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Introduction: Although tumor size (TS) is known to affect surgical outcomes in laparoscopic liver resection (LLR), its impact on laparoscopic major hepatectomy (L-MH) is not well studied. The objectives of this study were to investigate the impact of TS on the perioperative outcomes of L-MH and to elucidate the optimal TS cutoff for stratifying the difficulty of L-MH., Methods: This was a post-hoc analysis of 3008 patients who underwent L-MH at 48 international centers. A total 1396 patients met study criteria and were included. The impact of TS cutoffs was investigated by stratifying TS at each 10-mm interval. The optimal cutoffs were determined taking into consideration the number of endpoints which showed a statistically significant split around the cut-points of interest and the magnitude of relative risk after correction for multiple risk factors., Results: We identified 2 optimal TS cutoffs, 50 mm and 100 mm, which segregated L-MH into 3 groups. An increasing TS across these 3 groups (≤ 50 mm, 51-100 mm, > 100 mm), was significantly associated with a higher open conversion rate (11.2%, 14.7%, 23.0%, P < 0.001), longer operating time (median, 340 min, 346 min, 365 min, P = 0.025), increased blood loss (median, 300 ml,  ml, 400 ml, P = 0.002) and higher rate of intraoperative blood transfusion (13.1%, 15.9%, 27.6%, P < 0.001). Postoperative outcomes such as overall morbidity, major morbidity, and length of stay were comparable across the three groups., Conclusion: Increasing TS was associated with poorer intraoperative but not postoperative outcomes after L-MH. We determined 2 TS cutoffs (50 mm and 10 mm) which could optimally stratify the surgical difficulty of L-MH., (© 2023. Society of Surgical Oncology.)

Background: Tumors involving the hepatic veins at the hepatocaval confluence often require major or extended hepatectomies. Color Doppler intraoperative ultrasonography (CD-IOUS) evaluation of liver hemodynamics to assess congestion in the veno-occlusive parenchyma provides real-time information helpful in parenchyma-sparing surgery (PSS). This study evaluated the feasibility of CD-IOUS in patients undergoing laparoscopic liver resections for such tumors and its capacity to allow PSS., Methods: Consecutive patients undergoing laparoscopic liver resection for tumors at the hepatocaval confluence requiring resection of at least one hepatic vein between January 2010 and August 2020 were included. Patients were divided in 3 groups: (A) patients not assessed with CD-IOUS because it would not change the scheduled operation; patients assessed with CD-IOUS and treated with (B) PSS and (C) no-PSS. Portal blood flow in the veno-occlusive parenchyma was assessed using CD-IOUS at baseline and after clamping the concerned hepatic vein., Results: The study included 43 out of 47 patients with tumors at the hepatocaval confluence. There were 19 patients in group A. Among patients assessed with CD-IOUS, the resection of 26 hepatic veins was planned: 25 were resected, and 1 was spared. Group B included 22 patients treated with PSS, whereas group C included 2 patients with resection of all veno-occlusive parenchyma. No postoperative mortality or major morbidity was observed. The median length of hospital stay was 5 days., Conclusions: Selected patients with tumors involving the hepatocaval confluence can be safely approached using laparoscopy. CD-IOUS evaluation of the veno-occlusive area can increase the success rate of PSS., (© 2022. The Society for Surgery of the Alimentary Tract.)

Background: Laparoscopic segment 7 segmentectomy and segment 6-7 bisegmentectomy are challenging resections because of the posterior position and the lack of landmarks. The anatomy of the right posterior Glissonean pedicle and the caudal view of laparoscopy make such resections suitable for the Glissonean pedicle-first approach., Methods: The study population included all consecutive patients treated with laparoscopic liver resection from August 2019 to February 2020. The approach is based on the ultrasonographic identification of the right posterior or segmental pedicle from the dorsal side of the liver after complete mobilization. The pedicle of interest is isolated through mini-hepatotomy and clamped. The segment anatomy is defined by ischemia. The transection starts from the ventral side, close to the right hepatic vein that is exposed and followed craniocaudally., Results: Ten patients underwent anatomical laparoscopic resection of right posterolateral segments. There were 7 colorectal liver metastases, 2 hepatocellular carcinoma, and 1 biliary cysto-adenoma. Five patients underwent Sg7 resection, one patient underwent a Sg7 subsegmentectomy, and 4 underwent Sg6-7 bisegmentectomy. The Glissonean pedicle-first approach was feasible in eight patients. The craniocaudal approach to the RHV was feasible in six patients, not indicated in three cases and was abandoned in one patient for technical difficulty. There was no operative morbidity or mortality. Median post-operative hospital stay was 5 days., Conclusions: The Glissonean pedicle-first approach is safe and effective for laparoscopic anatomic resections of the right posterior sector. The craniocaudal approach to right hepatic vein from the ventral side is a convenient procedure to follow the segmental anatomy deep in the parenchyma.

Background: The albumin-indocyanine green evaluation (ALICE) model based on serum albumin and indocyanine retention rate has been shown to be an effective method for predicting postoperative outcomes in hepatocellular carcinoma patients. Aim of the study was to validate the ALICE model in a large Western cohort of patients by comparing the albumin-bilirubin (ALBI) score and Child-Turcotte-Pugh (CTP) score., Methods: A total of 400 patients who underwent hepatic resection from January 2005 to June 2016 at three centers were enrolled. The ALICE, ALBI, and CTP scores were computed for all patients., Results: The ALICE score correlated better with ALBI (r = 0.428) than with CTP score (r = 0.302). Both the ALICE (grade 1: 49%; grade 2: 51%) and the ALBI (grade 1: 52.5%; grade 2: 47.5%) scores stratified the CTP class A patients into two distinct classes. The incidence of ascites (grades 1-3: ALICE 11%, 20%, 58%; ALBI 11%, 23%, 50%) and severe liver failure (ALICE 8.7%, 10.5%, 41.7%; ALBI 8.6%, 12%, 50%) increased with increasing ALBI and ALICE grade and were similar for the same grade., Conclusions: The ALICE model can assess hepatic functional reserve and predict postoperative outcomes with efficacy comparable with the ALBI grade and better than the CTP score., (© 2018 Japanese Society of Hepato-Biliary-Pancreatic Surgery.)

Background: The aim of the study was to assess the capacity of indocyanine green retention test at 15 min (ICGR15) to predict chemotherapeutic-associated liver injuries (CALI)., Methods: Patients undergoing liver resection for CLM that received preoperative oxaliplatin and/or irintecan-based chemotherapy within 3 months before surgery and scheduled first hepatectomy were considered., Results: 166 out of 983 patients treated between 01/2001 and 04/2014 fulfilled the inclusion criteria. The median number of cycles of preoperative chemotherapy was 6.0 ± 4.87. Chemotherapy was mainly based on oxaliplatin in 123 (74.1%). Bevacizumab was associated in 51(31%) patients. A total of 102 (61.4%) patients had at least 1 CALI. Grade 2-3 steatosis occurred in 56 (33.7%) patients and steatohepatitis in19(11.5%). Sinusoidal obstructive syndrome (SOS) was presented in 93 (56%) patients. 23(13.8%) patients had nodular regeneration hyperplasia. At multivariate analysis the only predictive factor of ICGR≥10% was age≥65 years (p = 0.001). A median split (ICGR15 = 8%) was used to categorized ICGR15 value. Multivariate analysis showed that age≥ 65 [OR 2.530 (CI95% 1.28-4.97) p < 0.001], male sex [OR 2.614 (CI95% 1.31-5.20) p < 0.001], SOS [OR 1.954 (CI95% 1.00-3.81) p = 0.050] and administration of Bevacizumab [OR 2.201 (CI95% 1.07-4.50) p = 0.031] were predictive factors for ICGR≥8%., Conclusions: ICGR15 test can predict the diagnosis of SOS. High ICGR15 value is more common in elderly male patients and after bevacizumab administration., (Copyright © 2016 IJS Publishing Group Ltd. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Background: Outcomes in obese patients who underwent liver resection have been analyzed, but series are heterogeneous and data are controversial. The aim of this study was to analyze short-outcome in obese patients undergone hepatectomy for colorectal metastases., Study Design: A retrospective analysis on 1,021 consecutive hepatectomies between January 2000 and April 2014 for colorectal metastases was carried out. World Health Organization Classification of obesity (body mass index >30 kg/m(2)) was used to identify 140 obese patients. Outcomes were compared among obese and nonobese patients., Results: Obese patients were mainly male (78%) and were associated more frequently with hypertension (51% vs 29%, P < .001), ischemic heart disease (9% vs 3%, P = .007), and diabetes (23% vs 10%, P < .001) compared with nonobese patients. Approximately 30% of patients underwent major hepatectomy in the 2 groups. Associated resections were performed in 36% of obese and 37% of nonobese patients. Median parenchymal transection time (80 ± 64 minutes vs 70 ± 50 minutes, P = .013) and blood loss (300 ± 420 vs 200 ± 282, P = .001) were greater in obese patients. Postoperative mortality was nil in obese patients and 0.6% in nonobese patients. Overall morbidity was greater in obese patients (41% vs 31%, P = .012) mainly related to pulmonary complications (16% vs 9%, P = .012). Reinterventions were more frequent in obese patients (3.6% vs 1.2%, P = .004). Median hospital stay was comparable. At pathologic examination, hepatic steatosis was greater in obese (69% vs 43%, P < .001). At multivariate analysis, age >65 years (odds ratio [OR] 1.43, 95% confidence interval [95% CI] 1.09-1.88), obesity (OR 1.64, 95% CI 1.13-2.38), major hepatectomies (OR 1.65, 95% CI 1.31-2.33), and associated resections (OR 1.67, I95% CI 1.27-2.20) were independent predictors of overall morbidity (P < .001). Among obese patients, there was a positive correlation between age and severity of complications (R = 0.173, P = .041)., Conclusion: Obese patients undergoing hepatectomy for colorectal metastases should be approached with caution because of an increased risk of postoperative morbidity., (Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Laparoscopic liver surgery has gained widespread acceptance and nowadays it is suggested even for malignant disease. Although the benefits on short-term outcomes have been proven, data on oncological safety are still lacking. The aim of this study is to assess oncologic results after ultrasound-guided laparoscopic liver resection (LLR) or open liver resection (OLR) for colorectal metastases. 37 consecutive patients undergoing LLR between 01/2004 and 03/2014 were matched at a ratio of 1:1 with 37 OLR. Matching criteria were male sex, number and diameter of liver metastases, segment location, synchronous presentation, site and stage of primary tumor, positive lymph nodes of the primary, and concomitant extrahepatic disease. Demographic characteristics were similar among groups. Parenchymal transection time was longer in the LLR group (68 ± 38.2 SD vs 40 ± 33.7 SD, p = 0.01). Mortality was nil in LLR and OLR. Overall morbidity was significantly lower in LLR (13.5 vs 37.8%, p = 0.02), although severe complications were similar among the two groups. Patients undergoing LLR were discharged earlier (5 ± 2.3 SD vs 8 ± 6.6 SD days, p < 0.001). The median margin width was 5 (0-40) mm in LLR vs 8 (0-25) mm in OLR, p = 0.897. R1 resection was recorded in four LLR and three OLR (p = 1). Overall recurrences were similar among groups. Eight patients with hepatic or extrahepatic recurrence among LLR underwent surgery vs four of OLR (p = 0.03). After a median follow-up of 35.7 months in LLR and 47.9 months in OLR, 3-year overall survival was 91.8% LLR and 74.8% OLR (p = 0.14). 3-year disease-free survival was 69.1% LLR and 65.9% OLR (p = 0.53). Multivariate analysis showed that postoperative complications [HR 3.42 (95% CI 1.32-8.89)] and multiple metastases [HR 3.84 (95% CI 1.34-10.83)] were independent predictors of worse survival (p = 0.01). Ultrasound-LLR for colorectal hepatic metastases is safe, ensuring oncologic outcomes comparable to OLR.

Background: Intraoperative liver ultrasound has an established role in liver surgery to complete staging and to guide resection. The same performances should be expected by laparoscopic ultrasound (LUS)., Methods: LUS is first performed to identify relationships between tumor and vasculo-biliary pedicles. The planes where the main vascular structures run are marked on the liver surface. Parenchymal transection is performed and each vessel recognized during LUS exploration is divided., Results: From 01/2009 to 10/2013, in 61 out of 742 liver resections (8.2 %), a laparoscopic approach was attempted. The conversion rate was 9.8 % (six patients). No conversion was related to bleeding or intraoperative complications. The remnant 55 patients were affected by benign lesions in 11 cases and malignant tumors in 44. The resections included 3 left hepatectomies, 14 bisegmentectomies Sg2-3, 5 segmentectomies, and 38 wedge resections. Associated procedures were performed in eight patients (14.5 %), including four colorectal resections. Median duration of surgery was 150 min (60-345 min). Median operative blood loss was 100 mL (0-500 mL). Median size of resected tumor was 2.5 cm (0.9-8 cm). Median surgical margin in oncological resections was 7 mm (0-50 mm). Postoperative complications occurred in four patients (7.2 %), all grade 2 according to Dindo classification. No liver-related morbidity occurred. Median length of hospital stay was 5 days (3-9 days)., Conclusions: Ultrasound-guided liver resections can be performed by laparoscopic approach with the same accuracy than open surgery.

Objectives: To compare outcomes following liver resection of colorectal metastases (CRLM) from mucinous adenocarcinoma (Muc-CRLM) versus nonmucinous adenocarcinoma (non-Muc-CRLM)., Background: Among colorectal adenocarcinomas, 10%-15% are mucinous and have worse prognoses than nonmucinous ones. Outcomes of liver resection for Muc-CRLM remain unknown., Methods: Among 701 patients undergoing liver resection for CRLM between 1998 and 2012, 102 (14.6%) had Muc-CRLM. Each was matched with a non-Muc-CRLM patient, based on tumor N status, disease-free interval (DFI) between primary tumor and metastases, CRLM number and diameter, extrahepatic disease, and preoperative chemotherapy., Results: Within the 2 groups, 69.6% of patients had N+ primary tumor, 72.5% had DFI of less than 12 months, 28.4% had 4 or more CRLM, and 22.5% had associated extrahepatic disease. 59.8% of patients received preoperative chemotherapy. Muc-CRLM patients had higher prevalences of right/transverse colon cancer (55.9% vs 29.4%; P<0.0001) and K-ras mutation (67 patients tested, 61.8% vs 36.4%; P=0.037), as well as lower response to preoperative chemotherapy (63.9% vs 85.2%; P=0.006). Multivariate analysis showed Muc-CRLM to have lower rates of 5-year overall (33.2% vs 55.2%; P=0.010) and disease-free survival (32.5% vs 49.3%; P=0.037). Muc-CRLM recurrence was more often peritoneal (20.3% vs 6.5%; P=0.024) and at multiple sites (47.5% vs 21.0%; P=0.002), and had lower rates of re-resection (16.9% vs 43.5%; P=0.002) and 3-year post-recurrence survival (11.7% vs 43.4%; P=0.0003)., Conclusions: Muc-CRLM patients strongly differed from non-Muc-CRLM patients, showing a lower chemotherapy response and higher K-ras mutation prevalence. Muc-CRLM appears to be a separate disease, which is associated with worse survival and aggressive rarely re-resectable recurrences.