End-to-side caval anastomosis in adult piggyback liver transplantation

No consensus exists regarding the optimal reconstruction of the cavo-caval anastomosis in piggyback orthotopic liver transplantation (PB-LT). The aim of this study was to analyze our experience with end-to-side (ES) cavo-cavostomy. Outcome parameters were patient and graft survival and surgical complications. During the period 1995-2002 146 full-size PB-LT in 137 adult patients were performed with ES cavo-cavostomy without the routine use of temporary portocaval shunt (TPCS). In 12 patients (8%) this technique was used for implantation of second or third grafts. Veno-venous bypass was not used in any case and TPCS was performed only in eight patients (6%). One-, three- and five-yr patient and graft survival were 84%, 79% and 75%, and 81%, 74% and 69%, respectively. The median number of intraoperative transfusion of packed red blood cells (RBC) was 2.0 (range 0-33) and 30% of the patients (n = 43) did not require any RBC transfusion. Surgical complications of various types were observed after 49 LT (34%) and none of the complications was specifically related to the technique of ES cavo-cavostomy. Our experience indicates that PB-LT with ES cavo-cavostomy is a safe procedure, can safely be performed without the routine use of a TPCS, has a very low risk of venous outflow obstruction and can also be used effectively during retransplantations.     

Transcatheter aortic valve replacement 24 years after cardiac transplantation

As patient survival after cardiac transplantation has improved over the course of the last several decades, clinicians are now faced with late complications. This includes aortic stenosis which, traditionally, has been treated with reoperative sternotomy and aortic valve replacement. Transcather aortic valve replacement (TAVR) offers a minimally invasive alternative in this high-risk population. A small but growing number of cases of TAVR after heart transplantation in high-risk patients have been reported in the last 10 years; we now present a case of aortic valve replacement via a transcatheter approach 24 years after cardiac transplantation.     

Liver transplantation with preservation of the inferior vena cava. A comparison of conventional and piggyback techniques in adults

The aim of this study is to analyse a single centre's experience with two techniques of liver transplantation (OLT), conventional (CON-OLT) and piggyback (PB-ES), and to compare outcome in terms of survival, morbidity, mortality and post-operative liver function as well as operative characteristics. A consecutive series (1994-2000) of 167 adult primary OLT were analysed. Ninety-six patients had CON-OLT and 71 patients had PB-ES. In PB-ES group two revascularization protocols were used. In the first protocol reperfusion of the graft was performed first via the portal vein followed by the arterial anastomosis (PB-seq). In the second protocol the graft was reperfused simultaneously via portal vein and hepatic artery (PB-sim). One-, 3- and 5-yr patient survival in the CON-OLT and PB-ES groups were 90, 83 and 80%, and 83, 78 and 78%, respectively (p = ns). Graft survival at the same time points was 81, 73 and 69%, and 78, 69 and 65%, respectively (p = ns). Apart from the higher number of patients with cholangitis and sepsis in CON-OLT group, morbidity, retransplantation rate and post-operative liver and kidney function were not different between the two groups. The total operation time was not different between both groups (9.4 h in PB-ES vs. 10.0 h in CON-OLT), but in PB-ES group cold and warm ischaemia time (CIT and WIT), revascularization time (REVT), functional and anatomic anhepatic phases (FAHP and AAHP) were significantly shorter (8.9 h vs. 10.7 h, 54 min vs. 63 min, 82 min vs. 114 min, 118 min vs. 160 min and 87 min vs. 114 min, respectively, p < 0.05). RBC use in the PB-ES group was lower compared to the CON-OLT group (4.0 min vs. 10.0 units, p < 0.05). Except for WIT and REVT there were no differences in operative characteristics between PB-Sim and PB-Seq groups. The WIT was significantly longer in PB-Sim group compared with PB-Seq group (64 min vs. 50 min, p < 0.05); however REVT was significantly shorter in PB-Sim group (64 min vs. 97 min, p < 0.05). Results of this study show that both techniques are comparable in survival and morbidity; however PB-ES results in shorter AAHP, FAHP, REVT and WIT as well as less RBC use. In the PB-ES group there seems to be no advantage for any of the revascularization protocols.     

Piggyback technique and selective use of veno-venous bypass in adult orthotopic liver transplantation

Background. The piggyback technique (PT), with preservation of the cava, is being used more frequently in adult orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT). The advantages of PT include hemodynamic stability during the anhepatic phase without a large‐volume fluid infusion and obviating the need for veno‐venous bypass (VVB). At our center, we changed our practice in July 1997 from the standard technique (ST) of OLT with routine use of VVB to PT and selective use of VVB. The purpose of the present study was to analyze the results with the two different practices, ST‐routine VVB versus PT‐selective VVB.
Methods. Forty OLTs were performed during the period July 1995–July 1997 using ST‐routine VVB (group I) and 36 during August 1997–December 1998 using PT‐selective VVB (group II). The etiology of liver disease was similar in the two groups, with hepatitis C and alcoholic liver disease accounting for half of the patients in each group. The UNOS status, age, sex, and percentage of patients with previous upper abdominal surgery were also similar between the two groups.
Results. In the PT‐selective VVB era (group II), 34/36 patients (94%) underwent OLT with PT and VVB was used for 8 (22%) patients. The decision to use VVB was elective for 3 patients (fulminant hepatic failure, 2; severe portal hypertension, 1) and urgent for 5 patients (hemodynamic instability during hepatectomy). The intraoperative use of packed red blood cells (PRBC) (mean±SD) was 15±12 units for group I and 9±8 units for group II (p=0.023). Anastomosis time and total operating time (mean±SD) were 91±30 min and 9.5±3.2 h, respectively, for group I patients compared with 52±28 min and 7.6±1.6 h, respectively, for group II patients (p<0.0001 and 0.002, respectively). Median post‐operative stays in the intensive care unit (ICU) and in the hospital were 5 and 17 d, respectively, for group I and 4 and 11 d, respectively, for group II (p=NS). Mean serum creatinine on day 3 was similar in the two groups. Median hospital charges for group I patients were $105 439 compared with $91 779 for group II patients (p=NS). The 1‐year actuarial graft and patient survival rates were 78% and 82%, respectively, for group I, and 92% and 95%, respectively, for group II.
Conclusions. PT is safe and can be performed in the majority of adult patients (>90%) undergoing OLT. With the routine application of the piggyback procedure, the use of VVB has been reduced to 20% of OLTs at our center. The practice of piggyback technique with the selective use of VVB is associated with shorter anhepatic phase and total operating time, lower blood product use, a trend towards shorter hospital length of stay, and reduced hospital charges compared with standard technique of OLT with routine use of VVB.     

Primary and redo valve replacement before and after liver transplantation.

We report the case of a 39-year-old man who underwent life-saving aortic valve replacement with a bioprosthesis for acute endocarditis while on the liver transplant waiting list, followed by successful transplantation and late valve re-replacement with a mechanical prosthesis, 10.8 years after primary valve surgery.     

Persistent cardiac failure after mitral valve replacement due to free-floating intracardiac thrombus formation

A case of free-floating left atrial-ventricular thrombus early after mitral valve replacement (Carpentier-Edwards pericardial bioprosthesis) is presented. Successful surgical removal was performed. The diagnostic and therapeutic efforts are discussed.     

肝移植术后胆泥及胆结石形成原因分析

目的 探讨肝移植术后胆泥和胆结石形成的原因。方法 对13例肝移植术后发生胆泥和／或胆结石的临床资料进行回顾性分析。结果 13例发生胆泥和／或胆结石的时间为1.5－12个月（平均5.5个月）,供肝热缺血时间平均为5.5min,冷缺血时间11.5h;UW液经门静脉灌注;胆道冲洗时间在热缺血后15-20min;11例供肝动脉与受者的肝动脉吻合,2例与结肠中动脉吻合。结论 肝移植术后发生胆泥及胆结石有多种原因,其中主要是缺血、灌注损伤及肝动脉供血不足。     

High incidence of postoperative pulmonary complications after orthotopic liver transplantation in children

Postoperative pulmonary complications were investigated in a total of 41 pediatric recipients who underwent orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT) between January, 1990 and March, 1992 at the Royal Children's Hospital, Brisbane. Atelectasis was seen in 40 cases (98%) of the 41 recipients, and occurred in the left lower lobe in 28 cases (68%), and in the right upper lobe in 25 cases (61%). Radiographic pulmonary edema occurred on 23 occasions in 18 recipients (45%). Pulmonary edema was observed just after operation in 9 cases, and in the later stage from the 3rd to 25th postoperative day in 14 cases. Five recipients experienced two episodes of pulmonary edema during their ICU stay. The duration of mechanical ventilatory support was significantly longer in the patients with pulmonary edema than in those without (9.6±3.8vs 3.9±2.2 days,P<0.01). Pleural effusions were observed in 21 cases (52%), of which 18 had right-sided effusion and 3 had bilateral effusions. Pneumothorax occurred in three cases. Pyothorax, hemothorax, bronchial asthma, and subglottic granulation occurred in one case each. The present study demonstrated that postoperative pulmonary complications are frequently observed in pediatric recipients undergoing OLT.     

背驮式肝移植同步脾切除严重并发症与对策

目的 探讨背驮式肝移植同步脾切除出现严重并发症的原因与防治对策.方法 回顾性分析该院近十年实施背驮式肝移植患者的临床资料,重点对患者的临床特征及处理经验进行分析.结果 (1)在手术临床探索期行背驮式肝移植同步脾切除28例,患者术后1个月重度和极重度感染的发生率分别为35.7％和10.7％;(2)3例极重度感染患者同时并发肝脓肿、脑脓肿和脾窝脓肿等严重并发症而死亡;(3)在手术临床探索期行背驮式肝移植同步脾切除患者术后1个月和1年的死亡率均高于对照组(17.9％比3.4％,P=0.022;35.7％比8.6％,P=O.002).结论 背驮式肝移植同步脾切除可增加患者术后感染率并导致严重并发症,增加患者死亡率.肝移植时应严格控制脾切除指征,延迟免疫抑制剂应用并采取相应处理措施.     

Donor outcome and liver regeneration after right-lobe graft donation

Sufficiently detailed information on donor safety and the liver regeneration process following right-lobe living donation has been unavailable, so we evaluated donor outcome and liver regeneration in 13 males and 14 females (39.0 +/- 14.8 years old) who provided 27 right-lobe grafts without the middle hepatic vein. Preoperative total liver volume (TLV), graft volume, and postoperative changes in residual liver volume (RLV) were measured by volumetric computed tomography. Histological steatosis of the liver was graded as none, minimal (< or =10%), and mild (11-30%). The median follow-up period was 337 days. Estimated graft volume and actual graft weight were linearly correlated (Y = 177.85 + 0.795X, R(2) = 0.812, P < 0.0001). Graft-to-recipient weight ratio was 1.08 +/- 0.19%. Four donors had postoperative complications, but they resolved in response to conservative treatment. Postoperative hospital stay was 15.2 +/- 5.5 days. Peak liver enzyme values were significantly higher in donors with mild steatosis (n = 7) than without steatosis (n = 16) (P < 0.05). Donor RLV was 40.8 +/- 6.6% of original TLV at surgery, 79.8 +/- 12.0% by 6 months, and 97.2 +/- 10.8% by 12 months. At 3 months the liver of the older donors (> or =50 years) had grown significantly more slowly than in younger donors (70.4 +/- 9.2% vs. 79.3 +/- 9.6%, P = 0.0391). In conclusion, right hepatectomy without middle hepatic vein of living donors is a safe procedure with acceptable morbidity, and the residual liver regenerated to its preoperative size by 1 year. However, meticulous care should be taken in donors with liver steatosis and aged donors.     

Donor safety in living related liver transplantation: Underestimation of the risks for deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism

Optimal safety for donors is a necessary condition for living related liver transplantation to expand. Although the risks for complications directly related to surgical intervention have been carefully evaluated, the extent and nature of other complications, such as pulmonary embolism, associated with living donation have not been clearly anticipated. We report a case of severe pulmonary embolism followed by ulcer-related upper digestive tract bleeding in an adult donor after right hepatectomy. In this donor, we found an unexpected predisposing coagulation disorder (increased von Willebrand factor activity) postoperatively. This finding led us to include systematic screening for coagulation disorders during evaluation of donors, a policy which led us thereafter to reject definitely or temporarily some candidates for donation. Although the cost-effectiveness of such investigations is not definitely established, we strongly recommend a specific approach to improve donor safety. In addition, we emphasize that the major complications observed in living donors should be systematically reported in an international database. (Liver Transpl 2002;8:118-120.)     

肝移植术后肺部鲍曼不动杆菌感染13例临床分析

目的探讨肝移植术后肺部鲍曼不动杆菌感染的临床特点、药物敏感情况及预后。方法分析13例鲍曼不动杆菌肺部感染受者的临床特点,其耐药情况及敏感药物,并了解患者的预后。结果在85例肝移植病例中鲍曼不动杆菌感染受者占15%。69%的术后肺部感染发生于术后1周内,症状以发热、咳嗽、咳痰为主,呼吸困难少见。体格检查以肺呼吸音减弱和干、湿啰音为主。外周血白细胞计数及中性粒细胞升高7例。药物敏感试验结果显示84%为多药耐药菌,38%为泛耐药菌,但对多黏菌素B、米诺环素和头孢哌酮钠-舒巴坦敏感。有细菌培养结果后给予敏感抗菌药物。治愈11例,2例死于呼吸衰竭或中毒性休克。结论肝移植术后肺部鲍曼不动杆菌感染的临床特点不典型,对多黏菌素、米诺环素和头孢哌酮钠-舒巴坦敏感,经及时治疗预后尚可。