Pure laparoscopic liver resection for large malignant tumors: does size matter?

BackgroundLaparoscopic liver resection (LLR) for large malignant tumors can be technically challenging. Data on this topic are scarce, and many question its feasibility, safety, and oncologic efficiency. This study aimed to assess outcomes of LLR for large (≥5 cm) and giant (≥10 cm) malignant liver tumors.MethodsA prospectively collected database of 422 LLRs was reviewed from August 2003 to August 2013. The data for 52 patients undergoing LLR for large malignant tumors were analyzed. A subgroup analysis of giant tumors also is reported.ResultsDuring the period studied, 52 LLRs were performed (males, 53.8 %; mean age, 64.6 years) for large malignant tumors. Colorectal liver metastasis was the most common indication (42.3 %). The 52 LLRs included 32 major (61.5 %) and 20 minor (38.5 %) LLRs for tumors with a mean diameter of 83 mm. The median operative time was 240 min [interquartile range (IQR), 150–330 min], and the blood loss was 500 ml (IQR, 200–1,373 ml). Eight conversions (15.4 %) were performed. Six patients experienced complications (11.5 %). Among the 44 patients with successful LLRs, two patients (4.5 %) had an R1 resection. The median hospital stay was 5 days (range, 1–21 days), and no mortality occurred during a 90-day period. A subgroup analysis of patients with giant tumors showed greater blood loss (p = 0.002) and a longer operative time (p = 0.052) but no difference in terms of conversions (p = 0.64) or complications (p = 0.32).ConclusionThe findings showed that LLR is feasible and safe for large malignant tumors and can be performed with acceptable morbidity and oncologic efficiency. When used for giant malignant tumors, LLR is associated with greater blood loss and a longer operative time but no increase in complications

Liver resection for metastatic uveal melanoma: experience from a supra-regional centre and review of literature

Management of liver metastases from uveal melanoma (LMUM) requires multimodal approach. This study describes evolution of liver resection for LMUM, reviewing current literature and institutional outcomes. Records of patients referred to the Melanoma Multi-Disciplinary Team between February 2005 and August 2018 were reviewed. All publications describing surgery for LMUM were identified from PubMed, Embase, and Google Scholar. Thirty-one of 147 patients with LMUM underwent laparoscopic liver biopsy, and 29 (14 females) had liver resections. Nineteen liver resections were performed locally [7 major (≥3 seg), 14 laparoscopic] without major complications or mortality. Overall survival positively correlated with the time from uveal melanoma to LMUM (Spearman's rho rs  = 0.859, P  &lt; 0.0001). Overall and recurrence-free survivals were comparable following R1 or R0 resections (OS 25 vs. 28 months, P  = 0.404; RFS 13 vs. 6 months, P  = 0.596). R1 resection cohort had longer lead-time (median 100 vs. 24 months, P  = 0.0408). Eleven publications describing liver resection for LMUM were identified and included in the narrative review. Surgery for LMUM is safe and complements multidisciplinary management. Despite heterogeneity in literature, time from diagnosis of uveal melanoma to LMUM remains a key factor affecting survival after liver resection.</p

Outcome and learning curve in 159 consecutive patients undergoing total laparoscopic hemihepatectomy

Importance: Widespread implementation of laparoscopic hemihepatectomy is currently limited by its technical difficulty, paucity of training opportunities, and perceived long and harmful learning curve. Studies confirming the possibility of a short and safe learning curve for laparoscopic hemihepatectomy could potentially benefit the further implementation of the technique.Objective: To evaluate the extent and safety of the learning curve for laparoscopic hemihepatectomy.Design, Setting, and Participants: A prospectively collected single-center database containing all laparoscopic liver resections performed in our unit at the University Hospital Southampton National Health Service Foundation Trust between August 2003 and March 2015 was retrospectively reviewed; analyses were performed in December 2015. The study included 159 patients in whom a total laparoscopic right or left hemihepatectomy procedure was started (intention-to-treat analysis), including laparoscopic extended hemihepatectomies and hemihepatectomies with additional wedge resections, at a tertiary referral center specialized in laparoscopic hepato-pancreato-biliary surgery.Main Outcomes and Measures: Primary end points were clinically relevant complications (Clavien-Dindo grade ?III). The presence of a learning curve effect was assessed with a risk-adjusted cumulative sum analysis.Results: Of a total of 531 consecutive laparoscopic liver resections, 159 patients underwent total laparoscopic hemihepatectomy (105 right and 54 left). In a cohort with 67 men (42%), median age of 64 years (interquartile range [IQR], 51-73 years), and 110 resections (69%) for malignant lesions, the overall median operation time was 330 minutes (IQR, 270-391 minutes) and the median blood loss was 500 mL (IQR, 250-925 mL). Conversion to an open procedure occurred in 17 patients (11%). Clinically relevant complications occurred in 17 patients (11%), with 1% mortality (death within 90 days of surgery, n?=?2). Comparison of outcomes over time showed a nonsignificant decrease in conversions (right: 14 [13%] and left: 3 [6%]), blood loss (right: 550 mL [IQR, 350-1150 mL] and left: 300 mL [IQR, 200-638 mL]), complications (right: 15 [14%] and left: 4 [7%]), and hospital stay (right: 5 days [IQR, 4-7 days] and left: 4 days [IQR, 3-5 days]). Risk-adjusted cumulative sum analysis demonstrated a learning curve of 55 laparoscopic hemihepatectomies for conversions.Conclusions and Relevance: Total laparoscopic hemihepatectomy is a feasible and safe procedure with an acceptable learning curve for conversions. Focus should now shift to providing adequate training opportunities for centers interested in implementing this technique.<br/

Percutaneous hepatic perfusion with melphalan in uveal melanoma: a safe and effective treatment modality in an orphan disease

BACKGROUND: Metastatic uveal melanoma (UM) carries a poor prognosis; liver is the most frequent and often solitary site of recurrence. Available systemic treatments have not improved outcomes. Melphalan percutaneous hepatic perfusion (M-PHP) allows selective intrahepatic delivery of high dose cytotoxic chemotherapy.METHODS: Retrospective analysis of outcomes data of UM patients receiving M-PHP at two institutions was performed. Tumor response and toxicity were evaluated using RECIST 1.1 and Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events (CTCAE) v4.03, respectively.RESULTS: A total of 51 patients received 134 M-PHP procedures (median of 2 M-PHPs). 25 (49%) achieved a partial (N = 22, 43.1%) or complete hepatic response (N = 3, 5.9%). In 17 (33.3%) additional patients, the disease stabilized for at least 3 months, for a hepatic disease control rate of 82.4%. After median follow-up of 367 days, median overall progression free (PFS) and hepatic progression free survival (hPFS) was 8.1 and 9.1 months, respectively and median overall survival was 15.3 months. There were no treatment related fatalities. Non-hematologic grade 3-4 events were seen in 19 (37.5%) patients and were mainly coagulopathic (N = 8) and cardiovascular (N = 9).CONCLUSIONS: M-PHP results in durable intrahepatic disease control and can form the basis for an integrated multimodality treatment approach in appropriately selected UM patients.</p

Surgeons' assessment versus risk models for predicting complications of hepato-pancreato-biliary surgery (HPB-RISC): a multicenter prospective cohort study

BACKGROUND: Several studies advise the use of risk models when counseling patients for hepato-pancreato-biliary (HPB) surgery, but studies comparing these models to the surgeons' assessment are lacking. The aim of this study was to assess whether risk prediction models outperform surgeons' assessment for the risk of complications in HPB surgery.METHODS: This prospective study included adult patients scheduled for HPB surgery in three centers in the UK and the Netherlands. Primary outcome was the rate of postoperative major complications. Surgeons assessed the risk prior to surgery while blinded for the formal risk scores. Risk prediction models were retrieved via a systematic review and risk scores were calculated. For each model, discrimination and calibration were evaluated.RESULTS: Overall, 349 patients were included. The rate of major complications was 27% and in-hospital mortality 3%. Surgeons' assessment resulted in an AUC of 0.64; 0.71 for liver and 0.56 for pancreas surgery (P = 0.020). The AUCs for nine existing risk prediction models ranged between 0.57 and 0.73 for liver surgery and between 0.51 and 0.57 for pancreas surgery.CONCLUSION: In HPB surgery, existing risk prediction models do not outperform surgeons' assessment. Surgeons' assessment outperforms most risk prediction models for liver surgery although both have a poor predictive performance for pancreas surgery.REGISTRATION INFORMATION: REC reference number (13/SC/0135); IRAS ID (119370). TRIALREGISTER.NL: NTR4649.</p