Recipient hepatectomy technique may affect oncological outcomes of liver transplantation for hepatocellular carcinoma.

To date, caval sparing (CS) and total caval replacement (TCR) for recipient hepatectomy in liver transplantation (LT) have been compared only in terms of surgical morbidity. Nonetheless, the CS technique is inherently associated with an increased manipulation of the native liver and later exclusion of the venous outflow, which may increase the risk of intraoperative shedding of tumor cells when LT is performed for HCC. A multicenter, retrospective study was performed to assess the impact of recipient hepatectomy (CS vs. TCR) on the risk of posttransplant HCC recurrence among 16 European transplant centers that used either TCR or CS recipient hepatectomy as an elective protocol technique. Exclusion criteria comprised cases of non-center-protocol recipient hepatectomy technique, living-donor LT, HCC diagnosis suspected on preoperative imaging but not confirmed at the pathological examination of the explanted liver, HCC in close contact with the IVC, and previous liver resection for HCC. In 2420 patients, CS and TCR approaches were used in 1452 (60%) and 968 (40%) cases, respectively. Group adjustment with inverse probability weighting was performed for high-volume center, recipient age, alcohol abuse, viral hepatitis, Child-Pugh class C, Model for End-Stage Liver Disease score, cold ischemia time, clinical HCC stage within Milan criteria, pre-LT downstaging/bridging therapies, pre-LT alphafetoprotein serum levels, number and size of tumor nodules, microvascular invasion, and complete necrosis of all tumor nodules (matched cohort, TCR, n = 938; CS, n = 935). In a multivariate cause-specific hazard model, CS was associated with a higher risk of HCC recurrence (HR: 1.536, p = 0.007). In conclusion, TCR recipient hepatectomy, compared to the CS approach, may be associated with some protective effect against post-LT tumor recurrence.

Portal vein thrombosis and liver transplantation: management, matching, and outcomes. A retrospective multicenter cohort study.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Besides the increased risk of perioperative morbidity, graft failure, and mortality, the majority of PVT are diagnosed at liver transplantation (LT). Improving preoperative management and patient selection may lead to better short-term and long-term outcomes and reduce the risk of a futile LT. The authors aimed to identify predictors of adverse outcomes after LT in patients with nonmalignant portal vein thrombosis (PVT) and improve donor to recipient matching by analyzing the results of the Italian cohort of LT recipients. METHODS: Adult patients who underwent LT in Italy between January 2000 and February 2020 diagnosed with PVT pre-LT or at time of LT were considered eligible for inclusion. Based on a survey encompassing all 26 surgeons participating in the study, a binary composite outcome was defined. Patients were classified as having the composite event if at least one of these conditions occurred: operative time more than 600 min, estimated blood loss greater than 5000 ml, more than 20 ICU days, 90 days mortality, 90 days retransplant. RESULTS: Seven hundred fourteen patients were screened and 698 met the inclusion criteria. The analysis reports the results of 568 patients that fulfilled the criteria to enter the composite outcome analysis.Overall, 156 patients (27.5%) developed the composite outcome. PVT stage 3/4 at transplant and need for any surgical correction of PVT are independent predictors of the composite outcome occurrence. When stratified by PVT grade, overall survival at 1-year ranges from 89.0% with PVT grade 0/1 to 67.4% in patients with PVT grade 3/4 at LT ( P <0.001). Nevertheless, patients with severe PVT can improve their survival when identified risk factors are not present. CONCLUSIONS: Potential LT candidates affected by PVT have a benefit from LT that should be adequately balanced on liver function and type of inflow reconstruction needed to mitigate the incidence of adverse events. Nonetheless, the absence of specific risk factors may improve the outcomes even in patients with PVT grades 3-4.

Histology for nephrology, from pre-implantation to post-transplant kidney biopsy. Lesson learned from ReBIrth (Renal BIopsy for Kidney Transplantation Therapy).

A meeting entitled Renal BIopsy for Kidney Transplantation Therapy (ReBIrth) took place on May 31st, 2022 in Bologna, Italy. The meeting drew together nephrologists, surgeons, and pathologists and recognized as experts in the field of kidney transplantation in Italy. In this paper, we present our experience working with kidney transplants in the current era of immunosuppression therapy. The primary aim is to report the histopathological characteristics of failed kidney allografts after a consensus of experts reviewed the cases on a wholeslide imaging digital platform. Regardless of the cases discussed, digital pathology was reliable in identifying all the morphological and immunohistochemical features required to improve the correct use of immunosuppressive therapy to prevent graft failure and optimize patient management.

The Enhanced Recovery after Surgery (ERAS) Pathway Is a Safe Journey for Kidney Transplant Recipients during the "Extended Criteria Donor" Era.

Enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) protocols are still underused in kidney transplantation (KT) due to recipients' "frailty" and risk of postoperative complications. We aimed to evaluate the feasibility and safety of ERAS in KT during the "extended-criteria donor" era, and to identify the predictive factors of prolonged hospitalization. In 2010−2019, all patients receiving KT were included in ERAS program targeting a discharge home within 5 days of surgery. Recipient, transplant, and outcomes data were analyzed. Of 454 KT [male: 280, 63.9%; age: 57 (19−77) years], 212 (46.7%) recipients were discharged within the ERAS target (≤5 days), while 242 (53.3%) were discharged later. Patients within the ERAS target (≤5 days) had comparable recipient and transplant characteristics to those with longer hospital stays, and they had similar post-operative complications, readmission rates, and 5 year graft/patient survival. In the multivariate analysis, DGF (HR: 2.16, 95% CI: 1.08−4.34, p < 0.030) and in-hospital dialysis (HR: 3.68, 95% CI: 1.73−7.85, p < 0.001) were the only predictive factors for late discharge. The ERAS approach is feasible and safe in all KT candidates, and its failure is primarily related to the postoperative graft function, rather than the recipient's clinical status. ERAS pathways, integrated with strict collaboration with local nephrologists, allow early discharge after KT, with clinical benefits.

Liver transplantation performed in a SARS-CoV-2 positive hospitalized recipient using a SARS-CoV-2 infected donor.

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a novel infectious disease caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). COVID-19 currently affected more than 108 million people worldwide with a fatality rate of 2.2%. Herein, we report the first case of liver transplantation (LT) performed with a liver procured from a SARS-CoV-2 positive donor. The recipient was a 35-year-old SARS-CoV-2 positive female patient affected by severe end-stage HBV-HDV-related liver disease (model of end-stage liver disease = 32) who had neutralizing SARS-CoV-2 antibodies (titers 1:320) at time of LT. The LT was successful, and the graft is functioning two months after surgery. The recipient cleared the SARS-CoV-2 infection 1 month after LT. The current case shows that the prompt use of SARS-CoV-2 infected liver donors offers an invaluable life-saving opportunity for SARS-CoV-2 positive wait-listed patients who developed neutralizing SARS-CoV-2 antibodies.

Hepatocellular carcinoma and the risk of de novo malignancies after liver transplantation - a multicenter cohort study.

Patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) are at high risk of second primary malignancies. As HCC has become the leading indication of liver transplant (LT), the aim of this study was to investigate whether the presence of HCC before LT could influence the onset of de novo malignancies (DNM). A cohort study was conducted on 2653 LT recipients. Hazard ratios (HR) of DNM development for patients transplanted for HCC (HCC patients) were compared with those of patients without any previous malignancy (non-HCC patients). All models were adjusted for sex, age, calendar year at transplant, and liver disease etiology. Throughout 17 903 person-years, 6.6% of HCC patients and 7.4% of non-HCC patients developed DNM (202 cases). The median time from LT to first DNM diagnosis was shorter for solid tumors in HCC patients (2.7 vs 4.5 years for HCC and non-HCC patients, respectively, P < 0.01). HCC patients were at a higher risk of bladder cancer and skin melanoma. There were no differences in cumulative DNM-specific mortality by HCC status. This study suggests that primary HCC could be a risk factor for DNM in LT recipients, allowing for risk stratification and screening individualization.

Feasibility and cost effectiveness of ambulatory laparoscopic cholecystectomy. A retrospective cohort study.

Ambulatory surgery is an efficient, safe and widely performed procedure; this study would shows the advantages of the ambulatory laparoscopic cholecystectomy procedure from the point of view of patients and the Hospital/National Health System. Materials and Methods: Single-center retrospective cohort study including 288 patients who underwent laparoscopic-cholecystectomy at **** from January 2016 to July 2018. Ambulatory LC were compared to well-matched inpatient procedures performed in the same study period. The primary endpoints was the 30-day readmission rate. Secondary endpoints were the discharge rate in the ambulatory group, the post-operative complications rate and cost effectiveness. Results: 120/288 (41.7%) patients underwent ambulatory laparoscopic cholecystectomy. Thirty-two (26.7%) patients who underwent ambulatory laparoscopic cholecystectomy had major preoperative comorbidities and 35 (29.2%) had undergone prior abdominal surgery. The readmission rates for ambulatory patients and inpatients were 0.8% and 1.7% (p = 0.56), respectively; 104 (86.7%) ambulatory patients were discharged successfully on the same day. The two groups showed the same post-operative complication rate (p = 0.40). Ambulatory procedures resulted in related cost savings of more than 300% for the hospital and a remarkable financial benefit for the National Italian Healthcare System, accounting for savings exceeding € 27 000 per year. Conclusions: Ambulatory laparoscopic cholecystectomy is safe and cost effective. Since a third of ambulatory patients showed comorbidity or previous abdominal surgery, we believe that this procedure may be performed safely in a tertiary HPB centre, even in complex patients.

Serum Levels of Granulocyte-Macrophage-colony-stimulating Factor and Stem-cell Factor During Liver Regeneration after Partial Hepatectomy in Humans.

BACKGROUND: Multiple biological functions have been recognized regarding Granulocyte Macrophage-Colony Stimulating Factor (GM-CSF) and Stem Cell Factor (SCF). AIM: To evaluate the serum changes of GM-CSF and SCF in patients undergoing surgical resection for liver tumor, in the regenerative phase after surgery in order to identify the possible relationship with the patient, tumor or surgical variables. METHODS: Thirty-two consecutive patients (50% male, median age 66), undergoing hepatic resection of liver neoplasm, were evaluated. The liver tumor was Hepatocellular Carcinoma (HCC) in 44% of cases. Other tumors were cholangiocarcinoma and metastasis. Serum levels of GM-CSF and SCF were assessed at baseline and 2 days, 7 days and 4 weeks after surgery. Personal and clinical patient data were also recorded. The statistical analysis was carried out using t-test for unpaired data or ANOVA (repeated measure) for continuous variables and Fisher test for discrete variables. RESULTS: GM-CSF levels remained constant after surgery and were compared to baseline values. SCF levels, on the other hand, increased during the time, after surgery. The evaluation of SCF levels (fold increase) according to surgical, patient and tumor variables evidenced some differences. At day 7 and week 4, SCF levels were statistically increased: i) in patients undergoing a large resection in comparison with others (p<0.05); ii) in patients non-cirrhotic in comparison with cirrhotic ones (p=0.02) and finally; iii) in patients with non-HCC tumor in comparison with HCC ones (p=0.02). CONCLUSION: During liver regeneration in humans, SCF serum levels are increased allowing to hypothesize a possible role of this chemokine during tissue growth and remodeling.

De novo malignancies after liver transplantation: The effect of immunosuppression-personal data and review of literature.

BACKGROUND: Immunosuppression has undoubtedly raised the overall positive outcomes in the post-operative management of solid organ transplantation. However, long-term exposure to immunosuppression is associated with critical systemic morbidities. De novo malignancies following orthotopic liver transplants (OLTs) are a serious threat in pediatric and adult transplant individuals. Data from different experiences were reported and compared to assess the connection between immunosuppression and de novo malignancies in liver transplant patients. AIM: To study the role of immunosuppression on the incidence of de novo malignancies in liver transplant recipients. METHODS: A systematic literature examination about de novo malignancies and immunosuppression weaning in adult and pediatric OLT recipients was described in the present review. Worldwide data were collected from highly qualified institutions performing OLTs. Patient follow-up, immunosuppression discontinuation and incidence of de novo malignancies were reported. Likewise, the review assesses the differences in adult and pediatric recipients by describing the adopted immunosuppression regimens and the different type of diagnosed solid and blood malignancy. RESULTS: Emerging evidence suggests that the liver is an immunologically privileged organ able to support immunosuppression discontinuation in carefully selected recipients. Malignancies are often detected in liver transplant patients undergoing daily immunosuppression regimens. Post-transplant lymphoproliferative diseases and skin tumors are the most detected de novo malignancies in the pediatric and adult OLT population, respectively. To date, immunosuppression withdrawal has been achieved in up to 40% and 60% of well-selected adult and pediatric recipients, respectively. In both populations, a clear benefit of immunosuppression weaning protocols on de novo malignancies is difficult to ascertain because data have not been specified in most of the clinical experiences. CONCLUSION: The selected populations of tolerant pediatric and adult liver transplant recipients greatly benefit from immunosuppression weaning. There is still no strong clinical evidence on the usefulness of immunosuppression withdrawal in OLT recipients on malignancies. An interesting focus is represented by the complete reconstitution of the immunological pathways that could help in decreasing the incidence of de novo malignancies and may also help in treating liver transplant patients suffering from cancer.

Evaluation of Contrast-Enhanced Intraoperative Ultrasound in the Detection and Management of Liver Lesions in Patients with Hepatocellular Carcinoma.

AIM: To evaluate the role of contrast-enhanced intraoperative ultrasound (CE-IOUS) during liver surgery in the detection and management of liver lesions in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). MATERIALS AND METHODS: From December 2016 to December 2017, 50 patients with HCC, who were candidates for liver resection, were evaluated with intraoperative ultrasound (IOUS). For all patients, MRI and/or CT were performed before surgery. During surgery, IOUS was performed after liver mobilization, and when nodules that had not been detected in the preoperative MRI and/or CT were observed, CE-IOUS scans were carried out with the dual purpose of better characterizing the unknown lesion and discovering new lesions. RESULTS: In 12 patients, IOUS showed 14 nodules not detected by preoperative MRI and/or CT, before surgery. Out of the 12 lesions, five presented vascular features compatible with those of malignant HCC to the evaluation with CE-IOUS and four of these were simultaneously treated with intraoperative radiofrequency ablation (RFA). The fifth lesion was resected by the surgeon. The remaining nine lesions recognized by IOUS were evaluated as benign at CE-IOUS and considered regenerative nodules. The last diagnosis was confirmed during follow-up obtained by means of CT and/or MRI after 1, 3, 6, or 12 months. CONCLUSION: In our experience, CE-IOUS is a useful diagnostic tool in both benign pathologies, such as regenerative nodules, and malignant liver lesions. The advantage of this approach is the possibility of intraoperatively characterizing, based on vascularization patterns, lesions that could not be diagnosed by preoperative imaging, resulting in modification of the surgical therapy decision and expansion of the resection or intraoperative ablation.

Liver transplantation with a normothermic machine preserved fatty nonagenarian liver: A case report.

INTRODUCTION: The use of organs from expanded criteria donors for Liver Transplantation (LT) represents a major challenge. In the current era of Normothermic Machine Perfusion (NMP), donor age boundaries are often overcome and may contribute to reduce the gap between supply and demand of organs suitable for transplantation. We report on a unique case of nonagenarian liver successfully transplanted after NMP. PRESENTATION OF CASE: A fatty previously declined liver graft from nonagenarian male brain death donor underwent NMP (OrganOx Metra®, UK, Oxford) perfusion at University of Rome Tor Vergata on April 2018. The histology assessment showed 15% macro and 35% micro vescicular steatosis. Liver fulfilled viability criteria after NMP and was thus transplanted. The recipient was a 53 years old male with hepatocellular carcinoma who underwent two previous trans-arterial chemo-embolization. The post-LT AST peak was 1556 U/L; post operative course was characterized by hepatic artery thrombosis that required re-laparotomy and successful thrombectomy. Recipient experienced biliary stricture three months after discharge successfully treated by endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography. At 7 months of follow-up patient has good clinical status and graft function. DISCUSSION: NMP represents a safe approach in order to increase the usage of very old fatty livers, that otherwise would be declined because of the high risk of primary non function and death. CONCLUSION: Nonagenarian liver recruitment after NMP seems to be feasible but a major attention is advisable on the manipulation and cannulation of hepatic artery in order to avoid intimal damage that can lead hepatic artery thrombosis.

Rare malignant glomus tumor of the stomach with liver metastases.

We report a case of a 72-year-old male admitted in our Unit with anemia and a 10 cm liver neoplasm. Computed tomography scan showed 2 lesions respectively in the II, III and, VIII segment of the liver. Surgical resection of the larger liver mass was performed and the tumor appeared as a solid-cystic mass and a diagnosis of malignant mesenchymal tumor not otherwise specified, was made. One month later a Computed tomography scan detected a dishomogeneous gastric mass, 6 cm in diameter, in the greater curvature, confirmed by esophagogastroduodenoscopy. The pathological diagnosis from endoscopic biopsy revealed a mesenchymal tumor requiring surgical removal for accurate diagnosis. The patient underwent relaparotomy and gastric resection and the pathological findings gave a diagnosis of a rare malignant glomic tumor of the stomach confirmed by the revision of previously performed hepatic resection classified as secondary lesion.

Survival after the diagnosis of de novo malignancy in liver transplant recipients.

In the setting of liver transplant (LT), the survival after the diagnosis of de novo malignancies (DNMs) has been poorly investigated. In this study, we assessed the impact of DNMs on survival of LT recipients as compared to corresponding LT recipients without DNM. A nested case-control study was conducted in a cohort of 2,818 LT recipients enrolled in nine Italian centres between 1985 and 2014. Cases were 244 LT recipients who developed DNMs after LT. For each case, two controls matched for gender, age, and year at transplant were selected by incidence density sampling among cohort members without DNM. The survival probabilities were estimated using the Kaplan-Meier method. Hazard ratios (HRs) of death and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were estimated using Cox proportional hazard models. The all-cancer 10-year survival was 43% in cases versus 70% in controls (HR = 4.66; 95% CI: 3.17-6.85). Survival was impaired in cases for all the most frequent cancer types, including lung (HR = 37.13; 95% CI: 4.98-276.74), non-Hodgkin lymphoma (HR = 6.57; 95% CI: 2.15-20.01), head and neck (HR = 4.65; 95% CI: 1.81-11.95), and colon-rectum (HR = 3.61; 95% CI: 1.08-12.07). The survival gap was observed for both early and late mortality, although the effect was more pronounced in the first year after cancer diagnosis. No significant differences in survival emerged for Kaposi's sarcoma and nonmelanoma skin cancers. The survival gap herein quantified included a broad range of malignancies following LT and prompts close monitoring during the post-transplant follow-up to ensure early cancer diagnosis and to improve survival.

Recurrence of Hepatitis B Infection in Liver Transplant Patients Receiving Long-Term Hepatitis B Immunoglobulin Prophylaxis.

BACKGROUND Long-term real-world data are relatively sparse regarding recurrence of chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection after liver transplantation using hepatitis B immunoglobulin (HBIg) and nucleos(t)ide analogue (NUC) prophylaxis. MATERIAL AND METHODS Data from 371 adults transplanted for HBV-related disease at 20 European centers and given HBIg for ³12 months ± NUC therapy were analyzed retrospectively. RESULTS HBIg comprised Hepatect® (iv HBIgB; n=299), subcutaneous Zutectra® (sc HBIg, n=236), and other HBIg preparations (n=130); 93.5% received NUC therapy. Mean follow-up was 6.8±3.5 years. The primary efficacy variable, freedom from HBV recurrence, occurred in 95.7% of patients (95% CI [93.1%, 97.5%]). The observed incidence of recurrence was 16/371 (4.3%) (annual rate 0.65%); 5/16 patients with recurrence had discontinued HBIg and 7/16 had anti-HBs <100 IU/l. Excluding these 7 patients, the HBV recurrence rate was 2.4%. The recurrence rate while on HBIg therapy was 1 per 2069 months. In patients who discontinued HBIg, risk of HBV recurrence versus sc HBIg users was increased by 5.2-fold (1 per 1 603 versus 1 per 8379 treatment months). The annual rate of HBV-related hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) recurrence was 1.7%. CONCLUSIONS These results support the long-term use of HBIg with NUC therapy as an effective management strategy to minimize risk of HBV recurrence and virus-related complications after liver transplantation.

Longterm Survival and Cost-Effectiveness of Immunosuppression Withdrawal After Liver Transplantation.

Lifelong immunosuppression (IS) after liver transplantation is associated with severe adverse effects and increased recipients' morbidity and mortality. Clinical operational tolerance has been reported in up to 40% in very well-selected recipients. Longterm survival and cost savings within the Italian national health system in operational tolerant recipients is reported. Seventy-five liver recipients were enrolled for IS withdrawal at our institution during the period from April 1998 to December 2015. The study population comprised 32 (42.7%) tolerant patients; 41 (54.7%) nontolerant patients needing uptake of IS after clinical or biopsy-proven rejection; and 2 (2.7%) immediate nontolerant patients who developed early rejection after the first drug reduction. The primary endpoint of the study was to assess the longterm patients and graft outcome; the secondary endpoint was the assessment of cost savings in the context of IS withdrawal. The follow-up was 95.0 months (interquartile range, 22.5-108.5 months). IS withdrawal did not result in patient nor graft loss and resulted in a major cost savings reaching about €630,000. In conclusion, longterm IS withdrawal represents a remarkable cost savings in the health care of liver recipients without exposing them to graft loss.

Risk of virus and non-virus related malignancies following immunosuppression in a cohort of liver transplant recipients. Italy, 1985-2014.

This cohort study assessed, in Italy, the overall pattern of risk of de novo malignancies following liver transplantation (LT). The study group included 2,832 individuals who underwent LT between 1985 and 2014 in nine centers all over Italy. Person-years (PYs) at cancer risk were computed from 30 days after LT to the date of cancer diagnosis, to the date of death or to the end of follow-up. Excess cancer risk, as compared to the general population, was estimated using standardized incidence ratios (SIRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs). During 18,642 PYs, 246 LT recipients developed 266 de novo malignancies, corresponding to a 1.8-fold higher cancer risk (95% CI: 1.6-2.0). SIRs were particularly elevated for virus-related malignancies, including Kaposi's sarcoma (SIR = 53.6, 95% CI: 30.0-88.5), non-Hodgkin lymphomas (SIR = 7.1, 95% CI: 4.8-10.1) and cervix uteri (SIR = 5.4, 95% CI: 1.1-15.8). Among virus-unrelated malignancies, elevated risks emerged for head and neck (SIR = 4.4, 95% CI: 3.1-6.2), esophagus (SIR = 6.7, 95% CI: 2.9-13.3) and adrenal gland (SIR = 22.9, 95% CI: 2.8-82.7). Borderline statistically significant elevated risks were found for lung cancer (SIR = 1.4, 95% CI: 1.0-2.1) and skin melanoma (SIR = 2.6, 95% CI: 1.0-5.3). A reduced risk emerged for prostate cancer (SIR = 0.1, 95% CI: 0.0-0.5). These findings underline the need of preventive interventions and early detection of malignancies, specifically tailored to LT recipients.

Treatment of Multiple Actinic Keratosis and Field of Cancerization with Topical Piroxicam 0.8% and Sunscreen 50+ in Organ Transplant Recipients: A Series of 10 Cases.

Organ transplant recipient (OTR) subjects are at high risk of skin cancer such as squamous cell carcinoma and basal cell carcinoma. Actinic keratosis (AK) is considered the precursor of these non-melanoma skin cancers. Sun protection is mandatory in subjects with AK and this preventive strategy is very important in OTR. Treatment of the field of cancerization is also crucial to reduce the risk of recurrence of skin lesions in AK and non-melanoma skin cancer patients. Activation of cyclooxygenase 1 and 2 enzymes plays an important role in the pathogenesis of skin cancers. Topical application of cyclooxygenase inhibitors such as diclofenac and, more recently, piroxicam has shown to reduce AK lesions in immunocompetent subjects. A medical device containing piroxicam and SPF 50+ sunscreen filters (P+SS) has been demonstrated to be effective in reducing AK lesions and improving the field of cancerization. We report the effect of P+SS, applied for 16 weeks, in a case series of 10 OTR subjects with multiple AK lesions. P+SS treatment was associated with a relevant AK lesion reduction (>75%) in 7 patients (with a complete clearance in 3 subjects) with an improvement in the field of cancerization. This medical device could be considered a promising long-term curative and preventive treatment in OTR patients at high risk of non-melanoma skin cancers.

Side-to-side caval anastomosis in a patient receiving a liver graft from a marginal donor with situs inversus totalis.

INTRODUCTION: The donor situs inversus totalis status was considered an absolute contraindication to liver transplantation due to the technical difficulties involved. Only in recent years has a very young deceased donor with situs inversus totalis been considered as a potential donor. PRESENTATION OF CASE: We herein report a single case of 57-year-old male patient with hepatocellular carcinoma who received a liver transplantation from a 73-year-old woman with situs inversus totalis. Liver was implanted using a 1992-Belghiti piggyback technique positioning the larger hemiliver in the left upper quadrant and the left in the liver fossa. We assisted a good graft reperfusion without surgical or anesthetic problems. His hospital stay was relatively uneventful and he was discharged from hospital on postoperative day 7. At 8 months of follow-up the patient is alive and in good clinical condition. DISCUSSION: The donor situs inversus totalis does not require any modification of transplant procedure if the donor-recipient size match permits a comfortable placement of the graft in a standard anatomical position. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first case of liver transplantation with a graft from a "marginal" donor with situs inversus totalis using a 1992-Belghiti piggyback technique. CONCLUSION: The donor situs inversus totalis status should not be considered a contraindication for LT and the piggyback technique should be considered the surgery of choice.

One-shot versus multidose perioperative antibiotic prophylaxis after kidney transplantation: a randomized, controlled clinical trial.

BACKGROUND: There is no consensus on the optimal perioperative antibiotic prophylaxis regimen for renal transplant recipients. Some studies have reported that irrigation of the wound at the time of closure without systemic antibiotics may suffice to minimize the risk for surgical site infection (SSI), but many centers still use long-term, multidose regimens in which antibiotics are administered until removal of foreign bodies occur, such as the urethral catheter, drain and central line. METHODS: We designed a prospective, randomized, multicenter, controlled trial to compare a single dose versus a multidose regimen of systemic antibiotic prophylaxis in adult, nondiabetic, non-morbidly obese patients undergoing renal transplantation. The primary endpoint was the incidence of SSI; the assessment of other infection in the first postoperative month was the secondary endpoint. RESULTS: Two hundred five patients were enrolled and randomized to receive either a single (n = 103) or multidose antibiotic regimen (n = 102) for prophylaxis. The incidences of SSI and urinary tract infection were similar in both groups. CONCLUSION: As the dramatic increase in antibiotic resistance has mandated the implementation of global programs to optimize the use of antibiotic agents in humans, we believe that the single dose regimen is preferred, at least in nondiabetic, non-morbidly obese, adult renal transplant recipients.