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A letter to the editor is presented which discusses the use of living donor liver transplant (LDLT) as a treatment for two patients with diffuse Caroli's disease (CD).

Acute cholecystitis (AC) is an acute inflammatory process of the gallbladder that may be associated with potentially severe complications, such as empyema, gangrene, perforation of the gallbladder, and sepsis. The gold standard treatment for AC is laparoscopic cholecystectomy. However, for a small group of AC patients, the risk of laparoscopic cholecystectomy can be very high, mainly in the elderly with associated severe diseases. In these critically ill patients, percutaneous cholecystostomy or endoscopic ultrasound gallbladder drainage may be a temporary therapeutic option, a bridge to cholecystectomy. The objective of this Brazilian College of Digestive Surgery Position Paper is to present new advances in AC treatment in high-risk surgical patients to help surgeons, endoscopists, and physicians select the best treatment for their patients. The effectiveness, safety, advantages, disadvantages, and outcomes of each procedure are discussed. The main conclusions are: a) AC patients with elevated surgical risk must be preferably treated in tertiary hospitals where surgical, radiological, and endoscopic expertise and resources are available; b) The optimal treatment modality for high-surgical-risk patients should be individualized based on clinical conditions and available expertise; c) Laparoscopic cholecystectomy remains an excellent option of treatment, mainly in hospitals in which percutaneous or endoscopic gallbladder drainage is not available; d) Percutaneous cholecystostomy and endoscopic gallbladder drainage should be performed only in well-equipped hospitals with experienced interventional radiologist and/or endoscopist; e) Cholecystostomy catheter should be removed after resolution of AC. However, in patients who have no clinical condition to undergo cholecystectomy, the catheter may be maintained for a prolonged period or even definitively; f) If the cholecystostomy catheter is maintained for a long period of time several complications may occur, such as bleeding, bile leakage, obstruction, pain at the insertion site, accidental removal of the catheter, and recurrent AC; g) The ideal waiting time between cholecystostomy and cholecystectomy has not yet been established and ranges from immediately after clinical improvement to months. h) Long waiting periods between cholecystostomy and cholecystectomy may be associated with new episodes of acute cholecystitis, multiple hospital readmissions, and increased costs. Finally, when selecting the best treatment option other aspects should also be considered, such as costs, procedures available at the medical center, and the patient's desire. The patient and his family should be fully informed about all treatment options, so they can help making the final decision.

Aim: Colorectal cancer generally metastasizes to the liver. Surgical resection of liver metastasis, which is associated with systemic chemotherapy, is potentially curative, but many patients will present recurrence. In selected patients, repeated hepatectomy is feasible and improves overall survival. This study aimed to analyze patients with colorectal liver metastasis (CRLM) submitted to hepatectomy in three centers from Rio de Janeiro, over the past 10 years, by comparing the morbidity of first hepatectomy and re-hepatectomy., Methods: From June 2009 to July 2020, 192 patients with CRLM underwent liver resection with curative intent in three hospitals from Rio de Janeiro Federal Health System. The data from patients, surgeries, and outcomes were collected from a prospectively maintained database. Patients submitted to first and re-hepatectomies were classified as Group 1 and Group 2, respectively. Data from groups were compared and value of p<0.05 was considered significant., Results: Among 192 patients, 16 were excluded. Of the remaining 176 patients, 148 were included in Group 1 and 28 were included in Group 2. Fifty-five (37.2%) patients in Group 1 and 13 (46.5%) in Group 2 presented postoperative complications. Comparing Groups 1 and 2, we found no statistical difference between the cases of postoperative complications (p=0.834), number of minor (p=0.266) or major (p=0.695) complications, and deaths (p=0.407)., Conclusions: No differences were recorded in morbidity or mortality between patients submitted to first and re-hepatectomies for CRLM, which reinforces that re-hepatectomy can be performed with outcomes comparable to first hepatectomy.

Background: Tourniquet for right hepatectomy tightened and secured with forceps (arrow). Laparoscopic liver resection is performed worldwide. Hemorrhage is a major complication and bleeding control during hepatotomy is an important concern. Pringle maneuver remains the standard inflow occlusion technique., Aim: Describe an extracorporeal, efficient, fast, cheap and reproducible way to execute the Pringle maneuver in laparoscopic surgery, using a chest tube., Methods: From January 2014 to March 2020, our team performed 398 hepatectomies, 63 by laparoscopy. We systematically encircle the hepatoduodenal ligament and prepare a tourniquet to perform Pringle maneuver. In laparoscopy, we use a 24 Fr chest tube, which is inserted in the abdominal cavity through a small incision. We thread the cotton tape through the tube, pulling it out through the external end, outside the abdomen. To perform the tourniquet, we just need to push the tube as we hold the tape, clamping both with one forceps., Results: The 24 Fr chest tube is firm and works perfectly to occlude blood inflow as the cotton band is tightened. It has an internal diameter of 5,5 mm, sufficient for a laparoscopic grasper pass through it to catch the cotton band, and an external diameter of 8 mm, which allows to be inserted in the abdomen through a tiny incision. The cost of this tube and the cotton band is less than US$ 1. No complications related to the method were identified in our patients., Conclusions: The extracorporeal Pringle maneuver presented here is a safe, cheap and reproducible method, that can be used for bleeding control in laparoscopic liver surgery.

Background: Incidental gallbladder cancer is defined as a cancer discovered by histological examination after cholecystectomy. It is a potentially curable disease. However, some questions related to their management remain controversial and a defined strategy is associated with better prognosis., Aim: To develop the first evidence-based consensus for management of patients with incidental gallbladder cancer in Brazil., Methods: Sixteen questions were selected, and 36 Brazilian and International members were included to the answer them. The statements were based on current evident literature. The final report was sent to the members of the panel for agreement assessment., Results: Intraoperative evaluation of the specimen, use of retrieval bags and routine histopathology is recommended. Complete preoperative evaluation is necessary and the reoperation should be performed once final staging is available. Evaluation of the cystic duct margin and routine 16b1 lymph node biopsy is recommended. Chemotherapy should be considered and chemoradiation therapy if microscopically positive surgical margins. Port site should be resected exceptionally. Staging laparoscopy before reoperation is recommended, but minimally invasive radical approach only in specialized minimally invasive hepatopancreatobiliary centers. The extent of liver resection is acceptable if R0 resection is achieved. Standard lymph node dissection is required for T2 tumors and above, but common bile duct resection is not recommended routinely., Conclusions: It was possible to prepare safe recommendations as guidance for incidental gallbladder carcinoma, addressing the most frequent topics of everyday work of digestive and general surgeons.

Background: Portal vein embolization is an accepted procedure that provides hypertrophy of the future remnant liver in order to reduce post-hepatectomy complications., Aim: To present a series submitted to portal vein embolization using an adapted hysterosalpingography catheter via transileocolic route., Methods: Were performed right portal branch embolization in 19 patients using hysterosalpingography catheter. For embolizing the vessel, was used Gelfoam(r) powder with absolute alcohol solution. Indications for hepatectomy were colorectal liver metastases in all cases., Results: An adequate growth of the future remnant liver was achieved in 15 patients (78.9%) and second time hepatectomy could be done in 14 (73.7%). In one patient (5.2%), tumor progression prevented surgery. One patient presented acute renal failure after portal embolization., Conclusions: The hysterosalpingography catheter is easy to handle and can be introduced into the portal vein with a wire guide. There were no major post-embolization complication. Its use is safe, cheap and effective.