Echinococcosis is a zoonotic disease that seriously threatened human health. The disease is widely distributed in China, including in Tibet Autonomous Region, Qinghai Province, Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, Sichuan Province, and other places, which has become a social and economic burden in China. Human beings are mainly infected with alveolar echinococcosis (AE) and cystic echinococcosis (CE), which mainly involves liver, lung, brain, bone, and other organs or tissues. The surgical resection is the first line treatment, and antiparasitic agents therapy is the main supplementary or salvage treatment method. Currently, classic drugs mainly include albendazole and praziquantel, which use alone or in combination. There are also some attempts to treat echinococcosis, including broad-spectrum anti infective drugs such as nitrozotocin, cell proliferation inhibiting drugs such as bortezomib, metabolic drugs such as metformin, or traditional medicines such as Artemisinin. It was also suggested to adopt a cancer management model for echinococcosis, and the imaging follow-up time for CE after antiparasitic chemotherapy should be at least 3 years, and for AE should be at least 10 years. More importantly, measures such as education and vaccine inoculation should be taken to actively prevent and control the occurrence and spread of echinococcosis.
ObjectiveTo explore value of partial liver preservation in situ for ex-vivo liver resection and auxiliatry autologous liver transplantation in end-stage hepatic alveolar echinococcosis.MethodsThe clinical data of one patient with end-stage hepatic alveolar echinococcosis treated with auxiliatry autologous liver transplantation combined partial liver preservation in situ were analyzed retrospectively. This patient was admitted on January 2019. During the auxiliatry autologous liver transplantation procedure, the S1, S4-S8 segments of the liver were resected for mass dissection, whereas the S2 and S3 segments of left liver were preserved in situ.ResultsThe preoperative evaluation and intraoperative exploration indicated that the mass located in the S4, S5, S8 segments, which was adjacent to the first hepatic portal and involved the anterior wall of posterior inferior vena cava, middle hepatic veins, the opening of right hepatic veins and the right wall of left hepatic veins. Based on the " in situ first” principle, the left lesion was slit using the anterior approach, the left hepatic vein was repaired and the S2 and S3 segments were preserved in situ. Then, the right lesion to involved hepatic vein was slit along the right interlobar fissure. The right hepatic artery, right portal vein and right bile duct were divided separately. The S1 and S4-S8 segments were removed completely. Next, the mass was resected, the out flow of the right liver was reconstructed using the allogeneic veins during the ex-vivo liver resection. Then, the auxiliatry autologous right liver transplantation was initiated by the wide-caliber hepatic vein-artificial inferior vena cava anastomosis. The surgical procedures lasted for 12 h, and the intraoperative bleeding was approximately 800 mL. The patient was routinely treated and smoothly recovered after the operation.ConclusionsProcedure of auxiliatry autologous liver transplantation preserved part functional liver in situ during ex-vivo resection, which could maintain stability of systemic and portal vein circulation, hold part liver function during operation, preserve functional liver furthest, and reduce risk of hepatic failure, is an effective attempt for end stage hepatic alveolar echinococcosis.
ObjectiveTo summarize the surgical technique and indications for liver masses involving the second and the third porta hepatis.MethodsThirteen cases of liver mass involving the second and the third porta hepatis, who underwent surgery in West China Hospital of Sichuan University from June 2013 to September 2016 were collected retrospectively, then made a statistical analysis, including patients’ information, characteristics of liver masses, operation information, and result of followed-up.ResultsOf the 13 cases, there were 3 cases of hepatic alveolar echinococcosis, 4 cases of hepatocellular carcinoma, 4 cases of intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma, and 2 cases of liver metastasis induced by colon cancer. The mean tumor diameter was 12.5 cm (7–21 cm). Preoperative imaging examinations showed that mass had involved the second and the third porta hepatis, and all masses were resected by surgery without perioperative death, including 7 cases of right three hepatectomy resection, 1 case of left three hepatectomy resection, 4 cases of right hepatectomy resection, and 1 case of left hemi hepatectomy resection; among them, 9 cases were performed caudal lobectomy resection. The mean of operative time was 313 min (210–450 min), the mean of intraoperative blood loss was 592 mL (300–1 100 mL). Four cases received blood transfusion with 300–450 mL (mean of 338 mL). The total hepatic blood inflow occlusion time was 25–55 min (mean of 42 min). Five cases received venous reconstruction, and 1 case received hepatic vein reconstruction. After operation, ascites occurred in 6 cases, pleural effusion occurred in 6 cases, liver failure occurred in 2 cases, bile leakage occurred in 2 cases, pulmonary infection occurred in 3 cases, deep vein thrombosis occurred in 1 case. All of the 13 cases were followed-up for 1–39 months (median time was 14 months), during the followed-up period, 4 cases died, including 3 cases of intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma and 1 case of liver metastasis induced by colon cancer.ConclusionIt is encouraging to apply the vascular reconstruction and skilled hepatic partition technique for resection lesions which involved the second and the third porta hepatis, through meticulous preoperative evaluation and preparation.
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.
Objectives To observe the expression of key proteins in the NLRP3/Caspase-1 pathway of pyroptosis in the mouse model of hepatic Echinococcus multilocularis (Em) infection and explore its correlation. Methods Twenty-five BALB/c mice were randomly divided into the control group and the infected group. The infected group was injected with 0.2 mL suspension of protoscolex (including 3 000 protoscoleces) injected under the liver capsule to establish a model of secondary infection with hepatic Em. The control group was treated without any treatments and conventional feeding was conducted. The mice were sacrificed at 1, 2, 3, and 5 months after infection. The liver was harvested and observed for gross morphology. HE staining and transmission electron microscopy were performed to observe the histopathological changes. The expressions of key proteins in the NLRP3/Caspase-1 pathway of pyroptosis and the IL-1β, a downstream factor of pyroptosis in the liver were detected by immunohistochemistry, Western blot and ELISA. Results Compared with the control group, the cystic lesions on the surface of liver tissues in the infected group mice gradually increased and protruded from the liver surface with the extension of infection time. HE staining showed various pathological changes such as inflammatory cell infiltration and fibrous hyperplasia in the liver lesions to varying degrees. After 2 months of Em infection, transmission electron microscope observation showed that the cell membrane of hepatocytes were broken and discontinuous, conforming to the "punching" phenomenon of pyroptosis. The results of ELISA showed that the concentration of IL-1β in liver homogenate of mice after 1, 2, 3 and 5 months of Em infection were significantly higher than that of the control group, and the difference was statistically significant (F=127.2, P<0.05). Immunohistochemical examination showed that the positive cell ratios of Caspase-1 and NLRP3 in liver of mice infected with Em at 1, 2, 3 and 5 months, were higher than that of the control group, and the difference were statistically significant (F=114.6, P<0.05; F=85.89, P<0.05). The Western blot results showed that the relative expression levels of Caspase-1, Xiaopi D, and NLRP3 proteins in the liver of infected mice showed a trend of first increasing (the expression of Caspase-1 and GSDMD reached their peak at 1 month of infection, while the expression of NLRP3 reached its peak at 2 months of infection) and then decreasing. There were statistically significant differences between the infection groups at different time points and the control group, as well as comparison between the infection groups at different time points there were also statistically significant differences (all P<0.05). Conclusion It is feasible to establish mouse Em infection model by “skin incision and liver puncture through abdominal muscle layer”. There is a new type of programmed cell death, pyroptosis, after Em infection in mouse liver. It may play a role in inflammation amplification through pyroptosis NLRP3/Caspase-1 pathway.
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 analyze findings of 3.0 T diffusion weighted magnetic resonance (MR) in hepatic alveolar echinococcosis and evaluate potential role of apparent diffusion coefficients (ADC) in hepatic alveolar echinococcosis. MethodsThe clinical data of 26 patients with hepatic alveolar echinococcosis from November 2013 to January 2015 in this hospital were analyzed retrospectively. Hepatic MR scannings with diffusion weighted imaging (DWI) sequences (b-value=0, 600, 1 000, and 1 200 s/mm2) were performed in 26 patients with hepatic alveolar echinococcosis. The data of all the patients were stored to the PACS. The lesion features including type, size, distribution, location, and calcification (on the CT) were assessed by two deputy radiologists. TheADCvalues of marginal area, centre area, surrounding area of liver parenchyma tissue were measured at different b values (0, 600, 1 000, and 1 200 s/mm2) and compared. Results①There were 26 patients with a total of 29 lesions, of which involved multiple liver segments, 21 (72%) lesions located in the right lobe, 4 lesions involved simultaneously the left and right lobes. Twenty-four lesions invaded the hepatic vein or portal vein, 20 lesions invaded the intrahepatic bile duct, 10 lesions invaded the right adrenal gland. Seven patients occurred hilar and retroperitoneal lymph nodes metastases, 5 patients occurred pulmonary metastasis, 3 patients occurred brain metastasis, while 3 patients occurred lung and brain metastases simultaneously. ②There were 20 liquefied necrotic lesions, of which 5 lesions marginal area had multiple small round cysts in T2WI, 15 were only solid and without small cyst; The DWI of the centre area in 12 lesions showed a high signal, 8 lesions showed a low signal. There were 9 solid lesions, of which 2 lesions marginal area had multiple small round cysts in T2WI, 7 lesions marginal area were only solid and without cyst in T2WI. The DWI of the solid lesions showed a low signal, there was a "ring" high signal in the edge of lesions. ③At the same b value, theADCvalue of the centre area in the liquefied necrosis lesions were significantly higher than that in the solid lesions (P<0.01). At different b values, theADCvalue of the surrounding liver parenchyma tissue was significantly lower than that of the marginal area (P<0.01) and the centre area (P<0.01) in the liquefied necrosis lesions; theADCvalue of the centre area was significantly higher than that of the marginal area or surrounding liver parenchyma tissue (P<0.05, P<0.01) in the solid lesions. ConclusionsDWI could clearly distinguish structure and composition of hepatic alveolar echinococcosis and has a higher value in distinguishing from other liver dieases. The averageADCvalue of centre area in liquefied necrotic lesions is higher than that in solid lesions.
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.
Objective To explore the correlations between the time of tracheal extubation and the intraoperative basic factors of ex vivo liver resection followed by autotransplantation in patients with advanced hepatic alveolar echinococcosis (HAE), and analyze the change trend of blood gas analysis during operation. Methods The data of 24 patients with advanced HAE who underwent ex vivo liver resection followed by autotransplantation in West China Hospital of Sichuan University between February 2014 and August 2017 were retrospectively analyzed. Results There were significant correlations between the extubation time and the duration of anesthesia (r=0.472, P=0.031), the amount of bleeding (r=0.524, P=0.015), the amount of erythrocyte suspensions infusion (r=0.627, P=0.002), and the amount of plasma infusion (r=0.617, P=0.003). There was no statistical difference in extubation time between patients with and without pulmonary complications in 3 months postoperatively [(23.74±15.84), (15.52±19.40) h, P=0.327]. Compared with those arterial blood gas results before the interruption, the pH value, blood glucose, lactic acid and base excess were statistically significantly different (P<0.05) at each time point after the interruption. Blood potassium increased at the end of operation compared with that before interruption (P<0.05); and the free calcium after blocking and opening increased with a temporary decrease (P<0.05); the hemoglobin decreased significantly after interruption and clamping (P<0.05). Conclusions Anesthesia length and bleeding should be reduced in ex vivo liver resection followed by autotransplantation, thus the extubation time would be shortened and the prognosis of the patients might be improved. Because of the longer anhepatic phase, the blood gas analysis varies largely. During operation, blood gas analysis and monitoring should be strengthened, and the acid-base balance and electrolytes should be maintained in time.
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.