Utilizing kidneys from a donor with bile-cast nephropathy.

Here we discuss the successful utilization of a pair of deceased donor kidneys with bile-cast nephropathy. The donor had a kidney donor profile index of 48% and an acute kidney injury requiring continuous renal replacement therapy. Peak donor bilirubin was 40.5 mg/dL, and renal wedge biopsies showed bile-cast nephropathy. Both recipients had delayed graft function lasting up to 4 weeks. The 4-month biopsies showed mild interstitial fibrosis, tubular atrophy, and a resolution of bile casts. These kidney allografts showed the reversible course of cholemic nephropathy and the potential for increasing the utilization of previously discarded kidneys.

Duration of Dialysis in Acute Kidney Injury Donors and Transplant Outcomes.

BACKGROUND: Acute kidney injury (AKI) kidneys, including those from donors on dialysis, are often underutilized, although there is increasing data available demonstrating good transplant outcomes. To date, data on the duration of donor dialysis and transplant outcomes are limited. STUDY DESIGN: This was a single-center study of deceased donor kidney transplants from 2010 to 2022. The study cohort consisted of recipients of deceased donor kidney transplants from donors with AKI and on dialysis. Three groups were identified based on the predetermined interquartile range of donor dialysis duration: 1 to 2 dialysis days, 3 to 4 dialysis days, and 5 or more dialysis days. RESULTS: During this period, 765 AKI deceased donor transplants were performed, of which 230 were from donors on dialysis. The median dialysis duration was 2 days with a maximum of 13 days. Across the 3 groups, there were no differences in recipient age (p = 0.23) or dialysis vintage (p = 0.70). Donor age (p = 0.86) and kidney donor profile index (p = 0.57) were comparable between the groups. Recipients of deceased donor kidney transplants from donors on dialysis 5 or more days had lower terminal creatinine levels (p = 0.003) and longer cold ischemia times (p = 0.04). Posttransplant, the median length of hospital stay was 3 days for all groups (p = 0.75). There were no differences in delayed graft function occurrence (94.4% vs 86.8% vs 92.1%, p = 0.19), duration of delayed graft function (p = 0.56), or readmissions (p = 0.99). At 1 year posttransplant, the estimated glomerular filtration rate (p = 0.76), patient survival (p = 0.82), or death-censored graft survival (p = 0.28) were comparable. CONCLUSIONS: Excellent outcomes have been observed in AKI deceased donor kidney transplants, including those coming from donors on dialysis. In this small cohort, the duration of donor dialysis did not adversely affect outcomes. Cautious expansion of the donor pool, including donors on dialysis, should be considered given the ongoing organ shortage.

Right versus left fully robotic live donor nephrectomy and open kidney transplantation: Does the laterality of the donor kidney really matter?

Objective: Robotic-assisted live donor nephrectomy (LDN) is being gradually adopted across transplant centers. The left donor kidney is preferred over right due to anatomical factors and ease of procurement. We aimed to study donor and recipient outcomes after robotic procurement and subsequent open implantation of right and left kidneys. Methods: All fully robotic LDNs and their corresponding open kidney transplants performed at our center between February 2016 and December 2021 were retrospectively analyzed. Results: Out of 196 robotic LDN (49 [right] vs. 147 [left]), 10 (5.1%) donors had intra-operative events (6.1% [right] vs. 4.8% [left], p=0.71). None of the LDN required conversion to open surgery. The operative times were comparable for the two groups. Nausea (13.3%) was the most common post-operative complication. There was no mortality in either LDN group. Herein, we report our outcomes on 156 recipients (39 right and 117 left allografts) excluding robotic implants, exports, and pediatric recipients. There were no significant differences between right and left kidney recipients with respect to 1-year post-transplant patient survival (100.0% vs. 98.1%, p=0.45) or graft survival (93.9% vs. 97.1%, p=0.11), or delayed graft function (7.7% vs. 5.1%, p=0.55). Conclusion: Non-hand-assisted robotic live donor nephrectomies can be safely performed with excellent outcomes. Right LDN was not associated with higher incidence of complications compared to left LDN. Open implantation of robotically procured right renal allografts was not associated with higher risk of recipient complications.

Outcomes with transplanting kidneys offered through expedited allocation.

INTRODUCTION: Expedited out-of-sequence deceased donor kidney allocation is a strategy to avoid discards after early placement attempts have been unsuccessful. Our study aimed to assess outcomes and characteristics of these transplanted kidneys. METHODS: KDPI matching was performed between expedited allocation (EA) and standard allocation (SA) deceased donor kidney transplants performed at our center. RESULTS: Between 2018 and 2021, there were 225 EA offers, and 189 (84%) were transplanted. EA recipients were older (p = .007) and had shorter dialysis vintage (p < .0001). EA kidneys were likely to be nationally allocated (p < .001), have AKI (p < .0001) and longer CIT (p < .0001). There were no differences in EA and SA time-zero kidney biopsies (ci, p = .07; ct, p = .89; cv, p = .95; ah, p = .79). EA kidneys had more DGF (p = .0006), but there were no differences in DGF duration (p = .83), hospital length of stay (p = .43), 1- and 2-year eGFR (p = .16, p = .99), patient (p = .34), or death-censored graft (p = .66) survival. CONCLUSION: During this study period, our center transplanted 189 kidneys through EA following local-regional declines. These kidneys often came from AKI donors and had more DGF but had similar outcomes to KDPI-matched SA kidneys. Although it has been suggested that EA has the potential to worsen transplant disparities, transplant center level decisions on organ acceptance contribute to these variations.

Declining Medicare reimbursement in abdominal transplantation from 2000 to 2021.

BACKGROUND: The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services is a major payer for abdominal transplant services. Reimbursement reductions could have a major impact on the transplant surgical workforce and hospitals. Yet government reimbursement trends in abdominal transplantation have not been fully characterized. METHODS: We performed an economic analysis to characterize changes in inflation-adjusted trends in Medicare surgical reimbursement for abdominal transplant procedures. Using the Medicare Fee Schedule Look-Up Tool, we performed a procedure code-based surgical reimbursement rate analysis. Reimbursement rates were adjusted for inflation to calculate overall changes in reimbursement, overall year-over-year, 5-year year-over-year, and compound annual growth rate from 2000 to 2021. RESULTS: We observed declines in adjusted reimbursement of common abdominal transplant procedures, including liver (-32.4%), kidney with and without nephrectomy (-24.2% and -24.1%, respectively), and pancreas transplant (-15.2%) (all, P < .05). Overall, the yearly average change for liver, kidney with and without nephrectomy, and pancreas transplant were -1.54%, -1.15%, -1.15%, and -0.72%. Five-year annual change averaged -2.69%, -2.35%, -2.64%, and -2.43%, respectively. The overall average compound annual growth rate was -1.27%. CONCLUSION: This analysis depicts a worrisome reimbursement pattern for abdominal transplant procedures. Transplant surgeons, centers, and professional organizations should note these trends to advocate sustainable reimbursement policy and to preserve continued access to transplant services.

Safety attitudes culture remain stable in a transplant center: evidence from the coronavirus pandemic.

Background: We sought to understand how safety culture may evolve during disruption, by using the COVID-19 pandemic as an example, to identify vulnerabilities in the system that could impact patient outcomes. Methods: A cross-sectional analysis of transplant personnel at a high-volume transplant center was conducted using the Safety Attitudes Questionnaire (SAQ). Survey responses were scaled and evaluated pre- and post-COVID-19 (2019 and 2021). Results: Two-hundred and thirty-eight responses were collected (134 pre-pandemic and 104 post-pandemic). Represented organ groups included: kidney (N = 89;38%), heart (N = 18;8%), liver (N = 54;23%), multiple (N = 66;28%), and other (N = 10;4%). Responders primarily included nurses (N = 75;34%), administration (N = 50;23%), and physicians (N = 24;11%). Workers had high safety, job satisfaction, stress recognition, and working conditions satisfaction (score >75) both before and after the pandemic with overlapping responses across both timepoints. Stress recognition, safety, and working conditions improved post-COVID-19, but teamwork, job satisfaction, and perceptions of management were somewhat negatively impacted (all p > 0.05). Conclusions: Despite the serious health care disruptions induced by the pandemic, high domain ratings were notable and largely maintained in a high-volume transplant center. The SAQ is a valuable tool for healthcare units and can be used in longitudinal assessments of transplant culture of safety as a component of quality assurance and performance improvement initiatives.

Hepatocellular Carcinoma, Alpha Fetoprotein, and Liver Allocation for Transplantation: Past, Present and Future.

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the leading indications for liver transplantation and has been the treatment of choice due to the oncologic benefit for patients with advanced chronic liver disease (AdvCLD) and small tumors for the last 25 years. For HCC patients undergoing liver transplantation, alpha fetoprotein (AFP) has increasingly been applied as an independent predictor for overall survival, disease free recurrence, and waitlist drop out. In addition to static AFP, newer studies evaluating the AFP dynamic response to downstaging therapy show enhanced prognostication compared to static AFP alone. While AFP has been utilized to select HCC patients for transplant, despite years of allocation policy changes, the US allocation system continues to take a uniform approach to HCC patients, without discriminating between those with favorable or unfavorable tumor biology. We aim to review the history of liver allocation for HCC in the US, the utility of AFP in liver transplantation, the implications of weaving AFP as a biomarker into policy. Based on this review, we encourage the US transplant community to revisit its HCC organ allocation model, to incorporate more precise oncologic principles for patient selection, and to adopt AFP dynamics to better stratify waitlist dropout risk.

Delayed, recurrent bile leak from isolated right posterior sectoral duct injury after laparoscopic cholecystectomy: An unusual presentation.

Bile leak after cholecystectomy is associated with significant comorbidity. Biliary duct variant anatomy can complicate identification and management. We report a very rare presentation of recurrent delayed bile leaks years after laparoscopic cholecystectomy secondary to missed right posterior sectoral bile duct injury. Surgical intervention was required after the failure of conservative management.

Chyle Leak After Robotic Living Donor Nephrectomy: Literature Review And Management.

Chyle leak after living donor nephrectomy is a rare complication and is associated with a significant postoperative burden. To the best of our knowledge, only 1 case of chyle leak after robotic living donor nephrectomy has been reported in the literature. In this study, we present our experience with 2 cases of chyle leak: 1 after and 1 during robotic donor nephrectomy. We discuss previously published studies and man - agement options of chyle leak in kidney donors.

Dissection of External Iliac Artery During Pediatric En bloc Kidney Transplant: Successful Rescue and Reimplant.

En bloc kidney transplant is a surgical treatment option that increases available donor organs and has excellent graft survival for patients with end-stage renal disease. Herein, we report a case of dissection of the external iliac artery that occurred during en bloc kidney transplant in an adult recipient. The en bloc kidneys were removed, flushed, and then reimplanted after restoring the blood flow to the lower limb. To our knowledge, this is the first case of dissection of the external iliac artery managed successfully during en bloc kidney transplant.

Combined Heart-Liver and Domino Liver Transplantation in Familial Amyloidosis.

BACKGROUND: Combined heart-liver transplantation (CHLT) is the only curative option for patients with concomitant pathology affecting the heart and liver. In some cases, the native livers of familial amyloidosis (FA) patients may be suitable for domino transplantation into other recipients. METHODS: Retrospective analysis (2013 to 2019) of all CHLT at our center was performed. Continuous data were presented as mean with standard deviation and discrete variables as percentages. RESULTS: Familial amyloidosis was the indication for CHLT in 5 out of 6 patients. The mean recipient age was 55 ± 5.62 years. Two patients were bridged with total artificial heart. The mean model for end-stage liver disease score at transplant was 17.17 ± 3.7. Two explanted livers were used for transplantation in a domino fashion. The median intensive care and hospital stays were 5.5 and 19 days, respectively. Complications included renal failure (1), groin abscess (1), pulmonary embolism (1), and cardiac rejection (1). Patient and graft survival for both organs was 100% at a median follow-up of 59 (range 20-76) months. DISCUSSION: Combined heart-liver transplantation for FA achieves excellent outcomes. The possible use of livers explanted from patients with FA for domino liver transplantation can contribute to the liver donor pool.

Bochdalek Hernia With Gastric Necrosis Requiring Roux-en-Y Esophagojejunostomy.

Bochdalek hernias are the most common congenital diaphragmatic hernias and are usually diagnosed during childhood. They can present in adulthood and, in uncommon circumstances, result in gastric herniation with strangulation. We present a case of an adult Bochdalek hernia resulting in total gastric necrosis necessitating Roux-en-Y esophagojejunostomy in an otherwise healthy 39-year-old man. This case highlights the potential morbidity associated with unrepaired congenital diaphragmatic hernias and the need for appropriate referral.

Recurrent Hepatocellular Carcinoma in an Adult With Alagille Syndrome Treated With Liver Resection Followed by Liver Transplantation: A Rare Case Report.

Alagille syndrome (AGS) is a disorder that affects the liver, heart, kidneys, and skeleton. Development of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is rare in AGS. A 41-y-old male with AGS presented with a 6 × 8-cm HCC and underwent transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) followed by right hepatic lobectomy. One year later, he developed HCC recurrence within Milan's criteria and received a deceased donor liver transplant. An interposition donor iliac artery graft from the supraceliac aorta to the donor hepatic artery was needed due to celiac axis occlusion noted on TACE. He subsequently underwent a Roux-en-Y hepaticojejunostomy for a bile leak. Surveillance imaging for HCC revealed a 3-cm pseudoaneurysm of his aortoiliac vascular anastomosis, 3 mo posttransplant. An infrarenal aortic jump graft to the donor hepatic artery and ligation of supraceliac aortic conduit was performed, followed by aortic stent-graft placement to occlude the pseudoaneurysm. He received a deceased donor kidney transplant 13 mo after the liver transplant. He remains HCC free with excellent liver and renal allograft function. Adults with AGS undergoing liver transplantation for HCC need special consideration due to related vascular, cardiac, and renal anomalies.

Tubulocystic Renal Cell Carcinoma of the Native Kidney in a Renal Transplant Recipient: A Rare Case Report.

Tubulocystic renal cell carcinoma (TCC) is a rare and newly recognized variant of renal cell carcinoma, which may mimic benign cystic disease of the kidney. To our knowledge, we present the first reported case of a patient who, despite standard preoperative workup, developed TCC of his native kidney soon after receiving kidney transplantation. He was appropriately treated with native nephrectomy and has had no signs of reoccurrence 7 years postoperatively. Given the significant risk of malignancy in renal transplant patients, this case emphasizes the need for close monitoring of native cystic disease before and after transplantation, with low threshold to proceed with surgical intervention.

Giant Liver Hemangiomas: A Plea for Early Surgical Referral and Resection.

Hepatic hemangiomas are the most common benign hepatic tumor. Current guidelines recommend surveillance imaging and reserving surgical intervention for symptomatic patients with giant liver hemangiomas (>5 cm). We present the case of a patient with a rapidly enlarging giant hepatic hemangioma initially managed by surveillance. During her observation period, she developed weight loss, constipation, and pancytopenia concerning for Kasabach-Merritt Syndrome. Resection of the hemangioma was complicated by its large size (28.0 × 18.0 × 11.4 cm). Patients with rapidly growing giant liver hemangiomas, even when asymptomatic, should be promptly referred to specialized surgical centers for evaluation and management.