Right Ex-situ split grafts for adult liver transplantation - A Multicenter Benchmarking Analysis.

OBJECTIVE: To analyse outcomes after adult right ex-situ split graft liver transplantations (RSLT) and compare with available outcome benchmarks from whole liver transplantation (WLT). SUMMARY BACKGROUND DATA: Ex-situ SLT may be a valuable strategy to tackle the increasing graft shortage. Recently established outcome benchmarks in WLT offer a novel reference to perform a comprehensive analysis of results after ex-situ RSLT. METHODS: This retrospective multicenter cohort study analyzes all consecutive adult SLT performed using right ex-situ split grafts from 01.01.2014 to 01.06.2022. Study endpoints included 1 year graft and recipient survival, overall morbidity expressed by the comprehensive complication index (CCI©) and specific post-LT complications. Results were compared to the published benchmark outcomes in low-risk adult WLT scenarii. RESULTS: In 224 adult right ex-situ SLT, 1y recipient and graft survival rates were 96% and 91.5%, within the WLT benchmarks. The 1y overall morbidity was also within the WLT benchmark (41.8 CCI points vs. <42.1). Detailed analysis, revealed cut surface bile leaks (17%, 65.8% Grade IIIa) as a specific complication without a negative impact on graft survival. There was a higher rate of early hepatic artery thrombosis (HAT) after SLT, above the WLT benchmark (4.9% vs. ≤4.1%), with a significant impact on early graft but not patient survival. CONCLUSION: In this multicentric study of right ex-situ split graft LT, we report 1-year overall morbidity and mortality rates within the published benchmarks for low-risk WLT. Cut surface bile leaks and early HAT are specific complications of SLT and should be acknowledged when expanding the use of ex-situ SLT.

Liver Transplantation from Elderly Donors (≥85 Years Old).

BACKGROUND: Despite the ongoing trend of increasing donor ages in liver transplantation (LT) setting, a notable gap persists in the availability of comprehensive guidelines for the utilization of organs from elderly donors. This study aimed to evaluate the viability of livers grafts from donors aged ≥85 years and report the post-LT outcomes compared with those from "ideal" donors under 40 years old. METHODS: Conducted retrospectively at a single center from 2005 to 2023, this study compared outcomes of LTs from donors aged ≥85 y/o and ≤40 y/o, with the propensity score matching to the recipient's gender, age, BMI, MELD score, redo-LT, LT indication, and cause of donor death. RESULTS: A total of 76 patients received grafts from donors ≥85 y/o and were compared to 349 liver grafts from donors ≤40 y/o. Prior to PSM, the 5-year overall survival was 63% for the elderly group and 77% for the young group (p = 0.002). After PSM, the 5-year overall survival was 63% and 73% (p = 0.1). A nomogram, developed at the time of graft acceptance and including HCC features, predicted 10-year survival after LT using a graft from a donor aged ≥85. CONCLUSIONS: In the context of organ scarcity, elderly donors emerge as a partial solution. Nonetheless, without proper selection, LT using very elderly donors yields inferior long-term outcomes compared to transplantation from very young donors ≤40 y/o. The resulting nomogram based on pre-transplant criteria allows for the optimization of elderly donor/recipient matching to achieve satisfactory long-term results, in addition to traditional matching methods.

Early portal vein thrombosis after hepatectomy for perihilar cholangiocarcinoma: Incidence, risk factors, and management.

AIM: To study the incidence, risk factors and management of portal vein thrombosis (PVT) after hepatectomy for perihilar cholangiocarcinoma (PHCC). PATIENTS AND METHOD: Single-center retrospective analysis of 86 consecutive patients who underwent major hepatectomy for PHCC, between 2012 and 2019, with comparison of the characteristics of the groups with (PVT+) and without (PVT-) postoperative portal vein thrombosis. RESULTS: Seven patients (8%) presented with PVT diagnosed during the first postoperative week. Preoperative portal embolization had been performed in 71% of patients in the PVT+ group versus 34% in the PVT- group (P=0.1). Portal reconstruction was performed in 100% and 38% of PVT+ and PVT- patients, respectively (P=0.002). In view of the gravity of the clinical and/or biochemical picture, five (71%) patients underwent urgent re-operation with portal thrombectomy, one of whom died early (hemorrhagic shock after surgical treatment of PVT). Two patients had exclusively medical treatment. Complete recanalization of the portal vein was achieved in the short and medium term in the six survivors. After a mean follow-up of 21 months, there was no statistically significant difference in overall survival between the two groups. FINDINGS: Post-hepatectomy PVT for PHCC is a not-infrequent and potentially lethal event. Rapid management, adapted to the extension of the thrombus and the severity of the thrombosis (hepatic function, signs of portal hypertension) makes it possible to limit the impact on postoperative mortality. We did not identify any modifiable risk factor. However, when it is oncologically and anatomically feasible, left±extended hepatectomy (without portal embolization) may be less risky than extended right hepatectomy, and portal vein resection should only be performed if there is strong suspicion of tumor invasion.

Towards refining the utility of dual (18F-FDG / 18F-Choline) PET/CT for the management of hepatocellular carcinoma: a tertiary center study.

BACKGROUND: The role of positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) management is not clearly defined. Our objective was to analyze the utility of dual-PET/CT (18F-FDG + 18F-Choline) imaging findings on the BCLC staging and treatment decision for HCC patients. METHODS: Between January 2011 and April 2019, 168 consecutive HCC patients with available baseline dual-PET/CT imaging data were retrospectively analyzed. To identify potential refinement criteria for surgically-treated patients, survival Kaplan-Meier curves of various standard-of-care and dual-PET/CT baseline parameters were estimated. Finally, multivariate cox proportional hazard ratios of the most relevant clinico-biological and/or PET parameters were estimated. RESULTS: Dual-PET/CT findings increased the score of BCLC staging in 21 (12.5%) cases. In 24.4% (N.=41) of patients, the treatment strategy was modified by the PET findings. Combining AFP levels at a threshold of 10 ng/mL with 18F-FDG or 18F-Choline N status significantly impacted DFS (P<0.05). In particular, the combined criteria of the N+ status assessed by 18F-Choline with AFP threshold of 10 ng/mL provided a highly predictive composite parameter for estimation of DFS according to multivariate analysis (HR=10.6, P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The 18F-Choline / AFP composite parameter appears promising, and further prospective studies are mandatory to validate its oncological impact.

Intraoperative measurement of the respiratory exchange ratio predicts postoperative complications after liver transplantation.

BACKGROUND: During surgery, any mismatch between oxygen delivery (DO2) and consumption (VO2) can promote the development of postoperative complications. The respiratory exchange ratio (RER), defined as the ratio of carbon dioxide (CO2) production (VCO2) to VO2, may be a useful noninvasive tool for detecting inadequate DO2. The primary objective of this study was to test the hypothesis that RER measured during liver transplantation may predict postoperative morbidity. Secondary objectives were to assess the ability of other variables used to assess the DO2/VO2 relationship, including arterial lactate, mixed venous oxygen saturation, and veno-arterial difference in the partial pressure of carbon dioxide (VAPCO2gap), to predict postoperative complications. METHODS: This retrospective study included consecutive adult patients who underwent liver transplantation for end stage liver disease from June 27th, 2020, to September 5th, 2021. Patients with acute liver failure were excluded. All patients were routinely equipped with a pulmonary artery catheter. The primary analysis was a receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve constructed to investigate the discriminative ability of the mean RER measured during surgery to predict postoperative complications. RER was calculated at five standardized time points during the surgery, at the same time as measurement of blood lactate levels and arterial and mixed venous blood gases, which were compared as a secondary analysis. RESULTS: Of the 115 patients included, 57 developed at least one postoperative complication. The mean RER (median [25-75] percentiles) during surgery was significantly higher in patients with complications than in those without (1.04[0.96-1.12] vs 0.88[0.84-0.94]; p < 0.001). The area under the ROC curve was 0.87 (95%CI: 0.80-0.93; p < 0.001) with a RER value (Youden index) of 0.92 giving a sensitivity of 91% and a specificity of 74% for predicting the occurrence of postoperative complications. The RER outperformed all other measured variables assessing the DO2/VO2 relationship (arterial lactate, SvO2, and VAPCO2gap) in predicting postoperative complications. CONCLUSION: During liver transplantation, the RER can reliably predict postoperative complications. Implementing this measure intraoperatively may provide a warning for physicians of impending complications and justify more aggressive optimization of oxygen delivery. Further studies are required to determine whether correcting the RER is feasible and could reduce the incidence of complications.

R1 Vascular or Parenchymal Margins: What Is the Impact after Resection of Intrahepatic Cholangiocarcinoma?

Background: to date, long-term outcomes of R1 vascular (R1vasc) and R1 parenchymal (R1par) resections in the setting of intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (iCCA) have been examined in only one study which did not find significant difference. Patients and Methods: we analyzed consecutive patients who underwent iCCA resection between 2000 and 2019 in two tertiary French medical centers. We report overall survival (OS) and disease-free-survival (DFS). Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to determine associated factors. Results: 195 patients were analyzed. The number of R0, R1par and R1vasc patients was 128 (65.7%), 57 (29.2%) and 10 (5.1%), respectively. The 1- and 2-year OS rates in the R0, R1par and R1vasc groups were 83%, 87%, 57% and 69%, 75%, 45%, respectively (p = 0.30). The 1- and 2-year DFS rates in the R0, R1par and R1vasc groups were 58%, 50%, 30% and 43%, 28%, 10%, respectively (p = 0.019). Resection classification (HR 1.56; p = 0.003) was one of the independent predictors of DFS in multivariate analysis. Conclusions: the survival outcomes after R1par resection are intermediate to those after R0 or R1vasc resection. R1vasc resection should be avoided in patients with iCCA as it does not provide satisfactory oncological outcomes.

Resectable and transplantable hepatocellular carcinoma: Integration of liver stiffness assessment in the decision-making algorithm.

BACKGROUND: Liver resection is a curative treatment for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and an alternative to liver transplantation (LT). However, post-liver resection recurrence rates remain high. This study aimed to determine whether liver stiffness measurement (LSM) correlated with recurrence and to propose a method for predicting HCC recurrence exclusively using pre-liver resection criteria. METHODS: This retrospective monocentric study included patients who had undergone LR liver resection for HCC between 2015 and 2018 and who had (1) preoperative alpha-fetoprotein scores indicating initial transplant viability and (2) available preoperative LSM data. We developed a predictive score for recurrence over time using Cox univariate regression and multivariate analysis with a combination plot before selecting the optimal thresholds (receiver operating characteristic curves + Youden test). RESULTS: Sixty-six patients were included. After an average follow-up of 40 months, the recurrence rate was 45% (n = 30). Three-year overall survival was 88%. Four preoperative variables significantly impacted the time to recurrence: age ≥70 years, LSM ≥11 kPa, international normalized ratio (INR) ≥1.2, and maximum HCC diameter ≥3 cm. By assigning 1 point per positive item, patients with a score <2 (n = 22) demonstrated greater mean overall survival (69.7 vs 54.8 months, P = .02) and disease-free survival (52.2 vs 34.7 months, P = .02) than those with a score ≥2. Patients experiencing early recurrence (<1 year) presented a significantly higher preoperative LSM (P = .06). CONCLUSION: We identified a simple preoperative score predictive of early hepatocellular carcinoma recurrence after liver resection, highlighting the role of liver stiffness. This score could help physicians select patients and make decisions concerning perioperative medical treatment.

The rex shunt for left portal vein reconstruction during hepatectomy for malignancy using of rex-shunt in adults for oncoliver surgery.

BACKGROUND: Immediate portal reperfusion is mandatory following hepatectomy combined with portal vein (PV) resection. This retrospective study analyzes the feasibility and the outcomes of the Rex shunt (RS) for reconstruction of the left portal vein (LPV) and reperfusion of the remnant left liver or lobe following hepatectomy for cancer combined with resection of the PV in adult patients. METHODS: From 2018 to 2021, an RS was used in the above setting to achieve R0 resection or when the standard LPV reconstruction failed or was deemed technically impossible. RESULTS: There were 6 male and 5 female patients (median age, 58 years) with perihilar cancer (5 cases) or miscellaneous cancers invading the PV (6 cases). A major hepatectomy was performed in 10/11 patients. The RS was indicated to achieve R0 resection or for technical reasons in 8 and 3 cases, respectively, and was feasible in all consecutive attempts with (10 cases) or without an interposed synthetic graft (1 case). Two fatal complications (PV thrombosis and pulmonary embolism) and three non-severe complications occurred in four patients within 90 days of surgery. Two patients died of tumor recurrence with a patent RS at 13 and 29 months, and 7 were recurrence free with a patent shunt with a follow-up of 1 to 37 months (median, 15 months). CONCLUSION: In case of remnant left liver or lobe following hepatectomy combined with resection of the PV, the RS may help to achieve R0 resection and is a valuable option to perform technically satisfying portal reperfusion of the remnant left liver or lobe.

Standardized laparoscopic right hepatic lobe mobilization.

Highlight Laparoscopic hepatectomy has become commonly used worldwide and laparoscopic right hepatic mobilization is an important step for right sided liver resection. While the technique has been refined, it remains technically challenging. Ielpo and colleagues present a standardized and reproducible technique for safe mobilization including technical steps and video.

Ideal Surgical Margin to Prevent Early Recurrence After Hepatic Resection for Hepatocellular Carcinoma.

BACKGROUNDS AND AIMS: Postoperative early recurrence after hepatic resection for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) poses a challenge to surgeons, and the effect of a surgical margin is still controversial. This study aimed to identify an ideal margin to prevent early recurrence. METHODS: A total of 226 consecutive patients who underwent primary curative hepatic resection for solitary and primary HCC were enrolled. The definition of early recurrence was determined using the minimum P value approach. Logistic regression analysis was used to identify the risk factors of early recurrence. The receiver-operating characteristic (ROC) curve was used to identify the optimal cut-off of the surgical margin and early recurrence. RESULTS: Recurrence within 8 months induced the poorest overall survival (P = 2×10-15). ROC analysis showed that the optimal cut-off value of the surgical margin was 7 mm. The risk factors of early recurrence (≤ 8-month recurrence) were preoperative alpha-fetoprotein levels ≥ 100 ng/ml (Odds ratio [OR] 4.92 [2.28-10.77], P < 0.0001) and a surgical margin < 7 mm (OR 3.09 [1.26-8.85], P = 0.01) by multivariable analysis. The probability of early recurrence ranged from 5.0% in the absence of any factors to 43.5% in the presence of both factors. Among patients with alpha-fetoprotein levels ≥ 100 ng/ml, non-capsule formation, or microvascular invasion, there was a significant difference in 5-year overall survival between surgical margins of < 7 mm and ≥ 7 mm. CONCLUSIONS: A > 7-mm margin is important to prevent early recurrence. Patients with HCC and alpha-fetoprotein levels > 100 ng/ml, non-capsule formation, or microvascular invasion may have a survival benefit from a ≥ 7-mm margin.

Early Versus Late Hepatocellular Carcinoma Recurrence After Transplantation: Predictive Factors, Patterns, and Long-term Outcome.

BACKGROUND: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is currently the first indication of liver transplantation (LT) in Europe and Asia-Pacific region and the third in the United States. HCC recurrence is the main complication affecting short- and medium-term outcomes after LT. METHODS: A total of 433 consecutive adult recipients transplanted for HCC between 2000 and 2017 (mean age: 57.8 ± 8.5 y; 83.8% were males) with a mean follow-up of 74.6 ± 58.6 months were included. Patients had to meet Milan criteria and, since 2014, alpha-fetoprotein score to be listed. Patients with HCC recurrence were classified into early (≤2 y) and late recurrence (>2 y) and were retrospectively reviewed. RESULTS: Patients who developed recurrence (75 patients, 17%) had more tumors outside Milan and University of California San Francisco criteria, high alpha-fetoprotein score, and microvascular invasion at pathology. Early recurrence developed in 46 patients (61.3%); the overall 5- and 10-year survival rates of these patients from time of LT were 6.7% and 0%, which were significantly lower than those with late recurrence 64.0% and 27.1%, respectively (P < 0.001). The median survival times from the diagnosis of HCC recurrence were 15 and 17 months, respectively, in the 2 groups (P < 0.001). Multivariable Cox regression analysis identified alcoholic cirrhosis as etiology of the underlying liver disease (hazard ratio [HR] = 3.074; P = 0.007), bilobar tumor at time of LT (HR = 2.001; P = 0.037), and a tumor size (>50 mm) in the explant (HR = 1.277; P = 0.045) as independent predictors of early recurrence. CONCLUSIONS: Improving the prediction of early HCC recurrence could optimize patient selection for LT, potential adjuvant therapy with new targeted drugs and hence, improve long-term survival.

A retrospective study of patient-tailored FOLFIRINOX as a first-line chemotherapy for patients with advanced biliary tract cancer.

BACKGROUND: FOLFIRINOX is a pillar first-line regimen in the treatment of pancreatic cancer. Historically, biliary tract cancer (BTC) and pancreatic cancer have been treated similarly with gemcitabine alone or combined with a platinum compound. With growing evidence supporting the role of fluoropyrimidines in the treatment of BTC, we aimed at assessing the outcomes of patients (pts) with BTC on frontline FOLFIRINOX. METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed data of all our consecutive patients with locally advanced (LA) or metastatic (M) BTC who were registered to receive FOLFIRINOX as a first-line therapy between 12/2013 and 11/2017 at Paul Brousse university hospital. The main endpoints were Overall Survival (OS), Time-to-Progression (TTP), best Objective Response Rate (ORR), Disease Control rate (DCR), secondary macroscopically-complete resection (res) and incidence of severe (grade 3-4) toxicity (tox). RESULTS: There were 17 male (40%) and 25 female (60%) pts. aged 36 to 84 years (median: 67). They had PS of 0 (55%) or 1 (45%), and intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (CCA) (21 pts., 50%), gallbladder carcinoma (8 pts., 19%), perihilar CCA (7 pts., 17%), distal CCA (4 pts., 10%) and ampulloma (2 pts., 5%). BTC was LA or M in 10 (24%) and 32 pts. (76%) respectively. Biliary stent was placed in 14 pts. (33%). A median of 10 courses was given with median treatment duration of 6 months. There were no untoward toxicity issues, with no febrile neutropenia, emergency admission for toxicity or toxic death. We observed 12 partial responses (29%) and 19 disease stabilisations (45%). Six patients (14%) underwent secondary R0-R1 resection. Median TTP was 8 months [95%CL, 6-10] and median OS was 15 months [13-17]. Patients undergoing secondary resection displayed a 3-y disease-free rate of 83%. CONCLUSIONS: First-line FOLFIRINOX offers promising results in patients with LA and M-BTC. It deserves prospective evaluation to further improve outcomes for advanced BTC.

Indocyanine Green Fluorescence Imaging to Predict Graft Survival After Orthotopic Liver Transplantation: A Pilot Study.

The incidence of primary nonfunction (PNF) after liver transplantation (LT) remains a major concern with the increasing use of marginal grafts. Indocyanine green (ICG) fluorescence is an imaging technique used in hepatobiliary surgery and LT. Because few early predictors are available, we aimed to quantify in real time the fluorescence of grafts during LT to predict 3-month survival. After graft revascularization, ICG was intravenously injected, and then the fluorescence of the graft was captured with a near infrared camera and postoperatively quantified. A multiparametric modeling of the parenchymal fluorescence intensity (FI) curve was proposed, and a predictive model of graft survival was tested. Between July 2017 and May 2019, 76 LTs were performed, among which 6 recipients underwent retransplantation. No adverse effects of ICG injection were observed. The parameter a150 (temporal course of FI) was significantly higher in the re-LT group (0.022 seconds-1 (0.0011-0.059) versus 0.012 seconds-1 (0.0001-0.054); P = 0.01). This parameter was the only independent predictive factor of graft survival at 3 months (OR, 2.4; 95% CI, 1.05-5.50; P = 0.04). The best cutoff for the parameter a150 (0.0155 seconds-1 ) predicted the graft survival at 3 months with a sensitivity (Se) of 83.3% and a specificity (Spe) of 78.6% (area under the curve, 0.82; 95% CI, 0.67-0.98; P = 0.01). Quantitative assessment of intraoperative ICG fluorescence on the graft was feasible to predict graft survival at 3 months with a good Se and Spe. Further prospective studies should be undertaken to validate these results over larger cohorts and evaluate the clinical impact of this tool.

Laparoscopic Radical Antegrade Modular Pancreatosplenectomy (RAMPS) Technique: Toward the Standardization of the Technique (With Video).

Laparoscopic left pancreatectomy for pancreatic cancer has increased worldwide over the last decade. However, this procedure is technically challenging compared with traditional laparoscopic left pancreatectomy and still needs to be better standardized. On this video, we describe the standardization of the technique at our center, highlighting some technical tips and tricks.

Predictors of unresectability after portal vein embolization for centrally located cholangiocarcinoma.

BACKGROUND: The curative treatment of perihilar cholangiocarcinomas and centrally located intrahepatic cholangiocarcinomas often requires major hepatectomy preceded by portal vein embolization. This strategy, however, is associated with a high rate of dropouts before operation or failure of resection at the time of operative exploration. We aimed to identify predictors of unresectability (dropout or failure of resection) after portal vein embolization for centrally located cholangiocarcinoma, including perihilar cholangiocarcinomas and intrahepatic cholangiocarcinomas. METHOD: All patients undergoing portal vein embolization for a planned resection of a centrally located cholangiocarcinoma between 2000 and 2018 in our center were evaluated retrospectively. Predictors of unresectability were determined under intention-to-treat conditions, based on clinical, biologic, and radiologic data collected before portal vein embolization. RESULTS: Eighty-eight consecutive patients scheduled for portal vein embolization before operative exploration were included, 56 of whom (64%) underwent curative resection and 32 (36%) of whom were not resected, including those who did not undergo exploration (n = 11) and those operated on but not resected (n = 21). The most common cause of unresectability was tumor progression (62%). A psoas muscle index <500 mm2/m2 (P = .04), high body mass index (P = .023), and low serum albumin level (P = .007) were associated with unresectabilty on multivariate analysis. A composite score including these variables (cutoffs determined after receiver operating characteristic curve analysis) was proposed and achieved accurate discrimination regarding unresectability (area under the curve = 0.82, P < .001). CONCLUSION: Predictors of unresectability after portal vein embolization for centrally located cholangiocarcinoma were identified, with sarcopenic overweight patients having a greater risk of unresectability. This preoperative score enables a fairly accurate prediction of unresectability in a given patient. These simple, objective, and inexpensive parameters should be considered in all patients with centrally located cholangiocarcinoma scheduled to undergo portal vein embolization.

Spleen volumetry and liver transient elastography: Predictors of persistent posthepatectomy decompensation in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma.

BACKGROUND: Posthepatectomy decompensation remains a frequent and poor outcome after hepatectomy, but its prediction is still inaccurate. Liver stiffness measurement can predict posthepatectomy decompensation, but there is a so-called "gray zone" that requires another predictor. Because splenomegaly is an objective sign of portal hypertension, we hypothesized that spleen volumetry could improve the identification of patients at risk. METHODS: Patients with hepatocellular carcinoma who underwent hepatectomy in our tertiary center between August 2014 and December 2017 were reviewed. The primary endpoint was to determine if the spleen volumetry and liver stiffness measurement were independent predictors of posthepatectomy decompensation, and secondarily, to determine if they were synergistic through a theoretic predictive model. RESULTS: One hundred and seven patients were included. The median follow-up time was 3 months (3-5). Postoperative 90-day mortality was 4.7%. By multivariate analysis, liver stiffness measurement and spleen volumetry predicted posthepatectomy decompensation. The liver stiffness measurement had a cutoff point of 11.6 kPa (area under receiver operating curve = 0.71 confidence interval 95% 0.71-0.88, sensitivity: 89%, specificity: 47%). The spleen volumetry cutoff point was 381.1 cm3 (area under receiver operating curve = 0.78, 95% confidence interval 0.77-0.93, sensitivity: 55%, specificity: 91%). The spleen volumetry improved prediction of posthepatectomy decompensation, because use of the spleen volumetry increased sensitivity (from 62% to 97%) and the negative predictive value (from 96% to 100%) along with a negligible decrease in specificity (from 96.7 to 93.4) and positive predictive value (from 64% to 59%) (P = .003). CONCLUSION: Spleen volumetry (>380 cm3) and liver stiffness measurement (>12 kPa) are non-invasive, independent, and synergistic tools that appear to be able to predict posthepatectomy decompensation. The importance of this finding is that these measurements may help to anticipate posthepatectomy decompensation and may possibly be used to direct alternative treatments to resection.

Extrahepatic biliary duplication with heterotopic gastric mucosa in a 46,XX male patient.

Extrahepatic biliary duplication is a rare congenital biliary malformation, even more so when associated with heterotopic gastric mucosa. This case report highlights the difficulty of diagnosing such biliary abnormalities, in particular when the duplicated extrahepatic bile duct is the only structure visible by imaging as it is masking the common bile duct. This report shows that extrahepatic bile duct duplication may be a cause of chronic biliary obstruction and secondary sclerosing cholangitis. It has to be considered as a differential diagnosis of primary sclerosing cholangitis in children and adolescents. Furthermore, a potential link between the 46,XX karyotype and biliary duplication is discussed.

Comparative analysis of outcomes after liver resection and liver transplantation for early stages hepatocellular carcinoma in HIV-infected patients. An intention-to-treat analysis.

BACKGROUND: To address the results of resection for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-carriers, and to compare them against survival after liver transplantation (LT). METHODS: All patients with HIV and HCC listed for LT (candidates = LTc+) or resection (LR+) between 2000 and 2017 in our centre were analysed and compared for overall survival (OS) and disease-free survival (DFS). RESULTS: The LTc + group (n = 43) presented with higher MELD scores and more advanced portal hypertension and HCC stages than LR + group (n = 15). One-, 3- and 5-year intention-to-treat survival rates were: 81%, 60% and 44%, versus 86%, 58% and 58% in the LTc+ and LR + groups, respectively (p = 0.746). Eleven LTc + patients dropped out. After LT, OS was 81%, 68% and 59% (no difference with LR + group; p = 0.844). There tended to be better DFS after LT, reaching 78%, 68% and 56% versus 53%, 33% and 33% in the LR + group (p = 0.062). CONCLUSION: This was the largest series of resections for HCC in HIV + patients and the first intention-to-treat analysis. Although LT and resection do not always concern the same population, they enable equivalent survival. At the price of higher recurrence rate, resection could be integrated in the global armoury of liver surgeons.

Prognostic Value and Prediction of Extratumoral Microvascular Invasion for Hepatocellular Carcinoma.

BACKGROUND: There are few reports on microvascular invasion (MVI) located intra- or extratumorally and prognosis of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to evaluate patient outcome according to the location of MVI, and to build a nomogram predicting extratumoral MVI. METHODS: We included 681 consecutive patients who underwent hepatic resection (HR) or liver transplantation (LT) for HCC from January 1994 to June 2012, and evaluated patient outcome according to the degree of vascular invasion (VI). A nomogram for predicting extratumoral MVI was created using 637 patients, excluding 44 patients with macrovascular invasion, and was validated using an internal (n = 273) and external patient cohort (n = 256). RESULTS: The 681 patients were classified into four groups based on pathological examination (148 no VI, 33 intratumoral MVI, 84 extratumoral MVI, and 29 macrovascular invasion in patients who underwent HR; 238 no VI, 50 intratumoral MVI, 84 extratumoral MVI, and 15 macrovascular invasion in patients who underwent LT). Multivariate analysis revealed that extratumoral MVI was an independent risk factor for overall survival in patients who underwent HR (hazard ratio 2.62, p < 0.0001) or LT (hazard ratio 1.99, p = 0.0005). Multivariate logistic regression analysis identified six independent risk factors for extratumoral MVI: α-fetoprotein, tumor size, non-boundary type, alkaline phosphatase, neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio, and aspartate aminotransferase. The nomogram for predicting extratumoral MVI using these factors showed good concordance indices of 0.774 and 0.744 in the internal and external validation cohorts, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The prognostic value of MVI differs according to its invasiveness. The nomogram allows reliable prediction of extratumoral MVI in patients undergoing HR or LT.