Liver retransplantation in HIV-infected patients: a prospective cohort study.

Information regarding liver retransplantation in HIV-infected patients is scant. Data from 14 HIV-infected patients retransplanted between 2002 and 2011 in Spain (6% retransplantation rate) were analyzed and compared with those from 157 matched HIV-negative retransplanted patients. In HIV-infected patients, early (≤30 days) retransplantation was more frequently indicated (57% vs. 29%; p = 0.057), and retransplantation for HCV recurrence was less frequently indicated (7% vs. 37%; p = 0.036). Survival probability after retransplantation in HIV-positive patients was lower than in HIV-negative patients, 42% versus 64% at 3 years, although not significantly (p = 0.160). Among HIV-infected patients, those with undetectable HCV RNA at retransplantation and those with late (>30 days) retransplantation showed better 3-year survival probability (80% and 67%, respectively), similar to that in their respective HIV-negative counterparts (72% and 70%). In HIV-infected and HIV-negative patients, 3-year survival probability in those with positive HCV RNA at retransplantation was 22% versus 65% (p = 0.008); in those with early retransplantation, 3-year survival probability was 25% versus 56% (p = 0.282). HIV infection was controlled with antiretroviral therapy after retransplantation. In conclusion, HIV-infected patients taken as a whole have unsatisfactory survival after liver retransplantation, although patients with undetectable HCV RNA at retransplantation or undergoing late retransplantation show a more favorable outcome.

Importance of technical aspects in the beginnings of a pancreas transplantation program.

Pancreas and kidney transplantation is the treatment of choice for patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus and terminal renal insufficiency. Herein we have presented a series of 35 patients transplanted between 2002 and 2009 including periods before and after 2007 divided based on introduction of some technical aspects. In the first phase (learning period) we have noted complications related to pancreatic surgery with a morbidity among 12 of 18 patients (66.6%). In the second period (stabilization period), complications appeared in 6 out of 17 patients (35.2%; P < .028). The reoperation rate was 83.3% in the learning period and 23.5% in the stabilization period (P < .03). Seven transplantectomies were performed in the first period (P < .004). Five patients died, all of them in the learning group (P < .019). Changes in the technical aspects of the procedure were responsible for improved outcomes obtained among pancreas and kidney transplantations.