Efficacy and safety of targeted therapy plus immunotherapy combined with hepatic artery infusion chemotherapy (FOLFOX) for unresectable hepatocarcinoma

BACKGROUND The advent of cutting-edge systemic therapies has driven advances in the treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC),and therapeutic strategies with multiple modes of delivery have been shown to be more efficacious than mono-therapy.However,the mechanisms underlying this innovative treatment modality have not been elucidated.AIM To evaluate the clinical efficacy of targeted therapy plus immunotherapy combined with hepatic arterial infusion chemotherapy(HAIC)of FOLFOX in patients with unresectable HCC.METHODS We enrolled 53 patients with unresectable HCC who received a combination of targeted therapy,immunotherapy,and HAIC of FOLFOX between December 2020 and June 2021 and assessed the efficacy and safety of the treatment regimen.RESULTS The objective response rate was 60.4%(32/53),complete response was 24.5%(13/53),partial response was 35.9%(19/53),and stable disease was 39.6%(21/53).The median duration of response and median progression-free survival were 9.1 and 13.9 months,respectively.The surgical conversion rate was 34.0%(18/53),and 1-year overall survival was 83.0%without critical complicating diseases or adverse events(AEs).CONCLUSION The regimen of HAIC of FOLFOX,targeted therapy,and immunotherapy was curative for patients with unresectable HCC,with no serious AEs and a high rate of surgical conversion.

Camrelizumab,apatinib and hepatic artery infusion chemotherapy combined with microwave ablation for advanced hepatocellular carcinoma

BACKGROUND Hepatic arterial infusion chemotherapy and camrelizumab plus apatinib(TRIPLET protocol)is promising for advanced hepatocellular carcinoma(Ad-HCC).However,the usefulness of microwave ablation(MWA)after TRIPLET is still controversial.AIM To compare the efficacy and safety of TRIPLET alone(T-A)vs TRIPLET-MWA(TM)for Ad-HCC.METHODS From January 2018 to March 2022,217 Ad-HCC patients were retrospectively enrolled.Among them,122 were included in the T-A group,and 95 were included in the T-M group.A propensity score matching(PSM)was applied to balance bias.Overall survival(OS)was compared using the Kaplan-Meier curve with the log-rank test.The overall objective response rate(ORR)and major complications were also assessed.RESULTS After PSM,82 patients were included both the T-A group and the T-M group.The ORR(85.4%)in the T-M group was significantly higher than that(65.9%)in the T-A group(P<0.001).The cumulative 1-,2-,and 3-year OS rates were 98.7%,93.4%,and 82.0%in the T-M group and 85.1%,63.1%,and 55.0%in the T-A group(hazard ratio=0.22;95%confidence interval:0.10-0.49;P<0.001).The incidence of major complications was 4.9%(6/122)in the T-A group and 5.3%(5/95)in the T-M group,which were not significantly different(P=1.000).CONCLUSION T-M can provide better survival outcomes and comparable safety for Ad-HCC than T-A.

Improving the radiological diagnosis of hepatic artery thrombosis after liver transplantation: Current approaches and future challenges

Hepatic artery thrombosis(HAT)is a devastating vascular complication following liver transplantation,requiring prompt diagnosis and rapid revascularization treatment to prevent graft loss.At present,imaging modalities such as ultrasound,computed tomography,and magnetic resonance play crucial roles in diagnosing HAT.Although imaging techniques have improved sensitivity and specificity for HAT diagnosis,they have limitations that hinder the timely diagnosis of this complication.In this sense,the emergence of artificial intelligence(AI)presents a transformative opportunity to address these diagnostic limitations.The development of machine learning algorithms and deep neural networks has demonstrated the potential to enhance the precision diagnosis of liver transplant complications,enabling quicker and more accurate detection of HAT.This article examines the current landscape of imaging diagnostic techniques for HAT and explores the emerging role of AI in addressing future challenges in the diagnosis of HAT after liver transplant.

Prediction of hepatic artery occlusion after liver transplantation by ultrasound characteristics and clinical risk factors

BACKGROUND Hepatic artery occlusion(HAO)after liver transplantation(LT)is a devastating complication,resulting in early graft loss and reduced overall survival.Ultra-sound is an established assessment method for HAO in patients following LT,especially those with complex hepatic artery reconstruction.METHODS We retrospectively analyzed the ultrasound characteristics and the clinic risk factors associated with HAO in 400 adult LT patients who were enrolled and treated at the Third People's Hospital of Shenzhen between November 2016 and July 2022.Fourteen patients diagnosed with acute HAO(A-HAO)by surgery and fifteen diagnosed with chronic HAO(C-HAO)were included.A control group of 33 patients without HAO complications during the same period were randomly selected using a random number table.All patients underwent an ultrasono-graphy examination.Parameters including resistance index(RI),peak systolic velocity(PSV),and portal vein velocity(PVV)were compared across the groups.Additionally,basic clinical data were collected for all patients,including gender,age,primary diagnosis,D-dimer concentration,total operation time,cold ischemia time,hot ischemia time,intraoperative blood loss and transfusion,intraoperative urine volume,infusion,model for end-stage liver disease(MELD)score,and whether complex hepatic artery reconstructions were performed.Furthermore,risk factors influencing HAO formation after LT were analyzed.RESULTS Compared to the non-HAO group,PVV and RI were higher in the A-HAO group,while PSV was lower.Conversely,both PSV and RI were lower in the C-HAO group compared to the non-HAO group.The proportion of patients undergoing complex hepatic artery reconstructions and the gamma-glutamyltransferase(GGT)level before occlusion were significantly higher in the A-HAO group compared to the non-HAO group.However,there were no distinct differences between the two groups in D-dimer,MELD score,pre-occlusion alanine transaminase and aspartate transaminase levels,or intraoperative conditions.CONCLUSION Ultrasound features of the hepatic artery before occlusion are significantly associated with postoperative HAO development.Additionally,complex hepatic artery reconstructions,defined as revascularization of the graft requiring additional anastomosis between donor hepatic arteries,constitute a risk factor for A-HAO.Besides,abnormal pre-occlusion GGT elevation is an important biochemical indicator.Therefore,ultrasound examination serves as an important tool for screening HAO,especially in patients with the identified risk factors.

Analysis of the Effects of Preoperative Hepatic Artery Chemoembolization and Quality Nursing Intervention on the Perioperative Safety and Short-term Prognosis of Liver Transplantation in Patients with Hepatocellular Carcinoma

Objective: To investigate the effects of preoperative hepatic artery chemoembolization (TACE) and quality nursing interventions on the perioperative safety and short-term prognosis in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma undergoing liver transplantation. Methods: The study period spanned from January 2021 to December 2023, and 125 patients with hepatocellular carcinoma admitted to our hospital were selected, all of whom underwent liver transplantation. They were randomly divided into an observation group (n = 63) and a control group (n = 62). The patients in the control group did not undergo TACE before the operation, and the patients in the observation group underwent TACE and quality nursing intervention before the operation. The operation time, intraoperative blood loss, length of hospitalization, liver- free period, complication rate, short-term prognosis, and liver function indexes between the two groups were compared. Results: There was no significant difference in operation time, intraoperative blood loss, and length of hospitalization between the two groups (P < 0.05). The liver-free period of patients in the observation group was longer than that of the control group (P < 0.05). The two groups had no significant difference in the incidence of biliary complications, vascular complications, and postoperative infections (P > 0.05). The rate of immune reactive complications in the observation group was lower than that of the control group (P < 0.05). There was no significant difference in the perioperative mortality rate, 1-year postoperative survival rate, and 2-year postoperative survival rate (P > 0.05). The two groups had no significant difference in postoperative liver function indexes (P > 0.05). Conclusion: Preoperative TACE and high-quality nursing intervention in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma had no adverse effect on the perioperative safety and short-term prognosis, prolonged the liver-free time, and reduced the incidence of immune-reactive complications.

How to deal with right hepatic artery coming from the superior mesenteric artery during minimally invasive pancreaticoduodenectomy: A systematic review

Background: Anatomical variations in the liver arterial supply are quite common and can affect the surgical strategy when performing a minimally invasive pancreaticoduodenectomy(MIPD). Their presence must be preemptively detected to avoid postoperative liver and biliary complications. Data sources: Following the PRISMA guidelines and the Cochrane protocol we conducted a systematic review on the management of an accessory or replaced right hepatic artery(RHA) arising from the superior mesenteric artery when performing an MIPD. Results: Five studies involving 118 patients were included. The most common reported management of the aberrant RHA was conservative(97.0%);however, patients undergoing aberrant RHA division without reconstruction did not develop liver or biliary complications. No differences in postoperative morbidity or long-term oncological related overall survival were reported in all the included studies when comparing MIPD in patients with standard anatomy to those with aberrant RHA. Conclusions: MIPD in patients with aberrant RHA is feasible without increase in morbidity and mortality. As preoperative strategy is crucial, we suggested planning an MIPD with an anomalous RHA focusing on preoperative vascular aberrancy assessment and different strategies to reduce the risk of liver ischemia.

Donor hepatic artery reconstruction based on human embryology:A case report

BACKGROUND Embryonic hepatic artery anatomy simplifies its identification during liver transplantation.Injuries to the donor hepatic artery can cause complications in this process.The hepatic artery's complex anatomy in adults makes this step challenging;however,during embryonic development,the artery and its branches have a simpler relationship.By restoring the embryonic hepatic artery anatomy,surgeons can reduce the risk of damage and increase the procedure's success rate.This approach can lead to improved patient outcomes and lower complication rates.CASE SUMMARY In this study,we report a case of donor liver preparation using a donor hepatic artery preparation based on human embryology.During the preparation of the hepatic artery,we restored the anatomy of the celiac trunk,superior mesenteric artery,and their branches to the state of the embryo at 5 wk.This allowed us to dissect the variant hepatic artery from the superior mesenteric artery and left gastric artery during the operation.After implanting the donor liver into the recipient,we observed normal blood flow in the donor hepatic artery,main hepatic artery,and variant hepatic artery,without any leakage.CONCLUSION Donor hepatic artery preparation based on human embryology can help reduce the incidence of donor hepatic artery injuries during liver transplantation.

Predicting the prognosis of hepatic arterial infusion chemotherapy in hepatocellular carcinoma

Hepatic artery infusion chemotherapy(HAIC)has good clinical efficacy in the treatment of advanced hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC);however,its efficacy varies.This review summarized the ability of various markers to predict the efficacy of HAIC and provided a reference for clinical applications.As of October 25,2023,51 articles have been retrieved based on keyword predictions and HAIC.Sixteen eligible articles were selected for inclusion in this study.Comprehensive literature analysis found that methods used to predict the efficacy of HAIC include serological testing,gene testing,and imaging testing.The above indicators and their combined forms showed excellent predictive effects in retrospective studies.This review summarized the strategies currently used to predict the efficacy of HAIC in middle and advanced HCC,analyzed each marker's ability to predict HAIC efficacy,and provided a reference for the clinical application of the prediction system.

Hepatic arterial infusion chemotherapy with anti-angiogenesis agents and immune checkpoint inhibitors for unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND Hepatic arterial infusion chemotherapy(HAIC)has been proven to be an ideal choice for treating unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma(uHCC).HAIC-based treatment showed great potential for treating uHCC.However,large-scale studies on HAIC-based treatments and meta-analyses of first-line treatments for uHCC are lacking.AIM To investigate better first-line treatment options for uHCC and to assess the safety and efficacy of HAIC combined with angiogenesis inhibitors,programmed cell death of protein 1(PD-1)and its ligand(PD-L1)blockers(triple therapy)under real-world conditions.METHODS Several electronic databases were searched to identify eligible randomized controlled trials for this meta-analysis.Study-level pooled analyses of hazard ratios(HRs)and odds ratios(ORs)were performed.This was a retrospective single-center study involving 442 patients with uHCC who received triple therapy or angiogenesis inhibitors plus PD-1/PD-L1 blockades(AIPB)at Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center from January 2018 to April 2023.Propensity score matching(PSM)was performed to balance the bias between the groups.The Kaplan-Meier method and cox regression were used to analyse the survival data,and the log-rank test was used to compare the suvival time between the groups.RESULTS A total of 13 randomized controlled trials were included.HAIC alone and in combination with sorafenib were found to be effective treatments(P values for ORs:HAIC,0.95;for HRs:HAIC+sorafenib,0.04).After PSM,176 HCC patients were included in the analysis.The triple therapy group(n=88)had a longer median overall survival than the AIPB group(n=88)(31.6 months vs 14.6 months,P<0.001)and a greater incidence of adverse events(94.3%vs 75.4%,P<0.001).CONCLUSION This meta-analysis suggests that HAIC-based treatments are likely to be the best choice for uHCC.Our findings confirm that triple therapy is more effective for uHCC patients than AIPB.

Efficacy of hepatic arterial infusion chemotherapy and its combination strategies for advanced hepatocellular carcinoma:A network meta-analysis

BACKGROUND With the rapid progress of systematic therapy for hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC),therapeutic strategies combining hepatic arterial infusion chemotherapy(HAIC)with systematic therapy arised increasing concentrations.However,there have been no systematic review comparing HAIC and its combination strategies in the first-line treatment for advanced HCC.AIM To investigate the efficacy and safety of HAIC and its combination therapies for advanced HCC.METHODS A network meta-analysis was performed by including 9 randomized controlled trails and 35 cohort studies to carry out our study.The outcomes of interest comprised overall survival(OS),progression-free survival(PFS),tumor response and adverse events.Hazard ratios(HR)and odds ratios(OR)with a 95% confidence interval(CI)were calculated and agents were ranked based on their ranking probability.RESULTS HAIC outperformed Sorafenib(HR=0.55,95%CI:0.42-0.72;HR=0.51,95%CI:0.33-0.78;OR=2.86,95%CI:1.37-5.98;OR=5.45,95%CI:3.57-8.30;OR=7.15,95%CI:4.06-12.58;OR=2.89,95%CI:1.99-4.19;OR=0.48,95%CI:0.25-0.92,respectively)and transarterial chemoembolization(TACE)(HR=0.50,95%CI:0.33-0.75;HR=0.62,95%CI:0.39-0.98;OR=3.08,95%CI:1.36-6.98;OR=2.07,95%CI:1.54-2.80;OR=3.16,95%CI:1.71-5.85;OR=2.67,95%CI:1.59-4.50;OR=0.16,95%CI:0.05-0.54,respectively)in terms of efficacy and safety.HAIC+lenvatinib+ablation,HAIC+ablation,HAIC+anti-programmed cell death 1(PD-1),and HAIC+radiotherapy had the higher likelihood of providing better OS and PFS outcomes compared to HAIC alone.HAIC+TACE+S-1,HAIC+lenvatinib,HAIC+PD-1,HAIC+TACE,and HAIC+sorafenib had the higher likelihood of providing better partial response and objective response rate outcomes compared to HAIC.HAIC+PD-1,HAIC+TACE+S-1 and HAIC+TACE had the higher likelihood of providing better complete response and disease control rate outcomes compared to HAIC alone.CONCLUSION HAIC proved more effective and safer than sorafenib and TACE.Furthermore,combined with other interventions,HAIC showed improved efficacy over HAIC monotherapy according to the treatment ranking analysis.

Prevention and treatment of hepatic artery thrombosis after liver transplantation

BACKGROUND: Hepatic artery thrombosis (HAT) which is a serious complication after orthotopic liver transplanta- tion (OLT) remains a significant cause of graft loss. The purpose of this study was to sum up our experiences in the prevention, diagnosis and management of HAT after liver transplantation. METHODS: From April 1993 to September 2003, a total of 198 patients underwent OLT at our hospital. The hepatic artery was anastomosed using 7/0 prolane with running continuous suture in 96 patients (group 1) and with inter- rupted suture in 102 (group 2). Ultrasonography was per- formed every day in two weeks after operation and selec- tively afterwards. RESULTS: HAT occurred in 6 patients (6.3%, 6/96) of group 1, and in 1 (1%, 1/102) of group 2 (x2=4.027, P= 0.045). Six patients received emergency thrombectomy, and 1 conservative therapy but died from tumor recurrence eventually. Biliary complication developed in 3 patients af- ter thrombectomy of whom 2 died of liver failure and one waited for retransplantation. In the other 3 patients after thrombectomy, 1 died of renal failure, and 2 survived. The mortality of patients with HAT was 57.1% (4/7). CONCLUSIONS: The technique of hepatic arterial anasto- mosis is the key factor for the prevention of HAT. Routine ultrasonography is very important in early detection of HAT after OLT. Biliary complication is a severe outcome secondary to HAT.

Microsurgical reconstruction of hepatic artery in living donor liver transplantation:experiences and lessons

BACKGROUND: Hepatic artery (HA) reconstruction is one of the key steps for living donor liver transplantation (LDLT). The incidence of HA thrombosis has been reduced by the introduction of nucrosurgical techniques under a high resolution microscope or loupe. METHODS: We report our experience in 101 cases of HA reconstruction in LDLTs using the graft-artery-undamp and posterior-wall-first technique. The reconstructions were completed by either a plastic surgeon or a transplant surgeon. RESULTS: The rate of HA thrombosis was 2% (2/101). The risk factors for failed procedures appeared to be reduced by participation of the transplant surgeon compared with the plastic surgeon. For a graft with duplicate arteries, we considered no branches should be discarded even with a positive clamping test. CONCLUSIONS: HA reconstruction without clamping the graft artery is a feasible and simplified technique, which can be mastered by transplant surgeons with considerable microsurgical training.

Asymptomatic process of hepatic artery thrombosis in a patient after orthotopic liver transplantation

BACKGROUND: Hepatic artery thrombosis is one of the serious complications after liver transplantation. It wil mostly cause a failure of the transplantation. This case o hepatic artery thrombosis showed a stable clinical course and minimal histological change, and now has been survi ving for 4 years with normal liver function. We investigated the possible causes for asymptomatic hepatic artery throm bosis in one patient after orthotopic liver transplantation ( OLT) and discussed the diagnosis of ischemia of OLT pathologically and clinically. METHODS: Liver function test, color Doppler ultrasono graphy, and hepatic arteriography were performed during the development of hepatic arteriothrombosis. Possible fac- tors for the asymptomatic process of the thrombosis were analyzed. RESULTS: On the 4th postoperative day, thrombosis form ed at the anastomotic stoma of the hepatic artery, and on the 11th postoperative day, the artery was completely oc- cluded. Serial liver biopsies revealed intrahepatic cholesta- sis, hydropic degeneration of hepatocytes, atrophy of the biliary epithelium, and fibrosis in the portal area. Monitor- ing of liver function showed nothing abnormal except ele- vation of γ-GT and ALP levels. On the 71st day after OLT, arteriography demonstrated that the hepatic artery re- mained completely occluded in addition to the establish- ment of collateral circulation and compensation of the por- tal vein. The patient didn' t show any symptoms of arterial thrombosis. CONCLUSION: Collateral circulation and compensation o the portal vein are beneficial to allograft survival and avoidence of retransplantation after thrombosis of the he- patic artery. Color Doppler ultrasonography within 2 weeks after OLT is helpful to the early diagnosis of hepatic arterio- thrombosis.

Microsurgical reconstruction of hepatic artery in A-A LDLT:124 consecutive cases without HAT

AIM:To retrospectively investigate microsurgical hepatic artery(HA) reconstruction and management of hepatic thrombosis in adult-to-adult living donor liver transplantation(A-A LDLT).METHODS:From January 2001 to September 2009,182 recipients with end-stage liver disease underwent A-A LDLT.Ten of these patients received dual grafts.The 157 men and 25 women had an age range of 18 to 68 years(mean age,42 years).Microsurgical techniques and running sutures with back-wall first techniques were performed in all arterial reconstructions under surgical loupes(3.5 ×) by a group of vascular surgeons.Intimal dissections were resolved by interposition of the great saphenous vein(GSV) between the donor right hepatic artery(RHA) and recipient common HA(3 cases) or abdominal aorta(AA)(2 cases),by interposition of cryopreserved iliac vessels between the donor RHA and recipient AA(2 cases).RESULTS:In the 58 incipient patients in this series,hepatic arterial thrombosis(HAT) was encountered in 4 patients,and was not observed in 124 consecutive cases(total 192 grafts,major incidence,2.08%).All cases of HAT were suspected by routine color Doppler ultrasonographic examination and confirmed by contrast-enhanced ultrasound and hepatic angiography.Of these cases of HAT,two occurred on the 1st and 7th d,respectively,following A-A LDLT,and were immediately revascularized with GSV between the graft and recipient AA.HAT in one patient occurred on the 46th postoperative day with no symptoms,and the remaining case of HAT occurred on the 3rd d following A-A LDLT,and was cured by thrombolytic therapy combined with an anticoagulant but died of multiorgan failure on the 36th d after A-A LDLT.No deaths were related to HAT.CONCLUSION:Applying microsurgical techniques and selecting an appropriate anastomotic artery for HA reconstruction are crucial in reducing the high risk of HAT during A-A LDLT.

Safety and efficacy of an integrated endovascular treatment strategy for early hepatic artery occlusion after liver transplantation

Background:Hepatic artery occlusion(HAO)after liver transplantation(LT)is typically comprised of hepatic artery thrombosis(HAT)and stenosis(HAS),both of which are severe complications that coexist and interdependent.This study aimed to evaluate an integrated endovascular treatment(EVT)strategy for the resolution of early HAO and identify the risk factors associated with early HAO as well as the procedural challenge encountered in the treatment strategy.Methods:Consecutive orthotopic LT recipients(n=366)who underwent transplantation between June 2017 and December 2018 were retrospectively investigated.EVT was performed using an integrated strategy that involved thrombolytic therapy,shunt artery embolization plus vasodilator therapy,percutaneous transluminal angioplasty,and/or stent placement.Simple EVT was defined as the clinical resolution of HAO by one round of EVT with thrombolytic therapy and/or shunt artery embolization plus vasodilator therapy.Otherwise,it was defined as complex EVT.Results:Twenty-six patients(median age 52 years)underwent EVT for early HAO that occurred within 30 days post-LT.The median interval from LT to EVT was 7(6–16)days.Revascularization time(OR=1.027;95%CI:1.005–1.050;P=0.018)and the need for conduit(OR=3.558;95%CI:1.241–10.203,P=0.018)were independent predictors for early HAO.HAT was diagnosed in eight patients,and four out of those presented with concomitant HAS.We achieved 100%technical success and recanalization by performing simple EVT in 19 patients(3 HAT+/HAS-and 16 HAT-/HAS+)and by performing complex EVT in seven patients(1 HAT+/HAS-,4 HAT+/HAS+,and 2 HAT-/HAS+),without major complications.The primary assisted patency rates at 1,6,and 12 months were all 100%.The cumulative overall survival rates at 1,6,and 12 months were 88.5%,88.5%,and 80.8%,respectively.Autologous transfusion<600 mL(94.74%vs.42.86%,P=0.010)and interrupted suture for hepatic artery anastomosis(78.95%vs.14.29%,P=0.005)were more prevalent in simple EVT.Conclusions:The integrated EVT strategy was a feasible approach providing effective resolution with excellent safety for early HAO after LT.Appropriate autologous transfusion and interrupted suture technique helped simplify EVT.

Interventional treatment of acute hepatic artery occlusion after liver transplantation

BACKGROUND: With the development of the associated technology, interventional treatment has become an important method for the treatment of hepatic artery occlusion in some countries. This study was undertaken to evaluate the role of interventional methods in the diagnosis and treatment of acute hepatic artery occlusion after liver transplantation. METHODS: The diagnosis and treatment of 9 cases of acute hepatic artery occlusion after liver transplantation were retrospectively analyzed. RESULTS: In 109 cases of liver transplantation, 9 were diagnosed by angiography. Among them, 7 were diagnosed by Doppler ultrasound. After transcatheter thrombolysis, the hepatic arteries were partially or totally patent again in 6 cases of hepatic artery occlusion after liver transplantation, and stent placements in the hepatic artery were performed in 5 cases. All stents proved patent and no patient required another liver transplantation. CONCLUSIONS: Angiography plays an important role in diagnosing hepatic artery complications after liver transplantation. Interventional therapy is a valuable method in the treatment of acute hepatic artery occlusion after liver transplantation.

The effects of ischemia-reperfusion injury and hepatic artery ischemia on CD14 expression in canine auto-transplantation livers

Objective： To study the effect of ischemia-reperfusion injury（IRI） and hepatic artery ischemia（HAI） on CD14 expression in canine auto-transplantation livers. Methods：Liver orthotopic auto-transplantation models were applied with 30 healthy male Xi＇ an canines which were randomly divided into a control group, simultaneous reperfusion（SR） group and HAI group, CD14 protein expression, Malonaldehyde （MDA） Contents in hepatic tissues and ALT values in serum were detected, and the pathological changes of hepatic tissues was investigated under the light microscopy. Results：The level of CD14 protein expression in SR and HAI group tended to be time-dependent and both higher than controls with statistical significance（P 〈 0.01）; The peak values of these two groups both occurred at 4 h, but the level in HAI group （11.94 ± 0.43） was evidently higher than that in SR group（3.04 ± 0.34）. MDA contents in liver tissue, ALT values in serum and pathological changes showed the same changing tendency as CD 14 expression. Conclusion：（1） Up-regulation of CD14 expression may be the receptor-mechanism of Kupffer cells（KCs） activation in liver transplantation. （2） HAI can upregulate CD14 expression after portal vein reperfusion, improve the activity of KCs further more, increase OFRs production and cooperate with portal reperfusion, and finally aggravate the grafts injury.

Hepatic artery reconstruction in pediatric liver transplantation:Experience from a single group

Background:The reconstruction of hepatic artery is a challenging part of the pediatric liver transplantation procedure.Hepatic artery thrombosis(HAT)and stenosis are complications which may result in ischemic biliary injury,causing early graft lost and even death.Methods:Two hundred and fifty-nine patients underwent liver transplantation in 2017 in a single liver transplantation group.Among them,225 patients were living donor liver transplantation(LDLT)and 34 deceased donor liver transplantation(DDLT).Results:In LDLT all reconstructions of hepatic artery were microsurgical,while in DDLT either microsurgical reconstruction or traditional continuous suture technique was done depending on different conditions.There were five(1.9%)HATs:four(4/34,11.8%)in DDLT(all whole liver grafts)and one(1/225,0.4%)in LDLT(P=0.001).Four HATs were managed conservatively using anticoagulation,and 1 accepted salvage surgery with re-anastomosis.Until now,3 HAT patients remain in good condition,whereas two developed biliary complications.One of them needed to be re-transplanted,and the other patient died due to biliary complications.Conclusions:Microsurgical technique significantly improves the reconstruction of hepatic artery in pediatric liver transplantation.The risk for arterial complications is higher in DDLT.Conservative therapy can achieve good outcome in selected HAT cases.

Stent-grafts placement for treatment of massive hemorrhage from ruptured hepatic artery after pancreaticoduodenectomy

AIM:To present a series of cases with life-threatening hemorrhage from ruptured hepatic artery pseudoaneurysm after pancreaticoduodenectomy(PD) treated with placement of stent-grafts.METHODS:Massive hemorrhage from ruptured hepatic artery pseudoaneurysm after PD in 9 patients(6 men,3 women) at the age of 23-75 years(mean 48 years),were treated with placement of percutaneous endovascular balloon-expandable coronary stent-grafts.All patients were not suitable for embolization because of a non-patent portal vein.One or more stent-grafts,ranging 3-6 mm in diameter and 16-55 mm in length,were placed to exclude ruptured pseudoaneurysm.Followup data,including clinical condition,liver function tests,and Doppler ultrasound examination,were recorded at the outpatient clinic.RESULTS:Immediate technical success was achieved in all the 9 patients.All stent-grafts were deployed in the intended position for immediate cessation of bleeding and preservation of satisfactory hepatic arterial blood flow.No significant procedure-related complications occurred.Recurrent bleeding occurred in 2 patients at 16 and 24 h,respectively,after placement of stent-grafts and treated with surgical revision.One patient died of sepsis 12 d after the interventional procedure.The remaining 6 patients were survived when they were discharged.The mean follow-up time was 10.5 mo(range 4-16 mo).No patient had recurrent bleeding after discharge.Doppler ultrasound examination verified the patency of hepatic artery and stent-grafts during the follow-up.CONCLUSION:Placement of stent-grafts is an effective and safe procedure for acute life-threatening hemorrhage from ruptured hepatic artery pseudoaneurysm.

Effect of hepatic artery resection and reconstruction on the prognosis of patients with advanced hilar cholangiocarcinoma

BACKGROUND Hilar cholangiocarcinoma(HC)is a good adaptation certificate of hepatic arterectomy,and hepatic arterectomy is conductive to the radical resection of cholangiocarcinoma,which simplifies the operation and helps with a combined resection of the peripheral portal tissue.With continuous development of surgical techniques,especially microsurgical technique,vascular invasion is no longer a contraindication to surgery in the past 10 years.However,hepatic artery reconstruction after hepatic arterectomy has been performed to treat liver tumor in many centers with better results,but it is rarely applied in advanced HC.AIM To determine the prognosis of patients with advanced HC after hepatic artery resection and reconstruction.METHODS A total of 98 patients with HC who underwent radical operation in our hospital were selected for this retrospective analysis.According to whether the patients underwent hepatic artery resection and reconstruction or not,they were divided into reconstruction(n=40)and control(n=58)groups.The traumatic indices,surgical resection margin,liver function tests before and after the operation,and surgical complications were compared between the two groups.RESULTS Operation time,blood loss,hospital stay,and gastrointestinal function recovery time were higher in the reconstruction group than in the control group(P<0.05);The R0 resection rates were 90.00%and 72.41%in the reconstruction and control groups,respectively(P<0.05).Serum alanine aminotransferase was lower in the reconstruction group on day one and three postoperatively,whereas serum aspartate aminotransferase was lower on the third day(P<0.05).Preoperatively,the Karnofsky performance status scores were similar between the groups(P>0.05),but was higher in the reconstruction group(P<0.05)two weeks postoperatively.There was no difference in the complication rate between the two groups(27.50%vs 32.67%,P>0.05).Two-year survival rate(42.50%vs 39.66%)and two-year survival time(22.0 mo vs 23.0 mo)were similar between the groups(P>0.05).CONCLUSION Radical surgery combined with reconstruction after hepatic artery resection improves R0 resection rate and reduces postoperative liver injury in advanced HC.However,the operation is difficult and the effect on survival time is not clear.