Allogeneic Venous Grafts of Different Origin Used for Portal Vein Reconstruction After Pancreaticoduodenectomy - Experimental Study

Left renal vein graft and in situ hepatic perfusion in hepatectomy for complete tumor invasion of hepatic veins: hemodynamic optimization and surgical technique

PURPOSE

Assessing hepatic vein reconstruction using a left renal vein graft and in situ hypothermic liver perfusion in an extended liver resection.

METHODS

Patients included in this study were those with liver tumors undergoing curative surgery with resection and reconstruction of hepatic veins. Hepatic vein was reconstructed using a left renal vein graft. We describe the technical aspects of liver resection and vascular reconstruction, the key aspects of hemodynamic management, and the use of in situ hypothermic liver preservations during liver transection (prior to and during vascular clamping).

RESULTS

The right hepatic vein was reconstructed with a median left renal venal graft length of 4.5 cm (IQR, 3.1-5.2). Creatinine levels remained within normal limits in the immediate postoperative phase and during follow-up. Median blood loss was 500 ml (IQR, 300-1500) and in situ perfusion with cold ischemia was 67 min (IQR, 60.5-77.5). The grafts remained patent during the follow-up with no signs of thrombosis. No major postoperative complications were observed.

CONCLUSION

Left renal vein graft for the reconstruction of a hepatic vein and in situ hypothermic liver perfusion are feasible during extended liver resection.

Borderline Resectable and Locally Advanced Pancreatic Cancers: A Review of Definitions, Diagnostics, Strategies for Treatment, and Future Directions

ABSTRACT

Locally advanced and borderline resectable pancreatic cancers are being increasingly recognized as a result of significant improvements in imaging modalities. The main tools used in diagnosis of these tumors include endoscopic ultrasound, computed tomography, magnetic resonance imaging, and diagnostic laparoscopy. The definition of what constitutes a locally advanced or borderline resectable tumor is still controversial to this day. Borderline resectable tumors have been treated with neoadjuvant therapy approaches that aim at reducing tumor size, thus improving the chances of an R0 resection. Both chemotherapy and radiotherapy (solo or in combination) have been used in this setting. The main chemotherapy agents that have shown to increase resectability and survival are FOLFORINOX (a combination of folinic acid, fluorouracil, irinotecan, and oxaliplatin) and gemcitabine-nab-paclitaxel. Surgery on these tumors remains a significantly challenging task for pancreatic surgeons. More studies are needed to determine the best agents to be used in the neoadjuvant and adjuvant settings, biologic markers for prognostic and operative predictions, and validation of previously published retrospective results.

Microdialysis for the Assessment of Intervertebral Disc and Vertebral Cancellous Bone Metabolism in a Large Porcine Model

BACKGROUND/AIM

It remains challenging to evaluate the in vivo pathophysiological biochemical characteristics in spine tissue, due to lack of an applicable model and feasible methods. The aim of this study was to apply microdialysis for the assessment of basic metabolites from the C3-C4 intervertebral disc, C3 vertebral cancellous bone and subcutaneous adipose tissue in a large porcine model.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

In 7 pigs, glucose, pyruvate, lactate and glycerol concentrations were evaluated in an 8-hour sampling period.

RESULTS

The mean lactate/pyruvate (L/P) ratios for the intervertebral disc and vertebral cancellous bone were comparable and exceeded the ischemic cut-off value of 25 for the entire sampling interval. For subcutaneous adipose tissue, the L/P ratio was below the ischemic cut-off.

CONCLUSION

This exploratory study confirms previous findings of ischemia in bone and the intervertebral disc. This encourages new microdialysis study designs in spine tissue employing large porcine models to create new knowledge and a greater understanding of the metabolism and pathogenesis in spine tissue.