AIM: To assess the safety and effectiveness of prophylaxis for venous thromboembolism (VTE) in a large population of patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) on cirrhosis.METHODS: Two hundred and twenty nine conse...AIM: To assess the safety and effectiveness of prophylaxis for venous thromboembolism (VTE) in a large population of patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) on cirrhosis.METHODS: Two hundred and twenty nine consecutive cirrhotic patients with HCC who underwent hepatic resection were retrospectively evaluated to assess whether there was any difference in the incidence of thrombotic or hemorrhagic complications between those who received and those who did not receive prophylaxis with low-molecular weight heparin.Differences and possible effects of the following parameters were investigated: age,sex,Child-Pugh and model for end-stage liver disease (MELD) score,platelet count,presence of esophageal varices,type of hepatic resection,duration of surgery,intraoperative transfusion of blood and fresh frozen plasma (FFP),body mass index,diabetes and previous cardiovascular disease.RESULTS: One hundred and fifty seven of 229 (68.5%) patients received antithromboembolic prophylaxis (group A) while the remaining 72 (31.5%) patients did not (group B).Patients in group B had higher Child-Pugh and MELD scores,lower platelet counts,a higher prevalence of esophageal varices and higher requirements for intraoperative transfusion of FFP.The incidence of VTE and postoperative hemorrhage was 0.63% and 3.18% in group A and 1.38% and 1.38% in group B,respectively;these differences were not significant.None of the variables analyzed including prophylaxis proved to be risk factors for VTE,and only the presence of esophageal varices was associated with an increased risk of bleeding.CONCLUSION: Prophylaxis is safe in cirrhotic patients without esophageal varices;the real need for prophylaxis should be better assessed.展开更多
Peliosis hepatis(PH) is a disease characterized by multiple and small,blood-filled cysts within the parenchymatous organs. PH is a very rare disease,more common in adults,and when it affects the liver,it comes to the ...Peliosis hepatis(PH) is a disease characterized by multiple and small,blood-filled cysts within the parenchymatous organs. PH is a very rare disease,more common in adults,and when it affects the liver,it comes to the surgeon's attention only in an extremely urgent situation after the lesion's rupture with the resulting hemoperitoneum. This report describes the case of a 29-year-old woman affected by recurring abdominal pain. Computed tomography scans showed a hepatic lesion formed by multiple hypodense areas,which showed an early acquisition of the contrast during the arterial phase. Furthermore,it remained isodense with the remaining parenchyma during the late venous phase. We decided on performing a liver resection of segment Ⅶ while avoiding a biopsy for safety reasons. The histopathologic examination confirmed the diagnosis of focal PH. PH should always be considered in the differential diagnosis of hepatic lesions. Clinicians should discuss the possible causes and issues related to the differential diagnosis in addition to the appropriate therapeutic approach. The fortuitous finding of a lesion,potentially compatible with PH,requires elective surgery with diagnostic and therapeutic intents. The main aim is to prevent the risk of a sudden bleeding that,in absence of properly equipped structures,may have a fatal outcome.展开更多
AIM: To evaluate the predictors of 10-year survival of patients with hepatitis C recurrence. METHODS: Data from 358 patients transplanted between 1989 and 2010 in two Italian transplant centers and with evidence of he...AIM: To evaluate the predictors of 10-year survival of patients with hepatitis C recurrence. METHODS: Data from 358 patients transplanted between 1989 and 2010 in two Italian transplant centers and with evidence of hepatitis C recurrence were analyzed. A χ2, Fisher's exact test and Kruskal Wallis' test were used for categorical and continuous variables, respectively. Survival analysis was performed at 10 years after transplant using the Kaplan-Meier method, and a log-rank test was used to compare groups. A P level less than 0.05 was considered significant for all tests. Multivariate analysis of the predictive role of different variables on 10-year survival was performed by a stepwise Cox logistic regression.RESULTS: The ten-year survival of the entire population was 61.2%. Five groups of patients were identified according to the virological response or lack of a response to antiviral treatment and, among those who were not treated, according to the clinical status(mild hepatitis C recurrence, "too sick to be treated" and patients with comorbidities contraindicating the treatment). While the 10-year survival of treated and untreated patients was not different(59.1% vs 64.7%, P = 0.192), patients with a sustained virological response had a higher 10-year survival rate than both the "non-responders"(84.7% vs 39.8%, P < 0.0001) and too sick to be treated(84.7% vs 0%, P < 0.0001). Sustained virological responders had a survival rate comparable to patients untreated with mild recurrence(84.7% vs 89.3%). A sustained virological response and young donor age were independent predictors of 10-year survival. CONCLUSION: Sustained virological response significantly increased long-term survival. Awaiting the interferon-free regimen global availability, antiviral treatment might be questionable in selected subjects with mild hepatitis C recurrence.展开更多
BACKGROUND: Postoperative hepatic failure is a dreadful complication after major hepatectomy and carries high morbidity and mortality rates. In this study, we assessed the accuracy of the 50/50 criteria (bilirubin >...BACKGROUND: Postoperative hepatic failure is a dreadful complication after major hepatectomy and carries high morbidity and mortality rates. In this study, we assessed the accuracy of the 50/50 criteria (bilirubin >2.9 mg/dL and international normalized ratio >1.7 on postoperative day 5) and the Mullen criteria (bilirubin peak >7 mg/dL on postoperative days 1-7) in predicting death from hepatic failure in patients undergoing right hepatectomy only. In addition, we identified prognostic factors linked to intra-hospital morbidity and mortality in these patients. METHODS: One hundred seventy consecutive patients underwent major right hepatectomy at a tertiary medical center from 2000 to 2008. Nineteen (11.2%) patients suffered from liver cirrhosis. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to identify predictors of intra-hospital mortality, morbidity and death from hepatic failure. RESULTS: The intra-hospital mortality was 6.5% (11/170). Of the six patients who died from hepatic failure, one was positive for the 50/50 criteria, but all six patients were positive for the Mullen criteria. Multivariate analysis showed that male gender, hepatitis C (HCV), hepatocellular carcinoma, postoperative bilirubin >7 mg/dL and ALT<188 U/L on postoperative day 1 were predictive of death from hepatic failure in the postoperative period. Age >65 years, HCV, reoperation, andrenal failure were significant predictors of overall intra-hospital mortality on multivariate analysis. CONCLUSIONS: The Mullen criteria were more accurate than the 50/50 criteria in predicting death from hepatic failure in patients undergoing right hepatectomy. A bilirubin peak >7 mg/dL in the postoperative period, HCV positivity, hepatocellular carcinoma, and an ALT level <188 U/L on postoperative day 1 were associated with death from hepatic failure in our patient population.展开更多
Importance:Indication for liver resection(LR)for localized hepatic metastases from breast cancer(BC)is still a matter of debate.Objective:A literature review of recent scientific papers pertaining to hepatectomies for...Importance:Indication for liver resection(LR)for localized hepatic metastases from breast cancer(BC)is still a matter of debate.Objective:A literature review of recent scientific papers pertaining to hepatectomies for BC liver metastases(LM).Evidence Review:We based our systematic review on case series on literature reviews,comparative studies and cost-utility analysis which have been selected based on criteria regarding surgery,possible prognostic factors and evaluation of long-term survival.Findings:There is a strong inhomogeneity in the reported data,with 5-year survivals ranging from 21%to 58%.There is no agreement in the evaluation of prognostic variables predicting good survival,with the only exception of the time of treatment of the primary BC until the diagnosis of metastases.Three out of the four comparative studies report better survivals for patients who underwent a hepatectomy in comparison to those treated with chemotherapy alone,but their strength in terms of scientific evidence is weak.The only cost-utility analysis revealed that 2 out of the 3 scenarios considered were in favor of the treatment with surgery followed by conventional chemotherapy.Conclusions:There is no definitive proof on the effectiveness of LRs for BC LM.Surgery can be proposed when it is possible to perform radical surgery,with R0 margins and saving at least 30%of the liver with its vascular and biliary connections.Stable skeletal metastases are not a contraindication.The interval between treatment of the primary location and diagnosis of hepatic metastases is the only prognosis criteria available.展开更多
文摘AIM: To assess the safety and effectiveness of prophylaxis for venous thromboembolism (VTE) in a large population of patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) on cirrhosis.METHODS: Two hundred and twenty nine consecutive cirrhotic patients with HCC who underwent hepatic resection were retrospectively evaluated to assess whether there was any difference in the incidence of thrombotic or hemorrhagic complications between those who received and those who did not receive prophylaxis with low-molecular weight heparin.Differences and possible effects of the following parameters were investigated: age,sex,Child-Pugh and model for end-stage liver disease (MELD) score,platelet count,presence of esophageal varices,type of hepatic resection,duration of surgery,intraoperative transfusion of blood and fresh frozen plasma (FFP),body mass index,diabetes and previous cardiovascular disease.RESULTS: One hundred and fifty seven of 229 (68.5%) patients received antithromboembolic prophylaxis (group A) while the remaining 72 (31.5%) patients did not (group B).Patients in group B had higher Child-Pugh and MELD scores,lower platelet counts,a higher prevalence of esophageal varices and higher requirements for intraoperative transfusion of FFP.The incidence of VTE and postoperative hemorrhage was 0.63% and 3.18% in group A and 1.38% and 1.38% in group B,respectively;these differences were not significant.None of the variables analyzed including prophylaxis proved to be risk factors for VTE,and only the presence of esophageal varices was associated with an increased risk of bleeding.CONCLUSION: Prophylaxis is safe in cirrhotic patients without esophageal varices;the real need for prophylaxis should be better assessed.
文摘Peliosis hepatis(PH) is a disease characterized by multiple and small,blood-filled cysts within the parenchymatous organs. PH is a very rare disease,more common in adults,and when it affects the liver,it comes to the surgeon's attention only in an extremely urgent situation after the lesion's rupture with the resulting hemoperitoneum. This report describes the case of a 29-year-old woman affected by recurring abdominal pain. Computed tomography scans showed a hepatic lesion formed by multiple hypodense areas,which showed an early acquisition of the contrast during the arterial phase. Furthermore,it remained isodense with the remaining parenchyma during the late venous phase. We decided on performing a liver resection of segment Ⅶ while avoiding a biopsy for safety reasons. The histopathologic examination confirmed the diagnosis of focal PH. PH should always be considered in the differential diagnosis of hepatic lesions. Clinicians should discuss the possible causes and issues related to the differential diagnosis in addition to the appropriate therapeutic approach. The fortuitous finding of a lesion,potentially compatible with PH,requires elective surgery with diagnostic and therapeutic intents. The main aim is to prevent the risk of a sudden bleeding that,in absence of properly equipped structures,may have a fatal outcome.
文摘AIM: To evaluate the predictors of 10-year survival of patients with hepatitis C recurrence. METHODS: Data from 358 patients transplanted between 1989 and 2010 in two Italian transplant centers and with evidence of hepatitis C recurrence were analyzed. A χ2, Fisher's exact test and Kruskal Wallis' test were used for categorical and continuous variables, respectively. Survival analysis was performed at 10 years after transplant using the Kaplan-Meier method, and a log-rank test was used to compare groups. A P level less than 0.05 was considered significant for all tests. Multivariate analysis of the predictive role of different variables on 10-year survival was performed by a stepwise Cox logistic regression.RESULTS: The ten-year survival of the entire population was 61.2%. Five groups of patients were identified according to the virological response or lack of a response to antiviral treatment and, among those who were not treated, according to the clinical status(mild hepatitis C recurrence, "too sick to be treated" and patients with comorbidities contraindicating the treatment). While the 10-year survival of treated and untreated patients was not different(59.1% vs 64.7%, P = 0.192), patients with a sustained virological response had a higher 10-year survival rate than both the "non-responders"(84.7% vs 39.8%, P < 0.0001) and too sick to be treated(84.7% vs 0%, P < 0.0001). Sustained virological responders had a survival rate comparable to patients untreated with mild recurrence(84.7% vs 89.3%). A sustained virological response and young donor age were independent predictors of 10-year survival. CONCLUSION: Sustained virological response significantly increased long-term survival. Awaiting the interferon-free regimen global availability, antiviral treatment might be questionable in selected subjects with mild hepatitis C recurrence.
文摘BACKGROUND: Postoperative hepatic failure is a dreadful complication after major hepatectomy and carries high morbidity and mortality rates. In this study, we assessed the accuracy of the 50/50 criteria (bilirubin >2.9 mg/dL and international normalized ratio >1.7 on postoperative day 5) and the Mullen criteria (bilirubin peak >7 mg/dL on postoperative days 1-7) in predicting death from hepatic failure in patients undergoing right hepatectomy only. In addition, we identified prognostic factors linked to intra-hospital morbidity and mortality in these patients. METHODS: One hundred seventy consecutive patients underwent major right hepatectomy at a tertiary medical center from 2000 to 2008. Nineteen (11.2%) patients suffered from liver cirrhosis. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to identify predictors of intra-hospital mortality, morbidity and death from hepatic failure. RESULTS: The intra-hospital mortality was 6.5% (11/170). Of the six patients who died from hepatic failure, one was positive for the 50/50 criteria, but all six patients were positive for the Mullen criteria. Multivariate analysis showed that male gender, hepatitis C (HCV), hepatocellular carcinoma, postoperative bilirubin >7 mg/dL and ALT<188 U/L on postoperative day 1 were predictive of death from hepatic failure in the postoperative period. Age >65 years, HCV, reoperation, andrenal failure were significant predictors of overall intra-hospital mortality on multivariate analysis. CONCLUSIONS: The Mullen criteria were more accurate than the 50/50 criteria in predicting death from hepatic failure in patients undergoing right hepatectomy. A bilirubin peak >7 mg/dL in the postoperative period, HCV positivity, hepatocellular carcinoma, and an ALT level <188 U/L on postoperative day 1 were associated with death from hepatic failure in our patient population.
文摘Importance:Indication for liver resection(LR)for localized hepatic metastases from breast cancer(BC)is still a matter of debate.Objective:A literature review of recent scientific papers pertaining to hepatectomies for BC liver metastases(LM).Evidence Review:We based our systematic review on case series on literature reviews,comparative studies and cost-utility analysis which have been selected based on criteria regarding surgery,possible prognostic factors and evaluation of long-term survival.Findings:There is a strong inhomogeneity in the reported data,with 5-year survivals ranging from 21%to 58%.There is no agreement in the evaluation of prognostic variables predicting good survival,with the only exception of the time of treatment of the primary BC until the diagnosis of metastases.Three out of the four comparative studies report better survivals for patients who underwent a hepatectomy in comparison to those treated with chemotherapy alone,but their strength in terms of scientific evidence is weak.The only cost-utility analysis revealed that 2 out of the 3 scenarios considered were in favor of the treatment with surgery followed by conventional chemotherapy.Conclusions:There is no definitive proof on the effectiveness of LRs for BC LM.Surgery can be proposed when it is possible to perform radical surgery,with R0 margins and saving at least 30%of the liver with its vascular and biliary connections.Stable skeletal metastases are not a contraindication.The interval between treatment of the primary location and diagnosis of hepatic metastases is the only prognosis criteria available.
