For hepatic function to be preserved after an extended hemihepatectomy adequate venous drainage of the remaining liver is required. Most metastases close to the confluence of the superior hepatic veins are considered unr...For hepatic function to be preserved after an extended hemihepatectomy adequate venous drainage of the remaining liver is required. Most metastases close to the confluence of the superior hepatic veins are considered unresectable because hepatic venous outflow after resection would be compromised. In 10-25% of people, the inferior right hepatic vein is of large calibre. Thus the superior hepatic veins may be sacrificed and hepatic function preserved if a large inferior right hepatic vein is present. A patient with involvement of segments 2, 4 and 8 by metastatic colorectal cancer is presented. This patient had a large inferior right hepatic vein, and so was able to undergo an extended left hemihepatectomy with ligation of all superior hepatic veins. Subsequent quality of life was maintained. This case illustrates that an 'unresectable' hepatic lesion can be actually resectable if an alternative venous drainage is present. A pre-operative search for a prominent inferior right hepatic vein by ultrasound, computerised tomography, or even magnetic resonance imaging should be considered in these cases.
This paper discusses liver resection for intraabdominal leiomyosarcoma metastases as a therapy for carefully selected patients. Of the 83 hepatectomies performed from 1992 to 1996, five were resections for liver metastas...This paper discusses liver resection for intraabdominal leiomyosarcoma metastases as a therapy for carefully selected patients. Of the 83 hepatectomies performed from 1992 to 1996, five were resections for liver metastases due to intraabdominal leiomyosarcoma, in 3 patients. The surgical indication was single liver metastases, without any evidence of extrahepatic disease. No mortality occurred during surgery and the longest survival was 38 months. We concluded that liver resection for leiomyosarcoma metastases can be performed, allowing a long term survival in an occasional patient.
Hydatid disease of the liver is still a major cause of morbidity in Greece. Beside the common complications of rupture and suppuration, calcification of the hepatic cysts represent a not well studied, less frequent and s...Hydatid disease of the liver is still a major cause of morbidity in Greece. Beside the common complications of rupture and suppuration, calcification of the hepatic cysts represent a not well studied, less frequent and sometimes difficult surgical problem. In the present study 75 cases with calcified symptomatic liver echinococcosis were operated on in the 1st Propedeutic Surgical Clinic between 1964 to 1996. Twenty-eight patients were male and 47 female with ages from 23 to 78 years. The diagnosis was based mainly on the clinical picture and radiological studies. In 5 cases the operative method was cystopericystectomy. We performed evacuation of the cystic cavity and partial pericystectomy and primary closure of the residual cavity in 6 cases, omentoplasty or filling of the residual cavity with a piece of muscle of the diaphragm in 4 cases and external drainage by closed tube, in 60 cases. In 12 of those with drainage, after a period of time, a second operation with easy, removal of most of the calcareous wall plaques was performed. The mortality rate was 2%. Our results could be considered satisfactory. In the calcified parasitic cysts of the liver the proposed technique is cystopericystectomy. An alternative procedure is pericystectomy and drainage with a "planned" reoperation with a bloodless, due to intervening inflammation, chiseling of the calcification.
BACKGROUND: The presence of extracapsular (Satellite) cysts in liver echinococcus granulosus is known for many years. In one of our previous studies of radiological (CT) material they were found to be present in 16% of c...BACKGROUND: The presence of extracapsular (Satellite) cysts in liver echinococcus granulosus is known for many years. In one of our previous studies of radiological (CT) material they were found to be present in 16% of cases. METHODS: In the present study the operative findings, in cases of total capsectomy (cystopericystectomy) or partial lobectomy are presented. RESULTS: The real incidence of these cysts in operative specimens was as high as 29,5%. They were present in 15 out of 51 totally excised cysts. CONCLUSIONS: We conclude that satellite cysts are present more often than they are radiologically detected. As they can be incriminated as a cause of recurrence of the disease they must be excised en block with the main parasitic cysts, by means of more radical procedures such as cystopericystectomy or partial hepatectomy, whenever it is feasible.
BACKGROUND: Bilirubin has been recognized as an anti-oxidant. The purpose of this study was to examine whether bilirubin would act as an antioxidant for surgical stress in humans. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Serum bilirubin a...BACKGROUND: Bilirubin has been recognized as an anti-oxidant. The purpose of this study was to examine whether bilirubin would act as an antioxidant for surgical stress in humans. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Serum bilirubin and urinary bilirubin oxidative metabolites (BOM) were measured in 96 patients who underwent surgery. The antioxidant activity of bilirubin was assessed using BOM measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay with an anti-bilirubin monoclonal antibody. RESULTS: Serum bilirubin levels increased after surgery in all 96 patients (p < 0.01), but did not correlate with operation time or blood loss (p = 0.53 and p = 0.28, respectively). BOM increased only in patients with major surgeries (p = 0.048). Significant correlations between BOM and operation time and blood loss were found (p < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Bilirubin appears to act as an antioxidant for invasive surgery in humans. Urinary BOM could be a reliable marker for the degree of surgical stress.
The results of a modified Sugiura devascularisation procedure were assessed in 14 patients with thrombosis of the portal and splenic vein requiring surgery for variceal hemorrhage, with no vein suitable for orthodox shun...The results of a modified Sugiura devascularisation procedure were assessed in 14 patients with thrombosis of the portal and splenic vein requiring surgery for variceal hemorrhage, with no vein suitable for orthodox shunt surgery. The venous anatomy was determined by ultrasonography with Doppler studies and portovenography. Liver biochemistry as well as liver architecture on histopathology was normal in all. The surgery was elective in 9 cases for documented bleed from diffuse fundal gastric varices (FGV) and emergency in 5 cases, 3 having bleeding FGV and 2 for failure of emergency esophageal variceal sclerotherapy. All were subjected to a transabdominal extensive devascularisation of the upper two third of the stomach and lower 7-10cm of the esophagus. Stapled esophageal transection (n = 11) or esophageal variceal underrunning (n = 1) was performed in all with esophageal varices. FGV were underrun. Follow up endoscopies were done six monthly. There were 9 males and 5 females with a mean age of 17.2 years (SD 12.8). There was no operative mortality. Acute variceal bleeding was controlled in all patients. Over a mean follow up of 38 months, all but one remain free of recurrent bleeding. We conclude that a modified Sugiura devascularisation procedure is effective in the immediate and medium term control of variceal bleeding in patients with "unshuntable" portal hypertension.
In the rat model of heterotopic auxiliary liver transplantation (HALTx), the opinion varies on whether and how the recipient's native liver should be handicapped. To avoid atrophy of the transplanted organ, in this study...In the rat model of heterotopic auxiliary liver transplantation (HALTx), the opinion varies on whether and how the recipient's native liver should be handicapped. To avoid atrophy of the transplanted organ, in this study, two different handicaps were evaluated and their effects on post-operative animal survival and liver biology are described. With a sole portacaval shunt (group 1) all rats survived longer than 3 months. An additional handicap of the liver with either a 68% partial hepatectomy (68% PH) (group 2), or both a 68% PH and a common bile duct ligation (CBDL) (group 3) led to a 100% mortality within 2 days after surgery. When an auxiliary liver was transplanted to the rats handicapped with a 68% PH (group 4), serum Bilirubin and ALAT values were significantly lower than those handicapped with both a 68% PH and a CBDL (group 5). Autopsy and histology of the long-term survivors revealed the atrophy of the engrafted livers and the regeneration of the native livers in group 4, whereas it showed the opposite in group 5. Thus the various manipulations of the native liver do influence differently the post-transplant animal survival, serum liver biochemistry and the outcome of the engrafted liver in this rat model of HALTx.
Gallbladder cancer is a common malignancy of the biliary tract. It is the fifth common malignancy of the gastrointestinal tract in United States and third in Northern India. Despite such high prevalence, there is scanty...Gallbladder cancer is a common malignancy of the biliary tract. It is the fifth common malignancy of the gastrointestinal tract in United States and third in Northern India. Despite such high prevalence, there is scanty published literature about this disease in indexed journals. Therefore, this article is intended to provide a brief overview of gallbladder cancer risk factors, based mainly on published evidence from analytical epidemiology and recent research findings of biologists and practising oncologists. Furthermore, an attempt has been made to establish an association between different causative factors and the occurrence of the disease.
BACKGROUND: It has been suggested that antioxidant deficiency may play a role in the pathogenesis of chronic pancreatitis. The aim of this review was to analyse the evidence for this relationship and to consider the role...BACKGROUND: It has been suggested that antioxidant deficiency may play a role in the pathogenesis of chronic pancreatitis. The aim of this review was to analyse the evidence for this relationship and to consider the role of antioxidant supplementation in the treatment of chronic pancreatitis. METHODS: Medline review of all English language publications for the years 1966-1998. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS: There is evidence that patients with chronic pancreatitis have enhanced levels of free radical production, cytochrome P450 induction and antioxidant deficiencies, in particular selenium. The limited published literature in this field suggests that dietary antioxidant supplementation may ameliorate the pain associated with chronic pancreatitis, diminish the frequency of acute exacerbations and reduce the requirement for pancreatic surgery. These findings await confirmation by a large prospective placebo-controlled study.
The etiology of adenoma of the ampulla of Vater is not well understood. Previous authors reported the association of this neoplasm with polycystic kidney disease of two fraternal sisters. They concluded that these two co...The etiology of adenoma of the ampulla of Vater is not well understood. Previous authors reported the association of this neoplasm with polycystic kidney disease of two fraternal sisters. They concluded that these two conditions were somehow related. We describe a case of ampullary adenoma associated with polycystic kidney disease. This presentation raises again the question of a possible link between these two diseases.
We report a very rare case of type I choledochal cyst associated with a polycystic kidney disease. A 48-year-old female had been dependent on hemodialysis for chronic renal failure due to polycystic kidney disease and wa...We report a very rare case of type I choledochal cyst associated with a polycystic kidney disease. A 48-year-old female had been dependent on hemodialysis for chronic renal failure due to polycystic kidney disease and was incidentally diagnosed to have a dilated common bile duct by an ultrasonography. An endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography showed a spindle-shaped, dilated common bile duct (type I choledochal cyst) without visualization of the pancreatic duct. She underwent a resection of the choledochal cyst. Intraoperative cholangiography showed no reflux of contrast medium into the pancreatic duct. Amylase level of the aspirated bile from the bile duct was not elevated. In the case of choledochal cyst combined with renal fibropolycystic disease, pancreaticobiliary maljunction may not contribute to the etiology of choledochal cyst. In such cases, management of choledochal cyst is still controversial and requires further discussion.
Mucin Hypersecreting Intraductal Papillary Neoplasm is a rare neoplasm that arises from ductal epithelial cells. This entity is distinct from the more commonly known Mucinous Cystadenoma or Mucinous Cystadenocarcinoma. D...Mucin Hypersecreting Intraductal Papillary Neoplasm is a rare neoplasm that arises from ductal epithelial cells. This entity is distinct from the more commonly known Mucinous Cystadenoma or Mucinous Cystadenocarcinoma. Despite this distinction, it has been erroneously categorized with these more common cystic neoplasms. Characteristic clinical presentation, radiographic, and endoscopic findings help distinguish this neoplasm from the cystadenomas and cystadenocarcinomas. Histopathologic identification is not crucial to the preoperative diagnosis. This neoplasm is considered to represent a premalignant condition and, therefore, surgical resection is warranted. Prognosis, following resection, is felt to be curative for the majority of patients. We present two cases of Mucin Hypersecreting Intraductal Papillary Neoplasm and discuss their diagnosis and surgical therapy.
Bleeding from antral and duodenal varices is an uncommon feature in patients with portal hypertension. We report a patient with cirrhosis and portal vein thrombosis, who had a massive bleed from antral and duodenal varic...Bleeding from antral and duodenal varices is an uncommon feature in patients with portal hypertension. We report a patient with cirrhosis and portal vein thrombosis, who had a massive bleed from antral and duodenal varices. Bleeding was controlled with endoscopic injection of varices using histoacryl. Endoscopic treatment and the relatively uncommon occurrence of antral and duodenal varices are highlighted.
Pulmonary lymphangitis carcinomatosa is an unusual cause of death in a young adult. This case describes an apparently healthy young woman who presented with severe acute pancreatitis, which is a recognized complication o...Pulmonary lymphangitis carcinomatosa is an unusual cause of death in a young adult. This case describes an apparently healthy young woman who presented with severe acute pancreatitis, which is a recognized complication of a choledochal cyst. Autopsy examination revealed advanced malignancy with poorly differentiated adenocarcinoma penetrating the wall of the choledochal cyst and metastatic adenocarcinoma in the lymph nodes, lungs and kidneys. This case emphasises the unusual presentation of a choledochal cyst with acute pancreatitis and the aggressive nature of malignancy associated with this congenital anomaly.
BACKGROUND: Hemorrhagic portal hypertension, secondary to both intrahepatic and extrahepatic portal hypertension, is an uncommon entity. In this condition, the extrahepatic and the intrahepatic obstruction of the portal...BACKGROUND: Hemorrhagic portal hypertension, secondary to both intrahepatic and extrahepatic portal hypertension, is an uncommon entity. In this condition, the extrahepatic and the intrahepatic obstruction of the portal vein, due to chronic liver disease, produce a more severe form of hemorrhagic portal hypertension that is more difficult to control. The results of surgical treatment (modified Sugiura-Futagawa operation) in this subset of patients is analyzed. METHODS: Among 714 patients with a history of hemorrhagic portal hypertension, 14 cases were found with histologically proven liver cirrhosis and complete splenomesoportal thrombosis demonstrated by means of preoperative angiography. Patients with incomplete (partial) splenomesoportal thrombosis were excluded. There were nine males and 5 females with a mean age of 51 years. Alcoholic cirrhosis was demonstrated in 50% of the cases, post hepatitic cirrhosis in 28%, primary biliary cirrhosis in 7%, and cryptogenic cirrhosis in 14%. There were nine Child-Pugh A and 5 B cases. All cases were treated by means of our modified Sugiura-Futagawa procedure. RESULTS: Bleeding recurrence from esophagogastric varices was shown in one case, colonic varices in one case and hypertensive gastropathy in another of the survivors. Post operative encephalopathy was shown in 3 of the cases. The thirty-six month survival rate was 30% (Kaplan-Meier). CONCLUSIONS: The combination of intrahepatic plus extrahepatic portal hypertension has a worse prognosis. Treatment options are limited (sclerotherapy and/or devascularization), because shunt surgery, TIPS and liver transplantation have a very restricted role and postoperative outcome is poor.