Safe Optimal Tear Drop View for Spinopelvic Fixation Using a Three-Dimensional Reconstruction Model of the Pelvis

Background@#Spinopelvic fixation (SPF) has been a challenge for surgeons despite the advancements in instruments and surgical techniques. C-arm fluoroscopy-guided SPF is a widely used safe technique that utilizes the tear drop view. The tear drop view is an image of the corridor from the posterior superior iliac spine to the anterior inferior iliac spine (AIIS) of the pelvis. This study aimed to define the safe optimal tear drop view using three-dimensional reconstruction of computed tomography images. @*Methods@#Three-dimensional reconstructions of the pelvises of 20 individuals were carried out. By rotating the reconstructed model, we simulated SPF with a cylinder representing imaginary screw. The safe optimal tear drop view was defined as the one embracing a corridor with the largest diameter with the inferior tear drop line not below the acetabular line and the lateral tear drop line medial to the AIIS. The distance between the lateral border of the tear drop and AIIS was defined as tear drop index (TDI) to estimate the degree of rotation on the plane image. Tear drop ratio (TDR), the ratio of the distance between the tear drop center and the AIIS to TDI, was also devised for more intuitive application of our simulation in a real operation. @*Results@#All the maximum diameters and lengths were greater than 9 mm and 80 mm, respectively, which are the values of generally used screws for SPF at a TDI of 5 mm and 10 mm in both sexes. The TDRs were 3.40 ± 0.41 and 3.35 ± 0.26 in men and women, respectively, at a TDI of 5 mm. The TDRs were 2.26 ± 0.17 and 2.14 ± 0.12 in men and women, respectively, at a TDI of 10 mm. @*Conclusions@#The safe optimal tear drop view can be obtained with a TDR of 2.5 to 3 by rounding off the measured values for intuitive application in the actual surgical field.

Validation of the Eighth American Joint Committee on Cancer Staging System for Distal Bile Duct Carcinoma / Journal of the Korean Cancer Association, 대한암학회지

PURPOSE: T category of the eighth edition of the American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC) staging system for distal bile duct carcinoma (DBDC) was changed to include tumor invasion depth measurement, while the N category adopted a 3-tier classification system based on the number of metastatic nodes. MATERIALS AND METHODS: To validate cancer staging, a total of 200 surgically resected DBDCs were staged and compared according to the seventh and eighth editions. RESULTS: T categories included T1 (n=37, 18.5%), T2 (n=114, 57.0%), and T3 (n=49, 24.5%). N categories included N0 (n=133, 66.5%), N1 (n=50, 25.0%), and N2 (n=17, 8.5%). Stage groupings included I (n=33, 16.5%), II (n=150, 75.0%), and III (n=17, 8.5%). The overall 5-year survival rates (5-YSRs) of T1, T2, and T3 were 59.3%, 42.4%, and 12.2%, respectively. T category could discriminate patient survival by both pairwise (T1 and T2, p=0.011; T2 and T3, p < 0.001) and overall (p < 0.001) comparisons. The overall 5-YSRs of N0, N1, and N2 were 47.3%, 17.0%, and 14.7%, respectively. N category could partly discriminate patient survival by both pairwise (N0 and N1, p < 0.001; N1 and N2, p=0.579) and overall (p < 0.001) comparisons. The overall 5-YSRs of stages I, II, and III were 59.0%, 35.4%, and 14.7%, respectively. Stages could distinguish patient survival by both pairwise (I and II, p=0.002; II and III, p=0.015) and overall (p < 0.001) comparisons. On multivariate analyses, T and N categories (p=0.014 and p=0.029) and pancreatic invasion (p=0.006) remained significant prognostic factors. CONCLUSION: The T andNcategories of the eighth edition AJCC staging system for DBDC accurately predict patient prognosis.

Transduodenal ampullectomy for ampullary tumors - single center experience of consecutive 26 patients

PURPOSE: Transduodenal ampullectomy (TDA) has been reported in a limited number of cases and in a small number of case series. The aim of this study was to analyze perioperative and long-term oncological outcomes of patients with ampullary tumors who underwent TDA in a single large-volume center. METHODS: Through a retrospective review of data from 2004 to 2016, we identified 26 patients who underwent TDA at Asan Medical Center. RESULTS: Eleven of 26 patients underwent TDA for T1 and carcinoma in situ (high-grade dysplasia) cancer; these patients are still alive without recurrence. A major in-hospital complication (3.8%) occurred in 1 case, but there was no case of 90-day mortality. In addition, none of the patients was diagnosed as having newly developed diabetes mellitus after TDA. No significant differences were found between open and laparoscopic-TDA in terms of operation time, painkiller use, and hospital stay. CONCLUSION: TDA is a feasible and effective surgical procedure for the treatment of selected patients with ampullary tumors. It is an alternative treatment option in cases of ampullary tumors not amenable to endoscopic papillectomy or pancreaticoduodenectomy.

Changes in the types of liver diseases requiring hepatic resection: a single-institution experience of 9016 cases over a 10-year period

BACKGROUNDS/AIMS: To understand the changing demands for hepatic resection (HR), we collected data regarding HR performed in a tertiary centre over a period of 10 years. METHODS: We carried out extensive search of institutional databases to identify HR cases performed between January 2005 and December 2014. A study cohort of 9,016 patients were divided into 5 disease categories, namely hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (ICC), intrahepatic duct stone disease (IHDS), colorectal cancer liver metastasis (CRLM), and uncommon/rare diseases (URD). RESULTS: There were 5,661 (62.8%) HCC cases, followed by 1441 (16.0%) CRLM, 942 (10.5%) ICC, 638 (7.1%) IHDS and 334 (3.7%) URD. The number of annual HR cases gradually increased from 443 in 2005 to 1,260 in 2015. Annual HCC cases also gradually increased, but the annual proportion of HCC cases fluctuated narrowly between 58.3% and 70.2%. Annual CRLM cases increased rapidly, and their proportion increased progressively from 4.7% to 20.5%. Annual ICC cases increased slowly, and their annual proportion fluctuated between 7.2% and 15.6%. Annual IHDS cases decreased slowly, and their annual proportion decreased progressively from 17.2% to 3.4%, while annual URD cases fluctuated, with annual proportions varying between 2.3% and 5.6%. CONCLUSIONS: Annual cases of HR increased over the last 10 years in a tertiary center probably due to a center-specific centralization effect. The number of CRLM cases increased rapidly; those of HCC and ICC increased gradually, and those of IHDS declined gradually. We believe that these results reflect real changes in the types of liver disease requiring HR.

Branch duct intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasm of the pancreas: single-center experience with 324 patients who underwent surgical resection

BACKGROUNDS/AIMS: International treatment guidelines for branch duct intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasm (BD-IPMN) of the pancreas have been proposed, for features associated with malignancy and invasiveness. We investigated the clinicopathological characteristics that are predictive of malignancy or invasiveness and disease recurrence. METHODS: A review of 324 patients with resected and pathologically confirmed BD-IPMN, between March 1997 and December 2013, was conducted. RESULTS: There were 144 (44.4%) low grade dysplasia (LGD), 138 (42.6%) intermediate grade dysplasia (IMGD), 17 (5.3%) high grade dysplasia (HGD), and 25 (7.7%) invasive carcinoma (invIPMC) cases. The 5-year survival rates were 98.1% for LGD, 95.3% for IMGD, 100% for HGD, and 71.8% for invIPMC. Through a univariate analysis, the male sex was associated with malignancy, and CA19-9 was related to both malignant and invasive IPMN. The high risk or worrisome features of the international guidelines were associated with both malignant and invasive IPMN: the total bilirubin of the head/uncinate lesion, tumor size, mural nodule, and the size of the main pancreatic duct (MPD). Through a multivariate analysis, the male sex, elevated CA19-9, mural nodule, and dilated MPD diameter were independently correlated with the malignant IPMN. The elevated CA19-9 and dilated MPD diameter were also correlated with invasive carcinoma. The patient age and the initial pathological diagnosis were strongly associated with disease recurrence following surgical resection. CONCLUSIONS: The high risk or worrisome features in the current treatment guidelines for BD-IPMN are confined to the morphological characteristics of the disease. Patient factors and biological features should also be considered in order to develop optimal therapeutic or surveillance strategies.

Survival analysis following resection of AJCC stage III gallbladder carcinoma based on different combinations of T and N stages

BACKGROUNDS/AIMS: According to 7th AJCC TNM staging system, gallbladder carcinoma (GBC) with lymph node (LN) metastasis is classified as N1 or N2; thus making the stage IIIB (N1) or IVB (N2). Stage IIIB consists of N1 status with wide coverage of T1-3, but T3N1 group often showed poorer outcomes than T1-2N1 groups. This study intended to assess post-resection prognosis of T3N1 versus other stage III subgroups. METHODS: We selected 103 patients from our institutional database of GBC who underwent R0 resection between July 1996 and June 2009 and whose GBC was confined to stage T3N0, T1-3N1 or T1-3N2. These patients were stratified into five groups, namely, T3N0 (n=26), T1N1 (n=13), T2N1 (n=35), T3N1 (n=20) and T1-3N2 (n=9), and were followed for > or =5 years or until death. RESULTS: Surgical procedures were minor liver resection (n=53), minor liver resection with bile duct resection (n=23), major liver resection (n=12), major liver resection with bile duct resection (n=5), and hepatopancreatoduodenectomy (n=12). Mean follow-up period was 57.2+/-68.5 months. Overall 5-year survival rate based on all-cause death and cancer-associated death, respectively, was 57.7% and 60.6% in T3N0, 15.4% and 15.4% in T1N1 (n=13), 28.6% and 28.6% in T2N1 (n=35), 5.0% and 5.7% in T3N1 (n=20), and 22.2% and 22.2% in T1-3N2. The survival outcome of T3N1 group was the poorest among the four stage III groups and was comparable to that of stage IVB (p=0.53). CONCLUSIONS: The prognosis of T3N1 GBC is unusually poor even after R0 resection, thus we suggest extensive LN dissection may be necessary in patients with T3 tumors for accurate prognostic evaluation and radical removal of potential nodal micrometastasis. Further validation of this result is necessary in large patient populations from multiple centers.

Impact of critical pathway implementation on hospital stay and costs in patients undergoing pancreaticoduodenectomy

BACKGROUNDS/AIMS: Recent studies have shown that pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD) can be performed quite safely. Critical pathway (CP) has been one of the key tools used to achieve excellent outcomes in high-quality, high-volume centers. This study was designed to evaluate the impact of CP implementation for PD patients. METHODS: The important components of CP for PD patients include the early start of an oral diet and removal of the abdomen drain following follow-up computed tomography, with the intention of shortening the postoperative hospital stay. The study group (CP group) comprised of 88 patients who underwent pylorus-preserving or classical PD from January 2009 to December 2010. The control group (pre-CP group) was 185 patients who underwent PD between January 2005 and December 2008. RESULTS: The two groups did not show significant differences in demographic profiles and the primary diagnosis. The incidences of overall postoperative complications such as delayed gastric emptying, fistula, and hemorrhage were similar or decreased in the CP group (54% vs. 40.9%). The incidence of clinically significant complications also showed a similar rate (5.4% vs. 4.5%) between the two groups. The nutritional status at discharge and re-admission rates were not different. The CP group showed a significantly shorter postoperative hospital stay (20.2+/-9.2 days vs. 14.9+/-5.1 days, p<0.001) and the total medical costs were also significantly reduced, by 15% (p<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study indicated that the implementation of CP for PD patients can decrease the length of hospital stay and reduce medial costs, with maintenance or improvement of patient outcomes. Further investigation is necessary to validate the actual impact of CP for PD through multi-center high-volume studies.

Prognostic factors associated with early mortality after surgical resection for pancreatic adenocarcinoma

BACKGROUNDS/AIMS: Identifying pancreatic cancer patients at high risk of early mortality following surgical resection for pancreatic cancer is important to make optimal treatment decisions in multidisciplinary setting. The purpose of this study was to identify the factors related to early mortality in patients who underwent pancreatic resection for pancreatic adenocarcinoma. METHODS: We reviewed our institution's experience with all consecutive patients who underwent pancreatectomy for pancreatic adenocarcinoma from January 2000 to December 2010. One thousand patients were eligible for our study. Fifty-three patients who did not meet the study criteria were excluded. Based on 12 months after surgery, patients were divided into early mortality group or the remaining group. We performed logistic regression analysis to identify predictors of early mortality. RESULTS: Among 947 patients who met our study criteria, 302 (31.9%) early mortality (defined as experiencing death within 12 months after surgery) occurred. Multivariate analysis revealed that patient age and surgery time period were statistically significant predictors of early mortality within six months after surgery. Poorly differentiated tumor and adjuvant chemotherapy were statistically significant predictors of early mortality within 12 months after surgery. Total pancreatectomy and lymphovascular invasion were significant (p<0.05) prognostic factors of early mortality within 6 or 12 months after surgery. CONCLUSIONS: We suggest followings to avoid early mortality after pancreatic resection: patients with multiple risk factors related to early mortality after pancreatectomy should be considered for alternative treatment; patient's general condition and surgical technique improvement are important; and adjuvant therapy should be taken into consideration.

Surgical outcomes of multifocal branch duct intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasms of pancreas

BACKGROUNDS/AIMS: Appropriate management for multifocal branch duct type intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasms (BD-IPMNs) of the pancreas is still controversial. This study was intended to reveal surgical outcomes of surgical resection for multifocal BD-IPMNs, with BD-IPMNs in the remnant pancreas. METHODS: Between January 1995 and December 2013, 699 patients underwent the pancreatic resection due to IPMN of pancreas in our institution. Among them, 37 patients showed multifocal BD-IPMNs. After excluding patients who had BD-IPMNs completely resected, medical records of 22 patients with remained BD-IPMNs in the remnant pancreas were retrospectively reviewed. RESULTS: Mean patient age was 65+/-6.4 years. Types of surgery included central pancreatectomy (n=1), distal pancreatectomy (n=14), and standard pylorus-preserving pancreaticoduodenectomy (n=7). Specimen pathology showed that IPMN was either at low/intermediate-grade dysplasia (n=17) or at high-grade dysplasia (n=2). Three patients had IPMN associated with invasive carcinoma. Their mean follow-up period was 40.4 months. During follow-up, one mortality occurred 35.2 months after the operation which was not associated with IPMN. There was no clinically significant disease progression or recurrence of IPMN in the remnant pancreas during the follow-up period. CONCLUSIONS: Our results support that we can safely preserve the pancreas parenchyma with multifocal BD-IPMNs. Benign-looking multifocal BD-IPMNs in the remnant pancreas do not affect the survival of patients.

Prognosis of patients with pT1b/T2 gallbladder carcinoma who have undergone laparoscopic cholecystectomy as an initial operation

BACKGROUNDS/AIMS: Laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) has become a standard procedure for treatment of benign gallbladder diseases. There has been a small proportion of gallbladder cancer (GBC) which was incidentally found in the gallbladder specimen, and LC has been tried in some patients with faintly suspected GBC. This study intended to analyze the prognosis of patients with pT1b/T2 GBC who have undergone LC and the outcome of extended re-operation. METHODS: After analyzing the institutional profiles of 500 GBC patients who have undergone surgical resection, we selected 64 patients who underwent LC initially from January 1996 to December 2008 and whose gallbladder pathology was confined to pT1b or pT2 lesions. Of them, 34 patients (53.1%) underwent extended reoperation. Their medical records were reviewed retrospectively. RESULTS: In the LC only group (n=30), mean age of the 16 pT1 patients was 65.7+/-12.5 years and mean age of the 14 pT2 patients was 66.7+/-10.1 years. In the reoperation group (n=34), mean age of the 8 pT1b patients was 52.6+/-9.9 years and in 26 pT2 patients, mean age was 59.2+/-7.9 years. The reoperation group showed a younger patient age pattern than the LC only group (p=0.001). The types of reoperation were liver resection with lymph node (LN) dissection in 17, bile duct resection with LN dissection in 2, and hepatectomy and bile duct resection with LN dissection in 15. In the LC only group, the 5-year survival rate (5-YSR) was 70.3% in pT1b and 43.2% in pT2. In the reoperation group, 5-YSR was 62.5% in pT1b (n=8) and 59.5% in pT2 (n=26). A survival comparison between the two groups showed no significant survival gain in pT1 patients (p=0.69) and in pT2 patients (p=0.14). In our whole database analysis, 5-YSR of pT1bNx lesions was 70% after cholecystectomy and 78% after extended cholecystectomy. Lymph node metastasis was identified in 11% of pT1b lesions. For pT2N0 lesions, overall 5-YSR was 62% after R0 resection, showing no survival difference between primary extended surgery and LC-redo operation (p=0.45). CONCLUSIONS: The survival gain of reoperation was not evident in pT1b lesions. In contrast, some noticeable but not statistically significant survival difference was observed in pT2 lesions. Thus, reoperation for pT1b/T2 GBC following LC is indicated for individualized reasons, especially in patients with pT1b lesions. Old age was one of the important factors in deciding not to reoperate.

Laparoscopic Versus Open Central Pancreatectomy: Single-institution Comparative Study

PURPOSE: Despite recent advances in laparoscopic pancreatic surgery, few studies have compared laparoscopic central pancreatectomy (LCP) with open central pancreatectomy (OCP). The aim of this study was to compare clinical outcomes between LCP and OCP as a single institutional study. METHODS: During the study period (From January, 1998 to December, 2010), we performed central pancreatectomy in 95 cases. Among them, 26 cases of totally LCP and 55 cases of OCP were compared retrospectively. RESULTS: Benign pancreatic neoplasm was the main indication. The mean operation time for the LCP group (350.2 min) was longer than that for the OCP group (283.4 min). And there was no significant difference in mean actual blood loss (477 ml versus 714 ml, p=0.083) between the LCP and OCP groups. Return to a normal bowel movement and resumption of a liquid diet were achieved 5.5+/-2.6 days after the operation in the LCP group and 6.6+/-2.0 days after the operation in the OCP group (p=0.039). The mean duration of postoperative hospital stay was 13.8 days for the LCP group, which was significantly shorter than the 22.5 days for the OCP group (p=0.015). The overall complication rate was 42.3% (11 cases) in the LCP group and 45.5% (25 cases) in the OCP group (p=0.790). CONCLUSION: Use of LCP for benign or low grade malignant lesions of the pancreatic neck portion is feasible and safe. Compared to the open method, the laparoscopic approach to central pancreatectomy appears to provide advantages of early resumption of a normal diet and reduction of postoperative hospital stay without further complications.

Clinicopathological features of the intraductal papillary neoplasms of the intrahepatic bile duct

BACKGROUNDS/AIMS: This study is intended to investigate the clinicopathological features of the intraductal papillary neoplasms of the intrahepatic bile duct (IPNB), especially focused on malignant changes. METHODS: From the institutional database of liver resection cases (Asan Medical Center, University of Ulsan College of Medicine), 18 patients who met the definition of IPNB were selected. They had undergone liver resection between February 2002 and October 2006; thus, the follow-up period was more than 5 years. RESULTS: Of the 18 patients, 11 patients were male. Their mean age was 61.3+/-6.7 years. There were no differences between the non-malignant and malignant lesions, in the comparison of the CEA levels (5.6+/-2.7 vs.12.6+/-31.1 ng/ml, p=0.439) and the CA19-9 levels (29.2+/-34.7 vs.31.9+/-30.2 ng/ml, p=0.871). The common radiologic findings were: intraductal growing mass in 10; bile duct dilatation in 6; and saccular duct dilatation in 2. Left and right hepatectomies were performed in 15 and 3, respectively. Five patients showed benign lesions of IPNB, and 13 patients revealed malignant lesions of intraductal papillary adnocarcinoma or cholangiocarcinoma. All 4 patients with benign lesions survived for a mean period of 53 months without recurrence. In 13 patients with the malignant lesions, 1-year, 3-year, and 5-year survival rates were 100%, 84.6%, and 59.2%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: We concluded that intrahepatic IPNB is a rare type of biliary neoplasm which includes a histological spectrum, ranging from benign disease to invasive malignancy. The long-term survival was anticipated after complete curative resection.

Extent of resection for T2N0 gallbladder carcinoma regarding concurrent extrahepatic bile duct resection

BACKGROUNDS/AIMS: Gallbladder carcinoma (GBCa) T2 lesions are considered to be advanced tumors showing diverse features in tumor extent. When this T2 lesion does not involve the cystic duct and there is no evidence of lymph node metastasis, we have to consider what is the most reasonable extent of resection - that is, whether to perform concurrent extra-hepatic bile duct resection (EHBD) resection or not. This study intends to evaluate the adequacy of EHBD resection in patients undergoing resection for T2N0 GBCa. METHODS: From our institutional database of GBCa, 48 cases of T2N0 GBCa who underwent R0 resection during November 1995 and August 2008 were selected. Patients who underwent prior laparoscopic cholecystectomy were excluded. Their medical records were reviewed retrospectively. RESULTS: Their mean age was 63.2+/-83.3 years and females were 25. The mean serum CA19-9 level was 37.3+/-89.3 ng/ml. The extents of liver resection were wedge resection (n=36) and segment 4a+5 resection (n=12). Concurrent EHBD resection was performed in 16 (33.3%) patients. No fatal surgical complication occurred. The majority of tumor pathology was adenocarcinoma (n=42), with additional unusual types as papillary (n=3), saromatoid (n=1), signet ring cell (n=1) and adenosquamous (n=1) cancers. The overall survival rate was 87.1% at 1 year, 69.5% at 3 years and 61.7% at 5 years. After exclusion of mortalities not related to cancer, the overall patient survival rate was 89.6% at 1 year, 72.9% at 3 years and 64.7% at 5 years, with 3-year survival rates of 72% in the EHBD resection group and 69.2% in the non-resection group (p=0.661). CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study indicate that concurrent EHBD resection did not improve patient survival when R0 resection was achieved in patients with T2N0 GBCa. Therefore, routine EHBD resection may not be indicated for T2N0 GBCa unless the tumor is close to the cystic duct.

Hepatic Resection in Patients with Hepatocellular Carcinoma Accompanied by Portal Vein Thrombus

PURPOSE: Although surgical resection is the most effective treatment for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) accompanied by portal vein tumor thrombus (PVTT), the recurrence rate is very high and prognosis is poor. This retrospective analysis aimed to establish a surgical strategy for patients with portal vein thrombus and to identify predictors of tumor thrombus in these patients. METHODS: From 2006 to 2007, 63 hepatocellular carcinoma patients with portal vein thrombus detected by preoperative imaging underwent hepatic resection, and their clinical data were retrospectively analyzed. Possible prognostic factors for survival were analyzed with postoperative survival curves, and significant factors were determined by univariate and multivariate analysis. RESULTS: 31 patients (49.2%) with portal vein tumor thrombus were detected by pathologic reports in 63 HCC patients with portal vein thrombus. Significant prognostic factors included Serum Albumin or =100 IU/L, Tumor size> or =10 cm, non-expanding type, PVTT and Alpha-feto protein (AFP)> or =104 IU/L by univariate analysis. Independent prognostic factors included PVTT. CONCLUSION: PVTT is not always detected in patients with HCC accompanied by portal vein thrombus. Although patients have a portal vein tumor thrombus, some patients have greater long-term survival. Hepatic resection should be considered for patients with portal vein thrombus.

Comparison of Survival Outcomes following Segmental Bile Duct Resection versus Pancreatoduodenectomy for Mid Bile Duct Cancer

PURPOSE: This study was designed to analyze the prognosis following segmental bile duct resection (BDR) versus pancreatoduodenectomy (PD) for mid bile duct (mBD) cancer. METHODS: During the 4 years between 2003 and 2006, 55 patients underwent surgical resection for mBD cancer in our institution. Medical records were reviewed retrospectively. They were divided into two groups, a BDR group (n=24) and a PD group (n=31) according to the extent of resection. RESULTS: Median follow-up was 43 months. Overall 3- and 5-year survival rates were 56.0% and 33.8%, respectively. The BDR group had lower tumor stages than the PD group (p=0.011). R0 resection was achieved in 17 (70.8%) of the BDR group and 30 (96.8%) of the PD group. Median survival periods were 43 and 34 months after R0 and R1 resections, respectively (p=0.715). Recurrence occurred in 41 patients after a mean period of 18 months. Three- and 5-year survival rates were 62.5% and 27.2% after BDR, respectively, and 51.5% and 34% after PD, respectively (p=0.715). No significant risk factors for shorter patient survival times was identified. Aggressive treatment of recurrence did not appear to prolong patient survival. CONCLUSION: The extent of resection for mBD cancer did not affect the survival outcome when R0 resection was achieved. Considering the operative risk in patients with older ages or co-morbidities, PD should be considered only after obtainment of simultaneous tumor-free radial and proximal longitudinal resection margins.

Metastasis of Hepatocellular Carcinoma to the Ovary: A Case Report and Review of the Literature

Metastasis of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) to the ovary is notably rare. We present a case of HCC metastasis to the ovary with a review of the literature, which includes only 7 reported cases. A 43-year-old hepatitis B virus carrier was admitted with a right ovarian cystic mass. She had been diagnosed with HCC 2 years prior, for which she underwent transarterial chemoembolization followed by right posterior sectionectomy. Eight months after the hepatectomy, the first intrahepatic recurrence was detected and treated with transarterial chemoembolization. An additional intrahepatic recurrence occurred 12 months after transarterial chemoembolization and was managed with left medial sectionectomy and intra-operative radiofrequency ablation. Over the following 3 months, the patient developed elevated alpha-fetoprotein, and positron emission tomography showed a cystic mass in the right side of the pelvic cavity with focal hypermetabolic activity, which suggested a site of recurrent HCC. An exploratory laparotomy was performed, and a soft, ovoid cystic mass was identified in the right ovary. There was no evidence of metastases in the liver, left ovary, or peritoneum. Because of the absence of tumor on the surface of the ovary and the lack of peritoneal seeding, the mode of metastasis was thought to be hematogenous. Therefore, a right salphingo-oophorectomy was performed. The pathological features showed metastatic HCC with clear resection margins. Although metastasis of HCC to the ovary is very rare, it should be suspected in a female patient with a lower abdominal mass and an elevated serum AFP level in the absence of other demonstrable metastases.

What we learned from difficult hepatectomies in patients with advanced hepatic malignancy

BACKGROUNDS/AIMS: By reviewing difficult resections for advanced hepatic malignancies, we discuss the effectiveness and extended indications for hepatectomy in such patients. METHODS: We reviewed 7 patients who underwent extensive surgery between July 2008 and March 2011 for advanced hepatic malignancies. They had stage IV disease, except for in one case that was a stage IIIC (T4N0M0) hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). RESULTS: Patient 1 with intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (IHCC) underwent right hemihepatectomy and resection of the bile duct and left portal vein. At 39 months after surgery, she had no recurrence or metastasis. Patient 2 with HCC underwent palliative right trisectionectomy. At 38 months after surgery, he is alive despite residual pulmonary metastases. Patient 3 with HCC invading the hepatic vein and diaphragm underwent right trisectionectomy and caval venoplasty. At 12 months after surgery, he had no recurrence or metastasis. Patient 4, who had 2 large HCCs and pulmonary thromboembolism, underwent a right trisectionectomy. At 7 months after surgery, he had no evidence of recurred HCC. Patient 5, who had IHCC invading her inferior vena cava and main portal vein, underwent preoperative radiotherapy, left hemihepatectomy, and caval resection. At 20 months after surgery, she is well despite a caval thrombus. Patient 6 and 7 underwent repeated surgery due to a recurred IHCC and metastatic colon cancer, respectively. In addition, they are alive during each 20 and 17 months after surgery. CONCLUSIONS: Despite macroscopic extrahepatic metastases or major vessel involvement, extensive surgery for advanced hepatic malignancy may result in relatively favorable outcomes and be important modality for improving of survival in such patients.

Clinical Application of Hepatic Resection Using Glissonean Pedicle Transection Method and Hanging Maneuver

PURPOSE: The liver hanging maneuver (LHM) is a useful technique enabling a safe anterior approach, which is one of the most important innovations in the field of major hepatic resections. This study was conducted to review tumors' profiles after applying this procedure and to evaluate the usefulness of LHM and Glissonean pedicle transaction method (GPTM). METHODS: Medical records of 64 patients who underwent hepatic resection using LHM and GPTM at the Asan Medical Center were reviewed. The classic LHM was conducted according to the Belghiti method. RESULTS: Among 64 patients, 46 patients had hepatocellular carcinoma; 7, intrahpatic cholangiocarcinoma; 4, hilar cholangiocarcinoma; 4, metastatic liver cancer; 3, benign liver tumor. Mean tumor size was 10.6 cm (3~22). Mean liver parenchymal transection time was 20 min (15~30). Right side hepatectomy was performed in 44 patients; left side hepatectomy with or without caudate lobe was performed in 19 patients. Twenty patients (31.3%) required blood transfusion during surgery. There was no in-hospital mortality or major complications. Minor complications developed in 6 patients (9.37%). CONCLUSION: GPTM and LHM are a safe and useful surgical application of various anatomical resections for huge liver tumor and an effective procedure during left hepatectomy with or without caudate lobe.

Palliative Hepatectomy for Advanced Hepatocellular Carcinoma with Multiple Metastases: A Case Report

Non-surgical treatment is usually performed for the cases of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) that are not suitable for curative treatment, such as those cases with a large tumor size with an insufficient hepatic remnant after resection, those cases with extensive and multifocal bilobar tumors or those cases with extrahepatic metastases of the disease. However, in this case report we present a case of palliative hepatectomy for treating advanced HCC with multiple metastases and the patient has had an excellent 1-year follow-up outcome. A 71-year-old man was referred to our hospital and the imaging studies showed a 10 cm mass in the right liver, with multiple variable sized masses in both lungs and a 1 cm nodule in the left adrenal gland. A lung biopsy revealed HCC; therefore, the working diagnosis was HCC with multiple lung metastases and a left adrenal gland adenoma or metastasis. We expected the cause of death would be deterioration of the hepatic function as the liver mass increased in size. Therefore, we performed a palliative right trisectionectomy for the primary liver mass. After recovery from the hepatectomy, the patient was managed with sorafenib. During the 1-year follow-up period after palliative hepatectomy, the patient is still alive with a good general performance status and no evidence of intrahepatic recurrence, even though there has been an aggravation of the lung metastases in size and number, and a slight increase in the size of the left adrenal gland. We suggest that in highly selected patients with advanced HCC and multiple extrahepatic metastases, and especially in the cases involving a large HCC with mild liver cirrhosis and a good general performance status, an aggressive treatment strategy with palliative hepatectomy can be an optional treatment modality to improve the overall survival.

Palliative Hepatectomy for Advanced Hepatocellular Carcinoma with Multiple Metastases: A Case Report

Non-surgical treatment is usually performed for the cases of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) that are not suitable for curative treatment, such as those cases with a large tumor size with an insufficient hepatic remnant after resection, those cases with extensive and multifocal bilobar tumors or those cases with extrahepatic metastases of the disease. However, in this case report we present a case of palliative hepatectomy for treating advanced HCC with multiple metastases and the patient has had an excellent 1-year follow-up outcome. A 71-year-old man was referred to our hospital and the imaging studies showed a 10 cm mass in the right liver, with multiple variable sized masses in both lungs and a 1 cm nodule in the left adrenal gland. A lung biopsy revealed HCC; therefore, the working diagnosis was HCC with multiple lung metastases and a left adrenal gland adenoma or metastasis. We expected the cause of death would be deterioration of the hepatic function as the liver mass increased in size. Therefore, we performed a palliative right trisectionectomy for the primary liver mass. After recovery from the hepatectomy, the patient was managed with sorafenib. During the 1-year follow-up period after palliative hepatectomy, the patient is still alive with a good general performance status and no evidence of intrahepatic recurrence, even though there has been an aggravation of the lung metastases in size and number, and a slight increase in the size of the left adrenal gland. We suggest that in highly selected patients with advanced HCC and multiple extrahepatic metastases, and especially in the cases involving a large HCC with mild liver cirrhosis and a good general performance status, an aggressive treatment strategy with palliative hepatectomy can be an optional treatment modality to improve the overall survival.