Is Marginal Donor an Efficient Solution for Expanding the Donor Pool for Liver Transplant?

Once the techniques of hepatobiliopancreatic surgery improved, liver transplantation widely extended in different hospitals; therefore, the need of grafts and automatically of liver donors reported a significant increase in the last decade. In this respect, attention was focused on increasing the liver donor pool. The aim of this review is to study the benefits of using marginal grafts in liver transplantation. With the advent of multiple methods of liver preservation, the use of grafts previously considered unsuitable has become possible. Thus, extended allocation criteria have emerged. However, the allocation of these grafts must be carefully considered and analyzed in the context of both recipient and donor factors.

Prognostic Factors in Intrahepatic Cholangiocarcinoma - A Systematic Review.

Introduction: intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (ICCA) are rare, aggressive cancers that develop in second order or smaller bile ducts. The aim of this review is to systematically review the most important prognostic factors affecting the long-term outcomes of these patients. Material and Methods: articles conducted on this issue, written in English, published between from January 2000 to December 2023 in Cochrane Library, PubMed, Embase, MedLine, Web of Science, Elsevier, Google Scholar were systematically researched and reviewed. Results: ICCA are usually late diagnosed cancers because of the asymptomatic character, and curative procedures are often not feasible, only 20 to 30% of patients being fit for surgery. With the prognostic of this aggressive malignancy being baleful, the most important risk factors but also prognosis factors seem to be represented by socioeconomic factors, morphological presentation, dimensions, number and extension of the tumor as well as resection margins. Conclusions: once these factors are widely recognized and identified in each case, the clinician will be able to find the best treatment for these patients in order to improve the long-term outcomes.

Prognostic Factors in Liver Transplant with Marginal Grafts - Review of the Literature.

Liver transplantation is the last life-saving solution for patients with end stage liver disease. The low number of available liver grafts and the increasing waiting time on transplant lists have led to the appearance of extended donation criteria and the marginal grafs, initially considered suboptimal. Allocation of grafts and identification of the most suitable "donor-recipient" pair is still under development. The fact is that the appearance of marginal grafts has expanded the donation lists and seems to have a prognosis at least comparable to the use of ideal grafts.

Recurrence and Carcinogenetic Rates of Colorectal Polyps.

AIM: to determin the recurrence rate of benign recto-colonic polyps in a 5-year interval, and compare the development rate of intrapolypoid carcinomatous lesions in polypectomized versus nonpolypectomized subjects. MATERIAL AND METHOD: a group of 77 patients diagnosed with recto-colonic polypoid lesions during the period 2014-2019 underwent colonoscopy at the time of study initiation and then annually during a five-year interval. Results: The recurrence rate of polyps increased annually from 5 to 12.5%; the highest rate was noted in the last two years. The five-year cumulative risk of neoplastic lesions was 73% in patients without polypectomy and 20% among those with endoscopic resection (p 0.05). Comparing the recurrence rate of benign lesions (60%) in patients without neoplastic findings with the recurrence rate of adenomas in patients with benign lesions (40%), a higher risk of recurrence was found in the first category, and seemed to be influenced by the personal history of pre-existing adenomatous lesions. CONCLUSION: an increased risk of colorectal polyps recurrence was reported during five year follow up; moreover, during the first three years an increased risk of malignant transformation was observed among cases in which endoscopic resection was not feasible when compared to those in which complete excision was feasible.

Platelet to Lymphocyte Ratio as a Predictive Tool for the Perioperative and Postoperative Outcomes in Advanced Stage Ovarian Cancer.

Background: platelet to lymphocyte ratio remains a significant prognostic factor in different malignancies. The aim of the current paper is to study the correlation between the preoperative values of platelet to lymphocyte ratio (PLR) and the postoperative outcomes in ovarian cancer patients. Method: we conducted a retrospective study on 57 patients submitted to cytoreductive surgery between 2014-2020. We determined the optimal cut off value of PLR for predicting survival outcomes by using the Receiver Operating Characteristic curve a value of 350 being obtained. The patients were further classified in two groups according to the PLR value. Results: there were 37 patients with PLR 350 and respectively 20 patients with PLR 350. Patients in the second group were significantly older and presented significantly higher rates of perioperative complications, a significantly higher level of circulating platelets, of CA125 and respectively a significantly lower level of circulating lymphocytes and of preoperative hemoglobin level. Meanwhile, patients in the second group reported a significantly poorer disease free and overall survival. Conclusions: ovarian cancer patients with higher preoperative levels of PLR trend to have a poorer early and long-term postoperative outcome. Therefore, in such cases more aggressive systemic therapies might be needed.

Hyponatremia as a Prognostic Factor in Advanced Stage Ovarian Cancer Patients.

Background: hyponatremia represents one of the most commonly encountered conditions in hospitalized patients, multiple mechanisms being cited so far, neoplastic syndromes being an important cause. The aim of the current paper is to analyse the presence and influence of the short- and long-term outcomes of hyponatremia on ovarian cancer patients submitted to surgery for advanced stage ovarian cancer. Method: 57 patients diagnosed with advanced stage ovarian cancer were submitted to surgery between 2014-2020. The patients were further classified according to the preoperative value of sodium into two groups. Results: there were 21 cases with preoperative normal values of sodium and respectively 36 cases with hyponatremia. Patients with preoperative hyponatremia associated a significantly higher rate of early postoperative complications and a significantly poorer long-term outcome. Therefore, cases with hyponatremia reported a mean disease-free survival of 10.8 months and respectively a mean overall survival of 18.5 months while cases with normal natrium levels reported a mean disease-free survival of 31.4 months and respectively a mean overall survival of 49.7 months (p=0.0001 and p 0.001). Conclusions: patients with lower preoperative values of sodium have a higher risk of developing postoperative complications and a significantly poorer outcome when compared to cases presenting normal levels of sodium preoperatively.

Intrahepatic Cholangiocarcinoma - Where Do We Stand Today? Literature Review.

Intrahepatic cholangiocarcinomas represent rare and aggressive malignancies developing from the second order bile ducts to the smaller biliary branches. The aim of this narrative review is to discuss about the main diagnostic and therapeutic challenges in order to help medical and surgical oncologists to gain familiarity in regard to this subject. Articles discussing about epidemiology, histology, diagnostic, perioperative management and surgery which were published from January 2000 to September 2023 included in Cochrane Library, PubMed, Embase, MedLine, Web of Science, Elsevier, Google Scholar databases were reviewed. Articles reviewed in the current paper came to demonstrate that the main problem in such cases is related to the fact that most cases remain asymptomatic for a long period of time and therefore are diagnosed in advanced stages of the disease when curative procedures are feasible after performing extended visceral sacrifice or even worse, are no longer possible; however, the most efficient therapeutic strategy in order to improve the long term outcomes remains radical surgery. In this respect, attention was focused on improving the accuracy of the diagnostic tools and on identifying non-surgical therapeutic options which might increase the chances of achieving complete resection. Intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma represent rare aggressive tumors with poor outcomes especially if radical surgery is not feasible.

Total Exenteration En Bloc with a Nephrectomy for Locally Advanced Cervical Cancer Invading a Pelvic Kidney-a Case Report and Literature Review.

Introduction: Extended pelvic resection might be the option of choice in patients presenting locally advanced cervical cancer. However, the possibility of a co-existence of an ectopic, pelvic kidney that is invaded by such a tumor is extremely rare. Case Presentation: A 54-year-old female patient, diagnosed with locally advanced cervical cancer in the presence of a pelvic kidney, was submitted to surgery with curative intent. A large, abscessed cervical tumor invading the urinary bladder and the rectum was found, so a total exenteration was planned. Intraoperatively, tumor invasion of the left kidney, which was found in an ectopic, pelvic position was also encountered; therefore, total pelvic exenteration in association with a left nephrectomy was successfully performed. Conclusions: The presence of an ectopic, pelvic disposition of the kidney makes it susceptible to be invaded by locally advanced pelvic tumors; in such cases, a nephrectomy might also be needed.

Krukenberg Tumor in Association with Ureteral Stenosis Due to Peritoneal Carcinomatosis from Pulmonary Adenocarcinoma: A Case Report.

Krukenberg tumors from pulmonary adenocarcinoma represent an extremely rare situation; only a few cases have been reported. The aim of this paper is to report an unusual such case in which almost complete dysphagia and ureteral stenosis occurred. The 62-year-old patient was initially investigated for dysphagia and weight loss. Computed tomography showed the presence of a thoracic mass compressing the esophagus in association with a few suspect pulmonary and peritoneal nodules, one of them invading the right ureter. A biopsy was performed laparoscopically on the peritoneal nodules. The right adnexa presented an atypical aspect; right adnexectomy was also found. The histopathological and immunohistochemical studies confirmed that the primitive origin was pulmonary adenocarcinoma. Although both peritoneal carcinomatosis and ovarian metastases from pulmonary adenocarcinoma represent a very uncommon situation, this pathology should not be excluded, especially in cases presenting suspect pulmonary lesions.

Synchronous Cervical Adenocarcinoma and Ovarian Serous Adenocarcinoma-A Case Report and Literature Review.

Background/Aim: Synchronous gynecological malignancies are rarely encountered, and most often these cases are represented by synchronous ovarian and endometrial cancer. The aim of this paper is to present the case of a 53-year-old patient who was diagnosed with synchronous cervical and ovarian cancer. Case presentation: The patient had been initially investigated for vaginal bleeding and was submitted to a biopsy confirming the presence of a cervical adenocarcinoma. Once the diagnostic of malignancy was confirmed, the patient was submitted to a computed tomography which revealed the presence of large abdominal tumoral nodules of peritoneal carcinomatosis and was submitted to palliative chemotherapy with poor response. Eighteen months later she developed intestinal obstruction and was submitted to surgery. At that moment, synchronous ovarian and cervical tumors were diagnosed. Total radical hysterectomy with bilateral adnexectomy, pelvic and para-aortic lymph node dissection, omentectomy, and pelvic peritonectomy was performed; in the meantime, the histopathological studies confirmed the presence of two synchronous malignancies. Conclusion: Although synchronous lesions are rarely encountered, this eventuality should not be omitted. In such cases, surgery should be taken in consideration and the intent of radicality should regard both lesions.

The Risk of Para-Aortic Lymph Node Metastases in Apparent Early Stage Ovarian Cancer.

Background and objectives: To identify the risk factors for para-aortic lymph node metastases in cases with presumed early stage ovarian cancer. Materials and methods: Between 2014 and 2019, 48 patients with apparent early stage ovarian cancer were submitted to surgery. In all cases, pelvic and para-aortic lymph node dissection was performed for staging purposes. Results: Among the 48 cases we identified nine cases with positive pelvic lymph nodes and 11 cases with positive para-aortic lymph nodes. The positivity of the retrieved lymph nodes was significantly correlated with the histopathological subtype represented by serous histology (p = 0.02), as well as with the degree of differentiation (p = 0.004). Conclusion: Patients with serous ovarian carcinomas in association with a poorer degree of differentiation are at risk of associated lymph node metastases even in presumed early stages of the disease. Therefore, lymph node dissection should be performed in such cases in order to provide adequate staging and tailoring of further treatment.

Primary Pleural Hydatidosis-A Rare Occurrence: A Case Report and Literature Review.

Introduction: The larvae of Echinococcus, a parasitic tapeworm, cause hydatid disease. The most commonly involved organ after the liver is the lung but there are cases of hydatid cysts in all systems and organs, such as brain, muscle tissue, adrenal glands, mediastinum and pleural cavity. Extra-pulmonary intrathoracic hydatidosis can be a diagnostic challenge and a plain chest x-ray can be misleading. It can also lead to severe complications such as anaphylactic shock or tension pneumothorax. The purpose of this paper is to present a severe case of primary pleural hydatidosis, as well as discussing the difficulties that come with it during diagnosis and treatment. Case Report: We present the case of a 43-year-old male, working as a shepherd, presenting with moderate dyspnea, chest pain and weight loss. Chest x-ray revealed an uncharacteristic massive right pleural effusion and thoracic computed tomography (CT) confirmed it, as well as revealing multiple cystic formations of various sizes and liquid density within the pleural fluid. Blood work confirmed our suspicion of pleural hydatidosis with an elevated eosinophil count, typical in parasite diseases. Surgery was performed by right lateral thoracotomy and consisted of removal of the hydatid fluid and cysts found in the pleura. Patient was discharged 13 days postoperative with Albendazole treatment. Conclusion: Cases of primary pleural hydatidosis are very rare but must be taken into consideration in patients from endemic regions with jobs that may have exposure to this parasite. Proper treatment, both surgical and antiparasitic medication, can lead to a full recovery and a low chance of recurrent disease.

Pleural Solitary Fibrous Tumors-A Retrospective Study on 45 Patients.

Introduction: The purpose of this paper is to study the type, the clinical presentation, and the best diagnostic methods for pleural solitary fibrous tumors (PSFTs), as well as to evaluate which is the most appropriate treatment, especially as PSFTs represent a rare occurrence in the thoracic pathology. Material and Method: A retrospective study was conducted on a group of 45 patients submitted to surgery between January 2015 and December 2019. In most cases, the diagnosis was established through imaging studies-thoracic computed tomography (CT) scan with or without contrast-but also using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) or positron emission tomography (PET) scans when data from CT scans were scarce. All patients were submitted to surgery with curative intent. Results: Most patients included in this study were asymptomatic, with this pathology being more common in patients over 60 years of age, and more common in women. The occurrence of malignant PSFT in our study was 17.77% (8 cases). All cases were submitted to surgery with curative intent, with a single case developing further recurrence. In order to achieve complete resection en bloc resection of the tumor with the chest wall, resection was performed in two cases, while lower lobectomy, pneumectomy, and hemidiaphragm resection, respectively, were needed in each case. Postoperative mortality was null. Conclusion: Thoracic CT scan remains the most important imagistic investigation in diagnosing. MRI is superior to thoracic CT, especially in cases that involved the larger blood vessels within the thorax, spinal column, or diaphragm. Complete surgical resection is the gold standard in treatment of PSFT, and the prognosis in benign cases is very good.

Postoperative Bleeding Risk after Sleeve Gastrectomy. A Two Techniques of Stapled Line Reinforcement Comparative Study in 4996 Patients.

AIM OF THE STUDY: To compare the effectiveness of two different techniques used to control the postoperative bleeding after laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG): over-sewing the stapled line and applying hemostatic clips on the visible bleeders along the stapled line. Material and Methods: Prospectively collected data of the patients submitted to LSG in Ponderas Academic Hospital, since January 2012 to November 2019 were retrospectively reviewed. Before and including the year of 2014, the control of the stapled line bleeding sources was provided by hemostatic clips while, starting with 2015, hemostasis was controlled by over-sewing the stapled line. For both groups, the blood pressure (BP) was intraoperatively raised up with 30% as compared to the preoperative level, in order to finally verify the surgical hemostasis. Results: Between 2012 and 2019, 4996 gastric sleeve procedures were performed in our center, 1093 operations (Group A) being performed during the first interval (2012-2014) while the remaining 3903 procedures (Group B) have been performed during the second interval (2015 to 2019). Nine patients of the Group A (0.8%) developed early postoperative hemoperitoneum, in five of these cases the source being localized on the stapled line; among patients in the Group B early postoperative re-operation for hemoperitoneum was needed in 15 cases (0.38%), but in none of these cases the source was located at the stapled line; the difference was statistically significant (p=0.002). Conclusions: The intraoperative risen of the blood pressure (BP) with 30% helps identifying and controlling the bleeding sources thus reducing the incidence of postoperative bleeding in LSG. Oversewing the stapled line provided better hemostasis in LSG as compared with the application of metallic clips. No stapled line bleeding was encountered after systematically over-sewing it.

The Effect of Bariatric Surgery on Premalignant Endometrial Pathology in Morbidly Obese Patients.

AIM: To investigate the effect of bariatric surgery on premalignant endometrial pathology in postmenopausal morbidly obese patients. Material and Methods: Between 2014 and 2019, in "Ponderas" Academic Hospital six postmenopausal morbidly obese patients with premalignant endometrial pathology were submitted to bariatric surgery consisting of sleeve gastrectomy. Results: At the time of bariatric surgery, the mean body mass index (BMI) value was of 43.5 kg/m2 (range = 41.5 kg/m2 - 48.5 kg/m2) while the mean age was of 61 years (range = 58 - 63 years). The preoperative biopsy of the endometrial lining demonstrated the presence of simple endometrial hyperplasia in five cases and complex endometrial hyperplasia in one case while the mean thickness of the endometrial lining at magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was of 2.1 cm (range = 1.5 - 2.8 cm). At one year follow-up, the mean BMI was of 26.5 kg/m2 (range = 24 kg/m2 - 28 kg/m2) while the mean thickness estimated at MRI was of 0.8 cm (range = 0.5 - 1.1 cm). The biopsy demonstrated the presence of normal endometrium in four cases and simple hyperplasia in two cases. Conclusions: Bariatric surgery seems to have an important effect on premalignant endometrial conditions. Therefore, bariatric surgery and consecutive weight loss might decrease the risk of malignant transformation in postmenopausal morbidly obese women.

Partial Adrenalectomy - Arguments for the Minimally Invasive Surgical Approach.

Background: Partial adrenalectomy has been widely performed in the last decades in order to diminish the number of patients who would become lifetime dependent of hormonal replacement. Method: between 2016 and 2018 seven patients were submitted to minimally invasive partial adrenalectomy in Ponderas Academic Hospital. Results: the median age at the time of surgery was 56 years (range 42-67 years) while the indications for partial adrenalectomy (PA) were represented by Conn's syndrome in four cases, bilateral pheochromocytoma in one cases and nonfunctional adrenal tumors in two cases. Preoperatively successful adrenal vein sampling was performed in one case. The indocyanine green test (ICG) as well as intraoperative ultrasound were used each in three cases. The transperitoneal approach was used for PA in all patients, laparoscopic in five and robotic assisted in two patients. No conversion to open surgery or to total suprarenalectomy was encountered. Conclusions: minimally invasive surgery seems to be a safe and effective method to perform partial adrenalectomy. Moreover, development of novel technologies such as adrenal vein sampling, indocyanine green test or intraoperative ultrasound seem to increase the feasibility of the method as well as the number of cases who could benefit from the type of approach. Use of new technology?

Laparoscopic HIPEC for Peritoneal Carcinomatosis from Gastric Cancer - Technique and Early Outcomes of Our First Cases.

Gastric cancer remains one of the most aggressive malignancies, being associated with very poor therapeutic outcomes, especially in the advanced disease patients. Due to this evidence, finding a better treatment, a better control and higher survival rates is the current scientific focus of the medical community. Once the benefits of cytoreductive surgery in association with intraperitoneal hyperthermy (HIPEC) have been widely demonstrated in patients presenting peritoneal carcinomatosis from colorectal or ovarian origin,attention was focused on the possible benefit of this method in patients diagnosed with peritoneal carcinomatosis with gastric origin. Moreover, using laparoscopy for the cytoreductive surgery (L-CRS) and hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (L-HIPEC), the advantages of minimal invasive surgery (MIS) are expected to contribute to improved postoperative outcomes. In this way, the patients benefit from a faster administration of the adjuvant chemotherapeutic treatment, whenever is necessary. AIM: to present the technique of L-CRS + L-HIPEC and the early therapeutic outcomes in a case series of two patients diagnosed with peritoneal carcinomatosis from gastric cancer. METHOD: A complete investigational work-up including diagnostic laparoscopy to evaluate the Peritoneal Carcinomatosis Index (PCI) was fulfilled in all the cases. The institutional Tumor Board decided the therapeutic strategy: laparoscopic radical resection and HIPEC (L-CRS +L-HIPEC). The procedures were performed into a private setting (Ponderas Academic Hospital). Results: Two male patients,46 and 69years old, presenting carcinomatosis from gastric cancer were included into the study. Initial PCI was assessed by laparoscopy and it was 18 and 7, respectively. Both cases underwent neoadjuvant chemotherapy. D2 laparoscopic radical gastrectomy and L-HIPEC was then performed. Time of procedure was360 and 320 minutes, respectively. The intraperitoneal temperature varied between 41 and 42°C, while the intra-esophageal temperature reached a maximum value of 37,7 °C. There was no perioperative or postoperative complication, nor mortality. The hospital stay was 8 days. Conclusions: Explorative laparoscopy can help select patients for conversion chemotherapy in the setting of high peritoneal carcinomatosis index (PCI) score. Laparoscopy radical excision + L-HIPEC were successfully performed with very good therapeutic outcomes.

Total Pelvic Supralevator Exenteration with Ileo-Colic Orthotopic Neobladder for Locoregional Recurrence after Cervical Cancer - A Case Report.

Pelvic exenteration is one of the most aggressive surgical interventions in gynaecologic surgical oncology, but, in the same time, is the only potentially curative treatment of locoregional recurrence after cervical cancer. Due to improvements in surgical technique and postoperative management, the overall survival increased signifficantly in the last decades. Trying to improve the quality of life, multiple models of reconstruction of urinary and digestive tract have been developed. In this report we present the case of a 51 years old female who underwent a total supralevator exenteration with ileo colic neobladder reconstruction with good oncologic and functional outcomes.

Liver resection for ovarian cancer liver metastases as part of cytoreductive surgery is safe and may bring survival benefit.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to evaluate whether hepatic resections of ovarian cancer liver metastases provide a benefit in terms of survival as part of primary, secondary, tertiary, and even quaternary cytoreductive surgery. METHODS: Data of patients submitted to surgery for ovarian cancer liver metastases at Fundeni Clinical Institute between January 2002 and April 2014 were retrospectively reviewed. Liver lesions were classified according to their origin in parenchymal and peritoneal lesions. RESULTS: A total of 31 patients were identified: 11 of them underwent liver resection as part of primary cytoreduction, 15 at secondary cytoreduction, 3 at tertiary cytoreduction, and 2 at the time of quaternary cytoreduction. The survival of patients with primary cytoreduction including liver resection was significantly higher compared with that of patients with secondary cytoreductive surgery including liver resection (15.63 versus 6.63 months, log-rank p=0.057, 90% CI). The median survival of patients with hepatectomy for liver metastases from peritoneal seeding was higher than that of patients with hepatectomy for liver metastases from hematogenous origin (16.08 versus 12.66 months, log-rank p=0.523). CONCLUSIONS: Hepatectomy in ovarian cancer liver metastases is a safe and effective procedure; however, a benefit in terms of survival in favor of peritoneal seeding has been systematically observed.

Intrauterine Contraceptive Device Migrated in the Urinary Tract: Case Report and Extensive Literature Review.

The migration or translocation of an intrauterine device (IUD) in the urinary tract is a rare event. Here, we present the case of a 55-year-old woman who accidentally discovered the ectopic presence of an IUD following a radiological examination for pelvic pain caused by a lumbar discopathy. Over the years, the patient had several IUDs inserted without being able to specify which one had migrated. The removal of the IUD was performed laparoscopically with the minimum resection of the bladder wall and the subsequent cystorrhaphy. The evolution of the patient was favorable. To better analyze these events, we conducted an all-time extensive electronic search of the PubMed database and identified 94 eligible articles, with a total of 115 cases. The literature analysis on the IUD migrations shows either the simultaneous existence of the second IUD or of a maximum number of up to two IUD insertions during the life of patients. Thus, in the presented case, we identified five IUD insertions over time, which explained the chronic inflammatory process by forming an important mass of adherents that included the urinary bladder, uterus, omentum, sigmoid colon, and abdominal wall. Therapeutic management must be adapted to each case depending on the intra/extravesical location of the migrated IUD evaluated by imaging.