Assessment of pretransplant prognosis in patients with cirrhosis

The objective of this prospective study was to assess the prognostic value of dynamic liver function tests and traditional methods of evaluating liver function in potential candidates for hepatic transplantation. Patients who underwent orthotopic liver transplantation within the follow-up period of 120 days were excluded. The study included 107 adult and 57 pediatric patients with cirrhosis. Postnecrotic cirrhosis was present in 107 and biliary cirrhosis in 57 of 164 patients. During the follow-up period, 26 of 164 patients died of their liver disease. At the time of inclusion, we recorded monoethylglycinexylidide (MEGX) formation from lidocaine, indocyanine green (ICG) half-life, bilirubin and albumin serum concentration, activity of cholinesterase and alkaline phosphatase, prothrombin time, the clinical complication of ascites, and--in adults--the Pugh score also. These variables were subjected as covariates to a survival analysis (Cox proportional hazards regression model) using separately the data from adults, pediatric patients, all patients with postnecrotic cirrhosis, and all patients with biliary cirrhosis. In all of these four subgroups there was a significant relationship between MEGX and ICG test results and the 120-day survival. In the stepwise analysis, none of the remaining parameters contributed to a further relevant improvement of our predictive ability when added to the values of ICG and MEGX. Our results suggest that the ICG and the MEGX test are superior to conventional liver function tests and the Pugh score in assessing short-term prognosis in cirrhotics independently from the etiology of the underlying liver disease. These findings may have important implications for determining the optimum timing of transplantation.     

Correlation between preoperative serum concentration of type IV collagen 7s domain and hepatic failure following resection of hepatocellular carcinoma

OBJECTIVE: To determine the predictive value of the preoperative serum concentration of type IV collagen 7s domain (7s collagen) for postoperative hepatic failure in patients undergoing liver resection for hepatocellular carcinoma. SUMMARY BACKGROUND DATA: Clear and reliable criteria for predicting hepatic failure after liver resection are needed. The serum 7s collagen concentration correlates with the histologic degree of active hepatitis and hepatic fibrosis and may predict the regenerative potential of the liver. METHODS: Potential risk factors for postoperative hepatic failure, including the serum 7s collagen concentration, were evaluated in 251 patients who underwent liver resection for hepatocellular carcinoma. Prognostic significance was determined by univariate and multivariate analyses. RESULTS: Hepatic failure developed postoperatively in 25 patients, 4 of whom died. The serum 7s collagen concentration correlated with the histologic degree of hepatitis activity and hepatic fibrosis. The serum 7s collagen concentration was a risk factor for postoperative hepatic failure by univariate analysis and was the only risk factor on multivariate analysis. No patient with a serum 7s collagen concentration <12 ng/mL died of postoperative hepatic failure, and all 4 patients who died had a serum 7s collagen concentration >or=12 ng/mL. CONCLUSIONS: The preoperative serum 7s collagen concentration correlated independently with hepatic failure following liver resection for hepatocellular carcinoma. Patients whose serum 7s collagen is >or=12 ng/mL are poor candidates for hepatic resection.     

Optimal Initial Treatment for Early Hepatocellular Carcinoma in Patients with Preserved Liver Function: Transplantation or Resection?

Partial hepatic resection has been the mainstay of curative treatment for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in cirrhotic patients with preserved liver function. Liver transplantation for HCC was initially developed as a treatment option for patients with unresectable tumors associated with Child B or C cirrhosis. However, in recent years, some authors have advocated liver transplantation even for resectable early HCC associated with Child A cirrhosis. Whether transplantation or liver resection is the optimal initial treatment for early HCC in compensated cirrhosis depends on the survival results and also the availability of liver grafts. Recent studies comparing liver resection and transplantation for early HCC in Child A cirrhotic patients demonstrated similar long-term survival. While liver transplantation is associated with a lower tumor recurrence rate, this benefit is counteracted by long-term complications such as immunosuppression related infections and neoplasms. Patients put on transplantation waiting list run a significant risk of tumor progression and dropout, while liver resection is immediately applicable to all. A premature liver transplantation may expose patients to the side effects of immunosuppression earlier than necessary. With the current shortage of liver grafts, advocating primary liver transplantation for patients with early HCC associated with compensated cirrhosis will increase waiting time of transplantation and further increases the chance of dropout. Resection first and salvage transplantation for recurrent tumors or liver failure has been shown to be a feasible strategy in the majority of patients, and this appears to be the optimal strategy with the best use of organs.     

Lidocaine metabolite formation as a measure of perioperative liver function

In order to determine whether lidocaine metabolism, as the formation of monoethylglycinexylidide (MEGX), could be used as a quantitative index of perioperative liver function, serum levels of MEGX in 31 surgical patients were measured and compared with the results of conventional liver function tests. A significant correlation was found between the values of MEGX and ICGR₁₅ in 20 of the 31 patients. The values of ICGR₁₅ were lower than 20% in patients whose MEGX values were above 60 ng/ml and 20% or higher in those with MEGX values of lower than 60 ng/ml. There was also a significant correlation between MEGX values and antithrombin III values, and between MEGX values and the postoperative maximum levels of aspartate aminotransferase. However, no correlation was found between MEGX values and other preoperative conventional liver function tests in any of the 31 patients. We suggest that a cut-off MEGX value of 60 ng/ml be used as an indicator for satisfactory preoperative liver function. MEGX formation could be a useful prognostic index for patients who have undergone surgical procedures for liver disease, and employed as a quantitative assessment of perioperative liver function.     

Lidocaine metabolism associated with epidural anesthesia in patients for hepatic surgery

We measured plasma concentrations of lidocaine and its principal metabolite, monoethylglycinexylidide (MEGX) associated with thoracic epidural anesthesia using continuous infusion of lidocaine in 10 patients for hepatectomy and other 10 patients for elective abdominal surgery as a control. Plasma concentrations of lidocaine and MEGX were analysed by fluorescence polarization immunoassay and high performance liquid chromatography, respectively. Plasma lidocaine concentration increased gradually, and peaked to 5.1 +/- 2.3 micrograms.ml-1 (mean +/- SD) at the end of surgery in the hepatectomy group, but not in the control group. No significant differences were observed in plasma MEGX concentration between these two groups. Our findings suggest that MEGX formation by the hepatic cytochrome P-450 system might be impaired associated with hepatic surgery. Hypoperfusion of the liver induced by surgical manipulation may have contributed to this impaired metabolism.     

Use of lidocaine metabolism to test liver function during the long-term follow-up of liver transplant recipients

BACKGROUND/AIMS: The aim of this study was to assess the usefulness of the monoethylglycinexylidide (MEGX) test to monitoring the long-term function of liver allografts. METHODS: MEGX production was measured prospectively in 60 consecutive liver transplant recipients undergoing their annual review. RESULTS: Median MEGX values in liver recipients (54 ng/mL; range 10-146) were lower than those found in healthy controls (78 ng/mL; range 44-118). MEGX values correlated negatively with alanine aminotransferase (ALT) activity (p = 0.004) and with the overall histological score (p = 0.01), and positively with sulfobromophthalein (BSP) and indocyanine green (ICG) clearances (p = 0.0002 and p = 0.002, respectively). A stepwise decline was observed with worsening liver fibrosis, from 71 +/- 5 microg/L in patients with no fibrosis to 27 +/- 9 microg/L in patients with bridging fibrosis (p = 0.002). BSP and ICG clearances correlated more closely than the MEGX test with the overall histological score (p = 0.001 and p = 0.001, respectively) and portal fibrosis (p = 0.002 and p = 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: The measurement of MEGX formation is a simple and non-invasive method to monitor liver graft function. It may constitute a valuable tool for assessing the degree of fibrosis.     

Monoethylglycinexylidide production parallels changes in hepatic blood flow and oxygen delivery in lung injury managed with positive end-expiratory pressure.

Mechanical ventilation with high levels of positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP) decreases hepatic blood flow (HBF) and hepatic oxygen delivery (HO2D). Noninvasive methods of detecting decreased HBF might prevent hepatic ischemia and dysfunction. Monoethylglycinexylidide (MEGX) is a hepatic metabolite of lidocaine, used clinically to determine graft function following hepatic transplantation. In order to test the hypothesis that MEGX production would be affected by changes in hepatic hemodynamics associated with lung injury, 12 dogs were instrumented with femoral and pulmonary artery catheters. Splenectomy was performed and the portal and hepatic veins cannulated. The hepatic artery and portal vein were encircled with flow probes. Lung injury was induced in six animals (INJURED group) with oleic acid (0.08 mL/kg) and 10 cm H2O PEEP was added to correct subsequent shunt. Levels of MEGX were measured 15 minutes after injection of intravenous lidocaine (1 mg/kg). Levels of HBF, HO2D, and MEGX were measured at BASELINE, after lung injury (INJURY time point), and after addition of PEEP (PEEP time point). CONTROL animals (n = 6) were studied at the same time points but without lung injury or PEEP. Hepatic blood flow and hepatic oxygen delivery were significantly decreased after lung injury and further decreased after PEEP. Levels of MEGX were unchanged in the CONTROL group but were significantly reduced by lung injury and PEEP in the INJURED group. Decreased MEGX production may be a useful clinical indicator of reduced hepatic flow and oxygen supply in critical illness.     

Characteristics of waitlisted patients for liver transplantation at a liver transplantation unit in the city of Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, Brazil, especially considering Child and Model for End Stage Liver Disease (MELD) scores

Liver transplantation represents the most effective therapy for patients suffering from chronic end-stage liver disease. Until recently, in Brazil liver allocation was based on the Child-Turcotte-Pugh score and the waiting list followed a chronological criterion. The aim of this study was to show the clinical and laboratory patterns of our patients awaiting a liver transplantation. Seventy-nine medical records were reviewed in January 2005 to classify patients according to their age, sex, cause of cirrhosis, and Child and Model for End Stage Liver Disease (MELD) scores. The mean age of patients was 47 years; 70% were men. The main diagnosis was liver cirrhosis (97%): 27% alcoholic, 26% viral hepatitis, 20% alcoholic plus viral hepatitis, 13% cryptogenic, and 11% other causes. Sixty-three patients (80%) were Child B or C. The average MELD, scores for Child A, B, and C were 10 +/- 5, 13 +/- 3.4, and 21 +/- 4.3, respectively. Nine deaths (11%) on the waiting list occurred in 2005. Among these, 1 patient was Child B with MELD 10, while the others were Child C, with mean MELD scores of 21 +/- 3.8. Twelve patients (15%) received cadaveric orthotopic liver transplantation. Thus, in this small series, the higher MELD scores corresponded to Child C class and mortality on the waiting list.     

Is carcino-embryonic antigen useful in the follow-up management of patients with colorectal liver metastases?

BACKGROUND: The role of carcino-embryonic antigen (CEA) in monitoring early detection of recurrent or metastatic colorectal cancer, and its impact on resectability rate and patient survival remains controversial. Our objective was to determine any association between the preoperative level of CEA and prognosis, and the resectability and survival by method of diagnosis of colorectal hepatic metastases. METHODS: We analyzed patients who underwent exploration for hepatic resection for metastatic colorectal cancer over a 15-year period. The patient population consisted of those patients who had undergone primary colon or rectal resection and were followed up with serial CEA levels and of patients who were followed up with physical examination, liver function tests (LFTs) or computed tomography (CT) of the abdomen and pelvis that led to the diagnosis of liver metastases. Also included in the study were patients who were diagnosed with liver metastases at the time of the primary colon or rectal resection and underwent planned hepatic resection at a later time. RESULTS: Three hundred and one (301) patients who underwent a total of 345 planned hepatic resections for metastatic colorectal cancer between January 1978 and December 1993 were included in this analysis. The median preoperative CEA level was 24.8 ng/mL in the resected group, 53.0 ng/mL in the incomplete resection group, and 49.1 ng/mL in the nonresected group (P = 0.02). More of the patients who had a preoperative CEA < or =30 ng/mL were in the resected group, while those who had a preoperative CEA >30 ng/mL were likely to be in the nonresected group (P = 0.002). The median survival was 25 months for patients with a preoperative CEA level < or =30 ng/mL and 17 months for patients with a preoperative CEA >30 ng/mL (P = 0.0005). The resectability rate and the survival of patients by method of diagnosing liver metastases-rising CEA versus history and physical, elevated LFTs, CT scan versus diagnosis at the time of primary resection-was not significant (P = 0.06 and P = 0.19, respectively). Given the nonstandardized retrospective nature of the study cohort and relative small groups of patients, the power to detect small differences in survival by method of diagnosis is limited. In the complete resection group of patients with unilobar liver disease (5-year survival of 28.8%) there was no difference in survival between those patients who had normal preoperative CEA and those who had elevated preoperative CEA, and approximately 90% of them had an abnormal preoperative serum CEA level. CONCLUSIONS: CEA is useful in the preoperative evaluation of patients with hepatic colorectal metastases for assessing prognosis and is complimentary to history and physical examination in the diagnosis of liver metastases. Patients with colorectal liver metastases and preoperative CEA < or =30 ng/mL are more likely to be resectable, and they have the longest survival.     

Depression and Anxiety Symptoms in Patients With Cirrhosis: A Prospective Study Before and After Liver Transplantation

BackgroundTimely identification of possible psychiatric symptoms and/or disorders, such as depression and anxiety, in liver cirrhosis and liver transplant patients is important. This study aimed to determine whether patients with both liver cirrhosis and liver transplantation have depression and anxiety symptoms and, if so, to determine the relationship of these symptoms with the stage of the liver disease and other conditions.MethodsNinety patients with liver cirrhosis and 31 who underwent liver transplantation for liver cirrhosis were included in the study. Patients were divided into 4 groups. Patients with Child–Pugh A cirrhosis were group 1, patients with Child–Pugh B cirrhosis were group 2, patients with Child–Pugh C cirrhosis were group 3, and transplanted patients were group 4. All patient groups answered Beck Depression Inventory and Beck Anxiety Inventory questionnaires.ResultsDepression and anxiety scores were similar in patients who underwent liver transplantation and in the Child–Pugh A and Child–Pugh B groups. The lowest depression score was observed in the Child–Pugh A group. This was not statistically different from the patients in the liver transplantation group (3.19 ± 3.487, 7.13 ± 7.822, P > .05). Depression and anxiety scores were statistically higher in the Child–Pugh C group (25.55 ± 8.878, 21.66 ± 11.053, and 25.55 ± 8.878, respectively; P < .001), and depression and anxiety scores increased as the cirrhosis stage increased.ConclusionsIn patients with Child–Pugh C liver cirrhosis, evaluation for symptoms of anxiety and depression is strongly recommended.     

肝移植对肝硬化大鼠脾功能及脾组织形态学的影响

目的探讨肝移植对肝硬化大鼠脾功能及脾组织形态学的影响。方法制备四氯化碳中毒性肝硬化大鼠模型，采用“二袖套法”进行肝移植。观测肝移植前后大鼠门静脉压力（portal vein pressure，PVP）以及脾脏组织形态学的变化；检测肝移植前后大鼠血清中促吞噬肽（tuftsin）含量的变化。结果肝移植前，肝硬化大鼠PVP从6．28mmHg（1mmHg=0．133kPa）升至14．03mmHg（P＜0．01）；脾脏病理切片示白髓面积从23．47％缩小至7．70％（P＜0．01）；脾小梁面积从1．75％扩大至4．46％（P＜0．01）。血清tuftsin含量自466．7ng／mL减少至321．8ng／mL（P＜0．01）。肝移植后，随着时间的延长，PVP从14．03mmHg明显降至6．33mmHg（P＜0．01）。脾脏病理切片示白髓面积从7．70％扩大至15．07％（P＜0．01）；脾小梁面积从4．46％缩小至3．11％（P＜0．05）。血清tuftsin含量从321．8ng／mL升至432．5ng／mL（P＜0．01）。结论肝硬化大鼠肝移植后门静脉高压症可明显缓解，异常的脾功能逐渐得到改善。     

Preoperative evaluation of patients with liver cirrhosis undergoing open heart surgery

Objective  Clinical outcomes after open heart surgery in patients with liver cirrhosis are not satisfactory. For evaluating hepatic function, the Child-Pugh classification has been widely used. It has been reported that open heart surgery can be performed safely in patients with mild liver cirrhosis. In this study, we examined the clinical outcomes after open heart surgery in patients with liver cirrhosis and evaluated the usefulness of the Child-Pugh classification. Methods  There were 12 liver cirrhosis patients who underwent open heart surgery between January 2002 and December 2006 at our institution. The severity of cirrhosis was graded according to the Child-Pugh classification. We reviewed clinical outcomes, such as postoperative mortality and morbidity, and tried to determine the risk factors. Finally, we assessed the usefulness of the Child-Pugh classification. Results  Six patients were classified as having Child class A, and the other six patients were classified as B. The overall mortality of group A was 50%, and that of group B was 17%. Postoperative major morbidities occurred in half of the patients of Child class A and in all of the patients of Child class B. Patients who experienced major morbidities had markedly lower levels of serum cholinesterase (106 ± 46 vs. 199 ± 72 IU/l; P = 0.02) and lower platelet level (7.5 ± 2.9 vs. 11.9 ± 3.6 × 104/μl; P = 0.04). Conclusion  The mortality and morbidity rates were high even in the Child class A patients. The Child classification may be an insufficient method for evaluating hepatic function. We have to assess other factors, such as the serum cholinesterase level or the platelet count.     

An analysis of the UNOS liver transplant registry: high serum alpha-fetoprotein does not justify an increase in MELD points for suspected hepatocellular carcinoma.

The current United Network for Organ Sharing (UNOS) criteria for liver transplantation gives priority to patients with elevated serum alpha-fetoprotein (AFP; > or = 500 ng/mL) in the absence of radiologic evidence of a hepatic mass. Reports have shown that an elevated serum AFP is a poor diagnostic indicator for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in patients with cirrhosis. Our aim was to determine if an AFP level above 500 ng/mL, in the absence of a liver mass by imaging study, correlates with the presence of HCC. Using the UNOS database we identified all patients transplanted for HCC in the United States between February 2002 and October 2005 based on these criteria. The data collected included: patient demographics, clinical information, and pathological outcomes. The data was analyzed using a chi-squared t-test and confirmed by logistic regression modeling. A total of 22 patients received a cadaveric liver transplant, while 1 received a living donor transplant during the study period. HCC was confirmed posttransplantation in only 6 patients (26%). There was no difference in race, gender, etiology of liver disease, or AFP level between patients with and without HCC but a significant difference in age (59.8 yr for HCC patients vs. 51.3 yr for the non-HCC group; P = 0.01). In conclusion, the majority of the patients who received extra Model for End-Stage Liver Disease (MELD) points based on an elevated AFP did not have HCC. Older age was a significant predictor for the presence of HCC in patients with a serum AFP greater than 500 ng/mL. These results demonstrate the poor correlation of serum AFP with the presence of HCC in patients awaiting liver transplantation.     

原发性肝癌三种根治性方法疗效的多中心对比研究

目的 探讨肝切除、原位肝移植及射频消融三种疗法对原发性肝癌的治疗效果,以便为原发性肝癌的治疗选择恰当的方法.方法 广州市三家医院近5年来采用射频消融、肝切除及原位肝移植治疗原发性肝癌患者1198例.接受上述三种不同治疗方案的患者分别分为三组,Ⅰ组为小肝癌组,Ⅱ组为大肝癌无血管侵犯组,Ⅲ组为大肝癌并血管侵犯组.分别比较三组间1、2、3年治疗后生存率,3年肿瘤复发率;并对接受上述三种疗法各组患者肝功能Child-Pugh分级进行比较.结果 符合米兰标准的小肝癌患者行肝移植较肝切除3年生存率高(P<0.05),复发率低(P<0.05);射频消融者3年生存率及复发率均比肝切除好(P<0.05);射频消融的疗效及复发率与肝移植差异无统计学意义(P>0.05);但接受射频消融及肝切除者肝功能绝大部分为Child A级,而肝移植者大部分为B及C级(P<0.01).超出米兰标准的大肝癌进行肝移植、肝切除或射频消融效果差异无统计学意义(P>0.05),但肝移植的3年复发率偏低(P<0.05).结论 对于符合米兰标准的小肝癌患者,肝移植的中远期疗效优于肝切除;射频消融(3 cm以下肿瘤)疗效比肝切除好;射频消融的疗效及复发率与肝移植相当;但接受射频消融及肝切除者肝功能绝大部分为Child A级,而肝移植者大部分为B及C级.因而小肝癌合并肝功能不全者或衰竭者肝移植应为首选.超出米兰标准的大肝癌进行肝移植、肝切除或射频消融效果差别不大,但肝移植三年复发率偏低,在供肝短缺的情况下不主张首选肝移植.

Abstract：

Objective Partial hepatectomy, liver transplantation, and radio frequency ablation for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) were compared to select the most suitable method for HCC. Methods 1198 patients with HCC in 3 hospitals in Guangzhou were divided into 3 groups: group Ⅰ , small HCC; group Ⅱ > HCC without vascular invasions and group Ⅲ , HCC with vascular invasion. The patients either received partial hepatectomy, transplantation or ablation. The 1-, 2- or 3-year survival rates, the 3-year recurrent rates and Child-Pugh grades in the 3 groups were compared. Results For small HCC, there was a significant increase in the 3-year survival rate (P<0. 05) and a significant decease in the recurrent rate (P<0. 05) in patients who received transplantation, compared with those who received hepatic resection. Patients who received ablation had a higher 3-year survival rate and a lower recurrence (P<0. 05) in comparison with those who received hepatectomy. There was no significant difference(P<0. 05) between transplantation and ablation, but there were more Child A patients who received hepatectomy and ablation, and more Child B and C patients who received transplantation. For advanced HCC, there was no significant different in the 3-year survival rates for the 3 therapies, but the 3-year recurrence was lower (P<0. 05) in the transplantation group. Conclusions For small HCC, superiority of transplantation versus resection was obvious. Ablation (diameter <3 cm) was also superior to resection, whereas ablation was as effective as transplantation. There were more Child B and C patients in the transplantation group than the ablation and resection groups. Therefore, small HCC with hepatic decompensation should receive liver transplantation. Transplantation was advantageous in having less tumor recurrent but there was no difference in the 3 therapies for advanced HCC.     

Is it safe to perform esophagectomy in esophageal cancer patients combined with liver cirrhosis?

Patients with liver cirrhosis undergoing gastrointestinal surgery still suffer from high operative morbid-mortality despite advancements in surgical critical care. The objective of this study is to see if this same relationship applies to patients undergoing esophagectomy for cancer. From 1993 to 2003, sixteen esophageal cancer patients with liver cirrhosis were operated on. They were all male with a mean age of 51.5 years. According to the Child-Pugh classification, 10 patients were Child 'A', 4 patients Child 'B' and Child 'C' in 2 patients. The surgical procedure was through an Ivor-Lewis esophagogastrectomy with intra-thoracic anastomosis. Major morbidity included: 4 respiratory failure, 2 acute renal failure, 3 pneumonia, and one in each of the patients with gastrointestinal bleeding and hepatic failure. The mean follow up among the survivors was 19.1 months. The hospital mortality was 25% (4/16). Using the rate according to Child classification, the mortality rates were: A: 1/10 (10%), B: 2/4 (50%) and C: 2/2 (100%). We conclude that patients with liver cirrhosis in Child-Pugh A could tolerate esophagectomy with an acceptable risk. However, patients with a more advanced state of liver dysfunction are at higher risk for esophagogastrectomy. Careful patient selection and meticulous peri-operative care is warranted in those embarking on surgical resection.     

Is There any Benefit from Expanding the Criteria for the Resection of Hepatocellular Carcinoma in Cirrhotic Liver? Experience from a Developing Country

Background

Patients with large-size (>10?cm) hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in Child B cirrhosis are usually excluded from curative treatment, i.e., hepatic resection, because of marginal liver function and poor outcome. This study was designed to evaluate the feasibility of the radiofrequency (RF)-assisted sequential “coagulate-cut liver resection technique” in expanding the criteria for resection of large HCC in cirrhotic livers with impaired liver function.

Methods

Forty patients with Child-Pugh A or B cirrhosis underwent liver resection from December 1, 2001 to December 31, 2008. Of these, 20 patients (13 Child-Pugh A and 7 Child-Pugh B) with advanced stage HCC (stage B and C according to Barcelona-Clinic Liver Cancer Group) underwent major liver resection. The two groups were comparable in terms of patient age, liver cirrhosis etiology, tumor number, and size.

Results

All resections were performed without the Pringle maneuver. There was no significant difference found between the two groups regarding resection time, perioperative transfusion, postoperative complications, hospital stay, and day 7 values of hemoglobin and liver enzymes. Likewise, there was no significant difference found in the overall survival between Child A and Child B patients who underwent major liver resection

Conclusions

RF-assisted sequentional “coagulate-cut liver resection technique“ may be a viable alternative for management of patients with advanced HCC in cirrhotic liver with impaired function.     

Long-term results of hepatic resection for hepatocellular carcinoma originating from the noncirrhotic liver

HYPOTHESIS: In patients with hepatocellular carcinoma who do not have cirrhosis, the clinicopathologic characteristics and long-term postresectional outcomes must be clarified and liver transplantation may also have a role in future treatment strategy. DESIGN: Case series. The mean (SD) follow-up time was 52.4 (33.8) months. SETTING: A tertiary care medical center. PATIENTS: From a prospective database, 445 patients with hepatocellular carcinoma who underwent hepatectomy were classified into 2 groups-those without cirrhosis (n = 223) and those with cirrhosis (n = 222). Clinicopathologic factors and postresectional outcomes were compared between these groups based on the new American Joint Committee on Cancer/Union Internationale Contre le Cancer TNM (sixth edition) staging system and the patient selection criteria for undergoing transplantation. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Postresectional disease-free and overall survival rates. RESULTS: Compared with patients with cirrhosis, patients without cirrhosis were younger, had a lower rate of viral hepatitis type C infection, and had more advanced TNM stage III disease. Also more of the patients who did not have cirrhosis had undergone major resection. The tumor recurrence rate was significantly lower in the noncirrhotic group than in the cirrhotic group (59.5% vs 69.5%, P =.03). The 5- and 10-year disease-free and overall survival rates of the noncirrhotic group were 36.8% and 25.7%, and 53.0% and 36.9%, respectively. The survival of the members of the noncirrhotic group was better than the survival of the members of the cirrhotic group for patients with early stage (TNM stage I or transplantable) diseases. The 5-year disease-free and overall survival rates in patients without cirrhosis with transplantable diseases were 54.8% and 70.0%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: In early stage diseases, patients without cirrhosis had significantly better survival rates than patients with cirrhosis. For a small hepatocellular carcinoma originating in a noncirrhotic liver, hepatic resection is a reasonable first-line treatment. Liver transplantation can be reserved as salvage treatment for patients with recurrent disease after hepatic resection.     

Monoethylglycinexylidide extraction level as a measure of hepatic detoxification and excretion functions in cirrhotics undergoing laparoscopic cholecystectomy under general anesthesia

ObjectivesTo estimate plasma monoethylglycinexylidide (MEGX) level at 15 and 30 min after intravenous injection of lidocaine as a measure for detoxification and excretory function of the liver in cirrhotic patients in comparison with non-cirrhotic patients assigned for laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC).Patients and methodsThe study included 50 cirrhotic and 10 non-cirrhotic patients assigned for LC. Only Child-Pugh (CP) class A or B patients with adjusted liver functions were included in the study. Both patients and controls received anesthesia using a similar protocol. Intravenous lidocaine (1 mg/kg) was injected over 1 min, and blood samples were obtained immediately before lidocaine injection (S₀) to assure absence of MEGX in plasma and 15 min (S₁₅) and 30 min (S₃₀) after lidocaine administration. MEGX values > 90 ng/ml are considered normal. The extent of MEGX extraction was calculated as plasma MEGX level at S₃₀ minus S₁₅.ResultsMean operative and anesthesia times were 59.3 ± 10.4 and 73.9 ± 12.2 min, respectively. Mean sevoflurane 18.1 ± 2.4 ml/h. Operative and anesthetic data showed non-significant difference between patients categorized according to CP class and in comparison with controls. Estimated plasma MEGX levels at 15-min and 30-min after lidocaine injection were significantly higher in controls compared to patients and in patients of CP class A compared to those of class B. The extent of extraction was significantly lower in patients of CP class B compared both to controls and patients of class A with non-significantly lower extraction level in patients of class A compared to controls.ConclusionLaparoscopic cholecystectomy is safe and feasible in cirrhotic patients and MEGX test as a measure of detoxification and excretory function of the liver is a reliable test that showed a relationship to the extent of hepatic derangement.     

The validity of the MEGX test in correlation with histology after orthotopic rat liver transplantation

Abstract Lidocaine metabolism (MEGX test) as an indicator for liver function in the assessment of different degrees of liver disease and as a predictor for liver outcome after transplantation is well established. Since reduced liver function is associated with an alteration in parenchymal and non-parenchymal cells, we evaluated whether MEGX values correlate with histology in an in vivo model of orthotopic rat liver transplantation (ORLT) to assess histological damage without taking biopsy specimens. Livers from syngeneic Lewis rats were transplanted with rearterialization after 15–30 h of cold storage in UW solution and rinsing with Carolina Rinse Solution prior to implantation. Forty-eight hours after transplantation, the MEGX test was performed and metabolites were measured with a commercial kit as described elsewhere. Biopsy specimens were taken and graded three degrees of damage (mild, moderate, and severe) in a double blind fashion by a pathologist. MEGX values were assigned to the histological results. Statistical analyses were done with a Mann-Whitney test ( n = 58) for mean values. The mean MEGX values attributed to histologies with a mild, moderate, severe degree of damage were 159.96, 78.46 and 44.42 ng/ml, respectively. When the histological groups were compared with the mean MEGX values, mild vs moderate, mild vs severe and moderate vs severe were significant ( P - 0.0001). In conclusion, MEGX values correlate significantly with histological grading in a linear fashion after ORLT. The MEGX test may be of clinical value because it reflects the histological pattern of livers and may reduce the necessity to take biopsy specimens before and after transplantation.     

单已基甘氨酰二甲苯胺评估肝脏储备功能的实验研究

目的 通过检测大鼠肝损害不同阶段的血清单乙基甘氨酰二甲苯胺(MEGX),血清支链氨基酸/芳香氨基酸(BCAA/AAA)比值,探究能够敏感反映肝脏组织病理变化的肝储备功能指标.方法 将雄性Wistar大鼠40只分为实验组和对照组,实验组大鼠皮下注射60%四氯化碳橄榄油溶液,对照组则注射生理盐水橄榄油混合液,制备不同时期大鼠肝损害模型,分别在肝损害不同阶段检测血清MEGX,血清BCAA/AAA,常规肝功能,病理组织学检查.结果 随着肝细胞损害程度的加重,大鼠血清MEGX浓度逐级隆低,与肝组织病理学变化较相符;BCAA/AAA亦可反映肝损害的程度,但不及MEGX敏感;而常规肝功能试验与肝组织学变化不相符.结论 测定血清MEGX水平比检测血清BCAA/AAA能够更敏感的反映肝组织病理变化,是评估肝储备功能的较好指标.