Outcome of split liver transplantation vs living donor liver transplantation: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: The outcomes of liver transplantation (LT) from different grafts have been studied individually and in combination, but the reports were conflicting with some researchers finding no difference in both short-term and long-term outcomes between the deceased donor split LT (DD-SLT) and living donor LT (LDLT). AIM: To compare the outcomes of DD-SLT and LDLT we performed this systematic review and meta-analysis. METHODS: This systematic review was performed in compliance with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis guidelines. The following databases were searched for articles comparing outcomes of DD-SLT and LDLT: PubMed; Google Scholar; Embase; Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials; the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews; and Reference Citation Analysis (https://www.referencecitationanalysis.com/). The search terms used were: "liver transplantation;" "liver transplant;" "split liver transplant;" "living donor liver transplant;" "partial liver transplant;" "partial liver graft;" "ex vivo splitting;" and "in vivo splitting." RESULTS: Ten studies were included for the data synthesis and meta-analysis. There were a total of 4836 patients. The overall survival rate at 1 year, 3 years and 5 years was superior in patients that received LDLT compared to DD-SLT. At 1 year, the hazard ratios was 1.44 (95% confidence interval: 1.16-1.78; P = 0.001). The graft survival rate at 3 years and 5 years was superior in the LDLT group (3 year hazard ratio: 1.28; 95% confidence interval: 1.01-1.63; P = 0.04). CONCLUSION: This meta-analysis showed that LDLT has better graft survival and overall survival when compared to DD-SLT.

Evaluation of Bone Mineral Metabolism After Liver Transplantation by Bone Mineral Densitometry and Biochemical Markers.

AIM: This study aimed to evaluate the course of bone and mineral metabolism after liver transplantation (LT) in patients with chronic liver disease. METHODS: One hundred four patients who had undergone LT and had a minimum of 6 months of follow-up after LT were included in this prospective cohort study. The following parameters were evaluated for each patient: preoperative and postoperative (postoperative day [POD]30, POD90, POD180) osteocalcin, bone-specific alkaline phosphatase (BALP), type 1 collagen, beta-C-terminal end telopeptide (ß-CTx), vitamin D, parathyroid hormone (PTH), ALP, calcium, phosphate, sedimentation, and bone mineral densitometer scores (L2, L4, L total, and F total). The parameters were compared in terms of sex, presence of liver tumor (hepatocellular carcinoma [HCC; n = 19] vs non-HCC [n = 85]), and presence of autoimmune liver disease (autoimmune liver disease [ALD; n = 8] vs non-ALD [n = 96]). RESULTS: The median age of the patients (n = 81 men and n = 23 women) was 52 years (95% CI, 50-56). There was a significant change in the defined time intervals in parameters such as osteocalcin (P < .001), BALP (P < .001), ß-CTx (P < .001), vitamin D (P < .001), PTH (P < .001), ALP (P = .001), calcium (P < .001), phosphate (P = .001), L2 (P = .038), L total (P = .026), and F total (P < .001) scores. There was a significant difference in POD90 ALP (P = .033), POD180 calcium (P = .011), POD180 phosphate (P = .011), preoperative sedimentation (P = .032), and POD180 F total (P = .013) scores between both sexes. There was a significant difference in POD180 osteocalcin (P = .023), POD180 ß-CTx (P = .017), and preOP calcium (P = .003) among the HCC and non-HCC groups. Furthermore, we found significant differences in preoperative ALP (P = .008), preoperative sedimentation (P = .019), POD90 (P = .037) and POD180 L2 (P = .005) scores, preoperative (P = .049) and POD180 L4 (P = .017), and POD180 L total (P = .010) and F total (P = .022) scores between the patients with and without ALD. CONCLUSION: This study shows that the bone and mineral metabolism of the LT recipients was negatively affected after LT. In addition, we showed that bone and mineral metabolism was more prominent in patients with HCC, and bone mineral density scores were higher in patients with ALD.

Does mtori base immunosuppression offer survival advantage after liver transplantation for hepatocellular carcinoma? Systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

Recurrence is still a problem after liver transplant for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). We performed an updated systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials comparing tumor recurrence of mammalian target of rapamycin inhibitors (mTORi) versus Calcineurin inhibitor-based immunosuppression after liver transplantation for HCC. A systematic search was conducted in the following databases: MEDLINE, EMBASE, and Cochrane Central Register of Control Trials databases. The Medical Subject Headings used in the search included: "sirolimus," "everolimus," "mTORi," "HCC," "mTORi," "hepatic transplantation" "randomized controlled trials," and "liver transplantation (LT)". Seven randomized controlled trials were included for meta-analysis. There were a total of 1,365 patients, with 712 of these patients receiving calcineurin inhibitors (CNIs) while 653 had received mTORi. Our meta-analysis revealed that patients that received mTORi-based immunosuppression had superior recurrence-free survival (RFS) at 1 year and 3 years with a hazard ratio of 2.02 and 1.36, respectively. Meta-analysis also showed that within the first 3 years after LT for HCC, patients receiving CNIs-based immunosuppression have a higher recurrence than those receiving mTORi-based immunosuppression. Our meta-analysis revealed that recipients of mTORi-based immunosuppression had a superior OS at 1 year and 3 years. mTORi-based immunosuppression is associated with decreased early recurrence and improved RFS and overall survival.

Effect of COVID-19 Pandemic on Patients Who Have Undergone Liver Transplantation Because of Hepatocellular Carcinoma.

BACKGROUND AND AIM: Many clinical studies have shown that the COVID-19 case fatality rate is higher in older patients, those with comorbidities, those with immunosuppressive conditions, and those who stay in the intensive care unit. This study aims to evaluate the clinical outcomes of 66 liver transplant (LT) patients with primary liver cancer who were exposed to COVID-19 infection. METHODS: Demographic and clinical data of 66 patients with primary liver cancer (hepatocellular carcinoma = 64, hepatoblastoma = 1, cholangiocarcinoma = 1) who underwent LT in our institute and were exposed to COVID-19 infection between March 2020 and November 2021 were analyzed in this cross-sectional study. The following data of the patients were recorded: age, sex, body mass index (kg/m2), blood group, underlying primary liver disease, smoking, tumor characteristics, post-transplant immunosuppressive agents, COVID-19 symptoms, hospitalization, intensive care unit stay, intubation, and other clinical features. RESULTS: There were 55 (83.3%) male and 11 (16.7%) female patients, with a median age of 58 years. Sixty-four patients were exposed to COVID-19 only once, whereas the remaining 2 patients were exposed 2 and 4 times, respectively. After exposure to COVID-19, it was determined that 37 patients used antiviral drugs, 25 were hospitalized, 9 were followed in the intensive care unit, and 3 were intubated. One intubated patient was under hospital follow-up because of biliary complications before exposure to COVID-19, and this patient died from sepsis. CONCLUSION: The low mortality rate of LT patients with primary liver cancer exposed to COVID-19 infection can be attributed to background immunosuppression that prevents cytokine storm. However, it is appropriate to support this study with multicenter studies to make strong comments on this issue.

Histopathological Features of Gallbladder Specimens Obtained From Liver Recipients.

BACKGROUND: To evaluate the histopathological features of gallbladder specimens obtained from liver transplantation (LT) recipients and to find the correlation between these findings with the clinical features of patients. METHODS: The 1985 patients who underwent LT in our institute between March 2002 and January 2021 and whose data regarding pathologic analysis of gallbladder could retrospectively be obtained were included in the study. The data of the patients including age, gender, the reason for LT (fulminant or nonfulminant), presence of ascites, macroscopic characteristics of gallbladder (the length, diameter, and wall thickness), and microscopic findings were all obtained and analyzed in the present study. RESULTS: A total of 1985 patients (men = 1300 and women = 685) with a median age of 39.4 years were included in this study. LT was performed in 249 patients because of fulminant liver failure, and abdominal ascites were detected in 933 patients during LT. There were statistical differences in terms of age (P < .001), gallbladder length (P < .001). and width (P < .001) among the both gender, but there was no difference in terms of histopathologic characteristics and presence of gallstones. On the other hand, there were significant differences in terms of age (P < .001), gallbladder length (P < .001), width (P < .001), wall thickness (P = .021), presence of gallstones (P < .001), and histopathologic characteristics (P < .001) between the patients with fulminant and nonfulminant liver failure etiologies. Similar results were obtained when characteristics of patients with and without ascites were compared. CONCLUSIONS: This the first study analyzing the histopathological analysis of gallbladder specimens in LT recipients. Chronic liver disease, presence of ascites and gender are the factors affecting the macroscopic and microscopic features of the gallbladder.

Screening, Surveillance, and Management of Hepatocellular Carcinoma During the COVID-19 Pandemic: a Narrative Review.

PURPOSE: The COVID-19 pandemic has been a burden to the global community as a whole but the healthcare community had bore the brunt of it. The pandemic resulted in policy changes that interfered with effective healthcare delivery. The healthcare community attempted to cope with the pandemic by triaging and prioritizing emergency conditions especially COVID related, ahead of elective conditions like cancer care. There was also fear that patients with cancer were at an increased risk of sever COVID-19 with increased mortality. Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) was also affected by these policies. METHODS: We reviewed the modified measures adopted in screening, surveillance, and management of HCC during the pandemic using PubMed, Medline, Index Medicus, EMBASE, SCOPUS, and Google Scholar databases. RESULT: The main modification in surveillance and screening for HCC during the pandemic includes limiting the surveillance to those with very high risk of HCC. The interval between surveillan was also delayed by few months in some cases. The adoption of teleconferencing for multidisciplinary team meetings and patient consultation is one of the highlights of this pandemic all in an effort to reduce contact and spread of the virus. The treatment of early-stage HCC was also modified as needed. The role of ablative therapy in the management of early HCC was very prominent during the pandemic as the surgical therapy was significantly affected by the lacks of ventilators and intensive care unit space resulting from the pandemic. Transplantation, especially living donor liver transplantation, was suspended in few centers because of the risk of infection to the living donors. CONCLUSION: As we gradually recover from the pandemic, we should prepare for the fallout from the pandemic as we may encounter increased presentation of those patients deferred from screening during the pandemic.

Ursodeoxycholic Acid Prophylaxis and the Reduction of Gallstone Formation After Bariatric Surgery: An Updated Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials.

Gallstone formation following bariatric surgery poses a significant clinical concern, prompting various preventive strategies, including ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA) prophylaxis. This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to assess the efficacy of UDCA in preventing gallstone formation after bariatric surgery. A comprehensive literature search was conducted in major databases up to September 2023, identifying 12 randomized controlled trials (RCTs) meeting the inclusion criteria. The studies, spanning from 1993 to 2022, involved 2,767 patients who underwent diverse bariatric procedures. The primary outcome was the overall incidence of cholelithiasis, with secondary outcomes encompassing gallstone occurrences at three, six, and 12 months; symptomatic cholelithiasis; and rates of cholecystectomy. The Cochrane risk-of-bias tool was utilized for evaluating study quality, and statistical analyses were conducted using the RevMan software (Cochrane Collaboration, London, UK). Patients receiving UDCA demonstrated a significantly lower overall incidence of gallstones post-bariatric surgery (risk ratio [RR] 0.13; P < 0.0001). Subgroup analyses confirmed reduced gallstone incidence at three months (P = 0.04), six months (P < 0.00001), and one year (P < 0.00001) with UDCA prophylaxis. Symptomatic cholelithiasis incidence was also lower in the UDCA group (RR 5.70; P < 0.00001), and cholecystectomy rates were significantly reduced (RR 3.05; P = 0.002). This meta-analysis supports the efficacy of UDCA prophylaxis in preventing gallstone formation after bariatric surgery. The findings suggest that UDCA administration not only lowers overall gallstone incidence but also reduces the occurrence of symptomatic cholelithiasis and mitigates the need for cholecystectomy. However, caution is warranted due to heterogeneity, diverse surgical procedures, and limited long-term follow-up in the included studies. Further research with standardized protocols and extended observational periods is recommended to strengthen the evidence base and guide clinical practice.

Is fundus first laparoscopic cholecystectomy a better option than conventional laparoscopic cholecystectomy for difficult cholecystectomy? A systematic review and meta-analysis.

The gallstone disease prevalence is up to 27% in the general adult population. Though most of the patients are asymptomatic, about 1-4% of these patients became symptomatic every year and will require treatment. Fundus first laparoscopic cholecystectomy (FFLC) was first reported by Cooperman in 1990 when he utilized the approach to safely perform LC for patients with acute cholecystitis and dense adhesion around the calot's triangle which precluded safe dissection. Some surgeons reported that the FFLC may be quicker than the traditional dissection starting at the Calot's triangle, although no randomized trial has been undertaken to confirm that. We aim to perform this systematic review and meta-analysis to compare outcome of fundal first laparoscopic cholecystectomy with conventional laparoscopic cholecystectomy. Three reviewers independently searched the Pubmed, medline, google schoolar, Cochrane library and Embase databases for prospective or retrospective articles comparing outcomes of fundus first LC and conventional LC. The search terms were "retrograde cholecystectomy", "antegrade cholecystectomy", "fundus first cholecystectomy", "fundus down cholecystectomy", and "dome down cholecystectomy". Studies were selected based on predetermined criteria and data were extracted from the study for meta-analysis. Twelve studies were included for meta-analysis. Our analysis revealed that FFLC is associated with less conversion to open surgery, less time of surgery, less risk of bile duct injuries and shorter duration of hospital stay compared conventional cholecystectomy in patients with difficult cholecystectomy. In conclusion, fundus first laparoscopic cholecystectomy is a safer alternative to conventional laparoscopic cholecystectomy in patients with difficult cholecystectomy.

Clinical presentation, management, screening and surveillance for colorectal cancer during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Management of colorectal cancer (CRC) was severely affected by the changes implemented during the pandemic, and this resulted in delayed elective presentation, increased emergency presentation, reduced screening and delayed definitive therapy. This review was conducted to analyze the impact of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic on management of CRC and to identify the changes made in order to adapt to the pandemic. We performed a literature search in PubMed, Medline, Index Medicus, EMBASE, SCOPUS, Reference Citation Analysis (https://www.referencecitationanalysis.com/) and Google Scholar using the following keywords in various combinations: Colorectal cancer, elective surgery, emergency surgery, stage upgrading, screening, surveillance and the COVID-19 pandemic. Only studies published in English were included. To curtail the spread of COVID-19 infection, there were modifications made in the management of CRC. Screening was limited to high risk individuals, and the screening tests of choice during the pandemic were fecal occult blood test, fecal immunochemical test and stool DNA testing. The use of capsule colonoscopy and open access colonoscopy was also encouraged. Blood-based tests like serum methylated septin 9 were also encouraged for screening of CRC during the pandemic. The presentation of CRC was also affected by the pandemic with more patients presenting with emergencies like obstruction and perforation. Stage migration was also observed during the pandemic with more patients presenting with more advanced tumors. The operative therapy of CRC was altered by the pandemic as more emergencies surgeries were done, which may require exteriorization by stoma. This was to reduce the morbidity associated with anastomosis and encourage early discharge from the hospital. There was also an initial reduction in laparoscopic surgical procedures due to the fear of aerosols and COVID-19 infection. As we gradually come out of the pandemic, we should remember the lessons learned and continue to apply them even after the pandemic passes.