Risk factors for major morbidity after hepatectomy for hepatocellular carcinoma in 293 recent cases. J Hepatobiliary Pancreat Sci. 2010;17:709-718. [PMID: 20703850 DOI: 10.1007/s00534-010-0275-3]

Impact of aortic calcification at the origin of celiac artery on post-operative outcomes of major hepatectomy: A significant risk factor for posthepatectomy liver failure

PURPOSE

Aortic calcification is associated with arteriosclerosis and is often seen in patients undergoing hepatectomy. However, its impact on post-operative outcomes after major hepatectomy is still unclear.

METHODS

From July, 2015 to December, 2022, 127 patients who underwent resection of three or more adjacent liver segments (major hepatectomy) were retrospectively reviewed. Aortic calcification at the origin of celiac artery was assessed on pre-operative abdominal CT scan images. pPerioperative factors and postoperative outcomes were compared between patients with and without aortic calcification. Uni-variable and multi-variable analyses were performed to identify risk factors of posthepatectomy liver failure (PHLF).

RESULTS

Aortic calcification at the origin of celiac artery was observed in 62 (48.8%) of 127 patients. Those with aortic calcification were significantly older and had a higher incidence of hypertension, as a comorbidity, compared to those without. Furthermore, incidences of both post-operative liver failure and other complications were significantly higher among patients with aortic calcification, who also had a longer hospital stay. Multivariable logistic analysis identified aortic calcification and longer operation time as independent risk factors of PHLF. Additionally, stenosis of the celiac artery also impacted the development of PHLF.

CONCLUSION

These findings indicate that aortic calcification at the origin of celiac artery is associated with advanced age and may be a risk factor of PHLF following major hepatectomy.

Impact of postoperative morbidity on the prognosis of patients with hepatocellular carcinoma after laparoscopic liver resection: a multicenter observational study

The long-term impact of postoperative morbidity following laparoscopic liver resection for hepatocellular carcinoma is unclear. This study aimed to investigate whether the prognosis of hepatocellular carcinoma patients were affected by postoperative morbidity after laparoscopic liver resection. Hepatocellular carcinoma patients who underwent curative-intent laparoscopic liver resection were included. Risk factors of 30-day morbidity were identified using logistic regression analysis. Early (≤ 2 years) and late (> 2 years) recurrence rates, overall survival, and time to recurrence were compared among patients with and without postoperative morbidity. Independent prognostic factors of overall survival and time to recurrence of these patients were investigated using Cox regression analysis. This study included 420 patients, 147 (35%) of whom experienced postoperative morbidity. Diabetes mellitus, cirrhosis, portal hypertension, Child-Pugh grade B, multiple tumors, poor tumor differentiation and intraoperative blood transfusion were risk factors of postoperative morbidity. Patients with postoperative morbidity had higher early and late recurrence rates than those without postoperative morbidity (38.8% vs. 22.4%, P = 0.001; 50% vs. 25.5%, P = 0.001). Postoperative morbidity was associated with decreased overall survival (median: 54.5 months vs. not reached, P < 0.001) and time to recurrence (median: 36.4 vs. 68.2 months; P < 0.001). Postoperative morbidity resulted in a 43% and 92% higher risk of long-term mortality (HR 1.43; 95% CI 1-2.03; P = 0.048) and recurrence (HR 1.92; 95% CI 1.41-2.62; P < 0.001). For hepatocellular carcinoma patients undergoing laparoscopic liver resection, long-term oncologic outcomes are adversely affected by postoperative morbidity. Therefore, it is of great importance for surgeons to prevent and manage postoperative morbidity.

Use of selective internal radiation therapy with yttrium-90 as a bridge to liver resection: a 5-year single-center experience

BACKGROUND

Selective internal radiation therapy (SIRT) with yttrium-90 (Y-90) has been historically reserved for unresectable liver malignancy. Evidence is emerging for the use of SIRT to increase future liver remnant (FLR), allowing for the resection of previously inoperable disease.

METHODS

This was a 5-year retrospective review of all patients undergoing SIRT with Y-90 at a tertiary institute. Patient demographics, clinicopathologic data, surgical details, and postoperative outcomes were reviewed. The primary outcome, safety of liver resection after SIRT, was evaluated with 90-day morbidity and mortality.

RESULTS

A total of 134 SIRT procedures were performed on 113 patients. Post-SIRT complications occurred in 18 patients (15.9%), with a single 30-day mortality. In addition, 17 patients underwent SIRT with the intent to augment FLR for liver resection. After SIRT, mean hepatic mebrofenin extraction and FLR increased from 2.5%/min/m2 and 30.5% to 4.2%/min/m2 and 52.5% (P = .01 and P < .0001, respectively). Ten patients underwent resection, and there were 2 intraoperative complications. The median time from SIRT to resection was 5.2 months. The 90-day postoperative morbidity was 20% (n = 2), and complications were analyzed according to the Clavien-Dindo II classification scale. There was no 30-day or 90-day postoperative mortality.

CONCLUSION

Post-SIRT liver resection is a challenging procedure with low postoperative mortality and morbidity.

Delayed Return of Gastrointestinal Function after Partial Hepatectomy: A Single-Center Cross-Sectional Study

INTRODUCTION

Partial hepatectomy (PH) remains associated with complication rates around 30-50%. Delayed return of gastrointestinal function (DRGF) has been reported in 10-20%. This study aimed to assess DRGF predictors after PH.

METHODS

This study included all consecutive adult patients undergoing PH between January 01, 2010, and December 12, 2019. DRGF was defined as the need for postoperative nasogastric tube (NGT) insertion. Patients leaving the operation room with a NGT were excluded. Independent DRGF predictors were identified with multivariable logistic binary regression.

RESULTS

A total of 501 patients were included. DRGF occurred in 82 patients (16%). Among DRGF patients, 17% (n = 14) needed a second NGT placement. DRGF incidences were similar before and after Enhanced Recovery after Surgery implementation in 2013 (16/78 = 20% vs. 66/423 = 16%, p = 0.305). A hundred-and-twelve patients (22%) underwent a minimally invasive approach and DRGF incidence was significantly lower in this group (5/112 = 4.5% vs. 77/389 = 19.8%, p < 0.001). DRGF was more frequent after major PH (55/238 = 23% vs. 27/263 = 10%, p < 0.001). DRGF occurred more often in patients with preoperative embolization (26/88 = 30% vs. 55/407 = 14%, p < 0.001), biliary anastomosis (20/48 = 42% vs. 61/450 = 14%, p < 0.001), and extrahepatic resection (37/108 = 34% vs. 45/393 = 11%, p < 0.001). Patients with DRGF had longer median operation duration (374 vs. 263 min, p < 0.001), more biliary leaks/bilomas (27/82 = 33% vs. 33/419 = 7.9%, p < 0.001), and higher median blood loss (1,088 vs. 701 mL, p < 0.001). DRGF patients developed more pneumonia (14/22 = 64% vs. 8/22 = 36%, p < 0.001) and had longer median length of stay (19 vs. 8 days, p < 0.001). On multivariable analysis, operation duration (OR 1.005, 95% CI: 1.002-1.008, p < 0.001), major hepatectomy (OR 3.606, 95% CI: 1.931-6.732), and postoperative biloma/biliary leak (OR 6.419, 95% CI: 3.019-13.648, p < 0.001) were independently associated with DRGF occurrence.

CONCLUSION

Postoperative DRGF occurred in 16% of the patients and was associated with a longer length of stay. Surgery duration, major PH and postoperative biloma/biliary leak were found as independent predictors of DRGF.

INTRODUCTION

Partial hepatectomy (PH) remains associated with complication rates around 30-50%. Delayed return of gastrointestinal function (DRGF) has been reported in 10-20%. This study aimed to assess DRGF predictors after PH.

METHODS

This study included all consecutive adult patients undergoing PH between January 01, 2010, and December 12, 2019. DRGF was defined as the need for postoperative nasogastric tube (NGT) insertion. Patients leaving the operation room with a NGT were excluded. Independent DRGF predictors were identified with multivariable logistic binary regression.

RESULTS

A total of 501 patients were included. DRGF occurred in 82 patients (16%). Among DRGF patients, 17% (n = 14) needed a second NGT placement. DRGF incidences were similar before and after Enhanced Recovery after Surgery implementation in 2013 (16/78 = 20% vs. 66/423 = 16%, p = 0.305). A hundred-and-twelve patients (22%) underwent a minimally invasive approach and DRGF incidence was significantly lower in this group (5/112 = 4.5% vs. 77/389 = 19.8%, p < 0.001). DRGF was more frequent after major PH (55/238 = 23% vs. 27/263 = 10%, p < 0.001). DRGF occurred more often in patients with preoperative embolization (26/88 = 30% vs. 55/407 = 14%, p < 0.001), biliary anastomosis (20/48 = 42% vs. 61/450 = 14%, p < 0.001), and extrahepatic resection (37/108 = 34% vs. 45/393 = 11%, p < 0.001). Patients with DRGF had longer median operation duration (374 vs. 263 min, p < 0.001), more biliary leaks/bilomas (27/82 = 33% vs. 33/419 = 7.9%, p < 0.001), and higher median blood loss (1,088 vs. 701 mL, p < 0.001). DRGF patients developed more pneumonia (14/22 = 64% vs. 8/22 = 36%, p < 0.001) and had longer median length of stay (19 vs. 8 days, p < 0.001). On multivariable analysis, operation duration (OR 1.005, 95% CI: 1.002-1.008, p < 0.001), major hepatectomy (OR 3.606, 95% CI: 1.931-6.732), and postoperative biloma/biliary leak (OR 6.419, 95% CI: 3.019-13.648, p < 0.001) were independently associated with DRGF occurrence.

CONCLUSION

Postoperative DRGF occurred in 16% of the patients and was associated with a longer length of stay. Surgery duration, major PH and postoperative biloma/biliary leak were found as independent predictors of DRGF.

Evaluation of prognostic efficacy of liver immune status index in predicting postoperative outcomes in hepatocellular carcinoma patients: A multi-institutional retrospective study

BACKGROUND

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) ranks third in cancer-related deaths globally. Despite treatment advances, high post-hepatectomy recurrence rates (RR), especially with liver fibrosis and hepatitis C virus infection, remain challenging. Key prognostic factors include vascular invasion and perioperative blood loss, impacting extrahepatic recurrence. Natural killer (NK) cells are crucial in countering circulating tumor cells through TRAIL-mediated pathways. The aim of this study was to validate the liver immune status index (LISI) as a predictive tool for liver NK cell antitumor efficiency, particularly in HCC patients with vascular invasion.

METHODS

A retrospective analysis of 1337 primary HCC hepatectomies was conducted by the Hiroshima Surgical Study Group of Clinical Oncology (HiSCO). Clinicodemographic data were extracted from electronic medical records. Prognostic indices (FIB-4, ALBI, ALICE, GNRI, APRI, and LISI) were evaluated using area under the receiver operating characteristic curve values. Survival analyses employed Kaplan-Meier estimations and log-rank tests.

RESULTS

LISI significantly correlated with other prognostic markers and stratified patients into risk groups with distinct overall survival (OS) and RR. It showed superior predictive performance for 2-year OS and RR, especially in patients with vascular invasion. Over longer periods, APRI and FIB-4 index reliabilities improved. The HISCO-HCC score, combining LISI, tumor burden score, and alpha-fetoprotein levels, enhanced prognostic accuracy.

CONCLUSION

LISI outperformed existing models, particularly in HCC with vascular invasion. The HISCO-HCC score offers improved prognostic precision, guiding immunotherapeutic strategies and individualized patient care in HCC.

Body mass index is a risk factor for postoperative morbidity after laparoscopic hepatectomy of hepatocellular carcinoma: a multicenter retrospective study

PURPOSE

The aim of this study was to determine whether preoperative body mass index (BMI) was associated with postoperative morbidity after laparoscopic liver resection (LLR) for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).

METHODS

A total of three groups of patients were categorized based on preoperative BMI: low-BMI (≤ 18.4 kg/m2), normal-BMI (18.5-24.9 kg/m2) and high-BMI (≥ 25.0 kg/m2). Baseline clinicopathological characteristics, operative variables, and postoperative 30-day mortality and morbidity were recorded and compared among the three groups. The independent risk factors for postoperative morbidity, including surgical site infection (SSI), were identified using univariate and multivariate analyses.

RESULTS

Among 226 included patients, 20 (8.8%), 122 (54%), and 84 (37.2%) patients had low, normal, and high BMI, respectively. There were no significant differences in postoperative 30-day mortality rates in patients with low BMI and high BMI compared with those with normal BMI (5% and 1.2% vs. 0%, P = 0.141 and P = 0.408, respectively). However, postoperative morbidity rates were significantly higher in patients with low BMI and high BMI compared to those with normal BMI (40% and 32.1% vs. 17.2%, P = 0.032 and P = 0.020, respectively). According to multivariate analysis, both low and high BMI were independent risk factors of increased postoperative morbidity (OR: 5.03, 95% CI: 1.02-25.6, P = 0.047, and OR: 4.53, 95% CI: 1.75-12.8, P = 0.003, respectively). Low and high BMI were also identified as independent risk factors of increased postoperative SSI rates (OR: 6.25, 95% CI: 1.60-23.8, P = 0.007, and OR: 2.89, 95% CI: 1.04-8.77, P = 0.047, respectively).

CONCLUSION

A higher incidence of postoperative morbidity including SSI after LLR for HCC was found in low-BMI and high-BMI patients compared to normal-BMI patients.

CLINICAL TRIALS REGISTRATION

Not applicable because this is a retrospective observational study.

Safety and oncological benefits of hepatectomy for hepatocellular carcinoma in octogenarians

BACKGROUND

The number of octogenarians requiring surgery for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is increasing. However, the safety of hepatectomy in octogenarians remains controversial. The aim of this retrospective study was to determine the effect of age on the short- and long-term outcomes of hepatectomy for HCC to evaluate the safety of hepatectomy for octogenarians.

METHODS

Data from a total of 845 patients who underwent initial hepatectomy for HCC between April 1990 and March 2021 were retrospectively reviewed. Patients were categorized based on the age at the time of surgery (<80 years, n = 790; ≥80 years, n = 55), and the short- and long-term postoperative outcomes of the two groups were compared to evaluate whether hepatectomy is appropriate for octogenarian patients.

RESULTS

The proportion of octogenarian patients undergoing hepatectomy increased from 2.6% in 1990-1995 to 16.8% in 2016-2020 (P < 0.001), and the overall incidences of anatomical and major hepatectomy have increased. There was no significant difference in the morbidity rate between the octogenarians and the group of patients <80 years old (60.0% vs. 54.4%, P = 0.420), and the 90-day mortality rate was 0% in the octogenarian group. Furthermore, the two groups had similar overall survival and recurrence-free survival rates (P = 0.173 and 0.671, respectively).

CONCLUSION

Favorable postoperative outcomes following initial hepatectomy for HCC are achieved in appropriately selected octogenarians.

Minor hepatectomy for hepatocellular carcinoma in a patient with portal hypertension: A case report and review of the literature

INTRODUCTION

Curative modalities for early hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) include liver resection (LR) and transplantation. For patients with portal hypertension (PH), liver transplantation (LT) is the preferred treatment but is oftentimes limited by organ shortage and can lead candidates to drop off due to disease progression, while hepatectomy has a higher risk of complications. This would pose a dilemma as to whether wait for donor organs or prioritize hepatectomy.

PATIENT CONCERNS

The patient was a 56-year-old male, a case of liver cirrhosis due to hepatitis C with sustained virological response following direct-acting antiviral agents. He was a liver transplant candidate, presented to the gastroenterology outpatient department for a recently-diagnosed liver tumor during a regular follow-up session. Pre-operative survey revealed PH manifested by thrombocytopenia, splenomegaly, huge splenorenal shunt and varices. The patient's Child-Pugh score was 7.

INTERVENTIONS AND DIAGNOSIS

Considering the patient's overall condition, tumor size and location, and a shortage of grafts, he underwent segment 5 and 6 partial hepatectomy. The pathological diagnosis was moderately differentiated HCC.

OUTCOMES

His postoperative course was complicated by refractory intraabdominal infection (IAI) and recovered under aggressive antibiotics treatment. He remained recurrence-free for over a year.

CONCLUSION

For patients with early resectable HCC, the approach of having a minor hepatectomy followed by salvage transplantation should serve as a compromising strategy. Tumor resection retards the progression of the disease. Comprehensive healthcare can expectantly improve clinical outcomes.

Bile Leakage After Hepatic Resection for Hepatocellular Carcinoma: Does It Impact the Short- and Long-term Outcomes?

BACKGROUND

Bile leakage (BL) is one of the commonest morbidities after hepatic resection for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). The current study was conducted to evaluate the incidence and different predictive factors for BL after hepatic resection for HCC, and to evaluate of the impact of BL on the long-term survival outcomes.

METHODS

We reviewed the patients' data who underwent hepatic resection for HCC during the period between June 2010 and June 2019.

RESULTS

A total of 293 patients were included in the study. BL occurred in 17 patients (5.8%). More Child-Pugh class B patients were found in BL group. There were no significant differences between the two groups except for tumor site, macroscopic portal vein invasion, extent of liver resection, Pringle maneuver use, intraoperative blood loss, and transfusions. Longer hospital stay, higher grades of post-hepatectomy liver failure, and abdominal collections were noted in BL group. After median follow-up duration of 17 months (4-110 months), there were no significant differences between BL and non-BL group regarding overall survival (log-rank, p = 0.746) and disease-free survival (log-rank, p = 0.348). In multivariate analysis, Child-Pugh class, macroscopic portal vein invasion, liver resection extent (minor/major), and Pringle's maneuver use were the only significant predictors of BL.

CONCLUSION

BL did not significantly impair the long-term outcomes after hepatic resection for HCC. Child-Pugh class, macroscopic portal vein invasion, liver resection extent (minor/major), and Pringle's maneuver use were the main risk factors of BL in the current study.

Endoskopisches Management von Gallengangskomplikationen nach Leberchirurgie

Biliäre Komplikationen stellen häufige Komplikationen nach Leberchirurgie dar und tragen wesentlich zur postoperativen Morbidität und Mortalität bei. Den größten Anteil dieser machen Gallengangsleckagen und -strikturen aus, wobei die Leckagen nach Cholezystektomie und Leberresektion dominieren und die Strikturen ein wesentliches Problem nach Lebertransplantationen darstellen. Patienten nach orthotoper Lebertransplantation stellen besonders vulnerable Patienten dar, deren biliäre Komplikationen von denen nach Cholezystektomie und Leberresektion differieren und niederschwellig sowie mit größter Vorsicht behandelt werden müssen. Mit der endoskopischen retrograden Cholangiografie steht ein exzellentes Verfahren zur Behandlung dieser Komplikationen zur Verfügung. Die therapeutischen Möglichkeiten beinhalten die endoskopische Sphinkterotomie, die Anlage von Prothesen und Dilatationen. Mittels dieser Verfahren können Erfolgsraten in bis zu 90% der Fälle erreicht werden. Bei Hepatikojejunostomien bestehen alternative Interventionsmöglichkeiten wie die ballon- oder motorunterstützte antegrade Enteroskopie, die perkutan-transhepatische Cholangiodrainage oder mit zunehmendem Einsatz die endosonografisch gestützten Verfahren.

Meta-Analysis of Risk Factors for Bile Leakage After Hepatectomy Without Biliary Reconstruction

Background and Aim: The risk factors for bile leakage after hepatectomy without biliary reconstruction are controversial. This study investigated the risk factors for bile leakage after hepatectomy without biliary reconstruction.

Methods: We searched databases (Embase (Ovid), Medline (Ovid), PubMed, Cochrane Library, and Web of Science) for articles published between January 1, 2000, and May 1, 2021, to evaluate the risk factors for bile leakage after hepatectomy without biliary reconstruction.

Results: A total of 16 articles were included in this study, and the overall results showed that sex (OR: 1.21, 95% CI: 1.04–1.42), diabetes (OR: 1.21, 95% CI: 1.05–1.38), left trisectionectomy (OR: 3.53, 95% CI: 2.32–5.36), central hepatectomy (OR: 3.28, 95% CI: 2.63–4.08), extended hemihepatectomy (OR: 2.56, 95% CI: 1.55–4.22), segment I hepatectomy (OR: 2.56, 95% CI: 1.50–4.40), intraoperative blood transfusion (OR:2.40 95%CI:1.79–3.22), anatomical hepatectomy (OR: 1.70, 95% CI: 1.19–2.44) and intraoperative bleeding ≥1,000 ml (OR: 2.46, 95% CI: 2.12–2.85) were risk factors for biliary leakage. Age >75 years, cirrhosis, underlying liver disease, left hepatectomy, right hepatectomy, benign disease, Child–Pugh class A/B, and pre-operative albumin <3.5 g/dL were not risk factors for bile leakage after hepatectomy without biliary reconstruction.

Conclusion: Comprehensive research in the literature revealed that sex, diabetes, left trisectionectomy, central hepatectomy, extended hemihepatectomy, segment I hepatectomy, intraoperative blood transfusion, anatomical hepatectomy and intraoperative bleeding ≥1,000 ml were risk factors for biliary leakage.

Predictors of complications after liver surgery: a systematic review of the literature

BACKGROUND

Numerous potential predictors of adverse outcomes have been reported but their performance and utilization in practice seem heterogenous. This study aimed to systematically review the literature on the role and value of predictors of complications after hepatectomy.

METHODS

A systematic review following the PRISMA guidelines was performed. Studies on liver transplant were excluded. Only studies assessing overall or major complications were included.

RESULTS

A total of 10'965 abstracts were screened. After application of exclusion criteria, 72 articles including 68'480 patients were included. A total of 72 markers with 48 pre-, 9 intra- and 15 postoperative factors were identified as predictors of complications. Preoperative and intraoperative predictive markers retrieved several times with the highest odds ratios (OR) were ASA score (OR range: 1.3-7.5, significant in 8 studies) and intraoperative need for red blood cell transfusion (OR range: 1.2-17.1, significant in 24 studies), respectively.

CONCLUSION

Numerous markers have been described to predict the complication risk after hepatectomy. Because of their intrinsic characteristics, most markers such as ASA score and need for red blood cell transfusion are of limited clinical interest. There is a clear need to identify new biomarkers and to develop scores that could easily be implemented in clinical practice.

A combination of subcuticular suture and enhanced recovery after surgery reduces wound complications in patients undergoing hepatectomy for hepatocellular carcinoma

The aim of this study was to examine whether using subcuticular sutures during initial hepatectomy for hepatocellular carcinoma is associated with shorter postoperative length of hospital stay (PLOS) than using staples for patients treated in the enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) approach. A total of 376 patients were randomized to receive either subcuticular sutures or staples (188 per group), and the two groups were compared in terms of the incidence of wound complications and PLOS. Independent risk factors for PLOS were identified by multivariate analysis. Sutures were associated with significantly lower incidence of wound infection (4.3% vs. 13.3%, P = 0.020) and significantly shorter PLOS (7.97 vs. 8.45 days, P = 0.048). Independent risk factors for wound infection after hepatectomy were advanced age, increased preoperative body mass index, decreased preoperative serum albumin, and skin closure using staples. These results suggest that subcuticular sutures may be more effective than staples for conducting hepatectomy in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma who receive ERAS care.

Risk score to predict biliary leakage after elective liver resection

Background

Biliary leakage remains a major cause of morbidity after liver resection. Previous prognostic studies of posthepatectomy biliary leakage (PHBL) lacked power, population homogeneity, and model validation. The present study aimed to develop a risk score for predicting severe PHBL.

Methods

In this multicentre observational study, patients who underwent liver resection without hepaticojejunostomy in one of nine tertiary centres between 2012 and 2015 were randomly assigned to a development or validation cohort in a 2 : 1 ratio. A model predicting severe PHBL (International Study Group of Liver Surgery grade B/C) was developed and further validated.

Results

A total of 2218 procedures were included. PHBL of any severity and severe PHBL occurred in 141 (6·4 per cent) and 92 (4·1 per cent) patients respectively. In the development cohort (1475 patients), multivariable analysis identified blood loss of at least 500 ml, liver remnant ischaemia time 45 min or more, anatomical resection including segment VIII, transection along the right aspect of the left intersectional plane, and associating liver partition and portal vein ligation for staged hepatectomy as predictors of severe PHBL. A risk score (ranging from 0 to 5) was built using the development cohort (area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUROC) 0·79, 95 per cent c.i. 0·74 to 0·85) and tested successfully in the validation cohort (AUROC 0·70, 0·60 to 0·80). A score of at least 3 predicted an increase in severe PHBL (19·4 versus 2·6 per cent in the development cohort, P &lt; 0·001; 15 versus 3·1 per cent in the validation cohort, P &lt; 0·001).

Conclusion

The present risk score reliably predicts severe PHBL. It represents a multi-institutionally validated prognostic tool that can be used to identify a subset of patients at high risk of severe PHBL after elective hepatectomy.

Risk factors and long-term outcome for postoperative intra-abdominal infection after hepatectomy for hepatocellular carcinoma

Intra-abdominal infection (IAI) after hepatectomy is an important morbidity. Identification of risk factors that could be avoided in the perioperative period may reduce the prevalence of IAI after hepatectomy for hepatocelluar carcinoma (HCC).Between January 1995 and December 2009, all patients with HCC who underwent curative liver resection were evaluated retrospectively. Long-term outcomes were compared in IAI patients and non-IAI patients after hepatectomy. Preoperative, intraoperative, and tumor-related factors that could be independent factors for postoperative IAI were identified.Of 622 patients with HCC, 24 patients (3.9%) had IAI after hepatectomy. Both median survival and survival of patients with postoperative IAI were shorter than those for non-IAI patients (P < .05). Upon univariate analysis followed by multivariate analyses, three independent predictors for IAI were identified: weight loss (odds ratio [OR], 3.27; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.17-9.11; P = .024), liver cirrhosis (0.28, 0.12-0.67, .004), and operative time >300 minutes (3.44, 1.46-8.12, .005).IAI after hepatectomy affects outcome adversely. Preoperative weight loss, liver cirrhosis, and operative time >300 minutes are independent predictors of postoperative IAI.

Clinical Utility of the Difficulty Scoring System for Predicting Surgical Time of Laparoscopic Liver Resection

INTRODUCTION

Laparoscopic liver resection (LLR) has several problems, such as technical complexity and patient and tumor factors. A difficulty scoring system to preoperatively evaluate the difficulty of LLR was established at the second International Consensus Conference on Laparoscopic Liver Resection. The aim of this study was to explore the clinical usefulness of the difficulty scoring system for LLR.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

From January 2010 to June 2015, the records of 78 patients who had undergone LLR were retrospectively reviewed. The patients' data were used to assign a difficulty score, and the correlations between scores and surgical outcomes were investigated.

RESULTS

The mean surgical time was 256 minutes, and the mean blood loss was 168 mL. The difficulty score significantly correlated with surgical time and blood loss, but not with morbidity and postoperative hospital stay. Multivariate analysis showed that the difficulty score was an independent predictor of prolonged surgical time.

CONCLUSIONS

The difficulty score was found to be an effective predictor of surgical time for LLR.

Complications following hepatectomy

As the number of liver resections in the United States has increased, operations are more commonly performed on older patients with multiple comorbidities. The advent of effective chemotherapy and techniques such as portal vein embolization, have compounded the number of increasingly complex resections taking up to 75% of healthy livers. Four potentially devastating complications of liver resection include postoperative hemorrhage, venous thromboembolism, bile leak, and post-hepatectomy liver failure. The risk factors and management of these complications are herein explored, stressing the importance of identifying preoperative factors that can decrease the risk for these potentially fatal complications.

Development and validation of a prediction score for complications after hepatectomy in hepatitis B-related hepatocellular carcinoma patients

Objective and Background

The aim of the present study was to develop and validate a prediction score for postoperative complications by severity and guide perioperative management and patient selection in hepatitis B-related hepatocellular carcinoma patients undergoing liver resection.

Methods

A total of 1543 consecutive liver resections cases were included in the study. Randomly selected sample set of 70% of the study cohort was used to develop a score to predict complications III–V and the remaining 30% was used to validate the score. Based on the preoperative and predictable intraoperative parameters, logistic regression analysis was used to identify risk factors and create an integer score for the predicting of complication.

Results

American Society of Anesthesiologists category, portal hypertension, major liver resection (more than 3 segments) and extrahepatic procedures were identified as independent predictors for complications III–V by logistic regression analysis. A score system integrating these 4 factors was stratified into three groups and significantly predicted the risk of complications III–V, with a rate of 1.6%, 11.9% and 65.6% for low, moderate and high risk, respectively. Using the score, the complications risk could be predicted accurately in the validation set, without significant differences between predicted (10.4%) and observed (8.4%) risks for complications III–V (P = 0.466).

Conclusions

Based on four preoperative risk factors, we have developed and validated an integer-based risk score to predict postoperative severe complications after liver resection for hepatitis B-related hepatocellular carcinoma patients in high-volume surgical center. This score may contribute to preoperative risk stratification and clinical decision-making.

Management of post-hepatectomy complications

Hepatic resection had an impressive growth over time. It has been widely performed for the treatment of various liver diseases, such as malignant tumors, benign tumors, calculi in the intrahepatic ducts, hydatid disease, and abscesses. Management of hepatic resection is challenging. Despite technical advances and high experience of liver resection of specialized centers, it is still burdened by relatively high rates of postoperative morbidity and mortality. Especially, complex resections are being increasingly performed in high risk and older patient population. Operation on the liver is especially challenging because of its unique anatomic architecture and because of its vital functions. Common post-hepatectomy complications include venous catheter-related infection, pleural effusion, incisional infection, pulmonary atelectasis or infection, ascites, subphrenic infection, urinary tract infection, intraperitoneal hemorrhage, gastrointestinal tract bleeding, biliary tract hemorrhage, coagulation disorders, bile leakage, and liver failure. These problems are closely related to surgical manipulations, anesthesia, preoperative evaluation and preparation, and postoperative observation and management. The safety profile of hepatectomy probably can be improved if the surgeons and medical staff involved have comprehensive knowledge of the expected complications and expertise in their management. This review article focuses on the major postoperative issues after hepatic resection and presents the current management.

Risk factors for major morbidity after liver resection for hepatocellular carcinoma

Background

Bile leakage, and organ and/or space surgical-site infection (SSI) are common causes of major morbidity after partial hepatectomy for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). The purpose of this study was to analyse risk factors for major morbidity and to explore strategies for its reduction after partial hepatectomy for HCC.

Methods

Risk factors for bile leakage and organ/space SSI were analysed in patients who underwent partial hepatectomy for HCC between 2001 and 2010. The causes, management and outcomes of intractable bile leakage requiring endoscopic therapy or percutaneous transhepatic biliary drainage were analysed. In addition, causative bacteria, outcomes and characteristics of organ/space SSI were investigated. Risk factors were identified using multivariable analysis.

Results

Some 359 patients were included in the analysis. The prevalence of bile leakage and organ/space SSI was 12·8 and 8·6 per cent respectively. Repeat hepatectomy and an operating time of at least 300 min were identified as independent risk factors for bile leakage. The main causes of intractable bile leakage were latent strictures of the biliary system caused by previous treatments for HCC and intraoperative injury of the hepatic duct during repeat hepatectomy. Independent risk factors for organ/space SSI were repeat hepatectomy and bile leakage. Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus was detected more frequently in organ/space SSI after repeat hepatectomy than after initial partial hepatectomy.

Conclusion

Repeat hepatectomy and prolonged surgery were identified as risk factors for bile leakage after liver resection for HCC. Bile leakage and repeat hepatectomy increased the risk of organ/space SSI.

Subcuticular absorbable suture with subcutaneous drainage system prevents incisional SSI after hepatectomy for hepatocellular carcinoma

BACKGROUND

The effectiveness of subcuticular absorbable suture with subcutaneous drainage to decrease the risk of postoperative incisional surgical site infection (SSI) in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patients was evaluated.

METHODS

A total of 149 patients with HCC who underwent hepatectomy (Hx) were retrospectively investigated. Patients were divided into two groups: the patients with subcuticular suture combined with subcutaneous drainage (the drainage group; 61 patients) and the patients with nylon suture without subcutaneous drainage (the nylon group; 88 patients). After the operations, the complication rate of postoperative incisional SSI was analyzed and compared between the two groups.

RESULTS

In the drainage group the rate of incisional SSI was significantly lower compared to the nylon group: 14-3 % (p = 0.033), respectively. Patients with incisional SSI needed significantly longer postoperative hospital care than the patients without incisional SSI: 28 versus 15 days (p < 0.005). Multivariate analysis revealed that subcuticular absorbable suture with subcutaneous drainage significantly reduced the occurrence of incisional SSI (odds ratio; 0.15; p = 0.034).

CONCLUSIONS

We have demonstrated that the subcuticular suture with subcutaneous drainage is effective in preventing incisional SSI in patients undergoing Hx for HCC.