An ordinal model to predict the risk of symptomatic liver failure in patients with cirrhosis undergoing hepatectomy

Rescue Liver Transplantation for Posthepatectomy Liver Failure: A Systematic Review and Survey of an International Experience

BACKGROUND

Rescue liver transplantation (LT) is the only life-saving option for posthepatectomy liver failure (PHLF) whenever it is deemed as irreversible and likely to be fatal. The goals were to perform a qualitative systematic review of rescue LT for PHLF and a survey among various international LT experts.

METHODS

A literature search was performed from 2000 to 2022 using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses and Population, Intervention, Comparison, Outcome framework, and to this, the authors' experience was added. The international online open survey included 6 cases of PHLF extracted from the literature and submitted to 976 LT experts. The primary outcome was whether experts would consider rescue LT for each case. Interrater agreement among experts was calculated using the free-marginal multirater kappa methodology.

RESULTS

The review included 40 patients. Post-LT mortality occurred in 8 (20%) cases (7/28 with proven cancer and 1/12 with benign disease). In the long term, 6 of 21 (28.6%) survivors with cancer died of recurrence (median = 38 mo) and 15 (71.4%) were alive with no recurrence (median = 111 mo). All 11 survivors with benign disease were alive and well (median = 39 mo). In the international survey among experts in LT, the percentage agreement to consider rescue LT was 28%-98%, higher for benign than for malignant disease ( P = 0.011). Interrater agreement for the primary endpoint was low, expected 5-y survival >50% being the strongest independent predictor to consider LT.

CONCLUSIONS

Rescue LT for PHLF may achieve good results in selected patients. Considerable inconsistencies of decision-making exist among LT experts when considering LT for PHLF.

Changes of long-term survival of resection and liver transplantation in hepatocellular carcinoma throughout the years: A meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Hepatocellular Carcinoma (HCC) still is one of the most detrimental malignant diseases in the world. As two curative surgical therapies exist, the discussion whether to opt for liver resection (LR) or transplantation (LT) is ongoing, especially as novel techniques to improve outcome have emerged for both. The aim of the study was to investigate how the utilization and outcome of the respective modalities changed through time.

METHODS

We searched Medline and PubMed for relevant publications comparing LT and LR in HCC patients during the time period from 1990 to 2022, prior to March 31, 2023. A total of 63 studies involving 19,804 patients - of whom 8178 patients received a liver graft and 11,626 underwent partial hepatectomy - were included in this meta-analysis.

RESULTS

LT is associated with significantly better 5-year overall survival (OS) (64.83%) and recurrence-free survival (RFS) (70.20%) than LR (OS: 50.83%, OR: 1.79, p < 0.001; RFS: 34.46%, OR: 5.32, p < 0.001). However, these differences are not as evident in short-term intervals. Older cohorts showed comparable disparities between the outcome of the respective modalities, as did newer cohorts after 2005. This might be due to the similar improvement in survival rates that were observed for both, LT (15-23%) and LR (12-20%) during the last 30 years.

CONCLUSION

LT still outperforms LR in the therapy of HCC in terms of long-term survival rates. Yet, LR outcome has remarkably improved which is of major importance in reference to the well-known limitations that occur in LT.

What Is the Role of Minimally Invasive Liver Surgery in Treating Patients with Hepatocellular Carcinoma on Cirrhosis?

Minimally invasive liver surgery (MILS) has been slowly introduced in the past two decades and today represents a major weapon in the fight against HCC, for several reasons. This narrative review conveys the major emerging concepts in the field. The rise in metabolic-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD)-related HCC means that patients with significant cardiovascular risk will benefit more profoundly from MILS. The advent of efficacious therapy is leading to conversion from non-resectable to resectable cases, and therefore more patients will be able to undergo MILS. In fact, resection outcomes with MILS are superior compared to open surgery both in the short and long term. Furthermore, indications to surgery may be further expanded by its use in Child B7 patients and by the use of laparoscopic ablation, a curative technique, instead of trans-arterial approaches in cases not amenable to radiofrequency. Therefore, in a promising new approach, multi-parametric treatment hierarchy, MILS is hierarchically superior to open surgery and comes second only to liver transplantation.

The tumor burden score may be a discriminator in microwave ablation versus liver resection for hepatocellular carcinoma within the Milan criteria: a propensity score matching and inverse probability of treatment weighting study

Purpose

This study aims to compare the prognostic outcome of resection (RES) and microwave ablation (MWA) in different tumor burden score (TBS) cohorts.

Patients and Methods

We retrospectively analyzed 479 patients with primary hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) who underwent RES (n = 329) or MWA (n = 150) with curative intent at our institution. We assessed their overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS) using the Kaplan-Meier curve. Propensity score matching (PSM) and inverse probability of treatment weighting (IPTW) were performed to minimize selection and confounding biases. Multivariate Cox regression was used to define the association between surgical modalities and outcomes.

Results

Following PSM, in the TBS ≤3 cohort, the cumulative 1-, 3-, 5- year OS in the RES and MWA groups were 92.5% vs. 98.8%, 82.7% vs. 90.0%, and 82.7% vs. 83.2% (P = 0.366), respectively. The corresponding PFS rates in the RES and MWA groups were 82.7% vs. 88.0%, 63.6% vs. 68.3% and 55.2% vs. 56.3, respectively (P = 0.218). In the TBS >3 cohort, the cumulative 1-, 3-, 5- year OS between the RES and MWA groups were 92.5% vs. 95.0%, 82.8% vs. 73.2% and 76.3% vs. 55.1%, (P = 0.034), respectively. The corresponding PFS rates in the RES and MWA groups were 78.0% vs. 67.5%, 63.6% vs. 37.5% and 55.2% vs. 37.1%, respectively (P = 0.044). The IPTW analysis showed similar results as shown in PSM analysis. The multivariate Cox regression indicated that the type of surgical modality was not associated with a poorer prognostic outcome in the TBS ≤3 cohort, unlike in the TBS >3 cohort.

Conclusion

TBS, as a discriminator, might help guide treatment decision-making for HCC within the Milan criteria.

Balance of Gata3 and Ramp2 in hepatocytes regulates hepatic vascular reconstitution in postoperative liver regeneration

BACKGROUND & AIMS

Post-hepatectomy liver failure (PHLF) leads to poor prognosis in patients undergoing hepatectomy, with hepatic vascular reconstitution playing a critical role. However, the regulators of hepatic vascular reconstitution remain unclear. In this study, we aimed to investigate the regulatory mechanisms of hepatic vascular reconstitution and identify biomarkers predicting PHLF in patients undergoing hepatectomy.

METHODS

Candidate genes that were associated with hepatic vascular reconstitution were screened using adeno-associated virus vectors in Alb-Cre-CRISPR/Cas9 mice subjected to partial hepatectomy. The biological activities of candidate genes were estimated using endothelial precursor transfusion and associating liver partition and portal vein ligation for staged hepatectomy (ALPPS) models. The level of candidates was detected in biopsies from patients undergoing ALPPS. Risk factors for PHLF were also screened using retrospective data.

RESULTS

Downregulation of Gata3 and upregulation of Ramp2 in hepatocytes promoted the proliferation of liver sinusoidal endothelial cells and hepatic revascularization. Pigment epithelium-derived factor (PEDF) and vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGFA) played opposite roles in regulating the migration of endothelial precursors from bone marrow and the formation of new sinusoids after hepatectomy. Gata3 restricted endothelial cell function in patient-derived hepatic organoids, which was abrogated by a Gata3 inhibitor. Moreover, overexpression of Gata3 led to higher mortality in ALPPS mice, which was improved by a PEDF-neutralizing antibody. The expression of Gata3/RAMP and PEDF/VEGFA tended to have a negative correlation in patients undergoing ALPPS. A nomogram incorporating multiple factors, such as serum PEDF/VEGF index, was constructed and could efficiently predict the risk of PHLF.

CONCLUSIONS

The balance of Gata3 and Ramp2 in hepatocytes regulates the proliferation of liver sinusoidal endothelial cells and hepatic revascularization via changes in the expression of PEDF and VEGFA, revealing potential targets for the prevention and treatment of PHLF.

IMPACT AND IMPLICATIONS

In this study, we show that the balance of Gata3 and Ramp2 in hepatocytes regulates hepatic vascular reconstitution by promoting a shift from pigment epithelium-derived factor (PEDF) to vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGFA) expression during hepatectomy- or ALLPS (associating liver partition and portal vein ligation for staged hepatectomy)-induced liver regeneration. We also identified serum PEDF/VEGFA index as a potential predictor of post-hepatectomy liver failure in patients who underwent hepatectomy. This study improves our understanding of how hepatocytes contribute to liver regeneration and provides new targets for the prevention and treatment of post-hepatectomy liver failure.

Prevention of Post-Hepatectomy Liver Failure in Cirrhotic Patients Undergoing Minimally Invasive Liver Surgery for HCC: Has the Round Ligament to Be Preserved?

Post-hepatectomy liver failure (PHLF) represents a major cause of morbidity and mortality after liver resection. The factors related to PHLF are represented not only by the volume and function of the future liver remnant but also by the severity of portal hypertension. The aim of this study was to assess whether the preservation of the round ligament (RL) may mitigate portal hypertension, thus decreasing the risk of PHLF and ascites in cirrhotic patients while undergoing minimally invasive liver surgery (MILS). All the cirrhotic patients who underwent MILS for HCC from 2016 to 2021 in two international tertiary referral centers were retrospectively analyzed, comparing cases with the RL preserved vs. those with the RL divided. Only patients with cirrhosis ≥ Child A6, portal hypertension, and ICG-R15 > 10% were included. Main postoperative outcomes were compared, and the risk factors for postoperative ascites (severe PHLF, grade B/C) were investigated through a logistic regression. After the application of the selection criteria, a total of 130 MILS patients were identified, with 86 patients with the RL preserved and 44 with the RL divided. The RL-preserved group showed lower incidences of severe PHLF (7.0% vs. 20.5%, p = 0.023) and ascites (5.8% vs. 18.2%, p = 0.026) in comparison with the RL-divided group. After uni/multivariate analysis, the risk factors related to postoperative ascites were RL division and platelets < 92 × 103/µL, calculated with ROC analysis. The preservation of the round ligament during MILS may mitigate portal hypertension, preventing PHLF and ascites in cirrhotic patients with borderline liver function.

Liver resection versus radiofrequency ablation or trans-arterial chemoembolization for early-stage (BCLC A) oligo-nodular hepatocellular carcinoma: meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

The 2022 Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer (BCLC) algorithm does not recommend liver resection (LR) in BCLC A patients with oligo-nodular (two or three nodules ≤3 cm) hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). This sharply contrasts with the therapeutic hierarchy concept, implying a precise treatment order exists within each BCLC stage. This study aimed to compare the outcomes of LR versus radiofrequency ablation (RFA) or trans-arterial chemoembolization (TACE) in BCLC A patients.

METHODS

A meta-analysis adhering to PRISMA guidelines and the Cochrane Handbook was performed. All RCT, cohort and case-control studies that compared LR versus RFA or TACE in oligo-nodular BCLC A HCC published between January 2000 and October 2023 were comprehensively searched on PubMed, Embase, the Cochrane Library and China Biology Medicine databases. Primary outcomes were overall survival (OS) and disease-free survival (DFS) at 3 and 5 years. Risk ratio (RR) was computed as a measure of treatment effect (OS and DFS benefit) to calculate common and random effects estimates for meta-analyses with binary outcome data.

RESULTS

2601 patients from 14 included studies were analysed (LR = 1227, RFA = 686, TACE = 688). There was a significant 3- and 5-year OS benefit of LR over TACE (RR = 0.55, 95% c.i. 0.44 to 0.69, P < 0.001 and RR 0.57, 95% c.i. 0.36 to 0.90, P = 0.030, respectively), while there was no significant 3- and 5-year OS benefit of LR over RFA (RR = 0.78, 95% c.i. 0.37 to 1.62, P = 0.452 and RR 0.74, 95% c.i. 0.50 to 1.09, P = 0.103, respectively). However, a significant 3- and 5-year DFS benefit of LR over RFA was found (RR = 0.70, 95% c.i. 0.54 to 0.93, P = 0.020 and RR 0.82, 95% c.i. 0.72 to 0.95, P = 0.015, respectively). A single study comparing LR and TACE regarding DFS showed a significant superiority of LR. The Newcastle-Ottawa Scale quality of studies was high in eight (57%) and moderate in six (43%).

CONCLUSIONS

In BCLC A oligo-nodular HCC patients, LR should be preferred to RFA or TACE (therapeutic hierarchy concept). Additional comparative cohort studies are urgently needed to increase the certainty of this evidence.

An Interpretable Radiomics Model Based on Two-Dimensional Shear Wave Elastography for Predicting Symptomatic Post-Hepatectomy Liver Failure in Patients with Hepatocellular Carcinoma

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to develop and validate an interpretable radiomics model based on two-dimensional shear wave elastography (2D-SWE) for symptomatic post-hepatectomy liver failure (PHLF) prediction in patients undergoing liver resection for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).

METHODS

A total of 345 consecutive patients were enrolled. A five-fold cross-validation was performed during training, and the models were evaluated in the independent test cohort. A multi-patch radiomics model was established based on the 2D-SWE images for predicting symptomatic PHLF. Clinical features were incorporated into the models to train the clinical-radiomics model. The radiomics model and the clinical-radiomics model were compared with the clinical model comprising clinical variables and other clinical predictive indices, including the model for end-stage liver disease (MELD) score and albumin-bilirubin (ALBI) score. Shapley Additive exPlanations (SHAP) was used for post hoc interpretability of the radiomics model.

RESULTS

The clinical-radiomics model achieved an AUC of 0.867 (95% CI 0.787-0.947) in the five-fold cross-validation, and this score was higher than that of the clinical model (AUC: 0.809; 95% CI: 0.715-0.902) and the radiomics model (AUC: 0.746; 95% CI: 0.681-0.811). The clinical-radiomics model showed an AUC of 0.822 in the test cohort, higher than that of the clinical model (AUC: 0.684, p = 0.007), radiomics model (AUC: 0.784, p = 0.415), MELD score (AUC: 0.529, p < 0.001), and ALBI score (AUC: 0.644, p = 0.016). The SHAP analysis showed that the first-order radiomics features, including first-order maximum 64 × 64, first-order 90th percentile 64 × 64, and first-order 10th percentile 32 × 32, were the most important features for PHLF prediction.

CONCLUSION

An interpretable clinical-radiomics model based on 2D-SWE and clinical variables can help in predicting symptomatic PHLF in HCC.

Predicting symptomatic post-hepatectomy liver failure in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma: development and validation of a preoperative nomogram

OBJECTIVE

To develop and validate a nomogram based on liver stiffness (LS) for predicting symptomatic post-hepatectomy (PHLF) in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).

METHODS

A total of 266 patients with HCC were enrolled prospectively from three tertiary referral hospitals from August 2018 to April 2021. All patients underwent preoperative laboratory examination to obtain parameters of liver function. Two-dimensional shear wave elastography (2D-SWE) was performed to measure LS. Three-dimensional virtual resection obtained the different volumes including future liver remnant (FLR). A nomogram was developed by using logistic regression and determined by receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis and calibration curve analysis, which was validated internally and externally.

RESULTS

A nomogram was constructed with the following variables: FLR ratio (FLR of total liver volume), LS greater than 9.5 kPa, Child-Pugh grade, and the presence of clinically significant portal hypertension (CSPH). This nomogram enabled differentiation of symptomatic PHLF in the derivation cohort (area under curve [AUC], 0.915), internal fivefold cross-validation (mean AUC, 0.918), internal validation cohort (AUC, 0.876) and external validation cohort (AUC, 0.845). The nomogram also showed good calibration in the derivation, internal validation, and external validation cohorts (Hosmer-Lemeshow goodness-of-fit test, p = 0.641, p = 0.06, and p = 0.127, respectively). Accordingly, the safe limit of the FLR ratio was stratified using the nomogram.

CONCLUSION

An elevated level of LS was associated with the occurrence of symptomatic PHLF in HCC. A preoperative nomogram integrating LS, clinical and volumetric features was useful in predicting postoperative outcomes in patients with HCC, which might help surgeons in the management of HCC resection.

CLINICAL RELEVANCE STATEMENT

A serial of the safe limit of the future liver remnant was proposed by a preoperative nomogram for hepatocellular carcinoma, which might help surgeons in 'how much remnant is enough in liver resection'.

KEY POINTS

• An elevated liver stiffness with the best cutoff value of 9.5 kPa was associated with the occurrence of symptomatic post-hepatectomy liver failure in hepatocellular carcinoma. • A nomogram based on both quality (Child-Pugh grade, liver stiffness, and portal hypertension) and quantity of future liver remnant was developed to predict symptomatic post-hepatectomy liver failure for HCC, which enabled good discrimination and calibration in both derivation and validation cohorts. • The safe limit of future liver remnant volume was stratified using the proposed nomogram, which might help surgeons in the management of HCC resection.

Current status of preoperative risk assessment for posthepatectomy liver failure in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma

Liver resection is an effective therapeutic option for patients with hepatocellular carcinoma. However, posthepatectomy liver failure (PHLF) remains a major cause of hepatectomy-related mortality, and the accurate prediction of PHLF based on preoperative assessment of liver functional reserve is a critical issue. The definition of PHLF proposed by the International Study Group for Liver Surgery has gained acceptance as a standard grading criterion. Liver function can be estimated using a variety of parameters, including routine blood biochemical examinations, clinical scoring systems, dynamic liver function tests, liver stiffness and fibrosis markers, and imaging studies. The Child-Pugh score and model for end-stage liver disease scores are conventionally used for estimating liver decompensation, although the alternatively developed albumin-bilirubin score shows superior performance for predicting hepatic dysfunction. Indocyanine green clearance, a dynamic liver function test mostly used in Japan and other Asian countries, serves as a quantitative estimation of liver function reserve and helps determine indications for surgical procedures according to the estimated risk of PHLF. In an attempt to improve predictive accuracy, specific evaluation of liver fibrosis and portal hypertension has gained popularity, including liver stiffness measurements using ultrasonography or magnetic resonance elastography, as well as noninvasive fibrosis markers. Imaging modalities, including Tc-99m-labeled galactosyl serum albumin scintigraphy and gadolinium-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging, are used for preoperative evaluation in combination with liver volume. This review aims to provide an overview of the usefulness of current options for the preoperative assessment of liver function in predicting PHLF.

Open Versus Laparoscopic Right Hepatectomy for Hepatocellular Carcinoma Following Sequential TACE-PVE: A Multicentric Comparative Study

BACKGROUND

Right hepatectomy (RH) for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is ideally preceded by transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (TACE) and portal vein embolization (PVE). Laparoscopic approach improves short-term outcome and textbook outcome (TO), which reflects the "ideal" surgical outcome, after RH. However, laparoscopic RH on an underlying diseased liver and after TACE/PVE remains a challenging procedure. The aim of this study was to compare the outcomes in patients who underwent laparoscopic liver resection (LLR) or open liver resection (OLR) following TACE/PVE.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

All patients with HCC who underwent RH after TACE/PVE in five French centers were retrospectively included. Outcomes were compared between the LLR group and the OLR group using propensity score matching (PSM). Quality of surgical care was defined by TO.

RESULTS

Between 2005 and 2019, 117 patients were included (41 in LLR group, 76 in OLR group). Overall morbidity was comparable (51% versus 53%, p = 0.24). In LLR group, TO was completed in 66% versus 37% in OLR group (p = 0.02). LLR and absence of clamping were the only factors associated with TO completion [hazard ratio (HR) 4.27, [1.77-10.28], p = 0.001]. After PSM, 5-year overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS) were 55% in matched LLR versus 77% in matched OLR, p = 0.35, and 13% in matched LLR versus 17% in matched OLR, p = 0.97. TO completion was independently associated with a better 5-year OS (65.2% versus 42.5%, p = 0.007).

CONCLUSION

Major LLR after TACE/PVE should be considered as a valuable option in expert centers to increase the chance of TO, the latter being associated with a better 5-year OS.

CT Rule-in and Rule-out Criteria for Clinically Significant Portal Hypertension in Chronic Liver Disease

Background The value of CT in assessment of clinically significant portal hypertension (CSPH) has not been well determined. Purpose To evaluate the performance of CT features that have been associated with portal hypertension for diagnosing CSPH in patients with chronic liver disease (CLD). Materials and Methods This retrospective study included patients with CLD who underwent contrast-enhanced CT and subsequent hepatic venous pressure gradient (HVPG) measurement within 3 months at two tertiary institutions from January 2001 to December 2019. Two readers independently evaluated the presence of gastroesophageal varix, spontaneous portosystemic shunt (SPSS), and ascites on CT images. Splenomegaly at CT was determined using three methods, as follows: personalized or fixed volume criteria, based on spleen volume as measured by a deep learning algorithm, or manually measured spleen diameter. The diagnostic performance of these findings alone or in combination for detecting CSPH (HVPG ≥10 mm Hg) was evaluated. Results A total of 235 patients (mean age, 53.2 years ± 13.0 [SD]; 155 male patients), including 110 (46.8%) with CSPH, were included. Detection of CSPH according to the presence of both splenomegaly and at least one other CT feature (ie, gastroesophageal varix, SPSS, and ascites) achieved specificities of 94.4%-97.6%, whereas detection of CSPH according to the presence of any feature (ie, splenomegaly, gastroesophageal varix, SPSS, or ascites) achieved sensitivities of 94.5%-98.2%. When employing the former as rule-in criteria with the absence of splenomegaly, gastroesophageal varix, SPSS, and ascites as rule-out criteria for CSPH, 171-185 (range, 72.8%-78.7%) of 235 patients were correctly classified as either having CSPH or not, seven to 13 (range, 3%-5.5%) of 235 patients were incorrectly classified, and 42-54 (range, 17.9%-23%) of 235 patients were unclassified. Conclusion The presence or absence of splenomegaly, gastroesophageal varix, SPSS, and/or ascites on CT images may be useful for ruling in and ruling out CSPH in patients with CLD. © RSNA, 2023 Supplemental material is available for this article. See also the editorial by Fraum in this issue.

E-AHPBA-ESSO-ESSR Innsbruck consensus guidelines for preoperative liver function assessment before hepatectomy

BACKGROUND

Posthepatectomy liver failure (PHLF) contributes significantly to morbidity and mortality after liver surgery. Standardized assessment of preoperative liver function is crucial to identify patients at risk. These European consensus guidelines provide guidance for preoperative patient assessment.

METHODS

A modified Delphi approach was used to achieve consensus. The expert panel consisted of hepatobiliary surgeons, radiologists, nuclear medicine specialists, and hepatologists. The guideline process was supervised by a methodologist and reviewed by a patient representative. A systematic literature search was performed in PubMed/MEDLINE, the Cochrane library, and the WHO International Clinical Trials Registry. Evidence assessment and statement development followed Scottish Intercollegiate Guidelines Network methodology.

RESULTS

Based on 271 publications covering 4 key areas, 21 statements (at least 85 per cent agreement) were produced (median level of evidence 2- to 2+). Only a few systematic reviews (2++) and one RCT (1+) were identified. Preoperative liver function assessment should be considered before complex resections, and in patients with suspected or known underlying liver disease, or chemotherapy-associated or drug-induced liver injury. Clinical assessment and blood-based scores reflecting liver function or portal hypertension (for example albumin/bilirubin, platelet count) aid in identifying risk of PHLF. Volumetry of the future liver remnant represents the foundation for assessment, and can be combined with indocyanine green clearance or LiMAx® according to local expertise and availability. Functional MRI and liver scintigraphy are alternatives, combining FLR volume and function in one examination.

CONCLUSION

These guidelines reflect established methods to assess preoperative liver function and PHLF risk, and have uncovered evidence gaps of interest for future research.

The effect of hepatic steatosis on liver volume determined by proton density fat fraction and deep learning-measured liver volume

OBJECTIVES

We aimed to evaluate the effect of hepatic steatosis (HS) on liver volume and to develop a formula to estimate lean liver volume correcting the HS effect.

METHODS

This retrospective study included healthy adult liver donors who underwent gadoxetic acid-enhanced MRI and proton density fat fraction (PDFF) measurement from 2015 to 2019. The degree of HS was graded at 5% PDFF intervals from grade 0 (no HS; PDFF < 5.5%). Liver volume was measured with hepatobiliary phase MRI using deep learning algorithm, and standard liver volume (SLV) was calculated as the reference lean liver volume. The association between liver volume and SLV ratio with PDFF grades was evaluated using Spearman's correlation (ρ). The effect of PDFF grades on liver volume was evaluated using the multivariable linear regression model.

RESULTS

The study population included 1038 donors (mean age, 31 ± 9 years; 689 men). Mean liver volume to SLV ratio increased according to PDFF grades (ρ = 0.234, p < 0.001). The multivariable analysis indicated that SLV (β = 1.004, p < 0.001) and PDFF grade*SLV (β = 0.044, p < 0.001) independently affected liver volume, suggesting a 4.4% increase in liver volume per one-point increment in the PDFF grade. PDFF-adjusted lean liver volume was estimated using the formula, liver volume/[1.004 + 0.044 × PDFF grade]. The mean estimated lean liver volume to SLV ratio approximated to one for all PDFF grades, with no significant association with PDFF grades (p = 0.851).

CONCLUSION

HS increases liver volume. The formula to estimate lean liver volume may be useful to adjust for the effect of HS on liver volume.

KEY POINTS

• Hepatic steatosis increases liver volume. • The presented formula to estimate lean liver volume using MRI-measured proton density fat fraction and liver volume may be useful to adjust for the effect of hepatic steatosis on measured liver volume.

Spleen volume is a predictor of posthepatectomy liver failure and short-term mortality for hepatocellular carcinoma

BACKGROUND

The study aimed at retrospectively assessing the impact of spleen volume (SpV) on the development of posthepatectomy liver failure (PHLF) in patients who underwent hepatectomy for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).

METHODS

152 patients with primary HCC who underwent hepatectomy (sectionectomy or more) were classified into PHLF and non-PHLF groups, and then the relationship between PHLF and SpV was assessed. SpV (cm3) was obtained from preoperative CT and standardized based on the patient's body surface area (BSA, m2).

RESULTS

PHLF was observed in 39 (26%) of the 152 cases. SpV/BSA was significantly higher in the PHLF group, and the postoperative 1-year survival rate was significantly worse in the PHLF group than that in the non-PHLF group (p = 0.044). Multivariable analysis revealed SpV/BSA as a significant independent risk factor for PHLF. Using the cut-off value (160 cm3/m2), the 152 cases were divided into small SpV and large SpV groups. The incidence of PHLF was significantly higher in the large SpV group (p = 0.002), the liver failure-related mortality rate was also significantly higher in the large SpV group (p = 0.007), and the 1-year survival rate was significantly worse in the large SpV group (p = 0.035).

CONCLUSION

These results suggest SpV as a predictor of PHLF and short-term mortality in patients who underwent hepatectomy for HCC. Moreover, SpV measurement is a simple and potentially useful method for predicting PHLF in patients with HCC.

A deep learning model for prediction of post hepatectomy liver failure after hemihepatectomy using preoperative contrast-enhanced computed tomography: a retrospective study

Objective

Post-hepatectomy liver failure (PHLF) remains clinical challenges after major hepatectomy. The aim of this study was to establish and validate a deep learning model to predict PHLF after hemihepatectomy using preoperative contrast-enhancedcomputed tomography with three phases (Non-contrast, arterial phase and venous phase).

Methods

265 patients undergoing hemihepatectomy in Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital were enrolled in this study. The primary endpoint was PHLF, according to the International Study Group of Liver Surgery's definition. In this study, to evaluate the proposed method, 5-fold cross-validation technique was used. The dataset was split into 5 folds of equal size, and each fold was used as a test set once, while the other folds were temporarily combined to form a training set. Performance metrics on the test set were then calculated and stored. At the end of the 5-fold cross-validation run, the accuracy, precision, sensitivity and specificity for predicting PHLF with the deep learning model and the area under receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) were calculated.

Results

Of the 265 patients, 170 patients with left liver resection and 95 patients with right liver resection. The diagnosis had 6 types: hepatocellular carcinoma, intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma, liver metastases, benign tumor, hepatolithiasis, and other liver diseases. Laparoscopic liver resection was performed in 187 patients. The accuracy of prediction was 84.15%. The AUC was 0.7927. In 170 left hemihepatectomy cases, the accuracy was 89.41% (152/170), and the AUC was 82.72%. The accuracy was 77.47% (141/182) with liver mass, 78.33% (47/60) with liver cirrhosis and 80.46% (70/87) with viral hepatitis.

Conclusion

The deep learning model showed excellent performance in prediction of PHLF and could be useful for identifying high-risk patients to modify the treatment planning.

Rescue liver transplantation after post-hepatectomy acute liver failure: A systematic review and pooled analysis

BACKGROUND

Post-hepatectomy liver failure is a severe complication after major liver resection and is associated with a high mortality rate. Nevertheless, there is no effective treatment for severe liver failure. In such a setting, rescue liver transplantation (LT) is used only in extraordinary cases with unclear results. This systematic review aims to define indication of LT in post-hepatectomy liver failure and post-LT outcomes, in terms of patient and disease-free survivals, to assess the procedure's feasibility and effectiveness.

METHODS

A systematic review of all English language full-text articles published until September 2022 was conducted. Inclusion criteria were articles describing patients undergoing LT for post-hepatectomy liver failure after liver resection, which specified at least one outcome of interest regarding patient/graft survival, postoperative complications, tumour recurrence and cause of death. A pseudo-individual participant data meta-analysis was performed to analyse data. Study quality was assessed with MINORS system. PROSPERO CRD42022349358.

RESULTS

Postoperative complication rate was 53.6%. All patients transplanted for benign indications survived. For malignant tumours, 1-, 3- and 5-year overall survival was 94.7%, 82.1% and 74.6%, respectively. The causes of death were tumour recurrence in 83.3% of cases and infection-related in 16.7% of LT recipients. At Cox regression, being transplanted for unconventional malignant indications (colorectal liver metastasis, cholangiocarcinoma) was a risk factor for death HR = 8.93 (95%CI = 1.04-76.63; P-value = 0.046). Disease-free survival differs according to different malignant tumours (P-value = 0.045).

CONCLUSIONS

Post-hepatectomy liver failure is an emergent indication for rescue LT, but it is not universally accepted. In selected patients, LT can be a life-saving procedure with low short-term risks. However, special attention must be given to long-term oncological prognosis before proceeding with rescue LT in an urgent setting, considering the severity of liver malignancy, organ scarcity, the country's organ allocation policies and the resource of living-related donation.

Predictors of recurrence following laparoscopic minor hepatectomy for hepatocellular carcinoma in the UK

AIMS

Minor hepatectomy, which is increasingly carried out laparoscopically (LLR), is a cornerstone of curative treatment for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). The majority of relevant publications however originate from regions with endemic viral hepatitis. Although the incidence of HCC in the UK is increasing, little is known about outcomes following LLR.

METHODS

Consecutive patients undergoing minor (involving ≤2 segments) LLR or open resection (OLR) at our institute between 2014 and 2021 were compared. Selection from a plethora of factors potentially impacting on overall (OS) and disease free survival (DFS) was optimised with Lasso regression. To enable analysis of patients having repeat resection, multivariate frailty modelling was utilised to calculate hazard ratios (HR).

RESULTS

The analysis of 111 liver resections included 55 LLR and 56 OLR. LLR was associated with a shorter hospital stay (5 ± 2 vs. 7 ± 2 days; p < 0.001) and a lower comprehensive complication index (4.43 vs. 9.96; p = 0.006). Mean OS (52.3 ± 2.3 vs. 49.9 ± 3.0 months) and DFS (33.9 ± 3.4 vs. 36.5 ± 3.6 months; p = 0.59) were comparable between LLR and OLR, respectively (median not reached). Presence of mixed cholangiocarcinoma/HCC, satellite lesions and AFP level predicted OS and DFS. In addition tumour size was predictive of DFS.

CONCLUSIONS

In the studied population minor LLR was associated with shorter hospital stay and fewer complications while offering non-inferior long-term outcomes. A number of predictors for disease free survival have been elucidated that may aid in identifying patients with a high risk of disease recurrence and need for further treatment.

Impact of the Intermittent Pringle Maneuver for Predicting Post-hepatectomy Liver Failure: A Cohort Study of 597 Consecutive Patients

BACKGROUND

Intermittent Pringle maneuver (PM) is widely performed to reduce blood loss during hepatectomy; however, its impact on clinically relevant post-hepatectomy liver failure (PHLF) remains controversial. This study aimed to assess the impact of PM on PHLF and explore whether PM provides additional value for predicting PHLF.

METHODS

Consecutive patients, who underwent hepatectomy without biliary and/or vascular reconstruction between 2011 and 2018 in a single institution, were retrospectively analyzed. The main outcome was PHLF grades B/C as defined by the International Study Group of Liver Surgery. A multivariable logistic regression model of variables significantly associated with PHLF was established. The model's predictive ability was assessed by the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUROC).

RESULTS

Among 597 patients, PHLF occurred in 42 (7.0%). PM was applied in 421 patients (70.5%) and was associated with the development of PHLF (PM vs. no-PM: 9.7 vs. 0.6%, P < 0.001). After the propensity score matching, patients with PM experienced significantly increased rates of PHLF (P = 0.010). Rem-ALPlat index (including future liver remnant, preoperative albumin level, and platelet count; P < 0.001), the number of PMs (P = 0.032), and blood loss (P = 0.007) were identified as significant predictors of PHLF. The model's AUROC combined with the intraoperative variables was higher than that of the preoperative model alone (0.877 vs. 0.789, P = 0.004).

CONCLUSIONS

PM was involved in the occurrence of clinically relevant PHLF. Further, intraoperative factors including PM may provide additional value to predict PHLF and may facilitate early post-hepatectomy intervention.

Predictors of Liver Failure in Non-Cirrhotic Patients Undergoing Hepatectomy

BACKGROUND

Post-hepatectomy liver failure (PHLF) is associated with high mortality following liver resection. There have been limited studies evaluating predictors of PHLF and clinically significant PHLF in non-cirrhotic patients.

METHODS

This was a retrospective cohort study using the National Surgical Quality Improvement Program database (NSQIP) to evaluate 8,093 non-cirrhotic patients undergoing hepatectomy from 2014 to 2018. Primary endpoints were PHLF and clinically significant PHLF (PHLF grade B or C).

RESULTS

Among all patients, 4.74% (n = 383) developed PHLF and 2.5% clinically significant PHLF (n = 203). The overall 30-day mortality was 1.35% (n = 109), 11.5% (n = 44) in patients with PHLF, and 19.2% in those with clinically significant PHLF. Factors associated with PHLF were: metastatic liver disease (OR = 1.84, CI = 1.14-2.98), trisectionectomy (OR = 3.71, CI = 2.59-5.32), right total lobectomy (OR = 4.17, CI = 3.06-5.68), transfusions (OR = 1.99, CI = 1.52-2.62), organ/space SSI (OR = 2.84, CI = 2.02-3.98), post-operative pneumonia (OR = 2.43, CI = 1.57-3.76), sepsis (OR = 2.27, CI = 1.47-3.51), and septic shock (OR = 5.67, CI = 3.43-9.36). Patients who developed PHLF or clinically significant PHLF had 2-threefold increased risk of perioperative mortality. Post-hepatectomy renal failure (OR = 8.47, CI = 3.96-18.1), older age (OR = 1.04, CI = 1.014-1.063), male sex (OR = 1.83, CI = 1.07-3.14), sepsis (OR = 2.96, CI = 1.22-7.2), and septic shock (OR = 3.92, CI = 1.61-9.58) were independently associated with 30-mortality in patients with clinically significant PHLF.

CONCLUSION

PHLF in non-cirrhotic patients increased the risk of perioperative mortality and is associated with the extent of hepatectomy and infectious complications. Careful evaluation of the liver remnant, antibiotic prophylaxis, nutritional assessment, and timely management of post-operative infections could decrease major morbidity and mortality following hepatectomy.

Current evidence on posthepatectomy liver failure: comprehensive review

INTRODUCTION

Despite important advances in many areas of hepatobiliary surgical practice during the past decades, posthepatectomy liver failure (PHLF) still represents an important clinical challenge for the hepatobiliary surgeon. The aim of this review is to present the current body of evidence regarding different aspects of PHLF.

METHODS

A literature review was conducted to identify relevant articles for each topic of PHLF covered in this review. The literature search was performed using Medical Subject Heading terms on PubMed for articles on PHLF in English until May 2022.

RESULTS

Uniform reporting on PHLF is lacking due to the use of various definitions in the literature. There is no consensus on optimal preoperative assessment before major hepatectomy to avoid PHLF, although many try to estimate future liver remnant function. Once PHLF occurs, there is still no effective treatment, except liver transplantation, where the reported experience is limited.

DISCUSSION

Strict adherence to one definition is advised when reporting data on PHLF. The use of the International Study Group of Liver Surgery criteria of PHLF is recommended. There is still no widespread established method for future liver remnant function assessment. Liver transplantation is currently the only effective way to treat severe, intractable PHLF, but for many indications, this treatment is not available in most countries.

Impact of aspartate aminotransferase-to-platelet ratio index based score to assess posthepatectomy liver failure in patients with hepatocellular carcninoma

BACKGROUND

Posthepatectomy liver failure (PHLF) is a life-threatening complication following hepatic resection. The aspartate aminotransferase-to-platelet ratio index (APRI) is a non-invasive model for assessing the liver functional reserve in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). This study aimed to establish a scoring model to stratify patients with HCC at risk for PHLF.

METHODS

This single-center retrospective study included 451 patients who underwent hepatic resection for HCC between 2004 and 2017. Preoperative factors, including non-invasive liver fibrosis markers and intraoperative factors, were evaluated. The predictive impact for PHLF was evaluated using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves of these factors.

RESULTS

Of 451 patients, 30 (6.7%) developed severe PHLF (grade B/C). Multivariate logistic analysis indicated that APRI, model for end-stage liver disease (MELD) score, operating time, and intraoperative blood loss were significantly associated with severe PHLF. A scoring model (over 0-4 points) was calculated using these optimal cutoff values. The area under the ROC curve of the established score for severe PHLF was 0.88, which greatly improved the predictive accuracy compared with these factors alone (p < 0.05 for all).

CONCLUSIONS

The scoring model-based APRI, MELD score, operating time, and intraoperative blood loss can predict severe PHLF in patients with HCC.

Quantitative parameters obtained from gadobenate dimeglumine-enhanced MRI at the hepatobiliary phase can predict post-hepatectomy liver failure and overall survival in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma

PURPOSE

To determine the value of the quantitative parameters obtained from gadobenate dimeglumine-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) at the hepatobiliary phase for predicting post-hepatectomy liver failure and overall survival in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma.

METHOD

This multicenter retrospective study included 307 patients who underwent gadobenate dimeglumine-enhanced MRI. The quantitative liver-to-portal vein contrast ratio (LPC) and liver-spleen contrast ratio (LSC) at the hepatobiliary phase were measured. Logistic regression analyses were used to evaluate risk factors for post-hepatectomy liver failure. The capacity of the LPC and LSC to predict post-hepatectomy liver failure was evaluated via receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve. The Cox proportional hazards regression was used to identify prognostic factors for overall survival (OS).

RESULTS

Post-hepatectomy liver failure was observed in 69 patients (22.5%). The LPC and LSC were independent risk factors for the development of post-hepatectomy liver failure, and the areas under the ROC curves of LPC and LSC were 0.882 and 0.782, respectively. The predictive performance of LPC for post-hepatectomy liver failure was superior to LSC. The LPC and LSC were also significant prognostic factors for OS. The cut-off values for the LPC and LSC were 1.07 and 0.89, respectively. The 5-year OS rate was higher in patients with LPC > 1.07 or LSC > 0.89 than in patients with LPC ≤ 1.07 or LSC ≤ 0.89.

CONCLUSIONS

The quantitative parameters obtained from gadobenate dimeglumine-enhanced MRI at the hepatobiliary phase were effective imaging biomarkers for predicting both post-hepatectomy liver failure and overall survival in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma.

Noninvasively Assessed Portal Hypertension Grade Predicts Post-Hepatectomy Liver Failure in Patients With HepatocellCarcinoma: A Multicenter Study

Purpose

To determine the predictive value of portal hypertension (PH) for the development of post-hepatectomy liver failure (PHLF) in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).

Patients and methods

This study enrolled a total of 659 patients with HCC that received hepatectomy as a first-line therapy. PH was classified as grade 0, 1, and 2 according to whether the indirect criteria for PH were met: 1) patients had obvious varicose veins and 2) splenomegaly was present and platelet count &lt; 100 × 109/L. The effects of each variable on the occurrence of PHLF were assessed using univariate and multivariate analyses.

Results

PH grade 2 (odds ratio [OR] = 2.222, p = 0.011), higher age (OR = 1.031, p = 0.003), hepatitis C infection (OR = 3.711, p = 0.012), open surgery (OR = 2.336, p &lt; 0.001), portal flow blockage (OR = 1.626, p = 0.023), major hepatectomy (OR = 2.919, p = 0.001), hyperbilirubinemia (≥ 17.2 μmol/L, OR = 2.113, p = 0.002), and high levels of alpha-fetoprotein (&gt; 400n g/ml, OR = 1.799, p = 0.008) were significantly associated with PHLF occurrence. We performed a subgroup analysis of liver resection and found that the extent of liver resection and PH grade were good at distinguishing patients at high risk for PHLF, and we developed an easy-to-view roadmap.

Conclusion

PH is significantly related to the occurrence of PHLF in patients who underwent hepatectomy. Noninvasively assessing PH grade can predict PHLF risk.

The value of gadobenate dimeglumine-enhanced biliary imaging from the hepatobiliary phase for predicting post-hepatectomy liver failure in HCC patients

OBJECTIVES

To determine the value of gadobenate dimeglumine-enhanced biliary imaging from the hepatobiliary phase for predicting post-hepatectomy liver failure (PHLF) in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).

METHODS

Patients with HCC who underwent gadobenate dimeglumine-enhanced hepatobiliary magnetic resonance imaging prior to hepatectomy were collected in two centers. The relative enhancement ratio of the biliary system (REB) and the liver to muscle ratio (LMR) were measured at the hepatobiliary phase. Potential risk factors for PHLF were analyzed by logistic regression. The capacity of the REB and LMR to predict PHLF was analyzed via receiver operating characteristic curve.

RESULTS

Of the 221 patients, post-hepatectomy liver failure occurred in 60 patients (27.1%). The REB was an independent risk factor for PHLF (odds ratio [OR] = 0.127 [0.047-0.348], p < 0.001). Although the LMR tended to be associated with PHLF (p = 0.063), it was not an independent risk factor in the multivariable analysis (OR = 0.624 [0.023-16.709], p = 0.779). Moreover, the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve of the REB and LMR was 0.87 and 0.60. The most appropriate cutoff value for the REB was 2.21. The HCC patients with the REB ≤ 2.21 had a higher incidence of post-hepatectomy liver failure than those with the REB > 2.21 (60.0% versus 8.5%, p < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

Gadobenate dimeglumine-enhanced biliary imaging from the hepatobiliary phase was valuable in predicting post-hepatectomy liver failure in HCC patients.

KEY POINTS

• The relative enhancement ratio of the biliary system (REB) was an independent risk factor for post-hepatectomy liver failure in HCC patients. • HCC patients with the REB ≤ 2.21 had significantly higher incidence of post-hepatectomy liver failure than those with the REB > 2.21 (60.0% versus 8.5%).

A functional liver imaging score for preoperative prediction of liver failure after hepatocellular carcinoma resection

OBJECTIVES

Posthepatectomy liver failure (PHLF) is a challenging complication after resection to treat hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), and it is associated with high mortality. Preoperative prediction of PHLF may improve patient subsequent and reduce such mortality. This study examined whether a functional liver imaging score (FLIS) based on preoperative gadoxetic acid-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) could predict PHLF.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The study included 502 patients who underwent preoperative gadoxetic acid-enhanced MRI, followed by HCC resection. Significant preoperative predictors of PHLF were identified using logistic regression analysis. The ability of FLIS to predict PHLF was evaluated using receiver operating characteristic curves, and its predictive power was compared to that of the model for end-stage liver disease (MELD) score, albumin-bilirubin (ALBI) score, and indocyanine green 15-min retention rate (ICG-R15).

RESULTS

In multivariate analysis, PHLF was independently associated with FLIS (OR 0.452, 95% CI 0.361 to 0.568, p < 0.001) and major resection (OR 1.898, 95% CI 1.057 to 3.408, p = 0.032). FLIS was associated with a higher area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (0.752) than the MELD score (0.557), ALBI score (0.609), or ICG-R15 (0.605) (all p < 0.05). Patients with FLIS ≤ 4 who underwent major resection were at 9.4-fold higher risk of PHLF than patients with lower FLIS who underwent minor resection.

CONCLUSION

FLIS is an independent predictor of PHLF, and it may perform better than the MELD score, ALBI score, and ICG-R15 clearance. We propose treating elevated FLIS and major resection as risk factors for PHLF.

KEY POINTS

• A functional liver imaging score can independently predict posthepatectomy liver failure in patients with HCC. • The score may predict such failure better than MELD and ALBI scores and ICG-R15. • Patients with scores ≤ 4 who undergo major hepatic resection may be at nearly tenfold higher risk of posthepatectomy liver failure.

A Novel Nomogram for Predicting Postoperative Liver Failure After Major Hepatectomy for Hepatocellular Carcinoma

Background

Post-hepatectomy liver failure (PHLF) is the most common cause of mortality after major hepatectomy in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patients. We aim to develop a nomogram to preoperatively predict grade B/C PHLF defined by the International Study Group on Liver Surgery Grading (ISGLS) in HCC patients undergoing major hepatectomy.

Study Design

The consecutive HCC patients who underwent major hepatectomy at the Eastern Hepatobiliary Surgery Hospital between 2008 and 2013 served as a training cohort to develop a preoperative nomogram, and patients from 2 other hospitals comprised an external validation cohort. Least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) logistic regression was applied to identify preoperative predictors of grade B/C PHLF. Multivariable logistic regression was utilized to establish a nomogram model. Internal and external validations were used to verify the performance of the nomogram. The accuracy of the nomogram was also compared with the conventional scoring models, including MELD and ALBI score.

Results

A total of 880 patients who underwent major hepatectomy (668 in the training cohort and 192 in the validation cohort) were enrolled in this study. The independent risk factors of grade B/C PHLF were age, gender, prothrombin time, total bilirubin, and CSPH, which were incorporated into the nomogram. Good prediction discrimination was achieved in the training (AUROC: 0.73) and validation (AUROC: 0.72) cohorts. The calibration curve also showed good agreement in both training and validation cohorts. The nomogram has a better performance than MELD and ALBI score models.

Conclusion

The proposed nomogram showed more accurate ability to individually predict grade B/C PHLF after major hepatectomy in HCC patients than MELD and ALBI scores.

A postresection perfusion deficit in the right colon is an independent predictor of perioperative outcome after major hepatectomy

BACKGROUND

There is a strong interaction between hepatic hemodynamics and perfusion in the splanchnic system. However, little is known about differences in perfusion in different splanchnic compartments and their changes after hepatectomy.

METHODS

Perfusion in various splanchnic compartments (ie, stomach, small intestine, right and left colon, liver) was assessed pre- and post-hepatectomy by intraoperative laser Doppler flowmetry. Differences of splanchnic perfusion between compartments were evaluated by ANOVA, and risk factors of postoperative complications (graded by the comprehensive complication index [CCI]) were analyzed by univariate and multivariate analyses. A prediction model of postoperative complications was developed.

RESULTS

A total of 50 and 29 patients with major and minor hepatectomy were enrolled. Splanchnic perfusion at baseline varied significantly across different splanchnic compartments with highest values in the small bowel and right colon (P < .001). Major hepatectomy induced a significant perfusion decrease in the stomach (P = .006), right colon (P < .001) and small bowel (P = .035). A postresection perfusion deficit in the right colon with values below 254 perfusion units (PU) was identified as an independent predictor of clinically relevant complications after major hepatectomy (concordance index: 0.79, 95% CI 0.66-0.87, P = .002). Bootstrap validation confirmed internal validity and excellent calibration.

CONCLUSIONS

Major hepatectomy causes significant reduction of splanchnic perfusion. An intraoperative posthepatectomy microcirculatory perfusion deficit of the right colon is a strong and independent predictor of clinically relevant postoperative complications after major hepatectomy.

Predicting Intraoperative Difficulty of Open Liver Resections: The DIFF-scOR Study, An Analysis of 1393 Consecutive Hepatectomies From a French Multicenter Cohort

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to build a predictive model of operative difficulty in open liver resections (LRs).

SUMMARY BACKGROUND DATA

Recent attempts at classifying open-LR have been focused on postoperative outcomes and were based on predefined anatomical schemes without taking into account other anatomical/technical factors.

METHODS

Four intraoperative variables were perceived by the authors as to reflect operative difficulty: operation and transection times, blood loss, and number of Pringle maneuvers. A hierarchical ascendant classification (HAC) was used to identify homogeneous groups of operative difficulty, based on these variables. Predefined technical/anatomical factors were then selected to build a multivariable logistic regression model (DIFF-scOR), to predict the probability of pertaining to the highest difficulty group. Its discrimination/calibration was assessed. Missing data were handled using multiple imputation.

RESULTS

HAC identified 2 clusters of operative difficulty. In the "Difficult LR" group (20.8% of the procedures), operation time (401 min vs 243 min), transection time (150 vs.63 minute), blood loss (900 vs 400 mL), and number of Pringle maneuvers (3 vs 1) were higher than in the "Standard LR" group. Determinants of operative difficulty were body weight, number and size of nodules, biliary drainage, anatomical or combined LR, transection planes between segments 2 and 4, 4, and 8 or 7 and 8, nonanatomical resections in segments 2, 7, or 8, caval resection, bilioentric anastomosis and number of specimens. The c-statistic of the DIFF-scOR was 0.822. By contrast, the discrimination of the DIFF-scOR to predict 90-day mortality and severe morbidity was poor (c-statistic: 0.616 and 0.634, respectively).

CONCLUSION

The DIFF-scOR accurately predicts open-LR difficulty and may be used for various purposes in clinical practice and research.

Impact of Platelet Count on Perioperative Bleeding in Patients With Cirrhosis Undergoing Surgical Treatments of Liver Cancer

In patients with cirrhosis with severe thrombocytopenia (platelet count [PC] <50 × 10⁹/L) and undergoing invasive procedures, it is common clinical practice to increase the PC with platelet transfusions or thrombopoietin receptor agonists to reduce the risk of major periprocedural bleeding. The aim of our study was to investigate the association between native PC and perioperative bleeding in patients with cirrhosis undergoing surgical procedures for the treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). We retrospectively evaluated 996 patients with cirrhosis between 1996 and 2018 who underwent surgical treatments of HCC by liver resection (LR) or radiofrequency ablation (RFA) without prophylactic platelet transfusions. Patients were allocated to the following three groups based on PC: high (>100 × 10⁹/L), intermediate (51‐100 × 10⁹/L), and low (≤50 × 10⁹/L). PC was also analyzed as a continuous covariate on multivariable analysis. The primary endpoint was major perioperative bleeding. The overall event rate of major perioperative bleeding was 8.9% and was not found to differ significantly between the high, intermediate, and low platelet groups (8.1% vs. 10.2% vs. 10.8%, P = 0.48). On multivariable analysis, greater age, aspartate aminotransferase, lower hemoglobin, and treatment with LR (vs. RFA) were found to be significant independent predictors of major perioperative bleeding, with associations with disease etiology and year of surgery also observed. After adjusting for these factors, the association between PC and major perioperative bleeding remained nonsignificant. Conclusion: Major perioperative bleeding was not significantly associated with PC in patients with cirrhosis undergoing surgical treatment of HCC, even when their PC was <50 × 10⁹/L. With the limit of a retrospective analysis, our data do not support the recommendation of increasing PC in patients with severe thrombocytopenia in order to decrease their perioperative bleeding risk.

Implementing a robotic liver resection program does not always require prior laparoscopic experience

Background

Preliminary experience in laparoscopic liver surgery is usually suggested prior to implementation of a robotic liver resection program.

Methods

This was a retrospective cohort analysis of patients undergoing robotic (RLR) versus laparoscopic liver resection (LLR) for hepatocellular carcinoma at a center with concomitant initiation of robotic and laparoscopic programs

Results

A total of 92 consecutive patients operated on between May 2014 and February 2019 were included: 40 RLR versus 52 LLR. Median age (69 vs. 67; p = 0.74), male sex (62.5% vs. 59.6%; p = 0.96), incidence of chronic liver disease (97.5% vs.98.1%; p = 0.85), median model for end-stage liver disease (MELD) score (8 vs. 9; p = 0.92), and median largest nodule size (22 vs. 24 mm) were similar between RLR and LLR. In the LLR group, there was a numerically higher incidence of nodules located in segment 4 (20.0% vs. 16.6%; p = 0.79); a numerically higher use of Pringle’s maneuver (32.7% vs. 20%; p = 0.23), and a shorter duration of surgery (median of 165.5 vs. 217.5 min; p = 0.04). Incidence of complications (25% vs.32.7%; p = 0.49), blood transfusions (2.5% vs.9.6%; p = 0.21), and median length of stay (6 vs. 5; p = 0.54) were similar between RLR and LLR. The overall (OS) and recurrence-free (RFS) survival rates at 1 and 5 years were 100 and 79 and 95 and 26% for RLR versus 96.2 and 76.9 and 84.6 and 26.9% for LLR (log-rank p = 0.65 for OS and 0.72 for RFS).

Conclusions

Based on our results, concurrent implementation of a robotic and laparoscopic liver resection program appears feasible and safe, and is associated with similar oncologic long-term outcomes.

A systematic review of prediction models for post-hepatectomy liver failure in patients undergoing liver surgery

BACKGROUND

The aim of this systematic review is to evaluate the current evidence in the context of clinical prediction model for post-hepatectomy liver failure (PHLF).

METHODS

A systematic search of the English literature for a period from December 2005 to September 2020 was conducted. Primary outcome was defined using the three common PHLF criteria (50-50 criteria, peak bilirubin>7 mg/dl criteria, and ≥ grade B PHLF criteria by the International Study Group of Liver Surgery). Studies that reported the value of area under receiver operative characteristic curve (AUC) for the occurrence of PHLF were included.

RESULTS

Twenty eight of 1327 screened articles were eligible for inclusion. Eighteen studies developed the prediction models. The median AUC was found to be 0.79 (0.65-0.933). The parameters related to the amount of future liver remnant volume were most commonly identified as significant predictors for PHLF in statistical analysis (24 studies) and were most frequently incorporated in the prediction models (18 studies). The parameters associated with portal hypertension were significant for predicting PHLF in 16 studies and were adopted in the prediction models in 14 studies.

CONCLUSION

Parameters related to future liver remnant volume and portal hypertension seem to be facilitating in predicting PHLF.

Population-based and Personalized Reference Intervals for Liver and Spleen Volumes in Healthy Individuals and Those with Viral Hepatitis

Background Reference intervals guiding volumetric assessment of the liver and spleen have yet to be established. Purpose To establish population-based and personalized reference intervals for liver volume, spleen volume, and liver-to-spleen volume ratio (LSVR). Materials and Methods This retrospective study consecutively included healthy adult liver donors from 2001 to 2013 (reference group) and from 2014 to 2016 (healthy validation group) and patients with viral hepatitis from 2007 to 2017. Liver volume, spleen volume, and LSVR were measured with CT by using a deep learning algorithm. In the reference group, the reference intervals for the volume indexes were determined by using the population-based (ranges encompassing the central 95% of donors) and personalized (quantile regression modeling of the 2.5th and 97.5th percentiles as a function of age, sex, height, and weight) approaches. The validity of the reference intervals was evaluated in the healthy validation group and the viral hepatitis group. Results The reference and healthy validation groups had 2989 donors (mean age ± standard deviation, 30 years ± 9; 1828 men) and 472 donors (mean age, 30 years ± 9; 334 men), respectively. The viral hepatitis group had 158 patients (mean age, 48 years ± 12; 95 men). The population-based reference intervals were 824.5-1700.0 cm³ for liver volume, 81.1-322.0 cm³ for spleen volume, and 3.96-13.78 for LSVR. Formulae and a web calculator (https://i-pacs.com/calculators) were presented to calculate the personalized reference intervals. In the healthy validation group, both the population-based and personalized reference intervals were used to classify the volume indexes of 94%-96% of the donors as falling within the reference interval. In the viral hepatitis group, when compared with the population-based reference intervals, the personalized reference intervals helped identify more patients with volume indexes outside the reference interval (liver volume, 21.5% [34 of 158] vs 13.3% [21 of 158], P = .01; spleen volume, 29.1% [46 of 158] vs 22.2% [35 of 158], P = .01; LSVR, 35.4% [56 of 158] vs 26.6% [42 of 158], P < .001). Conclusion Reference intervals derived from a deep learning approach in healthy adults may enable evidence-based assessments of liver and spleen volume in clinical practice. © RSNA, 2021 Online supplemental material is available for this article. See also the editorial by Ringl in this issue.

Liver Stiffness Measured by Two-Dimensional Shear Wave Elastography for Predicting Symptomatic Post-hepatectomy Liver Failure in Patients with Hepatocellular Carcinoma

OBJECTIVES

To evaluate the ability of liver stiffness (LS) measured by two-dimensional shear wave elastography (2D SWE) to predict symptomatic post-hepatectomy liver failure (SPHLF) in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).

METHODS

A total of 119 patients who underwent hepatectomy for HCC between August 2018 and July 2019 were enrolled. Preoperative assessments for LS and other clinicopathological tests were performed in all patients. Univariate and multivariate analyses were conducted for the risk factors of SPHLF. Further subgroup analysis was performed according to multivariate analysis results.

RESULTS

SPHLF occurred in 38 patients (31.9%). The best cutoff value of LS for predicting SPHLF was 9.5 kPa. Multivariate analysis identified LS ≥ 9.5 kPa, greater Child-Turcotte-Pugh (CTP) grade, and major hepatectomy as independent predictors of SPHLF. Based on the extent of hepatectomy, CTP grade could stratify the risk of SPHLF in the minor hepatectomy group (12.2% vs. 100.0%, p = 0.001), whereas LS was superior in predicting SPHLF in the major hepatectomy group (18.9% vs. 72.4%, p < 0.001). In patients with CTP grade A, LS could further stratify the risks of SPHLF in both the minor and major hepatectomy groups (3.7% vs. 22.7%, p = 0.043; 17.6% vs. 70.4%, p < 0.001, respectively).

CONCLUSIONS

LS measured using 2D SWE could predict SPHLF using the best cutoff value of 9.5 kPa. CTP grade was a stronger indicator of SPHLF in minor hepatectomy, whereas LS was more effective in selecting candidates for major hepatectomy. LS could further stratify the risk of SPHLF in CTP grade A patients, regardless of the extent of hepatectomy.

Elective Surgery but not Transjugular Intrahepatic Portosystemic Shunt Precipitates Acute-On-Chronic Liver Failure

Acute-on-chronic liver failure (ACLF) is a syndrome associated with organ failure and high short-term mortality. Presence of ACLF at interventions, such as surgery or transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS), has been shown to determine outcome, but those interventions have also been attributed to precipitate ACLF in different studies. However, dedicated investigation for the risk of ACLF development in these interventions, especially in elective settings, has not been conducted. Patients with cirrhosis undergoing elective surgery were propensity score matched and compared to patients receiving TIPS. The primary endpoint was ACLF development within 28 days after the respective procedure. The secondary endpoint was 3-month and 1-year mortality. In total, 190 patients were included. Within 28 days, ACLF developed in 24% of the surgery and 3% of the TIPS cohorts, with the highest ACLF incidence between 3 and 8 days. By day 28 after the procedure, ACLF improved in the TIPS cohort. In both cohorts, patients developing ACLF within 28 days after surgery or TIPS placement showed significantly worse survival than patients without ACLF development at follow-up. After 12 months, mortality was significantly higher in the surgery cohort compared to the TIPS cohort (40% vs. 23%, respectively; P = 0.031). Regression analysis showed a European Foundation Chronic Liver Failure Consortium acute decompensation (CLIF-C AD) score ≥50 and surgical procedure as independent predictors of ACLF development. CLIF-C AD score ≥50, C-reactive protein, and ACLF development within 28 days independently predicted 1-year mortality. Conclusion: Elective surgical interventions in patients with cirrhosis precipitate ACLF development and ultimately death, but TIPS plays a negligible role in the development of ACLF. Elective surgery in patients with CLIF-C AD ≥50 should be avoided, while the window of opportunity would be CLIF-C AD <50.

Development and Validation of a Nomogram Based on Noninvasive Liver Reserve and Fibrosis (PALBI and FIB-4) Model to Predict Posthepatectomy Liver Failure Grade B-C in Patients with Hepatocellular Carcinoma

Hepatectomy is currently one of the most effective treatments for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). However, postoperative liver failure (PHLF) is a serious complication and the leading cause of mortality in patients with HCC after hepatectomy. This study attempted to develop a novel nomogram based on noninvasive liver reserve and fibrosis models, platelet-albumin-bilirubin grade (PALBI) and fibrosis-4 index (FIB-4), able to predict PHLF grade B-C. This was a single-centre retrospective study of 574 patients with HCC undergoing hepatectomy between 2014 and 2018. The independent risk factors of PHLF were screened using univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses. Multivariate logistic regression was performed using the training set, and the nomogram was developed and visualised. The utility of the model was evaluated in a validation set using the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve. A total of 574 HCC patients were included (383 in the training set and 191 for the validation set) and included PHLF grade B-C complications of 14.8, 15.4, and 13.6%, respectively. Overall, cirrhosis (P < 0.026, OR = 2.296, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.1.02–4.786), major hepatectomy (P=0.031, OR = 2.211, 95% CI 1.077–4.542), ascites (P=0.014, OR = 3.588, 95% 1.299–9.913), intraoperative blood loss (P < 0.001, OR = 4.683, 95% CI 2.281–9.616), PALBI score >−2.53 (, OR = 3.609, 95% CI 1.486–8.764), and FIB-4 score ≥1.45 (P < 0.001, OR = 5.267, 95% CI 2.077–13.351) were identified as independent risk factors associated with PHLF grade B-C in the training set. The areas under the ROC curves for the nomogram model in predicting PHLF grade B-C were significant for both the training and validation sets (0.832 vs 0.803). The proposed nomogram predicted PHLF grade B-C among patients with HCC with a better prognostic accuracy than other currently available fibrosis and noninvasive liver reserve models.

Ceramides and sphingosine-1-phosphate mediate the distinct effects of M1/M2-macrophage infusion on liver recovery after hepatectomy

Post-hepatectomy liver dysfunction is a life-threatening morbidity that lacks efficient therapy. Bioactive lipids involved in macrophage polarization crucially regulate tissue injury and regeneration. Herein, we investigate the key bioactive lipids that mediate the cytotherapeutic potential of polarized-macrophage for post-hepatectomy liver dysfunction. Untargeted lipidomics identified elevation of ceramide (CER) metabolites as signature lipid species relevant to M1/M2 polarization in mouse bone-marrow-derived-macrophages (BMDMs). M1 BMDMs expressed a CER-generation-metabolic pattern, leading to elevation of CER; M2 BMDMs expressed a CER-breakdown-metabolic pattern, resulting in upregulation of sphingosine-1-phosphate (S1P). After infusing M1- or M2-polarized BMDMs into the mouse liver after hepatectomy, we found that M1-BMDM infusion increased M1 polarization and CER accumulation, resulting in exaggeration of hepatocyte apoptosis and liver dysfunction. Conversely, M2-BMDM infusion enhanced M2 polarization and S1P generation, leading to alleviation of liver dysfunction with improved hepatocyte proliferation. Treatment of exogenous CER and S1P or inhibition CER and S1P synthesis by siRNA targeting relevant enzymes further revealed that CER induced apoptosis while S1P promoted proliferation in post-hepatectomy primary hepatocytes. In conclusion, CER and S1P are uncovered as critical lipid mediators for M1- and M2-polarized BMDMs to promote injury and regeneration in the liver after hepatectomy, respectively. Notably, the upregulation of hepatic S1P induced by M2-BMDM infusion may have therapeutic potential for post-hepatectomy liver dysfunction.

Prediction of Post-hepatectomy Liver Failure in Patients With Hepatocellular Carcinoma Based on Radiomics Using Gd-EOB-DTPA-Enhanced MRI: The Liver Failure Model

Objectives: Preoperative prediction of post-hepatectomy liver failure (PHLF) in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is significant for developing appropriate treatment strategies. We aimed to establish a radiomics-based clinical model for preoperative prediction of PHLF in HCC patients using gadolinium-ethoxybenzyl-diethylenetriamine (Gd-EOB-DTPA)-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).

Methods: A total of 144 HCC patients from two medical centers were included, with 111 patients as the training cohort and 33 patients as the test cohort, respectively. Radiomics features and clinical variables were selected to construct a radiomics model and a clinical model, respectively. A combined logistic regression model, the liver failure (LF) model that incorporated the developed radiomics signature and clinical risk factors was then constructed. The performance of these models was evaluated and compared by plotting the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve and calculating the area under the curve (AUC) with 95% confidence interval (CI).

Results: The radiomics model showed a higher AUC than the clinical model in the training cohort and the test cohort for predicting PHLF in HCC patients. Moreover, the LF model had the highest AUCs in both cohorts [0.956 (95% CI: 0.955–0.962) and 0.844 (95% CI: 0.833–0.886), respectively], compared with the radiomics model and the clinical model.

Conclusions: We evaluated quantitative radiomics features from MRI images and presented an externally validated radiomics-based clinical model, the LF model for the prediction of PHLF in HCC patients, which could assist clinicians in making treatment strategies before surgery.

Predicting the risk of post-hepatectomy portal hypertension using a digital twin: A clinical proof of concept

BACKGROUND & AIMS

Despite improvements in medical and surgical techniques, post-hepatectomy liver failure (PHLF) remains the leading cause of postoperative death. High postoperative portal vein pressure (P_PV) and portocaval gradient (PCG), which cannot be predicted by current tools, are the most important determinants of PHLF. Therefore, we aimed to evaluate a digital twin to predict the risk of postoperative portal hypertension (PHT).

METHODS

We prospectively included 47 patients undergoing major hepatectomy. A mathematical (0D) model of the entire blood circulation was assessed and automatically calibrated from patient characteristics. Hepatic flows were obtained from preoperative flow MRI (n = 9), intraoperative flowmetry (n = 16), or estimated from cardiac output (n = 47). Resection was then simulated in these 3 groups and the computed P_PV and PCG were compared to intraoperative data.

RESULTS

Simulated post-hepatectomy pressures did not differ between the 3 groups, comparing well with collected data (no significant differences). In the entire cohort, the correlation between measured and simulated P_PV values was good (r = 0.66, no adjustment to intraoperative events) or excellent (r = 0.75) after adjustment, as well as for PCG (respectively r = 0.59 and r = 0.80). The difference between simulated and measured post-hepatectomy PCG was ≤3 mmHg in 96% of cases. Four patients suffered from lethal PHLF for whom the model satisfactorily predicted their postoperative pressures.

CONCLUSIONS

We demonstrated that a 0D model could correctly anticipate postoperative PHT, even using estimated hepatic flow rates as input data. If this major conceptual step is confirmed, this algorithm could change our practice toward more tailor-made procedures, while ensuring satisfactory outcomes.

LAY SUMMARY

Post-hepatectomy portal hypertension is a major cause of liver failure and death, but no tool is available to accurately anticipate this potentially lethal complication for a given patient. Herein, we propose using a mathematical model to predict the portocaval gradient at the end of liver resection. We tested this model on a cohort of 47 patients undergoing major hepatectomy and demonstrated that it could modify current surgical decision-making algorithms.

Predicting the Risk of Postoperative Complications in Patients Undergoing Minimally Invasive Resection of Primary Liver Tumors

Minimal-invasive techniques are increasingly applied in clinical practice and have contributed towards improving postoperative outcomes. While comparing favorably with open surgery in terms of safety, the occurrence of severe complications remains a grave concern. To date, no objective predictive system has been established to guide clinicians in estimating complication risks as the relative contribution of general patient health, liver function and surgical parameters remain unclear. Here, we perform a single-center analysis of all consecutive patients undergoing laparoscopic liver resection for primary hepatic malignancies since 2010. Among the 210 patients identified, 32 developed major complications. Several independent predictors were identified through a multivariate analysis, defining a preoperative model: diabetes, history of previous hepatectomy, surgical approach, alanine aminotransferase levels and lesion entity. The addition of operative time and whether conversion was required significantly improved predictions and were thus incorporated into the postoperative model. Both models were able to identify patients with major complications with acceptable performance (area under the receiver-operating characteristic curve (AUC) for a preoperative model = 0.77 vs. postoperative model = 0.80). Internal validation was performed and confirmed the discriminatory ability of the models. An easily accessible online tool was deployed in order to estimate probabilities of severe complication without the need for manual calculation.

A cohort study of hepatectomy-related complications and prediction model for postoperative liver failure after major liver resection in 1,441 patients without obstructive jaundice

Background

This cohort study, based on a large sample of extensive hepatectomy cases, aimed to analyze the distribution of hepatectomy-related complications and to develop a predictive model of posthepatectomy liver failure (PHLF).

Methods

Data of patients who underwent hepatectomy of ≥3 liver segments at the Eastern Hepatobiliary Surgery Hospital from 2000 to 2016 were collected and analyzed. Information on hepatectomy-related complications was collected and risk factors were analyzed. A total of 1,441 eligible patients were randomly assigned at 3:1 ratio into the derivation (n=1,080) and validation (n=361) cohorts. The multivariable logistic regression model was used to establish the prediction model of PHLF in the derivation cohort.

Results

The incidence rates of PHLF, ascites, bile leakage, intra-abdominal bleeding, and abscesses were 58.22%, 10.76%, 11.17%, 9.71%, and 4.16%, respectively. The 90-day perioperative mortality rate was 1.32%. Multivariate analyses found that age, gender, platelet, creatinine, gamma-glutamyltransferase, thrombin time, fibrinogen, hepatitis B e (HBe) antigen positive, and number of resected liver segments were independent prognostic factors of PHLF in the derivation cohort and included in the nomogram. The prediction model demonstrated good discrimination [area under the curve =0.726, 95% confidence interval (CI), 0.696–0.760, P<0.0001] and calibration.

Conclusions

Our study showed a high perioperative safety and a low risk of serious complications in patients who underwent major liver resection (MLR) at a large hepatobiliary surgery center. Routine preoperative clinical information can be used to develop a postoperative liver failure risk prediction model for rational planning of surgery.

Regional liver function analysis with gadoxetic acid-enhanced MRI and virtual hepatectomy: prediction of postoperative short-term outcomes for HCC

OBJECTIVES

To explore the role of quantitative regional liver function assessed by preoperative gadoxetic acid-enhanced MRI with computer-aided virtual hepatectomy to predict short-term outcomes after major hepatectomy for HCC.

METHODS

We retrospectively reviewed the records of 133 consecutive patients with HCC who underwent preoperative gadoxetic acid-enhanced MRI and indocyanine green (ICG) test. Forty-five patients received open major hepatectomy. Liver function reserve and the future liver remnant were evaluated by computer-aided virtual hepatectomy. Global liver functional parameters included the T1 relaxation time reduction rate (T1_ratio) and functional liver volume (FV), whereas regional parameters included the rT1_pos, rT1_ratio, remnant FV (rFV), and remnant FV ratio (rFV_ratio) of the remnant liver. The functional parameters of the MRI and ICG were used to predict the short-term outcomes (liver failure and major complications) after major hepatectomy.

RESULTS

The T1_ratio and FV were correlated with the ICG test (rho = - 0.304 and - 0.449, p < 0.05). FV < 682.8 ml indicated preoperative ICG-_R15 ≥ 14% with 0.765 value of the area under the curve (AUC). No patient who underwent major resection with good liver functional reserve (ICG < 14%) and enough future remnant volume (> 30% standard LV) developed liver failure. Low rT1_ratio (< 66.5%) and high rT1_pos (> 217.5 ms) may predict major complications (AUC = 0.831 and 0.756, respectively; p < 0.05). The rT1_ratio was an independent risk factor for postoperative major complications (odds ratio [OR] = 0.845, 95% CI, 0.736-0.966; p < 0.05).

CONCLUSION

Preoperative gadoxetic acid-enhanced MRI with computer-aided virtual hepatectomy may facilitate optimal assessment of regional liver functional reserve to predict short-term outcomes after major hepatectomy for HCC.

KEY POINTS

• Preoperative gadoxetic acid-enhanced MRI with virtual hepatectomy and volumetric analysis can provide precise liver volume and regional functional assessment. • Quantitative regional liver function assessed by gadoxetic acid-enhanced MRI can predict the short-term outcomes after major hepatectomy in patients with HCC. • The regional liver function assessed by gadoxetic acid-enhanced MRI is an independent risk factor for postoperative major complications.

Practical model to identify liver transplant recipients at low risk of postoperative haemorrhage, bile leakage and ascites

Background

This study aimed to identify a subgroup of recipients at low risk of haemorrhage, bile leakage and ascites following liver transplantation (LT).

Methods

Factors associated with significant postoperative ascites (more than 10 ml/kg on postoperative day 5), bile leakage and haemorrhage after LT were identified using three separate multivariable analyses in patients who had LT in 2010–2019. A model predicting the absence of all three outcomes was created and validated internally using bootstrap procedure.

Results

Overall, 944 recipients underwent LT. Rates of ascites, bile leakage and haemorrhage were 34.9, 7.7 and 6.0 per cent respectively. The 90-day mortality rate was 7.0 per cent. Partial liver graft (relative risk (RR) 1.31; P = 0.021), intraoperative ascites (more than 10 ml/kg suctioned after laparotomy) (RR 2.05; P = 0.001), malnutrition (RR 1.27; P = 0.006), portal vein thrombosis (RR 1.56; P = 0.024) and intraoperative blood loss greater than 1000 ml (RR 1.39; P = 0.003) were independently associated with postoperative ascites and/or bile leak and/or haemorrhage, and were introduced in the model. The model was well calibrated and predicted the absence of all three outcomes with an area under the curve of 0.76 (P = 0.001). Of the 944 patients, 218 (23.1 per cent) fulfilled the five criteria of the model, and 9.6 per cent experienced postoperative ascites (RR 0.22; P = 0.001), 1.8 per cent haemorrhage (RR 0.21; P = 0.033), 4.1 per cent bile leak (RR 0.54; P = 0.048), 40.4 per cent severe complications (RR 0.70; P = 0.001) and 1.4 per cent 90-day mortality (RR 0.13; P = 0.004).

Conclusion

A practical model has been provided to identify patients at low risk of ascites, bile leakage and haemorrhage after LT; these patients could potentially qualify for inclusion in non-abdominal drainage protocols.

Deep Learning Algorithm for Automated Segmentation and Volume Measurement of the Liver and Spleen Using Portal Venous Phase Computed Tomography Images

Objective

Measurement of the liver and spleen volumes has clinical implications. Although computed tomography (CT) volumetry is considered to be the most reliable noninvasive method for liver and spleen volume measurement, it has limited application in clinical practice due to its time-consuming segmentation process. We aimed to develop and validate a deep learning algorithm (DLA) for fully automated liver and spleen segmentation using portal venous phase CT images in various liver conditions.

Materials and Methods

A DLA for liver and spleen segmentation was trained using a development dataset of portal venous CT images from 813 patients. Performance of the DLA was evaluated in two separate test datasets: dataset-1 which included 150 CT examinations in patients with various liver conditions (i.e., healthy liver, fatty liver, chronic liver disease, cirrhosis, and post-hepatectomy) and dataset-2 which included 50 pairs of CT examinations performed at ours and other institutions. The performance of the DLA was evaluated using the dice similarity score (DSS) for segmentation and Bland-Altman 95% limits of agreement (LOA) for measurement of the volumetric indices, which was compared with that of ground truth manual segmentation.

Results

In test dataset-1, the DLA achieved a mean DSS of 0.973 and 0.974 for liver and spleen segmentation, respectively, with no significant difference in DSS across different liver conditions (p = 0.60 and 0.26 for the liver and spleen, respectively). For the measurement of volumetric indices, the Bland-Altman 95% LOA was −0.17 ± 3.07% for liver volume and −0.56 ± 3.78% for spleen volume. In test dataset-2, DLA performance using CT images obtained at outside institutions and our institution was comparable for liver (DSS, 0.982 vs. 0.983; p = 0.28) and spleen (DSS, 0.969 vs. 0.968; p = 0.41) segmentation.

Conclusion

The DLA enabled highly accurate segmentation and volume measurement of the liver and spleen using portal venous phase CT images of patients with various liver conditions.

Benchmark performance of laparoscopic left lateral sectionectomy and right hepatectomy in expert centers

BACKGROUND & AIMS

Herein, we aimed to establish benchmark values - based on a composite indicator of healthcare quality - for the performance of laparoscopic left lateral sectionectomy (LLLS) and laparoscopic right hepatectomy (LRH) using data from expert centers.

METHODS

Data from a nationwide multicenter survey including all patients undergoing LLLS and LRH between 2000 and 2017 were analyzed. Textbook outcome (TO) completion was considered in patients fulfilling all 6 of the following characteristics: negative margins, no transfusion, no complication, no prolonged hospital stay, no readmission and no mortality. For each procedure, a cut-off laparoscopic liver resection (LLR) volume by center was associated with TO on multivariable analysis. These cut-offs defined the expert centers. The benchmark values were set at the 75th percentile of median outcomes among these expert centers.

RESULTS

Among 4,400 LLRs performed in 29 centers, 855 patients who underwent LLLS and 488 who underwent LRH were identified. The overall incidences of TO after LLLS and LRH were 43.7% and 23.8%, respectively. LLR volume cut-offs of 25 LLR/year (odds ratio [OR] 2.45; bootstrap 95% CI 1.65-3.69; p = 0.001) and 35 LLR/year (OR 2.55; bootstrap 95% CI 1.34-5.63; p = 0.003) were independently associated with completion of TO after LLLS and LRH, respectively. Eight centers for LLLS and 6 centers for LRH, including 516 and 346 patients undergoing LLLS/LRH respectively, reached these cut-offs and were identified as expert centers. After LLLS, benchmark values of severe complication, mortality and TO completion were defined as ≤5.3%, ≤1.2% and ≥46.6%, respectively. After LRH, benchmark values of severe complication, mortality and TO completion were ≤20.4%, ≤2.8% and ≥24.2%, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

This study provides an up-to-date reference on the benchmark performance of LLLS and LRH in expert centers.

LAY SUMMARY

In a nationwide French survey of laparoscopic liver resection, expert centers were defined according to the completion of a textbook outcome, which is a composite indicator of healthcare quality. Benchmark values regarding intra-operative details and outcomes were established using data from 516 patients with laparoscopic left lateral sectionectiomy and 346 patients with laparoscopic right hepatectomy from expert centers. These values should be used as a reference point to improve the quality of laparoscopic resections.

Tanshinone IIA exerts therapeutic effects by acting on endogenous stem cells in rats with liver cirrhosis

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE

Liver cirrhosis (LC), the major pathway for the progression and development of chronic liver disease, is an advanced stage of liver disease. It is the third most common chronic noncommunicable disease after cardiovascular diseases and malignant tumors. Tanshinone IIA (Tan), an extract of Salvia miltiorrhiza (S. miltiorrhiza), has been proven to promote the proliferation and differentiation of stem cells. Moreover, its protective effect in liver injury has received widespread attention. The present study investigated whether Tan plays a therapeutic role in LC by promoting endogenous stem cell proliferation and differentiation.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

LC models were established by intraperitoneal injection of an olive oil solution containing 50 % carbon tetrachloride (CCL₄) combined with 10 % alcohol in the drinking water. After successful model establishment, the animals were randomly divided into four groups and injected with physiological saline or low-, medium-, or high-dose (10, 20, or 40 mg/kg) Tan for seven consecutive days. The protective effect of Tan on LC was observed by western blotting, serological examination and histopathological staining. Furthermore, immunofluorescence double-labeling of 5-bromo-2-deoxyuridine (BrdU) and the liver cell markers albumin and CK-18 or the liver stem cell markers EPCAM and OV-6 was used to evaluate the proliferation and differentiation of endogenous liver stem cells.

RESULTS

We confirmed successful establishment of the LC model by observing transaminase levels and hematoxylin-eosin (HE) and Masson staining of liver sections in CCL₄-treated and healthy rats. After Tan treatment, HE and Masson staining of paraffin sections of liver tissue showed that Tan treatment significantly improved histological injury to the liver. Serological tests showed that albumin-bilirubin (ALBI) scores and models for end-stage liver disease (MELD) were lower. Immunofluorescence and immunohistochemical staining showed that the newly proliferated cells were colocalized with ALB, OV-6, EPCAM, and CK-18, indicating that new expression of these markers occurred after Tan injection. All results were most significant in the medium-dose treatment group.

CONCLUSION

Tan can alleviate liver injury induced by CCL₄ combined with alcohol in rats and plays a therapeutic role in LC by promoting the proliferation and differentiation of endogenous liver stem cells.