Uterus transplantation: a rescue technique to save the viability and functionality of the graft after intra-operative outflow thrombosis.

Objective: To study a surgical approach to venous vascular thrombosis after uterus transplantation (UTx). Uterus transplantation is the only treatment for uterine factor infertility when conventional therapies are not possible. One of the major limitations of UTx is the high incidence of vascular thrombosis, which in most series reaches approximately 20%. Design: A case report. Setting: Hospital. Patients: We report here a technique used in a 30-year-old woman with congenital absence of the uterus who developed intraoperative thrombosis after a UTx from a brain-dead donor. Intervention: The UTx was performed by revascularizing the graft through bilateral donor internal iliac vessels (artery and vein) anastomosed end-to-side to the external iliac vessels of the recipient. The superior uterine veins were not anastomosed and were left unreconstructed. An end-to-end graft to the recipient's vaginal anastomosis was performed. After uterus reperfusion, congestion of the organ was noted, and bilateral venous thrombosis of the internal iliac veins of the graft was found. A "Y-shaped" venous jump graft was used to restore venous outflow of the left superior uterine vein and the internal iliac vein of the graft after thrombectomy. Main Outcome Measures: Viability and functionality of the uterus graft after intraoperative bilateral venous thrombosis. Results: The postoperative course was uneventful, and this UTx resulted in the delivery of a healthy infant. Conclusion: To our knowledge, this is the first successful rescue technique used to restore venous outflow and save the viability and functionality of a transplanted uterus. We demonstrated that a transplanted uterus from a deceased donor with a monolateral outflow could succeed in pregnancy and the delivery of a healthy infant.

Alternative technique for the injection of fluocinolone acetonide (FAc) intravitreal implant (Iluvien®) in case of leakage of its injector.

PURPOSE: To show an alternative surgical technique for the introduction of the intravitreal fluocinolone acetonide (FAc) implant (Iluvien®) into the vitreous cavity using a 23-gauge (G) trocar if it is retained during its implantation in the subconjunctival space. METHODS: We describe the surgical procedure performed to solve the complication: The FAc implant was extracted from the subconjunctival space using flat retinal forceps. A 23-G trocar was inserted 3,5 mm to the limbus. The same flat retinal forceps were used to take the FAc implant and introduce it into the vitreous cavity using a 23-G trocar. RESULTS: The patient's best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) (Snellen) improved from 20/200 to 20/63 and the central macular thickness (CMT) was reduced from 610 microns (µm) to 215 µm after one week of the FAc implantation. He remained stable after 3 months of follow-up, with a BCVA of 20/63 and a CMT of 191 µm. His intraocular pressure (IOP) remained stable and the integrity of the implant was checked by indirect ophthalmoscopy. CONCLUSION: The introduction of the intravitreal FAc implant using a 23-gauge trocar constitutes a valid alternative if it is retained during its implantation in the subconjunctival space.The functionality of the implant remained intact in our patient.

Living Donor Liver Transplantation With Augmented Venous Outflow and Splenectomy: A Promised Land for Small Left Lobe Grafts.

OBJECTIVE: Living donor liver transplantation (LDLT) using small grafts, especially left lobe grafts (H1234-MHV) (LLG), continues to be a challenge due to small-for-size syndrome (SFSS). We herein demonstrate that with surgical modifications, outcomes with small grafts can be improved. METHODS: Between 2012 and 2020, we performed 130 adult LDLT using 61 (47%) LLG (H1234-MHV) in a single Enterprise. The median graft-to-recipient weight ratio was 0.84%, with graft-to-recipient weight ratio <0.7% accounting for 22%. Splenectomy was performed in 72 (56%) patients for inflow modulation before (n=50) or after (n=22) graft reperfusion. In LLG-LDLT, venous outflow was achieved using all three recipient hepatic veins. In right lobe graft (H5678) (RLG)-LDLT, the augmented graft right hepatic vein was anastomosed to the recipient's cava with a large cavotomy. Outcome measures include SFSS, early allograft dysfunction (EAD), and survival. RESULTS: Graft survival rates at 1, 3, and 5 years were 94%, 90%, and 83%, respectively, with no differences between LLG (H1234-MHV) and RLG (H5678). Splenectomy significantly reduced portal flow without increasing the complication rate. Despite the aggressive use of small grafts, SFSS and EAD developed in only 1 (0.8%) and 18 (13.8%) patients, respectively. Multivariable logistic regression revealed model for end-stage liver disease score and LLG (H1234-MHV) as independent risk factors for EAD and splenectomy as a protective factor (odds ratio: 0.09; P =0.03). For LLG (H1234-MHV)-LDLT, patients who underwent prereperfusion splenectomy tended to have better 1-year graft survival than those receiving postreperfusion splenectomy. CONCLUSIONS: LLG (H1234-MHV) are feasible in adult LDLT with excellent outcomes comparable to RLG (H5678). Venous outflow augmentation and splenectomy help lower the threshold of using small-for-size grafts without compromising graft survival.

Renoportal Anastomosis During Liver Transplantation in Patients With Portal Vein Thrombosis: First Long-term Results From a Multicenter Study.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the short- and long-term outcomes of RPA in a large multicentric series. SUMMARY BACKGROUND: The current knowledge on RPA for portal reconstruction during LT in patients with diffuse PVT and a large splenorenal shunt is poor and limited to case reports and small case series. METHODS: All consecutive LTs with RPA performed in 5 centers between 1998 and 2020 were included. RPA was physiological provided it drained the splanchnic venous return through a large splenorenal shunt (≥ 1 cm diameter). Complications of PHT, long-term RPA patency, and patient and graft survival were assessed. RPA success was achieved provided the 3 following criteria were all fulfilled: patients were alive with patent RPA and without clinical PHT. RESULTS: RPA was attempted and feasible in 57 consecutive patients and was physiological in 51 patients (89.5%). Ninety-day mortality occurred in 5 (8.5%) patients, and PHT-related complications occurred in 42.9% of patients. With a median follow-up of 63 months, the 1-, 3- and 5-year patient and graft survival rates were 87%, 83%, and 76% and 82%, 80%, and 73%, respectively. The primary and primary-assisted patency rates at 5 years were 84.5% and 94.3%, respectively. Success was achieved in 90% (27/30) of patients with a follow-up ≥5 years. CONCLUSIONS: Despite a high rate of PHT-related complications, excellent long-term patient and graft survival could be achieved. RPA could be considered successful in the vast majority of patients. The expanded use of RPA is warranted.

Induction Therapy With Antithymocyte Globulin and Delayed Calcineurin Inhibitor Initiation for Renal Protection in Liver Transplantation: A Multicenter Randomized Controlled Phase II-B Trial.

BACKGROUND: Calcineurin inhibitor (CNI)-based immunosuppression in liver transplantation (LTx) is associated with acute and chronic deterioration of kidney function. Delaying CNI initiation by using induction rabbit antithymocyte globulin (rATG) may provide kidneys with adequate time to recover from a perioperative insult reducing the risk of early post-LTx renal deterioration. METHODS: This was an open-label, multicenter, randomized controlled clinical trial comparing use of induction rATG with delayed CNI initiation (d 10) against upfront CNI commencement (standard of care [SOC]) in those patients deemed at standard risk of postoperative renal dysfunction following LTx. The primary endpoint was change in (delta) creatinine from baseline to month 12. RESULTS: Fifty-five patients were enrolled in each study arm. Mean tacrolimus levels remained comparable in both groups from day 10 throughout the study period. A significant difference in delta creatinine was observed between rATG and SOC groups at 9 mo (P = 0.03) but not at month 12 (P = 0.05). Estimated glomerular filtration rate levels remained comparable between cohorts at all time points. Rates of biopsy-proven acute rejection at 1 y were similar between groups (16.3 versus 12.7%, P = 0.58). rATG showed no significant adverse effects. Survival at 12 mo was comparable between groups (P = 0.48). CONCLUSIONS: Although the use of induction rATG and concurrent CNI deferral in this study did not demonstrate a significant difference in delta creatinine at 1 y, these results indicate a potential role for rATG in preserving early kidney function, especially when considered with CNI deferral beyond 10 d or lower target tacrolimus levels, with acceptable safety and treatment efficacy.

HORMONAL SUPPLEMENTATION TRIGGERING CHOROIDAL NEOVASCULARIZATION IN HEALTHY YOUNG FEMALES.

PURPOSE: To report three cases of choroidal neovascularization after hormonal treatment for ovarian stimulation during a fertility therapy. METHODS: A comprehensive ophthalmic examination was performed in all cases including best-corrected visual acuity, color fundus examination, fluorescein angiography, and optical coherence tomography. RESULTS: Three females in their thirties developed unilateral acuity vision loss and metamorphopsia. They all were undergoing hormonal supplementation for ovarian stimulation with gonadotropins at the moment of presentation. Intravitreal therapy with ranibizumab was used; all cases showed a significant functional and anatomical improvement. DISCUSSION: Hormonal supplementation for fertility therapy is a common procedure that may be associated with the development of choroidal neovascularization in healthy young females. Further studies should be performed to evaluate this association, but both ophthalmologist and gynecologist should be aware of this potential complication.

Long-term effectiveness of vitrectomy in diabetic cystoid macular edema.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study is to assess whether the outcome of pars plana vitrectomy for the treatment of cystoid non-tractional diabetic macular edema is stable and durable. METHODS: A prospective longitudinal analysis of central macular thickness and visual acuity was performed, using repeated-measures ANOVA, in 22 subjects with cystoid diabetic macular edema. RESULTS: Of the patients, 45.5 % met the criteria for surgical success at 6 months (achieving a reduction of central macular thickness of over 20 %, without associated loss of vision and central macular thickness less than 300 µm), of which 70 % remained stable at 1 year. A significant outcome of the intervention was found on central macular thickness (p < 0.01), but not on visual acuity (p = 0.159). This change occurred in the immediate postoperative period to remain stable thereafter. CONCLUSIONS: Vitreoretinal surgery can be an alternative treatment option in cases that do not respond to other types of treatment provided. Its expected benefit is observed in most cases in the immediate postoperative period, and is usually stable and sustained over 1-year follow-up.

Safety and effectiveness of renoportal bypass in patients with complete portal vein thrombosis: an analysis of 10 patients.

The presence of portal vein thrombosis (PVT) is still considered by many transplantation centers to be an absolute contraindication to liver transplantation because of the technical difficulties that it can present and its association with a higher rate of patient morbidity and mortality. Renoportal bypass (RPB) can help to remove these barriers. This study describes our institution's experience with RPB through the description of a new and successful simplified surgical strategy, a patient and graft outcome analysis, intraoperative vascular flow measurements, and the use of splenic artery embolization (SAE) as an effective adjunct for treating sporadic cases of unrelieved portal hypertension. Between January 2004 and January 2013, 10 patients with grade 4 PVT underwent RPB. At the last follow-up (42.2 ± 21.1 months), the patient and graft survival rates were 100%. Five patients (50%) experienced posttransplant ascites, and 2 of those underwent proximal SAE to modulate the liver inflow and overcome the ascites. Three patients (30%) experienced transient kidney injury in the early posttransplant period and were treated efficiently with medical therapy. The renoportal flows were close to the desirable 100 mL/100 g of liver tissue in all cases. The experience and data support RPB as a feasible and easily reproducible technique without the risks and technical challenges associated with the tedious dissection of a cavernous hilum.

Prognostic role of plasma vascular endothelial growth factor in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma undergoing liver transplantation.

Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is pivotal in the development of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Studies have demonstrated the prognostic value of circulating VEGF levels in patients undergoing liver resection or locoregional therapy (LRT) for HCC. We investigated the significance of preoperative plasma VEGF levels in patients with HCC undergoing liver transplantation (LT) at a Western transplant center. Pre-LT plasma VEGF levels were measured with an enzyme-linked immunoassay for 164 patients with HCC undergoing LT. The preoperative plasma VEGF level was correlated with clinicopathological variables and overall and recurrence-free post-LT survival. A higher pre-LT plasma VEGF level was significantly associated with pre-LT LRT (P = 0.01), multiple tumors (P = 0.02), a total tumor diameter ≥ 5 cm (P = 0.01), bilobar tumor distribution (P = 0.03), tumor vascular invasion (VI; P < 0.001), and HCC beyond the Milan criteria (P < 0.001). Patients with a plasma VEGF level > 44 pg/mL had significantly worse overall and disease-free survival than those with VEGF levels ≤ 44 pg/mL (P = 0.04 and P = 0.02, respectively). In a multivariate analysis, a plasma VEGF level > 44 pg/mL was independently associated with tumor VI (P < 0.001) and recurrence-free survival (hazard ratio = 2.12, 95% confidence interval = 1.08-4.14, P = 0.03). In conclusion, in patients with chronic end-stage liver disease and HCC, a pre-LT plasma VEGF level > 44 pg/mL may be a predictor of tumor VI and recurrence-free post-LT survival.

Elevated catecholamines and hepatic artery vasospasm in porcine small-for-size liver graft.

BACKGROUND: Elevated levels of norepinephrine (NE) have been reported in recipients of small-for-size liver (SFS) grafts in the perioperative period. The aim of the study is to test the hypothesis that although circulating catecholamines are elevated in recipients of SFS grafts, they are not the primary agents responsible for the hepatic artery (HA) vasospasm. METHODS: Female porcine recipients receiving a 20% (n = 10) partial liver graft were compared with a control group, using 60% partial liver transplanted grafts (n = 9). Hepatic blood flow (PVF, HAF) and levels of plasma catecholamines (epinephrine and NE) were measured at designated time points through postoperative day (POD) 7. Phentolamine (PA), an α-adrenergic blocker, was administered at doses of 1 to 112.5 ug/kg/min through an indwelling HA to the recipients of 20% group on POD1 (n = 5). RESULTS: In the 20% group following reperfusion, HA vasospasm was found at 10, 60, and 90 min, and persisted on POD 3 and POD 7. Plasma NE levels increased after reperfusion in 20% and 60% groups and peaked at 6 h with 10- to 13-fold increased levels compared with baseline. In the 20% group, NE levels remained elevated up to POD 7. PA infusion at low (1-10 ug/kg/min) and high (12.5-112.5 ug/kg/min) doses did not reverse the reduced HAF observed in 20% group recipients. CONCLUSION: Elevated serum NE does not appear to be the primary factor mediating HA vasospasm in the porcine SFS graft.

Duct-to-duct biliary reconstruction in patients with primary sclerosing cholangitis undergoing liver transplantation.

BACKGROUND: Reconstruction of biliary drainage after liver transplantation (LTx) in patients with primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC) has been a matter of controversy. Over recent years, the traditional method of Roux-en-Y hepaticojejunostomy (RY) has been challenged by duct-to-duct (DD) biliary reconstruction. METHODS: This study represents a retrospective review of biliary complications, patient and graft survival after LTx in PSC patients based on type of biliary reconstruction. Outcomes of DD reconstruction in this group of patients and non-PSC patients are compared. RESULTS: A total of 53 primary LTx procedures were performed for PSC between August 2005 and July 2010. Seven patients were excluded because unexpected cholangiocarcinoma was found in the explants (n=3) or because they received partial livers (n=4). Biliary reconstruction was performed as DD in 18 patients and RY in 28 patients. There were no bile leaks. Anastomotic stricture occurred in two (11%) patients in the DD group and one (4%) in the RY group. Two (7%) patients in the RY group developed non-PSC intrahepatic strictures and one had recurrence of PSC. Rates of 1- and 3-year patient and graft survival in the RY and DD groups were 96.7% and 96.7%, and 100% and 94.5%, respectively. In a group of 34 randomly selected patients transplanted for a non-PSC diagnosis with DD reconstruction during the same period, the anastomotic stricture rate was 9% and 1- and 3-year patient and graft survival rates were 97.0% and 88.5%; differences were not significant. CONCLUSIONS: Duct-to-duct biliary reconstruction at the time of LTx in selected PSC patients is both effective and safe, and shows outcomes comparable with those of RY reconstruction in these patients and those of DD reconstruction in non-PSC patients.

Measurement of CD4+ T-cell function in predicting allograft rejection and recurrent hepatitis C after liver transplantation.

Recurrence of hepatitis C virus (HCV) can be difficult to distinguish from acute cellular rejection (ACR) following liver transplantation. The Cylex Immune Function Assay (ImmuKnow) provides objective measure of recipient's immune function. The goal is to assess the ability of this assay to distinguish these similar conditions. A retrospective review was performed in 54 recipients with HCV. ImmuKnow assays were measured with allograft biopsies. Levels of adenosine triphosphate (ATP) release from CD4+ T cells (ng/mL) were compared with the following biopsy result classifications: 365 ± 130 with ACR (n = 11), 152 ± 100 with recurrent HCV (n = 26), 240 ± 71 with normal biopsies (n = 12), and 157 ± 130 with overlapping features of ACR and recurrent HCV (n = 5). Recipients with recurrent HCV had lower immune response than those with ACR (p < 0.0001).Using a cutoff level of 220, the sensitivity and specificity for distinguishing two conditions were 88.5% and 90.9%, respectively. When recipients with overlapping features had low immune response, three of four recipients' subsequent biopsies showed recurrent HCV. In conclusion, the ImmuKnow assay can be a sensitive and specific additional test for distinguishing recurrent HCV from ACR and may be useful for predicting which recipients may be most vulnerable to recurrent HCV.

Liver transplantation at Cleveland Clinic.

This review describes our program and its outcomes and then provides an in-depth focuses into many of the unique aspects of our practice that have been important to the success of the program. These include a global appreciation for the impact and various presentations of chronic portal hypertension. We have sought to better understand and describe the various effects it can have on local allograft hemodynamics and graft survival. Intraoperative blood flow measurements of the hepatic artery and portal vein are important. Postoperative follow-up with Doppler ultrasound has been essential for both partial and whole grafts. A better understanding of systemic and graft hemodynamics has changed our clinical practice with regards to the intra- and post-operative management of the hepatic artery and portal vein. We have also focused on the issue of hepatocellular carcinoma, one of the major indications for liver transplantation. We have sought to better understand the heterogeneous clinical presentations of this disease and how to best approach them in a multidisciplinary fashion. Finally, we describe the various methods we have utilized to increase the number of hepatic grafts available for our patients. We have aggressively utilized all forms of grafts; living and deceased; partial and whole; and extended and standard criteria donors. We have done this with the focus on living donor safety and then concentrated on finding the best graft for the individual patient in the context of the national allocation systems in which we all work.

Adenosine restores the hepatic artery buffer response and improves survival in a porcine model of small-for-size syndrome.

The aim of the study is to define the role of the HABR in the pathophysiology of the SFS liver graft and to demonstrate that restoration of hepatic artery flow (HAF) has a significant impact on outcome and improves survival. Nine pigs received partial liver allografts of 60% liver volume, Group 1; 8 animals received 20% LV grafts, Group 2; 9 animals received 20% LV grafts with adenosine infusion, Group 3. HAF and portal vein flow (PVF) were recorded at 10 min, 60 min and 90 min post reperfusion, on POD 3 and POD 7 in Group 1, and daily in Group 2 and 3 up to POD 14. Baseline HAF and PVF (ml/100 g/min) were 29 +/- 12 (mean +/- SD) and 74 +/- 8 respectively, with 28% of total liver blood flow (TLBF) from the HA and 72% from the PV. PVF peaked at 10 mins in all groups, increasing by a factor of 3.8 in the 20% group compared to an increase of 1.9 in the 60% group. By POD 7-14 PVF rates approached baseline values in all groups. The HABR was intact immediately following reperfusion in all groups with a reciprocal decrease in HAF corresponding to the peak PVF at 10 min. However in the 20% group HAF decreased to 12 +/- 8 ml/100 g/min at 90 min and remained low out to POD 7-14 despite restoration of normal PVF rates. Histopathology confirmed evidence of HA vasospasm and its consequences, cholestasis, centrilobular necrosis and biliary ischemia in Group 2. HA infusion of adenosine significantly improved HAF (p < .0001), reversed pathological changes and significantly improved survival (p = .05). An impaired HABR is important in the pathophysiology of the SFSS. Reversal of the vasospasm significantly improves outcome.

Infectious endophthalmitis after intravitreal injection of antiangiogenic agents.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the rate of infectious endophthalmitis associated with intravitreal injection of bevacizumab, ranibizumab, and pegaptanib sodium. METHODS: A retrospective review of patients who received intravitreal injections of bevacizumab, ranibizumab, and pegaptanib sodium was undertaken. Cases of clinical diagnoses of endophthalmitis or suspected endophthalmitis resulting from intravitreal injection were identified and reviewed. From these data, the risk per injection was estimated. RESULTS: Three patients developed endophthalmitis after the intravitreal injection. The risk per injection was 0.00077 (0.077%). The rate of endophthalmitis was 1 per 1,291 injections. CONCLUSION: A similar risk of endophthalmitis per injection compared with some trials was obtained in this study. Although no definite risk factors could be identified, intravitreal injections performed by nonretina specialist physicians may be a risk factor for the development of endophthalmitis.

Ranibizumab combined with low-dose sorafenib for exudative age-related macular degeneration.

Angiogenesis is a common factor in the pathogenesis of cancer and in exudative age-related macular degeneration (AMD). Therefore, angiogenesis inhibition has been developed as a therapeutic strategy. We report 2 cases of recurrent exudative AMD in which oral sorafenib, a tyrosine kinase inhibitor approved for cancer, was added to intravitreal ranibizumab, an antibody to vascular endothelial growth factor. These 2 patients were followed up by determination of visual acuity, fluorescein angiography, fundoscopy, and optical coherence tomography. The visual acuity of 1 patient improved from 20/70 to 20/60 while he was receiving sorafenib therapy; that of the other did not. Marked improvement was noted in both patients on optical coherence tomography. Additionally, both patients appeared to receive some benefit when low-dose oral sorafenib was used as monotherapy after its initial addition to ranibizumab therapy. Randomized trials of adding sorafenib to standard therapy for patients with neovascular AMD should be considered.

"Splenic artery steal syndrome" is a misnomer: the cause is portal hyperperfusion, not arterial siphon.

Splenic artery embolization (SAE) improves hepatic artery (HA) flow in liver transplant (OLT) recipients with so-called splenic artery steal syndrome. We propose that SAE actually improves HA flow by reducing the HA buffer response (HABR). Patient 1: On postoperative day (POD) 1, Doppler ultrasonography (US) showed patent vasculature with HA resistive index (RI) of 0.8. On POD 4, aminotransferases rose dramatically; his RI was 1.0 with no diastolic flow. Octreotide was begun, but on POD 5 US showed reverse diastolic HA flow with no signal in distal HA branches. After SAE, US showed markedly improved flow, RI was 0.6, diastolic flow in the main artery, and complete visualization of all distal branches. By POD 6, liver function had normalized. RI in the main HA is 0.76 at 2 months postsurgery. Patient 2: On POD 1, RI was 1.0. US showed worsening intrahepatic signal, with no signal in the intrahepatic branches and reversed diastolic flow despite good graft function. On POD 7, SAE improved the intrahepatic waveform and RI (from 1.0 to 0.72). Patient 3: Intraoperative reverse diastolic arterial flow persisted on PODs 1, 2, and 3, with progressive loss of US signal in peripheral HA branches. SAE on POD 4 improved the RI (0.86) and peripheral arterial branch signals. Patient 4: US on POD 1 showed good HA flow with a normal RI (0.7). A sudden waveform change on POD 2 with increasing RI (0.83) prompted SAE, after which the wave form normalized, with reconstitution of a normal diastolic flow (RI 0.68). In conclusion, these reports confirm the usefulness of SAE for poor HA flow but suggest that inflow steal was not the problem. Rather than producing an increase in arterial inflow, SAE worked by reducing portal flow and HABR, thereby reducing end-organ outflow resistance. Evidence of this effect is the marked reduction of the RI after the SAE to 0.6, 0.72, 0.86, and 0.68, in patients 1-4, respectively. SAE reduces excessive portal vein flow and thereby ameliorates an overactive HABR that can cause graft dysfunction and ultimately HA thrombosis.

Fundus autofluorescence in choroidal metastatic lesions: a pilot study.

PURPOSE: To correlate fundus autofluorescence (FAF) in choroidal metastases with clinical changes overlying the lesions using confocal scanning laser ophthalmoscope. METHODS: Retrospective chart review of 15 metastatic tumors in 14 eyes of 11 consecutive patients. The patients underwent confocal scanning laser ophthalmoscope to compare the clinical findings and FAF. Correlation between increased FAF and clinical changes was defined as complete, partial, or no correlation. RESULTS: Of 11 patients, 8 (73%) were women, and the average age was 56 years. All 15 metastases were amelanotic, focal hyperpigmentation was present in 8 (53%), subretinal fluid in eleven (73%), whereas drusen and orange pigment were absent. Of 8 tumors that were visualized by scanning laser ophthalmoscope, 7 tumors (87%) showed correlation between FAF and hyperpigmentation, no correlation in 1 (13%). A complete correlation between hyperpigmentation and FAF was found in 5 (70%) tumors and a partial correlation in 2 (30%). There was partial correlation between subretinal fluid and FAF in 6 metastases (46%), no correlation in 5 (39%). Three metastases without hyperpigmentation had FAF, one showed the presence of subretinal fluid. CONCLUSION: Amelanotic choroidal metastases with hyperpigmentation are associated with increased FAF in most cases. Subretinal fluid overlying choroidal metastases may cause FAF as well.

Intestinal autotransplantation for adenocarcinoma of pancreas involving the mesenteric root: our experience and literature review.

Ductal adenocarcinoma of pancreas represents one of the most aggressive tumor as demonstrated by 3- and 5-year survival rates. Involvement of mesenteric pedicle affects both the possibility to perform a tumor-free margin resection and accounts for most exploratory laparotomy for locally advanced disease. The ex vivo resection of the tumor (autotransplantation) after total exenteration and perfusion of the intestine might have a role to overcome some technical obstacles. So far, only 5 patients have been reported to have undergone small-bowel autotransplantation for tumor involving the mesenteric root. We describe 2 cases of adenocarcinoma of pancreas involving mesenteric root treated by small-bowel autotransplantation. Both patients survived from the procedure and were discharged home on postoperative days 16 and 29, respectively. The tumor was resected with free surgical margins, and both patients underwent adjuvant treatment. Intestinal autotransplantation can represent a significant technical advance for increasing the resectability rate and, ultimately, the survival rate for advanced adenocarcinoma of the pancreas in highly selected patients.