It is time for reform: Results from a questionnaire survey on the current status of next generation HBP surgeons in Japan.

A questionnaire survey was designed and performed to assess the current status of "next generation" hepatobiliary and pancreatic (HBP) surgeons regarding surgical training, career, recruiting, and work-life balance in Japan. Using a valid email address, a questionnaire was sent to members of the Japanese Society of Hepato-Biliary-Pancreatic Surgeons (JSHBPS) who were under 45 years old. The questionnaire comprised 50 questions across the following four sections: (i) board certification of JSHBPS, (ii) research activity and overseas study, (iii) recruiting, and (iv) work-life balance.

Real-Time Depiction of Intrahepatic Biliary Anatomy During Recipient Surgery with Contrast-Enhanced Ultrasonography in Living-Donor Liver Transplantation.

BACKGROUND In living-donor liver transplantation, biliary complications are considered an Achilles' heel. Consequently, various attempts have been made to reduce their incidence, and multiple innovations in surgical techniques have been reported. We herein report a case involving an intraoperative ultrasound cholangiogram in the recipient's abdominal cavity after reperfusion of the graft.

Consecutive disruption of intrahepatic bile ducts after ABO-incompatible living-donor re-liver transplantation: A case report.

Introduction: Hyperacute rejection leading to hepatic necrosis or intrahepatic bile duct stricture in ABO incompatible living-donor liver transplant (ABO-i LDLT) has been reported many times. With the advent of rituximab, the incidence of these complications has decreased significantly. However, consecutive biliary disruption after ABO-i LDLT has rarely been reported.

A prospective randomized controlled study evaluating efficacy of Daikenchuto in the treatment of postoperative abdominal pain and bloating following hepatectomy.

Background: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of TJ-100 TSUMURA Daikenchuto (DKT) Extract Granules in preventing post-hepatectomy digestive symptoms and the effects on small intestinal mucosal atrophy.

Methods: Eligible patients were randomly assigned to the DKT therapy and usual care groups in a 1:1 ratio. The DKT therapy group was administered DKT for 14 days after surgery or until the day of discharge if the patient left the hospital before 14 days, and the usual care group did not receive DKT.

Essential updates 2022/2023: A review of current topics in robotic hepatectomy.

The liver requires careful handling intra-operatively owing to its vital functions and complexity. Traditional open hepatectomy, while standard, is invasive and requires long recovery periods. Laparoscopic hepatectomy is a less invasive option, with its own challenges.

Analysis of Expression Status and Relationship Between Senescence-related Genes and Pancreatic Function-related Genes in Human Islets of Langerhans from Donors of Various Ages.

Background/aim: Although studies on senescence-related genes using human islets of Langerhans have been performed, the expression of senescence-related genes and their association with functional genes in islets remain insufficiently investigated. We aimed to determine whether and what types of senescent-related genes are expressed in islets and identify their correlations with pancreatic function-related genes by using islets isolated for transplantation from individuals of various ages.

Materials And Methods: Islets from deceased donors of both sexes and different ages were used for analysis.

Generation of human hepatobiliary organoids with a functional bile duct from chemically induced liver progenitor cells.

Background: Liver disease imposes a significant medical burden that persists due to a shortage of liver donors and an incomplete understanding of liver disease progression. Hepatobiliary organoids (HBOs) could provide an in vitro mini-organ model to increase the understanding of the liver and may benefit the development of regenerative medicine.

Methods: In this study, we aimed to establish HBOs with bile duct (BD) structures and mature hepatocytes (MHs) using human chemically induced liver progenitor cells (hCLiPs).

Fully-Covered Self-Expandable Metal Stent for Hepaticojejunostomy Anastomotic Stricture After Living Donor Liver Transplantation: A Case Series.

Introduction: We prospectively evaluated 3 cases regarding the usefulness of fully-covered self-expandable metal stents (FCSEMSs) for hepaticojejunostomy anastomotic stricture (HAS) after living donor liver transplantation (LDLT), which could not be resolved with conventional treatment using a plastic stent.

Case Report: All patients underwent LDLT with Roux-en-Y reconstruction; therefore, a short-type double-balloon enteroscope was used for the endoscopic procedures. HAS was observed on enteroscopic view of endoscopy in patients 1 and 2, and cholangiography revealed dilatation of the intrahepatic bile duct.

Open Abdominal Management for Damage Control in Liver Transplantation: A Single-center Experience.

Background: Patients undergoing liver transplantation are in a state of coagulopathy before surgery because of liver failure. Intraoperative hemorrhage, massive transfusions, and post-reperfusion syndrome further contribute to coagulopathy, acidosis, and hypothermia. In such situations, temporary cessation of surgery with open abdominal management and resuscitation in the intensive care unit (ICU), which is commonly used as a damage control strategy in trauma care, may be effective.

Current Status and Outcomes of Living Donor Liver Transplantation for Pediatric Acute Liver Failure: Results From a Multicenter Retrospective Study Over Two Decades.

Background: Although the outcomes of living donor liver transplantation (LDLT) for pediatric acute liver failure (PALF) have improved, patient survival remains lower than in patients with chronic liver disease. We investigated whether the poor outcomes of LDLT for PALF persisted in the contemporary transplant era.

Methods: We analyzed 193 patients who underwent LDLT between December 2000 and December 2020.

Repeated Minimally Invasive Pancreatectomy for Intraductal Papillary Mucinous Neoplasm in the Remnant Pancreas: A Case Report.

BACKGROUND Minimally invasive pancreatectomy has become the standard practice for the management of benign and malignant pancreatic tumors. Techniques such as robotic and laparoscopic approaches are known to reduce morbidity by offering benefits such as less blood loss, reduced pain, shorter hospital stays, and quicker recovery times. The indication for repeated minimally invasive pancreatectomy for recurrent or de novo pancreatic neoplasm after primary pancreatic surgery remains debated.

Minimally invasive pancreaticoduodenectomy for circumportal pancreas: literature review and report of two type IIIA cases.

Background: Circumportal pancreas is a rare morphological variant with clinical significance due to the high risk of postoperative pancreatic fistula in patients undergoing pancreaticoduodenectomy. Type IIIA (suprasplenic anteportal) is the most common type of circumportal pancreas. We present two cases of type IIIA treated with minimally invasive pancreaticoduodenectomy, and review the literature on patients with circumportal pancreas who underwent pancreatic surgery.

Efficacy of chemically induced human hepatic progenitor cells from diseased liver against nonalcoholic steatohepatitis model.

Background: Numerous chemical reprogramming techniques have been reported, rendering them applicable to regenerative medicine research. The aim of our study was to evaluate the therapeutic potential of human CLiP derived from clinical specimens transplanted into a nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) mouse model of liver fibrosis.

Methods: We successfully generated chemically induced liver progenitor (CLiP), which exhibited progenitor-like characteristics, through stimulation with low-molecular-weight compounds.

DCLK1 Expression and its Functional Significance in Intrahepatic Cholangiocarcinoma and Bil-IN Stage.

Background/aim: Although several studies in some neoplasms have reported correlation between the expression levels of Doublecortin-like kinase1(DCLK1) and carcinogenesis, its role in cholangiocarcinoma remains unknown.

Materials And Methods: DCLK1 expression in normal epithelium (NE), biliary intraepithelial neoplasia (BilIN)1∼3, and intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (ICC) were investigated immuno-histochemically. The molecular effects of DCLK1 were investigated by gene silencing using RNAi [DCLK1-tagrgeting (siDCLK1)].

Improvement in aged liver regeneration using cell transplantation with chemically induced liver progenitors.

Background: A decrease in the regenerative capacity of age-damaged liver tissue has been reported. Liver progenitor cells may play an important role in the regeneration of injured livers. In the present study we aimed to investigate improvements in the regenerative capacity of age-damaged livers using chemically induced liver progenitors (CLiPs) derived from mature hepatocytes.

Analysis of the Clinical Course in a Population of Patients with Biliary Tract Cancer Diagnosed as Unresectable After Portal Vein Embolization: A Case Series.

Portal vein embolization (PVE) is recommended as a preoperative procedure for patients with biliary tract cancer scheduled to undergo hepatic resection of more than 50%-60% of the liver. However, details and/or information regarding the follow-up of unresectable cases are often lacking, and the clinical course of unresectable cases is not well analyzed and reported. This study aimed to clarify the clinical prognosis of patients with unresectable biliary tract cancer after PVE.

Living donor liver transplantation for a patient with acute liver failure following thyroid storm: a case report.

Background: Thyroid storm can be complicated by liver dysfunction, which may occasionally progress to acute liver failure. We herein report a case of acute liver failure following thyroid storm that was treated with living donor liver transplantation after resuscitation from cardiopulmonary arrest.

Case Report: The patient was a woman in her 40 s who had been diagnosed with an abnormal thyroid function.

Angioplasty of the inferior vena cava with a bovine pericardial patch by the modified open-chest dorsal approach for Budd-Chiari syndrome: A case report.

Introduction And Importance: Surgical treatment of Budd-Chiari syndrome (BCS) includes endovenectomy followed by angioplasty of the inferior vena cava (IVC). Herein, we report a case of surgery using an open-chest approach in a patient with BCS. We modified the technique reported by Kuniyoshi et al.

Outcomes of living donor liver transplant recipients receiving grafts with the graft-to-recipient weight ratio less than 0.6%: A matched pair analysis.

We sometimes experience living donor liver transplantation (LDLT) involving very small grafts with graft-to-recipient weight ratio (GRWR) < 0.6% when the actual graft size is smaller than predicted. The outcomes in this situation have not been fully investigated.

Feasibility of Organ Transportation by a Drone: An Experimental Study Using a Rat Model.

Background: Recently, the successful delivery of organs for transplantation using drones was reported. We investigated the influence of transportation by drones on the quality of liver grafts using a rat model.

Methods: Livers of 12 rats (8 and 32 weeks old) were divided into 2 groups of six.