The General Rules for the Study of Primary Liver Cancer

The General Rules for the Study of Primary Liver Cancer was published in June 2001 as the first edition. Since then, the 5th edition of the General Rules for the Study of Primary Liver Cancer was published by the 17th Committee of the Korean Liver Cancer Association based on the most recent data. The 5th edition of the General Rules for the Study of Primary Liver Cancer ranged over numerous topics such as anatomy, medical assessment of the patients, staging of hepatocellular carcinoma, description of the image findings, summary of hepatic resection, description of the surgical specimens, liver transplantation, reporting the pathological findings, pathological examinations of liver specimen, non-surgical treatment, radiotherapy, and assessment of tumor response after non-surgical treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma. The 5th General Rules for the Study of Primary Liver Cancer will not only become the basis of academic development for liver cancer studies in Korea, but also serve as the primary form of national liver cancer data accumulation based on standardized rules.

The Long-term Outcomes of Kidney Transplantation from Donation after Circulatory Death during Brain Death Donor Evaluation in a Single Center in Korea / 대한이식학회지

BACKGROUND: While the number of deceased donor donations has increased in Korea, the organ shortage remains a major limitation for kidney transplantation. Donation after circulatory death (DCD) can be an option to expand the donor pool. In this study we evaluated the short and long term survival of grafts and patients and assessed the risk factors for graft failure. METHODS: In a single center, from August 1997 to December 2013, 28 cases of recipients who received kidney transplantation from DCD were enrolled. Information about donor and recipient factors, graft conditions, and transplant outcomes was collected through review of medical records. We calculated overall graft and patient survival rates and the risk factors for graft failure according to donor criteria and whether or not delayed graft function (DGF) occurred. RESULTS: There was no primary non-function, but DGF developed in 67.9% (19/28). Graft losses occurred in five patients during a median follow-up period of 68.2 months (4~204). There was no significant difference in graft survival rates depending on the donor criteria and the occurrence of DGF. In addition, there were no noteworthy risk factors for graft failure among donor age, donor creatinine, extended criteria donor, recipient age, warm ischemic time, cold ischemic time, and DGF. CONCLUSIONS: In this study, despite the high incidence of DGF, the long-term graft and patient survival in kidney transplantation from DCD were acceptable. Therefore, DCD can be an alternative to expand the donor pool and to shorten the waiting time.

Paranasal Aspergillosis in Patients Prior to Liver Transplantation / 대한이식학회지

BACKGROUND: Aspergillosis infection is associated with high morbidity and mortality in liver transplant recipients. This study investigated the prognosis of liver transplant recipients with a pre-operative treatment for paranasal aspergillosis. METHODS: We collected data from 979 cases of patients who underwent liver transplants at the Samsung Medical Center from May 1996 to Feburary 2010. RESULTS: Eight patients were diagnosed with paranasal aspergillosis after functional endoscopic sinus surgery (FESS), before liver transplantation. In these 8 patients, 7 (87.5%) were male, with a mean age of 55 years. All patients had a hepatitis B virus infection, and 6 patients had hepatocellular carcinoma. The mean days from FESS to liver transplantation was 31 (range, 12~47 days) and anti-fungal agents were not used during these periods. All 8 patients were free from a recurrence of aspergillosis after liver transplantation. CONCLUSIONS: Surgical treatment for paranasal aspergillosis in patients prior to liver transplantation does not induce aspergillosis infection after transplantation.

Paranasal Aspergillosis in Patients Prior to Liver Transplantation / 대한이식학회지

BACKGROUND: Aspergillosis infection is associated with high morbidity and mortality in liver transplant recipients. This study investigated the prognosis of liver transplant recipients with a pre-operative treatment for paranasal aspergillosis. METHODS: We collected data from 979 cases of patients who underwent liver transplants at the Samsung Medical Center from May 1996 to Feburary 2010. RESULTS: Eight patients were diagnosed with paranasal aspergillosis after functional endoscopic sinus surgery (FESS), before liver transplantation. In these 8 patients, 7 (87.5%) were male, with a mean age of 55 years. All patients had a hepatitis B virus infection, and 6 patients had hepatocellular carcinoma. The mean days from FESS to liver transplantation was 31 (range, 12~47 days) and anti-fungal agents were not used during these periods. All 8 patients were free from a recurrence of aspergillosis after liver transplantation. CONCLUSIONS: Surgical treatment for paranasal aspergillosis in patients prior to liver transplantation does not induce aspergillosis infection after transplantation.

Aspergillosis in Liver Transplant Recipients: A Single Center Experience

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to review the epidemiology, clinical features, diagnosis, and effect of treatments of aspergillosis infections in adult liver transplantation patients. METHODS: We retrospectively studied the cases of aspergillosis among 625 (164 deceased donor liver transplantation (DDLT), 461 living donor liver transplantation (LDLT)) adult liver transplantation recipients (> or =18 yrs old) operated between May 1996 to May 2008. RESULTS: Fourteen cases of aspergillosis infection were detected, which consisted of 9 cases of invasive aspergillosis, 5 cases of aspergilloma in maxillary sinuses which occurred before the transplantation. One patient with invasive aspergillosis, who had received liver transplantation overseas and had post-operation care in our center, was also included. Among the 8 cases (1.28%) of invasive aspergillosis (excluding one case operated overseas), 6 cases (3.7%) were DDLT and 2 cases (0.4%) LDLT (P-value<0.05). Among the 6 patients with early onset of invasive aspergillosis, 5 patients (1.8%) had fluconazole and only 1 patient (0.3%) had itraconazole as prophylactic antifungal agent (P-value<0.05). The three cases with localized lesions in the lung survived after lobectomy, but the disseminated and inoperable cases died. CONCLUSION: The incidence of invasive aspergillosis was lower in LDLT cases and prophylactic itraconazole might be more effective than fluconazole. Paranasal aspergilloma, detected before transplantation had no relation with posttransplant invasive aspergillosis infection. Patients who had localized lesion in the lung, and underwent surgery had better survival than who could not.

Investigation of the Effective Dose of Agonistic 4-1BB Monoclonal Antibody in a Murine Colon Cancer Metastasis Model

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to find the dose of agonistic 4-1BB monoclonal antibody (mAb) that results in optimal T cell activation. METHODS: Cancer was induced in mice by an intrahepatic parenchymal injection of 1x10(5) cells of CT26 cells. Cancer-carrying mice (n=84) were divided into seven groups and treated with either rat IgG or agonistic 4-1BB monoclonal antibody (mAb) (5microgram, 10microgram, 20microgram, 100microgram, 200microgram, or 300microgram). All treatments were administered intraperitoneally on days 7, 9, and 11. Mice from each group were sacrificed on days 14, 28, and 42. Harvested livers were weighed and the numbers of T cells in the splenocytes were analyzed with a FACS Vantage flow cytometer. RESULTS: Liver weights increased when 5microgram of agonistic 4-1BB mAb was administered, but showed no additional weight increase for doses greater than 10microgram. The absolute numbers of CD4+ and CD8+ T cells increased in groups treated with low doses of agonistic 4-1BB mAb (5microgram, 10microgram, or 20microgram), but did not increase in the groups treated with high doses of mAb (100microgram, 200microgram, or 300microgram). The levels of CD4/annexin V and CD8/annexin V increased as the dose increased, and the absolute cell numbers of CD4/annexin V were greater than those of CD8/annexin V. CONCLUSION: Liver weight, including the cancer mass, failed to increase at agonistic 4-1BB mAb doses greater than 10microgram. A high dose (> or =100microgram) of agonistic 4-1BB mAb resulted in lower counts of absolute T cells. This study suggests that a low dose (20microgram) of agonistic 4-1BB mAb can be used for optimal T cell activation in combination with other anti-cancer treatments.

Surgical Technique of Biliary Reconstruction in Adult-to-Adult Living Donor Liver Transplantation: Survey of 9 Major Centers in Korea

PURPOSE: Despite refinements in the surgical techniques for adult-to-adult living donor liver transplantation (ALDLT), biliary complications still remain the Achilles' heel of ALDLT. Moreover, there is no consensus for the ideal technique of biliary reconstruction to reduce the rate of complications to an acceptable range. We strove to collate the available data of the current surgical techniques for biliary reconstruction in ALDLT in Korea. METHODS: A questionnaire concerning the surgical techniques for biliary reconstruction was sent to 9 surgeons who performed biliary anastomosis in the major LDLT centers of Korea (the response rate was 100%). RESULTS: MR cholangiography (n=7) and/or intra-operative cholangiography (n=5) were routinely performed to evaluate the donor biliary anatomy. All the participants (n=9) preferred duct-to-duct anastomosis to hepatico-jejunostomy. Anastomosis was usually made on the whole layer (n=7 epithelium, n=2) of recipient's common hepatic duct under loupe magnification (n=8); only one center reconstructed the anastomosis on the 2nd order hepatic duct under view of a surgical microscope. There were various techniques for biliary reconstruction as follows: suture material (absorbable: n=5, non-absorbable: n=4), suture method (continuous: n=4, interrupted: n=3, mixed: n=3) and the use of a biliary stent (routine: n=3, sometimes: n=5, rare: n=1). Ductoplasty was performed on the back table (n=7) for the cases with a very close distance (<5 mm) between the bile ducts' openings, but each duct was separately anastomosed to the recipients' bile duct (n=8) or a roux-en-Y limb (n=1) was done in cases with a distance more than 10 mm. CONCLUSION: In 9 LDLT centers of Koreas, duct-to-duct was preferred; however, there was no unique consensus, among the major centers, for the biliary reconstruction techniques that might reduce complications.

Withdrawal of Immunosuppression in Pediatric Liver Transplant Recipients in Korea

PURPOSE: We identified pediatric liver transplant recipients with successful withdrawal of immunosuppression who developed tolerance in Korea. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Among 105 pediatric patients who received liver transplantation and were treated with tacrolimus-based immunosuppressive regimens, we selected five (4.8%) patients who had very low tacrolimus trough levels. Four of them were noncompliant with their medication and one was weaned off of immunosuppression due to life threatening posttransplant lymphoproliferative disorder. We reviewed the medical records with regard to the relationship of the donor-recipients, patient characteristics and prognosis, including liver histology, and compared our data with previous reports. RESULTS: Four patients received the liver transplantation from a parent donor and one patient from a cadaver donor. A trial of withdrawal of the immunosuppressant was started a median of 45 months after transplantation (range, 14 months to 60 months), and the period of follow up after weaning from the immunosuppressant was a median of 32 months (range, 14 months to 82 months). None of the five patients had rejection episodes after withdrawal of the immunosuppression; they maintained normal graft function for longer than 3 years (median, 38 months; range, 4 to 53 months). The histological findings of two grafts 64 and 32 months after weaning-off of the medication showed no evidence of chronic rejection. CONCLUSION: The favorable markers for successful withdrawal of immunosuppression were 1) long-term (> 3 years) stable graft function, 2) no rejection for longer than 1 year after withdrawal of immunosuppression, 3) non-immune mediated liver diseases, and 4) pediatric patients.

Report of 1,000 Kidney Transplants at the Sungkyunkwan University of Korea / 대한이식학회지

BACKGROUND: This study aims to report clinical outcome and long term graft and patient survival rate of one thousand kidney transplantation. We analyzed risk factors that impact on graft survival in the 1,000 case of kidney transplantation through this study. METHODS: We have performed 1,000 cases of kidney transplantation in Samsung Medical Center, Seoul, Korea from February 1995 to January 2008. We retrospectively reviewed medical record of recipients and donors. RESULTS: The mean follow up period was 69 months. Composition of type of donor was living donor, 653 cases and deceased donor, 347 cases. Type of donor source was mostly living-related type. 94 cases had graft failure. Major cause of graft failure was chronic allograft nephropathy. And major viral infection was cytomegalovirus infection. Major non-viral infection was urinary tract infection. 47 cases of immediate post operative complication was diagnosed as lymphocele. Overall 10-year graft survival rate was 83.9% respectively. 10-year patient survival rate was 95.7% respectively. 10-year graft survival and patient survival of recipient were significantly different between living donation group and deceased donation group. CONCLUSIONS: In this report, only two risk factor were statically significant difference.

Invasive Gastrointestinal and Cutaneous Mucormycosis in Deceased Donor Small Bowel Transplantation: Case Report and Review of Literature / 대한이식학회지

Fungal infection is an uncommon complication after small bowel transplantation. We present a rare form of mucormycosis found in the small bowel graft and in the skin of a recipient. We reviewed chart data and performed MEDLINE searches and found that this case was the first to report 2 kinds of mucormycosis to be found after organ transplantation. The patient was a 12 month old female baby who underwent small bowel transplantation due to short bowel syndrome. After 12 days she experienced acute cellular rejection which responded to steroid. 6 days later due to sustained fever, poor feeding and abdominal distention endoscopic biopsy was done which revealed mucormycosis. Antifungal treatment with lipo-amphotericin B was initiated, yet there was no improvement of clinical symptoms. On the 23 post operative day a black eschar developed on the incision site of the skin and biopsy was done which revealed cutaneous mucormycosis. Infected skin debridement and graftectomy was done but our patient expired because of septic shock.

Effect of nicotinamide on early graft failure following intraportal islet transplantation

Intraportal islet transplantation (IPIT) may potentially cure Type 1 diabetes mellitus; however, graft failure in the early post-transplantation period presents a major obstacle. In this study, we tested the ability of nicotinamide to prevent early islet destruction in a syngeneic mouse model. Mice (C57BL/6) with chemically-induced diabetes received intraportal transplants of syngeneic islet tissue in various doses. Islets were cultured for 24 h in medium with or without 10 mM nicotinamide supplementation. Following IPIT, islet function was confirmed by an intraperitoneal glucose tolerance test (IPGTT) and hepatectomy. The effects of nicotinamide were evaluated by blood glucose concentration, serum monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1) concentration, and immunohistology at 3 h and 24 h after IPIT. Among the various islet doses, an infusion of 300 syngeneic islets treated with nicotinamide exhibited the greatest differences in glucose tolerance between recipients of treated and untreated (i.e., control) islets. One day after 300 islet equivalent (IEQ) transplantation, islets treated with nicotinamide were better granulated than the untreated islets (P = 0.01), and the recipients displayed a slight decrease in serum MCP-1 concentration, as compared to controls. After 15 days, recipients of nicotinamide-pretreated islets showed higher levels of graft function (as measured by IPGTT) than controls. The pretreatment also prolonged graft survival (> 100 days) and function; these were confirmed by partial hepatectomy, which led to the recurrence of diabetes. Pretreatment of islet grafts with nicotinamide may prevent their deterioration on the early period following IPIT in a syngeneic mouse model.

Reconstitution of Human Immune Cells with Co-transplantation of Fetal Liver/Thymus Tissues and Cultured Umbilical Cord Blood-derived Hematopoietic Stem Cells in Rag2(-/-)gamma(c)(-/-) Mice

PURPOSE: Many researchers have tried to develop animal models that mimic the human immune system, e.g. a humanized mouse model, to improve the engraftment of hematopoietic stem cells and develop human immune cells in an animal model. This study evaluated the feasibility of the cultured human umbilical cord blood (hUCB)-derived CD34(+) cells for cell expansion, in Rag2(-/-)gamma(c)(-/-) mice, and establish co-transplantation with human fetal thymus/liver tissue (Thy/Liv) under the kidney capsule. METHODS: Co-transplantation of hUCB-derived CD34(+) cells with Thy/Liv was performed. The hUCB-derived CD34(+) cells were prepared by freshly thawing (G1) and culturing for 7 days with two types of cytokine combinations (G2, G3). The CD45(+) cell populations were measured at 6, 8, 10 and 16 weeks in the peripheral blood. The splenocytes were cultured with mitogenic stimuli (PHA -L or IL-2) at 20 weeks post- transplantation, and the proliferation of human immune cells was evaluated. RESULTS: There were no significant differences in the human CD45(+) cell populations at 6, 8, 10 and 16 weeks post-transplantation between the groups. In the cultured splenocytes at 20 weeks post-transplant with PHA-L or IL-2, there was remarkable expansion of CD3(+) cells in the three groups. Although no CD19(+) cells were detected in the spleen, human Ig G was detected in the sera of these mice. CONCLUSION: The cultured and expanded hUCB-derived cells with cytokine combinations might be a feasible cell source in humanized mouse modeling. In addition, human immune cells can be reconstituted from the co-transplantation of Thy/Liv and cultured hUCB-derived CD34(+) cells.

Prolonged survival of islet allografts in mice treated with rosmarinic acid and anti-CD154 antibody

Pancreatic islet transplantation can correct the abnormal glucose metabolism of Type 1 diabetes. Although immunosuppressants greatly reduce the acute rejection rate in transplant patients, the long-term side effects can be debilitating. Therefore, researchers are seeking to develop new immunosuppressive regimens that induce maximal levels of immunosuppression with minor side effects. Rosmarinic acid (Ros A) is a secondary metabolite of certain herbs and has multiple biological activities, including anti-inflammatory effects. Here, we have investigated whether treatment of mice with a combination of Ros A and anti-CD154 monoclonal antibody (MR1) improves islet allograft survival in a murine model. After transplantation, the mice were treated with either Ros A, MR1, or both (the "double" treatment). Allograft survival was prolonged in the double-treated animals compared to animals that received only Ros A or MR1. As is the case with the single-treated animals at 15 days after transplantation, the double-treated recipients did not display a significant decrease in the expression of cytokines or the population of activated T cells. Infiltrating CD3+ T cells were reduced in the MR1- or double therapy relative to control or RosA group. However, at the same time point, double-treated graft showed fewer apoptotic cells and increased expression of insulin and glucagons, compared to the single-treatment groups. Furthermore, long-term (>150 days) allografts that were received with double therapy exhibited larger islet clusters and contained more insulin- and glucagon-positive cells, relative to the MR1-treated grafts. In conclusion, treatment with both Ros A and MR1 has a synergistic effect in murine islet allotransplantation.

Pediatric Liver Transplantation / 한양의대학술지

Since the past several decades, remarkable improvements in the management of pediatric liver transplantation was achieved and pediatric transplant surgeons have transformed a once hopeless end-stage liver disease in children into a treatable disease with limited mortality. Biliary atresia, the most common indication of liver transplantation, needs judicious selection of patients and timing of transplantation in order to achieve best results. In fulminant hepatic failure, laboratory data and neurological signs help decide the need for transplantation and determine the prognosis. Various types of transplantation methods are possible, but the living donor liver transplantation using the left lateral section is currently the most widely used. Therapeutic interventions, such as percutaneous transhepatic biliary drainage or balloon angioplasty can be used to manage post-transplant complications with minimal morbidity. Vigilant prophylaxis against viral infections with careful use of balanced immunosuppressive medications can prevent deleterious diseases such as cytomegalovirus infection or post-transplant lymphoproliferative disease. Despite the improved results, more study needs to be done to elucidate the long-term outcome of these young liver recipients.

Mycophenolate Mofetil in Combination with Tacrolimus in Adult Living Donor Liver Transplant Recipients / 대한이식학회지

PURPOSE: This is a trial attempting to show that the addition of mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) can reduce toxicity without impacting efficacy in patients undergoing adult living donor liver transplantation (LDLT) who experience adverse events on tacrolimus (Tac). METHODS: Between February 1999 and December 2002, 47 cases of adult LDLT were administered Tac as a first-line immunosuppressive agents. Patients were categorized to a Tac Group (Tac+steroid; n=24) or a Tac/MMF Group (Tac+steroid+MMF; n=23). RESULTS: The actuarial 2-year patient survival rate was similar in the two groups (91.3% vs. 87.0%, P=0.591), and the 2-year rejection-free survival rate was also comparable (95.2% vs. 90.0%, P=0.672). In 14 patients with nephrotoxicity, mean creatinine levels decreased significantly from 1.80+/-0.24 mg/dL to 1.31+/-0.30 (P=0.001) within 3 months of adding of MMF. Of two patients with neurotoxicity, the clinical symptoms of one patient improved after adding MMF. In 7 patients with a lower therapeutic level, the mean Tac doses could be reduced from 6.4+/-4.0 mg at study entry to 2.4+/-1.4 mg 12 months after adding MMF. CONCLUSION: The addition of MMF to Tac is a potent immunosuppressive agent to reduce the Tac-induced toxicity, and which does not increase the risk of allograft rejection in LDLT.

Severe Erythrocytosis after Renal Transplantation: Report of One Case / 대한이식학회지

Erythrocytosis after kidney transplantation is common complications of Renal Transplantation. It afflicts 5~15% of renal transplant recipients and is associated with an increased incidence of thromboembolic events. It is correlated with use of cyclosporine, sex, posttranaplant renal function and type of antihypertensive medications. Invasive therapies for posttransplant erythrocytosis is serial phlebotomy and native nephrectomy. Usually medical therapy with Renin-Angiotensin inhibitor is preferred to invasive therapies. This drug lowers serum level of erythropoietin and then effectively lowers the hematocrit and hemoglobin level. We report the case of a 31-year-old male who had erythrocytosis after renal transplantation. Its hematocrit level is 60% and hemoglobin is 20.2 g/dL. We treated this patient with serial phlebotomy and Enalapril.

Change of Hepatitis B Virus DNA Status in Anti-HBc Positive Liver Graft / 대한간학회지

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Many patients with positive anti-HBc, but negative HBsAg, are known to harbor occult HBV infection, which may transmit the virus through the graft in liver transplantation. We examined the change of HBV DNA within the liver allograft tissue of the donor with positive anti-HBc, but negative HBsAg, before and after the transplantation and assessed its significance. METHODS: Twenty-eight patients with available posttransplant biopsies that received anti-HBc positive liver allografts between April 2000 and November 2003 were enrolled in the study. Intraoperative wedge biopsy of donor liver and needle biopsy of the recipient around the 12th postoperative day were used. HBV DNA within the liver tissue was identified by polymerase chain reaction technique using paraffin-embedded liver tissue. RESULTS: Among 13 patients that showed positive amplification before transplantation, 10 turned negative and 3 remained positive after transplantation. One patient, who was negative, became positive after transplantation. Three patients had recurrent HBV infection, but none had positive PCR before or after transplantation and recurrence was not associated with PCR results. Donors with low anti-HBs titer were more likely to be PCR positive compared to donors with high anti-HBs serology (P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Under adequate prophylactic measures, the presence of HBV DNA within the liver tissue does not affect recurrence and most allografts harboring HBV DNA before transplantation will eventually show viral clearance. However, many anti-HBc positive allografts are infected by HBV at subclinical level so vigilant surveillance is essential.

Alteration of Molecules and Cytokines Related to the Activation of T Lymphocyte in Immune Tolerance Induced Mice Model / 대한이식학회지

PURPOSE: Monoclonal antibodies (mAb) specific for CD45RB as a potent tolerogenic target can prolong allograft survival in several animal models. The mechanisms of CD45RB mAb-mediated tolerance are largely unknown. Therefore, the present studies were performed to determine the immunomodulatory effects of CD45RB mAb on T cells in early or late time after allogenic skin transplantation. METHODS: Skin grafts and bone marrows from BALB/c donor mice were transplanted on C57BL/6 recipient mice and Busulfan was administerd. Group 1 was composed of anti-CD154 mAb administerd mice, group 2 was composed of anti-CD154 and anti-CD45RBB mAb administerd mice, and group 3 consisted of anti-CD154 mAb and CTLA4-Ig administerd mice. The proportion of splenic CD4+ and CD8+ T cell and range of CD45RB was observed by flow cytometry. Cytokines secreted by CD4+ T cell were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). RESULTS: CD45RB mAb in combination with CD154 mAb enhanced graft survival in allogenic skin transplantation model where CD45RB mAb specific for CD45RB, which was proven mainly expressed by CD8+ T cells, had inhibitory effects on the proportion of splenocyte-derived CD8+ and CD4+CD45RB(high) T cells in early or late time posttransplant. CONCLUSION: The combined therapy showed decreases in the proliferation of CD8+ T cells in vivo and allospecific responses of IFN-gamma-producing cells. Such immunomodulatory effects may be associated with the tolerogenic ability of CD45RB mAb in allogenic skin transplantation.

Single Arterial Anastomosis in Case of the Presence of Multiple Hepatic Arteries and the Presence of Pulsatile Back Flow is Safe in Living Donor Liver Transplantation / 대한이식학회지

PURPOSE: The aim of this study is to analyze the outcome of a single hepatic artery anastomosis among multiple graft arteries in living donor liver transplantation. METHODS: A total of 153 LDLTs were performed at Seoul National University Hospital between January 1999 and December 2002. Thirty four cases (22.2%) of grafts were fed by multiple hepatic arteries. Twenty cases which were fed by left hepatic artery and middle hepatic artery, one intraoperative expired case and one case which was performed two hepatic arteries anastomosis were excluded in our study. Eight cases with two left hepatic arteries and 4 cases with two right hepatic arteries were reviewed. Hepatic artery anastomosis was carried out under operating microscope using interrupted Carrel's technique. In case of the presence of pulsatile back- flow after single hepatic artery anastomosis, the other hepatic artery was ligated. The median period of follow-up was 35 (26~58) months. RESULTS: There was no mortality due to complications associated with hepatic artery. In 11 cases, the adequate blood flow was verified daily for seven days after transplantation by means of Doppler ultrasonography. In 7 cases, intrahepatic arteries of donors seen on the preoperative CT aniography were confirmed at the same site on the postoperative CT angiography of recipients. Reoperation was performed for a one-year old child due to hepatic artery obstruction at the 11th postoperative day and she experienced acute rejection twice and steroid pulse therapy was performed. But she expired at the 107th postoperative day due to graft failure despite intact hepatic arterial flow on liver doppler sonography. CONCLUSION: Single hepatic artery anastomosis among multiple graft arteries had no complication. Thus single hepatic artery anastomosis among multiple graft arteries when pulsatile back flow existed, is safe and convenient method.

Terlipressin Effect of Portal Pressure Control on Liver Regeneration in 90% Hepatectomized Rats

PURPOSE: Liver regeneration is crucial following major liver resection or partial liver transplantation. The inhibition mechanism of regeneration is portal hypertension caused by excessive portal flow to the small liver. Portal hypertension can be controlled with terlipressin, an effective splanchnic vasoconstrictor. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of terlipressin on the portal pressure and liver regeneration in 90% hepatectomized rats. METHODS: Forty-eight male Sprague-Dawley (250 gm) rats were divided into three groups; Group N (n=16) underwent Sham operation, Group C (n=16) was injected with 0.1 mL saline after 90% hepatectomy, and Group T (n=16) was injected with 50microgram/kg terlipressin after 90% hepatectomy. To assess the liver regeneration response, the changes in proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNFalpha) were monitored for 48 hours. RESULTS: The baseline portal pressures in Groups N, C, and T were 4.9, 12.4, and 14.1 mmHg (P<0.05). In Group T, the injection of terlipressin induced a significant reduction of the portal pressure (-30.2%, P<0.05). There was no difference in PCNA between Groups C and T. However, serum TNFalpha levels were significantly higher in Group T (248.4 pg/ mL) than Group C (52.3 pg/mL) 48 hours postoperatively (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: The control of portal pressure with the use of terlipressin was correlated with serum TNFalpha. These data provide evidence that the administration of terlipressin during the early postoperative period following major liver resection may have an attenuating effect on portal hypertension, which may also stimulate the initiation of the regenerative process.