Short- and Long-Term Outcomes after Hepatic Resection for Hepatocellular Carcinoma with Concomitant Esophageal Varices in Patients with Cirrhosis

Background Hepatic resection for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in cirrhotic patients with esophageal varices (EV) is often avoided because of poor liver function reserve. Outcomes of resection in such cases have not been fully investigated. Methods We conducted a retrospective study of 134 cirrhotic patients (Child–Pugh class A or B) who underwent hepatic resection for HCC, comparing short- and long-term outcomes in patients with EV (n = 31) to those in patients without EV (n = 103). Results Patients with EV had higher tumor differentiation, fewer instances of portal invasion, lower liver function reserve, and more limited resections than did patients without EV. Of 31 patients with EV, four died of postoperative complication, and nine of liver failure, seven of HCC, two of ruptured EV, and two of other causes. Median survival time for patients who died of liver failure was 59 months. Mortality and morbidity rates after hepatic resection did not differ between patients with and without EV. The 5-year overall survival rate was significantly higher in patients with EV (70.1%) than in those without EV (47.5%, P = 0.045) but did not differ between patients without portal invasion with and without EV (P = 0.55). Presence of EV was not an independent predictor for survival. Conclusions Short- and long-term outcomes of hepatic resection in HCC patients with and without EV are similar. Limited hepatic resection for early-stage tumor is an option for Child–Pugh class A or B patients with EV.     

原发性肝癌肝切除术中延长肝门阻断时限的探讨

目的 探讨原发性肝癌肝切除术中延长肝门阻断时限对手术失血量和肝功能的影响.方法 回顾性总结2001年6月至2005年12月原发性肝癌肝切除术中一次肝门阻断时间≥30 min患者的临床资料(持续阻断组),并以累积肝门阻断时间在相同范围内但为常规间歇性阻断的患者作为对照(间歇阻断组),比较两组手术失血量、接受输血病例的比例以及术后肝功能恢复情况.结果 持续阻断组共35例,间歇阻断组共38例,两组患者临床资料比较无明显差异(P>0.05);持续阻断组平均肝门阻断时间为(34.7±4.4)min(30～45 min),间歇阻断组为(35.3±4.2)min,两者差异无统计学意义(P>0.05);持续阻断组平均手术失血量为(660.0±655.8)ml,显著少于间歇阻断组的(1054.0±673.3)ml(P<0.05),接受输血患者的比例(48.6%)也显著低于间歇阻断组(78.9%)(P<0.01);两组患者术后肝功能均顺利恢复,术后并发症的发生率无明显差异(P>0.05).结论 在肝功能代偿良好的复杂原发性肝癌肝切除术中肝门阻断时间可以持续30～45 min,与常规的间歇性阻断相比未增加对肝脏的损伤,但显著减少了手术失血量、降低了需要输血患者的比例.     

Early Outcome Following Hepatic Resection in Patients Older Than 80?Years of Age

Background  We aimed to study the early outcome of patients 80 years of age and older undergoing liver resection and to compare the results with the outcomes of patients younger than 80 years of age. Methods  All 350 consecutive patients undergoing hepatic resections from 2004 April to 2008 October were included. Patients were divided into two groups: 80 years of age and older (group I; n = 43) and less than 80 years of age (group II; n = 307). Preoperative clinicopathological features, intraoperative factors, in-hospital mortality, postoperative complications, length of hospital stay, operative mortality, morbidity, and prognosis after discharge were analyzed and compared between groups I and II. Results  There was no significant difference between the two groups regarding the indication for hepatic resection. Hepatitis viral status was significantly different between groups: patients without hepatitis B or C viral infection were more common in group I than in group II. Regarding preoperative liver function, serum levels of albumin were significantly lower in group I than in group II. Although the operative time was significantly shorter in group I than in group II, no difference was found between groups regarding such operative factors as type of hepatectomy, blood loss, and rate of blood transfusion. After elimination of 16 patients with extrahepatic bile duct resection and reconstruction, no difference existed between the two groups in operative time. There was no postoperative mortality nor in-hospital mortality in group I; in group II one postoperative death (0.3%) and two in-hospital deaths (0.6%) were recorded. There was no difference between groups in the incidence of morbidity and early prognosis after discharge. Conclusions  The results indicate that hepatic resection for elderly patients over 80 can be safely performed given careful patient selection.     

Role of hypotension in brain-death associated impairment of liver microcirculation and viability

Hypotension in brain-dead organ donors is considered a determinant factor of graft viability. The aim of this study was to elucidate the role of hypotension in brain-death associated impairment of hepatic microcirculation and function. Male Sprague-Dawley rats with an intracranial balloon were used. Group I (n = 7) served as sham controls. In group II (n = 7) brain death was induced through inflation of an intracranial balloon. In group III (n = 7) hypotension without brain death was induced by means of pentobarbital. In group II, a steep rise of arterial pressure was followed by a fall to a lower level (P < 0.01, vs. group I). Also in group III arterial pressure was lower (P < 0.01, vs. group I). In group II, bile production was diminished (P < 0.05). Impaired sinusoidal perfusion (P < 0.01) and enhanced leukocyte endothelium interaction (P < 0.05) were documented in hepatic microvasculature. Electron microscopic analysis revealed vacuolization of hepatocytes; these changes were not observed in group III. Brain death induces specific changes of liver microcirculation, function and histomorphology. Independent of associated hypotension, brain death per se impairs donor liver graft quality. Received: 28 September 1999 Revised: 5 May 2000 Accepted: 13 September 2000     

Comparison of Two Methods of Selective Hepatic Vascular Exclusion for Liver Resection Involving the Roots of the Hepatic Veins

Background  Selective hepatic vascular exclusion (SHVE) is an effective hepatic vascular exclusion in controlling both inflow and outflow without interruption of caval flow, as it combines Pringle maneuver with extrahepatic selective occlusion of hepatic veins. But SHVE has not been widely used due to difficulty in extrahepatic dissection of hepatic veins. When the tumor is very close to the roots of the hepatic veins, dissecting the posterior wall of the hepatic vein may lead to rupture and massive bleeding of the hepatic vein. With our experience, clamping hepatic veins with Satinsky clamps is a safer and easier occlusion method by which the posterior wall of the hepatic veins does not need to be separated and encircled. In this report, we compared the results of selective hepatic vascular occlusion with tourniquet and Satinsky clamp for major liver resection involving the roots of the hepatic veins. Methods  Between January 2003 to June 2006, 180 patients who underwent major liver resection with SHVE were divided into two groups according to different methods of hepatic vascular occlusion: occlusion with tourniquet (tourniquet group, n = 95) and occlusion with Satinsky clamp (Satinsky clamp group, n = 85). In the tourniquet group, the hepatic veins were encircled and occluded with tourniquet. In the Satinsky clamp group, the hepatic veins were not encircled and clamped directly by Satinsky clamp. Results  Intraoperative and postoperative consequences of the patients were analyzed. The dissecting time for each hepatic vein was significantly shorter in the Satinsky group (6.2 ± 2.4 min vs 18.3 ± 6.2 min) than in the tourniquet group. In the tourniquet group, five hepatic veins (one right hepatic vein and four common trunk of left-middle hepatic veins) could not be dissected and encircled because the tumors involved the cava hepatic junction, and another common trunk of the left-middle hepatic vein had a small rupture during the dissection. These six patients then received successful occlusion with Satinsky clamp. There was no difference between the two groups regarding the operation duration, ischemia time, intraoperative blood loss, and postoperative complication rate. Conclusion  Both methods of the hepatic vein occlusion have the same effect on controlling hepatic vein bleeding, but occlusion with Satinsky clamp is safer, easier, and consumes less time in dissecting. Li Ai-Jun And Pan Ze-Ya contributed equally to this work.     

Predictive value of liver tissue flow in assessment of the viability of liver grafts after extended preservation in pigs

The crucial damage in cold storage of liver allografts is to the hepatic sinusoidal lining (microcirculation). Using different solutions, we studied whether determinations of graft tissue flow were valuable in estimating the viability of liver grafts. Twenty-three pairs of female pigs underwent orthotopic liver transplantation and were assigned to five groups according to the cold preservation time or solutions used: in group I the liver grafts were stored in Euro-Collins solution (EC) for 4 h (n = 3), in group II the grafts were stored in EC for 12 h (n = 5), in group HI the donor was pretreated with azathioprine (AZA), 1 mg/kg per day, orally (PO) for 3 days before harvesting and the graft was implanted after 12 h cold storage with EC (n = 6), in group IV the graft was stored in modified University of Wisconsin solution (mUW) for 4 h (n = 3), and in group V the graft was stored in mUW for 24 h (n = 6). Liver tissue blood flow (LTBF) was measured, using a laser doppler device, at 60 min after recirculation of the graft. In the case of EC preservation, LTBF (ml/100 g of liver tissue per min) correlated well with 4-day survival: 21.2 ± 3.0 ml/100 g of tissue per min mean ± SD, in group I (3/3, 100%); 10.0 ± 2.8 ml/100 g of tissue per min in group II (0/5, 0%); and 19.1 ± 3.4 m1/100 g of tissue per min in group III (5/6, 83.3%) (P < 0.05, group II vs I and III). All grafts with LTBF of more than 15 ml/100 g tissue per min functioned well. However, changes in microcirculation of the mUW-stored livers did not correlate with early function of the graft: 23.0 ± 2.3 m1/100 g of tissue per min in group IV (4-day survival; 3 of 3, 100%) and 23.5 ± 9.1 m1/100 g of tissue per min in group V (0 of 6, 0%). This was accompanied by graft dehydration during storage and an increased number of erythrocytes in the hepatic sinusoids post-recirculation. We concluded that assessment of liver tissue flow by LDF was very helpful and easy to apply in predicting liver graft failure in the case of preservation with Euro-Collins solution. However, LTBF should be carefully evaluated as a marker of liver graft viability when the liver graft is preserved with mUW.     

Laparoscopic Liver Surgery for Patients with Hepatocellular Carcinoma

Background Laparoscopic hepatectomy is feasible for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) today. This is a retrospective study of the patients with HCC treated by liver resection with a totally laparoscopic approach. Methods This study recruited 116 patients (92 male, 24 female) that underwent laparoscopic liver resection (LR) for HCC. Patients were divided into two groups: group I: (n = 97, 78 male,19 female) those with a volume of resection less than two segments; group II: (n = 19, 14 male, 5 female) those with a volume of resection of more than two segments. The distribution of the tumor-node–metastasis (TNM) stage of patients in the two groups was not significantly different. Results Patients resumed full diet on the second or third day after the operation, and the average length of hospital stay was 6 days. The operation time was 152.4 ± 336.3 min and 175.8 ± 57.4 min, while blood loss was 101.6 ± 324.4 mL and 329.2 ± 338.0 ml, for groups I and II, respectively. Five patients (5.2%) in group I and three patients (15.8%) in group II required blood transfusion (p = 0.122). The mortality rate was zero among our patients and complication rates were 6.2% and 5.2% for groups I and II, respectively. The 1-year, 3-year, and 5-year survival rates were 85.4%, 66.4%, and 59.4% for group I, and 94.7%, 74.2%, and 61.7% for group II, respectively, with no significant difference between two groups (p = 0.1237). Conclusion Laparoscopic liver resection is a procedure of significant risk and is more technically demanding in comparison with traditional open method. There was no significant difference in survival rates, based on the volume of resection. Laparoscopic surgery should be performed in selected patients as the postoperative quality of life of patients is better than that with open resection.     

Surgical treatment of Budd-Chiari syndrome induced by Behcet's disease.

OBJECTIVE: Although Budd-Chiari syndrome in Japanese is usually chronic, and of unknown etiology and idiopathic, Behcet's disease is rare as an underlying disorder of Budd-Chiari syndrome in Japanese. To clarify the Behcet-induced Budd-Chiari syndrome, the clinical course and pathologic findings of patients with Behcet-induced Budd-Chiari syndrome were compared with those of patients with idiopathic Budd-Chiari syndrome. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We treated 45 patients (15 women and 30 men) with our devised surgical procedure. With normothermic partial bypass, the occluded vena cava and hepatic veins were reopened. The age of the patients ranged from 24 to 76 years (mean, 48.9 13.0 years). In two patients, Budd-Chiari syndrome was induced by Behcet's disease (Behcet group). The other 43 patients (control group) had no distinct underlying disorder. The Behcet group was compared to the control group with regards to (1) onset of symptoms and duration of illness prior to medical treatment, (2) preoperative laboratory data including liver function, (3) intraoperative findings, (4) microscopic findings of liver tissue, and (5) postoperative course. RESULTS: (1) In the Behcet group, duration of illness from diagnosis to surgical treatment was markedly shorter (P=0.027, 8.5 months vs. 10.1 10.6 years). (2) The preoperative laboratory data of liver function were similar in both groups with moderately impaired hepatic function. (3) The Behcet group had no patent hepatic vein (P=0.025 vs. 1.22 0.57). (4) Microscopic examination of the liver tissue showed liver cirrhosis or liver fibrosis in the control group, and centrilobular marked congestion only in the Behcet group. (5) During hospitalization, one patient of the control group died due to preoperative severe hepatic failure. One patient with Behcet's disease underwent reoperation due to reocclusion by Behcet-induced vasculitis, and the other died of peritonitis by intestinal Behcet's disease. CONCLUSION: In Budd-Chiari syndrome in Japanese, the Behcet-induced Budd-Chiari syndrome had an acute clinical course, and its postoperative prognosis depends on the prognosis of the Behcet's disease.     

肝细胞、胰岛细胞肝内移植对肝硬变影响的研究

目的避免脾切除、门腔分流术后所致向肝血流减少造成的肝功能损害。方法白蛋白将分离纯化的肝细胞、胰岛细胞经肝动脉灌注肝内移植。结果细胞组与对照组比较血总蛋白、白蛋白、胆红素改善程度,差异有极显著意义（Ｐ＜０．０１）。肝纤维化光镜检查及Ⅰ、Ⅲ型胶原免疫组织化学染色及图象分析结果,差异有显著意义（Ｐ＜０．０５）。结论肝细胞、胰岛细胞经肝动脉灌注肝内移植,不但能改善肝功能,还能促进肝脏胶原纤维降解,逆转肝纤维化、肝硬变的程度。     

Adjuvant treatment with ursodeoxycholic acid reduces acute rejection after liver transplantation

Acute rejection, occurring with a reported frequency of 50–70%, is still a dominating problem after liver transplantation. Medication with ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA) has beneficial effects in different cholestatic conditions and has also been shown to reduce HLA class I antigen expression on hepatocytes in patients with PBC. Since August 1989 we have consecutively treated all patients with primary graft function with UDCA (n = 41). Patients transplanted in the first half of 1989 served as a control group (n = 8). All patients in this study were given sequential quadruple drug immunosuppression. The treatment group were given oral UDCA 10 mg/kg per day. During the first postoperative month, 17% of the UDCA-treated patients had an episode of acute rejection compared with 75% of the control patients (P < 0.01). Liver biochemistry tests 1 month postoperatively were significantly better in patients treated with UDCA. The results suggest that adjuvant treatment with UDCA reduces acute liver graft rejection.     

Intraoperative Continuous External Bile Drainage During Pancreaticoduodenectomy

Purpose The common hepatic duct is usually divided during the early stage of pancreaticoduodenectomy. However, abrupt, complete, and prolonged closure of the proximal common duct stump can cause liver damage in the course of this long operation, resulting in postoperative liver dysfunction and associated complications. Here, we investigate this phenomenon further.Methods We performed intraoperative continuous external bile drainage (IBD) in 43 consecutive patients (drainage group) and compared postoperative liver enzyme levels, morbidity including liver dysfunction, and outcomes with those of a control group (n = 41).Results There were no complications associated with IBD catheter insertion in this series. The drainage group had significantly lower transaminase levels within the first 7 postoperative days (PODs) than the control group. Postoperative liver dysfunction was confirmed in six patients from the control group and in one patient from the drainage group (P = 0.04). However, there were no significant differences between these two groups in terms of postoperative morbidity (other than liver dysfunction), relaparotomy, and in-hospital mortality rates.Conclusion Intraoperative continuous external bile drainage failed to improve the overall morbidity and mortality rates in this series. However, our findings showed that prolonged intraoperative complete closure of the common hepatic duct contributed to postoperative liver dysfunction in most patients and that IBD, which is easy and safe to perform, could reduce intra-operative liver damage and prevent postoperative liver dysfunction.     

Antiviral combination therapy for lamivudine‐resistant hepatitis B reinfection after liver transplantation

Abstract Development of resistance is a major issue in antiviral treatment of hepatitis B reinfection after liver transplantation. Antiviral combination therapy is discussed for therapy or prevention of this breakthrough of viral replication. Eight patients were enrolled into this retrospective analysis after liver transplantation for chronic hepatitis B infection. All had reinfection of the graft and breakthrough of HBV during consecutive famciclovir and lamivudine monotherapy. Subsequently a combination therapy with lamivudine and interferon‐α 2 a (group I, n = 4) or lamivudine and famciclovir (group II, n = 4) was initiated. Combination therapy was started 61 months (group I) and 25 months (group II) after liver transplantation. It markedly reduced the viral replication rate in all patients despite lamivudine resistance. In group I three of four patients and in group II two of four patients became HBV‐DNA negative. Two long‐term responders were observed in group I, and none in group II. No patient became HBsAg negative or lost HbeAg. Pretreatment elevated ALT and AST levels were significantly reduced. No severe complications, and especially no rejection episodes, occurred. Lamivudine in combination with other antiviral agents, especially interferon‐α, might be a therapeutic option for hepatitis B reinfection after liver transplantation. Suppression of virus replication to the point of undetectable values is possible even in patients with lamivudine‐resistant virus mutations.     

第二肝门区域肿瘤切除中两种肝血流阻断方法的比较

目的比较入肝血流加肝静脉血流阻断术与单纯第一肝门阻断术在第二肝门区域肿瘤切除中的作用。方法从2000年1月至2005年10月,共施行2100例肝脏肿瘤切除术,其中235例肿瘤紧贴或压迫1根以上主肝静脉,根据肝血流阻断方法的不同,将235例患者分为两组：选择性肝血流阻断组（SHVE组,125例）和第一肝门阻断组（Pringle组,110例）。分析两组患者的术中及术后情况。在SHVE组,完全SHVE（阻断第一肝门和所有主肝静脉）25例,部分SHVE（阻断第一肝门和部分主肝静脉）100例。肝静脉阻断方法有3种：丝线结扎肝静脉,止血带阻断和辛氏钳阻断。结果两组间年龄、性别、肿瘤大小、肝硬化发生率、HBsAg阳性率、术中热缺血时间和手术时间的差异均无统计学意义（P〉0．05）。SHVE组的术中失血量及输血量明显少于Pringle组（P〈0．05）。Pringle组有17例发生主肝静脉破裂,其中大出血14例,空气栓塞3例。而SHVE组无1例肝静脉破裂、大出血或空气栓塞发生。Pringle组术后再出血、再次手术和肝功能衰竭等并发症发生率高于SHVE组,ICU时间和住院时间长于SHVE组（P〈0．05）。结论SHVE较Pringle法能更有效地控制术中大出血,防止肝静脉破裂导致的大出血和空气栓塞,降低术后并发症和手术病死率。用辛氏钳阻断肝静脉较结扎法和止血带阻断法更安全和简便。     

Systemic Chemotherapy and Two-Stage Hepatectomy for Extensive Bilateral Colorectal Liver Metastases: Perioperative Safety and Survival

Background Two-stage hepatectomy has been proposed for patients with bilateral colorectal liver metastases (CLM). The aim of this study was to compare the outcome of patients with CLM treated with preoperative chemotherapy followed by one- or two-stage hepatectomy. Methods From a prospective database, 214 consecutive patients who received preoperative systemic chemotherapy (fluoropyrimidine with irinotecan or oxaliplatin) followed by planned one- or two-stage hepatectomy were retrospectively analyzed (1998–2006). In patients undergoing two-stage procedures, minor hepatectomy (wedge or segmental resection[s]) was systematically performed before major (more than three segments), second-stage hepatectomy. Preoperative portal vein embolization (PVE) was performed if indicated. Results One- (group I) and two-stage(group II) hepatectomies were performed in 184 and 21 patients, respectively. Median number of metastases in groups I and II were two (range 1–20) and seven (range 2–20). All patients in group II had bilateral disease vs 39% in group I. Major hepatectomy was performed in all patients in group II and 79% in group I. PVE was performed in 18 group I and 12 group II patients without increase in morbidity. For group I, group II first stage, and group II second stage, respectively, morbidity (24%, 24%, 43%), median hospital stay (7 days, 6 days, 6.5 days) and 30 days postoperative mortality (2%, 0%, 0%) were not significantly different (P = NS). Median follow-up was 25 months; median survival has not been reached. One- and 3-year overall and disease-free survival rates from the time of hepatic resection were 95% and 75%, 63% and 39%, respectively in group I; 95% and 86%, 70% and 51%, respectively in group II (P = NS). Conclusions Two-stage hepatectomy with preoperative chemotherapy results in comparable morbidity and survival rates as one-stage hepatectomy. This approach enables selection and treatment of patients with multiple, bilateral CLM who will benefit from aggressive surgery with good outcomes. Presented at the Society for Surgery of the Alimentary Tract 48th Annual Meeting, May 2007, Washington, DC.     

肝癌切除术中肝血流阻断方法的临床研究

目的 探讨肝癌切除术中不同肝血流阻断方法的合理选择. 方法 回顾性分析2003年4月至2007年8月收治的资料完整的124例肝癌切除患者的临床资料,根据术中血流阻断方法分为:A组(51例),全肝入肝血流阻断法;B组(38例),选择性入肝血流阻断法;C组(24例),选择性出、人肝血流阻断法;D组(11例),半肝血流完全阻断法.比较四组患者手术时间、肝脏缺血时间、术中出血及输血量、术后肝功能恢复情况、术后并发症发生率及病死率等指标. 结果 术前基本情况比较四组间无明显差异(P>0.05).C组和D组手术时间明显长于A组(P<0.05),但术中出血量、输血量均少于A组和B组(P<0.05).四组在肝缺血时间、术后并发症发生率及病死率等方面无明显差异(P>0.05).但A组术后谷氨酸转氨酶水平明显高于其他三组(P<0.05),A组术后总胆红素恢复情况与B组有明显差异(P<0.05). 结论 肝切除术中每一种肝血流阻断方法都有其应用价值.阻断方法的合理选择由肿瘤大小、位置、术前肝功能状况、潜在肝病、心脑血管状态等因素综合决定,其中最重要的是术者手术经验及权衡利弊的能力.     

Mid-term results and quantitative comparison of postoperative shoulder function in traumatic and non-traumatic rotator cuff tears

Introduction The objective of this study was to compare the postoperative range of motion (ROM) and patient satisfaction after surgical reconstruction of traumatic and non-traumatic rotator cuff tears.Materials and methods The cases of 46 consecutive patients who underwent the same standardised surgical reconstruction and postoperative rehabilitation protocol between 1993 and 1998 were reviewed. Traumatic (group I, n=20, average age 34.2 years, range 15–49 years) and non-traumatic tears (group II, n=26, average age 54.1 years, range 50–68 years) formed the two study groups. Mean follow-up lasted 47.1 months (range 13–105 months) in group I and 41.4 months (range 11–94 months) in group II. Assessment included postoperative shoulder function with Constant and Murley's score and visual analogue scale (VAS).Results Significantly (p=0.0019) better results were observed in group I with an average of 94.1 points for Constant's score, compared with 75.3 points in group II. Postoperative shoulder function was not affected regarding full-thickness or partial tears (p=0.239) in group I. VAS revealed an excellent or good result in all patients of group I (n=20) and 50% of group II (n=13/26). Quantitative comparison of postoperative ROM demonstrated significantly better results in forward flexion (p=0.013), abduction (p=0.0019) and external rotation (p=0.0042) for group I. The remaining postoperative external rotation deficit for group II with a loss of 31% compared with group I (38.9° vs 56.6°) was statistically and clinically relevant.Conclusion The results demonstrate that surgical reconstruction of traumatic and non-traumatic rotator cuff tears is a successful procedure. Comparison of both groups revealed significantly better postoperative results in the younger, traumatic collective.     

Indications for hepatectomy for hepatocellular carcinoma — What stage of the disease is the best indication for surgery?

To determine the clinical and tumor stage of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) that is the best indication for surgery, the postoperative long-term outcomes of patients who underwent hepatic resection were examined retrospectively. Of 975 patients with HCC who underwent regional therapy, 384 patients (39%) received hepatic resection (HR), 534 (55%) had transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (TACE), and the remaining 57 (6%) received percutaneous ethanol injection (PEI) into the tumor. The criteria defined by liver Cancer Study Group of Japan was used for staging and liver functional reserve (i.e., clinical staging).¹ In the 133 patients with stage I HCC, there were no significant differences among the survivals of the HR, TACE, and PEI groups. In the 314 patients with stage II HCC, the 5- and 7-year survival rates were 51% and 46% in the HR group, 23% and 10% in the TACE group, and 0% and 0% in the PEI group. The survival of the HR group was significantly better than the survivals of the TACE and PEI groups (P < 0.001). The 5- and 10-year survivals of the stage II HCC patients who had HR were 64% and 47% in the clinical stage I (i.e., good liver function) group, significantly better than the 5; and 10-year survivals (32% and 23%) in the clinical stage II (i.e., bad liver function) group (P < 0.0001). Patients with good liver function in stage II are expected to have better survival and are considered to be the most suitable for HR. Received for publication on June 9, 1997; accepted on July 3, 1997     

腹腔镜肝左外叶切除三种血流阻断方法的比较

目的:探讨3种不同肝血流阻断方法在腹腔镜肝左外叶切除术中的临床效果。方法:回顾性分析2008—2015年间因原发性肝细胞癌行腹腔镜肝左外叶切除术的45例患者临床资料,患者术中肝血流控制分别采用Pringle法(全肝阻断组,18例)、半肝血流阻断法(半肝阻断组,17例)、七步断肝法分步阻断(七步断肝组,10例)。比较3组相关临床指标的差异。结果:3组术中失血量差异无统计学意义(P0.05),但七步断肝组在手术时间、术后肝功能恢复、胃肠功能恢复、并发症发生率、住院时间等指标上明显优于全肝阻断组与半肝阻断组(均P0.05)。结论:利用七步断肝法行腹腔镜肝左外叶切除术安全、简便、可行,且对术者腹腔镜技术要求不高,适合各级医院借鉴和开展。     

Abdominal organ cluster transplantation in pigs and FK

Using a swine abdominal organ cluster transplantation model, we investigated the postoperative function and immunological reactions of a cluster graft and evaluated the immunosuppressive activity of FK506. The animals were divided into two groups. Group I (n = 6) served as controls, while in group II (n = 6) a daily dose of 0.1 mg/kg FK506 was given intramuscularly. Postoperative pancreatitis was the most important factor influencing the early outcome in both groups. In group I, the cause of late death was cachexia due to diabetes mellitus induced by pancreatic rejection. In group II, emaciation despite a well-functioning graft was the principal cause of late death. Histologically, in group I the grade of rejection in the pancreas was more severe than in the liver, and no sign of rejection was observed in group II. In conclusion, the pancreas suffered more severe rejection than the liver, and FK506 could significantly prevent cluster allograft rejection in this model.     

Serum IFN-inducible protein-10: a new clinical prognostic predictor of hepatocyte death in biliary atresia

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to determine whether chemokines such as serum IP-10 levels in patients with biliary atresia (BA) correlate with liver function and histology and assess its value as a medium to long-term prediction of prognosis in postoperative BA patients. METHODS: Thirty postoperative BA patients (mean age, 10.8+/-3.5 years) and eight normal controls (mean age, 10.3+/-3.3 years) were studied. The BA patients were divided into three groups according to liver function. Group I (n = 8) was jaundice free, had normal liver function and no evidence of severe cholangitis or portal hypertension. Group II (n = 12) had moderate liver dysfunction. Group III (n = 10), had severe liver dysfunction. Hepatic histology was assessed using conventional needle biopsy. Serum IP-10 levels were determined using a specific enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). RESULTS: Serum levels of IP-10 in group III (458.0+/-240.0 pg/mL) were significantly higher than those in group II (233.6+/-126.9 pg/mL; P < .0001). Levels in group II were also significantly higher than those in group I (144.8+/-23.4 pg/mL; P < .05), but there was no significant difference between group I and controls (107.9+/-34.0 pg/mL). Liver biopsy findings showed a progression of fibrosis and mononuclear cell infiltration from group I to group III. There was intimal hyperplasia and swelling of endothelial cells of branches of the hepatic artery in the portal area in group III. CONCLUSION: Because IP-10 levels correlate closely with histological findings in postoperative BA patients, it would appear to play a specific role in hepatocyte death and hepatic artery changes, thus providing important information about progressive fibrosis in BA patients that facilitates treatment decision making and prediction of prognosis.