[Liver transplantation program at the Burnasyan Federal Biophysical Center: experience in 500 procedures]. / Programma transplantatsii pecheni v Federal'nom meditsinskom biofizicheskom tsentre im. A.I. Burnazyana: opyt 500 operatsii.

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the features and outcomes of 500 liver transplantations in adults over a 12-year period. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study included data on 500 liver transplantations between May 2010 and April 2023. We analyzed 483 adults who underwent transplantation and 438 candidates for this procedure. All data were obtained from local liver transplantation registry. Clinical outcomes were recorded as of June 1, 2023. Statistical analysis was performed using the Statistica 12 (StatSoft Inc., USA) and Jamovi version 2.3.21.0 software (Jamovi project). RESULTS: Among 438 patients in the waiting list between January 2012 and May 2023, liver transplantation was performed in 198 (45%) cases including 27 (6%) transplantations from living-related donors and 37 (8%) procedures in other centers. There were 109 (25%) deaths. The 1- and 3-year survival rates were 81% (95% CI 76-85%) and 50% (95% CI 42-59%), respectively. Organs from deceased donors (n=134, 27%) and living-related donors (n=366, 73%) were used for transplantations. Redo transplantations were necessary in 21 (4%) cases. The median age of recipients was 45 years (range 18-72), median MELD-Na score - 16 (range 6-43). The most common indications for transplantation were viral cirrhosis (37%), cholestatic liver disease (16%), and hepatocellular carcinoma (14%). Monotherapy with calcineurin inhibitors was performed in 39% of cases, combination of calcineurin inhibitors and glucocorticoids, antimetabolites or mTOR inhibitors - 52%, three-component schemes - 8% of cases. Annual, 5- and 7-year survival rates of recipients after primary transplantation were 87% (95% CI: 84-90%), 79% (95% CI: 75-83%) and 75% (95% CI: 70-80%), respectively. In case of liver transplantation from living-related donors, these values were 89% (95% CI: 86-92%), 84% (95% CI: 80-88%) and 80% (95% CI: 75-85%), after transplantation from deceased donors - 81% (95% CI: 74-88%), 66% (95% CI: 57-76%) and 58% (95% CI: 45-72%), respectively. CONCLUSION: Liver transplantation is highly effective for patients with diffuse and focal liver diseases. Living donors not only significantly improve availability of this technology, but also provide substantial advantages in outcomes compared to liver transplantation from deceased donors, reducing the likelihood of recipient mortality by 10% after one post-transplantation year and by more than 20% after five years.

[Vascular reconstruction and transplantation technologies in liver surgery (part II)]. / Sosudistye rekonstruktsii i transplantatsionnye tekhnologii v khirurgii pecheni (chast' II).

OBJECTIVE: To systematize tactical and technical aspects of liver resections with reconstruction of afferent and efferent blood supply and/or inferior vena cava; to study postoperative outcomes in patients with focal liver lesions using transplantation technologies. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We enrolled 413 patients with parasitic lesions, primary and secondary liver tumors involving great vessels (portal vein, hepatic artery, hepatic veins, inferior vena cava, right atrium). All ones underwent liver resections with vascular resection and reconstruction, as well as liver autotransplantation in vivo, ante situ (ex situ in vivo), extracorporeal liver resections with autotransplantation (ex vivo). RESULTS: We obtained satisfactory immediate results after liver resections using transplantation technologies. CONCLUSION: Transplantation technologies in liver surgery can significantly increase resectability of tumors and survival of patients. Transplantation technologies are an important new surgical strategy and necessary option in modern hepatic surgery.

[Percutaneous nephrolithotomy in a patient after liver transplantation].

The work is devoted to the description of percutaneous nephrolithotomy in a patient who previously underwent liver transplantation. In case of immunodeficiency of any etiology, one-stage non-severe kidney injury is less dangerous compared to infectious and inflammatory complications, which naturally have more severe course compared to in those with intact immune system. Based on these considerations, the patient underwent percutaneous nephrolithotomy, which allowed to remove the stone of 2.5 cm in size without any complications. The choice of surgical treatment and management tactics for this category of patients are described in detail in the article.

[Vascular reconstructions and transplant technologies in liver surgery (part I)]. / Sosudistye rekonstruktsii i transplantatsionnye tekhnologii v khirurgii pecheni (chast' I).

OBJECTIVE: To systematize technical aspects of liver resections with reconstruction of afferent and efferent liver blood supply and/or inferior vena cava, as well as to analyze the results of surgical treatment in patients with focal liver lesions. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study included 413 patients with parasitic lesions, primary and secondary liver tumors with great vessel invasion (portal vein, hepatic artery, hepatic veins, inferior vena cava, right atrium). These features excluded radical liver resections without vascular resection and reconstruction, as well as liver autotransplantation in vivo, liver autotransplantation ante situ (ex situ in vivo), extracorporeal liver resections with autotransplantation (ex vivo). RESULTS: Surgical interventions were systematized depending of surgical tactics and techniques, technical complexity, type and number of reconstructed vessels, the use of total vascular isolation and cold preservation techniques, resection and reconstruction of great vessels. Thus, 4 gradations were allocated (Grade I-IV). The definition of transplantation technologies in liver surgery was proposed. CONCLUSION: Transplantation technologies in liver surgery include liver resections supplemented with vascular reconstruction of afferent and efferent liver blood supply, inferior vena cava including total vascular isolation of liver under normo- or hypothermia. These measures can significantly extend the possibilities of resection.

[Indications for lymph node dissection in hepatocellular carcinoma]. / Pokazaniya k limfodissektsii pri gepatotsellyulyarnoi kartsinome.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the indications for lymph node dissection in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study included 105 patients with hepatocellular carcinoma who underwent dissection of 8, 9, 12, 13 and 16a2 groups of lymph nodes. Concomitant liver diseases were not a contraindication for lymph node dissection. Immediate and long-term treatment outcomes were retrospectively analyzed. RESULTS: Lymph node dissection did not affect the number of postoperative complications (p=0.83) and mortality (p=0.34). The number of tumors (p=0.02) and concomitant liver diseases (p=0.05) significantly affected lymph node metastatic lesions. Metastases were found only in lymph nodes >1 cm. Metastatic lesions of lymph nodes in hepatoduodenal ligament and retropancreatic zone were the most common. However, 5 patients had metastatic lesions of aortocaval and celiac lymph nodes without metastases in hepatoduodenal ligament. Overall 5-year survival of patients with lymph node metastases after total resection was 32.4%. It is a better result compared to other treatments. CONCLUSION: There was no significant effect of lymph node dissection on immediate postoperative results regardless concomitant pathology. Lymph node dissection is recommended for patients with a high risk of metastasis or lymph nodes metastases.

Interstitial Glucose Metabolism Monitoring as an Additional Method for Objective Assessment of Donor Liver, Prediction and Immediate Diagnosis of Early Graft Dysfunction.

The current clinical practice of assessing the quality and suitability of a donor liver for human transplantation does not exclude cases of primary graft dysfunction of the transplanted organ and, at the same time, leads to an unreasonable refusal to transplant a significant number of functionally suitable organs. In this regard, searching for new methods for additional objective assessment and monitoring of the state of donor organs in the peritransplant period is relevant. The aim of the study was to determine the clinical utility of monitoring interstitial concentrations of glucose and its metabolites to assess the viability and functional state of a donor liver before and after human transplantation. Materials and Methods: A retrospective observational single-center study included 32 cases of liver transplantation. Along with standard methods for assessing the initial function of grafts during the first week after surgery, interstitial (in the transplanted liver) concentrations of glucose and its metabolites were monitored. In 18 cases, the interstitial glucose metabolism was also studied during static cold storage (SCS). Results: With the development of early allograft dysfunction (EAD), compared with the uneventful post-transplant period, statistically significantly higher interstitial lactate concentrations were observed as early as 3 h after reperfusion: 12.3 [10.1; 15.6] mmol/L versus 7.2 [3.9; 9.9] mmol/L (p=0.003). A value above 8.8 mmol/L may be considered as a criterion for the immediate diagnosis of EAD (sensitivity - 89%, specificity - 65%).Interstitial lactate concentration at the end of SCS and the area under the "lactate concentration-SCS duration" curve were associated with the initial graft function. Values of these parameters greater than 15.4 mmol/L and 76.1 mmol/L·h, respectively, with a sensitivity of 100% in both cases and a specificity of 77 and 85%, may be used to assess the risk of primary EAD. Conclusion: Monitoring of interstitial concentrations of glucose and its metabolites, primarily, lactate, is an objective additional method for the assessment of the donor liver viability both during SCS and in the early postoperative period.

[Bilary anastomotic strictures after right lobe living donor liver transplantation: a single-center experience]. / Biliarnye anastomoticheskie striktury posle transplantatsii pravoi doli pecheni ot zhivogo rodstvennogo donora: opyt odnogo transplantatsionnogo tsentra.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the incidence of AS after right lobe living donor liver transplantation with various biliary reconstructions and to identify the predictors of this complication. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A retrospective and prospective analysis included 245 RLLDLTs for the period 2011-2018 at the Burnazjan Federal Medical Biophysical Center. The results of transplantations in 207 patients aged 19-68 years (median 43 years) were assessed. There were 82 men and 125 women. Follow-up period ranged from 10 to 98 months (median 35 months). We analyzed the relationship between surgical characteristics (preoperative data of recipients and donors, graft parameters, technical features of biliary reconstruction and features of post-transplantation period) and incidence of anastomotic strictures. A total of 58 parameters were analyzed. RESULTS: AS occurred in 20 (9.7%) recipients. Median AS-free period was 5 months (range 1-44). In 17 (85%) patients, AC developed within a year after surgery. Cumulative 1-, 2- and 5-year incidence of AS was 8.3%, 8.9%, and 11%, respectively. Significant predictors of AS were impaired arterial blood supply to the graft (HR 7.8, 95% CI 2.3-26.0, p<0.001), biliary leakage ISGLS class B or C (HR 5.0, 95% CI 2.0-12.8, p<0.001), early allograft dysfunction (HR 4.2, 95% CI 1.5-11.6, p=0.006) and female recipient (HR 3.2, 95% CI 1.1-9.9, p=0.04). In our sample, variant biliary anatomy of the graft and recipient liver, as well as technical features of biliary reconstruction did not affect the risk of AS. CONCLUSION: Variant biliary anatomy of potential donor alone should not be considered as a contraindication for organ donation and right liver lobe transplantation. Precise surgical technique, high transplantation activity, as well as experience of reconstructive interventions on the bile ducts during other operations can significantly reduce the incidence of AS after RLLDLT up to 9.7%.

[Recurrent hemangioendothelioma of the lower and middle segments of inferior vena cava with spread to previously installed prosthesis]. / Retsidivnaya gemangioendotelioma nizhnego i srednego segmentov nizhnei poloi veny s rasprostraneniem na ranee ustanovlennyi protez.

We report surgical treatment of a 65-year-old patient with recurrent hemangioendothelioma of inferior and middle segment of inferior vena cava with spread to previously established prosthesis. Advanced resection of inferior vena cava and right-sided nephrectomy were not followed by complications and resulted R0 resection. Surgery time was 180 min. Inferior vena cava cross-clamping time was 30 min. Total blood loss was 300 ml. Hemangioendothelioma is a rare tumor with unpredictable potential for malignant transformation and obligatory indications for surgical treatment. Resection and reconstruction of inferior vena cava and renal veins with a synthetic conduit is effective and safe procedure.

[Salvage liver transplantation for hepatocellular carcinoma]. / Salvage-transplantatsiia pecheni pri lechenii gepatotselliuliarnoi kartsinomy.

OBJECTIVE: To analyze clinical course and the results of salvage liver transplantation in patients with recurrent hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) after liver resection. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A 54-year-old man with HCV-infection and HCC and 22-year-old woman with fibrolamellar variant of HCC underwent resection of the right and left liver lobe, respectively. The first patient experienced recurrent HCC four times with an interval of 3-6 months within 2 years after surgery. Repeated liver resection was made in first three cases, right liver lobe transplantation - after the fourth recurrence. In the second patient, HCC recurred in 4 months after resection and was accompanied by subtotal portal vein thrombosis. Therefore, repeated liver resection was excluded and patient underwent right liver lobe transplantation. RESULTS: Patients are alive in 5 and 3.5 years after liver resection and in 2.5 and 3 years after transplantation, respectively. There are currently no signs of recurrent HCC in the graft.

[Pure laparoscopic DP-CAR procedure with portal vein resection]. / Polnost'yu laparoskopicheskaya dp-car s rezektsiei vorotnoi veny (klinicheskoe nablyudenie).

OBJECTIVE: To improve short- and long-term outcomes of locally advanced pancreatic body-tail cancer followed by major vessels invasion. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A case report of pure laparoscopic DP-CAR procedure with portal vein resection for locally advanced pancreatic body-tail cancer followed by severe abdominal pain in a 49-year-old patient is presented. RESULTS: Liver or stomach ischemia was not observed. Portal wall resection wasn't associated with any complication and resulted R0-resection. Postoperative period was complicated by Grade B pancreatic fistula. Preoperative abdominal pain completely disappeared after surgery. Surgery time was 330 min, intraoperative blood loss - 300 ml. The patient is currently undergoing FOLFIRINOX adjuvant chemotherapy. CT in 90 days after surgery confirmed no progression of disease or liver/stomach blood supply congestion. CONCLUSION: Modern technologies provide the opportunity to perform pure laparoscopic advanced surgical procedures with major vessels resection. Pure laparoscopic DP-CAR procedure with portal vein resection is effective and safe procedure that can be performed with all principles of open surgery and is associated with acceptable short- and long-term results.

[Use of polytetrafluoroethylene grafts for reconstruction of major veins of mesenteric-portal system]. / Ispol'zovanie protezov iz politetraftorétilena dlia rekonstruktsii magistral'nykh ven mezenteriko-portal'noi sistemy.

Surgical management of patients with tumour invasion of major veins by means of their resection and simultaneous reconstruction is an actively developing trend in modern surgery. The article describes a clinical case report concerning treatment of a patient presenting with disseminated neuroendocrine cancer of the pancreatic head and subjected to pancreatoduodenal resection with a complicated variant of mesenteric-portal reconstruction and the use of a graft made of porous polytetrafluoroethylene, followed by relapse-free survival of more than 5 years. In our case report, despite complexity of forming a proximal anastomosis, the findings of multislice computed tomography with 3D-reconstruction 4 months after the operation demonstrated uneven circular thickening of the graft's wall by 1-2 mm, which might be interpreted as neointimal hyperplasia. The maximum thickness amounted to 2 mm in the area of the distal anastomosis. Thus, the internal diameter of the graft varied from 8 to 9 mm. The minimum thickness was observed in the middle portion of the graft, amounting to 1 mm. The findings of computed tomography at 60 postoperative months demonstrated no evidence of the disease's progression, the portal system of the liver contrasted evenly, the mesenteric-portal graft fully patent, showing parietally a thin uneven low-density strip 1-2 mm thick (with the maximum thickness observed in the area of anastomoses and the minimum thickness in the centre of the graft). Thus, the obtained findings are suggestive of high efficacy, safety, and feasibility of using polytetrafluoroethylene grafts for reconstruction of major veins in clinical practice. More randomized studies are necessary to confirm our conclusions.

[Associated Liver Partition and Portal vein ligation for Staged hepatectomy (ALPPS) in focal liver diseases management]. / Associating Liver Partition and Portal vein Ligation for Staged hepatectomy (ALPPS) v lechenii ochagovykh obrazovanii pecheni.

AIM: To determine ALPPS advisability in small future remnant liver. MATERIAL AND METHODS: 22 ALPPS procedures were performed at the Center for Surgery and Transplantology for the period from 2011 to 2016. Indications were both tumoral and non-tumoral unresectable liver diseases. Postoperative complications were classified according to Clavien-Dindo, ISGLS. RESULTS: According to CT-volumetry future remnant liver before the 1st stage of ALPPS was from 17 to 25%, before the 2nd stage - from 28 to 49%. Both stages were carried out in all patients with R0-resection in 100%. Postoperative complications were diagnosed in 40.9%, 1 death was caused by severe pulmonary embolism. Follow-up varied from 3 to 48 months (median 17.5), 86% of patients are alive at present. CONCLUSION: ALPPS provides rapid and effective FLR growth and can be used for both tumoral and non-tumoral unresectable liver diseases. However, ALPPS should be performed strictly according to indications and only in specialized centers with extensive experience of advanced liver resection and transplantation after previous comprehensive selection of patients.

Russian consensus on exo- and endocrine pancreatic insufficiency after surgical treatment.

The Russian consensus on exo- and endocrine pancreatic insufficiency after surgical treatment was prepared on the initiative of the Russian "Pancreatic Club" on the Delphi method. His goal was to clarify and consolidate the opinions of specialists on the most relevant issues of diagnosis and treatment of exo- and endocrine insufficiency after surgical interventions on the pancreas. An interdisciplinary approach is provided by the participation of leading gastroenterologists and surgeons.

[Comparative results of use liver protecting drugs for prophylaxis of the liver failure after extensive resections of the liver]. / Sravnitel'nye rezul'taty primeneniya gepatoprotektorov dlya profilaktiki pechenochnoi nedostatochnosti pri obshirnykh rezektsiyakh pecheni.

After 100 extensive resections of a liver for excision of metastasises of a colorectal cancer, the different drugs protecting a liver were used for prophylaxis of a liver failure. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Patients were distributed on 2 equivalent groups. Patients of the first group received Ademetionin in a dosage 400 mg 2 times a day within 7 days. Patients of the second group received Remaxol in a dosage 400 ml within 7 days once a day. RESULTS: Frequency of cases of an acute liver failure in the first group of patients was 38%, in the second group of patients - 20% (p<0.05). Patients of the second group had milder course of an acute liver failure (by criteria of ISGLS, 2011) in comparison with patients of the first group. Postoperative bed - days in the first group of patients lasted 13 (11-15) days, in the second group of patients - 11 (10-13) days (p<0.05). There was no postoperative lethality.

[Prediction of the acute pancreatitis after surgery on the pancreas].

RESEARCH OBJECTIVE: Study preoperative and intraoperative risk factors for acute postoperative pancreatitis after surgical treatment of the pancreatic diseases. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Predictive value of the probable preoperative and intraoperative risk factors of the acute postoperative pancreatitis after surgical treatment of the proximal and distal pancreatic cancer were explored and evaluated. Patients were divided at the high risk group and mild risk group using a specially developed formula. RESULTS: Preoperative and intraoperative risk factors of the acute postoperative pancreatitis were detected and had predictive value. Much of the identified preoperative risk factors indirectly or objectively showed morphology and function of the pancreas. The importance at the development of the acute postoperative pancreatitis playing the conditions of sur gical intervention, its volume and features of technology, results of the intraoperative research of the pathological focus and status of the pancreatic tissue. Its risk factors have been ranked to intraoperative risk factors. The Identification of the intraoperative risk factors of the acute postoperative pancreatitis allowed to make correction of the risk of complications determined at the preoperative stage. CONCLUSION: The data on the effect of various technological solutions and surgical tactics to the possibility of the development of the acute postoperative pancreatitis should be considered in predicting the development of complications and in develop the most effective and safe technologies of the surgical treatment of the pancreatic diseases, as well as in optimization of the prevention of the acute postoperative pancreatitis and postoperative complications.