Smartphone Application as an Education Platform in Hepato-Pancreato-Biliary Surgery.

Background. There are no data to assess the need for smartphone applications (SA) as an educational tool in hepato-pancreato-biliary (HPB) surgery. The primary objective of this study was to assess if SA can be used as an educational tool in HPB surgery. The secondary objective was to assess if SA can help as a decision-making tool for fellowship applicants in HPB surgery. Methods. A preapproved questionnaire was e-mailed by International Hepato-Pancreato-Biliary Association to all its 2350 members. Results. Two hundred seventy-one surgeons responded to the survey. Eight were excluded for incomplete data. A total of 48.7% of responders were between 28 and 43 years old (generation X) and 45.2% between 44 and 62 years old (baby boomers). A total of 37.6% of the responders considered SA as an effective method to teach future trainees, and there were slightly higher odds of choosing SA as a teaching tool if the responder considered themselves as an innovator (odds ratio: 2.24). A total of 87.8% of the responders believe that SA in HPB surgery can be directed toward surgical trainees' education, and 91.6% believed SA can be directed toward a fellow. Ninety-five percent of the responders believed that SA in HPB surgery can possibly help a future applicant to choose an HPB fellowship program. Conclusion. SA can complement other teaching techniques and educational tools in HPB surgery. In addition, it can potentially be used as a platform for HPB surgery fellowship by helping in making a decision regarding appropriate fellowship programs.

Neutrophil: Lymphocyte ratio as a method of predicting complications following hepatic resection for colorectal liver metastasis.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Approximately 30-50% of patients with colorectal cancer develop liver metastasis for which liver resection is the only hope for potential cure. However, hepatic resection is associated with considerable morbidity. The aim was to detect early complications by utilising the neutrophil: lymphocyte ratio (NLR). METHODS: We performed a retrospective cohort study of patients undergoing hepatic resection at a single institution between 2008 and 2016. Baseline demographics and complications within 30 days following surgery were recorded, with blood tests measured until day 7. Statistical analysis was performed using Mann Whitney and ROC analysis. RESULTS: One hundred eighty-eight operations were included. 47.3% had an associated complication, of which 31.46% were major. The median NLR was 6.31 across the cohort, 5.44 for uncomplicated procedures, 7.0 for complications and 10.65 in major complications. Median NLR was the best parameter for detecting major complications versus minor complications (AUC 0.74) as opposed to lymphocytes (AUC 0.65), neutrophils (AUC 0.60), and CRP (AUC 0.60). The diagnostic ability of NLR increased further when predicting major complications versus an uncomplicated recovery (AUC 0.78), and it was the only significant parameter in the early post-operative period on days 2, 3, and 4 (AUC 0.70, 0.72, and 0.75). CONCLUSIONS: The NLR may have a role in predicting complications following hepatic resection for CLM, and with earlier detection, potentially improving outcomes.

Array comparative genomic hybridization identifies novel potential therapeutic targets in cholangiocarcinoma.

BACKGROUND: Cholangiocarcinoma (CC) is a rare tumour with a dismal prognosis. As conventional medical management offers minimal survival benefit, surgery currently represents the only chance of cure. We evaluated DNA copy number (CN) alterations in CC to identify novel therapeutic targets. METHODS: DNA was extracted from 32 CC samples. Bacterial artificial chromosome (BAC) array comparative genomic hybridization was performed using microarray slides containing 3400 BAC clones covering the whole human genome at distances of 1 Mb. Data were analysed within the R statistical environment. RESULTS: DNA CN gains (89 regions) occurred more frequently than DNA CN losses (55 regions). Six regions of gain were identified in all cases on chromosomes 16, 17, 19 and 22. Twenty regions were frequently gained on chromosomes 1, 5, 7, 9, 11, 12, 16, 17, 19, 20 and 21. The BAC clones covering ERBB2, MEK2 and PDGFB genes were gained in all cases. Regions covering MTOR, VEGFR 3, PDGFA, RAF1, VEGFA and EGFR genes were frequently gained. CONCLUSIONS: We identified CN gains in the region of 11 useful molecular targets. Findings of variable gains in some regions in this and other studies support the argument for molecular stratification before treatment for CC so that treatment can be tailored to the individual patient.

Factors affecting length of stay after percutaneous biliary interventions.

OBJECTIVE:: To evaluate the factors affecting the length of hospital stay (LOS) after percutaneous transhepatic biliary drainage (PTBD). METHODS:: A retrospective review of all patients who had undergone PTBD with or without stenting at a UK specialist centre between 2005 and 2016 was conducted. RESULTS:: 692 patients underwent 1976 procedures over 731 clinical episodes for which, the median age was 65 (range 18-100) years, and the median Charlson Index was 3. PTBD was performed for malignant (n = 563) and benign strictures (n = 60), stones (n = 62), and bile leaks (n = 46). The median LOS was 13 (range 0-157) days, and the median interprocedure duration was 9 (range 0-304) days. The median number of procedures per patient was 2 and the median number of days required to complete a set of procedures for a patient (TBID) ranged from 0 to 557 days, with a median of 16 (interquartile range: 8-32) days. Patients with biliary leak had the highest LOS. Biliary stents were mostly placed at the second stage at a median of 6 (range 0-120) days from the first procedure day. Placement of a biliary stent in the first stage of the procedure was associated with shorter LOS (p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS:: Biliary stenting at index procedure reduces LOS, although it is not always technically possible. Patients with bile leak managed with PTBD have longer LOS. ADVANCES IN KNOWLEDGE:: This study provides data which can help in appropriate consenting, better planning, and efficient resource utilization for patients undergoing PTBD.

Lung adenocarcinoma presenting as obstructive jaundice: a case report and review of literature.

BACKGROUND: Lung cancer is known to metastasize to the pancreas with several case reports found in the literature, however, most patients are at an advanced stage and receive palliative treatment. CASE PRESENTATION: We describe the case of a 56 year old male patient who presented with a picture of obstructive jaundice. Investigations revealed an obstructing lesion in the pancreas and a further lesion in the lung with benign appearances. The patient underwent a pancreatectomy and, unexpectedly, the histology of the resected specimen demonstrated metastatic adenocarcinoma of bronchogenic origin. He was referred to a cardiothoracic team who proceeded to resect the patient's thoracic lesion before administration of adjuvant chemotherapy. The patient was reviewed 18 months post operatively and remains symptom free with no clinical or radiological evidence of recurrence. We were unable to identify any previous case reports (of lung adenocarcinoma) with such a presentation which were ultimately treated with resection of both lesions. CONCLUSION: Similar situations are bound to arise again in the future and we believe that this report could demonstrate that there is a case for aggressive surgical management in a highly selected group of patients: those with NSCLC and a synchronous solitary pancreatic deposit.

Predicting complications in hepatic resection for colorectal liver metastasis: the lymphocyte-to-monocyte ratio.

BACKGROUND: Colorectal cancer is one of the most common malignancies worldwide; whilst approximately 20% of patients have hepatic disease at presentation. Hepatic resection remains the gold standard of care; however, it is associated with significant morbidity. We sought to establish whether the lymphocyte-to-monocyte ratio (LMR) could help predict post-operative complications, thus improving patient outcomes. METHODS: We performed a retrospective cohort study of patients undergoing hepatic resection at a single centre. Baseline demographics and complications within 30 days following surgery were recorded. White blood cell counts and C-reactive protein (CRP) were recorded pre-operatively, and until post-operative day 7. RESULTS: A total of 188 operations were included. About 47.3% of resections had a complicated recovery, of which 31.46% were major. The median LMR was 1.29 across the cohort, 1.60 for uncomplicated procedures, 1.14 for those with complications and 0.85 in major complications. For detecting major complications versus an uncomplicated recovery, median LMR was the best parameter (area under the curve 0.78), whilst it was the only parameter to accurately predict such complications within 48 hours of surgery (area under the curve 0.72 on day 1). It was consistently the most accurate parameter at detecting uncomplicated versus complicated recovery, minor versus major complications, and major complications versus an uncomplicated recovery, at numerous timepoints over the post-operative period. CONCLUSION: The LMR appears better at predicting complications following hepatic resection for colorectal liver metastases, as opposed to conventionally measured parameters.

The role of perioperative inflammatory-based prognostic systems in patients with colorectal liver metastases undergoing surgery. A cohort study.

BACKGROUND: We aim to evaluate the prognostic value of preoperative and postoperative inflammatory systems in patients who had undergone surgery for colorectal liver metastases, focusing our analysis on the role of C-reactive protein-to-albumin ratio (CAR) and Glasgow prognostic score (GPS). METHODS: A total of 194 patients were enrolled onto this study. Demographics, tumor-related variables, preoperative and postoperative (day 1) inflammatory variables were analyzed as potential prognostic factors. RESULTS: For the whole cohort three and 5-year survival were 68% and 53% respectively. Median follow up was 27 months (IQR 10-42). At multivariate analysis only preoperative GPS (HR 12.06, 95% CI 2.82-51.53; p = 0.0008) was an independent risk factor for poor survival. Patients with a preoperative GPS = 0 had a 3-years survival of 70% while it was 33% for those with GPS = 1 (p < 0.0001). In patients with preoperative GPS = 0 preoperative CAR (HR 1.19, 95%CI 1.05-1.35; p = 0.0059) could identify a sub-population at risk for reduced survival. The optimal cut-off for preoperative CAR (preCAR) was 0.133 (HR 7.11 95% CI 1.37-36.78, p = 0.0063). 3-years survival was 75% and 21% for patients with preCAR>0.133 and ≤ 0.133, respectively (p = 0.0005). The immediate postoperative inflammatory status did not have a significant impact on survival. CONCLUSION: GPS is a significant prognostic factor in patients with colorectal liver metastases undergoing surgery. CAR could be a valuable tool to further stratify patients with preoperative GPS = 0 according to their prognosis.

Limited utility of inflammatory markers in the early detection of postoperative inflammatory complications after pancreatic resection: Cohort study and meta-analyses.

PURPOSE: To examine the diagnostic accuracy of systemic inflammatory markers in early prediction of inflammatory postoperative complications (IPC) and clinically-relevant pancreatic fistula (PF). METHODS: Preoperative and postoperative [until postoperative day (POD) 4)] measurements of hemoglobin, white blood cell counts (WBC), neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio (NLR) and C-reactive protein (CRP) were correlated with IPC and PF. Meta-analyses of biochemical predictors were performed. RESULTS: Ninety-two out of 378 patients developed IPC, PF occurred in 31. Preoperative WBC (OR 1.0001, 95% CI: 1.0001-1.0002, p = 0.02), NLR on POD2 (OR 1.05, 95% CI: 1.006-1.1, p = 0.02) and CRP on POD4 (OR 1.006, 95% CI: 1.002-1.01, p = 0.02) predicted IPC at multivariate analysis. The model including these three variables showed a diagnostic accuracy of 76.8% (sensitivity 20, specificity 97%.14; PPV 71.43, PPN 77.27) and, at logistic regression analysis an OR of 8.5 (95% CI: 2.5-28.6, p < 0.001). Only CRP >272 on POD3 (OR 3.32, 95% CI: 1.46-7.52, p = 0.003) was associated with PF with a diagnostic accuracy of 74% (sensitivity 54.5, specificity 78.5; PPV 16.88, NPV 94.25). Meta-analyses of available data suggested sensitivity of 75.3% (95% CI 66.7-82.6) and specificity of 75.5% (95% CI 61.3-85.7). However, these studies were significantly heterogeneous. CONCLUSIONS: Readily available, routine tests have limited utility in predicting IPC. Further research is required to develop novel biomarkers to aid management of these patients.

Intraductal mucinous tumors occurring simultaneously in the liver and pancreas.

A case of simultaneous intraductal mucinous tumors of the liver and pancreas in a 67-year-old man is described. Abdominal ultrasonography and computed tomography (CT) revealed the presence of cystic lesions with intraluminal septae both in the caudate lobe of the liver and in the uncinate process of the pancreas; these cystic lesions communicated with the hepatic duct and pancreatic duct, respectively. Mucin retention was observed in the cysts, and cholestasis was induced by mucin secretion into the common bile duct. The lesions were resected by left hepatic lobectomy with caudate lobectomy, and segmental pancreatectomy. Both lesions were multilocular cystic tumors with no papillary projections or focal mass effect in their walls. Histologically, both cystic lesions were a mixture of hyperplasia and adenoma lined by low papillary columnar epithelium. There were no cellular or histological features to suggest malignant change. The fibrous intratumor interstitium lacked any mesenchymal or ovarian-like stroma. The hepatic lesion was considered to be of a similar nature to intraductal papillary mucinous tumor (IPMT) of the pancreas. However, the two lesions occurred simultaneously in the liver and pancreas. This case is of interest in regard to the diagnosis and management of mucinous hepatopancreatobiliary lesions.

Feasibility study of two-stage hepatectomy for bilobar liver metastases.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to analyze the feasibility and early outcomes of 2-stage liver resection for bilobar metastases. METHODS: Data from 39 consecutive patients undergoing 2-stage hepatectomy between 2004 and 2010 were prospectively collected. RESULTS: The median age was 59 years (range, 33-79 years), and the ratio of men to women was 1.8:1. Metastases were colorectal carcinoma (n = 33), neuroendocrine tumors (n = 3), gastrointestinal stromal tumor (n = 1), ocular melanoma (n = 1), and salivary gland carcinoma (n = 1). Perioperative chemotherapy was given to 32 patients (82%). Twenty-nine patients (74%) underwent portal venous embolization. Radiofrequency ablation was used in 8 patients (21%). Twenty-seven patients (69%) successfully completed clearance. For the 1st and 2nd stages, the median lengths of stay were 11 days (range, 6-53 days) and 13 days (range, 6-44 days), and morbidity rates were 23% and 56%. Liver insufficiency occurred in 2 (5%) and 6 (22%) patients. Overall mortality was 2.6%. For colorectal metastases, median survival in successes versus failures was 24 versus 10 months (P = .03), and 3-year survival was 30% versus 0%. CONCLUSIONS: Two-stage hepatectomy is feasible, with 69% of patients achieving clearance with low mortality. Morbidity is significant, particularly transient hepatic insufficiency.

Portal vein embolisation for extended hepatectomy: single-centre experience.

BACKGROUND: Portal vein embolisation (PVE) induces contra-lateral liver hypertrophy to facilitate an extended hepatectomy. AIM: This paper aims to analyse our data on PVE and extended hepatectomy. Outcome measures included success of PVE, feasibility of resections, operative morbidity and survival. METHODS: A retrospective analysis of data collected prospectively on 33 patients (2004-2008) was performed. Survival curves were estimated by the Kaplan-Meier (Breslow) method. Significance was defined as p < 0.05. RESULTS: A total of 31 patients had successful PVE. There were 24 patients who underwent surgery. Significant hypertrophy of residual liver was noted from 230.15 (pre-embolisation) to 428.50 ml (post-embolisation) (median, p < 0.0001). A total of 16 patients had hepatectomy (14: R0; 2: R1) with a single mortality (6.25%) and 56.25% morbidity, and a median length of stay of 17 days. Median overall survival was 14 (95% CI 7.8-20.2) months. Patients who underwent resection had a median disease-specific survival of 33 (95% CI 4-62) months compared with 8.6 (95% CI 0-19.9) months for patients without resection (p = 0.14). For patients with primary hepato-biliary tumours, the median disease-specific survival was 7.9 (95% CI 4.5-11.3) months compared with a median survival of 19.7 (95% CI 0-42.2) months for patients with metastases (p = 0.07). CONCLUSIONS: PVE is safe, facilitates R0 resection and offers the best chance of cure, especially for liver metastases.

Perforation and abscess formation after radiological placement of a retrievable plastic biliary stent.

INTRODUCTION: Retrievable plastic biliary stents are usually inserted endoscopically. When endoscopic placement fails, radiological percutaneous transhepatic placement is indicated. We report the occurrence of a case of delayed duodenal perforation with abscess formation after radiological placement of a plastic stent. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of this complication after radiological stenting. CASE PRESENTATION: A 58-year-old Caucasian man had a mass 30 mm in size in the head of the pancreas and obstructive jaundice. He was referred for radiological insertion of plastic biliary stents after a failed endoscopic attempt. The procedure was uneventful, and the patient was discharged. Two weeks after the procedure, the patient presented with an acute abdomen and signs of sepsis. Computed tomography revealed erosion of the posterior duodenal wall from the plastic stent, and a large retroperitoneal abscess. The abscess was drained under computed tomography guidance, and the migrated stent was removed percutaneously with a snare under fluoroscopic guidance. Our patient had an uneventful recovery and was discharged after a week. CONCLUSION: Late retroperitoneal duodenal perforation is a very rare but severe complication of biliary stenting with plastic stents. Gastroenterologists, surgeons and radiologists should all be aware of its existence, clinical presentation and management.

Palliative surgical bypass for pancreatic and peri-ampullary cancers.

BACKGROUND: The optimal method of palliation for patients with unresectable pancreatic and peri-ampullary cancer (PAC) is controversial with surgical bypass or endoscopic stenting, each having advantages and disadvantages. AIMS: We analysed short term outcomes and survival for all patients undergoing surgical palliative bypass procedures. MATERIALS AND METHODS: All patients undergoing palliative surgical bypass for unresectable PAC from Aug 1999 to July 2007 were identified from our database. Outcomes analysed were peri-operative morbidity, mortality, and overall survival with comparisons from contemporaneous literature. RESULTS: One hundred eight patients (median age 65 (range 36-86) years; male = 61) had palliative surgical bypass procedures for unresectable PAC. Patients underwent combined biliary and gastric bypass (n = 81, 75%), gastric bypass alone (n = 24, 22.2%) or biliary bypass alone (n = 3, 2.8%). Overall mortality was 6.5% and the morbidity was 15.7%. Median hospital stay was 11 (range 4-54) days. Median survival was 6 (95% confidence interval (CI) = 4.3-7.6) months. No re-explorations for recurrent biliary or gastric obstruction were required. Contemporaneous literature review showed similar results. CONCLUSION: Surgical bypass performed in a specialist pancreatic center can offer effective palliation for unresectable PAC, with satisfactory outcomes.

Relaparotomy for suspected intraperitoneal sepsis after abdominal surgery.

Relaparotomy may be beneficial in patients developing intraperitoneal sepsis after abdominal procedures. We determined whether joint clinical assessment by intensivist and surgeon (clinician assessment) identified patients with surgically correctable intraperitoneal sepsis. We also assessed the effect of patient age and sex, disease presentation and severity, interval to relaparotomy, and the number of relaparotomies on survival after relaparotomy. Data on clinical, laboratory, and radiologic abnormalities prior to relaparotomy, relaparotomy findings, and in-hospital survival were prospectively collected on a general hospital intensive care unit (ICU) database between January 1997 and January 2002. Altogether, 65 of 1482 (4.4%) patients admitted to the ICU after abdominal surgery underwent relaparotomy at a median of 5 days after the initial procedure. There was an 83% probability of identifying surgically treatable sepsis and 43% in-hospital mortality. Abdominal imaging contributed accurate information in 50% of cases where clinician assessment was uncertain. Patient age and multiorgan failure prior to relaparotomy-but not urgency of initial laparotomy or the acute physiology and chronic health evaluation (APACHE II) score prior to relaparotomy, interval to relaparotomy, or number of relaparotomies-affected the outcome. Clinician assessment after abdominal surgery had a high probability of predicting intraperitoneal sepsis at relaparotomy. The 43% mortality after relaparotomy was unlikely to be greater than with nonoperative treatment of intraabdominal sepsis, but the 78% mortality after relaparotomy in patients older than 75 years of age raised doubts about this approach in the elderly. The identification of intraperitoneal sepsis and performance of relaparotomy earlier after the initial abdominal surgery might reduce the high rate (60%) of multiorgan failure prior to relaparotomy and improve survival after it.

Long-term results of distal pancreatectomy for chronic pancreatitis in 90 patients.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the indications for distal pancreatectomy for chronic pancreatitis and to evaluate the risks, functional loss, and outcome of the procedure. SUMMARY BACKGROUND DATA: Chronic pancreatitis is generally associated with continued pain, parenchymal and ductal hypertension. and progressive pancreatic dysfunction, and it is a cause of premature death in patients who receive conservative treatment. Good results have recently been reported by the authors and others for resection of the pancreatic head in this disease, but distal pancreatectomy is a less popular option attended by variable success rates. It remains a logical approach for patients with predominantly left-sided pancreatic disease, however. METHODS: A personal series of 90 patients undergoing distal pancreatectomy for chronic pancreatitis over the last 20 years has been reviewed, with a mean postoperative follow-up of 34 months (range 1-247). Pancreatic function was measured before and after operation in many patients. RESULTS: Forty-eight of 84 patients available for follow-up had a successful outcome in terms of zero or minimal, intermittent pain. There was one perioperative death, but complications developed in 29 patients, with six early reexplorations. Morbidity was unaffected by associated splenectomy or right-to-left dissection. Late mortality rate over the follow-up period was 10%; most of these late deaths occurred because of failure to abstain from alcohol. Preoperative exocrine function was abnormal in two thirds of those tested and was unchanged at follow-up. Diabetic curves were seen in 10% of patients preoperatively, while there was an additional diabetic morbidity rate of 23% related to the procedure and late onset of diabetes (median duration 27 months) in another 23%. Diabetic onset was related to percentage parenchymal resection as well as splenectomy. Outcome was not clearly dependent on the etiology of pancreatitis or on disease characteristics as assessed by preoperative imaging. However, patients with pseudocyst disease alone did better than other groups. Twenty-one of 36 patients who failed to respond to distal pancreatectomy required further intervention, including completion pancreatectomy, neurolysis, and sphincteroplasty. Thirteen of these 21 patients achieved long-term pain relief after their second procedure. CONCLUSIONS: Distal pancreatectomy for chronic pancreatitis from any etiology can be performed with low mortality and a good outcome in terms of pain relief and return to work in approximately 60% of patients. Little effect is seen on exocrine function of the pancreas, but there is a diabetic risk of 46% over 2 years. Pseudocyst disease is associated with the best outcome, but other manifestations of this disease, including strictures, calcification, and limited concomitant disease in the head of the pancreas, can still be associated with a good outcome.