Gastric sarcomatoid carcinoma

Sarcomatoid carcinoma is an uncommon biphasic malignant tumor of the stomach. The histogenesis remains unknown, and a definitive diagnosis is obtained with immunohistochemical staining. Since prognosis is poor after surgery, more effective diagnostic tools are needed in order to select the optimal therapeutic approach. We report the case of an old female patient presenting with an endophytic tumor in the gastric fundus who underwent partial resection of the stomach. Histology revealed a poorly differentiated adenocarcinoma component mixed with sarcomatoid component. Immunohistochemically, the carcinoma components exhibited a positive reaction to pan-cytokeratin, whereas fusiform cells showed positive reactions to vimentin.

Extrahepatic portal vein aneurysm

Portal vein aneurysms (PVAs) are usually incidental on imaging and asymptomatic. If it is symptomatic or associated with a pathologic finding, a treatment is recommended. We report a case of a 75-year-old Caucasian man presenting with symptomatic and size-increasing portosplenomesenteric aneurysms. Interventional radiology was not indicated because of the large size. A surgical approach was chosen for the patient. Surgical technique consists of an aneurysmorrhaphy in the first time and in the second time, a Goretex prosthesis placement involving the vein. Early complication was treated with a radiologic approach. Six months after surgery, patient had no more symptoms. PVA management remains a surgical challenge for surgeon, for timing and type of treatment.

Glasgow coma score and tumor necrosis factor α as predictive criteria for initial poor graft function

Initial poor graft function (IPGF) is a major factor influencing the clinical outcome after liver transplantation (LT), but there is no reliable method to assess and predict graft dysfunction. To help clinicians determine prognosis in the early postoperative period, individual parameters and complex scoring systems have been suggested, but most of them are inaccurate because of the multifactorial nature of transplantation courses. Therefore, the aim of our study was to retrospectively evaluate predictive criteria for retransplantation. Forty-two patients were enrolled in this study: 18 who experienced primary non-function (PNF) and 24 with delayed graft function (DGF). All of the patients were treated with the Molecular Adsorbent Recirculating System (MARS). They were into 3 subgroups: patients who survived without LT (n = 20; 47.7%); patients who underwent LT (n = 16; 37%), and patients who died before transplantation (n = 6; 14%). Stepwise multivariable logistic regression analysis was performed with the intent to find the risk factors for LT or death after MARS treatment (second analysis). Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were performed on significant variables in the logistic regression model with the intent to individually predict variables for LT or death. After a stepwise multivariable logistic regression analysis enrolling all of the previously reported features only 2 variables, tumor necrosis factor (TFN)-α and Glasgow coma score (GCS) score, were statistically significant. TNF-α was an unique independent risk factor for retransplantation or death after MARS treatment (odds ratio [OR] 1.235; P = .013). Conversely, GCS score was protective against retransplantation or death (OR 0.150; P = .003). Starting from these assumptions, a predictive model was created using these 2 variables. On ROC analysis, the combined score showed an area under the curve greater than that of the 2 variables considered separately. Validating these results with a larger number of patients, we considered these 2 factors as subjective parameters to determine outcomes and the difference between PNF and DGF.

Two-stage hepatectomy, a 10 years experience

Colorectal tumor represents in Europe the second most common cause of cancer death. Surgical resection in case of colorectal liver metastasis remain for patients the only cure. In 2003, Jaeck et al. described a one or two-stage hepatectomy combined with PVE for initially non-resectable colorectal liver metastases. The aim of our study was to retrospectively review all patients who underwent to a two-stage hepatectomy for CLM and evaluate the safety and feasibility of the procedure. We review all patient who underwent two-stage hepatectomy for CLM in our center. From 2004 to March 2014, 57 patients were candidate for a two-stage hepatectomy for CLM. Thirty-two patients (55.9 %) were men and twenty-five women (44.1 %). Median age was 60.9 years old. In forty-six cases, the two-stage hepatectomy was completed. Of these 46 patients, 38 patients completed the procedure with a PVL and 8 underwent a secondary PVE. Seven patients were planned but did not performed PVL after intraoperative evaluation and neither PVE after secondary evaluation due to disease progression. Five cases were treated with a laparoscopic approach for the first step procedure. We had no death in this series. Ten patients developed complications after the first-stage operation and 18 patients had complications after the second stage. The median interval between the two stages was 66 days. Long-term overall survival was 52 months from the first liver surgery. This study demonstrated the feasibility of two-stage hepatectomy without postoperative mortality. In our last experience in selected patient, a laparoscopic first step should be performed. Patients selection is extremely important to propose the best therapeutic option for each one.

Laparoscopy in Liver Transplantation: The Future has Arrived

In the last two decades, laparoscopy has revolutionized the field of surgery. Many procedures previously performed with an open access are now routinely carried out with the laparoscopic approach. Several advantages are associated with laparoscopic surgery compared to open procedures: reduced pain due to smaller incisions and hemorrhaging, shorter hospital length of stay, and a lower incidence of wound infections. Liver transplantation (LT) brought a radical change in life expectancy of patients with hepatic end-stage disease. Today, LT represents the standard of care for more than fifty hepatic pathologies, with excellent results in terms of survival. Surely, with laparoscopy and LT being one of the most continuously evolving challenges in medicine, their recent combination has represented an astonishing scientific progress. The intent of the present paper is to underline the current role of diagnostic and therapeutic laparoscopy in patients waiting for LT, in the living donor LT and in LT recipients.

Periungual myiasis caused by wohlfahrtia magnifica mimicking an ingrown toenail

Myiasis is the infestation of organs and tissues of human being or other vertebrate animals with dipterous larvae. Myiasis is generally rare in humans, especially in children. We present the first case of periungual myiasis by Wohlfahrtia magnifica in a 5-year-old female. Wohlfahrtia magnifica is an obligatory parasite, which has been described as cause of ophthalmomyiasis, otomyiasis, oral myiasis, vulvar myiasis and wound myiasis. Treatment of myiasis and ingrown toenail is generally non-operative although both entities can be serious and/or non-responsive to conservative therapy.

Liver transplant for patients outside Milan criteria

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the most indication to Liver Transplantation (LT). Milan criteria are worldwide accepted as the gold standard for LT indication for HCC. Nevertheless, expanded criteria are often used to transplant patient outside Milan. We described the most important proposed criteria outside Milan criteria. From the University of California San Francisco, to the Toronto criteria. From East to Western, and for living donor liver transplantation. In order to achieve similar results the downstaging strategy is more frequently used and for patients with locally advanced HCC. Carefully selected patients beyond the traditional criteria for transplantation may achieve excellent LT outcomes through a planned, multidisciplinary approach to treatment.

Chylous Leakage After a Laparoscopic Live-Donor Nephrectomy: Case Report and Literature Review

Laparoscopic donor nephrectomy is an established operation for organ procurement in living-donor transplant. Minimal access approach for organ procurement from living donors ensures early convalescence and improved patient participation. Chylous leakage is a rare complication of laparoscopic living-donor nephrectomy. Chylous leakage is mostly determined by iatrogenic injury of cisterna chyli and its main tributaries. It may lead to malnutrition and immunologic deficits because of protein and lymphocyte depletion. An 18-year-old woman underwent left-hand-assisted laparoscopic donor nephrectomy for living donor transplant. She developed chylosus leakage in third postoperative day. A conservative manage-ment with total parenteral nutrition total paren-teral nutrition and subcutaneous somatostatin was immediately initiated. The patient had an abatement of drainage daily output in 4 days of therapy. Chylous leakage is a potentially insidious and perhaps misdiagnosed complication of laparoscopic donor nephrectomy. Conservative therapy is effective in most donors and should be initially attempted. Surgical ligatures or fibrin sealants may be indicated in case of refractory chylous leakage before the arising of malnutrition and/or relevant immunodeficiency.

Risk factors for immune-mediated hepatotoxicity in patients with cancer treated with immune checkpoint inhibitors: a systematic review and meta-analysis

INTRODUCTION

Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) are effective for the treatment of various cancers, but can lead to immune-mediated hepatotoxicity (IMH). The aim of this study was to analyze the risk factors for IMH in cancer patients treated with ICIs.

AREAS COVERED

The PubMed, EMBASE, and Cochrane Library databases were searched. Eligible studies should compare the difference between patients who developed and did not develop IMH. Odds ratio (OR) and weighted mean difference (WMD) with 95% confidence interval (CI) were calculated.

EXPERT OPINION

Among the 5030 papers initially identified, 13 studies were included. Meta-analyses indicated that age (WMD: -5.200, 95%CI: -7.481 to -2.919), history of ICIs treatment (OR: 4.491, 95%CI: 2.205 to 9.145), ICIs combination therapy (OR: 5.353, 95%CI: 1.663 to 17.232), and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) level (WMD: 5.039, 95%CI: 1.220 to 8.857) were significantly associated with the risk of any grade IMH; and age (WMD: -5.193; 95%CI: -9.669 to -0.718) was significantly associated with the risk of grade ≥3 IMH. These findings provide the evidence for identifying patients at a high risk of IMH. Appropriate intervention may be given to prevent from IMH in high-risk patients, thereby enabling ICIs to achieve an expected tumor response.PLAIN LANGUAGE SUMMARYAt present, immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) are one of the most important treatment choices for cancer. ICIs can enhance the antitumor response by inhibiting the immune checkpoint pathway. The immune checkpoint pathways include CTLA-4 pathway and PD-1 pathway, which inhibit the activation of the immune system. Among them, CTLA-4 pathway stops potentially autoreactive T-cell at the initial stage of T-cell activation, and the PD-1 pathway regulates activated T-cell at the later stage of an immune response. However, excessively enhanced immune activity may cause immune cells to attack health organs like the liver, developing immune-mediated hepatotoxicity (IMH), which may affect the tumor response of ICIs. Therefore, it is crucial to explore the risk factors for IMH in cancer patients treated with ICIs. We searched 3 medical databases: PubMed, EMBASE, and Cochrane Library, and then the studies that evaluated the difference between patients who developed and did not develop IMH were included in our systematic review and meta-analysis. The meta-analyses showed younger patients, patients with history of ICIs treatment, patients who had ICIs combination therapy, and patients with higher liver enzyme AST levels were more likely to develop IMH. Therefore, doctors should pay more attention to the patients at high-risk for IMH with the goal of improving the chances that they achieve a good response from their ICIs therapy.

Continuing our work: transplant surgery and surgical oncology in a tertiary referral COVID-19 center

COVID-19 is rapidly spreading worldwide. Healthcare systems are struggling to properly allocate resources while ensuring cure for diseases outside of the infection. The aim of this study was to demonstrate how surgical activity was affected by the virus outbreak and show the changes in practice in a tertiary referral COVID-19 center. The official bulletins of the Italian National Institute for the Infectious Diseases "L. Spallanzani" were reviewed to retrieve the number of daily COVID-19 patients. Records of consecutive oncological and transplant procedures performed during the outbreak were reviewed. Patients with a high probability of postoperative intensive care unit (ICU) admission were considered as high risk and defined by an ASA score ≥ III and/or a Charlson Comorbidity Index (CCI) ≥ 6 and/or a Revised Cardiac Risk Index for Preoperative Risk (RCRI) ≥ 3. 72 patients were operated, including 12 (16.6%) liver and kidney transplantations. Patients had few comorbidities (26.3%), low ASA score (1.9 ± 0.5), CCI (3.7 ± 1.3), and RCRI (1.2 ± 0.6) and had overall a low risk of postoperative ICU admission. Few patients had liver cirrhosis (12.5%) or received preoperative systemic therapy (16.6%). 36 (50%) high-risk surgical procedures were performed, including major hepatectomies, pancreaticoduodenectomies, total gastrectomies, multivisceral resections, and transplantations. Despite this, only 15 patients (20.8%) were admitted to the ICU. Only oncologic cases and transplantations were performed during the COVID-19 outbreak. Careful selection of patients allowed to perform major cancer surgeries and transplantations without further stressing hospital resources, meanwhile minimizing collateral damage to patients.

A 15-year experience of two hundred and twenty five consecutive right hepatectomies

BACKGROUND

In case of liver tumor, surgical resection is the therapeutic gold standard to increase patient survival. Among liver resections, right hepatectomy (RH) is defined as a major hepatectomy. The first aim of this study was to analyze the overall morbidity and mortality of patients undergoing RH, the second aim was to assess changes in both patients characteristic and surgical parameters and mortality rates in a single center institution.

MATERIALS

From 2001 to December 2015, 225 RH were performed in our center. We analyzed two time period: 2001-2007 and 2008-2015.

RESULTS

Ninety days post operative mortality was observed in 9 cases (4%) for the overall cohort. We observed a difference between the two groups in the use of Pringle Maneuver (p<0,001). This result is consistent in each major surgical indication: HCC (p=0,001), CLM (p=0,015) and BT (p=0,015). The estimated blood losses improved (p=0,028), particularly for the HCC cases (p=0,024). No difference was observed in terms of number of transfusions received between the two groups. Reduced length of stay was observed in the second group (p<0,001), more markedly for CLM cases (p=0,001).

CONCLUSION

To further improve the outcomes of RH, it is important to performed this major hepatectomy in hepatobiliary centers with an overall liver resection experience of at least few hundred cases.

Continuous monitoring of the liver graft temperature: relationship between bacterial contamination of the perfusion fluid and early outcome

BACKGROUND

A potential mechanism of the infection would be an infected donor, contamination at the time of the infusion and/or packaging, back-table procedure, and finally during the transplantation, all are potential sources of infection. The aim of our study is to analyze the incidence and significance of infection in the preservation solution according with the graft temperature. The second aim was to analyze the impact graft temperature on the clinical infections and the ischemia reperfusion injury.

METHODS

Sixteen donors were prospectively included in this study, including 9 males and 7 females. The liver graft temperature monitoring shows variation in four different phases: at the harvesting beginning, before the graft packaging, at the beginning of the backtable, at the end of the backtable.

RESULTS

There was no correlation between the functionality of the graft and the temperature of the perfusion fluid.

CONCLUSIONS

In conclusion, we did not found a correlation between graft temperature, culture of the preservation solution and early post-transplant follow up.

Utility of the Iwate difficulty scoring system for laparoscopic right posterior sectionectomy: do surgical outcomes differ for tumors in segments VI and VII?

INTRODUCTION

The Iwate Score (IS) have not been well-validated for specific procedures, especially for right posterior sectionectomy (RPS). In this study, the utility of the IS was determined for laparoscopic (L)RPS and the effect of tumor location on surgical outcomes was investigated.

METHODS

Post-hoc analysis of 647 L-RPS performed in 40 international centers of which 596L-RPS cases met the inclusion criteria. Baseline characteristics and perioperative outcomes of patients stratified based on the Iwate score were compared to determine whether a correlation with surgical difficulty existed. A 1:1 Mahalanobis distance matching was utilized to investigate the effect of tumor location on L-RPS outcomes.

RESULTS

The patients were stratified into 3 levels of difficulty (31 intermediate, 143 advanced, and 422 expert) based on the IS. When using a stepwise increase of the IS excluding the tumor location score, only Pringle's maneuver was more frequently used in the higher surgical difficulty level (35.5%, 54.6%, and 65.2%, intermediate, advanced, and expert levels, respectively, Z = 3.34, p = 0.001). Other perioperative results were not associated with a statistical gradation toward higher difficulty level. 80 of 85 patients with a segment VI lesion and 511 patients with a segment VII lesion were matched 1:1. There were no significant differences in the perioperative outcomes of the two groups including open conversion, operating time, blood loss, intraoperative blood transfusion, postoperative stay, major morbidity, and mortality.

CONCLUSION

Among patients undergoing L-RPS, the IS did not significantly correlate with most outcome measures associated with intraoperative difficulty and postoperative outcomes. Similarly, tumor location had no effect on L-RPS outcomes.

Effect of direct-acting antivirals on future occurrence of hepatocellular carcinoma in compensated cirrhotic patients

BACKGROUND

The achievement of high rates of sustained virological response (SVR) with direct-acting antivirals (DAAs) in hepatitis C virus (HCV) infected patients will reduce decompensating terminal events.

AIMS

To investigate whether hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) occurrence could change due to the DAA-induced increase in life-expectancy.

METHODS

A Markov model was built on clinical data of 494 cirrhotic patients and available literature to estimate probabilities of "death before HCC" and of "HCC occurrence" without and with DAA.

RESULTS

In comparison to untreated patients, DAA therapy reduced the 20-year mortality before HCC by 21.9% in patients without varices and by 21.5% in those with varices, considering an SVR of 95% and no direct effect on hepatocarcinogenesis. Tumour occurrence increased by 5%-8.2% and the proportion of HCCs diagnosed in compensated stages increased to >98%. If we consider DAA as having "anti-tumoral" effects, the benefit becomes greater, achieving a 20-year survival of 81.5% in patients without varices, and 52.2% in patients with varices. Instead, if we consider DAA as having a "pro-tumoral" effect, then, the increased incidence of HCC nullifies the survival benefits.

CONCLUSION

DAAs drastically reduce the mortality caused by the liver function worsening, increasing the proportion of HCCs diagnosed in compensated stages. Knowledge of the DAA effect on hepatocarcinogenesis remains pivotal.

Intravascular Leiomyomatosis with Intracardiac Extension

Intravenous leiomyomatosis (IVL) is a rare nonmalignant tumor defined as a benign smooth muscle cell neoplasia in the veins. Patients with IVL may present with symptoms of a uterine leiomyoma such as pelvic pain and vaginal bleeding, or cardiorespiratory symptoms, including dyspnea and leg swelling. We report the case of a 65-year-old otherwise healthy Caucasian woman. Past medical history consisted of hysterectomy and left salpingo-oophorectomy 15 years before for multiple uterine fibromyomas associated with leiomyoma of vascular origin. A thoracoabdominal computed tomography (CT) scan confirmed the presence of a mass, measuring 76 × 37 × 44 mm, arising from the inferior vena cava (IVC) at the level of the left renal vein extending all the way into the right atrium and right ventricle. At laparotomy, a tumoral mass was excised from the left broad ligament up to the left renal vein and from the IVC up to its retrohepatic tract. Sternotomy was performed and cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) was established among ascending aorta, upper vena cava, and right common femoral vein. After atriotomy, a voluminous and firm mass was excised from the right atrium, down to the level of the IVC. CPB was maintained for 80 min. Perioperative transfusion included two plasma and two red blood cells units. No adjuvant treatment was administered. Follow-up with annual CT scans was performed. Patient had no signs of recurrence after 3 years.

Hepatic artery reinforcement after post pancreatectomy haemorrhage caused by pancreatitis

Post-pancreatectomy hemorrhage (PPH) is a major complication occurring in 6-8% of patients after pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD). Arterial bleeding is the most frequent cause. Mortality rate could reach 30% after grade C PPH according to ISGPS classification. Complete interruption of hepatic arterial flow has to be a salvage procedure because of the high risk of intrahepatic abscess following the procedure. We report a technique to perform an artery reinforcement after PPH caused by pancreatitis. A PD according to Whipple's procedure with child's reconstruction was performed in a 68-year-old man. At postoperative day 12, the patient presented a sudden violent abdominal pain with arterial hypotension and tachycardia. Computed tomography (CT) with intravenous contrast injection was performed. Arterial and venous phases showed a contrast extravasation on the hepatic artery. Origin of PPH was found as an erosion of hepatic artery caused by pancreatic leak. A peritoneal patch was placed around hepatic artery to reinforce damaged arterial wall. The peritoneal patch was harvested from right hypochondrium with a thin preperitoneal fat layer. The patch was sutured around hepatic artery with musculoaponeurotic face placed on the arterial wall. A CT was performed and hepatic artery was permeable with normal caliber in the portion of peritoneal patch reinforcement. The technique described in the present case consists in reinforcing directly arterial wall after occurrence of PPH. The use of a peritoneal patch during pancreatic surgery has first been described to replace a portion of portal vein after venous resection with the peritoneal layer placed on the intraluminal side of the vein. The present case describes a salvage technique to reinforce damaged artery after PPH in context of pancreatic leak. This simple technique could be useful to avoid complex arterial reconstruction and recurrent bleeding in septic context.

Laparoscopic left liver lobectomy for hepatocellular carcinoma in a cirrhotic patient: a video report

We present a video case of a 51-year-old man admitted to our surgical and liver transplantation unit for hepatocellular cancer (HCC). Patient has a HCV cirrhosis with portal hypertension and esophageal varices F1. Child Pugh score was B7 and model of end staged liver disease (MELD) was 11. Body mass index (BMI) was 26.7 and ASA score was 2. No previous abdominal surgery. According with our multidisciplinary group we suggest a laparoscopic left lobectomy for the patient. Pringle manoeuvre was not performed. Operation time was 193 min and blood loss estimation was 100 cc. No transfusion was required. Post-operative course was uneventful, grade I of Clavien-Dindo Classification. Patient was discharged in day 8. In our experience laparoscopic resection in cirrhotic liver should be performed in selected patients and in an experienced team.