Sinusoidal injury increases morbidity after major hepatectomy in patients with colorectal liver metastases receiving preoperative chemotherapy

OBJECTIVE

To investigate whether sinusoidal injury (SI) was associated with a worse outcome after hepatectomy in patients with colorectal liver metastases (CRLM).

BACKGROUND

Correlation between SI and oxaliplatin-based chemotherapy (OBC) was recently shown in patients with CRLM. However, it has yet to be fully clarified whether SI affects liver functional reserve and outcome after hepatectomy.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Between 2003 and 2005, 90 patients with CRLM who underwent an elective hepatectomy after preoperative chemotherapies were included. Diagnosis of SI was established pathologically in the nontumoral liver parenchyma of the resected specimens, and perioperative data were assessed in these patients.

RESULTS

OBC was significantly associated with a higher incidence of SI. Preoperative indocyanine green retention rate at 15 minutes (ICG-R15) and postoperative value of total-bilirubin were significantly higher, and hospital stay was significantly longer in patients presenting with SI. Multivariate analysis showed that female gender, administration of 6 cycles or more of OBC, abnormal value of preoperative aspartate aminotransferase >36 IU/L, or abnormal value of preoperative ICG-R15 (>10%) were preoperative factors significantly associated with SI. Among patients undergoing a major hepatectomy, SI was significantly associated with higher morbidity and longer hospital stay.

CONCLUSION

The present study suggests that SI resulted in a poorer liver functional reserve and in a higher complication rate after major hepatectomy. Therefore, female patients who received 6 cycles or more of OBC, or presenting with abnormal preoperative aspartate aminotransferase and ICG-R15 values should be carefully selected before deciding to undertake a major hepatectomy.

Is pancreaticoduodenectomy with mesentericoportal venous resection safe and worthwhile?

BACKGROUND

Whether or not superior mesentericoportal venous resection (SM-PVR) associated with pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD) is safe and worthwhile has not been fully confirmed. The aim of the present study was to investigate results of this surgical procedure performed for pancreatic head and periampullary neoplasms.

METHODS

As a first analysis, postoperative morbidity and mortality after PD with (n = 31) or without SM-PVR (n = 119) were investigated in 150 patients with pancreatic head and periampullary neoplasms. As a second analysis, rates of margin-negative resection and survival after SM-PVR (n = 21) and without SM-PVR (n = 66) were compared in 87 patients with pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma of the pancreatic head. In these patients undergoing SM-PVR (n = 21), survival rate was investigated in patients who did (n = 13) and did not (n = 8) undergo a margin-negative resection.

RESULTS

In the first analysis, duration of surgery and volume of blood transfused perioperatively were higher in patients undergoing SM-PVR. However, mortality, morbidity rates, and mean hospital stay did not differ between patients who did undergo SM-PVR (31 patients, 3.2%, 48.4%, and 22.2 days, respectively) and who did not (119 patients, 2.5%, 47.1%, 25.9 days, respectively). No postoperative death occurred in the recent part of the present study, since 1994, in patients undergoing SM-PVR. In the second analysis of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma, rates of margin-negative resection and 2-year survival did not significantly differ between patients who did and did not undergo SM-PVR (62% and 22%, respectively, versus 73% and 24%). In patients undergoing SM-PVR, survival rate was significantly higher for patients undergoing a margin-negative resection (n = 13) than for patients undergoing a macroscopic or microscopic margin-positive resection (n = 8, 2-year survival = 57.1% versus 0%, P <0.05).

CONCLUSION

PD combined with SM-PVR can be performed safely. This surgical procedure is followed by a promising survival rate and can be recommended in order to obtain a margin-negative resection; however, candidates for SM-PVR should be carefully selected.

One or two-stage hepatectomy combined with portal vein embolization for initially nonresectable colorectal liver metastases

BACKGROUND

Portal vein embolization (PVE), proposed to induce contralateral hepatic hypertrophy before major hepatectomy, carries some negative side effects since growth rate of metastases in the future remnant liver (RL) can be more rapid than that of nontumoral liver parenchyma. Therefore, metastases in the RL should be ideally resected before PVE, and a major hepatectomy can then be performed after PVE in patients with multiple bilobar colorectal liver metastases (MBLM). The aim of this study was to assess feasibility and outcome in patients with initially unresectable colorectal liver metastases treated by a one- or two-stage hepatectomy procedure (TSHP) combined with PVE.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

From December 1996 to December 1999, 180 patients with colorectal liver metastases underwent hepatectomy. During the same period, 18 were initially considered as unresectable. TSHP combined with PVE was attempted for 7 patients (group A) among those with MBLM, and a one-stage hepatectomy after PVE was attempted in another group of 11 patients (group B) among those with non-MBLM.

RESULTS

Nonanatomical resections for left liver metastases were performed as a first stage without any complications in group A. A right hepatectomy (RH) was performed in 5 patients in group A (feasibility = 71%). In group B, 7 of the 11 patients underwent a RH or an extended RH after PVE (feasibility = 64%). Postoperative complications rate did not differ between group A and B. Mortality was nil. Three-year survival rate was 53% in group A and 100% in group B.

CONCLUSIONS

These results suggest that one- or two-stage hepatectomy combined with PVE can be applied safely to selected patients initially considered as unresectable. Three-year survival was similar to that observed in patients with initially resectable liver metastases.

Significance of the depth of portal vein wall invasion after curative resection for pancreatic adenocarcinoma

HYPOTHESIS

The depth of portal vein (PV) wall invasion is a prognostic factor for survival after curative pancreatic resection for pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma.

DESIGN

Retrospective clinical study.

SETTING

Department of digestive surgery and transplantation.

PATIENTS

From January 1, 1990, through December 31, 2002, 121 patients underwent a curative pancreatic resection for ductal adenocarcinoma of the pancreas. Among these, 37 pancreatic resections combined with PV resection were performed.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Prognostic factors for survival and predictive factors for the depth of PV wall invasion.

RESULTS

The morbidity and mortality rates did not differ between patients undergoing or not undergoing PV resection (32.4% and 2.7% [1/37], respectively, vs 38.1% and 2.4% [2/84], respectively). The 3-year survival rate after curative pancreatic resection was significantly associated with the depth of PV wall invasion. Indeed, the 3-year overall survival rate was similar for patients with no PV invasion and those with superficial invasion into the tunica adventitia (40.0% vs 32.9%, respectively; P = .85). Deeper PV wall invasion into the tunica media or the tunica intima was associated with a poorer 1-year survival rate similar to that of patients undergoing noncurative resection (21.5% vs 34.4%, respectively; P = .53). Multivariate analysis showed that the depth of PV wall invasion, number of involved lymph nodes, and volume of blood transfusion were independent factors of overall and disease-free survival. Tumor size of 45 mm or more (evaluated by computed tomography) and angiographic type C or D on a portogram were significantly correlated with the depth of PV wall invasion. Patients presenting with both factors simultaneously had poor survival.

CONCLUSIONS

The depth of PV wall invasion significantly alters survival after curative pancreatic resection combined with PV resection. However, occasional long-term survival could be observed after curative resection in patients with deep PV wall invasion.

Pancreaticogastrostomy decreased relaparotomy caused by pancreatic fistula after pancreaticoduodenectomy compared with pancreaticojejunostomy

HYPOTHESIS

Pancreaticogastrostomy (PG) is associated with a lower relaparotomy rate following pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD) than pancreaticojejunostomy (PJ).

DESIGN

Retrospective clinical trial.

SETTING

Department of digestive surgery and transplantation.

PATIENTS

Between 1987 and 2001, 250 consecutive patients underwent PD in our institution. Among them, 83 patients underwent PJ and 167, PG.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Preoperative clinicopathological features, intraoperative parameters, in-hospital mortality, postoperative morbidity, pancreatic fistula (PF), relaparotomy rates, and length of hospital stay were analyzed and compared between 2 reconstructive methods, PJ and PG, after PD.

RESULTS

The morbidity rate, including PF, was lower in the PG group (38.3%) than in the PJ group (53.0%; P =.02). The mortality rate did not differ between the PG group (2.9%) and PJ group (2.4%). Conversely, the incidence of PF and the mean +/- SD length of hospital stay were significantly lower in the PG group (2.3% and 17.2 +/- 7.7 days) than in the PJ group (20.4% and 23.3 +/- 11.7 days; P<.001 for both variables). Moreover, the overall relaparotomy rate was significantly lower in the PG group (4.7%) than in the PJ group (18.0%; P =.001). Nine (52.9%) of 17 patients with PF in the PJ group underwent relaparotomy. These 9 patients underwent subsequent completion pancreatectomy (n = 7) or removal of peripancreatic necrotized tissue (n = 2) with a postoperative mortality rate of 22.2%. However, no patient required relaparotomy for PF in the PG group because medical therapy succeeded in all 4 patients with PF. Moreover, no mortality related to PF occurred in the PG group.

CONCLUSION

The PG procedure is a safe method of reconstruction after PD, with a significantly lower rate of PF and relaparotomy.

Hepatic metastases of gastroenteropancreatic neuroendocrine tumors: safe hepatic surgery

Liver metastases of neuroendocrine tumors are usually slow-growing, and cytoreductive hepatectomy can help reduce the effects of endocrinopathies and increase life expectancy and symptom-free survival. However, it has yet to be fully investigated how hepatectomy for metastatic neuroendocrine tumors can be performed safely. Here we report the results of 13 patients with neuroendocrine liver metastases operated on in our institution and those of a French multicentric study that included 131 patients. Preoperative patient selection and appropriate surgical technique, sometimes combined with preoperative portal embolization and local tumor destruction (radiofrequency and cryotherapy), may increase the resectability and the safety of the procedure. The mortality rate after hepatectomy was 0% (2.3% in the French study); the 3- and 6-year survival rates were 91% and 68%, respectively, in our institution (the mean survival time was 66 months in the French multicentric survey). Significant prolonged survival with complete palliation of symptoms can be obtained after liver metastases resection with low mortality.

Surgical repair after bile duct and vascular injuries during laparoscopic cholecystectomy: when and how?

Recent collective reviews have outlined when and how surgeons should treat patients with bile duct injuries after laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC). However, little is described about other injuries combined with bile duct injuries, for example, hepatic arterial injury and secondary biliary cirrhosis. Fifteen patients with bile duct injuries following LC were referred and surgically treated from 1990 to 1998 in our institution. We report how patients with hepatic arterial injury combined with bile duct injuries during LC were treated. The present study also reports unusual complicated situations: one patient with biliary cirrhosis referred 4 years after LC, another treated with internal biliary metallic stent referred 2.5 years after LC, and another with isolated right hepatic ductal injury. Short- and long-term surgical outcomes after biliary repair were compared between simply referred patients and those with complicated history. Patients who were referred several years after LC and who were referred after primary hepaticojejunostomy were included with patients with complicated history (n = 4, group B), and the other patients were included with patients with simple history (n = 11, group A). Simultaneous right hepatic arterial occlusion was observed in 3 of these 15 patients, and arterial reconstruction was performed in 2 of the 3 patients in addition to biliary reconstruction. No postoperative complication occurred in these three patients. The patient with isolated injury of the right hepatic duct and the other with biliary cirrhosis were successfully treated with hepaticojejunostomy. The other patient treated with biliary stent underwent hepaticojejunostomy but a second operation was required because of later stenosis. Mean hospital stay was significantly longer in group B (30.3 +/- 6.9 days) than in group A (18.5 +/- 2.5 days, p< 0.05). Rehospitalization was more frequent in group B than in group A (p < 0.01). However, long-term outcome was successful in both groups. The present results showed that arterial reconstruction should be performed when the distal right hepatic artery can be exposed and reconstructed, and suggested that patients with bile duct injuries during LC should be immediately referred to surgical institutions in which surgeons have adequate experience of bile duct repair and hepatic arterial reconstruction.

Protein pattern difference in the colon cancer cell lines examined by two-dimensional differential in-gel electrophoresis and mass spectrometry

PURPOSE

The pivotal metastatic processes of colorectal cancer (CRC) have yet to be fully investigated by a comprehensive all-inclusive protein analysis. We used two-dimensional differential in-gel electrophoresis (2D-DIGE) and liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC/MS/MS) to investigate the protein pattern changes during the metastasis of CRC. Two CRC cell lines were investigated: SW480 derived from the primary lesion and SW620 derived from lymph node metastasis in the same patient.

METHODS

The two cell lines were compared using 2D-DIGE with a maleimide CyDye fluorescent protein labeling technique, which has an enhanced sensitivity for many proteins at a low concentration. A comprehensive proteomics analysis was performed by the dual-labeling method using Cy3 and Cy5 and by LC/MS/MS. In addition, an in vivo experiment of metastasis using nude mice was performed by the injection of the two cell lines into the spleen.

RESULTS

Among approximately 1,500 proteins, we detected 9 protein spots with definitively significant changes between the two cell lines. Three out of the nine proteins were validated by a Western blot analysis. Alpha-enolase and triosephosphate isomerase were significantly upregulated in SW620 in comparison to SW480. Annexin A2 (annexin II) was significantly downregulated in SW620 compared to SW480. Neither liver metastasis nor peritoneal dissemination was established in the metastatic experiment using SW480 but some liver and peritoneal metastases occurred in the experiment using SW620. An in vivo metastatic experiment using SW620 showed the expressions of alpha-enolase and triosephosphate isomerase to increase in the liver metastases in comparison to those in the splenic implanted lesion. The expressions of triosephosphate isomerase increased in the peritoneal lesions in comparison to those in the splenic implanted lesion.

CONCLUSIONS

2D-DIGE and LC/MS/MS techniques identified nine proteins that increased significantly more in SW620 than in SW480. The finding of our in vivo metastatic experiment suggests that alpha-enolase and triosephosphate isomerase, at least in part, may be associated with the metastatic process of these two cell lines.

Contrast-enhanced intraoperative ultrasonography equipped with late Kupffer-phase image obtained by sonazoid in patients with colorectal liver metastases

AIM

To find occult metastases during hepatectomy in patients with colorectal cancer liver metastases (CRCLM), contrast-enhanced intraoperative ultrasonography (CE-IOUS) was performed using a new microbubble agent, sonazoid, which provides a parenchyma-specific contrast image based on its accumulation in the Kupffer cells.

METHODS

Eight patients with CRCLM underwent CE-IOUS using sonazoid before hepatectomy. The liver was investigated during a late Kupffer-phase imaging, which is a valuable characteristic of sonazoid.

RESULTS

CE-IOUS using sonazoid provided the early vascular- and sinusoidal-phase images for 10 min followed by the late Kupffer-phase image up to 30 min after the injection of sonazoid. IOUS did not provide new findings of metastatic lesion in the 8 patients. However, during the late Kupffer-phase image of sonazoid, a metastatic lesion was newly found in two of the 8 patients. These newly detected lesions were removed by an additional hepatectomy and histopathologically diagnosed as a metastasis.

CONCLUSION

CE-IOUS using sonazoid can allow surgeons to investigate the whole liver with enough time and to find new metastases intraoperatively.

Is a proliferation index of cancer cells a reliable prognostic factor after hepatectomy in patients with colorectal liver metastases?

BACKGROUND

In spite of many reports focusing on prognostic factors after hepatectomy in patients with colorectal liver metastases, few studies have investigated pathological factors, eg, fibrous pseudocapsulation, growth pattern at the tumor margin, and proliferation activity of cancer cells, other than histological type and surgical margin. The aim of the present study was to investigate whether absence of pseudocapsulation, infiltrative growth pattern of metastases, and higher proliferation of cancer cells shown by Ki-67 immunohistochemical reactivity were associated with poorer survival after hepatectomy among patients with colorectal liver metastases.

METHODS

Between 1988 and 1998, 221 patients underwent hepatic resection of colorectal metastases with curative intent in our institution. Pathology analyses were focused on pseudocapsulation of liver metastases, growth pattern at the tumor edge, and Ki-67 labelling index (Ki-67 LI) of cancer cell nuclei. Univariate analyses of survival and of disease-free survival were performed for several clinicopathological factors, and multivariate analyses of survival and disease-free survival were also performed.

RESULTS

The univariate survival analyses showed that pseudocapsulation, growth pattern, and Ki-67 LI were significant prognostic factors, besides synchronous versus metachronous occurrence of metastases, carcinoembryonic antigen level before hepatectomy, and number of metastases. A multivariate analysis showed that Ki-67 labeling index was the most reliable prognostic factor of survival. In addition, Ki-67 LI and microscopic growth pattern were multivariately predictive factors of disease-free survival.

CONCLUSIONS

This large single-institution study showed that investigation of cancer cell proliferation and pathologic characteristics of the tumor margin are major prognostic factors.

Efficacy of intraportal injection of anti-ICAM-1 monoclonal antibody against liver cell injury following warm ischemia in the rat

BACKGROUND

Increased expression of intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) and lymphocyte-function-associated antigen-1 (LFA-1) has been reported to play a major role in reperfusion injury after ischemia. In the present study we tested the effects of anti-rat-ICAM-1 monoclonal antibody (1A29) on partial-liver warm ischemia in rats.

METHODS

Histological changes and expression of ICAM-1 and LFA-1 were investigated in rat partial-liver warm ischemia, performed by clamping hepatic hilar vessels distributing to the right lateral lobe for 30, 45, and 60 minutes. In a second study, the effects of intraportal 1A29 injection after 60 minutes of warm ischemia in the rat were examined histologically. In both studies, the liver tissue was removed for analysis 48 hours after clamping.

RESULTS

Reperfusion after 60 minutes of warm ischemia induced histological liver injury and strong expression of ICAM-1 and LFA-1, although 30 and 45 minutes of ischemia did not provoke either histological damages or the expression of ICAM-1 and LFA-1. Intraportal injection of 1A29 after 60 minutes of warm ischemia clearly suppressed liver cell injury histologically.

CONCLUSION

Intraportal injection of 1A29 prevented the histological inflammation of an ischemic liver and may be useful in liver surgery or liver transplantation, because high concentrations can reach the target organ and nonspecific immunosuppression in other tissues and organs can be decreased.

Auxiliary partial orthotopic liver transplantation (APOLT) in the treatment of acute liver failure

BACKGROUND

Auxiliary partial orthotopic liver transplantation (APOLT) has been developed in order to benefit from the efficacy of orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT) in the treatment of fulminant hepatic failure (FHF), but to avoid the negative counterpart of OLT which is to eliminate the possibility of native liver (NL) regeneration and which consequently implies a life-long immunosuppression.

METHODS

In our institution we performed 16 consecutive APOLTs in 15 patients between October 1992 and December 1999. Patients' mean age was 30 years (range 0.5-65 years). The causes of FHF were viral (HAV = 3; HBV = 3), drugs (n = 4), or others (n = 5). None of the patients had a history of chronic liver disease. The decision to transplant was taken when the patients met well-defined criteria. All but one of the patients were in a coma.

RESULTS

Five patients died, 10 patients are alive (66.7%). Regeneration of the NL occurred in 11 of the 15 patients (73.3%) and in 8 of the 10 survivors. Six of these 8 patients have permanently stopped immunosuppressive therapy. These results can be favorably compared with those of OLT for FHF. In the European Transplant Registry, the survival rate is 57% at 5 years (2612 patients receiving OLT for FHF between 1988 and 1998). In our experience the survival rate is 59% at 5 years (42 patients receiving OLT for FHF between 1987 and 1999).

CONCLUSIONS

APOLT is feasible in both adults and children; it rapidly restored liver function and reversed encephalopathy. Right APOLT seems more advisable since the right liver provides more functional hepatocytes; however, left APOLT harvested in an adult appears sufficient for a child. APOLT should be proposed only to patients with high chances of liver regeneration: age of recipient, etiology of liver failure, interval between onset of jaundice and occurrence of encephalopathy, and quality of liver graft are early prognostic indicators. Better results have been observed with younger patients (less than 40 years old) presenting with FHF (rather than subfulminant hepatic failure (SHF)) and due to HAV, HBV, or paracetamol.

Spontaneous rupture of a nonparasitic liver cyst complicated by intracystic hemorrhage

a case of spontaneous rupture of simple liver cyst complicated by intracystic hemorrhage is described. This rare condition was detected in a 61-year-old man who underwent left trisegmentectomy of liver under a suspected diagnosis of cystadenocarcinoma because of elevated serum levels of carbohydrate antigen (CA) 19-9 and DUPAN 2, and the presence of an intracystic structure. The resected specimen showed a benign liver cyst with intracystic hematoma and high levels of CA19-9 and DUPAN 2 in the cystic fluid. It is suggested that cyst rupture may increase serum levels of tumor markers whose levels are high in the cystic fluid, and that repeated observations of an intracystic structure may be the most reliable method to distinguish intracystic hemorrhage from cystic neoplasm.

Efficacy of preconditioning with N-acetylcysteine against reperfusion injury after prolonged cold ischaemia in rats liver in which glutathione had been reduced by buthionine sulphoximine

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the ability of N-acetylcysteine (NAC) to prevent cold ischaemic-reperfusion injury and improve hepatic integrity in a glutathione-depleted condition.

DESIGN

Open laboratory study.

SETTING

University hospitals, Japan and France.

MATERIALS

40 male Wistar rats.

INTERVENTIONS

To produce a glutathione-depleted liver, buthionine sulphoximine (BSO) was injected intraperitoneally 2 hours before either NAC or 5% dextrose was infused 15 minutes before the liver was harvested. We used an isolated perfused rat liver model that had undergone prolonged hypothermic ischaemia, cold-storage for 48 hours and reperfusion for 120 minutes.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Concentrations of hepatic enzymes released into samples of perfusate, concentration of adenosine triphosphate in liver tissue, concentrations of reduced and oxidized glutathione in perfusate, and bile production.

RESULTS

The concentrations of the hepatocellular enzymes and oxidised glutathione in the perfusate samples were significantly reduced in the NAC group compared with the 5% dextrose group. Bile production improved significantly in the NAC group compared with the 5% dextrose group. The concentration of reduced glutathione in liver tissue was not increased by NAC.

CONCLUSION

In a glutathione-depleted liver NAC prevented hepatic injury and improved liver integrity after a cold ischaemic-reperfusion injury, by acting not as a substrate for glutathione synthesis but as a direct free radical scavenger.

Long-term survivor of a resected undifferentiated pancreatic carcinoma with osteoclast-like giant cells who underwent a second curative resection: A case report and review of the literature

An undifferentiated carcinoma with osteoclast-like giant cell tumors (UC-OGC) is a rare type of tumor, which predominantly occurs in the pancreas. Due to the rarity of UC-OGC, sufficient clinical data are not available and its prognosis following surgical resection remains unclear. In the current report the case of a 37-year-old female is presented, in whom an UC-OGC of the pancreas was removed and following this, a second carcinoma of the remnant pancreas was removed during a second surgical procedure. At the patient's initial admission, the preoperative images demonstrated a well-demarcated mass with a marked cystic component at the pancreatic head. The patient underwent a pylorus-preserving pancreaticoduodenectomy. The final pathological diagnosis was UC-OGC of the pancreas and the tumor was considered to have been curatively resected based on the histopathological findings. Four years after the initial surgery, a small mass was detected in the remnant pancreas and a partial resection of the remnant pancreas was subsequently performed. Histopathologically, the tumor consisted of a poorly differentiated tubular adenocarcinoma. A retrospective pathological analysis showed a segment of a poorly differentiated tubular adenocarcinoma in the initial resected specimen. Therefore, the final diagnosis was considered to be an intra-pancreatic recurrence of UC-OGC. The patient survived 66 months following the initial surgery and 18 months since the second resection. A meta-analysis was performed in the current study by comparing UC-OGC patients who survived more than two years following surgical resection (long-term survivors) with those who succumbed less than one year following surgical resection (short-term survivors). The characteristics of the short-term survivors were patients of an older age, males, and those exhibiting smaller tumors, positive lymph node metastasis, and concomitant components of ductal adenocarcinoma, as well as pleomorphic giant cell carcinoma. The concomitant component of mucinous cystic neoplasm was not considered to be a prognostic factor. To the best of our knowledge, the patient in the current report is the first five-year survivor following a curative second resection.

Irinotecan-induced apoptosis is inhibited by increased P-glycoprotein expression and decreased p53 in human hepatocellular carcinoma cells

Irinotecan, a DNA topoisomerase I inhibitor, is widely used in cancer chemotherapy. However, little is known of the mechanisms of its antitumor effects and the development of drug resistance in human hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). In this study, we investigated the effects of short-term culture with SN-38, the active metabolite of irinotecan, on apoptosis in Huh7 cells. The cells were cultured with SN-38 for 24, 72, and 120 h, and apoptosis was determined using the terminal dUTP nick-end labeling (TUNEL) assay. The expressions of p53, apoptosis-related proteins, and P-glycoprotein (P-gp), a protein conferring the multidrug-resistant phenotype, were analyzed using Western blotting. Induced expression of P-gp was detected using fluorescence microscopy. SN-38 significantly induced apoptosis in Huh7 cells at 24 h. SN-38 also increased the expression of p53, Bax, and caspase-9 and decreased Bcl-xL expression in Huh7 cells. SN-38 decreased p53 expression and increased P-gp expression after 120 h, resulting in inhibition of apoptosis. This inhibition was reversed by the addition of verapamil to the culture medium during 120 h incubation. SN-38-induced P-gp expression was additionally enhanced by p53 decoy oligodeoxynucleotide. The changes in P-gp expression were directly moderated by p53 gene downregulation, suggesting that it plays a role in the mechanism of drug resistance. These results suggest that the accumulation of irinotecan in HCC leads to the development of drug resistance.

The effects of N-acetylcysteine and anti-intercellular adhesion molecule-1 monoclonal antibody against ischemia-reperfusion injury of the rat steatotic liver produced by a choline-methionine-deficient diet

Abundant fat in the liver has been implicated in poor outcome after liver transplantation or liver surgery, but the reasons for this association are still unclear. The aim of the present study was to examine mechanisms that may be involved in hepatic dysfunction after ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) of the steatotic rat liver. Steatosis was produced by a choline-methionine-deficient (CMDD) diet. In the first experiment, isolated perfused rat livers, subjected to 24-hour cold storage followed by 120-minute reperfusion, were used to investigate hypothermic I/R injury of the steatotic rat liver. In the second experiment, livers were subjected to 60-minute partial left lobar vascular clamping to allow study of normothermic I/R injury. In the first experiment, compared with normal nonsteatotic liver, steatotic livers showed significantly greater injury, as assessed by amounts of hepatic enzymes released into the perfusate, bile production, the concentrations of reduced glutathione (GSH) in the perfusate, as well as in the livers themselves, and electron microscopic findings of sinusoidal microcirculatory injury. The addition of N-acetylcysteine (NAC), a precursor of glutathione, to the liver before cold storage significantly improved these parameters in steatotic livers. The second experiment showed that, compared with nonsteatotic livers, steatotic livers had lower concentrations of GSH and impaired rates of bile production. There was also evidence of increased oxidative stress in polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMNLs) in liver or peripheral blood of rats with fatty livers. An anti-rat intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) monoclonal antibody inhibited neutrophil infiltration into pericentral sinusoids and improved these parameters in the steatotic rats. We conclude that sinusoidal microcirculatory injury is involved in hypothermic I/R injury, that oxidative stress produced by PMNLs is involved in normothermic I/R injury, and that NAC and anti-rat ICAM-1 monoclonal antibody restore liver integrity in I/R injury.

Microwave coagulation therapy for hepatocellular carcinoma

The efficacy and safety of microwave coagulation therapy (MCT) in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and impaired hepatic reserve were studied. Preoperative background factors, postoperative results, and prognostic factors were compared in 51 patients who underwent hepatic resection (HR group) and 38 patients who underwent microwave coagulation therapy (MCT group). Before surgery, measures of hepatic function, including level of albumin (P = 0.0072), prothrombin time (P<0.0001), hepaplastin test (P = 0.0088), and the radioactivity of technetium-99m galactosyl-human serum albumin 15 min in the liver after injection divided by that in both liver and heart (P <0.0001) were significantly lower in the MCT group than in the HR group. The indocyanine green dye retention rate at 15 min was significantly greater (P<0.0001) in the MCT group than in the HR group, and a significant difference was noted in Child-Pugh grade between the groups (P<0.0001). Operative time (P = 0.0014) and blood loss during surgery (P = 0.0005) were significantly lower in the MCT group than in the HR group. In contrast, no significant differences were recognized between the groups in the changes in postoperative liver function, or in the rates of morbidity, mortality, local recurrence, and survival. Moreover, the type of treatment (HR or MCT) was not a prognostic factor. The results indicate that MCT can be used safely as an alternative to hepatic resection in patients with poor liver function without reducing the efficacy of local control.

Prediction of postoperative decompensated liver function by technetium-99m galactosyl-human serum albumin liver scintigraphy in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma complicating chronic liver disease

BACKGROUND

Preoperative technetium-99m galactosyl-human serum albumin (Tc-GSA) liver scintigraphy may predict postoperative decompensated liver function and its value has been investigated in patients having resection of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).

METHODS

Hepatic uptake ratio of Tc-GSA (LHL15) was measured before operation in 30 patients. Postoperative complications were analysed retrospectively and compared with LHL15 values and other indicators evaluating hepatic function.

RESULTS

The LHL15 of 22 patients without complications was 0.91 or more, compared with 0.90 or less in the eight patients who had complications. Multifactorial analyses showed that LHL15 and Child-Pugh grade significantly predicted postoperative complications (P < 0.0001 and P = 0.0111 respectively). LHL15 was a significant predictor of complications in patients with Child-Pugh grade B disease (n = 15, P = 0.0011).

CONCLUSION

LHL15 was a reliable preoperative indicator of the risk of major postoperative complications in patients who had resection for HCC.

Toward zero pancreatic fistula after pancreaticoduodenectomy with pancreaticogastrostomy

BACKGROUND

Postoperative morbidity after pancreaticoduodenectomy has been associated mainly with the development of pancreatic fistula. However, postoperative complications unrelated to pancreatic fistula cannot be disregarded after pancreaticoduodenectomy. The aim of the present study was to investigate the postoperative morbidity in a large series of pancreaticoduodenectomies with pancreaticogastrostomies without pancreatic fistula.

METHODS

The present study analyzed the data from 194 consecutive patients undergoing a pancreaticoduodenectomy with a pancreaticogastrostomy between July 1997 and June 2003 in whom no postoperative pancreatic fistula occurred.

RESULTS

The overall rate of postoperative morbidity was 33.5%. Specific and general complications occurred in 16% and 17.5% of the patients, respectively. An American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) score of 3 and blood transfusion were the only independent factors associated with postoperative morbidity.

CONCLUSIONS

Our study found that the overall morbidity after a pancreaticoduodenectomy with a pancreaticogastrostomy still remains high even in the absence of pancreatic fistula and is associated with the preoperative medical condition (ASA score) of the patients and with blood transfusion.

Perioperative care with fast-track management in patients undergoing pancreaticoduodenectomy

BACKGROUND

It has been considered that allowing patients to return to daily life earlier after surgery helps recovery of physiological function and reduces postoperative complications and hospital stay. We investigated the usefulness of fast-track management in perioperative care of patients undergoing pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD).

METHODS

Patients (n = 90) who received conventional perioperative management from 2005 to 2009 were included as the 'conventional group' (historical control group), and patients who received perioperative care with fast-track management (n = 100) from 2010 to March 2013 were included as the 'fast-track group'. To evaluate the efficacy of perioperative care with fast-track management, the incidence of postoperative complications and the length of hospital stay were compared between the two groups (comparative study). For statistical analysis, univariate analysis was performed using the χ (2) test or Fisher's exact test.

RESULTS

There was no significant difference between the two groups in sex, mean age, presence/absence of diabetes mellitus, preoperative drainage for jaundice, previous disease, operative procedure, mean duration of operation, or blood loss (p < 0.01). The incidence of surgical site infection in the conventional group and fast-track group was 28.9 and 14.0 %, respectively, with a significant difference between the two groups (p = 0.019). In addition, the incidence of pancreatic fistula (grade B, C) significantly differed between the two groups (27.8 % in the conventional group, 9.0 % in the fast-track group; p = 0.001). The mean postoperative hospital stay was 36.3 days in the conventional group and 21.9 days in the fast-track group (p < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

Perioperative care with fast-track management may reduce postoperative complications and decrease the length of hospital stay in patients undergoing PD.

Splenomegaly in FOLFOX-naïve stage IV or recurrent colorectal cancer patients due to chemotherapy-associated hepatotoxicity can be predicted by the aspartate aminotransferase to platelet ratio before chemotherapy

BACKGROUND

Chemotherapy-associated hepatotoxicity is a common cause of postoperative complications after major hepatectomy. Splenomegaly may indicate portal hypertension due to chemotherapy. To identify chemotherapy-naïve patients with liver damage, the splenic volume (SV) and aspartate aminotransferase to platelet ratio (APR) were investigated.

METHODS

Seventy-one patients receiving FOLFIRI, FOLFOX, or FOLFOX plus bevacizumab as first-line chemotherapy were included in this study. The SV measurement was performed by helical computed tomography volumetry, and the SV index (SVI) was calculated during 6 cycles of chemotherapy. The APR was used as an indicator of liver injury and the APR index (APRI) was calculated.

RESULTS

The SVI and APRI were significantly higher in the FOLFOX group than in the FOLFIRI group. In the FOLFOX group, the maximum APR during FOLFOX administration was significantly higher in the subjects with SVI ≥ +30% than in those with SVI < +30% (p < 0.01). The incidences of grade 3 or 4 adverse events and grade 2 or greater histopathological sinusoidal injury were significantly higher in the SVI ≥ +30% than in the SVI < +30% group. Interestingly, the SVI was significantly higher in the group with APR ≥ 0.17 before FOLFOX than in the subjects with an APR < 0.17 before FOLFOX (p < 0.05).

CONCLUSION

Splenomegaly due to FOLFOX-associated hepatotoxicity can be predicted if the APR before FOLFOX is 0.17 or higher.

Dextran sulfate inhibits E-selectin-mediated neutrophil adhesion to endotoxin-activated vascular endothelial cells

Effects of heparin-like glycosaminoglycans (h-GAGs) on neutrophil adhesion to endothelial cells (ECs) were investigated under physiological flow conditions using human umbilical vein ECs. Neutrophil adhesion to lipopolysaccharide-activated ECs was assayed under rotating conditions with addition of h-GAGs or monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) against selectins. Neutrophil adhesion to activated ECs under rotating conditions was suppressed completely by anti-E-selectin mAb and partially by anti-L-selectin mAb. Addition of dextran sulfate or heparin also significantly inhibited neutrophil adhesion to ECs under the same conditions. Moreover, effects of h-GAGs on neutrophil adhesion to recombinant E-selectin-coated plates were analyzed. Anti-E-selectin mAb and dextran sulfate, but not heparin, significantly inhibited neutrophil adhesion to E-selectin-coated plates. Results suggest that dextran sulfate inhibited E-selectin-mediated neutrophil adhesion to endotoxin-activated ECs under physiologic flow conditions.

Liver scintigraphy is useful for selecting candidates for preoperative transarterial chemoembolization among patients with hepatocellular carcinoma and chronic liver disease

BACKGROUND

The indications for preoperative hepatic transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) have not been clarified by recent studies in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) complicated by chronic liver diseases. The aim of the present study was to investigate which patients benefit most from preoperative TACE on the basis of hepatic functional reserve. Technetium-99m diethylenetriamine pentaacetic acid-galactosyl human serum albumin (Tc-GSA) liver scintigraphy was used to assess hepatic functional reserve before and after TACE.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Liver scintigraphy was performed before and several weeks after TACE in 64 patients with HCC complicated by chronic hepatitis or cirrhosis. The ratio of liver to heart-plus-liver radioactivity of Tc-GSA 15 minutes after injection (LHL15) was calculated. Conventional hepatic functional tests were also performed. Whether to perform hepatectomy after TACE was decided mainly on the basis of the previously reported value of LHL15 > or =0.91.

RESULTS

LHL15, prothrombin time, and serum concentration of cholinesterase significantly decreased after TACE in patients with LHL15 > or =20.91 (P <0.01, P <0.05, and P <0.05, respectively). In patients with LHL15 <0.91, LHL15 and functional liver volume significantly increased after TACE (both P <0.05). Eight patients with LHL15 > or =0.91 did not undergo hepatectomy because LHL15 decreased to less than 0.91 after TACE, whereas 7 patients with LHL15 <0.91 underwent hepatectomy because LHL15 increased to more than 0.91 after TACE. Three major postoperative complications occurred in patients with LHL15 > or =0.91, and no major complications occurred in patients with LHL15 <0.91.

CONCLUSIONS

The results suggest that preoperative TACE should be performed in HCC patients only when LHL15 is less than 0.91, and that preoperative TACE is not an appropriate treatment for patients with LHL15 > or =0.91 when HCC is resectable.