Altered expression of COX-2 and TNF-α in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma.

BACKGROUND AND AIM: hepatocellular carcinoma is a type of cancer related with inflammation, as 90% of cases develop in a chronic inflammation condition. Excess inflammation can affect tissue homeostasis. Cytokines and inflammatory mediators are immunological components that can influence the functioning of cells and tissues. In addition, the estrogen receptor appears to play an important role in hepatocarcinogenesis. The aim of the study was to evaluate the expression of inflammatory markers and ER in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma. METHODS: data from 143 patients of ISCMPA were analyzed. Immunohistochemistry was performed of cyclooxygenase-2 enzyme (COX-2), nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB), tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) and ER in paraffin-embedded hepatic tissue. The percentage of the stained area, intensity of staining and of the number of ER positive nuclei were evaluated using the ImageJ 1.50 software. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: there was a significant difference between the groups in terms of the percentage of marked area (p = 0.040) for COX-2 and the intensity of staining of TNF-α (p = 0.030). No significant differences were observed in any of other parameters evaluated. In conclusion, COX-2 and TNF-α are possible markers that should be further studied to determine their immunohistochemical profile and role in HCC development.

Bleeding hepatocellular adenoma: historical series and outcomes.

INTRODUCTION: hepatocellular adenoma - AHC - is a rare benign neoplasm of the liver more prevalent in women at reproductive age and its main complication is hemorrhage. In the literature, case series addressing this complication are limited. METHODS: between 2010 and 2022, 12 cases of bleeding AHC were attended in a high-complexity university hospital in southern Brazil, whose medical records were retrospectively evaluated. RESULTS: all patients were female, with a mean age of 32 years and a BMI of 33kg/m2. The use of oral contraceptives was identified in half of the sample and also half of the patients had a single lesion. The mean diameter of the largest lesion was 9.60cm and the largest lesion was responsible for bleeding in all cases. The presence of hemoperitoneum was documented in 33% of the patients and their age was significantly higher than the patients who did not have hemoperitoneum - 38 vs 30 years, respectively. Surgical resection of the bleeding lesion was performed in 50% of the patients and the median number of days between bleeding and resection was 27 days. In only one case, embolization was used. The relation between ingrowth of the lesions and the time, in months, was not obtained in this study. CONCLUSION: it is concluded that the bleeding AHC of the present series shows epidemiological agreement with the literature and may suggest that older patients trend to have hemoperitoneum more frequently, a fact that should be investigated in further studies.

RESULTS OF IMMUNOHISTOCHEMISTRY IN THE DIFFERENTIAL DIAGNOSIS OF EARLY HEPATOCELLULAR CARCINOMA AND NODULES WITH HIGH-GRADE DYSPLASIA IN PATIENTS WITH CIRRHOSIS.

BACKGROUND: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the most frequent primary cancer of the liver and cirrhosis is considered a pre-malignant disease. In this context, the evolutionary sequence from low grade dysplastic nodule and high grade dysplastic nodule (HGDN) to early HCC and advanced HCC has been studied. The differential diagnosis between HGDN and early HCC is still a challenge, especially in needle biopsies. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate an immunohistochemistry panel to differentiate dysplastic nodules and HCC. METHODS: Patients with cirrhosis who underwent surgical resection or liver transplantation were included. The sensitivity, specificity and accuracy for the diagnosis of neoplasia were analyzed by evaluating five markers: heat shock protein 70, glypican 3, glutamine synthetase, clathrin heavy chain and beta-catenin. P≤0.05 was considered statistically significant. RESULTS: One hundred and fifty-six nodules were included; of these, 57 were HCC, 14 HGDN, 18 low grade dysplastic nodules and 67 regenerative macronodules. Sensitivity of HCC diagnosis was 64.9% for glypican 3 and 77.2% for glutamine syntetase, while specificity was 96.0% and 96.0% respectively. When the panel of four markers was considered (excluding beta catenin), the specificity ranged from 87.9% for one positive marker to 100% for at least three markers. The best accuracy for HCC diagnosis was obtained with at least two positive markers, which was associated with a sensitivity of 82.5% and specificity of 99%. CONCLUSION: Differential diagnosis of dysplastic nodules and HCC by morphological criteria can be challenging. Immunomarkers are useful and should be used for the differential diagnosis between HCC and HGDN.

BYPASS VS. SLEEVE AND ITS EFFECTS IN NON-ALCOHOLIC FATTY LIVER DISEASE: WHAT IS THE BEST TECHNIQUE?

BACKGROUND: Strongly associated with obesity, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease is considered the hepatic manifestation of the metabolic syndrome. It presents as simple steatosis and steatohepatitis, which can progress to cirrhosis and its complications. Among the therapeutic alternatives is bariatric surgery. AIM: To compare the effect of the two most frequent bariatric procedures (sleeve and bypass) on liver disease regarding to epidemiological, demographic, clinical and laboratory parameters. METHODS: The results of intraoperative and 12 months after surgery liver biopsies were used. The NAFLD activity score (NAS) was used to assess and compare the stages of liver disease. RESULTS: Sixteen (66.7%) patients underwent Bypass procedure and eight (33.3%) Sleeve. It was observed that the variation in the NAFLD activity score was significantly greater in the Bypass group than in Sleeve (p=0.028) and there was a trend regarding the variation in fibrosis (p=0.054). CONCLUSION: Both surgical techniques were effective in improving the hepatic histology of most operated patients. When comparing sleeve and bypass groups, bypass showed better results, according to the NAS score.

ENHANCED RECOVERY (ERAS) AFTER LIVER SURGERY:COMPARATIVE STUDY IN A BRAZILIAN TERCIARY CENTER.

BACKGROUND: After the publication of the first recommendations of ERAS Society regarding colonic surgery, the proposal of surgical stress reduction, maintenance of physiological functions and optimized recovery was expanded to other surgical specialties, with minimal variations. AIM: To analyze the implementation of ERAS protocols for liver surgery in a tertiary center. METHODS: Fifty patients that underwent elective hepatic surgery were retrospectively evaluated, using medical records data, from June 2014 to August 2016. After September 2016, 35 patients were prospectively evaluated and managed in accordance with ERAS protocol. RESULTS: There was no difference in age, type of hepatectomy, laparoscopic surgery and postoperative complications between the groups. In ERAS group, it was observed a reduction in preoperative fasting and in the length of hospital stay by two days (p< 0.001). Carbohydrate loading, j-shaped incision, early oral feeding, postoperative prevention of nausea and vomiting and early mobilization were also significantly related to ERAS group. Oral bowel preparation, pre-anesthetic medication, sub-costal incision, prophylactic nasogastric intubation and abdominal drainage were more common in control group. CONCLUSION: Implementation of ERAS protocol is feasible and beneficial for health institutions and patients, without increasing morbidity and mortality.

IMPLEMENTATION OF ENHANCED RECOVERY AFTER COLORECTAL SURGERY (ERAS) PROTOCOL: INITIAL RESULTS OF THE FIRST BRAZILIAN EXPERIENCE.

BACKGROUND: Guidelines for enhanced recovery after surgery have their bases in colonic surgery, through the first protocols published in 2012. Since then, this practice has spread throughout the world, mainly due to improvements in surgical outcomes associated with resource savings. AIM: To analyze the first prospective results after the implementation of the guidelines. METHODS: Were retrospectively analyzed 48 patients operated in the institution prior to the standardization. This group was then compared with a series of 25 patients operated consecutively after the guidelines were implemented. RESULTS: With a 68.6% compliance rate, hospital length of stay (p=0.002), use of abdominal drains (p<0.001) and mechanical bowel preparation (p<0.001) were reduced. Mortality rates, anastomotic fistula, abdominal abscesses and reoperations were also reduced, but without statistical significance. CONCLUSION: Enhanced recovery after surgery protocols benefit patients care, resulting in better outcomes and possibly resource savings. Even with some limitations, its implementation is feasible in the Brazilian Public Health System.

[Evaluation of hepatic resection for hepatocellular carcinoma on cirrhotic livers]. / Avaliação da ressecção hepática em pacientes cirróticos com carcinoma hepatocelular.

BACKGROUND: The hepatocellular carcinoma is a disorder that affects patients suffering from cirrhosis. Liver resection, orthotopic liver transplantation and percutaneous ablation are some forms of therapy currently used to provide a cure for this disease. AIM: To assess the results achieved through liver resection for the treatment of the hepatocellular carcinoma in patients with cirrhosis being under treatment in a general hospital. METHODS: Clinical observation, laboratory test results, endoscopic and histopathologic analysis were taken into consideration in the case of 22 patients who underwent liver resection between 1996 and 2005. To verify the survival rates, identify the prognostic factors and determine the risk of recurrence, special attention was given to the serologic levels of bilirubins and alpha-fetoprotein, and to the level of the hepatocellular dysfunction (classified according to the Child-Pugh-Turcotte and the Model for End-Stage Liver Disease parameters). The size and number of tumours, microvascular invasion and the presence of satellite lesions were also taken into consideration. The level of statistic significance employed was of 95%. RESULTS: In the cases studied, patients had an average age of 62.09 years, being 17 of them male. In 10 cases the liver cirrhosis was associated to the hepatitis C chronic infection; in 4 cases there was a combination of chronic ingestion of ethanol and the hepatitis C virus; in 3 cases there was an association with the hepatitis B virus chronic infection. Two cases were related to the chronic ingestion of ethanol alone and in one case the use of medications was reported. It was not possible to establish the etiology in two of the cases studied. Eighteen patients had a single tumour, 11 of them smaller than 5 cm. The survival rate varied between 10 days and 120 months, being of 33.5 months on average. At the end of the 1st, 3rd and 5th year, the survival rates were 61.90%, 16.67% and 11.11%, respectively. Three patients died within the first 3 months after the liver resection. Thirteen patients died after the first 3 months, 12 of the cases associated to tumour recurrence and tumour progression. There was one death in the immediate post-operative period of a second operation carried out to remove a recurrent tumour. When it comes to the survival rate and the identification of prognostic factors, a relationship between patients survival and microvascular invasion was observed. No statically significant relationship was established between the survival rate and the serologic levels of bilirubins and alpha-fetoprotein or the level of hepatocellular dysfunction, size or number of tumours. However, a more significant incidence of tumour recurrence was observed in patients with microvascular invasion in the histopathologic study. CONCLUSION: In spite of the reduced number of cases studied, the surgical treatment of the hepatocellular carcinoma produced bad results. A careful selection of cases where surgery could be an option may be a decisive factor to improve such results. A careful selection of cases might be a decisive factor in order to improve such results.

Bleeding hepatocellular adenoma: historical series and outcomes / Adenoma hepatocelular sangrante: série histórica e desfechos

ABSTRACT Introduction: hepatocellular adenoma - AHC - is a rare benign neoplasm of the liver more prevalent in women at reproductive age and its main complication is hemorrhage. In the literature, case series addressing this complication are limited. Methods: between 2010 and 2022, 12 cases of bleeding AHC were attended in a high-complexity university hospital in southern Brazil, whose medical records were retrospectively evaluated. Results: all patients were female, with a mean age of 32 years and a BMI of 33kg/m2. The use of oral contraceptives was identified in half of the sample and also half of the patients had a single lesion. The mean diameter of the largest lesion was 9.60cm and the largest lesion was responsible for bleeding in all cases. The presence of hemoperitoneum was documented in 33% of the patients and their age was significantly higher than the patients who did not have hemoperitoneum - 38 vs 30 years, respectively. Surgical resection of the bleeding lesion was performed in 50% of the patients and the median number of days between bleeding and resection was 27 days. In only one case, embolization was used. The relation between ingrowth of the lesions and the time, in months, was not obtained in this study. Conclusion: it is concluded that the bleeding AHC of the present series shows epidemiological agreement with the literature and may suggest that older patients trend to have hemoperitoneum more frequently, a fact that should be investigated in further studies.

RESUMO Introdução: o Adenoma Hepatocelular - AHC - é uma neoplasia benigna rara do fígado associada a mulheres com idade reprodutiva. Sua principal complicação é o sangramento,mas as séries de casos direcionadas a esta intercorrência são limitadas. Métodos: entre os anos de 2010 e 2022 foram registrados 12 casos de AHC sangrante em um hospital universitário de alta complexidade no sul do Brasil, cujos prontuários foram retrospectivamente avaliados. Resultados: todos os pacientes eram do sexo feminino, com média de idade de 32 anos e de IMC de 33kg/m2. O uso de anticoncepcionais foi identificado em metade da amostra e também metade das pacientes apresentava lesão única. O diâmetro médio da maior lesão foi de 9,60cm e a maior lesão foi responsável pelo sangramento em todos os casos. Hemoperitôneo foi documentado em 33% das pacientes e a idade destas foi significativamente maior do que as pacientes que não apresentaram hemoperitôneo - 38 vs 30 anos, respectivamente. A ressecção cirúrgica da lesão sangrante foi realizada em 50% das pacientes e a mediana de dias entre o sangramento e a ressecção foi de 27 dias. Em apenas um caso foi lançado mão da embolização da lesão. Não se demonstrou correlação entre a taxa de redução das lesões e o passar dos meses, nos casos em que foi adotado tratamento conservador. Conclusão: conclui-se que aos AHC sangrantes da presente série apresentam concordância epidemiológica com a literatura e pode sugerir que as pacientes com maior idade tendem a apresentar hemoperitôneo mais frequentemente, fato que deve ser investigado em maiores estudos.

EARLY DRAIN FLUID AMYLASE IS USEFUL TO PREDICT PANCREATIC FISTULA AFTER PANCREATODUODENECTOMY: LESSONS LEARNED FROM A SOUTHERN BRAZILIAN CENTER.

BACKGROUND: Pancreatic fistula represents the most feared complication after pancreatoduodenectomies, being the major responsible for the high morbidity and mortality after this operation. Its incidence remains around 10% to 30%. In recent years, several authors have studied the value of amylase in abdominal drains fluid, measured at an early stage after the surgical procedure, as a useful tool to identify patients at risk of developing pancreatic fistula. OBJECTIVE: To analyze the value of early drain fluid amylase as a method to predict the occurrence and severity of postoperative pancreatic fistula in patients undergoing pancreatoduodenectomies. METHODS: We evaluated 102 prospective patients submitted to pancreatoduodenectomies from January 2013 to June 2017. The mensuration of amylase in abdominal drains was performed on days 1, 3, 5 and 7 in all patients. Patients were divided into three groups according to postoperative day 1 (POD1) results: values <270 U/L (group 1); between 271 and 5.000 U/L (group 2); and values >5.000 U/L (group 3). RESULTS: The incidence of pancreatic fistula was 25.5%, being 3.33%, 27.3% and 41.02% in the three groups, respectively. Compared with group 1, the risk of developing pancreatic fistula increased with increasing amylase values on POD1. Amylase values on POD1 and POD3 of patients with pancreatic fistula were higher than in the other ones without this complication (P<0.001). In addition, in group 3, 37.5% of patients with pancreatic fistula evolved to death (P<0.001). Finally, in this group, patients who died had drain fluid amylase values on POD1 significantly higher than the others in the same group (P<0.001). CONCLUSION: Early drain fluid amylase value is a useful test to stratify patients in relation to the risk of developing pancreatic fistula after pancreatoduodenectomies, in addition to correlate with the severity of this complication.

Apocrine sweat gland adenocarcinoma: A rare case report and review.

INTRODUCTION: Primary apocrine sweat gland carcinoma (PASGC) is an extremely rare neoplasia whose management and treatment are still evolving. The only curative therapy is wide local excision. Many patients have metastasis at the time of the diagnosis, mainly because this neoplasm has been misdiagnosed as some benign skin lesions. PRESENTATION OF CASE: We herein report a case of a 72-year-old-man with PASGC affecting the axilla and regional lymph nodes that underwent surgical resection and lymphadenectomy at our Institution. This is the first case reported in Brazil. DISCUSSION: Our observation suggests just a MRI as necessary to study tumoral limits and lymph nodes and a full surgical excision with free margins is decisive for success. CONCLUSION: Despite the PASGC be a rare cancer and require expensive tests, knowledge of this disease is critical to reduce costs in medical services without availability of investment.

A case of oncogenic osteomalacia owing to inguinal tumor.

The oncogenic hypophosphatemic osteomalacia is a very incapacitating disease and the mortality rate, mainly due to metabolic disorder, depends on the early diagnosis, since the surgery is curative. The major difficulty is to consider this kind of disease in patients with complex clinical presentation. Moreover, medical centers have to provide a good diagnostic infrastructure because these tumors, in most cases, are small and do not have an obvious site. This case report is about a man with a rapid loss of strength and muscle mass, which had his diagnosis in a late, culminating in significant deformities and organic dysfunctions with clinical repercussions. However, the fast diagnosis with appropriate tests determined the stop point of the evolution of disease and marked the beginning of metabolic recovery. This case reinforces the global problem health care infrastructure and the access to diagnostic equipment, demonstrating the impact on the patient's health of our service.

Oncogenic hypophosphatemic osteomalacia: From the first signal of disease to the first signal of healthy.

INTRODUCTION: The physical incapacitation of the oncogenic hypophosphatemic osteomalacia (OHO) can be catastrophic and can lead to deformities, metabolic and organic instability and death. The only positive outcome is through early diagnosis by the clinical suspicion. At this moment, medical center infrastructure is also a keypoint. PRESENTATION OF CASE: This case report is about a 60-year old woman with multiple fractures, gradual loss of strength and muscle mass and limiting deformities in two years of evolution until the diagnostic. DISCUSSION: The lack of knowledge of this disease causes a delay in diagnosis that can bring deformities to the patient, as well as death. Is crucial that is hypothesized to carry out the necessary tests, since they are expensive and not always available. CONCLUSION: This case reinforces the importance to understand the OHO and tumoral search, once this lesion is, in most cases, imperceptible to physical examination or several imaging studies.

AMBULATORY LAPAROSCOPIC CHOLECYSTECTOMY IS SAFE AND COST-EFFECTIVE: a Brazilian single center experience.

BACKGROUND: - Laparoscopic cholecystectomy is the treatment of choice for gallstone disease, and has been perfomed as an outpatient surgery in many Institutions over the last few years. OBJECTIVE: - This is a retrospective study of a single center in Brazil, that aims to analyze the outcomes of 200 cases of ambulatory laparoscopic cholecystectomy performed by the same Hepato-Pancreato-Biliary team, evaluating the safety and cost-effectiveness of the method. METHODS: - Two hundred consecutive patients who underwent elective laparoscopic cholecystectomy were retrospectively analyzed; some of them underwent additional procedures, as liver biopsies and abdominal hernias repair. RESULTS: - From a total of 200 cases, the outpatient surgery protocol could not be carried out in 22 (11%). Twenty one (95.5%) patients remained hospitalized for 1 day and 1 (4.5%) patient remained hospitalized for 2 days. From the 178 patients who underwent ambulatory laparoscopic cholecystectomy, 3 (1.7 %) patients returned to the emergency room before the review appointment. Hospital cost was on average 35% lower for the ambulatory group. CONCLUSION: - With appropriate selection criteria, ambulatory laparoscopic cholecystectomy is feasible, safe and effective; readmission rate is low, as well as complications related to the method. Cost savings and patient satisfaction support its adoption. Other studies are necessary to recommend this procedure as standard practice in Brazil.

Papel da imunohistoquímica no diagnóstico diferencial do carcinoma hepatocelular precoce e dos nódulos com displasia de alto grau em pacientes com cirrose / Results of immunohistochemistry in the differential diagnosis of early hepatocellular carcinoma and nodules with high-grade dysplasia in patients with cirrhosis

ABSTRACT BACKGROUND: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the most frequent primary cancer of the liver and cirrhosis is considered a pre-malignant disease. In this context, the evolutionary sequence from low grade dysplastic nodule and high grade dysplastic nodule (HGDN) to early HCC and advanced HCC has been studied. The differential diagnosis between HGDN and early HCC is still a challenge, especially in needle biopsies OBJECTIVE: To evaluate an immunohistochemistry panel to differentiate dysplastic nodules and HCC. METHODS: Patients with cirrhosis who underwent surgical resection or liver transplantation were included. The sensitivity, specificity and accuracy for the diagnosis of neoplasia were analyzed by evaluating five markers: heat shock protein 70, glypican 3, glutamine synthetase, clathrin heavy chain and beta-catenin. P≤0.05 was considered statistically significant. RESULTS: One hundred and fifty-six nodules were included; of these, 57 were HCC, 14 HGDN, 18 low grade dysplastic nodules and 67 regenerative macronodules. Sensitivity of HCC diagnosis was 64.9% for glypican 3 and 77.2% for glutamine syntetase, while specificity was 96.0% and 96.0% respectively. When the panel of four markers was considered (excluding beta catenin), the specificity ranged from 87.9% for one positive marker to 100% for at least three markers. The best accuracy for HCC diagnosis was obtained with at least two positive markers, which was associated with a sensitivity of 82.5% and specificity of 99%. CONCLUSION: Differential diagnosis of dysplastic nodules and HCC by morphological criteria can be challenging. Immunomarkers are useful and should be used for the differential diagnosis between HCC and HGDN.

RESUMO CONTEXTO: O carcinoma hepatocelular (CHC) é o câncer primário do fígado mais frequente e a cirrose é considerada uma doença pré-maligna. Nesse contexto, a sequência evolutiva do nódulo displásico de baixo grau e nódulo displásico de alto grau (NDAG) para CHC precoce e CHC avançado tem sido estudada. O diagnóstico diferencial entre NDAG e CHC precoce ainda é um desafio, principalmente em biópsias por agulha. OBJETIVO: Avaliar um painel de imunohistoquímica para diferenciar nódulos displásicos de CHC. MÉTODOS: Foram incluídos pacientes com cirrose submetidos à ressecção cirúrgica ou transplante de fígado. A sensibilidade, especificidade e acurácia para o diagnóstico da neoplasia foram analisadas avaliando cinco marcadores: proteína de choque térmico 70kDa, glipican 3, glutamina sintetase, clatrina de cadeia pesada e beta-catenina. P≤0,05 foi considerado estatisticamente significativo. RESULTADOS: Cento e cinquenta e seis nódulos foram incluídos; destes, 57 eram CHC, 14 NDAG, 18 nódulos displásicos de baixo grau e 67 macronódulos regenerativos. A sensibilidade do diagnóstico de CHC foi de 64,9% para glipican 3 e 77,2% para glutamina sintetase, enquanto a especificidade foi de 96,0% e 96,0%, respectivamente. Quando o painel de quatro marcadores foi considerado (excluindo beta catenina), a especificidade variou de 87,9% para um marcador positivo a 100% para pelo menos três marcadores. A melhor acurácia para o diagnóstico de CHC foi obtida com pelo menos dois marcadores positivos, o que foi associado a uma sensibilidade de 82,5% e especificidade de 99%. CONCLUSÃO: O diagnóstico diferencial de nódulos displásicos e CHC por critérios morfológicos pode ser desafiador. Imunomarcadores são úteis e devem ser usados para o diagnóstico diferencial entre CHC e NDAG.

Use of Left Gastric Vein as an Alternative for Portal Flow Reconstruction in Liver Transplantation.

Portal vein thrombosis is observed in up to 10% of liver transplant candidates, hindering execution of the procedure. A dilated gastric vein is an alternative to portal vein reconstruction and decompression of splanchnic bed. We present two cases of patients with portal cavernoma and dilated left gastric vein draining splanchnic bed who underwent liver transplantation. The vein was dissected and sectioned near the cardia; the proximal segment was ligated with suture and the distal segment was anastomosed to the donor portal vein. Gastroportal anastomosis is an excellent option for portal reconstruction in the presence of thrombosis or hypoplasia. It allows an adequate splanchnic drainage and direction of hepatotrophic factors to the graft.

ASSOCIATION BETWEEN MURINE DOUBLE MINUTE 2 - T309G polymorphism and recurrence of hepatocellular carcinoma after surgical treatment.

BACKGROUND: Discovery and incorporation of biomarker panels to cancer studies enabled the understanding of genetic variation and its interference in carcinogenesis at molecular level. The potential association between single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) 309 and increased development of tumors, such as hepatocellular carcinoma, has been subject to several studies. This is the first study on this association conducted in Brazil. METHODS: 62 cases of cirrhotic patients with hepatocellular carcinoma surgically treated by partial hepatectomy (HPT) or by liver transplantation (LTX) from 2000 to 2009 at Santa Casa Hospital Complex, in the city of Porto Alegre, were retrospectively analyzed. Tumor samples from surgical specimen were collected and prepared for study in paraffin blocks. RESULTS: Overall survival was 26.7 months in the HPT group and 62.4 months in the LTX group (P <0.01). Overall tumor recurrence was 66.7% in the HPT group (10/15) and 17% in the LTX group (8/47) (X²=13.602, P <0.01). Alpha-fetoprotein levels >200ng/mL, microvascular invasion and histological grade were associated with tumor recurrence (P <0.01). Recurrence rates in each surgical group and analysis of factors associated with tumor recurrence, when stratified for each genotypic pattern, were both not statistically significant. CONCLUSION: G/G genotype was not associated with tumor recurrence after surgical treatment and it did not show any correlation with other prognostic factors.

Bypass vs. sleeve and its effects in non-alcoholic fatty liver disease: what is the best technique? / Bypass vs. sleeve e seus resultados na doença hepática gordurosa não alcoólica: qual a melhor técnica?

ABSTRACT Background: Strongly associated with obesity, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease is considered the hepatic manifestation of the metabolic syndrome. It presents as simple steatosis and steatohepatitis, which can progress to cirrhosis and its complications. Among the therapeutic alternatives is bariatric surgery. Aim: To compare the effect of the two most frequent bariatric procedures (sleeve and bypass) on liver disease regarding to epidemiological, demographic, clinical and laboratory parameters. Methods: The results of intraoperative and 12 months after surgery liver biopsies were used. The NAFLD activity score (NAS) was used to assess and compare the stages of liver disease. Results: Sixteen (66.7%) patients underwent Bypass procedure and eight (33.3%) Sleeve. It was observed that the variation in the NAFLD activity score was significantly greater in the Bypass group than in Sleeve (p=0.028) and there was a trend regarding the variation in fibrosis (p=0.054). Conclusion: Both surgical techniques were effective in improving the hepatic histology of most operated patients. When comparing sleeve and bypass groups, bypass showed better results, according to the NAS score.

RESUMO Racional: Fortemente associada à obesidade, a doença hepática gordura não alcoólica é considerada a manifestação hepática da síndrome metabólica. Ela apresenta-se como esteatose simples e esteato-hepatite, podendo evoluir para cirrose e suas complicações. Entre as alternativas terapêuticas está a cirurgia bariátrica. Objetivo: Comparar o efeito sobre a doença hepática dos dois procedimentos bariátricos mais frequentes - sleeve e bypass - e comparar dados epidemiológicos, demográficos, parâmetros clínicos e laboratoriais. Métodos: Utilizou-se o resultado das biópsias hepáticas realizadas no intra-operatório e 12 meses após a operação. O NAFLD activity score foi utilizado para avaliar e comparar os estágios da doença hepática. Resultados: Dezesseis (66,7%) pacientes foram submetidos ao bypass e oito (33,3%) ao sleeve. Observou-se melhora significativa no IMC e glicemia nas duas técnicas cirúrgicas enquanto que os níveis de fosfatase alcalina, ferritina, Gama-GT e TGP reduziram com significância apenas no grupo bypass. A redução no NAFLD activity score foi significativamente maior no grupo bypass que no sleeve (p=0,040). Conclusão: Ambas as técnicas foram eficazes em promover a melhora da histologia hepática da maior parte dos pacientes operados. Quando comparadas o bypass apresentou melhores resultados.

[Laparoscopic cholecystectomy in patients with liver cirrhosis]. / Colecistectomia laparoscópica em cirróticos.

BACKGROUND: Initially considered a contraindication to the surgical laparoscopy, cirrhosis have been an occasional discovery during this procedure. Until now many series reported in the literature suggest that the majority of the surgeons still consider cirrhosis as contraindication to the laparoscopic cholecystectomy. AIM: To evaluate our experience in laparoscopic treatment of the cholelithiasis in cirrhotic patient. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Six hundred and four patients with symptomatic cholelithiasis were operated on Clinical and Surgical Gastroenterology Unit, "Santa Casa de Misericórdia de Porto Alegre", Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil, during the period from May 1993 to May 2000. Of these, 10 (1,6%) presented hepatic cirrhosis. The patients' age was between 22 and 69 years (average of 50,4 +/- 18,1). Eight patients (80%) were female. The alcohol was the etiological factor in four, chronic hepatitis B and C, primary biliary cirrhosis and of alfa-1 antitripsin deficiency in one patient each. In two patient the causal agent was not identified. RESULTS: Cholecystectomy was accomplished in all patients and in seven also diagnostic hepatic biopsy. In two (20%) the surgery was converted. The result of the intraoperative cholangiography was normal in all cases. In seven patients the postoperative was uneventfull. Clinically controlled ascite was observed in two (20%). Both were Child A at the moment of the surgery. The last patient, Child C, died. He presented irreversible hepatic failure. CONCLUSIONS: Despite larger experience still should be acquired, it seems that laparoscopic is a safe approach in well compensated cirrhotic patients with symptomatic cholelithiasis. In Child C patients we believed that all of the efforts should be driven to the improvement of the hepatic function or a less invasive method such as cholecystostomy.

Low mortality rate in 97 consecutive pancreaticoduodenectomies: the experience of a group.

CONTEXT: Pancreaticoduodenectomy is the procedure of choice for resectable cancer of the periampullary region. These tumors account for 4% of deaths from cancer, being referred to as one of the lowest survival rates at 5 years. Surgery remains a complex procedure with substantial morbidity and mortality. Despite reports of up to 30% mortality rates, in centers of excellence it have been identified as less than 5%. Recent studies show that pancreaticojejunostomy represents the "Achilles' heel" of the procedure. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the post-operative 30 days morbidity and mortality rates. METHODS: Retrospective analysis of 97 consecutive resected patients between July, 2000 and December, 2012. All patients were managed by the same group, and data were obtained from specific database service. The main objective was to evaluate the 30-day mortality rate, but we also studied data of surgical specimen, need for vascular resection and postoperative complications (gastric stasis, pancreatic fistula, pneumonia and reoperation rate). RESULTS: Thirty-day mortality rate was 2.1% (two patients). Complete resection with no microscopic residual tumor was obtained in 93.8% of patients, and in 67.3% of cases pathology did not detected metastatic nodes. Among postoperative complications were reported 6% of prolonged gastric stasis, 10.3% of pneumonia, 10.3% of pancreatic fistula and 1% of infection in the drain pathway. Two patients underwent reoperation due to bleeding and infected hematoma caused by pancreatic fistula, and another for intestinal obstruction because of adhesions at postoperative day 12. CONCLUSIONS: The pancreaticoduodenectomy as treatment procedure for periampullary cancers has a low morbidity and mortality rate in services with experience in Hepato-Pancreato-Biliary surgery, remaining as first-line treatment in resectable patients.

Enhanced recovery (eras) after liver surgery: comparative study in a brazilian terciary center / Recuperação otimizada (eras) após cirurgia hepática: estudo comparativo de um centro terciário brasileiro

ABSTRACT Background: After the publication of the first recommendations of ERAS Society regarding colonic surgery, the proposal of surgical stress reduction, maintenance of physiological functions and optimized recovery was expanded to other surgical specialties, with minimal variations. Aim: To analyze the implementation of ERAS protocols for liver surgery in a tertiary center. Methods: Fifty patients that underwent elective hepatic surgery were retrospectively evaluated, using medical records data, from June 2014 to August 2016. After September 2016, 35 patients were prospectively evaluated and managed in accordance with ERAS protocol. Results: There was no difference in age, type of hepatectomy, laparoscopic surgery and postoperative complications between the groups. In ERAS group, it was observed a reduction in preoperative fasting and in the length of hospital stay by two days (p< 0.001). Carbohydrate loading, j-shaped incision, early oral feeding, postoperative prevention of nausea and vomiting and early mobilization were also significantly related to ERAS group. Oral bowel preparation, pre-anesthetic medication, sub-costal incision, prophylactic nasogastric intubation and abdominal drainage were more common in control group. Conclusion: Implementation of ERAS protocol is feasible and beneficial for health institutions and patients, without increasing morbidity and mortality.

RESUMO Racional: Após a publicação das primeiras recomendações da Sociedade ERAS sobre a cirurgia do cólon, a proposta de redução do estresse cirúrgico, manutenção das funções fisiológicas e recuperação otimizada foi ampliada para outras especialidades cirúrgicas, com pequenas variações. Objetivo: Analisar a implementação dos protocolos ERAS para cirurgia hepática em um centro terciário. Métodos: Cinquenta pacientes submetidos à cirurgia hepática eletiva foram avaliados retrospectivamente, utilizando dados de prontuários, de junho de 2014 a agosto de 2016. Após setembro de 2016, 35 pacientes foram prospectivamente avaliados e manejados de acordo com o protocolo ERAS. Resultados: Não houve diferença de idade, tipos de hepatectomia, cirurgia laparoscópica e complicações pós-operatórias entre os grupos. No grupo ERAS, observou-se redução no jejum pré-operatório e no tempo de internação hospitalar de dois dias (p<0,001). A carga de carboidratos, a incisão em forma de J, a alimentação oral precoce, a prevenção pós-operatória de náuseas e vômitos e a mobilização precoce também foram significativamente relacionadas ao grupo ERAS. Preparo mecânico do cólon, medicação pré-anestésica, incisão subcostal, intubação nasogástrica profilática e drenagem abdominal foram mais comuns no grupo controle. Conclusão: A implementação do protocolo ERAS é viável e benéfica para instituições de saúde e pacientes, sem aumentar a morbidade e a mortalidade.