Orthotopic liver transplantation without venovenous bypass: 125 cases from a single center.

AIM: This study analyzed a 10-year single-center experience in orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT) without venovenous bypass (VVB). METHODS: We retrospectively analysed a nonrandomized series (1999-2008) of 125 adult OLT patients without VVB. RESULTS: The main causes of liver failure were viral hepatitis (n = 39), alcoholic liver disease (n = 22), and liver cancer (n = 17). One-year survival was 76.4%. The most common postoperative complications were bile duct stenosis (n = 12), postoperative bleeding (n = 8), hepatic artery thrombosis (n = 7), and primary liver failure (n = 6). Twelve patients required hemodialysis and four underwent retransplantations of the liver. Fourteen patients died before postoperative day 30(th). Univariate analysis showed significant differences between patients who did and did not survive 30 days among donor death diagnoses (P = .05), red blood cell units transfused (P = .03), aspartate aminotranferase on the first postoperative day (P = .002), ABO type (P = .04), time of orotracheal intubation (P = .001), hemodialysis (P = .001), and period of postoperative vasoactive drug use (P = .006). The total length of orotracheal tube intubation showed a significant independent association with mortality before 30 days (P < .001). CONCLUSION: OLT without VVB can be safely performed even in severe cases of chronic liver failure.

Survival on waiting list for liver transplantation before and after introduction of the model for end-stage liver disease score.

BACKGROUND: Since July 2006, the Model for End-stage Liver Disease (MELD) score has served as the national basis for allocation of donor livers for transplantation in Brazil. Patients with higher MELD scores receive greater priority for allocation regardless of the time on the waiting list. PURPOSE: To investigate the impact of MELD score implementation on the survival of waiting list patients. METHODS: A retrospective study of patients registered at the national Organ Procurement Organization (OPO) for the liver transplantation waiting list between January 2004 and June 2006 (pre-MELD) and between July 2006 and December 2008 (post-MELD). RESULTS: We included listed patients awaiting liver transplantation in the pre-MELD era (n = 250, 48.4%) and in the post-MELD era (n = 266, 51.6%). The times awaiting transplant prior to and after the MELD system were 487.2 +/- 384.8 days and 183.9 +/- 157.2 days, respectively. Prior to the MELD score, waiting list survivals were greater when compared to rates in the current system. Early posttransplant patient survival rates were significantly reduced in the post-MELD era (83.4%) compared to the period before MELD implementation (93.2%). CONCLUSIONS: MELD score provides a transparent, objective system to drive allocation policy; however, it presents several important limitations. Constant need of changes and reevaluation are needed as an evolutionary process. Future changes in the present system may be addressed by adjusting the MELD system.

[Xanthogranulomatous pyelonephritis]. / Pielonefrite Xantogranulomatosa.

A four years-old boy with Xanthogranulomatous pyelonephritis was surgically treated at the Pediatric Surgery Unit of the Santa Casa de Misericórdia of Maceió. Comments are made upon pathology, pre-operative diagnostic difficulties, differential diagnosis, and the rare occurrence in children.