Early survival and safety of ALPPS: first report of the International ALPPS Registry

OBJECTIVES

To assess safety and outcomes of the novel 2-stage hepatectomy, Associating Liver Partition and Portal Vein Ligation for Staged Hepatectomy (ALPPS), using an international registry.

BACKGROUND

ALPPS induces accelerated growth of small future liver remnants (FLR) to allow curative resection of liver tumors. There is concern about safety based on reports of higher morbidity and mortality.

METHODS

A Web-based data entry system was created with password access and data pseudoencryption (NCT01924741). All patients with complete 90-day data were included. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was performed to identify independent risk factors for severe complications and mortality and volume growth of the FLR.

RESULTS

Complete data were available for 202 patients. A total of 141 (70%) patients had colorectal liver metastases (CRLM). Median starting standardized future liver remnants of 21% increased by 80% within a median of 7 days. Ninety-day mortality was 19/202 (9%). Severe complications including mortalities (Clavien-Dindo≥IIIb) occurred in 27% of patients. Independent factors for severe complications were red blood cell transfusion [odds ratio (OR), 5.2), ALPPS stage I operating time greater than 300 minutes (OR, 4.4), age more than 60 years (OR, 3.8), and non-CRLM (OR, 2.7). Age, use of Pringle maneuver, and histologic changes led to less volume growth. In patients younger than 60 years with CRLM, 90-day mortality was similar to conventional 2-stage hepatectomies for CRLM.

CONCLUSIONS

This is the first analysis of the ALPPS registry showing that ALPPS has increased perioperative morbidity and mortality in older patients but better outcomes in patients with CRLM.

Spanish experience in liver transplantation for hilar and peripheral cholangiocarcinoma

OBJECTIVE

To assess the real utility of orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT) in patients with cholangiocarcinoma, we need series with large numbers of cases and long follow-ups. The aim of this paper is to review the Spanish experience in OLT for hilar and peripheral cholangiocarcinoma and to try to identify the prognostic factors that could influence survival.

SUMMARY BACKGROUND DATA

Palliative treatment of nondisseminated irresectable cholangiocarcinoma carries a zero 5-year survival rate. The role of OLT in these patients is controversial, due to the fact that the survival rate is lower than with other indications for transplantation and due to the lack of organs.

METHODS

We retrospectively reviewed 59 patients undergoing OLT in Spain for cholangiocarcinoma (36 hilar and 23 peripheral) over a period of 13 years. We present the results and prognostic factors that influence survival.

RESULTS

The actuarial survival rate for hilar cholangiocarcinoma at 1, 3, and 5 years was 82%, 53%, and 30%, and for peripheral cholangiocarcinoma 77%, 65%, and 42%. The main cause of death, with both types of cholangiocarcinoma, was tumor recurrence (present in 53% and 35% of patients, respectively). Poor prognosis factors were vascular invasion (P < 0.01) and IUAC classification stages III-IVA (P < 0.01) for hilar cholangiocarcinoma and perineural invasion (P < 0.05) and stages III-IVA (P < 0.05) for peripheral cholangiocarcinoma.

CONCLUSIONS

OLT for nondisseminated irresectable cholangiocarcinoma has higher survival rates at 3 and 5 years than palliative treatments, especially with tumors in their initial stages, which means that more information is needed to help better select cholangiocarcinoma patients for transplantation.

Risk factors of acute renal failure after liver transplantation

The objective of this study was to determine the risk factors of postoperative acute renal failure (ARF) in orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT). We reviewed 184 consecutive OLT. Postoperative ARF was defined as a persistent rise of 50% increase or more of the S-creatinine (S-Cr). The patients were classified as early postoperative ARF (E-ARF) (first week) and late postoperative ARF (L-ARF) (second to fourth week). Preoperative variables were age, sex, comorbidity, indication for OLT, Child-Pugh stage, united network for organ sharing status, analysis of the blood and urine, and donor's data. Intraoperative variables were systolic arterial pressure, mean arterial pressure, pulmonary capillary wedge pressure, cardiac index, and systemic vascular resistance index. Surgical technique, number of blood products transfused, need for adrenergic agonist drugs, and intraoperative complications were also important. Postoperative variables were duration of stay in the intensive care unit, time on mechanic ventilation, liver graft dysfunction, need for adrenergic agonist drugs, units of blood products infused, episodes of acute rejection, re-operations, and bacterial infections. Firstly we carried out a univariate statistical analysis, and secondly a logistic regression analysis. The risk factors for E-ARF were: pretransplant ARF (odds ratio (OR)=10.2, P=0.025), S-albumin (OR=0.3, P=0.001), duration of treatment with dopamine (OR=1.6, P=0.001), and grade II-IV dysfunction of the liver graft (OR=5.6, P=0.002). The risk factors for L-ARF were: re-operation (OR=3.1, P=0.013) and bacterial infection (OR=2.9, P=0.017). The development of E-ARF is influenced by preoperative factors such as ARF and hypoalbuminemia, as well as postoperative factors such as liver dysfunction and prolonged treatment with dopamine. The predicting factors of L-ARF differ from E-ARF and correspond to postoperative causes such as bacterial infection and surgical re-operation.

Prediction of Mortality After ALPPS Stage-1: An Analysis of 320 Patients From the International ALPPS Registry

OBJECTIVES

The aim of this study was to identify predictors of 90-day mortality after Associating Liver Partition and Portal Vein Ligation for Staged Hepatectomy (ALPPS), available after stage-1, either to omit or delay stage-2.

BACKGROUND DATA

ALPPS is a two-stage hepatectomy for patients with extensive liver tumors with predicted small liver remnants, which has been criticized for its high mortality rate. Risk factors for mortality are unknown.

METHODS

Patients in the International Registry undergoing ALPPS from April 2011 to July 2014 were analyzed. Primary outcome was 90-day mortality. Liver function after stage-1 was assessed using the criteria of the International Study Group for Liver Surgery (ISGLS) after stage-1 among others. A multivariable model was used to identify independent predictors of 90-day mortality.

RESULTS

Three hundred twenty patients registered by 55 centers worldwide were evaluated. Overall 90-day mortality was 8.8% (28/320). The predominant cause for 90-day mortality was postoperative liver failure in 75% of patients. Fourteen percent of patients developed liver failure according to ISGLS criteria already after stage-1 ALPPS. Those and patients with a model of end-stage liver disease (MELD) score more than 10 before stage-2 were at significantly higher risk for 90-day mortality after stage-2 with an odds ratio (OR) 3.9 [confidence interval (CI) 1.4-10.9, P = 0.01] and OR 4.9 (CI 1.9-12.7, P = 0.006), respectively. Other factors, such as size of future liver remnant (FLR) before stage-2 and time between stages, were not predictive.

CONCLUSIONS

This analysis of the largest cohort of ALPPS patients so far identifies those patients in whom stage-2 ALPPS surgery should be delayed or even denied. These findings may help to make ALPPS safer.

FoxP3 in peripheral blood is associated with operational tolerance in liver transplant patients during immunosuppression withdrawal

BACKGROUND

Human liver allografts do sometimes survive in a recipient after withdrawal of immunosuppression (IS), commonly referred to as "operational tolerance." Preliminary clinical data have suggested an increase in the frequency of regulatory T cells (Treg) CD4+CD25 high and FoxP3 expression in operationally tolerant liver transplant recipients (Gr-T). In the context of human liver transplantation, the dynamics of Treg have not been studied. We designed a prospective study to ascertain the profile of the Treg population and FoxP3 expression during IS withdrawal.

METHODS

To identify such parameters, we analyzed peripheral blood mononuclear cell populations and FoxP3 mRNA expression in 12 liver allograft recipients under cyclosporine A-based IS, who showed stable function of the allograft for more than 2 years.

RESULTS

An increase was observed in the frequency of CD4+CD25 high cells when the IS was withdrawn in Gr-T patients (n=5). These patients exhibited a 3.5-fold increase for relative mRNA FoxP3 expression before the complete IS withdrawal and this continued when IS therapy was stopped. In patients who suffered rejection (n=7) there was no increase in the CD4+CD25 high cells or FoxP3 expression.

CONCLUSIONS

With the present study, the first evidence is provided that the increase of CD4+CD25 high T cells and FoxP3 transcripts is associated with operational tolerance in liver transplanted patients during IS withdrawal.

Laparoscopic cholecystectomy vs open cholecystectomy in the treatment of acute cholecystitis: a prospective study

OBJECTIVE

To compare the results of laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) with those of open cholecystectomy (OC) in the treatment of acute cholecystitis.

DESIGN

A prospective, nonrandomized trial.

SETTING

"Virgen de la Arrixaca" University Hospital, El Palmar (Murcia), Spain.

PATIENTS

One hundred fourteen patients underwent LC, and 110 underwent OC. The patients underwent surgery within 72 hours of the onset of symptoms. The patients were selected for LC or OC depending on the surgeon's experience in laparoscopic surgery.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Operating time, rate of conversion from LC to OC, complications, and length of hospital stay.

RESULTS

Conversion from LC to OC was necessary in 15% of the patients. The mean operating time was 77 minutes for the OC group and 88 minutes for the LC group (P<.001). Complications occurred in 14% of the patients in the LC group and in 23% of the patients in the OC group, with no significant differences between the 2 groups (P=.06). The number of moderate or severe complications was similar in both groups, whereas mild complications were more common in the OC group (P<.02). The length of the hospital stay averaged 8.1 days for the OC group and 3.3 days for the LC group (P<.001).

CONCLUSIONS

Laparoscopic cholecystectomy is a safe, valid alternative to OC in patients with acute cholecystitis. The technique has a low rate of complications, implies a shorter hospital stay, and offers the patient a more comfortable postoperative period than OC.

Life-supporting human complement regulator decay accelerating factor transgenic pig liver xenograft maintains the metabolic function and coagulation in the nonhuman primate for up to 8 days

BACKGROUND

It is not known whether the pig liver is capable of functioning efficiently when transplanted into a primate, neither is there experience in transplanting a liver from a transgenic pigs expressing the human complement regulator human complement regulator decay accelerating factor (h-DAF) into a baboon. The objective of this study was to determine whether the porcine liver would support the metabolic functions of non-human primates and to establish the effect of hDAF expression in the prevention of hyperacute rejection of porcine livers transplanted into primates.

METHODS

Five orthotopic liver xenotransplants from pig to baboon were carried out: three from unmodified pigs and two using livers from h-DAF transgenic pigs.

FINDINGS

The three control animals transplanted with livers from unmodified pigs survived for less than 12 hr. Baboons transplanted with livers from h-DAF transgenic pigs survived for 4 and 8 days. Hyperacute rejection was not detected in the baboons transplanted with hDAF transgenic pig livers; however, it was demonstrated in the three transplants from unmodified pigs. Baboons transplanted with livers from h-DAF transgenic pigs were extubated at postoperative day 1 and were awake and able to eat and drink. In the recipients of hDAF transgenic pig livers the clotting parameters reached nearly normal levels at day 2 after transplantation and remained normal up to the end of the experiments. In these hDAF liver recipients, porcine fibrinogen was first detected in the baboon plasma 2 hr postreperfusion, and was present up to the end of the experiments. One animal was euthanized at day 8 after development of sepsis and coagulopathy, the other animal arrested at day 4, after an episode of vomiting and aspiration. The postmortem examination of the hDAF transgenic liver xenografts did not demonstrate rejection.

INTERPRETATION

The livers from h-DAF transgenic pigs did not undergo hyperacute rejection after orthotopic xenotransplantation in baboons. When HAR is abrogated, the porcine liver maintains sufficient coagulation and protein levels in the baboon up to 8 days after OLT.

Analysis of the complications of the piggy-back technique in 1,112 liver transplants

BACKGROUND

The "piggy-back" technique has gained acceptance in adult orthotopic liver transplantation during the last few years, especially in European countries. At the moment, however, there is controversy over advantages or specific complications (suprahepatic thrombosis or narrowing, etc.) related to this surgical technique. The aim of this study is to know of the immediate per-and postoperative morbidity and mortality rates in 1112 orthotopic liver transplantations performed with a vena cava preservation technique.

METHODS

All liver transplant units in Spain were sent a questionnaire on retrohepatic vena cava preservation during orthotopic liver transplantation. The number of orthotopic liver transplantations that had been performed in the seven centers that answered the questionnaire, because the beginning of the program, was 1674, with the vena cava preservation technique used in 1112.

RESULTS

Twenty-eight patients (2.5%) had intraoperative complications related to the vena cava preservation technique, which were treated during the operation. Eleven patients (1%) had early postoperative complications (first week), the most frequent (nine cases) being an acute Budd-Chiari syndrome in the first 48 hr. Three patients developed symptoms of massive ascites between 2 and 3 months (late postoperative complications), with patency of the retrohepatic cava verified by cavography. A hemodynamic study revealed a hyperpressure at the suprahepatic veins. This chronic Budd-Chiari syndrome was controlled in all patients with diuretics. Only six patients (0.5%) died as a result of complications related to the "piggy-back" technique. These complications were more frequent when venous reconstruction was done using two suprahepatic veins than when the three veins were used (P<0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

The vena cava preservation technique can be used routinely in orthotopic liver transplantation because it is safe and efficient and involves few surgical complications especially if for venous reconstruction we use the patch obtained by joining the three suprahepatic veins.

Risk Adjustment in ALPPS Is Associated With a Dramatic Decrease in Early Mortality and Morbidity

OBJECTIVE

To longitudinally assess whether risk adjustment in Associating Liver Partition and Portal Vein Ligation for Staged Hepatectomy (ALPPS) occurred over time and is associated with postoperative outcome.

BACKGROUND

ALPPS is a novel 2-stage hepatectomy enabling resection of extensive hepatic tumors. ALPPS has been criticized for its high mortality, which is reported beyond accepted standards in liver surgery. Therefore, adjustments in patient selection and technique have been performed but have not yet been studied over time in relation to outcome.

METHODS

ALPPS centers of the International ALPPS Registry having performed ≥10 cases over a period of ≥3 years were assessed for 90-day mortality and major interstage complications (≥3b) of the longitudinal study period from 2009 to 2015. The predicted prestage 1 and 2 mortality risks were calculated for each patient. In addition, questionnaires were sent to all centers exploring center-specific risk adjustment strategies.

RESULTS

Among 437 patients from 16 centers, a shift in indications toward colorectal liver metastases from 53% to 77% and a reverse trend in biliary tumors from 24% to 9% were observed. Over time, 90-day mortality decreased from initially 17% to 4% in 2015 (P = 0.002). Similarly, major interstage complications decreased from 10% to 3% (P = 0.011). The reduction of 90-day mortality was independently associated with a risk adjustment in patient selection (P < 0.001; OR: 1.62; 95% CI: 1.36-1.93) and using less invasive techniques in stage-1 surgery (P = 0.019; OR: 0.39; 95% CI: 0.18-0.86). A survey indicated risk adjustment of patient selection in all centers and ALPPS technique in the majority (80%) of centers.

CONCLUSIONS

Risk adjustment of patient selection and technique in ALPPS resulted in a continuous drop of early mortality and major postoperative morbidity, which has meanwhile reached standard outcome measures accepted for major liver surgery.

Tourniquet modification of the associating liver partition and portal ligation for staged hepatectomy procedure

BACKGROUND

In staged liver resections, associating liver partition and portal ligation for staged hepatectomy (ALPPS) achieves sufficient hypertrophy of the future liver remnant (FLR) in 7 days. This is based on portal vein ligation and transection, and on occlusion of intrahepatic collaterals. This article presents a new surgical technique for achieving rapid hypertrophy of the FLR, which also involves adding intrahepatic collateral occlusion to portal vein transection.

METHODS

Patients scheduled for two-stage liver resection for primary or secondary liver tumours, in whom the FLR was considered too small, were enrolled prospectively. In the first stage, a tourniquet was placed around the parenchymal transection line, and the right portal vein was ligated and cut (associating liver tourniquet and portal ligation for staged hepatectomy, ALTPS). The tourniquet was placed on the umbilical ligament if a staged right trisectionectomy was planned, and on Cantlie's line for staged right hepatectomy.

RESULTS

From September 2011, 22 ALTPS procedures were carried out (right trisectionectomy in 15, right hepatectomy in 7). Median FLR at 7 days increased from 410 to 700 ml (median increase 61 (range 33-189) per cent). The median duration of the first stage was 125 min and no patient received a blood transfusion. The median duration of the second stage was 150 min and five patients required a blood transfusion. Fourteen patients had complications, most frequently infected collections, and five patients developed postoperative liver failure. Two patients died.

CONCLUSION

The ALTPS technique achieved adequate hypertrophy of the FLR after 7 days. It may provide a less aggressive modification of the ALPPS procedure.

High mortality after ALPPS for perihilar cholangiocarcinoma: case-control analysis including the first series from the international ALPPS registry

INTRODUCTION

Resection of perihilar cholangiocarcinoma (PHC) entails high-risk surgery with postoperative mortality reported up to 18%, even in specialized centers. The aim of this study was to compare outcomes of PHC patients who underwent associating liver partition and portal vein ligation for staged hepatectomy (ALPPS) to patients who underwent resection without ALPPS.

METHODS

All patients who underwent ALPPS for PHC were identified from the international ALPPS registry and matched controls were selected from a standard resection cohort from two centers based on future remnant liver size. Outcomes included morbidity, mortality, and overall survival.

RESULTS

ALPPS for PHC was associated with 48% (14/29) 90-day mortality. 90-day mortality was 13% in 257 patients who underwent major liver resection for PHC without ALPPS. The 29 ALPPS patients were matched to 29 patients resected without ALPPS, with similar future liver remnant volume (P = 0.480). Mortality in the matched control group was 24% (P = 0.100) and median OS was 27 months, comparted to 6 months after ALPPS (P = 0.064).

DISCUSSION

Outcomes of ALPPS for PHC appear inferior compared to standard extended resections in high-risk patients. Therefore, portal vein embolization should remain the preferred method to increase future remnant liver volume in patients with PHC. ALPPS is not recommended for PHC.

Open versus minimally invasive liver surgery for colorectal liver metastases (LapOpHuva): a prospective randomized controlled trial

OBJECTIVE

To present surgical and oncological outcomes using a prospective and randomized trial (LapOpHuva, NCT02727179) comparing minimally invasive liver resection (LLR) versus open liver resection (OLR) in patients with colorectal liver metastases (CRLM).

METHODS

Between February 2005 and March 2016, 204 selected patients with CRLM were randomized and 193 were included: LLR (n = 96) and OLR (n = 97). The primary endpoint was to compare postoperative morbidity. Other secondary endpoints were oncological outcomes, use of the Pringle maneuver, surgical time, blood losses, transfusions, hospital stay, mortality and OS, and disease-free survival (DFS) at 3, 5, and 7 years.

RESULTS

LLR presented with lower global morbidity (11.5% vs. 23.7%, p = 0.025) but with similar severe complications. Long-term survival outcomes were similar in both groups. The cumulative 1-, 3-, 5-, 7-year OS for LLR and OLR were 92.5%, 71.5%, 49.3%, 35.6% versus 93.6%, 69.7%, 47.4%, 35.5%, respectively (log-rank = 0.047, p = 0.82). DFS for LLR and OLR was 72.7%, 33.5%, 22.7%, and 20.8% versus 61.6%, 27.2%, 23.9%, and 17.9%, respectively (log-rank = 1.427, p = 0.23). LLR involved more use of the Pringle maneuver (15.5% vs. 30.2%, p = 0.025) and a shorter hospital stay (4 vs. 6 days, p < 0.001). There were no differences regarding surgical time, blood losses, transfusion, and mortality.

CONCLUSIONS

In selected patients with CRLM, LLR presents similar oncological outcomes with the advantages of the short-term results associated with LLR.

Perihilar Cholangiocarcinoma - Novel Benchmark Values for Surgical and Oncological Outcomes From 24 Expert Centers

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to define robust benchmark values for the surgical treatment of perihilar cholangiocarcinomas (PHC) to enable unbiased comparisons.

BACKGROUND

Despite ongoing efforts, postoperative mortality and morbidity remains high after complex liver surgery for PHC. Benchmark data of best achievable results in surgical PHC treatment are however still lacking.

METHODS

This study analyzed consecutive patients undergoing major liver surgery for PHC in 24 high-volume centers in 3 continents over the recent 5-year period (2014-2018) with a minimum follow-up of 1 year in each patient. Benchmark patients were those operated at high-volume centers (≥50 cases during the study period) without the need for vascular reconstruction due to tumor invasion, or the presence of significant co-morbidities such as severe obesity (body mass index ≥35), diabetes, or cardiovascular diseases. Benchmark cutoff values were derived from the 75th or 25th percentile of the median values of all benchmark centers.

RESULTS

Seven hundred eight (39%) of a total of 1829 consecutive patients qualified as benchmark cases. Benchmark cut-offs included: R0 resection ≥57%, postoperative liver failure (International Study Group of Liver Surgery): ≤35%; in-hospital and 3-month mortality rates ≤8% and ≤13%, respectively; 3-month grade 3 complications and the CCI: ≤70% and ≤30.5, respectively; bile leak-rate: ≤47% and 5-year overall survival of ≥39.7%. Centers operating mostly on complex cases disclosed better outcome including lower post-operative liver failure rates (4% vs 13%; P = 0.002). Centers from Asia disclosed better outcomes.

CONCLUSION

Surgery for PHC remains associated with high morbidity and mortality with now the availability of benchmark values covering 21 outcome parameters, which may serve as key references for comparison in any future analyses of individuals, group of patients or centers.

Laparoscopic versus open appendicectomy: a prospective assessment

A prospective study of 200 consecutive patients with suspected acute appendicitis was performed to compare open and laparoscopic appendicectomy. Formal randomization was precluded by instrument availability. Some 100 patients underwent laparoscopic appendicectomy (conversion to laparotomy was carried out in five) and 100 had conventional surgery. The groups were similar in sex ratio, age, degree of appendiceal inflammation and antibiotic treatment. The mean duration of open appendicectomy was 46 min and of the laparoscopic procedure 51 min (P not significant). Postoperative complications in patients who underwent laparoscopic appendicectomy included: intra-abdominal abscess (two patients), wound infection (one), early bowel obstruction (four; all resolved with medical treatment) and umbilical haematoma (two). There were no reoperations in the immediate or late postoperative period. Complications after open operation were: wound infection (seven patients) (P < 0.05), early bowel obstruction (five; three resolved with medical treatment, two required surgery) and haematoma of the surgical wound (one). The mean hospital stay was 4.8 days for laparoscopic appendicectomy and 6.0 days for the open operation (P < 0.05). There were no deaths.

European experience of laparoscopic major hepatectomy

BACKGROUND/PURPOSE

Laparoscopic hepatectomies have seen a worldwide proliferation. Major anatomic resections, which were initially considered unsuitable for laparoscopy, are currently confined to a few centers of expertise. The aim of this study was to discuss the current trends and techniques in laparoscopic major hepatectomy in Europe.

METHODS

The prospective databases of ten European centers were combined to provide answers to a questionnaire that had been addressed to all European teams known to perform laparoscopic liver surgery.

RESULTS

Between 1996 and 2011 a total of 2245 laparoscopic liver resections have been carried out, of which 495 (22 %) were major resections. The proportion of laparoscopic right and left hepatectomies varied between 4 and 40 % of all major hepatectomies of the same type. Benign, primary malignant and metastatic lesions were, respectively, 22.4, 19.6 and 58 % of all indications. The different techniques and approaches, as regards hand assistance, hepatic inflow and outflow control, liver mobilization and concomitant colectomies, are discussed.

CONCLUSIONS

To date, an important level of experience of laparoscopic liver resection has been accumulated in Europe, and experience of major hepatectomies is constantly increasing. However, they remain technically very demanding procedures which should be confined to expert surgeons who have already acquired considerable experience with simpler laparoscopic liver resections.

The ALPPS Risk Score: Avoiding Futile Use of ALPPS

OBJECTIVES

To create a prediction model identifying futile outcome in ALPPS (Associating Liver Partition and Portal vein ligation for Staged hepatectomy) before stage 1 and stage 2 surgery.

BACKGROUND

ALPPS is a 2-stage hepatectomy, which incorporates parenchymal transection at stage 1 enabling resection of extensive liver tumors. One of the major criticisms of ALPPS is the associated high mortality rate up to 20%.

METHODS

Using the International ALPPS Registry, a risk analysis for futile outcome (defined as 90-day or in-hospital mortality) was performed. Futility was modeled using multivariate regression analysis and a futility risk score formula was computed on the basis of the relative size of logistic model regression coefficients.

RESULTS

Among 528 ALPPS patients from 38 centers, a futile outcome was observed in 47 patients (9%). The pre-stage 1 model included age 67 years or older [odds ratio (OR) = 5.7], and tumor entity (OR = 3.8 for biliary tumors) as independent predictors of futility from multivariate analysis. For the pre-stage 1 model scores of 0, 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 were associated with futile risk of 2.7%, 4.9%, 8.6%, 15%, 24%, and 37%. The pre-stage 2 model included major complications (grade ≥ 3b) after stage 1 (OR = 3.4), serum bilirubin (OR = 4.4), serum creatinine (OR = 5.4), and cumulative pre-stage 1 risk score (OR = 1.9). The model predicted futility risk of 5%, 10%, 20%, and 50% for patients with scores of 3.9, 4.7, 5.5, and 6.9, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

Both models have an excellent prediction to assess the individual risk of futile outcome after ALPPS surgery and can be used to avoid futile use of ALPPS.

Subtotal colectomy vs. intraoperative colonic irrigation in the management of obstructed left colon carcinoma

PURPOSE

Whether primary anastomosis should be performed after segmental resection with intraoperative colonic irrigation or subtotal colectomy is not yet established in the surgical treatment of obstructive left colon carcinoma. In this prospective, nonrandomized study, we present the results of 66 patients undergoing one-stage surgery for obstructed left colon carcinoma.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

We compared two techniques, subtotal colectomy (35 patients) and intraoperative colonic irrigation with segmental resection and immediate anastomosis (31 patients).

RESULTS

The mortality rate was similar in both groups, 8.5 percent in the subtotal colectomy group and 3.2 percent in the intraoperative colonic irrigation group. The surgical complication rate was significantly higher in the intraoperative colonic irrigation group (41.9 percent) than in the subtotal colectomy group (14.2 percent; P < 0.05). Mean operating time was significantly lower in the subtotal colectomy group than in the intraoperative colonic irrigation group (P < 0.05). Both groups had a similar mean duration of hospital stay. Ten patients who underwent subtotal colectomy (31.2 percent) presented with diarrhea in the immediate postoperative period, which disappeared spontaneously or with antidiarrheal medication; a disabling diarrhea persisted in two patients only (6.2 percent).

CONCLUSION

We believe that subtotal colectomy is the treatment of choice for obstructed left-sided colonic carcinoma. Segmental resection with intraoperative colonic irrigation is more appropriate than subtotal colectomy only in patients with carcinomas of the rectosigmoid junction or with previous anal incontinence to avoid the appearance of postoperative diarrhea.

Endothelial cell chimerism does not influence allograft tolerance in liver transplant patients after withdrawal of immunosuppression

BACKGROUND

Human liver allografts sometimes show self-induced permanent tolerance without immunosuppression. It has recently been proposed that the replacement of liver donor endothelial cells by recipient cells could confer a survival advantage. The aim of this study was to analyze liver endothelial cell replacement in relation to the response (tolerance or rejection) after withdrawal of immunosuppression in liver transplant patients.

METHODS

Nine liver recipient patients were entered into a program of immunosuppressive drug withdrawal. The authors studied liver endothelial cell chimerism in five of these patients who received a liver from a donor of the opposite sex by in situ hybridization for X and Y chromosomes.

RESULTS

Three patients (33%) achieved complete withdrawal of immunosuppression. The authors' data show similar endothelial cell chimerism in both the tolerant and nontolerant patients analyzed.

CONCLUSIONS

Endothelial cell chimerism has nothing to do with the induction of clinical tolerance in liver transplant patients after withdrawal of immunosuppression.

10th Anniversary of ALPPS-Lessons Learned and quo Vadis

OBJECTIVE

Associating Liver Partition and Portal vein ligation for Staged hepatectomy (ALPPS) has been tested in various indications and clinical scenarios, leading to steady improvements in safety. This report presents the current status of ALPPS.

SUMMARY BACKGROUND DATA

ALPPS offers improved resectability, but drawbacks are regularly pointed out regarding safety and oncologic benefits.

METHODS

During the 12th biennial congress of the European African-Hepato-Pancreato-Biliary Association (Mainz, Germany, May 23-26, 2017) an expert meeting "10th anniversary of ALPP" was held to discuss indications, management, mechanisms of regeneration, as well as pitfalls of this novel technique. The aim of the meeting was to make an inventory of what has been achieved and what remains unclear in ALPPS.

RESULTS

Precise knowledge of liver anatomy and its variations is paramount for success in ALPPS. Technical modifications, mainly less invasive approaches like partial, mini- or laparoscopic ALPPS, mostly aiming at minimizing the extensiveness of the first-stage procedure, are associated with improved safety. In fibrotic/cirrhotic livers the degree of future liver remnant hypertrophy after ALPPS appears some less than that in noncirrhotic. Recent data from the only prospective randomized controlled trial confirmed significant higher resection rates in ALPPS with similar peri-operative morbidity and mortality rates compared with conventional 2-stage hepatectomy including portal vein embolization. ALPPS is effective reliably even after failure of portal vein embolization.

CONCLUSIONS

Although ALPPS is now an established 2-stage hepatectomy additional data are warranted to further refine indication and technical aspects. Long-term oncological outcome results are needed to establish the place of ALPPS in patients with initially nonresectable liver tumors.

Should ALPPS be Used for Liver Resection in Intermediate-Stage HCC?

BACKGROUND

Extended liver resections in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) are problematic due to hepatitis, fibrosis, and cirrhosis. Associating liver partition with portal vein ligation for staged hepatectomy (ALPPS) has been promoted as a novel method to induce hypertrophy for patients with extensive colorectal liver metastases, but outcomes in HCC have not been well investigated.

METHODS

All patients registered in the international ALPPS Registry ( www.alpps.org ) from 2010 to 2015 were studied. Hypertrophy of the future liver remnant, perioperative morbidity and mortality, age, overall survival, and other parameters were compared between patients with HCC and patients with colorectal liver metastases (CRLM).

RESULTS

The study compared 35 patients with HCC and 225 patients with CRLM. The majority of patients undergoing ALPPS for HCC fall into the intermediate-stage category of the Barcelona clinic algorithm. In this study, hypertrophy was rapid and extensive for the HCC patients, albeit lower than for the CRLM patients (47 vs. 76 %; p < 0.002). Hypertrophy showed a linear negative correlation with the degrees of fibrosis. The 90-day mortality for ALPPS used to treat HCC was almost fivefold higher than for CRLM (31 vs. 7 %; p < 0.001). Multivariate analysis showed that patients older than 61 years had a significantly reduced overall survival (p < 0.004).

CONCLUSION

The ALPPS approach induces a considerable hypertrophic response in HCC patients and allows resection of intermediate-stage HCC, albeit at the cost of a 31 % perioperative mortality rate. The use of ALPPS for HCC remains prohibitive for most patients and should be performed only for a highly selected patient population younger than 60 years with low-grade fibrosis.

Prevention of hyperacute rejection in a model of orthotopic liver xenotransplantation from pig to baboon using polytransgenic pig livers (CD55, CD59, and H-transferase)

INTRODUCTION

The search for alternative sources for transplant organs leads us to the search for animals as an inexhaustible source of organs. The objective of this study was to analyze whether livers from polytransgenic pigs expressing the human complement regulatory proteins CD55 (hDAF), CD59, and alfa alpha1,2-fucosyltransferase (H-transferase), protected against hyperacute rejection after orthotopic liver xenotransplantation to a baboon and also to study pig liver function in a nonhuman primate.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Nine liver transplants from pig to baboon were divided into two groups: a control group (n = 4) of genetically unmodified pigs and an experimental group (n = 5) of pigs transgenic for CD55, CD59, and H-transferase as donors. All the donating piglets obtained through hysterectomy were maintained in specific pathogen-free conditions. The selection of transgenic pig donors followed demonstration of transgene expression using monoclonal antibodies (antiCD55, antiCD59) and immunohistological studies on liver biopsies.

RESULTS

All animals in the control group developed hyperacute rejection with survival rates less than 16 hours without function of transplanted livers. In the experimental group none of the animals suffered hyperacute rejection. Survival in this group was between 13 and 24 hours. The livers were functional, producing bile and maintaining above 35% prothrombin activity. Only in one case was there primary dysfunction of the xenograft.

CONCLUSION

Polytransgenic livers for complement regulatory proteins prevent hyperacute rejection when xenotransplanted into a baboon.

Gastrointestinal bezoars

Of 99 patients with 117 gastrointestinal bezoars, 69 had undergone previous surgery, the most common operation being bilateral truncal vagotomy with pyloroplasty (55 patients). An excessive intake of vegetable fibre was found in 38 patients and poor mastication in 27. Thirty bezoars presented with gastric symptoms and patients had endoscopy as the diagnostic technique; 87 caused symptoms of intestinal obstruction with the diagnosis made by plain abdominal radiography. Medical treatment by enzymic or endoscopic fragmentation was used for 17 of 30 gastric bezoars; surgery was required in the remainder. Intestinal bezoars causing obstruction can be fragmented and 'milked' to the caecum. The stomach should be explored for associated gastric bezoars.

Does the standard vs piggyback surgical technique affect the development of early acute renal failure after orthotopic liver transplantation?

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of the surgical technique on postoperative renal function during the first week after liver transplantation (OLT). We performed a retrospective study of 184 consecutive OLT. Criteria for acute renal failure were: serum creatinine >1.5 mg/dL, an increase by 50% in the baseline serum creatinine, or oliguria requiring renal replacement therapy. The distribution of patients according to the surgical technique was: standard (n=84), venovenous bypass (n=20), and piggyback (n=80). Other variables analyzed were: intraoperative requirement for blood products, treatment with adrenergic agonists, intraoperative complications, and postreperfusion syndrome. Univariate analysis showed the following parameters to be significantly related to postoperative renal failure: intraoperative fresh frozen plasma and cryoprecipitate requirements, intraoperative complications, postreperfusion syndrome, need for noradrenaline or dobutamine, standard surgical technique versus piggyback (39% vs 18%, P<.01) and venovenous vs piggyback (50% vs 18%, P<.01). Logistic regression analysis identified the following variables as having independent prognostic value: (1) Standard surgical technique vs piggyback (OR=3.3, P=.01); (2) venovenous vs piggyback (OR=4.7, P=.02); and (3) >20 U cryoprecipitate requirement (OR=1.04, P=.01). In conclusion, compared with the piggyback technique, the standard surgical technique appears to be an independent risk factor for postoperative acute renal failure. When venovenous bypass is used in patients who do not tolerate trial clamping of inferior vena cava, it does not reduce the incidence of postoperative renal failure. Finally, the piggyback technique significantly reduces the probability of acute renal failure after liver transplantation.

Defining Benchmark Outcomes for ALPPS

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to use the concept of benchmarking to establish robust and standardized outcome references after the procedure ALPPS (Associating Liver Partition and Portal Vein Ligation for Staged hepatectomy).

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

The recently developed ALPPS procedure, aiming at removing primarily unresectable liver tumors, has been criticized for safety issues with high variations in the reported morbidity/mortality rates depending on patient, disease, technical characteristics, and center experience. No reference values for relevant outcome parameters are available.

METHODS

Among 1036 patients registered in the international ALPPS registry, 120 (12%) were benchmark cases fulfilling 4 criteria: patients ≤67 years of age, with colorectal metastases, without simultaneous abdominal procedures, and centers having performed ≥30 cases. Benchmark values, defined as the 75th percentile of the median outcome parameters of the centers, were established for 10 clinically relevant domains.

RESULTS

The benchmark values were completion of stage 2: ≥96%, postoperative liver failure (ISGLS-criteria) after stage 2: ≤5%, ICU stay after ALPPS stages 1 and 2: ≤1 and ≤2 days, respectively, interstage interval: ≤16 days, hospital stay after ALPPS stage 2: ≤10 days, rates of overall morbidity in combining both stage 1 and 2: ≤65% and for major complications (grade ≥3a): ≤38%, 90-day comprehensive complication index was ≤22, the 30-, 90-day, and 6-month mortality was ≤4%, ≤5%, and 6%, respectively, the overall 1-year, recurrence-free, liver-tumor-free, and extrahepatic disease-free survival was ≥86%, ≥50%, ≥57%, and ≥65%, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

This benchmark analysis sets key reference values for ALPPS, indicating similar outcome as other types of major hepatectomies. Benchmark cutoffs offer valid tools not only for comparisons with other procedures, but also to assess higher risk groups of patients or different indications than colorectal metastases.