Isolation of Kupffer cells and their suppressive effects on T lymphocyte growth in rat orthotopic liver transplantation

AIM： To develop a practical method for isolation, purification and culture of hepatic Kupffer cells （KCs） and to observe their suppressive effects on the proliferation of alloreactive T cells.METHODS： Perfusion in situ in vivo combined with density gradient centdfugation was applied in isolation, purification and culture of hepatic KC. The suppression by KCs on the T cell proliferation in mixed lymphocyte reaction （MLR） was observed.RESULTS：（1.1± 0.2） ×10^7 KCs per liver, （93.5% ±1.8%） viable cells, over 90% purity and positive for FD-2. After the first 24 h in culture, a great number of KCs which exhibited typical characteristics were observed. Using 3H-TdR incorporation assay, non-irradiated KCs significantly suppressed allo-MLR. The KCs recovered from accepted liver allografts in groups D and F were more effective in suppressing allo-MLR.CONCLUSION： A standardized procedure for isolation of highly purified rat KCs is proposed and KCs have suppressive effects on the proliferation of alloreactive T cells, especially those derived from accepted liver allografts.

Management of biliary complications after orthotopic liver transplantation:The role of endoscopy

Biliary complications are signifi cant causes of morbidity and mortality after orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT). The estimated incidence of biliary complications after OLT ranges between 10%-25%,however,these numbers continue to decline due to improvement in surgical techniques. The most common biliary complications are strictures (both anastomotic and non-anastomotic) and bile leaks. Most of these problems can be appropriately managed with endoscopic retrograde colangiography (ERC). Other complications such as bile duct stones,bile casts,sphincter of Oddi dysfunction,and hemobilia,are less frequent and also can be managed with ERC. This article will review the risk factors,diagnosis,and endoscopic management of the most common biliary complications after OLT.

Orthotopic liver transplantation as a rescue operation for recurrent hepatocellular carcinoma after partial hepatectomy

AIM: To compare post-orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT) survival between patients with recurrent hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) after partial hepatectomy and those who received de novo OLT for HCC and to assess the risk factors associated with post-OLT mortality. METHODS: From July 2003 to August 2005, 77 consecutive HCC patients underwent OLT, including 15 patients with recurrent HCC after partial hepatectomy for tumor resection (the rescue OLT group) and 62 patients with de novo OLT for HCC (the de novo OLT group). Thirty-three demographic, clinical, histological, laboratory, intra-operative and post-operative variables were analyzed. Survival was calculated by the Kaplan- Meier method. Univariable and multivariable analyses were also performed. RESULTS: The median age of the patients was 49.0 years. The median follow-up was 20 mo. Three patients (20.0%) in the rescue OLT group and 15 patients (24.2%) in the de novo OLT group died during the follow-up period (P = 0.73). The 30-day mortality of OLT was 6.7% for the rescue OLT group vs 1.6% for the de novo OLT group (P = 0.27). Cox proportional hazards model showed that pre-OLT hyperbilirubinemia, the requirement of post-OLT transfusion, the size of the tumor, and family history of HCC were significantly associated with a higher hazard for mortality. CONCLUSION: There are no significant differences in survival/mortality rates between OLT as de novo therapy and OLT as a rescue therapy for patients with hcc. Pre-OLT hyperbilirubinemia, post-OLT requirement of transfusion, large tumor size and family history of HCC are associated with a poor survival outcome.

Role of interventional therapy in hepatic artery stenosis and non-anastomosis bile duct stricture after orthotopic liver transplantation

AIM： To analyze the clinical manifestations and the effectiveness of therapy in patients with orthotopic liver bansplantation （OLT）-associated hepatic artery stenosis （HAS） and non-anastomosis bile duct stricture.METHODS： Nine cases were diagnosed as HAS and non-anastomosis bile duct stricture. Percutaneous transluminal angioplasty （PTA） was performed in four HAS cases, and expectant treatment in other five HAS cases, percutaneous transhepatic bile drainage, balloon dilation, stent placement were performed in all nine cases.RESULTS： Diffuse intra- and extra-bile duct stricture was observed in nine cases, which was associated with bile mud siltation and biliary infection. Obstruction of the bile duct was improved obviously or removed. Life span/ follow-up period was 13-30 mo after PTA of four HAS cases, 6-23 mo without PTA of other five cases.CONCLUSION： Progressive, non-anastomosis, and diffuse bile duct stricture are the characteristic manifestations of HAS and non-anastomosis bile duct stricture after OLT. These are often associated with bile mud siltation, biliary infection, and ultimate liver failure. Interventional therapy is significantly beneficial.

Requirements for transfusion and postoperative outcomes in orthotopic liver transplantation:A meta-analysis on aprotinin

AIM:To study the effect of aprotinin used in orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT) on the intraoperative requirement for blood products and on the incidence of laparotomy for bleeding, thrombotic events and mortality. METHODS: A systematic review of the literature in the electronic database Medline and the Clinic Trials Registry Database was performed. Literature that did not fit our study were excluded. Patients in the reviewed studies were divided into two groups; one group used aprotinin (aprotinin group) while the other did not (control group). The data in the literature that fit our requirements were recorded. Weighted mean differences (WMD) in the requirements for blood products between the aprotinin group and the control group were tested using a fixed effect model. A Z test was performed to examine their reliability; the Fleiss method of fixed effect model was used to analyze data on postoperative events, and odds ratios (ORs) were tested and merged. RESULTS: Seven citations were examined in our study. Among them, a requirement for blood products was reported in 4 studies including 321 patients, while postoperative events were reported in 5 studies including 477 patients. The requirement for red blood cells and fresh frozen plasma in the aprotinin group was statistically lower than that in the control group (WMD=-1.80 units, 95% CI,-3.38 to-0.22; WMD=-3.99 units, 95% CI,-6.47 to-1.50, respectively). However, no significant difference was indicated in the incidence of laparotomy for bleeding, thrombotic events and mortality between the two groups. Analysis on blood loss, anaphylactic reactions and renal function was not performed in this study due to a lack of sufficient information.CONCLUSION: Aprotinin can reduce the intraoperative requirement for blood products in OLT, and has no significant effect on the incidence of laparotomy for bleeding, thrombotic events and mortality.

Gut perforation after orthotopic liver transplantation in adults

AIM： To describe cases of gut perforation after orthotopic liver transplantation.METHODS： Data were colleted from our center database and medical records. Six of 187 patients （3.2%）who underwent orthotopic liver transplantation from January to December 2005 developed gut perforation.All patients were male with an average age of 46 years.Modified piggyback liver transplantation was performed at the Organ Transplantation Center, First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University.RESULTS： Previous operation, steroid therapy, and prolonged portal venous cross clamp time, poor nutritional status and iatrogenic injury were found to be its ecological factors. The patients with gut perforation were found to have fever, increased leukocytes, mild abdominal pain and tenderness. The median portal venous clamp time was 63 min （range 45-72 min）,median cold ischaemia time was 11.3 h （range 7-15 h）.Median intraoperative blood loss was 500 mL （range 100-1200 mL） and median operation time was 8.8 h （range 6-12 h）. None of the six patients developed acute cellular rejection. White cell count was above 18 × 10^9/L in five patients （neutrophilic leukocytes were above 90%） and 1.5 × 10^9/L in one patient. Bacterial culture in drainage liquid revealed enterococci in five patients. Of the 6 patients undergoing orthotopic liver transplantation, 3 survived and 3 died after modified piggyback liver transplantation.CONCLUSION： Gut perforation occurs after orthotopic liver transplantation in adults. A careful and minimal dissection during OLT, longer retention of the stomach tube, and reducing the portal clamp time and steroid dose should be taken into consideration. If gut perforation is not prevented, then early diagnosis,preferably through detection of enterococci may ensure better survival.