Prognostic role of alpha-fetoprotein response after hepatocellular carcinoma resection

AIM To investigate whether the change in pre-/post-operation serum alpha-fetoprotein(AFP) levels is a predictive factor for hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC) outcomes.METHODS We retrospectively analyzed 334 HCC patients who underwent hepatic resection at our hospital between January 2006 and December 2016. The patients were classified into three groups according to their change in serum AFP levels:(1) the normal group, pre-AFP ≤ 20 ng/m L and post-AFP ≤ 20 ng/m L;(2) the response group, pre-AFP > 20 ng/m L and post-AFP decrease of ≥ 50% of pre-AFP; and(3) the non-response group, pre-AFP level > 20 ng/m L and post-AFP decrease of < 50% or higher than pre-AFP level, or any pre-AFP level < 20 ng/m L but post-AFP >20 ng/m L RESULTS Univariate and multivariate analyses revealed thatmultiple tumors [hazard ratio(HR): 1.646, 95%CI: 1.15-2.35, P < 0.05], microvascular invasion(m VI)(HR: 1.573, 95%CI: 1.05-2.35, P < 0.05), and the nonresponse group(HR: 2.425, 95% CI: 1.42-4.13, P < 0.05) were significant independent risk factors for recurrencefree survival. Similarly, multiple tumors(HR: 1.99, 95%CI: 1.12-3.52, P < 0.05), m VI(HR: 3.24, 95%CI: 1.77-5.90, P < 0.05), and the non-response group(HR: 3.62, 95%CI: 1.59-8.21, P < 0.05) were also significant independent risk factors for overall survival. The nonresponse group had significantly lower overall survival rates and recurrence-free survival rates than both the normal group and the response group(P < 0.05). Thus, patients with no response regarding post-surgery AFP levels were associated with poor outcomes.CONCLUSION Serum AFP responses are significant prognostic factors for the surgical outcomes of HCC patients, suggesting post-resection AFP levels can direct the management of HCC patients.

Correlation of serum albumin and prognostic nutritional index with outcomes following pancreaticoduodenectomy

BACKGROUND Pancreaticoduodenectomy(PD) is a complex surgical procedure with a high morbidity rate. The serious complications are major risk factors for poor longterm surgical outcome. Studies have reported an association between early postoperative prognostic nutritional index(PNI) and prediction of severe complications after abdominal surgery. However, there have been no studies on the use of early postoperative PNI for predicting serious complications following PD.AIM To analyze the risk factors and early postoperative PNI for predicting severe complications following PD.METHODS We retrospectively analyzed 238 patients who underwent PD at our hospital between January 2007 and December 2017. The postoperative complications were classified according to the Dindo-Clavien classification. Grade Ⅲ-Ⅴ postoperative complications were classified as serious. The risk factors for serious complications were analyzed by univariate analysis and multivariate logistic regression analysis.RESULTS Overall complications were detected in 157 of 238 patients(65.9%) who underwent PD. The grade Ⅲ-Ⅴ complication rate was 26.47%(63/238 patients).The mortality rate was 3.7%(9/238 patients). Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that preoperative serum albumin [odds ratio(OR): 0.883, 95%confidence interval(CI): 0.80-0.96; P < 0.01] and PNI on postoperative day 3 <40.5(OR: 2.77, 95%CI: 1.21-6.38, P < 0.05) were independent factors associated with grade Ⅲ-Ⅴ postoperative complications.CONCLUSION Perioperative albumin is an important factor associated with serious complications following PD. Low early postoperative PNI(< 40.5) is a predictor for serious complications.

Risk factors for pancreatic fistula following pancreaticoduodenectomy: A retrospective study in a Thai tertiary center

AIM To analyze the risk factors of postoperative pancreatic fistula following pancreaticoduodenectomy in a Thai tertiary care center.METHODS We retrospectively analyzed 179 patients who underwent pancreaticoduodenectomy at our hospital from January 2001 to December 2016. Pancreatic fistula were classified into three categories according to a definition made by an International Study Group on Pancreatic Fistula. The risk factors for pancreatic fistula were analyzed by univariate analysis and multivariate logistic regression analysis.RESULTS Pancreatic fistula were detected in 88/179 patients(49%) who underwent pancreaticoduodenectomy. Fifty-eight pancreatic fistula(65.9%) were grade A, 22 cases(25.0%) were grade B and eight cases(9.1%) were grade C. Clinically relevant pancreatic fistula were detected in 30/179 patients(16.7%). The 30-d mortality rate was 1.67%(3/179 patients). Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that soft pancreatic texture(odds ratio = 3.598, 95%CI: 1.77-7.32) was the most significant risk factor for pancreatic fistula. A preoperative serum bilirubin level of > 3 mg/d L was the most significant risk factor for clinically relevant pancreatic fistula according to univariate and multivariate analysis.CONCLUSION Soft pancreatic tissue is the most significant risk factor for postoperative pancreatic fistula. A high preoperative serum bilirubin level(> 3 mg/d L) is the most significant risk factor for clinically relevant pancreatic fistula.

Fluorescence cholangiography enhances surgical residents’ biliary delineation skill for laparoscopic cholecystectomies

BACKGROUND Laparoscopic cholecystectomy(LC)is a minimally invasive procedure,often performed by surgical residents(SRs).Fluorescence cholangiography(FC)enables real-time identification of biliary anatomy.AIM To investigate the benefit of FC for enhancing SRs’identification skills.METHODS Prospective data was collected from January 2018 to June 2018 at our hospital.The study cohorts were the SRs(study group,n=15)and the surgical staff(SS;control group,n=9).Participants were assigned to watch videos of LCs with FC from five different patients who had gallbladder disease,and identify structures in the video clips(including cystic duct,common bile duct,common hepatic duct,and cystic artery),first without FC,and then with FC.RESULTS In the without-FC phase,the overall misidentification rate by SRs(21.7%)was greater than that of the SS(11.8%;P=0.018),However,in the FC phase,the two groups did not significantly differ in misidentification rates(23.3%vs 23.3%,P=0.99).Paired-structure analysis of the without-FC and with-FC phases for the SR group found a significantly higher misidentification rate in the without-FC phase than the with-FC phase(21.9%vs 10.9%;P<0.01).However,misidentification rates in the with-FC phase did not significantly differ between SRs and SS.CONCLUSION FC enhanced identification skills of inexperienced surgeons during LC compared with conventional training.Combined with simulation-based video training,FC is a promising tool for enhancing technical and decision skills of trainees and inexperienced surgeons.