Hepatic Venous Outflow Obstruction in Adult Deceased Donor Liver Transplantation: Classic Piggyback Implantation Versus a Modified Technique that Widens the Ostium of the Recipient's Left and Middle Hepatic Veins.

BACKGROUND: The classic piggyback technique uses the union of the 3 hepatic veins to perform the cavo-caval anastomosis. However, due to the lateral localization of the right hepatic vein, the partial clamping of the vena cava in this technique significantly reduces the venous return to the right atrium. To avoid this, we adopted in 2015 a modified piggyback technique, in which we use the common trunk of the middle and left hepatic veins and also perform a lateral incision toward the right in the anterior wall of the vena cava in order to widen the final ostium of the cavo-caval anastomosis. The aim of the study was to analyze the incidence of hepatic venous outflow obstruction between those 2 techniques. METHODS: Retrospective study of liver transplant recipients undergoing venography for suspected hepatic venous outflow obstruction from January 2009 to June 2021. Patients undergoing transplantation with living donors or split grafts and pediatric cases were excluded from the study. RESULTS: From January 2009 to December 2014 and from January 2015 to June 2021, 587 (group 1) and 730 (group 2) deceased-donor liver transplants were performed with the classic and the modified piggyback techniques, respectively. The incidence of cases with suspected hepatic venous outflow obstruction in groups 1 and 2 were 1.87% (n = 11) and 0.95% (n = 7), respectively (P = 0,15). The number of confirmed patients with outflow blockage that required endovascular treatment during venography in groups 1 and 2 were 4 (0.68%) and 5 (0.68%), respectively (P = 0,31). CONCLUSIONS: This modified piggyback technique did not increase the incidence of hepatic venous outflow obstruction at our service.

Septuagenarian Donors and Recipients in Deceased Donor Liver Transplantation: A Brazilian Single Center Experience and Literature Review.

BACKGROUND: The number of elderly patients who have end-stage liver disease and require liver transplantation has dramatically increased. On the other hand, liver grafts from elderly donors have been offered more frequently for transplantation. The present study aims to analyze the results of liver transplants performed with donors and recipients aged ≥70 years. METHODS: We performed a single-center retrospective study of deceased donors liver transplants that involved recipients aged ≥7070 years or recipients who received grafts from donors aged ≥70 years from 2011 to 2021. A literature review on the results of liver transplantation in elderly recipients was also performed. RESULTS: Thirty septuagenarian recipients were included; their overall 1- and 5-years survival was 80% and 76.6%, respectively. The prevalence of recipients aged ≥70 years in our department was 2.65%. Twenty recipients received grafts form septuagenarian donors; their overall 1- and 5-years survival was 75%. The prevalence of donors aged ≥70 years in our department was 1%. In the literature review, 17 articles were analyzed. The 5-years survival of recipients aged ≥70 years ranged from 47.1% to 78.5%. CONCLUSIONS: Septuagenarian recipients and patients who received grafts from elderly brain-dead donors present adequate overall survival after liver transplantation. Optimized donor-recipient matching is paramount for achieving good outcomes. The combination of high-risk donors with septuagenarian recipients should be avoided as well as using grafts of elderly donors that present others risk factors. Thus, the age of the donor or recipient alone cannot be considered an absolute contraindication for liver transplantation.

Incidence of Donor Hepatic Artery Thrombosis in Liver Grafts Recognized During Organ Procurement and Backtable: A Rare but Treacherous Pitfall In Liver Transplantation.

INTRODUCTION: Donor hepatic artery thrombosis (dHAT) identified during liver procurement and backtable is a rare and little-reported event that can make liver transplants unfeasible. METHODS: This is a retrospective study of dHAT identified during liver grafts procurements or backtable procedures. All grafts were recovered from brain-dead donors. The demographic characteristics of the donors and the incidence of dHAT were analyzed. The data were also compared to a cohort of donors without dHAT. RESULTS: There was a total of 486 donors during the study period. The incidence of dHAT was 1.85% (n = 9). The diagnosis of dHAT was made during procurement in 5 cases (55.5%) and during the backtable in 4 (44.4%). Most donors were female (n = 5), with an average BMI of 28.14 ± 6.9 kg/m2, hypertensive (n = 5), and with stroke as cause of brain death (n = 8). The most prevalent site of dHAT was a left hepatic artery originating from the left gastric artery (n = 4). Of the 9 cases reported, 2 livers were used for transplantation, and 7 were discarded. Comparing those cases to a cohort of 260 donors without dHAT, we found a higher incidence of anatomic variations in the hepatic artery (P = .01) and of stroke as cause of brain death (P = .05). CONCLUSION: The occurrence of dHAT before liver procurement is a rare event, however it may become a treacherous pitfall if the diagnosis is late. Grafts with anatomic variations recovered from women with brain death due to stroke and with past history of hypertension seem to be at a higher risk of presenting dHAT.

Feasibility of Large Liver Grafts in Adults.

INTRODUCTION: Size mismatch between donor and recipients may negatively influence postoperative results of liver transplantation (LT). In deceased donor LT for adults, large grafts are occasionally rejected due to the fear of primary nonfunction. The aim of this study is to assess the feasibility of using large liver grafts in adults undergoing deceased donor LT. METHODS: We performed a retrospective study including adult patients who underwent deceased donor LT at our center between January 2006 and September 2019. Recipients with donors aged less than 18 years and those receiving split-liver grafts were excluded. Graft weight of 1800 grams was the cutoff used to divide patients in 2 groups: group 1 (graft weighing < 1800 g) and group 2 (grafts weighing ≥ 1800 g). RESULTS: A total of 806 patients were included in the study. group 1 and 2 included 722 and 84 recipients, respectively. A larger proportion of male recipients was obseved in group 2: 64.8% vs 76.2% (P = .0037). Mean graft weight in group 1 and 2 was, respectively, 1348 ± 231.81 g and 1986.57 ± 165.51 g (P < .001), which resulted in significantly higher graft weight/recipient weight ratio and graft weight/standard liver volume ratio in group 2. In group 2, there were 9 (10.71%) patients with portal vein thrombosis as well as 24 patients (28.5%) with bulky ascites and 44 grafts (52.3%) with steatosis. Primary closure of the abdominal wall was not possible in 5 patients (5.9%) from this group. Primary nonfunction was diagnosed in 14 cases (16.6%), with liver retransplantation being performed in 6 of them. Male to female sex combination occurred in 19% of LT in group 2. CONCLUSION: The use of large grafts is feasible; however, proper matching between donor and recipient is paramount, especially taking into consideration graft steatosis, portal vein thrombosis and the presence of bulky ascites.

Treating short bowel syndrome with pharmacotherapy.

INTRODUCTION: Short bowel syndrome (SBS) has traditionally been regarded as a rapidly fatal medical catastrophe. The advent of pharmacological options directly targeting disease pathophysiology justified this review. AREAS COVERED: Since the 1970s, home parenteral nutrition has reduced mortality, converting SBS into a chronic and disabling compensated and occasionally curable illness. Off-label antidiarrheal drugs and related products, though having minimal scientific evidence of efficacy, represent the standard-of-care and are here reviewed. Trophic intestinal hormones, including GLP-2 and its analogs, have great promise for alleviating malabsorption, the most important symptom within a nonsurgical, routine outpatient framework. Current indications involve adults with massive intestinal losses (fecal wet weight >1500 g/day). Surgical options such as intestinal lengthening or transplantation are also addressed although these options are considerably more aggressive and have stricter indications. EXPERT OPINION: GLP-2 analogs are the first candidates from a pioneering pharmacotherapic family within the SBS framework, namely disease-modifying, absorption-restoring agents. This family of drugs, potentially applicable in all contexts of severe intestinal loss, could become the therapeutic benchmark of the near future.

Intravenous supplementation type and volume are associated with 1-year outcome and major complications in patients with chronic intestinal failure.

BACKGROUND AND AIM: No marker to categorise the severity of chronic intestinal failure (CIF) has been developed. A 1-year international survey was carried out to investigate whether the European Society for Clinical Nutrition and Metabolism clinical classification of CIF, based on the type and volume of the intravenous supplementation (IVS), could be an indicator of CIF severity. METHODS: At baseline, participating home parenteral nutrition (HPN) centres enrolled all adults with ongoing CIF due to non-malignant disease; demographic data, body mass index, CIF mechanism, underlying disease, HPN duration and IVS category were recorded for each patient. The type of IVS was classified as fluid and electrolyte alone (FE) or parenteral nutrition admixture (PN). The mean daily IVS volume, calculated on a weekly basis, was categorised as <1, 1-2, 2-3 and >3 L/day. The severity of CIF was determined by patient outcome (still on HPN, weaned from HPN, deceased) and the occurrence of major HPN/CIF-related complications: intestinal failure-associated liver disease (IFALD), catheter-related venous thrombosis and catheter-related bloodstream infection (CRBSI). RESULTS: Fifty-one HPN centres included 2194 patients. The analysis showed that both IVS type and volume were independently associated with the odds of weaning from HPN (significantly higher for PN <1 L/day than for FE and all PN >1 L/day), patients' death (lower for FE, p=0.079), presence of IFALD cholestasis/liver failure and occurrence of CRBSI (significantly higher for PN 2-3 and PN >3 L/day). CONCLUSIONS: The type and volume of IVS required by patients with CIF could be indicators to categorise the severity of CIF in both clinical practice and research protocols.

Home parenteral nutrition provision modalities for chronic intestinal failure in adult patients: An international survey.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: The safety and effectiveness of a home parenteral nutrition (HPN) program depends both on the expertise and the management approach of the HPN center. We aimed to evaluate both the approaches of different international HPN-centers in their provision of HPN and the types of intravenous supplementation (IVS)-admixtures prescribed to patients with chronic intestinal failure (CIF). METHODS: In March 2015, 65 centers from 22 countries enrolled 3239 patients (benign disease 90.1%, malignant disease 9.9%), recording the patient, CIF and HPN characteristics in a structured database. The HPN-provider was categorized as health care system local pharmacy (LP) or independent home care company (HCC). The IVS-admixture was categorized as fluids and electrolytes alone (FE) or parenteral nutrition, either commercially premixed (PA) or customized to the individual patient (CA), alone or plus extra FE (PAFE or CAFE). Doctors of HPN centers were responsible for the IVS prescriptions. RESULTS: HCC (66%) was the most common HPN provider, with no difference noted between benign-CIF and malignant-CIF. LP was the main modality in 11 countries; HCC prevailed in 4 European countries: Israel, USA, South America and Oceania (p < 0.001). IVS-admixture comprised: FE 10%, PA 17%, PAFE 17%, CA 38%, CAFE 18%. PA and PAFE prevailed in malignant-CIF while CA and CAFE use was greater in benign-CIF (p < 0.001). PA + PAFE prevailed in those countries where LP was the main HPN-provider and CA + CAFE prevailed where the main HPN-provider was HCC (p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: This is the first study to demonstrate that HPN provision and the IVS-admixture differ greatly among countries, among HPN centers and between benign-CIF and cancer-CIF. As both HPN provider and IVS-admixture types may play a role in the safety and effectiveness of HPN therapy, criteria to homogenize HPN programs are needed so that patients can have equal access to optimal CIF care.

THE EFFECT OF ILEOCECAL VALVE REMOVAL IN A MODEL OF SHORT BOWEL SYNDROME.

BACKGROUND: Short bowel syndrome is a harmful condition that needs experimental research. AIM: To assess the impact of the ileocecal valve removal in a model of short bowel syndrome, in order to investigate the evolution of the colon under this circumstance. METHOD: Fifteen Wistar rats were equitable divided into: Control (Sham), Group I (70% enterectomy preserving ileocecal valve) and Group II (70% enterectomy excluding ileocecal valve). After enterectomy was performed jejunoileal or jejunocecal anastomosis and sacrificed the animals on 30th postoperative day for histomorphometric study of the colon. During this period, was observed the clinical evolution of the animals weekly including body weight measurement. RESULTS: Group I and II presented progressive loss of weight. In Group I was observed diarrhea, perineal hyperemia and purple color of the colon during autopsy. Histomorphometry assay showed hypertrophy and hyperplasia of colon mucosa in Group I. In Group II the colon wall was thicker due to hypertrophy and muscular hyperplasia, and in mucosa vascular proliferation and inflammatory infiltrate were intense. CONCLUSION: This short bowel syndrome model is relevant and achieve 100% of survival. Animal's weight loss was not altered by the presence or exclusion of the ileocecal valve. Animals with 70% of small bowel removal and presence of the ileocecal valve attained a better clinical evolution and histological colon adaptation than those without ileocecal valve.

The effect of ileocecal valve removal in a model of short bowel syndrome / Efeito da remoção da válvula ileocecal em modelo de síndrome do intestino curto

ABSTRACT Background : Short bowel syndrome is a harmful condition that needs experimental research. Aim: To assess the impact of the ileocecal valve removal in a model of short bowel syndrome, in order to investigate the evolution of the colon under this circumstance. Method: Fifteen Wistar rats were equitable divided into: Control (Sham), Group I (70% enterectomy preserving ileocecal valve) and Group II (70% enterectomy excluding ileocecal valve). After enterectomy was performed jejunoileal or jejunocecal anastomosis and sacrificed the animals on 30th postoperative day for histomorphometric study of the colon. During this period, was observed the clinical evolution of the animals weekly including body weight measurement. Results: Group I and II presented progressive loss of weight. In Group I was observed diarrhea, perineal hyperemia and purple color of the colon during autopsy. Histomorphometry assay showed hypertrophy and hyperplasia of colon mucosa in Group I. In Group II the colon wall was thicker due to hypertrophy and muscular hyperplasia, and in mucosa vascular proliferation and inflammatory infiltrate were intense. Conclusion : This short bowel syndrome model is relevant and achieve 100% of survival. Animal's weight loss was not altered by the presence or exclusion of the ileocecal valve. Animals with 70% of small bowel removal and presence of the ileocecal valve attained a better clinical evolution and histological colon adaptation than those without ileocecal valve.

RESUMO Racional: Síndrome do intestino curto é condição clínica crítica e que precisa de pesquisa experimental. Objetivo: Avaliar o impacto da remoção da válvula ileocecal em um modelo de síndrome do intestino curto para investigar o comportamento do cólon nesta circunstância. Método: Quinze ratos Wistar foram divididos em três grupos de cinco: Controle (Sham), grupo I (enterectomia de 70% com preservação da válvula ileocecal), e grupo II (70% enterectomia de 70% excluindo a válvula ileocecal). Após a enterectomia foi restabelecido o trânsito com anastomose jejunoileal no grupo I e jejunocecal no grupo II. Os animais foram sacrificados no 30º dia do pós-operatório para histomorfometria do cólon. Durante este período, observou-se a evolução clínica semanal, incluindo a medição do peso corporal. Resultados: Grupos I e II apresentaram perda progressiva de peso. No grupo I houve diarreia, períneo hiperemiado e cor violácea do cólon durante a autópsia. A histomorfometria mostrou hipertrofia e hiperplasia da mucosa do cólon no grupo I. No grupo II a parede do cólon estava mais espessa devido à hipertrofia e hiperplasia das camadas muscular e mucosa onde a proliferação vascular e infiltração inflamatória foi intensa. Conclusão: Este modelo é factível e atingiu 100% de sobrevida. A perda de peso não foi alterada pela presença ou exclusão da válvula ileocecal. Animais com remoção de 70% do intestino delgado e presença da válvula ileocecal apresentaram melhor evolução clínica e adaptação histológica do cólon que os sem válvula ileocecal.

Small bowel transplantation.

BACKGROUND: Small bowel transplantation evolution, because of its complexity, was slower than other solid organs. Several advances have enabled its clinical application. AIM: To review intestinal transplantation evolution and its current status. METHOD: Search in MEDLINE and ScIELO literature. The terms used as descriptors were: intestinal failure, intestinal transplantation, small bowel transplantation, multivisceral transplantation. Were analyzed data on historical evolution, centers experience, indications, types of grafts, selection and organ procurement, postoperative management, complications and results. CONCLUSION: Despite a slower evolution, intestinal transplantation is currently the standard therapy for patients with intestinal failure and life-threatening parenteral nutrition complications. It involves some modalities: small bowel transplantation, liver-intestinal transplantation, multivisceral transplantation and modified multivisceral transplantation. Currently, survival rate is similar to other solid organs. Most of the patients become free of parenteral nutrition.

Transplante de intestino delgado / Small bowel transplantation

INTRODUÇÃO: O transplante de intestino delgado, em razão de sua complexidade, apresentou evolução mais lenta que os demais órgãos sólidos. Diversos avanços permitiram sua aplicação clínica. OBJETIVO: Revisão da evolução do transplante de intestino delgado e seu estado atual. MÉTODO: levantamento bibliográfico nas bases de dados MEDLINE e ScIELO. Os termos usados como descritores foram: intestinal failure, intestinal transplant, small bowel transplant, multivisceral transplant. Foram analisados dados sobre evolução histórica, centros, indicações, tipos de enxertos, seleção e captação de órgãos, manejo pós-operatório, complicações e resultados. CONCLUSÃO: Apesar de desenvolvimento mais lento, o transplante intestinal é hoje a terapia para pacientes portadores de falência intestinal irreversível que apresentam complicações da nutrição parenteral. Envolve algumas modalidades: intestino delgado isolado, fígado-intestino, multivisceral e multivisceral modificado. Atualmente a sobrevida é semelhante aos demais órgãos sólidos. A maioria dos pacientes fica livre da nutrição parenteral.

BACKGROUND: Small bowel transplantation evolution, because of its complexity, was slower than other solid organs. Several advances have enabled its clinical application. AIM: To review intestinal transplantation evolution and its current status. METHOD: Search in MEDLINE and ScIELO literature. The terms used as descriptors were: intestinal failure, intestinal transplantation, small bowel transplantation, multivisceral transplantation. Were analyzed data on historical evolution, centers experience, indications, types of grafts, selection and organ procurement, postoperative management, complications and results. CONCLUSION: Despite a slower evolution, intestinal transplantation is currently the standard therapy for patients with intestinal failure and life-threatening parenteral nutrition complications. It involves some modalities: small bowel transplantation, liver-intestinal transplantation, multivisceral transplantation and modified multivisceral transplantation. Currently, survival rate is similar to other solid organs. Most of the patients become free of parenteral nutrition.

Small bowel transplantation in outbred rats / Transplante de intestino delgado em ratos não-isogênicos

PURPOSE: To investigate the clinical evolution of orthotopic small bowel transplantation in outbred rats. METHODS: Seventy-two outbred Wistar rats weighting from 250 to 300g were used as donor and recipient in 36 consecutives ortothopic small intestine transplantation without immunosuppression. The graft was transplanted into the recipient using end-to-side aortic and portacaval microvascular anastomosis. Procedure duration, animal clinical course and survival were evaluated. Survival shorter than four days was considered technical failure. Recipients were sacrificed with signs of severe graft rejection or survival longer than 120 days. Necropsies were performed in all recipients to access histopathological changes in the graft. RESULTS: Median time for the procedure was 107 minutes. Six recipients (16.7 percent) presented technical failure. Twenty-seven recipients were sacrificed due to rejection, being nineteen (52.7 percent) between 7th and 15th postoperative day and eight (22.2 percent) between 34th and 47th postoperative day. Graft histology confirmed severe acute cellular rejection in those recipients. Uneventful evolution and survival longer than 120 days without rejection were observed in three recipients (8.3 percent). CONCLUSION: Intestinal transplantation in outbred rats without immunosuppressant regiment accomplishes variable clinical evolution.

OBJETIVO: Investigar a evolução clínica do transplante de intestino delgado ortotópico em ratos não-isogênicos. MÉTODOS: Setenta e dois ratos Wistar não-isogênicos, com peso variando entre 250 e 300g, foram utilizados como doadores e receptores em 36 transplantes ortotópicos de intestino delgado sem regime de imunossupressão. Os enxertos foram implantados nos receptores por meio de anastomose microvascular término-lateral aorta-aorta e porto-cava. A duração do procedimento, evolução clínica dos animais e sobrevida foram avaliados. Sobrevida menor que quatro dias foi considerada falha técnica. Os receptores foram sacrificados quando apresentaram sinais de rejeição grave do enxerto ou sobrevida maior que 120 dias. Necropsias foram realizadas em todos os receptores para avaliar alterações histopatológicas no enxerto. RESULTADOS: O tempo médio para o procedimento foi de 107 minutos. Seis receptores (16,7 por cento) apresentaram falha técnica Vinte e sete receptores (75 por cento) foram sacrificados por rejeição sendo dezenove (52,7 por cento) entre o 7º e 15º dia de pós-operatório e oito (22,2 por cento) entre o 34º e 47º. Análise histopatológica confirmou rejeição celular aguda severa nesses recipientes. Evolução sem complicações e sobrevida maior que 120 dias sem sinais de rejeição foi observada em três receptores (8,3 por cento). CONCLUSÃO: O transplante de intestino delgado ortotópico em ratos Wistar não-isogênicos sem regime de imunossupressão apresenta evolução clínica variada.

Small bowel transplantation in outbred rats.

PURPOSE: To investigate the clinical evolution of orthotopic small bowel transplantation in outbred rats. METHODS: Seventy-two outbred Wistar rats weighting from 250 to 300g were used as donor and recipient in 36 consecutives ortothopic small intestine transplantation without immunosuppression. The graft was transplanted into the recipient using end-to-side aortic and portacaval microvascular anastomosis. Procedure duration, animal clinical course and survival were evaluated. Survival shorter than four days was considered technical failure. Recipients were sacrificed with signs of severe graft rejection or survival longer than 120 days. Necropsies were performed in all recipients to access histopathological changes in the graft. RESULTS: Median time for the procedure was 107 minutes. Six recipients (16.7%) presented technical failure. Twenty-seven recipients were sacrificed due to rejection, being nineteen (52.7%) between 7(th) and 15(th) postoperative day and eight (22.2%) between 34(th) and 47(th) postoperative day. Graft histology confirmed severe acute cellular rejection in those recipients. Uneventful evolution and survival longer than 120 days without rejection were observed in three recipients (8.3%). CONCLUSION: Intestinal transplantation in outbred rats without immunosuppressant regiment accomplishes variable clinical evolution.

Transplante multivisceral em suínos: modelo de pesquisa e treinamento / Multivisceral transplantation in pigs: a model for research and training

Objective: To present a model for research and training in multivisceral transplantation in pigs. Methods: Eight Large White pigs (four donors and four recipients) were operated. The multivisceral transplant with stomach, duodenum, pancreas, liver and intestine was performed similarly to transplantation in humans with a few differences, described below. Anastomoses were performed as follows: end-to-end from the supra-hepatic vena cava of the graft to the recipient juxta diaphragmatic vena cava; end-to-end from the infra-hepatic vena cava of the graft to the inferior (suprarenal) vena cava of the recipient; and endto- side patch of the aorta of the graft to the infrarenal aorta of the recipient plus digestive reconstruction. Results: The performance of the multivisceral transplantion was possible in all four animals. Reperfusions of the multivisceral graft led to a severe ischemia-reperfusion syndrome, despite flushing of the graft. The animals presented with hypotension and the need for high doses of vasoactive drugs, and all of them were sacrificed after discontinuing these drugs. Conclusion: Some alternatives to minimize the ischemia-reperfusion syndrome, such as the use of another vasoactive drug, use of a third pig merely for blood transfusion, presence of an anesthesia team in the operating room, and reduction of the graft, will be the next steps to enable experimental studies.

Objetivo: Apresentar um modelo de pesquisa e treinamento em transplante multivisceral em suínos. Métodos: Oito porcos da raça Large White (quatro doadores e quatro receptores) foram operados. O transplante multivisceral com estômago, duodeno, pâncreas, fígado e intestino foi realizado a semelhança do transplante em seres humanoscom algumas diferenças descritas a seguir. Foram realizadas as anastomoses de veia cava supra-hepática do enxerto com a veia cava do receptor justa diafragmática término-terminal, veia cava infrahepática do enxerto com a veia cava inferior (suprarrenal) do receptor término-terminal e patch da aorta do enxerto com a aorta infrarrenal do receptor término-lateral e reconstrução digestiva. Resultados: Foi possível a realização do transplante multivisceral nos quatro animais. A reperfusão do enxerto multivisceral levou a uma grave síndrome de isquemia-reperfusão, apesar do flush do enxerto. Os animais apresentaram hipotensão com necessidade de drogas vasoativas em altas doses, sendo todos sacrificados com a retirada dessas drogas. Conclusão: Alternativas para minimizar a síndrome de isquemiareperfusão, como o uso de mais de uma droga vasoativa, uso de um terceiro porco apenas para transfusão sanguínea, presença de umaequipe de anestesia na sala de cirurgia e redução do enxerto, serão os próximos passos para possibilitar estudos experimentais.

Multivisceral transplantation in pigs: a model for research and training.

OBJECTIVE: To present a model for research and training in multivisceral transplantation in pigs. METHODS: Eight Large White pigs (four donors and four recipients) were operated. The multivisceral transplant with stomach, duodenum, pancreas, liver and intestine was performed similarly to transplantation in humans with a few differences, described below. Anastomoses were performed as follows: end-to-end from the supra-hepatic vena cava of the graft to the recipient juxta diaphragmatic vena cava; end-to-end from the infra-hepatic vena cava of the graft to the inferior (suprarenal) vena cava of the recipient; and end-to-side patch of the aorta of the graft to the infrarenal aorta of the recipient plus digestive reconstruction. RESULTS: The performance of the multivisceral transplantion was possible in all four animals. Reperfusions of the multivisceral graft led to a severe ischemia-reperfusion syndrome, despite flushing of the graft. The animals presented with hypotension and the need for high doses of vasoactive drugs, and all of them were sacrificed after discontinuing these drugs. CONCLUSION: Some alternatives to minimize the ischemia-reperfusion syndrome, such as the use of another vasoactive drug, use of a third pig merely for blood transfusion, presence of an anesthesia team in the operating room, and reduction of the graft, will be the next steps to enable experimental studies.

[Cytokine participation in the acute rejection of intestinal transplantation in rats]. / Participação de citocinas na rejeição aguda do transplante intestinal em ratos.

BACKGROUND: Intestinal transplantation is a possible treatment for patients with short bowel syndrome, aiming the reintroduction of oral diet. However, the major obstacle in this procedure is the strong rejection. Delay in rejection diagnosis may be irreversible and lethal. AIM: To define method for early diagnosis of rejection based on the presence of interleucin-6 (IL-6) e interferon- gamma (IFN-gamma) from intestinal allograft. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Isogenic rats Brown-Norway (BN) and Lewis (LEW) were submitted to intestinal heterotopic allotransplantation and divided in two groups: LEW donor to LEW recipient isograft group (C) and BN donor to LEW recipient allograft group (Tx). According to the day of sacrifice, Tx group were subdivided in three subgroups with eight animals each as follow: Tx3--sacrificed at third postoperative day (POD), Tx5--sacrificed at fifth POD and Tx7--sacrificed at seventh POD. Eight animals from control group were subdivided in three moments according to the time of biopsy from the graft as follow: C3--biopsy at third POD; C5--biopsy at fifth POD and C7--biopsy at seventh POD. All animals from control group were sacrificed at seventh POD. Rejection parameters were compared between the control groups (C3 vs C5, C3 vs C7 and C5 vs C7, and allograft group (Tx3 vs Tx5, Tx3 vs Tx7 and Tx5 vs Tx7). The same parameters were analyzed between the control group and allograft groups (C3 vs Tx3, C5 vs Tx5 and C7 vs Tx7). RESULTS: In C group no statistical significant difference regarding the immunoexpression of the cytokines, while in Tx group, immunoexpression of IL-6 and IFN-gamma were remarkable since the fifth postoperative day.

Participação da apoptose na rejeição aguda do transplante intestinal em ratos / Apoptosis participation in the acute rejection of intestinal transplantation in rats

RACIONAL: O transplante de intestino delgado é procedimento cirúrgico em estudo visando sua aplicação no tratamento dos pacientes portadores da síndrome do intestino curto, com vistas à reabilitação oral. A grande barreira, porém, se deve à rejeição pela grande quantidade de tecido linfóide presente no intestino delgado. OBJETIVO: Estudo da apoptose em alotransplante heterotópico intestinal. MATERIAL E MÉTODOS: Realizaram-se 24 alotransplantes intestinais em ratos da raça Brown-Norway (doador) para Lewis (receptor), sendo subdivididos em três subgrupos de oito animais, sacrificados respectivamente no terceiro dia de pós-operatório (Tx(3)), no quinto dia de pós-operatório (Tx(5)) e no sétimo dia de pós-operatório (Tx(7)) para coleta das biopsias dos enxertos intestinais. Compararam-se os resultados com o grupo isotransplante (C) que envolveu oito animais da raça Lewis (doador) para Lewis (receptor), porém neste grupo realizaram-se biopsias seriadas no mesmo animal, sendo subdivididos em três momentos: biopsia no terceiro dia de pós-operatório (C(3)), no quinto dia de pós-operatório (C(5)) e sacrificados no sétimo dia de pós-operatório (C(7)) para coleta da biopsia. Realizou-se, inicialmente, análise intragrupo entre os momentos C(3), C(5) e C(7) para todos os parâmetros de rejeição citados anteriormente, como também para os três subgrupos Tx(3), Tx(5) e Tx(7). Posteriormente, realizou-se a análise intergrupo de forma transversal e pareada comparando-se o grupo isotransplante com o grupo alotransplante. (C(3) com Tx(3); C(5) com Tx(5) e C(7) com Tx(7)). No grupo isotransplante não houve expressão estatística quanto aos marcadores analisados. Porém, no grupo alotransplante observou-se que alterações da apoptose foram marcantes a partir do terceiro dia de pós-operatório.

Estudo das alterações das citocinas inflamatórias na rejeição aguda do transplante intestinal em ratos / Cytokine participation in the acute rejection of intestinal transplantation in rats

RACIONAL: O transplante de intestino delgado é procedimento cirúrgico em estudo visando sua aplicação no tratamento dos pacientes portadores da síndrome do intestino curto, com vistas à reabilitação oral. Porém a grande barreira se deve à "rejeição" pela grande quantidade de tecido linfóide presente no intestino delgado. OBJETIVO: Avaliar a atuação das citocinas, interleucina-6 e interferon-gama em alotransplante heterotópico intestinal. MATERIAL E MÉTODOS: Realizaram-se 24 alotransplantes intestinais em ratos da raça Brown-Norway (doador) para Lewis (receptor), sendo subdivididos em três subgrupos de oito animais, sacrificados respectivamente no terceiro dia de pós-operatório (Tx(3)), no quinto dia de pós-operatório (Tx(5)) e no sétimo dia de pós-operatório (Tx(7)) para coleta das biopsias dos enxertos intestinais. Enquanto que no grupo isotransplante (C) envolveu oito animais da raça Lewis (doador) para Lewis (receptor), porém neste grupo realizaram-se biopsias seriadas no mesmo animal, sendo subdivididos em três momentos: biopsia no terceiro dia de pós-operatório (C(3)), no quinto dia de pós-operatório (C(5)) e sacrificados no sétimo dia de pós-operatório (C(7)) para coleta da biopsia. Realizou-se inicialmente análise intragrupo entre os momentos C(3), C(5) e C(7) para todos os parâmetros de rejeição citados anteriormente, como também para os três subgrupos Tx(3), Tx(5) e Tx(7). Posteriormente, realizou-se a análise intergrupo de forma transversal e pareada comparando-se o grupo isotransplante com o grupo alotransplante (C(3) com Tx(3); C(5) com Tx(5) e C(7) com Tx(7)). RESULTADOS: No grupo isotransplante não houve diferença estatisticamente significante quanto à imunoexpressão das citocinas estudadas, todavia no grupo alotransplante observou-se que alterações da interleucina-6 e de interferon-gama ocorreram a partir do quinto dia de pós-operatório.