Robotic Versus Laparoscopic Liver Resection: A Nationwide Propensity Score Matched Analysis.

Objective: To compare nationwide outcomes of robotic liver resection (RLR) with laparoscopic liver resection (LLR).

Background: Minimally invasive liver resection is increasingly performed using the robotic approach as this could help overcome inherent technical limitations of laparoscopy. It is unknown if this translates to improved patient outcomes.

Skeletal muscle is independently associated with grade 3-4 toxicity in advanced stage pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma patients receiving chemotherapy.

Background: Patients with advanced-stage pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) are regularly treated with FOLFIRINOX, a chemotherapy regimen based on 5-fluorouracil, irinotecan and oxaliplatin, which is associated with high toxicity. Dosing of FOLFIRINOX is based on body surface area, risking under- or overdosing caused by altered pharmacokinetics due to interindividual differences in body composition. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between body composition and treatment toxicity in advanced stage PDAC patients treated with FOLFIRINOX.

Combined portal and hepatic vein embolisation in perihilar cholangiocarcinoma.

Background: Major hepatectomy in perihilar cholangiocarcinoma (pCCA) patients with a small future liver remnant (FLR) risks posthepatectomy liver failure (PHLF). This study examines combined portal and hepatic vein embolisation (PVE/HVE) to increase preoperative FLR volume and potentially decrease PHLF rates.

Methods: In this retrospective, multicentre, observational study, data was collected from centres affiliated with the DRAGON Trials Collaborative and the EuroLVD registry.

The Paradox of Modern Technology in Standardizing Thermal Liver Ablation: Fostering Uniformity or Diversity?

Purpose: Currently, significant medical practice variation exists in thermal ablation (TA) of malignant liver tumors with associated differences in outcomes. The IMaging and Advanced Guidance for workflow optimization in Interventional Oncology (IMAGIO) consortium aims to integrate interventional oncology into the standard clinical pathway for cancer treatment in Europe by 2030, by development of a standardized low-complex-high-precision workflow for TA of malignant liver tumors. This study was conducted at the start of the IMAGIO project with the aim to explore the current state and future role of modern technology in TA of malignant liver tumors.

Perineural Invasion is an Important Prognostic Factor in Patients With Radically Resected (R0) and Node-negative (pN0) Pancreatic Cancer.

Objective: To investigate the association between perineural invasion (PNI) and overall survival (OS) in a nationwide cohort of patients with resected pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC), stratified for margin negative (R0) or positive (R1) resection and absence or presence of lymph node metastasis (pN0 or pN1-N2, respectively).

Background: Patients with R0 and pN0 resected PDAC have a relatively favorable prognosis. As PNI is associated with worse OS, this might be a useful factor to provide further prognostic information for patients counselling.

Liver regeneration after portal and hepatic vein embolization improves overall survival compared with portal vein embolization alone: mid-term survival analysis of the multicentre DRAGON 0 cohort.

Background: The purpose of this study was to compare 3-year overall survival after simultaneous portal (PVE) and hepatic vein (HVE) embolization versus PVE alone in patients undergoing liver resection for primary and secondary cancers of the liver.

Methods: In this multicentre retrospective study, all DRAGON 0 centres provided 3-year follow-up data for all patients who had PVE/HVE or PVE, and were included in DRAGON 0 between 2016 and 2019. Kaplan-Meier analysis was undertaken to assess 3-year overall and recurrence/progression-free survival.

Evaluation of Short- and Long-Term Outcomes After Resection in Patients with Locally Advanced versus (Borderline) Resectable Pancreatic Cancer.

Objective: This study aims to evaluate short- and long-term outcomes following pancreatectomy in patients with LAPC compared to (B)RPC patients.

Summary Background Data: Selected patients diagnosed with locally advanced pancreatic cancer (LAPC) are increasingly undergoing resection following induction chemotherapy. To evaluate the benefit of this treatment approach, it is helpful to compare outcomes in resected patients with primary LAPC to outcomes in resected patients with primary (borderline) resectable pancreatic cancer ((B)RPC).

The Difficulty of Detecting Occult Metastases in Patients with Potentially Resectable Pancreatic Cancer: Development and External Validation of a Preoperative Prediction Model.

Occult metastases are detected in 10-15% of patients during exploratory laparotomy for pancreatic cancer. This study developed and externally validated a model to predict occult metastases in patients with potentially resectable pancreatic cancer. Model development was performed within the Dutch Pancreatic Cancer Audit, including all patients operated for pancreatic cancer (January 2013-December 2017).

Hospital variation and outcomes after repeat hepatic resection for colorectal liver metastases: a nationwide cohort study.

Background: Approximately 70% of patients with colorectal liver metastases (CRLM) experiences intrahepatic recurrence after initial liver resection. This study assessed outcomes and hospital variation in repeat liver resections (R-LR).

Methods: This population-based study included all patients who underwent liver resection for CRLM between 2014 and 2022 in the Netherlands.

Effect of Sarcopenia on the Increase in Liver Volume and Function After Portal Vein Embolization.

Purpose: Sarcopenia is associated with a decreased kinetic growth rate (KGR) of the future liver remnant (FLR) after portal vein embolization (PVE). However, little is known on the increase in FLR function (FLRF) after PVE. This study evaluated the effect of sarcopenia on the functional growth rate (FGR) after PVE measured with hepatobiliary scintigraphy (HBS).

The Value of Biological and Conditional Factors for Staging of Patients with Resectable Pancreatic Cancer Undergoing Upfront Resection: A Nationwide Analysis.

Background: Novel definitions suggest that resectability status for pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) should be assessed beyond anatomical criteria, considering both biological and conditional factors. This has, however, yet to be validated on a nationwide scale. This study evaluated the prognostic value of biological and conditional factors for staging of patients with resectable PDAC.

Association of modified textbook outcome and overall survival after surgery for colorectal liver metastases: A nationwide analysis.

Background: Textbook outcome (TO) represents a multidimensional quality measurement, encompassing the desirable short-term outcomes following surgery. This study aimed to investigate whether achieving TO after resection of colorectal liver metastases (CRLM) surgery is related to better overall survival (OS) in a national cohort.

Method: Data was retrieved from the Dutch Hepato Biliary Audit.

Nationwide Outcome after Pancreatoduodenectomy in Patients at very High Risk (ISGPS-D) for Postoperative Pancreatic Fistula.

Objective: To assess nationwide surgical outcome after pancreatoduodenectomy (PD) in patients at very high risk for postoperative pancreatic fistula (POPF), categorized as ISGPS-D.

Summary Background Data: Morbidity and mortality after ISGPS-D PD is perceived so high that a recent randomized trial advocated prophylactic total pancreatectomy (TP) as alternative aiming to lower this risk. However, current outcomes of ISGPS-D PD remain unknown as large nationwide series are lacking.

12Fr-Pigtail Versus 14Fr-Balloon Percutaneous Radiologic Gastrostomy (PRG), Retrospective Evaluation of Outcomes and Complications; A Maastricht University Medical Centre Study.

Purpose: To retrospectively compare tube and placement related results of a 12Fr-pigtail and a 14Fr-balloon gastrostomy tube.

Materials And Methods: All consecutive patients who underwent percutaneous radiologic gastrostomy (PRG) between January 2016 and June 2020 were enrolled in this retrospective single-center analysis. Follow-up for all patients was 180 days.

Practice variation in venous resection during pancreatoduodenectomy for pancreatic cancer: A nationwide cohort study.

Background: Practice variation exists in venous resection during pancreatoduodenectomy, but little is known about the potential causes and consequences as large studies are lacking. This study explores the potential causes and consequences of practice variation in venous resection during pancreatoduodenectomy for pancreatic cancer in the Netherlands.

Methods: This nationwide retrospective cohort study included patients undergoing pancreatoduodenectomy for pancreatic cancer in 18 centers from 2013 through 2017.

Predicting Long-term Disease-free Survival After Resection of Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma: A Nationwide Cohort Study.

Objective: To develop a prediction model for long-term (≥5 years) disease-free survival (DFS) after the resection of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC).

Background: Despite high recurrence rates, ~10% of patients have long-term DFS after PDAC resection. A model to predict long-term DFS may aid individualized prognostication and shared decision-making.

The Effect of Microwave and Radiofrequency Ablation (MWA/RFA) on Liver Volume in Patients with Primary and Secondary Liver Tumours: A Retrospective Analysis.

Purpose: It is known that thermal liver ablation can induce liver hypertrophy. However, exact impact in liver volume remains unclear. The aim of this study is to assess the influence of radiofrequency or microwave ablation (RFA/MWA) on liver volume in patients with primary and secondary liver lesions.

Survival of patients with colorectal liver metastases treated with and without preoperative chemotherapy: Nationwide propensity score-matched study.

Introduction: Routine treatment with preoperative systemic chemotherapy (CTx) in patients with colorectal liver metastases (CRLM) remains controversial due to lack of consistent evidence demonstrating associated survival benefits. This study aimed to determine the effect of preoperative CTx on overall survival (OS) compared to surgery alone and to assess hospital and oncological network variation in 5-year OS.

Methods: This was a population-based study of all patients who underwent liver resection for CRLM between 2014 and 2017 in the Netherlands.

Nationwide use and Outcome of Minimally Invasive Distal Pancreatectomy in IDEAL Stage IV following a Training Program and Randomized Trial.

Objective: To assess the nationwide long-term uptake and outcomes of minimally invasive distal pancreatectomy (MIDP) after a nationwide training program and randomized trial.

Background: Two randomized trials demonstrated the superiority of MIDP over open distal pancreatectomy (ODP) in terms of functional recovery and hospital stay. Data on implementation of MIDP on a nationwide level are lacking.

Expression of Checkpoint Molecules in the Tumor Microenvironment of Intrahepatic Cholangiocarcinoma: Implications for Immune Checkpoint Blockade Therapy.

: The tumor microenvironment (TME) in cholangiocarcinoma (CCA) influences the immune environment. Checkpoint blockade is promising, but reliable biomarkers to predict response to treatment are still lacking. : The levels of checkpoint molecules (PD-1, PD-L1, PD-L2, LAG-3, ICOS, TIGIT, TIM-3, CTLA-4), macrophages (CD68), and T cells (CD4 and CD8 cells) were assessed by multiplexed immunofluorescence in 50 intrahepatic cases.

Impact of complications after resection of pancreatic cancer on disease recurrence and survival, and mediation effect of adjuvant chemotherapy: nationwide, observational cohort study.

Background: The causal pathway between complications after pancreatic cancer resection and impaired long-term survival remains unknown. The aim of this study was to investigate the impact of complications after pancreatic cancer resection on disease-free interval and overall survival, with adjuvant chemotherapy as a mediator.

Methods: This observational study included all patients undergoing pancreatic cancer resection in the Netherlands (2014-2017).