Journal of the American College of Surgeons
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The highest mortality rates after liver surgery are reported in patients who undergo resection for hilar cholangiocarcinoma (HCCA). In these patients, postoperative death usually follows the development of hepatic insufficiency. We sought to determine the factors associated with postoperative hepatic insufficiency and death due to liver failure in patients undergoing hepatectomy for HCCA. ⋯ Preoperative cholangitis and insufficient FLR volume are major determinants of hepatic insufficiency and postoperative liver failure-related death. Given the association between biliary drainage and cholangitis, the preoperative approach to patients with HCCA should be optimized to minimize the risk of cholangitis.
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Traumatic axillosubclavian artery injuries (ASAIs) are uncommon but devastating. There is increasing acceptance of covered stent use for ASAIs. However, epidemiologic and long-term outcomes data are limited. We investigated national trends in ASAI management and our institutional outcomes after emergent covered stent placement and open surgical repairs for ASAIs. ⋯ Covered stents are being used increasingly for ASAIs nationwide, despite variable reports of durability. Follow-up is poor in urban trauma centers and might be responsible for the variable patency. Population-based efforts to improve compliance among trauma patients can help improve covered stent patency in ASAI.
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Although laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) is the gold standard, some patients still require an open cholecystectomy (OC). This study evaluates the mean number of OCs performed by each graduating general surgery resident during each of 3 decades. ⋯ There has been a considerable decline in the number of OCs, IOCs, and CBDEs available to our trainees during the past 30 years. New training paradigms should include renewed focus on performing an IOC and/or CBDE as clinically indicated during LC; high-quality simulation programs for OC, IOC, and CBDE; and the availability of an advanced video library depicting complicated open biliary procedures.
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The decision for a simultaneous liver and kidney transplantation (SLKT) is fraught with controversy. The aim of this study was to compare SLKT with liver transplantation alone (LTA) in patients with pretransplantation renal failure. ⋯ Patients with end-stage liver disease on dialysis who undergo liver transplantation have significantly better survival when SLKT is performed. In selected patients, SLKT is an appropriate use of a scarce resource, but better prognostic indicators for selection of patients are still needed.
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The role of SLNB for in-transit (IT) melanoma is controversial. The objective of this study was to determine the rate and prognostic significance of occult nodal disease in patients undergoing surgical nodal staging for IT disease. ⋯ Patients with IT disease are at high risk for occult nodal metastasis. Because clinical staging is unreliable, SLNB should be considered. For patients with IT recurrence, the status of the regional basin is strongly prognostic and stratifies patients into low-, intermediate-, and high-risk groups.