The role of endovascular and endobiliary methods in the treatment of post-liver transplant complications

Right lobe living donor liver transplantation – experience from the Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery

Background. Living-donor liver transplant (LDLT) is a life-saving procedure for patients with end-stage liver diseases.

Objective: to evaluate the outcomes of the first independent LDLT performed at the Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Vakhidov Republican Specialized Surgical Research and Practical Medical Center of Surgery, and to demonstrate that liver transplantation (LT) is a feasible procedure at our institution.

Materials and methods. From October 2021 to December 2023, 40 right lobe LDLTs were performed in our department. Short-term and long-term outcomes in recipients were assessed. The outcomes of transplant hepatectomy were also evaluated.

Results. Hepatic artery thrombosis developed in 1 case (2.5%); arterial anastomotic stenosis was detected in 3 cases (7.5%), which were repaired by endovascular balloon dilation; splenic artery steal syndrome was diagnosed in 3 cases (7.5%), which was resolved by endovascular splenic artery embolization. One patient (2.5%) developed portal vein thrombosis. Two patients (5%) had portal vein stenosis 10 months after transplantation; endovascular balloon angioplasty was performed with good clinical effect. Biliary complications accounted for 45%, of which 89% were biliary leaks and 11% were anastomotic biliary stricture. In-hospital mortality was 12.5%.

Conclusion. The results of our experience and analysis of post-transplant complications are comparable with those of the world literature and are acceptable at the stage of implementation of the LT program. Transplantation is feasible at our center, but it is necessary to improve surgical and conservative treatment techniques in order to minimize early and late postoperative complications.

Implementation of a living donor liver transplantation program in the Republic of Uzbekistan: a report of the first 40 cases

BACKGROUND

Living donor liver transplantation (LDLT) is an effective treatment for patients with end-stage liver disease. This study was performed to evaluate the outcomes of the initial series of LDLT procedures performed in the Republic of Uzbekistan and to demonstrate that liver transplantation is viable under the conditions in this country.

METHODS

Between October 2021 and December 2023, we performed 40 LDLTs. We evaluated both immediate and long-term outcomes.

RESULTS

Thrombosis of the hepatic artery developed in one case (2.5%). Arterial anastomotic stenoses were diagnosed in three cases (7.5%) and were successfully treated with endovascular balloon vasodilation. Splenic artery steal syndrome arose in three patients (7.5%) and was managed with endovascular embolization of the splenic artery. One patient (2.5%) developed portal vein thrombosis. Portal vein stenosis occurred in two patients (5%) at 10 months posttransplantation and was addressed with endovascular balloon angioplasty, yielding good clinical outcomes. Biliary complications were observed in 45% of the cases, with bile leakages accounting for 89% of these issues and strictures of the biliary anastomoses for 11%. The in-hospital mortality rate was 12.5%.

CONCLUSIONS

Our research findings and analysis of complications align with the international literature, and the results are deemed acceptable during this implementation phase of the liver transplantation program. Accordingly, liver transplantation is feasible in the Republic of Uzbekistan; however, improvements in surgical and therapeutic methods are necessary to minimize the development of both early and late postoperative complications.

Single-center experience of intraoperative ligation of the splenic artery for prevention of splenic artery steal syndrome in patients after living donor liver transplant

Background. Living donor liver transplant is an effective method of treatment in patients with different types of endstage liver diseases. Unfortunately, patients undergoing such a complex treatment sometimes develop various vascular complications. Splenic artery steal syndrome has emerged as a cause of graft ischemia in living donor liver transplant recipients and may lead to high liver enzyme levels, cholestasis, hepatic artery thrombosis, and even a graft loss in some severe cases.

Objective. Evaluation of the first results in the experience of our center with a routine intraoperative ligation of the splenic artery during the procedure of right lobe living donor liver transplantation in adult recipients for the prevention of the steal syndrome development in the postoperative period.

Material and methods. Living donor liver transplant recipients with known hepatic arterial flow impairment were retrospectively studied. Patients were allocated into groups with regard whether the splenic artery had been ligated or not during the transplant procedure. Arterial complications were reviewed in both groups.

Results. None of 30 patients with ligated splenic artery developed splenic artery steal syndrome after living donor liver transplant. splenic artery steal syndrome occurred in 60% patients with non-ligated splenic artery. Surgical technique of performing arterial anastomosis was not related to the splenic artery steal syndrome development (p<0.01 There was no local ischemic necrosis noted in the spleen in patients with the ligated splenic artery.

Conclusion. Based on the analysis of our own experience and literature data, the splenic artery ligation appears to be an effective and safe method for preventing a splenic artery steal syndrome in patients following right lobe liver transplantation, with a minimal risk of ischemic complications for the spleen. However, further studies with larger sample sizes are needed to obtain more reliable results. Ultrasound examination and endovascular intervention are the primary tools for an early detection of abnormalities and rapid restoration of arterial blood flow in the hepatic artery of the graft.

Post-liver transplant biliary complications

Biliary complications (BCs) are the most frequent complications following liver transplantation (LT). They are a major source of morbidity after LT. The incidence of BCs after LT is reported to range from 5% to 45%. The main post-LT biliary complications are strictures, biliary fistulas and bilomas, cholelithiasis, sphincter of Oddi dysfunction, hemobilia, and mucocele. Risk factors for biliary complications are diverse. In this article we seek to review the main types of biliary complications and modern approaches to their diagnosis and treatment.

Vascular complications after liver transplantation: contemporary approaches to detection and treatment. A literature review

Vascular complications (VCs) after liver transplantation (LT) are rare but are one of the most dreaded conditions that can potentially lead to graft loss and recipient death. This paper has analyzed the international experience in the early diagnosis of various VCs that can develop following LT, as well as the optimal timing and methods of treatment of these complications.