Fabrication of 3D printed PCL/PEG artificial bile ducts as supportive scaffolds to promote regeneration of extrahepatic bile ducts in a canine biliary defect model.

In this study, a 3D porous poly(ε-caprolactone)/polyethylene glycol (PCL/PEG) composite artificial tubular bile duct was fabricated for extrahepatic bile duct regeneration. PCL/PEG composite scaffolds were fabricated by 3D printing, and the molecular structure, mechanical properties, thermal properties, morphology, and biocompatibility were characterized for further application as artificial bile ducts. A bile duct defect model was established in beagle dogs for implantation.

Predictive factors of early recurrence after R0 resection of hilar cholangiocarcinoma: A single institution experience in China.

Prediction of early postoperative recurrence is of great significance for follow-up treatment. However, there are few studies available that focus on high-risk factors of early postoperative recurrence or even the definition the exact time of early recurrence for hilar cholangiocarcinoma. Thus, we aimed to examine the optimal cut-off value for defining the early in patients with R0 resection of hilar cholangiocarcinoma and to investigate prognostic factors associated with early recurrence.

Effectiveness of additional resection of the invasive cancer-positive proximal bile duct margin in cases of hilar cholangiocarcinoma.

Background: The survival benefits of additional resection of the positive proximal ductal margin (PM) in hilar cholangiocarcinoma (HCCA) remains controversial. This retrospective study investigated the effectiveness of additional resection of the invasive cancer PM under different levels of preoperative carbohydrate antigen 19-9 (CA19-9).

Methods: Patients who underwent hepatectomy for HCCA from 2000 to 2017 were analyzed.

Clinical Value of Inflammation-Based Prognostic Scores to Predict the Resectability of Hyperbilirubinemia Patients with Potentially Resectable Hilar Cholangiocarcinoma.

Background: We aimed to examine whether inflammation-based prognostic scores could predict tumor resectability in a cohort of hilar cholangiocarcinoma patients with preoperative hyperbilirubinemia. We also sought to investigate the prognostic factors associated with overall survival in the subgroup of patients with an R0 resection.

Methods: A total of 173 patients with potentially resectable hilar cholangiocarcinoma, as judged by radiological examinations, were included.

You cannot miss it: Pancreatic mucoepidermoid carcinoma: A case report and literature review.

Rationale: Pancreatic mucoepidermoid carcinoma (MEC) is a rare disease with no more than 10 cases reported in literature. The prognosis is poor and few patients can survival more than 1 year.

Patient Concerns: We presented a case of patient manifested as left upper abdominal pain.

Alveolar echinococcosis in the head of pancreas: A case report.

Rationale: Pancreatic alveolar echinococcosis (AE) is an exceptionally rare disease; no more than 10 cases have been published to date. It is characterized as extensive local tissue infringement and destruction; thus, extended surgical resection, such as duodenopancreatectomy, is often needed to obtain a negative resection margin so as to improve the long-term outcome and prognosis.

Patient Concerns: A middle-aged Tibetan man was admitted due to a 16-year history of recurrent pain in the right upper abdomen.

Hepatic Artery Resection for Bismuth Type III and IV Hilar Cholangiocarcinoma: Is Reconstruction Always Required?

Objective: The objective of the study is to examine the feasibility of hepatic artery resection (HAR) without subsequent reconstruction (RCS) in specified patients of Bismuth type III and IV hilar cholangiocarcinoma.

Methods: We retrospectively reviewed 63 patients who underwent hepatic artery resection for Bismuth type III and IV hilar cholangiocarcinoma. These patients were subsequently enrolled into two groups based on whether the artery reconstruction was conducted.

Elevated red blood cell distribution width predicts poor prognosis in hilar cholangiocarcinoma.

Background: Although the red blood cell distribution width (RDW) has been reported as a reliable predictor of prognosis in several types of cancer, the prognostic value of RDW in hilar cholangiocarcinoma (HC) has not been studied.

Methods: A retrospective analysis of 292 consecutively recruited HC patients undergoing radical resection was conducted. The optimal cutoff value of RDW was determined by the receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC).

Relationship of tumor size with pathological and prognostic factors for hilar cholangiocarcinoma.

Objective: To determine the correlation of different tumor-size cutoffs with prognostic factors and survival outcomes to provide a reference for the modification of the T-stage classification in the DeOliveira staging system for hilar cholangiocarcinoma (HCCA).

Materials And Methods: We retrospectively analyzed 216 patients who underwent curative surgery for HCCA (mean tumor diameter, 2.8 cm) between 2000 and 2013.

Repair of a common bile duct defect with a decellularized ureteral graft.

Aim: To evaluate the feasibility of repairing a common bile duct defect with a decellularized ureteral graft in a porcine model.

Methods: Eighteen pigs were randomly divided into three groups. An approximately 1 cm segment of the common bile duct was excised from all the pigs.

Coexisting cancers: a mixture of neuroendocrine carcinoma and adenocarcinoma in the gallbladder: A case report.

Background: Neuroendocrine carcinoma is rare with a proportion of less than 2% in gallbladder malignancies, cases of gallbladder neuroendocrine cell carcinoma coexisting with adenocarcinoma are exceptionally rare, and the prognosis is dismal.

Methods: Herein, we presented an unusual case of poorly differentiated gallbladder neuroendocrine cell carcinoma coexisting with poorly differentiated adenocarcinoma who survived 20 months after the multimodal treatment (MT) of extended surgery and postoperative chemotherapy.

Results: Our result indicated that for advanced gallbladder neuroendocrine cell carcinoma coexisting with adenocarcinoma, MT including extended surgical approach combined with postoperative chemotherapy may contribute to a relatively good survival outcome.

Negative short-term impact of intraoperative biliary lavage in patients with hepatolithiasis.

Aim: To evaluate short-term outcomes following intraoperative biliary lavage for hepatolithiasis.

Methods: A total of 932 patients who were admitted to the West China Medical Center of Sichuan University between January 2010 and January 2014 and underwent bile duct exploration and lithotomy were retrospectively included in our study. The patients were divided into the lavage group and the control group.

Prognostic Significance of Sarcomatous Change in Patients with Hepatocellular Carcinoma After Surgical Resection.

Background: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) with sarcomatous change (SC) is a rare malignancy associated with high aggressiveness and poor prognosis; however, its prognostic significance remains unclear.

Methods: From January 1994 to April 2012, surgically resected HCCs with SC (n = 52) at West China Hospital were retrospectively reviewed. HCC with SC was defined as the concomitant presence of the sarcomatous component occupying at least 10 % (but not predominantly) of the HCC-bearing tissue.

Fast-Track Programs for Liver Surgery: A Meta-Analysis.

Background And Objectives: Plentiful publications have inspected the feasibility of fast-track surgery programs during hepatic surgery, but the potency of these studies has not been discussed profoundly so far. Our goal was to assess the effects of fast-track programs on surgical outcomes compared with traditional surgical plans for liver surgery.

Methods: The following databases were searched: PubMed, Cochrane library, Embase, Science Citation Index Expanded, etc.

[Risk factors of hepatolithasis-associated intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma and the value of serum tumor-related makers in its diagnosis].

Objective: To explore the risk factors of hepatolithasis-associated intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (HICC) and the clinical value of serum tumor-related markers for the detection of HICC.

Methods: Clinical data were collected from 58 patients pathologically diagnosed as HICC between 2005 and 2011 in West China Hospital of Sichuan University and 189 patients diagnosed as hepatolithiasis alone in the same period as matched control group. Logistic regression analysis was used to detect the independent risk factors of HICC and ROCs curve were constructed to assess the diagnostic value of CA199, CEA, GGT and ALP.

Primary hepatic sarcomatoid carcinoma: clinical features and prognosis of 28 resected cases.

Purpose: Primary hepatic sarcomatoid carcinoma (SC) is an extremely rare malignancy composed of both carcinomatous and spindle cell sarcomatous components. Our aim was to clarify the clinical features and prognosis of patients with this disease.

Methods: Between January 1996 and August 2012, 28 patients were histologically diagnosed as primary hepatic SC after surgical resection.

One-stage versus two-stage management for concomitant gallbladder stones and common bile duct stones in patients with obstructive jaundice.

No consensus exists regarding the optimal management of concomitant gallbladder stones and common bile duct stones (CBDS). Previous studies showed a significant association between the presence of obstructive jaundice and increased risk of postoperative complications and conversion to open surgery. This retrospective study evaluated the effectiveness and safety of one-stage (laparoscopic cholecystectomy [LC] plus laparoscopic common bile duct exploration) management versus two-stage (preoperative endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography/endoscopic sphincterotomy + LC) management for patients with obstructive jaundice, concomitant gallbladder stones, and CBDS.

The impact of glucocorticoids for cirrhosis patients performed major liver resection: a retrospective control study.

Background/aims: Research on the influence of pre-operation usage of steroids for liver cirrhosis patients performed major liver resection (=3 segments).

Methodology: In total, 741 cirrhosis patients who underwent major hepatectomy (>3 segments) in our medical center were selected for the study. One hundred and five out of 741 patients used 500 mg methylprednisolone between half an hour and one hour before operation and were enrolled in the steroids group.