Journal of the American College of Surgeons
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Randomized Controlled Trial
Efficacy of Near-Infrared Fluorescence-Guided Hepatectomy for the Detection of Colorectal Liver Metastases: A Randomized Controlled Trial.
The application of indocyanine green fluorescence-guided hepatectomy for liver metastases from colorectal cancer is in the preliminary stage of clinical practice; thus, its efficacy needs to be determined. This study compared the number of intrahepatic colorectal liver metastases detected intraoperatively and postoperative recovery data between patients who underwent traditional hepatectomy (nonindocyanine green group) and traditional hepatectomy plus intraoperative indocyanine green fluorescence imaging (indocyanine green group). ⋯ Indocyanine green fluorescence imaging significantly increases the number of intrahepatic colorectal liver metastases identified and reduces postoperative hospital stay and 1-year recurrence rate without increasing hepatectomy-related complications and mortality rates.
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Computed tomography (CT) is routinely used to determine the suitability of potential living donor liver transplants, providing important information about liver size, vascular anatomy, and the presence of other diseases that would preclude it from safe donation. CT is not routinely used, however, when evaluating eligible deceased organ donors after brain death, a group which comprises most orthotopic liver transplants. After the installation of a CT scanner at a local procurement facility, CTs have been performed on potential deceased organ donors and used, in conjunction with other evaluative protocols, to help direct donation decisions and assist in procurement procedures. ⋯ Overall, this study suggests that CT has the potential to play a significant role in procurement procedures and the directive decision-making process, thereby improving the efficiency and accuracy by which potential deceased organ donors are evaluated.
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Living donor liver transplantation (LDLT) continues to be the primary modality of liver transplantation in Asia, but it accounts for about 5% of all liver transplantations in the US. ABO incompatibility is the primary reason motivated donors are declined. Although kidney paired exchanges are common, liver paired exchange (LPE) is still evolving in the US. ⋯ LPE is feasible in a high-volume LDLT center and is a useful option to increase LDLT by overcoming ABO incompatibility. Nondirected donors can be utilized to initiate an LPE.
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Posthepatectomy liver failure (PHLF) is a main cause of death after partial hepatectomy. The aim of this study was to develop a practical stratification system using the albumin-bilirubin (ALBI) score and liver resection percentage to predict severe PHLF and conduct safe hepatectomy. ⋯ Our stratification system could increase the number of hepatectomy candidates and is practical for deciding the surgical indications and determining the upper limit of the liver resection percentage corresponding to each patient's liver function reserve, which could prevent PHLF and yield better postoperative outcomes.
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Surgical patients with limited digital literacy may experience reduced telemedicine access. We investigated racial/ethnic and socioeconomic disparities in telemedicine compared with in-person surgical consultation during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. ⋯ Black patients used telemedicine platforms more often than White patients during the second phase of the COVID-19 pandemic. Virtual consultation may help increase access to surgical care among traditionally under-resourced populations.