Chee-Chien Yong

Living Donor Liver Transplantation for Biliary Atresia: A Single-Center Experience with First 100 Cases

The aim of this study is to present our institutional experience in living donor liver transplantation (LDLT) as a treatment for end‐stage liver disease in children with biliary atresia (BA). A retrospective review of transplant records was performed. One hundred BA patients (52 males and 48 females) underwent LDLT. The mean follow‐up period was 85.5 months. The mean age was 2.4 years. The mean preoperative weight, height, and computed GFR were 12.2 kg, 82.5 cm, and 116.4 ml/min/1.73 m2, respectively. Twenty‐seven patients were below 1 year of age, and 49 patients were below 10 kg at the time of transplantation. Ninety‐six had had previous Kasai operation prior to transplant. The mean recipient operative time was 628 min. The mean recipient intraoperative blood loss was 176 ml. Thirty‐five did not require blood or blood component transfusion. The left lateral segment (64) was the most common type of graft used. There were 27 operative complications which included 3 reoperations for postoperative bleeding, 9 portal vein, 4 hepatic vein, 4 hepatic artery, and 7 biliary complications. There was one in‐hospital mortality and one retransplantation. The overall rejection rate was 20%. The overall mortality rate was 3%. The 6‐month, 1‐year and 5‐year actual recipient survival rates were 99%, 98% and 98%, respectively.

Intraoperative blood loss is a risk factor for complications in donors after living donor hepatectomy

Complications in a donor are a distressing but inevitable occurrence, since graft procurement is a major undertaking. Although the technique for procurement has some similarities to hepatic resection, a donor is very unlike a patient with malignancy. The risk factors identified in these patients cannot be extrapolated to donors. Donor hepatectomy carried out from June 1995 to March 2005 in Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Kaohsiung Medical Center was reviewed with the aim of identifying risk factors for complications. There were 204 living donor liver transplants, with 205 donor hepatectomies, as 1 living donor liver transplantation was a dual graft. Ten donors (4.88%) suffered complications. There was no difference in terms of age, gender, body weight, operation, and parenchymal time between those who had complications and those who did not. There was also no difference in liver function tests between the 2 groups of donors, but the total bilirubin was significantly higher in donors with complications. The graft weight and remnant liver volume were also similar. The proportion of donors with fatty liver was the same between the 2 groups. The mean blood loss in donors with complications was 170 ± 79 mL, and that for donors without complications was 95 ± 77 mL. There was a statistically significant greater blood loss in donors with complications (P < 0.05). The number of segments removed in donors with complications was also higher compared to donors without complications (P < 0.03). Using multivariate analysis, intraoperative blood loss and the number of segments removed were found to be independent risk factors for donor complications. Intraoperative blood loss during graft procurement must be kept low to minimize complications in donors. Liver Transpl 12:950–957, 2006.

Active immunization to prevent de novo hepatitis B virus infection in pediatric live donor liver recipients.

This study aims to evaluate the efficacy of HBV vaccination as an alternative preventive measure against de novo HBV infection in pediatric living donor liver transplantation (LDLT). Sixty recipients were enrolled in this study. Thirty received grafts from anti‐HBc(+) donors, and another 30 received grafts from anti‐HBc(−) donors. HBV vaccine was given pretransplant to every candidate. Posttransplant, lamivudine was routinely given to recipients receiving anti‐HBc(+) grafts for about 2 years. Forty‐seven (78%) recipients achieved high levels of anti‐HBs titer (>1000 IU/L). Two (3.3%) recipients developed de novo HBV infection where one received an anti‐HBc(−) graft and another received an anti‐HBc(+) graft. Both recipients were in the lower anti‐HBs titer group (<1000 IU/L). The incidence of de novo HBV infection was significantly higher in the lower titer group (15.4% vs. 0%, p = 0.04). The median follow‐up period was 51 months in recipients with anti‐HBc(−) grafts and 57 months in those with anti‐HBc(+) grafts. Active immunization is an effective method to prevent de novo HBV infection. It can result in high levels of anti‐HBs titer (>1000 IU/L) which may prevent de novo HBV infection in pediatric patients with efficient primary vaccination undergoing LDLT.

Living donor liver transplantation for hepatocellular carcinoma: a single-center experience in Taiwan.

Background. Living donor liver transplantation (LDLT) demonstrates certain survival benefits over deceased donor liver transplantation for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) but there is no consensus on criteria for the use of LDLT for HCC for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) taking into account strategies to improve survival. Methods. Thirty-five patients (89% men) underwent LDLT for HCC. The mean age was 51 years (range, 22–61). The median disease severity scores were B, 11–20, and 2B for Child-Turcotte-Pugh, Model for End-stage Liver Disease, and United Network for Organ Sharing, respectively. The transplant records were retrospectively analyzed. Results. All were within Milan criteria at time of transplantation. A novel approach to downstaging tumors initially beyond the Milan criteria was evaluated using transarterial embolization or percutaneous ethanol injection. Our initial results were encouraging as recipients whose tumors had been downstaged had not had recurrence to date. Seven (20%) patients underwent hepatectomy for HCC before undergoing transplant. The overall mean posttransplant follow-up in this series was 40.3 months (range, 23–75). The overall posttransplant complication rate requiring intervention was 11%. There was only one malignancy recurrence for an overall recurrence rate of 3%. Vascular invasion and small- for-size transplants did not seem to influence tumor recurrence. The nonestimated recipient 1-year, 3-year, and 5-year survivals were 98%, 96%, and 90%, respectively. Conclusion. This review emphasizes the need for early disease recognition and prompt intervention when Milan criteria are met to improve survival from HCC after LDLT.

Routine microsurgical biliary reconstruction decreases early anastomotic complications in living donor liver transplantation

Biliary reconstruction using a microsurgical technique in living donor liver transplantation was routinely performed on 88 grafts primarily transplanted into 85 patients. All procedures were performed under a microscope by a single microsurgeon. Except for biliary atresia and Alagille syndrome, duct‐to‐duct reconstruction was performed. Stents were not used. The outcomes with microsurgical biliary reconstruction (MB) were compared with the outcomes of a cohort of 86 grafts in 85 patients that underwent conventional biliary reconstruction (CB). The identification of complications included only up to 12 months of follow‐up for each recipient in both groups. The average graft duct sizes were 2.8 mm for MB and 3.4 mm for CB. Most complications occurred in the first 15 cases with MB, and these cases were considered to constitute the learning curve phase. The MB complication rate was 46.7% in the first 15 cases, 20.0% in the next 15 cases, and 5.4% in the last 55 cases. When the learning curve phase was excluded, the overall complication rate over time with MB (8.9%) was significantly lower than that with CB (21.9%). CB increased the risk of biliary complications by 2.5 times (relative risk: 2.5; attributable risk: 128; odds ratio: 2.9). In conclusion, routine MB is a technical innovation that leads to decreased early anastomotic complications in living donor liver transplantation. Liver Transpl 15:1766–1775, 2009.

Vascular Stents in the Management of Portal Venous Complications in Living Donor Liver Transplantation

To evaluate the efficacy of stent placement in the treatment of portal vein (PV) stenosis or occlusion in living donor liver transplant (LDLT) recipients, 468 LDLT records were reviewed. Sixteen (10 PV occlusions and 6 stenoses) recipients (age range, 8 months–59 years) were referred for possible interventional angioplasty (dilatation and/or stent) procedures. Stent placement was attempted in all. The approaches used were percutaneous transhepatic (n = 10), percutaneous transsplenic (n = 4), and intraoperative (n = 2). Technical success was achieved in 11 of 16 patients (68.8%). The sizes of the stents used varied from 7 mm to 10 mm in diameter. In the five unsuccessful patients, long‐term complete occlusion of the PV with cavernous transformation precluded catherterization. The mean follow‐up was 12 months (range, 3–24). The PV stent patency rate was 90.9% (10/11). Rethrombosis and occlusion of the stent and PV occurred in a single recipient who had a cryoperserved vascular graft to reconstruct the PV during the LDLT operation. PV occlusion of >1 year with cavernous transformation seemed to be a factor causing technical failure. In conclusion, early treatment of PV stenosis and occlusion by stenting is an effective treatment in LDLT. Percutaneous transhepatic and transsplenic, and intraoperative techniques are effective approaches depending on the situation.

Liver graft-to-recipient spleen size ratio as a novel predictor of portal hyperperfusion syndrome in living donor liver transplantation.

Portal hyperperfusion in a small‐size liver graft is one cause of posttransplant graft dysfunction. We retrospectively analyzed the potential risk factors predicting the development of portal hyperperfusion in 43 adult living donor liver transplantation recipients. The following were evaluated: age, body weight, native liver disease, spleen size, graft size, graft‐to‐recipient weight ratio (GRWR), total portal flow, recipient portal venous flow per 100 g graft weight (RPVF), graft‐to‐recipient spleen size ratio (GRSSR) and portosystemic shunting. Spleen size was directly proportional to the total portal flow (p = 0.001) and RPVF (p = 0.014). Graft hyperperfusion (RPVF flow >250 mL/min/100 g graft) was seen in eight recipients. If the GRSSR was <0.6, 5 of 11 cases were found to have graft hyperperfusion (p = 0.017). The presence of portosystemic shunting was significant in decreasing excessive RPVF (p = 0.059). A decrease in portal flow in the hyperperfused grafts was achieved by intraoperative splenic artery ligation or splenectomy. Spleen size is a major factor contributing to portal flow after transplant. The GRSSR is associated with posttransplant graft hyperperfusion at a ratio of <0.6.

Long-term results of living donor liver transplantation for glycogen storage disorders in children†

Liver transplantation (LT) may be indicated in glycogen storage disorders (GSD) when medical treatment fails to control the metabolic problems or when hepatic adenomas develop. We present our institutional experience with living donor LT (LDLT) for children with GSD. A total of 244 patients underwent primary LDLT at our institution from June 1994 to December 2005. A total of 12 (5%) children (8 female and 4 male) were afflicted with GSD and were not responsive to medical treatment. Nine patients had GSD type I and 3 had GSD type III. The median age at the time of transplantation was 7.27 yr (range, 2.4‐15.7). All patients presented with metabolic abnormalities, including hypoglycemia, and lactic acidosis. In addition, 4 patients presented with growth retardation. A total of 11 patients received left lobe grafts and 1 received a right lobe graft. The mean graft‐to‐recipient weight ratio was 1.25 (range, 0.89‐1.61). Two patients had hepatic vein stenoses that were treated by balloon dilatation; 1 patient had bile leak, which settled spontaneously. The overall surgical morbidity rate was 25%. Three patients had hepatic adenomas in the explanted liver. There was a single mortality at 2 months posttransplantation due to acute pancreatitis and sepsis. The mean follow up was 47.45 months. The metabolic abnormalities were corrected and renal function remained normal. In patients with growth retardation, catch‐up growth was achieved posttransplantation. In conclusion, LDLT is a viable option to restore normal metabolic balance in patients with GSD when medical treatment fails. Long‐term follow‐up after LT for GSD shows excellent graft and patient survival. Liver Transpl 13:848–852, 2007.

Liver graft regeneration in right lobe adult living donor liver transplantation.

Optimal portal flow is one of the essentials in adequate liver function, graft regeneration and outcome of the graft after right lobe adult living donor liver transplantation (ALDLT). The relations among factors that cause sufficient liver graft regeneration are still unclear. The aim of this study is to evaluate the potential predisposing factors that encourage liver graft regeneration after ALDLT. The study population consisted of right lobe ALDLT recipients from Chang Gung Memorial Hospital‐Kaohsiung Medical Center, Taiwan. The records, preoperative images, postoperative Doppler ultrasound evaluation and computed tomography studies performed 6 months after transplant were reviewed. The volume of the graft 6 months after transplant divided by the standard liver volume was calculated as the regeneration ratio. The predisposing risk factors were compiled from statistical analyses and included age, recipient body weight, native liver disease, spleen size before transplant, patency of the hepatic venous graft, graft weight‐to‐recipient weight ratio (GRWR), posttransplant portal flow, vascular and biliary complications and rejection. One hundred forty‐five recipients were enrolled in this study. The liver graft regeneration ratio was 91.2 ± 12.6% (range, 58–151). The size of the spleen (p = 0.00015), total portal flow and GRWR (p = 0.005) were linearly correlated with the regeneration rate. Patency of the hepatic venous tributary reconstructed was positively correlated to graft regeneration and was statistically significant (p = 0.017). Splenic artery ligation was advantageous to promote liver regeneration in specific cases but splenectomy did not show any positive advantage. Spleen size is a major factor contributing to portal flow and may directly trigger regeneration after transplant. Control of sufficient portal flow and adequate hepatic outflow are important factors in graft regeneration.

Liver Regeneration and Splenic Enlargement in Donors after Living-Donor Liver Transplantation

Liver regeneration after donor hepactectomy offers a unique insight into the process of liver regeneration in normal livers. As the liver restores itself, concurrent splenic enlargement occurs. There are many theories about why this phenomenon takes place: some investigators have proposed a relative portal hypertension that leads to splenic congestion or, perhaps, the presence of a common growth factor that induces both the liver and spleen to enlarge. Between the months of June 2001 and May 2004, 112 live donor liver transplants (LDLTs) were performed in Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Kaohsiung, Taiwan. The total number of donor hepatectomies performed during this period was 113, however, because one of the cases required dual donors. Of our 113 donors, we eventually analyzed the data of 109; 4 patients were lost to follow-up 6 months later and were excluded from our study. The average age of our donor population was 32.32 ± 8.48 years. The mean liver volume at donation was noted to be 1207.72 ± 219.95 cm3, and 6 months later, it was 1027.18 ± 202.41 cm3. Expressed as a percentage of the original volume, the mean liver volume 6 months after hepatectomy was 90.70% ± 12.47% in this series. For right graft donors, mean liver volume after 6 months was 89.68% ± 12.37% of the original liver volume, whereas that for left graft donors was 91.99% ± 12.6%. Only 26 of the 109 (23.85%) donors were able to achieve full regeneration 6 months post-donation. Notably, liver function profiles of all donors were normal when measured 6 months after operation. The average splenic volume at donation as measured by computed tomography (CT) volumetry was 159 ± 58 cm3, and the splenic volume 6 months post-donation was 213 ± 85 cm3. There was a mean increment in splenic volume of 35% ± 28% 6 months after donation. The blood profiles of the donors were monitored; particular attention was given to platelet levels and liver function tests, and these were found to be within normal limits 6 months after operation. Of note, splenic enlargement was significantly greater among right-sided donors than their left-sided counterparts. Greater splenic enlargement was also observed in those donors who achieved full liver regeneration at their evaluation 6 months postoperatively than in those who did not. Although original liver volume was not re-established in most patients 6 months after liver donation, there seemed to have been no untoward effects to the donor. The factors that affect liver regeneration are complex and myriad. Although there is splenic enlargement at 6 months post-donation in donors of LDLT, there are no untoward effects of this enlargement.