BACKGROUND: In order to overcome ABO blood group incompatibility, paired donor interchange has been practised in living donor liver transplantation. Liver transplantations using grafts donated by Samaritan living dono...BACKGROUND: In order to overcome ABO blood group incompatibility, paired donor interchange has been practised in living donor liver transplantation. Liver transplantations using grafts donated by Samaritan living donors have been performed in Europe, North America, South Korea, and Hong Kong. Such practice is clearly on strong biological grounds although social and psychological implications could be far-reaching. Local experience has been satisfactory but is still limited. As few centers have this arrangement, its safety and viability are still being assessed under a clinical trial setting. METHODS: Here we report a donor interchange involving an ABO-compatible pair with a universal donor and an ABOincompatible pair with a universal recipient. This matching was not only a variation but also an extension of the donor interchange scheme. RESULTS: The four operations(two donor hepatectomies and two recipient operations) were successful. All the two donors and the two recipients recovered well. Such donor interchange further supports the altruistic principle of organ donation in contrast to exchange for a gain. CONCLUSIONS: Samaritan donor interchange certainly taxes further the ethical challenge of donor interchange. Although this practice has obvious biological advantages, such advantages have to be weighed against the potential increase in potential psychological risks to the subjects in the interchange. Further ethical and clinical evaluations of local and overseas experiences of donor interchange should guide future clinical practice in utilizing this potential organ source for transplantation.展开更多
AIM:To analyze whether high-intensity focused ultrasound(HIFU) ablation is an effective bridging therapy for patients with hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC).METHODS:From January 2007 to December 2010,49 consecutive HCC pa...AIM:To analyze whether high-intensity focused ultrasound(HIFU) ablation is an effective bridging therapy for patients with hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC).METHODS:From January 2007 to December 2010,49 consecutive HCC patients were listed for liver transplantation(UCSF criteria).The median waiting time for transplantation was 9.5 mo.Twenty-nine patients received transarterial chemoembolization(TACE) as a bringing therapy and 16 patients received no treatment before transplantation.Five patients received HIFU ablation as a bridging therapy.Another five patients with the same tumor staging(within the UCSF criteria) who received HIFU ablation but not on the transplant list were included for comparison.Patients were comparable in terms of Child-Pugh and model for end-stage liver disease scores,tumor size and number,and cause of cirrhosis.RESULTS:The HIFU group and TACE group showed no difference in terms of tumor size and tumor number.One patient in the HIFU group and no patient in the TACE group had gross ascites.The median hospital stay was 1 d(range,1-21 d) in the TACE group and two days(range,1-9 d) in the HIFU group(P < 0.000).No HIFU-related complication occurred.In the HIFU group,nine patients(90%) had complete response and one patient(10%) had partial response to the treatment.In the TACE group,only one patient(3%) had response to the treatment while 14 patients(48%) had stable disease and 14 patients(48%) had progressive disease(P = 0.00).Seven patients in the TACE group and no patient in the HIFU group dropped out from the transplant waiting list(P = 0.559).CONCLUSION:HIFU ablation is safe and effective in the treatment of HCC for patients with advanced cirrhosis.It may reduce the drop-out rate of liver transplant candidate.展开更多
AIM: To analyze the combined treatment of resection and intraoperative radiofrequency ablation (RFA) for multifocal hepatocellular carcinoma in terms of prognosis and surgical outcomes.METHODS: This study was a retros...AIM: To analyze the combined treatment of resection and intraoperative radiofrequency ablation (RFA) for multifocal hepatocellular carcinoma in terms of prognosis and surgical outcomes.METHODS: This study was a retrospective case comparison study using prospectively collected data. The study covered the period from April 2001 to December 2006. The data of 200 patients with histologically confirmed hepatocellular carcinoma were reviewed. Nineteen patients (17 men and 2 women) having received resection in combination with RFA were chosen as subjects of the study (the combination group). Fiftyfour patients (43 men and 11 women) having received resection alone were selected for comparison (the resection group). The two groups matched tumor number and tumor size, and all the patients in the two groups displayed no tumor rupture, major vascular involvement and distant metastasis. Their demographics, preoperative assessment, disease recurrence patterns, overall survival and diseasefree survival were compared.RESULTS: In the combination group, the medianage was 65 years (range, 3477 years), the median tumor number was 3 (range, 29), and the median tumor size was 6 cm (range, 1.214 cm). In the resection group, the median age was 51.5 years (range, 2780 years, P = 0.003), the median tumor number was 3 (range, 29, P = 0.574), and the median tumor size was 6 cm (range, 114 cm, P = 0.782). The two groups were similar in characteristics of tumors and comorbidities, and had comparable results in preoperative liver function tests. All patients had ChildPugh class A status. Bilobar involvement occurred in 14 patients (73.6%) in the combination group and 3 patients (5.5%) in the resection group (P = 0.04). Six patients (32%) in the combination group and 35 patients (65%) in the resection group underwent major hepatectomy. Thirteen patients (68%) in the combination group and 19 patients (35%) in the resection group underwent minor hepatectomy (P = 0.012). The combination group had fewer major resections (32% vs 65%, P = 0.012), less blood loss (400 vs 657 mL, P = 0.007), shorter operation time (270 vs 400 min, P = 0.001), and shorter hospital stay (7 vs 8.5 d, P = 0.042). The two groups displayed no major differences in surgical complications (15.8% vs 31.5%, P = 0.24), disease recurrence (63.2% vs 50%, P = 0.673), hospital mortality (5.3% vs 5.6%, P = 1), and overall survival (53 vs 44.5 mo, P = 0.496).CONCLUSION: Safe and effective for selected patients with multifocal hepatocellular carcinoma, the combination of resection and intraoperative RFA widens the applicability of surgical intervention for the disease.展开更多
AIM: To analyze whether pancreaticoduodenectomy with simultaneous resection of tumor-involved vessels is a safe approach with acceptable patient survival.
BACKGROUND: The indocyanine green (ICG) retention test is the most popular liver function test for selecting patients for major hepatectomy. Traditionally, it is done using spectrophotometry with serial blood sampling...BACKGROUND: The indocyanine green (ICG) retention test is the most popular liver function test for selecting patients for major hepatectomy. Traditionally, it is done using spectrophotometry with serial blood sampling. The newly- developed pulse spectrophotometry is a faster alternative, but its accuracy on Child-Pugh A cirrhotic patients undergoing hepatectomy for hepatocellular carcinoma has not been well documented. This study aimed to assess the accuracy of the LiMON , one of the pulse spectrophotometry systems, in measuring preoperative ICG retention in these patients and to devise an easy formula for conversion of the results so that they can be compared with classical literature records where ICG retention was measured by the traditional method. METHODS: We measured the liver function of 70 Child-Pugh A cirrhotic patients before hepatectomy for hepatocellular carcinoma from September 2008 to January 2009. ICG retention at 15 minutes measured by traditional spectrophotometry (ICGR15) was compared with ICG retention at 15 minutes measured by the LiMON (ICGR15(L)). RESULTS: The median ICGR15 was 14.7% (5.6%-32%) and the median ICGR15(L) was 10.4% (1.2%-28%). The mean difference between them was -4.3606. There was a strong correlation between ICGR15 and ICGR15(L) (correlation coefficient, 0.844; 95% confidence interval, 0.762-0.899). The following formula was devised: ICGR15=1.16×ICGR15(L)+2.73.CONCLUSIONS: The LiMON provides a fast and repeatable way to measure ICG retention at 15 minutes, but with constant underestimation of the real value. Therefore, when comparing results obtained by traditional spectrophotometry and the LiMON, adjustment of results from the latter is necessary, and this can be done with a simple mathematical calculation using the above formula.展开更多
AIM: To estimate the standard liver weight for assessing adequacies of graft size in live donor liver transplantation and remnant liver in major hepatectomy for cancer. METHODS: In this study, anthropometric data of...AIM: To estimate the standard liver weight for assessing adequacies of graft size in live donor liver transplantation and remnant liver in major hepatectomy for cancer. METHODS: In this study, anthropometric data of body weight and body height were tested for a correlation with liver weight in 159 live liver donors who underwent donor right hepatectomy including the middle hepatic vein. Liver weights were calculated from the right lobe graft weight obtained at the back table, divided by the proportion of the right lobe on the computed tomography. RESULTS: The subjects, all Chinese, had a mean age of 35.8 ± 10.5 years, and a female to male ratio of 118:41. The mean volume of the right lobe was 710.14 ±131.46 mL and occupied 64.55%±4.47% of the whole liver on computed tomography. Right lobe weighed 598.90±117.39 g and the estimated liver weight was 927.54 ± 168.78 g. When body weight and body height were subjected to multiple stepwise linear regression analysis, body height was found to be insignificant. Females of the same body weight had a slightly lower liver weight. A formula based on body weight and gender was derived: Estimated standard liver weight (g)=218+BW (kg)× 12.3+gender×51 (R^2 = 0.48) (female=0, male= 1). Based on the anthropometric data of these 159 subjects, liver weights were calculated using previously published formulae derived from studies on Caucasian, .lapanese, Korean, and Chinese. All formulae overestimated liver weights compared to this formula. The Japanese formula overestimated the estimated standard liver weight (ESLW) for adults less than 60 kg.CONCLUSION: A formula applicable to Chinese males and females is available. A formula for individual races appears necessary.展开更多
Conventional hepatectomy is an effective way to treat hepatocellular carcinoma.However,it is invasive and stressful.The use of laparoscopy in hepatectomy,while technically demanding,reduces surgical invasiveness and s...Conventional hepatectomy is an effective way to treat hepatocellular carcinoma.However,it is invasive and stressful.The use of laparoscopy in hepatectomy,while technically demanding,reduces surgical invasiveness and stressfulness but still achieves complete resection with adequate margins.Compared with conventional hepatectomy,laparoscopic hepatectomy provides a better chance and situation for further surgery in the case of recurrence of hepatocellular carcinoma.Even aged patients can successfully endure repeated hepatectomy using laparoscopy,as shown in the present report.This report presents a case of repeated laparoscopic hepatectomy treating hepatocellular carcinoma and its recurrence in an aged patient having cirrhosis,a disease causing extra difficulty for performing laparoscopic hepatectomy.The report also describes techniques of the operation and displays characteristic results of laparoscopic hepatectomy such as smaller wounds,less blood loss,less pain,less scars and adhesion,shorter postoperative hospital stay,and faster recovery.展开更多
BACKGROUND: Acute pancreatitis is a relatively rare but po- tentially lethal complication after transarterial chemotherapy. This study aimed to review the complications such as acute pancreatitis after transarterial ...BACKGROUND: Acute pancreatitis is a relatively rare but po- tentially lethal complication after transarterial chemotherapy. This study aimed to review the complications such as acute pancreatitis after transarterial chemotherapy with or without embolization for hepatocellular carcinoma. METHODS: A total of 1632 patients with hepatocellular car- cinoma who had undergone transarterial chemoembolization from ]anuary 2000 to February 2014 in a single-center were reviewed retrospectively. We investigated the potential com- plications of transarterial chemoembolization, such as acute pancreatitis and acute pancreatitis-related complications. RESULTS: Of the 1632 patients with hepatocellular carcinoma who had undergone 5434 transarterial chemoembolizations, 1328 were male and 304 female. The median age of these pa- tients was 61 years. Most (79.6%) of the patients suffered from HBV-related hepatoceUular carcinoma. The median tumor size was 5.2 cm. Of the 1632 patients, 145 patients underwent transarterial chemoembolization with doxorubicin elut- ing bead, making up a total of 538 episodes. The remaining patients underwent transarterial chemoembolization with cisplatin. Seven (0.4%) patients suffered from acute pancre- atitis post-chemoembolization. Six patients had chemoembo- lization with doxorubicin and one had chemoembolization with cisplatin. Patients who received doxornbicin eluting bead had a higher risk of acute pancreatitis [6/145 (4.1%) vs 1/1487 (0.1%), P〈0.0001]. Two patients had anatomical arterial variations. Four patients developed acute pancreatitis- related complications including necrotizing pancreatitis (n=3) and pseudocyst formation (n=1). All of the 4 patients resolved after the use of antibiotics and other conservative treatment. Three patients had further transarterial chemoembolization without any complication. CONCLUSIONS: Acute pancreatitis after transarterial chemo- embolization could result in serious complications, especially after treatment with doxorubicin eluting bead. Continuation of current treatment with transarterial chemoembolization after acute pancreatitis is feasible providing the initial attack is completely resolved.展开更多
BACKGROUND: Controversy exists over whether living donor liver transplantation (LDLT) should be offered to patients with high Model for End-stage Liver Disease (MELD) scores. This study tried to determine whether a hi...BACKGROUND: Controversy exists over whether living donor liver transplantation (LDLT) should be offered to patients with high Model for End-stage Liver Disease (MELD) scores. This study tried to determine whether a high MELD score would result in inferior outcomes of right-lobe LDLT. METHODS: Among 411 consecutive patients who received right-lobe LDLT at our center, 143 were included in this study. The patients were divided into two groups according to their MELD scores: a high-score group (MELD score ≥25; n=75) and a low-score group (MELD score 【25; n=68). Their demographic data and perioperative conditions were compared. Univariable and multivariable analyses were performed to identify risk factors affecting patient survival. RESULTS: In the high-score group, more patients required preoperative intensive care unit admission (49.3% vs 2.9%; P【0.001), mechanical ventilation (21.3% vs 0%; P【0.001), or hemodialysis (13.3% vs 0%; P=0.005); the waiting time before LDLT was shorter (4 vs 66 days; P【0.001); more blood was transfused during operation (7 vs 2 units; P【0.001); patients stayed longer in the intensive care unit (6 vs 3 days; P【0.001) and hospital (21 vs 15 days; P=0.015) after transplantation;more patients developed early postoperative complications (69.3% vs 50.0%; P=0.018); and values of postoperative peak blood parameters were higher. However, the two groups had comparable hospital mortality. Graft survival and patient overall survival at one year (94.7% vs 95.6%; 95.9% vs 96.9%), three years (91.9% vs 92.6%; 93.2% vs 95.3%), and five years (90.2% vs 90.2%; 93.2% vs 95.3%) were also similar between the groups. CONCLUSIONS: Although the high-score group had signifi-cantly more early postoperative complications, the two groups had comparable hospital mortality and similar satisfactory rates of graft survival and patient overall survival. Therefore, a high MELD score should not be a contraindication to right-lobe LDLT if donor risk and recipient benefit are taken into full account.展开更多
BACKGROUND: Hepatopancreatoduodenectomy is a complicated and challenging procedure but necessary for curative resection for advanced hepatobiliary malignancies. This retrospective study was to examine the safety and s...BACKGROUND: Hepatopancreatoduodenectomy is a complicated and challenging procedure but necessary for curative resection for advanced hepatobiliary malignancies. This retrospective study was to examine the safety and survival outcomes of hepatopancreatoduodenectomy in our center. METHODS: Prospectively collected data of 12 patients who underwent hepatopancreatoduodenectomy for advanced hepatobiliary malignancies in our hospital from January 1998 to December 2014 were analyzed. The primary endpoints are treatment-related morbidity and mortality and the secondary endpoints are overall survival and disease-free survival. RESULTS: Curative resection was achieved in 11 (91.7%) patients. Complications developed in 10 (83.3%) patients. Three hospital deaths resulted from multiorgan failure secondary to postoperative pancreatic fistula or hepaticojejunostomy leakage. Six of the nine remaining patients had disease recurrence. The nine patients had a median survival of 39.8 (5.3-151.8) months. The 1-, 3- and 5-year overall survival rates were 66.7%, 55.6% and 27.8%, respectively. The corresponding disease-free survival rates were 55.6%, 44.4% and 29.6%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Morbidity and mortality after hepatopancreatoduodenectomy were significant. With RO resection, the 5-year overall survival and disease-free survival rates were 27.8% and 29.6%, respectively.展开更多
BACKGROUND:Survival of the partial graft after living donor liver transplantation owes much to its tremendous regenerative ability.With excellent venous outflow capacity,a graft within a wide range of graft-to-standar...BACKGROUND:Survival of the partial graft after living donor liver transplantation owes much to its tremendous regenerative ability.With excellent venous outflow capacity,a graft within a wide range of graft-to-standard-liver-volume ratios can cope with portal hypertension that is common in liver transplant recipients.However,when the ratio range is exceeded,modulation of graft vascular inflow becomes necessary for graft survival.The interplay between graft-to-standard-liver-volume ratio and portal pressure,in the presence of portosystemic shunt or otherwise,requires individualized modulation of graft portal and arterial inflows.Boosting of portal inflow by shunt ligation can be guided by transonic flowmetry,whereas muting of portal inflow by splenic artery ligation can be monitored by portal electronic manometry.METHOD:We describe four cases to illustrate the above.RESULTS:One patient had hepatic artery thrombosis resulting from splenic artery steal syndrome which was the sequela of small-for-size syndrome.Emergency splenic artery ligation and re-anastomosis of the hepatic artery successfully muted the portal inflow and boosted the hepatic arterial inflow.Another patient with portal vein thrombosis underwent thrombendvenectomy.Portal inflow was boosted with ligation of portosystemic shunt,which is often present in these patients with portal hypertension.The coexistence of splenic aneurysm and splenorenal shunt required ligation of both in the third patient.The fourth patient,with portal pressure and flow monitoring,avoided ligation of a coronary vein which became a main portal inflow after portal thrombendvenectomy.CONCLUSION:Management of graft inflow modulation guided selectively by transonic flowmetry or portal manometry was described.展开更多
The scarcity of liver grafts in Asia leads to a significant dropout of patients from liver transplant waiting lists, particularly patients with hepatocellular carcinoma and a low model for end-stage liver disease scor...The scarcity of liver grafts in Asia leads to a significant dropout of patients from liver transplant waiting lists, particularly patients with hepatocellular carcinoma and a low model for end-stage liver disease score. In order to reduce dropping out, different bridging therapies are employed. We report the use of high-intensity focused ultrasound ablation as a bridging therapy for a patient with hepatocellular carcinoma of stage two and an extremely low platelet count (20×10 9 /L). The ablation was successful. Blood tests showed that his liver function was similar before and after the treatment. No adhesion was encountered in the liver transplantation performed six months later.展开更多
BACKGROUND: Hepatectomy is the main curative treatment for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), but postoperative long- term survival is poor. Preoperative radiological features of HCC displayed by computed tomography or m...BACKGROUND: Hepatectomy is the main curative treatment for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), but postoperative long- term survival is poor. Preoperative radiological features of HCC displayed by computed tomography or magnetic resonance imaging could serve as additional prognostic factors. This study aimed to identify preoperative radiological features of HCC that may be of prognostic significance in hepatectomy. METHODS: Ninety-two patients who underwent hepatectomy for HCC were included in this study. Preoperative radiological features including tumor number, size, location (peripheral, middle, central), portal vein invasion, hepatic vein invasion, and presence of pseudo-capsule were analyzed in relation to survival. RESULTS: With a median follow-up period of 41.7 months, the 1-, 3- and 5-year overall survival rates were 85%, 65% and 58%, respectively. Univariate analysis showed that portal vein invasion and absence of pseudo-capsule were significant prognostic factors for overall survival, while all the examined radiological features were prognostic factors for disease-free survival. Multivariate analysis for overall survival found no significant factor. On multivariate analysis for disease-free survival, patients who had tumors with portal vein invasion had poorer survival with a hazard ratio of 2.26 (95% CI, 1.05-4.91; P=0.038) and patients with single nodular HCC or pseudo-capsulated HCC had better survival with a hazard ratio of 0.50 (95% CI, 0.27-0.94; P=0.032) and 0.38 (95% CI, 0.14-0.99; P=0.048), respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Demonstrable pseudo-capsule of HCC and solitary HCC on imaging and absence of portal vein invasionare features associated with better disease-free survival after hepatectomy. These features may guide treatment planning for HCC.展开更多
Patients with hepatocellular carcinoma have a very short life expectancy if they receive no surgical interven- tion. A relatively new surgical technique termed "Associating Liver Partition and Portal Vein Ligation fo...Patients with hepatocellular carcinoma have a very short life expectancy if they receive no surgical interven- tion. A relatively new surgical technique termed "Associating Liver Partition and Portal Vein Ligation for Staged Hepa- tectomy" (ALPPS) has been employed for inducing rapid hypertrophy of the future liver remnant for patients waiting for hepatectomy. As portal vein embolization may not result in satisfactory hypertrophy before tumor progression occurs, ALPPS can be an alternative for patients with advanced hepa- tocellular carcinoma. Herein we describe an ALPPS procedure with tumor thrombectomy for a patient who had a small left liver lobe and a large hepatocellular carcinoma involving the whole right liver lobe and the middle hepatic vein and extend- ing into the inferior vena cava. In the first-stage operation, the right portal vein was controlled and divided with a Hemolock. The right hepatic artery was well protected. Hepatic transec- tion was performed with a 1-cm margin from the tumor. The middle hepatic vein trunk was preserved. Ten days afterwards, there was significant hypertrophy of the left lateral section of the liver, and the second-stage operation was conducted. Ex- tended right hepatectomy and tumor thrombectomy were per- formed under sternotomy and total vascular exclusion. The patient had good recovery and was free of disease 10 months after the operation. ALPPS may be a good treatment option even for patients with advanced disease if carried out at high- volume centers.展开更多
BACKGROUND:Conversion hepaticojejunostomy is considered the salvage intervention for biliary anastomotic stricture,a common complication of right-liver living donor liver transplantation with duct-to-duct anastomosis,...BACKGROUND:Conversion hepaticojejunostomy is considered the salvage intervention for biliary anastomotic stricture,a common complication of right-liver living donor liver transplantation with duct-to-duct anastomosis,after failed endoscopic treatment.The aim of this study is to compare the outcomes of side-to-side hepaticojejunostomy with those of endto-side hepaticojejunostomy.METHODS:Prospectively collected data of 402 adult patients who had undergone right-liver living donor liver transplantation with duct-to-duct anastomosis were reviewed.Diagnosis of biliary anastomotic stricture was made based on clinical,biochemical,histological and radiological results.Endoscopic treatment was the first-line treatment of biliary anastomotic stricture.RESULTS:Interventional radiological or endoscopic treatment failed to correct the biliary anastomotic stricture in 13 patients,so they underwent conversion hepaticojejunostomy.Ten of them received end-to-side hepaticojejunostomy and three received side-to-side hepaticojejunostomy.In the end-to-side group,two patients sustained hepatic artery injury requiring repeated microvascular anastomosis,two developed restenosis requiring further percutaneous transhepatic biliary drainage and balloon dilatation,and two required revision hepaticojejunostomy.In the side-to-side group,one patient developed re-stenosis requiring further endoscopic retrograde cholangiography and balloon dilatation.No re-operation was needed in this group.Otherwise,outcomes in the two groups were similar in terms of liver function and graft survival.CONCLUSIONS:Despite the similar outcomes,side-to-side hepaticojejunostomy may be a better option for bile duct reconstruction after failed interventional radiological or endoscopic treatment because it can decrease the chance of hepatic artery injury and allows future endoscopic treatment if re-stricture develops.However,more large-scale studies are warranted to validate the results.展开更多
The removal of tumor together with the native liver in living donor liver transplantation for hepatocellular carcinoma is challenged by a very close resection margin if the tumor abuts the inferior vena cava.This is i...The removal of tumor together with the native liver in living donor liver transplantation for hepatocellular carcinoma is challenged by a very close resection margin if the tumor abuts the inferior vena cava.This is in contrast to typical deceased donor liver transplantation where the entire retrohepatic inferior vena cava is included in total hepatectomy.Here we report a case of deroofing the retrohepatic vena cava in living donor liver transplantation for caudate hepatocellular carcinoma.In order to ensure clear resection margins,the anterior portion of the inferior vena cava was included.The right liver graft was inset into a Dacron vascular graft on the back table and the composite graft was then implanted to the recipient inferior vena cava.Using this technique,we observed the no-touch technique in tumor removal,hence minimizing the chance of positive resection margin as well as the chance of shedding of tumor cells during manipulation in operation.展开更多
BACKGROUND: Living donor liver transplantation is a complex surgical operation. Treatment policies and operative techniques evolved in the last two decades. DATA SOURCES: Our center's experience in living donor li...BACKGROUND: Living donor liver transplantation is a complex surgical operation. Treatment policies and operative techniques evolved in the last two decades. DATA SOURCES: Our center's experience in living donor liver transplantation was reviewed in conjunction with relevant publications in the literature. RESULTS: The surgical techniques and perioperative surgical therapeutics could be modified towards simplicity. Examples include regular inclusion of the middle hepatic vein without compromising the venous outflow of the donor's remnant left liver. This provides excellent venous outflow, which is crucial for a small-for-size graft. Immunosuppression and hepatitis B suppression are steroid free and hepatitis B immunoglobulin free respectively. CONCLUSION: The most practical way to achieve high graft and recipient survival rates with an acceptably low donor risk is through design of a protocol that simplifies the surgery and postoperative management.展开更多
Living donor liver transplantation (LDLT) has gone through its formative years and established as a legitimate treatment when a deceased donor liver graft is not timely or simply not available at all. Nevertheless, LD...Living donor liver transplantation (LDLT) has gone through its formative years and established as a legitimate treatment when a deceased donor liver graft is not timely or simply not available at all. Nevertheless, LDLT is characterized by its technical complexity and ethical controversy. These are the consequences of a single organ having to serve two subjects, the donor and the recipient, instantaneously. The transplant community has a common ground on assuring donor safety while achieving predictable recipient success. With this background, a reflection of the development of LDLT may be appropriate to direct future research and patient-care efforts on this life-saving treatment alternative.展开更多
BACKGROUND: T4 hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) with invasion to adjacent structure(s) may require resection of not only the tumor but also the invaded structure(s). This study aims to assess whether such combine...BACKGROUND: T4 hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) with invasion to adjacent structure(s) may require resection of not only the tumor but also the invaded structure(s). This study aims to assess whether such combined resection for T4 HCC is justifiable. METHODS: Adult patients with T4 HCC were divided into three groups. Group 1: tumors and invaded adjacent structures were resected together if histopathologically confirmed tumor invasion; group 2: same as group 1 but histopathologically confirmed tumor adhesion; group 3: tumor resection only. Group comparisons were made. RESULTS: Totally 144 patients were included in the study. There were 71, 14 and 59 patients in groups 1, 2 and 3, respec- tively. The groups were comparable in demographics, compli- cation and survival. Ten hospital deaths occurred (5, 0 and 5 in groups 1, 2 and 3, respectively; P=0.533). The 5-year overall survival (hospital mortality excluded) was 17.8% in group 1, 14.3% in group 2, and 28.9% in group 3 (P=0.191). The 5-year disease-free survival was 10.4% in group 1 and 14.5% in group 3 (no data for group 2 yet) (P=0.565). On multivariate analysis, macrovascular invasion and poor differentiation were risk factors for survival whereas combined resection did not impact patients' survival. CONCLUSIONS: Combined resection achieved survival outcomes similar to tumor resection only. Patients with tumor invasion and those with tumor adhesion had comparable survival after combined resection. At centers with the required expertise, combined resection should be attempted to treat T4 HCCs with clinically suspected invasion of adjacent structures.展开更多
BACKGROUND:Controversy remains over whether the middle hepatic vein should be included in the liver graft in right liver living donor liver transplantation.Congestion in the anterior sector of a right liver graft can ...BACKGROUND:Controversy remains over whether the middle hepatic vein should be included in the liver graft in right liver living donor liver transplantation.Congestion in the anterior sector of a right liver graft can cause graft malfunction,which is especially devastating in the case of a graft with marginal size in relation to recipient body size on top of poor pre-transplant recipient status.The case we report here highlighted the importance of the middle hepatic vein in right liver living donor liver transplantation.METHODS:We illustrated the rectification of outflow obstruction of the middle hepatic vein in the anterior sector of right liver graft caused by technical error during transplantation.The rectification was performed with emergency re-routing using an artificial conduit.RESULT:Congestion in the anterior sector of the graft improved immediately and the patient’s postoperative liver function test results improved gradually.CONCLUSIONS:The middle hepatic vein is important for effective drainage of the anterior sector of a right liver graft.The re-routing technique described in the report can also be applied to cases in which the middle hepatic vein is injured during hepatectomy requiring immediate reconstruction.展开更多
文摘BACKGROUND: In order to overcome ABO blood group incompatibility, paired donor interchange has been practised in living donor liver transplantation. Liver transplantations using grafts donated by Samaritan living donors have been performed in Europe, North America, South Korea, and Hong Kong. Such practice is clearly on strong biological grounds although social and psychological implications could be far-reaching. Local experience has been satisfactory but is still limited. As few centers have this arrangement, its safety and viability are still being assessed under a clinical trial setting. METHODS: Here we report a donor interchange involving an ABO-compatible pair with a universal donor and an ABOincompatible pair with a universal recipient. This matching was not only a variation but also an extension of the donor interchange scheme. RESULTS: The four operations(two donor hepatectomies and two recipient operations) were successful. All the two donors and the two recipients recovered well. Such donor interchange further supports the altruistic principle of organ donation in contrast to exchange for a gain. CONCLUSIONS: Samaritan donor interchange certainly taxes further the ethical challenge of donor interchange. Although this practice has obvious biological advantages, such advantages have to be weighed against the potential increase in potential psychological risks to the subjects in the interchange. Further ethical and clinical evaluations of local and overseas experiences of donor interchange should guide future clinical practice in utilizing this potential organ source for transplantation.
文摘AIM:To analyze whether high-intensity focused ultrasound(HIFU) ablation is an effective bridging therapy for patients with hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC).METHODS:From January 2007 to December 2010,49 consecutive HCC patients were listed for liver transplantation(UCSF criteria).The median waiting time for transplantation was 9.5 mo.Twenty-nine patients received transarterial chemoembolization(TACE) as a bringing therapy and 16 patients received no treatment before transplantation.Five patients received HIFU ablation as a bridging therapy.Another five patients with the same tumor staging(within the UCSF criteria) who received HIFU ablation but not on the transplant list were included for comparison.Patients were comparable in terms of Child-Pugh and model for end-stage liver disease scores,tumor size and number,and cause of cirrhosis.RESULTS:The HIFU group and TACE group showed no difference in terms of tumor size and tumor number.One patient in the HIFU group and no patient in the TACE group had gross ascites.The median hospital stay was 1 d(range,1-21 d) in the TACE group and two days(range,1-9 d) in the HIFU group(P < 0.000).No HIFU-related complication occurred.In the HIFU group,nine patients(90%) had complete response and one patient(10%) had partial response to the treatment.In the TACE group,only one patient(3%) had response to the treatment while 14 patients(48%) had stable disease and 14 patients(48%) had progressive disease(P = 0.00).Seven patients in the TACE group and no patient in the HIFU group dropped out from the transplant waiting list(P = 0.559).CONCLUSION:HIFU ablation is safe and effective in the treatment of HCC for patients with advanced cirrhosis.It may reduce the drop-out rate of liver transplant candidate.
文摘AIM: To analyze the combined treatment of resection and intraoperative radiofrequency ablation (RFA) for multifocal hepatocellular carcinoma in terms of prognosis and surgical outcomes.METHODS: This study was a retrospective case comparison study using prospectively collected data. The study covered the period from April 2001 to December 2006. The data of 200 patients with histologically confirmed hepatocellular carcinoma were reviewed. Nineteen patients (17 men and 2 women) having received resection in combination with RFA were chosen as subjects of the study (the combination group). Fiftyfour patients (43 men and 11 women) having received resection alone were selected for comparison (the resection group). The two groups matched tumor number and tumor size, and all the patients in the two groups displayed no tumor rupture, major vascular involvement and distant metastasis. Their demographics, preoperative assessment, disease recurrence patterns, overall survival and diseasefree survival were compared.RESULTS: In the combination group, the medianage was 65 years (range, 3477 years), the median tumor number was 3 (range, 29), and the median tumor size was 6 cm (range, 1.214 cm). In the resection group, the median age was 51.5 years (range, 2780 years, P = 0.003), the median tumor number was 3 (range, 29, P = 0.574), and the median tumor size was 6 cm (range, 114 cm, P = 0.782). The two groups were similar in characteristics of tumors and comorbidities, and had comparable results in preoperative liver function tests. All patients had ChildPugh class A status. Bilobar involvement occurred in 14 patients (73.6%) in the combination group and 3 patients (5.5%) in the resection group (P = 0.04). Six patients (32%) in the combination group and 35 patients (65%) in the resection group underwent major hepatectomy. Thirteen patients (68%) in the combination group and 19 patients (35%) in the resection group underwent minor hepatectomy (P = 0.012). The combination group had fewer major resections (32% vs 65%, P = 0.012), less blood loss (400 vs 657 mL, P = 0.007), shorter operation time (270 vs 400 min, P = 0.001), and shorter hospital stay (7 vs 8.5 d, P = 0.042). The two groups displayed no major differences in surgical complications (15.8% vs 31.5%, P = 0.24), disease recurrence (63.2% vs 50%, P = 0.673), hospital mortality (5.3% vs 5.6%, P = 1), and overall survival (53 vs 44.5 mo, P = 0.496).CONCLUSION: Safe and effective for selected patients with multifocal hepatocellular carcinoma, the combination of resection and intraoperative RFA widens the applicability of surgical intervention for the disease.
文摘AIM: To analyze whether pancreaticoduodenectomy with simultaneous resection of tumor-involved vessels is a safe approach with acceptable patient survival.
文摘BACKGROUND: The indocyanine green (ICG) retention test is the most popular liver function test for selecting patients for major hepatectomy. Traditionally, it is done using spectrophotometry with serial blood sampling. The newly- developed pulse spectrophotometry is a faster alternative, but its accuracy on Child-Pugh A cirrhotic patients undergoing hepatectomy for hepatocellular carcinoma has not been well documented. This study aimed to assess the accuracy of the LiMON , one of the pulse spectrophotometry systems, in measuring preoperative ICG retention in these patients and to devise an easy formula for conversion of the results so that they can be compared with classical literature records where ICG retention was measured by the traditional method. METHODS: We measured the liver function of 70 Child-Pugh A cirrhotic patients before hepatectomy for hepatocellular carcinoma from September 2008 to January 2009. ICG retention at 15 minutes measured by traditional spectrophotometry (ICGR15) was compared with ICG retention at 15 minutes measured by the LiMON (ICGR15(L)). RESULTS: The median ICGR15 was 14.7% (5.6%-32%) and the median ICGR15(L) was 10.4% (1.2%-28%). The mean difference between them was -4.3606. There was a strong correlation between ICGR15 and ICGR15(L) (correlation coefficient, 0.844; 95% confidence interval, 0.762-0.899). The following formula was devised: ICGR15=1.16×ICGR15(L)+2.73.CONCLUSIONS: The LiMON provides a fast and repeatable way to measure ICG retention at 15 minutes, but with constant underestimation of the real value. Therefore, when comparing results obtained by traditional spectrophotometry and the LiMON, adjustment of results from the latter is necessary, and this can be done with a simple mathematical calculation using the above formula.
基金Supported by Sun C.Y. Research Foundation for Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery of the University of Hong Kong
文摘AIM: To estimate the standard liver weight for assessing adequacies of graft size in live donor liver transplantation and remnant liver in major hepatectomy for cancer. METHODS: In this study, anthropometric data of body weight and body height were tested for a correlation with liver weight in 159 live liver donors who underwent donor right hepatectomy including the middle hepatic vein. Liver weights were calculated from the right lobe graft weight obtained at the back table, divided by the proportion of the right lobe on the computed tomography. RESULTS: The subjects, all Chinese, had a mean age of 35.8 ± 10.5 years, and a female to male ratio of 118:41. The mean volume of the right lobe was 710.14 ±131.46 mL and occupied 64.55%±4.47% of the whole liver on computed tomography. Right lobe weighed 598.90±117.39 g and the estimated liver weight was 927.54 ± 168.78 g. When body weight and body height were subjected to multiple stepwise linear regression analysis, body height was found to be insignificant. Females of the same body weight had a slightly lower liver weight. A formula based on body weight and gender was derived: Estimated standard liver weight (g)=218+BW (kg)× 12.3+gender×51 (R^2 = 0.48) (female=0, male= 1). Based on the anthropometric data of these 159 subjects, liver weights were calculated using previously published formulae derived from studies on Caucasian, .lapanese, Korean, and Chinese. All formulae overestimated liver weights compared to this formula. The Japanese formula overestimated the estimated standard liver weight (ESLW) for adults less than 60 kg.CONCLUSION: A formula applicable to Chinese males and females is available. A formula for individual races appears necessary.
文摘Conventional hepatectomy is an effective way to treat hepatocellular carcinoma.However,it is invasive and stressful.The use of laparoscopy in hepatectomy,while technically demanding,reduces surgical invasiveness and stressfulness but still achieves complete resection with adequate margins.Compared with conventional hepatectomy,laparoscopic hepatectomy provides a better chance and situation for further surgery in the case of recurrence of hepatocellular carcinoma.Even aged patients can successfully endure repeated hepatectomy using laparoscopy,as shown in the present report.This report presents a case of repeated laparoscopic hepatectomy treating hepatocellular carcinoma and its recurrence in an aged patient having cirrhosis,a disease causing extra difficulty for performing laparoscopic hepatectomy.The report also describes techniques of the operation and displays characteristic results of laparoscopic hepatectomy such as smaller wounds,less blood loss,less pain,less scars and adhesion,shorter postoperative hospital stay,and faster recovery.
文摘BACKGROUND: Acute pancreatitis is a relatively rare but po- tentially lethal complication after transarterial chemotherapy. This study aimed to review the complications such as acute pancreatitis after transarterial chemotherapy with or without embolization for hepatocellular carcinoma. METHODS: A total of 1632 patients with hepatocellular car- cinoma who had undergone transarterial chemoembolization from ]anuary 2000 to February 2014 in a single-center were reviewed retrospectively. We investigated the potential com- plications of transarterial chemoembolization, such as acute pancreatitis and acute pancreatitis-related complications. RESULTS: Of the 1632 patients with hepatocellular carcinoma who had undergone 5434 transarterial chemoembolizations, 1328 were male and 304 female. The median age of these pa- tients was 61 years. Most (79.6%) of the patients suffered from HBV-related hepatoceUular carcinoma. The median tumor size was 5.2 cm. Of the 1632 patients, 145 patients underwent transarterial chemoembolization with doxorubicin elut- ing bead, making up a total of 538 episodes. The remaining patients underwent transarterial chemoembolization with cisplatin. Seven (0.4%) patients suffered from acute pancre- atitis post-chemoembolization. Six patients had chemoembo- lization with doxorubicin and one had chemoembolization with cisplatin. Patients who received doxornbicin eluting bead had a higher risk of acute pancreatitis [6/145 (4.1%) vs 1/1487 (0.1%), P〈0.0001]. Two patients had anatomical arterial variations. Four patients developed acute pancreatitis- related complications including necrotizing pancreatitis (n=3) and pseudocyst formation (n=1). All of the 4 patients resolved after the use of antibiotics and other conservative treatment. Three patients had further transarterial chemoembolization without any complication. CONCLUSIONS: Acute pancreatitis after transarterial chemo- embolization could result in serious complications, especially after treatment with doxorubicin eluting bead. Continuation of current treatment with transarterial chemoembolization after acute pancreatitis is feasible providing the initial attack is completely resolved.
文摘BACKGROUND: Controversy exists over whether living donor liver transplantation (LDLT) should be offered to patients with high Model for End-stage Liver Disease (MELD) scores. This study tried to determine whether a high MELD score would result in inferior outcomes of right-lobe LDLT. METHODS: Among 411 consecutive patients who received right-lobe LDLT at our center, 143 were included in this study. The patients were divided into two groups according to their MELD scores: a high-score group (MELD score ≥25; n=75) and a low-score group (MELD score 【25; n=68). Their demographic data and perioperative conditions were compared. Univariable and multivariable analyses were performed to identify risk factors affecting patient survival. RESULTS: In the high-score group, more patients required preoperative intensive care unit admission (49.3% vs 2.9%; P【0.001), mechanical ventilation (21.3% vs 0%; P【0.001), or hemodialysis (13.3% vs 0%; P=0.005); the waiting time before LDLT was shorter (4 vs 66 days; P【0.001); more blood was transfused during operation (7 vs 2 units; P【0.001); patients stayed longer in the intensive care unit (6 vs 3 days; P【0.001) and hospital (21 vs 15 days; P=0.015) after transplantation;more patients developed early postoperative complications (69.3% vs 50.0%; P=0.018); and values of postoperative peak blood parameters were higher. However, the two groups had comparable hospital mortality. Graft survival and patient overall survival at one year (94.7% vs 95.6%; 95.9% vs 96.9%), three years (91.9% vs 92.6%; 93.2% vs 95.3%), and five years (90.2% vs 90.2%; 93.2% vs 95.3%) were also similar between the groups. CONCLUSIONS: Although the high-score group had signifi-cantly more early postoperative complications, the two groups had comparable hospital mortality and similar satisfactory rates of graft survival and patient overall survival. Therefore, a high MELD score should not be a contraindication to right-lobe LDLT if donor risk and recipient benefit are taken into full account.
文摘BACKGROUND: Hepatopancreatoduodenectomy is a complicated and challenging procedure but necessary for curative resection for advanced hepatobiliary malignancies. This retrospective study was to examine the safety and survival outcomes of hepatopancreatoduodenectomy in our center. METHODS: Prospectively collected data of 12 patients who underwent hepatopancreatoduodenectomy for advanced hepatobiliary malignancies in our hospital from January 1998 to December 2014 were analyzed. The primary endpoints are treatment-related morbidity and mortality and the secondary endpoints are overall survival and disease-free survival. RESULTS: Curative resection was achieved in 11 (91.7%) patients. Complications developed in 10 (83.3%) patients. Three hospital deaths resulted from multiorgan failure secondary to postoperative pancreatic fistula or hepaticojejunostomy leakage. Six of the nine remaining patients had disease recurrence. The nine patients had a median survival of 39.8 (5.3-151.8) months. The 1-, 3- and 5-year overall survival rates were 66.7%, 55.6% and 27.8%, respectively. The corresponding disease-free survival rates were 55.6%, 44.4% and 29.6%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Morbidity and mortality after hepatopancreatoduodenectomy were significant. With RO resection, the 5-year overall survival and disease-free survival rates were 27.8% and 29.6%, respectively.
文摘BACKGROUND:Survival of the partial graft after living donor liver transplantation owes much to its tremendous regenerative ability.With excellent venous outflow capacity,a graft within a wide range of graft-to-standard-liver-volume ratios can cope with portal hypertension that is common in liver transplant recipients.However,when the ratio range is exceeded,modulation of graft vascular inflow becomes necessary for graft survival.The interplay between graft-to-standard-liver-volume ratio and portal pressure,in the presence of portosystemic shunt or otherwise,requires individualized modulation of graft portal and arterial inflows.Boosting of portal inflow by shunt ligation can be guided by transonic flowmetry,whereas muting of portal inflow by splenic artery ligation can be monitored by portal electronic manometry.METHOD:We describe four cases to illustrate the above.RESULTS:One patient had hepatic artery thrombosis resulting from splenic artery steal syndrome which was the sequela of small-for-size syndrome.Emergency splenic artery ligation and re-anastomosis of the hepatic artery successfully muted the portal inflow and boosted the hepatic arterial inflow.Another patient with portal vein thrombosis underwent thrombendvenectomy.Portal inflow was boosted with ligation of portosystemic shunt,which is often present in these patients with portal hypertension.The coexistence of splenic aneurysm and splenorenal shunt required ligation of both in the third patient.The fourth patient,with portal pressure and flow monitoring,avoided ligation of a coronary vein which became a main portal inflow after portal thrombendvenectomy.CONCLUSION:Management of graft inflow modulation guided selectively by transonic flowmetry or portal manometry was described.
文摘The scarcity of liver grafts in Asia leads to a significant dropout of patients from liver transplant waiting lists, particularly patients with hepatocellular carcinoma and a low model for end-stage liver disease score. In order to reduce dropping out, different bridging therapies are employed. We report the use of high-intensity focused ultrasound ablation as a bridging therapy for a patient with hepatocellular carcinoma of stage two and an extremely low platelet count (20×10 9 /L). The ablation was successful. Blood tests showed that his liver function was similar before and after the treatment. No adhesion was encountered in the liver transplantation performed six months later.
文摘BACKGROUND: Hepatectomy is the main curative treatment for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), but postoperative long- term survival is poor. Preoperative radiological features of HCC displayed by computed tomography or magnetic resonance imaging could serve as additional prognostic factors. This study aimed to identify preoperative radiological features of HCC that may be of prognostic significance in hepatectomy. METHODS: Ninety-two patients who underwent hepatectomy for HCC were included in this study. Preoperative radiological features including tumor number, size, location (peripheral, middle, central), portal vein invasion, hepatic vein invasion, and presence of pseudo-capsule were analyzed in relation to survival. RESULTS: With a median follow-up period of 41.7 months, the 1-, 3- and 5-year overall survival rates were 85%, 65% and 58%, respectively. Univariate analysis showed that portal vein invasion and absence of pseudo-capsule were significant prognostic factors for overall survival, while all the examined radiological features were prognostic factors for disease-free survival. Multivariate analysis for overall survival found no significant factor. On multivariate analysis for disease-free survival, patients who had tumors with portal vein invasion had poorer survival with a hazard ratio of 2.26 (95% CI, 1.05-4.91; P=0.038) and patients with single nodular HCC or pseudo-capsulated HCC had better survival with a hazard ratio of 0.50 (95% CI, 0.27-0.94; P=0.032) and 0.38 (95% CI, 0.14-0.99; P=0.048), respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Demonstrable pseudo-capsule of HCC and solitary HCC on imaging and absence of portal vein invasionare features associated with better disease-free survival after hepatectomy. These features may guide treatment planning for HCC.
文摘Patients with hepatocellular carcinoma have a very short life expectancy if they receive no surgical interven- tion. A relatively new surgical technique termed "Associating Liver Partition and Portal Vein Ligation for Staged Hepa- tectomy" (ALPPS) has been employed for inducing rapid hypertrophy of the future liver remnant for patients waiting for hepatectomy. As portal vein embolization may not result in satisfactory hypertrophy before tumor progression occurs, ALPPS can be an alternative for patients with advanced hepa- tocellular carcinoma. Herein we describe an ALPPS procedure with tumor thrombectomy for a patient who had a small left liver lobe and a large hepatocellular carcinoma involving the whole right liver lobe and the middle hepatic vein and extend- ing into the inferior vena cava. In the first-stage operation, the right portal vein was controlled and divided with a Hemolock. The right hepatic artery was well protected. Hepatic transec- tion was performed with a 1-cm margin from the tumor. The middle hepatic vein trunk was preserved. Ten days afterwards, there was significant hypertrophy of the left lateral section of the liver, and the second-stage operation was conducted. Ex- tended right hepatectomy and tumor thrombectomy were per- formed under sternotomy and total vascular exclusion. The patient had good recovery and was free of disease 10 months after the operation. ALPPS may be a good treatment option even for patients with advanced disease if carried out at high- volume centers.
文摘BACKGROUND:Conversion hepaticojejunostomy is considered the salvage intervention for biliary anastomotic stricture,a common complication of right-liver living donor liver transplantation with duct-to-duct anastomosis,after failed endoscopic treatment.The aim of this study is to compare the outcomes of side-to-side hepaticojejunostomy with those of endto-side hepaticojejunostomy.METHODS:Prospectively collected data of 402 adult patients who had undergone right-liver living donor liver transplantation with duct-to-duct anastomosis were reviewed.Diagnosis of biliary anastomotic stricture was made based on clinical,biochemical,histological and radiological results.Endoscopic treatment was the first-line treatment of biliary anastomotic stricture.RESULTS:Interventional radiological or endoscopic treatment failed to correct the biliary anastomotic stricture in 13 patients,so they underwent conversion hepaticojejunostomy.Ten of them received end-to-side hepaticojejunostomy and three received side-to-side hepaticojejunostomy.In the end-to-side group,two patients sustained hepatic artery injury requiring repeated microvascular anastomosis,two developed restenosis requiring further percutaneous transhepatic biliary drainage and balloon dilatation,and two required revision hepaticojejunostomy.In the side-to-side group,one patient developed re-stenosis requiring further endoscopic retrograde cholangiography and balloon dilatation.No re-operation was needed in this group.Otherwise,outcomes in the two groups were similar in terms of liver function and graft survival.CONCLUSIONS:Despite the similar outcomes,side-to-side hepaticojejunostomy may be a better option for bile duct reconstruction after failed interventional radiological or endoscopic treatment because it can decrease the chance of hepatic artery injury and allows future endoscopic treatment if re-stricture develops.However,more large-scale studies are warranted to validate the results.
基金supported by a grant from Li Shu Fan Medical Foundation
文摘The removal of tumor together with the native liver in living donor liver transplantation for hepatocellular carcinoma is challenged by a very close resection margin if the tumor abuts the inferior vena cava.This is in contrast to typical deceased donor liver transplantation where the entire retrohepatic inferior vena cava is included in total hepatectomy.Here we report a case of deroofing the retrohepatic vena cava in living donor liver transplantation for caudate hepatocellular carcinoma.In order to ensure clear resection margins,the anterior portion of the inferior vena cava was included.The right liver graft was inset into a Dacron vascular graft on the back table and the composite graft was then implanted to the recipient inferior vena cava.Using this technique,we observed the no-touch technique in tumor removal,hence minimizing the chance of positive resection margin as well as the chance of shedding of tumor cells during manipulation in operation.
文摘BACKGROUND: Living donor liver transplantation is a complex surgical operation. Treatment policies and operative techniques evolved in the last two decades. DATA SOURCES: Our center's experience in living donor liver transplantation was reviewed in conjunction with relevant publications in the literature. RESULTS: The surgical techniques and perioperative surgical therapeutics could be modified towards simplicity. Examples include regular inclusion of the middle hepatic vein without compromising the venous outflow of the donor's remnant left liver. This provides excellent venous outflow, which is crucial for a small-for-size graft. Immunosuppression and hepatitis B suppression are steroid free and hepatitis B immunoglobulin free respectively. CONCLUSION: The most practical way to achieve high graft and recipient survival rates with an acceptably low donor risk is through design of a protocol that simplifies the surgery and postoperative management.
文摘Living donor liver transplantation (LDLT) has gone through its formative years and established as a legitimate treatment when a deceased donor liver graft is not timely or simply not available at all. Nevertheless, LDLT is characterized by its technical complexity and ethical controversy. These are the consequences of a single organ having to serve two subjects, the donor and the recipient, instantaneously. The transplant community has a common ground on assuring donor safety while achieving predictable recipient success. With this background, a reflection of the development of LDLT may be appropriate to direct future research and patient-care efforts on this life-saving treatment alternative.
文摘BACKGROUND: T4 hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) with invasion to adjacent structure(s) may require resection of not only the tumor but also the invaded structure(s). This study aims to assess whether such combined resection for T4 HCC is justifiable. METHODS: Adult patients with T4 HCC were divided into three groups. Group 1: tumors and invaded adjacent structures were resected together if histopathologically confirmed tumor invasion; group 2: same as group 1 but histopathologically confirmed tumor adhesion; group 3: tumor resection only. Group comparisons were made. RESULTS: Totally 144 patients were included in the study. There were 71, 14 and 59 patients in groups 1, 2 and 3, respec- tively. The groups were comparable in demographics, compli- cation and survival. Ten hospital deaths occurred (5, 0 and 5 in groups 1, 2 and 3, respectively; P=0.533). The 5-year overall survival (hospital mortality excluded) was 17.8% in group 1, 14.3% in group 2, and 28.9% in group 3 (P=0.191). The 5-year disease-free survival was 10.4% in group 1 and 14.5% in group 3 (no data for group 2 yet) (P=0.565). On multivariate analysis, macrovascular invasion and poor differentiation were risk factors for survival whereas combined resection did not impact patients' survival. CONCLUSIONS: Combined resection achieved survival outcomes similar to tumor resection only. Patients with tumor invasion and those with tumor adhesion had comparable survival after combined resection. At centers with the required expertise, combined resection should be attempted to treat T4 HCCs with clinically suspected invasion of adjacent structures.
文摘BACKGROUND:Controversy remains over whether the middle hepatic vein should be included in the liver graft in right liver living donor liver transplantation.Congestion in the anterior sector of a right liver graft can cause graft malfunction,which is especially devastating in the case of a graft with marginal size in relation to recipient body size on top of poor pre-transplant recipient status.The case we report here highlighted the importance of the middle hepatic vein in right liver living donor liver transplantation.METHODS:We illustrated the rectification of outflow obstruction of the middle hepatic vein in the anterior sector of right liver graft caused by technical error during transplantation.The rectification was performed with emergency re-routing using an artificial conduit.RESULT:Congestion in the anterior sector of the graft improved immediately and the patient’s postoperative liver function test results improved gradually.CONCLUSIONS:The middle hepatic vein is important for effective drainage of the anterior sector of a right liver graft.The re-routing technique described in the report can also be applied to cases in which the middle hepatic vein is injured during hepatectomy requiring immediate reconstruction.