Right Hepatic and Portal Vein Embolization before Right Hepatectomy for Colorectal Cancer Liver Metastases.

Colon cancer has had a significant increase in its incidence in recent years. Many of the cases are diagnosed late; it is not unusual that a large number of cases present metastatic disease at the time of diagnosis, and the liver is the main organ where these lesions occur. Surgical approach to this condition has undergone many advances which have allowed a better approach to them. Local techniques such as embolization have gained momentum in recent years and are a great help to the surgical planning. We present the case of a 72-year-old female patient diagnosed with colorectal cancer and metastatic disease. Multiple liver tumors were demonstrated by imaging studies. A staged resection of the primary tumor and the metastatic hepatic tumors was planned. It was decided to perform an embolization of the hepatic artery to cause hypertrophy of the left lobe before the second stage of the surgical approach with good clinical and laboratorial findings after the surgery. Follow-up with adjuvant chemotherapy, imaging studies and tumor markers is planned. Several publications state that surgical approach of metastatic disease is still controversial and that decisions should be made under the context of each patient. Many techniques have shown good results; embolization of the hepatic tumors has a good outcome in the survival rate in selected patients. Hepatic volume and future liver remnant should be always assessed with imaging studies. Each case has to be individualized for the approach of the metastatic disease, always in a coordinated teamwork for maximum benefit of the patient.

Current status of pancreatic cancer with oligometastasis.

BACKGROUND: Pancreatic cancer is the seventh leading cause of death worldwide, with ductal adenocarcinoma as the most frequent neoplasm. Half of the patients who are diagnosed have metastases at the time of diagnosis. OBJECTIVE: A review of the treatment of resectable pancreatic adenocarcinoma with oligometastatic disease was carried out in order to present an overview of the existing evidence. METHOD: A bibliographic search was carried in PubMed/Medline, Clinical Key and Index Medicus vhith MESH terms, from the year 1993 to 2022. RESULTS: Patients with liver or lung metastases due to pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma who undergo surgery and chemotherapy have a longer survival in carefully selected patients. CONCLUSIONS: The evidence regarding surgery in patients with pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma and oligometastasis is limited and further randomized controlled trials are needed for both scenarios. As well as established criteria that help the selection of patients who can receive this type of treatment.

ANTECEDENTES: El cáncer pancreático es la séptima causa de muerte en el mundo, siendo el adenocarcinoma ductal del páncreas la neoplasia más frecuente. La mitad de los pacientes que son diagnosticados presentan metástasis al momento del diagnóstico. OBJETIVO: Se realizó una revisión sobre el tratamiento del adenocarcinoma pancreático resecable con enfermedad oligometastásica con el fin de presentar un panorama sobre la evidencia existente. MÉTODO: Se realizó una búsqueda bibliográfica en PubMed/Medline, Clinical Key e Index Medicus con términos MESH desde 1993 hasta 2022. RESULTADOS: Los pacientes con metástasis hepáticas o pulmonares por adenocarcinoma ductal de páncreas que son sometidos a cirugía y quimioterapia tienen una mayor sobrevida en casos cuidadosamente seleccionados. CONCLUSIONES: La evidencia respecto a la cirugía en pacientes con adenocarcinoma ductal de páncreas y oligometástasis es limitada y se necesitan ensayos controlados aleatorizados adicionales para ambos escenarios, así como criterios bien establecidos que ayuden a la selección de los pacientes que pueden recibir este tipo de tratamiento.

Pancreatic Cancer: Genetic Conditions and Epigenetic Alterations.

BACKGROUND: Pancreatic cancer is a lethal proliferative disease driven by multiple genetic and epigenetic alterations. Microarrays and omics-based sequencing techniques are potent tools that have facilitated a broader understanding of the complex biological processes that drive pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC). In turn, these tools have resulted in the identification of novel disease markers, prognostic factors, and therapeutic targets. Herein, we provide a review of the genetic and epigenetic drivers of PDAC relative to recent discoveries that impact patient management. METHODS: A review of PubMed, Medline, Clinical Key, and Index Medicus was conducted to identify literature from January 1995 to July 2022 that is related to PDAC genetics and epigenetics. Articles in Spanish and English were considered during selection. RESULTS: Molecular, genetic, and epigenetic diagnostic tools, novel biomarkers, and promising therapeutic targets have emerged in the treatment of pancreatic cancer. The implementation of microarray technology and application of large omics-based data repositories have facilitated recent discoveries in PDAC. Multiple molecular analyses based on RNA interference have been instrumental in the identification of novel therapeutic targets for patients with PDAC. Moreover, microarrays and next-generation omics-based discoveries have been instrumental in the characterization of subtypes of pancreatic cancer, thereby improving prognostication and refining patient selection for available targeted therapies. CONCLUSION: Advances in molecular biology, genetics, and epigenetics have ushered in a new era of discovery in the pathobiology of PDAC. Current efforts are underway to translate these findings into clinical tools and therapies to improve outcomes in patients with PDAC.

Strasberg's Critical View: Strategy for a Safe Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy.

Background: Every year, worldwide, the celebration for patient safety is carried out; since about 2.6 million people are documented who die each year from events that can potentially be avoided during their medical care, it is even estimated that around 15% of hospital costs can be attributed to treatment resulting in patient safety. As an important part of its dissemination in the medical-surgical community, we present the following article in relation to the critical vision of safety in the bile duct, promoted and published initially by Dr Steven Strasberg, which aims to reduce the number of complications during laparoscopic cholecystectomies. Materials and methods: A bibliographic search was carried out in PubMed, Medline, Clinical Key, and Index Medicus. From May 2020 to July 2021 in Spanish and English with the following. Conclusions: Strasberg's critical view is a proposed strategy to minimize the risk to zero during laparoscopic gallbladder surgery. It consists of obtaining a plane in which the surgeon can visualize the anatomical structures that make up the bile duct, as well as its irrigation and drainage. Being able to clearly observe these structures allows the surgeon to cut freely and safely to avoid bile duct injuries which are not so uncommon during this procedure. How to cite this article: Montalvo-Javé EE, Contreras-Flores EH, Ayala-Moreno EA, et al. Strasberg's Critical View: Strategy for a Safe Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy. Euroasian J Hepato-Gastroenterol 2022;12(1):40-44.

The Association of Preoperative Risk Factors for Laparoscopic Conversion to Open Surgery in Elective Cholecystectomy.

Background: Laparoscopic cholecystectomy is a common operation worldwide, with low mortality (0.01%) and morbidity (2-8%). It has been reported 2.9 to 3.2% of elective laparoscopic cholecystectomies are converted to open surgery. Converted cases are associated with increased complications rates. Method: Two thousand and seventy-five patients, 82.8% females and 17.2% males who underwent elective laparoscopic cholecystectomy in our hospital, between March 1, 2016, and February 28, 2018, were prospectively collected in a database. Pearson's Chi-squared and Fisher's exact tests were used to determine significance, with p <0.05 deemed statistically significant. We analyzed seven risk factors associated with conversion to open surgery; age, gender, body mass index (BMI), previous abdominal surgeries, the presence of contracted gallbladder, Mirizzi syndrome, or choledocholithiasis. Laparoscopic cholecystectomy was performed using a 3-port technique (73%) and a 4-port technique (27%). Results: Finding associated "strong" factors to conversion: male patients, >60-years-old, previous upper abdominal surgery, contracted gallbladder, Mirizzi syndrome or choledocholithiasis. The presence of a higher or lower BMI did not influence the rate of conversion. The most impact association were males over 60 years, and males with an earlier upper abdominal surgery. Conclusion: Laparoscopic cholecystectomy is the gold standard for gallstones and gallbladder disease; however, inflammation, adhesions, and anatomic difficulty continue to challenge the use and safety of this approach in a small number of patients. This study identifies predictors of choice for open cholecystectomy. In view of the raised morbidity and mortality associated with open cholecystectomy, distinguishing these predictors will serve to decrease the rate of conversion and address these factors preoperatively. How to cite this article: Hanson-Viana E, Ayala-Moreno EA, Ortega-Leon LH, et al. The Association of Preoperative Risk Factors for Laparoscopic Conversion to Open Surgery in Elective Cholecystectomy. Euroasian J Hepato-Gastroenterol 2022;12(1):6-9.