BackgroundSurgery is a central component of healthcare but involves significant risks, with complications occurring in 16.4% patients, accounting for 7.7% of worldwide fatalities. "Surgery 4.0" or digitisation of surgery, has introduced extended reality (XR) technology, offering opportunities to enhance peri-operative care. This study explored the current uses of XR to improve outcomes for general surgery patients.MethodA systematic search of MEDLINE, EMBASE, and Cochrane databases was performed in August 2024 to include studies using XR for pre-operative planning, navigation or patient experience for adult patients undergoing general surgery. Data on pre-operative planning, post-operative complications, patient experience, image segmentation and study reporting were presented using a narrative approach.ResultsThe search returned 966 articles. 26 studies were included featuring 1142 patients. The most investigated procedure was liver resection (n = 11, 42%), with XR interventions showing significant reductions in length of stay, blood loss, operative time and complication rates. Improved outcomes were only seen for patients undergoing liver resection. For patient experience (n = 5, 19%), XR systems were shown to significantly improve anxiety, pain and mood scores. Most studies (n = 11, 73%%) utilised manual methods for image segmentation, costing up to €650 and taking 3-6 hours per model. Reporting of the XR technology, assessment and future development was variable.ConclusionThe benefits of XR technology to improve patient outcomes in liver surgery are emerging but are yet to materialise in other general surgical procedures. Future research should focus on automatic image segmentation to improve workflow efficiency and innovation frameworks to generate robust evidence.

BACKGROUND & AIMS:Curative-intent surgery in patients with perihilar cholangiocarcinoma (pCCA) is associated with substantial surgical risks and high early-recurrence rates. This study aimed to develop an ABC system for preoperative staging of patients with pCCA. METHODS:This retrospective international multicenter cohort study included patients with resected pCCA across 27 participating centers from 9 countries (2006-2022). The prognostic performance of the ABC system for overall survival (OS) and recurrence was assessed using multivariable (cause-specific) Cox regression. RESULTS:Among 1307 included patients (median age, 66 [IQR, 57 to 73] years), independent prognostic factors for OS were: tumor size ≥25 mm (adjusted hazard ratio [aHR], 1.32 [95% CI, 1.13 to 1.55]; P=0.0003), CA19-9 ≥500 U/mL (aHR, 1.49 [1.22 to 1.81]; P<0.0001), and WHO performance status ≥1 (aHR, 1.35 [1.12-1.63]; P=0.002). The ABC score for OS consisted of 1 point for each independent prognostic factor (0-3 points); the ABC score for recurrence did not include WHO PS ≥1 (0-2 points). Compared to the ABC-0 group, the highest ABC risk group had a 3.4 times higher 90-day mortality risk (21 vs 6%; P=0.005), a 3.3 times higher 6-month recurrence rate (18 vs 5%; P<0.0001), a 3.0 times shorter median OS (13 vs 39 months; P=0.0001), and a 3.6 times lower 5-year OS rate (11 vs 35%; P=0.018). The prognostic value of the ABC score for OS remained similar in a sensitivity analysis including only patients with a resection post-2015 (Pinteraction=0.90). CONCLUSIONS:Following the ABC system, we should be reluctant to offer resection to patients with an ABC score of 3 with a tumor size ≥25 mm, CA19-9 ≥500 U/mL, and a WHO PS ≥1.

The robotic approach is being increasingly utilized for liver resections. Patient benefits from robotic liver resection (RLR) have been observed; however, their cost–benefit is yet to be confirmed. This systematic review aimed to determine the costs of RLR compared to laparoscopic (LLR) or open liver resections (OLR). A systematic search of MEDLINE, EMBASE, and Cochrane databases was performed in October 2025. Non-randomized studies of adult patients undergoing RLR were included. The narrative data synthesis focused on total, intraoperative and indirect costs, and length of stay (LOS). Where study heterogeneity was deemed acceptable (I2 < 75

BACKGROUND:There is no consensus on the use of preoperative biliary drainage for resectable perihilar cholangiocarcinoma. This retrospective cohort study aimed to explore the association of biliary drainage with postoperative mortality and morbidity. METHODS:This retrospective observational cohort study included patients who underwent resection of histologically confirmed perihilar cholangiocarcinoma from the Perihilar Cholangiocarcinoma Collaboration Group database across 27 Western hepatobiliary centres (2000-2022). To correct for baseline differences between patients who did or did not undergo drainage, propensity score weighting was applied. Outcomes were compared using propensity score-weighted regression and multivariable analysis. RESULTS:Overall, 2067 patients were included, of whom 350 (16.9%) did not undergo biliary drainage. Before propensity score weighting, patients who did not undergo drainage were less likely to have Bismuth III-IV disease (297 (78.9%) versus 1448 (84.3%); P < 0.001), had lower median bilirubin levels (12.0 versus 85.5 µmol/l; P < 0.001), and a higher proportion had left hepatectomies (150 (42.9%) versus 454 (26.4%); P < 0.001). After propensity score-weighted regression analysis, patients in the drainage group were more likely to experience major postoperative complications (odds ratio 1.43, 95% confidence interval 1.04 to 1.95; P = 0.027) and posthepatectomy liver failure (odds ratio 2.12, 1.25 to 3.58; P = 0.005). In multivariable analysis, only posthepatectomy liver failure remained significant (odds ratio 2.13, 1.29 to 3.54; P = 0.003). CONCLUSION:In this retrospective propensity score weighting analysis, preoperative biliary drainage was associated with a higher incidence of posthepatectomy liver failure in resectable perihilar cholangiocarcinoma. These findings suggest that a subgroup of patients with perihilar cholangiocarcinoma can be operated safely without biliary drainage. The indication for preoperative biliary drainage should be considered on an individual basis.

Surgery remains a healthcare intervention with significant risks for patients. Novel technologies can now enhance the peri-operative workflow, with artificial intelligence (AI) and extended reality (XR) to assist with pre-operative planning. This review focuses on innovation in AI, XR and imaging for hepato-biliary surgery planning. The clinical challenges in hepato-biliary surgery arise from heterogeneity of clinical presentations, the need for multiple imaging modalities and highly variable local anatomy. AI-based models have been developed for risk prediction and multi-disciplinary tumor (MDT) board meetings. The future could involve an on-demand and highly accurate AI-powered decision tool for hepato-biliary surgery, assisting the surgeon to make the most informed decision on the treatment plan, conferring the best possible outcome for individual patients. Advances in AI can also be used to automate image interpretation and 3D modelling, enabling fast and accurate 3D reconstructions of patient anatomy. Surgical navigation systems utilizing XR are already in development, showing an early signal towards improved patient outcomes when used for hepato-biliary surgery. Live visualization of hepato-biliary anatomy in the operating theatre is likely to improve operative safety and performance. The technological advances in AI and XR provide new applications in pre-operative planning with potential for patient benefit. Their use in surgical simulation could accelerate learning curves for surgeons in training. Future research must focus on standardization of AI and XR study reporting, robust databases that are ethically and data protection-compliant, and development of inter-disciplinary tools for various healthcare applications and systems.

Liver resection and lymphadenectomy is a standard procedure in patients with incidental gallbladder cancer. Data regarding laparoscopic approach in this setting are scarce. The aim of this study was to compare laparoscopic and open approach in this population. This was a multicenter retrospective study including 177 patients. The primary outcome measure was overall survival (OS). The secondary outcomes measures were recurrence-free survival (RFS), lymph node yield, operative time, postoperative complications and length of hospital stay. Surgery was laparoscopic in 60 (33.9

BACKGROUND:The role of liver transplantation as a treatment option for de novo resectable peri-hilar cholangiocarcinoma (pCCA) is controversial. This study investigated the outcomes following resection of early-stage pCCA in the UK. METHODS:Patients undergoing resection for pCCA between 2014 and 2022 across 22 UK centres were included. Early-stage pCCA was defined as tumour size<3cm with no nodal disease (N0) on histopathology analysis. Clinical and survival data were collated. RESULTS:Of the 450 patients included, 138 patients underwent resection for early-stage pCCA. In the early-stage pCCA group, CD ≥ IIIa morbidity was 39.1 % (n = 54) and 90-day mortality was 10.1 % (n = 14). Sixty-four (46.4 %) patients received adjuvant chemotherapy, but this was reduced in those with CD ≥ IIIa morbidity (n = 17, 31.5 %). Early-stage tumours had a significantly lower vascular invasion (n = 57, 41.3 %) and R1 margin (n = 46, 33.3 %) compared to later-stage pCCA [62.2 % (n = 194) and 54.2 % (n = 169) respectively, p < 0.001). The median disease-free and overall survival was significantly better in patients with early-stage pCCA compared to more advanced tumours (p < 0.001). Male gender (p = 0.039) and Post-Hepatectomy Liver Failure (PHLF, p = 0.010) were associated with significantly worse disease-free survival, while biliary drainage (p = 0.013), PHLF (p < 0.001) and vascular invasion (p = 0.030) were associated with significantly poorer overall survival. CONCLUSION:Resection of early-stage pCCA tumours is associated with good clinical and survival outcomes in centralised HPB centres.

By presenting the most up-to-date findings and incorporating the latest evidence, this article seeks to present a comprehensive guide for navigating the complexities inherent in the management of colorectal liver metastasis. It aims to serve as a valuable resource offering clinicians and healthcare professionals an understanding of the diverse modalities and approaches available for treating this challenging and multifaceted disease. In an era of rapidly evolving medical knowledge, this article examines the latest insights to make informed decisions in the realm of colorectal liver metastasis management. The article does not only highlight the up-to-date knowledge but also provides the evidence for existing therapeutic strategies. This practical tool provides evidence-based recommendations to clinicians, thereby contributing to the ongoing advancement of effective treatment strategies for this challenging disease.

We have assessed the chatbot Generative Pre-trained Transformer (ChatGPT), a type of Artificial Intelligence (AI) software designed to simulate conversations with human users, in an experiment designed to test its relevance to scientific writing. ChatGPT could become a promising and powerful tool for tasks such as automated draft generation, which may be useful in academic activities to make writing work faster and easier. However, the use of this tool in scientific writing raises some ethical concerns and therefore there have been calls for it to be regulated. It may be difficult to recognise whether an abstract or paper is written by a chatbot or a human being, because chatbots use advanced techniques, such as natural language processing and machine learning, to generate text that is similar to human writing. To detect the author is a complex task and requires thorough critical reading to reach a conclusion. The aim of this paper is, therefore, to explore the pros and cons of the use of chatbots in scientific writing.

OBJECTIVE:The aim of this study was to propose to our community a common language about extreme liver surgery. BACKGROUND:The lack of a clear definition of extreme liver surgery prevents convincing comparisons of results among centers. METHODS:We used a 2-round Delphi methodology to quantify consensus among liver surgery experts. For inclusion in the final recommendations, we established a consensus when the positive responses (agree and totally agree) exceeded 70%. The study steering group summarized and reported the recommendations. In general, a 5-point Likert scale with a neutral central value was used, and in a few cases multiple choices. Results are displayed as numbers and percentages. RESULTS:A 2-round Delphi study was completed by 38 expert surgeons in complex hepatobiliary surgery. The surgeon´s median age was 58 years old (52-63) and the median years of experience was 25 years (20-31). For the proposed definitions of total vascular occlusion, hepatic flow occlusion and inferior vein occlusion, the degree of agreement was 97%, 81%, and 84%, respectively. In situ approach (64%) was the preferred, followed by ante situ (22%) and ex situ (14%). Autologous or cadaveric graft for hepatic artery or hepatic vein repair were the most recommended (89%). The use of veno-venous bypass or portocaval shunt revealed the divergence depending on the case. Overall, 75% of the experts agreed with the proposed definition for extreme liver surgery. CONCLUSIONS:Obtaining a consensus on the definition of extreme liver surgery is essential to guarantee the correct management of patients with highly complex hepatobiliary oncological disease. The management of candidates for extreme liver surgery involves comprehensive care ranging from adequate patient selection to the appropriate surgical strategy.

BackgroundTacrolimus has been associated with recurrence of primary biliary cholangitis (PBC) after liver transplantation (LT), which in turn may reduce survival. This study aimed to assess the relation between the type of calcineurin inhibitor (CNI) and long-term outcomes following LT in patients with PBC.MethodsSurvival analyses were used to assess the association between immunosuppressive drugs and graft or patient survival among adult patients with PBC in the dataset of the European Liver Transplant Registry. Patients who received a donation after brain death (DBD) graft between 1990 and 2021 with at least one year of event-free follow-up were included.ResultsIn total, 3175 PBC patients were followed for a median duration of 11.4 years (IQR 5.9 – 17.9) after LT. Tacrolimus (Tac) was registered in 2056 (64.8%) patients and cyclosporin (CsA) in 819 (25.8%). Adjusted for recipient age, recipient sex, donor age, and year of LT, Tac was not associated with higher risk of graft loss (aHR 1.07, 95%CI 0.92-1.25, p=0.402) or death (aHR 1.06, 95%CI 0.90-1.24, p=0.473) over CsA. In this model maintenance mycophenolate was associated with a lower risk of graft loss (aHR 0.72, 95%CI 0.60-0.87, p<0.001) or death (aHR 0.72, 95%CI 0.59-0.87, p<0.001), while these risks were higher with use of steroids (aHR 1.31, 95%CI 1.13-1.52, p<0.001, and aHR 1.34, 95%CI 1.15-1.56, p<0.001, respectively).ConclusionsIn this large LT registry, type of CNI was not associated with long-term graft or recipient survival, reassuring us to continue the use of Tac post LT in the population with PBC. Patients using MMF had a lower risk of graft loss and death, indicating that threshold for combination treatment with Tac and MMF should be low.Impact And ImplicationsThis study investigated the association between immunosuppressive drugs and the long-term survival of patients with primary biliary cholangitis (PBC) following DBD liver transplantation (LT). While tacrolimus has been previously related to a higher risk of PBC recurrence, the type of calcineurin inhibitor was not related to graft or patient survival among patient transplanted for PBC in the European Liver Transplant Registry. Additionally, maintenance use of mycophenolate was linked to lower risks of graft loss and death, while these risks were higher with maintenance use of steroids. Our findings reassure physicians on the continued use of Tac after LT in the population with PBC, and suggest potential benefit from combination therapy with mycophenolate.

Background. Failure to rescue (FTR) is defined as the inability to prevent death after the development of a complication. FTR is a parameter in evaluating multidisciplinary postoperative complication management. The aim of this study was to evaluate FTR rates after major liver resection for perihilar cholangiocarcinoma (pCCA) and analyze factors associated with FTR. Patients and Method. Patients who underwent major liver resection for pCCA at 27 centers were included. FTR was defined as the presence of a Dindo grade III or higher complication followed by death within 90 days after surgery. Liver failure ISGLS grade B/C were scored. Multivariable logistic analysis was performed to identify predictors of FTR and reported using odds ratio and 95% confidence intervals. Results. In the 2186 included patients, major morbidity rate was 49%, 90-day mortality rate 13%, and FTR occurred in 24% of patients with a grade III or higher complication. Across centers, major complication rate varied from 19 to 87%, 90-day mortality rate from 5 to 33%, and FTR ranged from 11 to 50% across hospitals. Age [1.04 (1.02-1.05) years], ASA 3 or 4 [1.40 (1.01-1.95)], jaundice at presentation [1.79 (1.16-2.76)], right-sided resection [1.45 (1.06-1.98)], and annual hospital volume < 6 [1.44 (1.07-1.94)] were positively associated with FTR. When liver failure is included, the odds ratio for FTR is 9.58 (6.76-13.68). Conclusion. FTR occurred in 24% of patients after resection for pCCA. Liver failure was associated with a nine-fold increase of FTR and hospital volume below six was also associated with an increased risk of FTR.

Mesenteric ischemia increases gut permeability and bacterial translocation. In human colon, chemical hypoxia induced by 2,4-dinitrophenol (DNP) activates basolateral intermediate conductance K+ (IK) channels (designated KCa3.1 or KCNN4) and increases paracellular shunt conductance/permeability (GS), but whether this leads to increased macromolecule permeability is unclear. Somatostatin (SOM) inhibits IK channels and prevents hypoxia-induced increases in GS. Thus, we examined whether octreotide (OCT), a synthetic SOM analog, prevents hypoxia-induced increases GS in human colon and hypoxia-induced increases in total epithelial conductance (GT) and permeability to FITC-dextran 4000 (FITC) in rat colon. The effects of serosal SOM and OCT on increases in GS induced by 100 µM DNP were compared in isolated human colon. The effects of OCT on DNP-induced increases in GT and transepithelial FITC movement were evaluated in isolated rat distal colon. GS in DNP-treated human colon was 52% greater than in controls (P = 0.003). GS was similar when 2 µM SOM was added after or before DNP treatment, in both cases being less (P < 0.05) than with DNP alone. OCT (0.2 µM) was equally effective preventing hypoxia-induced increases in GS, whether added after or before DNP treatment. In rat distal colon, DNP significantly increased GT by 18% (P = 0.016) and mucosa-to-serosa FITC movement by 43% (P = 0.01), and 0.2 µM OCT pretreatment completely prevented these changes. We conclude that OCT prevents hypoxia-induced increases in paracellular/macromolecule permeability and speculate that it may limit ischemia-induced gut hyperpermeability during abdominal surgery, thereby reducing bacterial/bacterial toxin translocation and sepsis.NEW & NOTEWORTHY Somatostatin (SOM, 2 µM) and octreotide (OCT, 0.2 µM, a long-acting synthetic analog of SOM) were equally effective in preventing chemical hypoxia-induced increases in paracellular shunt permeability/conductance in isolated human colon. In rat distal colon, chemical hypoxia significantly increased total epithelial conductance and transepithelial movement of FITC-dextran 4000, changes completely prevented by 0.2 µM OCT. OCT may prevent or limit gut ischemia during abdominal surgery, thereby decreasing the risk of bacterial/bacterial toxin translocation and sepsis.

Background & Aims: There is controversy regarding the optimal calcineurin inhibitor type after liver transplant(ation) (LT) for primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC). We compared tacrolimus with cyclosporine in a propensity score-matched intention-to-treat analysis based on registries representing nearly all LTs in Europe and the US. Methods: From the European Liver Transplant Registry (ELTR) and Scientific Registry of Transplant Recipients (SRTR), we included adult patients with PSC undergoing a primary LT between 2000-2020. Patients initially treated with cyclosporine were propensity score-matched 1:3 with those initially treated with tacrolimus. The primary outcomes were patient and graft survival rates. Results: The propensity score-matched sample comprised 399 cyclosporine-treated and 1,197 tacrolimus-treated patients with PSC. During a median follow-up of 7.4 years (IQR 2.3-12.8, 12,579.2 person-years), there were 480 deaths and 231 reLTs. The initial tacrolimus treatment was superior to cyclosporine in terms of patient and graft survival, with 10-year patient survival estimates of 72.8% for tacrolimus and 65.2% for cyclosporine (p <0.001) and 10-year graft survival estimates of 62.4% and 53.8% (p <0.001), respectively. These findings were consistent in the subgroups according to age, sex, registry (ELTR vs. SRTR), time period of LT, MELD score, and diabetes status. The acute rejection rates were similar between groups. In the multivariable Cox regression analysis, tacrolimus (hazard ratio 0.72, p <0.001) and mycophenolate use (hazard ratio 0.82, p = 0.03) were associated with a reduced risk of graft loss or death, whereas steroid use was not significant. Conclusions: Tacrolimus is associated with better patient and graft survival rates than cyclosporine and should be the standard calcineurin inhibitor used after LT for patients with PSC. (c) 2023 The Author(s). Published by Elsevier B.V. on behalf of European Association for the Study of the Liver.