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 clinicopathologic features of sarcomatoid carcinoma of the pancreas.Methods:The clinicopathological data of 7 cases with sarcomatoid carcinoma of the pancreas admitted in the Affiliated Lihuili Hospital of Ningbo University from September 2013 to August 2021 were retrospectively analyzed, including clinical manifestations, laboratory examination, imaging examination, pathological examination of tissue specimens, surgical methods and adjuvant treatments. Expressions of mesenchymal markers and epithelial markers in tumor tissues were determined by immunohistochemical staining.Results:Among the 7 cases of sarcomatoid carcinoma of the pancreas, there were 4 male and 3 female. The patient age ranged from 51 to 88 years old, and the mean age was 69 years old. All the patients underwent CT examimation before surgery. 3 tumors were located in the head, 3 in the body and 1 in the tail of the pancreas. CT examination also showed that 4 tumors were cystic solid and 3 were cystic. Six patients underwent radical surgery and one underwent partial resection for biopsy. Microscopically, the tumor was predominantly composed of sarcomatoid spindle-shaped cells. Immunohistochemical staining showed that the tumor expressed both mesenchymal markers vimentin and epithelial marker CK7, CK19, CK(pan) and CAM5.2. The overall prognosis of the patients was poor, 4 cases died within 1 year after surgery, and the other 3 cases survived without recurrence.Conclusions:The clinical manifestations of sarcomatoid carcinoma of the pancreas were not typical, but the pathological and immunohistochemical features are obvious and the prognosis is poor.

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.

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.

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 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 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 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.