Mortality following elective and emergency colectomy in patients with cirrhosis: a population-based cohort study from England

Surgical risk stratification in patients with cirrhosis

Individuals with cirrhosis experience higher morbidity and mortality rates than the general population, irrespective of the type or scope of surgery. This increased risk is attributed to adverse effects of liver disease, encompassing coagulation dysfunction, altered metabolism of anesthesia and sedatives, immunologic dysfunction, hemorrhage related to varices, malnutrition and frailty, impaired wound healing, as well as diminished portal blood flow, overall hepatic circulation, and hepatic oxygen supply during surgical procedures. Therefore, a frequent clinical dilemma is whether surgical interventions should be pursued in patients with cirrhosis. Several risk scores are widely used to aid in the decision-making process, each with specific advantages and limitations. This review aims to discuss the preoperative risk factors in patients with cirrhosis, describe and compare surgical risk assessment models used in everyday practice, provide insights into the surgical risk according to the type of surgery and present recommendations for optimizing those with cirrhosis for surgical procedures. As the primary focus is on currently available risk models, the review describes the predictive value of each model, highlighting its specific advantages and limitations. Furthermore, for models that do not account for the type of surgical procedure to be performed, the review suggests incorporating both patient-related and surgery-related risks into the decision-making process. Finally, we provide an algorithm for the preoperative assessment of patients with cirrhosis before elective surgery as well as guidance perioperative management.

Outcomes of Colectomy in United States Veterans With Cirrhosis: Predicting Outcomes Using Nomogram

INTRODUCTION

With growing incidence of liver cirrhosis worldwide, there is more need for a risk assessment tool to aid in perioperative management of cirrhotic patients undergoing colorectal procedures. We aim to assess the association of open (OC) versus laparoscopic (LC) approach with colorectal procedures' outcomes and develop an easy-to-use nomogram to predict outcomes.

METHODS

We analyzed the Veterans Affairs Surgical Quality Improvement Program to identify all patients with cirrhosis and ascites who underwent colorectal procedures from 2008 to 2015. Model for End-stage Liver Disease score was calculated as well as five-items modified frailty index. The chi-square test was utilized to analyze categorical variables. Two-sided unpaired Student's t-test or Mann-Whitney U-test were used for numerical variables as appropriate. Multivariate logistic regression adjusting for demographics, comorbidities, and other preoperative factors was used to analyze postoperative outcomes. A predictive nomogram was constructed and internally validated.

RESULTS

A total of 731 patients were identified. Overall, complications occurred in 48.2% of patients, and 30-d mortality was 24.8%, with 57.5% were performed emergently. Malignant neoplasm was the most common indication (25.4%). LC was performed in 22.4%, with shorter operative time, less blood transfusions, shorter length of stay, and lower morbidity compared to OC. Overall, Model for End-stage Liver Disease score was an independent factor of mortality, while laparoscopic approach had a protective effect on morbidity. An easy-to-use nomogram was generated for morbidity and 30-d mortality with calculated area under cure of 74.5% and 77.9%, respectively, indicating reliability.

CONCLUSIONS

Although colectomy is a high-risk operation in cirrhotic veterans, LC may have favorable outcomes than OC in selected patients. An easy-to-use nomogram to predict morbidity and mortality for cirrhotic patients undergoing colectomy is proposed.

Colorectal Surgery in Patients with Liver Cirrhosis: A Systematic Review

BACKGROUND

Colorectal surgery in patients with liver cirrhosis poses a significant challenge due to the associated peri-operative morbidity and mortality risks. The aim of this systematic review was to evaluate the outcomes in this cohort of patients following colorectal surgery.

METHODS

The PubMed, Embase and Cochrane databases and references were searched up to October 2022 using the PRISMA guidelines. The data collated included: patient demographics, pathology or type of colorectal operation performed, severity of liver cirrhosis, post-operative complication rates, mortality rates and prognostic factors. A quality assessment of included studies was performed with the Newcastle-Ottawa scale.

RESULTS

Sixteen studies reporting the outcomes of colorectal surgery in patients with liver cirrhosis were identified, including the results of 8646 patients. The indications, pathologies and/or type of operations varied. The overall complication rate ranged from 29 to 75%, minor complication ranged 14.5-37% and major complication ranged 6.7-59.3%. The mortality rates ranged from 0 to 37%.

CONCLUSION

Colorectal surgery in patients with liver cirrhosis still carries considerable morbidity and mortality rates. This group of patients needs to be managed in a multidisciplinary setting to achieve excellent outcomes. Future research should focus on uniform definitions to enable interpretable outcomes.

Guidance document: risk assessment of patients with cirrhosis prior to elective non-hepatic surgery

As a result of the increasing incidence of cirrhosis in the UK, more patients with chronic liver disease are being considered for elective non-hepatic surgery. A historical reluctance to offer surgery to such patients stems from general perceptions of poor postoperative outcomes. While this is true for those with decompensated cirrhosis, selected patients with compensated early-stage cirrhosis can have good outcomes after careful risk assessment. Well-recognised risks include those of general anaesthesia, bleeding, infections, impaired wound healing, acute kidney injury and cardiovascular compromise. Intra-abdominal or cardiothoracic surgery are particularly high-risk interventions. Clinical assessment supplemented by blood tests, imaging, liver stiffness measurement, endoscopy and assessment of portal pressure (derived from the hepatic venous pressure gradient) can facilitate risk stratification. Traditional prognostic scoring systems including the Child-Turcotte-Pugh and Model for End-stage Liver Disease are helpful but may overestimate surgical risk. Specific prognostic scores like Mayo Risk Score, VOCAL-Penn and ADOPT-LC can add precision to risk assessment. Measures to mitigate risk include careful management of varices, nutritional optimisation and where possible addressing any ongoing aetiological drivers such as alcohol consumption. The role of portal decompression such as transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunting can be considered in selected high-risk patients, but further prospective study of this approach is required. It is of paramount importance that patients are discussed in a multidisciplinary forum, and that patients are carefully counselled about potential risks and benefits.

Cirrhosis and non-hepatic surgery in 2023 - a precision medicine approach

INTRODUCTION

Patients with liver disease and portal hypertension frequently require surgery carrying high morbidity and mortality. Accurately estimating surgical risk remains challenging despite improved medical and surgical management.

AREAS COVERED

This review aims to outline a comprehensive approach to preoperative assessment, appraise methods used to predict surgical risk, and provide an up-to-date overview of outcomes for patients with cirrhosis undergoing non-hepatic surgery.

EXPERT OPINION

Robust preoperative, individually tailored, and precise risk assessment can reduce peri- and postoperative complications in patients with cirrhosis. Established prognostic scores aid stratification, providing an estimation of postoperative mortality, albeit with limitations. VOCAL-Penn Risk Score may provide greater precision than established liver severity scores. Amelioration of portal hypertension in advance of surgery may be considered, with prospective data demonstrating hepatic venous pressure gradient as a promising surrogate marker of postoperative outcomes. Morbidity and mortality vary between types of surgery with further studies required in patients with more advanced liver disease. Patient-specific considerations and practicing precision medicine may allow for improved postoperative outcomes.