Hypophosphatemia as a prognostic tool for post-hepatectomy liver failure:A systematic review

BACKGROUND Post-hepatectomy liver failure(PHLF)is one of the main causes of postoperative mortality and is challenging to predict early in patients after liver resection.Some studies suggest that the postoperative serum phosphorus might predict outcomes in these patients.AIM To perform a systematic literature review on hypophosphatemia and evaluate it as a prognostic factor for PHLF and overall morbidity.METHODS This systematic review was performed according to preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analyses statement.A study protocol for the review was registered in the International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews database.PubMed,Cochrane and Lippincott Williams&Wilkins databases were systematically searched up to March 31,2022 for studies analyzing postoperative hypophosphatemia as a prognostic factor for PHLF,overall postoperative morbidity and liver regeneration.The quality assessment of the included cohort studies was performed according to the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale.RESULTS After final assessment,nine studies(eight retrospective and one prospective cohort study)with 1677 patients were included in the systematic review.All selected studies scored≥6 points according to the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale.Cutoff values of hypophosphatemia varied from<1 mg/dL to≤2.5 mg/dL in selected studies with≤2.5 mg/dL being the most used defining value.Five studies analyzed PHLF,while the remaining four analyzed overall complications as a main outcome associated with hypophosphatemia.Only two of the selected studies analyzed postoperative liver regeneration,with reported better postoperative liver regeneration in cases of postoperative hypophosphatemia.In three studies hypophosphatemia was associated with better postoperative outcomes,while six studies revealed hypophosphatemia as a predictive factor for worse patient outcomes.CONCLUSION Changes of the postoperative serum phosphorus level might be useful for predicting outcomes after liver resection.However,routine measurement of perioperative serum phosphorus levels remains questionable and should be evaluated individually.

How severe is moderately severe acute pancreatitis? Clinical validation of revised 2012 Atlanta Classification

AIM To explore the outcomes and the appropriate treatment for patients with moderately severe acute pancreatitis(AP).METHODS Statistical analysis was performed on data from the prospectively collected database of 103 AP patients admitted to the Department of Surgery,Hospital of Lithuanian University of Health Sciences in 2008-2013. All patients were confirmed to have the diagnosis of AP during the first 24 h following admission. The severity of pancreatitis was assessed by MODS and APACHE Ⅱ scale. Clinical course was re-evaluated after 24,48 and 72 h. All patients were categorized into 3 groups based on Atlanta 2012 classification: Mild,moderately severe,and severe.Outcomes and management in moderately severe group were also compared to mild and severe cases according to Atlanta 1992 and 2012 classification.RESULTS Fifty-three-point four percent of patients had edematous while 46.6 % were diagnosed with necrotic AP. The most common cause of AP was alcohol(42.7%) followed by alimentary(26.2%),biliary(26.2%) and idiopathic(4.9%). Under Atlanta 1992 classification 56(54.4%) cases were classified as "mild" and 47(45.6%) as "severe". Using the revised classification(Atlanta 2012),the patient stratification was different: 49(47.6%) mild,27(26.2%) moderately severe and 27(26.2%) severe AP cases. The two severe groups(Atlanta 1992 and Revised Atlanta 2012) did not show statistically significant differences in clinical parameters,including ICU stay,need for interventional treatment,infected pancreatic necrosis or mortality rates. The moderately severe group of 27 patients(according to Atlanta 2012) had significantly better outcomes when compared to those 47 patients classified as severe form of AP(according to Atlanta 1992) with lower incidence of necrosis and sepsis,lower APACHE Ⅱ(P = 0.002) and MODS(P = 0.001) scores,shorter ICU stay,decreased need for interventional and surgical treatment.CONCLUSION Study shows that Atlanta 2012 criteria are more accurate,reduce unnecessary treatments for patients with mild and moderate severe pancreatitis,potentially resulting in health costs savings.