Hepatectomy in Elderly Patients: Does Age Matter?

Background

With the increase in average life expectancy in recent decades, the proportion of elderly patients requiring liver surgery is rising. The aim of the meta-analysis reported here was to evaluate the safety and efficacy of hepatectomy in elderly patients.

Methods

An extensive electronic search was performed for relevant articles that compare the outcomes of hepatectomy in patients ≥70 years of age with those in younger patients prior to October 2012. Analysis of pooled data was performed with RevMan 5.0.

Results

Twenty-eight observational studies involving 15,480 patients were included in the analysis. Compared with the younger patients, elderly patients experienced more complications (31.8 vs 28.7 %; P = 0.002), mainly as a result of increased cardiac complications (7.5 vs 1.9 %; P < 0.001) and delirium (11.7 vs 4.5 %; P < 0.001). Postoperative major surgical complications (12.6 vs 11.3 %; P = 0.55) and mortality (3.6 vs 3.3 %; P = 0.68) were comparable between elderly and younger patients. For patients with malignancies, both the 5-year disease-free survival (26.5 vs 26.3 %; P = 0.60) and overall survival (39.5 vs 40.7 %; P = 0.29) did not differ significantly between the two groups.

Conclusions

Postoperative major surgical complications, mortality, and long-term results in elderly patients seem to be comparable with those in younger patients, suggesting that age alone should not be considered a contraindication for hepatectomy.     

Hepatectomy for Huge Hepatocellular Carcinoma: Single Institute’s Experience

Background

The surgical resection of huge hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is still controversial. This study was designed to introduce our experience of liver resection for huge HCC and evaluate the safety and outcomes of hepatectomy for huge HCC.

Methods

A total of 258 hepatic resections for the patients with huge HCC were analysed retrospectively from December 2002 to December 2011. The operative outcomes were compared with 293 patients with HCC >5.0 cm but <10.0 cm in diameter. Prognostic factors for long-term survival were evaluated by univariate and multivariate analyses.

Results

The 1-, 3-, 5-year overall survival rates after liver resection were 84, 62, and 33 %. Overall survival and disease-free survival in huge HCC group and HCC >5.0 cm but <10.0 cm group were similar (P = 0.751, P = 0.493). Solitary huge HCC group has significantly a more longer overall and disease-free survival time than nodular huge HCC (P = 0.026, P = 0.022). Univariate and multivariate analysis revealed that the types of tumour, vascular invasion, and UICC stage were independent prognostic factors for overall survival (P = 0.047, P = 0.037, P = 0.033).

Conclusions

Hepatic resection can be performed safely for huge HCC with a low mortality and favorable survival outcomes. Solitary huge HCC has the better surgical outcomes than nodular huge HCC.     

Clinical Outcome of Hepatectomy for Hepatocellular Carcinomas ��2?cm

Background  

The treatment strategy for hepatocellular carcinomas (HCCs) ≤2 cm (HCC2−) is still controversial. In this study, we retrospectively analyzed clinicopathological data for HCC2− and HCCs >2 cm (HCC2+) to establish the treatment strategy for HCC2−.     

Hepatectomy using traditional Péan clamp-crushing technique under intermittent Pringle maneuver

BACKGROUND: The clamp-crushing technique has been proved to be the most cost-efficient approach for hepatectomy. If the advantageous characteristics, such as lower blood loss and morbidity, could be utilized, this method could be ideal. METHODS: The records of 380 patients who underwent hepatectomy using the clamp-crushing technique with intermittent inflow occlusion between 2002 and 2006 were retrospectively reviewed. One hundred fifty patients underwent major hepatectomy, and 230 underwent minor hepatectomy. RESULTS: Thirteen (3.4%) patients received red cell transfusion, and 21 (5.5%) patients received fresh frozen plasma. According to Clavien's classification system, grade I complications occurred in 42 (11.1%), grade II in 32 (8.4%), grade III in 14 (3.7%), grade IV in 1 (0.3%), and grade V in 2 (0.5%) patients. Female sex, preoperative albumin-to-globulin ratio, and type of resection were independent factors predictive of blood loss. CONCLUSIONS: The present patient series, who underwent traditional Péan clamp-crushing technique under intermittent Pringle maneuver, had a low risk of complications. This procedure is an acceptable technique for hepatic parenchymal transection.     

Does Anti-HBV Therapy Benefit the Prognosis of HBV-Related Hepatocellular Carcinoma Following Hepatectomy?

The Hepatitis B virus (HBV) is an important etiological factor for hepatocarcinogenesis, because HBV DNA load and HBV reactivation are major risks that influence the long-term survival of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patients who underwent hepatectomy and, thus, may cause postoperative liver function deterioration, tumor recurrence, and reduce patient’s overall survival. However, anti-HBV therapy can suppress HBV replication, improve the remnant liver function, render patients better able to tolerate HCC treatments, and may even improve their prognosis. In this paper, an anti-HBV therapy that benefits the prognosis of HBV-related HCC following hepatectomy is reviewed.     

Does the Presence of Coronary Artery Disease Impact Perioperative Outcomes Following Partial Hepatectomy?

Introduction

Coronary artery disease (CAD) is often considered a contraindication to hepatectomy despite a lack of data to support this practice. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the impact of CAD on postoperative outcomes in patients undergoing hepatectomy.

Material and Methods

A total of 1,206 consecutive patients undergoing hepatectomy from August 1995 to June 2009 were included. Propensity matching was performed to identify differences in morbidity and mortality between patients with and without CAD. Subgroup analyses were performed to stratify patients based on the severity of CAD and the interval between coronary intervention and hepatectomy.

Results

Of all patients, 138 (11.4 %) had a diagnosis of CAD and were more likely to have a malignant diagnosis and other comorbid conditions including renal insufficiency, COPD, and diabetes. Matched patients with CAD had no significant differences in complication rates, with 2.2 and 5.8 % of CAD patients experiencing a postoperative myocardial infarction or arrhythmia, respectively. Propensity matching failed to identify differences in mortality or morbidity. Subgroup analysis revealed similar rates of mortality and complications regardless of the severity of CAD or the time interval between coronary intervention and hepatectomy.

Conclusion

Despite the increased prevalence of major medical comorbidities, selected patients with CAD can safely undergo hepatectomy with acceptable rates of postoperative morbidity and mortality.     

Significance of Alpha-Fetoprotein and Des-γ-Carboxy Prothrombin in Patients with Hepatocellular Carcinoma Undergoing Hepatectomy

Background  

Alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) and des-γ-carboxy prothrombin (DCP) are well-known tumor markers of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). The aims of this study are to calculate the sensitivity/specificity of AFP and DCP measurement for the diagnosis of HCC, measure response rates of the markers following curative-intent resections, determine the correlations between the marker levels and clinicopathological prognostic variables, and determine the correlations between the marker levels before hepatectomy and those at diagnosis of recurrence.     

Laparoscopic Caudate Hepatectomy for Cancer—An Innovative Approach to the No-Man’s Land

Background

Caudate hepatectomy remains a surgical challenge in spite of recent advances in laparoscopic technique. Hepatic tumor in the caudate lobe is usually deeply located in the center of the liver and close to the vena cava and hepatic hilum. Thus, lesion in this region was considered as a contraindication of laparoscopic hepatectomy. Only sporadic reports could be found in the literature. The aim of this study is to review the safety and feasibility of laparoscopic hepatectomy for lesions in the caudate lobe.

Methods

Nine consecutive patients with caudate hepatic tumor received laparoscopic caudate hepatectomy in our institute from February 2006 to July 2010. One patient with hepatic adenoma was excluded from the analysis. Demographic data, intraoperative parameters, and postoperative outcomes of the remaining eight patients were assessed.

Results

All procedure for these eight patients with caudate hepatic tumors (size 0.9–4.5 cm) were completed with totally laparoscopic technique except one in which additional left hepatectomy was also done. The average operative time was 254 min (range 210–345 min) and estimated blood loss was 202 ml (range 10–1,000 ml), and average length of postoperative hospital stay was 6.9 days (range 4–11 days). There was no perioperative complications and patient mortality in this series.

Conclusions

Our experience demonstrated that laparoscopic hepatectomy is a safe and feasible procedure for caudate hepatic tumors in selected patients.     

Major Hepatectomy for Colorectal Metastases: Is Preoperative Portal Occlusion an Oncological Risk Factor?

Background  This study investigates oncological risks and benefits of portal occlusion (PO) in major resection for colorectal liver metastases (CLM). Methods  Between 1995 and 2004, 107 patients were scheduled for major hepatectomy for CLM. Of these, 53 patients were selected for PO due to insufficient future liver remnant (FLR), and 54 patients had straightforward hepatectomy. Associations of clinicopathologic factors with resectability, and outcome after PO were analyzed. Results  21 of 53 patients (39.6%) after PO were unresectable. These patients had a significant smaller volume of the FLR than the 32 resected patients after PO (P = .029). In total, 17 patients (80.9%) did not undergo resection due to cancer progression. Among these, 11 patients (52.4%) exhibited either a progression of known metastases located in the occluded lobes, or new metastases in the nonoccluded portion of the liver. In another 4 individuals (19%), the decision against resection resulted from insufficient hypertrophy of the FLR. Following major hepatectomy, the 5-year survival was 43.66%. Although there was a significantly higher rate of extended hepatectomies versus formal hepatectomies (P < .001), more bilobar distributed metastases versus unilobar manifestations (P = .015), and a smaller resection margin (P = .01) in patients who had PO, no adverse effect on mortality, morbidity, recurrence and survival was observed. Conclusion  Unresectability after PO is a major problem that warrants multidisciplinary improvements, and randomization to resection with or without PO remains ethically problematic. However, following adequate patient selection, PO may provide a significant survival benefit for patients with prior unresectable CLM. L. Mueller and C. Hillert contributed equally to this work.     

Pure Laparoscopic Right Hepatectomy with␣the␣Hanging Maneuver for␣Multiple Hepatocellular Adenomas

A 54-year-old woman with multiple telangiectatic hepatocellular adenoma without degeneration (>5 cm) underwent laparoscopic right hepatectomy with the hanging maneuver. The patient was installed in the supine position with the legs spread apart. Five trocars were used for the intervention. The liver hanging maneuver was performed up-to-down with a nasogastric tube and no prior mobilization of the right liver. Surgery lasted 270 min with 100 ml of blood loss and 15 min of hepatic pedicle clamping. The patient was discharged on postoperative day 7. This anterior approach avoids difficult mobilization of the right liver, guides the anatomical transaction plane, limits bleeding, and increases the number of patients who can benefit from the laparoscopic approach.     

Volume–Outcome Associations after Major Hepatectomy for Hepatocellular Carcinoma: a Nationwide Taiwan Study

Objective

The objective of this study was to explore volume–outcome associations after major hepatectomy for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).

Methods

This population-based cohort study retrospectively analyzed 23,107 major hepatectomies for HCC patients from 1998 to 2009. Relationships between hospital/surgeon volume and patient outcome were analyzed by propensity score matching (PSM). Five-year overall survival (OS) was estimated by Kaplan–Meier method, and differences were compared by log-rank test.

Results

The mean length of stay (LOS) after major hepatectomy was 18.1 days, and the mean hospital cost was US$5,088.2. After PSM, the mean OS in high- and low-volume hospitals was 71.1 months (standard deviation (SD) 0.7 months) and 68.6 months (SD 0.6 months), respectively; the mean OS in high- and low-volume surgeons was 78.5 months (SD 0.7 months) and 66.9 months (SD 0.7 months), respectively. The PSM analysis showed that treatment by high-volume hospitals and treatment by high-volume surgeons were both associated with significantly shorter LOS, lower hospital cost, and longer survival compared to their low-volume counterparts (P?<?0.001).

Conclusions

The results of this nationwide study support the regionalization of HCC treatment by hospital volume and by surgeon volume. High surgeon volume revealed both short- and long-term benefits. The applicability of PSM in volume–outcome analysis may also be confirmed.     

Morbidity of Staged Proctectomy After Hepatectomy for Colorectal Cancer: A Matched Case–Control Analysis

Background

Proctectomy after hepatectomy, or the reverse approach, is an alternative to traditional sequencing for advanced liver metastases with asymptomatic colorectal primary tumors. We sought to evaluate the surgical morbidity of proctectomy for colorectal cancer after previous liver surgery.

Methods

A single-institution colorectal database was queried for patients treated with proctectomy after previous hepatectomy from 2003 to 2011. Reverse-approach patients (n = 31) were matched 1:2 with a cohort of standard proctectomy patients (n = 62) using operation, age, gender, and surgeon. Perioperative factors were analyzed by univariate/multivariate models for associations with complications graded by Dindo–Clavien criteria.

Results

Thirty-one patients with adenocarcinoma ≤20 cm from the anal verge underwent proctectomy after hepatectomy. Median time from hepatectomy to proctectomy was 5.1 months. Median tumor distance was 8.5 cm. Before proctectomy, patients underwent 28 (90 %) major hepatectomies and 7 (22 %) portal vein embolizations. There were no perioperative deaths. Reverse-approach patients did not differ from control patients in operation, demographics, body mass index (BMI), comorbidities, tumor distance, operative time, estimated blood loss, length of stay, or complication rates (p > 0.05). Grade 2 or higher complications developed in 42 % of reverse-approach and 27 % of standard proctectomies (p = 0.17). Grade 3 or higher complications developed in 10 % and 8 %, respectively (p = 1.00). Independent predictors of complications of grade 2 or higher were BMI ≥30 kg/m² (p = 0.007), operative time ≥300 min (p = 0.012), intraoperative transfusion (p = 0.044), concurrent procedures (p = 0.024), and age ≥50 years (p = 0.030).

Conclusions

Risk factors for morbidity of staged proctectomy are similar to those for standard proctectomy. In selected patients, the reverse-approach proctectomy is safe with acceptable morbidity.     

Appraisal of 1 cm Hepatectomy Margins for Intrahepatic Micrometastases in Patients with Colorectal Carcinoma Liver Metastasis

Background  This study sought to clarify the distribution of intrahepatic micrometastases and elucidate an adequate hepatectomy margin for colorectal carcinoma liver metastases. Methods  Intrahepatic micrometastases in resected specimens from 90 patients who underwent hepatectomy for colorectal carcinoma liver metastases were examined retrospectively. Intrahepatic micrometastases were defined as microscopic lesions spatially separated from the gross tumor. Distances from these lesions to the hepatic tumor borders were measured histologically, and the density of intrahepatic micrometastases (number of lesions/mm²) calculated relative to the advancing tumor border in a zone <1 cm from the border (close) or ≥1 cm away (distant). Median follow-up time was 127 months. Results  A total of 294 intrahepatic micrometastases were detected in 52 (58%) patients; 95% of these occurred in the close zone. The density of intrahepatic micrometastases was significantly higher in the close zone (mean 74.8 × 10⁻⁴  lesions/mm²) than in the distant zone (mean 7.4 × 10⁻⁴  lesions/mm²; P < 0.001). Hepatectomy margin status was positive by 0 cm in 10 patients or negative by <1 cm in 51, and by ≥1 cm in 29 patients. The median survival times were 18, 33, and 89 months in patients with hepatectomy margins 0 cm, <1 cm, and ≥1 cm, respectively. Hepatectomy margin status independently influenced survival (P < 0.001) and disease-free survival (P < 0.001). Conclusion  The currently recommended ≥1 cm hepatectomy margin should remain the goal for resections of colorectal carcinoma liver metastases, based on the distribution of intrahepatic micrometastases and survival risk.     

Repeat Hepatectomy for Early Recurrence of Colorectal Liver Metastases—Prognostic Impacts Assessed from the Recurrence Pattern

World Journal of Surgery - It is unclear how early liver recurrence negatively affects survival in patients undergoing surgery for colorectal liver metastases (CLM) and whether to perform...     

Living Donor Right Hepatectomy Using the Hanging Maneuver by Glisson’s Approach Under the Upper Midline Incision

Background  

The purpose of this study was to introduce an advanced technique for the best living donor right hepatectomy (LDRH) using the hanging maneuver by Glisson’s approach under an upper midline incision.     

Does Preoperative Portal Vein Embolization Have Any Impact on the Outcome of Right-Side Hepatectomy for Klatskin Tumor?

Background and Aim

The clinical usefulness of portal vein embolization (PVE) for Klatskin tumor is not well established. The authors explored the change in liver volume and function before and after major hepatectomy and evaluated the effect of PVE.

Methods

Thirty-three consecutive patients who underwent right hepatectomy with an initial future liver remnant (FLR)?≤?30 % for Klatskin tumors at Seoul National University Hospital were included.

Results

Eleven patients underwent PVE, and eight patients received right trisectionectomy. PVE induced a mean FLR increase of 19.3 % after a mean of 15.8 days. At postoperative month 1, liver volume and liver hypertrophy ratio was comparable between PVE and no-PVE group. For patients with an initial FLR?≤?20 %, postoperative liver hypertrophy rate of PVE group was comparable to no-PVE group. Liver function tests were not affected by PVE or the initial FLR. Postoperative liver hypertrophy ratio was negatively correlated with the initial FLR (hypertrophy ratio (%)?=?326.7–0.4×initial FLR (ml), P?=?0.001). There was no severe PVE-related morbidity, and postoperative morbidity rate was comparable in PVE and no-PVE group.

Conclusion

The postoperative liver hypertrophy ratio, final liver volume, or liver function tests were not affected by PVE. Postoperative liver hypertrophy was related to the initial FLR.