Pre-transplant multidrug-resistant infections in liver transplant recipients-epidemiology and impact on transplantation outcome.

BACKGROUND: Cirrhotic patients are highly exposed to healthcare services and antibiotics. Although pre-liver transplantation (LT) infections are directly related to the worsening of liver function, the impact of these infections on LT outcomes is still unclear. This study aimed to identify the effect of multidrug-resistant microorganism (MDRO) infections before LT on survival after LT. METHODS: Retrospective study that included patients who underwent LT between 2010 and 2019. Variables analyzed were related to patients' comorbidities, underlying diseases, time on the waiting list, antibiotic use, LT surgery, and occurrences post-LT. Multivariate analyses were performed using logistic regression, and Cox regression for survival analysis. RESULTS: A total of 865 patients were included; 351 infections were identified in 259 (30%) patients, of whom 75 (29%) had ≥1 pre-LT MDRO infection. The most common infection was spontaneous bacterial peritonitis (34%). The agent was identified in 249(71%), 53(15%) were polymicrobial. The most common microorganism was Klebsiella pneumoniae (18%); the most common MDRO was ESBL-producing Enterobacterales (16%), and carbapenem-resistant (CR) Enterobacterales (10%). Factors associated with MDRO infections before LT were previous use of therapeutic cephalosporin (p = .001) and fluoroquinolone (p = .001), SBP prophylaxis (p = .03), ACLF before LT (p = .03), and days of hospital stay pre-LT (p < .001); HCC diagnosis was protective (p = .01). Factors associated with 90-day mortality after LT were higher MELD on inclusion to the waiting list (p = .02), pre-LT MDRO infection (p = .04), dialysis after LT (p < .001), prolonged duration of LT surgery (p < .001), post-LT CR-Gram-negative bacteria infection (p < .001), and early retransplantation (p = .004). CONCLUSION: MDRO infections before LT have an important impact on survival after LT.

Abdominal wall hernia in cirrhotic patients: emergency surgery results in higher morbidity and mortality.

BACKGROUND: Patients with cirrhosis have a high incidence of abdominal wall hernias and carry an elevated perioperative morbidity and mortality. The optimal surgical management strategy as well as timing of abdominal hernia repair remains controversial. METHODS: A cohort study of 67 cirrhotic patients who underwent hernia repair during the period of January 1998-December 2009 at the University Hospital of Sao Paulo were included. After meeting study criteria, a total of 56 patients who underwent 61 surgeries were included in the final analysis. Patient characteristics, morbidity (Clavien score), mortality, Child-Turcotte-Pugh score, MELD score, use of prosthetic material, and elective or emergency surgery have been analysed with regards to morbidity and 30-day mortality. RESULTS: The median MELD score of the patient population was 14 (range: 6 to 24). Emergency surgery was performed in 34 patients because of ruptured hernia (n = 13), incarceration (n = 10), strangulation (n = 4), and skin necrosis or ulceration (n = 7). Elective surgery was performed in 27 cases. After a multivariable analysis, emergency surgery (OR 7.31; p 0.017) and Child-Pugh C (OR 4.54; p 0.037) were risk factors for major complications. Moreover, emergency surgery was a unique independent risk factor for 30-day mortality (OR 10.83; p 0.028). CONCLUSIONS: Higher morbidity and mortality are associated with emergency surgery in advanced cirrhotic patients. Therefore, using cirrhosis as a contraindication for hernia repair in all patients may be reconsidered in the future, especially after controlling ascites and in those patients with hernias that are becoming symptomatic or show signs of possible skin necrosis and rupture. Future prospective randomized studies are needed to confirm this surgical strategy.

Artery reconstruction in liver transplantation: the best reconstruction of right hepatic artery variation.

INTRODUCTION: Variations on the anatomy of the hepatic artery are common, with incidence of 20-50%. In liver transplantation, back-table reconstruction is often necessary for an easier and prompt arterial anastomosis and so, the use of arterial patches has been related to lower the incidence of complications. However, when a right hepatic artery variation from the superior mesenteric artery is present, the reconstruction occasionally produces twisting and flow problems. METHODS: Is described a surgical alternative for right hepatic artery variation reconstruction using a Carrel-patch from the superior mesenteric artery. The patch is anastomosed with the splenic artery stump to allow vertical orientation and improve blood flow. RESULTS: Among 120 liver transplants, four consecutive cases of right hepatic artery variation were reconstructed using this technique. All of them showed good flow and patency in postoperative period. CONCLUSION: The proposed technique proved to be an interesting alternative for the reconstruction of right hepatic artery variation in liver transplantation.

Reconstrução arterial no transplante hepático: a melhor reconstrução para variação da artéria hepática direita / Artery reconstruction in liver transplantation: the best reconstruction of right hepatic artery variation

INTRODUÇÃO: Variações na anatomia da artéria hepática são comuns, com incidência de 20-50%. No transplante hepático, reconstruções durante a operção de bandeja são frequentemente necessárias para proporcionar anastomoses arteriais adequadas. O uso de "patch" é frequente, visando reduzir a incidência de complicações. Entretanto, quando está presente a variação da artéria hepática direita, ramo da artéria mesentérica superior, a reconstrução ocasionalmente produz torções e problemas de fluxo. MÉTODOS: Descreve-se uma técnica cirúrgica alternativa para reconstrução da variação da artéria hepática direita usando um "patch de Carrel" da artéria mesentérica superior. O "patch" é anastomosado no coto da artéria esplênica permitindo orientação vertical e bom fluxo sanguíneo. RESULTADOS: Entre 120 transplantes hepáticos, quatro casos consecutivos de variação da artéria hepática direita foram reconstruídas utilizando essa técnica. Todos eles apresentaram patência e bom fluxo no pós-operatório. CONCLUSÃO: A técnica proposta mostra-se interessante método alternativo para reconstrução da variação da artéria hepática direita no transplante hepático.

INTRODUCTION: Variations on the anatomy of the hepatic artery are common, with incidence of 20-50%. In liver transplantation, back-table reconstruction is often necessary for an easier and prompt arterial anastomosis and so, the use of arterial patches has been related to lower the incidence of complications. However, when a right hepatic artery variation from the superior mesenteric artery is present, the reconstruction occasionally produces twisting and flow problems. METHODS: Is described a surgical alternative for right hepatic artery variation reconstruction using a Carrel-patch from the superior mesenteric artery. The patch is anastomosed with the splenic artery stump to allow vertical orientation and improve blood flow. RESULTS: Among 120 liver transplants, four consecutive cases of right hepatic artery variation were reconstructed using this technique. All of them showed good flow and patency in postoperative period. CONCLUSION: The proposed technique proved to be an interesting alternative for the reconstruction of right hepatic artery variation in liver transplantation.

Anterior hepatic transection for caudate lobectomy.

Resection of the caudate lobe (segment I- dorsal sector, segment IX- right paracaval region, or both) is often technically difficult due to the lobe's location deep in the hepatic parenchyma and because it is adjacent to the major hepatic vessels (e.g., the left and middle hepatic veins). A literature search was conducted using Ovid MEDLINE for the terms "caudate lobectomy" and "anterior hepatic transection" (AHT) covering 1992 to 2007. AHT was used in 110 caudate lobectomies that are discussed in this review. Isolated caudate lobectomy was performed on 28 (25.4%) patients, with 11 case (11%) associated with hepatectomy, while 1 (0.9%) was associated with anterior segmentectomy. Complete caudate lobectomy was performed on 82 (74.5%) patients. Hepatocellular carcinoma was observed in 106 (96.3%) patients, while 1 (0.9%) had hemangioma and 3 (2.7%) had metastatic caudate tumors. AHT was used in 108 (98.1%) caudate resections, while AHT associated with a right-sided approach was performed in 2 (1.8%) cases. AHT is recommended for tumors located in the paracaval portion of the caudate lobe (segment IX). AHT is usually a safe and potentially curative surgical option.

Anterior hepatic transection for caudate lobectomy

Resection of the caudate lobe (segment I- dorsal sector, segment IX- right paracaval region, or both) is often technically difficult due to the lobe's location deep in the hepatic parenchyma and because it is adjacent to the major hepatic vessels (e.g., the left and middle hepatic veins). A literature search was conducted using Ovid MEDLINE for the terms "caudate lobectomy" and "anterior hepatic transection" (AHT) covering 1992 to 2007. AHT was used in 110 caudate lobectomies that are discussed in this review. Isolated caudate lobectomy was performed on 28 (25.4 percent) patients, with 11 case (11 percent) associated with hepatectomy, while 1 (0.9 percent) was associated with anterior segmentectomy. Complete caudate lobectomy was performed on 82 (74.5 percent) patients. Hepatocellular carcinoma was observed in 106 (96.3 percent) patients, while 1 (0.9 percent) had hemangioma and 3 (2.7 percent) had metastatic caudate tumors. AHT was used in 108 (98.1 percent) caudate resections, while AHT associated with a right-sided approach was performed in 2 (1.8 percent) cases. AHT is recommended for tumors located in the paracaval portion of the caudate lobe (segment IX). AHT is usually a safe and potentially curative surgical option.

Hemorragia digestiva baixa após quimioterapia na doença leucêmica: relato de caso / Gastrointestinal bleeding after chemotherapy in leukemic disease: a case report

A hemorragia digestiva baixa é uma complicaçäo que com frequência pode acometer pacientes leucêmicos submetidos a tratamento quimioterápico. Qualquer segmento do trato gastrointestinal pode estar acometido nestas situaçöes, sendo no entanto o cólon direito o principal sítio dos processos inflamatórios. Relatamos um caso de paciente portador de úlcera hemorrágica de cólon direito como complicaçäo de quimioterapia no tratamento da doença leucêmica. Discutimos a etiologia dessa lesäo, assim como suas dificuldades diagnósticas e opçöes terapêuticas frente à urgência hemorrágica