SURGICAL MANAGEMENT OF LARGE HEPATOCELLULAR CARCINOMA: THE FIRST SINGLE-CENTER STUDY FROM WESTERN INDIA.

BACKGROUND: Majority of patients with large size HCC (>10 cm) are not offered surgery as per Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer (BCLC) criteria and hence, their outcomes are not well studied, especially from India, owing to a lower incidence. AIM: To analyze outcomes of surgery for large HCCs. METHODS: This retrospective observational study included all patients who underwent surgery for large HCC from January 2007 to December 2017. The entire perioperative and follow up data was collected and analyzed. RESULTS: Nineteen patients were included. Ten were non-cirrhotic; 16 were BCLC grade A; one BCLC grade B; and two were BCLC C. Two cirrhotic and three non-cirrhotic underwent preoperative sequential trans-arterial chemoembolization and portal vein embolization. Right hepatectomy was the most commonly done procedure. The postoperative 30-day mortality rate was 5% (1/19). Wound infection and postoperative ascites was seen in seven patients each. Postoperative liver failure was seen in five. Two cirrhotic and two non-cirrhotic patients had postoperative bile leak. The hospital stay was 11.9±5.4 days (median 12 days). Vascular invasion was present in four cirrhotic and five non-cirrhotic patients. The median follow-up was 32 months. Five patients died in the follow-up period. Seven had recurrence and median recurrence free survival was 18 months. The cumulative recurrence free survival was 88% and 54%, whereas the cumulative overall survival was 94% and 73% at one and three years respectively. Both were better in non-cirrhotic; however, the difference was not statistically significant. The recurrence free survival was better in patients without vascular invasion and the difference was statistically significant (p=0.011). CONCLUSION: Large HCC is not a contraindication for surgery. Vascular invasion if present, adversely affects survival. Proper case selection can provide the most favorable survival with minimal morbidity.

Surgical management of large hepatocellular carcinoma: the first single-center study from western india / Manejo cirúrgico de grandes carcinomas hepatocelulares: primeiro estudo de um único centro da índia ocidental

ABSTRACT Background: Majority of patients with large size HCC (>10 cm) are not offered surgery as per Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer (BCLC) criteria and hence, their outcomes are not well studied, especially from India, owing to a lower incidence. Aim: To analyze outcomes of surgery for large HCCs. Methods: This retrospective observational study included all patients who underwent surgery for large HCC from January 2007 to December 2017. The entire perioperative and follow up data was collected and analyzed. Results: Nineteen patients were included. Ten were non-cirrhotic; 16 were BCLC grade A; one BCLC grade B; and two were BCLC C. Two cirrhotic and three non-cirrhotic underwent preoperative sequential trans-arterial chemoembolization and portal vein embolization. Right hepatectomy was the most commonly done procedure. The postoperative 30-day mortality rate was 5% (1/19). Wound infection and postoperative ascites was seen in seven patients each. Postoperative liver failure was seen in five. Two cirrhotic and two non-cirrhotic patients had postoperative bile leak. The hospital stay was 11.9±5.4 days (median 12 days). Vascular invasion was present in four cirrhotic and five non-cirrhotic patients. The median follow-up was 32 months. Five patients died in the follow-up period. Seven had recurrence and median recurrence free survival was 18 months. The cumulative recurrence free survival was 88% and 54%, whereas the cumulative overall survival was 94% and 73% at one and three years respectively. Both were better in non-cirrhotic; however, the difference was not statistically significant. The recurrence free survival was better in patients without vascular invasion and the difference was statistically significant (p=0.011). Conclusion: Large HCC is not a contraindication for surgery. Vascular invasion if present, adversely affects survival. Proper case selection can provide the most favorable survival with minimal morbidity.

RESUMO Racional: A maioria dos pacientes com CHC de grande porte (>10 cm) não tem indicação cirúrgica conforme os critérios do Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer (BCLC) e, portanto, seus resultados não são bem estudados, principalmente na Índia, devido a uma menor incidência. Objetivo: Analisar os resultados da cirurgia para HCCs de grande porte. Métodos: Este estudo observacional retrospectivo incluiu todos os pacientes submetidos à cirurgia para grandes CHC de janeiro de 2007 a dezembro de 2017. Todos os dados perioperatórios e de acompanhamento foram coletados e analisados. Resultados: Dezenove pacientes foram incluídos. Dez não eram cirróticos; 16 eram BCLC grau A; um BCLC grau B; e dois eram BCLC C. Dois cirróticos e três não-cirróticos foram submetidos à quimioembolização transarterial sequencial pré-operatória e embolização da veia porta. Hepatectomia direita foi o procedimento mais comumente realizado. A taxa de mortalidade pós-operatória em 30 dias foi de 5% (1/19). Infecção da ferida e ascite pós-operatória foram observadas em sete pacientes cada. Insuficiência hepática pós-operatória foi observada em cinco. Dois pacientes cirróticos e dois não cirróticos apresentaram vazamento de bile no pós-operatório. O tempo de internação foi de 11,9±5,4 dias (mediana de 12 dias). A invasão vascular estava presente em quatro pacientes cirróticos e cinco não cirróticos. O acompanhamento médio foi de 32 meses. Cinco pacientes morreram no período de acompanhamento. Sete tiveram recorrência e sobrevida mediana livre de recorrência foi de 18 meses. A sobrevida livre de recorrência cumulativa foi de 88% e 54%, enquanto a sobrevida global cumulativa foi de 94% e 73% em um e três anos, respectivamente. Ambos eram melhores em não-cirróticos; no entanto, a diferença não foi estatisticamente significante. A sobrevida livre de recidiva foi melhor nos pacientes sem invasão vascular e a diferença foi estatisticamente significante (p=0,011). Conclusão: CHC grande não é contraindicação para cirurgia. Invasão vascular, se presente, afeta adversamente a sobrevida. Seleção adequada de casos pode fornecer sobrevida mais favorável com morbidade mínima.

Roux-en-Y fistulojejunostomy in the management of persistent external pancreatic fistula: is it olde worlde?

OBJECTIVES: This article aimed to identify patient selection criteria and approach in treating persistent external pancreatic fistulas surgically with Roux-en-Y fistulojejunostomy, and the study evaluated the outcomes of Roux-en-Y fistulojejunostomy with a review of the relevant literature. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A retrospective data analysis from January 2010 to May 2017 revealed 6 patients managed with Roux-en-Y fistulojejunostomy for persistent external pancreatic fistulas, and their details were entered in a proforma. Standard surgical steps were performed in all patients, and the patients were followed up postoperatively for 1 year. Data were analyzed for outcomes, and the literature was reviewed. RESULTS: Four of 6 patients had persistent external pancreatic fistulas following pancreatic necrosectomy, 1 had surgery for pancreatic pseudocyst, and 1 after pancreaticoduodenectomy for pancreatic head mass. An average duration of conservative management was 14 weeks, and Roux-en-Y fistulojejunostomy was performed at a median distance of 6 cm from pancreas via a midline laparotomy. All patients recovered without major complications. Only 1 patient developed diabetes at a 1-year follow-up. CONCLUSION: Fistulojejunostomy is a safe and effective treatment for persistent pancreatic fistula having the benefit of avoiding a difficult major pancreatic resectional surgery in an already debilitated patient with frozen tissue planes, along with low postoperative morbidity and mortality. The short- and mid-term outcomes in the literature for this procedure are good, as it has also been seen in our study on diverse indications.

An outcome analysis of videoscopic assisted retroperitoneal debridement in infected pancreatic necrosis: a single centre experience.

OBJECTIVES: Infected pancreatic necrosis (IPN) is a dreadful complication of moderately severe and severe acute necrotising pancreatitis (ANP). Videoscopic assisted retroperitoneal debridement (VARD) is a minimally invasive surgical option for predominantly left sided, posterior and laterally located disease in patients not responding to conservative and percutaneous options. This study aimed to present an outcome analysis of VARD in the management of IPN at our tertiary care centre. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The present retrospective analysis of prospectively entered data included 22 patients diagnosed as ANP with IPN from January 2015 to December 2017. These patients were admitted in the surgical gastroenterology unit of our tertiary care centre. The outcome of these patients managed with VARD was evaluated. RESULTS: The aetiology of ANP was idiopathic, and gallstones were found in 7 patients each and alcohol in 8. Twelve patients were managed with a single VARD procedure; whereas, 10 required a re-debridement due to suboptimal improvement. Eighteen out of 22 patients survived whereas 4 succumbed to major postoperative bleeding/severe sepsis and multiorgan failure (Mortality 18.2%). Hospital stay after the index procedure was between 6 to 11 weeks. CONCLUSION: VARD is a safe and effective surgical option for the management of IPN that worsens or fails to respond to conservative and percutaneous drainage options after a minimum of 4 weeks of moderately severe and severe ANP. It decreases postoperative morbidity and mortality and avoids major laparotomy, and hence, it can be considered in a selected group of patients.

An outcome analysis of laparoscopic management of diverticulitis.

BACKGROUND: All operative procedures for simple or complicated diverticulitis, including primary resection and anastomosis (PRA) with or without a diverting stoma, Hartmann procedure (HP), or stoma reversal, whether done in an elective setting or as an emergency, can be performed laparoscopically. However, owing to low incidence of the disease and complexity of the procedure, there are very few studies on outcomes of laparoscopic surgery for sigmoid diverticulitis from India. AIM: The present study was undertaken to evaluate outcomes of laparoscopically treated patients of sigmoid diverticulitis. METHODS: Prospective observational study enrolled 37 patients with sigmoid diverticulitis managed laparoscopically from March 2015 to March 2017. Demographic, clinical, operative, postoperative, and complication data were entered into a patient proforma and analyzed. RESULTS: Eleven simple and 26 complicated diverticulitis patients were operated laparoscopically, 22 in emergency setting and 15 in elective setting. Only three patients required conversion to open surgery-two due to dense adhesions and one due to chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). No patients had ureteric or bowel injury. Eighteen patients underwent laparoscopic PRA without stoma, 11 patients had PRA with stoma, 6 had HP, and 2 had laparoscopic lavage. Results showed lesser blood loss, shorter hospital stay, and fewer complications in the elective group and simple diverticulitis patients. None of the patients had anastomosis-related complications. Two patients had stoma-related complications. CONCLUSION: Laparoscopic management of diverticulitis is feasible, safe, provides the benefits of less wound-related complications, and shorter hospital stay and should be the surgical procedure of choice in elective or emergency setting for simple/complicated diverticulitis.

Roux-en-Y fistulojejunostomy in the management of persistent external pancreatic fistula: Is it olde worlde?

OBJECTIVE: This article aims to identify the patient selection criteria and approach in treating persistent external pancreatic fistulas surgically with Roux-en-Y fistulojejunostomy, and it evaluates the outcomes of Roux-en-Y fistulojejunostomy with a review of the relevant literature. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A retrospective data analysis from January 2010 to May 2017 revealed 6 patients who were managed with Roux-en-Y fistulojejunostomy for persistent external pancreatic fistulas, and their details were entered in a proforma. Standard surgical steps were performed in all patients, and the patients were followed up postoperatively for 1 year. Data were analyzed for outcomes, and the literature was reviewed. RESULTS: Four of 6 patients had persistent external pancreatic fistulas following pancreatic necrosectomy, 1 had surgery for pancreatic pseudocyst, and 1 after pancreaticoduodenectomy for pancreatic head mass. An average duration of conservative management was 14 weeks, and Roux-en-Y fistulojejunostomy was performed at a median distance of 6 cm from pancreas via a midline laparotomy. All patients recovered without major complications. Only 1 patient developed diabetes at a 1-year follow-up. CONCLUSION: Fistulojejunostomy is a safe and effective treatment for persistent pancreatic fistula having the benefit of avoiding a difficult major pancreatic resectional surgery in an already debilitated patient with frozen tissue planes, along with low postoperative morbidity and mortality. The short- and mid-term outcomes in the literature for this procedure are good, as it has also been seen in our study on diverse indications.

Is Revision Surgery Justified for Symptomatic Pancreatico-enteric Anastomotic Stenosis in Long-term Survivors Following Pancreaticoduodenectomy for Malignancy?

BACKGROUND: Pancreatico-enteric anastomotic (PEA) stenosis is one of the late complications following pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD) and reported for benign diseases. Literature for PEA stenosis following PD for malignancy is very limited due to low survival. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Patients undergoing surgery for symptomatic, recurrent, obstructive pancreatitis due to PEA stenosis following PD for malignancy were retrospectively identified from the authors' prospective database between January 1997 and December 2014. RESULTS: Six patients with median age 56.5 years underwent revision surgery for PEA stenosis during this time period. At primary PD, all were node negative with T1/T2 disease. The primary PEA were pancreatico-jejunostomy (PJ) (n = 5) and pancreatico-gastrostomy (n = 1). Median time to develop symptoms was 62 months. At revision surgery, a Roux-en-Y longitudinal PJ (n = 5) and an end-to-side PJ (n = 1) were done. With a median follow-up of 36 months, pain relief was excellent (n = 5) to average (n = 1). CONCLUSION: With improving long-term survival in patients undergoing PD for malignancy more such patients will be identified in future. Patients with symptomatic PEA stenosis following PD for malignancy can be managed surgically, with excellent outcomes in centers of expertise in pancreatic surgery.

A rare case of lacrimal adenoid cystic carcinoma with large hepatic and multiple pulmonary metastases with successful surgical treatment.

INTRODUCTION: Adenoid cystic carcinoma (ACC) of the lacrimal gland is rare but with high recurrence rates and late metastases. They occasionally metastasise via haematogenous spread to lungs, brain and bone. Liver is a rare site of metastasis and is usually present with disseminated disease. PRESENTATION OF CASE: A 42 year old lady, a known case of adenoid cystic carcinoma of the lacrimal gland who had been operated 4 years ago for the same followed by chemotherapy and radiotherapy. She was detected with large hepatic and bilateral multiple pulmonary metastases. A right hepatectomy was done. After six months when her general condition improved we did a staged pulmonary metastatectomy. Histology confirmed the diagnosis. She is presently doing well with no recurrence since 18 months. DISCUSSION: Usually asymptomatic, the commonest symptom is pain. It is a locally invasive disease with a poor prognosis if detected late. Surgery is the only proven therapy. Isolated hepatic metastases being managed surgically has been reported. However, extensive, staged, surgical resection of hepatic and pulmonary metastases has not been reported. CONCLUSION: Lacrimal ACC is an aggressive tumour with known late metastases with the liver being affected seldomly. Our case highlights that even disseminated metastases to the liver and the lungs from lacrimal ACC can be managed surgically with a good outcome. To our knowledge, no such report with distant metastases to the liver and the lung along with their successful surgical management has been reported.

Early retropancreatic dissection during pancreaticoduodenectomy.

BACKGROUND: During pancreaticoduodenectomy, early neck division may be inadequate, particularly in cases of replaced or accessory right hepatic artery (RHA) or diffuse intraductal papillary and mucinous neoplasm (IPMN) or when invasion of superior mesenteric artery is suspected. METHODS: Modification of the technique of pancreaticoduodenectomy with dissection of the superior mesenteric vessels performed from behind the head of the pancreas before any pancreatic or digestive transection. The pancreas is divided later, after adequate mobilization of the specimen from the vessels, on either the neck or the body, according to underlying disease. RESULTS: We used this technique successfully in 20 patients with a replaced or accessory RHA, which was successfully preserved in 19; one patient had inadvertent division of a 2-mm diameter accessory RHA that was ligated with no postoperative complications. Additionally, we used this technique in 18 patients with IPMN-14 pancreaticoduodenectomies extended to the body and 4 total pancreatectomies-and in 3 patients with adenocarcinoma involving the porto-mesenteric confluence and needing en-bloc vascular resection. CONCLUSIONS: Early division of retroperitoneal margin is a useful technical variant of pancreaticoduodenectomy, which can be recommended in selective indications to improve safety and radicality of the procedure.