Extended Distal Pancreatectomy with En Bloc Resection of the Celiac Axis for Locally Advanced Pancreatic Cancer: A Case Report and Review of the Literature

Due to a lack of early symptoms, pancreatic cancers of the body and tail are discovered mostly at advanced stages. These locally advanced cancers often involve the celiac axis or the common hepatic artery and are therefore declared unresectable. The extended distal pancreatectomy with en bloc resection of the celiac artery may offer a chance of complete resection. We present the case of a 48-year-old female with pancreatic body cancer invading the celiac axis. The patient underwent laparoscopy to exclude hepatic and peritoneal metastasis. Subsequently, a selective embolization of the common hepatic artery was performed to enlarge arterial flow to the hepatobiliary system and the stomach via the pancreatoduodenal arcades from the superior mesenteric artery. Fifteen days after embolization, the extended distal pancreatectomy with splenectomy and en bloc resection of the celiac axis was carried out. The postoperative course was uneventful, and complete tumor resection was achieved. This case report and a review of the literature show the feasibility and safety of the extended distal pancreatectomy with en bloc resection of the celiac axis. A preoperative embolization of the celiac axis may avoid ischemia-related complications of the stomach or the liver

Tension of knotted surgical sutures shows tissue specific rapid loss in a rodent model

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Every surgical suture compresses the enclosed tissue with a tension that depends from the knotting force and the resistance of the tissue. The aim of this study was to identify the dynamic change of applied suture tension with regard to the tissue specific cutting reaction.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>In rabbits we placed single polypropylene sutures (3/0) in skin, muscle, liver, stomach and small intestine. Six measurements for each single organ were determined by tension sensors for 60 minutes. We collected tissue specimens to analyse the connective tissue stability by measuring the collagen/protein content.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>We identified three phases in the process of suture loosening. The initial rapid loss of the first phase lasts only one minute. It can be regarded as cutting through damage of the tissue. The percentage of lost tension is closely related to the collagen content of the tissue (r = -0.424; p = 0.016). The second phase is characterized by a slower decrease of suture tension, reflecting a tissue specific plastic deformation. Phase 3 is characterized by a plateau representing the remaining structural stability of the tissue. The ratio of remaining tension to initial tension of phase 1 is closely related to the collagen content of the tissue (r = 0.392; p = 0.026).</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>Knotted non-elastic monofilament sutures rapidly loose tension. The initial phase of high tension may be narrowed by reduction of the surgeons' initial force of the sutures' elasticity to those of the tissue. Further studies have to confirm, whether reduced tissue compression and less local damage permits improved wound healing.</p

Incidence of Isolated Biliary Atresia during the COVID Lockdown in Europe: Results from a Collaborative Project by RARE-Liver

Background: Biliary atresia (BA) is a rare cholangiopathy where one of the proposed aetiological mechanisms is an infectious viral trigger. Coronavirus disease-19 (COVID) lockdown restrictions were implemented to reduce the transmission of infections. Strictness of lockdown varied across European countries. This study aimed to investigate if there was an association between strictness of lockdown and change in isolated BA (IBA) incidence in Europe. Methods: We approached European centres involved in the European Reference Network RARE-LIVER. We included IBA patients born between 2015 and June 2020. We calculated the number of IBA patients born per centre per month. The Stringency Index (SI) was used as lockdown strictness indicator. The association between percentage change of mean number of IBA patients born per month and the SI was assessed. Results: We included 412 IBA patients from thirteen different centres. The median number of patients per month did not change: 6 (1–15) pre-lockdown and 7 (6–9) during lockdown (p = 0.34). There was an inverse association between SI and percentage change in IBA (B = -0.73, p = 0.03). Median age at Kasai portoenterostomy (days) did not differ between time periods (51 (9–179) vs. 53 (19–126), p = 0.73). Conclusion: In this European study, a stricter COVID-lockdown was seemingly accompanied by a simultaneous larger decrease in the number of IBA patients born per month in the lockdown. Results should be interpreted with caution due to the assumptions and limitations of the analysis

3D Optical Imaging as a New Tool for the Objective Evaluation of Body Shape Changes After Bariatric Surgery

Introduction!#!Bariatric surgery is the most effective treatment option for obesity. It results in massive weight loss and improvement of obesity-related diseases. At the same time, it leads to a drastic change in body shape. These body shape changes are mainly measured by two-dimensional measurement methods, such as hip and waist circumference. These measurement methods suffer from significant measurement errors and poor reproducibility. Here, we present a three-dimensional measurement tool of the torso that can provide an objective and reproducible source for the detection of body shape changes after bariatric surgery.!##!Material and methods!#!In this study, 25 bariatric patients were scanned with Artec EVA®, an optical three-dimensional mobile scanner up to 1 week before and 6 months after surgery. Data were analyzed, and the volume of the torso, the abdominal circumference and distances between specific anatomical landmarks were calculated. The results of the processed three-dimensional measurements were compared with clinical data concerning weight loss and waist circumference.!##!Results!#!The volume of the torso decreased after bariatric surgery. Loss of volume correlated strongly with weight loss 6 months after the operation (r = 0.6425, p = 0.0005). Weight loss and three-dimensional processed data correlated better (r = 0.6121, p = 0.0011) than weight loss and waist circumference measured with a measuring tape (r = 0.3148, p = 0.1254).!##!Conclusion!#!Three-dimensional imaging provides an objective and reproducible source for the detection of body shape changes after bariatric surgery. We recommend its use for the evaluation of central obesity, particularly for research issues and body imaging before and after bariatric surgery

Impact of Preoperative Three-Dimensional Computed Tomography Cholangiography on Postoperative Resection Margin Status in Patients Operated due to Hilar Cholangiocarcinoma

Introduction. The purpose of this study was to analyse the value of 3-dimensional computed tomography cholangiography (3D-ERC) compared to conventional retrograde cholangiography in the preoperative diagnosis of hilar cholangiocarcinoma (HC) with special regard to the resection margin status (R0/R1). Patients and Methods. All hepatic resections performed between January 2011 and November 2013 in patients with HC at the Department of General, Visceral and Transplant Surgery of the RWTH Aachen University Hospital were analysed. All patients underwent an ERC and contrast-enhanced multiphase CT scan or a 3D-ERC. Results. The patient collective was divided into two groups (group ERC: n=17 and group 3D-ERC: n=16). There were no statistically significant differences between the two groups with regard to patient characteristics or intraoperative data. Curative liver resection with R0 status was reached in 88% of patients in group ERC and 87% of patients in group 3D-ERC (p=1.00). We could not observe any differences with regard to postoperative complications, hospital stay, and mortality rate between both groups. Conclusion. Based on our findings, preoperative imaging with 3D-ERC has no benefit for operative planning and R0 resection status. It cannot replace the exploration by an experienced surgeon in a centre for hepatobiliary surgery

Noninvasive Evaluation of Liver Function in Morbidly Obese Patients

Background. More than half of the obese patients develop nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), which may further progress to nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) and cirrhosis. The aim of this study was to assess alterations in liver function in obese patients with a noninvasive liver function test. Methods. In a prospective cohort study 102 morbidly obese patients undergoing bariatric surgery were evaluated for their liver function. Liver function capacity was determined by the LiMAx® test (enzymatic capacity of cytochrome P450 1A2). Liver biopsy specimens were obtained intraoperatively and classified according to the NAFLD Activity Score (NAS). NASH clinical score was additionally calculated from laboratory and clinical parameters. Results. Median liver function capacity was 286 (IQR=141) μg/kg/h. 27% of patients were histologically categorized as definite NASH, 39% as borderline, and 34% as not NASH. A significant correlation was observed between liver function capacity and NAS (r=−0.492; p<0.001). The sensitivity and specificity of the LiMAx® test to distinguish between definite NASH and not NASH were 85.2% and 82.9% (AUROC 0.859), respectively. According to the NASH clinical scoring system, 14% were classified as low risk, 31% as intermediate, 26% as high, and 29% as very high risk. Liver function capacity is also significantly correlated with the NASH clinical scoring system (r=−0.411; p<0.001). Conclusions. Obese patients show a diminished liver function capacity, especially those suffering from type 2 diabetes. The liver function capacity correlates with histological and clinical scoring systems. The LiMAx® test may be a valuable tool for noninvasive screening for NASH in obese patients