ObjectiveTo investigate the risk factors affecting severe postoperative complications (Clavien-Dindo classification Ⅲa or higher) in patients with end-stage hepatic alveolar echinococcosis (HAE) underwent ex vivo liver resection and autotransplantation (ELRA), and to develop a nomogram prediction model. MethodsThe clinical data of end-stage HAE patients who underwent ELRA at the West China Hospital of Sichuan University from January 2014 to June 2024 were retrospectively analyzed. The logistic regression was used to analyze the risk factors affecting severe postoperative complications. A nomogram prediction model was established basing on LASSO regression and its efficiency was evaluated using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve, calibration curve, and decision curve analysis. Simultaneously, a generalized linear model regression was used to explore the preoperative risk factors affecting the total surgery time. Test level was α=0.05. ResultsA total of 132 end-stage HAE patients who underwent ELRA were included. The severe postoperative complications occurred in 47 (35.6%) patients. The multivariate logistic analysis results showed that the patients with invasion of the main trunk of the portal vein or the first branch of the contralateral portal vein (type P2) had a higher risk of severe postoperative complications compared to those with invasion of the first branch of the ipsilateral portal vein (type P1) [odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence interval (CI)=8.24 (1.53, 44.34), P=0.014], the patients with albumin bilirubin index (ALBI) grade 1 had a lower risk of severe postoperative complications compared to those with grade 2 or higher [OR(95%CI)=0.26(0.08, 0.83), P=0.023]. Additionally, an increased total surgery time or the autologous blood reinfusion was associated with an increased risk of severe postoperative complications [OR(95%CI)=1.01(1.00, 1.01), P=0.009; OR(95%CI)=1.00(1.00, 1.00), P=0.043]. The nomogram prediction model constructed with two risk factors, ALBI grade and total surgery time, selected by LASSO regression, showed a good discrimination for the occurrence of severe complications after ELRA [area under the ROC curve (95%CI) of 0.717 (0.625, 0.808)]. The generalized linear regression model analysis identified the invasion of the portal vein to extent type P2 and more distant contralateral second portal vein branch invasion (type P3), as well as the presence of distant metastasis, as risk factors affecting total surgery time [β (95%CI) for type P2/type P1=110.26 (52.94, 167.58), P<0.001; β (95%CI) for type P3/type P1=109.25 (50.99, 167.52), P<0.001; β (95%CI) for distant metastasis present/absent=61.22 (4.86, 117.58), P=0.035]. ConclusionsFrom the analysis results of this study, for the end-stage HAE patients with portal vein invasion degree type P2, ALBI grade 2 or above, longer total surgery time, and more autologous blood transfusion need to be closely monitored. Preoperative strict evaluation of the first hepatic portal invasion and distant metastasis is necessary to reduce the risk of severe complications after ELRA. The nomogram prediction model constructed based on ABLI grade and total surgery time in this study demonstrates a good predictive performance for severe postoperative complications, which can provide a reference for clinical intervention decision-making.
ObjectiveTo discuss the clinical application of two-step hepatectomy for hepatic alveolar echinococcosis which invaded the second and the third porta hepatis.MethodsThe clinical data of 60 patients with hepatic alveolar echinococcosis invaded the second and the third porta hepatis who treated with two-step hepatectomy in West China Hospital of Sichuan University and The People’s Hospital of Ganzi Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture of Sichuan Province from Jan. 2013 to Jun. 2017 were analyzed retrospectively.ResultsSixty patients had underwent radical hepatectomy successfully and no death happened during perioperative period. The average operative time was 309.17 min (150–475 min) and intraoperative blood loss was 586.67 mL (100–3 000 mL). Forty-eight patients blocked the blood flowing into the liver, the average blocking time was 25.85 min (15–50 min); 24 patients suffered red blood cell suspension, the average amount was 3.79 U (2–8 U), and 9 patients were infused with fresh frozen plasma, the average amount was 527.78 mL (350–850 mL). The average of hospital stays was 17.5 days (7–39 days) and average of hospitalization cost was 49 323.43 yuan (28 045.32–61 243.15 yuan). The liver function indicators returned to normal within 7 days after operation. After operation, 3 patients suffered from biliary fistula, 3 patients suffered from pleural effusion, 3 patients suffered from peritoneal effusion, 10 patients suffered from effusion. According to the rank of complication: 10 patients were defined as grade Ⅰ, 3 patients were defined as grade Ⅱ, 6 patients were defined as grade Ⅲa. The average follow-up time of 60 patients was 14.47 months (1–31 months). No recurrence and death occurred during follow-up period.ConclusionThe two-step hepatectomy in treatment of hepatic alveolar echinococcosis invaded the second and the third porta hepatis can avoid the large flucyuations of intraoperative blood pressure and other vital signs, can increase the safety of surgery and reduce the difficulty and risk of surgery.
Objective To explore the correlations between the time of tracheal extubation and the intraoperative basic factors of ex vivo liver resection followed by autotransplantation in patients with advanced hepatic alveolar echinococcosis (HAE), and analyze the change trend of blood gas analysis during operation. Methods The data of 24 patients with advanced HAE who underwent ex vivo liver resection followed by autotransplantation in West China Hospital of Sichuan University between February 2014 and August 2017 were retrospectively analyzed. Results There were significant correlations between the extubation time and the duration of anesthesia (r=0.472, P=0.031), the amount of bleeding (r=0.524, P=0.015), the amount of erythrocyte suspensions infusion (r=0.627, P=0.002), and the amount of plasma infusion (r=0.617, P=0.003). There was no statistical difference in extubation time between patients with and without pulmonary complications in 3 months postoperatively [(23.74±15.84), (15.52±19.40) h, P=0.327]. Compared with those arterial blood gas results before the interruption, the pH value, blood glucose, lactic acid and base excess were statistically significantly different (P<0.05) at each time point after the interruption. Blood potassium increased at the end of operation compared with that before interruption (P<0.05); and the free calcium after blocking and opening increased with a temporary decrease (P<0.05); the hemoglobin decreased significantly after interruption and clamping (P<0.05). Conclusions Anesthesia length and bleeding should be reduced in ex vivo liver resection followed by autotransplantation, thus the extubation time would be shortened and the prognosis of the patients might be improved. Because of the longer anhepatic phase, the blood gas analysis varies largely. During operation, blood gas analysis and monitoring should be strengthened, and the acid-base balance and electrolytes should be maintained in time.
Echinococcosis is a zoonotic disease that seriously threatened human health. The disease is widely distributed in China, including in Tibet Autonomous Region, Qinghai Province, Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, Sichuan Province, and other places, which has become a social and economic burden in China. Human beings are mainly infected with alveolar echinococcosis (AE) and cystic echinococcosis (CE), which mainly involves liver, lung, brain, bone, and other organs or tissues. The surgical resection is the first line treatment, and antiparasitic agents therapy is the main supplementary or salvage treatment method. Currently, classic drugs mainly include albendazole and praziquantel, which use alone or in combination. There are also some attempts to treat echinococcosis, including broad-spectrum anti infective drugs such as nitrozotocin, cell proliferation inhibiting drugs such as bortezomib, metabolic drugs such as metformin, or traditional medicines such as Artemisinin. It was also suggested to adopt a cancer management model for echinococcosis, and the imaging follow-up time for CE after antiparasitic chemotherapy should be at least 3 years, and for AE should be at least 10 years. More importantly, measures such as education and vaccine inoculation should be taken to actively prevent and control the occurrence and spread of echinococcosis.
ObjectiveTo summarize short-term and long-term effects of ex vivo liver resection followed by autotransplantation (Abbreviation: autotransplantation) in treatment of advanced hepatic alveolar echinococcosis (HAE).MethodThe clinical data and follow-up data of 17 patients with advanced HAE who underwent autotransplantation from November 2016 to July 2019 in the Ganzi Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture People’s Hospital were retrospectively analyzed.ResultsThe autotransplantations were performed successfully in the 17 patients with advanced HAE. Ten patients underwent the inferior vena cava (IVC) reconstruction with autologous saphenous veins, 5 patients underwent the artificial revascularization, 1 patient underwent the direct anastomosis of the original IVC, and 1 patient didn’t reconstructed (the retroperitoneal collateral circulation was abundant). The mean liver graft mass was 681.3 g (365–1 350 g) and operation time was 11.5 h (9–16 h). The median anhepatic period was 312 min (175–450 min), blood loss was 2 000 mL(950–4 500 mL), red blood cell suspension transfusion was 6.4 U (1–20 U), and fresh frozen plasma was 1.1 L (0.8–2.0 L). The postoperative hospital stay was 5 to 45 d with an average of 25.6 d. There were 4 patients with the postoperative hepatic enveloping effusion, 1 patient with bile leakage, and 1 patient with bile duct stenosis. All of them were treated and cured, and no death occurred. The follow-up time of 17 patients was 3 to 35 months with an average of 9.5 months, no recurrence of HAE and distant metastasis were observed.ConclusionsIn highlands, autotransplantation in treatment of advanced HAE patients with different IVC reconstruction is satisfactory, but it has a higher risk and is difficult. Choice of intraoperative reconstruction materials, judgment of posterior peritoneal collateral circulation, presence or absence of tension in end-to-end anastomosis of the IVC require precise consideration. At the same time, anticoagulation therapy and complications management are difficult, and it is only suitable for plateau medical center with rich experience.
ObjectiveTo explore the clinical application of in vivo hepatectomy with preservation of retrohepatic inferior vena cava (IVC) for hepatic alveolar echinococcosis (HAE) with the invasion of IVC. MethodsThe clinicopathologic data of a complicated HAE patient with large lesion (maximum cross-section 12.6 cm×9.6 cm), infiltrative growth, unclear boundary with surrounding tissues, and invasions of diaphragm and IVC (invasion length up to 4.6 cm) admitted to the Department of Liver Surgery in the West China Hospital of Sichuan University in December 2021 was retrospectively collected. The three-dimensional reconstruction of the liver model was performed by Mimics Medical 21.0 software before operation. The invading IVC of the right liver lesion was measured and the resection was simulated. During the operation, the HAE lesion and the affected IVC were gradually separated from IVC by the hemostatic forceps, and the residual lesions were gradually removed. ResultsIn this patient, the HAE lesion of right liver was resected, the IVC was entirely preserved, and the resection of liver was consistent with the preoperative three-dimensional reconstruction plan. The operation time was 275 min, the bleeding was approximately 500 mL. On the first day after the operation, the alanine aminotransferase and aspartate aminotransferase were increased, no obvious abnormalities were observed in the plasma albumin and bilirubin, the patient recovered and was discharged on the seventh day after the operation. No complications occurred after the operation, and no recurrence or metastasis of HAE was observed during follow-up period. ConclusionsHepatectomy with preservation of retrohepatic IVC for HAE with invasion of IVC is safe and effective. Taking albendazole regularly after surgery will help maintain disease-free survival.
ObjectiveTo summarize the research status and new directions of surgical treatment of hepatic alveolar echinococcosis (HAE) in clinic, and to provide reference for further research in improving the rate of radical surgery.MethodThe recent literatures on the studies of HAE were reviewed.ResultsAlthough the biological behavior of HAE was similar to that of malignant tumor, the clinical symptoms appeared late as the intrahepatic lesions often grow slowly. At present, the treatment of this disease was mainly surgical operation, among which radical resection was the first choice. Drug therapy was also of great value in controlling disease progression and recurrence. In recent years, with the progress of surgical technology, the surgical method had gradually developed to the direction of multi-mode combination, especially for those cases that had not been able to perform conventional radical surgery before.ConclusionThe treatment concept of clinical multi-mode combination can benefit more patients, even achieve clinical radical resection, and improve the rate of radical resection.
ObjectiveTo summarize the key operative points and efficacy of ex-vivo ex-vivo liver resection and autologous liver transplantation (ELRA) using various vascular materials for hepatic vein reconstruction in the treatment of end-stage hepatic alveolar echinococcosis (HAE). MethodThe clinicopathologic data of a patient with end-stage HAE who underwent ELRA combined with complex hepatic vein reconstruction were retrospectively analyzed. ResultsThe patient was a 60-year-old male who was admitted to the Sichuan Provincial People’s Hospital due to giant alveolar hydatid in the liver, with a body weight of 60 kg and a standard liver volume of 1 024.5 mL. The imaging showed that the hydatid invaded the first and second hepatic portals, middle hepatic vein, left hepatic vein, and retrohepatic inferior vena cava. The three-dimensional reconstruction of CT showed that the residual liver volume was 1 270.6 mL. The patient received supportive treatment after admission and underwent ELRA following strict evaluation. Intraoperatively, it was found that the multiple hepatic veins and retrohepatic inferior vena cava were widely invaded. The liver was split in vivo and the mass was excised ex vivo by “in vivo first” principle. The hepatic vein was repaired and reconstructed into a wide mouth outflow tract using allogeneic veins, autologous inferior mesenteric vein, and hepatic round ligaments, then performed the autotransplantation by wide mouth outflow-artificial inferior vena cava anastomosis (end to side). The operative time was 16 h, and the intraoperative blood loss was approximately 2 000 mL. FK506 was orally administered after operation, and low-molecular-weight heparin sodium was administered 24 h later for anticoagulation. The patient was returned to the general ward on the 6th day after the operation, and the enhanced CT scan showed that the hepatic outflow tract was unobstructed, without stenosis and thrombosis, and the patient was discharged on day 18 after the operation. The patient was pathologically diagnosed with alveolar echinococcosis. ConclusionsFrom the results of this case, combination of multiple vascular materials to reconstruct the hepatic outflow tract is an optional procedure for ELRA in treatment of end-stage HAE. Strict preoperative evaluation, skillful vascular anastomosis technique, and postoperative anticoagulation are important measures to maintain patency of postoperative reconstruction vessel.
ObjectiveTo explore the clinical application of variant associating liver partition and portal vein ligation for staged hepatectomy (ALPPS) combined with inferior vena cava reconstruction for end stage hepatic alveolar echinococcosis (HAE).MethodThe clinical data of one case with HAE who treated in Organ Transplantation Center of Sichuan Provincial People’s Hospital in November 2017 was analyzed retrospectively.ResultsComputed tomography revealed that the three hepatic veins and retrohepatic inferior vena cava were invaded by multiple and giant hydatid lesions. Only the segment 6 retained the complete portal vein and hepatic vein return branch. Remnant liver volume/standard liver volume (RLV/SLV) of this patient was 24.9%. Surgical exploration was performed after preoperative examination. In the first stage, ligation of the left portal vein and the right anterior lobe portal vein were performed to increase portal blood supply at S6 while partial split of the liver. The patient recovered well after operation without complications such as bile leakage and infection. Six months after the first stage surgery, the second stage surgery was performed, and RLV/SLV measured before surgery was 48.3%. S1–5/S7–8 were completely removed and the hepatic inferior vena cava was reconstructed with artificial blood vessels. The patient was discharged on 10 days after operation, and there was no complications and relapses occurred during the 18 months follow-up period.ConclusionsVariant ALPPS combined with inferior vena cava reconstruction is an effective attempt to treat end stage HAE with multiple and giant hydatid lesions and insufficient RLV.
Objective To discuss the clinical application of two-stage hepatectomy for multiple and huge hepatic alveolar echinococcosis. Methods The clinical data of 7 patients with multiple hepatic alveolar echinococcosis treated with two-staged hepatectomy in West China Hospital of Sichuan University and The people's Hospital of Ganzi Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture of Sichuan Province from August, 2013 to June, 2016 were analyzed retrospectively. The preoperative diagnose was definite according to CT and (or) MRI, serological and life in the epidemic area. The patients, which the future liver remnant was less than 30% according to CT, received two-staged hepatectomy. Epigastric enhancement CT, liver function and blood routine examination were reviewed monthly after the first surgery, the second surgery was operated after 3 monthes, epigastric ultrasound, enhancement CT or MRI, liver function, blood routine examination and serological were adopted in 1, 6, and 12 months and each year after the second operation. Results The liver function was normal in 7 days after two operations and no complications after the first suegery, one patient developd with biliary fistula after the second surgery, no recurrence or death occurred during the followed-up period. Conclusion The two-stage hepatectomy can be operated in multiple and huge alveolar echinococcosis to reduce surgery risk and cost, shorten hospital stays and improve quality of life.