Biliary Reconstruction in Adult Living Donor Liver Transplantation: The All-Knots-Outside Technique

Biliary complications (BCs) following living donor liver transplantation (LDLT) can lead to significant morbidity and occasional mortality. The present study describes our experience of the all-knots-outside technique (AKOT) of biliary reconstruction (BR) and its impact on BCs. A retrospective analysis was performed using prospectively collected data of 330 consecutive adult patients undergoing LDLT from July 2011 to February 2018 with a minimal follow-up of 24 months. Only 2.8% required hepaticojejunostomy and were excluded. In an initial 122 patients, BR was performed with the standard technique (ST), and AKOT was performed in the subsequent 208 patients. In the AKOT group, a single anastomosis was attempted even for multiple ducts whenever feasible. A major BC was defined as requiring endoscopic, percutaneous, or surgical interventions. In the AKOT group, significantly more patients received a left lobe graft (5.7% versus 18.3%; P = 0.001), had shorter warm ischemia time (44.6 versus 27 minutes; P < 0.001), and had a left hepatic artery (LHA) in the right lobe that was used for arterial reconstruction (48 [39.3%] versus 122 [58.6%]; P = 0.003). The incidence of BCs in the entire cohort was 47 (14.2%). For the ST versus AKOT groups, the overall BCs (27/122 [22.1%] versus 20/208 [9.6%]; P = 0.003) and major BCs (20.5% versus 6.7%; P < 0.001) decreased significantly. In the multivariate analysis, the number of bile ducts (hazard ratio [HR], 4.18; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.62-10.78; P = 0.003), number of anastomoses (HR, 2.03; 95% CI, 1.03-4.02; P = 0.04), and technique of anastomosis (HR, 0.36; 95% CI, 0.19-0.68; P = 0.002) predicted BCs. In conclusion, in adult LDLT, with standardization of the donor and recipient surgery, preferential use of LHA for right lobe arterial reconstruction, reduction in the number of anastomoses, and AKOT for BR significantly decreased the incidence of BCs.

Laparoscopic cholecystectomy in patients with portal cavernoma without portal vein decompression

Introduction

Laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) in patients with extrahepatic portal vein obstruction causing portal cavernoma (PC) is considered high risk because of portosystemic collateral veins in the hepatocystic triangle. The literature is limited to isolated case reports. We describe our experience of LC in patients with PC.

Patients and Methods

Data of patients with PC who underwent LC for symptomatic gallstones or related complications was reviewed. Patients with simultaneous cholecystectomy with splenorenal shunt and open cholecystectomy were excluded. Pre-operative evaluation consisted of complete blood count, international normalisation ratio and liver function tests, ultrasound of the abdomen with Doppler, contrast-enhanced computerised tomography, magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography and esophagogastroscopy as indicated. A standard four-port LC was performed. The technical principles followed were to avoid injury to the collateral veins, liberal use of energy sources and division of dominant collateral veins between clips.

Results

Seven adult patients including three females underwent LC. Three patients had thrombosis of previous surgical shunt with persistent PC. The remaining four patients did not have any indication for shunt surgery. Successful LC was performed in six patients. The median duration of surgery was 170 (130-250 min). Blood transfusion was not required. All the patients had uneventful post-operative recovery. The histopathology of gall bladder consists of acute cholecystitis in three patients and chronic cholecystitis in four.

Conclusion

LC is feasible in patients with PC at a centre with experience in both laparoscopic and portal hypertension surgeries. Excellent outcome with low rate of conversion to open surgery can be achieved.

Endoscopic management of pleural effusion caused by a pancreatic pleural fistula

Pancreatic-pleural fistula (PPF) is a rare sequela of pancreatitis. High degree of clinical suspicion is required to diagnose a PPF. Confirmation is done by high amylase content in pleural fluid analysis. Here, we present two cases with varied presentation of PPF. A 43-year-old man presented with acute on chronic pancreatitis with bilateral (predominantly right) pleural effusion. Another 57-year-old man, previously diagnosed with chronic calcific pancreatitis, presented with left pleural effusion. Both cases were effectively managed with endoscopic pancreatic duct stenting.

Three-Dimensional Volumetric Assessment of Graft Volume in Living Donor Liver Transplantation: Does It Minimise Errors of Estimation?

BACKGROUND

Accurate volumetric assessment of graft and remnant liver is essential in living donor liver transplantation (LDLT) for optimal clinical outcome in both donors and recipients. Recently, three-dimensional (3D) volumetry is proposed over conventional computed tomography (CT) volumetry to minimise errors. The aim of this study is to assess the correlation of estimated graft volume (EGV) by both the methods with actual graft weight (AGW).

METHODS

One hundred fifty-four consecutive donors were enrolled prospectively. Conventional CT volumetry (semiautomatic) and 3D volumetry were performed using Myrian software. Total liver volume (TLV), EGV, and remnant liver volume (RLV) were assessed using both methods and correlated with intraoperatively measured AGW as the reference standard. Error of estimation was calculated accordingly.

RESULTS

One hundred eighteen donors underwent right hepatectomy excluding middle hepatic vein (MHV), twenty-nine donors had left hepatectomy including MHV and six donors underwent left lateral sectionectomy. The median EGV on CT and 3D volumetry was 628.5 ml (140-1300) and 634.5 ml (156-1349), respectively. The median AGW was 647 gm (200-1004). Both CT and 3D volumetry showed strong correlation with AGW (correlation coefficients: 0.834 and 0.856, respectively). Linear correlation is as follows: (a) AGW = 99.75 + 0.818 × EGV (CT) and (b) AGW = 96.03 + 0.835 × EGV (3D). The mean percentage error for CT and 3D volumetry was 14.2 ± 12.5% and 12.2 ± 11.8%, respectively. The overall accuracy of estimation of EGV improved using 3D software (P=0.015). For the subgroup of types of graft, the difference did not reach statistical significance (P=0.062, 0.214 and 0.463 for right, left and left lateral grafts, respectively).

CONCLUSION

Both conventional CT and 3D volumetric methods strongly correlate with AGW in donors of LDLT, whereas overall accuracy of estimation of graft weight improved marginally by 3D volumetry.

Deceased donor liver transplant: Experience from a public sector hospital in India

BACKGROUND

Deceased donor liver transplant (DDLT) is an uncommon procedure in India. We present our experience of DDLT from a public sector teaching hospital.

METHODS

A retrospective analysis of all DDLT was performed from April 2012 till September 2016. Demographics, intraoperative, donor factors, morbidity, and outcome were analyzed.

RESULTS

During the study period, 305 liver transplants were performed, of which 36 were DDLT (adult 32, pediatric 4; 35 grafts; 1 split). The median age was 42.5 (1-62) years; 78% were men. The median donor age was 28 (1-77) years; 72.2% were men. About 45% of organs were procured from outside of Delhi and 67% of all grafts used were marginal. Three of 38 liver grafts (7.8%) were rejected due to gross steatosis. Commonest indication was cryptogenic cirrhosis (19.4%). The median model for end-stage liver disease sodium and pediatric end-stage liver disease scores were 23.5 (9-40) and 14.5 (9-22), respectively. Median warm and cold ischemia times were 40 (23-56) and 396 (111-750) min, respectively. Major morbidity of grade III and above occurred in 63.8%. In hospital (90 days), mortality was 16.7% and there were two late deaths because of chronic rejection and biliary sepsis. The overall survival was 77.8% at median follow up of 8.6 (1-54) months.

CONCLUSIONS

DDLT can be performed with increasing frequency and safety in a public sector hospital. The perioperative and long-term outcomes are acceptable despite the fact that most organs were extended criteria grafts.

Portal Inflow in Extensive Portomesenteric Thrombosis: Using the Pericholedochal Varix in Living Donor Liver Transplantation

Extensive portomesenteric thrombosis presents a technical challenge in liver transplantation. Establishing portal inflow in living donor liver transplantation (LDLT) is indispensable to ensure regeneration of the graft. The use of a pericholedochal varix for inflow has been described only in a few case reports. Described herein is one such instance in the setting of LDLT, highlighting the nuances of this procedure in the light of available literature.

Association of thrombocytopenia with outcome following adult living donor liver transplantation

This study aimed to evaluate the association of postoperative thrombocytopenia with outcome following adult living donor liver transplantation (LDLT) for end-stage liver disease (ESLD). It was a prospective study of 120 consecutive adult LDLT from September 2012 to May 2015. Preoperative platelet counts (PLTs) and postoperative PLTs were recorded at regular intervals till 3 months after LDLT. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed. The median pretransplant PLT was 61 × 10(9) /l. The lowest median PLT after LDLT was observed on POD 3. Patients were stratified into low platelet group (n = 83) with PLT <30 × 10(9) /l and high platelet group (n = 37) with PLT ≥30 × 10(9) /l. Patients with PLT <30 × 10(9) /l had statistically significant higher grade III/IV complication (P = 0.001), early graft dysfunction (P = 0.01), sepsis (P = 0.001), and prolonged ascites drainage (P = 0.002). On multivariate analysis, PLT<30 × 10(9) /l was identified as an independent risk factor for grade III/IV complications (P = 0.005). Overall, patients survival was significantly different between two groups (P = 0.04), but this predictive value was lost in patients who survived more than 90 days (P = 0.37). Postoperative PLT of <30 × 10(9) /l was a strong predictor of major postoperative complications and is associated with early graft dysfunction, prolonged ascites drainage, and sepsis. The perioperative mortality rate was high in the thrombocytopenia group.

Biliary complications after living donor hepatectomy: A first report from India

Biliary complications after donor hepatectomy can result in significant morbidity. We herein present our experience of donor hepatectomy, highlighting surgical techniques that prevent complications. Data were reviewed from a prospectively maintained database of all donors who underwent hepatectomy from April 2011 to April 2015. Standard operative technique as described was followed in all patients. Biliary complications and morbidity were recorded and stratified as per Clavien-Dindo classification. Results were compared with published literature. During the study period, 160 donors underwent hepatectomy. The majority of the graft types were right hemiliver without the middle hepatic vein (71.9%). Major complications (grade III and above) occurred in 5.6% of the donors. There was no donor mortality. Only 1 out of the 160 donors (0.6%) has had a grade III biliary complication requiring endoscopic retrograde cholangiography and papillotomy. There were 3 grade II biliary complications, all occurring after left lateral sectionectomy, necessitating prolonged retention of the intra-abdominal drain. The median duration of hospital stay was 11 days (range, 5-67 days), and the duration of follow-up was 16 months (range, 3-52 months). There was no loss to follow-up, and no donor required readmission or outpatient procedures for any biliary complication. In conclusion, with careful donor selection and a standardized surgical technique, biliary complications can be minimized. Liver Transplantation 22 607-614 2016 AASLD.

Serial changes of cytokines and growth factors in peripheral circulation after right lobe donor hepatectomy

Cytokines and growth factors have prominent roles in liver regeneration. The aim of this study was to evaluate the biological markers of liver regeneration in healthy donors undergoing right lobe donor hepatectomy for living donor liver transplantation. Twenty-five voluntary liver donors were enrolled. Peripheral blood samples were taken a day before the operation and on postoperative days (PODs) 1, 3, 7, 14, and 42. Levels of hepatocyte growth factor (HGF), interleukin (IL) 6, tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α), thrombopoietin (TPO), transforming growth factor β1 (TGF-β1), interferon (IFN) α, and IFNγ were monitored. The remnant liver volume (RLV) before surgery and regeneration liver volume (RgV) on POD 14 were calculated on computed tomography (CT). RgV/RLV ratio was correlated with the remnant-liver-volume-to-body-weight ratio (RLVBWR). Inverse correlation was observed between RgV/RLV and RLVBWR (r(2) = 0.61; P < 0.001). There was a significant rise of HGF on POD 1 (P = 0.001), POD 7 (P = 0.049), and POD 14 (P = 0.04). TNF-α was elevated on POD 1 (P = 0.004). The levels of IL 6 (P < 0.001) and TPO (P < 0.001) were higher from POD 1 to POD 42. IFNα was higher on POD 14 (P = 0.003) and POD 42 (P = 0.001). There was a significant fall of IFNγ on POD 1 (P = 0.01) and increase on POD 14 (P = 0.04). The levels of TGF-β1 were higher on POD 14 (P = 0.008) and on POD 42 (P = 0.002). In conclusion, HGF, IL 6, TNF-α, and TPO are involved in the early phase, whereas TGF-β1 and IFN are involved in the termination phase of liver regeneration. Liver regeneration was observed to be higher in donors with low RLVBWR.