Impact of biliary complications in right lobe living donor liver transplantation

Biliary reconstruction is one of the most challenging parts of right lobe living donor liver transplantation (RL LDLT), and biliary complications have been reported as the first source of surgical complications of this procedure. We reviewed biliary reconstruction and complications in 27 consecutive RL LDLTs. We compared the first 14 procedures (group 1) to the last 13 (group 2). Seven patients (25.9%) experienced a biliary complication (five leaks and two strictures). The incidence of biliary complications was 11.1% in RL grafts with a single duct and 55.5% in graft presenting multiple bile ducts (P = 0.03). Four of the 18 patients with a duct-to-duct reconstruction (22.2%) and three of the 11 patients with a Roux-en-Y reconstruction (27.3%) developed a biliary complication (P = ns). The incidence of biliary complications significantly decreased from 42.9% (n = 6) in the first group to 7.6% (n = 1) in the second group (P = 0.05). The overall 1-year graft and patient survival were 57.1% and 64.3% in group 1 versus 100.0% and 100% in group 2 (P = 0.01; P = 0.006). Biliary complications remain one of the most important technical complications affecting RL LDLT. Nevertheless, attention and surgical refinement can lead to a significant reduction of the biliary complication rate, improving graft and patient survival.     

Duct-to-duct biliary reconstruction in adult-to-adult living donor liver transplantation

In living donor liver transplantation (LDLT), Roux-en-Y hepaticojejunostomy has been a standard technique for biliary reconstruction because the majority had been pediatric patients with biliary atresia. Adult-to-adult LDLT using the right lobe graft has recently been developed and we introduced duct-to-duct biliary reconstruction (hepaticohepaticostomy) in such cases. The aim of this study is to evaluate the feasibility of this procedure in adult-to-adult LDLT. From August 2000 to October 2001, five patients underwent adult-to-adult LDLT using the right hepatic lobe and were followed for more than 6 months at our institution. All patients underwent duct-to-duct biliary reconstruction (single hepaticohepaticostomy in one, multiple in four). For the grafts with multiple bile ducts, various techniques were used for reconstruction. In all patients, oral intake could be started early after the operation, and biliary leakage was not encountered. One patient developed two episodes of acute cholangitis who later developed biliary anastomosis stricture which required percutaneous dilatation at 11 months postop. However, otherwise, there were no infectious complications postoperatively. We conclude duct-to-duct biliary reconstruction is feasible and effective in adult-to-adult LDLT.     

Long-term outcomes of endoscopic management for biliary strictures after living donor liver transplantation with duct-to-duct reconstruction

Biliary strictures after living donor liver transplantation (LDLT) with duct-to-duct (D-D) reconstruction are associated with postoperative morbidity and mortality. The aims of this study were to evaluate the long-term outcomes of endoscopic deployment of plastic stents, and to investigate factors associated with the stent deployment failure. Between April 2001 and May 2007, 96 patients received LDLT with D-D reconstruction at Okayama University Hospital. Among them, 41 patients (43%) had anastomotic biliary strictures, and all were referred first for endoscopic retrograde cholangiography (ERC). When deployment was unsuccessful, a percutaneous transhepatic procedure was employed. Successful stent deployment was achieved in 35 out of total 41 patients (85%) by both procedures. Among the 35 patients, 28 had their stents removed as a result of strictures resolution. Eight patients underwent ERC and repeated stent deployment as a result of recurrence of the strictures. Finally, 21 out of 41 (51%) patients with biliary stricture were completely treated by endoscopic therapy during the observation period (median 873 days: range 77–2060). By multivariate analysis, biliary leakage was associated with stent deployment failure. Endoscopic deployment of plastic stents is a first-line therapy for patients with biliary stricture after LDLT.     

成人右半肝活体肝移植21例分析

目的 探讨成人右半肝活体肝移植供受者处理的关键性技术问题。方法 回顾性分析2007年4月至2009年5月首都医科大学附属北京佑安医院肝胆外科完成21例成人右半肝活体肝移植的资料。 结果 供者术后无死亡,发生并发症23例次,按照Clavien系统分级：Ⅰ级15例次,Ⅱ级8例次。经积极非手术治疗后,所有供者均痊愈。受者术后发生胆道并发症7例,均经外科手术处理痊愈,术后1个月内死亡4例。移植物含肝中静脉4例,不含肝中静脉17例,两组受者1年存活率分别为75%与76%（χ2 = 1.000,P = 0.617）。 结论 右半肝活体肝移植是治疗终末期肝病尤其是各种原因导致的急性肝功能衰竭的重要手段。仔细术前评估,精细手术操作,合理地分配肝中静脉并保证移植物和残肝的功能性体积,术后密切监护、妥善处理并发症是供受者安全的重要保证。     

Incidence and management of biliary complications after adult‐to‐adult living donor liver transplantation

Kyoden Y, Tamura S, Sugawara Y, Matsui Y, Togashi J, Kaneko J, Kokudo N, Makuuchi M. Incidence and management of biliary complications after adult‐to‐adult living donor liver transplantation.
Clin Transplant 2010: 24: 535–542.
© 2009 John Wiley & Sons A/S. Abstract: Background: There are few detailed reports of biliary complications in a large adult living donor liver transplantation (LDLT) series. Patient and methods: Biliary complications, treatment modalities, and outcomes in these patients were retrospectively analyzed in 310 adult LDLT. Results: One patient underwent retransplantation. Duct‐to‐duct anastomosis was primarily performed in 223 patients (72%). During the observation period (median 43 months), biliary complications were observed in 111 patients (36%); 53 patients (17%) had bile leakage, 70 patients (23%) had bile duct stenosis, and 12 patients (4%) had bile leakage followed by stenosis. A biliary anastomotic stent tube was placed in 266 patients (86%) at the time of transplantation. Univariate analysis of various clinical factors revealed duct‐to‐duct anastomosis as the single significant risk factor (p = 0.009) for biliary complications. The three‐yr and five‐yr overall patient survival rates were 88% and 85% in those with biliary complications, and 85% and 83%, respectively, in those without biliary complications (p = 0.59). Conclusion: Biliary complications are a major cause of morbidity following LDLT. Duct‐to‐duct anastomosis carried a higher risk for bile duct stenosis. With appropriate management, however, there was little influence on overall survival.     

Hepatic artery reconstruction and successful management of its complications in living donor liver transplantation using a right lobe

Kim S‐J, Yoon Y‐C, Park J‐H, Oh D‐Y, Yoo Y‐K, Kim D‐G. Hepatic artery reconstruction and successful management of its complications in living donor liver transplantation using a right lobe.
Clin Transplant 2011: 25: 929–938. © 2010 John Wiley & Sons A/S. Abstract: Background: The aim of the present study was to improve the techniques of hepatic artery (HA) reconstruction and to properly manage arterial complications after living donor liver transplantation (LDLT). Methods: Prospectively collected data collected from 371 patients who underwent adult LDLT using a right lobe from January 2000 to August 2009 were retrospectively reviewed. Results: Of 17 patients (4.6%, 17/371) with double HA stumps in the graft, 12 patients (70.6%) received dual HA reconstruction. HA complications were composed of thrombosis (n = 6), pseudoaneurysm (n = 2), and stenosis (n = 4), showing 3.2% (12/371) of incidence. In patients with HA thrombosis, whereas operative thrombectomies with re‐anastomosis rescued all the grafts in early attack (n = 3, ≤1 wk), angiographic thrombolysis successfully reestablished the flow in patients with late attack (n = 3, >1 wk). In all patients with HA complications, except for one, all of our treatment modalities – operation and angiographic intervention – resulted in successful rescue of grafts and no patient received re‐transplantation because of HA complications. Conclusion: Prompt diagnosis of HA complications by serial post‐operative Doppler ultrasound and corresponding treatment strategies, including operative and radiological intervention, can rescue both grafts and patients without necessitating re‐transplantation.     

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。     

活体肝移植术后胆道并发症的研究及相关因素的分析

目的 分析活体肝移植（LDLT）术后的胆道并发症（BC）及相关因素。方法 回顾性分析瑞金医院肝移植中心2006年6月至2009年9月实施的42例LDLT的临床资料,对LDLT术后BC的发生进行总结和分析。统计LDLT术后BC发生的可能因素,进行单因素对照分析。结果 42例LDLT其中出现BC 16例（A组）,未出现BC 26例（B组）,BC的发生率为38.1%。A组与B组LDLT患者在右半肝和左半肝所占比例（50% vs 9.1%）（P=0.044）、有无动脉并发症所占比例（70% vs 28.1%）（P=0.045）、冷缺血时间（cold ischemic time,CIT）（P=0.048）、无肝期时间（P=0.037）、移植物受者体重比（graft weight/recipient weight,GWRW）（P=0.04）及GRWR≥1（P=0.029）等6个因素上比较差异有统计学意义。结论 LDLT术后BC的发生率高低与手术医生的熟练程度,手术方法的改进,缩短冷缺血时间、无肝期时间有关,还与左右半肝比例和GWRW有关。     

Use of middle hepatic vein in right lobe living donor liver transplantation

The harvesting of the middle hepatic vein (MHV) with the right lobe graft for living‐donor liver transplantation allows an optimal venous drainage for the recipient; however, it is an extensive operation for the donor. This is a prospective, nonrandomized study evaluating liver functions and early clinical outcome in donors undergoing right hepatectomy with or without MHV harvesting. From August 2005 to July 2007, a total of 100 donor right hepatectomies were performed with (n = 49) or without (n = 51) the inclusion of the MHV. The decision to take MHV was based on an algorithm that considers various donor and recipient factors. There was no donor mortality in donors in either group. Overall complication rate was higher in MHV (+) donor group, however when remnant liver volume was kept above 30%, complication rates were similar between the groups. The results of this study show that right hepatectomy including the MHV neither affects morbidity nor impairs early liver function in donors when remnant volume is kept above 30%. The decision, therefore, of the extent of right lobe donor hepatectomy should be tailored to the particular conditions considering the graft quality and metabolic demand of the recipient.     

Biliary complications after living donor adult liver transplantation.

The highest rate of complications characterizing the adult living donor liver transplantation (ALDLT) are due to biliary problems with a reported negative incidence of 22-64%. We performed 23 ALDLT grafting segments V-VIII without the middle hepatic vein from March 2001 to September 2005. Biliary anatomy was investigated using intraoperative cholangiography alone in the first five cases and magnetic resonance cholangiography in the remaining 18 cases. In 13 cases we found a single right biliary duct (56.5%) and in 10 we found multiple biliary ducts (43.7%). We performed single biliary anastomosis in 17 cases (73.91%) and double anastomosis in the remaining six (26%) cases. With a mean follow up of 644 days (8-1598 days), patient and graft survivals are 86.95% and 78.26%, respectively. The following biliary complications were observed: biliary leak from the cutting surface: three, anastomotic leak: two, late anastomotic strictures: five, early kinking of the choledochus: one. These 11 biliary complications (47.82%) occurred in eight patients (34.78%). Three of these patients developed two consecutive and different biliary complications. Biliary complications affected our series of ALDLT with a high percentage, but none of the grafts transplanted was lost because of biliary problems. Multiple biliary reconstructions are strongly related with a high risk of complication.     

Two-step biliary external stent removal after living donor liver transplantation.

Biliary stenting plays an important role in living donor liver transplantation (LDLT) as the rate of biliary complication is higher in LDLT than in diseased donor whole LT. We use a 2-mm tube for stenting at the biliary anastomosis, externalize it through the lower common bile duct, and fistulize it using duodenal serosa. After 3 months without biliary complications ensured by a cholangiogram, the stent tube is removed in a two-step manner, allowing bile to drain under a fluoroscope. The incidence of local peritonitis was lower, and the hospital stay was shorter with the two-step procedure. We herein report on the method of the two-step removal and its efficacy.     

超声检查在活体肝移植受体术后胆道并发症诊断中的应用

目的 探讨超声检查在活体肝移植术后胆道并发症诊断中的临床应用。方法 对21例成人右半肝活体移植受体术后进行超声检查,观察移植肝及其胆道声像图表现,与经皮经肝穿刺胆道造影引流(PTCD)等影像学结果相对比。结果 21例病例经PTCD及临床随访证实为胆管吻合口狭窄5例,胆泥1例,胆漏1例。超声检查能够诊断并与之相符5例,为4例吻合口狭窄及1例胆泥,胆漏病例可见肝周积液。其中4例胆管吻合口狭窄病例超声诊断时间均明显早于临床出现黄疸或血清胆红素升高的时间。结论 在活体肝移植术后胆道并发症的诊断中,超声检查操作简便、无创、可重复性强、准确性较高,可早期诊断胆管并发症,具有重要的临床应用价值。     

Donor morbidity in right and left hemiliver living donor liver transplantation: the impact of graft selection and surgical innovation on donor safety

This study investigated adequate liver graft selection for donor safety by comparing postoperative donor liver function and morbidity between the right and left hemilivers (RL and LL, respectively) of living donors. Between April 2006 and March 2012, RL (n = 168) and LL (n = 140) donor operations were performed for liver transplantation at Kyoto University Hospital. Postoperative hyperbilirubinemia and coagulopathy persisted in RL donors, whereas the liver function of LL donors normalized more rapidly. The overall complication rate of the RL donors was significantly higher than that of the LL donors (59.5% vs. 30.7%; P < 0.001). There were no significant differences in severe complications worse than Clavien grade IIIa or in biliary complication rates between the two donor groups. In April 2006, we introduced an innovative surgical procedure: hilar dissection preserving the blood supply to the bile duct during donor hepatectomy. Compared with our previous outcomes (1990–2006), the biliary complication rate of the RL donors decreased from 12.2% to 7.2%, and the severity of these complications was significantly lower. In conclusion, LL donors demonstrated good recovery in postoperative liver function and lower morbidity, and our surgical innovations reduced the severity of biliary complications in living donors.     

Anatomical variations of donor portal vein in right lobe living donor liver transplantation: the safe use of variant portal veins

In right lobe (RL) living donor liver transplantation (LDLT), portal vein (PV) variations are of immense clinical significance. In this study, we describe in detail our PV reconstruction techniques in RL grafts with variant PV anatomy and evaluate the impact of accompanying biliary variations on the recipient outcomes. In a total of 386 RL LDLTs performed between July 2004 and July 2012, the clinical data on 52 (13%) transplants using RL grafts with variant PV anatomy were retrospectively analyzed. Portal vein anatomy was classified as type 2 in 20 patients, type 3 in 24 patients, and type 4 in eight patients. The PV reconstruction techniques utilized included back‐wall plasty (n = 21), back‐wall plasty with saphenous vein graft interposition (n = 6), saphenous vein graft interposition (n = 5), cryopreserved iliac vein Y‐graft interposition (n = 6), and quiltplasty (n = 3). There was no donor mortality. In a median follow‐up of 29 months, none of the recipients had vascular complications. Anomalous PV anatomy was associated with a high (54%) incidence of biliary variations; however, these variations did not result in increased biliary complication rate. Overall, the 1‐ and 3‐year patient survival rates of recipients were 91% and 81%, respectively. Vascular and biliary variations in RL grafts render LDLT technically more challenging. By employing appropriate reconstruction techniques, it is possible to successfully use RL grafts with PV variations without endangering recipient and donor safety.     

成人右半肝活体肝移植胆道重建探讨

目的探讨成人右半肝活体肝移植胆道重建的技术问题.方法回顾性分析我院2007年4月至2009年5月完成的21例成人右半肝活体肝移植资料.供肝右肝管与受者肝总管单个吻合10例;供肝两支胆管开口分别与受者两支胆管吻合5例;供肝胆管整形成一个开口与受者胆管吻合5例,其中采用T管支撑2例,Y型管支撑1例;右肝管空肠Roux-en-Y吻合1例.结果4例受者术后1个月内死亡,1例因术后急性肝坏死行再次肝移植.其余受者存活至今,1年存活率为77.65%.受者术后发生胆道并发症7例,其中胆漏5例,胆道狭窄2例,均经外科手术处理痊愈.胆管与胆管单个吻合口组、胆管整形成一个开口与受者胆管吻合组和两支胆管开口分别与受者胆管吻合组比较,胆道并发症发生率差异无统计学意义(x2=0.659,P=0.719).结论根据供受者胆管情况,可以灵活采用单根胆管吻合、胆管整形、分别吻合和肝管空肠吻合等不同重建方式.后壁连续、前壁间断以及显微外科技术的采用可能有助于降低胆道并发症的发生率.     

A retrospective analysis of re‐exploration after living donor right lobe liver transplantation: incidence,causes, outcomes,and risk factors

Despite technical difficulties, right lobe liver grafting is preferred in living donor liver transplantation because of the graft size. Re‐exploration after living donor right lobe liver transplantation (LRLT) has never been separately analyzed. We aimed to analyze the incidence, causes, outcomes, and risk factors of re‐exploration after LRLT. We reviewed medical records of 1016 LRLT recipients from October 2003 to July 2017 and identified recipients who underwent re‐exploration within hospital stay. Separate analyses were also performed according to cause of re‐exploration. The overall incidence of re‐exploration was 17.0% (173/1016). The most common cause of re‐exploration was bleeding (50%). Overall re‐exploration was associated with clinical outcome, but different results were shown on analyses according to cause of re‐exploration. Risk factors of re‐exploration were underlying hepatocellular carcinoma and operative duration [Odds ratio (OR), 1.49; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.05–2.12; P = 0.03, and OR, 1.002; 95% CI, 1.001–1.004; P = 0.0023, respectively]. Re‐exploration after LRLT is relatively common, and is strongly associated with mortality and graft failure.     

Preoperative evaluation of biliary anatomy of donor in living donor liver transplantation by conventional nonenhanced magnetic resonance cholangiography

Detailed preoperative evaluation of the biliary anatomy of the donor in living donor liver transplantation (LDLT) can minimize postoperative morbidity in the recipient and maximize safety for the donor. We prospectively evaluated the diagnostic accuracy and clinical usefulness of nonenhanced conventional magnetic resonance cholangiography (MRC) for depicting the biliary anatomy of LDLT donors. MRC and intraoperative cholangiography (IOC) examinations of 111 donors were performed between August 2005 and February 2006. We observed the classical branching pattern of the biliary system in 67 subjects (60.4%), with the remaining 44 subjects (39.6%) showing anatomical variations. MRC showed accurate anatomy of the biliary system, using IOC as the reference standard, in 98 (88.3%) subjects. MRC had a sensitivity in differentiating normal from variant anatomy of 95.5%, specificity of 95.2%, a positive predictive value of 96.8% and a negative predictive value of 93.3%. The agreement between MRC and IOC findings, as evaluated by kappa-value (0.865) was statistically significant (P<0.001). In conclusion, the diagnostic accuracy of conventional nonenhanced MRC is sufficient for this method to be used for the preoperative evaluation of biliary anatomy in LDLT donor candidates.     

Long-term outcome of living donor liver transplantation for primary biliary cirrhosis

In living donor liver transplantation (LDLT) for primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC), the majority of donors are genetically related to their recipients, leading to concerns of an earlier recurrence of PBC and a poorer prognosis due to genetic susceptibility. Totally 81 patients who underwent LDLT for PBC were the subjects of the present study. Immunosuppressive agents consisted of tacrolimus and methylprednisolone. In the outpatient clinic, when the aspartate and alanine aminotransferase level exceeded the upper limit of the normal range, the dose of methylprednisolone was increased from 4 to 6 mg/day for several months. Blood was examined every 2 weeks for 3 months and a liver biopsy was performed when aminotransferase levels did not decrease to the upper limit of the normal range after more than 3 months. Five-year survival and recurrence rates were estimated and the prognostic factors were analyzed. The mean observation period was 6.2 years. Five years after LDLT for PBC, the biopsy-proven PBC recurrence rate was 1%. The 5-year patient survival rate was 80%. The nonrelated or blood-related donor factor and number of human leukocyte antigen matches did not correlate with prognosis. PBC recurrence rate after LDLT in our series was lower than that in previous studies.