Prognosis of congenital bile duct cysts after cyst resection and risk factors analysis of postoperative biliary calculus / 中华肝胆外科杂志

Objective:To study the prognosis of congenital bile duct cysts following cyst resection, and to analyze the risk factors associated with the development of postoperative biliary calculus.Methods:Clinical data of 149 patients with congenital bile duct cysts undergoing surgery in the First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University from May 2004 to January 2022 were retrospectively analyzed, including 59 males and 90 females, with a median age of 32 (21, 47) years old. Patients were divided into two groups: the stone group ( n=51, biliary calculus occurred during the follow-ups after surgery) and non-stone group ( n=98). Clinical data such as gender, age, medical history, cyst type, biliary calculus, anastomotic stenosis and occurrence of cancer were compared. All patients were followed up via telephone consultations. A logistic regression analysis was used to identify the risk factors associated with the occurrence of biliary calculus after surgery. Results:The duration of the follow-ups was 120 (24, 211) months. The observed incidence of postoperative biliary calculus, anastomotic stricture, and cancer in the patients were 34.2% (51/149), 8.7% (13/149), and 4.7% (7/149), respectively. The logistic regression analysis indicated that incomplete cyst resection ( OR=3.332, 95% CI: 1.221-9.094) and postoperative anastomotic stenosis ( OR=13.300, 95% CI: 2.586-68.401) were associated with a higher risk of biliary calculus formation after cystectomy (all P<0.05). Conclusion:Patients with congenital bile duct cysts suffer a high risk of biliary calculus formation after cystectomy. The residual cyst and postoperative anastomotic stenosis are independent risk factors for biliary calculus after surgery.

A new classification on location of hepatolithiasis in guiding treatment with percutaneous transhepatic choledochoscopic lithotripsy / 中华肝胆外科杂志

Objective:To study the clinical application of a new classification on location of hepatolithiasis in guiding treatment using percutaneous transhepatic choledochoscopic lithotomy (PTCSL).Methods:The clinical data of 85 consecutive patients with preoperatively diagnosed hepatolithiasis who underwent PTCSL at the First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University from January 2017 to July 2021 were prospectively collected. There were 27 males and 58 females, aged from 15 to 86(62±14) years. Hepatolithiasis was classified into five types of stone location based on preoperative imagings: type Ⅰ ( n=12) , stones located in central bile duct, including hilar bile duct and common hepatic duct; type Ⅱ ( n=17) in unilateral hepatic duct with multiple branches; type Ⅲ ( n=24) in unilateral hepatic duct with multiple branches plus central bile duct; type Ⅳ ( n=31) in bilateral hepatic ducts with multiple branches; and type Ⅴ ( n=1) in unilateral hepatic duct with a single branch. Fistulation path, number of procedures, number of bile duct fistula, and complications were recorded. The residual stone rate and stone recurrence rate were compared among the five types. The follow-up was performed to analyse prognosis. Results:A total of 99 biliary fistulae were performed, with one single tract created in 74 patients, two tracts in 9 patients, three tracts in 1 patient, and four tracts in 1 patient. The fistulation path was B2 in 12 patients, B3 in 18 patients, B4 in 1 patient, B5 in 4 patients, B6 in 10 patients, B7 in 4 patients, and B8 in 50 patients. Altogether, 151 choledochoscopic lithotomy procedures were performed (1-3 times per patient, mean 1.78 times). For the 9 patients with residual stones (10.6%, 9/85), there were 3 patients with type Ⅱ and 6 patients with type Ⅳ. There were significant differences in the residual stone rates among the 5 types (χ 2=11.13, P=0.025). Stone recurrence developed in 33 (38.8%) patients, including 2 patients with type Ⅰ, 7 patients with type Ⅱ, 10 patients with type Ⅲ and 14 patients with type Ⅳ (χ 2=9.07, P=0.046). The total intraoperative and postoperative complications rates was 28.2% (24/85). The follow-up period was 4-58 months with the median follow-up time of 30 months. Twelve patients died during the follow-up period, including 1 patient who died from postoperative bleeding, 3 cholangiocarcinoma, 7 biliary cirrhosis-related liver failure, and 1 stone-unrelated disease. Conclusion:Type Ⅳ in the location classification of hepatolithiasis based on PTCSL had significantly higher rates of residual stones and stone recurrence. This new classification is helpful for clinicaians to determine the optimal path using a smaller number of fistulation tracts to clear stones. It improved the efficacy of PTCSL in treating hepatolithiasis.

The clinical role of ultrasound image-fusion navigation system in percutaneous transhepatic cholangioscopic lithotripsy / 中华肝胆外科杂志

Objective:To study the clinical role of ultrasound image-fusion and navigation system (UIFNS), which works through image fusion with volume navigation of ultrasound (VNUS) and computed tomography (CT) or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), in percutaneous transhepatic cholangioscopic lithotripsy (PTCSL) for treatment of hepatolithiasis.Methods:The data of 54 patients with hepatolithiasis who underwent PTCSL between January 2017 and October 2019 in Hepatobiliary Center, the First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University was retrospectively analyzed. Among 54 patients, 16 males and 38 females, aged 16-84 years with a median age of 59.5 years, were included. Preoperative ultrasound, CT, MRI and UIFNS were used to evaluate stone location and distribution in bile ducts. The rates of consistency of each single modality of evaluation with intraoperative examination by cholangioscopy plus ultrasound were compared. The stone clearance rates were compared among the different groups with different numbers of biliary sinus tracts used for stone extraction.Results:The rates of consistency of each single modality of evaluation, including ultrasound, CT, MRI and UIFNS, with intraoperative examination by choledochoscopy plus ultrasound were 75.9% (41/54), 55.6% (30/54), 72.2% (39/54) and 92.6% (50/54), respectively. The rates of consistency as assessed by UIFNS was significantly higher than that by CT or MRI (each P<0.05). The 54 patients were divided into the central-type group, the single-biliary-branch-type group and the multi-branch-type group according to biliary stone location and distribution, with 10 patients, 2 patients and 42 patients, respectively. Biliary sinus tract was established by the one-step method. One single tract was established in 43 patients, and two or more tracts in 11 patients. Each patient underwent 1-3 times of cholangioscopic lithotripsy (mean 1.76 times). The stone clearance rate in the central-type of patients and patients with single-biliary-branch stones was 100% (12/12). In 42 patients with stones in multiple branches of intrahepatic bile ducts, 31 patients underwent stone extraction through a single sinus tract while 11 patients through 2 or more sinus tracts. There was no significant difference in the stone clearance rate between patients with a single sinus tract and those with 2 or more sinus tracts ( P>0.05). The total stone clearance rate was 79.6% (43/54) and the total complication rate 18.5% (10/54). Conclusion:UIFNS was a useful tool with advantages in evaluating the location and distribution of biliary stones, and in selecting appropriate hepatic ducts for planning puncture routes to establish sinus tracts for stone removal.

Clinical efficacy of percutaneous transhepatic cholangioscopic lithotripsy with one-step biliary fistulation for the treatment of hepatolithiasis / 中华消化外科杂志

Objective:To investigate the clinical efficacy of percutaneous transhepatic cholangioscopic lithotripsy with one-step biliary fistulation (PTCSL-OBF) for the treatment of hepatolithiasis.Methods:The retrospective and descriptive study was conducted. The clinicopathological data of 59 patients with hepatolithiasis who were admitted to the First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University from March 2017 to December 2019 were collected. There were 16 males and 43 females, aged from 16 to 84 years, with a median age of 60 years. All patients underwent PTCSL-OBF. Observation indicators: (1) surgical and postoperative situations; (2) follow-up; (3) introduction of special cases. Follow-up using outpatient examination and telephone interview was performed to detect the hepotolithiasis-related symptoms, recurrence of hepatolithiasis , and survival of patients up to December 2019. Measurement data with skewed distribution were represented as M (range). Count data were represented as absolute numbers or percentages. Results:(1) Surgical and postoperative situations: 59 patients underwent PTCSL-OBF successfully. Of the 59 patients, 48 cases had 1 biliary sinus tract, 8 cases had 2 biliary sinus tracts, 2 cases had 3 biliary sinus tracts and 1 case had 4 biliary sinus tracts. A total of 106 times of cholangioscopic lithotripsy procedure were performed in the 59 patients, including 20 cases with once of cholangioscopic lithotripsy procedure, 31 cases with twice of cholangioscopic lithotripsy procedure and 8 cases with 3 times of cholangioscopic lithotripsy procedure. Among the 59 patients, 14 cases were diagnosed with residual stones after operation, 45 cases had stones removed completely with the stones removal rate of 76.3%(45/59). The duration of hospital stay of the 59 patients were 24 days(range, 3-88 days). Of the 59 patients, 11 cases had 14 times of postoperative complications. The total incidence of complications was 18.6%(11/59). Among the 14 times of complications, there were 4 times of pleural effusion combined with infection, 2 times of liver abscess, 2 times of ascites, 2 times of intraoperative hypotension septic shock, 2 times of bleeding, 1 time of colon perforation and 1 time of bile leakage. Patients with complications were cured with symptomatic support treatment including puncture drainage, anti-infection and hemostasis. (2) Follow-up: 59 patients were followed up for 1-34 months, with a median follow-up time of 18 months. Of the 59 patients, 9 had recurrence of hepatolithiasis, with a recurrence rate of 15.3%(9/59); 17 had hepatolithiasis related symptoms, with an incidence of 28.8%(17/59). Of the 45 patients who had stones removed completely, 6 had recurrence of hepatolithiasis, with a recurrence rate of 13.3%(6/45); 14 had hepatolithiasis related symptoms, with an incidence rate of 31.1%(14/45). Of the 14 patients who had residual stones postoperatively, 3 had recurrence of hepatolithiasis, with an incidence rate of 21.4%(3/14); 3 had hepatolithiasis related symptoms, with an incidence rate of 21.4%(3/14). During the follow-up, 7 of 59 patients died, 2 of whom died of biliary neoplasms and 5 died of decompensated cirrhosis. (3) Introduction of special cases: among the 5 patients with biliary cirrhosis, 3 cases had stones removed completely, but the original symptoms of the 2 cases were not improved postoperatively and cholangitis occurred repeatedly. The other 2 cases underwent only once of cholangioscopic lithotripsy procedure because of severe cirrhosis combine with massive ascites.Conclusion:PTCSL-OBF can be used in the treatment of hepatolithiasis with appropriate indications, careful operation and strengthened perioperative management to reduce complications.

Hollow hydroxyapatite combined with human bone morphogenetic protein-2 microspheres for bone defect repair / 中国组织工程研究

BACKGROUND:Hydroxyapatite (HA) is a good scaffold material, and recombinant human bone morphogenetic protein-2 (rhBMP-2) possesses a strong osteogenic ability, therefore, by which preparing a novel composite material wil be helpful for bone repair. OBJECTIVE:To explore the effects of the hol ow HA/rhBMP-2 microspheres on the osteogenesis and biomechanics of rabbit bone defects. METHODS:Forty-eight male healthy adult New Zealand white rabbits were randomly divided into three groups (n=16 per group), including composite, single and control groups. Radical defect models were prepared, and the hol ow HA/rhBMP-2 and hol ow HA scaffolds were implanted into the composite and single groups, respectively. The control group received no treatment. At the 1st day of 4, 8, 12, and 16 weeks after implantation, the level of serum alkaline phosphatase was detected, and the bone healing was assessed through X-ray, three-dimensional CT, radionuclide bone scan and biomechanics testing, respectively. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:The level of serum alkaline phosphatase, X-ray scale scores, osteogetic effect, region of interest volume, three-dimensional CT and biomechanical strength in the composite group were superior to those in the single group. In the meanwhile, the bone healing was unsatisfactory in the control group. Our findings indicate that the hol ow HA/rhBMP-2 artificial bone exhibits a good osteogenic ability and mechanical strength, contributing to bone healing.

Ischemic preconditioning improves hepatic regeneration with reduced injury following reduced-size rat liver transplantation / 中国组织工程研究

BACKGROUND: Recently,liver transplantation technique has been developed rapidly,and prevention of ischemia/reperfusion injury and protection of liver regeneration have become a research focus.Ischemic preconditioning(IPC)is an effective method for protecting liver ischemic injury.However,the mechanism remains controversial.OBJECTIVE: To investigate the mechanism of IPC on hepatic injury and regeneration after reduced-size rat liver transplantation.METHODS: Animals were randomly divided into 3 groups.Rat reduced-size liver transplantation model was established in liver transplantation group.IPC+liver transplantation group underwent first porta hepatis blocking for 10 minutes before liver graft reperfusion,followed by reperfusion for 15 minutes.The ligament around the liver was dissociated in the sham-surgery group.The samples were collected 0.5,2,6 and 24 hours post-operation.The hepatic injury was examined by the serum alanine aminotransferase(ALT)and hepatic tissue histopathology analysis of grafts.Semi-quantitative immunohistochemistry and westernblotting were used to examine the redox factor-1(Ref-1)protein expression.The hepatic regeneration of the grafts was examined by the expression of proliferating cell nuclear antigen(PCNA)in hepatic cells.RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: Compared with liver transplantation group,the ALT values at 6 and 24 hours after operation in IPC group decreased significantly(P < 0.05; P < 0.01).Pathological analysis indicated that there were lots of inflammation cells around the portal veins,the serious sinus hepaticus dilation and damage of hepatic tissue in liver transplantation group.However,the tissue injury observed in IPC group was comparatively slight.Semi-quantitative immunohistochemistry revealed that Ref-1 protein was more abundant in IPC grafts tissue compared to liver transplantation group.These observations were supported by westernblotting studies where Ref-1 protein was shown to be over-expressed in IPC specimens at 24 hours after reduced-size liver transplantation(P < 0.05).In addition,the number of PCNA-positive cells in IPC group was more than liver transplantation group at 2,6 and 24 hours after operation(P < 0.05).IPC improves hepatic regeneration and relieves grafts injury in earlier period after reduced-size rat liver transplantation,which is associated with the over-expression of Ref-1protein.

Protective effect of edaravone against hepatic ischemia-reperfusion injry in small-for-size rat liver grafts / 中华器官移植杂志

Objective To investigate the protective effect of edaravone against ischemiareperfusion injury in small-for-size rat liver grafts and its possible mechanisms. Methods 40 % small-for-size rat liver transplantation model was established by using modified two-cuff technique, adult male SD rats were used as donors and recipients, and 16 recipient rats were randomly divided into two groups (8 cases in each group), saline control group (control group) and edaravone treatment group (ED group). In the ED group, 3 mg/kg edaravone was given intravenously via penile vein 30 min before transplantation in the recipients. The same amount of saline was given in the control group at the same time points. Serum hepatic function (AST and ALT) and histopathological changes were analyzed; the contents of MDA and SOD, and hepatic myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity in liver grafts after 6 h were determined; and TNF-α levels at 6th h after reperfusion were measured by using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA method). Results As compared with control group,serum AST and ALT levels were significantly reduced at the 6th h after reperfusion in ED group (AST: 825. 50 5±72. 87 vs 1188. 03 ± 124. 04; ALT. 687. 40 5±72. 21 vs 988. 66 ± 91.07, P<0. 01 ).The content of MDA was lower and SOD level was higher in ED group significantly than in control group (P<0. 01). As compared with control group, hepatic TNF-α levels and MPO activity at the 6th h after reperfusion were significantly decreased in ED group (P<0. 01 ). Histopathological analysis revealed disruption of lobular architecture, apparent hepatocelluar degeneration accompanied by focal necrosis, significant edema, congestion and inflammatory cell infiltration in periportal area at the 6th h after reperfusion in control group, but minimal liver damage was observed in ED group. Conclusion Edaravone could ameliorate early ischemia-reperfusion injury in small-for-size liver grafts significantly.The protective mechanisms were mediated in part by increasing antioxidant ability, inhibiting lipid peroxidation, and down-regulating inflammatory reaction.