Evolution of Liver Transplantation in Kazakhstan: Two-Era Experience of a Single Center, the First Report.

BACKGROUND: Liver transplantation has been performed in Kazakhstan since 2011. The present study aimed to analyze the outcomes of the most experienced liver transplant center in Kazakhstan. METHODS: Between December 2011 and December 2018, 131 liver transplantations were performed at A.N. Syzganov's National Scientific Center of Surgery. The clinical data of 88 adult patients who underwent living donor liver transplantations from December 2011 to December 2017 were analyzed. The patients were divided into 2 cohorts based on the periods in which the procedure was performed: the early era (2011-2014; n = 25) and the late era (2015-2017; n = 63). The clinical course and outcomes were retrospectively reviewed. RESULTS: There were significant differences in the characteristics of the recipients. The patients who were treated during the late era had significantly better survival rates compared with the early era (1 year, 90.5%; 3 year, 79.6%; vs 1 year, 67.7%; 3 year 63.3%; P < .05). Right lobe grafts were used significantly more frequently during the late era (P < .05), while splenectomy was indicated significantly less frequently (P < .05). We also noted a decrease in the complication rate, including early postoperative mortality (P < .05). CONCLUSIONS: Over the past 7 years, the liver transplant program has been established, and the operative techniques used in living donor liver transplant have changed dramatically. Patient survival has been improving with increased experience.

Extra-Anatomic Jump Graft Arterial Reconstruction Using a Great Saphenous Vein Autograft During Living Donor Liver Transplantation.

BACKGROUND: In living-donor liver transplantation (LDLT), successful microsurgical arterial reconstruction is essential but quite challenging. Dissection of the hepatic artery extending to the celiac trunk is a rare complication during liver transplantation. Kazakhstan is an area in which deceased donor grafts are not sufficient for several reasons, and the availability of graft vessels is limited. METHODS: We herein report the case of a 65-year-old patient who underwent LDLT due to hepatitis B + D virus-coinfected liver cirrhosis complicated by hepatic artery dissection extending to the celiac trunk. Because of massive gastric collateral varices, direct anastomosis to the supraceliac aorta was not possible. Therefore, extra-anatomic jump graft reconstruction was performed from the right iliac artery to the graft's hepatic artery using an autologous graft vein (great saphenous vein). RESULTS: The patient's postoperative period was uneventful. The patient was discharged at 27 days post-transplantation. At the time of writing, the follow-up period is 8 months after transplantation, and the recipient maintains a normal liver function. CONCLUSION: When there is no other option for arterial reconstruction, this method is a feasible option for performing extra-anatomic jump graft reconstruction.