Colangiocarcinoma intrahepático: factores pronósticos de recidiva y supervivencia en una serie de 67 pacientes tratados quirúrgicamente en un solo centro / Intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma: Prognostic factors for recurrence and survival in a series of 67 patients treated surgically at a single center

Introducción: El colangiocarcinoma intrahepático es una neoplasia primaria hepática de mal pronóstico, cuyo único tratamiento curativo es la cirugía. El objetivo de este trabajo ha sido determinar los factores pronósticos de supervivencia del colangiocarcinoma intrahepático tratado quirúrgicamente con intención curativa. Métodos: Se ha recogido una serie de 67 pacientes intervenidos quirúrgicamente de esta neoplasia en el Hospital Universitario de Bellvitge entre 1996 y 2017. Se han analizado los datos epidemiológicos, clínicos, quirúrgicos, anatomopatológicos, de morbilidad, de mortalidad y de supervivencia. Resultados: La morbilidad postoperatoria ha sido del 47,76% y la mortalidad postoperatoria de 1,5%. La linfadenectomía se ha asociado a mayor morbilidad. La supervivencia global ha sido de 91%; 49,2% y 39,8% a los 12, 36 y 60 meses, respectivamente, y la supervivencia libre de enfermedad de 67,2%; 32,8% y 22,4%. La morbilidad postoperatoria en forma de reintervención quirúrgica, la invasión vascular y la quimioterapia adyuvante han demostrado ser factores de mal pronóstico. La invasión vascular en el estudio anatomopatológico fue el factor de riesgo de mayor importancia en la supervivencia. Conclusiones: Este estudio recoge la experiencia de nuestro centro en el tratamiento quirúrgico del colangiocarcinoma intrahepático durante un periodo de 21 años. La linfadenectomía se ha asociado a mayor morbilidad y la afectación vascular en el estudio anatomopatológico ha sido el factor de riesgo más importante en cuanto a la supervivencia. (AU)

Introduction: Intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma is a primary liver neoplasm whose only curative treatment is surgery. The objective of this study was to determine the prognostic factors for survival of intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma treated surgically with curative intent. Methods: Sixty-seven patients who had been treated surgically for this neoplasm were collected at Bellvitge University Hospital between 1996 and 2017. Epidemiological, clinical, surgical, anatomopathological, morbidity, mortality and survival data have been analysed. Results: Postoperative morbidity was 47.76%, and postoperative mortality was 1.5%. Lymphadenectomy was associated with increased morbidity. Overall survival was 91%, 49.2% and 39.8% after 12, 36 and 60 months, respectively, and disease-free survival was 67.2%, 32.8% and 22.4%. Postoperative morbidity (reoperation, vascular invasion, adjuvant chemotherapy) were shown to be factors for a poor prognosis. Vascular invasion in the pathological study was the most important risk factor in the survival analysis. Conclusions: This study reflects our centre's experience in the surgical treatment of intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma over a period of 21 years. Lymphadenectomy was associated with increased morbidity, and vascular invasion in the pathological study was the most important risk factor in the survival analysis. (AU)

Intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma: Prognostic factors for recurrence and survival in a series of 67 patients treated surgically at a single center.

INTRODUCTION: Intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma is a primary liver neoplasm whose only curative treatment is surgery. The objective of this study was to determine the prognostic factors for survival of intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma treated surgically with curative intent. METHODS: Sixty-seven patients who had been treated surgically for this neoplasm were collected at Bellvitge University Hospital between 1996 and 2017. Epidemiological, clinical, surgical, anatomopathological, morbidity, mortality and survival data have been analysed. RESULTS: Postoperative study reflects our centre's experience in the surgical treatment of intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma over a period of 21 years. Lymphadenectomy was associated with increased morbidity, and vascular invasion in the pathological study was the most important risk factor in the survival analysis. CONCLUSIONS: This study reflects our centre's experience in the surgical treatment of intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma over a period of 21 years. Lymphadenectomy was associated with increased morbidity, and vascular invasion in the pathological study was the most important risk factor in the survival analysis.

Prognostic value and risk stratification of residual disease in patients with incidental gallbladder cancer.

BACKGROUND AND AIM: Given their poor prognosis, patients with residual disease (RD) in the re-resection specimen of an incidental gallbladder carcinoma (IGBC) could benefit from a better selection for surgical treatment. The Gallbladder Cancer Risk Score (GBRS) has been proposed to preoperatively identify RD risk more precisely than T-stage alone. The aim of this study was to assess the prognostic value of RD and to validate the GBRS in a retrospective series of patients. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A prospectively collected database including 59 patients with IGBC diagnosed from December 1996 to November 2015 was retrospectively analyzed. Three locations of RD were established: local, regional, and distant. The effect of RD on overall survival (OS) was analyzed with the Kaplan-Meier method. To identify variables associated with the presence of RD, characteristics of patients with and without RD were compared using Fisher's exact test. The relative risk of RD associated with clinical and pathologic factors was studied with a univariate logistic regression analysis. RESULTS: RD was found in 30 patients (50.8%). The presence of RD in any location was associated with worse OS (29% vs. 74.2%, p = 0.0001), even after an R0 resection (37.7% vs 74.2%, p = 0.003). There was no significant difference in survival between patients without RD and with local RD (74.2% vs 64.3%, p = 0.266), nor between patients with regional RD and distant RD (16.1% vs 20%, p = 0.411). After selecting patients in which R0 resection was achieved (n = 44), 5-year survival rate for patients without RD, local RD, and regional RD was, respectively, 74.2%, 75%, and 13.9% (p = 0.0001). The GBRS could be calculated in 25 cases (42.3%), and its usefulness to predict the presence of regional or distant RD (RDRD) was confirmed (80% in high-risk patients and 30% in intermediate risk p = 0.041). CONCLUSION: RDRD, but not local RD, represents a negative prognostic factor of OS. The GBRS was useful to preoperatively identify patients with high risk of RDRD. An R0 resection did not improve OS of patients with regional RD.

Human immunodeficiency virus-infected liver transplant recipients with incidental hepatocellular carcinoma: A prospective multicenter nationwide cohort study.

There is a lack of data on incidental hepatocellular carcinoma (iHCC) in the setting of liver transplantation (LT) in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected patients. This study aims to describe the frequency, histopathological characteristics, and outcomes of HIV+ LT recipients with iHCC from a Spanish multicenter cohort in comparison with a matched cohort of LT patients without HIV infection. A total of 15 (6%) out of 271 patients with HIV infection who received LT in Spain from 2002 to 2012 and 38 (5%) out of the 811 HIV- counterparts presented iHCC in liver explants (P = 0.58). Patients with iHCC constitute the present study population. All patients also had hepatitis C virus (HCV)-related cirrhosis. There were no significant differences in histopathological features of iHCC between the 2 groups. Most patients showed a small number and size of tumoral nodules, and few patients had satellite nodules, microvascular invasion, or poorly differentiated tumors. After a median follow-up of 49 months, no patient developed hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) recurrence after LT. HIV+ LT recipients tended to have lower survival than their HIV- counterparts at 1 (73% versus 92%), 3 (67% versus 84%), and 5 years (50% versus 80%; P = 0.06). There was also a trend to a higher frequency of HCV recurrence as a cause of death in the former (33% versus 10%; P = 0.097). In conclusion, among LT recipients for HCV-related cirrhosis, the incidence and histopathological features of iHCC in HIV+ and HIV- patients were similar. However, post-LT survival was lower in HIV+ patients probably because of a more aggressive HCV recurrence. Liver Transplantation 23 645-651 2017 AASLD.

The influence of steatosis on the short- and long-term results of resection of liver metastases from colorectal carcinoma.

UNLABELLED: We aimed to establish whether the presence of hepatic steatosis influences outcome after resection of colorectal liver metastases (CLM). PATIENTS AND METHODS: Patients operated between 1990 and 2014 were divided into four groups based on the degree of hepatic steatosis. The association between hepatic steatosis and outcome was analyzed, using a multivariate and a propensity score case-match analysis. RESULTS: No significant differences were observed between patients with and without steatosis in either mortality or morbidity in the complete series or after matching (3.2% vs. 3.5%/p = 0.845) (32.3% vs 31.4%/p = 0.802). Five-year survival in patients with and without steatosis were 56.5% and 46.5% respectively (p = 0.046). The steatosis had a significant protective effect in the univariate analysis (HR (95% CI) = 0.78 (0.62-0.99) p = 0.048), and was close to significance in the multivariate analysis (HR (95%) = 0.81 (0.63-1.03) p = 0.089). No significant differences were seen with regard to liver recurrence. CONCLUSIONS: The presence of steatosis does not predict short-outcome after resection of CLM, but appears to be a favorable prognostic factor for survival. This protective effect does not depend on a decrease in liver recurrence.

Human immunodeficiency virus infection does not worsen prognosis of liver transplantation for hepatocellular carcinoma.

UNLABELLED: The impact of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection on patients undergoing liver transplantation (LT) for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is uncertain. This study aimed to assess the outcome of a prospective Spanish nationwide cohort of HIV-infected patients undergoing LT for HCC (2002-2014). These patients were matched (age, gender, year of LT, center, and hepatitis C virus (HCV) or hepatitis B virus infection) with non-HIV-infected controls (1:3 ratio). Patients with incidental HCC were excluded. Seventy-four HIV-infected patients and 222 non-HIV-infected patients were included. All patients had cirrhosis, mostly due to HCV infection (92%). HIV-infected patients were younger (47 versus 51 years) and had undetectable HCV RNA at LT (19% versus 9%) more frequently than non-HIV-infected patients. No significant differences were detected between HIV-infected and non-HIV-infected recipients in the radiological characteristics of HCC at enlisting or in the histopathological findings for HCC in the explanted liver. Survival at 1, 3, and 5 years for HIV-infected versus non-HIV-infected patients was 88% versus 90%, 78% versus 78%, and 67% versus 73% (P = 0.779), respectively. HCV infection (hazard ratio = 7.90, 95% confidence interval 1.07-56.82) and maximum nodule diameter >3 cm in the explanted liver (hazard ratio = 1.72, 95% confidence interval 1.02-2.89) were independently associated with mortality in the whole series. HCC recurred in 12 HIV-infected patients (16%) and 32 non-HIV-infected patients (14%), with a probability of 4% versus 5% at 1 year, 18% versus 12% at 3 years, and 20% versus 19% at 5 years (P = 0.904). Microscopic vascular invasion (hazard ratio = 3.40, 95% confidence interval 1.34-8.64) was the only factor independently associated with HCC recurrence. CONCLUSIONS: HIV infection had no impact on recurrence of HCC or survival after LT. Our results support the indication of LT in HIV-infected patients with HCC.

Technical options for outflow reconstruction in domino liver transplantation: A single European center experience.

Venous outflow is critical to the success of liver transplantation (LT). In domino liver transplantation (DLT), the venous cuffs should be shared between the donor and the recipient, and the length can be compromised. The aim of this study was to describe and compare the technical options for outflow reconstruction used at our institution. This was a retrospective analysis of 39 consecutive DLT recipients between January 1997 and May 2013. Twenty-seven men and 12 women (mean age, 61.8 ± 4.3 years) underwent LT and consented to receive a liver from a donor with familial amyloid polyneuropathy (FAP). The main indications were hepatocellular carcinoma and hepatitis C virus cirrhosis. All recipients underwent transplantation by a piggyback technique. Liver procurement in the FAP donors was performed with the classic technique in 22 patients and with the piggyback technique in the last 17. In these latter cases, for vascular outflow reconstruction, a cadaveric venous graft was interposed between the hepatic vein (HV) stump of the FAP liver and the recipient HV in 11 cases (28%). Since 2011, we have employed arterial grafts to be interposed between the vessels stumps: a tailored arterial graft in 5 patients and an aortic graft in 1 case. There was no postoperative mortality. Arterial and portal complications presented in 2 (5.1) and 4 patients (10.3), respectively. Postoperative outflow complications (post-LT subacute Budd-Chiari syndrome) occurred in 4 patients, and all of them had received a venous interposed graft for reconstruction. The incidence of outflow complications tended to be higher among patients with venous grafts than those with arterial graft interposition. Overall patient survival at 1, 3, 5, and 10 years was 97%, 79%, respectively. Arterial grafts constitute a feasible and safe option for vascular outflow reconstruction in DLT because they are associated with a relatively low incidence of complications. The recently proposed Bellvitge arterial graft technique should be added to the current range of available surgical modalities.

Immunodiagnostic Tests' Predictive Values for Progression to Tuberculosis in Transplant Recipients: A Prospective Cohort Study.

BACKGROUND: Little is known about the predictive value for progression to tuberculosis (TB) of interferon-γ release assays and how they compare with the tuberculin skin test (TST) in assessing the risk of TB infection in transplant recipients. METHODS: We screened 50 liver transplant (LT) and 26 hematopoietic stem cell transplant (HSCT) recipients with both QuantiFERON-TB Gold In-tube (QFT-GT) and TST and prospectively followed them for a median of 47 months without preventive chemoprophylaxis. RESULTS: In the LT cohort, 1 in 22 (4.5%) QFT-GT-positive patients developed posttransplant TB, compared with none of the QFT-GT-negative patients. In the HSCT cohort, none of the 7 QFT-GT-positive patients developed TB, whereas 1 case (5.3%) progressed to active TB among the 19 QFT-GT-negative patients. Comparable results were obtained with the TST: in the LT group, 1 of 23 TST-positive and none of the 27 TST-negative patients developed TB; and in the HSCT group, none of the 8 TST-positive and one of the 18 TST-negative patients progressed to active TB. CONCLUSIONS: In this cohort of transplant recipients, the positive predictive value of QFT-GT for progression to active TB was low and comparable to that of TST. Although the risk of developing TB in patients with negative results at baseline is very low, some cases may still occur.

Prophylaxis versus preemptive therapy for cytomegalovirus disease in high-risk liver transplant recipients.

Cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection is an opportunistic infection frequently found after solid organ transplantation, and it contributes significantly to mortality and morbidity. CMV-seronegative recipients of grafts from CMV-seropositive donors have the highest risk of CMV disease. The most appropriate strategy for preventing CMV disease in this population is a matter of active debate. In this study, we compared prophylaxis and preemptive therapy for the prevention of CMV disease in donor-seropositive/recipient-seronegative (D+ /R-) liver recipients. To this end, we selected a retrospective cohort of liver recipients (1992-2009) for analysis. D+ /R- patients were identified from the liver transplant program database. Eighty of 878 consecutive liver recipients (9%) were D+ /R-. Six of these patients died within 30 days of transplantation and were excluded. Thirty-five of the remaining D+ /R- patients (47%) received prophylaxis, and 39 patients (53%) followed a preemptive strategy based on CMV antigenemia surveillance. Fifty-four (73%) were men, the median age was 49 years (range = 15-68 years), and the mean follow-up was 68 months (range = 8-214 months). The baseline characteristics and the initial immunosuppressive regimens were similar for the 2 groups. Ganciclovir or valganciclovir was the antiviral drug used initially in both strategy groups. CMV disease occurred more frequently among D+ /R- liver recipients receiving preemptive therapy (33.3% versus 8.6% for the prophylaxis group, P = 0.01), whereas late-onset CMV disease was found only in patients receiving prophylaxis (5.7% versus 0% for the preemptive therapy group, P = 0.22). No significant differences in acute allograft rejection, other opportunistic infections, or case fatality rates were observed. According to our data, prophylaxis was more effective than preemptive therapy in preventing CMV disease in high-risk liver transplant recipients.

[Biliary complications after liver transplant]. / Complicaciones biliares tras el trasplante hepático.

There have been biliary complications since the beginning of liver transplants, and is a topic of great interest due to its high incidence, as well as their influence on morbidity and mortality. The biliary fistula is currently uncommon and its management is straightforward. Anastomotic stenosis continues to have an incidence of 10-15%. Although the current treatment of choice is endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP), surgical treatment (hepatico-jejunostomy) continues to have an important role. Non-anastomotic stenosis has an incidence of 5-10%, and is associated with ischaemic or immunological factors, and usually involves a re-transplant. Choledocholithiasis has an incidence of 5-10%, with the treatment of choice being ERCP. However the treatment of biliary complications should be individualised. We must take into account, liver function, the general health status of the patient, and the availability and experience of the team in the different therapeutic options.

Comparison of the 2-step tuberculin skin test and the quantiFERON-TB Gold In-Tube Test for the screening of tuberculosis infection before liver transplantation.

The ability of interferon-gamma release assays (IGRAs) to detect latent tuberculosis (TB) infection before liver transplantation (LT)is not well established. The aims of this study were (1) to compare the ability of the tuberculin skin test (TST) and the QuantiFERON-TB Gold In-Tube (QFT-IT) test (a whole-blood IGRA) to diagnose latent TB infections in patients awaiting LT and (2) to correlate the results with the severity of liver disease. We conducted a prospective, cross-sectional study of patients who were evaluated for LT between July 2008 and July 2010. The 95 patients who were included underwent the 2-step TST and the QFT-IT test. The mean Model for End-Stage Liver Disease (MELD) score was 13.8. Forty-four patients (46.3%) had positive TST results, 42 (44.2%) had positive QFT-IT results, and 2 (2.1%) had indeterminate QFT-IT results. Simultaneous TST and QFT-IT testing yielded a positivity rate of 55.8% [95% confidence interval (CI) = 45.3-65.9] with either test, and the 2-step TST yielded a positivity rate of 46.3% (95% CI = 36.1-56.8); the difference was 9.5% (P = 0.004). In an adjusted analysis, the rates for positive TST results were lower in patients with MELD scores > or = 18 [odds ratio (OR) = 0.2, 95% CI = 0.04-0.7], lower in Child-Pugh-Turcotte (CPT) class C patients versus CPT class A patients (OR = 0.1, 95% CI = 0.02-0.6), and higher in males (OR = 6.4, 95% CI = 1.9-22.0). In contrast, only being male (OR = 3.5, 95% CI = 1.1-11.0) was associated with positive QFT-IT results; no association was found with the MELD score (OR = 0.8, 95% CI = 0.2-2.8) or the CPT class (OR = 0.3; 0.05-1.4). In conclusion, the QFT-IT test is better than the TST for detecting latent TB infection in patients with more advanced liver disease. Our results support the regular use of the QFT-IT test for screening patients with end-stage liver disease for latent TB infection before LT.

Risk of transmission of systemic transthyretin amyloidosis after domino liver transplantation.

Recent reports of the transmission of systemic transthyretin (TTR) amyloidosis after domino liver transplantation (DLT) using grafts from patients with familial amyloid polyneuropathy (FAP) have raised concerns about the procedure. The aim of this study was to evaluate the transmission incidence of systemic TTR amyloidosis after DLT with a complete clinical, neurological, and pathological assessment. At our institution, DLT has been performed 31 times with livers from patients with FAP. Seventeen of the 19 patients still alive in 2008 agreed to enter the study. This cross-sectional study of this cohort of patients included clinical assessments, rectal biopsy, and electroneuromyography (as well as sural nerve biopsy when it was indicated). The mean follow-up at the time of the study was 62.6 ± 2.9 months. Clinically, 3 patients complained of weak dysesthesia. When a focused study was performed, 8 patients reported some kind of neurological and/or gastrointestinal disturbance. Six of the rectal biopsy samples showed amyloid deposits (TTR-positive). Electromyography (EMG) showed signs of mild sensorimotor neuropathy in 3 cases and moderate to severe sensorimotor neuropathy in 1 case. Only 2 of the 4 patients with EMG signs of polyneuropathy showed amyloid deposits in their rectal biopsy samples. Sural nerve biopsy revealed amyloid deposits (TTR-positive) in all 4 patients with EMG signs of polyneuropathy. Two patients with normal EMG findings had TTR-positive amyloid deposits in their sural nerve biopsy samples. In conclusion, de novo systemic amyloidosis after DLT may be more frequent and appear earlier than was initially thought. In our opinion, however, the graft shortage still justifies DLT in selected patients, despite the risk of de novo systemic amyloidosis. Sural nerve biopsy with EMG and clinical correlation is mandatory for confirming the disease. Indeed, other causes of neuropathy should be excluded.

Tratamiento quirúrgico del adenocarcinoma pancreático mediante duodenopancreatectomía cefálica (parte 2). Seguimiento a largo plazo tras 204 casos / Surgical treatment of pancreatic adenocarcinoma using cephalic duodenopancreatectomy (Part 2). Long term follow up after 204 cases

Objetivo: Definir factores pronóstico de supervivencia a largo plazo tras la duodenopancreatectomía cefálica por adenocarcinoma pancreático. Introducción: La cirugía es el tratamiento aceptado en el adenocarcinoma de páncreas cefálico, sin embargo la supervivencia a largo plazo sigue siendo baja. Material y métodos: Hemos recogido la experiencia en el tratamiento del adenocarcinoma de cabeza de páncreas (ADCP) en el Hospital Universitari de Bellvitge mediante duodenopancreatectomía cefálica (DPC) desde 1991 hasta 2007. Resultados: Se realizaron 204 DPC por ADCP. El estudio histológico evidenció que el tumor resecado tenía un tamaño superior a 3cm. en 70, con permeación linfática en un 73%, invasión perineural en 89% y afectación linfática en 71%. En 120 pacientes se resecaron más de 15 adenopatías. Tras la cirugía, se administró tratamiento adyuvante a 113 pacientes (60%). Se contabilizaron 148 fallecimientos (73%), estando vivos al cierre del mismo 55 (27%). La supervivencia actual media fue de 2,54 años (IC95% 2,02–3,07) y la supervivencia actuarial a 5 años de 13,55% (IC95% 7,69–19,41). El estudio de factores de riesgo de mortalidad reveló que el sexo femenino (p=0,005), la ausencia de transfusión perioperatoria (p=0,003), la resección de más de 15 adenopatías en la intervención (p=0,004) y la administración de tratamiento adyuvante (p=0,004) comportaron mejor pronóstico a largo plazo. El estudio multivariante demostró que transfusión y sexo fueron las variables de interés. Conclusiones: La cirugía del adenocarcinoma de cabeza de páncreas debe incluir una linfadenectomía suficiente y debe realizarse con baja morbilidad y sin necesidad de transfusión perioperatoria (AU)

Introduction: Surgery is the accepted treatment in adenocarcinoma of the head of the pancreas; however, the long-term survival continues to be low. The aim of this study is to define prognos:tic factors of long-term survival after cephalic duodenopancreatectomy due to pancreatic adenocarcinoma. Material and methods: We have collected data on the treatment of adenocarcinoma of the head of the pancreas (ADHP) by means of a cephalic duodenopancreatectomy (CDP) performed n the Bellvitge University Hospital (Barcelona) from 1991 to 2007. Results: A total of 204 CDP due to ADHP were performed. The histology showed that the resected tumour was larger than 3cms in 70 cases, with lymphatic infiltration in 73%, perineural invasion in 89%, and lymphatic involvement in 89%. More than 15 lymph nodes were resected in 120 patients. A total of 113 (60%) patients received adjuvant treatment after surgery. There were 148 (73%) deaths, of which 55 (27%) were alive at closure. The actual mean survival was 2.54 years (95% CI; 2.02–3.07) and an actuarial survival at 5 years of 13.55% (95% CI; 7.69–19.41). The study of mortality risk factors showed that, female gender, absence of peri-operative transfusion (p=0.003), the resection of more than 15 lymph nodes during the operation (P=0.004), and the administration of adjuvant treatment (p=0.004) had a better long-term prognosis. The multivariate analysis showed that transfusion and gender were the most significant variables. Conclusions: Surgery of head of the pancreas adenocarcinoma must include an adequate lymphadectomy, and must be performed with a low morbidity and without the need of a peri-operative transfusion (AU)

[Surgical treatment of pancreatic adenocarcinoma using cephalic duodenopancreatectomy (Part 2). Long term follow up after 204 cases]. / Tratamiento quirúrgico del adenocarcinoma pancreático mediante duodenopancreatectomía cefálica (parte 2). Seguimiento a largo plazo tras 204 casos.

INTRODUCTION: Surgery is the accepted treatment in adenocarcinoma of the head of the pancreas; however, the long-term survival continues to be low. The aim of this study is to define prognostic factors of long-term survival after cephalic duodenopancreatectomy due to pancreatic adenocarcinoma. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We have collected data on the treatment of adenocarcinoma of the head of the pancreas (ADHP) by means of a cephalic duodenopancreatectomy (CDP) performed n the Bellvitge University Hospital (Barcelona) from 1991 to 2007. RESULTS: A total of 204 CDP due to ADHP were performed. The histology showed that the resected tumour was larger than 3cms in 70 cases, with lymphatic infiltration in 73%, perineural invasion in 89%, and lymphatic involvement in 89%. More than 15 lymph nodes were resected in 120 patients. A total of 113 (60%) patients received adjuvant treatment after surgery. There were 148 (73%) deaths, of which 55 (27%) were alive at closure. The actual mean survival was 2.54 years (95% CI; 2.02-3.07) and an actuarial survival at 5 years of 13.55% (95% CI; 7.69-19.41). The study of mortality risk factors showed that, female gender, absence of peri-operative transfusion (p=0.003), the resection of more than 15 lymph nodes during the operation (P=0.004), and the administration of adjuvant treatment (p=0.004) had a better long-term prognosis. The multivariate analysis showed that transfusion and gender were the most significant variables. CONCLUSIONS: Surgery of head of the pancreas adenocarcinoma must include an adequate lymphadectomy, and must be performed with a low morbidity and without the need of a peri-operative transfusion.

Papel de la cirugía en el manejo de las complicaciones biliares tras el trasplante hepático / Role of surgery in the management of biliary complications after liver transplantation

Resumen El manejo de las complicaciones biliares (CB) postrasplante hepático ha evolucionado en los últimos años. Resumen Los objetivos de este estudio fueron, analizar la incidencia y el manejo de las CB en nuestro centro en 1.000 transplantes hepáticos; y estudiar específicamente el manejo de las estenosis anastomóticas (EA). Resultados la incidencia de CB fue del 23%. Se dieron 76 casos de fístula biliar, 106 casos de estenosis anastomóticas, 46 casos de estenosis no-anastomóticas, 42 coledocolitiasis y 19 otras complicaciones. Resultados De los 106 casos de estenosis anastomóticas, se indicó tratamiento radiológico (CPRE o CTPH) en 62 casos. En 38 casos (33%), la estenosis anastomótica se resolvió mediante tratamiento quirúrgico, en 18 tras previo tratamiento radiológico. La morbilidad y mortalidad relacionada con el tratamiento radiológico de las CB fue discretamente superior (morbilidad: Quir: 4 (18%) vs Radiol: 20 (32%); p=0,2 y mortalidad: Quir: 0% vs Radiol: 8 (11%); p=0,23).Resultados De los 46 pacientes con estenosis no anastomóticas, 29 (63%) fueron tratados mediante retrasplante. Conclusión El tratamiento quirúrgico tiene un papel relevante en el manejo de las CB postrasplante hepático, y es el tratamiento de elección en algunos casos de estenosis anastomóticas. El retrasplante, sin manipulación previa, es el tratamiento de elección en los pacientes con estenosis no anastomóticas (AU)

Abstract Management of biliary tract complications (BTC) after liver transplantation (LT) has progressed in recent years. The aims of this study were, to analyse the incidence and management in our institution of BTC after 1000LT; and to study the management of patients with anastomotic strictures (AS). Results The incidence of BTC was 23%. There were 76 cases of bile leak, 106 cases of anastomotic strictures, 46 non-anastomotic strictures, 42 choledocolithiasis and 19 other complications. Results Among 106 cases of anastomotic strictures, radiological treatment, either PTC or ERCP, was initially indicated in 62. The AS of 38 patients (33%) were resolved with surgical treatment, 18 of them after a previous attempt at radiological treatment. Patients who were treated initially by radiologically required more procedures. Morbidity and mortality related to BTC were slightly higher in the group of patients treated by radiology (morbidity: surgical: 4 (18%) vs. radiological: 20 (32%); p=0.2 and mortality: surgical: 0% vs. radiological: 8 (11%); p=0.23).Results Among 46 patients with non-anastomotic strictures, 29 were resolved with retransplantation (63%). Conclusions Surgery has a significant role in the management of BTC, and is the treatment of choice in some cases of anastomotic strictures. Retransplantation may be the preferred option in patients with non-anastomotic strictures (AU)

[Role of surgery in the management of biliary complications after liver transplantation]. / Papel de la cirugía en el manejo de las complicaciones biliares tras el trasplante hepático.

UNLABELLED: Management of biliary tract complications (BTC) after liver transplantation (LT) has progressed in recent years. The aims of this study were, to analyse the incidence and management in our institution of BTC after 1000 LT; and to study the management of patients with anastomotic strictures (AS). RESULTS: The incidence of BTC was 23%. There were 76 cases of bile leak, 106 cases of anastomotic strictures, 46 non-anastomotic strictures, 42 choledocolithiasis and 19 other complications. Among 106 cases of anastomotic strictures, radiological treatment, either PTC or ERCP, was initially indicated in 62. The AS of 38 patients (33%) were resolved with surgical treatment, 18 of them after a previous attempt at radiological treatment. Patients who were treated initially by radiologically required more procedures. Morbidity and mortality related to BTC were slightly higher in the group of patients treated by radiology (morbidity: surgical: 4 (18%) vs. radiological: 20 (32%); p=0.2 and mortality: surgical: 0% vs. radiological: 8 (11%); p=0.23). Among 46 patients with non-anastomotic strictures, 29 were resolved with retransplantation (63%). CONCLUSIONS: Surgery has a significant role in the management of BTC, and is the treatment of choice in some cases of anastomotic strictures. Retransplantation may be the preferred option in patients with non-anastomotic strictures.

Sirolimus-based rescue therapy after rejection in liver transplantation.

Steroid-resistant acute rejection (SR-AR) and ductopenic rejection (DR) after liver transplantation are infrequent, but difficult to manage. We performed a retrospective review of patients with SR-AR or DR treated with sirolimus-based therapy. Since 2002, we have treated five patients with SR-AR and eight patients with DR. All patients had associated renal insufficiency. Six patients showed no response, of whom five died and one was retransplanted. In six cases, rejection was resolved after changing, while one improved. Therefore, the total response rate was 54%. Ten of 13 patients (77%) suffered some type of adverse event. Ten of these (77%) suffered a hematologic event. Four patients (31%) had infection. Only two patients had to discontinue treatment. Univariate analysis showed that pre-conversion bilirubin was lower in responders (Bilirubin: R: 210 +/- 205 vs. NoR: 554 +/- 159 micromol/L; p = 0.07 and Creatinine clearance higher: R: 37 +/- 11 vs. NoR: 25 +/- 11 mL/min; p = 0.09). Sirolimus trough levels one month after switching were higher in responders (R: 11 +/- 1.8 vs. NoR: 7.5 +/- 3.3 ng/mL; p = 0.03). We conclude that a dual therapy regimen of tacrolimus and sirolimus can achieve a high response rate as a rescue therapy for SR-AR and DR, provided it is begun as soon as possible.