Laparoscopic cholecystectomy and gallbladder cancer

Heightened awareness of the possible presence of gallbladder cancer (GBC) and the knowledge of appropriate management are important for surgeons practising laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC). Long-term effects of initial LC versus open cholecystectomy (OC) on the prognosis of patients with GBC remain undefined. Patients who are suspected to have GBC should not undergo LC, since it is advantageous to perform the en-bloc radical surgery at the initial operation. Since preoperative diagnosis of early GBC is difficult, preventive measures, such as preventing bile spillage and bagging the gallbladder should be applied for every LC. Many port-site recurrences (PSR) have been reported after LC, but the incidence of wound recurrence is not higher than after OC. No radical procedure is required after postoperative diagnosis of incidental pT1a GBC. It is unclear if patients with pT1b GBC require extended cholecystectomy. In pT2 GBC, patients should have radical surgery (atypical or segmental liver resection and lymphadenectomy). In advanced GBC (pT3 and pT4), radical surgery can cure only a small subset of patients, if any. Additional port-site excision is recommended, but the effectiveness of such measure is debated.     

Radical surgery for gallbladder cancer: current options.

Gallbladder carcinoma is the most common malignancy of the biliary tract. There are still many controversies regarding the type of curative surgical treatment for each stage of the disease. The staging system used is the TNM classification of the International Union Against Cancer. Different patterns of spread characterize gallbladder cancer but the two main types are direct invasion and lymph node metastases; since only the depth of invasion can be easily recognized by imaging techniques, it becomes the main variable in choosing the appropriate surgical treatment. Most Tis and T1 tumours are incidentally discovered after cholecystectomy for cholelithiasis and no further therapy is requested; for pT1b tumours, relaparotomy with hepatic resection and N1 dissection is associated with a better survival. For T2 tumours, cholecystectomy with hepatic resection and dissection of N1-2 lymph nodes is the standard treatment, with a 5-year survival of 60-80%. The only chance of long-term survival for patients with a T3-T4 tumour is an extended operation combining an hepatic resection with an N1-2 dissection with or without excision of the common bile duct. A subset of patients with peripancreatic positive nodes or invasion of adjacent organs seems to benefit from a synchronous pancreaticoduodenectomy.     

Laparoscopic radical hepatectomy and lymphadenectomy for incidental gallbladder cancer. Surgical technique with ICG fluorescence enhancement

BackgroundRadical re-resection has been demonstrated beneficial in incidental gallbladder cancer (iGBC) stages ≥ pT1b [1]. Anatomical resection (AR) of segments IVb-V is recommended, particularly for iGBC and liver-sided tumors [2]. Laparoscopically, this is a challenging procedure, as well as the regional lymphadenectomy, since inflammation from previous surgery can hinder identification of extrahepatic bile ducts. This difficult minimally invasive procedure, facilitated with indocyanine green (ICG) fluorescence enhancement [3] is herein didactically demonstrated.MethodsA 73 y. o. female patient underwent laparoscopic cholecystectomy for cholelithiasis. An iGBC -pT2b with positive cystic node-was found. Completion radical surgery was decided. Before surgery, 1.5mg of ICG was intravenously administered. A regional lymphadenectomy (stations 5-8-9-12-13) was safely performed: ICG allowed for bile duct visualization despite scarring from previous procedure. AR (IVb-V) was performed based on a glissonian-pedicle approach. After completing the procedure, a new dose of ICG was administered to discard ischemic areas in the remnant.ResultsTotal operative time was 359 min. Intermittent Pringle maneuver resulted in <50 ml bleeding. Hospital stay was 3 days. Pathological examination revealed no residual tumor in the liver bed. Ten lymph nodes were resected; 3 of them (2 retroportal and 1 common hepatic artery) showing tumoral invasion. After surgery, 6 cycles of adjuvant chemotherapy (Gemcitabine-Oxaliplatin) was administered.ConclusionsLaparoscopic radical surgery (AR of segments IVb-V plus regional lymphadenectomy) for iGBC is feasible and safe [4]. ICG fluorescence can be of help to identify hilar structures and rule out areas of ischemia.     

Imaging tumours of the ampulla of Vater

Although comparatively rare, ampullary tumours tend to be more readily curable than periampullary lesions and pancreatic carcinomas, consequent upon an earlier presentation, a lower likelihood of involved lymph nodes or vascular infiltration and a less aggressive histology. Recently, selected early cases have been able to resected endoscopically making accurate preoperative tumour (T) staging critical in such decision making. The most commonly available imaging methods are endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) and CT scanning where in the former case there is variable accuracy for larger (T2/T3) ampullary tumours particularly where the patient has undergone preoperative common bile duct stenting. CT scanning has consistent shown inferior T staging of ampullary tumours when compared with EUS, although it provides information concerning visceral and nodal metastatic disease. Transpapillary intraductal ultrasound (where available) has shown high accuracy for early T1 tumours potentially suitable for endoscopic or local ampullary excision with the added advantage that it may be conducted without preliminary sphincterotomy. Recently, our group has been using intraoperative transduodenal ultrasound which assists surgical decision making concerning local excision or radical pancreaticoduodenal resection. Very recent images using 3-dimensional endoduodenal ultrasound has provided exquisite images of the ampulla and remain to be validated in ampullary neoplasms.     

Diagnosis and surgical treatment of cancer of the gallbladder and extrahepatic bile ducts]

Data on 148 cases of cancer of the gallbladder and extrahepatic bile ducts were studied. Jaundice proved the cardinal symptom. No clear-cut clinical picture of the disease was identified. Diagnostic procedure should start with ultrasonography. Cholangiectasia and the enlarged pancreatic head make the case for fiber bronchoscopy and hypotonic duodenography. Cancer-negative patients should further undergo transcutaneous transhepatic cholangiography and, if proving still negative, retrograde cholangiopancreatography. Resection of bile ducts with simultaneous lymphadenectomy is considered radical. The authors suggest a surgical procedure for cancer of the gallbladder which includes resection of the liver, hepatico-choledoctomy and cholecystectomy with formation of cholangio-jejuno-anastomosis using disposable transhepatic drains. Recanalization of bile ducts by transhepatic drain is considered optimal for palliation. Survival depends upon extent of surgery and level of bile duct obstruction.     

Node positivity in T1b gallbladder cancer: A high volume centre experience

IntroductionIdentification of early stage gallbladder cancer (GBC) is difficult with simple cholecystectomy being considered curative for T1a GBC but T1b requires radical cholecystectomy due to chances of lymph node metastasis. However there is no consensus regarding the optimal treatment strategy for T1b disease.MethodologyA retrospective review of a prospectively maintained database of GBC patients operated at our institute from March 2010 to March 2021 was conducted. Only patients with proven gallbladder adenocarcinoma on final histopathology report were included.ResultsA total of 1245 patients of suspected GBC who underwent surgery during this period with 76 patients of T1b stage were analysed. We divided the group into a node positive cohort (n = 16, 9 received neoadjuvant treatment due to uptake in periportal nodes and 7 patients were pN1) and a node negative cohort (n = 60). The median nodal harvest was 8 nodes (2–24 nodes). Considering the radiological and pathological parameters, the rate of lymph node positivity was 21% (16/76). The overall major morbidity was 5.2% and there was no mortality. After a median follow up of 47.5 months, 3-year OS and DFS of the node negative and positive cohort was 96.7%, 91.7% and 75% and 62.5% (p = 0.058). The node positive cohort had 43% recurrences whereas the node negative cohort had 8.3% with all recurrences limited to periportal lymph nodes, distant nodes or liver metastasis.ConclusionNodal positivity for T1b gall bladder cancer ranges around 21% and radical surgery with complete peri –portal lymphadenectomy should be considered as standard of care.     

Biliary tract malignancy and chronic inflammation from the perspective of pancreaticobiliary maljunction

This is a brief review of pancreaticobiliary maljunction. The basic treatment for this condition includes either cholecystectomy or extrahepatic bile duct resection. When the condition is accompanied by malignancies, a radical operation should be the first treatment option. Knowledge on molecular pathogenesis is gradually increasing. However, studies should be expanded to include larger patient cohorts, and other types of molecules should be carefully investigated and analyzed.     

Incidental gallbladder cancer: what management?

Gallbladder cancer (GBC) represents 3.8% of all gastrointestinal cancers and usually known to be of a poor prognosis. In 0.2–2.9% of cases, this cancer is found in cholecystectomy specimens. A better understanding of spread mode of this tumor helps a better surgical management. The aim of the present review is to underline the management of GBC based on the comprehension of risk factors and anatomic features. A Medline, PubMed database search was performed to identify articles published from 2000 to 2011 using the keywords ‘carcinoma of gallbladder’, ‘incidental gallbladder cancer’, ‘gallbladder neoplasm’ and ‘cholecystectomy’. Some pathological situations such as chronic lithiasis and biliopancreatic junction abnormalities have been clearly identified as predisposing to GBC. Laparoscopy increases peritoneal and parietal tumor dissemination, thus, it should not be performed when GBC is suspected. Most determinant prognostic factors are nodal, perineural and venous involvement, invasion of the cystic duct and the tumor differentiation. The simple cholecystectomy is sufficient for tumors classified as T1a; for other cancers exceeding the muscularis, radical re-resection is required due to the high risk of recurrence. This aggressive surgery improved the overall survival of patients. There is still no standard adjuvant treatment; patients should be included in prospective trials.     

Carcinoma arising in the wall of congenital bile duct cysts.

The incidence of carcinoma arising in the wall of the congenital bile duct cysts is much higher than previously assumed. The authors report 4 such cases of primary and secondary carcinomas and review their clinical features through the similar 59 cases in the literature. Of the 63 cases, the average age was much younger, at least several decades, compared with cases of extra-hepatic carcinoma without bile duct cysts. The female-male ratio was 2.5:1. Racial preponderance was also observed, namely, the majority were Japanese. Additionally, many patients previously received various internal drainage procedures, especially choledochocystoduodenostomy. As the treatment, primary excision of the extrahepatic bile duct cyst seems to give the best results because it can avoid ascending cholangitis and prevent development of carcinoma. However, carcinoma still can arise in the intrahepatic bile duct cyst, which cannot be removed at the present time.     

磁共振胰胆管造影检查在肝门部胆管癌诊治中的应用

 【摘要】　目的　探讨磁共振胰胆管造影（MRCP）在肝门部胆管癌术前评估中的价值。方法　采用改良的手术标准，选择57例有潜在手术切除可能的肝门部胆管癌患者，术前进行MRCP影像学评估, 并与手术和病理对比。结果　MRCP术前定性准确率为100 %，分型准确性为93 ％（53／57）；肝管汇合部变异8例，变异率26.7 ％，有些变异对手术有利；左、右肝管增长，其中以左肝管尤其明显，这对胆肠吻合口的选择有利；术前MRCP检查显示，胆管癌病变上缘至胆管二级分支之间胆管长度＞0.5 cm或存在胆道变异的部分Ⅳ型肝门部胆管癌患者，手术切除率及根治率均明显提高，与其他3型之间差异无统计学意义。结论　MRCP可对肝门部胆管癌进行较准确的术前定性和分型；术前MRCP显示肝内二级胆管支及肝管汇合部变异对制定肝门部胆管癌，尤其是Ⅳ型肝门部胆管癌的外科手术方案有重要意义，不仅能提高切除率和根治率，而且有利于选择合适的胆肠吻合方式，可避免术中胆道误损伤。     

Updates on Gallbladder Cancer Management

Purpose of Review

We will review the current standard of care management for metastatic gallbladder cancer (GBC), recommendations for resection of incidentally or non-incidentally diagnosed GBC, and developments in preoperative risk stratification and adjuvant chemotherapy.

Recent Findings

Gemcitabine-cisplatin is the standard of care therapy for advanced-stage disease. Patients with incidentally diagnosed GBC should undergo re-resection for T1b, T2, or T3 disease. The presence of residual disease is associated with decreased survival. Diagnostic laparoscopy should be used in select patients to avoid unnecessary laparotomy. Major hepatectomy and common bile duct excision should only be performed in select cases. Current standard of care for adjuvant therapy includes 6 months of oral capecitabine.

Summary

Gallbladder cancer continues to carry high mortality rates due to its aggressive course and early spread. Recent developments in preoperative risk stratification, surgical resection, and chemotherapy have greatly shaped management of this malignancy in the current era.

     

Laparoscopic bile duct resection with lymph node dissection for gallbladder cancer diagnosed after laparoscopic cholecystectomy

IntroductionLaparoscopic reoperation of postoperatively diagnosed gallbladder cancer is a technically challenging procedure due to inflammatory adhesion or fibrosis around the hepatoduodenal ligament and gallbladder bed [1,2]. Here we describe a technique for laparoscopic bile duct resection with lymph node dissection in a patient with cystic duct cancer diagnosed after laparoscopic cholecystectomy.VideoA 73-year-old woman presented with postoperatively diagnosed gallbladder cancer. She underwent laparoscopic cholecystectomy to treat symptomatic gallbladder stones at another hospital, 2 months earlier. Postoperative pathology revealed a 0.9 × 0.7 cm, T2 lesion of adenosquamous carcinoma located at the cystic duct. The cystic duct margin showed high-grade dysplasia. We planned to perform laparoscopic bile duct resection with lymph node dissection. After adhesiolysis to expose the hepatoduodenal ligament, the lymph nodes were dissected around the retropancreatic area, hepatoduodenal ligament, and common hepatic artery in an en bloc fashion. Combined segmental resection of the bile duct, including the fibrotic scar around the cystic duct stump, was completed with negative resection margins. Retrocolic choledochojejunostomy and side-to-side jejunojejunostomy were then performed intracorporeally.ResultsThe operation time was 195 minutes and the estimated intraoperative blood loss was minimal. The postoperative pathologic report revealed no residual tumor tissue and negative resection margins. Lymph node metastasis was found in one of eight retrieved lymph nodes. The patient was discharged on postoperative day 4 with no postoperative complications.Conclusion.Laparoscopic radical surgery involving bile duct resection and lymph node dissection can be safely performed in patients with postoperatively diagnosed gallbladder cancer.     

Surgery for gallbladder cancer in the US: a need for greater lymph node clearance

Background

Gallbladder cancer (GBC) is a rare malignancy with a dismal prognosis. Often identified incidentally after laparoscopic cholecystectomy for presumably benign biliary disease, reoperation with partial hepatic resection and periportal lymph node dissection (LND) is frequently performed. The impact of lymph node (LN) clearance for GBC remains unclear.

Methods

The Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) database was queried for patients diagnosed with GBC between 1988 and 2009. Survival was calculated using Kaplan-Meier method and compared using log-rank test. Multivariate analysis was performed to identify predictors of survival.

Results

A total of 11,815 patients diagnosed with GBC were identified. Cancer-directed surgery was performed in 8,436 (71.3%) patients. Optimal LN clearance (defined as ≥4 LNs) is associated with young age, advanced T-stage, no radiation therapy, and radical surgery (all <0.001). Greater LND improves survival for all stages (P<0.001). After adjusting for confounding factors, multivariable analysis of patients with node-negative disease demonstrated that early stage, greater LND, and radical surgery were strong independent predictors of survival.

Conclusions

Extensive lymphadenectomy correlates with longer survival even in node negative patients. Extensive LND should be performed in patients with GBC as many patients in the USA are undertreated.     

Carcinoma of the gallbladder

Carcinoma of the gallbladder is the most common malignant tumour of the biliary tract and a particularly high incidence is observed in Chile, Japan, and northern India. The aetiology of this tumour is complex, but there is a strong association with gallstones. Owing to its non-specific symptoms, gallbladder carcinoma is generally diagnosed late in the disease course, but if a patient with gallstones experiences a sudden change of symptoms, then a cancer diagnosis should be considered. Treatment with radical or extended cholecystectomy is potentially curative, although these procedures are only possible in 10-30% of patients. There is no role for cytoreductive surgery in this disease. If a gallbladder carcinoma is discovered via pathological examination of tissue samples, then the patient should be examined further and should have radical surgery if the tumour is found to be T1b or beyond. Additional port-site excision is necessary if the patient has already had their gallbladder removed during laparoscopy; however, patients with an intact gallbladder who are suspected to have gallbladder carcinoma should not undergo laparoscopic cholecystectomy. Patients with advanced inoperable disease should receive palliative treatment; however, the role of chemotherapy and radiation in these patients needs further evaluation.     

Surgical indications and extent of resection in gallbladder cancer

Gallbladder cancer often is diagnosed at an advanced stage when the prognosis is dismal. Early tumors (T1) that are recognized incidentally are curable with simple cholecystectomy alone. All other tumors should be resected with an extended cholecystectomy (T2) or with an extensive liver resection that obtains the negative margins. Patients with tumors greater than T1 should undergo lymphadenectomy that includes the porta hepatis and superior pancreatic nodes. Long-term survival with this approach is possible, even with T3 and T4 tumors. The role of extended lymphadenectomy, including the retropancreatic and aortocaval basins, is unclear and should be attempted only in selected cases.     

The role of extra-hepatic bile duct resection in patients with gallbladder carcinoma with peri-neural invasion: A ten-year experience in China

BackgroundPeri-neural invasion (PNI) in gallbladder carcinoma (GBC) has been demonstrated as a vital prognostic factor. However, whether PNI in patients with GBC can be regarded as a surgical indication of bile duct resection (BDR) remains controversial.MethodsGBC patients with pathologically-confirmed PNI between September 2010 and September 2020 were retrospectively reviewed. Comparative analyses were performed in patients with PNI according to the performance of BDR. SPSS 25.0 software and Graph pad PRISMA 7.0 software were used for statistical analyses.ResultsA total of 70 patients GBC patients with PNI were incorporated. The results of comparative analyses indicated that patients who received BDR were generally in a more advanced stage and often required a more extended radical cholecystectomy. Higher incidences of preoperative jaundice (48.6% vs 2.9%, P < 0.0001), major hepatectomy (25.7% vs 8.6%, P = 0.055), combined multi-visceral resections (48.6% vs 5.7%, P < 0.0001), combined major vascular reconstruction (22.9% vs 2.9%, P = 0.014), and a lower R0 rate (68.6% vs 88.6%, P = 0.039) were detected in patients who received BDR. Even after propensity score matching (PSM), BDR still had no significant survival advantage but only increased the length of postoperative stay and the frequency of postoperative morbidities.ConclusionBDR seemed to have no significant survival advantage in GBC patients with PNI and was only correlated with a longer postoperative hospital stay and a higher rate of morbidities. PNI should not be regarded as a surgical indication of BDR in patients with GBC.     

Oesophageal cancer: How radical should surgery be?

Introduction

Oesophagectomy for carcinoma can be viewed as comprising two components: resection of the oesophagus and resection of the enveloping lymphatics. Controversy exists regarding how extensive these two components should be.

Methods

Through a literature overview, the aim of this educational article is to provide surgeons with arguments to understand which operation is the most oncologically sound according to patient and tumour parameters.

Results

Non-randomised comparative studies evaluating radical lymphadenectomy have reported controversial survival benefit. Independent association found between the number of surgically removed lymph nodes and overall survival is an indirect evidence supporting radical lymphadenectomy. The only phase III trial comparing non-radical transhiatal oesophagectomy with transthoracic oesophagectomy for patients with oesophageal adenocarcinoma found 5-year survival rates of 29% vs. 39%, respectively. Although not statistically significant due to underpowered study, specialists would consider less of an increase in survival to be clinically relevant. For squamous OC, the first small randomised controlled trial comparing 2-field lymphadenectomy to 3-field lymphadenectomy did not found significant 5-year survival difference (48% vs. 66%) and the second one comparing 2-field lymphadenectomy to lymph node sampling identified a survival benefit favoring radical resection (36% vs. 25%).

Conclusion

Radical transthoracic oesophagectomy with two-field lymphadenectomy appears to offer an optimal balance between benefits and risks to a majority of OC patients, especially in the growing area of neoadjuvant treatments. Non-radical resection should be probably reserved for patients with a poor general status whereas 3-field lymphadenectomy may be reserved to selected patients with loco-regional disease in experienced hands, surely for patients with upper OC.     

胃癌根治手术相关并发症防范

D2淋巴结清扫在世界范围内已经成为局部进展期胃癌手术规范。术中容易发生的并发症包括胃周围血管损伤、脾损伤、胆总管损伤、胰腺损伤以及淋巴管损伤。术后常见并发症有出血、淋巴漏、吻合口瘘及胃排空障碍等。术者的年手术量是影响手术并发症与死亡率的决定因素，标准胃癌根治性淋巴结清扫术的学习曲线一般为50例。娴熟的手术技巧和丰富的活体解剖知识是准确、安全进行D2淋巴结清扫的先决条件。      

Hepatectomy of segment 4a and 5 combined with extra-hepatic bile duct resection for T2 and T3 gallbladder carcinoma

BACKGROUND: The prognosis of advanced gallbladder carcinoma (GBCa) remains unfortunate. However, the prognostic factors and the efficacy of extended resection remain unclear. The adequacy for extended resection for T2 and T3 GB Ca, according to the characteristics of either the clinicopathological factors or the prognostic factors, was evaluated. METHODS: A series of 73 patients with GBCa were treated after 1989. Tumor staging from the AJCC revealed 23 patients with T2 tumors, and 29 patients with T3 tumors, respectively. RESULTS: For T2 GB Ca, the patient group of extra-hepatic bile duct resection (BDR) and the patient group of S4a + 5 hepatectomy S4a + 5 had significantly better survival rates. For T3 GB Ca, the patient group of BDR and S4a + 5 tend to have better survival rates. For both T2 and T3 GB Ca, either pancreatoduodenectomy (PD) or pylorus-preserving pancreatoduodenectomy (PpPD) showed no significant difference in survival. CONCLUSION: S4a + 5 combined with BDR and D2 lymph node dissection is a highly recommended operation for the treatment of T2 and T3 GB Ca. Further extension of the operation, such as the addition of PD (PpPD) or an extended hepatectomy, should be carefully modified for each individual according to the cancer spread mode.     

Primary tumour characteristics and axillary lymph node status in breast cancer.

This paper examines the correlation between axillary lymph node status and primary tumour characteristics in breast cancer and whether this can be used to select patients for axillary lymphadenectomy. The results are based on a retrospective analysis of 909 patients who underwent axillary dissection in our unit. Axillary lymph nodes containing metastases were found in 406 patients (44.7%), all with invasive carcinomas, but in none of the 37 carcinomas-in-situ. Nodal status was negative in all T1a tumours, but lymph node metastases were present in 16.3% and 35.7% of T1b and T1c tumours respectively. When histological grade was taken into account, positivity for grade I T1b and T1c tumours fell to 13.6% and 26.7% respectively. Lymph node metastases were found in 85% of patients with lymphovascular invasion in their tumours as compared to only 15.4% of those without and in 45.5% of oestrogen and progesterone receptor-positive tumours. When one or both hormone receptors were absent this figure was much higher. It appears that for T1a breast cancers axillary dissection is not necessary, whereas for T1b, T1c and grade I T2 tumours other histopathological parameters should be taken into consideration in deciding who should undergo axillary lymphadenectomy.