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Introduction: Compared to other surgical areas, laparoscopic liver resection (LLR) has not been widely implemented and currently less than 20% of hepatectomies are performed laparoscopically worldwide. The aim of our study was to evaluate the feasibility, and the ratio of implementation of LLR in our department., Methods: We analyzed a prospectively maintained database of 749 liver resections performed during the last 10-year period in a single centre., Results: A total of 150 (20%) consecutive pure LLR were performed between 2005 and 2015. In 87% of patients the indication was the presence ofprimary or metastatic liver malignancy. We performed 30 major hepatectomies (20%) and (80%) were minor resections, performed in all liver segments. Twelve patients were operated twice and 2 patients underwent a third LLR. The proportion of LLR increased from 12% in 2011 to 62% in the last year. Conversion rate was 9%. Overall morbidity rate was 36% but only one third were classified as severe. The 90-day mortality rate was 1%. Median hospital stay was 4 days and the rate of readmissions was 6%., Conclusions: The implementation of LLR has been fast with morbidity and mortality comparable to other published series. In the last 2 years more than half of the hepatectomies are performed laparoscopically in our centre., (Copyright © 2017 AEC. Publicado por Elsevier España, S.L.U. All rights reserved.)

Introduction: Hepatic hydatidosis is a pathology that has a worldwide distribution, and is frequent in some rural areas in Argentina. Surgical treatment still offers the best results. The laparoscopic approach is controversial because of lack of experience with this technique., Objective: To evaluate the feasibility and efficacy of the laparoscopic approach in this pathology and to present the experience obtained in a medical center in Argentina., Material and Methods: We prospectively evaluated patients with a diagnosis of non complicatedhydatidosis, over 15 years of age whose cyst had the following characteristics: unique cyst, size less than 5 centimeters, located in the anterior segments or easy access. Analyzed data were: sex, age, cyst localization, treatment, operating time, morbidity and mortality and recurrence., Results: Nine patients were operated using a laparoscopic approach. The cysts were localized in the segments iii, iv, v and vi. Six patients were operated with pneumoperitoneum and 3 with a parietal traction device, in all the patients the first approach was a laparoscopic PAIR (punction, aspiration, injection and reaspiration). Seven Mabit-Lagrot procedures were performed and 2pericystectomies. The operative time was a mean of 89.7min and a hospital stay of 52h. The morbidity was 22.2% and the mortality was 0%.Mean follow-up of 19 months showed no recurrences., Conclusion: A higher number of patients and a longer follow-up are necessary to evaluate the efficacy of approach; the laparoscopic approach seems to be safe. Our results coincide with the majority of other publications., (Copyright © 2013 AEC. Publicado por Elsevier España, S.L.U. All rights reserved.)

There is a wide variability in the management of acute cholecystitis. A survey among the members of the Spanish Association of Surgeons (AEC) analyzed the preferences of Spanish surgeons for its surgical management. The majority of the 771 responders didn't declare any subspecialty (41.6%), 21% were HPB surgeons, followed by colorectal and upper-GI specialities. Early cholecystectomy during the first admission is the preferred method of management of 92.3% of surgeons, but only 42.7% succeed in adopting this practice. The most frequent reasons for changing their preferred practice were: Patients not fit for surgery (43.6%) and lack of availability of emergency operating room (35.2%). A total of 88.9% perform surgery laparoscopically. The majority of AEC surgeons advise index admission cholecystectomy for acute cholecystitis, although only half of them succeed in its actual implementation. There is room for improvement in the management of acute cholecystitis in Spanish hospitals., (Copyright © 2013 AEC. Published by Elsevier Espana. All rights reserved.)

Introduction: Surgical treatment of hilar cholangiocarcinoma remains a challenge. Multiple prognostic factors have been proposed. The number of positive nodes and the ratio between positive lymph node and total lymph node (G+/Gt) are considered by some authors as the most important factor., Material and Methods: We analyzed a series of 58 patients with Klatskin tumors. We evaluated the prognostic factors and survival with emphasis on the prognostic impact of the number of positive nodes and its relation to total lymph nodes., Results: Resectability was 78% with a 5-year survival of 32%. The median number of nodes examined was 9.5. No significant differences were found in several of the proposed prognostic factors. The presence of 2 or more positive nodes or a ratio G+/Gt ≥ 0.2 were found to be poor prognostic factors., Conclusion: The relationship between positive lymph nodes and total lymph nodes and the number of positive lymph nodes are important prognostic factors., (Copyright © 2013 AEC. Published by Elsevier Espana. All rights reserved.)

Introduction: Hepatic adenomas (HA) are benign tumours which can present serious complications, and as such, in the past all were resected. It has now been shown that those smaller than 3 cm not expressing β-catenin only result in complications in exceptional cases and therefore the therapeutic strategy has been changed., Material and Method: Retrospective study in 14 HPB units., Inclusion Criteria: patients with resected and histologically confirmed HA., Study Period: 1995-2011., Results: 81 patients underwent surgery. Age: 39.5 years (range: 14-75). Sex: female (75%). Consumption of oestrogen in women: 33%. Size: 8.8 cm (range, 1-20 cm). Only 6 HA (7.4%) were smaller than 3 cm. The HA median was 1 (range: 1-12). Nine patients had adenomatosis (>10HA). A total of 51% of patients displayed symptoms, the most frequent (77%) being abdominal pain. Eight patients (10%) began with acute abdomen due to rupture and/or haemorrhage. A total of 67% of the preoperative diagnoses were correct. Surgery was scheduled for 90% of patients. The techniques employed were: major hepatectomy (22%), minor hepatectomy (77%) and one liver transplantation. A total of 20% were performed laparoscopically. The morbidity rate was 28%. There were no cases of mortality. Three patients had malignisation (3.7%). The follow-up period was 43 months (range 1-192). Two recurrences were detected and resected., Discussion: Patients with resected HA are normally women with large lesions and oestrogen consumption was lower than expected. Its correct preoperative diagnosis is acceptable (70%). The major hepatectomy rate is 25% and the laparoscopy rate is 20%. There was a low morbidity rate and no mortality., (Copyright © 2012 AEC. Published by Elsevier Espana. All rights reserved.)

Disconnected pancreatic duct syndrome (DPDS) is characterized by disruption of the main pancreatic duct with a loss of continuity between the pancreatic duct and the gastrointestinal tract caused by ductal necrosis after severe acute necrotizing pancreatitis treated medically, by percutaneous drainage, or necrosectomy. There are no clear epidemiological data on the real incidence of DPDS; approximately 10 to 30% of patients with severe acute pancreatitis could develop DPDS. The existing literature is scarce, the terminology is confusing and therapeutic algorithms are not clearly defined. Both endoscopic and surgical management have been described. We have performed a sytematic review of the literature on DPDS., (Copyright © 2013 AEC. Published by Elsevier Espana. All rights reserved.)

Patients who have liver metastasis and extrahepatic metastatic disease (EMD) have been considered as a patient subgroup with a very poor prognosis. Therefore, the presence of EMD was traditionally considered a contraindication for liver resection. But, survivals of around 30% at 5 years, and higher than that achieved with chemotherapy only obtained in some patients with liver metastasis of colorectal origin and EMD who had a resection performed on the hepatic and extrahepatic disease, obliges us to re-think what we must do in these patients. We have carried out an exhaustive review of the literature in an attempt to establish some working guidelines based on current scientific evidence. In summary, we can say that the presence of resectable EMD in patients with liver metastasis must not be considered as an absolute contraindication for liver resection, although the results are inferior to those obtained in patients without EMD. Patients with EMD localised in the ganglia of the coeliac trunk or aorto-cava have a short survival. The use of chemotherapy prior to the surgery is recommended to operate stable patients, or who respond to the chemotherapy and not in progression., (Copyright © 2011 AEC. Published by Elsevier Espana. All rights reserved.)

Hepatic cystic tumours are a heterogeneous group of diseases with different aetiology and incidence, and with similar clinical signs and symptoms. They are classified as congenital, traumatic, parasitic, or neoplastic cysts. The congenital cystic tumours are the most prevalent, and include the simple cyst and polycystic hepatic disease. Other less common lesions are, hepatic cystadenoma, ciliated embryonic cyst, and a miscellaneous group. We have carried out a review of all benign non-parasitic hepatic cystic tumours, placing special emphasis on therapeutic strategies., (Copyright © 2011 AEC. Published by Elsevier Espana. All rights reserved.)

Introduction: Significant celiac trunk or artery stenosis (CAS) is normally asymptomatic. However, when the arteries of the pancreatoduodenal arcade are occluded, it could trigger a visceral ischaemia. The objective of this study is to determine whether preoperative CAS is a risk factor for developing complications in patients subjected to duodenopancreatectomy (DPC)., Material and Methods: We have retrospectively analysed 58 consecutive patients subjected to DPC. We have associated significant CAS with post-surgical outcome. In all cases a 16-channel multidetector computed tomography (MDCT) in three hepatic phases was performed. We have reviewed the pre-surgical MDCT focusing on the morphology of the celiac artery (CA), particularly in the presence or absence of significant stenosis (>50%)., Results: We found CAS >50% in 13 patients (22%). The overall mortality was 5% (3 patients). Serious complications developed in 16 (28%) patients, 8 (62%) of whom belonged to the group with significant CAS (P=.004). Ten patients (17%) had a pancreatic fistula, 5 (38%) vs. 5 (11%) (P=.036); Fourteen patients (24%) needed new surgery, 7 (54%) vs. 7 (16%) (P=.009); Seven patients (12%) had a haemoperitoneum, 4 (31%) vs. 3 (7%) (P=.038), in the group with and without CAS, respectively., Conclusions: Significant radiological CAS is a risk factor of serious complications after DPC. The study of the calibre of the superior mesenteric artery (SMA) with MDCT should be routine before a DPC. The correction of a significant CAS should be evaluated preoperatively., (Copyright © 2010 AEC. Published by Elsevier Espana. All rights reserved.)

Bile duct injuries can be caused by different reasons, with Iatrogenic Bile Duct Injuries (IBDI) being the most common factor. IBDI is a complex situation produced in apparently healthy patients and is associated with a high rate of morbidity and a low rate of mortality. A multidisciplinary approach between surgeons, radiologist and endoscopist offers the best chances for an initial diagnosis, therapeutic options, management and follow up of complications for the patient. The aim of this review is to describe the current medical literature with reference to IBDI, and discuss our therapeutic algorithm., (Copyright © 2009 AEC. Published by Elsevier Espana. All rights reserved.)

Background: Surgical resection is the only possibility of long term survival in patients with Klatskin tumours. However, surgical resection is a challenging problem and hepatic resection is often necessary., Objective: The aim of our study was to assess the need for biliary drainage, resection rate and outcome of hilar cholangiocarcinoma in a single tertiary referral centre., Patients and Methods: From 2005 to 2008, 26 patients with Klatskin tumours were identified and assessed prospectively with multidetector CT and MR cholangiography in special cases. Seven patients (27%) were deemed to be unresectable in pre-operative staging. A total of 19 surgical procedures were performed, 8 left hepatectomies, 5 right hepatectomies and 6 resections exclusively of the biliary tree., Results: Resection rate was 73%, transfusion rate 53% and preoperative biliary drainage was performed only in 7 cases (37%). Major complications occurred in 11 (58%), including two post-operative deaths (10%). There were no differences in the epidemiological data, when we separately analysed the outcomes of the 9 patients with bilirubin<15 mg/dL and the 10 patients with bilirubin>15 mg/dL. Biliary drainage was required in 6 (67%) patients in the group with low bilirubin levels vs. 1(10%) in the other group (P=0.02). The mean bilirubin level in the jaundiced group was 22.1+/-3.9 vs. 4.7+/-4.3 (P<0.001) in the other group. There were no differences in the postoperative outcome between both groups., Conclusion: Resection and survival rates have increased recently but still carries the risk of significant morbidity and mortality. Major hepatectomies in selected patients without percutaneous biliary drainage are safe.

Objective: The reported prevalence rate of bile duct cysts is very low. However, the clinical presentation of bile duct cysts is common to other hepatobiliary diseases. In this article, we report on a series of patients who have been surgically treated over the last 15 years., Material and Method: All the patients who had undergone bile duct cyst-related surgery at this hospital had their clinical history reviewed retrospectively from 1990 to 2002. Data were obtained prospectively from 2002 to 2005. The following variables were taken into account in our analysis: diagnosis data, surgical procedure, morbidity, post-surgery mortality rates, and follow-up., Results: Over the last 15 years, 18 patients have undergone surgery at our hospital (6 male, 12 female). The most common clinical presentation was that of abdominal pain and the usual symptoms associated with acute cholangitis. As for surgical procedure, a complete cyst resection with biliary derivation was performed in all 15 cases. The histopathological diagnosis was choledochal cyst in 12 cases, Caroli's disease in 5 cases and a malignant choledochal cyst (adenocarcinoma) in 1 case. The most frequent post-surgical complication was bile leak (3 cases, 16.6%). There was no post-surgical mortality (0%). There were no relapses in the subsequent follow-up, Conclusions: Our preferred surgical procedure is that of complete cyst resection with biliary derivation. Our overall results are similar to those of medical teams who practise a radical resective procedure, and better than those who practise partial resections.

Objective: To assess the results of the hepatobiliary and pancreatic surgery of a surgery department during 2005-2006 using the diagnostic related groups., Materials and Method: The data were obtained from the CMBD-HA of the Catalan Health Service. We assessed the frequency, hospital stay and mortality of the surgical procedures. The results were compared with the 63 public hospitals, and the 8 of them belonging to the Catalan Health Institute., Results: In our area, a clear trend is observed in referrals for certain types of complex procedures on the liver, pancreas and biliary system excluding cholecystectomy with or without associated morbidities (7-11%) without exceeding the population percentage (12%). In our centre, the impact on hospital stay is more evident in complex procedures. The total savings in our centre during the years 2005-2006 compared with the XHUP hospitals group were 2212 days of hospital stay with an equivalent cost saving of more than one million euro. The frequency and the results of hospital stay and mortality of laparoscopic and open cholecystectomy were those expected for the population covered by a general hospital. The mortality in complex procedures was half of that of the whole public network or the ICS centres., Conclusions: In the complex hepatobiliary-pancreatic pathology, the mortality, and cost savings in our centre appear to be the result of, not only the high volume of procedures, but also to specialisation and factors related to the structure of the department, and surgeon training.

Introduction: Pancreatoduodenectomy (PD) with initial dissection of the superior mesenteric artery (SMA) has been described as a useful technical variant to reduce blood loss and to avoid an unnecessary intervention in those cases with arterial involvement., Objectives: To analyse the results of two recent technical modifications of PD introduced by our group: initial dissection of SMA and antecolic gastroenterostomy., Patients and Method: Patients were divided into two groups: with and without initial dissection of the SMA. The results were also analysed according to the type of gastric reconstruction. Perioperative and long-term results are compared., Results: The overall mortality was 5%, with no significant differences between the initial SMA dissection and conventional PD. The transfusion rate (p < 0.001), the volume of blood products transfused (p = 0.001), and the overall complication rate were lower (p = 0.01) in the initial SMA dissection group. Also the postoperative hospital stay was significantly lower (p

Objective: The objective of the study is to review our experience in the surgical treatment of Klatskin tumours, after the systematic application of the current concepts of radicalism. Sixty-one patients resected using these criteria are presented., Patients and Method: We have studied 154 patients. Surgery was ruled out in 59 (41%) of them, and a liver transplant was performed on 9; of the 86 patients operated on, 25 were resectable. Resectability was 71% (of the 86 patients operated on) and was 39% of the total patients. The results during two periods are compared, 1989-1998 (pre-99) and 1999-2007 (post-99)., Results: On comparing the two periods, resectability increased from 26% to 53% (p = 0.01), the percentage of exploratory laparotomies decreasing (pre: 45% vs post: 22%; p = 0.04). Hepatectomy was performed in 53 cases (87%), being most frequent post-99 (pre: 66% vs post: 91%; p = 0.02). Resection of the caudate was performed in 48 cases (90%), being most frequent in the post-99 period (pre: 40% vs pos: 89%; p = 0.005). Post-operative morbidity was 77%, with 28% the patients being re-operated on, and the post-operative mortality was 16.4%, with no significant differences between the periods. Actuarial survival at 5 years increases in the post-99 period (pre: 26% vs post: 51%; p = 0.06)., Conclusions: Adequate staging, associated with an aggressive surgical strategy can achieve a greater than 50% resectability rate. The post-operative morbidity and mortality of this strategy is high, but the survival that it achieves justifies this.

Objectives: To study the performance of the intraoperative ecography in the diagnosis of new liver metastases in the era of computerized tomography (CT) with multidetectors and its impact on the surgical operation., Patients and Method: Between February 2005 and April 2006 patients with resectable liver metastases where studied prospectively in a multidisciplinary meeting (surgeons, radiologist, oncologist). The preoperative CT findings were compared with the intraoperative findings and ultrasound study and the results of the surgical operation., Results: Forty-five candidates for curative surgery had a total of 171 hepatic lesions. CT correctly detected 115 lesions with a sensitivity of 67%, and a positive predictive value of 97%, with a false negative rate of 33% and false positive rate of 2%. In 5 patients intraoperative findings were the cause of changing the surgical procedure, three patients were unresectable (rate of resectability of 93%) and two patients needed a larger hepatic resection., Conclusions: CT with multidetectors and multidisciplinary meetings are the most important factors in the decision making of surgery of liver metastases with a high resectability rate. Intraoperative ecography is useful for the detection of 10% more liver metastases, but rarely involves a change in the surgical procedure.

Introduction: Experience in laparoscopic liver surgery is limited, and multicenter studies with large series are required for a critical evaluation of this type of surgery., Objective: To analyze the results of the National Registry of Laparoscopic Liver Surgery. Indications, technical features, conversion rates, morbidity, and mortality were analyzed., Patients and Method: Seventy-four patients from 10 centers who underwent surgery between February 2000 and April 2005 were included. There were 58 women and 16 men, with a mean age of 55 years. More than one lesion was present in 16 patients. Consequently, 74 patients with 156 lesions were treated., Results: Forty-six patients had cystic lesions (26 simple cysts, 13 polycystic disease, five hydatid cysts and two cystic adenomas). Surgical treatment consisted of 37 fenestrations, five cystopericystectomies, two atypical resections, one segmentectomy and one bisegmentectomy of segments II-III. In 28 patients the lesions were solid (four adenomas, six focal nodular hyperplasias, three hemangiomas, four hepatocarcinomas, five colorectal metastases, two lung metastases, one breast metastasis, one malignant melanoma metastasis, one pancreatic vipoma metastasis, and one lymphoma). Ten bisegmentectomies of segments II-III, 17 atypical resections and one segmentectomy of segment III were performed. Other surgery was associated in 23 patients. The mean operating time was 160.5 minutes and the conversion rate was 8%. The mean length of hospital stay was 5.6 days and was less than 5 days in 78% of the patients. Analgesia was administered for less than 48 hours in 55%. Morbidity was observed in eight patients (10.8%). Reoperations were performed in three patients. There was no mortality in this series., Conclusions: Laparoscopic hepatic resection is safe and feasible in selected patients. Large, controlled series are required to determine long-term outcomes. The national registry provides a good basis for evaluating laparoscopic liver surgery in Spain.