Major complications and mortality after resection of intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Evaluation of morbidity and mortality after hepatic resection often lacks stratification by extent of resection or diagnosis. Although a liver resection for different indications may have technical similarities, postoperative outcomes differ. The aim of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to determine the risk of major complications and mortality after resection of intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma. METHODS: Meta-analysis was performed to assess postoperative mortality (in-hospital, 30-, and 90-day) and major complications (Clavien-Dindo grade ≥III). RESULTS: A total of 32 studies that reported on 19,503 patients were included. Pooled in-hospital, 30-day, and 90-day mortality were 5.9% (95% confidence interval 4.1-8.4); 4.6% (95% confidence interval 4.0-5.2); and 6.1% (95% confidence interval 5.0-7.3), respectively. Pooled proportion of major complications was 22.2% (95% confidence interval 17.7-27.5) for all resections. The pooled 90-day mortality was 3.1% (95% confidence interval 1.8-5.2) for a minor resection, 7.4% (95% confidence interval 5.9-9.3) for all major resections, and 11.4% (95% confidence interval 6.9-18.7) for extended resections (P = .001). Major complications were 38.8% (95% confidence interval 29.5-49) after a major hepatectomy compared to 11.3% (95% confidence interval 5.0-24.0) after a minor hepatectomy (P = .001). Asian studies had a pooled 90-day mortality of 4.4% (95% confidence interval 3.3-5.9) compared to 6.8% (95% confidence interval 5.6-8.2) for Western studies (P = .02). Cohorts with patients included before 2000 had a pooled 90-day mortality of 5.9% (95% confidence interval 4.8-7.3) compared to 6.8% (95% confidence interval 5.1-9.1) after 2000 (P = .44). CONCLUSION: When informing patients or comparing outcomes across hospitals, postoperative mortality rates after liver resection should be reported for 90-days with consideration of the diagnosis and the extent of liver resection.

Risk of graft loss in kidney transplant recipients after aortic valve replacement.

Surgical aortic valve replacement (SAVR) in kidney transplant recipients (KTR) is associated with high morbidity and mortality, and an increased risk of postoperative graft failure potentially leading to graft loss. Transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) emerged as an alternative in high-risk patients. However, data on TAVI in kidney transplant recipients are limited. We performed a retrospective analysis of 40 KTR in which aortic valve replacement was performed at our center between 2005 and 2015. The outcomes and follow-up of TAVI (n=20; 2010-2015) and SAVR (n=20; 2005-2015) were analyzed with respect to patient and graft survival. Baseline characteristics in both groups were comparable. Hospital stay after TAVI was significantly shorter compared to SAVR (19 [11.5-21.75] days vs. 33 [21-62] days, p=0.001). Acute graft failure occurred more frequently after SAVR (45% vs. 89.5%; p=0.006). Thirty-day mortality was 10% in both groups. However, in-hospital mortality reached 25% in the SAVR group (TAVI 10%), indicating a more complicated course after surgery. Moreover, during a median follow-up time of 1928 days in TAVI patients and 2717 days in patients after SAVR, graft loss occurred only in the surgically treated group (n=7). While one-year survival after TAVR was 90% compared to 69% after SAVR, long-term follow-up showed comparable results (at 5 years: TAVI 58% vs. 52% SAVR; log-rank-test: p=0.86). In KTR, TAVI can be performed with good mid- to long-term results. Compared to SAVR, renal outcomes seem to be improved after TAVI, suggesting better graft survival.

Success, complication, and mortality rates of initial biliary drainage in patients with unresectable perihilar cholangiocarcinoma.

BACKGROUND: The patients with unresectable perihilar cholangiocarcinoma require biliary drainage to relieve symptoms and allow for palliative systemic chemotherapy. The aim of this study was to establish the success, complication, and mortality rates of the initial biliary drainage in patients with unresectable perihilar cholangiocarcinoma at presentation. METHODS: In this retrospective multicenter study, patients with unresectable perihilar cholangiocarcinoma who underwent initial endoscopic or percutaneous transhepatic biliary drainage between 2002 and 2014 were included. The success of drainage was defined as a successful biliary stent or drain placement, no unscheduled reintervention within 14 days, and serum bilirubin levels <50 µmol/L (ie, 2.9 mg/dL) or a >50% decrease in serum bilirubin after 14 days. Severe complications, and 90-day mortality were recorded. RESULTS: Included were 186 patients: 161 (87%) underwent initial endoscopic biliary drainage and 25 (13%) underwent initial percutaneous transhepatic biliary drainage. The success of initial drainage was observed in 73 patients (45%) after endoscopic biliary drainage and 6 (24%) after percutaneous transhepatic biliary drainage. The reasons for an unsuccessful initial drainage were: the failure to place a drain or stent in 39 patients (21%), an unplanned reintervention within 14 days in 52 patients (28%), and the bilirubin level >50 µmol/L (or not halved) after 14 days of initial drainage in 16 patients (9%). Severe drainage-related complications occurred in 19 patients (12%) after endoscopic biliary drainage and in 3 (12%) after percutaneous transhepatic biliary drainage. Overall, 66 patients (36%) died within 90 days after initial biliary drainage. CONCLUSION: Initial biliary drainage in patients with unresectable perihilar cholangiocarcinoma had a success rate of 45% and a 90-day mortality rate of 36%. Future studies for patients with perihilar cholangiocarcinoma should focus on improving biliary drainage.

A 55-Year-Old Man with Recurrent Gastrointestinal Bleeding Due to Stricture of the Portal Vein Anastomotic Site 12 Years After Combined Pancreas and Kidney Transplantation.

BACKGROUND Varices of the upper gastrointestinal tract are due to portal hypertension and can result from occlusion of the portal venous system. This report is of a 55-year-old man with recurrent gastrointestinal bleeding due to stricture of the portal vein anastomotic site to inferior vena cava (IVC) 12 years after combined pancreas and kidney transplantation. CASE REPORT A 55-year-old man presented bleeding episodes requiring transfusion of more than 70 units of red blood cells (RBCs), complicated by bacterial and viral infection episodes including cytomegalovirus (CMV) reactivation and hepatitis E and transient impairment of function of the renal allograft. Endoscopy, computed tomography (CT) scan, and angiography revealed jejunal varices due to anastomotic stricture at the portal vein to IVC as the cause of the hemorrhage. Neither conservative therapy nor an anastomosis between the splenic vein of the graft and the internal iliac vein as a bypass could stop the life-threatening bleeding. During the recurrent bleeding, CD4 T lymphocytes were low, indicating immunodeficiency despite paused immunosuppressive therapy. After the hemorrhage resolved and immunosuppression was restarted, CD4 T lymphocyte levels normalized. Finally, to stop the hemorrhage and save the transplanted kidney and the patient's life, graft pancreatectomy was performed. Long-term damage to the renal transplant was not found. CONCLUSIONS This report is of a rare case of portal hypertension as a long-term complication of transplant surgery. Although acute venous thrombosis at the anastomotic site is a recognized postoperative complication of pancreatic transplant surgery, this case highlights the importance of post-transplant follow-up and diagnostic imaging.

Fluid overload is associated with increased 90-day mortality in AML patients undergoing induction chemotherapy.

Treatment-related complications contribute substantially to morbidity and mortality in acute myeloid leukemia (AML) patients undergoing induction chemotherapy. Although AML patients are susceptible to fluid overload (FO) (e.g., in the context of chemotherapy protocols, during sepsis treatment or to prevent tumor lysis syndrome), little attention has been paid to its role in AML patients undergoing induction chemotherapy. AML patients receiving induction chemotherapy between 2014 and 2019 were included in this study. FO was defined as ≥5% weight gain on day 7 of induction chemotherapy compared to baseline weight determined on the day of admission. We found FO in 23 (12%) of 187 AML patients undergoing induction chemotherapy. Application of >100 ml crystalloid fluids/kg body weight until day 7 of induction chemotherapy was identified as an independent risk factor for FO. AML patients with FO suffered from a significantly increased 90-day mortality rate and FO was demonstrated as an independent risk factor for 90-day mortality. Our data suggests an individualized, weight-adjusted calculation of crystalloid fluids in order to prevent FO-related morbidity and mortality in AML patients during induction chemotherapy. Prospective trials are required to determine the adequate fluid management in this patient population.

Clinical triage of patients on kidney replacement therapy presenting with COVID-19: an ERACODA registry analysis.

BACKGROUND: Patients on kidney replacement therapy (KRT) are at very high risk of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). The triage pathway for KRT patients presenting to hospitals with varying severity of COVID-19 illness remains ill-defined. We studied the clinical characteristics of patients at initial and subsequent hospital presentations and the impact on patient outcomes. METHODS: The European Renal Association COVID-19 Database (ERACODA) was analysed for clinical and laboratory features of 1423 KRT patients with COVID-19 either hospitalized or non-hospitalized at initial triage and those re-presenting a second time. Predictors of outcomes (hospitalization, 28-day mortality) were then determined for all those not hospitalized at initial triage. RESULTS: Among 1423 KRT patients with COVID-19 [haemodialysis (HD), n = 1017; transplant, n = 406), 25% (n = 355) were not hospitalized at first presentation due to mild illness (30% HD, 13% transplant). Of the non-hospitalized patients, only 10% (n = 36) re-presented a second time, with a 5-day median interval between the two presentations (interquartile range 2-7 days). Patients who re-presented had worsening respiratory symptoms, a decrease in oxygen saturation (97% versus 90%) and an increase in C-reactive protein (26 versus 73 mg/L) and were older (72 vs 63 years) compared with those who did not return a second time. The 28-day mortality between early admission (at first presentation) and deferred admission (at second presentation) was not significantly different (29% versus 25%; P = 0.6). Older age, prior smoking history, higher clinical frailty score and self-reported shortness of breath at first presentation were identified as risk predictors of mortality when re-presenting after discharge at initial triage. CONCLUSIONS: This study provides evidence that KRT patients with COVID-19 and mild illness can be managed effectively with supported outpatient care and with vigilance of respiratory symptoms, especially in those with risk factors for poor outcomes. Our findings support a risk-stratified clinical approach to admissions and discharges of KRT patients presenting with COVID-19 to aid clinical triage and optimize resource utilization during the ongoing pandemic.

Acute kidney injury adversely affects the clinical course of acute myeloid leukemia patients undergoing induction chemotherapy.

Acute kidney injury (AKI) complicates the clinical course of hospitalized patients by increasing need for intensive care treatment and mortality. There is only little data about its impact on AML patients undergoing intensive induction chemotherapy. In this study, we analyzed the incidence as well as risk factors for AKI development and its impact on the clinical course of AML patients undergoing induction chemotherapy. We retrospectively analyzed data from 401 AML patients undergoing induction chemotherapy between 2007 and 2019. AKI was defined and stratified according to KIDGO criteria by referring to a defined baseline serum creatinine measured on day 1 of induction chemotherapy. Seventy-two of 401 (18%) AML patients suffered from AKI during induction chemotherapy. AML patients with AKI had more days with fever (7 vs. 5, p = 0.028) and were more often treated on intensive care unit (45.8% vs. 10.6%, p < 0.001). AML patients with AKI had a significantly lower complete remission rate after induction chemotherapy and, with 402 days, a significantly shorter median overall survival (OS) (median OS for AML patients without AKI not reached). In this study, we demonstrate that the KIDGO classification allows mortality risk stratification for AML patients undergoing induction chemotherapy. Relatively mild AKI episodes have impact on the clinical course of these patients and can lead to chronic impairment of kidney function. Therefore, we recommend incorporating risk factors for AKI in decision-making considering nutrition, fluid management, as well as the choice of potentially nephrotoxic medication in order to decrease the incidence of AKI.

Quality and performance of validated prognostic models for survival after resection of intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: The objective of this systematic review was to evaluate the performance of prognostic survival models for intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (iCCA) when validated in an external dataset. Furthermore, it sought to identify common prognostic factors across models, and assess methodological quality of the studies in which the models were developed. METHODS: The PRISMA guidelines were followed. External validation studies of prognostic models for patients with iCCA were searched in 5 databases. Model performance was assessed by discrimination and calibration. RESULTS: Thirteen external validation studies were identified, validating 18 different prognostic models. The Wang model was the sole model with good performance (C-index above 0.70) for overall survival. This model incorporated tumor size and number, lymph node metastasis, direct invasion into surrounding tissue, vascular invasion, Carbohydrate antigen (CA) 19-9, and carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA). Methodological quality was poor in 11/12 statistical models. The Wang model had the highest score with 13 out of 17 points. CONCLUSION: The Wang model for prognosis after resection of iCCA has good quality and good performance at external validation, while most prognostic models for iCCA have been developed with poor methodological quality and show poor performance at external validation.

Blood ceramides as novel markers for renal impairment in systemic lupus erythematosus.

BACKGROUND: Lupus nephritis (LN) is the most common organ manifestation in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and associated with a poor prognosis. Still, a noninvasive but reliable method to diagnose LN has not been established. Thus, we evaluated whether blood sphingolipids could serve as valid biomarkers for renal injury. METHODS: In this cross-sectional study, 82 participants were divided into three groups: 36 healthy controls and 17 SLE patients without renal injury (both: estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) ≥ 80 ml/min/1.73 m2 and albumin/creatinine ≤ 30 mg/g) and 29  LN patients. LN patients were identified by renal biopsies and impaired renal function (eGFR < 80 ml/min/1.73 m2 and albumin/creatinine ratio > 30 mg/g). Venous blood was collected from all participants and sphingolipid levels in plasma and serum were measured by LC-MS/MS. RESULTS: Most interesting, concentrations of some specific ceramides, C16ceramide (Cer), C18Cer, C20Cer and C24:1Cer, were elevated in both, plasma and serum samples of patients suffering from biopsy-proven LN and impaired renal function, compared to healthy controls as well as SLE patients without renal injury. C24:1dhCer levels were elevated in plasma and serum samples from LN patients compared to SLE patients. Sphingosine levels were higher in plasma and serum of LN patients compared to healthy controls, but not compared to SLE patients. Sphinganine concentrations were significantly elevated in serum samples from LN patients compared to healthy controls and SLE. S1P and SA1P levels were higher in plasma samples of SLE and LN patients compared to healthy controls. Subsequent ROC analyses of plasma and serum data of the most altered ceramide species (C16Cer, C18Cer, C20Cer, C24:1Cer) between LN patients and SLE patients display a high diagnostic differentiation with significant AUCs especially for C24:1Cer serum levels. Further, C24:1Cer serum levels were not affected by glucocorticoid treatment and did not correlate with other renal markers, such as serum creatinine, eGFR and albumin/creatinine ratio. CONCLUSION: Our data reveal that chain-length specific ceramides in blood, most likely C24:1Cer levels in serum, could act as potent biomarkers for renal impairment in patients suffering from SLE.

Editor's Choice - Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of the Outcome of Treatment for Type II Endoleak Following Endovascular Aneurysm Repair.

OBJECTIVES: The efficacy and need for secondary interventions for type II endoleaks following endovascular abdominal aortic aneurysm repair (EVAR) remain controversial. This systematic review aimed at investigating the clinical outcomes of different type II endoleak treatments in patients with a persistent type II endoleak after EVAR. DATA SOURCES: Embase, Medline via Ovid, Web of Science Core Collection, the Cochrane CENTRAL, and Google Scholar. REVIEW METHODS: This systematic review was performed in accordance with the PRISMA Statement. Outcomes of interest were technical and clinical success, change in sac diameter, complications, need for additional interventions, abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) rupture, and (AAA related) mortality. Meta-analyses were performed with random effects models. RESULTS: A total of 59 studies were included, with a cumulative cohort of 1073 patients with persistent type II endoleak. Peri-operative complications following treatment of type II endoleaks occurred in 3.8% of patients (95% CI 2.7-5.2%), and AAA related mortality was 1.8% (95% CI 1.1-2.7%). Overall technical success was 87.9% (95% CI 83.1-92.1%), while clinical success was 68.4% (95% CI 61.2-75.1%). Among studies detailing sac dynamics, decrease or stable sac, with or without resolution, was achieved in 78.4% (95% CI 70.2-85.6%). Changes in sac diameter following type II endoleak treatment were documented in 157 patients to at least 24 months. Within this group an actual decrease in sac diameter was reported in only 27 of 40 patients. CONCLUSION: There is little evidence supporting the efficacy of secondary intervention for type II endoleaks after EVAR. Although generally safe, the lack of evidence supporting the efficacy of type II endoleak treatment leads to difficulty in assessing its merits.

Influence of the recipient body mass index on the outcomes after kidney transplantation.

PURPOSE: The relationship between the body mass index (BMI) of kidney transplant recipients and outcomes after kidney transplantation (KT) is not fully understood and remains controversial. We studied the influence of BMI on clinically relevant outcomes in kidney transplant recipients. METHODS: In this retrospective single-centre study, all patients who underwent kidney transplantation at our institution between January 2007 and December 2012 were included. Demographic data and BMI were correlated with the clinical course of the disease, rejection rates, delayed graft function rates, and graft and patient survival. RESULTS: During the study period, 384 single KTs (130 women and 254 men) were performed. Seventeen percent of the transplants were transplanted within the Eurotransplant Senior Programme (ESP). Most of the transplants were performed using organs that were obtained from donors after brain death (DBD), and living donor kidney transplants were performed in 22.4% of all transplants. The median BMI of the recipients was 25.9 kg/m2. Additionally, 13.5% of the recipients had a BMI of 30-34.9 kg/m2 and 3.9% had a BMI >35 kg/m2. A BMI >30 kg/m2 was significantly associated with primary non-function of the kidney (p = 0.047), delayed graft function (p = 0.008), and a higher rate of loss of graft function (p = 0.015). The glomerular filtration rate 12 months after KT was significantly lower in recipients with a BMI >30 kg/m2. Multivariate analysis revealed that recipient BMI, among other factors, was an independent risk factor for delayed graft function and graft survival. Patients with a BMI >30 kg/m2 had an almost four times higher risk for surgical site infection than did recipients with a lower BMI. CONCLUSIONS: Increased BMI at kidney transplantation is a predictor of adverse outcomes, including delayed graft function. These findings demonstrate the importance of the careful selection of patients and pre-transplant weight reduction, although the role of weight reduction for improving graft function is not clear.

Nonphysician Clinicians in the Follow-Up of Resected Patients with Colorectal Cancer.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: The 5-year postoperative follow-up for patients undergoing curative treatment for colorectal cancer (CRC) is labour intensive. We assessed the added value of a dedicated nonphysician clinician (NPC) in the follow-up of patients after resection for CRC. METHODS: Patients were divided into 2 groups as defined by the number of follow-up visits in the first year, including intensive (≥3×) and minimal (≤2×). Involvement of an NPC, diagnosis of disease recurrence and the course of the disease were determined. RESULTS: Of the 681 patients, 79.9% belonged to the "intensive" and 21.1% to the "minimal" group. Involvement of an NPC resulted in a higher adherence to follow-up (84.3 vs. 73.9%, p = 0.001). Overall, patients in regular follow-up less often had multifocal recurrence (47.1 vs. 73.7%, p = 0.04), and a better survival after recurrence (SAR; hazard ratio [HR] 3.604, p < 0.001). The "intensive" group had a significantly better overall survival compared to the "minimal" group (HR 1.71, p = 0.013). CONCLUSION: Adherence to surveillance programs after resection for CRC is better in hospitals with a dedicated NPC. Overall, patients' adherence to follow-up resulted in less multifocal disease recurrence at the time of diagnosis as compared to patients presenting with symptoms and a better 3-year SAR.

Evaluating the American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement project risk calculator: results from the U.S. Extrahepatic Biliary Malignancy Consortium.

BACKGROUND: The objective of this study is to evaluate use of the American College of Surgeons (ACS) National Surgical Quality Improvement Program (NSQIP) online risk calculator for estimating common outcomes after operations for gallbladder cancer and extrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma. METHODS: Subjects from the United States Extrahepatic Biliary Malignancy Consortium (USE-BMC) who underwent operation between January 1, 2000 and December 31, 2014 at 10 academic medical centers were included in this study. Calculator estimates of risk were compared to actual outcomes. RESULTS: The majority of patients underwent partial or major hepatectomy, Whipple procedures or extrahepatic bile duct resection. For the entire cohort, c-statistics for surgical site infection (0.635), reoperation (0.680) and readmission (0.565) were less than 0.7. The c-statistic for death was 0.740. For all outcomes the actual proportion of patients experiencing an event was much higher than the median predicted risk of that event. Similarly, the group of patients who experienced an outcome did have higher median predicted risk than those who did not. CONCLUSIONS: The ACS NSQIP risk calculator is easy to use but requires further modifications to more accurately estimate outcomes for some patient populations and operations for which validation studies show suboptimal performance.

Anatomy Revisited: Hemodialysis Catheter Malposition in the Left Ascending Lumbar Vein.

In selected cases, cuffed tunneled catheters via the iliac vein are implanted as a last resort access for hemodialysis. To monitor the correct position, sonography of the inferior vena cava (IVC) is sufficient in most cases. Position control using an X-ray of the abdomen is not routinely recommended when femoral catheters are implanted. In this report, we describe the case of a 59-year-old patient on chronic hemodialysis due to granulomatosis with polyangiitis and complex shunt history with multiple shunt occlusions and revisions. The implantation of an iliac-cuffed tunneled catheter led to complications because the catheter was malpositioned into the left ascending lumbar vein (ALV). It is important to be aware of potential incorrect positioning of dialysis catheters into the ALV. Due to the anatomical relation to the IVC, this happens more frequently on the left side than on the right side. In case of doubt, the correct placement of large-bore catheters via iliac access route should be verified by means of appropriate imaging before hemodialysis is performed.

Completeness of pathology reports in stage II colorectal cancer.

INTRODUCTION: The completeness of the pathological examination of resected colon cancer specimens is important for further clinical management. We reviewed the pathological reports of 356 patients regarding the five factors (pT-stage, tumor differentiation grade, lymphovascular invasion, tumor perforation and lymph node metastasis status) that are used to identify high-risk stage II colon cancers, as well as their impact on overall survival (OS). METHODS: All patients with stage II colon cancer who were included in the first five years of the MATCH study (1 July 2007 to 1 July 2012) were selected (n = 356). The hazard ratios of relevant risk factors were calculated using Cox Proportional Hazards analyses. RESULTS: In as many as 69.1% of the pathology reports, the desired information on one or more risk factors was considered incomplete. In multivariable analysis, age (HR: 1.07, 95%CI 1.04-1.10, p < .001), moderately- (HR: 0.35, 95%CI 0.18-0.70, p = .003) and well (HR 0.11, 95%CI 0.01-0.89, p = .038) differentiated tumors were significantly associated with OS. CONCLUSIONS: Pathology reports should better describe the five high-risk factors, in order to enable proper patient selection for further treatment. Chemotherapy may be offered to stage II patients only in select instances, yet a definitive indication is still unavailable.

Aortic Valve Stenosis in a Dialysis Patient Waitlisted for Kidney Transplantation.

Management of dialysis patients with valvular heart disease waitlisted for kidney transplantation is challenging. Development of severe aortic valve stenosis can lead to the exclusion from the transplant program or even death while on the waiting list. In dialysis patients, surgical aortic valve replacement is associated with a high perioperative risk with increased morbidity and mortality. In contrast, transcatheter aortic valve implantation emerges as a viable option for dialysis patients. Herein, we present the long-term follow-up of successful kidney transplantation after TAVI in a diabetic patient receiving long-term hemodialysis.

Liver regeneration after major liver hepatectomy: Impact of body mass index.

BACKGROUND: Obese patients may present with metabolic abnormalities that impact liver regeneration. We sought to assess the impact of body mass index (BMI) on liver volume regeneration index (RI) and kinetic growth rate (KGR) among patients undergoing liver resection. METHODS: The study included 102 patients undergoing major hepatectomy (≥3 segments) between July 2004 and April 2015 and stratified the patients by preoperative BMI, number of segments resected, and postoperative remnant liver volume (RLVp) to total liver volume ratio. Resected volume at operation was subtracted from total liver volume to calculate postoperative RLVp. RI was defined as the relative increase in RLV within 2 months [(RLV2m-RLVp)/RLVp] and 7 months [(RLV7m-RLVp)/RLVp] postoperatively; KGR was calculated as RI divided by time postoperatively (weeks). RESULTS: Median patient age was 59.6 years (interquartile range 48.1-68.7 years), and most patients were men (52.0%). Liver failure was associated with the KGR at 2 months (KGR2m) and was greater among patients with KGR2m <2.5% per week (KGR <2.5%, 18.5% vs KGR ≥ 2.5%, 4.6%; P = .04). Although RI and KGR within 2 and 7 months postoperatively were similar among all patients, after excluding patients with fibrosis, obese (0.42% per week) and overweight patients (0.29% per week) had lesser KGR2-7m compared with patients of normal BMI (0.82% per week; P < .05). Additionally, risk of a major complication was greatest among obese patients (normal weight, 8.1% vs overweight, 12.9% vs obese, 29.4%; P = .04). CONCLUSION: BMI did not impact liver regeneration during the first 2 months. In contrast, KGR per week between 2 and 7 months postoperatively was less among overweight and obese patients.

Perihilar Cholangiocarcinoma: Number of Nodes Examined and Optimal Lymph Node Prognostic Scheme.

BACKGROUND: The role of routine lymphadenectomy for perihilar cholangiocarcinoma is still controversial and no study has defined the minimum number of lymph nodes examined (TNLE). We sought to assess the prognostic performance of American Joint Committee on Cancer/Union Internationale Contre le Cancer (7(th) edition) N stage, lymph node ratio, and log odds (LODDS; logarithm of the ratio between metastatic and nonmetastatic nodes) in patients with perihilar cholangiocarcinoma and identify the optimal TNLE to accurately stage patients. METHODS: A multi-institutional database was queried to identify 437 patients who underwent hepatectomy for perihilar cholangiocarcinoma between 1995 and 2014. The prognostic abilities of the lymph node staging systems were assessed using the Harrell's c-index. A Bayesian model was developed to identify the minimum TNLE. RESULTS: One hundred and fifty-eight (36.2%) patients had lymph node metastasis. Median TNLE was 3 (interquartile range, 1 to 7). The LODDS had a slightly better prognostic performance than lymph node ratio and American Joint Committee on Cancer, in particular among patients with <4 TNLE (c-index = 0.568). For 2 TNLE, the Bayesian model showed a poor discriminatory ability to distinguish patients with favorable and poor prognosis. When TNLE was >2, the hazard ratio for N1 patients was statistically significant and the hazard ratio for N1 patients increased from 1.51 with 4 TNLE to 2.10 with 10 TNLE. Although the 5-year overall survival of N1 patients was only slightly affected by TNLE, the 5-year overall survival of N0 patients increased significantly with TNLE. CONCLUSIONS: Perihilar cholangiocarcinoma patients undergoing radical resection should ideally have at least 4 lymph nodes harvested to be accurately staged. In addition, although LODDS performed better at determining prognosis among patients with <4 TNLE, both lymph node ratio and LODDS outperformed compared with American Joint Committee on Cancer N stage among patients with ≥4 TNLE.

Pretransplant human leukocyte antigen antibodies detected by single-antigen bead assay are a risk factor for long-term kidney graft loss even in the absence of donor-specific antibodies.

Clinical relevance of ELISA- and single-antigen bead assay (SAB)-detected pretransplant HLA antibodies (SAB-HLA-Ab) for kidney graft survival was evaluated retrospectively in 197 patients transplanted between 2002 and 2009 at the University Clinic Frankfurt. Having adjusted for retransplantation and delayed graft function, a significantly increased risk for death-censored graft loss was found in patients with pretransplant SAB-HLA-Ab [HR: 4.46; 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.47-13.48; P = 0.008]. The risk for increased graft loss was also significant in patients with pretransplant SAB-HLA-Ab but without SAB-detected donor-specific Ab (SAB-DSA) (HR: 4.91; 95% CI of 1.43-16.991; P = 0.012). ELISA was not sufficient to identify pretransplant immunized patients with an increased risk for graft loss. In immunized patients, graft loss was predominantly present in patients who received transplants with a mismatch on the HLA-DR locus. In conclusion, even if our study is limited due to small sample size, the results show an increased risk for long-term graft loss in patients with pretransplant SAB-HLA, even in the absence of DSA. SAB-HLA-Ab-positive patients, being negative in ELISA or CDC assay, might profit from a well-HLA-DR-matched graft and intensified immunosuppression.

Role of frailty and sarcopenia in predicting outcomes among patients undergoing gastrointestinal surgery.

According to the United States census bureau 20% of Americans will be older than 65 years in 2030 and half of them will need an operation - equating to about 36 million older surgical patients. Older adults are prone to complications during gastrointestinal cancer treatment and therefore may need to undergo special pretreatment assessments that incorporate frailty and sarcopenia assessments. A focused, structured literature review on PubMed and Google Scholar was performed to identify primary research articles, review articles, as well as practice guidelines on frailty and sarcopenia among patients undergoing gastrointestinal surgery. The initial search identified 450 articles; after eliminating duplicates, reports that did not include surgical patients, case series, as well as case reports, 42 publications on the impact of frailty and/or sarcopenia on outcome of patients undergoing gastrointestinal surgery were included. Frailty is defined as a clinically recognizable state of increased vulnerability to physiologic stressors resulting from aging. Frailty is associated with a decline in physiologic reserve and function across multiple physiologic systems. Sarcopenia is a syndrome characterized by progressive and generalized loss of skeletal muscle mass and strength. Unlike cachexia, which is typically associated with weight loss due to chemotherapy or a general malignancy-related cachexia syndrome, sarcopenia relates to muscle mass rather than simply weight. As such, while weight reflects nutritional status, sarcopenia - the loss of muscle mass - is a more accurate and quantitative global marker of frailty. While chronologic age is an important element in assessing a patient's peri-operative risk, physiologic age is a more important determinant of outcomes. Geriatric assessment tools are important components of the pre-operative work-up and can help identify patients who suffer from frailty. Such data are important, as frailty and sarcopenia have repeatedly been demonstrated among the strongest predictors of both short- and long-term outcome following complicated surgical procedures such as esophageal, gastric, colorectal, and hepato-pancreatico-biliary resections.