Determination of risk factors affecting mortality in patients with gastrointestinal perforation after pediatric liver transplantation.

Gastrointestinal perforation (GIP) is one of the most serious complications occurring after liver transplantation (LT), especially in pediatric patients. This study aimed to determine the risk factors affecting mortality in pediatric patients with GIP after LT. GIP developed in 37 (10%) of 370 pediatric patients who underwent LT at our institute. Patients were divided into two groups: alive (n = 22) or dead (n = 15), and both groups were compared in terms of demographic and clinical parameters using univariate analysis. There was no statistically significant difference between groups in either demographic or clinical parameters, except for perforation site (P = 0.001) and median follow-up (P = 0.001). Stomas arose in 17 (45.9%) patients: 76% of patients with stomas and 45% of those without survived (P = 0.052). Kaplan-Meier analysis indicated that patients with stomas had a significantly higher overall survival (P = 0.029) and that patients with duodenal and colonic perforation had a significantly lower overall survival. Multivariate analysis showed that re-perforation was an independent risk factor for mortality (P = 0.035; OR: 17.674; 95% CI for OR: 1.233-253.32). Although there are many options for management of GIP, including primary repair, resection plus anastomosis, and resection plus end or loop ostomy, gastrointestinal diversion is still the best option.

Reconstruction of Anomalous Portal Venous Branching in Right Lobe Living Donor Liver Transplantation: Malatya Approach.

Reconstruction of anomalous portal vein branching (APVB) during right lobe living donor liver transplantation (LDLT) can be challenging. The goal of this article is to describe our surgical technique, named the Malatya Approach, in case of APVB during right lobe LDLT. The technique unifies the APVB and obtains a funnel-shaped common extension with a circumferential fence by a saphenous vein conduit. In total, 126 (10.6%) of 1192 right lobe grafts had APVB that were divided into 2 groups according to the adopted surgical techniques: the Malatya Approach group (n = 91) and the previously defined other techniques group (n = 35). Both groups were compared regarding portal vein thrombosis (PVT), postoperative 90-day mortality and survival. PVT developed in 3 patients (3.3%) in the Malatya Approach group and developed in 10 (28.6%) patients for the other group (P < 0.001). There were 8 (8.8%) 90-day mortalities in the Malatya Approach group (1 PVT related) and 15 patients (9 PVT related) died in the other techniques group (P < 0.001). Mean follow-up time for both groups was similar (999.1 days for the Malatya Approach group versus 1024.7 days for the other group; P = 0.47), but longterm survival in the Malatya Approach group was better than in the other group (84.6% versus 40%; P < 0.001). Multivariate analysis revealed that the Malatya Approach group showed less PVT development and longer survival (P < 0.001). This technique is promising to avoid PVT and mortalities in cases of APVB during right lobe LDLT. Liver Transplantation 23 751-761 2017 AASLD.

Co-existence of idiopathic cecal ulcer and incidental appendix carcinoid tumor.

Idiopathic cecal ulcer or solitary cecal ulcer is a rare entity that can only be diagnosed by histopathological evaluation. Generally, it is diagnosed by histolopathological evaluation of biopsy specimens obtained by colonoscopy that is performed for lower gastrointestinal bleeding. It can also be diagnosed after surgical resection performed for acute abdomen or cecal mass mimicking malignancy. Cecal carcinoid tumor is a rare cause of this condition; however, coexistence of cecal ulcer and appendix carcinoid tumor has not been previously reported. In this case, we present a 73-year-old woman who clinically presented as acute appendicitis with cecal wall thickening, underwent right hemicolectomy and was subsequently diagnosed with cecal ulcer, serosal abscess and coexisting appendix carcinoid tumor.

Living donor liver transplantation for Echinococcus Alveolaris: single-center experience.

Echinococcus alveolaris (EA) causes a hepatic zoonotic infection and behaves like a malignant tumor during invasion. Liver transplantation (LT) is the only curative treatment option for this unresectable disease. Here, we share our experience with living donor liver transplantation (LDLT) due to EA from the time between March 2002 and November 2014 at the Liver Transplantation Institute of Inönü University. Ten patients (mean age, 38.6 years) undergoing LDLT because of unresectable EA were evaluated preoperatively, and the operative and follow-up data were analyzed retrospectively. The mean time interval between diagnosis and LT was 27 months. The mean operation time and mean intraoperative blood requirement were 613 minutes and 4 units of packed red blood cells, respectively. Diaphragmatic resections were performed in 3 patients, and vena cava replacement was performed in 2 patients because of difficulties in removing the extended disease. The local recurrence and distant metastasis rates were 10% and 20%, respectively. The mean survival time was 19.5 months (range, 0-54 months), and the mortality rate was 30%. Unresectable hepatic alveolar echinococcosis is a rare indication for LT and presents some technical difficulties during surgery because diaphragmatic resection, vascular reconstruction, or multiple blood transfusions may be needed. LDLT can be performed successfully in patients with this rare infectious disease, with careful follow-up for potential recurrence and metastasis and administration of low-dose immunosuppressive agents.

Retrohepatic inferior vena cava reconstruction with saphenous vein patch in advanced stage cholangiocarcinoma.

Hepatic resection is the only known curative treatment option in primary and metastatic liver tumors. Unlike other types of malignancies, the response rate to even the best chemotherapy protocols is quite low in liver malignancies. Survival is expressed in months in untreated liver malignancies or in patients with residual tumor after resection. The optimal survival can be achieved only by liver resection with negative surgical margins. In order to increase the number of patients suitable for hepatic resection, techniques such as portal vein embolization, neoadjuvant chemotherapy, two-step hepatectomy, re-do hepatectomy, hypothermic liver perfusion have been developed and newer modalities are still being investigated. Primary liver malignancies like hepatocellular carcinoma and cholangiocarcinoma, and metastatic liver tumors can invade the retrohepatic vena cava due to anatomical proximity. Invasion of either the hepatocaval confluence or vena cava are often considered as contraindications for liver resection due to the risk of intraoperative massive air embolism or hemorrhage. In this article, we present a patient who underwent left hepatectomy together with vena cava resection and reconstruction with saphenous vein patch due to cholangiocarcinoma.

Single-center analysis of the first 304 living-donor liver transplantations in 3 years.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Living donor liver transplantations (LDLT) is a definitive treatment for patients with end-stage liver disease (ESLD), especially in the countries with donation problem. Between April 2007 and April 2010, we performed LDLT in 289 patients. Fifteen of the cases required re-transplantations. This study evaluates these 304 consecutive LDLTs donor and recipient outcomes. METHODOLOGY: Complication rates and survival data of the recipients and donors of 304 LDLT cases were analyzed. RESULTS: All donors are alive and well. Overall complication rate was 27%. Early postoperative recipient complication rate was 51%. Most frequent complication was infection. In the long-term there were 57 biliary stricture and 5 chronic bile fistula cases. Chronic and acute rejection attacks developed in 7 and 103 patients, respectively. Hepatic artery thrombosis rate was 8%. One, two and three year survival rates were 82%, 79% and 75%, respectively. Recipient mortality was 25%, mostly due to vascular complications, septic complications, liver dysfunction and chronic rejection. CONCLUSIONS: More than 150 liver tranplantations per year in a single center is a challenge in Turkey, where there is a shortage of deceased donor grafts. LDLT is a safe procedure for donors and effective for ESLD. Improvement in surgical technique would provide better outcomes.

Effect of Pre-Transplant Covid-19 Exposure on Post-Liver Transplant Clinical Outcomes.

BACKGROUND: COVID-19 has led to an unprecedented global health crisis. This situation caused an immediate reduction in solid organ transplantation activity. This study aimed to present the follow-up results of patients with chronic liver disease who underwent liver transplantation (LT) after a history of COVID-19 infection. METHODS: Sociodemographic characteristics and clinicopathological data of 474 patients who underwent LT at Inonu University Liver Transplant Institute between March 11, 2020 and March 17, 2022 were prospectively recorded and analyzed retrospectively. Among these, the data of 35 patients with chronic liver disease who were found to be exposed to COVID-19 infection in the pre-LT period were analyzed for this study. RESULTS: The median body mass index, Child score, and Model for end-stage liver disease/ Pediatric end-stage liver disease scores of the 35 patients were calculated as 25.1 kg/m2 (IQR: 7.4), 9 points (IQR: 4), and 16 points (IQR: 10), respectively. Graft rejection occurred in 4 patients at a median of 25 days post-transplant. Five patients underwent retransplantation at a median of 25 days post-transplant. The most common cause of retransplantation is early hepatic artery thrombosis. There were 5 deaths during postoperative follow-up. Mortality developed in 5 (14.3%) patients exposed to COVID-19 infection in the pretransplant period, whereas mortality occurred in 56 (12.8%) patients not exposed to COVID-19 infection. There was no statistically significant difference in mortality between the groups (P = .79). CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study showed that exposure to COVID-19 before LT does not affect post-transplant patients and graft survival.

Effect of COVID-19 Pandemic on Patients Who Have Undergone Liver Transplantation: Retrospective Cohort Study.

BACKGROUND: In liver transplant (LT) recipients, immunosuppressive therapy may potentially increase the risk of severe COVID-19 and may increase the mortality in patients. However, studies have shown conflicting results, with various studies reporting poor outcomes while the others show no difference between the LT recipients and healthy population. The aim of this study is to determine the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on survival of LT recipients. METHODS: This is a retrospective cohort study analyzing the data from 387 LT recipients diagnosed with COVID-19. LT recipients were divided into two groups: survival (n = 359) and non-survival (n = 28) groups. A logistic regression model was used to determine the independent risk factors for mortality. Machine learning models were used to analyze the contribution of independent variables to the mortality in LT recipients. RESULTS: The COVID-19-related mortality rate in LT recipients was 7.2%. Multivariate analysis showed that everolimus use (p = 0.012; OR = 6.2), need for intubation (p = 0.001; OR = 38.4) and discontinuation of immunosuppressive therapy (p = 0.047; OR = 7.3) were independent risk factors for mortality. Furthermore, COVID-19 vaccination reduced the risk of mortality by 100 fold and was the single independent factor determining the survival of the LT recipients. CONCLUSION: The effect of COVID-19 infection on LT recipients is slightly different from the effect of the disease on the general population. The COVID-19-related mortality is lower than the general population and vaccination for COVID-19 significantly reduces the risk of mortality.

Acute Pancreatitis: A Rare but Serious Complication for Living Liver Donors; Risk Factors and Outcomes.

OBJECTIVES: The purposes of this study were to determine the incidence of acute pancreatitis after living donor hepatectomy and to investigate potential risk factors and outcomes. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Clinical data of all donors who underwent donor hepatectomy between January 2015 and December 2016 in our liver transplant institute were reviewed. Donor data were obtained from a prospectively maintained database. The donors were divided into 2 groups according to whether they developed postoperative pancreatitis. The following data were compared between the 2 groups: demo-graphic information (age, sex), body mass index, type of hepatectomy (right, left, or left lateral), intraoperative cholangiographic findings, operative time, blood loss, graft data (graft weight, remnant liver ratio), duration of postoperative hospital stay, and postoperative morbidity and mortality (if any). Pancreatitis severity and treatment outcomes were also examined in patients with postoperative pancreatitis. RESULTS: Our study included 348 donors who underwent donor hepatectomy for living-donor liver transplant. Postoperative pancreatitis developed in 6 donors (1.7%). We found no statistical differences between patients with and without postoperative pancreatitis in terms of demographic and intra-operative findings. Neither loco-regional nor systemic complications of pancreatitis developed in any of the patients. Therefore, all were classified as having mild pancreatitis according to revised Atlanta classification. The mean APACHE II score was 5.2 ± 1.2 points (range, 4-7 points). All patients with postoperative pancreatitis received conservative-supportive treatment. CONCLUSIONS: Although postoperative pancreatitis is a rarely reported complication in living liver donors, it should always be considered, especially in patients who unpredictably deteriorate in the postoperative period. Proper recognition and timely treatment can help avoid s erious consequences.

Hepatic Venous Outflow Obstruction After Living-Donor Liver Transplant: Single Center Experience.

OBJECTIVES: In this study, we share our approach for care of patients with hepatic venous outlet obstruction after living-donor liver transplant. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We retrospectively examined the demographic, clinical, and radiologic data of 35 patients who developed hepatic venous outlet obstruction after living-donor liver transplant. Patients were subgrouped on the basis of onset (8 patients with early onset [< 30 days posttransplant] and 27 patients with late onset [≥ 30 days posttransplant]) and postoperative survival (24 survivors, 11 nonsurvivors). RESULTS: Patients ranged in age from 1 to 61 years (24 adults and 11 children). All adult patients had undergone right lobe living-donor liver transplant. In the pediatric group, 8 had undergone left lateral segment and 3 had undergone left lobe living-donor liver transplant. Nineteen adult patients and all 11 pediatric patients underwent hepatic venous reconstruction, with all procedures based on common large-opening drainage models using various vascular graft materials. Development of hepatic venous outlet obstruction occurred at mean posttransplant day 233 ± 298.5 in the adult patients and mean posttransplant day 139 ± 97.8 in the pediatric patients. After development of obstruction, the patients underwent 1-6 sessions (1.5 ± 1.1 sessions) of balloon angioplasty. After the first balloon angioplasty procedure, 25% of the adults and 36.3% of the pediatric patients developed recurrence. The early-onset and late-onset subgroups showed statistically significant differences in serum albumin (P = .01), underlying causes (P < .001), time from transplant to obstruction (P = .02), and time from transplant to last visit (P = .02). The survivor and nonsurvivor subgroups showed statistically significant differences in total bilirubin (P = .03) and time from transplant to last visit (P = .03). CONCLUSIONS: Common large-opening reconstruction minimizes hepatic venous outlet obstruction development after living-donor liver transplant. Balloon angioplasty and/or stenting is almost always the first option in the care of this complication.

Laparoscopic drainage of pyogenic liver abscess.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Pyogenic liver abscesses are mainly treated by percutaneous aspiration or drainage under antibiotic cover. If interventional radiology fails, surgical drainage becomes necessary. Recently, we performed laparoscopic liver abscess drainage successfully, and we aimed to focus on the topic in light of a systematic review of the literature. METHODS: A 22-year-old man was admitted with a 4.5-cm multiloculated abscess in the left lobe of the liver. The abscess did not resolve with antibiotic-alone therapy. Percutaneous aspiration was unsuccessful due to viscous and multiloculated contents. Percutaneous catheter placement was not amenable. Laparoscopic abscess drainage was preferred over open abscess drainage. We used 3 trocars, operation time was 40 minutes, and blood loss was minimal. In the mean time, we searched PubMed using the key words [(liver OR hepatic) abscess*] AND [laparoscop* OR (minimal* AND invasiv*)]. RESULTS: Postoperative recovery of the patient was uneventful, and the patient was asymptomatic after 3 months of follow-up. In the literature search, we found 53 liver abscesses (51 pyogenic and 2 amebic) that were treated by laparoscopy. Mean success rate was 90.5% (range, 85% to 100%) and conversion rate was zero. CONCLUSION: Treatment of liver abscess is mainly percutaneous drainage. Laparoscopic drainage should be selected as an alternative before open drainage when other modalities have failed.

The Timing of Liver Transplantation Following Downstaging: Wait of Not to Wait?

PURPOSE: HCC is a complex disease that is diagnosed in advanced stage and on the background of cirrhosis. Locoregional therapies provide sufficient downstaging to enable patients suitable for radical procedures such liver transplantation. However, the interval between locoregional therapies and definitive therapy is still controversial. We performed a review of literature to evaluate the role of waiting period between locoregional therapies and liver transplantation or resection from the perspective of cure and recurrence rates. METHODS: Thorough literature search was performed to evaluate the role of locoregional therapy and the interval to definitive therapies for the treatment of hepatocellular cancer. RESULTS: Usually, small tumors with lower tumor burden, in other words, tumors within Milan criteria, can be transplanted with an acceptable overall and disease-free survival. However, treating patients with locally advanced tumors is currently a matter of extensive research. Currently, locoregional therapies are applied to downstage the patients. However, the duration of waiting is a crucial point that needs further research. There is a consensus that the waiting interval between down-staging and transplantation should be no less than 3 months. This is important for selection of favorable tumor biology as well as from the point of antitumor immune response. CONCLUSION: Currently, there are no surrogate markers for surveillance of response to locoregional therapies as well as the antitumor immune response that develops as a result of down-staging.

Graft-versus-host disease after living donor liver transplantation: an unpredictable troublesome complication for liver transplant centers.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to report on graft-versus-host disease (GvHD) following living donor liver transplantation (LDLT). METHODS: Between May 2002 and January 2019, a total of 2387 LT procedures were performed in our Liver Transplantation Institute. Seven patients (0.29%) were admitted to our outpatient clinic with signs and symptoms compatible with GvHD following LT. Demographic, clinical and histopathological characteristics of patients with GvHD were retrospectively evaluated. RESULTS: There were six male and one female patient aged from 18 months to 67 years. Acute GvHD was detected in six patients and chronic GvHD in one. Grade II GvHD was detected in six patients, and Grade IV was detected in one patient. Time from LT to GVHD ranged from 4 to 657 days (median: 59 days). Time from beginning of clinical findings to histopathological diagnosis ranged from 2 to 160 days (median: 7 days). Initial clinical manifestations were as follows: skin rash + diarrhea (n = 2), skin rash (n = 2), skin rash + flushing (n = 1), diarrhea (n = 1), and skin rash + fever (n = 1). Despite intensive treatments, five out of seven patients (71.4%) died due to sepsis (n = 4) and gastrointestinal hemorrhage (n = 1). The remaining two patients are still alive without complications. CONCLUSION: GvHD is a life-threatening complication despite aggressive treatment. To achieve success in GvHD, preventive measures, early diagnosis, early initiation of treatment, antimicrobial prophylaxis, and proper supportive care should be ensured.

Usability of Inferior Vena Cava Interposition Graft During Living Donor Liver Transplantation: Is This Approach Always Necessary?

PURPOSE: To share the outcome of caval reconstruction technique in patients who underwent living donor liver transplantation (LDLT) with inferior vena cava (IVC) interposition grafting. METHODS: Between January 2009 and December 2018, an artificial or homologous interposition vascular graft was used for the continuity of resected native (IVC) due to various reasons in 29 of 1740 patients who underwent LDLT at our institute. Demographic, clinical, and radiological data were prospectively collected and retrospectively analyzed. RESULTS: Sixteen female and 13 male patients ranging 6-67 years of age were included. Right, left, and left lobe lateral segments were used in 22, 5, and 2 patients, respectively. The three leading LDLT indications were primary or idiopathic Budd-Chiari syndrome (BCS) (n = 12), alveolar echinococcosis (n = 7), and secondary BCS (n = 5). The three leading indications for IVC interposition grafting were thrombosis, dense fibrosis, and IVC invasion caused by tumor or echinococcosis. Homologous IVC graft was used in 17, homologous aortic graft in 7, and Dacron graft in 5 patients. Throughout the follow-up period, ascites ± pleural effusion and elevated liver enzymes were detected in 12 and 4 patients, respectively. Stenosis and/or thrombosis requiring one or more procedures such as 1-6 sessions balloon angioplasty, stent, and thrombus aspiration were observed in half of the patients. CONCLUSION: Retrohepatic IVC damages are not a contraindication for LDLT. The presence or absence of venous collateral circulation is an important indicator of the need for IVC interposition graft use.

Ectopic Balloon Device Placement to Correct the Positional Hepatic Venous Outflow Obstruction in Liver Transplantation.

OBJECTIVES: Hepatic vein outflow obstruction in liver transplantation can lead to graft or patient loss. We used an intrauterine balloon to overcome this complication in 13 liver transplant recipients. Here, we report the results of these cases; our report, as far as we know, involves the highest number of patients on this issue. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Positional hepatic vein outflow obstruction was diagnosed in 13 of 651 liver transplant recipients between January 2014 and December 2016. The grafts were repositioned by intrauterine balloon placed to the right subdiaphragmatic area. Data of donors, recipients, and grafts and postoperative courses were analyzed. RESULTS: Of the 13 patients, 9 were men, with age range of patients of 22 to 70 years. The amount of saline used to inflate the balloon was variable (200-450 cm3), and hepatic vein outflow obstruction was relieved after balloon implantation in all patients. There were no balloon-related complications. Removal was done at bedside, without any additional sedation or any additional skin incision on days 2 to 15. Doppler ultrasonography scans were performed before and after the balloon removal. There were no vascular complications after removal. CONCLUSIONS: Intrauterine balloon can be safely and efficiently used for hepatic vein outflow obstruction during liver transplant when needed.

Cytomegalovirus associated severe pneumonia in three liver transplant recipients.

INTRODUCTION: Cytomegalovirus (CMV), is the most common opportunistic infection, remains a cause of life-threatening disease and allograft rejection in liver transplant (LT) recipients. The purpose of this case series is to state that CMV may lead to severe pneumonia along with other bacteria. METHODOLOGY: CMV pneumonia was diagnosed with the thoracic computed tomography (CT) scan findings, bronchoscopic biopsy, real time quantitative Polymerase Chain Reaction (qPCR) and clinical symptoms. For extraction of CMV DNA from the clinical sample, EZ1 Virus Mini Kit v2.0 (Qiagen, Germany) was used, and aplification was performed with CMV QS-RGQ Kit (Qiagen, Germany) on Rotor Gene Q 5 Plex HMR (Qiagen, Germany) device. RESULTS: All recipients had severe pneumonia, leukopenia, thrombocytopenia and at least two-fold increase in transaminases on seventh, twenty-eighth and twenty-second days after surgery, respectively. Thoracic CT scan revealed as diffuse interstitial infiltration in the lung parenchyma. Bronchoscopy, Gram-staining and culture from bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluid were performed in all of them. During bronchoscopy, a bronchial biopsy was administered to two recipients. One recipient could not be performed procedure because of deep thrombocytopenia. PCR results were positive from serum and BAL fluid. Bronchial biopsy was compatible with CMV pneumonia. However, Pseudomonas aeruginosae was found in two cases and Klebsiella pneumoniae in one case BAL fluid cultures. CONCLUSIONS: CMV pneumonia can be seen simultaneously with bacterial agents due to the indirect effects of the CMV. It should be kept in mind that CMV pneumonia may cause severe clinical courses and can be mortal.

Analysis of risk factors of mortality in abdominal trauma.

BACKGROUND: The present study aims to analyze blunt and penetrating abdominal traumas that were evaluated in our emergency department, the treatment approaches and risk factors of mortality. METHODS: Six hundred and sixty-four patients were admitted to our emergency department for surgical evaluation for trauma between January 2009 and April 2019. After the exclusion of dead on arrival, patients with missing data and patients without abdominal trauma were excluded from this study. Hundred and thirteen patients with abdominal trauma admitted to our department were evaluated in this study. Demographic, clinical, prognostic and mortality related factors were retrospectively analyzed. RESULTS: The mean age of the patients was 36.08±16.1 years. There were 90 male patients. Eighty patients (70.8%) had blunt abdominal trauma (BAT). Twenty-eight patients (24.7%) had isolated liver and two patients (1.7%) had isolated spleen injury. Combined liver and spleen injury was found in two patients (1.7%). Twenty-two (19.4%) patients had mortality. Causes of mortality were an irreversible hemorrhagic shock (40.9%) and central nervous system (13.6%) injuries. BAT was the main mechanism of injury in patients with mortality (86.4% versus 67%; p<0.001). The frequency of retroperitoneal injury was significantly higher in patients with mortality (50% versus 16.5%, p<0.001). The frequency of extra-abdominal injury in patients with mortality was higher (68.1% versus 49.4%; p=0.047). Mean arterial pressure at admission was found to be significantly lower in patients with mortality (67±26.8 mmHg versus 84.3±17 mmHg; p=0.02). The number of packed erythrocytes transfused in patients with mortality was higher (8.8±8.6 versus 3.3±5.9 units; p=0.047). Mean international normalized ratio (INR) was significantly higher in patients with mortality (4.3±7.1 versus 2.7±4; p=0.016). Mean lactate dehydrogenase level was higher in patients with mortality (1685.7±333.8 versus 675.8±565.3 IU/mL; p<0.001). Mean alanine aminotransferase (ALT) was significantly higher in patients with mortality (430±619 versus 244±448 IU/mL; p<0.001). Mean alkaline phosphatase (ALP) level in patients with mortality was higher (76.9±72.8 versus 67.3±27.8 IU/mL; p=0.003). The presence of retroperitoneal injury and ALT >516 IU/mL were independent risk factors o mortality. CONCLUSION: We have found certain laboratory variables to increase in patients with mortality. These are related to the severity of trauma. Retroperitoneal injury and increased ALT levels being risk factors of mortality is the most important finding of this study. Our results can guide other centers in the evaluation of trauma patients, and high-risk groups can be identified.

Author Correction: Liver Transplantation for Hepatocellular Carcinoma: Malatya Experience and Proposals for Expanded Criteria.

The original version of this article unfortunately contained a mistake in the author group section.

Liver Transplantation for Hepatocellular Carcinoma: Malatya Experience and Proposals for Expanded Criteria.

Survival was examined from a Turkish liver transplant center of patients with HCC, to identify prognostic factors. Data from 215 patients who underwent predominantly live donor liver transplant for HCC at our institute over 12 years were included in the study and prospectively recorded. They were 152 patients within and 63 patients beyond Milan criteria. Patients beyond Milan criteria were divided into two groups according to presence or absence of tumor recurrence. Recurrence-associated factors were analyzed. These factors were then applied to the total cohort for survival analysis. We identified four factors, using multivariate analysis, that were significantly associated with tumor recurrence. These were maximum tumor diameter, degree of tumor differentiation, and serum AFP and GGT levels. A model that included all four of these factors was constructed, the 'Malatya criteria.' Using these Malatya criteria, we estimated DFS and cumulative survival, for patients within and beyond these criteria, and found statistically significant differences with improved survival in patients within Malatya criteria of 1, 5, and 10-year overall survival rates of 90.1%, 79.7%, and 72.8% respectively, which compared favorably with other extra-Milan extended criteria. Survival of our patients within the newly defined Malatya criteria compared favorably with other extra-Milan extended criteria and highlight the usefulness of serum AFP and GGT levels in decision-making.

Carcinoid tumors of appendix presenting as acute appendicitis.

BACKGROUND: We aim to present the data of patients who underwent appendectomy due to acute appendicitis, and incidental carcinoid tumor was detected on pathology. METHODS: Retrospective analysis of the patient charts between January 1999 and September 2018 were performed. RESULTS: 2778 appendectomy was performed due to acute appendicitis. Appendiceal carcinoid tumor was detected in 12 (0.43%) patients. Eight patients were (66.7%) female. Median age 37.5 years (range: 21-60). The median tumor size was 0.7 cm (range: 0.1-2.5). No perforation was detected. Eleven patients underwent appendectomy, and one patient had right hemicolectomy. The median follow-up period was 41.5 months (range: 22-49). There were no recurrences. CONCLUSION: Appendix carcinoid tumors are quite rare, usually asymptomatic and diagnosed incidentally on histopathological examination after appendectomy. The treatment of carcinoid tumors of the appendix is directly related to the tumor size, localization, presence of lymphovascular and mesoappendix invasion, mitotic activation rate and level of Ki67. Thus, it is important to follow the histopathological results after appendectomy. The prognosis of appendix carcinoid tumors is very good if the appendix is non-perforated.