Portal vein blood flow is very important for the normal function of transplanted liver. The author reviewed the management methods of different portal vein thrombosis classification in the liver transplantation (LT). The prognosis of LT in the patients with Yerdel 1–3 thrombosis is similar to that the patients without thrombosis. The portal vein reconstruction of the patients with Yerdel 4 thrombosis can be realized by varicose vein to portal anastomosis, renoportal anastomosis or cavoportal hemitransposition. When anastomosis is made at the proximal side of a spontaneous shunt between the portal and cava system, the blood shunted from portal system can be reintroduced into the donor liver, which is crucial for the management of Yerdel 4 thrombosis. The establishments of artificial shunt by distal splenic vein, mesenteric vein or “multiple to one” anastomosis are effective attempts to drain the blood from portal system to the donor liver. For more severe diffuse thrombosis of portal vein system, multivisceral transplantation, including liver and small intestine, should be considered. The cases of LT in the patients with complex portal vein thrombosis are increasing, however the prognosis remains to be determined after accumulation of the cases.
ObjectiveTo summarize the progress of associating liver partition and portal vein ligation for staged hepatectomy (ALPPS) and evolution of surgical procedure improvement, so as to summarize experience in selecting appropriate surgical method for patients. MethodThe domestic and foreign literature on the evolution of ALPPS surgical procedure improvement in recent years was reviewed. ResultsIn the decade since the emergence of ALPPS, the ALPPS had been rapidly developed in the hepatobiliary surgery. The ALPPS promoted a rapid increase in future liver remnant during a relatively shorter period to contribute to resectability of liver tumors and reduce the rate of postoperative liver failure, the patients with intermediate to advanced and huge liver cancer could obtain the surgical radical resection. In recent years, the domestic and foreign experts had refined the ALPPS procedure, which mainly focused on the operation of hepatic section separation and hepatic artery flow restriction in stage Ⅰ surgery, including partial ALPPS, radiofrequency ablation ALPPS, tourniquet ALPPS, transcatheter arterial embolization ALPPS, hepatic artery ringed and operation ALPPS, as well as laparoscopic ALPPS and robotic ALPPS with minimally invasive approach. ConclusionsDespite the ongoing controversy over ALPPS, with the continuous progress and innovation of improved procedures and the utilization of laparoscope and robot in surgery, the trauma of ALPPS surgery has a further reduction, and the morbidity and mortality have gradually been decreased. It is believed that with the continuous advancement and improvement of ALPPS surgery technology, the indications and safety of ALPPS will be further enhanced, bringing hope to more patients with intermediate to advanced liver cancer with huge tumors.
ObjectiveTo summarize the pathogenesis, epidemiology, and risk factors of portal vein thrombosis after splenectomy, and combined with the latest advances in clinical prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of portal vein thrombosis after splenectomy, so as to provide some references for clinical prevention and treatment in the future.MethodLiteratures on portal vein thrombosis after splenectomy were collected and reviewed.ResultsThe incidence of portal vein thrombosis after splenectomy was high and its occurrence was the result of multiple factors. It was mainly related to the change of splenic venous blood flow mechanics after splenectomy. In terms of diagnosis, enhanced CT scan was the first choice. Currently, there was no consensus on treatment options, which mainly focused on individualized treatment and emphasized that preventive anticoagulant use of low-molecular-weight heparin may reduce the risk of portal vein thrombosis.ConclusionThe concept of tertiary prevention of portal vein thrombosis after splenectomy should be established, and individualized treatment should be adopted in combination with the patient’s condition.
Objective To understand the advances in animal model and basic research of associating liver partition and portal vein ligation for staged hepatectomy (ALPPS), and to provide new ideas for basic research and clinical application of ALPPS. Methods The literatures on the basic research and animal models of ALPPS were analyzed and reviewed. Results By March 2018, there were 19 articles related to ALPPS animal models published, including 11 rat model articles, 4 mouse model articles, 2 pig model articles, 1 rabbit model article, and 1 sheep model article. These models of ALPPS were mainly simulated in normal liver background (16 articles), only 2 mouse model of colorectal liver metastasis and 1 rat model of ALPPS under the sclerotic liver background on Chinese article. In cases of rat’s models, portal blood flow deprivation of 20%–90% was finished by portal vein ligation, and the liver was localized and segmented according to the ischemic line and the ligaments of the liver, and the liver partition was mostly sutured and electrocoagulated to stop bleeding. In the above models, remnant liver hyperplasia was observed after surgery. The main causes of hyperplasia were serum cytokines-mediated ［hepatocyte growth factor (HGF), interleukin-6 (IL-6), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), and so on］ enhancement of proliferative gene, and secondly preservation of the portal vein lobes to increase blood volume and to accelerate liver proliferation. ConclusionsThe animal model is the main tool to study the safety of ALPPS and liver regeneration, but there are still few studies in the models with liver cirrhosis and liver tumors. The mechanism of liver regeneration after ALPPS is still unclear, and more basic experiments and clinical cases are needed for further study.
ObjectiveTo evaluate whether radiofrequency-assisted associating liver partition and portal vein ligation for staged hepatectomy (RALPPS) is a safer and more effective modified treatment for patients with cirrhosis-related hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). MethodsRALPPS were performed in patients with HCC and insufficient volume of future liver remnant (FLR<40%). Data of the patients during perioperative period such as operative morbidity, mortality, operative time, blood loss, percent increase in FLR, and interval between operations, were analyzed to assess the effectiveness and safety of the operation. ResultsA total of 8 patients were performed the RALPPS operation, and 6 cases completed both stages, 2 cases of postoperative complications or tumor metastasis did not complete the two phase of surgery. The average first and second stages operative time was (214.3±35.7) min, (266.7±46.0) min, respectively, and the average two stages blood loss during the operation was (218.8±113.2) mL,(501.7±224.5) mL, respectively. The mean preoperative FLR was (26.4±7.1)%, and the mean FLR before the second stage was (46.2±4.6)%. The average percentage increase in FLR during the interval time was 35%-113%, and the mean time interval between operations were (22.2±6.4) days. One case died of renal failure and severe pulmonary infection after two operation. Seven patients were followed-up (11.6+2.0) months (8-15 months). Two patients who had not completed the two-stage operation died within 3 months after discharge. Three patients who had completed the two-stage operation were tumor recurrence in 3-9 months after discharged from hospital and supplemented interventional therapy, 1 of them died,and 2 patients were followed-up to now without recurrence. ConclusionsRALPPS is equivalent to ALPPS for treating patients with cirrhosis-related HCC and insufficient FLR volume.
Objective To evaluate application of anterior approach combined with selective hepatic vein(s) occlusion in associating liver partition and portal vein ligation for staged hepatectomy (ALPPS) for giant hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in right lobe. Method The clinical data of 9 patients underwent the ALPPS in the First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University from January 2017 to September 2017 were retrospectively analyzed. Results Six cases underwent the complete ALPPS, 3 cases lost because it couldn’t match the standard for the second step. After the first step, The average increased volume of the future liver remnant (FLR) was 139.1 cm3 (46.4–291.6 cm3), and the average increased volume rate of FLR was 37.8% (15.1%–76.2%). The average blood loss was 356 mL (200–600 mL). In the second step, 4 cases underwent the right hemihepatectomy and 2 cases underwent the extend right hemihepatectomy, the average blood loss was 617 mL (300–1 400 mL). There was no bile fistula, liver failure, and death. Conclusions Preliminary results of limited cases in this study show that application of anterior approach combined with selective hepatic vein(s) occlusion is a safe and feasible strategy in ALPPS for giant HCC in right lobe. This strategy is conformity with the " no touch” principle of oncology surgery, and reduces blood loss and decreases complications. Long-term oncological result of ALPPS in HCC patients with cirrhosis is unknown.
Objective To evaluate the therapeutic efficacy of percutaneous transhepatic portal vein catheterization and thrombolysis on acute superior mesenteric vein thrombosis. Methods The treatment and therapeutic efficacy of 7 cases of acute superior mesenteric vein thrombosis underwent percutaneous transhepatic portal vein catheterization and thrombolysis under ultrasound guidance from August 2005 to April 2009 were analyzed. Results All the patients succeeded in portal vein catheterization and no bile leakage or abdominal bleeding occurred during the procedure. The clinical symptoms such as abdominal pain, abdominal distension， and passing bloody stool relieved were relieved and liquid diet began at postoperative of day 2-5. Emergency operation was done in one case and there was no intestinal fistula. The angiography after the operation showed that the majority of thrombosis were cleared and the blood of portal vein and superior mesenteric vein flowed smoothly. During the follow-up of 3 months to 3 years, all the patients’ status maintained well and no recurrence occurred. Conclusion Treatment of acute superior mesenteric vein thrombosis by percutaneous transhepatic portal vein thrombolysis is safe and effective.
Objective To summarize the effect of lenvatinib + transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) + programmed cell death protein-1 (PD-1) antibody in the treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma with main portal vein tumor thrombus and cavernous transformation. Methods In this study, we reported the clinical data of four patients with hepatocellular carcinoma with main portal vein tumor thrombus and cavernous transformation who received conversion therapy with lenvatinib combined with TACE and PD-1 antibody in West China Hospital. Results Among the four patients, two patients achieved complete response and two achieved partial response; tumor markers were significantly decreased after combination treatment. However, all four patients failed to undergo hepatectomy. ConclusionsLenvatinib + TACE + PD-1 antibody is effective for hepatocellular carcinoma with main portal vein tumor thrombus and cavernous transformation. However, there are still many problems worthy of further discussion.
ObjectiveTo explore the clinical application of variant associating liver partition and portal vein ligation for staged hepatectomy (ALPPS) combined with inferior vena cava reconstruction for end stage hepatic alveolar echinococcosis (HAE).MethodThe clinical data of one case with HAE who treated in Organ Transplantation Center of Sichuan Provincial People’s Hospital in November 2017 was analyzed retrospectively.ResultsComputed tomography revealed that the three hepatic veins and retrohepatic inferior vena cava were invaded by multiple and giant hydatid lesions. Only the segment 6 retained the complete portal vein and hepatic vein return branch. Remnant liver volume/standard liver volume (RLV/SLV) of this patient was 24.9%. Surgical exploration was performed after preoperative examination. In the first stage, ligation of the left portal vein and the right anterior lobe portal vein were performed to increase portal blood supply at S6 while partial split of the liver. The patient recovered well after operation without complications such as bile leakage and infection. Six months after the first stage surgery, the second stage surgery was performed, and RLV/SLV measured before surgery was 48.3%. S1–5/S7–8 were completely removed and the hepatic inferior vena cava was reconstructed with artificial blood vessels. The patient was discharged on 10 days after operation, and there was no complications and relapses occurred during the 18 months follow-up period.ConclusionsVariant ALPPS combined with inferior vena cava reconstruction is an effective attempt to treat end stage HAE with multiple and giant hydatid lesions and insufficient RLV.
Objective To summarize the updates of diagnosis and differential diagnosis for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) with portal vein tumor thrombus (PVTT) for providing evidences for early diagnosis and treatment of PVTT patients. Methods The related literatures on diagnosis and differential diagnosis for HCC with PVTT in recent years were collected and reviewed. Results The serious complications and tumor metastasis are attributed to the PVTT, then it is necessary to make diagnosis accurately according to clinical symptoms, hematological and imaging examinations. The differential diagnosis of PVTT and portal vein thrombosis, portal sponge degeneration and hepatic arteriovenous shunt diseases should be carried out. Conclusions The diagnosis and differential diagnosis of PVTT cannot rely on a single method, and it requires a comprehensive judgment of various diagnostic methods. More accurate and specific diagnostic methods are needed.