Topic Editors

Assistant Professor of Surgery, Department of General Surgery, Sapienza Università di Roma, Rome, Italy
Associate Professor of Surgery, Head of the Laparoscopic and Mini-Invasive Surgery, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Campus Bio-Medico, Università Campus Bio-Medico di Roma, Rome, Italy
Associate Professor of Surgery, Department of Surgical Sciences, HPB and Transplant Unit, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy
Dr. Domenech Asbun
Hepato-Biliary and Pancreas Surgery, Miami Cancer Institute, Miami, FL, USA
Dr. Chiara Mazzarelli
Hepatology and Gastroenterology ASSTGOM Niguarda, Milan, Italy

Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Diseases: Novel Strategies of Diagnosis and Treatments

Abstract submission deadline
20 April 2024
Manuscript submission deadline
20 July 2024
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Topic Information

Dear Colleagues,

Disease of the liver and pancreas plays a significant role in the clinical, surgical, and research activity of the medical community.

Hepatitis or pancreatitis, even if benign, can put patients at risk of life as well as pose important limitations on their quality of life. Therefore, increasingly advanced medical and/or surgical treatments are required to improve the treatment of these pathologies.

Malignant tumors of the liver and pancreas represent an increasingly growing entity in our society. The incidence of pancreatic cancer has now reached a position in the top ten of the most common cancers in the world. Malignant tumors of the liver and biliary tract, fortunately, still maintain a lower incidence, albeit increasing, and are not among the most frequent malignant tumors in the general population. However, malignant tumors of the liver, biliary tract, and pancreas are gaining significance in terms of annual mortality rates.

The increase in research activity and the subsequent clinical application appears to be the only weapon available to be able to deal with cancers with such devastating results.

We therefore invite all colleagues to send us their most promising medical and surgical research in the field of HPB pathologies to make an important scientific contribution in this field.

Dr. Alessandro Coppola
Dr. Damiano Caputo
Dr. Roberta Angelico
Dr. Domenech Asbun
Dr. Chiara Mazzarelli
Topic Editors

Keywords

  • liver benign disease
  • pancreas benign disease
  • chronic liver disease
  • chronic pancreatitis
  • pancreatitis
  • liver cancer
  • biliary cancer
  • pancreatic cancer
  • liver surgery
  • pancreas surgery

Participating Journals

Journal Name Impact Factor CiteScore Launched Year First Decision (median) APC
Cancers
cancers
6.575 5.8 2009 17.4 Days 2600 CHF Submit
Diagnostics
diagnostics
3.992 2.4 2011 17.7 Days 2000 CHF Submit
Journal of Clinical Medicine
jcm
4.964 4.4 2012 18 Days 2600 CHF Submit
Current Oncology
curroncol
3.109 3.5 1994 19.6 Days 1800 CHF Submit
Gastrointestinal Disorders
gastrointestdisord
- - 2019 21.4 Days 1200 CHF Submit
Biomedicines
biomedicines
4.757 3.0 2013 17.4 Days 2200 CHF Submit

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Published Papers (4 papers)

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Article
Albumin–Globulin Score Combined with Skeletal Muscle Index as a Novel Prognostic Marker for Hepatocellular Carcinoma Patients Undergoing Liver Transplantation
J. Clin. Med. 2023, 12(6), 2237; https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm12062237 - 14 Mar 2023
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Abstract
Background: Sarcopenia was recently identified as a poor prognostic factor in patients with malignant tumors. The present study investigated the effect of the preoperative albumin–globulin score (AGS), skeletal muscle index (SMI), and combination of AGS and SMI (CAS) on short- and long-term survival [...] Read more.
Background: Sarcopenia was recently identified as a poor prognostic factor in patients with malignant tumors. The present study investigated the effect of the preoperative albumin–globulin score (AGS), skeletal muscle index (SMI), and combination of AGS and SMI (CAS) on short- and long-term survival outcomes following deceased donor liver transplantation (DDLT) for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and aimed to identify prognostic factors. Methods: A total of 221 consecutive patients who underwent DDLT for HCC were enrolled in this retrospective study between January 2015 and December 2019. The skeletal muscle cross-sectional area was measured by CT (computed tomography). Clinical cutoffs of albumin (ALB), globulin (GLB), and sarcopenia were defined by receiver operating curve (ROC). The effects of the AGS, SMI, and CAS grade on the preoperative characteristics and long-term outcomes of the included patients were analyzed. Results: Patients who had low AGS and high SMI were associated with better overall survival (OS) and recurrence-free survival (RFS), shorter intensive care unit (ICU) stay, and fewer postoperative complications (grade ≥ 3, Clavien–Dindo classification). Stratified by CAS grade, 46 (20.8%) patients in grade 1 were associated with the best postoperative prognosis, whereas 79 (35.7%) patients in grade 3 were linked to the worst OS and RFS. The CAS grade showed promising accuracy in predicting the OS and RFS of HCC patients [areas under the curve (AUCs) were 0.710 and 0.700, respectively]. Male recipient, Child–Pugh C, model for end-stage liver disease (MELD) score > 20, and elevated CAS grade were identified as independent risk factors for OS and RFS of HCC patients after DDLT. Conclusion: CAS grade, a novel prognostic index combining preoperative AGS and SMI, was closely related to postoperative short-term and long-term outcomes for HCC patients who underwent DDLT. Graft allocation and clinical decision making may be referred to CAS grade evaluation. Full article
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Technical Note
Optimizing Growth of the Future Liver Remnant and Making In-Situ Liver Transsection Safe—A Standardized Approach to ISLT or ALPPS
Curr. Oncol. 2023, 30(3), 3277-3288; https://doi.org/10.3390/curroncol30030249 - 13 Mar 2023
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Abstract
In-situ splitting of the liver before extended resection has gained broad attention. This two-step procedure requires several measures to make an effective and safe procedure. Although the procedure is performed in many institutions, there is no consensus on a uniform technique. The two [...] Read more.
In-situ splitting of the liver before extended resection has gained broad attention. This two-step procedure requires several measures to make an effective and safe procedure. Although the procedure is performed in many institutions, there is no consensus on a uniform technique. The two steps can be divided into different parts and a standardized technique may render the procedure safer and the results will be easier to evaluate. In this paper, we describe a detailed approach to in-situ splitting that allows making both procedures safe, avoids liver necrosis, and is easily reproducible. In the first procedure the portal branches to segments I and IV to VIII are divided, the arterial branches and bile ducts to these segments are preserved and encircled and the parenchyma between segments II/III and IVa/b is divided. This avoids necrosis and bile leaks of segments I and IV and avoids urgent completion operations. In particular, the handling of vital structures close to the dissection line seems important to us. Complete splitting and securing the right and middle hepatic vein will make the second step of this procedure a minimal-risk procedure at a stage where the patient is still recovering from the more demanding first step. Full article
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Article
Outcomes of Intraductal Placement of Covered Metal Stents for Unresectable Distal Malignant Biliary Obstruction
J. Clin. Med. 2023, 12(5), 2001; https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm12052001 - 02 Mar 2023
Viewed by 335
Abstract
Intraductal self-expandable metal stent (SEMS) placement may prolong stent patency by reducing duodenobiliary reflux. This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of this biliary drainage method in patients with unresectable distal malignant biliary obstruction (MBO). Consecutive patients with unresectable MBO who [...] Read more.
Intraductal self-expandable metal stent (SEMS) placement may prolong stent patency by reducing duodenobiliary reflux. This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of this biliary drainage method in patients with unresectable distal malignant biliary obstruction (MBO). Consecutive patients with unresectable MBO who underwent initial covered SEMS placement between 2015 and 2022 were retrospectively reviewed. We compared the causes of recurrent biliary obstruction (RBO), time to RBO (TRBO), adverse events (AEs), and reintervention rates between two biliary drainage methods (SEMSs placed above and across the papilla). A total of 86 patients were included (above: 38 and across: 48). Overall RBO rates (24% vs. 44%, p = 0.069) and median TRBO (11.6 months vs. 9.8 months, p = 0.189) were not significantly different between the two groups. The frequency of overall AEs was similar between the two groups in the entire cohort, but was significantly lower in patients with non-pancreatic cancer (6% vs. 44%, p = 0.035). Reintervention was successfully performed in the majority of patients in both groups. Intraductal SEMS placement was not associated with a prolonged TRBO in this study. Larger studies are warranted to further evaluate the benefit of intraductal SEMS placement. Full article
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Article
Survival Benefit of Surgical Treatment for Elderly Patients with Intrahepatic Cholangiocarcinoma: A Retrospective Cohort Study in the SEER Database by Propensity Score Matching Analysis
Curr. Oncol. 2023, 30(3), 2642-2652; https://doi.org/10.3390/curroncol30030201 - 22 Feb 2023
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Abstract
Despite a rising trend in intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (ICC) incidence in the elderly population worldwide, the benefit of surgery for those patients is still controversial. Data from 811 elderly patients diagnosed with non-metastatic ICC were obtained from the US surveillance, epidemiology, and end results [...] Read more.
Despite a rising trend in intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (ICC) incidence in the elderly population worldwide, the benefit of surgery for those patients is still controversial. Data from 811 elderly patients diagnosed with non-metastatic ICC were obtained from the US surveillance, epidemiology, and end results (SEER) program database. Propensity score matched (PSM) was conducted for the better balance of baseline. The associations between tumor characteristics and surgery with overall survival (OS) and cancer specific survival (CSS) were estimated using hazard ratios (HR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI). The results showed that ICC patients above 60 years old taking surgery had better OS (hazard ratio [HR], 0.258; 95% CI, 0.205–0.324) and CSS (hazard ratio [HR], 0.239; 95% CI, 0.188–0.303) than patients without surgery. Similar trends in patients above 65 years old, above 70 years old, above 75 years old, and above 80 years old were observed, separately. This benefit was also showed in lymph node-negative (N0) and lymph node-positive (N1) subgroups and N0 patients are more likely to take an advantage from surgery than N1 patients. The different outcomes between surgery and non-surgery suggest that surgical treatment may be recommended for elderly ICC if the tumor is resectable to ensure optimal treatment. Full article
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