Incidence of hepatic artery variations in liver transplantation: does it really influence short- and long-term results?

BACKGROUND: Some variations of hepatic artery, which show 30% incidence, must be taken into account to avoid damage to the liver transplant during harvesting, we analyzed the incidence of variations and their influence on postoperative results. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We performed a retrospective study of 325 liver transplantation between 2001 and December 2011. RESULTS: Variations in the hepatic artery were detected in 91 transplantations (32%) including 29 donors (8.9%), 57 recipients (17.5%), and 5 both (1.5%). The main variation among donors was a right hepatic artery originating from the mesenteric artery (38.2%), and a left hepatic artery from the left gastric artery (35.3%). Recipients showed the same distribution: RHA-UMA (right hepatic artery from upper mesenteric artery) (38.7%) and LHA-LGA (left hepatic artery from left gastric artery) (12.9%). 48.5% of donor hepatic variations did not need bench reconstruction, but all RHA-UMA required it mainly due to the donor gastroduodenal artery (7; 58%) We did not observe significant difference in cold or warm ischemia time, surgical time, red blood cell requirement, postoperative mortality, or overall survival when there was or was not an arterial anomaly. But arterial complications were more frequent in cases where there were recipient anomalies or both versus without anomalies or with donor anomalies (20%, 7,8%, 0%, 5,6%; P = .06). Donor RHA-UMA was associated with worse overall survival (69, 2%; P = .07) and longer cold ischemia time and red blood requirement. Bench reconstruction held to longer cold ischemia time and blood cell requirements (P = .01) and shorter overall survival (82.4%). RHA-UMA was associated (P = .08) with worse actuarial survival and a needed for bench reconstruction (P = .01). CONCLUSION: One must be careful during liver harvest to detect hepatic artery variations to avoid damage. Hepatic artery anomalies do not influence liver transplant results except for the presence of an RHA from the UMA with a need for bench reconstruction.

Eight years experience with liver transplantation in Rio Hortega hospital.

OBJECTIVES: We sought to evaluate our transplant series in light of the parameters outlined in the quality criteria established by the Spanish Hepatic Transplant Society (Sociedad Española de Trasplante Hepático [SETH]). METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed 240 hepatic transplantations performed in 223 patients from November 2001 to December 2009. RESULTS: Among the series, 57% were in Child class C, 50% had cirrhosis without hepatocellular carcinoma, and 32% had this neoplasm. The most common cause for the illness was alcohol, followed by a virus, namely hepatitis C virus in 76% of cases. The average waiting list time was 45.14 days. The total graft ischemia averaged 460 minutes (range, 265-937). The 4.1% (n = 10), incidence of an urgent retransplantation was mainly due to primary graft failure or arterial thrombosis. During the perioperative period the mortality rate was 2.5% (n = 6) and the 1-month mortality rate was 6.6% (n = 16). The raw survival rates at 1, 3, and 5 years after the operation are 85%, 78%, and 72%, respectively. CONCLUSION: Our perioperative as well as the long-term results fall within the quality standards established by SETH.

Incidence, management, and results of vascular complications after liver transplantation.

INTRODUCTION: Vascular complications show an 8%-15% incidence after liver transplantation and represent an important cause of mortality. An aggressive policy is necessary for an early diagnosis and treatment. PATIENTS AND METHODS: From 2001 to 2009, we performed 240 liver transplantations in 232 patients. We employed Doppler ultrasonography on days 1 and 4 as well as before hospital discharge and always try a radiological approach. RESULTS: The incidence of vascular complications was 7.2% (n = 18) including arterial (n = 12, 4.8%) of early thrombosis (n = 4), late thrombosis (n = 4), and stenosis (n = 4) or portal (n = 3; 1.2%) of thrombosis (n = 2) or stenosis (n = 1); or caval complications (n = 3, 1.2%). Radiologic therapy was effective in 1 patient with arterial stenosis, in the 3 patients with portal complications, and in 2 patients with caval complications. All patients with early thrombosis and 2/4 with late thrombosis required retransplantation. Surgical treatment was effective in 1 patient with late thrombosis, 3 with stenosis, and 2 with caval complications. The overall mortality rate was 16.6%; 2 patients with arterial complications and 1 with a caval complications. CONCLUSION: Vascular complications, mainly artery complications, represent serious problem after liver transplantation, which often requires retransplantation. With an aggressive policy of diagnosis and treatment, we can decrease the mortality rate from these adverse events.

[Digestive hemorrhage caused by vascular malformation (Rendu-Osler-Weber). A diagnostic and therapeutic challenge]. / Hemorragia digestiva por malformación vascular (Rendu-Osler-Weber). Un reto diagnóstico y terapéutico.

We present a case of gastrointestinal bleeding due to vascular malformation (Osler-Weber-Rendu disease), without cutaneous manifestations but with mucous manifestations and familiar and personal history of epistaxis. Until diagnosis, the patient underwent multiple radiologic and endoscopic tests and two surgical procedures. We would underline the diagnostic and therapeutic difficulty of recurrent gastrointestinal bleeding secondary to vascular malformation.