Twenty cases of adult-to-adult living-related liver transplantation: single-center experience in Saudi Arabia

Descriptive study on risk of increased morbidity of schistosomiasis and graft loss after liver transplantation

Solid-organ transplantation procedures have witnessed a surge in frequency. Consequently, increased attention to associated infections and their impact on graft success is warranted. The liver is the principal target for infection by the flatworm Schistosoma mansoni. Hence, rigorous screening protocols for this parasite should be implemented for liver transplantation donors and recipients. This study investigated the risks posed by schistosomiasis-infected liver tissues for successful liver transplantation (LT), considering donors and recipients, by analyzing reported cases. Among the 43 patients undergoing LT (donors = 19; recipients = 24), 32 were infected with S. mansoni, five were infected with other Schistosoma species, and no identification was made in four patients. Reported follow-up periods ranged from 1 to 132 months, and all patients achieved successful recovery. As these helminths do not replicate in their vertebrate hosts, immunosuppressive treatment is not expected to promote increased morbidity or reactivation. Moreover, suspected or confirmed schistosomiasis infections often have a benign course, and generally, should not prevent LT. The available literature was reviewed and a provisional screening protocol has been proposed.

Gender-specific differences associated with living donor liver transplantation: a review study

Living donor liver transplantation (LDLT) has developed into an important therapeutic option for liver diseases. For living donor kidney transplantation (LDKT), gender-specific differences have been observed among both donors (two-thirds being women and one-third being men) and recipients (two-thirds being men and one-third being women). The aim of this study was to determine whether there is a gender disparity for LDLT. We contacted 89 national and international transplantation registries, single transplant centers, and coordinators. In addition, a sample of 274 articles dealing with LDLT and its outcomes was reviewed and compared with the registry data. The data included the gender of the donors and recipients, the country of transplantation, and the donor-recipient relationship. The investigation showed that overall there were slightly more men among the donors (53% male and 47% female). As for the recipients, 59% of the organs were distributed to males, and 41% were distributed to females. Differences in the gender distribution were observed with respect to individual countries. Worldwide, 80% of the donors were blood-related, 11% were not blood-related, and 9% were spouses. The data acquired from the publications were similar to the registry data. Our research has shown that there are hardly any registry data published, a lot of countries do not have national registries, or the access to these data is difficult. Even widely ranging published studies often do not give information on the gender distribution or the donor-recipient relationship. Further investigations are needed to understand the possible medical, psychosocial, or cultural reasons for gender distribution in LDLT and the differences in comparison with LDKT.

Experience with 122 consecutive liver transplant procedures at King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Center

BACKGROUND

Saudi Arabia is a leading country in the Middle East in the field of deceased-donor liver transplantation (DDLT) and living-donor liver transplantation (LDLT). We present out experience with DDLT and LDLT at King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Center (KFSHRC) for the period from April 2001 to January 2007.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

We performed 122 LT procedures (77 DDLTs and 45 LDLTs) in 118 patients (4 re-transplants) during this period of time.

RESULTS

The number of adult and pediatric procedures was 107 and 11, respectively. The overall male/female ratio was 66/52 and the median age of patients was 43 years (range, 2-63 years). In the DDLT group, the median operating time was 8 hours (range, 4-19), the median blood transfusion was 6 units (range, 0-40), and the median hospital stay was 13 days (range, 6-183). In the DDLT group, after a mean follow-up period of 760 days (range, 2-2085), the overall patient and graft survival rate was 86%. In the LDLT group, the median operating time was 11 hours (range, 7-17), the median blood transfusion was 4 units (range, 0-65), and the median hospital stay was 15 days (range, 7-127). In the LDLT group, and after a mean follow-up period of 685 days (range, 26- 1540), the overall patient and graft survival rates were 90% and 80%, respectively with no significant difference in patient and graft survivals between groups. Biliary complications were significantly higher in LDLT compared to DDLT (P<0.05). Vascular complications were also significantly higher in LDLT compared DDLT (P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

Both DDLT and LDLT are being successfully performed at KFSHRC with early experience indicating a higher rate of biliary and vascular complications in the LDLT group.

Retrospective analysis of the causes of rejection of potential donors for living related liver transplantation

BACKGROUND

A major prerequisite for living related liver transplantation is to ensure both donor safety and optimal graft quality. Therefore, excluding unsuitable donor candidates should be an important priority of the transplant team.

PURPOSE

To analyze the criteria for exclusion of potential living related liver donors.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

From November 2000 to March 2005, 327 potential living related donors for 136 potential recipients for liver transplantation were screened and worked up at the Liver Transplant Center, King Abdul Aziz Medical City. They were evaluated in a stepwise manner, including medical, physical, laboratory, psychosocial, and imaging assessment. Data regarding potential donors were retrospectively reviewed. Reasons for rejection of disqualified donors were analyzed.

RESULTS

Out of the 327 potential donors, 223 (68.2%) were rejected at an early stage. A total of 104 cases (31.8%) had computed tomographic (CT) volumetry and/or magnetic resonance cholangiography (MRCP). While 44 (42.3% of those who had CT volumetry and/or MRCP) had their workup completed and proved to be suitable candidates, 24 (23%) went for surgery. Causes for donor rejection were classified as donor-related factors (inadequate volume, unsafe anatomy, abnormal liver function tests, medical/psychiatric, fatty liver, etc.; n = 191) and recipient-related factors (too ill, died, received cadaveric transplant, etc.; n = 112).

CONCLUSION

In our experience, as well as in those from other centers, a small proportion of potential donors prove to be satisfactory candidates. Therefore, strict adherence to a stepwise evaluation process is of utmost importance, so unsuitable potential donors can be disqualified, as early as possible during workup.