Restarting LDLT During COVID-19: Early Results After Restructuring.
Transplant Proc
; 53(4): 1118-1125, 2021 May.
Article
in English
| MEDLINE | ID: covidwho-978450
ABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION:
Living-donor liver transplantation (LDLT) has been mostly suspended and deceased-donor living transplantation activity has been considerably reduced because of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). We modified our protocols and procedures in line with COVID-19 guidelines. Since the restructuring, we have performed 20 LDLTs. Our study reports the outcomes of these cases and demonstrates the feasibility of LDLT during this pandemic. MATERIALS ANDMETHODS:
The changes were influenced by experiences and communications from across the globe. A month-long self-imposed moratorium was spent in restructuring the program and implementing new protocols. Twenty LDLTs were performed between April 18 and September 15 using the new protocols. Our experience includes 2 simultaneous liver-kidney transplants, 1 ABO-incompatible LDLT, and 1 pediatric case (age 11 months).RESULTS:
Nineteen patients recovered and 1 patient died. We maintained our postoperative immunosuppression protocol without many changes. Major complications were observed in 30% of recipients but none of the donors. One recipient was infected with COVID-19 during the postoperative period. A donor-recipient couple contracted COVID-19 after discharge from the hospital. All patients recovered from COVID-19 and liver enzymes were unaffected.CONCLUSION:
This study represents a microcosm of experience in LDLT during the COVID-19 era. Outcomes of LDLT are not affected by COVID-19 per se, provided that we make necessary changes.
Full text:
Available
Collection:
International databases
Database:
MEDLINE
Main subject:
Postoperative Complications
/
Liver Transplantation
/
Infection Control
/
SARS-CoV-2
/
COVID-19
Type of study:
Observational study
/
Prognostic study
/
Qualitative research
/
Randomized controlled trials
Limits:
Adult
/
Female
/
Humans
/
Infant
/
Male
/
Middle aged
Language:
English
Journal:
Transplant Proc
Year:
2021
Document Type:
Article
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