Right living donor liver transplantation: an option for adult patients: single institution experience with 74 patients

OBJECTIVE: To present an institutional experience with the use of right liver grafts in adult patients and to assess the practicability and efficacy of this procedure by analyzing the results. SUMMARY BACKGROUND DATA: Living donor liver transplantation (LDLT) for the pediatric population has gained worldwide acceptance. In the past few years, LDLT has also become feasible for adult patients due to technical evolution in hepatobiliary surgery and increased experience with reduced-size and split-liver transplants. Nevertheless, some graft losses remain unexplained and are possibly due to unrecognized venous outflow problems. METHODS: From April 1998 to September 2002, we performed 74 right LDLTs (segments 5-8). The 74 donors were selected from 474 candidates according to standard protocol. The median age of the donors was 35 years (range 18-58 years) and 51 years (range 18-64 years) in recipients. Standard and extended indications for transplantation were considered. Over the period reported, technical modifications in the bile duct anastomosis (duct-to-duct, end-to-end, or end-to-side) and a new graft implantation technique that provides maximized venous outflow, leading to outcome improvement, were developed. RESULTS: 64.9% of patients had liver cirrhosis and 35.1% had malignancy. While 44 donors (59.5%) presented an uneventful postoperative course, 27% minor (pleural effusion, pneumonia, venous thrombosis, wound infection, incisional hernia) and 13.5% major (biliary leakage, death of a donor due to unrecognized hereditary liver disease, and consecutive liver insufficiency) complications were documented. In recipients, 23% biliary complications and 6.8% hepatic artery thrombosis occurred. The overall patient and graft survival rate after 1 year was 79.4% and 75.3%, respectively. In cases with extended indication, the patient survival rate was 74% and the graft survival rate 68% at 12 months. Using technical modifications in the last 10 recipients, including 2 critically decompensated cirrhotics, the survival rate was 100% at a median follow-up of 3.5 months. CONCLUSIONS: In our transplant program, living donor liver transplantation has become a standard option in the adult patient population. The critical issue of this procedure is donor morbidity. Technical improvements in the harvesting and implantation of right grafts can also offer hope to patients with challenging forms of end-stage liver disease or malignant liver tumors.     

Hepatic vein reconstruction in living donor liver transplantation

INTRODUCTION: Living donor liver transplantation has emerged as a response to the cadaveric graft shortage, especially for adult recipients. Both right and left liver grafts are widely used, although some technical problems remain unresolved. Herein we describe our technique for reconstruction of the venous outflow in living donor liver transplantation. METHODS: From April 1986 to September 2004, 1012 liver transplantations were performed including 30 living donor liver transplantations between April 1995 and September 2004. We have selected the first 28 cases to ensure a mean follow-up of 21.07 +/- 13.11 months. We transplanted 18 right lobe grafts, 7 left lobe grafts, and 3 left lateral segment grafts. A surgical technique is described herein. RESULTS: No venous outflow obstruction developed among living donor liver transplantation recipients. CONCLUSION: We recommend reconstruction of the hepatic veins in living donor liver transplantation including joining together the three hepatic veins in the recipient to avoid venous outflow obstruction.     

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??Adult-adult right lobe graft living donor liver transplantation: an analysis of 21 cases LIN Dong-dong, LU Shi-chun, LI Ning, et al. Liver Transplantation Center, Beijing You’an Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100069, China
Corresponding author??LI Ning, E-mail??liningbjyah@vip.sina.com
Abstract Objective To investigate the key technical skills in adult-adult right lobe graft living donor liver transplantation. Methods The clinical data of 21 adult donors and recipients who underwent right lobe living donor liver transplantation from April 2007 to May 2009 at Beijing You’an Hospital Affiliated to Capital Medical University were analyzed retrospectively. Results There was no death in donors. Twenty-three complications were cured smoothly. Fifteen complications belonged to Grade I and the other 8 complications belonged to Grade II by Clavien classification. There were 4 recipients death in one month after operation and 7 biliary complications occurred during following-up period. All biliary complications were cured by surgical procedures. Four right lobe grafts included middle hepatic vein (group A), 17 right lobe grafts didn’t include middle hepatic vein (group B). There was no significant difference (χ2 =1.000, P=0.617) in 1 year survival rate between group A (75%) and group B (76%). Conclusion Adult-adult right lobe living donor liver transplantation is an important modality for end-stage liver disease patients, especially for patients with liver failure. Rigorous preoperative evaluation, careful operation, proper distribution of middle hepatic vein to maintain graft and remnant liver functional volume, and intensive postoperative care are guarantee for the safety of donors and recipients in living donor liver transplantation.     

Right lobe living donor liver transplantation-addressing the middle hepatic vein controversy

OBJECTIVE: To describe our approach in the decision-making for taking the middle hepatic vein with the graft or leaving it with the remnant liver in right lobe live donor liver transplantation. SUMMARY BACKGROUND DATA: Right lobe living donor liver transplantation has been successfully performed. However, the extent of donor hepatectomy is still a subject of debate and the main considerations in the decision making are graft functional adequacy and donor safety. METHODS: An algorithm based on donor-recipient body weight ratio, right lobe-to-recipient standard liver volume estimate, and donor hepatic venous anatomy was used to decide the extent of donor hepatectomy. This algorithm was applied in 25 living donor liver transplant operations performed between January 1999 and January 2002. In grafts taken without the middle hepatic vein, anterior segment tributaries draining into it were not reconstructed. Outcomes between right lobe liver transplants with (Group I) and without (Group II) the middle hepatic vein were compared. RESULTS: Ten grafts included the middle hepatic vein and 15 did not. The mean graft to recipient standard liver volume ratio was 58% and 64% in Groups I and II, respectively, and the difference was not statistically significant. Donors from both groups had comparable recovery, with 2 complications, 1 from each group, requiring a percutaneous drainage procedure. The recipient outcomes were, likewise, comparable and there was 1 case of structural outflow obstruction in Group I, which required venoangioplasty and stenting. There were 2 recipient mortalities, 1 due to a biliary complication and the other to recurrent hepatitis C. Another patient required retransplantation for secondary biliary cirrhosis. The overall actuarial graft and patient survival rates are 84% and 96%, respectively, at a median follow-up of 16 months. CONCLUSION: Based on certain preoperative criteria, a right lobe graft can be taken with or without the middle hepatic vein with equally successful outcomes in both the donors and recipients. The decision, therefore, of the extent of right lobe donor hepatectomy should be tailored to the particular conditions of each case.     

One hundred in situ split-liver transplantations: a single-center experience

OBJECTIVE: To identify predictors of graft and recipient survival from a single-institution series of in situ split-liver transplantations and compare outcomes to living donor and whole organs for adults and children. SUMMARY BACKGROUND DATA: Split-liver transplantation is a surgical technique that creates 2 allografts from a single cadaver donor. We have applied split-liver transplantation to all indications and categories of medical urgency for initial as well as retransplantation to expand the current donor pool and decrease reliance upon living donation. METHODS: A retrospective analysis was conducted of 100 consecutive in situ split-liver transplantations yielding a left lateral segment and right trisegment graft that were performed at the University of California Los Angeles between 9/91 and 02/03. These 100 transplantations generated 190 allografts for transplantation into 105 children and 60 adults, with the sharing of 25 allografts among transplant centers across the United States. Outcomes and incidence of complications were compared with living donor and whole organ recipients receiving liver transplantation during the same time period with independent predictors of split-liver graft and recipient survival identified by multivariate analysis. RESULTS: The incidence of biliary and vascular complications observed in recipients of left lateral segment grafts created by split-liver transplantation was not statistically different from recipients of left lateral segment grafts created from living donation or children receiving whole-organ grafts from pediatric donors. Kaplan-Meier survival estimations of left lateral segment graft and recipient survival also demonstrated no statistical difference among split-liver, living donor, and whole-organ recipients. Right trisegment grafts from split-liver transplantation demonstrated a 10% incidence of biliary and 7% incidence of vascular complications. Long-term graft function was excellent with patient and graft survival equal to 1086 recipients of cadaver whole-organ grafts from donors ages 10-40 years who underwent transplant operations during the same time period. Predictors of split-liver transplantation graft and recipient survival included United Network for Organ Sharing status at transplantation, indication, occurrence of a complication, donor creatinine, and donor length of hospitalization. CONCLUSIONS: Split-liver transplantation is an effective mechanism for immediate expansion of the cadaver donor pool that can reduce dependence upon living donation in adults and children.     

Impact of surgical and immunological parameters in pediatric liver transplantation: a multivariate analysis in 500 consecutive recipients of primary grafts

OBJECTIVE: To assess the respective impact of surgical and immunologic factors on patient/graft outcome and rejection after pediatric liver transplantation. SUMMARY BACKGROUND DATA: Orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT) constitutes a validated therapeutic modality for acute liver failure and end-stage liver disease in children. Only a few large studies of factors influencing outcome of pediatric OLT are available in the literature. Studies considering the impact of rejection on graft outcome are scarce in adult OLT and are not even available for pediatric recipients. METHODS: Five hundred consecutive pediatric recipients (<15 years) of a primary OLT performed between March 1984 and July 2000 were retrospectively reviewed. The main indication was biliary atresia (n = 328). A living related donor graft was used from July 1993 onwards in 82 children (16%). Survival was calculated and multivariate analysis was performed. RESULTS: Actuarial survival rates at 1, 5, and 10 years were 85%, 81%, and 79% for patients, and 76%, 71%, and 70% for grafts, respectively. At the multivariate analysis, only 3 factors were found to be independently correlated with better patient survival: year of transplantation (P = 0.001), pretransplant diagnosis (P < 0.001, worst results for liver tumors), and ABO matching (P < 0.001, worst results for ABO incompatibility). Similarly, 3 factors were independently correlated with better rejection-free graft survival: tacrolimus as primary immunosuppressant (P < 0.001), a negative T-cell crossmatch (P = 0.016), and younger age of the donor (P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Pediatric OLT constitutes a complex undertaking with multifactorial impact on results: (1). a strong learning curve effect was shown to impact on overall results; (2). pediatric liver tumors still represent a challenging indication for OLT; (3). primary immunoprophylaxis with tacrolimus provided a lower rejection incidence; (4). the younger donor age effect deserves further immunologic investigations.     

成人间活体肝移植的手术技术改进(附13例报告)

目的探讨成人间活体肝移植的手术技术改进.方法2005年3-6月,施行了13例成人间右半肝活体肝移植,其中1例接受了2个左半肝,另1例接受了1个活体右半肝,1个尸体左半肝,术中采用了改良的手术技术,包括右肝静脉的重建,肝中静脉分支的搭桥,肝动脉搭桥及胆道吻合的改进.结果全组供体无严重并发症及死亡,受体发生并发症4例,包括肝动脉栓塞,胆漏,右膈下脓肿及肺部感染各1例,1例再移植因术后肺部感染,导致多器官衰竭（MOF）死亡.13例中除右肝静脉与下腔静脉（IVC）直接吻合,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.移植物与受体重量比（GRWR）为0.72%至1.24%,其中9例＜1.0%,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避免小肝综合征,从而使活体右半肝移植成为相当安全的手术.     

Biliary reconstruction following right adult living donor liver transplantation end-to-end or end-to-side duct-to-duct anastomosis

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Bile duct complications are the modern Achilles' heel of adult-to-adult living donor liver transplantation. A duct-to-duct anastomosis is currently performed in the presence of single graft ducts, while cholangiojejunostomy is used to drain multiple ducts. Our aim is to describe the feasibility of duct-to-duct anastomoses independent of the presence of one or multiple graft bile ducts. METHODS: The probe technique for right bile duct dissection in donors and a proximal hilar bile duct division in recipients are illustrated. The BARIGA LDLT (biliary anastomosis in right graft for adult living donor liver transplantation recipients) with end-to-side or end-to-end hepatico-hepaticostomy was used in five recipients of right grafts (segments 5-8). RESULTS: All donors and recipients are doing well; all grafts are functional at 13 months. Duct-to-duct anastomoses to single, double, or triple graft ducts have been performed. Two early anastomotic stenoses at 5 and 10 weeks were successfully treated endoscopically. CONCLUSION: The duct-to-duct anastomosis represents a valid alternative to the standard hepaticojejunostomy for right living donor liver grafts. Using this method, biliary complications can be treated endoscopically. End-to-side or end-to-end BARIGA LDLT has the potential to become a standard method in segmental transplantation, including split liver.     

One hundred nine living donor liver transplants in adults and children: a single-center experience

OBJECTIVE: To summarize the evolution of a living donor liver transplant program and the authors' experience with 109 cases. SUMMARY BACKGROUND DATA: The authors' institution began to offer living donor liver transplants to children in 1993 and to adults in 1998. METHODS: Donors were healthy, ages 18 to 60 years, related or unrelated, and ABO-compatible (except in one case). Donor evaluation was thorough. Liver biopsy was performed for abnormal lipid profiles or a history of significant alcohol use, a body mass index more than 28, or suspected steatosis. Imaging studies included angiography, computed tomography, endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography, and magnetic resonance imaging. Recipient evaluation and management were the same as for cadaveric transplant. RESULTS: After ABO screening, 136 potential donors were evaluated for 113 recipients; 23 donors withdrew for medical or personal reasons. Four donor surgeries were aborted; 109 transplants were performed. Fifty children (18 years or younger) received 47 left lateral segments and 3 left lobes; 59 adults received 50 right lobes and 9 left lobes. The average donor hospital stay was 6 days. Two donors each required one unit of banked blood. Right lobe donors had three bile leaks from the cut surface of the liver; all resolved. Another right lobe donor had prolonged hyperbilirubinemia. Three donors had small bowel obstructions; two required operation. All donors are alive and well. The most common indications for transplant were biliary atresia in children (56%) and hepatitis C in adults (40%); 35.6% of adults had hepatocellular carcinoma. Biliary reconstructions in all children and 44 adults were with a Roux-en-Y hepaticojejunostomy; 15 adults had duct-to-duct anastomoses. The incidence of major vascular complications was 12% in children and 11.8% in adult recipients. Children had three bile leaks (6%) and six (12%) biliary strictures. Adult patients had 14 (23.7%) bile leaks and 4 (6.8%) biliary strictures. Patient and graft survival rates were 87.6% and 81%, respectively, at 1 year and 75.1% and 69.6% at 5 years. In children, patient and graft survival rates were 89.9% and 85.8%, respectively, at 1 year and 80.9% and 78% at 5 years. In adults, patient and graft survival rates were 85.6% and 77%, respectively, at 1 year. CONCLUSION: Living donor liver transplantation has become an important option for our patients and has dramatically changed our approach to patients with liver failure. The donor surgery is safe and can be done with minimal complications. We expect that living donor liver transplants will represent more than 50% of our transplants within 3 years.     

Biliary complications in 96 consecutive right lobe living donor transplant recipients

BACKGROUND: Biliary reconstruction represents one of the most challenging parts of right lobe (RL) living donor liver transplantations (LDLTs). Different causes, surgical techniques, and treatments have been suggested but are incompletely defined. METHODS: Between June 1999 and January 2002, 96 RL LDLTs were performed in our center. We reviewed the incidence of biliary complications in all the recipients. RESULTS: Roux-en-Y reconstruction was performed in 53 cases (55.2%) and duct-to-duct was performed in 39 cases (40.6%). Both procedures were performed in 4 cases (4.2%). Multiple ducts (> or =2) were found in 58 grafts (60.4%). Thirty-nine recipients (40.6%) had 43 biliary complications: 21 had bile leaks, 22 had biliary strictures, and 4 had both complications. Patients with multiple ducts had a higher incidence of bile leaks than those patients with a single duct (P=0.049). No significant differences in complications were found between Roux-en-Y or duct-to-duct reconstructions. Freedom from biliary complications was 59% at 1 year and 55% at 2 years. The overall 1-year and 2-year survival rates for patients were 86% and 81%, respectively. The overall 1-year and 2-year survival rates for grafts were 80% and 77%, respectively. Occurrence of bile leaks affected patient and graft survival (76% and 65% 2-year patient and graft survival, respectively, vs. 89% and 85% for those without biliary leaks, P=0.07). CONCLUSIONS: Despite technical modifications and application of various surgical techniques, biliary complications remain frequent after RL LDLT. Patients with multiple biliary reconstructions had a higher incidence of bile leaks. Patients who developed leaks had lower patient and graft survival rates.     

Successful ABO-incompatible pediatric liver transplantation utilizing standard immunosuppression with selective postoperative plasmapheresis.

Transplanting blood group A, B, or O (ABO)-incompatible (ABO-I) liver grafts has resulted in lower patient and graft survival with an increased incidence of vascular and biliary complications and rejection. We report that, without modification of our standard immunosuppression protocol, crossing blood groups is an acceptable option for children requiring liver transplantation. In our study, ABO-I liver grafts -- regardless of recipient age -- have comparable long-term survival (mean follow-up of 3.25 yr) with ABO-compatible grafts without any difference in rejection, vascular or biliary complications. From January 1, 1999 to October 1, 2005, we studied 138 liver transplants in 121 children: 16 (13.2%) received an ABO incompatible liver allograft. One-year actuarial patient survival for ABO-matched grafts vs. ABO-I grafts was 93.0% and 100%, respectively, whereas graft survival was 83.4% and 92.3%. Additionally, 6 of 16 (37.5%) ABO-I transplanted children had 8 rejection episodes, whereas 47 patients (44.8%) had 121 rejection episodes in the ABO-compatible group. There were no vascular complications and 2 biliary strictures in the ABO-I group. Plasmapheresis was not used for pretransplantation desensitization and was only required in 1 posttransplantation recipient. No child was splenectomized. Six of the 16 children were older than 13 yr of age, suggesting the possibility of successfully expanding this technique to an older population. In conclusion, our outcomes may support the concept of using ABO-I grafts in a more elective setting associated with split and living donor liver transplants.     

Technical solutions for venous outflow reconstruction in damaged liver grafts during procurement: case reports

The incidence and clinical consequences of hepatic injuries (parenchymal, vascular, and biliary) due to surgical handling during multiorgan procurement are still underestimated. Surgical damage to liver grafts may lead to an increased mortality and graft dysfunction rate; therefore, multiorgan procurements require a high level of expertise and training. We report our experience in two cases of accidental venous outflow damage during liver procurement focusing on our repair strategies. In one case, a short suprahepatic inferior vena cava (IVC) was extended by a venous cuff obtained from a long infrahepatic IVC from the same liver graft. In the second case, we observed a complete transection of the middle hepatic vein during in situ splitting procedure. The damage was reconstructed by cadaveric iliac vein interposition. In both cases, liver transplantation was successfully performed without venous complication. An adequate surgical technique in liver procurement and venous reconstruction during living donor and domino liver transplantation are formidable tools to achieve successful liver transplantation with a damaged graft.     

Outflow tract reconstruction in living donor liver transplantation

BACKGROUND: Hepatic venous reconstruction is critical in living donor liver transplantation because outflow obstruction may lead to graft dysfunction or loss. We describe our experience and analyze outcomes with a technique of creating a single outflow tract using venoplasties of the graft and recipient hepatic veins. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A retrospective study was done on 38 consecutive living donor liver transplants performed from June 1994 to March 2000. The grafts included 36 left-side grafts and 2 right-side grafts. Nine grafts had multiple hepatic veins and required a venoplasty of two or three hepatic veins to create a single outflow orifice. Triple recipient hepatic venoplasty was performed in 32 patients, double venoplasty in 5 and none in 1. RESULTS: There were four cases of outflow obstruction, three occurring in patients with a double recipient venoplasty. Two of the problems were remedied intraoperatively by adjusting the position of the graft although two were structural in nature and required the insertion of expandable metallic vascular stents. All donors and recipients with their original grafts are alive at a mean follow-up period of 27 months. CONCLUSION: A triple recipient venoplasty with a matching venoplasty of multiple graft hepatic veins to create a single wide outflow orifice is recommended in living donor liver transplantation using left side grafts.     

Living-donor liver transplantation with monosegments

BACKGROUND: Living-donor liver transplantation is now an established technique to treat children with end-stage liver disease. Implantation of left-lateral segment grafts can be a problem in small infants because of a large-for-size graft. We report 10 cases of transplantation using monosegment grafts from living donors. METHOD: Of 506 children transplanted between June 1990 and June 2002, 10 patients (median age 196 days, median weight 5.9 kg) received monosegment living-donor liver transplants. The indication for using this technique was infants with an estimated graft-to-recipient weight ratio of over 4.0%. RESULTS: Graft and patient survival was 80.0%. There were no differences in donor operation time and blood loss between monosegmentectomy and left-lateral segmentectomy (n=281). Monosegmental transplantation had a high incidence of vascular complications (20.0%). CONCLUSION: Monosegmental living- donor liver transplantation is a feasible option with satisfactory graft survival in small babies with liver failure.     

Graft survival in pediatric liver transplantation

BACKGROUND/PURPOSE: Liver transplantation is standard therapy for children with a variety of liver diseases. The current shortage of organ donors has led to aggressive use of reduced or split grafts and living-related donors to provide timely liver transplants to these children. The purpose of this study is to examine the impact of these techniques on graft survival in children currently treated with liver transplantation. METHODS: Data were obtained on all patients less than 21 years of age treated with isolated liver transplants performed after January 1, 1996 in an integrated statewide pediatric liver transplant program, which encompasses 2 high-volume centers. Nonparametric tests of association and life table analysis were used to analyze these data (SAS v 6.12). RESULTS: One hundred twenty-three children received 147 grafts (62 at the University of Florida, 85 at the University of Miami). Fifty-two (36%) children were less than 1 year of age at time of transplant, and 80 (55%) were less than 2 years of age. Patient survival rate was identical in the 2 centers (1-year actuarial survival rate, 88.4% and 87.1%). Twenty-five (17%) grafts were reduced, 28 (19%) were split, 6 were from living donors (4%), and 88 (60%) were whole organs. One-year graft survival rate was 80% for whole grafts, 71.6% for reduced grafts, and 64.3% for split grafts (P =.06). Children who received whole organs (mean age, 6.1 years) were older than those who received segmental grafts (mean age, 2.5 years; P <.01). Multifactorial analysis suggested that patient age, gender, and use of the graft for retransplant did not influence graft survival, nor did the type of graft used influence patient survival. CONCLUSIONS: The survival rate of children after liver transplantation is excellent independent of graft type. Use of current techniques to split grafts between 2 recipients is associated with an increased graft loss and need for retransplantation. Improvement in graft survival of these organs could reduce the morbidity and cost of liver transplantation significantly in children.     

Liver Transplantation in Children Weighing Less Than 10 kg: Chilean Experience

BackgroundOrthotopic liver transplantation is the treatment of choice for most terminal liver diseases in children. In small children (≤10 kg), this procedure is challenging and has special considerations. The aim of this study is to describe the experience of a Chilean liver transplantation program in this subgroup of patients.MethodsThe liver transplant database of Hospital Luis Calvo Mackenna and Clinica Las Condes was reviewed. All children less than 10 kg undergoing liver transplantation between January 1994 and July 2011 were included. Patient and graft outcomes and main complications were analyzed.ResultsWe have performed 230 pediatric liver transplantations, 49 of them in 41 patients weighing less than 10 kg. The first indication for transplantation was biliary atresia in 25 patients (61%). A living related donor was used in 23 cases (51%). Actuarial survival was 75.7% at 1 year and 67.1% at 5 years. The main cause of death was infection, and the leading cause of graft loss was vascular complication.DiscussionOur transplant program includes 2 centers that perform more than 90% of pediatric liver transplantations in Chile, including public health pediatric patients from all around the country. Patients weighing less than 10 kg represent the most challenging group in pediatric liver transplantation due to higher rates of vascular and biliary complications and postoperative infections.     

Graft Loss After Pediatric Liver Transplantation

OBJECTIVE: To describe the epidemiology and causes of graft loss after pediatric liver transplantation and to identify risk factors. SUMMARY BACKGROUND DATA: Graft failure after transplantation remains an important problem. It results in patient death or retransplantation, resulting in lower survival rates. METHODS: A series of 157 transplantations in 120 children was analyzed. Graft loss was categorized as early (within 1 month) and late (after 1 month). Risk factors were identified by analyzing recipient, donor, and transplantation variables. RESULTS: Kaplan-Meier 1-month and 1-, 3-, and 5-year patient survival rates were 85%, 82%, 77%, and 71%, respectively. Graft survival rates were 71%, 64%, 59%, and 53%, respectively. Seventy-one of 157 grafts (45%) were lost: 18 (25%) by death of patients with functioning grafts and 53 (75%) by graft-related complications. Forty-five grafts (63%) were lost early after transplantation. Main causes of early loss were vascular complications, primary nonfunction, and patient death. Main cause of late graft loss was fibrosis/cirrhosis, mainly as a result of biliary complications or unknown causes. Child-Pugh score, anhepatic phase, and urgent transplantation were risk factors for early loss. Donor age, donor/recipient weight ratio, blood loss, and technical-variant liver grafts were risk factors for late loss. CONCLUSIONS: To prevent graft loss after pediatric liver transplantation, potential recipients should be referred early so they can be transplanted in an earlier phase of their disease. Technical-variant liver grafts are risk factors for graft survival. The logistics of the operation need to be optimized to minimize the length of the anhepatic phase.     

Implications for the usage of the left lateral liver graft for infants ≤10 kg,irrespective of a large‐for‐size situation – are monosegmental grafts redundant?

Organ donor shortage for infant liver transplant recipients has lead to an increase in splitting and living donation. For cases in which even transplantation of the left lateral graft (Couinaud’s segments II + III) results in a “large for size situation” with an estimated graft body weight ratio (GBWR) of >4%, monosegmental liver transplantation was developed. This, however, bears complications because of greater parenchymal surface and suboptimal vascular flow. We exclusively use the left lateral graft from living donors or split grafts. Temporary abdominal closure is attempted in cases of increased pressure. We report of 41 pediatric transplants in 38 children ≤10 kg. Within this group, there were 23 cases with a GBWR of ≥4, and 15 cases with a GBWR <4. There was no statistical difference in vascular or biliary complications. Despite a more frequent rate of temporary abdominal closure, we did not find a higher rate of intra‐abdominal infections. Overall, patient and graft survival was excellent in both groups (one death, three re‐transplants). We noticed, however, that the ventro–dorsal diameter of the graft appears to be more relevant to potential graft necrosis than the actual graft size. In conclusion, the usage of monosegmental grafts seems unnecessary if transplantation of left lateral grafts is performed by an experienced multidisciplinary team, and temporary abdominal closure is favored in cases of increased abdominal pressure.     

Simultaneous or sequential combined living donor-intestine transplantation in children

BACKGROUND: Since the report of the first successful living donor combined liver-intestine transplant in pediatric patients, three other cases have been performed. In this article, we describe surgical technique, outcome, and propose a broader application of this procedure using deceased donors. PATIENTS: Four children of mean age 15.5 months (11-24 months) and weight 9.5 kg (8-10.9 kg) affected by end-stage liver and intestinal failure underwent living donor combined liver-intestine transplant with a left lateral liver and a distal segment of jejunum. In one case, the organs were transplanted simultaneously and in three in staged procedures. In all cases the liver transplant was performed first. The intestine was always transplanted with systemic venous drainage. The biliary anastomosis was a duct-to-duct, a biliodigestive, or a combined one according to the biliary anatomy of the liver graft. The abdomen was routinely closed with a Vicryl mesh followed by a skin graft. A loop graft ileostomy was fashioned for protocol biopsies and taken down within 3 months. RESULTS: One intestine was lost to generalized ischemia. The child was promptly retransplanted with another living donor graft. All children are alive and well at an average follow-up of 30 months (18-54 months). CONCLUSIONS: Living donor combined liver-intestine transplant can be performed successfully with excellent early outcome. The in situ splitting technique here described can be applied to obtain grafts for small children from appropriate adult deceased donors.     

改进成人间活体供肝移植的手术技术

目的研究并改进成人间活体供肝移植的手术技术。方法自2002年1月至2005年8月,施行了16例成人间活体右半供肝移植。手术中改进了技术,包括右肝静脉重建、肝中静脉分支搭桥、肝动脉搭桥及胆道吻合等。结果所有供者均无严重并发症及死亡。移植肝与受者重量比（GRWR）为0．72％～1．24％,其中9例〈1．0％,2例〈0．8％。手术除了采用移植肝的右肝静脉与受者下腔静脉（IVC）直接吻合外,5例加行右肝下静脉重建、5例取自体大隐静脉行肝中静脉分支与IVC间搭桥,保证了右肝流出道通畅。最早手术的2例受者中,1例发生肝静脉吻合口狭窄,另1例发生小肝综合征,最终导致死亡。后阶段手术的14例受者均未发生小肝综合征;发生并发症5例,分别为急性排斥反应、肝动脉栓塞、胆漏、左膈下脓肿及肺部感染;1例再次肝移植后因肺部感染,多器官功能衰竭（MOF）死亡。结论活体供肝移植中采用改进的手术技术,特别是肝静脉流出道重建的方法,可有效避免发生小肝综合征。