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Background & Aims: Despite improvements in medical and surgical techniques, post-hepatectomy liver failure (PHLF) remains the leading cause of postoperative death. High postoperative portal vein pressure (P PV ) and portocaval gradient (PCG), which cannot be predicted by current tools, are the most important determinants of PHLF. Therefore, we aimed to evaluate a digital twin to predict the risk of postoperative portal hypertension (PHT)., Methods: We prospectively included 47 patients undergoing major hepatectomy. A mathematical (0D) model of the entire blood circulation was assessed and automatically calibrated from patient characteristics. Hepatic flows were obtained from preoperative flow MRI (n = 9), intraoperative flowmetry (n = 16), or estimated from cardiac output (n = 47). Resection was then simulated in these 3 groups and the computed P PV and PCG were compared to intraoperative data., Results: Simulated post-hepatectomy pressures did not differ between the 3 groups, comparing well with collected data (no significant differences). In the entire cohort, the correlation between measured and simulated P PV values was good (r = 0.66, no adjustment to intraoperative events) or excellent (r = 0.75) after adjustment, as well as for PCG (respectively r = 0.59 and r = 0.80). The difference between simulated and measured post-hepatectomy PCG was ≤3 mmHg in 96% of cases. Four patients suffered from lethal PHLF for whom the model satisfactorily predicted their postoperative pressures., Conclusions: We demonstrated that a 0D model could correctly anticipate postoperative PHT, even using estimated hepatic flow rates as input data. If this major conceptual step is confirmed, this algorithm could change our practice toward more tailor-made procedures, while ensuring satisfactory outcomes., Lay Summary: Post-hepatectomy portal hypertension is a major cause of liver failure and death, but no tool is available to accurately anticipate this potentially lethal complication for a given patient. Herein, we propose using a mathematical model to predict the portocaval gradient at the end of liver resection. We tested this model on a cohort of 47 patients undergoing major hepatectomy and demonstrated that it could modify current surgical decision-making algorithms., Competing Interests: Conflict of interest The authors declare no conflicts of interest that pertain to this work. Please refer to the accompanying ICMJE disclosure forms for further details., (Copyright © 2020 European Association for the Study of the Liver. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.) more...

Background: Posthepatectomy decompensation remains a frequent and poor outcome after hepatectomy, but its prediction is still inaccurate. Liver stiffness measurement can predict posthepatectomy decompensation, but there is a so-called "gray zone" that requires another predictor. Because splenomegaly is an objective sign of portal hypertension, we hypothesized that spleen volumetry could improve the identification of patients at risk., Methods: Patients with hepatocellular carcinoma who underwent hepatectomy in our tertiary center between August 2014 and December 2017 were reviewed. The primary endpoint was to determine if the spleen volumetry and liver stiffness measurement were independent predictors of posthepatectomy decompensation, and secondarily, to determine if they were synergistic through a theoretic predictive model., Results: One hundred and seven patients were included. The median follow-up time was 3 months (3-5). Postoperative 90-day mortality was 4.7%. By multivariate analysis, liver stiffness measurement and spleen volumetry predicted posthepatectomy decompensation. The liver stiffness measurement had a cutoff point of 11.6 kPa (area under receiver operating curve = 0.71 confidence interval 95% 0.71-0.88, sensitivity: 89%, specificity: 47%). The spleen volumetry cutoff point was 381.1 cm 3 (area under receiver operating curve = 0.78, 95% confidence interval 0.77-0.93, sensitivity: 55%, specificity: 91%). The spleen volumetry improved prediction of posthepatectomy decompensation, because use of the spleen volumetry increased sensitivity (from 62% to 97%) and the negative predictive value (from 96% to 100%) along with a negligible decrease in specificity (from 96.7 to 93.4) and positive predictive value (from 64% to 59%) (P = .003)., Conclusion: Spleen volumetry (>380 cm 3 ) and liver stiffness measurement (>12 kPa) are non-invasive, independent, and synergistic tools that appear to be able to predict posthepatectomy decompensation. The importance of this finding is that these measurements may help to anticipate posthepatectomy decompensation and may possibly be used to direct alternative treatments to resection., (Copyright © 2020 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.) more...

Background: There are few reports on microvascular invasion (MVI) located intra- or extratumorally and prognosis of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC)., Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate patient outcome according to the location of MVI, and to build a nomogram predicting extratumoral MVI., Methods: We included 681 consecutive patients who underwent hepatic resection (HR) or liver transplantation (LT) for HCC from January 1994 to June 2012, and evaluated patient outcome according to the degree of vascular invasion (VI). A nomogram for predicting extratumoral MVI was created using 637 patients, excluding 44 patients with macrovascular invasion, and was validated using an internal (n = 273) and external patient cohort (n = 256)., Results: The 681 patients were classified into four groups based on pathological examination (148 no VI, 33 intratumoral MVI, 84 extratumoral MVI, and 29 macrovascular invasion in patients who underwent HR; 238 no VI, 50 intratumoral MVI, 84 extratumoral MVI, and 15 macrovascular invasion in patients who underwent LT). Multivariate analysis revealed that extratumoral MVI was an independent risk factor for overall survival in patients who underwent HR (hazard ratio 2.62, p < 0.0001) or LT (hazard ratio 1.99, p = 0.0005). Multivariate logistic regression analysis identified six independent risk factors for extratumoral MVI: α-fetoprotein, tumor size, non-boundary type, alkaline phosphatase, neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio, and aspartate aminotransferase. The nomogram for predicting extratumoral MVI using these factors showed good concordance indices of 0.774 and 0.744 in the internal and external validation cohorts, respectively., Conclusions: The prognostic value of MVI differs according to its invasiveness. The nomogram allows reliable prediction of extratumoral MVI in patients undergoing HR or LT. more...

Background: Microvascular invasion is the strongest prognostic factor of survival in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma. We therefore developed a predictive model for microvascular invasion of hepatocellular carcinoma to help guide treatment strategies in patients scheduled for either hepatic resection or liver transplantation., Methods: Patients with hepatocellular carcinoma who underwent hepatic resection or liver transplantation from 1994 to 2016 were divided into training and validation cohorts. A predictive model for microvascular invasion was developed based on microvascular invasion risk factors in the training cohort and validated in the validation cohort., Results: A total of 910 patients (425 having received hepatic resection, 485 having received liver transplantation) were included in the training (n = 637) and validation (n = 273) cohorts. Multivariate analysis identified α-fetoprotein ≥100 ng/mL (relative risk 3.05, P < .0001), tumor size ≥40 mm (relative risk 1.98, P = .0002), nonboundary hepatocellular carcinoma type (relative risk 1.91, P = .001), neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (relative risk 1.86, P = .002), and aspartate aminotransferase (relative risk 1.53, P = .02) as associated with microvascular invasion. The estimated probability of microvascular invasion ranged from 17.0% in patients with none of these factors to 86.9% in the presence of all factors. This model achieved a C-index of 0.732 in the validation cohort. The 5-year overall survival of patients with ≥50% probability of microvascular invasion was poorer than that of patients with <50% probability (hepatic resection; 39.1% vs 61.2%, P < .0001, liver transplantation; 5-year overall survival, 54.8% vs 79.0%, P = .05)., Conclusion: This model developed from preoperative data allows reliable prediction of microvascular invasion in candidates for either hepatic resection or liver transplantation., (Copyright © 2019 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.) more...

Objective: To evaluate the impact of repeat surgery for recurrence on the long-term survival after 2-stage hepatectomy (TSH) for extensive colorectal liver metastases (CRLM)., Background: Although TSH is now deemed effective for selected patients with extensive bilobar CRLM, disease recurrence after TSH is very frequent because of the extensive tumor load., Methods: Among a total cohort of 1235 patients who underwent hepatectomy for CRLM between 1992 and 2012, 139 with extensive bilobar CRLM were scheduled for TSH. Of these, 93 patients had completion of TSH and were enrolled in this study., Results: The 5-year overall survival (OS) rate after TSH was 41.3%. Twenty-two patients (23.7%) had a concomitant extrahepatic disease (EHD), and curative resection of concomitant EHD was achieved in 13 patients. Among the 81 patients who achieved complete tumor removal for primary, CRLM, and concomitant EHD, 62 (76.5%) had recurrence. Repeat surgery was performed in 38 patients; 35 for recurrence after curative surgery and 3 for liver recurrence with unresected concomitant EHD or primary tumor. Of these 38 patients, 31 were salvaged. The patients who underwent repeat surgery had a significantly longer OS than those who did not (45.8% vs 26.3%; P = 0.0041). A multivariate analysis revealed that repeat surgery was an independent prognostic factor of the OS after TSH (hazard ratio 0.31, P = 0.0012)., Conclusions: Repeat surgery for recurrence after TSH may be crucial for the long-term survival in patients with extensive bilobar CRLM. Intensive oncosurgical surveillance is essential to avoid missing the chance for repeat surgery after TSH. more...

Background: Hepatectomy remains the standard treatment for large hepatocellular carcinoma (LHCC) ≥5cm. Fibrosis may constitute a contraindication for resection because of high risk of post-hepatectomy liver failure, but its impact on patient outcome and cancer recurrence remains ill defined. Our aim was to compare predictors of survival in patients with and without cirrhosis following hepatectomy for LHCC., Methods: The data on consecutive patients undergoing hepatectomy for LHCC in two tertiary centres between 2012 and 2016 were reviewed. The outcomes of cirrhotic (F4) and non-cirrhotic (F0-F3) patients were compared. Patients with perioperative medical (sorafenib) or radiological (transarterial chemoembolization, radiofrequency) treatments were excluded., Results: Sixty patients were included. Preoperative and intraoperative features were identical between both groups. Cirrhotics (n=15) presented more satellite nodules on specimens (73% vs. 44%; P=0.073) but better differentiated lesions than non-cirrhotics (P=0.041). The median overall survival of cirrhotics was 34 vs. 29months for non-cirrhotics (P=0.8), and their disease-free survival was 14 versus 18 months (P=0.9). Fibrosis stage did not impact overall (P=0.2) nor disease-free survivals (P=0.6)., Conclusion: Hepatectomy for LHCC in cirrhotics can achieve acceptable oncological results when compared to non-cirrhotic patients. Curative resection of LHCC should be attempted if liver function is acceptable, whatever the fibrosis stage., (Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.) more...

Background: Portal vein embolization (PVE) use is nowadays debated due to the risk of technical or biological unresectability after the period of time needed to achieve future liver remnant (FLR) hypertrophy. We evaluated the safety and efficacy of PVE in a single high-volume hepatobiliary center, with emphasis in the feasibility to achieve tumor resection., Methods: Patients undergoing PVE before major hepatectomy at our institution between 1993 and 2015 were retrospectively analyzed., Results: A total of 431 patients formed the study population. Morbidity and mortality rates of PVE were 16.7% and 0.2% respectively. Morbidity was similar between percutaneous and ileocolic approaches or between histoacryl and ethanol as embolization materials (P > 0.05). On the contrary, the percutaneous ipsilateral approach was associated with significantly less complications than the contralateral approach (10.3% vs 19.4%; P = 0.024). Almost all patients (96%) achieved sufficient FLR volume after embolization, but only 66% finally underwent planned liver resection. Disease progression was the most common cause of unresectability (67%). Patients with extrahepatic biliary tumors experienced significantly higher unresectability rates compared to other entities (45.1% vs 31.4%; P = 0.019)., Conclusion: PVE was not followed by hepatectomy in 34% of our patients. Biliary tumors displayed the higher dropout rates after PVE and the higher chances of tumor progression preventing curative resection. Although PVE may be performed with acceptable morbidity, PVE-related complications prevented curative resection in 5% of patients. Careful multidisciplinary selection is crucial to avoid PVE overuse in technically resectable patients who will experience a not negligible risk of futile use and non-therapeutic laparotomy., (Copyright © 2018 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.) more...

Background: Two-stage hepatectomy (TSH) is the present standard for multiple bilobar colorectal metastases (CLM). As alternative, ultrasound-guided one-stage hepatectomy (E-OSH) has been proposed even for deep-located nodules to compare TSH and E-OSH., Methods: All consecutive TSH at the Paul Brousse Hospital and E-OSH at the Humanitas Research Hospital were considered. The inclusion criteria were ≥6 CLM, ≥3 CLM in the left liver, and ≥1 lesion with vascular contact. A total of 74 TSH and 35 E-OSH were compared., Results: The 2 groups had similar characteristics. Drop-out rate of TSH was 40.5%. In comparison with the cumulated hepatectomies of TSH, E-OSH had lower blood loss (500 vs. 1,100 mL, p = 0.009), overall morbidity (37.1 vs. 70.5%, p = 0.003), severe morbidity (14.3 vs. 36.4%, p = 0.04), and liver-specific morbidity (22.9 vs. 40.9%, p = 0.02). R0 resection rate was similar between groups. E-OSH and completed TSH had similar overall survival (5-year 38.2 vs. 31.8%), recurrence-free survival (3-year 17.6 vs. 17.7%), and recurrence sites., Conclusions: E-OSH is a safe alternative to TSH for multiple bilobar deep-located CLM. Whenever feasible, E-OSH should even be considered the preferred option because it has excellent safety and oncological outcomes equivalent to completed TSH, without the drop-out risk., (© 2018 S. Karger AG, Basel.) more...

Background: Postoperative hepatic decompensation is a serious complication of liver resection in patients undergoing hepatectomy for hepatocellular carcinoma. Liver fibrosis and clinical significant portal hypertension are well-known risk factors for hepatic decompensation. Liver stiffness measurement is a noninvasive method of evaluating hepatic venous pressure gradient and functional hepatic reserve by estimating hepatic fibrosis. Effectiveness of liver stiffness measurement in predicting persistent postoperative hepatic decompensation has not been investigated., Methods: Consecutive patients with resectable hepatocellular carcinoma were recruited prospectively and liver stiffness measurement of nontumoral liver was measured using FibroScan. Hepatic venous pressure gradient was measured intraoperatively by direct puncture of portal vein and inferior vena cava. Hepatic venous pressure gradient ≥10 mm Hg was defined as clinically significant portal hypertension. Primary outcome was persistent hepatic decompensation defined as the presence of at least one of the following: unresolved ascites, jaundice, and/or encephalopathy >3 months after hepatectomy., Results: One hundred and six hepatectomies, including 22 right hepatectomy (20.8%), 3 central hepatectomy (2.8%), 12 left hepatectomy (11.3%), 11 bisegmentectomy (10.4%), 30 unisegmentectomy (28.3%), and 28 partial hepatectomy (26.4%) were performed in patients for hepatocellular carcinoma (84 men and 22 women with median age of 67.5 years; median model for end-stage liver disease score of 8). Ninety-day mortality was 4.7%. Nine patients (8.5%) developed postoperative hepatic decompensation. Multivariate logistic regression bootstrapped at 1,000 identified liver stiffness measurement (P = .001) as the only preoperative predictor of postoperative hepatic decompensation. Area under receiver operating characteristic curve for liver stiffness measurement and hepatic venous pressure gradient was 0.81 (95% confidence interval, 0.506-0.907) and 0.71 (95% confidence interval, 0.646-0.917), respectively. Liver stiffness measurement ≥22 kPa had 42.9% sensitivity and 92.6% specificity and hepatic venous pressure gradient ≥10 mm Hg had 28.6% sensitivity and 96.3% specificity., Conclusion: In selected patients undergoing liver resection for hepatocellular carcinoma, transient elastography is an easy and effective test to predict persistent hepatic decompensation preoperatively., (Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.) more...

Background: Combining radiofrequency ablation (RFA) with hepatectomy may enable treatment with curative intent for patients with colorectal liver metastasis (CRLM). However, the oncological outcomes in comparison with resection alone remain to be clarified., Methods: Patients who underwent a first hepatectomy between 2001 and 2012 for CRLM were enrolled. Short- and long-term outcomes of patients who underwent hepatectomy plus RFA were compared with those of patients who had hepatectomy alone using propensity score matching., Results: Of a total of 553 patients, hepatectomy + RFA and hepatectomy alone were performed in 37 and 516 respectively. Before matching, patients in the hepatectomy + RFA group were characterized primarily by a larger tumour burden. After matching of 31 patients who underwent hepatectomy + RFA with 93 who had hepatectomy alone, background characteristics were well balanced. In the matched cohort, overall and disease-free survival in the hepatectomy + RFA group were no different from those among patients who had hepatectomy alone (5-year overall survival rate 57 versus 61 per cent, P = 0·649; 5-year disease-free survival rate 19 versus 17 per cent, P = 0·865). Local recurrence at the ablated site was observed in four of 31 patients (13 per cent). Although overall local recurrence (ablated site and/or cut surface) was more frequent in the hepatectomy + RFA group (9 of 31 (29 per cent) versus 11 of 93 (12 per cent); P = 0·032), there was no difference in intrahepatic disease-free survival between the two groups (P = 0·705)., Conclusion: Hepatectomy + RFA achieved outcomes comparable to hepatectomy alone. Combining RFA with hepatectomy should be considered as an option to achieve cure., (© 2017 BJS Society Ltd Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.) more...

Background and Objectives: We aimed to define the cure rate in patients with colorectal liver metastases (CRLM) and concomitant extrahepatic disease (EHD) on the 5-year disease-free survival (DFS) after surgery, and identify the factors for predicting a cure., Methods: Patients who underwent hepatectomy for CRLM with concomitant EHD were identified. Those followed for >5 years after surgery were enrolled. A cure was defined as DFS of >5 years after the last curative surgery., Results: A cure was achieved in 24/175 (13%) patients (intention-to-treat [ITT] cohort), and 22/109 (19%) patients who underwent complete resection for both hepatic and extrahepatic metastases (EHD resection cohort). A multivariate analysis identified primary T1-2 (relative risk [RR] 47.4, P = 0.0001), metachronous metastasis (RR 4.9, P = 0.026), carbohydrate antigen 19-9 (CA19-9) ≤37 U/mL (RR 8.37, P = 0.015), number of liver and EHD tumors (RR 11.2, P = 0.0058), and non-incidental EHD diagnosis (RR 8.41, P = 0.018) as independent factors that predicted a cure in the ITT cohort; and primary T1-2 (RR 22.2, P = 0.013), primary N0 (RR 4.42, P = 0.031), metachronous metastasis (RR 6.48, P = 0.013), and CA19-9 ≤37 U/mL (RR 27.4, P = 0.012) in the EHD resection cohort., Conclusions: Even when concomitant EHD is present, a potential of cure could be achieved with aggressive oncosurgical approach., (© 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.) more...

Background: Breast cancer liver metastases (BCLM) are considered the most lethal compared with other sites of metastases in patients with breast cancer. This study aimed to evaluate the outcome after hepatectomy for BCLM within current multidisciplinary treatment and to develop a clinically useful nomogram to predict survival., Methods: Between January 1985 and December 2012, 139 consecutive female patients underwent liver resection for BCLM at the authors' institution. Clinicopathologic data were collected and analyzed for survival outcome with determination of prognostic factors. A nomogram to predict survival was developed based on a multivariate Cox model. The predictive performance of the model was assessed according to the C-statistic and calibration plots., Results: After a median follow-up period of 55 months, the overall 3- and 5-year survival rates after hepatectomy were respectively 58 and 47 %. The median overall survival period was 56 months, and the median disease-free survival period after surgical resection was 33 months. A single hepatic metastasis, no triple negative tumors, no microscopic vascular invasion, and perioperative hormonal or targeted therapy were related to improved overall survival. The model achieved good discrimination and calibration, with a C-statistic of 0.80., Conclusions: Liver resection for selected patients with breast cancer metastases can provide significant survival benefit. It should be part of a multidisciplinary treatment program in experienced liver surgery centers. The authors' nomogram facilitates personalized assessment of prognosis for these patients. more...

Background: The specific definition of central hepatectomy (CH) (i.e., resection of segments 4-5-8 ± 1) is not uniformly used, resulting in conflicting comparisons with the more commonly performed extended hepatectomy (EH). The study aimed to compare, using propensity score matching (PSM) analysis, the incidence of postoperative complications between CH and EH for centrally located liver tumors (CLLT)., Methods: All consecutive CH and EH procedures for CLLT performed from 1980 to 2011 were retrospectively reviewed. Independent predictors of postoperative complications were identified. CH was compared to EH after PSM., Results: The study population consisted of 373 patients, 44 (11.8 %) of whom underwent CH and 329 (88.2 %) of whom underwent EH. Before PSM, the overall 90-day mortality was 7.2 % (27 patients) without a group difference (2 (4.5 %) for CH vs. 25 (7.6 %) for EH, p = 0.756). The CH and EH groups had similar postoperative morbidity rates (43.2 vs. 55.3 %; p = 0.108). Blood transfusion was the only independent predictor of postoperative complications (Hazard Ratio: 1.73; 95 % confidence interval: 1.11-2.68; p = 0.014). After PSM, 43 CH patients were matched with 43 EH patients. No group difference was observed for the postoperative mortality, morbidity, or duration of hospital stay. A higher number of EH patients (30.2 vs. 9.3 %, p = 0.028) presented with more than one postoperative complication., Conclusions: CH and EH yield similar mortality and morbidity. For CLLT, CH may be an attractive procedure with the advantage of sparing the liver parenchyma compared with EH. more...

Background: Although associating liver partition and portal vein ligation for staged hepatectomy (ALPPS) has been increasingly adopted by many centres, the oncological outcome for colorectal liver metastases compared with that after two-stage hepatectomy is still unknown., Methods: Between January 2010 and June 2014, all consecutive patients who underwent either ALPPS or two-stage hepatectomy for colorectal liver metastases in a single institution were included in the study. Morbidity, mortality, disease recurrence and survival were compared., Results: The two groups were comparable in terms of clinicopathological characteristics. ALPPS was completed in all 17 patients, whereas the second-stage hepatectomy could not be completed in 15 of 41 patients. Ninety-day mortality rates for ALPPS and two-stage resection were 0 per cent (0 of 17) versus 5 per cent (2 of 41) (P = 0·891). Major complication rates (Clavien grade at least III) were 41 per cent (7 of 17) and 39 per cent (16 of 41) respectively (P = 0·999). Overall survival was significantly lower after ALPPS than after two-stage hepatectomy: 2-year survival 42 versus 77 per cent respectively (P = 0·006). Recurrent disease was more often seen in the liver in the ALPPS group. Salvage surgery was less often performed after ALPPS (2 of 8 patients) than after two-stage hepatectomy (10 of 17)., Conclusion: Although major complication and 90-day mortality rates of ALPPS were similar to those of two-stage hepatectomy, overall survival was significantly lower following ALPPS., (© 2016 BJS Society Ltd Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.) more...

Background: Two-stage hepatectomy (TSH) is the present standard for multiple bilobar colorectal liver metastases (CLM), but 25-35% of patients fail to complete the scheduled procedure (drop-out). To elucidate if drop-out of TSH is a patient selection (as usually considered) or a loss of chance., Methods: All the consecutive patients scheduled for a TSH at the Paul Brousse Hospital between 2000 and 2012 were considered. TSH patients were matched 1:1 with patients receiving a one-stage ultrasound-guided hepatectomy (OSH) at the Humanitas Research Hospital in the same period. Matching criteria were: primary tumor N status; timing of CLM diagnosis; CLM number and distribution into the liver., Results: Sixty-three pairs of patients were analyzed. Demographic and tumor characteristics were similar (median 7 CLM), except for more chemotherapy lines and adjuvant chemotherapy in TSH. Drop-out rate of TSH was 38.1% (0% of OSH). The two groups had similar R0 resection rate (19.0% OSH vs. 15.9% TSH). OSH and completed TSH had similar five-year survival (from CLM diagnosis 49.8% vs. 49.7%, from liver resection 36.1% vs. 44.3%), superior to drop-out (10% three-year survival, p < 0.001). OSH and completed TSH had similar recurrence-free survival (at three years 21.7% vs. 20.5%) and recurrence sites. The completion of resection (drop-out vs. OSH/completed TSH) was the only independent prognostic factor (p = 0.003)., Conclusions: Drop-out of TSH could be a loss of chance rather than a criteria for patient selection. "Unselected" OSH patients had the same outcomes of selected patients who completed TSH. A complete resection is the main determinant of prognosis., (Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.) more...

Background Data: In compensated cirrhotics with early hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC-cirr), upfront liver resection (LR) and salvage liver transplantation (SLT) in case of recurrence may have outcomes comparable to primary LT (PLT)., Objective: An intention-to-treat (ITT) analysis comparing PLT and SLT strategies., Methods: Of 130 HCC-cirr patients who underwent upfront LR (group LR), 90 (69%) recurred, 31 could undergo SLT (group SLT). During the same period, 366 patients were listed for LT (group LLT); 26 dropped-out (7.1%), 340 finally underwent PLT (group PLT). We compared survival between groups LR and LLT, LR and PLT, and PLT and SLT., Results: Feasibility of SLT strategy was 34% (31/90). In an ITT analysis, group LLT had better 5-yr/10-yr overall survival (OS) compared with group LR (68%/58% vs. 58%/35%; P = 0.008). Similarly, 5-yr/10-yr OS and disease-free survival (DFS) were better in group PLT versus group LR (OS 73%/63% vs. 58%/35%, P = 0.0007; DFS 69%/61% vs. 27%/21%, P < 0.0001). Upfront resection and microvascular tumor invasion were poor prognostic factors for both OS and DFS, presence of satellite tumor nodules additionally predicted worse DFS. Group SLT had similar postoperative and long-term outcomes compared with group PLT (starting from time of LT) (OS 54%/54% vs. 73%/63%, P = 0.35; DFS 48%/48% vs. 69%/61%, P = 0.18, respectively)., Conclusions: In initially transplantable HCC-cirr patients, ITT survival was better in group PLT compared with group LR. SLT was feasible in only a third of patients who recurred after LR. Post SLT, short and long-term outcomes were comparable with PLT. Better patient selection for the "resection first" approach and early detection of recurrence may improve outcomes of the SLT strategy. more...

Background: The purpose of this study was to determine the optimal definition and elucidate the predictive factors of early recurrence after surgery for colorectal liver metastases (CRLM)., Methods: Among 987 patients who underwent curative surgery for CRLM from 1990 to 2012, 846 with a minimum follow-up period of 24 months were eligible for this study. The minimum p value approach of survival after initial recurrence was used to determine the optimal cutoff for the definition of early recurrence. The predictive factors of early recurrence and prognostic factors of survival were analyzed., Results: For 667 patients (79%) who developed recurrence, the optimal cutoff point of early recurrence was determined to be 8 months after surgery. The impact of early recurrence on survival was demonstrated mainly in patients who received preoperative chemotherapy. Among the 691 patients who received preoperative chemotherapy, recurrence was observed in 562 (81%), and survival in patients with early recurrence was significantly worse than in those with late recurrence (5-year survival 18.5% vs. 53.4%, p < .0001). Multivariate logistic analysis identified age ≤57 years (p = .0022), >1 chemotherapy line (p = .03), disease progression during last-line chemotherapy (p = .024), >3 tumors (p = .0014), and carbohydrate antigen 19-9 >60 U/mL (p = .0003) as independent predictors of early recurrence. Salvage surgery for recurrence significantly improved survival, even in patients with early recurrence., Conclusion: The optimal cutoff point of early recurrence was determined to be 8 months. The preoperative prediction of early recurrence is possible and crucial for designing effective perioperative chemotherapy regimens., Implications for Practice: In this study, the optimal cutoff point of early recurrence was determined to be 8 months after surgery based on the minimum p value approach, and its prognostic impact was demonstrated mainly in patients who received preoperative chemotherapy. Five factors, including age, number of preoperative chemotherapy lines, response to last-line chemotherapy, number of tumors, and carbohydrate antigen 19-9 concentrations, were identified as predictors of early recurrence. Salvage surgery for recurrence significantly improved survival, even in patients with early recurrence. For better selection of patients who could truly benefit from surgery and should also receive strong postoperative chemotherapy, the accurate preoperative prediction of early recurrence is crucial., (©AlphaMed Press.) more...

Background: Although efficient chemotherapy regimens have improved outcomes after R1 resection (positive margins) for colorectal liver metastases (CLMs), the long-term survival benefit and potential for cure after R1 resection have not been clearly demonstrated. The aim of this study was to evaluate the long-term outcome after R1 resection for CLM, and to identify factors predictive of cure., Methods: All resected CLM patients at our institution from 2000 to 2009 were prospectively evaluated. Cure was defined as a disease-free interval ≥5 years from the last hepatic or extrahepatic resection to last follow-up., Results: Of 628 patients consecutively resected for CLM, 428 were eligible for the study, of whom 219 (51 %) underwent R0 resection (negative margins) and 209 (49 %) underwent R1 resection. Overall, 130 patients with R0 resection and 141 patients with R1 resection had more than 5 years of follow-up. Five- and 10-year overall survival rates were 56 and 34 % for R0 patients, and 48 and 36 % for R1 patients, respectively (p = 0.37). Of the 141 patients who underwent R1 resection, 26 patients (18 %) were considered 'cured', and 106 patients (75 %) were considered 'noncured'. Independent predictive factors of cure after R1 resection included ≤10 total cycles of preoperative chemotherapy and objective response to preoperative chemotherapy., Conclusions: Overall, potential cure can be achieved in 18 % of patients after R1 resection for CLM. The best conditions to achieve long-term survival after R1 resection rely on a good response to efficient and short first-line chemotherapy. more...

Background: Although recent advances in surgery and chemotherapy have increasingly enabled hepatectomy in patients with initially unresectable colorectal liver metastases (CRLM), not all such patients benefit from surgery. The aim of this study was to develop a nomogram to predict survival after hepatectomy for initially unresectable CRLM., Methods: Patients with initially unresectable CRLM treated with chemotherapy followed by hepatectomy between 1990 and 2012 were included in the study. A nomogram to predict survival was developed based on a multivariable Cox model. The predictive performance of the model was assessed according to the C-statistic, Kaplan-Meier curve and calibration plots., Results: Of a total of 439 patients, liver and globally completed surgery was achieved in 380 (86·6 per cent) and 335 (76·3 per cent) patients respectively. The 5-year overall and disease-free survival rates were 39·9 and 10·0 per cent respectively. Based on the Cox model, the following five factors were selected for the nomogram and assigned specific scores: node-positive primary, 5; more than six metastases at hepatectomy, 7; carbohydrate antigen 19-9 level at hepatectomy above 37 units/ml, 10; disease progression during first-line chemotherapy, 9; and presence of extrahepatic disease, 4. The model achieved relatively good discrimination and calibration, with a C-statistic of 0·66. The overall survival rate for patients with a score greater than 16 was significantly worse than that for patients with a score of 16 or less (5-year survival rate 4 versus 46·3 per cent respectively; P < 0·001)., Conclusion: The nomogram facilitates personalized assessment of prognosis for patients with initially unresectable CRLM treated with chemotherapy and with planned resection., (© 2016 BJS Society Ltd Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.) more...

Background: Systemic chemotherapy typically converts previously unresectable liver metastases (LM) from colorectal cancer to curative intent resection in ∼15% of patients. This European multicenter phase II trial tested whether hepatic artery infusion (HAI) with triplet chemotherapy and systemic cetuximab could increase this rate to 30% in previously treated patients., Patients and Methods: Participants had unresectable LM from wt KRAS colorectal cancer. Main non-inclusion criteria were advanced extra hepatic disease, prior HAI and grade 3 neuropathy. Irinotecan (180 mg/m(2)), oxaliplatin (85 mg/m(2)) and 5-fluorouracil (2800 mg/m(2)) were delivered via an implanted HAI access port and combined with i.v. cetuximab (500 mg/m(2)) every 14 days. Multidisciplinary decisions to resect LM were taken after every three courses. The rate of macroscopic complete resections (R0 + R1) of LM, progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) were computed according to intent to treat., Results: The patient population consisted of 42 men and 22 women, aged 33-76 years, with a median of 10 LM involving a median of six segments. Up to 3 extrahepatic lesions of <1 cm were found in 41% of the patients. A median of six courses was delivered. The primary end point was met, with R0-R1 hepatectomy for 19 of the 64 previously treated patients, 29.7% (95% confidence interval 18.5-40.9). Grade 3-4 neutropenia (42.6%), abdominal pain (26.2%), fatigue (18%) and diarrhea (16.4%) were frequent. Objective response rate was 40.6% (28.6-52.3). Median PFS and OS reached 9.3 (7.8-10.9) and 25.5 months (18.8-32.1) respectively. Those with R0-R1 hepatectomy had a median OS of 35.2 months (32.6-37.8), with 37.4% (23.6-51.2) alive at 4 years., Conclusion: The coordination of liver-specific intensive chemotherapy and surgery had a high curative intent potential that deserves upfront randomized testing., Protocol Numbers: EUDRACT 2007-004632-24, NCT00852228., (© The Author 2015. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the European Society for Medical Oncology. All rights reserved. For permissions, please email: journals.permissions@oup.com.) more...

The partial liver's ability to regenerate both as a graft and remnant justifies right lobe (RL) living donor liver transplantation. We studied (using biochemical and radiological parameters) the rate, extent of, and predictors of functional and volumetric recovery of the remnant left liver (RLL) during the first year in 91 consecutive RL donors. Recovery of normal liver function (prothrombin time [PT] ≥70% of normal and total bilirubin [TB] ≤20 µmol/L), liver volumetric recovery, and percentage RLL growth were analyzed. Normal liver function was regained by postoperative day's 7, 30, and 365 in 52%, 86%, and 96% donors, respectively. Similarly, mean liver volumetric recovery was 64%, 71%, and 85%; whereas the percentage liver growth was 85%, 105%, and 146%, respectively. Preoperative PT value (p = 0.01), RLL/total liver volume (TLV) ratio (p = 0.03), middle hepatic vein harvesting (p = 0.02), and postoperative peak TB (p < 0.01) were predictors of early functional recovery, whereas donor age (p = 0.03), RLL/TLV ratio (p = 0.004), and TLV/ body weight ratio (p = 0.02) predicted early volumetric recuperation. One-year post-RL donor hepatectomy, though functional recovery occurs in almost all (96%), donors had incomplete restoration (85%) of preoperative total liver volume. Modifiable predictors of regeneration could help in better and safer donor selection, while continuing to ensure successful recipient outcomes., (© Copyright 2015 The American Society of Transplantation and the American Society of Transplant Surgeons.) more...

Background: Resection of breast cancer liver metastases (BCLM) combined with systemic treatment is increasingly accepted as a therapeutic option; however, the potential benefit of repeat hepatectomy for recurrent BCLM is unknown., Methods: All consecutive female patients who underwent liver resection for BCLM at our center between January 1985 and December 2012 were included. Patients who had a single hepatectomy (N = 120) were compared with those who also underwent repeat hepatectomy (N = 19). Patients were selected for repeat hepatectomy based on operability and disease control. Prognostic factors of survival after repeat hepatectomy were determined., Results: Median overall survival since first hepatectomy was 35 months, with a 3- and 5-year survival rate of 50 and 38 %, respectively. Overall survival following repeat hepatectomy was 64 and 46 % at 3 and 5 years, respectively. From the time of first hepatectomy, patients who underwent repeat hepatectomy had a better survival than those who had only one hepatectomy (95 and 84 vs. 50 and 38 % at 3 and 5 years, respectively) (p = 0.002). Median survival was 35 and 100 months, respectively, and median survival since the diagnosis of BCLM was 51 and 112 months in the single and repeat hepatectomy groups, respectively. Since the time of diagnosis, overall 3-, 5-, and 7-year survival rates were 75, 57, and 44 %, respectively, for all 139 patients. Improved overall survival after repeat hepatectomy was related to a time interval between breast cancer diagnosis and first hepatectomy of >2 years, a limited hepatectomy, solitary liver metastasis, positive progesterone receptor status, and chemotherapy following repeat hepatectomy. Patients with single BCLM at first hepatectomy had a 3- and 5-year overall survival rate of 76 and 76 % compared with 51 and 17 % in patients with multiple metastases (p = 0.023)., Conclusion: In selected patients with BCLM, repeat hepatectomy for liver recurrence combined with systemic treatment provided survival rates comparable to those after first hepatectomy. more...

Objectives: To test the prognostic impact of arterial lactate concentration at the end-of-surgery (LCT-EOS) on postoperative outcome after elective liver-resections and to identify the predictors of an increase in LCT-EOS., Background Data: A recent systematic-review of risk-prediction-models for liver resections has evidenced their poor accuracy and a deficit in the evaluation of intraoperative events. LCT-EOS is a marker of impaired tissue oxygenation., Methods: This prospectively-designed study was based on a training-cohort of 519 patients and a validation-cohort of 466 patients. For each of the endpoints (high comprehensive complication index (CCI) scores, 90-day-mortality and severe-morbidity), prognostic-models were built by logistic-regression using the training-cohort. These models were thereafter tested in the validation-cohort and their performance (discrimination, accuracy, calibration) assessed. Independent predictors of LCT-EOS were also identified., Results: In the training-cohort, LCT-EOS cutoff best discriminating high-CCI, 90-day-mortality and severe-morbidity were 3, 3 and 2.8 mmol/L (and the corresponding AUROC 0.86, 0.87 and 0.76). LCT-EOS was an independent predictor of endpoints and adding LCT-EOS to the other predictors increased by 16.4%, 34.5% and 17.7% the accuracy of the models for high-CCI, 90-day-mortality and severe-morbidity, respectively. The models had high calibration and accuracy. Diabetes, repeat-hepatectomy, major-hepatectomy, synchronous-major-procedure, inflow-occlusion and blood-transfusion were independent predictors of LCT-EOS >3 mmol/L., Conclusions: LCT-EOS >3 mmol/L is an early predictor of postoperative-outcome and should be used as a tool to determine patients requiring critical-care and as an endpoint in studies measuring the impact of perioperative interventions. more...

Objectives: The aim of the study was to identify predictive factors of failure of 2-stage hepatectomy (TSH) for the selection of patients with extensive bilobar colorectal liver metastases (CRLM), who are candidates for TSH., Background: The main weakness of TSH is the risk of failure to complete both the sequential procedures., Methods: Between 2000 and 2012, from a total cohort of 845 patients resected for CRLM, 125 patients (14.8%) with extensive CRLM were planned for TSH. All factors related to the failure of TSH were analyzed, and a predictive model was built utilizing the independent predictive factors of failure., Results: Forty-four patients (35.2%) could not proceed to the second stage, and their overall survival (OS) was significantly worse than that of those who completed the TSH (5-year OS: 0% vs 44.2%; P < 0.0001). Multivariate analysis revealed that carcinoembryonic antigen >30 ng/mL [relative risk (RR) 2.73, P = 0.03], tumor size >40 mm (RR 2.89, P = 0.04), chemotherapy cycles >12 (RR 3.46, P = 0.01), and tumor progression during first-line chemotherapy (RR 6.56, P = 0.01) were independent predictive factors of failure. For patients not presenting any factors, the probability of failure was 10.5%, with a 5-year OS rate of 41.9%. The addition of each subsequent factor increased the risk to 43.5%, 72.7%, 88.5%, and 95.5%, and decreased the 5-year OS to 38.8%, 29.2%, 0%, and 0%, respectively, for 1, 2, 3, and 4 factors., Conclusions: TSH should not be recommended in patients with more than 2 risk factors. Avoidance of these factors significantly reduces the risk of failure and is crucial for long-term survival. more...

Objectives: Appropriate patient selection is important to achieving good outcomes and obviating futile surgery in patients with huge (≥10 cm) hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). The aim of this study was to identify independent predictors of futile outcomes, defined as death within 3 months of surgery or within 1 year from early recurrence following hepatectomy for huge HCC., Methods: The outcomes of 149 patients with huge HCCs who underwent resection during 1995-2012 were analysed. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was performed to identify preoperative independent predictors of futility., Results: Independent predictors of 3-month mortality (18.1%) were: total bilirubin level >34 μmol/l [P = 0.0443; odds ratio (OR) 16.470]; platelet count of <150 000 cells/ml (P = 0.0098; OR 5.039), and the presence of portal vein tumour thrombosis (P = 0.0041; OR 5.138). The last of these was the sole independent predictor of 1-year recurrence-related mortality (17.2%). Rates of recurrence-related mortality at 3 months and 1 year were, respectively, 6.3% and 7.1% in patients with Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer (BCLC) stage A disease, 12.5% and 14% in patients with BCLC stage B disease, and 37.8% (P = 0.0002) and 75% (P = 0.0002) in patients with BCLC stage C disease., Conclusions: According to the present data, among patients submitted to hepatectomy for huge HCC, those with a high bilirubin level, low platelet count and portal vein thrombosis are at higher risk for futile surgery. The presence of portal vein tumour thrombosis should be regarded as a relative contraindication to surgery., (© 2015 International Hepato-Pancreato-Biliary Association.) more...

Objective: To identify independent predictors of 90-day mortality after liver resection for patients undergoing standard total vascular exclusion (TVE) with hypothermic portal perfusion and venovenous bypass. The secondary endpoint was to evaluate the long-term outcomes., Background: Tumors invading the vena cava and/or the hepatocaval confluence are indications for standard TVE. The inclusion of liver hypothermic perfusion permits safe TVE. There are a limited number of reports focusing on this complex technique and no relevant analysis of short-term and long-term results., Methods: Seventy-seven consecutive liver resections performed using standard TVE with hypothermic portal perfusion and venovenous bypass between 1998 and 2010 were analyzed. The independent predictors and rates of 90-day mortality, morbidity, and long-term survival were evaluated., Results: The 90-day mortality rate was 19.5% (15 cases). Three independent predictors of mortality were identified: age-adjusted Charlson Comorbidity Index 3 or more (P = 0.0231; odds ratio = 47.565; 95% confidence interval = 1.701-1330.414), tumor size 10 cm or more (P = 0.0442; odds ratio = 6.374; 95% confidence interval = 1.049-38.734), and the presence of 50/50 criteria (P = 0.0407; odds ratio = 6.217; 95% confidence interval = 1.080-35.782). The overall 5-year survival rate was 30.4%., Conclusions: Liver resection using standard TVE with hypothermic portal perfusion and venovenous bypass is associated with a high mortality rate. The identification of preoperative predictors of mortality should improve the selection of patients for this aggressive surgery. Compared with nonsurgical management, the long-term results are acceptable and justify this aggressive surgery in selected patients. more...

Background & Aims: To investigate the prognostic significance of pathologic response (PR) after transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) in cirrhotic patients resected or transplanted for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), and to identify predictors of complete pathologic response (CPR)., Methods: Between 1990 and 2010, 373 consecutive cirrhotic patients with HCC were treated by TACE followed by either liver resection (LR:184 patients) or liver transplantation (LT:189 patients). The PR was evaluated as the mean percentage of non-viable tumor area within each tumor. CPR was defined as the absence of any viable tumor area in all the present nodules., Results: A total of 59 (32%) and 37 (20%) patients had CPR after LR and LT, respectively. Five-year overall survival (OS) was higher in patients with CPR compared to those without, after LR (58% vs. 34%; p=0.0006) and tends to be higher after LT (84% vs. 65%; p=0.09). The 5-year recurrence-free survival (RFS) rates were significantly higher in both groups (24% vs. 13% after LR; p=0.008 and 94% vs. 73% after LT, p=0.007). A cut-off value of >90% necrosis emerged as an impacting factor on patient survival after LR or LT. On multivariate analysis stratified on the type of procedure (LR or LT), PR >90% remained an independent factor of better OS and RFS. Independent factors associated with CPR were: a maximal tumor size <30 mm (RR 2.17 [1.27-3.74]), a single tumor (RR 6.08 [3.29-12.07]), and an preoperative AFP<100 ng/ml (see results section) (RR 3.99 [1.63-11.98]). The probability to achieve a CPR ranged from 2% in the absence of any factors to 48% in the presence of all factors., Conclusion: In cirrhotic patients with HCC, a complete or nearly complete PR improves long-term survival after LR and LT independently of other pathological factors. This underlines the importance of neoadjuvant treatment to obtain a significant decrease of active tumor load., (Copyright © 2015 European Association for the Study of the Liver. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.) more...

Background: Malnutrition is an independent risk factor of postoperative morbidity and mortality and it's observed in 20 to 50% of surgical patients. Preoperative interventions to optimize the nutritional status, reduce postoperative complications and enteral nutrition has proven to be superior to the parenteral one. Moreover, regardless of the nutritional status of the patient, surgery impairs the immunological response, thus increasing the risk of postoperative sepsis. Immunonutrition has been developed to improve the immunometabolic host response in perioperative period and it has been proven to reduce significantly postoperative infectious complications and length of hospital stay in patients undergoing elective gastrointestinal surgery for tumors. We hypothesize that a preoperative oral immunonutrition (ORAL IMPACT®) can reduce postoperative morbidity in liver resection for cancer., Methods/design: Prospective multicenter randomized placebo-controlled double-blind phase IV trial with two parallel treatment groups receiving either study product (ORAL IMPACT®) or control supplement (isocaloric isonitrogenous supplement--IMPACT CONTROL®) for 7 days before liver resection for cancer. A total of 400 patients will be enrolled. Patients will be stratified according to the type of hepatectomy, the presence of chronic liver disease and the investigator center. The main end-point is to evaluate in intention-to-treat analysis the overall 30-day morbidity. Secondary end-points are to assess the 30-day infectious and non-infectious morbidity, length of antibiotic treatment and hospital stay, modifications on total food intake, compliance to treatment, side-effects of immunonutrition, impact on liver regeneration and sarcopenia, and to perform a medico-economic analysis., Discussion: The overall morbidity rate after liver resection is 22% to 42%. Infectious post-operative complications (12% to 23%) increase the length of hospital stay and costs and are responsible for a quarter of 30-day mortality. Various methods have been advocated to decrease the rate of postoperative complications but there is no evidence to support or refute the use of any treatment and further trials are required. The effects of preoperative oral immunonutrition in non-cirrhotic patients undergoing liver resection for cancer are unknown. The present trial is designed to evaluate whether the administration of a short-term preoperative oral immunonutrition can reduce postoperative morbidity in non-cirrhotic patients undergoing liver resection for cancer., Trial Registration: Clinicaltrial.gov: NCT02041871. more...

Objectives: The aim of this study was to compare the long-term results of 2 surgical strategies for patients with bilobar colorectal liver metastases (bCRLM)., Background: Two-stage hepatectomy is the surgical strategy mostly chosen for treating extensive BCLM with the pitfall of dropout after the first stage. One-stage strategy combining limited resections and radiofrequency ablation could be proposed as an option in this population., Patients and Methods: Between 2000 and 2010, 272 patients were consecutively operated in 2 expert centers practicing 1- or 2-stage hepatectomy for bCRLM. A case-match study (1:1) was conducted using number and size of nodules, synchronous presentation, primary node status, and extrahepatic disease as matching variables to compare overall survival (OS) and disease-free survival (DFS). The analysis was performed in intention to treat, including patients who did not undergo the second stage., Results: In the case-match analysis (156 matched patients), median OS and DFS did not differ significantly between patients in 1- and 2-stage hepatectomy, respectively: 37.2 and 34.5 months (P=0.6), 9.4 and 7.5 months (P=0.25). Multivariate analysis confirmed the absence of impact of strategy on OS and DFS. Primary advanced T stage and synchronous presentation were predictors of poor OS (HR=3.67 and 1.92); CEA more than 200 ng/mL, absence of postoperative chemotherapy, and extrahepatic disease were predictive of recurrence (HR=2.77, 1.85 and 1.69, respectively)., Conclusions: This first case-match study demonstrates that on an intention-to-treat analysis 1- and 2-stage hepatectomy in patients with bCRLM achieve comparable OS and DFS, despite the high dropout of the 2-stage strategy. more...

Background: Portal vein arterialization (PVA) has been used as a salvage inflow technique when hepatic artery (HA) reconstruction is deemed impossible in liver transplantation (LT) or hepatopancreatobiliary (HPB) surgery. Outcomes and the management of possible complications have not been well described., Methods: The present study analysed outcomes in 16 patients who underwent PVA during the period from February 2005 to January 2011 for HA thrombosis post-LT (n = 7) or after liver resection (n = 1), during curative resection for locally advanced HPB cancers (requiring HA interruption) (n = 7) and for HA resection without reconstruction (n = 1). In addition, a literature review was conducted., Results: Nine patients were women. The median age of the patients was 58 years (range: 30-72 years). Recovery of intrahepatic arterial signals and PVA shunt patency were documented using Doppler ultrasound until the last follow-up (or until shunt thrombosis in some cases). Of five postoperative deaths, two occurred as a result of haemorrhagic shock, one as a result of liver ischaemia and one as a result of sepsis. The fifth patient died at home of unknown cause. Three patients (19%) had major bleeding related to portal hypertension (PHT). Of these, two underwent re-exploration and one underwent successful shunt embolization to control the bleeding. Four patients (25%) had early shunt thrombosis, two of whom underwent a second PVA. After a median follow-up of 13 months (range: 1-60 months), 10 patients (63%) remained alive with normal liver function and one submitted to retransplantation., Conclusions: Portal vein arterialization results in acceptable rates of survival in relation to spontaneous outcomes in patients with completely de-arterialized livers. The management of complications (especially PHT) after the procedure is challenging. Portal vein arterialization may represent a salvage option or a bridge to liver retransplantation and thus may make curative resection in locally advanced HPB cancers with vascular involvement feasible., (© 2013 International Hepato-Pancreato-Biliary Association.) more...

Introduction: Posthepatectomy liver failure (PHLF) is a severe complication after hepatectomy for colorectal liver metastases. This study evaluated its actual incidence and its effects on short- and long-term overall survival (OS) in a specialized center., Materials and Methods: Between 2006 and 2008, 193 patients who underwent 232 hepatectomies (147 minor and 85 major) for colorectal liver metastasis were studied prospectively. Hepatectomy was performed if the remnant liver volume was >0.5% of body weight. Uni- and multivariate analyses on OS after all hepatectomies (n = 232) or major resection only (n = 85) were then performed on pre-, intra-, and postoperative (including pathological) data to determine the consequences of PHLF by comparison with those of other intra- and postoperative events., Results: The 3-month postoperative mortality rate was 0.8%. PHLF was observed in six patients (7%) after major hepatectomy and in one (0.6%) after minor hepatectomy. With a 25-month follow-up, the 2-year OS rate was 84%. Preoperatively, pulmonary metastasis was the only determinant of OS. Intra- and postoperatively, four factors were determinant of OS: PHLF (risk ratio [RR] = 3.84, P = .04), mental confusion (RR = 3.11, P = .006), fluid collection (RR = 2.9, P = .01) and transfusion (RR = 2.27, P = .009). After major hepatectomy, only PHLF (RR = 4.14, P = .01) and confusion (RR = 3.6, P = .02) were identified., Conclusion: With improvements in postoperative management, PHLF was found to be less responsible for 3-month mortality but remains an event that exerts a major impact on 2-year survival., (Copyright © 2014 Mosby, Inc. All rights reserved.) more...

Background: The resectability criteria for malignant liver tumours have expanded during the past two decades. The use of vascular reconstruction after hepatectomy has been integral in this process. However, the majority of reports are anecdotal. This is a retrospective analysis of the techniques, morbidity, mortality and risk factors of liver resections with vascular reconstruction based on a large series from a single centre., Methods: Patients who underwent hepatic resection combined with vascular resection and reconstruction between 1997 and 2009 were included in this study. Indications for surgery, morbidity and 90-day mortality are reported along with factors predictive of operative mortality., Results: Eighty-four patients had liver resection with 97 vascular resections and reconstruction. There were 44 men and 40 women with a mean(s.d.) age of 56·9(12·1) years. Mean(s.d.) follow-up was 37·3(34·1) months. All patients had primary or metastatic liver tumours. The perioperative morbidity rate was 62 per cent (52 patients) and the operative mortality rate 14 per cent (12). Predictors of operative mortality were: bilirubin level exceeding 34 µmol/ml (P = 0·023), indocyanine green retention rate at 15 min over 10 per cent (P = 0·031), duration of ischaemia (P = 0·011), amount of blood transfused (P = 0·025) and combined major extrahepatic procedure (P = 0·042). Actuarial 3- and 5-year survival rates were 44 and 26 per cent respectively., Conclusion: Liver resection with combined vascular resection and reconstruction can be performed in selected patients with acceptable morbidity and mortality. The lack of therapeutic alternatives and the poor outcome of non-operative management seem to justify this approach. The identification of risk factors should help improve patient selection and postoperative outcome as well as facilitate objective risk communication with surgical candidates., (© 2013 British Journal of Surgery Society Ltd. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.) more...

Objectives: To evaluate the predictive value of portal vein pressure (PVP) after major liver resection for posthepatectomy liver failure (PLF) and 90-day mortality in patients without cirrhosis., Background: As elevated PVP is associated with liver failure after living donor liver transplantation, we hypothesized that the outcome after major hepatectomy may be influenced by posthepatectomy PVP., Patients and Methods: All patients without severe fibrosis or cirrhosis who underwent a major liver resection (≥3 segments) with an intraoperative measurement of PVP at the end of the procedure were included. Outcome was analyzed regarding 3 most widely used definitions of PLF: "50-50" criteria, peak of serum bilirubin greater than 120 μmol/L, and grade C PLF proposed by the International Study Group of Liver Surgery (ISGLS). Receiver operating characteristic curves and logistic regression model were used to determine the optimal cutoff of PVP and independent risk factors of PLF., Results: The study population consisted of 277 patients. Posthepatectomy PVP was gradually correlated with the PLF risk. Probability for PLF was nil when PVP was 10 mm Hg or less, ranges from 13% to 16%, depending on PLF definitions, when PVP was 20 mm Hg, and from 24% to 33% when PVP was 30 mm Hg. The optimal value of posthepatectomy PVP to predict PLF was 22 mm Hg when considering the "50-50" criteria and grade C PLF (proposed by the International Study Group of Liver Surgery). A value of 21 mm Hg best predicted PLF defined by peak of serum bilirubin greater than 120 μmol/L and 90-day mortality. At multivariate analysis, posthepatectomy PVP remained an independent predictor of PLF as well as the extent of resection, intraoperative transfusion, and the presence of diabetes. The 90-day mortality was associated with PVP greater than 21 mm Hg, older than 70 years, and intraoperative transfusion., Conclusions: Posthepatectomy PVP is an independent predictive factor of PLF and of 90-day mortality after major liver resection in patients without cirrhosis. Intraoperative modulation of PVP would be advisable when PVP exceeds 20 mm Hg. more...

Aims: The discovery of unexpected peritoneal carcinomatosis (PC) at the time of hepatectomy for colorectal liver metastases (CLM) is usually considered a contraindication for continuing resection. The first aim of this study was to assess the long-term outcome of patients operated for CLM, and who presented unexpected PC during laparotomy. The second aim was to identify preoperative predictors of PC., Methods: All patients at a single center between 1985 and 2010 who had unexpected PC, discovered during planed resection of CLM, and negative preoperative imaging for PC were selected. Clinicopathological data were retrospectively analyzed to assess survival outcomes and to identify predictors of unexpected PC., Results: Out of the 1340 operated patients for CLM, 42 (3%) had unexpected PC. Only patients (n = 30; 71%) who had PC limited to two abdominal regions (Median peritoneal cancer index (PCI): 2 (1-6)) were resected. Twelve patients were not resected due to the extent of peritoneal disease. The overall survival of the 30 patients resected for CLM who had limited PC was 18% at 5 years (median: 42 months). On multivariate analysis, a previous history of PC, a pT4 stage and bilobar CLM were independent predictors of unexpected PC., Conclusion: Unexpected PC should not be a contraindication for resection provided that the PCI is low and complete resection of all peritoneal and hepatic lesions can be achieved. Previous history of PC, a pT4 primary tumor and bilobar CLM are associated with increased risk of unexpected PC., (Copyright © 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.) more...

Background: The oncological benefit of repeat hepatectomy for patients with recurrent colorectal metastases is not yet proven. This study assessed the value of repeat hepatectomy for these patients within current multidisciplinary treatment., Methods: Consecutive patients treated by repeat hepatectomy for colorectal metastases between January 1990 and January 2010 were included. Patients undergoing two-stage hepatectomy were excluded. Postoperative outcome was analysed and compared with that of patients who had only a single hepatectomy., Results: A total of 1036 patients underwent 1454 hepatectomies for colorectal metastases. Of these, 288 patients had 362 repeat hepatectomies for recurrent metastases. Some 225 patients (78·1 per cent) had two hepatectomies, 52 (18·1 per cent) had three hepatectomies, and 11 patients (3·8 per cent) had a fourth hepatectomy. Postoperative morbidity following repeat hepatectomy was similar to that after initial liver resection (27·1 per cent after first, 34·4 per cent after second and 33·3 per cent after third hepatectomy) (P = 0·069). The postoperative mortality rate was 3·1 per cent after repeat hepatectomy versus 1·6 per cent after first hepatectomy. Three- and 5-year overall survival rates following first hepatectomy in patients who underwent repeat hepatectomy were 76 and 54 per cent respectively, compared with 58 and 45 per cent in patients who had only one hepatectomy (P = 0·003). In multivariable analysis, repeat hepatectomy performed between 2000 and 2010 was the sole independent factor associated with longer overall survival., Conclusion: Repeat hepatectomy for recurrent colorectal metastases offers long-term survival in selected patients., (© 2013 British Journal of Surgery Society Ltd. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.) more...

Introduction: Liver failure after hepatectomy remains the most feared postoperative complication. Many risk factors are already known, related to patient's comorbidities, underlying liver disease, received treatments and type of resection. Preoperative assessment of functional liver reserve must be a priority for the surgeon., Methods: Physiopathology of post-hepatectomy liver failure is not comparable to fulminant liver failure. Liver regeneration is an early phenomenon whose cellular mechanisms are beginning to be elucidated and allowing most of the time to quickly recover a functional organ. In some cases, microscopic and macroscopic disorganization appears. The hepatocyte hyperproliferation and the asynchronism between hepatocytes and non-hepatocyte cells mitosis probably play a major role in this pathogenesis., Results: Many peri- or intra-operative techniques try to prevent the occurrence of this potentially lethal complication, but a better understanding of involved mechanisms might help to completely avoid it, or even to extend the possibilities of resection., Conclusion: Future prevention and management may include pharmacological slowing of proliferation, drug or physical modulation of portal flow to reduce shear-stress, stem cells or immortalized hepatocytes injection, and liver bioreactors. Everything must be done to avoid the need for transplantation, which remains today the most efficient treatment of liver failure. more...

Background: Resection and liver transplantation (LT) are the only curative options for hepatocellular carcinoma in cirrhotic patients (HCC-cirr)., Objective: We tried to define the best primary intention-to-treat strategy in patients undergoing either resection or LT for early single HCC-cirr (≤5 cm)., Methods: From 1990 to 2010, 198 patients with early HCC-cirr underwent either resection (group R, n = 97) or LT (group T, n = 101) as the primary procedure. Our policy was to prioritize Childs A patients with peripheral lesions for resection rather than LT. Patient and tumor characteristics, and outcomes (recurrence-free survival [RFS] and overall survival [OS]), were studied., Results: A longer diagnosis-to-surgery interval, more Child Pugh B/C patients, and more tumor nodules (on histopathological examination) were found in group T patients. The postoperative mortality (4.1% vs 3.0%, P = 0.72) and rate of major complications (19.1% vs 24.7%, P = 0.35) were similar in groups R and T, respectively, whereas tumor recurrence was higher in group R (62% vs 10% in group T, P < 0.0001). The 5-year OS (75% vs 52%, P = 0.0008) and RFS (72% vs 20%, P < 0.0001) were better in group T; similarly, more patients were disease free at last follow-up (27% vs 62%, P < 0.0001). Resection as the surgical procedure, tumor diameter 3 cm or more on histology, and microvascular tumor invasion were poor prognostic factors for OS and RFS. Including dropout patients from LT list in the analysis, the outcomes in group T were still better (70% and 61% vs 51% and 36% at 5 and 10 years, P = 0.01)., Conclusions: On an intention-to-treat basis, LT is associated with the best survival outcomes in patients with early HCC-cirr. Resection may achieve comparable OS in patients with single HCC-cirr of size smaller than 3 cm; however, the RFS still remains lower than that in patients of group T. This study could serve as a guide for HCC-cirr patients who are candidates for either resection or LT. more...

Background: Liver regeneration enables repeat surgical procedures to achieve a potential cure in liver cancer patients. However, data regarding segmental regeneration and liver anatomy after liver resection are scarce. This study examined left liver regeneration after right hepatectomy and the impact of hepatic venous drainage on the regeneration of the paramedian sector (Couinaud's segment IV)., Methods: Twenty patients in whom right hepatectomy with conservation of the middle hepatic vein (MHV) on healthy liver had been performed were analysed for segmental volumes and vascular anatomy. Volumetric analysis of left liver segments and three-dimensional MHV reconstruction were conducted using pre- and postoperative computed tomography. The volumetric proportions represented by each segment within the left liver were compared and MHV anatomy was analysed to determine its potential role in the regeneration of left liver segments., Results: After right hepatectomy, the proportion represented by segment IV within the left liver decreases by 13%, whereas the proportion represented by segments II and III increases by 15%. This heterogeneous regeneration is particularly observed in patients in whom a venous branch for segment IVb is sacrificed, leading to an altered outflow similar to that observed in MHV deprivation. The risk for venous branch deprivation in IVb is correlated to the depth of the bifurcation of the MHV in liver parenchyma., Conclusions: It is crucial to conserve the MHV in its distal part if homogeneous left liver regeneration after right hepatectomy that will allow potential repeat liver resection is to be achieved., (© 2012 International Hepato-Pancreato-Biliary Association.) more...

Background: An extended left hepatectomy is a complex hepatic resection often performed for large tumours in close relationship to major hilar structures. Operative outcomes of this resection for colorectal liver metastases (CLM) remain unclear. The aim of the present study was to assess short- and long-term outcome for patients with CLM after an extended left hepatectomy., Methods: A retrospective analysis of consecutive patients undergoing an extended left hepatectomy for CLM in a large, single-centre cohort between January 1990 and January 2006 was performed., Results: Thirty-one patients (3.9%) from a consecutive series of 802 patients who had undergone hepatic resection were identified as having met the definition of an extended left hepatectomy and were included for further analysis. Maximum tumour size was more than 60 mm in 15 patients, with a median size of 67.5 mm for the total group (range: 20 to 160 mm). Twenty-six patients presented with initially unresectable metastases, related to large tumour size in 11 patients and to a close relation with major vascular structures in six patients. Preoperative chemotherapy was administered to 29 patients. Combined vascular resection was performed in five patients. The mortality rate at 90 days was zero and post-operative morbidity occurred in 17 patients. R0 and R1 resections were performed in 17 and 11 patients, respectively. Three- and 5-year overall survival was 38% and 27%, respectively. Disease-free survival was 9% and 4% at 3 and 5 years. Morbidity did not differ between patients with and without a caudate lobectomy (9 of 17 patients vs. 8 of 14 patients, respectively) (P= 0.815)., Conclusions: An extended left hepatectomy for CLM can provide significant long-term survival. However, morbidity is increased in this complex procedure. A caudate lobectomy does not impact surgical outcome., (© 2011 International Hepato-Pancreato-Biliary Association.) more...

Background: An expansion of resectability criteria of colorectal liver metastases (CLM) is justified provided "acceptable" short-term and long-term outcomes. The aim of the present study was to ascertain this paradigm in an era of modern liver surgery., Methods: All consecutive patients who underwent hepatic resection for CLM at our institute between 1990 and 2010 were included in the study. Ninety-day mortality and morbidity rates were determined in the total study population and in 2 separate time periods (group I: 1990-2000; group II: 2000-2010). Similarly, overall and progression-free survival rates were determined. Independent predictors of postoperative morbidity were identified at multivariate analysis., Results: Between 1990 and 2010, 1394 hepatectomies were performed in 1028 patients. Overall perioperative mortality and postoperative morbidity rates were 1.3% and 33%, respectively. Although patients in group II were older, had more often comorbid illnesses, and presented with more extensive liver disease, similar perioperative mortality rates were observed (1.1% in group I and 1.4% in group II; P = 0.53). A trend toward a higher morbidity rate was observed in group II (34% vs 31% in group I; P = 0.16). Independent predictors of postoperative morbidity were: treatment between 2000 and 2010, total hepatic ischemia time of 60 minutes or more, maximum size of CLM of 30 mm or more at histopathology, and presence of abnormalities in the nontumoral liver parenchyma. Although a trend toward lower overall survival was observed in patients with significant postoperative complications, no significant differences were observed in long-term outcomes between both treatment periods., Conclusion: After an aggressive multidisciplinary treatment of CLM, acceptable overall mortality and morbidity rates were observed. Perioperative mortality rates did not differ according to treatment period; however, more recently operated patients experienced more postoperative complications. These favorable short-term outcomes, without worsening of long-term outcomes, justify an expansion of the criteria for resectability in this patient category. more...

Background & Aims: Early neuroendocrine pathways contribute to liver regeneration after partial hepatectomy (PH). We investigated one of these pathways involving acute cholestasis, immediate portal hyperpressure, and arginine vasopressin (AVP) secretion., Methods: Surgical procedure (PH, Portal vein stenosis (PVS), bile duct ligation (BDL), spinal cord lesion (SCL)) and treatments (capsaicin, bile acids (BA), oleanolic acid (OA)) were performed on rats and/or wild type or TGR5 (GPBAR1) knock-out mice. In these models, the activation of AVP-secreting supraoptic nuclei (SON) was analyzed, as well as plasma BA, AVP, and portal vein pressure (PVP). Plasma BA, AVP, and PVP were also determined in human living donors for liver transplantation., Results: Acute cholestasis (mimicked by BDL or BA injection) as well as portal hyperpressure (mimicked by PVS) independently activated SON and AVP secretion. BA accumulated in the brain after PH or BDL, and TGR5 was expressed in SON. SON activation was mimicked by the TGR5 agonist OA and inhibited in TGR5 KO mice after BDL. An afferent nerve pathway also contributed to post-PH AVP secretion, as capsaicin treatment or SCL resulted in a weaker SON activation after PH., Conclusions: After PH in rodents, acute cholestasis and portal hypertension, via the nervous and endocrine routes, stimulate the secretion of AVP that may protect the liver against shear stress and bile acids overload. Data in living donors suggest that this pathway may also operate in humans., (Copyright © 2010 European Association for the Study of the Liver. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.) more...

Objective: To evaluate the impact of the location of extrahepatic disease (EHD) on survival and to determine patient outcome in a consecutive series of patients with both intrahepatic and extrahepatic colorectal metastases treated by an oncosurgical approach, combining repeat surgery and chemotherapy., Background: Although recognized as poor prognostic factor, concomitant EHD is no more considered an absolute contraindication to surgery in patients with colorectal liver metastases (CLM). However, the impact of the location of EHD on survival and the benefit in patient outcome is still diversely appreciated., Methods: From 840 patients resected for CLM between 1990 and 2006, 186(22%) also had resectable EHD. Sequential surgery was routinely combined with perioperative chemotherapy. Survival was compared with that of patients without EHD, prognostic factors were identified, and a predictive model was designed to better select surgical candidates., Results: Patients resected for CLM with concomitant EHD experienced a lower 5-year survival than those without EHD (28% vs 55%, P < 0.001). Five poor prognostic factors were identified at multivariate analysis: EHD-location other than lung metastases (5-year survival: 23% vs 33%, P = 0.02), EHD concomitant to CLM recurrence (14% vs 34%, P < 0.001), carcinoembryonic antigen level at least 10 ng/mL (16% vs 37%, P=0.02), at least 6 CLM(9% vs 32%, P = 0.02), and right colon cancer (P = 0.02). Five-year survival ranged from 64% (0 factors) to 0% (>3 factors). In the EHD group, patients with an EHD-recurrence experienced better outcomes when resected than those treated by chemotherapy alone (5-year survival: 38% vs 21%, P = 0.05)., Conclusion: Although sequential surgery is warranted for patients with 5 or less CLM with isolated lung metastases, low carcinoembryonic antigen levels,and no right colon primary tumor, it should be questioned in the presence of more than 3 of these prognostic factors. more...

The lack of use of a common grading system in reporting morbidity impedes estimation of the true risk to a right lobe living donor (RLLD). We report outcomes in 91 consecutive RLLD's using the validated 5-tier Clavien grading and a quality of life (QOL) questionnaire. The median follow-up was 79 months. The donors were predominantly female (66%), 22 (24%) received autologous blood transfusions. Fifty-three complications occurred in 43 donors (47% morbidity), 19 (37%) were ≥ Grade III, biliary fistula (14%) was the most common. There was no donor mortality. Two intraoperative complications could not be graded and two disfiguring complications in female donors were graded as minor. Two subgroups (first 46 vs. later 45 donors) were compared to study the presence if any, of a learning curve. The later 45 donors had lesser autologous transfusions, lesser rehospitalization and no reoperation and a reduction in the proportion of ≥ Grade III (major) complications (24% vs. 50%; p = 0.06). In the long term, donors expressed an overall sense of well being, but some sequelae of surgery do restrain their current lifestyle. Our results warn against lackadaisical vigilance once RLLD hepatectomy becomes routine., (©2010 The Authors Journal compilation©2010 The American Society of Transplantation and the American Society of Transplant Surgeons.) more...

Background: The optimal surgical strategy for patients with synchronous colorectal liver metastases (CLMs) is still unclear. The aim of this study was to compare simultaneous colorectal and hepatic resection with a delayed strategy in patients who had a limited hepatectomy (fewer than three segments)., Methods: All patients with synchronous CLMs who underwent limited hepatectomy between 1990 and 2006 were included retrospectively. Short-term outcome, overall and progression-free survival were compared in patients having simultaneous colorectal and hepatic resection and those treated by delayed hepatectomy., Results: Of 228 patients undergoing hepatectomy for synchronous CLMs, 55 (24.1 per cent) had a simultaneous colorectal resection and 173 (75.9 per cent) had delayed hepatectomy. The mortality rate following hepatectomy was similar in the two groups (0 versus 0.6 per cent respectively; P = 0.557), but cumulative morbidity was significantly lower in the simultaneous group (11 per cent versus 25.4 per cent in the delayed group; P = 0.015). Three-year overall and progression-free survival rates were 74 and 8 per cent respectively in the simultaneous group, compared with 70.3 and 26.1 per cent in the delayed group (overall survival: P = 0.871; progression-free survival: P = 0.005). Significantly more recurrences were observed in the simultaneous group at 3 years (85 versus 63.6 per cent; P = 0.002); a simultaneous strategy was an independent predictor of recurrence., Conclusion: Combining colorectal resection with a limited hepatectomy is safe in patients with synchronous CLMs and associated with less cumulative morbidity than a delayed procedure. However, the combined strategy has a negative impact on progression-free survival., (Copyright (c) 2010 British Journal of Surgery Society Ltd. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.) more...

Background & Aims: Paracrine interactions are critical to liver physiology, particularly during regeneration, although physiological involvement of extracellular ATP, a crucial intercellular messenger, remains unclear. The physiological release of ATP into extracellular milieu and its impact on regeneration after partial hepatectomy were investigated in this study., Methods: Hepatic ATP release after hepatectomy was examined in the rat and in human living donors for liver transplantation. Quinacrine was used for in vivo staining of ATP-enriched compartments in rat liver sections and isolated hepatocytes. Rats were treated with an antagonist for purinergic receptors (Phosphate-6-azo(benzene-2,4-disulfonic acid), PPADS), and liver regeneration after hepatectomy was analyzed., Results: A robust and transient ATP release due to acute portal hyperpressure was observed immediately after hepatectomy in rats and humans. Clodronate liposomal pre-treatment partly inhibited ATP release in rats. Quinacrine-stained vesicles, co-labeled with a lysosomal marker in liver sections and isolated hepatocytes, were predominantly detected in periportal areas. These vesicles significantly disappeared after hepatectomy, in parallel with a decrease in liver ATP content. PPADS treatment inhibited hepatocyte cell cycle progression after hepatectomy, as revealed by a reduction in bromodeoxyuridine incorporation, phosphorylated histone 3 immunostaining, cyclin D1 and A expression and immediate early gene induction., Conclusion: Extracellular ATP is released immediately after hepatectomy from hepatocytes and Kupffer cells under mechanical stress and promotes liver regeneration in the rat. We suggest that in hepatocytes, ATP is released from a lysosomal compartment. Finally, observations made in living donors suggest that purinergic signalling could be critical for human liver regeneration. more...

Objective: Compare oncologic results of laparoscopic versus open hepatectomy for resection of colorectal metastases to the liver., Summary and Background Data: Open hepatectomy (OH) is the current standard of care for the management of colorectal liver metastases. Although the feasibility of laparoscopic hepatectomy (LH) has been established, only select centers have used this technique as their primary modality. At present there is no study comparing the oncologic outcomes for colorectal liver metastases patients undergoing LH versus OH., Methods: Two groups composed of 60 patients each were obtained from 2 specialized liver units performing either OH or LH as their primary modality. Cohorts of 215 LH cases and 1783 OH were used to establish the study population. Patients were compared on an intention to treat basis using 9 preoperative prognostic criteria obtained from LiverMetSurvey. These included sex, age, primary tumor localization, number of tumors, diameter of tumor, distribution of metastases, presence of extrahepatic disease, initial respectability, and the use of prehepatectomy chemotherapy. Overall survival and disease-free survival were compared between OH and LH for a follow-up of 36 months., Results: The median follow-up for the LH group is 30 months and 33 months for the OH group (P = 0.75). One-, 3-, and 5-year patient survival for LH was 97%, 82%, and 64% and 97%, 70%, and 56% in the OH group, respectively (P = 0.32). One-, 3-, and 5-year disease-free survival was 70%, 47%, and 35% and 70%, 40%, and 27% (P = 0.32), respectively for the 2 groups., Conclusion: In a highly specialized center, first line application of laparoscopic liver resection in selected patients can provide comparable oncologic results to treatment with open liver resection for patients with colorectal liver metastases. more...

It is admitted that only complete tumor clearance with negative surgical margins provides benefit for patients undergoing surgery for hepatobiliary malignancies. For hepatocellular carcinoma, since micrometastases disseminate via portal venous branches, anatomic resection is preferred over non-anatomic resection in liver resection carried out with curative intent. Thus, an anatomic liver resection with a wider resection margin theoretically gives a higher potential for cure. However, preserving non-tumorous liver parenchyma is an important consideration, especially in cirrhotic liver resection to decrease the incidence of postoperative liver failure. The optimal liver resection margin is still controversial. It seems that a resection margin of 2 cm is associated with a decreased postoperative recurrence rate and improved survival outcomes especially for hepatocellular carcinoma more...

Objective: To assess feasibility, risks, and long-term outcome of 2-stage hepatectomy as a means to improve resectability of colorectal liver metastases (CLM)., Summary Background Data: Two-stage hepatectomy uses compensatory liver regeneration after a first noncurative hepatectomy to enable a second curative resection., Methods: Between October 1992 and January 2007, among 262 patients with initially irresectable CLM, 59 patients (23%) were planned for 2-stage hepatectomy. Patients were eligible when single resection could not achieve complete treatment, even in combination with chemotherapy, portal embolization, or radiofrequency, but tumors could be totally removed by 2 sequential resections. Feasibility and outcomes were prospectively evaluated., Results: Two-stage hepatectomy was feasible in 41 of 59 patients (69%). Eighteen patients failed to complete the second hepatectomy because of disease progression (n = 17) or bad performance status (n = 1). The 41 successfully treated patients had a mean number of 9.1 metastases (mean diameter, 48.5 mm at diagnosis). Chemotherapy was delivered before (95%), in between (78%), and after (78%) the 2 hepatectomies. Mean delay between the 2 liver resections was 4.2 months. Postoperative mortality was 0% and 7% (3/41) after the first and second hepatectomy, respectively. Morbidity rates were also higher after the second procedure (59% vs. 20%) (P < 0.001). Five-year survival was 31% on an intention to treat basis, and all but 2 patients who did not complete the 2-stage strategy died within 19 months. After a median follow-up of 24.4 months (range, 3.7-130.3), overall 3- and 5-year survivals for patients that completed both hepatectomies were 60% and 42%, respectively, after the first hepatectomy (median survival, 42 months from first hepatectomy and 57 months from metastases diagnosis). Disease-free survivals were 26% and 13% at 3 and 5 years, respectively., Conclusions: Two-stage hepatectomy provides a 5-year survival of 42% and a hope of long-term survival for selected patients with extensive bilobar CLM, irresectable by any other means. more...

Objective: To compare long-term outcome of R0 (negative margins) and R1 (positive margins) liver resections for colorectal liver metastases (CLM) treated by an aggressive approach combining chemotherapy and repeat surgery., Summary Background Data: Complete macroscopic resection with negative margins is the gold standard recommendation in the surgical treatment of CLM. However, due to vascular proximity or multinodularity, complete macroscopic resection can sometimes only be performed through R1 resection. Increasingly efficient chemotherapy may have changed long-term outcome after R1 resection., Methods: All resected CLM patients (R0 or R1) at our institution between 1990 and 2006 were prospectively evaluated. Exclusion criteria were: macroscopic incomplete (R2) resection, use of local treatment modalities, and presence of extrahepatic disease. We aimed to resect all identified metastases with negative margins. However, when safe margins could not be obtained, resection was still performed provided complete macroscopic tumor removal. Overall survival (OS) and disease-free survival were compared between groups, and prognostic factors were identified., Results: Of 840 patients, 436 (52%) were eligible for the study, 234 (28%) of whom underwent R0 resection, and 202 (24%) underwent R1 resection. Number and size of CLM were higher, and distribution was more often bilateral in the R1 group. After a mean follow-up of 40 months, 5-year OS was 61% and 57% for R0 and R1 patients (P = 0.27). Five-year disease-free survival was 29% in the R0 group versus 20% in the R1 group (P = 0.12). In the R1 group, intrahepatic (but not surgical margin) recurrences were more often observed (28% vs. 17%; P = 0.004). Preoperative carcinoembryonic antigen level > or =10 ng/mL and major hepatectomy, but not R1 resection, were independent predictors of poor OS. Size > or =30 mm, bilateral distribution, and intraoperative blood transfusions independently predicted positive surgical margins., Conclusions: Despite a higher recurrence rate, the contraindication of R1 resection should be revisited in the current era of effective chemotherapy because survival is similar to that of R0 resection. more...