Need For Vascular Reconstruction Research Articles

Surgical and Histopathological Results in Carotid Body Tumors.

The possible relationships between the histopathological findings of carotid body tumors and age, gender, tumor diameter, and Shamblin classification were investigated. In addition, preoperative embolization status, development of neurological complications, need for vascular reconstruction, hemoglobin change, and discharge time were examined and the effects of these variables on each other were analyzed. Between 2008 and 2022, 46 cases who underwent carotid body tumor excision were examined retrospectively. The cases were followed for an average of 81 months postoperatively. Histopathological materials were reexamined and the effect of categorical variables was analyzed. Mean tumor diameter was 3.55 ± 1.26 cm, mean discharge time was 3.91 ± 2.37 days, and mean hemoglobin change was 1.86 ± 1.25. Neurological complications developed in 13% of cases. The amount of hemoglobin change was significantly (p = 0.003) higher in those who developed neurological complications, whereas the tumor diameter and discharge time were found to be insignificantly higher. Surgical complications requiring vascular repair occurred in 10.8% of cases. Tumor diameter (p = 0.017) and hemoglobin change (p = 0.046) were significantly higher in these patients. There were significant correlations between higher Shamblin classification and tumor diameter, discharge time, postoperative hemoglobin value, and number of surgical and neurological complications. No significant difference was found between Ki-67, capsular invasion, mitosis, pleomorphism, prominent nucleoli, mean island diameter, and tendency of islands to merge with categorical variables. As the tumor diameter increases, the operation becomes more difficult and the postoperative complication rate increases. We think that subadventitial and capsular removal of the tumor is effective in preventing recurrence. To reach a histopathological conclusion, a larger series of studies including tumors with high Ki-67 and mitosis rates, large size, and one or more of the criteria for necrosis are needed.

Vascular injury during cholecystectomy: A multicenter critical analysis behind the drama

BackgroundThe management of a vascular injury during cholecystectomy is still very complicated, especially in centers not specialized in complex hepatobiliary surgery. MethodsThis was a multi-institutional retrospective study in patients with vascular injuries during cholecystectomy from 18 centers in 4 countries. The aim of the study was to analyze the management of vascular injuries focusing on referral, time to perform the repair, and different treatments options outcomes. ResultsA total of 104 patients were included. Twenty-nine patients underwent vascular repair (27.9%), 13 (12.5%) liver resection, and 1 liver transplant as a first treatment. Eighty-four (80.4%) vascular and biliary injuries occurred in nonspecialized centers and 45 (53.6%) were immediately transferred. Intraoperative diagnosed injuries were rare in referred patients (18% vs 84%, P = .001). The patients managed at the hospital where the injury occurred had a higher number of reoperations (64% vs 20%, P ˂ .001). The need for vascular reconstruction was associated with higher mortality (P = .04). Two of the 4 patients transplanted died. ConclusionVascular lesions during cholecystectomy are a potentially life-threatening complication. Management of referral to specialized centers to perform multiple complex multidisciplinary procedures should be mandatory. Late vascular repair has not shown to be associated with worse results.

Resection of Skull Base Meningioma With Extensive Extracranial Extension: 2-Dimensional Operative Video.

Jugular foramen meningiomas are rare tumors with distinguishing clinical, radiological, and surgical considerations.1,2 They involve the lower cranial nerves, invade the temporal bone, occlude jugular vein and sigmoid sinus, and involve internal carotid and vertebral arteries. Their location is prime for an extensive extracranial cervical extension. They might reach giant size with extension from the Meckel cave in the cerebellopontine angle to the carotid bifurcation in the neck while exhibiting only minor symptoms. Surgical morbidity is associated mainly with lower cranial nerves deficits. Radical surgical removal has been considered impossible with vascular encasement and is associated with a considerable risk of vascular injury. With careful and thorough preoperative evaluation, including evaluating the adequacy of the cerebral collateral and applying an appropriately tailored skull base approach,3 radical tumor resection can be achieved with the expectation of a good outcome.3,4 Meticulous microsurgical dissection of the tumor involving the internal carotid artery in the neck would permit radical resection without vascular damage and avoiding the need for vascular reconstruction.5 We demonstrate this technique in a 47-year-old female patient presented in the year 2007 having a giant jugular fossa tumor with extensive neck extension who consented to surgery. Image at 2:23 reused with permission from Al-Mefty O, Teixeira A. Complex tumors of the glomus jugulare: criteria, treatment, and outcome. J Neurosurg. 2002;97(6):1356-1366, by permission from JNSPG. {"href":"Single Video Player","role":"media-player-id","content-type":"play-in-place","position":"float","orientation":"portrait","label":"","caption":"","object-id":[{"pub-id-type":"doi","id":""},{"pub-id-type":"other","content-type":"media-stream-id","id":"1_vf9v0duk"},{"pub-id-type":"other","content-type":"media-source","id":"Kaltura"}]}

Perihilar Cholangiocarcinoma - Novel Benchmark Values for Surgical and Oncological Outcomes From 24 Expert Centers.

The aim of this study was to define robust benchmark values for the surgical treatment of perihilar cholangiocarcinomas (PHC) to enable unbiased comparisons. Despite ongoing efforts, postoperative mortality and morbidity remains high after complex liver surgery for PHC. Benchmark data of best achievable results in surgical PHC treatment are however still lacking. This study analyzed consecutive patients undergoing major liver surgery for PHC in 24 high-volume centers in 3 continents over the recent 5-year period (2014-2018) with a minimum follow-up of 1 year in each patient. Benchmark patients were those operated at high-volume centers (≥50 cases during the study period) without the need for vascular reconstruction due to tumor invasion, or the presence of significant co-morbidities such as severe obesity (body mass index ≥35), diabetes, or cardiovascular diseases. Benchmark cutoff values were derived from the 75th or 25th percentile of the median values of all benchmark centers. Seven hundred eight (39%) of a total of 1829 consecutive patients qualified as benchmark cases. Benchmark cut-offs included: R0 resection ≥57%, postoperative liver failure (International Study Group of Liver Surgery): ≤35%; in-hospital and 3-month mortality rates ≤8% and ≤13%, respectively; 3-month grade 3 complications and the CCI: ≤70% and ≤30.5, respectively; bile leak-rate: ≤47% and 5-year overall survival of ≥39.7%. Centers operating mostly on complex cases disclosed better outcome including lower post-operative liver failure rates (4% vs 13%; P = 0.002). Centers from Asia disclosed better outcomes. Surgery for PHC remains associated with high morbidity and mortality with now the availability of benchmark values covering 21 outcome parameters, which may serve as key references for comparison in any future analyses of individuals, group of patients or centers.

Robot-assisted and open resections for perihilar cholangiocarcinoma. Comparative analysis of the immediate outcomes

Background. Minimally invasive radical surgery for perihilar cholangiocarcinoma is in its early stages. Aim. A comparative analysis of the initial experience of robot-assisted and open resections for perihilar cholangiocarcinoma. Material and methods. The single-center experience, accumulated over the period from 2014 to 2018, is analyzed. Robot-assisted procedures included major liver resection and caudate lobectomy with extrahepatic bile duct resection and lymphadenectomy. The need for vascular reconstruction was considered a contraindication to surgery. Results. Thirteen robot-assisted resections were performed. The perihilar cholangiocarcinoma was confirmed by pathologic examination in 10 patients. The immediate outcomes were compared with that in 88 open procedures. There were no significant differences in blood loss, the rate of severe morbidity, mortality, and hospital stay. The duration of the robot-assisted surgical resections was significantly longer. Conclusion. Analysis of initial experience justifies the robotic approach for radical resection in highly selected patients.

The impact of post-hepatectomy liver failure on mortality: a population-based study

Background: Post-hepatectomy liver failure (PHLF) is considered a main reason for death after major hepatectomy. The reported PHLF-related mortality differs largely and the data mainly originate from single centers.Aim: A retrospective, population-based register study was designed to evaluate the impact of PHLF on 90-day mortality after hepatectomy.Method: All patients who underwent liver resection in Sweden between 2005 and 2009 were retrospectively identified using the Swedish Hospital Discharge Registry. 30- and 90-day mortality were identified by linkage to the Registry of Causes of Death. Additional clinical data were obtained from the medical charts in all seven university hospitals in Sweden. PHLF was defined according to Balzan criteria (Bilirubin >50 µg/L and international normalized ratio >1.5) on postoperative day 5.Results: A total of 2461 liver resections were performed (2194 in university hospitals). 30- and 90-day mortality were 1.3% and 2.5%, respectively. 90-day mortality at university hospitals was 2.1% (n = 46). In 41% (n = 19) of these patients, PHLF alone or in combination with multi-organ failure was identified as cause of death. Between the PHLF and non-PHLF group, there was no significant difference regarding age, sex, American Society of Anesthesiologists-classification, or preoperative chemotherapy. Cholangiocarcinoma as indication for surgery, need for vascular reconstruction and an extended resection were significantly overrepresented in the PHLF-group. Between groups, the incidence of 50:50 criteria differed significantly already on postoperative day 3.Conclusion: Overall mortality is very low after hepatectomy in Sweden. PHLF represents the single most important cause of death even in a population-based setting.

The Use of Autologous Peritoneum for Complete Caval Replacement Following Resection of Major Intra-abdominal Malignancies.

Assessment of a simple layer peritoneal tube used as an autogenous inferior vena cava replacement. Extensive en-bloc multivisceral resection including major vessels is effective in selected abdominal malignancies, but the need for vascular reconstruction represents a surgical challenge. We describe the use of autologous peritoneum for caval replacement. Autogenous parietal peritoneum without fascial backing was harvested and tubularized to replace the inferior vena cava (IVC) in four patients with complex abdominal tumors. Surgical morbidity was evaluated using the Clavien-Dindo classification, and graft patency was systematically evaluated with ultrasound. All four patients had multiorgan resections for malignancies involving the retro-hepatic IVC, and they all required the replacement of infrarenal and suprarenal IVC segments. Additionally, all four required a right nephrectomy, two had a combined major hepatectomy, and one patient needed a veno-venous bypass. All had an R0 resection. A clinical follow-up took place between 5 and 11months after surgery for each patient. Four-month graft patency was confirmed by ultra-sound and TDM with no sign of disease recurrence. Autologous peritoneum without fascial backing is a good and safe option for circumferential replacement of IVC after extensive en-bloc tumor resection with IVC involvement.

Limb-sparing surgery with vascular reconstruction for malignant lower extremity soft tissue sarcoma

BackgroundThe standard of care for lower extremity soft tissue sarcoma (STS) is limb-sparing surgery. A small subset of these patients will require concomitant vascular reconstruction to ensure adequate resection and to preserve limb viability and function. The aim of this study was to evaluate outcomes in these patients with respect to wound healing and postoperative functional status. MethodsOutcomes for a total of 154 patients treated for malignant lower extremity STS during an 8-year period between 2005 and 2013 were entered in a prospective registry. Treatment was by medical management in 3 patients (2%), limb-sparing surgery with vascular reconstruction (LSVR) in 9 patients (6%), and limb-sparing surgery without vascular reconstruction (LS) in 142 patients (92%). The registry and patient records and the intraoperative records were consulted to determine the primary outcomes of patient survival and time for complete wound healing. The functional status of patients was assessed using the Musculoskeletal Tumor Society (MSTS) functional assessment score before surgery and at 6 and 12 months after surgery. ResultsMean follow-up time was 74.7 months for the LSVR group and 53.4 months for the LS group. The mean time to complete wound healing was significantly longer in LSVR vs LS patients (88 days vs 34 days, respectively; P = .002), and overall survival was lower in LSVR patients (P = .01). Seven of the 9 LSVR patients required a total of 12 additional procedures to achieve wound healing, including 9 procedures to drain seromas (incision and drainage) with vacuum-assisted closure in 4 cases. Plastic surgery intervention was required in three patients, including one skin graft, one gracilis pedicle flap, and one vertical rectus abdominis myocutaneous flap. There was no significant difference in the mean MSTS scores preoperatively, at 6 months, and at 1 year after surgery between the two groups (27, 25, and 29 for LSVR vs 28, 31, and 31 for LS, respectively; P = .63, .11, and .67, respectively). ConclusionsThe need for vascular reconstruction during limb-sparing surgery for lower extremity malignant STS is rare in a high-volume sarcoma center. Overall survival was lower in these patients, and the time to complete wound healing is prolonged and requires multiple secondary interventions. However, postoperative functional status as assessed by the MSTS is acceptable and comparable to that of patients not requiring vascular reconstruction.

Implications of Intraoperative Vascular Surgery Assistance for Hospitals and Vascular Surgery Trainees

Vascular surgeons possess a skill set that allows them to assist nonvascular surgeons in the operating room. Existing studies on this topic are limited in their scope to specific procedures or clinical settings. To describe the broad spectrum of cases that require intraoperative vascular surgery assistance. A retrospective medical record review of patients undergoing nonvascular surgery procedures that required intraoperative vascular surgery assistance between January 2010 and June 2014 at a single urban academic medical center (Northwestern Memorial Hospital, Chicago, Illinois). Trauma patients and inferior vena cava filter placements were excluded. Intraoperative vascular surgery assistance stratified by need for vascular reconstruction, anatomic location, urgency of consultation, and timing of consultation. A composite primary end point of death, myocardial infarction, or unplanned return to the operating room within 30 days of the index operation. We identified 299 patients involving 12 different surgical subspecialties that met the study criteria. The cohort included 148 men (49.5%) and had a mean (SD) age of 56.4 (15) years. Most consultations occurred preoperatively (n = 224; 74.9%; odds ratio, 0.04; 95% CI, 0.02-0.08; P < .001) and were elective (n = 212; 70.9%; odds ratio, 0.06; 95% CI, 0.03-0.12; P < .001 ). The indications for vascular surgery assistance were 156 spine exposure (52%), 43 vascular control without hemorrhage (14.4%), 43 control of hemorrhage (14.4%), and 57 vascular reconstruction (19%). Vascular repairs consisted of 13 bypasses (4.3%), 18 patch angioplasties (6.0%), and 79 primary repairs (26.4%). All procedures required open surgical exposure by the vascular surgeon. The incidence of death, myocardial infarction, or unplanned return to the operating room was 11.4% for the cohort with a mortality rate of 1.7%. Patients who required vascular repair had a higher incidence of death, myocardial infarction, or unplanned return to the operating room (17.4% vs 7.9%; P = .01). These cases resulted in an additional 1371.46 work relative value units per year. Vascular surgeons provide crucial operative support across multiple specialties. Although vascular reconstruction is not needed in most patients, it may be associated with increased risk of death, myocardial infarction, or unplanned return to the operating room. The high proportion of emergent cases that require vascular repair demonstrates the importance of having vascular surgeons immediately available at the hospital. To continue providing this valuable service, vascular surgery trainees need to continue to learn the full breadth of open anatomic exposures and vascular reconstruction.

Renal Function Changes Following Fenestrated EVAR

Conclusions: This large study of CBTs demonstrates the importance of determining the CBT’s distance to the BOS as well as the Shamblin classification. Shamblin classification predicts the need for vascular reconstruction and the risk of bleeding and temporary nerve injury, and distance to BOS predicts bleeding risk and permanent nerve injury. Preoperative EMB is more often performed for CBTs located higher in the neck but may not reduce bleeding in CBTs that are located lower in the neck. Distance to BOS should be calculated in all patients with CBTs to provide precise preoperative counseling of risks.

Abstract 298: Microfibrillar Protein 4 is an Integrin avß3/5 Ligand Involved in Vascular Remodeling

Arterial injury stimulates remodeling responses that, when overexuberant, leads to stenosis. This response is influenced by specific integrin signaling in vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs). Microfibrillar-associated protein 4 (MFAP4) is a matricellular integrin ligand localized to the vascular wall. We hypothesized that systemic MFAP4 (sMFAP4) associates to vascular remodeling processes and that MFAP4 enhances integrin dependent VSMC activation and vasculoproliferative disease-associated remodeling. We explored the hypotheses using a prospective human cohort with symptomatic obstructive peripheral arterial disease (PAD), VSMC culture studies, and produced MFAP4 deficient mice for studying neointima formation. We demonstrate that the highest tertile of sMFAP4 was significantly associated with primary patency after vascular reconstruction, and the overall need for vascular reconstruction and mortality in 343 PAD patients. MFAP4 mediated the adhesion, migration, and proliferation of VSMCs in an integrin αVβ3/5-dependent manner in vitro. These effects were inhibited by MFAP4-blocking antibodies. MFAP4-deficient mice displayed delayed neointimal formation when challenged with carotid artery ligation, but the compensatory outward remodeling of vessel diameter was reduced. In conclusion, sMFAP4 has the potential to serve as a systemic marker morbidity and mortality in PAD. MFAP4 regulates integrin αVβ3/5 signaling and pathological remodeling in vivo, and may have therapeutic implications in vasculoproliferative diseases.

Primary inferior vena cava leiomyosarcoma: reconstruction is not mandatory

Computed tomography in an 81-year-old woman revealed obstruction of the inferior vena cava by a large primary vascular leiomyosarcoma, and involvement of the right renal vein. She underwent successful en-bloc resection of the tumor, right kidney, hepatic segments IV and VI, and inferior vena cava, without caval reconstruction. A renal vein-to-remaining infrahepatic inferior vena cava saphenous vein graft bypass was performed for left renal venous drainage. The need for vascular reconstruction is not always mandatory.

Idiopathic True Aneurysm of the Radial Artery: A Rare Entity

IntroductionTrue aneurysms of the radial artery are extremely rare. Most cases of Radial artery aneurysm are the result of iatrogenic trauma, however other rare causes such as vascular tumours, connective tissue diseases and occupational injury have also been reported. Case reportA 60-year-old man presented with a pulsating mass in the anatomical snuffbox of the left hand. He underwent distal radial artery ligation and excision of the aneurysm. Histopathology demonstrated this to be a true aneurysm in continuation with the vessel wall. DiscussionThere are only a few cases of true distal radial artery aneurysm described in the literature. Careful examination and pre-operative imaging will help determine the most appropriate surgical management, including the need for vascular reconstruction.

Idiopathic True Aneurysm of the Radial Artery: A Rare Entity

Introduction: True aneurysms of the radial artery are extremely rare. Most cases of Radial artery aneurysm are the result of iatrogenic trauma, however other rare causes such as vascular tumours, connective tissue diseases and occupational injury have also been reported. Case report: A 60-year-old man presented with a pulsating mass in the anatomical snuffbox of the left hand. He underwent distal radial artery ligation and excision of the aneurysm. Histopathology demonstrated this to be a true aneurysm in continuation with the vessel wall. Discussion: There are only a few cases of true distal radial artery aneurysm described in the literature. Careful examination and pre-operative imaging will help determine the most appropriate surgical management, including the need for vascular reconstruction. Idiopathic True Aneurysm of the Radial Artery: A Rare EntityEJVES ExtraVol. 24Issue 4PreviewTrue aneurysms of the radial artery are extremely rare. Most cases of Radial artery aneurysm are the result of iatrogenic trauma, however other rare causes such as vascular tumours, connective tissue diseases and occupational injury have also been reported. Full-Text PDF Open Access

Reappraisal of the risks and benefits of major liver resection in patients with initially unresectable colorectal liver metastases.

3609 Background: Improvements in both surgical technique and efficacy of chemotherapy have increased the rate of resection for patients with initially unresectable colorectal liver metastases (IU-CRLM). We aimed to evaluate the short and long-term outcomes of major hepatectomy for such patients. Methods: From 2000 to 2011, 257 patients underwent major hepatectomy for CRLM. Seventy-eight (30%) of these patients were considered IU and required portal vein occlusion and/or ≥12 cycles or change in induction chemotherapy regimen to achieve resectability. Results: IU patients had respectively more lesions (5.6 vs.3.6, p=0.001), more frequently bilobar (70% vs.50% p=0.008) and synchronous (83.3% vs.70%, p=0.027) than initially resectable (IR) patients. Post-operative mortality (12.8% vs.1.7%, p=0.001) and major complications (46.2% vs.22.3%, p=0.0001) were higher in IU patients. An associated metabolic syndrome (HR 5.2, CI 1.2-21.9, p=0.025), high grade sinusoidal lesions (HR 2.4, CI 1.1-5.8, p=0.044) and the need for vascular reconstruction (HR 6.3, CI 1.2-34.4, p=0.032) were significant risk factors for major morbidity in IU patients. Significantly fewer IU patients received adjuvant chemotherapy in case of major postoperative complications compared to IR patients (47% vs. 83%, p=0.001). Overall 5-year survival was significantly lower in IU than in IR patients (26% vs.55%, p=0.032) and all IU patients had tumor recurrence within 3 years. The absence of adjuvant chemotherapy and tumor size ≥5 cm were the only factors associated with poor survival in multivariate analysis for IU patients. Conclusions: IU-CRLM patients requiring major liver resection displayed higher morbidity and mortality rates than IR ones, therefore compromising both short and long-term outcomes. Multimodal strategy should be reassessed in the presence of metabolic syndrome, sinusoidal lesions or major vascular involvement.

Vascular Surgery Collaboration During Pancreaticoduodenectomy With Vascular Reconstruction

Once thought to have unresectable disease, pancreatic cancer patients with portal venous involvement are now reported to have comparable survival after pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD) with vascular reconstruction (VR) as compared with patients without vascular involvement. We hypothesize that a multidisciplinary approach involving a vascular surgeon will minimize morbidity and improve patency of VRs. We identified 204 patients who underwent PD for pancreatic adenocarcinoma from 1997 to 2008. Patients who underwent PD with VR (N = 42) were compared with those who underwent standard PD (N = 162). VRs were performed by a vascular surgeon and involved primary repair (N = 8), vein patch (N = 25), or interposition grafting (N = 9) with femoral or other venous conduit. Patients undergoing PD with VR had larger tumors (3.0 cm vs. 2.5 cm, P < 0.01) but did not have different rates of tumor-free margins (73% vs. 72%, P = 0.84) or lymph nodes metastases (50% vs. 38%, P = 0.14). The VR group had higher median blood loss (875 mL vs. 550 mL, P = 0<0.01), but no differences in mortality, complication rates, length of stay, or readmission rates were found in a median follow-up of 29 months. Overall survival rates were similar. Predictors of mortality on multivariate analysis included increasing histological grade (P = 0.01), positive lymph nodes (P = 0.01), and increasing tumor size (P = 0.01), but not VR (P = 0.28). When evaluated by computed tomography scans within 6 months postoperatively, 97% of reconstructions remained patent. The need for VR is not a contraindication to potentially curative resection in patients with pancreatic adenocarcinoma. Assistance of a vascular surgeon during VR may allow moderate-volume centers to achieve outcomes comparable with high-volume centers.

Factors associated with recidivism following pancreaticoduodenectomy

ObjectivesFactors related to readmission after pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD) may include postoperative morbidity and the functional status of the patient. This study aimed to retrospectively review our institution's experience of readmission of patients who had undergone Whipple procedure PD. MethodsRecidivism was defined as readmission to the primary or a secondary hospital within, respectively, 30 days, 30–90 days or 90 days postoperatively. Associations between recidivism, perioperative factors and patient characteristics were evaluated. ResultsDuring the past 5 years, 30-day, 30–90-day and 90-day recidivism rates were 14.5%, 18.5% and 27.4%, respectively. The most common reasons for readmission included dehydration and/or malnutrition (37.5% of readmissions) and pain (12.5%). Patients who underwent PD for chronic pancreatitis were more likely to be readmitted within 90 days of surgery than patients who underwent PD for malignancy (P < 0.01). Intraoperative transfusion was also associated with 30–90-day and 90-day recidivism (P < 0.01). Preoperative comorbidities, including Charlson Comorbidity Index score, number of pre-discharge complications, type of Whipple reconstruction, preoperative biliary stenting, need for vascular reconstruction and patient body mass index were not associated with recidivism. ConclusionsOur data confirm previous reports indicating high rates of readmission after PD. To our knowledge, this report is the first to demonstrate chronic pancreatitis as an independent risk factor for readmission.

Pancreatectomy for metastasis to the pancreas from colorectal cancer and reconstruction of superior mesenteric vein: a case report

IntroductionTumors of the pancreatic head can infiltrate the superior mesenteric vein. In such cases, the deep veins of the lower limbs can serve as suitable autologous conduits for superior mesenteric vein reconstruction after its resection. Few data exist, however, describing the technique and the immediate patency of such reconstruction.Case reportWe present the case of a 70-year-old Caucasian man with a metachronous metastasis of colon cancer and infiltration of the uncinate pancreatic process, on the anterior surface of which the tumor was located. En bloc resection of the tumor was performed with resection of the superior mesenteric vein and reconstruction. A 10 cm segment of the superficial femoral vein was harvested for the reconstruction. The superficial femoral vein segment was inter-positioned in an end-to-end fashion. The post-operative conduit patency was documented ultrasonographically immediately post-operatively and after a six-month period. The vein donor limb presented subtle signs of post-operative venous hypertension with edema, which was managed with compression stockings and led to significant improvement after six months.ConclusionIn cases of exploratory laparotomies with high clinical suspicion of pancreatic involvement, the potential need for vascular reconstruction dictates the preparation for leg vein harvest in advance. The superficial femoral vein provides a suitable conduit for the reconstruction of the superior mesenteric vein. This report supports the uncomplicated nature of this technique, since few data exist about this type of reconstruction.

Surgical Technique, Morbidity, and Outcome of Primary Retroperitoneal Sarcoma Involving Inferior Vena Cava

Retroperitoneal sarcomas (RSTS) involving inferior vena cava (IVC) are rare entities. Vascular resection and reconstruction represent a technical challenge. The aim of the study was to review a monoinstitutional series of IVC resections for RSTS (mainly IVC leiomyosarcoma), focusing on the type of vascular replacement, morbidity, and oncologic outcome. From January 2004 to January 2011, 15 patients (7 male, 8 female) surgically treated for RSTS involving primarily or secondarily IVC were included. A total of ten patients had IVC replacement and one had partial IVC resection (anterior wall). En bloc organ resection was performed in 14 patients (93%). Major venous reconstructions were performed using PTFE prosthesis (2) or banked venous homografts (8). In four patients IVC reconstruction was not necessary because of the presence of efficient collaterals. Early clinically relevant complications (grade ≥3) were detected in one patient (7%) (symptomatic graft thrombosis). No reoperations were needed. No late relevant complications (grade ≥3) were observed. Overall graft patency was 60%. At a median follow up of 31.6 months, local recurrence, distant metastases, and survival rate were 20, 26, and 80%, respectively. Complete tumor resection was achieved in all patients. IVC resection is safe and well tolerated in RSTS patients. The need for vascular reconstruction has to be assessed according to preoperative imaging, intraoperative findings, and extent of resection. The specific role of banked venous homografts needs to be investigated in larger studies.

Vascular and Biliary Variants in the Liver: Implications for Liver Surgery

Accurate preoperative assessment of the hepatic vascular and biliary anatomy is essential to ensure safe and successful hepatic surgery. Such surgical procedures range from the more complex, like tumor resection and partial hepatectomy for living donor liver transplantation, to others performed more routinely, like laparoscopic cholecystectomy. Modern noninvasive diagnostic imaging techniques, such as multidetector computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance (MR) imaging performed with liver-specific contrast agents with biliary excretion, have replaced conventional angiography and endoscopic cholangiography for evaluation of the hepatic vascular and biliary anatomy. These techniques help determine the best hepatectomy plane and help identify patients in whom additional surgical steps will be required. Preoperative knowledge of hepatic vascular and biliary anatomic variants is mandatory for surgical planning and to help reduce postoperative complications. Multidetector CT and MR imaging, with the added value of image postprocessing, allow accurate identification of areas at risk for venous congestion or devascularization. This information may influence surgical planning with regard to the extent of hepatic resection or the need for vascular reconstruction.