Textbook outcome in patients with biliary duct injury during cholecystectomy.

BACKGROUND: Iatrogenic bile duct injury (BDI) during cholecystectomy is associated with a complex and heterogeneous management owing to the burden of morbidity until their definitive treatment. This study aimed to define the textbook outcomes (TOs) after BDI with the purpose to indicate the ideal treatment and to improve it management. METHODS: We collected data from patients with an BDI between 1990 and 2022 from 27 hospitals. TO was defined as a successful conservative treatment of the iatrogenic BDI or only minor complications after BDI or patients in whom the first repair resolves the iatrogenic BDI without complications or with minor complications. RESULTS: We included 808 patients and a total of 394 patients (46.9%) achieved TO. Overall complications in TO and non-TO groups were 11.9% and 86%, respectively (P < .001). Major complications and mortality in the non-TO group were 57.4% and 9.2%, respectively. The use of end-to-end bile duct anastomosis repair was higher in the non-TO group (23.1 vs 7.8, P < .001). Factors associated with achieving a TO were injury in a specialized center (adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 4.01; 95% CI, 2.68-5.99; P < .001), transfer for a first repair (aOR, 5.72; 95% CI, 3.51-9.34; P < .001), conservative management (aOR, 5.00; 95% CI, 1.63-15.36; P = .005), or surgical management (aOR, 2.45; 95% CI, 1.50-4.00; P < .001). CONCLUSION: TO largely depends on where the BDI is managed and the type of injury. It allows hepatobiliary centers to identify domains of improvement of perioperative management of patients with BDI.

Vascular injury during cholecystectomy: A multicenter critical analysis behind the drama.

BACKGROUND: The management of a vascular injury during cholecystectomy is still very complicated, especially in centers not specialized in complex hepatobiliary surgery. METHODS: This was a multi-institutional retrospective study in patients with vascular injuries during cholecystectomy from 18 centers in 4 countries. The aim of the study was to analyze the management of vascular injuries focusing on referral, time to perform the repair, and different treatments options outcomes. RESULTS: A total of 104 patients were included. Twenty-nine patients underwent vascular repair (27.9%), 13 (12.5%) liver resection, and 1 liver transplant as a first treatment. Eighty-four (80.4%) vascular and biliary injuries occurred in nonspecialized centers and 45 (53.6%) were immediately transferred. Intraoperative diagnosed injuries were rare in referred patients (18% vs 84%, P = .001). The patients managed at the hospital where the injury occurred had a higher number of reoperations (64% vs 20%, P ˂ .001). The need for vascular reconstruction was associated with higher mortality (P = .04). Two of the 4 patients transplanted died. CONCLUSION: Vascular lesions during cholecystectomy are a potentially life-threatening complication. Management of referral to specialized centers to perform multiple complex multidisciplinary procedures should be mandatory. Late vascular repair has not shown to be associated with worse results.

Machine Learning-Based Analysis in the Management of Iatrogenic Bile Duct Injury During Cholecystectomy: a Nationwide Multicenter Study.

BACKGROUND: Iatrogenic bile duct injury (IBDI) is a challenging surgical complication. IBDI management can be guided by artificial intelligence models. Our study identified the factors associated with successful initial repair of IBDI and predicted the success of definitive repair based on patient risk levels. METHODS: This is a retrospective multi-institution cohort of patients with IBDI after cholecystectomy conducted between 1990 and 2020. We implemented a decision tree analysis to determine the factors that contribute to successful initial repair and developed a risk-scoring model based on the Comprehensive Complication Index. RESULTS: We analyzed 748 patients across 22 hospitals. Our decision tree model was 82.8% accurate in predicting the success of the initial repair. Non-type E (p < 0.01), treatment in specialized centers (p < 0.01), and surgical repair (p < 0.001) were associated with better prognosis. The risk-scoring model was 82.3% (79.0-85.3%, 95% confidence interval [CI]) and 71.7% (63.8-78.7%, 95% CI) accurate in predicting success in the development and validation cohorts, respectively. Surgical repair, successful initial repair, and repair between 2 and 6 weeks were associated with better outcomes. DISCUSSION: Machine learning algorithms for IBDI are a novel tool may help to improve the decision-making process and guide management of these patients.

Hepatic Epithelioid Hemangioendothelioma as a Rare Indication for Liver Transplantation.

BACKGROUND: Hepatic epithelioid hemangioendothelioma (HEHE) is a rare neoplasm of vascular origin, with nonspecific presentation and unpredictable clinical course. Several therapeutic options are available according to the literature, including chemotherapy and radiotherapy, liver resection (LR), and liver transplantation (LT). METHODS: We present 2 cases of patients with HEHE treated with liver transplantation in our center, a 30-year-old man and a 42-year-old woman, diagnosed with several lesions involving both liver lobes. RESULTS: Levels of tumor markers (carcinoembryonic antigen [CEA], cancer antigen 19.9 [Ca19.9], and alpha-fetoprotein [AFP]) were negative. Percutaneous biopsy revealed HEHE in both cases. Due to the bilobar location, liver transplantation was performed. Postoperative course was unremarkable, and no significant complications developed. At this time, 10 and 5 years' follow-up has concluded, respectively. Both patients remain alive, asymptomatic, with normal liver function and no sign of recurrence. CONCLUSIONS: HEHE is an uncommon malignant hepatic disease. Most cases present with bilobar involvement, and LT is probably the most useful treatment with favorable outcomes according to the literature and our experience. Further studies are needed to establish the optimal management of this rare entity.

TLR9-1486C/T polymorphism is associated with hepatocellular carcinoma recurrence after liver transplantation.

Aim: To determine whether TLR9 polymorphisms are associated with tumor recurrence after liver transplantation for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Patients & methods: All patients who underwent liver transplantation, and had viable HCC in the explanted liver were included. TLR9-1237C/T and -1486C/T polymorphisms were analyzed by real-time PCR and melting curves analysis. Results: 20 of 159 patients (12.6%) developed post-transplant HCC recurrence. Tumors exceeding Milan criteria, moderately-to-poorly differentiated tumors and microvascular invasion on explants, and pretransplant α-fetoprotein level (all p < 0.01) were associated with an increased risk, while TLR9-1486TT genotype was associated with a decreased risk of HCC recurrence (p = 0.03). Conclusion: TLR9-1486C/T might help to preoperatively identify patients at low risk of post-transplant HCC recurrence.