Right Ex-situ split grafts for adult liver transplantation - A Multicenter Benchmarking Analysis.

OBJECTIVE: To analyse outcomes after adult right ex-situ split graft liver transplantations (RSLT) and compare with available outcome benchmarks from whole liver transplantation (WLT). SUMMARY BACKGROUND DATA: Ex-situ SLT may be a valuable strategy to tackle the increasing graft shortage. Recently established outcome benchmarks in WLT offer a novel reference to perform a comprehensive analysis of results after ex-situ RSLT. METHODS: This retrospective multicenter cohort study analyzes all consecutive adult SLT performed using right ex-situ split grafts from 01.01.2014 to 01.06.2022. Study endpoints included 1 year graft and recipient survival, overall morbidity expressed by the comprehensive complication index (CCI©) and specific post-LT complications. Results were compared to the published benchmark outcomes in low-risk adult WLT scenarii. RESULTS: In 224 adult right ex-situ SLT, 1y recipient and graft survival rates were 96% and 91.5%, within the WLT benchmarks. The 1y overall morbidity was also within the WLT benchmark (41.8 CCI points vs. <42.1). Detailed analysis, revealed cut surface bile leaks (17%, 65.8% Grade IIIa) as a specific complication without a negative impact on graft survival. There was a higher rate of early hepatic artery thrombosis (HAT) after SLT, above the WLT benchmark (4.9% vs. ≤4.1%), with a significant impact on early graft but not patient survival. CONCLUSION: In this multicentric study of right ex-situ split graft LT, we report 1-year overall morbidity and mortality rates within the published benchmarks for low-risk WLT. Cut surface bile leaks and early HAT are specific complications of SLT and should be acknowledged when expanding the use of ex-situ SLT.

Initial laparoscopic liver resection is associated with reduced adhesions and transfusions at the time of salvage liver transplantation.

BACKGROUND: Laparoscopic liver resection (LLR) has been associated with improved patient recovery as well as reduced postoperative adhesions compared to open LR (OLR) and could therefore facilitate redo liver surgery. LLR prior to liver transplantation (LT) is increasingly performed, LT being saved for HCC recurrence. LT is still performed by open surgery due to vascular reconstructions and underlying liver chronic disease. We evaluated the impact of laparoscopic approach for LR prior to LT in terms of intraoperative transfusions, adhesions severity and outcome. METHODS: Data from all patients who underwent a LT after LR in two French high-volume tertiary centers were retrospectively reviewed. The impact of LLR on per operative and postoperative outcome was assessed using logistic regression. RESULTS: 170 patients were included, 43 patients in the LLR group and 127 in the OLR group. Preoperative characteristics were comparable between both groups, except LLR group included more patients with "very early-stage" BCLC tumors than OLR group (51% vs. 33%, p = 0.02) and less anatomical resections (54% vs. 75%, p = 0.015). During LT, the transfusion rate was significantly higher in the OLR group (71.4% vs 44.2%, p = 0.002) as well as the proportion of type III adhesions according to OLSG classification (p < 0.001). Multivariate analysis found LLR to be an independent protective factor for adhesions and transfusion (p = 0.001 and p = 0.03 respectively). CONCLUSION: Laparoscopic liver resection was associated with reduced postoperative adhesions and transfusion requirements during subsequent liver transplantation.

Factors Associated with and Impact of Open Conversion in Laparoscopic and Robotic Minor Liver Resections: An International Multicenter Study of 10,541 Patients.

INTRODUCTION: Despite the increasing widespread adoption and experience in minimally invasive liver resections (MILR), open conversion occurs not uncommonly even with minor resections and as been reported to be associated with inferior outcomes. We aimed to identify risk factors for and outcomes of open conversion in patients undergoing minor hepatectomies. We also studied the impact of approach (laparoscopic or robotic) on outcomes. METHODS: This is a post-hoc analysis of 20,019 patients who underwent RLR and LLR across 50 international centers between 2004-2020. Risk factors for and perioperative outcomes of open conversion were analysed. Multivariate and propensity score-matched analysis were performed to control for confounding factors. RESULTS: Finally, 10,541 patients undergoing either laparoscopic (LLR; 89.1%) or robotic (RLR; 10.9%) minor liver resections (wedge resections, segmentectomies) were included. Multivariate analysis identified LLR, earlier period of MILR, malignant pathology, cirrhosis, portal hypertension, previous abdominal surgery, larger tumor size, and posterosuperior location as significant independent predictors of open conversion. The most common reason for conversion was technical issues (44.7%), followed by bleeding (27.2%), and oncological reasons (22.3%). After propensity score matching (PSM) of baseline characteristics, patients requiring open conversion had poorer outcomes compared with successful MILR cases as evidenced by longer operative times, more blood loss, higher requirement for perioperative transfusion, longer duration of hospitalization and higher morbidity, reoperation, and 90-day mortality rates. CONCLUSIONS: Multiple risk factors were associated with conversion of MILR even for minor hepatectomies, and open conversion was associated with significantly poorer perioperative outcomes.

European validation of the classification for the anticipated difficulty of liver transplantation.

BACKGROUND: Appropriate risk stratification for the difficulty of liver transplantation (LT) is essential to guide the selection and acceptance of grafts and avoid morbidity and mortality. METHODS: Based on 987 LTs collected from 5 centers, perioperative outcomes were analyzed across the 3 difficulty levels. Each LT was retrospectively scored from 0 to 10. Scores of 0-2, 3-5 and 6-10 were then translated into respective difficulty levels: low, moderate and high. Complications were reported according to the comprehensive complication index (CCI). RESULTS: The difficulty level of LT in 524 (53%), 323 (32%), and 140 (14%) patients was classified as low, moderate and high, respectively. The values of major intraoperative outcomes, such as cold ischemia time (p = 0.04) and operative time (p < 0.0001) increased gradually with statistically significant values among difficulty levels. There was a corresponding increase in CCI (p = 0.04), severe complication rates (p = 0.05) and length of ICU (p = 0.01) and hospital (p = 0.004) stays across the different difficulty levels. CONCLUSION: The LT difficulty classification has been validated.

Complex Hepatectomy Under Total Vascular Exclusion of the Liver Preserving the Caval Flow with Portal Hypothermic Perfusion and Temporary Portacaval Shunt: A Proof of Concept.

BACKGROUND: Hypothermic liver perfusion decreases ischemia/reperfusion injury during hepatectomy under standard total vascular exclusion (TVE) of the liver. This surgery needs venovenous bypass and is hampered by high morbi-mortality. TVE preserving the inferior vena cava (IVC) flow is hemodynamically well tolerated but remains limited in duration when performed under liver normothermia. The objective of this study was to report the results of TVE preserving the caval flow, modified to allow hypothermic liver perfusion and obviate splanchnic congestion. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The technique, indicated for tumors abutting large tributaries of the hepatic veins but sparing their roots in IVC and the latter, was applied when TVE was anticipated to last for ≥ 60 min. It combines continuous TVE preserving the IVC flow with hypothermic liver perfusion and temporary portacaval shunt (PCS). Results are given as median (range). RESULTS: Vascular control was achieved in 13 patients with excellent hemodynamical tolerance. PCS was direct or via an interposed synthetic graft (five and eight cases, respectively). Liver temperature dropped to 16.5 (6-24) °C under perfusion of 2 (2-4) L of cold perfusate. TVE lasted 67 (54-125) min and 4.5 (0-8) blood units were transfused. Resection was major in nine cases and was complete in all cases. Five complications occurred in four patients, and the 90-day mortality rate was zero. CONCLUSIONS: This technique maintains stable hemodynamics and combines the advantages of in situ or ex situ standard TVE with hypothermic liver perfusion, without their inherent prolongation of ischemia time and need for venovenous bypass.

Prognosis of a Heterogeneous TRG Pathological Response to Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy in Patients who Undergo Resection for Colorectal Liver Metastases.

BACKGROUND: Optimal management of colorectal liver metastasis (CRLM) is based on a combination of chemotherapy and surgical resection. The tumor regression grade (TRG) score is a histological scoring system to evaluate response to chemotherapy. The prognosis of a heterogeneous response in cases of multiple metastases has not been evaluated according to the TRG score. PATIENTS AND METHODS: All patients who underwent liver resection for multiple CRLM after neoadjuvant chemotherapy in two tertiary centers from January 2015 to April 2019 were retrospectively included. Oncological characteristics and outcome between TRG 1-2-3 (good response group), TRG 4-5 (poor response group) and heterogeneous TRG (good and poor TRG among different lesions within the same patient) groups were compared. RESULTS: Among the 327 patients included, 134 (41.0%) had good response (TRG 1-2-3), 120 (36.7%) had poor response (TRG 4-5), and 73 (22.3%) had heterogeneous response. The type and number of cycles of chemotherapy, k-Ras mutational status, and tumor number or size did not differ between the three groups. Use of irinotecan-based and anti-VEGF neoadjuvant therapy was associated with better TRG response [irinotecan-based: hazard ratio (OR) = 1.744; p = 0.045; anti-VEGF neoadjuvant therapy: 2.054; p = 0.005). Overall survival (OS) was higher in the 1-2-3 TRG group than in the heterogeneous TRG group (2-year OS = 81.3% vs. 60.3%, respectively; p = 0.003) and the 4-5 TRG group (2-year OS = 81.3% vs. 55.0%, respectively; p = 0.012) and similar between the heterogeneous and 4-5 TRG groups. CONCLUSIONS: The proportion of heterogeneous pathological response according to TRG is 22.3%, and the prognosis is comparable to that of poor pathological response.

Comparing indications, complexity and outcomes of laparoscopic liver resection between centers with and without a liver transplant program: a French nationwide study.

BACKGROUND: There are no data to evaluate the difference in populations and impact of centers with liver transplant programs in performing laparoscopic liver resection (LLR). METHODS: This was a multicenter study including patients undergoing LLR for benign and malignant tumors at 27 French centers from 1996 to 2018. The main outcomes were postoperative severe morbidity and mortality. RESULTS: A total of 3154 patients were included, and 14 centers were classified as transplant centers (N = 2167 patients, 68.7 %). The transplant centers performed more difficult LLRs and more resections for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in patients who more frequently had cirrhosis. A higher rate of performing the Pringle maneuver, a lower rate of blood loss and a higher rate of open conversion (all p < 0.05) were observed in the transplant centers. There was no association between the presence of a liver transplant program and either postoperative severe morbidity (<10 % in each group; p = 0.228) or mortality (1 % in each group; p = 0.915). CONCLUSIONS: Most HCCs, difficult LLRs, and cirrhotic patients are treated in transplant centers. We show that all centers can achieve comparable safety and quality of care in LLR independent of the presence of a liver transplant program.

Propensity Score-Matching Analysis Comparing Robotic Versus Laparoscopic Limited Liver Resections of the Posterosuperior Segments: An International Multicenter Study.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to compare the outcomes of robotic limited liver resections (RLLR) versus laparoscopic limited liver resections (LLLR) of the posterosuperior segments. BACKGROUND: Both laparoscopic and robotic liver resections have been used for tumors in the posterosuperior liver segments. However, the comparative performance and safety of both approaches have not been well examined in the existing literature. METHODS: This is a post hoc analysis of a multicenter database of 5446 patients who underwent RLLR or LLLR of the posterosuperior segments (I, IVa, VII, and VIII) at 60 international centers between 2008 and 2021. Data on baseline demographics, center experience and volume, tumor features, and perioperative characteristics were collected and analyzed. Propensity score-matching (PSM) analysis (in both 1:1 and 1:2 ratios) was performed to minimize selection bias. RESULTS: A total of 3510 cases met the study criteria, of whom 3049 underwent LLLR (87%), and 461 underwent RLLR (13%). After PSM (1:1: and 1:2), RLLR was associated with a lower open conversion rate [10 of 449 (2.2%) vs 54 of 898 (6.0%); P =0.002], less blood loss [100 mL [IQR: 50-200) days vs 150 mL (IQR: 50-350); P <0.001] and a shorter operative time (188 min (IQR: 140-270) vs 222 min (IQR: 158-300); P <0.001]. These improved perioperative outcomes associated with RLLR were similarly seen in a subset analysis of patients with cirrhosis-lower open conversion rate [1 of 136 (0.7%) vs 17 of 272 (6.2%); P =0.009], less blood loss [100 mL (IQR: 48-200) vs 160 mL (IQR: 50-400); P <0.001], and shorter operative time [190 min (IQR: 141-258) vs 230 min (IQR: 160-312); P =0.003]. Postoperative outcomes in terms of readmission, morbidity and mortality were similar between RLLR and LLLR in both the overall PSM cohort and cirrhosis patient subset. CONCLUSIONS: RLLR for the posterosuperior segments was associated with superior perioperative outcomes in terms of decreased operative time, blood loss, and open conversion rate when compared with LLLR.

Impact of liver cirrhosis, severity of cirrhosis and portal hypertension on the difficulty of laparoscopic and robotic minor liver resections for primary liver malignancies in the anterolateral segments.

INTRODUCTION: We performed this study in order to investigate the impact of liver cirrhosis (LC) on the difficulty of minimally invasive liver resection (MILR), focusing on minor resections in anterolateral (AL) segments for primary liver malignancies. METHODS: This was an international multicenter retrospective study of 3675 patients who underwent MILR across 60 centers from 2004 to 2021. RESULTS: 1312 (35.7%) patients had no cirrhosis, 2118 (57.9%) had Child A cirrhosis and 245 (6.7%) had Child B cirrhosis. After propensity score matching (PSM), patients in Child A cirrhosis group had higher rates of open conversion (p = 0.024), blood loss >500 mls (p = 0.001), blood transfusion (p < 0.001), postoperative morbidity (p = 0.004), and in-hospital mortality (p = 0.041). After coarsened exact matching (CEM), Child A cirrhotic patients had higher open conversion rate (p = 0.05), greater median blood loss (p = 0.014) and increased postoperative morbidity (p = 0.001). Compared to Child A cirrhosis, Child B cirrhosis group had longer postoperative stay (p = 0.001) and greater major morbidity (p = 0.012) after PSM, and higher blood transfusion rates (p = 0.002), longer postoperative stay (p < 0.001), and greater major morbidity (p = 0.006) after CEM. After PSM, patients with portal hypertension experienced higher rates of blood loss >500 mls (p = 0.003) and intraoperative blood transfusion (p = 0.025). CONCLUSION: The presence and severity of LC affect and compound the difficulty of MILR for minor resections in the AL segments. These factors should be considered for inclusion into future difficulty scoring systems for MILR.

Rescue Liver Transplantation for Posthepatectomy Liver Failure: A Systematic Review and Survey of an International Experience.

BACKGROUND: Rescue liver transplantation (LT) is the only life-saving option for posthepatectomy liver failure (PHLF) whenever it is deemed as irreversible and likely to be fatal. The goals were to perform a qualitative systematic review of rescue LT for PHLF and a survey among various international LT experts. METHODS: A literature search was performed from 2000 to 2022 using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses and Population, Intervention, Comparison, Outcome framework, and to this, the authors' experience was added. The international online open survey included 6 cases of PHLF extracted from the literature and submitted to 976 LT experts. The primary outcome was whether experts would consider rescue LT for each case. Interrater agreement among experts was calculated using the free-marginal multirater kappa methodology. RESULTS: The review included 40 patients. Post-LT mortality occurred in 8 (20%) cases (7/28 with proven cancer and 1/12 with benign disease). In the long term, 6 of 21 (28.6%) survivors with cancer died of recurrence (median = 38 mo) and 15 (71.4%) were alive with no recurrence (median = 111 mo). All 11 survivors with benign disease were alive and well (median = 39 mo). In the international survey among experts in LT, the percentage agreement to consider rescue LT was 28%-98%, higher for benign than for malignant disease ( P = 0.011). Interrater agreement for the primary endpoint was low, expected 5-y survival >50% being the strongest independent predictor to consider LT. CONCLUSIONS: Rescue LT for PHLF may achieve good results in selected patients. Considerable inconsistencies of decision-making exist among LT experts when considering LT for PHLF.

Impact of Liver Cirrhosis, Severity of Cirrhosis, and Portal Hypertension on the Difficulty and Outcomes of Laparoscopic and Robotic Major Liver Resections for Primary Liver Malignancies.

BACKGROUND: Minimally invasive liver resections (MILR) offer potential benefits such as reduced blood loss and morbidity compared with open liver resections. Several studies have suggested that the impact of cirrhosis differs according to the extent and complexity of resection. Our aim was to investigate the impact of cirrhosis on the difficulty and outcomes of MILR, focusing on major hepatectomies. METHODS: A total of 2534 patients undergoing minimally invasive major hepatectomies (MIMH) for primary malignancies across 58 centers worldwide were retrospectively reviewed. Propensity score (PSM) and coarsened exact matching (CEM) were used to compare patients with and without cirrhosis. RESULTS: A total of 1353 patients (53%) had no cirrhosis, 1065 (42%) had Child-Pugh A and 116 (4%) had Child-Pugh B cirrhosis. Matched comparison between non-cirrhotics vs Child-Pugh A cirrhosis demonstrated comparable blood loss. However, after PSM, postoperative morbidity and length of hospitalization was significantly greater in Child-Pugh A cirrhosis, but these were not statistically significant with CEM. Comparison between Child-Pugh A and Child-Pugh B cirrhosis demonstrated the latter had significantly higher transfusion rates and longer hospitalization after PSM, but not after CEM. Comparison of patients with cirrhosis of all grades with and without portal hypertension demonstrated no significant difference in all major perioperative outcomes after PSM and CEM. CONCLUSIONS: The presence and severity of cirrhosis affected the difficulty and impacted the outcomes of MIMH, resulting in higher blood transfusion rates, increased postoperative morbidity, and longer hospitalization in patients with more advanced cirrhosis. As such, future difficulty scoring systems for MIMH should incorporate liver cirrhosis and its severity as variables.

Perceptions of surgical difficulty in liver transplantation: A European survey and development of the Pitié-Salpêtrière classification.

BACKGROUND: Significant variations exist regarding the definition of difficult liver transplantation. The study goals were to investigate how liver transplant surgeons evaluate the surgical difficulty of liver transplantation and to use the identified factors to classify liver transplantation difficulty. METHODS: A Web-based online European survey was presented to liver transplant surgeons. The survey was divided into 3 parts: (1) participant demographics and practices; (2) various situations based on recipient, liver disease, tumor treatment, and technical factors; and (3) 8 real-life clinical vignettes with different levels of complexity. In part 3 of the survey, respondents were asked whether they would perform liver transplantation but were not aware that these patients eventually underwent liver transplantation. RESULTS: A total of 143 invites were sent out, and 97 (67.8%) participants completed the survey. Most participants considered previous spontaneous bacterial peritonitis, previous supra-mesocolic surgery, hypertrophy of segment I, and obesity to be recipient factors for high-difficulty liver transplantation. Most participants considered liver transplantation to be challenging in patients with Budd-Chiari syndrome, Kasai surgery, polycystic liver disease, diffuse portal vein thrombosis, and a history of open hepatectomy. The proportion of participants indicating that liver transplantation was warranted varied across the 8 cases, from 69% to 100%. Our classification of the surgical difficulty of liver transplantation employed these recipient-related, surgical history-related, and liver disease-related variables and 3 difficulty groups were identified: low, intermediate, and high difficulty groups. CONCLUSION: This survey provides an overview of the surgical difficulty of various situations in liver transplantation that could be useful for further benchmark and textbook outcome studies.

Impact of liver cirrhosis and portal hypertension on minimally invasive limited liver resection for primary liver malignancies in the posterosuperior segments: An international multicenter study.

INTRODUCTION: To assess the impact of cirrhosis and portal hypertension (PHT) on technical difficulty and outcomes of minimally invasive liver resection (MILR) in the posterosuperior segments. METHODS: This is a post-hoc analysis of patients with primary malignancy who underwent laparoscopic and robotic wedge resection and segmentectomy in the posterosuperior segments between 2004 and 2019 in 60 centers. Surrogates of difficulty (i.e, open conversion rate, operation time, blood loss, blood transfusion, and use of the Pringle maneuver) and outcomes were compared before and after propensity-score matching (PSM) and coarsened exact matching (CEM). RESULTS: Of the 1954 patients studied, 1290 (66%) had cirrhosis. Among the cirrhotic patients, 310 (24%) had PHT. After PSM, patients with cirrhosis had higher intraoperative blood transfusion (14% vs. 9.3%; p = 0.027) and overall morbidity rates (20% vs. 14.5%; p = 0.023) than those without cirrhosis. After coarsened exact matching (CEM), patients with cirrhosis tended to have higher intraoperative blood transfusion rate (12.1% vs. 6.7%; p = 0.059) and have higher overall morbidity rate (22.8% vs. 12.5%; p = 0.007) than those without cirrhosis. After PSM, Pringle maneuver was more frequently applied in cirrhotic patients with PHT (62.2% vs. 52.4%; p = 0.045) than those without PHT. CONCLUSION: MILR in the posterosuperior segments in cirrhotic patients is associated with higher intraoperative blood transfusion and postoperative morbidity. This parameter should be utilized in the difficulty assessment of MILR.

Patients' perceptions of the definition of a textbook outcome following liver transplantation.

BACKGROUND: A textbook outcome (TO) describes the results of a successful liver transplantation (LT) in which all aspects of the LT and posttransplant courses were uneventful. We compared patient perceived experience of a TO with clinically defined TO. METHODS: This was a single-institution cohort study with retrospective chart review including patients who underwent LT from 2019 to 2021. Patients were asked to complete the survey at a scheduled posttransplant visit. The survey was designed to assess their viewpoints on the definition of a TO. A clinically defined TO was defined as no mortality, no severe complications, no need for reintervention, no prolonged hospital and intensive care unit stays, and no readmission. RESULTS: Of the 182 patients who were contacted, 132 (72.5%) completed the survey. Overall, 98 patients (74%) considered that they had experienced a TO. The clinically defined TO rate was 22.0%. Multivariate analysis showed that patients who did not experience severe complications were more likely to consider that they had a TO (P = 0.01; odds ratio: 3.2; 95% confidence interval: 1.3-7.9). CONCLUSIONS: From patients' perspectives, survival and avoidance of complications were the major characteristics of a TO.

ERS: A simple scoring system to predict early recurrence after surgical resection for hepatocellular carcinoma.

BACKGROUND: Surgical resection (SR) is a potentially curative treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) hampered by high rates of recurrence. New drugs are tested in the adjuvant setting, but standardised risk stratification tools of HCC recurrence are lacking. OBJECTIVES: To develop and validate a simple scoring system to predict 2-year recurrence after SR for HCC. METHODS: 2359 treatment-naïve patients who underwent SR for HCC in 17 centres in Europe and Asia between 2004 and 2017 were divided into a development (DS; n = 1558) and validation set (VS; n = 801) by random sampling of participating centres. The Early Recurrence Score (ERS) was generated using variables associated with 2-year recurrence in the DS and validated in the VS. RESULTS: Variables associated with 2-year recurrence in the DS were (with associated points) alpha-fetoprotein (<10 ng/mL:0; 10-100: 2; >100: 3), size of largest nodule (≥40 mm: 1), multifocality (yes: 2), satellite nodules (yes: 2), vascular invasion (yes: 1) and surgical margin (positive R1: 2). The sum of points provided a score ranging from 0 to 11, allowing stratification into four levels of 2-year recurrence risk (Wolbers' C-indices 66.8% DS and 68.4% VS), with excellent calibration according to risk categories. Wolber's and Harrell's C-indices apparent values were systematically higher for ERS when compared to Early Recurrence After Surgery for Liver tumour post-operative model to predict time to early recurrence or recurrence-free survival. CONCLUSIONS: ERS is a user-friendly staging system identifying four levels of early recurrence risk after SR and a robust tool to design personalised surveillance strategies and adjuvant therapy trials.

Impact of Tumor Size on the Difficulty of Laparoscopic Major Hepatectomies: An International Multicenter Study.

INTRODUCTION: Although tumor size (TS) is known to affect surgical outcomes in laparoscopic liver resection (LLR), its impact on laparoscopic major hepatectomy (L-MH) is not well studied. The objectives of this study were to investigate the impact of TS on the perioperative outcomes of L-MH and to elucidate the optimal TS cutoff for stratifying the difficulty of L-MH. METHODS: This was a post-hoc analysis of 3008 patients who underwent L-MH at 48 international centers. A total 1396 patients met study criteria and were included. The impact of TS cutoffs was investigated by stratifying TS at each 10-mm interval. The optimal cutoffs were determined taking into consideration the number of endpoints which showed a statistically significant split around the cut-points of interest and the magnitude of relative risk after correction for multiple risk factors. RESULTS: We identified 2 optimal TS cutoffs, 50 mm and 100 mm, which segregated L-MH into 3 groups. An increasing TS across these 3 groups (≤ 50 mm, 51-100 mm, > 100 mm), was significantly associated with a higher open conversion rate (11.2%, 14.7%, 23.0%, P < 0.001), longer operating time (median, 340 min, 346 min, 365 min, P = 0.025), increased blood loss (median, 300 ml,  ml, 400 ml, P = 0.002) and higher rate of intraoperative blood transfusion (13.1%, 15.9%, 27.6%, P < 0.001). Postoperative outcomes such as overall morbidity, major morbidity, and length of stay were comparable across the three groups. CONCLUSION: Increasing TS was associated with poorer intraoperative but not postoperative outcomes after L-MH. We determined 2 TS cutoffs (50 mm and 10 mm) which could optimally stratify the surgical difficulty of L-MH.

Novel Benchmark Values for Open Major Anatomic Liver Resection in Non-cirrhotic Patients: A Multicentric Study of 44 International Expert Centers.

OBJECTIVE: This study aims at establishing benchmark values for best achievable outcomes following open major anatomic hepatectomy for liver tumors of all dignities. BACKGROUND: Outcomes after open major hepatectomies vary widely lacking reference values for comparisons among centers, indications, types of resections, and minimally invasive procedures. METHODS: A standard benchmark methodology was used covering consecutive patients, who underwent open major anatomic hepatectomy from 44 high-volume liver centers from 5 continents over a 5-year period (2016-2020). Benchmark cases were low-risk non-cirrhotic patients without significant comorbidities treated in high-volume centers (≥30 major liver resections/year). Benchmark values were set at the 75th percentile of median values of all centers. Minimum follow-up period was 1 year in each patient. RESULTS: Of 8044 patients, 2908 (36%) qualified as benchmark (low-risk) cases. Benchmark cutoffs for all indications include R0 resection ≥78%; liver failure (grade B/C) ≤10%; bile leak (grade B/C) ≤18%; complications ≥grade 3 and CCI ® ≤46% and ≤9 at 3 months, respectively. Benchmark values differed significantly between malignant and benign conditions so that reference values must be adjusted accordingly. Extended right hepatectomy (H1, 4-8 or H4-8) disclosed a higher cutoff for liver failure, while extended left (H1-5,8 or H2-5,8) were associated with higher cutoffs for bile leaks, but had superior oncologic outcomes, when compared to formal left hepatectomy (H1-4 or H2-4). The minimal follow-up for a conclusive outcome evaluation following open anatomic major resection must be 3 months. CONCLUSION: These new benchmark cutoffs for open major hepatectomy provide a powerful tool to convincingly evaluate other approaches including parenchymal-sparing procedures, laparoscopic/robotic approaches, and alternative treatments, such as ablation therapy, irradiation, or novel chemotherapy regimens.

Impact of COVID-19 on the management of hepatocellular carcinoma in a high-prevalence area: What's new 12 months later?

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES: The lockdown policy introduced in 2020 to minimize the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic, significantly affected the management and care of patients affected by hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). The aim of this follow-up study was to determine the 12 months impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the cohort of patients affected by HCC during the lockdown, within six French academic referral centers in the metropolitan area of Paris. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We performed a 12 months follow-up of the cross-sectional study cohort included in 2020 on the management of patients affected by HCC during the first six weeks of the COVID-19 pandemic (exposed), compared to the same period in 2019 (unexposed). Overall survival were compared between the groups. Predictors of mortality were analysed with Cox regression. RESULTS: From the initial cohort, 575 patients were included (n = 263 Exposed_COVID, n = 312 Unexposed_COVID). Overall and disease free survival at 12 months were 59.9 ± 3.2% vs 74.3 ± 2.5% (p<0.001) and 40.2 ± 3.5% vs 63.5 ± 3.1% (p<0.001) according to the period of exposure (Exposed_COVID vs Unexposed_COVID, respectively). Adjusted Cox regression revealed that the period of exposure (Exposed_COVID HR: 1.79, 95%CI (1.36, 2.35) p<0.001) and BCLC stage B, C and D (BCLC B HR: 1.82, 95%CI (1.07, 3.08) p = 0.027 - BCLC C HR: 1.96, 95%CI (1.14, 3.38) p = 0.015 - BCLC D HR: 3.21, 95%CI (1.76, 5.85) p<0.001) were predictors of death. CONCLUSIONS: Disruption of routine healthcare services because of the pandemic translated to reduced 1 year overall and disease-free survival among patients affected by HCC, in the metropolitan area of Paris, France.

Impact of body mass index on perioperative outcomes of laparoscopic major hepatectomies.

BACKGROUND: Data on the effect of body mass index on laparoscopic liver resections are conflicting. We performed this study to investigate the association between body mass index and postoperative outcomes after laparoscopic major hepatectomies. METHODS: This is a retrospective review of 4,348 laparoscopic major hepatectomies at 58 centers between 2005 and 2021, of which 3,383 met the study inclusion criteria. Concomitant major operations, vascular resections, and previous liver resections were excluded. Associations between body mass index and perioperative outcomes were analyzed using restricted cubic splines. Modeled effect sizes were visually rendered and summarized. RESULTS: A total of 1,810 patients (53.5%) had normal weight, whereas 1,057 (31.2%) were overweight and 392 (11.6%) were obese. One hundred and twenty-four patients (3.6%) were underweight. Most perioperative outcomes showed a linear worsening trend with increasing body mass index. There was a statistically significant increase in open conversion rate (16.3%, 10.8%, 9.2%, and 5.6%, P < .001), longer operation time (320 vs 305 vs 300 and 266 minutes, P < .001), increasing blood loss (300 vs 300 vs 295 vs 250 mL, P = .022), and higher postoperative morbidity (33.4% vs 26.3% vs 25.0% vs 25.0%, P = .009) in obese, overweight, normal weight, and underweight patients, respectively (P < .001). However, postoperative major morbidity demonstrated a "U"-shaped association with body mass index, whereby the highest major morbidity rates were observed in underweight and obese patients. CONCLUSION: Laparoscopic major hepatectomy was associated with poorer outcomes with increasing body mass index for most perioperative outcome measures.