-donor liver transplantation (LDLT) for HCC within the Milan criteria, by resection of the metastatic region and cervical lymph node dissection. CASE PRESENTATION: A 47-year-old man with a Model End-stage Liver Disease (MELD) score of 11 underwent LDLT for HCC within the Milan criteria for liver cirrhosis associated with hepatitis B virus infection, with his 48-year-old elder brother as the living donor. One year and 10 months after liver transplantation, he visited a nearby hospital with a chief complaint of discomfort on swallowing. A pedunculated polyp was found in the hypopharynx, and biopsy revealed HCC metastasis. We performed pharyngeal polypectomy. Two years later, cervical lymph node metastasis appeared, and neck lymph node dissection was performed. Although recurrence subsequently occurred three times in the grafted liver, the patient is still alive 12 years and 10 months after recurrence of pharyngeal metastasis. He is now a tumor-free outpatient taking sorafenib. CONCLUSION: It is necessary to recognize that the nasopharyngeal region is a potential site of HCC metastasis. Prognostic improvement can be expected with close follow-up, early detection, and multidisciplinary treatment, including radical resection.

Serosal invasion is a strong prognostic factor for hepatocellular carcinoma after hepatectomy.

AIM: The clinical impact of serosal invasion by hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) remains unclear. This study aimed to clarify the significance of serosal invasion as a prognostic factor for patients who underwent hepatectomy for HCC. METHODS: This retrospective study investigated patients who underwent hepatectomy for HCC between October 2003 and September 2016 in Ehime University Hospital (Toon, Japan). A total of 161 cases were enrolled after excluding cases of concomitant distant metastasis, macroscopic tumor remnant, mixed HCC, and rehepatectomy. We classified these 161 patients into groups with serosal invasion detected (S[+]) and serosal invasion undetected (S[-]). We compared patient characteristics, perioperative data, pathological findings, and prognosis between S(+) and S(-) groups. RESULTS: Serosal invasion was observed in 19 of the 161 patients (12%). The 5-year recurrence-free survival rate was lower for S(+) (13.0%) than for S(-) (28.7%, P = 0.006). The 5-year overall survival (OS) rate was lower for S(+) (24.7%) than for S(-) (63.9%, P < 0.001). Regarding OS, serosal invasion, preoperative α-fetoprotein value, presence of invasion to hepatic veins, and liver cirrhosis were independent predictors in multivariate analyses. The 3-year OS rate after recurrence was poorer in the S(+) group (22.9%) than in the S(-) group (49.7%, P = 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Serosal invasion was a strong predictor of worse outcomes after hepatectomy for HCC. Patients showing serosal invasion need close postoperative follow-up or consideration of adjuvant treatment.

Preformed donor-specific antibodies are associated with 90-day mortality in living-donor liver transplantation.

AIM: The impact of donor-specific anti-human leukocyte antigen (HLA) antibodies (DSAs) on living donor liver transplantation (LDLT) is unclear. The aim of this study was to investigate the association between DSAs and short-term outcomes in LDLT recipients, and to clarify the clinical impact of DSAs. METHOD: Anti-HLA antibodies were screened in preoperative serum samples taken from 40 liver transplant recipients at Ehime University (Toon, Japan) between August 2001 and July 2015. Screening was carried out using the Flow-PRA method, and DSAs were detected in anti-HLA antibody-positive recipients using the Luminex single-antigen identification test. A mean fluorescence intensity of 1000 was used as the cut-off for positivity. We retrospectively reviewed the clinical courses of patients who were DSA-positive to elucidate early clinical manifestations in LDLT recipients. RESULTS: Fifteen (12 female and 3 male) patients (38%) had anti-HLA antibodies. Eight of the 15 anti-HLA antibody-positive patients were positive for DSAs, and all were women. The 90-day survival rate of DSA-positive patients (50%) was significantly lower than that of DSA-negative patients (84.4%) (0.0112; Wilcoxon test). On univariate analysis, the DSA-positive rate was significantly higher in the 90-day mortality group. Postoperatively, the incidence of acute cellular rejection was higher in DSA-positive than DSA-negative patients. Thrombotic microangiopathy developed only in DSA-positive patients. We found no relationship between DSA status and bile duct stricture. CONCLUSION: Preformed DSAs could be associated with elevated 90-day mortality in LDLT recipients. Further large-scale studies are required to verify the risk associated with DSAs in LDLT.

Perioperative and oncological outcomes of laparoscopic anatomical hepatectomy for hepatocellular carcinoma introduced gradually in a single center.

BACKGROUND: Anatomical hepatectomy is an ideal curative treatment for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). We have standardized our laparoscopic anatomical hepatectomy (LAH) procedure, gradually extending its indications. In the present study, we describe our experience and the perioperative and oncological outcomes of LAH for HCC compared to those of open anatomical hepatectomy (OAH) during the gradual introduction of LAH. METHODS: Seventy patients with primary HCC underwent anatomical hepatectomy in our institution from November 2008 to April 2014. As we gained experience with LAH, our indications for choosing LAH over OAH gradually expanded. Ultimately, 40 and 30 patients underwent LAH and OAH, respectively. Perioperative and oncological outcomes were compared between the two groups. RESULTS: There were no significant differences in age, sex, background of liver disease, liver function, tumor size, tumor number, or type of liver resection between the two groups. Major complications and mortality rates were similar between the LAH and OAH groups (12.5% vs. 20%; p = 0.582, and 0% vs. 3.3%; p = 0.429, respectively). The median follow-up time after surgery was 40.5 months in the LAH group and 32.9 months in the OAH group (p = 0.835). The 1-, 3-, and 5-year overall survival rates were 89.9, 84.7, and 70.9%, in the LAH group, and 89.8, 68.0, and 63.1% in the OAH group, respectively (p = 0.255). The 1-, 3-, and 5-year disease-free survival rates were 79.5, 58.0, and 42.5%, in the LAH group, and 72.4, 56.1, and 50.4% in the OAH group, respectively (p = 0.980). CONCLUSIONS: Through gradual introduction of LAH, we obtained comparable results to those achieved with OAH. LAH can be a feasible surgical treatment for primary HCC, with good oncological outcomes.

An Experimental Study on the Relationship Among Airway Pressure, Pneumoperitoneum Pressure, and Central Venous Pressure in Pure Laparoscopic Hepatectomy.

OBJECTIVES: To determine optimal settings for airway pressure (AWP), pneumoperitoneum pressure (PPP), and central venous pressure (CVP) in pure laparoscopic hepatectomy. BACKGROUND: High PPP is often employed to control bleeding from the hepatic vein during pure laparoscopic hepatectomy; however, there is a risk of pulmonary gas embolism. We noted that decreases in AWP were often effective. METHODS: After establishing carbon dioxide pneumoperitoneum in 6 male piglets and maintaining PPP at 25 mmHg, CVP was measured 3 times at each of 9 levels of airway pressure, which was increased in increments of 5 cmH2O from 0 to 40 cmH2O. CVP was measured in the same manner by maintaining PPP at 20, 15, 10, 5, and 0 mmHg, and in laparotomy. Correlation and regression analyses were performed among airway pressure, CVP, and pneumoperitoneum pressure. RESULTS: Positive correlations were observed between AWP and CVP and between PPP and CVP (P < 0.001). Under high airway pressure, CVP was persistently higher than pneumoperitoneum pressure. Under low airway pressure, CVP did not increase or often decreased when PPP was higher than CVP. CONCLUSIONS: By increasing pneumoperitoneum pressure, bleeding from the hepatic vein cannot be controlled under high airway pressure, but can be controlled under low airway pressure. However, under low airway pressure, the risk of pulmonary gas embolism increases when PPP is higher than CVP. We consider that reducing AWP is also effective for controlling bleeding from the hepatic vein and safer than increasing pneumoperitoneum pressure.

[Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy Using S-1 for Pancreatic Cancer - Mid-Term Results].

BACKGROUND: Although surgical resection is the only curative strategy for pancreatic cancer, the prognosis of patients with pancreatic cancer remains poor. Recently, neoadjuvant treatment has been frequently employed as a promising treatment. Here, the mid-term results of neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy(NACRT)using S-1, which has been performed in our hospital since 2008, are reported. METHODS: Seventy-nine patients with resectable or borderline resectable pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma, who had been intended to undergo NACRT treatment using S-1, were enrolled. The NACRT comprised radiotherapy( 1.8 Gy×28 days)and full-dose twice-daily oral S-1 given on the same days as the radiotherapy. The results of the NACRT and pancreatectomy and the patients' prognoses were evaluated. RESULTS: Fifty-five patients(69.6%)underwent pancreatectomy, with no case of mortality. The curative resection rate was 94.5%. Postoperative adjuvant chemotherapy was administered in 46 patients(83.6%). The 3-year survival rates of all 79 patients and 55 pancreatectomy patients were 40.1% and 50.4%, respectively. CONCLUSION: NACRT using S-1 was found to be feasible, and good mid-term outcomes were obtained. However, analysis of the long-term outcomes and comparisons with other novel anti-cancer drugs are still required.

A Phase I Study of S-1 and Gemcitabine with Concurrent Radiotherapy in Patients with Non-Metastatic Advanced Pancreatic Cancer.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: To determine the recommended dose (RD) for full-dose S-1 and low-dose gemcitabine combined with radiotherapy in patients with non-metastatic advanced pancreatic cancer. METHODOLOGY: Adult patients with non-metastatic advanced pancreatic cancer (Union for International Cancer Control T stage 3 or 4) were eligible. The weekly intravenous gemcitabine (level 0-1: 200 mg/ml,level 2: 300 mg/m on Days 1, 8, 15, 22, 29, 36) dose was escalated starting from level 1 in a 3+3 design along with full dose twice-daily oral S-1 (level 0: 60 mg/m2/day, level 1-2: 80 mg/ml/day), and was administered on the same days as radiotherapy (1.8 Gy x 28 days). RESULTS: Eight patients were included in this study. A dose-limiting toxicity (DLT) (grade 4 neutropenia) was observed in one of the first three patients in level 1, and three additional patients received the level 1 dose without any severe adverse events. DLTs (grade 3/4 neutropenia) were then observed in the first two patients given level 2 dose. Therefore, level 1 was designated as the RD. Common grade 3/4 toxicities included neutropenia (62.5%), anorexia (37.5%), and pneumonitis (12.5%). CONCLUSIONS: The combination of S-1 and gemcitabine with concurrent radiotherapy is a feasible regimen at the level 1 dose.

Totally laparoscopic hepatectomy exposing the vessels around the tumor intended to secure the surgical margin.

Anatomical hepatectomy (AH) is basically not required for metastatic tumors in terms of oncology, but is required for hepatocellular carcinoma [1-5]; however, the surgeon cannot secure the surgical margin by palpation via a laparoscopic approach. Therefore, AH or partial hepatectomy exposing the vessels around the tumor (PHev) is often better for deep-seated or invisible lesions [6, 7] because unexpected exposure of the tumor on the cutting plane can be avoided by creating a cutting plane on the side of exposed vessels. From August 2008 to December 2012, we performed totally laparoscopic AH or PHev for 29 patients (AH in 21 patients and PHev in 8 patients) to secure the surgical margin of metastatic tumors [8, 9]. The median operative time was 329 (range 147-519) min, with median blood loss of 141 (range 5-430) g. Conversion was performed for one patient whose stump of the Glissonean branch was positive in a frozen section. Additional hepatectomy was performed via an open approach. Postoperative morbidity rate was 20.7 % (peroneal palsy in two patients, ileus in one patient, biloma in one patient, and pulmonary embolism in one patient). Mortality was zero. The median length of hospital stay after surgery was 9 (range 4-21) days. Only one patient, who underwent extended posterior sectorectomy for a 4.2-cm tumor developing close to the right main Glissonean pedicle, had a microscopically positive margin, because the tumors were exposed on the cutting plane. The embedded video demonstrates hepatectomy of the dorsal half-segment of the right anterior sector, during which the liver was divided at the anterior fissure [10] and the border between the anterior and posterior sector. Totally laparoscopic hepatectomy exposing the vessels around the tumor can be performed safely and is useful to secure the surgical margin in patients with a metastatic tumor.

Laparoscopic liver resection for a patient of hepatocellular carcinoma with von Willebrand disease: a case report.

BACKGROUND: The safety of laparoscopic hepatectomy for inherited coagulation disorders is unclear; however, the safety of open hepatectomy has been reported in several studies. Herein, we report the first case of a laparoscopic hepatectomy for a patient with von Willebrand Disease (VWD). CASE PRESENTATION: A 76-year-old male with a history of chronic hepatitis C and VWD type 2B was advised surgical resection of a 4 cm hepatocellular carcinoma in segment 7 of the liver. The patient was diagnosed with VWD in his 40 s due to gastrointestinal bleeding caused by gastric erosion. The von Willebrand factor (VWF) ristocetin cofactor activity was 30%, and VWF large multimer deficiency and increased ristocetin-induced platelet agglutination were observed. The preoperative platelet count was reduced to 3.5 × 104/µL; however, preoperative imaging findings had no evidence of liver cirrhosis, such as any collateral formations and splenomegaly. The indocyanine green retention rate at 15 min was 10%, and his Child-Pugh score was 5 (classification A). Perioperatively, VWF/factor VIII was administered in accordance with our institutional protocol. A laparoscopic partial hepatectomy of the right posterior segment was performed. The most bleeding during surgery occurred during the mobilization of the right lobe of the liver due to inflammatory adhesion between the retroperitoneum and the tumor. Bleeding during parenchymal transection was controlable. The duration of hepatic inflow occlusion was 65 min. The surgical duration was 349 min, and the estimated blood loss was 2150 ml. Four units of red blood cells and fresh frozen plasma were transfused at the initiation of parenchymal transection, and 10 units of platelets were transfused at the end of the parenchymal transection. On postoperative day 1, the transection surface drainage fluid became hemorrhagic, and emergency contrast-enhanced computed tomography showed extravasation in the greater omentum. Percutaneous transcatheter arterial embolization of the omental branch of the right gastroepiploic artery was performed. No further postoperative interventions were required. The patient was discharged on postoperative day 14. CONCLUSION: The indications for laparoscopic hepatectomy in patients with VWD should be carefully considered, and an open approach may still be the standard approach for patients with VWD.

Novel embryological classifications of hepatic arteries based on the relationship between aberrant right hepatic arteries and the middle hepatic artery: A retrospective study of contrast-enhanced computed tomography images.

BACKGROUND: Variations in hepatic arteries are frequently encountered during pancreatoduodenecomy. Identifying anomalies, especially the problematic aberrant right hepatic artery (aRHA), is crucial to preventing vascular-related complications. In cases where the middle hepatic artery (MHA) branches from aRHAs, their injury may lead to severe liver ischemia. Nevertheless, there has been little information on whether MHA branches from aRHAs. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between aRHAs and the MHA based on the embryological development of visceral arteries. METHODS: This retrospective study analyzed contrast-enhanced computed tomography images of 759 patients who underwent hepatobiliary-pancreatic surgery between January 2011 and August 2022. The origin of RHAs and MHA courses were determined using three-dimensional reconstruction. All cases of aRHAs were categorized into those with or without replacement of the left hepatic artery (LHA). RESULTS: Among the 759 patients, 163 (21.4%) had aRHAs. Five aRHAs patterns were identified: (Type 1) RHA from the gastroduodenal artery (2.7%), (Type 2) RHA from the superior mesenteric artery (SMA) (12.7%), (Type 3) RHA from the celiac axis (2.1%), (Type 4) common hepatic artery (CHA) from the SMA (3.5%), and (Type 5) separate branching of RHA and LHA from the CHA (0.26%). The MHA did not originate from aRHAs in Types 1-3, whereas in Type 4, it branched from either the RHA or LHA. CONCLUSIONS: Based on the developmental process of hepatic and visceral arteries, branching of the MHA from aRHAs is considered rare. However, preoperative recognition and intraoperative anatomical assessment of aRHAs is essential to avoid injury.

A Rare Presentation of Lymph Node Metastasis of VIPoma After Three Years of Resection: A Case Report.

Vasoactive intestinal peptide-producing tumor of the pancreas (VIPoma) is one of the rarer subtypes of neuroendocrine tumor (NET) of the pancreas. It usually represents intractable diarrhea, weight loss, and electrolyte abnormalities secondary to diarrhea. The most common site of metastasis of VIPoma is the liver. Furthermore, lymph node metastasis (LNM) is rare, and no metachronous LNM with a resectable situation has been reported before. A 60-year-old male patient (height: 181 cm, body weight: 74 kg) with a history of operated pancreatic VIPoma three years ago was referred to our department due to the detection of lymphadenomegaly which was suggestive of lymph node metastasis by routine follow-up computed tomography (CT). Preoperative CT showed a lymph node on the left side of the abdominal aorta and caudal side of the left renal vein with a size of 1 cm. Lymphadenectomy was performed without significant complications and blood loss. This is the first report of metachronous LNM in a patient with operated VIPoma. Although much rarer than solid organ metastasis of VIPoma, LNM in these patients can also be seen synchronously and metachronously. Close follow-up and vigilance are key to preventing recurrence-related morbidity and mortality in these patients.