Clinical outcome of surgical resection for multifocal T2-T3 hepatocellular carcinoma up to 3 nodules: a comparative analysis with a single nodule

Background/Aims@#Although the Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer staging system seems to underestimate the impact of curative-intent surgical resection for multifocal hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), recent studies have indicated favorable results for the surgical resection of multiple HCC. This study aimed to assess clinical outcomes and feasibility of surgical resection for multifocal HCC with up to three nodules compared with single tumor cases. @*Methods@#Patients who underwent surgical resection for HCC with up to three nodules between 2009 and 2020 were included, and those with the American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC) 8th edition, T1 and T4 stages were excluded to reduce differences in disease distribution and severity. Finally, 81 and 52 patients were included in the single and multiple treatment groups, respectively. Short- and long-term outcomes including recurrence-free survival (RFS) and overall survival (OS), were evaluated. @*Results@#All patients were classified as Child-Pugh class A. RFS and OS were not significantly different between the two groups (P=0.176 and P=0.966, respectively). Multivariate analysis revealed that transfusion and intrahepatic metastasis were significantly associated with recurrence (P=0.046 and P=0.005, respectively). Additionally, intrahepatic metastasis was significantly associated with OS (hazard ratio, 1.989; 95% confidence interval, 1.040-3.802; P=0.038). @*Conclusions@#Since there was no significant difference in survival between the single and multiple groups among patients with AJCC 8th stage T2 and T3, surgical resection with curative intent could be considered with acceptable long-term survival for selected patients with multiple HCC of up to three nodules.

Development and External Validation of Survival Prediction Model for Pancreatic Cancer Using Two Nationwide Databases: Surveillance, Epidemiology and End Results (SEER) and Korea Tumor Registry System-Biliary Pancreas (KOTUS-BP)

Background/Aims@#Several prediction models for evaluating the prognosis of nonmetastatic resected pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) have been developed, and their performances were reported to be superior to that of the 8th edition of the American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC) staging system. We developed a prediction model to evaluate the prognosis of resected PDAC and externally validated it with data from a nationwide Korean database. @*Methods@#Data from the Surveillance, Epidemiology and End Results (SEER) database were utilized for model development, and data from the Korea Tumor Registry System-Biliary Pancreas (KOTUS-BP) database were used for external validation. Potential candidate variables for model development were age, sex, histologic differentiation, tumor location, adjuvant chemotherapy, and the AJCC 8th staging system T and N stages. For external validation, the concordance index (C-index) and time-dependent area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) were evaluated. @*Results@#Between 2004 and 2016, data from 9,624 patients were utilized for model development, and data from 3,282 patients were used for external validation. In the multivariate Cox proportional hazard model, age, sex, tumor location, T and N stages, histologic differentiation, and adjuvant chemotherapy were independent prognostic factors for resected PDAC. After an exhaustive search and 10-fold cross validation, the best model was finally developed, which included all prognostic variables. The C-index, 1-year, 2-year, 3-year, and 5-year time-dependent AUCs were 0.628, 0.650, 0.665, 0.675, and 0.686, respectively. @*Conclusions@#The survival prediction model for resected PDAC could provide quantitative survival probabilities with reliable performance. External validation studies with other nationwide databases are needed to evaluate the performance of this model.

Analysis of risk factors for portal vein thrombosis after liver resection

PURPOSE: We evaluated the risk factors for posthepatectomy thrombosis including portal vein thrombosis (PVT) and clinical outcomes. METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed 563 patients who had undergone hepatectomy from February 2009 to December 2014. Twenty-nine patients with preoperatively confirmed thrombosis and tumor recurrence-related thrombosis were excluded. We identified the location of the thrombosis as main portal vein (MPV), peripheral portal vein (PPV) and other site such as hepatic vein or inferior vena cava. Patients with MPV thrombosis and PPV thrombosis with main portal flow disturbance were treated with anticoagulation therapy. We performed operative thrombectomy before anticoagulation therapy who did combined portal vein (PV) segmental resection. RESULTS: Of the 534 patients, 22 (4.1%) developed posthepatectomy thrombosis after hepatectomy. Among them, 19 (86.4%) had PVT. The mean duration of Pringle's maneuver was significant longer in the PVT group than the no-thrombosis group (P = 0.020). Patients who underwent combined PV segmental resection during hepatectomy were more likely to develop posthepatectomy PVT (P = 0.001). Thirteen patients who had MPV thrombosis and PPV thrombosis with main portal flow disturbance received anticoagulation therapy immediately after diagnosis and all of them were improved. Among them, 2 patients who developed PVT at the PV anastomosis site after PV segmental resection, underwent operative thrombectomy before anticoagulation therapy and both were improved. There were no patients who developed complications related to anticoagulation therapy. CONCLUSION: Long duration of Pringle's maneuver and PV segmental resection were risk factors. Anticoagulation therapy or operative thrombectomy should be considered for PVT without contraindications.

Impact of Cerebrovascular Disease on Survival Benefits from Local Treatment in Patients with De Novo Metastatic Hormone-Sensitive Prostate Cancer

PURPOSE: Local treatment has become a treatment option for patients with de novo metastatic hormone-sensitive prostate cancer (mHSPC). Subgroup analyses based on a history of cerebrovascular disease (CVD) were performed to evaluate the impact thereof on overall survival (OS) after local treatment. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective analysis was performed for 879 patients with de novo mHSPC between August 2003 and November 2016. Patients were stratified according to prior CVD history and the type of initial treatment: androgen-deprivation therapy (ADT) alone versus local treatment consisting of radical prostatectomy (RP) or radiation therapy (RT) with ADT, with or without metastasis-directed therapy. The primary outcome was OS assessed by Kaplan-Meier analysis and Cox-regression models. RESULTS: Of 879 patients, 660 (75.1%) men underwent ADT alone, and 219 (24.9%) men underwent RP or RT with ADT, with or without metastasis-directed therapy. The median follow-up was 38 months. Multivariable analysis showed CVD history to be associated with a higher risk of overall mortality (p=0.001). In the overall cohort and in patients without a history of CVD, patients who underwent local treatment exhibited higher OS than men who received ADT alone (all p<0.001). However, the survival benefit conferred by local treatment was not seen in patients with a history of CVD (p=0.324). OS was comparable between patients who received RP and RT (p=0.521). CONCLUSION: Local treatment with or without metastasis-directed therapy may provide OS advantages for mHSPC patients without a history of CVD. Further prospective studies are needed to address these important concerns.

Retrograde balloon dilation as a therapeutic option for post-gynecologic surgery ureteral stricture followed by ureteroureterostomy: a comparative study regarding stricture length / 영남의대학술지

BACKGROUND@#To evaluate the success rate of balloon dilation and the factors possibly influencing the outcomes of balloon dilation for the ureteric strictured portion of ureteroureterostomy (UUS) site in patients with post-gynecologic surgeries.@*METHODS@#A single institution data base was screened for the patients who received balloon dilation for a treatment of ureteral stricture diagnosed after gynecologic surgery. Overall 114 patients underwent primary intra-operative UUS due to ureteral injury during gynecologic surgery. Among them, 102 patients received balloon dilation, and their medical records were retrospectively reviewed. Success of balloon dilation was defined as the condition that requires no further clinical interventions after 6 months from balloon dilation.@*RESULTS@#The ureter injury rate of women treated with open radical abdominal hysterectomy was highest (32 cases, 31.4%). 60 patients (60.8%) showed successful outcomes regarding dilation. All patients underwent technically successful dilation with a full expansion of balloon during the procedure, but 40 patients (39.2%) were clinically unsuccessful as they showed a recurrence of ureteral stricture on the previous balloon dilation site after the first dilation procedure. Univariate logistic regression analyses showed that stricture length >2 cm was a significant predictor of successful dilation (odds ratio, 0.751; 95% confidence interval, 0.634–0.901; p-value, 0.030), but it failed to achieve independent predictor status in multivariate analysis.@*CONCLUSION@#Balloon dilation can an effective alternative treatment option for strictured portion of the primary UUS in post-gynecologic surgery patients when its length is < 2 cm.

Retrograde balloon dilation as a therapeutic option for post-gynecologic surgery ureteral stricture followed by ureteroureterostomy: a comparative study regarding stricture length / 영남의대학술지

BACKGROUND: To evaluate the success rate of balloon dilation and the factors possibly influencing the outcomes of balloon dilation for the ureteric strictured portion of ureteroureterostomy (UUS) site in patients with post-gynecologic surgeries.METHODS: A single institution data base was screened for the patients who received balloon dilation for a treatment of ureteral stricture diagnosed after gynecologic surgery. Overall 114 patients underwent primary intra-operative UUS due to ureteral injury during gynecologic surgery. Among them, 102 patients received balloon dilation, and their medical records were retrospectively reviewed. Success of balloon dilation was defined as the condition that requires no further clinical interventions after 6 months from balloon dilation.RESULTS: The ureter injury rate of women treated with open radical abdominal hysterectomy was highest (32 cases, 31.4%). 60 patients (60.8%) showed successful outcomes regarding dilation. All patients underwent technically successful dilation with a full expansion of balloon during the procedure, but 40 patients (39.2%) were clinically unsuccessful as they showed a recurrence of ureteral stricture on the previous balloon dilation site after the first dilation procedure. Univariate logistic regression analyses showed that stricture length >2 cm was a significant predictor of successful dilation (odds ratio, 0.751; 95% confidence interval, 0.634–0.901; p-value, 0.030), but it failed to achieve independent predictor status in multivariate analysis.CONCLUSION: Balloon dilation can an effective alternative treatment option for strictured portion of the primary UUS in post-gynecologic surgery patients when its length is < 2 cm.

Does prostate-specific antigen (PSA) mass or free PSA mass improve the accuracy of predicting total prostate volume in relation to obesity in men with biopsy-proven benign prostatic hyperplasia? / 亚洲男科学杂志(英文版)

We evaluated whether the prostate-specific antigen (PSA) mass or free PSA (fPSA) mass (i.e., absolute amount of total circulating PSA or fPSA protein, respectively), versus serum PSA or fPSA concentration, improves the accuracy of predicting the total prostate volume (TPV) in relation to obesity. Among men whose multicore (≥12) transrectal prostate biopsy was negative, 586 who had a PSA of ≤10 ng ml-1 and underwent the fPSA test prior to biopsy were enrolled. The PSA mass or fPSA mass (μ g) was calculated by multiplying the serum level by plasma volume. At each TPV cut-off point (30 ml, 40 ml, and 50 ml), the areas under the receiver operating characteristics curve (AUCs) of each variable were compared in obesity-based subgroups. AUCs of fPSA and fPSA mass for predicting TPV were significantly larger than those for PSA and PSA mass by 8.7%-12.1% at all cut-off points. Subgroup analyses based on obesity showed that, although PSA mass and fPSA mass enhanced accuracy by 4% (P = 0.031) and 1.8% (P = 0.003), respectively, for determining TPVs of ≥30 ml and ≥50 ml in obese and overweight men, they did not improve the accuracy in most other combinations of the degrees of obesity with TPV cut-off points. Thus, compared with serum PSA or fPSA, the absolute amount of PSA or fPSA protein mass improved the accuracy of predicting TPV in obese men very minimally and only for certain TPV cut-off points. Hence, these indicators may not provide clinically meaningful improvement in predicting TPV in obese men.

Effects of splanchnic vasoconstrictors on liver regeneration and survival after 90% rat hepatectomy

PURPOSE: Posthepatectomy liver failure is a serious complication and considered to be caused by increased portal pressure and flow. Splanchnic vasoactive agents and propranolol are known to decrease portal pressure. The aim of this study was to identify optimal candidates with potential for clinical use among somatostatin, terlipressin, and propranolol using rats with 90% hepatectomy. METHODS: Rats were divided into 5 groups: sham operation (n = 6), control (n = 20), propranolol (n = 20), somatostatin (n = 20), and terlipressin group (n = 20). Seven-day survival rates and portal pressure change were measured, and biochemical, histologic, and molecular analyses were performed. RESULTS: Portal pressure was significantly decreased in all 3 treatment groups compared to control. All treatment groups showed a tendency of decreased liver injury markers, and somatostatin showed the most prominent effect at 24 hours postoperatively. Histologic liver injury at 24 hours was significantly decreased in propranolol and terlipressin groups (P = 0.016, respectively) and somatostatin group showed borderline significance (P = 0.056). Hepatocyte proliferation was significantly increased after 24 hours in all treatment groups. Median survival was significantly increased in terlipressin group compared to control group (P < 0.01). CONCLUSION: Terlipressin is considered as the best candidate, while somatostatin has good potential for clinical use, considering their effects on portal pressure and subsequent decrease in liver injury and increase in liver regeneration.

Clinical significance of pancreatic intraepithelial neoplasia in resectable pancreatic cancer on survivals

PURPOSE: Noninvasive precursor lesions for pancreatic adenocarcinoma include pancreatic intraepithelial neoplasia (PanIN), intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasm, and mucinous cystic neoplasm. PanIN is often found synchronously adjacent to resected pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) tumors. However, its prognostic significance on outcome after PDAC resection is unknown. The purpose of the current study was to determine if the presence of PanIN has a prognostic or predictive effect on survival after resection for PDAC with curative intent. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the clinicopathologic data of patients who underwent pancreatectomy for PDAC from January 2002 to January 2013. Intraductal papillary mucinous lesions and mucinous cystic neoplasms were excluded. All available postoperative imaging and clinical follow-up data were reviewed. RESULTS: There were 95 patients who underwent pancreatectomy. Tumors were most commonly located in the pancreas head and as such pancreaticoduodenectomy was the most commonly performed operation. The median tumor size was 3.2 cm. An absence of PanIN lesions was identified in 39 patients (41%). Of the patients with PanIN lesions, high-grade PanIN (grade 3) was the most common type (64.3%) followed by grade 2 (28.6%). There was no significant difference in overall survival or disease-free survival between the non-PanIN and PanIN groups. CONCLUSION: The presence or absence of PanIN lesions did not affect survival in patients undergoing resection for pancreatic cancer. However, patients with high-grade PanINs tended to have better overall survival. Larger studies with longer follow up are needed to accurately determine its clinical significance.

Hyalinizing Cholecystitis and Associated Carcinoma: A Case Report

No abstract available.

Combined Adenosquamous and Large Cell Neuroendocrine Carcinoma of the Gallbladder

Large cell neuroendocrine carcinoma (LCNEC) of the gallbladder is extremely rare and usually combined with other type of malignancy, mostly adenocarcinoma. We report an unusual case of combined adenosquamous carcinoma and LCNEC of the gallbladder in a 54-year-old woman. A radical cholecystectomy specimen revealed a 4.3×4.0 cm polypoid mass in the fundus with infiltration of adjacent liver parenchyma. Microscopically, the tumor consisted of two distinct components. Adenosquamous carcinoma was predominant and abrupt transition from adenocarcinoma to squamous cell carcinoma was observed. LCNEC showed round cells with large, vesicular nuclei, abundant mitotic figures, and occasional pseudorosette formation. The patient received adjuvant chemotherapy. However, multiple liver metastases were identified at 3-month follow-up. Metastatic nodules were composed of LCNEC and squamous cell carcinoma components. Detecting LCNEC component is important in gallbladder cancer, because the tumor may require a different chemotherapy regimen and show early metastasis and poor prognosis.

A Case of Simultaneous Resection of Recurrent Combined Hepatocellular Cholangiocarcinoma and Hypovascular Hepatocellular Carcinoma

Liver cancer is more complex to treat compared to cancers in other organs, since liver function should be considered. In addition, only a few patients can be applied curative treatment due to advanced stage at diagnosis. Therefore, early stage detection is important and has been increased through screening and surveillance programs using image modalities recently. However, it is still difficult to diagnose small or hypovascular hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) even using advanced image modalties. In particular, hypovascular HCCs do not show arterial contrast enhancement which is a typical finding of HCC on computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Those also account for a considerable portion of early HCC. We present 54 yearsold man who had recurrent hypervascular and hypovascular nodules on three phase CT and gadoxetic acid-enhanced MRI. The nodules were removed by surgical resection and confirmed as combined hepatocellular-cholangiocarcinoma and well differentiated HCC respectively.

Ureteral Stent Insertion in the Management of Renal Colic during Pregnancy / 전남의대학술지

To determine an optimal invasive intervention for renal colic patients during pregnancy after conservative treatments have been found to be unhelpful. Among the available invasive interventions, we investigated the reliability of a ureteral stent insertion, which is considered the least invasive intervention during pregnancy. Between June 2006 and February 2015, a total of 826 pregnant patients came to the emergency room or urology outpatient department, and 39 of these patients had renal colic. The mean patient age was 30.49 years. In this retrospective cohort study, the charts of the patients were reviewed to collect data that included age, symptoms, the lateralities and locations of urolithiasis, trimester, pain following treatment and pregnancy complications. Based on ultrasonography diagnoses, 13 patients had urolithiasis, and 13 patients had hydronephrosis without definite echogenicity of the ureteral calculi. Conservative treatments were successful in 25 patients. Among these treatments, antibiotics were used in 15 patients, and the remaining patients received only hydration and analgesics without antibiotics. Several urological interventions were required in 14 patients. The most common intervention was ureteral stent insertion, which was performed in 13 patients to treat hydronephrosis or urolithiasis. The patients' pain was relieved following these interventions. Only one patient received percutaneous nephrostomy due to pyonephrosis. No pregnancy complications were noted. Ureteral stent insertion is regarded as a reliable and stable first-line urological intervention for pregnant patients with renal colic following conservative treatments. Ureteral stent insertion has been found to be equally effective and safe as percutaneous nephrostomy, which is associated with complications that include bleeding and dislocation, and the inconvenience of using external drainage system.

Ureteral Stent Insertion in the Management of Renal Colic during Pregnancy / 전남의대학술지

To determine an optimal invasive intervention for renal colic patients during pregnancy after conservative treatments have been found to be unhelpful. Among the available invasive interventions, we investigated the reliability of a ureteral stent insertion, which is considered the least invasive intervention during pregnancy. Between June 2006 and February 2015, a total of 826 pregnant patients came to the emergency room or urology outpatient department, and 39 of these patients had renal colic. The mean patient age was 30.49 years. In this retrospective cohort study, the charts of the patients were reviewed to collect data that included age, symptoms, the lateralities and locations of urolithiasis, trimester, pain following treatment and pregnancy complications. Based on ultrasonography diagnoses, 13 patients had urolithiasis, and 13 patients had hydronephrosis without definite echogenicity of the ureteral calculi. Conservative treatments were successful in 25 patients. Among these treatments, antibiotics were used in 15 patients, and the remaining patients received only hydration and analgesics without antibiotics. Several urological interventions were required in 14 patients. The most common intervention was ureteral stent insertion, which was performed in 13 patients to treat hydronephrosis or urolithiasis. The patients' pain was relieved following these interventions. Only one patient received percutaneous nephrostomy due to pyonephrosis. No pregnancy complications were noted. Ureteral stent insertion is regarded as a reliable and stable first-line urological intervention for pregnant patients with renal colic following conservative treatments. Ureteral stent insertion has been found to be equally effective and safe as percutaneous nephrostomy, which is associated with complications that include bleeding and dislocation, and the inconvenience of using external drainage system.

Risk factors for cancer recurrence or death within 6 months after liver resection in patients with colorectal cancer liver metastasis

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to find risk factors for early recurrence (ER) and early death (ED) after liver resection for colorectal cancer liver metastasis (CRCLM). METHODS: Between May 1990 and December 2011, 279 patients underwent liver resection for CRCLM at Korea University Medical Center. They were assigned to group ER (recurrence within 6 months after liver resection) or group NER (non-ER; no recurrence within 6 months after liver resection) and group ED (death within 6 months after liver resection) or group NED (alive > 6 months after liver resection). RESULTS: The ER group included 30 patients (10.8%) and the NER group included 247 patients (89.2%). The ED group included 18 patients (6.6%) and the NED group included 253 patients (93.4%). Prognostic factors for ER in a univariate analysis were poorly differentiated colorectal cancer (CRC), synchronous metastasis, ≥5 cm of liver mass, ≥50 ng/mL preoperative carcinoembryonic antigen level, positive liver resection margin, and surgery alone without perioperative chemotherapy. Prognostic factors for ED in a univariate analysis were poorly differentiated CRC, positive liver resection margin, and surgery alone without perioperative chemotherapy. Multivariate analysis showed that poorly differentiated CRC, ≥5-cm metastatic tumor size, positive liver resection margin, and surgery alone without perioperative chemotherapy were independent risk factors related to ER. For ED, poorly differentiated CRC, positive liver resection margin, and surgery alone without perioperative chemotherapy were risk factors in multivariate analysis. CONCLUSION: Complete liver resection with clear resection margin and perioperative chemotherapy should be carefully considered when patients have the following preoperative risk factors: metastatic tumor size ≥ 5 cm and poorly differentiated CRC.

Difference in the rate of rectal complications following prostate brachytherapy based on the prostate-rectum distance and the prostate longitudinal length among early prostate cancer patients

PURPOSE: To investigate the difference in rectal complications rate following prostate low dose rate (LDR) brachytherapy based on prostate-rectum distance and prostate longitudinal length among early prostate cancer patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: From March 2008 to February 2013, 245 prostate cancer patients with a Gleason score or =6 months were evaluated for radiation proctitis. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was performed for a prebrachytherapy evaluation, and prostate-rectum distance and prostate longitudinal length were measured. The radiation proctitis was confirmed and graded via colonoscopy based on the radiation therapy oncology group (RTOG) toxicity criteria. RESULTS: Twenty-three patients received a colonoscopy for proctitis evaluation, and 12 were identified as grade 1 on the RTOG scale. Nine patients were diagnosed as grade 2 and 2 patients were grade 3. No patient developed grade 4 proctitis. The rectal-complication group had a mean prostate-rectum distance of 2.51+/-0.16 mm, while non-rectal-complication control group had 3.32+/-0.31 mm. The grade 1 proctitis patients had a mean prostate-rectum distance of 2.80+/-0.15 mm, which was significantly longer than 2.12+/-0.31 mm of grades 2 and 3 patient groups (p=0.045). All 11 patients of grades 2 and 3 had a prostate longitudinal length of 35.22+/-2.50 mm, which was longer than group 1, but the difference was not statistically significant (p=0.214). CONCLUSIONS: As the prostate-rectum distance increased, fewer postimplantation rectal symptoms were observed. Patients with a shorter prostate-rectum distance in MRI should receive modified implantation techniques or radical prostatectomy.

Use of right lobe graft with type IV portal vein accompanied by type IV biliary tree in living donor liver transplantation: report of a case

Anatomic variations of the portal vein (PV) and bile duct (BD) are more common on the right lobe as compared with left lobe grafts in living donor liver transplantation (LDLT). We recently experienced a case of LDLT for hepatocellular carcinoma combined with liver cirrhosis secondary to hepatitis B virus and hepatitis C virus infection. The only available donor had right lobe graft with type IV PV associated with type IV BD. The patient underwent relaparotomy for PV stenting due to PV stenosis. Percutaneous transhepatic biliary drainage was done for a stricture at the site of biliary reconstruction. Thereafter, the patient was discharged in good health. Our experience suggests that, the use of right lobe graft with type IV PV accompanied by type IV BD should be the last choice for LDLT, because of its technical difficulty and risks of associated complications.

Balanced approach can help initial outcomes: analysis of initial 50 cases of a new liver transplantation program in East Asia

PURPOSE: To evaluate patient triage pattern and outcomes according to types of liver transplantation as part of a new liver transplant program developed in an East Asian country with a limited number of deceased donors. METHODS: Medical records of initial 50 liver transplantations were reviewed retrospectively. RESULTS: Twenty-nine patients underwent deceased donor liver transplantation (DDLT) and 21 patients underwent living donor liver transplantation (LDLT). Mean model for end-stage liver disease scores of recipients of DDLT and LDLT were 24.9 +/- 11.6 and 13.1 +/- 5.4, respectively (P < 0.0001). Twenty-eight patients had HCCs and 17 of them (60.7%) underwent LDLT, which was 80.9% of LDLTs. There were 2 cases of perioperative mortality; each was from DDLT and LDLT, respectively. Median follow-up was 18 months. Overall patient and graft survival rates at 6 months, 1 and 2 years were 95.7%, 93.4%, and 89.8%, respectively. There was no significant difference in survival between DDLT and LDLT. Overall recurrence-free survival rates of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patients at 6 month, 1, and 2 years were 96.3%, 96.3%, and 90.3%, respectively. There was no significant difference in recurrence-free survival between DDLT and LDLT. CONCLUSION: As a new liver transplant program with limited resource and waiting list, patients with critical condition could undergo DDLT whereas relatively stable patients with HCCs were mostly directed to LDLT. We recommend a balanced approach between DDLT and LDLT for initiating liver transplant programs.

Influence of metabolic and other clinicopathologic factors on the prognosis of patients with hepatocellular carcinoma undergoing hepatic resection

BACKGROUNDS/AIMS: The prognosis of hepatic resection for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in patients with cirrhosis is worse than in those without cirrhosis. In Korea, the hepatitis B virus prevalence rate is higher than in other countries. Therefore, we investigated patients' clinicopathologic and metabolic factors that affect the postoperative outcomes of hepatic resection for HCC in our hospital in Korea. METHODS: From August 2000 to December 2012, 171 HCC patients underwent hepatic resections at our institution. Two operative mortality cases and two short-term follow up cases were excluded. Data was collected from a retrospective chart review. There were 133 males (79.6%) and 34 females (20.3%), with a mean age of 58.2+/-10.2 years (range, 22-81 years), and the relationship between clinicopathologic and metabolic factors and the prognosis of patients with HCC undergoing hepatic resection were evaluated by univariate and multivariate analysis. RESULTS: Hypertension, major surgery, perioperative transfusion, resection with radiofrequency ablation (RFA) or cryoablation, and resection margin were risk factors for overall survival, and hypertension, albumin, resection with RFA or cryoablation, perioperative transfusion, and tumor size were risk factors for disease-free survival. CONCLUSIONS: We found that hypertension, perioperative transfusion, and resection with RFA or cryoablation were risk factors for both disease-free and overall survival after hepatic resection in HCC patients. Further study is required to clarify the influence of metabolic and other clinicopathologic factors on the prognosis of HCC.

Laparoscopic living donor hepatectomy

Shortage of deceased donor organs led to establishment of living donor liver transplantation. Recent reports have strongly suggested that laparoscopic approach should be the gold standard for lesions in the left lateral section. Laparoscopic living donor left lateral sectionectomy was first described in 2002. Subsequently, laparoscopic procurement of left lateral sections was shown to be safe and reproducible, resulting in grafts similar to those obtained with open surgery. In 2006, laparoscopy-assisted right lobe donor hepatectomy was reported. To date, however, only a small number of liver transplant centers have performed laparoscopic donor hepatectomy because the procedure can be performed only by surgical teams with extensive expertise in performing both minimally invasive surgery on the liver and liver transplantation with partial and living donor liver grafts. Herein, we describe the details of laparoscopic living donor hepatectomy including total laparoscopic surgery and laparoscopy-assisted surgery.