Manual and semi-automated computed tomography volumetry significantly overestimates the right liver lobe graft weight: a single-center study with adult living liver donors.

PURPOSE: Preoperative evaluation of donor liver volume is indispensable in living donor liver transplantation to ensure sufficient residual liver and graft-to-recipient weight ratio. This study aims to evaluate the accuracy of two computed tomography (CT) volumetry programs, an interactive manual and a semi-automated one, in the preoperative estimation of the right lobe graft weight. METHODS: One hundred and nine right liver lobe living donors between January 2008 and January 2020 were enrolled in this retrospective study. Two radiologists measured the liver graft volumes independently using manual and semi-automated CT volumetry, and the interaction time was recorded. Actual graft weight (AGW) measured intraoperatively served as the reference standard. The paired samples t-test was used to compare the estimated graft weight (EGW) and the AGW. Inter-user and inter-method agreements were assessed with Bland-Altman plots. RESULTS: Both manual and semi-automated CT volumetry significantly overestimated the graft weight (EGW manual: 893 ± 155 mL vs. AGW manual: 787 ± 128 g, P < 0.001, EGW semi-automated: 879 ± 143 mL vs. AGW semi-automated, P < 0.001). The junior radiologist measured higher volumes than the senior radiologist with either method (P < 0.001). The Bland-Altman analysis revealed mean difference and standard deviation for inter-method agreement of 7 ± 48 cc for the senior radiologist, and 34 ± 54 cc for the junior radiologist. The mean difference and standard deviation for inter-method agreement was 63 ± 59 cc in manual volumetry and 22 ± 38 cc in semi-automated volumetry. The mean interaction time was 27.3 ± 14.2 min for manual volumetry and 6.8 ± 1.4 min for semi-automated volumetry (P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Both manual and semi-automated CT volumetry significantly overestimated the right liver graft weight, while semi-automated volumetry significantly reduced the interaction time.

Complications of e-PTFE Grafts in LDLT; Evaluation of Case Series.

BACKGROUND: The expanded polytetrafluoroethylene (ePTFE) grafts are used to drain anterior sector veins during the living donor liver transplantation procedure. We aimed to analyze the potentially life-threatening complications, such as the infection and migration of ePTFE grafts. METHODS: A total of 1264 liver transplantations (LTs) were performed for 1097 adult and 167 pediatric liver failure cases. In total, 1169 living and 95 cadaveric liver transplantation procedures were performed between 2011 and 2021. Right liver transplantation was performed in 1016 cases, including 1002 living donors and 14 cadaveric split right livers. Cadaveric LT was performed in 81 cases. RESULTS: For 1002 right living liver grafts, 905 vascular grafts were used during the backtable for anterior sector outflow venoplasty. The most commonly drained segments were 5 and 8 (472 cases); there were isolated (5 or 8) and multiple drained segments. Vascular graft migration was described in 7 of 905 (0.77%) patients. CONCLUSIONS: Although complication rates regarding ePTFE grafts are low, there are serious life-threatening causes of morbidity and mortality. We recommend cushioning the vascular graft with the omentum, which is effective in preventing graft migration.

Comparing the Outcomes of Pediatric Liver Transplantation.

BACKGROUND: Liver transplantation is a life-saving treatment for end-stage pediatric liver failure. We aimed to present the results of pediatric liver transplants performed in our center in the last 11 years (between 2012 and March 2022) in association with prognostic factors affecting survival. METHODS: Demographic characteristics, etiologic reasons, previous operations (Kasai procedure), morbidity, mortality, survival, and bilio-vascular complication rates were determined, and outcomes were evaluated. In the postoperative period, the duration of mechanical ventilation and intensive care unit stay and surgical and other complications were evaluated. Graft and patient survival rates were determined, and univariate and multivariate factors affecting these rates were evaluated. RESULTS: In the last 10 years, 229 pediatric liver transplantaion (Pe-LT)/1513 adult liver taransplantation (Ad-LT) (21.35%) were performed in our center. This ratio (Pe-LT/Ad-LT ratio) is 1741/15,886 (10.95%) for our country. A total of 229 liver transplants were performed in 214 pediatric patients. Retransplantation was performed in 15 patients (6.55%). Cadaveric liver transplantation was performed in 9 patients. Graft survival rates were 87%, 83%, 78%, 78%, 78%, and 78% at <30 days, 30 to 90 days, 91 to 364 days, 1 to 3 years, and >3 years, respectively. Patient survival rates for <30 days, 30 to 90 days, 91 to 364 days, 1 to 3 years, and >3 years were 91.5%, 85.7%, 82%, 81.5%, and 81.5%, respectively. Our 5-year survival rates in metabolic diseases and the acute fulminant failure group are 93.8% and 100%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The fact that the 1- and 5-year survival rates are the same shows that when patients overcome biliary vascular and infectious problems, their survival is prolonged.

Complications and Long-Term Outcomes in Adult Patients Undergoing Living Donor Liver Transplantation Because of Fulminant Hepatitis.

BACKGROUND: The present study investigates the complications that may occur during long-term follow-up in patients aged 18 years and older undergoing living donor liver transplantation (LDLT) in our clinic because of fulminant hepatitis. METHODS: The study included patients aged 18 years and older with a minimum survival of 6 months who underwent an LDLT between June 2000 and June 2017. The demographic data of the patients were evaluated in terms of late-term complications. RESULTS: Of the 240 patients who met the study criteria, 8 (3.3%) underwent LDLT for fulminant hepatitis. The indication for transplantation in patients with fulminant hepatitis was cryptogenic liver hepatitis in 4 patients, acute hepatitis B infection in 2 patients, hemochromatosis in 1 patient, and toxic hepatitis in 1 patient. Of the 240 patients, 65 (27%) undergoing LDLT underwent a liver biopsy for suspected rejection because of an elevation in liver function test results during follow-up. Histopathologic scoring was carried out according to the Banff scoring system. A diagnosis of late acute rejection was made in only 1 of the 8 patients (12.5%) who underwent LDLT for fulminant hepatitis. CONCLUSION: Patients with fulminant hepatitis must be prepared for an LDLT, if available, while waiting for a cadaveric donor. The results of the present study suggest that LDLTs in patients with fulminant hepatitis are safe, and the outcomes are acceptable in terms of survival and complications.

Evaluation of the Effects of Immunosuppressive Drugs Following Liver Transplantation on Pregnancy Outcomes: A Retrospective Study.

BACKGROUND: Liver transplantations can be safely performed in women of reproductive age. Women with chronic liver disease may have infertility for various reasons, although fertility returns after recovering >90% of sexual disorders following liver transplantation. The present study examined the effects of immunosuppressive drugs used by women of reproductive age undergoing liver transplantation in our clinic on pregnancy and pregnancy outcomes and evaluated mortality and morbidity in this patient population. METHODS: Among the patients undergoing liver transplantation in our clinic between 1997 and 2020, those conceiving after liver transplantation were evaluated in the present study. Demographic data on maternal and newborn health, as well as mortality and morbidity, were recorded. Maternal transplant indications, graft type, the interval between transplantation and pregnancy, maternal age at pregnancy and the number of pregnancies, the number of living children, complications, delivery mode, immunosuppressive drugs, and blood levels were investigated. RESULTS: A total of 615 liver transplantations (353 from a living donor, 262 from a cadaveric donor) were performed in our clinic. Furthermore, 33 pregnancies occurred in 22 women following transplantation (17 living donor liver transplantations, 5 deceased donor liver transplantations), and the data of these patients were recorded. Tacrolimus and mycophenolate mofetil were used as immunosuppressive therapy. CONCLUSIONS: Liver transplantations can be safely performed in women of reproductive age if indicated, and these patients can be safely followed up throughout the pregnancy and during labor by a multidisciplinary team.

Comparing the Outcomes of Deceased-Donor and Living-Donor Liver Re-Transplantation In Adult Patients.

BACKGROUND: Patients with liver graft failures have an extremely low chance of finding a cadaveric graft in countries with a scarcity of deceased donors. We compared the outcomes of liver re-transplantation with living-donor liver grafts (re-LDLT) and deceased-donor liver grafts (re-DDLT) in adult patients (>18 years). METHODS: The medical records of 1513 (1417 [93.6%] LDLT and 96 [6.3%] DDLT) patients who underwent liver transplantation at Memorial Hospital between January 2011 and October 2022 were reviewed. Forty patients (24 adults and 16 pediatric) were re-transplanted (2.84%); 24 adult patients (2.72%: 25 re-LDLT, 1 patient with second re-LDLT) were divided into 2 groups: re-DDLT (n = 6) and re-LDLT (n = 18). The groups were compared in demographics, pre-, peri-, postoperative characteristics, and outcomes. RESULTS: The overall survival rates were 91.7%, 79.2%, 75.0%, and 75% for <30 days, 31 to 90 days, 1, and 3 years, respectively. The LDLT group was significantly younger (P = .022), had smaller graft weight (P = .03), shorter mechanical ventilation (P = .036) but longer operation time (P = .019), and hospitalization period (P = .003). The groups were otherwise comparable. There was no statistically significant difference in survival rates between the groups (P = .058), although the re-LDLT group had an evidently higher survival rate (88.9% and 83.3 % vs 50.0%). CONCLUSION: Re-LDLT has shown comparable outcomes to re-DDLT, if not better (even not far from significance P = .058). These results may encourage performing re-LDLTs in patients with indications for re-LT without worrying about low chances of survival, especially in countries with limited sources of deceased donors.

The Prognostic Significance of Circulating Tumor Cells in Patients with Pancreatobiliary Cancer.

BACKGROUND: Circulating tumor cells (CTCs) are cancer cells which separate from the primary tumor and enter systemic circulation. In this study, it was aimed to examine the relationship between CTCs isolated and identified from the peripheral blood of patients with pancreatobiliary cancer, with the clinicopathological characteristics of the patients and their overall survival. METHODS: A total of 21 patients were included the study. Density gradient centrifugation with the OncoQuick® assay was performed for isolation of CTCs from peripheral blood. In order to identify CTCs, enriched samples underwent flow cytometric analysis. RESULTS: The rate of patients with positive surgical margin in the high CTC group (CTC <15) was identified to be statistically significantly high compared to the group with low CTC (CTC ≤15) (83.3% vs. 16.7%; P = .041). Median neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio (NLR) was found to be higher in the high CTC group compared to the low CTC group, which was close to statistical significance (2.37 vs. 1.41; P = .055). CONCLUSIONS: Circulating tumor cells were identified to have a significant relationship with surgical margin positivity in our study for the first time, suggesting that the CTCs count in peripheral blood in preoperative patients may be a biomarker predicting positive surgical margin. Due to the very low number of studies assessing the relationship between CTCs and NLR, our study which identified relationship close to statistical significance between CTCs and NLR, significantly contributes to the literature on the topic of the possible role of lymphocytes in CTC clearance.

Association of Serum Hepatocyte Growth Factor Level with Systemic Inflammatory Biomarkers in Patients with Pancreatobiliary Cancer.

BACKGROUND: Hepatocyte growth factor is a cytokine secreted by the stromal cells in the tumor microenvironment. There is little information about the clinical significance of serum hepatocyte growth factor level in patients diagnosed with pancreatobiliary cancer. The objective of the current study was to investigate the relationship between serum hepatocyte growth factor level with inflammation markers and the clinical features of patients with pancreatobiliary cancer. METHODS: A total of 62 patients with pancreatobiliary cancer were included in this study. Serum hepatocyte growth factor concentrations were evaluated utilizing the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay method. RESULTS: The median serum hepatocyte growth factor level was 329.1 ng/mL (1.4-1051.1). The patients were categorized into 2 groups as those below the median hepatocyte growth factor level (low hepatocyte growth factor) and those above the median hepatocyte growth factor level (high hepatocyte growth factor). While 40.9% of the patients without metastasis were observed to be in the high hepatocyte growth factor group, 72.2% of the metastatic patients were observed to be in the high hepatocyte growth factor group (P = .025). The median levels of monocyte, monocyte-to-lymphocyte ratio, C-reactive protein, and C-reactive protein-to-albumin ratio were found to be significantly higher in the high hepatocyte growth factor group as compared to the low hepatocyte growth factor group (P < .050). CONCLUSION: The significant relationship between serum hepatocyte growth factor level and systemic inflammation markers in patients with pancreatobiliary cancer is shown for the first time in our study. This study, which showed a significant relationship between the presence of metastasis and serum hepatocyte growth factor level, suggests that serum hepatocyte growth factor level may be a prognostic biomarker in patients who are diagnosed with pancreatobiliary cancer.

Vascular Complications After Liver Transplantation.

OBJECTIVES: Vascular complications after liver transplant can be lethal. High levels of suspicion and aggressive use of diagnostic tools may help with early diagnosis and treatment. Here, we share our experiences regarding this topic. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Adult and pediatric patients who had liver transplant between February 1997 and June 2018 in our clinic were included in the study. Patients were grouped according to age (pediatric patients were those under 18 years old), male versus female, indication for transplant, type of liver transplant, type of vascular complication, treatment, and survival aftertreatment.We analyzed the statistical incidence of vascular complications according to age, male versus female, and type of liver transplant. RESULTS: Our analyses included 607 liver transplant procedures, including 7 retransplants, with 349 (57.4%) from living donors and 258 (42.6%) from deceased donors. Of total patients, 539 were adults (89.8%) and 61 were children (10.2%). Vascular complications occurred in 25 patients (4.1%), with hepatic artery complications seen in 13 patients (2.1%) (10 adults [1.8%] and 3 children [4.9%]), portal vein complications seen in 9 patients (1.5%) (6 adults [1.1%] and 3 children [4.9%]), and hepatic vein complications seen in 3 patients (0.5%) (2 adults [0.36%] and 1 child [1.6%]). Rate of vascular complications was statistically higher in pediatric patients (11.4% vs 3.3%; P = .007) and higher but not statistically in recipients of livers from living donors (5.2% vs 2.7%; P = .19). Twelve patients (48.8%) were treated with endovascular approach, and 11 (0.44%)required surgicaltreatment. Two patients underwent immediate retransplant due to hepatic artery thrombosis. CONCLUSIONS: Because vascular complications are the most severe complications afterlivertransplant,there must be close follow-up of vascular anastomoses, particularly early postoperatively, with radiologic methods. In cases of vascular complications, emergent treatment, including endovascular interventions, surgery, and retransplant, must be performed.

Tumoral and Parenchymal Morphological Assessment in Liver Metastases of Colorectal Carcinoma: Micrometastasis, Peritumoral Lymphocytes, Tumor Budding and Differentiation are Potential Prognostic Factors.

Introduction: Various potential prognostic histopathologic factors for colorectal carcinoma liver metastasis have been proposed. However, there is still no consensus on pathological reporting of colorectal carcinoma liver metastasis resection materials. The aim of this study was to investigate the relation between selected tumoral and parenchymal histopathologic features and prognostic factors for better characterization and prognostic prediction of the patients with colorectal carcinoma liver metastasis. Methods: Hematoxylin-eosin stained slides from 100 patients who underwent hepatic resection were evaluated. Pathologic characteristics; including number of tumor nodules, largest tumor size, status of surgical margin, tumor distance to closest margin, tumor necrosis, the presence of tumor capsule, tumor differentiation, perineural and lymphovascular invasion, micrometastasis, tumor budding, peritumoral lymphocytic infiltrate and parenchymal features including steatosis, steatohepatitis, lobular inflammation, confluent necrosis, hepatocyte ballooning, portal inflammation were assessed. For 49 patients who were treated with preoperative chemotherapy, tumor regression grade and chemotherapy-related parenchymal changes such as sinusoidal damage, venous obstruction, nodular regenerative hyperplasia, steatosis and steatohepatitis were also evaluated. Results: The presence of lymphovascular invasion (p < 0.001), micrometastasis (p=0.004), absent or mild peritumoral lymphocytic infiltration (p =0.013), high tumor budding score (p=0.033) and moderate/poor differentiation (p=0.022) were significantly associated with shorter overall survival. Lymphovascular invasion (p < 0.001) was an independent predictor of mortality in multivariate analysis. Conclusions: We conclude that tumor differentiation, lymphovascular invasion, micrometastasis, peritumoral lymphocytic reaction and tumor budding score are potential prognostic histopathological features and candidates for inclusion in pathology reports of colorectal carcinoma liver metastasis resections.

The Role of Log Odds of Positive Lymph Nodes in Predicting the Survival after Resection for Ampullary Adenocarcinoma.

Lymph node metastasis is a important factor on survival in ampullary adenocarcinoma. Log odds of positive lymph nodes (LODDS) is a novel prognostic indicator on lymph node status. We aimed to evaluate the prognostic impact of LODDS for the patients with ampullary adenocarcinoma who underwent R0 pancreaticoduodenectomy. The study includes 42 patients.. LODDS was calculated as "log (number of metastatic lymph nodes+0.5)/(number of total harvested nodes - metastatic lymph nodes+0.5)". LODDS subgroups were created based on their LODDS value: LODDS1(LODDS≤ - 1.5), LODDS2(-1.5 < LODDS≤ - 1.0), LODDS3(-1.0 < LODDS≤ - 0.5), LODDS4(LODDS> - 0.5). The mean survival time was 72.7 ± 7.82 months. Survival rates for 1, 3 and 5 years were 93%, 65% and 45%, respectively. The mean LODDS value was -1.0466 ± 0.51. LODDS subgroups show strong correlation with Overall Survival(OS). The mean survival were 114.8, 81.8, 56.6 and 25.6 months in LODDS subgroups 1, 2, 3 and 4, respectively (Log-rank; p = 0.002), in addition LOODS values shows correlation with perineural invasion and micro vascular invasion (p = 0.015 and p = 0.001 respectively). Findings in our patient group support the hypothesis that LODDS subgroups correlate with OS, and that value of LODDS has considerable role in prediction of OS as well.

Analysis of Causes and Risk Factors for Late Mortality After Liver Transplant: How Can We Obtain Better Long-Term Survival?

OBJECTIVES: We investigated late mortality causes and risk factors in patients who were undergoing deceased-donor liver transplant. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Patients who had deceased-donor liver transplant from February 1997 to June 2014 in the hepatopancreaticobiliary surgery and liver transplant unit at Dokuz Eylul University Hospital were analyzed. Inclusion criteria were patients over 18 years of age and who survived more than 1 year after liver transplant. Causes of mortality and related risk factors after the first year were analyzed. RESULTS: Of the 157 included patients, 102 patients (72%) received transplant procedures for hepatitis B and C secondary to chronic liver disease. Mean follow-up was 89.85 months (range, 14.4-240 months). Of 157 patients, 20 patients (12.7%) died: 12 patients (60%) died during posttransplant years 2-5 and 8 patients (40%) died after 5 years. Causes of death included malignancy in 8 patients (40%), recurrent hepatitis C infection in 3 patients (15%), infection in 3 patients (15%), coronary artery disease in 2 patients (10%), graft rejection in 2 patients (10%), and biliary complications in 2 patients (10%). Univariate analyses showed that long-term survival was significantly lower in patients older than 50 years (P = .001), when there was presence of hepatocellular carcinoma (P = .011), and when donor age was higher than 38 years (P = .045). Multivariate analyses identified recipient age (P = .007) and presence of hepatocellular carcinoma (P = 0.033) as factors that reduced long-term survival. CONCLUSIONS: The main causes of late mortality in liver transplant are malignancy, recurrence of hepatitis C, infection, coronary artery disease, graft rejection, and biliary complications. Advanced age and hepatocellular carcinoma are independent risk factors that increase late mortality.

Comparison of Resection and Liver Transplant in Treatment of Hepatocellular Carcinoma.

OBJECTIVES: Hepatic resection and liver transplant are regarded as 2 potentially curative treatments for hepatocellular carcinoma. Here, we compared both options in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma secondary to cirrhosis seen at a single center over 12 years. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We evaluated early complications and survival of patients with hepatocellular carcinoma treated with liver transplant (57 patients) or hepatic resection (36 patients) at our center between 1998 and 2010. RESULTS: The 34-month mean follow-up period was similar for both treatment groups. The liver transplant group had a longer hospital stay than the hepatic resection group (P ⟨ .001). Patients with Child-Turcotte-Pugh A stage were treated by hepatic resection more than by liver transplant (P ⟨ .001),with Child-Turcotte-Pugh B stage patients treated by liver transplant more than by hepatic resection (P = .03). All patients with Child-Turcotte-Pugh C stage had liver transplant. Both treatment groups had similar postoperative complications and early postoperative mortality rates, but liver transplant resulted in longer overall (P = .001) and higher event-free (P = .001) survival than hepatic resection. Among the liver transplant group, 57.8% of patients met the Milan criteria. Patients who met Milan criteria were treated by liver transplant statistically more than hepatic resection, and these patients had longer overall survival (P = .01) and higher event-free survival (P ⟨ .001) than patients who had hepatic resection. Hepatocellular carcinoma recurrence rates were higher after hepatic resection (P = .232). CONCLUSIONS: In patients with hepatocellular carcinoma, hospital stay was longer after liver transplant, but morbidity and mortality rates for liver transplant versus hepatic resection were similar. However, overall and event-free survival rates were better after liver transplant than after hepatic resection. These results suggest that liver transplant should be considered as the primary treatment option for patients with hepatocellular carcinoma secondary to cirrhosis.

Analysis of socioeconomic status and other factors affecting patient-graft survival in patients undergoing liver transplantation.

Background and Aim: Liver transplantation is performed in increasing numbers due to advances in surgical techniques and the introduction of diverse immunosuppressive drugs. The present study aims to analyze the effects of socioeconomic status and education level on patient and graft survival, in addition to all these factors. Material and Methods: All patients aged 18 years and above who underwent consecutive liver transplantation at the Liver Transplantation Unit of Department of General Surgery at the Dokuz Eylül University Hospital and whose data were available were included in this study. Results: Incompliance was noted in 68.3% of the 278 patients. On the other hand, patient compliance did not have a significant effect on graft and patient survival. However, decreased levels in the parameters, such as education status, vocational status and socioeconomic status, were found to be correlated with patient compliance. A significant correlation was not found between these factors and patient and graft survival. Conclusion: Although a direct effect of socioeconomic status on patient and graft survival could not be shown the significant association of vocational status and education status which determine socioeconomic level with parameters other than patient and graft survival may affect the success of liver transplants.

De Novo Malignancies After Liver Transplantation: A Single Institution Experience.

OBJECTIVES: Our objective was to analyze characteristics, risk factors, and incidence of de novo malignancies after liver transplant. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The hospital records of 557 patients who underwent liver transplant were analyzed from the point of de novo malignancy development. We evaluated the demographic features and survival of these patients retrospectively. RESULTS: The research covered 429 patients, 9 (2%) of whom developed de novo malignancy. All of these patients were male (100%), and their mean (SD) age was 51.33 (4.69) years (range, 45-65 y). Indications for transplant included alcohol related in 4 cases, chronic hepatitis B in 2 cases, chronic hepatitis B and C in 1 case, chronic hepatitis B and D in 1 case, and chronic hepatitis C and alcohol-related cirrhosis in 1 case. The mean (SD) time from transplant to cancer diagnosis was 63.41 (37.10) months (range, 17-122 mo). The types of tumors were lung cancer, lymphoma, neuroendocrine tumor of lung, nasopharyngeal cancer, and squamous cell carcinoma of the skin. Seven cases received chemotherapy with or without radiotherapy. Two cases received surgery and radiotherapy. One patient underwent surgical treatment. One patient died before treatment was started. CONCLUSIONS: In recent years, improvements in surgical techniques and immunosuppressive therapies have helped prolong survival of patients who undergo liver transplant. However, this also has led to a rise in the incidence of long-term complications such as de novo malignancy. These patients are more likely to develop de novo malignancy than the general population, for which chronic immunosuppression is identified as a major risk factor. Early diagnosis and treatment of de novo malignancies can help obtain better prognosis and higher survival rates in these patients.

Determinants and characteristics of tuberculosis in liver transplant recipients

Background/aim: Solid organ transplant (SOT) recipients have increased risk of tuberculosis (TB). We aimed to investigate the prevalence and features of TB in liver transplant (LT) recipients at our transplantation canter. Materials and methods: All patients who underwent LT between January 2004 and December 2013 and whose data were accessible were included in the study. Demographic features, tuberculin skin test (TST) results, and TB prevalence were recorded. Characteristics of LT recipients who developed TB were evaluated. Results: A total of 403 patients underwent LT during this period. Mean age was 47.27 ± 11.04 years; 280 (69.47%) were males. The TST was administered to 108 (25.91%) and the QuantiFERON-TB test to 1 patient. TST positivity was determined in 28 (25.93%). Latent TB infection (LTBI) treatment was not recommended to any of the LT candidates. In the posttransplant period, 5 patients (1.24%) developed TB over a median duration of 14 (min: 7, max: 84) months, 2 of whom were found to have had LTBI in the pretransplant period. Conclusion: The prevalence of TB in LT recipients at our center was similar to that in the current literature. LTBI screening, including risk factor assessment and TST/QuantiFERON-TB testing, is necessary in the early diagnostic workup for TB in LT recipients.

Liver Transplant in Patients with Primary Sclerosing Cholangitis: Long-Term Experience of a Single Center.

OBJECTIVES: Primary sclerosing cholangitis is a chronic inflammatory disease of the intrahepatic and extrahepatic bile ducts. More than half of the patients will face end-stage liver disease and require liver transplant. Here, we describe the long-term outcomes of liver transplant in patients with primary sclerosing cholangitis at our center. MATERIALS AND METHODS: For this retrospective, observational study, we investigated all patients who underwent liver transplant for primary sclerosing cholangitis between January 2005 and June 2013 at the Dokuz Eylul University Hospital. Patient data were obtained from hospital records. Our inclusion criteria were patients over 18 years old and diagnosed with primary sclerosing cholangitis. RESULTS: Of 11 patients included the study, 6 (54.5%) were male and 5 (45.5%) were female. Mean age was 40.6 ± 11.0 years (range, 23-60 y). All patients had cirrhosis due to primary sclerosing cholangitis. With regard to Child-Turcot-Pugh classification, 2 patients (18.2%) were classified as having Child-Turcot-Pugh A cirrhosis, 7 patients (63.6%) were classified as having B cirrhosis, and 2 patients (18.2%) were classified as having C cirrhosis. Mean Modified End-Stage Liver Disease score was 17.5 ± 6.1 (range, 7-25). Cholangiocarcinoma was not detected in explant pathologic examinations. Primary sclerosing cholangitis recurrence developed in 2 patients (18.1%). Three patients (27.2%) died during the follow-up period. CONCLUSIONS: Liver transplant is a good therapeutic option for primary sclerosing cholangitis with satisfactory long-term outcomes. Liver transplant should be reserved for patients with end-stage liver disease and other conditions that significantly impair quality of life.

Predictive Factors for Survival in Children Receiving Liver Transplants for Wilson's Disease: A Cohort Study Using European Liver Transplant Registry Data.

Liver transplantation (LT) is a rescue therapy for life-threatening complications of Wilson's disease (WD). However, data on the outcome of WD patients after LT are scarce. The aim of our study was to analyze a large pediatric WD cohort with the aim of investigating the longterm outcome of pediatric WD patients after LT and to identify predictive factors for patient and transplant survival. This is a retrospective cohort study using data of all children (<18 years) transplanted for WD enrolled in the European Liver Transplant Registry from January 1968 until December 2013. In total, 338 patients (57.6% female) transplanted at 80 different European centers (1-26 patients per center) were included in this study. The median age at transplantation was 14.0 years (interquartile range [IQR], 11.2-16.1 years); patients were followed up for a median of 5.4 years (IQR, 1.0-10.9 years) after LT. Overall patient survival rates were high with 87% (1-year survival), 84% (5-year survival), and 81% (10-year survival); survival rates increased considerably with the calendar year (P < 0.001). Early age at LT, living donation, and histidine tryptophan ketoglutarate preservation liquid were identified as risk factors for poor patient survival in the multivariate analysis. LT is an excellent treatment option for pediatric patients with WD and associated end-stage liver disease. Longterm outcome in these patients is similar to other pediatric causes for LT. Overall patient and graft survival rates improved considerably over the last decades. To improve future research in the field, the vast variability of allocation strategies should be harmonized and a generally accepted definition or discrimination of acute versus chronic WD needs to be found.

Pediatric liver transplant patients' transition to adulthood: Patient and parent experiences.

This qualitative research study describes the experiences of child and adolescent liver transplant recipients and their parents during the patients' transition to adulthood. Data were collected from pediatric liver transplant recipients and their parents during individual interviews, and these were later analyzed using conventional content analysis. Seven main themes emerged: coping, self-management, body image, social relationships, academic life, work life, and live donors. Study results revealed that the patients who received liver transplants during their childhood and adolescence used both effective and ineffective strategies to cope with the difficulties they faced during the transition period into adulthood. The parents experienced many problems: on learning of their child's need for a transplant, parents were advised that they should consider becoming a live donor. This very difficult decision was a source of great stress and required serious consideration. After transplantation the parents wanted their children to have autonomy but could not encourage them because of concerns for their health.