Stapled Anastomosis for Side-to-Side Cavo-Cavostomy in Orthotopic Liver Transplantation.

In liver transplantation, a side-to-side anastomosis is one of the commonly performed techniques of the inferior vena cava reconstruction. The authors report a case of an application of an endoscopic vascular linear stapler for a side-to-side caval anastomosis during deceased-donor liver transplantation. The back table procedure was performed in a standard fashion for a side-to-side anastomosis. The linear vascular stapler was introduced during the temporary clamping of the recipient's inferior vena cava and the anastomosis was created without problems. Suturing of the resulting defect completed the anastomosis. The use of the stapler resulted in a shortening of the anastomosis time. The staple line after the reperfusion of the graft was completely sealed. The patient's postoperative course was uncomplicated and post-operative ultrasound and computed tomography confirmed the patency of the anastomosis. This case demonstrates a novel approach to a side-to-side caval reconstruction during liver transplantation that enables a shortening of the implantation time and may improve the quality of anastomoses.

Application of piggy-back lens in the correction of severe keratoconus: A case study.

OBJECTIVE: This is a case study on the application of a piggy-back lens in the correction of severe keratoconus. METHODS: From the results of general eye examination, refractive state examination, and corneal morphology examination on the patient, it was determined that corneal protrusion and deformation of the right eye were obvious. The right eye was corrected using a piggy-back lens and the left eye with a rigid gas-permeable contact lens (RGPCL) alone. RESULTS: The right-eye lens fit well and the lens coverage was good. Both the static and dynamic fit results for the left-eye lens were good. After wearing the glasses for one month, the patient attended a review and stated that the lenses were comfortable to wear. The patient's vision was good after wearing the lenses. No obvious congestion was found in the conjunctiva under a slit lamp. The effects on both eyes of wearing RGPCLs were favorable. The corneal curvature reduced and the corneal thickness only changed to a small degree. CONCLUSION: For keratoconus patients, application of a piggy-back lens can improve corrected visual acuity, comfort levels, and safety, prolong the wearing time, and enhance the effect of orthokeratology.

Hepatic Vein Flow Index During Orthotopic Liver Transplantation as a Predictive Factor for Postoperative Early Allograft Dysfunction.

OBJECTIVES: The authors devised a hepatic vein flow index (HVFi), using intraoperative transesophageal echocardiography and graft weight, and investigated its predictive value for postoperative graft function in orthotopic liver transplant. DESIGN: Prospective clinical trial. SETTING,: Single-center tertiary academic hospital. PARTICIPANTS: Ninety-seven patients who had orthotopic liver transplant with the piggy-back technique between February 2018 and December 2019. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: HVFi was defined with HV flow/graft weight. Patients who developed early graft dysfunction (EAD) had low HVFi in systole (HVFi sys, 1.23 v 2.19 L/min/kg, p < 0.01), low HVFi in diastole (HVFi dia, 0.87 v 1.54 L/min/kg, p < 0.01), low hepatic vein flow (HVF) in systole (HVF sys, 2.04 v 3.95 L/min, p < 0.01), and low HVF in diastole (HVF dia, 1.44 v 2.63 L/min, p < 0.01). More cardiac death, more vasopressors at the time of measurement, more acute rejection, longer time to normalize total bilirubin (TIME t-bil), longer surgery time, longer neohepatic time, and more packed red blood cell transfusion were observed in the EAD patients. All HVF parameters were negatively correlated with TIME t-bil (HVFi sys R = -0.406, p < 0.01; HFVi dia R = -0.442, p < 0.01; HVF sys R = -0.44, p < 0.01; HVF dia R = -0.467, p < 0.01). The receiver operating characteristic curve analysis determined the best cut-off levels of HVFi to predict occurrence of EAD (HVFi sys <1.608, HVFi dia <0.784 L/min/kg), acute rejection (HVFi sys <1.388, HVFi dia <1.077 L/min/kg), and prolonged high total bilirubin (HVFi sys <1.471, HVFi dia <1.087 L/min/kg). CONCLUSIONS: The authors' devised HVFi has the potential to predict the postoperative graft function.

A prospective pilot study using a low power piggy-back toric implantable Collamer lens to correct residual refractive error after multifocal IOL implantation.

PURPOSE: To assess whether residual refractive error after in-the-bag multifocal intraocular lens (mIOL) implantation can efficaciously and safely be corrected with a piggy-back low power Visian Toric Implantable Collamer Lens® (VTICL, STAAR Surgical) placed in the ciliary sulcus. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Twenty-four eyes of 23 patients (mean age: 57.5 years) with diminished uncorrected distance visual acuity (UDVA) of ≥2 lines due to residual refractive error after mIOL implantation were included in the study. VTICL size was calculated using the standard STAAR Visian ICL calculation software for phakic eyes. Postoperative study visits (1 day, 1 week, 3 months and 6 months after VTICL implantation) included UDVA, corrected distance visual acuity (CDVA), VTICL axis alignment, vault (space between mIOL and VTICL), IOP and documentation of adverse events. RESULTS: At 6 months, mean UDVA (logMAR) increased from 0.26 preoperatively to -0.01 (P<0.001) while mean CDVA remained unchanged. Mean VTICL misalignment from the preoperative target axis was 5.3° and mean vault was 1385 µm. In the initial phase of the study, 2 VTICL had to be exchanged due to oversizing. CONCLUSION: Piggy-back low power VTICL can efficaciously correct residual refractive error after mIOL implantation and significantly increase UDVA. Advantages of this novel surgical approach include: VTICL availability in small diopter steps, no significant surgical-induced astigmatism, atraumatic and reversible procedure.

Technical Aspects of Orthotopic Liver Transplantation-a Survey-Based Study Within the Eurotransplant, Swisstransplant, Scandiatransplant, and British Transplantation Society Networks.

BACKGROUND: Orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT) has emerged as the mainstay of treatment for end-stage liver disease. However, technical aspects of OLT are still subject of ongoing debate and are widely based on personal experience and local institutional protocols. METHODS: An international online survey was sent out to all liver transplant centers (n = 52) within the Eurotransplant, Swisstransplant, Scandiatransplant, and British Transplant Society networks. The survey sought information on center-specific OLT caseload, vascular and biliary reconstruction, graft reperfusion, intraoperative control of hemodynamics, and drain policies. RESULTS: Forty-two centers gave a valid response (81%). Out of these, 50% reported piggy-back and 40.5% total caval replacement as their standard technique. While 48% of all centers generally do not apply veno-venous bypass (vvBP) or temporary portocaval shunt (PCS) during OLT, vvBP/PCS are routinely used in six centers (14%). Portal vein first reperfusion is used in 64%, followed by simultaneous (17%), and retrograde reperfusion (12%). End-to-end duct-to-duct anastomosis without biliary drain (67%) is the most frequently performed method of biliary reconstruction. No significant associations were found between the center caseload and the surgical approach used. The predominant part of the centers (88%) stated that techniques of OLT are not evidence-based and 98% would participate in multicenter clinical trials on these topics. CONCLUSION: Technical aspects of OLT vary widely among European centers. The extent to which center-specific variation of techniques affect transplant outcomes in Europe should be elucidated further in prospective multicenter trials.

Repurposing strategies for tropical disease drug discovery.

Neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) and other diseases of the developing world, such as malaria, attract research investments that are disproportionately low compared to their impact on human health worldwide. Therefore, pragmatic methods for launching new drug discovery programs have emerged that repurpose existing chemical matter as new drugs or new starting points for optimization. In this Digest we describe applications of different repurposing approaches for NTDs, and provide a means by which these approaches may be differentiated from each other. These include drug repurposing, target repurposing, target class repurposing, and lead repurposing.

Stress exposure results in increased peroxisomal levels of yeast Pnc1 and Gpd1, which are imported via a piggy-backing mechanism.

Saccharomyces cerevisiae glycerol phosphate dehydrogenase 1 (Gpd1) and nicotinamidase (Pnc1) are two stress-induced enzymes. Both enzymes are predominantly localised to peroxisomes at normal growth conditions, but were reported to localise to the cytosol and nucleus upon exposure of cells to stress. Import of both proteins into peroxisomes depends on the peroxisomal targeting signal 2 (PTS2) receptor Pex7. Gpd1 contains a PTS2, however, Pnc1 lacks this sequence. Here we show that Pnc1 physically interacts with Gpd1, which is required for piggy-back import of Pnc1 into peroxisomes. Quantitative fluorescence microscopy analyses revealed that the levels of both proteins increased in peroxisomes and in the cytosol upon exposure of cells to stress. However, upon exposure of cells to stress we also observed enhanced cytosolic levels of the control PTS2 protein thiolase, when produced under control of the GPD1 promoter. This suggests that these conditions cause a partial defect in PTS2 protein import, probably because the PTS2 import pathway is easily saturated.

Soft contact lens fitting after intrastromal corneal ring segment implantation to treat keratoconus.

PURPOSE: To assess the feasibility of fitting a lathed soft toric contact lens (STCL) after the implant of intrastromal corneal ring segments (ICRSs) to treat keratoconus. METHODS: Six months after ICRS implantation, 47 eyes of 47 patients (18-45 years) were fitted with a STCL. In each eye, we determined refractive error, uncorrected (UDVA) and corrected distance visual acuity (CDVA), and keratometry and asphericity measures. The outcome of STCL fitting was defined according to CDVA as successful (≤0.2logMAR) or unsuccessful (>0.2logMAR). Patients in the unsuccessful group were refitted with a piggy-back (PB) system. The above variables and the change in CDVA observed after STCL and PB lens fitting from spectacle CDVA were compared in the two groups. RESULTS: STCL fitting was successful in 75%, 66.66% and 0% of the ICRS implanted eyes with stages I-III keratoconus, respectively. Spectacle-CDVA was 1.5 lines better and mean corneal power was 3.62D lower in the successful STCL group. In this group, the difference in cylinder axis between spectacles and STCL was 24.25° lower. PB refitting achieved a PB-CDVA ≤0.2logMAR in all cases. A similar difference in the CDVA change achieved by contact lenses versus spectacles was observed in the successful STCL and PB refitted groups. CONCLUSION: STCL fitting is a feasible option in a large proportion of patients implanted with ICRS. When these lenses are unsatisfactory, a PB system is a good alternative.

[Sequential heart and liver transplantation for familial amyloid polyneuropathy]. / Trasplante cardiaco y hepático secuencial por polineuropatía amiloidótica familiar.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Combined heart and liver transplantation for familial amyloid polyneuropathy (FAP) is currently the best treatment for patients with cardiomyopathy related to FAP. However, its optimal timing and the possibility of domino liver transplantation in this setting remain under discussion. Most such cases in the medical literature have been performed simultaneously, although many of them have required the use of veno-venous bypass and the majority have not used the liver as a graft for domino liver transplantation. PATIENTS AND METHOD: We report 3 cases of non-Val30Met mutation that underwent sequential heart and domino liver transplantation at our institution. RESULTS: We describe the 3 cases and the medical literature, with special attention to the reason for sequential heart and liver transplantation, the role of transient elastography in this setting, and the feasibility of domino liver transplantation. CONCLUSION: In our experience, combined heart and liver transplantation is a feasible but challenging procedure for patients with FAP. Performing the procedure sequentially rather than simultaneously seems safer and easier, both technically and hemodynamically. More importantly, such an approach allows the use of livers from FAP patients as grafts for domino liver transplantation.

Resultados del implante múltiple de lentes intraoculares en la cirugía de catarata en el Instituto Cubano de Oftalmología Ramón Pando Ferrer / Results of the multiple intraocular lenses implantation in the cataract surgery performed at Ramón Pando Ferrer Cuban Institute of Ophthalmology

OBJETIVO: Valorar los resultados visuales de los pacientes operados con la técnica de piggy back o implantes múltiples de lentes intraoculares. MÉTODOS: Se realizó un estudio descriptivo retrospectivo de corte transversal en el que se tomaron 32 ojos de 30 pacientes del universo operado de catarata, con la técnica antes descrita, en el Instituto Cubano de Oftalmología Ramón Pando Ferrer, en el período comprendido entre enero de 2000 hasta diciembre de 2006. Fueron evaluadas algunas variables demográficas, como edad y sexo, así como agudeza visual y refracción preoperatorio y posoperatoria con cristales y sin ellos. Reportamos las complicaciones transquirúrgicas y posquirúrgicas asociadas a las diferentes técnicas quirúrgicas empleadas para la extracción del cristalino. RESULTADOS: La edad promedio obtenida fue mayor de 50 años, y predominó el sexo femenino. Parte de los pacientes tuvieron una agudeza visual corregida superior a 20/40. La complicación más frecuente fue la opacidad de la cápsula posterior y solo en la tercera parte de los pacientes se obtuvo una buena corrección refractiva. CONCLUSIONES: La técnica de piggy back permitió la recuperación de cuatro líneas en la cartilla de Snellen en la agudeza visual corregida, mientras que en la agudeza visual sin corrección solo aumentó en dos líneas. Se encontró igual número de pacientes hipocorregidos y bien corregidos

OBJECTIVE: To asses the visual results of patients operated on by piggy back technique or multiple implantation of intraocular lenses METHODS: A retrospective cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted in 32 eyes from 30 patients operated on from cataract, using the above-mentioned technique, at Ramon Pando Ferrer Cuban Institute of Ophthalmology in the period January 2000 through December 2006. Some demographic variables as age and sex as well as visual acuity and preoperative and postoperative refraction with/without lenses were evaluated. Trans-surgical and post-surgical complications associated with the various surgical techniques for the crystalline extraction were reported. RESULTS: Average age was 50 years, being the females predominant. One part of the patients had corrected visual acuity over 20/40. The most frequent complication was posterior capsule opacity and only one third of patients showed good refractive correction. CONCLUSIONS: Piggy back technique allowed recovering four lines in corrected visual acuity in Snellen´s chart whereas uncorrected visual acuity increased two lines only. The number of hypocorrected and well-corrected patients was the same

Resultados del implante múltiple de lentes intraoculares en la cirugía de catarata en el Instituto Cubano de Oftalmología Ramón Pando Ferrer / Results of the multiple intraocular lenses implantation in the cataract surgery performed at Ramón Pando Ferrer Cuban Institute of Ophthalmology

OBJETIVO: Valorar los resultados visuales de los pacientes operados con la técnica de piggy back o implantes múltiples de lentes intraoculares. MÉTODOS: Se realizó un estudio descriptivo retrospectivo de corte transversal en el que se tomaron 32 ojos de 30 pacientes del universo operado de catarata, con la técnica antes descrita, en el Instituto Cubano de Oftalmología Ramón Pando Ferrer, en el período comprendido entre enero de 2000 hasta diciembre de 2006. Fueron evaluadas algunas variables demográficas, como edad y sexo, así como agudeza visual y refracción preoperatorio y posoperatoria con cristales y sin ellos. Reportamos las complicaciones transquirúrgicas y posquirúrgicas asociadas a las diferentes técnicas quirúrgicas empleadas para la extracción del cristalino. RESULTADOS: La edad promedio obtenida fue mayor de 50 años, y predominó el sexo femenino. Parte de los pacientes tuvieron una agudeza visual corregida superior a 20/40. La complicación más frecuente fue la opacidad de la cápsula posterior y solo en la tercera parte de los pacientes se obtuvo una buena corrección refractiva. CONCLUSIONES: La técnica de piggy back permitió la recuperación de cuatro líneas en la cartilla de Snellen en la agudeza visual corregida, mientras que en la agudeza visual sin corrección solo aumentó en dos líneas. Se encontró igual número de pacientes hipocorregidos y bien corregidos(AU)

OBJECTIVE: To asses the visual results of patients operated on by piggy back technique or multiple implantation of intraocular lenses METHODS: A retrospective cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted in 32 eyes from 30 patients operated on from cataract, using the above-mentioned technique, at Ramon Pando Ferrer Cuban Institute of Ophthalmology in the period January 2000 through December 2006. Some demographic variables as age and sex as well as visual acuity and preoperative and postoperative refraction with/without lenses were evaluated. Trans-surgical and post-surgical complications associated with the various surgical techniques for the crystalline extraction were reported. RESULTS: Average age was 50 years, being the females predominant. One part of the patients had corrected visual acuity over 20/40. The most frequent complication was posterior capsule opacity and only one third of patients showed good refractive correction. CONCLUSIONS: Piggy back technique allowed recovering four lines in corrected visual acuity in Snellen´s chart whereas uncorrected visual acuity increased two lines only. The number of hypocorrected and well-corrected patients was the same(AU)

Hepatectomia total com preservação da veia cava inferior: "piggy-back" experimental em cães

During the recipient hepatectomy in liver transplantation, preservation of the retrohepatic segment of the inferior vena cava has several advantages: it decreases warm ischemia time by eliminating the infrahepatic caval anastomosis, eliminates the need for venovenous bypass and eases retransplantation. Removal of the liver of the dog without sacrificing the inferior vena cava has been considered impossible because of the intrahepatic course of the vena cava at the sites of entry of the hepatic veins. The following report reviews the history of the piggyback method, and discuss about the feasibility of the total removal of the liver without injury to the vena cava in the dog.

No transplante de fígado, a preservação do segmento retro-hepático da veia cava durante a hepatectomia do receptor apresenta uma série de vantagens: diminuição do tempo de isquemia quente por eliminar a anastomose da veia cava infra-hepática, redução da necessidade da utilização de derivações veno-venosas e simplificação da cirurgia do re-transplante hepático. Em cães, os lobos hepáticos lateral direito e caudado são caprichosamente atravessados pela veia cava inferior, dificultando a completa "esqueletização" do vaso. No presente trabalho, os autores revisam a singular história do método do "piggy-back" experimental e clínico, e discutem a técnica da cirurgia em cães.

Clinical Results of Cataract Operations using Piggy-back Method

PURPOSE: To attain adequate intraocular lens power during cataract surgery in patients with high myopia or hyperopia, the implantation of two intraocular lenses by the piggy-back method are being widely attempted. Therefore, we report the clinical results of implantation of two intraocular lenses by the piggy-back method. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We illustrate a case of a 62-year old high myopic patient with cataract who received lens insertion of -5.0 diopter and -4.0 diopter piggy-back style in the capsular bag. Also, we illustrate a case of a 7-year old female with congenital cataract who received lens insertion in the capsular bag of +18.0 diopter and +17.0 diopter in the right eye and +17.0 diopter and +16.0 diopter in the left eye. RESULTS: Postoperative findings at 2 months showed well positioning of both lenses without noticeable complications.

Prevention of outflow block in piggy back liver transplantation / 中华肝胆外科杂志

Objective To investigate the impact of cavoplasty on the piggy back liver transplantation and on the prevention of hepatic outflow block. Methods Three patients received modified piggy back liver transplantation with venacavoplasty under single veno venous bypass. Results All the recipients had stability of dynamic circulation, short anhepatic phase and decreased hemorrhage during operation. Postoperatively all the patients recovered quickly with good liver function without any complications. Conclusions Venacavoplasty may overcome outflow block in piggy back liver transplantation and the technique can shorten anhepatic phase and decrease complications.