HEPATOSPLENIC SCHISTOSOMIASIS-ASSOCIATED CHRONIC PORTAL VEIN THROMBOSIS: RISK FACTOR FOR HEPATOCELLULAR CARCINOMA?

BACKGROUND: Hepatosplenic schistosomiasis is an endemic disease prevalent in tropical countries and is associated with a high incidence of portal vein thrombosis. Inflammatory changes caused by both parasitic infection and portal thrombosis can lead to the development of chronic liver disease with potential carcinogenesis. AIMS: To assess the incidence of portal vein thrombosis and hepatocellular carcinoma in patients with schistosomiasis during long-term follow-up. METHODS: A retrospective study was conducted involving patients with schistosomiasis followed up at our institution between 1990 and 2021. RESULTS: A total of 126 patients with schistosomiasis were evaluated in the study. The mean follow-up time was 16 years (range 5-31). Of the total, 73 (57.9%) patients presented portal vein thrombosis during follow-up. Six (8.1%) of them were diagnosed with hepatocellular carcinoma, all with portal vein thrombosis diagnosed more than ten years before. CONCLUSIONS: The incidence of hepatocellular carcinoma in patients with schistosomiasis and chronic portal vein thrombosis highlights the importance of a systematic long-term follow-up in this group of patients.

Treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma with macroscopic vascular invasion: A systematic review and network meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: This study aimed to evaluate the outcomes of different treatments for patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and macroscopic vascular invasion. METHODS: A systematic review and meta-analysis of comparative studies was performed to evaluate various treatment modalities for HCC with macroscopic vascular invasion, including liver resection (LR), liver transplantation (LT), transarterial chemoembolization (TACE), transarterial radioembolization (TARE), radiotherapy (RT), radiofrequency ablation (RFA), and antineoplastic systemic therapy (AnST). RESULTS: After applying the selection criteria, 31 studies were included. The surgical resection (SR) group (including LR and LT) had a similar mortality rate to the non-surgical resection (NS) group (RD = -0.01; 95% CI -0.05 to 0.03). The SR group had a higher rate of complications (RD = 0.06; 95% CI 0.00 to 0.12) but a higher 3-year overall survival (OS) rate than the NS group (RD = 0.12; 95% CI 0.05 to 0.20). The network analysis revealed that the overall survival was lower in the AnST group. LT and LR had similar survival benefits. The meta-regression suggested that SR has a greater impact on the survival of patients with impaired liver function. DISCUSSION: Most likely, LT has a significant impact on long-term survival and consequently would be a better option for HCC with macroscopic vascular invasion in patients with impaired liver function. LT and LR offer a higher chance of long-term survival than NS alternatives, although LR and LR are associated with a higher risk of procedure-related complications.

Hepatosplenic schistosomiasis-associated chronic portal vein thrombosis: risk factor for hepatocellular carcinoma? / Esquistossomose hepatosplênica associada à trombose crônica da veia porta: fator de risco para o carcinoma hepatocelular?

ABSTRACT BACKGROUND: Hepatosplenic schistosomiasis is an endemic disease prevalent in tropical countries and is associated with a high incidence of portal vein thrombosis. Inflammatory changes caused by both parasitic infection and portal thrombosis can lead to the development of chronic liver disease with potential carcinogenesis. AIMS: To assess the incidence of portal vein thrombosis and hepatocellular carcinoma in patients with schistosomiasis during long-term follow-up. METHODS: A retrospective study was conducted involving patients with schistosomiasis followed up at our institution between 1990 and 2021. RESULTS: A total of 126 patients with schistosomiasis were evaluated in the study. The mean follow-up time was 16 years (range 5-31). Of the total, 73 (57.9%) patients presented portal vein thrombosis during follow-up. Six (8.1%) of them were diagnosed with hepatocellular carcinoma, all with portal vein thrombosis diagnosed more than ten years before. CONCLUSIONS: The incidence of hepatocellular carcinoma in patients with schistosomiasis and chronic portal vein thrombosis highlights the importance of a systematic long-term follow-up in this group of patients.

RESUMO RACIONAL: A esquistossomose hepatoesplênica é uma doença endêmica prevalente em países tropicais e está associada a uma alta incidência de trombose da veia porta. Alterações inflamatórias causadas tanto pela infecção parasitária quanto pela trombose portal podem levar ao desenvolvimento de doença hepática crônica com potencial carcinogênico. OBJETIVOS: Avaliar a incidência de trombose da veia porta e carcinoma hepatocelular em pacientes com esquistossomose durante um seguimento de longo prazo. MÉTODOS: Foi realizado estudo retrospectivo envolvendo pacientes com esquistossomose acompanhados em nossa instituição entre 1990 e 2021. RESULTADOS: Um total de 126 pacientes com esquistossomose foram avaliados no estudo. O tempo médio de acompanhamento foi de 16 anos (variando de 5 a 31). Do total, 73 (57,9%) pacientes apresentaram trombose da veia porta durante o seguimento e seis (8,1%) deles foram diagnosticados com carcinoma hepatocelular, todos com trombose da veia porta diagnosticada há mais de 10 anos. CONCLUSÕES: A incidência de carcinoma hepatocelular em pacientes com esquistossomose e trombose da veia porta crônica destaca a importância de um acompanhamento sistemático de longo prazo nesse grupo de pacientes.

The impact of multivisceral liver resection on short- and long-term outcomes of patients with colorectal liver metastasis: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

The impact of Multivisceral Liver Resection (MLR) on the outcome of patients with Colorectal Liver Metastasis (CRLM) is unclear. The present systematic review aimed to compare patients with CRLM who underwent MLR versus standard hepatectomy regarding short- and long-term outcomes. MLR is a feasible procedure but has a higher risk of major complications. MLR did not negatively affect long-term survival, suggesting that an extended resection is an option for potentially curative treatment for selected patients with CRLM.

Preoperative inflammatory markers as prognostic predictors after hepatocellular carcinoma resection: data from a western referral center.

BACKGROUND: Recent studies from eastern centers have demonstrate an association between inflammatory response and long-term outcomes after hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) resection. However, the prognostic impact of inflammatory markers in western patients, with distinct tumor and epidemiologic features, is still unknown. AIM: To evaluate the prognostic impact of preoperative neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR), and monocyte-to-lymphocyte ratio (MLR), as well as their impact according to tumor size (< 5 cm, 5-10 cm, > 10 cm) in patients undergoing HCC resection with curative intent. METHODS: Optimal cut-off values for NLR, PLR, and MLR were determined by plotting the receiver operator curves. Overall survival (OS) and disease-free survival (DFS) curves were calculated using the Kaplan-Meier method and compared using the log-rank test. The Cox method was used to identify independent predictors of OS and DFS. RESULTS: In total, 161 consecutive adult patients were included. A high NLR (> 1.715) was associated with worse OS (P = 0.018). High NLR (> 2.475; P = 0.047) and PLR (> 100.25; P = 0.028) were predictors of short DFS. In HCC < 5 cm, MLR (> 1.715) was associated with worse OS (P = 0.047). In the multivariate analysis, high PLR was an independent predictor of worse DFS [hazard ratio (HR) 3.029; 95%CI 1.499-6.121; P = 0.002]. CONCLUSION: Inflammatory markers are useful tools to predict long-term outcomes after liver resection in western patients, high NLR was able to stratify subgroups of patients with short OS and DFS, an increased PLR was an independent predictor of short DFS, while high MLR was associated with short OS in patients with early HCC.

Two decades of liver resection with a multidisciplinary approach in a single institution: What has changed? Analysis of 1409 cases.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate results of patients undergoing liver resection in a single center over the past two decades with a particular look at Colorectal Liver Metastasis (CRLM) and Hepatocellular Carcinoma (HCC). METHOD: Patients were divided into two eras, from 2000 to 2010 (Era 1) and 2011 to 2020 (Era 2). The most frequent diagnosis was CRLM and HCC, with 738 (52.4%) and 227 (16.1%) cases respectively. An evaluation of all liver resection cases and a subgroup analysis of both CRLM and HCC were performed. Preoperative and per operative variables and long-term outcomes were evaluated. RESULTS: 1409 liver resections were performed. In Era 2 the authors observed higher BMI, more: minimally invasive surgeries, Pringle maneuvers, and minor liver resections; and less transfusion, less ICU necessity, and shorter length of hospital stay. Severe complications were observed in 14.7% of patients, and 90-day mortality was 4.2%. Morbidity and mortality between eras were not different. From 738 CRLM resections, in Era 2 there were significantly more patients submitted to neoadjuvant chemotherapy, bilateral metastases, and smaller sizes with significantly less transfusion, the necessity of ICU, and shorter length of hospital stay. More pedicle clamping, minimally invasive surgeries, and minor resections were also observed. From 227 HCC resections, in Era 2 significantly more minimally invasive surgeries, fewer transfusions, less necessity of ICU, and shorter length of hospital stay were observed. OS was not different between eras for CRLM and HCC. CONCLUSIONS: Surgical resection in a multidisciplinary environment remains the cornerstone for the curative treatment of primary and metastatic liver tumors.

Timing of resection of synchronous colorectal liver metastasis: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

INTRODUCTION: The resection of the primary colorectal tumor and liver metastases is the only potentially curative strategy. In such cases, there is no consensus on whether the resection of the primary tumor and metastases should be performed simultaneously or whether a staged approach should be performed (resection of the primary tumor and after, hepatectomy, or the "liver first" approach). The aim of this study is to evaluate the results of hepatectomy associated with colectomy in colorectal neoplasms, comparing simultaneous and staged resection. METHODS: A systematic literature review was performed in PubMed, Embase, Cochrane, Lilacs, and manual reference search. The last search was in July/2021. Inclusion criteria were: studies that compared simultaneous and staged hepatectomy for colorectal liver metastasis; studies that analyze short and/or long-term outcomes. Exclusion criteria were reviews, letters, editorials, congress abstract, and full-text unavailability. Perioperative outcomes and overall survival were evaluated and, for staged resections, the outcomes associated with each procedure were added. The ROBINS-I and GRADE tools were used to assess the risk of bias and quality of evidence. Synthesis was performed using Forest plots. The PRISMA criteria (PROSPERO: CRD42021243762) were followed. RESULTS: The initial search collected 5655 articles and, after selection, 33 were included, covering 6417 patients. Simultaneous resection was associated with shorter length of stay (DR: -3.48 days [95% confidence interval {CI}: -5.64, -1.32]), but with a higher risk of postoperative mortality (DR: 0.02 [95% CI: 0.01, 0.02]). There was no difference between groups for blood loss (risk difference [RD]: -141.38 ml [95% CI: -348.84, 66.09]), blood transfusion (RD: -0.06 [95% CI: -0.14, 0.03]) and general complications (RD: 0.01 [95% CI: -0.06, 0.04]). The longest operating time in staged surgery was not statistically significant (RD: -50.44 min [95% CI: -102.38, 1.49]). Regarding overall survival, there is no difference between groups (hazard ratio: 0.88; 95% CI: 0.71-1.04). CONCLUSION: Patients must be well selected for each strategy. Simultaneous approach to patients at high surgical risk should be avoided due to increased perioperative mortality. However, when the patient presents a low surgical risk, the simultaneous approach reduces the hospital stay and guarantees long-term results equivalent to staged surgery.

Platelet-albumin (PAL) score as a predictor of perioperative outcomes and survival in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma undergoing liver resection in a Western center.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Preoperative selection of patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) who will benefit from resection is highly advisable. The Platelet-Albumin (PAL) score was developed as a predictor of survival and morbidity following HCC resection. However, this has never been tested in western populations. METHODS: The impact of PAL score on perioperative outcomes and survival was evaluated and compared to Child-Pugh, Model for End-Stage Liver Disease (MELD), and albumin-bilirubin (ALBI) scores in patients who underwent HCC resection. RESULTS: A total of 182 patients were included. Postoperative morbidity was higher in patients with PAL grade II-III (P = 0.039), ALBI grade II-III (P = 0.028), and MELD >10 (P = 0.042). Post-hepatectomy liver failure (PHLF) occurred in 36 patients (19.8%) and was significantly higher in the PAL II-III and ALBI score II-III subgroup (P = 0.001). The PAL II-III group was the only one associated with higher perioperative mortality (OR 3.3, P = 0.036). The PAL score was an independent prognostic factor for overall survival in multivariate analysis (P = 0.018) and was the only one with the areas under the curve in ROC analysis significantly different for morbidity, PHLF, and mortality. CONCLUSIONS: The PAL score predicts postoperative complications, mortality, PHLF, and survival following liver resection for HCC in western patients.

LAPAROSCOPIC LIVER RESECTION FOR BENIGN TUMORS: THE CURRENT POSITION. / RESSECÇÃO LAPAROSCÓPICA DE TUMORES BENIGNOS DO FÍGADO: POSIÇÃO ATUAL.

METHODS: The main indications of the use of laparoscopic liver surgery (LLS), in the early days, were benign liver lesions. As LLS became more popular, indications for malignant diseases outnumbered those for benign ones. This study aims to rule out the indications and results of LLS for the treatment of benign liver tumors. Out of 445 LLS performed in a single center, 100 (22.4%) were for benign tumors. The authors discuss the indications for resection and present their perioperative results. RESULTS: In total, 100 patients with benign tumors were evaluated. Specifically, these were as follows: 66 cases of hepatocellular adenomas; 14 cases of biliary mucinous neoplasm; 13 cases of focal nodular hyperplasia; 4 cases of angiomyolipomas; and 3 cases of hemangiomas with a mean size of 7.6 cm (ranging from 3.1 to 19.6 cm). The total morbidity rate was 19%, with 9% classified as Clavien-Dindo grades 3 or 4. No mortality was observed. CONCLUSION: LLS for benign liver tumors is safe and presents excellent results. However, indications for resection are increasingly restricted and should not be performed just because it is a minimally invasive procedure.

MÉTODOS: As principais indicações das hepatectomias video-laparoscópicas (HVL), inicialmente, eram nas lesões hepáticas benignas. À medida que a HVL se tornou mais popular, as indicações de doenças malignas superaram as de doenças benignas. Este estudo teve como objetivo discutir as indicações e resultados da HVL para o tratamento de tumores hepáticos benignos. De 445 HVL realizadas em um único centro, 100 (22,4%) foram para tumores benignos. Os autores discutem as indicações para ressecção e apresentam seus resultados perioperatórios. RESULTADOS: No total, 100 pacientes com tumores benignos foram avaliados, a saber: 66 casos de adenomas hepatocelulares; 14 de neoplasia mucinosa biliar; 13 de hiperplasia nodular focal; 4 de angiomiolipomas; e 3 de hemangiomas. O tamanho médio das lesões foi de 7,6 cm (3,1 a 19,6 cm). A taxa de morbidade total foi de 19%, sendo 9% classificados como Clavien-Dindo 3 ou 4 e não foi observada mortalidade. CONCLUSÃO: A HVL para tumores hepáticos benignos é segura e apresenta excelentes resultados. No entanto, as indicações para cirurgia são cada vez mais restritas, não sendo recomendável indicar a ressecção somente por se tratar de procedimento minimamente invasivo.

Liver resection for hepatocellular carcinoma beyond the BCLC: are multinodular disease, portal hypertension, and portal system invasion real contraindications?

Background: Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer (BCLC) is a recognized guideline to standardize treatment allocation for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC); however, many centers criticize its restrictive liver resection recommendations and have published good results after more liberal hepatectomy indications. The objective is to evaluate the results of HCC resection in a single center, with a more liberal indication for resection than proposed by the BCLC guideline. It was performed a retrospective cohort study including all patients who underwent liver resection for HCC in a single center between April 2008 and November 2018. Methods: The results of 150 patients who underwent hepatectomy were evaluated and compared facing both 2010 and 2018 BCLC guidelines. Overall and disease-free survival after resection in patients with none, one, two, or three of the risk factors, as proposed by the BCLC, as contraindications to resection (portal hypertension, portal invasion, and more than one nodule) were analyzed. Results: Nodule size and presence of portal invasion alone did not affect prognosis. If the BCLC 2010 and 2018 guidelines were followed, 46.7% and 26.7% of the patients, respectively, would not have received potentially curative treatment. The median overall and disease-free survival for patients with one BCLC contraindication factor were 43.3 and 15.1 months, respectively. The presence of two risk factors had a negative impact on overall survival (OS) and disease-free survival (DFS), although some patients had long-term survival. The only patient with the three risk factors had a poor outcome. Conclusions: Selected patients with one BCLC contraindication factor may undergo resection with good results, whereas those with two factors should be allocated for hepatectomy only in favorable scenarios. Patients with the three risk factors do not appear to benefit from resection.

Repeat hepatectomy for recurrent colorectal liver metastases: A comparative analysis of short- and long-term results.

BACKGROUND: Liver recurrence after resection of colorectal liver metastases (CRLM) is frequent. Repeat hepatectomy has been shown to have satisfactory perioperative results. However, the long-term outcomes and the benefits for patients with early recurrence have not been clarified. The aim of this study was to compare the short- and long-term outcomes of patients undergoing single hepatectomy and repeat hepatectomy for CRLM. Additionally, the oncological outcomes of patients with early (≤ 6 months) and late recurrence who underwent repeat hepatectomy were compared. METHODS: Consecutive adult patients undergoing hepatectomy for CRLM between June 2000 and February 2020 were included and divided into two groups: single hepatectomy and repeat hepatectomy. RESULTS: A total of 709 patients were included: 649 in the single hepatectomy group and 60 in the repeat hepatectomy group. Patients in the repeat hepatectomy group underwent more cycles of preoperative chemotherapy [4 (3-6) vs. 3 (2-4), P = 0.003]. Patients in the single hepatectomy group more frequently underwent major hepatectomies (34.5% vs. 16.7%, P = 0.004) and had a greater number of lesions resected (2.9 ± 3.6 vs. 1.9 ± 1.8, P = 0.011). There was no increase in operative time, estimated blood loss, length of hospital stay, complications, or mortality in the repeat hepatectomy group. There were no differences in overall survival (P = 0.626) and disease-free survival (P = 0.579) between the two groups. Similarly, for patients underwent repeat hepatectomy, no difference was observed between the early and late recurrence groups in terms of overall survival (P = 0.771) or disease-free survival (P = 0.350). CONCLUSIONS: Repeat hepatectomy is feasible and safe, with similar short- and long-term outcomes when compared to single hepatectomy. Surgical treatment of early liver recurrence offers similar oncological outcomes to those obtained for late recurrence.

The impact of multivisceral liver resection on short- and long-term outcomes of patients with colorectal liver metastasis: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Abstract The impact of Multivisceral Liver Resection (MLR) on the outcome of patients with Colorectal Liver Metastasis (CRLM) is unclear. The present systematic review aimed to compare patients with CRLM who underwent MLR versus standard hepatectomy regarding short- and long-term outcomes. MLR is a feasible procedure but has a higher risk of major complications. MLR did not negatively affect long-term survival, suggesting that an extended resection is an option for potentially curative treatment for selected patients with CRLM.

Two decades of liver resection with a multidisciplinary approach in a single institution: What has changed? Analysis of 1409 cases

Abstract Objectives: To evaluate results of patients undergoing liver resection in a single center over the past two decades with a particular look at Colorectal Liver Metastasis (CRLM) and Hepatocellular Carcinoma (HCC). Method: Patients were divided into two eras, from 2000 to 2010 (Era 1) and 2011 to 2020 (Era 2). The most frequent diagnosis was CRLM and HCC, with 738 (52.4%) and 227 (16.1%) cases respectively. An evaluation of all liver resection cases and a subgroup analysis of both CRLM and HCC were performed. Preoperative and per operative variables and long-term outcomes were evaluated. Results: 1409 liver resections were performed. In Era 2 the authors observed higher BMI, more: minimally invasive surgeries, Pringle maneuvers, and minor liver resections; and less transfusion, less ICU necessity, and shorter length of hospital stay. Severe complications were observed in 14.7% of patients, and 90-day mortality was 4.2%. Morbidity and mortality between eras were not different. From 738 CRLM resections, in Era 2 there were significantly more patients submitted to neoadjuvant chemotherapy, bilateral metastases, and smaller sizes with significantly less transfusion, the necessity of ICU, and shorter length of hospital stay. More pedicle clamping, minimally invasive surgeries, and minor resections were also observed. From 227 HCC resections, in Era 2 significantly more minimally invasive surgeries, fewer transfusions, less necessity of ICU, and shorter length of hospital stay were observed. OS was not different between eras for CRLM and HCC. Conclusions: Surgical resection in a multidisciplinary environment remains the cornerstone for the curative treatment of primary and metastatic liver tumors.

A Combined "Hanging Liver Maneuver" and "Intrahepatic Extra-Glissonian Approach" for Anatomical Right Hepatectomy: Technique Standardization, Results, and Correlation With Portal Pedicle Anatomy.

Background: The hanging liver maneuver and intrahepatic extra-Glissonian approach are distinct modalities to facilitate safe anatomical liver resections. This study reports a standardized combination of these techniques focusing on safety, results and correlation with portal pedicle anatomy in oncological patients. Method: Combined hanging liver maneuver and intrahepatic extra-Glissonian approach for anatomic right hepatectomy was described stepwise. Portal pedicle anatomy was correlated with the Glissonian approach failure and complications. Clinical characteristics of patients, perioperative outcomes, short and long-term survival rates were analyzed. Results: Thirty colorectal liver metastases patients submitted to the combined approach were evaluated. Anatomical variations of the right portal pedicle were present in 26.6%. Hanging liver maneuver was feasible in 100%, and Glissonian approach in 96.7% despite portal pedicle variations. Mean operative time was 326 min. Mean blood loss was 507 ml. Mean hospital stay was 8 days. There was no 90-day operative mortality and no significant morbidity. Oncological surgical margins were free. Overall and disease-free 5-year survival were 59 and 37%. Conclusion: Regardless of frequent anatomical variations of the right portal pedicle, the hanging liver maneuver, and intrahepatic extra-Glissonian approach can be combined, being useful for anatomical right hepatectomies in a safe and reproducible way in most patients.

Infiltrative Tumor Borders in Colorectal Liver Metastasis: Should We Enlarge Margin Size?

BACKGROUND: Surgery is the only potentially curative treatment for colorectal cancer liver metastases (CRLMs). Despite an improvement in results following resection, recurrence rates remain high. Many histopathological features have been reported as prognostic factors. Infiltrative borders are known to be associated with worse prognosis; however, margin size has never been evaluated together with the type of tumor border. In the present study, we analyzed the prognosis of patients with resected CRLM according to tumor growth pattern (TGP) and whether a larger margin size would bring any prognostic benefit. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Medical records from a prospective database of 645 patients who underwent hepatic resection for CRLM between January 2004 and December 2019 at a single center were reviewed, and 266 patients were included in the analytic cohort. TGP (pushing or infiltrative) was evaluated regarding the impact in overall and disease-free survival. The impact of margin size (≤ or > 1 cm) on survival and hepatic recurrence according to TGP was also evaluated. RESULTS: TGP was defined as infiltrative in 182 cases (68.4%) and pushing in 84 patients (31.6%). Patients with infiltrative-type border presented worse overall survival and disease-free survival, as well as higher intrahepatic recurrence (p < 0.05). Larger margin size did not impact the prognosis of patients with infiltrative borders. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with infiltrative-type border present worse prognosis and higher intrahepatic recurrence. Larger margin size (> 1 cm) does not change the prognosis in patients with infiltrative border, showing that tumor biology is the most important factor for survival.

Feasibility of Right Upper Transversal Hepatectomy in the Absence of an Inferior Right Hepatic Vein: New Insights regarding This Complex Procedure.

BACKGROUND: Right upper transversal hepatectomy (RUTH) is defined as the removal of liver segments 7, 8, and 4A with ligature of the right and middle hepatic veins and is considered one of the most complex techniques of parenchymal-sparing hepatectomies. This procedure can be performed, without venous reconstruction, if collateral veins are present communicating within remnant liver segments to a large inferior right hepatic vein and/or to the left hepatic vein. This venous network could maintain outflow from the inferior right segments (S5, S6) to the left liver when a RUTH is performed, even in the absence of an inferior right hepatic vein. The aim of this study is to present our experience with RUTH without venous reconstruction in patients with and without the presence of an inferior right hepatic vein (IRHV). METHODS: Patients submitted to RUTH for treatment of liver metastases were selected from our database. The presence of an IRHV, clinical and surgical characteristics of the patients, immediate outcomes, viability of liver segments 5 and 6, and long-term survival were analyzed. RESULTS: RUTH was successfully performed in four patients. In two patients, IRHV was not present, but intrahepatic communicating veins between proximal right and middle hepatic veins and left hepatic vein were present. No venous reconstructions were performed. Mild congestion of the inferior right segments occurred in the patients where there was no IRHV but no immediate, early, or late complications were observed. CONCLUSIONS: RUTH is feasible and can be performed even in the absence of an IRHV, without venous reconstruction. Some degree of congestion of the right inferior liver segments might occur when an IRHV is absent, yet this is not clinically significant when communicating veins are present. Maximum parenchyma preservation might prevent postoperative liver failure and allow repeated resections in case of hepatic recurrence.

Guidelines for the Treatment of Hepatocellular Adenoma in the Era of Molecular Biology: An Experience-Based Surgeons' Perspective.

BACKGROUND: Hepatocellular adenoma (HA) is a rare benign liver tumor with increasing incidence affecting young women. In the last years, much has changed in diagnosis, classification, and treatment, due to the identification of different molecular subtypes. With the evolving knowledge, especially on molecular characteristics of the disease, we are far from a consensus of how to deal with such a multifaceted benign disease METHODS: In the last 20 years, we have treated 134 patients with HA with a mean age of 28 years, being 126 women. Fifty patients had a history of abdominal pain and 13 patients had an acute episode of pain due to rupture and bleeding. Until 2009, adenomas larger than 4 cm in diameter were resected, regardless of gender. From 2010 to 2016, only adenomas larger than 5 cm were referred for surgical treatment. Since 2016, resection was indicated in all female patients with non-steatotic adenomas larger than 5 cm and all adenomas in men. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION: One hundred twenty-four patients were submitted to resection, being in 21 major resections. Since 2010, 74% of resections were done laparoscopically. Patients with ruptured adenomas were treated with transarterial embolization. Morbidity rate was 8.1% with no mortality. Authors discuss point-by-point all the aspects and presentations of the disease and the best approach. We proposed a therapeutic guideline based on the best available evidence and in our experience. CONCLUSIONS: Due to the complexity of the disease, the treatment of HA is one the best examples of an individualized approach.

Histopathological prognostic factors for colorectal liver metastases: A systematic review and meta-analysis of observational studies.

INTRODUCTION: Resection is the mainstay of treatment for colorectal liver metastases (CRLMs). Many different histopathological factors related to the primary colorectal tumour have been well studied; however, histopathological prognostic factors related to CRLMs are still under evaluation. OBJECTIVE: To identify histopathological factors related to overall survival (OS) and disease-free survival (DFS) in patients with resected CRLMs. METHODS: A systematic review was performed with the following databases up to August 2020: PubMed, EMBASE, Web of Science, SciELO, and LILACS. The GRADE approach was used to rate the overall certainty of evidence by outcome. RESULTS: Thirty-three studies including 4,641 patients were eligible. We found very low certainty evidence that the following histopathological prognostic factors are associated with a statistically significant decrease in OS: presence of portal vein invasion (HR, 0,50 [95% CI, 0,37 to 0,68]; I²=0%), presence of perineural invasion (HR, 0,55 [95% CI, 0,36 to 0,83]; I²=0%), absence of pseudocapsule (HR, 0,41 [CI 95%, 0,29 to 0,57], p<0,00001; I²=0%), presence of satellite nodules (OR, 0,45 [95% CI, 0,26 to 0,80]; I²=0%), and the absence of peritumoural inflammatory infiltrate (OR, 0,20 [95% CI, 0,08 to 0,54]; I²=0%). Outcome data on DFS were scarce, except for tumour borders, which did not present a significant impact, precluding the meta-analysis. CONCLUSION: Of the histopathological prognostic factors studied, low- to moderate-certainty evidence shows that vascular invasion, perineural invasion, absence of pseudocapsule, presence of satellite nodules, and absence of peritumoral inflammatory infiltrate are associated with shorter overall survival in CRLMs.