Perioperative complications after live-donor hepatectomy

The incidence of adverse outcome in donors after living donor liver transplantation: A meta-analysis of 60,829 donors

The scarcity of liver grafts has prompted developments in living donor liver transplantations (LDLT), with previous literature illustrating similar outcomes in recipients compared to deceased donor transplants. However, significant concerns regarding living donor morbidity and mortality have yet to be examined comprehensively. This study aims to provide estimates of the incidence of various outcomes in living liver donors. In this meta-analysis, Medline and Embase were searched from inception to July 2022 for articles assessing the incidence of outcomes in LDLT donors. Complications in the included studies were classified into respective organ systems. Analysis of incidence was conducted using a generalized linear mixed model with Clopper-Pearson intervals. Eighty-seven articles involving 60,829 living liver donors were included. The overall pooled incidence of complications in LDLT donors was 24.7% (CI: 21.6%-28.1%). The incidence of minor complications was 17.3% (CI: 14.7%-20.3%), while the incidence of major complications was lower at 5.5% (CI: 4.5%-6.7%). The overall incidence of donor mortality was 0.06% (CI: 0.0%-0.1%) in 49,027 individuals. Psychological complications (7.6%, CI: 4.9%-11.5%) were the most common among LDLT donors, followed by wound-related (5.2%, CI: 4.4%-6.2%) and respiratory complications (4.9%, CI: 3.8%-6.3%). Conversely, cardiovascular complications had the lowest incidence among the subgroups at 0.8% (CI: 0.4%-1.3%). This study presents the incidence of post-LDLT outcomes in living liver donors, illustrating significant psychological, wound-related, and respiratory complications. While significant advancements in recent decades have contributed towards decreased morbidity in living donors, our findings call for targeted measures and continued efforts to ensure the safety and quality of life of liver donors post-LDLT.

The Effect of Preoperative Administration of Glucocorticoids on the Postoperative Complication Rate in Liver Surgery: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials

Background: Glucocorticoids may grant a protective effect against postoperative complications. The evidence on their efficacy, however, has been inconclusive thus far. We investigated the effects of preoperatively administered glucocorticoids on the overall postoperative complication rate, and on liver function recovery in patients undergoing major liver surgery. Methods: We performed a systematic literature search on PubMed, Embase, and CENTRAL in October 2021, and repeated the search in April 2023. Pre-study protocol was registered on PROSPERO (ID: CRD42021284559). Studies investigating patients undergoing liver resections or transplantation who were administered glucocorticoids preoperatively and reported postoperative complications were eligible. Meta-analyses were performed using META and DMETAR packages in R with a random effects model. Risk of bias was assessed using RoB2. Results: The selection yielded 11 eligible randomized controlled trials (RCTs) with 964 patients. Data from nine RCTs (n = 837) revealed a tendency toward a lower overall complication rate with glucocorticoid administration (odds ratio: 0.71; 95% confidence interval: 0.38-1.31, p = 0.23), but it was not statistically significant. Data pooled from seven RCTs showed a significant reduction in wound infections with glucocorticoid administration [odds ratio: 0.64; 95% confidence interval: 0.45-0.92 p = 0.02]. Due to limited data availability, meta-analysis of liver function recovery parameters was not possible. Conclusions: The preoperative administration of glucocorticoids did not significantly reduce the overall postoperative complication rate. Future clinical trials should investigate homogenous patient populations with a specific focus on postoperative liver recovery.

Futility and poor outcomes are not the same thing: A clinical perspective of refined outcomes definitions in liver transplantation

The term "futility" in liver transplantation is used inappropriately and inaccurately, as it is frequently applied to patient populations with suboptimal outcomes that are often not truly "futile." The term "futile" is used interchangeably with poor outcomes. Not all poor outcomes fulfill a definition of futility when considering all viewpoints. Definitions of "futility" are variable throughout the medical literature. We review futility in the context of liver transplantation, encompassing various viewpoints, with a goal to propose focused outcome definitions, including futility, that encompass broader viewpoints, and improve the utilization of "futility" to truly futile situations, and improve communication between providers and patients/families. Focused, appropriate definitions will help the transplant community develop better models to more accurately predict and avoid futile transplants, and better predict an individual patient's posttransplant outcome.

When is it safe for the liver donor to be discharged home and prevent unnecessary re-hospitalizations? - A systematic review of the literature and expert panel recommendations

BACKGROUND

Few data are available on discharge criteria after living liver donation (LLD).

OBJECTIVES

To identify the features for fit for discharge checklist after LLD to prevent unnecessary re-hospitalizations and to provide international expert recommendations.

DATA SOURCES

Ovid MEDLINE, Embase, Scopus, Google Scholar, and Cochrane Central.

METHODS

Systematic review following PRISMA guidelines and recommendations using the GRADE approach derived from an international expert panel. The critical outcomes included were complications rates and liver function (defined by elevated bilirubin and INR) (CRD42021260725).

RESULTS

Total 57/1710 studies were included in qualitative analysis and 28/57 on the final analysis. No randomized controlled trials were identified. The complications rate was reported in 20/28 studies and ranged from 7.8% to 71.2%. Post hepatectomy liver function was reported in 13 studies. The Quality of Evidence (QoE) was Low and Very-Low for complications rate and liver function test, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

Monitoring and prevention of donor complications should be crucial in decision making of discharge. Pain and diet control, removal of all drains and catheters, deep venous thrombosis prophylaxis, and use routine imaging (CT scan or liver ultrasound) before discharge should be included as fit for discharge checklist (QoE; Low | GRADE of recommendation; Strong). Transient Impaired liver function (defined by elevated bilirubin and INR), a prognostic marker of outcome after liver resection, usually occurs after donor right hepatectomy and should be monitored. Improving trends for bilirubin and INR value should be observed by day 5 post hepatectomy and be included in the fit for discharge checklist. (QoE; Very-Low | GRADE; Strong).

Impact of COVID-19 on Intracranial Meningioma Resection: Results from California State Inpatient Database

Simple Summary

All fields of healthcare were adversely affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. In this study, we sought to understand the effects of COVID-19 on hospitalizations for intracranial meningioma resection using a large database. We compared hospitalization rates as well as hospital outcomes such as Clavien–Dindo grade IV complications, in-hospital mortality, and prolonged length of stay for intracranial meningioma resection during 2019 and 2020. Our findings showed that though hospitalization rates decreased slightly during the COVID-19 pandemic, hospital outcomes were not adversely affected. The findings of our study show that with adequate planning and preparations, better hospital outcomes could be sustained even during healthcare emergencies such as COVID-19 pandemic. Our findings assure that neurosurgery practice in the US ensured the best quality of care to their patients even during COVID-19 pandemic.

Abstract

Purpose: To assess the effects of COVID-19 on hospitalizations for intracranial meningioma resection using a large database. Methods: We conducted a retrospective analysis of the California State Inpatient Database (SID) 2019 and 2020. All adult (18 years or older) hospitalizations were included for the analysis. The primary outcomes were trends in hospitalization for intracranial meningioma resection between 2019 and 2020. Secondary outcomes were Clavien–Dindo grade IV complications, in-hospital mortality, and prolonged length of stay, which was defined as length of stay ≥75 percentile. Results: There were 3,173,333 and 2,866,161 hospitalizations in 2019 and 2020, respectively (relative decrease, 9.7%), of which 921 and 788 underwent intracranial meningioma resection (relative decrease, 14.4%). In 2020, there were 94,114 admissions for COVID-19 treatment. Logistic regression analysis showed that year in which intracranial meningioma resection was performed did not show significant association with Clavien–Dindo grade IV complications and in-hospital mortality (OR, 1.23, 95% CI: 0.78–1.94) and prolonged length of stay (OR, 1.05, 95% CI: 0.84–1.32). Conclusion: Our findings show that neurosurgery practice in the US successfully adapted to the unforeseen challenges posed by COVD-19 and ensured the best quality of care to the patients.

Delayed return of gastrointestinal function after hepatectomy in an ERAS program: incidence and risk factors

BACKGROUND

Delayed return of gastrointestinal function (DGIF) after hepatectomy can involve increased morbidity and prolonged hospital stay. Yet, data on incidence and risks factors are lacking.

METHODS

All consecutive patients who underwent hepatectomy between June 2018 and December 2020 were included. All patients were included in an enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) program. DGIF was defined by the need for nasogastric tube (NGT) insertion after surgery. DGIF risk factors were identified.

RESULTS

Overall, 206 patients underwent hepatectomy. DGIF occurred in 41 patients (19.9%) after a median time of 2 days (range, 1-14). Among them, 6 patients (14.6%) developed aspiration pneumonia, of which one required ICU for mechanical ventilation. DGIF developed along with an intraabdominal complication in 7 patients (biliary fistula, n = 5; anastomotic fistula, n = 1; adhesive small bowel obstruction, n = 1). DGIF was associated with significantly increased severe morbidity rate (p = 0.001), prolonged time to normal food intake (p < 0.001) and hospital stay (p < 0.001) and significantly decreased overall compliance rate (p = 0.001). Independent risk factors of DGIF were age (p < 0.001), vascular reconstruction (p = 0.007), anaesthetic induction using volatiles (p = 0.003) and epidural analgesia (p = 0.004). Using these 4 variables, a simple DGIF risk score has been developed allowing patient stratification in low-, intermediate- and high-risk groups.

CONCLUSION

DGIF after hepatectomy was frequently observed and significantly impacted postoperative outcomes. Identifying risk factors remains critical for preventing its occurrence.

Health Disparities Attributed to Medicare-Medicaid Dual-Eligible Status in Patients with Peripheral Arterial Disease

OBJECTIVE

Peripheral arterial disease (PAD) is a prevalent and debilitating disease that can be effectively treated by surgical revascularization. However, Medicare-Medicaid dual-eligible patients experience worse long-term outcomes, notably higher rates of amputation and mortality, relative to other insurance groups. This study aims to investigate how insurance status may perpetuate health disparities in PAD outcomes.

METHODS

The National Inpatient Sample was queried from 2000 to 2011 for patients ≥18 years with PAD who underwent surgical revascularization with hospitalization. Patients were stratified by insurance, and dual-eligibles were compared to Medicare-only, Medicaid-only, private insurance, and self-pay patients. Multivariable regression analysis was performed to assess the effect of dual-eligible status on postoperative outcomes such as inpatient mortality, complications, and favorable discharge (home or home with services).

RESULTS

A total of 771,790 hospitalizations were included in the analysis and stratified according to insurance type. Dual-eligible patients had the highest rates of major (32%) and extreme (11%) severity of illness and the highest rates of major (19%) and extreme (6%) risk of mortality among all insurance groups (p<0.001). Dual-eligibility status was independently associated with reduced odds of favorable discharge relative to all patients (p<0.001) and increased length of stay relative to Medicare-only (p=0.002) and private-payor groups (p<0.001). While dual-eligible patients had increased mortality odds relative to Medicaid-only and self-pay groups, they did not have significantly different odds of perioperative complications relative to all other insurance groups.

CONCLUSIONS

Medicare-Medicaid dual-eligible patients with PAD had more severe clinical presentations, a greater risk of extended hospitalizations, and a lower likelihood of being discharged home, relative to patients without dual-eligibility. Further studies are needed to examine the link between discharge disposition and disparities in health outcomes, as well as investigate interventions that effectively address the increased severity of PAD in dual-eligible patients.

Pure Laparoscopic Versus Open Approach for Living Donor Right Hepatectomy: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Background: Pure laparoscopic liver donor right hepatectomy (LLDRH) remains challenging, and its value is still unclear compared with open liver donor right hepatectomy (OLDRH). Objective: To provide comprehensive evidence about the safety and efficacy of LLDRH. Methods: The MEDLINE, Embase, Web of Science, and Cochrane Library electronic databases were searched from the date of inception to July 2021. A fixed-effects or random-effects model was used to analyze the pooled data by using Review Manager Version 5.3. Results: A total of 1940 patients from 6 studies were enrolled in this meta-analysis. For perioperative outcomes of donors, LLDRH had a longer operative time than OLDRH (weighted mean difference [WMD] = 29.75 [4.23-55.26] minutes, P = .02), but it had lower overall morbidity (odds ratio [OR] = 0.67 [0.45-0.99], P = .04), fewer pulmonary complications (OR = 0.47 [0.29-0.76], P = .002), and shorter hospital stays (WMD = -1, P < .001) than OLDRH. However, major complications, biliary complications, portal vein problems, and intra-abdominal bleeding were comparable between the 2 groups. With regard to the postoperative data of recipients, the risks of biliary problems, hepatic artery problems, portal vein problems, hepatic vein problems, and postoperative liver failure were similar between the 2 groups. Conclusions: LLDRH for living donors is safe and effective, and it offers superior perioperative outcomes to OLDRH.

Can Living Donor Liver Transplantation in the United States Reach Its Potential?

Living donor liver transplantation (LDLT) is a vital tool to address the growing organ shortage in the United States caused by increasing numbers of patients diagnosed with end-stage liver disease. LDLT still only makes up a very small proportion of all liver transplantations performed each year, but there are many innovations taking place in the field that may increase its acceptance among both transplant programs and patients. These innovations include ways to improve access to LDLT, such as through nondirected donation, paired exchange, transplant chains, transplant of ABO-incompatible donors, and transplants in patients with high Model for End-Stage Liver Disease scores. Surgical innovations, such as laparoscopic donor hepatectomy, robotic hepatectomy, and portal flow modulation, are also increasingly being implemented. Policy changes, including decreasing the financial burden associated with LDLT, may make it a more feasible option for a wider range of patients. Lastly, center-level behavior, such as ensuring surgical expertise and providing culturally competent education, will help toward LDLT expansion. Although it is challenging to know which of these innovations will take hold, we are already seeing LDLT numbers improve within the past 2 years.

Association of baseline frailty status and age with postoperative morbidity and mortality following intracranial meningioma resection

PURPOSE

Although numerous studies have established advanced patient age as a risk factor for poor outcomes following intracranial meningioma resection, large-scale evaluation of frailty for preoperative risk assessment has yet to be examined.

METHODS

Weighted discharge data from the National Inpatient Sample were queried for adult patients undergoing benign intracranial meningioma resection from 2015 to 2018. Complex samples multivariable logistic regression models and receiver operating characteristic curve analysis were performed to evaluate adjusted associations and discrimination of frailty, quantified using the 11-factor modified frailty index (mFI), for clinical endpoints.

RESULTS

Among 20,250 patients identified (mean age 60.6 years), 35.4% (n = 7170) were robust (mFI = 0), 34.5% (n = 6985) pre-frail (mFI = 1), 20.1% (n = 4075) frail (mFI = 2), and 10.0% (n = 2020) severely frail (mFI ≥ 3). On univariable analysis, these sub-cohorts stratified by increasing frailty were significantly associated with the development of Clavien-Dindo grade IV (life-threatening) complications (inclusive of those resulting in mortality) (1.3% vs. 3.1% vs. 6.5% vs. 9.4%, p < 0.001) and extended length of stay (eLOS) (15.4% vs. 22.5% vs. 29.3% vs. 37.4%, p < 0.001). Following multivariable analysis, increasing frailty (aOR 1.40, 95% CI 1.17, 1.68, p < 0.001) and age (aOR 1.20, 95% CI 1.05, 1.38, p = 0.009) were both independently associated with development of life-threatening complications or mortality, whereas increasing frailty (aOR 1.20, 95% CI 1.10, 1.32, p < 0.001), but not age, was associated with eLOS. Frailty (by mFI-11) achieved superior discrimination in comparison to age for both endpoints (AUC 0.69 and 0.61, respectively).

CONCLUSION

Frailty may be more accurate than advanced patient age alone for prognostication of adverse events and outcomes following intracranial meningioma resection.

Long-Term Financial, Psychosocial, and Overall Health-Related Quality of Life After Living Liver Donation

BACKGROUND

To assess the impact of living liver donation (LD) in a diverse and aging population up to 20 y after donation, particularly with regard to medical, financial, psychosocial, and overall health-related quality of life (HRQOL).

METHODS

Patients undergoing LD between 1999 and 2009 were recruited to respond to the Short-Form 36 and a novel Donor Quality of Life Survey at two time points (2010 and 2018).

RESULTS

Sixty-eight living liver donors (LLDs) completed validated surveys, with a mean follow-up of 11.5 ± 5.1 y. Per Donor Quality of Life Survey data, physical activity or strength was not impacted by LD in most patients. All respondents returned to school or employment, and 82.4% reported that LD had no impact on school or work performance. LD did not impact health insurability in 95.6% of donors, and only one patient experienced difficulty obtaining life insurance. Overall, 97.1% of respondents did not regret LD. Short-Form 36 survey-measured outcomes were similar between LLDs and the general U.S.

POPULATION

LLDs who responded in both 2010 and 2018 were followed for an overall average of 15.4 ± 2.4 y and HRQOL outcomes in these donors also remained statistically equivalent to U.S. population norms.

CONCLUSIONS

This study represents the longest postdonation follow-up and offers unique insight related to HRQOL in a highly diverse patient population. Although LLDs continue to maintain excellent HRQOL outcomes up to 20 y after donation, continued lifetime follow-up is required to accurately provide young, healthy potential donors with an accurate description of the risks that they may incur on aging.

A liver for a kidney: Ethics of trans-organ paired exchange

Living donation provides important access to organ transplantation, which is the optimal therapy for patients with end-stage liver or kidney failure. Paired exchanges have facilitated thousands of kidney transplants and enable transplantation when the donor and recipient are incompatible. However, frequently willing and otherwise healthy donors have contraindications to the donation of the organ that their recipient needs. Trans-organ paired exchanges would enable a donor associated with a kidney recipient to donate a lobe of liver and a donor associated with a liver recipient to donate a kidney. This article explores some of the ethical concerns that trans-organ exchange might encounter including unbalanced donor risks, the validity of informed consent, and effects on deceased organ donation.

Postoperative pulmonary complications in living-liver donors: a retrospective analysis of 188 patients

OBJECTIVES

Living-donor liver transplant has become a viable option and an important source of hepatic grafts. The goal of this study is to establish postoperative pulmonary complications of liver donation surgery in our center.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Data from 188 subjects (median age, 33.7 ± 8.4 y; male/female, 51.1%/48.9%) who had liver donation surgery from 1988 to 2013 were analyzed retrospectively. Patient demographic and clinical features were recorded. Postoperative complications and the correlation of risk factors for postoperative pulmonary complications were investigated.

RESULTS

The incidence of early postoperative complications was 17% (n = 32), and 16 of these patients had postoperative pulmonary complications (8.5%); 2 of the postoperative pulmonary complications were detected on the day of surgery and the other 14 complications were observed between the second and seventh day after surgery. Most postoperative pulmonary complications were minor complications including atelectasis, pleural effusion, and pneumonia. There was 1 major postoperative pulmonary complication: pulmonary embolism that occurred on the fourth day after surgery in 1 patient. Late pulmonary complications also were reviewed and no late postoperative pulmonary complications were observed. There was no significant difference in early and late postoperative pulmonary complications between ex-smokers and smokers. Postoperative atelectasis was significantly higher in patients with body mass index ≤ 20 kg/m ² than patients with body mass index > 21 kg/m ² (P = .027). In our study population, no postoperative mortality was recorded.

CONCLUSIONS

We believe that preoperative weight reduction strategies and early mobilization with postoperative respiratory physiotherapy could be important factors to reduce postoperative pulmonary complications in liver donors.

Open Versus Robotic Radical Prostatectomy in Obese Men

OBJECTIVES

Robotic-assisted radical prostatectomy (RARP) has been shown to reduce blood loss, peri-operative complications and length of stay when compared to open radical prostatectomy (ORP). We sought to determine whether the reported benefits of RARP over ORP translate to obese patients.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

We utilized the 2009-2010 Nationwide Inpatient Sample to identify all obese men with prostate cancer who underwent ORP and RARP. Our primary outcome was the presence of a peri-operative adverse event (i.e. blood transfusion, complication, prolonged length of stay). We fit multivariable logistic regression models to examine whether RARP in obese patients was independently associated with decreased odds of all three outcomes.

RESULTS

We identified 9,108 obese patients who underwent radical prostatectomy. On multivariable analysis, the use of RARP in the obese population was not independently associated with decreased odds of developing a peri-operative complication (OR = 0.81, CI: 0.58-1.13, p = 0.209). RARP was, however, associated with decreased odds of blood transfusion (OR = 0.17, CI: 0.10-0.30, p < 0.001) and prolonged length of stay (OR = 0.28, CI: 0.20-0.40, p < 0.001).

CONCLUSION

Our findings suggest that in obese patients, the use of RARP may reduce length of stay and blood transfusions compared to ORP. Both approaches, however, are associated with similar odds of developing a complication.

Totally laparoscopic living donor right hepatectomy in a donor with trifurcation of bile duct

Donor operation in adult living donor liver transplantation is associated with significant postoperative morbidity. To avoid laparotomy wound complications and shorten postoperative recovery, laparoscopic liver graft harvest has been developed recently. However, to determine the cut point of bile duct is challenging. Herein, we report the application of totally laparoscopic approach for right liver graft harvest in a donor with trifurcation of the bile duct. A19-year-old man volunteered for living donation to his father who suffered from hepatitis B virus-related cirrhosis of liver and hepatocellular carcinoma. The graft was 880 mL with a single right hepatic artery and portal vein. The graft to recipient weight ratio was 1.06. The middle hepatic vein was preserved for the donor and the liver remnant was 42.3%. Two branches of middle hepatic veins were > 5 mm in diameter and needed reconstruction with cryopreserved allograft. Ductoplasty using laparoscopic intracorporeal suture technique was done to achieve single orifice of the graft bile duct. The postoperative course was uneventful for the donor. This report adds evidence of the feasibility of pure laparoscopic right donor hepatectomy and describes the necessary steps for bile duct division in donors with trifurcation of bile duct.

Comparison between minimally invasive and open living donor hepatectomy: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Living donor liver transplantation is a valid alternative to deceased donor liver transplantation, and its safety and feasibility have been well determined. Minimally invasive living donor hepatectomy (MILDH) has taken some time to be accepted because of inherent technical difficulties and the highly demanding surgical skills needed to perform the procedure, and its role is still being debated. Because of the lack of data, a systematic review and meta-analysis comparing MILDH and open living donor hepatectomy (OLDH) was performed. A systematic literature search was performed with PubMed, Embase, Scopus, and Cochrane Library Central. Treatment outcomes, including blood loss, operative time, hospital stay, analgesia use, donor-recipient morbidity and mortality, and donor procedure costs, were analyzed. There were 573 articles, and a total of 11, dated between 2006 and 2014, fulfilled the selection criteria and were, therefore, included. These 11 studies included a total of 608 adult patients. Blood loss [mean difference (MD) = -46.35; 95% confidence interval (CI) = -94.04-1.34; P = 0.06] and operative times [MD = 19.65; 95% CI = -4.28-43.57; P = 0.11] were comparable between the groups, whereas hospital stays (MD = -1.56; 95% CI = -2.63 to -0.49; P = 0.004), analgesia use (MD = -0.54; 95% CI = -1.04 to -0.03; P = 0.04), donor morbidity rates [odds ratio (OR) = 0.62; 95% CI = 0.40-0.98; P = 0.04], and wound-related complications (OR = 0.41; 95% CI = 0.17-0.97; P = 0.04) were significantly reduced in MILDH. MILDH for right liver procurement was associated with a significantly reduced hospital stay (OR = -0.92; 95% CI = 0.17-0.97; P = 0.04). In conclusion, MILDH is associated with intraoperative results that are comparable to results for OLDH and with surgical outcomes that are no worse than those for the open procedure.

Projections in donor organs available for liver transplantation in the United States: 2014-2025

With the aging US population, demographic shifts, and obesity epidemic, there is potential for further exacerbation of the current liver donor shortage. We aimed to project the availability of liver grafts in the United States. We performed a secondary analysis of the Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network database of all adult donors from 2000 to 2012 and calculated the total number of donors available and transplanted donor livers stratified by age, race, and body mass index (BMI) group per year. We used National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention historical data to stratify the general population by age, sex, race, and BMI. We then used US population age and race projections provided by the US Census Bureau and the Weldon Cooper Center for Public Service and made national and regional projections of available donors and donor liver utilization from 2014 to 2025. We performed sensitivity analyses and varied the rate of the rise in obesity, proportion of Hispanics, population growth, liver utilization rate, and donation after cardiac death (DCD) utilization. The projected adult population growth in the United States from 2014 to 2025 will be 7.1%. However, we project that there will be a 6.1% increase in the number of used liver grafts. There is marked regional heterogeneity in liver donor growth. Projections were significantly affected by changes in BMI, DCD utilization, and liver utilization rates but not by changes in the Hispanic proportion of the US population or changes in the overall population growth. Overall population growth will outpace the growth of available donor organs and thus potentially exacerbate the existing liver graft shortage. The projected growth in organs is highly heterogeneous across different United Network for Organ Sharing regions. Focused strategies to increase the liver donor pool are warranted.

Superior survival using living donors and donor-recipient matching using a novel living donor risk index

The deceased-donor organ supply in the U.S. has not been able to keep pace with the increasing demand for liver transplantation. We examined national Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network/United Network for Organ Sharing (OPTN/UNOS) data from 2002-2012 to assess whether living donor liver transplantation (LDLT) has surpassed deceased donor liver transplantation (DDLT) as a superior method of transplantation, and used donor and recipient characteristics to develop a risk score to optimize donor and recipient selection for LDLT. From 2002-2012, there were 2,103 LDLTs and 46,674 DDLTs that met the inclusion criteria. The unadjusted 3-year graft survival for DDLTs was 75.5% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 75.1-76.0%) compared with 78.9% (95% CI: 76.9-80.8%; P<0.001) for LDLTs that were performed at experienced centers (>15 LDLTs), with substantial improvement in LDLT graft survival over time. In multivariate models, LDLT recipients transplanted at experienced centers with either autoimmune hepatitis or cholestatic liver disease had significantly lower risks of graft failure (hazard ratio [HR]: 0.56, 95% CI: 0.37-0.84 and HR: 0.76, 95% CI: 0.63-0.92, respectively). An LDLT risk score that included both donor and recipient variables facilitated stratification of LDLT recipients into high, intermediate, and low-risk groups, with predicted 3-year graft survival ranging from >87% in the lowest risk group to <74% in the highest risk group.

CONCLUSION

Current posttransplant outcomes for LDLT are equivalent, if not superior, to DDLT when performed at experienced centers. An LDLT risk score can be used to optimize LDLT outcomes and provides objective selection criteria for donor selection in LDLT.

Minorities are less likely to receive autologous blood transfusion for major elective orthopaedic surgery

BACKGROUND

Surgeons commonly arrange for patients to perform autologous blood donation before elective orthopaedic surgery. Understanding sociodemographic patterns of use of autologous blood transfusion can help improve quality of care and cost containment.

QUESTIONS/PURPOSES

We sought to determine whether there were (1) racial disparities, (2) insurance-based disparities, or (3) income-based disparities in autologous blood use. Additionally, we evaluated the combined effect of (4) race and insurance and (5) race and income on autologous blood use, and we compared ratios of autologous with allogeneic blood use.

METHODS

Of the more than 3,500,000 patients undergoing major elective orthopaedic surgery identified in the Nationwide Inpatient Sample between 2008 and 2011, 2.4% received autologous blood transfusion and 12% received allogeneic blood transfusion. Multivariable logistic regression was performed to determine the influence of race, insurance status, and income on autologous blood use.

RESULTS

Compared with white patients, Hispanic patients had lower odds of autologous blood use for elective hip (odds ratio [OR], 0.75; 95% CI, 0.69-0.82) and knee arthroplasties (OR, 0.71; 95% CI, 0.67-0.75). Black patients had lower odds of receiving autologous blood transfusion for hip arthroplasty (OR, 0.78; 95% CI, 0.74-0.83). Compared with the privately insured, uninsured and publicly insured patients were less likely to receive autologous blood for total joint arthroplasty and spinal fusion. Patients with low and medium income were less likely to have autologous blood transfusion for total joint arthroplasty and spinal fusion compared with high-level income earners. Even at comparable income and insurance levels with whites, Hispanic and black patients tended to be less likely to receive autologous blood transfusion. Ratios of autologous to allogeneic blood use were lower among minority patients.

CONCLUSIONS

Historically disadvantaged populations receive fewer autologous blood transfusions for elective orthopaedic surgery. Whether the differential use is attributable to patient preference or unequal access to this practice should be investigated further.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Level II, prognostic study. See the Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.