A.J. Tector

Clinical experience with histidine‐tryptophan‐ketoglutarate solution in abdominal organ preservation: a review of recent literature

Abstract:  Histidine‐tryptophan‐ketoglutarate (HTK) solution was introduced by Bretschneider as a cardioplegia solution in the early 1980s and has subsequently been applied to organ preservation for transplantation in Europe during the 1980s and in North America during the last six yr. With the increasing use of HTK for primary preservation, it is important that the transplant community be aware of the properties of this solution and the advantages and disadvantages of its use. Even if a center uses an alternative preservation solution, it is likely that import offers will be made for allografts that have been preserved in HTK. In this review article, recent literature describing the clinical use of HTK in abdominal transplantation will be summarized with references to earlier reports when indicated.

Closure of the abdominal wall with acellular dermal allograft in intestinal transplantation.

Loss of abdominal domain is a common problem in intestinal transplantation. Several surgical options are available perioperatively for abdominal wall reconstruction. This study reports the management and complications for intestinal transplant patients with abdominal wall closure either primarily or with foreign material. This single center study reviews the records of intestinal transplant patients between 2004 and 2010. Study outcomes included reoperation for dehiscence, hernia or enterocutaneous fistula. There were 37 of 146 patients (25%) who required implantation of foreign material at transplant. Of these 37, 30 (81%) had implantation of acellular dermal allograft (ADA) and 7 (19%) implantation of another mesh. Perioperative dehiscence was rare with 2/109 (2%) for primary closure, 0/30 (0%) for ADA and 1/7 (14%) for other mesh. There were 12/146 (8%) patients who underwent ventral hernia repair: primary closure 7/109 (6%), ADA 3/30 (10%) and other mesh 2/7 (28%). There were 4/146 (3%) patients who required surgery for enterocutaneous fistulas: 2/109 (2%) primary closure, 1/30 (3%) ADA and 1/7 (14%) synthetic mesh. Abdominal wall reconstruction with ADA biologic mesh provides an expeditious means of performing a tension‐free closure of the fascial layer after intestinal transplantation with complications similar to those seen for primary closure.

Telaprevir with peginterferon/ribavirin for retreatment of null responders with advanced fibrosis post-orthotopic liver transplant

Aggressive recurrence of hepatitis C remains problematic post‐orthotopic liver transplant (OLT). There are limited data on treatment of HCV infection with telaprevir/boceprevir therapy with peginterferon/ribavirin (PR) post‐OLT.

Intestinal Graft Failure: Should We Perform the Allograft Enterectomy Before or With Retransplantation?

BackgroundIntestinal graft dysfunction is sometimes irreversible and requires allograft enterectomy with or without retransplantation. There is no comprehensive assessment of allograft enterectomy regarding indications and outcomes. The aim of this study was to evaluate management of patients with intestinal graft failure with special reference to indications and outcomes of allograft enterectomy and the procedures validity as a bridge to retransplantation. MethodsGraft and patient survivals, reason for graft failure, and rejection episodes were evaluated in 221 intestinal recipients (primary transplantation [n = 201], retransplantation [n = 20]). Indications, surgical factors, and outcomes of allograft enterectomy were investigated. ResultsReasons for isolated enterectomy included systemic infection in 11, gastrointestinal bleeding in 1, and severe electrolyte imbalance in 1, all of which were associated with rejection. One isolated intestinal transplantation patient underwent isolated enterectomy due to cytomegalovirus enteritis. One multivisceral transplantation patient underwent isolated allograft enterectomy due to bowel necrosis. Of these 15 patients, 3 died from persistent infection postoperatively, whereas 8 underwent retransplantation with median interval of 74 days (42-252 days). Allosensitization occurred between isolated enterectomy and retransplantation in 2, one of whom lost the second graft due to rejection. Simultaneous allograft enterectomy and retransplantation was performed in 3 isolated intestinal transplantation and 9 multivisceral transplantation patients. Patient survival after retransplantation was similar between patients who underwent isolated allograft enterectomy and those who did simultaneous enterectomy with retransplantation (P = 0.82). ConclusionsIn cases of irreversible intestinal graft dysfunction, isolated allograft enterectomy successfully provides recovery from comorbidities as a lifesaving procedure and does not compromise outcomes of retransplantation.

Aminocaproic acid (Amicar) as an alternative to aprotinin (Trasylol) in liver transplantation

INTRODUCTION This study compared clinical outcomes for a large number of liver transplant patients receiving intraoperative epsilon-aminocaproic acid (EACA), aprotinin, or no antifibrinolytic agent over an 8-year period. PATIENTS AND METHODS Records for deceased donor liver transplants were reviewed. Data included antifibrinolytic agent, blood loss, early graft function, and postoperative complications. Study groups included low-dose aprotinin, high-dose aprotinin, EACA (25 mg/kg, 1-hour infusion), or no antifibrinolytic agent. RESULTS Data were included for 1170 consecutive transplants. Groups included low-dose aprotinin (n = 324 [28%]), high-dose aprotinin (n = 308 [26%]), EACA (n = 216 [18%]), or no antifibrinolytic (n = 322 [28%]). EACA had the lowest intraoperative blood loss and required the fewest transfusions of plasma. Patients receiving no agent required the most blood transfusions. Early graft loss was lowest in the EACA group, and 90-day and 1-year patient survival rates were significantly higher for the low-dose aprotinin and EACA groups according to Cox regression. Complications were similar, but there were more episodes of deep vein thrombosis in patients receiving EACA. CONCLUSIONS These results suggest that transitioning from aprotinin to EACA did not result in worse outcomes. In addition to decreased intraoperative blood loss, a trend toward improved graft and patient survival was seen in patients receiving EACA.