Idiopathic Pulmonary Hypertension After Liver Transplantation.

Pulmonary hypertension is one of the problems that can be encountered before liver transplantation. It is not expected in cases with no additional disease in postoperative period. Herein, we report on a 43-year-old woman who developed idiopathic pulmonary hypertension in the early postoperative period. Further investigation both pathologically and clinically is needed in patients undergoing living donor liver transplantation that may help to solve the problems such as pulmonary arterial hypertension before it occurs and manage complex hemodynamic changes successfully in the future.

Varicella-Zoster Virus-Induced Hepatitis in a Liver Transplant Recipient: A Case Report.

Infections after solid organ transplantation are a major cause of mortality and morbidity. Varicella-zoster virus (VZV) infection after solid organ transplantation is rare. Here we present a case presenting with acute hepatitis and shingles after a liver transplantation (LT). A 36-year-old male patient underwent a liver transplantation; 7 months later his liver function tests increased. An examination and test results revealed that he had VZV-induced hepatitis. After VZV treatment, his test results returned to normal levels. Hepatic involvement of VZV infection is rare, but it may be fatal in immunocompromised individuals. Early diagnosis and early initiation of antiviral therapy is important in the control of hepatitis and rare hepatotropic viruses in immunocompromised individuals.

Advantages of Epidural Analgesia on Pulmonary Functions in Liver Transplant Donors.

OBJECTIVE: Epidural analgesia (EA) has positive effects on anesthetic requirement, blood loss, postoperative analgesia, and pulmonary function tests (PFTs). The purpose of the present study was to investigate the effect of EA on postoperative PFTs in liver transplant donors (LTDs). METHODS: In the present study, 66 LTDs were classified as total intravenous anesthesia (TIVA) and TIVA+EA groups. Patient's age, sex, body mass index, induction and maintenance dose of propofol (IDP and MDP), operation duration, forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1), forced vital capacity (FVC), FEV1/FVC ratio, visual analog scale (VAS), atelectasis scores, and lengths of intensive care unit (ICU) and hospital stays were recorded. RESULTS: In the TIVA+EA group, IPD, MPD, delta-FEV1 delta-FVC, VAS for all time, atelectasis score and length of hospital stay were significantly lower than in the TIVA group (P < .001 for all). Whereas VAS at the end of the operation was negatively correlated with delta-FEV1 and delta-FVC (r2 = 0.26 P < .001; r2 = 0.41 P < .001; respectively), it was positively correlated with atelectasis score and length of ICU stay (r2 = 0.49, P < .001; and r2 = 0.41, P < .001; respectively). Atelectasis score was positively correlated with length of ICU stay (r2 = 0.86, P < .001). CONCLUSIONS: Reduced anesthetic requirement, better postoperative analgesia, reduced atelectasis score, and preserved PFTs can be provided with the use of EA in LTDs. Positive effects of EA on anesthesia requirement, pain management and pulmonary function are associated with outcomes.

Effects of Intraoperative Magnesium Sulfate Administration on Postoperative Tramadol Requirement in Liver Transplantation: A Prospective, Double-Blind Study.

BACKGROUND: Magnesium is an N-methyl-d-aspartate receptor blocker and is known to have analgesic effect. Hypomagnesemia can often be seen in liver transplantation and may be associated with higher morbidity and mortality. The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of intraoperative magnesium sulfate administration on postoperative tramadol requirement in liver transplant patients. METHODS: Liver transplant patients >18 years of age were screened prospectively from October 2014 to April 2015. Of these, 35 randomly selected patients with normal blood magnesium level (≥1.8 mmol/L) were included in a control group and another 35 randomly selected patients with low magnesium level (<1.8 mmol/L) were given 50 mg/kg intravenous magnesium sulfate replacement in the last 30 minutes of the operation. All patients received standard anesthesia induction and maintenance. Patient's age, sex, body mass index, Model for End-Stage Liver Disease and Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation II scores, 24-hour tramadol requirement, mechanical ventilation duration, and time of 1st tramadol need were recorded. RESULTS: In the magnesium group, mean 24-hour total tramadol requirement (3.7 mg/kg/d) and duration of mechanical ventilation (6.3 h) were significantly lower and time of 1st tramadol need (17.5 h) was significantly higher than in the control group (P < .001 for each). In the multivariate analysis, duration of mechanical ventilation was decreased by the usage of magnesium sulfate (P < .001). CONCLUSIONS: Intraoperative use of magnesium sulfate in liver transplantation reduces the need for postoperative tramadol and duration of mechanical ventilation and therefore it is a candidate to be adjuvant agent.

Urgency Priority in Kidney Transplantation: Experience in Turkey.

BACKGROUND: In Turkey, according to the directions of National Organ and Tissue Transplant Coordination System, a system has been established since 2008 of urgency priority for kidney transplantation in cases with imminent lack of access for either hemodialysis or peritoneal dialysis. In this study, we compared patient and graft outcomes between patients on the national waiting list having urgency priority for kidney transplantation (UKT) and those having the other kidney from the same deceased donor (control group). METHODS: We examined retrospective data of patients, who underwent transplantation under urgency priority allocation in Turkey from 2010 to 2014 and compared that group with other patients receiving kidney transplants from the same deceased donors (control group). Then we compared these patients for early and long-term patient and graft outcomes. RESULTS: Forty-seven patients had UKT, and 40 patients received transplants from the same deceased donors. Mean follow-up of patients after transplantation was 18 ± 12 months. Eight patients with UKT and 4 patients in the control group lost their grafts. At follow-up, 7 patients died in the UKT group, and 4 patients died in the control group. Patient survival in the UKT group was 90% at 1 year and 83% at 2 years, and in the control group was 93% at 1 year and 84% at 2 years (P = .384). Graft survival was 87% at 1 year and 81% at 2 years in UKT, and 91% at both 1 and 2 years in the control group (P = .260). CONCLUSIONS: Although patients with UKT showed lower graft and patient survivals than the control group, the difference was statistically nonsignificant. UKT can be an obligatory treatment model for patients with lack of vascular or peritoneal access for dialysis.

Brucella infection with pancytopenia after pediatric liver transplantation.

Brucellosis is considered the most widespread zoonosis in the world. It has been reported that the prevalence of seropositivity among the Turkish population varies from 3% to 14%. We present a case of brucellosis after pediatric liver transplantation. A 15-year-old boy with the diagnosis of neuro Wilson's disease underwent deceased-donor liver transplantation. The postoperative immunosuppressive protocol consisted of steroids and tacrolimus. Two months after the operation the patient experienced fever to 40°C. The patient complained of poor appetite, headache, and diarrhea. He had had pancytopenia. Despite administration of appropriate antibiotics, antiviral and antifungal agents, fever persisted for > 1 month. Multiple blood, urine, stool, and sputum cultures were negative. Bone marrow aspirate revealed hypocellularity. Liver biopsy was performed, but rejection was not observed on biopsy specimen. Brucella serology was positive and Brucella agglutination titer was 1:320. Bone marrow culture was positive for Brucella but blood culture was negative. The patient was then treated with oral doxycycline and rifampin for 8 weeks. No previous case report about Brucella infection after liver transplantation has appeared in the literature, to our knowledge; our case is presented as the first. Bone marrow hypoplasia is a rare feature of Brucella infection. Our patient with brucellosis and pancytopenia had had hypocellular bone marrow. The clinical and hematologic findings resolved with treatment of the infection. Brucella infection should be suspected in liver transplanted recipients with fever of unknown origin, especially in a recipient who has lived in an endemic area. Brucella also should be considered as a possible diagnosis in patients with pancytopenia.

The protective effect of aprotinin and alpha-tocopherol on ischemia-reperfusion injury of the rat liver.

BACKGROUND: Liver injury caused by ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) processes is a complication of hepatic resection surgery and transplantation, particularly using grafts from marginal donors. Despite improvements in organ preservation and advances in surgical techniques, I/R injury remains a significant clinical problem. In this study, we investigated whether aprotinin provided protection against the adverse effects of I/R injury in liver tissue. METHODS: Forty rats were randomized into four groups (n = 10): group I: (control group) I/R + no medication; group II: sham-operated group + no medication or I/R; group III: I/R + aprotinin; group IV: I/R + alpha-tocopherol. Malondialdehyde (MDA) was measured in the liver tissue and superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), as well as lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) in rat serum. RESULTS: Administration of aprotinin and alpha-tocopherol before I/R resulted in significant reductions of MDA levels compared to the I/R alone group (group I; P = .01 and P < .01, respectively). Administration of aprotinin or alpha-tocopherol prior to I/R resulted in significant increases in SOD and CAT levels compared with the I/R group (P < .05 each). Compared to the I/R group, significant decreases in plasma AST, ALT, and LDH levels were observed both in the aprotinin and in the alpha-tocopherol group (P < .05). Histological evaluation revealed the injury grade to be relatively lower among groups III and IV compared to group I. DISCUSSION: In conclusion, rat hepatic structures in aprotinin and alpha-tocopherol administered groups were well protected. Therefore, aprotinin may provide protection against the adverse effects of I/R injury in liver transplantation.

Spontaneous rupture of hepatocellular carcinoma: a case report and review of literature.

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) has a tendency for fatal spontaneous rupture leading to massive haemorrhage. A 64-year-old man presented with sudden, severe epigastric pain for 6 h. Systolic blood pressure was 80/50 mmHg, and pulse rate was 100/min. The patient's history did not reveal any operation or disease up to date. Contrast enhancement-axial computed tomography (CT) scan showed a tumoral lesion with a necrotic centre measuring 6 x 5 cm within 6th segment of the liver and a fluid collection (haemoperitoneum) at the periphery of the liver. At exploratory laparotomy, the liver was found to be cirrhotic, and an actively bleeding tumour confirmed in 6th segment of the liver. The tumour was resected. Post-operative recovery was unremarkable, and the patient was discharged on the 14th post-operative day. Ruptured HCC should be included in the differential diagnosis of non-traumatic intra-abdominal haemorrhage.

Late complications of incisional hernias following prosthetic mesh repair.

BACKGROUND: Incisional hernias still continue to be a serious problem for surgeons. In this study, we aimed to investigate the effects of polypropylene mesh and mersilene mesh, which are frequently employed in incisional hernias, as well as the effects of their application techniques on late complications. METHODS: Two-hundred-sixty-four open abdominal hernia repairs were performed between 1986--2000, using prosthetic materials: polypropylene mesh and mersilene mesh were used in hernia repair. Mesh was placed as onlay, underlay and sandwich techniques. Follow-up data were obtained from medical records. RESULTS: Comparisons were made with respect to surgical techniques and to late complications such as recurrence, enterocutaneous fistula, intestinal obstruction, and infections. Enterocutaneous fistulas developed in two patients. Recurrence occurred in 6.4 per cent. Chronic infection and wound sinus formation occurred in 5 per cent. The causes of recurrence included smoking, cellulitis, chronic infection/sinus tract, upper abdominal localization, and obstruction. Fistula formation occurred in patients with no peritoneal prevention, which was statistically significant (p=0.012). Chronic infection/sinus tract was high in patients for whom mersilene mesh was used, and enterocutaneous fistula occurred in 2 patients. CONCLUSION: To prevent late complications, it is necessary to avoid the contact of mesh with bowel.

Primary tuberculous liver abscess. A case report and review of literature.

Tuberculous liver abscess (TLA) is an extremely rare condition, even in the country where tuberculosis is an alarming public health problem. Primary TLA, with no evidence of infection elsewhere, is even less common. Herein, we report a case with primary TLA and review the literature.

Percutaneous drainage of hydatid cyst of the liver: long-term results.

BACKGROUND: Previously surgical operation was the only accepted treatment for hydatid liver cysts. Recently percutaneous management has become more preferable because of its low morbidity rate and lower cost. PATIENTS AND METHODS: In all, 101 patients harbouring 120 hydatid cysts of the liver were treated by percutaneous drainage between October 1994 and December 1997. Of these cysts, 89 were in the right liver and 31 in the left liver.Thirty-one patients had had previous operations for hydatid disease. All cysts had an anechoic or hypoechoic unilocular appearance on ultrasound scan. The mean dimension of the cysts was 7.5+/-2.9 cm (range 3-10.4 cm). All patients received oral albendazole 10 mg/kg perioperatively. After aspiration under sonographic guidance, cysts were irrigated with 95% ethanol. RESULTS: The amount of cyst fluid aspirated was 220+/-75 ml and the amount of irrigation solution used was 175+/-42 ml. Four patients developed mild fever and three had urticaria. Mean length of hospital stay was 2.1+/-0.7 (range 1-4) days, and patients were followed up for 43-62 months (mean 54+/-5.4 months). Maximal cyst diameter decreased from 7.5+/-2.9 cm to 3.2+/-15 cm (p<0.001). Sonographic examinations revealed high-level heterogeneous echoes in the cyst cavity (heterogeneous echo pattern), while the cyst cavity was completely obliterated by echogenic material (pseudotumour echo pattern). DISCUSSION: Most hydatid cysts of the liver can be managed successfully by a combination of drug therapy and percutaneous drainage.

[Hepatic injuries. Surgical treatment experience]. / Karaciger yaralanmalarinda cerrahi tedavi deneyimimiz.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the results of the surgical treatment of hepatic injuries in our institution for liver injuries. PATIENTS AND METHODS: One hundred seventy four patients who underwent operations between January 1986-December 1999 in Atatürk University Medical School, Emergency Service were reviewed retrospectively. RESULTS: 135 patients were male (77.5%). The mean age was 25.4 (range 3-84). Sixty three patients (36.3%) had only hepatic injuries and the others had co-existing abdominal organ injury [62 patients (35.7%) had one organ, 29 (16.7%) had two, 17 (9.7%) had three, 2 (1.1%) had four, and 1 (0.5%) had 5 organ injuries]. Five patients (2.8%) had inferior vena cava and 1 (0.5%) had vena porta injuries. One hundred seven patients (61.4%) had blunt, 44 (25.3%) had stab wound and 23 (13.3%) had gunshot injuries. Management was simple suture in 104 patient (60%), primary suture + surgical cell patching in 52 (29.8%), hepatectomy (5 right hepatectomy, 5 non anatomic hepatectomy) in 10 (5.7%), perihepatic packing in 4 (2.3%), primary suture + omental patch in 2 (1.1%), primary suture + arterial ligation in 2 (1.1%). Eleven patients (16.4%) in penetrating trauma group "Penetrating Abdominal Trauma Index" (PATI) score were higher than 25. Fever was the most common complaint postoperatively (5%). Three patients (1.7%) underwent reoperation. Twenty-six patients (14.9%) which one of them ware died. Died in the postoperative periods, 23 (13.2%) had blunt and 3 (1.7%) had penetrating traumas. CONCLUSION: Liver trauma still has high mortality rate injuries are very momentous. Especially blunt trauma related hepatic.

[Perforated peptic ulcers]. / Peptik ülser perforasyonlari.

Two hundred forty-eight patients were operated for perforated peptic ulcer between 1983 and 1998. Of the patients 112 (45.1%) had chronic, 34 (13.7%) had acute ulcer history and 102 (41.2%) had no ulcer history. Of the patients 228 (92.0%) had duodenal, 9 (3.6%) had juxtapyloric, 6 (2.4%) had marginal, and 5 (2.0%) had antral ulcer. Forty two patients (16.9%) admitted within 12 hours and 206 patients (83.1%) between 12 hours and six days after perforation. Simple closure and omental patch was performed in 32 patients (12.9%) who had severe concomitant illness and 126 (50.8%) intraabdominal sepsis, truncal vagotomy + pyloroplasty in 32 (12.9%), simple closure + omental patch + truncal vagotomy + gastroenterostomy in 34 (13.7%), simple closure + omental patch + parietal cell vagotomy in 21 (8.5%), truncal vagotomy + antrectomy in 3 (1.2%). Patients who didn't have definitive procedure received H2 receptor blockers or proton pomp inhibitors. One hundred ninety-three patients (77.8%) underwent endoscopic control. Two of 53 patients with definitive procedure (3.8%) and 34 of 140 patients (24.3%) with simple closure had recurrence. Two patients in simple closure group underwent parietal cell vagotomy, the others received medical treatment. The recurrence rate was significantly higher in simple closure group (p < 0.01).

Surgical treatment of hydatid disease of the liver: review of 304 cases.

HYPOTHESIS: To review the results of different modalities of treatment of hydatid disease of the liver. DESIGN: Retrospective study of 304 patients. SETTING: A university hospital in Turkey. PATIENTS: Three hundred four patients with hepatic hydatid disease who underwent operation between 1981 and 1996. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Mortality and morbidity. RESULTS: Two hundred thirty-eight patients had a cyst on the right lobe, 41 patients had a cyst on the left lobe, and 25 patients had a cyst on both lobes. Forty-five patients had multiple hepatic cysts and 18 patients had coexisting cysts in other intra-abdominal organs. Surgical procedures were tube drainage, capitonnage, omentoplasty, cystectomy, segmentectomy, and cystoenterostomy. Of the patients with tube drainage, 36 developed an infection of the remaining cavity, 10 developed long-lasting biliary fistula, 8 developed cholangitis, and 6 developed septicemia. Four patients died of unreleated complications. Of the patients with capitonnage, 7 developed cholangitis and 3 developed an infection of the remaining cavity. Of the patients with omentoplasty, 1 developed an infection of the remaining cavity and 1 developed cholangitis. One patient who underwent segmentectomy developed pulmonary complications. Of the patients with cystoenterostomy, 1 developed cholangitis, 1 developed septicemia, and 1 developed pulmonary complications. CONCLUSION: For management of hydatid disease of the liver, capitonnage, omentoplasty, cyst excision, segmentectomy, or cystoenterostomy are all superior to tube drainage.