Early derangement of INR predicts liver failure after liver resection for hepatocellular carcinoma.

BACKGROUND: Surgical resection, where appropriate, remains one of the best treatment options for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), however outcomes can be compromised by the development of liver failure. We reviewed our experience of liver resection for HCC patients to identify factors that may predict the development of post-hepatectomy liver failure (PHLF) and survival. METHODS: A single centre retrospective cohort study. Data was collected between 1999 and 2017 from all patients undergoing HCC resection in a tertiary university hospital from electronic medical records. PHLF was defined as per the International Study Group for Liver Surgery criteria. Variables with p < 0.15 on univariate analysis were included in a multivariate binary logistic regression model. Kaplan-Meier analyses were used to determine correlations with overall survival (OS) and disease-free survival (DFS), and variables with p < 0.15 on univariate analysis selected for a step-down Cox proportional hazard regression model. RESULTS: Overall, 120 patients underwent liver resection within the study period, of which 22 (18%) developed PHLF. Patients with normal INR ≤1.20 at day 2 did not develop PHLF whereas patients with INR >1.60 were at significant risk. Resection of multiple tumours (odds ratio 21.63, p = 0.002) and deranged postoperative day 2 INR>1.6 (odds ratio 21.05, p < 0.0001) were identified as independent prognostic markers of PHLF. CONCLUSION: The use of INR measurement at day 2 predicts PHLF and may enable us to objectively identify and stratify patients who may be eligible for enhanced recovery programs from those who will merit close monitoring in high dependency areas.

A rational approach to postoperative surveillance for resected non-functional pancreatic neuro-endocrine tumours.

BACKGROUND: Non-functional pancreatic neuroendocrine tumours (NF-PNETs) are rare and have highly variable outcomes. Current guidelines recommend surveillance for NF-PNETs <2 cm. Patients who ultimately have surgical resection are at risk of disease recurrence, and data to support postoperative surveillance protocols are lacking. The aims of this study were to i) identify post-operative predictors of recurrence and ii) risk stratify patients at risk of recurrence. METHODS: Consecutive patients who underwent surgery for NF-PNETs between 2002 and 2015 were identified retrospectively. Data were collected on demographics, pre-operative laboratory results and histopathological tumour characteristics. Statistical analyses were based on penalised Cox-regression modelling and a decision-tree model. Comparison of the variables identified was performed using ROC curves to identify the most sensitive and specific variable associated with disease recurrence. RESULTS: We identified 73 patients (38 males) with a median age of 61.5 years (range: 31-79). The median period of follow-up was 49 months (5-131). During follow up, 10 deaths (13.9%) were recorded and disease recurrence occurred in 12 patients (16.4%). The Kaplan-Meier predicted 1-,3- and 5-year recurrence-free survival rates were 98.6% (95% CI = 95.9, 100%), 85.4% (76.9-94.8%) and 72% (58.7-88.2%) respectively. Cox multivariate analysis identified poor tumour differentiation (WHO G3 grade) and lymph node ratio (LNR) as independent predictors for recurrence (p < 0.05). A simple criterion of 'tumour grade G3 or LNR ≥0.1' was found to be sensitive and specific in detecting disease recurrence. CONCLUSION: Our results have identified a simple and sensitive criterion for risk stratifying post-resection surveillance. Prospective validation in larger patient cohort is now warranted.

When one becomes more: minimum renal artery length in laparoscopic live donor nephrectomy.

BACKGROUND: Laparoscopic donor nephrectomy may convert short main arteries into multiple arteries, increasing the technical challenge of implantation. We evaluated our experience to identify factors predictive of multiple arteries after laparoscopic nephrectomy. METHODS: All laparoscopic nephrectomies from the start of our program in November 2002 until June 2013 were studied, and preoperative imaging reviewed for donor artery length and multiplicity together with operative findings. RESULTS: A total of 287 consecutive laparoscopic live donor nephrectomies (64 right and 223 left nephrectomies) were studied. Renal artery length was measured from preoperative donor magnetic resonance or computed tomography angiogram and nephrectomy performed using a laparoscopic stapling device. Nine left kidneys with a single artery (6, 7, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, and 16 mm in length) and five right kidneys with a single artery (5, 13, 15, 20, and 26 mm) on imaging resulted in multiple renal arteries at implantation. Complex renal vein anatomy was associated with multiple arteries following retrieval. CONCLUSION: A main renal artery length of more than 16 mm on the left and 26 mm on the right is unlikely to result in multiple arteries to implant. The possibility of multiple arteries should be borne in mind when the donor renal artery is short.

Selective internal radiation therapy with 90Y-SIR-Spheres microspheres for non-resectable colorectal metastases in the liver.

Almost half the patients with colorectal cancer will develop liver metastasis at some stage during their disease. Potentially curative surgical resection is possible in some of these patients. In those patients unsuitable for surgery, treatment with systemic chemotherapy and external radiation therapy is relatively ineffective. Many studies have described the successful use of selective internal radiation therapy (SIRT) with 90Y-SIR-Spheres microspheres in patients with inoperable liver metastasis. The authors report on a patient who has been in complete remission for 1 year after treatment with SIRT.

Adrenocortical oncocytoma: Review of imaging and histopathological implications.

Oncocytomas are rare tumours of the adrenal glands whose malignant potential is difficult to assess with certainty. We report a case of an adrenal oncocytoma and present a review of the literature particularly with regards to the radiological and histopathological features and their impact on the management.Adrenal oncocytomas are usually identified incidentally on imaging and can achieve large sizes. They should be considered in the differential diagnosis of any large upper abdominal lesion including those apparently arising from the liver as in this case report. MRI scan appears to be the ideal imaging modality to characterise such lesions. There seems to be little benefit in biopsying these masses and surgery remains the most optimal management. It remains difficult to predict metastatic behaviour based on histological findings and so long term surveillance is advisable.

Meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials comparing laparoscopic with open mesh repair of recurrent inguinal hernia.

BACKGROUND: Although there is plentiful evidence regarding the use of laparoscopic surgery for primary inguinal hernia, there is a paucity of literature concerning its role after recurrence. There has been no quantitative review of the evidence, despite suggestions that pooled analysis of existing data is required. METHODS: Medline, Embase, trial registries, conference proceedings and reference lists were searched for controlled trials of laparoscopic versus conventional open surgery for mesh repair of recurrent hernia. The primary outcomes were recurrence and chronic pain. Secondary outcomes were operating time, visual analogue pain score, superficial wound infection, haematoma or seroma formation, time to return to normal activities and serious complications requiring operation. Pooled odds ratios were calculated for categorical outcomes and weighted mean differences for continuous outcomes. RESULTS: Four trials were included in the analysis. There was no effect on recurrence or chronic pain. Laparoscopic surgery was associated with significantly less postoperative pain, a quicker return to normal activities and fewer wound infections, at the cost of a longer operating time. There was no difference in haematoma formation or the need for additional operations. CONCLUSION: Careful patient selection and surgeons' experience are important in the selection of technique for recurrent inguinal hernia repair.

F18-FDG-PET evaluation of patients for resection of colorectal liver metastases.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Liver resection is the only treatment which offers long-term survival for patients with colorectal liver metastases. However, the significant mortality and morbidity associated with hepatectomy makes accurate patient selection paramount. Current staging by CT and MRI has limitations, with these modalities delivering a sensitivity and specificity of only 70-80%. Thus some patients may be deprived of long-term survival, and others subjected to futile surgery. METHODOLOGY: We report our experience of the influence of F18-FDG-PET scanning in the management of 31 consecutive patients with colorectal liver metastases referred for liver resection. RESULTS: F18-FDG-PET scanning detected liver and pulmonary metastases with a sensitivity of 96% and 100% respectively, in comparison to corresponding figures of 70% and 83% for CT. Furthermore, the sensitivity of F18-FDG-PET scanning in identifying extra-hepatic and extra-pulmonary disease was 100% in comparison to 20% for CT. Overall, F18-FDG-PET scanning resulted in a significant alteration of management in 29% of patients. CONCLUSIONS: F18-FDG-PET scanning has an important clinical impact on the management of patients being considered for resection of colorectal liver metastases.

Adult duodenal intussusception associated with congenital malrotation.

Enteroenteric intussusception is a condition in which full-thickness bowel wall becomes telescoped into the lumen of distal bowel. In adults, there is usually an abnormality acting as a lead point, usually a Meckels' diverticulum, a hamartoma or a tumour. Duodeno-duodenal intussusception is exceptionally rare because the retroperitoneal situation fixes the duodenal wall. The aim of this report is to describe the first published case of this condition. A patient with duodeno-duodenal intussusception secondary to an ampullary lesion is reported. A 66 year-old lady presented with intermittent abdominal pain, weight loss and anaemia. Ultrasound scanning showed dilated bile and pancreatic ducts. CT scanning revealed intussusception involving the full-thickness duodenal wall. The lead point was an ampullary villous adenoma. Congenital partial (type II) malrotation was found at operation and this abnormality permitted excessive mobility of the duodenal wall such that intussusception was possible. This condition can be diagnosed using enhanced CT. Intussusception can be complicated by bowel obstruction, ischaemia or bleeding, and therefore the underlying cause should be treated as soon as possible.

Information about liver transplantation on the World Wide Web.

Orthotopic liver transplant (OLTx) has evolved to a successful surgical management for end-stage liver diseases. Awareness and information about OLTx is an important tool in assisting OLTx recipients and people supporting them, including non-transplant clinicians. The study aimed to investigate the nature and quality of liver transplant-related patient information on the World Wide Web. Four common search engines were used to explore the Internet by using the key words 'Liver transplant'. The URL (unique resource locator) of the top 50 returns was chosen as it was judged unlikely that the average user would search beyond the first 50 sites returned by a given search. Each Web site was assessed on the following categories: origin, language, accessibility and extent of the information. A weighted Information Score (IS) was created to assess the quality of clinical and educational value of each Web site and was scored independently by three transplant clinicians. The Internet search performed with the aid of the four search engines yielded a total of 2,255,244 Web sites. Of the 200 possible sites, only 58 Web sites were assessed because of repetition of the same Web sites and non-accessible links. The overall median weighted IS was 22 (IQR 1 - 42). Of the 58 Web sites analysed, 45 (77%) belonged to USA, six (10%) were European, and seven (12%) were from the rest of the world. The median weighted IS of publications originating from Europe and USA was 40 (IQR = 22 - 60) and 23 (IQR = 6 - 38), respectively. Although European Web sites produced a higher weighted IS [40 (IQR = 22 - 60)] as compared with the USA publications [23 (IQR = 6 - 38)], this was not statistically significant (p = 0.07). Web sites belonging to the academic institutions and the professional organizations scored significantly higher with a median weighted IS of 28 (IQR = 16 - 44) and 24(12 - 35), respectively, as compared with the commercial Web sites (median = 6 with IQR of 0 - 14, p = .001). There was an Intraclass Correlation Coefficient (ICC) of 0.89 and an associated 95% CI (0.83, 0.93) for the three observers on the 58 Web sites. The study highlights the need for a significant improvement in the information available on the World Wide Web about OLTx. It concludes that the educational material currently available on the World Wide Web about liver transplant is of poor quality and requires rigorous input from health care professionals. The authors suggest that clinicians should pay more attention to take the necessary steps to improve the standard of information available on their relevant Web sites and must take an active role in helping their patients find Web sites that provide the best and accurate information specifically applicable to the loco-regional circumstances.

Combined transplantation of the heart, lung, and liver.

Combined transplantation of the heart, lung, and liver may be indicated in patients with either end-stage respiratory failure complicated by advanced liver disease or end-stage liver failure complicated by advanced lung disease. A retrospective review of nine patients who underwent combined heart-lung-liver transplantation in Cambridge (1986-99) was carried out. The 1-year and 5-year actuarial survival was 56% and 42%, respectively. Combined heart-lung-liver transplantation is a feasible option for a few patients and has a 5-year survival similar to heart-lung transplantation but with a lower incidence of acute and chronic rejection.

Combined hepatic artery and segmental portal vein occlusion in antiphospholipid syndrome.

Antiphospholipid syndrome can have various clinical presentations, two of the most common being arterial and venous thrombosis. It is, however, unusual for them to occur in combination. We report here a case of combined hepatic artery and segmental portal venous occlusion in a 32-year-old patient who was shown to have a lupus anticoagulant. There have been no previous reports of thrombosis occurring simultaneously in the coeliac axis and the portal vein. Computerised tomography, Doppler ultrasound scanning and selective visceral angiography were used to demonstrate the anatomical lesions. The patient was treated medically with unfractionated heparin leading to a favourable clinical outcome. The diagnosis and management of this case is discussed with reference to the current literature on visceral thrombosis and antiphospholipid antibody syndrome.

Training opportunities in liver transplantation surgery.

BACKGROUND: Liver transplantation surgery is carried out in only a few selected centres in the UK. This study was performed with a view to identifying potential training opportunities available for the general and specialist higher surgical trainee, and also to assess the outcome following liver transplant surgery according to the grade of the surgeon performing the procedure. METHODS: Data on 111 liver transplants with caval preservation undertaken consecutively in a single unit during a 32-month period were collected and analysed. The transplant procedures were grouped into those performed by consultants and those performed by supervised trainees. Survival was estimated by the Kaplan-Meier method. The Cox regression model was used to examine the influence of grade of the surgeon on survival. chi2 and independent sample t tests were used to identify significant preoperative, intraoperative and postoperative variables. RESULTS: Trainees carried out 34 recipient hepatectomies (31 per cent), 47 implant procedures (42 per cent) and all 143 retrieval operations. The mean time taken by a supervised trainee to carry out a recipient hepatectomy and implantation was 183 and 44 min compared with 165 and 46 min for a consultant (P = 0. 22 and P = 0.44 respectively). The mean intraoperative red cell requirement was 8 units for both consultants and trainees (P = 0.85). The overall patient survival rate was 88 per cent at 3 years and the grade of the surgeon made no difference to survival or the occurrence of complications (P > 0.05). CONCLUSION: The outcome following liver transplantation with caval preservation did not differ according to the grade of the surgeon performing the procedure. Extensive training opportunities are available to learn hepatobiliary and vascular surgical techniques in liver transplantation surgery.

Kidney damage during organ retrieval: data from UK National Transplant Database. Kidney Advisory Group.

BACKGROUND: Kidney damage at organ retrieval is believed to be an increasing problem that is under reported. We aimed to identify the true rate of such damage and assess the effects on transplant survival. METHODS: Data from the UK National Transplant Database were analysed on all cadaveric kidneys donated over a 5-year period in the UK. Records indicated whether kidneys had been retrieved by a liver or renal surgical team and whether damage was noted at the time of retrieval or at the transplant procedure. Multivariate Cox's regression models were fitted to 1-year and 3-year transplant-survival data in those kidneys that were transplanted between 1992 and 1994. FINDINGS: Of 9014 kidneys retrieved, 96 could not be transplanted because of damage sustained at retrieval. Damage was reported in 1726 (19%) kidneys although by both donor and recipient centres in only 270 (3%). 1070 (62%) of the damaged organs were from donors aged 40 years or older. Reported kidney damage was more likely for retrievals of kidney only by a renal team (503 [26%]) than for multiorgan retrieval (454 [21%]), the proportion was lower when a liver team retrieved both liver and kidneys (415 [17%]). 794 (14%) kidneys retrieved and retained locally were reported as damaged, compared with 932 (29%) kidneys which had been exported. Donors' age had a significant effect on both 1-year and 3-year transplant survival (p<0.01 for both) but kidney damage did not (1 year p=0.40; 3 year p=0.81). INTERPRETATION: Despite the high rate of damage to kidneys at retrieval, most of the organs can be transplanted with no adverse effect on transplant survival. Kidney damage is least likely to occur with kidneys from young donors, and when liver teams or centres undertaking more than 50 retrievals per year do the retrieval.

Role of the surgical trainee in upper gastrointestinal resectional surgery.

The 'New Deal' set out by the Department of Health in 1991, together with the introduction of specialist 6-year training grades by Calman in 1993, has resulted in a decrease in available training time for surgeons in the UK. There is also an emerging belief that surgical procedures performed by trainees might compromise patient outcome. This study examines the level of trainee experience in a specialist gastrointestinal unit and whether operation by a trainee surgeon adversely affects patient outcome. All patients in the University Department of Surgery, Royal Infirmary, Edinburgh, undergoing oesophagogastric, hepatic or pancreatic resection between January 1994 and December 1996 were entered into the study. The early clinical outcome (in-hospital mortality and morbidity, considered in three groups: anastomotic leak, other technique-related complications and non-technique-related complications) was evaluated with regard to the grade of surgeon (consultant or trainee) performing the operation. Of the 222 patients undergoing major upper gastrointestinal resection during the study period, 100 (45%) were operated on by trainees. Trainees were assisted and closely supervised by consultants in all but six resections. There was no major difference in mortality rate (consultant, 4.1% vs trainee, 5%), incidence of non-technique-related complications (consultant, 6.7% vs trainee, 7.1%), anastomotic leaks (consultant, 10.7% vs trainee, 5%) or technique-related complications (consultant, 18.9% vs trainee, 15%) between the two grades of surgeon. In a specialist unit, the early clinical outcome of patients undergoing major upper gastrointestinal resection by supervised trainees is no worse than in those operated on by consultants. Participation of trainees in such complex procedures enhances surgical training and does not jeopardise patient care.