Laparoscopic Liver Resection: A South American Experience with 2887 Cases.

BACKGROUND: Laparoscopic liver resections (LLR) have been increasingly performed in recent years. Most of the available evidence, however, comes from specialized centers in Asia, Europe and USA. Data from South America are limited and based on single-center experiences. To date, no multicenter studies evaluated the results of LLR in South America. The aim of this study was to evaluate the experience and results with LLR in South American centers. METHODS: From February to November 2019, a survey about LLR was conducted in 61 hepatobiliary centers in South America, composed by 20 questions concerning demographic characteristics, surgical data, and perioperative results. RESULTS: Fifty-one (83.6%) centers from seven different countries answered the survey. A total of 2887 LLR were performed, as follows: Argentina (928), Brazil (1326), Chile (322), Colombia (210), Paraguay (9), Peru (75), and Uruguay (8). The first program began in 1997; however, the majority (60.7%) started after 2010. The percentage of LLR over open resections was 28.4% (4.4-84%). Of the total, 76.5% were minor hepatectomies and 23.5% major, including 266 right hepatectomies and 343 left hepatectomies. The conversion rate was 9.7%, overall morbidity 13%, and mortality 0.7%. CONCLUSIONS: This is the largest study assessing the dissemination and results of LLR in South America. It showed an increasing number of centers performing LLR with the promising perioperative results, aligned with other worldwide excellence centers.

Trasplante hepático en pacientes con trombosis portal: manejo intraoperatorio y resultados / Hepàtico transplant in patients with thrombosis vestibule: intraoperating handling and results

Antedecentes: La trombosis de la vena porta (TVP) es una complicación del paciente cirrótico que previamente era considerada una contraindicación para el trasplante hepático. Objetivos: Describir los resultados y evolución alejada de una serie consecutiva de trasplantes hepáticos realizados en pacientes portadores de TVP y analizarlos comparativamente con pacientes trasplantados sin TVP. Lugar de aplicación: Programa de trasplante hepático de una hospital público. Diseño: Retrospectivo, longitudinal, descriptivo. Material y Método: Entre julio de 1995 y junio del 2006, se realizaron 26 trasplantes hepáticos en pacientes con TVP (8,7%). Se analizaron factores de riesgo para TVP, variables del trasplante y del postrasplante. Se realizó un análisis comparativo con 273 pacientes trasplantados sin TVP. Resultados: 53,8% varones, edad 40,7 años. La TVP fue un hallazgo intraoperatorio en el 65%. Etiologías: cirrosis postnecróticas 73%, hepatopatías colestáticas 23% y fibrosis hepática congénita 4%. El 61,5% Child-Pugh C. Se realizó trombectomia en 21 pacientes con TVP Grados I, II y IV e injerto mesentérico portal extra-anatómico en 5 pacientes con TVP Grado III. La morbilidad fue del 57,7% la recurrencia de la TVP de 7,7% y la mortalidad durante la internación 26,9%. El trasplante en TVP presentó un incremento en el requerimiento de hemoderivados y en el índice de reoperaciones. La supervivencia al año fue 59,6% 75,2% para el Grado I y 44,8% para el Grado 2, 3 y 4. Conclusiones: La TVP no es contraindicación para el trasplante, su variedad más frecuente es el grado 1 y la técnica más empleada es trombectomía. El trasplante en pacientes con TVP demostró mayor requerimiento de hemoderivados, incidencia de complicaciones y de retrombosis portal y se asoció a una menor supervivencia en TVP grados 2, 3 y 4.

Liver resection for non-colorectal, non-neuroendocrine metastases: analysis of a multicenter study from Argentina.

BACKGROUND AND AIM: Resection of colorectal liver metastases has become a standard of care, although the value of this procedure in non-colorectal non-neuroendocrine (NCRNNE) metastases remains controversial and is still a matter of debate. The aim of the study was to determine the utility of liver resection in the long-term outcome of patients with NCRNNE metastases. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The records of 106 patients who underwent liver resection for NCRNNE metastases in the period 1989 to 2006 at 5 HPB Centers in Argentina were analyzed. Patient demographics, tumor characteristics, type of resection, long-term outcome and prognostic factors were analyzed. Depending on primary tumor sites, a comparative analysis of survival was performed. RESULTS: Mean age was 54 (17-76). Hepatic metastases were solitary in 62.3% and unilateral in 85.6%. Primary tumor sites: Urogenital (37.7%), sarcomas (21.7%), breast (17.9%), gastrointestinal (6.6%), melanoma (5.7%), and others (10.4%). Fifty-one major hepatectomies and 55 minor resections were performed. Twenty patients underwent synchronous resections. An R0 resection could be achieved in 89.6%. Perioperative mortality was 1.8%. Overall, 1-year, 3-year, and 5-year survival rates were 67%, 34%, and 19%, respectively. Survival was significantly longer for metastases of urogenital (p=0.0001) and breast (p=0.003) origin. Curative resections (p=0.04) and metachronous disease (p=0.0001) were predictors of better survival. CONCLUSIONS: Liver resection is an effective treatment for NCRNNE liver metastases; it gives satisfactory long-term survival especially in metachronous disease, in patients with metastases from urogenital and breast tumors and when R0 procedures can be performed.

Liver transplantation in adult patients with portal vein thrombosis: risk factors, management and outcome.

BACKGROUND: Portal vein thrombosis (PVT) is a well recognized complication of patients with end-stage cirrhosis and its incidence ranges from 2 to 26%. The aim of this study was to analyze the results and long-term follow-up of a consecutive series of liver transplants performed in patients with PVT and compare them with patients transplanted without PVT. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Between July 1995 and June 2006, 26 liver transplants were performed in patients with PVT (8.7%). Risk factors and variables associated with the transplant and the post-transplant period were analyzed. A comparative analysis with 273 patients transplanted without PVT was performed. RESULTS: The patients comprised 53.8% males, average age 40, 7 years. PVT was detected during surgery in 65%. Indications for transplantation were: post-necrotic cirrhosis 73%, cholestatic liver diseases 23%, and congenital liver fibrosis 4%. Child-Pugh C: 61.5%. Techniques were trombectomy in 21 patients with PVT grades I, II, IV, and extra-anatomical mesenteric graft in 5 with grade III. Morbidity was 57.7%, recurrence of PVT was 7.7%, and in-hospital mortality was 26.9%. Greater operative time, transfusion requirements, and re-operations were found in PVT patients. One-year survival was 59.6%: 75.2% for grade 1 and 44.8% for grades 2, 3, and 4. DISCUSSION: The study demonstrated a PVT prevalence of 8.7%, a higher incidence of partial thrombosis (grade 1), and successful management of PVT grade 4 with thrombectomy. Liver transplant in PVT patients was associated with an increased operative time, transfusion requirements, re-interventions, and lower survival rate according to PVT extension.