Adult liver transplantation using liver grafts from donors over 70 years of age.

UNLABELLED: The increasing organ shortage calls for widening the selection criteria for liver transplant donors. However, concern exists about the use of grafts from donors older than 70 years. We report our clinical experience with graft-age related outcomes, presenting data on 41 patients transplanted with grafts from older donors. PATIENTS/METHODS: Between January 1995 and October 2003, 41 liver grafts were transplanted from donors older than 70 years. We analyzed patient and graft survival, incidence of retransplantation, initial nonfunction (INF), rejection, intra- and postoperative requirement for red blood cells. We also recorded cholestasis, protein synthesis and urinary retention. RESULTS: The mean donor age was 73.4 +/- 0.37 years. After one year, the patient survival was 91% and the graft survival 86%. The retransplantation rate was 9.75%; only one graft was lost due to INF. We observed an incidence of 11 rejection episodes. Of these, five patients needed OKT3 therapy for steroid-resistent rejection. The intra- and postoperative requirement for red blood cells was 4.0 +/- 0.65 and 1.4 +/- 0.25 units. Cholestasis, protein synthesis, and urinary retention parameters were within normal limits. CONCLUSIONS: Among donors of mean age 73.4 years, patient and graft survivals were excellent. One organ was lost due to INF. The intra- and postoperative need for red blood cells was within acceptable ranges. Liver function tests, cholestasis, and retention parameters were normal after 1 year follow up. Thus, we recommend to accept liver grafts from donors older than 70 years to expand the organ pool.

Observational study on preservation of the superior rectal artery in sigmoid resection for diverticular disease.

AIM: Recent investigations have shown improved patient reported outcome after preservation of the inferior mesenteric artery in sigmoid resection for diverticular disease. We report on our experience with preservation of the superior rectal artery (SRA). METHODS: This is an observational single center study in a high-volume, level II inner city hospital from 2006 to 2008. Inclusion criteria were all patients with diverticular disease. Exclusion criteria were stoma formation, cancer, and iatrogenic perforation. Patients were investigated in group A with preservation of the SRA, and group B ligation of the SRA. Outcomes assessed, included incidence of anastomotic breakdown, intraoperative complications, hospital stay, and risk factors. RESULTS: The patient population included 259 patients, 46 patients were excluded, leaving 100 patients in group A and 113 patients in group B. Patients in both groups were comparable regarding age, gender, co-morbidities and stage of disease. Anastomotic breakdown occurred in one patient in group A and in eight patients in group B (p = 0.038). Incidence of intraoperative bleeding, wound dehiscence, and length of stay was increased in group B (p < 0.03; p < 0.04; p = 0.05). Obesity was an independent risk factor for anastomotic dehiscence in group B (p < 0.04). CONCLUSION: Our data comprise the largest patient population reported so far on vascular preservation in surgery for diverticular disease. The results of this study support the establishment of evidence based recommendations on the level of dissection in diverticular disease. Specifically obese patients are at risk of anastomotic breakdown with ligation of the SRA.

Recurrent High-Flow Arterio-Venous Malformation of the Thyroid Gland.

BACKGROUND: Vascular malformations and hemangiomas of the thyroid gland are rare disorders. The first case of a patient with recurrent high-flow arterio-venous malformation of the right thyroid gland involving the right endolarynx is presented. PATIENT FINDINGS: In June 2013, a 42-year-old female patient presented to the surgical department with recurrent hoarseness and a soft, vibrating mass on the right side of her neck. In 1993, she underwent right subtotal hemithyroidectomy with embolization on the day before surgery for a high-flow arterio-venous malformation of the thyroid gland. Diagnostic work-up in 2013 demonstrated a complex recurrent high-flow arterio-venous malformation on the right side of her neck involving the endolarynx. Full function of the right vocal fold could not be ascertained. The lesion was embolized again and excised the following day. Intraoperative gross bleeding and scar tissue prevented visualization and monitoring of the recurrent laryngeal nerve. Gross bleeding was also noted on hemithyroidectomy after embolization in 1993. No therapy was needed for the endolaryngeal part of the lesion. Histology showed large arterio-venous malformations with thyroid tissue. She remains well without signs of recurrence 18 month later but with a definitive voice handicap. SUMMARY: This is the first report of a recurrent high-flow arterio-venous malformation originally developing from the right thyroid gland involving the right endolarynx. Counseling, diagnostic, and therapeutic work-up of the patient was possible only with an interdisciplinary team. The endolaryngeal part of the hemangioma dried out after embolization and completion hemithyroidectomy. Her hoarseness has greatly improved but a definitive voice handicap remains. CONCLUSION: High-flow arterio-venous malformations of the thyroid gland are a rare disease, and recurrent lesions have not been reported. Interdisciplinary management of these patients is mandatory due to the complex nature of the underlying pathology. Recurrence might develop after long free intervals.

[Transvaginal cholecystectomy: results of a randomized study]. / Transvaginale Cholezystektomie: Ergebnisse einer randomisierten Studie.

BACKGROUND: Transvaginal cholecystectomy (TVC) is regarded as a model operation in the newly developed field of natural orifice transluminal endoscopic surgery (NOTES). Randomized, controlled trials to assess TVC as a surgical strategy are largely missing. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study was a double blind, randomized, controlled, single center trial in female patients > 18 years with symptomatic cholecystolithiasis comparing laparoscopic cholecystectomy (CLC) and TVC. The study investigated pain reduction of ≥ 1 point on a visual-numeric rating scale with a follow-up after 7 days. Secondary endpoints were complications and patient reported outcome. Groups were established using computer-generated randomization and sealed envelopes in the operating theatre. At the end of the surgical procedure all patients received a standard 4-trocar dressing as for CLC and a vaginal tamponade. RESULTS: A total of 426 patients were asked to participate, of which 97 were randomized, 51 in the CLC, 41 in the TVC groups and 5 were excluded from the study. Patients were comparable regarding age, body mass index (BMI) and American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) grade. Surgical and anesthesia times were significantly different. There was no difference in postoperative pain. The majority of patients were satisfied with both procedures and TVC was recommended to other patients by 93 % of patients in the TVC group. CONCLUSION: The results did not show superiority of TVC over CLC with regards to postoperative pain. With no differences in postoperative pain and high patient satisfaction, TVC can be recommended to future patients as an alternative method. For confirmation of this evaluation of TVC further randomized trials are needed.