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

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

Harmonizing Definitions and Perspectives in Extreme Liver Surgery: A Delphi Experts Consensus.

OBJECTIVE: To propose to our community a common language about extreme liver surgery. BACKGROUND: The lack of a clear definition of extreme liver surgery prevents convincing comparisons of results among centers. METHODS: We used a two-round Delphi methodology to quantify consensus among liver surgery experts. For inclusion in the final recommendations, we established a consensus when the positive responses (agree and totally agree) exceeded 70%. The study steering group summarized and reported the recommendations. In general, a five-point Likert scale with a neutral central value was used, and in a few cases multiple choices. Results are displayed as numbers and percentages. RESULTS: A two-round Delphi study was completed by 38 expert surgeons in complex hepatobiliary surgery. The surgeon´s median age was 58 years old (52-63) and the median years of experience was 25 years (20-31). For the proposed definitions of total vascular occlusion, hepatic flow occlusion and inferior vein occlusion, the degree of agreement was 97%, 81% and 84%, respectively. In situ approach (64%) was the preferred, followed by ante situ (22%) and ex situ (14%). Autologous or cadaveric graft for hepatic artery or hepatic vein repair were the most recommended (89%). The use of veno-venous bypass or portocaval shunt revealed the divergence depending on the case. Overall, 75% of the experts agreed with the proposed definition for extreme liver surgery. CONCLUSION: Obtaining a consensus on the definition of extreme liver surgery is essential to guarantee the correct management of patients with highly complex hepatobiliary oncological disease. The management of candidates for extreme liver surgery involves comprehensive care ranging from adequate patient selection to the appropriate surgical strategy.

European validation of the classification for the anticipated difficulty of liver transplantation.

BACKGROUND: Appropriate risk stratification for the difficulty of liver transplantation (LT) is essential to guide the selection and acceptance of grafts and avoid morbidity and mortality. METHODS: Based on 987 LTs collected from 5 centers, perioperative outcomes were analyzed across the 3 difficulty levels. Each LT was retrospectively scored from 0 to 10. Scores of 0-2, 3-5 and 6-10 were then translated into respective difficulty levels: low, moderate and high. Complications were reported according to the comprehensive complication index (CCI). RESULTS: The difficulty level of LT in 524 (53%), 323 (32%), and 140 (14%) patients was classified as low, moderate and high, respectively. The values of major intraoperative outcomes, such as cold ischemia time (p = 0.04) and operative time (p < 0.0001) increased gradually with statistically significant values among difficulty levels. There was a corresponding increase in CCI (p = 0.04), severe complication rates (p = 0.05) and length of ICU (p = 0.01) and hospital (p = 0.004) stays across the different difficulty levels. CONCLUSION: The LT difficulty classification has been validated.

Recommendations on Robotic Hepato-Pancreato-Biliary Surgery. The Paris Jury-Based Consensus Conference.

OBJECTIVE: To establish the first consensus guidelines on the safety and indications of robotics in Hepato-Pancreatic-Biliary (HPB) surgery. The secondary aim was to identify priorities for future research. SUMMARY BACKGROUND DATA: HPB robotic surgery is reaching the IDEAL 2b exploration phase for innovative technology. An objective assessment endorsed by the HPB community is timely and needed. METHODS: The ROBOT4HPB conference developed consensus guidelines using the Zurich-Danish model. An impartial and multidisciplinary jury produced unbiased guidelines based on the work of ten expert panels answering predefined key questions and considering the best-quality evidence retrieved after a systematic review. The recommendations conformed with the GRADE and SIGN50 methodologies. RESULTS: Fifty-four experts from 20 countries considered 285 studies, and the conference included an audience of 220 attendees. The jury (n=10) produced recommendations or statements covering five sections of robotic HPB surgery: technology, training and expertise, outcome assessment, and liver and pancreatic procedures. The recommendations supported the feasibility of robotics for most HPB procedures and its potential value in extending minimally invasive indications, emphasizing however the importance of expertise to ensure safety. The concept of expertise was defined broadly, encompassing requirements for credentialing HPB robotics at a given center. The jury prioritized relevant questions for future trials and emphasized the need for prospective registries, including validated outcome metrics for the forthcoming assessment of HPB robotics. CONCLUSION: The ROBOT4HPB consensus represents a collaborative and multidisciplinary initiative, defining state-of-the-art expertise in HPB robotics procedures. It produced the first guidelines to encourage their safe use and promotion.

Vena cava replacement and major hepatectomy for liver tumors: international multicenter retrospective cohort study.

INTRODUCTION: Involvement of the inferior vena cava (IVC) and hepatic veins has been considered a relative contraindication to hepatic resection for primary and metastatic liver tumors. However, patients affected by tumors extending to the IVC have limited therapeutic options and suffer worsening of quality of life due to IVC compression. METHODS: Cases of primary and metastatic liver tumors with vena cava infiltration from 10 international centers were collected (7 European, 1 US, 2 Brazilian, 1 Indian) were collected. Inclusion criteria for the study were major liver resection with concomitant vena cava replacement. Clinical data and short-term outcomes were analyzed. RESULTS: Thirty-six cases were finally included in the study. Median tumor max size was 98 mm (range: 25-250). A biliary reconstruction was necessary in 28% of cases, while a vascular reconstruction other than vena cava in 34% of cases. Median operative time was 462 min (range: 230-750), with 750 median ml of estimated blood loss and a median of one pRBC transfused intraoperatively (range: 0-27). Median ICU stay was 4 days (range: 1-30) with overall in-hospital stay of 15 days (range: 3-46), postoperative CCI score of 20.9 (range: 0-100), 12% incidence of PHLF grade B-C. Five patients died in a 90-days interval from surgery, one due to heart failure, one due to septic shock, and three due to multiorgan failure. With a median follow-up of 17 months (interquartile range: 11-37), the estimated 5 years overall survival was 48% (95% CI: 27-66%), and 5-year cumulative incidence of tumor recurrence was 55% (95% CI: 33-73%). CONCLUSIONS: Major liver resections with vena cava replacement can be performed with satisfactory results in expert HPB centers. This surgical strategy represents a feasible alternative for otherwise unresectable lesions and is associated with favorable prognosis compared to nonoperative management, especially in patients affected by intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma.

Upfront multi-bipolar radiofrequency ablation for HCC in transplant-eligible cirrhotic patients with salvage transplantation in case of recurrence.

INTRODUCTION: We aim to assess the long-term outcomes of percutaneous multi-bipolar radiofrequency (mbpRFA) as the first treatment for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in transplant-eligible cirrhotic patients, followed by salvage transplantation for intrahepatic distant tumour recurrence or liver failure. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We included transplant-eligible patients with cirrhosis and a first diagnosis of HCC within Milan criteria treated by upfront mbp RFA. Transplantability was defined by age <70 years, social support, absence of significant comorbidities, no active alcohol use and no recent extrahepatic cancer. Baseline variables were correlated with outcomes using the Kaplan-Meier and Cox models. RESULTS: Among 435 patients with HCC, 172 were considered as transplantable with HCCs >2 cm (53%), uninodular (87%) and AFP >100 ng/mL (13%). Median overall survival was 87 months, with 75% of patients alive at 3 years, 61% at 5 years and 43% at 10 years. Age (p = .003) and MELD>10 (p = .01) were associated with the risk of death. Recurrence occurred in 118 patients within Milan criteria in 81% of cases. Local recurrence was observed in 24.5% of cases at 10 years and distant recurrence rates were observed in 69% at 10 years. After local recurrence, 69% of patients were still alive at 10 years. At the first tumour recurrence, 75 patients (65%) were considered transplantable. Forty-one patients underwent transplantation, mainly for distant intrahepatic tumour recurrence. The overall 5-year survival post-transplantation was 72%, with a tumour recurrence of 2.4%. CONCLUSION: Upfront multi-bipolar RFA for a first diagnosis of early HCC on cirrhosis coupled with salvage liver transplantation had a favourable intention-to-treat long-term prognosis, allowing for spare grafts.

Debulking hepatectomy for colorectal liver metastasis: Analysis of risk factors for progression free survival.

BACKGROUND: The study explores the role of liver debulking surgery in cases of unresectable colorectal liver metastases (CRLM), challenging the traditional notion that surgery is not a valid option in such scenarios. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Patients with advanced but resectable disease who underwent surgery with a curative intent (Group I) and those with advanced incompletely resectable disease who underwent a "debulking" hepatectomy (Group II) were compared. RESULTS: There was no difference in the intra-operative and post-operative results between the two groups. The 3-year and 5-year OS rates were 69% and 47% for group 1 vs 64% and 35% for group 2 respectively (p = 0.14). The 3-year and 5-year PFS rates were 32% and 21% for group 1 vs 12% and 8% for group 2 respectively (p = 0.009). Independent predictors of PFS in the debulking group were bilobar metastases (HR = 2.70; p = 0.02); the presence of extrahepatic metastasis (HR = 2.65, p = 0.03) and the presence of more than 9 metastases (HR = 2.37; p = 0.04). Iterative liver surgery for CRLM was a significant protective factor (HR = 0.34, p = 0.04). CONCLUSION: An aggressive palliative surgical approach may offer a survival benefit for selected patients with unresectable CRLM, without increasing the morbidity. The decision for surgery should be made on a case-by-case basis.

Short-term outcomes of laparoscopic extended hepatectomy versus major hepatectomy: a single-center experience.

INTRODUCTION: Laparoscopic major hepatectomy (LMH) remains restricted to a few specialized centers and poses a challenge to surgeons performing laparoscopic resections. Laparoscopic extended resections are even more complex and rarely conducted. METHODS: From a single-institution database, we compared the short-term outcomes of patients who underwent major and extended laparoscopic resections, stratifying the entire retrospective cohort into four groups: right hepatectomy, left hepatectomy, right extended hepatectomy, and left extended hepatectomy. Patient demographics, tumor characteristics, operative variables, and especially postoperative outcomes were evaluated. RESULTS: 250 patients underwent major and extended laparoscopic liver resections, including 160 right, 31 right extended, 36 left, and 23 left extended laparoscopic hepatectomies. The most common indication for resection was colorectal liver metastases (64%). Laparoscopic extended hepatectomy (LEH) showed significantly longer operative time, more blood loss, need for Pringle maneuver, conversion to open surgery, higher rates of liver failure, postoperative ascites, and intra-abdominal hemorrhage, R1 margins and length of stay when compared with the LMH group. Mortality rates were similar between groups. Multivariate analysis revealed intraoperative blood transfusion (OR = 5.1[CI-95%: 1.15-6.79]; p = 0.02) as an independent predictor for major complications. CONCLUSIONS: LEH showed to be feasible, however with higher blood loss and significantly associated to major complications.

Biliary tract cancers: French national clinical practice guidelines for diagnosis, treatments and follow-up (TNCD, SNFGE, FFCD, UNICANCER, GERCOR, SFCD, SFED, AFEF, SFRO, SFP, SFR, ACABi, ACHBPT).

INTRODUCTION: This document is a summary of the French intergroup guidelines of the management of biliary tract cancers (BTC) (intrahepatic, perihilar and distal cholangiocarcinomas, and gallbladder carcinomas) published in September 2023, available on the website of the French Society of Gastroenterology (SNFGE) (www.tncd.org). METHODS: This collaborative work was conducted under the auspices of French medical and surgical societies involved in the management of BTC. Recommendations were graded in three categories (A, B and C) according to the level of scientific evidence until August 2023. RESULTS: BTC diagnosis and staging is mainly based on enhanced computed tomography, magnetic resonance imaging and (endoscopic) ultrasound-guided biopsy. Treatment strategy depends on BTC subtype and disease stage. Surgery followed by adjuvant capecitabine is recommended for localised disease. No neoadjuvant treatment is validated to date. Cisplatin-gemcitabine chemotherapy combined to the anti-PD-L1 inhibitor durvalumab is the first-line standard of care for advanced disease. Early systematic tumour molecular profiling is recommended to screen for actionable alterations (IDH1 mutations, FGFR2 rearrangements, HER2 amplification, BRAFV600E mutation, MSI/dMMR status, etc.) and guide subsequent lines of treatment. In the absence of actionable alterations, FOLFOX chemotherapy is the only second-line standard-of-care. No third-line chemotherapy standard is validated to date. CONCLUSION: These guidelines are intended to provide a personalised therapeutic strategy for daily clinical practice. Each individual BTC case should be discussed by a multidisciplinary team.

Perioperative Changes in Serum Transaminase Levels: Impact on Postoperative Morbidity Following Liver Resection of Hepatocellular Carcinoma.

OBJECTIVES: To define how dynamic changes in pre- versus post-operative serum aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alanine aminotransaminase (ALT) levels may impact postoperative morbidity after curative-intent resection of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). BACKGROUND: Hepatic ischemia/reperfusion can occur at the time of liver resection and may be associated with adverse outcomes following liver resection. METHODS: Patients who underwent curative resection for HCC between 2010-2020 were identified from an international multi-institutional database. Changes in AST and ALT (CAA) on postoperative day (POD) 3 versus preoperative values () were calculated using the formula: based on a fusion index via Euclidean norm, which was examined relative to the comprehensive complication index (CCI). The impact of CAA on CCI was assessed by the restricted cubic spline regression and Random Forest analyses. RESULTS: A total of 759 patients were included in the analytic cohort. Median CAA was 1.7 (range, 0.9 to 3.25); 431 (56.8%) patients had a CAA<2, 215 (28.3%) patients with CAA 2-5, and 113 (14.9%) patients had CAA ≥5. The incidence of post-operative complications was 65.0% (n=493) with a median CCI of 20.9 (IQR, 20.9-33.5). Spline regression analysis demonstrated a non-linear incremental association between CAA and CCI. The optimal cutoff value of CAA=5 was identified by the recursive partitioning technique. After adjusting for other competing risk factors, CAA≥5 remained strongly associated with risk of post-operative complications (Ref. CAA<5, OR 1.63, 95%CI 1.05-2.55, P=0.03). In fact, the use of CAA to predict post-operative complications was very good in both the derivative (AUC 0.88) and external (ACU 0.86) cohorts (n=1137). CONCLUSIONS: CAA was an independent predictor of CCI after liver resection for HCC. Use of routine labs such as AST and ALT can help identify patients at highest risk of post-operative complications following HCC resection.

Predictive value of C-reactive protein for postoperative liver-specific surgical site infections.

BACKGROUND: C-reactive protein is a useful biological tool to predict infectious complications, but its predictive value in detecting organ-specific surgical site infection after liver resection has never been studied. We aimed to evaluate the predictive value of c-reactive protein and determine the cut-off values to detect postoperative liver resection-surgical site infection. METHODS: A multicentric analysis of consecutive patients with liver resection between 2018 and 2021 was performed. The predictive value of postoperative day 1, postoperative day 3, and postoperative day 5 C-reactive protein levels was evaluated using the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve. Cut-off values were determined using the Youden index in a 500-fold bootstrap resampling of 500 patients treated at 3 centers, who comprised the development cohort and were tested in an external independent validation cohort of 166 patients at a fourth center. RESULTS: Among the 500 patients who underwent liver resection of the development cohort, liver resection-surgical site infection occurred in 66 patients (13.2%), and the median time to diagnosis was 6.0 days (interquartile range, 4.0-9.0) days. Median C-reactive protein levels were significantly higher on postoperative day 1, postoperative day 3, and postoperative day 5 in the liver resection-surgical site infection group compared with the non-surgical site infection group (50.5 vs 34.5 ng/mL, 148.0 vs 72.5 ng/mL, and 128.4 vs 35.2 ng/mL, respectively; P < .001). Postoperative day 3 and postoperative day 5 C-reactive protein-level area under the curve values were 0.76 (95% confidence interval, 0.64-0.88, P < .001) and 0.82 (95% confidence interval, 0.72-0.92, P < .001), respectively. Postoperative day 3 and postoperative day 5 optimal cut-off values of 100 mg/L and 87.0 mg/L could be used to rule out liver resection-surgical site infection, with a negative predictive value of 87.0% (interquartile range, 70.2-93.8) and 76.0% (interquartile range, 65.0-88.0), respectively, in the validation cohort. CONCLUSION: Postoperative day 3 and postoperative day 5 C-reactive protein levels may be valuable predictive tools for liver resection-surgical site infection and aid in hospital discharge decision-making in the absence of other liver-related complications.

Comparing indications, complexity and outcomes of laparoscopic liver resection between centers with and without a liver transplant program: a French nationwide study.

BACKGROUND: There are no data to evaluate the difference in populations and impact of centers with liver transplant programs in performing laparoscopic liver resection (LLR). METHODS: This was a multicenter study including patients undergoing LLR for benign and malignant tumors at 27 French centers from 1996 to 2018. The main outcomes were postoperative severe morbidity and mortality. RESULTS: A total of 3154 patients were included, and 14 centers were classified as transplant centers (N = 2167 patients, 68.7 %). The transplant centers performed more difficult LLRs and more resections for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in patients who more frequently had cirrhosis. A higher rate of performing the Pringle maneuver, a lower rate of blood loss and a higher rate of open conversion (all p < 0.05) were observed in the transplant centers. There was no association between the presence of a liver transplant program and either postoperative severe morbidity (<10 % in each group; p = 0.228) or mortality (1 % in each group; p = 0.915). CONCLUSIONS: Most HCCs, difficult LLRs, and cirrhotic patients are treated in transplant centers. We show that all centers can achieve comparable safety and quality of care in LLR independent of the presence of a liver transplant program.

Factors of oncological failure in two stage hepatectomy for colorectal liver metastases.

BACKGROUND: Two-stage hepatectomy (TSH) has increased the chance of surgical resections for bilobar colorectal liver metastases (CRLM). Nevertheless, drop-out between stages and early recurrence rates raise the question of surgical futility in some situations. This study aimed to identify factors of TSH oncological failure. METHODS: Patients with bilobar CRLM eligible for TSH in three tertiary centers between 2010 and 2021 were included, and divided in Failure and Success groups. Oncological failure was defined as failure of the second stage hepatectomy for tumor progression or recurrence within 6 months after resection. RESULTS: Among 95 patients, 18 (18.9%) had hepatic progression between the two stages, and 7 (7.4%) failed to complete the second stage hepatectomy. After TSH, 31 (32.6%) patients experienced early recurrence. Overall, 38 (40.0%) patients experienced oncological failure (Failure group). The Failure group had lower median DFS (3 vs. 32 months, p < 0.001) and median OS (29 vs. 70 months, p = 0.045) than the Success group. On multivariable analysis, progression between the two stages in the future liver remnant (OR = 15.0 (3.22-113.0), p = 0.002), and maximal tumor size ≥40 mm in the future liver remnant (OR = 13.1 (2.12-117.0), p = 0.009) were independent factors of oncological failure. CONCLUSION: Recurrence between the two stages and maximal tumor size ≥40 mm in the future liver remnant were associated with TSH failure for patients with bilobar CRLM.

Combined hepatocellular-cholangiocarcinoma compared to hepatocellular carcinoma and intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma: Different survival, similar recurrence: Report of a large study on repurposed databases with propensity score matching.

BACKGROUND: Combined hepatocholangiocarcinoma is a rare cancer with a grim prognosis composed of both hepatocellular carcinoma and intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma morphologic patterns in the same tumor. The aim of this multicenter, international cohort study was to compare the oncologic outcomes after surgery of combined hepatocholangiocarcinoma to hepatocellular carcinoma and intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma. METHODS: Patients treated by surgery for combined hepatocholangiocarcinoma, hepatocellular carcinoma, and intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma from 2000 to 2021 from multicenter international databases were analyzed retrospectively. Patients with combined hepatocholangiocarcinoma (cases) were compared with 2 control groups of hepatocellular carcinoma or intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma, sequentially matched using a propensity score based on 8 preoperative characteristics. Overall and disease-free survival were compared, and predictors of mortality and recurrence were analyzed with Cox regression after propensity score matching. RESULTS: During the study period, 3,196 patients were included. Propensity score adjustment and 2 sequential matching processes produced a new cohort (n = 244) comprising 3 balanced groups was obtained (combined hepatocholangiocarcinoma = 56, intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma = 66, and hepatocellular carcinoma = 122). Kaplan-Meier overall survival estimations at 1, 3, and 5 years were 67%, 45%, and 28% for combined hepatocholangiocarcinoma, 92%, 75%, and 55% for hepatocellular carcinoma, and 86%, 53%, and 42% for the intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma group, respectively (P = .0014). Estimations of disease-free survival at 1, 3, and 5 years were 51%, 25%, and 17% for combined hepatocholangiocarcinoma, 63%, 35%, and 26% for the hepatocellular carcinoma group, and 51%, 31%, and 28% for the intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma group, respectively (P = .19). Predictors of mortality were combined hepatocholangiocarcinoma subtype, metabolic syndrome, preoperative tumor markers alpha-fetoprotein and carbohydrate antigen 19-9, and satellite nodules, and recurrence was associated with satellite nodules rather than cancer subtype. CONCLUSION: Despite data limitations, overall survival among patients with combined hepatocholangiocarcinoma was worse than both groups and closer intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma, whereas disease-free survival was similar among the 3 groups. Future research on immunophenotypic profiling may hold more promise than traditional nonmodifiable clinical characteristics (as found in this study) in predicting recurrence or response to salvage treatments.

Oncological Outcome After Laparoscopic 'No-touch' RAMPS Versus 'Touch' Left Pancreatectomy for Pancreatic Adenocarcinoma.

BACKGROUND/AIM: The validity of laparoscopic distal pancreatectomy in left-sided pancreatic adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is still unclear. However, a meticulous surgical dissection through a "no-touch" technique might allow a radical oncological resection with minimal risk of tumor dissemination and seeding. This study aimed to evaluate the oncological outcomes of the laparoscopic "no touch" technique versus the "touch" technique. PATIENTS AND METHODS: From 2001 to 2020, we retrospectively analyzed 45 patients undergoing laparoscopic distal pancreatectomy (LDP) for PDAC in two centers. Factors associated with overall (OS), disease-free survival (DFS) and time to recurrence (TTR) were identified. RESULTS: The OS rates in the 'no-touch' and 'touch' groups were 95% vs. 78% (1-year OS); 50% vs. 50% (3-year OS), respectively (p=0.60). The DFS rates in the 'no-touch' and 'touch' groups were 72 % vs. 57% (1-year DFS); 32% vs. 28% (3-year DFS), respectively (p=0.11). The TTR rates in the 'no-touch' and 'touch' groups were 77% vs. 61% (1-year TTR); 54% vs. 30% (3-year TTR); 46% vs. 11% (5-year TTR); respectively (p=0.02) In multivariate analysis the only factors were Touch technique [odds ratio (OR)=2.62, p=0.02] and lymphovascular emboli (OR=4.8; p=0.002). CONCLUSION: We advise the 'no-touch' technique in patients with resectable PDAC in the pancreatic body and tail. Although this study does not provide definitive proof of superiority, no apparent downsides are present for the 'no-touch' technique in this setting although there could be oncological benefits.

Machine-Based Learning Hierarchical Cluster Analysis: Sex-Based Differences in Prognosis Following Resection of Hepatocellular Carcinoma.

BACKGROUND: Patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) may have a heterogeneous presentation, as well as different long-term outcomes following surgical resection. We sought to use machine learning to cluster patients into different prognostic groups based on preoperative characteristics. METHODS: Patients who underwent curative-intent liver resection for HCC between 2000 and 2020 were identified from a large international multi-institutional database. A hierarchical cluster analysis was performed based on preoperative factors to characterize patterns of presentation and define disease-free survival (DFS). RESULTS: Among 966 with HCC, 3 distinct clusters were identified: Cluster 1 (n = 160, 16.5%), Cluster 2 (n = 537, 55.6%) and Cluster 3 (n = 269, 27.8%). Cluster 1 (n = 160, 16.5%) consisted of female patients (n = 160, 100%), low inflammation-based scores, intermediate tumor burden score (TBS) (median: 4.71) and high alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) levels (median 41.3 ng/mL); Cluster 2 consisted of male individuals (n = 537, 100%), mainly with a history of HBV infection (n = 429, 79.9%), low inflammation-based scores, intermediate AFP levels (median 26.0 ng/mL) and lower TBS (median 4.49); Cluster 3 was comprised of older patients (median age 68 years) predominantly male (n = 248, 92.2%) who had low incidence of HBV/HCV infection (7.1% and 8.2%, respectively), intermediate AFP levels (median 16.8 ng/mL), high inflammation-based scores and high TBS (median 6.58). Median DFS worsened incrementally among the three different clusters with Cluster 3 having the lowest DFS (Cluster 1: median not reached; Cluster 2: 34 months, 95% CI 23.0-48.0, Cluster 3: 19 months, 95% CI 15.0-29.0, p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Cluster analysis classified HCC patients into three distinct prognostic groups. Cluster assignment predicted DFS following resection of HCC with the female cluster having the most favorable prognosis following HCC resection.

Perceptions of surgical difficulty in liver transplantation: A European survey and development of the Pitié-Salpêtrière classification.

BACKGROUND: Significant variations exist regarding the definition of difficult liver transplantation. The study goals were to investigate how liver transplant surgeons evaluate the surgical difficulty of liver transplantation and to use the identified factors to classify liver transplantation difficulty. METHODS: A Web-based online European survey was presented to liver transplant surgeons. The survey was divided into 3 parts: (1) participant demographics and practices; (2) various situations based on recipient, liver disease, tumor treatment, and technical factors; and (3) 8 real-life clinical vignettes with different levels of complexity. In part 3 of the survey, respondents were asked whether they would perform liver transplantation but were not aware that these patients eventually underwent liver transplantation. RESULTS: A total of 143 invites were sent out, and 97 (67.8%) participants completed the survey. Most participants considered previous spontaneous bacterial peritonitis, previous supra-mesocolic surgery, hypertrophy of segment I, and obesity to be recipient factors for high-difficulty liver transplantation. Most participants considered liver transplantation to be challenging in patients with Budd-Chiari syndrome, Kasai surgery, polycystic liver disease, diffuse portal vein thrombosis, and a history of open hepatectomy. The proportion of participants indicating that liver transplantation was warranted varied across the 8 cases, from 69% to 100%. Our classification of the surgical difficulty of liver transplantation employed these recipient-related, surgical history-related, and liver disease-related variables and 3 difficulty groups were identified: low, intermediate, and high difficulty groups. CONCLUSION: This survey provides an overview of the surgical difficulty of various situations in liver transplantation that could be useful for further benchmark and textbook outcome studies.