Adult Living Donor Liver Transplantation Research Articles

Comparison of Glucose Loads and Blood Glucose Changes in Patients With and Without Diabetes Mellitus Undergoing Living Donor Liver Transplantation

Background and purposeThe purpose of this study was to identify the quantitative amount of glucose load, which maintained the blood glucose levels between 100 and 180 mg/dL in patients with and without diabetes mellitus (DM) undergoing living donor liver transplantation (LDLT). Methods and patientsThe anesthesia records of 477 adult LDLT patients were reviewed retrospectively. The total amount of glucose loads and the changes in blood glucose between groups were compared by using Mann-Whitney U test. One-year patient survival between groups was compared with Pearson’s χ2 test. A P value of <.05 was considered statistically significant. ResultsEighty patients diagnosed with DM, who were all type II except one, were placed in group 1 (G1); and 397 patients without DM were placed in group 2 (G2). Table 1 shows that G1 received significantly less glucose loads in comparison to G2, but all the measured blood glucose levels, except in the reperfusion phase, were significantly higher in G1 than in G2. Both groups received glucose loads of 0.342 ± 0.191 and 0.774 ± 0.191 mg/kg/min for G1 and G2, respectively. No difference in 1-year survival between groups was observed. ConclusionPatients with DM required significantly lower glucose loads compared to patients without DM.

Minimally Invasive Donor Hepatectomy for Adult Living Donor Liver Transplantation: An International, Multi-institutional Evaluation of Safety, Efficacy and Early Outcomes.

Evaluating the perioperative outcomes of minimally invasive (MIV) donor hepatectomy for adult live donor liver transplants in a large multi-institutional series from both Eastern and Western centers. Laparoscopic liver resection has become standard practice for minor resections in selected patients in whom it provides reduced postoperative morbidity and faster rehabilitation. Laparoscopic approaches in living donor hepatectomy for transplantation, however, remain controversial because of safety concerns. Following the recommendation of the Jury of the Morioka consensus conference to address this, a retrospective study was designed to assess the early postoperative outcomes after laparoscopic donor hepatectomy. The collective experience of 10 mature transplant teams from Eastern and Western countries was reviewed. All centers provided data from prospectively maintained databases. Only left and right hepatectomies performed using a MIV technique were included in this study. Primary outcome was the occurrence of complications using the Clavien-Dindo graded classification and the Comprehensive Complication Index during the first 3 months. Logistic regression analysis was used to identify risk factors for complications. In all, 412 MIV donor hepatectomies were recorded including 164 left and 248 right hepatectomies. Surgical technique was either pure laparoscopy in 175 cases or hybrid approach in 237. Conversion into standard laparotomy was necessary in 17 donors (4.1%). None of the donors died. Also, 108 experienced 121 complications including 9.4% of severe (Clavien-Dindo 3-4) complications. Median Comprehensive Complication Index was 5.2. This study shows favorable early postoperative outcomes in more than 400 MIV donor hepatectomy from 10 experienced centers. These results are comparable to those of benchmarking series of open standard donor hepatectomy.

Comparison Between Pre-operative Radiologic Findings and the Actual Operative Findings of the Graft in Adult Living Donor Liver Transplantation

BackgroundComputed tomography (CT) volumetry and magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography (MRCP) are mandatory steps for the evaluation of potential donors in living donor liver transplantation. The aim of this study is to compare the preoperative CT volumetry and biliary orifices of the donor graft to the actual operative findings. MethodsBetween December 2013 and December 2017, 45 donors (27 men and 18 women) with a mean age of 27.3 years (range, 19-41 years) were evaluated preoperatively by CT volumetry and MRCP at the National Hepatology and Tropical Medicine Research Institute in Cairo, Egypt. Of the donors, 43 out of 45 underwent intraoperative cholangiography before and after bile duct division. The right hepatectomies for all donors, as well as the actual weight and apparent biliary orifices in the graft, were documented. ResultsThe mean estimated graft volume (EGV) preoperatively by CT volumetry was 894.9 ± 184.2 mL (range, 480-1687 mL), whereas the actual graft weight (AGW) intraoperatively after washout was 862.6 ± 124.4 g (range, 676-1110 g). The correlation coefficient between the EGV and AGW was significantly linear (Y = 0.96X, r2 = 0.72, slope: 0.96, P < .001). The accuracy of the MRCP in preoperative biliary mapping was 76.7% whereas the accuracy of the MRCP in predicting the number of graft biliary orifices was 74.4% compared with the intraoperative cholangiography (IOC), which was 95.3% (P < .001). ConclusionThe weight of the right lobe of the liver graft in living donor liver transplants (LDLTs) can be accurately predicted preoperatively by multiplying the EGV by 0.96. Also, the IOC is an essential technique for LDLT.

Living-Donor Liver Transplantation for Patients With Extrahepatic Malignancy: A Series of 14 Patients in a Single Institution

Extrahepatic malignancy is a relative contraindication for liver transplant in many countries. Nevertheless, the indications for living-donor liver transplantation (LDLT) for such patients vary by institution. Our aim was to reevaluate the indications for LDLT in patients with extrahepatic malignancy. We retrospectively reviewed data for 609 patients who underwent adult LDLT from May 1997 to January 2018 and analyzed patients with a history of extrahepatic malignancies or concurrent malignancies. Fourteen patients had extrahepatic malignancies concurrent with or before LDLT. Malignancies in 9 patients were detected during their systematic screening for LDLT. The mean duration between surgeries was 70 days (range, 20-209 days). Five patients had a history of extrahepatic malignancies before considering LDLT. The estimated 5-year survival rate was 100%. Although the risk and long-term prognosis of patients with extrahepatic malignancy are not well known, such patients can be candidates for LDLT if they undergo curative surgery for the malignancy, and if the prognosis of the malignancy is the same or superior to that of LDLT.

Analysis of Adult to Adult Living Donor Liver Transplant Biliary Complications Using Non-Stented Biliary Anastomosis

Abstract Background biliary tract reconstruction during liver transplantation (LT) is the final technical step and the cornerstone of the procedure and is often performed by a duct-to-duct anastomosis. Rarely, recipient and donor biliary stump discrepancies or liver disease-related reasons could lead to a hepaticojejunostomy. Purpose To clarify the role of non-stented biliary anastmosis in reducing biliary complications in adult to adult living donor liver transplant and ending the era of using intraductal removable stent. Patients and Methods this is a retrospective Single arm Cohort study. Our study was performed in Egypt by following the results of 80 cases of adult to adult living donor liver transplant using non-stented biliary anastomosis in Airforce specialized hospitals and Nasser institute in Cairo. Study period was from July 2015 to June 2018. Results The rate of biliary complications in non-stented patients was 23/80 (27%), and (27%) is subdivided as follow; (18%-strictures, 9%-leaks, and 1%-mixed), ) . All biliary complications had been treated with successful outcome representing 20/23(87%), while persistent biliary complication was in 3 (13%). Treatments used in biliary complications were (ERCP n = 22, PTC n = 5, Rendezvous n = 2, Surgical biliary-reconstruction n = 2). Conclusion Stentless biliary anastomosis is a well established and trusted method in biliary reconstruction in adult living donor liver transplant and has a less complications than stented duct to duct biliary anastomosis and biliary-enteric anastomosis and allow better management of biliary complication if occurred.

Predictors of Success of Immediate Tracheal Extubation in Living Donor Liver Transplantation Recipients

Abstract Background Early tracheal extubation of recipients following liver transplantation (LT) has been promoted and gradually replacing standard postoperative prolonged mechanical ventilation, possibly contributing to better graft and patient survival and reduced costs. There are no universally accepted predictors of success of immediate extubation in LT recipients. We hypothesized a number of factors as predictors of successful immediate tracheal extubation in living donor liver transplantation (LDLT) recipients. Aim The aim of this study was to evaluate the validity of the following hypothesized factors: Model for end stage liver disease (MELD) score, duration of surgery, number of intraoperatively transfused packed red blood cells (RBCs) units and end of surgery (EOS) serum lactate, as predictors of success of immediate tracheal extubation in living donor liver transplantation (LDLT) recipients. Methods In this prospective clinical trial, perioperative data of adult LDLT recipients were recorded. “Immediate extubation” was defined as tracheal extubation immediately and up to 1 hour postransplant in the operating room. Patients were divided into; extubated group who were successfully extubated with no need for reintubation, and non-extubated group who failed to meet criteria of extubation or were re-intubated within 4 hours of extubation. Results Of 64 patients, 50 (76.9%) were extubated early after LDLT while 14 (23.07%) were transported to the intensive care unit (ICU) intubated. After data analysis, it was found that EOS serum lactate, duration of surgery and number of packed RBCs units transfused intraoperatively, were good predictors of success of immediate extubation, while MELD scores had no statistically significant impact on the results. In addition, other factors such as EOS urine output and pH were shown to have significantly affected the results. Conclusions EOS serum lactate, duration of surgery and number of packed RBCs units transfused were predictors of post-transplant early extubation.

Prognostic index consisting of early post‐transplant variables &lt;2 weeks in adult living‐donor liver transplantation

AimSix‐month recipient mortality after adult‐to‐adult living‐donor liver transplantation (LDLT) remains high. Early and accurate prediction of recipient outcome and continuous monitoring of recipient severity after surgery are both essential for guiding appropriate care. This study was designed to identify early post‐transplant parameters associated with 6‐month mortality, and thereby to construct a discriminatory prognostic index (PI).MethodsWe retrospectively analyzed 400 consecutive primary adult‐to‐adult LDLTs in our center (2006–2017). Perioperative variables were comprehensively analyzed for their accuracy in predicting recipient mortality by comparing the area under the receiver operating characteristic (AUROC) of each factor.ResultsThe AUROCs of preoperative predictive factors, for example, Model for End‐stage Liver Disease (MELD) score and donor age, were 0.56 and 0.64, respectively, whereas those of post‐transplant platelet count (PLT), total bilirubin (T‐BIL), and prothrombin time – international normalized ratio (INR) on postoperative day (POD)‐7−14 were 0.71/0.84, 0.68/0.82, and 0.71/0.78, respectively. Logistic regression analysis provided a formula: PIPOD‐14 = 3.39 + 0.12 × PLTPOD‐14 − 0.09 × T‐BILPOD‐14 − 1.23 × INRPOD‐14, indicating a high AUROC of 0.87. Recipient 6‐month survival with PIPOD‐14 < 2.38 (n = 173) was 71.7%, whereas that with PIPOD‐14 ≥ 2.38 (n = 222) was 97.7% (P < 0.001). The AUROCs of PIPOD‐7 were as high as 0.8 in the subgroups with younger donors (<50 years of age), right lobe grafts, ABO‐identical/compatible combinations, or low MELD score (<20), indicating usefulness of PI to identify unexpectedly complicated cases within the first week.ConclusionsA novel, post‐transplant survival estimator, PI, accurately predicts recipient 6‐month mortality within 1–2 weeks after adult LDLT. Daily monitoring of PI could facilitate early interventions including retransplantation in critically ill patients.

The postoperative hepatic artery resistance index after living donor liver transplantation can predict early allograft dysfunction.

To investigate whether postoperative hepatic hemodynamics have an impact on graft function.Using a retrospective cohort with 262 adult living donor liver transplantation (LDLT) recipients, we discussed the relationship between postoperative hepatic hemodynamics and patient outcomes.According to the definition of early allograft dysfunction (EAD), the patients were classified into the EAD group (43 patients) and the non-EAD group (219 patients). In terms of postoperative hemodynamic parameters, there was no significant differences between these 2 groups regarding hepatic artery flow (HAF), hepatic artery velocity (HAV), portal vein flow (PVF), and portal vein velocity (PVV), except for the hepatic artery resistance index (HARI) which was somewhat higher in the EAD group on postoperative day 3 (POD3) (0.70 vs 0.61, P < .05). According to these results, we used a ROC curve and found that a HARI of 0.68 was the cutoff point (with 73.8% sensitivity and 58.3% specificity) for predicting EAD after LDLT. In addition, multivariate analysis showed that fulminant hepatic failure, pretransplant hepatorenal syndrome, and HARI ≥ 0.68 on POD3 were independent risk factors for postoperative EAD.Our results showed that postoperative hemodynamics might influence graft function by altering hepatic artery flow.

Initial experience of purely laparoscopic donor hepatectomy for adult living donor liver transplantation

Initial experience of purely laparoscopic donor hepatectomy for adult living donor liver transplantation

Conceptual changes in small-for-size graft and small-for-size syndrome in living donor liver transplantation.

Early series in living donor liver transplantation (LDLT) in adults demonstrated a lower safe limit of graft volume standard liver volume ratio 25%–45%. A subsequent worldwide large LDLT series proposed a 0.8 graft recipient weight ratio (GRWR) to define small-for-size graft (SFSG) in adult LDLT. Thereafter, researchers identified innate and inevitable factors including changes in liver volume during imaging studies and graft shrinkage due to perfusion solution. Although the definition of small-for-size syndrome (SFSS) advocated in the 2000s was mainly based on prolonged cholestasis and ascites output, the term SFSS was inadequate to describe clinical manifestations possibly caused by multiple factors. Thus, the term “early allograft dysfunction (EAD),” characterized by total bilirubin >10 mg/dL or coagulopathy with international normalized ratio >1.6 on day 7, has become prevalent to describe graft dysfunction including SFSS after LDLT. Although various efforts have been made to overcome EAD in LDLT, graft selection to maintain an expected GRWR >0.8 and full venous drainage, as well as inflow modulation using splenic artery ligation, have become standard in recent LDLT.

Early reoperation after adult living-donor liver transplantation is associated with poor survival.

BackgroundPatients who undergo reoperation after living-donor liver transplantation (LDLT) have poor outcomes. However, the specific outcomes of patients undergoing reoperation due to gastrointestinal (GI) tract-related complications following adult LDLT are relatively unknown. In the present study, we investigated the relationship between the causes and outcomes of reoperation after LDLT and classified the risk groups.MethodsWe performed a retrospective analysis of 506 patients who underwent LDLT at Samsung Medical Center in Seoul between 2010 and 2016.ResultsAmong 506 adult LDLT recipients, 98 (19.4%) underwent reoperation. The causes for reoperation included bleeding (n=39, 39.8%), vascular complications (n=26, 26.5%), wound complications (n=12, 12.2%), bile leakage (n=7, 7.1%), GI tract complications (n=6, 6.1%), and others (n=8, 8.1%). Based on a multivariate analysis, we identified prolonged operation time, hospitalization days, and a history of previous hepatocellular carcinoma-related operation as independent risk factors for reoperation. Patient survival after 3 months, 1 year, 3 years, and 5 years was 96.3%, 90.6%, 82.5%, and 79.4% in the non-reoperation group and 95.9%, 82.7%, 72.8% and 69.3% in the reoperation group, respectively. Patient survival in the reoperation group was significantly lower than that in the non-reoperation group (P=0.018). In the reoperation group, the survival rates of patients with GI tract-related complications—including bile leakage and GI tract complications—were significantly worse than those of patients with non-GI tract-related complications such as bleeding, vascular complications, and wound complications (P<0.001).ConclusionsOur results showed that patient outcomes are poor after early reoperation after LDLT and that patients with GI tract-related complications have a higher risk of mortality.

Impact of ABO-incompatibility on hepatic artery thrombosis in living donor liver transplantation.

The current era of rituximab-based regimens brought improved survival in ABO-incompatible (ABO-I) living donor liver transplantation (LDLT). Nevertheless, the actual risk for hepatic artery thrombosis (HAT) still remains to be investigated. The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of ABO-incompatibility on HAT in adult LDLT patients. Patients who received ABO-I LDLT were compared to those who received ABO-compatible (ABO-C) LDLT with a special focus on HAT. A total of 378 patients underwent LDLT from January 2012 to February 2018. Of those, ABO-I LDLT was performed in 78 consecutive patients. The other 300 patients with ABO-C LDLT constituted the comparator group. No significant differences were observed between the two groups in baseline and perioperative characteristics. HAT occurred in 11 (2.9%) patients, 2 and 9 patients in ABO-I and ABO-C LDLT groups, respectively, which didn't show any significant difference between the two groups (P=0.84). All were categorized into early HAT. Immediate revascularization by intraarterial thrombolysis was successfully employed in 8 patients. Surgical revision of anastomosis and retransplantation were performed in 1 and 2 patients, respectively. No one-year mortality was related to HAT in the two groups. The overall outcomes including biliary complications made no significant difference between the two groups. ABO-incompatibility has no adverse impact on the incidence and treatment outcome of HAT in the current rituximab-based desensitization.

Bilateral proficiency over time leads to reduced donor morbidity in living donor hepatectomy.

Although left-lobe donation is considered safer, right-sided donor hepatectomy predominates in adult living donor liver transplantation (LDLT). We hypothesized that bilateral proficiency with donor hepatectomy reduces overall donor complications. A retrospective review of 834 adult LDLT donors (221 left lobes) from January 2004 to December 2014 was performed, dividing cases into two eras based on left-graft experience. Donor complications within 6 months were investigated, focusing on graft side and surgical era. The overall complication rate was 17.6%, and was higher in right-lobe donors. In Era 2, during which left-lobe donation rates were three times higher, total complications decreased (14.7% vs. 20.9%, P=0.02). A significant reduction in postoperative ascites accounted for the lower overall complication rate. The proportion of major biliary complications (BCs) was halved from 62.5% to 25.0%. Right-lobe donor complications also decreased significantly (15.8% vs. 22.9%, P=0.032), demonstrating that it was not only increased left-lobe donations leading to lowered complication rates, but also greater experience with donor hepatectomy in general. Accumulating experience with bilateral donor hepatectomy leads to decreased donor morbidity and comparable outcomes for right and left lobes, further enhancing the goal of donor safety while balancing recipient needs.

Is Portal Inflow Modulation Always Necessary for Successful Utilization of Small Volume Living Donor Liver Grafts?

Although the well-accepted lower limit of the graft-to-recipient weight ratio (GRWR) for successful living donor liver transplantation (LDLT) remains 0.80%, many believe grafts with lower GRWR may suffice with portal inflow modulation (PIM), resulting in equally good recipient outcomes. This study was done to evaluate the outcomes of LDLT with small-for-size grafts (GRWR <0.80%). Of 1321 consecutive adult LDLTs from January 2012 to December 2017, 287 (21.7%) had GRWR <0.80%. PIM was performed (hemiportocaval shunt [HPCS], n=109; splenic artery ligation [SAL], n=14) in 42.9% patients. No PIM was done if portal pressure (PP) in the dissection phase was <16mm Hg. Mean age of the cohort was 49.3±9.1years. Median Model for End-Stage Liver Disease score was 14, and the lowest GRWR was 0.54%. A total of 72 recipients had a GRWR <0.70%, of whom 58 underwent HPCS (1 of whom underwent HPCS+SAL) and 14 underwent no PIM, whereas 215 had GRWR between 0.70% and 0.79%, of whom 51 and 14 underwent HPCS and SAL, respectively. During the same period, 1034 had GRWR ≥0.80% and did not undergo PIM. Small-for-size syndrome developed in 2.8% patients. Three patients needed shunt closure at 1 and 4 weeks and 60months. The 1-year patient survival rates were comparable. In conclusion, with PIM protocol that optimizes postperfusion PP, low-GRWR grafts can be used for appropriately selected LDLT recipients with acceptable outcomes.

Different prognostic factors and strategies for early and late recurrence after adult living donor liver transplantation for hepatocellular carcinoma

Some patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) recurrence after LT show good long-term survival. We aimed to determine the prognostic factors affecting survival after recurrence and to suggest treatment strategies. Between January 2000 and December 2015, 532 patients underwent adult living donor liver transplantation (LDLT) for HCC. Among these, 92 (17.3%) who experienced recurrence were retrospectively reviewed. The 1-, 3-, and 5-year survival rates after recurrence were 59.5%, 23.0%, and 11.9%, respectively. In multivariate analysis, time to recurrence >6months and surgical resection after recurrence were related to longer survival after recurrence, while multi-organ involvement at the time of primary recurrence was related to poorer survival. We classified patients into early (≤6months) and late (>6months) recurrence groups. In the early recurrence group, tumor size >5cm in the explant liver, liver as the first detected site of recurrence, and multiple organ involvement at primary recurrence were related to survival on multivariate analysis. In the late recurrence group, mammalian target of rapamycin inhibitor (mTORi) usage and multi-organ involvement were significantly associated with the prognosis on multivariate analysis. Various therapeutic approaches are needed depending on the period of recurrence after LT and multiplicity of involved organs.

Extensive Thrombectomy as a Legitimate Strategy in Living Donor Liver Transplantation With Advanced Portal Vein Thrombosis

Management of portal vein thrombosis (PVT), especially advanced PVT involving the superior mesenteric vein (SMV), in living donor liver transplantation (LDLT) is challenging. There were 514 adults who underwent LDLT between 2005 and 2018 included in this retrospective study, and PVT was observed in 67 (13.0%) patients. The LDLT recipients with PVT were characterized by increased portal pressure at laparotomy (26.1±6.0 versus 24.3±5.9mmHg; P=0.03) and at closure (16.8±3.9 versus 15.6±3.6mmHg; P=0.02), increased operative blood loss (14.6±29.7 versus 5.7±6.3 L; P<0.01), and decreased 1-year graft survival (83.5% versus 92.8%; P=0.04). Among the 18 patients with atrophic or vanished portal vein on pre-LDLT computed tomography, significant portal atrophy was actually observed only in 1 (5.6%) patient during LDLT surgery. For advanced PVT (n=7) involving SMV in era 1, we performed nonanatomical inflow reconstruction using interposition grafts, resulting in significant inflow problems in 4 (57.1%) patients. Thus, for the patients with advanced PVT (n=4) in era 2, we abandoned nonanatomical reconstruction and applied extensive thrombectomy under ultrasound guidance with secure shunt ligation, resulting in no inflow problems and no graft loss. In conclusion, even for advanced PVT involving SMV, extensive thrombectomy under sonogram guidance followed by anatomical inflow reconstruction and shunt ligation is a legitimate strategy in adult LDLT with PVT.

Postoperative Myocardial Injury Does Not Predict Early and 1-Year Mortality After Living Donor Liver Transplantation

BackgroundPreoperative cardiac troponin-I (cTnI) elevation has been shown to be a predictor of mortality after liver transplantation. Myocardial injury after non-cardiac surgery (MINS) has been defined as elevation of serum cardiac troponin levels in the perioperative period that does not fulfill the criteria for myocardial infarction. MINS has been shown to be a prognostic factor for in-hospital and long-term mortality, but there is limited data in patients undergoing living-donor liver transplantation (LDLT). In this study, we aimed to evaluate the relationship between MINS and postoperative mortality. Material and methodsPatients who had undergone adult LDLT at Florence Nightingale Hospital Liver Transplantation Unit between December 2012 and December 2015 were retrospectively analyzed for 30-day in-hospital and 1-year mortality. Myocardial injury was defined as cTnI level above 0.04 ng/mL. Patients (N = 214) were divided into 2 groups according to postoperative cTnI levels. The following were the exclusion criteria: 1. patients under 18 years old, 2. patients undergoing deceased-donor liver transplantation or dual liver-kidney transplantation, 3. cTnI elevation due to other causes (sepsis, renal failure, pulmonary embolism, myocardial infarction), and 4. patients without postoperative troponin levels. ResultsMINS occurred in 123 (57.4%) patients after LDLT. There was no difference between the groups according to age, sex, creatinine levels, presence of ischemic heart disease, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, and tobacco use. The presence of MINS did not predict 30-day and 1-year mortality in the study population. ConclusionMyocardial injury detected by serum cTnI elevation was frequent after LDLT; however, it was not associated with 30-day in-hospital and 1-year mortality.

Laparoscopic donor right hepatectomy in a donor with type III portal vein anomaly: A case report.

Rationale:Laparoscopic right donor hepatectomy has been reported sporadically in several experienced centers for selected donors. This report introduced a case of a donor with an independent right posterior segmental portal branching from the main portal vein.Patient concerns:A 47-year-old woman volunteered to donate her right liver to her 48-year-old husband.Diagnoses:The recipient has been diagnosed as hepatocellular carcinoma meeting the Milan criteria and hepatitis B virus related cirrhosis.Interventions:The parenchymal transection was performed by ultrasonic aspirator and Hem-o-Lok clips. The right hepatic artery, right hepatic duct, and the anterior and posterior branches of right portal vein were meticulously dissected, clamped, and transected. The right hepatic vein was transected by vascular stapler. A Y-graft of the recipient's own portal confluence was reconstructed with the donor's separate right anterior and posterior portal veins.Outcomes:The donor's operation time was 420 minutes and the warm ischemia time was about 9 minutes. Blood loss was less than 600 ml without transfusion. The donor was discharged at the 10th postoperative day without any complications.Lessons:Laparoscopic right hepatectomy for donors with anomalous portal vein branching and subsequent inflow reconstruction for adult living donor liver transplantation is safe and feasible in highly experienced center.

Effect of Duration of Intensive Care Unit Stay on Outcomes of Adult Living Donor Liver Transplant Recipients

Background and aimAcute kidney injury (AKI) is common in patients undergoing liver transplantation and is associated with reduced patient and graft survival. The aim is to assess the occurrence of AKI following living donor liver transplantation and to evaluate the associated risk factors and outcomes. Subjects and MethodsForty-nine Egyptian patients with hepatitis C virus who underwent living donor liver transplantation were divided into Group A (17 patients with AKI defined as increased creatinine > 50% of the initial pretransplant level) and Group B (non-AKI patients). Fluid balance, kidney function, preoperative and intraoperative risk factors, outcomes, and 1-year mortality were assessed. ResultsThe mean age was 48 ± 7.51 and the majority of patients assessed were men (89.8%). The 17 patients with AKI had higher preoperative creatinine and higher Model for End-Stage Liver Disease scores (1.3 ± 0.16, 15.7 ± 5.07, respectively) than the non-AKI patients (1.1 ± .15, 13.7 ± 4.61, respectively), with P values of .04 and < .01, respectively. They also had significantly lower levels of albumin (2.98 ± .50). AKI patients had longer intensive care unit (ICU) stays (10 ± 3 d) compared to non-AKI patients (5 ± 2), with a P value of .03. A logistic multivariable regression test revealed that only a long ICU stay is a predictor of developing acute kidney injury among patients who have undergone living donor liver transplantation (odds ratio 1.23, 95% confidence interval 1.1–2.1, with a P value of .012). ConclusionMany pre- and intra-operative factors are associated with AKI development; however, a long ICU stay is an independent potential factor for kidney infection.

Analysis of pre- and intraoperative clinical factors for successful operating room extubation after living donor liver transplantation: a retrospective observational cohort study

BackgroundEarly extubation after liver transplantation is safe and accelerates patient recovery. Patients with end-stage liver disease undergo sarcopenic changes, and sarcopenia is associated with postoperative morbidity and mortality. We investigated the impact of core muscle mass on the feasibility of immediate extubation in the operating room (OR) after living donor liver transplantation (LDLT).MethodsA total of 295 male adult LDLT patients were retrospectively reviewed between January 2011 and December 2017. In total, 40 patients were excluded due to emergency surgery or severe encephalopathy. A total of 255 male LDLT patients were analyzed in this study. According to the OR extubation criteria, the study population was classified into immediate and conventional extubation groups (39.6 vs. 60.4%). Psoas muscle area was estimated using abdominal computed tomography and normalized by height squared (psoas muscle index [PMI]).ResultsThere were no significant differences in OR extubation rates among the five attending transplant anesthesiologists. The preoperative PMI correlated with respiratory performance. The preoperative PMI was higher in the immediate extubation group than in the conventional extubation group. Potentially significant perioperative factors in the univariate analysis were entered into a multivariate analysis, in which preoperative PMI and intraoperative factors (i.e., continuous renal replacement therapy, significant post-reperfusion syndrome, and fresh frozen plasma transfusion) were associated with OR extubation. The duration of ventilator support and length of intensive care unit stay were shorter in the immediate extubation group than in the conventional extubation group, and the incidence of pneumonia and early allograft dysfunction were also lower in the immediate extubation group.ConclusionsOur study could improve the accuracy of predictions concerning immediate post-transplant extubation in the OR by introducing preoperative PMI into predictive models for patients who underwent elective LDLT.