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Background: Despite some encouraging preliminary results, the role of laparosropic surgery in the treatment of Crohn's disease (CD) is a subject of controversy and still under evaluation. The aim of this case-matched study was to compare the postoperative course of laparoscopic and open ileocecal resection in patients with CD in order to define the potential role of laparoscopic surgery in CD., Methods: From 1998 to 2001, 24 consecutive patients with isolated Crohn's terminal ileitis treated by laparoscopic ileocecal resection (laparoscopy group) were compared with 32 patients matched for age, gender, duration of disease, preoperative steroid treatment, fistulizing disease, and associated surgical procedure, and treated by open resection (open group)., Results: In the laparoscopy group, four procedures (17%) were converted. There were no deaths. The morbidity rate was 20% in the laparoscopy group and 10% in the open group (NS). There was no significant difference between the two groups in operating time, size of bowel resection and resection margin, postoperative morphine requirement, resumption of intestinal function, tolerance of solid diet, or length of hospital stay., Conclusions: Laparoscopic ileocecal resection in CD is safe and effective, even for fistulizing disease. There are no significant differences between laparoscopic and open ileocecal resection, especially in terms of the mortality and mortality rates. Consequently, because laparoscopic surgery seems to offer cosmetic advantages, it should be considered the procedure of choice for patients with ileocecal CD.

For a long time, patients with liver metastases from colorectal cancer were considered to be incurable. Over the last 30 years, the benefits of surgical resection and systemic chemotherapy have been established. To date, surgical resection remains the only treatment that can ensure long-term survival and cure in some patient. However, only a minority of patients with liver metastases are amenable to surgery and after resection of liver metastases, recurrences are still observed in two third of patients. Therefore, efforts have been made to increase the number of patients that could be candidates for surgery and to decrease the risk of recurrence after surgical resection. Shrinkage of tumours after administration of pre-operative chemotherapy and the availability of new surgical technique, including portal vein embolization, cryotherapy and radiofrequency ablation, now allows the treatment, with curative intent, of metastases initially considered as non-resectable. Chemotherapy regimens have been developed to decrease the risk of postoperative recurrence.

Background: Percutaneous drainage (PD) of complex postoperative abscesses associated with a variety of factors such as multiple location or enteric fistula remains a matter of debate. Accordingly, this retrospective study was designed to determine the predictive factors for failure of PD of postoperative abscess, in order to better select the patients who may benefit from PD., Methods: From 1992 to 2000, the data of 73 patients who underwent computed tomography (CT)-guided PD for postoperative intra-abdominal abscess, were reviewed. PD was considered as failure when clinical sepsis persisted or subsequent surgery was needed. The possible association between failure of PD and 27 patient-, abscess-, surgical-, and drainage-related variables were assessed using univariate and multivariate analysis., Results: Successful PD was achieved in 59 of 73 (81%) patients. The overall mortality was 3% but no patient died after salvage surgery. Multivariate analysis showed that only an abscess diameter of less than 5 cm (P = 0.042) and absence of antibiotic therapy (P = 0.01) were significant predictive variables for failure of PD., Conclusions: CT-guided PD associated with antibiotic therapy could be attempted as the initial treatment of postoperative abdominal abscesses even in complex cases such as loculated abscess or abscess associated with enteric fistula.

Purpose: To report on a preliminary series of magnetic resonance (MR)-guided sarcoma resections., Materials and Methods: Three patients with the skin sarcoma dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans underwent MR-guided resection., Results: The extent of the tumor at MR imaging was greater in each case than suggested by clinical examination. Adequate resection margins were planned using short Tau inversion recovery (STIR) sequences and intra-operative imaging was used to confirm complete tumor excision. Histological examination confirmed clear surgical margins of at least 1 cm in each case., Conclusion: We believe this technique may reduce the incidence of specimen margins positive for tumor following resection, and consequently reduce the need for further excisional surgery., (Copyright 2002 Wiley-Liss, Inc.)

Pancreatoblastoma is an uncommon pediatric neoplasm with distinct acinar and squamoid cell differentiation. Pancreatoblastoma is exceedingly rare in adults with only ten reported cases. Pancreatoblastoma in adults has a poor prognosis and no survival without recurrence exceeding 30 months has been reported. We report the first adult case of pancreatoblastoma revealed by gastric bleeding due to segmental hypertension. On computed tomography scan, the tumor appeared lobulated and extended from the splenic hilum to the portal vein. Two hypervascular centimetric hepatic metastases were observed in segments III and VII. The patient was operated and a distal pancreatectomy with splenectomy associated with two hepatic wedge resections was performed. The diagnosis of pancreatoblastoma was made on immunohistochemical examination. The patient received 6 cycles of adjuvant therapy. After three years of follow-up, the patient was well with no sign of recurrence on computed tomography scan. This case suggests that in the presence of pancreatic tumor of unknown origin, aggressive management including complete surgical resection and adjuvant chemotherapy should be attempted even in the presence of synchronous liver metastases.

Background: This study evaluated the survival and functions of encapsulated porcine hepatocytes after intraperitoneal allotransplantation and xenotransplantation without immunosuppression., Methods: Isolated porcine hepatocytes were encapsulated in AN 69 polymer capsules (45.10(6)/capsule) and transplanted intraperitoneally in 12 rats and 12 pigs. Fifteen, 30, and 60 days after transplantation, capsules were removed and the viability and morphology of explanted hepatocytes were examined under light and electronic microscopy. The potential to produce albumin was assessed by evaluating the level of albumin messenger RNA, using semiquantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction. 6beta-Hydroxylase activity was measured by high-performance liquid chromatography. In addition, cytochrome P450 3A proteins were detected by Western blot only in allogeneic hepatocytes., Results: Similar results were observed after allotransplantation and xenotransplantation. Histologic studies showed that hepatocytes were well-preserved and arranged in cords for up to 30 days. The expression of porcine albumin gene was maintained up to 15 days. 6beta-Hydroxylase activity was 2.5-fold lower at day 15 than in freshly encapsulated hepatocytes, which were not transplanted. In allogeneic hepatocytes, the expression of CYP 3A protein was detected up to 60 days after transplantation., Conclusions: Encapsulated porcine hepatocytes remain viable and functional for at least 15 days after allotransplantation and xenotransplantation without immunosuppression. The demonstration of maintained hepatic functions in transplanted porcine hepatocytes up to 15 days is a first step toward application in the treatment of acute liver failure.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to evaluate transanal endoscopic microsurgery in patients with benign and malignant rectal tumours with special reference to feasibility, morbidity, and recurrence rate., Methods: Forty-three patients underwent transanal endoscopic microsurgical excision of rectal tumours between 1996 and 2000. The histological diagnosis was benign adenoma in 30 and invasive carcinoma in 13. The mean height of the tumour above the anal verge was 11.2 +/- 3 cm and the mean diameter of the lesion was 3.4 +/- 1.5 cm., Results: The mean operative time was 85 +/- 26 min and in one case (2%), it was necessary to convert to an anterior resection. The morbidity rate was 18%. Mean hospital stay was 3.9 +/- 2.4 days. Complete excision of the tumour with histological confirmation was achieved in 42 cases (98%). With a mean follow-up of 26 months, benign tumour recurrence was observed in one patient (3%). Of the 13 patients with carcinoma, two had immediate further radical resection. For the remaining 11 patients, with a mean follow-up of 19 months, the recurrence rate was 75% for T2 tumours and nil for T1 tumours., Conclusions: Transanal endoscopic microsurgery is safe and feasible technique which should have a useful place in the management of sessile adenomas of the mid and upper rectum. Its role in the management of rectal cancer is limited, although it may be appropriate for carefully selected cases.

A possible alternative to liver transplantation is the internal bioartificial liver (IBAL) consisting in the transplantation of isolated encapsulated hepatocytes. The goal of IBAL is to allow an auxiliary liver until native liver regeneration. The hepatocytes could be allogeneic or xenogeneic (animal origin). Large animal source of liver cells should allow immediate isolation of fresh hepatocytes when IBAL is required. The peritoneal cavity is probably the site of implantation of IBAL. In the future, IBAL could be envisioned as the treatment of metabolic deficiencies or acute and chronic liver failure. It could ensure a therapeutic bridge until transplantation.

Background: An implantable bioartificial liver (BAL) using xenogeneic isolated hepatocytes may be an alternative method to orthotopic liver transplantation for treatment of acute liver failure. The purpose of this study was to demonstrate that not only fresh but also cryopreserved porcine hepatocytes could be used in a BAL to prevent death after the onset of acute liver failure in rats., Methods: Acute liver failure was induced by two-stage 95% hepatectomy. At the time of completion of liver resection, 100 rats were assigned to undergo or not undergo transplantation into the peritoneum of 4 meters of hollow fibers filled with 60 million either fresh or cryopreserved porcine hepatocytes, or syngeneic hepatocytes, or culture medium, or of 60 million nonencapsulated cryopreserved porcine hepatocytes without immunosuppressive therapy. Survival rates at 7 days were compared between the different groups., Results: In the control groups of hepatectomized animals not receiving encapsulated hepatocytes, 69-79% of the rats died from acute liver failure. The mortality rate was reduced to 15% (2 of 13) in rats receiving fresh porcine hepatocytes (P<0.01), 25% (4 of 16) in rats transplanted with either cryopreserved or syngeneic hepatocytes (P<0.05). Survival rates were maintained when hollow fibers were explanted > or =4 days after hepatectomy. In surviving rats, the weight of the remnant native liver increased with time and returned to the initial weight after 1 month., Conclusions: The implantable BAL using xenogeneic porcine hepatocytes was able in preventing death from acute liver failure without immunosuppressive therapy. Encapsulated cryopreserved hepatocytes were as effective as fresh hepatocytes.

Background: Recent reports highlighting reduced mortality rates to less than 1% after hepatic resections have evaluated the management of selected patients. The current risk of liver resection in unselected patients needs to be more clearly defined to appreciate the actual risk of new indications., Study Design: From 1990 to 1997, 747 consecutive patients, including 16 operated in emergency, underwent hepatic resection. Resection was indicated for malignancy in 473 patients (63%). Major resections were performed in 333 patients (45%). An underlying liver disease, including cirrhosis (n = 239) and obstructive jaundice (n = 4), was present in 253 patients (35%). Multivariate analysis of the risk factors for postoperative mortality, morbidity, and transfusion after stratifying patients for the circumstance of the operation and the pathological changes of the remnant liver was performed., Results: There was no intraoperative death and the overall mortality rate was 4.4%. This rate was 25% after emergency liver resection and 3.9% after elective liver resection (p < 0.001). After elective resection, mortality was significantly higher in patients with cirrhosis (8.7%) or obstructive jaundice (21%) than in patients with a normal liver (1%; p < 0.001). Analysis of this subgroup of 478 patients with normal liver showed that the mortality rate was 0% in 220 patients operated for a benign disease and in 263 patients who underwent minor resections. All five deaths occurred in patients with a malignancy and resulted from extrahepatic complications. In patients with a malignancy, the only independent predictor of death was an associated extrahepatic procedure. The incidence of postoperative complications was 22% and was influenced by the American Society of Anaesthesiology (ASA) score, extent of resection, presence of a steatosis, and an associated extrahepatic procedure. The incidence of major complications was 8% and of reoperation 3%. Perioperative blood transfusion was required in 112 of 478 (23%) and was not associated with increased mortality., Conclusions: The 1% basic risk of elective liver resection on normal liver suggests that indications of resection for malignancy could be extended, unless an associated extrahepatic procedure is needed. Because of this low basic risk, future studies evaluating resection on normal liver should not consider in-hospital mortality as the only end point.

We have previously demonstrated that allogenic and xenogenic hepatocytes macroencapsulated manually in AN-69 polymer and transplanted intra-peritoneally in rats remained viable for several weeks. However, this manual technique is inadequate to encapsulate several billions of hepatocytes which would be required to correct hepatic failure in big animals or humans. In the present study, we developed an original semiautomatic device in which isolated pig hepatocytes and the polymer solution containing 6% poly(acrylonitrile-sodium methallylsulfonate), 91% dimethylsulfoxide and 3% 0.9% NaCl solution were coextruded through a double-lumen spinneret. The extruded minitube (inner diameter: 1.8 mm, wall thickness: 0.07-0.1 mm) containing the encapsulated hepatocytes fell and coiled up in a 0.9% NaCl solution at 4 degrees C and was cut down in 4 m units containing about 120 million hepatocytes. This process allowed to encapsulate 50 million hepatocytes by minute with a preserved immediate cell viability (92 +/- 5%). To test prolonged cell viability after coextrusion, the minitubes were implanted intraperitoneally in rats. Three and seven days after implantation, they were explanted and analyzed. Cells were viable and well-preserved. Therefore, the semiautomatic device appears able to efficiently macroencapsulate in a limited time several billions of porcine hepatocytes which remain viable after transplantation in xenogenic conditions.

Splenectomy was one of the most common operations in abdominal surgery. During the past decade, an increased rate of late complications, especially septic and thromboembolic complications occurring after splenectomy, have been reported. The septic complications are well documented. The risk is related to the indication of splenectomy, and is less than 1% in adults without immunodeficiency. However, these overwhelming postsplenectomy infections are associated with a high mortality rate, about 50%. The best treatment of these infections is preventive measures which are based on vaccination and education of asplenic patients. The thromboembolic complications are rare, little studied, and specific preventive procedures have not been implemented.

Background: The role of preoperative biliary drainage (PBD) before liver resection in the presence of obstructive jaundice remains controversial. Our patients with proximal duct carcinoma undergo noninvasive assessment followed by rapid laparotomy without PBD if the lesion is deemed resectable., Hypothesis: Our aim was to report operative outcome of these patients and to analyze their specific features by comparison with patients without biliary obstruction who underwent major liver resection., Design: A case-comparison study., Setting: A tertiary care university hospital in a metropolitan area., Patients: Twenty consecutive jaundiced patients underwent major liver resection without PBD. The jaundiced patients were matched with 27 nonjaundiced patients with normal underlying liver selected from a computer bank of 261 patients undergoing liver resections and identical for age, tumor size, type of liver resection, and vascular occlusion., Main Outcome Measure: Postoperative course including mortality, morbidity, transfusion rates, and results of liver function tests., Results: Seventeen jaundiced patients (85%) and 13 nonjaundiced patients (48%) received blood transfusions (P = .03). Morbidity was 50% in jaundiced and 15% in nonjaundiced patients (P = .006), mainly resulting from subphrenic collections and bile leaks occurring only in jaundiced patients. In contrast, there were no significant differences for mortality (5% vs 0%) and liver failure (5% vs 0%). Postoperative changes in liver function test results were comparable between groups., Conclusions: Major liver resections without PBD are safe in most patients with obstructive jaundice. Recovery of hepatic synthetic function is identical to that of nonjaundiced patients. Transfusion requirements and incidence of postoperative complications, especially bile leaks and subphrenic collections, are higher in jaundiced patients. Whether PBD could improve these results remains to be determined.

Background: To evaluate new therapies for human fulminant hepatic failure, a suitable large animal model is needed. The purpose of this study was to develop a reversible surgical model of acute hepatic liver failure by transient ischemia in pigs., Materials and Methods: Under general anesthesia, an end-to-side portacaval shunt was performed in 17 pigs and tape was laid around the hepatoduodenal ligament. Two days after construction of the functional portacaval shunt, 13 ambulant pigs underwent transient total liver ischemia by tightening of the tape around the hepatoduodenal ligament for 5.5 h. During ischemia, 10% glucose was continuously infused intravenously to prevent hypoglycemia., Results: Ten animals (77%) died with hepatic coma after a mean duration of 22.5 +/- 1.9 h. The 3 remaining animals survived more than 5 days and were sacrificed. In dying animals, encephalopathy was observed 14 +/- 1.7 h after the onset of ischemia. During ischemia, similar progressive decrease of fibrinogen, platelets, prothrombin time, and factors V and VII activities was observed in dying and surviving animals. Just before death, mean prothrombin and factors V and VII activities were respectively 22 +/- 2, 21 +/- 4.4, and 24 +/- 5%. At 22 h, plasma ammonia and lactate levels were respectively 705 +/- 93 micromol/L and 10.5 +/- 0.4 mmol/L in dying animals and 249 +/- 75 micromol/L and 2.9 +/- 0.1 mmol/L in surviving animals (P < 0.01). Estimation of the percentage liver cells necrosed was 74 +/- 4.7% in the survivors and 86 +/- 5.5% in animals who died of hepatic coma (NS)., Conclusions: This model is reproducible and reversible and should allow the quantitative evaluation of new technologies, such as bioartificial liver, for the support of hepatic failure in humans., (Copyright 2000 Academic Press.)

Background: Anoperineal Crohn's disease (APCD) runs an unpredictable course. Although this course is relatively benign in most patients, some will eventually require abdominoperineal resection (APR). The aim of this study was to identify prognostic factors of longterm APR in patients with APCD., Study Design: From 1980 to 1996, 119 patients were operated on for APCD (mean +/- SD age 30 +/- 13 years; range 11 to 96 years). Patients were divided into two groups: those undergoing APR and patients without APR at the end of followup. The following prognostic criteria were studied: (1) age at onset of Crohn's disease (CD) and at the first manifestation of APCD, gender, APCD as the first manifestation of CD, and interval between the onset of CD and the first manifestation of APCD; (2) for the first manifestation of APCD, the type and number of lesions and the results of surgical treatment; and (3) associated intestinal localizations of CD and the type and number of manifestations of APCD during followup., Results: Mean followup from the first manifestation of APCD was 93 months (range 1 to 398 months). At the end of followup, 30 patients had undergone APR (25%). Logistic regression analysis showed that four criteria seemed to be associated with an increased risk of APR: age at first APCD (p < 0.02), fistula as the first manifestation of APCD (p < 0.04), more than three APCD lesions during followup (p < 0.01), and rectal involvement by CD (p < 0.000001). When, as in eight patients, these criteria were all present, APR was performed during followup in 100% of patients. In the absence of all four criteria (eight patients), APR was never performed., Conclusions: This study allowed us to identify patients with APCD at high risk of APR. For these patients, early prevention of CD recurrence should be attempted by aggressive medical therapy.

The aim of this prospective study was to determine whether plain abdominal radiographs (PAX) are helpful in the management of adult patients presenting with acute pain of the right lower quadrant (RLQ). A questionnaire was filled in for each patient admitted to our hospital for acute abdominal pain of the RLQ, before and after PAX were obtained. The initial questionnaire indicated the suspected diagnosis and a provisional therapeutic option. A total of 104 consecutive patients were included in this study, 76 of whom underwent surgery. The negative laparotomy rate was 22%. PAX changed the suspected diagnosis and management for six patients (6%), leading in one case to negative laparotomy. Of the remaining five patients, three were operated (two for acute appendicitis and one for small bowel obstruction), and two were treated conservatively for ureteral calculi. This prospective study seems to demonstrate that the indiscriminate use of PAX is not helpful for most patients with acute pain of the RLQ. However, it may be performed in selected patients with clinically suspected small bowel obstruction or urinary symptoms.

Rectal adenocarcinoma is a common cancer. Substantial advances in surgical technique and adjuvant treatments usually allow to preserve sphincter function, without overruling oncologic surgery standards. Sexual function is usually preserved, except in patients with locally advanced tumors. There is sound evidence that complete removal of the mesorectum and local radiation therapy decrease the rate of local recurrences. Quality of functional results after colorectal versus coloanal anastomosis is compared, and the contribution to patient comfort of construction of a reservoir is evaluated.

Background: The spleen may be preserved during distal pancreatectomy (DP) for benign disease. The aim of this retrospective study was to compare the postoperative course of DP with or without splenectomy., Study Design: From June 1992 to June 1997, 40 adult patients without chronic pancreatitis underwent elective DP for benign lesions. Fifteen underwent spleen-preserving DP (Conservative Group) and 25 DP with splenectomy (Splenectomy Group). In spleen-preserving DP, we attempted to preserve the splenic artery and vein., Results: Spleen-preserving DP was successfully performed in all 15 cases. Patient groups were comparable for clinical features, indication for DP, and surgical procedure. There were no postoperative deaths. The overall incidence of pancreatic fistula was 23%, but was significantly higher in the Conservative Group (40%) than in the Splenectomy Group (12%; p < 0.05). Subphrenic abscesses were more frequently observed in the Conservative Group than in the Splenectomy Group (p < 0.05). The mean duration of postoperative hospital stay was 19 days (range 6 to 46 days) in the Conservative Group and 12.5 days (range 7 to 45 days) in the Splenectomy Group (p < 0.05). At the end of mean followup of 30 months (range 8 to 40 months), no severe postsplenectomy sepsis was observed in the Splenectomy Group., Conclusions: In our experience, DP with splenectomy has a lower morbidity rate and we consider it to be the best procedure for benign pancreatic disease.

Perforation of the ascending colon secondary to diverticulitis is an uncommon surgical emergency. It is usually diagnosed during exploratory laparotomy for suspected appendicitis. We report three cases of cecal perforation due to diverticulitis. Imaging work-up, especially computed tomography can establish the preoperative diagnosis of cecal diverticulitis and guide its management.

Wandering spleen is a rare condition characterized by a normal spleen with extreme mobility associated with an elongated pedicle. The most common presentation is an acute surgical abdomen related to acute torsion. A case of wandering spleen complicated by symptomatic hypersplenism in a 29 year-old woman is presented. The hypersplenism was diagnosed after bleeding delivery, requiring blood transfusion. Wandering spleen was suspected after pre-operatively performed CT scan. The patient was successfully treated by splenopexy. This report illustrates that conservative surgical management may result in complete reversal of hematological symptoms.

Background/aims: The purposes of this study were to assess the relationship between the incidence of recurrence and the pathologic criteria usually applied to the selection of patients for curative local excision of rectal carcinoma and to determine whether failure to fulfill one of these criterias is always an indication for secondary abdominoperineal resection (APR)., Methodology: From 1982 to 1992, 30 patients with rectal carcinoma (mean age: 69 +/- 10 years) were treated by local excision (LE). Univariate analysis of the cancer recurrence rate according to pathologic criteria was performed., Results: The mean follow-up was 57 +/- 40 months (range: 6-145). Five patients (17%) had recurrent disease (local in 3, distant in 1, and local and distant in 1). Two of the three local cases were successfully treated. At the end of follow-up, 90% of the patients had no evidence of recurrence, and the rectal cancer-specific death rate was 10%. Although not significant, tumor penetration beyond the submucosa and vessel or nerve invasion were associated with an increased incidence of cancer recurrence. Tumor size and differentiation, and the presence of a mucinous component were not associated with a significant increase in recurrence. According to the usual pathologic criteria proposed for curative LE, 20 patients should, theoretically, have undergone secondary APR. However, 16 of them (80%) were treated by LE only, and at the end of follow-up, 17 (85%) were alive without recurrence., Conclusions: The rigid rule of systematically performing secondary APR after LE for rectal carcinoma when one or more pathologic selection criteria are not met should perhaps be reconsidered, especially for tumors exceeding 3 cm in diameter, moderately differentiated tumors, and in incidences when a mucinous component is present. However, in cases of vessel, nerve or muscular invasion, secondary APR is probably the best choice for cure.

Persistent anastomotic stricture following ileal pouch-anal or coloanal anastomoses can be treated by transanal resection using a stapler or a more complex procedure, such as transanal pouch advancement with neoanastomosis. We propose an easier and faster technique, which does not require any particular device. Its long-term functional results are satisfactory in most patients.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to evaluate the possibilities of laparoscopy in the diagnosis and treatment of acute small bowel obstruction., Methods: Thirty five patients, with less than three abdominal incisions, who had undergone initial laparoscopy for acute small bowel obstruction, were reviewed. The small bowel was mobilized to determine the cause and site of obstruction., Results: In 31 cases, small bowel obstruction was caused by a single or numerous obstructing bands. Among 31 cases of adhesions, laparoscopic treatment of intestinal obstruction was possible in 16 cases (51.6%). In 15 cases, laparoscopy had to be completed by laparotomy: numerous adhesions could not be divided in 12 cases; intestinal ischemia which required resection was present in 3 cases. There was no hospital mortality and postoperative complications occurred in 19% of cases. Multivariate analysis demonstrated a relation between need to complete laparoscopy by laparotomy and two factors : presence of signs of peritoneal irritation (P < 0.05) and intestinal obstruction caused by numerous adhesions or bands (P < 0.05). Mean hospital stay and postoperative ileus were significantly shorter in the "laparoscopy" group than in the "laparoscopy + laparotomy" group., Conclusions: Laparoscopic treatment of acute small bowel obstruction is difficult and was possible in only half of the cases. The first port should be inserted by open technique to avoid the risk of perforation of distented small bowel. When laparoscopy shows numerous adhesions, laparoscopic treatment should not be pursued, and laparotomy should be recommended to avoid the risk of visceral perforation.

Charts of 100 consecutive patients who had undergone liver resection, performed by a single surgeon, during the 10 year period from 1983 to 1993 were reviewed. Liver trauma was excluded. The age of the patients ranged from 14 to 78 years, with a mean age of 52 +/- 12.3. Indications for liver resection were malignant tumors in 73 patients and benign disease in another 27 patients. The remnant liver was pathologic in 24 cases (21 cirrhosis, 3 chronic hepatitis). The extent of liver resection was major (> 3 segments) in 51 cases, and minor in 45 cases. Postoperative complications, including death, occurred in 24% of cases. Five complications required reoperation. Hospital mortality was 4%. Multivariate analysis demonstrated two major risk factors of morbidity: intraoperative blood transfusion, and cirrhosis. Age of patients was the only risk factor of mortality. In major resection, four categories of patients were established according to the type of hepatic inflow occlusion. Each group was comparable. Selective vascular clamping (selective control of the hilar vessels to the liver and selective hepatic vein occlusion) decreased the morbidity and post operative liver failure rate (p < 0.05). On the other hand, no correlation was observed between the type of hepatic inflow occlusion and the hospital mortality.