Surgical oncology in patients aged 80 years and older is associated with increased postoperative morbidity and mortality: A systematic review and meta-analysis of literature over 25 years.

BACKGROUND: The study aim is to analyze the evolution over the last 25 years of the results reported after abdominal oncological surgery in patients aged 80 years of age and older. The primary endpoint was morbidity and mortality in this group of patients; the secondary endpoint was overall survival. METHODS: A systematic search strategy was used to browse through Medline/PubMed, EMBASE, Scopus, ClinicalTrials.gov, Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials using a combination of standardized index terms. Studies published between 1997 and 2017 were selected. Only those studies that showed morbidity and mortality after digestive and hepatobiliary tract oncological surgery in individuals aged 80 years and older were included. The PROSPERO registration number is CRD42018087921. PRISMA and MOOSE guidelines were applied. RESULTS: A total of 79 studies were included, categorized by origin of malignancy: esophageal (7), stomach (26), liver (4), pancreas (19), and colorectal (23). Compared with the non-elderly group, the elderly group had similar esophageal morbidity with higher mortality (RR 2.51, 1.50 to 4.21; P = 0.0005); higher gastric morbidity (RR 1.25, 1.09 to 1.43; P = 0.001), and mortality (RR 2.51, 1.81 to 3.49; P = 0.0001); similar liver morbidity and mortality; higher pancreatic morbidity (RR 1.17, 1.03 to 1.33; P = 0.02) and mortality (RR 2.37, 1.86 to 3.03; P < 0.00001); and similar colorectal morbidity with higher mortality (RR 4.44, 1.91 to 10.32; P = 0.005). CONCLUSION: Oncological surgery of most abdominal visceral tumors is associated with increased morbidity and mortality in patients older than 80 years.

Psoas Muscle Index Does Not Predict Post-Transplant Outcomes: A Series of 57 Liver Transplant Recipients.

BACKGROUND: Sarcopenia is defined as the loss of muscle mass and function. Our aim is to evaluate the degree of sarcopenia by measuring the patients on the waiting list for liver transplantation and its influence on the different post-liver transplant outcomes in our group. METHODS: The psoas muscle index (PMI, cm2/m2) was calculated (right psoas muscle area [cm2]/the square of the body height [m2]) in 57 patients on the waiting list for liver transplantation in our center, and the post-transplant variables relevant to our study were collected. RESULTS: The 57 recipients had a mean age of 57 years (range, 35-73) and had a mean of 7.4 months (range, 0-39) on the liver transplant waiting list. The mean psoas muscle index was 2.39 (range, 1-4), and the mean body mass index was 28.01kg/m2 (range, 22-36). After multivariate analysis we found a positive correlation between the PMI and the body mass index of the recipients (r = 0.320, P = .017), intensive care unit length of stay, and donor age (r = 0.319, P = .042), and between cold ischemia time and graft survival (r = 0.366, P = .009). We found no correlation in our sample between PMI and post-liver transplant complications either in terms of graft or patient survival. CONCLUSION: PMI is not representative of total muscle mass and sarcopenia and is not effective in adequately predicting the survival of patients on the waiting list for liver transplantation.

Impact of Hepatic Artery Thrombosis on the Success of a Liver Transplant Because of Hepatocellular Carcinoma.

BACKGROUND: Hepatic artery thrombosis is one of the most serious complications after liver transplant. Our objective is to evaluate the impact of arterial thrombosis on the postoperative evolution of a series of patients who received transplants because of hepatocellular carcinoma. METHODS: A retrospective study of 100 consecutive hepatocellular carcinoma liver transplants was performed from January 2011 to November 2017. RESULTS: Of the 100 transplant recipients, we have observed hepatic artery thrombosis in 4 of them, 3 premature and 1 delayed. All of them received retransplants after diagnosis by hepatic artery ultrasonography and arteriography. The descriptive analysis showed a significant relationship between the appearance of hepatic artery thrombosis with variables of postoperative severity, such as arrhythmias, atelectasis, pleural effusion, hemodialysis requirement, acute kidney failure, and respiratory failure. Although patients with hepatic artery thrombosis had a longer mean hospital stay, this was not statistically significant. There was decreased graft survival and overall survival of patients who experienced hepatic artery thrombosis. CONCLUSION: Although the incidence of hepatic artery thrombosis has been relatively low (4%), the early detection of risk factors, such as arterial anatomic anomalies that condition a complex anastomosis, should draw our attention, thus having at our disposal strict ultrasonography and arteriography surveillance protocols as well as prophylactic anticoagulation guidelines for receptors at risk.

Knowledge of the Brain Death Concept Among Older People.

BACKGROUND: The concept of brain death (BD) is not well understood in the general population; this lack of knowledge is one of the main factors that generates an attitude against organ donation. Older people are a population group that has rarely been studied in relation to organ donation and transplantation (ODT), and it is important to investigate the most important aspects of ODT, such as people's concept of BD. OBJECTIVES: To analyze the level of understanding of the concept of BD in people > 65 years of age and the factors that influence their mode of thinking. METHODS: A multicenter study was carried out with a representative sample of people > 65 years of age, stratified by sex and geographic location in the southeast of Spain (n = 420). Knowledge of BD as well as the influence of other variables were analyzed through a validated questionnaire about ODT. SPSS version 21.0 (IBM Corp, Armonk, NY, United States) software was used for statistical analysis. Descriptive analysis included Student t test and the χ2 test. RESULTS: The questionnaire had a completion rate of 84% (n = 351). In 36% (n = 127) of cases, people ˃ 65 years of age understood the concept of BD. In general, knowledge of this concept has not been associated with other variables including social-family interaction about ODT (P > .05). CONCLUSIONS: Older people do not understand the concept of BD. It is, therefore, necessary to carry out informative campaigns on ODT explaining this concept. This would improve organ donation awareness in this particular group of people.

The Influence of Mass Media on Organ Donation and Transplantation in Older People.

BACKGROUND: Worldwide population aging has resulted in changes in the approach to the organ donation and transplantation (ODT) process, forcing us to include older people on transplant waiting lists and to assess older patients as potential donors. However, this is a sector of the population that has not been studied in great detail in terms of the information they receive about ODT. OBJECTIVES: To analyze what kinds of media provide people > 65 years of age with information about ODT and which sources of information affect their attitude about this subject. METHODS: A multicentric study was undertaken using a sample of people > 65 years of age stratified by sex and geographic location in southeastern Spain (n = 420). Questions about ODT and methods of receiving information were analyzed using a questionnaire. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS version 21.0 (IBM Corp, Armonk, NY, United States). Descriptive analyses were performed with a Student t test and χ2 test. RESULTS: The questionnaire completion rate was 84% (n = 351). People aged > 65 years received information about ODT, mainly positive, from the television (82%), followed by films (35%), the radio (30%), the press (26%), family (26%), and friends (17%). Receiving information through one of the following sources was associated with a more favorable attitude toward organ donation: the family (76% vs 45%; P < .001), friends (77% vs 48%; P = .01), and the press (62% vs 49%; P = .034). CONCLUSIONS: Older people mainly receive information about ODT from the mass media. However, social and family circles have the greatest influence on their attitudes toward organ donation.

Attitude of Older People Toward Living Donation.

BACKGROUND: Living donation is a potential source of organs that could help to reduce the organ transplant deficit. Given that we have a worldwide aging population, it is important to assess the opinion of older people toward this type of donation. OBJECTIVES: To analyze the attitude of people aged > 65 years toward living kidney donation (LKD) and living liver donation (LLD) and to investigate the variables affecting their attitudes. METHODS: A multicentric study was carried out using a representative sample of people > 65 years stratified by sex and geographic location in southeastern Spain (n = 420). The measurement instrument was a validated questionnaire about LKD and LLD. Statistics were analyzed using SPSS version 21.0 (IBM Corp, Armonk, NY, United States) software. Descriptive analysis was carried out using Student t test, χ2 test, and a multivariate analysis. RESULTS: The questionnaire completion rate was 84% (n = 351) with 88% (n = 310) in favor of LKD, and 89% (n = 311) in favor of LLD. Favorable attitude decreased to 3% when the donation under consideration was unrelated. Attitudes toward LKD and LLD were associated with having received information from the television (P = .016 and P = .045) and from friends (P = .017 and P = .03); accepting an autopsy after death (P = .001 and P = .002); and not being worried about scars (P = .015 and P = .044). In the multivariate analysis, the following variables continued to be significant: having received information from the television (odds ratio [OR], 2) and from friends (OR, 10.3); and the acceptance of an autopsy (OR, 2). CONCLUSIONS: Older people are in favor of both LKD and LLD, assuming it is a related donation. In addition, the information the elderly population receives regarding organ donation and transplantation affects their attitudes.

Early Outcomes of Liver Transplantation Using Donors After Circulatory Death in Patients With Hepatocellular Carcinoma: A Comparative Study.

INTRODUCTION: Donation after circulatory death (DCD) has increased in the last decade, although a slight increase in surgical complications has been reported in liver transplantation (LT). Therefore, DCD is not overall recommended because it entails an added risk. However, DCD in selected patients shows acceptable results. OBJECTIVE: The objective was to analyze the characteristics, early outcomes, and survival at 1 year post-LT from a single institute (January 2015 to May 2017). MATERIALS AND METHODS: We included 18 DCD-LTs and compared them with a control group of 18 donation after brain death (DBD) LTs. We analyzed pre- and posttransplant variables related to donors, recipients, and intraoperative early outcomes within patients transplanted due to hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). A descriptive analysis, Mann-Whitney U test, χ2, or Fisher test was performed when appropriate, as well as multivariate analysis in case of statistical significance. A variable is considered as statistically significant when it reaches a value of P < .05. RESULTS: In DBD, we found a lower length of stay in the intensive care unit before retrieval and a higher rate of alcoholism and diabetes mellitus, Model for End-Stage Liver Disease score, and Child B and C score (P < .05). Most of the DCD were originally from the same LT recipient center, and a higher donor mean post-LT alanine aminotransferase level was found (P < .05). Survival for the DBD group was 88% and 75% in the DCD group at 1 year post-LT, being not significant (NS). CONCLUSION: HCC recipients who are transplanted with good quality DCD livers do no worse than those transplanted with livers from DBD donors, although a good selection of them is crucial.

Rescue of Discarded Grafts for Liver Transplantation by Ex Vivo Subnormothermic and Normothermic Oxygenated Machine Perfusion: First Experience in Spain.

BACKGROUND: Ex vivo machine perfusion (MP) has been reported as a possibly method to rescue discarded organs. The main aim of this study was to report an initial experience in Spain using MP for the rescue of severely marginal discarded liver grafts, and to, secondarily, define markers of viability to test the potential applicability of these devices for the real increase in the organ donor pool. METHODS: The study began in January 2016. Discarded grafts were included in a research protocol that consisted of standard retrieval followed by 10 hours of cold ischemia. Next, either normothermic (NMP) or controlled subnormothermic (subNMP) rewarming was chosen randomly. Continuous measurements of portal-arterial pressure and resistance were screened. Lactate, pH, and bicarbonate were measured every 30 minutes. The perfusion period was 6 hours, after which the graft was discarded and evaluated as potentially usable, but never implanted. Biopsies of the donor and at 2, 4, and 6 hours after ex vivo MP were obtained. RESULTS: A total of 4 grafts were included in the protocol. The first 2 grafts were perfused by NMP and grafts 3 and 4 by subNMP. The second and third grafts showed a clear trend toward optimal recovery and may have been used. Lactate dropped to levels below 2.5 mmol/L with stable arterial and portal pressure and resistance. Clear biliary output started during MP. Biopsies showed an improvement of liver architecture with reduced inflammation at the end of the perfusion. CONCLUSION: This preliminary experience has demonstrated the potential of MP devices for the rescue of severely marginal liver grafts. Lactate and biliary output were useful for viability testing of the grafts. The utility of NMP or subNMP protocols requires further research.

Liver Transplantation for Fulminant Hepatic Failure Due to Heat Stroke: A Case Report.

Heat stroke is a condition caused by an excessive increase in body temperature in a relatively short period of time, and is clinically characterized by central nervous system dysfunction, including delirium, seizures, coma, and severe hyperthermia. In this context, the resulting fulminant hepatic failure makes liver transplant the best choice when there are no guarantees of better results with conservative treatment. We present our experience in this case, possible alternative choices, and the current role of liver transplantation in the resolution of fulminant liver failure due to heat stroke. CASE REPORT: We report the case of a 32-year-old man with a history of malabsorption syndrome and unconfirmed celiac disease controlled with a gluten-free diet, who, while working on a typical summer midday in southern Spain (approximately 40°C), abruptly presented with loss of consciousness, coma, and a temperature of 42°C, as well as seizures at the initial medical assessment that subsided after the administration of diazepam. On the third day, the patient presented with multiple organ dysfunction syndrome, requiring mechanical ventilation, hemodialysis, and inotropic support. He did not improve with the support of conservative treatment, therefore it was decided to perform an urgent liver transplant, after which he recovered completely. CONCLUSIONS: Liver transplantation should be a main choice of treatment for cases in which, despite intensive medical treatment, there is still clinical and analytical evidence of massive and/or irreversible hepatocellular damage.

Orthotopic Liver Transplantation With Elderly Donors (Over 80 Years of Age): A Prospective Evaluation.

BACKGROUND: Our main objective was to assess the clinical outcomes obtained in a single orthotopic liver transplant (OLT) hospital with donors ≥80 years of age compared to a control group of patients subjected to OLT during the same period of time with donors who were under 65 years of age. METHODS: A prospective analysis was carried out on all the OLTs performed using liver grafts from donors in a state of brain death and with an age of ≥80 years (study group) between April 2007 and January 2015. The results of the study group (n = 36) were compared with those of a control group of patients less than 65 years of age receiving transplants with grafts. RESULTS: A total of 51 potential donors ≥80 years were assessed, with a total of 36 liver transplants being carried out and their results were compared with a control group of 283 patients receiving transplants. The median follow-up time of the patients in the series was 36 months (range: 24-120 months). Graft survival at 1, 2, and 3 years was 77%, 72%, and 62%, respectively, among the patients in the study group and 79%, 73%, and 65% among the patients in the control group, and there were no statistically significant differences. Patient survival at 1, 2, and 3 years was 86%, 82%, and 75%, respectively, among the patients in the study group and 82%, 76%, and 72% among the patients in the control group, also without there being any statistically significant differences. CONCLUSIONS: There is no age limit for liver transplant donors. The use of octogenarian donors makes it possible to increase the pool of donors while providing enough safety for the recipient.