Conversion From Open to Laparoscopic Surgery in Strangulated Hernia Repair: Toward a Gold Option Proposal.

INTRODUCTION: Strangulation is a common presentation of acute abdominal wall hernias that usually requires emergency surgery. The aim of this report is to propose a "reverse strategy" combining an open mesh-based anterior approach followed by a "conversion" to laparoscopy for the treatment of strangulated hernias. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A 68-year-old male patient came to the emergency room of our university hospital with a non-reducible left groin hernia. The CT scan demonstrated a left groin strangulated hernia with doubtful viability of the involved bowel loop. We decided to perform a transversal inguinotomy followed by a laparoscopic approach through the inguinal ring. RESULTS: The patient was discharged after four days in perfect general condition, with normal bowel function and no postoperative pain. CONCLUSION: We propose this unconventional conversion from open to laparoscopic surgery as a new indication for the laparoscopic approach in emergency hernia surgery. We hope it can be used as a gold option for the surgical treatment of strangulated hernia in selected cases.

Clinical pictures mimicking acute hernia complications: are we really daring to violate a traditional abdominal wall surgery dogma?

BACKGROUND: Acute abdominal wall hernia complications usually require a prompt surgical treatment. The aim of this case series is to report our experience with some unusual cases of apparent acute and subacute hernia complications not requiring surgical treatment, changing the classical paradigm of immediate surgical approach into a "wait and see" situation. CASE PRESENTATION: We shortly report here four cases of abdominal wall hernia complications in which surgical treatment could have been unsafe for the patients considering their clinical condition. Two cases were fistulated and two were apparently strangulated. After clinical evaluation and CT-scan, we opted for a conservative treatment weighting the risk-benefit balance in order to give the best quality of life to the patient. CONCLUSIONS: In selected cases and under well-defined situations, an accurate evaluation should convince every surgeon to opt for a conservative approach refraining from a promptly operative treatment of the patient. This may be particularly relevant among very old or high-risk patients affected by long-standing abdominal wall hernias.

Extending resectability of hilar cholangiocarcinomas: how can it be assessed and improved?

Until the 1980's, Klatskin tumors were considered 'desperate cases' and most of them were not resected; almost no oncologic concept was available. After many improvements, today, extended hepatectomy, including caudate lobe resection and lymphoadenectomy, have become a standard of care for oncologicaly radical resection of Klatskin tumors. Portal vein en bloc resection, if necessary, is a diffused standard assuring R0-resection without any improvement of survival in most series. Arterial resection remains episodical and controversial in its oncologic impact. Arterial resection-reconstruction was demonstrated to be feasible with many different technical possibilities. Neoadjuvant chemotherapy, refinement of associating liver partition and portal vein ligation for staged hepatectomy and liver transplantations are some possible future resources for treatment of those aggressive tumors that could be able to expand the pool of treatable patients.

Present status and future perspectives of ALPPS (associating liver partition and portal vein ligation for staged hepatectomy).

First International Consensus Meeting, Hamburg, Germany, 27-28 February 2015 More than 160 participants took part in the conference for 2 days. A total of 58 world renown experts on ALPPS (associating liver partition and portal vein ligation for staged hepatectomy) were invited from all over the world. The faculty was divided into many different subgroups that were in contact during the 2-3 months before the conference analyzing all the most important aspects of this technique and summarizing it in a common structured work to be presented during the congress, giving final recommendations in the form of bulleted point statements. The aim was to gain a solid basis of preliminary agreement on many controversial aspects of ALPPS. A poster area was also organized with 35 posters reporting mostly mono-institutional experiences on single aspects of the technique from all five continents.

'Liver-first' approach for metastatic colorectal cancer.

The liver-first approach was proposed for the first time in 2006 to obtain resectability of stage IV colorectal cancer patients and complete the therapeutic plan. From then some groups have used this new revolutionary approach reporting promising results. Other alternative strategies have been proposed for metastatic patients. The authors reviewed the literature weighing the pros and cons of each strategy proposed to manage these advanced tumor stages. The therapeutic options are analyzed in the light of oncologic problems and evidence. Also problems, questions and perspectives are given. Even if the 'liver-first' approach seems to be a promising strategy, the ideal diagnostic-therapeutic flowchart for metastatic colorectal cancer is still difficult to standardize. The great heterogeneity of this population of patients is one of the main problems. A 'tailored approach' philosophy is necessary to calibrate, in a multidisciplinary setting, a case-by-case choice of therapeutic options.

ALPPS and simultaneous right hemicolectomy - step one and resection of the primary colon cancer.

BACKGROUND: Resection of the liver is often limited due to the volume of the parenchyma. To address this problem, several approaches to induce hypertrophy were developed. Recently, the 'associating liver partition and portal vein ligation for staged hepatectomy' (ALPPS) procedure was introduced and led to rapid hypertrophy in a short interval. Additionally to the portal vein occlusion, the parenchyma is transected, which disrupts the inter-parenchymal vascular connections. Since the first description of the ALPPS procedure, various reports around the world were published. In some cases, due to the high morbidity and mortality, a decent oncologic algorithm is not deliverable in a timely manner. If a patient is to be treated with a liver-first approach, the resection of the primary could sometimes be severely protracted. To overcome the problem, a simultaneous resection of the primary tumor and step one of ALPPS were performed. CASE PRESENTATION: A 73-year-old male patient underwent portal vein embolization (PVE) after suffering from a synchronous hepatic metastasized carcinoma of the right colic flexure in order to perform a right trisectionectomy. Sufficient hypertrophy could not be obtained by PVE. Thus a 'Rescue-ALPPS' was undertaken. During step one of ALPPS, we simultaneously performed a right hemicolectomy. The postoperative course after the first step was uneventful, and sufficient hypertrophy was achieved. CONCLUSION: In order to achieve a macroscopic disease-free state and lead the patient as soon as possible to the oncologic path (with, for example, chemotherapy), sometimes a simultaneous resection of the primary with step one of the ALPPS procedure seems justified. A resection of the primary with step two is not advisable, due to the high morbidity and mortality after this step. This case shows that a simultaneous resection is feasible and safe. Whether other locations of the primary should be treated this way must be part of further investigations.

Selection criteria for radiofrequency ablation for colorectal liver metastases in the era of effective systemic therapy: a clinical score based proposal.

BACKGROUND: At present, there are no widely accepted criteria for the use of radiofrequency ablation (RFA) for the treatment of colorectal liver metastases (CLM) in the context of effective modern-agent therapies. We aimed to define selection criteria for patients with liver-limited CLM who may benefit from adding RFA to systemic therapy with respect to long-term disease control. METHODS: Between 2002 and 2007, 88 consecutive patients received RFA for liver-only CLM during partial remission (PR), stable disease (SD), or progressive disease (PD) after systemic therapy. At a median follow-up of 8.2 years (range 5.2-11.1 years), clinical data were correlated to overall survival (OS) and recurrence-free survival (RFS). RESULTS: Poor OS and RFS correlated significantly with PD to systemic therapy before RFA (HR 5.46; p < 0.0001; and HR 6.46; p < 0.0001), number of ≥4 CLM (HR 3.13; p = 0.0005; and HR 1.77; p = 0.0389), and carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) level of ≥100 ng/ml (HR 1.67; p = 0.032; and HR 1.67; p = 0.044). The presence of four criteria (PR, ≤3 CLM, ≤3 cm maximum size, and CEA ≤100 ng/ml) selected a subgroup (n = 23) with significantly higher probabilities for OS and RFS at 5 years (39% and 22%,respectively) compared to those without any or up 3 of these criteria (0-27% and 0-9%, p < 0.001, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: A score based on four criteria (response to systemic therapy, ≤3 CLM, ≤3 cm size, low CEA value) may allow to select patients with liver-only CLM for whom additional use of RFA most likely adds benefit in an attempt to achieve long-term disease control. Almost one-fourth of patients fulfilling these four criteria may achieve 5-year survival without disease recurrence following effective systemic plus local RFA treatment.

ALPPS for patients with colorectal liver metastases: effective liver hypertrophy, but early tumor recurrence.

BACKGROUND: Associating liver partition and portal vein ligation for staged hepatectomy (ALPPS) is a promising method to increase resectability rates of liver tumors. Little has been published about oncological results so far. This report describes clinical evidence regarding a possible effect of ALPPS on tumor recurrence. METHODS: Ten ALPPS procedures were performed for otherwise non-resectable colorectal liver metastases. Seven of these ten patients had a follow-up of at least 3 months and were analyzed for tumor recurrence. RESULTS: Six of these seven patients had tumor recurrence to the liver. Three of seven patients presented with lung metastases, occurring earlier than liver metastases in two of three cases. One patient with a follow-up of 3 months had no visible recurrent disease, but increasing carcinoembryonic antigen levels. CONCLUSIONS: The patient group operable only through ALPPS is at high risk for recurrence and early tumor progression. Still, this new method is the only chance for an oncological treatment strategy including a surgical approach and possibly better outcome.

An atypical presentation of intrahepatic perforated cholecystitis: a modern indication to open cholecystectomy. Report of a case.

BACKGROUND: Intrahepatic gallbladder perforation with chronic liver abscess formation was anecdotically reported in the literature. The aim of this work is to report a case of intrahepatic gallbladder perforation and its atypical clinical presentation. CASE PRESENTATION: A 62-year-old male patient came to our observation; his medical history showed intermittent fever up to 39-40°C of about 2 weeks and anorexia, with an overall weight loss of about 12 Kg. Physical examination of the abdomen was negative. An ultrasound of the liver and an abdominal CT angiogram detected a disomogeneous hypoechoic-hypodense area in the 5th segment of the liver. Differential diagnosis between hepatic abscess or gallbladder cancer remained open. A surgical exploration was planned. After laparoscopic exploration, a conversion to open procedure with an atypical resection of the 5th hepatic segment was performed. Histologic examination of the specimen showed an intrahepatic chronic perforation of the gallbladder with intrahepatic abscess. CONCLUSION: To the best of our knowledge, 18 cases have been reported in the literature as a Niemeier type I perforation. Clinical presentation, even in its extreme rarity, is more often acute. Differential diagnosis between gallbladder cancer versus liver abscess remains controversial. Open approach is mandatory in such cases.

New trends in the multidisciplinary treatment of liver tumors.

The authors report on new trends in the multidisciplinary treatment of liver tumors from the 3rd Interdisciplinary Treatment of Liver Tumors Congress in Essen, Germany. Novel aspects of molecular target-oriented therapies of hepatocarcinoma were reported, such as the current position of radiofrequency and microwave ablation of tumors compared with the new electroporation technique. State-of-the-art and new surgical trends in cholangiocarcinoma treatment were also discussed. The correlation of the biological behavior involved in the differentiation of melanomas with the treatment of liver metastasis was better defined. The role of neoadjuvant chemotherapy and combined strategies for colorectal liver metastasis were focused on intra-arterial therapeutic options. New data on neuroendocrine tumor liver metastases were also shared, leading to a better orientation for patient selection for surgical treatment.

Extracorporeal tumor cell filtration during extended liver surgery: first clinical use of leukocyte depletion filters--case series.

BACKGROUND: During oncologic surgery, intraoperative manipulation of tumor tissue is almost unpreventable and causes a high risk of tumor cell dissemination into venous blood. A tumor cell-reducing effect of leukocyte adhesion filter systems has been shown under in vitro conditions. METHODS: In a first clinical attempt, leukocyte adhesion filters were integrated into veno-venous bypass systems in four patients undergoing extended liver surgery for secondary hepatic malignancies.Practicability, handling, and safety aspects as well as potency of cell removal and clinical side effects of the filter system were analyzed. RESULTS: All patients tolerated the application of the system without problems during operative and postoperative follow-up. Immunohistochemical staining of perioperative blood samples detected cytokeratin positive (CK+) cells in three cases during the hepatic mobilization. CONCLUSIONS: Effectiveness of CK+ cell depletion and safety of the procedure was shown. The presented surgical technique represents a safe and innovative tool; however, clinical significance has to be examined in a larger patient cohort.

Incidence of pain after inguinal hernia repair in the elderly. A retrospective historical cohort evaluation of 18-years' experience with a mesh & plug inguinal hernia repair method on about 3000 patients.

BACKGROUND: Chronic pain after prosthetic inguinal hernioplasty is one of the most important current issues in the current literature debate. Mechanisms related to pain development are only partially known. Influence of age as well as other factors is still unclear. The aim of this work was to evaluate whether development of chronic pain after open prosthetic plug and mesh inguinal hernioplasty is influenced by age. METHODS: Analysis was retrospectively conducted, dividing our cohort of patients (2,902) who had undergone prosthetic open plug&mesh inguinal hernioplasty from Jannuary 1994 to May 2012, following only the age criterion (cut-off 65 yrs.), into two groups (Gr.A<65 yrs, Gr.B>65 yrs.). All patients were routinely submitted to a postoperative questionnaire. Complications such as analgesic assumption were registered in both groups. Pain intensity was classified following the Visual Analogic Scale (VAS). Incidence of chronic pain, discomfort, and numbness, was assessed in both groups. Statistical significance was assessed by X2-test. RESULTS: Only 0.2% of patients suffered from a recurrence in our cohort. Postoperative chronic pain was observed in Gr. A in 0.12% of patients vs Gr.B 0.09% (p>0.05). Incidence of other postoperative symptoms such as discomfort or numbness were slightly prevalent on young patients (respectively p = 0.0286 and p = 0.01), while for hyperesthesia and sensation of foreign body no statistically significant difference of incidence between groups was observed. CONCLUSIONS: Real chronic pain after inguinal hernioplasty is a rare clinical entity. Other causes of chronic pain should be accurately researched and excluded. In young patients psychological factors seem to show a slight influence. There was no influence of age on chronic postoperative pain incidence after inguinal hernioplasty.

Surgical treatment of pain in patients with chronic pancreatitis.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: The objectives of the research were to compare the outcomes of pancreatoduodenectomy (PD) (Kausch-Whipple or Traverso-Longmire) and resection with drainage operations (RDO) (Frey or Partingtone-Rochelle) in patients suffering from chronic pancreatitis (CP), in management of pain syndrome and quality of life provided by these kinds of surgical procedures. METHODOLOGY: From 2002 to 2008 sixteen patients suffering from CP underwent PD and 16 underwent RDO. Treatment results for the two groups were analyzed with respect to postoperative complications and results of the questionnaire MOS SF-36 v.2(TM). RESULTS: In the immediate postoperative period more complications were observed in the PD group (a<0.05). In both groups a positive effect on removing the painful syndrome and improvement of the quality of life (p<0.01) were observed. In the PD group there were the best results of management by General Health difference criterion (a<0.01). A greater improvement of Physical Functiong value (a<0.01) was noticed in patients who underwent RDO. CONCLUSIONS: Both PD and RDO adequately remove pain syndrome and improve the quality of life in patients suffering from CP. Under equal conditions the preference should be given to RDO, as improvement in life quality of operated patients is greater.

Subtotal cholecystectomy for Mirizzi syndrome: Should we ever remove the stone? A case report.

INTRODUCTION AND IMPORTANCE: Mirizzi Syndrome is a rare complication of cholelithiasis.In this case report the Authors present an original surgical approach for the treatment of complicated gallbladders, based on open subtotal cholecystectomy, leaving in situ the stone. This is the first case showing safety and reliability of the present strategy at a four-year follow-up. CASE PRESENTATION: A 68-year-old patient came to our emergency room with abdominal pain, leukocytosis and fever. At surgical exploration he presented a sclerotic retraction of the gallbladder together with an intrahepatic abscess, that forced us first to perform an open subtotal cholecystectomy, resecting the gallbladder cranially and leaving in situ the stone. CLINICAL DISCUSSION: The post-operative course was uneventful. The four-year clinical, US and CT scan follow-up was negative and the patient referred a normal quality of life. The present strategy could be considered an intraoperative rescue option in such a complex operative scenario in which is impossible to safely remove the stone. CONCLUSION: This case report demonstrates how in selected cases, when absolutely necessary and unavoidable without high risks, the stone can be left in situ as an eventual stone resection would be extremely risky.

Potential for cure and predictors of long-term survival after radiofrequency ablation for colorectal liver metastases: A 20-years single-center experience.

BACKGROUND: Additional radiofrequency ablation (RFA) of liver-limited colorectal liver metastases (CRLM) improves overall (OS) and recurrence-free survival (RFS) over systemic therapy alone. We aimed to assess the potential and predictive factors of long-term survival and cure to optimize patient selection for RFA application. METHODS: Retrospective review of a prospectively maintained single-center database of consecutive patients undergoing RFA for liver-limited CRLM after systemic therapy between 2002 and 2020. Clinicopathologic characteristics and KRAS/BRAF-genotype data (tested routinely since 2010) were correlated to RFS and OS. Cure was defined as ≥10-years RFS (long-term survival as ≥5-years OS) following RFA. RESULTS: For the entire cohort of 158 patients (median follow-up 13.6 years), co-occurrence of three factors, RECIST-defined response, number of ≤3 CRLM, and ≤3 cm maximum size determined a survival plateau that distinguished cured from non-cured patients (10-years RFS: 15.5% vs 0%, p < 0.0001). Among 59 patients (37.3%) being tested, 4(6.8%) were BRAF-mt, 15(25.4%) KRAS-mt, and 40(67.8%) KRAS/BRAF-wt. OS (median follow-up 8.3 years) was estimated to be higher with KRAS/BRAF-wt compared to a mutant KRAS or BRAF status (5-years OS: 22.8% vs 3.4%, p = 0.0018). CONCLUSION: This study indicates about 15% chance of cure following RFA of low-volume liver-limited CRLM after downsizing by systemic therapy and a negative effect of KRAS or BRAF mutation on long-term survival after CRLM ablation. These findings may improve clinical decision-making in patients potentially candidate to RFA of CRLM and encourage further investigations on molecular factors determining an oligometastatic state of CRLM curable with focal ablative therapy.

Nodular Sclerosing Mesenteritis: An Occasional Finding Mimicking a Spindle Cell Tumor.

BACKGROUND The term "sclerosing mesenteritis" includes a spectrum of rare idiopathic diseases involving the small and/or large bowel. It appears as a diffuse, localized, or multinodular thickening of the mesentery, with a variable degree of chronic non-specific inflammation, fat necrosis, and fibrosis. CASE REPORT Here, we report a case of 83-year-old woman with symptoms of intestinal occlusion, vomiting, and abdominal pain. Radiographic examinations showed air fluid levels in right and left quadrants and in the mesogastric site, while computed tomography (CT) documented a strangulated inguinal hernia with ileal obstruction. Based on clinical examination and radiologic findings, the patient underwent surgery for inguinal hernia reduction. The examination of viscera revealed 2 tracts of ileum with ischemic signs and covered by fibrin; thus, the 2 intestinal loops were resected. Histological examination revealed chronic non-specific inflammation of the whole intestinal wall, including the subserosa in the resected tract of proximal ileum, while the distal ileal loop (not herniated tract) showed a subserosal fibrous nodule of 2 cm in greatest diameter, composed of a proliferation of spindle cells haphazardly arranged in a collagenized stroma. The diagnosis of sclerosing mesenteritis was rendered. CONCLUSIONS The present case shows the possibility of an incidental diagnosis during another intervention such as hernia surgery. Pathologists should be aware of this disease to avoid confusion with aggressive tumors such as intra-abdominal desmoid-type fibromatosis and gastrointestinal stromal tumor.