肝肾联合移植的临床体会（附10例分析）

目的总结肝肾联合移植的治疗体会。方法收集接受肝肾联合移植的10例患者的临床资料,对其手术时间、供肝和供肾热缺血时间、术中出血量、术后并发症,受者和移植物功能等情况进行总结分析。结果 10例患者的原发病分别为乙型病毒性肝炎（乙肝）后肝硬化5例,其中合并药物性肾衰竭1例、移植肾失功1例、肝肾综合征3例;原发性肝细胞癌合并肾衰竭2例;酒精性肝硬化合并尿毒症1例;先天性多囊肝和多囊肾（polycystic liver and kidney disease,PCLKD）1例;肝移植术后缺血性胆管狭窄并肾衰竭1例。肝移植采用改良背驮术式,肾移植采用常规移植方法,将移植肾置于左髂窝或右髂窝。手术均获成功,肝移植手术时间（444±175）min,肾移植手术时间（184±36）min;移植肝和移植肾热缺血时间为8min以内;术中出血量（3367±1726）ml。术前严重感染的5例,术后1周内死于多器官功能衰竭。存活的5例患者中,其中1例患者术后反复肺部感染,给予呼吸机辅助支持治疗、积极抗感染后治愈,其余4例患者无明显并发症。5例患者均存活,生存12~32个月,受者和移植物功能良好。结论肝肾联合移植是治疗终末期肝、肾功能同时受损的有效的不可替代的治疗手段。选择合适病例,把握适当的手术时机,术中控制手术时间、热缺血时间和出血量,术后积极处理并发症是获得良好疗效的关键。     

肝肾联合移植26例的临床疗效分析

目的 探讨肝肾联合移植的临床疗效及其影响因素.方法 1999年2月至2013年4月单中心开展了26例肝肾联合移植(联合移植组),以同期一般情况相似的35例肝移植(肝移植组)为对照,回顾分析两组生存情况、排斥反应和并发症的发生情况.结果 肝移植组术后1、2、5年存活率分别为88.9％、81.3％和69.0％,联合移植组为86.7％、82.1％和65.2％ (P＞0.05).联合移植组中15例受者存活至随访结束,所有移植物功能均正常.联合移植组从2004年之前的经典原位肝移植的手术方式改进为改良背驼式肝移植后,受者的生存情况得到改善.两组术后并发症以感染最为常见.联合移植组发生了3例次肾脏急性排斥反应和1例次肝脏急性排斥反应,治疗后均逆转;肝移植组发生了5例肝脏急性排斥反应,其中1例发展为难治性排斥反应,受者最终死亡.结论 在严格掌握适应证、合理把握时机的条件下,肝肾联合移植可获得与肝移植相似的远期疗效.     

大鼠原位肝肾联合移植模型的建立

目的建立一种简易、可靠、成功率高的大鼠肝肾联合移植模型. 方法建立210例大鼠原位肝肾联合移植模型.SD大鼠作同品系异体移植的供、受体.自制部分手术小器械;整块切取供鼠肝、肾,受体手术采取腹部横切口,并改进肝上下腔静脉及肾动脉吻合方法;术后采取复温、补液、抗感染等综合措施.结果供体手术时间(38±5)min,受体无肝期(20±3)min,受体手术时间(81±13)min.供体器官热缺血时间≤4 s,冷缺血时间≤83 min,手术成功率87.1%(183/210),术后门静脉栓塞等近期并发症的发生率12.9%(27/210).结论本模型具有操作相对简单、重复性好、成功率高、并发症少等优点,是良好的肝肾联合移植动物模型.     

肝肾联合移植15例报道

目的探讨肝肾联合移植的适应证和疗效。方法对2001年2月至2003年12月施行肝肾联合移植术的15例患者进行了随访。15例中,乙型肝炎后肝硬化合并肝肾综合征8例、合并尿毒症2例、合并糖尿病肾病1例;多囊肝和多囊肾2例;Caroli病合并多囊肾1例;酒精性肝硬化合并尿毒症1例。对肝肾联合移植患者的手术方式,围手术期并发症,术后急、慢性排斥反应和乙型肝炎复发情况及随访结果进行了分析。结果15例肝肾联合移植术后移植物功能均恢复良好,6个月和1年生存率为100%。1例术前有严重营养不良者,术后给与48d的呼吸机支持后康复。术后创面出血和消化道出血各1例,经非手术治疗后治愈。胆道吻合口狭窄1例,用内镜下球囊扩张术治愈。1例术后2周发生急性移植肝排斥反应,给予激素冲击治疗后得到控制。1例术后30个月时因停用拉米夫定后乙型肝炎复发死于移植肝功能丧失。结论肝肾联合移植是终末期肝病合并慢性肾功能衰竭或肾功能损害的安全有效方法。对乙型肝炎患者术后尽早应用拉米夫定和乙型肝炎病毒免疫球蛋白预防肝炎复发。     

肝肾联合移植13例临床分析

目的 探讨肝肾联合移植的适应证、手术并发症及生存情况.方法 回顾性分析2003年10月至2008年12月施行的13例肝肾联合移植患者的临床资料,分析围手术期死亡率、并发症情况及生存情况.结果 13例肝肾联合移植患者围手术期死亡率30.8%(4/13).术中、术后腹腔出血4例(30.8%);肺部感染7例(53.8%);移植肾急性排斥反应1例(7.7%).本组随访4.4～60个月,中位数40个月.存活1年以上8例,2年以上6例,3年以上5例,4年以上3例,5年以上1例.肝肾联合移植前有1例患者经历肝移植(例2)和2例患者经历肾移植(例3、例4),例4患者于肝肾联合移植术后第29天死于肺部感染、多器官功能衰竭,例2和例3肝肾联合移植术后分别存活40 m、48 m.结论 肝肾联合移植是治疗终未期肝肾疾病的有效方法.肝/肾移植术后再行肝肾联合移植是可行的.

Abstract：

Objective To investigate the indications, complications and survival results of combined liver-kidney transplantation. Methods From Oct 2003 to Dec 2008, the clinical data of 13 patients who underwent combined liver-kidney transplantation (CLKTs) were retrosptiverly analyzed in our institution. The perioperative mortality rate, complications and the result of follow-up were analyzed.Results The perioperative mortality rate (within 30 days) was 30.8% (4/13). Postoperative complications included intrabdominal bleeding in 4 patients ( 30. 8% ); pulmonary infection in 7 patients (53.8%); acute renal rejection in one (7. 7% ). Survivors were followed up from 4.4 to 60 months, with the median time of 40 months. Eight patients have survived more than 1 year; six patients have survived more than 2 years; five of them have survived for more than 3 years; and three of them have survived for more than 4 years, with one surviving for more than 5 years. One patient had undergone liver transplantation ( case 2 ) and two patients had had kidney transplantations ( case 3 and case 4 ) before this CLKTs.Postoperatively case 4 died of pulmonary infection and multiple organ failure at day 29, while case 2 and case 4 survived respectively 40 m, 48 m after CLKTs. Conclusions CLKTs is an effective therapy for end-stage liver and kidney disease. CLKTs for patients with irreversible liver and renal insufficiency after initial liver transplantation or kidney transplantation was feasible.     

一期肝肾联合移植围术期护理

肝肾联合移植是临床治疗各种终末期肝肾疾病的最有效的治疗方法,该手术程序复杂、创伤大、术中生理、生化及血流动力学等方面的变化较剧烈;术后免疫抑制剂的应用可导致机体免疫力低下等。增加了护理工作的复杂性。为确保手术成功率,加强围术期护理尤为重要。我科为1例肝肾衰竭患者进行了肝肾一期联合移植,患者已存活5年,目前工作、生活良好。现报告如下。     

改良法快速肝肾供体联合切取的探讨

目的探讨快速肝肾供体联合切取的可行性。方法总结 2 0 0 1年 1月至 2 0 0 3年 9月共 138例快速肝肾联合切取的技巧及评价移植后近期效果。快速切取技术采用原位腹主动脉 肠系膜上静脉灌注加下腔静脉引流 ,分离胃肠道后肝、胰、脾、肾整块切取 ,冰水浴中分离肝肾。结果肾脏的热缺血时间为 2～ 6min ,肝脏的热缺血时间为 3～ 8min ,整个手术过程约 2 0～ 30min。所有变异血管均保存完整。行肝移植 131例 ,术后 3d内血清ALT最高值平均为 (5 81± 392 )U/L ,无 1例出现原发性移植肝无功能 ;行肾移植 2 74例 ,术后急性肾小管坏死发生率为 3 3% (9/ 2 74 )。结论快速肝肾联合切取技术能同时保护供肝和供肾的质量 ,其方法简单、安全、有效 ,值得推广。     

肝肾联合移植28例临床分析

目的 总结肝肾联合移植治疗终末期肝脏合并肾脏疾病的体会.方法 对28例肝肾联合移植的临床资料进行回顾分析,并对手术适应证的选择、手术方式、免疫制剂方案的应用以及预后情况进行了分析整理和总结.结果 肝肾联合移植各种适应证中,肝肾功能衰竭占78.6 %(22/28),肝肾综合征占14.3 %(4/28),高草酸盐尿症及多囊肾合并多囊肝各占3.6 %(各1/28).所有受者均先行肝移植,再行肾移植.肝移植采用背驮式者4例,采用经典非转流式者24例,供肾植入位置首选右侧髂窝.术后随访5个月至7年8个月,受者1年存活率为92.9 %(26/28),3年存活率为78.3 %(18/23).28例受者中,围手术期发生移植肾功能不良4例,其中3例经保守治疗病情好转,1例死亡.1例因移植肝并发症于术后3个月再次行肝移植治疗,后好转,期间肾功能未受影响.术后发生肺部感染11例,其中1例死亡,其余10例经治疗后痊愈.无一例发生急性排斥反应.结论 肝肾联合移植是治疗终末期肝脏合并肾脏疾病的有效手段,术前应严格控制手术适应证,把握适当的手术时机.

Abstract：

Objective To summarize the experience of treating the end stage of liver disease complicated with renal failure using combined liver-kidney transplantation.Methods The clinical data of 28 cases receiving combined liver-kidney transplantation were retrospectively analyzed, including the inclusion criteria of surgical indications, modus operandi, protocol of immunosuppression and the prognosis post-operation.Results Among these 28 cases in our study, 22 cases suffered from liver and renal failure, accounting for 78.6%; 4 cases were diagnosed as having hepatorenal syndrome, accounting for 14.3%; and 1 case had hyperoxaluria and polycystic liver with polycystic kidney. As for the modus operandi we used, piggy-back procedure was adopted for 4 patients and classic procedure without bypass was used for the rest. Donor kidneys were all put in the right iliac fossa. During the follow-up period of 5 months to 7 years, one-and 3-year survival rate of the recipients was 92.9% and 78.3% respectively. Among these 28 recipients, 4 cases had the graft renal dysfunction early post-operation: One died and 3 recovered through consecutive therapy. One case received re-transplantation of the liver 3 months after the first due to the relevant complications and then recovered. During this period, no impact on the renal function occurred. Eleven cases had pulmonary infection post-operation, and 1 died. No acute rejection occurred.Conclusion Combined liver-kidney transplantation is the effective treatment to the patients with end stage liver disease complicated with renal dysfunction. Suitable case selection and perfect operation timing were the key points to the success of combined liver-kidney transplantation.     

重症肝炎行原位肝移植术及肝肾联合移植术的疗效比较

目的 总结重症肝炎患者行原位肝移植或肝肾联合移植的结果,探讨肝肾联合移植的手术适应证.方法 分析52例重症肝炎患者单纯行原位肝移植(orthotopic liver transplantation,OLT)和肝肾联合移植(combined liver-kidney transplantation,CLKT)两组患者死亡率、术后肾功能不全的发生率、ICU天数、住院天数等.结果 CLKT组患者术前肾功能明显差于OLT组,术后发生严重感染的患者明显多于OLT组.但OLT组中28例(70％)患者术后早期发生肾功能不良,其中11例需血液透析;而CLKT组患者中需血液透析仅2例,两组比较差异有统计学意义(P＜0.01).CLKT组患者在围手术期2例(16.7％)死亡.OLT组围手术期死亡16例(40％),其中死于急性肾衰9例,两组死亡率比较差异有统计学意义(P＜0.01).结论 重症肝炎患者若术前肾功能较差,术后易并发严重感染,肝移植后急性肾衰的发病率和死亡率较高,可考虑行CLKT术.     

临床肝肾联合移植的若干问题

自1983年Margreiter等为1例肾移植术后发生慢性排斥反应而并发肝硬化的病人成功施行了全球首例肝肾联合移植以来，全球各大移植中心相继开展了此项技术．且成绩喜人。据最近文献资料，1988-2002年．美国实施肝肾联合移植已超过850例次，术后病人1年及3年生存率分别为85％和82％，儿童5年生存率也可达67％。Maruio等还报道了1例活体右半肝-肾联合移植。虽然我国1996年7月     

中国大陆原发性高草酸尿症1型临床特点及诊治情况总结

目的探讨原发性高草酸尿症1型(PH1)的临床表现、治疗及预后。方法检索维普网、中国知网、万方数据库、PubMed、Web of Science、Embase和Cochrane数据库中的相关文献,收集57例PH1患者的临床资料,对其临床表现、诊疗经过及预后情况进行分析。结果共纳入符合标准的文献35篇,共57例PH1患者,其中男39例,女18例,年龄0.2~57.0岁,发病年龄为出生后至42岁。57例PH1患者的临床症状表现特异性较低,肾结石41例,肾钙化和(或)肾钙质沉积21例,泌尿系统外草酸沉积12例,腰背腹痛12例,输尿管结石8例,此外尿量减少、代谢性酸中毒、水电解质紊乱、贫血、肉眼血尿等症状均有报道,有33例在诊断时已进入终末期肾病(ESRD)阶段。26例患者接受移植治疗,肾移植17例(2例因结石复发、恢复透析再次接受肝肾联合移植,1例恢复透析并再次接受肝移植),肝肾联合移植7例,肝移植2例,肝肾序贯移植3例。31例患者未接受移植治疗。接受移植治疗的患者与未接受移植治疗的患者存活率差异有统计学意义(85%比58%,P<0.05)。结论PH1的临床表现多样且缺乏特异性,发现时多已进入ESRD阶段,接受移植治疗较未接受移植治疗的患者预后更佳,应优先考虑预先肝移植或肝肾联合移植。     

One hundred percent patient and kidney allograft survival with simultaneous liver and kidney transplantation in infants with primary hyperoxaluria: a single-center experience

BACKGROUND: Combined liver-kidney transplantation is the definitive treatment for end-stage renal disease caused by primary hyperoxaluria type I (PH1). The infantile form is characterized by renal failure early in life, advanced systemic oxalosis, and a formidable mortality rate. Although others have reported on overall results of transplantation for PH1 covering a wide age spectrum, none has specifically addressed the high-risk infantile form of the disease. METHODS: Six infants with PH1 underwent simultaneous liver-kidney transplantation at our center between May 1994 and August 1998. Diagnosis was made at 5.2+/-3.3 months of age, they were on dialysis for 11.8+/-2.3 months, and they underwent transplantation at 14.8+/-3.0 months of age when they weighed 10.6+/-1.7 kg. RESULTS: At a mean follow-up of 6.4+/-1.7 years (range, 3.9-8.1 years), we report 100% patient and kidney allograft survival. There were no cases of acute tubular necrosis. Long-term kidney allograft function remained stable in all patients, with serum creatinine values of less than 1.1 mg/dL and a mean creatinine clearance of 99 mL/min/1.73 m2 at follow-up. Those who received combined hemodialysis and peritoneal dialysis pretransplant had lower posttransplant urinary oxalate values than those receiving peritoneal dialysis alone. There was improvement in growth and psychomotor and mental developmental scores after transplantation. CONCLUSIONS: Combined liver-kidney transplantation for the infantile presentation of PH1 is associated with excellent outcome when the approach includes early diagnosis and early combined transplantation, aggressive pretransplant dialysis, and avoidance of posttransplant renal dysfunction.     

Outcome of hepatitis C virus-associated membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis after liver transplantation.

BACKGROUND: Hepatitis C virus was the most frequent cause of liver failure requiring liver transplantation in our series. Hepatitis C virus infection has been associated with glomerulonephritis and, more frequently, type I membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis. Renal disease in patients with liver failure is often clinically silent and difficult to diagnose; thus, biopsy is required to establish the diagnosis. Our aim was to study the evolution of six patients diagnosed with membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis some months before liver transplantation. METHODS: Liver transplantation alone was performed in four patients and combined liver-kidney transplantation in the remaining two, who were on hemodialysis for kidney failure. These patients were followed for a mean of 38.3+/-7.8 months. Evolution of proteinuria, renal function, hepatic function, and hepatitis C virus activity was studied. RESULTS: In the four patients who underwent liver transplantation alone, proteinuria became negative initially and renal function remained stable. Proteinuria reappeared and renal function was altered in two of these patients at 17 and 36 months of follow-up, respectively, coinciding with a recurrence of active chronic hepatitis. In the two patients who received a combined liver-kidney transplant, proteinuria became negative, and their renal grafts currently maintain normal renal function. CONCLUSIONS: Membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis does not constitute an absolute contraindication for liver transplantation alone; combined liver-kidney transplantations are reserved for patients with end-stage kidney failure. Proteinuria is reversed after liver transplantation, and recurrence seems to be associated with severe hepatitis C virus hepatic allograft disease relapse.     

Outcome and quality of life in patients with polycystic liver disease after liver or combined liver-kidney transplantation.

In advanced stages of polycystic liver disease, often associated with polycystic kidney disease, a curative therapy is liver or combined liver-kidney transplantation. However, little is known about long-term outcome and quality of life. Between 1990 and 2003, 36 patients (32 female, 4 male) with polycystic liver or combined liver-kidney disease underwent liver (n = 21) or liver-kidney (n = 15) transplantation at our center. Main indications for liver transplantation were cachexia, muscle atrophy, loss of weight, recurrent cyst infections, portal hypertension, and ascites. Apart from clinical parameters, 2 anonymous questionnaires (standard short form 36 and self-designed) addressing quality of life and social status were evaluated. Five patients (14 %) died due to sepsis or myocardial infarction with pneumonia, all within 61 days after transplantation. The follow-up time of the remaining 31 patients ranged from 5 to 156 months, with a mean of 62 months. Of the 23 (74%) answered the questionnaires, 91% of patients felt "much better" or "better," only 9% felt "worse" than before, and 52% of patients participated in sports regularly. Fatigue, physical fitness, loss of appetite, and vomiting improved significantly after transplantation. Physical attractiveness and interest in sex increased as well. Professional occupation did not change for 71% of patients. Family situation before and after transplantation changed in 1 case only. Finally, 78% of patients said they would opt for transplantation again, while 17% were undecided; 1 patient would not repeat transplantation. In conclusion, patients with advanced polycystic liver or polycystic liver-kidney disease have an excellent survival rate and an improved quality of life after liver or combined liver-kidney transplantation.     

Simultaneous liver-kidney transplant for combined renal and hepatic end-stage disease

INTRODUCTION: After the first combined liver-kidney transplantation (CLKT) reported by Margreiter in 1984, it became clear that renal failure was no longer an absolute contraindication. OBJECTIVE: Our goal was to assess our results with combined liver-kidney transplant.Among 875 liver transplants performed between May 1986 and October 2002, there were 17 cases (1.96%) of combined liver-kidney transplant. RESULTS: With a mean follow-up of 42.2+/-29 months (range, 1-90), six patients had died (mortality: 37.5%). There were four (25%) operative in-hospital deaths, and two late mortality cases (beyond the month 6 after hospital discharge). The causes were sepsis (four cases, three postoperative and one in later follow-up), refractory heart failure (one postoperative), and recurrent liver disease (HCV-induced severe recurrence) during follow-up one). Actuarial survival (calculated for those who survived the postoperative period) was 80%, 71%, and 60% at 12, 36, and 60 months. Actuarial mean survival time was 60 months (95%IC:47-78). Neither the sex, the UNOS status, the etiology of liver disease, the etiology of renal failure, the type of hepatectomy (piggy back vs others) or the type of immunosuppression (P=.83) were related to long-term survival according to the log-rank test. A control group of 48 patients was constructed with subjects who underwent liver transplantation immediately before or after the combined transplant. A total (two cases after the CLKT and one case prior to). There were no differences in survival. CONCLUSION: Combined liver-kidney transplant represents a proper therapeutic option for patients with simultaneously failing organs based on long- and short-term outcomes.     

临床肝肾移植三例体会

目的　探讨肝肾序贯移植和同期联合移植的手术难点及围手术期处理要点。方法　对2例肾移植术后发生药物性肝损害的病例实施肝移植 ,并对 1例巨大多囊肝、多囊肾的病例实施肝肾联合移植。结果　 2例肾移植术后实施肝移植的病例 ,其中 1例因术后肾功能衰竭导致多器官功能衰竭死亡 ;另 1例术后肝、肾功能良好 ,现已存活 1年。肝肾联合移植病例术中采用肝后腔静脉直接阻断法 ,使重达 10kg的巨大病肝得以顺利切除 ,并采用腔静脉成型术完成改良背驮式肝移植。术后免疫方案采用人源化单克隆抗体达利珠单抗免疫诱导下的以FK5 0 6、霉酚酸酯 (MMF)和激素的三联用药 ,肝、肾功能恢复良好 ,现为术后 6个月。结论　序贯性肝肾移植在术前应该准确评估移植肾功能 ,如果移植肾功能不良 ,应果断选择实施肝肾联合移植。肝后下腔静脉直接阻断法在实施巨大病肝切除时具有较大优势。肝肾联合移植术中及术后建议采用达利珠单抗免疫诱导下的免疫三联用药。     

Results of combined and sequential liver-kidney transplantation

Experience with combined liver-kidney transplantation (L-KTx) has increased, but controversy regarding this procedure continues because the indications are not clearly defined yet. Between 1984 and 2000, 38 patients underwent simultaneous L-KTx and 9 patients underwent sequential transplantation, receiving either a liver before a kidney or a kidney before a liver. Main indications for a simultaneous procedure were polycystic liver-kidney disease with cirrhosis and coincidental renal failure. The main indications for sequential procedure were cirrhosis caused by viral infection for the liver and glomerulonephritis for the kidneys. Outcomes in these patients were evaluated retrospectively. Regarding simultaneous transplantation, 28 (73.7%) long-term survivors were followed up for 0.7 to 12.5 years. Currently, 24 (63.2%) patients are alive with good liver function. Fourteen patients died; 10 patients died in the early postoperative phase because of septic complications, and most of them were cirrhotic with a poor preoperative clinical status. Currently, 2 of the surviving patients (8%) have returned to dialysis, 4 (17%) have reduced renal function, and 18 (75%) have good renal function. Five liver and 2 kidney retransplantations were performed during the follow-up. In cases of sequential grafting, patients undergoing kidney transplantation in the presence of a previously transplanted stable liver did better than those who underwent liver transplantation after kidney transplantation. When liver transplantation was performed early and electively before substantial worsening, combined L-KTx is a safe procedure offering excellent long-term palliation. (Liver Transpl 2003;9:1067-1078.)     

肝、肾联合移植12例报告

目的 对肝、肾联合移植的临床情况进行总结。方法 为12例肝、肾功能异常患者施行肝、肾联合移植，采用多器官联合切取术整块切取供者器官。8例行经典式肝移植，4例行背驮式肝移植，均未行体外静脉转流；肾移植为常规术式。术前进行抗CD25单克隆抗体和抗胸腺细胞球蛋白诱导治疗，术后应用他克莫司（FK506）、霉酚酸酯及泼尼松预防排斥反应。结果 12例手术均获成功，移植肝及肾功能恢复良好。术后的并发症有移植肝急性排斥反应、FK506中毒、消化道出血、腹腔出血、肺部感染、腹腔感染（各1例次），所有患者均未发生移植肾急性排斥反应。结论 肝、肾联合移植是治疗终末期肝病合并肾功能衰竭的理想选择。     

Simultaneous liver and kidney transplantation

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: The Model for End-Stage Liver Disease (MELD) scoring system for prioritizing patients for liver transplantation heavily weights serum creatinine, leading to increased numbers of liver transplant patients with renal insufficiency receiving both liver-alone transplants and liver-kidney transplants. With available organs being scarce, review of recent outcomes and guidelines for their use is timely. RECENT FINDINGS: Despite lower average renal function in liver transplant recipients in the era of Model for End-Stage Liver Disease scoring, and poor renal function predicting inferior outcomes, overall outcomes are unchanged. Combined liver-kidney transplants have increased three-fold. Despite inferior short-term kidney and liver-graft survival rates, long-term success rates are equivalent to single-organ transplantation. Only patients requiring dialysis at the time of transplantation clearly benefit from combined liver-kidney transplants. Waitlisted patients with nonresolving severe acute kidney injury for 6-8 weeks or substantial irreversible renal parenchymal damage are also deemed appropriate candidates. Many combined liver-kidney recipients have lesser degrees of renal dysfunction, however. Accurate determination of renal function in patients with cirrhosis remains problematic. SUMMARY: Appropriate patients with irreversible end-stage renal and liver disease clearly deserve combined liver-kidney transplants. More data on the reliable assessment of renal function, renal pathology, and outcomes are needed, however.     

Combined liver-kidney transplantation: long-term follow up in 18 patients

Since August 1992, 18 patients underwent combined liver and kidney transplantation. Eight patients had lymphocytotoxic antibodies pretransplant and 5 of these patients (27.7%) had a positive crossmatch. Fifteen patients received cyclosporine-based immunosuppression and 3 patients were treated with a tacrolimus-based immunosuppressive protocol. One patient died in the postoperative course due to intractable bleeding episodes after 96 days and one kidney graft was lost due to technical complications. The 1-year survival rate of patients with combined transplantation was 95% vs 87% in patients with liver transplantation alone. None of the patients with a positive crossmatch experienced a hyperacute rejection of the kidney. The long-term patient and graft survival was not impaired in patients with a positive crossmatch. These results suggest that combined liver-kidney transplantation is a safe treatment for end-stage liver and renal disease. A positive crossmatch or positive lymphocytotoxic antibodies are not contraindications for a combined transplantation.