Comparison between autologous and homologous blood transfusions in liver resection for biliary tract cancer: a propensity score matching analysis

Utility of modified pancreaticoduodenectomy (Hi-cut PD) for middle-third cholangiocarcinoma: an alternative to hepatopancreaticoduodenectomy

BACKGROUND

The standard procedure for middle-third cholangiocarcinoma (MCC) is pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD); hepatopancreaticoduodenectomy (HPD) is often performed despite its high risk. There is no clear selection guidance for these procedures.

METHODS

Patients with MCC who underwent HPD or PD were retrospectively evaluated. The conventional PD was modified (mPD) to transect the bile duct beyond or close to the cranial level of the portal bifurcation.

RESULTS

The mPD group (n = 55) was characterized by older age, shorter operation time, less blood loss, and less frequent complications than were observed in the HPD group (n = 34). The median grossly tumor-free margin of the proximal bile duct (GM) was 13 mm vs 20 mm (P = 0.006). Overall survival did not differ significantly between groups (48% vs 53% at 5 years, P = 0.399). Multivariate analysis identified positive surgical margin as a sole independent prognostic factor (hazard ratio, 1.89; P = 0.043), which was statistically associated with GM length. Five-year survival for mPD patients with GM ≥15 mm was significantly better than that for those who had GM <15 mm (69% vs 33%, P = 0.011) and comparable to that of HPD patients (53%, P = 0.450).

CONCLUSION

The mPD may be recommended in patients with MCC, provided that GM ≥15 mm is expected from the preoperative radiological imaging. Otherwise, HPD should be considered.

Impact of Perioperative Steroid Administration in Patients Undergoing Major Hepatectomy with Extrahepatic Bile Duct Resection: A Randomized Controlled Trial

BACKGROUND

To date, five randomized controlled trials have assessed the clinical benefit of perioperative steroid administration in hepatectomy; however, all of these studies involved a substantial number of 'minor' hepatectomies. The benefit of steroid administration for patients undergoing 'complex' hepatectomy, such as major hepatectomy with extrahepatic bile duct resection, is still unclear. This study aimed to evaluate the clinical benefit of perioperative steroid administration for complex major hepatectomy.

METHODS

Patients with suspected hilar malignancy scheduled to undergo major hepatectomy with extrahepatic bile duct resection were randomized into either the control or steroid groups. The steroid group received hydrocortisone 500 mg immediately before hepatic pedicle clamping, followed by hydrocortisone 300 mg on postoperative day (POD) 1, 200 mg on POD 2, and 100 mg on POD 3. The control group received only physiologic saline. The primary endpoint was the incidence of postoperative liver failure.

RESULTS

A total of 94 patients were randomized to either the control (n = 46) or steroid (n = 48) groups. The two groups had similar baseline characteristics; however, there were no significant differences between the groups in the incidence of grade B/C postoperative liver failure (control group, n = 8, 17%; steroid group, n = 4, 8%; p = 0.188) and other complications. Serum bilirubin levels on PODs 2 and 3 were significantly lower in the steroid group than those in the control group; however, these median values were within normal limits in both groups.

CONCLUSION

Perioperative steroid administration did not reduce the risk of postoperative complications, including liver failure following major hepatectomy with extrahepatic bile duct resection.

Essential updates to the surgical treatment of biliary tract cancer

Biliary tract cancer, which includes intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma, extrahepatic bile duct cancer, gallbladder cancer, and ampullary cancer, is an intractable disease with a dismal prognosis. Prognosis is particularly poor in cases involving vessels or lymph nodes. Hepatobiliary pancreatic surgeons worldwide have consistently focused on improving surgical treatment, perioperative management, and chemotherapy to improve the outcomes of these diseases. There has been significant progress even in the last 2 years (2017 and 2018), such as promising findings reported by studies on the optimal extent of surgical treatment and multi-institutional randomized controlled trials on adjuvant chemotherapy. We overview the current trends and advancements made in surgical treatment in 2017 and 2018.