Right Ex-situ split grafts for adult liver transplantation - A Multicenter Benchmarking Analysis.

OBJECTIVE: To analyse outcomes after adult right ex-situ split graft liver transplantations (RSLT) and compare with available outcome benchmarks from whole liver transplantation (WLT). SUMMARY BACKGROUND DATA: Ex-situ SLT may be a valuable strategy to tackle the increasing graft shortage. Recently established outcome benchmarks in WLT offer a novel reference to perform a comprehensive analysis of results after ex-situ RSLT. METHODS: This retrospective multicenter cohort study analyzes all consecutive adult SLT performed using right ex-situ split grafts from 01.01.2014 to 01.06.2022. Study endpoints included 1 year graft and recipient survival, overall morbidity expressed by the comprehensive complication index (CCI©) and specific post-LT complications. Results were compared to the published benchmark outcomes in low-risk adult WLT scenarii. RESULTS: In 224 adult right ex-situ SLT, 1y recipient and graft survival rates were 96% and 91.5%, within the WLT benchmarks. The 1y overall morbidity was also within the WLT benchmark (41.8 CCI points vs. <42.1). Detailed analysis, revealed cut surface bile leaks (17%, 65.8% Grade IIIa) as a specific complication without a negative impact on graft survival. There was a higher rate of early hepatic artery thrombosis (HAT) after SLT, above the WLT benchmark (4.9% vs. ≤4.1%), with a significant impact on early graft but not patient survival. CONCLUSION: In this multicentric study of right ex-situ split graft LT, we report 1-year overall morbidity and mortality rates within the published benchmarks for low-risk WLT. Cut surface bile leaks and early HAT are specific complications of SLT and should be acknowledged when expanding the use of ex-situ SLT.

European validation of the classification for the anticipated difficulty of liver transplantation.

BACKGROUND: Appropriate risk stratification for the difficulty of liver transplantation (LT) is essential to guide the selection and acceptance of grafts and avoid morbidity and mortality. METHODS: Based on 987 LTs collected from 5 centers, perioperative outcomes were analyzed across the 3 difficulty levels. Each LT was retrospectively scored from 0 to 10. Scores of 0-2, 3-5 and 6-10 were then translated into respective difficulty levels: low, moderate and high. Complications were reported according to the comprehensive complication index (CCI). RESULTS: The difficulty level of LT in 524 (53%), 323 (32%), and 140 (14%) patients was classified as low, moderate and high, respectively. The values of major intraoperative outcomes, such as cold ischemia time (p = 0.04) and operative time (p < 0.0001) increased gradually with statistically significant values among difficulty levels. There was a corresponding increase in CCI (p = 0.04), severe complication rates (p = 0.05) and length of ICU (p = 0.01) and hospital (p = 0.004) stays across the different difficulty levels. CONCLUSION: The LT difficulty classification has been validated.

Perceptions of surgical difficulty in liver transplantation: A European survey and development of the Pitié-Salpêtrière classification.

BACKGROUND: Significant variations exist regarding the definition of difficult liver transplantation. The study goals were to investigate how liver transplant surgeons evaluate the surgical difficulty of liver transplantation and to use the identified factors to classify liver transplantation difficulty. METHODS: A Web-based online European survey was presented to liver transplant surgeons. The survey was divided into 3 parts: (1) participant demographics and practices; (2) various situations based on recipient, liver disease, tumor treatment, and technical factors; and (3) 8 real-life clinical vignettes with different levels of complexity. In part 3 of the survey, respondents were asked whether they would perform liver transplantation but were not aware that these patients eventually underwent liver transplantation. RESULTS: A total of 143 invites were sent out, and 97 (67.8%) participants completed the survey. Most participants considered previous spontaneous bacterial peritonitis, previous supra-mesocolic surgery, hypertrophy of segment I, and obesity to be recipient factors for high-difficulty liver transplantation. Most participants considered liver transplantation to be challenging in patients with Budd-Chiari syndrome, Kasai surgery, polycystic liver disease, diffuse portal vein thrombosis, and a history of open hepatectomy. The proportion of participants indicating that liver transplantation was warranted varied across the 8 cases, from 69% to 100%. Our classification of the surgical difficulty of liver transplantation employed these recipient-related, surgical history-related, and liver disease-related variables and 3 difficulty groups were identified: low, intermediate, and high difficulty groups. CONCLUSION: This survey provides an overview of the surgical difficulty of various situations in liver transplantation that could be useful for further benchmark and textbook outcome studies.

Patients' perceptions of the definition of a textbook outcome following liver transplantation.

BACKGROUND: A textbook outcome (TO) describes the results of a successful liver transplantation (LT) in which all aspects of the LT and posttransplant courses were uneventful. We compared patient perceived experience of a TO with clinically defined TO. METHODS: This was a single-institution cohort study with retrospective chart review including patients who underwent LT from 2019 to 2021. Patients were asked to complete the survey at a scheduled posttransplant visit. The survey was designed to assess their viewpoints on the definition of a TO. A clinically defined TO was defined as no mortality, no severe complications, no need for reintervention, no prolonged hospital and intensive care unit stays, and no readmission. RESULTS: Of the 182 patients who were contacted, 132 (72.5%) completed the survey. Overall, 98 patients (74%) considered that they had experienced a TO. The clinically defined TO rate was 22.0%. Multivariate analysis showed that patients who did not experience severe complications were more likely to consider that they had a TO (P = 0.01; odds ratio: 3.2; 95% confidence interval: 1.3-7.9). CONCLUSIONS: From patients' perspectives, survival and avoidance of complications were the major characteristics of a TO.

Novel Composite Endpoint for Assessing Outcomes in Liver Transplantation: Arterial and Biliary Complication-Free Survival.

Transplant and patient survival are the validated endpoints to assess the success of liver transplantation (LT). This study evaluates arterial and biliary complication-free survival (ABCFS) as a new metric. ABC, considered as an event, was an arterial or biliary complication of Dindo-Clavien grade ≥III complication dated at the interventional, endoscopic, or surgical treatment required to correct it. ABCFS was defined as the time from the date of LT to the dates of first ABC, death, relisting, or last follow-up (transplant survival is time from LT to repeat LT or death). Following primary whole LT (n = 532), 106 ABCs occurred and 99 (93%) occurred during the first year after LT. An ABC occurring during the first year after LT (overall rate 19%) was an independent factor associated with transplant survival (hazard ratio [HR], 3.17; P < 0.001) and patient survival (HR, 2.7; P = 0.002) in univariate and multivariate analyses. This result was confirmed after extension of the cohort to split-liver graft, donation after circulatory death, or re-LT (n = 658). Data from 2 external cohorts of primary whole LTs (n = 249 and 229, respectively) confirmed that the first-year ABC was an independent prognostic factor for transplant survival but not for patient survival. ABCFS was correlated with transplant and patient survival (ρ = 0.85 [95% CI, 0.78-0.90] and 0.81 [95% CI, 0.71-0.88], respectively). Preoperative factors known to influence 5-year transplant survival influenced ABCFS after 1 year of follow-up. The 1-year ABCFS was indicative of 5-year transplant survival. ABCFS is a reproducible metric to evaluate the results of LT after 1 year of follow-up and could serve as a new endpoint in clinical trials.

Auxiliary Liver Transplantation for Cirrhosis: From APOLT to RAPID: A Scoping Review.

OBJECTIVE: To survey the available literature regarding the use of auxiliary liver transplantation (ALT) in the setting of cirrhosis. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND: ALT is a type of liver transplantation (LT) procedure in which part of the cirrhotic liver is resected and part of the liver graft is transplanted. The cirrhotic liver left in situ acts as an auxiliary liver until the graft has reached sufficient volume. Recently, a 2-stage concept named RAPID (Resection and Partial Liver segment 2/3 transplantation with Delayed total hepatectomy) was developed, which combines hypertrophy of the small graft followed by delayed removal of the native liver. METHODS: A scoping review of the literature on ALT for cirrhosis was performed, focusing on the historical background of RAPID and the status of RAPID for this indication. The new comprehensive nomenclature for hepatectomy ("New World" terminology) was used in this review. RESULTS: A total of 72 cirrhotic patients underwent ALT [heterotopic (n = 34), orthotopic (Auxiliary partial orthotopic liver transplantation, n = 34 including 5 followed by resection of the native liver at the second stage) and RAPID (n = 4)]. Among the 9 2-stage LTs (APOLT, n = 5; RAPID, n = 4), portal blood flow modulation was performed in 6 patients by deportalization of the native liver (n = 4), portosystemic shunt creation (n = 1), splenic artery ligation (n = 3) or splenectomy (n = 1). The delay between the first and second stages ranged from 18 to 90 days. This procedure led to an increase in the graft-to-recipient weight ratio between 33% and 156%. Eight patients were alive at the last follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: Two-stage LT and, more recently, the RAPID procedure are viable options for increasing the number of transplantations for cirrhotic patients by using small grafts.

Vena Cava and Pancreatic head En Bloc Resection for an Invasive Inferior Vena Cava Leiomyosarcoma in a Liver Transplant Patient.

BACKGROUND: De novo neoplasms are one of the major causes of death in patients after the first year of liver transplantation. The occurrence of sarcomas is extremely rare and the survival is often poor. However, early diagnosis and radical surgical treatment, may benefit some select liver transplant patients. METHOD: We describe the case of a liver transplant patient who developed a locally advanced inferior vena cava (IVC) leiomyosarcoma, who underwent radical surgical treatment with resection of the IVC associated with duodenopancreatectomy, right nephrectomy, and IVC reconstruction. We address aspects of the diagnosis and surgical strategy. CONCLUSION: This case report illustrates that IVC and multivisceral resections may be feasible and safe in highly selected liver transplant recipients. Major surgery should not be excluded as treatment option in an immunosuppressed liver transplant patient.

Acute liver failure and HELLP syndrome: A clinical case and literature review.

BACKGROUND: HELLP syndrome is a pregnancy-related liver disease associated with increased maternal and foetal mortality. In rare cases, it can lead to the development of a subcapsular hepatic haematoma as well as its rupture. This rupture is life-threatening if not urgently treated. METHOD: We describe a clinical case of HELLP syndrome involving a ruptured subcapsular liver haematoma and contextualise this with a literature overview. CLINICAL CASE: A 39-year-old woman of 40 weeks' gestation presented to her local Emergency Department with symptoms and serology classically associated with HELLP syndrome. However, she clinically deteriorated and developed a ruptured subcapsular haematoma. She underwent an emergency Caesarean section at her initial hospital. Upon clinical stabilisation, she was transferred to our transplant unit for an urgent liver transplant. CONCLUSION: LT is a life-saving procedure for patients with acute liver failure secondary to HELLP syndrome. These patients should be immediately referred to a high-volume transplant centre.

Liver Retransplantation Associated With Kidney Transplantation for End-stage Liver Graft Disease and Renal Insufficiency: A Morbid Procedure on a Unique Subgroup of Patients.

BACKGROUND: Chronic renal disease (CKD) jeopardizes the long-term outcomes of liver transplant recipients. In patients with end-stage liver graft disease and CKD, liver retransplantation associated with kidney transplantation (ReLT-KT) might be necessary. Yet, this specific subset of patients remains poorly described. METHODS: Indications, perioperative characteristics, and short- and long-term outcomes of patients undergoing ReLT-KT at 2 transplantation units from 1994 to 2012 were analyzed. Risk factors for postoperative mortality and long-term survivals were evaluated. RESULTS: Among 3060 patients undergoing liver transplantation (LT), 45 (1.5%) underwent ReLT-KT. The proportion of ReLT-KT among LT recipients continuously grew throughout the study period from 0.3% to 2.4% (P < 0.001). Median time from primary LT to ReLT-KT was 151.3 (7.5-282.9) months. The most frequent indications for liver retransplantation were recurrence of the primary liver disease and cholangitis in 15 (33.3%) cases each. CKD was related to calcineurin inhibitors toxicity in 38 (84.4%) cases. Twelve (26.7%) patients died postoperatively. D-MELD (donor age × recipients' MELD) was associated with postoperative mortality (HR: 8.027; 95% CI: 2.387-18.223; P = 0.026) and optimal cut-off value was 1039 (AUC: 0.801; P = 0.002). Overall 1, 3, and 5 years survivals were 68.8%, 65.9%, and 59.5%, respectively. D-MELD > 1039 was the only factor associated with poor survival (P = 0.021). CONCLUSIONS: ReLT-KT is a highly morbid increasingly performed procedure. Refinements in the selection of grafts and transplant candidates are required to limit the postoperative mortality of these patients.

Enhanced Recovery in Liver Transplantation: A Feasibility Study.

BACKGROUND: Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) programmes after surgery are effective in reducing length of stay, functional recovery and complication rates in liver surgery (LS) with the indirect advantage of reducing hospitalisation costs. Preoperative comorbidities, challenging surgical procedures and complex post-operative management are the points that liver transplantation (LT) shares with LS. Nevertheless, there is little evidence regarding the feasibility and safety of ERAS programmes in LT. METHODS: We designed a pilot, small-scale, feasibility study to assess the impact on hospital stay, protocol compliance and safety of an ERAS programme tailored for LT. The ERAS arm was compared with a 1:2 match paired control arm with similar characteristics. All patients with MELD <25 were included. A dedicated LT-tailored protocol was derived from publications on ERAS liver surgery. RESULTS: Ten patients were included in the Fast-Trans arm. It was observed a 47% reduction of the total LOS, as compared to the control arm: 9.5 (9.0-10.5) days versus 18.0 (14.3-24.3) days, respectively, p <0.001. The protocol achieved 72.9% compliance. No differences were observed in terms of post-operative complications or readmission rates after discharge between the two arms. Overall, it was observed a reduction of length of stay in ICU and surgical ward in the Fast-Trans arm compared with the control arm. CONCLUSION: Considered the main points in common between LS and LT, this small-scale study suggests that the application of an ERAS programme tailored to the LT setting is feasible. Further testing will be appropriate to generalise these findings.

Ischemic-type biliary lesions: A leading indication of liver retransplantation with excellent results.

BACKGROUND: Liver retransplantation (RLT) is the only life-saving treatment option for patients with a failing graft, but it remains a major challenge because of inferior outcomes and technical difficulties. METHODS: This study aimed to evaluate the outcomes of and risk factors for adult RLT in a single center, focusing on the etiology of graft failure. Between 1987 and 2011, 1592 liver transplants (LTs) and 143 RLTs (9%) were performed at our institution. RESULTS: The 1-, 5- and 10-year patient survival rates after RLT were 60%, 52% and 39%, and the graft survival rates were 55%, 46% and 32%. The 90-day mortality rate was 32%, mainly due to septic complications (45% of deaths). Ischemic-type biliary lesions (ITBL) were the leading indication for RLT (23%), and patient survival was significantly better in patients retransplanted for ITBL than for any other indication (P<0.02). Indications other than ITBL (P=0.015), the transfusion of more than 7 units (P=0.006) and preoperative dialysis (P=0.005) were the three parameters associated with poor survival after RLT. CONCLUSION: Patients with ITBL benefit the most from elective RLT.

Duct-To-Duct Biliary Anastomosis with Removable Internal Biliary Stent During Major Hepatectomy Extended to the Biliary Confluence.

BACKGROUND: Roux-en-Y hepaticojejunostomy (HJ) currently represents the gold standard after resection of the biliary confluence. This non-physiological reconstruction poses several problems such as repeated cholangitis or stricture without conventional endoscopic access. Our aim was to describe and to report both feasibility and results of duct-to-duct anastomosis with removable internal biliary drain (RIBS) as an alternative technique to the HJ after resection of the biliary confluence in patients undergoing major liver resection. METHODS: Between January 2014 and January 2018, all patients who underwent a major hepatectomy associated with resection of the biliary confluence and reconstruction by duct-to-duct biliary anastomosis with RIBS were retrospectively included. Patient demographics, tumor characteristics, pre- and postoperative outcomes, early and late biliary complications, endoscopic complications, and clinical follow-up were collected. RESULTS: Twelve patients were included. The operative time was 326 ± 45 min (range 240-380 min). There was no postoperative mortality. Only one patient experienced biliary anastomotic leakage treated exclusively by radiological and endoscopic drainage. Four patients had an asymptomatic stricture of the biliary anastomosis detected by endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) during the extraction of the RIBS requiring iterative dilatation and replacement of the RIBS. Among 21 performed ERCP, no complications such as failure of RIBS extraction, duodenal perforation, bleeding after sphincterotomy, cholangitis, or pancreatitis were observed. After a mean and a median follow-up of respectively 15.0 ± 14.9 and 8.7 months (range 2.0-46.1 months), no cholangitis occurred. CONCLUSION: Duct-to-duct biliary anastomosis with RIBS insertion after resection of the biliary confluence represents a feasible and safe alternative to the HJ.

Clinical efficacy of anti-migration features in fully covered metallic stents for anastomotic biliary strictures after liver transplantation: comparison of conventional and anti-migration stents.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Anastomotic biliary strictures (ABSs) are one of the most frequent adverse events that occur after orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT). Multiple plastic stents (MPS) have been validated for this indication. More recently, fully covered self-expandable metallic stents (FCSEMSs) have been used with positive outcomes, but also have a higher rate of migration, which may limit success. Our primary objective was to compare stent migration rates observed with standard FCSEMSs (Std-FCSEMSs) and so-called anti-migration FCSEMSs (Am-FCSEMSs), which are newly designed with reversed proximal side flaps. Secondary objectives were to compare rates of stricture resolution and procedure-related morbidity. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective analysis of a subset of patients (FCSEMSs for post-OLT ABS) from 2 prospectively maintained databases of (1) OLT patients, and (2) ERCP and stent placement. Between January 2009 and January 2016, consecutive patients presenting with ABS after OLT referred to Cochin Hospital (Paris, France) for ERCP and receiving a FCSEMS were included. Exclusion criteria were any other cause of biliary stricture (ie, malignant stricture, ischemic origin), and biliary fistulae. RESULTS: One hundred twenty-five FCSEMSs (57 Am-FCSEMSs, 52 type 1 Std-FCSEMSs, and 16 type 2 Std-FCSEMSs) were used in 75 patients for ABS after OLT, with a planned stent placement period of 6 months in all patients. Patient characteristics and rates of previous endoscopic treatment or timing of ABS occurrence after OLT were not different between the groups. The rate of FCSEMS complete migration was 16% (20/125), consisting of 1.7% (1/57) for Am-FCSEMSs and 28% (19/68) for type 1 and 2 Std-FCSEMSs (P < .0001). All attempted stent removals (100% of patients) were successful. First follow-up ERCP after each FCSEMS highlighted a stricture resolution rate of 78.4% (98/125), including 93% (53/57) for Am-FCSEMSs and 66.2% (45/68) for type 1 and 2 Std-FCSEMSs (P < .001). After a median follow-up of 28 months after stent removal (range, 12-66 months), stricture recurrence was observed in 12.3% (range, 11%-17%) of patients treated with Am-FCSEMSs against 55.9% (range, 54%-56%) of those receiving Std-FCSEMSs (P < .0001). CONCLUSIONS: In patients with ABS after OLT, the use of Am-FCSEMSs significantly decreased the risk of stent migration, improved stricture resolution at the time of stent removal, and reduced the rate of stricture recurrence during follow-up. Endoscopic removal success and procedure-related morbidity were similar for both standard and anti-migration stents.

Development Process and Technical Aspects of Laparoscopic Hepatectomy: Learning Curve Based on 15 Years of Experience.

BACKGROUND: Laparoscopic hepatectomy continues to be a challenging operation associated with a steep learning curve. This study aimed to evaluate the learning process during 15 years of experience with laparoscopic hepatectomy and to identify approaches to standardization of this procedure. STUDY DESIGN: Prospectively collected data of 317 consecutive laparoscopic hepatectomies performed from January 2000 to December 2014 were reviewed retrospectively. The operative procedures were classified into 4 categories (minor hepatectomy, left lateral sectionectomy [LLS], left hepatectomy, and right hepatectomy), and indications were classified into 5 categories (benign-borderline tumor, living donor, metastatic liver tumor, biliary malignancy, and hepatocellular carcinoma). RESULTS: During the first 10 years, the procedures were limited mainly to minor hepatectomy and LLS, and the indications were limited to benign-borderline tumor and living donor. Implementation of major hepatectomy rapidly increased the proportion of malignant tumors, especially hepatocellular carcinoma, starting from 2011. Conversion rates decreased with experience for LLS (13.3% vs 3.4%; p = 0.054) and left hepatectomy (50.0% vs 15.0%; p = 0.012), but not for right hepatectomy (41.4% vs 35.7%; p = 0.661). CONCLUSIONS: Our 15-year experience clearly demonstrates the stepwise procedural evolution from LLS through left hepatectomy to right hepatectomy, as well as the trend in indications from benign-borderline tumor/living donor to malignant tumors. In contrast to LLS and left hepatectomy, a learning curve was not observed for right hepatectomy. The ongoing development process can contribute to faster standardization necessary for future advances in laparoscopic hepatectomy.

Clinical impact of laparoscopic hepatectomy: technical and oncological viewpoints.

The objective of this study was to assess the clinical impact of laparoscopic hepatectomy from technical and oncological viewpoints through the consecutive 5-year experience of an expert team. The subjects consisted of 491 consecutive hepatectomies performed over the course of 5 years. A total of 190 hepatectomies (38.6 %) were performed laparoscopically, and the remaining 301 (61.4 %) were open hepatectomies. Chronological trends of operative procedures and their indications were evaluated, and patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) were analyzed from an oncological viewpoint. The proportion of laparoscopic hepatectomies performed increased significantly during the study period (from 17.6 to 49.5 %). According to chronological trends, right hepatectomy was standardized using consecutive steps after minor hepatectomy, left lateral sectionectomy, and left hepatectomy were standardized. The proportion of laparoscopic hepatectomies performed for HCC increased from 21.4 to 71.0 %. No significant difference was observed in the proportion of major hepatectomies performed for HCC between the open and laparoscopy groups (50.6 vs. 48.6 %, p = 0.8053), whereas that of anatomical segmentectomy for HCC was significantly lower in the laparoscopy group (28.7 vs. 11.1 %, p = 0.0064). All laparoscopic anatomical segmentectomies were of segments 5 and 6, and there was no segmentectomy of posterosuperior lesions. The present study shows the consecutive technical developmental processes for minor hepatectomy, left lateral sectionectomy, left hepatectomy, and right hepatectomy without compromising oncological principles. Laparoscopic anatomical segmentectomy for posterosuperior lesions may be the most technically demanding procedure, requiring individualized standardization.

Improving graft survival by understanding the mechanism of segment 4 complications after split liver transplantation.

BACKGROUND: This study was designed to assess the actual mechanism of segment 4 (S4)-related complications after split liver transplantation (SLT) and their impact on graft and overall survival with reference to those of left lateral sectionectomy for pediatric living donor liver transplantation (LLSLD). METHODS: Clinical data from 53 SLT recipients and 62 LLSLD patients were assessed to determine the mechanism of S4-related complications. The postoperative parameters of SLT and their impact on graft and overall survival were also evaluated. RESULTS: Although two biliary leakages were noted (3.2%), no necrosis of S4 developed after LLSLD. S4-related complications were seen in 15 (28.3%) patients after SLT. Radiological volumetry of S4 and the ischemic area after SLT showed no significant difference between those with and without S4-related complications. There were no significant differences between the patients with and without S4-related complications regarding both overall and graft survival rates. Significant better overall and graft survival rates were observed in patients treated during the later period. CONCLUSIONS: S4-related complications after SLT are totally independent of the S4 volume, and biliary leakage is inherently an actual mechanism. Adequate intervention with early identification leads to better graft and overall survival, which validates SLT as a treatment option.

Two-stage liver transplantation using auxiliary laparoscopically harvested grafts in adults: Emphasizing the concept of "hypersmall graft nursing".

BACKGROUND: Living donor liver transplantation is limited by the donor's risk in case of right liver donation and by the risk of small-for-size syndrome on the recipient in case of left lobe transplantation. This study aimed at evaluating the feasibility and results of two-stage liver transplantation using auxiliary hyper small grafts harvested laparoscopically and discussing relevant technical insights and issues that still need to be overcome. METHODS: Retrospective analysis involving two patients operated at a tertiary referral center. The recipients underwent left lateral sectionectomy and then auxillary liver transplantation using laparoscopically harvested left lateral section. The native right liver was transiently left in place to sustain the initially small functional graft functional during its hypertrophy. RESULTS: No donor experienced postoperative complication. After 7days, the hypertrophy rate was 112% (105-120). Doppler assessments during the first two postoperative weeks showed progressive portal vein inflow decrease in the right native livers and portal vein inflow increase in the grafts. Liver biopsies on postoperative day 7 showed no lesion of overperfusion. No recipient experienced liver failure or small-for-size syndrome. Second stage hepatectomy of the native liver was undertaken in one patient. In the other patient, biliary stenosis on postoperative day 30 precluded second stage hepatectomy. This patient required retransplantation after one year. CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE: The current strategy increases donor safety and may allow increasing the pool of available grafts. Refinements in the management of the native right liver are however required to improve the feasibility rate of this strategy.

In Situ Hypothermic Perfusion of the Liver for Complex Hepatic Resection: Surgical Refinements.

INTRODUCTION: While total vascular exclusion (TVE) with veno-venous bypass and hypothermia may be undertaken to increase liver tolerance for complex liver resection, these procedures are still associated with elevated rates of postoperative complications and mortality. In particular, one of the main issues of this strategy is the management of bleeding after declamping, which is enhanced by both hypothermic state and acidosis. To overcome this high risk of morbidity, several technical refinements might be undertaken and here described (with video). METHODS: All patients, requiring TVE >60 min and liver cooling during hepatectomy, were retrospectively included in this study. Technical key points as (a) patient selection, (b) anesthetic management, (c) two-surgeon's technique, (d) preparation for clamping, (e) veno-venous bypass, (f) cooling of the liver, and (g) parenchymal transection, rewarming, and declamping are described and detailed. RESULTS: From 2011 to 2013, we included 8 cases of liver resection with TVE, veno-venous bypass, and hypothermia for malignant disease. Due to the technical refinements, median observed overall blood loss of 550 ml (300-900) including 200 ml (50-300) at declamping and transfusion of packed red blood cell (PRBC) units was required in 5 patients with a mean of 1.25 PRBC/patient. CONCLUSION: The association of TVE, veno-venous bypass, and liver cooling can reduce the time of transection, and blue dye injection and liver rewarming before declamping can reduce blood loss and coagulopathy. Altogether, limited blood loss can be achieved for these complex procedures and may allow to decreasing morbidity.