Turning points in the practice of liver surgery: A historical review.

The history of liver surgery is a tale of progressive resolution of issues presenting one after another from ancient times to the present days when dealing with liver ailments. The perfect knowledge of human liver anatomy and physiology and the development of a proper liver resective surgery require time and huge efforts and, mostly, the study and research of giants of their own times, whose names are forever associated with anatomical landmarks, thorough descriptions, and surgical approaches. The control of parenchymal bleeding after trauma and during resection is the second issue that surgeons have to resolve. A good knowledge of intra and extrahepatic vascular anatomy is a necessary condition to develop techniques of vascular control, paving the way to liver transplantation. Last but not least, the issue of residual liver function after resection requires advanced techniques of volume redistribution through redirection of blood inflow. These are the same problems any young surgeon would face when approaching liver surgery for the first time. Therefore, obtaining a wide picture of historical evolution of liver surgery could be a great starting point to serve as an example and a guide.

Bile duct injury after cholecystectomy: timing of surgical repair should be based on clinical presentation. The experience of a tertiary referral center with Hepp-Couinaud hepatico-jejunostomy.

Impact of timing of repair on outcomes of patients repaired with Hepp-Couinaud hepatico-jejunostomy (HC-HJ) after bile duct injury (BDI) during cholecystectomy remains debated. This is an observational retrospective study at a tertiary referral hepato-biliary center. HC-HJ was always performed in patients without sepsis or bile leak and with dilated bile ducts. Timing of repair was classified as: early (≤ 2 weeks), intermediate (> 2 weeks, ≤ 6 weeks), and delayed (> 6 weeks). 114 patients underwent HC-HJ between 1994 and 2022: 42.1% underwent previous attempts of repair at referring institutions (Group A) and 57.9% were referred without any attempt of repair before referral (Group B). Overall, a delayed HC-HJ was performed in 78% of patients; intermediate and early repair were performed in 17% and 6%, respectively. In Group B, 10.6% of patients underwent an early, 27.3% an intermediate, and 62.1% a delayed repair. Postoperative mortality was nil. Median follow-up was 106.7 months. Overall primary patency (PP) attainment rate was 94.7%, with a 5- and 10-year actuarial primary patency (APP) of 84.6% and 84%, respectively. Post-repair bile leak was associated with PP loss in the entire population (odds ratio [OR] 9.75, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.64-57.87, p = 0.012); no correlation of PP loss with timing of repair was noted. Treatment of anastomotic stricture (occurred in 15.3% of patients) was performed with percutaneous treatment, achieving absence of biliary symptoms in 93% and 91% of cases at 5 and 10 years, respectively. BDI can be successfully repaired by HC-HJ regardless of timing when surgery is performed in stable patients with dilated bile ducts and without bile leak.

Bile duct injury following cholecystectomy: delayed referral to a tertiary care center is strongly associated with malpractice litigation.

BACKGROUND: Bile duct injury (BDI) following cholecystectomy is associated with malpractice litigation. Aim of this study was to evaluate risk factors for litigation in patients with BDI referred in a tertiary care center. METHODS: Patients treated for BDI between 1994 and 2016. Stabilized inverse probability therapy weighting was used and multivariable logistic regression analysis identified risk factors for malpractice litigation. RESULTS: Of the 211 treated patients, 98 met the inclusion criteria: early-referral group (<20 days; 51.0%), late-referral (≥20 days; 49.0%). 36 patients (36.7%) initiated malpractice litigation with verdict in favor of plaintiff in 86.7% of cases (median payment = €90 500, up to €600 000). Attempts at surgical and endoscopic repair before referral were significantly higher in late-referral group. Failed postoperative management (delayed referral, attempts at repair before referral) was one of the strongest predictors for litigation. Risk of litigation progressively increased from 23.8%, when referral time was within 19 days, to 54.5% (61-120 days), to 60.0% (121-210 days) and to 65.1% (211-365 days). DISCUSSION: Litigation rate after BDI was 37%. Delayed referral to tertiary care center was one of the strongest predictors for litigation. Prompt referral to tertiary experienced centers without any attempt at repair may reduce the risk of litigation.

Pancreatico-Jejunostomy On Isolated Loop After Pancreatico-Duodenectomy: Is It Worthwhile?

BACKGROUND: Postoperative morbidity remains a significant problem after pancreatico-duodenectomy. The management of pancreatic stump continues to be a challenge, and many technical solutions have been developed over the years. In this study, we report the results obtained with the use of an isolated loop for pancreatico-jejunostomy in patients with soft pancreas and small pancreatic duct diameter. METHODS: Clinical data of patients submitted to pancreatico-duodenectomy in a period of sixteen years (2005-2020) were extracted from a prospective database. Patients with soft pancreas, main duct diameter < 2 mm and reconstruction by pancreatico-jejunostomy on single loop or isolated loop were selected. Primary end-point was the incidence of clinically relevant fistulas in the two groups of patients. Secondary endpoint was the length of postoperative hospital stay. A propensity score matching analysis was used for the statistics. RESULTS: Two hundred and twenty-one patients with the above characteristics were found in the database. One hundred and twelve of these received a single-loop reconstruction and 109 an isolated loop reconstruction. Incidence of clinically relevant fistulas was higher in the first group (41% vs 27%; p = 0.023). Postoperative hospital stay was significantly shorter in the second group (21 days vs 15; p < 0.001). These results were confirmed at the propensity score matching. CONCLUSION: In patients with soft pancreatic texture and small main duct diameter, pancreatico-jejunostomy on isolated loop is associated with a lower incidence of clinically relevant fistulas than after classic reconstruction. The duration of postoperative hospital stay was significantly reduced, with consequent reduction of cost.

Iatrogenic Biliary Injury during Cholecystectomy: Critical Review of a Historical Case and Its Political Consequences.

Biliary injuries during cholecystectomy represent serious adverse events that can have a profound impact on the patient's quality of life and on the surgeon's well-being and career. Sometimes, they can have an unexpectedly disastrous effect on the whole community, as demonstrated by the case of Anthony Eden, former foreign secretary and prime minister of Britain in the 1950s. Mr. Eden, later Lord Avon, had been suffering from biliary symptoms for a while when he had his cholecystectomy performed on April 12, 1953. On post-op day 1, a bile leak was evident, possibly due to a complete transection of the common bile duct. After a first reoperation to drain a bile collection, the definitive repair was performed in Boston by Dr. Cattell on June 10, 1953, with a loop hepatico-jejunostomy. Unfortunately, the bilioenteric anastomosis became gradually narrow, causing recurrent cholangitis, and Mr. Eden started a symptomatic treatment with pethidine, barbiturate, and amphetamine. These could have affected his perception of reality and his political judgement during the Suez Canal Crisis and, other than being the ultimate reason for 3,000+ war casualties, might have caused a Third World War. The historical and clinical implications of this case are thoroughly discussed.

Aggressive recurrences determine oncologic outcomes after resection of liver metastases from primary right colon cancer: Results of a case-control study.

BACKGROUND: Despite recent studies suggest that, among patients operated on for colorectal liver metastases (CLM), the primary tumor location may impact on postoperative survivals, results are still contrasting. OBJECTIVE: evaluating survivals (overall (OS) and (DFS)) following liver resection of CLM from Right colon Cancer (RcC-CLM) versus Left colon Cancer (LcC-CLM), among patients undergoing preoperative chemotherapy (pCHT), identifying survival predictors, and investigating impact of recurrent disease pattern and management on survival. METHODS: Among 727 patients operated for CLM(1989-2016), after excluding patients with primary transverse colon/rectum tumor and patients not receving pCHT, 297 patients were identified. Among them, 81 with RcC-CLM were matched 1:1 with LcC-CLM, according to CLM number and diameter, disease-free interval between primary tumor and CLM diagnosis, primary tumor N-status, and the presence of extrahepatic disease. RESULTS: Overall, 66.7% of patients had multiple CLM, 21% had CLM>5 cm, 82.7% had DFI<12 months, 67.9% had N+ primary tumor, and 11.1% had extrahepatic disease at time of hepatectomy. RcC-CLM patients were similar to LcC-CLM in terms of demographic, clinical, perioperative, and pathologic characteristics. Patients operated for RcC-CLM, compared to LcC-CLM, had significantly shorter 5y-DFS(18% versus 39%) and 5y-OS(38% vs 65%). At multivariate analysis, being operated for RcC-CLM, compared to LcC-CLM, was the strongest predictor of recurrence (Hazard Ratio:2.265,p < .001) and death (HR:2.234,p = .001). Among 107 patients experiencing recurrent disease, curative recurrence resection was associated with higher 5y-OS(64% vs 17%; p < .001). However, recurrence resection was less frequently feasible among RcC-CLM(26%) patients, compared to LcC-CLM(44%,p = .05). CONCLUSIONS: resection of RcC-CLM, compared to LcC-CLM, is associated with worse survivals, probably related to a different pattern of recurrence precluding recurrence resection among RcC-CLM patients.

Type of response to conversion chemotherapy strongly impacts survival after hepatectomy for initially unresectable colorectal liver metastases.

BACKGROUND: Hepatectomy for initially unresectable colorectal liver metastases (IU-CLM) is considered at high risk due to the extensive preoperative chemotherapy (CHT) and complex surgical procedures required, and its results are questioned due to frequent and early post-operative recurrence. We aim to compare patients with initially resectable CLM (IR-CLM) and IU-CLM and identify prognostic factors among IU-CLM patients. METHODS: A total of 81 patients with IU-CLM, undergoing hepatectomy following conversion CHT, were compared to 526 IR-CLM patients. Predictors of overall (OS) and disease-free survival (DFS) were identified for IU-CLM patients. RESULTS: Patients resected for IU-CLM, compared to IR-CLM, had more and larger CLM and more frequently underwent prolonged CHT and major/extended hepatectomy (P < 0.001 for all comparisons). Such characteristics paralleled higher rates of overall and major (Clavien-Dindo ≥3) complications, longer median post-operative length of stay and lower 5-year survival rates (P < 0.001 for all comparisons) among IU-CLM patients compared to IR-CLM, with similar mortality (1.2% and nil for IU-CLM and IR-CLM, respectively). Among IU-CLM patients, 62 with partial response to CHT (versus tumour stability according to the Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors criteria) had better DFS (hazard ratio 2.76, P = 0.001) and OS (hazard ratio 2.83, P = 0.002), and their 5-year survival rates (DFS 19.8%, OS 46.7%) approached those of IR-CLM patients (DFS 31%, OS 59%, P > 0.05 for both comparisons). CONCLUSION: Resection of IU-CLM has acceptable perioperative results. Tumour responsiveness to conversion CHT improves IU-CLM patient selection for hepatectomy.

The impact of R1 resection for colorectal liver metastases on local recurrence and overall survival in the era of modern chemotherapy: An analysis of 1,428 resection areas.

BACKGROUND: It is still unclear whether a positive surgical margin after resection of colorectal liver metastases remains a poor prognostic factor in the era of modern perioperative chemotherapy. The aim of this study was to evaluate whether preoperative chemotherapy has an impact on reducing local recurrence after R1 resection, and the impact of local recurrence on overall survival. METHODS: Between 2000 and 2014, a total of 421 patients underwent resection for colorectal liver metastases at our unit after preoperative chemotherapy. The overall number of analyzed resection areas was 1,428. RESULTS: The local recurrence rate was 12.8%, significantly higher after R1 resection than after R0 (24.5% vs 8.7%; P < .001). These results were also confirmed in patients with response to preoperative chemotherapy (23.1% after R1 vs 11.2% after R0; P < .001). At multivariate analysis, R1 resection was the only independent risk factor for local recurrence (P < .001). At the analysis of the 1,428 resection areas, local recurrence significantly decreased according to the increase of the surgical margin width (from 19.1% in 0 mm margin to 2.4% in ≥10 mm). At multivariable logistic regression analysis for overall survival, the presence of local recurrence showed a significant negative impact on 5-year overall survival (P < .001). CONCLUSION: Surgical margin recurrence after modern preoperative chemotherapy for colorectal liver metastases was still significantly higher after R1 resection than it was after R0 resection. Local recurrence showed a negative prognostic impact on overall survival. R0 resection should be recommended whenever technically achievable, as well as in patients treated by modern preoperative chemotherapy.

Mirizzi Syndrome: Diagnosis and Management of a Challenging Biliary Disease.

Background: Mirizzi syndrome is a condition difficult to diagnose and treat, representing a particular "challenge" for the biliary surgeon. The disease can mimic cancer of the gallbladder, causing considerable diagnostic difficulties. Furthermore, it increases the risk of intraoperative biliary injury during cholecystectomy. The aim of this study is to point out some particular aspects of diagnosis and treatment of this condition. Methods: The clinical records of patients with Mirizzi syndrome, treated in the last five years, were reviewed. Clinical data, cholangiograms, preoperative diagnosis, operative procedures, and early and late results were examined. Results: Eighteen consecutive patients were treated in the last five years. Presenting symptoms were jaundice, pain, and cholangitis. Preoperative diagnosis of Mirizzi syndrome was achieved in 11 patients, while 6 had a diagnosis of gallbladder cancer and 1 of Klatskin tumor. Seventeen patients underwent surgery, including cholecystectomy in 8 cases, bile duct repair over T-tube in 3 cases, and hepaticojejunostomy in 4 cases. Two cases (11.1%) of gallbladder cancer associated with the Mirizzi syndrome were incidentally found: a patient underwent right hepatectomy and another patient was unresectable. The overall morbidity rate was 16.6%. There was no postoperative mortality. An ERCP with stent insertion was required in three cases after surgery. Sixteen patients were asymptomatic at a mean distance of 24 months (range: 6-48) after surgery. Conclusions: Mirizzi syndrome requires being treated by an experienced biliary surgeon after a careful assessment of the local situation and anatomy. The preoperative placement of a stent via ERCP can simplify the surgical procedure.

Pancreaticobiliary Maljunctions in European Patients with Bile Duct Cysts: Results of the Multicenter Study of the French Surgical Association (AFC).

BACKGROUND: Pancreaticobiliary maljunctions (PBMs) are congenital anomalies of the junction between pancreatic and bile ducts, frequently associated with bile duct cyst (BDC). BDC is congenital biliary tree diseases that are characterized by distinctive dilatation types of the extra- and/or intrahepatic bile ducts. Todani's types I and IVa, in which dilatation involves principally the main bile duct, are the most frequent. PBM induces pancreatic juice reflux into the biliary tract that is supposed to be one of the main factors of biliary cancer degeneration, although the diagnostic criteria of PBM that can be either morphological and/or functional are not well defined especially in Western series. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to assess the relative prevalence of PBM in BDC in a large European multicenter study, to analyze the characteristics of PBM and try to propose diagnostic criteria of PBMs based on morphological and/or functional criteria and define the positive, negative predictive values, sensibility and specificity of either criteria. RESULTS: From 1975 to 2012, 263 patients with BDC were analyzed. Among them, 190 (72.2 %) were considered to present PBM. Types I and IVa had a similar rate of PBM association. According to the "AFC classification," 57.2 % had a C-P type, 34.5 % a P-C type and 8.3 % a complex type ("anse-de-seau"). The median length of the common channel in patients with PBM was 15.8 ± 6.8 mm (range 5-40 mm). The median intrabiliary amylase and lipase levels were 65,249 and 172,104 UI/L, respectively. For the diagnostic of PBM, a common channel length of more than 8 mm and an intrabiliary amylase level superior to 8000 UI/L were associated with a predictive positive value and a specificity of more than 90 %. Synchronous biliary cancer had an incidence of 8.7 % in all patients with BDC and PBM 11.1 % in adults. Compared to type IV, the type I BDC was associated with statistically more cancer patients in the presence of PBM. CONCLUSIONS: Characteristics of PBM associated with BDC in Western population are quite close to reported Eastern series. The results suggest considering both the intrabiliary value of amylase >8000 UI/L and a length of a common channel >8 mm as appropriate values for positive diagnosis of PBM.

Association of Lymph Node Status With Survival in Patients After Liver Resection for Hilar Cholangiocarcinoma in an Italian Multicenter Analysis.

Importance: The prognostic value of lymph node (LN) assessment after liver resection for hilar cholangiocarcinoma (HC) is still controversial, and the number of LNs required to be removed to obtain adequate staging is not well defined. Objectives: To evaluate the LN status in patients after liver resection for HC and to clarify which prognostic factor (the number of positive LNs or the LN ratio [LNR]) was most accurate for staging and what minimum number of retrieved LNs was required for adequate staging. Design, Setting, and Participants: Retrospective multicenter study of patients who underwent resection for HC between January 1, 1992, and December 31, 2007, at 8 hepatobiliary Italian centers. The last follow-up was assessed in July 2014. Main Outcome and Measures: Differences in overall survival (OS) according to the LN status were analyzed. The OS results were defined as actual because all included patients completed a 5-year follow-up. Results: One-hundred seventy-five patients with 1133 retrieved LNs were analyzed. The mean (SD) age of the cohort was 63 (10) years, and 42.9% (75 of 175) were female. The median number of LNs examined per patient was 6.5. Forty percent (70 of 175) had LN metastasis. An LNR exceeding 0.20 was associated with significantly lower 5-year OS than an LNR of 0.20 or less (10.6% vs 24.4%; odds ratio, 2.434; 95% CI, 1.020-5.810; P = .04). On multivariable analysis, the LNR was the only independent prognostic factor for OS but was influenced by the total number of retrieved LNs. The LNR was greater than 0.20 in all patients (30 of 30) with 1 to 4 retrieved LNs and in 52.5% (21 of 40) of patients with at least 5 retrieved LNs. Five-year OS in patients with 1 to 5 retrieved LNs was significantly lower than that in those with 6 to 7 retrieved LNs and those with at least 8 retrieved LNs (34.2%, 64.5%, and 62.7%, respectively; P = .047). Five-year OS did not significantly improve when the number of retrieved LNs was greater than 6. These results were confirmed in a receiver operating characteristic curve analysis performed among N0R0 patients, in whom 5 retrieved LNs was the most accurate cutoff to predict 5-year actual OS (area under the curve, 0.624; P = .004). Conclusions and Relevance: An LNR exceeding 0.20 was the only independent prognostic factor for OS in N1 patients after liver resection for HC. However, the LNR was influenced by the total number of retrieved LNs, and removal of more than 5 LNs was the minimum number of LNs required for adequate staging.

Impact of previous cyst-enterostomy on patients' outcome following resection of bile duct cysts.

AIM: To analyze the impact of previous cyst-enterostomy of patients underwent congenital bile duct cysts (BDC) resection. METHODS: A multicenter European retrospective study between 1974 and 2011 were conducted by the French Surgical Association. Only Todani subtypes I and IVb were included. Diagnostic imaging studies and operative and pathology reports underwent central revision. Patients with and without a previous history of cyst-enterostomy (CE) were compared. RESULTS: Among 243 patients with Todani types I and IVb BDC, 16 had undergone previous CE (6.5%). Patients with a prior history of CE experienced a greater incidence of preoperative cholangitis (75% vs 22.9%, P < 0.0001), had more complicated presentations (75% vs 40.5%, P = 0.007), and were more likely to have synchronous biliary cancer (31.3% vs 6.2%, P = 0.004) than patients without a prior CE. Overall morbidity (75% vs 33.5%; P < 0.0008), severe complications (43.8% vs 11.9%; P = 0.0026) and reoperation rates (37.5% vs 8.8%; P = 0.0032) were also significantly greater in patients with previous CE, and their Mayo Risk Score, during a median follow-up of 37.5 mo (range: 4-372 mo) indicated significantly more patients with fair and poor results (46.1% vs 15.6%; P = 0.0136). CONCLUSION: This is the large series to show that previous CE is associated with poorer short- and long-term results after Todani types I and IVb BDC resection.

Congenital bile duct cyst (BDC) is a more indolent disease in children compared to adults, except for Todani type IV-A BDC: results of the European multicenter study of the French Surgical Association.

AIM: To compare clinical presentation, operative management and short- and long-term outcomes of congenital bile duct cysts (BDC) in adults with children. METHODS: Retrospective multi-institutional Association Francaise de Chirurgie study of Todani types I+IVB and IVA BDC. RESULTS: During the 37-year period to 2011, 33 centers included 314 patients (98 children; 216 adults). The adult population included more high-risk patients, with more active, more frequent prior treatment (47.7% vs 11.2%; p < 0.0001), more complicated presentation (50.5% vs 35.7%; p = 0.015), more synchronous biliary cancer (11.6% vs 0%; p = 0.0118) and more major surgery (23.6% vs 2%; p < 0.0001), but this latter feature was only true for type I+IVB BDC. Compared to children, the postoperative morbidity (48.1% vs 20.4%; p < 0.0001), the need for repeat procedures and the status at follow-up were worse in adults (27% vs 8.8%; p = 0.0009). However, severe postoperative morbidity and fair or poor status at follow-up were not statistically different for type IVA BDC, irrespective of patients' age. Synchronous cancer, prior HBP surgery and Todani type IVA BDC were independent predictive factors of poor or fair long-term outcome. CONCLUSION: BDC is a more indolent disease in children compared to adults, except for Todani type IV-A BDC.

Predicting Individual Survival After Hepatectomy for Hepatocellular Carcinoma: a Novel Nomogram from the "HCC East & West Study Group".

INTRODUCTIONS: Different staging systems have been devised for patients undergoing resection for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) with disparate results. The aim of this study was to create a new nomogram to predict individual survival after hepatectomy for HCC. METHODS: Based on the "Hepatocellular Carcinoma: Eastern & Western Experiences Network," data from 2046 patients who underwent HCC resections at ten centers were reviewed. Patient survival was analyzed with Cox-regression analysis to construct a unique nomogram and contour plots to predict survival. RESULTS: The nomograms built on the multivariate analyses, which showed that the independent predictors were tumor size, tumor number, vascular invasion, cirrhosis, preoperative bilirubin value, and esophageal varices, showed good calibration and discriminatory abilities with C-index value of 0.62 (95 % CI, 0.59-0.69) and 0.61 (95 % CI, 0.56-0.64) for overall and disease-free survival, respectively. The 5-year survival contour plots showed that the presence of vascular invasion was associated with decreased survival, regardless of the tumor number or size. Cirrhosis and varices were equally associated with decreased survival, according to the tumor number or size. CONCLUSIONS: These nomograms accurately predict individual prognosis after HCC resection and support an expansion of the selection criteria for resection. They offer useful guidance to clinicians for individual survival prediction.

Anatomical liver resection of segment 4a en bloc with the caudate lobe.

Anatomical segmentectomy is the complete resection of an area supplied by a segmental portal branch. Among segmentectomies, isolated segmentectomy 4 is a technically demanding procedure because there are two transection planes: on the left side along the umbilical fissure and, on the right side, along the middle hepatic vein. Although there are several reports on anatomic segmentectomies, only few regard the anatomic segmentectomy 4a. We report here the case of a 60-year-old man who underwent anatomical segmentectomy 4a en bloc with the caudate lobe to resect a colorectal liver metastasis located in segment 4a and involving the paracaval portion of the caudate lobe. This type of procedure was planned in order to maximize the postoperative functional hepatic reserve, thereby reducing the risk of postoperative liver failure and ultimately allowing the possibility for future repeat hepatectomy in case of recurrence. J. Surg. Oncol. 2016;113:665-667. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Liver Resection for Primary Intrahepatic Stones: Focus on Postoperative Infectious Complications.

BACKGROUND: Primary intrahepatic lithiasis is defined by the presence of gallstones at the level of cystic dilatations of the intrahepatic biliary tree. Liver resection is considered the treatment of choice, with the purpose of removing stones and atrophic parenchyma, also reducing the risk of cholangiocarcinoma. However, in consequence of the considerable incidence of infectious complications, postoperative morbidity remains high. The current study was designed to evaluate the impact of preoperative bacterial colonization of the bile ducts on postoperative outcome. METHODS: The clinical records of 73 patients treated with liver resection were reviewed and clinical data, operative procedures, results of bile cultures, and postoperative outcomes were examined. RESULTS: Left hepatectomy (38 patients) and left lateral sectionectomy (19 patients) were the most frequently performed procedures. Overall morbidity was 38.3 %. A total of 133 microorganisms were isolated from bile. Multivariate analysis identified previous endoscopic or percutaneous cholangiography (p = 0.043) and preoperative cholangitis (p = 0.003) as the only two independent risk factors for postoperative infectious complications. CONCLUSIONS: Postoperative morbidity was strictly related to the preoperative biliary infection. An effective control of infections should be always pursued before liver resection for intrahepatic stones and an aggressive treatment of early signs of sepsis should be strongly emphasized.

Metabolic consequences of the occlusion of the main pancreatic duct with acrylic glue after pancreaticoduodenectomy.

BACKGROUND: Pancreaticoduodenectomy represents the major treatment for pancreatic and periampullary neoplasms. Complications related to pancreaticojejunostomy are still the leading cause of morbidity and mortality. A solution proposed by some surgeons is the occlusion of main pancreatic duct by acrylic glue, avoiding pancreaticojejunostomy. Nevertheless, the consequences of this procedure on glucose metabolism are not well-defined. METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed a cohort of 50 patients who underwent pancreaticoduodenectomy and had metabolic assessments available. The metabolic evaluation included the following: body composition and clinical evaluation, an oral glucose tolerance test, and an hyperinsulinemic euglycemic clamp procedure. RESULTS: Twenty-three patients underwent pancreatic duct occlusion and were compared with 27 patients, well-matched controls, who underwent pancreaticojejunostomy. Pancreatic duct occlusion leads to a greater impairment in insulin secretion compared with classic pancreaticojeunostomy. CONCLUSION: Pancreatic duct occlusion is associated with a greater reduction in insulin secretion but does not lead to meaningful differences in the management of patients with diabetes.

Role of neoadjuvant chemotherapy in resectable synchronous colorectal liver metastasis; An international multi-center data analysis using LiverMetSurvey.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: The use of neo-adjuvant chemotherapy in resectable synchronous liver metastasis is ill defined. The aim of this study was to evaluate neo-adjuvant chemotherapy on outcomes following liver resection for synchronous CLM. METHODS: An analysis of a multi-centric cohort from the LiverMetSurvey International Registry, who had undergone curative resections for synchronous CLM was undertaken. Patients who received neo-adjuvant chemotherapy prior to liver surgery (group NAS; n = 693) were compared with those treated by surgery alone (group SG; n = 608). Baseline clinicopathological variables were compared. Predictors of overall (OS) and disease free survival (DFS) were subsequently identified. RESULTS: Clinicopathological comparison of the groups revealed a greater proportion of solitary metastasis in the SG compared to the NAS group (58.8% versus 38.4%; P < 0.001) therefore a separate analysis of solitary versus multi-centric analysis was performed. N-stage (> N1), number of metastasis (> 3), serum CEA (> 5 ng/ml) and no adjuvant chemotherapy independently predicted poorer OS, while N-stage (> N1), serum CEA (> 5 ng/ml) and no adjuvant chemotherapy independently predicted poorer DFS. Neo-adjuvant chemotherapy did not independently affect outcome. CONCLUSION: We present an analysis of a large multi-center series of the role of neo-adjuvant chemotherapy in resectable CLM and demonstrate no survival advantage in this setting.

Todani Type II Congenital Bile Duct Cyst: European Multicenter Study of the French Surgical Association and Literature Review.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of the study was to analyze clinical presentation, surgical management, and long-term outcome of patients suffering from biliary diverticulum, namely Todani type II congenital bile duct cyst (BDC). BACKGROUND: The disease incidence ranges between 0.8% and 5% of all reported BDC cases with a lack of information about clinical presentation, management, and outcome. METHODS: A multicenter European retrospective study was conducted by the French Surgical Association. The patients' medical records were included in a Web site database. Diagnostic imaging studies, operative and pathology reports underwent central revision. RESULTS: Among 350 patients with congenital BDC, 19 type II were identified (5.4%), 17 in adults (89.5%) and 2 in children. The biliary diverticulum was located at the upper, middle, and lower part of the extrahepatic biliary tree in 11, 4, and 4 patients (58%, 21%, and 21%, respectively). Complicated presentation occurred in 6 patients (31.6%), including one case of synchronous carcinoma. Surgical techniques included diverticulum excision in all patients. Associated resection of the extrahepatic biliary tree was required in 11 cases (58%) and could be predicted by the presence of complicated clinical presentation. There was no mortality. Long-term outcome was excellent in 89.5% of patients (median follow-uptime: 52 months). CONCLUSIONS: According to the present largest Western series of Todani type II BDC, the type of clinical presentation rather than BDC location, was able to guide the extent of biliary resection. Excellent long-term outcome can be achieved in expert centers.