Perioperative and Long-Term Outcomes of Laparoscopic Versus Open Lymphadenectomy for Biliary Tumors: A Propensity-Score-Based, Case-Matched Analysis.

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to compare patients undergoing MILS and open liver resections with associated lymphadenectomy for biliary tumors (intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma and gallbladder cancer) in a case-matched analysis using propensity scores. METHODS: A total of 104 consecutive patients underwent liver resection with associated locoregional lymphadenectomy by laparoscopic approach constituted the study group (MILS group). The MILS group was matched in a ratio of 1:2 with patients who had undergone open resection for primary biliary cancers (Open group). Short- and long-term outcomes were evaluated and compared, with specific focus on specific details of lymphadenectomy. RESULTS: Laparoscopic series resulted in a statistically significant lower blood loss (200 vs. 350, p = 0.03), minor intraoperative blood transfusions (3.2% vs. 7.9%, p = 0.04), and postoperative blood transfusions (10.5% vs. 15.8%), other than shorter length of stay (4 vs. 6 days, p = 0.04). Number of retrieved nodes was 8 versus 7 (p = not significant); particularly, percentage of patients who achieved the recommended AJCC cutoff of six lymph nodes harvested were 93.7% versus 85.8% (p = 0.05). Both overall and lymphadenectomy-related morbidity (bleeding, pancreatitis, lymphatic fistula, vascular, and biliary injuries) were lower in MILS group (respectively 16.3% and 3.2% vs. 22.1% and 5.3%, p = 0.03). Median disease-free survival was 33 versus 36 months and disease recurrence occurred in 45.3% versus 55.3% of patients in MILS and Open groups respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Laparoscopic approach for lymphadenectomy is a valid option in patients with biliary cancers, because it allows to maintain the advantages of minimally invasive approach, without compromising the accuracy and the outcomes of nodal dissection.

Safety of minimally invasive liver resections during live surgery: a propensity score based assessment.

BACKGROUND: Concerns regarding safety and outcomes of procedures performed during live events have been raised in the literature. Aim of the present investigation was to analyze the outcomes of laparoscopic liver resections performed during live events and conventional elective procedures. METHODS: 60 laparoscopic liver resections performed during live events (Live group) were compared with 180 performed during conventional elective procedures (Control group) after propensity scores matching. The main endpoints were intraoperative and short-term postoperative outcomes. RESULTS: Live and Control group had comparable blood loss (300 vs 350 mL, p NS) and conversion rate (13.3% vs 14.4%, p NS), despite longer operation time for patients in the Live Group (280 ± 30 vs 210 ± 20 min, p = 0.032). There were no differences in perioperative morbidity and mortality: severe complications respectively occurred in 2 patients of the Live and in 7 patients of the Control group (p NS) with none directly related to intraoperative accidents. CONCLUSIONS: In the setting of laparoscopic liver resections, live surgery does not negatively affect intra- and postoperative outcomes of patients if performed by expert surgeons: the creation of a specific expertise for the new generations of laparoscopic liver surgeons can be therefore pursued maintaining the primary endpoint of safety and oncological adequacy of procedures.

Laparoscopic or open approaches for posterosuperior and anterolateral liver resections? A propensity score based analysis of the degree of advantage.

BACKGROUND: Benefits over the open technique are demonstrated for laparoscopic liver resections. Whether the degree of advantage is different for anterolateral and posterosuperior resections is investigated in this retrospective study. METHODS: Laparoscopic anterolateral and posterosuperior resections (Lap-AL/Lap-PS) were compared with open (Open-AL/Open-PS) after propensity score matching. Mean/median differences of relevant parameters were calculated after bootstrap sampling. The degree of advantage was compared between anterolateral and posterosuperior resections and expressed as delta of differences (Δ-difference). RESULTS: 239 Lap-AL were compared with 239 matched Open-AL, and 176 Lap-PS with 176 matched Open-PS. Lap-AL showed reduced blood loss, morbidity, time to orally-controlled pain, mobilization and total stay; Lap-PS showed reduced blood loss, transfusions, morbidity, time to orally-controlled pain, mobilization, functional recovery and total stay. The degree of advantage of Lap-PS resulted significantly greater than Lap-AL blood loss (Δ-difference: 101 mL, p 0.017), transfusions (Δ-difference: 6.3%, p 0.008), morbidity (Δ-difference: 7.6%, p 0.034), time to orally-controlled pain (Δ-difference: 1 day, p 0.020) and functional recovery (Δ-difference: 1 day, p 0.042). CONCLUSIONS: While both resulting in benefit, the advantage of laparoscopy is greater for posterosuperior than anterolateral resections. Despite their technical difficulty, these should be considered among the most worthwhile laparoscopic liver resections.

Approach to hepatocaval confluence during laparoscopic right hepatectomy: three variations on a theme.

INTRODUCTION: Due to technical challenges and reduced pool of candidates, laparoscopic major hepatectomies remain relatively limited: In particular, right hepatectomy is technically more challenging than left since it requires liver mobilization, dissection of inferior vena cava (IVC) and hepatocaval confluence (HepCC), and section of right hepatic vein (RHV). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Among 53 laparoscopic right hepatectomies (San Raffaele Hospital; 2013-2015), the approach to HepCC was standardized by three techniques: (1) primary approach to IVC and RHV with complete mobilization of right hemiliver; (2) anterior approach with hanging maneuver without liver mobilization (partial anterior approach-PAA); and (3) anterior approach without hanging maneuver without liver mobilization of right hemiliver (total anterior approach-TAA). The technique was defined preoperatively based on tumor size/position, IVC/RHV compression, and HepCC dislodgement. Type of parenchyma and risk of lesion rupture were also evaluated. RESULTS: Primary approach to IVC and RHV Before liver transection and after liver mobilization, IVC dissection is performed, and RHV is isolated and suspended on a vessel loop. RHV is sectioned after parenchymal transection. INDICATIONS: no compression by tumor of IVC/RHV, no HepCC dislodgement, soft parenchyma, no risk of lesion rupture. PAA IVC and HepCC are dissected free before transection, without previous liver mobilization; a tape is positioned in front of the anterior aspect of IVC, to perform the hanging maneuver. RHV section is performed after parenchymal transection. INDICATIONS: huge masses without compression of IVC/RHV, no HepCC dislodgement, liver stiffness, risk of lesion/parenchyma rupture. TAA Both IVC and RHV dissections are performed at the end of parenchymal transection, without previous mobilization of right lobe. INDICATIONS: huge masses with compression of IVC/RHV, HepCC dislodgement. CONCLUSION: Different approaches are available for HepCC dissection during laparoscopic right hepatectomy: Liver parenchyma characteristics, tumor size, and relationship with HepCC should be considered in surgical planning, to achieve satisfactory outcomes.

Serum levels of endothelin-1 after liver resection as an early predictor of postoperative liver failure. A prospective study.

AIM: Besides the residual liver volume, damage of the microcirculation secondary to increased portal blood flow is a main determinant of postoperative liver failure (PLF). Endothelin-1 (ET-1), produced by sinusoidal endothelial cells, plays a key role in the regulation of hepatic microcirculation. The aim of this study was to determine whether ET-1 levels has any prognostic utility in predicting PLF. METHODS: Patients undergoing liver resection for primary or secondary liver tumors at San Raffaele Hospital, Milan, were prospectively enrolled in the study. Serial postoperative serum ET-1 levels in patients undergoing liver resections were correlated with indices of inflammatory response, liver failure and death. RESULTS: A total of 144 patients were included. ET-1 levels in patients who underwent major or extended liver resection were significantly higher than in patients who had a minor resection on postoperative day (POD) 1 (P = 0.003), POD 2 (P = 0.0001) and POD 5 (P = 0.0001). Eight patients developed PLF and ET-1 was significantly higher compared with patients without PLF on POD 2 (P = 0.002) and POD5 (P = 0.006). Serum ET-1 concentration on POD 2 was an independent predictor of PLF in multivariate analysis. CONCLUSION: ET-1 is as an early index of PLF and provides a rationale for therapeutic manipulation, with many potential clinical implications to prevent PLF onset and reduce its severity.

Safety and feasibility of laparoscopic liver resection with associated lymphadenectomy for intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma: a propensity score-based case-matched analysis from a single institution.

BACKGROUND: Intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (ICC) is still a relatively uncommon indication for laparoscopic surgery because of technical challenges related to the frequent need for major hepatectomies and the necessity to perform formal regional lymphadenectomy. The aim of the present case-matched study was to compare laparoscopic and open resections for ICC. METHODS: In a case-matched retrospective analysis, 20 consecutive patients who had undergone laparoscopic resection for ICC (LPS group) were compared with 60 of 83 patients who had undergone open surgery (open group) in the same institution. The groups were matched in a ratio of 1:3 using propensity scores based on covariates representing relevant patient characteristics and severity of disease. The main endpoints were short- and long-term outcomes and impact and adequacy of laparoscopic lymphadenectomy. RESULTS: The groups were well matched in terms of patient and disease characteristics. The laparoscopic approach resulted in less blood loss (200 vs. 350 mL, p = 0.040) despite less extensive use of the Pringle maneuver. There was no difference in perioperative morbidity and mortality rates; however, the laparoscopic approach was associated with faster functional recovery (median 3 vs. 4 days, p = 0.050). After a mean follow-up of 39 months, disease-free and overall survivals were 33 and 51 months, respectively, for the LPS and 36 and 63, respectively, for the open group (p ns). The number of harvested nodes was comparable between groups. CONCLUSIONS: Compared with open surgery, laparoscopic resection of ICC is feasible and safe, providing short-term benefits without negatively affecting oncologic adequacy in terms of rate of R0 resections, depth of margins, and long-term overall and disease-free survivals. Laparoscopic regional lymphadenectomy is technically possible but should be the object of future focused studies.

Intraoperative monitoring of stroke volume variation versus central venous pressure in laparoscopic liver surgery: a randomized prospective comparative trial.

BACKGROUND: Central venous pressure (CVP) is used as a marker of cardiac preload to control intraoperative blood loss in open hepatectomies, while its reliability in laparoscopy is less certain. The aim of this randomized prospective trial was to evaluate the outcome of laparoscopic resections performed with stroke volume variation (SVV) or CVP monitoring. METHODS: All candidates for laparoscopic liver resection were assigned randomly to SVV or to CVP groups. Outcome was evaluated included conversion rate, cause of conversion, intraoperative blood loss, need for transfusions, length of surgery and postoperative results. RESULTS: Ninety consecutive patients were enrolled: both SVV and CVP groups included 45 patients each and were comparable in terms of patient and disease characteristics. A reduced rate of conversion was recorded in the SVV compared to the CVP group (6.7% and 17.8% respectively, p = 0.02). Blood loss was lower in the SVV group (150 mL), compared to the CVP group (300 mL, p = 0.04). Morbidity, mortality, length of stay and functional recovery were comparable. On multivariate analysis, lesion location, extent of hepatectomy and type of cardiac preload monitoring were associated significantly to risk of conversion. CONCLUSION: SVV monitoring in laparoscopic liver surgery improves intraoperative outcome, thus enhancing the benefits of the minimally-invasive approach and fast-track protocols.

Intragastric gastric band migration: erosion: an analysis of multicenter experience on 177 patients.

BACKGROUND: Laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding (LAGB) has proven to be a safe and effective surgical treatment for morbid obesity. It can be a simple, fast, reversible, anatomy-preserving procedure. Despite these advantages, its long-term efficacy came into question by the occurrence of complications such as intragastric band migration. Consistent information regarding this complication is still lacking. Treatment for migration is still being debated as well. Most of the inconsistencies of these data stem from the very low number of patients reported in single-center experiences or case reports. Lack of multicenter experience is evident. The aim of this study was to perform a retrospective analysis of data on intragastric migration in a large multicenter cohort of patients who underwent LAGB. METHODS: A retrospective multicenter study on LAGB patients was performed. Data had been entered into a prospective database of the Italian Group for LapBand(®) (GILB) since January 1997. Pars flaccida and perigastric positioning were considered along with different kinds of gastric bands by the same manufacturer. Time of diagnosis, mean body mass index (BMI), presentation symptoms, and conservative and surgical therapy of intragastric migration were considered. RESULTS: From January 1997 to December 2009, a total of 6,839 patients underwent LAGB and their data were recorded [5,660 females, 1,179 males; mean age 38.5 ± 18.2 years (range 21-62 years); mean BMI = 46.7 ± 7.7 kg/m(2) (range 37.3-68.3); excess weight (EW) 61.8 ± 25.4 kg (range 36-130); %EW 91.1 ± 32.4 % (range 21-112 %)]. A total of 177 of 6,839 (2.5 %) intragastric erosions were observed. According to the postoperative time of follow-up, the diagnosis of intragastric migration was made in 74 (41.8 %), 14 (7.9 %), 38 (21.4 %), 40 (22.6 %), 6 (3.4 %), and 4 (2.2 %) banded patients at 6-12, 24, 36, 48, 60, and 72 months after banding, respectively. Most of intragastric band migration during the first 2 years occurred in bands with no or a few milliliters of filling. In patients with late erosion, the bands were adjusted several times; no band was overfilled but one was filled to the maximum or submaximum with a maximum of two adjustments. Erosions diagnosed during the first 24 months were related to the experience of the surgical staff, while late erosions were not. CONCLUSIONS: Intragastric band migration or band erosion is a rare, disturbing, and usually not life-threatening complication of gastric banding. Its pathogenesis is probably linked to different mechanisms in early (technical failure in retrogastric passage) or late (band management) presentation. It is usually asymptomatic and there is no pathognomonic presentation. A wide range of therapeutic options are available, from simple endoscopic or laparoscopic removal to early or late band replacement or other bariatric procedure. More experience and more studies are needed to lower its presentation rate and definitively clarify its pathogenesis to address the right therapeutic option.

Hilar cholangiocarcinoma: preoperative liver optimization with multidisciplinary approach. Toward a better outcome.

INTRODUCTION: The diagnosis and treatment of hilar tumors requires a multidisciplinary approach based on the synergy of radiologists, surgeons, oncologists, and gastroenterologists. Klatskin tumor is a relatively rare disease with a poor prognosis. Currently, the only possible treatment is represented by the removal of the tumor associated with radical surgery, even though its results are still jeopardized by significant morbidity and mortality. A proper preoperative optimization of the patient, including staging laparoscopy, biliary drainage, and portal vein embolization, may improve short-term outcome. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the short- and long-term impact of preoperative optimization in patients affected by hilar cholangiocarcinoma. METHODS: From January 2004 to May 2012, 94 patients with preoperative diagnosis of Klastkin tumors were candidates for surgery at the Hepatobiliary Surgery Unit of the Hospital San Raffaele in Milan. The data of all patients were prospectively collected and retrospectively reviewed. The outcome was evaluated in terms of perioperative morbidity and mortality and overall and disease-free survival. Short-term outcome of patients undergoing preoperative optimization was compared with outcome of patients who did not undergo it in terms of intraoperative data, morbidity and mortality. RESULTS: Of 94 patients undergoing surgery, 80 underwent hepatic and biliary confluence resection. Fourteen patients were considered unresectable due to the presence of peritoneal carcinomatosis or advanced disease seen during staging laparoscopy or at laparotomy and therefore were excluded from the analysis. Seventy-five (93.7 %) patients underwent major liver resections: in 14 of these, surgery was performed at a distance of 30-40 days from PVE. In 55 patients, biliary drainage was preoperatively placed for palliation of obstructive jaundice. The postoperative morbidity rate was 51.2 % and mortality 6.2 %. The most frequent cause of death was postoperative liver failure. Five-year survival rate was 29 %. Patients undergoing preoperative optimization experienced a significant reduction of postoperative morbidity, especially in terms of infectious related events. CONCLUSIONS: Klatskin tumor remains a disease associated with poor prognosis, but a correct preoperative diagnostic and therapeutic management provides tools to perform this type of surgery with acceptable morbidity and mortality, thus improving long-term results.

Surgical approach to multifocal hepatocellular carcinoma with portal vein thrombosis and arterioportal shunt leading to portal hypertension and bleeding: a case report.

It is reported the case of a 69 years man who presented to the Emergency Room because of pain and abdominal distension from ascites. After admission and paracentesis placement, he developed a digestive hemorrhage due to oesophageal varices from portal ipertension secondary to the formation of a portal shunt concomitant with a multifocal HepatoCellular Carcinoma (HCC) with portal vein thrombosis (PVT). The patient underwent endoscopic varices ligation, twice transarterial embolization (TAE) of arterial branches feeding the shunt and subsequent left hepatectomy. During the postoperative course he developed mild and transient signs of liver failure and was discharged in postoperative day 16. He is alive and disease free 8 months after surgery.

LESS technique for liver resection: the progress of the mini-invasive approach: a single-centre experience.

INTRODUCTION: During the last years, the safety and efficacy of the laparoscopic approach for liver masses located in the left lobe have been demonstrated, encouraging the mini-invasive approach and, in more recent times, the LESS technique (Laparo Endoscopic Single Site), in an attempt to reduce the biological invasiveness related to surgical trauma. MATERIAL AND METHODS: From January 2009 to December 2010, 39 patients underwent laparoscopic liver resection at our institution. In 14 of these, the LESS technique was used. The aim of our study is to evaluate the short-term outcome of this group of patients. RESULTS: We recorded the following results: Mean operative time of 187 min (range 145-420 min), mean intraoperative blood loss of 214 ml (range 50-700 ml), postoperative morbidity rate of 21.4%, one postoperative death (related to acute heart failure related to severe aortic valve stenosis). Excluding this patient from the statistical analysis, the morbidity rate was 14.3%. The median hospital stay was five days. DISCUSSION: The LESS technique for liver resections is safe and effective in selected patients and in centres with high expertise in laparoscopic liver surgery.

Have we really understood when the efforts of laparoscopic liver resection are justified?-a complexity-based appraisal of the differential benefit.

Background: The implementation of minimally invasive liver resection surgery (MILS) programs starts from procedures with a low degree of technical difficulty. Data regarding the real short-term advantage of laparoscopy according to technical difficulty are still lacking. The aim of the present study is to evaluate the differential benefit of laparoscopic over open technique according to the technical difficulty of the procedures and to investigate if efforts associated with laparoscopic approach are always justified. Methods: Nine hundred and thirty-six MILS resections performed between 2005 and 2018 were stratified according to technical complexity (low, intermediate and high difficulty) and to approach (MILS or open) and matched in a 1:1 ratio using propensity scores to obtain three pairs of groups (Pair 1: Low-MILS and Low-Open, including 274 cases respectively; Pair 2: Int-MILS and Int-Open, including 237 patients respectively; Pair 3: High-MILS and High-Open, including 226 patients respectively). Results: MILS approach resulted in a statistically significant lower blood loss, reduced morbidity, reduced and shorter time for functional recover and length of stay within all pairs. The evaluation of the differential benefit showed a greater advantage of laparoscopic approach in high degree procedures compared with intermediate and low degree, both in terms of blood loss (-250 and -200 mL respectively) and morbidity rate (-5.7% and -4.1% respectively). Conclusions: The favorable biological scenario associated with laparoscopic approach allows to obtain significant benefits in the setting of technically complex procedures. The commitment towards MILS approach should be therefore stronger in this setting, where the advantage of laparoscopy seems to be enhanced.

Correlation Between Type of Retrieval Incision and Postoperative Outcomes in Laparoscopic Liver Surgery: A Critical Assessment.

Background: At the end of a laparoscopic major hepatectomy, an incision wide enough for specimen retrieval is required. Classically, Pfannenstiel (PF) incision is the type of access favored as service incision in laparoscopy. However, in specific settings the use of a midline (ML) incision can be favorable, with doubtful impaction on the outcomes of a purely laparoscopic operation. The aim of this study was to investigate on clinical outcomes after laparoscopic hemihepatectomies using PF/ML incisions in comparison with open. Methods: The institutional clinical database of the Hepatobiliary Division at San Raffaele Hospital (Milan, Italy) was retrospectively reviewed identifying cases of laparoscopic and open hemihepatectomies. Three analyses were performed: whole laparoscopic versus open; ML versus open; PF versus ML. Clinical outcomes such as intraoperative blood loss, operative time, postoperative morbidity, motility resumption, perceived pain, and length of stay (LOS) were used for comparisons. Results: Laparoscopy was confirmed to be superior to open approach also in the present series in terms of lower blood loss (300 versus 400 mL, P = .041), fewer complications (14.2% versus 25.9%, P = .024), shorter hospitalization (5 versus 7 days, P = .033), and enhanced recovery in terms of better pain control (P = .035) and mobility resumption (P = .047). Similar outcomes were observed comparing ML alone with open (estimated blood loss 300 mL versus 400 mL, P = .039; complications 13.1% versus 25.9%, P = .037; LOS 5 days versus 7 days, P = .04; lower pain perception, P = .048 and faster mobility resumption, P = .046). No significant differences were observed in postoperative outcomes of PF versus ML. Conclusions: Suprapubic and ML incisions at the end of a pure laparoscopic case lead to comparable outcomes between each other. The adoption of ML incision for specimen retrieval does not affect outcomes of minimal invasiveness.

Perioperative and oncologic outcomes of open radical nephrectomy and inferior vena cava thrombectomy with liver mobilization and Pringle maneuver for Mayo III level tumor thrombus: single institution experience.

BACKGROUND: Scarce data are available regarding the technique and outcomes for patients with RCC and Mayo III caval thrombi. The aim of this study was to report surgical and oncological outcomes of RCC patients with Mayo III thrombi treated with radical nephrectomy and thrombectomy after liver mobilization (LM) and Pringle maneuver (PM). METHODS: Retrospective analysis of surgical technique, outcomes and cancer control in 19 patients undergoing LM and PM in a single tertiary care institution were analyzed. RESULTS: Overall, 78% of the patients had performance status ECOG 1 and 58% had a Comorbidity Index >2. Median surgical time was 305 minutes (IQR 264-440). Intraoperative complications were reported for 39% of patients and postoperative complications for 58% (only grade 1 and 2). Intensive Care Unit support was necessary in 16% of the cases. Median length of hospital stay was 9 days (IQR: 7-11). Thirty- and 90-day mortality were 5% and 15%. Two-year overall survival and cancer-specific survival were 60% and 62%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: We reported surgical techniques, intra- and perioperative complications and follow-up in the largest cohort of RCC patients requiring LM and PM.

Case-matched analysis of totally laparoscopic versus open liver resection for HCC: short and middle term results.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Laparoscopy is gaining acceptance as a safe procedure for resection of liver neoplasms. The aim of this study is to evaluate surgical results and mid-term survival of minor hepatic resection performed for HCC. METHODS: Data of 16 patients with HCC, undergoing laparoscopic hepatectomy from September 2005 to January 2009, were compared to a control group of 16 patients who underwent open resection (OR) during the same period. The two groups were matched in terms of type of resection, tumor size, and severity of cirrhosis. RESULTS: One patient underwent conversion to an open approach. Laparoscopic approach resulted in shorter operating time (150 min, P:0.044) and lower blood loss (258 ml, P:0.008). There was no difference in perioperative morbidity and mortality rate; laparoscopic approach was associated with a shorter hospital stay (6.3 days, P:0.039). After a mean follow up of 32 months, disease free survival and overall survival were 40.2 and 23.3 months for laparoscopic group, and 47.7 and 31.4 months for OR group (P NS). CONCLUSION: Laparoscopic resection of HCC is feasible and safe in selected patients and can result in good surgical results, with similar outcomes in terms of overall and disease-free survival.

Laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding via pars flaccida versus perigastric positioning: technique, complications, and results in 2,549 patients.

AIM: Retrospective multicenter analysis of the results of two different approaches for band positioning: perigastric and pars flaccida. METHODS: Data were collected from the database of the Italian Group for LapBand (GILB). Patients operated from January 2001 to December 2004 were selected according to criteria of case-control studies to compare two different band positioning techniques: perigastric (PG group) and pars flaccida (PF group). Demographics, laparotomic conversion, postoperative complications, and weight loss parameters were considered. Data are expressed as mean +/- standard deviation. RESULTS: 2,549 patients underwent the LapBand System procedure [age: 40 +/- 11.7 years; sex: 2,130 female, 419 male; body mass index (BMI): 46.4 +/- 6.9 kg/m(2); excess weight (EW): 60.1 +/- 23.6 kg; %EW: 90.1 +/- 32.4]. During this period 1,343/2,549 (52.7%) were operated via the pars flaccida (PF group) and 1,206/2,549 (47.3%) via the perigastric approach (PG group). Demographics for both groups were similar. Thirty-day mortality was absent in both groups. Operative time was significantly longer in the PG group (80 +/- 20 min versus 60 +/- 40 min; p < 0.05). Hospital stay was similar in the two groups (2 +/- 2 days). Laparotomic conversion was significantly higher in the PG group (6 versus 2 patients; p < 0.001). Overall postoperative complication rate was 172/2,549 (6.7%) and was linked to gastric pouch dilation/slippage (67/172), intragastric migration/erosion (17/172), and tube/port failure (88/172). Gastric pouch dilation and intragastric migration were significantly more frequent in the PG group: 47 versus 20 (p < 0.001) and 12 versus 5 (p < 0.001), respectively. Patients eligible for minimum 3-year follow-up were 1,118/1,206 (PG group) and 1,079/1,343 (PF group). Mean BMI was 33.8 +/- 12.1 kg/m(2) (PG group) and 32.4 +/- 11.7 kg/m(2) (PF group) (p = ns), and mean percentage excess weight loss (%EWL) was 47.2 +/- 25.4 and 48.9 +/- 13.2 in PG and PF groups, respectively (p = ns). CONCLUSIONS: Significant improvement in LapBand System results with regard to laparotomic conversion and postoperative complication rate, with similar weight loss results, was observed in the pars flaccida group.

Reappraisal of the advantages of laparoscopic liver resection for intermediate hepatocellular carcinoma within a stage migration perspective: Propensity score analysis of the differential benefit.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of the present study was to analyze the outcome of laparoscopic approach specifically in patients with Intermediate-stage disease and to define the differential benefit with Early-stage patients. METHODS: Six hundred twenty-two resections for HCC were dichotomized according to staging (Early and Intermediate) and to approach and then matched in a 1:1 ratio using propensity scores to obtain four groups (E-MILS and E-Open, including 104 patients respectively; Int-MILS and Int-Open, including 142 patients, respectively). The differential benefit associated with the minimally invasive technique was evaluated between intermediate-stage and early-stage patients taking into account blood loss and morbidity rate as outcome indicators. RESULTS: Laparoscopic approach resulted in a statistically significant lower blood loss, reduced morbidity, reduced incidence of hepatic decompensation and shorter time for functional recover and length of stay. The evaluation of the differential benefit showed a greater advantage of laparoscopic approach in Intermediate-stage patients compared with Early-stage patients, both in terms of blood loss and morbidity rate. CONCLUSIONS: The favorable biological scenario associated with laparoscopic approach allows to obtain enhanced benefits in the setting of more advanced liver disease. The push towards minimal invasiveness and the incremental benefit associated with it could potentially promote stage migration in suitable patients.

Perihilar cholangiocarcinoma: are we ready to step towards minimally invasiveness?

The primary endpoint of this study is to evaluate the feasibility and safety of the laparoscopic approach in selected types of PeriHilar Cholangiocarcinoma (PHC). Secondary endpoint is to evaluate the potential advantages of laparoscopic approach over the open counterpart. From 2018, an MILS program for PHC was undertaken in selected patients: 16 patients constituted the study group (out of 261 operated between 2004 and 2019) and was compared with a group of patients operated by open technique (control group) in the previous period through a propensity score matching with a 1:2 ratio. Intraoperative and postoperative outcomes were evaluated and compared, focusing on blood loss, length of surgery, conversion to open approach, and complications. Laparoscopic resections resulted in statistically significant longer procedures (360 vs 275 min, p = 0.048). Conversion rate was 18.8%, being oncological concerns the most frequent reason for conversion (3/3 cases). A lower blood loss (380 vs 470, p = 0.048) and minor intraoperative blood transfusions (12.5% vs 21.9%, p = 0.032) were recorded in the study group. A number of retrieved nodes and rate of R0 resections were similar between the two groups. Patients in the MILS group had shorter length of stay (median 10) compared with open group (median 14), p = 0.048. The laparoscopic approach in PHC, so far maintained in an exploratory phase with the biliary-enteric anastomosis performed through the service incision, demonstrates adequate feasibility and safety standards when conducted in carefully selected patients and in centers with expertise.

Pure laparoscopic right hepatectomy: A risk score for conversion for the paradigm of difficult laparoscopic liver resections. A single centre case series.

BACKGROUND: Converted laparoscopic hepatectomies are known to lose some advantages of the minimally-invasiveness, and factors are identified to predict patients at risk. Specific evidence for laparoscopic right hepatectomy is expected of usefulness in clinical practice, given its technical peculiarities. The purpose of the study was the identification of risk factors and the development of a risk score for conversion of laparoscopic right hepatectomy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Laparoscopic right hepatectomy performed at a single hepatobiliary surgical center were analyzed. The cohort was split in half to obtain a derivation and a validation set. Risk factors for conversion were identified by uni- and multivariable analysis. A "conversion risk score" was built assigning each factor 1 point and comparing the score with the conversion status for each patient. The accuracy was assessed by the area-under-the-receiver-operator-characteristic-curve. RESULTS: Among 130 operations, 22 were converted (16.9%). Reasons were: 45.5% oncologic inadequacy, 31.8% bleeding, 9.1% adhesions, 9.1% biliostasis, 4.5% anaesthesiological problems. Independent risk factors for conversion were: previous laparoscopic liver surgery (Hazard Ratio 4.9, p 0.011), preoperative chemotherapy ( Hazard Ratio 6.2, p 0.031), malignant diagnosis (Hazard Ratio 3.3, p 0.037), closeness to hepatocaval confluence or inferior vena cava (Hazard Ratio 4.1, p 0.029), tumor volume (Hazard Ratio 2.9, p 0.024). Conversion rates correlated positively with the score, raising from 0 to 100% when the score increased from 0 to 5 (Spearman: p 0.032 in the derivation set, p 0.020 in the validation set). The risk of conversion showed a sharp increase passing from class 3 to 4, reaching a probability estimated between 60 and 71.4%. The score showed good accuracy (area-under-the-receiver-operator-characteristic-curve 0.82). CONCLUSION: Specific risk factors for conversion are identified for laparoscopic right hepatectomy. This score may help in standardizing the choice of a pure laparoscopic or open approach for such challenging resections.