Multivisceral Graft Research Articles

Case Report: Multivisceral Transplantation for an Extensive Cystic Lymphangioma of the Mesenteric Root

BackgroundWe report the case of a 7-year-old girl with intestinal failure owing to a cystic lymphangioma compromising the root of the mesentery, not amenable to resection, leading to intestinal failure. Oncologic treatment was attempted to reduce tumor size with no response; therefore, she was listed for multivisceral transplantation. ProcedureResection of the tumor required resection of all abdominal organs with vascular inflow and outflow. A multivisceral graft (liver, stomach, duodenum–pancreas and spleen complex, small bowel, and right colon) was implanted. For vascular reconstruction, donor's superior vena cava was sutured to the recipient's suprahepatic veins in a common patch. For arterial inflow, an arterial conduit was placed directly to the infrarenal aorta, and sutured to an aortic patch of the graft. Cold ischemia time was 8:45 hours; warm ischemia time was 35 minutes. A double-layer gastrogastric anastomosis and piloroplasty was made; and the distal reconstruction was performed with ileocolic side-to-end anastomosis that allowed to perform of a Bishop-Koop ileostomy for endoscopic monitoring. OutcomeThe patient recovered well after the procedure and was discharged 36 days after transplantation with intestinal sufficiency. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report describing cystic lymphangioma as an indication for multivisceral transplantation.

Visceral Transplantation for End-Stage Crohnʼs Disease: 25 Years of Experience at a Single Center

Introduction: Intestinal and multivisceral transplantation has recently evolved and more frequently utilized for patients with irreversible intestinal and TPN failure. End-stage Crohn's disease (CD) has been the second leading indication in adults. This is the largest worldwide series of CD patients who received visceral transplantation at a single center. Long-term efficacy is addressed with special reference to disease recurrence. Methods: Over 25 years, 57 CD patients underwent visceral transplantation for a recalcitrant disease with a mean duration of 5+5 years. All patients failed TPN due to multiple line infection (94%), limited venous access (83%) and significant liver damage (80%). Male to female ratio was 1:1.7 with a mean age of 43+10 years. All patients underwent multiple abdominal operations with proctocolectomy in 37 (65%). Simultaneous hepatic replacement was required in 12 (21%) patients with a mean serum bilirubin of 9+11mg/dl. Remaining 45 (79%) received liver-free visceral allografts with intestine alone in 43 and modified multivisceral graft including stomach, duodenum, pancreas, and intestine in 2. Rejection prophylaxis was tacrolimus based with induction therapy in 8 (14%) and recipient pretreatment in 37 (65%) recipients. Results: With a mean follow-up of 54+48 months, 33 (58%) patients were alive with a retransplantation rate of 7%. Rejection was the leading cause of graft loss with an overall incidence of 56%. Actuarial patient survival was 90% at 1 year, 56% at 5 years, and 43% at 10 years with respective graft survival of 86%, 53%, and 42%. Inclusion of donor liver was associated with better outcome with a 10-year survival rate of 57%. Recipient pretreatment significantly improved patient survival with respective 1, 5, and 10-year survival rates of 92%, 61% and 61%. All survivors achieved full nutritional autonomy. Disease recurrence was histologically documented in 4 (7%) allografts at 3, 15, 18, and 19 months from date of transplant with no impact on graft function. There was no significant (P=0.6) difference in survival between CD and non-CD patients with a higher cumulative risk of rejection induced graft loss among CD patients. Conclusion: Visceral transplantation is an effective life-saving treatment for patients with end-stage CD. Disease recurrence is low with no significant impact on functional survival.

Eculizumab Salvage Therapy for Antibody-Mediated Rejection in a Desensitization-Resistant Intestinal Re-Transplant Patient

The presence of elevated calculated panel reactive antibody (cPRA) and anti-HLA donor specific antibodies (DSA) are high risk factors for acute antibody-mediated rejection (AAMR) in intestinal transplantation that may lead to graft loss. Eculizumab has been used for the treatment of AAMR in kidney transplantation of sensitized patients that do not respond to other treatment. Here, we report a case where eculizumab was used to treat AAMR in a desensitization-resistant intestinal re-transplant patient. A male patient lost his intestinal graft to AAMR 8.14 years after his primary transplant. He received a second intestinal graft that had to be explanted a month later due to refractory AAMR. The patient remained highly sensitized despite multiple treatments. He received a multivisceral graft and presented with severe AAMR on day 3 posttransplantation. The AAMR was successfully treated with eculizumab. The patient presently maintains an elevated cPRA level above 90% but his DSAs have decreased from 18 000 MFI (mean fluorescent intensity) to below the positive cut-off value of 3000 MFI and remains rejection free with a 2-year follow-up since his multivisceral transplant. Eculizumab offers an alternative to treat AAMR in intestinal transplantation in desensitization-resistant patients.

Heterotaxy Syndrome With Malrotation of the Gut and Interrupted Vena Cava Does Not Preclude Safe Procurement of Multivisceral Graft

We report the first successful procurement and transplantation of a multivisceral graft from a pediatric donor with polysplenic heterotaxy syndrome, including intestinal malrotation, midline liver with left-sided gallbladder and an interrupted inferior vena cava with azygous continuation. Procurement of the graft presented a surgical challenge in the presence of above anomalies. Modified approach to standard organ procurement and minor technical adaptation enabled successful transplantation. In an era of severe organ shortage of pediatric multivisceral grafts, a valuable organ offer should not lightly be declined for reasons of anatomic imperfections that might be overcome.

Partial Esophageal Transplantation Is Possible as Part of a Multivisceral Graft

We report a case of a 9-year-old female with inflammatory myofibroblastic tumor (IMT), which involved the upper retroperitoneum, visceral vessels, stomach and distal esophagus. Complete resection of the tumor required a multivisceral (MV) transplant. Due to tumor involvement, resection of the distal third of recipient esophagus was necessary. Gastrointestinal continuity was subsequently established via esophagoesophagostomy to donor esophagus en bloc with a standard MV graft. After 1.9 years of follow-up, the patient has no symptoms of dysphagia or reflux. This case illustrates the feasibility of including the distal donor esophagus as part of an MV graft.

Preservation of the native spleen in multivisceral transplantation

The native spleen is usually removed in patients undergoing MTV. The consequential asplenic state is associated with a high risk of sepsis, especially in immunosuppressed children. In contrast, the inclusion of an allogeneic spleen in multivisceral grafts has been associated with a high incidence of GVHD. We propose an alternative technique for patients undergoing MTV, consisting of the preservation of the native spleen. This approach avoids the additional risk of infection that characterizes the asplenic state without the detrimental side effects of the allogeneic spleen.

Incidence, Timing, and Significance of Early Hypogammaglobulinemia After Intestinal Transplantation

Despite recent advances in intestinal transplantation (ITx), infection (INF) and acute cellular rejection (ACR) remain major causes of patient and graft loss. Studies in other solid-organ transplantations indicate that low levels of serum immunoglobulin G (IgG) negatively impact outcomes. To date, there have been no studies on IgG after ITx. A retrospective review of an IgG measurement protocol in primary ITx recipients between 2007 and 2011 was undertaken. IgG levels were measured at the time of evaluation, transplantation, and at weekly intervals for 2 months. Hypogammaglobulinemia (HGG) was defined as IgG levels below the lower limit of the 95% confidence interval for age. Associations between HGG, INF, and ACR were tested, and the incidence and timing of INF and ACR were compared. Thirty-four patients were transplanted at a mean (SD) age of 12.4 (17.2) years. Most were Latino children with gastroschisis who received multivisceral grafts. Relative to pre-ITx levels, a statistically significant decrease in IgG levels was observed after ITx (P<0.05). Twenty patients (59%) developed HGG during the post-ITx period at a mean (SD) of 9.8 days. No significant associations were identified between HGG and INF or ACR. This is the first study to describe serum IgG levels after ITx. A marked decrease in serum IgG levels was observed early on, in most patients. The etiology is potentially related to immunotherapy. HGG was not associated with INF or ACR, possibly related to the sample size and our practice of exogenous intravenous immunoglobulin replacement.

Intestinal Transplantation for End Stage Crohnʼs Disease: Therapeutic Efficacy and Disease Recurrence

Intestinal transplantation has recently evolved and more frequently utilized to rescue patients with irreversible intestinal failure who no longer can be maintained on TPN therapy. End stage Crohn's disease has been the second leading indication for transplantation in the adult population. This is the first study to address the procedure's therapeutic efficacy and the impact of disease recurrence on long-term outcome. Between May 2, 1990 and June 30, 2012, a total of 309 consecutive adult patients received 342 intestinal and multivisceral transplantations. Of these, 57 (18%) suffered recalcitrant Crohn's disease with irreversible intestinal failure for a mean duration of 5+5 years. All patients failed TPN therapy with multiple line infections (94%), limited venous access (83%), and significant liver damage (80%). The male to female ratio was 1:1.7 with a mean age of 43 + 10 years. All patients underwent multiple abdominal surgeries with proctocolectomy in 36 (63%). Simultaneous hepatic replacement was required in 12 (21%) patients due to end stage liver failure with a mean serum bilirubin of 9 + 11 mg/dL. The remaining 45 (79%) patients received liver-free visceral allografts with intestine alone in 43 and modified multivisceral graft including the stomach, duodenum, pancreas, and intestine in 2. Positive lymphocytotoxic crossmatch was documented in 14 (25%) recipients. All donors were cadaveric, ABO identical with random HLA crossmatch. Rejection prophylaxis was tacrolimus based in all patients with utilization of induction (cyclophosphamide/daclizumab) therapy in 8 (14%) and recipient pretreatment with rATG/alemtuzumab in 37 (65%) recipients. With a mean follow-up of 54 + 48 months, 33 (58%) of the Crohn's disease patients are currently alive with a retransplantation rate of 7%. Acute and chronic rejection was the leading cause of graft loss with an overall incidence of 56%. The actuarial patient survival rate was 90% at 1 year, 74% at 3 years, 56% at 5 years, and 43% at 10 years with respective graft survival of 86%, 65%, 53%, and 42%. Inclusion of the donor liver was associated with better long-term survival outcome with a 10-year survival rate of 57% for both patient and graft. Recipient pretreatment significantly improved patient survival with 1, 3, 5, and 10 year survival rates of 92%, 79%, 61% and 61%, respectively. All survivors achieved full nutritional autonomy enjoying unrestricted oral diet. Disease recurrence was histologically documented in 4 (7%) allografts at 3, 15, 18, and 19 months from the time of transplantation with no impact on graft function. With similar distribution of type of transplanted organs and immunosuppression, there was no significant (P = 0.6) difference in survival between the Crohn's and non-Crohn's patients. However, the cumulative risk of graft loss due to acute and chronic rejection was modestly higher in the Crohn's disease compared to the non-Crohn's disease patients. Intestinal and multivisceral transplantation is a life-saving and an effective therapy for patients with end stage Crohn's disease. Disease recurrence is very low and at best histologic with no significant impact on survival outcome and graft functions.

Intestinal transplantation: Indications and prospects

Intestinal transplantation (IT) can involve small bowel transplantation alone, or be associated with liver or multivisceral transplantation. Although IT is the radical treatment for intestinal failure, home parenteral nutrition (PN) remains the treatment of choice for this disease. Indications for IT are still debated. A recent study showed that early referral for IT is recommended for patients with life-threatening combined liver and intestinal failure or for patients with invasive intra-abdominal desmoid tumors. In the same study, no survival benefit was shown for patients undergoing IT for ultra-short bowel or major complications related to the PN catheter; indications still need to be fully assessed. While short-term outcomes for IT have improved dramatically (one-year survival for small bowel-alone IT is now 80% versus 0-28% in the 1980s), long-term outcomes have not improved much since the introduction of Tacrolimus in the 1990s: five-year survival still does not exceed 60%. Some prospective developments could improve these results: the use of multivisceral grafts, the use of Sirolimus and Thymoglobulins in the immunosuppressive treatment, or the use of new biochemical markers for early diagnosis of graft rejection.

Organ donation: when should we consider intestinal donation

Although more than 2300 intestinal transplantations (IT) have been performed worldwide, a description of intestinal donor criteria is still missing. This causes confusion among transplant coordinators, OPOs, physicians at intensive care unit and transplant surgeons. A Med-line search looking for publications about donor criteria or donor selection in human IT was performed in December 2011. Retrospective analysis of 39 deceased donors from whom, in the period January 2006-December 2011, 20 isolated intestinal grafts and 19 multivisceral grafts were recovered and successfully transplanted. Among 3504 publications about IT, no study reported specifically about intestinal donor profile. The most commonly cited donor criterion was age, while all other criteria were inconsistently discussed. Based on the collected data, we suggest following inclusion criteria for donation of IT grafts: age 0-50 years, ICU-stay <1 week, no blunt abdominal trauma, most recent Sodium <155 mmol/l, no severe ongoing transfusion requirements, standard donor therapy including early enteral nutrition and a compatible donor-recipient size match. By providing simple criteria for intestinal donation from deceased donor, we may help to properly utilize the limited donor pool.

Immunoglobulin G profile in hyperacute rejection after multivisceral xenotransplantation

Xenotransplantation is a potential solution for the high mortality of patients on the waiting list for multivisceral transplantation; nevertheless, hyperacute rejection (HAR) hampers this practice and motivates innovative research. In this report, we describe a model of multivisceral xenotransplantation in which we observed immunoglobulin G (IgG) involvement in HAR. We recovered en bloc multivisceral grafts (distal esophagus, stomach, small intestine, colon, liver, pancreas, and kidneys) from rabbits (n = 20) and implanted them in the swine (n = 15) or rabbits (n = 5, control). Three hours after graft reperfusion, we collected samples from all graft organs for histological study and to assess IgG fixation by immunofluorescence. Histopathologic findings were graded according to previously described methods. No histopathological features of rejection were seen in the rabbit allografts. In the swine-to-rabbit grafts, features of HAR were moderate in the liver and severe in esophagus, stomach, intestines, spleen, pancreas, and kidney. Xenograft vessels were the central target of HAR. The main lesions included edema, hemorrhage, thrombosis, myosites, fibrinoid degeneration, and necrosis. IgG deposition was intense on cell membranes, mainly in the vascular endothelium. Rabbit-to-swine multivisceral xenotransplants undergo moderate HAR in the liver and severe HAR in the other organs. Moderate HAR in the liver suggests a degree of resistance to the humoral immune response in this organ. Strong IgG fixation in cell membranes, including vascular endothelium, confirms HAR characterized by a primary humoral immune response. This model allows appraisal of HAR in multiple organs and investigation of the liver's relative resistance to this immune response.

Multivisceral transplantation using a 2.9 kg neonatal donor

Prematurity and very low birthweight have often been considered relative contraindications to neonatal organ donation. Organ procurement from neonatal donors is further complicated by unclear guidelines regarding neonatal brain death. We report a successful case of multivisceral transplantation using a graft from a 10-day-old, 2.9 kg, neonatal donor born at 36 6/7 wk in a 3.2 kg, three month old with intestinal and liver failure secondary to midgut volvulus. There was immediate liver graft function with correction of recipient coagulopathy, but delayed normalization of laboratory values and delayed return of bowel function. At six-yr post-transplant follow-up, the patient has normal intestine and liver function. Her last histologically confirmed rejection episode was 30 months prior to last follow-up. This case suggests that multivisceral grafts from very young or small neonatal donors may be transplanted successfully in selected cases. We propose a re-examination of the brain death guidelines for premature and young infants to potentially increase the availability of organs for infant recipients.

Multivisceral transplantation in pigs: a model for research and training.

To present a model for research and training in multivisceral transplantation in pigs. Eight Large White pigs (four donors and four recipients) were operated. The multivisceral transplant with stomach, duodenum, pancreas, liver and intestine was performed similarly to transplantation in humans with a few differences, described below. Anastomoses were performed as follows: end-to-end from the supra-hepatic vena cava of the graft to the recipient juxta diaphragmatic vena cava; end-to-end from the infra-hepatic vena cava of the graft to the inferior (suprarenal) vena cava of the recipient; and end-to-side patch of the aorta of the graft to the infrarenal aorta of the recipient plus digestive reconstruction. The performance of the multivisceral transplantion was possible in all four animals. Reperfusions of the multivisceral graft led to a severe ischemia-reperfusion syndrome, despite flushing of the graft. The animals presented with hypotension and the need for high doses of vasoactive drugs, and all of them were sacrificed after discontinuing these drugs. Some alternatives to minimize the ischemia-reperfusion syndrome, such as the use of another vasoactive drug, use of a third pig merely for blood transfusion, presence of an anesthesia team in the operating room, and reduction of the graft, will be the next steps to enable experimental studies.

Graft-Versus-Host Disease After Intestinal and Multivisceral Transplantation

Graft-versus-host-disease (GVHD) is a rare complication but carries a high mortality after transplantation. We retrospectively evaluated the incidence, risk factors and impact of this complication on the survival outcome of intestinal transplantation at a single center. 241 patients who underwent intestinal transplantation between March 1994 and July 2007 were analyzed for evidence of GVHD. A diagnosis of GVHD was based on clinical presentations and confirmed by histological findings. Of the 241 patients, 22 (9.1%) were diagnosed as GVHD. The median time of GVHD onset was 75 days (range, 14-1,408). The incidence of GVHD was significantly higher in young children than in adults (13.2 versus 4.4%, P = 0.05). The multivisceral graft recipients were more likely to develop GVHD compared with those of isolated small bowel (12.4% versus 4.6%, P = 0.05). The presence of recipient splenectomy was significantly associated with the incidence of GVHD (P = 0.03). The inclusion of the spleen in the multivisceral grafts tended to be at an increased risk of GVHD compared with the group without the spleen transplant (12.3% versus 7.9%, P = 0.43). A total of 16 patients with GVHD died during the entire follow-up. Infection was the leading cause of death in 55% patients. GVHD is a fatal and progressive complication of small bowel transplantation. Younger children, multivisceral graft recipients, and particularly those with splenectomy are at high risk of developing GVHD after transplantation.

Modified “Liver-Sparing” Multivisceral Transplant with Preserved Native Spleen, Pancreas, and Duodenum: Technique and Long-Term Outcome

BackgroundModification of the originally described multivisceral transplant operation was introduced at our institution 17 years ago. Donor liver was spared, and native spleen along with pancreaticoduodenal complex was preserved. MethodsThirty-six modified multivisceral grafts that include stomach, duodenum, pancreas, and intestine were given to 30 adults and six children. Leading causes of intestinal failure were pseudo-obstruction and Gardner’s syndrome. Native spleen was preserved in 24 (67%) recipients along with pancreaticoduodenal complex in 18 (50%). Immunosuppression was tacrolimus-based, and recipient preconditioning was utilized in 80% of patients. ResultsPatient survival was 94% at 1 year and 75% at 5 years with graft survival of 91% and 51%; respectively. With mean follow-up of 51 ± 35 months, full nutritional autonomy was achieved in 89% of current survivors with no single example of disease recurrence. Preservation of native spleen was associated with increased survival and reduced risk of PTLD, life-threatening infections, and GVHD with no significant impact on graft loss due to rejection. Concomitant preservation of pancreaticoduodenal complex eliminated risks of biliary complications and glucose intolerance. ConclusionModified multivisceral transplantation with and without preservation of native spleen, pancreas, and duodenum is a valid therapeutic option for patients with diffuse gastrointestinal disorders and preserved hepatic functions.

Autoimmune cytopaenia after paediatric intestinal transplantation: a case series

Autoimmune cytopaenia is a rare, but severe complication after solid organ transplantation. We retrospectively analysed 57 paediatric intestinal transplants performed in 49 patients between 1999 and 2009. Autoimmune cytopaenia was observed in six patients; it appeared after an average of 10 months post-transplant. Warm autoimmune haemolytic anaemia was developed in three patients, cold autoimmune haemolytic anaemia in one and two presented a mixed type. Incidence and causes for haematological cytopaenia such as the following were investigated: immunosuppression, major blood mismatch, viral infection, malignancy, passenger lymphocyte syndrome and lymphoproliferative disorders. Initial treatment included high-dose steroids, intravenous immunoglobulin, plasmapheresis and maintenance of body temperature above 37°C in those with cold autoantibodies. Inclusion of the spleen in multivisceral transplants seems to be an important risk factor. All patients, except one, relapsed after classic therapy, requiring additional treatments. Sirolimus conversion was performed in four patients. One died after infection. The immunosuppressive therapies associated with other concomitant factors, such as viral infections, lymphoproliferative disorders, graft-versus-host disease, passenger lymphocyte syndrome and the inclusion of the spleen as part of multivisceral graft seem to play an important part in the development of autoimmune processes after intestinal transplantation. Therapy is not well established, especially in those resistant to first-line treatment.

Intestinal Transplantation in Children: The First Successful Italian Series

The preliminary experience of the first Italian program of pediatric intestinal transplantation is presented herein. A multidisciplinary group with broad experience in pediatric solid organ transplantation started the program. Nine children with complications of chronic intestinal failure were listed for transplantation. One child died on the waiting list; one received an isolated liver transplantation; three isolated intestinal; three multivisceral; and one, a combined liver/intestine transplantation. There was no in-hospital mortality, and all children were weaned from parenteral nutrition. The recipient of the multivisceral graft died after 14 months for unknown causes. All other recipients are alive after a median follow-up of 13 months. Patient and graft actuarial survivals for recipients of intestinal grafts were 100% at 1 year and 75% at 2 years.

Daclizumab and Alemtuzumab as Induction Agents in Adult Intestinal and Multivisceral Transplantation: Rejection and Infection Rates in 40 Recipients During the Early Postoperative Period

Background Allograft rejection in intestinal transplantation occurs frequently, and bacterial, fungal, and viral infections related to strong immunosuppression regimens remain an important complication posttransplantation. Induction therapy has enabled improvement in graft and patient survival rates. Objectives In analyze the effects of daclizumab and alemtuzumab as induction therapies on inflections complications and incidence of acute cellular rejection (ACR) during the early posttransplantation period. Patients and Methods Between December 2000 and August 2009, we performed 43 intestinal transplantation procedures in 42 adult recipients (median [SD] age, 34.8 [9.5] years; male-female ratio, 22:20; isolated or multivisceral graft, 32/11), and compared findings during the first 30 days posttransplantation in 40 recipients. Patients were divided into 2 groups: 12 treated with daclizumab (Zenapax; Hoffman-La Roche Ltd, Basel, Switzerland): 8 isolated intestinal grafts and 4 multivisceral grafts) and 28 treated with alemtuzumab (Campath-1H: 22 isolated intestinal grafts and 6 multivisceral grafts). Maintenance immunosuppression was based on tacrolimus and steroids in the first group and low-dose tacrolimus in the second group. Results During the first month posttransplantation, 8 daclizumab recipients (66.6%) experienced 9 episodes of mild ACR, which were successfully treated with steroid therapy, and 8 patients (66.6%) developed a bacterial infection requiring treatment. Fourteen episodes of ACR occurred in 12 alemtuzumab recipients (42.8%): 11 mild, 1 mild to moderate, and 2 moderate; 16 patients (57.1%) required treatment for infections. Five-year patient cumulative survival was 66% in daclizumab recipients and 43% in alemtuzumab recipients. Five-year graft survivals was 66% in daclizumab recipients and 41% in alemtuzumab recipients. In both groups, P was not statistically significative. Conclusions The infection rate is considerably high with both protocols. Alemtuzumab seems to offer better immunosuppression against ACRs during the first month posttransplantation.

Comprehensive Surgical Intestinal Rescue and Transplantation Program in Adult Patients: Bologna Experience

Introduction Surgical approaches to complicated benign intestinal failure are accepted worldwide, especially in the pediatric population. Intestinal transplant surgery is thought to rescue patients in whom complications of total parenteral nutrition (TPN) develop. Objective To report our experience with surgical intestinal rescue in an adult population with intestinal failure. Patients and Methods An intestinal rehabilitation program initiated at our institution included comprehensive medical rehabilitation, surgical bowel rescue, and transplantation. From 2000 to 2009, of 81 adult patients referred by our gastroenterologists for bowel rehabilitation, 42 (51,8%) underwent 43 transplantations (32 isolated intestinal grafts and 11 multivisceral grafts). Underlying diseases were primarily short-bowel syndrome, Gardner syndrome, and intestinal pseudo-obstruction. Thirty-nine patients (48,2%) underwent surgical rescue (40 cases) consisting of bowel resection, adhesiolysis, stricturoplasty, liver transplantation with portocaval hemitransposition (6 cases in 5 patients). Underlying diseases were primarily intestinal fistulas, stenosis, or perforations, short-bowel syndrome, cocoon syndrome, and complete portal thrombosis. Results After a mean (SD) follow-up of 1043 (1016) days, in the transplantation population, 21 patients (50%) are alive, with a 1-, 3-, 5-year patient survival of 76%, 59%, and 52%, respectively, and graft survival of 66%, 54%, and 48%, respectively. After 901 (404) days in the rescue population, 32 patients (82%) are alive (2 died, and 5 were lost to follow-up); in 75%, TPN 25% was discontinued, and are receiving oral feeding with TPN support. The 1- and 3-year survival rate was 100% and 83%, respectively. Conclusions Deaths occurred primarily in the transplantation population. Intestinal surgical rescue, when possible, is optimal.

A new vascular approach to the modified multivisceral graft procurement

Modified multivisceral (MMV) transplantation including the stomach, pancreaticoduodenal complex and intestine requires preservation of the left gastric and splenic arteries. The previously described techniques require division of the hepatic artery proximal to the gastroduodenal artery leaving the liver transplant team with a very short and small caliber vessel. To increase MMV graft availability and provide the liver transplant team with an appropriate quality vessel, we developed the following technique. We also describe two cases where we used this method to support the technical feasibility of this procedure.