Outcomes of Combined Liver–Kidney Transplantation in Children: Analysis of the Scientific Registry of Transplant Recipients

Combined liver–kidney transplantation (CLKT) in children is uncommon and outcomes have not been well defined. Using the Scientific Registry of Transplant Recipients, data were analyzed on 152 primary pediatric CLKTs performed from October 1987 to February 2011, to determine their outcome in the largest series reported to date. Patient survival was 86.8%, 82.1% and 78.9% at 1, 5 and 10 years, liver graft survival was 81.9%, 76.5% and 72.6%, and kidney graft survival was 83.4%, 76.5% and 66.8%. By way of comparison, the Registry was queried for pediatric patient survival following isolated liver transplantation (LT) during the same time frame: 86.7%, 81.2% and 77.4% and following isolated kidney transplant (KT): 98.2%, 95.4% and 90% at 1, 5 and 10 years. In patients having undergone CLKT, primary hyperoxaluria was associated with reduced patient (p = 0.01), liver graft (p = 0.01) and kidney graft survival (p = 0.01). Furthermore, graft outcome following CLKT improved over the past decade (p = 0.04 for liver, p = 0.02 for kidney), but this did not translate into improved patient outcome (p = 0.2). All in all, our results confirmed that survival following LT was less than following KT, and that CLKT offered similar patient survival to isolated LT.     

Robotic Trans‐Abdominal Transplant Nephrectomy for a Failed Renal Allograft

Minimally invasive surgery for removal of a failed renal allograft has not previously been reported. Herein, we report the first robotic trans‐abdominal transplant nephrectomy (TN). A 34‐year‐old male with Alport's syndrome lost function of his deceased donor allograft after 12 years and presented with fever, pain over his allograft and hematuria. The operation was performed intra‐abdominally using the Da Vinci Robotic Surgical System with four trocars. The total operative time was 235 min and the estimated blood loss was less than 25 cm³. There were no peri‐operative complications observed and the patient was discharged to home less than 24 h postoperatively. The utilization of robotic technology facilitated the successful performance of a minimally invasive, trans‐abdominal TN.     

Factors associated with outcome of spinopelvic dissociation treated with lumbopelvic fixation

Spinopelvic dissociation is a rare high-energy injury, which is frequently associated with lumbosacral plexus and cauda equina deficits. During an 18-year period, 36 consecutive patients with a H-type sacral fracture and spinopelvic dissociation were treated using lumbopelvic fixation with a minimum follow-up of 18 months. We evaluated factors prognostic of outcome after standardised surgical fixation and neural decompression. Neurological recovery was assessed by Gibbons’ criteria. Pelvis Outcome Scale (POS clinical score) was used to evaluate the clinical outcome. Despite excellent or good radiological results in the vertical components of the sacral fractures having been achieved in all patients, 15 patients (42%) had a poor clinical outcome. The degree of initial translational displacement in the transverse sacral fracture was significantly associated with neurological recovery (as defined by a change in Gibbons score) (p = 0.038) and final POS clinical score (p < 0.001). Both neurological recovery and clinical outcome were worse in patients with completely displaced fractures than in patients with a partially displaced sacral fracture. The degree of residual translational displacement and kyphosis in the transverse sacral fracture were also associated with clinical outcome (POS clinical score) (p = 0.011 and p = 0,018, respectively). However, Roy-Camille classification (type 2 vs. type 3), age, gender, ISS, timing of surgery, and sacral laminectomy did not have a statistically significant association with the outcome. Based on the results, Roy-Camille sacral fracture classification (type 2 vs. type 3) was not prognostic of neurological impairment. Thus further categorisation of the transverse sacral fractures as partially displaced or completely displaced could be used to predict the rate of neurological recovery following lumbopelvic fixation. Accurate reduction of all sacral fracture components seems to be associated with better clinical outcome.     

Development of an inter-professional clinical practice guideline for vocational evaluation following severe burn

Purpose

To develop an inter-professional clinical practice guideline for vocational evaluation following severe burn.

Methods

The Canadian Medical Association's (CMA) handbook on clinical practice guideline and the appraisal of guidelines for research and evaluation (AGREE) were used to develop the guideline. The following steps from the CMA handbook were followed: (1) identifying the guideline's objective and questions; (2) systematic literature review; (3) study selection and quality appraisal and (4) development of clear recommendations by key stakeholders. The international classification of function and disability was used as a guiding theoretical framework.

Results

The guideline includes recommendations within seven domains: (1) establishing evaluation purpose and consent; (2) history taking and information gathering; (3) assessment of functional systems: body systems and structures; (4) assessment of functional systems: activity limitations and participation restrictions; (5) identification of key personal and environmental factors; (6) analysis and synthesis; (7) development of evaluation recommendations.

Conclusions

This guideline insures that vocational evaluators use an evidence-based approach to systematically assess elements within the individual, the work, workplace, personal and environmental facilitators and barriers to work participation. The guideline may be useful to clinicians, healthcare teams, employers and individuals with severe burns. Future steps will include guideline pilot testing and endorsement.     

实施临床决策 遏制过度医疗

阐述过度医疗的概念、特征和表现,分析临床决策的原则,确认临床决策是遏制过度医疗的重要举措。     

Are our expectations bigger than the results we achieve? A comparative study analysing potential advantages of ankle arthroplasty over arthrodesis

Purpose

Prior studies have reported improved gait performance and kinematics after total ankle arthroplasty (TAR) compared to ankle arthrodesis (AAD). Given these findings, AAD has been primarily considered as a salvage procedure that may lead to adjacent joint degeneration.

Methods

A total of 101 TAR and 40 screw arthrodeses were enrolled in a retrospective study with a prospectively designed follow-up examination that included gait analysis and outcome assessment with the AOFAS hindfoot score and FAOS questionnaire.

Results

Significant asymmetry in gait and reduced range of motion compared to normal remained after both procedures. Subjective outcome improved after both procedures, and pain was significantly better after TAR. Limited functional gains after TAR and joint degeneration to the same degree after both procedures was seen in the mid-term. Hindfoot fusion seemed to have a greater impact on postoperative function than ankle arthrodesis.

Conclusion

Considering only minor functional gains of TAR compared to AAD the implantation of current TAR designs in large patient series may be questioned.