Search

Background: This animal study investigates the hypothesis of an immature liver growth following ALPPS (associating liver partition and portal vein ligation for staged hepatectomy) by measuring liver volume and function using gadoxetic acid avidity in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in models of ALPPS, major liver resection (LR) and portal vein ligation (PVL)., Methods: Wistar rats were randomly allocated to ALPPS, LR or PVL. In contrast-enhanced MRI scans with gadoxetic acid (Primovist®), liver volume and function of the right median lobe (=future liver remnant, FLR) and the deportalized lobes (DPL) were assessed until post-operative day (POD) 5. Liver function FLR/DPL was defined as the inverse value of time from injection of gadoxetic acid to the blood pool-corrected maximum signal intensity FLR/DPL multiplied by the volume FLR/DPL ., Results: In ALPPS (n = 6), LR (n = 6) and PVL (n = 6), volume FLR and function FLR increased proportionally, except on POD 1. Thereafter, function FLR exceeded volume FLR increase in LR and ALPPS, but not in PVL. Total liver function was significantly reduced after LR until POD 3, but never undercuts 60% of its pre-operative value following ALPPS and PVL., Discussion: This study shows for the first time that functional increase is proportional to volume increase in ALPPS using gadoxetic acid avidity in MRI., Competing Interests: Conflict of interest No disclosures of potential conflicts (financial, professional or personal) relevant to the manuscript. Martin Schläpfer and Beatrice Beck-Schimmer have received unrestricted research funds from Sedana Medical, Danderyd, Sweden, and from Roche Diagnostics International, Rotkreuz, Switzerland. Beatrice Beck-Schimmer and Martin Schläpfer have submitted a patent to mitigate the negative effects of surgery and/or anesthesia for patients using medical gases, particularly oxygen (O2) and carbon dioxide (CO2). Beatrice Beck-Schimmer submitted US and EP patent applications for an injectable formulation for the treatment and protection of patients having an inflammatory reaction or an ischemia/reperfusion event., (Copyright © 2023. Published by Elsevier Ltd.)

Background: Most data on the treatment and outcomes of intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (iCCA) derives from expert centers. This study aimed to investigate the treatment and outcomes of all patients diagnosed with iCCA in a nationwide cohort., Methods: Data on all patients diagnosed with iCCA between 2010 and 2018 were obtained from the Netherlands Cancer Registry., Results: In total, 1747 patients diagnosed with iCCA were included. Resection was performed in 292 patients (17%), 548 patients (31%) underwent palliative systemic treatment, and 867 patients (50%) best supportive care (BSC). The OS median and 1-, and 3-year OS were after resection: 37.5 months (31.0-44.0), 79.2%, and 51.6%,; with systemic therapy, 10.0 months (9.2-10.8), 38.4%, and 5.1%, and with BSC 2.2 months (2.0-2.5), 10.4%, and 1.3% respectively. The resection rate for patients who first presented in academic centers was 33% (96/292) compared to 13% (195/1454) in non-academic centers (P < 0.001)., Discussion: Half of almost 1750 patients with iCCA over an 8 year period did not receive any treatment with a 1-year OS of 10.4%. Three-year survival was about 50% after resection, while long-term survival was rare after palliative treatment. The resection rate was higher in academic centers compared to non-academic centers., (Copyright © 2023 The Author(s). Published by Elsevier Ltd.. All rights reserved.)

Background: This study aimed to analyze the predictive value of Hepatobiliary scintigraphy (HBS) for posthepatectomy liver failure (PHLF) after major liver resection with a comparison to assessment of liver volume in a multicenter cohort., Methods: Patients who underwent liver resection after HBS were included from six centers. Remnant liver volume was calculated from CT images. PHLF was scored and graded according to the grade B/C ISGLS criteria., Results: In 547 patients PHLF incidence was 10% (56/547) and 90-day mortality rate 8% (42/547). Overall predictive value of remnant liver function was 0.66 (0.58-0.74) and similar to that of remnant volume (0.63 (0.72). For biliary tumors, a function cut-off of 2.7%/min/m2 and 30% volume cut-off resulted in a PHLF rate 12% and 13%, respectively. While an 8.5%/min (4.5%/min/m2) function cut-off resulted in 7% PHLF for those with a function above the cutoff while a 40% volume cutoff still resulted in 14% PHLF rate. In the multivariable analyses for PHLF, liver function was predictive but liver volume was not., Conclusion: The current study shows that preoperative liver function assessment using HBS is at least as predictive for PHLF as liver volume assessment, and likely has several advantages, particularly in the high-risk sub-group of biliary tumors., (Copyright © 2023 The Author(s). Published by Elsevier Ltd.. All rights reserved.)

Background: The aim of this study was to evaluate the Dutch regional practice variation in treatment of synchronous colorectal liver metastases (CRLM) over time and assess their impact on patients survival., Methods: Two cohorts of patients with synchronous CRLM were selected from the Netherlands Cancer Registry (NCR). All patients diagnosed between 2014 and 2018 were selected to analyze interregional practice variations in local therapy (LT) with multivariable logistic regression. Overall survival (OS) was assessed for patients diagnosed from 2008 to 2013 using Kaplan Meier method and Cox regression analyses., Results: The proportion of patients who underwent LT increased from 15.5% to 21.9%. Interregional use of LT varied from 19.1% to 25.0%. Multivariable logistic regression showed significant differences between regions in the use of LT (p = 0.001) in 2014-2018. There was no association between OS and region of diagnosis for patients who underwent LT after correction for confounders.The use of LT for CRLM increased from 15.5% in 2008-2013 to 21.9% in 2014-2018. Three-year OS increased from 16% to 19% respectively., Conclusion: Interregional practice variations have decreased. The remaining differences are not associated with OS. The use of local therapy and 3-year overall survival have increased over time. Local practice should be monitored to prevent undesirable variation in outcomes., (Copyright © 2022 The Author(s). Published by Elsevier Ltd.. All rights reserved.)

Background: Sarcopenia is associated with impaired short- and long-term outcomes in gastrointestinal cancers. Whether sarcopenia is associated with impaired survival after local therapy of Colorectal Cancer Liver Metastases (CRLM) remains controversial. This study aimed to determine the influence of sarcopenia on long-term outcomes after curative-intent therapy for CRLM., Methods: Patients undergoing local therapy for CRLM between 2003 and 2019 were retrospectively analyzed using the skeletal muscle index at the level of the third lumbar vertebra as an indicator of sarcopenia. Factors associated with overall (OS) and disease-free (DFS) survival were analyzed using univariable and multivariable cox regression., Results: In total 213/465 patients (46%) were considered sarcopenic. Sarcopenic patients had no impaired 5-year OS or DFS compared to non-sarcopenic patients, 38% vs 44% (p = 0.153) and 19 vs 23% (p = 0.339) respectively. Sarcopenia was not associated with impaired OS (HR = 1.11, 95%CI = 0.85-1.46, p = 0.43) or DFS (HR = 0.99, 95%CI = 0.77-1.28, p = 0.96) in multivariable analysis. There were no significant differences in postoperative complications (p = 0.47), the incidence (p = 0.65) and treatment (p = 0.37) of recurrent metastases. Five-year OS after resection for recurrences was 14% (sarcopenic) and 22% (non-sarcopenic) p 0.716., Conclusion: Sarcopenia assessed by computed tomography was not associated with impaired survival outcomes in the group of CRLM patients overall., (Copyright © 2022 The Author(s). Published by Elsevier Ltd.. All rights reserved.)

Background: After portal vein embolization (PVE) 30% fail to achieve liver resection. Malnutrition is a modifiable risk factor and can be assessed by radiological indices. This study investigates, if sarcopenia affects resectability and kinetic growth rate (KGR) after PVE., Methods: A retrospective study was performed of the outcome of PVE at 8 centres of the DRAGON collaborative from 2010 to 2019. All malignant tumour types were included. Sarcopenia was defined using gender, body mass and skeletal muscle index. First imaging after PVE was used for liver volumetry. Primary and secondary endpoints were resectability and KGR. Risk factors impacting liver growth were assessed in a multivariable analysis., Results: Eight centres identified 368 patients undergoing PVE. 62 patients (17%) had to be excluded due to unavailability of data. Among the 306 included patients, 112 (37%) were non-sarcopenic and 194 (63%) were sarcopenic. Sarcopenic patients had a 21% lower resectability rate (87% vs. 66%, p < 0.001) and a 23% reduced KGR (p = 0.02) after PVE. In a multivariable model dichotomized for KGR ≥2.3% standardized FLR (sFLR)/week, only sarcopenia and sFLR before embolization correlated with KGR., Conclusion: In this largest study of risk factors, sarcopenia was associated with reduced resectability and KGR in patients undergoing PVE., (Crown Copyright © 2021. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Background: Standard portal vein resection (PVR) has been proposed to improve oncological outcomes in patients with perihilar cholangiocarcinoma (PHC), however it potentially introduces an increased risk of morbidity. The policy in Amsterdam UMC(AMC) is to resect the portal vein bifurcation selectively when involved, while in Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, standard PVR is performed with right trisectionectomy. The objective of this study was to analyze postoperative outcomes and survival after standard or selective PVR for PHC., Methods: A retrospective study was performed including PHC-patients undergoing right-sided resection in Amsterdam (2000-2018) and Berlin (2005-2015). Primary outcomes were 90-day mortality, severe morbidity (Clavien-Dindo≥3), and overall survival (OS). A propensity score comparison (1:1 ratio) was performed corrected for age/sex/ASA/jaundice/tumor diameter/N-stage/Bismuth-Corlette type-IV., Results: A total of 251 patients who underwent right-sided resection for PHC were evaluated: 87 in the selective (Amsterdam) and 164 in the standard PVR-group (Berlin). Major differences in baseline characteristics were observed, with higher ASA and AJCC-stage in the standard PVR-group (Berlin). Severe morbidity and 90-day mortality were comparable before matching (selective/Amsterdam:68% and 19%, standard/Berlin:61% and 17%,p = 0.284 and p = 0.746, respectively). After propensity score matching, both short term outcomes and OS were comparable (selective/Amsterdam (n = 45) 33 months (95%CI:20-45), standard/Berlin (n = 45) 31 months (95%CI:24-38,p = 0.747))., Conclusion: In this combined cohort, standard PVR was not associated with increased severe morbidity or mortality. After propensity score matching, survival was comparable after selective (Amsterdam) and standard PVR (Berlin)., (Copyright © 2021 International Hepato-Pancreato-Biliary Association Inc. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Background: Sarcopenia is defined as either low pre-operative muscle mass or low muscle density on abdominal CT imaging. It has been associated with worse short-term outcomes after surgery for colorectal liver metastases. This study aimed to evaluate whether sarcopenia also impacts long-term survival outcomes in these patients., Methods: A random-effects meta-analysis was conducted following the PRISMA guidelines. Overall survival (OS) and disease-free survival (DFS) outcomes were evaluated., Results: Eleven studies were included, ten reporting on the impact of low muscle mass and four on low muscle density. Sample sizes ranged between 47 and 539 (2124 patients in total). Altogether, 897 (42%) patients were considered sarcopenic, although definitions varied between studies. Median follow-up was 21-74 months. Low muscle mass (hazard ration (HR) 1.35, 95%CI 1.08-1.68) and low muscle density (HR 1.97, 95%CI 1.07-3.62) were associated with impaired OS. Low muscle mass (pooled HR 1.17, 95%CI 0.94-1.46) and low muscle density (pooled HR 1.13, 95%CI 0.85-1.50) were not associated with impaired RFS., Discussion: Sarcopenia is associated with poorer OS, but not RFS, in patients with CRLM. Additional studies with standardized sarcopenia definitions are needed to better assess the impact of sarcopenia in patients with CRLM., (Copyright © 2021 The Author(s). Published by Elsevier Ltd.. All rights reserved.)

Background: Failure to rescue (FTR) is defined as postoperative complications leading to mortality. This nationwide study aimed to assess factors associated with FTR and hospital variation in FTR after liver surgery., Methods: All patients who underwent liver resection between 2014 and 2017 in the Netherlands were included. FTR was defined as in-hospital or 30-day mortality after complications Dindo grade ≥3a. Variables associated with FTR and nationwide hospital variation were assessed using multivariable logistic regression., Results: Of 4961 patients included, 3707 (74.4%) underwent liver resection for colorectal liver metastases, 379 (7.6%) for other metastases, 526 (10.6%) for hepatocellular carcinoma and 349 (7.0%) for biliary cancer. Thirty-day major morbidity was 11.5%. Overall mortality was 2.3%. FTR was 19.1%. Age 65-80 (aOR: 2.86, CI:1.01-12.0, p = 0.049), ASA 3+ (aOR:2.59, CI: 1.66-4.02, p < 0.001), liver cirrhosis (aOR:4.15, CI:1.81-9.22, p < 0.001), biliary cancer (aOR:3.47, CI: 1.73-6.96, p < 0.001), and major resection (aOR:6.46, CI: 3.91-10.9, p < 0.001) were associated with FTR. Postoperative liver failure (aOR: 26.9, CI: 14.6-51.2, p < 0.001), cardiac (aOR: 2.62, CI: 1.27-5.29, p = 0.008) and thromboembolic complications (aOR: 2.49, CI: 1.16-5.22, p = 0.017) were associated with FTR. After case-mix correction, no hospital variation in FTR was observed., Conclusion: FTR is influenced by patient demographics, disease and procedural burden. Prevention of postoperative liver failure, cardiac and thromboembolic complications could decrease FTR., Competing Interests: Declaration of interests The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2021. Published by Elsevier Ltd.)

Background: Resection for perihilar cholangiocarcinoma (pCCA) in primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC) has been reported to lead to worse outcomes than resection for non-PSC pCCA. The aim of this study was to compare prognostic factors and outcomes after resection in patients with PSC-associated pCCA and non-PSC pCCA., Methods: The international retrospective cohort comprised patients resected for pCCA from 21 centres (2000-2020). Patients operated with hepatobiliary resection, with pCCA verified by histology and with data on PSC status, were included. The primary outcome was overall survival. Secondary outcomes were disease-free survival and postoperative complications., Results: Of 1128 pCCA patients, 34 (3.0%) had underlying PSC. Median overall survival after resection was 33 months for PSC patients and 29 months for non-PSC patients (p = .630). Complications (Clavien-Dindo grade ≥ 3) were more frequent in PSC pCCA (71% versus 44%, p = .003). The rate of posthepatectomy liver failure (21% versus 17%, p = .530) and 90-day mortality (12% versus 13%, p = 1.000) was similar for PSC and non-PSC patients., Conclusion: Median overall survival after resection for pCCA was similar in patients with underlying PSC and non-PSC patients. Complications were more frequent after resection for PSC-associated pCCA, with no difference in postoperative mortality., (Copyright © 2021 The Author(s). Published by Elsevier Ltd.. All rights reserved.)

Background: Surgery for perihilar cholangiocarcinoma (pCCA) is associated with high morbidity and mortality rates. The impact of surgery for pCCA may affect patients after discharge. The aim of this study was to investigate all morbidity and mortality during the first year after surgery for pCCA., Methods: All consecutive liver resections for suspected pCCA between 2000 and 2019 at two tertiary referral centers were included. All morbidity and mortality until one year after surgery was collected retrospectively, including readmissions and reinterventions. All recurrences within the first year were scored to calculate disease-free survival., Results: In 250 patients, the major morbidity rate was 61% (152/250), in-hospital mortality was 15% (37/250) and 90-day mortality was 16% (40/250). In the 213 discharged patients, 98 patients (46%) suffered 260 surgical complications. These complications required 185 readmissions in 92 patients (43%) and 400 reinterventions in 110 patients (52%), including 330 radiological (83%), 61 endoscopic (15%) and 9 surgical reinterventions (2%). One-year overall survival was 77% and one-year disease-free survival was 70%. Out of the 20 patients who died within the first year after discharge, 15 died of recurrent disease and 3 due to surgery related complications and 2 of unknown causes., Conclusion: Readmissions, reinterventions and complications are frequent throughout the first year after surgery for pCCA in tertiary referral hospitals. These adverse events warrants treatment of these complex patients in high expertise centers offering intensive perioperative care and close follow-up of patients after discharge., (Copyright © 2021 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ltd.. All rights reserved.)

Background: Post hepatectomy liver failure (PHLF) after ALPPS has been related to the discrepancy between liver volume and function. Pre-operative hepatobiliary scintigraphy (HBS) can predict post-operative liver function and guide when it is safe to proceed with major hepatectomy. Aim of this study was to evaluate the role of HBS in predicting PHLF after ALPPS, defining a safe cut-off., Methods: A multicenter retrospective study was approved by the ALPPS Registry. All patients selected for ALPPS between 2012 and 2018, were evaluated. Every patient underwent HBS during ALPPS evaluation. PHLF was reported according to ISGLS definition, considering grade B or C as clinically significant., Results: 98 patients were included. Thirteen patients experienced PHLF grade B or C (14%) following ALPPS-2. The HBS and the daily gain in volume (KGR FLR ) of the future liver remnant (FLR) were significantly lower in PHLF B and C (p = .004 and .041 respectively). ROC curves indicated safe cut-offs of 4.1%/day (AUC = 0.68) for KGR FLR , and of 2.7 %/min/m 2 (AUC = 0.75) for HBS FLR . Multivariate analysis confirmed these cut-offs as variables predicting PHLF after ALPPS-2., Conclusion: Patients presenting a KGR FLR ≤4.1%/day and a HBS FLR ≤2.7%/min/m 2 are at high risk of PHLF and their second stage should be re-discussed., (Copyright © 2020 International Hepato-Pancreato-Biliary Association Inc. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Background: In some Dutch pancreatic surgery centers, patients who underwent pancreatoduodenectomy (PD) for ampullary cancer undergo surveillance for colorectal cancer (CRC), since an association is suggested in contemporary literature. This study aimed to examine the CRC incidence after PD for ampullary cancer in four pancreatic surgery centers and a Dutch nationwide cohort., Methods: All patients who underwent resection of ampullary cancer from 2005 through 2017 at four centers were included. All colonoscopies and CRC diagnoses in these patients were recorded. In addition all PDs for ampullary cancer in the Dutch Pathology Registry (2000-2017) were recorded along with the CRC diagnoses and compared with an age, sex, and year-matched cohort., Results: Out of 287 included patients by the four centers, 11% underwent a colonoscopy within one year after PD. Eight (2.7%) were diagnosed with CRC before PD and two (0.7%), at 14 and 72 months after PD. In the nationwide cohort comparison, the CRC incidence was similar before (2.6% versus 1.9%, P = 0.424) and after surgery (2.1% versus 3.1%, P = 0.237). Within one year after PD, the incidence was 0.3% compared to 0.6% in the matched controls (P = 0.726)., Conclusions: The current study could not find an increased risk of CRC in patients with resected ampullary cancer. Therefore, there is insufficient justification to screen for CRC in patients with resected ampullary cancer., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors report no conflicts of interest., (Copyright © 2019. Published by Elsevier Ltd.)

Background: Gallbladder polyps are common incidental findings during abdominal ultrasonography. Cholecystectomy is recommended for polyps equal or greater than 10 mm on ultrasound due to their malignant potential. However, the majority of lesions appear to be pseudopolyps with no malignant potential. Our aim was to determine the correlation between ultrasonographic findings and histopathological findings after cholecystectomy for gallbladder polyps in two institutions., Method: A retrospective analysis was performed at two Dutch institutions of patients who underwent cholecystectomy. All cholecystectomies for suspected gallbladder polyps between January 2010 and August 2017 were included. Ultrasonographic and histopathological reports were analyzed., Results: A total of 108 patients underwent cholecystectomy for gallbladder polyps. At abdominal ultrasound sixty-five patients (60.2%) were diagnosed with multiple gallbladder polyps. The mean diameter of the polyps was 11 mm. On pathological examination after cholecystectomy, only three specimens harbored true polyps. No anomalies were found in 48 (44%) patients and 51 (47%) had cholesterolosis., Conclusion: The prevalence of true gallbladder polyps was much lower in this study than reported in literature. After cholecystectomy for gallbladder polyps diagnosed by ultrasound, 97% of patients had non-neoplastic or not identifiable lesions in the gallbladder. These findings question the usefulness of current guidelines for management of suspected gallbladder polyps., (Copyright © 2019 International Hepato-Pancreato-Biliary Association Inc. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Background: ALPPS is a two-stage hepatectomy that induces more rapid liver growth compared to conventional strategies. This report aims to establish a risk-score to avoid adverse outcomes of ALPPS only for patients with colorectal liver metastases (CRLM) as primary indication for ALPPS., Methods: All patients with CRLM included in the ALPPS registry were included. Risk score analysis was performed for 90-day mortality after ALPPS, defined as death within 90 days after either stage. Two risk scores were generated i.e. one for application before stage-1, and one for application before stage-2. Logistic regression analysis was performed to establish the risk-score., Results: In total, 486 patients were included, of which 35 (7%) died 90 days after stage-1 or 2. In the stage-1 risk score, age ≥67 years (OR 3.7), FLR/BW ratio <0.40 (OR 2.9) and total center-volume (OR 2.4) were included. For the stage-2 score age ≥67 years (OR 3.7), FLR/BW ratio <0.40 (OR 2.8), bilirubin 5 days after stage-1 >50 μmol/L (OR 2.4), and stage-1 morbidity grade IIIA or higher (OR 6.3) were included., Conclusions: The CRLM risk-score to predict mortality after ALPPS demonstrates that older patients with small remnant livers in inexperienced centers, especially after experiencing morbidity after stage-1 have adverse outcomes. The risk score may be used to restrict ALPPS to low-risk patient populations., (Copyright © 2018 International Hepato-Pancreato-Biliary Association Inc. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Background: Hepatobiliary scintigraphy (HBS) is used to quantify total and regional liver function. Transient elastography (TE) provides a non-invasive alternative to percutaneous biopsy to assess liver fibrosis and cirrhosis. This study aims to determine the correlation between HBS and histopathology of liver parenchyma, and to compare these with TE in patients with resectable hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC)., Methods: Patients who underwent surgery for HCC between 2000 and 2016 after preoperative HBS were included. Non-tumorous liver tissue was evaluated for inflammation, steatosis, ballooning, siderosis and fibrosis. Correlation analysis was performed between HBS results and histopathological scoring. These were also compared with TE and surgical outcomes., Results: 71 patients underwent preoperative HBS of whom 24 also had TE. HBS correlated with portal and lobular inflammation as well as fibrosis. TE correlated with portal and lobular inflammation, ballooning and fibrosis. A significant correlation was found between HBS and TE. No association was found with overall postoperative morbidity and mortality., Conclusion: HBS and TE show a moderate to strong correlation. HBS and TE share discriminatory features of histopathological scoring and show a weak to moderate correlation with hepatic inflammation and fibrosis., (Copyright © 2018 International Hepato-Pancreato-Biliary Association Inc. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Background: Perihilar cholangiocarcinoma (PHC) often requires extensive surgery which is associated with substantial morbidity and mortality. This study aimed to compare an Eastern and Western PHC cohort in terms of patient characteristics, treatment strategies and outcomes including a propensity score matched analysis., Methods: All consecutive patients who underwent combined biliary and liver resection for PHC between 2005 and 2016 at two Western and one Eastern center were included. The overall perioperative and long-term outcomes of the cohorts were compared and a propensity score matched analysis was performed to compare perioperative outcomes., Results: A total of 210 Western patients were compared to 164 Eastern patients. Western patients had inferior survival compared to the East (hazard-ratio 1.72 (1-23-2.40) P < 0.001) corrected for age, ASA score, tumor stage and margin status. After propensity score matching, liver failure rate, morbidity, and mortality were similar. There was more biliary leakage (38% versus 13%, p = 0.015) in the West., Conclusion: There were major differences in patient characteristics, treatment strategies, perioperative outcomes and survival between Eastern and Western PHC cohorts. Future studies should focus whether these findings are due to the differences in the treatment or the disease itself., (Copyright © 2018 International Hepato-Pancreato-Biliary Association Inc. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Ten years ago the first patient underwent Associating Liver Partition and Portal Vein Ligation for Staged Hepatectomy (ALPPS). This report aimed to critically review literature on ALPPS in terms of methods, outcomes, and bias. In total, 237 English papers on ALPPS were identified, 75 (32%) were letters and 43 (18%) case-reports. Forty-nine single-center series reported a median 10 patients, with 0-69% morbidity and 0-50% mortality. The indications for ALPPS were reported in 35% and 47% reported on modifications. Twenty-three multicenter series included a median 45 patients. Some reports excluded up to 399 cases. 26% reported on the indications and 35% on ALPPS modifications. Across journals, variation in positive and negative conclusions on ALPPS was observed. Ten years of ALPPS have resulted in diverse publications with a high concern of bias. Although one randomized study has been published, a more critical approach towards retrospective methodology is needed to allow pragmatic conclusions for HPB-surgeons., (Copyright © 2018 Elsevier Ltd, BASO ~ The Association for Cancer Surgery, and the European Society of Surgical Oncology. All rights reserved.)

Obstructive cholestasis causes liver injury via accumulation of toxic bile acids (BAs). Therapeutic options for cholestatic liver disease are limited, partially because the available murine disease models lack translational value. Profiling of time-related changes following bile duct ligation (BDL) in Gold Syrian hamsters revealed a biochemical response similar to cholestatic patients in terms of BA pool composition, alterations in hepatocyte BA transport and signaling, suppression of BA production, and adapted BA metabolism. Hamsters tolerated cholestasis well for up to 28days and progressed relatively slowly to fibrotic liver injury. Hepatocellular necrosis was absent, which coincided with preserved intrahepatic energy levels and only mild oxidative stress. The histological response to cholestasis in hamsters was similar to the changes seen in 17 patients with prolonged obstructive cholestasis caused by cholangiocarcinoma. Hamsters moreover upregulated hepatic fibroblast growth factor 15 (Fgf15) expression in response to BDL, which is a cytoprotective adaptation to cholestasis that hitherto had only been documented in cholestatic human livers. Hamster models should therefore be added to the repertoire of animal models used to study the pathophysiology of cholestatic liver disease., (Copyright © 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Introduction: There is an ongoing controversy surrounding portal vein embolization (PVE) regarding the short-term safety of PVE and long-term oncological benefit. This study aims to compare survival outcomes of patients subjected to major liver resection for colorectal liver metastases (CRLM) with or without PVE., Methods: All consecutive patients who underwent major liver resection for CRLM in four high volume liver centres between January 2000 and December 2015 were included. Major liver resection was defined as resection of at least three Couinaud liver segments. To reduce selection bias, propensity score matching was performed for PVE and non-PVE patients with overall and disease-free survival as primary endpoints. For matching, all patients who underwent PVE followed by a major liver resection were selected. Patients were matched to patients who had undergone major liver resection without PVE., Results: Of 745 patients undergoing major liver resection for CRLM, 53 patients (7%) underwent PVE before liver resection. In the overall cohorts, PVE patients had inferior DFS and a trend towards inferior OS. A total of 46 PVE patients were matched to 46 non-PVE patients to create comparable cohorts and between these two matched cohorts no differences in DFS (3-year DFS 16% vs 9%, p = 0.776) or OS (5-year OS 14% vs 14%, p = 0.866) were found., Conclusions: This retrospective, matched analysis does not suggest a negative impact of PVE on long-term outcomes after liver resection in patients with CRLM., (Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Ltd, BASO ~ The Association for Cancer Surgery, and the European Society of Surgical Oncology. All rights reserved.)

Background: Posthepatectomy liver failure (PHLF) is a threatening complication after liver surgery, especially in perihilar cholangiocarcinoma (PHC). This study aimed to assess the value of preoperative assessment of liver function using 99m Tc-mebrofenin hepatobiliary scintigraphy (HBS) to predict PHLF in comparison with liver volume in PHC patients., Methods: All patients who underwent resection of suspected PHC in a single center between 2000 and 2015 were included in the analysis. PHLF was graded according to the ISGLS criteria with grade B/C considered clinically relevant. A cut-off value for the prediction of PHLF was calculated using the receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC) analysis., Results: A total of 116 patients were included of which 27 (23%) suffered of PHLF. ROC values for the prediction of PHLF were 0.74 (0.63-0.86) for future liver remnant function and 0.63 (0.47-0.80) for volume. A cut-off for liver function was set at 8.5%/min, which resulted in a negative predictive value of 94% and positive predictive value of 41%., Conclusions: Assessment of liver function with HBS had better predictive value for PHLF than liver volume in patients undergoing major liver resection for suspected PHC. The cut-off of 8.5%/min can help to select patients for portal vein embolization and might help to reduce postoperative liver failure., (Copyright © 2017 International Hepato-Pancreato-Biliary Association Inc. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Introduction: Resection of perihilar cholangiocarcinoma (PHC) entails high-risk surgery with postoperative mortality reported up to 18%, even in specialized centers. The aim of this study was to compare outcomes of PHC patients who underwent associating liver partition and portal vein ligation for staged hepatectomy (ALPPS) to patients who underwent resection without ALPPS., Methods: All patients who underwent ALPPS for PHC were identified from the international ALPPS registry and matched controls were selected from a standard resection cohort from two centers based on future remnant liver size. Outcomes included morbidity, mortality, and overall survival., Results: ALPPS for PHC was associated with 48% (14/29) 90-day mortality. 90-day mortality was 13% in 257 patients who underwent major liver resection for PHC without ALPPS. The 29 ALPPS patients were matched to 29 patients resected without ALPPS, with similar future liver remnant volume (P = 0.480). Mortality in the matched control group was 24% (P = 0.100) and median OS was 27 months, comparted to 6 months after ALPPS (P = 0.064)., Discussion: Outcomes of ALPPS for PHC appear inferior compared to standard extended resections in high-risk patients. Therefore, portal vein embolization should remain the preferred method to increase future remnant liver volume in patients with PHC. ALPPS is not recommended for PHC., (Copyright © 2016. Published by Elsevier Ltd.)

Background: Hepatic ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury is characterized by hepatocellular damage, sterile inflammation, and compromised postoperative liver function. Generally used mouse I/R models are too severe and poorly reflect the clinical injury profile. The aim was to establish a mouse I/R model with better translatability using hepatocellular injury, liver function, and innate immune parameters as endpoints., Methods: Mice (C57Bl/6J) were subjected to sham surgery, 30min, or 60min of partial hepatic ischemia. Liver function was measured after 24h using intravital microscopy and spectroscopy. Innate immune activity was assessed at 6 and 24h of reperfusion using mRNA and cytokine arrays. Liver inflammation and function were profiled in two patient cohorts subjected to I/R during liver resection to validate the preclinical results., Results: In mice, plasma ALT levels and the degree of hepatic necrosis were strongly correlated. Liver function was bound by a narrow damage threshold and was severely impaired following 60min of ischemia. Severe ischemia (60min) evoked a neutrophil-dominant immune response, whereas mild ischemia (30min) triggered a monocyte-driven response. Clinical liver I/R did not compromise liver function and displayed a cytokine profile similar to the mild I/R injury model., Conclusions: Mouse models using ≤30min of ischemia best reflect the clinical liver I/R injury profile in terms of liver function dynamics and type of immune response., General Significance: This short duration of ischemia therefore has most translational value and should be used to increase the prospects of developing effective interventions for hepatic I/R., (Copyright © 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Background: Transaminase levels are usually measured as markers of hepatocellular injury following liver resection, but recent evidence was unclear on their clinical value. This study aimed to identify factors that determine peak postoperative transaminase levels and correlated transaminase levels to postoperative complications., Study Design: All liver resections performed at a single center between 2006 and 2015 were included in the analysis. Multivariate analysis was used to identify factors that determine peak ALT and AST levels and postoperative morbidity and mortality. An ALT and AST cutoff for the prediction of mortality was determined using receiver operating characteristic curves analysis., Results: A total of 539 resections were included. Clavien-Dindo grade III or higher complications, intraoperative transfusion, and operative duration were identified as determinants of peak transaminases. A peak AST cut-off value for predicting mortality was defined at 828 U/L, with an area under the curve of 0.81 (0.73-0.89). The cut-off was an independent predictor of mortality (P < 0.01) along with (intraoperative) transfusion (P < 0.01), fifty-fifty criteria (P < 0.01), and age (P < 0.01)., Conclusion: Postoperative transaminase levels are independent predictors of postoperative morbidity and mortality and therefore clinically relevant. Transaminase levels usually peak during the first 24 h after surgery and thus possess early prognostic power in terms of postoperative mortality., (Copyright © 2016 International Hepato-Pancreato-Biliary Association Inc. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Background: Preoperative biliary drainage is considered essential in perihilar cholangiocarcinoma (PHC) requiring major hepatectomy with biliary-enteric reconstruction. However, evidence for postoperative biliary drainage as to protect the anastomosis is currently lacking. This study investigated the impact of postoperative external biliary drainage on the development of post-hepatectomy biliary leakage and liver failure (PHLF)., Methods: All patients who underwent major liver resection for suspected PHC between 2000 and 2015 were retrospectively analyzed. Biliary leakage and PHLF was defined as grade B or higher according to the International Study Group of Liver Surgery (ISGLS) criteria., Results: Eighty-nine out of 125 (71%) patients had postoperative external biliary drainage. PHLF was more prevalent in the drain group (29% versus 6%; P = 0.004). There was no difference in the incidence of biliary leakage (32% versus 36%). On multivariable analysis, postoperative external biliary drainage was identified as an independent risk factor for PHLF (Odds-ratio 10.3, 95% confidence interval 2.1-50.4; P = 0.004)., Conclusions: External biliary drainage following major hepatectomy for PHC was associated with an increased incidence of PHLF. It is therefore not recommended to routinely use postoperative external biliary drainage, especially as there is no evidence that this decreases the risk of biliary anastomotic leakage., (Copyright © 2016 International Hepato-Pancreato-Biliary Association Inc. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)