Prospectively randomized trial using perioperative low dose octreotide to prevent organ related and general complications following pancreatic surgery and pancreatico-jejunostomy.

BACKGROUND: The aim of the study was to evaluate the influence of low dose perioperative Octreotide on the prevention of complications (pancreatic fistula and general complications) in patients undergoing pancreatic surgery followed by pancreatico-jejunostomy. MATERIAL AND METHODS: 105 patients were randomized to receive either Octreotide 0.1 mg subcutaneously 3 times/day for a total of 7 days or no Octreotide. The primary endpoints were the occurrence of a pancreatic fistula and/or general complications including the length of hospital stay. There were 25 surgical draining procedures performed and 80 duodeno-pancreatectomies with or without preservation of the pylorus. Twenty-six (24.8%) of the patients were treated for chronic pancreatitis, 8 (7.6%) for benign tumoral disease and 71 (67.6%) for carcinoma. All patients underwent pancreatico-jejunostomy. RESULTS: 56 patients received Octreotide and 49 did not. The incidence of fistula formation in the Octreotide group was 8.9% (n=5) and in the control group 8.2% (n=4) for a total incidence of 8.5%. The difference between the two groups was not statistically significant. There was one death in the Octreotide group and none in the control group for an overall mortality of 0.9%. The morbidity, except fistulas, was 10.7% in the Octreotide group and 12.2% in the control group. The length of hospital stay was 23.1 +/- 15.1 days in the group receiving Octreotide vs 20.4 +/- 8.1 days in the control group (p = 0.808). Stratifying the data for duodenopancreatectomy and for draining procedures there was no difference between the groups either. CONCLUSION: In patients undergoing pancreatic surgery and pancreatico-jejunostomy, the perioperative use of 3 x 0.1 mg Octreotide for 7 days does not reduce general complications nor fistula formation.

Life saving abdominal decompression in a patient with severe acute pancreatitis.

Severe acute pancreatitis can be complicated early in its course by life threatening conditions such as abdominal compartment syndrome. We report a patient who needed abdominal decompression three days after admission to the intensive care unit because of intra-abdominal hypertension and end stage organ dysfunction. The clinical course was protracted, but the patient survived and was discharged from the hospital.

The influence of desmopressin and vasopressors in the donor management on graft function following pancreas transplantation.

INTRODUCTION: The use of desmopressin and vasopressors in cadaveric organ donors is considered a risk factor for graft dysfunction following pancreas transplantation by influencing the microcirculation. The aim of this study was to investigate the influence of these substances on early graft function. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This single-center retrospective trial included 59 patients who underwent simultaneous or solitary pancreas transplantation. The corresponding donor charts were reviewed for the use of vasopressors and desmopressin. Impaired graft function was determined as graft thrombosis or as insulin-dependence for more then 3 days posttransplant. Daily amylase and lipase concentrations from abdominal drains were measured to quantify reperfusion pancreatitis and fistula formation. RESULTS: Overall, pancreas thrombosis was observed in 4 of 59 (6.8%) recipients. There were no significant differences in thrombosis rate whether the donors received desmopressin (3/38 vs 1/21, P >.1) or the needed vasopressors (3/53 vs 1/9, P >.1). The number of patients who required insulin for more than 3 days posttransplant was comparable whether the donors received desmopressin (9/38 vs 4/21, P >.1), or vasopressors (9/46 vs 3/8, P >.1). At present all recipients with functioning pancreatic grafts (ie, 92.7%) are free of exogenous insulin therapy at 2 to 80 months posttransplant. The amylase/lipase concentrations of peritoneal fluid were independent of the administration of desmopressin or vasopressors in the donors. CONCLUSION: In this study donor desmopressin and vasopressor administration did not influence graft function after pancreas transplantation.

[Adjustable silicone gastric banding (ASGB, Bioenterics) and the Swedish adjustable gastric banding (SAGB, Obtech) in treatment of morbid obesity]. / Das anpassbare Silicon Gastric Banding (ASGB, Bioenterics) und das Schwedische anpassbare Gastric Banding (SAGB, Obtech) zur Behandlung der morbiden Obesitas.

INTRODUCTION: Two different adjustable silicone gastric bandings were laparoscopically applied and compared regarding per- and postoperative complications and successful weight loss. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A total of 120 consecutive patients received a laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding and were prospectively documented. In the learning phase (LP) 50 patients were treated with an Adjustable Silicone Gastric Banding (ASGB, Bioenterics) using an intragastric balloon calibration technique according to Belachew. Group I (n = 29) received the same band using a surgical technique with tunneling behind the oesophagus towards His' angle, while the second group (n = 41) received a Swedish Adjustable Gastric Banding (SAGB), using the same technique as in group I. A BMI of > 35, complications secondary to obesity and failed diets were the indication for the operation. Thirty patients were male, 90 female, with a mean age of 37 years (18-60). RESULTS: In the LP 8 patients had to be reoperated (16%) for band slippage and/or pouch dilatation, in group I 6 (19%) and in group II 1 (3%) (P = 0.02, II vs I). The mean hospital stay was 3.7 +/- 0.5, 3.4 +/- 0.8 and 3.3 +/- 0.4 days in LP, I und II, respectively. LONG-TERM RESULTS: After a mean of 24 months (19-42) the loss of body weight was 8.4 kg after 3, 13.9 kg after 6, 22.1 kg after 12 and 27.8 kg after 18 months in the LP. In group I after a mean of 14 months (12-19) 10.3 kg after 3, 18.7 kg after 6, 24.8 kg after 12 months. In group II after a mean of 10 months (6-16) the loss of body weight was 7.9 kg after 3 and 19.4 kg after 6 months. CONCLUSION: In our experience it appears that the SAGB is easy to handle and less prone to complications such as dysphagia and slipping, probably due to good fixation of the band due to its width. A prospective randomized trial is warranted.

Hepato-venous reconstruction in orthotopic liver transplantation with preservation of the recipients' inferior vena cava and veno-venous bypass.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: The potential advantages of vena cava-preserving recipient hepatectomy in orthotopic liver transplantation are reduced hemorrhage, improved cardiovascular stability and preserved renal perfusion without the requirement of veno-venous bypass as compared with recipient hepatectomy including the vena cava. No detailed information is available on the use of veno-venous bypass during complicated vena cava preserving recipient hepatectomy and liver transplantation. In the present study, the peri- and postoperative courses of adult liver transplant recipients in whom the hepatovenous reconstruction was performed according to three different techniques with and without the use of veno-venous bypass were investigated. PATIENTS/METHODS: During primary orthotopic liver transplantation, an end-to-end (ETE) cavo-caval interposition of the donor vena cava to the recipient's vena cava was performed in 75 patients (group I). In 15 patients, a termino-terminal piggyback (PB) anastomosis was constructed to the remnant of the recipient's hepatic vein (group II), and in 72 transplantations a latero-lateral cavo-cavostomy (LLC) of donor-to-recipient's vena cava (group III) was performed. The use of bypass, operative time and cold ischemia time, perioperative blood product requirements, incidence of relaparotomy, the evolution of postoperative renal function, technical complications and the survival were analyzed and compared using multivariate statistics and actuarial techniques for statistical evaluation. RESULTS: No differences could be found in preoperative patient conditions, donor conditions, operating time, anastomosing time or cold ischemia time. In groups I-III, the veno-venous bypass was used in 50 (67%), 8 (53%) and 6 (8%) cases respectively (P=0.02 for group III). The mean preoperative packed cells requirements were 20.4 vs 29.6 vs 10.8 units (P=0.01 for group III), while postoperative blood product requirements (first 24 h) were 2.6 vs 5.0 vs 0.20 units of packed cells (P=0.02 for group III). Relaparotomy for diffuse retroperitoneal hemorrhage was performed 14 times (19%) in group I, 3 times (20%) in group II and 7 times (8.3%) in group III (P=0.002). The incidence of posteropative early renal dysfunction (increase of > or =1.3 mg% serum creatinine) in group I vs group II vs group III was 24% vs 60% vs 16.7% (P=0.001 for group II) for patients without the use of veno-venous bypass. No significant difference was observed concerning early renal dysfunction in patients where a veno-venous bypass was used. The survival at 12 months was 81% for group I, 86% for group II and 93.0% for group III. In group III there were four complications (P=0.03) at the hepatovenous anastomosis of which two were eventually fatal. CONCLUSION: Preservation of the recipient's vena cava and LLC can reduce, but not avoid, the requirement for veno-venous bypass. In orthotopic liver transplantation, postoperative hemorrhage, as measured by surgical revisions and requirement for blood products, is significantly reduced with LLC with and without bypass. Early renal dysfunction also occurs in the group of LLC as compared with the termino-terminal cavostomy independent of the bypass. A technical failure resulting in patient death can be associated with LLC.

Segmental porcine pancreatic autotransplantation as model for pancreas preservation studies using two different techniques for vascular reconstruction.

Pancreatic segmental autotransplantation in the pig has been considered an attractive model to study several aspects of pancreas transplantation because of the absence of rejections related to the immune system. However, the frequent presence of anatomical variations in the vascular supply of the left pancreatic segment in the pig makes this model difficult, impairing the access for vascular flushing and revascularization in pancreatic autotransplantation. We assessed pancreatic vascular anatomy of 71 Landrace pigs: group I (G1, n = 32) transplanted after direct reconstruction of the hepatic flow; and group II (G2, n = 39) transplanted after hepatic-celiac arterial reconstruction (HECAR) with an iliac vascular graft between the celiac trunk and the hepatic artery. HTK (histidine-tryptophan-ketoglutarate; Custodiol) and UW (University of Wisconsin; Viaspan) solutions were used. In total, 23 technically successfully transplanted animals (HTK = 15; UW = 8) after 24 h of cold storage were studied. Reconstruction time was longer in G2 than in G1 (p = .04). Thrombosis of the reconstructed hepatic artery occurred more in G1 than in G2 (45% vs. 8%, respectively, p = .013). Pancreatic arterial thrombosis was noticed in 10 animals in G1 (32%) and in 2 in G2 (5%) (p = .026). Ninety-four percent of pancreas grafts were suitable for cold storage study in G2 versus 45% for G1 (p < .001). No differences were noticed in K values, weight of transplanted grafts, preoperative and 24 h postoperative glycemia, for both preservation solutions. Segmental pancreatic autotransplantation can be successfully performed for cold preservation studies. A high percentage of pancreas useable for transplantation can be achieved using hepato-celiac arterial reconstruction. HTK solution is suitable for flushing and 24 h of preservation for pancreatic grafts in the porcine model.

A single center's clinical experience with quadruple immunosuppression including ATG or IL2 antibodies and mycophenolate mofetil in simultaneous pancreas-kidney transplants.

UNLABELLED: Acute rejection remains a major problem in simultaneous pancreas-kidney (SPK) transplant and occurs in 60-100% of the cases. With the introduction of mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) replacing azathioprine (AZA) as a basis immunosuppressant, reduced rates of rejection have been reported. This study investigates the frequency and clinical relevance of allograft rejection in SPK patients receiving antithymocyte globulin (ATG) or Basiliximab induction therapy and cyclosporine Neoral (CyA), MMF, steroid basis immunosuppression. Between December 1996 and October 1999, 21 consecutive patients (15 males, 6 females) received a SPK transplant at our institution with a mean +/- standard deviation (SD) age of 42 +/- 6 yr. Of these, 14 patients were treated with anti-thymocyte globulin (ATG) Fresenius (rabbit) 3-5 mg/kg for 6 +/- 2 d, cyclosporine Neoral (CyA) (trough levels 350-400 ng/mL), MMF 3 g/d and low dose steroid therapy. Seven SPK patients were treated with Basiliximab (Simulect, Novartis 20 mg on d 0 and d 4 post-transplant) instead of ATG. The patients had an average human leucocyte antigen (HLA) mismatch of 3.9/6 and a negative cross match. All patients remained on triple drug therapy. Three patients were switched to tacrolimus instead of Neoral for CyA intolerance. The mean +/- SD cold ischemia time (CIT) of the organs was 10.1 +/- 2.4 h for the pancreas and 10.5 +/- 2.6 h for the kidney. RESULTS: Biopsy-proven rejection occurred in the kidney of 1 ATG patient (8%), which responded to steroid bolus therapy. One of the patients (14%) with Basiliximab induction developed renal allograft rejection, which was resolved after a 6-d course of anti-CD3 mAb (OKT3) treatment. All patients (100%) were free from rejection in the pancreas, as measured by urine amylase levels and glycemic control without the need for exogenous insulin with a mean glycosylated hemoglobin (HBA1C) of 5.1 +/- 0.7%, and serum creatinine with a mean of 1.24 +/- 0.24 mg/dL in a mean follow-up period of 17 +/- 15 months (median 12, range 2 37). CONCLUSION: Triple drug immunosuppression including cyclosporine, MMF and low dose steroids with ATG or interleukin 2 (IL2) receptor antibodies induction therapy appears to be a very suitable immunosuppressive regimen for combined pancreas-kidney transplant (PKT) with a marked reduction in the incidence of rejection.

Physiologic and metabolic results of pancreatic cold storage with Histidine-Tryptophan-Ketoglutarate-HTK solution (Custodiol) in the porcine autotransplantation model.

UNLABELLED: Delayed graft function (DEGF) remains an obscure phenomenon in organ transplantation. For the optimal washing of the compounds of the different organ flush solutions, adequate temperature and equilibrium of electrolytes have to be provided. A total of 29 land-race pigs weighing 37.3-5.4 kg were included in this study. According to the model, the left hemipancreas was perfused with Histidine-Tryptophan-Ketoglutarate (HTK)-solution and autotransplanted after 24 h (G1, n = 13) and 48 h (G2, n = 4) of cold storage (CS). Results were compared with grafts perfused with UW-solution and autotransplanted after 24 h (G3, n = 8) and 48 h (G4, n = 4) CS respectively. Daily measurements of glycemia, glucosuria, amylase and lipase were carried out. HTK perfusion resulted in an increase in wet weight of the grafts after 24 h and 48 h CS (P = 0.031 vs UW). Postoperative glycemia levels in pancreases flushed with HTK-solution were higher after 48 h than after 24 h CS until the 6th postoperative day, when the glycemia returned to normal range (P = 0.02), suggesting a delayed endocrine graft function. The mean IVGTT values attained after full function were comparable in G1 and in G3 (-1.22 +/- 0.23 vs. -1.5 +/- 0.65). The rises in serum amylase and lipase levels were more pronounced after 48 h CS in both HTK and UW groups, (P = n.s.). Appearance of interstitial and intracellular edema after CS and reperfusion did not influence the function. CONCLUSION: HTK-solution is suitable for 24 h pancreatic preservation in vivo; the perfusion requires at least 4 min for electrolyte equilibration. Long preservation time (48 h) resulted in a transitory DEGF.

Postoperative lavage and on demand surgical intervention in the treatment of acute necrotizing pancreatitis.

OBJECTIVE: To analyse our experience with a combined approach of postoperative local lavage and on demand surgical intervention in the treatment of acute necrotizing pancreatitis. PATIENTS AND METHODS: All patients operated on for acute pancreatitis in a tertiary hospital between June 1993 and July 1997 were studied retrospectively. Demographic data, Ranson score, APACHE II score at admission were recorded. Hospital charts and clinical courses were reviewed. RESULTS: Seventeen patients were treated surgically because of end stage multiple organ failure (MOF) (n = 13) or infected necrosis (n = 4). APACHE II and Ranson scores were 26.2 +/- 9.25 and 7.33 +/- 1.35 respectively. All patients had protracted clinical courses, and required aggressive intensive care therapy. Forty-eight surgical interventions were performed in 17 patients. Early mortality was 36 percent. Complications were numerous, and mostly consisted of intra-abdominal abscesses. Young age (under 55) was associated with significantly better outcome (22% vs. 87% mortality, p = 0.015). CONCLUSION: Continuous local lavage after surgical debridement, with on demand re-laparotomy, proves to be a valuable approach in patients with necrotizing pancreatitis with acceptable morbidity and mortality rates. It appears however, that the role of surgery for acute pancreatitis is limited to patients with infected necrosis or end stage MOF.

Functional, life-threatening disorders and splenectomy following liver transplantation.

UNLABELLED: Splenectomy (SPL) in cirrhotic patients undergoing liver transplantation (LTx) may resolve specific problems related to the procedure itself, in case of functional and life-threatening clinical situations often occurring as a result of liver cirrhosis and portal hypertension. METHOD: A single-center experience of ten splenectomies in a series of 180 consecutive adult liver transplant patients over a period of 6 yr is reported. The mean patient age was 46.8 +/- 9.5 yr (range 25 57 yr). Indications for SPL were post-operative massive ascitic fluid loss (n = 3), severe thrombocytopenia (n = 3), acute intra-abdominal hemorrhage (n = 2), infarction of the spleen (n = 1), and multiple splenic artery aneurysms (n = 1). RESULTS: Extreme ascites production due to functional graft congestion disappeared post-SPL, with an improvement of the hepatic and renal functions. SPL was also effective in cases of thrombocytopenia persistence post-LTx, leading to an increase in the platelet count after about 1 wk. Bleeding episodes related to left-sided portal hypertension or trauma were also resolved. The rejection rate during hospitalization was 0%, and no other episodes were recorded in the course of the long-term follow-up. However, sepsis with a fatal outcome occurred in 4 patients, i.e. between 2 and 3 wk post-SPL in three cases and 1 yr after the procedure as a result of pneumococcal infection in the last case. Fatal traumatic cranial injury occurred 3 yr post-LTx in another case. Five patients (50%) are still alive and asymptomatic after a median follow-up period of 36 months. CONCLUSION: The lowering of the portal flow appears to resolve unexplained post-operative ascitic fluid loss as a result of functional graft congestion following LTx. However, because of the enhanced risk of SPL-related sepsis, a partial splenic embolization (PSE) or a spleno-renal shunt could be used as an alternative procedure because it allows us to preserve the immunological function of the spleen. SPL is indicated in case of post-transplant bleeding due to left-sided portal hypertension and trauma, spleen infarction, and to enable prevention of hemorrhage in liver transplant patients with multiple splenic artery aneurysms. Severe and persistent thrombocytopenia could be treated with PSE. Because the occurrence of fatal sepsis post-SPL is a major complication in LTx, functional disorders, such as ascites and thrombocytopenia, should be treated with a more conservative approach.

Retrospective analysis of laparoscopic gastric banding technique: short-term and mid-term follow-up.

BACKGROUND: Although adjustable gastric banding shows good results concerning weight loss, several complications such as excessive vomiting, total dysphagia, and slipping of the stomach through the band with pouch dilatation may occur rather frequently. Different types of adjustable bands are available to prevent these short- and mid-term complications. METHODS: In this retrospective study, 120 consecutive laparoscopic adjustable gastric bandings were performed. In group I, 50 patients were treated with adjustable silicone gastric banding (ASGB) by an intragastric balloon calibration technique. Group II (n = 29) received the same band by a surgical technique with tunneling behind the esophagus toward the angle of His. Group III (n = 41) received Swedish adjustable gastric banding (SAGB) by the same technique as in Group II. RESULTS: Weight loss was approximately 15% of the excess weight after 3 months, 30% after 6 months, and 45% after 12 months in all groups. Total dysphagia was significantly more frequent in Groups I and II. The incidence of slipping of the band and pouch dilatation was more frequent in Group II. CONCLUSION: The diameter of the ASGB band is rather small and can cause total dysphagia independently of surgical technique. The SAGB is easy to perform and seems less vulnerable to complications like dysphagia and slipping of the band, probably because of the individual adjustment of the stoma diameter during surgery and good fixation of both band and ventral pouch with separate posterolateral sutures.

[Liver transplantation preserving the vena cava and a temporary portocaval shunt]. / Die Lebertransplantation mit Erhalt der Vena cava und einem temporären portocavalen Shunt.

The experience with laterolateral cavocavostomy for hepatovenous reconstruction in liver transplantation is reviewed with and without the use of a temporary portocaval shunt. A total of 65 liver transplantations were analyzed. In 49 transplantations a laterolateral cavocaval anastomosis was performed (group I). In group II (n = 16) the same technique was used after a temporary portal caval shunt was constructed. Mean arterial pressure (mmHg): group I 128 +/- 34; group II 109 +/- 32. Cardiac output (l/min) decrease during the anhepatic phase was 2.3 +/- 1.9 and 1.2 +/- 1.5, respectively (P < 0.05). The peroperative blood loss measured as the number of packed cells transfused was 16.4 +/- 15.8 versus 1.2 +/- 2.3 (P < 0.04) and fresh frozen plasma 19.0 +/- 14.7 versus 3.7 +/- 4.0 (P < 0.02). Course on ICU (days), liver function tests, renal function and the need for reoperation because of bleeding were not statistically significantly different between the groups. One-year patient survival was 82.7 and 85.7%, respectively. In conclusion, we found that despite preservation of the caval flow during hepatectomy, the additional use of a temporary portocaval shunt was advantageous with regard to peroperative hemorrhage and hemodynamic stability and can potentially facilitate implantation of the liver graft.