Minimally invasive approaches to extrapancreatic cholangiocarcinoma

Background

Due to the perceived difficulty in dissecting gallbladder cancers and extrapancreatic cholangiocarcinomas off of the portal structures and in performing complex biliary reconstructions, very few centers have used minimally invasive techniques to remove these tumors. Furthermore, due to the relative rarity of these tumors when compared to hepatocellular carcinoma, only a few reports have focused on short- and long-term results.

Methods

We performed a review by combining the experience of three international centers with expertise in complex minimally invasive hepatobiliary surgery. Patients were entered into a database prospectively. All patients with gallbladder cancer and cholangiocarcinoma were analyzed; patients with distal cholangiocarcinomas who underwent laparoscopic pancreatoduodenectomies were excluded. Patients were divided according to if they had gallbladder cancer, hilar cholangiocarcinoma, or intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma.

Results

A total of 15 patients underwent laparoscopic resection for gallbladder cancer and 10 for preoperatively suspected gallbladder cancer, and 5 underwent laparoscopic completion procedures. An average of four lymph nodes (range = 1–11) were retrieved and all patients had an R0 resection. One patient (7 %) required conversion to an open procedure. No patients developed a biliary fistula, required percutaneous drainage, or had endoscopic stent placement. One patient had a recurrence at 3 months despite a negative final pathological margin, and a second patient had a distant recurrence at 20 months with a mean follow-up of 23 months. Nine patients underwent laparoscopic hepatectomy for intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma. All anastomoses were completed laparoscopically. Biliary fistula was seen in two patients, one of which died after a transhepatic percutaneous biliary drain resulted in uncontrollable intra-abdominal hemorrhage despite reoperation. A third patient developed a pulmonary embolism. Thus, the morbidity and mortality rates were 33 and 11 %, respectively. One patient was converted to open and six patients (66 %) are alive with a median follow-up of 22 months. Five patients underwent minimally invasive resection for hilar cholangiocarcinoma; of these, two also required laparoscopic major hepatectomy. The mean estimated blood loss (EBL) was 240 mL (range = 0–400 mL) and the median length of stay (LOS) was 15 days (range = 11–21 days). All patients are alive with a median follow-up of 11 months (range = 3–18 months). None of the 29 patients developed port site recurrences.

Conclusion

Minimally invasive approaches to gallbladder cancer and intrahepatic and extrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma seem feasible and safe in the short term. Larger series with longer follow-up are needed to see if there are any long-term disadvantages or advantages to laparoscopic resection of extrapancreatic cholangiocarcinoma.     

Surgical strategy for T2 and T3 gallbladder cancer: is extrahepatic bile duct resection always necessary?

Purpose

Resection of the extrahepatic bile duct is not performed uniformly in gallbladder cancer. The study investigated the clinical significance of resection of extrahepatic bile duct (EHBD) in T2 and T3 gallbladder cancer.

Methods

Between 2000 and 2010, 71 T2 or T3 gallbladder cancer patients who underwent R0 resection at Korea University Medical Center were included. Clinicopathological data were reviewed retrospectively. Survival analysis and comparison between EHBD resection and non-resection groups were performed.

Results

The 32 men and 39 women had 49 T2 tumors and 22 T3 tumors. The overall survival rate was 67.8 % at 3 years and 47.2 % at 5 years. In multivariate analysis for overall survival, lymphovascular invasion and lymph node metastasis were significant independent predictors. Comparing the patients according to EHBD resection, the EHBD resection group demonstrated significantly longer hospital stay, longer operative time, more transfusion requirement, more extensive liver resection, and less treatment of neoadjuvant therapy. Significantly higher proportions of perineural invasion and lymph node metastasis were noted in the EHBD resection group. There were no statistically significant differences in survival between the EHBD resection and non-resection groups.

Conclusions

Resection of extrahepatic bile duct was not always necessary in T2 and T3 cancers. However, the patients who undergo resection of extrahepatic bile duct tended to have more aggressive tumor characteristics and undergo more aggressive surgical approach. To enhance overall survival for the patients with T2 and T3 gallbladder cancers, surgeons should try to perform R0 resection including EHBD resection.     

Surgical Strategy for T1 Gallbladder Cancer: A Nationwide Multicenter Survey in South Korea

Background

The aim of this study was to investigate the clinical features and clinical outcomes of T1 gallbladder (GB) cancer and to determine an appropriate surgical strategy for T1 GB cancer.

Methods

A nationwide multicenter study, in which 16 University Hospitals in Korea participated, was performed from 1995 to 2004. A total of 258 patients, 117 patients with T1a and 141 patients with T1b disease were enrolled. Clinicopathologic findings and long-term follow-up results were analyzed after a consensus meeting of the Korean Pancreas Surgery Club was held.

Results

Simple cholecystectomy was performed in 95 patients (81.2 %) with T1a tumor and in 89 patients (63.1 %) with T1b tumor (p < 0.01). Lymph node metastasis was observed in 2.9 % of T1a patients and in 9.9 % of T1b patients (p = 0.391). A significant difference in 5-year disease-specific survival (DSS) rates was observed between T1a and T1b patients (96.4 vs 84.8 %, respectively, p = 0.03). However, no significant 5-year DSS rate difference was observed between those who underwent simple cholecystectomy or extended cholecystectomy, regardless of whether lymph node dissection was performed or whether lymph node metastasis was present. There was no significant difference in recurrence-free survival between simple cholecystectomy and extended cholecystectomy.

Conclusions

There was no superiority of extended cholecystectomy over simple cholecystectomy in the aspect of survival and recurrence especially in T1b gallbladder cancer. Furthermore, the effectiveness of regional lymphadenectomy for treatment purpose remains questionable. Therefore, simple cholecystectomy could be recommended as a surgical strategy of T1 gallbladder cancer.     

Single-incision laparoscopic cholecystectomy using flexible endoscopy: saline infiltration gallbladder fossa dissection technique

Background

The introduction of natural orifice translumenal endoscopic surgery has led to the development of new techniques to accomplish minimally invasive procedures using flexible endoscopic instruments. This study evaluated a technique used in endoscopic mucosal resection and applied it to dissection of the gallbladder from the liver bed.

Methods

Eight patients underwent an elective transumbilical single-incision cholecystectomy using a flexible endoscope at the authors’ institution from August 2007 to February 2008. An endoscopic injection needle was used to inject 20 ml of saline strategically into the gallbladder fossa. After infiltration, dissection of the gallbladder and hilum was performed with endoscopic instruments, whereas the cystic duct and artery were clipped using laparoscopic instruments.

Results

None of the eight patients had inadvertent perforation of the gallbladder during dissection. The technique of infiltrating the potential space between the gallbladder and the liver bed leads to a significantly improved visualization of the plane between them.

Conclusion

The injection of saline to develop surgical planes is an effective tool in performing a cholecystectomy using flexible endoscopic instrumentation. The enhancement of this potential space improved visualization in all patients. This technique has great potential value for dissections and requires further evaluation of its effectiveness in other applications.     

Recurrence Location After Resection of Colorectal Liver Metastases Influences Prognosis

Aim

To assess the impact of first recurrence location on survival following surgery of colorectal liver metastases.

Methods

A total of 265 consecutive patients with colorectal liver metastases undergoing liver surgery (2000–2011) were categorized according to first site of tumor recurrence. Time to recurrence (TTR) and overall survival (OS) were determined. Uni- and multivariate analysis were performed to identify factors associated with TTR and OS.

Results

Median TTR was 1.16 years following liver resection, and 0.56 years following radiofrequency ablation (RFA). Intrahepatic recurrence following liver resection resulted in a significantly shorter median TTR compared to extrahepatic recurrence. Intrapulmonary recurrence was associated with superior survival compared to other recurrence locations. Such patterns were not observed in the RFA-treated group. Multivariate analysis identified the type of surgical treatment and extra-hepatic first-site recurrence (other than lung) as independent predictors for OS. Pre-operative chemotherapy and simultaneous intrahepatic and extrahepatic recurrence were independent predictors for both TTR and OS.

Conclusions

Patients with intrahepatic recurrence following liver resection have a significantly shorter TTR and OS when compared to patients developing extrahepatic recurrence. Pulmonary recurrence following resection is associated with longer survival. Simultaneous intra- and extrahepatic recurrence is an independent prognostic factor for TTR and OS.     

What is the Better Choice for T1b Gallbladder Cancer: Simple Versus Extended Cholecystectomy

Background

There is debate over whether T1b gallbladder cancer (GBC) should be treated by simple cholecystectomy (SC) or by extended cholecystectomy (EC). The aim of this study is to compare and analyze the results of these two procedures.

Patients and methods

The archived medical records of 805 patients with GBC who had undergone surgical resection in Asan Medical Center, or were referred from other hospitals after undergoing surgery, between 1997 and 2010 were retrospectively reviewed. Of these, 85 patients were diagnosed with pathologic stage T1b (muscular layer) GBC. By using propensity scoring, the EC group and the SC group were matched in the proportion of 1:2; so, 54 patients were enrolled in this study.

Results

Among the 54 pathologic stage T1b cancer patients, SC was performed in 36 (66.7 %) and EC in 18 (33.4 %). The mean operation time and hospital stay after surgery of the SC group was significantly shorter than in the EC group (83.2 vs. 356.4 min, 7.8 vs. 15.2 days; both p = 0.000). Disease recurrence was noted in four cases (11.1 %), all in the SC group; 50 % of recurred patients experienced recurrence at the lymph node. There was no significant intergroup difference in the 5-year survival rate (5-YSR) (88.8 % for SC vs. 93.3 % for EC, p = 0.521).

Conclusions

In this study, for stage T1b GBC, both EC and SC offered similar cure rates. However, recurrence is associated with SC and inadequate lymph node dissection (LND). Therefore, EC including regional LND may be justified and preferred because of the possibility of lymph node metastasis and the accurate assessment of stage (LN status), except that the patients have a high risk of operation.     

Prognostic Significance of the Number of Metastatic Lymph Nodes to Stratify the Risk of Recurrence

Background

Prophylactic dissection facilitates identification of central lymph node (LN) metastasis in patients with papillary thyroid cancer (PTC). Because most staging systems do not stratify risks by the number of LN metastases, postoperative treatments vary among different institutions. Therefore we investigated the significance of number of LN metastases in risk stratification for recurrence in PTC.

Material and methods

A retrospective review was performed for 3,305 patients who had undergone thyroidectomy at Ajou University Hospital. A total of 2,462 patients (73.5 %) underwent total thyroidectomy, and another 3,152 (94.1 %) underwent central LN dissection. Lateral cervical LN dissection had been performed in 420 patients (12.5 %).

Results

There were 115 patients with recurrence (3.4 %). Recurrence-free rates were 94.6 % at 5 years and 89.4 % at 10 years. On univariate analysis, prognostic factors for recurrence were extent of thyroidectomy, tumor size, capsular invasion, T stage, N stage, number of LN metastasis, TNM stage, and radioactive iodine (RAI) therapy. On multivariate analysis, number of LN metastasis and N stage were significant prognostic factors for recurrence. Recurrence-free rate was significantly different between patients with 0–1 LN and those with 2 or more LN.

Conclusions

Number of metastatic LN was a significant prognostic factor, in addition to the N stage. Therefore, number of metastatic LN must be considered for postoperative staging system to tailor treatment and follow-up recommendations. In addition, patients with ≥2 metastatic LN may benefit from total thyroidectomy and RAI therapy with postoperative follow-up with serum thyroglobulin.     

Factors affecting survival after resection of intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma

Purpose

This study aimed at assessing the prognostic factors of resection of intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (IHCC), which remain unclear.

Methods

Among 70 patients with IHCC, who were admitted to our hospital between 1998 and 2011, 45 (64 %) underwent resection and 25 had unresectable tumors. Univariate and multivariate analyses were conducted retrospectively to assess the factors influencing survival of the patients who underwent resection.

Results

The median survival times of the patients who underwent resection versus those who did not were 16 months versus 9 months, respectively (P < 0.001). Multivariate analysis identified residual tumor status (relative risk 4.12, P = 0.04) and pathological differentiation (relative risk 5.55, P = 0.04) as independent factors predicting survival. Patients who underwent R1 resection had a significantly higher rate of local recurrence than those who underwent R0 resection (P = 0.008). With R0 resection, there were no significant differences in patterns and rates of recurrence between patients with narrow (≤5 mm) versus wide (>5 mm) surgical margins.

Conclusions

R0/1 resection and a well-differentiated tumor were found to be independent prognostic factors for long-term survival after IHCC resection. If R0 resection was achieved, the width of the negative surgical margin did not affect the patterns and rates of recurrence.     

Intrahepatic Lymphatic Invasion but not Vascular Invasion is a Major Prognostic Factor after Resection of Colorectal Cancer Liver Metastases

Background

Despite advances in diagnosis and surgical strategies, up to 70 % of patients will develop recurrence of the disease after resection of colorectal cancer liver metastases (CRCLM). The purpose of our study was to determine the frequency of four different mechanisms of intrahepatic dissemination, and to evaluate the impact of each mechanism on patient outcomes.

Methods

The medical records of 118 patients who underwent a first resection of CRCLM during the period between 2000 and 2010 were reviewed. Clinicopathologic variables and outcome parameters were examined. Resected specimens were submitted to routine histological evaluation, and immunohistochemical staining with D2-40 (lymphatic vessels), CD34 (blood vessels), CK-7 (biliary epithelium), and CK-20 (CRC cells).

Results

The mean follow-up after resection was 38 months. Tumor recurrence was observed in 76 patients, with a median interval of 13 months after resection. Overall survival and disease-free survival (DFS) rates after hepatectomy were 62 and 56 %, and 26 and 24 % at 3 and 5 years, respectively. Intrahepatic microscopic invasion included portal venous in 49 patients, sinusoidal in 43 patients, biliary in 20 patients, and lymphatic in 33 patients. Intra-hepatic lymphatic invasion was the only mechanism of dissemination independently associated with the risk of hepatic recurrence (odds ratio 2.75) and shorter DFS (p = 0.006).

Conclusion

Intrahepatic lymphatic invasion is a significant prognostic factor. Other mechanisms of invasion, although frequently observed, are not related to recurrence or survival, suggesting that the lymphatic system is the main route for dissemination of CRCLM. Furthermore, immunohistochemical detection of intrahepatic lymphatic invasion might be of value in clinical practice.     

Patterns of Failure and Determinants of Outcomes Following Radical Re-resection for Incidental Gallbladder Cancer

Background

Better appreciation of the course and factors that influence incidental gallbladder cancer is needed to develop treatment strategies aimed at improved outcomes. The purpose of this study was to determine pattern of disease recurrence and influencing factors in patients undergoing radical re-resection for incidental gallbladder cancer.

Methods

Patients undergoing radical re-resection from February 2003 to May 2010 were analyzed. Influence of variables (lymph node ratio, ASA grade, gender, adjuvant treatment, time interval between cholecystectomy and radical re-resection (in months), and TNM stage) on disease-free survival was assessed.

Results

Of 163 patients, 127 (92 female and 35 male patients; median age 50 years) underwent successful radical re-resection. Median duration between two surgeries was 2 months (range 1–10). Twenty-five percent of patients with pT1b disease had lymph node metastases. Two-year disease-free survival rate was 79.6 % (median follow-up, 16 months). On follow-up, 18 of 24 patients developed recurrences at distant sites. Lymph node metastasis was the single variable significantly influencing disease-free survival. Adjusting for disease stage when analyzing time interval between cholecystectomy and radical re-resection on a continuous scale as a prognostic factor for recurrence revealed no significant impact of increasing interval between surgeries (hazard ratio 1.12; 95 % confidence interval 0.95–1.34; p = 0.17).

Conclusions

The most important predictor of disease recurrence is lymph node metastases. In patients who undergo curative radical re-resection for incidental gallbladder cancer, recurrent disease is more likely to occur at distant sites. Patients with pT1b disease should be offered radical re-resection with a radical lymphadenectomy. It is not the delay in revision surgery but TNM stage that influences outcomes in incidental gallbladder cancer.     

Prognostic Significance of Tumor Doubling Time in Mass-Forming Type Cholangiocarcinoma

Objective

The aim of this study was to determine the prognostic significance of the preoperatively assessed tumor doubling time (DT) in patients undergoing liver resection for mass-forming intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (IHC).

Methods

We evaluated 79 patients who underwent curative resection for IHC, and in whom the same imaging technique was preoperatively available in two consecutive occasions, to allow the calculation of the DT. The influence of DT and other clinical and pathological variables on tumor recurrence and patient survival was determined by the Kaplan–Meier method and uni- and multivariate analysis.

Results

Median overall survival was 40 months; 1-, 3-, and 5-year survival rates were 86.1, 55.1, and 35.1 %, respectively. Median disease-free survival was 17 months; 1-, 3-, and 5-year disease-free survival rates were 62.0, 29.1, and 23.3 %, respectively. At univariate analysis, DT <70 days (p?<?0.001) and advanced tumor stage (p?=?0.024) were associated with worse overall survival and maintained significance at multivariate analysis.

Conclusions

DT is a clinically useful parameter to estimate the prognosis of “mass-forming” IHC in patients undergoing liver resection.     

Child-Pugh A Hepatitis B-Related Cirrhotic Patients with a Single Hepatocellular Carcinoma Up to 5 cm: Liver Transplantation vs. Resection

Objective

This study aims to analyze the outcomes of patients with Child-Pugh A class cirrhosis and a single hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) up to 5 cm in diameter who underwent liver transplantation vs. resection.

Methods

During 2007 to 2012, 282 Child-Pugh A cirrhotic patients with a single HCC up to 5 cm in diameter either underwent liver resection (N?=?243) or received liver transplantation (N?=?39) at our center. Patient and tumor characteristics and outcomes were analyzed.

Results

Patients who underwent liver transplantation had a better recurrence-free survival (RFS) vs. those who underwent liver resection. However, the 5-year survival rates after these two treatments were comparable. Similar results were observed when we analyzed patients with a HCC less than 3 cm, and for patients with portal hypertension. In the multivariate analysis, tumor differentiation, difference of primary treatment, and presence of microvascular invasion were associated with postoperative recurrence. However, only differentiation negatively impacted overall survival after operation.

Conclusion

Although more recurrences were observed in Child A cirrhotic patients with a single HCC up to 5 cm after liver resection, liver resection offers a similar 5-year survival to liver transplantation, even for patients with portal hypertension.     

Surgical Approaches to Advanced Gallbladder Cancer

Purpose

The aim was to evaluate prognostic factors and factors associated with the resectability of advanced gallbladder cancer (GBC).

Methods

This was a single-institution retrospective review of 274 consecutive surgically-treated cases of advanced GBC (excluding incidental GBC and early GBC). Univariate and multivariate analysis were performed to assess prognostic variables. R0 resection and survival rates were investigated for each local extension factor.

Results

Long-term survival was uncommon among patients with multiple liver metastases (H_2–3: n = 22; 2-year survival, 0 %), dissemination (P_1–3: n = 16; 3-year survival, 0 %), invasion through the hepatoduodenal ligament (Binf₃: n = 45; 5-year survival, 4.6 %), or group 3 lymph node (LN) metastasis including of the para-aortic LN (N₃: n = 52; 13.7 %). Long-term survival rates did not differ significantly between patients who did and did not undergo bile duct resection or pancreaticoduodenectomy. Survival did not differ significantly according to the type of hepatectomy performed.

Conclusion

Surgery may not be indicated for patients with multiple liver metastasis, dissemination, Binf₃, or visible para-aortic LN metastasis. Furthermore, it is important to achieve R0 surgery in cases of GBC.     

Total laparoscopic limited anatomical resection for centrally located hepatocellular carcinoma in cirrhotic liver

Background

Limited anatomical liver resection for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is complicated in cirrhotic patients with centrally located HCC and limited liver reserve. We present a case of total laparoscopic left medial and right ventroanterior sectionectomy performed using the intrahepatic Glissonian approach in a cirrhotic liver for curative resection of HCC.

Methods

The patient was a 69-year-old man with a 6.5-cm-diameter HCC located at segments 4, 5, and 8 and which was compressing the middle hepatic vein (MHV). Child–Pugh class A liver cirrhosis was noted, and the 15-min retention rate for indocyanine green was 14 %. Preoperative surgical planning suggested the feasibility of limited anatomical subsegmental resection. The patient was placed in the supine position and 5 trocars were used for the procedure. The operation began with cholecystectomy, division of liver ligaments, and exposure of the right hepatic vein root and the umbilical Glissonian pedicles to the left medial segment. Parenchymal transection was performed using a laparoscopic harmonic scalpel and Cavitron Ultrasonic Surgical Aspirator until the MHV was reached. After exposing the ventral branches of the right anterior Glissonian pedicle and dividing them, resection was continued along the demarcation line. Fissure veins draining to the MHV root were identified and divided. The MHV root was closed using an automatic stapler.

Results

The operation time was 565 min and estimated blood loss was 665 ml; blood transfusion was not required. Pathological examination confirmed a moderately differentiated HCC with all resected margins free of malignancy. Postoperative recovery was uneventful and the patient was discharged on the postoperative day 7. There was no tumor recurrence 18 months after the operation.

Conclusions

Total laparoscopic left medial and right ventroanterior sectionectomy via the intrahepatic Glissonian approach is feasible for HCC in a cirrhotic liver with limited liver reserve. Preoperative planning is essential in order to compute successful hepatic function. Standardization of surgical techniques may aid in safely performing this procedure.     

Repeat Hepatectomy for Recurrent Liver Metastasis From Gastric Carcinoma

Background

The efficacy of repeat hepatectomy for recurrent hepatocellular carcinoma and colorectal liver metastases is widely accepted. However, the benefits of such treatment for intrahepatic recurrence of gastric cancer liver metastasis remain unknown. This study sought to clarify the survival benefit for patients undergoing repeat hepatectomy for gastric cancer liver metastasis.

Methods

A total of 73 patients underwent hepatectomy for gastric cancer liver metastasis from January 1993 to January 2011. Macroscopically curative surgery was performed in 64 patients. Among them, repeat hepatectomy was performed in 14 of the 37 patients with intrahepatic recurrence. Among these 14 patients, clinicopathologic factors were evaluated by univariate and multivariate analysis to identify the factors affecting survival.

Results

The overall 1-, 3-, and 5-year survival rates after a second hepatectomy were 71, 47, and 47 %, respectively. The median survival was 31 months. Operative morbidity and mortality rates of repeat hepatectomy were 29 and 0 %, respectively. Multivariate analysis identified the duration of the disease-free interval as the only independent significant factor predicting better survival.

Conclusions

In selected patients, repeat hepatectomy for recurrent gastric cancer liver metastasis may offer the same chance of cure as the primary hepatectomy. Disease-free intervals exceeding 12 months predict good patient survival after repeat hepatectomy.     

Incidental Gallbladder Cancer Diagnosed Following Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy

Background

Laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) is the treatment of choice for benign gallbladder disease. Gallbladder cancers have been found following LC. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the survival outcome and prognosis of incidental gallbladder cancer diagnosed after LC.

Methods

From January 2002 to December 2007, 3,145 patients underwent LC at the Department of Surgery, Korea University Medical Center. Of these, 33 patients (1.05%) were diagnosed with gallbladder cancer after LC. Clinicopathological characteristics were retrospectively reviewed in this study.

Results

Of the 33 patients studied, 9 were men and 24 were women. Laparoscopic cholecystectomy alone was performed in 26 patients, and additional radical surgery was performed in 7 others. Regarding tumor staging, there were 2 Tis, 6 T1a, 4 T1b, 17 T2, and 4 T3 tumors. Male patients had a significantly higher incidence of moderately and poorly differentiated tumors (P < 0.001), T2 and T3 tumors (P = 0.02), additional second operations (P = 0.046), and recurrence (P = 0.016). The cumulative 1-, 3-, and 5-year survival rates were 87.2, 73.1, and 47.0%, respectively. Univariate analysis revealed that significant prognostic factors for poorer survival were male gender (P = 0.026), age older than 65 years (P = 0.013), the presence of inflammation (P = 0.009), moderately or poorly differentiated tumor (P < 0.001), nonpolypoid gross type (P = 0.003), and pT stage (P < 0.001). Tumor differentiation was a significantly independent predictor of poor prognosis.

Conclusions

Male patients exhibited aggressive tumor characteristics. Laparoscopic cholecystectomy is an adequate treatment for pT1 tumors. For pT2 and pT3 patients, additional radical surgery might be needed to achieve a tumor-free surgical margin, along with lymph node dissection.     

Favorable Outcome After Repeat Resection for Colorectal Liver Metastases

Background

The rate of recurrence after liver resection for colorectal liver metastases (CLM) is high, and repeat resection (RR) is reserved with curative intent in selected patients. This study evaluated the benefit of RR for recurrence after liver resection for CLM.

Methods

Data were collected on 287 consecutive patients who underwent primary curative hepatectomy between January 1999 and October 2008 for CLM at our institution.

Results

After median follow-up of 63 months, 211 patients (73 %) developed recurrence and RR was conducted in 102 (48 %) patients. Five-year overall survival (OS) was significantly higher in the RR group than in those patients not selected for RR (70 vs. 45 %, P = 0.002). On multivariate analyses, RR was identified as an independent factor for good prognosis. According to the first recurrence sites, 5-year OS after recurrence was significantly better in patients with liver or lung only recurrence (55, 51 %, respectively) than in locoregional/lymph node metastases and other/multiple sites recurrence (33, 9.0 %, respectively). In patients with liver- or lung-only recurrence, 5-year OS after recurrence was significantly higher in RR patients than in those without RR (liver; 67 and 0 %, lung; 88 and 24 %, respectively; P < 0.001).

Conclusion

Given similar indication criteria as the primary CLM, nearly half of all recurrence cases after liver resection for CLM could be salvaged by RR. In patients with liver-or lung-only recurrence, RR warrants a favorable outcome.     

Intraoperative Liver Ultrasound Still Affects Surgical Strategy for Patients with Colorectal Metastases in the Modern Era

Background

The present study was designed to evaluate the role of intraoperative ultrasound (IOUS) in intrahepatic staging and the impact on surgical strategy for patients with colorectal liver metastases (CRLM).

Methods

The study included 515 patients who had undergone liver resection for CRLM at two tertiary care referral centers. Data from a prospectively collected database were retrospectively analysed. Early intrahepatic recurrence was assessed at 3 and 6 months after resection and was considered as residual disease undetected by IOUS. Performance of imaging modalities was compared by analysis of studies on individual patients.

Results

A total of 1,370 liver metastases were detected preoperatively with a median of 3 imaging modalities. MRI and PET were performed in 51 and 42 % of the patients, respectively. Median number of days between last imaging and surgery was 18. Contrast-enhanced IOUS was performed in 136 patients (26.4 %). Intraoperatively, 293 new nodules were found in 132 patients: on histology 280 were CRLM (17.6 %). Surgical strategy was changed in 140 patients (27.2 %). On multivariate analysis synchronous and bilobar metastases ≥3 in number, BMI ≥30, and time between last imaging and surgery longer than 18 days resulted in predictive factors indicating new nodules detected by IOUS. Early intrahepatic recurrences were 3.7 and 7.9 % at 3 and 6 months. Performance of CT, MRI, FDG-PET, and intraoperative staging was compared: sensitivity was 63.6, 68.8, 53.6, and 92 % and specificity was 91, 92.3, 95.8, and 97.8 %, respectively

Conclusions

The use of IOUS continues to be mandatory for correct staging of patients with CRLM undergoing liver resection.     

Catheter Tract Recurrence After Percutaneous Biliary Drainage for Hilar Cholangiocarcinoma

Background

Despite its wide use, catheter tract recurrence after percutaneous biliary drainage (PBD) is rarely reported. However, one recent large-scale study reported a catheter tract recurrence rate as high as 5.2 % in patients with perihilar or distal bile duct cancer. We report on our 20 years of experience with catheter tract seeding after PBD for hilar cholangiocarcinoma.

Methods

The medical records of 441 patients who underwent operation for hilar cholangiocarcinoma between 1991 and 2011 were retrospectively analyzed.

Results

Of the 441 patients with hilar cholangiocarcinoma, PBD was performed in 315 patients, and 232 others underwent resection of hilar cholangiocarcinoma with PBD. Catheter tract recurrence developed in 6 patients (2.6 %). The median drainage duration was 30 days, and 1 patient had multiple PBDs. The median time to catheter recurrence after surgery was 10.9 months. Three patients underwent curative resection of the abdominal wall followed by chemotherapy, 1 patient underwent chemotherapy only, and 2 patients received conservative treatment. Five patients in whom the catheter tract recurrence was their first recurrence died of systemic recurrence at median 3.9 months after detection of catheter tract seeding. T1 or 2 disease (66.7 vs. 31.3 %; p = 0.086) tended to have catheter tract seeding with marginal significance. The overall survival rate was lower in patients with catheter tract seeding than in those without (median 17.5 vs. 23.0 months; p = 0.089).

Conclusions

The PBD catheter tract recurrence rate for hilar cholangiocarcinoma was 2.6 %. However, patients with catheter tract recurrence had a poor prognosis despite complete surgical metastasectomy.     

Risk Factors Influencing Recurrence, Patterns of Recurrence, and the Efficacy of Adjuvant Therapy After Radical Resection for Gallbladder Carcinoma

Backgrounds

Gallbladder carcinoma (GBC) is an aggressive neoplasm, and resection is the only curative modality. Recurrence frequently occurs after the curative resection of advanced GBC. Adjuvant treatment, particularly radiotherapy, is recommended and is used without any evidence of a beneficial effect. The aim of this study was to characterize patterns of recurrence and to identify the factors that influence recurrence and the efficacy of adjuvant therapy after the curative resection of GBC.

Methods

The records of patients that underwent surgical resection with curative intent for gallbladder carcinoma from October 1994 and August 2007 were retrospectively reviewed. Recurrence patterns, times to recurrence, and survival rates were analyzed. Sites of recurrence were identified retrospectively and categorized as locoregional or distant.

Results

One hundred sixty-six patients underwent surgical resection with curative intent for gallbladder adenocarcinoma. The 5-year recurrence rates of stages IA, IB, IIA, and IIB patients were 0%, 24.3%, 44.9%, and 58.3%, retrospectively. Positivity for lymph node metastases was found to have predictive significance for disease-free survival (p?=?0.009). Regional lymph node recurrence (27.7%) was observed most frequently. There was no significant disease-free survival rates between the no adjuvant therapy and the adjuvant therapy groups.

Conclusions

The regional lymph nodes and the liver were found to be the most common sites of recurrence after curative resection. Lymph node metastases were identified as an independent predictor of tumor recurrence by multivariate analysis. Based on the disease-free survivals observed in this study, the authors find it would be difficult to advocate the routine use of adjuvant radiotherapy and/or chemotherapy