Feasibility and outcomes of living-donor liver transplantation utilizing the right hemi-liver graft with portal vein anatomical variations.

PURPOSE: Portal vein (PV) reconstruction is a key factor for successful living-donor liver transplantation (LDLT). Anatomical variations of right PV (RPV) are encountered among potential donors. METHODS: To evaluate a single center experience of reconstruction techniques for the right hemi-liver grafts with PV variations during the period between May 2004 and 2022. RESULTS: A total of 915 recipients underwent LDLT, among them 52 (5.8%) had RPV anatomical variations. Type II PV was found in 7 cases (13.5%), which were reconstructed by direct venoplasty. Type III PV was found in 27 cases (51.9%). They were reconstructed by direct venoplasty in 2 cases (3.8%), Y graft interposition in 2 cases (3.8%), and in situ double PV anastomoses in 23 cases (44.2%). Type IV PV was found in 18 cases (34.6%) and was reconstructed by Y graft interposition in 9 cases (17.3%), and in situ double PV anastomoses in 9 cases (17.3%). Early right posterior PV stenosis occurred in 2 recipients (3.8%). Early PV thrombosis occurred in 3 recipients (5.8%). The median follow-up duration was 54.5 months (4 - 185). The 1-, 3-, and 5-years survival rates were 91.9%, 86%, and 81.2%, respectively. Late PV stenosis occurred in 2 recipients (3.8%) and was managed conservatively. CONCLUSION: Utilization of potential living donors with RPV anatomic variations may help to expand the donor pool. We found that direct venoplasty and in situ dual PV anastomoses techniques were safe, feasible, and associated with successful outcomes.

The Relation Between Host TLR9 -1486T/C, rs187084 Gene Polymorphisms and Helicobacter pylori cagA, sodB, hsp60, and vacA Virulence Genes among Gastric Cancer Patients.

To identify the associations between different genotypes of TLR9 -1486T/C (rs187084) with gastric cancer patients and reveal their relation to Helicobacter pylori virulence genes (cagA, sodB, hsp60 and vacA). Patients with gastric cancer were recruited to our study, diagnosed both endoscopically and histopathologically. H. pylori were isolated from gastric samples by culture and PCR amplification of the glmM gene. Virulence genes cagA, sodB, hsp60, and vacA were detected by multiplex PCR. Blood samples were used for genotyping of TLR9 -1486T/C (rs187084) by PCR-RFLP. Out of 132 patients with gastric cancer, 106 (80.3%) were positive for H. pylori. A similar number of healthy participants was recruited as controls. The prevalence of cagA, sodB, hsp60, and vacA genes among H. pylori was 90.6%, 70.8%, 83.0%, and 95.3%, respectively. The vacA gene alleles had a prevalence of 95.3% for vacAs1/s2, 52.8% for vacAm1, and 42.5% for vacAm2. The CC genotype of TLR9 -1486T/C had a significantly higher frequency in gastric cancer patients when compared to healthy participants (p = 0.045). Furthermore, the CC genotype demonstrated a significant association with H. pylori strains carrying sodB, hsp60, and vacAm1 virulence genes (p = 0.021, p = 0.049, and p = 0.048 respectively). Patients with CC genotype of TLR9 -1486T/C (rs187084) might be at higher risk for the development of gastric cancer, and its co-existence with H. pylori strains carrying sodB, hsp60, or vacAm1 virulence genes might have a synergistic effect in the development of gastric cancer. Further studies on a wider scale are recommended.

Early and intermediate term outcomes after laparoscopic one-anastomosis gastric bypass for morbidly obese patients: a single center experience.

Objectives: To evaluate our outcomes of laparoscopic one-anastomosis gastric bypass (LOAGB) as a primary weight loss procedure. We evaluated the impact of biliary reflux by combination of upper endoscopy (UGIE), ambulatory pH metry, and ambulatory biliary reflux monitoring. Material and Methods: We reviewed the data of patients who underwent LOAGB during the period between July 2015 till August 2018. Results: Forty consecutive patients were included in the study. Thirty-seven patients (92.5%) had obesity related comorbidities. The median follow-up duration was 18 months (6-36 months). The 1-, 2-, and 3-years excess weight loss percentages were 53.1%, 60.4%, and 62.3%. At three years follow-up, complete remission of diabetes mellitus occurred in 7/7 patients (100%) and of hypertension in 4/7 patients (57.1%). Eighteen patients (45%) accepted to undergo UGIE with routine biopsies and evaluation of acidic and biliary reflux. All examined patients had negative acid reflux results according to ambulatory PH metry with median DeMeester score of 2 (0.3-8.7). According to ambulatory biliary reflux monitoring, 17/18 patients (94.1%) had posi- tive result. Only 6/18 patients (33.3%) had symptoms of biliary reflux and had positive symptom index on bilimetric study. Regarding UGIE, all patients had just gastritis and reflux esophagitis with no evidence of gross mucosal changes. Pathological examination of all routine biopsies did not show any sign of faveolar hyperplasia, atypia or malignancy. Conclusion: LOAGB is a safe and efficient bariatric procedure with acceptable morbidity rate. LOAGB is not associated with significant biliary reflux or pathological changes in the esophagogastric mucosa.

Trends and outcomes of pancreaticoduodenectomy for periampullary tumors: A 25-year single-center study of 1000 consecutive cases.

AIM: To evaluate the evolution, trends in surgical approaches and reconstruction techniques, and important lessons learned from performing 1000 consecutive pancreaticoduodenectomies (PDs) for periampullary tumors. METHODS: This is a retrospective review of the data of all patients who underwent PD for periampullary tumor during the period from January 1993 to April 2017. The data were categorized into three periods, including early period (1993-2002), middle period (2003-2012), and late period (2013-2017). RESULTS: The frequency showed PD was increasingly performed after the year 2000. With time, elderly, cirrhotic and obese patients, as well as patients with uncinate process carcinoma and borderline tumor were increasingly selected for PD. The median operative time and postoperative hospital stay decreased significantly over the periods. Hospital mortality declined significantly, from 6.6% to 3.1%. Postoperative complications significantly decreased, from 40% to 27.9%. There was significant decrease in postoperative pancreatic fistula in the second 10 years, from 15% to 12.7%. There was a significant improvement in median survival and overall survival among the periods. CONCLUSION: Surgical results of PD significantly improved, with mortality rate nearly reaching 3%. Pancreatic reconstruction following PD is still debatable. The survival rate was also improved but the rate of recurrence is still high, at 36.9%.

Tailored pancreatic reconstruction after pancreaticoduodenectomy: a single-center experience of 892 cases.

BACKGROUND: Pancreatic reconstruction following pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD) is still debatable even for pancreatic surgeons. Ideally, pancreatic reconstruction after PD should reduce the risk of postoperative pancreatic fistula (POPF) and its severity if developed with preservation of both exocrine and endocrine pancreatic functions. It must be tailored to control the morbidity linked to the type of reconstruction. This study was to show the best type of pancreatic reconstruction according to the characters of pancreatic stump. METHODS: We studied all patients who underwent PD in our center from January 1993 to December 2015. Patients were categorized into three groups depending on the presence of risk factors of postoperative complications: low-risk group (absent risk factor), moderate-risk group (presence of one risk factor) and high-risk group (presence of two or more risk factors). RESULTS: A total of 892 patients underwent PD for resection of periampullary tumor. BMI >25 kg/m2, cirrhotic liver, soft pancreas, pancreatic duct diameter <3 mm, and pancreatic duct location from posterior edge <3 mm are risk variables for development of postoperative complications. POPF developed in 128 (14.3%) patients. Delayed gastric emptying occurred in 164 (18.4%) patients, biliary leakage developed in 65 (7.3%) and pancreatitis presented in 20 (2.2%). POPF in low-, moderate- and high-risk groups were 26 (8.3%), 65 (15.7%) and 37 (22.7%) patients, respectively. Postoperative morbidity and mortality were significantly lower with pancreaticogastrostomy (PG) in high-risk group, while pancreaticojejunostomy (PJ) decreases incidence of postoperative steatorrhea in all groups. CONCLUSIONS: Selection of proper pancreatic reconstruction according to the risk factors of patients may reduce POPF and postoperative complications and mortality. PG is superior to PJ as regards short-term outcomes in high-risk group but PJ provides better pancreatic function in all groups and therefore, PJ is superior in low- and moderate-risk groups.

Spray Diathermy Versus Harmonic Scalpel Technique for Hepatic Parenchymal Transection of Living Donor.

BACKGROUND: Liver parenchymal transection is the most invasive and challenging part in the living donor operation. The study was planned to compare the safety, efficacy, and outcome of harmonic scalpel versus spray diathermy as a method of parenchymal liver transection in donor hepatectomy. PATIENT AND METHOD: Eighty consecutive patients, who were treated by living donor liver transplantation (LDLT), were included in the study. The study population was divided into two groups according to the method of liver transection: group A by harmonic scalpel (HS) and group B by spray diathermy (SD). The primary outcome was the volume of blood loss during transection. Secondary outcomes were time of transection, number of ligatures needed during transection, pathological changes at cut surface, postoperative morbidities, cost, and hospital stay RESULTS: Blood loss during overall liver transection and in each zone was significantly less in the SD than in the HS group (P = 0.015). The number of ligatures was significantly less in the SD than in the HS group (P = 0.0001). The SD group had significantly higher level of serum bilirubin, serum glutamic pyruvic transaminase (SGPT), and international normalized ratio (INR) levels on postoperative day 3 than the HS group. Lateral tissue coagulation and hepatic necrosis are significantly less in HS group. The overall incidence of postoperative morbidities was the same in both groups. The cost was higher in HS group than SD group (US$760 vs. US$40 P = 0.0001). CONCLUSION: Spray diathermy is an effective method of parenchymal transection with significantly lower blood loss and lower cost compared to HS with no increase in morbidity. HS is associated with earlier recovery of liver functions.

Predictors of long term survival after hepatic resection for hilar cholangiocarcinoma: A retrospective study of 5-year survivors.

AIM: To determine predictors of long term survival after resection of hilar cholangiocarcinoma (HC) by comparing patients surviving > 5 years with those who survived < 5 years. METHODS: This is a retrospective study of patients with pathologically proven HC who underwent surgical resection at the Gastroenterology Surgical Center, Mansoura University, Egypt between January 2002 and April 2013. All data of the patients were collected from the medical records. Patients were divided into two groups according to their survival: Patients surviving less than 5 years and those who survived > 5 years. RESULTS: There were 34 (14%) long term survivors (5 year survivors) among the 243 patients. Five-year survivors were younger at diagnosis than those surviving less than 5 years (mean age, 50.47 ± 4.45 vs 54.59 ± 4.98, P = 0.001). Gender, clinical presentation, preoperative drainage, preoperative serum bilirubin, albumin and serum glutamic-pyruvic transaminase were similar between the two groups. The level of CA 19-9 was significantly higher in patients surviving < 5 years (395.71 ± 31.43 vs 254.06 ± 42.19, P = 0.0001). Univariate analysis demonstrated nine variables to be significantly associated with survival > 5 year, including young age (P = 0.001), serum CA19-9 (P = 0.0001), non-cirrhotic liver (P = 0.02), major hepatic resection (P = 0.001), caudate lobe resection (P = 0.006), well differentiated tumour (P = 0.03), lymph node status (0.008), R0 resection margin (P = 0.0001) and early postoperative liver cell failure (P = 0.02). CONCLUSION: Liver status, resection of caudate lobe, lymph node status, R0 resection and CA19-9 were demonstrated to be independent risk factors for long term survival.

Postoperative Outcome after Major Liver Resection in Jaundiced Patients with Proximal Bile Duct Cancer without Preoperative Biliary Drainage.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: The need for routine use of preoperative biliary drainage (PBD) before major liver resection in jaundiced patients has recently been questioned. Our aim was to present our experience of patients with proximal bile duct cancer who undergo major liver resection without PBD and compare these results with patients without biliary obstruction who underwent major liver resection. METHODS: Eighty six consecutive jaundiced patients underwent major liver resection without PBD. The postoperative outcome was compared to the control group, which was the same size and matched. DESIGN: A case-comparison study. RESULTS: Fifty nine jaundiced patients (69%) and 22 non-jaundiced patients (25%) received blood transfusion (p = 0.04). Fifty-three patients (62%) in the jaundiced group and 17 (19%) in the non-jaundiced patients experienced postoperative complications (p = 0.003). A statistically significant difference could not be detected for mortality (6 vs. 2%) and transient liver failure (10 vs. 3%). Those patients who underwent extended right hemihepatectomy (with future liver remnant <50%) express high morbidity (55 vs. 24%; p = 0.04) and mortality (23 vs. 8%; p = 0.001) compared to the non-jaundiced patients. CONCLUSIONS: Major liver resection without PBD leaving a liver remnant of more than 50% is safe in jaundiced patients. However, transfusion requirement and morbidity are higher in jaundiced patients than in non-jaundiced patients.

Management of post-cholecystectomy biliary fistula according to type of cholecystectomy.

BACKGROUND AND STUDY AIMS: A study was undertaken to describe the management of post-cholecystectomy biliary fistula according to the type of cholecystectomy. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A retrospective analysis of 111 patients was undertaken. They were divided into open cholecystectomy (OC) and laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) groups. RESULTS: Of the 111 patients, 38 (34.2 %) underwent LC and 73 (65.8 %) underwent OC. Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) diagnosed major bile duct injury (BDI) in 27 patients (38.6 %) in the OC group and in 3 patients (7.9 %) in the LC group (P = 0.001). Endoscopic management was not feasible in 15 patients (13.5 %) because of failed cannulation (n = 3) or complete ligation of the common bile duct (n = 12). Endoscopic therapy stopped leakage in 35 patients (92.1 %) and 58 patients (82.9 %) following LC and OC, respectively, after the exclusion of 3 patients in whom cannulation failed (P = 0 0.150). Major BDI was more commonly detected after OC (P < 0.001). Leakage was controlled endoscopically in 77 patients (98.7 %) with minor BDI and in 16 patients (53.3 %) with major BDI (P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Major BDI is more common in patients presenting with bile leakage after OC. ERCP is the first-choice treatment for minor BDI. Surgery plays an important role in major BDI. Magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatogrphy (MRCP) should be used before ERCP in patients with bile leakage following OC or converted LC.

Long-term follow-up of 120 patients after hepaticojejunostomy for treatment of post-cholecystectomy bile duct injuries: A retrospective cohort study.

BACKGROUND: Long-term follow-up is essential for assessment of success of the surgical repair of post-cholecystectomy bile duct injuries (BDI). Factors affecting the long-term outcome and satisfactory length of follow-up have been little reported in the literature. The aim of this study is long-term evaluation of hepaticojejunostomy regarding clinical, radiological, laboratory and quality of life assessment. METHOD: Between January 1992 to December 2007, 120 patients with postcholecystectomy bile duct injury surgically treated by hepaticojejunostomy Roux-en-Y were followed up for 20 years in Mansoura Gastro-enterology Center. Long-term outcomes and quality of life (QOL) were evaluated for all patients. Univariate and multivariate analyses were done for detection of factors affecting long-term outcome. RESULTS: The median follow up period was 149 months, range (70-246 months). Successful long-term outcome was detected in 106 (88.3%) patients. Long-term complications were detected in 35 (29%) patients. Fourteen (11.6%) patients developed anastomotic stricture within different follow up intervals up to 17 years, of which. Seventeen (14.2%) patients developed recurrent episodes of cholangitis at median interval 48 months, range (2-156 months). Post-ERCP pancreatitis, number of anastomosis, operative time, post-operative early complications, and post-operative bile leak were predictors for poor outcome. Physical component was much more affected than mental component in QOL. CONCLUSION: Management of BDI in specialized centers is highly recommended. Longer time for follow-up of the patients of surgical repair of bile duct injury up to 20 years should be adopted to ensure successful outcome. Quality of life assessment is essential component of long-term follow-up.

Long term outcomes of choledochoduodenostomy for common bile duct stones in the era of laparoscopy and endoscopy.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Choledochoduodenostomy (CDD) has been reported as an effective treatment of Common bile duct stones (CBDS). This study was designed to analyze short term and long term outcomes of CDD for CBDS. METHODOLOGY: Demographic data, preoperative, intraoperative and postoperative variables were collected. The long term assessment was done in a prospective manner included clinical examination, liver function, abdominal ultrasound, MRCP, upper GIT endoscopy and assessment of quality of life using Gastrointestinal Quality of Life Index (GIQLI). RESULTS: A total of 388 consecutive patients underwent CDD, the mean age was 57.92±13.25 years. The mean CBD diameter was 18.22±4.01 mm. The mean operative time was 81.21±20.23 minutes. Two patients had recurrent stone (0.06%) and managed successfully by endoscope. Gastritis was observed in 16.9% patients. No patient developed sump syndrome, deterioration in liver function or cholangiocarcinoma. Total and subgroup scores on the GIQLI before and after CDD differed significantly at follow-up (P=0.0001). CONCLUSION: CDD is a safe and effective method of drainage of CBD after clearance of CBDS. Long term outcomes are acceptable with good quality of life. Sump syndrome is extremely rare; CDD may be associated with mild to moderate gastritis. CDD doesn't lead to development of cholangiocarcioma.

Intraoperative endoscopic retrograde cholangio-pancreatography: a useful tool in the hands of the hepatobiliary surgeon.

AIM: To evaluate the efficacy of intraoperative endoscopic retrograde cholangio-pancreatography (ERCP) combined with laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) for patients with gall bladder stones (GS) and common bile duct stones (CBDS). METHODS: Patients treated for GS with CBDS were included. LC and intraoperative transcystic cholangiogram (TCC) were performed in most of the cases. Intraoperative ERCP was done for cases with proven CBDS. RESULTS: Eighty patients who had GS with CBDS were included. LC was successful in all cases. Intraoperative TCC revealed passed CBD stones in 4 cases so intraoperative ERCP was performed only in 76 patients. Intraoperative ERCP showed dilated CBD with stones in 64 cases (84.2%) where removal of stones were successful; passed stones in 6 cases (7.9%); short lower end stricture with small stones present in two cases (2.6%) which were treated by removal of stones with stent insertion; long stricture lower 1/3 CBD in one case (1.3%) which was treated by open hepaticojejunostomy; and one case (1.3%) was proved to be ampullary carcinoma and whipple's operation was scheduled. CONCLUSION: The hepatobiliary surgeon should be trained on ERCP as the third hand to expand his field of therapeutic options.

Mirizzi Syndrome: How it could be a challenge.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Mirizzi syndrome (MS) is a rare complication of cholelithiasis. This entity should be considered in the differential diagnosis of all patients with obstructive jaundice. Failure to recognize this condition preoperatively can result in a major bile duct injury. In this study, our aim is to describe the clinical presentations, investigations, operative details, endoscopic management and the complications of both procedures. METHODOLOGY: We performed a retrospective analysis on the records of 65 patients with MS. All patients had a cholangiogram; either magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography (MRCP) or endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP). We used a McSherry classification to divide patients with MS into type I MS and type II MS. Those patients had undergone different types of management either ERCP and/or surgery. RESULTS: The incidence of MS was 0.98% from a total of 4600 patients who had undergone cholecystectomy. From 65 patients with MS, 20 patients underwent ERCP where it was the sole treatment (18 of which had stent while 2 had the stone extracted). The overall surgically treated patients were 45 (23 patients with preliminary ERCP with stent and 22 patients with primary surgical treatment), 18 patients had MS type I while 27 patients had MS type II. Patients with different types of MS underwent different types of surgical procedures.

Hilar cholangiocarcinoma in cirrhotic liver: a case-control study.

BACKGROUND: Surgical resection is the only hope for patients with cholangiocarcinoma (CC). This study is designed to assess the impact of cirrhosis on the outcome of surgical management for CC. PATIENT AND METHODS: We retrospectively studied all patients who underwent surgical resection for hilar CC. Group I (patients with cirrhotic liver) and Group II (patients with non-cirrhotic liver). Preoperative demographic data, intra-operative data, and postoperative details were collected. RESULTS: Only 102/243 patients (41.9%) had cirrhotic liver. Caudate lobe resection was more frequently performed in the non-cirrhotic group (P = <0.001). There was no difference between both groups regarding intraoperative blood loss and the need for blood transfusion. The median postoperative stay was higher in the cirrhotic group (P = 0.063). The incidence of early postoperative liver cell failure was significantly higher in the cirrhotic group (P = <0.001). Cirrhosis was associated with significantly lower overall survival (P = <0.001). CONCLUSION: Patients with concomitant liver cirrhosis and hilar CC should not be precluded from surgical resection and should be considered for resection at high volume centers with expertise available to manage liver cirrhosis. The incidence of early postoperative liver cell failure was significantly higher in the cirrhotic group.

Isolated Roux loop pancreaticojejunostomy versus pancreaticogastrostomy after pancreaticoduodenectomy: a prospective randomized study.

OBJECTIVES: The optimal strategy for the reconstruction of the pancreas following pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD) is still debated. The aim of this study was to compare the outcomes of isolated Roux loop pancreaticojejunostomy (IRPJ) with those of pancreaticogastrostomy (PG) after PD. METHODS: Consecutive patients submitted to PD were randomized to either method of reconstruction. The primary outcome measure was the rate of postoperative pancreatic fistula (POPF). Secondary outcomes included operative time, day to resumption of oral feeding, postoperative morbidity and mortality, and exocrine and endocrine pancreatic functions. RESULTS: Ninety patients treated by PD were included in the study. The median total operative time was significantly longer in the IRPJ group (320 min versus 300 min; P = 0.047). Postoperative pancreatic fistula developed in nine of 45 patients in the IRPJ group and 10 of 45 patients in the PG group (P = 0.796). Seven IRPJ patients and four PG patients had POPF of type B or C (P = 0.710). Time to resumption of oral feeding was shorter in the IRPJ group (P = 0.03). Steatorrhea at 1 year was reported in nine of 42 IRPJ patients and 18 of 41 PG patients (P = 0.029). Albumin levels at 1 year were 3.6 g/dl in the IRPJ group and 3.3 g/dl in the PG group (P = 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Isolated Roux loop PJ was not associated with a lower rate of POPF, but was associated with a decrease in the incidence of postoperative steatorrhea. The technique allowed for early oral feeding and the maintenance of oral feeding even if POPF developed.

Impact of cirrhosis on surgical outcome after pancreaticoduodenectomy.

AIM: To elucidate surgical outcomes of pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD) in patients with liver cirrhosis. METHODS: We studied retrospectively all patients who underwent PD in our centre between January 2002 and December 2011. Group A comprised patients with cirrhotic livers, and Group B comprised patients with non-cirrhotic livers. The cirrhotic patients had Child-Pugh classes A and B (patient's score less than 8). Preoperative demographic data, intra-operative data and postoperative details were collected. The primary outcome measure was hospital mortality rate. Secondary outcomes analysed included duration of the operation, postoperative hospital stay, postoperative morbidity and survival rate. RESULTS: Only 67/442 patients (15.2%) had cirrhotic livers. Intraoperative blood loss and blood transfusion were significantly higher in group A (P = 0.0001). The mean surgical time in group A was significantly longer than that in group B (P = 0.0001). Wound complications (P = 0.02), internal haemorrhage (P = 0.05), pancreatic fistula (P = 0.02) and hospital mortality (P = 0.0001) were significantly higher in the cirrhotic patients. Postoperative stay was significantly longer in group A (P = 0.03). The median survival was 19 mo in group A and 24 mo in group B. Portal hypertension (PHT) was present in 16/67 cases of cirrhosis (23.9%). The intraoperative blood loss and blood transfusion were significantly higher in patients with PHT (P = 0.001). Postoperative morbidity (0.07) and hospital mortality (P = 0.007) were higher in cirrhotic patients with PHT. CONCLUSION: Patients with periampullary tumours and well-compensated chronic liver disease should be routinely considered for PD at high volume centres with available expertise to manage liver cirrhosis. PD is associated with an increased risk of postoperative morbidity in patients with liver cirrhosis; therefore, it is only recommended in patients with Child A cirrhosis without portal hypertension.

Risk factors for conversion during laparoscopic cholecystectomy: retrospective analysis of ten years' experience at a single tertiary referral centre.

BACKGROUND/PURPOSE: Laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) is the standard treatment for symptomatic benign gallbladder disease. The identification of factors that reliably predict the need to convert LC to open cholecystectomy (OC) would help with patient education and counseling. METHODS: Between January 2000 and December 2009, 4,698 patients underwent cholecystectomy. LC was attempted in 4,434 patients (94.4%) and OC from the start was performed in 264 patients (5.6%). The causes for conversion were evaluated. The change in conversion rate between 2000 and 2004 and between 2005 and 2009 was analyzed. Factors predictive of conversion were identified by univariate and multivariate analysis. RESULTS: Conversion to OC from an initial LC approach was required in 234 patients (5.3%). The main cause for conversion was dense adhesions (54.7%). Independent risk factors in multivariate analysis were male gender (p < 0.001), increased age (p < 0.001), a history of previous upper abdominal surgery (p < 0.001), a WBC count >9 × 10(3)/µl, and urgently indicated cholecystectomy (p <0.001). The conversion rate decreased significantly from 6.7 to 3.6% over the two time intervals (p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Those at highest risk for conversion are elderly male patients with prior abdominal surgery who present emergently with laboratory evidence of biliary inflammation.

Factors affecting recurrence and survival after living donor liver transplantation for hepatocellular carcinoma.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: HCC is a leading cause of cancer-related deaths worldwide. The main etiological factor in Egypt is HCV infection. Lack of cadaveric transplantation in Egypt makes LDLT the only available option for liver transplantation for HCC patients with advanced cirrhosis and/or non-resectable tumors. METHODOLOGY: Between January 2004 and April 2012, 170 patients underwent LDLT at the Liver Transplantation Unit, Mansoura University, and 52 (30.6%) were shown to have HCC by pathological examination. Patient demographics, preoperative interventions and pathological findings were evaluated for their influence on recurrence and survival. Patients were followed-up with abdominal sonography and AFP every 3 months and CT scans every 6 months. Median follow-up was 22.9 months. RESULTS: The main cause of underlying cirrhosis was HCV (96.2%). One or more different pre-transplant treatments of HCC were performed in 14 (27.4%) patients. The median total size was 4cm (0.8-15.5). Microvascular invasion was detected in 16 (31.4%) patients; 16 patients proved to have tumors beyond the Milan criteria. Pre-transplantation AFP more than 200ng/mL, total tumor size more than 8cm and microvascular invasion influenced recurrence rate on univariate analysis. Multivariate analysis identified AFP (p = 0.016) as independent factor for recurrence. Survival was significantly affected by AFP (p = 0.003) and microvascular invasion (p = 0.003). CONCLUSIONS: LDLT is a feasible option for patients with HCC on top of cirrhosis with good survival and recurrence-free survival rates.

Outcome of right hepatectomy for living liver donors: a single Egyptian center experience.

BACKGROUND: This study aims to evaluate living liver donor outcome after right hepatectomy in a single Egyptian center. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Between April 2004 and July 2010, 100 living donors underwent right hepatectomy. Their medical records and postoperative follow-up visits were retrospectively revised. Perioperative complications were reported. Postoperative complications were classified according to the five tier version of Clavien system. RESULTS: There were 71 males and 29 females. The mean age was 27.6 ± 7.4 years. The mean graft weight was 999 ± 167 g and the mean volume percent of the remaining liver was 36.8 ± 8%. The mean ICU and hospital stay were 2.6 ± 2.7 and 12.4 ± 9.1, respectively. A total of 57 complications developed in 38 donors (38%). The commonest complication type was biliary complications. There were 22 grade I, 6 grade II, 15 grade IIIa, 12 grade IIIb, 1 grade IVa, and 1 grade V complications. One donor died due to posttransfusion ARDS on the 30th postoperative day. On follow-up, no donor developed long lasting disability. A donor died in a road traffic accident 1 year after donation. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS: Donor right hepatectomy is not an entirely safe procedure. Biliary complications are the commonest early postoperative complications.