Pretransplant screening of sobriety with carbohydrate-deficient transferrin in patients suffering from alcoholic cirrhosis.

Sufficient assessment of potential candidates for orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT) is the most important factor for a low alcohol relapse rate after transplantation in patients suffering from alcoholic cirrhosis. In the current study the efficiency of pretransplant screening with carbohydrate-deficient transferrin (CDT) was analysed in patients on the waiting list for OLT. A prospective study was performed in 44 patients who had undergone OLT for alcoholic cirrhosis. All patients had had pretransplant assessment by a specialist psychologist and were found to have no problems with alcohol. Pre- and post-transplant CDT monitoring was performed. Overall, 790 CDT values were measured in the study population. The median observation period was 2.1 months before and 41.2 months after transplantation, respectively. In 35 patients (80%) pretransplant CDT values were found to be above the reference value, but only one patient suffered an alcohol relapse after transplantation. Of the nine patients (20%) who demonstrated normal CDT before transplantation, two suffered an alcohol relapse after transplantation. CDT is a very useful marker for the monitoring of an alcohol relapse in patients following OLT for alcoholic cirrhosis, as has been previously indicated. However, CDT does not appear to be useful as a pretransplant screening marker for selection of potential transplant candidates suffering from alcoholic cirrhosis.

Surgical treatment of severe acute pancreatitis: timing of operation is crucial for survival.

BACKGROUND: In patients operated on for severe acute pancreatitis (SAP) the impact of the timing of operation on outcome is controversial. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In a retrospective analysis of a prospectively documented database, we studied 250 patients suffering from SAP, who were in need for surgical treatment during their course of disease. RESULTS: From 1982 to 1998, 250 patients with the diagnosis of SAP who required operative treatment were admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU) of a university hospital. The mean APACHE II score on the day of admission was 16.1 (8-35). One hundred eighty-five patients (74%) required reoperation, of whom 111 patients (60%) underwent reoperation on demand and 74 (40%) patients a pre-planned reoperation. Overall mortality was 38.8% (97 patients). In patients who were operated during the first three weeks after onset of disease, mortality was significantly higher than in patients who were operated after three weeks (46% vs. 25%, p < 0.01). Besides patient age (p < 0.05), APACHE II score at admission (p < 0.01), multiple organ dysfunction (p < 0.01), infection of pancreatic necrosis (p < 0.05), surgical control of pancreatic necrosis (p < 0.0001), and the time of surgical intervention (p < 0.05) determined survival significantly. CONCLUSION: Patients who were operated later than three weeks after onset of disease had a significantly better outcome. In patients suffering from SAP who required surgical treatment, the timing of operation is crucial for survival.

The role of complex hepatic artery reconstruction in orthotopic liver transplantation.

The goal of this study was to analyze the influence of multiple anastomosis on outcome in orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT) and its implications for split-liver and living related liver transplantation programs. In a retrospective study, 683 first OLTs in adults were analyzed. Complex hepatic artery reconstruction was defined as revascularization of the graft requiring additional anastomosis between donor hepatic arteries. OLT was performed in a standard manner. All patients had daily ultrasound examination. In this series we found 72 grafts (10.5%) with anatomic arterial variations that required complex hepatic artery reconstruction. There was no difference in primary organ function and demographic data compared with patients with simple arterial reconstruction. However, hepatic artery thrombosis (HAT) occurred in 9.7% of patients (7 of 72) with complex reconstruction in contrast to 2.0% in the control group (12 of 638; P <.001). Statistical analysis identified multiple anastomoses (P <.002) and primary nonfunction (P <.02) as significant risk factors for HAT. Three patients underwent successful thrombectomy for HAT, all others had to undergo retransplantation. Although in the group with complex arterial reconstruction increased graft loss caused by HAT was found early postoperatively, the overall 5-year patient and graft survival was not different for both groups. Although complex reconstruction is a risk factor for HAT, early diagnosis of HAT by daily ultrasound and early repeat OLT can provide similar 5-year survival as for patients with simple reconstruction. We conclude that complex hepatic artery reconstruction challenges conventional OLT as well as split-liver and living related liver transplantation, but does not necessarily affect its long-term outcome.

Detrimental effects of controlled reperfusion on renal function after porcine autotransplantation are fully compensated by the use of Carolina rinse solution.

Despite extensive efforts in the fields of donor selection and management, standardisation of organ retrieval procedures, storage solutions, and novel immunosuppressive protocols, the rates of delayed graft function (DGF) after renal transplantation have been stagnating between 30% and 50%. As DGF exerts negative influences on acute rejection episodes and long-term organ function, the early phase of transplantation immediately following reperfusion deserves special interest. Several studies on machine-controlled reperfusion showed promising results in various organs, in experimental and clinical settings. Moreover, the flushing of organs with Carolina rinse solution (CR) immediately prior to reperfusion has been proven beneficial and is being clinically applied in human liver transplantation in recognised departments. In our study, we set up an autogenic porcine kidney transplantation model and assessed the normal values (control group) for creatinine clearance (ClCr) and urine output per hour (U/h) after "standard" reperfusion similar to clinical transplantation. Subsequently, kidneys of the experimental group 1 were reperfused at a blood pressure (RR) under the systemic level by means of a roller pump. Group 2 kidneys were rinsed with CR before controlled reperfusion, analogous to group 1. Both groups were compared with each other and with the assessed normal values. Our findings for Group 1 are that pressure-reduced reperfusion negatively affected immediate graft function. ClCr was reduced from 9.9 (control group) to 3.4 ml/min, U/h from 233 to 132 ml ( P<0.05). Group 2 showed that rinsing the kidneys with CR before reperfusion improved functional parameters highly significantly, compared with group 1 (ClCr: 13.5 vs 3.4 ml/min, U/h: 384 vs 132 ml; P<0.05) and even showed a positive trend compared with the control group (ClCr: 13.5 vs 9.9 ml/min, U/h: 384 vs 233 ml; P=0.0546). We can conclude that in a model of porcine renal autotransplantation, pressure-reduced reperfusion via a roller pump is detrimental to early kidney graft function. The flushing of organs with CR prior to controlled reperfusion significantly improves ClCr as well as urine output.

How to pass on expertise: pancreatoduodenectomy at a teaching hospital.

Pancreatoduodenectomy (PD) has become a routine procedure. Recent series report perioperative mortality rates of 5% or less, moderate morbidity, and even improved long-term survival. Nevertheless, being one of the most complex abdominal operations, a certain number of surgical procedures (i.e., personal caseload) seems essential for acceptable results. The objectives of this retrospective study were to evaluate whether PD can be safely performed as a teaching operation, and if the personal caseload of the senior surgeon affects morbidity and mortality. A series of 128 consecutive PDs carried out at a large academic teaching hospital were analyzed. The 49 operations performed by 11 residents of the surgical department as teaching operations under supervision of an experienced (senior) surgeon (ES) were compared with operations performed by an ES (group 2, n = 79). Three patients died from non-procedure-related causes (two in group 1). Eleven patients of group 2 had to be reoperated, in contrast to three in group 1 (NS). The total number of complications and number of pancreatic fistulas were comparable in the two groups. Surgeons performing less than one PD per year had significantly more complications. Under direct supervision of an experienced surgeon PD can be performed safely as a teaching operation. A caseload of at least one resection per year seems necessary for consistently good results.

Diagnosis and staging of pancreatic cancer: comparison of mangafodipir trisodium-enhanced MR imaging and contrast-enhanced helical hydro-CT.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to compare mangafodipir trisodium-enhanced MR imaging performed with a phased array coil and contrast-enhanced single-detector helical CT for accuracy in the detection and local staging of pancreatic adenocarcinoma and in the differentiation between cancer and focal pancreatitis. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Forty-two patients with suspected pancreatic masses underwent contrast-enhanced helical CT and mangafodipir trisodium-enhanced MR imaging at 1.5 T. The images were assessed for the presence or absence of tumors; characterization of masses; and presence of vascular invasion, lymph node metastases, or liver metastases. Imaging findings were correlated with findings at laparotomy, laparoscopy, biopsy, or follow-up. RESULTS: Focal masses were present in 36 patients (cancer, n = 26; focal pancreatitis, n = 7; other, n = 3). The sensitivity for lesion detection of MR imaging was 100% and of CT, 94%. Two small malignant lesions were missed on CT. For the diagnosis of tumor nonresectability, the sensitivity of MR imaging and CT was 90% and 80%, respectively. Liver metastases were missed on MR imaging in one of the eight patients and on CT in four. For differentiation between adenocarcinoma and nonadenocarcinoma, the sensitivity of MR imaging was 100% (positive predictive value, 90%; negative predictive value, 100%), and the sensitivity of CT was 92% (positive predictive value, 80%; negative predictive value, 67%). Receiver operating characteristic analysis revealed that the mean area under the curve for MR imaging was 0.920 and for CT, 0.832 (not significant). CONCLUSION: Mangafodipir trisodium-enhanced MR imaging is as accurate as contrast-enhanced helical CT for the detection and staging of pancreatic cancer but offers improved detection of small pancreatic metastases and of liver metastases compared with CT.

Surgical treatment for severe acute pancreatitis: extent and surgical control of necrosis determine outcome.

In patients operated on for severe acute pancreatitis (SAP), the factors determining outcome remain unclear. From 1986 to 1998 a total of 340 patients with a diagnosis of SAP and in need of operative treatment were admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU) of a university hospital and a secondary care hospital. The mean APACHE II score on the day of admission was 16.1 (range 8-35). All patients required operative therapy. Among the 340 patients, 270 (79.4%) had to be reoperated: 196 patients (72.6%) underwent operative revisions on demand, and 74 (27.4%) patients had preplanned reoperation. The overall mortality was 39.1% (133 patients). Septic organ failure in 126 patients (37.1%) and myocardial infarction or pulmonary embolism in 7 patients (2%) were the causes of death. The patient's age (p < 0.0002), APACHE II scores at admission (p < 0.0001), presence or development of (single or multiple) organ failure (p < 0.002), infection (p < 0.02) and extent (p < 0.04) of pancreatic necrosis, and surgical control of local necrosis (p < 0.0001) significantly determined survival. SAP that requires surgical treatment is associated with high in-hospital mortality. Surgical control of local necrosis is the precondition for survival. Advanced age of the patient, high APACHE II score at admission, development of organ failure, and the extent and infection of pancreatic necrosis influence the outcome.