Aim. To improve the treatment outcomes, quality and life expectancy, prognosis in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma based on an analysis of treatment outcomes.

Materials and methods. The analysis of the long-term results of treatment of 114 patients with hepatocellular carcinoma for 2015–2020 was carried out. Two groups of patients were distinguished: 41 (35.9%) patients were included in group I (a potentially resectable tumor with R0 surgery), and 63 (55.2%) patients were included in group II (advanced tumor does not suggest R0 resection).

Results. Actuarial survival for patients with R0 surgery (48) was: 1 year – 85%, 3 years – 65%, 5 years – 55%; in patients with unresectable tumor after transarterial chemoembolization: 1 year – 65%, 3 years – 29%, 5 years – 11%; after local destruction methods – 0.5 years – 75%, 1 year – 36%, 1.5 years – 22%.

Conclusions. The results of treatment of patients with hepatocellular carcinoma confirm the feasibility and effectiveness of a rational multidisciplinary approach. It allows you to achieve satisfactory results in multidisciplinary hospitals. The results are consistent with the data of large surgical centers.

This article discusses the results of clinical trials and the perspectives for perioperative systemic therapy for liver cancer, as well as the effectiveness of combination with locoregional methods. Special attention is paid to first and second line hepatocellular carcinoma therapy, as already approved in the Russian Federation (multikinase inhibitors, monoclonal antibodies to the vascular endothelial growth factor receptor, checkpoint inhibitors), as well as ongoing clinical trials. Promising combinations of immunotherapy with multikinase and (or) angiogenic inhibitors, potential predictors of the effectiveness of immunotherapy for hepatocellular carcinoma, as well as the features of therapy after orthotopic liver transplantation and against the background of non-compensated liver cirrhosis, are considered.

Hepatocellular carcinoma has a special place among the malignant tumors, because the computed tomography or magnetic resonance picture allows to accurately disease diagnose without a biopsy. This circumstance calls for thorough assessment of the classical and atypical variants of changes detected during radiologic imaging. This paper illustrates various versions of the CT-scan picture of hepatocellular cancer. The various variants of a CT scan of hepatocellular carcinoma are illustrated in this publication.

Aim: comparative analysis of peri-operative results of laparoscopic and open liver resections for hepatocellular carcinoma.

Matherial and methods. A retrospective analysis included 73 patients with hepatocellular carcinoma who underwent liver resection from 2014 to 2019. In patients with liver cirrhosis contraindications were: 2 degree of varicose veins of eosophagus, severe ascites, liver cirrhosis class B and C (Child–Pugh)

Results. Average operation time in comparing groups did not differ. Bloodloss (502 ml and 1380 ml), frequancy of complications by Clavien–Dindo (32.6% and 55.5%), duration of post-operative hospital stay (8 days and 13,6 days) were significantly less in the group of patients with laparoscopic liver resection (р < 0.05). In the early postoperative period, 2 (2.7%) patients died due to sepsis and posthepatectomy liver failure. There were no fatal outcomes in the group of laparoscopic liver resections.

Conclusion. Laparoscopic liver resections for hepatocellular carcinoma has advantages in terms of prevention intraoperative bloodloss, and allow to reduce perioperative complications and post-operative hospital stay. This is important for rapid recovery of patients and for prompt ongoing of complex treatment.

Аim. Evaluation of the effectiveness of hepatocellular carcinoma treatment at early BCLC-A and intermediate BCLC-B stages by the combined use of liver resections and locoregional therapy.

Materials and methods. The study included 142 patients with hepatocellular carcinoma. At the BCLC-A stage – 46 observations, at the BCLC-B stage – 96 observations. Chronic hepatitis and cirrhosis of various etiologies were detected in 58 (40.8%) patients. Liver resection of various volumes, transarterial chemoembolization and radiofrequency ablation were used for treatment. With the tumor progression and the ineffectiveness of locoregional therapy, targeted therapy was prescribed.

Results. Four groups of patients were identified depending on treatment tactics. In group 1, 28 patients underwent radical liver resections; in group 2, 37 patients underwent preoperative transarterial chemoembolization and liver resection. In group 3, 63 patients underwent therapeutic transarterial chemoembolization and radiofrequency ablation. In group 4, 14 patients underwent transarterial chemoembolization followed by hepatic arterial infusion of chemotherapy and targeted therapy. Overall survival in groups 1 and 2 significantly exceeds survival rates in groups 3 and 4. The median overall survival in groups 1–4 was 39, 37.5, 19.5, and 7.5 months (p_1–3 = 0.0001 ; p_1–4 = 0.0009, p_2–3 = 0.018 , p _2–4 = 0.001). The cumulative one, three and five year survival rates in groups 1 and 2 did not significantly differ (87.8% and 80.0%, 82.5% and 75.0%, 68.2% and 58.0%, 54.5% and 41.0%, respectively, p1–2 = 0.076). However, group 1 consisted exclusively of patients with BCLC-A stages with solitary tumors less than 6.5 cm in diameter, group 2 included large BCLC-A tumors and multiple tumors BCLC-B stages (67.6%).

Conclusion. For the treatment of patients with hepatocellular carcinoma BCLC-A and BCLC-B stages, a multimodal approach should be applied, including differential use and a rational combination of regional chemotherapy and resection techniques, taking into account the functional state of the liver.

Aim. To evaluate the long-term results of liver transplantation for hepatocellular carcinoma. To perform an analysis of risk factors for tumor recurrence.

Materials and methods. A retrospective analysis of 63 deceased donor liver transplantations, which were performed from January 2010 to February 2020. Patients were divided into three groups according to the Milan and California criteria – within the Milan criteria, outside the Milan criteria, but within the California criteria, outside the California criteria.

Results. There were 33 recipients within the Milan criteria, 5 within the California criteria, and 25 outside the California criteria. The 5-years recurrence rate was 9.1%, 40% and 52%, respectively (p = 0.002), five-year survival rate of – 93.2%, 66.7% and 54.7% (p = 0.041). Factors associated with an increased risk of recurrence: five and more tumor nodes (OR = 3.675; 95% CI (1.35–9.97); p = 0.011), macroscopic vascular invasion (OR = 5.97; 95% CI (2.06–17.31); p = 0.001) and inconsistency with California criteria (OR = 4.00; 95% CI (1.49–10.74); p = 0.006). The factors associated with a lower recurrence rate: one or two tumor nodes (p = 0.014 and 0.042, respectively), a high grade of histological differentiation (RR = 0.24; 95% CI (0.06–0.93); p = 0.039), compliance with Milanese criteria (RR = 0.18; 95% CI (0.06–0.58); p = 0.004).

Conclusion. Liver transplantation can be performed in a number of patients beyond the Milan and California criteria. The morphological and biological characteristics of the tumor and a multidisciplinary differentiated approach to treatment have an important role in the success of treatment.

Aim. To evaluate the effectiveness of the liver transplantation in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma and cirrhosis according to morphological (Milan criteria) and oncological criteria.

Materials and methods. A retrospective cohort study of 105 recipients with hepatocellular carcinoma who underwent liver transplantation from 2008 to 2019 was performed. The patients were divided into 3 groups. In the 1st group, transplantation was performed according to the Milan criteria (“Milan”), in the 2nd group – to recipients that did not meet the Milan and University of California San Francisco (UCSF) criteria (“extra-UCSF”), in the 3rd group – to the recipients meeting the Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer criteria B (Intermediate stage), subjected to locoregional therapy and assessment of radiological and serological response (“Lerut”). The frequency of progression in the waiting list, the frequency of tumor recurrence after transplantation, hospital mortality, the frequency of arterial and biliary complications, and cancer-associated mortality were studied.

Results. The highest rate of hepatocellular carcinoma progression on the waiting list was observed in the “extra University of California San Francisco” group of patients (36% versus 11% (p = 0.03) and 15% (p = 0.1) in the “Milan” and “Lerut” groups, respectively). The worst cancer-associated mortality rates were found in the extraUniversity of California San Francisco group. The one-year, three-year and five-year overall survival rate in the groups were 87.5%; 80.1% and 70.3% for the Milan group; 78.6%; 62.9% and 62.9% for the extra-University of California San Francisco group and 96.4%; 86.4% and 78.7% for the Lerut group, respectively.

Conclusion. The oncological prognosis for patients with hepatocellular carcinoma is formed increasingly on the basis of the biological characteristics of the tumor. The use of locoregional therapy for hepatocellular carcinoma combines a therapeutic component that allows for better survival and stratification, which allows patients with an unfavorable prognosis to be selected and to allow patients beyond the accepted criteria to expect transplantation.

Purpose. Comparison of the long-term outcomes of the treatment of simple liver cysts by traditional and modified RFA methods.

Materials and methods. From 2015 to 2018, US-guided RF ablation was used to treat simple nonparasitic hepatic cysts in 14 patients. There were 15 operated cysts in total. 7 patients of group A underwent standard RFA session without temperature restrictions. 7 patients of group B with localization of cysts closely to large vessels and bile ducts or the area of portal fissure, underwent RFA at 60 °C with preinjection of 10% NaCl solution into the cyst cavity. During the intervention, the temperature of the surrounding electrode tissue and the exposure time were recorded.

Results. All patients underwent interventions satisfactorily; no complications were observed. In group A, the mean cyst diameter was 50.3 ± 15.2 mm, and the mean initial cyst volume was 77.09 ± 23.2 cm³. In group B, the mean cyst diameter was 61.8 ± 14.9 mm, and the mean initial cyst volume was 137.8 ± 39.2 cm³. After 3 months, the overall decrease in the volume of operated cysts on CT was in group A – 27.1%, in group B – 50.6%; after 6 months – 49.8% and 60.4%, respectively. After 12 months, similar indicators in group A amounted to 64.2%, in group B – 79.2%. 1.5 years after surgery, the volume of operated cysts in group A decreased by 65.2%, in group B by 91.2%; and after 2 years – by 68.9% and 93.6%, respectively. The total decrease of cyst volume at the last control in group B was 24.7% more than in group A. The decrease in cyst volume by more than 50% was noted in group A in 37.5%, in group B – in 85.7%. Complete reduction of the cyst cavity was noted in group A in 25%, in group B in 28.5%. The difference in the decrease of the cyst volumes between the groups after 2 years is statistically significant (p = 0.03), thus it can be concluded that a significantly more pronounced decrease in cyst volumes was observed in group B than in group A.

Conclusion. Preinjection into the cystic cavity of a 10% solution of NaCl allowed to achieve a more pronounced decrease of the cystic cavities with the lower RFA temperature regime. At a temperature of 60 °C, the thermal damage minimally spreads to adjacent healthy liver tissue andis sufficient for the radical treatment of the cystic cavity. This makes possible to use the modified RFA method for cysts, located close to the large vessels and bile ducts.

Aim. To develop the planning principles for radical surgical intervention for liver alveococcosis based on the computed and magnetic resonance imaging data.

Materials and methods. The data of computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging, as well as the results of treatment of 189 patients with liver alveococcosis in 2011–2020 were analyzed.

Results. A sequence of data analysis of CT-scan and magnetic resonance imaging, consisting of several stages, is proposed. CT-scan and magnetic resonance imaging data of all patients were analyzed according to the developed algorithm, which was adapted to the planning stages of surgical treatment. The accuracy of CT-scan and magnetic resonance imaging in determining the localization of the parasitic process by sections and predicting the need for a two-stage resection of the liver, the use of total vascular isolation technique was 100%. The accuracy of CT-scan in the defining of anatomical variants of extrahepatic arteries and the presence of a significant accessory right hepatic vein of the liver was 98.6%, type of division of the portal vein – 97.2%. Radiation semiotics of the relationship of parasitic masses with the main vessels of the liver and the inferior vena cava were determined. The accuracy of CT-scan in the diagnosis of involvement of the hepatic arteries, portal and hepatic veins was 96.9%, 91.2% and 91.4%, respectively. In predicting circular resection of the inferior vena cava we recommend to use the cut-off of contact of parasitic masses around it more than 180 ° (AUC = 0.950). With borderline volumes of liver remnant (30–35%), prolonged hyperbilirubinemia, suspected development of secondary biliary cirrhosis, magnetic resonance imaging with gadoxetic acid makes it possible to assess the functional state of the parenchyma. This may require additional preoperative therapy, planning a two-stage resection or the process may be considered unresectable in the diagnosis of severe fibrosis.

Conclusion. The developed CT-scan/ magnetic resonance imaging data analysis algorithm allows to determine the clinical and surgical group of patients with liver alveococcosis and to plan the type of surgical intervention. Additional option of magnetic resonance imaging with gadoxetic acid in evaluating of functional state of liver remnant allows you to adjust surgical tactics in a number of clinical situations.

Purpose. Identification of the possibilities of contrast enhancement computed tomography in evaluated the number of the acinar structures in the pancreatic parenchyma at the preoperative stage to predict the development pancreatic fistula.

Material and methods. In 2016–2019, 196 pancreatoduodenectomy were performed. 86 patients were retrospectively selected. Patients were divided into 2 groups: group 1 included 16 observations with the development of clinically significant pancreatic fistula, in 2 – 70 cases without complications. According to preoperative contrast enhancement computed tomography, structure of the pancreas, pancreatic parenchyma thickness, pancreatic duct diameter, the density of the pancreas in the native phase, relative parenchyma enhancement ratio, washout coefficient, pancreas stump volume were evaluated. According histological, the number of acinar and fat cells in the section of the removed pancreas was evaluated.

Results. “Soft” structure of the pancreas (r = 0.374, p = 0.000), pancreatic parenchyma thickness (r = 0.549, p = 0.000), the density of the pancreas in the native phase of the scan (r = 0.568, p = 0.000), the values relative parenchyma enhancement ratio (r = 0.63, p = 0.000), pancreas stump volume (r = 0.508, p = 0.000) positively correlated with clinically significant pancreatic fistula and the number of acinar cells. Pancreatic duct diameter (r = −0.339, p = 0.001) negatively correlated with clinically significant pancreatic fistula and the number of acinar cells. Pancreatic fistula risk is 3.09 times higher with the number of acini more than 72.5%, sensitivity 75%, specificity 75.71%. Pancreatic fistula risk is 1.8 times higher with the density of the pancreas in the native phase over 35.5 HU sensitivity 62%, specificity 65%. Pancreatic fistula risk is 2.76 times higher with values parenchyma accumulation coefficient more than 1, sensitivity 75%, specificity 73%.

Conclusions. Contrast enhancement computed tomography allows evaluating acinar index in the preoperative period to pick out the high-risk patient group to development of pancreatic fistula.

Aim. To show the optimal algorithm of diagnostic and treatment of malignant obstructive jaundice, which allows to increase the effectiveness of primary surgery, reducing the number of complications and mortality in the operated patients.

Materials and methods. The results of examination and surgical treatment of 325 patients with malignant obstructive jaundice who underwent minimally invasive decompression of the biliary tract were studied. Based on the results of treatment, an algorithm for examining and treating patients with malignant obstructive jaundice has been formed and tested.

Results. Using such criterial like severity of obstructive jaundice by E.I. Galperin, anatomical level of biliary tract occlusion and staging oncology process by TNM classification could help to choose the rational method for its surgical treatment and determine the risk of complications and mortality. At the level of biliary occlusion I and II, endoscopic stenting is a fairly successful inter-vention with a minimum of complications. For a level III block, the operation of choice is percutaneous transhepatic drainage. Cholecystostomy is advisable in case of level I block below the cystic duct in flow level and class “C” obstructive jaundice or for technical impossibility to apply a different method.Realization of the developed algorithm allowed resolving obstructive jaundice in a palliative option in 71.4% of patients and preparing 28.6% for surgical treatment.

Conclusion. Implementation of an improved algorithm for the diagnosis of malignant obstructive jaundice makes it possible to justify the choice of a rational option for its surgical treatment, increase the effectiveness of interventions and reduce postoperative mortality.

Aim: to compare the long-term results of various surgical treatment options for patients with high benign strictures of the bile ducts.

Materials and methods. From 2012 to 2018, 87 patients with strictures of different levels according to the classification of E.I. Halperinwas observed. A stricture of type «0» was detected in 23 patients, type «−1» in 20, type «−2» in 31, type «−3» in 13 (E3 – 43, E4 – 31, E5 – 13 according to classification Bismuth-Strasberg). Open reconstructive interventions were performed in 63 patients, 24 percutaneous endobiliary ones.

Results. Long-term results were traced in 77 (89%) patients, the follow-up period after reconstructive operations was 4.7 ± 1.6 years, after percutaneous – 2.0 ± 1.4 years. Excellent and good results according to the Terblanche classification were achieved in 31 (58%) patients after open reconstructive operations and in 18 (78%) after percutaneous transhepatic biliary drainage.

Conclusion. Technically the most difficult for reconstructive and percutaneous interventions on the bile ducts with a high recurrence rate are strictures of types «−2» and «−3» (E4 and E5). A comparative analysis of the long-term results of percutaneous and open interventions showed a statistically significant advantage of percutaneous interventions compared with reconstructive (p = 0.05).

Acinar cell cystadenoma is one of the rarest benign pancreatic tumors. A clinical case of acinar cell cystadenoma of the pancreatic head in a 67-year-old patient is presented. The tumor was detected during a routine examination. The patient was undergoing surgery, enucleation of the neoplasm was performed. With a planned histologic examination and immunohistochemical analysis the diagnosis was confirmed. Surgical tactics depend on the location, size of the tumor and position to the adjacent structures. Given the benign nature of tumor, preference should be given to organpreserving interventions.

A case of successful clinical endovascular treatment for rupture of a splenic artery aneurysm with intraperitoneal bleeding is presented. An emergency open surgery, urgent endovascular aneurysm embolization and planned relaparotomy with the removal of gauze swabs and drains were performed. The staging of surgical treatment was determined by the location of the patient at the time of the complication and the equipment of medical institutions that provided medical care. Regarding the dangerous condition with rupture of the splenic artery aneurysm minimally invasive high-tech surgical care is possible only under certain conditions and depends on the qualifications of doctors, a multidisciplinary approach and the level of equipment of a medical institution. Endovascular embolization of the splenic artery aneurysm when it ruptures is a modern, highly effective and reliable minimally invasive surgical method.

The main milestones in the life and work of T. Kocher are presented. Illuminated little-known interesting facts from the life of a professor. T. Kocher studied the problems of asepsis and antisepsis, abdominal surgery, thyroid surgery, traumatology. He deepened his teaching of the antisepsis and asepsis, introduced the concept of Implant Infection. It is noted that Kocher has developed sterilization methods suture material. He suggested operative access to the liver and biliary tracts, an original method of gastrectomy, methods for mobilizing the duodenum, surgical treatment of inguinal hernias, which are now described in textbooks. He also developed gentle surgical approaches for the procedure on large joints (hook-shaped incisions). The reduction of shoulder dislocations according to Kocher became a part of the daily practice of surgeons and traumatologists. T. Kocher's research on the problems of diseases of the thyroid gland is world famous. T. Kocher was awarded the 1909 Nobel Prize for his work on the physiology, pathology and surgery of the thyroid gland. He proposed some surgical instruments (hemostatic clamp, grooved probe, gastric clamp, etc.), a gastric tube was put into practice. The published manual on operative surgery has survived 5 reprints (1892–1907) and has been translated into many world's languages.