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BACKGROUND: Postoperative liver failure consequent to insufficiency of remnant liver is a feared complication in patients who underwent extensive liver resections. To induce rapid and significant hepatic hypertrophy, associating liver partition and portal vein ligation for staged hepatectomy (ALPPS) has been recently developed for patients which tumor is previously considered unresectable. AIM: To present the Brazilian experience with ALPPS approach. METHOD: Were analyzed 39 patients who underwent hepatic resection using ALPPS in nine hospitals. The procedure was performed in two steps. The first operation was portal vein ligation and in situ splitting. In the second operation the right hepatic artery, right bile duct and the right hepatic vein were isolated and ligated. The extended right lobe was removed. There were 22 male (56.4%) and 17 female (43.6%). At the time of the first operation, the median age was 57.3 years (range: 20-83 years). RESULTS: The most common indication was liver metastasis in 32 patients (82.0%), followed by cholangiocarcinoma in three (7.7%). Two patients died (5.2%) during this period and did not undergo the second operation. The mean interval between the first and the second operation was 14.1 days (range: 5-30 days). The volume of the left lateral segment of the liver increased 83% (range 47-211.9%). Significant morbidity after ALPPS was seen in 23 patients (59.0%). The mortality rate was 12.8% (five patients). CONCLUSION: The ALPPS approach can enable resection in patients with lesions previously considered unresectable. It induces rapid liver hypertrophy avoiding liver failure in most patients. However still has high morbidity and mortality.
BACKGROUND: The success of a transplant depends mainly on the viability of the graft, which is currently the main point of difficulty focuses on the triad preservation-rejection-infection. There are several specific components of preservation solutions that could prevent certain tissue damage. From these components, the osmotic factor has been highlighted as a factor in preventing edema and subsequent cell death, suggesting a possible advantage in the use of hypertonic solutions for organ preservation. AIM: To compare different hypertonic solutions as alternative to liver preservation. METHOD: A total of 105 Wistar rats were divided in Standard Group (GP, n=5 rats), to verify the normal range of the study, and five experimental groups of 20 rats each, according to the preservation solution used: Group Eurocollins (GE), Group Saline 0.9% (GF), Group Glucose 50% (GG), Group Mannitol 20% (GM), Group Salty - NaCl 7.5% (GS). All animals in experimental group were also divided into four subgroups according to the time of collection in: 0 h, 2 h, 6 h and 12 h. Was assessed cell viability by the reaction with Methyl Blue Thiazolyl (MTT) and the dosages of lactate and alanine aminotransferase (ALT). RESULTS: Regarding the lactate level, was observed a relative improvement of hypertonic solutions compared to eurocollins, and in 12 h, the GE and GS showed no statistically significant difference (p> 0.05). When assessed cell viability, absorbance at MTT also demonstrated favorable results to the GS, since no statistically significant difference in relation to GE. CONCLUSION: The 7.5% NaCl solution showed promising results for organ preservation, presenting parameters and capability comparable to eurocollins preservation solution.
Minimally invasive laparoscopic liver surgery is being performed with increased frequency. Lesions located on the anterior and lateral liver segments are easier to approach through laparoscopy. On the other hand, laparoscopic access to posterior and superior segments is less frequent and technically demanding.
Technical description for laparoscopic transthoracic access employed on hepatic wedge resection.
Laparoscopic transthoracic hepatic wedge resection on segment 8.
Transthoracic approach allows access to the posterior and superior segments of the liver, and should be considered for oddly located tumors and in patients with numerous previous abdominal interventions.
The use of laparoscopy in liver surgery is well established and considered as the gold standard for small resections. The laparoscopic resections have lower morbidity and better cosmetic results, but still require an incision to remove the surgical specimen. The possibility of remove the specimen through natural orifices and avoid an abdominal incision may further improve the benefits offered by minimally invasive procedures.
To describe the technique of transvaginal extraction of the specimen after laparoscopic liver left lateral sectionectomy.
The laparoscopic liver resection is performed in a standard fashion. After completing the resection, the specimen is placed into a retrieval plastic bag. To perform de extraction, a vaginal colpotomy is performed, guided by a 12 mm trocar introduced through the vagina. Then the extraction bag is removed pulling the bag through the extended incision in the posterior wall of the vagina. After the extraction, the colpotomy incision is closed laparoscopically.
This technique was performed in a 74-year-old woman with a 3 cm lesion between liver segments 2 and 3. She had a fast and uneventful recovery.
This technique appears to be feasible, safe and avoid the complications of an abdominal incision.
Despite the increasing number of laparoscopic hepatectomy, there is little published experience.
To evaluate the results of a series of hepatectomy completely done with laparoscopic approach.
This is a retrospective study of 61 laparoscopic liver resections. Were studied conversion to open technique; mean age; gender, mortality; complications; type of hepatectomy; surgical techniques applied; and simultaneous operations.
The conversion to open technique was necessary in one case (1.6%). The mean age was 54.7 years (17-84), 34 were men. Three patients (4.9%) had complications. One died postoperatively (mortality 1.6%) and no deaths occurred intraoperatively. The most frequent type was right hepatectomy (37.7%), followed by bisegmentectomy (segments II-III and VI-VII). Were not used hemi-Pringle maneuvers or assisted technic. Six patients (8.1%) underwent simultaneous procedures (hepatectomy and colectomy).
Laparoscopic hepatectomy is feasible procedure and can be considered the gold standard for various conditions requiring liver resections for both benign to malignant diseases.
Some studies have suggested that preoperative chemotherapy for hepatic colorectal metastases may cause hepatic injury and increase perioperative morbidity and mortality.
To evaluate the prevalence of hepatic steatosis in patients undergoing preoperative chemotherapy for metastatic colorectal cancer.
Observational retrospective cohort study in which 166 patients underwent 185 hepatectomies for metastatic colorectal cancer with or without associated preoperative chemotherapy from 2004 to 2011. The data were obtained from a review of the medical records and an analysis of the anatomopathological report on the non-tumor portion of the surgical specimen. The study sample was divided into two groups: those who were exposed and those who were unexposed to chemotherapy.
From the hepatectomies, 136 cases (73.5%) underwent preoperative chemotherapy, with most (62.5%) using a regimen of 5-fluorouracil + leucovorin. A 40% greater risk of cell damage was detected in 62% of the exposed group. The predominant histological pattern of the cell damage was steatosis, which was detected in 51% of the exposed cases. Exposure to chemotherapy increased the risk of steatosis by 2.2 fold. However, when the risk factors were controlled, only the presence of risk of hepatopathy was associated with steatosis, with a relative risk of 4 (2.7-5.9).
Patients exposed to chemotherapy have 2.2 times the risk of developing hepatic steatosis, and its occurrence is associated with the presence of predisposing factors such as diabetes mellitus and hepatopathy.
Hepatic resection has evolved to become safer, thereby making it possible to expand the indications.
: To assess the results from a group of patients presenting these expanded indications.
Were prospectively studied all the hepatectomy procedures performed for hepatic tumor resection. Patients with benign and malignant primary and secondary tumors were included. Were included variables such as age, gender, preoperative diagnosis, preoperative treatment, type of operation performed, need for transfusion, final anatomopathological examination and postoperative evolution. The patients were divided into two groups: group A, with a traditional indication for hepatectomy; and group B, with an expanded indication (tumors in both hepatic lobes, extensive resection encompassing five or more segments, cirrhotic livers and postoperative chemotherapy using hepatotoxic drugs).
Were operated 38 patients, and 40 hepatectomies were performed: 28 patients in group A and 10 in group B. The mean age was 57.7 years, and 25 patients were women. Three in group B were operated as two separate procedures. Groups A and B received means of 1.46 and 5.5 packed red blood cell units per operation, respectively. There were three cases with complications in group A (10.7%) and six in group B (60%). The mortality rate in group A was 3.5% (one patient) and in groups B, 40% (four patients). The imaging examinations were sensitive for the presence of tumors but not for defining the type of tumor. The blood and derivative transfusion rates, morbidity and mortality were greater in the group with expanded indications and more extensive surgery.
The indications for liver biopsy and portal vein embolization or ligature can be expanded, with special need of cooperation of the anesthesiology department and the use of hepatic resection devices to diminish blood transfusion.
Colorectal cancer generally metastasizes to the liver. Surgical resection of liver metastasis, which is associated with systemic chemotherapy, is potentially curative, but many patients will present recurrence. In selected patients, repeated hepatectomy is feasible and improves overall survival.
This study aimed to analyze patients with colorectal liver metastasis (CRLM) submitted to hepatectomy in three centers from Rio de Janeiro, over the past 10 years, by comparing the morbidity of first hepatectomy and re-hepatectomy.
From June 2009 to July 2020, 192 patients with CRLM underwent liver resection with curative intent in three hospitals from Rio de Janeiro Federal Health System. The data from patients, surgeries, and outcomes were collected from a prospectively maintained database. Patients submitted to first and re-hepatectomies were classified as Group 1 and Group 2, respectively. Data from groups were compared and value of p<0.05 was considered significant.
Among 192 patients, 16 were excluded. Of the remaining 176 patients, 148 were included in Group 1 and 28 were included in Group 2. Fifty-five (37.2%) patients in Group 1 and 13 (46.5%) in Group 2 presented postoperative complications. Comparing Groups 1 and 2, we found no statistical difference between the cases of postoperative complications (p=0.834), number of minor (p=0.266) or major (p=0.695) complications, and deaths (p=0.407).
No differences were recorded in morbidity or mortality between patients submitted to first and re-hepatectomies for CRLM, which reinforces that re-hepatectomy can be performed with outcomes comparable to first hepatectomy.
Anatomical liver resections are based on some basic technical principles such as vascular control, ischemic area delineation to be resected and maximum parenchymal preservation. These aspects are achieved by the intrahepatic glissonian approach, which consists in accessing the pedicles of hepatic segments within the hepatic parenchyma. Small incisions on well-defined anatomical landmarks are performed to approach the pedicles, making dissection of the hilar plate unnecessary.
Analyze parameters in liver anatomy related to intrahepatic surgical technique to glissonians pedicles, to set the normal anatomy related to the procedure and thereby facilitate the attainment of this technique.
Anatomical parameters related to the intrahepatic glissonian approach were studied in 37 cadavers. Measurements were performed with precision instruments. Data were expressed as mean±standard deviation. The subjects were divided into groups according to gender and liver weight and groups were compared statistically.
Twenty-five cadavers were male and 12 female. No statistically significant difference was observed in virtually all parameters when groups were compared. This demonstrates the consistency of the anatomical parameters related to the intrahepatic glissonian approach.
The results obtained in this study made possible major technical advances in the realization of open and laparoscopic hepatectomies with intrahepatic glissonian approach, and can help surgeons to perform liver resections by this method.
Central hepatectomy (CH) is also known as mesohepatectomy and means hepatic resection of segments 4, 5, and 89. Hepatic lesions located in these segments may require extensive resections, such as right, left, extended right or extended left hemi-hepatectomies especially due to their relationship to major vascular and biliary structures. CH represents a potential risk of intraoperative bleeding, biliary injury, and risk of positive margins, but also represent the appealing concept of parenchyma sparing, furthermore in benign lesions.
Is reported a case of a symptomatic patient with a large complex cystic tumor who underwent a CH without tumor violation and no major postoperative complication.
A 61-year old female patient with history of choluria, acholic stools, jaundice and pain in the right upper abdominal quadrant had undergone a cholecystectomy and hepatic cyst unroofing by laparotomy in another institution, 30 months ago. Due to the cholestatic symptoms recurrence, she was refered to our center.
Abdominal MRI showed a cystic lesion in segment 4 with septa and thickened walls, and measuring 9.0 cm. The cyst was demonstrated as isosignal on T1 and hyperintense signal on T2. The confluence of left and right bile ducts was compressed by the cyst, which caused moderate bilateral dilation. The lateral limit of the cyst compressed the left hepatic artery and the left branch of the portal vein, while its lower limit compressed the right portal branch and the right hepatic artery. Other non-complex cystic lesions were scattered through the liver (Figure1). Laboratory tests showed increased canalicular enzymes and bilirubins and negative tumor markers. The case was reviewed at a weekly hepatobiliary multidisciplinary conference and the main hypothesis was a recurred biliary cystadenoma. In order to avoid a right trisectionectomy the decision was to perform a parenchymal preserving resection - central hepatectomy.
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