Utilizing ultra-small volume graft in auxiliary liver transplantation for portal hypertension / 中华外科杂志

Objective: To examine the clinical effect of auxiliary liver transplantation with ultra-small volume graft in the treatment of portal hypertension. Methods: Twelve cases of portal hypertension treated by auxiliary liver transplantation with small volume graft at Liver Transplantation Center,Beijing Friendship Hospital, Capital Medical University between December 2014 and March 2022 were studied retrospectively. There were 8 males and 4 females,aged 14 to 66 years. Model for end-stage liver disease scores were 1 to 15 points and Child scores were 6 to 11 points. The grafts was derived from living donors in 9 cases,from split cadaveric donors in 2 cases,from whole cadaveric liver of child in 1 case. The graft recipient body weight ratios of 3 cadaveric donor livers were 0.79% to 0.90%, and of 9 living donor livers were 0.31% to 0.55%.In these cases, ultra-small volume grafts were implanted. The survivals of patient and graft, complications, portal vein blood flow of residual liver and graft, abdominal drainage and biochemical indexes of liver function were observed. Results: All the grafts and patients survived. Complications included outflow tract torsion in 2 cases, acute rejection in 1 case, bile leakage in 1 case, and thyroid cancer at the later stage of follow-up in 1 case, all of which were cured. The torsion of outflow tract was attributed to the change of anastomotic angle after the growth of donor liver. After the improvement of anastomotic method, the complication did not recur in the later stage. There was no complication of portal hypertension. The measurement of ultrasonic portal vein blood flow velocity showed that the blood flow of residual liver decreased significantly in the early stage after operation, and maintained a very low blood flow velocity or occlusion in the long term after operation, and the blood flow of transplanted liver was stable. Conclusions: Auxiliary liver transplantation can implant ultra-small donor liver through compensation of residual liver. This method may promote the development of living donor left lobe donation and split liver transplantation. However, the auxiliary liver transplantation is complex, and it is difficult to control the complications. Therefore, this method is currently limited to centers that are skilled in living related liver transplantation and that have complete ability to monitor and deal with complications.

Liver transplant for metastatic neuroendocrine tumors: a single-center report / Transplante de fígado para tumores neuroendócrinos metastáticos: série de casos

ABSTRACT BACKGROUND: Neuroendocrine tumors are rare neoplasms of uncertain biological behavior. The liver is one of the most common sites of metastases, occurring in 50% of patients with metastatic disease. AIMS: To analyze a clinical series in liver transplant of patients with neuroendocrine tumors metastases. METHODS: A retrospective descriptive study, based on the review of medical records of patients undergoing liver transplants due to neuroendocrine tumor metastases in a single center in northeast Brazil, over a period of 20 years (January 2001 to December 2021). RESULTS: During the analyzed period, 2,000 liver transplants were performed, of which 11 were indicated for liver metastases caused by neuroendocrine tumors. The mean age at diagnosis was 45.09±14.36 years (26-66 years) and 72.7% of cases were females. The most common primary tumor site was in the gastrointestinal tract in 64% of cases. Even after detailed investigation, three patients had no primary tumor site identified (27%). Overall survival after transplantation at one month was 90%, at one year was 70%, and five year, 45.4%. Disease-free survival rate was 72.7% at one year and 36.3% at five years. CONCLUSIONS: Liver transplantation is a treatment modality with good overall survival and disease-free survival results in selected patients with unresectable liver metastases from neuroendocrine tumors. However, a rigorous selection of patients is necessary to obtain better results and the ideal time for transplant indication is still a controversial topic in the literature.

RESUMO RACIONAL: Os tumores neuroendócrinos são neoplasias raras de comportamento biológico incerto. O fígado é um local comum de metástase, ocorrendo em 50% dos pacientes com doença metastática. OBJETIVOS: Analisar casuística de transplante hepático por metástases de tumores neuroendócrinos. MÉTODOS: Estudo descritivo retrospectivo com revisão de prontuários de pacientes submetidos a transplante hepático por metástases de tumores neuroendócrinos em um único centro no Nordeste do Brasil durante 20 anos (janeiro de 2001 a dezembro de 2021). RESULTADOS: Durante o período analisado, foram realizados 2.000 transplantes hepático, sendo 11 indicados por metástases hepáticas de tumores neuroendócrinos. A média de idade ao diagnóstico foi de 45,09±14,36 anos (26-66 anos) e 72,7% dos casos eram do sexo feminino. O local do tumor primário mais comum foi o trato gastrointestinal (64% dos casos). Após detalhada investigação, três pacientes não tiveram o local do tumor primário identificado (27%). A sobrevida global um mês e após um ano do transplante foi de 90 e 70%, respectivamente. A sobrevida após 5 anos foi de 45,4%. A taxa de sobrevida livre de doença foi de 72,7% no primeiro ano e 36,3% em cinco anos. CONCLUSÕES: O transplante hepático é uma modalidade de tratamento com bons resultados de sobrevida global e sobrevida livre de doença, em pacientes selecionados com metástases hepáticas irressecáveis de tumores neuroendócrinos. No entanto, a seleção rigorosa dos pacientes é necessária para obter melhores resultados e o momento ideal para a indicação do transplante ainda é um tema controverso na literatura.

Hepatectomía derecha totalmente laparoscópica para trasplante hepático con donante vivo adulto-adulto: técnica quirúrgica y experiencia inicial en Chile / Pure laparoscopic right hepatectomy for adult-to-adult living donor liver transplantation: surgical technique and initial experience in Chile

Resumen El trasplante hepático con donante vivo (THDV) es un procedimiento complejo y desafiante para el cirujano, ya que exige garantizar tanto la máxima seguridad para el donante, así como también, la mejor calidad del injerto para el receptor. Debido a lo anterior, la implementación de la cirugía mini-invasiva ha sido lenta en esta área. Sin embargo, en los últimos 10 años, gracias a los avances que ha experimentado la cirugía hepática laparoscópica, ha aumentado el interés de algunos grupos altamente especializados por incorporar la cirugía mini-invasiva a la cirugía del donante, principalmente en trasplante hepático donante vivo adulto-pediátrico (THDVA-P). Los favorables resultados obtenidos en esta área incluso han llevado a los expertos en el tema, a categorizar el abordaje laparoscópico para la cirugía del donante como el procedimiento estándar en THDVA-P. Contrario a lo anterior, la implementación de la laparoscopía para trasplante hepático donante vivo adulto-adulto (THDVA-A), es más compleja y requiere en su mayoría, una hepatectomía de lóbulo derecho o izquierdo para cumplir con las necesidades volumétricas del receptor. Esta cirugía es de mayor dificultad y riesgo para el donante, por lo que su indicación por vía mini-invasiva está limitada a centros de alto volumen y preparación, tanto en laparoscopía, como en trasplante hepático. En este trabajo, se busca dar a conocer la técnica quirúrgica y nuestra experiencia inicial con la primera hepatectomía derecha totalmente laparoscópica (HDTL) para THDVA-A realizada en Chile.

Living donor liver transplantation is a complex and challenging procedure. The surgeon needs to guarantee maximum safety for the donor, as well as the best quality of the graft for the recipient. For this reason, the implementation of mini-invasive surgery has been slow in this area. However, in the last 10 years, due to the advances in laparoscopic liver surgery, the interest of some highly specialized groups has increased in incorporating mini-invasive surgery into donor surgery, mainly in pediatric living donor liver transplantation. The favorable results obtained in this field, have even led to turn this procedure, into the technique of choice for pediatric living donor liver transplantation. Nevertheless, this procedure is even more challenging for adult-to-adult living donor transplantation. To meet the volumetric criteria of an adult, a complete hepatectomy of right or left lobe is mostly required. This surgery is of greater complexity and risk for the donor, so its indication by minimally invasive approach is limited to high-volume centers with preparation, both in laparoscopy and liver transplants. In this report we seek to present our surgical technique and initial experience with the first pure laparoscopic right hepatectomy for adult-to-adult living donor liver transplantation carried out in Chile.

Clinical research in cell therapy of liver diseases: progress and challenges / 中华肝脏病杂志

The high incidence of chronic liver disease is a serious threat to public health, and the current comprehensive internal medicine treatment is ineffective. Liver transplantation is limited by the shortage of liver source and post-transplant rejection, and thus unmet the clinical needs. More importantly, cell therapy shows great promise for the treatment of chronic liver disease. Over recent years, domestic and foreign scholars have carried out a variety of cell therapy preclinical and clinical trials for critical liver disease, and achieved certain results, providing new methods for the treatment of chronic liver diseases. This review discusses the cell therapy research status and application progress, various existing problems and challenges, and key issues of mesenchymal stem cells in the treatment of chronic liver diseases.

Caracterización del tratamiento quirúrgico de los tumores hepáticos sólidos / Characterization of Surgical Management of Hepatic Tumors

Introducción: La historia de la cirugía del hígado abarca 28 siglos, lo que ha permitido su evolución desde considerar al hígado como un órgano intocable hasta realizar hepatectomías complejas y trasplante hepático. Esta investigación representa el balance de 10 años en la actividad de un grupo de cirugía hepatobiliar. Objetivo: Caracterizar el tratamiento quirúrgico de los tumores hepáticos sólidos en el Centro de Investigaciones Médico-Quirúrgicas entre los años 2009 y 2019. Métodos: Se realizó un estudio de tipo observacional, descriptivo, longitudinal y retrospectivo en el que se analizaron 129 pacientes que fueron tributarios de tratamiento quirúrgico. Resultados: Los tumores malignos representaron el 73 por ciento del total, dentro de este grupo se destacan los metastásicos con 50 casos. La morbilidad de esta cirugía fue del 13 por ciento y la mortalidad operatoria del 2 por ciento. La causa de muerte identificada fue el shock séptico por peritonitis generalizada. Conclusiones: Los tumores malignos fueron los más frecuentes. Se presentó una baja morbilidad encontrándose el derrame pleural como la complicación más usual. Existe una mortalidad acorde a los valores reportados para este tipo de cirugía(AU)

Introduction: The history of liver surgery covers twenty-eight centuries, which has allowed its evolution from considering the liver as an untouchable organ to performing complex hepatectomies and hepatic transplantation. This research describes the ten years' balance in the activity developed by a hepatobiliary surgery team. Objective: To characterize the surgical management of solid hepatic tumors in the Center for Medical-Surgical Research between 2009 and 2019. Methods: An observational, descriptive, longitudinal and retrospective study was carried out, for which 129 patients who underwent surgical treatment were analyzed. Results: Malignant tumors accounted for 73 percent of the total; within this group, metastatic tumors stand out, accounting for fifty cases. Morbidity of this surgery type was 13 percent, while operative mortality was 2 percent. The cause of death identified was septic shock due to generalized peritonitis. Conclusions: Malignant tumors were the most frequent. There was low morbidity, with pleural effusion as the most common complication. Mortality is consistent with the values reported for this type of surgery(AU)

Donante vivo hepático adulto-pediátrico totalmente laparoscópico: aspectos técnicos y resultados / Fully laparoscopic adult living donor for pediatric transplantation: technical aspects and results

Resumen Introducción: La cirugía hepática laparoscópica ha presentado un desarrollo más lento debido a la complejidad que ésta posee, lo que determina una curva de aprendizaje prolongada. En relación a la hepatectomía laparoscópica para donante vivo en trasplante hepático (TH), ésta se ha retrasado aún más por las preocupaciones sobre la seguridad del donante, el resultado del injerto y la adquisición de las competencias técnicas de los cirujanos. El objetivo de este artículo, es exponer detalles técnicos de la hepatectomía izquierda laparoscópica de donantes vivos adultos para trasplante pediátrico y se presentan los resultados quirúrgicos de los casos realizados en este centro. Materiales y Método: Presentación de la técnica quirúrgica de la hepatectomía izquierda en donantes vivos para TH en receptores pediátricos, además, de realizar un estudio cohorte no concurrente de pacientes sometidos a esta cirugía en el Hospital Clínico de la Universidad Católica entre mayo de 2011 y noviembre de 2017. Resultados: La serie consta de 15 pacientes, 60% sexo femenino. Trece pacientes (86,6%) eran madre o padre del receptor. El 100% de pacientes fue sometido a hepatectomía izquierda laparoscópica sin necesidad de conversión. Morbilidad Clavien-Dindo >3,1 paciente requirió punción percutánea de bilioma. Mediana de hospitalización de 3 días (2-5). No hubo mortalidad. Conclusión: La hepatectomía izquierda por vía laparoscópica de donante vivo para TH pediátrico es un procedimiento seguro y factible de realizar en este centro, con excelentes resultados en términos de morbimortalidad y consideramos que esta técnica debe ser la vía de elección para donantes vivos adultos-pediátricos.

Introduction: Laparoscopic liver surgery has presented a slower development due to the complexity it has, which determines a prolonged learning curve. In relation to laparoscopic hepatectomy for a living donor liver transplantation (LT), this has been further delayed due to concerns about donor safety, graft results and the acquisition of the technical skills of surgeons. The objective of this article is to present technical details of the laparoscopic left hepatectomy of adult living donors for pediatric transplantation and the surgical results of the cases performed in this center. Materials and Method: Presentation of the surgical technique of left hepatectomy in living donors for LT in pediatric recipients in addition to conducting a non-concurrent cohort study of patients undergoing this surgery at the Hospital Clinico Universidad Catolica between May 2011 to November 2017. Results: The series consists of 15 patients, 60% female. Thirteen patients (86.6%) were mother or father of the recipient. 100% of patients underwent laparoscopic left hepatectomy without conversion. Clavien-Dindo Morbidity > 3, in 1 patient who required percutaneous drainage of biloma. Median hospitalization of 3 days (2-5). There was no mortality. Conclusión: Laparoscopic left hepatectomy of living donors for pediatric LT is a safe and feasible procedure to perform in this center, with excellent results in terms of morbidity and mortality and we consider that this technique should be the route of choice for adult-pediatric living donors.

Risk factors associated with hepatic artery thrombosis: analysis of 1050 liver transplants / Fatores de risco associados à trombose de artéria hepática: análise de 1050 transplantes de fígado

ABSTRACT Background: Hepatic artery thrombosis is an important cause of graft loss and ischemic biliary complications. The risk factors have been related to technical aspects of arterial anastomosis and non-surgical ones. Aim: To evaluate the risk factors for the development of hepatic artery thrombosis. Methods: The sample consisted of 1050 cases of liver transplant. A retrospective and cross-sectional study was carried out, and the variables studied in both donor and recipient. Results: Univariate analysis indicated that the variables related to hepatic artery thrombosis are: MELD (p=0.04) and warm time ischemia (p=0.005). In the multivariate analysis MELD=14.5 and warm ischemia time =35 min were independent risk factors for hepatic artery thrombosis. In the prevalence ratio test for analysis of the anastomosis as a variable, it was observed that patients with continuous suture had an increase in thrombosis when compared to interrupted suture. Conclusions: Prolonged warm ischemia time, calculated MELD and recipient age were independent risk factors for hepatic artery thrombosis after liver transplantation in adults. Transplanted patients with continuous suture had an increase in thrombosis when compared to interrupted suture. Re-transplantation due to hepatic artery thrombosis was associated with higher recipient mortality.

RESUMO Racional: Trombose de artéria hepática é importante causa de falência de enxerto e complicações biliares. Fatores de risco para trombose estão relacionados aos aspectos técnicos da anastomose arterial e fatores não cirúrgicos. Objetivo: Avaliar os fatores de risco para o desenvolvimento de trombose de artéria hepática. Métodos: A amostra consta de 1050 casos de transplante hepático. Foi realizado estudo retrospectivo e transversal, e as variáveis foram avaliadas em doadores e receptores. Resultados: A análise univariada mostrou que as variáveis relacionadas a trombose de artéria hepática são: MELD e tempo de isquemia quente. Na análise multivariada, o MELD=14.5 e tempo de isquemia quente =35 min foram fatores de risco independentes para trombose de artéria hepática. No teste de prevalência para avaliação do tipo de anastomose como variável, foi observado que a sutura contínua tem maior risco de trombose quando comparada com aquela em pontos separados. Conclusão: Tempo de isquemia quente prolongado, MELD calculado e idade do recipiente foram fatores de risco independentes para trombose de artéria hepática após transplante de fígado em adultos. Pacientes submetidos à anastomose com sutura contínua apresentaram mais trombose quando comparados com a em pontos separados. Retransplante por trombose está associado com maior mortalidade.

Abordagem ao período pós-operatório inicial no transplante de fígado: um ponto de vista institucional / Approach to the liver transplant early postoperative period: an institutional standpoint

RESUMO O programa de transplante de fígado teve início em nosso centro em 1992, e pacientes em pós-operatório de transplante hepático ainda são admitidos à unidade de terapia intensiva. Uma curva de aprendizado do médico intensivista teve então início, com aquisição de habilidades e estabelecimento de uma prática específica. Contudo, muitos dos conceitos se modificaram com o tempo, o que conduziu a uma melhora nos cuidados proporcionados a esses pacientes. A abordagem prática varia entre diferentes centros de transplante de fígado, segundo especificidades locais. Assim, ensejamos apresentar nossa prática para estimular o debate entre diferentes equipes dedicadas, o que tem potencial de permitir a introdução de novas ideias e, possivelmente, melhorar o padrão de cuidados em cada instituição.

ABSTRACT The liver transplant program in our center started in 1992, and post-liver transplant patients are still admitted to the intensive care unit. For the intensive care physician, a learning curve started then, skills were acquired, and a specific practice was established. Throughout this time, several concepts changed, improving the care of these patients. The practical approach varies between liver transplant centers, according to local specificities. Hence, we wanted to present our routine practice to stimulate the debate between dedicated teams, which can allow the introduction of new ideas and potentially improve each local standard of care.

Trasplante hepático: evolución, curva de aprendizaje y resultados después de los primeros 300 casos / Liver transplantation: development, learning curve and results after the first 300 cases

Background: Liver transplantation (LT) is an option for people with liver failure who cannot be cured with other therapies and for some people with liver cancer. Aim: To describe, and analyze the first 300 LT clinical results, and to establish our learning curve. Material and Methods: Retrospective cohort study with data obtained from a prospectively collected LT Program database. We included all LT performed at a single center from March 1994 to September 2017. The database gathered demographics, diagnosis, indications for LT, surgical aspects and postoperative courses. We constructed a cumulative summation test for learning curve (LC-CUSUM) using 30-day post-LT mortality. Mortality at 30 days, and actuarial 1-, and 5-year survival rate were analyzed. Results: A total of 281 patients aged 54 (0-71) years (129 women) underwent 300 LT. Ten percent of patients were younger than 18 years old. The first, second and third indications for LT were non-alcoholic steatohepatitis, chronic autoimmune hepatitis and alcoholic liver cirrhosis, respectively. Acute liver failure was the LT indication in 51 cases (17%). The overall complication rate was 71%. Infectious and biliary complications were the most common of them (47 and 31% respectively). The LC-CUSUM curve shows that the first 30 patients corresponded to the learning curve. The peri-operative mortality was 8%. Actuarial 1 and 5-year survival rates were 82 and 71.4%, respectively. Conclusions: Outcome improvement of a LT program depends on the accumulation of experience after the first 30 transplants and the peri-operative mortality directly impacted long-term survival.

Validation of APACHE IV score in postoperative liver transplantation in southern Brazil: a cohort study / Validação do escore APACHE IV no transplante hepático pós-operatório no sul do Brasil: estudo de coorte

Abstract Background: Liver transplantation is the only curative therapeutic modality available for individuals at end-stage liver disease. There is no reliable method of predicting the early postoperative outcome of these patients. The Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation (APACHE) is a widely used model for predicting hospital survival and benchmarking in critically ill patients. This study evaluated the calibration and discrimination of APACHE IV in the postoperative period of elective liver transplantation in the southern Brazil. Methods: This was a clinical prospective and unicentric cohort study that included 371 adult patients in the immediate postoperative period of elective liver transplantation from January 1, 2012 to December 31, 2016. Results: In this study, liver transplant patients who evolved to hospital death had a significantly higher APACHE IV score (82.7 ± 5.1 vs. 51.0 ± 15.8; p < 0.001) and higher predicted mortality (6.5% [4.4-20.2%] vs. 2.3% [1.4-3.5%]; p < 0.001). The APACHE IV score showed an adequate calibration (Hosmer-Lemeshow - H-L = 11.37; p = 0.181) and good discrimination (Receiver Operator Curve - ROC of 0.797; Confidence Interval 95% - 95% CI 0.713-0.881; p < 0.0001), although Standardized Mortality Ratio (SMR = 2.63), (95% CI 1.66-4.27; p < 0.001) underestimate mortality. Conclusions: In summary, the APACHE IV score showed an acceptable performance for predicting a hospital outcome in the postoperative period of elective liver transplant recipients.

Resumo Introdução: O transplante de fígado é a única modalidade terapêutica curativa disponível para indivíduos com doença hepática terminal. Não há método confiável de prever o resultado pós-operatório imediato desses pacientes. A Avaliação da Gravidade da Doença Crônica e Aguda com bases Fisiológicas (APACHE) é um modelo amplamente usado para prever a sobrevida hospitalar e fazer a avaliação comparativa de pacientes criticamente enfermos. Este estudo avaliou a calibração e discriminação do APACHE IV no pós-operatório de transplante hepático eletivo no sul do Brasil. Métodos: Estudo clínico prospectivo de coorte em centro único que incluiu 371 pacientes adultos no pós-operatório imediato de transplante hepático eletivo de 1 de janeiro de 2012 a 31 de dezembro de 2016. Resultados: Neste estudo, pacientes com transplante hepático que evoluíram para óbito hospitalar obtiveram escore APACHE IV significativamente maior (82,7 ± 5,1 vs. 51,0 ± 15,8; p < 0,001) e mortalidade prevista mais alta (6,5% [4,4% -20,2%] vs 2,3% [1,4% -3,5%], p < 0,001). O escore APACHE IV mostrou uma calibração adequada (Hosmer-Lemeshow - H-L = 11,37; p = 0,181) e boa discriminação (Receiver Operator Curve - ROC de 0,797; intervalo de confiança de 95% - IC 95% 0,713-0,881; p < 0,0001), embora a taxa de mortalidade padronizada (Standardized Mortality Ratio - SMR = 2,63), (IC 95% 1,66-4,27; p < 0,001) subestime a mortalidade. Conclusões: Em resumo, o escore APACHE IV mostrou um desempenho aceitável para predizer um desfecho hospitalar no período pós-operatório de receptores eletivos de transplante hepático.

Escala Perme como preditor de funcionalidade e complicações após a alta da unidade de terapia intensiva em pacientes submetidos a transplante hepático / The Perme scale score as a predictor of functional status and complications after discharge from the intensive care unit in patients undergoing liver transplantation

RESUMO Objetivo: Avaliar a pontuação da escala Perme de mobilidade como preditor de funcionalidade e complicações no pós-operatório de pacientes submetidos a transplante hepático. Métodos: A amostra foi composta por 30 pacientes que realizaram transplante hepático. Os pacientes foram avaliados em dois momentos, a fim de verificar a percepção da dor, o grau de dispneia, a força muscular periférica e a funcionalidade do paciente de acordo com a escala Perme. Os dados coletados foram analisados por estatística descritiva e inferencial. Para comparar médias entre as avaliações, foi aplicado o teste t de Student para amostras pareadas. Em caso de assimetria, o teste de Wilcoxon foi utilizado. Na avaliação da associação entre as variáveis quantitativas, os testes de correlação de Pearson ou Spearman foram aplicados. Resultados: Foram incluídos 30 indivíduos que realizaram transplante hepático. Houve predomínio de pacientes do sexo masculino, e a média de idade foi 58,4 ± 9,9 anos. A patologia de base mais prevalente foi a cirrose por vírus C (23,3%). Foram registradas associações significativas entre o tempo de ventilação mecânica e a escala Perme na alta da unidade de terapia intensiva (r = -0,374; p = 0,042) e entre o número de atendimentos fisioterapêuticos (r = -0,578; p = 0,001). Quando comparados os resultados da avaliação inicial e na alta hospitalar, houve significativa melhora da funcionalidade (p < 0,001). Conclusão: Mobilidade funcional, força muscular periférica, percepção da dor e dispneia melhoram significativamente no momento da alta hospitalar em relação à admissão na unidade de internação.

ABSTRACT Objective: To assess the Perme mobility scale score as a predictor of functional status and complications in the postoperative period in patients undergoing liver transplantation. Methods: The sample consisted of 30 patients who underwent liver transplantation. The patients were evaluated at two time points to determine their perception of pain, degree of dyspnea, peripheral muscle strength, and functional status according to the Perme scale. The collected data were analyzed by descriptive and inferential statistics. To compare the means between the evaluations, Student's t test for paired samples was applied. In case of asymmetry, the Wilcoxon test was used. In the evaluation of the association between the quantitative variables, the Pearson or Spearman correlation tests were applied. Results: A total of 30 individuals who underwent liver transplantation were included. The patients were predominantly male, and the mean age was 58.4 ± 9.9 years. The most prevalent underlying pathology was cirrhosis C virus (23.3%). Significant associations of the time on mechanical ventilation with the Perme scale score at discharge from the intensive care unit (r = -0.374; p = 0.042) and the number of physical therapy treatments (r = -0.578; p = 0.001) were recorded. When comparing the results of the initial evaluation and the evaluation at hospital discharge, there was a significant improvement in functional status (p < 0.001). Conclusion: Functional mobility, peripheral muscle strength, pain perception, and dyspnea are significantly improved at hospital discharge compared with those at inpatient unit admission.

El trasplante de hígado es un procedimiento plausible, efectivo y seguro en pacientes con hemofilia: caso clínico / Liver transplantation in hemophilia A: report of one case

Due to blood derivative requirements, many patients with hemophilia were exposed to Hepatitis C virus infection (HCV) before the availability of HCV testing. We report a 46-year-old male with Hemophilia A with a hepatitis virus C infection since 2004 causing a cirrhosis. Due to a hepatopulmonary syndrome, he received a liver allograph using a factor VIII replacement protocol, after eradicating the virus C. He had a good postoperative evolution, and no more factor VIII was required after transplantation until his last assessment.

Disfunção e não função primária do enxerto hepático: revisão integrativa / Primary liver graft dysfunction and non-function: integrative literature review

RESUMO Evitar mortes na fila de espera por um órgão não é mais o único foco de atenção das equipes de transplantação. As pesquisas e cuidados na prática clínica têm sido cada vez mais voltados para o funcionamento do enxerto pós-implante. O objetivo desse estudo foi identificar a nomenclatura utilizada na literatura para disfunção e não função de um enxerto hepático, bem como, investigar as incidências e fatores de risco. Trata-se de uma revisão integrativa da literatura de publicações na íntegra em português, inglês e espanhol, entre 2012 e 2016, nas bases: CINAHL, MEDLINE, Cochrane, LILACS, BDENF, IBECS, EMBASE e Web of Science. Foram selecionados 14 estudos em que se identificou incidências variando entre 7% e 27% e a nomenclatura utilizada para descrever o evento foi mau funcionamento inicial, hipofunção do enxerto, função marginal ou retardo na função. Foram encontradas incidências de não função primária do enxerto hepático entre 1,4% e 8,4% dos pacientes e a nomenclatura usada para descrever o evento foi disfunção precoce ou perda do enxerto. Os fatores de risco encontrados são relacionados às variáveis do doador, receptor, enxerto e logística do transplante. Conclui-se que o conhecimento das diferentes nomenclaturas empregadas na literatura, das incidências da disfunção e não função primária e seus fatores de risco são fundamentais para qualificar as intervenções de controle dos eventos na perspectiva de melhorar a sobrevida do paciente pós-transplante hepático.

ABSTRACT Avoiding deaths in the waiting list for an organ is no longer the only focus of the transplant teams attention. Research and care in clinical practice has been increasingly focused on post transplant graft survival and functioning. In the present work, we performed an integrative literature review to identify the terminology used about liver graft dysfunction and non-function, as well as to investigate the incidence and risk factors of these clinical events. We chosen articles written in Portuguese, English and Spanish between 2012 and 2016, based on CINAHL, MEDLINE, Cochrane, LILACS, BDENF, IBECS, EMBASE and Web of Science. We selected 14 studies, in which we identified the incidence of hepatic graft dysfunction ranging from 7% to 27%. The terminology used to describe this clinical event was initial malfunction, graft hypofunction, marginal function or delay in function. The primary non-function of the liver graft was found in 1.4% to 8.4% of the patients, and the terminology used to describe the event was early dysfunction or graft loss. The risk factors found are related to donor, recipient, graft and transplant logistics variables. We conclude that knowledge of the different terminologies employed in the literature, related to dysfunction and primary non- function incidence, and of their risk factors are fundamental to qualify the control of the events, aiming to improve patients' survival after liver transplantation.

Trasplante hepático exitoso en un paciente portador del Virus de la Inmunodeficiencia Humana (VIH) / Liver transplantation in a patient with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV): case report

Abstrac: Before the advent of highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART), patients infected with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) were considered as having an absolute contraindication for liver transplantation (LT). Considering the increased life expectancy in HIV positive patients under HAART and the improvements in the management of graft recipients, these patients are now suitable for carrying out transplants in selected cases. We report a 26 years old HIV positive male who developed acute liver failure possibly caused by drug induced liver injury who underwent a successful liver transplantation.

Uso de oxigenação por membrana extracorpórea para tratamento de miocardiopatia aguda após transplante hepático: relato de caso / Use of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation for treating acute cardiomyopathy after liver transplantation: a case report

RESUMO Reportamos o caso de paciente do sexo feminino, 58 anos, sem doença cardíaca conhecida, submetida a transplante hepático sem intercorrências. No segundo dia do pós-operatório desenvolveu choque cardiogênico secundário à miocardiopatia induzida pelo estresse (síndrome de Takotsubo-like). A paciente foi manejada com sucesso com oxigenação por membrana extracorpórea venoarterial periférica, por 6 dias, com recuperação completa da função cardíaca, bem como do enxerto hepático. Síndrome coronariana e miocardite aguda foram excluídas como causas do choque. O uso de oxigenação por membrana extracorpórea neste cenário é possível e seguro, considerando protocolos e tratamento especializado neste tipo de suporte.

ABSTRACT We report the case of a female patient, 58 years of age, without known heart disease, who underwent liver transplantation without complications. On the second postoperative day, the patient developed cardiogenic shock secondary to stress-induced cardiomyopathy (Takotsubo-like syndrome). The patient was successfully managed with veno-arterial peripheral extracorporeal membrane oxygenation for 6 days, with complete recovery of cardiac function and of the hepatic graft. Coronary syndrome and acute myocarditis were excluded as the causes of the shock. The use of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation in this scenario is possible and safe, considering its specialized protocols and treatment.

Upper midline incision in recipients of deceased-donors liver transplantation / Incisão mediana superior em receptores de transplantes de fígado de doadores falecidos

ABSTRACT Background: Liver transplant (LT) is the only effective and long-lasting option for patients with end-stage liver disease. Innovations and refinements in surgical techniques occurred with the advent of transplants with partial grafts and laparoscopy. Despite these modifications, the abdominal incision remains with only few changes. Aim: Demonstrate the experience with the upper midline incision in LT recipients with whole liver grafts from deceased donors. Methods: Retrospective study with patients submitted to LT. Data were collected from the recipients who performed the surgical procedure through the upper midline incision. Results: The upper midline incision was used in 20 LT, 19 of which were performed in adult recipients. The main cause was liver disease secondary to alcohol. Male, BMI>25 kg/m² and MELD greater than 20 were prevalent in the study. Biliary complications occurred in two patients. Hemoperitoneum was an indication for reoperation at one of the receptors. Complication of the surgical wound occurred in two patients, who presented superficial surgical site infection and evisceration (omental). Two re-transplant occurred in the first postoperative week due to severe graft dysfunction and hepatic artery thrombosis, which were performed with the same incision, without the need to increase surgical access. There were two deaths due to severe graft dysfunction after re-transplant in 72 h and respiratory sepsis with multiple organ dysfunction in the third week. Conclusion: The upper midline incision can be safely used in LT recipients with whole grafts from deceased donors. However, receptor characteristics and hepatic graft size should be considered in the option of abdominal surgical access.

RESUMO Racional: O transplante de fígado (TF) é a única opção eficaz e duradoura para os pacientes com doença hepática em estágio terminal. Inovações e refinamentos nas técnicas cirúrgicas ocorreram com o advento dos transplantes com enxertos parciais e da laparoscopia. Apesar dessas modificações, a incisão abdominal permanece sem grandes mudanças. Objetivo: Demonstrar a experiência com a incisão mediana superior nos receptores de TF com enxertos hepáticos inteiros provenientes de doadores falecidos. Método: É estudo retrospectivo entre os pacientes submetidos ao TF. Foram coletados os dados dos receptores que realizaram o procedimento cirúrgico através da incisão mediana superior . Resultados: Essa incisão foi utilizada em 20 TF, sendo 19 realizados em receptores adultos. A principal causa foi a doença hepática secundária ao álcool. O gênero masculino, IMC>25 kg/m² e o MELD superior a 20 foram prevalentes no estudo. Complicações biliares ocorreram em dois pacientes. Hemoperitônio foi indicação de reoperação em um dos receptores. Complicação da ferida cirúrgica ocorreu em dois pacientes, que apresentaram infecção de sítio cirúrgico superficial e evisceração (omental). Ocorreram dois re-transplantes na primeira semana de pós-operatório devido à disfunção grave do enxerto e à trombose da artéria hepática, sendo realizados com a mesma incisão, sem a necessidade de ampliar o acesso cirúrgico. Ocorreram dois óbitos por disfunção grave do enxerto após o re-transplante em 72 h e sepse respiratória com disfunção de múltiplos órgãos na terceira semana. Conclusão: A incisão mediana superior pode ser utilizada com segurança em receptores de TF com enxertos inteiros provenientes de doadores falecidos. Entretanto, características do receptor e tamanho do enxerto hepático devem ser considerados na opção do acesso cirúrgico abdominal.

Liver transplantation for acute liver failure due to antitubercular drugs - a single-center experience

OBJECTIVES: Patients receiving treatment for tuberculosis are at risk of developing acute liver failure due to the hepatotoxicity of antitubercular drugs. We aimed to describe our experience with liver transplantation from deceased donors in this situation. METHODS: We identified patients undergoing transplantation for acute liver failure due to antitubercular drugs in our prospectively maintained database. RESULTS: Of 81 patients undergoing transplantation for acute liver failure, 8 cases were attributed to antitubercular drugs during the period of 2006-2016. Regarding the time of tuberculosis treatment until the onset of jaundice, patients were on antitubercular drugs for a mean of 64.7 days (21-155 days). The model for end-stage liver disease (MELD) score of patients ranged from 32 to 47 (median 38), and seven patients underwent transplantation under vasopressors. The 1-year survival was 50%. Three patients died during the week following transplantation due to septic shock (including a patient with acute liver failure due to hepatic/disseminated tuberculosis), and the remaining patient died 2 months after transplantation due to pulmonary infection. There were 2 cases of mild rejection and 1 case of moderate rejection. Of the surviving patients, all were considered cured of tuberculosis after alternative drugs were given. CONCLUSION: Patients arrived very sick and displayed poor survival after deceased donor transplantation.

Current management of biliary atresia based on 35 years of experience at a single center

OBJECTIVE: The prognosis of patients with biliary atresia undergoing Kasai portoenterostomy is related to the timing of the diagnosis and the indication for the procedure. The purpose of the present study is to present a practical flowchart based on 257 children who underwent Kasai portoenterostomy. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective cohort study of patients who underwent Kasai portoenterostomy between 1981 and 2016. RESULTS: During the first period (1981 to 2009), 230 infants were treated, and the median age at the time of surgery was 84 days; jaundice was resolved in 77 patients (33.5%). During the second period, from 2010 to 2016, a new diagnostic approach was adopted to shorten the wait time for portoenterostomy; an ultrasonography examination suggestive of the disease was followed by primary surgical exploration of the biliary tract without complementary examination or liver biopsy. Once the diagnosis of biliary atresia was confirmed, a portoenterostomy was performed during the same surgery. During this period, 27 infants underwent operations; the median age at the time of surgery was 66 days (p<0.001), and jaundice was resolved in 15 patients (55.6% - p=0.021), with a survival rate of the native liver of 66.7%. CONCLUSION: Primary surgical exploration of the biliary tract without previous biopsy was effective at improving the prognostic indicators of patients with biliary atresia undergoing Kasai portoenterostomy.

Estudio pre-trasplante hepático: ¿qué buscar y cómo hacerlo? Si algo es positivo: ¿qué hacemos? / Liver transplant pre-study: what to search for and how to do it? what shall we do in case of positive findings?

The process of evaluation of candidate patients for liver transplantation should include the risk of infectious diseases in order to prevent the drop out of the waiting list due to infections or the occurrence of these in the post-transplant period. Cirrhotic patients in the pre-transplant stage are very ill and usually have severe infections. The most common is spontaneous bacterial peritonitis, but they can also present urinary infections and pneumonias. Mortality due to infectious causes has been reported up to 40% in patients on the transplant waiting list. The transplanted patients may have a poor immune response to vaccination, so the optimal immunization period is pre-transplant. In the post-transplant period, Gram-negative bacterial infections are one of the main complications. Invasive fungal infections and cytomegalovirus can also have a high impact on morbidity and mortality. Transplanted patients may also have mycobacterial infections in relation to a latent tuberculosis infection. In the following article we present the pre-transplant evaluations, vaccination schemes and antimicrobial prophylaxis that are used in liver transplantation.

El proceso de evaluación de pacientes candidatos para trasplante hepático debe incluir el riesgo de enfermedades infecciosas a fin de prevenir la salida de la lista por infecciones o la ocurrencia de éstas en el período post-trasplante. Los pacientes cirróticos en la etapa pre-trasplante están muy enfermos y suelen presentar infecciones graves. La más común es la peritonitis bacteriana espontánea, pero también pueden presentar infecciones urinarias y neumonías. La mortalidad por causa infecciosa se ha reportado hasta en 40% en pacientes en lista de espera de trasplante. Los pacientes trasplantados pueden tener una pobre respuesta inmune a la vacunación, por lo que el momento óptimo de inmunización es en el período pretrasplante. En el período post-trasplante las infecciones bacterianas por Gram negativos son una de las principales complicaciones. Las infecciones por hongos invasores y el citomegalovirus también pueden tener un alto impacto en morbilidad y mortalidad. Los pacientes trasplantados también pueden presentar infecciones por micobacterias en relación a una infección latente por tuberculosis. En el siguiente artículo se presentan las evaluaciones pre-trasplante, esquemas de vacunación y profilaxis antimicrobiana que se utilizan en trasplante hepático.