Neuroendocrine effect of a short-term treatment with DHEA in postmenopausal women

BACKGROUND: Most publications during the past decade have condemned the use of anatomic resection for liver trauma and advocated a conservative surgical approach when operative intervention was required. This policy has been supported by the high mortality rate reported by most authorities. The purpose of this study was to assess the results of anatomic hepatic resection for liver trauma in an institution in which the hepatobiliary surgeons are responsible for the management of severe liver injuries. METHODS: During the period 1983 to 1996, 287 patients with liver injuries were admitted to the hospital and 37 patients with severe liver trauma underwent anatomic resection. Demographic, clinical, operative, and postoperative data were collected and analyzed. The resections performed included right hemihepatectomy (n = 27), left hemihepatectomy (n = 1), left lateral segment resection (n = 5), and segmental resection (n = 4). RESULTS: There were three postoperative deaths after right hemihepatectomy (11.1%) and an overall mortality rate of 8.1%. There were no intraoperative deaths. Postoperative complications occurred in 22 patients (60%) and were most frequent in patients with concomitant injuries to other systems. Liver-related morbidity occurred in seven patients (19%). The median postoperative stay was 20 days. CONCLUSIONS: Anatomic hepatic resection for trauma is associated with low mortality and liver-related morbidity rates when performed by experienced hepatobiliary surgeons, and its role in the management of severe hepatic trauma should be reevaluated.     

Laparoscopic cholecystectomy in cirrhotic patients

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Laparoscopic and open cholecystectomy are the safest procedures for all diseases related to stones in the gallbladder as they have a low morbidity and mortality rate. However, the safety of laparoscopic cholecystectomy in cirrhotic patients has not been investigated. The goal of this study was to evaluate the safety of laparoscopic cholecystectomy in cirrhotic patients. METHODOLOGY: A retrospective study of laparoscopic cholecystectomy in cirrhotic versus non-cirrhotic patients was performed. Between January 1991 and November 1994, 605 laparoscopic cholecystectomies for symptomatic gallbladder diseases were performed. There were 21 patients in the cirrhotic (group A) and 584 patients in the non-cirrhotic (group B). RESULTS: There was no operative mortality in either group and the postoperative complication rates were 4.8% and 5.8% in group A and B, respectively (p > 0.05). Prolonged operative time in group A was 84.47 +/- 36.01 min vs group B 62.20 +/- 25.37 min (p < 0.01). The estimated intraoperative blood loss in group A was larger than in group B (140.76 +/- 201.19 ml vs 35.02 +/- 50.11 ml, p < 0.01). The readmission rate was higher in group A (9.5%) than in group B (1.37%) (p < 0.05). The hospital stay in group A and B were 4.12 +/- 2.15 D, 3.50 +/- 1.50 D respectively (p > 0.05). The incidence of conversion and re-operation rates indicated no difference between cirrhotic and non-cirrhotic groups. CONCLUSIONS: Laparoscopic cholecystectomy can be safely performed in mild cirrhotic patients with more operative times and meticulous management of intraoperative bleeding.     

Segmental liver resections, present and future-caudate lobe resection for liver tumors

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Resection of the caudate lobe of the liver is difficult to perform because of a deep location and an adjacency to the major vessels. METHODOLOGY: A total of 30 patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) originating in the caudate lobe underwent hepatic resection. The lobe was classified to Spiegel's portion, the process portion, and the caval portion. The operative procedure undertaken was chosen on the basis of tumor location as well as hepatic function of each patient. RESULTS: In 14 patients who had an HCC located at Spiegel's portion or the process portion, the tumor was removed by local resection of the caudate lobe (n = 10), or by resection combined with lobectomy (n = 2) or subsegmentectomy (n = 2). In 16 patients with an HCC at the caval portion, caudate lobe resections with preparatory lobectomy (n = 6), segmentectomy (n = 1), or subsegmentectomy (n = 4) were performed. In the other 5, isolated total or partial resection of the caudate lobe was carried out because of the presence of severe cirrhosis. All operations were defined as curative, but produced two operative deaths due to liver failure. The cumulative rate of overall survival was 41% at 5 years after surgery. CONCLUSIONS: Caudate lobe resection for HCC can be performed even in cirrhotic patients with a favorable surgical outcome.     

Hepatic resection for hepatolithiasis

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the results of hepatic resection for hepatolithiasis. DESIGN: A retrospective study of case records of patients with hepatolithiasis undergoing hepatic resection. These patients had been followed up for 3 to 38 months. They were referred to Queen Mary Hospital, a tertiary referral center in Hong Kong. PATIENTS: Of 172 patients with hepatolithiasis seen between January 1984 and December 1981, 63 patients underwent hepatic resection because the affected liver segments were destroyed by repeated infection (n = 51), multiple cholangitic liver abscesses were found in the affected liver segments (n = 9), or concomitant intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma was diagnosed (n = 3). INTERVENTION: Left lateral segmentectomy was performed in 42 patients, left hepatic lobectomy in 15 patients, right hepatic lobectomy in one patient, and segmentectomy in five patients. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Postoperative morbidity and mortality analysis. RESULTS: Contrary to hepatic resection in a normal liver, dissection to isolate inflow and outflow vasculature was difficult in 52% of cases owing to severe inflammatory fibrosis at the liver hilum, at the umbilical fissure, or at the junction of hepatic vein with inferior vena cava. The operative morbidity rate was 32% and the mortality rate was 2%. The majority of complications were wound infection, subphrenic abscesses, or biliary fistulas, which could be due to the presence of infected bile (85%) and liver abscesses (25%) in this disease. Statistical analysis of the preoperative hematological and biochemical variables and the amount of intraoperative blood loss could not identify any factor with significance in correlating with the development of postoperative complications. Stones recurred in 16% after a median follow-up of 47 months. CONCLUSION: Hepatic resection is a satisfactory treatment for hepatolithiasis. The postoperative septic complication rate is high and is an intrinsic problem related to liver resection in a septic condition.     

Hepatic resection for metastatic colorectal cancer

One-hundred thirty-one primary hepatic resection for colorectal secondary tumors were performed at Rush-Presbyterian-St. Luke's Medical Center between 1975 and 1993. Perioperative mortality occurred in five patients (3.8%). Twenty-three patients had minor morbidities (18%); major morbidity occurred only in the five patients who died. Curative resections were performed in 107 patients. Overall actuarial survival at 2, 3, and 5 years was 62, 42, and 25 per cent, respectively. Patients with extrahepatic disease (5-year survival, 0% vs 27%; P = 0.049) and positive resection margins (0% vs 30%; P < 0.001) had significantly poorer survival. Among the curative resections, patients who had metachronous hepatic resections did significantly better than those who underwent synchronous colon and hepatic resections (35% vs 13%; P = 0.002). This survival benefit persisted when comparison was restricted to patients with synchronous metastases. Age, sex, race, number of lesions, site of colon primary resection, blood transfusion, disease-free interval, and extent of resection had no effect on survival. All patients who are acceptable surgical risks with potentially resectable metastatic colorectal cancer confined to the liver should undergo exploration. Assessment of resectability should include intraoperative ultrasound in all patients to maximize the probability of tumor clearance.     

Analysis of 210 elective hepatic resections

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Based on our personal cases, the mortality and morbidity of hepatectomy were analyzed. METHODOLOGY: Between April 1988 and October 1995, 210 elective hepatectomies were perf. RESULTS: There were no intraoperative deaths, 5 perioperative deaths and 4 in-hospital deaths. Major complications occurred in 47 patients (22.4%). Minor complications included 44 mild pleural effusions not requiring treatment, 29 wound dehiscences, and 1 case of hoarseness. Multiple regression analysis showed that wound dehiscence and pleural effusions were associated with prothrombin time (t = -2.41, p = 0.017) and incision type (t = 5.57, p < 0.001), respectively. Ascites were associated with operative time (t = 2.25, p = 0.026), blood transfusion (t = 2.23, p = 0.027), prothrombin time (t = 2.16, p = 0.032), and serum total bilirubin (t = -2.026, p = 0.044). Postoperative bleeding was associated with blood loss (t = 3.92, p = 0.0001), blood transfusion (t = -2.73, p = 0.007), and additional surgery (t = 2.15, p = 0.033). CONCLUSION: The mortality of elective hepatic resection can be decreased by adherence to strict surgical indications and meticulous surgical technique. The use of autologous blood transfusion may reduce perioperative complications and morbidity.     

Coronal microleakage in conservatively restored endodontic access preparations

The results of 122 hepatic resections in 112 patients with hepatocellular carcinoma are described. The type of liver resection performed was selected according to the patient's liver function. Forty-nine patients underwent anatomic resections, including 1 trisegmentectomy, 5 lobectomies, 11 segmentectomies, and 32 subsegmentectomies; the remaining 63 patients had nonanatomic resections. The 1-, 2-, and 3-year survivals after liver resection for all patients, taking into account one operative and one hospital death (0.9% each), were 92.4%, 85.0%, and 78.9%, and disease-free survivals at 1, 2, and 3 years were 68.6%, 46.2%, and 32.6%, respectively. Twenty-one repeat hepatic resections (17.2% of the total of 122 resections) were performed with no hospital mortality. Cumulative survival from the time of repeat hepatectomy in these 21 patients was 84.2% and 56.3% at 1 and 2 years, respectively. Among the factors that may affect survival or disease-free survival, the absence of vascular invasion (p < 0.05) and intrahepatic metastases (p < 0.01) were significantly related to the disease-free survival time. A good outcome was obtained after liver resection in 112 patients with hepatocellular carcinoma through appropriate choice of the type of resection, careful follow-up, and a vigorous surgical approach for recurrence.     

Malignancy associated with hepatolithiasis

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Malignancy is known to be associated with hepatolithiasis. The present report summarizes the results of our management of patients with cholangiocarcinoma associated with hepatolithiasis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty patients with cholangiocarcinoma and associated hepatolithiasis were analyzed retrospectively. There were 12 males and 8 females, with a mean age of 59.3 years. The clinical records of these patients were reviewed to determine demographic characteristics, clinical features, laboratory findings, diagnostic tests, operative management and results of therapy. RESULTS: One patient was moribund on presentation and was treated conservatively. Fourteen patients underwent hepatic resection. Three of them had palliative resection. Hepatic resection was less likely to be performed in patients having right lobe disease (50%) as compared to patients having left lobe disease (90%) (p = NS). The overall operative morbidity and mortality rates after hepatic resection were 36% and 7%, respectively. Non-resective operations were performed in five patients. The overall operative morbidity and mortality rates after non-resective operations were 20% and 0%, respectively. After curative hepatic resection (11 patients), the 1- and 2-year survival rates were 81% and 51%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: A suspicion of malignancy is necessary in managing patients with hepatolithiasis. Hepatic resection is the treatment of choice for cholangiocarcinoma when it is resectable.     

The impact of patient's age on surgical therapy of colorectal liver metastases

In a consecutive series of 90 hepatic resections for colorectal liver metastases which were performed during a 10-year period at one institution, the influence of patient's age on surgical strategies and postoperative results was investigated. The mean age of all patients was 61 +/- 11 years with a range from 27-78 years; 19 patients (21%) were younger than 50 years and 18 patients (20%) were older than 70 years. Thirty-six (40%) major and 54 (60%) minor hepatic resections were performed. The postoperative complication rate was 26% and resection mortality 3%. Estimated overall median survival time was 27 months, operative mortality included. 1-, 3-, and 5-year survival rates were 78%, 45%, and 32%, respectively. Although there is some suggestion that selection criteria are more aggressive in younger patients, neither surgical procedures nor postoperative results were found to be determined by the numeric age of the patient in a significant way.     

Intermittent complete vascular exclusion of the liver during hepatectomy: technique and indications

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Complete intermittent vascular exclusion of the liver (IVEL) combines clamping of the hepatic pedicle with clamping of the hepatic veins without interruption of the caval flow. The major advantages of this technique are that patient preclamping fluid overload is avoided, major haemodynamic changes due to caval clamping are escaped, and it allows a very long clamping time. Disadvantage of this technique is the necessity of looping the terminal part of the hepatic veins. METHODOLOGY: In this prospective study, 41 cases of IVEL (Representing 19% of the hepatectomies carried out for cancer during the same period) used for difficult hepatectomies were analyzed, and the operative technique is presented. RESULTS: IVEL was feasible in 90% of the 46 attempted cases, and completely controlled the bleeding in 90% of the cases. The mean duration of IVEL was 69.2 minutes (Range: 37 to 140), and was greater than 130 minutes in three patients. No liver failure occurred during the postoperative course. CONCLUSION: We conclude that IVEL without caval clamping is a new, and valuable, technique of vascular exclusion of the liver. Its application is indicated in the following conditions: 1. For patients who should have classical vascular exclusion but cannot tolerate vena cava clamping (18% of the cases), 2. for patients with pathological liver parenchyma when intrahepatic venous pressure is high, 3. for patients with impaired liver parenchyma, requiring conservative surgery that leads to anatomic or non-anatomic resection close to a vein (Example: A tumor located in the dihedral angle of the terminal part of two hepatic veins), 4. for patients with tumors closely located to a hepatic vein that must be preserved and sharply dissected (Example: A left trisegmentectomy that requires pelting of the right hepatic vein), and 5. for the scarce patient with tumors infiltrating the major hepatic veins, constraining a hepatic vein reconstruction to preserve liver function.     

Total vascular exclusion of the liver during hepatic surgery. Selective use, extensive use, or abuse?

OBJECTIVES: To review our experience with total vascular exclusion of the liver and to assess its role in hepatic resections. DESIGN: Retrospective survey. SETTING: University hospital, a tertiary referring center for surgical liver diseases. PATIENTS: A total of 722 patients who underwent liver resections from November 1, 1981, to March 31, 1996, of whom 19 (2.6%) required total vascular exclusion because of hepatic lesions closely adherent to or infiltrating the retrohepatic vena cava or centrally located in the liver, strictly in contact with the hepatic vein convergence. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: chi 2 Test for qualitative data and Student t test for categorical data. RESULTS: Of the 19 resections carried out under total vascular exclusion, 6 had tumoral infiltration of the retrohepatic vena cava: in 4 cases the venous wall was partially resected, while in the remaining 2 it was completely removed and replaced with a prosthetic graft. There were no operative deaths. Of the 722 resections, 227 were major hepatectomies: 74 (32.6%) were performed after ligation of the glissonian elements for the hemiliver to be removed, without clamping of the hepatic pedicle, and a further 36 (15.8%) were performed without any preliminary vascular control. A significant reduction in intraoperative blood transfusions was achieved despite the performance of more extended operations, regardless of the technique used. CONCLUSIONS: Total vascular exclusion is a useful tool in controlling blood inflow to the liver, but true need for it during liver resection is limited. Its performance requires a well-trained team familiar with problems regarding surgical access to the inferior vena cava and prolonged occlusion of the hepatic pedicle and the inferior vena cava.     

Gadobenate dimeglumine (BOPTA) enhanced MR imaging: patterns of enhancement in normal liver and cirrhosis

To determine whether gadobenate dimeglumine (BOPTA) will adequately enhance cirrhotic liver parenchyma, and to document the enhancement patterns in cirrhosis, 14 cirrhotic and 20 non-cirrhotic patients were evaluated before and 60-120 minutes after gadolinium-BOPTA. Proof of liver cirrhosis was biopsy (6), surgical resection (3), and clinical follow-up (5). Enhancement effects were compared quantitatively by determining the liver signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) and signal enhancement in both populations. Qualitatively assessment of the liver enhancement was performed and classified as homogeneous or heterogeneous. Quantitative analysis: cirrhotic liver parenchyma presented a higher increase in SNR values, relative to non-cirrhotic liver parenchyma, on postcontrast images. Likewise the signal enhancement of cirrhotic liver parenchyma was superior to non-cirrhotic liver on T1-weighted SE images (P = .02) and in-phase GRE images (P < .001). There was no statistical difference on out-of-phase GRE images. Qualitative analysis: on T1-weighted SE postcontrast images, cirrhotic liver parenchyma showed a homogeneous enhancement in 7 patients and heterogeneous in 7. Whereas on GRE images, cirrhotic parenchyma showed heterogeneous enhancement in 9 patients and homogeneous in 5 patients. The heterogeneous enhancement was due to the presence of hypointense nodules in 7 patients and hyperintense nodules in 2 patients. In conclusion, our study has shown that the hepatobiliary contrast agent Gd-BOPTA is effective in the cirrhotic liver, demonstrating an increased liver enhancement compared with non-cirrhotic patients.     

Treatment of tumors of the pancreatic head with suspected but unproved malignancy: is a nihilistic approach justified?

A critical analysis of morbidity and mortality for pancreatico-duodenectomy was performed on 221 patients. During the 1960s and 1970s, the morbidity and mortality for pancreaticoduodenectomy were so high that many thought the operative procedure ought to be abandoned. During the 1980s, however, many centers reported mortality rates around 5% and a morbidity of 25% to 35%. Others still reported a mortality of more than 10% and a morbidity of up to 65%. The reasons for these discrepancies are of major interest. In a prospective case-control study 760 patients with malignant and benign diseases of the pancreas were treated in our hospital between September 1, 1985 and April 30, 1997. In 221 cases (128 men, 93 women; mean age 61 years, range 23-83 years) a partial (n = 209) or total (n = 12) pancreaticoduodenectomy, in 12 cases combined with portal vein resection, was performed. Surgical complications were seen in 25%, but less than half of them were severe. General complications were seen in 18.5%. The 30- and 90-day mortality rates were 3.1%, and 5.7%, respectively. In a regression analysis the intraoperative blood loss, preoperative serum bilirubin, diameter of the pancreatic duct, and occurrence of surgical and nonsurgical complications had an independent influence on mortality. In addition to the experience of the surgeon in selecting the patients and his or her personal technical skills when performing a pancreaticoduodenectomy, better anticipation and management of postoperative complications is essential for improving the results of this operation.     

Population-based analysis of treatment of pancreatic cancer and Whipple resection: Department of Defense hospitals, 1989-1994

BACKGROUND: The influence of hospital experience and referral patterns on the operative mortality rate of pancreaticoduodenectomy was studied in a worldwide hospital system. METHODS: We analyzed computerized data on pancreatic cancer patients from U.S. Department of Defense (DOD) hospitals from 1989 to 1994. RESULTS: Six hundred ninety-eight patients had pancreatic cancer, and 130 Whipple operations (105 for pancreatic and 25 for other cancers) were performed with an 8.5% 30-day operative mortality rate. Although most resections were done in teaching hospitals performing more than 1 Whipple procedure per year, their results were not superior to smaller, lower volume nonteaching hospitals. Patients transported for resection were younger than patients undergoing resection at their local DOD hospital but had similar outcomes. The operative mortality rate was higher after unusual resections and with increasing age; the tumor stage had no effect. Unresected patients undergoing combined radiation and chemotherapy had the longest survival times. Radiation therapy was associated with significantly longer survival times in patients without distant metastases, but chemotherapy was associated with a longer survival time when metastases were present. CONCLUSIONS: This mortality rate 8.5% for Whipple resections matches that from other large populations. Equivalent results were obtained in DOD teaching hospitals and smaller, community-type institutions. Because the DOD medical system minimizes financial and logistic barriers to transfer, the even distribution of DOD pancreatectomy mortality suggests that these barriers may favorably influence single institutional outcomes.     

Resection for multiple metastatic liver tumors after portal embolization

BACKGROUND: Five patients with bilateral multiple liver metastases (3 to 12 lesions) from colorectal cancer who underwent extensive liver resection after portal embolization are described. METHODS: Portal embolization of the right portal branch was performed 9 days to 8 months before hepatic resection. The location and number of metastases were determined by intraoperative ultrasonography at the time of liver resection to accomplish complete resection of the tumors. Extended right lobectomy was carried out in four patients, two of whom underwent additional wedge resection of nodules located in the left lateral segment. The other patient underwent right lobectomy associated with local resection of the tumor in the left lobe. RESULTS: The postoperative course in the five patients was uneventful, with no serious complication or liver dysfunction. Although one patient died of recurrence 28 months after liver resection, the remaining four patients were alive and free of cancer between 36 and 74 months after hepatectomy. CONCLUSIONS: The presence of bilateral multiple (four or more) metastatic liver lesions from colorectal cancer is not considered a contraindication for hepatic resection if thorough examination of the liver is performed with intraoperative ultrasonography and the surgical risk is minimal. Portal embolization appears effective for increasing the safety of hepatectomy for patients with small metastases who require major right-sided resection combined with wedge resection of the left lobe.     

A comparison of transhiatal and transthoracic resection for oesophageal carcinoma

We compared the results of 327 transthoracic (TT) resections and 82 transhiatal (TH) resections for carcinoma of the oesophagus operated on between July 1982 and June 1991. Significantly more patients with carcinoma of the lower third of the oesophagus (54% versus 28%) and with increased pulmonary risks for surgery (61% versus 22%) were selected for the TH approach as compared with the TT approach. Results showed comparable intraoperative complications between the two groups. 5% of patients in the TH group required a thoracotomy for control of haemorrhage (3 patients) and repair of bronchial tear (1 patient) which occurred during the transmediastinal dissection. Postoperatively, mechanical ventilation requirement and complications involving the cardio-pulmonary systems were similar between the two groups. Anastomotic leakage occurred in 3% and 4%, respectively for the TH and TT patients (p = NS), whereas hoarseness occurred in 16% and 5%, respectively (p = 0.001). The 30-day mortality rates and hospital mortality rates were comparable between the two groups as were the overall survival rates. Our results suggested that while TH resection did not diminish the operative morbidity and mortality rates overall, it is appropriate for patients with increased pulmonary risks to be preferentially selected for this approach, and for tumours located in the upper and lower portion of the thoracic oesophagus where dissection of the tumour can be carried out mostly under vision.     

Surgical treatment of 32 patients with peripheral intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma

BACKGROUND: Peripheral intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (PIC) is an intrahepatic primary liver neoplasm which is clinicopathologically distinct from hepatocellular carcinoma and major duct cholangiocarcinoma. The clinical outcome after resection of these rare tumours is not well documented. METHODS: Review of the hepatic database and tumour registry at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center identified 32 cases of PIC resected for cure over a 23-year period. Intrahepatic cholangiocarcinomas with major bile duct involvement were excluded from this analysis. Demographics, pathological features, biochemical markers, operative results and survival were analysed. RESULTS: The majority of patients presented with abdominal pain (n=19). Only two patients had pathological evidence of hepatic cirrhosis. Serum marker levels included 7-fetoprotein (AFP; median 3.7 (range 0-225) ng/ml) and carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA; median 1-6 (range 0-30) ng/ ml). Type of hepatic resection included: wedge (n=2), lobectomy (n=14) and extended lobectomy (n=16). There was one postoperative death. Median follow-up time was 27 months. Median survival was 59 months with an actuarial 5-year survival of 42 per cent. Vascular invasion and intrahepatic satellite lesions were predictors of worse survival (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: PIC is a rare hepatic primary tumour, which usually presents in non-cirrhotic livers with a normal serum AFP and CEA level. In selected patients, complete surgical resection can be performed safely and is associated with long-term survival.     

Treatment of cirrhotic rats with epidermal growth factor and insulin accelerates liver DNA synthesis after partial hepatectomy

Prevention of postoperative hepatic failure is important after hepatic resection. In patients with cirrhosis, impaired liver function and regenerative capacity after major hepatic resection are associated with increased morbidity and mortality. In this study, a combination of epidermal growth factor (EGF) and insulin were used as hepatotrophic factors in an attempt to stimulate DNA synthesis after 70% hepatectomy (HTX). Regenerative capacity was evaluated in normal and cirrhotic rat liver by measuring DNA synthesis in vivo. Micronodular liver cirrhosis was established by the simultaneous oral administration of CCl4 and phenobarbital. Epidermal growth factor plus insulin was injected subcutaneously immediately after and 12 h after HTX or sham operation was performed. Rats were killed 24 h after the operation and liver regeneration was estimated by [3H]-thymidine incorporation into DNA as well as an autoradiographic nuclear labelling index. Hepatectomy increased [3H]-thymidine incorporation significantly in both normal and cirrhotic rats. In cirrhotic rats, [3H]-thymidine incorporation after HTX was significantly lower than in normal rats and administration of a combination of EGF and insulin after HTX enhanced [3H]-thymidine incorporation. In conclusion, DNA synthesis 24 h after HTX is decreased in cirrhotic rats compared with normal rats and EGF supplementation with insulin accelerates DNA synthesis in hepatectomized cirrhotic rats. The data suggest that administration of combinations of exogenous hepatotrophic factors may play a useful role in the treatment of cirrhotic patients undergoing major hepatic resection.     

The indications and choice of the technic for pancreatic resections

The progress of pancreatic surgery naturally leads to broadening the scope of indications for resection of the gland. Over the period 1970 through 1993, in the Clinic of Abdominal Surgery are performed 99 pancreatic resections for carcinoma of the pancreas (including cancer of papilla Vateri (45), endocrine-active tumor of pancreas (5), benign tumor (1), chronic pancreatitis (4), pseudocysts of the pancreas (4), cancer of an adjacent organ infiltrating the pancreas (36), benign lesions to a neighbouring organ (4). The size of resection depends on a number of factors of which location of the neoplasm and stage of the disease are the leading ones. Operations done: duodenopancreatic resection--47, left side hemipancreatectomy--13, resection of the body region and tail of pancreas--14, and partial resection--19. The choice of operative technique is discussed against the background of the variety of indications for pancreatic resection. Special attention is focused on the operative technique used in pancreatoduodenal resection. The practicability of performing pylorus-preserving intervention, the need of vagotomy and its scope are precisely determined. Also discussed are issues relating to the choice of organ for anastomosis with the pancreas and its protection, as well as the variants of successiveness of anastomoses with the biliary canal, residual pancreas and stomach. Morbidity and mortality rates show a decrease parallel to the surgical experience gained.     

Selective attention to real phobic and safety stimuli

BACKGROUND: Improvements in the understanding of intrahepatic anatomy and radiographic technology have facilitated a segment-oriented approach to liver resection. This approach involves the resection of isolated anatomic segments or sectors of the liver as dictated by the extent of the intrahepatic pathology. Segment-oriented resection allows maximal conservation of normal liver parenchyma while clearing tumor. This report describes the technical features and the results of a prospective evaluation of segmental and sectoral resections in the treatment of malignant hepatic neoplasms. STUDY DESIGN: Patients with malignant hepatic neoplasms that were treated with a segment-oriented hepatic resection were identified from a prospective clinical data base. After undergoing segment-oriented liver resection, the patients were followed at regular intervals. Recurrent disease was the end point of the study. Followup is reported at a median of 12 months. This review outlines the technique of resection, intraoperative events, operating time, blood loss, and the ability to obtain negative resection margins. RESULTS: During the 5-year period between July 1992 and July 1997, 400 patients underwent liver resection for metastatic neoplasms and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). During this period, 79 patients (20%) were treated with a segment-oriented resection. These patients represent the study group for this report. The overall mortality rate was 2.5%; all postoperative deaths occurred in patients with HCC and cirrhosis. Overall morbidity was 26%. The median hospital stay was 8 days. Mean transfusion requirements were 1.0 +/- 0.3 U of packed red blood cells. Patients with HCC showed a greater transfusion requirement than did patients without HCC: 2.7 +/- 1.2 U versus 0.6 +/- 0.2 U (p < 0.05). Of the patients without HCC, 17% required transfusion. During the 12-month median followup period, the overall disease recurrence rate was 23%. Disease recurred at the hepatic-resection margin in 2.5% of the patients. CONCLUSIONS: Segmental resection is a safe technique that allows complete resection of liver tumors with preservation of normal liver parenchyma. Segmental resection is particularly useful for patients with HCC and patients undergoing repeat liver resections or bilobar resections.