Objective To evaluate the therapeutic effect of implanted drug delivery system (DDS) in patients with inoperable pancreatic carcinoma.Methods During 1998 to 2004,145 patients with no indication for operation were randomly divided into two groups.In 73 patients with regional interventional chemotherapy group (group A),percutaneous left subclavain artery port-catheter DDS implantation with the tip in common hepatic artery was performed, and regional chemotherapy infusion were done in every 1 to 2 month. In 72 patients with systemic chemotherapy group (group B), the chemotherapy were given via peripheral vein in every 1 to 2 month. The FAM(adriamycin 40 mg/m2+mitomycin 6 mg/m2+fluorouracil 375 mg/m2) were selected in two groups. Results In group A, after 2-10 (average 7.6) cycles of chemotherapy, 4 patients reached complete release (CR) and 49 patients reached partial release (PR). In group B, after 1-7 (average 3.8) cycles of chemotherapy, no patient reached CR and 25 patients reached PR. The effective ratio was 60.2% and 34.7% in group A and B, respectively. The survival time ranged from 3 to 34 months (median 13.5 months) in group A and 1 to 13 months (median 6.2 months) in group B. Among the 56 patients with obstinate pain in group A, 27 patients were free of pain and 22 patients got partially alleviation 2-3 weeks after chemotherapy. Among the 54 patients with obstinate pain in group B, 11 patients were free of pain and 14 patients got partially alleviation 2-3 weeks after chemotherapy. The pain-releasing ratio in group A and group B was 87.5% and 46.3%. There were no severe damage of liver, kidney, heart and bone marrow in group A. Twenty five patients in group A experienced mild digestive side-effect and decrease of white blood cells, all of them completed the chemotherapy. In group B, 3 patients experienced bone marrow arrest, one died of severe damage of liver and kidney, and 67 patients displayed digestive side-effect and decrease of white blood cells. The ratio of side-effect in group B was 90.3%. The differences of effective ratio, survival time and side-effect ratio between group A and B were statistically significant (P

Objective To analyze the risk factors of 30-day mortality in patients with malignant hilar obstruction (MHO) after percutaneous transhepatic biliary metal stent deployment. Methods One hundred and fifty-nine consecutive patients with MHO caused by cholangiocarcinoma or gallbladder carcinoma were enrolled in this study. Percutaneous transhepatic biliary stent (PTBS) implantation was carried out in all the patients. Independent predictors for 30-day mortality were evaluated by logistic regression analysis. Covariates that were incorporated into the multivariate analysis were the variables that reached statistical significance (P < 0.1) in univariate analysis. Two-tailed, P value of less than 0.05 was considered to be statistically significant. Results The 30-day mortality of patient with MHO after metal stent deployment was 9.4%. Univariate analysis indicated that the differences in WBC (OR = 1.224.95%CI [1.07 - 1.44], P < 0.01), INR (OR=78.75, 95%CI [5.02-1 235.70], P<0.01), PT(OR=1.55, 95%CI [1.18-2.04], P<0.01), BUN (OR=1.19, 95%CI [1.02- 1.38], P < 0.05), CRE(OR = 1.02, 95%CI [1.000 - 1.041], P < 0.1) and lymph nodes metastasis(OR = 0.334. 95%CI[0.105 - 1.131], P < 0.1) were statistically significantly between 30-day mortality group and non-30-day mortality group. Multivariate analysis showed that statistically significant differences in WBC (OR = 1.19, 95%CI[1.026 - 1.380], P < 0.05), INR(OR = 151.5, 95%CI [3.13 - 5 440.7], P < 0.05) and CRE (OR = 1.025, 95%CI [1.002 - 1.048], P < 0.05) also existed palliative treatment for patients with malignant hilar obstruction. Active preoperative measures to improve hepatic and renal functions as well as to control infection are necessary in order to reduce 30-day mortality.

Since intra-arterial chemotherapy with the help of implantation of port-catheter system (PCS) was first used in the surgical field in 1981, PCS has been widely employed in the field of interventional radiology. Intra-arterial chemotherapy by implantation of PCS has some certain advantages such as minimal invasion, no need of general anesthesia, etc. Ten randomized clinic trails have been already reported, which indicate that intra- arterial chemotherapy with PCS is obviously superior to systemic chemotherapy in treating hepatic metastasis form colorectal cancer. As for the treatment of advanced biliary tract cancer, pancreatic carcinoma and hepatocellular carcinoma, the relevant reports can be found only in several phaseⅠ/Ⅱclinical trials or in some retrospective cohort studies. This paper aims to make a comprehensive review about the indications, clinical applications and complications of PCS in treating abdominal tumors in order to improve the clinical practice.

Objective To analyze the prognostic factors in treating variceal hemorrhage patients of liver cirrhosis and portal hypertension with transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS).Methods From January 2003 to December 2008, the data of 162 variceal hemorrhage patients with liver cirrhosis and portal hypertension treated with TIPS was collected, which included basic information, biochemical examination results within 7 days before the operation, regular follow-up observation after the surgery and survival data. The survival prognostic indexes were assessed with Cox regression model. Results The successful rate of TIPS was 99% (161/162). The median follow up duration was 21 months. Child-Pugh score and blood platelet count (PLT) were closely correlated with survival (P = 0. 003 and 0. 024). The total cumulative survival rate in patients with Child-Pugh score below nine (75%, 102/136) was higher than over nine (50%, 13/26) (χ2 = 9. 12,P=0. 003).The total cumulative survival rate of patients with PLT count over 47 ×109/L (74%, 82/112) was higher than below 47 × 109/L(66 %, 33/50, χ2 =4. 528, P = 0. 033). The one year after operation cumulative survival rate of liver function Child-Pugh class A, B, and C was 92%, 85%, 55% respectively. Conclusion Child-Pugh score and platelet count are independent predictable factors for the survival of variceal hemorrhage patients with liver cirrhosis and portal hypertension treated by TIPS. The risk increase after operation when Child-Pugh score over 9 and/or PLT count less 47×109 /L.

Objective To evaluate the safety and efficacy of percutaneous transluminal angioplasty (PTA) in treating Budd-Chiari syndrome (BCS) and to analyze the long-term follow-up results. Methods From October 1998 to May 2008,98 BCS patients (inferior vena cava obstruction,n = 34 ; hepatic vein obstruction, n = 22; combined obstruction, n = 42) who accepted PTA treatment successfully were investigated. The changes of clinical manifestations and liver function post-operation were observed; the long term survival rate was evaluated. Results Only two patients were complicated with transhepatic puncture tract bleeding, the prognosis was good after emergency operation. Sixty patients presented with low extremities edema, which was fully subsided after PTA.Of eighty-eight ascites patients, ascites disappeared in eighty patients after operation, and in the other eight patients combined with oral diuretic treatment post-operation. The median Rotterdam prognostic score of one month post-operation and the last follow-up time point was 0. 11 and 0. 09, significantly lowered than pre-operation (1.12). The difference was statistical significance (P=0. 000). At 1, 3, 5 years postoperative, the cumulative vessel patency rates were 96%, 94% and 94% respectively, and the cumulative survival rates were 94%, 91% and 87%. Conclusions Treating BCS with PTA has a high success rate, a good safety and a long-term survival rate.

Objective To evaluate the therapeutic efficacy and safety of transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS) for the treatment of portal hypertension of patients with hepatocellular carcinoma.Methods Ninety-five portal hypertension patients with hepatic carcinoma were enrolled.TIPS was performed in 63 patients and the other 32 patients received support medical care.The data referred to survival time of the 95 patients after treatment was collected by follow-up visit.The informations about success rate of TIPS,hepatic encephalopathy,rebleeding and causes of death were assessed.The Kaplan-Meier method was used to compare the survival time between two groups.The association of survival time with Child-Pugh classification and model for end-stage liver disease (MELD) score was analyzed.Results The success rate of TIPS was 97.8% with reduction of mean portal vein pressure of 13.6 cmH2O(1 cmH2O=0.098 kPa).The incidence of hepatic encephalopathy was 20.6% and rebleeding was 26.3% six months after TIPS treatment.Fifty-six patients treated with TIPS died at the end of follow-up.Twelve of which were died of variceal bleeding complicated with portal hypertension.The median survival time of TIPS group (3.67 months) was significantly longer than that of control group (1 month). Moreover, the median survival time in patients with low MELD score (≤13) was significantly longer than that in those with high MELD seore (＞13, x2=4.71,P=0.03). Whereas the median survival time was decreasing from Child-Pugh A to C(x2=15.6,P=0.00). Conclusions TIPS is one of effective and safe therapeutic methods to control portal hypertension. However, liver function is an important factor for selcetion of TIPS.

Objective To evaluate the effect of hepatic vein occlusion and stent replacement in treatment for Budd-Chiari syndrome(BCS).Methods Forty three patients with BCS were underwent percutanous puncture,radiography,transjugular angioplasty,balloon dilation and stent placement for hepatic vein under Doppller ultrasounographic guidance from July 2001 to September 2006. Results Technical success was 100%with no complications.The medium vein pressure was reduced from 32.5 tO 20 cm H2O(1 cm H2O-0.098 kPa)after stents replacement(P＜0.01).The hepatic vein angioplasty revealed that all stents were patent and branches were disappeared.The symptoms in 38 patients were disappeared immediately,and improved in 5 patients.All patients were followed up of 32 months(ranged 1-62).Except one patient died of severe gastric bleeding,the 42 patients were survived with symptoms free.Conclusion Hepatic vein occlusion and stent replacement are safe and effective in treatment of BCS.

OBJECTIVETo assess the efficacy and safety of bilateral versus unilateral biliary drainage in malignant hilar obstruction.

METHODSTopically relevant studies,regardless of randomized or observational design, were searched for in PubMed, EmBase and the Cochrane Library database. Risk ratios (RRs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated to compare the effect of the two treatments.

RESULTSThree randomized trials and 7 observational studies were included, involving 894 patients with malignant hilar obstruction. The meta-analysis assessment of primary outcomes showed that the stent patency rate was better in bilateral drainage than in unilateral drainage (Rr=2.03,95% CI [1.16-3.56], P=0.01), but there were no significant differences in successful drainage rate (Rr=1.07,95% CI [0.97-1.18], P=0.20) and patient survival rate (Rr=-0.16,95% CI [-0.40-0.08], P=0.20). In the analysis of secondary outcomes,there were also no significant differences in the technical success rate (Rr=1.05,95% CI [0.98-1.17], P=0.34),the early complication rate (Rr=1.15, 95% CI [0.75-1.76], P=0.52), late complication rate (Rr=1.09,95% CI [0.75-1.60], P=0.60) and 30-day mortality rate (Rr=0.68,95% CI [0.38-1.23], P=0.20).

CONCLUSIONAlthough the cumulative stent patency was better for the bilateral than the unilateral drainage approach, based on the available data, there is not enough data to support bilateral drainage for malignant hilar obstruction. Well-designed randomized controlled trials are necessary to confirm it.

ObjectiveTo investigate the changes in gut microbiota after transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS) in cirrhotic patients with mild hepatic encephalopathy (MHE) in different prognosis groups. MethodsA total of 28 MHE cirrhotic patients who were hospitalized and underwent TIPS in Xijing Hospital of Digestive Diseases from July 2016 to July 2017 were enrolled. Fecal samples and related clinical data were collected on days 1-3 before surgery and at 1 month after surgery. According to the prognosis after surgery, the patients were divided into none-hepatic encephalopathy (HE) group with 8 patients, MHE group with 12 patients, and overt hepatic encephalopathy (OHE) group with 8 patients. Fecal samples were analyzed by 16S rRNA sequencing to obtain the relative abundance of gut microbiota, and SPSS and R packages were used to analyze the biodiversity, postoperative changes, and differences in such changes of gut microbiota at the genus level between groups. The chi-square test was used for comparison of categorical data between groups; the Kruskal-Wallis H test was used for comparison of continuous data between three groups; the Bonferroni method was used for multiple comparisons of multiple samples; the Wilcoxon signed-rank test was used for comparison before and after surgery within each group. For microbiome beta-diversity analyses, a principal coordinate analysis (PCoA) was performed based on Bray-Curtis distance matrix, and the Adonis method (PerMANOVA) was used for comparison between groups. ResultsPCoA based on Bray-Curtis distance matrix showed that only the MHE group had a significant change in beta diversity after surgery (F=2.71, P=0.049). After surgery, the non-HE group had significant increases in the abundance of the native flora Dialister, Coprococcus, Ruminococcaceae_uncultured, Flavonifractor, and Clostridium_sensu_stricto_1 (Z=2.521, 2.1, 2.1, 2.1, and 1.96, all P＜0.05); the MHE group had significant reductions in the abundance of the harmful flora Granulicatella（Z=2.521,P=0.012）, Enterococcus（Z=2.51,P=0.012）, Streptococcus（Z=2.432,P=0.015）, and Rothia（Z=2.001,P=0.045） and significant increases in the abundance of Veillonella（Z=2.353,P=0.019） and Megasphaera（Z=1.955,P=0.05）; the OHE group only had a significant increase in the abundance of Veillonella after surgery (Z=2.38, P=0.017). There was a significant difference in the change in gut microbiota (postoperative abundance/preoperative abundance) between the non-HE group, the MHE group, and the OHE group ［2.00 (1.11-91.61) vs 1.21 (0.26-679) vs 0.09 (0.01-0.92), χ2=6.249, P=0.043］. ConclusionThere is a significant difference in the change in gut microbiota after TIPS between patients with different prognoses, and the increase in the abundance of native flora may have a certain influence on the remission of MHE.