ObjectiveTo explore the reasonable and feasible safe distance for radical resection of hepatic alveolar echinococcosis (HAE). MethodsLiver samples were collected prospectively from 20 HAE patients (from Jan. 2019 to Jun. 2019) undergoing liver resection in West China Hospital of Sichuan University. A total of three samples containing lesion and adjacent liver tissue were collected from each patient, which were divided into lesion group, 0 to0.5 cm liver tissue group (contained 0.5 cm), 0.5 to 1.0 cm liver tissue group (contained 1.0 cm), 1.0 to 1.5 cm liver tissue group (contained 1.5 cm), and 1.5 to 2.0 cm liver tissue group (contained 2.0 cm). Comparisons of the Cox1 expressionand the liver fibrosis area between HAE lesion and adjacent liver tissues were performed. ResultsBoth expression of Cox1 and fibrosis area in HAE lesion were significantly higher than those in the adjacent liver tissues (P<0.000 1). However, there was no significant difference among the four kinds of adjacent liver tissues (P>0.05). There was a significant positive correlation between the expression of Cox1 and the fibrosis area both in HAE lesion and adjacent liver tissues (P<0.05). ConclusionsBoth the expression of Cox1 and degree of the liver fibrosis are significant higher in HAE lesion comparing to adjacent liver tissues, however, no significant difference is found among adjacent liver tissues. Consequently, a safe distance of 0.5 cm may be reasonable and feasible on the basis of the criteria for sample collection in the study.
ObjectiveTo explore the effect of hepatic outflow reconstruction with allograft vascular in ex-vivo liver resection and autologous liver transplantation.MethodThe clinical data of a patient with end-stage hepatic alveolar echinococcosis admitted to the Organ Transplantation Center of Sichuan Provincial People’s Hospital in August 2019 who underwent the ex-vivo liver resection and autologous liver transplantation combined with hepatic vein reconstruction with allograft vascular were analyzed retrospectively.ResultsThe patient, a 44-year-old female, was admitted to Sichuan Provincial People’s Hospital for “pain in the right abdomen accompanied by skin and sclera yellow staining for 6+ months and aggravated for 20+ d”. When the patient was admitted, the general condition was poor, such as hyperbilirubin and hypoproteinemia. The body mass was 45 kg and the standard liver volume was 852 mL. The hydatid lesions corroded the first and second hilum of the liver, the right hepatic vein and the posterior inferior vena cava. It was difficult to reconstruct the outflow tract of the hepatic vein in vivo, and it was extremely difficult to completely remove the hydatid lesions in vivo. After admission, the patient was generally in a good condition after the PTCD treatment, then after discussion and rigorous evaluation, the ex-vivo hepatectomy combined with autologous liver transplantation was required. The operative time was 15 h and the intraoperative blood loss was approximately 2 000 mL. After the operation, the routine treatment was performed, the antiviral treatment was continued, the international standardized ratio value was monitored at 1.5–2.5, and the anti-immune rejection drugs were not needed. The patient was transferred to the general ward on the 4th day after the operation, and there were no bile leakage, bleeding, infection and other complications. the result of postoperative pathological diagnosis was the alveolar echinococcosis. The re-examination of enhanced CT on 1 week after the operation suggested that the hepatic outflow tract of allograft vascular reconstruction was unobstructed, no stenosis and no thrombosis occurred. The patient was following-up at present.ConclusionsIn treatment of end-stage hepatic alveolar echinococcosis by autologous liver transplantation, reconstruction of hepatic outflow should be individualized. Allograft venous vessels could be used as ideal materials due to their advantages of matched tube diameter and length, no anti-rejection, and low risk of infection.
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.
Hepatic alveolar echinococcosis (HAE) is a severe zoonotic disease caused by Echinococcus multilocularis, primarily affecting the liver. Due to its insidious nature, the patients are often diagnosed at advanced stage, posing significant treatment challenges. We comprehensively examines the progress in surgical techniques for HAE management, focusing on various strategies across different disease stages. For the patients with early-stage HAE, ablation therapy has emerged as an effective treatment option. In the moderate to advanced cases, numerous surgical techniques and innovative approaches have been introduced, including laparoscopic surgery and liver transplantation, with particular emphasis on ex vivo liver resection and autotransplantation. These advancements offer more effective treatment options for the patients with advanced HAE. However, significant challenges persist, notably the preservation of adequate liver function while achieving complete lesion removal. Future research should prioritize the exploration and optimization of existing surgical methods, especially for advanced HAE cases. This includes refining surgical techniques through precise preoperative evaluation and staging, as well as developing novel surgical approaches to enhance safety and efficacy. Furthermore, multicenter and long-term follow-up prospective studies are crucial for validating the effectiveness of new surgical techniques and strategies. Through these concerted efforts, it is anticipated that the survival rates and quality of life for HAE patients will significantly be improved, marking a new era in the management of this complex disease.
ObjectiveTo summarize and analyze the application of ex vivo liver resection and autotransplantation (ELRA) in the treatment of hepatobiliary diseases. MethodThe related literature about ELRA used to treat various hepatobiliary space-occupyingdiseases at home and abroad in recent years was comprehensively searched and summarized. ResultsELRA had overcome the limitations of limited operational space in traditional surgery for the treatment of hepatobiliary space-occupying diseases reduced dependence on donor livers, and avoided post-transplant rejection. It had been applied in the treatment of hepatic alveolar echinococcosis, liver cancer, cholangiocarcinoma, and rare liver space-occupying diseases. ConclusionsWith the maturation of ELRA techniques and the continuous improvement of ex vivo liver perfusion technology, along with rigorous preoperative evaluation and meticulous postoperative management, postoperative complications of ELRA have significantly decreased compared to the initial stages of its application. By strictly adhering to surgical indications, this procedure is expected to be used treatment in an increasing number of hepatobiliary space-occupying diseases.
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.
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 investigate strategies and efficacy of surgical treatment of advanced hepatic alveolar echinococcosis. MethodsThirty-six patients with advanced hepatic alveolar echinococcosis who underwent surgical treatment in our hospital from August 2014 to March 2016 were selected, who were divided into three groups:radical hepatectomy group (15 cases), quasi-radical hepatectomy group (17 cases), and palliative surgery group (4 cases). The operative time, intraoperative blood loss, postoperative complications, and metastasis were analyzed among these three groups. ResultsThe operative time, intraoperative blood loss, and rate of postoperative complications had no significant differences between the radical hepatectomy group and the quasi-radical hepatectomy group. No patient had postoperative recurrence in the radical hepatectomy group. The hepatic portal residual lesion was enlarged for 1 case and the intrahepatic and extrahepatic lesions were stable for the other patients in the quasi-radical hepatectomy group. In the palliative surgery group,the retroperitoneal lesions enlargement was seen in 2 cases and the lesions around the abcess grew progressively in 1 case. ConclusionIndividualized treatment accompanied with multiple-disciplinary treatment and damage-control surgery concept could benefit optimally to patients with advanced hepatic alveolar echinococcosis.
ObjectivesTo evaluate the learning curve of radical hepatectomy combined with vascular and/or bile duct reconstruction (RHVBR) in the treatment of hepatic alveolar echinococcosis (HAE), and to explore the feasibility and safety of RHVBR. MethodsThe clinical data of 203 patients who received RHVBR treatment for HAE complicated with vascular invasion in West China Hospital from 2010 to 2018 were analyzed retrospectively. Cumulative sum (CUSUM) and risk-adjusted cumulative sum (RA-CUSUM) were used to analyze the learning curve of RHVBR, determine the learning stage, and compare the differences of intraoperative and postoperative outcome indexes in different learning stages. ResultsThe average operative time was (537.9±207.6) minutes, with blood loss amounted to 617.3 (138.9, 1 094.2) mL. Postoperative complications occurred in 65 cases, and the incidence of complications was 32.0%. Among them, 29 cases (14.3%) had serious complications. Three cases (1.5%) died within 90 days after operation. The results of RA-CUSUM analysis showed that 54 cases of surgery were the cut-off point of learning curve for serious postoperative complications. According to the results of CUSUM analysis, the whole queue was divided into the first stage (n=53) and the second stage (n=150) based on the completion of 53 operations. Compared with the first stage, the operative time and total postoperative hospital stay in the second stage was shortened, the incidence of serious complications was reduced, and the number of resected liver segments was increased. The differences were statistically significant (P<0.05). ConclusionIt is feasible and safe to treat HAE with RHVBR, and the incidence of serious complications is obviously reduced after 54 cases of operation.
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.