Risks faced by donors of right lobe for living donor liver transplantation

BACKGROUND: Because of the shortage of deceased donors with livers fit for transplantation, living donor liver transplantation (LDLT) is becoming an attractive alternative. Attention should be paid to the donors, especially to those of the right lobe. In this study, we evaluated the risks faced by donors of the right lobe for adult-to-adult LDLT. METHODS: The perioperative data from 105 consecutive living donors of the right lobe performed in West China Hospital from January 2002 to December 2007 were retrospectively studied. Preoperative evaluation included CT, MRCP, and intraoperative cholangiography, showing liver volume, hepatic vasculature and the biliary system. The standard liver volume (SLV) and the ratio of left lobe volume to SLV were calculated. The right lobe grafts were obtained by transecting the liver on the right side of the middle hepatic vein without inflow vascular occlusion, using an ultrasonic dissector. After operation the donors were monitored in the Intensive Care Unit for about three days. Each donor was followed up for at least 6 months. RESULTS: There was no donor mortality. Major complications occurred in 14 donors (13.3%), of whom 3 received conservative treatment, 8 required invasive paracentesis, and 3 required further surgery. All donors were recovered well and resumed their previous occupations. CONCLUSIONS: Donors of the right lobe face low risks. The preoperative evaluation, especially evaluation of the volume of the remnant liver, should be exact. During the operation, the patency of the remnant hepatic vasculature and bile duct must be preserved, and the extent of injury to the remnant liver should be limited as much as possible. The detection and treatment of postoperative complications should be diligently performed.

Efficacy of middle hepatic vein reconstruction in adult right-lobe living donor liver transplantation

BACKGROUND: Congestion of the right anterior segment may lead to graft dysfunction in right-lobe living donor liver transplantation (LDLT) without a middle hepatic vein (MHV) trunk. Selective reconstruction of MHV tributaries with the interposition of vascular grafts has been introduced to overcome this problem. However, there is still no consensus on the definite criteria of MHV reconstruction. METHODS: LDLT patients were reviewed to evaluate the effects of MHV reconstruction. From March 2005 to September 2008 in our transplantation center, 120 consecutive LDLTs were performed using a right-lobe graft without a MHV. Excluding 11 patients, among the remainder, 73 (67%) had reconstructed MHV tributaries, and the others 36 (33%) did not. The values of liver functional index and liver graft regeneration ratio were compared between the two groups. RESULTS: There was a prolonged period of liver functional recovery in patients with small-for-size grafts and a graft-recipient weight ratio (GRWR) <1.0%, and without MHV reconstruction. The ratio of liver regeneration 1 month postoperatively in reconstruction cases was 81%, versus 78% in patients without reconstruction (P=0.352), but among small-for-size grafts, there was a significant difference between the two groups (95% vs. 80%). CONCLUSION: Our study shows that reconstruction of MHV tributaries is not necessary in all patients, but is beneficial for patients with GRWR <1.0%. (Hepatobiliary Pancrent Dis Int 2010; 9: 135-138)

Microsurgical reconstruction of hepatic artery in A-A LDLT:124 consecutive cases without HAT

AIM:To retrospectively investigate microsurgical hepatic artery(HA) reconstruction and management of hepatic thrombosis in adult-to-adult living donor liver transplantation(A-A LDLT).METHODS:From January 2001 to September 2009,182 recipients with end-stage liver disease underwent A-A LDLT.Ten of these patients received dual grafts.The 157 men and 25 women had an age range of 18 to 68 years(mean age,42 years).Microsurgical techniques and running sutures with back-wall first techniques were performed in all arterial reconstructions under surgical loupes(3.5 ×) by a group of vascular surgeons.Intimal dissections were resolved by interposition of the great saphenous vein(GSV) between the donor right hepatic artery(RHA) and recipient common HA(3 cases) or abdominal aorta(AA)(2 cases),by interposition of cryopreserved iliac vessels between the donor RHA and recipient AA(2 cases).RESULTS:In the 58 incipient patients in this series,hepatic arterial thrombosis(HAT) was encountered in 4 patients,and was not observed in 124 consecutive cases(total 192 grafts,major incidence,2.08%).All cases of HAT were suspected by routine color Doppler ultrasonographic examination and confirmed by contrast-enhanced ultrasound and hepatic angiography.Of these cases of HAT,two occurred on the 1st and 7th d,respectively,following A-A LDLT,and were immediately revascularized with GSV between the graft and recipient AA.HAT in one patient occurred on the 46th postoperative day with no symptoms,and the remaining case of HAT occurred on the 3rd d following A-A LDLT,and was cured by thrombolytic therapy combined with an anticoagulant but died of multiorgan failure on the 36th d after A-A LDLT.No deaths were related to HAT.CONCLUSION:Applying microsurgical techniques and selecting an appropriate anastomotic artery for HA reconstruction are crucial in reducing the high risk of HAT during A-A LDLT.

Outcome of hepatocellular carcinoma treated by liver transplantation:comparison of living donor and deceased donor transplantation

BACKGROUND: Liver transplantation (LT) has been widely accepted as the treatment of choice for end-stage liver diseases. Due to the scarcity of cadaveric donors, adult-to-adult living donor liver transplantation (LDLT) is advocated as a practical alternative to deceased donor liver transplantation (DDLT). However, some reports suggest that the long-term and recurrence-free survival rates of LDLT are poorer than those of DDLT for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). This study aimed to compare the long-term and recurrence-free survival rates of HCC between LDLT and DDLT. METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed the clinical data of 150 patients with HCC from January 2005 to March 2009. Eleven patients who died of complications during the perioperative period were excluded. The remaining 139 eligible patients (101 DDLT and 38 LDLT) were regularly followed up to October 2009. The Chi-square test or Fisher's exact test were used to compare the characteristics of LDLT and DDLT. The long-term and recurrence-free survival curves of both groups were determined using the Kaplan-Meier method with comparisons performed using the log-rank test. One-way analysis of variance was performed to compare the waiting time of the two groups. RESULTS: Survival rates at 1, 2, 3, and 4 years for LDLT were 81%, 62%, 53%, and 45% and for DDLT were 86%, 60%, 50%, and 38%, respectively. The overall 1-, 2-, 3-, and 4-year recurrence-free rates for LDLT were 71%, 49%, 42%, and 38%, and for DDLT were 76%, 52%, 41%, and 37%, respectively. No significant differences were found by the log-rank test on both long-term and recurrence-free survival rates. CONCLUSIONS: The role of LDLT is reinforced by our study. It may expand the donor pool and achieve the same long-term and recurrence-free survival rates of DDLT.

Postoperative complications after liver transplantation with cavoportal hemitransposition

BACKGROUND: Extensive portal vein thrombosis (PVT) in the recipient of liver transplantation increases postoperative morbidity and mortality. Cavoportal hemitransposition (CPHT) has been described as a salvage technique in the presence of extensive portal and superior mesenteric venous thrombosis. METHODS: We report three patients who underwent this procedure, review the literature, and discuss the postoperative complications of CPHT. RESULTS: Fifty-six patients with extensive PVT who underwent CPHT have been reported. Seventeen patients have died to date. The common complications of CPHT were ascites (55.4%), renal insufficiency (48.2%), variceal bleeding (30.4%), or thrombosis of cavoportal anastomosis or portal branch (14.3%). CONCLUSION: CPHT is a salvage measure to maintain the patency of portal inflow to the liver graft in the presence of extensive PVT.

Hepatic mucormycosis mimicking hilar cholangiocarcinoma:A case report and literature review

Mucormycosis is a rare but invasive opportunistic fungal infection associated with a high mortality rate,and normally occurs in immunocompromised patients. In this report,we describe an immunocompetent patient suffering from hepatic mucormycosis secondary to adrenal mucormycosis,which masquerades as hilar cholangiocarcinoma. After surgical procedure and treatment with amphotericin B and itraconazole,the patient recovered well and had a 2-year infection-free survival. To our knowledge,this special clinical manifestation of hepatic infection as well as adrenal mucormycosis has not been reported to date. Mean-while,this is the first case of an immunocompetent patient with both adrenal and hepatic mucormycosis who has been treated successfully.

Measures for increasing the safety of donors in living donor liver transplantation using right lobe grafts

BACKGROUND: The safety of donors in living donor liver transplantation (LDLT) should be the primary consideration. The aim of this study was to report our experience in increasing the safety of donors in LDLTs using right lobe grafts. METHODS: We retrospectively studied 37 living donors of right lobe grafts from January 2002 to March 2006. The measures for increasing the safety of donors in LDLT included carefully selected donors, preoperative evaluation by ultrasonography, angiography and computed tomography; and necessary intraoperative cholangiography and ultrasonography. Right lobe grafts were obtained using an ultrasonic dissector without inflow vascular occlusion on the right side of the middle hepatic vein. The standard liver volume and the ratio of left lobe volume to standard liver volume were calculated. RESULTS: There was no donor mortality in our group. Postoperative complications only included bile leakage (I donor), biliary stricture (1) and portal vein thrombosis (1). All donors recovered well and resumed their previous occupations. In recipients, complications included acute rejection (2 patients), hepatic artery thrombosis (1), bile leakage (1), intestinal bleeding (1), left subphrenic abscess (1) and pulmonary infection (1). The mortality rate of recipients was 5.4% (2/37); one recipient with pulmonary infection died from multiple organ failure and another from occurrence of primary disease. CONCLUSIONS: The first consideration in adult-to-adult LDLT is the safety of donors. The donation of a right lobe graft is safe for adults if the remnant hepatic vasculature and bile duct are ensured, and the volume-of the remnant liver exceeds 35% of the total liver volume.

A successful pregnancy following liver transplantation

BACKGROUND: The safety and possibility of pregnancy following liver transplantation has been the hot topic in transplant. A case is reported with a review the of literature. METHOD: The data of a 22-year-old pregnant patient with end-stage liver disease who had undergone orthotopic liver transplantation in September 28, 2000 were analyzed retrospectively. RESULTS: After surgery, the patient was uneventfully recovered and was pregnant at the time of the 33rd month postoperation. The patient experienced a rejection on the 8th week of pregnancy and was successfully treated at this hospital. The patient was closely monitored throughout her pregnancy, and received routine antenatal care with respect to sonographic screening. Caesarean section was performed in March 18, 2004, and a health live-born infant weighing 2000 g was delivered at full-term. After the delivery, the patient was satisfactory with, her health and the baby was healthy. CONCLUSION: Under close monitoring, successful pregnancy following liver transplantation is possible and safe in women with end-stage liver diseases.