Advanced therapeutic strategies for HBV-related acute-on-chronic liver failure

Acute-on-chronic liver failure （ACLF） is increasingly recognized as a distinct clinical entity and is as- sociated with a high short-term mortality. The most common cause of ACLF is chronic hepatitis B worldwide. Currently, there is no standardized approach for the management of ACLF and the efficacy and safety of therapeutic modalities are uncertain. DATA SOURCES： PubMed and Web of Science were searched for English-language articles. The search criteria focused on clinical trials and observational studies on the treatment of patients with HBV-related ACLF. RESULTS： Therapeutic approaches for ACLF in patients with chronic hepatitis B included nucleos（t）ide analogues, artificial liver support systems, immune regulatory therapy, stem cell therapy and liver transplantation. All of these therapeutic ap- proaches have shown the potential to improve liver function and increase patients＇ survival rate, but most of the studies were not randomized or controUed. CONCLUSION： Substantial challenges for the treatment of HBV-related ACLF remain and further basic research and ran- domized controlled clinical trials are needed.

Trocar opening: silicone oil removal with phacoemulsification and intraocular lens implantation

AIM: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of a modified technique [trocar opening(TO)] for silicone oil removal(SOR) in combination with phacoemulsification and intraocular lens(IOL) implantation.METHODS: A total of 60 eyes of 60 patients with cataract and silicone oil-filled eyes were enrolled in this study. The patients were divided into two groups: the patients in the control group underwent 23-gauge pars plana active SOR surgery with phacoemulsification and IOL implantation, while the patients in the TO group underwent TO methods during surgery. Best corrected visual acuity(BCVA), surgery time, intraocular pressure, and operative complications were observed 6 mo after surgery.RESULTS: There was no significant difference between the two groups in terms of age, gender, preoperative, intraocular pressure, or time of silicone oil stay. Prior to surgery, the mean BCVA for the control and TO groups was 1.34±0.44 and 1.36±0.42. At 6 mo following surgery, the mean BCVA improved to 0.74±0.36 and 0.77±0.32, respectively(P<0.001). There was no significant difference between the two groups. The mean SOR time was 6.9±2.3 min and 4.8±1.2 min in the control and TO groups(P=0.008). The total operation time was 28.2±8.5 min and 24.6±6.4 min, respectively(P=0.035). Posterior capsule rupture occurred in four eyes of control and none of TO group(P<0.01). Late recurrent retinal detachment occurred in one eye in the control group(2 mo after surgery) and in one eye in the TO group(4 mo after surgery). CONCLUSION: TO is a simple, effective, time-saving, and safe method for SOR combined with phacoemulsification and IOL implantation.