Xin-Hua Zhu

Effects of ω-3 Fish Oil Lipid Emulsion Combined With Parenteral Nutrition on Patients Undergoing Liver Transplantation

BACKGROUNDnThe effect of parenteral nutrition (PN) support supplemented with ω-3 fatty acids was investigated in a randomized, controlled clinical trial at the Affiliated Drum Tower Hospital, Medical School of Nanjing University.nnnMATERIALS AND METHODSnNinety-eight patients with the diagnosis of end-stage liver disease or hepatic cellular carcinoma were admitted for orthotopic liver transplantation at the Affiliated Drum Tower Hospital. The patients were randomly divided into 3 groups: diet group (n = 32), PN group (n = 33), and polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) group (n = 33). Patients in the PN and PUFA groups received isocaloric and isonitrogenous PN for 7 days after surgery. Venous heparin blood samples were obtained for assay on days 2 and 9 after surgery. A pathological test was performed after reperfusion of the donor liver and on day 9.nnnRESULTSnAlanine aminotransferase levels were improved significantly by PUFA treatment compared with traditional PN support (P < .05). Compared with the results on day 9 in the PN group, a significant difference was seen in the extent of increase of the prognostic nutrition index and prealbumin in the PUFA group. The pathological results also showed that ω-3 fatty acid supplementation reduced hepatic cell injury. PUFA therapy also decreased the incidence of infectious morbidities and shortened the posttransplant hospital stay significantly.nnnCONCLUSIONnPosttransplant PN support can greatly improve metabolism of protein and nutrition states of patients. ω-3 fatty acid-supplemented PN significantly reduces injury of the transplanted liver, decreases the incidence of infectious morbidities, and shortens posttransplant hospital stay.

Liver-protecting effects of omega-3 fish oil lipid emulsion in liver transplantation

AIMnTo investigate the liver-protecting effect of parenteral nutrition (PN) support with omega-3 fatty acids in a randomized controlled clinical trial.nnnMETHODSnSixty-six patients with the diagnosis of end-stage liver disease or hepatic cellular carcinoma were admitted to the Affiliated Drum Tower Hospital, Nanjing University, China for orthotopic liver transplantation. The patients were randomly divided into two groups: PN group (n = 33) and polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) group (n = 33). All patients received isocaloric and isonitrogenous PN for seven days after surgery, and in PUFA group omega-3 fish oil lipid emulsion replaced part of the standard lipid emulsion. Liver function was tested on days 2 and 9 after surgery. Pathological examination was performed after reperfusion of the donor liver and on day 9. Clinical outcome was assessed based on the post-transplant investigations, including: (1) post-transplant mechanical ventilation; (2) total hospital stay; (3) infectious morbidities; (4) acute and chronic rejection; and (5) mortality (intensive care unit mortality, hospital mortality, 28-d mortality, and survival at a one-year post-transplant surveillance period).nnnRESULTSnOn days 2 and 9 after operation, a significant decrease of alanine aminotransferase (299.16 U/L ± 189.17 U/L vs 246.16 U/L ± 175.21 U/L, P = 0.024) and prothrombin time (5.64 s ± 2.06 s vs 2.54 s ± 1.15 s, P = 0.035) was seen in PUFA group compared with PN group. The pathological results showed that omega-3 fatty acid supplement improved the injury of hepatic cells. Compared with PN group, there was a significant decrease of post-transplant hospital stay in PUFA group (18.7 d ± 4.0 d vs 20.6 d ± 4.6 d, P = 0.041). Complications of infection occurred in 6 cases of PN group (2 cases of pneumonia, 3 cases of intra-abdominal abscess and 1 case of urinary tract infection), and in 3 cases of PUFA group (2 cases of pneumonia and 1 case of intra-abdominal abscess). No acute or chronic rejection and hospital mortality were found in both groups. The one-year mortality in PN group was 9.1% (3/33), one died of pulmonary infection, one died of severe intra-hepatic cholangitis and hepatic dysfunction and the other died of hepatic cell carcinoma recurrence. Only one patient in PUFA group (1/33, 3.1%) died of biliary complication and hepatic dysfunction during follow-up.nnnCONCLUSIONnPost-transplant parenteral nutritional support combined with omega-3 fatty acids can significantly improve the liver injury, reduce the infectious morbidities, and shorten the post-transplant hospital stay.

Effect of early enteral combined with parenteral nutrition in patients undergoing pancreaticoduodenectomy

AIMnTo investigate the effect of early enteral nutrition (EEN) combined with parenteral nutritional support in patients undergoing pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD).nnnMETHODSnFrom January 2006, all patients were given EEN combined with parenteral nutrition (PN) (EEN/PN group, n = 107), while patients prior to this date were given total parenteral nutrition (TPN) (TPN group, n = 67). Venous blood samples were obtained for a nutrition-associated assessment and liver function tests on the day before surgery and 6 d after surgery. The assessment of clinical outcome was based on postoperative complications. Follow-up for infectious and noninfectious complications was carried out for 30 d after hospital discharge. Readmission within 30 d after discharge was also recorded.nnnRESULTSnCompared with the TPN group, a significant decrease in prealbumin (PAB) (P = 0.023) was seen in the EEN/PN group. Total bilirubin (TB), direct bilirubin (DB) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) were significantly decreased on day 6 in the EEN/PN group (P = 0.006, 0.004 and 0.032, respectively). The rate of gradeu200aIu200acomplications, grade II complications and the length of postoperative hospital stay in the EEN/PN group were significantly decreased (P = 0.036, 0.028 and 0.021, respectively), and no hospital mortality was observed in our study. Compared with the TPN group (58.2%), the rate of infectious complications in the EEN/PN group (39.3%) was significantly decreased (P = 0.042). Eleven cases of delayed gastric emptying were noted in the TPN group, and 6 cases in the EEN/PN group. The rate of delayed gastric emptying and hyperglycemia was significantly reduced in the EEN/PN group (P = 0.031 and P = 0.040, respectively).nnnCONCLUSIONnEarly enteral combined with PN can greatly improve liver function, reduce infectious complications and delayed gastric emptying, and shorten postoperative hospital stay in patients undergoing PD.

Nutrition support with glutamine dipeptide in patients undergoing liver transplantation.

AIMnThe effect of total parenteral nutrition (TPN) support supplemented with alanyl-glutamine (Ala-Gln) dipeptide was investigated in a randomized, controlled clinical trial.nnnMETHODSnSixty-five patients with the diagnosis of end-stage liver disease or hepatic cellular carcinoma admitted for orthotopic liver transplantation were randomly divided into 3 groups: diet group (n = 21), TPN group (n = 22), and Gln group (n = 22). Patients in the TPN and Gln groups received isocaloric and isonitrogenous TPN for 7 days. Venous heparin blood samples were obtained for assay on days 2 and 9 after surgery; we performed routine pathologic tests.nnnRESULTSnCompared with the results on day 9 in the TPN group, there was a significant increase in the prognostic nutrition index and in prealbumin among the Gln group. Aspartate aminotransferase improved significantly by Gln treatment compared with traditional TPN support (P < .05). The pathologic results also showed Gln supplementation to reduce hepatic cell injury. A significant decrease in postoperative hospital stay was observed in the Gln group.nnnCONCLUSIONSnPosttransplant TPN support greatly improved protein metabolism and nutritional state of patients. TPN with Ala-Gln helped to improve synthetic function and to reduce the injury to a transplanted liver.

Comparative Analysis of the Efficacy and Complications of Nasojejunal and Jejunostomy on Patients Undergoing Pancreaticoduodenectomy

BACKGROUNDnThe efficacy and feeding-related complications of a nasojejunal feeding tube and jejunostomy after pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD) was investigated with a randomized, controlled clinical trial at the Affiliated Drum Tower Hospital.nnnMETHODSnSixty-eight patients who underwent PD in the Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery were randomly divided into 2 groups: 34 patients received enteral feeding via a nasojejunal tube (NJT group) and 34 patients received enteral feeding via a jejunostomy tube (JT group). The assessment of clinical outcome was based on postoperative investigation of complications. The second part of the assessment included tube related complications and an index on catheter efficiency.nnnRESULTSnThere were 15 cases with infectious complications in the JT group and 13 cases in the NJT group, and there was no significant difference in the rate of infectious complications between the 2 groups. The rate of intestinal obstruction and delayed gastric emptying was significantly decreased in the NJT group (P < .05). Catheter-related complications were more common in the JT group as compared with the NJT group (35.3% vs 20.6%, P < .05). The time for removal of the feeding tube and nasogastric tube was significantly decreased in the NJT group. The postoperative hospital stay in the NJT group was significantly decreased (P < .05), and there was no hospital mortality in this study.nnnCONCLUSIONnNasojejunal feeding is safer than jejunostomy, and it is associated with only minor complications. Nasojejunal feeding can significantly decrease the incidence of delayed gastric emptying and shorten the postoperative hospital stay.

Effects of warm ischemia time on biliary injury in rat liver transplantation

AIMnTo investigate the effect of different secondary warm ischemia time (SWIT) on bile duct injury in liver-transplanted rats.nnnMETHODSnForty-eight male inbred Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly assigned into four groups: a sham-operation group and three groups with secondary biliary warm ischemia time of 0 min, 10 min and 20 min. A rat model of autologous liver transplantation under ether anesthesia was established, and six rats were killed in each group and blood samples and the median lobe of the liver were collected for assay at 6 h and 24 h after hepatic arterial reperfusion.nnnRESULTSnWith prolongation of biliary warm ischemia time, the level of vascular endothelial growth factor-A was significantly decreased, and the value at 24 h was higher than that at 6 h after hepatic arterial reperfusion, but with no significant difference. The extended biliary SWIT led to a significant increase in bile duct epithelial cell apoptosis, and a decrease in the number of blood vessels, the bile duct surrounding the blood vessels and bile duct epithelial cell proliferation in the early postoperative portal area. Pathologic examinations showed that inflammation of the rat portal area was aggravated, and biliary epithelial cell injury was significantly worsened.nnnCONCLUSIONnA prolonged biliary warm ischemia time results in aggravated injury of the bile duct and the surrounding vascular plexus in rat autologous orthotopic liver transplantation.

Effect of Parenteral Fish Oil Lipid Emulsion in Parenteral Nutrition Supplementation Combined With Enteral Nutrition Support in Patients Undergoing Pancreaticoduodenectomy

BACKGROUNDnThe effect of parenteral fish oil lipid emulsion in parenteral nutrition (PN) supplementation combined with enteral nutrition (EN) support on pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD) was investigated with a randomized controlled clinical trial at the Affiliated Drum Tower Hospital.nnnMATERIALS AND METHODSnSeventy-six patients who underwent PD in the Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery were randomly divided into 2 groups: the polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) group (n = 38) and control group (n = 38). Patients in the PUFA group received parenteral fish oil lipid emulsion supplementation combined with early EN support for 5 days after PD. Venous blood samples were obtained for assay on the day before surgery and on day 6 after surgery.nnnRESULTSnCompared with the results of the control group, a significant difference was seen in the extent of the decrease in total protein and prealbumin in the PUFA group (P < .05). Alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) were significantly decreased on day 6 in the PUFA group (P < .01), and a significant difference was seen in the extent of decrease in ALT, AST, and LDH in the PUFA group (P < .05). The ratio of infectious complications in the PUFA group was significantly decreased, as well as the postoperative hospital stay (P < .05), and there was no hospital mortality in this study.nnnCONCLUSIONnParenteral fish oil lipid emulsion in PN supplementation combined with EN support can greatly improve the nutrition state and liver function of patients, decrease the incidence of infectious morbidities, and shorten the postoperative hospital stay.

Establishment of a rat liver transplantation model with prolonged biliary warm ischemia time

AIMnTo investigate the impact of different time points of secondary warm ischemia on bile duct in a rat autologous liver transplantation model with external bile drainage.nnnMETHODSnOne hundred and thirty-six male inbred SD rats were randomly assigned to one of four groups (I-IV) according to the secondary warm ischemia time of 0, 10, 20 and 40 min. A rat model of autologous liver transplantation with continuous external biliary drainage under ether anesthesia was established. Ten rats in each group were used to evaluate the one-week survival rate. At 6 h, 24 h, 3 d and 7 d after reperfusion of the hepatic artery, 6 rats were killed in each group to collect the blood sample via the infrahepatic vena cava and the median lobe of liver for assay. Warm ischemia time of liver, cold perfusion time, anhepatic phase, operative duration for biliary external drainage and survival rates in the four groups were analyzed for the establishment of models.nnnRESULTSnNo significant difference was shown in warm ischemia time, anhepatic phase and operative duration for biliary external drainage among the four groups. Five of the 40 rats in this study evaluated for the one-week survival rate died, including three deaths of severe pulmonary infection in group IV. A significant decrease of one-week survival rate in group IV was noted compared with the other three groups. With the prolongation of the biliary warm ischemia time, the indexes of the liver function assessment were significantly elevated, and biliary epithelial cell apoptosis index also increased. Pathological examinations showed significantly aggravated inflammation in the portal area and bile duct epithelial cell injury with the prolonged secondary warm ischemia time. Microthrombi were found in the micrangium around the biliary tract in some sections from groups III and IV.nnnCONCLUSIONnThe relationship between secondary warm ischemia time and the bile duct injury degree is time-dependent, and 20 min of secondary warm ischemia time is feasible for the study of bile duct injury.

The Clinical Study of Precise Hemihepatectomy Guided by Middle Hepatic Vein

ObjectiveThis study was designed to analyze the feasibility of classification for hepatic veins preoperatively and to evaluate the safety and therapeutic efficacy of precise hemihepatectomy guided by middle hepatic vein.MethodsThirty patients who underwent precise hemihepatectomy (PH group) were subjected to multi-slice helical CT hepatic venography preoperatively to achieve Nakamura’s and Kawasaki’s classification of hepatic veins. The hemihepatectomy was performed precisely by the guidance of middle hepatic vein, which was revealed by the hepatic venography and confirmed with intraoperative ultrasound. The clinical data of these patients were compared with other 38 traditional hemihepatectomy patients (control group). The amount of intraoperative bleeding and blood transfusion, liver function recovery, postoperative complications, and 1-year follow-up data were compared between two groups.ResultsThe ratios of Nakamura’s classification type I, II, and III of hepatic veins were 56.7xa0% (17/30), 26.7xa0% (8/30), and 16.7xa0% (5/30), respectively; The percentages of Kawasaki’s classification type I and II of hepatic veins were 36.7xa0% (11/30) and 63.3xa0% (19/30), respectively. The total 30 cases of precise hemihepatectomies were performed successfully, including 13 cases of right hemihepatectomy without MHV, 15 cases of left hemihepatectomy without MHV, 1 case of right hemihepatectomy with MHV, and 1 case of left hemihepatectomy with MHV. There was no significant difference in operation-related mortality, the amount of intraoperative bleeding and blood transfusion, as well as serum alanine aminotransferase, total bilirubin, and cholinesterase of the third postoperative day between the two groups. However, negative resection margin and albumin level were more favorable in precise hemihepatectomy group than control group. In addition, the incidence of postoperative pleural effusion and seroperitoneum was decreased significantly in precise hemihepatectomy group. The 1-year, tumor-free survival rate was 79xa0% (15/19) In PH group, which is 48xa0% in control group.ConclusionsPreoperative evaluation of hepatic veins is of great value for individual operative program via determination of anatomical type of hepatic veins. Precise hemihepatectomy could preserve functional liver tissue with complete venous return to a great extent, resulting in fewer incidences of postoperative pleural effusion and seroperitoneum. Precise hemihepatectomy also has the potential to achieve more adequate tumor-free resection margin, which may result in higher tumor-free survival rate.

Risk Factors for Post-Transplant Death in Donation after Circulatory Death Liver Transplantation

ABSTRACT Purpose: In spite of the increasing success of liver transplantation, there remains inevitable risk of postoperative complications, re-operations, and even death. Risk factors that correlate with post-transplant death have not been fully identified. Materials and Methods: We performed a retrospective analysis of 65 adults that received donation after circulatory death liver transplantation. Binary logistic regression and Coxs proportional hazards regression were employed to identify risk factors that associate with postoperative death and the length of survival period. Results: Twenty-two recipients (33.8%) deceased during 392.3 ± 45.6 days. The higher preoperative Child–Pugh score (p = .007), prolonged postoperative ICU stay (p = .02), and more postoperative complications (p = .0005) were observed in deceased patients. Advanced pathological staging (p = .02) with more common nerve invasion (p = .03), lymph node invasion (p = .02), and para-tumor satellite lesion (p = .01) were found in deceased group. The higher pre-transplant Child–Pugh score was a risk factor for post-transplant death (OR = 4.38, p = .011), and was correlated with reduced post-transplant survival period (OR = 0.35, p = .009). Nerve invasion was also a risk factor for post-transplant death (OR = 13.85, p = .014), although it failed to affect survival period. Conclusions: Our study emphasizes the impact of recipients pre-transplant liver function as well as pre-transplant nerve invasion by recipients liver cancer cells on postoperative outcome and survival period in patients receiving liver transplantation.