S. Sevmis

Analysis of Vascular Complications After Renal Transplantation

PURPOSE Despite medical and surgical advances, vascular complications remain common after renal transplant, occurring among 3%-15% of patients. These complications may compromise graft function. This study sought to evaluate the frequency and management of vascular complications after renal transplant. MATERIALS AND METHODS We retrospectively analyzed the 1843 transplantations performed at 2 centers by our team since November 1975. The 1349 male and 494 female patients had an overall mean age of 31.5±11.2 years; (range, 3-66). Grafts were obtained from a living-related donor in 1406 (76.29%) or a deceased donor in the remaining 437 (23.71%). The mean donor age was 40.7±13.7 years (range, 2-76). Of 1843 transplants, multiple vascular anastomoses were performed in 155 cases (8.4%), including 130 involving renal arteries and 25 renal veins. RESULTS Forty-seven vascular complications (2.55%) were observed in 43 procedures (2.33%), most frequently renal artery stenosis (n=14). It was followed by allograft renal artery kinking (n=7), renal vein kinking (n=7), renal artery thrombosis (n=5), renal vein laceration (n=4), renal artery laceration (n=3), renal vein thrombosis (n=2), renal artery disruption (n=2), renal and iliac vein obstructions owing to pressure from a lymphocele (n=1), renal artery and vein obstruction owing to pressure from a hematoma (n=1), or an arteriovenous fistula after percutaneous graft biopsy (n=1). Fifteen of these 47 complications were treated by interventional radiologic procedures. CONCLUSION The vascular complication rates in our patients were somewhat lower than those reported in the literature. A thorough understanding of how complications impair allograft function and survival is essential for adequate treatment. Interventional radiology is invaluable in the postoperative management of transplant-related complications.

MR Cholangiopancreatography with T2-Weighted Prospective Acquisition Correction Turbo Spin-Echo Sequence of the Biliary Anatomy of Potential Living Liver Transplant Donors

OBJECTIVE The objective of our study was to evaluate the ability of a respiratory navigator-triggered T2-weighted turbo spin-echo (TSE) sequence with a prospective acquisition correction (PACE) technique for MR cholangiopancreatography (MRCP) to depict the biliary anatomy of living donor liver transplantation (LDLT) donors. SUBJECTS AND METHODS Forty potential LDLT donors who ranged in age from 19 to 54 years were prospectively evaluated with preoperative MRCP. MRCP was performed with a 1.5-T magnetic field using T2-weighted PACE TSE sequence. MRCP source data sets were processed with maximum-intensity-projection (MIP) and shaded surface display (SSD) algorithms. Findings were compared with intraoperative cholangiography. Biliary anatomy was classified according to the classification proposed by Huang and colleagues. The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV), and negative predictive value (NPV) of MRCP for the detection of aberrant biliary anatomy were calculated. RESULTS Intraoperative cholangiography and biliary exploration revealed that 27 donor candidates (67.5%) had conventional and 13 (32.5%) had aberrant biliary anatomy. Two donors (5%) had type B biliary anatomy; eight donors (20%), type C; two donors (5%), type D; and one donor (2.5%), unclassified. The sensitivity of MRCP source data sets in differentiating aberrant biliary anatomies from nonaberrant ones was 100%, the specificity was 88.9%, and the accuracy was 92.5%. PPV and NPV were 81.3% and 100%, respectively. The sensitivity of MIP images in differentiating aberrant biliary anatomies was 100%, the specificity was 88.9%, and the accuracy was 92.5%. PPV and NPV were 81.3% and 100%, respectively. The sensitivity, specificity, accuracy, PPV, and NPV of the SSD images in detecting aberrant biliary anatomies were 100%, 77.8%, 85%, 68.4%, and 100%, respectively. CONCLUSION Preoperative MRCP using a respiratory navigator-triggered T2-weighted TSE sequence with a PACE technique accurately depicts the biliary anatomy in LDLT donors and may guide intraoperative management of the biliary tract.

Acute necrotizing pancreatitis as a rare complication of extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy.

Abstract  Extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL) is considered the standard treatment for most renal and upper ureteral stones. Some centers use ESWL to treat bile duct stones and pancreatic calculi. Although ESWL is generally considered safe and effective, major complications, including acute pancreatitis, perirenal hematoma, urosepsis, venous thrombosis, biliary obstruction, bowel perforation, lung injury, rupture of an aortic aneurysm and intracranial hemorrhage, have been reported to occur in less than 1% of patients. Here, we present an extremely rare case of acute necrotizing pancreatitis occurring after ESWL for a right‐sided urinary stone, which was treated by non‐operative percutaneous interventions.

Conversion to Sirolimus for Chronic Allograft Nephropathy and Calcineurin Inhibitor Toxicity and the Adverse Effects of Sirolimus After Conversion

BACKGROUND Chronic allograft nephropathy and calcineurin inhibitor toxicity may cause graft loss. After kidney transplantation, especially among those patients with chronic allograft nephropathy, sirolimus may be a good alternative to calcineurin inhibitors. Unlike calcineurin inhibitors, sirolimus is devoid of significant nephrotoxicity, but approximately 30% to 50% of patients on sirolimus therapy display mild or severe adverse effects. We sought to report our experience with sirolimus conversion among patients with chronic allograft nephropathy as well as the mild versus severe adverse effects that limit the drugs use. MATERIALS AND METHODS We analyzed the outcomes of 88 patients (64 men and 24 women) of overall mean age of 35.9 +/- 9.9 years (range, 21-59 years) who had undergone kidney transplantation. Immunosuppressive therapy had been converted from a calcineurin inhibitor to sirolimus because of biopsy-proven chronic allograft nephropathy, calcineurin inhibitor toxicity, or presence of malignancy. We excluded patients with prior acute rejection episodes. Subjects were divided into two groups with respect to their creatinine levels: Group A < 2 mg/dL and Group B >or= 2 mg/dL. After conversion to sirolimus, possible adverse effects of sirolimus were evaluated at the follow-up inset. Each patient underwent a physical examination, and estimation of serum lipid and electrolyte levels as well as hemoglobin concentration. RESULTS At the time of conversion of the 88 renal transplant patients, their mean duration after grafting was 48 +/- 15 months (range, 4-296). The prior treatment consisted of a calcineurin inhibitor, prednisolone, and mycophenolate mofetil. After conversion, the calcineurin inhibitor was stopped and sirolimus was begun. The 48 Group 2 patients (34 men, 14 women) of overall mean posttransplant time of 22.7 +/- 14.6 months who underwent conversion displayed a mean serum creatinine increase to 3.2 +/- 1.4 mg/dL, including 17 subjects who underwent rejection. The 40 Group 1 patients (30 men, 10 women) with a mean overall posttransplant period of 67.6 +/- 49.9 months showed an fall in serum creatinine level to 1.4 +/- 0.5 mg/dL among only 3 patients. While 5/88 patients showed no increase in proteinuria (5.6%); 83 (94.4%) did experience it. Proteinuria increased from a mean of 192 +/- 316 to 449 +/- 422 mg/d. Only three patients displayed heavy proteinuria (>3 g/d); sirolimus was discontinued for this reason. Proteinuria was well controlled in the other patients with angiotensin-converting enzyme and/or angiotensin II receptor inhibitor agents. After sirolimus conversion, serum cholesterol levels increased from 187 +/- 42 to 214 +/- 52 mg/dL, and serum triglyceride levels increased from 161 +/- 61 to 194 +/- 102 mg/dL. All but four patients responded to statin therapy, with serum lipid levels falling to acceptable levels. Another four patients developed unilateral lower extremity edema with sirolimus discontinued for this reason. One patient displayed generalized arthralgia. CONCLUSION Chronic allograft nephropathy or calcineurin inhibitor toxicity can lead to loss of graft kidney function. Calcineurin inhibitor toxicity can lead to chronic allograft nephropathy. Patients with a low baseline serum creatinine level who undergo sirolimus conversion showed stabilized kidney function. Late conversion of patients with a serum creatinine above 2 mg/dL face a risk of graft failure. Sirolimus displayed a limited incidence of serious adverse effects; mild or moderate adverse effects, such as hyperlipidemia and proteinuria, were easily controlled with countermeasure therapy.

Liver transplantation in management of alveolar echinococcosis: two case reports.

Hepatic alveolar echinococcosis is an infectious disease caused by the larval stage of Echinococcus multilocularis, which grows primarily in the liver of an infected person and develops as a tumorlike lesion. In advanced cases, the organisms infiltrate every organ neighboring the liver and spread hematogenously to distant organs such as lungs and brain. Surgical resection and liver transplantation are accepted treatment options for early and advanced disease, respectively. Herein, we present case reports of 2 patients with advanced alveolar echinococcal disease that invaded both lobes of the liver and neighboring vital structures including the inferior vena cava. Despite the technical difficulty of the surgery, both patients were successfully treated with living donor liver transplantation. Liver transplantation should be accepted as a life-saving treatment of choice in patients with alveolar echinococcosis for whom there is no other medical or surgical treatment options.

Management of Early Hepatic Arterial Thrombosis After Pediatric Living-Donor Liver Transplantation

PURPOSE Early hepatic arterial thrombosis after living-donor liver transplantation is a cause of graft loss and patient mortality. We analyzed early hepatic arterial thrombosis after pediatric living-donor liver transplantation. MATERIALS AND METHODS Since September 2001, we performed 122 living-donor liver transplants on 119 children. Ten hepatic arterial thromboses developed in the early postoperative period. The 7 male and 4 female patients of overall mean age of 6.3±6.1 years underwent 5 left lateral segment, 3 right lobe, and 2 left lobe transplantations. RESULTS Among 10 children with hepatic arterial thrombosis, 8 diagnoses were made before any elevation of liver function tests. One child displayed fever at the time of the hepatic arterial thrombosis. The median time for diagnosis was 5 days. Hepatic arterial thrombosis was treated with interventional radiologic techniques in 9 children, with 1 undergoing surgical exploration owing to failed radiologic approaches, and a reanastomosis using a polytetrafluoroethylene graft. Successful revascularization was achieved in all children, except 1. Four children died, the remaining 6 are alive with good graft function. During the mean follow-up of 52.7±18.8 months, multiple intrahepatic biliary stenoses were identified in 1 child. CONCLUSION Routine Doppler ultrasonography is effective for the early diagnosis of hepatic arterial thrombosis. Interventional radiologic approaches such as arterial thrombolysis and intraluminal stent placement should be the first therapeutic choices for patients with early hepatic arterial thrombosis; if radiologic methods fail, one must consider surgical exploration or retransplantation.

Appendiceal endometriosis presenting as perforated appendicitis: report of a case and review of the literature

While endometriosis is a common disorder in women of reproductive age, appendiceal endometriosis accounts for less than 1% of all pelvic endometriotic lesions. Involvement at this site may present as acute appendicitis and be diagnosed only upon postoperative histopathologic examination. We report such an occurrence of appendiceal endometriosis in a 40-year-old woman who presented with acute perforated appendicitis.

Liver transplantation for hepatocellular carcinoma in children

Abstract:  We present our experience with living‐donor liver transplantation in the treatment of nine children with hepatocellular carcinoma. Between January 2001 and March 2007, we performed 81 liver transplantations in 79 children at our center. Nine of the 79 children (11.3%; mean age, 9.7 ± 5.5 yr; age range, 12 months–16 yr; male‐to‐female ratio, 2:1) underwent an living‐donor liver transplantation because of hepatocellular carcinoma. Two of nine children received right lobe grafts, three received left lateral segment grafts, and the remaining four children received a left lobe graft. According to the TNM staging system, two children had stage 1 carcinoma, three had stage 2, and four had stage 4A1. The mean follow‐up was 19.8 ± 10.6 months (range: 7–32 months). There has been only one tumor recurrence, which occurred in the omentum 26 months after liver transplantation. There was no evidence of recurrence or AFP elevation in the other eight children. Both graft and patient survival rates are 100%. In conclusion, liver transplantation is a life‐saving procedure for children with chronic liver disease with accompanying hepatocellular carcinoma. During follow‐up of patients with chronic liver disease, serial AFP screening and combined radiologic imaging studies should be mandatory.

Effect of Restrictive Fluid Management and Acute Normovolemic Intraoperative Hemodilution on Transfusion Requirements During Living Donor Hepatectomy

The aim of this study was to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of a restrictive fluid management strategy and acute normovolemic intraoperative hemodilution (ANIH) to decrease transfusion requirements among living-donors for liver transplantation (LDLT). We retrospectively reviewed the data of 114 consecutive LDLT donors. The patients were divided into 2 groups based on whether (Group I; n = 73) or not (Group II; n = 41) a restrictive fluid management strategy with ANIH was used during the procedure. For each group we recorded demographic features, intraoperative and postoperative transfusions, amount of administered intraoperative crystalloid and colloids, intraoperative hemodynamics, preoperative and postoperative laboratory values (renal and liver functions), intraoperative and postoperative urine output, and length of hospital stay. Demographic features and preoperative laboratory values were similar for the 2 groups, except for age (Group I, 36 +/- 9 vs Group II, 33 +/- 8; P = .04). Intraoperatively, 7 patients (10%) in Group 1 and 9 (22%) in Group II required blood transfusions (P = .06). The respective amount of heterologous blood transfusion for Groups I and II was 96 +/- 321 mL vs 295 +/- 678 mL (P = .06). Postoperative renal and liver functions were not different between the 2 groups (P > .05). Patients in Group I had a shorter hospital stay than those in Group II (8.2 +/- 4.6 days vs 10.1 +/- 4.9 days; P = .03). In conclusion, a restrictive fluid management strategy with ANIH was a safe blood-salvage technique for LDLT. This approach was also associated with decreased length of hospital stay and a trend toward decreased transfusion requirements.

Liver Transplantation for Biliary Atresia

Biliary atresia is the most common indication for liver transplantation (OLT) in children. We present our experience with OLT as a treatment for end-stage liver disease in children with biliary atresia. We performed a retrospective review of 20 biliary atresia patients (11 male, 9 female patients; mean age, 21.4 months; range, 6 to 84 months) who had undergone OLT. Mean preoperative weight and height were 10.1 +/- 5.8 kg and 72.5 cm, respectively. Thirteen recipients were younger than 1 year of age, and 15 weighed less than 10 kg at the time of OLT. Fourteen recipients had undergone a Kasai operation prior to the OLT. The mean serum total bilirubin level was 22.56 mg/dL before OLT. Eighteen left lateral segment grafts and two whole grafts were transplanted. The mean recipient operative time was 9.25 hours. The mean recipient intraoperative blood loss was 1.81 U. Two hepatic arterial thromboses and one biliary leak occurred soon after surgery. Portal vein stenoses developed in two recipients at 10 and 12 months after OLT; both were treated with balloon dilatation. Two biliary stenoses, which occurred at 10 months and 3.5 years after surgery, were treated with balloon dilatation. Two recipients died at 2 and 12 days after OLT because of respiratory distress syndrome and sepsis, respectively. The remaining 18 (90%) recipients are alive with good graft function. The overall rejection rate was 31.25%. OLT is an effective treatment for children with biliary atresia and a failed Kasai procedure. Living related liver grafts represented an excellent organ supply for these patients.