Understanding the Elevated Lethality of COVID-19 in Liver Transplant Recipients: Does Immunosuppression Management Matter? Results from a Brazilian Multicentric Historical Cohort.

BACKGROUND: Infections by SARS-CoV-2 in liver transplant recipients (LT) patients are of particular concern, notably due to perceived added risks related to immunosuppression and comorbidity burden. Current literature on this topic often relies on small, non-standardized, and geographically limited studies. This manuscript describes COVID-19 presentations and causes for elevated mortality in a large cohort of LT recipients. METHODS: This study was designed as a multicentric historical cohort, including LT recipient patients with COVID-19 in 25 study centers, with the primary endpoint being COVID-related death. We also collected demographic, clinical, and laboratory data regarding presentation and disease progression. RESULTS: Two hundred and thirty-four cases were included. The study population was predominantly male and White and had a median age of 60 years. The median time from transplantation was 2.6 years (IQR 1-6). Most patients had at least one comorbidity (189, 80.8%). Patient age (P = .04), dyspnea (P < .001), intensive care unit admission (P < .001), and mechanical ventilation (P < .001) were associated with increased mortality. Modifications of immunosuppressive therapy (P < .001), specifically the suspension of tacrolimus, maintained significance in multivariable analysis. CONCLUSIONS: Attention to risk factors and the individualization of patient care, especially regarding immunosuppression management, is crucial for delivering more precise interventions to these individuals.

Effects of Intensive Blood Glucose Control on Surgical Site Infection for Liver Transplant Recipients: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

BACKGROUND: The evidence supporting intensive blood glucose control to prevent surgical site infections (SSIs) among liver transplant recipients is insufficient. We aimed to assess the effects of postoperative intensive blood glucose control (IBGC) against standard blood glucose control (SBGC) on the incidence of SSIs among adult liver transplant recipients. METHODS: We performed a randomized controlled trial (ClinicalTrials.gov identifier NCT03474666). The IBGC target was 80 to 130 mg/dL, and the SBGC target was below 180 mg/dL. Analyses were made on an intention-to-treat basis. RESULTS: Of the 41 recipients enrolled onto the trial, 20 were randomly allocated to the IBGC group and 21 to the SBGC group. There were no significant differences in SSIs among recipients allocated to either group (relative risk [RR], 0.78; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.21-2.88; P = .69). Mean (SD) blood glucose levels were significantly lower in the IBGC group in the 24-hour period after surgery (145.0 [20.7] mg/dL and 230.2 [51.6] mg/dL; P = .001). While there were fewer episodes of hypoglycemia in the IBGC group, this was not statistically significant. There were no episodes of severe hypoglycemia in either group. Hyperglycemia and severe hyperglycemia were significantly more frequent in the SBGC group (RR, 0.70; 95% CI, 0.52-0.93; P = .001 and RR, 0.07; 95% CI, 0.01-0.48; P = .001, respectively). Length of hospital stay was significantly shorter for recipients in the IBGC group (13.1 [5.5] days vs 19.3 [12.1] days; P = .04). CONCLUSIONS: Although this small trial did not find intensive control reduced SSI, it was associated with lower blood glucose levels, fewer episodes of hyperglycemia and severe hyperglycemia, and shorter length of hospital stay.

Liver transplantation in undifferentiated embryonal sarcoma of the liver in adults: a case report / Transplante hepático em sarcoma embrionário indiferenciado de fígado em adultos: relato de caso

Undifferentiated embryonal sarcoma of the liver (UESL) consists of a rare malignant neoplasm with a still poorly known etiopathogenesis, affecting mostly children between the ages of 6 and 10 years. It corresponds to 7% of primary liver tumors, and is the fourth most common liver cancer in pediatrics. The diagnosis of UESL is based on a set of imaging findings, age and level of alpha-fetoprotein (AFP), which is usually normal, as well as liver function tests. Early diagnosis is hampered by non-specific symptoms, such as abdominal pain, a rapidly growing palpable abdominal mass, fever, weight loss, and gastrointestinal symptoms. The most characteristic image finding is that of a large, unique, and well-defined mass. Ultrasonography shows a predominantly solid and echogenic mass. Computed tomography, on the other hand, shows a mass that takes on a mainly cystic characteristic. Histologically, myxoid tissue with spindle-shaped neoplastic cells is evidenced. Some immunohistochemical studies indicate UESL mesenchymal origin. The macroscopic aspect of the tumor appears as a large hepatic mass, with a predominantly solid component, with some cystic areas, hemorrhage, and necrosis in up to 80% of its surface. The best approach for the treatment of primary liver sarcoma is not yet well defined. Therapeutic options include surgical resection, chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and liver transplantation (LT). However, in cases of unresectable tumors, LT is an option that must be considered, since in this histological type both chemotherapy and radiotherapy have questionable benefits. This article aims to report a case of giant UESL, with vascular invasion, submitted to LT with good postoperative evolution and without signs of recurrence after nine months of LT.

O sarcoma embrionário indiferenciado de fígado (SEIF) consiste em uma neoplasia maligna rara com etiopatogenia ainda pouco conhecida, acometendo em sua maioria crianças na faixa etária entre 6 e 10 anos. Corresponde a 7% dos tumores primários de fígado, e é a quarta neoplasia hepática mais frequente na pediatria. O diagnóstico do SEIF se dá em um conjunto de achados de imagem, idade e nível de alfa-fetoproteína (AF), que geralmente está normal, assim como as provas de função hepática. O diagnóstico precoce é prejudicado pelos sintomas inespecíficos, como dor abdominal, massa abdominal palpável de rápido crescimento, febre, perda de peso e sintomas gastrintestinais. O achado de imagem mais característico é o de massa grande, única e bem-delimitada. A ultrassonografia mostra massa predominantemente sólida e ecogênica. Já a tomografia computadorizada evidencia uma massa que assume característica principalmente cística. Histologicamente é evidenciado tecido mixoide com células neoplásicas fusiformes. Alguns estudos imuno-histoquímicos indicam origem mesenquimal do SEIF. O aspecto macroscópico do tumor se apresenta como grande massa hepática, de componente sólido predominantemente, com algumas áreas císticas, hemorragia e necrose em até 80% de sua superfície. Ainda não é bem-definida a melhor abordagem para o tratamento do sarcoma primário de fígado. As opções terapêuticas incluem ressecção cirúrgica, quimioterapia, radioterapia e transplante hepático (TH). Porém, nos casos de tumores irressecáveis, o TH é uma opção que deve ser considerada, uma vez que nesse tipo histológico tanto quimioterapia como radioterapia têm benefício questionável. Este artigo tem por objetivo relatar um caso de SEIF gigante, com invasão vascular, submetido a TH com boa evolução pós-operatória e sem sinais de recidiva após nove meses de TH.

Encapsulating Peritoneal Sclerosis in a kidney transplant recipient - Case Report.

Encapsulating Peritoneal Sclerosis (EPS) is a severe and rare condition frequently associated with peritoneal dialysis, characterized by bowel obstruction, with lethal consequences in 20% of the patients. The disease presents as a mass of fibrous tissue encapsulating visceral organs that may potentially compromise digestive tract function. This report describes the case of a patient under peritoneal dialysis (PD) due to chronic kidney disease secondary to focal segmental glomerulosclerosis diagnosed with EPS. The patient had undergone two living-donor kidney transplant procedures. Surgical techniques and clinical measures employed to unravel bowel obstruction are described, which have been shown to ameliorate EPS secondary complications. Parenteral nutrition has significantly contributed to afford adequate nutrition, improving tissue healing as well as serum protein levels, vitamins and electrolytes. Therapy with tamoxifen and sodium thiosulfate effectively delayed the development of EPS.

A Retrospective Cohort Study of Risk Factors for Surgical Site Infection Following Liver Transplantation.

BACKGROUND: Surgical site infection is an important complication in the postoperative period among liver transplant recipients. However, little is known about the risk factors in this patient group. Therefore, the objective of this study was to analyze the incidence and risk factors for surgical site infections among adult liver transplant recipients. METHODS: Medical records of adult liver transplant recipients from January 1, 2009, to December 31, 2015, were analyzed in this retrospective cohort study. RESULTS: We enrolled 156 recipients' medical records. Forty-two (26.9%) cases of surgical site infections were identified. The main isolated microorganisms were methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus species, extended spectrum ß-lactamase-producing Klebsiella species, carbapenem-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa, carbapenem-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii, and vancomycin-susceptible Enterococcus faecalis. We found that long operative times (≥487 minutes) and differences in body mass index between donor and recipient (≥1.3 kg/m2) increased the risk for surgical site infections by approximately 5 times (odds ratio [OR], 5.5; 95% confidence interval [CI], 2.5-11.8), and capillary glycemia ≥175 mg/dL in the first 96 postoperative hours increased the risk by approximately 3 times (OR, 2.97; 95% CI, 1.43-6.17). CONCLUSIONS: There was a high incidence of surgical site infections among the studied population and that some risk factors identified differ from those reported in the scientific literature.

Os achados de imagem para avaliação da tríade portal são confiáveis para realização do transplante hepático com doador vivo? / Are the imaging findings used to assess the portal triad reliable to perform living-donor liver transplant?

RACIONAL: Um aspecto crucial do transplante hepático inter-vivos é o risco imposto ao doador, devido ser procedimento realizado em pessoa saudável, com possibilidade de alta morbidade pós-operatória. OBJETIVO: Correlacionar os achados de imagem do pré e intra-operatório dos doadores adultos vivos de fígado. MÉTODOS: No período de 2003 a 2008 foram revisados os prontuários de 66 doadores. Foram 42 homens (64%) e 24 mulheres (36%), com média de idade de 30 anos (± 8 anos). A anatomia pré-operatória foi analisada através de colangiografia por ressonância nuclear magnética para estudo dos ductos biliares e angiografia por tomografia computadorizada para artéria hepática e veia porta. Critérios de normalidade foram estabelecidos de acordo com estudos prévios da literatura. RESULTADOS: Variações anatômicas dos ductos biliares foram encontradas em 59,1% dos doadores; da artéria hepática em 31,8% e da veia porta em 30,3% dos casos no pré-operatório. A colangiografia por ressonância nuclear magnética apresentou achados concordantes em 44 (66,6%) doadores e discordantes em 22 (33,3%). Com relação à artéria hepática em todos os doadores os achados do exame de imagem foram concordantes com os do intra-operatório. Para a veia porta a tomografia computadorizada apresentou achados concordantes em 59 (89,4%) doadores e discordantes em sete (10,6%). CONCLUSÕES: As variações anatômicas dos ductos biliares são frequentes, com a colangiografia por ressonância nuclear magnética apresentando acurácia moderada (70%) na reprodução dos achados cirúrgicos; a tomografia computadorizada reproduziu os achados do intra-operatório da artéria hepática em 100% dos doadores, e reproduziu os achados intra-operatórios em 89,4% dos casos em relação à veia porta, apresentando acurácia elevada (89%).

BACKGROUND: A crucial aspect of living-donor liver transplant is the risk imposed to the donor due to a procedure performed in a healthy individual that can lead to a high postoperative morbidity rate AIM: To correlate the pre- and intraoperative hepatic imaging findings of living adult donors. METHODS: From 2003 to 2008 the medical charts of 66 donors were revised; in that, 42 were males (64%) and 24 females (36%), mean age of 30±8 years. The preoperative anatomy was analyzed by magnetic resonance cholangiography to study the bile ducts and by computed tomography angiography to evaluate the hepatic artery and portal vein. Normalcy criteria were established according to previously published studies. RESULTS: Anatomic variations of the bile ducts were found in 59.1% of donors, of the artery hepatic in 31.8% and of the portal vein in 30.3% of the cases during the preoperative period. The magnetic resonance cholangiography findings were in agreement in 44 (66.6%) of donors and in disagreement in 22 (33.3%). With regards to hepatic artery, in all donors the findings of the imaging examination were in agreement with those of the intraoperative period. As to the portal vein, the computed tomography findings were in agreement in 59 (89.4%) donors and in disagreement in seven (10.6%). CONCLUSIONS: The bile duct anatomic variations are frequent, and the magnetic resonance cholangiography showed moderate accuracy (70%) in reproducing the surgical findings; the computed tomography reproduced the intraoperative findings of the hepatic artery in 100% of donors, and of the portal vein in 89.4% of the cases, thus demonstrating high accuracy (89%).

Are the imaging findings used to assess the portal triad reliable to perform living-donor liver transplant?

BACKGROUND: A crucial aspect of living-donor liver transplant is the risk imposed to the donor due to a procedure performed in a healthy individual that can lead to a high postoperative morbidity rate AIM: To correlate the pre- and intraoperative hepatic imaging findings of living adult donors. METHODS: From 2003 to 2008 the medical charts of 66 donors were revised; in that, 42 were males (64%) and 24 females (36%), mean age of 30 ± 8 years. The preoperative anatomy was analyzed by magnetic resonance cholangiography to study the bile ducts and by computed tomography angiography to evaluate the hepatic artery and portal vein. Normalcy criteria were established according to previously published studies. RESULTS: Anatomic variations of the bile ducts were found in 59.1% of donors, of the artery hepatic in 31.8% and of the portal vein in 30.3% of the cases during the preoperative period. The magnetic resonance cholangiography findings were in agreement in 44 (66.6%) of donors and in disagreement in 22 (33.3%). With regards to hepatic artery, in all donors the findings of the imaging examination were in agreement with those of the intraoperative period. As to the portal vein, the computed tomography findings were in agreement in 59 (89.4%) donors and in disagreement in seven (10.6%). CONCLUSIONS: The bile duct anatomic variations are frequent, and the magnetic resonance cholangiography showed moderate accuracy (70%) in reproducing the surgical findings; the computed tomography reproduced the intraoperative findings of the hepatic artery in 100% of donors, and of the portal vein in 89.4% of the cases, thus demonstrating high accuracy (89%).

Living donor right liver lobe transplantation with or without inclusion of the middle hepatic vein: analysis of complications.

BACKGROUND: For living-related liver transplantation, harvesting a right hepatic graft that includes the middle hepatic vein (MHV) has been recommended to improve venous drainage of the graft. However, it may result in congestion of the donor's remaining segment IV, increasing the potential risk to the donor. This study aimed to compare safety levels for liver donors during procedures with or without removal of the MHV. METHODS: A total of 68 living donor liver transplantations were performed from March 2001 to May 2007. In 39 procedures, the MHV was not included in the graft (group A), and in 29 the MHV was included in the graft (group B). The analyzed data included surgical time, use of blood derivatives, length of hospital stay, laboratory analyses, weight of the graft, and clinical complications. RESULTS: No differences were observed regarding the need for blood derivatives or laboratory parameters. The frequency of postoperative complications was similar in the two groups, with 10 cases (25.6%) in group A and 7 cases (24.1%) in group B (P=0.887). No deaths were seen. The rate of observed complications was 25% among living donors, most of them being managed without surgical intervention. CONCLUSIONS: The inclusion of the MHV does not add morbidity in living donors in selected cases.

The presence of bilobar tumor should be considered as a new limit for transplantation beyond the Milan criteria? / A presença de tumor bilobar deve ser considerado novo limite para exclusão de transplante em pacientes que excedem os critérios de Milão?

BACKGROUND: An imprecise estimate of the tumor's aggressiveness of the hepatocellular carcinoma especially in transplanted patients beyond the Milan criteria has a poor outcome, although a more reliable criteria including microscopic vascular invasion is difficult to be established before transplantation. AIM: To examine a cohort of patients with hepatocellular carcinoma undergoing liver transplantation to evaluate the preoperative predicting factors for microscopic vascular invasion. METHODS: A series of 46 consecutive cirrhotic patients with hepatocellular carcinoma undergoing transplantation based on Milan criteria or similar criteria in a single center were enrolled between 1993 and 2007. The survival was calculated using Kaplan-Meyer's method and a multivariate Cox regression was performed to evaluate survival and factors related to microscopic vascular invasion. RESULTS: Multifocal tumors were present in 39 percent. Microvascular invasion, tumor relapses and hepatocellular carcinoma beyond the Milan criteria were identified in 33 percent, 13 percent and 33 percent, respectively. Overall 1-, 3-, and 5-year actuarial patient survival rates were 64 percent, 59 percent and 45 percent respectively. Patients who exceeded the Milan criteria had a higher incidence of microscopic vascular invasion and bilobar tumor compared to those who met the Milan criteria (53 percent vs. 23 percent and 80 percent vs. 19 percent; p<0.05, respectively). After multivariate analysis, the variable identified as independent risk factor for microscopic vascular invasion was the presence of bilobar tumor (hazard ratio, 3.67; 95 percent confidence interval, 1.01 to 13.34; p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The presence of a bilobar tumor is more frequent in hepatocellular carcinoma beyond the Milan criteria and it is an independent predictive factor of a high risk of microscopic vascular invasion. The presence of bilobar tumor in hepatocellular carcinoma beyond the Milan ...

RACIONAL: A recidiva tumoral após o transplante de fígado para o carcinoma hepatocelular tem grande impacto desfavorável na mortalidade e a presença de invasão microvascular desempenha papel importante na recidiva tumoral. OBJETIVO: Avaliar a sobrevida, o risco de recidiva tumoral pós-transplante e os fatores relacionados à invasão microvascular de uma série de transplantados por carcinoma hepatocelular. MÉTODOS: No período entre 1993 e 2007 foi estudada uma série consecutiva de 46 cirróticos com carcinoma hepatocelular submetidos à transplante de fígado baseado nos critérios de Milão a partir de 1996 ou critérios semelhantes no período anterior a esta data. Inicialmente todas as variáveis foram analisadas descritivamente, e as quantitativas através da observação dos valores mínimos e máximos, e do cálculo de médias e desvios-padrão e medianas. Para as variáveis qualitativas calcularam-se frequências absolutas e relativas. Realizou-se a regressão logística com ajuste pelo modelo de Cox para avaliar a sobrevida e os fatores relacionados à recidiva tumoral e invasão microvascular. RESULTADOS: A sobrevida da amostra foi de 64 por cento, 59 por cento e 45 por cento para 1, 3 e 5 anos, respectivamente. Em 13 por cento dos casos, a recidiva tumoral foi verificada. A análise multivariada identificou a chance de um paciente com nódulo bilobar sofrer invasão microvascular é 3,67 vezes maior em relação a um paciente com nódulo unilobar e a presença de um tumor unilobar representar um significativo efeito protetor em relação à invasão microvascular (p = 0,048). CONCLUSÕES: A identificação de um tumor bilobar no estadiamento tumoral é fator preditivo independente de maior risco de invasão microvascular e é necessário ainda confirmar se a presença de tumor bilobar deve ser adicionada aos critérios de Milão para melhor indicação de transplante de fígado em pacientes cirróticos com carcinoma hepatocelular.

Liver transplantation for subacute hepatocellular failure due to massive steatohepatitis after bariatric surgery.

New therapeutic options for obesity include restrictive bowel surgery and surgery that promotes malabsorption, such as the Fobi-Capella (gastric bypass) and Scopinaro (biliopancreatic diversion) techniques. Complications associated with these procedures, such as hepatocellular failure, have been observed with increasing frequency. Reported here are 3 patients who, 7 to 24 months after bariatric surgery, developed hepatocellular failure, for which liver transplantation was considered to be indicated. Liver transplantation was undertaken in 2 of the patients; the third patient died while waiting for this procedure. We discuss the possible causes of this uncommon and poorly understood complication of surgery for obesity. One possibility is that it might arise as a result of progression of steatohepatitis. An alternative concept is that this complication may be secondary to rapid, massive loss of body weight.

Laparoscopic cholecystectomy in cirrhotic patients with symptomatic cholelithiasis: a case-control study.

BACKGROUND: In this study we retrospectively evaluated a group of symptomatic cirrhotic (n=30) and non-cirrhotic (n=60) patients submitted to laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) in a public hospital in Brazil. METHODS: The groups were compared for surgical time, duration of hospitalization after surgery, period of permanence in the intensive care unit (ICU), use of blood derivatives, mortality rates, and transoperative and post-surgery complications. Other parameters, such as hepatic reserve capacity and presence of ascites, were also analyzed. RESULTS: Twenty-three (76.7%) of the patients of the cirrhosis group (CG) were classified as Child-Pugh A, and seven (23.3%) were Child-Pugh B. Six of them (20%) had ascites. Differences between the two groups included surgery time (p=0.008), duration of hospitalization (p=0.014), and post-surgery (p=0.000) or ambulatory (p=0.008) complications. The worst results were observed among Child B patients and in those with ascites. Blood derivatives were used in only 3.3% of the CG patients. No cases of conversion to laparotomy were observed among the two groups of patients included in this study, nor were there any deaths. CONCLUSIONS: These results indicate that videolaparoscopic cholecystectomy may be safely performed in public hospitals in Brazil, with low levels of complications, no associated mortality, and no need for blood derivatives.

Tumor de Frantz: relato de dois casos: medidas terapêuticas e prognóstico / Frantz tumor: report of 2 cases: therapeutic measures and prognosis

Säo apresentados dois casos de um tumor pancreático raro (tumor de Frantz), que se encontravam em estágios evolutivos distintos, enfatizando a complexidade no estabelecimento de um diagnóstico anatomopatológico preciso. Exige-se abordagem cirúrgica agressiva, sempre que possível, devido ao excelente prognóstico. Discutem-se, ainda, a apresentaçäo clínica e origem histológica, bem como os fatores prognósticos e uma nova abordagem terapêutica, visando a conduçäo das metástases hepáticas que eventualmente apresentam.