Major liver resection for hepatocellular carcinoma in the morbidly obese: a proposed strategy to improve outcome

Surgical Implications for Nonalcoholic Steatohepatitis-Related Hepatocellular Carcinoma

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is an aggressive form of liver cancer that arises in a background of chronic hepatic injury. Metabolic syndrome-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD) and its severe form, nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), are increasingly common mechanisms for new HCC cases. NASH-HCC patients are frequently obese and medically complex, posing challenges for clinical management. In this review, we discuss NASH-specific challenges and the associated implications, including benefits of minimally invasive operative approaches in obese patients; the value of y90 as a locoregional therapy; and the roles of weight loss and immunotherapy in disease management. The relevant literature was identified through queries of PubMed, Google Scholar, and clinicaltrials.gov. Provider understanding of clinical nuances specific to NASH-HCC can improve treatment strategy and patient outcomes.

The impact of body mass index on short-term and long-term surgical outcomes of laparoscopic hepatectomy in liver carcinoma patients: a retrospective study

BACKGROUND

It was generally accepted that obesity could increase the morbidity and mortality of surgical patients. However, the influence of body mass index (BMI) on short-term and long-term surgical outcomes of laparoscopic hepatectomy (LH) for patients with liver carcinoma remains unclear. The aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of BMI on surgical outcomes.

METHODS

From August 2003 to April 2016, 201 patients with liver carcinoma who underwent LH were enrolled in our study. Based on their BMI in line with the WHO's definition of obesity for the Asia-Pacific region, patients were divided into three groups: underweight (BMI< 18.5 kg/m²), normal weight (18.5≤BMI< 23 kg/m²), and overweight (BMI≥ 23 kg/m²). Demographics and surgical outcomes of laparoscopic hepatectomy were compared in different BMI stratification. We investigated overall survival and relapse-free survival across the BMI categories.

RESULTS

Of the 201 patients, 23 (11.44%) were underweight, 96 (47.76%) were normal weight, and 82 (40.80%) were overweight. The overall complication rate in the underweight group was much higher than that in the normal weight and overweight groups (p=0.048). Postoperative complications, underweight patients developed grade III or higher Clavien-Dindo classifications (p=0.042). Among the three BMI groups, there were no significant differences in overall and relapse-free survival with Kaplan-Meier analysis (p=0.104 and p=0.190, respectively). On the other hand, gender, age, liver cirrhosis, bile leak, ascites, and Clavien classification (III-IV) were not independent risk factors for overall and relapse-free survival in multivariable Cox proportional hazards models.

CONCLUSIONS

BMI status does not affect patients with liver carcinoma long-term surgical outcomes concerned to overall survival and relapse-free survival after laparoscopic hepatectomy. However, being underweight was associated with an increased perioperative complication rate, and perioperative careful monitoring might be required after hepatectomy for underweight with liver carcinoma.

Two-staged surgery for metastatic liver tumor in morbidly obese individual-left hemihepatectomy following placement of laparoscopic adjustable gastric band

A 47-year-old male with a body mass index (BMI) 37.12 kg/m(2) was diagnosed with an ill-demarcated tumor within IVB segment of left lobe of the liver. Sixteen months earlier, he underwent laparoscopic gastric banding for morbid obesity (BMI 51 kg/m(2)). One year after bariatric procedure, he was diagnosed with rectal adenocarcinoma. Following abdominoperineal resection of rectum with total mesorectal excision and 2 months course of adjuvant FOLFOX chemotherapy, he was scheduled for liver resection. Left hemihepatectomy was performed with no major complications; wound discharge was successfully treated in outpatient clinic. Twelve months following surgery, he remains disease free with no evidence of local recurrence, metachronic primary tumor, or distant metastases. This is first to our knowledge report providing data on the outcome of left hemihepatectomy performed in postbariatric patient. The role of bariatric surgery and utilization of the time necessary for neoadjuvant chemotherapy to reduce the excessive body mass and the degree of liver steatosis is discussed.