Background
Open parenchymal-preserving resection is the current standard of care for lesions in the posterosuperior liver segments. Laparoscopy and robot-assisted surgery are emergent surgical ...approaches for liver resections, even in posteriorly located lesions. The objective of this study was to compare robot-assisted to laparoscopic parenchymal-preserving liver resections for lesions located in segments 7, 8, 4a, and 1.
Methods
Demographics, comorbidities, clinicopathologic characteristics, surgical treatments, and outcomes from patients who underwent laparoscopic and robot-assisted liver resection in two centers for lesions in the posterosuperior segments between June 2008 and February 2014 were reviewed. A 1:2 matched propensity score analysis was performed by individually matching patients in the robotic cohort to patients in the laparoscopic cohort based on demographics, comorbidities, performance status, tumor stage, location, and type of resection.
Results
Thirty-six patients who underwent robot-assisted liver resection were matched with 72 patients undergoing laparoscopic liver resection. Matched patients displayed no significant differences in postoperative outcomes as measured by blood loss, hospital stay, R0 negative margin rate, and mortality. The overall morbidity according to the comprehensive complication index was also similar (34.6 ± 33 vs. 18.4 ± 11.3, respectively, for robotic and laparoscopic approach,
p
= 0.11). Patients undergoing robotic liver surgery had significantly longer inflow occlusion time (77 vs. 25 min,
p
= 0.001) as compared with their laparoscopic counterparts.
Conclusions
Although number and severity of complications in the robotic group appears to be higher, robotic and laparoscopic parenchymal-preserving liver resections in the posterosuperior segments display similar safety and feasibility.
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EMUNI, FIS, FZAB, GEOZS, GIS, IJS, IMTLJ, KILJ, KISLJ, MFDPS, NLZOH, NUK, OILJ, PNG, SAZU, SBCE, SBJE, SBMB, SBNM, UKNU, UL, UM, UPUK, VKSCE, ZAGLJ
Robotic right lobe donor hepatectomy (RRLDH) is rarely performed, and data concerning its safety and efficacy are lacking. Here we compare our series of RRLDHs with a similar cohort undergoing open ...right lobe donor hepatectomy (ORLDH) with a propensity score–matched (PSM) analysis. Among 263 consecutive adult patients undergoing right lobe living donor hepatectomy from January 2015 until July 2019, 35 RRLDHs were matched to 70 ORLDHs. A 1:2 PSM analysis was performed to make the groups comparable for donor sex, age, and body mass index (BMI) and for recipient sex, age, BMI, Model for End‐Stage Liver Disease score, and indication for transplant. Operative time was longer in RRLDHs compared with ORLDHs (504 ± 73.5 versus 331 ± 65.1 minutes; P < 0.001) but significantly decreased with the number of patients (P < 0.001). No conversions occurred. First warm ischemia time was longer and blood loss significantly less in RRLDHs (P = 0.001 and 0.003, respectively). Overall donor complications were similar: 2 (6%) in RRLDHs versus 12 (17%) in ORLDHs (P = 0.13). Biliary leak occurred in 1 (3%) patient receiving a robotic procedure and 2 (3%) patients receiving the conventional approach. Donors undergoing robotic surgery required less patient‐controlled analgesia and had a shorter hospital stay compared with the open surgery group (P < 0.001 and P = 0.001, respectively). No significant differences in graft anatomical data and recipient outcomes were recorded. RRLDH is feasible, safe, and reproducible, with significantly decreased blood loss and a shorter hospital stay compared with the open procedure. The first 35 patients receiving the robotic procedure showed a substantial reduction in operative time, reflecting a rapid shortening of the learning curve.
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BFBNIB, FZAB, GIS, IJS, KILJ, NLZOH, NUK, OILJ, SBCE, SBMB, UL, UM, UPUK
The robotic surgical system has been applied in liver surgery. However, controversies concerns exist regarding a variety of factors including the safety, feasibility, efficacy, and cost-effectiveness ...of robotic surgery. To promote the development of robotic hepatectomy, this study aimed to evaluate the current status of robotic hepatectomy and provide sixty experts' consensus and recommendations to promote its development. Based on the World Health Organization Handbook for Guideline Development, a Consensus Steering Group and a Consensus Development Group were established to determine the topics, prepare evidence-based documents, and generate recommendations. The GRADE Grid method and Delphi vote were used to formulate the recommendations. A total of 22 topics were prepared analyzed and widely discussed during the 4 meetings. Based on the published articles and expert panel opinion, 7 recommendations were generated by the GRADE method using an evidence-based method, which focused on the safety, feasibility, indication, techniques and cost-effectiveness of hepatectomy. Given that the current evidences were low to very low as evaluated by the GRADE method, further randomized-controlled trials are needed in the future to validate these recommendations.
Local ablative therapies (LAT) have shown positive but heterogenous outcomes in the treatment of colorectal liver metastases (CRLM). The aim of this systematic review is to evaluate LAT and compare ...them with surgical resection.
In accordance with PRISMA guidelines, Medline, EMBASE, Cochrane and Web of Science databases were searched for reports published before January 2019. We included papers assessing radiofrequency ablation (RFA), microwave ablation (MWA), cryoablation (CA) and electroporation (IRE) treating resectable CRLM with curative intention. We evaluated LAT related complications and oncological outcomes as tumour progression (LTP), disease-free survival (DFS) and overall survival (OS).
The literature search yielded 6767 records; 20 papers (860 patients) were included. No included studies related mortality with LAT. Median adverse events percentage was 7%: (8% RFA;7% MWA). Median 3y-DFS was 32% (24% RFA; 60% MWA); 5y-DFS was 27%: (18% RFA; 38.5% MWA). Median 3y-OS was 59% (60% RFA; 70% MWA; 34% CA), 5y-OS was 44.5% (43% RFA; 55% MWA; 20% CA).
Surgical resection showed decreased LTP, improved DFS and OS than those reported with LAT, with RFA accounting for reduced 1y-DFS (RR 0.83, 95%CI 0.71–0.98), 3y-DFS (RR 0.5, 95%CI 0.33–0.76), 5y-DFS (RR 0.53, 95%CI 0.28–0.98) and 5y-OS (RR 0.76, 95%CI 0.58–0.98) in comparison with surgical resection.
Low quality evidence suggests that both RFA and MWA seem superior to CA. MWA presents similar adverse events when compared to RFA with a possible increase in DFS and OS. Surgical resection still seems to provide superior DFS and OS in comparison with LAT.
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GEOZS, IJS, IMTLJ, KILJ, KISLJ, NLZOH, NUK, OILJ, PNG, SAZU, SBCE, SBJE, UILJ, UL, UM, UPCLJ, UPUK, ZAGLJ, ZRSKP
Associating liver partition and portal vein ligation for staged hepatectomy (ALPPS) induces a rapid and extensive increase in liver volume. The functional quality of this hypertrophic response has ...been called into question because ALPPS is associated with a substantial incidence of liver failure and high perioperative mortality. This multicenter study aimed to evaluate functional liver regeneration in contrast to volumetric liver regeneration in ALPPS, using technetium-99m hepatobiliary scintigraphy and computed tomography volumetry, respectively.
Patients who underwent ALPPS and hepatobiliary scintigraphy in 6 centers were included. Hepatobiliary scintigraphy data were analyzed centrally at the Academic Medical Center in Amsterdam according to established protocols. Increase in liver function as measured by hepatobiliary scintigraphy after stage 1 of ALPPS was compared with the increase in liver volume. In addition, we analyzed the impact of liver function and volume on postoperative outcomes including liver failure, morbidity, and mortality.
In 60 patients, future liver remnant volume increased by a median 78% (interquartile range 48–110) during a median 8 (interquartile range 6–14) days after stage 1, while function as measured by hepatobiliary scintigraphy increased by a median 29% (interquartile range 1–55) throughout 7 days (interquartile range 6–10) in the 27 patients with paired measurements. After stage 2 of ALPPS, liver failure occurred in 5/60 (8%) patients, severe complications in 24/60 (40%), and mortality occurred in 4/60 (7%).
In ALPPS, volumetry overestimates liver function as measured by hepatobiliary scintigraphy and may be responsible for the high rate of liver failure. Quantitative liver function tests are highly recommended to avoid post hepatectomy liver failure.
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GEOZS, IJS, IMTLJ, KILJ, KISLJ, NUK, OILJ, PNG, SAZU, SBCE, SBJE, UL, UM, UPCLJ, UPUK, ZRSKP
OBJECTIVE:To evaluate the learning curve of an expert liver transplantation surgeon approaching fully laparoscopic living donor left lateral sectionectomy (L-LLS) under proctorship.
...BACKGROUND:Laparoscopic liver resections necessitate a long learning curve trough a stepwise fulfillment of difficulties. L-LLS requires expertise in both living donor liver transplantation and advanced laparoscopic liver surgery. There is currently no data about the learning curve of L-LLS.
METHODS:A total of 72 pure L-LLS were included in this study. A Broken line model was used to identify the periods of the learning curve. A CUSUM analysis of the operative time was performed to evaluate improvements of outcomes with time. To evaluate the relationship between operative time and progressive number of procedures, a linear regression model was applied. A receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was carried out to identify the cutoff for completion of the learning curve.
RESULTS:Operative time decreased with the progressive increase of procedures. Two cutoffs and 3 different periods were identifiedcases 1 to 22, cases 23 to 55, and cases 56 to 72. A significant decrease in blood loss and operative time was noted. The CUSUM analysis showed an increase in operative time in the first period, a stable duration in the second period, and a decrease in the last. Blood loss was significantly associated with an increase in operative time (P = 0.003). According to the ROC curve, the learning curve was completed after 25 procedures.
CONCLUSIONS:L-LLS is a safe procedure that can be standardized and successfully taught to surgeons with large experience in donor hepatectomy through a proctored learning curve.
Summary
There are scarce data on the impact of COVID‐19 pandemic on liver transplantation (LT) in Europe. The aim of this study was to obtain a preliminary data on incidence, management, and outcome ...of COVID‐19 in liver transplant recipients and candidates in Europe. An Internet‐based survey was sent to the centers affiliated with European Liver Transplant Registry (ELTR). One hundred nine out of 149 (73%) of ELTR centers located in 28 European countries (93%) responded. Ninety‐four (86%) of the centers tested all donors, and 75 (69%) centers tested all LT recipients for SARS‐CoV‐2. Seventy‐three (67%) centers selected recipients for LT in the COVID‐19 pandemic, whereas 33% did not. Eighty‐eight centers reported COVID‐19 infection in 57 LT candidates and in 272 LT recipients. Overall crude incidence of COVID‐19 among LT candidates and recipients was estimated 1.05% (range 0.5–20%) and 0.34% (range 0.1–4.8%), respectively, and it was significantly higher among candidates (P < 0.001). Crude rate of death was 18% (10/57) among candidates and 15% (36/244) among recipients. This first large‐scale European snapshot study clearly shows that both LT candidates and recipients are at a high risk for COVID‐19. These results plead for an early and pro‐active screening of COVID‐19 symptoms in these populations.
BACKGROUND.There is a growing interest in left lateral sectionectomy (LLS) for donor hepatectomy. No data are available concerning the safety of the robotic (ROB) approach.
METHODS.A retrospective ...comparative study was conducted on 75 consecutive minimally invasive donor hepatectomies. The first 25 robotic (ROB) procedures performed from November 2018 to July 2019 were compared to our first (LAP1) and last 25 (LAP2) laparoscopic cases performed between May 2013 and October 2018. Short-term donors and recipients’ outcomes were analyzed.
RESULTS.No conversions were noticed in ROB whereas two conversions (8%) were recorded in LAP1 and none in LAP2. Blood loss was significantly less in ROB compared to LAP1 (p=<0.001) but not in LAP2. Warm ischemia time was longer in ROB (p=<0.001) with respect to the other groups. Operative time was similar in the 3 groups (p=0.080); however, the hospital stay was shorter in ROB (p=0.048). The trend in operative time in ROB was significantly shorter compared to LAP1 and LAP2linear R 0.478, p=<0.001; R 0.012, p=0.596; R 0.004, p=0.772, respectively. Donor morbidity was nihil in ROB, similar in LAP1 and LAP2 (n=3-12%) (p=0.196). ROB procedures required less postoperative analgesia (p=0.002). Recipients complications were similar for all groups (p=0.274) and no early re-transplantations were recorded.
CONCLUSIONS.Robotic LLS for donor hepatectomy is a safe procedure with results comparable to the laparoscopy in terms of donor morbidity and overall recipients’ outcome when the procedure is performed by experts. Certainly, its use is currently very limited.
Despite the increasing number of reports on the favorable outcomes of laparoscopic surgery for gallbladder cancer (GBC), there is no consensus regarding this surgical procedure.
The study aimed to ...develop a consensus statement on the application of laparoscopic surgery for GBC based on expert opinions.
A consensus meeting among experts was held on September 10, 2016, in Seoul, Korea.
Early concerns regarding port site/peritoneal metastasis after laparoscopic surgery have been abated by improved preoperative recognition of GBC and careful manipulation to avoid bile spillage. There is no evidence that laparoscopic surgery is associated with decreased survival compared with open surgery in patients with early-stage GBC if definitive resection during/after laparoscopic cholecystectomy is performed. Although experience with laparoscopic extended cholecystectomy for GBC has been limited to a few experts, the postoperative and survival outcomes were similar between laparoscopic and open surgeries. Laparoscopic reoperation for postoperatively diagnosed GBC is technically challenging, but its feasibility has been demonstrated by a few experts.
Laparoscopic surgery for GBC is still in the early phase of the adoption curve, and more evidence is required to assess this procedure.