Echinococcosis is a zoonotic disease that seriously threatened human health. The disease is widely distributed in China, including in Tibet Autonomous Region, Qinghai Province, Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, Sichuan Province, and other places, which has become a social and economic burden in China. Human beings are mainly infected with alveolar echinococcosis (AE) and cystic echinococcosis (CE), which mainly involves liver, lung, brain, bone, and other organs or tissues. The surgical resection is the first line treatment, and antiparasitic agents therapy is the main supplementary or salvage treatment method. Currently, classic drugs mainly include albendazole and praziquantel, which use alone or in combination. There are also some attempts to treat echinococcosis, including broad-spectrum anti infective drugs such as nitrozotocin, cell proliferation inhibiting drugs such as bortezomib, metabolic drugs such as metformin, or traditional medicines such as Artemisinin. It was also suggested to adopt a cancer management model for echinococcosis, and the imaging follow-up time for CE after antiparasitic chemotherapy should be at least 3 years, and for AE should be at least 10 years. More importantly, measures such as education and vaccine inoculation should be taken to actively prevent and control the occurrence and spread of echinococcosis.
ObjectiveTo explore value of partial liver preservation in situ for ex-vivo liver resection and auxiliatry autologous liver transplantation in end-stage hepatic alveolar echinococcosis.MethodsThe clinical data of one patient with end-stage hepatic alveolar echinococcosis treated with auxiliatry autologous liver transplantation combined partial liver preservation in situ were analyzed retrospectively. This patient was admitted on January 2019. During the auxiliatry autologous liver transplantation procedure, the S1, S4-S8 segments of the liver were resected for mass dissection, whereas the S2 and S3 segments of left liver were preserved in situ.ResultsThe preoperative evaluation and intraoperative exploration indicated that the mass located in the S4, S5, S8 segments, which was adjacent to the first hepatic portal and involved the anterior wall of posterior inferior vena cava, middle hepatic veins, the opening of right hepatic veins and the right wall of left hepatic veins. Based on the " in situ first” principle, the left lesion was slit using the anterior approach, the left hepatic vein was repaired and the S2 and S3 segments were preserved in situ. Then, the right lesion to involved hepatic vein was slit along the right interlobar fissure. The right hepatic artery, right portal vein and right bile duct were divided separately. The S1 and S4-S8 segments were removed completely. Next, the mass was resected, the out flow of the right liver was reconstructed using the allogeneic veins during the ex-vivo liver resection. Then, the auxiliatry autologous right liver transplantation was initiated by the wide-caliber hepatic vein-artificial inferior vena cava anastomosis. The surgical procedures lasted for 12 h, and the intraoperative bleeding was approximately 800 mL. The patient was routinely treated and smoothly recovered after the operation.ConclusionsProcedure of auxiliatry autologous liver transplantation preserved part functional liver in situ during ex-vivo resection, which could maintain stability of systemic and portal vein circulation, hold part liver function during operation, preserve functional liver furthest, and reduce risk of hepatic failure, is an effective attempt for end stage hepatic alveolar echinococcosis.
ObjectiveTo summarize the key operative points and efficacy of ex-vivo ex-vivo liver resection and autologous liver transplantation (ELRA) using various vascular materials for hepatic vein reconstruction in the treatment of end-stage hepatic alveolar echinococcosis (HAE). MethodThe clinicopathologic data of a patient with end-stage HAE who underwent ELRA combined with complex hepatic vein reconstruction were retrospectively analyzed. ResultsThe patient was a 60-year-old male who was admitted to the Sichuan Provincial People’s Hospital due to giant alveolar hydatid in the liver, with a body weight of 60 kg and a standard liver volume of 1 024.5 mL. The imaging showed that the hydatid invaded the first and second hepatic portals, middle hepatic vein, left hepatic vein, and retrohepatic inferior vena cava. The three-dimensional reconstruction of CT showed that the residual liver volume was 1 270.6 mL. The patient received supportive treatment after admission and underwent ELRA following strict evaluation. Intraoperatively, it was found that the multiple hepatic veins and retrohepatic inferior vena cava were widely invaded. The liver was split in vivo and the mass was excised ex vivo by “in vivo first” principle. The hepatic vein was repaired and reconstructed into a wide mouth outflow tract using allogeneic veins, autologous inferior mesenteric vein, and hepatic round ligaments, then performed the autotransplantation by wide mouth outflow-artificial inferior vena cava anastomosis (end to side). The operative time was 16 h, and the intraoperative blood loss was approximately 2 000 mL. FK506 was orally administered after operation, and low-molecular-weight heparin sodium was administered 24 h later for anticoagulation. The patient was returned to the general ward on the 6th day after the operation, and the enhanced CT scan showed that the hepatic outflow tract was unobstructed, without stenosis and thrombosis, and the patient was discharged on day 18 after the operation. The patient was pathologically diagnosed with alveolar echinococcosis. ConclusionsFrom the results of this case, combination of multiple vascular materials to reconstruct the hepatic outflow tract is an optional procedure for ELRA in treatment of end-stage HAE. Strict preoperative evaluation, skillful vascular anastomosis technique, and postoperative anticoagulation are important measures to maintain patency of postoperative reconstruction vessel.
ObjectiveTo explore the clinical application of in vivo hepatectomy with preservation of retrohepatic inferior vena cava (IVC) for hepatic alveolar echinococcosis (HAE) with the invasion of IVC. MethodsThe clinicopathologic data of a complicated HAE patient with large lesion (maximum cross-section 12.6 cm×9.6 cm), infiltrative growth, unclear boundary with surrounding tissues, and invasions of diaphragm and IVC (invasion length up to 4.6 cm) admitted to the Department of Liver Surgery in the West China Hospital of Sichuan University in December 2021 was retrospectively collected. The three-dimensional reconstruction of the liver model was performed by Mimics Medical 21.0 software before operation. The invading IVC of the right liver lesion was measured and the resection was simulated. During the operation, the HAE lesion and the affected IVC were gradually separated from IVC by the hemostatic forceps, and the residual lesions were gradually removed. ResultsIn this patient, the HAE lesion of right liver was resected, the IVC was entirely preserved, and the resection of liver was consistent with the preoperative three-dimensional reconstruction plan. The operation time was 275 min, the bleeding was approximately 500 mL. On the first day after the operation, the alanine aminotransferase and aspartate aminotransferase were increased, no obvious abnormalities were observed in the plasma albumin and bilirubin, the patient recovered and was discharged on the seventh day after the operation. No complications occurred after the operation, and no recurrence or metastasis of HAE was observed during follow-up period. ConclusionsHepatectomy with preservation of retrohepatic IVC for HAE with invasion of IVC is safe and effective. Taking albendazole regularly after surgery will help maintain disease-free survival.
ObjectiveTo analyze findings of 3.0 T diffusion weighted magnetic resonance (MR) in hepatic alveolar echinococcosis and evaluate potential role of apparent diffusion coefficients (ADC) in hepatic alveolar echinococcosis. MethodsThe clinical data of 26 patients with hepatic alveolar echinococcosis from November 2013 to January 2015 in this hospital were analyzed retrospectively. Hepatic MR scannings with diffusion weighted imaging (DWI) sequences (b-value=0, 600, 1 000, and 1 200 s/mm2) were performed in 26 patients with hepatic alveolar echinococcosis. The data of all the patients were stored to the PACS. The lesion features including type, size, distribution, location, and calcification (on the CT) were assessed by two deputy radiologists. TheADCvalues of marginal area, centre area, surrounding area of liver parenchyma tissue were measured at different b values (0, 600, 1 000, and 1 200 s/mm2) and compared. Results①There were 26 patients with a total of 29 lesions, of which involved multiple liver segments, 21 (72%) lesions located in the right lobe, 4 lesions involved simultaneously the left and right lobes. Twenty-four lesions invaded the hepatic vein or portal vein, 20 lesions invaded the intrahepatic bile duct, 10 lesions invaded the right adrenal gland. Seven patients occurred hilar and retroperitoneal lymph nodes metastases, 5 patients occurred pulmonary metastasis, 3 patients occurred brain metastasis, while 3 patients occurred lung and brain metastases simultaneously. ②There were 20 liquefied necrotic lesions, of which 5 lesions marginal area had multiple small round cysts in T2WI, 15 were only solid and without small cyst; The DWI of the centre area in 12 lesions showed a high signal, 8 lesions showed a low signal. There were 9 solid lesions, of which 2 lesions marginal area had multiple small round cysts in T2WI, 7 lesions marginal area were only solid and without cyst in T2WI. The DWI of the solid lesions showed a low signal, there was a "ring" high signal in the edge of lesions. ③At the same b value, theADCvalue of the centre area in the liquefied necrosis lesions were significantly higher than that in the solid lesions (P<0.01). At different b values, theADCvalue of the surrounding liver parenchyma tissue was significantly lower than that of the marginal area (P<0.01) and the centre area (P<0.01) in the liquefied necrosis lesions; theADCvalue of the centre area was significantly higher than that of the marginal area or surrounding liver parenchyma tissue (P<0.05, P<0.01) in the solid lesions. ConclusionsDWI could clearly distinguish structure and composition of hepatic alveolar echinococcosis and has a higher value in distinguishing from other liver dieases. The averageADCvalue of centre area in liquefied necrotic lesions is higher than that in solid lesions.
We reviewed the research progress of anesthesia management in hepatic echinococcosis surgery in recent years, including the key technologies, practical experience, and research progress of anesthesia management in hepatic echinococcosis surgery, so as to guide clinical practice. Firstly, in the selection of anesthesia, the general anesthesia combined with epidural block or regional nerve block is recommended to improve surgical safety and patients’ comfort. At the same time, the importance of intraoperative continuous monitoring, including key indicators such as hemodynamics and respiratory function, is emphasized, and transesophageal echocardiography and brain function monitoring techniques are introduced to optimize anesthesia management. Finally, the concept of enhanced recovery after surgery is promoted, and measures such as preoperative optimization, intraoperative heat preservation, refined fluid management, and postoperative analgesic management are implemented to promote the rapid recovery of patients. At the same time, some challenges and unsolved problems in the current research also are pointed out, such as complex case evaluation, complications prevention, and teamwork, etc., which need to be further studied in the future to optimize the anesthesia strategy.
ObjectiveTo explore potential value of three-dimensional reconstruction technique for preoperative evaluation of hepatic alveolar echinococcosis. MethodsTwenty-one cases of hepatic alveolar echinococcosis proved by postoperative pathological examination in Affiliated Hospital of Qinghai University from October 2013 to March 2014 were analyzed retrospectively. The three periods of patients’ liver dynamic thin layerCTscan images were collected and imported in three-dimensional reconstruction software by DICOM format. The volume of the virtual resected liver tissue was calculated by software, and then was compared with the actual resected liver tissue volume. ResultsThe resected liver volume was (761.94±505.77) mL and (756.19±501.78) mL in the virtual surgery and in the veritable surgery, respectively. The proportion of resected liver in the total liver was (39.27±18.75)% and (38.95±16.99)% in the virtual surgery and in the veritable surgery, respectively. The resected liver volume had no significant difference between the virtual surgery and veritable surgery (P>0.05), which a positive relation (r=0.989, P<0.001). ConclusionThe limited preliminary data in this study show that three-dimensional reconstruction technique and virtual planning system for surgery could accurately guide resection of lesion and provide preoperative guidance of accurate liver resection for hepatic alveolar echinococcosis.
ObjectiveTo summarize the surgical technique and indications for liver masses involving the second and the third porta hepatis.MethodsThirteen cases of liver mass involving the second and the third porta hepatis, who underwent surgery in West China Hospital of Sichuan University from June 2013 to September 2016 were collected retrospectively, then made a statistical analysis, including patients’ information, characteristics of liver masses, operation information, and result of followed-up.ResultsOf the 13 cases, there were 3 cases of hepatic alveolar echinococcosis, 4 cases of hepatocellular carcinoma, 4 cases of intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma, and 2 cases of liver metastasis induced by colon cancer. The mean tumor diameter was 12.5 cm (7–21 cm). Preoperative imaging examinations showed that mass had involved the second and the third porta hepatis, and all masses were resected by surgery without perioperative death, including 7 cases of right three hepatectomy resection, 1 case of left three hepatectomy resection, 4 cases of right hepatectomy resection, and 1 case of left hemi hepatectomy resection; among them, 9 cases were performed caudal lobectomy resection. The mean of operative time was 313 min (210–450 min), the mean of intraoperative blood loss was 592 mL (300–1 100 mL). Four cases received blood transfusion with 300–450 mL (mean of 338 mL). The total hepatic blood inflow occlusion time was 25–55 min (mean of 42 min). Five cases received venous reconstruction, and 1 case received hepatic vein reconstruction. After operation, ascites occurred in 6 cases, pleural effusion occurred in 6 cases, liver failure occurred in 2 cases, bile leakage occurred in 2 cases, pulmonary infection occurred in 3 cases, deep vein thrombosis occurred in 1 case. All of the 13 cases were followed-up for 1–39 months (median time was 14 months), during the followed-up period, 4 cases died, including 3 cases of intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma and 1 case of liver metastasis induced by colon cancer.ConclusionIt is encouraging to apply the vascular reconstruction and skilled hepatic partition technique for resection lesions which involved the second and the third porta hepatis, through meticulous preoperative evaluation and preparation.
Echinococcosis is a zoonotic and parasitic disease caused by tapeworms of the genus Echinococcus. The most common forms of the disease are cystic echinococcosis (CE) and alveolar echinococcosis (AE), caused by Echinococcus granulosus and Echinococcus mutilocularis, respectively, and posing a serious health challenge and economic burden to human society. The most adapted treatment is surgical excision plus chemotherapy, although which mostly is effective, the traumatic damage from the invasive procedure and the adverse effects of the prolonged chemotherapy are profound. Conventional preventions include controlling the source of infection, improving the sanitation in livestock slaughter, strengthening surveillance, and increasing public health education. However, the outcome is limited by the complicity of the geographical nature, cultural background, and unique lifestyle. Vaccination is the most safe and cost-effective way to control infectious diseases. The partial success of recombinant Eg95 as a veterinary vaccine had established a theoretical foundation for the development of a human echinococcosis vaccine, which will shed a light on the prevention, control, and eventual elimination of the human infection. There are promising vaccine candidates in the research and development pipelines in the form of parasite tissue extract proteins, recombinant proteins, nucleic acids, synthetic antigenic epitopes, and vector vaccines. These candidates have shown potential to induce protective humoral and cellular immune responses that block the invasion, eradicate the worm at an early stage, or prevent the onset of infection. We reviewed the progress in the vaccine development and discussed the challenges and solutions in the research and development to facilitate the licensure of a vaccine against human echinococcosis.
Objective To summarize the methods, safety, and efficacy of the ex vivo liver resection followed by autotransplantation in the treatment of advanced hepatic alveolar echinococcosis (HAE). Method A retrospective analysis of clinical data and follow-up data in 21 cases who received ex vivo liver resection followed by autotransplantation in the treatment of HAE from February 2014 to December 2016 in West China Hospital was performed. Results All the patients successfully underwent ex vivo liver resection followed by autotransplantation and no death happened during operation. The median weight of remnant liver was 701.4 g (360–1 300 g), the average operation time were 13.6 h (9.4–19.5 h), the anhepatic phase time were 180–455 min with median of 314 min. The average of intraoperative blood loss were 2 379 mL (1 200–6 000 mL). The average of patients entered red blood cell suspension were 10.6 u (0–39.5 u), the average of fresh frozen plasma were 1 377 mL (0–6 050 mL) , of which 7 patients received autologous blood transfusion, with average of 1 578 mL (500–3 700 mL). The average of postoperative hospital stay were 23.5 days (4–51 days). Postoperative complications occurred in 12 patients during hospitalization, and 4 cases of postoperative complications were in grade Clavien-Dindo Ⅲ or above, 2 cases of grade Ⅴ (died). During the follow-up period, 19 patients were followed for a median of 16.2 months (3–38 months), no HAE recurrence or metastasis was found, only 1 patient were lost follow-up after surgery for 12 months. Massive ascites and hyponatremia were found in 1 patient who was diagnosis as left hepatic vein stenosis at the end of the 3 months after operation. The patient was cured after interventional treatment of hepatic vein stent implantation and angioplasty. Conclusions The ex vivo liver resection followed by autotransplantation provides radical treatment for patients with advanced HAE, but the surgery is difficult and has high risk of postoperative complications. The detailed preoperative evaluation, intraoperative pipeline reconstruction reasonably, and fine postoperative management can improve the patient’s survival, and reduce the rate of complications.