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Background/purpose: This meta-analysis aimed to elucidate the therapeutic effects of routine lymph node dissection (LND) with liver resection on intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (ICC)., Methods: Databases, including MEDLINE, Web of Science, and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, were searched to identify studies comparing LND and non-LND for ICC liver resection. The primary outcome was overall survival (OS), and secondary outcomes were disease-free survival (DFS), in-hospital morbidity, blood loss, and R0 rate., Results: Seventeen studies involving 4407 patients were included. The OS did not differ between the LND (n = 2158) and non-LND (n = 2249) groups (HR, 1.05; 95% CI, 0.83-1.32). The secondary outcomes did not differ significantly between the groups. Subgroup analyses stratified by the risk of bias showed a significant difference in OS between the high- and low-risk groups (P = 0.0008). In the low-risk group, LND (vs. non-LND) was associated with superior OS (HR, 0.76; 95% CI, 0.59-0.98). Most studies in low-risk groups involved patients who were clinically node-negative., Conclusions: The therapeutic effects of routine LND for ICC have not been demonstrated. However, LND had a positive impact on OS in studies with a low risk of bias, thus suggesting that there may be a subset of ICC patients who would benefit from LND., Competing Interests: Conflict of interest The authors declare the following financial interests/personal relationships which may be considered as potential competing interests: Etsuro Hatano reports a relationship with Eisai Co Ltd that includes: speaking and lecture fees. If there are other authors, they 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 © 2024 International Hepato-Pancreato-Biliary Association Inc. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Laparoscopic surgery has become an increasingly popular alternative approach to open surgery, resulting in a paradigm shift in liver surgery. Although laparoscopic liver resection (LLR) was initially indicated for small benign and peripheral tumors, at present more than half of LLRs are performed in malignant tumors. Several studies have reported the feasibility of LLR in malignant disease and suggested various short-term benefits compared to open liver resection, including decreased blood loss and postoperative complications and a shorter hospital stay. Although these benefits are important to surgeons, patients, and providers, the main goal of surgery for malignancies is to achieve a maximum oncologic benefit. The relevance of the laparoscopic approach must be assessed in relation to the possibility of respecting basic oncological rules and the expertise of the center. Easy LLRs can be safely performed by most surgeons with minimum expertise in liver surgery and laparoscopy, and can therefore probably provide an oncological benefit. On the other hand, intermediate or difficult LLRs require technical expertise and an oncological benefit can only be achieved in expert centers. Technical standardization is the only way to obtain an oncological benefit with this type of resection, and many problems must still be solved., Competing Interests: The authors declared that they do not have anything to disclose regarding funding or conflict of interest with respect to this manuscript., (Copyright © 2020 Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc. All rights reserved.)

Purpose: The prolonged life expectancy and increase in aging of the population have led surgeons to propose hepatectomy in the elderly population. In this study, we evaluate the surgical outcome of octogenarians in a single French center., Methods: Between 2000 and 2020, 78 patients over 80 years old were retrospectively analyzed. The risk factors of major complications (Clavien-Dindo ≥ grade IIIa) and patient performance after surgery by using textbook outcome (TO) (no surgical complications, no prolonged hospital stay (≤ 15 days), no readmission ≤90 days after discharge, and no mortality ≤90 days after surgery) were studied., Results: The main surgical indication was for malignancy (96%), including mainly colorectal liver metastases (n = 41; 53%) and hepatocellular carcinoma (n = 22; 28%), and major hepatectomy was performed in 28 patients (36%). There were 6 (8%) postoperative mortalities. The most frequent complications were pulmonary (n = 22; 32%), followed by renal insufficiency (n = 22; 28%) and delirium (n = 16; 21%). Major complications occurred in 19 (24%) patients. On multivariate analysis, the main risk factors for major complications were the median vascular clamping time (0 vs 35; P = 0.04) and male sex (P = 0.046). TO was ultimately achieved in 30 patients (38%), and there was no prognostic factor for achievement of TO., Conclusions: Hepatectomy in octogenarians is associated with acceptable morbidity and mortality. Meanwhile, prolonged hepatic pedicle clamping should be avoided especially if hepatectomy is planned in a male patient., (© 2021. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer-Verlag GmbH Germany, part of Springer Nature.)

Objective: To evaluate the long-term outcomes of surgery for recurrent hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC)., Background: HCC recurs with high incidence after liver resection. Little is known about long-term outcomes of patients undergoing surgery for recurrent HCC., Methods: Among 989 patients who underwent R0/R1 liver resection for HCC between 1995 and 2014, 676 patients who exhibited recurrence were included. Repeat surgery was performed in 128 patients (RS group), and not in the remaining 548 patients (NS group). Prognostic value after repeat surgery was evaluated by comparing survival after recurrence (SAR) between the RS and NS groups. Subgroup analyses according to the 3 recurrence patterns [intrahepatic recurrence (IHR), extrahepatic recurrence (EHR), and intra plus extrahepatic recurrence (IHR + EHR)] were performed., Results: Seventy-three of 430 patients (17.0%) with IHR, 17 of 57 patients (29.8%) with EHR, and 38 of 189 patients (20.1%) with IH + EHR underwent repeat surgery. Compared with the NS group, the RS group had better liver function and their time to recurrence was significantly longer (16.5 vs 11.4 months; P < 0.001). In the overall and 3 recurrence patterns, the 5-year SAR rate was better in the RS group compared with the NS group (RS vs NS group; overall, 53.0% vs 25.7%; IHR, 73.8% vs 37.2%; EHR, 30.0% vs 0%; IHR + EHR, 34.1% vs 10.6%; all P < 0.001, respectively). On multivariate analysis, repeat surgery was identified as an independent factor for better SAR (P < 0.001)., Conclusion: Surgery for recurrent HCC may yield long-term survival for not only IHR but also for EHR in selected patients., Competing Interests: Disclosure: The authors declare no conflict of interest., (Copyright © 2019 Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc. All rights reserved.)

Background: Combined preoperative portal and hepatic vein embolization (biembolization, BE) has been recently described and may further enhance preoperative FLR growth. The objective of this study was to compare the efficacy of combined preoperative biembolization and portal vein embolization (PVE)., Methods: This study was performed between 2010 and 2017. From 2010 to 2014, patients only underwent preoperative PVE. After 2014, BE was proposed as an alternative to PVE. Liver volumetry was assessed by a CT-scan before BE or PVE and then three weeks later., Results: During the study period, 72 patients underwent radiological procedures that included 41 PVE (PVE group) and 31 BE (BE group). The time elapsing between the procedure and surgery was similar (p = 0.760). The mean percentage of FLR ratio hypertrophy in the PVE group was 31.9% (±34), but reached 51.2% (±42) in the BE group (p = 0.018) and this difference remained significant under multivariate analysis that included age, gender, body mass index, diabetes mellitus, cirrhosis and NASH. The kinetic growth rates were 19% (±17%) and 8% (±13%) in the BE and PVE groups, respectively (p = 0.026)., Conclusion: This study shows that BE induces higher hypertrophy than portal vein embolization before major liver resection with no more morbidity., (Copyright © 2019 International Hepato-Pancreato-Biliary Association Inc. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Background: A standardized laparoscopic right hepatectomy (LRH) approach named the "caudal approach" was recently reported. Yet, the value of this approach compared with state-of-the-art open right hepatectomy (ORH) remains unknown. The purpose of this study was therefore to compare the short-term outcomes of LRH using the caudal approach and ORH with anterior approach and liver hanging maneuver., Methods: One-hundred eleven consecutive patients who underwent LRH with caudal approach were prospectively collected; 346 patients who underwent ORH with anterior approach and liver hanging maneuver were enrolled as a control group. Propensity score matching (PSM) of patients in a ratio of 1: 1 was conducted and the perioperative outcomes were compared., Results: After PSM, two well-balanced groups of 72 patients each were analyzed and compared. The conversion rate in the LRH group was 18.1%. Perioperative blood loss and transfusion rates were significantly lower in the LRH group as compared to the ORH group (median, 200 ml vs. 500 ml, p < 0.001 and 9.9% vs. 26.8%, p = 0.009, respectively), while operation time was significantly longer (median, 348 min vs. 290 min, p < 0.001). Overall (26.4% vs. 48.6%, p = 0.006) and symptomatic pulmonary (6.9% vs. 19.4%, p = 0.027) complication rates were significantly lower in the LRH group. Hospital stay was significantly shorter in the LRH group (median, 8 days vs. 9 days, p = 0.013)., Conclusions: LRH using the caudal approach is associated with improved short-term outcomes compared to state-of-the-art ORH in patients qualifying for both approaches, and can be proposed as standard practice.

Background: Lymphadenectomy ensures accurate staging for patients with intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma, especially for those without preoperatively suspected positive lymph nodes (clinically node-negative); however, its prognostic value has been poorly documented. The aim of this study was to evaluate the prognostic value of lymphadenectomy on long-term outcomes in patients undergoing surgery for clinically node-negative intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma., Methods: Data from all patients who underwent liver resection with or without lymphadenectomy for preoperatively diagnosed intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma between 2000 and 2016 at 3 tertiary hepatobiliary centers were analyzed retrospectively. Propensity score matching in a 1:1 ratio was conducted based on clinically relevant covariates between patients with clinically node-negative intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma who underwent liver resection with (LND group) and without (NLND group) lymphadenectomy. Overall survival and disease-free survival were compared in the matched cohort., Results: Among 350 patients who underwent surgery during the study period, 192 (55%) with clinically node-negative intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma met the inclusion criteria. After propensity score matching, 2 well-balanced groups of 56 patients each were analyzed. There was no significant difference regarding postoperative variables among these 112 matched patients. Patients who underwent a liver resection with lymphadenectomy achieved better 3- and 5-year overall survival (78% and 65% vs 52% and 46%, P = .017) and disease-free survival (46% and 34% vs 31% and 31%; P = .042) compared with patients who underwent liver resection without lymphadenectomy., Conclusion: Lymphadenectomy can be associated with better long-term outcomes in patients with node-negative intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma. Our data may support routine lymphadenectomy for node-negative intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma with the objective of achieving better long-term outcomes., (Copyright © 2019 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Introduction: Surgery for Child-Pugh B liver function is considered risky because of its high morbidity rate and the acceptable indication criteria for laparoscopic liver resection (LLR) for Child-Pugh B patients have not been identified. We conducted a retrospective cohort study to determine the optimal introduction of LLR for Child-Pugh B patients based on our single-institute experience., Methods: A total of 17 Child-Pugh B patients underwent LLR between 2005 and 2017. Their clinical outcomes were compared to those of LLR for Child-Pugh A patients (103 cases), conventional open liver resection for Child-Pugh B patients (19 cases), and radiofrequency ablation (RFA) for Child-Pugh B patients (20 cases) during the same period., Results: LLR for Child-Pugh B patients had a significantly higher conversion rate than LLR for Child-Pugh A patients (Child-Pugh A vs B: 3.9% vs 35.3%, P < 0.01). However, patients who successfully underwent laparoscopic resection (11 cases) had fewer postoperative ascites and shorter postoperative hospital stays compared to patients who underwent conventional open liver resection. In comparison to the RFA group, the LLR group more frequently had lesions in the left lateral segment (LLR vs RFA: 50.0% vs 10.0%, P = 0.02) and exophytic tumor (21.4% vs 0%, P = 0.02) than did the RFA group. Also, compared to the RFA group, the LLR group had a lower local recurrence rate (0% vs 15%, P = 0.25) and a longer recurrence-free survival (P = 0.049), but the overall survival was similar between the two groups., Conclusions: In the treatment of Child-Pugh B liver malignancy, the minimal invasiveness of LLR was revealed. Our results suggest that lesions in the left lateral segment and exophytic tumors are good indications for LLR for Child-Pugh B., (© 2018 Japan Society for Endoscopic Surgery, Asia Endosurgery Task Force and John Wiley & Sons Australia, Ltd.)

Background: Liver transplantation (LT) for polycystic liver disease (PLD) is rare, extremely challenging and hemorrhagic, without standard approach. Moreover, LT for PLD presents the highest mortality rate (12% to 18%) among all causes of LT. In this setting, the combination of difficult mobilization of a heavy polycystic native liver with narrow access to inferior vena cava and fragile venous wall may lead to venous tearing and cataclysmic bleeding during dissection. The aim of this study was to evaluate a modified technique of total hepatectomy to limit hazardous liver manipulation and improve exposure of inferior vena cava in patients with massive hepatomegaly related to PLD: the exposure left lateral sectionectomy (ELLS)., Methods: From 2011 to 2018, ELLS was performed during LT for PLD. Key technical points for safe and fast ELLS include avoidance of left triangular ligament section and placement of a tape behind the left lateral section allowing its ascension and prior dissection of the hepatic pedicle to limit bleeding. The transection plane is mainly composed of cysts, with limited parenchyma, which allows for rapid and bloodless transection using electric scalpel., Results: Fifteen patients had ELLS with no postoperative death or intraoperative complication. Median ELLS duration was 16 minutes, and no massive bleeding occurred during this step. During total hepatectomy, median blood loss was 500 mL, and no patient required total caval clamping. All patients were alive at the end of the follow-up., Conclusions: ELLS during LT for PLD facilitates total hepatectomy with vena cava and caval flow preservation.

Background: Imaging study cannot identify patients with potential low-risk for lymph node (LN) metastasis in intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (ICC). The purpose of this study was to identify a low-risk group for LN metastasis in ICC using preoperatively available factors., Methods: Data from 127 consecutive patients, who underwent curative intent surgery for ICC at Kyoto University Hospital and Kitano Hospital between 2002 and 2016, were retrospectively analyzed. By using only preoperative data, multiple linear regression model for predicting LN metastasis was developed., Results: Forty-three patients exhibited LN metastasis (33.9%). Serum CA19-9 levels ≥37 IU/ml, ICC with hilar invasion, and LN swelling were identified as independent preoperative predictors of LN metastasis. The prediction model for LN metastasis using these three factors revealed good discrimination (area under the receiver operating characteristics curve 0.874, P < 0.001). Negative for all three factors (i.e. CA19-9 levels <37 IU/ml, peripheral ICC and no LN swelling) identified 35 patients (27.6%) as a low-risk group, with the false negative rate of 2.3%., Conclusions: We proposed a preoperative criterion for predicting LN metastasis, giving rise to the identification of ICC patients who showed a low-risk of LN metastasis., (© 2018 Japanese Society of Hepato-Biliary-Pancreatic Surgery.)

Purpose: Post-hepatectomy liver failure is one of the most serious complications liver surgeons must overcome. We previously examined olprinone, a selective phosphodiesterase III inhibitor, and demonstrated its hepatoprotective effects in rats and pigs. We herein report the results of a phase I clinical trial of olprinone in liver surgery (UMIN000004975)., Methods: Twenty-three patients who underwent hepatectomy between 2011 and 2015 were prospectively registered. In the first 6 cases, olprinone (0.1 μg/kg/min) was administered for 24 h from the start of surgery. In the remaining 17 cases, olprinone (0.05 μg/kg/min) was administered from the start of surgery until just before the transection of the liver parenchyma. The primary endpoint was safety, and the secondary endpoint was efficacy. For the evaluation of efficacy, the incidence of post-hepatectomy liver failure in 20 hepatocellular carcinoma patients was externally compared with 20 propensity score-matched patients., Results: No intraoperative side effects were observed, and the morbidity rates in the analyzed cohorts were acceptable. The rate of post-hepatectomy liver failure frequency tended to be lower in the olprinone group., Conclusions: The safety of olprinone in liver surgery was confirmed. The efficacy of olprinone will be re-evaluated in clinical trials.

Purpose: Prophylactic abdominal drainage is performed routinely after liver resection in many centers. The aim of this study was to examine the safety and validity of liver resection without abdominal drainage and to clarify whether routine abdominal drainage after liver resection is necessary., Methods: Patients who underwent elective liver resection without bilio-enteric anastomosis between July, 2006 and June, 2012 were divided into two groups, based on whether surgery was performed before or after, we adopted the no-drain strategy. The "former group" comprised 256 patients operated on between July, 2006 and June, 2009 and the "latter group" comprised 218 patients operated between July, 2009 and June, 2012. We compared the postoperative complications, percutaneous drainage, and postoperative hospital stay between the groups, retrospectively., Results: There were no significant differences in the rates of postoperative bleeding, intraabdominal infection, or bile leakage between the groups. Drain insertion after liver resection did not reduce the rate of percutaneous drainage. Postoperative hospital stay was significantly shorter in the latter group., Conclusion: Routine abdominal drainage is unnecessary after liver resection without bilio-enteric anastomosis.

Background: The prognosis of intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (ICC) remains poor despite improvements in treatment and post-operative clinical management. We review our experiences and evaluate our current surgical approaches by comparing patients from two consecutive treatment periods., Methods: One hundred forty-four patients who underwent hepatectomy for ICC between 1993 and 2014 were divided into groups that received treatment before (n = 65, first period) and after 2006 (n = 79, second period), when new treatment options such as adjuvant chemotherapy and multimodal therapy for recurrence were introduced. Clinicopathological characteristics and survival outcomes were compared between the groups., Results: First-period patients exhibited more advanced tumor characteristics, including larger tumors, higher serum carbohydrate antigen 19-9 levels, and vascular invasion. Median overall survival (OS) durations of the first- and second-period groups were 21.4 and 57.7 months, respectively (p < 0.001); corresponding median disease-free survival (DFS) durations were 12.2 and 16.6 months, respectively (p = 0.027). Multivariate analysis found an independent association of the treatment time period with OS and DFS. Notably, second-period patients with N1 disease achieved a longer OS and DFS (median OS time: 12.4 and 26.0 months, p = 0.0018, and median DFS: 4.7 and 10.7 months p = 0.019, respectively). Among recurrent patients (first, n = 50 and second, n = 44), second-period patients had a significantly longer survival after recurrence (8.0 vs. 22.3 months, p < 0.001)., Conclusion: ICC patients, particularly those with N1 disease, achieved significant survival improvements that were partly attributable to patient selection, adjuvant chemotherapy, and multimodal treatment after recurrence.