Auxiliary Partial Orthotopic Versus Standard Orthotopic Whole Liver Transplantation for Acute Liver Failure: A Reappraisal From a Single Center by a Case-Control Study

OBJECTIVE: To reappraise the results of auxiliary partial orthotopic liver transplantation (APOLT) compared with those of standard whole-liver transplantation (OLT) in terms of postoperative death and complications, including neurologic sequelae. SUMMARY BACKGROUND DATA: Compared with OLT, APOLT preserves the possibility for the native liver to recover, and to stop immunosuppression. METHODS: In a consecutive series of 49 patients transplanted for fulminant or subfulminant hepatitis, 37 received OLT and 12 received APOLT. APOLT was done when logistics allowed simultaneous performance of graft preparation and the native liver partial hepatectomy to revascularize the graft as soon as possible. Each patient undergoing APOLT (12 patients) was matched to two patients undergoing OLT (24 patients) according to age, grade of coma, etiology, and fulminant or subfulminant type of hepatitis. All grafts in the study population were retrieved from optimal donors. RESULTS: Before surgery, both groups were comparable in all aspects. In-hospital death occurred in 4 of 12 patients undergoing APOLT compared with 6 of 24 patients undergoing OLT. Patients receiving APOLT had 1 +/- 1.3 technical complications compared with 0.3 +/- 0.5 for OLT patients. Bacteriemia was significantly more frequent after APOLT than after OLT. The need for retransplantation was significantly higher in the APOLT patients (3/12 vs. 0/24). Brain death from brain edema or neurologic sequelae was significantly more frequent after APOLT (4/12 vs. 2/24). One-year patient survival was comparable in both groups (66% vs. 66%), and there was a trend toward lower 1-year retransplantation-free survival rates in the APOLT group (39% vs. 66%). Only 2 of 12 (17%) patients had full success with APOLT (i.e., patient survival, liver regeneration, withdrawal of immunosuppression, and graft removal). One of these two patients had neurologic sequelae. CONCLUSIONS: Using optimal grafts, APOLT and OLT have similar patient survival rates. However, the complication rate is higher with APOLT. On an intent-to-treat basis, the efficacy of the APOLT procedure is low. This analysis suggests that the indications for an APOLT procedure should be reconsidered in the light of the risks of technical complications and neurologic sequelae.     

Temporary Auxiliary Partial Orthotopic Liver Transplantation Using a Small Graft for Familial Amyloid Polyneuropathy

Donor shortage is a major issue in liver transplantation. We have successfully performed temporary auxiliary partial orthotopic liver transplantation (APOLT) using a small volume graft procured from a living donor for recipients with familial amyloid polyneuropathy (FAP). The aim of this study was to evaluate this procedure by comparing it with standard living donor liver transplantation (LDLT). We compared 13 recipients undergoing this procedure with 23 recipients undergoing a standard LDLT for the treatment of FAP. The estimated donor graft volume and the graft volume/recipient's standard liver volume ratio were significantly smaller in the temporary APOLT group than in the standard LDLT group. Postoperative complications were comparable, although the hospital stay was longer in the temporary APOLT group. All the patients safely underwent a remnant native liver resection about 2 months after their first operation in the temporary APOLT group. No symptoms related to FAP developed before the remnant liver resection, and no significant differences in graft and patient survival were observed between the two groups. We successfully performed temporary APOLT using a small volume liver graft without postoperative liver failure for FAP. Temporary APOLT for FAP might be a useful alternative procedure for expanding the donor pool for LDLT.     

Auxiliary partial orthotopic living donor liver transplantation as an aid for small-for-size grafts in larger recipients.

BACKGROUND: In countries where living donors are the only source of liver grafts, restrictions on graft size are a serious obstacle for the expansion of indications for adult recipients. To overcome this problem, auxiliary partial orthotopic liver transplants (APOLT*) was performed on the basis of the concept that the residual native liver would support the graft function until the graft had grown enough to function by itself. METHODS: APOLT as an aid for small-for-size (SFS) grafts was reviewed retrospectively to evaluate its feasibility. Between April 1995 and March 1998, 20 recipients underwent APOLT, which was indicated because of a SFS graft in 15 of them. The indication was based on the estimated graft/recipient's body weight ratio (GRWR). If the ratio was <0.8%, APOLT was performed. The other 5 patients had a graft with a GRWR >0.8% and underwent APOLT on the basis of the residual native liver supporting the graft function temporarily, 4 for supplementation of the defective enzyme in metabolic liver diseases and one for leaving the potential of the regeneration of the native liver in fulminant hepatic failure. The recipients who underwent APOLT because of a SFS graft were categorized as the SFS group, and the others were the second group. RESULTS: In the SFS group, the age of the recipients ranged from 13 to 48 (median 23). The original indications of this group were fulminant hepatic failure in 2 recipients, acute deterioration of chronic liver diseases in 3, Wilson's disease in 2, biliary atresia in 4, primary biliary cirrhosis in 3, and primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC) in one. The actual GRWR ranged from 0.45 to 0.72 (median 0.55). The graft was implanted after resection of the left lateral segment of the native liver. Except in the first two patients, the portal vein to the residual native liver was completely transected so that all of the portal blood drained into the graft liver. This procedure was successful in 9 patients. The cause of death in the other 6 was mainly infection. The mortality rate among the recipients with signs of advanced liver failure, such as massive ascites or hepatic coma, was higher, even though APOLT was used to support the SFS graft. In the second group, in the other five recipients who underwent APOLT for other indications, one recipient with fulminant hepatic failure died of sepsis caused by the dehiscence of bilio-enteric anastomosis. CONCLUSIONS: APOLT as an aid for a SFS graft is technically viable. This procedure can thus expand the indication of living donor liver transplants for adult recipients when the native liver retains some functional capability to support the grafted liver during the immediate postoperative period.     

Duct-to-duct biliary reconstruction in living donor liver transplantation utilizing right lobe graft

OBJECTIVE: To assess the feasibility and safety of duct-to-duct biliary anastomosis for living donor liver transplantation (LDLT) utilizing the right lobe. SUMMARY BACKGROUND DATA: Biliary tract complications remain one of the most serious problems after liver transplantation. Roux-en-Y hepaticojejunostomy has been a standard procedure for biliary reconstruction in LDLT with a partial hepatic graft. However, end-to-end choledochocholedochostomy is the technique of choice for biliary reconstruction and yields a more physiologic bilioenteric continuity than can be achieved with Roux-en-Y hepaticojejunostomy. The authors performed right lobe LDLT with end-to-end duct-to-duct biliary anastomosis, and this study assessed retrospectively the relation between the manner of reconstruction and complications. METHODS: Between July 1999 and December 2000, 51 patients (11-67 years of age) underwent 52 right lobe LDLTs with duct-to-duct biliary reconstruction and remained alive more than 1 month after their transplantation. Interrupted biliary anastomosis was performed for 24 transplants and the continuous procedure was used for 28. A biliary tube was inserted downward into the common bile ducts through the recipient's cystic duct in 16 transplants (cystic drainage), or a biliary stent tube was pushed upward into the anastomosis through the cystic duct in four transplants (cystic stent), or upward into the anastomosis through the wall of the common bile duct in 31 transplants (external stent). RESULTS: Biliary anastomotic procedures consisted of 34 single end-to-end anastomoses, 11 double end-to-end anastomoses, and 7 single anastomoses for double hepatic ducts. Overall, 5 patients developed leakage (9.6%) and 12 patients suffered stricture (23.0%). For biliary anastomosis with interrupted suture, the incidence of stricture was significantly higher in the cystic drainage group (53.3%, 8/15) than in the stent group consisting of cystic stent and external stent (0%, 0/8). While the respective incidences of leakage and stricture were 20% and 53.3% for intermittent suture with a cystic drainage tube (n = 15), they were 7.7% and 15.4% for a continuous suture with an external stent (n = 26). There was a significant difference in the incidence of stricture. CONCLUSIONS: Duct-to-duct reconstruction with continuous suture combined with an external stent represents a useful technique for LDLT utilizing the right lobe, but biliary complications remain significant.     

Routine use of auxiliary partial orthotopic liver transplantation for children with fulminant hepatic failure: Preliminary report

Auxiliary partial orthotopic liver transplantation (APOLT) has been performed for both metabolic disorders and fulminant liver failure (FHF). When the native liver regenerates, the patients with FHF who undergo APOLT have a chance to withdraw immunosuppression. It may be most beneficial for children. This preliminary report describes our start to routinely offer APOLT as an option to standard OLT for children with FHF in 2005. Six children (ages 8 months to 8 years) received APOLT: 1 in 1996 and the others in 2005 and 2006. The donor ages ranged from 4 to 40 years. We used either a left lateral segment or a left lobe graft. The recipient left lobe, which was removed, showed submassive to massive necrosis at the time of transplantation. All children are alive and well. The first patient who received APOLT in 1996 is currently off immunosuppression with a fully recovered native liver; the grafted liver underwent complete atrophy. The 5 remaining subjects are receiving reduced levels of immunosuppression with close monitoring. Their serial liver biopsy specimens show slight to significant recovery. One developed hepatic artery thrombosis, requiring retransplantation. The native liver was retained at the time of retransplantation (redo APOLT). Other postoperative complications included a bile leak (n = 1), invasive mucomycosis of the arm (preexisting condition; n = 1), biliary stricture (n = 1), and acute cellular rejection (n = 3). Posttransplantation length of stay was 6 to 60 days (median, 15 days). In conclusion, APOLT can be safely performed in children with FHF displaying short-term outcomes comparable to standard transplantations.     

三种姑息减黄手术治疗恶性梗阻性黄疸临床对比分析

目的：比较不同姑息减黄手术治疗恶性梗阻性黄疸的临床效果。 方法：回顾性分析2007年1月—2012年1月期间收治的37例恶性梗阻性黄疸需姑息减黄患者临床资料,其中14例行经典Roux-en-Y胆肠吻合术式（经典内引流组）,12例行改良胆肠襻式吻合术（改良内引流组）,11例行体外胆汁转流术（外引流组）。比较3组的减黄疗效、术中与术后指标及生存情况。 结果：3组术后总胆红素水平均较术前明显下降,但3种术式的减黄效果相近（P>0.05）。改良内引流组和外引流组较经典内引流组手术时间、术中出血量、肠功能恢复时间及术后住院时间均明显减少,外引流组的住院费用少于经典内引流组与改良内引流组,手术时间、出血量较改良内引流组更加减少（均P<0.05）。经典内引流组术后2例（14.2%）发生反流性胆管炎,而改良内引流组和外引流组无反流性胆管炎发生。3组术后中位生存期差异无统计学意义（P>0.05）。 结论：改良胆肠襻式吻合术治疗恶性梗阻性黄疸疗效确切,术后器官功能恢复快,可以作为姑息减黄的首选术式,而体外胆汁转流术操作简单,创伤小、费用低,适于在基层医院推广。

     

Biliary reconstruction,its complications and management of biliary complications after adult liver transplantation: a systematic review of the incidence,risk factors and outcome

Biliary reconstruction remains common in postoperative complications after liver transplantation. A systematic search was conducted on the PubMed database and 61 studies of retrospective or prospective institutional data were eligible for this review. The study comprised a total of 14 359 liver transplantations. The overall incidence of biliary stricture was 13%; 12% among deceased donor liver transplantation (DDLT) patients and 19% among living donor liver transplantation (LDLT) recipients. The overall incidence of biliary leakage was 8.2%, 7.8% among DDLT patients and 9.5% among LDLT recipients. An endoscopic strategy is the first choice for biliary complications; 83% of patients with biliary stricture were treated by endoscopic modalities with a success rate of 57% and 38% of patients with leakage were indicated for endoscopic biliary drainage. T‐tube placement was not performed in 82% of duct‐to‐duct reconstruction. The incidence of biliary stricture was 10% with a T‐tube and 13% without a T‐tube and the incidence of leakage was 5% with a T‐tube and 6% without a T‐tube. A preceding bile leak and LDLT procedure are accepted risk factors for anastomotic stricture. Biliary complications remain common, which requires further investigation and the refinement of reconstruction techniques and management strategies.     

Intraoperative Placement of External Biliary Drains for Prevention and Treatment of Bile Leaks After Extended Liver Resection Without Bilioenteric Anastomosis

Background

Improved surgical techniques, substantial preoperative diagnostics, and advanced perioperative management permit extensive and complex liver resection. Thus, hepatic malignancies that would have been considered inoperable some years ago may be curatively resected today. Despite all this progress, biliary leakage remains a clinically relevant issue, especially after extended liver resection. Intraoperative decompression of bile ducts by means of distinct biliary drains is controversial. Although drainage is rarely used as a routine procedure, it might be useful in selected patients at high risk for biliary leakage.

Methods

We describe surgical management of long-segment exposed or injured bile ducts after extended parenchymal resection with concomitant lymphadenectomy. Because blood supply to the bile duct may be impaired, the risk of biliary necrosis and/or leakage is significant. Internal splinting of the bile duct to ensure optimum decompression plus guidance might be helpful. Thus, in selected cases after trisectionectomy we inserted an external–internal or internal–external drain into long-segment exposed bile ducts. For internal–external drains the tube was diverted via the major duodenal papilla into the duodenum and then transfixed after the duodenojejunal flexure through the jejunal wall by means of a Witzel’s channel.

Results

Because the entire bile duct is splinted, this technique is superior to bile duct decompression with a T-tube. This is supported by the course of a patient suffering biliary leakage after extended right-sided hepatectomy for colorectal metastasis. Initially, a T-tube was inserted for decompression, but biliary leakage persisted. After inserting transhepatic external–internal drainage, bile leakage stopped immediately. The patient’s course was then uneventful. Five other patients (mostly with locally advanced hepatocellular or cholangiocellular carcinoma) treated similarly were discharged without complications. Drain removal 6 weeks postoperatively was uncomplicated in five of the 6 patients. In the sixth patient, external–internal drainage was replaced by a Yamakawa-type prosthesis for a biliary stricture. None of the patients suffered severe complications during long-term follow-up.

Conclusions

The bile duct drainage technique presented in this study was useful for preventing and treating bile leakage after long-segment exposure of extrahepatic bile ducts during major hepatectomy. Transhepatic or internal–external drains are often used for bilioenteric anastomoses, but similar drainage techniques have not been reported for the native bile duct. T-tubes are generally used in this situation. In particular cases, however, inner splinting of the bile duct and appropriate movement of the bile via a tube can be helpful.     

Porcine model of auxiliary partial orthotopic liver transplantation for acute liver failure

BACKGROUND: Auxiliary partial orthotopic liver transplantation (APOLT) has been an effective alternative in acute liver failure (ALF), but clinically several problems remain to be resolved. Thus, we attempt to establish an APOLT model for ALF using a large animal and demonstrate the validity of our model. METHODS: In experiment 1, we created an animal model of ALF using pig. ALF was induced by resection of 70% of the whole liver under total hepatic vascular exclusion (THVE). The duration of ischemia was 90 minutes. In experiment 2, we tried to make an APOLT model by using this ALF model as a recipient. That is, during 90 minutes of THVE, 70% hepatectomy and subsequent partial orthotopic transplantation was completed. RESULTS: In experiment 1, six of seven pigs died within three days with jaundice and massive ascites. Based on microcirculatory disturbance of the remnant liver and hepatocellular necrosis, 70% hepatectomy with 90 minutes of THVE was considered a proper model of ALF. In experiment 2, six out of seven APOLT model animals survived more than four days. T. Bil levels in the APOLT model remained consistently within the normal range throughout the observation period. In immunohistochemistry, several labeled nuclei stained with Ki67 were identified in native liver of the APOLT model. CONCLUSIONS: This APOLT procedure provided temporary liver function support and enabled the recipient to survive until the failing native liver had regenerated. Our APOLT model could be suitable and useful for understanding the role of APOLT in ALF.     

经皮经肝胆道引流术联合胆道球囊扩张术治疗良性胆肠吻合口狭窄

目的评估经皮经肝胆道引流术联合胆道球囊扩张术治疗良性胆肠吻合口狭窄的有效性及安全性。方法回顾性分析经皮经肝胆道引流术联合胆道球囊扩张术治疗的良性胆肠吻合口狭窄患者14例,记录手术成功率、引流管拔除率、手术相关并发症,并随访胆肠吻合口长期开通情况。结果对所有患者均一次性成功实施经皮经肝胆道引流术,手术成功率100%(14/14),行胆道球囊扩张术1~6次,平均(3.0±1.8)次,胆道球囊直径8~10mm,单次球囊扩张时间1~3min。引流管拔除率85.71%(12/14),可夹闭引流管、但需间断开放引流管者占14.29%(2/14)。14例患者术后总胆红素、直接胆红素、丙氨酸氨基转移酶、天冬氨酸氨基转移酶、碱性磷酸酶、γ-谷胺酰转肽酶较术前均明显下降(P均0.05)。所有患者术中、术后生命体征平稳,1例患者因术中疼痛需静脉麻醉处理。随访6~54个月,中位随访时间17.5个月,吻合口开放良好。结论经皮经肝胆道引流术联合胆道球囊扩张术处理良性胆肠吻合口狭窄临床效果好,患者耐受性良好,手术并发症少。     

Auxiliary Partial Orthotopic Living Donor Liver Transplantation: Kyoto University Experience

Auxiliary partial orthotopic liver transplantation (APOLT) was initially indicated as a potentially reversible fulminant hepatic failure and non-cirrhotic metabolic liver disease to compensate for enzyme deficiency without complete removal of the native liver. We expand our indication of APOLT for small-for-size grafts to support the function of implanted grafts during the early post-operative period, and for ABO-incompatibility to sustain a patient's life if the patient has a graft failure. We retrospectively reviewed 31 patients undergoing APOLT from living donor. The indication of APOLT was fulminant hepatic failure in 6, non-cirrhotic metabolic liver disease in 6, small-for-size grafts in 13 and ABO-incompatible cases in 6. The cumulative survival rate for APOLT at 1 and 5 years was 57.9% and 50.6%, and 78.8% and 73.8% for standard LDLT. None of the patients who underwent transplantation with APOLT for fulminant hepatic failure had long-term patient survival. The incidence of acute cellular rejection was higher in APOLT (58.1%) than standard LDLT (35.0%). Biliary complication was higher and the need for retransplantation was greater in APOLT than standard LDLT (p < 0.01). The results suggest that the indications of APOLT should be reconsidered in view of the risk for complications and retransplantation.     

肝移植手术相关并发症的防治

目的总结和探讨原位肝移植手术相关并发症发生的原因、预防及治疗。方法对1993年4月至2004年12月所实行的647例次原位肝移植患者的临床资料进行回顾性分析。结果肝移植手术后共发生并发症73例,发生率11．3％（73／647）,包括血管并发症39例（6．0％,39／647）,其中肝动脉23例（3．6％）,门静脉6例（0．9％）,腔静脉10例（1．5％）,其中腔静脉并发症均发生在非腔静脉整形患者;放置内支架治疗肝动脉狭窄2例,均成功;肝动脉血栓形成者行再次移植治疗,成功率为4／6,再血管化和气囊扩张成功率分别为3／7和2／7;放置内支架治疗门静脉吻合口狭窄和腔静脉狭窄的成功率为3／3和10／10。发生胆道并发症34例（5．3％）,其中放置T管患者发生胆道并发症27例,未放置T管患者7例,两组吻合口胆漏、胆道狭窄和感染的发生率比较,差异有统计学意义（P〈0．01）。结论传统背驮式肝移植术能有效预防腔静脉并发症的发生;放置内支架技术治疗血管狭窄性病变效果好;早期肝动脉血栓形成应采取再次肝移植;确保供肝胆道系统的血供是减少胆道并发症的关键;不放置T管的胆管端端吻合术,是胆道重建的首选术式。     

Usefulness of External Biliary Stent Buried Suture for Reducing Stent-Related Complications In Liver Transplantation

BackgroundExternal bile stents may be used to prevent biliary complications. However, the external biliary stent itself has a risk of complications. This study evaluated the frequency and treatment of complications associated with external bile stent.MethodsFrom May 2015 to September 2019, 18 deceased donor liver transplantations (DDLTs) and 25 living donor liver transplantations (LDLTs) were performed. We retrospectively reviewed these patients’ demographic profiles, type of transplantation and presence of biliary complications, external bile stent–related complications, and treatment results.ResultsOverall biliary complications occurred in 12 patients (27.9%): 3 strictures (6.9%), 2 leakages (4.6%), and 7 external bile stent–related complications (16.2%). Among the 7, 4 were self-removal or stent fractures at home, and 2 occurred after removal by a physician. One patient had ileus with peritonitis. Local peritonitis was controlled by antibiotics and fluid therapy, but 1 patient needed an operation because of intestinal obstruction with recurrent local peritonitis. All biliary complications occurred in LDLT, and external biliary stent–related complications also occurred only in LDLT, not in DDLT (P = .014). Interestingly, only 1 of 7 external bile stent–related complications occurred after we adopted the stent buried suture technique on the duodenum (P = .062).ConclusionsExternal bile stent–related complications were higher in LDLT than in DDLT. When performing external bile stent implantation, the stent buried suture technique will help reduce stent-related complications, especially in LDLT.     

肝移植术后胆道并发症的内镜介入治疗

目的 评估肝移植术后胆道并发症内镜介入治疗的价值。方法 1996年5月至2005年2月进行的肝移植166例中,肝移植术后胆道并发症27例;其中14例进行内镜介入治疗21次,男性8例,女性6例,平均年龄45．8岁。ERC下放置鼻胆管外引流3例,放置支架内引流6例,气囊扩张1例,乳头括约肌切开1例,ERCP3例。结果 50％(1／2)胆瘘、50％(4／8)胆道狭窄内镜介入治疗有效;75％(3／4)管型综合症经。ERCP诊断。结论 ERC有助于肝移植术后胆道并发症诊断,治疗有效、安全,是肝移植术后胆道并发症首选治疗方法。     

Attempted treatment of factor H deficiency by liver transplantation

Complement factor H (FH) deficiency is one of the causes of atypical hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS). Most patients with FH deficiency associated HUS progress to end-stage renal disease despite plasma therapy. Moreover, the disease invariably recurs in the graft kidney and causes graft failure. We confirmed FH deficiency in a 30-month-old boy with recurrent HUS of 2 years duration, and attempted an auxiliary partial orthotopic liver transplantation (APOLT) to overcome the sustained intractable dependency on plasma therapy. APOLT restored the plasma FH level, without HUS recurrence, for 7 months. However, thereafter he suffered from serious infectious complications associated with immunosuppression and finally died 11 months after APOLT. In conclusion, although APOLT showed clinical and laboratory improvement for some period in this patient, the final fatal outcome suggests that liver transplantation should be cautiously applied to patients with HUS associated with FH deficiency.     

原位肝移植后胆道并发症的诊断与治疗

目的 探讨原位肝移植术后胆道并发症的诊治。方法 回顾性分析40例原位肝移植的临床资料，总结术后胆道并发症的防治经验。结果 3例患者术后出现血胆红素和／或转氨酶持续性升高，经T管胆道造影术及核磁共振胆胰管成像证实存在胆道狭窄，其中2例为肝门部胆管与肝总管狭窄，1例为吻合口处胆管狭窄。经采用T管窦道球囊扩张术，3例的胆道狭窄得以改善，肝功能好转，其中1例经3次选择性球囊扩张，现健康存活已21月余；其中合并胆漏的1例，在B型超声波引导下穿刺置管负压引流后治愈；合并胆道胆泥淤积的1例及合并多重胆道感染的2例，均予以对症治疗。结论 手术技术不佳及胆管的血液供应不良是肝移植术后发生胆道并发症的重要因素；联合应用胆道造影术和核磁共振胆胰管成像能了解胆树全貌，有助于胆道狭窄、胆泥淤积与胆漏的诊断；及时采用放射介入技术处理胆道并发症可取得良好疗效。     

The C tube in biliary surgery--its development and clinical application]

BACKGROUND: The T tube procedure for bile drainage after biliary surgery has been used all over the world for more than 90 years. However, this method has serious drawbacks: a high complication ratio and a need for long-term hospitalization. Therefore other bile drainage methods including PTGBD, PTBD and ENBD have been developed, but none has so far been able to replace T tube. We have developed a new technique for bile drainage using the C tube (cystic duct tube), which is a slender tube (6Fr. polyvinyl) inserted via the cystic duct into the common bile duct (CBD). We have used C tube in more than 400 cases over the last 20 years: for open surgery during the first 10 years, and for laparoscopic surgery in the last 10 years. Here we describe the history of improvements in the C tube method and the techniques of C tube application in biliary surgery. Elastic surgical suture has been used to fix the C tube to the cystic duct, which successfully prevented bile leakage from the ductal stump after withdrawal of the tube. C tube is not only used for postoperative bile drainage but also for the management of remnant stones. The purpose of this study is to assess the safety and benefits of the C tube procedure. METHODS: I: From 1980 to 1998, 335 cholecystectomized cases which had undergone the C tube procedure were examined for complications resulting from C tube placement. II: We analyzed 134 patients with choledocholithiasis: 34 patients had been treated using C tube drainage, and 100 patients had been treated with the T tube procedure after undergoing CBD exploration. The main outcome criteria were: the frequency of post-operative complications, quantity of bile drainage, drainage period, and length of post-operative hospital stay. III: Between 1990 and 1999, 131 patients (15.2%) of a total of 860 laparoscopically cholecystectomized patients with gallstones underwent C tube treatment. We assessed the usefulness of the C tube procedure for the detection and management of remnant stones. RESULTS: I: There were no major complications (bile-leakage, CBD stenosis, etc.) in 335 cases which underwent the C tube procedure. Minor complications related to C tube were: spontaneous withdrawal of the tube in 5 cases, movement of the tube tip in 17 cases, and difficulties during tube removal in 32 cases which included slight resistance. Two cases had liver dysfunction (GOT 705 IU/l and 488 IU/l), although this was easily normalized after withdrawal of the tube tip from the duodenal papillae into the CBD. II: The frequency of complications in patients who underwent the C tube procedure was zero, whilst in the T tube group the major complication rate was 3% and the minor complication rate was 21%. The quantity of bile drainage was 283.6 +/- 22.9 ml/day in the C tube group compared with 302.7 +/- 10.3 ml/day in the T tube group, showing no significant difference. The drainage period (5.9 +/- 0.6 days) in the C tube group was significantly shorter than in the T tube group (27.7 +/- 0.9 days). Hospital stays (11.6 +/- 0.6 days) in the C tube group were significantly shorter than in the T tube group (45.0 +/- 1.5 days). III: Remnant CBD stones were detected by postoperative cholangiography via the C tube in 28 (21.4%) of the C tube replacement cases and in 3.3% of all the laparoscopically cholecystectomized patients. Seventeen patients with remnant stones were managed using glyceryl trinitrate CBD perfusion-induced relaxation of the sphincter of Oddi. The remaining patients were managed with endoscopic papillary balloon dilatation (EPBD) and/or endoscopic sphincterotomy (EST) without reoperation. We also have described other applications of the C tube procedure for the evaluation of sphincter of Oddi motility as an indication for EST, for bile drainage in liver resection, in the treatment of liver injuries, and for duodenal decompression after duodenal surgery. Finally we have mentioned the possibility of C tube application in the management of obstructive jaundice and bile drainage in liver transplantation surgery. CONCLUSION: The C tube method in biliary surgery is safe and useful in comparison with the T tube method. We are strongly convinced that the T tube will be completely replaced by the C tube.     

Duct-to-Duct Biliary Reconstructions and Complications in 100 Living Donor Liver Transplantations

Objective

We evaluated the risk factors for biliary complications and surgical procedures for duct-to-duct reconstructions in adult living donor liver transplantation (LDLT).

Patients and Methods

From February 2005 to March 2008, we performed 100 cases of adult LDLT with duct-to-duct biliary reconstruction, using 64 right lobe grafts, 33 left lobe grafts, and 3 right lateral grafts. We employed 4 types of duct-to-duct procedures: all interrupted 6-0 Prolene suture (group 1, n = 9); continuous posterior and interrupted anterior wall 6-0 Prolene suture (group 2, n = 49); all continuous 7-0 Prolene suture (group 3, n = 26); and all continuous 7-0 Prolene suture with external stent (group 4, n = 16). Biliary complications were defined as an anastomosis stricture or a leakage.

Results

Thirty-four patients experienced biliary complications during the follow-up period (median, 27 months). The incidence of stricture was 27% and that of leakage, 8%. There were no perioperative, intraoperative, or anatomic risk factors for biliary complications, except the type of duct-to-duct procedure. Group 1 and 2 patients showed higher incidences of biliary strictures than groups 3 and 4 (43.1% vs 4.7%; P = .00). Group 3 patients experienced a higher incidence of bile leakage than the other groups (23.1% vs 2.7%; P = .004).

Conclusions

The type of biliary reconstruction is a factor affecting biliary complications following duct-to-duct anastomosis in LDLT. Duct-to-duct biliary anastomosis with 7-0 monofilament suture and a small external stent is a feasible procedure in LDLT that significantly reduces the incidence of biliary complications.     

Biliary Surgery Via Minilaparotomy — A Limited Procedure for Biliary Lithiasis

Cholelithiasis until now has been treated using solvents, lithotripsy via a biliary endoscope, laser or shock wave lithotripsy, and laparoscopic cholecystectomy. have developed a new surgical treatment for cholelithiasis in which a cholecystectomy is performed through a minilaparotomy. This paper presents this new technique and discusses the principles of surgery for cholelithiasis using this technique. This procedure is performed by a 2 to 3 cm subcostal skin incision in the right hypochondrium. More than 400 patients were treated by this technique. This procedure is not different in terms of blood loss .or operation time from conventional methods, and no significant complications have occurred. Intraoperative X-ray examination is performed routinely because of easy insertion of a tube from the cystic duct into the bile duct. Reduction of the length of the incision greatly facilitates postoperative recovery, shortening the hospital length-of-stay to within 3 days. The surgical manipulation of only a limited area of the upper abdomen is unlikely to induce postoperative syndromes, such as adhesions or ileus. Following this experience, a biliary drainage procedure based on cholangionmanomery and primary closure of the choledochotomy was introduced. This approach allowed even patients with choledocholithiasis to undergo a minilaparotomy and be discharged within one week.     

肝内胆管结石围手术期的快速康复治疗

目的:探讨快速康复外科(FTS)在肝内胆管结石患者围手术期的应用效果.方法:分析2005年7月-2012年6月间132例行手术治疗肝内胆管结石患者的临床资料.按照患者围手术期处理方法的不同分为FTS组(56例)和对照组(76例),FTS组采用快速康复的新型围手术期处理方法,而对照组采用传统方法进行围手术期处理.结果:与对照组比较,FTS组患者术后住院天数[(8.8±4.6)d vs.(13.1±6.2)d]、住院费用减少[(3.0±0.6)万元vs.(4.0±0.5)万元],术后总体并发症及切口感染发生率下降[26.8％ vs.44.7％,19.7％ vs.36.8％],术后拔除腹腔引流管时间及术后首次排气时间提前[(5.4±3.8)d vs.(8.4±4.5)d,(1.9±0.7)d vs.(3.5±0.6)d](均P＜0.05),全组患者的Logistic多因素回归分析显示,年龄、既往胆道手术史、术中切口保护措施及术后拔除腹腔引流管时间是术后切口感染发生率的影响因素(均P＜0.05).结论:在肝内胆管结石患者中应用FTS理念是安全有效的,可以降低术后并发症发生率,减少住院费用,缩短住院时间,促进患者康复.