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Along with the development of liver transplant techniques, clinical efficacy of liver transplantation has been significantly improved, and the survival of the recipients and liver grafts has been remarkably prolonged. However, the source of organ donation after citizen' s death still fails to meet the requirement of liver transplantation. The shortage of donor liver limits further development of liver transplantation. In recent years, living donor liver transplantation has been widely used in the treatment of patients with end-stage liver disease as one of the means to resolve organ shortage. As a special type of living donor liver transplantation, right posterior segmental graft liver transplantation provides a novel solution for expanding the potential donor pool for living donor liver transplantation. In this article, the development profile of living donor liver transplantation, donor selection of right posterior segmental graft for living donor liver transplantation, anatomical challenges of right posterior segmental graft procurement and surgical skills of right posterior segmental graft procurement were reviewed. Moreover, the prospect of right posterior segmental graft for living donor liver transplantation was predicted, aiming to promote the development of liver transplantation in clinical practice and bring benefits to more patients with end-stage liver diseases.
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Acute-on-chronic liver failure (ACLF) is a disease of rapid deterioration of liver function caused by the acute exacerbation of chronic liver diseases, and it is often associated with multiple organ failure and has a poorer prognosis than common liver cirrhosis. Many studies suggest that timely liver transplantation can significantly improve the survival rate of patients with ACLF; however, there are currently no reliable guidelines that point out the indications for liver transplantation in patients with ACLF. This article summarizes recent studies and discusses the indication, timing, and prognosis of liver transplantation in ALCF patients.
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Objective:To evaluate the efficacy of comprehensive anti-cancer treatment for lung metastases after liver transplantation (LT) for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).Methods:From March 2012 to July 2016, A total of 36 patients with lung metastasis after LT were divided into comprehensive anti-cancer treatment group (rapamycin + radioactive I 125 seed implantation + pulmonary artery infusion chemotherapy + sorafenib, n=22) and maintenance supportive care group ( n=14). The survival profiles of two groups were evaluated. Results:No significant inter-group differences existed in preoperative basic data, tumor pathology, time of pulmonary metastatic tumor after operation and lung metastasis tumor burden.In comprehensive anti-cancer treatment group, there were partial remission ( n=3), disease stability ( n=12) and disease progression after treatment ( n=7). In maintenance supportive care group, there were disease stability ( n=3) and disease progression after treatment ( n=11). And comprehensive anti-cancer treatment was superior to maintenance supportive care ( χ2=7.901, P=0.019). The median survival time after metastasis was 23 months (95%CI: 19.68-26.32) in comprehensive anti-cancer treatment group and 7 months (95%CI: 3.33-10.67) in maintenance supportive care group; 1-year survival rate 91% and 9%, 2-year survival rate 45% and 0% and 3-year survival rate 10% and 0% respectively.The survival rate of comprehensive anti-cancer treatment group was significantly better than that of maintenance supportive care group ( P<0.001). Conclusions:Comprehensive anti-cancer treatment (rapamycin + radioactive I 125 seed implantation + pulmonary artery infusion chemotherapy + sorafenib) can improve the survival time of patients with lung metastasis after liver transplantation for HCC.
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Objective:To compare the treatment outcomes of neoadjoint therapy combined with liver transplantation versus radical hepatectomy for patients with surgically resectable hilar cholangiocarcinoma.Methods:A retrospective study was performed on the data of 64 patients with resectable hilar cholangiocarcinoma operated from January 2009 to December 2014 at the Organ Transplantation Department of the First Central Hospital of Tianjin. There were 43 males and 21 females, with an average age of 61.2 years. There were 45 patients who underwent radical hepatectomy in the liver resection group, and 19 patients who underwent combined neoadjuvant therapy (radiotherapy combined with 5-fluorouracil intravenous drip, transcatheter lumen radiotherapy, capecitabine oral administration) and liver transplantation in the liver transplantation group. The recurrence rates and survival rate were compared between groups.Results:The 1, 3 and 5 years cumulative survival rates of the liver transplantation group were 89.5%, 73.7% and 63.2%, respectively, which were significantly better than those of the liver resection group (80.0%, 53.3% and 35.6%) ( P<0.05). The postoperative tumor recurrence rate in the liver transplantation group was 31.6% (6/19), which was significantly lower than that in the liver resection group of 60.0% (27/45) ( P<0.05). Subgroup analysis using postoperative pathological results showed the cumulative survival rates of patients without lymph node metastasis (N 0) and those with negative resection margins (R 0) were not significantly different between groups ( P>0.05). However, for patients with regional lymph node invasion (N 1) and with R 0 resection margin, the cumulative survival rates at 1, 3 and 5 years after liver transplantation were 83.3%, 66.7% and 50.0%, respectively, which were significantly superior to the 64.3%, 28.6% and 14.3% of the liver resection group ( P<0.05). Conclusion:Hepatectomy is recommended for patients with N 0 R 0 resectable hilar cholangiocarcinoma. For patients with hilar cholangiocarcinoma with marginally resectable N 1R 0, neoadjuvant therapy combined with liver transplantation resulted in significantly better long-term overall survival than resection.
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Liver cancer is a common liver malignant tumor and a common cause of death related to malignant tumors, which seriously threatens the lives of patients. In recent years, with the in-depth study of the occurrence and development of liver cancer, a clearer understanding of the occurrence and related molecular pathways of liver cancer has been developed, and a variety of molecular targeted drugs have been developed, mainly including anti-angiogenic drugs and immune checkpoints inhibitors. First-line anti-angiogenic drugs include sorafenib and lenvatinib, both of which can effectively prolong the survival of patients with unresectable advanced liver cancer. For patients with intolerable first-line drug adverse reactions or tumor progression during treatment, second-line drugs such as regorafenib and cabozantinib can also be selected, which may help prolong the survival of patients. Immune checkpoint inhibitors mainly include programmed cell death protein 1 and its ligand inhibitors and cytotoxic T lymphocyte-related antigen 4 inhibitors, both of which can inhibit immune checkpoints through a certain mechanism to prevent immune escape of tumor cells, and can effectively prolong the median survival time of patients with unresectable liver cancer. These two inhibitors are gradually being used in the clinical treatment of liver cancer.
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Objective To explore the early prognosis and the risk factors of delayed graft function (DGF) of the recipients undergoing liver transplantation from donor liver with moderate-to-severe steatosis. Methods Clinical data of 475 donors and 475 recipients undergoing liver transplantation from donor liver of organ donation after citizen's death were retrospectively analyzed. According to the classification criteria of steatosis proposed by Australia National Liver Transplantation Unit (ANLTU), all recipients were divided into the S0 group (no steatosis, n=308), S1 group (mild steatosis, n=97), S2 group (moderate steatosis, n=52) and S3 group (severe steatosis, n=18), respectively. The early postoperative death and incidence of postoperative complications were statistically compared among each group. The risk factors from donors, recipients and operation leading to DGF were analyzed by univariate and multivariate logistic regression models. Results The incidence of postoperative DGF in the S2 and S3 groups was significantly higher than that in the S1 and S0 groups (all P < 0.05). The incidence of postoperative DGF in the S3 group was remarkably higher than that in the S2 group (P < 0.05). The early postoperative fatality, the incidence of primary nonfunction (PNF) of the transplant liver, postoperative bleeding, infection, biliary complications and vascular complications did not significantly differ among each group (all P > 0.05). Univariate regression analysis showed that severe steatosis of donor liver, long cold ischemia time, high model for end-stage liver disease (MELD) score and tumors of the recipients before operation were the risk factors of DGF (all P < 0.05). Multivariate logistic regression analysis demonstrated that moderate-to-severe steatosis of donor liver, cold ischemia time > 8 h and MELD score > 30 of the recipients were the independent risk factors for early postoperative DGF. Conclusions The early-stage incidence of DGF after adult liver transplantation from donor liver with moderate-to-severe steatosis is high, whereas it does not affect the early survival rate of the recipients. The selection of donor liver with moderate-to-severe steatosis should be considered in combination with cold ischemia time of the donors and MELD score of the recipients before operation, etc.
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Objective To compare the difference of clinical efficacy between surgical magnifying glass and surgical microscope assisted hepatic artery reconstruction in living donor liver transplantation (LDLT). Methods Clinical data of 272 donors and recipients undergoing LDLT were retrospectively analyzed. According to different patterns of hepatic artery reconstruction, all recipients were divided into the magnifying glass group (n=189) and microscope group (n=83). The operation time, intraoperative blood loss, hepatic artery reconstruction site, diameter of anastomosis, incidence of postoperative complications and survival rate of recipients were statistically compared between two groups. Results Compared with the microscope group, the operation time, hepatic artery reconstruction time and intraoperative blood loss were significantly less in the magnifying glass group (all P < 0.001). The most common site of hepatic artery reconstruction was the right hepatic artery in two groups, and the diameter of anastomosis was (2.1±0.9) mm in the magnifying glass group and (2.1±0.8) mm in the microscope group, with no statistical significance between two groups (P > 0.05). The 1-, 2- and 3-year survival rates of recipients in the magnifying glass group were 88%, 86% and 85%, which did not significantly differ from 89%, 87% and 86% in the microscope group (all P > 0.05). The incidence of postoperative complications did not significantly differ between two groups (all P > 0.05). Conclusions The efficacy and safety of hepatic artery reconstruction in LDLT under surgical magnifying glass are equivalent to those under surgical microscope, with less operation workload and intraoperative blood loss. For experienced transplantation surgeons, it is recommended to perform hepatic artery reconstruction assisted by surgical magnifying glass.
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Liver transplantation is the most effective method for hepatitis B-related liver failure, liver cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. However, the reactivation of hepatitis B virus (HBV) after liver transplantation is not conducive to the recovery of liver function and leads to poor clinical prognosis. The prevention and treatment of HBV reactivation is currently the focus of research by physicians and surgeons. The current viral suppression strategies can not completely eradicate HBV nor completely prevent the recurrence of HBV infection in the future. This article aims to explore the molecular mechanism of HBV reactivation after liver transplantation, in order to more effectively prevent the recurrence of hepatitis B after liver transplantation.
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Objective To employ image post-processing technique measuring splenic volume for evaluating the mitigation effect of end-stage liver disease patients complicated with different degrees of hypersplenism undergoing orthotopic liver transplantation .Methods For 55 end-stage liver disease patients with hypersplenism undergoing orthotopic liver transplantation ,the changes in splenic volume were measured before and after transplantation by image post-processing system Advantage Workstation 46 (AW46) and the changes of splenic thickness ,portal flow velocity and platelet counts observed during perioperative period .Results Postoperative splenic volumes of 55 recipients were (562 .90 ± 49 .16) cm3 ,significantly decreased than preoperative (850 .50 ± 77 .99) cm3 (P< 0 .05) and reduction ratio was (31 .70 ± 2 .76 )％ . Splenic thickness at different postoperative timepoints was significantly lower than that pre-operation (P< 0 .05) and stabilized at 1 month post-transplantation ; Splenic volume was positively correlated with splenic thickness ( r = 0 .78 , P < 0 .05 ) . Portal flow velocity at different postoperative timepoints increased significantly as compared with preoperative ( P < 0 .05) ,peaked at (380 .70 ± 21 .80) mm/s at 1 month post-transplantation ,declined and stabilized at 3 months post-transplantation . Platelet counts (PLT ) at different postoperative timepoints were significantly higher than those at pre-operation ( P < 0 .05 ) ,peaked (193 .40 ± 10 .36 ) × 109 /L at 2 weeks post-transplantation ,dropped and remained at 2 months post-transplantation ;Splenic volume was negatively correlated with PLT ( r = -0 .44 , P < 0 .05 ) . And hypersplenism recovery rate and recurrence rate within 10 months post-transplantation was (78 .79 ± 2 .29 )％ and (17 .75 ± 2 .31 )％ respectively .Conclusions Orthotopic liver transplantation can effectively alleviate hypersplenism for most end-stage liver diseases .Using image post-processing system ,splenic volume may be calculated and blood routine and ultrasound are simultaneously used for assessing the outcomes of liver transplantation on hypersplenism .
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Objective To discuss the modified eversion thrombectomy for portal vein thrombosis (PVT) in liver transplantation and the curative effectiveness.Methods All 613 cases complicated with PVT preoperation were given modified eversion thrombectomy,and there were 179,236,182 and 16 cases of PVT Yerdel grade Ⅰ,Ⅱ,Ⅲ and Ⅳ respectively.Results All 415 PVT patients of grade Ⅰ and Ⅱ received modified eversion thrombectomy and success rate was 100％.Among 182 PVT patients of grade Ⅲ received modified eversion thrombectomy (success in 176 cases,and failure in 6 cases).Sixteen PVT patients of grade Ⅳ received modified eversion thrombectomy (success in 13 cases and failure in 3 cases).The 1-year survival rate of PVT patients after surgical operation was 93.6％,and that of non-PVT patients was 94.6％ (P＞0.05).Conclusion Modified eversion thrombectomy could be adopted in PVT patients regarding to different Yerdel grades.
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Objective To study long-term post-liver-transplantation hyperuricemia (HUA) and the influence of urate-lowering therapyon renal functions of adult patients.Methods Among 428 cases undergoing liver transplantations during March 2011 to December 2013,206 patients,whose followup periods were above 1 year,were selected as the objects of study.Those whose two-time serum uric acid (SUA) levels tested not in the same day one year after operation ＞420 μmol/L (male),or female ＞360 μmol/L (female) were divided into HUA group,and non-HUA group.The serum creatinine (SCr) concentrations and glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) were analyzedin the two groups at their peak SUA to find whether there was any difference between the two groups.Meanwhile,27 HUA patients with abnormal renal function were given urate-lowering therapy and the differences in SCr and eGFR after the therapy were observed.Results 49.5％ patients sufferedlong-term HUA after liver transplantations.As compared with non-HUA group,SCrconcentrations were increased statistically (P＜0.05),and eGFR was reduced statistically in HUA group (P＜0.05).After 8-week uratelowering therapy among 27 patients,SUA level in 24 cases (88.9％,24/27) returned to the normal standard and SCr concentrations in 21 cases (77.8％,21/27) decreased for a certain degree.SUA levels were decreased to (349.93 ± 22.85)μmol/L from (532.94 ± 93.91) μmol/L (P＜0.001).SCr concentrations were decreased to (129.52 ± 19.06)μmol/L from (144.95 ± 13.51) μmol/L (P =0.016).The eGFR increased to (56.30 ± 11.46) ml · min-1 · 1.73 m-2 from (46.46 ± 8.11) ml·min-1 ·1.73 m-2(P =0.012),which showed a certain degree of improvement in their renal functions.Conclusion HUA is a long-term common complication in liver transplanted adult patients,which has a negative influence on patients' renal functions,so we need to pay enough attention to this.Urate-lowing therapy has a positive influence on the improvement of renal function if other factors were excluded from the treatment.
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Objective To explore the role of VEGF positive expression in tumor tissue in the prognosis of liver transplantation for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).Method Fifty cases of liver transplant recipients with HCC confirmed immunohistochemically were enrolled in this study.The MaxVisionTM two-step method was applied to detect the expression of vascular endothelial growth factor(VEGF),and the microvessel density (MVD) was measured in para-cancerous tissues by using DAB staining.The correlation of the VEGF tumor tissue in tumor tissue with Child-Pugh,MELD,tumor diameter and number,differentiation,MVD,Milan criteria and UCSF criteria for HCC liver transplantation was analyzed.Result In the HCC tissue,the VEGF positive expression rate was 52％(26/50).The one-year survival of recipients positive and negative for VEGF was 78％ and 100％,respectively,and one-year recurrence rate was 32％ and 12％,respectively,with the difference being significant (P =0.043 and P =0.048 respectively).The expression of VEGF was associated with Child-Pugh,tumor diameter,MVD,Milan criteria and UCSF criteria (P＜0.05 for all).Logistic regression analysis showed that low differentiation and VEGF positive expression were independent prognostic factors for HCC recurrence after liver transplantation.Conclusion VEGF has a certain reference value to judge HCC invasiveness and prognosis of liver transplantation.
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ObjectiveTo explore the application and significance of assisted laparoscopic hepatectomy (ALH) in living-donor-hepatectomy.MethodsWe successfully performed 7 cases of ALH of right hepatectomy on living donor from 30/5/2011 to 1/9/2011.ResultsThe donors recovered well with ratio of remnant lver:32.10％ ～38.31 ％,good liver fuction,little pain and no surgical complications.All the wound sutured intracuteneously was taken out stitches 7 days after operation and healed perfectly.Liver function got normal 2 weeks after operation.Conclusions ALH,which gives the consideration to both the minimal invasion of laparoscopic surgery and safe of open surgery,can be applied safely in hepatectomy of living donor and highly acceptible for donor and receptor.