Technical implications of living donor liver transplantation: a single-center experience

Liver transplantation for end-stage liver disease is the treatment of choice in current surgical practice. However, the shortage of cadaveric organs has limited this treatment option for many years. Living donor liver transplantation (LDLT) may be an option to overcome the organ shortage. In the present series we report a single-center experience with 39 LDLT performed from March 2000 to June 2003. The main indications for LDLT was hepatitis B cirrhosis (11 patients). The recipient hepatectomy was performed with caval preservation. The hepatic vein anastomosis was performed either to recipient hepatic vein or inferior vena cava. The portal vein anastomosis was performed either to the recipient's main or right portal branch. Biliary diversion was performed to the recipient biliary ducts if possible, otherwise to a jejunal loop in Roux-en-Y fashion. The survival rate at the end of one year was 71%. The leading cause of mortality was sepsis in five patients. Biliary complications developed in 20% of the recipients. All bile leaks were from the Roux-en-Y hepaticojejunostomy. Hepatic artery thrombosis was diagnosed in four patients by loss of hepatic blood flow on Doppler ultrasound. LDLT is a major surgical option for end-stage liver disease, particularly for countries with low rates of organ donation. However, there are technical challenges to be overcome such as small vessels from segmental grafts and multiple small bile ducts.     

Outcome of pediatric live-donor liver transplantation-the Toronto experience

Background/Purpose: Live-donor liver transplantation (LDLT) has developed to address the critical shortage of cadaveric organs that accounts for 20% of children who die while awaiting for a liver transplant in Ontario each year. This report reviews the outcome of the pediatric recipients of LDLT at the authors[apos ] center. Methods: The charts of all children who received a LDLT between June 1996 and March 2002 were reviewed retrospectively. Results: Thirteen children (mean age, 3.6 years) underwent LDLT. All donors were parents except for one cousin. Ten grafts were left-lateral segments, 2 were right lobes, and 1 was a left lobe. Three patients required a SILASTIC^{[reg ]} (Dow Corning, Midland, MI) patch for delayed abdominal wall closure. Patient and graft survival rate was 100% with a median follow-up of 376 days. Major postoperative complications included biliary leaks (n [equals] 2), biliary strictures (n [equals] 1), portal vein thrombosis (n [equals] 1), and hepatic venous complications (n [equals] 1). There were no cases of hepatic artery thrombosis. Ten of 12 children became Positive for Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), and 3 of these patients had readily treatable post-transplant lymphoproliferative disorder. Conclusions: LDLT is an acceptable alternative to cadaveric transplantation for children with end-stage liver disease. J Pediatr Surg 38:668-671. [copy ] 2003 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.     

Venous complications after orthotopic liver transplantation

We report venous complications, including portal vein and hepatic vein stenoses, that required interventional radiological treatment in three pediatric and two adult living related liver transplant recipients. Between April 2001 and April 2005, 81 liver transplantations were performed at our hospital. Sixty-two grafts were from living donors. During follow-up, three portal vein stenoses were identified in three pediatric recipients, and two hepatic vein stenoses in two adult patients. In the children, two had received left lateral segment grafts, and one had received a right lobe graft from two mothers and one father, respectively. The etiologies of liver failure were Alagille syndrome, biliary atresia, and fulminant Wilson's disease. Portal vein stenoses were identified at 8, 11, and 12 months after transplantation; all three patients underwent percutaneous transhepatic portal venous angioplasty with a success rate of 100%. The mean follow-up was 102 days; no recurrence has occurred. In contrast, hepatic venous stenoses were diagnosed in two adult recipients. One of them was a 24-year-old woman with autoimmune hepatitis and the other a 43-year-old man with cryptogenic cirrhosis. Hepatic vein stenoses were diagnosed at 3 and 4 months after transplantation. Both hepatic vein stenoses were dilated with balloon angioplasties via the transjugular route. Venous complications identified by Doppler ultrasonography were confirmed by computerized tomographic angiography. Angioplasty represents an effective and safe alternative to reconstructive surgery in the treatment of venous complications after liver transplantation.     

A Single-Center's Early Surgical Outcomes of Living Donor Liver Transplantation

BackgroundLiving donor liver transplantation (LDLT) has become an increasingly common surgical option because the number of cadaveric donors is insufficient to fulfill the organ needs of patients facing end-stage cirrhosis. Many centers are investigating different surgical techniques to achieve lower complication rates. We aimed to examine our complication rates in light of demographic data, graft data, and perioperative findings as a single-center experience.MethodsThe study included one hundred and three patients who underwent LDLT for end-stage liver cirrhosis. Demographic data; sex; age; blood group; Model for End-Stage Liver Disease score; Child score; etiology; liver side; graft-to-recipient weight ratio; hepatic artery, portal vein, and bile anastomosis type rates; anhepatic phase; cold ischemia time; operation time; and blood product transfusion rates were analyzed. Biliary complications in patients with single or multiple biliary anastomoses, right or left liver transplants, and with or without hepatic artery thrombosis were analyzed statistically.ResultsThere was no significant difference in biliary complications between patients who underwent single or multiple bile anastomosis (P = .231) or patients receiving right lobe and left lobe transplants (P = .315). Although there was no statistically significant difference in the rate of portal vein thrombosis between the regular and reconstructed portal vein anastomosis groups (P = .693), the postoperative portal vein thrombosis rate was statistically higher in patients with left lobe transplants (P = .044).ConclusionsVascular and biliary complication rates can be reduced with increasing experience.     

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.     

肝移植术后胆道并发症病因分析

目的探讨原位肝移植术后胆道并发症的病因.方法回顾性分析235例尸体供肝和36例活体供肝原位肝移植的临床资料,总结术后胆道并发症的病因.结果36例活体肝移植受体术后胆道并发症的发生率为5.6%,235例尸体供肝肝移植受体术后胆道并发症的发生率为19.1%;肝内胆道狭窄和胆道铸型结石形成等严重胆道并发症在活体肝移植中未发生.讨论缺血时间尤其热缺血时间是导致严重胆道并发症的最主要的原因,所留取的受体胆道长度也是影响胆道并发症的一个主要因素.     

Pediatric liver transplantation: fourteen years of experience at the children institute in São Paulo, Brazil

This study reports the 14-year experience of a single center on 206 liver transplantations from living and cadaveric donors performed in 179 pediatric patients. Biliary atresia (57.2%) and fulminant hepatitis (9.8%) were the most frequent indications. The mean age of the recipients was 3 years, 7 months (9 months to 18 years) and mean weight was 14 kg (7 to 57 kg). The allografts were distributed as 82 (39.8%) whole cadaveric, 76 (36.9%) reduced-size cadaveric, 46 (22.3%) living donor liver transplants, and 2 (0.9%) ex situ split livers. The waiting periods were 25 days for living donors and 2.5 years for cadaveric donors (P <.001). Twenty-seven children were retransplanted with hepatic artery thrombosis the most frequent indication. The postoperative complications were: primary nonfunction (12.2%), biliary stenosis (28.8%), hepatic artery thrombosis (12.2%), portal vein stenosis (4.9%), hepatic vein stenosis (6.9%), and lymphoproliferative disorder (5.9%). The diagnosis of biliary stenosis was obtained by liver biopsy and transhepatic cholangiography and treated by balloon dilatation, although four children (3.9%) required a redo hepaticojejunostomy. The venous stenoses were percutaneously dilated with five-children (4.9%) requiring venous stents. The incidence of hepatic vein stenosis was 15.6% among living donor and 2.5% in cadaveric liver transplantation (P <.05). The overall 5-year patient and graft survivals were 70.2% and 65.1%. Liver transplantation provides excellent long-term survival. The use of grafts from living donors decreases the waiting periods but increases the incidence of hepatic vein stenosis.     

活体肝移植22例临床分析

目的 总结开展活体肝移植的临床经验,探讨进一步提高活体肝移植疗效的措施.方法 回顾性分析我院22例活体肝移植供受体的临床资料,总结术前评估过程、手术方法和术后并发症的情况.结果 本组获取的供肝移植物包括左外叶2例、左半肝6例、扩大左半肝1例、右半肝5例和扩大右半肝8例.所有供体术后恢复顺利,未出现严重并发症.22例受体中成年患者13例,儿童患者9例.围手术期发生并发症8例,包括严重腹腔感染1例,肝功能恢复不良合并伤口感染1例,腹腔内出血继发肝动脉血栓形成1例,此3例患者最终均因多器官功能衰竭死亡.1例肝功能衰竭的患儿术后因心肺功能衰竭死亡.另外发生胆漏2例,顽固性腹水1例,右下肢深静脉血栓形成1例,均通过保守疗法治愈.18例受体病愈出院.手术后期发生胆道吻合口狭窄3例,行PTCD并留置支撑管治疗,Oddi括约肌失迟缓引起的梗阻性黄疸1例,行内镜下十二指肠乳头括约肌切开术治疗.此4例患者病情稳定,肝功能均已恢复正常.结论 选择合适的供体、掌握关键的手术技术,才能使供受体都获得良好的预后.     

Hepatic arterial buffer response after pediatric living donor liver transplantation: report of a case

Background

Excessive portal pressure at an early stage after living-donor liver transplantation (LDLT) can damage sinusoidal endothelial cells and hepatocytes through shear stress leading to graft failure, or hepatic arterial complications due to low hepatic artery flow from a hepatic arterial buffer response. We encountered a case in which excessive portal vein flow was observed from an early stage after pediatric LDLT. The hepatic artery flow decreased due to a hepatic arterial buffer response.

Case report

A 6-month-old boy with biliary atresia showed excessive portal vein flow early after LDLT with a decreasing hepatic artery flow without anastomotic stenosis from postoperative day 3. The PV flow gradually exhibited a decrease at approximately postoperative day 8 and, similtaneously, hepatic artery flow exhibited improvement.

Conclusion

Because excessive portal pressure after LDLT is reversible, it has been suggested that it may be possible to prevent the progress of hepatic arterial complications if temporary portal pressure modulation can be performed for cases among the high-risk group for hepatic arterial complications.     

Interventional radiologic procedures in liver transplantation

Postoperative biliary and vascular complications contribute significantly to morbidity and mortality in liver transplantation. Interventional radiologists are an integral part of the multidisciplinary team necessary for optimizing the management of these complications. During a 15-year period, 39 cadaveric and 25 living related liver transplantations were performed at the Chang Gung Memorial hospital, Taiwan. Of 64 liver transplant recipients, 9 (3 adult and 6 pediatric) underwent 13 interventional radiological procedures for the treatment of biliary sludge-casts (n = 2), bile duct occlusion or stenosis (n = 2), hepatic veins thrombosis (n = 1), hepatic veins stenosis (n = 1), portal vein stenosis with splenorenal shunting (n = 1), biloma (n = 1), and infected fluid collection or ascites (n = 4). Antegrade or retrograde interventional approach was used to successfully treat all biliary complications, and all percutaneous drainage procedures were effective in the control of intra-abdominal fluid collections. Portal vein stenosis was treated by balloon dilatation, and the associated splenorenal shunt was closed by metallic coil embolization via transhepatic catheterization of the portal vein. Hepatic vein stenosis was effectively treated by balloon dilatation and expandable metallic stent deployment via transfemoral and jugular venous approaches, respectively. Hepatic vein thrombosis was only partially lysed by transvenous streptokinase administration, and surgical thrombectomy was needed to achieve complete recanalization. The total success rate of the interventional procedures was 92 % with no procedure-related complications. The overall survival rate in this series is 89 %, and all patients who underwent living related liver transplantation maintain to date a 100 % survival rate. We can conclude that interventional radiological procedures are very useful for managing biliary and vascular complications after liver transplantation. These techniques provide a cure in most situations, thus obviating the need for further surgical intervention or re-transplantation. Received: 6 March 2000 Accepted: 5 May 2001     

成人间活体肝移植肝动脉重建方法和并发症的处理

目的 探讨成人间活体肝移植的肝动脉重建和并发症处理的经验.方法 自2002年1月至2006年7月,共施行50例成人间右半肝活体肝移植.在供受者间肝动脉的重建中,供者右肝动脉与受者右肝动脉吻合24例,与受者肝固有动脉吻合12例,与受者左肝动脉吻合3例,与受者肝总动脉吻合2例,与受者肠系膜上动脉发出的副右肝动脉吻合2例,与受者肝总动脉自体大隐静脉间置搭桥3例.受者腹主动脉与供者右肝动脉自体大隐静脉搭桥2例,用保存的尸体髂血管行受者腹主动脉与供者右肝动脉搭桥2例.供者肝动脉直径1.5～2.5 mm,采用显微外科技术在3.5倍手术放大镜和5～10倍手术显微镜下完成肝动脉重建.结果 50例成人间右半肝活体肝移植中,有2例(4%)分别于术后1d、7d发生肝动脉血栓形成,立即采用自体大隐静脉从肾下腹主动脉至供者右肝动脉搭桥术,恢复供肝血流,痊愈出院.1例术后1.5个月后发生肝动脉血栓形成,随访期无临床症状未行处理.术后和随访期未发现肝动脉狭窄、肝动脉假性动脉瘤等并发症.围手术期未有与肝动脉并发症有关的死亡病例.全部病例获得随访,随访时间2～52个月(中位随访时间9个月),1年实际生存率为92%.结论 选择恰当的肝动脉重建方式和应用显微外科技术可显著降低肝动脉并发症,及时处理肝动脉并发症是保证供肝存活的关键.     

Use of the hilar plate looping technique for bile duct dissection in living donor liver transplantation significantly reduces recipient biliary complications

Biliary complications remain a major cause of morbidity after liver transplantation, especially in living donor liver transplantation (LDLT). Maintaining adequate blood supply to the bile duct is important for the prevention of biliary complications. The objective of this study was to analyze the effects of different techniques for bile duct anastomosis on posttransplantation biliary complications. From August 2005 to August 2008, 121 liver transplantations were performed at our center. Among the total 121 liver transplant recipients, 68 patients underwent a LDLT using a right lobe graft and were enrolled in this study. We used classic dissection for the first 38 recipients and the hilar plate looping technique for the next 30 patients. The hilar plate looping technique involves the looping of the complete hilar plate and Glissonian sheath around the hepatic duct after full dissection of the right hepatic artery and portal vein. Biliary complications were defined as bilomas or strictures that developed within 6 months after transplantation and required surgical or radiological intervention. There were no significant demographic differences between the 2 groups. The incidence of complications was 15 (39.5%) for classic dissection and 3 (18.8%) for hilar plate looping. Furthermore, there were no biliary strictures in the hilar plate looping group, and there was a significant difference in the complication rate between the 2 groups (P = .011). In conclusion, the hilar plate looping technique during LDLT significantly reduces recipient biliary complications.     

活体肝移植治疗终末期肝病

目的 探讨活体肝移植(1iving donor liver transplantation,LDLT)供、受者术前评估和手术方式的选择.方法 回顾性分析1995年1月至2007年10月我中心95例LDLT患者的临床资料.良性终末期肝病92例,其中Wilson病45例;肝脏恶性肿瘤3例.结果 供肝切取不带肝中静脉右半肝31例,带肝中静脉右半肝3例,带肝中静脉左半肝51例,不带肝中静脉左半肝或左外叶10例.所有供者术后顺利恢复,均未出现严重并发症.受者随访1～86个月,良性终末期肝病受者1、3、5年累积生存率分别为89%(82例)、78%(71例)和73%(67例),其中Wilson病受者1、3、5年累积生存率分别为92%(42例)、89%(40例)和76%(34例).3例肝脏恶性肿瘤患者死亡2例,1例长期生存.供、受者铜代谢均恢复正常.结论 建立供者安全保障体系是LDLT开展的先决条件,选择合理的手术方式是提高受者生存率的关键.亲体肝移植是治疗Wilson病的有效手段.     

Duct-to-duct biliary reconstruction without a stent in pediatric living-donor liver transplantation

Purpose

In pediatric liver transplantation, Roux-en-Y hepaticojejunostomy is often preferred for biliary reconstruction, especially in living-donor liver transplantation (LDLT). Limited numbers of duct-to-duct biliary reconstructions have been presented in pediatric recipients. We retrospectively reviewed our experiences with duct-to-duct biliary reconstruction without a stent in pediatric LDLT recipients.

Materials and Methods

Since September 2006, 32 LDLTs were performed using a duct-to-duct biliary reconstruction without a stent in 31 children (16 boys and 15 girls; overall mean age, 8.3 ± 5.1 years). We transplanted 19 left lobe grafts, 11 left lateral segments, 1 monosegment, and 1 reduced-size right lobe graft. Twenty-eight grafts had a single bile duct; the remaining 4, two bile ducts. We created a single orifice at the back table for the grafts that had 2 bile ducts.

Results

Two recipients developed bile leakage in the early postoperative period; 3 bile duct stenoses occurred in the late postoperative period. All biliary complications were successfully treated with interventional radiologic or endoscopic approaches. There was no morbidity and no graft loss owing to biliary complications. During a mean follow-up of 23.5 ± 13.6 months (range, 4-44), 4 children died and the remaining 27 (88%) are doing well with satisfactory liver function.

Conclusion

Our results showed that duct-to-duct biliary reconstruction without a stent was a safe technique for biliary reconstruction even among pediatric cases.     

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.     

成人活体肝移植71例报道

目的 探讨开展成人活体肝移植初始阶段如何确保供、受者安全.方法 回顾性分析我院2007年4月至11月71例成人活体肝移植供、受者临床资料,分析评估方案、手术策略和并发症.结果 切取供者右半肝68例,其中带肝中静脉4例;切取带肝中静脉左半肝3例.术后出现并发症2例,1例胆漏,1例腹腔内出血,无供者死亡.受者外科并发症18例,其中胆道并发症12例,血管并发症3例,小肝综合征3例;病死率为10%(7/71).结论 在开展成人活体肝移植的初始阶段,采用严格的供、受者评估、选择合理的手术方式和术后处理可以最大程度地保证供、受者安全.     

肝移植术后胆道并发症病因及预防

目的分析原位肝移植术后胆1道并发症的病因。方法回顾性分析307例尸体供肝和40例活体供肝原位肝移植的临床资料,总结术后胆道并发症的病因。结果40例活体肝移植受体术后胆道并发症的发生率5.0%,307例尸体供肝肝移植受体术后胆道并发症的发生率为18.9%;肝内胆道狭窄和胆道铸型结石形成等严重胆道并发症在活体肝移植和放置“T”管的尸肝移植未发生。结论缺血时间尤其热缺血时间是导致严重胆道并发症的最主要的原因,放置“T”管引流能降低胆道并发症的发生率。     

彩超用于诊断及介入治疗肝移植术后并发症的评价

目的　评估彩超用于肝移植术后并发症诊断及介入治疗中的价值。方法　回顾性分析88例肝移植病人术后并发症彩超诊断和介入治疗的资料。结果　彩超正确诊断右侧胸腔积液 78例、腹腔积液 30例、腹腔出血 6例、腹腔脓肿 2例、肝动脉血栓 2例、肝静脉血栓 1例、胆道并发症及肝癌复发各 2例。误诊肝动脉血栓形成 1例。成功进行超声引导介入治疗 5 1例及肝活检 4 0例。结论　彩超在肝移植术后并发症诊断及介入治疗中具有不可替代的重要作用     

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

Liver transplantation for biliary atresia

Biliary atresia is the most common indication for liver transplantation (OLT) in children. We present our experience with OLT as a treatment for end-stage liver disease in children with biliary atresia. We performed a retrospective review of 20 biliary atresia patients (11 male, 9 female patients; mean age, 21.4 months; range, 6 to 84 months) who had undergone OLT. Mean preoperative weight and height were 10.1 +/- 5.8 kg and 72.5 cm, respectively. Thirteen recipients were younger than 1 year of age, and 15 weighed less than 10 kg at the time of OLT. Fourteen recipients had undergone a Kasai operation prior to the OLT. The mean serum total bilirubin level was 22.56 mg/dL before OLT. Eighteen left lateral segment grafts and two whole grafts were transplanted. The mean recipient operative time was 9.25 hours. The mean recipient intraoperative blood loss was 1.81 U. Two hepatic arterial thromboses and one biliary leak occurred soon after surgery. Portal vein stenoses developed in two recipients at 10 and 12 months after OLT; both were treated with balloon dilatation. Two biliary stenoses, which occurred at 10 months and 3.5 years after surgery, were treated with balloon dilatation. Two recipients died at 2 and 12 days after OLT because of respiratory distress syndrome and sepsis, respectively. The remaining 18 (90%) recipients are alive with good graft function. The overall rejection rate was 31.25%. OLT is an effective treatment for children with biliary atresia and a failed Kasai procedure. Living related liver grafts represented an excellent organ supply for these patients.