Distal pancreatectomy.

NTRODUCTION: Distal pancreatectomy is a standard surgical procedure for selected benign, premalignant, and malignant lesions localized in the pancreatic body or tail. Surgical resection remains the only curative option for patients diagnosed with adenocarcinoma of the pancreas. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Perioperative and postoperative clinical courses were retrospectively assessed in patients, who underwent distal pancreatectomy during the 2011‒2021 period. RESULTS: During the 2011‒2021 period, a total of 112 distal pancreatectomies were performed. 67 patients (59.8%) underwent laparoscopic distal pancreatectomy, and 45 patients (40.2%) open laparotomy. The conversion was necessary for 13 patients (11.6%). Distal pancreatectomies performed laparoscopically were associated more often with biochemical leak and the development of grade B fistula, on the other hand grade C fistula developed only in patients operated by open laparotomy (LPT). The mean operating time was slightly longer in the laparoscopic group (227.1 min vs 214.6 min). The mean estimated blood loss was significantly higher in the LPT group (540.4 ml vs 191.9 ml). The mean hospitalization time was slightly longer in the LPT group (11.8 days vs 9.3 days). The rates of early reoperations were comparable between both groups (6 vs 5). CONCLUSION: Laparoscopic techniques are preferred in centers around the world to bring patients benefits by using a minimally invasive approach. These techniques are also preferred in our center, in nearly 60% of all distal pancreatectomies performed during 10 years, but on the other hand, there is a much more careful approach chosen in cases of malignant disease to achieve adequate radicality (Tab.4, Ref. 20).

Rare Benign Focal Lesions of the Liver: Report of 2 Cases and Literature Review.

Introduction: Benign lesions of the liver are very common findings, usually randomly discovered, especially during examinations for other indications. The frequent use of imaging modalities may be responsible for the statistical increase in the incidence of these findings. Case Presentation: In this publication, we present the cases of 2 female patients with benign liver lesions, the occurrence of which is considered rare, and only a few dozen cases have been described worldwide. In both cases, clinical symptoms, diagnostic approach, and surgical treatment are presented. Conclusion: Due to increasing availability of imaging methods, the occurrence of previously considered rare benign liver lesions increases as well. In many cases, the malignant potential of these findings remains unclear. Decision-making process should include a multidisciplinary board.

Pancreatic stiffness and anthropometric parameters in healthy volunteers.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to define the values of percutaneous ultrasound shear-wave and strain elastography of the pancreas in healthy volunteers. METHODS: This is a single-center prospective study conducted on volunteers who underwent examination of percutaneous point shear­wave elastography and strain elastography. Both the shear-wave speed (Vs) and strain histogram were measured 3 times and median values were evaluated. Relevant recorded clinical data were age, sex, and height. RESULTS:  From May 2020 to October 2021 a total of 90 patients (21 male, 69 female) were included in the study. Their average age was 26 years (from 22 to 65). The average SWM in kPa was 6.07 (2.58-17.29). The average value of SE was 134.44 (78.51-184.35). Most of the patients had BMI in the range of normal weight with an average value of 22.75 (17.5-28). The average depth of the localization of the pancreas was 4.5 cm. The effect of BMI on the strain histogram was significant (p < 0.05). We found a significant relationship between the strain histogram and the depth of localization of the pancreas (p < 0.01). CONCLUSION:  We described normal values for pancreatic stiffness using ultrasound elastography by 2D-SWE and strain elastography. Our results indicate changes in values depending on BMI and depth of the pancreas. (Tab. 1, Fig. 5, Ref. 19).

Cancer stem cell marker expression and methylation status in patients with colorectal cancer.

The number of individuals diagnosed with colorectal cancer (CRC) has been on an alarming upward trajectory over the past decade. In some countries, this cancer represents one of the most frequently diagnosed types of neoplasia. Therefore, it is an important demand to study the pathology underlying this disease to gain insights into the mechanism of resistance to treatment. Resistance of tumors to chemotherapy and tumor aggressiveness have been associated with a minor population of neoplastic cells, which are considered to be responsible for tumor recurrence. These types of neoplastic cells are known as cancer stem cells, which have been previously reported to serve an important role in pathogenesis of this malignant disease. Slovakia has one of the highest incidence rates of CRC worldwide. In the present study, the aim was to classify the abundance of selected stem cell markers (CD133, CD166 and Lgr5) in CRC tumors using flow cytometry. In addition, the methylation status of selected genomic regions of CRC biomarkers (ADAMTS16, MGMT, PROM1 (CD133), LGR5 and ALCAM) was investigated by pyrosequencing in a cohort of patients from Martin University Hospital, Martin, Slovakia. Samples from both primary tumors and metastatic tumors were tested. Analysis of DNA methylation in the genomic regions of indicated five CRC biomarkers was also performed, which revealed the highest levels of methylation in the A disintegrin and metalloproteinase with thrombospondin motifs 16 and O6-methyguanine-DNA methyl transferase genes, whereas the lowest levels of methylation were found in genes expressing prominin-1, leucine-rich repeat-containing G-protein-coupled receptor 5 and activated leukocyte cell adhesion molecule. Furthermore, tumor tissues from metastases showed significantly higher levels of CD133+ cells compared with that in primary tumors. Higher levels of CD133+ cells correlated with TNM stage and the invasiveness of CRC into the lymphatic system. Although relatively small number of samples was processed, CD133 marker was consider to be important marker in pathology of CRC.

Establishment of PANDA - a new human pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma cell line with 3D cell culture technology.

Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is a highly aggressive type of malignancy with one of the worst prognoses amongst any type of cancer. Surgery is applicable only to the limited number of patients with locally resectable tumors and currently represents the only curative treatment option. Treatment with chemotherapy and radiotherapy can only extend patient survival. Despite advances in conventional therapies, the five-year survival of PDAC remained largely unchanged. New in vitro and in vivo models are therefore urgently needed to investigate this type of cancer. Here, we present the establishment and characterization of a novel pancreatic cancer cell line, isolated from a patient with PDAC. Cell line abbreviated as PANDA (PANncreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma) was established with an optimized 3D culture protocol published previously by our group. The new cancer cell line "PANDA" represents a novel in vitro approach for PDAC cancer research and new therapy testing.

Detection of therapeutically relevant and concomitant rare somatic variants in colorectal cancer.

In colorectal cancer (CRC), clinically relevant biomarkers are known for genome-guided therapy that can be detected by both first and next generation methods. The aim of our work was to introduce a robust NGS assay that will be able to detect, in addition to standard predictive single nucleotide-based biomarkers, even rare and concomitant clinically relevant variants. Another aim was to identify truncating mutations in APC and pathogenic variants in TP53 to divide patients into potentially prognostic groups. A multigene panel with hotspots in 50 cancer-critical genes was used. Finally, 86 patients diagnosed with primary or metastatic colorectal cancer were enrolled. In total, there were identified 163 pathogenic variants, among them in the genes most recurrent mutated in CRC such as TP53 (49%), the RAS family genes KRAS and NRAS (47%), APC (43%), and PIK3CA (15%). In 30 samples, two driver mutations were present in one sample, 11 patients were without any mutations covered by this panel. In one patient, a novel variant in BRAF p.D594E was found, not previously seen in CRC, and was concomitant with KRAS p.G12A. In KRAS, a potentially sensitive mutation to anti-EGFR therapy p.A59T was found along with the PIK3CA missense variant p.E545K. It was possible to divide patients into groups based on the occurrence of truncating APC variant alone or concomitant with TP53 or KRAS. Our results demonstrate the potential of small multigene panels that can be used in diagnostics for the detection of rare therapeutically relevant variants. Moreover, the division of patients into groups based on the presence of APC and TP53 mutations enables this panel to be used in retrospective studies on the effectiveness of treatment with anti-EGFR inhibitors.

Preoperative stenting in insulinoma located nearby pancreatic duct: a case report and literature review.

Insulinoma is a rare functional neuroendocrine tumor of pancreas. The only recommended treatment is surgical removal. We present a case of a 46-year-old female patient who underwent the enucleation of insulinoma localized nearby pancreatic main duct after preoperative endoscopic insertion of pancreatic stent. The tumor was safely identified during the surgery and was enucleated without injury of pancreatic duct or postoperative complications.

Jejunal diverticulosis: A rare cause of massive bleeding.

INTRODUCTION: Jejunal diverticulosis is a rare diagnosis that occurs mainly in old age, more often in men than in women. It is usually an incidental diagnosis of unclear aethtiology. In some cases, visceral myopathy can also be the cause. It is most often manifested by abdominal pain and bleeding. Bleeding from the small intestinal diverticula represents only 0.6-5% of all small intestinal bleeding. CASE REPORT: The authors describe the case of a 66-year-old man with massive gastrointestinal bleeding who did not respond to conservative hemostyptic treatment. Following negative gastrofibroscopic and colonoscopic examinations, an angioCT examination was indicated, which revealed a source of bleeding in the jejunal diverticula. The patient was indicated for surgical treatment. The extent of bleeding was determined by perioperative enteroscopy and subsequently, the affected jejunal segment was segmentally resected with a primary anastomosis. CONCLUSION: Bleeding from the jejunal diverticula is a very rare diagnosis, which poses challenges in the diagnostic process in particular. Capsule enteroscopy plays an important role in the diagnosis, as well as CT angiography and scintigraphy in the event of massive bleeding. In addition to conservative treatment, the embolization of a bleeding vessel may subsequently be used in therapy. In indicated cases, surgical resection treatment is also possible.

Experiences With Expanded Criteria Donors: 10-Year Analysis of the Martin, Slovakia Transplant Center.

OBJECTIVES: Kidneys from expanded criteria donors with diagnosis of brain death have become a part of the organ transplant program, which have thus increased the number of transplants. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this retrospective analysis, we identified the expanded criteria donors in a group of 156 kidney donors at our center. Basic parameters of the donors before kidney recovery were collected. Graft function, graft survival, and patient survival at 1, 3, and 5 years posttransplant were compared in expanded criteria versus standard criteria donors. RESULTS: Expanded criteria donors were significantly older than standard criteria donors (P < .001), had higher body mass index (P = .006), and had more frequent arterial hypertension (P < .001) and diabetes mellitus (P = .004) in their histories. When we considered the estimated glomerular filtration rate, graft function in the first 6 months after transplant was significantly worse in kidneys from expanded criteria donors (P = .011). In addition, recipients of grafts from expanded criteria donors had significantly worse survival in the first year posttransplant (P = .023); however, no differences in graft survival were observed. CONCLUSIONS: From the long-term aspect, graft function and graft and patient survival in cases of kidneys from expanded criteria donors were comparable to results with kidneys from standard criteria donors. Expanded use of organs available for transplant is important due to the constantly increasing demands versus limited offers of organs.

Totally Laparoscopic ALPPS: Bilobar Procedure with Preservation of the S3 Portobiliary Triad.

BACKGROUND: A laparoscopic approach for associating liver partition and portal vein ligation for staged hepatectomy (ALPPS) would have the potential to decrease morbidity and mortality rates,1 as similarly observed with laparoscopic liver surgery.2 METHODS: A 54-year-old woman with stage IV rectal cancer (cT3dN1M1) was indicated for the 'liver-first' approach. The patient presented with a massive bilobar metastatic liver involvement, including S4. Five lesions were localized in a small left liver lobe (future liver remnant < 25%). During the first stage of ALPPS, the liver parenchyma was transected with preservation of the central part of the middle hepatic vein, followed by a non-anatomical resection of S3 and a metastasectomy in S2. The procedure was completed by radiofrequency ablation of S2 lesions close to the S2 portobiliary triad, to spare venous drainage for S3. The second stage of ALPPS was performed 8 days later. RESULTS: Operative time was 300 min for the first stage of ALPPS and 200 min for the second stage. Peroperative blood loss did not exceed 50 mL per operation, and no postoperative complications were observed. The patient was discharged 7 days after the second surgery. One month later, a laparoscopic uncomplicated low anterior resection with tumor-free resection margins was performed. Five months after surgery, no disease progression was detected. CONCLUSION: A laparoscopic ALPPS procedure with preservation of one portobiliary triad in the left lobe would be feasible in selected patients. The laparoscopic approach would be very important for patients waiting for a final primary tumor surgery.

Donor Body Mass Index as a Risk Factor for Delayed Onset of Graft Function.

Delayed graft function continues to pose a significant challenge to clinicians in the context of kidney transplantation. The objective of this retrospective, 5-year analysis is to identify the parameters of beating heart donors and those of recipients that affect the delayed development of graft function. The monitored group was composed of 152 beating heart donors and 179 recipients. Delayed graft function was identified in 32 (17%) patients. The predictor for development of delayed graft function was the body mass index of the donor (odds ratio: 1.1473; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.0017-1.3140; P = .0472), and the independent risk factors were donor body mass index 30 to 34.9 kg/m2 (hazard ratio [HR]: 6.0215; 95% CI: 1.4188-25.556; P = .0149), donor body mass index ≥35 kg/m2 (HR: 13.5484; 95% CI: 1.4575-125.938; P = .0220), and abuse of alcohol in the donor's history (HR: 1.779; 95% CI: 1.0679-2.964; P = .0270).