Targeted puncture of left branch of intrahepatic portal vein in transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt to reduce hepatic encephalopathy

BACKGROUND Transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt(TIPS) is currently used for the treatment of complications of portal hypertension. The incidence of hepatic encephalopathy(HE) remains a problem in TIPS placement. It has been reported that the right branch mainly receives superior mesenteric venous blood while the left branch mainly receives blood from the splenic vein. We hypothesized that targeted puncture of the left portal vein would divert the non-nutritive blood from the splenic vein into the TIPS shunt; therefore, targeted puncture of the left branch of the intrahepatic portal vein during TIPS may reduce the risk of HE.AIM To evaluate the influence of targeted puncture of left branch of portal vein in TIPS on HE.METHODS A retrospective analysis of 1244 patients with portal-hypertension-related complications of refractory ascites or variceal bleeding who underwent TIPS from January 2000 to January 2013 was performed. Patients were divided into group A(targeting left branch of portal vein, n = 937) and group B(targeting right branch of portal vein, n = 307). TIPS-related HE and clinical outcomes were analyzed.RESULTS The symptoms of ascites and variceal bleeding disappeared within a short time.By the endpoint of follow-up, recurrent bleeding and ascites did not differ significantly between groups A and B(P = 0.278, P = 0.561, respectively).Incidence of HE differed significantly between groups A and B at 1 mo(14.94% vs36.80%, χ~2 = 4.839, P = 0.028), 3 mo(12.48% vs 34.20%, χ~2 = 5.054, P = 0.025), 6 mo(10.03% vs 32.24%, χ~2 = 6.560, P = 0.010), 9 mo(9.17% vs 31.27%, χ~2 = 5.357, P =0.021), and 12 mo(8.21% vs 28.01, χ~2 = 3.848, P = 0.051). There were no significant differences between groups A and B at 3 years(6.61% vs 7.16%, χ~2 = 1.204, P =0.272) and 5 years(5.01% vs 6.18%, χ~2 = 0.072, P = 0.562). The total survival rate did not differ between groups A and B(χ~2 = 0.226, P = 0.634, log-rank test).CONCLUSION Targeted puncture of the left branch of the intrahepatic portal vein during TIPS may reduce the risk of HE but has no direct influence on prognosis of portalhypertension-related complications.

Precise hepatectomy guided by the middle hepatic vein

The middle hepatic vein (MHV) lies in the midplane of the liver. The classical teaching of right or left hepatectomy is transection of liver I cm to the right or left wall of the MHV in order to avoid bleeding. However, guidance of liver transection is lost if the course of the MHV is not known. By exposing the MHV early in the phase of liver transection and following its course to the inferior vena cava, a precise liver transection plane could be obtained. Such technique has the potential of achieving adequate tumor-free resection margin, avoiding damage to intrahepatic portal pedicles, preserving venous drainage and functional liver tissue, and less postoperative infection.

Clinical studies on inferior right hepatic veins

BACKGROUND: Many small veins are called accessory, short hepatic veins in addition to the right, middle and left hepatic veins. The size of these veins varied from a pinhole to 1 cm; the size of inferior right hepatic veins (IRHVs) is thicker than that of short hepatic veins or more than 1 cm. occasionally. Adults have a higher incidence rate of the IRHV. DATA SOURCES: A literature search of the PubMed database was conducted and research articles were reviewed. RESULTS: The size of IRHVs is related to the size of the right hepatic vein, i.e. the larger the diameter of the right hepatic vein, the smaller the diameter of the IRHVs, and vice versa. The IRHVs are divided into superior, medial and inferior groups, separately named the superior, medial and inferior right hepatic veins according to the position of the IRHV entering the inferior vena cava. The superior right hepatic vein mainly drains the superior part of segment VII, and the medial right hepatic vein drains the middle part of segment VII. A thicker IRHV mainly drains segment VI and the inferior part of segment VII and a thinner IRHV drains the inferior part of segment V. CONCLUSIONS: The clinical significance of these studies on IRHVs is varied: (1) Hepatic caudate lobe resection could be introduced after study on the veins of that lobe. (2) It is very important to identify the draining region of the IRHV for guiding hepatic segmentectomy. The postero-inferior area of the right lobe can be preserved along with the hypertrophic IRHV even if the entire main right hepatic vein is resected during segmentectomy of VII and VIII with right hepatic vein resection for patients with primary liver cancer. (3) The ligation of the major hepatic vein for the treatment of juxtahepatic vein injury is recommended because of severe hemorrhagic shock and difficulty in exposure. (4) It is very helpful to decide therapeutic modalities for Budd-Chiari syndrome.

Glissonian approach combined with major hepatic vein first for laparoscopic anatomic hepatectomy

Background: Laparoscopic anatomic hepatectomy remains challenging because of the complex interior structures of the liver. Our novel strategy includes the Glissonian approach and the major hepatic vein first, which serves to define the external and internal landmarks for laparoscopic anatomic hepatectomy.Methods: Eleven cases underwent laparoscopic anatomic hepatectomy, including three right hepatectomies, three left hepatectomies, three right posterior hepatectomies, and two mesohepatectomies. The Glissonian approach was used to transect the hepatic pedicles as external demarcation. The major hepatic vein near the hepatic portal was exposed and served as the internal landmark for parenchymal transection. The liver parenchyma below and above the major hepatic vein was transected along the major hepatic vein. Fifty-nine subjects were used to compare the distance between the major hepatic vein and secondary Glisson pedicles among different liver diseases.Results: The average operative time was 327 min with an estimated blood loss of 554.55 m L. Only two patients received three units of packed red blood cells. The others recovered normally and were discharged on postoperative day 7. The distance between right posterior Glissonian pedicle and right hepatic vein was shorter in the patients with cirrhosis than that without cirrhosis, and this distance was even shorter in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma.Conclusion: The Glissonian approach with the major hepatic vein first is easy and feasible for laparoscopic anatomic hepatectomy, especially in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma and cirrhosis.

Management of the middle hepatic vein and its tributaries in right lobe living donor liver transplantation

BACKGROUND: Left liver graft from a small donor will not meet the metabolic demands of a larger adult recipient. To overcome the problem of graft size insufficiency, living donor liver transplantation (LDLT) using the right lobe has become a standard method for adult patients. As the drainage of the median sector (segments V, VIII and IV) is mainly by the middle hepatic vein (MHV), the issue of whether the MHV should or should not be taken with the graft or whether the MHV tributaries (V5, V8) should be reconstructed in the recipient remains to be settled. DATA SOURCES: An English-language literature search was conducted using MEDLINE (1985-2006) on right lobe living donor liver transplantation, middle hepatic vein, vein graft, hepatic venoplasty and other related subjects. RESULTS: Some institutions had proposed their policy for the management of the MHV and its tributaries. Dominancy of the hepatic vein, graft-to-recipient weight ratio, and remnant liver volume as well as the donor-to-recipient body weight ratio, the volume of the donor's right lobe to the recipient's standard liver volume and the size of MHV tributaries are the major elements for the criteria of inclusion of the MHV, while for the policy of MHV tributaries reconstruction, the proportion of congestive area and the diameter of the tributaries are the critical elements. Optimal vein grafts such as recipient's portal vein and hepatic venoplasty technique have been used to obviate hepatic congestion and venous drainage disturbance. CONCLUSIONS: Taking right liver grafts with the MHV trunk (extended right lobe grafts) or performing the MHV tributaries reconstruction in modified right lobe grafts, according to the criteria proposed by the institutions with rich experience, can solve the congestion problem of the right paramedian sector and help to improve the outcomes of the patients. The additional use of optimal vein grafts and hepatic venoplasty also can guarantee excellent venous drainage.

Early control of short hepatic portal veins in isolated or combined hepatic caudate lobectomy

BACKGROUND:Caudate lobectomy has long been considered technically difficult.This study aimed to elaborate the significance of early control of short hepatic portal veins(SHPVs) in isolated hepatic caudate lobectomy or in hepatic caudate lobectomy combined with major partial hepatectomy,and to describe the anatomical characteristics of SHPVs.METHODS:The data of 117 patients who underwent either isolated or combined caudate lobectomy by the same team of surgeons from 2005 to 2009 were retrospectively analyzed.From 2005 to 2007(group A,n=55),we carried out early control of short hepatic veins(SHVs) only;from 2008 to 2009(group B,n=62),we carried out early control of both SHVs and SHPVs.The two groups were compared to evaluate which surgical procedure was better.A detailed anatomical study was then carried out on the last 25 consecutive patients in group B to study the number and distribution of SHPVs during surgery.RESULTS:Patients in group B had less intra-operative blood loss,less impairment of liver function,shorter postoperative hospital stay,fewer postoperative complications and required less blood transfusion(P<0.05).The number of SHPVs in the 25 patients was 183,with 7.3±2.7 per patient.The diameters of SHPVs were 1 to 4 mm.On average,3.4 SHPVs/patient came from the left portal vein,2.2 from the bifurcation,1.4 from the right portal vein,and 0.3 from the main portal vein.On average,3.3 SHPVs/patient supplied segment I of the liver,0.4 for segment II,2.1 for segment IV,1.4 for segment V and 0.1 for segment VI.CONCLUSION:Early control of SHPVs in isolated or combined hepatic caudate lobectomy may be a useful method to decrease surgical risk and improve postoperative recovery.

Hepatic arterial infusion chemotherapy in hepatocellular carcinoma with portal vein tumor thrombosis

AIM: To evaluate the prognostic factors and efficacy of hepatic arterial infusion chemotherapy in hepatocellular carcinoma with portal vein tumor thrombosis. METHODS: Fifty hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patients with portal vein tumor thrombosis (PVTT) were treated using hepatic arterial infusion chemotherapy (HAIC) via a subcutaneously implanted port. The epirubicin-cisplatin-5-fluorouracil (ECF) chemotherapeutic regimen consisted of 35 mg/m 2 epirubicin on day 1, 60 mg/m 2 cisplatin for 2 h on day 2, and 500 mg/m 2 5-fluorouracil for 5 h on days 1-3. The treatments were repeated every 3 or 4 wk. RESULTS: Three (6%) of the 50 patients achieved a complete response (CR), 13 (26%) showed partial responses (PR), and 22 (44%) had stable disease (SD).The median survival and time to progression were 7 and 2 mo, respectively. After 2 cycles of HAIC, CR was achieved in 1 patient (2%), PR in 10 patients (20%) and SD in 26 patients (52%). Significant pre-treatment prognostic factors were a tumor volume of < 400 cm 3 (P = 0.01) and normal levels of protein induced by vitamin K absence or antagonist (PIVKA)-Ⅱ (P = 0.022). After 2 cycles of treatment, disease control (CR + PR + SD) (P = 0.001), PVTT response (P = 0.003) and α-fetoprotein reduction of over 50% (P = 0.02) were independent factors for survival. Objective response (CR + PR), disease control, PVTT response, and combination therapy during the HAIC were also significant prognostic factors. Adverse events were tolerable and successfully managed. CONCLUSION: HAIC may be an effective treatment modality for advanced HCC with PVTT in patients with tumors < 400 cm 3 and good prognostic factors.

Transarterial embolization and low-dose continuous hepatic arterial infusion chemotherapy with oxaliplatin and raltitrexed for hepatocellular carcinoma with major portal vein tumor thrombus

AIM To determine the efficacy and safety of transarterial embolization and low-dose continuous hepatic arterial infusion chemotherapy with oxaliplatin and raltitrexed in hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC) with major portal vein tumor thrombus(MPVTT).METHODS eighty-six patients with MPVTT accepted routine embolization. The catheter was kept in the hepatic artery and oxaliplatin(50 mg in 250 m L of glucose) was infused by pump for 4 h,followed by raltitrexed(2 mg in 100 m L of 0.9% saline) infusion by pump for the next 1 h. The efficacy and safety were evaluated afterthe transarterial chemoembolization(TACe).RESULTS Full or partial embolization was achieved in 86 cases,where all the cases received low dose continuous hepatic arterial infusion chemotherapy. Complete responses(CRs),partial responses(PRs),stable disease(SD),and disease progression(PD) for intrahepatic disease were observed in 0,45,20,and 21 patients,respectively. The 1-,2-and 3-year overall survival rates of the 86 patients were 40.7%,22.1%,and 8.1% respectively,and the median survival time was 8.7 mo. Complication was limited. CONCLUSION TACE with low dose continuous hepatic arterial infusion of oxaliplatin and raltitrexed could be an option in MPVTT patient; it was shown to be effective in patients with advanced HCC with MPVTT with less toxicity.

Efficacy of middle hepatic vein reconstruction in adult right-lobe living donor liver transplantation

BACKGROUND: Congestion of the right anterior segment may lead to graft dysfunction in right-lobe living donor liver transplantation (LDLT) without a middle hepatic vein (MHV) trunk. Selective reconstruction of MHV tributaries with the interposition of vascular grafts has been introduced to overcome this problem. However, there is still no consensus on the definite criteria of MHV reconstruction. METHODS: LDLT patients were reviewed to evaluate the effects of MHV reconstruction. From March 2005 to September 2008 in our transplantation center, 120 consecutive LDLTs were performed using a right-lobe graft without a MHV. Excluding 11 patients, among the remainder, 73 (67%) had reconstructed MHV tributaries, and the others 36 (33%) did not. The values of liver functional index and liver graft regeneration ratio were compared between the two groups. RESULTS: There was a prolonged period of liver functional recovery in patients with small-for-size grafts and a graft-recipient weight ratio (GRWR) <1.0%, and without MHV reconstruction. The ratio of liver regeneration 1 month postoperatively in reconstruction cases was 81%, versus 78% in patients without reconstruction (P=0.352), but among small-for-size grafts, there was a significant difference between the two groups (95% vs. 80%). CONCLUSION: Our study shows that reconstruction of MHV tributaries is not necessary in all patients, but is beneficial for patients with GRWR <1.0%. (Hepatobiliary Pancrent Dis Int 2010; 9: 135-138)

Doppler study of hepatic vein in cirrhotic patients:Correlation with liver dysfunction and hepatic hemodynamics

AIM: To elucidate the significance of Doppler measurements of hepatic vein in cirrhotic patients and to correlate with liver dysfunction and hepatic hemodynamics. METHODS: One hundred patients with liver cirrhosis and 60 non-cirrhotic controls were studied. Doppler waveforms were obtained from right hepatic vein and flow velocity measured during quiet respiration. Doppler measurements were also obtained from portal trunk, right portal vein and proper hepatic artery. RESULTS: Hepatic vein waveforms were classified into three classical patterns. Flat waveform was uncommon. Mean hepatic vein velocity was significantly higher in cirrhotic patients (12.7 ± 6.4 vs 5.1 ± 2.1 and 6.2 ± 3.2 cm/s; P < 0.0001). The poorer the grade of cirrhosis, the higher was the mean velocity. Maximum forward velocity was never greater than 40 cm/s in controls. Degree of ascites was found to be highly correlated with mean velocity. “Very high” group (≥ 20 cm/s) presented clinically with moderate to massive ascites. Correlations between right portal flow and mean velocity was significant (P < 0.0001, r = 0.687). CONCLUSION: Doppler waveforms of hepatic vein, which is independent of liver dysfunction, should be obtained during normal respiration. Mean hepatic vein velocity reflects the change in hepatic circulation associated with progression of liver cirrhosis. It can be used as a new parameter in the assessment of liver cirrhosis.

Hepatic segmentectomy combined with major hepatic vein resection for preserving remnant liver lobe

BACKGROUND: Impairment of liver function is the most serious complication that occurs after liver resection or in cirrhotic liver. Postoperative hepatic failure, which is mainly preceded by insufficient remnant liver function and/or postoperative septic complications, is the major cause of hospital mortality. This study was undertaken to evaluate hepatic segmentectomy combined with major hepatic vein (MHV) resection for preserving the remnant liver lobe in the treatment of resectable primary liver cancer. METHODS: From 1997 to 2007, six patients with primary liver cancer underwent hepatic segmentectomy with MHV resection, and three patients with hepatic vein injury had ligation of the MHV. The remnant liver lobe was preserved after hepatic segmentectomy combined with MHV resection or ligation. RESULTS: The preserved liver lobe with normal structure could maintain hepatic function and showed no evidence of atrophy or swelling after hepatic segmentectomy combined with MHV resection or ligation. CONCLUSIONS: After the right inferior hepatic vein is confirmed, and the MHV is occluded experimentally before hepatic segmentectomy combined with MHV resection, progressively deteriorating congestion does not occur in the preserved segment. Ligation or resection of the two MHVs must be avoided in patients with hepatic cirrhosis who have to undergo hepatic segmentectomy combined with MHV resection. Ligation of the MHV in patients with juxtahepatic vein injury is a simple and effective therapeutic modality.

Color Doppler ultrasonographic assessment of the risk of injury to major branch of the midddle hepatic vein during laparoscopic cholecystectomy

OBJEGTIVE: To investigate the causes of hemorrhage from the gallbladder bed during laparoscopic cholecystectomy. METHODS: 617 patients who had received laparoscopic cholecystectomy from September, 2000 to March, 2001 at this hospital were reviewed retrospectively. Ninety-one of these patients were selected randomly for prospective observation. Color Doppler ultrasound was used to examine the cause of venous hemorrhage from the gallbladder bed during laparoscopic cholecystectomy and to examine the anatomic relationship between the gallbladder bed and the branches of the middle hepatic vein in 91 patients preoperatively. RESULTS: A large branch of the middle hepatic vein extended closely behind the gallbladder bed in all 91 patients. The mean distance between the closest point (C point) of this branch to the gallbladder bed was 5.0±4.6 mm. The branch of the middle hepatic vein was completely adherent to the gallbladder bed in 14 (15.38%) of the 91 patients. The distance between this branch and the gallbladder bed was within I mm in 10 (10.99%) of the 91 patients. The inside diameter at C point of this branch was 3.2±1.1 mm. The C point was found on the left side of the longitudinal axis of the gallbladder in 31 (34.66%) of the 91 patients, on the right side in 39 patients (42.86%), just on the axis in 21 patients (23.08%). The venous blood flow rate at the C point was 9.9±3.3 cm/s. CONCLUSIONS: A large branch of the middle hepatic vein passes behind the gallbladder. The inside diameter of this branch is relatively larger. The bleeding of this branch during operation can only be stopped by transfixion. The closest point of this vein to the gallbladder is mostly situated on the right side of the longitudinal axis of the gallbladder. Patients with large branches of the middle hepatic vein close to the gallbladder bed are at risk of hemorrhage during laparoscopic cholecystectomy and should be identified preoperatively with ultrasound.

Hepatic veins anatomy and piggy-back liver transplantation

BACKGROUND:The piggy-back caval anastomosis technique is widely used in orthotopic liver transplantation although it carries an increased risk of complications,including outflow obstruction and Budd-Chiari syndrome.The aim of this study is to clarify the anatomy and variations of hepatic veins(HVs) draining into the inferior vena cava(IVC),and to classify the surgical techniques of piggy-back liver transplantation(PBLT) based on the anatomy of HVs which can reduce the occurrence of complications.METHODS:PBLT was performed in 248 consecutive cases at our hospital from January 2004 to August 2011.The anatomy of recipients’ HVs was determined when removing the native diseased livers.Both anatomy of HVs and short HVs draining into the IVC were recorded.These data were collected and analyzed.RESULTS:We classified anatomic variations of HVs in the 248 livers into five types according to the way of drainage into the IVC:type I(trunk type of left and middle HVs),142(57.3%) patients;type II(trunk type of right and middle HVs),54(21.8%);type III(trunk type of left,middle and right HVs),14(5.6%);type IV(non-trunk type of left,middle and right HVs),of which,type IVa,16(6.5%),in the same horizontal plane;type IVb,18(7.3%),in different horizontal planes;and type V(segment type),4(1.6%).The patients whose HVs anatomy belonged to types I,II and III underwent classical piggy-back liver transplantation.Type IVa patients had classical PBLT via HV venoplasty prior to piggy-back anastomosis,while type IVb patients and type V patients could only have modified PBLT.CONCLUSION:This study demonstrates that HVs can be classified according to the anatomy of their drainage into the IVC and we can use this classification to choose the best operative approach to PBLT.

Is portal vein cavernous transformation a component of congenital hepatic fibrosis?

Congenital hepatic fibrosis (CHF) is an autosomal recessive disorder that belongs to the family of fibropolycystic liver diseases. This family includes a spectrum of disorders which are usually found in combination with each other and are usually inherited. Clinically fibropolycystic diseases have three effects being present in different proportions, those of a space occupying lesion, of portal hypertension and of cholangitis. In most patients, the first manifestations of CHF are signs and symptoms related to portal hypertension such as splenomegaly and varices. Portal hypertension in these patients has been attributed to the hypoplasia or compression of the portal vein radicles in the fibrous bands. Cavernous transformation of the portal vein (CTPV) is a relatively rare condition resulting from extrahepatic portal vein obstruction with recanalization or collateral vein formation to bypass the obstruction. It has been found that patients with CHF having an accompanying CTPV have relatively large splenomegaly and suffers more frequent episodes of bleeding from esophageal varices.We believe that CTPV is a congenital component of CHF and also one of the important causative factors of portal hypertension in these patients.

Simultaneous portal and hepatic vein embolization is better than portal embolization or ALPPS for hypertrophy of future liver remnant before major hepatectomy: A systematic review and network meta-analysis

Background:Post-hepatectomy liver failure(PHLF)is the Achilles’heel of hepatic resection for colorectal liver metastases.The most commonly used procedure to generate hypertrophy of the functional liver remnant(FLR)is portal vein embolization(PVE),which does not always lead to successful hypertrophy.Associating liver partition and portal vein ligation for staged hepatectomy(ALPPS)has been proposed to overcome the limitations of PVE.Liver venous deprivation(LVD),a technique that includes simultaneous portal and hepatic vein embolization,has also been proposed as an alternative to ALPPS.The present study aimed to conduct a systematic review as the first network meta-analysis to compare the efficacy,effectiveness,and safety of the three regenerative techniques.Data sources:A systematic search for literature was conducted using the electronic databases Embase,PubMed(MEDLINE),Google Scholar and Cochrane.Results:The time to operation was significantly shorter in the ALPPS cohort than in the PVE and LVD cohorts by 27 and 22 days,respectively.Intraoperative parameters of blood loss and the Pringle maneuver demonstrated non-significant differences between the PVE and LVD cohorts.There was evidence of a significantly higher FLR hypertrophy rate in the ALPPS cohort when compared to the PVE cohort,but non-significant differences were observed when compared to the LVD cohort.Notably,the LVD cohort demonstrated a significantly better FLR/body weight(BW)ratio compared to both the ALPPS and PVE cohorts.Both the PVE and LVD cohorts demonstrated significantly lower major morbidity rates compared to the ALPPS cohort.The LVD cohort also demonstrated a significantly lower 90-day mortality rate compared to both the PVE and ALPPS cohorts.Conclusions:LVD in adequately selected patients may induce adequate and profound FLR hypertrophy before major hepatectomy.Present evidence demonstrated significantly lower major morbidity and mortality rates in the LVD cohort than in the ALPPS and PVE cohorts.

Management of the Middle Hepatic Vein in Right Lobe Living Donor Liver Transplantation: A Meta-analysis

Summary： Living donor liver transplantation （LDLT） is a curative treatment for end stage liver disease. It is advantageous due to the shortage of deceased donors. However, in LDLT, whether the middle he- patic vein （MHV） should be preserved in donors remains controversial. We conducted searches in Pub- reed, Embase, Cochrane Library, Web of Science, Ovid, and Google Scholar using the key words ＂living donor liver transplantation＂ and ＂middle hepatic vein＂. Due to ethical issues, there were no randomized control trails focusing on MHV in LDLT. The majority of reports were retrospective studies. We exam- ined the reference lists to identify related investigations. Google Scholar was then used to obtain full texts. Nine observational studies were analyzed. There were no significant differences in liver function （WMD, -5.51; P=0.12） and complications （RR, 0.98; P=0.89） in donors with or without MHV. How- ever, the liver function in recipients was greatly improved after LDLT with MHV （WMD, -78.32; P=0.01）. No definite conclusion was obtained in terms of the liver regeneration indices between LDLT with or without MHV. It was conclude that grafts with MHV in LDLT favor recipient outcomes and do not harm the living donor if a careful preoperative evaluation is oerformed.

Color Doppler ultrasonographic examination on the relationship between the gallbladder bed and major branch of the middle hepatic vein

BACKGROUND: There is a controversy about the risk of injury to the branch of the middle hepatic vein during lapa- roscopic cholecystectomy. This study was conducted to further investigate the relationship between the gallbladder bed and the branch of the middle hepatic vein. METHODS: Color Doppler ultrasound was used to exa- mine the anatomical relationship between the gallbladder bed and the branches of the middle hepatic vein in 143 healthy volunteers. RESULTS: Not all the middle hepatic vein extended close to the gallbladder bed, the branches and gallbladder beds in 23 subjects were not in the same plane during ultrasound scanning. In 21 of the 143 subjects the branch of the middle hepatic vein was completely adherent to the gallbladder bed with a diameter ranging from 1.2 mm to 3.6 mm. In 10 subjects the branches of the middle hepatic vein traversed approximately 1.0 mm from the gallbladder bed with a dia- meter ranging from 1.6 mm to 3.0 mm. CONCLUSIONS: In most subjects the branch of the middle hepatic vein and the gallbladder bed are well separated. Only patients with large branches of the middle hepatic vein close to the gallbladder bed are at risk of hemorrhage during laparoscopic cholecystectomy.

Transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt is effective in patients with chronic portal vein thrombosis and variceal bleeding

Background:Studies about treatment of patients with chronic portal vein thrombosis(CPVT)are still limited,especially in different types of CPVT.This study aimed to evaluate the effect of transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt(TIPS)in all types of CPVT with variceal bleeding.Methods:Patients with CPVT who received TIPS treatment between January 2011 and June 2019 were divided into four types according to the extent of thrombosis.All patients had a history of variceal bleeding.The characteristics and clinical parameters were collected and recorded.Data on procedure success rate,variation in portal vein pressure,rebleeding,hepatic encephalopathy(HE),stent stenosis,and overall mortality were analyzed.Results:A total of 189 patients were included in this study(39 in type 1,84 in type 2,48 in type 3,18 in type 4).The TIPS procedure success rate was 86.2%.The success rate was significantly different among the four types(89.7%vs.88.1%vs.83.3%vs.77.8%,P=0.001).In the TIPS success group,portal vein pressure was significantly reduced from 27.15±6.59 to 19.74±6.73 mm Hg after the procedure(P<0.001)and the rebleeding rate was significantly lower than that of the fail group(14.7%vs.30.8%,P=0.017).In addition,there were no significant differences in HE rate(30.7%vs.26.9%,P=0.912)or overall mortality(12.9%vs.19.2%,P=0.403)between the TIPS success group and the fail group.In the TIPS success group,we found that the occurrence of HE was significantly different(P=0.020)among the four types,while there were no significant differences in rebleeding rate(P=0.669),stent stenosis rate(P=0.056),or overall mortality(P=0.690).Conclusions:TIPS was safe and effective in decreasing portal vein pressure and rebleeding rate in patients with CPVT.

Embolization of splenorenal shunt associated to portal vein thrombosis and hepatic encephalopathy

Hepatic encephalopathy(HE)is a cognitive disturbance characterized by neuropsychiatric alterations.It occurs in acute and chronic hepatic disease and also in patients with portosystemic shunts.The presence of these portosystemic shunts allows the passage of nitrogenous substances from the intestines through systemic veins without liver depuration.Therefore,the embolization of these shunts has been performed tocontrol HE manifestations,but the presence of portal vein thrombosis is considered a contraindication.In this presentation we show a cirrhotic patient with severe HE and portal vein thrombosis who was submitted to embolization of a large portosystemic shunt.Case report:a 57 years-old cirrhotic patient who had been hospitalized many times for persistent HE and hepatic coma,even without precipitant factors.She had a wide portosystemic shunt and also portal vein thrombosis.The abdominal angiography confirmed the splenorenal shunt and showed other shunts.The larger shunt was embolized through placement of microcoils,and the patient had no recurrence of overt HE.There was a little increase of esophageal and gastric varices,but no endoscopic treatment was needed.Since portosystemic shunts are frequent causes of recurrent HE in cirrhotic patients,portal vein thrombosis should be considered a relative contraindication to perform a shunt embolization.However,in particular cases with many shunts and severe HE,we found that one of these shunts can be safely embolized and this procedure can be sufficient to obtain a good HE recovery.In conclusion,we reported a case of persistent HE due to a wide portosystemic shunt associated with portal vein thrombosis.As the patient had other shunts,she was successfully treated by embolization of the larger shunt.

Repair of the portal vein using a hepatic ligamentum teres patch for laparoscopic pancreatoduodenectomy: A case report

BACKGROUND Laparoscopic pancreatoduodenectomy (LPD) has been developed gradually with the advances in surgical laparoscopic techniques. It is technically challenging to perform LPD with portal vein resection and reconstruction. CASE SUMMARY A 71-year-old female patient was diagnosed with distal cholangiocarcinoma. After preoperative examination and rigorous preoperative preparation, the patient underwent LPD using 3D laparoscopy on July 17, 2018. During the surgery, we found that the tumor invaded the right wall of the portal vein;thus, pancreaticoduodenectomy combined with partial portal vein wall resection was performed. The defect of the portal vein wall was approximately 2.5 cm × 1.0 cm. The hepatic ligamentum teres was excised by laparoscopy and then recanalized in vitro. Following recanalization, the hepatic ligamentum teres was cut longitudinally and then trimmed into vascular patches that were then used to reconstruct the defect of the portal vein through 3D laparoscopy. The operative time was 560 min, and intraoperative blood loss was 100 mL. The duration of the blood occlusion time was 63 min. No blood transfusion was required. The patient underwent enhanced recovery after surgery procedures after the operation. The patient was discharged on postoperative day 11. Follow-up for 6 months after discharge showed no stenosis of the portal vein and good patency of blood flow. CONCLUSION It is safe and feasible to use the hepatic ligamentum teres patch to repair portal vein in LPD. However, the long-term patency of this technique for venous reconstruction requires further investigation.