Technical Variant Liver Transplant Utilization for Pediatric Recipients: Equal Graft Survival to Whole Liver Transplants and Promotion of Timely Transplantation Only When Performed at High-volume Centers.

BACKGROUND: Technical variant liver transplantation (TVLT) is a strategy to mitigate persistent pediatric waitlist mortality in the United States, although its implementation remains stagnant. This study investigated the relationship between TVLT utilization, transplant center volume, and graft survival. METHODS: Pediatric liver transplant recipients from 2010 to 2020 (n = 5208) were analyzed using the Scientific Registry of Transplant Recipients database. Transplant centers were categorized according to the average number of pediatric liver transplants performed per year (high-volume, ≥5; low-volume, <5). Graft survival rates were compared using Kaplan-Meier curves and log-rank tests. Cox proportional hazards models were used to identify predictors of graft failure. RESULTS: High-volume centers demonstrated equivalent whole liver transplant and TVLT graft survival ( P = 0.057) and significantly improved TVLT graft survival compared with low-volume centers ( P < 0.001). Transplantation at a low-volume center was significantly associated with graft failure (adjusted hazard ratio, 1.6; 95% confidence interval, 1.14-2.24; P = 0.007 in patients <12 y old and 1.8; 95% confidence interval, 1.13-2.87; P = 0.013 in patients ≥12 y old). A subset of high-volume centers with a significantly higher rate of TVLT use demonstrated a 23% reduction in waitlist mortality. CONCLUSIONS: Prompt transplantation with increased TVLT utilization at high-volume centers may reduce pediatric waitlist mortality without compromising graft survival.

Eliminating international normalized ratio threshold for transfusion in pediatric patients with acute liver failure.

INTRODUCTION: Transfusion protocols are not well-studied for pediatric patients with acute liver failure (ALF). This study evaluates the utility of an international normalized ratio (INR)-based transfusion threshold for these patients. METHODS: Forty-four ALF pediatric patients from 2009 to 2018 were reviewed and divided into two groups: (a) a threshold group including patients between 2009 and 2015 who were transfused for an INR above 3.0, per institutional policy (n = 30), and (b) a post-threshold group including patients after 2015 through 2018 who were transfused based on clinical judgment (n = 14). Preoperative INRs, preoperative transfusions, intraoperative transfusions, early reoperation, renal function, graft function and deaths were compared. RESULTS: Liver failure severity was similar between threshold and post-threshold groups. Threshold patients had a lower average INR prior to transplantation, 2.8 (range 1.8-3.8) vs 4.4 (range 2.1-9.0), respectively (P = .01). Twenty-six threshold patients (87%) received preoperative FFP compared with seven post-threshold patients (50%, P = .0088). Two threshold patients (7%) received preoperative cryoprecipitate compared with five post-threshold patients (36%, P = .014). The incidence of pre-transplant bleeding, operative transfusions, and 1-year patient and graft survival did not differ significantly. CONCLUSION: Clinical judgment vs an INR-based threshold for transfusions did not increase perioperative complications in children with ALF.

Ureterostomy as an alternative to ileal conduits in pediatric kidney transplantation.

INTRODUCTION: Urinary diversion in pediatric renal transplant candidates with bladders not amenable to primary reconstruction can be achieved by pre-transplant ileal conduit creation. We performed cutaneous ureterostomies to limit pre-transplant surgery, protect the peritoneum for dialysis, transplant patients sooner, and preserve ureter length for future surgical reconstruction. METHODS: We compared four pediatric transplant recipients with ureterostomies to four recipients with ileal conduits from 2009 to 2017. RESULTS: All patients with ileal conduits developed at least one urinary tract infection (UTI) within 1 year of transplant and three of four patients had recurrent UTIs within the first year. Two patients required ileal conduit revisions for redundant conduits and recurrent UTIs. Of the four ureterostomy patients, two patients had UTIs within one year of transplant. Two patients developed ureterostomy strictures requiring revision at the fascial level; one was associated with a UTI. CONCLUSION: In our small case series, ureterostomy allowed for a single operative intervention with preservation of ureter length for later reconstruction. Ureterostomy is safe and recurrent UTI may be lower in the ureterostomy group. Long-term evaluation of ureterostomy for urinary diversion in pediatric kidney transplant is warranted.

Impact of Pretransplant Donor BK Viruria in Kidney Transplant Recipients.

BACKGROUND: BK virus (BKV) is a significant cause of nephropathy in kidney transplantation. The goal of this study was to characterize the course and source of BKV in kidney transplant recipients. METHODS: We prospectively collected pretransplant plasma and urine samples from living and deceased kidney donors and performed BKV polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and immunoglobulin G (IgG) testing on pretransplant and serially collected posttransplant samples in kidney transplant recipients. RESULTS: Among deceased donors, 8.1% (17/208) had detectable BKV DNA in urine prior to organ procurement. BK viruria was observed in 15.4% (6/39) of living donors and 8.5% (4/47) of deceased donors of recipients at our institution (P = .50). BKV VP1 sequencing revealed identical virus between donor-recipient pairs to suggest donor transmission of virus. Recipients of BK viruric donors were more likely to develop BK viruria (66.6% vs 7.8%; P < .001) and viremia (66.6% vs 8.9%; P < .001) with a shorter time to onset (log-rank test, P < .001). Though donor BKV IgG titers were higher in recipients who developed BK viremia, pretransplant donor, recipient, and combined donor/recipient serology status was not associated with BK viremia (P = .31, P = .75, and P = .51, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Donor BK viruria is associated with early BK viruria and viremia in kidney transplant recipients. BKV PCR testing of donor urine may be useful in identifying recipients at risk for BKV complications.

Superior Hypertension Management in Pediatric Kidney Transplant Patients After Native Nephrectomy.

BACKGROUND: Native nephrectomy in pediatric kidney transplant recipients is performed for multiple indications. Posttransplant hypertension requiring medical management is common, and the effect of native nephrectomy on posttransplant hypertension is poorly studied. Our aim is to evaluate the impact of native nephrectomy on posttransplant hypertension. METHODS: One hundred thirty-six consecutive pediatric kidney transplant recipients from 2007 to 2012 were studied at a single institution and divided into 2 groups: no nephrectomy and native nephrectomy (unilateral and bilateral nephrectomy). Antihypertensive medication use was evaluated before nephrectomy/transplant, at discharge from transplant and at 1, 3, and 5 years posttransplant. RESULTS: In a bivariate analysis, nephrectomy was associated with a significant reduction in the percentage of patients requiring antihypertensive medication at the time of discharge (27.3%) and 1 year posttransplant (10.7%) as compared with patients without nephrectomy (71.7%, and 50%, respectively, P < 0.05). This trend toward reduction in antihypertensive medication in the nephrectomy group as compared with the no nephrectomy group persisted at 3 (18.6% versus 43.2%) and 5 years (19.7% versus 37.5%) posttransplant. Multivariable logistic regression demonstrated that patients without native nephrectomy had higher odds of requiring antihypertensive medication at the time of discharge (3.3) and 1 year (5.2) as compared with patients who underwent native nephrectomy (P = 0.036 and P = 0.013, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Native nephrectomy reduces the odds of needing antihypertensive medication after transplant. The impact of native nephrectomy is crucial to the comprehensive management of pediatric transplant recipients where medication compliance is challenging and lifelong hypertension is known to negatively impact cardiovascular health.

Impact of the kidney allocation system on young pediatric recipients.

The kidney allocation system (KAS) altered pediatric candidate prioritization. We determined KAS's impact on pediatric kidney recipients by examining delayed graft function (DGF) rates from 2010 to 2016. A propensity score-matched pediatric recipients pre- and post-KAS. A semiparametric decomposition analysis estimated the contributions of KAS-related changes in donor characteristics and dialysis time on DGF rate. The unadjusted odds of DGF were 69% higher post-KAS for young (<10 years at listing) recipients (N = 1153, P = .02) but were not significantly increased for older pediatric (10-17 years at listing) recipients (N = 2624, P = .48). Post-KAS, young recipients received significantly fewer pediatric (<18 years) donor kidneys (21% vs 32%, P < .01) and had longer median pretransplant dialysis time (603 vs 435 days, P < .01). After propensity score matching, post-KAS status increased the odds of DGF in young recipients 71% (OR 1.71, 95% CI 1.01-2.46). In decomposition analysis, 24% of the higher DGF rate post-KAS was attributable to donor characteristics and 19% to increased recipient dialysis time. In a confirmatory survival analysis, DGF was associated with a 2.2 times higher risk of graft failure (aHR2.28, 95% CI 1.46-3.54). In conclusion, KAS may lead to worse graft survival outcomes in children. Allocation changes should be considered.

The role of surgery in the treatment of stage III non-small-cell lung cancer.

Stage III, locally advanced non-small-cell lung cancer represents an incredibly heterogeneous group of patients. The majority of patients are treated with curative intent, but optimal therapy is controversial and the role of surgery is not well defined. Consensus has shown that the majority of patients with IIIB disease are not amenable to resection. The exceptions are selected patients with tumor stage 4 (T4) by virtue of a satellite nodule or those with isolated invasion of the spine, superior sulcus, carina, or vena cava. Surgery is more widely used for stage IIIA disease. Patients with nodal stage 2 (N2) disease represent the largest population of patients in stage III. Increasing evidence supports the use of surgery as part of a multimodality approach for N2 disease. The impact of surgery is partially determined by the bulk of the mediastinal node involvement. Patients with micrometastatic disease and single-station nodal involvement have the greatest chance for cure, and surgery appears to play a significant role in their treatment. Patients with bulky multistation disease are frequently not amenable to complete resection and may be best approached with definitive chemotherapy and radiation. In addition, the ability to sterilize mediastinal lymph nodes with induction therapy correlates strongly with survival following resection, but the ideal induction regime that balances the safety and efficacy has yet to be determined.