Immaturity of Bile Canalicular–Ductule Networks in the Future Liver Remnant While Associating Liver Partition and Portal Vein Occlusion for Staged Hepatectomy (ALPPS)

Promising Results of Associating Liver Partition and Portal Vein Ligation for Staged Hepatectomy for Perihilar Cholangiocarcinoma in a Systematic Review and Single-Arm Meta-Analysis

BACKGROUND

ALPPS popularity is increasing among surgeons worldwide and its indications are expanding to cure patients with primarily unresectable liver tumors. Few reports recommended limitations or even contraindications of ALPPS in perihilar cholangiocarcinoma (phCC). Here, we discuss the results of ALPPS in patients with phCC in a systematic review as well as a pooled data analysis.

METHODS

MEDLINE and Web of Science databases were systematically searched for relevant literature up to December 2023. All studies reporting ALPPS in the management of phCC were included. A single-arm meta-analysis of proportions was carried out to estimate the overall rate of outcomes.

RESULTS

After obtaining 207 articles from the primary search, data of 18 studies containing 112 phCC patients were included in our systematic review. Rates of major morbidity and mortality were calculated to be 43% and 22%, respectively. The meta-analysis revealed a PHLF rate of 23%. One-year disease-free survival was 65% and one-year overall survival was 69%.

CONCLUSIONS

ALPPS provides a good chance of cure for patients with phCC in comparison to alternative treatment options, but at the expense of debatable morbidity and mortality. With refinement of the surgical technique and better perioperative patient management, the results of ALPPS in patients with phCC were improved.

Liver Histology Predicts Liver Regeneration and Outcome in ALPPS: Novel Findings From A Multicenter Study

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

Alterations in liver histology influence the liver's capacity to regenerate, but the relevance of each of the different changes in rapid liver growth induction is unknown. This study aimed to analyze the influence of the degree of histological alterations during the first and second stages on the ability of the liver to regenerate.

METHODS

This cohort study included data obtained from the International ALPPS Registry between November 2011 and October 2020. Only patients with colorectal liver metastases were included in the study. We developed a histological risk score based on histological changes (stages 1 and 2) and a tumor pathology score based on the histological factors associated with poor tumor prognosis.

RESULTS

In total, 395 patients were included. The time to reach stage 2 was shorter in patients with a low histological risk stage 1 (13 vs 17 days, P ˂0.01), low histological risk stage 2 (13 vs 15 days, P <0.01), and low pathological tumor risk (13 vs 15 days, P <0.01). Regarding interval stage, there was a higher inverse correlation in high histological risk stage 1 group compared to low histological risk 1 group in relation with future liver remnant body weight ( r =-0.1 and r =-0.08, respectively), and future liver remnant ( r =-0.15 and r =-0.06, respectively).

CONCLUSIONS

ALPPS is associated with increased histological alterations in the liver parenchyma. It seems that the more histological alterations present and the higher the number of poor prognostic factors in the tumor histology, the longer the time to reach the second stage.

Optimizing the future liver remnant: Portal vein embolization, hepatic venous deprivation, and associating liver partition and portal vein ligation for staged hepatectomy

Preservation of an adequate future liver remnant is paramount when planning any major liver resection and is of particular concern in the setting of bilateral colorectal liver metastases. Procedures including portal vein embolization and hepatic venous deprivation for one- or two-stage hepatectomy, and associating liver partition and portal vein ligation for staged hepatectomy have been developed to enable curative-intent hepatectomy for colorectal liver metastases in patients with an initially insufficient future liver remnant.

Evolution of associating liver partition and portal vein ligation for staged hepatectomy from 2012 to 2021: A bibliometric analysis. Review

BACKGROUND

Associating liver partition and portal vein ligation for staged hepatectomy (ALPPS) has become increasingly popular during the past few decades, and its indications have extended from patients with normal liver to post-chemotherapy patients and even patients with cirrhosis. However, few studies have assessed the publications in relation to ALPPS.

METHODS

Web of Science was searched to identify studies related to ALPPS published from 2012 to 2021. The analysis was performed using the bibliometric package (Version 3.1.0) in R software.

RESULTS

In total, 486 publications were found. These articles were published in 159 journals and authored by 2157 researchers from 694 organizations. The most prolific journal was Annals of Surgery (24 articles and 1170 citations). The most frequently cited article was published in Annals of Surgery (average citations, 72.7; total citations, 727). China was the most productive country for ALPPS publications but had comparatively less interaction with other countries. Both thematic evolution and co-occurrence network analysis showed low numbers of topics such as failure, resection, and safety among the publications but large numbers of highly cited papers on outcomes, prediction, mechanisms, multicenter analysis, and novel procedures such as liver venous deprivation. A total of 196 studies focused the clinical application of ALPPS, and most studies were IDEAL Stages I and II. The specific mechanism of ALPPS liver regeneration remains unclear.

CONCLUSIONS

This is the first bibliometric analysis offering an overview of the development of ALPPS research publications. Our findings identified prominent studies, countries, institutions, journals, and authors to indicate the future direction of ALPPS research. The role of ALPPS in liver regeneration and the long-term results of ALPPS need further study. Future research directions include comparison of ALPPS with portal vein embolization, liver venous deprivation, and other two-stage hepatectomies as well as patients' quality of life after ALPPS.

Combining Laparoscopic Liver Partitioning and Simultaneous Portohepatic Venous Deprivation for Rapid Liver Hypertrophy

Future liver remnant (FLR) volume is an important indicator of the risk of posthepatectomy liver failure (PHLF) and limits the feasibility of major hepatectomies. A case series of 5 patients treated with a novel approach is presented. Laparoscopic liver partitioning was combined with subsequent liver venous deprivation (embolization of both the portal and the hepatic veins). Baseline average FLR was 28.8%. All procedures were successfully performed without major complications. Mean 1-, 2- and 4-week hypertrophy of the FLR were 35%, 40.3%, and 46.4%, respectively. Four patients underwent planned surgery after a mean interval of 28 days. Of these, 2 patients achieved sufficient FLR volume and function after 2 weeks and underwent surgery before the 4-week volumetric analysis. One patient did not undergo surgery because of intraoperative diagnosis of peritoneal metastases. No cases of PHLF were observed at 5-day follow-up.

The Role of Farnesoid X Receptor in Accelerated Liver Regeneration in Rats Subjected to ALPPS

Background: the role of bile acid (BA)-induced farnesoid X receptor (Fxr) signaling in liver regeneration following associating liver partition and portal vein ligation for staged hepatectomy (ALPPS) was investigated in a rat model. Methods: Male Wistar rats underwent portal vein ligation (PVL) (n = 30) or ALPPS (n = 30). Animals were sacrificed pre-operatively and at 24, 48, 72, or 168 h after intervention. Regeneration rate, Ki67 index, hemodynamic changes in the hepatic circulation, and BA levels were assessed. Transcriptome analysis of molecular regulators involved in the Fxr signaling pathway, BA transport, and BA production was performed. Results: ALLPS induced more extensive liver regeneration (p < 0.001) and elevation of systemic and portal BA levels (p < 0.05) than PVL. The mRNA levels of proteins participating in hepatic Fxr signaling were comparable between the intervention groups. More profound activation of the intestinal Fxr pathway was observed 24 h after ALPPS compared to PVL. Conclusion: Our study elaborates on a possible linkage between BA-induced Fxr signaling and accelerated liver regeneration induced by ALPPS in rats. ALPPS could trigger liver regeneration via intestinal Fxr signaling cascades instead of hepatic Fxr signaling, thereby deviating from the mechanism of BA-mediated regeneration following one-stage hepatectomy.

The use of neoadjuvant lobar radioembolization prior to major hepatic resection for malignancy results in a low rate of post hepatectomy liver failure

Background

Neoadjuvant yttrium-90 transarterial radioembolization (TARE) is increasingly being used as a strategy to facilitate resection of otherwise unresectable tumors due to its ability to generate both tumor response and remnant liver hypertrophy. Perioperative outcomes after the use of neoadjuvant lobar TARE remain underinvestigated.

Methods

A single center retrospective review of patients who underwent lobar TARE prior to major hepatectomy for primary or metastatic liver cancer between 2007 and 2018 was conducted. Baseline demographics, radioembolization parameters, pre- and post-radioembolization volumetrics, intra-operative surgical data, adverse events, and post-operative outcomes were analyzed.

Results

Twenty-six patients underwent major hepatectomy after neoadjuvant lobar TARE. The mean age was 58.3 years (17-88 years). 62% of patients (n=16) had primary liver malignancies while the remainder had metastatic disease. Liver resection included right hepatectomy or trisegmentectomy, left or extended left hepatectomy, and sectorectomy/segmentectomy in 77% (n=20), 8% (n=2), and 15% (n=4) of patients, respectively. The mean length of stay was 8.3 days (range, 3-33 days) and there were no grade IV morbidities or 90-day mortalities. The incidence of post hepatectomy liver failure (PHLF) was 3.8% (n=1). The median time to progression after resection was 4.5 months (range, 3.3-10 months). Twenty-three percent (n=6) of patients had no recurrence. The median survival was 28.9 months (range, 16.9-46.8 months) from major hepatectomy and 37.6 months (range, 25.2-53.1 months) from TARE.

Conclusions

Major hepatectomy after neoadjuvant lobar radioembolization is safe with a low incidence of PHLF.

Conventional Two-Stage Hepatectomy or Associating Liver Partitioning and Portal Vein Ligation for Staged Hepatectomy for Colorectal Liver Metastases? A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Background: Pushing the surgical limits for initially unresectable colorectal liver metastases (CRLM) are two approaches for sequential liver resection: two-stage hepatectomy (TSH) and associating liver partitioning and portal vein ligation for staged hepatectomy (ALPPS). However, the role of each treatment modality remains ill-defined. The present meta-analysis was designed to compare the safety, efficacy, and oncological benefits between ALPPS and TSH in the management of advanced CRLM.

Methods: A systematic literature search was conducted from online databases through to February 2020. Single-arm synthesis and cumulative meta-analysis were performed.

Results: Eight studies were included, providing a total of 409 subjects for analysis (ALPPS: N = 161; TSH: N = 248). The completions of the second stage of the hepatectomy [98 vs. 78%, odds ratio (OR) 5.75, p < 0.001] and R0 resection (66 vs. 37%; OR 4.68; p < 0.001) were more frequent in patients receiving ALPPS than in those receiving TSH, and the waiting interval was dramatically shortened in ALPPS (11.6 vs. 45.7 days, weighted mean difference = −35.3 days, p < 0.001). Nevertheless, the rate of minor complications was significantly higher in ALPPS (59 vs. 18%, OR 6.5, p < 0.001) than in TSH. The two treatments were similar in 90-day mortality (7 vs. 5%, p = 0.43), major complications (29 vs. 22%, p = 0.08), posthepatectomy liver failure (PHLF; 9 vs. 9%, p = 0.3), biliary leakage (11 vs. 14%, p = 0.86), length of hospital stay (27.95 vs. 26.88 days, p = 0.8), 1-year overall survival (79 vs. 84%, p = 0.61), 1-year recurrence (49 vs. 39%, p = 0.32), and 1-year disease-free survival (34 vs. 39%, p = 0.66). Cumulative meta-analyses indicated chronological stability for the pooled effect sizes of resection rate, 90-day mortality, major complications, and PHLF.

Conclusions: Compared with TSH, ALPPS for advanced CRLM resulted in superior surgical efficacy with comparable perioperative mortality rate and short-term oncological outcomes, while this was at the cost of increased perioperative minor complications.

Liver regeneration after performing associating liver partition and portal vein occlusion for staged hepatectomy (ALPPS) is histologically similar to that occurring after liver transplantation using a small-for-size graft

PURPOSE

Associating liver partition and portal vein ligation for staged hepatectomy (ALPPS) can achieve marked future liver remnant (FLR) hypertrophy but this procedure is associated with a risk of mortality due to liver failure because of an insufficient FLR functional increase, a situation comparable to small-for-size syndrome (SFSS) after living-donor liver transplantation (LDLT).

METHODS

The clinical data, morphologic volume changes, and histopathologic and immunohistochemical findings in hepatocytes and bile ductules were compared between ALPPS (n = 10) and LDLT with a risk for SFSS (n = 12).

RESULTS

Although the patient characteristics and short-term outcome differed between the groups, the mean hypertrophy ratios with respect to liver volume for the FLR after performing the first-stage ALPPS procedures resembled those in small-for-size grafts after similar time intervals: 1.702 ± 0.407 in ALPPS vs. 1.948 ± 0.252 in LDLT (P = 0.205). The histologic grades for sinusoidal dilation (P = 0.896), congestion (P = 0.922), vacuolar change (P = 0.964), hepatocanalicular cholestasis (P = 0.969), and ductular reaction (P = 0.728) within the FLR at the second-stage operation during ALPPS or implanted graft were all similar between the groups.

CONCLUSIONS

The hepatic regenerative process may be similar in ALPPS and LDLT using a small-for-size graft. Reducing the hepatic vascular inflow that may be excessive for the FLR volume during the first stage of ALPPS might enhance the functional recovery since measures with a similar effect appear to lessen the likelihood of SFSS.

Improving the Safety of Major Resection for Hepatobiliary Malignancy: Portal Vein Embolization and Recent Innovations in Liver Regeneration Strategies

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

For three decades, portal vein embolization (PVE) has been the "gold-standard" strategy to hypertrophy the anticipated future liver remnant (FLR) in advance of major hepatectomy. During this time, CT volumetry was the most common method to preoperatively assess FLR quality and function and used to determine which patients are appropriate surgical candidates. This review provides the most up-to-date methods for preoperatively assessing the anticipated FLR and summarizes data from the currently available strategies used to induce FLR hypertrophy before surgery for hepatobiliary malignancy.

RECENT FINDINGS

Functional and physiological imaging is increasingly replacing standard CT volumetry as the method of choice for preoperative FLR assessment. PVE, associating liver partition and portal vein ligation, radiation lobectomy, and liver venous deprivation are all currently available techniques to hypertrophy the FLR. Each strategy has pros and cons based on tumor type, extent of resection, presence or absence of underlying liver disease, age, performance status, complication rates, and other factors. Numerous strategies can lead to FLR hypertrophy and improve the safety of major hepatectomy. Which is best has yet to be determined.

Preparing for liver surgery with "Alphabet Soup": PVE, ALPPS, TAE-PVE, LVD and RL

Future liver remnant (FLR) size and function is a critical limiting factor for treatment eligibility and postoperative prognosis when considering surgical hepatectomy. Pre-operative portal vein embolization (PVE) has been proven effective in modulating FLR and now widely accepted as a standard of care. However, PVE is not always effective due to potentially inadequate augmentation of the FLR as well as tumor progression while awaiting liver growth. These concerns have prompted exploration of alternative techniques: associating liver partition and portal vein ligation for staged hepatectomy (ALPPS), transarterial embolization-portal vein embolization (TAE-PVE), liver venous deprivation (LVD), and radiation lobectomy (RL). The article aims to review the principles and applications of PVE and these newer hepatic regenerative techniques.

ALPPS for hepatocarcinoma under cirrhosis: a feasible alternative to portal vein embolization

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the most common and malignant tumors. Preoperative portal vein embolization (PVE) is currently the most accepted treatment before major hepatic resection for HCC in patients with liver fibrosis or cirrhosis and associated insufficient future liver remnant (FLR). In the last decade, associating liver partition and portal vein ligation for staged hepatectomy (ALPPS) technique has been described to obtain an increase of volume regarding PVE and a decrease of drop out. The initial excessive morbidity and mortality of this technique have decreased drastically due to a better selection of patients, the learning curve and the use of less aggressive variations of the original technique in the first stage. For both techniques a complete preoperative assessment of the FLR is the most important issue and only patients with and adequate FLR should be resected. ALPPS could be a feasible technique in very selected patients with HCC and cirrhosis. As long as it is performed in an experienced center could be used as a first choice technique versus PVE or could be used as a rescue technique in case of PVE failure.

Chance and challenge of associating liver partition and portal vein ligation for staged hepatectomy

BACKGROUND

The associating liver partition and portal vein ligation for staged hepatectomy (ALPPS) was first performed in 2007. The critical patient selection, timing to perform the second stage operation, and minimally invasive technique are three key factors for patient outcomes. The aim of this review is to summarize published data on these three aspects.

DATA SOURCES

Studies were identified by searching PubMed for articles published from January 2007 to October 2018, using the keywords "associating liver partition and portal vein ligation for staged hepatectomy" or "ALPPS" or "in situ split". Studies on colorectal liver metastasis (CRLM), perihilar cholangiocarcinoma (PHC), and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) indicated for ALPPS, cutoff values to determine the timing of stage 2, as well as modifications of ALPPS were included.

RESULTS

The mortality of ALPPS for CRLM is declining, for PHC is high. In patients with HCC, essential hypertrophy makes the ALPPS safer. However, the degrees of fibrosis affect the hypertrophy. The future liver remnant volume is still the gold standard to start the second stage. Hepatobiliary scintigraphy plays an important role in quantitatively assessing liver function, whereas cutoff values need to be further calibrated. Less-invasive ALPPS modifications have increased and led to a decreased mortality.

CONCLUSIONS

ALLPS improved the CRLM outcomes; ALPPS is feasible in patients with PHC after failure of portal vein embolization; ALPPS may be an option for HCC patients with major vascular invasion and thrombosis. The simplified and less-invasive ALPPS is the trend.

Simultaneous hepatic and portal vein ligation induces rapid liver hypertrophy: A study in pigs

BACKGROUND

Liver hypertrophy induced by partial portal vein occlusion (PVL) is accelerated by adding simultaneous parenchymal transection ("ALPPS procedure"). This preclinical experimental study in pigs tests the hypothesis that simultaneous ligation of portal and hepatic veins of the liver also accelerates regeneration by abrogation of porto-portal collaterals without need for operative transection.

METHODS

A pig model of portal vein occlusion was compared with the novel model of simultaneous portal and hepatic vein occlusion, where major hepatic veins draining the portal vein-deprived lobe were identified with intraoperative ultrasonography and ligated using pledgeted transparenchymal sutures. Kinetic growth was compared, and the portal vein system was then studied after 7 days using epoxy casts of the portal circulation. Portal vein flow and portal pressure were measured, and Ki-67 staining was used to evaluate the proliferative response.

RESULTS

Pigs were randomly assigned to portal vein occlusion (n = 8) or simultaneous portal and hepatic vein occlusion (n = 6). Simultaneous portal and hepatic vein occlusion was well tolerated and led to mild cytolysis, with no necrosis in the outflow vein-deprived liver sectors. The portal vein-supplied sector increased by 90 ± 22% (mean ± standard deviation) after simultaneous portal and hepatic vein occlusion compared with 29 ± 18% after PVL (P < .001). Collaterals to the deportalized liver developed after 7 days in both procedures but were markedly reduced in simultaneous portal and hepatic vein occlusion. Ki-67 staining at 7 days was comparable.

CONCLUSION

This study in pigs found that simultaneous portal and hepatic vein occlusion led to rapid hypertrophy without necrosis of the deportalized liver. The findings suggest that the use of simultaneous portal and hepatic vein occlusion accelerates liver hypertrophy for extended liver resections and should be evaluated further.

The HPB controversy of the decade: 2007-2017 - Ten years of ALPPS

Ten years ago the first patient underwent Associating Liver Partition and Portal Vein Ligation for Staged Hepatectomy (ALPPS). This report aimed to critically review literature on ALPPS in terms of methods, outcomes, and bias. In total, 237 English papers on ALPPS were identified, 75 (32%) were letters and 43 (18%) case-reports. Forty-nine single-center series reported a median 10 patients, with 0-69% morbidity and 0-50% mortality. The indications for ALPPS were reported in 35% and 47% reported on modifications. Twenty-three multicenter series included a median 45 patients. Some reports excluded up to 399 cases. 26% reported on the indications and 35% on ALPPS modifications. Across journals, variation in positive and negative conclusions on ALPPS was observed. Ten years of ALPPS have resulted in diverse publications with a high concern of bias. Although one randomized study has been published, a more critical approach towards retrospective methodology is needed to allow pragmatic conclusions for HPB-surgeons.

Hypertrophy and Liver Function in ALPPS: Correlation with Morbidity and Mortality

Background

ALPPS (associating liver partition and portal vein ligation for staged hepatectomy) was introduced with the promise to reduce posthepatectomy liver failure (PHLF) in extended hepatectomies but has higher morbidity and mortality rates compared to conventional methods of volume enhancement. There are few studies of the incidence of PHLF after ALPPS and little information on how to avoid PHLF by functional testing. It remains unclear what causes the compromise in liver function despite rapid volume gain and if any of the modifications proposed reduce the incidence of PHLF. This review summarizes published data on this topic.

Methods

This is a systematic review that studies literature on the incidence of liver failure and assessment of liver function following ALPPS as well as modifications of the existing technique. Articles were searched in PubMed, evaluated, selected, and tabulated.

Results

The literature search revealed 326 articles that met the selection criteria. PHLF criteria as defined by the International Study Group of Liver Surgery (ISGLS) were the most commonly used criteria, but PHLF was frequently not defined. PHLF occurred most frequently after stage 2 of ALPPS at around 30% in most larger studies. Hepatobiliary scintigraphy showed a discrepancy between volume and functional growth of the liver. Function increase was only 50% compared to volume increase. Mechanistic explanations using histologic analyses have been given to explain the immaturity of the liver after rapid hypertrophy. Modifications of ALPPS showed a comparable volumetric gain when compared to classic ALPPS, but data were lacking to assess PHLF.

Conclusion

ALPPS has relatively high rates of PHLF, morbidity, and mortality. This may be explained by data demonstrating functional growth when compared to volume growth. ALPPS should not be performed without functional assessment and with caution.