Deceased Donor Liver Transplantation Research Articles

Use of Intraoperative Doppler Ultrasonography in Predicting Life-Threatening Vascular Complications After Adult Deceased Donor Liver Transplantation

Use of Intraoperative Doppler Ultrasonography in Predicting Life-Threatening Vascular Complications After Adult Deceased Donor Liver Transplantation

Bacterial contamination of autologous blood salvaged during deceased donor liver transplantation: a prospective observational study.

Decompensated cirrhotic patients experience severely increased intestinal permeability and bacterial translocation. Thus, autologous blood salvaged during deceased donor liver transplantation (DDLT) may be contaminated with enteric bacteria. We aimed to evaluate bacterial contamination of autologous blood salvaged during DDLT and its association with post-transplant bacteremia. In 30 patients undergoing DDLT, bacterial culture was performed in salvaged autologous blood samples: one before graft reperfusion (non-leukoreduced) and two after graft reperfusion (non-leukoreduced and leukoreduced). The primary outcome was bacterial contamination of salvaged autologous blood. Seven of 30 patients (23.3%) were positive for bacteria (3 enteric/4 non-enteric) before graft reperfusion while 11 patients (36.7%) were positive (5 enteric/6 non-enteric) after graft reperfusion. Six of 7 patients who were positive for bacteria before graft reperfusion were positive after graft reperfusion with the same bacteria. Only 4 of 11 contaminated blood samples were converted to negative after leukoreduction. Post-transplant bacteremia risk was insignificantly greater in patients who received autologous blood with bacteria than in patients without bacteria (30.0% vs. 5.0%, P = 0.06). We found contamination of salvaged autologous blood with enteric bacteria throughout DDLT and incomplete performance of leukoreduction, indicating high bacterial load. The potential association between contaminated autotransfusion and post-transplant bacteremia warrants further validation in a larger prospective study.Clinical trial notation: This study was registered at the Clinical Research Information Service (CRiS; https://cris.nih.go.kr ; No. KCT0007223; principal registration investigator: Sangbin Han, date of registration: April 25, 2022).

First series of Living Donor Liver Retransplants from India: Challenges and Outcomes

BackgroundThere is paucity of Indian data on long term survival after living donor liver transplant (LDLT) or the need for retransplant. In this article, we report the first series of retransplants from India with focus on indications, technical challenges and results. MethodsRetrospective study on 29 patients undergoing a liver retransplant (re-LT) was analysed with respect to survival outcomes and post operative complications. Patients were divided into early and late retransplant groups based on whether re-LT was performed within or beyond 30 days of primary transplant. ResultsLiver retransplant was performed in 29 (0.81%) patients out of a total of 3563 liver transplants ( 28 living donor and 1 deceased donor liver transplant). The primary transplant was a LDLT in 27 (93%) patients. Retransplant was performed at a median of 26 days after the first transplant. Re-LT was performed early (within 30 days) in 17 (59%) patients and late (beyond 30 days) in 12 (41%). Hepatic artery thrombosis (53%) and early graft dysfunction (47%) were the indications for early retransplant while biliary complications (50%) and chronic rejection (33%) were primary indications for late retransplant. Post retransplant complications occurred in 22 (75%) patients, the commonest being gram negative bacterial sepsis.The 30-day mortality following retransplant was 27% (8 of 29). The primary cause of mortality was gram negative septicemia. The mortality in the late retransplant group (2, 16.6%) was lower compared to the early retransplant group (6,35%). ConclusionRe-transplant using living donors is a viable option in properly selected patients with prior LDLT.

Revisiting the Prognostic Influences of Donor-Recipient Size Mismatch in Deceased Donor Liver Transplantation.

Liver transplantation (LT) outcomes are influenced by donor-recipient size mismatch. This study re-evaluated the impact on graft size discrepancies on survival outcomes. Data from 53 389 adult LT recipients from the United Network for Organ Sharing database (2013-2022) were reviewed. The study population was divided by the body surface area index (BSAi), defined as the ratio of donor body surface area (BSA) to recipient BSA, into small-for-size (BSAi < 0.78), normal-for-size (BSAi 0.78-1.24), and large-for-size (BSAi > 1.24) grafts in deceased donor LT (SFSD, NFSD, and LFSD). Multivariate Cox regression and Kaplan-Meier survival analyses were conducted. The frequency of size mismatch in deceased donor LT increased over the past 10 y. SFSD had significantly worse 90-d graft survival (P < 0.01), and LFSD had inferior 1-y graft survival among 90-d survivors (P = 0.01). SFSD was hazardous within 90 d post-LT because of vascular complications. Beyond 1 y, graft size did not affect graft survival. LFSD risk within the first year was mitigated with lower model for end-stage liver disease (MELD) 3.0 scores (<35) or shorter cold ischemia time (<8 h). The negative impacts on donor-recipient size mismatch on survival outcomes are confined to the first year post-LT. SFSD is associated with a slight decrease in 90-d survival rates. LFSD should be utilized more frequently by minimizing cold ischemia time to <8 h, particularly in patients with MELD 3.0 scores below 35. These findings could improve donor-recipient matching and enhance LT outcomes.

Nutritional status and outcomes of the recepients with deceased donor liver transplantation (DDLT) in limited resources

Nutritional status and outcomes of the recepients with deceased donor liver transplantation (DDLT) in limited resources

Development and validation of a model for early survival prediction following liver transplantation based on donor and recipient characteristics

Background Circulating cytokine levels not only correlate with the progression of liver disease but also serve as indicators for the infection status of the body. Growing evidence points to the connection between donor cytokines and graft function following transplantation. This study set out to explore the clinical significance of donor cytokines in predicting liver transplantation prognosis. Methods Data from 172 deceased donor liver transplantations conducted between 2017 and 2022, with available donor serum cytokine information, were collected. The subjects were randomly divided into estimation (n = 120) and validation (n = 52) groups to establish and validate the model. The newly developed SA10 score was compared against established models EAD, MEAF, L-GrAFT7, and L-GrAFT10. Results Donor IL-10, along with donor age and recipient AST peak value within the first 7 days post-operation, was identified as an independent factor associated with recipient survival and was incorporated into the SA10 score. SA10 exhibited robust predictive capability, particularly for 1-month survival (AUC = 0.90, 95% CI = 0.84–0.96), outperforming EAD (AUC = 0.75, 95% CI = 0.60–0.90, p = 0.04) and L-GrAFT7 (AUC = 0.65, 95% CI = 0.49–0.81, p < 0.01). Comparable performance was observed between SA10, MEAF, and L-GrAFT10. Conclusion Donor IL-10 independently influences recipient survival, with the SA10 score demonstrating comparable and even superior predictive ability compared to existing models.

Optimization of surgical evaluation algorithms for living donor liver transplantation

BackgroundLiving donor liver transplantation (LDLT) is an established and endorsed alternative for deceased donor liver transplantation with better recipient outcomes. Nevertheless, while extensive evaluation of potential donors is crucial, evaluation algorithms differ between transplant centres and guidelines. MethodsWe included 317 individuals evaluated for LDLT between 07/2007–07/2022 in a retrospective analysis. The evaluation process was analysed to identify the key reasons for declining 77 potential donors. Additionally, 146 donors that underwent LDLT were analysed regarding risk factors for complications. ResultsThe main reasons for donor refusal were liver volumetry (40.3 %) and metabolic factors including obesity or steatotic liver disease (20.8 %). Contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CECT) identified 63.6 % of all declined donors; CECT combined with assessment of medical history, physical examination, blood testing and ultrasonography, identified 87.0 % of declined potential donors. Associated with this selection, complication rates in donors were low (≥II in 17.1 %; none with ≥IVb). Notably, higher age was a risk factor for developing a complication ≥II after hemi-hepatectomy (p = 0.0373). ConclusionsWe propose a progressive 4-step evaluation algorithm that begins with a very basic assessment combined with up-front CECT. This early phase of testing is expected to identify nearly 90 % of ineligible donors, thereby conserving critical resources, time and money, as well as minimising burden for potential donors. FundingJ.M.W. received funding by grant We-4675/6–1 from the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) in Bonn, Germany.

Evaluating the yield of digital single operator cholangioscopy in posttransplant biliary strictures after unsuccessful guidewire placement with ERCP.

Strictures are the most common biliary complication after liver transplantation, and endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) is considered the gold standard in its management. Failure to cross the biliary anastomosis requires a repeated attempt with ERCP, referral for percutaneous transhepatic cholangiography (PTC) or surgery. We present our experience with the digital single operator cholangioscope (D-SOC) in achieving guidewire access in a liver transplant cohort with difficult biliary strictures who have failed conventional ERCP methods. This was a retrospective study involving two adult liver transplant centers servicing the two most populated states in Australia. Deceased-donor liver transplant recipients undergoing D-SOC for biliary strictures who have failed conventional methods to achieve biliary access were included. Between July 2017 to April 2022, eighteen patients underwent D-SOC after failing to achieve guidewire placement through standard ERCP techniques. Thirteen out of eighteen (72%) had successful guidewire placement with index D-SOC. Five of eighteen patients (28%) had unsuccessful guidewire placement with D-SOC. In two of these patients, use of D-SOC informed further endoscopic management, with one avoiding PTC and the other avoiding surgery. Two of the five patients required PTC and one patient was left unstented. Three patients developed post D-SOC cholangitis. D-SOC is effective at achieving guidewire access in post-liver transplant patients who fail conventional ERCP techniques and should be considered in the treatment algorithm as a step before PTC and surgery.

Exploring Anesthesiology Management of Living Donor Liver Transplantation: Survey From the Society for the Advancement of Transplant Anesthesia and the Korean Society for Transplantation Anesthesiologists.

While living donor liver transplantation (LDLT) serves as the predominant method of adult liver transplant (LT) in the Republic of Korea (ROK), it represents a minority of LT in the United States (US). A survey was conducted to gain insight into these nations' anesthetic management. An electronic questionnaire was distributed to directors of LT anesthesiology overseeing LDLT programs in both countries between May 2021 and October 2021. The response rate was 93.0% (100% [37/37] in the US and 80% [16/20] in the ROK). Both countries mainly adhered to deceased donor LT recipient management practices, including the frequency of routine pulmonary artery catheter use, transesophageal echocardiography, and point-of-care coagulation monitoring. Differences were observed in early extubation of recipients (US vs. ROK: 39.7%vs. 14.7% of all cases), participation in donor selection meetings (88.9% [32/36] vs. 6.3% [1/16], p < 0.0001), application of the Enhanced Recovery After Surgery donor protocol (69.4% [25/36] vs. 12.5% [2/16], p < 0.0001), and cell saver usage for donors (94.4% [34/36] vs. 18.8% [3/16], p < 0.0001). More ROK programs implemented simultaneous donor/recipient anesthesia supervision by a single anesthesiologist. Several important differences were identified between the US and the ROK in adult LDLT anesthetic management.

Deceased donor liver transplantation for post-hepatectomy liver failure with fixed pupils

Deceased donor liver transplantation for post-hepatectomy liver failure with fixed pupils

Comparison of Vascular Complications Between Living-donor and Deceased-donor Liver Transplantation – A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

BackgroundVascular complications commonly cause graft loss and morbidity after liver transplantation (LT). Comparative data on the risk of vascular complications are limited. Hence, the present meta-analysis was conducted to analyze the difference in vascular complications between living-donor LT (LDLT) and deceased-donor LT (DDLT). MethodsA literature search of three databases was conducted for studies comparing the incidence of vascular complications with LDLT and DDLT. The event rates and odds ratios (OR) with 95% confidence intervals (CI) were calculated using a random-effects model. ResultsA total of 20 studies were included in the final analysis. There was no difference in the incidence of overall vascular complications (9.3%, 95% CI: 6.6 – 12.0 vs. 8.5%, 95% CI: 5.6 – 11.4) between LDLT and DDLT with OR 0.94 (95% CI: 0.73 – 1.21)(15 studies).There was a higher incidence of vascular complications with LDLT in older studies (published before 2013) but not in new studies. When comparing the individual complications, LDLT was associated with a higher incidence of hepatic artery thrombosis (HAT)(3.8%, 95% CI: 2.4 – 5.2 vs. 1.6%, 95% CI: 1.1 – 2.2)with OR 2.20 (95% CI: 1.53 – 3.17)(14 studies)and a significantly lower incidence of intraabdominal bleeding(4.8%, 95% CI: 3.3 – 6.2 vs. 7.9%, 95% CI: 5.0 – 10.7) with OR 0.64 (95% CI: 0.47 – 0.87)(11 studies). However, there was no difference in the incidence (2.1%, 95% CI: 0.5 – 3.8 vs. 1.0%, 95% CI: 0.1 – 1.9) of portal vein thrombosis between LDLT and DDLT with OR 1.85 (95% CI: 0.82 – 4.18) (6 studies). ConclusionDespite a comparable risk of vascular complications between LDLT and DDLT, LDLT was associated with a higher risk of HAT and a lower risk of intraprocedural bleeding. Further studies are required to analyze the effect of donor-recipient characteristics and surgical techniques on the risk of vascular complications.

Statin, aspirin and metformin use and risk of hepatocellular carcinoma related outcomes following liver transplantation: A retrospective study.

Liver transplantation (LT) is a potentially curative therapy for patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). HCC-recurrence following LT is associated with reduced survival. There is increasing interest in chemoprophylaxis to improve HCC-related outcomes post-LT. To investigate whether there is any benefit for the use of drugs with proposed chemoprophylactic properties against HCC, and patient outcomes following LT. This was a retrospective study of adult patients who received Deceased Donor LT for HCC from 2005-2022, from a single Australian centre. Drug use was defined as statin, aspirin or metformin therapy for ≥ 29 days, within 24 months post-LT. A cox proportional-hazards model with time-dependent covariates was used for survival analysis. Outcome measures were the composite-endpoint of HCC-recurrence and all-cause mortality, HCC-recurrence and HCC-related mortality. Sensitivity analysis was performed to account for immortality time bias and statin dosing. Three hundred and five patients were included in this study, with 253 (82.95%) males with a median age of 58.90 years. Aetiologies of liver disease were 150 (49.18%) hepatitis C, 73 (23.93%) hepatitis B (HBV) and 33 (10.82%) non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). 56 (18.36%) took statins, 51 (16.72%) aspirin and 50 (16.39%) metformin. During a median follow-up time of 59.90 months, 34 (11.15%) developed HCC-recurrence, 48 (15.74%) died, 17 (5.57%) from HCC-related mortality. Statin, aspirin or metformin use was not associated with statistically significant differences in the composite endpoint of HCC-recurrence or all-cause mortality [hazard ratio (HR): 1.16, 95%CI: 0.58-2.30; HR: 1.21, 95%CI: 0.28-5.27; HR: 0.61, 95%CI: 0.27-1.36], HCC-recurrence (HR: 0.52, 95%CI: 0.20-1.35; HR: 0.51, 95%CI: 0.14-1.93; HR 1.00, 95%CI: 0.37-2.72), or HCC-related mortality (HR: 0.32, 95%CI: 0.033-3.09; HR: 0.71, 95%CI: 0.14-3.73; HR: 1.57, 95%CI: 0.61-4.04) respectively. Statin dosing was not associated with statistically significant differences in HCC-related outcomes. Statin, metformin or aspirin use was not associated with improved HCC-related outcomes post-LT, in a largely historical cohort of Australian patients with a low proportion of NAFLD. Further prospective, multicentre studies are required to clarify any potential benefit of these drugs to improve HCC-related outcomes.

Pylorus-preserving pancreaticoduodenectomy with superior mesenteric vein resection and reconstruction in a child with recurrent hepatoblastoma after liver transplantation.

Pancreaticoduodenectomy with vascular reconstruction is rarely performed in children. We present a 3-year-old male with stage IV hepatoblastoma and pre-treatment extent of disease (PRETEXT) stage III with tumor into the portal vein and superior mesenteric vein (SMV), and with brain and lung metastases status post chemotherapy and stereotactic radiosurgery to left frontal brain lesion. He then underwent deceased donor liver transplant with Roux-en-Y hepaticojejunostomy complicated by two recurrences to bilateral lungs treated with wedge resections. His course lastly involved a third hepatoblastoma recurrence to the SMV that was managed with pylorus-preserving pancreaticoduodenectomy with SMV resection and reconstruction.

Comparison of Biliary Complications Between Living and Deceased Donor Liver Transplantations: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.

To understand if the risk of biliary complications is higher with living donor liver transplantation (LDLT) compared to deceased donor liver transplantation (DDLT), the present meta-analysis was conducted to analyze the differences between these two types of liver transplantations.Three databases were searched from inception to September 2023 for comparative studies reporting biliary complications with LDLT and DDLT. Odds ratios (OR) with 95% confidence intervals were calculated for all the dichotomous outcomes.Twenty-eight studies were included in the final analysis. LDLT was associated with a significantly higher incidence of biliary complications than DDLT (OR 1.96, 95% CI: 1.56-2.47). However, on subgroup analysis, only studies published in or before 2014 reported a higher incidence of biliary complications with LDLT, but not with studies published after 2014. An analysis of individual adverse events showed that LDLT was associated with a higher incidence of both bile leak (OR 3.38, 95% CI: 2.52-4.53) and biliary stricture (OR 1.75, 95% CI: 1.20-2.55).LDLT was associated with a higher incidence of overall biliary complications, including bile leak and biliary stricture. With advances in surgical techniques, there has been a reduction in the risk of biliary complications.

Sex and Size Disparities in Access to Liver Transplant for Patients With Hepatocellular Carcinoma.

Women on the liver transplant waiting list are less likely to undergo a transplant than men. Recent approaches to resolving this disparity have involved adjustments to Model for End-Stage Liver Disease (MELD) scoring, but this will not affect candidates who rely on exception scores rather than calculated MELD score, the majority of whom have hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). To evaluate the association between female sex, candidate size, and access to liver transplant among wait-listed patients with HCC. This retrospective cohort study used US transplant registry data of all adult (aged ≥18 years) wait-listed liver transplant candidates receiving an HCC exception score between January 1, 2010, and March 2, 2023. Wait-listed liver transplant candidate sex. The association of female sex with (1) deceased-donor liver transplant (DDLT) and (2) death or waiting list removal for health deterioration were estimated using multivariable competing-risks regression. Results with and without adjustment for candidate height and weight (mediators of the sex disparity) were compared. The cohort included 31 725 candidates with HCC (mean [SD] age at receipt of exception, 61.2 [7.1] years; 76.3% men). Compared with men, women had a lower 1-year cumulative incidence of DDLT (50.8% vs 54.0%; P < .001) and a higher 1-year cumulative incidence of death or delisting for health deterioration (16.2% vs 15.0%; P = .002). After adjustment, without accounting for size, women had a lower incidence of DDLT (subdistribution hazard ratio [SHR], 0.92; 95% CI, 0.89-0.95) and higher incidence of death or delisting (SHR, 1.06; 95% CI, 1.00-1.13) compared with men. When adjusting for candidate height and weight, there was no association of female sex with incidence of DDLT or death or delisting. However, at a height cutoff of 166 cm, short women compared with short men were still less likely to undergo a transplant (SHR, 0.93; 95% CI, 0.88-0.99). In this study, women with HCC were less likely to receive a DDLT and more likely to die while wait-listed than men with HCC; these differences were largely (but not entirely) explained by sex-based differences in candidate size. For candidates listed with exception scores, additional changes to allocation policy are needed to resolve the sex disparity, including solutions to improve access to size-matched donor livers for smaller candidates.

Challenges in Pediatric Liver Retransplantation: A Technical Perspective.

Liver retransplantation (reLT) is the only option for pediatric patients experiencing graft loss. Despite recent advancements in surgical techniques and perioperative management, it remains a high-risk procedure. Our aim is to describe our experience in pediatric reLT, focusing on the technical aspects and surgical challenges. We systematically analyzed surgical reports from pediatric reLT performed at our center between 2006 and 2023 to identify recurrent intraoperative findings and specific surgical techniques. We focused on challenges encountered during different phases of reLT, including hepatectomy, vascular, and biliary reconstruction. Additionally, we compared patient and graft survival rates among different groups. During the study period, 23 children underwent 25 reLT procedures at our center. Major surgical challenges included complex hepatectomy and vascular reconstructions, necessitating tailored approaches. Our analysis shows that patient and graft survival were significantly lower for reLT compared to primary transplantation (p = 0.002). Early reLT had a significantly lower graft survival compared to late reLT (p = 0.002), although patient survival was comparable (p = 0.278). Patient and graft survival rates were comparable between the first and second reLT (p = 0.300, p = 0.597). Patient survival tended to be higher after living-donor liver transplantation (LDLT) compared to deceased-donor liver transplantation (DDLT), although the difference was not statistically significant (p = 0.511). Pediatric reLT involves significant technical challenges and lower survival rates. Advances in perioperative management are crucial for improving outcomes. Further research is needed to optimize surgical strategies and evaluate the long-term benefits of LDLT in pediatric reLT.

Downstaging with atezolizumab-bevacizumab: a case series.

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is generally diagnosed at an advanced stage, which limits curative treatment options for these patients. Locoregional therapy (LRT) is the standard approach to bridge and downstage unresectable HCC for liver transplantation (LT). Atezolizumab-bevacizumab (atezo-bev) can induce objective responses in nearly one-third of patients; however, the role and outcomes of downstaging using atezo-bev remains unknown. In this retrospective single-center study, we included consecutive patients between November 2020 and August 2023, who received atezo-bev with or without LRT and were subsequently considered for resection/LT after downstaging. Of the 115 patients who received atezo-bev, 12 patients (10.4%) achieved complete or partial response and were willing to undergo LT; they (age, 58.5 years; women, 17%; Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer stage system B/C, 5/7) had received 3-12 cycles of atezo- bev, and four of them had received prior LRT. Three patients died before LT, while three were awaiting LT. Six patients underwent curative therapies: four underwent living donor LT after a median of 79.5 days (range, 54-114) following the last atezo-bev dose, one underwent deceased donor LT 38 days after the last dose, and one underwent resection. All but one patient had complete pathologic response with no viable HCC. Three patients experienced wound healing complications, and one required re-exploration and succumbed to sepsis. After a median follow-up of 10 months (range, 4-30), none of the alive patients developed HCC recurrence or graft rejection. Surgical therapy, including LT, is possible after atezo-bev therapy in well-selected patients after downstaging.

Influence of intraoperative blood salvage and autotransfusion on tumor recurrence after deceased donor liver transplantation: a large nationwide cohort study.

The practice of intraoperative blood salvage and autotransfusion (IBSA) during deceased donor liver transplantation for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) can potentially reduce the need for allogeneic blood transfusion. However, implementing IBSA remains debatable due to concerns about its possible detrimental effects on oncologic recurrence. This study retrospectively enrolled nationwide recipients of deceased donor liver transplantation for HCC between 2015 and 2020. The focus was on comparing the cumulative recurrence rate and the recurrence-free survival rate. Propensity score matching was conducted repeatedly for further subgroup comparison. Recipients were categorized based on the Milan criteria, macrovascular invasion, and pretransplant α-Fetoprotein (AFP) level to identify subgroups at risk of HCC recurrence. A total of 6196 and 329 patients were enrolled in the non-IBSA and IBSA groups in this study. Multivariable competing risk regression analysis identified IBSA as independent risk factors for HCC recurrence ( P <0.05). Postmatching, the cumulative recurrence rate and recurrence-free survival rate revealed no significant difference in the IBSA group and non-IBSA group (22.4 vs. 16.5%, P =0.12; 60.3 vs. 60.9%, P =0.74). Recipients beyond Milan criteria had higher, albeit not significant, risk of HCC recurrence if receiving IBSA (33.4 vs. 22.5%, P =0.14). For recipients with macrovascular invasion, the risk of HCC recurrence has no significant difference between the two groups (32.2 vs. 21.3%, P =0.231). For recipients with an AFP level <20ng/ml, the risk of HCC recurrence was comparable in the IBSA group and the non-IBSA group (12.8 vs. 18.7%, P =0.99). Recipients with an AFP level ≥20ng/ml, the risk of HCC recurrence was significantly higher in the IBSA group. For those with an AFP level ≥400ng/ml, the impact of IBSA on the cumulative recurrence rate was even more pronounced (49.8 vs. 21.9%, P =0.011). IBSA does not appear to be associated with worse outcomes for recipients with HCC exceeding the Milan criteria or with macrovascular invasion. IBSA could be confidently applied for recipients with a pretransplant AFP level <20ng/ml. For recipients with AFP levels ≥20ng/ml, undertaking IBSA would increase the risk of HCC recurrence.

Liver transplantation for pediatric liver malignancies.

In the last few decades, collaboration between the international pediatric oncology groups has resulted in significant improvement in survival after liver transplantation (LT) for pediatric liver tumors, and LT has become the accepted standard of care for unresectable pediatric liver tumors - either living donor liver transplantation (LDLT) or deceased donor liver transplantation (DDLT). Hepatoblastoma (HB) and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) are the common pediatric liver malignancies treated by LT, and LT is now the accepted treatment modality for unresectable non-metastatic cases. The long-term survival rate is more than 80% in HB transplants. Furthermore, with the advent of LDLT, the waitlist mortality, availability of a better graft quality with shorter ischemic times, and performance of LT with the appropriate timing between chemotherapy have all improved. Up to 80% of pediatric HCCs are unresectable, and studies have shown that LT for pediatric HCC has better outcomes than liver resection. Furthermore, LT has also shown better results than liver resection for cases of HCC not meeting Milan criteria. Given the rarity of pediatric liver malignancies and challenges in optimal management, a multidisciplinary treatment approach, research models building on what is already known, and consideration of newer treatment modalities are required for further improving the treatment of pediatric liver malignancies.

Fully-Covered Self-Expandable Metal Stent for Hepaticojejunostomy Anastomotic Stricture After Living Donor Liver Transplantation: A Case Series

We prospectively evaluated 3 cases regarding the usefulness of fully-covered self-expandable metal stents (FCSEMSs) for hepaticojejunostomy anastomotic stricture (HAS) after living donor liver transplantation (LDLT), which could not be resolved with conventional treatment using a plastic stent. All patients underwent LDLT with Roux-en-Y reconstruction; therefore, a short-type double-balloon enteroscope was used for the endoscopic procedures. HAS was observed on enteroscopic view of endoscopy in patients 1 and 2, and cholangiography revealed dilatation of the intrahepatic bile duct. The FCSEMS was successfully placed without the report of adverse events. The FCSEMS was removed after 16 weeks, and the HAS improved in both patients. In addition, stone clearance was also achieved in patient 2. On the other hand, FCSEMS was not placed in patient 3 because there was no indication of FCSEMS placement due to the multiple segmental biliary strictures (pruned-tree appearance on cholangiography). Subsequent deceased-donor liver transplantation confirmed recurrent primary sclerosing cholangitis. In this case, magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography (MRCP) was not performed prior to cholangiography to rule out PSC recurrence. FCSEMS placement may be effective and safe for HAS after LDLT, which is not resolved with conventional treatment using a plastic stent. MRCP should be used to identify HAS prior to invasive cholangiography.