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Background and Aim: Long-term data after liver resection for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) with vascular invasion are rare for non-Asian patients. The aim of the present study was to analyze the long-term outcome of liver resection for HCC with vascular invasion and to compare the results of subgroups with micro- and macrovascular invasion., Methods: From January 2000 to September 2010, 288 patients without extrahepatic metastases underwent liver resection for HCC. In 107 out of 288 patients (37%), vascular invasion was found in the final pathological analysis. The long-term outcome as well as the perioperative course of these patients was analyzed using a prospective database., Results: The 1-, 3- and 5-year cumulative survival rate of HCC patients with vascular invasion was 64.3, 41.4 and 23.9%, respectively. The median survival was 19 months. In the multivariate analysis, the overall survival was not influenced by the type of vascular invasion (micro- vs. macrovascular invasion), however overall survival was significantly impaired in case of lymphatic vessel invasion, intraoperative blood transfusions, need of fresh frozen plasma application, prolonged ICU stay and elevated preoperative bilirubin levels., Conclusions: Acceptable survival rates can be achieved in selected patients with macrovascular invasion after surgical resection, which is not markedly different from those with microvascular invasion. In view of an otherwise poor prognosis, liver resection seems to be justified for selected HCC patients with macrovascular invasion, although this stands in contrast with the BCLC recommendations. However, it is in accordance for example with the guidelines of the Asia-Pacific Association for the Study of the Liver.

The surgical procedure for recurrences at the saphenofemoral junction represents a great challenge for the surgeon due to the complex anatomic variability, the broad range of causes and the mostly extreme scar tissue. The incidences of postsurgical minor and major complications after recrossectomy in the groin area are determined and the clinical outcomes are analysed in this article. After specific and precise presurgical clinical and sonographical diagnoses having been undertaken a cutaneous incision is performed in the groin with the aid of tumescent local anaesthesia combined with total intravenous anaesthesia. From the proximal site any scar tissue exsisting is meticulously removed, the femoral vein is set free and the still remaining stump of the long saphenous vein or of the neovasculate as well as all left over varicose side branches of the saphenofemoral junction are removed. Within this special surgical procedure the stump of the long saphenous vein or the neovasculate are completely removed and, thereafter, a continuous longitudinal suture of the femoral vein is performed. Uncomplicated minor bleeding complications (haematoma in large extension or disseminated) appear quite frequently, lymphatic minor complications (conservatively treatable lymph oedema, lymphatic fistulae or lymphatic cysts) occur from time to time; major complications such as bleeding complications with the necessity of surgical reintervention occur only in sporadic cases and can be avoided by exact presurgical diagnosis, by meticulous special surgical technique matching the operation site as well as by regular and frequent postsurgical follow-ups. Absolute preconditions to achieve the very best results in the long run are the exact procedures of diagnosis and surgical technique. Performed by experienced phlebosurgeons or vascular surgeons, the recrossectomy of the saphenofemoral junction represents a low-risk surgery for the patient and is a singular and possibly time-consuming challenge for the surgeon., (© Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart ˙ New York.)