Surgical outcomes of hepatocellular carcinoma invading hepatocaval confluence

Dealing with malignancy involving the inferior vena cava in the 21st century

INTRODUCTION

Malignancies involving the inferior vena cava (IVC) have historically been considered not amendable to surgery. More recently, involvement of the IVC by neoplastic processes in the kidney, liver or in the retroperitoneum can be managed successfully.

EVIDENCE ACQUISITION

In this systematic review we summarize the current evidence regarding the surgical management of the IVC in cases of involvement in neoplastic processes. Current literature was searched, and studies selected on the base of the PRISMA guidelines. Evidence was synthesized in narrative form due to heterogeneity of studies.

EVIDENCE SYNTHESIS

Renal cell carcinoma accounts for the greatest proportion of studied patients and can be managed with partial or complete vascular exclusion of the IVC, thrombectomy and direct closure or patch repair with good oncological prognosis. Hepatic malignancies or metastases may involve the IVC, and the joint expertise of hepatobiliary and vascular surgeons has developed various strategies, according to the location of tumor and the need to perform a complete vascular exclusion above the hepatic veins. In retroperitoneal lymph node dissection, the IVC can be excised en-block to guarantee better oncological margins. Also, in retroperitoneal sarcomas not arising from the IVC a vascular substitution may be required to improve the overall survival by clearing all the neoplastic cells in the retroperitoneum. Leiomyoma can have a challenging presentation with involvement of the IVC requiring either thrombectomy, partial or complete substitution, with good oncological outcomes.

CONCLUSIONS

A multidisciplinary approach with specialist expertise is required when dealing with IVC involvement in surgical oncology. Multiple techniques and strategies are required to deliver the most efficient care and achieve the best possible overall survival. The main aim of these procedures must be the complete clearance of all neoplastic cells and achievement of a safe margin according to the perioperative treatment strategy.

Twelve-Year Survival After Resection of Hepatocellular Carcinoma with Right Atrial Tumor Thrombus

INTRODUCTION

A large hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) with macrovascular invasion is generally considered to have poor prognosis due to unfavorable tumor biology andsuch patients are relegated to palliative options. This report describes long term survival after surgery in a patient with HCC and tumor thrombus in the rightatrium.

METHODS

Case records of the patient, details of follow up visits and surveillance computed tomography scans performed were reviewed. A brief discussion of thesurgical strategy adopted along with outcome of similar cases in literature is presented.

RESULTS

A 60 year old man presented with a HCC in segments 4, 5 with extension of tumor into the middle, left hepatic veins, inferior vena cava and right atrium.Patient underwent extraction of the tumor thrombus from the right atrium under cardiopulmonary bypass along with extended left hepatectomy. He receivedthree cycles of adjuvant chemotherapy with Gemcitabine, Oxaliplatin and Interferon. There was a parietal wall recurrence after 1 year and 10 months whichwas excised. Since then he remains well and is on regular follow up for more than 12 years from his index surgery with no evidence of disease, making himthe longest known survivor with such an advanced presentation.

CONCLUSION

This is an unusual instance where aggressive resection for HCC with right atrial tumor thrombus has resulted in an exceptionally long survival.

Current trends in vena cava reconstructive techniques with major liver resection: a systematic review

PURPOSE

Historically, invasion of the inferior vena cava (IVC) represented advanced and often unresectable hepatic disease. With surgical and anesthetic innovations, IVC resection and reconstruction have become feasible in selected patients. This review assesses technical variations in reconstructive techniques and post-operative management.

METHODS

A comprehensive literature search was performed according to PRISMA. Inclusion criteria were (i) peer-reviewed articles in English; (ii) at least three cases; (iii) hepatic IVC resection and reconstruction (January 2015-March 2020). Primary outcomes were reconstructive technique, anti-thrombotic regimen, post-operative IVC patency, and infection. Secondary outcomes included post-operative complications and malignant disease survival.

RESULTS

Fourteen articles were included allowing for investigation of 351 individual patients. Analysis demonstrated significant heterogeneity in surgical reconstructive technique, anti-thrombotic management, and post-operative monitoring of patency. There was increased utilization of ex vivo approaches and decreased use of venovenous bypass compared with previously published reviews.

CONCLUSION

This review of literature published between 2015 and 2020 reveals persistent heterogeneity of hepatic IVC reconstructive techniques and peri-operative management. Increased utilization of ex vivo approaches and decreased use of venovenous bypass point towards improved operative techniques, peri-operative management, and anesthesia. In order to gain evidence for consensus on management, a registry would be beneficial.

Successful use of the left portal vein as graft for middle hepatic vein reconstruction in left hemihepatectomy: preliminary experience on six cases

BACKGROUND

The purpose of this research was to assess the feasibility of reconstructing the middle hepatic vein (MHV) with resected left portal vein during left hemihepatectomy.

METHODS

From January 2014 to January 2018, six patients received left hemihepatectomy combined with MHV reconstruction using the resected left portal vein in West China Hospital. We reviewed the clinical data including patient details, surgical technique, graft patency, and operative results.

RESULTS

All six patients underwent left hemihepatectomy for liver tumors located at left hepatocaval confluence. In these patients, MHV was resected due to tumor invading and reconstructed using the resected left portal vein as graft. The mean operating time was 316 min. Two patients developed complications: one experienced bile leakage and one experienced pleural effusion. No patient developed vascular graft complications. All the grafts remained unobstructed, and no local tumor recurrence occurred during the observation period of 13-41 months.

CONCLUSIONS

Our results indicated that the left portal vein was a safe graft for hepatic vein reconstruction. In addition, left hemihepatectomy combined with middle hepatic vein resection and reconstruction using the left portal vein can be performed safely to treat liver tumors located at hepatocaval confluence.

Laparoscopic versus open mesohepatectomy for patients with centrally located hepatocellular carcinoma: a propensity score matched analysis

BACKGROUND

Although laparoscopic mesohepatectomy (LM) has been performed for patients with centrally located hepatocellular carcinoma (CL-HCC), its short- and long-term benefits compared with traditional open surgery remain unclear. The aim of the present study was to explore the independent role of LM in the prognosis of patients with CL-HCC.

METHODS

A retrospective analysis was undertaken of 348 patients who underwent mesohepatectomy for CL-HCC between January 2012 and October 2017 in our hospital. The impact of the surgical methods on long-term prognosis was evaluated by multivariable regression analysis. In addition, patients in the LM group were matched in a 1:3 ratio with open mesohepatectomy (OM) group.

RESULTS

Some 307 patients underwent OM and 41 had LM. In both adjusted and non-adjusted models, patients in LM group had similar overall survival (OS, both P > 0.05) and disease-free survival (DFS, both P > 0.05) compared to OM patients. The mean (s.d.) OS in LM and OM groups was 41.6 (7.2) and 46.4 (1.4) months, respectively. The mean (s.d.) DFS in LM and OM groups was 37.7 (5.9) and 33.4 (1.5) months, respectively. After propensity score-matched (PSM) analysis, 96 patients remained in OM group and 32 patients in LM group. In the PSM subset, patients in LM group still had comparable OS (P = 0.120) and DFS (P = 0.757) compared to patients in the OM group. After PSM, patients receiving LM had longer vascular exclusion time (P = 0.006) and shorter hospital stay (P = 0.004). In addition, LM was associated with reduced postoperative morbidity after PSM adjustment (P = 0.026).

CONCLUSIONS

LM is associated with fewer complications and does not compromise survival compared with OM. LM can be recommended as a safe and reasonable surgical option in selected patients with CL-HCC.