Comparative Study Between Laparoscopic Adjustable Gastric Banded Plication and Sleeve Gastrectomy in Moderate Obesity--2 Year Results.

BACKGROUND: The traditional bariatric surgery guidelines issued by the National Institute of Health in 1991 did not include moderate obesity as an indication for bariatric surgery. These patients also develop risk of significant comorbidity and mortality. Nonsurgical treatment for them is not generally effective. This study compared the results of patients undergoing laparoscopic adjustable gastric banded plication (LAGBP) with laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG) in patients with BMI between 30 and 35. METHODS: A review of data was done for patients who underwent either LAGBP or LSG in our hospital from February 2007 to October 2012. The inclusion criterion for both groups was BMI between 30 and 35 with or without comorbidity. RESULTS: One hundred thirty-nine patients were included in the study out of which 42 underwent LAGBP and 97 LSG. The operating time for LAGBP was significantly longer: 105.39 ± 39 vs. 59 ± 29.56 min. The postoperative hospital stay was not statistically different between the two procedures. The mean percent excess weight loss (%EWL) was significantly lower for LAGBP at 1 year but became insignificant at 2 years. Both groups had two postoperative complications, but the rate was not statistically different. The comorbidity resolution data did not show any significant difference between the two groups. CONCLUSION: In the present study, both LAGBP and LSG seemed to be safe and effective bariatric procedures in moderate obesity with 2-year results. But the long-term results are still awaited.

Standardized Technique of Laparoscopic Adjustable Gastric Banded Plication with 4-Year Results.

BACKGROUND: No bariatric procedure is perfect, and a plethora of such procedures itself is a proof for the same. Laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding has a high safety profile, but also a high rate of re-operation has been reported (Schouten, Wiryasaputra, van Dielen et al. Obes Surg 20(12):1617-26, 2010). Laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG) is becoming popular, but has its own set of complications and is irreversible. We introduced laparoscopic adjustable gastric banded plication (LAGBP) in 2009 (Huang, Lo, Shabbir et al. Surg Obes Relat Dis 8(1):41-5, 2012) In a case matched comparative study with LSG, LAGBP showed similar results at 2 years in terms of weight loss, comorbidity resolution, and complications. (Huang, Chhabra, Goel et al. Obes Surg 23(8):1319-23, 2013). Several authors have reported variations in their technique, bougie size, and suture material used to perform plication. (Ramos, Galvao Neto, Galvao et al. Obes Surg 20(7):913-8, 2010, (Mui, Lee, Lam et al. Obes Surg 23(2): 179-83, 2013, Brethauer, Harris, Kroh et al. Surg Obes Relat Dis 7(1):15-22, 2011) Our initial technique of placing the band first and then plicating the stomach resulted in higher incidence of gastric fundus herniation compared to that reported in a systematic review (Abdelbaki, Huang, Ramos et al. Obes Surg 22(10):1633-9, 2012). After the first 65 cases, we reversed the order by performing the gastric plication first which ensures proper plication of the fundus and a more uniformly placed plication line. This technique has become our standard, and the same is described in this video in a stepwise fashion. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We performed LAGBP in 202 cases over the last 4 years and recorded the findings. Our standardized technique is shown in this video. The T-suspension technique was used for liver retraction. (Zachariah, Tai, Chang et al. J Laparoendosc Adv Surg Tech A 23(4):311-5, 2013) Gastric plication formula is shown in Fig. 1. Fig. 1 Gastric plication formula RESULTS: Two hundred two (69 male, 133 female) patients in over the last 4 years underwent LAGBP. Follow-up at 1 year was 168 patients, and 56 patients reached 4-year follow-up. Age was 16-60 years (mean = 31.1). Mean BMI was 39.5 ± 3.18 and body weight 110 kg ± 19.4. Mean operative time was 104 min ± 39 and length of hospital stay after surgery 2.1 ± 2.3 days. No mortality was recorded. Excess weight loss at 1 year was 57.84 % and at four years 68 %. CONCLUSION: LAGBP has been proven to be an effective bariatric procedure in the midterm results. Standardization with plication first and then placement of the band could be important to achieve best outcomes.

Spontaneous regression of advanced hepatocellular carcinoma: a case report.

Spontaneous regression of advanced hepatocellular carcinoma is extremely rare. A 66-year-old Taiwanese male patient with liver cirrhosis related to chronic hepatitis C presented with hepatocellular carcinoma with portal vein thrombosis. At first, he refused curative therapy, except for silymarin medicine. Spontaneous regression of hepatocellular carcinoma occurred with a decline in tumour size and tumour marker in imaging studies. The patient agreed to undergo surgery approximately 14 months after presentation because of no further decrease in tumour size and an increase in tumour marker in the imaging studies. The resected tumour was hepatocellular carcinoma with portal vein thromboses. Presently, the patient is alive and in good condition without any symptoms or tumour recurrence. We concluded that this was a rare case of spontaneous regression of advanced hepatocellular carcinoma.

Hepatoid adenocarcinoma of the stomach with liver metastasis mimicking hepatocellular carcinoma: a case report.

INTRODUCTION: Hepatoid adenocarcinoma is a special type of extrahepatic alpha-fetoprotein-producing adenocarcinoma, which has a morphologic similarity to hepatocellular carcinoma. We report a patient with underlying hepatitis B virus infection and hepatoid adenocarcinoma with liver metastasis mimicking hepatocellular carcinoma. CASE PRESENTATION: We present the case of a 56-year-old Chinese female with underlying hepatitis B virus infection, who was found to have multiple hepatic tumors by abdominal ultrasound and an elevated level of serum alpha-fetoprotein. Hepatocellular carcinoma was considered based on the image findings, the elevated level of serum alpha-fetoprotein. and underlying hepatitis B virus infection. Moreover, the subsequent endoscopy revealed gastric tumor. However, the tumor histology of the stomach and liver revealed glandular adenocarcinoma with hepatoid foci. The final diagnosis is hepatoid adenocarcinoma of the stomach with liver metastasis. CONCLUSION: Hepatoid adenocarcinoma is an aggressive tumor with liver metastasis being the first clinical manifestation of the neoplasm. Hepatoid adenocarcinoma of the stomach with liver metastasis should be considered in older patients with elevated serum alpha-fetoprotein and multiple hepatic tumors with underlying chronic liver disease. An upper gastrointestinal endoscopy should be performed to exclude the possibility of hepatoid adenocarcinoma originating from the stomach to avoid potential misdiagnosis and inappropriate therapy.

Retroperitoneal hemorrhage caused by enoxaparin-induced spontaneous lumbar artery bleeding and treated by transcatheter arterial embolization: a case report.

Lumbar artery bleeding with retroperitoneal hematoma is an uncommon life-threatening complication secondary to enoxaparin use. We present a case of 73-year-old Chinese woman with acute retroperitoneal hemorrhage one month following hip surgery, due to enoxaparine. Enoxaparin induced hemorrhage caused by spontaneous rupture of lumbar artery was suspected and treated successfully by transcatheter arterial embolization.

Angioplasty treatment of hepatic vein stenosis in pediatric liver transplants: long-term results.

We reviewed long-term results of percutaneous venoplasty in children with hepatic vein stenosis after partial liver transplants, of which excellent early results were shown. Percutaneous transjugular hepatic venoplasty using balloon dilatation or stent implantation was performed in six cases with hepatic vein stenosis identified on routine post-transplant Doppler sonography and confirmed by transjugular hepatic venography from 1994 to 2003. Repeated procedure was carried out if necessary. Six of 105 patients with partial liver graft developed hepatic stenosis characterized by low hepatic venous velocity with monophasic waveform with significant pressure gradient (>5 mmHg). The incidence was 4.46% for all 112 pediatric liver transplants. Successful balloon venoplasty was achieved in four cases. Self-expanding stent was used in two cases with absent waisting or angulated balloon catheter during dilatation and persisted pressure gradient (>5 mmHg). Repeated procedure was required in two initially successful cases with additional stent used in one case. Three cases had transient hyperdynamic hepatic venous flow with markedly increased central venous pressure after stent implantation. Nonprocedural-related mortality rate was 16.7%. Patent hepatic vein was maintained in five patients after a mean follow-up of 3.67 years (0.75-9.5). Higher incidence of hepatic vein stenosis was noted in pediatric partial liver transplant. However, encouraging long-term results showed that hepatic venoplasty or stent implantation could be a preferable alterative to surgical revision or retransplantation, which has been the procedure of choice in our hospital.

Impact of pre-operative transarterial embolization on the treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma with liver transplantation.

AIM: To determine the effectiveness of pre-liver transplant (LT) transarterial embolization (TAE) in treating hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and the patient categories, which are likely to have a good outcome after LT. METHODS: Twenty-nine patients with hepatitis-related cirrhosis and unresectable HCC after LT were studied over a 7-year period. The patients were divided into two groups: group A patients (19/29) received pre-LT TAE, whereas group B (10/29) underwent LT without prior TAE. According to Milan criteria, group A patients were further subdivided into: group A1 (12/19) who met the criteria, and group A2 (7/19) who did not. Patient survivals were compared. RESULTS: In the explanted liver, CT images correlated well with pathological specimens showing that TAE induced massive tumor necrosis (>85%) in 63.1% of patients in group A and all 7 patients in group A2 exhibited tumor downgrading that met Milan criteria. The overall 5-year actuarial survival rate was 80.6%. The TAE group had a better survival (84% at 5 years) than the non-TAE (75% at 4 years). The 3-year survival of group A2 (83%) was also higher than that of group A1 (79%). Tumor necrosis >85% was associated with excellent survival of 100% at 3 years, which was significantly better than the others who showed <85% tumor necrosis (57.1% at 3 years) or who did not have TAE (75% at 3 years). CONCLUSION: TAE is an effective treatment for HCC before LT. Excellent long-term survival was achieved in patients that did not fit Milan criteria. Our results broadened and redefined the selection policy for LT among patients with HCC. Meticulous pre-LT TAE helps in further reducing the rate of dropout from waiting lists and should be considered for patients with advanced HCC.

Risk factors for intraoperative portal vein thrombosis in pediatric living donor liver transplantation.

Pathologic changes of the recipient native portal venous system may cause thrombosis of the portal vein, especially in pediatric living donor liver transplantation (LDLT). This study assessed the utility of Doppler ultrasound (US) for the detection of intraoperative portal vein occlusion and identification of predisposing risk factors in the recipients. Seventy-three pediatric recipients who underwent LDLT at Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Taiwan, from 1994 to 2002 were included. Preoperative and intraoperative Doppler US evaluation of the portal vein was performed. Age, body weight, native liver disease, type of graft, graft recipient weight ratio (GRWR), type of portal anastomosis, portal velocity, portal venous size and presence of portosystemic shunt were analyzed for statistical significance of predisposing risk factors. Eight episodes of intraoperative portal vein thrombosis, with typical findings of absent Doppler flow in portal vein and prominent hepatic artery with a resistant index lower than 0.5 (p < 0.001), were detected during transplantation, which was then corrected by thrombectomy and re-anastomosis. Children age < or =1 yr (p = 0.025), weight < or =10 kg (p = 0.024), low portal flow < or =7 cm/s (p = 0.021), portal venous size < or =4 mm (p = 0.001), and GRWR >3 (p < 0.017) were all risk factors for intraoperative portal vein thrombosis. Doppler US is essential in the preoperative evaluation, early detection and monitoring of outcome of the portal vein in liver transplant.

Splenic embolization in treatment of portal vein occlusion deferring liver transplantation.

The number of liver transplantations performed in this country is limited to the availability of cadaver liver donors, which are always short of demand. Deterioration of patient's clinical condition during the long wait for a compatible donor usually casts a poor prognosis on the patient. We report a 6-year-old girl who underwent splenic artery embolization as an alternative procedure due to a life-threatening clinical condition while liver graft was not immediately available. She was a case of idiopathic portal hypertension with portal vein occlusion that had resulted in splenomegaly, pancytopenia, gastric and esophageal varices. Living graft transplantation was contraindicated due to portal vein lesion. She was listed as high-urgency for liver transplantation as she developed repeated esophageal variceal bleeding requiring frequent sclerotherapy and admission to the intensive care unit. Prevention of the ongoing worsening clinical complications, improvement of hematological disorders and correction of hypersplenism was achieved right after splenic artery embolization. The patient resumed normal daily life and has been successfully eliminated from the waiting list of liver transplantation. We conclude that this is a safe and effective alternative to splenectomy that might call of further liver transplantation.