Porcine acellular dermal matrix for delayed abdominal wall closure after pediatric liver transplantation.

Children are one of the groups with the highest mortality rate on the waiting list for LT. Primary closure of the abdominal wall is often impossible in the pediatric population, due to a size mismatch between a large graft and a small recipient. We present a retrospective cohort study of six pediatric patients, who underwent delayed abdominal wall closure with a biological mesh after LT, and in whom early closure was impossible. A non-cross-linked porcine-derived acellular dermal matrix (Strattice(™) Reconstructive Tissue Matrix; LifeCell Corp, Bridgewater, NJ, USA) was used in all of the cases of the series. After a mean follow-up of 26 months (21-32 months), all patients were asymptomatic, with a functional abdominal wall after physical examination. Non-cross-linked porcine-derived acellular dermal matrix (Strattice(™) ) is a good alternative for delayed abdominal wall closure after pediatric LT. Randomized controlled trials are necessary to determine the best moment and the best technique for abdominal wall closure.

Starting a new program of split liver transplantation after a low learning curve: a reality in centers with large experience in liver surgery and whole liver transplantation.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Split liver transplantation (SLT) is nowadays, considered an adequate surgical solution to expand the grafts from the existing pool of cadaveric donors. METHODOLOGY: A total of 897 liver transplantations were performed between 1986 and 2002; 20 were SLTs (2.3%). A 30% were children. RESULTS: Mean follow up of 15.15 months +/- 13.85. Median age was 42.27 +/- 25.65 yrs. Median recipient weight was 52.29 +/- 20.87 Kg. Mean donor weight was 76.1 +/- 13.11. The majority was "in situ" SLT (65%). There was no primary graft dysfunction. Two patients developed biliary complications (none in situ SLT). Early HAT occurred in 2 patients and delayed HAT in one. Four patients were retransplanted but none were performed because of primary graft dysfunction. Five patients died in the hospital. Fifteen patients (75%) survived the postoperative period and 3 patients died during follow-up. Mean patient survival time was 42 months (95% CI: 31-52). Actuarial patient survival was 93.3%, 84.4%, 84.4% at 6 months, 1 year and 3 years. Mean graft survival was 36 months (95% CI: 25-48). Actuarial graft survival was 87%, 72%, 72% at 6, 12, 36 months. Univariate analysis of risk factors for graft loss showed that the type of splitting technique (p=0.019), and the UNOS (1 and 2a) status of the recipient (p=0.001) were significantly associated with graft loss. CONCLUSIONS: In the context of large volume full cadaveric liver transplantation, split liver can provide adequate results (even after a short learning curve) mainly in elective cases and with the in situ technique.

Tumor recurrence after liver transplantation for hepatocellular carcinoma: recurrence pathway and prognostic factors.

INTRODUCTION: Liver transplantation (OLT) has been advocated as a good management option for patients with carcinoma hepatocellular (HCC). More recurrences are extrahepatic due to many pathological factors. PATIENTS AND METHODS: From April 1986 to December 2003, we performed 95. OLTs for HCC including 73% men of mean age of 54.7 years and 25.3% not filling Mazzaferro's criteria. RESULTS: The recurrence incidence was 15.8% (n = 15), including only extrahepatic lesions in 11 (mainly lung recurrence, seven) and hepatic plus extrahepatic in four. Main late mortality was due to tumor recurrence (n = 12, 33.3%). No differences were observed among sex, preoperative chemoembolization, age, Child, Okuda, etiology, or satellite nodules. A greater incidence of tumor recurrence was observed with a preoperative biopsy (45.5% vs 5.9%, P = .0001); and alpha fetoprotein (AFP) > 200 ng/mL (37.5% vs 13.3%, P = .08); known HCC (25.5% vs 3.1%, P = .008); vascular invasion (42.1% vs 10.3%, P = .001); > 5 cm single nodule (50% vs 13%, P = .004); more than three nodules (50% vs 13.9%, P = .01); moderately to poorly differentiated tumors (37.5% vs 12.7%, P = .01); pTNM IV (50% vs 8.7%, P = .0001); and not meeting Milan criteria (40.9% vs 9.2%, P = .001). These are the same factors for extrahepatic recurrence. For hepatic recurrence the prognostic factors were: vascular invasion (15.8% vs 1.5%, P = .008), more than three nodules (25% vs 2.5%, P = .004), moderately to poorly differentiated tumors (18.8% vs 1.4%, P = .003), pTNM IV (16.7% vs 1.4%, P = .006), and not meeting Milan criteria (13.6% vs 1.5%, P = .01). CONCLUSIONS: Recurrence incidence with Milan criteria was less than 10%, mainly extrahepatic (lung). Prognostic factors for tumor recurrence were pathological features, namely vascular invasion, more than three nodules, size larger than 5 cm, moderately to poorly differentiated tumors, pTNM IV stage. The use of preoperative chemoembolization did not decrease the recurrence rate. A preoperative biopsy increased the incidence of extrahepatic recurrence.

Second case of neurocysticercosis in a patient with liver transplantation (first case in Spain): a case report.

BACKGROUND: Neurocysticercosis (NCC) is a disorder caused by the Taenia solium larva. It is the most common parasitosis of the central nervous system (CNS). Its distribution is universal, but it is endemic in many developing countries and in the third world. In Spain most patients come from countries where the condition is endemic. However, sporadic cases occur among the population of rural regions. NCC in transplant recipients is uncommon. One renal transplant recipient developed NCC but responded to treatment with praziquantel. Recently, it has been reported to complicate a liver transplantation. CASE REPORT: The patient was a 49-year-old Ecuatorian man who received a cadaveric donor liver graft in June 2001 due to acute liver failure induced by toadstool and was under treatment with FK506. In January 2006, the patient presented with a generalized onset of a tonic-clonic seizure for 1 minute without sphincter incontinence, headache, fever, or previous brain trauma. Neurological evaluation did not show evidence of organic brain dysfunction. The neuroimaging findings (brain) computed tomography scan, magnetic resonance imaging were compatible with NCC: many cystic lesions intra- and extraparenchymatous with a scolex visible in three of them. Serology for cysticercosis in plasma was initially indeterminate but positive afterward. The patient was treated with anticonvulsivants (valproic acid) and albendazole. Systemic steroids were added in order to reduce the edema produced upon death of the cyst. Treatment lasted 3 weeks and it was completed without complications or neurological symptoms. Liver function was not affected. One year later the patient remained asymptomatic. CONCLUSION: NCC is a condition that must be included in the differential diagnosis of patients with CNS involvement and cystic lesions on neuroimaging investigations in transplant recipients, especially patients originating from or traveling to endemic areas. First-line therapy for active cysts includes antiparasitic drugs (albendazole or praziquantel) as well as steroids and anticonvulsivants. In our patient, this therapy was effective.

Impact of donor age and year of transplantation on graft and patient survival following liver transplantation for hepatitis C virus.

BACKGROUND: Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection has become the most common indication for liver transplantation (LT). Graft and patient survival are adversely affected by recurrent infection of the graft. Recent publications have described an inferior outcome for recently transplanted HCV patients and have highlighted the impact of advancing donor age on severity of recurrent HCV. The donor age at which a measurable impact on graft and patient outcome can be observed has not clearly been defined. In addition, the impact of donor age on graft and patient survival for non-HCV patients needs to be examined. METHODS: We have examined a large European liver transplant database to define the impact of transplantation date and donor age on graft and patient survival for HCV patients (n = 4,736) and the impact for a comparison group of transplanted alcoholic liver disease patients (ALD, n = 5,406). RESULTS: For the entire cohorts, graft and patient survival of HCV patients was inferior to ALD patients. Since 1987, there has been a steady and ongoing improvement in the outcome of transplanted ALD patients, an improvement not observed for HCV patients. Every year since 1989, there has been an increase in liver donor age. Graft and patient survival for both ALD and HCV cohorts was adversely affected by advancing donor age. Comparison of graft and patient survival for HCV and ALD cohorts was made according to donor age (donor age subgrouped <20, 20-30, 30-40, 40-50, 50-60 and >60 years of age). For donors younger than 40 years of age, HCV and ALD recipient graft and patient survival are not significantly different. For donors older than 40, HCV recipient graft survival is inferior to ALD graft survival, an inferiority that increases for each advancing decade of donor age. For donors older than 50 years, HCV recipient patient survival is inferior to ALD patient survival, an inferiority that increases when the donor age is greater than 60 years. CONCLUSION: The results of liver transplantation for European HCV patients is inferior to a comparison group of ALD patients, and have not improved during the past 15 years. Liver donor age has increased significantly during that period. Advancing donor age has an adverse influence on graft and patient survival for ALD and HCV patients, but a significantly greater impact is observed for HCV patients when the donor is older than 40 years.

Incidence of de novo nonmelanoma skin tumors after liver transplantation for alcoholic and nonalcoholic liver diseases.

INTRODUCTION: Skin tumors are the most common malignancies after orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT). They have been related to sunlight exposure, tobacco consumption, and immunosuppression. The aim of this study was to compare the incidence of de novo skin tumors (nonmelanoma) in patients who underwent liver transplantation for alcoholic cirrhosis versus nonalcoholic diseases. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Between April 1986 and July 2004, we performed 1000 OLT in a population of 888 recipients. This study was performed in a sample of 701 adult recipients who survived >2 months after transplantation: 276 patients (39.4%) underwent OLT for alcoholic cirrhosis (AC-group), and 425 (60.6%) for nonalcoholic disease (N-AC). The overall incidence of de novo skin tumors was 3.5% (25 tumors): 5.4% (15 tumors) in the AC-group and 2.4% (10 tumors) in the N-AC group (P = .027). Two patients developed two tumors. There were 19 men and 4 women, mean age at OLT of 54.4 +/- 6.8 years (range, 40 to 66 years). The mean time from OLT to tumor diagnosis was 66.1 +/- 51.4 months (range, 3 to 165 months): 56.4 +/- 44.4 months in the AC-group versus 80.6 +/- 59.8 months in the N-AC group (P = NS). Histologically, 17 tumors (68%) were basal cell carcinomas and eight tumors (32%) were squamous cell carcinomas (P = .128). Fourteen patients (60.8%) were smokers: 11 patients (84.6%) in the AC-group versus 3 patients (30%) in the N-AC group (P = .012). All the patients underwent tumor resection, with only one patient dying, because of lymph node invasion of the neck. CONCLUSION: There was a higher incidence of de novo skin tumors among patients who smoked who underwent OLT for alcoholic cirrhosis.

First Spanish series of intestinal transplantation in adult recipients.

BACKGROUND: short-bowel transplantation has experienced a substantial growth worldwide following improved results from the late 1990's on, and its coverage by Medicare. According to the International Registry (1985-2005), a total of 1,292 intestinal transplants for 1,210 patients in 65 hospitals across 20 countries have been carried out thus far. OBJECTIVE: to know short-term (6 months) results regarding patient and graft survival from the first Spanish series of intestinal transplants in adult recipients. MATERIAL AND METHODS: we present our experience in the assessment of 20 potential candidates to short-bowel transplantation between June 2004 and October 2005. Of these, 10 patients were rejected and 4 were transplanted, which makes up the sample of our study. RESULTS: to this date 5 transplants have been carried out in 4 patients (2 retransplants, 2 desmoid tumors, 1 short bowel syndrome after excision as a result of mesenteric ischemia). Upon study completion and after a mean follow-up of 180 days (range 90-190 days) all recipients are alive, and all grafts but one (75%) are fully operational, with complete digestive autonomy. All patients received induction with alemtuzumab except one, who received thymoglobulin; in all induction was initiated with no steroids. CONCLUSIONS: intestinal transplantation represents a therapeutic option that is applicable in our setting and valid for recipients with an indication who have no other feasible alternative to keep their intestinal failure under control.

Aortic Graft Mycotic Pseudoaneurysm as a Severe Complication After Multivisceral Transplantation: A Case Report.

BACKGROUND: Surgical complications in multivisceral transplantation (MVT) are frequent and always severe. Those related to technical issues are relevant as they have implications not only on the graft but also on patient survival. The aim of this study was to review our case-based data and experience with 5 MVT performed since December 2004. CASE REPORT: A 38 year-old woman presented with ultra-short bowel syndrome due to massive ischemia also affecting the celiac trunk. She also had moderate to severe hepatitis/steatosis with some degree of fibrosis on liver biopsy, due to long-term home parenteral nutrition (HPN). An MVT was carried out in September 2010 including the liver, stomach, pancreatoduodenal complex with the spleen, and small bowel. The postoperative course was complicated by a leak from the pyloromiotomy, requiring reoperation on postoperative day 13. She also had central line catheter infection and renal impairment, requiring renal replacement therapy, and was discharged on postoperative day 150. Fifteen days later she was hospitalized because of severe abdominal pain associated with an abdominal mass. Computed tomography showed an aortic donor graft pseudoaneurysm, so we decided to operate on the patient. A complete resection of the pseudoaneurysm using an interposed polytetrafluoroethylene graft was performed. Six months after the MVT, the patient died due to sepsis, despite a functional graft and complete digestive autonomy. CONCLUSIONS: Although this complication is rare, surgical complications in MVT are severe and may seriously impair graft and patient survival.

Kaposi's sarcoma developing in a liver graft.

The case reported herein involved a patient who developed Kaposi's sarcoma (KS) in the liver graft, with severe liver disfunction and eventually the patient's death. This patient is our only KS case among the 7 neoplasias arising de novo (6 lymphoproliferative syndromes) in a series of 402 liver transplants (382 immunosuppressed with cyclosporine and prednisolone and 20 with FK-506 and prednisolone). The anatomic distribution of the KS in the autopsy study, and the HLA haplotypes typed in the donor and in the recipient, suggest that the KS arose in the stromal endothelial cells of the donor liver.

Hepatic allograft arterialization by means of the gastroduodenal bifurcation (branch patch) as a prognostic factor.

INTRODUCTION: Because of the current shortage of cadaveric organs, it is important to determine preoperatively those variables that are readily available, inexpensive, and noninvasive that can predict a higher incidence of hepatic artery thrombosis (HAT). MATERIAL AND METHODS: From April 1986 to October 2001, 717 patients underwent 804 liver transplants. All the arterial reconstructions were performed with fine (7-0) monofilament sutures in an interrupted fashion. Two methods were used: group I, end-to-end arterial anastomosis, and group II, the gastroduodenal branch patch. RESULTS: After a mean follow-up of 72 (range 3-174) months, HAT was observed in 19 patients (overall incidence 2.4%). End-to-end anastomosis (group I) was performed in 39.50% (316) of cases, and HAT developed in 14 (4.4%) cases. Branch-patch anastomoses (group II) were carried out in 60.5% (488) of the patients; the presence of HAT was detected in five cases (1.03%) (P = 0.03, P < 0.05). A total of 21 variables were selected in the univariate analysis; however, after the multivariate analysis, all but two of the factors lost statistical significance, and these corresponded to the type of arterial reconstruction (gastroduodenal branch patch vs. end-to-end) and the ABO compatibility. CONCLUSIONS: Liver transplantation with compatible grafts using branch-patch anastomosis for the arterialization (both manipulative by the transplant team) reduces HAT-derived loss of grafts, with the consequent increase in graft availability and reduced mortality rate on the waiting list.

Liver transplantation for Echinococcus granulosus hydatid disease.

The authors report their experience with 6 patients requiring liver transplantation who suffered with liver infestation by Echinococcus granulosus. One patient presented with acute Budd-Chiari syndrome because obstruction of hepatic veins was produced during the first operation; the other 5 patients received liver transplants for terminal chronic liver disease (2 secondary sclerosing cholangitis, 2 secondary biliary cirrhosis, and 1 postnecrotic cirrhosis of the liver). All the patients had been operated previously on for hydatidosis and were at the end of liver functional disorder. Some of the patients had undergone many operations, making the transplantation procedure even more difficult. One patient required a second transplant for primary graft failure; he died 40 days later from cerebrovascular accident. Another patient died 7 months after transplant from pulmonary embolism. The other 4 patients are alive and in optimal condition 37-65 months after transplantation. Hepatic hydatidosis--in principle, a benign disease--can cause hepatic complications that eventually require liver transplantation. The transplantation procedure is more difficult than usual in these cases. Although postoperative complications are frequent, most patients achieve prolonged survival and a good quality of life.

Use of octogenarian livers safely expands the donor pool.

BACKGROUND: The increasing number of recipients on the waiting list for orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT) and the scarcity of donors contribute to recipient pretransplantation mortality. One important measure to increase the donor liver pool would be to accept the previously discarded donors who are more than 80 years old. METHODS: From November 1996 to May 1998, four liver grafts from octogenarian donors (89, 87, 82, and 85 years old, respectively) were used for OLT. Pretransplantation donor and recipient characteristics and the evolution of recipients after OLT were analyzed. RESULTS: The donors did not present cardiac arrest or hypotension, and only low doses of vasopressors were required in three of them. Intensive care unit stay of the donors was from 12 to 24 hr. Cold ischemia time was from 4 hr to 8 hr 40 min. Mild microsteatosis was present in three donors and associated macrosteatosis of < 10% in one of these. Macroscopic appearance and consistency were normal in all four grafts. Posttransplantation evolution and follow-up were uneventful. Three recipients were alive and well at 24, 16, and 7 months; the second of these died at 16 months of recurrent viral C cirrhosis after a first OLT. CONCLUSIONS: The liver donor pool can be increased if liver grafts are accepted without an age limit but in good condition (hemodynamic stability, short intensive care unit stay, good liver function, soft consistency, cold ischemia time <9 hr, and no severe steatosis). Octogenarian donors should be individually assessed in the absence of these ideal conditions.

Cholecyst-thoracic fistula. A rare complication of lithiasic cholecystitis.

A 64-year-old male patient was studied for repeated right basal pneumonia of long duration. A computed tomography scan showed a cholecystitis of concealed evolution. Surgery revealed fistulization toward the thorax, with the passage of multiple calculi of a biliary origin to the chest cavity. We report the first described case to our knowledge of cholecyst-thoracic fistula secondary to cholecystitis of long evolution.

Left gastric arteriovenous fistula after selective distal splenorenal shunt.

We present the case of a 64-year-old alcoholic who had suffered two episodes of hemorrhage from esophageal varices. For control of variceal hemorrhage, he underwent a distal splenorenal shunt. His immediate postoperative course was complicated by the development of marked ascites and intermittent episodes of encephalopathy. Routine postoperative angiography was performed after 4 months and demonstrated a fistula between the left gastric artery and vein. Patency of the shunt was demonstrated by direct percutaneous splenoportography. Two months after this admission, the patient was readmitted with the complaints of anorexia and nausea. Marked encephalopathy was noted. Eight hours following admission, he developed acute abdominal distention and hypotension. An abdominal tap revealed bloody fluid, and the patient was immediately prepared for transport to the operating room. He suffered cardiac arrest during transport, and all efforts at resuscitation were unsuccessful. Although a postmortem examination was not performed, it is suspected the arteriovenous fistula resulted in severe portal venous hypertension leading to intraperitoneal rupture of one of the affected veins, producing a massive hemoperitoneum.

Simultaneous liver-kidney transplantation for adult recipients with irreversible end-stage renal disease.

HYPOTHESIS: Combined liver-kidney transplantation is safe (low morbidity and acceptable mortality) and effective in patients with end-stage liver disease. Although refinements in surgical technique have resulted in better patient and allograft outcomes, the negative impact of renal insufficiency on survival in patients undergoing liver transplantation has been widely reported, although some aspects are controversial. DESIGN: Analysis of the clinical characteristics and outcome in the management of patients undergoing combined liver-kidney transplantation. The end points were operative mortality, morbidity, and long-term survival. SETTING: University Hospital 12 de Octubre. PATIENTS: Between May 1986 and December 2001, 820 liver transplantations were performed. There were 16 cases (1.96%) of combined liver-kidney transplantations, which represent the sample of this study. RESULTS: Mean +/- SD follow-up of 42.2 +/- 29 months: 6 patients died (37.5% mortality rate). There were 4 (25%) hospital deaths within 6 months following surgery and 2 after 6 months (4 sepsis, 1 refractory heart failure, and 1 recurrent hepatitis C virus disease). Univariate analysis related to mortality included age, sex, etiology, preoperative creatinine level, United Network for Organ Sharing status, Child-Pugh score, type of hepatectomy (piggyback), intraoperative blood product administration, and the presence of postoperative complications. The only 2 significant factors were the presence of postoperative complications (P = .01) and the United Network for Organ Sharing status (P = .02). Crude survival rate was 62.5%. Actuarial survival rates were 80%, 71%, and 60% at 1, 3, and 5 years, respectively. CONCLUSION: Because end-stage renal disease is not a formal contraindication for liver transplantation, a combined liver-kidney transplantation for adults with end-stage renal disease can be done safely and effectively.

Liver transplantation in malignant primary hepatic neoplasms.

Between April 1986 and August 1990, 151 liver transplantations were performed at our institution, 16 (11%) of them in 14 patients with primary hepatic tumors. There were 12 hepatocellular carcinomas, 1 angiosarcoma, and 1 Klatskin tumor. None of the tumors was resectable, and there was no preoperative evidence of extrahepatic tumoral extension. Exploratory laparotomy was performed prior to transplantation in three patients and selective embolization of the tumor in six patients. There was no difference in the intraoperative requirements for blood or plasma in the patients with hepatic tumors when compared with other transplant recipients (28.6 +/- 23.6 units packed red blood cells [PRBC] versus 20.1 +/- 17.8 units PRBC, and 17.9 +/- 12.2 units plasma versus 17.1 +/- 10.5 units plasma, respectively). Extracorporeal venovenous bypass was used in all but one patient. There was no significant differences in the incidence of acute rejection or in the length of hospitalization in these patients when compared with other transplant recipients. All patients received triple immunosuppressive therapy (corticosteroids, azathioprine, and cyclosporin A). Intraoperative mortality was zero. At a mean of 13.3 months' follow-up (range: 1 to 47 months), 2 of 14 patients had died of sepsis and 1 of terminal cirrhosis (autopsies revealed no evidence of tumor recurrence); 3 patients (21%) had recurrences of the tumor (1 in the central nervous system and liver, and the other 2 in the lung). One of the three patients with a recurrent tumor is still alive after 16 months. The remaining nine patients (64%) are still alive.

Changes in the incidence and severity of recurrent hepatitis C after liver transplantation over 1990-1999.

BACKGROUND/AIM: Changes in immunosuppression and other factors may have changed the severity of recurrent hepatitis C during recent years. This study sought to establish the changes in incidence and severity of recurrent hepatitis C, and its association with the changes in acute rejection and induction immunosuppressive therapy between 1990 and 1999. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Among 213 liver transplants in HCV-infected recipients, 129 grafts were selected for this study: all grafts with severe recurrent hepatitis C (fibrosis 3-4 in Scheuer's score or fibrosing cholestatic hepatitis), and those grafts without severe recurrence with at least 2 years of follow up. Grafts were divided in 5 groups depending on the year of transplantation to compare recurrent hepatitis C-related variables, AR incidence and induction immunosuppression. RESULTS: Hepatitis-free survival decreased in recent years (p=0.015). The incidence of fibrosing cholestatic hepatitis was higher among 1996-1997 and the 1998-1999 periods (p=0.019). Survival free of severe hepatitis at 1 year follow up was 95% in 1990-1991 and 80% in 1998-1999; however, in the long-term the survival was similar between groups (p=0.933). HCV-related graft survival at 5 years was 93.5% in the 1990-95 period and 82.5% in 1996-99 (p=0.068). Neither AR nor any regimen of induction immunosuppression was associated with changes in the occurrence of recurrent hepatitis C related survival. CONCLUSIONS: Severity of recurrent hepatitis C and HCV-related graft loss after liver transplantation were higher in the second half of the 1990s; however, there was no association with AR or induction immunosuppression.

Advantages of the piggy back technique on intraoperative transfusion, fluid compsumption, and vasoactive drugs requirements in liver transplantation: a comparative study.

INTRODUCTION: The piggyback technique was first described in adult liver transplantation in 1989, although it has been used in conjunction with venous bypass, with cross-clamping the vena cava, or both. In this study, the inferior vena cava was not occluded at any time during the liver transplant. OBJECTIVE: We compared the use of intraoperative blood products, fluid requirements, and vasoactive drugs among patients managed with bypass, without bypass, and with the piggyback technique. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Between May 1986 and October 2002, 875 liver transplants included 50 patients divided into three groups (cases considered to be the preliminary series on each group): group A/piggyback (17 patients:34%), group B/ bypass (16 patients: 32%), and group C/no bypass (17 patients:34%). There were no differences in mean age, gender, UNOS or Child-Pugh score, and indications for liver transplantation. RESULTS: Mean follow up was 134.63+/-32.19 months. At the end of the study, 91.3% of the patients are alive with no operative mortality. There were no differences in postoperative complications, postreperfusion syndrome rate, and postoperative renal failure. However, the number of packed red blood cell units consumed intraoperatively (12+/-7.43 vs 18.03+/-11.46 vs 17.59 +/- 23.8; P =.043), the need for intraoperative crystaloids (3.1 L+/-1.6 vs 6.8+/-4.8 vs 9.1 L+/-3.6; P=.001) and the requirement for vasoactive drugs (18% vs 38% vs 24%; P=.043) was notably lower in group A vs group B vs group C. Operative time was longer in group A (121.54+/-37.77 vs 78.73+/-11.89 vs 87.07+/-14.33 minutes). CONCLUSIONS: The piggyback technique requires a longer operative time but offers the advantages of reducing the red blood cell requirements and preventing severe hemodynamic instability by virtue of reducing the need for vasoactive drugs and for a larger volume of intraoperative fluids.

Simultaneous liver-kidney transplant for combined renal and hepatic end-stage disease.

INTRODUCTION: After the first combined liver-kidney transplantation (CLKT) reported by Margreiter in 1984, it became clear that renal failure was no longer an absolute contraindication. OBJECTIVE: Our goal was to assess our results with combined liver-kidney transplant. Among 875 liver transplants performed between May 1986 and October 2002, there were 17 cases (1.96%) of combined liver-kidney transplant. RESULTS: With a mean follow-up of 42.2+/-29 months (range, 1-90), six patients had died (mortality: 37.5%). There were four (25%) operative in-hospital deaths, and two late mortality cases (beyond the month 6 after hospital discharge). The causes were sepsis (four cases, three postoperative and one in later follow-up), refractory heart failure (one postoperative), and recurrent liver disease (HCV-induced severe recurrence) during follow-up one). Actuarial survival (calculated for those who survived the postoperative period) was 80%, 71%, and 60% at 12, 36, and 60 months. Actuarial mean survival time was 60 months (95%IC:47-78). Neither the sex, the UNOS status, the etiology of liver disease, the etiology of renal failure, the type of hepatectomy (piggy back vs others) or the type of immunosuppression (P=.83) were related to long-term survival according to the log-rank test. A control group of 48 patients was constructed with subjects who underwent liver transplantation immediately before or after the combined transplant. A total (two cases after the CLKT and one case prior to). There were no differences in survival. CONCLUSION: Combined liver-kidney transplant represents a proper therapeutic option for patients with simultaneously failing organs based on long- and short-term outcomes.

Kaposi's visceral sarcoma in liver transplant recipients.

We report three cases of Kaposi's sarcoma after orthotopic liver transplantation performed for cirrhosis related to hepatitis C virus (one case), ethanol (one case), or both (one case). All patients displayed disease within the first year after liver transplantation, and only in one case was the diagnosis obtained before the patient died. All three patients were on tacrolimus-steroid therapy, and in one case mycophenolate mofetil was added to treat acute persistent rejection.