Vascular Complications After Deceased and Living Donor Liver Transplantation: A Single-Center Experience

Introduction

Vascular complications (VC) after liver transplantation (OLT) are one of the most feared problems that frequently result in graft and patient loss. Herein we have reported our experience with VC after either deceased donor liver transplantation (DDLT) or living donor liver transplantation (LDLT).

Patients and Methods

Between April 2001 and September 2009, we performed 224 OLT: 155 DDLT and 69 LDLT. The overall male/female ratio was 136/88 and the adult/pediatric ratio was 208/16. We retrospectively identified and analyzed vascular complications in both groups.

Results

In the DDLT group, 11/155 recipients (7%) suffered vascular complications; hepatic artery thrombosis (HAT; n = 5; 3.2%), portal vein thrombosis occurred (n = 4; 2.6%); hepatic vein stenosis (n = 1; 0.6%), and severe postoperative bleeding due to a slipped splenic artery ligature (n = 1, 0.6%). In the DDLT group, 4/11 (36.4%) patients died as a direct result of the vascular complications. In the LDLT group, 9/69 recipients (13%) suffered vascular complications: HAT (n = 3; 4.3%), portal vein problems (n = 5; 7.2%), and hepatic vein stenosis (n = 1; 1.5%). Among LDLT, 3/9 (33.3%) patients died as a direct result of the vascular complications. In both groups vascular complications were associated with poorer patient and graft survival.

Conclusions

In our experience, the incidence of vascular complications was significantly higher among the LDLT group compared with the DDLT group. Vascular complications were associated with poorer graft and patient survival rates in both groups.     

婴幼儿活体肝移植后的血流动力学变化及血管并发症

目的 探讨婴幼儿活体肝移植术后的血流动力学变化及血管并发症的发生情况.方法 应用彩色多普勒超声观测34例婴幼儿活体肝移植术后2个月内门静脉、肝动脉、肝左静脉最大流速及肝动脉阻力指数变化情况,并观察术后血管并发症的发生情况及其预后.结果 34例受者中,术后超声显示血管通畅者29例(85.3%,29/34),发生血管并发症5例(14.7%,5/34).29例血管通畅的患儿,术后第1天时门静脉最大流速(vmax)为(53.97±21.44)cm/s,肝动脉收缩期最大流速(PSV)为(52.88±17.87)cm/s,阻力指数(RI)为0.73±0.09,肝左静脉最大流速为(40.53±25.07)cm/s.与术后第1天比较,术后1周时门静脉vmax、肝动脉PSV、肝左静脉vmax及肝动脉RI的差异均无统计学意义(P＞0.05);术后2周时门静脉vmax为(44.26±17.43)cm/s,明显低于术后第1天(P＜0.05);术后2个月时门静脉vmax为(40.31±26.29)cm/s,肝动脉PSV为(41.50±8.67)cm/s,均明显低于术后第1天(P＜0.01,P＜0.05).5例血管并发症均发生在术后7 d内,其中肝动脉血栓形成3例(2例行取栓术,1例行溶栓治疗),门静脉血栓形成2例(1例行取栓术,1例行溶栓治疗),5例中3例死亡.结论 婴幼儿活体肝移植术后门静脉vmax和肝动脉PSV呈下降趋势;血管并发症发生时间早,发生率较高,活体肝移植术后7 d内至少应每天进行1次超声检查.     

Hepatic artery reconstruction in living donor liver transplantation: running suture under surgical loupes by cardiovascular surgeons in 180 recipients

Objectives

The aim of our study was to retrospectively investigate the outcomes of hepatic artery (HA) reconstruction by cardiovascular surgeons in adult-to-adult living donor liver transplantation (A-A LDLT).

Methods

From April 2007 to April 2011, 187 recipients underwent A-A LDLT. After excluding seven ABO-incompatible transplant recipients, we reviewed the courses of 180 patients including 125 men and 55 women of mean age 52.5 ± 9.2 years (range = 23-71). One hundred seventy-seven patients received right-lobe grafts with inclusion of middle hepatic vein (MHV); two, right-lobe grafts without MHV; and one, left-lobe graft. A continuous, single-stitch, running suture with the parachute technique was used for HA reconstruction. The anastomosis was performed by cardiovascular surgeons employing surgical loupes with 4.5× magnification.

Results

The mean time for an arterial reconstruction was 10.7 ± 4.0 minutes (median = 10, range = 4-30). Hepatic arterial thrombosis (HAT) was encountered in 3 (1.66%) patients. One HAT that developed on postoperative day 1 was successfully rescued by the intra-arterial infusion of urokinase. Another patient required reoperation due to a redundant kinked HA. A third HAT patient underwent successful retransplantation with a cadaveric graft on postoperative day 6. In our series, no delayed HAT was detected and no recipient deaths were related to HAT.

Conclusion

HA reconstruction with a running suture under surgical loupes is a feasible technique in A-A LDLT. A speedy reconstruction can be performed by an experienced cardiovascular surgeon with a low incidence of HAT.     

Vascular complications in hepatic transplantation: single-center experience in 14 years

Purpose

To evaluate the spectrum of liver transplantation-related vascular complications that occurred in a single center over the past 14 years.

Materials and methods

Vascular complications and their clinical outcomes were reviewed among 744 liver transplant recipients. All patients underwent Doppler ultrasound with findings correlated with conventional or computed tomography angiography (CTA) in 111 patients.

Results

Among 70 recipients with vascular complications (%0.9), 14/26 patients with hepatic artery thrombosis underwent thrombectomy and arterial reanastomosis; six were retransplanted and six died. Among hepatic artery stenoses, three of nine were treated with balloon angioplasty and six underwent reanastomosis. Among 20 portal vein thromboses, 16 underwent thrombectomy, two patients retransplantation and two died. Seven patients with portal vein stenosis were followed. Two of six hepatic vein stenosis were restored with balloon angioplasty and three patients with metallic stent placement; the one other died. One patient with hepatic vein thrombosis died while the other patient was retransplanted.

Conclusion

Transplantation related hepatic vascular complications diagnosed and managed in timely fashion showed a low mortality rate in our series.     

Treatment of early hepatic artery thrombosis after liver transplantation

Introduction

Early hepatic artery thrombosis remains one of the major causes of graft failure and mortality in liver transplant recipients. It is the most frequent severe vascular complication after orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT) accounting for >50% of all arterial complications. Most patients need to be considered for urgent liver retransplantation.

Materials and Methods

Among 911 OLTs in 862 from 1989 to 2011, we observed 23 cases (2.6%) of acute early hepatic artery thrombosis. Seventeen patients were qualified immediately for liver retransplantation, and 6 underwent endovascular therapies, including intra-arterial heparin infusion or percutaneous transluminal angioplasty with stent placement.

Results

Among patients who were assigned to early liver retransplantation, 11/17 survived with 3 succumbling due to postoperative complications, including 1 portal vein thrombosis, and 3 succumbling on the waiting list. All patients who underwent endovascular therapy survived with an excellent result obtained in 1 who underwent treatment <24 hours after arterial thrombosis. In 2 patients we achieved a satisfactory result not requiring retransplantation, but 3 patients assigned to endovascular treatment >24 hours after arterial thrombosis needed to be reassigned to liver retransplantation because of poor results of endovascular treatment.

Conclusions

Endovascular treatment efforts should be made to rescue liver grafts through urgent revascularization depending on the patient's condition and the interventional expertise at the transplant center, reserving the option of retransplantation for graft failure or severe dysfunction.     

Living donor liver transplantation for the patients with portal vein thrombosis: use of an interpositional venous graft passed posteriorly to the pancreatic parenchyma without using jump graft

Background

It is difficult to reconstruct the portal vein (PV) using a long interpositional venous graft in living donor liver transplant (LDLT) patients with portal vein thrombosis (PVT), which involves the confluence of the superior mesenteric vein (SMV) and splenic vein (SV). We successfully performed LDLT for three patients with PVT using an interpositional vascular conduit passing posterior to the pancreas without a jump graft.

Methods

Three of 130 patients who underwent LDLT in our hospital between March 2002 and June 2011 required this technique. After indentifying the location of the SMV, SV and gastrocolic trunk, we ligated and cut the posterior superior pancreaticoduodenal vein and other short branches from the PV. The PV was drawn inferiorly to the pancreas and transected at the confluence of SMV and SV. The external iliac vein or internal jugular vein was sacrificed as a graft for anastomosis to the cut end of the SMV using 6-0 polypropylene running sutures. Then the venous graft was drawn superiorly to the pancreas by passing it posterior to the pancreas parenchyma for anastomosis to the liver graft PV. The interpositional vein was placed posterior to the pancreas where the PV used to be.

Results

All three patients displayed favorable postoperative courses with the Doppler ultrasound demonstrating good portal flow perioperatively. The postoperative portogram demonstrated patency of the vascular graft.

Conclusion

This method is easy and helpful to treat portal vein thrombosis, by providing the shortest route between the PV of the donor and the SMV of the recipient.     

Diagnosis and interventional radiological treatment of vascular and biliary complications after liver transplantation in children with biliary atresia

Objective

Early diagnosis and appropriate management of vascular and biliary complications after living donor liver transplantation (LDLT) result in longer survival. We report our institutional experience regarding radiological management of these complications among patients with biliary atresia (BA) who underwent LDLT.

Methods

We analyzed the records of 116 children. All patients underwent Doppler ultrasound (US) at operation, daily for the first 2 postoperative weeks, and when necessary thereafter. After primary evaluation using US, the definite diagnosis of postoperative complication was confirmed using computed tomography, magnetic resonance imaging, and/or operation.

Results

There were 61 boys and 55 girls. The overall mean age was 2.69 years. The overall mean preoperative weight and height were 13.06 kg and 83.79 cm, respectively. There were 28 (24.13%) biliary and vascular complications. These were cases of biliary stricture (n = 5), bile leakage (n = 3), hepatic artery stenosis (n = 6), hepatic vein stenosis (n = 4), and portal vein thrombosis (n = 17). The diagnostic accuracy of US in detecting biliary complication, hepatic artery stenosis, hepatic venous stenosis, and portal vein thrombosis was 95.69%, 97.41%, 100%, and 100%, respectively. US in combination with multiple imaging modalities and clinical suspicion resulted in 100% diagnostic accuracy. Percutaneous transhepatic cholangiography, thrombolysis, balloon angioplasty, and stent placement were performed for the complications noted. There was an early mortality due to multiple-organ failure after failed radiological invention and subsequent surgical management.

Conclusions

Doppler US is accurate in detecting postoperative complications after pediatric LDLT for BA. Radiological interventions for vascular and biliary complications are effective and safe alternatives to reconstructive surgery.     

Orthotopic liver transplantation in biliary atresia: a single-center experience

Introduction

Biliary atresia (BA) is the leading indication for orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT) among children. However, there are technical difficulties, including the limited dimensions of anatomical structures, hypoplasia and/or thrombosis of the portal vein and previous portoenterostomy procedures.

Objective

The objective of this study was to present our experience of 239 children with BA who underwent OLT between September 1989 and June 2010 compared with OLT performed for other causes.

Methods

We performed a retrospective analysis of patient charts and analysis of complications and survival.

Results

BA was the most common indication for OLT (207/409; 50.6%). The median age of subjects was 26 months (range, 7-192). Their median weight was 11 kg (range, 5-63) with 110 children (53.1%) weighing ≤10 kg. We performed 126 transplantations from cadaveric donors (60.8%) and 81 from living-related donors (LRD) (39.2%). Retransplantation was required for 31 recipients (14.9%), primarily due to hepatic artery thrombosis (HAT; 64.5%). Other complications included the following: portal vein thrombosis (PVT; 13.0%), biliary stenosis and/or fistula (22.2%), bowel perforation (7.0%), and posttransplantation lymphoproliferative disorder (PTLD; 5.3%). Among the cases of OLT for other causes, the median age of recipients was 81 months (range, 11-17 years), which was higher than that for children with BA. Retransplantation was required in 3.5% of these patients (P < .05), mostly due to HAT. The incidences of PVT, bowel perforation, and PTLD were significantly lower (P < .05). There was no significant difference between biliary complications in the 2 groups. The overall survival rates at 1 versus 5 years were 79.7% versus 68.1% for BA, and 81.2% versus 75.7% for other causes, respectively.

Conclusions

Children who undergo OLT for BA are younger than those engrafted for other causes, displaying a higher risk of complications and retransplantations.     

Risk Factors for Portal Vein Complications After Pediatric Living Donor Liver Transplantation With Left-sided Grafts

Purpose

Portal vein complications (PVC) after pediatric living donor liver transplantation (LDLT) have rarely been reported. We evaluated the long-term incidence and of the risk factors for PVC after pediatric LDLT.

Methods

From April 1997 to November 2008, 96 pediatric patients underwent LDLT using left lateral segments or left lobes. We investigated recipient factors, donor factors, and operative factors through medical records. The portal vein sizes in 96 recipients ranged from 2.7 mm to 13.0 mm (median = 5.0 mm). Portal vein reconstruction was usually performed with the graft portal vein anastomosed to the bifurcation of the recipient right and left portal veins, the so-called “branch patch”.

Results

PVC occured in 11 patients (11.5%) including early PVC (n = 3), late PVC (n = 8). The disease-free survivals at 1, 5, and 10 years after LDLT were 94.7%, 88.7%, and 86.0%. Upon univariate analysis, a portal vein size < 5 mm graft-to-recipient weight ratio (GRWR) ≥ 4%, transfusion volume ≥ 270 mL were significant risk factors for PVC. Body weight < 8 kg and previous operative history tendes to be adverse for PVC. Upon multivariate analysis by Cox regression, portal vein size < 5 mm was a highly significant factor for PVC after pediatric LDLT (hazard ratio = 5.627, P = .027).

Conclusion

The disease-free survival at 10 years after LDLT was 86.0%. If the recipient's portal vein size < 5 mm received a large-for-size graft (GRWR ≥ 4%), it is important to observe by regular Doppler ultrasonography follow-up to detect PVC.     

Vascular Complications Following Adult Piggyback Liver Transplantation With End-to-Side Cavo-Cavostomy: A Single-Center Experience

Background

Vascular complications remain a significant cause of morbidity, graft loss, and mortality following orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT). These problems predominantly include hepatic artery and portal vein thrombosis or stenosis. Venous outflow obstruction may be specifically related to the technique of piggyback OLT.

Materials and Methods

Between February 2002 and February 2009, we performed 200 piggyback OLT in 190 recipients. A temporary portacaval shunt was created in 44 (22%) cases, whereas end-to-side cavo-cavostomy was routinely performed for graft implantation. Pre-existent partial portal or superior mesenteric vein thrombosis was present in 17 (12%) cirrhotics in whom we successfully performed eversion thrombectomy, which was followed by a typical end-to-end portal anastomosis. The donor hepatic artery was anastomosed to the recipient aorta via an iliac interposition graft in 31 (16%) patients.

Results

The 14 (7%) vascular complications included hepatic artery thrombosis (n = 5), hepatic artery stenosis (n = 3), aortic/celiac trunk rupture (n = 2), portal vein stenosis (n = 2), and isolated left and middle hepatic venous outflow obstruction (n = 1). There was also 1 case of arterial steal syndrome via the splenic artery. No patient experienced portal or mesenteric vein thrombosis. Therapeutic modalities included re-OLT, arterial/aortic reconstruction and splenic artery ligation. Vascular complications resulted in death of 5 (36%) patients.

Conclusion

Our experience indicated that piggyback OLT with an end-to-side cavo-cavostomy showed a low risk of venous outflow obstruction. Partial portal or mesenteric vein thrombosis is no longer an obstacle to OLT; it can be successfully managed with the eversion thrombectomy technique.     

Vascular reconstruction and complications in living donor liver transplantation in infants weighing less than 6 kilograms: the Kyoto experience.

Smaller-size infants undergoing living-donor liver transplantation (LDLT) are at increased risks of vascular complications because of their smaller vascular structures in addition to vascular pedicles of insufficient length for reconstruction. Out of 585 child patients transplanted between June 1990 and March 2005, 64 (10%) weighing less than 6 kg underwent 65 LDLTs. Median age and weight were 6.9 months (range: 1-16 months) and 5 kg (range: 2.8-5.9 kg), respectively. Forty-five lateral segment, 12 monosegment, and 8 reduced monosegment grafts were adopted, and median graft-to-recipient weight ratio was 4.4% (range: 2.3-9.7). Outflow obstruction occurred in only 1 patient (1.5%). Portal vein complication occurred in 9 (14%) including 5 with portal vein thrombosis. Hepatic artery thrombosis (HAT) occurred in 5 (7.7%). Patient and graft survivals were 73% and 72% at 1 yr, and 69% and 68% at 5 yr after LDLT, respectively. Thirteen of 22 grafts (58%) lost during the follow-up period occurred within the first 3 months posttransplantation. Overall graft survival in patients with and without portal vein complication was 67% and 65%, respectively (P = 0.54). Overall graft survival in patients with and without HAT was 40% and 67%, respectively. HAT significantly affected graft survival (P = 0.04). In conclusion, our surgical technique for smaller-size recipients resulted in an acceptable rate of vascular complications. Overcoming early posttransplantation complications will further improve outcomes in infantile LDLT.     

Living donor liver transplantation in children with cholestatic liver disease: a single-center experience

Objectives

Cholestatic liver disease (CLD) is the main indication for liver transplantation in children. This retrospective study evaluated the outcomes of living donor liver transplantation (LDLT) in children with CLD.

Methods

One hundred fifty-nine children with CLD who underwent 164 LDLT between May 2001 and May 2011 were evaluated. Their original diseases were biliary atresia (n = 145, 91%), Alagille syndrome (n = 8, 5%), primary sclerosing cholangitis (n = 2), and the others (n = 4). The mean age and body weight of the recipients at LDLT was 42 ± 53 months and 14.0 ± 11.0 kg, respectively.

Results

Parents were living donors in 98%. The left lateral segment was the most common type of graft (77%). There were no reoperations and no mortality in any living donor. Recipients' postoperative surgical complications consisted mainly of hepatic arterial problems (7%), hepatic vein stenosis (5%), portal vein stenosis (13%), biliary stricture (18%), intestinal perforation (3%). The overall rejection rate was 31%. Cytomegalovirus infection and Epstein-Barr virus disease were observed in 26% and 5%, respectively. Retransplantation was performed five times in four patients; the main cause was hepatic vein stenosis (n = 3). Four patients died; the main cause was gastrointestinal perforation (n = 2). The body height of Alagille syndrome patients less than 2 years old significantly improved compared with older patients after LDLT. The 1-, 5-, and 10-year patient survival rates were 98%, 97%, and 97%, respectively.

Conclusions

LDLT for CLD is an effective treatment with excellent long-term outcomes.     

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.     

Living related donor liver transplantation in children

Objective

The objective of this study was to report our experience with pediatric orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT) with living related donors.

Methods

We performed a retrospective chart analysis of 121 living related donor liver transplantations (LRDLT) from June 1998 to June 2010.

Results

Indications were biliary atresia (BA; n = 81), primary sclerosing cholangitis (n = 5), α-1 antitrypsin deficiency (n = 4); cholestasis (n = 9), fulminant hepatic failure (n = 8), autoimmune hepatitis (n = 2), Alagille syndrome (n = 4), hepatoblastoma (n = 3), tyrosinemia (n = 2), and congenital hepatic fibrosis (n = 3). The age of the recipients ranged from 7-174 months (median, 22) and the weights ranged from 6-58 kg (median, 10). Forty-nine children (40.5%) weighed ≤10 kg. The grafts included the left lateral segment (n = 108), the left lobe (n = 12), and the right lobe (n = 1). The donors included 71 mothers, 45 fathers, 2 uncles, 1 grandmother, 1 grandfather, and 1 sister with a median age of 29 years (range, 16-53 ys) and a median weight of 68 kg (range, 47-106). Sixteen patients (12.9%) required retransplantation, most commonly due to hepatic artery thrombosis (HAT; n = 13; 10.7%). The other complications were biliary stenosis (n = 25; 20.6%), portal vein thrombosis (PVT; n = 11; 9.1%), portal vein stenosis (n = 5; 4.1%), hepatic vein stenosis (n = 6; 4.9%), and lymphoproliferative disorders (n = 8; 6.6%). The ultimate survival rate of recipients was 90.3% after 1 year and 75.8% after 3 years. Causes of early death within 1 month were HAT (n = 6), PVT (n = 2), severe graft dysfunction (n = 1), sepsis (n = 1), and intraoperative death in children with acute liver failure (n = 2). Causes of late deaths included lymphoproliferative disease (n = 3), chronic rejection (n = 2), biliary complications (n = 3), and recurrent disease (n = 3; hepatoblastoma and primary sclerosing cholangitis).

Conclusions

Despite the heightened possibility of complications (mainly vascular), LRDLT represented a good alternative to transplantation from cadaveric donors in pediatric populations. It was associated with a high survival ratio.     

Splenectomy for Severe Intestinal Bleeding Caused by Portal Hypertensive Enteropathy After Pediatric Living-Donor Liver Transplantation: A Report of Three Cases

Background

The incidence of portal vein thrombosis after pediatric living-donor liver transplantation (LDLT) is reported to be higher than that after deceased-donor or adult liver transplantation. Portal vein thrombosis can cause portal hypertension and related complications, including portal hypertensive gastropathy or portal hypertensive enteropathy (PHE). PHE, in particular, can lead to severe intestinal bleeding, which is extremely difficult to treat. However, the pathogenesis of and appropriate treatment for PHE are not clearly defined, especially after pediatric LDLT.

Predictive factors for persistent splenomegaly and hypersplenism after adult living donor liver transplantation

Purpose

The aim of this study was to evaluate predictive factors for persistent splenomegaly and hypersplenism after living donor liver transplantation (LDLT).

Patients and methods

From January 2008 to June 2010, 159 adult patients (116 males and 43 females) who underwent living donor liver transplantation (LDLT) had pre- and post-LDLT computed tomography angiography and survived more than 6 months. Patients with post-LDLT portal vein stenosis were excluded from this study. We analyzed the impact for persistent splenomegaly and hypersplenism after LDLT of pre-LDLT spleen volume, main portal vein (PV) size, coronary vein (CV) size and platelet levels.

Results

While 38 patients displayed splenomegaly, 121 showed normal spleen volumes at 6 months after LDLT (LDLT). There were 119 thrombocytopenic versus 40 normal platelet patients at 6 months post-LDLT. The persistent splenomegaly patients showed significantly larger pre-LDLT spleen volume, larger PV and CV sizes as well as lower platelet levels before (×10,000/mL) and 1 month after LDLT (×10,000/mL). Multiple logistic regression analysis showed spleen volume and platelet count at 1 month posttransplant to be the only variables associated with persistent splenomegaly at 6 months post. Persistent thrombocytopenia at 6 months post-LDLT was associated with significantly larger pre-LDLT spleen volume, larger CV size, and lower platelet levels including P0 and P1 m. Multiple logistic regression analysis showed that platelet count at 1 week and at 1 month post-LDLT were the variables associated with persistent thrombocytopenia at 6 months post-LDLT.

Conclusion

Spleen volume and platelet levels at 1 month after LDLT may predict persistent splenomegaly at 6 months post-LDLT. The predictive factors for hypersplenism at 6 months post-LDLT may be platelet levels at 1 week and at 1 month post-LDLT.     

Living Donor Liver Transplantation for Acute Liver Failure: A Single Center Experience

Objective

Orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT) is the principal therapy for acute liver failure (ALF). The mortality on the waiting list for deceased donor liver transplantation (DDLT) is high, principally in countries where donation rates are low. Living donor liver transplantation (LDLT) seems an option for the treatment of ALF, although some ethical issues need to be considered. Herein we have evaluated LDLT results among patients with ALF and discussed the ethical aspects of procedures performed in emergency situations.

Patients and Methods

From March 2002 to October 2008, we performed 301 liver transplantations, including 103 from living donors. ALF was responsible for 10.6% of all transplantations; LDLT was only considered for pediatric recipients among whom 7 children displayed ALF.

Results

One patient died on postoperative day 33 due to hepatic artery thrombosis. One patient died at 2 months after transplantation due to biliary sepsis, resulting in an overall survival rate of 71%. The average time for donor discharge was 5 days. No mortality or major complications were observed.

Conclusions

The survival of children with ALF undergoing LDLT was comparable to published data. Furthermore, despite the fact that the available time to prepare the donors was limited, no serious complications were observed in the postoperative period. Thus, using living donors for children with ALF is an effective, safe alternative that can be extremely useful in countries with low donation rates.     

Endoscopic management of biliary complications after adult right-lobe living donor liver transplantation without initial biliary decompression

Objectives

We sought to examine biliary complications in adult right-lobe living donor liver transplantation (LDLT) with duct-to-duct anastomosis (RL-LDLT-DD), evaluating the efficacy of endoscopic retrograde cholangiography (ERC) in the diagnosis and management of biliary complications following LDLT.

Methods

Ninety adult RL-LDLT-DD were performed from June 2004 to August 2007, including 21 (23.3%) cases of biliary complications.

Results

The endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatiography (ERCP) findings were stricture only (n = 8), stricture plus leakage (n = 9), and leakage only (n = 4). In the overall 13 cases of leakage, nine patients recovered after treatment by stent or endoscopic nasobiliary drainage. The time to resolution was 3.0 ± 1.3 months with 2.2 ± 1.3 endoscopic examinations. All bile duct complications were treated by ERC first. Among 17 cases with stricture, seven cases were successfully treated by endoscopy and three cases by percutaneous transhepatic cholangiography plus stent (PTCS). In the other seven cases, the treatment was still ongoing in five cases and two subjects died during treatment. The mean time to stricture resolution 7.2 ± 3.3 months with 3.9 ± 1.4 endoscopic examinations. The results of 21 cases were 5/21 mortalities (23.8%), successful ERC treatment in 9/21; (42.9%), successful PTCS treatment in 3/21 (14.3%), and ongoing ERC treatment in 5/21, (23.8%), including one case with successful ERC treatment who died of lung infection postoperatively. During follow-up (13.1 ± 9.9 months), there was no recurrence in the stricture or leak.

Conclusions

When compared with the literature, RL-LDLT-DD without biliary drainage does not increase the incidence of biliary complications. From our study, ERC and PTC play a complementary roles in the treatment of bile duct complications.     

Correlation Between Splenectomy and Portal Vein Complications in Living Donor Liver Transplantation

Objectives

In adults undergoing living donor liver transplantation (LDLT), the transplanted livers are partial grafts, and the portal venous pressure is higher than that observed with whole liver grafts. In patients undergoing LDLT concomitant with splenomegaly, portal venous flow is often diverted to collateral vessels, leading to a high risk of portal vein thrombosis. In such cases, occlusion of the collateral veins is important; however, complete occlusion of all collaterals without blocking the blood flow through the splenic artery causes portal hypertension and liver failure. We aimed to examine the effect of performing a splenectomy concomitant with LDLT to reduce portal vein complications.

Long-term outcome of hepatic artery reconstruction during living-donor liver transplantation

Background

Hepatic artery thrombosis (HAT) after living-donor liver transplantation (LDLT) is a potentially life-threatening complication. Although the introduction of microsurgical techniques has significantly decreased the incidence of HAT after LDLT, it remains a challenge for microsurgeons. We previously reported the use of the microsurgical hepatic arterial reconstruction technique during LDLT using the head-mounted surgical binocular system.

Methods

In this study, we describe the long-term outcome of microsurgical hepatic artery reconstruction using the head-mounted surgical binocular system and our hepatic arterial reconstruction techniques on LDLT patients, including intimal dissection cases and clinical courses. Between August 2001 and February 2010, 146 patients underwent LDLT at our institution. Using a surgical loupe, the Varioscope AF3, which is a head-mounted surgical binocular system with automatic focusing and continuous zoom magnification from 3.6× to 7.2×, 150 arteries of 146 liver grafts were reconstructed. When the tunica intima was separated from the tunica media, suturing was performed from the inside of the vessels to the outside using an 8-0 monofilament Prolene with double needles, which facilitates secure sutures with good intima adaptation.

Results

The 1- and 3-year survival rates of the 146 patients were 80.3% and 74.9%, respectively, with a mean follow-up of 40.2 months. The mean diameter of the graft hepatic artery was 2.79 mm. HAT was not encountered in this series of patients.

Conclusion

The use of the Varioscope and the application of our suturing techniques have provided entirely satisfactory long-term results of hepatic artery reconstruction during LDLT, even in intimal dissection cases.