Post-pancreatectomy acute pancreatitis after pancreatoduodenectomy: Analysis of a clinically-relevant complication in a single-center retrospective study.

BACKGROUND: /Objectives: This study aimed to evaluate the frequency, clinical impact, and risk factors of post-pancreatectomy acute pancreatitis (PPAP) after pancreatoduodenectomy (PD) according to the definition proposed by the International Study Group for Pancreatic Surgery (ISGPS). METHODS: patients undergoing PD between 2010 and 2021 were retrospectively analyzed. PPAP was defined according to the ISGPS criteria, including elevated serum amylase for 48 h and concurring pancreatitis alterations on a CT scan. RESULTS: 272 patients were finally included in the study. PPAP occurred in 40 (14.7 %) patients, and it was significantly related to higher rates of clinically-relevant postoperative pancreatic fistula (CR-POPF) (p < 0.001), post-pancreatectomy hemorrhage (PPH) (p < 0.001) and major complications (Clavien-Dindo ≥ 3a) (p < 0.001). Moreover, PPAP in the absence of CR-POPF (n = 18) was significantly related to longer hospital stay (p < 0.001), PPH (p < 0.001), major complications (Clavien-Dindo≥ 3a, p = 0.001) and higher intensive care unit costs (p = 0.029) compared to patients not developing PPAP. In the univariable and multivariable analysis, the duct size (p = 0.004) and high-risk pathologies (p = 0.004) but not intraoperative bleeding (p = 0.066) represented independent risk factors for PPAP. In the same analysis, patients receiving a bridging therapy with low molecular-weight heparin showed significantly lower rates of PPAP (p = 0.045). CONCLUSIONS: PPAP represents a relevant complication after PD. Its risk factors are similar to those for CR-POPF, while anticoagulants could represent a possible prevention strategy.

The BAR Score Predicts and Stratifies Outcomes Following Liver Retransplantation: Insights From a Retrospective Cohort Study.

Liver retransplantation (reLT) yields poorer outcomes than primary liver transplantation, necessitating careful patient selection to avoid futile reLT. We conducted a retrospective analysis to assess reLT outcomes and identify associated risk factors. All adult patients who underwent a first reLT at the Medical University of Innsbruck from 2000 to 2021 (N = 111) were included. Graft- and patient survival were assessed via Kaplan-Meier plots and log-rank tests. Uni- and multivariate analyses were performed to identify independent predictors of graft loss. Five-year graft- and patient survival rates were 64.9% and 67.6%, respectively. The balance of risk (BAR) score was found to correlate with and be predictive of graft loss and patient death. The BAR score also predicted sepsis (AUC 0.676) and major complications (AUC 0.720). Multivariate Cox regression analysis identified sepsis [HR 5.179 (95% CI 2.575-10.417), p < 0.001] as the most significant independent risk factor for graft loss. At a cutoff of 18 points, the 5 year graft survival rate fell below 50%. The BAR score, a simple and easy to use score available at the time of organ acceptance, predicts and stratifies clinically relevant outcomes following reLT and may aid in clinical decision-making.

The Predictive Value of Graft Viability and Bioenergetics Testing Towards the Outcome in Liver Transplantation.

Donor organ biomarkers with sufficient predictive value in liver transplantation (LT) are lacking. We herein evaluate liver viability and mitochondrial bioenergetics for their predictive capacity towards the outcome in LT. We enrolled 43 consecutive patients undergoing LT. Liver biopsy samples taken upon arrival after static cold storage were assessed by histology, real-time confocal imaging analysis (RTCA), and high-resolution respirometry (HRR) for mitochondrial respiration of tissue homogenates. Early allograft dysfunction (EAD) served as primary endpoint. HRR data were analysed with a focus on the efficacy of ATP production or P-L control efficiency, calculated as 1-L/P from the capacity of oxidative phosphorylation P and non-phosphorylating respiration L. Twenty-two recipients experienced EAD. Pre-transplant histology was not predictive of EAD. The mean RTCA score was significantly lower in the EAD cohort (-0.75 ± 2.27) compared to the IF cohort (0.70 ± 2.08; p = 0.01), indicating decreased cell viability. P-L control efficiency was predictive of EAD (0.76 ± 0.06 in IF vs. 0.70 ± 0.08 in EAD-livers; p = 0.02) and correlated with the RTCA score. Both RTCA and P-L control efficiency in biopsy samples taken during cold storage have predictive capacity towards the outcome in LT. Therefore, RTCA and HRR should be considered for risk stratification, viability assessment, and bioenergetic testing in liver transplantation.

Liver Transplantation in Recipients With a Positive Crossmatch: A Retrospective Single-Center Match-Pair Analysis.

A positive crossmatch (XM+) is considered a contraindication to solid abdominal organ transplantation except liver transplantation (LT). Conflicting reports exist regarding the effects of XM+ on post-transplant outcomes. The goal of this retrospective single-center analysis is to evaluate the influence of XM+ on relevant outcome parameters such as survival, graft rejection, biliary and arterial complications. Forty-nine adult patients undergoing LT with a XM+ between 2002 and 2017 were included. XM+ LT recipients were matched 1:2 with crossmatch negative (XM-) LT recipients based on the balance of risk (BAR) score. Patient and graft survival were compared using Kaplan-Meier survival analysis and the log-rank test. Comparative analysis of clinical outcomes in XM+ and XM- groups were conducted. Patient and graft survival were similar in XM+ and XM- patients. Rejection episodes did not differ either. Recipients with a strong XM+ were more likely to develop a PCR+ CMV infection. A XM+ was not associated with a higher incidence of biliary or arterial complications. Donor age, cold ischemia time, PCR+ CMV infection and a rejection episode were associated with the occurrence of ischemic type biliary lesions. A XM+ has no effects on patient and graft survival or other relevant outcome parameters following LT.

Bioenergetic and Cytokine Profiling May Help to Rescue More DCD Livers for Transplantation.

The majority of organs used for liver transplantation come from brain-dead donors (DBD). In order to overcome the organ shortage, increasingly donation after circulatory death (DCD) organs are also considered. Since normothermic machine perfusion (NMP) restores metabolic activity and allows for in-depth assessment of organ quality and function prior to transplantation, such organs may benefit from NMP. We herein compare the bioenergetic performance through a comprehensive evaluation of mitochondria by high-resolution respirometry in tissue biopsies and the inflammatory response in DBD and DCD livers during NMP. While livers were indistinguishable by perfusate biomarker assessment and histology, our findings revealed a greater impairment of mitochondrial function in DCD livers after static cold storage compared to DBD livers. During subsequent NMPs, DCD organs recovered and eventually showed a similar performance as DBD livers. Cytokine expression analysis showed no differences in the early phase of NMP, while towards the end of NMP, significantly elevated levels of IL-1ß, IL-5 and IL-6 were found in the perfusate of DCD livers. Based on our results, we find it worthwhile to reconsider more DCD organs for transplantation to further extend the donor pool. Therefore, donor organ quality criteria must be developed, which may include an assessment of bioenergetic function and cytokine quantification.

Hyperspectral Imaging as a Tool for Viability Assessment During Normothermic Machine Perfusion of Human Livers: A Proof of Concept Pilot Study.

Normothermic machine perfusion (NMP) allows for ex vivo viability and functional assessment prior to liver transplantation (LT). Hyperspectral imaging represents a suitable, non-invasive method to evaluate tissue morphology and organ perfusion during NMP. Liver allografts were subjected to NMP prior to LT. Serial image acquisition of oxygen saturation levels (StO2), organ hemoglobin (THI), near-infrared perfusion (NIR) and tissue water indices (TWI) through hyperspectral imaging was performed during static cold storage, at 1h, 6h, 12h and at the end of NMP. The readouts were correlated with perfusate parameters at equivalent time points. Twenty-one deceased donor livers were included in the study. Seven (33.0%) were discarded due to poor organ function during NMP. StO2 (p < 0.001), THI (p < 0.001) and NIR (p = 0.002) significantly augmented, from static cold storage (pre-NMP) to NMP end, while TWI dropped (p = 0.005) during the observational period. At 12-24h, a significantly higher hemoglobin concentration (THI) in the superficial tissue layers was seen in discarded, compared to transplanted livers (p = 0.036). Lactate values at 12h NMP correlated negatively with NIR perfusion index between 12 and 24h NMP and with the delta NIR perfusion index between 1 and 24h (rs = -0.883, p = 0.008 for both). Furthermore, NIR and TWI correlated with lactate clearance and pH. This study provides first evidence of feasibility of hyperspectral imaging as a potentially helpful contact-free organ viability assessment tool during liver NMP.

Ex Vivo Mesenchymal Stem Cell Therapy to Regenerate Machine Perfused Organs.

Transplantation represents the treatment of choice for many end-stage diseases but is limited by the shortage of healthy donor organs. Ex situ normothermic machine perfusion (NMP) has the potential to extend the donor pool by facilitating the use of marginal quality organs such as those from donors after cardiac death (DCD) and extended criteria donors (ECD). NMP provides a platform for organ quality assessment but also offers the opportunity to treat and eventually regenerate organs during the perfusion process prior to transplantation. Due to their anti-inflammatory, immunomodulatory and regenerative capacity, mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are considered as an interesting tool in this model system. Only a limited number of studies have reported on the use of MSCs during ex situ machine perfusion so far with a focus on feasibility and safety aspects. At this point, no clinical benefits have been conclusively demonstrated, and studies with controlled transplantation set-ups are urgently warranted to elucidate favorable effects of MSCs in order to improve organs during ex situ machine perfusion.

Restoring Mitochondrial Function While Avoiding Redox Stress: The Key to Preventing Ischemia/Reperfusion Injury in Machine Perfused Liver Grafts?

Mitochondria sense changes resulting from the ischemia and subsequent reperfusion of an organ and mitochondrial reactive oxygen species (ROS) production initiates a series of events, which over time result in the development of full-fledged ischemia-reperfusion injury (IRI), severely affecting graft function and survival after transplantation. ROS activate the innate immune system, regulate cell death, impair mitochondrial and cellular performance and hence organ function. Arresting the development of IRI before the onset of ROS production is currently not feasible and clinicians are faced with limiting the consequences. Ex vivo machine perfusion has opened the possibility to ameliorate or antagonize the development of IRI and may be particularly beneficial for extended criteria donor organs. The molecular events occurring during machine perfusion remain incompletely understood. Accumulation of succinate and depletion of adenosine triphosphate (ATP) have been considered key mechanisms in the initiation; however, a plethora of molecular events contribute to the final tissue damage. Here we discuss how understanding mitochondrial dysfunction linked to IRI may help to develop novel strategies for the prevention of ROS-initiated damage in the evolving era of machine perfusion.

Live Confocal Tissue Assessment With SYTO16/PI and WGA Staining Visualizes Acute Organ Damage and Predicts Delayed Graft Function in Kidney Transplantation.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of our prospective clinical trial was to test a tissue staining technique (real-time confocal analysis [RTCA]) as a rapid assessment tool for donor kidney quality and function in human kidney transplantation. SUMMARY BACKGROUND DATA: Tools for objective graft tissue viability assessment before kidney transplantation are lacking. RTCA has recently been established and tested in a pilot study using rodent kidneys. METHODS: RTCA was performed in kidney biopsies stained with SYTO16/PI and WGA. A score between -3 (100% nonviable) and +3 (100% viable) describes the sum of viable cells divided by the number of nonviable cells per examined area (glomerulus, proximal, and distal tubules). The primary study endpoint was the delayed graft function (DGF). RESULTS: Seventy-one kidney transplant recipients were transplanted. The median recipient and donor age were 58.5 and 57 years, respectively. Cold ischemia time was 13.6 ±â€Š4.7 hours; anastomosis time was 30.8 ±â€Š8.7 minutes (mean ±â€ŠSD). Overall, 23 (33.8%) patients developed DGF. The RTCA score was significantly lower in kidneys developing DGF -0.43 ±â€Š1.78 versus no DGF 0.91 ±â€Š2.17, P = 0.01. The Remuzzi score did not differ between DGF and no DGF, P = 0.13. Remuzzi score and RTCA score correlate inversely significantly; P = 0.004. In the multivariate analysis, solely RTCA score was revealed as a significant independent factor predicting DGF; P = 0.015, Wald = 5.95, odds ratio = 0.72, 95% confidence interval = 0.55 to 0.94. CONCLUSIONS: Our data demonstrate that RTCA is feasible and clinically meaningful. The RTCA score predicts DGF and is a valid option to be applied in renal transplantation.

Sex matching does not impact the outcome after simultaneous pancreas-kidney transplantation.

BACKGROUND: Several studies in solid organ transplantation have shown a correlation between donor and recipient sex mismatch and risk of graft loss. In this study, we aimed to analyze the impact of donor and recipient sex matching on patient and pancreas graft survival in a large single-center cohort. METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed all first simultaneous pancreas-kidney transplants performed between 1979 and 2017 at the Medical University of Innsbruck. RESULTS: Of 452 patients, 54.6% (247) received a sex-matched transplant. Patient survival (P = .86), death-censored pancreas graft survival (dcPGS, P = .26), and death-censored kidney graft survival (dcKGS, P = .24) were similar between the sex-matched and sex-mismatched groups. Patient survival and dcPGS at 1, 5, and 15 years were 95.9%, 90.0%, and 62.1% and 86.1%, 77.1%, and 56.7% in the sex-matched group and 93.6%, 86.2%, and 62.4% and 83.1%, 73.3%, and 54.3% in the sex-mismatched group. Sex matching led to a lower odds of severe postoperative complications (41.2% vs 49.0%; OR 0.57, 95%CI 0.33-0.97; P = .038); however, no increased odds of other adverse postoperative outcomes was detected. CONCLUSION: Our study demonstrates that sex matching reduced the odds of postoperative complications but did not impact other early and late outcome parameters in our cohort.

Late recurrent bleeding episodes from duodenojejunostomy after pancreas transplantation.

In response to a number of late, repetitive bleeding episodes from the site of the enteric anastomosis, we herein analyze the clinical courses and etiologies of 379 consecutively performed pancreas transplants between January 2000 and December 2016. Duodenojejunostomies for enteric drainage were performed at the upper jejunum in a side to side, double layer fashion. Five patients (1.3%) developed recurrent late hemorrhagic episodes originating from the graft duodenal anastomosis. Bleeding from the anastomotic site was associated with hematochezia, hemodynamic instability and decrease in serum hemoglobin. Mean onset was 6.4(±2.8) years after transplantation. Bleeding was recurrent (mean 5.2 ± 2.6) and required 9(±2.5) interventions. Hypervascularization, mucosal vulnerability, and bleeding at the site of the enteric anastomosis could be identified in all cases. In four patients, the enteric pancreas anastomosis was resected and a new duodenojejunostomy was performed. No pancreas graft loss occurred due to bleeding. In two patients, hepatic cirrhosis and portal hypertension were identified, one patient had a liver fibrosis as putative cause for the repetitive bleeding episodes. Late anastomotic hemorrhage is a rare but severe complication following pancreas transplantation. The treatment is challenging and includes endoscopy, interventional radiology, and surgery. Hepatic conditions with an increased portal pressure may be the underlying cause.

Identification of the activating cytotoxicity receptor NKG2D as a senescence marker in zero-hour kidney biopsies is indicative for clinical outcome.

The definition of biological donor organ age rather than chronological age seems obvious for the establishment of a valid pre-transplant risk assessment. Therefore, we studied gene expression for candidate markers in 60 zero-hour kidney biopsies. Compared with 29 younger donors under age 55, 31 elderly donors age 55 and older had significant mRNA expression for immunoproteasome subunits (PSMB8, PSMB9 and PSMB10), HLA-DRB, and transcripts of the activating cytotoxicity receptor NKG2D. Gene expression was validated in an independent donor cohort consisting of 37 kidneys from donors 30 years and under (Group I), 75 kidneys from donors age 31-54 years (Group II) and 75 kidneys from donors age 55 and older (Group III). Significant gene induction was confirmed in kidneys from Group III for PSMB9 and PSMB10. Strikingly, transcripts of NKG2D had the significantly highest gene induction in Group III versus Group II and Group I. Similar results were obtained for CDKN2A, but not for telomere length. Both NKG2D and CDKN2A mRNA expression were significantly correlated with creatinine levels at 24 months after transplantation. Univariate regression analysis showed significant predictive power regarding graft function at 6 and 12 months for NKG2D and CDKN2A. However, only NKG2D remained significantly predictive in the multivariate model at 12 months. Thus, our results reveal novel candidate markers in aged renal allografts, which could be helpful in the assessment of organ quality.

Deletion of the activating NK cell receptor NKG2D accelerates rejection of cardiac allografts.

It has already been shown that neutralization of the activating NK cell receptor NKG2D in combination with co-stimulation blockade prolongs graft survival of vascularized transplants. In order to clarify the underlying cellular mechanisms, we transplanted complete MHC-disparate BALB/c-derived cardiac grafts into C57BL/6 wildtypes or mice deficient for NKG2D (Klrk1-/- ). Although median survival was 8 days for both recipient groups, we detected already at day 5 posttransplantation significantly greater intragraft frequencies of NKp46+ NK cells in Klrk1-/- recipients than in wildtypes. This was followed by a significantly greater infiltration of CD4+ , but a lesser infiltration of CD8+ T cell frequencies. Contrary to published observations, co-stimulation blockade with CTLA4-Ig resulted in a significant acceleration of cardiac rejection by Klrk1-/- recipients, and this result was confirmed by applying a neutralizing antibody against NKG2D to wildtypes. In both experimental setups, grafts derived from Klrk1-/- recipients were characterized by significantly higher levels of interferon-γ mRNA, and both CD4+ and CD8+ T cells displayed a greater capacity for degranulation and interferon-γ production. In summary, our results clearly illustrate that NKG2D expression in the recipient is important for cardiac allograft survival, thus supporting the hypothesis that impairment of NK cells prevents the establishment of graft acceptance.

Donor brain death leads to differential immune activation in solid organs but does not accelerate ischaemia-reperfusion injury.

A comparative analysis of inflammation between solid organs following donor brain death (BD) is still lacking and the detailed influence of BD accelerating ischaemia-reperfusion injury (IRI) post-transplantation remains to be addressed. Applying a murine model of BD, we demonstrated that 4 h after BD organs were characterized by distinct inflammatory expression patterns. For instance, lipocalin 2 (LCN2), a marker of acute kidney injury, was selectively induced in BD livers but not in kidneys. BD further resulted in significantly reduced frequencies of CD3(+) CD4(+) , CD3(+) CD8(+) T cells and NKp46(+) NK cells in the liver, whereas BD kidneys and hearts were characterized by significantly lower frequencies of conventional dendritic cells (cDCs). Syngeneic models of kidney (KTx) and heart transplantation (HTx) illustrated stronger gene expression in engrafted BD hearts only, but 20 h post-transplantation both organs displayed comparable intragraft lymphocyte frequencies, except for NK cells and graft function. Moreover, the complement factor C3d deposit detected in small vessels and capillaries in cardiac syngrafts did not significantly differ between BD and sham-transplanted groups. Finally, no further influence of donor BD on graft survival was detected in an allogeneic heart transplantation setting (C57BL/6 grafts into BALB/c recipients). We show for the first time that BD organs are characterized by a varying inflammatory profile; however, BD does not accelerate IRI in syngeneic KTx and HTx.

Normothermic Liver Machine Perfusion and Successful Transplantation of Split Liver Grafts: From Proof of Concept to Clinical Implementation.

BACKGROUND: Normothermic liver machine perfusion (NLMP) is advancing the field of liver transplantation (LT). Beyond improved preservation and organ assessment, NLMP helps to increase organ utilization. We herein address the feasibility and merit of NLMP in split liver transplantation (SLT) to postpone the transplantation of the second split graft to the following day. METHODS: We analyzed the perfusion characteristics and outcomes of all consecutive adult recipients who underwent SLT following NLMP from February 1, 2018, to June 30, 2023. The primary endpoint was 90-d graft and patient survival. Secondary endpoints were posttransplant complications and 90-d morbidity. RESULTS: Three right and 3 extended right SLT following NLMP have been performed. NLMP was uneventful in all cases. Perfusion characteristics differed according to graft volume. Mean perfusion time was 17:00 h (±05:13) and bile production ranged between 8 and 21 mL/h. All split grafts fulfilled predefined center viability criteria during NLMP and were transplanted on the following day. The 90-d graft and patient survival rate was 100%. Three patients (50%) required an early relaparotomy, and 2 patients (33.3%) developed biliary complications. The 90-d morbidity as recorded by the comprehensive complication index was 62.7 (±24.7). CONCLUSIONS: NLMP of split liver grafts is technically feasible and safe. Through prolongation of preservation time, NLMP allows to safely postpone transplantation of the second split liver graft to the next day.

Prediction of Biliary Complications After Human Liver Transplantation Using Hyperspectral Imaging and Convolutional Neural Networks: A Proof-of-concept Study.

BACKGROUND: Biliary complications (BCs) negatively impact the outcome after liver transplantation. We herein tested whether hyperspectral imaging (HSI) generated data from bile ducts (BD) on reperfusion and machine learning techniques for data readout may serve as a novel approach for predicting BC. METHODS: Tissue-specific data from 136 HSI liver images were integrated into a convolutional neural network (CNN). Fourteen patients undergoing liver transplantation after normothermic machine preservation served as a validation cohort. Assessment of oxygen saturation, organ hemoglobin, and tissue water levels through HSI was performed after completing the biliary anastomosis. Resected BD segments were analyzed by immunohistochemistry and real-time confocal microscopy. RESULTS: Immunohistochemistry and real-time confocal microscopy revealed mild (grade I: 1%-40%) BD damage in 8 patients and moderate (grade II: 40%-80%) injury in 1 patient. Donor and recipient data alone had no predictive capacity toward BC. Deep learning-based analysis of HSI data resulted in >90% accuracy of automated detection of BD. The CNN-based analysis yielded a correct classification in 72% and 69% for BC/no BC. The combination of HSI with donor and recipient factors showed 94% accuracy in predicting BC. CONCLUSIONS: Deep learning-based modeling using CNN of HSI-based tissue property data represents a noninvasive technique for predicting postoperative BC.

The Interplay between Perioperative Oxidative Stress and Hepatic Dysfunction after Human Liver Resection: A Prospective Observational Pilot Study.

Post-hepatectomy liver failure (PHLF) remains the major contributor to death after liver resection. Oxidative stress is associated with postoperative complications, but its impact on liver function is unclear. This first in-human, prospective, single-center, observational pilot study evaluated perioperative oxidative stress and PHLF according to the ISGLS (International Study Group for Liver Surgery). Serum 8-isoprostane, 4-hydroxynonenal (4-HNE), total antioxidative capacity, vitamins A and E, and intraoperative, sequential hepatic tissue 4-HNE and UCP2 (uncoupling protein 2) immunohistochemistry (IHC) were assessed. The interaction with known risk factors for PHLF and the predictive potential of oxidative stress markers were analyzed. Overall, 52 patients were included (69.2% major liver resection). Thirteen patients (25%) experienced PHLF, a major factor for 90-day mortality (23% vs. 0%; p = 0.013). Post-resection, pro-oxidative 8-isoprostane significantly increased (p = 0.038), while 4-HNE declined immediately (p < 0.001). Antioxidative markers showed patterns of consumption starting post-resection (p < 0.001). Liver tissue oxidative stress increased stepwise from biopsies taken after laparotomy to post-resection in situ liver and resection specimens (all p < 0.001). Cholangiocarcinoma patients demonstrated significantly higher serum and tissue oxidative stress levels at various timepoints, with consistently higher preoperative values in advanced tumor stages. Combining intraoperative, post-resection 4-HNE serum levels and in situ IHC early predicted PHLF with an AUC of 0.855 (63.6% vs. 0%; p < 0.001). This was also associated with grade B/C PHLF (36.4% vs. 0%; p = 0.021) and 90-day mortality (18.2% vs. 0%; p = 0.036). In conclusion, distinct patterns of perioperative oxidative stress levels occur in patients with liver dysfunction. Combining intraoperative serum and liver tissue markers predicts subsequent PHLF. Cholangiocarcinoma patients demonstrated pronounced systemic and hepatic oxidative stress, with increasing levels in advanced tumor stages, thus representing a worthwhile target for future exploratory and therapeutic studies.

Single Center, Propensity Score Matching Analysis of Different Reconstruction Techniques following Pancreatoduodenectomy.

BACKGROUND: Pancreatoduodenectomy is still hampered by significant morbidity. So far, there is no universally accepted technique aimed at minimizing postoperative complications. Herein, we compare three different reconstruction techniques. METHODS: This is a retrospective study of a prospectively maintained database including 283 patients operated between January 2010 and December 2020. Three reconstruction techniques were compared: (1) the Neuhaus-style telescope pancreatojejunostomy, (2) the pancreatogastrostomy, and (3) the modified Blumgart-style, duct-to-mucosa pancreatojejunostomy. The primary endpoint consisted in determining the rates of clinically relevant postoperative pancreatic fistulas (CR-POPF); the secondary endpoints included 90 days morbidity and mortality rates. A propensity score matching analysis was used. RESULTS: Rates of CR-POPF did not differ significantly between the groups (Neuhaus-style pancreatojejunostomy 16%, pancreatogastrostomy 17%, modified Blumgart-style pancreatojejunostomy 15%), neither in the unmatched nor in the matched analysis (p = 0.993 and p = 0.901, respectively). Similarly, no significant differences could be observed with regard to major morbidity (unmatched p = 0.596, matched p = 0.188) and mortality rates (unmatched p = 0.371, matched p = 0.209) within the first 90 days following surgery. Propensity-score matching analyses revealed, however, a higher occurrence of post-pancreatectomy hemorrhage after pancreatogastrostomy (p = 0.015). CONCLUSION: Similar CR-POPF rates suggest no crucial role of the applied reconstruction technique. Increased incidence of intraluminal post-pancreatectomy hemorrhages following pancreatogastrostomy demands awareness for meticulous hemostasis.

Solid Organ Donation and Transplantation Activity in the Eurotransplant Area During the First Year of COVID-19.

BACKGROUND: Transplantation activity during the first wave of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic was severely affected worldwide. This retrospective analysis aimed to assess the impact of COVID-19 on organ donations and transplantations in the Eurotransplant region during the first 12 mo of the pandemic. Specifically, we compared donor and transplantation numbers during both waves to determine whether transplant systems adapted to this new reality. METHODS: All reported organ donations and transplantations from March 1, 2015, to February 28, 2021, were collected from the Eurotransplant International Foundation registry. The observation period from 2020 to 2021 was divided into three 4-mo periods, which were then compared with the corresponding periods of the preceding 5 y. COVID-19 cases for Eurotransplant countries were retrieved from the OurWorldInData.org database. RESULTS: Overall, the number of organ donors decreased by 18.3% (P < 0.0001) and the number of organ transplantations by 12.5% (P > 0.0001) compared with previous years. Pancreas transplantation was the most affected, followed by kidney, liver, heart, and lung transplant. In detail, during period 1, the number of organ donors decreased by 26.2% (P < 0.0001) and the number of organ transplantations by 16.5% (P < 0.0001), in period 2 by 5.5% (P < 0.0091) and 4.9% (P < 0.0001), and in period 3 by 23.1% (P < 0.0001) and 16.4% (P < 0.0001), respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Organ donation and transplantation decreased drastically also during the second wave; however, despite the severity of the second wave, the decline was comparable with that of the first wave.

Perfusate Enzymes and Platelets Indicate Early Allograft Dysfunction After Transplantation of Normothermically Preserved Livers.

BACKGROUND: Normothermic machine perfusion (NMP) has become a clinically established tool to preserve livers in a near-physiological environment. However, little is known about the predictive value of perfusate parameters toward the outcomes after transplantation. METHODS: Fifty-five consecutive NMP livers between 2018 and 2019 were included. All of the livers were perfused on the OrganOx metra device according to an institutional protocol. Transplant and perfusion data were collected prospectively. RESULTS: Forty-five livers were transplanted after NMP. Five livers stem from donors after circulatory death and 31 (68.9%) from extended criteria donors. Mean (SD) cold ischemia time was 6.4 (2.3) h; mean (SD) total preservation time was 21.4 (7.1) h. Early allograft dysfunction (EAD) occurred in 13 of 45 (28.9%) patients. Perfusate aspartate aminotransferase (P = 0.008), alanine aminotransferase (P = 0.006), lactate dehydrogenase (P = 0.007) and their development over time, alkaline phosphatase (P = 0.013), and sodium (P = 0.016) correlated with EAD. Number of perfusate platelets correlated with cold ischemia time duration and were indicative for the occurrence of EAD. Moreover, von Willebrand Factor antigen was significantly higher in perfusates of EAD livers (P < 0.001), and Δ von Willebrand factor antigen correlated with EAD. Although perfusate lactate and glucose had no predictive value, EAD was more likely to occur in livers with lower perfusate pH (P = 0.008). ΔPerfusate alkaline phosphatase, Δperfusate aspartate aminotransferase, Δperfusate alanine aminotransferase, and Δperfusate lactate dehydrogenase correlated closely with model for early allograft function but not liver graft assessment following transplantation risk score. Bile parameters correlated with extended criteria donor and donor risk index. CONCLUSIONS: Biomarker assessment during NMP may help to predict EAD after liver transplantation. The increase of transaminases and lactate dehydrogenase over time as well as platelets and vWF antigen are important factors indicative for EAD.