Simultaneous Diaphragm and Liver Resection: A Propensity-Matched Analysis of Postoperative Morbidity

The impact of multivisceral liver resection on short- and long-term outcomes of patients with colorectal liver metastasis: A systematic review and meta-analysis

The impact of Multivisceral Liver Resection (MLR) on the outcome of patients with Colorectal Liver Metastasis (CRLM) is unclear. The present systematic review aimed to compare patients with CRLM who underwent MLR versus standard hepatectomy regarding short- and long-term outcomes. MLR is a feasible procedure but has a higher risk of major complications. MLR did not negatively affect long-term survival, suggesting that an extended resection is an option for potentially curative treatment for selected patients with CRLM.

Effects of Connexin 32-Mediated Lung Inflammation Resolution During Liver Ischemia Reperfusion

BACKGROUND

Hepatic ischemia reperfusion (HIR) leads to a lung inflammatory response and subsequent pulmonary barrier dysfunction. The gap junction communication protein connexin 32 (Cx32), which is widely expressed in the lungs, participates in intercellular signaling. This study determined whether the communication protein Cx32 could affect pulmonary inflammation caused by HIR.

METHODS

Mice were randomly allocated into four groups (n = 8/group): (i) Cx32+/+ sham group; (ii) Cx32+/+ HIR model group; (iii) Cx32-/- sham group; and (iv) Cx32-/- HIR model group. Twenty-four hours after surgery, lung tissues were collected for bright field microscopy, western blot (Cx32, JAK2, p-JAK2, STAT3, p-STAT3), and immunofluorescence (ZO-1, 8-OHDG) analyses. The collected bronchoalveolar fluid was tested for levels of interleukin-6 (IL-6), matrix metalloproteinase 12 (MMP-12), and antitrypsin (α1-AT). Lung mmu-miR-26a/b expression was detected using a PCR assay.

RESULTS

Increased expression of Cx32 mRNA and protein was noted in the lungs after HIR. Cx32 deletion significantly aggravated pulmonary function from acute lung injury induced by HIR. In addition, Cx32 deletion decreased the protein level of ZO-1 (pulmonary function) and increased the level of the oxidative stress marker 8-OHDG in the lungs. Moreover, in the Cx32-/- HIR model group, the levels of IL-6 and MMP-12 in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid were significantly increased leading to activation of the JAK2/STAT3 pathway, and decreased α1-AT levels. Furthermore, we found mmu-miR-26a/b was significantly downregulated in the Cx32-/- HIR model group.

CONCLUSION

HIR leads to acute lung inflammatory injury. Cx32 deletion aggravates hepatic-derived lung inflammation, partly through blocking the transferring of mmu-miR-26a/b and leading to IL-6-related JAK2/STAT3 pathway activation.

Combined liver and multivisceral resections: A comparative analysis of short and long-term outcomes

BACKGROUND

En bloc liver and adjacent organs resections are technically demanding procedures. Few case series and nonmatched comparative studies reported the outcomes of multivisceral liver resections (MLRs).

OBJECTIVES

To compare the short and long-term outcomes of patients submitted MLRs with those submitted to isolated hepatectomies.

METHODS

From a prospective database, a case-matched 1:2 study was performed comparing MLRs and isolated hepatectomy. Additionally, a risk analysis was performed to evaluate the association between MLRs and perioperative morbidity, mortality, and long-term survival.

RESULTS

Fifty-three MLRs were compared with 106 matched controls. Patients undergoing MLRs had longer operative time (430 [320-525] vs 360 [270-440] minutes, P = .005); higher estimated blood loss (600 [400-800] vs 400 [100-600] mL; P = .011); longer hospital stay (8 [6-14] vs 7 [5-9] days; P = .003); and higher postoperative mortality (9.4% vs 1.9%, P = .042). Number of resected organs was not an independent prognostic factor for perioperative major complications (odds ratio [OR], 1 organ = 1.8 [0.54-6.05]; OR ≥ 2, organs = 4.0 [0.35-13.84]) or perioperative mortality (OR, 1, organ = 5.2 [0.91-29.51]; OR ≥ 2, organs = 6.5 [0.52-79.60]). No differences in overall (P = .771) and disease-free survival (P = .28) were observed.

CONCLUSION

MLRs are feasible with acceptable morbidity but relatively high perioperative mortality. MLRs did not negatively affect long-term outcomes.

Laparoscopic liver resection with simultaneous diaphragm resection

Background

Liver resection or ablation remains the only curative treatment for patients with colorectal metastases. Simultaneous resection of tumors in the liver with invasion to the diaphragm is challenging and controversial. Therefore, we wanted to assess the safety of simultaneous laparoscopic liver and diaphragm resection (SLLDR) in a large single center.

Methods

Patients who underwent primary laparoscopic liver resection (LLR) for colorectal liver metastases at Oslo University Hospital between 2008 and 2019 were included in this study. Patients who underwent SLLDR (group 1) were compared to patients who underwent LLR only (group 2). Perioperative and oncologic outcomes were analyzed.

Results

A total of 467 patients were identified, of whom 12 patients needed a simultaneous diaphragm resection (group 1) while 455 underwent laparoscopic liver surgery alone (group 2). The conversion rate was 16.7% in group 1 and 2.4% in group 2 (P=0.040). In 10 of 12 (83.3%) cases the diaphragm resection was performed en bloc with the liver tumor. There was no significant difference in operative time, blood loss, resection margins, hospital stay or postoperative complications. One patient died within 30 postoperative days (0.2%) in group 2 and none in group 1. Overall survival was not statistically different between the groups.

Conclusions

In selected patients, SLLDR can be performed safely with good surgical and oncological outcomes.

Multivisceral Resection for Locally Invasive Colorectal Liver Metastases: Outcomes of a Matched Cohort Analysis

Local invasion of adjacent viscera by colorectal liver metastases (CRLM) is no longer considered an absolute contraindication to curative hepatic resection. A growing number of observational analyses have illustrated the feasibility of such resections; however, the evidence base is at best heterogeneous with a lack of evidence comparing similar patient groups. We aimed to evaluate the outcomes of hepatectomy for CRLM when combined with other viscera and compare to a matched cohort of isolated hepatic resections.

METHODS

From 2005 to 2015, 523 patients underwent hepatic resection for CRLM at our institution, 19 of whom underwent hepatectomy with extrahepatic resection. A 3: 1 matched cohort analysis was performed between those who underwent isolated hepatectomy (control group) and those who underwent hepatectomy with extrahepatic resection (combined group). Clinicopathological data were reviewed along with 30-day postoperative morbidity and mortality. Furthermore, overall survival for the multivisceral cohort was compared to all other isolated hepatectomies over the same time period.

RESULTS

Nineteen patients underwent liver resection accompanied by either/or diaphragmatic resection (n = 13), major vein resection and reconstruction (n = 5), and visceral resection (n = 3). Maximum tumor size was significantly larger in the combined group (60.58 vs. 15.34 mm p < 0.0001). Postoperative morbidity was similar in both groups (p = 0.41). Following multivisceral resection, 1-, 3- and 5-year survival rates were 75, 56.6, and 25.7% respectively. Overall survival showed no significant difference between combined and control groups (p = 0.78). Similarly, when compared to the total cohort of isolated liver resections (n = 504), no significant difference in overall mortality was noted.

CONCLUSION

In patients presenting with concomitant CRLM and extrahepatic extension where R0 margins can be achieved, this present study supports the rationale to proceed to -surgery with comparable morbidity and mortality rates to -isolated hepatectomy.

Pathological diaphragmatic invasion by colorectal liver metastases is associated with RAS mutation, peritoneal recurrence and worse survival

BACKGROUND

Risk factors for pathological diaphragmatic invasion from colorectal liver metastases (CRLM) and differences in recurrence patterns and survival between patients with true pathological diaphragmatic invasion versus inflammatory adhesions only remain poorly understood. This study aimed at identifying risk factors for and survival impact of pathological diaphragmatic invasion in patients with CRLM.

METHODS

Patients with CRLM who underwent hepatectomy with or without diaphragmatic resection from 1998 to 2015 were retrospectively analyzed. Recurrence-free survival (RFS), overall survival (OS), and recurrence patterns were examined according to the presence or absence of pathological invasion.

RESULTS

Of 1860 patients, 70 underwent hepatectomy with diaphragmatic resection and 1799 had hepatectomy only. Among the patients with gross diaphragmatic involvement, 15 (21%) had pathological invasion, and 55 (79%) had inflammatory adhesion only. Multiple tumors (p = 0.019) and RAS mutation (p = 0.047) were significantly associated with pathological invasion. Pathological invasion was associated with a higher incidence of peritoneal recurrence (33% vs. 11%, p = 0.041), worse median RFS (6 months vs. 11 months, p = 0.21) and OS (26 months vs. 51 months, p = 0.046) compared to inflammatory adhesion.

CONCLUSION

Multiple tumors and RAS mutant were predictors for pathological diaphragmatic invasion, which was associated with a higher incidence of peritoneal recurrence and worse OS.

Video-assisted diaphragmatic resection and reconstruction for intra-thoracic recurrence of hepatocellular carcinoma

Trans-diaphragmatic intra-thoracic extension of recurrent hepatocellular carcinoma treated by electroporation can be performed via video-assisted thoracic surgery. Resection is followed by reconstruction with a synthetic mesh.

Laparoscopic right hepatectomy combined with partial diaphragmatic resection for colorectal liver metastases: Is it feasible and reasonable?

BACKGROUND

The impact of diaphragmatic invasion in patients with colorectal liver metastases (CRLMs) remains poorly evaluated. We aimed to evaluate feasibility and safety of laparoscopic right hepatectomy (LRH) with or without diaphragmatic resection for CRLM.

METHODS

From 2002 to 2012, 52 patients underwent LRH for CRLM. Of them, 7 patients had combined laparoscopic partial diaphragmatic resection ("diaphragm" group). Data were retrospectively collected and short and long-term outcomes analyzed.

RESULTS

Operative time was lower in the control group (272 vs 345 min, P = .06). Six patients required conversion to open surgery. Blood loss and transfusion rate were similar. Portal triad clamping was used more frequently in the "diaphragm" group (42.8% vs 6.6%, P = .02). Maximum tumor size was greater in the "diaphragm" group (74.5 vs 37.1 mm, P = .002). Resection margin was negative in all cases. Mortality was nil and general morbidity similar in the 2 groups. Specific liver-related complications occurred in 2 patients in the "diaphragm" group and 17 in the control group (P = .69). Mean hospital stay was similar (P = 56). Twenty-two (42.3%) patients experienced recurrence. One-, 3-, and 5-year overall survival after surgery in "diaphragm" and control groups were 69%, 34%, 34%, and 97%, 83%, 59%, respectively (P = .103). One- and 3-year disease-free survival after surgery in "diaphragm" and control groups were 57%, 47% and 75%, 54%, respectively (P = .310).

CONCLUSION

LRH with en-bloc diaphragmatic resection could be reasonably performed for selected patients in expert centers. Technical difficulties related to diaphragmatic invasion must be circumvented. Further experience must be gained to confirm our results.