En Bloc Simultaneous Liver-Kidney Transplantation Compared to the Traditional Technique: Results From a Single Center.

BACKGROUND: Simultaneous liver-kidney transplantation is indicated for patients with concomitant end-stage liver disease and end-stage renal disease. The traditional technique involves separate implantations of the liver and the kidney. In the en bloc approach, the liver is recovered en bloc with the right kidney and the donor renal artery is anastomosed to the donor splenic artery. We aimed to compare the outcomes of the traditional and en bloc techniques for simultaneous liver-kidney transplantation in a single center. METHODS: This single-center retrospective study involved all adult patients who underwent simultaneous liver-kidney transplantation from brain-dead donors from January 2017 to December 2022. RESULTS: A total of 15 patients were included: 10 transplanted with the traditional technique and 5 with the en bloc approach. Patients in the en bloc group presented higher body mass index, shorter kidney cold and total ischemia times, shorter overall surgical time and longer kidney warm ischemia time (29.07 kg/m2vs 23.20 kg/m2 [P = .048]; 560 minutes vs 880 minutes [P = .026]; 615 minutes vs 908 minutes [P = 0.025]; 405 minutes vs 485 minutes [P = .046]; 46 minutes vs 33.5 minutes [P = 0.027], respectively). Ureteroneocystostomy was performed in 2 patients of the en bloc group and ureteroureterostomy in the remaining 3 patients. One patient in the en bloc group presented stenosis of renal artery anastomosis and underwent percutaneous angioplasty. This same patient eventually developed late urinary fistula. In the traditional technique group, there were 2 cases of renal vein thrombosis and 1 of ureteral stenosis. CONCLUSIONS: Compared with the traditional technique, the en bloc approach is feasible and safe, reducing kidney total ischemia time and overall surgical time.

Liver Transplantation for Benign Massive Hepatomegaly: Results From a Single Center and Contribution of the Left-to-Right Piggyback Approach.

INTRODUCTION: Polycystic liver disease and giant hepatic hemangioma may present with severe symptom burden and indicate orthotopic liver transplantation. The left-to-right piggyback approach is a useful technique for performing total hepatectomy of enlarged livers. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study is to analyze the results of liver transplantation in patients with benign massive hepatomegaly. METHODS: This is a single-center retrospective study involving all adult patients who underwent liver transplantation due to benign massive hepatomegaly from January 2002 to June 2023. RESULTS: A total of 22 patients underwent liver transplantation (21 cases of polycystic live disease and 1 case of giant hepatic hemangioma). During the same time, there were 2075 transplants; therefore, benign massive hepatomegaly accounted for 1.06% of cases. Most patients (59.09%) were transplanted using the left-to-right piggyback technique. Seven patients had previous attempted treatment of hepatic cysts. Another patient previously underwent bilateral nephrectomy and living-donor kidney transplantation. Among these patients, in 5 cases there were massive abdominal adhesions with increased bleeding. Four of these 8 patients died in the very early perioperative period. In comparison to patients without previous cysts manipulation, massive adhesions and perioperative death were significantly higher in those cases (62.5 vs 0%, P = .002 and 50% vs 0%, P = .004, respectively). CONCLUSION: Liver transplantation due to polycystic liver disease and giant hemangioma is a rare event. Total hepatectomy is challenging due to the enlarged native liver. The left-to-right piggyback technique is useful, because it avoids vena cava twisting and avulsion of its branches. Massive adhesions due to previous cysts manipulation may lead to increased bleeding, being a risk factor for mortality.

Retransplantation for Late Hepatic Artery Thrombosis: Results from a Single Center.

BACKGROUND: Hepatic artery thrombosis is the most common vascular complication of liver transplantation. When occurring late in the postoperative course, it may have no clinical repercussions, and conservative treatment may be implemented. Some patients, however, will develop severe biliary complications due to ischemic cholangiopathy and require retransplantation. The aim of this study is to report the outcomes of retransplantation in this population. METHODS: This is a single-center retrospective study involving all adult patients who underwent liver retransplantation due to late hepatic artery thrombosis from January/2010 to December/2022. RESULTS: During the study period, 1378 liver transplants were performed in our center; 147 were retransplantations, with 13 cases of late hepatic artery thrombosis (0.94%). All had symptomatic ischemic cholangiopathy. Twelve of them had already presented previous cholangitis, bilomas, or liver abscesses and had undergone biliary stenting or percutaneous drainage. The median time between the first liver transplant and late hepatic artery thrombosis diagnosis and between this diagnosis and retransplantation were 73 and 50 days, respectively. Arterial reconstruction using splenic artery, celiac trunk, or arterial conduit from the aorta was performed in 7 cases, whereas biliary reconstruction was mostly done with choledochojejunostomy (n = 8). There were 4 perioperative deaths, 2 due to primary non-function and 2 due to refractory shock after exceedingly complex retransplants. CONCLUSION: Liver retransplantation due to late hepatic artery thrombosis is a rare condition that should be offered to patients who develop severe biliary complications and recurrent infections. It is nonetheless a challenging procedure associated with significant perioperative mortality.

Liver Transplantation for Adenomatosis: A Single-Center Experience.

BACKGROUND: Liver adenomatosis is characterized by multiple adenomas diffusely distributed throughout the liver parenchyma. Studies addressing liver transplantation for those cases are scarce, and the criteria used to indicate transplantation are still debatable. OBJECTIVE: To report a single-center experience of liver transplantation for diffuse adenomatosis. METHODS: Single-center retrospective study involving all adult patients who underwent liver transplantation due to adenomatosis from January/2010 to June/2023. RESULTS: A total of 13 patients were identified, corresponding to 0.89% of liver transplants performed during the study period. The mean age was 33 ± 6.55 years, and most of them were female (n = 9, 69.23%). There were 12 transplants with deceased donors and 1 with a right lobe from a living donor. The most frequent reason to preclude liver resection was multiple and large unresectable adenomas in patients without previous liver disease (n = 8, 61.58%), followed by underlying liver disease (Abernethy Malformation, n = 3, 23.07%) and recurrence after liver resection (n = 2, 15.38%). The indications for liver transplantation were high risk of malignant transformation (n = 7, 53.84%), increasing size and number of nodules (n = 3, 23.07%), confirmed malignant transformation (n = 2, 15.38%), and hemorrhage (n = 2, 15.38%). There was 1 perioperative death due to primary non-function. Another patient died during follow-up because of COVID-19. CONCLUSION: Liver adenomatosis is a rare indication for liver transplantation, with acceptable post-transplant outcomes. Unresectable adenomas with high-risk or confirmed malignant transformation are the main indications for transplant. Reasons for unresectability involve underlying liver disease, multiple and large high-risk nodules, and recurrence after previous resection.

Life-Threatening Ruptured Hepatic Artery Pseudoaneurysm Post-Liver Transplant: A Case Report.

BACKGROUND: Hepatic artery pseudoaneurysm after liver transplantation is a rare condition that can lead to spontaneous bleeding, depending on its extent and location. Treatment involves endovascular and surgical approaches in addition to liver retransplantation in cases of graft failure. CASE REPORT: A 42-year-old female underwent deceased donor liver transplantation due to cryptogenic cirrhosis and schistosomiasis with an uneventful postoperative course. However, 18 days after the operation, she presented to the emergency department with abdominal pain, hypotension, and lipothymia. A computed tomography scan revealed a hepatic artery anastomotic pseudoaneurysm, and due to hemodynamic instability, emergency laparotomy was indicated. During the operation, the pseudoaneurysm was found to be ruptured, and the recipient's hepatic artery was ligated due to life-threatening bleeding. She later developed ischemic cholangiopathy and biliary complications, eventually undergoing retransplantation 7 months after the emergency operation. The patient remains well 11 months after the retransplantation. CONCLUSION: We report a rare case of life-threatening rupture of hepatic artery pseudoaneurysm, which required emergency ligation of the recipient's hepatic artery and subsequent liver retransplantation due to biliary complications.

Terapia de presión negativa para el manejo de abdomen catastrófico secundario a íleo biliar / Negative Pressure Therapy for Managing Catastrophic Abdomen following Gallstone Ileus

Introducción: El abdomen catastrófico o abdomen hostil es una entidad quirúrgica de gran importancia por la pérdida de los distintos espacios entre los órganos de la cavidad abdominal y las estructuras de la cavidad abdominal. Estas alteraciones producen cambios anatómicos grandes por un síndrome adherencial severo. Objetivo: Demostrar la presentación de un abdomen catastrófico posterior a manejo de íleo biliar en un paciente adulto. Caso clínico: Paciente masculino de 43 años que producto de un abdomen agudo obstructivo por íleo biliar evolucionó tórpidamente en otra casa asistencial. Se realizaron 3 intervenciones quirúrgicas, hasta llegar a nuestra casa asistencial donde se le trata de manera multidisciplinaria e integral. Estuvo 120 días hospitalizado y se le realizó 5 intervenciones quirúrgicas para aplicación y recambio de terapia de presión negativa abdominal abierta (ABThera). Durante la última intervención al encontrar una cavidad limpia y sin fugas se realiza gastroentero anastomosis en Y de Roux con una buena evolución clínico-quirúrgica hasta el alta, con seguimiento dos meses posteriores por consulta externa. Conclusiones: El abdomen catastrófico es un reto para el manejo por los cirujanos porque se requiere aparte de un vasto conocimiento también el apoyo de otras especialidades para poder combatir esta entidad(AU)

Introduction: Catastrophic abdomen or hostile abdomen is a surgical entity of great significance due to the loss of the different spaces between organs and the structures of the abdominal cavity. These alterations produce major anatomical changes due to a severe adhesive syndrome. Objective: To show the presentation of a catastrophic abdomen following gallstone ileus management in an adult patient. Clinical case: A 43-year-old male patient who, as a consequence of an acute obstructive abdomen due to gallstone ileus, had a torpid evolution into another care facility. Three surgical interventions were performed before he arrived at our care facility, where he was treated in a multidisciplinary and comprehensive way. He was hospitalized for 120 days and underwent five surgical interventions for application and replacement of the open abdomen negative pressure therapy (ABThera). During the last intervention, upon finding a clean cavity without leaks, a Roux-en-Y gastroenteric anastomosis was performed, with a good clinical-surgical evolution until discharge and follow-up of two months thereafter in the outpatient clinic. Conclusions: Catastrophic abdomen is a challenge to be managed by surgeons because it requires, apart from vast knowledge, the support of other specialties to combat this entity(AU)

Hernia inguinal gigante en un adulto / Giant inguinal hernia in an adult

Se describe el caso clínico de un paciente de 58 años de edad con antecedentes personales de insuficiencia cardiaca congestiva mal controlada, quien acudió a emergencias del Hospital Luis Bernaza de Guayaquil, Ecuador, por presentar dolor abdominal difuso, constipación y masa inguinoescrotal gigante. Se realizan los estudios pertinentes y se diagnostica una hernia inguinoescrotal gigante con pérdida de domicilio, sin datos de obstrucción intestinal. Se empleó la técnica de Goñi Moreno durante 12 días para aumentar el diámetro de la cavidad abdominal y regresar el contenido del saco a su lugar. Se efectuó laparotomía exploratoria y hernioplastia con resultado satisfactorio y seguimiento por consulta externa durante 2 meses, sin alteraciones.

The case report of a 58 years patient with personal history of a poor controlled congestive heart failure is described, who went to the emergency service of Luis Bernaza Hospital in Guayaquil, Ecuador, due to a diffuse abdominal pain, constipation and giant inguinoescrotal mass. The pertinent studies were carried out and a giant inguinoescrotal hernia is diagnosed with home loss, without data of intestinal obstruction. The Goñi Moreno technique was used during 12 days to increase the diameter of the abdominal cavity and return the content from the sack to its place. An exploratory laparotomy and hernioplastia were carried out with satisfactory result and follow up in the outpatient department during 2 months, without alterations.

Evisceración de intestino delgado por periné posterior como presentación de hernia interrecto-vaginal: reporte de un caso / Evisceration of the small intestine through the posterior perineum aspresentation of interrecto-vaginal hernia: a case report

Introducción. El enterocele es causado por un defecto herniario del piso pélvico, siendo el más común la hernia interrecto-vaginal. Se produce por un debilitamiento del piso pélvico, por diversos factores, entre ellos, las cirugías en la región pélvica, el estreñimiento crónico o las patologías que aumentan la presión intraabdominal, el antecedente de prolapso rectal o vaginal, y también, factores congénitos. Presentación de caso. Paciente femenina de 84 años de edad, con antecedentes de un parto eutócico y múltiples procedimientos quirúrgicos, entre ellos histerectomía hace 40 años y rectosigmoidectomía por enfermedad diverticular complicada hace 6 años, quien cuatro meses antes presenta constipación crónica, que empeora en los días previos a su ingreso, con dolor perineal intenso y salida de asas intestinales a nivel de la región perineal, que la obliga a consultar a Urgencias. Al encontrarse con asas intestinales expuestas, con cambios de coloración, es intervenida quirúrgicamente con resultado satisfactorio, postquirúrgico inmediato optimo y seguimiento por consulta externa por 3 meses sin evidencia de recidiva. Discusión. La hernia interrecto-vaginal tiene una incidencia baja y una presentación clínica variada. El único tratamiento es quirúrgico

Introduction. The enterocele is produced by an hernia defect of the pelvic floor, being the most common the interrecto-vaginal hernia. It is produced by weakness of the pelvic floor for multiples factors, among them surgeries of the pelvic region, chronic constipation or pathologies that increase intra-abdominal pressure, a history of rectal or vaginal prolapse, and congenital factors. Case report. A 84-year-old female patient, with a history of eutocic delivery and multiple surgical procedures, including hysterectomy 40 years ago and rectosigmoidectomy for complicated diverticular disease 6 years ago, presented four months earlier with chronic constipation, which worsens in the days before her admission, with intense perineal pain and exit of intestinal loops at the level of the perineal region, which forced her to consult the emergency room. At examination the intestinal loops were found exposed, with color changes, she underwent surgery with satisfactory results, optimal immediate postoperative and outpatient follow-up for 3 months with no evidence of recurrence. Discussion. Interrecto-vaginal hernia has a low incidence and a varied clinical presentation. The only treatment is surgery

Ascaridiasis hepatobiliar en una adulta joven / Hepatobiliary ascaridiasis in a young adult woman

Se presenta el caso clínico de una paciente de 27 años de edad, con antecedentes de colecistectomía convencional desde hacía 10 meses por aparente colecistitis, quien acudió al Hospital Luis Vernaza de Guayaquil, Ecuador, por presentar ictericia y dolor abdominal. Teniendo en cuenta los hallazgos clínicos, de laboratorio e imagenológicos se le diagnosticó sepsis de foco abdominal, colangitis y coledocolitiasis. Durante la intervención quirúrgica se observó la presencia de 2 Ascaris lumbricoides y cálculo de colesterol en la vía biliar, por lo que se le realizó una derivación bilioentérica. Después de algunas complicaciones como insuficiencia respiratoria y descompensación hemodinámica, la paciente egresó de la institución a los 25 días de operada, con seguimiento por consulta externa durante 2 meses.

The case report of a 27 years patient is presented, with history of conventional cholecystectomy for 10 months due to apparent cholecystitis who went to Luis Vernaza Hospital in Guayaquil, Ecuador, presenting jaundice and abdominal pain. Taking into account the clinical, laboratory and imaging findings a sepsis of abdominal focus, cholangitis and choledocolithiasis was diagnosed. During the surgical intervention the presence of 2 Ascaris lumbricoides and cholesterol calculi in the bile duct was observed, reason why a bilioenteric bypass was carried out. After some complications such as breathing failure and hemodynamic upset, the patient was discharged from the institution 25 days after the surgery, with follow up in outpatient clinics during 2 months.