Comparison of Single-Port Robotic Donor Nephrectomy and Laparoscopic Donor Nephrectomy.

Purpose: To compare the intra- and postoperative outcomes of single-port robotic donor nephrectomies (SP RDNs) and laparoscopic donor nephrectomies (LDNs). Materials and Methods: We retrospectively reviewed our institutional database for patients who received LDN or SP RDN between September 2020 and December 2022. Donor baseline characteristics, intraoperative outcomes, postoperative outcomes, and recipient renal function were extracted and compared between LDN and SP RDN. SP RDN learning curve analysis based on operative time and graft extraction time was performed using cumulative sum analysis. Results: One hundred forty-four patients underwent LDN and 32 patients underwent SP RDN. LDN and SP RDN had similar operative times (LDN: 190.3 ± 28.0 minutes, SP RDN: 194.5 ± 35.1 minutes, p = 0.3253). SP RDN patients had significantly greater extraction times (LDN: 83.2 ± 40.3 seconds, SP RDN: 204.1 ± 52.2 seconds, p < 0.0001) and warm ischemia times (LDN: 145.1 ± 61.7 seconds, SP RDN: 275.4 ± 65.6 seconds, p < 0.0001). There were no differences in patient subjective pain scores, inpatient opioid usage, or Clavien-Dindo II+ complications. Short- and medium-term postoperative donor and recipient renal function were also similar between the groups. SP RDN graft extraction time and total operative time learning curves were achieved at case 27 and 13, respectively. Conclusion: SP RDN is a safe and feasible alternative to LDN that minimizes postoperative abdominal incisional scars and has a short learning curve. Future randomized prospective clinical trials are needed to confirm the findings of this study and to identify other potential benefits and drawbacks of SP RDNs.

Artificial intelligence to identify harmful alcohol use after early liver transplant for alcohol-associated hepatitis.

Early liver transplantation (LT) for alcohol-associated hepatitis (AH) is the fastest growing indication for LT, but prediction of harmful alcohol use post-LT remains limited. Among 10 ACCELERATE-AH centers, we examined psychosocial evaluations from consecutive LT recipients for AH from 2006 to 2017. A multidisciplinary panel used content analysis to develop a maximal list of psychosocial variables. We developed an artificial intelligence model to predict post-LT harmful alcohol use. The cohort included training (N = 91 among 8 centers) and external validation (N = 25 among 2 centers) sets, with median follow-up of 4.4 (IQR 3.0-6.0) years post-LT. In the training set, AUC was 0.930 (95%CI 0.862-0.998) with positive predictive value of 0.891 (95%CI 0.620-1.000), internally validated through fivefold cross-validation. In the external validation set, AUC was 0.692 (95%CI 0.666-0.718) with positive predictive value of 0.82 (95%CI 0.625-1.000). The model identified specific variables related to social support and substance use as highly important to predict post-LT harmful alcohol use. We retrospectively developed and validated a model that identified psychosocial profiles at LT predicting harmful alcohol use post-LT for AH. This preliminary model may inform selection and post-LT management for AH and warrants prospective evaluation in larger studies among all alcohol-associated liver disease being considered for early LT.

Postreperfusion syndrome in liver transplantation: Outcomes, predictors, and application for recipient selection.

BACKGROUND: This study aimed to identify risk factors for postreperfusion syndrome (PRS) and its impact on LT outcomes. METHODS: Data analysis was performed in 1021 adult patients undergoing donation after brain death (DBD) LT to identify PRS incidence, the risk factors for PRS development, and its impact on LT outcomes. RESULTS: The overall incidence of PRS was 16.1%. Independent risk factors for PRS included donor age (odds ratio (OR) 1.01, P = .02), donor body mass index (BMI) (OR 1.04, P = .003), moderate macrosteatosis (OR 2.48, P = .02), and cold ischemia time (CIT) (OR 1.06, P = .02). On multivariable analysis for 30-day graft failure, PRS (hazard ratio (HR) 3.49; P < .001) and Model for End-stage Liver Disease (MELD) score (HR 1.01; P = .05) were independent risk factors. Patients were categorized into four distinct groups based on PRS risk groups and MELD groups, which showed different 1-year graft survival (P < .001). There were comparable outcomes between low PRS risk - high MELD and high PRS risk - low MELD group (P = .33). CONCLUSIONS: Donor age, donor BMI, moderate macrosteatosis, and CIT were identified as risk factors for the development of PRS in LT using DBD grafts. PRS risk evaluation may improve donor-to-recipient matching based on their MELD scores.

Living Donor Nephrectomy Using a Right Malrotated Kidney: A Case Report.

A 46-year-old woman was approved as a living kidney donor in our center for paired donation working with the National Kidney Registry. The imaging revealed a malrotated right kidney with the hilum oriented cephalad. We selected that kidney for donation, and an uneventful laparoscopic donor nephrectomy was performed. To our knowledge, this is the first case of laparoscopic living donor nephrectomy using a sagittally malrotated kidney.

The arbitrary magic of p<0.05: Beyond statistics.

Modern research and scientific conclusions are widely regarded as valid when the study design and analysis are interpreted correctly. P-value is considered to be the most commonly used method to provide a dichotomy between true and false data in evidence-based medicine. However, many authors, reviewers and editors may be unfamiliar with the true definition and correct interpretation of this number. This article intends to point out how misunderstanding or misuse of this value can have an impact in both the scientific community as well as the society we live in. The foundation of the medical education system rewards the abundance of scientific papers rather than the careful search of the truth. Appropriate research ethics should be practised in all stages of the publication process.

Is obesity a contraindication for kidney donation?

INTRODUCTION: To enlarge the donor pool, kidney donors with obesity have been considered. We hypothesized that it is safe for patients with obesity to serve as living kidney donors. METHODS: In this single-center retrospective analysis, we examined the effect of obesity (body mass index (BMI) of 30-35 kg/m2) on glomerular filtration rate (GFR) and creatinine in patients undergoing laparoscopic donor nephrectomy. Other outcomes included intraoperative, 30-, and 90-day complications. We examined the trajectory between patients with obesity versus patients without obesity over time using mixed effects models for the outcomes of creatinine in mg/dL and GFR in mL/min/1.73 m2. RESULTS: Among donors with obesity versus donors without obesity, there were no significant differences in demographics or comorbidities. Baseline creatinine in donors with obesity was significantly greater than that of donors without obesity (p = 0.02). Operative time was significantly longer in donors with obesity versus without obesity (p = 0.03). There was no significant difference in 30-day morbidity between donors with obesity versus without obesity (6.52 vs. 3.57%, respectively; p = 0.38). The rate of graft complications was 8.7% in donors with obesity versus 7.1% in donors without obesity (p = 1.0). 90-day complications were infrequent, and not significant different between the groups. At 6, 12, and 24-month postoperative follow-up, the mean creatinine level in patients with obesity was not significantly different from that of patients without obesity (1.23 vs. 1.31, 1.23 vs. 1.26, and 1.17 vs. 1.19 at 6, 12, and 24 months, respectively). Mean GFR was also not significantly different at 6, 12, and, 24 months. CONCLUSION: Postoperative creatinine and GFR changes were not significantly different in patients with obesity versus without obesity after laparoscopic donor nephrectomy. These findings suggest that carefully screened living kidney donors with obesity do not experience decreased postoperative renal function.

Different outcomes after kidney transplantation between African Americans and Whites: A matter of income? A single-center study.

BACKGROUND: Our center has one of the largest representations of African Americans in listed and transplanted patients. We investigated if and how racial differences affect outcomes in our patient population. METHODS: We performed a retrospective analysis of all kidney transplants in African American and (non-Hispanic) White patients in our center from 1/1/2005 to 12/31/2014. Cox regression was performed to evaluate the adjusted hazard ratios for graft loss. We investigated the influence of socioeconomic status on transplant outcomes. We stratified our patients into three groups based on income: lower (<$50 000 annual household income), medium ($50 000-100 000 annual household income), and higher (>$100 000 annual household income. RESULTS: There were 1333 patients in our study, 696 Whites and 637 African Americans. The 1-, 5-, and 10-year graft survival between the two groups was 96.5% vs 91.1%, 89% vs 80.7%, and 77% vs 66.3%, respectively (P < .001 by Log Rank, Breslow and Taron-Ware). When we compared the two groups separately in each income category, we found no statistical difference between African Americans and Whites in graft survival. In the regression model, income and not race was the significant factor influencing graft survival (P < .001 vs P = .61).

Renal Safety of Intravenous Ketorolac Use After Donor Nephrectomy.

INTRODUCTION: The benefit and short-term safety of ketorolac have been established in previous studies however, the risk of bleeding and long-term renal impairment in patients undergoing donor nephrectomy remain unclear. We report our experience at a high-volume transplant center. METHOD: Between January 1996 and January 2014, 862 consecutive patients underwent laparoscopic donor nephrectomy. Exclusion criteria included nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug allergy, asthma, bleeding disorders, long-term opioid use, intraoperative blood loss >700 mL, peptic ulcer disease, bleeding diathesis, and baseline creatinine greater than 1.9 mg/dL. Intravenous ketorolac was administered within 30 minutes following the surgical procedure at a dose of 15 to 30 mg every 6 hours. Patients were categorized into 2 groups according to the administration of ketorolac after surgery. Differences between the groups were analyzed. Primary outcomes were changes in serum creatinine and hemoglobin levels. Poor outcome was defined as postsurgical complications. RESULTS: During this time, 469 (55.3%) received ketorolac. The mean donor age was 39 years, and 360 (42.5%) were male. Left kidneys were procured in 82%. Operative time averaged 210 minutes and warm ischemia time117 seconds. Baseline demographic and operative outcomes were comparable in both groups. No statistically significant differences were found between the ketorolac group and the nonketorolac group in preoperative and postoperative hemoglobin levels and serum creatinine at 1 week, 1 year, and 5 years (P = .6). Ketorolac use was not associated with increased perioperative morbidity (P = NS). CONCLUSION: The use of intravenous ketorolac in patients undergoing donor nephrectomy was not associated with an increased risk of bleeding or renal impairment.

Increasing living donation by implementing the Kidney Coach Program.

Candidates for living donor kidney transplantation (LDKT) find it difficult to discuss living donation with people in their social network, and there is a lack of useful interventions to train them. The Kidney Coach Program (KCP) was developed to equip individuals (advocates for candidates and candidate themselves) with the tools needed to find potential donors. The purpose of this pilot study is to evaluate the effects of the KCP on increasing the number of people considering living donation. METHODS: Candidates for the KCP were recruited. Data were collected on the number of live donor inquiries in the coach group compared to listed patients (historical controls). RESULTS: Over a 12-month period, 20 transplant candidates enrolled in the KCP were compared to 50 controls. Eighty percent of the participants in the KCP had at least one donor inquiry compared to 38% of controls (P = 0.001). Significantly, more Caucasian candidates participated in the KCP compared to other racial groups. CONCLUSIONS: The KCP can be an effective method to increase awareness of a patient's need for LDKT. Existing clinical staff successfully implemented the program. Transplant programs should provide training to candidates and their supports on effective ways to find a living donor.

Robotic-assisted vs. laparoscopic donor nephrectomy: a retrospective comparison of perioperative course and postoperative outcome after 1 year.

Safety is of utmost importance in live donor nephrectomies. In this study, we describe our initial experience with robot-assisted laparoscopic donor nephrectomy (RDN) in comparison with the standard laparoscopic donor nephrectomy (LDN). We retrospectively reviewed 95 patients who either underwent RDN or LDN performed by a single surgeon from 2011 to 2016 at a tertiary institution. Donor perioperative course and postoperative outcome along with recipient outcomes were compared. Of the 95 cases, 73 were classified as LDN and 22 were classified as RDN. There were no significant differences between the two groups in age, sex, BMI, race, and ASA status. Operative times (p < 0.001) were longer in the RDN group, but eventually approached LDN times. Warm ischemia (p = 0.002) and extraction times (p = 0.05) were also longer in the RDN cohort. The donor length of hospital stay, complication rates, and postoperative change in eGFR from baseline were similar in both cohorts up to 1 year. Recipient outcomes, including delayed graft function, graft failure, and renal function up to 1 year, were also comparable. In this study, we compared the longest postoperative course so far in both donors and recipients between RDN and LDN. Up to 1 year, RDN does not negatively impact outcomes. Proficiency with RDN also quickly improved to match LDN, making it a suitable procedure for newer surgeons.

Early conversion to belatacept after renal transplantation.

Belatacept is a non-nephrotoxic immunosuppressive agent, which may make it the ideal agent for patients with delayed or slow graft function on calcineurin inhibitors. There are limited data on conversion of patients to belatacept within 6 months of transplantation. Between January 2012 and December 2015, 16 patients were converted to belatacept for delayed or poor graft function (eGFR<30 mL/min/1.73 m2 , MDRD); three were HIV positive. Conversion protocols were analyzed in patients ≤4 months and 4-6 months post-transplantation. Mean serum creatinine levels after belatacept conversion were compared with preconversion levels. Patient survival was 100%, and graft survival was 88%. The mean creatinine fell from 3.9±1.82 mg/dL prebelatacept conversion to 2.1±1.1 mg/dL at 6 months and 1.9±0.47 mg/dL (median 1.8 mg/dL) at 12 months postconversion. There was no significant increased risk of rejection, infection, or malignancy. HIV parameters remained largely stable. Early conversion to belatacept in patients with DGF or slow graft function is safe and efficacious, in a single-center nonrandomized retrospective analysis.

Upper midline incision for living donor right hepatectomy.

BACKGROUND: Living donor liver transplantation is a viable option to increase access to transplantation and techniques to limit the operative incision is one way to increase donation by decreasing donor morbidity. We describe our experience with a limited upper midline incision (UMI) for living donor right hepatectomy. STUDY DESIGN: Prospective data were collected on 58 consecutive living liver donors who underwent right hepatectomy via a UMI. RESULTS: Donor median age was 32 years, with median body mass index of 24.6. The mean incision length was 11.7 cm. Ten liver grafts included middle hepatic vein. The mean graft volume by preoperative imaging was 940 cc. The mean operative time was 407 minutes; cellsaver was utilized in 35 patients with median of 1 unit. Mean peak aspartate transaminase (AST) and alanine transaminase (ALT) were 492 and 469, and peak bilirubin and international normalized ratio (INR) were 3.3 and 1.8. The average length of stay was 6 days. There were 10 Clavien grade I and 11 Clavien grade II complications. Three patients developed an incisional hernia requiring surgical repair. CONCLUSION: Living liver donor hepatectomy can be safely performed through a UMI. This approach consolidates the steps of liver mobilization, hilar dissection, and parenchymal transection in a single-exposure technique, with incision comparable to the laparoscopic-assisted modality.

Liver Transplantation for Acute Intermittent Porphyria: Biochemical and Pathologic Studies of the Explanted Liver.

Acute intermittent porphyria (AIP) is an autosomal-dominant hepatic disorder caused by the half-normal activity of hydroxymethylbilane (HMB) synthase. Symptomatic individuals experience life-threatening acute neurovisceral attacks that are precipitated by factors that induce the hepatic expression of 5-aminolevulinic acid synthase 1 (ALAS1), resulting in the marked accumulation of the putative neurotoxic porphyrin precursors 5-aminolevulinic acid (ALA) and porphobilinogen (PBG). Here, we provide the first detailed description of the biochemical and pathologic alterations in the explanted liver of an AIP patient who underwent orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT) due to untreatable and debilitating chronic attacks. After OLT, the recipient's plasma and urinary ALA and PBG rapidly normalized, and her attacks immediately stopped. In the explanted liver, (a) ALAS1 mRNA and activity were elevated approximately ~3- and 5-fold, and ALA and PBG concentrations were increased ~3- and 1,760-fold, respectively; (b) uroporphyrin III concentration was elevated; (c) microsomal heme content was sufficient, and representative cytochrome P450 activities were essentially normal; (d) HMB synthase activity was approximately half-normal (~42%); (e) iron concentration was slightly elevated; and (f) heme oxygenase I mRNA was increased approximately three-fold. Notable pathologic findings included nodular regenerative hyperplasia, previously not reported in AIP livers, and minimal iron deposition, despite the large number of hemin infusions received before OLT. These findings suggest that the neurovisceral symptoms of AIP are not associated with generalized hepatic heme deficiency and support the neurotoxicity of ALA and/or PBG. Additionally, they indicate that substrate inhibition of hepatic HMB synthase activity by PBG is not a pathogenic mechanism in acute attacks.

Liver transplantation for neonatal hemochromatosis: analysis of the UNOS database.

NH is the most common identifiable cause of ALF in the neonate. LT is the definitive treatment for neonates with NH who have failed medical therapy. Our aim was to determine the outcomes of LT in infants with NH. Patients (less than one yr of age) with NH who were listed for LT and patients who underwent LT between 1994 and 2013 were identified from the UNOS database for analysis. Risk factors for death and graft loss were analyzed by multivariate logistic regression. Thirty-eight infants with NH with a total of 43 transplants were identified. One- and five-yr patient and graft survival were 84.2%, 81.6%, 71.1%, and 68.4%, respectively. The outcomes for NH were not significantly different when compared to the same age-matched recipients with other causes of ALF. There were no statistically significant risk factors identified for graft loss or death. Ninety infants with NH were listed for LT. Reasons for removal included transplanted (49%), death (27%), too sick to transplant (7%), and improved status (13%). LT for infants with NH has a high rate of graft loss and death; however, outcomes are comparable to the same age-matched recipients with other causes of ALF.

Segmental grafts in adult and pediatric liver transplantation: improving outcomes by minimizing vascular complications.

IMPORTANCE: The use of technically variant segmental grafts are key in offering transplantation to increase organ availability. OBJECTIVE: To describe the use of segmental allograft in the current era of donor scarcity, minimizing vascular complications using innovative surgical techniques. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS: Retrospective study from August 2007 to August 2012 at a university hospital. A total of 218 consecutive liver transplant patients were reviewed, and 69 patients (31.6%; 38 males and 31 females; mean age, 22.5 years) received segmental grafts from living donors or split/reduced-size grafts from deceased donors. MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES: Graft type, vascular and biliary complications, and patient and graft survival. RESULTS: Of 69 segmental transplants, 47 were living donor liver transplants: 13 grafts (27.7%) were right lobes, 22 (46.8%) were left lobes, and 12 (25.5%) were left lateral segments. Twenty-two patients received deceased donor segmental grafts; of these, 11 (50.0%) were extended right lobes, 9 (40.9%) were left lateral segments, 1 (4.5%) was a right lobe, and 1 (4.5%) was a left lobe. Arterial anastomoses were done using 8-0 monofilament sutures in an interrupted fashion for living donor graft recipients and for pediatric patients. Most patients received a prophylactic dose of low-molecular-weight heparin for a week and aspirin indefinitely. There was no incidence of hepatic artery or portal vein thrombosis. Two patients developed hepatic artery stenosis and were treated with balloon angioplasty by radiology. Graft and patient survivals were 96% and 98%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE: Use of segmental allografts is essential to offer timely transplantation and decrease waiting list mortality. Living donor liver transplants and segmental grafts from deceased donors are complementary. It is possible to have excellent outcomes combining a multidisciplinary team approach, technical expertise, routine use of anticoagulation, and strict patient and donor selection.

A one-day centralized work-up for kidney transplant recipient candidates: a quality improvement report.

BACKGROUND: Waiting time for a kidney transplant is calculated from the date the patient is placed on the UNOS (United Network for Organ Sharing) waitlist to the date the patient undergoes transplant. Time from transplant evaluation to listing represents unaccounted waiting time, potentially resulting in longer dialysis exposure for some patients with prolonged evaluation times. There are established disparities demonstrating that groups of patients take longer to be placed on the waitlist and thus have less access to kidney transplant. STUDY DESIGN: Quality improvement report. SETTING & PARTICIPANTS: 905 patients from a university-based hospital were evaluated for kidney transplant candidacy, and analysis was performed from July 1, 2004, to January 31, 2010. QUALITY IMPROVEMENT PLAN: A 1-day centralized work-up was implemented on July 1, 2007, whereby the transplant center coordinated the necessary tests needed to fulfill minimal listing criteria. OUTCOME: Time from evaluation to UNOS listing was compared between the 2 cohorts. Multivariable Cox proportional hazards models were created to assess the relative hazards of waitlist placement comparing 1-day versus conventional work-up and were adjusted for age, sex, race, and education. RESULTS: Of 905 patients analyzed, 378 underwent conventional evaluation and 527 underwent a 1-day center-coordinated evaluation. Median time to listing in the 1-day center-coordinated evaluation compared with conventional was significantly less (46 vs 226 days, P < 0.001). On multivariable analysis controlling for age, sex, and education level, the 1-day in-center group was 3 times more likely to place patients on the wait list (adjusted HR, 3.08; 95% CI, 2.64-3.59). Listing time was significantly decreased across race, sex, education, and ethnicity. LIMITATIONS: Single center, retrospective. Variables that may influence transplant practitioners, such as comorbid conditions or functional status, were not assessed. CONCLUSIONS: A 1-day center-coordinated pretransplant work-up model significantly decreased time to listing for kidney transplant.

Liver transplantation at Yale-New Haven Transplantation Center.

It is possible to achieve better results after liver transplantation in adult and pediatric patients. An approach driven by multidisciplinary protocol is the most important factor, along with excellent communication skills, technical expertise, application of new technologies such as MARS and Arctic-Sun for ALF, and new knowledge/treatment protocols such as escalating-dose interferon ribavirin treatment, protocol biopsies, routine use of IL28B gene mutation and new protease inhibitors as part of antiviral therapy for hepatitis C.

Use of model for end-stage liver disease exception points for early liver transplantation and successful reversal of hepatic myelopathy with a review of the literature.

Hepatic myelopathy (HM) is a rarely reported disorder characterized by progressive spastic paraparesis due to impaired corticospinal tract function in the setting of cirrhosis or portosystemic shunting. HM has not to date been recognized as a Model for End-Stage Liver Disease (MELD) exception for transplantation. Outcomes for a small number of patients from Europe and Asia who have undergone liver transplantation (LT) for HM suggest a potential neurological benefit, especially with earlier transplantation. We report the first use of MELD exception points for the condition of HM to enable early LT resulting in the reversal of marked spastic paraparesis. Our patient, whose myelopathy had markedly progressed without further hepatic decompensation, underwent LT 14 months after the diagnosis of HM with an adjusted MELD score of 30, which was granted as a United Network for Organ Sharing exception. After LT, there was significant neurological improvement as the patient progressed from wheelchair dependency to full ambulation. We reviewed the literature of other HM patients who had undergone LT. With our patient, there were in all 15 reported cases of LT in individuals with HM. LT can lead to a marked improvement in HM, particularly in the earlier clinical stages of the disorder. Early LT can be accomplished, as in our case, by the submission of an appeal for a MELD upgrade.

Common hepatic artery arising from the left gastric artery: a rare anatomic variation identified on a cadaveric liver donor.

Anatomical variations of the arterial supply of the liver are not uncommon. The typical normal "textbook" anatomy of the hepatic artery is found only in approximately half of the cases. Some of the variations such as the presence of a right or left hepatic branch are more common, but other ones are extremely rare. We describe here a rare case in which the common hepatic artery arose from the left gastric artery, found during a cadaveric liver donor harvesting and confirmed with imaging studies. Cases like this one highlight the importance of knowing the hepatic arterial anatomy and the possibility of its numerous variations by the transplant and hepatobiliary surgeon.

Comparison of monopolar electrocoagulation, bipolar electrocoagulation, Ultracision, and Ligasure.

PURPOSE: Hemostasis is a fundamental principle of surgery. We compared the safety and efficacy of monopolar electrocoagulation (ME), bipolar electrocoagulation (BE), Ligasure (LS), a modern bipolar vessel sealing system, and Ultracision (UC), a system of ultrasound energy based shears. We also studied the healing process after their use. METHODS: We used each of the above methods to coagulate and divide the short gastric vessels of 16 white male New Zealand rabbits. The animals were killed after 3, 7, 14, or 21 days, and the coagulation sites and the adjacent gastric wall were examined histologically. RESULTS: LS and UC achieved complete hemostasis without any complications. Conversely, ME and BE often resulted in failed coagulation and perforation of the neighboring gastric wall from a side thermal injury. Histologically, LS demonstrated the mildest side thermal injury and the fastest healing process. We noted greater thermal injury and inflammatory response after UC than after LS on days 7 and 14; however, ME and BE caused the most severe lesions. CONCLUSIONS: LS and UC are clearly the safest and most efficient methods of coagulation, whereas ME and BE could cause serious clinical and histological complications. We found histological evidence that UC causes a slightly greater inflammatory response than LS, and the clinical implications of this warrant further investigation.