Development and Validation of HAS (Hajibandeh Index, ASA Status, Sarcopenia) - A Novel Model for Predicting Mortality After Emergency Laparotomy.

OBJECTIVES: To develop and validate a predictive model to predict the risk of postoperative mortality after emergency laparotomy taking into account the following variables: age, age ≥ 80, ASA status, clinical frailty score, sarcopenia, Hajibandeh Index (HI), bowel resection, and intraperitoneal contamination. SUMMARY BACKGROUND DATA: The discriminative powers of the currently available predictive tools range between adequate and strong; none has demonstrated excellent discrimination yet. METHODS: The TRIPOD and STROCSS statement standards were followed to protocol and conduct a retrospective cohort study of adult patients who underwent emergency laparotomy due to non-traumatic acute abdominal pathology between 2017 and 2022. Multivariable binary logistic regression analysis was used to develop and validate the model via two protocols (Protocol A and B). The model performance was evaluated in terms of discrimination (ROC curve analysis), calibration (calibration diagram and Hosmer-Lemeshow test), and classification (classification table). RESULTS: One thousand forty-three patients were included (statistical power = 94%). Multivariable analysis kept HI (Protocol-A: P =0.0004; Protocol-B: P =0.0017), ASA status (Protocol-A: P =0.0068; Protocol-B: P =0.0007), and sarcopenia (Protocol-A: P <0.0001; Protocol-B: P <0.0001) as final predictors of 30-day postoperative mortality in both protocols; hence the model was called HAS (HI, ASA status, sarcopenia). The HAS demonstrated excellent discrimination (AUC: 0.96, P <0.0001), excellent calibration ( P <0.0001), and excellent classification (95%) via both protocols. CONCLUSIONS: The HAS is the first model demonstrating excellent discrimination, calibration, and classification in predicting the risk of 30-day mortality following emergency laparotomy. The HAS model seems promising and is worth attention for external validation using the calculator provided. HAS mortality risk calculator https://app.airrange.io/#/element/xr3b_E6yLor9R2c8KXViSAeOSK .

Prognostic significance of socioeconomic deprivation in patients with colorectal liver metastasis undergoing liver resection: a retrospective cohort study.

AIMS: To evaluate the effect of socioeconomic deprivation on overall survival (OS) in patients undergoing liver resection for colorectal liver metastasis (CRLM). METHODS: The STROCSS guideline for observational studies was followed to conduct a single-centre retrospective cohort study. All consecutive patients undergoing resection of CRLM between 2013 and 2021 were considered eligible for inclusion. The Welsh Index of Multiple Deprivation (WIMD) rank was used to determine socioeconomic deprivation status of each patient. Prognostic significance of socioeconomic deprivation was determined by Kaplan-Meier survival statistics and stepwise Cox proportional-hazards regression model. RESULTS: A total of 455 patients were eligible for inclusion; 237 patients were classed as least socioeconomically deprived and 218 patients as most socioeconomically deprived. Kaplan-Meier survival statistics showed that socioeconomic deprivation was associated with significantly lower probability of overall survival (HR: 1.55, 95% CI 1.23-1.95; logrank test: P = 0.0001). The stepwise Cox proportional-hazards regression analysis identified socioeconomic deprivation as predictor of OS (HR: 1.56, P = 0.0003) alongside the following variables: ASA status 1 (HR: 0.43, P = 0.0349), presence of extrahepatic disease (HR: 1.51, P = 0.0075), number of tumours (HR: 1.07, P = 0.0221), size of largest tumour (HR: 1.01, P = 0.0003), extended hemihepatectomy (HR: 3.24, P = 0.0018) and absence of recurrence (HR: 0.55, P < 0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: Socioeconomic deprivation reduces the probability of long-term overall survival following liver resection in patients with CRLM. This should be taken into account at different levels of health care planning for management of patients with CRLM including preoperative risk assessment, health care need assessment and allocation of resources.

The risk of hepatic pseudoaneurysm after liver trauma in relation to the severity of liver injury: a meta-analysis and meta-regression analysis.

AIM: To determine the risk of hepatic pseudoaneurysm after liver trauma in relation to the severity of liver injury. METHODS: We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis in compliance with PRISMA statement standards (Registration Number: CRD42022328834). A search of electronic information sources was conducted to identify all studies reporting the risk of hepatic pseudoaneurysm after liver trauma. The JBI assessment tool was used to assess the risk of bias of the included studies. Random-effects models were applied to calculate pooled outcome data. RESULTS: A total of 2030 patients from six studies were included. Based on the American Association for the Surgery of Trauma classification system, 21% had grade I injury; 33% grade II injury; 28% grade III injury; 12% grade IV injury and 5% grade V injury. The pooled risk of hepatic pseudoaneurysm was 1.8% (95% CI 1.1-2.5%). The risk was 0.4% (0-1.2%) in patients with grade I injury, 0.7% (0-1.7%) in patients with grade II injury; 1.5% (0.4-2.7%) in patients with grade III injury; 4.6% (1.4-7.7%) in patients with grade IV injury and 10.6% (1.8-22.9%) in patients with grade V injury. The average time between liver injury and detection of hepatic pseudoaneurysm was 6 days (95% CI 1-10) CONCLUSIONS: The risk of hepatic pseudoaneurysm after liver trauma increases as the severity of liver injury increases. Hepatic pseudoaneurysms are rare after grade I or grade II injuries, and increasingly common after grades III, IV and V injuries. We recommend routine surveillance imaging in patients with grade III to V injuries.

Cohort study of long-term survival and recurrence patterns following operative management of colorectal liver metastasis - is follow-up beyond 5 years warranted?

AIMS: To evaluate the patterns of overall survival (OS) and recurrence following surgical resection of colorectal liver metastases (CRLM). METHODS: In compliance with STROCSS guideline, a single-centre retrospective cohort study was conducted. All consecutive patients undergoing resection of CRLM between 2003 and 2019 were considered eligible for inclusion. The outcome measures included OS, recurrence-free survival (RFS), recurrence rate, time to recurrence (TTR) and longest TTR. Statistical analyses included simple descriptive statistics and Kaplan-Meier survival statistics. RESULTS: We included 486 liver resections in 472 patients. The estimated median OS and RFS were 5.1 years and 3.1 years, respectively. The probability of 1-year, 3-year, 5-year and 10-year OS was 93%, 69%, 50% and 34%, respectively. The probability of 1-year, 3-year, 5-year and 10-year RFS was 81%, 50%, 34% and 33%, respectively. Recurrence occurred in 56% (271/486) of patients, and the median TTR was 1.6 years (IQR: 0.8-2.7) with longest TTR of 4.8 years. Although there were no recurrences in the 66 patients that entered the 6th year, the 95% CI for true rate of recurrence in the population given these data is 0-5.4%. CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that recurrences that occur after operative management of CRLM are almost certain to occur within the first 5 years even for patients surviving longer than 5 years. This does not disprove the requirement for follow up beyond 5 years. However, based on this data, we have altered our follow up from 10 to 6 years. The need for the 6th year of follow up will be reassessed in light of further observations.

Meta-Analysis and Meta-Regression of Risk Factors for Surgical Site Infections in Hepatic and Pancreatic Resection.

BACKGROUND: The risk factors for surgical site infection (SSI) after HPB surgery are poorly defined. This meta-analysis aimed to quantify the SSI rates and risk factors for SSI after pancreas and liver resection. METHODS: The PUBMED, MEDLINE and EMBASE databases were systematically searched using the PRISMA framework. The primary outcome measure was pooled SSI rates. The secondary outcome measure was risk factor profile determination for SSI. RESULTS: The overall rate of SSI after pancreatic and liver resection was 25.1 and 10.4%, respectively (p < 0.001). 32% of pancreaticoduodenectomies developed SSI vs 23% after distal pancreatectomy (p < 0.001). The rate of incisional SSI in the pancreatic group was 9% and organ/space SSI 16.5%. Biliary resection during liver surgery was a risk factor for SSI (25.0 vs 15.7%, p = 0.002). After liver resection, the incisional SSI rate was 7.6% and the organ space SSI rate was 10.2%. Pancreas-specific SSI risk factors were pre-operative biliary drainage (p < 0.001), chemotherapy (p < 0.001) and radiotherapy (p = 0.007). Liver-specific SSI risk factors were smoking (p = 0.046), low albumin (p < 0.001) and significant blood loss (p < 0.001). The rate of organ/space SSI in patients with POPF was 47.7% and in patients without POPF 7.3% (p < 0.001). Organ/space SSI rate was 43% in patients with bile leak and 10% in those without (p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: The risk factors for SSI following pancreatic and liver resections are distinct from each other, with higher SSI rates after pancreatic resection. Pancreaticoduodenectomy has increased risk of SSI compared to distal pancreatectomy. Similarly, biliary resections during liver surgery increase the rates of SSI.

A Systematic Review and Network-Meta-Analysis of Gastro-Enteric Reconstruction Techniques Following Pancreatoduodenectomy to Reduce Delayed Gastric Emptying.

INTRODUCTION: This network meta-analysis aimed to identify the reconstruction technique associated with lowest rates of DGE following pancreatoduodenectomy (PD) from randomised controlled trials (RCTs). METHODS: A systematic literature search of PubMed, Embase and MEDLINE databases was carried out using the PRISMA framework to identify all RCTs comparing reconstruction techniques of gastrojejunostomy after PD, with overall DGE as the primary endpoint. The primary outcome measure was overall DGE. Secondary outcomes were grade B/C DGE, duration of nasogastric tube, time to solid food intake, overall and grade B/C pancreatic fistula, bile leaks, reoperation, length of hospital stay and in-hospital mortality. RESULTS: The search strategy identified eight RCTs including 761 patients. Six RCTs compared antecolic (n = 291 patients) and retrocolic Billroth II (n = 289 patients) reconstruction (n = 6 studies), and two RCTs compared antecolic Billroth II (n = 92 patients) and Roux-en-Y (n = 89 patients) reconstruction. Overall, antecolic Billroth II ranked best for overall and grade B/C DGE, bile leak, surgical site infection, length of stay and in-hospital mortality. Roux-en-Y was best for overall and grade B/C pancreatic fistula. CONCLUSION: Antecolic Billroth II gastroenteric reconstruction is associated with the lowest rates of delayed gastric emptying after PD amongst the currently available techniques of gastrojejunostomy reconstructions.

Common hepatic artery quadrifurcation associated with right hepatic artery from superior mesenteric artery during laparoscopic total splenopancreasectomy.

Hepatobiliopancreatic surgery is challenging becouse of the complexity of resections and reconstructions and variability of vascular anatomy. The arterial vascularization of the liver is susteined by the common hepatic artery (CHA) that originates from the celiac trunk (CT). The CHA bifurcates into the gastroduodenal artery (GDA) and proper hepatic artery (PHA) 0.5-1 cm medial to the common bile duct (CBD), and the PHA bifurcates into a right and a left branch at hepatic hilum. The most frequent variants are the right hepatic artery (RHA) from the superior mesenteric artery (SMA), the left hepatic artery (LHA) from the left gastric artery (LGA) or a combination of these two variants. Herein, we describe the case of a 70 years old woman affected by IPMN of the pancreas with a quadrifurcation of CHA, associated with a RHA off the SMA. KEY WORDS: Anatomic variant Hepatic artery variant, Hepatic anatomy, Hepatic vascular anatomy.

Initial experience with laparoscopic crural closure in the management of hiatal hernia in obese patients undergoing sleeve gastrectomy.

BACKGROUND: The prevalence of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and/or hiatal hernia (HH) is significantly increased in morbidly obese patients. Laparoscopic bariatric procedures such as gastric banding (LGB) and Roux-en-Y gastric bypass have been shown to improve both obesity and reflux symptoms. The aim of this paper is to evaluate the effectiveness of laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG) and hiatal hernia repair (HHR) for the treatment of obesity complicated by HH. METHODS: From October 2008, six patients underwent HHR in addition to LSG. Clinical outcomes have been evaluated in terms of GERD symptoms improvement or resolution, interruption of antireflux medication, and X-ray evidence of HH recurrence. RESULTS: Symptomatic HH was diagnosed preoperatively in four patients. In two additional patients, HH was asymptomatic and it was diagnosed intraoperatively. Prosthetic reinforcement of crural closure was performed in two symptomatic cases with a HH >5 cm. Mortality was nil and no complications occurred. After a mean follow-up of 4 months, GERD symptoms resolution occurred in three patients, while the other patient reported an improvement of reflux. Body mass index had fallen from 43.4 to 36.2 kg/m(2). A small recurrence in the patient with persistence of reflux symptoms has been radiologically reported. CONCLUSIONS: Laparoscopic crural closure in addition to LSG could represent a valuable option for the synchronous management of morbid obesity and HH, providing good outcomes in terms of weight loss and GERD symptoms control.

Laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy and left adrenalectomy with supragastric approach.

A female patient, 48-year-old, with morbid obesity (body mass index 42.5 kg/m2) complicated by hypertension, T2DM, and severe Obstructive Sleep Apnea Syndrome was candidated to bariatric surgery. During the preoperative work-up, an abdominal ultrasonography and an RMN showed an incidental left adrenal tumor with a diameter of 11 cm. The laboratory evaluation for the functional adrenal tumor was negative. A laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy and left adrenalectomy with supragastric approach was successfully carried out. The minimally invasive treatment of coexisting abdominal pathologies such as morbid obesity and adrenal incidentalomas seem to be suitable and safe, providing several benefits in terms of surgical and anesthesiologic management and postoperative clinical outcomes. The supragastric approach may represent a valuable option for left adrenalectomy combined with laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy.

Early postoperative insulin-resistance changes after sleeve gastrectomy.

INTRODUCTION: Biliopancreatic diversion and gastric bypass are associated with a rapid improvement in insulin resistance few days after surgery. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the short-term effects in insulin resistance following sleeve gastrectomy (SG). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Between December 2007 and September 2008, 17 consecutive obese type 2 diabetes mellitus patients (three men, mean age 51.1 years, mean BMI 44.7 kg/m(2)) were submitted to laparoscopic SG. Fasting serum glucose, insulin concentration, and homeostatic model assessment for insulin resistance (HOMA IR) were drawn preoperatively and at 5, 15, 30, and 60 postoperative days. In seven of these patients insulin sensitivity was evaluated on postoperative days 1, 2, 3, and 4. Moreover a control group of three overweight and diabetic patients (one man, mean age 52.1 years and mean BMI 26.8 kg/m(2)) submitted to laparoscopic cholecystectomy and undergoing the same diet protocol was studied. RESULTS: In all obese patients, a sharp (5 days) and significant reduction of serum glucose and insulin concentration and HOMA IR values was observed after SG. In seven patients, serum glucose and insulin concentration and HOMA IR values were significantly lower at third postoperative day. At the 15th postoperative day both serum glucose and insulin concentration and HOMA IR remained significantly lower in the absence of significant weight modifications. At 30 and 60 postoperative days, these values remained substantially unchanged in spite of a greater weight loss. In the cholecystectomy patients group, at postoperative day 5, only the serum glucose concentrations were significantly reduced although with the higher values than normal in respect to the preoperative values. CONCLUSIONS: After SG the improvement of insulin action occurred rapidly and independently of EWL. The results of the present study confirm that a hormonal mechanism may contribute to changes in insulin resistance following SG.