The impact of extended preservation on clinical liver transplantation.

The introduction of UW solution into clinical transplantation has permitted extended cold storage preservation of the liver. Over a 46-month period, we have performed 308 orthotopic liver transplants (266 primary, 42 retransplants) in 266 recipients. Our experience is divided into cold-storage preservation in Eurocollins (163 transplants in 140 recipients) and UW (145 transplants in 131 recipients) solutions. Donor and recipient factors were comparable between the two groups. The use of UW solution has permitted an increase in the mean preservation time from 5.2 +/- 1.0 [EC] to 12.8 +/- 4.3 [UW] hr (P less than 0.001). The mean total operating time was reduced but intraoperative blood loss was unchanged with UW preservation. The number of transplants performed during the daytime hours has increased dramatically (21.5% [EC] vs. 71% [UW], P less than 0.001). The incidence of primary nonfunction, hepatic artery thrombosis, 1-month graft survival, and early retransplantation were similar in the 2 groups. Initial allograft function as determined by bile production, histology, and clinical assessment were likewise similar. Mean serum bilirubin, transaminase, and prothrombin levels were virtually identical by 5 days posttransplant. The enhanced margin of safety afforded by extended preservation has increased the capability for distant organ procurement and sharing, minimized organ wastage, and improved the efficiency of organ retrieval. With the relaxation of logistical constraints, our rate of liver import has nearly doubled (20.9% [EC] vs. 39.3% [UW], P less than 0.001). Extended preservation has permitted the development of reduced-size liver grafting (n = 12), resulting in a significant reduction in the number of deaths occurring while awaiting transplantation. Therefore, we advocate the use of UW solution with selective extension of preservation based not only on donor and recipient factors but also on manpower, resource, and logistical considerations.

Portal hemodynamics, intestinal absorption, and postshunt encephalopathy.

Although total diversion of portal blood flow has been considered to be the main factor leading to encephalopathy following nonselective shunt (NSS), increased intestinal absorption of cerebral toxins secondary to mesenteric venous decompression could also play a role. Conversely, the low frequency of encephalopathy after the distal splenorenal shunt (DSRS) may be due to preservation of both hepatic portal perfusion and mesenteric venous hypertension. Portal hemodynamics, intestinal absorption of D-xylose, ammonia metabolism, and clinical encephalopathy were assessed preoperatively and in the early and late postoperative periods in cirrhotic patients selected for the DSRS (n = 12) and NSS (n = 10). Preoperatively, NSS patients had significantly less hepatopetal portal blood flow (P = 0.03) and lower D-xylose absorption (P = 0.004) than DSRS patients. DSRS resulted in no significant alterations in hepatic portal perfusion, portal pressure, D-xylose absorption, fasting blood ammonia (NH3), or tolerance to an oral dose of ammonium chloride. In contrast, NSS resulted in complete portal diversion and decompression and significant enhancement of D-xylose absorption on both the early (P = 0.02) and late (P = 0.03) postoperative evaluations. Early and late postoperative levels of MH3 were significantly higher in NSS patients. Encephalopathy was more frequent after NSS (80%) than after DSRS (17%, P = 0.003). When all patients were considered, preoperative to early DSRS (17%, P = 0.003). When all patients were considered, preoperative to early postoperative change in NH3 correlated with change in D-xylose absorption (r = 0.52, p = 0.02), and there were significantly more individuals with a greater than 2 gm increase in D-xylose absorption who developed encephalopathy (83%) than patients with no or minimal increase in D-xylose absorption (33%, P = 0.04). The results of this study suggest that altered intestinal absorption may be one of many factors determining postshunt cerebral function.

Cause and management of upper gastrointestinal bleeding after distal splenorenal shunt.

BACKGROUND: The aims of this study were to determine the causes of recurrent upper gastrointestinal hemorrhage (UGH) after distal splenorenal shunting (DSRS) and to summarize our experience in the prevention and management of this complication. METHODS: This study is based on a retrospective review of 145 consecutive patients undergoing DSRS from 1978 through 1991. RESULTS: Recurrent UGH developed in 19 patients (13%), most frequently secondary to residual portal hypertension (84%). Eight patients had shunt thrombosis and 11 had patent shunts. The incidence of shunt thrombosis was significantly greater in patients whose splenic vein was less than or equal to 8 mm in diameter (44%) than those whose splenic vein was greater than 8 mm (7%, p less than 0.001). The frequency of shunt failure from 1985 through 1991 was significantly lower (2%) than from 1978 through 1984 (10%, p less than 0.05). Five patients, all with occluded shunts, underwent surgical treatment for recurrent UGH and three died (60%). Fourteen patients were managed nonoperatively, with a mortality rate of 38%. CONCLUSIONS: Recurrent UGH after DSRS occurs in patients with patent shunts and in those with occluded shunts; DSRS thrombosis is more frequent when the splenic vein diameter is less than or equal to 8 mm; DSRS thrombosis decreases with operative experience; and the mortality rate for this complication is high with both operative and nonoperative management.

Transabdominal esophagogastric devascularization as treatment for variceal hemorrhage.

BACKGROUND: During the past 18 years we have used a selective operative approach for variceal bleeders in whom endoscopic sclerotherapy failed or sclerotherapy was not indicated. Esophagogastric devascularization with splenectomy has been reserved for unshuntable patients and for those in whom a shunt was deemed inadvisable. The purposes of this study are to describe the surgical procedure technique and indications for esophagogastric devascularization and to report its long-term results. METHODS: Thirty-two patients who underwent either a limited (n = 9) or extensive (n = 23) esophagogastric devascularization procedure without esophageal transection for variceal bleeding were retrospectively reviewed. Common indications were thrombosis of all splanchnic veins (n = 12), distal splenorenal shunt thrombosis (n = 7), generalized portal hypertension with isolated splenic vein thrombosis (n = 5), and symptomatic splenomegaly or severe hypersplenism (n = 6). Eighteen patients (56%) had cirrhosis, eleven (34%) received an emergency operation, and eighteen (56%) bled from gastric varices. RESULTS: Three patients with Child's class C disease undergoing emergency surgery died during the early postoperative interval. Rebleeding occurred in nine surviving patients (31%) and was the cause of death in three. Rebleeding rates for the limited and extensive devascularization procedures were 50% and 24%, respectively. Only one of 11 patients with diffuse splanchnic venous thrombosis without liver disease has died. The 5-year survival rate of patients with liver disease was 51%. Only two patients experienced postoperative encephalopathy. CONCLUSIONS: When used in selected patients, esophagogastric devascularization without esophageal transection is a reasonably effective alternative to shunt surgery.

Emergency shunt. Role in the present management of variceal bleeding.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the results of selective and nonselective emergency portosystemic shunts in patients with acute variceal hemorrhage. DESIGN: Retrospective review. SETTING: University medical center and Veterans Affairs medical center. PATIENTS: Forty-two consecutive patients who underwent emergency portosystemic shunts from 1978 through 1994. All patients had chronic liver disease (29 [69%] had alcoholic cirrhosis) and half had Child's class C disease. Sixteen patients were actively bleeding at the time of surgery, and 26 had bled within 48 hours. Twenty-two patients underwent a nonselective shunt and 20 underwent a distal splenorenal shunt. The percentages of patients with Child's class C disease and with active bleeding at the time of surgery were significantly higher in the nonselective shunt group. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Operative mortality; early postoperative rebleeding, shunt patency, encephalopathy, and ascites; and long-term survival. RESULTS: Operative mortality rates were higher in patients with Child's class C disease (43% [9/21]) than in patients with Child's class A or B disease (9% [2/21]) and were higher in patients with active bleeding (all of whom underwent nonselective shunt) (44% [7/16]) than in patients who underwent distal splenorenal shunt (10% [2/20]). All shunts were patent after surgery, and no patient had rebleeding during the early postoperative interval. Early postoperative ascites and encephalopathy rates were similar after nonselective shunt and distal splenorenal shunt. Long-term survival was superior in the lower-risk distal splenorenal shunt group. CONCLUSIONS: Even though more effective nonoperative treatments are now available, emergency portosystemic shunt remains an important option for selected patients with acute variceal hemorrhage. When bleeding can be temporarily controlled by nonoperative means, distal splenorenal shunt is an effective and safe emergency procedure. The mortality rate remains high for patients with Child's class C disease undergoing protal decompression.

The significance of portal vein thrombosis after distal splenorenal shunt.

The aims of this study were to determine the incidence of portal vein thrombosis after the distal splenorenal shunt, to identify any predictive factors, and to assess the clinical significance of this complication. Preoperative and postoperative angiograms and clinical evaluation were reviewed in 124 patients who underwent distal splenorenal shunts. Total and partial portal vein thrombosis were seen on 13 (10.5%) and 22 (17.7%) postoperative angiograms, respectively. The only preoperative variable correlating with development of portal vein thrombosis was portal venous perfusion, which was significantly lower in patients with than in those without portal vein thrombosis. In six of 10 patients with postoperative pancreatitis, portal vein thrombosis developed. The frequency of early postoperative complications was significantly greater in patients with total portal vein thrombosis than in those with partial or no thrombosis. Long-term follow-up has shown no significant effects of portal vein thrombosis on late ascites, encephalopathy, or survival.

Hyperbilirubinemia following distal splenorenal shunt.

To assess the incidence, pathogenesis, and associated morbidity and mortality of hyperbilirubinemia following the distal splenorenal shunt, hepatic hemodynamics, liver function, and clinical course were evaluated before and after this procedure in 78 cirrhotic patients. Individuals with a peak postoperative bilirubin level greater than 5 mg/dL had a higher preoperative bilirubin concentration, worse Child's score, longer hospital stay, and higher mortality than patients with a peak postoperative bilirubin level less than 5 mg/dL. Mean preoperative and postoperative hepatic portal perfusion and sinusoidal pressure were similar in both groups. When only patients with minimally elevated preoperative bilirubin levels (less than 2 mg/dL) were analyzed, 83% of individuals who developed postoperative hyperbilirubinemia (level, greater than 5 mg/dL) had a major alteration in hepatic hemodynamics as manifested by either complete portal vein thrombosis or a marked change in sinusoidal pressure (greater than 4 mm Hg). Although preoperative hepatic functional reserve is the major determinant of postoperative bilirubin concentration, alterations in hepatic hemodynamics secondary to the distal splenorenal shunt may also play a role.

Benign mediastinal teratoma masquerading as a large multiloculated effusion.

Benign mediastinal teratomas are uncommon germ cell tumors often discovered while still asymptomatic. Almost all arise in the anterosuperior mediastinal compartment, and most symptoms, when present, result from compression of adjacent structures. We report a case of a large teratoma arising from the anterior mediastinum that presented a confusing clinical picture of a multiloculated pleural effusion. It was successfully treated by surgical excision, with no long-term recurrence.

Cystic adenomatoid malformation involving an entire lung in a 22-year-old woman.

Congenital cystic adenomatoid malformation is an uncommon cause of respiratory distress in infants and is a rare entity in adults. Presentation in older patients is that of recurrent pulmonary infections. Usually a single lobe is involved. This report describes congenital cystic adenomatoid malformation involving the entire right lung in a 22-year-old woman presenting with gastrointestinal bleeding due to cavernous transformation of the portal and splenic veins.

Rationale for the combination of cryoablation with surgical resection of hepatic tumors.

Only 5% to 10% of metastatic and primary liver tumors are amenable to surgical resection. Hepatic cryoablation has increased the number of patients who are suitable for curative treatment. The aim of this study was to evaluate survival and intrahepatic recurrence in patients treated with cryoablation and resection. From June 1994 to July 1999, thirty-eight surgically unresectable patients underwent a total of 42 cryoablative procedures for 65 malignant hepatic lesions. Twenty patients underwent cryoablation alone, and 18 patients were treated with a combination of resection and cryoablation, with a minimum of 18 months' follow-up. The 38 patients had the following malignancies: primary hepatocellular carcinoma (n = 8) and metastases from colorectal cancer (n = 21), neuroendocrine tumors (n = 3), ovarian cancer (n = 3), leiomyosarcoma (n = 1), testicular cancer (n = 1), and endometrial cancer (n = 1). Patients were evaluated preoperatively with spiral CT scans and intraoperatively with ultrasound examinations for lesion location and cryoprobe guidance. Local recurrence was detected by CT. Major complications included bleeding in three patients and acute renal failure, transient liver insufficiency, and postoperative pneumonia in one patient each. Two patients (5%) died during the early postoperative interval; mean hospital stay was 7.1 days. Median follow-up was 28 months (range 18 to 51 months). Overall survival according to Kaplan-Meier analysis was 82%, 65%, and 54% at 12, 24, and 48 months, respectively. Forty-eight-month survival was not significantly different between those patients undergoing cryoablation alone (64%) and those treated with a combination of resection and cryoablation (42%). Disease-free survival at 45 months was 36% for patients undergoing cryoablation plus resection compared to 25% for those undergoing cryoablation alone. Local recurrences were detected at five cryosurgical sites, for a rate of 12% overall (5 of 42), 11% (2 of 18) for patients in the cryoablation plus resection group, and 12% (3 of 24) for those in the cryoablation alone group. For patients with colorectal metastases, survival was 70% at 30 months compared to 33% for hepatocellular cancer and 66% for other types of tumors. Patients with tumors larger than 5 cm or numbering more than three did not have significantly decreased survival. Cryoablation of hepatic tumors is a safe and effective treatment for some patients not amenable to resection. The combination of cryoablation and resection results in survival comparable to that achieved with cryoablation alone.

Definitive therapy for variceal bleeding: a personal view.

Definitive therapy for variceal hemorrhage has evolved during the past half century. Only completely decompressing shunts (nonselective shunts) were available before 1967. Additional options now include selective shunts, devascularization procedures, endoscopic sclerotherapy, pharmacotherapy, and hepatic transplantation. Although drug treatment is experimental at the present time, the remaining therapeutic options are applicable to various subgroups of patients and in certain clinical settings. At the University of Nebraska, patients with variceal bleeding are first grouped based on their candidacy for transplantation. Transplantation candidates with advanced (Child's class C) or symptomatic liver disease undergo transplantation as soon as possible. Future transplantation candidates with stable, asymptomatic liver disease undergo either long-term sclerotherapy or a distal splenorenal shunt if sclerotherapy fails or if they have poor access to tertiary medical care. These patients are carefully monitored so that they can undergo transplantation before they become high-operative risks. Patients who are not candidates for transplantation receive chronic variceal sclerotherapy as initial therapy so long as shunt surgery is readily available if sclerotherapy fails. When surgery is indicated, the distal splenorenal shunt is preferred to nonselective shunts because several controlled and uncontrolled series have demonstrated a lower frequency of encephalopathy after selective variceal decompression.

Success of medical and surgical management of acute variceal hemorrhage.

Peripheral intravenous Pitressin infusion, use of the Sengstaken-Blakemore tube, or both effectively controlled variceal hemorrhage in 69 percent of patients, allowing an interval of medical management before elective portasystemic shunt surgery. Prolonged preoperative in-hospital management significantly improved hepatic function in initially poor risk patients. This improvement in hepatic function appeared to result in decreased postoperative morbidity and an operative mortality equal to that of good risk patients.

Effect of operations for variceal hemorrhage on hypersplenism.

Hypersplenism frequently accompanies cirrhosis with portal hypertension. In this series of 76 patients, 36 percent had thrombocytopenia, 41 percent had leukopenia, and 25 percent had both thrombocytopenia and leukopenia. However, hypersplenism was severe enough to necessitate splenectomy in only two patients (3 percent). Nonalcoholic cirrhotic patients exhibit hypersplenism more frequently and to a greater magnitude than do alcoholic cirrhotic patients. Fourteen and 44 percent of alcoholic and nonalcoholic cirrhotics, respectively, had both thrombocytopenia and leukopenia. Distal splenorenal shunts and nonselective shunts are equally effective in relieving preoperative hypersplenism. Approximately two thirds of the patients were relieved of thrombocytopenia or leukopenia after either of these procedures. Splenectomy invariably corrects hypersplenism associated with cirrhosis and should be included as part of the operative procedure in patients requiring surgery for control of variceal hemorrhage.

Practice environment and resident operative experience.

An important aspect of resident training is a graduated increase in responsibility and experience. The level of resident participation in operative procedures is influenced by many factors. Our aim was to determine the effect of the practice environment and staff perception of required surgical skills on the assignment of resident operative responsibility. Questionnaires were sent to 100 surgeons affiliated with the Department of Surgery at the University of Nebraska Medical Center, and the completion rate was 72%. Data were collected on the practice environment of the surgeons and their perception of appropriate resident level and required skills for performance of 20 common general surgery procedures. Surgeons in private practice (n = 34) and affiliated hospitals (n = 15) were more likely to assign cases to higher level residents than those at the University Hospital (n = 23) (mean: 3.0 +/- 0.5 and 3.0 +/- 0.3 versus 2.7 +/- 0.3 years, P < 0.05). Surgeons more than 15 years out of training (n = 28) were more likely to assign a higher level resident to procedures than those (n = 44) more recently trained (3.1 +/- 0.5 versus 2.7 +/- 0.3 years, P < 0.05). Surgeons who worked regularly with residents (n = 44) were more likely to assign a lower level resident to a given procedure (2.8 +/- 0.3 versus 3.1 +/- 0.5 years, P < 0.05). Multivariate analysis, however, found that only time since training was an important factor in the assignment of responsibilities. Laparoscopic procedures caused the greatest disagreement and were more likely to be assigned to higher level residents than the corresponding open procedures (hernia repair 3.3 +/- 0.1 versus 1.2 +/- 0.1 and cholecystectomy 3.2 +/- 0.1 versus 2.0 +/- 0.9 years, P < 0.05). Anatomy (46%) and judgment (36%) were most commonly considered the important surgical factors in determining operative responsibility. However, there was no correlation between assignment of operative responsibility and the perception of required skills for each surgeon. Thus staff perception of the appropriate resident level to perform general surgery procedures is more heavily influenced by factors in the practice environment than surgical aspects of the procedure.

Effect of portasystemic shunt operations on hepatic portal perfusion.

We recently developed a radiocolloid technique for quantifying the fraction of superior mesenteric venous blood that bypasses liver sinusoids through extra- and intrahepatic collateral vessels. In the present investigation we applied this method, which is performed in conjunction with visceral angiography, to the assessment of patients with portal hypertension before and after surgical construction of portasystemic shunts. The mean corrected shunt index was 0.89 in 27 preoperative patients, and 48 percent of the patients had no evidence of sinusoidal perfusion by superior mesenteric venous blood (shunt index greater than 0.95). Sinusoidal perfusion was absent in five patients with residual hepatic portal flow by angiography, indicating that they had a high degree of intrahepatic shunting. Hepatic portal perfusion was preserved in 80 percent of patients after distal splenorenal shunt, and the corrected shunt index was significantly smaller after this procedure than after portacaval and interposition shunts. . Three patients with no sinusoidal perfusion by superior mesenteric blood preoperatively had restoration of portal flow after distal splenorenal shunt. Five patients undergoing portacaval and interposition shunts had no evidence of portal sinusoidal perfusion by the radiocolloid technique either before or after the operative procedure.

Effects of altered portal hemodynamics after distal splenorenal shunts.

Patients with cirrhosis who had undergone the distal splenorenal shunt were grouped based on preoperative to early postoperative changes in hepatic portal perfusion and corrected sinusoidal pressure. Early and late postoperative morbidity and mortality rates were determined for each hemodynamic group. Morbidity was least when both hepatic portal perfusion and sinusoidal pressure were maintained near preoperative levels (Group 1). Survival for this group was significantly better than for patients who lost portal flow to the liver during the early postoperative interval (Group 4). Patients with absent hepatic portal perfusion had the worst survival and greatest morbidity. Intermediate results were achieved for the two groups of patients that had postoperative preservation of portal perfusion but significant preoperative to postoperative alterations in sinusoidal pressure. Although survival curves for these two groups were not significantly different from Group 1, morbidity was greater, especially for patients with an increase in sinusoidal pressure (Group 2).

Sepsis in the management of complicated biliary disorders.

Postoperative sepsis developed in 72 per cent of 25 patients with noncalculous proximal biliary tract obstruction. Six episodes of shock and one death resulted. Twenty-eight per cent of septic events occurred despite the administration of prophylactic antibiotics. The incidence of septic complications was similar regardless of the biliary drainage procedure used. Despite the advent of broad spectrum antibiotics and improved surgical techniques for biliary decompression, sepsis remains a serious and frequent complication in patients with chronic bile duct obstruction.

Selective operative approach for variceal hemorrhage.

Since 1978, the operation chosen for patients with variceal hemorrhage has been based on preoperative hemodynamic and clinical factors. One hundred sixteen consecutive patients were managed with the following operations: distal splenorenal shunt (75 patients), nonselective shunts (33 patients), and nonshunting operation (8 patients). Emergency surgery was required in 19 percent of patients. The selection criteria used resulted in the majority of high risk patients receiving nonselective shunts. This selective operative approach resulted in an overall operative mortality of 12 percent, a median survival of 3 years, and postoperative encephalopathy, ascites, and recurrent variceal hemorrhage in 20, 23, and 11 percent of patients, respectively. Operative mortality for the total group was closely related to Child's class. Whereas encephalopathy was most frequent after nonselective shunts, ascites was more common after the distal splenorenal shunt. Recurrent hemorrhage rarely occurred after a shunting procedure, but was a frequent complication of nonshunting operations. Neither the type of procedure selected nor the cause of liver disease influenced long-term survival.

Pancreaticoduodenectomy for suspected but unproven malignancy.

BACKGROUND: Pancreaticoduodenectomy is an accepted surgical option for certain benign conditions and biopsy proven cancer. Whether this procedure should be performed when malignancy of the pancreas and periampullary region is suspected but not confirmed represents a fairly common intraoperative dilemma. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Sixty-seven patients who had undergone pancreaticoduodenectomy during a 15-year period were evaluated retrospectively. RESULTS: The indications for resection were symptomatic benign conditions (n = 10, 15%), proven pancreatic or periampullary cancer (n = 37, 55%), and suspected but unproven malignancy (n = 20, 30%). The patients with suspected malignancy ranged in age from 27 to 73 years. Common findings in this group were abdominal pain (75%), jaundice (70%), weight loss (65%), and alcohol use (45%). There were 14 pancreatic and 6 ampullary masses. Biopsies obtained preoperatively (n = 15) and intraoperatively (n = 11) were nonconfirmatory. Postoperatively 9 patients (45%) were found to have tumors, including 6 pancreatic adenocarcinoma, 2 duodenal adenocarcinoma, and 1 islet cell tumor. Six of the 8 adenocarcinomas (75%) were stage I. Seven patients were alive 11 to 108 months later. The most common benign diagnosis was pancreatitis. There were 8 complications and 1 death. CONCLUSIONS: Pancreaticoduodenectomy performed based on suspicion alone frequently reveals malignancy. Immediate and long-term outcomes are acceptable. These findings justify a continued aggressive approach to suspected pancreatic and periampullary malignancy.

Duplex ultrasonography as a noninvasive technique for assessing portal hemodynamics.

Duplex ultrasonography was evaluated as a noninvasive, quantitative technique of assessing portal hemodynamic characteristics. Portal blood flow measured by duplex ultrasonography was significantly decreased in patients with portal hypertension (450 +/- 86 ml/min) compared with control subjects (874 +/- 44 ml/min; p less than 0.001). Quantitative assessment of portal blood flow by duplex ultrasound correlated with qualitative portal perfusion grading by angiography, and direction of flow was always accurately determined by duplex ultrasonography. Although the angiographic portal perfusion grade did not change significantly in the early postoperative period after distal splenorenal shunting, a decrease in mean portal blood flow of more than 50 percent was documented by duplex ultrasonography. Duplex ultrasonography appears to be at least as accurate as angiography and is an acceptable alternative to this more invasive technique for the longitudinal assessment of portal blood flow.