Rescue Arterial Revascularization Using Cryopreserved Iliac Artery Allograft in Liver Transplant Patients.

OBJECTIVES: Management of hepatic arterial complications after liver transplant remains challenging. The aim of our study was to assess the efficacy of rescue arterial revascularization using cryopreserved iliac artery allografts in this setting. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Medical records of patients with liver transplants who underwent rescue arterial revascularization using cryopreserved iliac artery allografts at a single institution were reviewed. RESULTS: From 1992 to 2015, 7 patients underwent rescue arterial revascularization using cryopreserved iliac artery allografts for hepatic artery pseudoaneurysm (3 patients), thrombosis (2 patients), aneurysm (1 patient), or stenosis (1 patient). Two patients developed severe complications, comprising one biliary leakage treated percutaneously, and one acute necrotizing pancreatitis causing death on postoperative day 29. After a median follow-up of 75 months (range, 1-269 mo), 2 patients had an uneventful long-term course, whereas 4 patients developed graft thrombosis after a median period of 120 days (range, 2-488 d). Among the 4 patients who developed graft thrombosis, 1 patient developed ischemic cholangitis, 1 developed acute ischemic hepatic necrosis and was retransplanted, and 2 patients did not develop any further complications. CONCLUSIONS: Despite a high rate of allograft thrombosis, rescue arterial revascularization using cryopreserved iliac artery allografts after liver transplant is an effective and readily available approach, with a limited risk of infection and satisfactory long-term graft and patient survival.

Hyperparathyroidism, an emerging disease.

A retrospective study based on 35 years of personal experience was done. Up to today 2,175 patients were operated, 1,318 for primary hyperparathyroidism (HPT) and 857 for secondary and tertiary HPT. Considering recent years (1999 to July 2010), 918 patients were operated for primary HPT. Preoperatively all the patients performed a cervical ultrasound and/or a sestamibi scan. Open mininvasive procedure was preferred: it is an easily reproducible and costless technique. Using magnifying glasses up to 2.5, an excellent three-dimensional vision was obtained. The operating time is short and if there are any doubts it is possible to extend the exploration to the other side of the neck. Immediate and long-term results were excellent, with a cure rate greater than 99%. Complications in the treatment of a single adenoma are around 0.3%. Patients can be discharged 24-48 h after the operation. Regarding reoperations, a correct diagnostic and therapeutic approach is essential. CT, MRI and SPECT must correlate with the information given by ultrasound and scintigraphy. The intraoperative PTH assay (io-PTH) is required and the approach should be limited to the area where the missed gland probably is. The functionality of the autotransplantation (AT) performed immediately was good. The functionality of the cryopreserved tissue is better for the HPT I in comparison with HPT II. Considering HPT I or HPT II the use of io-PTH is helpful. MIBI scanning is helpful but not essential, except in reoperations. Surgeon experience is another very important factor for good results.