Biliary complications after adult-to-adult living-donor liver transplantation: An international multicenter study of 3633 cases

In living-donor liver transplantation, biliary complications including bile leaks and biliary anastomotic strictures remain significant challenges, with incidences varying across different centers. This multicentric retrospective study (2016-2020) included 3633 adult patients from 18 centers and aimed to identify risk factors for these biliary complications and their impact on patient survival. Incidences of bile leaks and biliary strictures were 11.4% and 20.6%, respectively. Key risk factors for bile leaks included multiple bile duct anastomoses (odds ratio, [OR] 1.8), Roux-en-Y hepaticojejunostomy (OR, 1.4), and a history of major abdominal surgery (OR, 1.4). For biliary anastomotic strictures, risk factors were ABO incompatibility (OR, 1.4), blood loss >1 L (OR, 1.4), and previous abdominal surgery (OR, 1.7). Patients experiencing biliary complications had extended hospital stays, increased incidence of major complications, and higher comprehensive complication index scores. The impact on graft survival became evident after accounting for immortal time bias using time-dependent covariate survival analysis. Bile leaks and biliary anastomotic strictures were associated with adjusted hazard ratios of 1.7 and 1.8 for graft survival, respectively. The study underscores the importance of minimizing these risks through careful donor selection and preoperative planning, as biliary complications significantly affect graft survival, despite the availability of effective treatments.

Value of lymph node dissection in intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma: a systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

The aim of this study was to perform a systematic review and meta-analysis to investigate the impact of lymph node dissection (LND) on outcomes following resection of intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (ICC).

METHODS

PubMed, EMBASE, and Cochrane were searched from inception to 30th January 2023 for studies that compared LND with no LND (NLND) among patients with ICC. To limit the effect of unbalanced covariates, only studies that utilized propensity score-based methods were included. Subgroup analysis of patients with clinically node-negative (cN0) ICC was analyzed.

RESULTS

Among 3776 patients with ICC, individuals in the LND versus NLND cohorts had comparable overall survival (OS) (Hazard ratio [HR] 0.78, 95 % confidence interval [CI] 0.57-1.06, P = 0.11), disease-free survival (DFS) (HR 0.84, 95 % CI 0.70-1.01, P = 0.07) and risk of major complications (odds ratio [OR] 1.07, 95 % CI 0.70-1.62, P = 0.75). Subgroup analysis of cN0 patients, OS was significantly higher in patients who underwent LND (HR 0.61, 95 % CI 0.50-0.74, P < 0.01), with a non-significant trend towards improved DFS (HR 0.81, 95 % CI 0.65-1.01, P = 0.06).

CONCLUSION

This study found no differences in long-term survival or morbidity following LND for ICC. Subgroup analysis of cN0 patients, who underwent LND detected improved OS with a trend towards better DFS, compared to patients with NLND.

Breast implant capsule-associated squamous cell carcinoma: A systematic review and individual patient data meta-analysis

INTRODUCTION

New concerns have been raised by the US Food and Drug Administration regarding breast implant capsule-associated squamous cell carcinoma (BICA-SCC) but very little is known about this emerging topic. To gain a better understanding of the disease, a systematic review and individual patient data meta-analysis of patients with BICA-SCC were performed.

METHODS

PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane were searched from inception to 26th February 2023 for studies including patients with BICA-SCC. Individual patient data were extracted and pooled. Risk of bias was assessed using the Joanna Briggs Institute critical appraisal tool.

RESULTS

A total of 16 studies reported 19 patients with BICA-SCC, commonly presented with swelling (84.2%), pain (73.7%), and erythema (21.1%). The median age at SCC diagnosis was 52.0 (interquartile range [IQR] 46.0-60.0) years. The median time from breast augmentation to SCC diagnosis was 20.0 (IQR 15.0-35.0) years. The majority of patients (68.4%) were found to have extracapsular spread at SCC diagnosis. All patients with breast implants in situ underwent implant removal with at least 60.0% of patients undergoing capsulectomy. The mean follow-up period was 17.6 months with 1-year overall survival of 80.8% and 1-year disease-free survival of 53.0%.

CONCLUSION

While rare, surgeons should counsel patients on the risks of malignancy including BICA-SCC before breast implantation and consider the possibility of BICA-SCC when treating patients with late-onset peri-implant changes. A centralized registry is needed to better understand and improve outcomes in patients with BICA-SCC.

Novel Benchmark for Adult-to-Adult Living-donor Liver Transplantation: Integrating Eastern and Western Experiences

OBJECTIVE

To define benchmark values for adult-to-adult living-donor liver transplantation (LDLT).

BACKGROUND

LDLT utilizes living-donor hemiliver grafts to expand the donor pool and reduce waitlist mortality. Although references have been established for donor hepatectomy, no such information exists for recipients to enable conclusive quality and comparative assessments.

METHODS

Patients undergoing LDLT were analyzed in 15 high-volume centers (≥10 cases/year) from 3 continents over 5 years (2016-2020), with a minimum follow-up of 1 year. Benchmark criteria included a Model for End-stage Liver Disease ≤20, no portal vein thrombosis, no previous major abdominal surgery, no renal replacement therapy, no acute liver failure, and no intensive care unit admission. Benchmark cutoffs were derived from the 75th percentile of all centers' medians.

RESULTS

Of 3636 patients, 1864 (51%) qualified as benchmark cases. Benchmark cutoffs, including posttransplant dialysis (≤4%), primary nonfunction (≤0.9%), nonanastomotic strictures (≤0.2%), graft loss (≤7.7%), and redo-liver transplantation (LT) (≤3.6%), at 1-year were below the deceased donor LT benchmarks. Bile leak (≤12.4%), hepatic artery thrombosis (≤5.1%), and Comprehensive Complication Index (CCI ® ) (≤56) were above the deceased donor LT benchmarks, whereas mortality (≤9.1%) was comparable. The right hemiliver graft, compared with the left, was associated with a lower CCI ® score (34 vs 21, P < 0.001). Preservation of the middle hepatic vein with the right hemiliver graft had no impact neither on the recipient nor on the donor outcome. Asian centers outperformed other centers with CCI ® score (21 vs 47, P < 0.001), graft loss (3.0% vs 6.5%, P = 0.002), and redo-LT rates (1.0% vs 2.5%, P = 0.029). In contrast, non-benchmark low-volume centers displayed inferior outcomes, such as bile leak (15.2%), hepatic artery thrombosis (15.2%), or redo-LT (6.5%).

CONCLUSIONS

Benchmark LDLT offers a valuable alternative to reduce waitlist mortality. Exchange of expertise, public awareness, and centralization policy are, however, mandatory to achieve benchmark outcomes worldwide.

A randomized trial comparing cadaveric dissection and examination of prosections as applied surgical anatomy teaching pedagogies

Anatomy is an important component in the vertical integration of basic science and clinical practice. Two common pedagogies are cadaveric dissection and examination of prosected specimens. Comparative studies mostly evaluate their immediate effectiveness. A randomized controlled trial design was employed to compare both the immediate and long-term effectiveness of dissection and prosection. Eighty third-year medical students undergoing their surgical rotation from the Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine were randomized into two groups: dissection and prosection. Each participated in a one-day hands-on course following a similar outline that demonstrated surgical anatomy in the context of its clinical relevance. A pre-course test was conducted to establish baseline knowledge. A post-course test was conducted immediately after and at a one-year interval to evaluate learner outcome and knowledge retention. A post-course survey was conducted to assess participant perception. Thirty-nine and thirty-eight participants for the dissection and prosection groups, respectively, were included for analysis. There was no significant difference between mean pre-course test scores between the dissection and prosection groups [12.6 (3.47) vs. 12.7 (3.16), P > 0.05]. Both the mean immediate [27.9 (4.30) vs. 24.9 (4.25), P < 0.05] and 1 year [23.9 (4.15) vs. 19.9 (4.05), P < 0.05] post-course test scores were significantly higher in the dissection group. However, when adjusted for course duration [dissection group took longer than prosection group (mean 411 vs. 265 min)], these findings were negated. There is no conclusive evidence of either pedagogy being superior in teaching surgical anatomy. Based on learner surveys, dissection provides a greater learner experience.

Impact of donor age on recipient morbidity and mortality after living donor liver transplantation

BACKGROUND

Evidence for use of graft from older donors in living donor liver transplantation (LDLT) has been conflicting. This study aims to clarify the impact of donor age on recipient morbidity and mortality after adult LDLT.

METHODS

A total of 90 live liver donors and recipients who underwent primary adult-to-adult LDLT were divided into three groups according to donor age: donors in 20s (D-20s) group, donors in 30s and 40s (D-30s and 40s) group and donors in 50s & 60s (D-50s and 60s) group. Multivariate analyses were conducted to look for independent risk/prognostic factors. Donor age was analysed as a continuous variable to determine an optimal cut off.

RESULTS

Overall donor morbidity was 4/90 (4.44%), major donor morbidity was 1/90 (1.11%) and there was no donor mortality. Recipients in the D-20s group had better 1-, 3- and 5-year recipient survival than recipients in the D-50s and 60s group (96%, 91%, 91% versus 73%, 58%, 58%, respectively) (P = 0.020). Donor age was identified to be an independently significant risk factor for increased major complications (P = 0.007) and prognostic factor for reduced overall survival (P = 0.014). The optimal donor age cut off was determined to be 46.5 years old.

CONCLUSION

Older donors are associated with poorer recipient outcomes after adult-to-adult LDLT. Usage of liver grafts from older donors should be carefully considered when choosing liver grafts for patients undergoing LDLT.

Tietze's Syndrome Post-COVID-19 Infection in an Adult Patient

Tietze's syndrome is a rare inflammatory disorder characterized by chest well swelling and inflammation of the costal cartilages. We describe a gentleman with repeated presentations to the emergency department (ED) with left-sided chest and sternoclavicular pain on a background of recent asymptomatic coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) infection. He had elevated inflammatory markers and MRI subsequently confirmed the diagnosis of Tietze's syndrome. Anti-inflammatory medications and colchicine eventually led to a complete resolution of symptoms. This case highlights how Tietze's syndrome -- a disorder that is potentially self-limiting, can cause great distress and should be a differential diagnosis of chest pain after excluding life-threatening etiologies related to COVID-19.

A systematic review and network meta-analysis of outcomes after open, mini-laparotomy, hybrid, totally laparoscopic, and robotic living donor right hepatectomy

BACKGROUND

A systematic review and network meta-analysis was performed to compare outcomes after living donor right hepatectomy via the following techniques: conventional open (Open), mini-laparotomy (Minilap), hybrid (Hybrid), totally laparoscopic (Lap), and robotic living donor right hepatectomy (Robotic).

METHODS

PubMed, EMBASE, Cochrane, and Scopus were searched from inception to August 2021 for comparative studies of patients who underwent living donor right hepatectomy.

RESULTS

Nineteen studies comprising 2,261 patients were included. Operation time was longer in Lap versus Minilap and Open (mean difference 65.09 min, 95% confidence interval 3.40-126.78 and mean difference 34.81 minutes, 95% confidence interval 1.84-67.78), and in Robotic versus Hybrid, Lap, Minilap, and Open (mean difference 144.72 minutes, 95% confidence interval 89.84-199.59, mean difference 113.24 minutes, 95% confidence interval 53.28-173.20, mean difference 178.33 minutes, 95% confidence interval 105.58-251.08 and mean difference 148.05 minutes, 95% confidence interval 97.35-198.74, respectively). Minilap and Open were associated with higher blood loss compared to Lap (mean difference 258.67 mL, 95% confidence interval 107.00-410.33 and mean difference 314.11 mL, 95% confidence interval 143.84-484.37) and Robotic (mean difference 205.60 mL, 95% confidence interval 45.92-365.28 and mean difference 261.04 mL, 95% confidence interval 84.26-437.82). Open was associated with more overall complications compared to Minilap (odds ratio 2.60, 95% confidence interval 1.11-6.08). Recipient biliary complication rate was higher in Minilap and Open versus Hybrid (odds ratio 3.91, 95% confidence interval 1.13-13.55 and odds ratio 11.42, 95% confidence interval 2.27-57.49), and lower in Open versus Minilap (OR 0.07, 95% confidence interval 0.01-0.34).

CONCLUSION

Minimally invasive donor right hepatectomy via the various techniques is safe and feasible when performed in high-volume centers, with no major differences in donor complication rates and comparable recipient outcomes once surgeons have mounted the learning curve.

A systematic review and network meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials on choice of central venous access device for delivery of chemotherapy

OBJECTIVE

Ensuring reliable central venous access with the least complications is vital for cancer patients receiving chemotherapy. A systematic review and network meta-analysis was conducted to compare the safety, quality of life (QoL) and cost effectiveness of different types of central venous access device (CVAD) for patients receiving chemotherapy.

METHODS

PubMed, EMBASE and Cochrane were searched from inception to 20^th August 2021 for randomized controlled trials comparing the various CVADs [non-tunnelled central venous catheter (non-tunnelled catheter), peripherally inserted central venous catheter (PICC), totally implantable ports (PORT), and tunnelled catheter].

RESULTS

A total of 11 eligible RCTs comprising 2585 patients were identified. PORT was associated with lower odds of overall complications, device removal due to complications, thrombotic and mechanical complications compared to PICC [(Odds Ratio (OR) 0.54, 95% CI 0.43 - 0.69), (OR 0.49, 95% CI 0.26 - 0.93), (OR 0.37, 95% CI 0.23 - 0.62) and (OR 0.35, 95% CI 0.13 - 0.95) respectively]. Tunnelled catheter was associated with higher odds of overall complication rate, device removal due to complications and infective complications compared to PORT [(OR 1.68, 95% CI 1.30 - 2.17), (OR 2.52, 95% CI 1.34 - 4.73), (OR 2.11, 95% CI 1.14 - 3.90) respectively]. Ranking probability based on SUCRA values indicated that PORT had the lowest probability of overall complications, removal due to complications, and thrombotic complications.

CONCLUSION

PORT is superior in terms of complications, QoL compared to other CVADs without compromising on cost effectiveness and should be considered the standard of care in patients receiving chemotherapy.

Elective surgical versus conservative management of complicated diverticulitis: A systematic review and meta-analysis

OBJECTIVES

There is no consensus on the optimal treatment for patients with complicated diverticulitis. In this systematic review and meta-analysis we aimed to determine the indications for elective surgery in complicated diverticulitis by comparing conservative treatment with elective surgery.

METHODS

A meta-analysis of recurrence, morbidity and stoma rates was performed using a random effects model. Patient-reported quality of life (QoL) and cost-effectiveness outcomes were synthesized qualitatively.

RESULTS

Eleven randomized controlled trials and non-randomized studies with a total of 7415 patients were included. In statistical terms, the recurrence of diverticulitis was significantly higher in the conservatively treated group than in the elective surgery group (odds ratio [OR] 0.24, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.12-0.51). The stoma rate (OR 2.34, 95% CI 1.88-2.92) and the morbidity rate (OR 4.29, 95% CI 2.24-8.23) were significantly higher in the elective surgery group than in the conservatively treated group. There was some evidence for a significant increase in QoL and long-term cost-effectiveness in the elective surgery group than in the conservatively treated group.

CONCLUSIONS

Indications for elective surgery should not include the prevention of emergency colostomy or complications. Elective surgical resection may be considered in patients with complicated diverticulitis with the goal of improving their QoL and long-term cost-effectiveness.

Evaluation of Adult Living Donor Liver Transplantation in Largest Southeast Asian Transplantation Center: Benchmarking With Adult-to-Adult Living Donor Liver Transplantation (A2ALL) Experience

BACKGROUND

The volume-outcome relation for complex surgical procedures such as living donor liver transplantation (LDLT) generally favors high volume (HV) centers. It is important for low to medium volume (MV) centers to evaluate their centers' performance against HV centers to allow early detection and correction of potential systemic issues. There is a dearth of national and international comprehensive registries for LDLT that may allow reasonable risk-adjusted comparisons for benchmarking. This study aims to evaluate the LDLT program by comparing our center's performance against HV centers of the Adult-to-Adult Living Donor Liver Transplantation cohort.

STUDY DESIGN

Patient outcomes from a MV transplant center were compared with 11 HV transplant centers from the Adult-to-Adult Living Donor Liver Transplantation cohort. Outcomes evaluated included length of hospital stay, same admission mortality, 90-day mortality, and overall survival.

RESULTS

A total of 1381 patients were analzyed. HV 1 to 4, 6, 8, 9, and 11 centers had a shorter median length of hospital stay compared with the MV center (All Dunnett corrected P values all less than .05). HV 9 and 11 centers had lower same admission mortality compared with the MV center (Dunnett corrected P = .023 and .015). After adjusting for other significant predictors, the MV center had comparable 90-day mortality rates and overall survival rates to all HV centers.

CONCLUSION

This benchmarking exercise has demonstrated that the limitation of low institutional case volume can be overcome with a protocol-based framework to implement a safe LDLT program. This framework presented can be adopted for developing programs.

Robotic versus laparoscopic ventral hernia repair: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials and propensity score matched studies

PURPOSE

There has not been a consensus on the superiority of a surgical approach for minimally invasive ventral hernia repair. This systematic review and meta-analysis (SRMA) aims to compare clinical, and patient-reported outcomes of robotic-assisted ventral hernia repair (rVHR) to traditional endo-laparoscopic ventral hernia repair (lapVHR).

METHODS

We searched PubMed, EMBASE, Cochrane and Scopus from inception to 16th March 2021. We selected randomised controlled trials and propensity score matched studies comparing rVHR to lapVHR. A meta-analysis was done for the outcomes of operative time, length of hospital stay, open conversion, recurrence, surgical site occurrence and cost.

RESULTS

A total of 5 studies (3732 patients) were included in the qualitative and quantitative synthesis. Significantly shorter operative times were reported with the lapVHR as compared to rVHR (weighted mean difference (WMD): 62.52, 95% CI: 50.84-74.19). There was also significantly less rates of open conversion with rVHR as compared to lapVHR (WMD: 0.22, 95% CI: 0.09-0.54). No significant differences in patient-reported outcomes that was discernible from the two papers that reported them.

CONCLUSION

Overall, rVHR is comparable to lapVHR with longer operative times but less open conversion. It is, therefore, important to have proper patient selection to maximise the utility of rVHR.

Students conducting consultations in general practice and the acceptability to patients

OBJECTIVES

The General Medical Council has recommended that medical students should gain more experience in general practice. The study set out to determine patients' reactions to consultations conducted by a medical student alone prior to seeing their GP.

DESIGN

A random sample of patients attending general practice surgeries in the Oxford area completed a questionnaire following consultation with a medical student.

SETTING

Six general practice teaching surgeries.

SUBJECTS

Fifth-year medical students.

RESULTS

Of 130 responders 98% experienced no disadvantage in seeing the student; 35% considered that there were advantages in seeing the student; 98% said that they would be prepared to consult with a student again; 85% expressed no concerns about the gender of the student.

CONCLUSIONS

The results of this study are very reassuring concerning the acceptability to patients of consulting with medical students and are more favourable than those reported for studies of students being present in consultations by GPs.