Early derangement of INR predicts liver failure after liver resection for hepatocellular carcinoma.

BACKGROUND: Surgical resection, where appropriate, remains one of the best treatment options for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), however outcomes can be compromised by the development of liver failure. We reviewed our experience of liver resection for HCC patients to identify factors that may predict the development of post-hepatectomy liver failure (PHLF) and survival. METHODS: A single centre retrospective cohort study. Data was collected between 1999 and 2017 from all patients undergoing HCC resection in a tertiary university hospital from electronic medical records. PHLF was defined as per the International Study Group for Liver Surgery criteria. Variables with p < 0.15 on univariate analysis were included in a multivariate binary logistic regression model. Kaplan-Meier analyses were used to determine correlations with overall survival (OS) and disease-free survival (DFS), and variables with p < 0.15 on univariate analysis selected for a step-down Cox proportional hazard regression model. RESULTS: Overall, 120 patients underwent liver resection within the study period, of which 22 (18%) developed PHLF. Patients with normal INR ≤1.20 at day 2 did not develop PHLF whereas patients with INR >1.60 were at significant risk. Resection of multiple tumours (odds ratio 21.63, p = 0.002) and deranged postoperative day 2 INR>1.6 (odds ratio 21.05, p < 0.0001) were identified as independent prognostic markers of PHLF. CONCLUSION: The use of INR measurement at day 2 predicts PHLF and may enable us to objectively identify and stratify patients who may be eligible for enhanced recovery programs from those who will merit close monitoring in high dependency areas.

Anatomical variation and its management in transplantation.

Variant anatomy may be challenging at retrieval, with failure to identify variance being associated with organ damage, particularly vascular damage. On implantation, some variants demand nonstandard techniques of reconstruction or implantation. This review covers the common and less common anatomical variants of the liver, kidney and pancreas, and gives guidance as to how they may be managed during organ retrieval and implantation.

Postoperative CT in pancreas transplantation.

AIM: To examine the usage and value of computed tomography (CT) following simultaneous pancreas and kidney (SPK) transplantation. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Indications for postoperative CT, key findings, and their influence on management were determined by retrospective analysis. RESULTS: Ninety-eight patients underwent 313 CT examinations. Common indications for the examinations included suspected intra-abdominal collection (31.1%) and elevated serum amylase/lipase (24.1%). CT findings most frequently showed non-specific mild inflammation (27.6%), a normal scan (17.1%) and fluid collections (16.3%). High capillary blood glucose (CBG) was associated with resultant CT demonstration of graft vascular abnormalities, but otherwise, particular clinical indications were not associated with specific CT findings. CONCLUSION: Clinical findings in patients with SPK transplants are non-specific. The pattern of abnormalities encountered is significantly different to those seen in native pancreatic disease and demands a tailored protocol. CT enables accurate depiction of vascular abnormalities and fluid collections, thus reducing the number of surgical interventions that might otherwise be required. Elevated CBG should prompt urgent CT to exclude potentially reversible vascular complications.

Arteriovenous fistula formation using transposed basilic vein: extensive single centre experience.

OBJECTIVES: The expanding haemodialysis population has lead to increased requirement for more complex vascular access. The aim of this study is to present the results of an extensive series of brachiobasilic arteriovenous fistulae. METHODS: BBAVF were performed using single-stage vein transposition. A retrospective review of case notes was performed. RESULTS: One hundred and sixty eight BBAVF were created in 144 patients. This was the first access procedure in only 30 cases and the fourth or fifth in 30. At 24h, 165 fistulas (98%) were patent. One hundred and eleven fistulas (66%) were used for haemodialysis and 57 (34%) were never used, of which 39 (23%) were due to fistula failure. The cumulative secondary patency at 1, 2 and 3 years was 66%, 50% and 41% respectively. There were 201 complications in 119 patients (71%), including thrombosis (29%), arm oedema (17%), infection (13%) and arterial steal syndrome (11%). Ten angioplasties and 48 operative procedures were performed for complications. Pre-operative ipsilateral subclavian catheter had been placed in 62 cases (37%) and was associated with poor patency. CONCLUSIONS: BBAVF represents an important option for vascular access with acceptable patency rates, although complication rates remain significant.