An analysis of tacrolimus-related complications in the first 30 days after liver transplantation.

OBJECTIVES: Orthotopic liver transplantation has improved survival in patients with end-stage liver disease; however, therapeutic strategies that achieve ideal immunosuppression and avoid early complications are lacking. To correlate the dose and level of Tacrolimus with early complications, e.g., rejection, infection and renal impairment, after liver transplantation. From November 2011 to May 2013, 44 adult liver transplant recipients were studied in this retrospective comparative study. RESULTS: The most frequent indication for liver transplantation was hepatitis C cirrhosis (47.7%), with a higher prevalence observed in male patients (68.18%). The ages of the subjects ranged from 19-71 and the median age was 55.5 years. The mean length of the hospital stay was 16.1±9.32 days and the mean Model for End-stage Liver Disease score was 26.18±4.28. There were five cases of acute cellular rejection (11.37%) and 16 cases of infection (36.37%). The blood samples that were collected and analyzed over time showed a significant correlation between the Tacrolimus blood level and the deterioration of glomerular filtration rate and serum creatinine (p<0.05). Patients with infections had a higher serum level of Tacrolimus (p = 0.012). The dose and presence of rejection were significantly different (p = 0.048) and the mean glomerular filtration rate was impaired in patients who underwent rejection compared with patients who did not undergo rejection (p = 0.0084). CONCLUSION: Blood Tacrolimus levels greater than 10 ng/ml were correlated with impaired renal function. Doses greater than 0.15 mg/kg/day were associated with the prevention of acute cellular rejection but predisposed patients to infectious disease.

The role of hilar lymphadenectomy in patients subjected to hepatectomy due to colorectal metastasis.

CONTEXT: Hepatectomy is the treatment of choice for colorectal liver metastases, and several studies have shown good results, with 5-year survival rates ranging from 40% to 57%. Several clinical and pathological predictive factors for survival after liver resection have been studied. Involvement of the hepatic hilum lymph nodes, the incidence of which varies from 2% to 10%, indicates a poor long-term prognosis. RESULTS: Despite variable results, some authors have reported a not-insignificant improvement in survival rate in liver-metastasis patients with hilar lymph node involvement who undergo combined liver resection and lymphadenectomy. Due to the low rates of morbidity and mortality for liver-resection surgery, several specialized centers perform liver resections combined with lymphadenectomies in selected cases. It should be noted that the therapeutic value of systemic lymphadenectomy is not yet entirely understood, and only controlled studies comparing groups with and without lymphadenectomy can fully resolve the issue. CONCLUSION: In any case, hilar lymph node dissection has been shown to be a useful tool for improving the accuracy of extra hepatic disease staging, regardless of its impact on survival.

The role of hilar lymphadenectomy in patients subjected to hepatectomy due to colorectal metastasis / Papel da linfadenectomia hilar em pacientes submetidos a hepatectomia por metástases colorretais

CONTEXT: Hepatectomy is the treatment of choice for colorectal liver metastases, and several studies have shown good results, with 5-year survival rates ranging from 40 percent to 57 percent. Several clinical and pathological predictive factors for survival after liver resection have been studied. Involvement of the hepatic hilum lymph nodes, the incidence of which varies from 2 percent to 10 percent, indicates a poor long-term prognosis. RESULTS: Despite variable results, some authors have reported a not-insignificant improvement in survival rate in liver-metastasis patients with hilar lymph node involvement who undergo combined liver resection and lymphadenectomy. Due to the low rates of morbidity and mortality for liver-resection surgery, several specialized centers perform liver resections combined with lymphadenectomies in selected cases. It should be noted that the therapeutic value of systemic lymphadenectomy is not yet entirely understood, and only controlled studies comparing groups with and without lymphadenectomy can fully resolve the issue. CONCLUSION: In any case, hilar lymph node dissection has been shown to be a useful tool for improving the accuracy of extra hepatic disease staging, regardless of its impact on survival.

CONTEXTO: A hepatectomia é o tratamento de eleição para metástases hepáticas de câncer colorretal e diversos estudos têm demonstrado bons resultados, com índices de sobrevida em 5 anos entre 40 por cento e 57 por cento. Vários fatores clínico-patológicos preditivos de sobrevida após a ressecção hepática têm sido estudados e o envolvimento linfonodal do hilo hepático, que varia entre 2 por cento e 10 por cento, confere a este grupo prognóstico reservado a longo prazo. RESULTADOS: Embora com resultados variáveis, alguns autores têm relatado sobrevida não desprezível em pacientes com metástases hepáticas associada à doença linfonodal hilar submetidos a hepatectomia conjuntamente à linfadenectomia. Muitos centros especializados, embasados nos baixos índices de morbimortalidade da hepatectomia, realizam a ressecção hepática associada à linfadenectomia em casos selecionados. Cumpre ressaltar que o valor terapêutico da linfadenectomia sistemática ainda não é inteiramente conhecido e somente estudos controlados, comparando grupos com e sem linfadenectomia, poderão dirimir estas questões. CONCLUSÃO: De qualquer forma, a dissecção linfonodal hilar demonstrou ser uma ferramenta que torna mais preciso o estadiamento da doença extra-hepática, independente do impacto deste procedimento na sobrevida.

Ischemic preconditioning-like effect of polyunsaturated fatty acid-rich diet on hepatic ischemia/reperfusion injury.

AIM: The aim of this study was to investigate a possible preconditioning effect of oral diet enriched with polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) on liver ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injuries. METHODS: Wistar male rats were fed a standard diet or polyunsaturated fatty acid-rich diet (PRD) enriched with (GII) or without (GIII) ω-3 PUFA. Rats were submitted to partial liver ischemia during 1 h and evaluated in pre- and post-I/R conditions. In pre-I/R condition, livers were collected for determination of fatty acid composition, liver mitochondrial function, malondialdehyde (MDA) content, and histological analysis. Four hours after liver reperfusion serum activities of aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT), serum levels of tumor necrosis factor-alpha, interleukin-6, interleukin-10, and prostaglandin-E2, liver mitochondrial function, MDA content, and histology were evaluated. RESULTS: In the pre-I/R condition, GII and GIII groups had an increase on PUFA content and exhibited slight increased macrosteatosis and microsteatosis in the liver. After 4 h of reperfusion, PRD-fed rats showed a marked decrease on steatosis, diminished necrosis, an increase in MDA formation, and mitochondrial uncoupling. We also observed a marked decrease in plasma levels of cytokines and ALT and AST activities in post-I/R condition in PRD groups. CONCLUSION: In this experimental model in the rat, PRD has a preconditioning effect protecting the liver from I/R injury and should be object of future clinical studies.

Mechanisms of the beneficial effect of hypertonic saline solution in acute pancreatitis.

Administration of hypertonic saline (HS) solution to rats with acute pancreatitis (AP) decreases mortality and systemic inflammation. We hypothesized that these effects are related not only to systemic inflammatory reduction, but also to a reduction of the pancreatic lesion. Acute pancreatitis was induced in Wistar rats by injection of 2.5% sodium taurocholate. Animals were divided in groups: without AP, not treated AP, AP treated with NaCl 0.9%, and AP treated with NaCl 7.5%. Trypsinogen activation peptides and amylase activity were increased in ascitic fluid and serum and were not affected by treatment with HS. Pancreatic inflammation was evaluated by increased myeloperoxidase activity, malondialdehyde formation, and histopathology for severity of pancreatic lesions. The HS did not affect these parameters. Expression of cyclooxygenase 2 and inducible nitric oxide synthase was markedly increased in the pancreas of the AP group and was reduced by treatment with HS. This treatment also reduced the levels of TNF-α and IL-6 but not of IL-10 in the pancreatic tissue. These results show that HS modulates cytokine production and expression of enzymes responsible for inflammatory mediator production in the pancreas without affecting the severity of the pancreatic lesions.

Ressecões hepáticas por videolaparoscopia: [revisão] / Current status of laparoscopic liver resections: [review]

INTRODUÇÃO: As ressecções hepáticas representam umas das últimas fronteiras vencidas pela cirurgia videolaparoscópica. Apesar da complexidade do procedimento, da demanda de grande incorporação de tecnologia e necessidade de experiência em cirurgia hepática e laparoscópica, a indicação do método tem crescido de forma expressiva nos últimos anos. OBJETIVO: Realizar análise crítica do método, baseada nos trabalhos existentes na literatura, ressaltando o estado atual de suas indicações, exequibilidade, segurança, resultados e aspectos técnicos primordiais. MÉTODO: Foram identificados e analisados os trabalhos pertinentes nas bases de dados LILACS e PUBMED até dezembro de 2009, utilizando-se os descritores "liver resection", "laparoscopic" e "liver surgery". Não foram encontrados trabalhos prospectivos e randomizados sobre o tema, sendo os dados disponíveis provenientes de série de casos, estudos caso-controle e alguns estudos multicêntricos e metanálises. CONCLUSÃO: A hepatectomia por videolaparoscopia é hoje operação segura e factível, mesmo para as ressecções hepáticas maiores, com baixo índice de morbimortalidade. O método pode ser utilizado para lesões malignas sem prejuízo dos princípios oncológicos e com vantagens nos pacientes com cirrose ou disfunção hepática. A melhor indicação recai sobre as lesões benignas, em especial o adenoma hepatocelular. Em mãos experientes e casos selecionados, como as lesões benignas localizadas nos segmentos anterolaterais hepáticos, principalmente no segmento lateral esquerdo, a ressecção videolaparoscópica pode ser considerada hoje como tratamento padrão.

INTRODUCTION: Hepatic resection is the last frontier to be surpassed by laparoscopic surgery. Although a highly complex procedure, the need of advanced technology and experience in both laparoscopic and hepatic surgery, the indications and number of cases done worldwide had a major growth in the last few years. AIM: Critically analyze the technique, based on published articles and acquired experience with more than 50 laparoscopic hepatic resections. Indications, feasibility, safety, and basic technical aspects are outlined. METHODS: Original published studies were identified by searching the Lilacs and Medline databases (up to December 2009) using the keywords "liver resection", "laparoscopic" and "liver surgery". It was not found any prospective randomized trial, so all data came from case series, case-control studies, and meta-analysis. CONCLUSION: Laparoscopic liver resection is safe and feasible even for major resections, with low morbidity and mortality rates. Laparoscopic approach is considered to be oncologically similar to its open counterpart and may have some advantage in cirrhotic patients. Benign lesions, especially hepatocellular adenoma, remains the best indication. In experienced centers the laparoscopic approach may be considered the standard of care for benign antero-lateral located lesions, and for left lateral sectorectomy.

[Laparoscopic hepatectomy: is it a reality?]. / Hepatectomia por videolaparoscopia: realidade?

BACKGROUND: Despite the advances during the last years, liver resection remains as one of the last frontiers in laparoscopic surgery. Published data include case reports and evaluations of small series of patients and are seen with skepticism by many surgeons. Laparoscopic liver resection is a long and hazardous and long procedure and experience in liver and laparoscopic surgery and an adequate equipment are needed. A critical analysis of the indications, technical aspects and the method was performed. CONCLUSIONS: We can conclude that laparoscopic liver resection is safe, feasible and can be considered as an excellent choice for selected cases. There is no doubt that video-laparoscopic liver resection is a reality and should be part of liver surgeon's therapeutic armamentarium.

Hepatectomia por videolaparoscopia: realidade? / Laparoscopic liver resection: is it a reality? / Laparoscopic liver resection: is it a reality?

RACIONAL: Apesar do grande avanço nos últimos anos, a ressecção hepática é uma das últimas fronteiras a serem vencidas pela cirurgia laparoscópica. As publicações na literatura mundial referem-se a relatos de casos ou avaliação de pequenas séries de pacientes que são vistas com ceticismo por muitos cirurgiões. Trata-se de procedimento difícil e longo para o qual são necessários experiência em cirurgia hepática e laparoscópica, além de equipamento adequado. Foram avaliadas as indicações e os aspectos técnicos, realizando-se análise crítica do método. CONCLUSÃO: Analisando-se os resultados de artigos publicados, pode-se concluir que a hepatectomia por videolaparoscopia é hoje operação segura e factível e portanto, uma realidade, tendo no entanto, indicação para casos selecionados. A ressecção hepática por laparoscopia deve fazer parte do armamentário terapêutico do cirurgião de fígado.

BACKGROUND: Despite the advances during the last years, liver resection remains as one of the last frontiers in laparoscopic surgery. Published data include case reports and evaluations of small series of patients and are seen with skepticism by many surgeons. Laparoscopic liver resection is a long and hazzardous and long procedure and experience in liver and laparoscopic surgery and an adequate equipment are needed. A critical analysis of the indications, technical aspects and the method was performed. CONCLUSIONS: We can conclude that laparoscopic liver resection is safe, feasible and can be considered as an excellent choice for selected cases. There is no doubt that videolaparoscopic liver resection is a reality and should be part of liver surgeon's therapeutic armamentarium.

Patogênese da retençäo de sódio em cirróticos / Pathogenesis of sodium retention in cirrhotics

Os cirróticos desenvolvem durante a evoluçäo natural da doença anormalidades na excreçäo de sódio. Mecanismos envolvidos na patogênese desse processo säo complexos e se caracterizam por reduzidos fluxo renal, pressäo de perfusäo e índice de filtraçäo glomerular, além de acentuadas anastomoses arteriovenosas. Ao mesmo tempo, hipotensäo arterial, débito e índice cardíacos elevados, com menor resistência vascular periférica, ocorrem. Na fase mais avançada, observa-se maior ativaçäo do sistema simpático, secreçäo aumentada de renina-angiotensina-aldosterona, além de substâncias vasoconstritoras, como leucotrienos, tromboxane e vasodilatadores, como prostaglandina, endotelina I, fator natriurético atrial e cininas. O caráter desses distúrbios hemodinâmicos, humorais e renais säo discutidos neste artigo

Complicaçöes neurológicas em cirróticos / Neurological complications in the cirrhotic patients

Alteraçöes histológicas do sistema nervoso central ocorrem em cirróticos, relacionados à gravidade da insuficiências hepática. As mais comumente observadas säo atrofia, edema, proliferaçäo de astrócitos protoplasmáticos tipo II (Alzheimer) degeneraçäo e perda de células nervosas, necrose laminar ou pseudolaminar do córtex cerebral e polimicrocavitaçäo da funçäo branco-cinzenta, descritas em pacientes que faleceram em coma hepático. Essas anormalidades se encontram associadas com encefalopatia hepática de manifestaçäo clínica ou evoluçäo subclínica (latente). Todos esses pacientes mostram distúrbios neuropsicológicos, correlacionados com medidas eletrofisiológicas, induzidos por fatores metabólicos, exteriorizáveis por ressonância magnética e tomografia cerebral computadorizada. Esses sinais neuroradiológicos säo reversíveis após transplante de fígado, fase em que outras alteraçöes neuropatológicas podem ser observadas. Essas, säo induzidas pelo uso de fármacos imunossupressores, tais como ciclosporina e FK-506. Outras complicaçöes nessa fase säo encefalopatia, crises, infartos cerebrais, hemorragia intracraniana, meningoencefalite, mielinólise pontina central e absessos. Tais aspectos säo comentados neste artigo

Linfagectasia intestinal primária / Primary intestinal lynphangiectasis

Os autores relatam caso de linfangectasia intestinal primária em um menino de 14 anos de idade, diagnóstico alcançado após extenso estudo para diferenciar de outras patologias intestinais. Com a introduçäo de dieta identa de gordura e uso de triglicérides de cadeia média (C8 - C12) houve melhora evidente, a curto prazo dos sinais e sintomas derivados da má-absorçäo de ácidos graxos, o que favoreceu o desenvolvimento social e escolar do paciente; contudo näo houve melhora täo evidente de proteinemia, resultando internaçöes sucessivas no período das férias escolares para suporte alimentar com alimentaçäo enteral e parenteral