To investigate the change of the portal venous pressure (PVP), conjugated glycocholic acid (CGA) and pancreatic glucagon (PG) concentration in rats peripheral and portal venous blood in the course of experimental liver cirrhosis induced with carbon tetrachloride and to investigate the mentioned changes after portalazygous devascularization. The authors found that in the early stage of cirrhosis the PVP and the concentration of CGA and PG in peripheral venous blood were increased markedly, CGA in portal vein was decreased and PG in portal vein was increased in early stage of liver cirrhosis.With the extent of liver cirrhosis the indexes above changed more markedly. After portalazygous devascularization the concentration of CGA in peripheral vein in the cirrhotic rats was increased but PVP, the concentration of CGA in portal vein and PG in peripheral and portal vein did not change.There was no change in nornal rats. The results suggest that the variation in CGA in peripheral vein can accurately reflect the degree of damage to liver cells, thus making the diagnosis of liver cirrhosis earlier and judging the degree and prognosis of liver cirrhosis.The concentration of PG in portal venous and peripheral vein relate to PVP in liver cirrhosis.Portalazygous devascularization can maintain PVP and PG in portal vein and do not affect liver function of the control rats but it can damage liver cell in cirrhotic rats.
ObjectiveTo discuss the clinical characteristics of liver cirrhosis in elderly patients.
MethodsWe retrospectively analyzed the clinical data of 67 patients (elderly group) with liver cirrhosis aged ≥60 treated between January 1998 and December 2010. Then, we compared these cases with another 72 liver cirrhosis patients (non-elderly group) aged<60.
ResultsThe incidence of jaundice, ascites and albumin deficiency in the elderly patients was significantly higher than that in the non-elderly patients (P<0.05). Complications in the elderly group were relatively more, including electrolyte imbalance, infections, gastrointestinal bleeding, hepatic encephalopathy, liver cancer, liver and kidney syndrome and liver and lung syndrome, and the incidence of these complications was all significantly higher than the non-elderly group (P<0.05) except the liver and kidney syndrome (P>0.05). The causes of liver cirrhosis in both groups were similar. The most common cause was hepatitis B virus infection, followed by chronic alcoholism, but in the elderly group, chronic alcoholism, cholestasis, poisoning from medicines and poisons and liver blood circulation disorders were more common than the non-elderly group (P<0.05); hepatitis B and non-alcoholic fatty hepatitis were more common in the non-elderly group than in the elderly group (P<0.05). The elderly group had more Child-Pugh class C cases (P<0.05), while there were more class A cases in the non-elderly group (P<0.05). Twenty-six patients died in the elderly group with a mortality rate of 38.8%; while only 13 died in the non-elderly group with a mortality rate of 18.1%. The difference of mortality rate was significant between the two groups (P<0.05). Common causes of death in the elderly group were infection, hepatic encephalopathy, and electrolyte disorders and gastrointestinal bleeding, while the common causes of death in the non-elderly group were gastrointestinal bleeding and electrolyte disorders.
ConclusionThe etiology, clinical manifestations and prognosis of liver cirrhosis in elderly patients differ from those in younger patients. We must pay more attention on treating complications of liver cirrhosis in elderly patients.
Objective To investigate the mediating effect of nursing intervention of sleep hygiene on insomnia in patients with liver cirrhosis. Methods One hundred and eighteen cirrhotic patients with grade-A liver function and insomnia treated between June 2012 and January 2015 were divided into control group (n=52) and intervention group (n=66) with random number table method. The control group received conventional nursing only, while the intervention group was given nursing intervention of sleep hygiene. The sleep quality of patients in the two groups on admission and discharge were surveyed and compared based on Pittsburgh sleep quality index (PSQI). The nursing effect was also compared between the two groups on discharge. Results There was no statistically significant difference in total score and scores for each factor of PSQI between the two groups of patients on admission (P>0.05). However, the total score and scores for each factor of PSQI on discharge in both groups were significantly lower than those on admission (P<0.05). Besides, the scores in the intervention group were significantly lower than those in the control group (P<0.05). The effect of nursing in the intervention group was superior to that in the control group (P<0.001). Conclusions Nursing intervention of sleep hygiene can effectively improve sleep quality in cirrhotic patients with grade-A liver function. The role of nursing intervention in the treatment of insomnia should be taken seriously.
ObjectiveTo investigate the pathogenesis, clinical manifestations, diagnosis and treatment of common variable immune deficiency (CVID).MethodsOne case of CVID with cellular immunodeficiency leading to bronchiectasis and liver cirrhosis was analyzed retrospectively. Relevant literatures were also searched through WanFang Database, China National Knowledge Infrastructure and PubMed, Ovid, Embase, Cochrane using the key words " common variable immunodeficiency”, " common variable hypogammaglobulinemia” in Chinese and English.ResultsA 52-year-old female patient, complained of cough, expectoration for 20 years, edema for 7 years and aggravated for 3 months with a history of recurrent respiratory infections was hospitalized in the West China Hospital of Sichuan University. The chest computed tomography revealed bronchiectasis, liver cirrhosis and portal hypertension. Laboratory tests showed remarkable hypogammaglobulinemia. The CD4+ T-cell count was below the normal range. Probable diagnosis of CVID was made based on clinical characteristics and laboratory tests. Immunoglobulin infusion with a dose of 20 g was given and the symptoms were relieved. About 288 case reports including 8 000 patients were searched. Most of them were reported individually. Conclusions CVID has a low morbidity and is rare in China. It is mostly caused by genetic factors. When there are recurrent infections in common areas of body, infections in rare areas or infections of conditioned pathogen, clinicians should be vigilant and give intervention as soon as possible. Family and genetic researches could be done when permitted.
Objective To evaluate the effect of laparoscopic splenectomy （LS） and open splenectomy （OS） forhypersplenism secondary to liver cirrhosis with portal hypertension. Methods Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials， Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews， Medline， Embase， CINAHL， CBM， CNKI， VIP and WanFang database were searched for randomized control trials or retrospective studies related to the effect of LS and OS for hyper-splenism secondary to liver cirrhosis with portal hypertension. Then studies were screened according to the inclusion and exclusion criterias， data were collected， and quality of studies were evaluated. RevMan 5.1.0 software was used for meta-analysis. Results Seventeen retrospective studies and one randomized control trial were enrolled. The results of meta analysis showed that， the estimated blood loss， postoperative hospital stay， rate of postoperative complication， and WBC level on 1 day after operation of LS group were significantly lower or shorter than those of OS group （P＜0.05）. However， there were no significant differences on operative time， WBC level on 7 days after operation， postoperative platelets （1 day and 7 days after operation）， alanine aminotransferase （1 day and 7 days after operation）， and total bilirubin （1 day and 7 days after operation） between LS group and OS group （P＞0.05）. Conclusions LS may be more effective to reduce blood loss， postoperative hospital stay， and rate of postoperative complication in patients with hypersplenism secondary to liver cirrhosis with portal hypertension in comparison to OS. However， the effectiveness of LS on liver function is not clear.
Objective To explore the effect of cyclopamine （Cyc） which is the inhibitor of the Hedgehog signaling pathway on portal venous pressure of normal and liver cirrhosis rats, and it’s possible mechanisms. Moreover, to provide the experimental basis of drug efficacy and clinical treatment. Methods Thirty two healthy male SD rats were randomly average divided into four groups：normal control group, normal treatment group, liver cirrhosis control group, and liver cirrhosis treatment group. The liver cirrhosis models of rat were established by using the thioacetamide （TAA） method, which made 0.03% of TAA as the initial water concentration, and then the concentration of TAA in drinking water was adjusted according to the changes of the weekly body weight of rats lasting for twelve weeks. In thirteenth week, intraperitoneal injection of corn oil （0.1 ml/100 g body weight, 1 time/d） were performed lasting for a week in rats of the normal control group and liver cirrhosis control group; intraperitoneal injection of Cyc 〔1 mg （0.1 ml）/100 g body weight, 1 time/d〕were performed lasting for a week in rats of the normal treatment group and liver cirrhosis treatment group. In fourteenth week, the liver function, portal venous pressure （PVP）, and the ration of liver or spleen weight to body weight were detected, the expressions of α-smooth muscle actin （α-SMA） and typeⅠcollagen α1 （Col1α1） of hepatic stellate cell were detected by using immunohistochemistry. Results PVP were （10.7±0.9） and （12.3±1.3） cm H2O （1 cm H2O=0.098 kPa） in normal control group and normal treatment group, respectivly, the latter was higher than the former （t=-2.918，P=0.011）. PVP were （21.8±0.7） and （14.3±1.4） cm H2O in liver cirrhosis control group and liver cirrhosis treatment group, respectivly, the latter was lower than the former（t=13.602，P=0.000）. The expressions of α-SMA and Col1α1 in liver cirrhosis treatment group was lower than the liver cirrhosis control group. There were no significant difference of the liver function and ration of liver or spleen weight to body weight between the treatment group and the control group （P＞0.05）. Conclusion Cyclopamine could signally reduce the PVP of liver cirrhosis rats through reducing the expressions of α-SMA and Col1α1.
Objective To explore the cause, diagnosis, and treatment methods of portal vein thrombosis （PVT） after splenectomy. Methods The clinical data of 29 patients who were got splenectomy because of portal hypertension or traumatic splenic rupture from August 2002 to August 2008 in our hospital were analyzed retrospectively. Results Tweenty-seven patients with PVT were treated successfully, whose thrombi were absorbed completely or partially. One case died of peritonitis，septic shock，and multiple organ failure. One case died of hematemesis, hepatic coma，and multiple organ failure. Tweenty-four patients were followed up, the follow-up time was 0.5 to 3 years, the average was 2 years. Two cases died of massive hemorrhage, 1 case died of hepatic encephalopathy，and 1 case died of liver failure. Two cases occurred deep venous thrombosis in one year after treatment, and the remaining patients had no recurrence of venous thrombosis. Conclusions PVT have some connection with the raise of blood platelet and the hemodynamic changes of the portal vein system after splenectomy. Standardization of operation, early diagnosis, early line anticoagulant，and antiplatelet adhesion therapy are effective way to prevent and treat PVT.
ObjectivesTo systematically review the risk factors of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in patients with hepatic B surface antigen (HBsAg).MethodsScopus, EMbase, PubMed, and The Cochrane Library databases were systematically searched for relevant studies on HCC after HBsAg seroclearance from inception to October 31st, 2017. Two reviewers independently screened literature, extracted the data, and evaluated the risk of bias in the included studies. Meta-analysis was then conducted using R 3.5.3 software.ResultsA total of 28 studies involving 105 411 patients were included. Among 105 411 patients with chronic hepatitis B (CHB), 7 656 patients occurred spontaneously HBsAg seroclearance, while 1 248 patients had HBsAg seroclearance after interferon or nucleoside analogue therapy. The rate of HBsAg seroclearance was 6.77%. Meta-analysis showed that risk factors for HCC after serum HBsAg conversion included cirrhosis (OR=6.43, 95%CI 3.56 to 11.60, P<0.001), male (OR=2.72, 95%CI 1.66 to 4.46,P<0.001), and age ≥50 years at HBsAg seroclearance (OR=3.71, 95%CI 2.17 to 6.35,P<0.001).ConclusionsPatients with CHB after HBsAg seroclearance are still at risk of developing HCC. Therefore, periodic surveillance is recommended, especially for male patients, patients with cirrhosis, and patients who experience HBsAg seroclearance when over 50.
Objective To study the value of the clinical application of stereography and measurement of liver volume in cirrhotic patients with portal hypertension. Methods By use of the personal computer and the software of threedimensional reconstruction and measurement system of liver faultage photograph, the liver volume in vivo was successfully measured and the threedimensional image of the liver rebuilt in 46 posthepatitic cirrhotics who were selected for orthotopic liver transplantation and in 30 noncirrhotic controls, and comparison with the reference volume of recipient liver was obtained by means of water deplacement after transplantation. Results The liver volume of cirrhotic patients with portal hypertension measured by software and water deplacement was (983.33±206.11) cm3, and (904.93±209.56) cm3 respectively. Comparison by means of linear regression analysis between volume measurement on threedimensional reconstruction software and reference volume showed a nearly ideal correlation coefficient(r=0.969,P＜0.01), the average error was 8.66%.The average of liver volume in controls was (1287.00±96.18) cm3, and was positively correlated to the height，weight and body surface area (r=0.845,0.833,0.932 respectively,P＜0.01)，and was different from that of cirrhotics. Liver volume of cirrhoitic patients with portal hypertension was related to their ChildPugh classification. The liver volume of patients in Child C group was significantly smaller than that of patients of Child B group, and was significantly correlated with Alb （r=0.496, P＜0.01） and TBIL（r=-0.493, P＜0.01）,PT(r=-0.517, P＜0.01), but was not significantly correlated with ALT（r=0.206，Pgt;0.05）,portal pressure（r=-0.093，P=0.539） and portosystemic shunt index (r=0.044，P=0.769). Conclusion The volume measurement of the liver by the threedimensional software is relatively accurate. Liver volume of cirrhotic patients with portal hypertension was significantly related to their liver function,and can reflect the liver reserve function.
ObjectiveTo investigate the application value of totally laparoscopic associating liver tourniquet and portal ligation for staged hepatectomy (ALTPS) using the anterior approach technique for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) with hepatitis B cirrhosis.
MethodsIn September, 2014, a patient suffered cirrhotic hepatocellular carcinoma in the right liver scheduled for two-stage liver resection, in whom the future liver remnant (FLR) was considered too small (FLR/standard liver volume:29.1%, FLR/body wight:0.49%). In the first stage, using totally laparoscopic technique, a tourniquet was placed around the parenchymal transection line on the Cantlie's line via an anterior approach through retrohepatic tunnel for staged right hepatectomy, and the right portal vein was ligated. In the second stage, totally laparoscopic right hemihepatectomy was carried out on 10 days after the first-stage operation that achieved sufficient hypertrophy of the FLR.
ResultsThe FLR on postoperative day 4 of the first stage increased from 301.48 to 496.45 mL (FLR/standard liver volume:47.9%, FLR/body wight:0.81%), with a 64.67% hypertrophy. And the FLR on postoperative day 8 of the first stage increased to 510.96 mL (FLR/standard liver volume:49.3%, FLR/body wight:0.84%), with a 69.48% hypertrophy. The remnant liver volume on postoperative day 5 of the second stage increased to 704.53 mL. The duration of the first stage was 180 min, intraoperative blood loss was 50 mL, and patient did not received a blood transfusion. The duration of the second stage was 220 min, intraoperative blood loss was 400 mL, and patient did not required a blood transfusion. No serious complications happened. The patient was discharged on 7 days after the second stage.
ConclusionsAs a effective, safe, simple, and "non-touch" technique which provided a less aggressive modification of the ALPPS procedureto achieve oncological efficacy, the totally laparoscopic ALTPS using the anterior approach technique also could achieve sufficient hypertrophy of the FLR in several days. A proper expansion of the indications for the procedure is safe and feasible in HCC patients with cirrhosis.
