Aim. To determine optimal timing for laparoscopic cholecystectomy in elderly and senile patients with cholecystostomy.

Materials and methods. Treatment results of 37 patients aged 60 years and over at different terms after cholecystostomy formation were analyzed. The degree of senile asthenia, concomitant diseases, technical features of surgical aid, dynamics of the postoperative period, as well as morphological features of inflammatory changes in the gallbladder wall were assessed.

Results. Pre-asthenia was detected in 12 (32%) patients, mild senile asthenia – in 14 (38%) patients, and moderate senile asthenia – in 11 (30%) patients. Polymorbidity was determined in all patients, with 23 patients having four or more diseases. In 3 (8%), 15 (40.5%), 15 (40.5%), and 4 (11%) cases, laparoscopic cholecystectomy was performed 3–9 days, 10–30 days, 2–6 months, and 6 months or more (1 conversion) after cholecystostomy.

Conclusion. In elderly and senile patients, laparoscopic cholecystectomy performed 10–30 days after cholecystostomy is optimal, safe, and affordable. Radical intervention in this period is not associated with technical difficulties. Reduced terms of external drainage of the gallbladder contribute to improving the elderly patient’s quality of life and their social adaptation, while shortening the period of postoperative recovery. When planning surgical interventions in a patient over 60 years old, account should be taken of comorbidities, polypragmasy, and senile asthenia.

Aim. Evaluation of surgical outcomes in elderly and senile patients with portal cholangiocarcinoma.

Materials and methods. The immediate and long-term results of surgical treatment of 170 patients with portal cholangiocarcinoma performed in 2013–2023 were analyzed. A comparison of the outcomes in patients aged below 60, 60–74, and over 74 years old was carried out. Factors prognostically associated with a high risk of fatal outcome in elderly and senile patients were determined by multivariate logistic regression analysis.

Results. The senile patient group was more likely to develop severe complications (p = 0.089) and had a higher 90-day mortality (p = 0.042). The combination of such factors as the Charlson comorbidity index, Comprehensive Risk Score (CRS), resection volume, and surgery duration showed high prognostic significance with respect to hospital mortality, with an area under the ROC curve (AUC) of 0.895 (p < 0.001). The overall and recurrence-free survival of patients did not differ among all age groups (p = 0.886).

Conclusion. In the absence of appropriate patient selection based on risk factors, the surgical outcomes in senile patients deteriorate. When planning a surgical intervention in senile patients, attention should be paid to minimizing surgical trauma and surgery duration, especially in patients with a high comorbidity index.

Aim. To determine specific features, frequency, and structure of complications, immediate and long-term results of liver transplantation in elderly patients.

Materials and methods. Data on 529 liver transplantations performed consecutively in one medical center from 2010 to 2023 were analyzed. In 386 (73%) cases, the right lobe of the liver of related donors was used for transplantation. At the time of surgery, the patient age ranged from 18 years to 71 years, with 57 (11%) patients being over 60 years old, 215 (40%) patients aged 44–59 years, and 257 (49%) patients aged 18–44 years.

Results. Prior to operation, elderly patients were statistically significantly more often diagnosed with arterial hypertension (n = 19; 33%), diabetes mellitus (n = 12; 21%), and on average a reduced glomerular filtration rate (82 ml/min/1.73m2 ). The most frequent indication for transplantation in this group was hepatocellular carcinoma in the setting of cirrhosis (n = 19; 33%). No statistically significant differences in other preoperative characteristics, parameters of donors and operations, peculiarities of the course of the early postoperative period, frequency, structure of complications and lethal outcomes were found. The one-, five-, and ten-year survival rates for recipients over 60 years old were 82%, 72%, and 36%; for recipients aged 44–59 years old – 88%, 79%, and 70%; and for recipients aged 18–44 years old – 86%, 80%, and 74%, respectively.

Conclusion. In the studied cohort, older age was not associated with excessive risks of complications and early postoperative mortality. Given the higher prevalence of comorbidities in this group, preoperative examination should be aimed at, among other things, diagnostics of possible (hidden) cardiovascular and oncologic diseases. The development and introduction of new cardio-, nephro-, and oncoprotective regimens of immunosuppressive therapy seems to be an important measure not only for the surgical treatment of elderly patients, but also for recipients living with a transplanted liver for a long time.

Aim. To determine the potential of TIPS that provides effective portal decompression for longevity and quality of life of patients over 60 years with cirrhosis and concomitant pathology when liver transplantation is reasonably denied.

Materials and methods. The study included 27 patients aged over 60 with comorbidities, who underwent TIPS in 2016–2023 due to life-threatening manifestations of complicated portal hypertension of cirrhotic origin.

Results. TIPS provided effective portal decompression in all 27 patients, confirmed by a 55.4 ± 5.2% reduction in portal pressure gradient. No hospital and 6-week mortality was recorded. 2 deaths (7.4%) were registered within one year after shunt surgery.

Conclusion. In addition to lessening the risk of life-threatening complications, reduction of portal hypertension in liver cirrhosis provides favorable conditions for therapy of concomitant diseases, limited by concerns regarding hepatic decompensation. Due to the achieved stabilization of comorbidities, the denial to include the patient in the waiting list for liver transplantation can be reconsidered.

Aim. To improve the results of organ-preserving surgeries for hepatic echinococcal cysts with rigid fibrous capsule.

Materials and methods. The study analyzed the results of surgical treatment of 221 patients with hepatic echinococcosis that was performed from 2016 to 2023. The main group included 94 patients (2020–2023), who underwent laparotomic or laparoscopic echinococcectomy followed by additional treatment of the residual cavity by the suggested method (113 cysts in total). The comparison group included 88 patients (2016–2019) who underwent standard interventions (108 cysts in total).

Results. A treatment method for the residual cavity is selected with regard to the condition of the fibrous capsule. In case of elastic fibrous capsule, resections were performed in 1.7% of patients in the comparison group and 1.9% in the main group. Laparoscopic echinococcectomy was performed in 29.1% and 38.5% of cases, open echinococcectomy – in 69.2% and 59.6%, respectively. In case of rigid fibrous capsule, resections were made in 4.3% of patients in the comparison group and in 8% in the main group. Laparoscopic echinococcectomy was performed in 8.5% and 23.9% of cases, open echinococcectomy – in 87.2% and 68.2%, respectively.

Conclusion. The suggested method of additional treatment for the residual cavity in cases of open and laparoscopic interventions enables the risk of early complications to be reduced from 19.1% to 4.5%, and from 16% to 3.4% within 3 months after surgery.

Aim. To evaluate an effect of fluorescence cholangiography for intraoperative identification of extrahepatic bile ducts on the treatment outcomes of patients with cholelithiasis.

Materials and methods. The study included 71 cholelithiasis patients who underwent laparoscopic cholecystectomy with fluorescence cholangiography and 69 cholelithiasis patients who underwent standard laparoscopic cholecystectomy. The study analyzed intraoperative damage of extrahepatic bile ducts and arteries, duration of surgery, conversion rate, need for colleague assistance, incidence of postoperative complications, hospital length of stay, and outcomes.

Results. Fluorescence of the vesicular duct was achieved in 100% of patients, of the common bile duct – in 91%, and of the common hepatic duct – in 64%. A correlation between the number/type of complications and the application of ICG-diagnostics was found statistically significant (p <0.001, p = 0.012), thereby indicating the advantages of the method. The colleague-surgeon assistance was required in the ICG group 35 times less than in the standard surgery group (OR = 0.029; 95% CI = 0.003–0.319). A 34-minute reduction in surgery duration (linear regression) can be expected when performing ICG-guided surgery.

Conclusion. The application of fluorescence cholangiography reduces the probability of postoperative complications, in particular, biliary leakage with the necessity of reoperation. Due to the method, a surgeon appears able to complete the operation independently without colleague assistance. Treatment outcomes, incidence of bile duct injuries, and conversion rate are yet to be investigated.

Aim. Evaluation of the first distant results of the combined experience of liver transplantation for unresectable portal cholangiocarcinoma from two large specialized clinical centers.

Materials and methods. In total, 23 attempts at liver transplantation for unresectable Klatskin tumor were undertaken. Out of them, 10 were conducted at the A.M. Granov Russian Research Center for Radiology and Surgical Technologies (Granov Center), and 13 were conducted at the Minsk Scientific and Practical Center for Surgery, Transplantology, and Hematology (Minsk Center). The maximum tumor size was 5 and 3 cm in patients operated at the Granov and Minsk Centers, respectively. In the Granov Center, neoadjuvant therapy included a combination of endobiliary photodynamic therapy, regional and systemic chemotherapy. Patients were included in the waiting list only in cases of decreased tumor marker levels and in the absence of disease progression and acute cholangitis. In the Minsk Center, stereotactic radiotherapy was used for neoadjuvant treatment in the absence of active cholangitis; the first 3 patients underwent liver transplantation without prior neoadjuvant treatment.

Results. Due to disease progression, six patients were excluded. In three patients at the Mink Center, the diagnosis was not morphologically confirmed after liver transplantation. A total of 14 liver transplantations were performed for unresectable hilar cholangiocarcinoma. After neoadjuvant treatment at the Granov Center, normalization of the CA19-9 marker was observed in four patients, its decrease by 3–4 times was observed in two patients. Liver transplantation was performed in six patients. The average time from the onset of treatment to transplantation was 9.1 months (6–14). Out of the six patients, one was alive for 34 months, with the median overall survival being 22.2 months. Progression was the cause of death in only one patient. Out of the three patients without neoadjuvant treatment at the Minsk Center, two were alive at 16 and 134 months without progression. One patient died after transplantation from disease progression at 24 months. Stereotactic radiotherapy achieved normalization of CA19-9 in four patients; its twofold reduction was observed in one patient. The average time from the onset of treatment to transplantation was six months (3–12). The average CA19-9 tumor marker level by the time of transplantation was 11.3 IU/mL. At 20–26 months, three patients were alive without evidence of disease progression; two patients died of progression after 9 and 59 months.

Conclusion. Liver transplantation for unresectable portal cholangiocarcinoma after neoadjuvant treatment regardless of the methods used is highly promising in carefully selected recipients.

Aim. Establishment of versatile mechanisms behind liver damage in mechanical jaundice of non-tumor genesis combined with acute obstructive cholangitis or acute biliary pancreatitis.

Materials and methods. In total, 64 cases of mechanical jaundice developed against the background of cholelithiasis were studied. Group 1 included 30 patients with mechanical jaundice combined with cholangitis; group 2 included 34 patients with acute biliary pancreatitis. Bile duct reconstruction was performed by an open method followed by standardized treatment. The intensity of membrane lipid peroxidation was determined by the level of diene conjugates, malonic dialdehyde, superoxide dismutase activity, and the activity of phospholipase A2. The severity of endotoxemia was estimated; a molecular-genetic test of the polymorphism of antioxidant system genes was performed.

Results. The significance of the gene polymorphism of antioxidant enzymes in the formation of systemic alterative phenomena and severity of liver damage in mechanical jaundice complicated by cholangitis or acute pancreatitis was determined by allocation of patient subgroups depending on the presence of mutant allele T in the gene of superoxide dismutase SOD2 (C1147T). The groups of patients with the presence of such polymorphism, regardless of the combined diseases, demonstrated more pronounced and prolonged liver functional disorders and homeostasis disorders after restoration of biliary tract patency.

Conclusion. The presence of mutant alleles of the SOD2 gene (C47T) in patients with non-tumor mechanical jaundice combined with acute cholangitis or pancreatitis is associated with an increase in the intensity of damage mechanisms at the systemic level, primarily with membrane lipid peroxidation, which correlates with the severity of liver damage (r = 0.834–0.967; p < 0.05).

Aim. To evaluate immediate and long-term results of surgical reconstruction of the biliary system in various types of benign obstructive jaundice.

Materials and methods. The study enrolled 110 patients with choledocholithiasis, iatrogenic biliary strictures, common bile duct strictures, as well as strictures of biliodigestive and biliobiliary anastomoses. Patients were divided into 3 groups. Group 1 included 43 patients with multiple choledocholithiasis and bile duct dilatation >15 mm. Group 2 enrolled 35 patients with multiple choledocholithiasis and hepaticolithiasis who were intraoperatively diagnosed with stricture, injury, or pressure ulcers of the common bile duct wall. Group 3 included 32 patients with cicatricial and iatrogenic biliary strictures. The immediate and long-term results of surgical treatment were compared.

Results. In group 1, the survival rate comprised 89.4%, the average duration of surgery amounted to 137 minutes, complications involved wound infection, bile leakage, bile peritonitis. In group 2, the survival rate accounted for 91.4%, the average duration of surgery comprised 192 minutes; strictures of biliodigestive anastomosis were detected in the remote period, and reconstructive surgeries were performed. Group 3 revealed the survival rate of 100%, the average duration of surgery of 215 minutes, and no complications in the long term.

Conclusion. The diameter of the common bile duct, its wall changes, size of gallstones, signs of cholangitis, patency of the bile papilla, and localization of biliary stricture determine the surgical tactics, when performing biliary reconstruction in patients with non-cancerous obstructive jaundice. In case minimally invasive surgery is found impossible under conditions of multiple choledocholithiasis, common bile duct diameter >15 mm, and preservation of its wall, choledocholithotomy with Kerr drainage is considered to be optimal. In case of damage to the CBD wall and patency of the bile papilla, preference shall be given to hepaticoenterostomy. Bile duct reconstruction with stent drainage is indicated for treatment of cicatricial and iatrogenic biliary strictures.

Aim. To study the morphological features of the wall structure of the splenic artery aneurysm in order to identify the safest and most effective method of surgical treatment.

Materials and methods. From 2020 to 2023, 43 patients underwent surgery for true splenic artery aneurysm. Interventions involved laparoscopic clipping of aneurysm branches, laparoscopic resection of aneurysm, laparoscopic splenectomy, and resection of giant splenic artery aneurysm. A clinical and morphological study of 16 slides of splenic artery aneurysm was performed. The aneurysm wall and the adjacent wall of the splenic artery without macroscopic signs of lumen dilatation for 1 cm from the aneurysmal dilatation were examined.

Results. Microscopic study revealed fragments of loose, edematous wall of large elastic arteries with atherosclerosis, atheromatosis and calcification. Atherosclerotic plaques were observed in the intima; calcium deposits were detected in 81.25% of slides, and defects in elastic fibers – in all slides. The elastic membrane was thinned or had a discontinuous structure. Morphological changes in the wall of the splenic artery persisted up to 1.0 ± 0.2 cm proximal and distal to the aneurysm.

Conclusion. Taking into account the revealed features of the morphological structure of the aneurysm, the formation of an end-to-end vascular anastomosis of the splenic artery, clipping or suturing of the aneurysm neck pose a significant risk of aneurysm recurrence. Laparoscopic clipping of splenic artery aneurysm branches at a distance of >1.5 cm from the edges of the aneurysm becomes the operation of choice for patients in this category.

Aim. To determine the risk factors of biliary fistula after pancreaticoduodenal resection.

Materials and methods. 128 pancreaticoduodenal resections were performed in the period of 2018–2023. Biliary fistula was predicted using a neural network and logistic regression. Prediction accuracy was evaluated by ROC analysis (Receiver Operator Characteristics). The DeLong test was used to compare ROC curves.

Results. Biliary fistula developed in 16 patients (12.5%). Univariate analysis showed that risk factors of biliary fistula included the patient's age >70 years, Charlson comorbidity index >7 points, diabetes mellitus, postsurgical anemia, common bile duct diameter <5 mm, and pancreatic fistula. In multivariate analysis, diabetes mellitus, common bile duct diameter <5 mm, and anemia after pancreaticoduodenal resection increased the risk of biliary fistula. A prognostic multivariate model of biliary fistula development, constructed using an artificial neural network demonstrated higher sensitivity (87.5%) and specificity (95.5%) compared to the logistic regression model (68.8% and 90.2%; p = 0.03).

Conclusion. The use of neural networks in predictive analysis of pancreaticoduodenal resection results can increase the efficiency of biliary fistula prediction.

Aim. To describe the milestones to optimize of the technique of transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt.

Materials and methods. The PubMed and Embase databases, the Web of Science platform, the Google Scholar retrieval system, the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, the eLIBRARY.RU scientific electronic library, and the reference lists were used to search for articles. Articles corresponding to the aim of the review were selected for 1969-2023. The inclusion criteria were limited to technical solutions related to optimize of the technique of transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt.

Results. Innovative ideas, subsequent experimental studies and preliminary experience in liver cirrhosis patients contributed to the introduction of transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt into clinical practice. At the moment, the main achievement to optimize of the technique of transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt is progress in the qualitative characteristics of stents. The transition from bare metal stents to expandable polytetrafluoroethylene-covered stent graft made it possible to largely prevent shunt dysfunction. However, the issue of its optimal diameter, contributing to an effective reduction of portal pressure without the risk of developing hepatic encephalopathy, which is one of the most common complications of transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt, remains relevant.

Conclusion. Further to optimize of the technique of transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt, as well as careful selection of patients based on cognitive indicators, nutritional status and assessment of liver function will reduce the incidence of hepatic encephalopathy and improve treatment results.

Aim. To evaluate the survival rate of patients with unresectable biliary malignancies under targeted chemotherapy in order to identify the most promising adjuvant regimens.

Materials and methods. The study involves publications in PubMed Central, RSCI, and Cochrane databases. Heterogeneity was assessed graphically (blobograms) and statistically (τ 2 and I2 ).

Results. Meta-analysis of five-year survival revealed a greater pooled estimate of the period in the main groups treated with targeted chemotherapy – 295 ± 71 days (95% CI 144–408; p <0.001) against comparison groups – 205 ± 81 days (95% CI 81–426; p <0.001). Study heterogeneity was considered moderate (I2 = 0%, p = 0.06). No significant publication errors and biases were revealed in both meta-analyses.

Conclusion. Targeted chemotherapy increases the overall survival of patients with unresectable malignancies of the bile ducts. Systemic chemotherapy based on gemcitabine and cisplatin with addition of ivosidenib, a selective inhibitor of mutant IDH1, showed the best efficacy.

In about 55–79% of patients, the vascular anatomy of the hepatic-pancreaticoduodenal area is characterized by a typical structure. In the rest of patients, the vascular and, primarily, arterial anatomy may vary due to both different variants of branches and additional arteries. Undoubtedly, this creates difficulties in surgical planning and performing pancreaticoduodenal resection. Vascular anatomic variations may contribute to increased intraoperative blood loss, postoperative complications, changes in the course and volume of surgery, and increased duration of hospital stay after surgery. Modern diagnostic methods, CT angiography in particular, facilitate the process of surgical planning and reduce the risk of unforeseen situations related to ligation or damage of arterial vessels, which are to be preserved during operations. In this work, we carry out a review of publications on the topography of arterial vessels in the area of pancreaticoduodenal resection. The issues related to anatomical variations in both trunk and pancreatic vessels are considered. Special attention is paid to the possible influence of variations in the vascular network structure on the course and volume of surgery, as well as the risk of intraoperative and postoperative complications.