Impact of technical innovation on surgical outcome of laparoscopic major liver resection: 10 years' experience at a large-volume center

PURPOSE: Laparoscopic major liver resection (major LLR) remains a challenging procedure because of the technical difficulty. Several significant technical innovations have been applied in our center since 2012. They include routine application of bipolar electrocautery, initiation of temporary increase of intra-abdominal pressure during bleeding events from veins to balance the central venous pressure, and use of temporary inflow control of the Glissonean pedicle. This study evaluated the impact of these technique modifications in patients with major LLR. METHODS: Between January 2004 and February 2015, a total of 606 patients underwent LLR at Samsung Medical Center in Seoul, Korea. Major LLR was employed in 233 cases. All major LLR procedures were anatomical resections performed with a totally laparoscopic approach. We compared surgical parameters of right hepatectomy (RH), left hepatectomy (LH), and right posterior sectionectomy (RPS) before and after 2012. RESULTS: Open conversion rates of RH and LH and estimated blood loss in RPS significantly decreased after 2012. The postoperative complication rate of major LLR was 12.7% and was similar before and after 2012. Bile leakage was the most common complication (3.2%). CONCLUSION: The modifications of surgical techniques resulted in good outcomes for laparoscopic major LLR. We recommend routine application of these techniques to improve outcomes, especially in patients requiring major liver resection.

The prognosis in cases of hepatocellular carcinoma after hepatectomy: young patients versus older patients

BACKGROUNDS/AIMS: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is uncommon in young adults and the prognosis of these patients is still unclear. In this retrospective study, we compared the clinicopathological characteristics and outcomes of young patients with HCC with those of older patients with HCC. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the clinicopathological characteristics of a total of 1,124 patients with HCC who underwent hepatectomy at our institution between 2006 and 2010. Patients < or =40 years of age at the time of HCC diagnosis were classified in the younger group. RESULTS: One hundred and three patients (9.2%) were classified in the younger group. whereas, 1021 patients were classified in the older group. The incidences of hepatitis B virus infection, alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) levels, and indocyanine green retention test were all higher in younger patients than in older patients (p<0.05). Disease-free survival and overall survival were longer in older patients than in younger patients, without statistical significance. In younger patients, increased levels of protein induced by vitamin K antagonist-II (PIVKA-II) and alkaline phosphatase, portal vein tumor thrombosis, and intrahepatic metastasis were all predisposing factors for tumor recurrence after hepatectomy. CONCLUSIONS: Although the AFP levels were higher in younger patients with HCC than in older patients with HCC, disease-free survival and overall survival after liver resection were not significantly different between the two groups.

Outcome of total proctocolectomy with ileal pouch-anal anastomosis for ulcerative colitis / 대한외과학회지

PURPOSE: We evaluated the risk factors for late complications and functional outcome after total proctocolectomy (TPC) with ileal pouch-anal anastomosis (IPAA) for ulcerative colitis (UC). METHODS: Pre- and postoperative clinical status and follow-up data were obtained for 55 patients who underwent TPC with IPAA between 1999 and 2010. The median follow-up duration was 4.17 years. Late complications were defined as those that appeared at least one month after surgery. For a functional assessment, telephone interviews were conducted using the Global Assessment of Functioning Scale. Twenty-eight patients completed the interview. RESULTS: Late complications were found in 20 cases (36.3%), comprising pouchitis (n = 8), bowel obstruction (n = 5), ileitis (n = 3), pouch associated fistula (n = 2), and intra-abdominal infection (n = 2). The preoperative serum albumin level for patients with late complications was lower than for patients without (2.4 +/- 0.5 vs. 2.9 +/- 0.7, P = 0.04). Functional outcomes were not significantly associated with clinical characteristics, follow-up duration, operation indication, or late complications. CONCLUSION: This study demonstrated that a low preoperative albumin level could be a risk factor for late complications of TPC with IPAA. Preoperative nutritional support, especially albumin, could reduce late complications. Functional outcomes are not related to late complications.

Pancreatic serous cystadenocarcinoma with invasive growth into the colon and spleen / 대한외과학회지

Serous cystic neoplasms of the pancreas are almost always benign lesions. However, there are some case reports of malignant serous neoplasms of the pancreas. It is very difficult to distinguish malignant and benign tumors. Indeed, only clinicopathologic findings of locoregional invasion and metastasis represent a malignancy. We report a serous cystadenocarcinoma of the pancreas that was initially considered to be colon cancer. Post-operatively, the tumor was confirmed to be a malignant serous cystic tumor of the pancreas. One year later, the patient remains disease-free.