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.     

腹腔镜肝切除术治疗肝血管瘤22例临床分析

Objective To investigate technical features and efficacy of laparoscopic liver resec-tion for hepatic hemangioma. Methods The clinic data of 22 patients with hepatic hemangioma receiv-ing laparoscopic liver resection in our hospital from March 2007 to February 2008 were retrospectively analyzed. Results Twenty patients received successful total laparoseopie liver resection and 2 conver-sion to laparotomy. Anatomical liver resection was performed in 14 patients including 5 with left hemi-hepateetomy, 5 with left lateral segmentectomy (1 combined with radiofrequeney ablation for the tumor in the right liver lobe) and 4 with segment Ⅵ resection. Eight patients underwent nonanatomi-cal hepatectomy. The liver parenchyma of 10 patients were transected under regional hemi-hepatic blood occlusion, 7 under intermittent Pringle's manoeuvre, and 5 without hepatic blood inflow block-age. The mean operative duration was 209 rain (92-375 min) and mean blood loss 360ml (50-1300 ml). No operative death and postoperative complications occurred, and the patients recovered well. The mean postoperative hospital stay was 6 d (4-10 d). All the patients were followed up for 2-14 months and no recurrence was found. Conclusion The advantages of laparoseopie liver resection for hepatic hemangioma are safe operation, less complications, and quick postoperative recovery. The key points are right choice of surgical approach, effective control of hepatic blood inflow, proper man-agement of cutting surface of liver, and liver parenchyma amputation being performed 0. 5-1 cm to tumor margin in the normal parenchyma or anatomical liver resection.     

挽救性肝移植治疗肝癌切除术后肿瘤复发

目的 分析挽救性肝移植治疗肝癌切除术后肿瘤复发患者的疗效.方法 2004年1月至2008年12月,单中心376例肝癌患者接受了肝移植,其中36例(9.6 %)为行根治性肿瘤切除术后因肿瘤肝内复发而接受挽救性肝移植者(挽救性肝移植组).挽救性肝移植组中男性29例,女性7例;16例接受右半肝切除,10例接受左半肝切除,其余10例接受不规则肝切除或肝段切除.首次肝切除至行挽救性肝移植的时间为(34.9±16.2)个月(1～63个月).以同期符合米兰标准并接受首次肝移植的147例作为对照组,比较两组受者的术中情况及术后生存情况、肿瘤复发情况等.结果 挽救性移植组术中出血量和输血量明显多于对照组(P＜0.05),手术时间也长于对照组(P＜0.05).随访期间,挽救性肝移植组死亡11例,其中围手术期死亡1例;对照组共死亡36例,其中围手术期死亡3例.两组手术后并发症、肿瘤复发率、受者存活率以及无瘤存活率的差异无统计学意义(P＞0.05).结论 挽救性肝移植虽然较首次肝移植手术难度增加,但不影响患者预后,是根治性肝癌切除术后肿瘤复发患者的有效治疗手段.

Abstract：

Objective To summarize the experience with salvage liver transplantation for patients with recurrent hetaptocellular carcinoma(HCC)after primary liver resection.Methods From 2004 to 2008,376 patients with HCC received liver transplantation in our single center.Among these patients,36 (9.6 %)underwent salvage liver transplantation after primary liver curative resection due to intrahepatic recurrence.There were 29 males and 7 females with the mean age of 46 years old.Sixteen received right lobectomy,10 received left lobectomy and the others received sectionectomy or segmentectomy.As a control group for comparison,we used clinical data of the 147 patients who underwent primary OLT for HCC within Milan Criteria.Results The mean interval between initial liver resection and salvage transplantation was 34.9±16.2 months(1-63 months).Intraoperative bleeding volume,transfusion volume and operative time in the salvage group were significantly different from those in control group (P<0.05).There were no significant difference in post-operative complications,tumor recurrence rate,survival rate and tumor-free survival between these two groups(P>0.05).Conclusion In comparison with primary OLT,although salvage liver transplantation would increase the operation difficulties,it still remains a good option for patients with HCC recurrence after curative resection.     

原位肝移植治疗终末期自身免疫性肝病

目的 评价肝移植治疗终末期自身免疫性肝病的疗效并总结临床经验.方法 回顾性分析2003年9月至2009年7月间因终末期自身免疫性肝病接受肝移植手术的11例患者的临床资料,其中8例为原发性胆汁性肝硬化,2例为自身免疫性肝炎,1例为原发性硬化性胆管炎.平均年龄为(44.2±8.7)岁.手术方式均采用附加腔静脉整形的改良背驮式肝移植术.术后免疫抑制治疗采用他克莫司或环孢素A联合激素的二联免疫抑制方案,部分患者使用骁悉和熊去氧胆酸.结果 本组11例患者中2例原发性胆汁性肝硬化患者死亡,其中1例于术后第5天死于肺部感染和多器官功能衰竭,另1例于术后964 d死于脓毒症和移植肝失功.5例患者术后1个月内出现急性排斥反应,加强免疫抑制治疗后痊愈.9例患者生存良好并存活至今,随访期7～62个月,中位随访时间为38个月.受体1年存活率为91%,3年存活率为82%,最长存活期5年.随访期间未发现复发病例.结论 肝移植是治疗终末期自身免疫性肝病的惟一有效手段,手术时机的正确把握和有效的免疫抑制治疗是减少肝移植术后并发症的关键.

Abstract：

Objective To evaluate the effect of liver transplantation for end-stage autoimmune liver disease (ESALD) and summarize the clinical experience of liver transplantation in the treatment of ESALD.Methods The clinical data of 11 ESALD cases who underwent liver transplantation from September 2003 to July 2009 were analyzed retrospectively. There were 2 males and 9 females ( median age, 44. 2 ± 8. 7years). The indication of liver transplantation was end stage of primary biliary cirrhrosis (8 cases),autoimmune hepatitis (2 cases), and primary sclerosing cholangitis ( 1 case). In all cases, modified piggyback liver transplantation with venacavaplasty was carried out. Postoperatively all patients were treated with immunosuppressive agents including tacrolimus (or cyclosporine A) and prednisone, some patients were treated additionally with mycophenolate mofetil and ursodeoxycholic acid. Results Postoperatively 2patients of primary biliary cirrhosis died, one of lung infection and multiple organ failure on the 5th postoperative day, the other dying of sepsis and graft dysfunction on the 964th postoperative day. Five cases suffered from episodes of acute cellular rejection within 1 month after transplantation and was successfully reversed by strengthened immunosuppressive therapy. Nine patients recovered satisfactorily and with excellent life quality until now. Patients were followed up from 7 months to 62 months with the median follow-up time of 38 months. The recipient survival rate at 1 year and 3 years was 91% and 82% ,respectively. One patient has now survived for 5 years. No recurrent ALD case was found during follow up.Conclusions Orthotopic liver transplantation is an exclusive treatment for ESALD. Optimum operation timing and effective immunosuppressive treatment are very important for decreasing occurrence of complications.     

Reconstruction of Ⅴ and Ⅷ bepatic veins in right lobe (without middle hepatic vein) living donor liver transplantation

Objective To summarize the experience of reconstruction of Ⅴ and Ⅷ hepatic veins in right lobe (without middle hepatic vein) living donor liver transplantation. Methods The clinical data of 55 cases of living donor liver transplantation of right lobe without middle hepatic vein were analyzed, and Ⅴ and Ⅷ hepatic veins were reconstructed. All donors underwent evaluation on the basis of vascular anatomy, GRWR and graft volume/ESLV. Fifty-one grafts underwent reconstruction of Ⅴ and Ⅷ hepatic veins with cold-storage cadaveric iliac veins. Great saphenous vein, varicose umbilical veins, recipient intrahepatic portal veins and recipient intrahepatic veins were used respectively in the remaining 4 cases. Results One recipient died of obstruction of out-flow on the postoperative day 43. One recipient was converted to cadaver donor liver transplantation at the 7th day after operation, because of acute liver function failure. The remaining 53 cases recovered successfully. Conclusion Reconstruction of Ⅴ and Ⅷ hepatic veins with proper materials in right lobe (without middle hepatic vein) living donor liver transplantation is feasible, and the effect is satisfactory.     

Reconstruction of Ⅴ and Ⅷ bepatic veins in right lobe (without middle hepatic vein) living donor liver transplantation

Objective To summarize the experience of reconstruction of Ⅴ and Ⅷ hepatic veins in right lobe (without middle hepatic vein) living donor liver transplantation. Methods The clinical data of 55 cases of living donor liver transplantation of right lobe without middle hepatic vein were analyzed, and Ⅴ and Ⅷ hepatic veins were reconstructed. All donors underwent evaluation on the basis of vascular anatomy, GRWR and graft volume/ESLV. Fifty-one grafts underwent reconstruction of Ⅴ and Ⅷ hepatic veins with cold-storage cadaveric iliac veins. Great saphenous vein, varicose umbilical veins, recipient intrahepatic portal veins and recipient intrahepatic veins were used respectively in the remaining 4 cases. Results One recipient died of obstruction of out-flow on the postoperative day 43. One recipient was converted to cadaver donor liver transplantation at the 7th day after operation, because of acute liver function failure. The remaining 53 cases recovered successfully. Conclusion Reconstruction of Ⅴ and Ⅷ hepatic veins with proper materials in right lobe (without middle hepatic vein) living donor liver transplantation is feasible, and the effect is satisfactory.     

Reconstruction of Ⅴ and Ⅷ bepatic veins in right lobe (without middle hepatic vein) living donor liver transplantation

Objective To summarize the experience of reconstruction of Ⅴ and Ⅷ hepatic veins in right lobe (without middle hepatic vein) living donor liver transplantation. Methods The clinical data of 55 cases of living donor liver transplantation of right lobe without middle hepatic vein were analyzed, and Ⅴ and Ⅷ hepatic veins were reconstructed. All donors underwent evaluation on the basis of vascular anatomy, GRWR and graft volume/ESLV. Fifty-one grafts underwent reconstruction of Ⅴ and Ⅷ hepatic veins with cold-storage cadaveric iliac veins. Great saphenous vein, varicose umbilical veins, recipient intrahepatic portal veins and recipient intrahepatic veins were used respectively in the remaining 4 cases. Results One recipient died of obstruction of out-flow on the postoperative day 43. One recipient was converted to cadaver donor liver transplantation at the 7th day after operation, because of acute liver function failure. The remaining 53 cases recovered successfully. Conclusion Reconstruction of Ⅴ and Ⅷ hepatic veins with proper materials in right lobe (without middle hepatic vein) living donor liver transplantation is feasible, and the effect is satisfactory.     

Reconstruction of Ⅴ and Ⅷ bepatic veins in right lobe (without middle hepatic vein) living donor liver transplantation

Objective To summarize the experience of reconstruction of Ⅴ and Ⅷ hepatic veins in right lobe (without middle hepatic vein) living donor liver transplantation. Methods The clinical data of 55 cases of living donor liver transplantation of right lobe without middle hepatic vein were analyzed, and Ⅴ and Ⅷ hepatic veins were reconstructed. All donors underwent evaluation on the basis of vascular anatomy, GRWR and graft volume/ESLV. Fifty-one grafts underwent reconstruction of Ⅴ and Ⅷ hepatic veins with cold-storage cadaveric iliac veins. Great saphenous vein, varicose umbilical veins, recipient intrahepatic portal veins and recipient intrahepatic veins were used respectively in the remaining 4 cases. Results One recipient died of obstruction of out-flow on the postoperative day 43. One recipient was converted to cadaver donor liver transplantation at the 7th day after operation, because of acute liver function failure. The remaining 53 cases recovered successfully. Conclusion Reconstruction of Ⅴ and Ⅷ hepatic veins with proper materials in right lobe (without middle hepatic vein) living donor liver transplantation is feasible, and the effect is satisfactory.     

Reconstruction of Ⅴ and Ⅷ bepatic veins in right lobe (without middle hepatic vein) living donor liver transplantation

Objective To summarize the experience of reconstruction of Ⅴ and Ⅷ hepatic veins in right lobe (without middle hepatic vein) living donor liver transplantation. Methods The clinical data of 55 cases of living donor liver transplantation of right lobe without middle hepatic vein were analyzed, and Ⅴ and Ⅷ hepatic veins were reconstructed. All donors underwent evaluation on the basis of vascular anatomy, GRWR and graft volume/ESLV. Fifty-one grafts underwent reconstruction of Ⅴ and Ⅷ hepatic veins with cold-storage cadaveric iliac veins. Great saphenous vein, varicose umbilical veins, recipient intrahepatic portal veins and recipient intrahepatic veins were used respectively in the remaining 4 cases. Results One recipient died of obstruction of out-flow on the postoperative day 43. One recipient was converted to cadaver donor liver transplantation at the 7th day after operation, because of acute liver function failure. The remaining 53 cases recovered successfully. Conclusion Reconstruction of Ⅴ and Ⅷ hepatic veins with proper materials in right lobe (without middle hepatic vein) living donor liver transplantation is feasible, and the effect is satisfactory.     

Reconstruction of Ⅴ and Ⅷ bepatic veins in right lobe (without middle hepatic vein) living donor liver transplantation

Objective To summarize the experience of reconstruction of Ⅴ and Ⅷ hepatic veins in right lobe (without middle hepatic vein) living donor liver transplantation. Methods The clinical data of 55 cases of living donor liver transplantation of right lobe without middle hepatic vein were analyzed, and Ⅴ and Ⅷ hepatic veins were reconstructed. All donors underwent evaluation on the basis of vascular anatomy, GRWR and graft volume/ESLV. Fifty-one grafts underwent reconstruction of Ⅴ and Ⅷ hepatic veins with cold-storage cadaveric iliac veins. Great saphenous vein, varicose umbilical veins, recipient intrahepatic portal veins and recipient intrahepatic veins were used respectively in the remaining 4 cases. Results One recipient died of obstruction of out-flow on the postoperative day 43. One recipient was converted to cadaver donor liver transplantation at the 7th day after operation, because of acute liver function failure. The remaining 53 cases recovered successfully. Conclusion Reconstruction of Ⅴ and Ⅷ hepatic veins with proper materials in right lobe (without middle hepatic vein) living donor liver transplantation is feasible, and the effect is satisfactory.     

肝移植术后再次手术分析：附14例报告

目的总结肝移植术后因外科并发症行再次手术治疗的经验。方法对近4年余治疗的200余例肝移植患者中14例17例次术后再次手术患者的临床资料进行回顾性分析。结果17例次再手术（包括再次肝移植1例）治疗肝移植术后外科并发症或其他合并症，手术成功率为100％。14例中1例因腹腔内出血于再次术后10d死于肾衰竭并发ARDS，1例因胸穿后血胸于再次术后20d死于严重的腹腔和肺部感染；1例因左肝内胆管结石伴胆道感染于再次术后33d死于多器官衰竭；1例因肿瘤复发转移于再次术后25d死亡；其余10例存活至今且肝功能良好，生存率71．4％（10／14）。结论准确把握肝移植术后外科并发症的再次手术时机，积极手术干预是提高肝移植成功率和移植后生存质量的关键。     

肝移植术后呼吸功能监测和并发症处理

目的 摸索肝移植术后呼吸功能监测和维持的规律，提高肝移植术后管理质量。方法 分析5例原位肝移植病人在术后ICU期间经历的呼吸系统并发症和常见问题。结果 4例肝移植术后出现各种呼吸道并发症19例次，包括肝肺综合征、胸腔积液、肺不张、肺充血、肺间质水肿、感染及呼吸道出血。结论 呼吸机的使用和呼吸功能的监控是肝移植术后管理的重要环节。了解肝移植术后呼吸系统病理生理学改变的规律和特殊性，对于病人安全渡过ICU阶段至关重要。     

肝移植术后巨细胞病毒性肺炎并呼吸窘迫综合征的早期诊断和处理

目的探讨肝移植术后巨细胞病毒性肺炎合并呼吸窘迫综合征的早期诊断和处理。方法回顾性分析2001年4月至2004年5月期间8例肝移植患者术后出现巨细胞病毒性肺炎合并呼吸窘迫综合征的临床资料。8例患者均给予更昔洛韦5mg/kg静脉滴注,2次/d;减少他克莫司(FK506)或环孢素A(CsA)1/3～1/2的用量,停用霉酚酸酯(MMF)和泼尼松;使用呼吸机辅助呼吸,同时加强支持治疗。结果8例患者中5例痊愈,3例死亡。无1例发生急性排斥反应。结论胸部X线、CT检查及临床表现是早期诊断的关键。抗巨细胞病毒治疗、调整免疫抑制剂用量、使用呼吸机辅助呼吸及有效的营养支持均是改善肝移植术后巨细胞病毒性肺炎合并呼吸窘迫综合征的有力措施。     

肝移植术后桥脑中央髓鞘溶解症5例报告

目的探讨肝移植术后并发桥脑中央髓鞘溶解症(central pontine myelinolysis,CPM)的诊断和治疗。方法回顾性分析5例肝移植后并发CPM的临床资料和治疗经过。结果5例CPM患者均为男性,平均年龄49岁。原发病为慢性重症肝炎4例,原发性肝细胞癌1例,其中3例并发Ⅲ～Ⅳ度肝性脑病,3例并发严重肺部感染。CPM发生于术后4～13 d,平均发生时间为术后7 d,临床表现主要为闭锁综合征、肢体痉挛性瘫痪、缄默等。术前有明显低钠血症患者4例,发病时他克莫司血药浓度正常者4例,明显增高者1例。5例患者均经头颅磁共振成像检查诊断为CPM。采取病因治疗和对症处理相结合的治疗措施,重点防治并发症,其中两例由于早期合并水电解质、酸碱平衡紊乱,给予持续的肾脏替代治疗(continuous renal replacement therapy,CRRT)。本组患者3例死亡,2例存活,但均存在神经系统损害。结论肝移植后并发CPM的原因是多方面的,预后差,尚无有效的治疗方法,早期发现并积极防治并发症是降低病死率的主要措施。     

成人肝移植术后呼吸系统管理和功能监测

目的：探索肝移植术后呼吸功能监测维持的规律,提高肝移植术后管理质量,方法：分析5例原位肝移植病人在术后ICU期经历的呼吸系统并发症和常见问题,结果：4例肝移植术后出现各种呼吸道并发症9例次,包括肝肺综合征、胸腔积液、肺不张、肺充血、肺间质水肿、肺感染及呼吸道出血,结论：呼吸机的使用和呼吸的监控是肝移植术后管理的重要环节。了解肝移植术后呼吸系统病理生理学改变的规律和特殊性,对于患安全渡过ICU阶段至关重要。     

采用不含肝中静脉的右半肝行成人间活体肝移植

目的探讨采用不含肝中静脉的右半肝行成人间活体肝移植的可行性及安全性。方法2002年1月至2005年8月,我院施行了16例成人间右半肝活体肝移植,术中采用了不含肝中静脉的右半肝移植物,同时进行了一系列改良的手术技术包括肝右静脉的重建,右肝下静脉的重建,肝中静脉分支的搭桥等改进。结果全组供者无严重并发症及死亡。前2例受者中,1例发生肝静脉吻合口狭窄,1例因发生小肝综合征,死于肝功进行性恶化。后14例受者中发生并发症5例:急性排斥反应,肝动脉栓塞,胆漏,左膈下脓肿及肺部感染各1例;1例再移植术后肺部感染死于MODS。14例中除肝右静脉与下腔静脉(IVC)直接吻合外,其中5例加行右肝下静脉重建,另5例采用自体大隐静脉搭桥行肝中静脉分支与IVC重建,保证了右肝的流出道通畅。移植物与受者重量比(GRWR)为0.72%~1.15%,11例<1.0%,其中2例<0.8%,无小肝综合征发生。结论采用了改进的手术技术,特别是肝静脉流出道的充分重建可有效的避免小肝综合征,从而使采用不含肝中静脉的活体右半肝移植成为安全可靠的手术方式。     

Severe ARDS may cause right heart failure with extreme hepatomegaly but without hepatic failure

A young trauma patient developed severe adult respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), right heart failure, hepatic congestion and an extreme hepatomegaly but no hepatic failure. The patient needed 100% oxygen during ventilatory support for 80 days and was weaned from the ventilator after more than 100 days. The hepatomegaly gradually disappeared. Four months after the injury, the anatomical shape of the lungs, heart and liver were normalized. This case illustrates that severe ARDS may cause right heart failure and extreme hepatomegaly due to venous congestion in the liver and spleen, but without hepatic failure.     

Multiple organ failure caused by end-stage liver disease successfully treated with living donor liver transplantation using perioperative percutaneous cardiopulmonary support: a case report

A 54-year-old female diagnosed with primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC) 10 years earlier was referred for a living donor liver transplant (LDLT). During her workup, she developed pulmonary edema and respiratory failure due to aspiration pneumonia, which required artificial ventilation. The PaO2/FiO2 (P/F) ratio at that time was 60. Although continuous hemodiafiltration (CHDF) and plasma exchange (PE) were initiated, improvement in the P/F ratio was limited to 133. As transplantation was the only approach to save this patient, we performed LDLT using a right lobe graft aided by percutaneous cardiopulmonary support (PCPS). The graft weight was 650 g and the graft weight/recipient weight ratio was 1.6%. During LDLT, the patient's cardiopulmonary function was stable with PCPS, and the surgical procedure was completed without complications. Following the surgery, she continued to have high-end inspiratory pressure and progressed to the chronic phase of adult respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). We treated her with low-dose steroid therapy and she improved gradually. The patient was weaned off mechanical ventilation and was discharged approximately 25 weeks after LDLT. In the condition of cardiac or respiratory failure, cadaveric liver transplantation using plasmapheresis is contraindicated because of the associated high mortality rate. Our case suggests that if infections are controlled, a patient with multiple organ failure (MOF) due to end-stage liver disease might be successfully treated with LDLT aided by plasmapheresis and PCPS.     

Living donor liver transplantation in adult patients: our experience

INTRODUCTION: Living donation in adult liver transplantation (LDLTx) is an important resource because of the waiting list growth. We started a living donor program to overcome the shortage of cadaveric sources. PATIENTS: From May 2001 to May 2003, 36 patients underwent LDLTx: 27 received a right lobe, 8 received a left lobe, and 1 received segments II and III. RESULTS: The 1-year actuarial survival rate was 77.7%, with a mean follow-up, in survivors, of 754 +/- 248 days. Eleven of 27 (40.7%) right lobe recipients died. Among left graft recipients, 3 patients died (33%). We undertook retransplantation in 4 cases, because of 2 "small for size" syndrome, 1 late hepatic artery thrombosis, and 1 early portal vein thrombosis. After a period of 797 days, all 36 donors returned to a normal social and working life. Two donors, who underwent right lobe donation, experienced major complications: 1 case of biliary stenosis, treated by stenting, and 1 case of biliary leak from the cut surface of the liver, requiring laparotomy and abscess drainage. Left lobe donors developed no complications. CONCLUSIONS: LDLTx has a learning curve for experienced liver transplantation surgeons. Our last 18 cases showed better survivals than the first 18 (9 deaths vs 5), even if, in the latter group, we transplanted 8 left livers. In our experience, LDLTx of a left liver graft has an increased risk of "small for size syndrome," but patients, both donors and recipients, report improved outcomes.     

Early steroid therapy for respiratory failure

We performed a randomized double-blind trial to determine the usefulness of early methylprednisolone therapy for patients with pulmonary failure. We selected 81 acutely ill, mechanically ventilated patients at high risk for adult respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). Thirty-nine patients received methylprednisolone, 30 mg/kg, every six hours for 48 hours; 42 patients received mannitol placebo. All patients were given a positive end-expiratory pressure of 5 cm H2O, monitored with pulmonary artery catheters, and treated for their primary disease processes. Twenty-five steroid-treated patients (64%) and 14 placebo-treated patients (33%) developed ARDS. Early infectious complications occurred in 30 steroid-treated patients (77%) and 18 placebo-treated patients (43%). There were no significant differences in factors predisposing to ARDS, ventilatory requirements, or days of intensive care. These results do not support the use of methylprednisolone for ARDS. Steroids failed to improve pulmonary function and were associated with an increased infection rate. Intensive pulmonary and general supportive care remain the preferred therapy for ARDS.