Objective To explore the effect of “in situ first” ex vivo liver resection and autologous liver transplantation (ELRA) for end stage hepatic alveolar echinococcosis (HAE). Methods The clinicopathologic data of 85 end stage HAE cases were initially scheduled underwent ELRA from June 2019 to May 2022 in the Sichuan Provincial People’s Hospital were collected retrospectively. The included cases were operated under “in situ first” ERLA principle. The analyzed data included the final surgical style, operative time, time of anhepatic phase and intraoperative blood transfusion volume for ELRA cases. Results All the included 85 cases underwent radical HAE lesions resection and without perioperative death occurred. According to the principle of “in situ first”, 57 cases underwent HAE lesions resection combined vascular reconstruction without ex vivo liver resection (in situ resection group); 1 case underwent auxiliary partial autologous liver transplantation, and 27 cases underwent ERLA procedures (ELRA group). In the in situ resection group, the operative time was 210–750 min, （380±134）min, and the intraoperative blood transfusion was 0–3 250 mL with a median of 0 mL. In the ELRA group, the operative time was 450–1 445 min, (852±203) min, and the intraoperative blood transfusion was 0–6 800 mL with a median of 1 960 mL. The operative time and the amount of blood transfusion in the ELRA group were longer or more than those in the in situ resection group. The time of anhepatic phase for the ELRA group was 60–480 min, (231±83) min. On the 5th day after operation, except that the total bilirubin and direct bilirubin in the ELRA group were higher than those in the in situ resection group, the other indexes of liver function were similar between the two groups. The postoperative stay in ICU and the total postoperative hospital stay in the ELRA group were longer than those in the in situ resection group. Conclusions The advantage of “in situ first” ERLA principle for end stage HAE patients include resecting the HAE lesions radically without ex vivo liver resection and alleviating the hepatic ischemia and reperfusion injury. For the inevasible ELRA cases, “in situ first” principle could shorten the anhepatic phase and reduce intraoperative blood loss, and turn some cases to auxiliary partial autologous liver transplantation, which will reduce the risk of postoperative hepatic failure.
ObjectiveTo summarize the key operative points and efficacy of ex-vivo ex-vivo liver resection and autologous liver transplantation (ELRA) using various vascular materials for hepatic vein reconstruction in the treatment of end-stage hepatic alveolar echinococcosis (HAE). MethodThe clinicopathologic data of a patient with end-stage HAE who underwent ELRA combined with complex hepatic vein reconstruction were retrospectively analyzed. ResultsThe patient was a 60-year-old male who was admitted to the Sichuan Provincial People’s Hospital due to giant alveolar hydatid in the liver, with a body weight of 60 kg and a standard liver volume of 1 024.5 mL. The imaging showed that the hydatid invaded the first and second hepatic portals, middle hepatic vein, left hepatic vein, and retrohepatic inferior vena cava. The three-dimensional reconstruction of CT showed that the residual liver volume was 1 270.6 mL. The patient received supportive treatment after admission and underwent ELRA following strict evaluation. Intraoperatively, it was found that the multiple hepatic veins and retrohepatic inferior vena cava were widely invaded. The liver was split in vivo and the mass was excised ex vivo by “in vivo first” principle. The hepatic vein was repaired and reconstructed into a wide mouth outflow tract using allogeneic veins, autologous inferior mesenteric vein, and hepatic round ligaments, then performed the autotransplantation by wide mouth outflow-artificial inferior vena cava anastomosis (end to side). The operative time was 16 h, and the intraoperative blood loss was approximately 2 000 mL. FK506 was orally administered after operation, and low-molecular-weight heparin sodium was administered 24 h later for anticoagulation. The patient was returned to the general ward on the 6th day after the operation, and the enhanced CT scan showed that the hepatic outflow tract was unobstructed, without stenosis and thrombosis, and the patient was discharged on day 18 after the operation. The patient was pathologically diagnosed with alveolar echinococcosis. ConclusionsFrom the results of this case, combination of multiple vascular materials to reconstruct the hepatic outflow tract is an optional procedure for ELRA in treatment of end-stage HAE. Strict preoperative evaluation, skillful vascular anastomosis technique, and postoperative anticoagulation are important measures to maintain patency of postoperative reconstruction vessel.
Hepatic alveolar echinococcosis (HAE) is a severe zoonotic disease caused by Echinococcus multilocularis, primarily affecting the liver. Due to its insidious nature, the patients are often diagnosed at advanced stage, posing significant treatment challenges. We comprehensively examines the progress in surgical techniques for HAE management, focusing on various strategies across different disease stages. For the patients with early-stage HAE, ablation therapy has emerged as an effective treatment option. In the moderate to advanced cases, numerous surgical techniques and innovative approaches have been introduced, including laparoscopic surgery and liver transplantation, with particular emphasis on ex vivo liver resection and autotransplantation. These advancements offer more effective treatment options for the patients with advanced HAE. However, significant challenges persist, notably the preservation of adequate liver function while achieving complete lesion removal. Future research should prioritize the exploration and optimization of existing surgical methods, especially for advanced HAE cases. This includes refining surgical techniques through precise preoperative evaluation and staging, as well as developing novel surgical approaches to enhance safety and efficacy. Furthermore, multicenter and long-term follow-up prospective studies are crucial for validating the effectiveness of new surgical techniques and strategies. Through these concerted efforts, it is anticipated that the survival rates and quality of life for HAE patients will significantly be improved, marking a new era in the management of this complex disease.
ObjectiveTo evaluate roles and advantages of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and compute.tomography (CT) in preoperative assessment for hepatic alveolar echinococcosis. MethodMRI and CT scan imaging data of 60 patients with hepatic alveolar echinococcosis underwent radical surgery were retrospectively analyzed. ResultsMRI scanning could accurately identify the peripheral zone and marginal zone of hepatic alveolar echinococcosis lesions, and CT could not accurately show the above structures. In assessment of anatomic relation between vascular and lesions, MRI findings of 52 cases were in full compliance with corresponding intraoperative findings, and 8 cases were partial compliant. However, CT findings of 35 cases were in full compliance with corresponding intraoperative findings, 13 cases were partial compliant, and 12 cases were not compliant at all. In assessment of anatomic relation between biliary and lesions, MRCP could clearly show the bile duct, bile duct stenosis location and degree; CT scanning could only show widened bile duct, but could not accurately judge bile duct dilatation. ConclusionsMRI exerts some obvious advantages in preoperative evaluation of hepatic alveolar echinococcosis, and could accurately find relation between lesions and vascular or biliary system. MRI should be used as routine examination for patients with hepatic alveolar echinococcosis.
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 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 explore potential value of three-dimensional reconstruction technique for preoperative evaluation of hepatic alveolar echinococcosis. MethodsTwenty-one cases of hepatic alveolar echinococcosis proved by postoperative pathological examination in Affiliated Hospital of Qinghai University from October 2013 to March 2014 were analyzed retrospectively. The three periods of patients’ liver dynamic thin layerCTscan images were collected and imported in three-dimensional reconstruction software by DICOM format. The volume of the virtual resected liver tissue was calculated by software, and then was compared with the actual resected liver tissue volume. ResultsThe resected liver volume was (761.94±505.77) mL and (756.19±501.78) mL in the virtual surgery and in the veritable surgery, respectively. The proportion of resected liver in the total liver was (39.27±18.75)% and (38.95±16.99)% in the virtual surgery and in the veritable surgery, respectively. The resected liver volume had no significant difference between the virtual surgery and veritable surgery (P>0.05), which a positive relation (r=0.989, P<0.001). ConclusionThe limited preliminary data in this study show that three-dimensional reconstruction technique and virtual planning system for surgery could accurately guide resection of lesion and provide preoperative guidance of accurate liver resection for hepatic alveolar echinococcosis.
ObjectiveTo investigate the predictive value of preoperative red blood cell distribution width to platelet count ratio (RPR) and platelet-albumin-bilirubin (PALBI) scoring for postoperative complications after radical resection of hepatic alveolar echinococcosis (HAE). MethodsAccording to the inclusion and exclusion criteria, the clinicopathologic data of patients diagnosed with HAE and underwent radical hepatectomy in the Affiliated Hospital of Qinghai University from January 2018 to October 2022 were retrospectively collected. The risk factors affecting postoperative complications after radical hepatectomy for HAE were analyzed by univariate and multivariate unconditional logistic regression analysis, which were used to construct the nomogram. The receiver operating characteristic curve was used to evaluate the value in predicting postoperative complications by nomogram model. The discrimination of the nomogram was evaluated using Bootstrap internal 1 000 resampling and evaluated using a consistency index. The predicted postoperative complications probability by nomogram and actual postoperative complications probability were calculated by Kaplan-Meier method, and the calibration curve was drawn. The calibration ability of the nomogram model was evaluated by Hosmer-Lemeshow goodness-of-fit test. The decision curve analysis was used to evaluate clinical benefit of the nomogram model. ResultsA total of 160 patients with HAE radical hepatectomy were included, of which 105 had no postoperative complications and 55 had postoperative complications. The multivariate unconditional logistic regression analysis showed that the operation time ≥207 min, intraoperative bleeding ≥650 mL, and albumin ＜38 g/L, RPR ≥0.054, and higher PALBI grading (3 levels) were the risk factors affecting postoperative complications after HAE radical hepatectomy (OR＞1, P<0.05). Based on the risk factors, the nomogram was constructed. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (95%CI) predicted by the nomogram for the postoperative complications was 0.873 (0.808, 0.937), with an optimal cutoff value of 0.499. The consistency index was 0.855 for discriminating postoperative complications after HAE radical hepatectomy. The calibration curve was tested by Hosmer-Limeshow and showed a good fit between the predicted curve by the nomogram and actual curve (χ2=3.193, P=0.367), indicating that the nomogram had a good calibration ability. The decision curve analysis showed that there was a good clinical applicability within the range of 11% to 93% of the threshold probability. ConclusionsThe preoperative RPR and PALBI scoring are risk factors affecting postoperative complications after radical hepatectomy for HAE. The nomogram constructed with risk factors including RPR and PALBI has a good predictive value for postoperative complications after radical hepatectomy for HAE.
Objective To evaluate effects of three-dimensional (3D) visualized reconstruction technology on short-term benefits of different extent of resection in treating hepatic alveolar echinococcosis (HAE) as well as some disadvantages. Methods One hundred and fifty-two patients with HAE from January 2014 to December 2016 in the Department Liver Surgery, West China Hospital of Sichuan University were collected, there were 80 patients with ≥4 segments and 72 patients with ≤3 segments of liver resection among these patients, which were designed to 3D reconstruction group and non-3D reconstruction group according to the preference of patients. The imaging data, intraoperative and postoperative indicators were recorded and compared. Results The 3D visualized reconstructions were performed in the 79 patients with HAE, the average time of 3D visualized reconstruction was 19 min, of which 13 cases took more than 30 min and the longest reached 150 min. The preoperative predicted liver resection volume of the 79 patients underwent the 3D visualized reconstruction was (583.6±374.7) mL, the volume of intraoperative actual liver resection was (573.8±406.3) mL, the comparison of preoperative and intraoperative data indicated that both agreed reasonably well (P=0.640). Forty-one cases and 38 cases in the 80 patients with ≥4 segments and 72 patients with ≤3 segments of liverresection respectively were selected for the 3D visualized reconstruction. For the patients with ≥4 segments of liver resection, the operative time was shorter (P=0.021) and the blood loss was less (P=0.047) in the 3D reconstruction group as compared with the non-3D reconstruction group, the status of intraoperative blood transfusion had no significant difference between the 3D reconstruction group and the non-3D reconstruction group (P=0.766). For the patients with ≤3 segments of liver resection, the operative time, the blood loss, and the status of intraoperative blood transfusion had no significant differences between the 3D reconstruction group and the non-3D reconstruction group (P>0.05). For the patients with ≥4 segments or ≤3 segments of liver resection, the laboratory examination results within postoperative 3 d, complications within postoperative 90 d, and the postoperative hospitalization time had no significant differences between the 3D reconstruction group and the non-3D reconstruction group (P>0.05). Conclusion 3D visualized reconstruction technology contributes to patients with HAE ≥4 segments of liver resection, it could reduce intraoperative blood loss and shorten operation time, but it displays no remarkable benefits for ≤3 segments of liver resection.
ObjectiveTo summarize clinical treatments of hepatic alveolar echinococcosis in recent years and provide a new basis for guiding clinical practice. MethodsThe relevant literatures about treating hepatic alveolar echinococcosis at home and abroad were reviewed. The clinical curative effect and advantages or disadvantages among various treatments were analyzed. ResultsThe radical surgery was still the primary treatment of hepatic alveolar echinococcosis, liver transplantation was more used in the treatment of the late hepatic alveolar echinococcosis. surgery combined with chemical therapy had an obvously clinical curative effect. ConclusionsWith a high incidence and poor prognosis of hepatic alveolar echinococcosis, it is difficult to cure. Radical surgery, liver transplantation, chemotherapy and radiation therapy have been used in clinical treatment of hepatic alveolar echinococcosis. It is essential to fully acknowledge indications of various treatments. At the same time, if occurrence and development of this disease could be further researched, it might bring us a new hope of curing hepatic alveolar echinococcosis.