The effect of octreotide on morphological hepatic regeneration and hepatic functional recovery after a two-thirds hepatectomy in rats

The aim of this study was to clarify the effect of octreotide on either morphological hepatic regeneration or hepatic function after a two-thirds hepatectomy in rats. The rats were separated into two groups as follows: group 1 received 100 microg of octreotide acetate subcutaneously every 6 hours from 24 hours before hepatic resection until sacrifice; group 2 received 0.9% saline solution instead of octreotide as a control. Morphological hepatic regeneration, protein synthesis and mitochondrial function were all studied. The regenerative rate in liver volume and the BrdU labeling index in group 1 were significantly lower than those in group 2. The levels of glutamic acid dehydrogenase were significantly lower in group 1 than those in group 2 at 24 (64.2+/-14.6 and 77.8+/-8.3 IU/l, respectively), 36 (46.1+/-14.4 and 60.6+/-5.9 IU/l, respectively) and 48 hours (39.7+/-13.7 and 51.0+/-11.8 IU/l, respectively) after hepatectomy. At 24 hours after hepatectomy, the levels of arterial ketone body ratio was higher in group 1 than in group 2 (0.67+/-0.05 and 0.51+/-0.07, respectively), and the energy charge of the liver was also higher in group 1 than in group 2 (0.662+/-0.031 and 0.605+/-0.053, respectively). Our results suggest that morphological hepatic regeneration is not necessarily synchronized with hepatic functional recovery. In addition, hepatic functional recovery was preserved by keeping the energy metabolism in hepatocytes, even when the use of octreotide suppressed morphological hepatic regeneration.


The mechanism of hepatic graft protection against reperfusion injury by prostaglandin E1


Cell proliferation and cell loss in nodule-in-nodule hepatocellular carcinoma

In order to clarify the significance of the balance between cell proliferation and cell loss during the progression of hepatocellular carcinoma, 16 operative specimens of nodule-in-nodule hepatocellular carcinoma were investigated. In 16 specimens, cell proliferation was evaluated by the expression of Ki-67 nuclear antigen, and cell loss was also examined by the method of terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP-biotin nick end labeling (TUNEL). The expressions of p53 protein, bcl-2 protein and Fas antigen were also investigated to clarify the relationship between their expression and cell kinetics. The Ki-67 labeling index of the inner nodules was higher than that for the outer nodules (18.9% vs. 7.2%; p < 0.05) and the TUNEL labeling index of the inner nodules was also higher than that for the outer nodules (12.8% vs. 6.6%; p < 0.05). The increasing rate of the Ki-67 labeling index from Edmondson's grade I to II was 3.9 +/- 3.0, that from grade II to III was 3.9 +/- 2.4, while the increasing rate of the TUNEL labeling index from grade I to II was 2.7 +/- 0.3 and that from grade II to III was 1.7 +/- 0.2 (p < 0.05). p53 Protein was observed in 5 cases, while bcl-2 protein was found in 4 cases in the border area of the inner nodule. However, Fas antigen was found in none of the examined cases. Regarding the Ki-67 positive rate in the inner nodule, the Ki-67 positive rate in the p53 protein positive cases was significantly higher than that in the negative cases (30.3 +/- 15.4 vs. 11.9 +/- 9.2; p < 0.05). However, the TUNEL labeling index was not affected by the expression of those proteins. This study suggested that tumor progression depends on a disturbance in the cell kinetic balance caused not by a decrease in the absolute amount of cell loss but in the chaotic balance between cell loss and cell proliferation.


Evaluation of major hepatic resection for small hepatocellular carcinoma

The aim of this study is to clarify the significance of a major hepatectomy for small hepatocellular carcinomas (HCCs). Seventy-eight patients with solitary HCC measuring less than 3 cm in diameter, whose liver function was considered sufficient to tolerate a right hepatic lobectomy, were classified into 2 groups consisting of: a major group (n = 18), who underwent a major hepatectomy (2 segments or more); and, a minor group (n = 60), who underwent a hepatectomy including one segment or less. The early post-operative outcome and the long-term outcomes, comprising patient survival as well as disease-free survival, were compared. In addition, the post-operative long-term changes in liver function tests and esophageal variceal occurrence were also compared. In the post-operative mortality and morbidity, no significant differences were found between the 2 groups. However, 1 patient in the major group unexpectedly died of liver failure 6 months after operation. No significant difference was observed in patient survival and disease-free survival. The platelet count in the major group tended to decline more rapidly than that in the minor group. Furthermore, 1 patient in the major group demonstrated risky esophageal varices 29 months after operation, which had to be treated by endoscopic injection sclerotherapy. Based on the above findings, a major hepatectomy is therefore not recommended for patients with solitary small HCC measuring 3 cm or less in diameter.


Development of a Hybrid Artificial Liver Support System with Porcine Hepatocyte Spheroids for Preclinical Use


Development of a hybrid artificial liver support system and its application to hepatic failure animals


The formation of a spheroid of primary hepatocytes and the expression of liver-specific functions depend on the characteristics of polyurethane foam


A branched chain amino acid-enriched solution does not induce any beneficial effect on the postoperative intestinal functions.


Significance of the peroral phenolsulfonphthalein test in hepatic resection: a possible predictor of bacterial translocation

The aim of this study was to evaluate the perioperative changes in intestinal permeability by using the phenolsulfonphthalein (PSP) test and to also to clarify the significance of the peroral PSP test in hepatic resection. Fifty patients, all of whom underwent hepatic resection, were prospectively studied. Postoperative complications occurred in 16 patients, and 10 of these complications were infectious. A peroral PSP test, which was scheduled before operation and on postoperative days 3, 7, and 14, was performed as follows: after the administration of 30 mg of PSP, a 24-hour urine was collected, and the urinary PSP was measured by colorimetric assay. The correlation between the preoperative PSP value and various clinical variables, such as perioperative changes in urinary PSP excretion, and the relationship between the postoperative PSP value and postoperative complications, were investigated. Preoperative urinary PSP excretion was found to increase in proportion to the degree of liver dysfunction. In contrast, urinary PSP excretion did not significantly change during the perioperative period. However, urinary PSP excretion on postoperative day 3 in patients with postoperative infectious complications (27.3%) was significantly greater than that in those without infectious complications (17.4%; p < 0.05). Furthermore, PSP excretion on postoperative day 3 in those with infectious complications was also significantly greater as compared to the preoperative level. The patients with a urinary PSP excretion level on postoperative day 3 of greater than 25%, exhibited infectious complications more frequently than patients with a level under 25% (60% versus 10.3%, respectively; p < 0.05). The peroral PSP test is thus suggested to be a possible predictor of bacterial translocation after hepatic resection.


Gastroenterological surgery for patients with chronic respiratory insufficiency


A thoracoabdominal hepatectomy and a transdiaphragmatic hepatectomy for patients with cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma


The role of growth hormone, somatostatin and glucagon in hepatic resection

The aim of this study was to clarify the roles of growth hormone, somatostatin, and glucagon in vital reactions against surgical stress as well as in hepatic regeneration. Eleven consecutive patients, who underwent hepatic resection, were included in this study. Changes in intrinsic hormones, specifically growth hormone, somatostatin, and glucagon, were investigated. Furthermore, a comparison was made between major (more than 2 segments) and minor (less than 1 segment) hepatectomies. Growth hormone was observed to increase four-fold during hepatectomy and thereafter remained at relatively high levels. Somatostatin reached its lowest level on postoperative day 1 and then returned to near the preoperative level on postoperative day 7, while glucagon gradually increased and reached a peak around postoperative day 3. The concentrations of both somatostatin and glucagon in the portal vein were higher than those in the peripheral vein. No significant differences between major and minor hepatectomies were found throughout the perioperative course. Growth hormone is considered to be a sensitive parameter in terms of surgical stress and can also act as a trigger as well as a promoter of hepatic regeneration, while a dissociation between somatostatin and glucagon in the early postoperative period indicates the promotion of hepatic regeneration. Furthermore, portal blood, which contains higher concentrations of these substances, plays an important role in regulating hepatic regeneration. However, the absence of a correlation between the extent of the hepatectomy and these parameters suggests that some other, as yet unidentified mechanism, may also be related to the regulation of hepatic regeneration.


初代ブタ肝細胞のポリウレタンフォーム(PUF)/スフェロイド培養法を用いたハイブリッド型人工肝臓開発のための培養条件の検討


Adenosquamous carcinoma of the liver: clinicopathologic characteristics and cytokeratin profile


Urinary excretion of prostaglandins and renal function after hepatic resection


Circulating intercellular adhesion molecule-1 in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma before and after hepatic resection


Significance of alpha-fetoprotein levels for detection of early recurrence of hepatocellular carcinoma after hepatic resection


A comparison of parenteral hyperalimentation and early enteral feeding regarding systemic immunity after major hepatic resection--the results of a randomized prospective study

To compare the nutritional efficacy, especially regarding the systemic immunity of early enteral (EEN) and total parenteral nutrition (TPN) in major hepatic resection. A randomized, prospective controlled study was performed in the Second Department of Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan. Twenty-six patients who underwent a major hepatic resection were divided into 2 groups: EEN (n = 13), and TPN (n = 13). There was no significant difference between the two groups in regard to either clinical backgrounds, nutritional parameters. There was no significant difference in the nutritional parameters after hepatectomy, such as the serum levels of retinol binding protein, transierrin, pre-albumin, and 3-methylhistidine between the two groups. Among the immunologic parameters, NK activity and changes in the lymphocyte number, the PHA response and the NK activity, which was expressed as a percentage of the preoperative values, was significantly higher in the EEN group than in the TPN group (p < 0.05). The incidence of infectious complications in the TPN group was 4 of 13 patients (31%), although the same incidence in the EEN group was only 1 of 13 (8%). In one case of TPN, a bacterial strain of gut origin was isolated from the intra-abdominal abscess, which suggested that bacterial translocation occurred. No significant difference was observed in the nutritional parameters between the EEN and TPN groups. Early enteral feeding maintained immunocompetence, and thus such feeding possibly reduced the rate of infectious complications after major hepatic resection.


PUF/肝細胞スフェロイド充填層型人工肝臓のイヌ温虚血肝不全モデルへの適用

PUF/肝細胞スフェロイド充填層型人工肝臓のイヌ温虚血肝不全モデルへの適用


Hepatic resection for interic type hepatocellular carcinoma


Cardiac complications after hepatic resection


Evaluation of indications for the surgical treatment of cavernous hemangioma of the liver


The role of prostanoid in hepatic damage during hepatectomy

The aim of this study in hepatectomy is to investigate whether or not hepatic ischemia elevates the serum prostanoid levels, and whether or not thromboxane A2 (TXA2) synthetase inhibitor (OKY 046) improves hepatic damage. The prostanoid levels were measured in 22 hepatectomy cases. The beneficial effects of thromboxane A2 synthetase inhibitor were examined in cases who underwent hepatectomy under hemihepatic vascular control. The total prostanoid levels (6-keto PG Fla+ PGE2 + TXB2) were measured in 22 cases before and after hepatectomy. The hepatic ischemic time (HIT) was defined as the time required to perform a hepatic mobilization plus the right hemihepatic vascular control technique. The total prostanoid levels increased after hepatectomy (P < 0.01). The changes in the total prostanoid levels positively correlated with the HIT (P < 0.01). The 17 cases who underwent hepatectomy with the HIT were randomly divided into 2 groups; the OKY group (n = 9), OKY 046 (0.2 mg/kg/hr), the control group (n = 8); no drug was given. The OKY 046 administration reduced the TXB2 levels (P < 0.01), without any changes in the PGE2, or 6-keto PGF1a levels. The serum glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase levels after operation were lower, and the hepaplastin tests were higher in the OKY group than those of the control (P < 0.05). These results demonstrated that hepatectomy under ischemia elevated the prostanoid levels. OKY 046 significantly reduced the TXB2 levels and the degree of hepatic damage in hepatectomy under ischemia.


Nutritional support after hepatic resection: a randomized prospective study

A consensus as to whether hypertonic dextrose should be given to patients with chronic liver diseases such as cirrhosis or chronic hepatitis after major hepatectomy has not been reached, mostly because metabolism in the remnant liver switches from utilization of blood glucose to utilization predominantly of fatty acid as an energy source. We investigated whether nutritional support would have beneficial effects for such patients. Among 19 patients, 10 were given peripheral dextrose (10 kcal/kg/day) for seven days following hepatectomy and the other 9 were given hypertonic glucose. Twenty and 30 kcal/kg/day was the average non-protein caloric intake, including free oral intake during the first one week following hepatectomy, respectively. The groups were comparable with regard to laboratory data and operative stress. There were no untoward effects related to this support. In patients given nutritional support, retinol binding protein and prealbumin improved (p < 0.05 and p < 0.05, respectively), urinary 3-methylhistidine excretion decreased (p < 0.01) and the nitrogen balance normalized earlier (p < 0.05), as compared to findings with the conventional method. The remnant liver can utilize dextrose and nutritional support improves the nutritional status and may even preserve muscle protein mass.


Renal function after elective hepatic resection

Although morbidity and mortality associated with liver surgery has declined, in particular operative death from liver failure, accumulation of fluid in the peritoneal or pleural cavities after hepatic resection is still the most common post-operative complication and it often decreases the patient's quality of life. The purpose of this retrospective review is to discuss the effect of renal dysfunction following hepatic resection on ascites formation in patients who underwent hepatic resection. The patients who underwent hepatectomy were assigned to two groups; Group A patients (n = 119) had some form of ascites or pleural effusion, either intractable or easily controlled, while Group B patients (n = 178) had neither ascites nor pleural effusion. We compared the clinical and laboratory data, operative risk factors, and the post-operative renal as well as hepatic functions of the two groups. In addition to ordinary risk factors associated with ascites formation such as decreased plasma oncotic pressure due to hypoalbuminemia along with increased hydrostatic pressure in the portal circulation, renal dysfunction after hepatic resection might be the primary cause of fluid accumulation in the peritoneal cavity. As one of the mechanisms of ascites formation following hepatic resection, we must consider the presence of renal dysfunction and protect against ascites formation and treat refractory ascites after hepatic resection not only by such traditional methods such as water and salt restriction, the use of diuretics, and the infusion of albumin products, but also by preserving the renal function after hepatectomy.


Thromboxane A2 in preservation-reperfusion injury: the effect of thromboxane A2 synthetase inhibitor


Retrograde right hepatic trisegmentectomy


組織学的分化度よりみた小肝細胞癌切除の意義

組織学的分化度よりみた小肝細胞癌切除の意義


Chemosensitivity in primary liver cancers: evaluation of the correlation between chemosensitivity and clinicopathological factors


Significance of hyaluronic acid for evaluation of hepatic endothelial cell damage after cold preservation/reperfusion


Prognosis of well differentiated small hepatocellular carcinoma--is well differentiated hepatocellular carcinoma clinically early cancer?

The purpose of this study is to examine whether or not well differentiated (w-d) hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is indeed clinically early cancer. Seventy six patients with solitary small HCCs up to 3 cm in diameter, who underwent hepatectomy, were observed for at least 2 years for possible recurrence. These patients were divided into two groups: 10 patients with w-d HCCs (Edmondson and Steiner's grade I) and 66 patients with less differentiated (l-d) HCCs (Edmondson and Steiner's grade I-II, II-III, and III). The histological analysis revealed that w-d HCCs had lower incidences of fibrous capsule formation (P<0.01), when compared to l-d HCCs. There were no significant differences in the incidence of intrahepatic metastasis, or portal vein invasion. In a resected specimen of w-d HCC, barium sulfate and gelatin were injected into portal vein and a transparent specimen was made. The transparent specimen showed that the portal vein in the tumor seemed to be intact. Microscopically, cancer cell infiltration into the fibrous frame of the portal tract was present. There were no significant differences in the disease free survival between the two groups. An analysis of tumor volume doubling time in recurrent foci suggested that minute cancerous foci had been present at the time of operation. W-d HCCs were clinically demonstrated not to be early cancer, because there was no significant difference in disease free survival between the patients with w-d and l-d HCCs.


Early recurrence after surgery of hepatocellular carcinoma

In 231 patients with hepatocellular carcinoma who underwent liver resection from 1986 to 1992 to determine the significance of alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) levels. There were 13 patients (5.6 per cent) with early recurrence within six months after hepatectomy. Preoperative serum alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) levels were significantly higher in patients with early recurrence (p < 0.01). Postoperative histological examination revealed that there were significant correlations between patients with early recurrence and intrahepatic metastasis (p < 0.01), and portal vein infiltration (p < 0.01). There were significant correlations between patients with early recurrence and preoperative diagnosis of intrahepatic metastasis (p < 0.01), however, preoperative diagnosis of portal vein infiltration could not be detected enough. Eight (73%) of 11 patients with over 1000 ng/ml of AFP and preoperative diagnosis of intrahepatic metastasis had early recurrence (p < 0.01). We found that patients of hepatocellular carcinoma with over 1000 ng/ml of AFP and preoperative diagnosis of intrahepatic metastasis are the most important factors in the preoperative clinical data linked to early recurrence type of HCC after hepatectomy.


A refined method of trans-thoracoabdominal hepatectomy for cirrhotic patients with hepatocellular carcinoma

A hepatectomy in cirrhotic patients with hepatocellular carcinoma, located in either the posterior or superior part of the right lobe, inevitably requires a forced mobilization of the right lobe. Such a forced procedure causes a decreased hepatic blood flow resulting in postoperative morbidity and mortality, as well as an increased risk of the intrahepatic dissemination of cancer cells during the operation. We have thus refined the method of trans-thoracoabdominal hepatectomy to minimize those demerits of conventional transabdominal hepatectomies. The main characteristics of our refinements are as follows; (1) an optimal incision for the best short-cut to the hepatocellular carcinoma is determined by a three-dimensional imaging of either helical computed tomography and/or magnetic resonance imaging before operation; (2) a complete view of the operative field is obtained by the pertinent use of rotating the operation table, on which the patient is placed in a left semi-lateral position; (3) this method is suitable for resecting a tumor located in the posterior segment such as a posterior segmentectomy. This refined method is considered to decrease the postoperative morbidity including post-operative hepatic dysfunction and is also useful for cirrhotic patients with hepatocellular carcinoma.


Occurrence of intraperitoneal septic complications after hepatic resections between 1985 and 1990


消化器外科手術後のmethicillin -resistant Staphylococcus aureus 腸炎予防における周術期バンコマイシン投与の意義


Argyrophilic nuclear organizer regions (AgNOR) of resected intrahepatic cholangio cellular carcinoma


The role of interleukin-6, interleukin-1β, tumor necrosis factor-α, and endotoxin in hepatic resection


Oral administration of vancomycin in preventing postoperative methicillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus enterocolitis


肝切除時のプロスタノイド動態に対する Thromboxane A2 synthetase inhibitor(OKY-046) の効果


Detection of hepatitis C virus RNA in the ultrasonic dissector irrigating solution used in liver surgery


Initiation of a fibrinolytic system in hepatic resection: the roles of tissue-type plasminogen activator and plasminogen activator inhibitor-1


Serum hyaluronic acid for the assessment of graft viability in porcine liver transplantation


A comprehensive multi-institutional study of empiric therapy with flomoxef in surgical infections of the digestive organs. The Kyushu Research Group for Surgical Infection

The effect of flomoxef as empiric therapy for surgical infections of the digestive organs was analyzed in 103 patients, most of whom (94.2%) had intra-abdominal infections. Surgical procedures were performed on 73 patients contemporaneously with the flomoxef therapy. Flomoxef is an oxacephem and has a potent and broad bactericidal spectrum against aerobes and anaerobes. It provokes fewer adverse reactions than latamoxef such as vitamin K deficiency and platelet dysfunction. Flomoxef was administered intravenously at a dose 1-4g/day for more than 3 days without any other antimicrobial agent. The clinical response was classified into 3 groups; cured, improved and failed, and both the cured and improved responses were defined as satisfactory. A satisfactory response was obtained in 99 patients (96.1%). Regarding bacteriological response, the overall eradication rate was 81.3%. Adverse reactions including abnormal laboratory data occurred in only two patients. One had abdominal pain, and the other had a mild elevation of transaminases, and both were mild and easily reversible. Therefore, flomoxef is considered to have the potential of becoming one of the most effective agents in empiric therapy for surgical infections of the digestive organs.


Major hepatic resection in patients with a prosthetic heart valve receiving anticoagulation treatment

We experienced two patients with a prosthetic heart valve, who underwent hepatic resection for hepatoma while on anticoagulation therapy. Patients with a prosthetic heart valve have the following characteristics; an increased risk of thromboembolism due to diminished anticoagulation in the perioperative period, a greater risk of endocarditis due to the artificial material in the heart, and impaired cardiopulmonary function including possible arrhythmia and heart failure. Furthermore, when such patients also have liver cirrhosis with a hepatoma, there is an increased risk of perioperative bleeding while on anticoagulation due to coagulopathy and also a risk of infection due to decreased cellular immunity. Patients with a prosthetic heart valve therefore require special care and attention whenever they have to undergo hepatic resection. With respect to anticoagulation, a minimal level is required to prevent bleeding and thromboembolism. Warfarin being administered preoperatively may be switched to heparin while closely monitoring the activated clotting time (biomaterial valve: 130-150 sec, non-biomaterial valve: 150-180 sec); the heparin should then be changed back to warfarin immediately after starting oral intake following operation. For the prevention of infection, a broad spectrum antibiotic should be used prophylactically both intra-operatively and postoperatively. The cardiopulmonary function must also be carefully monitored. For the assessment of postoperative liver function, lecithin: cholesterol acyltransferase, serum bilirubin and albumin are useful because there is no relevance of coagulation parameters such as prothrombin time under anticoagulation.


Indications for major hepatectomy in cirrhotic liver

In an investigation of the indications for major hepatic resection of the cirrhotic liver, the records of 152 consecutive patients who had undergone a right hepatic resection between April 1985 and January 1991 were reviewed. A comparison of right hepatic lobectomy and right partial hepatectomy of the liver with no cirrhotic changes, revealed that postoperative values of serum glutamic pyruvic transaminase were significantly higher after right partial hepatectomy than after right lobectomy, despite the fact that there were no significant differences with respect to preoperative laboratory data, and there was a greater blood loss and total weight of the resected liver in patients receiving a right lobectomy as compared with those undergoing partial hepatectomy. These results suggest that in order to enable a more favorable recovery from hepatic resection, it is essential to avoid both mechanical damage and ischemic injury to the residual liver during hepatic surgery. A total of 77 patients underwent a partial hepatectomy of a cirrhotic liver, and among these patients, 16 patients had values of the indocyanine green test of less than 20%, as well as a portal pressure of less than 200 mm saline. Compared with these 16 cirrhotic patients and those patients who underwent right lobectomy, there were no significant differences with regard to the pre-operative laboratory data and portal pressure. These results therefore suggest that major hepatic lobectomy could be performed on selected patients with cirrhotic livers.


Estimation of degree of liver cirrhosis using a fibrosis score; a multivariate analysis of clinical parameters and resected specimens

We designed this study to estimate the degree of liver cirrhosis using clinical parameters and surgically resected specimens. One hundred and twenty-nine cases who underwent hepatic resection in the Department of Surgery II, Kyushu University Hospital during the period between April 1985 and July 1991 for whom data for all 29 variables evaluated were available, were admitted to this study. On the basis of the histological findings of fibrosis of the liver, the non-neoplastic part of the resected specimens were classified into 3 groups; Z0, no cirrhosis (n = 63), Z1, mild cirrhosis (n = 38), and Z2, severe cirrhosis (n = 28). A univariate analysis revealed 14 significant variables. After multiple logistic regression analysis of these, five independent variables (low platelet count, female, low value of hepaplastin test, a high Pugh's score and a high value of ICG) were identified. We obtained a fibrosis score using the coefficient of each above-mentioned variable. This score increased the discriminative power. The fibrosis score is therefore considered useful for estimating the severity of liver cirrhosis.


The prediction of portal pressure: a multivariate analysis of clinical data and intraoperative portal pressure

Portal pressures were estimated non-invasively in 100 patients who underwent hepatic resection and completely fulfilled the 21 variables evaluated. Ten variables were selected from among all those in the univariate analysis, and a stepwise discriminant analysis revealed four independent significant variables, namely: The indocyanine green dye retention test at 15 min (ICGR15); the prothrombin time index; the platelet count; and the globulin fraction. An equation to estimate the portal pressure was made using the coefficients in the analysis, the reliability of which was confirmed (r = 0.70484, P = 0.0001). The univariate analysis revealed ten significant variables to discriminate portal hypertension, defined as a portal pressure of over 200 mmH2O. A multiple logistic regression analysis of these variables revealed two independent variables, being ICGR15 and the platelet count. Thus, we consider that our equation for estimating portal pressure is potentially useful, and that the platelet count and ICGR15 are the most significant parameters in discriminating between the presence or absence of portal hypertension. Moreover, a platelet count of less than 120 x 10(3)/mm3 and an ICGR15 value of more than 15% correlated well with portal hypertension.


Changes in regulating blood coagulation in hepatic resection with special references to soluble thrombomodulin and protein C

The protein C anticoagulant pathway in hepatic resection was studied. The patients were divided into two groups--group 1 consisted of patients with a normal liver and group 2 consisted of patients with either hepatitic or a cirrhotic liver. Plasma protein C activity and soluble thrombomodulin were then sequentially measured during hepatectomy and in the early postoperative period. The protein C activity in group 1 decreased during hepatectomy and reached a low immediately after operation, and thereafter, recovered to near preoperative levels. However, the preoperative value in group 2 was lower than that in group 1 and the postoperative values were significantly lower than those in group 1 (p < 0.05). The level of soluble thrombomodulin in group 1 decreased during hepatectomy but later returned to preoperative levels. However, in group 2, the preoperative value was higher than that in group 1 and the postoperative values were greater than that of the preoperative values, while the values were significantly higher than those in group 1 (p < 0.05). During hepatectomy, hypercoagulability may contribute to the low levels of protein C and soluble thrombomodulin. The postoperative significant increase of soluble thrombomodulin may, thus, indicate the occurrence of endothelial injury in the remnant liver. The sequential measurements of both parameters can, therefore, be useful in detecting coagulopathy and endothelial injury in hepatic resection.


Strategies for reducing blood transfusions in hepatic resection

A comparison of 60 blood transfused and 71 nonblood transfused hepatic resection patients was done to evaluate strategies for reducing blood transfusions during hepatic surgery. There were no significant differences between the two groups with regard to preoperative laboratory data, except for prothrombin time and hematocrit value. The mean operative blood loss was 1990 ml and 760 ml in the blood transfused and nonblood transfused groups, respectively. A multivariate analysis suggested that the patient's body weight, preoperative prothrombin time, and operative blood loss independently predicted the need for intraoperative blood transfusion. Major postoperative complications developed more frequently in the blood transfused group than in the nonblood transfused group (31.7 vs. 11.3%, p < 0.005). These results suggest that the difference in operative blood loss between the two groups was related to the prolonged prothrombin time and a susceptibility for blood transfusion was found to exist particularly in patients with a lower hematocrit value as well as a lower body weight. Thus, the improvement of these preoperative laboratory data combined with avoiding the use of the hematocrit value as a determining factor for intraoperative transfusion could correspond to a reduction in operative blood loss, while curtailing the demands on blood bank facilities, and lowering the risk of postoperative complications.


The effects of pirenzepine and famotidine on hepatic resection. a randomized prospective study


Open and closed suction drainage after hepatic resection


The significance of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus infection in general surgery: a multivariate analysis of risk factors and preventive approaches


Extracorporeal hepatic resection for previously unresectable neoplasms


Effect of diabetes mellitus on hepatic resection


Alternate hemihepatic vascular control technique for hepatic resection

This report describes a simple and improved inflow control technique for resection of a hepatic tumor that lies across the right and left hepatic lobes. With alternate hemihepatic inflow control by en masse occlusion of Glisson's sheath of each hemipedicle at the bifurcation, hepatic resection across the two hepatic lobes is completed. Compared with Pringle's maneuver, this technique eliminates splanchnic congestion and reduces warm ischemia of the remnant liver, while maintaining a comparable hemostatic effect.


Liver resection and intractable postoperative ascites

Among 211 patients who, between 1985 and 1990, underwent liver resection in Kyushu University Hospital, uncontrollable ascites occurred in 53 (25%). A univariate analysis revealed that postoperative death with liver failure occurred more frequently in patients with intractable ascites (p < 0.05). Alanine amino transferase levels were significantly higher in patients with intractable ascites (p < 0.05), but serum bilirubin, alkaline phosphatase and serum albumin levels did not differ significantly. Portal pressure (p < 0.05), the operation time (p < 0.01) and blood loss (p < 0.01) were significantly higher in patients with intractable postoperative ascites. A multiple analysis showed a correlation between the operation time, portal hypertension and postoperative intractable ascites. Postoperative histology revealed that a larger number of patients with cirrhosis had intractable ascites (p < 0.05). We conclude that cirrhosis, portal pressure and operating time are the most important factors related to intractable ascites in the case of hepatectomy. Areas of the liver to be resected should be limited in cirrhotic patients with portal hypertension.


A safe and simple technique for exchanging central venous catheters


外科領域感染症に対するempiric therapyにおけるFMOXの有用性の検討


Prediction of survival of patients with esophageal varices treated by endoscopic injection sclerotherapy in Japan


肝切除術における血液凝固線容系の変動

肝切除術における血液凝固線容系の変動


Pretransplant assessment of human liver grafts by plasma lecithin: cholesterol acyltransferase (LCAT) activity in multiple organ donors

In spite of the improved outcome of orthotopic liver transplantation (OLTx), primary graft nonfunction remains one of the life-threatening problems following OLTx. The purpose of this study was to evaluate plasma lecithin: cholesterol acyltransferase (LCAT) activity in multiple organ donors as a predictor of liver allograft viability prior to OLTx. Thirty-nine donors were studied during a 5-month period between April and August 1988. Allograft hepatectomy was performed using a rapid technique or its minor modification with hilar dissections, and the allografts were stored cold (4 degrees C) in University of Wisconsin (UW) solution. Early post-transplant allograft function was classified as good, fair, or poor, according to the highest SGOT, SGPT, and prothrombin time within 5 days following OLTx. Procurement records were reviewed to identify donor data, which included conventional liver function tests, duration of hospital stay, history of cardiac arrest, and graft ischemic time. Blood samples from the donors were drawn immediately prior to aortic crossclamp, and from these plasma LCAT activity was determined. Plasma LCAT activity of all donors was significantly lower than that of healthy controls (12.4 +/- 8.0 vs 39.2 +/- 13.3 micrograms/ml per hour, P less than 0.01). LCAT activity (16.4 +/- 8.3 micrograms/ml per hour) in donors of grafts with good function was significantly higher than that in those with fair (8.6 +/- 4.5 micrograms/ml per hour, P less than 0.01) or poor (7.3 +/- 2.4 micrograms/ml per hour, P less than 0.01) function.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)


イヌの肝移植実験と問題点

イヌの肝移植実験と問題点


尾状葉原発肝細胞癌切除術の問題点

尾状葉原発肝細胞癌切除術の問題点


Flow-waveform controlled pulsatile perfusion for liver preservation


Viability of porcine transplanted liver graft determinable by serum lecithin:cholesterol acyltransferase (LCAT) activity


Pancreatic complications following orthotopic liver transplantation


Interactive statistical analysis system for clinical investigators

We have developed an interactive statistical analysis system (ISAS-Q) with which clinical investigators with little experience in computers and programming can easily perform statistical analyses. ISAS-Q can perform most of the frequently used statistical methods, including multivariate analysis, in an interactive mode. Furthermore, ISAS-Q has self-consistent and extensive help functions.


A random allocation system with the minimization method for multi-institutional clinical trials

This paper describes the random allocation system used to perform precise and rapid treatment assignments in multi-institutional clinical trials. This system is based on sophisticated randomization procedures, according to Pocock and Simon's minimization method and Zelen's method for institution balancing. The major advantage of randomized treatment assignments with this system is to balance treatment numbers for each level of various prognostic factors over the entire trial and at the same time balance the allocation of treatments within an institution. Therefore, the randomized treatment assignments by this system can prevent degrading of the statistical power of a particular treatment factor. This system is designed to run on a small-sized notebook computer and therefore can be set up beside a telephone for registration, without occupying a large space. At present, this system is conveniently being used in two clinical trials.


Simulation program for estimating statistical power of Cox's proportional hazards model assuming no specific distribution for the survival time


A 24-hour ordering system for clinical examinations

We have developed a 24-hour ordering system for clinical examinations, making use of the features of multi-function workstation (IBM5550) which performs two functions both in an on-line terminal and in a personal computer. It is used as an on-line terminal for the host computer (IBM4381) in day time. At night or on holiday, it is used as a stand-alone type personal computer to order clinical examinations. For this purpose, basic information of the inpatients (patient number, name, sex, date of birth, clinic, ward) are transferred from the host computer to the disket in the workstation in the evening when host computer finished on-line service. A physician can input the patient number followed by examination items using the touch panel according to the dialogue type guides written in Chinese character. Then, specimen label, list of ordered tests and an order form are printed out instantly. The date (patient number, examination items, identification number of the specimen, etc.) stored in the disket in the workstation at night are transferred from workstation to the host computer next morning. The host computer merges the information ordered in day time and at night and supplies working documents for examination (worksheets, master log, etc.) to technicians. Thus physicians can order examinations all day long using workstation, which make it possible to spare the time.


A personal computer network system for equitable allocation of cadaver organs

We developed a personal computer network system for the equitable allocation of cadaveric organs. This network consists of a host computer (IBM PS55 model 5570 T) and various kinds of personal computers manufactured by many different computer makers in Japan. The merits of our personal computer network include lower cost and an easy access to the host computer from all the centres participating in this network while using their own favourite personal computers. Among the programs made for allocating cadaveric organs, we present in this paper the program for livers. This program was developed with a modified version of the logic developed by Starzl et al. The grade modification for the United Network for Organ Sharing (UNOS) in the United States was used as the basis for classification of medical urgency. Our program weighed the factors of medical urgency, compatibility of blood group and waiting time. Distance factors were omitted because of the smaller area of the network compared to that of UNOS. This computer network would be linked to other computer networks in creating a national organ procurement and transplant network in Japan, in order to help them to catch up with other advanced transplant countries. Such an equal and objective computer system should allow organ transplantation to become more widely accepted.


Micro-mainframe-like personal clinical research system


Ammonia elimination as a rapid index of viability in liver grafts in dogs


Improved method of porcine renal allografting for transplantation research

This study presents a refined, reproducible, and clinically appropriate animal model of renal transplantation. A pair of kidneys are harvested from a donor pig and preserved in Euro-Collins' solution (4 degrees C). After a set period of preservation, the allografts are transplanted to two recipient pigs. The abdomen is entered through a midline incision. The right common iliac artery and vein are dissected and bilateral native nephrectomy is performed. Each allograft is then randomly assigned and transplanted to the recipients. Three minutes before unclamping, 100 mg of furosemide and 10 g of mannitol are given IV. Immediately after reperfusion, urine output is measured for 1 h. The allograft is biopsied and ureteroneocystostomy is created. Cystostomy is then placed using a 16F Foley catheter. The bladder neck is ligated to secure complete diversion of urine, and the abdomen is closed in layers. This kidney transplant model allows an absolutely paired study of the kidney allograft function from the same donor and also collection of pure urine at any time postoperatively, obviating the need for metabolic cages or sedation for urinary collection. This model and its unique modifications allow various transplant studies, including organ preservation, immunosuppressive protocol, and the prevention of reperfusion injury from oxygen free radicals.


A simple and reliable assessment of liver allograft quality by analysis of effluent flushed from the grafts before liver transplantation in dogs


A disposable patient identification card made of a paper

This paper describes a patient identification system with a disposable paper card. In general, total costs of cards themselves, equipments and personnel are remarkable, not negligible for the hospital management. Therefore, a disposable identification cards made of a paper were issued to out-patients in our hospital. Many order forms were integrated into only one sheet. Patient identification data were printed on this sheet by a computer system when a patient came to the reception desk, and quickly transmitted to physicians. We could save the hospital costs and printing works by physicians, and also shorten the waiting time of patients at reception desks.


Development of an automatic medical summary report system

We developed a medical summary report system. In this system, each department can specify the predetermined conditions for issuing the summary report. The summary is made through a hierarchical database in the integrated hospital information system according to the predetermined conditions. The summary automatically issued after reception of the outpatient, or also issued by on-line summary report program with the patient number if requested by doctors. The report is sent to the proper consulting room from the reception desk using an air-shooter. The report contains the patient information such as a patient name, age, sex, birthday, a clinic name, a chart number, a patient number, diagnoses and examinations. The doctors can refer to the points of the clinical history of the patient in his own and other departments, and make a correct diagnoses and avoid the overlaps of the examinations and medications. This system has contributed to the quality-up of the patient care by availability of patient information even in other departments without the medical chart.


Plasma lecithin/cholesterol acyltransferase (LCAT) activity in multiple-organ donors: a predictor of allograft viability in clinical liver transplantation


Ex vivo perfusion for accurate assessment of liver graft viability in dogs

A new type of ex vivo liver perfusion model (EVPM) was developed. The system includes a physiological porto-portal connection, using a centrifugal pump and an aorto-aortal connection, through a heparin-coated tube. Ten pairs of mongrel dogs, weighing 13-20 kg, were used. Grafts of the liver procured from donors were perfused on the EVPM for 3 h. These grafts were divided into two groups: group A (n = 5), nonpreserved graft; group B (n = 5), 8-h graft preserved with lactated Ringer's solution (4 degrees C). The orthotopic liver transplantation (OLTx) series with the nonpreserved graft was reviewed, and dogs surviving for over 7 days following OLTx, group C (n = 5), were selected for liver grafts in the actual OLTx. In comparison with groups A and C, no difference was noted among enzyme levels (sGOT, sGPT, LDH) or in the recovery rate of ATP content in the graft liver tissue after revascularization. There were significant differences between group A and group B after revascularization. This simple and physiological EVPM accurately reflects graft function and hemodynamics in the actual OLTx. Graft viability, as a substitute for OLTx, in large animals can be reliably assessed. This EVPM is expected to contribute to research on events related to liver transplantation.


A new liver perfusion and preservation system for transplantation research in large animals

A kidney perfusion machine, model MOX-100 (Waters Instruments, Ltd, Rochester, MN) was modified to allow continuous perfusion of the portal vein and pulsatile perfusion of the hepatic artery of the liver. Additional apparatus consists of a cooling system, a membrane oxygenator, a filter for foreign bodies, and bubble traps. This system not only allows hypothermic perfusion preservation of the liver graft, but furthermore enables investigation of ex vivo simulation of various circulatory circumstances in which physiological perfusion of the liver is studied. We have used this system to evaluate the viability of liver allografts preserved by cold storage. The liver was placed on the perfusion system and perfused with blood with a hematocrit of approximately 20%, and maintained at 37 degrees C for 3 h. The flows of the hepatic artery and portal vein were adjusted to 0.33 mL and 0.67 mL/g of liver tissue, respectively. Parameters of viability consisted of hourly bile output, oxygen consumption, liver enzymes, electrolytes, vascular resistance, and liver histology. This method of liver assessment in large animals will allow the objective evaluation of organ viability for transplantation and thereby improve the outcome of organ transplantation. Furthermore, this pump enables investigation into the pathophysiology of liver ischemia and preservation.


Reversal of hypersplenism following orthotopic liver transplantation


The effect of preservation fluid on the blood flow of pediatric liver allografts


Low dose 1-hexylcarbamoyl-5-fluorouracil (HCFU) recommended for cirrhotic patients with hepatocellular carcinoma

The metabolism of 1-hexylcarbamoyl-5-fluorouracil (HCFU), a drug prescribed for treating patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), was studied in relation to liver function, with the objective of clarifying the occurrence of any adverse side-effects on the central nervous system. Twenty-five HCC patients were administered 3.4 mg/kg HCFU once orally, after which the blood levels of HCFU and its derivatives (5-FU, CPEFU, CPRFU, HHCFU, OHCFU and F-beta-alanine) were serially measured using high performance liquid chromatography. The area under the concentration curve (AUC) of HCFU in the group of ICG R15 greater than or equal to 30% (group 2) was 5.35 +/- 1.73 h.micrograms/ml, a value which was significantly higher than the 2.60 +/- 1.19 h.micrograms/ml recorded for the group of ICG R15 less than 30% (group 1) (P less than 0.001). The AUC of HCFU had a significant positive correlation with the value of ICG R15 (P = 0.002) or the serum total bilirubin (P = 0.0005). The AUC of 5-FU showed no difference between the two groups. The AUC of CPRFU in group 2 was 0.16 +/- 0.25 h.micrograms/ml, a value significantly lower than the 0.48 +/- 0.39 h.micrograms/ml in group 1 (P = 0.023). There was no correlation between the AUC of other derivatives and the markers of liver function. These data suggest that, in patients with advanced cirrhosis, the accumulation of HCFU is related to the occurrence of side-effects from the administered drug, ingested over a long-term period. Therefore, when HCFU is given to cirrhotic patients with both HCC and 30% or more ICG R15, a careful monitoring for side-effects is required.


Significance of blood flow measurement in clinical liver transplantation


Long-term results of arterial reconstruction of lower extremities determined by flow waveform analysis

Arterial reconstructions of the lower extremities were reviewed to assess the usefulness of flow waveform analysis. Six hundred and thirty-four arterial reconstructions were divided into two groups: a former (1965-1973) group of 218 reconstructions not assessed by flow waveform analysis and a recent (1974-1985) group of 416 reconstructions analyzed according to flow waveform. The cumulative patency rates of the former and the recent group at 5 years were as follows: aorto-femoral, 75.2% and 86.7% (P less than 0.05); femoral-distal, 34.6% and 61.5% (P less than 0.001); extra-anatomical, 63.6% and 80.2% (P = 0.06), respectively. Based on the various flow waveforms evidenced intraoperatively, the cumulative patency rate of cases in the recent group with type 0 and I flow waveform was compared to the rate of those with type II flow waveform. The cumulative patency rates at 5 years were as follows: aorto-femoral, 92% and 82.7% (P = 0.15); femoral-distal, 77.7% and 49.3% (P less than 0.001); extra-anatomical, 91.8% and 68.9% (P less than 0.05), respectively. These results indicate that intraoperative flow waveform analysis is a simple and useful indicator for predicting the long-term results of arterial reconstruction.


Hepatic artery thrombosis following pediatric liver transplantation:assessment of blood flow measurement in allografts


腹部大動脈瘤術後合併症の検討-特に術前腎機能と術後合併症との関連について

腹部大動脈瘤術後合併症の検討-特に術前腎機能と術後合併症との関連について


移植自家静脈片内膜肥厚防止のための血流改善補助ポンプの 開発に関する研究

移植自家静脈片内膜肥厚防止のための血流改善補助ポンプの 開発に関する研究