T-tube Systematic Use in the Biliary Anastomosis: Comparison of Two Consecutive Series of Liver Transplantation.

OBJECTIVES: The authors sought to check the frequency of biliary complications with the use of a T-tube. In 2012, throughout the year, it was carried out systematically in all liver transplantations regardless of the characteristics of the bile duct. Despite the long experience, biliary complications remain a common cause of postoperative morbidity and mortality. MATERIAL AND METHODS: In this study we compared complications in 23 consecutive transplantation cases using T-tube biliary anastomosis during the year 2012 with 23 consecutive transplantation cases without T-tube during the year 2013. We evaluated postoperative complications and long-term outcomes (for 2 years to 3 years). RESULTS: Of the 23 patients with anastomosis with a T-tube, 2 patients (8.69%) had biliary stricture that required prosthesis by endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography, 1 of them (4.34%) was operated by incorrect placement of the T-tube, and in 4 patients (17.39%) bile leakage (endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography prostheses in 3 cases and hepaticojejunostomy in 1). During follow-up at 3 years, only 2 patients had minimal bile duct dilatation without clinical relevance. In the patients who underwent transplantation without a T-tube, 18 (78.26%) had no complications, 3 (13.04%) showed stenosis (prosthesis placement), and 2 (8.69%) had bile leakage (hepaticojejunostomy and prosthesis). During follow-up at 2 years to 3 years, no patient had biliary dilatation or alteration of cholestatic parameters. In the comparative study of both groups we found no statistically significant differences. CONCLUSIONS: We have not seen an improvement in complications with the use of T-tube (69.56% vs. 78.23%) that encourage us to work systematically, although the small number of cases does not allow statistically significant conclusions.

Collateral Development in Thrombosis of the Hepatic Artery After Transplantation.

OBJECTIVES: The authors sought to identify strictures or hepatic artery obstruction with posterior collateral transformation in our series of liver transplantation, treatment, and evolution. The thrombosis or severe hepatic artery stenosis sometimes presents a compensation mechanism, the collateral transformation of the artery. MATERIAL AND METHODS: From April 2002 to December 2011 we collected 18 cases of collateral transformation. We analyzed data regarding the transplantation, diagnosis, treatment, clinical evolution, liver function, and Doppler-ultrasound. RESULTS: The main indication was alcoholic cirrhosis, followed by hepatocellular carcinoma - hepatitis C virus. The mean cold ischemia time was 292.2 minutes mean hot ischemia was 48.8. The anastomosis was performed on the gastroduodenal-splenic patch donor in 14 cases, the celiac trunk in 2 cases, and on grafts to the aorta in another 2. Doppler ultrasound showed 8 cases without complications, 8 with low flows, and 2 cases with alterations of the right hepatic artery. Computed tomographic (CT) angiography was performed in patients with impaired eco-Doppler and found 4 obstructions, 2 cases with kinking, 1 stenosis, and 3 normal cases. Three patients with low flows were re-operated and another re-transplanted. After diagnosis of collateral transformation, all were treated with antiplatelet agents. Two cases of angioplasty were associated. The collaterals were diagnosed 1 month to 44.8 months after transplantation. Five patients died. In the latest data, 10 patients do not have analytical alteration. The Doppler ultrasound shows 7 cases being normal and 6 with flow but low resistances. CONCLUSIONS: In our series, all patients with collateral transformation, except one who was transplanted, maintain good liver function with permeable vessels.

Liver transplantation complications in the intensive care unit and at 6 months.

OBJECTIVE: This study sought to determine the factors that influence the 6-month outcomes of liver transplants. PATIENTS AND METHODS: One hundred ninety-six variables (donor, recipient, operation, intensive care unit [ICU], evolution at 3 and 6 months) were collected from the first 74 consecutive liver transplantation performed from 2002 to 2004. The primary endpoint was patient survival at 6 months. The statistical analysis included a screening univariate analysis followed by a stepwise logistic regression with forward inclusion to test independent associations and finally generation of receiver-operator characteristic (ROC) curves to evaluate predictive factors. RESULTS: Patient survival at 6 months was 86%, namely 10 deaths, including 4 intraoperatively and 6 postoperatively due to sepsis. Complications in the ICU were classified as reoperations due to biliary problems, vascular complications, and peritonitis. Late complications included 51% rejection episodes, 24% infections, 11% pleural effusions, and 16% diabetes mellitus. Logistic regression analysis showed independent negative predictors of survival were the number of packed red cells during transplantation, the number of fresh frozen plasma units administered in the ICU, blood urea nitrogen (BUN) concentration in the ICU, and graft complications. The odds ratios of these variables were 10.2, 5.2, 42.1, and 36.9, respectively. The area under the curve (AUC) of the ROC was 0.99; the sensitivity was 94%; and the specificity was 100%. The independent predictors of surgical complications were the length of the operation, the need for pressor support, and the number of fresh frozen plasma units administered in the operating room, with odds ratios of 1.0, 7.7, and 1.1, respectively. CONCLUSION: This study revealed specific operative and ICU variables that correlated with the evolution of our patients.