Combined proper hepatic artery and common hepatic duct injury in open cholecystectomy: case report and review of the literature

A 24-y-old male patient underwent elective open cholecystectomy at another center. On the third postoperative day, he developed fever and jaundice, for which he underwent reoperation at the same center on the seventh postoperative day. During the second surgery, massive bleeding was encountered, suture ligations were applied, and T-tube drainage was performed. After the surgery was completed, the patient developed hepatic microabscess, and sepsis ensued. The patient presented at this hospital for further evaluation. To rule out vascular injury, which was suspected in this patient, celiac angiography was performed; it showed that the hepatic artery was occluded near the eminence of the gastroduodenal artery, and the liver was supplied by many collaterals. After the patient's condition had stabilized and the sepsis had resolved, Roux-N-Y hepaticojejunostomy was performed on the 59th d after admission.

Anomalous hepatic arterial anatomy discovered during pancreaticoduodenectomy

INTRODUCTION

A number of variations in hepatic arterial anatomy have been described. Anomalous arterial supply is of particular relevance to the hepatobiliary, pancreatic or liver transplant surgeon.

CASE REPORT

We describe the case of a 57-year-old gentleman who presented with painless obstructive jaundice and was found to have a mass in the head of the pancreas. At pylorus-preserving pancreaticoduodenectomy a distal quadrifurcation of the hepatic artery was discovered. It gave rise to the right hepatic artery, left hepatic artery, intermediate branch and a right accessory hepatic artery. The right accessory hepatic artery gave rise to the gastroduodenal artery.

CONCLUSION

The surgeon and interventional radiologist need to be aware of the potential for such aberrant anatomy in order to avoid potentially disastrous complications.

Palliation of malignant hilar obstruction at a single centre--review of operative and non-operative techniques

INTRODUCTION

Jaundice secondary to a malignant hilar obstruction can be relieved by operative bypass or percutaneous stenting. Comparative trials involving these techniques are scarce. We reviewed our experience with these competing techniques in the palliation of malignant hilar obstruction.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

All patients with malignant hilar obstruction managed at our institution during the period 1992-2002 were identified for review.

RESULTS

A total of 36 deeply jaundiced patients with hilar obstruction were identified. Twenty-two patients underwent exploration with the intention of performing an operative bypass and 14 patients underwent percutaneous transhepatic cholangiography (PTC) with intention to stent. Procedure-related mortality was similar in both groups. Morbidity was much higher in the operative group. Effective symptom relief was achieved with both techniques. In the PTC group recurrent biliary obstruction in 2 patients necessitated salvage non-operative procedures. Although survival rates were slightly longer in the operative group, this was not significant. There were no long-term survivors.

CONCLUSION

Operative bypass provides better sustained relief of jaundice than PTC. However long-term survival in both groups is poor and operative bypass is best reserved for younger patients with no technical contraindications. Despite early and late procedural failures PTC is the method of choice for patients with advanced-stage disease and those with significant co-morbidities.

Preoperative carbohydrate antigen 19-9 is most predictive of malignancy in older jaundiced patients undergoing pancreatic resection

OBJECTIVES

Given the increased detection of occult pancreatic neoplasms with modern imaging modalities, it is often difficult to determine the risk of malignancy before curative pancreatectomy. We reviewed patients who underwent pancreatectomy to determine factors predictive of malignancy with particular attention to the serum marker carbohydrate antigen 19-9 (CA19-9).

METHODS

One hundred eighteen patients underwent radical pancreatectomy for malignant (n = 59) or benign (n = 59) pancreatic lesions. Demographic data, preoperative CA19-9 levels (normal, <37 U/mL), and follow-up were obtained from patient charts. Logistic regression analysis was used to determine univariate and multivariate predictors of malignancy.

RESULTS

Significant multivariate predictors of malignancy were increased CA19-9, age older than 50 years, and preoperative jaundice. The sensitivity and specificity of increased preoperative CA19-9 alone were 71% and 83%, respectively. The combination of age older than 50 years and jaundice was a more accurate predictor than CA19-9 (sensitivity, 76%; specificity, 92%). Increased CA19-9 was highly specific (97%) for malignancy in older jaundiced patients or when the preoperative level was greater than 150 U/mL.

CONCLUSIONS

Age and preoperative jaundice are more predictive of malignancy than CA19-9 alone unless levels are greater than 150 U/mL. Preoperative CA19-9 levels should be interpreted within the context of these other clinical factors.

Clinical characteristics and prognostic markers in disulfiram-induced liver injury

BACKGROUND/AIMS

Limited systematic data exists on the incidence of drug-induced hepatotoxicity due to disulfiram and the most important prognostic markers. We aimed to determine the nature and frequency of suspected disulfiram hepatotoxicity in Sweden.

METHODS

All reports of suspected hepatic adverse drug reactions (ADR) associated with disulfiram received by the Swedish Adverse Drug Reactions Advisory Committee (SADRAC) 1966-2002 were reviewed. Causality assessment was based on the International Consensus Criteria.

RESULTS

A total of 82 reports of disulfiram suspected ADRs had at least a possible causal relationship. Eight patients died or underwent liver transplantation (Tx). Mortality or Tx was 16% in patients with jaundice. The median age of the patients (65% males) was 45 years with a median duration of treatment of 42 days. Bilirubin was higher (P<0.0001) in the deceased/transplanted patients compared to surviving patients. No difference was observed in age or duration of therapy between deceased and transplanted and those who recovered. Eosinophilic infiltration in liver biopsies was associated with a favourable outcome, hepatocyte drop-out with a poor outcome.

CONCLUSIONS

Disulfiram associated hepatitis has a considerable mortality risk. Histological signs of immunoallergy seem to be common. Bilirubin and hepatocyte drop-out were the only predictors for death or transplantation.

[Biliary-enteric anastomosis malfunction: retrospective study of 20 surgical cases. Review of literature]

INTRODUCTION

This retrospective study of 20 procedures for malfunction of a biliary-enteric anastomosis include 7 choledochoduodenal anastomosis (CD) and 13 choledocho- or hepaticojejunal anastomosis (HJ).

METHODS AND RESULTS

The malfunctions were revealed by angiocholitis (N=16) jaundice (N=4) acute abdominal syndrome (N=1). Among the 7 CD, the median waiting period before reoperation has been 14 years, the procedures were justified by a biliary disorder in 5 cases (1stricture, 4 stones or food obstruction) or by a duodenal stricture (2 cases). The CD have been converted into HJ. The operative mortality was null, the morbidity rate was of 14%. A recurrence of angiocholite occurred in the long-term followed-up. About HJ, the waiting time before reoperations was 6 years and 9 months, the procedures were justified by anastomotic anastomosis stricture (7) calculi without stricture (4) Roux-en-Y limb anomalies (2). Two Roux-en-Y limbs have been lengthened. The anastomoses have been redone when necessary. The side-to-side HJ were converted in end-to-side HJ. The operative mortality was null, the morbidity rate of 8%. In the long term followed-up, 2 stenosis recurrence and 1 lithiase recurrence occurred.

CONCLUSIONS

Malfunctions of biliodigestives anastomosis are revealed by angiocholitis that can lead to secondary biliary cirrhosis. The complications treatment of CD is easy and effective. The complications evolution of HJ depends of initial pathology.

Pancreatic adenocarcinoma: the different CT criteria for peripancreatic major arterial and venous invasion

OBJECTIVE

To establish preliminarily the different diagnostic criteria for peripancreatic arterial and venous invasion in pancreatic carcinoma by comparing their multidetector-row computed tomography (MDCT) appearances with surgical exploration.

METHODS

Among 101 patients with pancreatic carcinoma examined by MDCT, 54 candidates accepting surgery were preoperatively evaluated for vascular invasion based on CT signs (A-E): arterial embedment in tumor or venous obliteration; tumor involvement exceeding one-half of the circumference of the vessel; vessel wall irregularity; vessel caliber stenosis; teardrop superior mesenteric vein (SMV). The peripancreatic major vessels (n = 224) were examined carefully by surgeons during the operation.

RESULTS

During surgical exploration, 78 vessels were found to be invaded. With sign A (B, C, or D) as the CT criterion for peripancreatic vascular invasion, the sensitivity of arterial and venous invasion was 66% (97%, 45%, or 41%) and 14% (49%, 63%, or 55%), respectively; the specificity of absence of arterial and venous invasion was 100% (91%, 99%, or 100%) and 100% (all 100%). In this study, there were 3 SMVs appearing teardrop (sign E), which were all confirmed to be invaded.

CONCLUSIONS

It is recommended that the CT diagnostic criteria for arterial and venous invasion should be dealt with differently. The criteria of arterial invasion are the presence of sign A or the combination of sign B with one of signs C and D. The criteria of venous invasion are the presence of one of the following signs: sign A, sign B, sign C, sign D, and sign E.

["Rendez-vous" technique for palliation of neoplastic jaundice: personal experience]

INTRODUCTION

"Rendez-vous" technique (RV) assume contemporaneous percutaneous transhepatic choledochal drainage (PTCD) and endoscopic (ERCP) approach to make easier biliary cannulation when it fails for anatomic, neoplastic or iatrogenic causes, in subject unresectable at presentation ("not fit for surgery").

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Over a 3 years period 618 ERCP were performed in the Service of Digestive Endoscopy in Section of General and Thoracic Surgery, 59 of whom (9%) failed for non-visualization of ampulla of Vater (25%), intradiverticular ampulla (54%) or anatomic defects (21%). Were attempted 44 pre-cut: 14 failed (close biliary stricture), and we proceed to RV.

RESULTS

11/14 (79%) RV were successful (successful stent insertion was defined as passage of the stent across the stricture) and 3 failure (21%) occurred in close biliary malignant obstruction even to percutaneous transhepatic approach. Only in 28% were registered minor complications (2 post-procedure fever, 1 papillary bleeding post PTE, 1 case mild acute pancreatitis). No mortality procedure related was registered and was not necessary to recur to surgery.

CONCLUSIONS

RV is very useful in case of difficult cannulation of biliary tree and after failure of pre-cut. US-guided PTC is easy to perform, with low incidence of complications. Every well experienced team who works on bilio-pancreatic pathologies may recurs to this technique: even if not much utilized, RV can solves complex cases of biliary stricture.

A prospective, symptom related, outcomes analysis of 1022 palliative procedures for advanced cancer

OBJECTIVE

To prospectively evaluate surgical procedures performed with palliative intent.

SUMMARY BACKGROUND DATA

There is a paucity of outcomes data necessary to allow sound surgical decision-making and informed consent for palliative procedures.

METHODS

Procedures to palliate symptoms of advanced cancer were identified prospectively from all operations performed. Patients were observed for >90 days or until death.

RESULTS

There were 1022 palliative procedures performed in 823 patients from July 2002 to June 2003. Operative (713/1022) or endoscopic (309/1022) procedures were performed for gastrointestinal obstruction (34%), neurologic symptoms (23%), pain (12%), dyspnea (9%), jaundice (7%) or other symptoms (15%). Symptom improvement or resolution within 30 days was achieved in 80% (659/823). Median duration of symptom control was 135 days. Recurrence of the primary symptom occurred in 25% (165/659) while treatment of debilitating additional symptoms was required in 29% (191/659). Palliative procedures were associated with 30-day postoperative morbidity (29%) and mortality (11%). A major postoperative complication reduced the probability of symptom improvement to 17%. Median survival was 194 days from the time of the palliative procedure and was adversely associated with poor performance status (ECOG > or = 2 [P < 0.001] or NCI fatigue score of > or =1 [P < 0.001]), poor nutrition (albumin <3.5 [P = 0.005] or significant weight loss [P = 0.003]), and no previous cancer therapy (P = 0.002).

CONCLUSIONS

In carefully selected patients, relief of symptoms following palliative procedures can be expected, but new or recurrent symptoms limit durability. Potential benefits are minimized by postoperative complications and are less predictable for patients with poor performance status, malnutrition and no prior cancer therapy.

Auxiliary partial orthotopic liver transplantation in the treatment of acute liver failure: A case report

A successful experience with auxiliary partial orthotopic liver transplantation (APOLT) for acute liver failure is reported in a 29-year-old woman who experienced jaundice, generalized erythema for 7 days, and decreased mentation for 3 days. Two months prior, she suffered pulmonary tuberculosis, being currently treated with antituberculous medications, which caused the fulminant hepatic failure. We decided to perform APOLT based on two facts. The first was the possibility that the diseased native liver may recover sufficiently to withdraw the immunosuppressants. Second, the pulmonary tuberculosis may have been worsened by immunosuppression. We removed the extended lateral section of the recipient for the graft. The left hepatic vein of the extended left lateral graft was anastomosed to the left hepatic vein of the recipient. The left portal vein of the graft was anastomosed to the left portal vein of the recipient. The right portal vein of the recipient was left without any manipulation. A duct-to-duct anastomosis was performed. On postoperative day 3, antituberculous medications were started. On the postoperative day 37, she was discharged without any problems. On the postoperative day 120, she showed no event of rejection, and her pulmonary symptoms improved. We performed the operation without transection of the portal branch to the native liver, but no functional competition has been discovered.

[Surgical treatment of high risk patients with icterus]

Thorough analysis of complications and fatal cases of surgical patients has shown, that polyorganic pathology resulted in severe progressive surgical complications and considerable pathological changes of cardiovascular and bronchopulmonary systems. Minimal as possible number of surgical complications allow performing surgical operations more effectively. The results of analysis of a series of cases indicates for the necessity of improving operation technique to decrease the risk of complications. With growing experience of minimal invasive surgical technique and comparing surgical treatment results with other alternative methods of treatment, it is possible to reveal high reliable factors to prevent them.

Jaundice due to extrabiliary gallstones

OBJECTIVE

Cholecystectomy is one of the most common general surgical procedures performed today. The laparoscopic approach is beneficial to patients in terms of length of stay, postoperative pain, return to work, and cosmesis. Some drawbacks are associated with the minimal access form of cholecystectomy, including an increased incidence of common bile duct injuries. In addition, when the gallbladder is inadvertently perforated during laparoscopic cholecystectomy, retrieval of dropped gallstones may be difficult. We present a case in which gallstones spilled during cholecystectomy, causing near circumferential, extraluminal common hepatic duct compression, and clinical jaundice 1 year later.

METHODS

The patient experienced jaundice and pruritus 12 months after laparoscopic cholecystectomy. A computed tomographic scan was interpreted as cholelithiasis, but otherwise was normal (despite a previous cholecystectomy). Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography was performed and a stent placed across a stenotic common hepatic duct.

RESULTS

The results of brush biopsies were negative. The stent rapidly occluded and surgical intervention was undertaken. At exploratory laparotomy, an abscess cavity containing multiple gallstones was encountered. This abscess had encircled the common hepatic duct, causing compression and fibrosis. The stones were extracted and a hepaticojejunostomy was tailored. The patient's bilirubin level slowly decreased and she recovered without complication.

CONCLUSIONS

Gallstones lost within the peritoneal cavity usually have no adverse sequela. Recently, however, numerous reports have surfaced describing untoward events. This case is certainly one to be included on the list. A surgeon should make every attempt to retrieve spilled gallstones due to the potential later complications described herein.

[Roentgenendovascular arrest of bleeding in iatrogenic injury to the subclavian artery]

The authors present a clinical case report concerned with the arrest of continuous external bleeding from the subclavian artery due to its iatrogenic injury at transluminal endoprosthetics by stent graft. In patient Zh. aged 23 years, the subclavian artery was injured when an attempt was made to piece a subclavian venous catheter. Under conditions of remarkable coagulopathy because of prolonged mechanical jaundice, the patient developed a major hematoma of the right neck and the right chest. To handle continuous bleeding, a JOSTEHT-GRAFT (7.0 in D, 28 mm in length) was implanted into subclavian artery defect. The bleeding was handled and the patency of the great artery was maintained. The roentgenendovascular procedure allowed to avoid a technically difficult traumatic surgical intervention under conditions of pronounced anemia and coagulopathy.

Current palliative treatment of malignant jaundice

When selecting the most suitable palliation of malignant jaundice, the following factors are to be considered: 1) patient's overall condition, 2) presumption of patient's survival, 3) technical, personal, and economic factors, 4) effectiveness of procedure, 5) morbidity and mortality of palliative treatment. (Tab. 2, Ref. 3.).

Laparoscopic cholecystectomy without routine operative cholangiography does not result in significant problems related to retained stones

BACKGROUND

This study investigated whether failure to identify common bile duct stones at laparoscopic cholecystectomy results in significant postoperative complications related to retained stones.

METHODS

We performed a retrospective analysis of the case notes of 377 consecutive patients undergoing laparoscopic cholecystectomy without routine operative cholangiography under a single surgeon in a district general hospital between 1995 and 1999. Highly selective preoperative endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) was employed to identify and manage suspected bile duct stones in pancreatitis, jaundice, persistently elevated liver function tests, or a dilated common bile duct.

RESULTS

Eighteen (4.8%) of 377 patients presented postoperatively with symptoms/signs suggesting biliary pathology. Two (0.5%) were confirmed to have retained duct stones/debris (ultrasound/ERCP); both recovered with conservative treatment. Only 1 patient of 274 (0.4%) without preoperative ERCP subsequently presented with a symptomatic retained stone, the other having been stented preoperatively.

CONCLUSIONS

Highly selective preoperative ERCP without routine operative cholangiography is not associated with a significant increase in morbidity/mortality related to retained stones following laparoscopic cholecystectomy.

Jaundice clearance and cholangitis in the first year following portoenterostomy for biliary atresia

Sixty-one patients with biliary atresia, who underwent portoenterostomy (PE) between 1992 to 1998 in the Institute of Pediatrics, Kuala Lumpur and were followed for a period of one year, were studied to analyze the factors associated with jaundice clearance and cholangitis following PE. Sex distribution was equal. Majority of patients were Malays. Mean age in days at admission to the surgical ward was 66.90 +/- 23.36 and mean age at PE was 75.85 +/- 24.05. At the end of one-year follow-up, six patients (10%) had died, 35 (57%) developed one or more attacks of cholangitis, 35 (57%) had portal hypertension, eight (13%) liver failure and six patients had esophageal variceal bleeding. Thirty-three patients (54%) had jaundice clearance with a mean clearance time of 85 days after PE. The study shows that when the ductules in the porta hepatis were < 150 mu in size, persistence of jaundice after PE and the incidence of cholangitis in the first post-operative year were higher; patients with cholangitis in the first year had lower rate of jaundice clearance. Jaundice clearance was achieved in more patients when their postnatal age at the time of PE was lower but the relationship was not linear. Age at PE also did not have a linear temporal relationship to the incidence of cholangitis and the size of portal ductules. Prospective, multi-center based local studies on a bigger patient population are needed to identify other indicators of successful outcome following PE. This would help to define the indications for primary liver transplantation in the local population.

Intra-operative tube stenting, palliation for jaundice in carcinoma gall bladder

Majority of patients with advanced carcinoma gall bladder have irresectable disease and require palliation for jaundice, pruritus and cholangitis. These cases presenting with jaundice are usually high risk cases to undergo any major surgical procedure like segment-III hepaticodochojejunostomy. So intra-operative tube stenting was attempted in 6 patients of carcinoma gall bladder but technically, it was possible in 4 cases only. In 2 cases because of massive locoregional disease it was not possible to cannulate the proximal part of the bile duct. The distal end of the tube was passed either in the duodenum or proximal part of the jejunum. Patients were followed up, showed good recovery from jaundice and pruritus.

Pancreatic cancer: the bigger picture

Despite accurate diagnosis, better radiologic techniques, and safer surgery, long-term survival after surgical therapy for pancreatic cancer is disappointing. Median survival following pancreaticoduodenal resection is 12 to 15 months independent of surgical expertise, hospital size, or technical factors. Subsets of favorable tumors and longer survival times after surgery have been defined and include: small tumor size and low-grade lesions, tumor-free margins, and absence of nodal, venous, or perineural invasion; however, long-term survivors of pancreatic cancer may have none of these favorable features, and their tumors commonly manifest the most adverse tumor prognostic features. The converse that small-sized, histologically favorable tumors result in long-term survivors, also is not true. Five-year survival rates average 5% or less after all resections. In a large series in which 118 pancreatic resections were performed in 684 evaluated patients over a 6-year period, there were 12 5-year survivors, 5 of whom died in the sixth year. A report of 10-year survivors after surgery numbered 13 patients. The best actual 5-year survival rate was reported by Trede et al. Of the 37, 5-year survivors from a cohort of 118 patients, more than half died of cancer. This far exceeds any other actual survival rate and may be explained by a smaller tumor size. Farnell et al reported a 5-year survival rate difference (i.e., actuarial survival) in a subset of 174 resected patients with adenocarcinoma without perineural or duodenal invasion and with negative nodes (23% versus 6.8%), respectively. An impressive, large series of 616 patients with resected adenocarcinoma of the pancreas who underwent PDR (85%), distal pancreatectomy (9%), and total pancreatectomy (6%), has been reported. The mortality rate was 2.1%, and postoperative complications occurred in 30%. The five-year survival rate was 15%. The author's best result was observed among 20 initially "unresectable" patients who were treated with chemoradiation therapy, followed by tumor extirpation. Among the 18 surgical survivors there are seven five-year survivors, three of whom are in their tenth year of survival. They are discussed in the article by Cooperman et al ("Long-term Follow-up...") elsewhere in this issue.

Portal vein phlebolithiasis found post-liver transplantation in the native liver of a child with biliary atresia

Biliary atresia is defined as partial or total obliteration of the extra-hepatic bile ducts. In advanced cases, liver transplantation (LTx) is considered the most appropriate treatment. This report describes a female patient whose biliary atresia and subsequent cirrhosis required LTx at 1 yr of age. Macroscopic inspection of the hilar region of the native liver post-Tx revealed the formation of a pouch in the hepatic duct and a stone in the lumen of the portal vein. X-ray diffraction analysis showed that the stone was composed of cholesteryl cinnamate, gluconic acid phenylhydrazide, Na beta broma-allyl mercaptomethyl penicillinate, and Al2O3 crystals. While the cholesterol component is a known element of gallstones, we attributed the Na beta broma-allyl mercaptomethyl penicillinate to the patient's drug therapy. Our literature search revealed no previous record or crystallographic analysis of portal vein phlebolithiasis. In this report we describe this rare finding.