Partial Living Donor Liver Transplantation Research Articles

Volumetric assessment of hepatic grafts using a light detection and ranging system for 3D scanning: Preliminary data.

BACKGROUNDLiver transplantation has evolved into a safe life-saving operation and remains the golden standard in the treatment of end stage liver disease. The main limiting factor in the application of liver transplantation is graft shortage. Many strategies have been developed in order to alleviate graft shortage, such as living donor partial liver transplantation and split liver transplantation for adult and pediatric patients. In these strategies, liver volume assessment is of paramount importance, as size mismatch can have severe consequences in the success of liver transplantation.AIMTo evaluate the safety, feasibility, and accuracy of light detection and ranging (LIDAR) 3D photography in the prediction of whole liver graft volume and mass.METHODSSeven liver grafts procured for orthotopic liver transplantation from brain deceased donors were prospectively measured with an LIDAR handheld camera and their mass was calculated and compared to their actual weight.RESULTSThe mean error of all measurements was 17.03 g (range 3.56-59.33 g). Statistical analysis of the data yielded a Pearson correlation coefficient index of 0.9968, indicating a strong correlation between the values and a Student’s t-test P value of 0.26. Mean accuracy of the measurements was calculated at 97.88%.CONCLUSIONOur preliminary data indicate that LIDAR scanning of liver grafts is a safe, cost-effective, and feasible method of ex vivo determination of whole liver volume and mass. More data are needed to determine the precision and accuracy of this method.

Impact of Donor Age on Recipient Survival in Adult-to-Adult Living-donor Liver Transplantation.

To investigate the influence of donor age on recipient outcome after living-donor partial liver transplantation (LDLT). Donor age is a well-known prognostic factor in deceased donor liver transplantation; however, its role in LDLT remains unclear. We retrospectively analyzed 315 consecutive cases of primary adult-to-adult LDLT in our center between April 2006 and March 2014. Recipients were divided into 5 groups according to the donor age: D-20s (n = 60); D-30s (n = 72); D-40s (n = 57); D-50s (n = 94); and D-60s (n = 32). The recipient survival and the association with various clinical factors were investigated. Recipient survival proportions were significantly higher in D-20s compared with all the other groups (P = 0.008, < 0.001, < 0.001, and = 0.006, vs D-30s, -40s, -50s, and -60s, respectively), whereas there was no association between recipient survival and their own age. There are 3 typical relationships between donors and recipients in adult-to-adult LDLT: from child-to-parent, between spouses/siblings, and from parent-to-child. The overall survival in child-to-parent was significantly higher than in spouses/siblings (P = 0.002) and in parent-to-child (P = 0.005), despite significantly higher recipient age in child-to-parent [59 (42-69) years, P < 0.001]. Contrastingly, parent-to-child exhibited the lowest survival, despite the youngest recipient age [26 (20-43) years, P < 0.001]. In addition, younger donor age exhibited significantly better recipient survival both in hepatitis C virus-related and in non-hepatitis C virus diseases. Univariate and multivariate analyses both demonstrated that donor age and graft-type (right-sided livers) are independent prognostic factors for recipient survival. Donor age is an independent, strong prognostic factor in adult-to-adult LDLT.

Oral administration of polyamines ameliorates liver ischemia/reperfusion injury and promotes liver regeneration in rats.

Polyamines are essential for cell growth and differentiation. They play important roles in protection from liver damage and promotion of liver regeneration. However, little is known about the effect of oral exogenous polyamine administration on liver damage and regeneration. This study investigated the impact of polyamines (spermidine and spermine) on ischemia/reperfusion injury (IRI) and liver regeneration. We used a rat model in which a 70% hepatectomy after 40 minutes of ischemia was performed to mimic the clinical condition of living donor partial liver transplantation (LT). Male Lewis rats were separated into 2 groups: a polyamine group given polyamines before and after operation as treatment and a vehicle group given distilled water as placebo. The levels of serum aspartate aminotransferase and alanine aminotransferase at 6, 24, and 48 hours after reperfusion were significantly lower in the polyamine group compared with those in the vehicle group. Polyamine treatment reduced the expression of several proinflammatory cytokines and chemokines at 6 hours after reperfusion. Histological analysis showed significantly less necrosis and apoptosis in the polyamine group at 6 hours after reperfusion. Sinusoidal endothelial cells were also well preserved in the polyamine group. In addition, the regeneration of the remnant liver at 24, 48, and 168 hours after reperfusion was significantly accelerated, and the Ki-67 labeling index and the expressions of proliferating cell nuclear antigen and phosphorylated retinoblastoma protein at 24 hours after reperfusion were significantly higher in the polyamine group compared with those in the vehicle group. In conclusion, perioperative oral polyamine administration attenuates liver IRI and promotes liver regeneration. It might be a new therapeutic option to improve the outcomes of partial LT. Liver Transplantation 22 1231-1244 2016 AASLD.

Acute kidney injury following living donor liver transplantation

Although acute kidney injury (AKI) is regarded as a frequent complication following deceased donor liver transplantation, the incidence of AKI following living donor partial liver transplantation (LDLT) has not yet been sufficiently investigated. we used two definitions and investigated the influence of AKI on patient and graft survival. The definitions for the degree of AKI were as follows: AKI 1 was characterized by an increase in serum creatinine of 0.5 mg/dL, while AKI 2 was 1.0 mg/dL above the baseline within one wk during the post-operative course. The incidence and its impact were investigated. The incidence of AKI 1 was 63.1%. The development of AKI 1 was correlated with intra-operative blood loss (p = 0.013), the length of post-operative ICU stay, and hospitalization (p = 0.020 and 0.038). The incidence of AKI 2 was 27.7%, and AKI 2 was correlated with the length of both the post-operative ICU and hospital stays. The development of AKI 2 was significantly correlated with graft survival (p = 0.015). Recognizing the peri-operative risk and development of AKI is important, because AKI post-LDLT is associated with a poorer graft survival and a possible worse long-term prognosis.

Side-to-End Renoportal Anastomosis Using an Externally Stented Polytetrafluoroethylene Vascular Graft for a Patient with a Phlebosclerotic Portal Vein and a Large Spontaneous Splenorenal Shunt

Adequate portal flow to a transplanted liver graft is important for good graft function after both deceased donor whole liver transplantation and living donor partial liver transplantation. Particularly in living donor liver transplantation (LDLT), adequate portal flow enables the partial liver graft to regenerate rapidly and to satisfy the recipient’s increased metabolic demands during the posttransplant period. When severe portal vein stenosis or thrombosis with hepatofugal collateral vessels is present due to advanced cirrhosis, conventional anastomosis between the portal veins (PVs) of the donor and recipient may provide inadequate portal flow to the graft. Various techniques have made liver transplantation feasible, including thrombectomy, plasty using autologous saphenous vein and/or stent placement in the recipient PV, and interposition of a venous graft between the graft PV and the recipient’s superior mesenteric vein. These procedures, owever, cannot be performed when PV thrombosis has ropagated to the superior mesenteric vein, or when disection of the superior mesenteric vein is difficult due to epeated episodes of spontaneous bacterial peritonitis. Patients with obliterated PV due to phlebosclerosis and arge splenorenal shunt (SRS), a special type of PV thromosis, are not uncommon, but it is technically challenging o restore PV flow to the graft using conventional PV reonstruction techniques. This problem has been solved in eceased donor whole liver transplantation by end-to-end ype renoportal anastomosis, using an interposition graft of adaveric iliac vein between the left renal vein (LRV) of the ecipient and the graft PV. In addition, LDLT has been

Feasibility of Auxiliary Partial Living Donor Liver Transplantation for Fulminant Hepatic Failure as an Aid for Small-for-Size Graft: Single Center Experience

Auxiliary partial orthotopic liver transplantation (APOLT) or heterotopic auxiliary partial liver transplantation (HAPLT) was initially indicated for potentially reversible fulminant hepatic failure (FHF). We started auxiliary partial living donor liver transplantation (LDLT) for FHF in February 2002. Since then, 5 FHF patients (3 females and 2 males) underwent auxiliary partial LDLT: 3 cases of APOLT and 2 cases of HAPLT. All of them received a small-for-size graft: graft-to-recipient weight ratio (GRWR) ≤ 1.0%. The etiologies of FHF were hepatitis B virus (HBV) in 1, Wilson's disease in 1, and unknown origin in 3 cases. Three were the acute type and 2 the subacute type of FHF. Median age was 45 years (range, 14–54 years). Blood type was identical in all cases. A left lobe graft was used in 4 instances and a right lobe graft in 1 case. Median GRWR was 0.74 (range, 0.42–0.85). Median follow-up was 42 months (range, 3 days to 70 months). Three of 5 patients (60%) were alive (at 42, 67, and 70 months) and 1 was free of immunosuppression after sufficient recovery of the native liver. Two cases succumbed: 1 at postoperative day 3 because of cytomegalovirus pneumonia and 1 at 10 months after APOLT because of sepsis. Complications were seen in all 5 patients: Relaparotomy for hemostasis in 3, decompression surgery of the abdominal cavity in 1, rehepaticojejunostomy in 1, and biliary strictures in 2 cases. Auxiliary partial LDLT may be a choice as an aid for a small-for-size graft in FHF.

An alternative method of arterial reconstruction in pediatric living donor liver transplantation with the recipient right gastroepiploic artery

The classical method for arterial reconstruction in pediatric living donor liver transplantation using left lateral segment consists of end-to-end anastomosis between the donor left hepatic artery and the recipient right hepatic artery. In the present case, an intra-operative hepatic artery thrombosis occurred because of extensive intima wall dissection of the recipient hepatic artery. The patient was a 6-yr-old boy with fulminant hepatic failure, who underwent living donor partial liver transplantation with left lateral segment from his father. The graft was irrigated by a left hepatic artery and an accessory left hepatic artery from gastric artery, both arteries with diameter of <2 mm. These arteries were anastomosed to the recipient right and left hepatic arteries, respectively. Before performing the bile duct reconstruction it was noted that these anastomoses were occluded by clots of blood. An extensive subintimal dissection of the recipient hepatic artery was the cause of this problem. The creation of a new anastomosis by using a more proximal part of this artery without subintimal dissection was judged impossible. Then, the right gastroepiploic artery was mobilized and an anastomosis was performed with the donor left hepatic artery in an end-to-end fashion. Arterial blood flow to the graft was established successfully and the patient's postoperative recovery was excellent. Fifteen days after the transplantation, an angiotomography demonstrated a good hepatic arterial blood flow. The patient is now alive and well, 4 months after the transplantation. In conclusion, the method of hepatic graft arterialization described here is an important option for patients who undergo living donor or split liver transplantation.

Revolution and Refinement of Surgical Techniques for Living Donor Partial Liver Transplantation

Living donor liver transplantation (LDLT) was first successfully performed on a child in 1990 and the Shinshu group performed the same procedure on an adult for the first time in 1994. Over the past few years adult LDLT has been increasing worldwide because of the severe shortage of cadaveric organs, especially in locations where the transplantation of organs from brain-dead donors is rarely practiced. The surgical procedures for LDLT are more technically challenging than those for cadaveric whole liver transplantation. LDLT requires a full understanding of hepatobiliary anatomy and continuous technical refinement of the procedure. The development of innovative techniques is a key factor for a successful LDLT. Some of the technical highlights include selective vascular occlusion techniques for donor hepatectomy, hepatic arterial reconstruction under the microscope, the introduction of intraoperative ultrasound, graft volume estimation, hepatic venous reconstruction using cryopreserved vascular grafts, and the use of the right lateral sector of the liver. These techniques have improved the success rate of LDLT over the past few years. This review focuses on the surgical techniques for LDLT on the basis of our experience with adult LDLT at the Tokyo University Hospital.

Postoperative liver regeneration and complication in live liver donor after partial hepatectomy for living donor liver transplantation.

The safety of donor is the first priority during whole procedure in living donor liver transplantation. We evaluated the short-term results of partial living donor liver transplantation in the view of donor safety. We prospectively evaluated the extent of liver regeneration, the recovery of liver function, and the perioperative complications in 41 live liver donors for partial liver transplantation at our institution. We developed novel personal computer volumetry program for the evaluation of liver regeneration. Serial CAT scan was performed preoperatively, at postoperative day (POD) #7 and POD #30 and liver volume was measure by using volumetry program. The serum level of aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), and total bilirubin (T.bil.) was serially monitored. There were 34 males and 7 females. The mean preoperative liver volume was 1320.6 cm3. The remained mean liver volume was 687.8 cm3 after harvest, and increased to 954.4 cm3 (144.6%) at POD #7, and 1169.5 cm3 (81.4%) at POD #30, which was 88.5% of preoperative total liver volume. The serum level of ALT/ AST and T.bil. peaked at POD #1 and declined thereafter, and finally returned to preoperative level at POD #30. The regeneration rate was significantly different by age, type and size of graft according to the donors. Six donors experienced postoperative complications and they were four pleural effusions, one wound infection and one case of bile duct stenosis that was treated by endoscopic nasal biliary drainage. All of them were right lobe donors. In conclusion, the donor liver regenerated up to 88.5% of preoperative volume with full recovery of liver function at POD #30. Right lobe donors suffered more complications and need more meticulous operative and postoperative care than left lobe or left lateral segment donors.

Live donor partial liver harvest for canine liver transplantation: development of an innovative technique for surgical training and research.

Most models of canine segmental liver transplantation use about 40% of the total liver volume including the left lateral and medial segments, an approach which is associated with some shortcomings. First, during live donor harvest, a necrotic segment requiring further resection is unavoidable after removal of the donor segments; and second, to harvest the left lobe, two dissection planes must be used. This creates some technical bias and limitations in designing a canine research model. Herein, we report a new technique of harvesting up to 70% of the liver in dogs. The right medial and quadrate segments, the left lobe, and the papillary process of the caudate lobe were resected and harvested for transplantation. We divided the middle hepatic vein to enable a single parenchymal dissection between the right medial and lateral segments and no perfusion defect was seen. Using this technique, we performed orthotopic autoauxiliary transplantation ( n = 6) and orthotopic alloauxiliary transplantation ( n = 5) in dogs. All dogs transplanted with an autograft were alive at the completion of surgery. All donor dogs providing 70% of the liver volume for allografts were alive 1 week after surgery, and all five allograft recipient dogs were alive 48 h after surgery, at which point they were killed. This novel experimental technique of partial living donor liver transplantation using about 70% of the liver allows for easier harvest and effective live donor partial liver transplantation. Moreover, the fact that division of the liver parenchyme can be done without leaving a necrotic segment shows the possibilities for various research models of ischemic-reperfusion injury. This technique allows us to divide the liver in situ, then subject the right segment of the liver to various insults or remedies for comparison.