Rapid recovery from acute liver failure secondary to pancreatoduodenectomy-related non-alcoholic steatohepatitis

Acute exacerbated severe form of nonalcoholic steatohepatitis leading to acute-on-chronic liver failure: A case series

We present three patients with uncontrolled metabolic syndrome and acute-on-chronic liver failure in whom, after meticulous evaluation, the acute event was found to be a severe and exacerbated form of nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), a novel entry in the natural history of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. This novel disease entity was described partially, 17 years before by Caldwell et al. We discuss current literature, pertinent features, and outcomes associated with a severe form of NASH, which is associated with high mortality.

New onset non-alcoholic fatty liver disease after resection of pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors

Background and Objectives

Non‐alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and non‐alcoholic steatohepatis (NASH) may occur after pancreatic resection due to exocrine pancreatic insufficiency (EPI). Patients with long‐term survival, such as after pancreatic neuroendocrine tumor (pNET) resection, are at risk of NAFLD/NASH. We aimed to determine the incidence and risk factors for new onset NAFLD/NASH and EPI after pNET resection.

Methods

Retrospective monocenter cohort study. Patients who underwent pNET resection (1992‐2016) were assessed for new onset NAFLD/NASH and EPI. Postoperative NAFLD/NASH was determined by a blinded abdominal radiologist, who compared pre‐ and postoperative imaging.

Results

Out of 235 patients with pNET, a total of 112 patients underwent resection and were included with a median follow‐up of 54 months. New onset NAFLD/NASH occurred in 20% and EPI in 49% of patients. Multivariate analysis showed that the only risk factor for new onset NAFLD/NASH was recurrent disease (OR 4.4, 95% CI 1.1‐16.8, P = 0.031), but not EPI (OR 0.94, 95% CI 0.3‐2.8, P = 0.911). The only risk factor for EPI was pancreatoduodenectomy (OR 4.3, 95% CI 1.4‐13.7, P = 0.012).

Conclusions

New onset NAFLD/NASH is occasionally found after pNET resection, especially in patients with recurrent disease, but is not related to EPI.

Pathophysiology after pancreaticoduodenectomy

Pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD) will result in removal of important multiorgans in upper intestinal tract and subsequently secondary physiologic change. In the past, surgeons just focused on the safety of surgical procedure; however, PD is regarded as safe and widely applied to treatment of periampullary lesions. Practical issues after PD, such as, effect of duodenectomy, metabolic surgery-like effect, alignment effect of gastrointestinal continuity, and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease were summarized and discussed.