Objective:To evaluate the reoperation of abdominal metastasis after liver resection for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).Methods:The data of 2748 patients with liver cancer undergoing surgical resection at the Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery of Li Huili Hospital of Ningbo Medical Center from January 2010 to January 2022 were retrospectively screened. A total of 19 patients with abdominal metastases after liver resection undergoing reoperation were enrolled, which were all males with a median age of 53 years (27 to 68). The surgical procedures and diagnosis for abdominal metastases were recorded, and the recurrence and survival of patients were followed up.Results:During the follow-ups of initial resection of HCC, 10 patients were diagnosed with postoperative abdominal metastasis by enhanced CT, and seven patients were diagnosed by MRI. MRI and PET/CT were negative in two patients. Abdominal metastasis was found during reoperation in one case and liver transplantation in the other case due to postoperative liver recurrence. All 19 patients successfully underwent radical resection of abdominal metastases. Eighteen patients underwent open surgery and one underwent laparoscopic surgery. Among them, nine cases underwent simple metastases resection, six combined liver resection, one combined liver resection and right hemicolectomy, one combined partial rectal resection, one combined partial small bowel resection, and one combined liver transplantation. The 1-year, 3-year, and 5-year disease-free survival rates were 26.3%, 15.8%, 10.5%, respectively. The 1-year, 3-year, and 5-year overall survival rates were 94.7%, 26.3%, 15.8%, respectively. Three patients are currently surviving disease-free for 154.3 months, 67.3 months, and 33.4 months, respectively. These three patients all had single abdominal metastase and did not receive any targeted or immune treatments after surgery.Conclusion:For patients with localized or single abdominal metastases after HCC surgery, reoperation for metastases can bring survival benefits.

Objective:To investigate the factors influencing recipient liver regeneration after full-size split liver transplantation (fSLT).Methods:The clinical data of patients undergoing split liver transplantation in the Affiliated Li Huili Hospital of Ningbo University from May 2019 to Sep 2023 were retrospectively collected. Graft volume (GV) and initial graft volume (IGV) at (30±7) days after operation were measured, and postoperative liver regeneration rate (LRR) was calculated. The patients undergoing fSLT were divided into high regeneration group and low regeneration group with LRR=30% as boundary. The differences of donor and recipient data and perioperative data between the two groups were compared.Results:A total of 52 patients were included. The low fSLT regeneration group (16 cases) was compared with the high fSLT regeneration group (36 cases), and in high fSLT regeneration group donor age was lower, the donor liver steatosis was less, GRWR was lower, the incidence of hepatitis B virus-related liver disease was lower, the postoperative diagnosis of malignant liver disease was lower, the intraoperative blood loss was less, and the postoperative platelet count was higher. The levels of liver enzyme and total bilirubin (TBiL) were higher than those in high regeneration group ( P<0.05). Conclusions:Donor age, donor liver steatosis, GRWR, hepatitis B virus associated liver disease, and recipient pathogenesis are important factors affecting liver regeneration after fSLT. Postoperative platelet and liver enzyme levels are important indicators for monitoring liver regeneration after fSLT.

Objective:To investigate the risk factors for postoperative early recurrence of patients with single large hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) (tumor diameter≥5cm).Methods:Clinical data of 135 single large HCC patients who underwent radical resection from Jan 2015 to Sep 2020 in Ningbo Medical Centre Lihuili Hospital were analyzed.Results:Seventy-five HCC patients suffered recurrence,among those 42 patients had early recurrence(within 12 months). Multivariate analysis showed that alpha-fetoprotein (AFP)≥400 ng/ml ( OR=3.510,95% CI: 1.528-8.064; P=0.003) and tumor microvascular invasion (MVI) ( OR=2.769,95% CI: 1.143-6.706; P=0.024) were independent risk factors for early recurrence of single large hepatocellular carcinoma. Survival analysis showed that early recurrence risk factors significantly reduced recurrence free survival (RFS)(AFP≥400 ng/ml, χ 2=23.038, P<0.001; MVI positive , χ 2=10.554, P=0.001) and overall survival (OS) (AFP≥400 ng/ml, χ 2=14.336, P<0.001; MVI positive, χ 2=10.481, P=0.001) in single large hepatocellular carcinoma patients. Conclusion:AFP≥400 ng/ml and MVI positive are independent risk factors for postoperative early recurrence in single large hepatocellular carcinoma patients.

Objective:To evaluate the short-term efficacy of split liver transplantation (SLT) in patients with acute-on-chronic liver failure (ACLF).Methods:The clinical data of 9 ACLF patients receiving SLT in our center from Mar 2021 to May 2022 were retrospectively analyzed to evaluate its safety and efficacy.Results:The preoperative APASL ACLF Research consortium (AARC) score of the 9 ACLF patients was 8 points in 1 case, 9 points in 3 cases, 10 points in 3 cases, 11 points in 1 case and 12 points in 1 case, 7 cases were in AARC-ACLF grade 2, and 2 cases in grade 3.In-situ liver splitting was performed in 9 deceased donors, including 4 classical split cases, 5 full size split cases. Among these 9 ACLF patients, 2 received left half liver transplantation, 3 received right half liver transplantation, and 4 received extended right lobe liver transplantation. After transplantation, all 9 recipients were discharged fully recovered, 1 case developed Clavien grade Ⅳa complication and 2 cases developed Clavien grade Ⅲb complication.After SLT treatment the median postoperative hospital stay was 27 days, the 1-year survival rate was 100%, and the organ survival rate was 88.9%.Conclusion:Split liver transplantation is a safe and feasible treatment method for ACLF patients.

Objective:To analyze the prognostic factors affecting salvage liver transplantation (SLT).Methods:The clinical data of 97 patients undergoing liver transplantation in the Ningbo Medical Centre Lihuili Hospital from January 2012 to May 2022 were retrospectively analyzed, including 84 males and 13 females, aged (53.6±7.4) years. Among them, 33 patients underwent primary liver transplantation (PLT) and 64 underwent SLT. SLT patients were subdivided into the groups within the Milan criteria (SLT-A, n=35) and beyond the Milan criteria (SLT-B, n=29), according to whether the Milan criteria were met at first hepatectomy. Clinicopathological and prognostic data were subsequently analyzed. Results:The tumor number ( χ2=16.03, P<0.001), microvascular invasion (MVI) ( χ2=10.97, P=0.004), recurrence rate ( χ2=9.31, P=0.010), recurrence-free survival (RFS, F=14.05, P=0.001) and overall survival (OS, F=17.27, P<0.001) were significantly different among the three groups. RFS ( P=0.047) and OS ( P=0.012) in PLT group were better than those in SLT-B group. RFS ( P=0.007) and OS ( P=0.024) in SLT-A group were also better than those in SLT-B group. The multivariate analysis indicated that beyond the Milan criteria at first hepatectomy was an independent risk factor for RFS ( HR=4.378, 95% CI: 1.393-13.756, P=0.011) and OS ( HR=5.391, 95% CI: 1.428-20.352, P=0.013) in patients undergoing SLT, and MVI positive ( HR=4.042, 95% CI: 1.137-14.368, P=0.031) was an independent risk factor for RFS in patients undergoing SLT. Conclusion:Patients beyond the Milan criteria at first hepatectomy and MVI positive showed a poorer prognosis after SLT. Whether the Milan criteria should be the gold standard for SLT as well as for PLT needs further study.

Objective:To explore the feasibility of technological modification and innovation of full-left/full-right liver splitting in situ for donors and examine the safety of clinical application for liver transplantation (LT).Methods:From March 2021 to June 2022, clinical and surgical data are retrospectively reviewed for 27 donors undergoing full-left/full-right liver splitting in situ and the corresponding 49 recipients undergoing full-left/full-right LT.According to the split liver technique used in donor liver surgery, they are divided into conventional split group(group A, 13 cases)and innovative split group(group B, 14 cases). The corresponding recipients are divided into two groups of recipient C(25 cases)and recipient D(24 cases). General profiles, intraoperative findings, type of vascular allocation and short-term outcomes in two groups are compared.After full-size split liver transplantation(fSLT), follow-ups continued until the end of September 2022.Results:There are 23 males and 4 females in donors.The causes of mortality for donors are traumatic head injury(12 cases)cerebrovascular accident(13 cases)and anoxia encephalopathy(2 cases). Baseline characteristics of two groups indicate that body weight and body mass index(BMI)are higher in group B and blood sodium level is lower than that in group A( P<0.05). No statistical differences exist for the others.Liver splitting time is significantly shorter in group B than that in group A(175 vs.230 min, P=0.022). No significant inter-group difference exists in type of vascular allocation.Retrohepatic inferior vena cava(IVC)is split in one case in group A and 10 cases in group B( P=0.001). Among 20 cases of right hemiliver requiring a reconstruction of segment Ⅴ/Ⅷ venous outflow, 12 cases in group A and 3 cases in group B are reconstructed with conventional independent bridging method(independent type)while another 5 cases in group B reconstruct with innovated technique by bridging Ⅴ/Ⅷ vein for splitting IVC with iliac vessel and molding all outflows as one for anastomosis(combined typ e). There is significant inter-group difference( P=0.004). No significant differences exist in operative duration, anhepatic phase or blood loss between groups C and B, except for T tube retaining in 7 cases of group A and 14 cases of group D( P=0.032). Twelve cases developed a total of 26 instances of≥Clavien-Dindo grade Ⅲ complications.Of which, 7 cases in group C and 5 cases in group D show no significant difference in postoperative morbidity.However, for serious biliary complications(≥Clavien Dindo grade Ⅲ), there are 6 cases in group C versus none in group D( P=0.016). Two cases died from postoperative complication with a postoperative mortality rate of 4.1%.Postoperative hospital stay is similar in two groups.And accumulates 6/12-month survivals were 95.9% and 87.7% for grafts and 95.9% and 92.4% for recipients respectively. Conclusions:Operative duration of full-left/full-right liver splitting in situ tends to shorten with an accumulation of a certain amount of cases.Technological modification and innovation in IVC splitting and segment Ⅴ/Ⅷ vein reconstruction should be further validated as both feasible and safe by short-term outcomes of the corresponding recipients.

Objective:To analyse the risk factors of biliary leakage after surgical resection in patients with perihilar cholangiocarcinoma (PHCC).Methods:The medical data on 179 patients who underwent surgical resection for PHCC at the Department of Hepatopancreatobiliary Surgery, Ningbo Medical Centre Lihuili Hospital, Ningbo University from April 2000 to April 2020 were collected, and 160 patients were finally enrolled into this study. There were 86 males and 74 females, aged (63.4±10.8) years. The 44 patients with class B biliary leakage and the 5 patients with class C biliary leakage were classified into the biliary leakage group, while the remaining 111 patients were classified into the control group. Risk factors of biliary leakage were analysed by univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses.Results:Operation time ≥360 min, resection and reconstruction of hepatic hilar vessels on the preserved side of liver and number of bile duct openings of >3 in remnant liver were significantly higher in the biliary leakage than the control group (all P<0.05). Multivariate analysis showed that resection and reconstruction of hepatic hilar vessels on the preserved side ( OR=2.322, 95% CI: 1.078-5.002, P=0.028) and 3 or more bile duct openings in the remnant liver ( OR=2.656, 95% CI: 1.198-5.892, P=0.016) were significantly associated with biliary leakage. Conclusion:Resection and reconstruction of hepatic hilar vessels on the preserved side of liver and 3 or more bile duct openings in remnant liver were independent risk factors for biliary leakage after PHCC resection.

Objective:To study the safety and efficacy of combining portal vein resection and reconstruction (PVR) with resection of perihilar cholangiocarcinoma (PHC).Methods:A total of 104 patients with PHC who underwent hepatectomies for either biliary resection alone or biliary resection combined with PVR from October 2006 to December 2019 at the Department of Hepatopancreatobiliary, Ningbo Medical Center of Lihuili Hospital entered into this study. There were 63 males and 41 females, with the age of (64.4±10.4) years. The control group consisted of 75 patients who underwent biliary resection alone, while the PVR group consisted 29 patients with biliary resection combined with PVR. The patient characteristics and the follow-up outcomes of the two groups were analyzed and compared. Survival analyses were performed using the Kaplan Meier method with the log-rank test.Results:Wedge resection of portal vein, side to side anastomosis in 2 cases, segmental resection and end to end anastomosis in 27 cases. The time taken for PVR and portal vein resection were (12.7±2.9)(range 8 to 18)min and (20.7±7.3)(range 8 to 38) mm, respectively. The estimated blood loss for the PVR group was significantly more than the control group [ M( Q1, Q3)] 800.0 (600.0, 1 500.0) ml vs. 600.0(500.0, 1 000.0) ml ( P<0.05). Based on postoperative pathological studies, the proportion of lymph node metastasis was significantly higher in the PVR group than the control group (58.6% vs. 32.0%, P<0.05). Clavien-Dindo grade Ⅲ and above complications were 30.7%(23/75) and 34.5%(10/29) in the control and PVR groups, respectively ( P>0.05). The re-operation and postoperative 90 days mortality rates were 9.3%(7/75) and 2.7%(2/75) in the control group, compared with 3.4%(1/29) and 0 in the PVR group, respectively (both P>0.05). The 1-, 3- and 5-year survival rates were 81.1%, 44.8% and 36.4% respectively for the control group and 78.1%, 35.9% and 31.4% for the PVR group (χ 2=0.33, P=0.570). Conclusion:When compared to biliary resection alone, biliary resection combined with PVR did not significantly increase postoperative complication and mortality rates, but with comparable long-term survival outcomes. Combined biliary resection with PVR was safe and improved the resection rate in selected patients with locally advanced PHC.

Objective:The aims of this study were to compare the efficacy between salvage liver transplantation (sLT) and rehepatectomy (RR) basing on the propensity score matching (PSM), and to explore the prognositc factors of patients with recurrent hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).Methods:124 patients with intrahepatic recurrence after hepatectomy in our center from January 2012 to August 2018 were divided into sLT group( n=46) and RR group( n=78). 34 patients were selected for data analysis base on 1∶1 propensity score matching (PSM). The advantages and disadvantages of the two surgical methods and the prognostic factors of the patients were discussed by comparing the basic clinical data, OS and DFS of the two groups before and after matching. Results:Before matching, the pre-operative serum total bilirubin, the occurrence of multiple tumors, the proportion of preoperative TACE and the proportion of patients within Milan criteria of the sLT group were higher than those of the RR group, and the maximum tumor diameter of the sLT group was shorter than that of the RR group ( P<0.05); the time of operation, the amount of intra-operative blood loss, the positive of MVI and the proportion of postoperative Clavien grade Ⅲ and above of RR group were higher than those of RR group ( P<0.05). After matching, the operation time, intra-operative blood loss and the proportion of postoperative complications of sLT group were higher than those of RR group; there was nosignificant difference between 1-, 3- and 5- years OS of sLT group and RR group( P>0.05), the 1-, 3- and 5-years DFS of sLT group were better than those of RR group( P<0.05); AFP≥100 μg/L was the independent risk factor of OS, and the type of operation and AFP≥100 μg/L were independent risk factors of DFS. Conclusions:The pre-operative condition of sLT group was more severe, and the operation time, intra-operative blood loss and post-operative severe complication rate of sLT group were higher than those of RR group, and the DFS time of sLT group was longer than that of RR group, but there was no significant difference in OS between the two groups.

Objective:To evaluate the feasibility and efficacy of total hilar en bloc resection and reconstruction(THERR) and portal vein resection and reconstruction(PVRR) in treatment of perihilar cholangiocarcinoma(PHC).Methods:Data of a total of 101 consecutive patients with PHC who underwent bile duct resection with various types of hepatectomies from June 2013 to December 2019 at Department of Hepatopancreatobiliary,Lihuili Hospital were retrospectively analyzed. Patients who underwent PHC resection combined with THERR or PVRR were identified and grouped accordingly. Fourteen patients(6 males, 8 females, aged (64.3±9.7)years old) underwent hepatectomy combined with THERR, 19 patients(11 males, 8 females, aged (63.8±8.6)years old) underwent hepatectomy combined with PVRR. Indications and surgical procedures of THERR and PVRR were reported. The clinicopathological characteristics and operation data, as well as the short and long-term outcomes of patients of the two groups were compared by Student′s t-test and the χ 2 test or Fisher exact test, respectively. The actual survivals rates were calculated by using the Kaplan-Meier method, and compared using the Log-rank test. Results:There were no statistically significant differences between the two groups in respect to age,sex and whether they had preoperative biliary drainage or not. The types of combined hepatectomy carried out predominately between the two groups were statistically different with the left side being predominant in the THERR group(10/14, P=0.010) and right side in PVRR group(12/19, P=0.001). There were no significant differences between the two groups in respect to whether they received preoperative portal vein embolization,intraoperative blood loss,curative degree,number of lymph node dissections, and whether there was lymphatic metastasis or not. However, both the times of operation and continuous Pringle maneuver were statistically longer in the THERR group((586±158)minutes and (32.5±7.3)minutes)than those in the PVRR group((453±88)minutes and (12.4±3.8)minutes),respectively( t=3.087, P=0.004; t=10.325, P<0.01). One patient in the THERR group died of liver failure 9 days postoperative, the cumulative 1-, 3- and 5-year survival rates were 84.9%, 57.1% and 37.0% for the THERR group and 81.9%, 37.8% and 30.2% for the PVRR group, respectively. There was no statistically significant differences between the two groups(χ2=0.150, P=0.698). Conclusions:Compared to the role of PVRR in the treatment of PHC, THERR is a novel and technically demanding procedure that is feasible in selected patients for the treatment of advanced PHC with invasion of both the hepatic artery and portal vein. However,due to the small size of this primary study,the value of THERR needs further evaluation.