Risk factors for perioperative morbidity and mortality after extended hepatectomy for hepatocellular carcinoma

BACKGROUND: Extended hepatectomy with resection of more than four segments is a high-risk operation, especially in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) associated with chronic liver disease. This study evaluated the risk factors for morbidity and mortality following extended hepatectomy for HCC. METHODS: Preoperative and intraoperative variables of 155 patients who underwent extended hepatectomy for HCC were analysed to identify risk factors for postoperative morbidity and mortality. RESULTS: The overall morbidity rate was 55.5 per cent (n = 86). Most morbidity was due to ascites or pleural effusion. Significant life-threatening complications occurred in 20.0 per cent (n = 31). The perioperative mortality rate was 8.4 per cent (n = 13). Multivariate analysis found that portal clamping (P = 0.023) and perioperative blood transfusion (P < 0.001) were risk factors for morbidity, whereas perioperative blood transfusion (P < 0.001) was the only risk factor for significant morbidity. Co-morbid illness (P = 0.019) and perioperative blood transfusion (P = 0.004) were risk factors for perioperative mortality. CONCLUSION: Meticulous operative techniques to minimize blood loss and transfusion, while avoiding a prolonged Pringle manoeuvre, may help reduce postoperative morbidity. Avoidance of perioperative blood transfusion and careful preoperative selection of patients in terms of overall physiological status are important measures to reduce the postoperative mortality rate.     

Is extended hepatectomy for hepatobiliary malignancy justified?

BACKGROUND: Extended hepatectomy may be required to provide the best chance for cure of hepatobiliary malignancies. However, the procedure may be associated with significant morbidity and mortality. METHODS: We analyzed the outcome of 127 consecutive patients who underwent extended hepatectomy (resection of > or = 5 liver segments) for hepatobiliary malignancies. RESULTS: The patients underwent extended hepatectomy for colorectal metastases (n = 86; 67.7%), hepatocellular carcinoma (n =12; 9.4%), cholangiocarcinoma (n =14; 11.0%), and other malignant diseases (n =15; 11.5%). Thirty-two left and ninety-five right extended hepatectomies were performed. Eight patients also underwent caudate lobe resection, and 40 patients underwent a synchronous intraabdominal procedure. Twenty patients underwent radiofrequency ablation, and 31 underwent preoperative portal vein embolization. The median blood loss was 300 mL for right hepatectomy and 600 mL for left hepatectomy (P = 0.02). Thirty-six patients (28.3%) received a blood transfusion. The overall complication rate was 30.7% (n = 39), and the operative mortality rate was 0.8% (n = 1). Significant liver insufficiency (total bilirubin level > 10 mg/dL or international normalized ratio > 2) occurred in 6 patients (4.7%). Multivariate analysis showed that a synchronous intraabdominal procedure was the only factor associated with an increased risk of morbidity (hazard ratio [HR], 4.9; P = 0.02). The median survival was 41.9 months. The overall 5-year survival rate was 25.5%. CONCLUSIONS: Extended hepatectomy can be performed with a near-zero operative mortality rate and is associated with long-term survival in a subset of patients with malignant hepatobiliary disease. Combining extended hepatectomy with another intraabdominal procedure increases the risk of postoperative morbidity.     

Two hundred forty consecutive portal vein embolizations before extended hepatectomy for biliary cancer: surgical outcome and long-term follow-up

OBJECTIVE: To assess clinical benefit of portal vein embolization (PVE) before extended, complex hepatectomy for biliary cancer. SUMMARY BACKGROUND DATA: Many investigators have addressed clinical utility of PVE before simple hepatectomy for metastatic liver cancer or hepatocellular carcinoma, but few have reported PVE before hepatectomy for biliary cancer due to the limited number of surgical cases. METHODS: This study involved 240 consecutive patients with biliary cancer (150 cholangiocarcinomas and 90 gallbladder cancers) who underwent PVE before an extended hepatectomy (right or left trisectionectomy or right hepatectomy). All PVEs were performed by the "ipsilateral approach" 2 to 3 weeks before surgery. Hepatic volume and function changes after PVE were analyzed, and the outcome also was reviewed. RESULTS: There were no procedure-related complications requiring blood transfusion or interventions. Of the 240 patients, 47 (19.6%) did not undergo subsequent hepatectomy. The incidence of unresectability was higher in gallbladder cancer than in cholangiocarcinoma (32.2% versus 12.0%, P < 0.005). The remaining 193 patients (132 cholangiocarcinomas and 61 gallbladder cancers) underwent hepatectomy with resection of the caudate lobe and extrahepatic bile duct (n = 187), pancreatoduodenectomy (n = 42), and/or portal vein resection (n = 63). Seventeen (8.8%) patients died of postoperative complications: mortality was higher in gallbladder cancer than in cholangiocarcinoma (18.0% versus 4.5%, P < 0.05); and it was also higher in patients whose indocyanine green clearance (KICG) of the future liver remnant after PVE was <0.05 than those whose index was >or=0.05 (28.6% versus 5.5%, P < 0.001). The 3- and 5-year survival after hepatectomy was 41.7% and 26.8% in cholangiocarcinoma and 25.3% and 17.1% in gallbladder cancer, respectively (P = 0.011). In 136 other patients with cholangiocarcinoma who underwent a less than 50% resection of the liver without PVE, a mortality of 3.7% and a 5-year survival of 27.6% were observed, which was similar to the 132 patients with cholangiocarcinoma who underwent extended hepatectomy after PVE. CONCLUSIONS: PVE has the potential benefit for patients with advanced biliary cancer who are to undergo extended, complex hepatectomy. Along with the use of PVE, further improvements in surgical techniques and refinements in perioperative management are necessary to make difficult hepatobiliary resections safer.     

Influence of incremental preoperative risk factors on the perioperative outcome of patients undergoing emergency versus urgent coronary artery bypass grafting

A retrospective analysis of 127 patients with impending myocardial infarction undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting was performed to evaluate incremental risk factors associated with perioperative mortality and morbidity. Fifty-four patients (group 1) were operated upon as emergencies within 24 h and 73 patients underwent urgent coronary revascularization within a mean of 3.4 days (group II) after admission. The incidence of non-transmural myocardial infarctions (NTMI), haemodynamic parameters, the number of diseased vessels and the incidence of a preceding percutaneous coronary dilatation (PTCA) were not statistically different between the groups. The overall perioperative mortality was 8.7% (16.7% group I, 2.7% group II). Major non-fatal complications were frequent in the surviving collective including low cardiac output in 14 patients (12.1%) and transmural or subendocardial perioperative infarction in 12 patients (10.3%). Perioperative mortality was associated with reduced left ventricular myocardial function (P less than 0.001), operation within 24 hr after onset of anginal symptoms (P less than 0.001) or subendocardial infarction (P less than 0.025) in the 4 weeks before operation. Perioperative mortality was independent of the degree of coronary stenosis, number of distal anastomoses or performance of a coronary endarterectomy. Of the patients, 90.5% (87.5% of group I and 92.3% of group II) included in a mean follow-up of 16.8 months (range 5-27 months) were graded into Canadian Heart Functional Class I. Successful coronary surgery for acute myocardial ischaemia results in excellent late functional recovery. The major risk factors for fatal perioperative outcome are reduced left ventricular function and the necessity of every early surgical intervention.     

Model for End-stage Liver Disease score fails to predict perioperative outcome after hepatic resection for hepatocellular carcinoma in patients without cirrhosis

BACKGROUND: The Model for End-stage Liver Disease (MELD) score was developed to reflect the hepatocellular reserve in patients with cirrhosis. We hypothesized that the MELD score would not be predictive of perioperative outcome after hepatic resection in patients without cirrhosis. METHODS: We performed a case-control study of all consecutive patients from 1995 through 2005 undergoing hepatic resection for HCC. RESULTS: Group A (21 patients without cirrhosis) had a mean age of 57 years, which was similar to control group B (25 patients with cirrhosis), with a mean age of 60 years. The mean tumor size in group A was 9.8 cm compared with that of group B, which was 4.8 cm (P = .03). The American Joint Committee on Cancer stage in group A was I in 14%, II in 5%, and III in 81% versus I in 48%, II in 16%, and 111 in 36% in group B (P = .002). Eighty-six percent of group A patients had a major hepatic resection (>2 segments) compared with 40% in group B (P = .001). The perioperative morbidity and mortality were 24% and 4.8%, respectively, in group A compared with 64% (P = .006) and 20% (P = .12) in group B. The mean preoperative, postoperative, and delta MELD scores were 7.0, 13.0, and 5.0, respectively, in group A compared with 9.6, 16.8, and 7.2 in group B (P = NS). In group A, none of the MELD score parameters accurately predicted perioperative outcomes despite a higher number of patients who had major hepatic resection. In group B, a preoperative MELD score of 9 or greater was associated with a higher overall perioperative morbidity (84% vs 41%, P = .03). Perioperative mortality (n = 6; 13%) was significantly higher in patients with a postoperative MELD score of 15 or higher (P = .02) and a delta MELD score of 10 or higher (P = .03). CONCLUSIONS: Perioperative MELD score fails to predict perioperative outcomes after hepatic resection for hepatocellular carcinoma in patients without cirrhosis. Other predictive parameters need to be developed for this group of patients.     

Elective surgery for small abdominal aortic aneurysms.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Surgical repair for abdominal aortic aneurysm has become more frequent and the mortality associated with elective surgery has been reduced, but the overall mortality for ruptured aneurysm remains unacceptably high. The dilemma for the vascular surgeon is whether to operate early and electively on asymptomatic small aneurysms, less than 5 cm in diameter, or to delay surgery, adopting a wait-and-see attitude. The purpose of this retrospective study was to review a recent 5-year experience of elective aneurysm surgery, with special emphasis on the perioperative outcome of surgical repair of asymptomatic small aneurysms, in order to evaluate whether early mortality and morbidity justify an aggressive approach. METHODS: The report concerns a series of 141 consecutive patients who underwent aneurysm repair for small (n = 65, group I) and large aneurysms (n = 76, group II). For each group, the age, sex, risk factors and associated diseases, operative and aortic cross-clamping times, estimated blood loss, blood transfusion volume, type of operation and graft, perioperative morbidity and mortality, and causes of death were recorded and compared. RESULTS: The majority of patients were males. The mean age of the patients was lower in group I than in group II. No statistically significant difference was found from the comparison of the risk factors and associated diseases in groups I and II. The mean operating time was 82 minutes in group I, 98 minutes in group II, and the aortic cross-clamping time was also shorter in group I (37 min versus 52 min), whereas blood loss was greater, with a statistically significant difference (P < 0.05). The operative mortality rate was higher in group II than in group I (1.3% versus 0%, P = NS). CONCLUSIONS: Elective small aneurysm repair is recommended in good-risk patients for the following reasons: (i) the operative mortality and morbidity rates are lower in small than in large aneurysm patients, and (ii) the small aneurysm repair is technically easier and safer to perform. In addition, there are two other considerations that are more difficult to quantify, but may support an aggressive approach: the cost-benefit ratio is better with early diagnosis and elective surgery, before an emergency operation is required, and personal choice and psychological reasons can induce patients to prefer early elective repair to periodic monitoring by ultrasound or computed tomography scans.     

Influence of Hepatic Parenchymal Histology on Outcome Following Right Hepatic Trisectionectomy

Background

Histological abnormalities in the non-tumour-bearing liver (NTBL) may influence outcome following hepatectomy. Effects will be most pertinent following right trisectionectomy but have yet to be specifically examined in this context. This study aimed to investigate the influence of perioperative factors, including NTBL histology, on outcome following right trisectionectomy.

Methods

Pathological review of the NTBL of 103 consecutive patients undergoing right trisectionectomy between January 2003 and December 2009 was performed using established criteria for steatosis, non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), sinusoidal injury (SI), fibrosis and cholestasis. Perioperative and pathological factors were correlated with post-operative outcome (morbidity, major morbidity, hepatic insufficiency and mortality).

Results

Morbidity, hepatic insufficiency and major morbidity occurred in 37.9?%, 14.6?% and 22.3?% of cases, respectively. Ninety-day mortality rate was 5.8?%. NASH (P?=?0.007) and perioperative blood transfusion (P?=?0.001) were independently associated with hepatic insufficiency following trisectionectomy. NASH (P?=?0.028), perioperative transfusion (P?=?0.016), diabetes mellitus (P?=?0.047) and coronary artery disease (P?=?0.036) were independently associated with major morbidity. Steatosis, SI, fibrosis and cholestasis in the NTBL demonstrated no association with any adverse outcome.

Conclusion

NASH, but not steatosis or SI, is associated with adverse outcome following right trisectionectomy and caution must be exerted when considering major hepatectomy in patients with NASH.     

微创化技术在精准肝切除中的应用

目的 分析微创化技术对肝切除患者围手术期的影响.方法 收集南京医科大学第一附属医院肝移植中心单个手术小组于2003年8月至2008年8月间所开展的338例肝切除手术患者的临床资料,分析应用微创化技术对患者术中出血量、并发症发生率、围手术期病死率的影响.结果 338例肝切除术的病例中,255例(75.4%)患者进行解剖性肝叶或肝段的精准肝切除术.手术平均时间150 min(45～650 min);术中出血量300 ml(100～4600 m1),211例(62.4%)术中未输血.围手术期总并发症发生率为18.1%,病死率为0.6%.多因素Logistic回归分析表明,围手术期输血和低血小板血症足肝切除围手术期并发症发生的独立预后因子.结论 体现微创化技术的精准肝切除术可使患者获得较好的临床结果 ,并发症发生率和病死率处于较低的水平.减少术中出血是获得围手术期良好临床结果 的重要因素.     

Salvage hepatic resection after incomplete interstitial therapy for primary and secondary liver tumours

BACKGROUND: When the response to percutaneous ablation therapy (PAT) of liver tumours is incomplete, surgery may be undertaken as a salvage therapy. To validate the safety and effectiveness of salvage hepatectomy, patients who had undergone PAT or no treatment before hepatectomy were compared. METHODS: Of 137 patients who had hepatectomy for primary and secondary tumours, 21 had undergone PAT and 116 had surgery as primary treatment. Tumour features and the incidence of liver cirrhosis were similar in the two groups. RESULTS: Peroperative mortality and major morbidity rates were zero and 5 per cent (one of 21) respectively among patients who had PAT before surgery, and 0.9 per cent (one of 116) and zero in those who did not. Duration of operation (mean 495 versus 336 min; P<0.001), clamping time (mean 81 versus 53 min; P<0.001), blood loss (mean 519 versus 286 ml; P=0.004), need for blood transfusion (six of 21 patients versus nine of 116; P=0.001), and rates of thoracophrenolaparotomy (eight of 21 versus 14 of 116; P<0.001) and resection of other tissues (six of 21 versus nine of 116; P<0.001) were significantly higher in the PAT group. CONCLUSION: Hepatectomy after incomplete PAT is safe and effective, but more extensive procedures are necessary. The effect of salvage hepatectomy on long-term outcome is still unclear.     

输血对大肝癌切除术后近远期预后的影响

目的研究输血对大肝癌切除术后近期并发症和远期存活率的影响。方法回顾性分析177例大肝癌切除术病例，结合随访分析输血对近期并发症和远期存活率的影响。结果本组大肝癌围手术期输血率为74．6％。近5年输血量及输血率较5年前显著减少（P〈0．01）。不输血组并发症率低于输血组（P〈0．05）。单因素分析显示，年龄、肝门阻断、术中出血量、输血量以及手术时间与术后并发症发生有关。多因素分析显示，年龄、肝门阻断、输血量以及手术时间是决定术后并发症的4个独立的预测指标。本组大肝癌1、3、5年总存活率为67％、44％和34％，1、3、5年无瘤存活率为51％、31％和31％。不输血组和输血组的总存活率以及无瘤存活率无显著差别。结论输血是决定大肝癌切除术后并发症发生的独立危险因素之一，但输血对大肝癌切除术后存活率无显著影响。肝脏外科医生应积极采取各种方法尽可能避免大肝癌切除术围手术期的输血。     

Factors influencing perioperative blood transfusions in patients with gastrointestinal cancer

BACKGROUND: Patients undergoing major cancer resections often receive blood transfusions (TFs). Preoperative erythropoietin (EPO) offers the rationale to reduce TFs and related morbidity. METHODS: Perioperative TF information was collected prospectively in a single surgeon practice over 5 years. RESULTS: Three hundred forty-four patients underwent a major procedure, including pancreatic (n = 130, 38%), hepatobiliary (n = 87, 25%), gastroesophageal (n = 69, 20%), and other operations (n = 58, 17%). Median estimated blood loss (EBL) was 375 mL. PRBC TFs were given in 83 cases (24%), at a median of 2 units [1-16]. TF frequency and EBL did not differ between diagnoses. Multivariate TF associations existed for Hgb (P < 0.0001, OR 0.335), EBL (P < 0.0001, OR 1.007), serum Cl (P = 0.004, OR 1.25), serum Na (P = 0.02, OR 0.810), and age (P = 0.04, OR 1.033). TFs (versus no TFs) were linked to major complications (43 versus 20%, P = 0.0002), mortality (12% versus 3%, P = 0.001), and increased LOS (9 versus 7 days, P < 0.0001). A potential benefit for preoperative EPO to avoid TFs could be derived for only 31 patients (9%). CONCLUSIONS: In this low TF rate of 24% for major visceral resections, few preoperative parameters are able to identify subgroups at risk for TFs aside from blood counts. Our data would not support generalized preoperative EPO administration.     

Is diabetes mellitus a risk factor for carotid endarterectomy? A prospective study

BACKGROUND: Although many randomized trials and other multicenter studies have demonstrated the benefits of carotid endarterectomy (CEA) in selected symptomatic and asymptomatic patients, several investigators have noted an increased rate of perioperative neurologic and cardiac morbidity in diabetic patients. To compare the perioperative outcome of CEA in diabetic patients (group I) versus nondiabetic patients (group II), we analyzed a consecutive series of CEAs performed by the same vascular surgeon at the same institution. METHODS: Data collection was prospective for all CEA procedures performed between August 1, 1992 and March 31, 1999. Group I and group II were matched for clinical presentation, percentage of internal carotid artery stenosis and indication for surgery. RESULTS: of 547 CEAs performed in 474 patients, 199 (36.4%) were in group I. Group I was younger at presentation than group II (P <.005) and women were in a higher proportion in group I than in group II (43.7% vs 27.1%, P =.0001). Although the incidence of peripheral atherosclerotic disease was comparable in the 2 groups, there was a significantly higher incidence of previous vascular surgery in group I (P =.01). Perioperative neurologic and cardiac morbidity rates were comparable in the 2 groups. The overall perioperative mortality rate was 0.5%. Long-term information was obtained in all patients (mean, 44 months; range, 1 to 75 months). No differences were found in the recurrent stenosis and occlusion rates between the 2 groups. Although there was no difference in the late mortality between the 2 groups, diabetic patients had a significantly higher cardiac-related death incidence (P =.01) than nondiabetic patients. CONCLUSIONS: The findings of this analysis indicate that CEA can be performed in diabetic patients with excellent perioperative morbidity and mortality rates and late stroke-free and survival rates that are comparable with those recorded in nondiabetic patients.     

Simultaneous liver and colorectal resections are safe for synchronous colorectal liver metastasis

BACKGROUND: The optimal surgical strategy for the treatment of synchronous resectable colorectal liver metastasis has not been defined. The aims of this study were to review our experience with synchronous colorectal metastasis and to define the safety of simultaneous versus staged resection of the colon and liver. STUDY DESIGN: From September 1984 through November 2001, 240 patients were treated surgically for primary adenocarcinoma of the large bowel and synchronous hepatic metastasis. Clinicopathologic, operative, and perioperative data were reviewed to evaluate selection criteria, operative methods, and perioperative outcomes. RESULTS: One hundred thirty-four patients underwent simultaneous resection of a colorectal primary and hepatic metastasis in a single operation (Group I), and 106 patients underwent staged operations (Group II). Simultaneous resections tend to be performed for right colon primaries (p < 0.001), smaller (p < 0.01) and fewer (p < 0.001) liver metastases, and less extensive liver resection (p < 0.001). Complications were less common in the simultaneous resection group, with 65 patients (49%) sustaining 142 complications, compared with 71 patients (67%) sustaining 197 complications for both hospitalizations in the staged resection group (p < 0.003). Patients having simultaneous resection required fewer days in the hospital (median 10 days versus 18 days, p = 0.001). Perioperative mortality was similar (simultaneous, n = 3; staged, n = 3). CONCLUSIONS: Simultaneous colon and liver resection is safe and efficient in the treatment of patients with colorectal cancer and synchronous liver metastasis. By avoiding a second laparotomy, the overall complication rate is reduced, with no change in operative mortality. Given its reduced morbidity, shorter treatment time, and similar cancer outcomes, simultaneous resection should be considered a safe option in patients with resectable synchronous colorectal metastasis.     

肝切除术加区域性淋巴结清扫治疗肝门部胆管癌

目的探讨肝切除术加区域性淋巴结清扫治疗肝门部胆管癌的疗效。方法回顾性分析1990年1月～2004年12月收治的60例肝门部胆管癌的根治性治疗资料。所有病人均给予肝外胆管切除及区域淋巴清扫。根据肝切除情况分为2组：肝切除组38例，未切肝组22例。结果肝切除组和未切肝组术后并发症发生率分别为31．58％、9．09％，两者有统计学差异（P〈0．05），两组病死率分别为5．26％、4．55％，无统计学差异（P〉0．05）。肝切除组1、2、3年累积生存率分别为84．2l％、60．53％、39．47％，未切肝组分别为72．73％、31．82％、13．64％，两组比较，第1年无差别（P〉0．05），第2、3年有统计学差异（P〈0．05）。结论肝切除术加区域性淋巴结清扫是提高肝门部胆管癌根治性切除率、生存率和改善生活质量的重要手段，骨骼化淋巴清扫应成为操作规范。     

Perioperative and long-term morbidity and mortality after above-knee and below-knee amputations in diabetics and nondiabetics

We performed a retrospective review of a vascular surgery quality assurance database to evaluate the perioperative and long-term morbidity and mortality of above-knee amputations (AKA, n = 234) and below-knee amputations (BKA, n = 720) and to examine the effect of diabetes mellitus (DM) (181 of AKA and 606 of BKA patients). All patients in the database who had AKA or BKA from 1990 to May 2001 were included in the study. Perioperative 30-day cardiac morbidity and mortality and 3-yr and 10-yr mortality after AKA or BKA were assessed. The effect of DM on 30-day cardiac outcome was assessed by multivariate logistic regression and the effect on long-term survival was assessed by Cox regression analysis. The perioperative cardiac event rate (cardiac death or nonfatal myocardial infarction) was at least 6.8% after AKA and at most 3.6% after BKA. Median survival was significantly less after AKA (20 mo) than BKA (52 mo) (P < 0.001). DM was not a significant predictor of perioperative 30-day mortality (odds ratio, 0.76 [0.39-1.49]; P = 0.43) or 3-yr survival (Hazard ratio, 1.03 [0.86-1.24]; P = 0.72) but predicted 10-yr mortality (Hazard ratio, 1.34 [1.04-1.73]; P = 0.026). Significant predictors of the 30-day perioperative mortality were the site of amputation (odds ratio, 4.35 [2.56-7.14]; P < 0.001) and history of renal insufficiency (odds ratio, 2.15 [1.13-4.08]; P = 0.019). AKA should be triaged as a high-risk surgery while BKA is an intermediate-risk surgery. Long-term survival after AKA or BKA is poor, regardless of the presence of DM.     

Urgent carotid endarterectomy is safe in patients with few comorbid medical conditions

Recent reports from single institutions have confirmed the efficacy of carotid endarterectomy (CEA) performed in the urgent or emergent setting, although with higher perioperative mortality and morbidity. We determined the results of urgently performed CEA in academic and community hospitals and whether patient or hospital factors affected outcome. The records of patients undergoing CEA in all nonfederal hospitals in the state of Connecticut between 1992 and 2002 were reviewed, and symptomatic patients who presented in an urgent or emergent fashion were compared to patients treated electively. Multivariable logistic regression was used to determine the effect of patient risk factors on perioperative mortality, stroke, and cardiac complications. Patients undergoing urgent CEA (n = 764, 6.3%) had higher perioperative mortality (2.0% vs. 0.3%, p < 0.0001) and stroke (2.9% vs. 1.1%, p < 0.0001) but not cardiac complications (3.0% vs. 2.2%, p = 0.14) compared to patients undergoing elective CEA (n = 11,312). Patients undergoing urgent CEA and with high rates of associated comorbidity had a higher risk of perioperative mortality (7.8% vs. 0.4, p = 0.001), stroke (10.9% vs. 0.8%, p = 0.0002), and cardiac complications (14.1% vs. 0.8%, p < 0.0001) compared to patients presenting urgently but with little comorbidity. Perioperative mortality was associated with performance of the procedure in hospitals with low bed capacity (odds ratio [OR] = 4.6, p = 0.01). Perioperative stroke was associated with renal insufficiency (OR = 5.3, p = 0.04). Perioperative cardiac complications were associated with diabetes (OR = 2.6, p = 0.03) and performance in hospitals with low bed capacity (OR = 5.0, p < 0.01). Urgent admission was associated with age >/=80 (OR = 1.2, p = 0.04), renal disease (OR = 1.8, p = 0.05), and cardiac disease (OR = 1.3, p < 0.01). Urgently performed CEA has higher perioperative mortality and stroke compared with electively performed cases. However, the subset of patients with low rates of associated comorbid medical conditions but urgently needing CEA is associated with low rates of perioperative complications. Patients with severe associated comorbid medical conditions who present urgently for CEA may form a high-risk group of patients to be considered for referral to large treatment centers or possibly alternative therapy.     

Resection of Noncolorectal and Nonneuroendocrine Liver Metastases: Late Metastases Are the Only Chance of Cure

Resection of liver colorectal metastases allows a 5-year survival in 25% to 35% of patients. The outcome of patients with noncolorectal metastases is unknown because of the heterogeneity of this group. The aim of this retrospective study was to evaluate predictive factors of survival in patients who underwent resection of noncolorectal and nonneuroendocrine (NCRNE) liver metastases. From 1980 to 1997, 284 patients underwent hepatectomy for liver metastases of whom 39 (25 men and 14 women, mean age 55 years) had curative resection for NCRNE liver metastases. No patients had extrahepatic disease. The primary tumors were gastrointestinal (n = 15), genitourinary (n = 12) and miscellaneous (n = 12). The mean number of metastases was 1.8, and the mean size of the lesions was 51 mm. The median disease-free interval was 27 months. Twenty patients had a major hepatectomy and 19 a minor resection, with simultaneous resection of the primary in 6 cases. Overall survival was evaluated using the Kaplan-Meier method. There was no operative mortality, and 8% morbidity. The survival at 1, 3, and 5 years was 81, 40, and 35%, respectively. Patients with a disease-free interval higher than 24 months had a greater survival rate than those with a disease-free interval of less than 24 months (100% vs. 10%; p = 0.0004). Survival was not significantly influenced by age, sex, type of primary tumor, number, size and localization of metastases, type of hepatectomy, or blood transfusion. Resection of NCRNE liver metastases should be justified for patients without extrahepatic disease and resectable metastases, especially for those who have a disease-free interval of more than 24 months.     

Outcome following posterior fossa craniectomy in patients in the sitting or horizontal positions

Controversy continues to surround the use of the sitting position for neurosurgical procedures. This retrospective review of 579 posterior fossa craniectomies performed over a 4-yr period from 1981 through 1984 examines outcome following these procedures performed with the patients in either the sitting (n = 333) or horizontal (supine, prone, lateral, park bench) (n = 246) position. Multiple preoperative, intraoperative, and postoperative variables were analyzed. Venous air embolism occurred significantly more often in patients in the sitting position (45% versus 12%). However, no morbidity or mortality was attributed to venous air embolism. The incidence of hypotension with positioning was not different by position (19% in the sitting patients and 24% in the horizontal patients). Average blood replacement was significantly lower in the sitting patients (359 ml versus 507 ml), and the incidence of transfusion of greater than two units of blood was significantly higher in the horizontal patients (13% versus 3%). Postoperative cranial nerve function was significantly better in patients in the sitting group as compared to those in the horizontal group. The incidence of perioperative cardiopulmonary complications was not different between groups. These outcome data suggest that there are potential advantages and disadvantages of both the sitting and horizontal positions without supporting a significantly increased morbidity or mortality associated with either position.     

Should elective surgery for chronic pancreatitis be performed in high-risk patients?

As morbidity and mortality rates for pancreatic surgery have improved over the past decades, patients with major medical comorbidities have been considered for operative treatment. The influence of poor health status on operative morbidity in patients with chronic pancreatitis is evaluated in this study. The records of 313 consecutive patients who underwent pancreaticoduodenectomy (n = 78), distal pancreatectomy (n = 83), or lateral pancreaticojejunostomy (n = 152) for chronic pancreatitis were retrospectively reviewed and analyzed. Patients' risk for adverse outcome resulting from overall health status was audited using age, comorbidities, and Physiological and Operative Severity Score for the enUmeration of Mortality and morbidity (POSSUM) physiological score. Univariate analysis showed that patient's age did not contribute to change in morbidity (odds ratio [OR] = 1.01, P = 0.59). The presence of cardiac disease but not other comorbidities increased adverse outcome affected the need for intensive care unit stay and length of hospital stay (morbidity: 29% vs. 51%, OR = 2.6, P = 0.003). POSSUM physiological score was associated with an increase in morbidity and mortality (morbidity: OR = 1.16, P = 0.001; mortality: OR = 1.49, P = 0.001), in particular intraabdominal abscesses. Multivariate analysis showed that the only variable independently correlating with perioperative complications was POSSUM physiological score. Single comorbidities do not independently influence outcome after operations for chronic pancreatitis. A combination of several comorbidities is associated with an increase in postoperative infectious morbidity and mortality. High-risk patients should not be excluded from operative treatment, but need to be closely selected on a case-by-case basis.     

Evaluation of Charlson-Age comorbidity index as predictor of morbidity and mortality in patients with colorectal carcinoma

The Charlson-Age Comorbidity Index (CACI) is a validated tool used to predict patient outcome based on comorbid medical conditions. We wanted to determine if the CACI would predict morbidity and mortality outcomes in patients undergoing surgery for colorectal carcinoma. Records of 279 consecutive colorectal cancer patients who underwent laparotomy by a single surgical group between 1997 and 2001 were reviewed in a retrospective fashion for patient demographics, stage at diagnosis, operation, surgeon, perioperative complications, tumor characteristics, comorbid diseases, performance status, length of stay (LOS), disposition, and mortality. Using the preoperative history and physical, all patients were assigned a score for the CACI. Perioperative morbidity and mortality were recorded and graded to account for severity. The University Statistical Consulting Center and SPSS software were used to analyze the results. The patients were primarily white (97.1%) with a male-to-female ratio of 1:1.2 and a median age of 72 years. AJCC stage at presentation was stage 0 (3.2%), stage I (28.3%), stage II (24.4%), stage III (24.4%), or stage IV (19.7%). Median LOS was 7.0 days. Perioperative mortality was 17 of 279 (6.1%), and overall mortality was 32.6% at a median follow-up of 18.5 months. Higher CACI scores and AJCC stage at presentation correlated with longer LOS and overall mortality. Only the CACI correlated with perioperative mortality and disposition. No correlation was observed with location of tumor, type of surgery, or surgeon. Patients with higher cumulative number of weighted comorbid conditions as indicated by the CACI are at higher risk for perioperative and overall mortality. This simple scoring system is also a significant predictor of disposition (home versus extended care facility) and LOS. The CACI can be a useful preoperative tool to assess and counsel patients undergoing surgery for colorectal carcinoma. Presented at the Forty-Fourth Annual Meeting of The Society for Surgery of the Alimentary Tract, Orlando, Florida, May 18–21, 2003 Presented at the Forty-Fourth Annual Meeting of The Society for Surgery of the Alimentary Tract, Orlando, Florida, May 18–21, 2003