Outcome of interventional radiology for delayed postoperative hemorrhage in hepatobiliary and pancreatic surgery

Enhancing Outcomes in Transarterial Embolization for Late Postpancreatectomy Hemorrhage: A Comparison of N-Butyl Cyanoacrylate with Mixed Embolic Agents Versus Mixed Embolic Agents Alone

BACKGROUND

This study aimed to retrospectively compare the efficacy of transarterial embolization (TAE) with N-butyl cyanoacrylate (NBCA) and conventional agents (microcoils, polyvinyl alcohol [PVA], or gelatin sponge) in the treatment of patients with late postpancreatectomy hemorrhage (late-PPH).

METHODS

From June 2012 to June 2022, this retrospective study enrolled 130 consecutive patients who underwent TAE treatment due to late-PPH at one institution. Of these patients, 56 were treated with NBCA-mixed conventional agents (NBCA-MA group), and 74 were treated with mixed conventional agents alone (MA group). The patients' clinical characteristics and TAE details were gathered. The clinical outcomes in the two groups were compared. Using univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses, prognostic factors were evaluated for clinical success and 30-day mortality rates.

RESULTS

The clinical success in the NBCA-MA group was 80.4% higher than that in the MA group (60.8%). Rebleeding was significantly more common in the MA group (29.7% vs. 8.9%). The 30-day mortality rate of the NBCA-MA group was lower than that of the MA group (16.1% vs. 33.8%). NBCA use was a significant prognostic factor associated with clinical success, while age and NBCA use were significant factors associated with the 30-day mortality rate.

CONCLUSION

In conclusion, we found that TAE with NBCA is a safe and effective method for treating late-PPH.

Availability in ECMO Reduces the Failure to Rescue in Patients With Pulmonary Embolism After Major Surgery: A Nationwide Analysis of 2.4 Million Cases

Objective

Postoperative pulmonary embolism (PE) is a rare but potentially life-threatening complication, which can be treated with extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) therapy, a novel therapy option for acute cardiorespiratory failure. We postulate that hospitals with ECMO availability have more experienced staff, technical capabilities, and expertise in treating cardiorespiratory failure.

Design

A retrospective analysis of surgical procedures in Germany between 2012 and 2019 was performed using hospital billing data. High-risk surgical procedures for postoperative PE were analyzed according to the availability of and expertise in ECMO therapy and its effect on outcome, regardless of whether ECMO was used in patients with PE.

Methods

Descriptive, univariate, and multivariate analyses were applied to identify possible associations and correct for confounding factors (complications, complication management, and mortality).

Results

A total of 13,976,606 surgical procedures were analyzed, of which 2,407,805 were defined as high-risk surgeries. The overall failure to rescue (FtR) rate was 24.4% and increased significantly with patient age, as well as type of surgery. The availability of and experience in ECMO therapy (defined as at least 20 ECMO applications per year; ECMO centers) are associated with a significantly reduced FtR in patients with PE after high-risk surgical procedures. In a multivariate analysis, the odds ratio (OR) for FtR after postoperative PE was significantly lower in ECMO centers (OR, 0.75 [0.70-0.81], P < 0.001).

Conclusions

The availability of and expertise in ECMO therapy lead to a significantly reduced FtR rate of postoperative PE. This improved outcome is independent of the use of ECMO in these patients.

Management and outcomes of pseudoaneurysms presenting with late hemorrhage following pancreatic surgery: A six-year experience from a tertiary care center

BACKGROUND/PURPOSE

Late hemorrhage following pancreatic surgery is associated with significant morbidity and mortality. Pseudoaneurysm (PSA) is an important source of late hemorrhage, which is effectively and safely managed by embolization. We aim to retrospectively review the outcomes of embolization for pseudoaneurysms causing late post-pancreatectomy hemorrhage over a period of six-years at our tertiary care center.

METHODS

Between 2014 and 2020, 616 pancreatic surgeries were performed and 25 patients had late hemorrhage (occurring > 24 hours post-operatively). The clinical parameters related to late hemorrhage, associated complications, embolization details, treatment success and their short-and long-term outcomes were analyzed.

RESULTS

Sixteen of 25 patients had PSA on digital subtraction angiography. Embolization was performed in these patients with technical and clinical success rates of 94.1% and 100%, respectively. Compared to patients without PSA, patients with PSA had significant hemoglobin drop (2.5 g/dL vs. 1.5 g/dL, p = 0.01), higher incidence of sentinel bleed (50% vs. 11.1%, p = 0.05) and lower requirement for surgery for bleeding (0% vs. 44.4%, p = 0.02). Clincally relevant postoperative pancreatic fistula and bile leak were seen in 72% and 52% of patients, respectively. Eight of these embolized patients died due to sepsis. The long-term outcome was good, once the patients were discharged.

CONCLUSION

Late hemorrhage after pancreatic surgery was associated with high mortality due to complications such as pancreatic fistula and bile leak. Sentinel bleeding was an important clinical indicator of PSA. Angiographic embolization is safe and effective without any adverse short or long-term outcomes.

Partial hepatectomy for a patient with Rendu-Osler-Weber disease: a case report

BACKGROUND

Rendu-Osler-Weber disease (Osler disease) is a genetic disease with an autosomal dominant inheritance pattern. It is characterized by widespread telangiectasia in multiple organs. Liver involvement of FNH is relatively common, but liver cancer is very rare, and there are few reports on hepatectomy or postoperative complications. We report a very rare case in which hepatectomy was performed for a patient with Osler disease.

CASE PRESENTATION

The patient was a 39-year-old man with Osler disease who had been previously diagnosed with multiple FNH and who had been followed for 8 years. During follow-up, the diameter of an S6 lesion gradually increased from 30 to 50 mm; no other lesions increased in size. We decided to perform partial liver resection as total biopsy for the growing tumor, due to the possibility that the growing tumor lesion included malignant components. The pathological examination revealed no obvious malignancy, which was finally diagnosed FNH. The postoperative course was uneventful and he was discharged on the 14th day after surgery. In the second month after discharge, he was transferred to our hospital with sudden abdominal pain in the right hypochondrium with severe tenderness. CT showed extravasation of contrast medium from the hepatic dissection surface in S6, and the hematoma extended to the pelvic floor. Emergency IVR was performed and revealed leakage of the contrast medium from the A6 branch. We embolized the A6 with Lipiodol. After embolization, there were no major problems, and the patient was discharged on the 9th day after the treatment.

CONCLUSIONS

Postoperative hemorrhage often occurs within 24 h after surgery, and 2 months after surgery is considered to be the late stage of the wound healing process, and postoperative hemorrhage at this timepoint is considered rare. This unexpected delayed postoperative hemorrhage may have been related to the etiology and pathology of Osler disease, nevertheless, case reports of hepatectomy for patients with Osler disease are limited. We, therefore, report the present case with a review of the relevant literature.