Surgical technique for placement of the automated low flow ascites pump (Alfapump).

Approximately 10% of patients with ascites associated with cirrhosis fail to respond to dietary rules and diuretic treatment and therefore present with refractory ascites. In order to avoid iterative large-volume paracentesis in patients with contraindication to TIPS, the automated low flow ascites pump system (Alfapump) was developed to pump ascites from the peritoneal cavity into the urinary bladder, where it is eliminated spontaneously by normal micturition. This manuscript reports the surgical technique for placement of the Alfapump.

Transhilar passage in right graft live donor liver transplantation: intrahilar anatomy and its impact on operative strategy.

The passage through the hilar plate during right graft live donor liver transplantation (LDLT) can have dangerous consequences for both donors and recipients. The purpose of our study was to delineate hilar transection and biliary reconstruction strategies in right graft LDLT, with special consideration of central and peripheral hilar anatomical variants. A total of 71 consecutive donors underwent preoperative three-dimensional (3D) CT reconstructions and virtual 3D hepatectomies. A three-modal hilar passage strategy was applied, and its impact on operative strategy analyzed. In 68.4% of cases, type I and II anatomical configurations allowed for an en block hilar transection with simple anastomotic reconstructions. In 23.6% of cases, donors had "difficult" type II and types III/IV hilar bile duct anatomy that required stepwise hilar transections and complex graft biliary reconstructions. Morbidity rates for our early (A) and recent (B) experience periods were 67% and 39%, respectively. (1) Our two-level classification and 3D imaging technique allowed for donor-individualized transhilar passage. (2) A stepwise transhilar passage was favored in types III and IV inside the right-sided hilar corridor. (3) Reconstruction techniques showed no ameliorating effect on early/late biliary morbidity rates.

Territorial belonging of the middle hepatic vein in living liver donor candidates evaluated by three-dimensional computed tomographic reconstruction and virtual liver resection.

BACKGROUND: Postoperative venous congestion can lead to graft and remnant liver failure in living donor liver transplantation. This study was designed to delineate 'territorial belonging' of the middle hepatic vein (MHV) and to identify hepatic venous anatomy at high risk of outflow congestion. METHODS: MHV belonging patterns for right (RHL) and left (LHL) hemilivers were evaluated by three-dimensional computed tomographic reconstruction and virtual hepatectomy in 138 consecutive living liver donor candidates. RESULTS: The right hepatic vein (RHV) was dominant in 84.1 per cent and an accessory inferior hepatic vein (IHV) was present in 47.1 per cent of livers. Three MHV belonging types were identified for the RHL. Strong and complex MHV types A and C were associated with large RHL venous congestion. The MHV belonged to the LHL in 65.9 per cent, draining 37 per cent of this hemiliver. In virtual liver resections, left MHV type D was a risk category for small left liver remnants. CONCLUSION: MHV territorial belonging types A and C were identified as high risk for RHL venous congestion. Their presence should prompt consideration of either inclusion of the MHV with the right graft or reconstruction of its tributaries, and preservation of IHV territory.

Feasibility of randomized controlled trials in liver surgery using surgery-related mortality or morbidity as endpoint.

BACKGROUND: There is a shortage of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) on which to base guidelines in liver surgery. The feasibility of conducting an adequately powered RCT in liver surgery using the dichotomous endpoints surgery-related mortality or morbidity was examined. METHODS: Articles published between January 2002 and November 2007 with mortality or morbidity after liver surgery as primary endpoint were retrieved. Sample size calculations for a RCT aiming to show a relative reduction of these endpoints by 33, 50 or 66 per cent were performed. RESULTS: The mean operative mortality rate was 1.0 per cent and the total morbidity rate 28.9 per cent; mean rates of bile leakage and postresectional liver failure were 4.4 and 2.6 per cent respectively. The smallest numbers of patients needed in each arm of a RCT aiming to show a 33 per cent relative reduction were 15 614 for operative mortality, 412 for total morbidity, 3446 for bile leakage and 5924 for postresectional liver failure. CONCLUSION: The feasibility of conducting an adequately powered RCT in liver surgery using outcomes such as mortality or specific complications seems low. Conclusions of underpowered RCTs should be interpreted with caution. A liver surgery-specific composite endpoint may be a useful and clinically relevant solution to pursue.

Management of concomitant hepatic artery injury in patients with iatrogenic major bile duct injury after laparoscopic cholecystectomy.

BACKGROUND: Concomitant hepatic artery injury is a rare but severe complication associated with bile duct injury during laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC). METHODS: Sixty patients referred with biliary injury after LC between April 1998 and December 2005 were divided into two groups according to the time elapsed between injury and definitive surgical revision; patients in group 1 were referred early (within 4 days) after operation and those in group 2 were referred later. Hepatic rearterialization was performed in addition to biliary reconstruction when technically possible. RESULTS: Damage to the hepatic artery was detected in ten patients. Hepatic rearterialization was carried out in five patients by end-to-end anastomosis (one), or by using an autologous graft (three) or allogeneic vascular graft (one). Three patients in group 2 underwent right hemihepatectomy without arterial reconstruction owing to liver necrosis or lobar atrophy. Three of ten patients died from postoperative complications. CONCLUSION: Combined bile duct and hepatic artery injury during LC led to a complicated clinical course, with a high mortality rate. Reconstruction of the right hepatic artery might be helpful in reducing hepatic ischaemia, but is usually feasible only if the injury is identified early.

Preoperative volume prediction in adult live donor liver transplantation: 3-D CT volumetry approach to prevent miscalculations.

BACKGROUND: The precise preoperative calculation of functional liver volumes for both donor and recipient is a crucial part of the evaluation process in adult living donor liver transplantation. The purpose of this study was to describe and validate our modus 3-D CT volumetry. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Native (unenhanced), arterial, and venous phase CT images from 62 consecutive live liver donors were subjected to 3-D CT liver volume calculations and virtual 3-D liver partitioning. Graft-volume estimates based on our modus 3-D volumetry, which subtracted intrahepatic vascular volume from the "smallest" (native) unenhanced CT phase, were subsequently compared to the intraoperative graft-weights obtained in all 62 cases. Calculated (preoperative) liver-volume-body-weight-ratios and measured (intraoperative) liver-weight-body-weight-ratios of liver grafts were analyzed. RESULTS: Preoperative calculations of graft-volume according to our modus 3-D CT volumetry did not yield statistically significant over- or under-estimations when compared to the intraoperative findings independent of their age or gender. CONCLUSION: Our modus 3-D volumetry, when based on the "smallest" (native) unenhanced CT phase, accurately accounted for intrahepatic vascular volumes and offered a precise virtual model of individualized operative conditions for each potential live liver donor.

Liver transplantation for hepatocellular carcinoma with intrahepatic lymphatic invasion: case reports.

Multiple studies addressing liver transplantation (OLT) for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) have identified various prognostic determinants of tumor recurrence and decreased patient survival. However, little information is available on the impact of intrahepatic lymphatic invasion on tumor recurrence and survival after OLT for HCC. Intrahepatic lymphatic invasion was observed in 1.4% (n = 2) of liver explants with HCC in our series. Both recipients are alive without tumor recurrence at 16 and 39 months post-OLT, respectively. Intrahepatic lymphatic invasion may not be an absolute adverse prognostic factor in cases of HCC with no hilar lymph node involvement at the time of OLT.

Liver "compliance": a previously unrecognized preoperative predictor of small-for-size syndrome in adult living donor liver transplantation.

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of liver compliance on computed tomography (CT) volumetry and to determine its association with postoperative small-for-size syndrome (SFSS). PATIENTS AND METHODS: Unenhanced, arterial, and venous phase CT images of 83 consecutive living liver donors who underwent graft hepatectomy for adult-to-adult living donor liver transplantation (ALDLT) were prospectively subjected to three-dimensional (3-D) CT liver volume calculations and virtual 3-D liver partitioning. Graft volume estimates based on 3-D volumetry, which subtracted intrahepatic vascular volume from the "smallest" (native) unenhanced and the "largest" (venous) CT phases, were subsequently compared with the intraoperative graft weights. Calculated (preoperative) graft volume-to-body weight ratios (GVBWR) and intraoperative measured graft weight-to-body weight ratios (GWBWR) were analyzed for postoperative SFSS. RESULTS: Significant differences in minimum versus maximum total liver volumes, graft volumes, and GVBWR calculations were observed among the largest (venous) and the smallest (unenhanced) CT phases. SFSS occurred in 6% (5/83) of recipients, with a mortality rate of 80% (4/5). In four cases with postoperative SFSS (n = 3 lethal, n = 1 reversible), we had transplanted a small-for-size graft (real GWBWR < 0.8). The three SFS grafts with lethal SFSS showed a nonsignificant volume "compliance" with a maximum GVBWR < 0.83. This observation contrasts with the seven recipients with small-for-size grafts and reversible versus no SFSS who showed a "safe" maximum GVBWR of 0.92 to 1.16. CONCLUSION: The recognition and precise assessment of each individual's liver compliance displayed by the minimum and maximum GVBWR values is critical for the accurate prediction of functional liver mass and prevention of SFSS in ALDLT.

Hepatic hilar and sectorial vascular and biliary anatomy in right graft adult live liver donor transplantation.

INTRODUCTION: The aim of this study was to analyze vascular and biliary variants at the hilar and sectorial level in right graft adult living donor liver transplantation. METHODS: From January 2003 to June 2007, 139 consecutive live liver donors underwent three-dimensional computed tomography (3-D CT) reconstructions and virtual 3-D liver partitioning. We evaluated the portal (PV), arterial (HA), and biliary (BD) anatomy. RESULTS: The hilar and sectorial biliary/vascular anatomy was predominantly normal (70%-85% and 67%-78%, respectively). BD and HA showed an equal incidence (30%) of hilar anomalies. BD and PV had a nearly identical incidence of sectorial abnormalities (64.7% and 66.2%, respectively). The most frequent "single" anomaly was seen centrally in HA (21%) and distally in BD (18%). A "double" anomaly involved BD/HA (7.2%) in the hilum, and HA/PV and BD/PV (6.5% each) sectorially. A "triple" anomaly involving all systems was found at the hilum in 1.4% of cases, and at the sectorial level in 9.4% of instances. Simultanous central and distal abnormalities were rare. In this study, 13.7% of all donor candidates showed normal hilar and sectorial anatomy involving all 3 systems. A simultaneous central and distal "triple" abnormality was not encountered. A combination of "triple" hilar anomaly with "triple" sectorial normality was observed in 2 cases (1.4%). A central "triple" normality associated with a distal "triple" abnormality occurred in 7 livers (5%). CONCLUSIONS: Our data showed a variety of "horizontal" (hilar or sectorial) and "vertical" (hilar and sectorial) vascular and biliary branching patterns, providing comprehensive assistance for surgical decision-making prior to right graft hepatectomy.

Intrahepatic biliary anatomy derived from right graft adult live donor liver transplantation.

OBJECTIVE: The successful management of the bile duct in right graft adult live donor liver transplantation requires knowledge of both its central (hilar) and distal (sectorial) anatomy. The purpose of this study was to provide a systematic classification of its branching patterns to enhance clinical decision-making. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We analyzed three-dimensional computed tomography (3-D CT) imaging reconstructions of 139 potential live liver donors evaluated at our institution between January 2003 and June 2007. RESULTS: Fifty-four (n = 54 or 38.8%) donor candidates had a normal (classic) hilar and sectorial right bile duct anatomy (type I). Seventy-eight (n = 78 or 56.1%) cases had either hilar or sectorial branching abnormalities (types II or III). Seven (n = 7 or 5.1%) livers had a mixed type (IV) of a rare and complex central and distal anatomy. CONCLUSIONS: We believe that the classification proposed herein can aid in the better organization and categorization of the variants encountered within the right-sided intrahepatic biliary system.

Anatomical classification of the peripheral right hepatic duct: early identification of a preventable source of morbidity and mortality in adult live donor liver transplantation.

INTRODUCTION: The purpose of this study was to determine the impact of our classification on right graft adult live donor liver transplantation (ALDLT) outcomes. METHODS: Three-dimensional computed tomography (CT) reconstructions were used to classify the hilar and sectorial biliary anatomy of 71 consecutive live liver donors. Four possible clinical types were defined, based on the normal (N) or abnormal (A) features of the corresponding hilar/sectorial ducts: type I, N/N; type II, N/A; type III, A/N; and type IV, A/A. We subsequently performed an analysis of the operative outcomes based on the donor anatomy. RESULTS: Type I was encountered in 47.9% of cases, type II in 29.6%, type III in 19.7%, and type IV in 2.8%. The highest incidence of biliodigestive anastomoses was observed with type III (50%) and type IV (100%) variants. Type I was associated with the highest incidence of single anastomoses (single vs multiple, P = .001) and of single bile duct anastomoses (single vs multiple, P = .004). Type III was associated with more multi-duct reconstructions compared with types I and II (P = .002 and P = .05, respectively). There were no significant differences in early (P = .08) or late (P = .33) biliary complications, or deaths due to a biliary etiology (P = .55) among the 4 types. CONCLUSIONS: Complex biliary anatomy in the right liver graft usually requires biliodigestive anastomoses, which are often associated with complicated procedures. The precise delineation of the intrahepatic biliary anatomy provided by our clinical classification may contribute to better morbidity and mortality rates, especially for grafts at greatest anatomical risk.

A new systematic classification of peripheral anatomy of the right hepatic duct: experience from adult live liver donor transplantation.

OBJECTIVE: The peripheral intrahepatic biliary anatomy, especially at the sectorial level on the right side, has not been adequately described. The purpose of our study was to systematically describe this complex anatomy in clinically applicable fashion. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We analyzed three-dimensional computed tomography (CT) imaging reconstructions of 139 potential living liver donors evaluated at our institution between January 2003 and June 2007. RESULTS: Eighty-nine (64%) donors had a normal right bile duct sectorial anatomy. In the other 50/139 (36%) cases, we observed abnormal sectorial branching patterns, with 45/50 abnormalities as trifurcations, whereas the remaining ones were quadrifurcations. In 22/50 (44%) abnormalities, a linear branching pattern (types B1/C1) and an early segmental origin off the right hepatic duct (types B3/C3) were present, a finding of particular danger when performing a right graft hepatectomy. In 2 cases, we noted a mixed type (B6/C6) of a rare complex anatomy. CONCLUSIONS: Our proposed classification of the right sectorial bile duct system clearly displays the "area at risk" encountered when performing right graft adult live donor liver transplantation and tumor resections involving the right lobe of the liver.

Living donor liver transplantation for hepatocellular carcinoma in patients exceeding the UCSF criteria.

BACKGROUND: Living donor liver transplantation (LDLT) represents an alternative to expand the organ pool for adult patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and end-stage liver disease. The purpose of this study was to demonstrate our institutional experience using criteria exceeding those of the University of California San Francisco (UCSF). PATIENTS AND METHODS: Between September 1998 and December 2006, 22 LDLTs were performed for HCC among patients exceeding the UCSF criteria. RESULTS: There were 17 men and 5 women of median age 55 years. Multifocal tumors were present in 19 of 22 patients. Tumor grading was: grade I (n = 8), grade II (n = 10), and grade III (n = 4). Microvascular invasion was observed in 7 liver explants. Five patients died from complications unrelated to HCC recurrence at 2, 6, 9, 10, and 14 months' posttransplant. Seven patients developed tumor recurrences at 3, 3, 5, 7, 9, 10, and 35 months after LDLT, and 4 died at 6, 10, 17, and 75 months' posttransplantation. Currently, 13 patients are alive (3 with tumor recurrence) at a median of 24 months' posttransplant. Rates for 1- and 3-year overall versus recurrence-free survivals were 73% and 62% versus 54% and 34%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: LDLT for HCC patients exceeding the UCSF criteria is characterized by an acceptable overall but poor recurrence-free survival. Its application requires an honest approach to donor and recipient information.

"Preemptive" live donor liver transplantation for fibrolamellar hepatocellular carcinoma: a case report.

Fibrolamellar (FL) hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a distinctive form of primary HCC that occurs principally in children and young adults. Although liver transplantation is not contraindicated for FL-HCC, noncirrhotic patients with large HCC tumors (including FL-HCCs) are not prioritized. Although hepatic resection is considered to be the primary treatment for FL-HCC, living donor liver transplantation is evolving into a potentially better alternative. Herein we have reported successful "preemptive" living donor liver transplantation for presumed recurrence of FL-HCC after an extended right hepatectomy with resection and synthetic graft replacement of the inferior vena cava.

Long-term results after liver transplantation with "livers that nobody wants" within Eurotransplant: a center's experience.

BACKGROUND: Orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT) represents the only curative treatment for end-stage liver disease, but its application is limited because of organ shortages. The purpose of this study was to review the long-term outcomes after OLT during a 2-year period of 45 rescue offers organs within Eurotransplant. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Forty-five deceased donor liver allografts had been officially offered to and rejected by other transplantation centers 162 times prior to our acceptance. Data analysis addressed recurrence of primary disease, ischemic-type biliary lesions (ITBL), re-evaluation or relisting for OLT, re-OLT, as well as overall patient and graft survivals. RESULTS: Six patients underwent retransplantation because of primary nonfunction (n = 4), hepatitis C recurrence (n = 1), and secondary biliary cirrhosis following ITBL (n = 1). Five additional patients developed ITBL and received endoscopic treatment. Currently, 34 patients are alive after a median follow-up of 44.5 months. Median graft survival is 43.2 months. Patient versus patient/first graft survival at 1, 3, and 5 years is 82%, 78%, and 74%, versus 76%, 69%, and 65%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: OLT with rescue organs is a reasonable policy, with acceptable long-term patient/graft survivals, providing a real expansion of the donor pool.

Incidence of liver retransplantation and its effect on patient survival.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to review our institutional experience with re-liver transplantation (OLT) after split and full-size OLT. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We evaluated data corresponding to retransplanted patients over an 8-year period who underwent deceased donor OLT at our institution. Variables analyzed included indications for primary OLT, and re-OLT, the type of graft used during the initial versus re-OLT, the time from initial to re-OLT, and patient survival after re-OLT. RESULTS: Sixty-four of 697 first OLT (9.2%) required re-OLT. Forty-nine cases were among 637 (7.6%) full-size OLT, while 15 were among 60 (25%) split OLT (P < .001). Median time to re-OLT was 8 days (range = 1-1885 days). Main indications for re-OLT were primary nonfunction/initial poor function (44%), hepatic artery thrombosis (26%), biliary complications (11%), and hepatitis C recurrence (6%). Forty-eight percent of the re-OLTs were performed within the first posttransplant week. The overall survival for these 64 patients was 55% and 48% at 1 and 3 years after the primary OLT, and 44% at both 1 and 3 years after the re-OLT, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The overall incidence of re-OLT remains 9%. Approximately half of all re-OLT occured within the first posttransplant week. Early retransplantation was associated with the best patient survival. Overall survival after re-OLT was about 10% to 20% lower than that after primary OLT.

Liver transplantation for hilar cholangiocarcinoma: a German survey.

BACKGROUND: The present study reports a German survey addressing outcomes in nonselected historical series of liver transplantation (OLT) for hilar cholangiocarcinoma (HL). PATIENTS AND METHODS: We sent to all 25 German transplant centers performing OLT a survey that addressed (1) the number of OLTs for HL and the period during which they were performed; (2) the incidence of HL diagnosed prior to OLT/rate of incidental HL (for example, in primary sclerosing cholangitis); (3) tumor stages according to Union Internationale Centre le Cancer; (4) patient survival; and (5) tumor recurrence rate. RESULTS: Eighty percent of centers responded, reporting 47 patients who were transplanted for HL. Tumors were classified as pT2 (25%), pT3 (73%), or pT4 (2%). HL was diagnosed incidentally in 10% of cases. A primary diagnosis of PSC was observed in 16% of patients. Overall median survival was 35.5 months. When in-hospital mortality (n = 12) was excluded, the median survival was 45.4 months, corresponding to 3- and 5-year survival rates of 42% and 31%, versus 31% and 22% when in-hospital mortality was included. HL recurred in 34% of cases. Three- and 5-year survivals for the 15 patients transplanted since 1998 was 57% and 48%, respectively. Median survival ranged from 20 to 42 months based on the time period (P = .014). CONCLUSIONS: The acceptable overall survival, the improved results after careful patient selection since 1998, and the encouraging outcomes from recent studies all suggest that OLT may be a potential treatment for selected cases of HL. Prospective multicenter randomized studies with strict selection criteria and multimodal treatments seem necessary.

Single-center experience on liver transplantation for hepatocellular carcinoma arising in alcoholic cirrhosis: results and ethical issues.

BACKGROUND: Liver transplantation is currently recognized as the optimal treatment for both early hepatocellular carcinoma in the setting of cirrhosis (HCC) as well as for alcoholic liver disease (ALD). The purpose of this study was to evaluate the outcome of patients with HCC and ALD in the absence of viral hepatitic infections. METHODS: Twelve recipients were transplanted with a diagnosis of HCC and ALD in the absence of viral hepatitis during a 6-year period. Nine received deceased donor livers, and 3 live donor grafts. Our results were compared to those obtained by a search of the world literature. RESULTS: The postoperative course was uneventful in all but one patient. All recipients experienced a good quality of life postoperatively. Three-year overall and recurrence-free survival rates were 82 and 73%, respectively. Nine patients are currently alive, after a median follow-up of 29 months. CONCLUSION: This is the first study to evaluate liver transplantation for HCC in ALD. Although outcomes are excellent, the evaluation of patients with ALD and HCC constitutes a challenging topic in transplantation surgery, especially when live liver donation is considered. An interdisciplinary structured approach is recommended, with special emphasis on ethical considerations.

[Living donor liver transplantation]. / Leberlebendspende.

Sixteen years after its first successful application, living donor liver transplantation now has a small but well-established role in treatment for liver failure in Germany. It remains problematic in both child and adult patients concerning effort, expected results, and assessment of risks to the donor. Therefore the method shall remain limited to more research-oriented institutions for the time being before it can be established more broadly as an alternative to postmortal donation. In Germany it presents generally the same limitations as living donor kidney transplantation.