Long-term Outcome of a Modified Piggyback Liver Transplantation Technique Using the Recipient's Right and Middle Hepatic Veins.

In early piggyback liver transplantation (LT) descriptions, the common stump of the middle and left hepatic veins (ML) was used for upper caval anastomosis. In this variant, stenosis or kinking of graft venous outflow path was frequent. Over time, most authors adopted the use of the recipient's right, middle, and left hepatic veins (RML) or a side-to-side anastomosis (SS) between the graft's and recipient's inferior vena cava (IVC). Nonetheless, partial IVC clamping required in RML and SS can reduce IVC flow. Since 1998, we incorporated a modified piggyback procedure using the recipient's right and middle hepatic veins (RM) to simultaneously achieve better preservation of IVC flow and a wide and well-positioned anastomosis. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study is to describe the RM method and to compare this technique with other standard variants of piggyback LT. METHOD: We conducted a retrospective analysis of 477 piggyback LTs classified in 4 groups: ML (n = 102); RM (n = 171); RML (n = 150); and SS (n = 54). RESULTS: The incidence of venous outflow block was 3.9% (4/102) in ML, 2.3% (4/171) in RM, 0% (0/150) in RML, and 3.7% (2/54) in SS (P = .049). On Bonferroni multiple comparison analysis, no statistically significant paired difference was identified. Results showed that 1-, 3-, 5-, and 10-year patient survival was 76%, 67%, 63%, and 51% in the ML group; 80%, 71%, 68%, and 62% in the RM group; 77%, 75%, 70%, and 64% in the RML group; and 76%, 76%, 76%, and 70% in the SS group, respectively (P = .193). CONCLUSION: The RM modified piggyback LT technique is feasible and safe.

Human polyclonal anti-hepatitis B surface antigen immunoglobulin reduces the frequency of acute rejection after liver transplantation for chronic hepatitis B

BACKGROUND: Use of polyclonal anti-hepatitis B surface antigen immunoglobulin (HBIg) has been shown to reduce hepatitis B virus (HBV) recurrence after liver transplantation (LT) and to decrease the frequency of acute cellular rejection (ACR). However, the protective role of HBIg against ACR remains controversial, since HBV infection has been also associated with a lower incidence of ACR. AIM: To assess the relationship between HBIg immunoprophylaxis and the incidence of rejection after LT. METHODS: 260 patients (158 males, 43 + or - 14 years old) submitted to LT were retrospectively evaluated and divided into three groups, according to the presence of HBsAg and the use of HBIg. Group I was comprised of HBsAg-positive patients (n = 12) that received HBIg for more than 6 months. Group II was comprised of HBsAg-positive patients that historically have not received HBIg or have been treated irregularly for less than 3 months (n = 10). Group III was composed of 238 HBsAg-negative subjects that have not received HBIg. RESULTS: HBIg-treated patients (group I) had significantly less ACR episodes, when compared to group II and III. No differences between groups II and III were observed. CONCLUSIONS: Long-term HBIg administration contributes independently to reduce the number of ACR episodes after LT