Objective:To compare the prognosis of patients with hepatolithiasis-associated intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (ICC) and hepatitis B virus (HBV)-associated ICC after radical resection.Methods:The clinicopathological and survival data of 69 patients with ICC undergoing radical resection in the Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, Lihuili Hospital Affiliated to Ningbo University from January 2012 to February 2024 were retrospectively analyzed, including 40 males and 29 females, aged (62.9±10.2) years. Patients were divided into the stone group ( n=40, with hepatolithiasis) and HBV group ( n=29, with HBV). Kaplan-Meier method was used for survival analysis, and log-rank test was used for survival rate comparison. Cox proportional hazard regression model was used for multivariate analysis to analyze the effect of hepatolithiasis and HBV on the prognosis. Results:The median overall survival of ICC patients in the stone group was 16 months, and that in the HBV group was 27 months. The 1-, 3-, and 5-year cumulative survivals of the stone group were 56.6%, 23.2%, and 10.3%, respectively, which were lower than those of the HBV group (72.0%, 50.7%, and 43.4%, respectively, χ2=5.95, P=0.015). The median recurrence-free survivals (RFS) of the stone group and the HBV group were 12 months and 23 months, respectively. The 1-year and 3-year RFS of the stone group were 49.2% and 18.1%, which were lower than those of the HBV group (65.0% and 39.8%, respectively, χ2=3.94, P=0.047). Univariate analysis showed that hepatolithiasis was assciated with prognosis ( χ2=5.95, P=0.015). Multivariate Cox regression analysis showed that hepatolithiasis and hepatitis B virus infection had no effect on the prognosis of ICC patients after surgery (all P>0.05). Conclusion:Compared to HBV infection, ICC patients with hepatolithiasis have a worse prognosis. Hepatolithiasis and HBV infection have no effect on the prognosis of ICC after radical resection.

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.

Peribiliary glands (PBG) is a kind of microscopic structure around the intra-hepatic bile ducts and extrahepatic bile ducts. PBG not only participates in maintaining the normal physiological function of biliary epithelial tissue, but also plays an important role in its damage and repair process. Biliary tree stem/progenitor cells in PBG are important cell sources of biliary epithelial regeneration and repair. PBG and the surrounding peribiliary vascular plexus are key influencing factors for the occurrence of ischemic-type biliary lesions (ITBL) after liver transplantation. Based on relevant literatures and clinical practice, the authors summarize the function of PBG as well as its relationship with ITBL.

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 correlation between the histological classification of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), especially macrotrabecular-massive (MTM), tumor invasiveness, and prognosis.Methods:The clinical and follow-up data of 246 consecutive HCC cases who met the inclusion criteria from 2015 to 2018 were retrospectively analyzed. They were divided into trabecular/pseudoglandular, trabecular/patchy, and MTM types according to the histological classification. The relationship between each type and related clinicopathological features was analyzed. The Kaplan-Meier method was used to plot tumor-free survival (DFS) and overall survival (OS) curves. Log rank tests, COX univariate, and multivariate regression analyses were conducted to analyze the relationship between clinical features, including histological classification, DFS, and OS.Results:Trabecular/pseudoglandular, trabecular/nodular, and MTM type proportions were 44.7% (110 cases), 32.9% (81 cases), and 22.4% (55 cases), respectively. The results of the clinicopathological features showed that MTM-type HCC was significantly more invasive than the other two types, with alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) ≥400 ng/ml, tumor diameter≥8 cm, no tumor capsule, poor differentiation, and MVI positivity proportions, and the differences were statistically significant (P < 0.05).The proportion of MTM-type HCC patients with American Joint Committee on Cancer TNM Stage III to IV and Chinese Liver Cancer Staging (CNLC) II to II was significantly higher than that of the first two types, and the differences were statistically significant (P < 0.05). In addition, the proportion of MTM subtypes undergoing transcatheter arterial chemoembolization was also raised (P < 0.05). The DFS and OS were significantly lower for MTM-type HCC compared to trabecular/pseudoductal-type HCC at 1-, 3-, and 5-years, and the differences were statistically significant (P < 0.05). Univariate analysis indicated that strongly invasive clinical pathological features such as alpha fetoprotein (AFP) ≥400 ng/ml, tumor diameter ≥ 8 cm, no tumor capsule, poor differentiation, positive microvascular invasion, tumor stage, and MTM staging were all risk factors affecting DFS and OS (P < 0.05). Multivariate COX analysis showed that MTM histological staging, AFP ≥ 400 ng/ml, tumor non-encapsulation, satellite nodules, CNLC stages II~III, and TNM stages III~IV were independent risk factors for DFS (P < 0.05), while AFP ≥ 400 ng/ml, tumor non-encapsulation, and CNLC stage II~III were independent risk factors for OS ( P < 0.05).Conclusion:Histological classification is highly correlated with tumor invasiveness and HCC prognosis. Trabecular/pseudoglandular types have lower malignancy and a better prognosis, while MTM types exhibit strong invasive features and a poor prognosis.

Objective:To analyze the risk factors of newly developed non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) after pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD) based on a propensity score matching (PSM) analysis.Methods:The clinicopathological data of 219 patients with pancreatic or periampullary tumors undergoing PD in the Ningbo Medical Center Lihuili Hospital from December 2015 to December 2021 were retrospectively analyzed, including 129 males and 90 females, aged (63.68±11.07) years old. The patients were divided into two groups according to the newly occurrence of NAFLD within one year after PD: the NAFLD group ( n=57) and non-NAFLD group ( n=162). A caliper value of 0.1 was employed for 1∶1 matching, resulting in a well-balanced PSM between the groups. Results:A total of 144 patients were successfully matched by PSM. Univariate analysis indicated that gender, body mass index, preoperative serum triglyceride and operative time were risk factors for newly developed NAFLD after PD. Multivariate analysis showed that female ( OR=6.493, 95% CI=2.631-16.129, P<0.001), preoperative serum triglycerides ≥1.5 mmol/L ( OR=3.055, 95% CI=1.220-7.654, P=0.017) and operative time ≥300 min ( OR=5.092, 95% CI=1.374-18.865, P=0.015) were the independent risk factors for newly developed NAFLD after PD. Conclusion:Based on PSM analysis, female, preoperative triglyceride ≥1.5 mmol/L and operative time ≥300 min were independent risk factors for newly developed NAFLD after PD.

Objective:To investigate the impact of initial recurrence site on the prognosis of patients with pancreatic cancer after radical operation.Methods:Clinical data of 172 patients who underwent radical resection of pancreatic cancer and were pathologically confirmed as pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma in Ningbo University Affiliated Lihuili Hospital from January 2015 to June 2021 were analyzed retrospectively. According to the classification of the initial recurrence or metastasis after operation: no recurrence, local recurrence (residual pancreas, mesenteric vein, pancreaticoenterostomy surrounding tissue), liver metastasis, abdominal or retroperitoneum metastasis, multiple site recurrence and other pattern recurrence. The effect on prognosis was analyzed by COX risk ratio model, the overall survival and recurrence-free survival were calculated by Kaplan-Meier, and the survival curve was drawn. Log-rank test was used to compare the survival rate of different recurrence sites and different treatments after recurrence.Results:12 patients had local recurrence, 69 had liver metastasis, 25 had abdominal or retroperitoneal metastasis, 17 had multiple site recurrence, and 5 had other site recurrence and 44 had no recurrence. The median follow-up time was 15.5 months (3-69 months). The median overall survival was 19 months (95% CI 16.273-21.727). The 1- , 3- and 5-year postoperative cumulative survival rate was 71.0%, 27.8% and 20.2%, respectively. Univariate analysis showed that CA125, tumor size, lymph node metastasis, microvascular invasion, tumor differentiation degree, adjuvant chemotherapy, initial recurrence site were significantly correlated with overall survival (All P value <0.05). Multivariate analysis showed that CA125 ≥30 IU/ml ( OR=2.669, P=0.001), microvascular invasion ( OR=1.736, P=0.028), poor tumor differentiation ( OR=1.604, P=0.027), adjuvant chemotherapy ( OR=0.439, P<0.001), initial recurrence site (All P value <0.05) were the independent risk factors for overall survival. The median recurrence-free survival of 172 patients was 9 months (95% CI 7.075-10.925). Univariate analysis showed that CA125, tumor size, lymph node metastasis and microvascular invasion were significantly correlated with recurrence-free survival (All P value <0.05). Multivariate analysis showed that CA125 ( OR=1.640, P=0.026), tumor size ( OR=1.774, P=0.011) and microvascular invasion ( OR=1.563, P=0.034) were the independent risk factors for recurrence-free survival. After surgery, the median survival time of patients with local recurrence, other pattern recurrence, abdominal or retroperitoneal metastasis, multi-site recurrence and liver metastasis was 28, 22, 21, 15 and 14 months, respectively. Among them, the overall survival of patients with postoperative local recurrence was longest, which was significantly longer than that of patients with multi-site recurrence ( P=0.035) and liver metastasis ( P=0.007); the survival of patients with abdominal or retroperitoneal metastasis was also longer than that with liver metastasis ( P=0.005); and all the differences were statistically significant. In 128 patients with recurrence, the median overall survival of 26 patients without adjuvant therapy was 10 months (95% CI 6.877-13.123); the median overall survival of 68 patients with adjuvant chemotherapy was 15 months (95% CI 13.013-16.987); the median overall survival of 34 patients with comprehensive treatment of surgery and radiotherapy was 19 months (95% CI 15.100-22.900), which was significantly higher than the other two groups, and there were significant statistical differences among the three groups ( P<0.001). Conclusions:The initial recurrence site of pancreatic cancer after radical operation is an independent risk factor for overall survival. Compared with local recurrence and abdominal or retroperitoneal metastasis, patients with multi-site recurrence and liver metastasis have a poor prognosis. Comprehensive treatment after recurrence can significantly prolong the overall survival.

Objective:To investigate the correlation between modified Glasgow prognostic score (mGPS) and prognosis of intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (ICC) patients after radical surgical resection.Methods:The clinical data of 126 patients with intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma undergoing radical surgical resection at Ningbo Medical Centre Lihuili Hospital from Jan 2011 to Dec 2020 were retrospectively analyzed. The patients were scored according to the mGPS-related scoring standards, and the differences in tumor clinicopathological characteristics and prognosis were compared between patients with different score levels.Results:Firty-eight cases were included in group 0, 41 cases in group 1, and 27 cases in group 2. The 1- and 3-year survival rates in group 0 were 85.8% and 52.3%, the 1- and 3-year survival rates in group 1 were 73.2% and 23%, and the 1- and 3-year survival rates in group 2 were 73.3% and 0. The difference was statistically significant ( P<0.05). Univariate analysis showed that age, mGPS, CA19-9, tumor diameter, and tumor differentiation were related at the prognosis of ICC. Multivariate analysis showed that age, tumor differentiation, tumor diameter and mGPS were independent risk factors for the prognosis of ICC. Conclusion:mGPS is an independent risk factor affecting the prognosis of ICC patients.

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 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.