The maximum extent of hepatic resection compatible with a safe postoperative outcome is unknown. The study goal was to determine the incidence and impact of a small remnant liver volume after major liver resection in patients with normal liver parenchyma. Among 265 major hepatectomies performed at our institution (1998 to 2000), 138 patients with normal liver and a remnant liver volume (RLV) systematically calculated from the ratio of RLV to functional liver volume (FLV) were studied. Patients were divided into five groups based on RLV-FLV ratio from <30% to >60%. Kinetics of postoperative liver function tests were correlated with RLV. Postoperative complications were stratified by RLV-FLV ratios. Ninety patients (65%) underwent resection of up to four Couinaud segments. The RLV-FLV ratio was <60% in 94 patients (68%) including only 13 (9%) with RLV-FLV <30%. There was no linear correlation between the number of resected segments and the RLV-FLV. Postoperative serum bilirubin but not prothrombin time correlated with extent of resection. The incidence of complications including liver failure was not different among groups. Analysis of the four groups with a RLV-FLV ratio <60% showed a trend toward more complications and a longer intensive care unit stay in patients with the smallest RLVs. After major hepatectomy in patients with normal livers, the proportion of patients with a small remnant liver is low and not directly related to the number of segments resected. Although the rate of postoperative complications, including liver failure, did not directly correlate with the volume of remaining liver, the postoperative course was more difficult for patients with smaller remnants. Therefore preoperative portal vein embolization should be considered in patients who will undergo extended liver resection who have (1) injured liver or (2) normal liver when the planned procedure will be complex or when the anticipated RLV-FLV will be <30%. (Liver Transpl 2003;9:S18-S25.)

Postoperative peritoneal adhesions are major concerns in abdominal surgery. In this experimental study, the effects of 4 % icodextrin and omega-3 fatty acids (ω-3 FA) on prevention of postoperative peritoneal adhesions were evaluated. Twenty-four Wistar albino rats were divided into three groups. After laparotomy, serosal abrasion was carried out by cecal brushing. Intraperitoneally 3 cm 3 0.9 % NaCl, 3 cm 3 4 % icodextrin, and 200 mg/kg ω-3 FAs for each group were applied, and then the abdomen was closed. All subjects sacrificed 10 days postoperatively. Macroscopic and histopathological cellular reactions as a function of giant cell, lymphocyte/plasmocyte, neutrophil, histiocyte, intracellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1), and platelet endothelial cell adhesion molecule-1 (PECAM-1) were assessed and hydroxyproline levels were measured in all three groups and compared using Kruskal-Wallis and ANOVA tests when appropriate. Macroscopically, both ω-3 FAs and 4 % icodextrin reduced adhesion formation but the difference was not statistically significant (P00.253). Histopathological examination revealed that there was no statistical significance in terms of giant cell, lymphocyte/plasmocyte, neutrophil, ICAM-1, and PECAM-1 scores; however, both ω-3 FAs and 4 % icodextrin were found to be prone to reduce fibrosis (P00.047), whereas in the ω-3 FA group, histiocytic reaction was significantly increased (P00.001), and hydroxyproline levels were significantly lower than other groups (P00.044). In this study, ω-3 FAs were found to be superior to 4 % icodextrin with the lower hydroxyproline level and greater histiocytic reaction. Considering these results, ω-3 FAs can be a promising agent in the prevention of adhesion formation.

OBJECTIVE:Postsurgical abdominal adhesions are common, serious postoperative complications. The present study compared the usefulness of 4% icodextrin and canola oil in preventing postoperative peritoneal adhesions.METHODS:Twenty-four Wistar albino rats were divided into three groups. Following a laparotomy, a serosal abrasion was made by brushing the cecum, and 3 mL of 0.9% NaCl, 4% icodextrin, or 3 mL of canola oil were intraperitoneally administered for the control, icodextrin, and canola oil groups, respectively. The abdomen was then closed. All of the rats were sacrificed at day 10. Macroscopic, histopathological, and biochemical evaluations were performed. The results were statistically analyzed using Kruskal–Wallis and ANOVA tests.RESULTS:Macroscopic analyses revealed that both canola oil and 4% icodextrin reduced adhesion formation, but the difference was not statistically significant (p = 0.17). The histopathological examinations revealed no significant differences in terms of giant cell, lymphocyte/plasmocyte, neutrophil, ICAM1, or PECAM1 scores. However, both canola oil and 4% icodextrin significantly reduced fibrosis (p = 0.025). In the canola oil group, the histiocytic reactions were significantly increased (p = 0.001), and the hydroxyproline levels were significantly lower than those in the other groups (p = 0.034).CONCLUSIONS:In the present study, canola oil was determined to be superior to 4% icodextrin in lowering hydroxyproline levels and increasing histiocytic reactions. Considering these results, we believe that canola oil is a promising agent for preventing adhesion formation.

The degree of intra-abdominal pressure affects the haemodynamics of the peripheral veins. Pneumoperitoneum during laparoscopy causes stasis in the peripheral veins. It is reasonable to use routine prophylaxis for deep vein thrombosis, in the light of these findings.

Adult presentation of a rectocutaneous fistula with imperforate anus is rare. We report the case of a 22-year-old man who presented with an anorectal malformation and a rectocutaneous fistula. The patient complained of faecal matter passing through the external orifis of a fistula located at the distal part of his scrotum. He was continent for solid faeces, but had leakage of flatus and faecal soiling. He had no other associated anomaly. The patient subsequently underwent a surgical procedure where anal transposition was done. Postoperative recovery was uneventful, and the patient was fully continent at control examination.