Modification of acid-base balance in cirrhotic patients undergoing liver resection for hepatocellular carcinoma

OBJECTIVE: To examine modifications of acid-base balance of cirrhotic patients undergoing hepatectomy for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). SUMMARY BACKGROUND DATA: Acid-base disorders are frequently observed in cirrhotics; however, modifications during hepatectomy and their impact on prognosis have never been investigated. METHODS: Two hundred and two hepatectomies for HCC on cirrhosis were reviewed. Arterial blood samples were collected immediately before and at the end of resection. Preresection and postresection acid-base parameters were compared and related to patient characteristics and postoperative course. The accuracy of acid-base parameters in predicting postoperative liver failure, defined as an impairment of liver function after surgery that led to patient death or required transplantation, was assessed using receiver operating characteristic analysis (ROC). RESULTS: All patients showed a significant reduction in pH, bicarbonate, and base excess at the end of hepatectomy (P < 0.001 in all cases), worsened by intraoperative blood loss (P < 0.010) and preoperative Model for end-stage liver disease score > or =11 (P < 0.010). ROC curve analysis identifies patients with postresection bicarbonate <19.4 mmol/L at high risk for liver failure (50.0%) whereas levels >22.1 mmol/L did not lead to the event (0%; P < 0.001). Postoperative prolongation of prothrombin time and increases in bilirubin, creatinine, and morbidity were also more frequent in patients with lower postresection bicarbonate, resulting in a longer in-hospital stay. CONCLUSION: In cirrhotic patients, a trend toward a relative acidosis can be expected during surgery and is worsened by the severity of the underlying liver disease and intraoperative blood loss. Postresection bicarbonate level lower than 19.4 mmol/L is an adverse prognostic factor.     

Liver resection for hepatocellular carcinoma in non-cirrhotic liver without underlying viral hepatitis

BACKGROUND: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) arising in normal liver parenchyma is rare and the outcome after hepatectomy is not well documented. METHODS: Between June 1998 and September 2003, 33 patients without viral hepatitis underwent resection for HCC in a non-cirrhotic, non-fibrotic liver. Data were analysed with regard to operative details, pathological findings including completeness of resection, and outcome as measured by tumour recurrence and survival. RESULTS: Twenty-three major hepatectomies and ten segmentectomies or bisegmentectomies were performed. After potentially curative resection, 19 of 29 patients were alive at a median follow-up of 25 months, with calculated 1- and 3-year survival rates of 87 and 50 per cent respectively. Survival was significantly better after resection of tumours without vascular invasion (3-year survival rate 89 versus 18 per cent; P = 0.024). Disseminated recurrence developed in nine of 29 patients, leading to death within 28 months of operation in all but one of the nine. CONCLUSION: These data justify hepatic resection for HCC arising in non-cirrhotic, non-fibrotic liver without underlying viral hepatitis. Liver transplantation is rarely indicated because the outcome is good after resection of tumours without vascular infiltration, whereas vascular invasion is invariably associated with diffuse extrahepatic recurrence.     

Laparoscopic liver resection for hepatocellular carcinoma in patients with cirrhosis

Liver resection for patients with cirrhosis remains a challenging operation. The presence of thrombocytopenia and portal hypertension could lead to severe bleeding during hepatectomy. The enthusiasm of laparoscopic hepatectomy has been growing and many studies have reported their initial favorable results for patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). The advancement in technology, better understanding of the use of pneumoperitoneum pressure and more experience accumulated make laparoscopic liver resection for patients with cirrhosis possible. Favorable outcome may be achieved if the patients are carefully selected and carried out in high volume centers.     

Laparoscopic liver resection for hepatocellular carcinoma

Background Single, small hepatocarcinomas (HCC) are still an indication for partial liver resection in patients ineligible for transplantation. Anatomical resections are recommended for oncological reasons. The mini-invasive approach of laparoscopy should minimize hepatic and parietal injury, thereby decreasing the risk of liver failure and ascites. However, the oncological results of this approach and its presumed benefits remain undemonstrated. We evaluated the short- and midterm results of laparoscopic liver resections for HCC. Methods Between 1999 and 2006, we performed 32 laparoscopic liver resections for HCC. Mean tumor size was 3.8 ± 2 cm and the mean age of the patients was 65 ± 11 years. Twenty-two patients had cirrhosis (21 Child A and one Child C). Operative and postoperative results were analyzed, together with recurrence and survival rates. Results We carried out 13 unisegmentectomies, nine bisegmentectomies, one trisegmentectomy, two right hepatectomies, one left hepatectomy, and six atypical resections. The duration of the operation was 231 ± 101 minutes. Conversion to laparotomy was required in three patients (9%), none in emergency situations. Mean blood loss was 461 ml, with five patients (15.6%) requiring blood transfusion. The mean surgical margin was 10.4 mm. One cirrhotic patient (Child C) underwent surgery for a partially ruptured tumor and died of liver failure. Two patients had ascites and no transient liver failure occurred in the other 19 cirrhotic patients. Mean hospital stay was 7.1 days. During a mean follow-up of 26 months, 10 patients (31%) presented recurrence within the liver. None of the patients had peritoneal carcinomatosis or trocar site recurrence. Three-year overall and disease-free survival rates were 71.9% and 54.5%, respectively. Conclusions Laparoscopic liver resection for HCC is feasible and well tolerated. Midterm survival and recurrence rates are similar to those after laparotomy.     

Repeat liver resection for hepatocellular carcinoma

BACKGROUND: Although hepatectomy has been accepted as a therapeutic option for the primary tumor of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), what role the second liver resection will play in the clinical care of patients with intrahepatic recurrence of HCC after the initial resection has not been well evaluated. STUDY DESIGN: In a retrospective review of the 6-year period between January 1991 and December 1996, records were examined of 94 patients who underwent curative liver resection for HCC. Of these, 57 patients had isolated recurrent disease to the liver; 12 of the 57 patients underwent repeat surgical resection and 45 patients received nonsurgical ablative therapy. Clinical data for these patients were reviewed for operative morbidity and mortality, survival, disease-free survival, and pattern of failure. RESULTS: There were no perioperative deaths during repeat liver resections for recurrent HCC. Operative morbidity in the second resection was comparable to the initial resection. The disease-free survival rate after the second hepatectomy was 31% at 2 years, significantly lower than that after initial hepatectomy (62%) (p = 0.009). The overall survival rate after the second hepatectomy was 90% at 2 years, in contrast to 70% after nonsurgical ablative treatment for recurrent HCC (p = 0.253). CONCLUSIONS: Although the second liver resection for recurrent HCC can be performed safely and may improve survival, the disease-free survival rate after such resection therapy is low. This likelihood of further recurrences encourages studies for the selection of patients who may benefit from repeat liver resection.     

DNA flow cytometry in patients undergoing liver transplantation for hepatocellular carcinoma

Abstract  The purpose of the study was to analyse patterns of DNA content in hepatocellular carcinomas (HCC) submitted to orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT). Paraffin-embedded archival material from 15 patients (ten men, five women, mean age 51 ± 1.78 years) transplanted in St-Roch Hospital between 1988 and 1991 was available for laboratory evaluation by flow cytometry. Five out of 15 were incidental HCC. The analysis was performed by a FACSscan flow cy-tometer coupled to a Hewlett-Packard computer. The cellular DNA content was defined as diploid or aneuploid in the presence of a single (DNA index of 1) or two distinct (DNA index different from 1) / peaks, respectively. All incidental HCC (five patients) were diploid, the tumour size was 1.2 ± 0.2 cm, the number of nodules was 1.4 ± 0.24 and the mortality rate was 40 %. No death in the incidental HCC group was related to neoplastic recurrence. In the remaining ten patients transplanted for HCC, we observed 50 % diploid tumours, the tumour size was 5.2 ± 1.55 cm and the number of nodules was 2.7 ± 0.56. In this group six patients died of neoplastic recurrence (two were diploid and four aneuploid). The diameter of the neoplasm in diploid patients who died of neoplastic recurrence was over 5 cm and the number of nodules was over three. Moreover, in aneuploid patients who died of neoplastic recurrence, the diameter of the neoplasm was less than 5 cm in three cases and the number of nodules was less than three in two patients. This study indicates that incidental HCC may be a less aggressive malignancy and may have a better prognosis. In this group, no patient recurred after OLT and all tumours were diploid. Aneuploidy, tumour size (> 5 cm) and number of lesions (> 3) are prognostic indicators for neoplastic recurrence in patients transplanted for hepatocellular carcinoma.     

补救性肝移植的疗效

目的探讨补救陛肝移植的适应证及其临床疗效。方法回顾性分析2003年10月至2006年3月中山大学附属第三医院35例肝癌肝切除术后行肝移植患者的临床资料。比较补救性肝移植组（19例）和超补救性肝移植组（16例）患者的手术情况、术后并发症及预后等指标。计数和计量资料分别采用X^2和t检验,非正态分布采用秩和检验,Kaplan-Meier法进行生存分析,生存率的比较采用Log-rank检验。结果补救性肝移植组和超补救性肝移植组患者的无肝期、冷缺血时间、手术时间、术中出血量、术中输注红细胞量、术中输注新鲜冰冻血浆量、肝移植并发症发生率、再移植率分别为（32±9）rain、（8．0±2．1）h、（7．6±1．5）h、2300ml、8U、23U、6／19、2／19和（34±7）min、（7．4±2．3）h、（7．4±2．0）h、2750ml、12U、20U、4／16、1／16,两组比较,差异无统计学意义（t=0．726,-0．804,-0．366,Z=-0．348,-0．549,-0．149,）（X^2=0．184,0．203,P〉0．05）。补救性肝移植组和超补救性肝移植组患者围术期死亡率、术后肿瘤复发率分别为0、2／19和4／16、9／16,两组比较,差异有统计学意义（X^2=5．363,8．426,P〈0．05）。补救性肝移植组和超补救性肝移植组患者1、3、5年累积生存率分别为100％、84％、84％和75％、33％、33％;1、3、5年无瘤生存率分别为100％、89％、89％和48％、29％、19％,两组比较,差异有统计学意义（X^2=11．58,19．31,P〈0．05）。结论补救性肝移植是肝癌治疗过程中的一种有效策略,米兰标准是目前补救性肝移植的最佳适应证。     

Pulmonary nodules at risk in patients undergoing liver transplantation for hepatocellular carcinoma

The aim of this study was to evaluate the accuracy of pretransplant imaging in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) considering small pulmonary nodules, and to determine whether preoperatively diagnosed small pulmonary nodules should be considered 'nodules at risk'. We evaluated 10 consecutive liver transplant patients with a diagnosis of HCC and pulmonary nodules detected by preoperative computerized tomography (CT) scanning. Pretransplant CT evaluation of pulmonary nodules showed a 90% accuracy rate. There was only one incorrect reading in the case of a patient, where a metastasis was misdiagnosed as a pulmonary fibroma. Two patients died from multifocal tumor recurrence with pulmonary metastases 17 and 19 months post-transplant. One more patient died 29 months post-transplantation on account of diffuse metastatic prostate carcinoma. Seven patients are currently alive with no evidence of tumor after a median follow-up period of 48 months post-transplantation. Small pulmonary nodules in high-risk HCC patients (low tumor grading, exceeding Milan criteria) may be characterized as nodules at risk , and evaluated very closely prior to listing and during the pre- and post-transplant periods.     

Vascular exclusion technique in liver resection for hepatocellular carcinoma

An overview of the vascular exclusion technique in liver resection is presented. The technical aspects of hepatic vascular exclusion (HVE) are described along with the hemodynamic monitoring requirements. The hepatic tolerance to normothermic liver ischemia of 60-min duration is quite good in the absence of underlying chronic liver disease such as cirrhosis or steatosis. However, our recent experience with cirrhotic patients has demonstrated that vascular clamping may be well tolerated even after major liver resection if normothermic liver ischemia is limited (33 min for HVE, 55 min for Pringle maneuver). The main advantages of HVE are: reduction of operative blood loss, increased resectability rate of HCC when the tumor is close or invades the hepatic veins and/or the vena cava, and better safety during the performance of the most hazardous liver resections.     

Video-assisted thoracoscopic transdiaphragmatic liver resection for hepatocellular carcinoma

Because of technical complexity, concern for vascular control, and uncertainty in regard to oncologic outcome, the application of minimally invasive techniques to liver surgery has been slower than in most other abdominal procedures. This is despite well-known advantages with respect to postoperative pain, length of hospitalization, and recovery time. Although laparoscopic liver surgery has recently become more common, the majority of laparoscopic liver resections comprise anterolateral wedge resections and left lateral sectorectomies. Laparoscopic resections of the posterosuperior segments are more difficult and few reports are available in the literature. Compared to laparoscopy, gaining access to tumors in the dome of the liver may be more easily obtained via thoracoscopy, thereby preserving the benefits of minimally invasive surgery. This technical report describes two cases of hepatocellular carcinoma in segments VII and VIII resected via a video-assisted thoracoscopic transdiaphragmatic approach.     

Perspective of laparoscopic liver resection for hepatocellular carcinoma

Liver resection(LR) for hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC) in patients with chronic liver disease(CLD) is associated with high risks of developing significant postoperative complications and multicentric metachronous lesions, which can result in the need for repeated treatments. Studies comparing laparoscopic procedures to open LR consistently report reduced blood loss and transfusionsrequirements, lower postoperative morbidity, and shorter hospital stays, with no differences in oncologic outcomes. In addition, laparoscopic LR is associated with reduced postoperative ascites and a lower incidence of liver failure for HCC patients with CLD, due to the reduced surgery-induced parenchymal injury to the residual liver and limited destruction of the collateral blood/lymphatic flow around the liver. Finally, this procedure facilitates subsequent repeat LR due to minimal adhesion formation and improved vision/manipulation between adhesions. These characteristics of laparoscopic LR may lead to an expansion of the indications for LR. This editorial is based on the review and meta-analysis presented at the 2nd International Consensus Conference on Laparoscopic Liver Resection in Iwate, Japan, in October 2014(Chairperson of the congress is Professor Go Wakabayashi from the Department of Surgery, Iwate Medical University School of Medicine), which is published in the Journal of Hepato-Biliary-Pancreatic Sciences.     

Laparoscopic liver resection of hepatocellular carcinoma

BACKGROUND: We have continued to develop laparoscopic hepatectomy as a means of surgical therapy for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). METHODS: We evaluated the degree of invasiveness and analyzed the outcomes of laparoscopic hepatectomy compared with open hepatectomy for HCC. RESULTS: There were notable differences with respect to blood loss and operating time compared with open hepatectomy cases. Patients started walking and eating significantly earlier in the laparoscopic hepatectomy group, and these more rapid recoveries allowed shorter hospitalizations. On the Estimation of Physiologic Ability and Surgical Stress (E-PASS) scoring system, there was no difference in preoperative risk. However, a significant difference was seen in the surgical stress and comprehensive risk scores between the open hepatectomy and laparoscopic hepatectomy groups. Concerning the survival rate and disease-free survival rate, there were no significant differences between procedures. CONCLUSIONS: Laparoscopic hepatectomy avoids some of the disadvantages of open hepatectomy and is beneficial for patient quality of life (QOL) as a minimally invasive procedure if the operative indications are appropriately based on preoperative liver function and the location and size of HCC.     

Perioperative exercise for chronic liver injury patients with hepatocellular carcinoma undergoing hepatectomy

Background

The aim of this study was to examine the outcomes of exercise therapy in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma who underwent hepatectomy.

Methods

Fifty-one patients with hepatocellular carcinoma were randomized to diet therapy alone (n = 25) or to exercise in addition to diet therapy (n = 26). Exercise at the anaerobic threshold of each patient was started 1 month preoperatively, resumed from 1 week postoperatively, and continued for 6 months.

Results

Whole body mass and fat mass in the exercise group compared with the diet group were significantly decreased at 6 months postoperatively. Fasting serum insulin and the homeostasis model assessment score were also significantly decreased. At 6 months, anaerobic threshold and peak oxygen consumption were significantly increased, while serum insulin and insulin resistance were significantly improved in a high-frequency exercise subgroup compared with a low-frequency group.

Conclusions

Perioperative exercise therapy for patients with hepatocellular carcinoma with liver dysfunction may improve insulin resistance associated with hepatic impairment and suggests a benefit to the early resumption of daily exercise after hepatectomy.     

Laparoscopic liver resection facilitates salvage liver transplantation for hepatocellular carcinoma

Background/Purpose  In patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), a previous liver resection (LR) may compromise subsequent liver transplantation (LT) by creating adhesions and increasing surgical difficulty. Initial laparoscopic LR (LLR) may reduce such technical consequences, but its effect on subsequent LT has not been reported. We report the operative results of LT after laparoscopic or open liver resection (OLR). Methods  Twenty-four LT were performed, 12 following prior LLR and 12 following prior OLR. The LT was performed using preservation of the inferior vein cava. Indication for the LT was recurrent HCC in 19 cases (salvage LT), while five patients were listed for LT and underwent resection as a neoadjuvant procedure (bridge resection). Results  In the LLR group, absence of adhesions was associated with straightforward access to the liver in all cases. In the OLR group, 11 patients required long and hemorrhagic dissection. Median durations of the hepatectomy phase and whole LT were 2.5 and 6.2 h, and 4.5 and 8.3 h in the LLR and OLR groups, respectively (P < 0.05). Median blood loss was 1200 ml and 2300 ml in the LLR and OLR groups, respectively (P < 0.05). Median transfusions of hepatectomy phase and whole LT were 0 and 3 U, and 2 and 6 U, respectively (P < 0.05). There were no postoperative deaths. Conclusions  In our study, LLR facilitated the LT procedure as compared with OLR in terms of reduced operative time, blood loss and transfusion requirements. We conclude that LLR should be preferred over OLR when feasible in potential transplant candidates.     

Impact of statin use on the prognosis of patients with hepatocellular carcinoma undergoing liver resection: a subgroup analysis of patients without chronic hepatitis viral infection

Background

Statins have been reported to reduce the risk of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). The effect of perioperative statin use on the prognosis of HCC patients undergoing liver resection remains unclear.

挽救性肝移植治疗肝癌切除术后肿瘤复发

目的 分析挽救性肝移植治疗肝癌切除术后肿瘤复发患者的疗效.方法 2004年1月至2008年12月,单中心376例肝癌患者接受了肝移植,其中36例(9.6 %)为行根治性肿瘤切除术后因肿瘤肝内复发而接受挽救性肝移植者(挽救性肝移植组).挽救性肝移植组中男性29例,女性7例;16例接受右半肝切除,10例接受左半肝切除,其余10例接受不规则肝切除或肝段切除.首次肝切除至行挽救性肝移植的时间为(34.9±16.2)个月(1～63个月).以同期符合米兰标准并接受首次肝移植的147例作为对照组,比较两组受者的术中情况及术后生存情况、肿瘤复发情况等.结果 挽救性移植组术中出血量和输血量明显多于对照组(P＜0.05),手术时间也长于对照组(P＜0.05).随访期间,挽救性肝移植组死亡11例,其中围手术期死亡1例;对照组共死亡36例,其中围手术期死亡3例.两组手术后并发症、肿瘤复发率、受者存活率以及无瘤存活率的差异无统计学意义(P＞0.05).结论 挽救性肝移植虽然较首次肝移植手术难度增加,但不影响患者预后,是根治性肝癌切除术后肿瘤复发患者的有效治疗手段.

Abstract：

Objective To summarize the experience with salvage liver transplantation for patients with recurrent hetaptocellular carcinoma(HCC)after primary liver resection.Methods From 2004 to 2008,376 patients with HCC received liver transplantation in our single center.Among these patients,36 (9.6 %)underwent salvage liver transplantation after primary liver curative resection due to intrahepatic recurrence.There were 29 males and 7 females with the mean age of 46 years old.Sixteen received right lobectomy,10 received left lobectomy and the others received sectionectomy or segmentectomy.As a control group for comparison,we used clinical data of the 147 patients who underwent primary OLT for HCC within Milan Criteria.Results The mean interval between initial liver resection and salvage transplantation was 34.9±16.2 months(1-63 months).Intraoperative bleeding volume,transfusion volume and operative time in the salvage group were significantly different from those in control group (P<0.05).There were no significant difference in post-operative complications,tumor recurrence rate,survival rate and tumor-free survival between these two groups(P>0.05).Conclusion In comparison with primary OLT,although salvage liver transplantation would increase the operation difficulties,it still remains a good option for patients with HCC recurrence after curative resection.     

Hepatic resection for hepatocellular carcinoma in elderly patients

Of 154 elective hepatectomies performed during the 13 year period from 1973 to 1985 for hepatocellular carcinoma, 27 (17.5 percent) were performed on patients 65 years of age or older. Among these elderly patients, 40.7 percent died in the hospital compared with 21.3 percent of the younger patients (p less than 0.05). Sepsis accounted for 72.7 percent of the hospital deaths among the elderly patients, in contrast to 25.9 percent among the younger patients. The overall incidence of hospital death due to sepsis was significantly higher in the elderly patients (p less than 0.001). Hepatic lobectomy or segmentectomy in the elderly patients with cirrhosis was followed by hospital death in 88.9 percent compared with 25 percent of the elderly patients without cirrhosis (p less than 0.01). A higher incidence of hospital death occurred among the elderly in Okuda's stage I (p less than 0.05), Child's class A (p less than 0.02), and in those with concomitant systemic disorders (p less than 0.05). We conclude that in patients 65 years of age or older with hepatocellular carcinoma, concomitant systemic disorders play a role in determining the outcome of hepatectomy. Elderly patients with cirrhosis are high-risk candidates for major hepatectomy for whom limited hepatic resection should be considered.