Liver Transplant From Unexpected Donation After Circulatory Determination of Death Donors: A Challenge in Perioperative Management

Unexpected donation after circulatory determination of death (uDCD) liver transplantation is a complex procedure, in particular when it comes to perioperative recipient management. However, very little has been published to date regarding intraoperative and immediate postoperative care in this setting. Herein, we compare perioperative events in uDCD liver recipients with those of a matched group of donation after brain death liver recipients. We demonstrate that the former group of recipients suffers significantly greater hemodynamic instability and derangements in coagulation following graft reperfusion. Based on our experience, we recommend a proactive recipient management strategy in uDCD liver transplantation that involves early use of vasopressor support; maintaining adequate intraoperative levels of red cells, platelets, and fibrinogen; and routinely administering tranexamic acid before graft reperfusion.

Coagulation profiles of unexpected DCDD donors do not indicate a role for exogenous fibrinolysis

It has been suggested that vascular stasis during cardio-circulatory arrest leads to the formation of microvascular thrombi and the viability of organs arising from donation after circulatory determination of death (DCDD) donors may be improved through the application of fibrinolytic therapy. Our aim was to comprehensively study the coagulation profiles of Maastricht category II DCDD donors in order to determine the presence of coagulation abnormalities that could benefit from fibrinolytic therapy. Whole blood from potential DCDD donors suffering out-of-hospital cardiac arrest was sampled after declaration of death in the emergency department, and rotational thromboelastomeric analysis was performed. Between July 2012 and December 2013, samples from 33 potential DCDD donors were analyzed. All patients demonstrated hyperfibrinolysis (HF), as reflected by maximum clot lysis of 98-100% in all cases, indicating that there is no role for additional fibrinolytic therapy in this setting. As well, we observed correlations between thromboelastomeric lysis parameters and maximum hepatic transaminase levels measured in potential donors and renal artery flows measured during ex situ hypothermic oxygenated machine perfusion, indicating that further studies on the utility of thromboelastometry to evaluate organ injury and perhaps even viability in unexpected DCDD may be warranted.

Somatostatin therapy protects porcine livers in small-for-size liver transplantation

Small-for-size (SFS) injury occurs in partial liver transplantation due to several factors, including excessive portal inflow and insufficient intragraft responses. We aim to determine the role somatostatin plays in reducing portal hyperperfusion and preventing the cascade of deleterious events produced in small grafts. A porcine model of 20% liver transplantation is performed. Perioperatively treated recipients receive somatostatin and untreated controls standard intravenous fluids. Recipients are followed for up to 5 days. In vitro studies are also performed to determine direct protective effects of somatostatin on hepatic stellate cells (HSC) and sinusoidal endothelial cells (SEC). At reperfusion, portal vein flow (PVF) per gram of tissue increased fourfold in untreated animals versus approximately threefold among treated recipients (p = 0.033). Postoperatively, markers of hepatocellular, SEC and HSC injury were improved among treated animals. Hepatic regeneration occurred in a slower but more orderly fashion among treated grafts; functional recovery was also significantly better. In vitro studies revealed that somatostatin directly reduces HSC activation, though no direct effect on SEC was found. In SFS transplantation, somatostatin reduces PVF and protects SEC in the critical postreperfusion period. Somatostatin also exerts a direct cytoprotective effect on HSC, independent of changes in PVF.

Applicability and results of Maastricht type 2 donation after cardiac death liver transplantation

Maastricht type 2 donation after cardiac death (DCD) donors suffer sudden and unexpected cardiac arrest, typically outside the hospital; they have significant potential to expand the donor pool. Herein, we analyze the results of transplanted livers and all potential donors treated under our type 2 DCD protocol. Cardiac arrest was witnessed; potential donors arrived at the hospital after attempts at resuscitation had failed. Death was declared based on the absence of cardiorespiratory activity during a 5-min no-touch period. Femoral vessels were cannulated to establish normothermic extracorporeal membrane oxygenation, which was maintained until organ recovery. From April 2002 to December 2010, there were 400 potential donors; 34 liver transplants were performed (9%). Among recipients, median age, model for end-stage liver disease and cold and reperfusion warm ischemic times were 55 years (49-60), 19 (14-21) and 380 (325-430) and 30 min (26-35), respectively. Overall, 236 (59%) and 130 (32%) livers were turned down due to absolute and relative contraindications to donate, respectively. One-year recipient and graft survivals were 82% and 70%, respectively (median follow-up 24 months). The applicability of type 2 DCD liver transplant was <10%; however, with better preservation technology and expanded transplant criteria, we may be able to improve this figure significantly.

Liver transplant using donors after unexpected cardiac death: novel preservation protocol and acceptance criteria

Donors after cardiac death (DCD) suffer irreversible cardiac arrest prior to donation. We describe our liver transplant experience with DCD whose cardiac arrest is unexpected, not following the removal of ventilatory support, whom we maintain with normothermic extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (NECMO). A potential donor goes into cardiac arrest outside the hospital and is brought to the hospital under continuous cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). The donor is declared dead and placed on a cardiocompressor. Femoral vessels are cannulated and connected to cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) to establish NECMO. Blood parameters and CPB pump flow are monitored throughout NECMO, which is continued until cold preservation. From April 2002 to May 2006, 10 of 40 potential DCD livers were transplanted. Only one graft was lost to primary nonfunction (PNF) and another to hepatic artery thrombosis. Posttransplant hepatic function was good. Certain parameters, such as CPR and NECMO times, hepatic transaminases during NECMO, and donor age, determined the viability of DCD liver grafts and were used to establish criteria for their acceptance. Though considered marginal, unexpected DCD can represent an important source of viable livers for transplant if strict acceptance criteria are employed and they are maintained with NECMO prior to recovery.

Role of dopamine in renal dysfunction during laparoscopic surgery

BACKGROUND

Sympathetic vascular insult and hemodynamic changes represent the most reliable explanation of renal impairment resulting from acute intraabdominal pressure. We evaluated the effects of low-dose dopamine administration during a long-lasting surgical laparoscopic procedure.

METHODS

For this study 40, patients submitted to a colorectal laparoscopic procedure with 15 mmHg of intraabdominal pressure were randomly allocated to two groups: 20 receiving 2 mg/kg/min of dopamine and 20 receiving the same perfusion of saline. Hemodynamic parameters, renal function, urinary output, and creatinine clearance, were studied.

RESULTS

The hemodynamic parameters were similar in both groups. The urinary output decreased during the intraoperative period only the saline group (p = 0.4). Then 2 h postoperatively, it increased in both groups, and no statistically significant differences were found between the groups. The creatinine clearance decreased in both groups during the intraoperative time, but it was worse in the saline group (-28 +/- 120 vs -194 +/- 106; p = 0.022). During the postoperative period, both groups showed improvement, but in control group the values remained lower than at baseline (p = 0.04), and significantly lower than in the dopamine group (230 +/- 337 vs 100 +/- 192; p = 0.012).

CONCLUSIONS

An intrabdominal pressure of 15 mmHg induces a time-limited renal dysfunction, and low doses of dopamine could prevent this undesirable effect.

Hepatic xanthine levels as viability predictor of livers procured from non-heart-beating donor pigs

BACKGROUND

The aim of the present study was to evaluate hepatic content of adenine nucleotides and their degradation products in non-heart-beating donor (NHBD) pigs and its relationship with recipient survival.

METHODS

Thirty animals were transplanted with an allograft from NHBDs. After warm ischemia (WI) time (20, 30, or 40 min), cardiopulmonary bypass and normothermic recirculation (NR) were run for 30 min. Afterward, the animals were cooled to 15 degrees C and liver procurement was performed.

RESULTS

Survival rate was 100% in the 20WI, 70% in the 30WI, and 50% in the 40WI. Livers from non-surviving animals had higher levels of xanthine after NR than livers from surviving animals. Logistic regression analysis revealed that xanthine at the end of NR was the only variable able to predict survival with a calculated sensitivity of 80% and a specificity of 60%. Prolongation of warm ischemic period leaded to a greater xanthine accumulation as well as increased plasma alpha-glutathione S-transferase levels at reperfusion. Xanthine at NR and alpha-glutathione S-transferase at reperfusion significantly correlated, indicating that donor xanthine contributes to some extent to the severity of the lesion by ischemia-reperfusion.

CONCLUSIONS

It is suggested that xanthine content in the donor is able to predict survival after transplantation. Xanthine is significantly involved in the hepatic lesion elicited by warm ischemia and subsequent ischemia-reperfusion associated to liver transplantation from a NHBD.

The effect of venovenous bypass on lactic acid levels during human liver transplantation (OLT)

Lactate determinations did not contribute to the quantification of the systemic and regional tissue oxygenation during OLT. Venous stasis was not an important factor in the tissue imbalance between oxygen supply and oxygen demand.

Bacterial translocation of enteric organisms in patients with cirrhosis

BACKGROUND/AIMS

The aim of the study was to investigate the prevalence and associated risk factors for bacterial translocation in patients with cirrhosis, a mechanism involved in the pathogenesis of bacterial infections in experimental cirrhosis.

METHODS

Mesenteric lymph nodes were obtained for microbiological culture from 101 patients with cirrhosis and from 35 non-cirrhotic patients.

RESULTS

Enteric organisms were grown from mesenteric lymph nodes in 8.6% of non-cirrhotic patients. In the 79 cirrhotic patients without selective intestinal decontamination, the prevalence of bacterial translocation significantly increased according to the Child-Pugh classification: 3.4% in Child A, 8.1% in Child B and 30.8% in Child C patients (chi2 = 6.106, P < 0.05). However, translocation by Enterobacteriaceae, the organisms commonly responsible for spontaneous bacteremia and peritonitis in cirrhosis, was only observed in 25% of the cases. The prevalence of bacterial translocation in the 22 cirrhotic patients undergoing selective intestinal decontamination, all Child-Pugh class B and C, was 4.5%. The Child-Pugh score was the only independent predictive factor for bacterial translocation (odds ratio 2.22, P = 0.02).

CONCLUSIONS

Translocation of enteric organisms to mesenteric lymph nodes is increased in patients with advanced cirrhosis and is reduced to the level found in non-cirrhotic patients by selective intestinal decontamination.

L-arginine reduces liver and biliary tract damage after liver transplantation from non-heart-beating donor pigs

BACKGROUND

To evaluate whether L-arginine reduces liver and biliary tract damage after transplantation from non heart-beating donor pigs.

METHODS

Twenty-five animals received an allograft from non-heart-beating donors. After 40 min of cardiac arrest, normothermic recirculation was run for 30 min. The animals were randomly treated with L-arginine (400 mg x kg(-1) during normothermic recirculation) or saline (control group). Then, the animals were cooled and their livers were transplanted after 6 hr of cold ischemia. The animals were killed on the 5th day, liver damage was assessed on wedged liver biopsies by a semiquantitative analysis and by morphometric analysis of the necrotic areas, and biliary tract damage by histological examination of the explanted liver.

RESULTS

Seventeen animals survived the study period. The histological parameters assessed (sinusoidal congestion and dilatation, sinusoidal infiltration by polymorphonuclear cells and lymphocytes, endothelitis, dissociation of liver cell plates, and centrilobular necrosis) were significantly worse in the control group. The necrotic area affected 15.9 +/- 14.5% of the liver biopsies in the control group and 3.7 +/- 3.1% in the L-arginine group (P<0.05). Six of eight animal in the control group and only one of eight survivors in the L-arginine group developed ischemic cholangitis (P<0.01). L-Arginine administration was associated with higher portal blood flow (676.9 +/- 149.46 vs. 475.2 +/- 205.6 ml x min x m(-2); P<0.05), higher hepatic hialuronic acid extraction at normothermic recirculation (38.8 +/- 53.7% vs. -4.2 +/- 18.2%; P<0.05) and after reperfusion (28.6 +/- 55.5% vs. -10.9 +/- 15.5%; P<0.05) and lower levels of alpha-glutation-S-transferase at reperfusion (1325 +/- 1098% respect to baseline vs. 6488 +/- 5612%; P<0.02).

CONCLUSIONS

L-Arginine administration during liver procurement from non heart beating donors prevents liver and biliary tract damage.

Evaluation of ischemic injury during liver procurement from non-heart-beating donors

The aim of this study was to assess liver viability after different periods of cardiac arrest and the predictive value of two markers of ischemia-reperfusion injury.

METHODS

A pig liver transplantation model of non-heart-beating donors was studied. Four donor groups were designed; three groups were submitted to different periods of cardiac arrest (20, 30 and 40 min), and the fourth group served as the control group (without cardiac arrest). In the non-heart-beating donor groups, normothermic recirculation was established 30 min prior to total body cooling. Aminotransferase, alpha-glutathione-S-transferase, and hyaluronic acid determinations as well as liver biopsies, were serially performed.

RESULTS

Although hepatocellular function could be preserved after 40 min of cardiac arrest, histological lesions at 5 days were considered irreversible due to the presence of a necrotic biliary tract. An overall significant relationship was found between the time period of cardiac arrest (20, 30 or 40 min) and the levels of hyaluronic acid (p = 0.004) or alpha-glutathione-S-transferase (p = 0.01) obtained during liver procurement and transplantation.

CONCLUSIONS

The period of cardiac arrest is the determinant factor of liver viability after liver transplantation from non-heart-beating donors. As early markers of endothelial or hepatocellular damage, hyaluronic acid or alpha-glutathione-S-transferase levels may help to evaluate the ischemic injury of a potential donor.

Liver conditioning after cardiac arrest: the use of normothermic recirculation in an experimental animal model

The aim of this study was to compare the possible role of normothermic recirculation with the role of liver transplants from non-heart-beating donor pigs after 20 min of cardiac arrest. Three groups were studied, of which two were control groups: group 1, in which the liver was harvested from a heart-beating donor; group 2, in which the liver was harvested after a period of cardiac arrest followed by total body cooling; and group 3, in which the liver was procured as in group 2, but including a period of 30 min of cardiopulmonary bypass and tissue oxygenation at 37 degrees C before total body cooling. Survival at 5 days; endothelial (hyaluronic acid) and hepatocellular damage (AST, ALT, and alpha-GST); adenine nucleotides (energy charge), and histological changes were evaluated. Normothermic recirculation during 30 min showed a significant effect on survival (p = .03), endothelial damage (p < .05), and histological changes after reperfusion (p = .04). Cardiopulmonary bypass significantly increased the energy charge during the normothermic recirculation period (p = .001). Moreover, this study shows that a significant survival (100%) can be achieved with a liver allograft after 20 min of cardiac arrest. Although the liver suffers a major insult in terms of endothelial damage and hepatocellular damage, lesions caused by the ischemic injury are reversible. Histological changes also indicate lesion reversibility, since they almost disappear after 5 days.

Helium and carbon dioxide pneumoperitoneum in patients with pheochromocytoma undergoing laparoscopic adrenalectomy

Insufflation with helium is used to prevent respiratory acidosis, hypercapnia, and cardiovascular instability associated with carbon dioxide (CO2) pneumoperitoneum. The aim of this prospective study was to compare CO2 with helium pneumoperitoneum with special reference to respiratory and hemodynamic changes at different times during the operation. Altogether 22 pheochromocytoma patients undergoing laparoscopic adrenalectomy (LpA) were included using CO2 in 11 patients (CO2LpA) and helium in 11 patients (HeLpA). The insufflation pressure was 12 mmHg. The two groups were comparable with regard to demographic data and preoperative management. CO2 and helium insufflation were associated with similar catecholamine increase. The most striking significant increase compared with the baseline was observed during tumor isolation: The mean plasma epinephrine (EPI) and norepinephrine (NE) levels increased 32.86-fold and 25.92-fold, respectively, in the CO2LpA patients and 27.43-fold and 18.46-fold, respectively, in the HeLpA patients. HeLpA did not result in significant hypercarbia or acidosis at any measured intraoperative point; this was without any alteration in minute ventilation to maintain these normal PaCO2, excess base (EB), and pH values. Significant increases of mean arterial pressure, pulmonary arterial pressure, pulmonary vascular resistance index, PaCO2, EB, and acidosis were seen in the CO2LpA patients at the time of tumor isolation and tumor removal compared with those in HeLpA patients. No patient required conversion to open surgery. There were no significant differences between CO2LpA and HeLpA regarding mean operative time (117.50 +/- 93.68 vs. 106.87 +/- 16.60 minutes), mean blood loss (168.54 +/- 78.63 vs. 142.02 +/- 109.26 ml), hospital stay (4 days), the need for analgesics, or mean time required to return to normal activity (12 days). There was one wound infection in the HeLpA group and one wound hematoma and one case of atelectasis in the CO2LpA group. Helium may be the agent of choice for abdominal insufflation in patients undergoing LpA for pheochromocytoma, eliminating the adverse hemodynamic and respiratory changes associated with CO2 insufflation.

Effects of carbon dioxide vs helium pneumoperitoneum on hepatic blood flow

BACKGROUND

Elevated intraabdominal pressure due to gas insufflation for laparoscopic surgery may result in regional blood flow changes. Impairments of hepatic, splanchnic, and renal blood flow during peritoneal insufflation have been reported. Therefore we set out to investigate the effects of peritoneal insufflation with helium (He) and carbon dioxide (CO2) on hepatic blood flow in a porcine model.

METHODS

Twelve pigs were anesthetized and mechanically ventilated with a fixed tidal volume after the stabilization period. Peritoneal cavity was insufflated with CO2 (n = 6) or He (n = 6) to a maximum intraabdominal pressure of 15 mmHg. Hemodynamic parameters, gas exchange, and oxygen content were studied at baseline, 90 mm and 150 min after pneumoperitoneum, and 30 min after desufflation. Determination of hepatic blood flow with indocyanine green was made at all measured points by a one-compartment method using hepatic vein catheterization.

RESULTS

A similar decrease in cardiac output was observed during insufflation with both gases. Hepatic vein oxygen content decreased with respect to the baseline during He pneumoperitoneum (p < 0.05), but it did not change during CO2 insufflation. Hepatic blood flow was significantly reduced in both the He and CO2 pneumoperitoneums at 90 min following insufflation (63% and 24% decrease with respect to the baseline; p < 0.001 and p < 0.05, respectively) being this decrease marker in the He group (p = 0.02).

CONCLUSIONS

These findings suggest that helium intraperitoneal insufflation results in a greater impairment on hepatic blood flow than CO2 insufflation.

Hepatic blood flow and oxygen extraction ratio during normothermic recirculation and total body cooling as viability predictors in non-heart-beating donor pigs

BACKGROUND

Our aim was to evaluate the hepatic blood flows and oxygen metabolism of non-heart-beating donor (NHBD) pigs, with the use of cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) and normothermic recirculation (NR) before total body cooling, and its relationship with recipient survival.

METHODS

Thirty-five pigs were transplanted with an allograft from NHBDs. After warm ischemia (WI) time (20, 30, or 40 min), CPB and NR were run for 30 min. After this period, the animals were cooled to 15 degrees C. In the control group (20 min of WI), the period of NR was excluded. Liver procurement was then performed.

RESULTS

Survival rate was 100% in the 20WI, 70% in the 30WI, and 50% in the 40WI. Control group survival rate was 0%. Hepatic artery blood flow and portal blood flow recovered during NR. Pump blood flow during CPB increased rapidly during NR and was significantly higher in the 20WI. When donors of the livers transplanted in "surviving pigs" (DSP) were compared with donors of the livers transplanted in "nonsurviving pigs" (DNSP), hepatic artery blood flow, portal blood flow, and pump blood flow were higher in the DSP. Hepatic oxygen extraction ratio increased in the three groups with respect to baseline values. Hepatic oxygen extraction ratio was lower in the 20WI than in the other groups and was lower in the DSP than in the DNSP.

CONCLUSIONS

The use of a NR period before total body cooling improves survival of liver transplantation in NHBDs. Portal blood flow and pump blood flow measurements can predict the viability of the grafts.

Vena cava vascular reconstruction during orthotopic liver transplantation: a comparative study

The aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of preserving the recipient's inferior vena cava during orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT) on hemodynamic alterations, blood component requirements, postoperative liver and renal function, as well as vascular-related complications. A total of 122 OLTs was studied. In 35 OLTs, venovenous bypass (BP) was used; in 35 OLTs, bypass was not used (NBP); and in 52 OLTs, the recipient's inferior vena cava was preserved (PC). Preservation of the inferior vena cava means that venous return is not compromised at any time during transplantation. The time of hepatectomy was not different among the three groups (208 +/- 11, 188 +/- 13, and 194 +/- 6 minutes for BP, NBP, and PC, respectively); however, the total operating time was significantly lower in PC patients (492 +/- 24, 459 +/- 18, and 419 +/- 10 minutes for BP, NBP, and PC, respectively; P = .004, ANOVA). Blood component requirements were significantly lower in patients with PC. For red blood cells, these were 15.2 +/- 2.6, 16 +/- 3.4, and 7.1 +/- 1.5 units for BP, NBP, and PC, respectively (P = .009, ANOVA), and for fresh-frozen plasma, these were 5.4 +/- .7, 5.8 +/- .9, and 3 +/- .4 L for BP, NBP, and PC, respectively (P = .005, ANOVA). Postoperative liver and renal function did not differ among the three groups. The incidence of surgical complications (bleeding and vascular) was similar. Preservation of the inferior vena cava of the recipient significantly reduces the magnitude of OLT.

Total bilateral laparoscopic adrenalectomy in patients with Cushing's syndrome and multiple endocrine neoplasia (IIa)

BACKGROUND

The benefit of simultaneous bilateral laparoscopic adrenalectomy in patients with Cushing's syndrome and pheochromocytoma associated with multiple endocrine neoplasia (MEN) is unknown.

METHODS

Ten patients underwent laparoscopic adrenalectomy (LpA) with CO2 pneumoperitoneum for Cushing's syndrome. One MEN patient underwent simultaneous bilateral laparoscopic adrenalectomy with helium pneumoperitoneum for bilateral pheochromocytoma. A comparison was made between unilateral LpA and simultaneous bilateral laparoscopic adrenalectomy in patients with Cushing's syndrome. Plasma catecholamines were correlated with hemodynamic changes in the patient with pheochromocytoma.

RESULTS

Simultaneous bilateral laparoscopic adrenalectomy in the patient with pheochromocytoma lasted 330 min. The substantial increase in plasma catecholamines was not associated with cardiovascular instability. Operative time (270 +/- 3 vs 120 +/- 4 min), blood loss (365 +/- 1 vs 210 +/- 1 ml), hospital stay (7.6 +/- 1.5 vs 4.6 +/- 1 days), and normal activity (19.3 +/- 2 vs 10.4 +/- 4.4 days) were, in patients with Cushing's syndrome, significantly (p < 0.05) higher after simultaneous bilateral laparoscopic adrenalectomy than after unilateral LpA; the differences were not significant in the analgesic requirements (7.6 +/- 1 vs 4.6 +/- 1 doses). One patient with unilateral LpA was converted to open surgery.

CONCLUSION

Simultaneous bilateral laparoscopic adrenalectomy is safe, and associated with short hospital stay and lessening of the time needed to achieve normal activity.

[Relation of the levels of systemic prostaglandins and hemodynamic changes present during orthotopic transplant of the liver]

The aim of this study is to investigate the role of prostaglandins (PGI2 and TXA2) in relation with the hemodynamic alterations occuring after graft reperfusion in patients undergoing OLT. A total of 40 patients with liver cirrhosis were studied. Systemic 6-keto-PGF1 alpha and TXB2, stable metabolites of PGI2 and TXA2 respectively, were determined at the radial artery, at four different surgical stages: basal, hepatectomy, anhepatic, and 10 minutes after graft reperfusion. Overall results showed that 6-keto-PGF1 alpha levels were significantly elevated during hepatectomy (1143 +/- 204) when compared to values in the basal stage (p = 0.007). During hepatectomy, 6-keto-PGF1 alpha levels did not correlate to systemic vascular resistance index (SVRI), neither with the cardiac index (IC) nor with the medial arterial pressure (MAP) in the same stage. During the anhepatic stage, only IRVS was inversely correlated with 6-keto-PGF1 alpha levels (p = 0.004): there was no relation with MAP and CI. During reperfusion no correlations were observed between 6-keto-PGF1 alpha levels and MAP, CI or SVRI. We conclude that systemic PGI2 levels are very high in cirrhotic patients undergoing OLT. The absence of correlation between the magnitude of changes in hemodynamic parameters and 6-keto-PGF1 alpha levels during reperfusion of the new liver suggests that other factors must play a role in these hemodynamic changes.

Does hormonal function of the tumor influence the outcome of laparoscopic adrenalectomy?

BACKGROUND

Patients with hypertension, with catecholamine hypersecretion, and with cortisol excess may associate intraoperative cardiovascular instability and postoperative complications.

METHODS

To compare the outcome of laparoscopic adrenalectomy (LpA) in patients with aldosterone adenoma (11), Cushing's adenoma (six), Cushing's disease (four), pheochromocytoma (Pheo) (11), and nonfunctioning tumor (five). Intra- and postoperative parameters were studied and in patients with Pheo intraoperative catecholamine plasma levels were correlated with cardiovascular derangements.

RESULTS

Operative time, estimated blood loss, hospital stay, analgesic requirements, and time to return to normal activity were significantly higher in patients undergoing total bilateral adrenalectomy for Cushing's syndrome compared with other groups undergoing unilateral adrenalectomy, but these latter groups showed no significant differences among themselves in all parameters analyzed. One patient with nonfunctioning tumor and another with Cushing's adenoma were converted to open surgery, and two patients with Cushing's disease had urinary infection. Isolation of Pheo was associated with significant release of catecholamines but not with hemodynamic changes.

CONCLUSION

LpA may be the most suitable method for removing functioning adrenal tumors.

Laparoscopic approach to pheochromocytoma: hemodynamic changes and catecholamine secretion

This study compares the outcome of laparoscopic adrenalectomy (LpA) in 23 patients using CO2 insufflation with the outcome of this procedure in another 8 patients with pheochromocytoma (7 unilateral, 1 bilateral) using helium for pneumoperitoneum. The adrenal lesions in the first group included nonfunctional adenoma (n = 3), aldosterone adenoma (n = 11), Cushing's adenoma (n = 6), and Cushing's disease (n = 3). The latter patients were compared with a third group of 8 patients with pheochromocytoma undergoing conventional transabdominal adrenalectomy (CTA). With both procedures, intraoperative changes in plasma catecholamine levels were studied during pheochromocytoma removal and the changes correlated with intraoperative cardiovascular derangements. LpA was successfully performed in 95% of patients with adrenal lesions and in 100% of patients with pheochromocytoma. There was no significant difference in laparoscopic adrenalectomy for pheochromocytoma compared to that for other adrenal lesions in terms of operative time, blood loss, hospital stay, analgesic requirements, and return to normal activity. The outcome was less favorable in pheochromocytoma patients undergoing CTA. The largest increase of catecholamine levels in pheochromocytoma patients occurred during tumor manipulation with both LpA (17.4-fold for epinephrine and 8.6-fold for norepinephrine) and CTA (34.2-fold for epinephrine and 13.7-fold for norepinephrine), but cardiovascular instability was associated only with CTA. LpA may become the technique of choice for surgical removal of adrenal lesions and may also become the preferred method for removing pheochromocytoma.

Effect of venovenous bypass on perioperative renal function in liver transplantation: results of a randomized, controlled trial

Although venovenous bypass (VVBP) has been suggested to protect the kidneys during liver transplantation and its systematic use has therefore been recommended, this beneficial effect of VVBP has not been clearly demonstrated. In a prospective, randomized, controlled trial, 77 patients receiving liver transplants for chronic liver disease were allocated to be supported with VVBP (group 1, 38 patients) or not (group 2, 39 patients). Both groups were similar in relation to preoperative clinical and laboratory data and operative transfusion requirements. Inulin clearance and urinary beta(2)-microglobulin and N-acetyl-beta-D-glucosaminidase (NAG) excretion (to determine glomerular filtration rate and tubular damage, respectively) were measured at different perioperative periods (anesthesia induction, hepatectomy, anhepatic phase, biliary anastomosis, and 24 hours after surgery). A significant decrease in inulin clearance and increase in tubular damage markers were observed in the anhepatic phase, which only partly improved in the subsequent phases. No significant differences were observed between groups 1 and 2 at any perioperative phase, except during the anhepatic phase, in which a more marked renal function impairment occurred in group 2 patients. However, renal function on the 7th postoperative day and the need for hemodialysis/ hemofiltration during the 1st week were similar in both groups. Among 40 variables analyzed, only low mean arterial pressure at anesthesia induction was identified as an independent predictor for early postoperative severe renal failure (inulin clearance < 10 mL/min/1.73 m(2) at the 24th postoperative hour), with no significant relationship between this complication and the use of venovenous bypass. Renal function markedly deteriorates during liver transplantation, and renal impairment persists during the early postoperative period. Because VVBP support is not associated with any clear benefit in renal function, its systematic use does not seem to be justified.

Hepatocellular carcinoma and cirrhosis. Results of surgical treatment in a European series

OBJECTIVE

The authors analyze the outcomes of patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and cirrhosis who underwent liver resections.

BACKGROUND

Liver resection is the best option for HCC arising from hepatic cirrhosis. The experience of Western centers with these patients is shorter than the Asian series.

METHODS

Forty-eight consecutive patients with cirrhosis and HCC who underwent liver resections were studied after a similar diagnostic and therapeutic process. Survival and cumulative recurrence were calculated according to pathologic findings.

RESULTS

Factors influencing survival at 3 years were as follows: type of resection, absence of vascular invasion, size of the tumor, absence of satellite nodules, and the number of nodules. Factors influencing the rate of recurrence at 3 years were the presence of vascular invasion and the presence of satellite nodules. Patients with favorable prognostic factors have a good survival rate with an acceptable recurrence rate.

CONCLUSIONS

Identification of prognostic factors may help in the selection of the appropriate treatment for these patients with HCC and cirrhosis.

Short-term outcome analysis of a randomized study comparing laparoscopic vs open colectomy for colon cancer

The authors examined the impact of the laparoscopic approach on the early outcome of resected colon carcinomas. The role of laparoscopic techniques in the treatment of colon carcinomas is questionable. Previous studies have suggested technical feasibility of surgical resections of these cancers by laparoscopic means and have implied a benefit to laparoscopic technique for patients undergoing colorectal resections. A prospective, randomized study was conducted comparing laparoscopic assisted colectomy (LAC) open colectomy (OC) for colon cancer. We present the preliminary results in relation to the short-term outcome and judge the feasibility of the laparoscopic procedure to as a way of performing accurate oncologic resection and staging. Benefit has been demonstrated with LAC in this setting. Passing flatus, oral intake, and discharge from hospital occurred earlier in LAC- than OC-treated patients. The mean operative time was significantly longer in the LAC group than in the OC group. The overall morbidity was significantly lower in the LAC group. No significant differences were observed between both groups in the number of lymph nodes removed or the pathological stage following the Astler-Coller modification of the Dukes classification. The laparoscopic approach improves the short-term outcome of segmental colectomies for colon cancer. However, the further follow-up of these patients will allow us to answer in the near future whether or not the LAC may influence the long-term outcome.

Is laparoscopic colectomy a safe procedure in synchronous colorectal carcinoma? Report of a case

This clinical report describes a patient with sigmoid cancer who underwent a laparoscopic-assisted sigmoidectomy while also having an unsuspected carcinoma of cecum. We discuss the necessity of a complete preoperative evaluation (total colonoscopy and barium enema) in patients with colon cancers amenable to treatment by laparoscopic approach.

Prothrombin fragment 1 + 2 and thrombin-antithrombin complex measurements indicate continuous and progressive intraoperative thrombin generation in liver transplantation

Prothrombin fragment 1 + 2 (F1 + 2) and thrombin-antithrombin complex (TAT) have been measured in the different surgical phases in 40 patients undergoing 43 orthotopic liver transplantations (OLT), in order to study thrombin generation throughout the surgical procedure. F1 + 2 and TAT progressively rose from preoperative values (1.47 +/- 0.92 nmol/l and 22.41 +/- 19.15 ng/ml, respectively) to the end of anhepatic phase (5.97 +/- 2.20 nmol/l, 64.24 +/- 11.30 ng/ml), whereas changes in circulating antithrombin III (ATIII) were negligible in this period. Thrombin generation continued to slightly but significantly increase immediately after liver graft reperfusion (F1 + 2 6.87 +/- 1.65 nmol/l, TAT 89.32 +/- 7.54 ng/ml), and ATIII levels decreased from 70.61 +/- 12.28 to 57.16 +/- 9.57%. Higher preoperative values of F1 + 2 were associated with larger requirements of both packed red blood cells and fresh frozen plasma (FFP) in the host liver explantation phase, whereas the lowest basal levels of ATIII were related to a higher plasma expense in the whole OLT procedure. The activation of circulating prothrombin begins early in OLT, and adequate FFP infusion is capable of maintaining appropriate circulating thrombin-inhibitory activity.

[Hypokalemic effect of salbutamol administered intravenously in the preoperative period]

In 8 healthy patients (ASA I-II) there was analyzed the effect of salbutamol over serum levels of potassium, glucose, insulin, AMPc and GMPc. Also were determined the arterial blood pressure and heart rate. The drug was administered intravenously, as bronchodilator, during the preoperative period. There was a significant decrease in kaliemia (p less than 0.001 immediately after receiving the salbutamol infusion and p less than 0.05 at 60 min). Their plasma potassium levels dropped from 4.03 +/- 25 to 3.45 +/- 0.16 mEq.l-1. The plasma levels of glucose and insulin increased with a significance of p less than 0.001 post salbutamol perfusion. There were no changes in the plasmatic AMPc and GMPc. Heart rate increased from 67 +/- 10.8 to 80.5 +/- 13.7 (p less than 0.01) post perfusion, returning afterwards to their basal values. Arterial blood pressure was unmodified.

Subcostal incision versus midline laparotomy in gallstone surgery: a prospective and randomized trial

We report the results of a prospective and randomized trial designed to study the incidence of abdominal and pulmonary complications in gallstone surgery comparing subcostal (SI) with midline incision. The need for postoperative analgesia was lower in the SI group. There was no difference in the degree of hypoxaemia in the first two postoperative days, but there was less impairment of pulmonary function in terms of vital capacity and forced expiratory volume in 1 s (P less than 0.0001) in the SI group. SI patients also had a lower incidence of pulmonary or abdominal complications but the difference was not significant. Finally, we found a reduced hospital stay for the SI patients (P less than 0.01), probably related to a reduced postoperative analgesic requirement and an improved pulmonary function. We conclude that subcostal incision is a better approach for biliary tract surgery and should be used whenever possible.