Combination splitting using both in situ and ex situ techniques in triple split liver transplantation in pigs

In situ splitting of cadaver livers has been reported to reduce cold ischemic damage, to avoid biliary complications, and to result in improved graft survival. In this study, which involved a wider application of split liver transplantation (SLT), we examined the effects of a technique combining both ex situ and in situ splittings in triple SLT in pigs and compared it to ex situ splitting alone. In the combination splitting group, the splitting between the right and left lobes was done in situ with perfusion of the left lobe with cold, lactated Ringer's solution; that between the lateral and medical right lobes was done ex situ in backtable surgery. The time required for in situ splitting was 28 ± 5 min. The time for backtable surgery and the total ischemia time were significantly shorter in the combination splitting group than that in the ex situ splitting group (P < 0.05). One day after triple SLT, the elevations in both serum AST and LDH in the ex situ splitting group were significantly greater than those in the combination splitting group (P < 0.05). We conclude that combination splitting may provide a technical improvement and have a beneficial effect on the clinical application of triple SLT. Received: 21 October 1997 Received after revision: June 9, 1998 Accepted: July 8, 1998     

Twenty years of liver transplantation in Brazil

This paper summarizes the 20 years of liver transplantation in Brazil, in the context of the Western world scenario. More than 5000 liver transplantations have been performed in the country since September 1, 1985. The living-donor liver transplantation, one of the landmarks in liver transplantation, was first described by our team in 1989. Brazil is the seventh country in number of liver transplants in the Western world and the first in Latin America. Almost 1000 procedures were performed in 2004, 19% of them involving living donors.     

Liberal policy of split liver for pediatric liver transplantation. A single centre experience

Abstract We adopted a liberal policy of extensive use of split liver in a pediatric liver transplantation (LT) program. Over a 19‐month period, we have performed 64 LT in 54 patients with pediatric indications. One patient received two liver grafts as a part of a liver‐small bowel transplantation and was not considered. Of the 60 LT considered, performed in 53 patients, 34 were with split grafts. The 1‐year actuarial survival for the patients transplanted with a split graft was 81 % and 89% when only elective cases were considered. The median time on the waiting list was 22 days with no mortality. The extensive use of split liver allowed transplantation in a large number of pediatric patients, with good results without the need for living donor liver transplantation. We envisage a trend towards systematic splitting of liver grafts.     

Feasibility and limits of split liver transplantation from pediatric donors: an italian multicenter experience

OBJECTIVE: To report the results of a multicenter experience of split liver transplantation (SLT) with pediatric donors. SUMMARY BACKGROUND DATA: There are no reports in the literature regarding pediatric liver splitting; further; the use of donors weighing <40 kg for SLT is currently not recommended. METHODS: From 1997 to 2004, 43 conventional split liver procedures from donors aged <15 years were performed. Nineteen donors weighing < or =40 kg and 24 weighing >40 kg were used. Dimensional matching was based on donor-to-recipient weight ratio (DRWR) for left lateral segment (LLS) and on estimated graft-to-recipient weight ratio (eGRWR) for extended right grafts (ERG). In 3 cases, no recipient was found for an ERG. The celiac trunk was retained with the LLS in all but 1 case. Forty LLSs were transplanted into 39 children, while 39 ERGs were transplanted into 11 children and 28 adults. RESULTS: Two-year patient and graft survival rates were not significantly different between recipients of donors < or =40 kg and >40 kg, between pediatric and adult recipients, and between recipients of LLSs and ERGs. Vascular complication rates were 12% in the < or =40 kg donor group and 6% in the >40 kg donor group (P = not significant). There were no differences in the incidence of other complications. Donor ICU stay >3 days and the use of an interposition arterial graft were associated with an increased risk of graft loss and arterial complications, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Splitting of pediatric liver grafts is an effective strategy to increase organ availability, but a cautious evaluation of the use of donors < or =40 kg is necessary. Prolonged donor ICU stay is associated with poorer outcomes. The maintenance of the celiac trunk with LLS does not seem detrimental for right-sided grafts, whereas the use of interposition grafts for arterial reconstruction should be avoided.     

Early graft function after pediatric liver transplantation: comparison between in situ split liver grafts and living-related liver grafts.

BACKGROUND: The systematic application of living-related and cadaveric, in situ split-liver transplantation has helped to alleviate the critical shortage of suitable-sized, pediatric donors. Undoubtedly, both techniques are beneficial and advantageous; however, the superiority of either graft source has not been demonstrated directly. Because of the potential living-donor risks, we reserve the living donor as the last graft option for pediatric recipients awaiting liver transplantation. Inasmuch as no direct comparison between these two graft types has been performed, we sought to perform a comparative analysis of the functional outcomes of left lateral segmental grafts procured from these donor sources to determine whether differences do exist. METHODS: A retrospective analysis of all liver transplants performed at a single institution between February 1984 and January 1999 was undertaken. Only pediatric (<18 years) recipients of left lateral segmental grafts procured from either living-related (LRD) or cadaveric, in situ split-liver (SLD) donors were included. A detailed analysis of preoperative, intraoperative, and postoperative variables was undertaken. Survival was estimated using the Kaplan-Meier method, and comparison of variables between groups was undertaken using the t test of Wilcoxon rank sum test. RESULTS: There were no significant differences in the preoperative variables between the 39 recipients of SLD grafts and 34 recipients of LRD grafts. The donors did differ significantly in mean age, ABO blood group matching, and preoperative liver function testing. Postoperative liver function testing revealed significant early differences in aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, lactate dehydrogenase, prothrombin time, and alkaline phosphatase, with grafts from LRD performing better than those from SLD. SLD grafts also had significantly longer ischemia times and a higher incidence of graft loss owing to primary nonfunction and technical complications (9 vs. 2, P<0.05). However, six of these graft losses in the SLD group were because of technical or immunologic causes, which, theoretically, should not differ between the two groups. Furthermore, these graft losses did not negatively impact early patient survival as most patients were successfully rescued with retransplantation (30-day actuarial survival, 97.1% SLD vs. 94.1% LRD, P=0.745). In the surviving grafts, the early differences in liver function variables normalized. CONCLUSIONS: Inherent differences in both donor sources exist and account for differences seen in preoperative and intraoperative variables. Segmental grafts from LRD clearly performed better in the first week after transplantation as demonstrated by lower liver function variables and less graft loss to primary nonfunction. However, the intermediate function (7-30 days) of both grafts did not differ, and the early graft losses did not translate into patient death. Although minimal living-donor morbidity was seen in this series, the use of this donor type still carries a finite risk. We therefore will continue to use SLD as the primary graft source for pediatric patients awaiting liver transplantation.     

In situ split liver transplantation for adult and pediatric recipients: an answer to organ shortage

BACKGROUND: We report our initial experience with in situ split liver transplantation (SLT) for adult and pediatric patients. PATIENTS AND METHODS: From June 2003 to August 2005, 177 liver transplantations in 165 patients, 133 adults (81%) and 32 children (19%), were performed at our institution. Over this period, 45 liver transplantations (25%) were performed with an in situ split liver technique in 44 patients: 17 (39%) were adults and 27 (61%) children. All of the adult split liver recipients were transplanted with an extended right graft (ERG; segments I + IV-VIII), while pediatric recipients received in 23 cases a left lateral segment (LLS; segments II-III) and in 4 cases an ERG from a pediatric donor. The 45 split liver grafts (21 ERGs and 24 LLSs) were generated from 35 donors. In 10 cases we used both grafts generated with an in situ split procedure to transplant our patients, while in 25 cases the procurement procedure was performed in collaboration with other transplant centers. RESULTS: After a median follow-up of 9 months (range, 1-27 months), the overall patient survival rate was 88% for adult patients and 82% for pediatric patients. Graft survivals were 88% and 79%, respectively. Two adult patients (12%) died from sepsis in the early postoperative period. Five children (18%) died after their transplantations. Only one pediatric recipient (2%) of primary SLT underwent retransplantation. Vascular complications were absent in adult recipients, whereas 4 arterial (14%) and 4 venous (14%) complications developed in the pediatric population. The incidence of biliary complications was 23% in adult and 18% in pediatric recipients. CONCLUSIONS: The use of in situ SLT for adult and pediatric populations allowed us to expand the cadaveric donor pool, significantly eliminating pediatric waiting list mortality without penalizing the adult population.     

Twenty cases of adult-to-adult living-related liver transplantation: single-center experience in Saudi Arabia

BACKGROUND: The deceased donor organ shortage has forced surgeons to implement innovations, including living-related liver transplantation (LRLT). OBJECTIVE: To present the first 20 cases of adult LRLT in a single center in Saudi Arabia. METHODS: From November 2000 to May 2004, we performed 20 cases of LRLT. Eighteen donors were men and 2 were women. Their median age was 27 years. Seventeen of the recipients were men and 3 were women of median age 55 years. One patient received combined liver and kidney grafts. RESULTS: All cases had liver cirrhosis. Seven had hepatitis C; six, hepatitis B and C; three, hepatitis B; one, alcoholic cirrhosis; one, Bylar disease, one hepatic schistosomiasis, and one cryptogenic cirrhosis. Three cases had associated hepatocellular carcinomas. There was no donor mortality. In the recipients, the overall patient and graft survival was 85%. While 10 donors presented uneventful postoperative courses, 8 experienced minor complications and 2, major complications: biliary stricture and portal vein thrombosis. Recipients complications included biliary complications (35%), acute rejection (20%), hepatitis C reactivation (20%), hepatic vein stenosis (10%), hepatic artery stenosis (5%), and hepatocellular carcinoma recurrence (5%). CONCLUSIONS: LRLT has become a standard option in adults with end-stage liver failure in our center.     

儿童劈离式肝移植的胆管分型与重建

目的  探讨儿童劈离式肝移植左肝内胆管（LHD）的解剖分型、胆道重建方式及其与术后胆道并发症的关系。方法  回顾性分析75例儿童劈离式肝移植受者的临床资料。供肝劈离前采用碘普罗胺注射液经胆总管逆行造影,根据二、三、四段肝内胆管走向确定供肝LHD的解剖分型,总结不同LHD分型的胆道重建方案,分析儿童劈离式肝移植术后胆道并发症的发生及治疗情况。结果  75个供肝中,LHD解剖分型为Ⅰ型57例（76%）、Ⅱ型9例（12%）、Ⅲ型4例（5%）、Ⅳ型5例（7%）。75例儿童受者的胆道重建方案包括左肝管-空肠Roux-en-Y吻合69例（Ⅰ型53例、Ⅱ型8例、Ⅲ型4例、Ⅳ型4例）,胆总管-空肠Roux-en-Y吻合1例（Ⅳ型）,左肝管-胆总管端端吻合5例（Ⅰ型4例、Ⅱ型1例）。术后6例发生胆道并发症,发生率为8%,其中胆道吻合口狭窄3例,胆道吻合口胆漏2例,肝断面胆漏1例。发生在Ⅰ型4例,发生在Ⅲ型2例,LHD经典型与解剖变异型的胆道并发症发生率差异无统计学意义（均为P > 0.05）。3例胆道吻合口狭窄受者中,2例行经皮经肝胆道引流术（PTCD）,1例行再次胆肠吻合术;2例胆道吻合口胆漏受者均行PTCD;1例断面胆漏受者予局部引流。6例患儿治疗后均存活。结论  供肝中24%存在LHD的解剖变异,其中Ⅱ型最多,为12%。供肝劈离前常规胆道造影和精细的胆道吻合技术可以有效降低胆道并发症的发生率。术后胆道并发症的发生与LHD解剖分型无明显相关性。     

Outcomes of liver transplantation for patients with Alagille syndrome: the studies of pediatric liver transplantation experience

Alagille syndrome (ALGS) is a multisystem disorder that manifests as childhood cholestasis. Reports of liver transplantation (LT) for patients with ALGS have come largely from single centers, which have reported survival rates of 57% to 79%. The aim of this study was to determine LT outcomes for patients with ALGS. We performed a retrospective analysis of the Studies of Pediatric Liver Transplantation database, which contains information about 3153 pediatric LT recipients. Data were available for 91 patients with ALGS and for 236 age-matched patients with biliary atresia (BA). The frequency of complex cardiac anomalies was lower in the LT group with ALGS versus published ALGS series (5% versus 13%). The pretransplant glomerular filtration rate (GFR) was <90 mL/minute/1.73 m(2) in 18% of the LT patients with ALGS and in 5% of the LT patients with BA (P < 0.001). The height deficit at listing was worse for the ALGS patients (66%) versus the BA patients (22%). The 1-year patient survival rates were 87% for the ALGS patients and 96% for the BA patients (P = 0.002). The deaths in the ALGS group mostly occurred within the first 30 days. No pretransplant factors associated with death were identified in the ALGS group. A survival analysis revealed that biliary (P = 0.02), vascular (P < 0.001), central nervous system (CNS; P < 0.001), and renal complications (P < 0.001) after LT were associated with death in the ALGS group. Renal insufficiency in the ALGS patients worsened after LT, and at 1 year, GFR was <90 mL/minute/1.73 m(2) in 22% of the LT patients with ALGS but in only 8% of the patients with BA (P = 0.0014). More LT pediatric patients with ALGS either were currently receiving special education (50% versus 30% for BA patients, P = 0.02) or had received special education in the past (60% versus 36%, P = 0.01). Vascular, CNS, and renal complications were increased in the ALGS patients after LT, and this reflected multisystem involvement. Although the 1-year survival rate was modestly lower for the ALGS patients versus the BA patients, the clustering of deaths within the first 30 days is notable and warrants increased vigilance and further investigation.     

Anesthetic experience in adult and pediatric orthotopic liver transplantation

The authors report their experience with orthotopic liver transplantation in 8 adults and 6 children operated during a 14 months period. The anesthetic technique is described and three points of it are underlined: Renal failure is prevented by a systematic low-dose dopamine infusion added to optimal preloading and mannitol given during the anhepatic phase. Donor liver flush via the portal vein with lactated Ringer's solution is checked by serial measurements of K+ concentration in the fluid draining from the infrahepatic vena cava: the flush is assumed adequate if that K+ level is less than 10 mmoles/l. The risk of air embolism at the time of unclamping is minimized by discontinuing N2O, adding a mild PEEP and placing the patient in Trendelenburg position. The values of hemodynamic and metabolic measurements are given and discussed. There was no peroperative mortality.     

Twenty years of liver transplantation for Budd-Chiari syndrome: a national registry analysis.

Several treatment options exist for the management of Budd-Chiari syndrome (BCS), yet the relative role and timing of liver transplantation (LT) remain poorly defined. Small case series published to date have not been able to delineate the impact of comorbidities and thromboembolic complications of BCS on survival after LT. To better understand the outcomes after LT for BCS, we analyzed 510 liver transplants performed for this disease in the United States between 1987 and 2006. Risk factors predicting graft loss or patient death included increased recipient age, hyperbilirubinemia, elevated creatinine, life support or hospitalization at the time of transplantation, prior transplantation, prior abdominal surgery, increased donor age, and prolonged cold ischemic time (CIT). Prior transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS) was not associated with worse outcomes. Transplantation in the Model for End-Stage Liver Disease (MELD) era was associated with significantly lower risk of graft loss (hazard ratio [HR], 0.50; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.30-0.86; P = 0.012) and death (HR, 0.52; 95% CI, 0.29-0.93; P = 0.027). Similarly, MELD era was associated with significantly lower risk of early graft loss (odds ratio [OR], 0.35; 95% CI, 0.16-0.79, P = 0.012) and early death (odds ratio, 0.37; 95% CI, 0.14-0.95; P = 0.040). However, patients with BCS transplanted in the MELD era were less likely to have life support, hospitalization, prior transplants, and prolonged cold ischemia times. In conclusion, outcomes of LT for BCS are excellent, with further improvements since 2002 associated with a selection shift imposed by MELD-based organ allocation.