Surgical resection for hepatocellular carcinoma: a single-centre's one decade of experience

Background and aims

Liver cancer is the third leading cause of global cancer deaths, and hepatocellular carcinoma is its most common type. Liver resection is one of the treatment options for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). This study aims to explore our hospital's more than a decade of experience in liver resection for HCC patients.

Methods

This is a retrospective cohort study on HCC patients undergoing resection from 2010 to 2021 in a tertiary-level hospital in Jakarta, Indonesia. Mortality rates were explored as the primary outcome of this study. Statistical analysis was done on possible predictive factors using Pearson's χ2. Survival analysis was done using the Log-Rank test and Cox Regression.

Results

Ninety-one patients were included in this study. The authors found that the postoperative mortality rates were 8.8% (in hospital), 11.5% (30 days), and 24.1% (90 days). Excluding postoperative mortalities, the long-term mortality rates were 44.4% (first year), 58.7% (3 years), and 69.7% (5 years). Cumulatively, the mortality rates were 46.4% (1 year), 68.9% (3 years), 77.8% (5 years), and 67.0% (all time). Significant predictive factors for cumulative 1-year mortality include large tumour diameter [odds ratio (OR) 14.06; 95% CI: 2.59-76.35; comparing <3 cm and >10 cm tumours; P<0.01], positive resection margin (OR 2.86; 1.17-77.0; P=0.02), and tumour differentiation (P=0.01). Multivariate analysis found hazard ratios of 6.35 (2.13-18.93; P<0.01) and 1.81 (1.04-3.14; P=0.04) for tumour diameter and resection margin, respectively.

Conclusion

The mortality rate of HCC patients undergoing resection is still very high. Significant predictive factors for mortality found in this study benefit from earlier diagnosis and treatment; thus, highlighting the importance of HCC surveillance programs.

The enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) protocol implementation in a national tertiary-level hospital: a prospective cohort study

Introduction

Successful colorectal surgery is determined based on postoperative mortality and morbidity rates, complication rates, and cost-effectiveness. One of the methods to obtain an excellent postoperative outcome is the enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) protocol. This study aims to see the effects of implementing an ERAS protocol in colorectal surgery patients.

Methods

Eighty-four patients who underwent elective colorectal surgery at National Tertiary-level Hospital were included between January 2021 and July 2022. Patients were then placed into ERAS (42) and control groups (42) according to the criteria. The Patients in the ERAS group underwent a customized 18-component ERAS protocol and were assessed for adherence. Postoperatively, both groups were monitored for up to 30 days and assessed for complications and readmission. The authors then analyzed the length of stay and total patient costs in both groups.

Results

The length of stay in the ERAS group was shorter than the control group [median (interquartile range) 6 (5-7) vs. 13 (11-19), P<0.001], with a lower total cost of [USD 1875 (1234-3722) vs. USD 3063 (2251-4907), P<0.001]. Patients in the ERAS group had a lower incidence of complications, 10% vs. 21%, and readmission 5% vs. 10%, within 30 days after discharge than patients in the control group; however, the differences were not statistically significant. The adherence to the ERAS protocol within the ERAS group was 97%.

Conclusion

Implementing the ERAS protocol in colorectal patients reduces the length of stay and total costs.

Caecopexy as management for caecal volvulus: An evidence-based case report

INTRODUCTION AND IMPORTANCE

The incidence of caecal volvulus (CV) reaches 2.8-7.1 per million per year. CV is a surgical emergency that must be treated immediately because the mortality rate can reach 30 %, and the recurrence rate is 40 %. This study showed a case illustration of caecal volvulus with evidence-based recommendations for indications and management of caecopexy based on postoperative outcomes.

CASE PRESENTATION

33-Year-old male came with chief complaints of persistent acute abdominal pain one day before hospital admission. Pain is felt suddenly throughout the abdomen. On physical examination, palpable pain in the entire abdomen is obtained, accompanied by the muscular defence with increased bowel sounds. The laboratory only showed increased white blood cells. Abdominal computed tomography (CT) with contrast showed closed-loop obstruction (CLO) signs.

CLINICAL DISCUSSION

Caecopexy technique use is supported in a case series because it can be done safely, quickly, and without the need to open intestinal segments. Based on previous researches, there were none to low rate of morbidity, mortality, and recurrence. In this patient, caecopexy was carried out and showed good output with no complications.

CONCLUSION

Caecopexy is a safe, simple, and less invasive procedure. The advantages of the caecopexy technique are low morbidity, mortality, and recurrence. The patient's outcome in this illustration is consistent with other literature. Thus it can be used as evidence-based recommendations in the management of the next case of caecal volvulus.

Characteristics of living liver donors in a national referral hospital in Indonesia: a 13-year experience with living donor liver transplantation

Background

Hepatocellular carcinoma and biliary atresia lead to end-stage liver disease, which requires liver transplantation and is linked to increased mortality. Dr. Cipto Mangunkusumo Hospital is the national referral center in Indonesia and is the only center that routinely performs living donor liver transplantation (LDLT). This study presents the characteristics of living liver donors (LLDs) in Indonesia.

Methods

Using the LDLT registry, we conducted a retrospective analysis of all approved donors from 2010 to 2022. The variables included clinical characteristics of the donors, graft types, and intraoperative and postoperative characteristics.

Results

The LDLT rate has increased from 5.8 to 8.8 procedures/year in the last 8 years. The average age of the 76 LLDs was 31.8 years. They were predominantly female (59%) and lived within a family relationship (90%). Pediatric LDLT was more frequent than adult LDLT (88% vs. 12%, respectively). Most grafts (86%) were obtained by left lateral sectionectomy, with a median ratio of remnant liver volume to total liver volume of 79.5% (range, 47.7%-85.8%) and a mean graft-to-recipient weight ratio of 2.65%±1.21%. The median intensive care unit length of stay (LOS) was 2 days (range, 1-5 days) and the total hospital LOS was 7 days (range, 4-28 days). The complication rate was 23%. No donor mortality was reported.

Conclusions

LDLT in Indonesia has increased over the years. The shortage of donors for adult-to-adult liver transplantation is due to cultural differences and challenges in finding eligible donors. This study aims to explain the eligibility criteria of LLDs and contribute to creating a national policy.

Keep It or Leave It? Comparison of Preoperative Scoring as Mortality Predictor Post-Pancreaticoduodenectomy

BACKGROUND

Pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD) is the common procedure in resectable periampullary malignancies. However, the postoperative mortality rate for PD is relatively high. Mortality scoring system helps surgeons to decide patients' eligibility for surgery to minimize mortality risk. This study aimed to compare four scoring systems for mortality prediction after PD in the Indonesian population.

METHODS

In this cross-sectional study, data were retrospectively collected from medical records for patients who underwent PD due to periampullary malignancy between January 2010 and January 2022. We assessed scoring accuracy, cut-off, sensitivity, specificity, negative predictive value, positive predictive value, and area under the curve (AUC) of Naples prognostic score (NPS), Whipple-ABACUS (WA), modified Pitt score (MPS), and Pitt score.

RESULT

Of the 116 patients who met the criteria, the mortality rate was 12.1%. Mean age was 51.64 ± 10.22 years consist of 75.9% group <60 years and 24.1% ≥60 years, with 46.6% male and 53.4% female. The AUC from highest to lowest were Pitt Score 0.890 (p<0.001), MPS 0.775 (p 0.001), WA 0.627 (p 0.123), and NPS 0.505 (p 0.949) with the level of accuracy of each score were Pitt Score and MPS 67.2%, WA 50.0%, and NPS 59.5%.

CONCLUSION

Pitt and MPS scores have the highest accuracy of all the scoring systems in this study. MPS has the advantage of having fewer components, making it easy to implement. MPS can replace the role of the Pitt Score in predicting post-procedure PD mortality in Indonesia. Further studies that include the intraoperative factors are needed to increase the scoring accuracy.

Novel and simple method using cable ties to induce intestinal strangulation in a rat model

BACKGROUND The pathogenesis of intestinal fibrosis after strangulation in abdominal surgery is not fully understood. Developing an experimental and reliable method is needed to overcome this problem. This study aimed to develop an effective method for intestinal strangulation leading to fibrosis, which might induce intestinal obstruction. METHODS This study was conducted from 2018 to 2019 at the Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Indonesia. A total of 24 Sprague Dawley rats were used in this study. Artificial intestinal strangulation using cable ties made of durable plastic, which is generally used to ligate objects, was applied, and rats were further classified into control, 6-hour, and 24-hour strangulation groups. At the end of the study, the rats were sacrificed, intestinal tissues were collected, and histomorphological changes were observed using hematoxylin and eosin stain. Moreover, Masson’s trichome staining was used to assess collagen density. RESULTS Median collagen density score of the 24-hour strangulation group was higher than the control. A significant difference in collagen density was found between the submucosal layer of the 24-hour strangulation group and the control (45.4 [11.4] versus 32.4 [14.0], p<0.001) and between the mucosa of the 6- and 24-hour strangulation groups and the control (26.9 [17] versus 6.46 [4.3], p = 0.01 and 24.9 [8] versus 6.46 [4.3], p = 0.004, respectively). CONCLUSIONS The simple use of cable ties adequately promotes intestinal strangulation.

Fulminant necrotizing amoebic colitis presenting as acute appendicitis: a case report and comprehensive literature review

Intestinal amoebiasis is a parasitic infection caused by Entamoeba histolytica. It is commonly found in developing countries with poor hygiene. A rare, life-threatening complication of amoebiasis is fulminant necrotizing amoebic colitis (FulNAC). We report a 59-year-old male with acute lower right abdominal pain. Before coming to our institution, he was diagnosed with acute appendicitis. Extensive necrosis near the caecum involving the appendix and colon was observed intraoperatively. The patient underwent a right hemicolectomy, followed by an ileostomy and colostomy. Histopathologic examination confirmed the diagnosis of FulNAC. After the surgery, the patient was transferred to the high care unit and treated with metronidazole after histopathologic findings confirmed the etiology. The patient showed excellent response to the antibiotic prescribed, and the symptoms subsided. He was discharged from the hospital on day nine. Additionally, we reviewed fifty-one existing case reports on invasive intestinal amoebiasis worldwide, confirmed by histopathological examination following their preoperative diagnosis, surgery, pharmacology treatment, and outcomes. The learning point of this case is that intestinal amoebiasis should be considered a differential diagnosis for patients around fifty years old with bowel symptoms and travel history or living in tight quarters. Blood tests, radiological examinations, and serological evaluations are valuable diagnostic modalities. Metronidazole should be given as early as possible, and health promotion is recommended to prevent this disease in the population.

Diagnosis and management of gastric cancer in pregnancy-An evidence-based case report

BACKGROUND

Gastric cancer in pregnancy is a very rare case with an incidence of 0.016% and is mostly detected in a locally advanced or advanced stage due to misinterpretation of non-specific signs and symptoms. Management of gastric cancer in pregnancy should emphasize mother and fetal survival. Currently, there is no diagnostic and management guidance for gastric cancer in pregnancy. The purpose of this study is to ascertain how to diagnose and manage gastric cancer in pregnancy.

METHODS

This study is an evidence-based case report performed in Digestive Division of Department of Surgery in Cipto Mangunkusumo hospital in September-October 2017. Literature search on databases such as Cochrane, PubMed, ScienceDirect, and Scholar Google used keywords like "gastric cancer" AND "pregnant" OR "pregnancy" with inclusion criteria which are systematic review, randomized-clinical trial (RCT), cohort study, case report, or case series, performed in human and published in the last 10 years in English language. Critical appraisal is done according to Oxford Centre For Evidence-Based Medicine 2011. This work is reported in line with the SCARE criteria.

RESULTS

There are 9 case-report studies and 1 case-control study. Radiology examination includes endoscopy, MRI, and CT scan. Management is given according to cancer stage which is; surgery, surgery with adjuvant therapy, and palliative chemotherapy.

CONCLUSION

Radiology examinations with a lower risk of adverse effects are endoscopy and MRI. CT scan may be performed when the benefits exceed the risk. Surgery and chemoradiation have the lowest rate of adverse effects when done in the second and third trimester.

Fibrous Pseudotumor of the Tunica Vaginalis Associated With Hydrocele and Testicular Atrophy

Fibrous pseudotumors of the testicular tunics and paratesticular tissue are uncommon lesions. They typically arise as painless scrotal masses that may be associated with hydrocele or history of surgery, trauma, or infection. Although benign, these lesions often clinically indicate malignancy and usually remain undiagnosed preoperatively. Here, we report on a 59-year-old man with fibrous pseudotumor of the tunica vaginalis associated with hydrocele and testicular atrophy.