Vascular complications after pediatric liver transplantation from the living donors

Early arterial or portal vein thrombosis is a complications that can lead to graft loss and patient death or need of immediate retransplantation. The aim of the study was to assess the incidence, causes, treatment, and outcome of vascular thrombosis after living related donor liver transplantation (LRdLTx). Between 1999 and 2004 71 LRdLTx were performed in children aged from 6 months to 10 years. Vascular thrombosis was found in 12 recipients. Hepatic artery thrombosis (HAT) occurred in 4 (5.6%), portal vein thrombosis (PVT) in 8 (11.2%) cases. HAT occurred 5 to 8 days, PVT 1 to 22 days after LTx. Diagnosis of vascular thrombosis was confirmed by routine Doppler ultrasound examination. Thrombectomy was successful in one patient with HAT and in three patients with PVT. Venous conduit was performed in one patient with PVT after second thrombosis. Two children developed biliary strictures as a late complication of HAT and required additional surgical interventions. Two children with PVT developed portal hypertension with esophageal bleeding, which required surgical intervention; one another underwent endoscopic variceal ligation for grade III varices. Follow-up ranged from 7 to 60 months. One patient died as a result of HAT after retransplantation due to multiple intrahepatic abscesses 2 months after first transplant. Any risk factors of vascular thrombosis that can be controlled should be avoided after transplantation. Routine posttransplant Doppler examination should be performed at least twice a day within 7 to 14 posttransplant days. Immediate thrombectomy should be always carried out to avoid late complications and even mortality.     

婴幼儿患者亲体肝移植术的麻醉管理

目的总结婴幼儿亲体肝移植术的麻醉管理特点。方法 60例接受肝移植术的终末期肝病患儿,男32例,女28例,年龄6~30个月。麻醉诱导均采用静脉注射阿托品0.01mg/kg、甲基强的松龙1mg/kg、咪达唑仑0.05~0.1mg/kg、芬太尼2~5μg/kg、丙泊酚2~3mg/kg和罗库溴铵0.6~1.0mg/kg进行快速诱导;无外周静脉通路的患儿可先肌肉注射氯胺酮5~8mg/kg和阿托品0.02mg/kg后开放外周静脉通路。采用持续吸入2%~3%七氟醚、持续静脉输注瑞芬太尼0.1~0.2μg·kg-1·min-1和顺苯磺酸阿曲库铵1~2μg·kg-1·min-1维持麻醉。记录患儿肝血管阻断前即刻、阻断后即刻、无肝期30min、再灌注后即刻、新肝期1h和术毕的呼吸功能、血流动力学、凝血功能、体温、尿量、血糖(Glu)、血乳酸(Lac)和血电解质等。结果 60例患儿均未发生麻醉相关并发症并能顺利拔管。患儿预充氧后缺氧安全时限明显降低,易发生气道痉挛,经鼻插管更易出现插管失败和面罩通气困难。与阻断前即刻比较,阻断后即刻患儿HR明显增快、CVP明显降低(P0.01),但MAP差异无统计学意义;再灌注后即刻患儿MAP明显下降、HR明显减慢,伴有CVP的明显增高(P0.05或P0.01);新肝期患儿HR明显减慢(P0.01);无肝期30min至术毕患儿体温均明显降低(P0.01);无肝期至术毕激活凝血时间(SonACT)明显延长,纤维蛋白凝集速率(CR)水平和血小板功能(PF)水平逐渐减低(P0.05或P0.01),Na+水平逐渐升高(P0.01),K+水平明显降低(P0.01),再灌注后即刻至新肝期1h时Glu和Lac水平明显升高(P0.05或P0.01)。结论婴幼儿亲体肝移植术的麻醉管理有其特殊性,其中气道和呼吸系统的评估与管理最为关键,无肝期应积极采取措施预防再灌注后综合征的发生,新肝期应维持适宜的凝血功能以避免肝动脉血栓的发生,还应及时纠正电解质、酸碱和体温的失衡。     

Portal vein reconstruction in pediatric liver transplantation from living donors.

OBJECTIVE: The authors analyze the surgical pattern and the underlying rationale for the use of different types of portal vein reconstruction in 110 pediatric patients who underwent partial liver transplantation from living parental donors. SUMMARY BACKGROUND DATA: In partial liver transplantation, standard end-to-end portal vein anastomosis is often difficult because of either size mismatch between the graft and the recipient portal vein or impaired vein quality of the recipient. Alternative surgical anastomosis techniques are necessary. METHODS: In 110 patients age 3 months to 17 years, four different types of portal vein reconstruction were performed. The portal vein of the liver graft was anastomosed end to end (type I); to the branch patch of the left and right portal vein of the recipient (type II); to the confluence of the recipient superior mesenteric vein and the splenic vein (type III); and to a vein graft interposed between the confluence and the liver graft (type IV). Reconstruction patterns were evaluated by their frequency of use among different age groups of recipients, postoperative portal vein blood flow, and postoperative complication rate. RESULTS: The portal vein of the liver graft was anastomosed by reconstruction type I in 32%, II in 24%, III in 14%, and IV 29% of the cases. In children <1 year of age, type I could be performed in only 17% of the cases, whereas 37% received type IV reconstruction. Postoperative Doppler ultrasound (mL/min/100 g liver) showed significantly (p < 0.05) lower portal blood flow after type II (76.6 +/- 8.4) versus type I (110 +/- 14.3), type III (88 +/- 18), and type IV (105 +/- 19.5). Portal vein thrombosis occurred in two cases after type II and in one case after type IV anastomosis. Portal stenosis was encountered in one case after type I reconstruction. Pathologic changes of the recipient native portal vein were found in 27 of 35 investigated cases. CONCLUSION: In living related partial liver transplantation, portal vein anastomosis to the confluence with or without the use of vein grafts is the optimal alternative to end-to-end reconstruction, especially in small children.     

Domino liver transplantation in living donors

Domino liver transplantation (DLT) has been developed as a method to expand the donor pool. In living donors DLT, the prime concern is to avoid any disadvantage to the donor and the first recipient. Seven DLTs were performed among 211 patients who underwent living donor liver transplantation. The domino recipients included six with hepatocellular carcinoma and one with citrullinemia. The domino grafts were obtained from patients with familial amyloid polyneuropathy (FAP) including the left liver in three cases and the right liver in four. Among the seven domino recipients, a 64-year-old woman with advanced hepatocellular carcinoma died of lung metastasis. The other six domino recipients are alive without FAP symptoms. In living donor liver transplantation, because the vessels of the graft from the first donor are not long enough for anastomosis, the hepatic vessels must be left as long as possible when removing the liver from the FAP patients in order to ensure sufficient safety for vascular reconstruction. With careful decision making during the procedure, such as where to divide the vessels in the FAP patients, DLT may help address the shortage of liver grafts.     

儿童活体肝移植中供者的生命质量和心理健康评估

目的 探讨儿童活体肝移植中供者的术后生命质量和心理健康水平.方法 回顾性分析2006年10月至2012年12月上海交通大学医学院附属仁济医院收治的45例儿童活体肝移植中供者的临床资料.采用SF-36生命质量调查表和SCL-90症状自评量表,评估45例供者术后生命质量和心理健康情况.术后采用门诊复查方式进行随访,随访时间截止2013年5月.采用t检验或秩和检验分析供者性别、年龄、身高、体质量、体质指数、户口类型、医疗保险类型、供者手术时间、术中出血量和随访时间等因素对供者术后生命质量和心理健康的影响.结果 45例供者均施行了肝左外叶切除术,其手术时间为(302±103)min、术中出血量为(187±40)ml,供者术中均未输血.45例供者术后无手术相关并发症和死亡发生,全部康复出院,平均住院时间为(7±2)d.45例供者术后获得随访,中位随访时间为636 d(163 ～2413 d).供者术后行SF-36生命质量调查量表评估:其健康改变、一般健康、生理功能、生理职能、情感职能、社会功能、躯体疼痛、活力和精神健康9个方面得分分别为:(61±25)分、(55±17)分、(89±14)分、(80±26)分、(87±25)分、(66±20)分、(82±18)分、(63±14)分、(63±15)分.SCL-90症状自评量表评估:其躯体化、强迫症状、人际关系敏感、抑郁、焦虑、敌对、恐怖、偏执和精神病性9个方面中位得分分别为:0.25分(0～1.58分)、0.20分(0～1.60分)、0.11分(0～0.89分)、0.15分(0～1.62分)、0.10分(0～ 1.00分)、0.17分(0 ～2.67分)、0分(0～1.00分)、0分(0～1.33分)和0分(0～0.80分);其中2名供者在敌对症状上得分均为2.67分,怀疑存在敌对症状,其余供者在以上9个方面得分均＜2.5分.进一步分析影响供者术后生命质量和心理健康的因素,其结果显示:随访时间＜636 d的供者其一般健康状况要优于随访时间≥636 d的供者(t =-2.448,P＜0.05);年龄＜34岁的供者比年龄≥34岁的供者具有更好的社会功能和精力(t=-2.180,-2.267,P＜0.05),且躯体化和恐怖症状更少(Z=3.106,2.537,P＜0.05).结论 儿童活体肝移植中供者术后生命质量、心理健康评估满意,供者的年龄和随访时间影响其术后生命质量和心理健康水平,这将为儿童活体肝移植供者的选择提供一定参考.     

活体肝移植供体术后早期肝功能恢复的研究

目的 探讨不同移植肝类型的活体肝移植供体术后早期肝功能的变化规律和并发症发生率.方法 对四川大学华西医院2002年1月至2009年5月154例活体肝移植供体的资料进行前瞻性的收集和登记,依据移植肝类型分为右叶肝供体组141例(R组)和左叶肝供体组13例(L组),对其术后肝功能指标和并发症进行比较分析.结果 R组实际切取的供肝重量大于L组(t=11.418,P＜0.05),R组残余肝重量小于L组(t=-5.040,P＜0.05)、残余肝重量/标准肝重量(%)小于L组(t=-10.841,P＜0.05).除R组TB峰值出现在术后第3天外,L组的TB和两组中的ALT、AST、INR的峰值均出现在术后第1天,此后这些指标均向正常参考值方向下降.术后第1、3、7天R组的TB高于L组(分别t1=5.285,t3=3.747,t7=2.729,均P＜0.05).术后第1、3、7天R组的INR高于L组(分别t1=5.260,t3=5.035,t7=2.267,均P＜0.05).本组活体肝移植无供体死亡,供体总的并发症发生为53/154(34.42%),R组52/141(36.88%),L组1/13(7.69%),2组比较差异无统计学意义(x2=3.292,P＞0.05).结论 右叶肝供体组(大体积供肝组)与左叶肝供体组相比,供体术后早期肝功能损害更大;供体总体安全性较好,但仍面临着一定的并发症风险.

Abstract：

Objective To investigate the liver function injury and the rate of complications in living liver transplantation donors in different graft type transplantation.Methods Postoperative data of 154 living liver donors satisfying our inclusion criteria were prospectively collected and registered from Jan 2002 to May 2009 in our hospital.We divided the donors into two groups (right-lobe graft, R group and left-lobe graft, L group), and made comparison on the liver function and complications.Results Remnant liver weight in R group were smaller than those in L group (t = 11.418, P ＜ 0.05).the ratio of remnant liver weight to standard liver weight in R group were smaller than those in L group (t = - 5.040, P ＜ 0.05 ) .Peaks of ALT, AST and INR in both groups appeared on the first day after operation, while the peak of TB in R group appeared on the third day after operation.All the index values returned to a normal baseline after reaching its peak.Mean values of TB in R group were higher than those in L group on the 1st, 3rd, 7th day after operation (seperately t1 = 5.285, t3 = 3.747, t7 = 2.729, all P ＜ 0.05).Mean values of INR in R group were higher than those in L group on the 1st, 3rd, 7th day after operation (seperately t1 = 5.260, t3 = 5.035, t7 = 2.267, all P ＜ 0.05).The level of TB in both groups returned to normal range on the 7th postoperative day, while the level of ALT and AST remained twice the upper limits of the normal.There were no deaths; Complications occurred in 53 of 154 donors (34.42% ) , 52/141 (36.88% ) in R group and 1/13 (7.69% ) in L group (x2 = 3.292, P ＞ 0.05).Conclusions Ramnant liver function of R group during early postoperative period was poorer than that of the L group.Donors were safe, though suffering from comparatively high complication rate.     

Outcomes for pediatric liver retransplantation from living donors

BACKGROUND: The only therapeutic option for patients with a failing allograft is retransplantation. Living donor liver transplantation (LDLT) is a well-accepted therapeutic option for end-stage liver disease, but retransplantation from a living donor (Re-LDLT) has not previously been discussed. METHODS: A total of 547 LDLTs were performed in 519 children (<18 years old) at Kyoto University Hospital from June 1990 to October 2002. During the same study period, a total of 28 Re-LDLTs were performed in 27 recipients (Re-LDLT performed twice in 1 patient). Patient survival was analyzed with respect to various preoperative factors, such as functional status, pretransplantation apheresis, cause of primary graft failure, interval from primary to subsequent transplants, and laboratory values of total bilirubin and creatinine. RESULTS: Kaplan-Meier survival rate from the date of Re-LDLT to 1 year was 47.6%. Functional status, pretransplantation apheresis, interval to Re-LDLT, and bilirubin and creatinine levels all exerted an adverse impact on survival after Re-LDLT. Pathologically proven major causes of primary graft failure were chronic rejection (n=10, 35.7%), chronic cholangitis (n=6, 21.4%), and vascular complications (n=7, 25.0%). Among these causes, vascular complications displayed the strongest adverse impact on survival, compared with chronic cholangitis and chronic rejection (1-year survival was 35.7% in vascular complications; 66.7% in chronic cholangitis; and 60.0% in chronic rejection). CONCLUSIONS: Re-LDLT can save patients with a failing allograft. To achieve better results after Re-LDLT, further investigations are necessary to understand the factors leading to poor outcome after Re-LDLT.     

An appraisal of pediatric liver transplantation from living relatives. Initial clinical experiences in 20 pediatric liver transplantations from living relatives as donors.

The authors performed 20 liver transplantations from living related donors between June 1990 and July 1991. The 20 pediatric patients (14 biliary atresia, two Budd-Chiari syndrome, one liver cirrhosis after hepatitis C viral infection (HCV hepatitis), 1 progressive intrahepatic cholestasis, 1 liver cirrhosis, 1 protoporphyria) were transplanted with 11 left lobes, eight left lateral segments, and one right lobe. The choice of donors was restricted to the parents of the recipients. The immunosuppressive treatment consisted of FK 506 and steroids. Seventeen recipients are alive, 15 of whom are well and at home. Two recipients, who underwent emergency transplantation, died of postoperative complications. Another recipient died of accidental asphyxia at 6 months after the transplantation. All 20 donors had uneventful postoperative courses and were able to resume their normal social lives. The arterial ketone body ratio (AKBR) increased to above 1.0 within 2 days after the transplantation in all cases. Relatively mild rejection episodes were encountered in only two cases transplanted with ABO-compatible grafts, and these were treated successfully with steroids and FK 506.     

Orthotopic liver transplantation and living donors. An experimental study in the dog

Orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT) using partial grafts harvested from living donors would represent a further alternative to the limited supply of hepatic grafts, especially in pediatrics. We report herein the results of an original technique of living donor OLT that we have developed in the dog. This study was conducted in male mongrel dogs weighing 25-30 kg for the donors and 10-15 kg for the recipients. The donor operation consisted in harvesting the left lobe of the liver as a graft. The recipient operation consisted in the implantation of the graft in the orthotopic position after total hepatectomy with preservation of the inferior vena cava. Ten survival experiments were undertaken. The first donor died of infected liver necrosis of the quadrate lobe. All other donors survived without major complication. Among the 10 grafts, only 9 were used. Substantial survival could be obtained in 3 dogs. On recipient survived for 48 hours and 2 for 24 hours but their graft was functioning and producing bile. Two dogs died intraoperatively. The 4 other recipients developed an outflow block of the graft after reperfusion leading to lethal hemorrhage from the transected surface. This work is, to our knowledge, the first experimental study of OLT using living donors. It provides a technical basis to the clinical use of living hepatic allograft donors which otherwise depends on ethical issues.     

Psychosocial outcome of living donors after living donor liver transplantation: a pilot study

In view of the scarcity of organ resources available for transplantation, living donor liver transplantation (LDLT) is gaining growing importance in the treatment of chronically terminal liver diseases. In the period between December 1999 and October 2000, 47 potential living liver donors were evaluated and 24 right hepatic lobes and two left lateral segments were transplanted at the Virchow-Klinikum of the Charité Hospital in Berlin. The present study looks into biomedical and psychosocial parameters of 23 donors before and 6 months after LDLT. Our aims were to investigate the development of psychosocial parameters after donation and the relationship between psychosocial findings and post-operative complications. Most donors showed an improved quality of life (QoL) after LDLT when compared with pre-operative results. Twenty-six percent of donors show high values for 'tiredness', 'fatigue' and 'limb pain' following donation. The post-operative complications had no influence on the psychosocial outcome. In this pilot study the resection of the right hepatic lobe amounts to a safe operation for donors and holds promise of a good psychosocial outcome for most donors, irrespective of donation-related complications. The pronounced complaints appears to indicate psychological tension and distress in some donors following donation.     

成人右半肝活体肝移植供者的处理

目的 探讨成人右半肝活体肝移植供者处理的技术问题.方法 对我院2007年4月至2009年2月完成的19例成人右半肝活体肝移植供者资料进行回顾性分析.结果 19例右半肝移植物中带肝中静脉者4例,不带肝中静脉者15例;供肝重量为585～920 g,平均(727.32±117.01)g,与受者标准肝体积比为43%～67%(53.69%±1.77%),与受者重量比为0.82%～1.46%(1.10%±0.04%),供者残肝百分比为32%～55%(47%±2%),供者术中失血量400～1000 ml,平均(660±39.11)ml,输自体血0～735 ml,平均(216.37±62.28)ml,输新鲜冰冻血浆600～2000 ml,平均(789.47±75.66)ml,手术时间480～930min,平均(695.53±26.57)min.供者术后无死亡,发生并发症23例次,按照Clavien分级,Ⅰ级为15例次,Ⅱ级为8例次,经对症处理后均痊愈.住院时间13～58 d,平均(25.42±2.67)d.随访时间6～28月,全部供者均恢复正常工作生活.受者术后1年存活率为78.95%.结论 仔细术前评估,精细手术操作,合理地分配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.     

Nonalcoholic steatohepatitis in donors for living donor liver transplantation

BACKGROUND: In 2003, we encountered the first donor death for living donor liver transplantation in Japan, which was related to nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). The aim of this study was to retrospectively investigate the prevalence of NASH among a living donor liver transplantation donor population and to analyze the postoperative course for both donors and recipients of NASH grafts to minimize risk for donors. METHODS: The study population comprised 263 donors who donated the right lobe of the liver between February 1998 and April 2003. Their zero-hour biopsy specimens were screened retrospectively. Regarding severe steatosis or NASH, long-term follow-up results for laboratory data from donors were investigated along with changes in graft histologic findings in recipients. RESULTS: NASH was diagnosed histopathologically in three cases (1.1%). Pathologic examination showed that a donor who died in 2003 had the most severe NASH among the three cases. The remaining two NASH donors had uneventful postoperative courses without complications. All grafts showed improvement with respect to the steatosis and histologic findings of NASH. CONCLUSIONS: Donor safety is a top priority in living donor liver transplantation. To exclude patients with NASH from potential donor lists, careful evaluation, including selective preoperative liver biopsy, should be carried out.     

活体肝部分移植的进展

活体肝部分移植的进展管文贤李开宗３２年前，Ｓｔａｒｚｌ成功地开展临床首例肝移植以来，目前肝移植术已成为晚期肝病患者有效的治疗手段。近年在北美、欧州上百个移植中心，以每年约５０００例的业绩，使肝移植术得到不断发展和完善，现总例数已突破３００００例〔１～...     

成人活体部分肝移植与全肝移植麻醉管理的比较

目的:探讨成人活体部分肝移植与全肝移植麻醉的特点.方法:回顾分析我院2006年5月-2007年4月进行的34例肝移植麻醉,其中成人活体部分肝移植11例,全肝移植23例.采用静吸复合全身麻醉,术中监测血流动力学、血气、生化指标、凝血功能、体温及出血量等.结果:活体部分肝移植患者术前MELD评分明显高于全肝移植患者;与全肝移植相比,活体部分肝移植无肝期和新肝期略延长,出血量增多,死亡率略高,但差异无统计学意义(P>0.05).结论:相对于全肝移植,活体部分肝移植的麻醉管理难度更高.